IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Faculty groups are calling for University of Iowa president Bruce Harreld to face consequences for suggesting that unprepared teachers "should be shot."

Chapters of the American Association of University Professors at Iowa's three public universities say the insensitive remark calls into question Harreld's leadership abilities.

In a Sunday letter to the Board of Regents, they say employees have been disciplined or fired for similar remarks since a 1991 mass shooting on the Iowa City campus. They say the remark underscores Harreld's lack of experience as a university president.

Harreld apologized to a librarian who was offended by his Dec. 9 comment to UI Staff Council. He later tried to clarify, saying he actually said he'd learned as an instructor that "I should be shot" if he wasn't prepared for class.

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