In light of the fact that there isn’t enough money to go around for Iowa’s three regent universities, the state Board of Regents has decided to spend $224,800 to find out which programs we can live without.

The board voted Tuesday to award a contract to a consulting group to follow up on a 1989 audit of the three universities. Among the recommendations of the original audit was to eliminate the journalism program at Iowa State, as well as other programs, in an effort to reduce “academic duplication” among ISU, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa.

This is due to the fact that during finals week last spring, when most of us were either studying or hung over (or both), Gov. Terry Branstad put his crony, Marvin Pomerantz, back on the Board of Regents for a one-year term. He was then promptly elected president.

Pomerantz, for those of you who don’t know or have forgotten, was the president of the board who almost single-handedly sold WOI-TV, over the vehement protests of ISU faculty and students. And, as a side note, his appearance has been likened to that of a walrus (coo coo ca choo).

The fact that Branstad had the gall to put Pomerantz back on the board, and at a time when most students weren’t paying attention, is appalling. Because it was a temporary appointment, Branstad didn’t need the approval of the state legislature. That’s convenient, since the legislature booted Pomerantz from the board in 1993, ending his dictatorial reign.

Cutting down on “academic duplication” was one of Pomerantz’s pet issues, and he is bound and determined to follow the recommendations made in the original audit.

The thinking behind all of this is that the three schools in question all have programs they are particularly strong in, so there’s no need to have a broad base of programs at any of the schools.

So if you want to study journalism or some other humanities program, you should go to the U of I. Science and math-types belong at ISU, and prospective teachers should go to UNI.

No one, especially students from Iowa whose parents have been supporting the state schools through taxes for years, should have to make that choice.

It is crucial that the three regent universities offer a variety of academic programs. Many students don’t know what they want to do with their lives when they start college. The only way to find out is to experience many different areas of study and find one that suits you.

Also, many students change majors at least once, if not several times, during their academic careers. Let’s say you start college at ISU wanting to be an engineer and decide after a year that it isn’t for you. You think you might want to teach instead.

If Pomerantz gets his way, you’ll not only have to change your major, you’ll have to change your school, find a new place to live, a new job, etc.

This is a serious upheaval that could be avoided if the three regent schools are allowed to remain “universities” in the truest sense and not be turned into big trade schools.

At a time when the board members are complaining about students taking more than four years to graduate, I don’t understand why they want to make it even harder for many students to graduate on time.

A broad-based education is vital. Unfortunately, many people seem to believe that the only knowledge that’s valuable is knowledge directly related to your career choice.

One of my colleagues raised the question this week about why a journalism major should have to take science classes. Well, I’ll tell you.

This summer, I wrote a story about the smell coming from the sewage treatment plant in my hometown of Cedar Rapids (oh, the glory of internships). Some of it was rather scientific, and knowing something about science helped me understand it, which in turn made it easier for me to make the readers understand it. So pay attention in class, because you never know when some of that stuff will be useful.

Students need options about their education. They need to have some flexibility in whichever school they choose, and the opportunity to get a good, general education when they get there.

I can only hope that the programs in danger, including the ISU journalism program, can weather the storm of Pomerantz’s return to the Board of Regents.

However, since his ouster was the result of the protests of ISU faculty and students, he will probably have a very big chip on his shoulder. It could be a difficult year for everyone at ISU.

Steven Martens is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Cedar Rapids.