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[Note: This material is copyright by the Press-Citizen, and is reproduced here as a matter of "fair use" for non-commercial, educational purposes only. Any other use may require the prior approval of the Iowa City Press-Citizen.]

As reported in today's Press-Citizen, Bedell -- after the meltdown of the University of Iowa presidential search and the piling on of no-confidence votes against the leadership of the Iowa state Board of Regents -- sent his resignation letter to Culver on Wednesday, even though his term was not scheduled to end until 2011.

We've heard little direct criticism of Bedell in the ongoing controversy between UI and the regents. A businessman and entrepreneur from Spirit Lake who was appointed to the board by Gov. Tom Vilsack, he has given generously of his time and money to UI over the years; specifically, he has taught in the Executive MBA program and sponsored the Bedell Entrepreneurial Center. Although he did vote on Nov. 17 to reject the four presidential finalists and to disband the search committee, he has not attracted the ire that the UI community has directed toward Regents President Michael Gartner and President Pro-Tem Teresa Wahlert.

In his letter to Gov.-elect Culver, Bedell wrote that the controversy between the regents and UI "impacts the effectiveness of the role of the Regents and diverts focus from our core mission -- promoting excellence in education for all Iowans." Although he described the nature of the controversy as being "more personality than substance driven," he offered his resignation as a way to allow the incoming governor an opportunity "to appoint a new Regent that might become president of the board who could provide renewed leadership."

In speaking with The Associated Press, Bedell wasn't critical of Gartner, but said that new leadership was needed for the board to operate effectively. He was sharply critical, however, of what he called the "shortcomings and political self interests" of the UI community.

"We have engaged in power struggles that are unnecessary and divisive," he said. "Personalities have caused suspicion of intentions and agendas, which are not focused on serving the people of Iowa."

Regardless of where the fault lies for the abysmal state of controversy between the regents and UI, it's obvious that things will not improve without a drastic change.

With the UI community clamoring that the only way to move past the current debacle is to remove the regent leadership -- and with the regent leadership giving little indication that they will leave any earlier than the end of their terms -- Bedell provides a possible face-saving option. A more effective face-saving option for all concerned, however, would be for all the regents to resign their posts and to allow Culver to reappoint them, or to appoint others, if he so chooses.

Rather than permit this personality-driven controversy to continue indefinitely, all the board members should follow Bedell's example.