The Board of Regents President criticized the events that took place at the town hall for University of Iowa’s recently appointed president on Thursday.

While Regents President Bruce Rastetter praised Bruce Harreld, the UI president who resumed duties Nov. 2,  Rastetter denounced the members of the public who repeatedly interrupted the town hall.

“I would hope that, in the spirit of open transparency that’s happening at the University of Iowa, that some of those people would be more professional than what they appeared to be the other night,” Rastetter said in an interview with The Gazette in Cedar Rapids.

Since the announcement of his appointment, Harreld has received heavy criticism for his lack of academic experience.

At the Board of Regents meeting Thursday, Harreld said the town hall “was contentious at best.” He added that he believes hosting public forums is important to engage, learn from and to improve the UI community.