After a falling out last year with Iowa's best-known vegetable, corn on the cob and the University of Iowa are back on the same page.

UI banned a student corn eating contest last year, saying with obesity at epidemic levels, it was wrong to promote a competition that encouraged gluttony -- whether it featured one of Iowa's major exports or not.

"I got a lot of complaints from around the state, 'Why do you have something against corn?'" said UI Vice President for Student Services Phillip Jones, who called it off last year.

"It's not the corn; it's the concept."

This year, as part of Beat State Week, a week of festivities leading up to Saturday's football game against rival Iowa State, corn is back on the menu.

However, instead of an all-you-can-eat affair, students will compete to see who can finish a single ear of corn first.

The contest will begin at 12:30 p.m. today in Hubbard Park. Other events will occur throughout the week.

The modified contest is something UI can live with and support, Jones said.

"They are doing it in a short and fun way and promoting the state's major product," Jones said.