I was surprised to read that the Martin C. Jischke Building will be going up on central campus.

As a former university president, it seems natural something would eventually bear his name. Considering the tremendous things he has done for Iowa State, that honor is well deserved.

The incredible speed of this action raises questions about the naming and how it is bypassing established policy. The university policy states that a building may not be named after an individual until he or she has been gone from Iowa State for at least five years, according to page 2.10 of the General University Policies document.

In fall of 1996, the Government of the Student Body passed a resolution to waive the five-year rule and name the new Student Health Center after former Vice President for Student Affairs Thielen in recognition of 20 years of service. The university response was that the five-year rule is never waived, period.

Now the rule is being waived, and I am unclear why. Who made the decision and what is the reason for waiving the five-year rule? Why is this situation different?

Last Friday, I tried to contact five university administrators. As of the writing of this letter, one referred me to the chair of the University Naming Committee, who was unavailable. The other said it is “a special situation that deserved special consideration” and referred me to the naming committee. The final decision will be made by the Board of Regents Thursday.

This honor should not be given by trampling university policy fiercely defended in the past. The honor is devalued when the rules are bypassed.

Matt Ostanik

Senior

Architecture

GSB senator

Interfraternity Council