Members of the Iowa Legislature listened attentively to University of Iowa’s Nate Green, despite tipoff for the Iowa State-Iowa game growing ever closer.

“Right now, times are very difficult for our university,” said Green, Iowa’s student body president.

“Everything that can possibly be cut without hurting us has already been cut, and we’re starting to lose things that make our university special.”

Green was one of many who spoke to a group of state and community leaders at the Government of Student Body-sponsored Meet the Future of Iowa conference, held in the Scheman Building Wednesday.

The focus of the conference, event organizers said, was to engender a sense of communication among members of the Board of Regents, Iowa legislators and students from Iowa’s three largest universities.

Angela Groh, GSB’s Director of Government Relations, coordinated the event.

“If you look at the tables, we have a really good mix of legislators and students and board members,” she said.

“They were laughing and talking. I think this has helped build new relationships, and I think that it’ll help the university. When they’re voting on upcoming budgets, they’ll think back on this event and the students they met, and, hopefully, it’ll make a small difference.”

Secretary of State Chet Culver echoed Groh’s statements.

“I think the program tonight was very important, in that it could start a dialogue between these organizations before the legislators begin the upcoming session,” Culver said.

“A great case was made tonight by the presenters that education needs to remain a priority in Iowa.”

Wednesday’s meeting marks the culmination of three months of work by Groh.

The idea for the gathering was borne from both the recent spate of budget cuts to higher education in the state and by GSB’s desire to get students more involved in politics.

Culver was cautiously optimistic about the possibility of avoiding further cuts in the coming year.

“As a former high school government teacher, and one who is committed to the state, I will do everything I can do to help education of every level. You’ve got a real friend in the Capitol office,” he said.

Regent John Forsyth of Des Moines said that while the evening’s events had undoubtedly provided a benefit for college students and legislators, the future of Iowa’s economy and the aid given to state universities was still unknown.

“I wish I had a magic crystal ball so I could tell you for sure,” Forsyth joked.

“But I’m encouraged by Gov. [Tom] Vilsack’s actions as of late.”