Iowa Regents President Has Given Only a Third of His 2008 Pledge of $5 Million

Bruce Rastetter, president of the Iowa Board of Regents, has given less than a third of a $5 million pledge toward a training complex for the University of Iowa’s football program, according to an Associated Press analysis. The review contradicts claims by Mr. Rastetter, who this week is seeking re-election as president of the board, that he has given $5 million.

The Board of Regents governs the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa, and critics accuse Mr. Rastetter of favoring the other two institutions over the University of Iowa.

Some suggest the delay in making the gift was used to put pressure on former President Sally Mason to step down. Mr. Rastetter, who made millions in the pork and ethanol industries, has donated a total of $1.5 million to the football performance center, according to the University of Iowa Foundation, making his first payment of $500,000 in 2012. But he waited to make additional payments until after Ms. Mason, who retired last year, announced plans to leave, according to the AP.

Mr. Rastetter declined to comment, and the university declined to release documents related to Mr. Rastetter’s pledge, saying the documents are confidential and protected by law.

Note: A previous version of this article said Mr. Rastetter had given $1.5 million to the university. That was the amount he has given to football performance center. He has given more than that to the university. It also referred to the IU Foundation instead of the University of Iowa Foundation.