A proposal for a Master of Business Administration program in Des Moines was approved by the Board of Regents last Thursday, despite a slow backing by the Iowa Coordinating Council for Post-High School Education.

The proposal was initially rejected by the council in May by a vote of eight for, four against and two undecided.

At the meeting in May, Drake President David Maxwell said Iowa State President Martin Jischke did not provide enough data to prove there was demand in the area for another MBA program.

The second council meeting was called by Jischke, and the proposal passed by a vote of 12-7-1.

The council does not have direct power over the Board of Regents, but support from the council is important when a proposal is being debated, Maxwell said.

All institutions in Iowa whose students are eligible for financial aid are represented in the council. The council members include representatives from the three regent universities, community colleges, private colleges and at-large members.

Maxwell said Jischke “proved capacity for another program, but he did not prove that a need existed.”

“President Jischke didn’t do his homework; he needed to look for demand in Des Moines for another program to avoid duplication,” he said.

Maxwell was concerned an ISU MBA program would divide students pursuing an MBA degree in Des Moines.

“We needed data to show that another program won’t divide the pie,” he said.

According to an article in the Tribune, Jischke said ISU has attempted to work with Drake on an MBA program since July of 1997, but Drake officials were not interested despite numerous letters and meetings.

Maxwell said a proposal was given to ISU regarding a collaboration of both programs, but Drake had not received news from ISU yet.

Maxwell also said Jischke advertised the MBA program in Des Moines before the council had approved the proposal.

According to the Tribune article, Jischke apologized to the council and said ISU made an “inadvertent mistake.”

Jischke said there is a need for the program in Des Moines and the percentage of Iowans who hold advanced degrees is relatively low.

“After sending out information about having the program in downtown Des Moines, we have received over 1,000 inquires and over 300 people came to informational meetings,” he said.

Jischke said the program has 50 applicants already and night classes will begin this fall.

“The program takes 31 months to complete, at any given time we’ll have about 150 students,” he said.

Associate Dean of Business Lobh Hira said the program is aimed at working professionals and offers only evening classes.

“We have been deliberating this move on and off during the last 10 years,” Hira said.

Hira also said Des Moines was chosen because it is the largest metro area in the state, it has the most businesses and includes the largest percentage of ISU alumni. ISU has leased the Amerus Building in downtown Des Moines for fall classes. Jischke said classes typically will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.