To the editor:

Research is an integral part of a university’s reputation. That means the quality of research at Iowa State is an important factor that attracts students and new faculty to the school.

Quality research makes our degrees mean something to the outside world.

When companies consider ISU students for positions, it is the strength of the faculty, measured by research work, that really helps your chances of getting that job.

Take a look at the rankings of various departments at different universities and relate that to the amount of research money they bring in.

It really tells the story. Research equals reputation.

There is obviously a balance to be met for a faculty member between teaching and research. Some are better at this than others.

However, the faculty that I was taught by were very good teachers who put a large amount of effort and passion into their teaching, while still spending time on their research work.

They also made it clear to prospective faculty members that they should put an emphasis on good teaching.

I wonder what those who are concerned about the resources allocated to undergraduate teaching are truly complaining about? What is the measuring stick against which Iowa State is being measured? Is it MIT or Cal Tech? Or is it Grinnell or Harvard?

Look at how Iowa State does compared to other institutions and be constructive. If you have a way that can provide better undergraduate teaching while maintaining the reputation of the school, then please speak up.

What has me upset is that this petition against Dr. Jischke has been bastardized.

Now it is not only being used to show displeasure with the emphasis on research work, but it is also being used to show displeasure with Dr. Jischke in general.

If you want to make a petition about him being a mean guy, a bad guy or a dictator, fine.

Make up a separate petition. Just do not cloud the issues that are being scrutinized.

I feel that the focus on research and the focus on undergraduate teaching are at a nice state of equilibrium at Iowa State. I really do not want my degree cheapened by some policy shift away from doing quality research work.

If you want to have a discussion about how much emphasis is placed on research work as opposed to undergraduate teaching and how Dr. Jischke factors into those issues, that is great. It is probably even helpful for some people in order to get a handle on the issues.

If there is going to be a discussion, then it should stay on course and not take the road of tangents, misdirection and stuff that has nothing to do with what was being talked about in the first place.

Christopher Jones

Alumnus

Freeport, Texas