President Leath’s office denies university plane was ever taken solely for personal use

Can I get access to the school’s plane too or nah?

Iowa State University confirmed a plane, property of the university, was damaged while landing from a trip taken by President Leath and his wife. This personal trip was taken to North Carolina to Leath’s second home. Did I mention that the pilot was President Leath himself?

Upon landing in Bloomington, Illinois turbulence caused the pilot to hit one wing on the runway as well as take out a runway light. Leath blamed gusty wind conditions for the damage, however flight experts seemed to think it was a pilot error. A considerable amount of damage on the plane was reported. “With respect to the hard landing incident, there was no attempt to hide this event from anyone,” said Leath. “I believe this incident would have been covered by university insurance; however, for business reasons, the claim was not submitted and the cost of the repairs was covered by non-general use funds”

When reached for statement, Megan Landolt, Assistant to the President for Communications, referred me to the president’s “comprehensive statement” about the event. She also stated “the President has never used university-owned aircraft solely for personal travel… In each case [of travel involving university and personal business], the President reimbursed the university for the full cost of travel which is above and beyond what is required by the university travel policy.”

It is great that President Leath has found time in his busy schedule to mix pleasure and business. No one is blaming him for using his resources. The only problem is his failure to embrace his actions. It is said in the statement that the university was given a “donation” from Leath and his wife to cover fuel costs and any damages done to the plane.

I would love the option to take a university plane for a trip. I wouldn’t even be opposed to it being a business trip. My tuition should cover this, right? How about it President Leath, can you fly me to New York for a business meeting?

 

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