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[Note: This material is copyright by KCRG-TV9, and is reproduced here as a matter of "fair use" for non-commercial, educational purposes only. Any other use may require the prior approval http://www.kwwl.comof KCRG-TV9.]

People were thinking the exact opposite leading up to the meeting. There was talk that the board would actually name a new president.

Now the search committee members are left scratching their heads, wondering what happened.

It's been 10 months since former president David Skorton announced he was leaving Iowa.

On Friday, the Board of Regents put the search for a replacement back to the starting line.

The search committee is fuming. The regents were not unanimous. And depending on who you ask, the future of the University of Iowa is bleak.

The board of regents voted six to three to wipe clean the search for a new president for the University of Iowa.

"It was felt candidates needed more experience with respect to operating an academic medical center," said Board of Regents Member Bob Downer.

Bob Downer was one of three people who voted against disbanding the search committee and starting over.

He might still have support from university faculty and staff, but the other board members likely don't.

The board decision shocked members of the search committee.

Four board members sit on the committee.

As recently as Tuesday the committee, including those board members, unanimously approved four candidates for the presidency.

Friday all four board members voted in the majority to not consider any of the candidates.

"The board's decision is the final betrayal of a process that's been marked with hostility on the part of the board leadership," said Katherine Tachau, Search Committee Vice Chair.

"I'm really amazed by this turn of events," said Steve McGuire, Search Committee Member.

"We're very disappointed with the University of Iowa and the board of regents," said Mary Greer, Search Committee Member.

The board of regents wants a new search committee.

Representatives of the faculty and staff want a new board of regents.

This announcement seems to have widened an ever growing gap of mistrust between the two sides.

There is no talk of when or how a new presidential search will start.

The next regent meeting is in December.