In recent days, charges have come against members of the ISU men’s hockey team for misuse of the Iowa State name and logo. The All University Judiciary Committee will meet this Wednesday, April 14 at 8:30 a.m. to review charges brought against members and volunteers of one of the oldest student organizations on campus.

For a number of years, university officials have shackled or hindered student run organizations (SROs) over the use of the Iowa State name and trademark material. The process to obtain permissions has always been a sea anchor around the neck of some SROs. In many cases, delays have cost SROs the opportunity to develop revenues to run their programs or slow the process of volunteers in these groups.

Every year, ISU faculty have volunteered their time to act as advisers for these groups. Every year, local businesses have helped fund SROs through cash donations or kind trade so these groups can be effective for their organizations and so they can act as ambassadors for the university.

In many cases these groups create a steady stream of revenue back to the university and the city of Ames. By creating events these groups bring prospective students onto campus and fill hotel rooms with overnight guest who spend, on average, $220 a day.

Like the faculty, I have been given the privilege to personally work with thousands of students to help make their SROs as successful as possible. Every year, the process to use the intellectual properties of the university becomes more difficult to work with for these groups.

For years, many businesses and individuals have worked alongside the men’s hockey program. Through its efforts to make it successful, we have seen this program help bring a multimillion dollar ice arena to Ames.

This past March, they hosted the American College Hockey Association’s national tournament. Twelve teams from around the country stayed in hotels, bought countless meals, and pumped untold dollars at our gas stations while visiting our community during this tournament. It is the diligent work of student groups like men’s hockey that have grown their organizations to a level that we all can benefit by.

It is one thing for ISU Research Foundation to protect the interest of the university and its investments in regards to intellectual property. But it is another for them to insist in a system that prohibits student groups from freely working for the benefit of their group and without the threat of charges. University officials have spent too much time and have given too much attention to a process that is seamless through other institutions.

For years, students at Iowa State have impressed me over and over with the manner in which they represent their organizations and the university. Students of the men’s hockey program, including all its support staff are representing the university with the highest degree of professionalism.

I would encourage other businesses, students, and ISU staff to positively encourage the university to create a more seamless environment for SROs to promote their groups and the university.

John Crawford

General Manager

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