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[Note: This material is copyright by the Des Moines Register, 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 Des Moines Register.]

John Colloton, former long-time director of University Hospitals, is one of 40 retired faculty members or administrators with offices at the Iowa City hospital. Colloton, who retired from the U of I in 2000, also has free campus parking and is provided with a secretary, Nancy Kirkpatrick, who is paid $56,499 a year.

As Iowa's public universities deal with tight budgets and limited space in campus buildings, officials should reconsider whether retired faculty and administrators should have offices and other perks, some regents said last week.

"It's reasonable to look at all the situations that exist to see if they are beneficial to the institution," said Regent Amir Arbisser of Davenport.

Colloton's ongoing influence at the hospital, as well as his service on the board of directors for Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, has caused concern among some regents.

"His presence on this campus may be detrimental at this time," Arbisser said. "I'm concerned that he has a very active role in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield board. We are very different groups."

Regent Robert Downer of Iowa City said Iowa's public universities should look at the contributions being made by retired faculty who use office space and other university resources.

"It would depend on exactly what these people are doing and what their relationship is," Downer said. "A lot of emeritus faculty advise their departments and provide a valuable service."

Five of the 40 emeritus medical professors with office space at University Hospitals still see patients, according to the hospital. Others may be involved in research or serve on U of I committees, as is common for some emeritus faculty across campus.

Colloton is the only non-doctor with emeritus status who has an office at the hospital.

Colloton could not be reached for comment last week. An administrative assistant at the hospital said he was out of town. Messages left at his home in Coralville were not returned.

It's hard to tell what kind of influence Colloton exerts from his office on the hospital's seventh floor. The U of I recently refused to release e-mails and other correspondence from him concerning the hospital and the U of I presidential search, saying Colloton is a private citizen whose correspondence is not subject to Iowa's public-records law.

However, e-mails Colloton sent to other U of I employees - whose correspondence is public - show he regularly meets with and gives advice to top university officials.

Colloton used U of I letterhead on July 11 to send a letter to Interim President Gary Fethke discussing "the complexities involved in attempting to do medical manpower studies that we discussed at our last luncheon." Attached to that was an article from the New York Times titled "Too Many Doctors in the House."

The initials of Colloton's secretary are listed at the bottom of the letter, indicating that she typed the letter marked "personal & confidential."

Colloton's use of U of I resources lends strength to arguments that his correspondence should be made public, Arbisser said. "If he's doing it on our masthead, then absolutely," he said. "There has to be inquiry and transparency."

Colloton, 75, worked at University Hospitals from 1958 to 2000, serving as director for about 23 years starting in 1970. He has served on the board of directors for Wellmark Inc. and its predecessor, Blue Cross of Iowa, since 1974. He now serves as the board's lead director, according to the Wellmark Web site.

Although he does not draw a university paycheck, Colloton still keeps regular office hours at the hospital. Besides a secretary, he also has a university telephone, fax machine and e-mail account provided at no cost to him. His telephone number, e-mail address and office are listed in the 2006-07 U of I staff directory.

All emeritus faculty are offered free parking on campus, a service that Colloton uses. Faculty, staff and students pay hundreds of dollars a year for parking permits.