I have mixed feelings about closing the university over winter break (“Officials consider break shut-down,” April 23).

In the very short run it benefits students.

In the long run, it is detrimental to ISU funding.

We have proven to the governor and Legislature that these cuts do not hurt.

We leave positions unfilled for salary savings, cut current expense, not teach a few courses or sections, etc., to continue to demonstrate our ability to meet funding shortfalls.

Only when Iowa State defines priorities and saves or eliminates colleges, departments or programs essential to or supportive of our mission – or not duplicative of other regent institutions – will the Legislature realize that its cuts really do hurt (for example, 10 to 12 open faculty positions in animal science).

Palmer Holden

Professor

Animal science