Articles Tagged: University of Iowa

School district exploring potential legal paths to protect students, staff and families

For years, including earlier this year, Iowa's public universities considered names and documents of employees they hired without formal searches — counter to campus policy — public information warranting release upon request. But they've changed their mind.

In a recent letter to about 52 homes in the two-block vicinity, UI officials alerted neighbors they’re in the “early stages of developing the former marching band practice field on Park Road, along with some adjoining property.”

Engie North America, a contractor that recently took over management of the University of Iowa utility system, has been cited for safety violations after a worker fell into an underground steam tunnel and was injured, newly released records show.

As of Tuesday morning, just shy of 2,800 new and returning UI students already had moved into the campus’ 10 residence halls – with under 1,000 expected later Tuesday. After new student move-in continues Wednesday and Thursday, and returning students arrive Saturday,

Rephrasing earlier guidance that explicitly prohibited instructors from asking students to wear masks, barred them from inquiring about vaccination, and dissuaded them from even discussing either issue, the University of Iowa has disseminated new COVID-related directives.

Faculty across Iowa’s public universities are voicing disappointment this fall’s COVID-19 conditions aren’t as improved as hoped — or as they seemed just weeks ago — and urging administrators, as hard as it might be, to make the tough call to backpedal on promises for a more normal semester.

Students clamoring to return to campus – and return to the collegiate norms of in-person learning, group study sessions, football, tailgating, Greek rush, homecoming and the like – began moving into residence halls over the weekend and will continue their migration throughout the week.

A yearlong review finds current systems ineffective for many — particularly underrepresented and vulnerable students — and more mental health and non-law enforcement services could be fruitful.

“My biggest concern is there are equity issues, where some children had a lot more resources. ... And then there are other kids who just didn't have those same resources and support. And I'm worried that those are the kids that are going to fall a lot more behind.”

Despite predictions for a vastly different academic year than last, University of Iowa faculty again are raising safety concerns as they head into a fall semester with COVID cases rising — echoing demands from a year ago for stronger administrative stances and public health precautions.

Although administrators leading Iowa’s public universities say they can’t mandate vaccines or masks heading into a fall semester that arrives with COVID cases again on the rise, they’re encouraging their tens of thousands of campus community members to get a shot before returning.

The State of Iowa last month agreed to pay a former University of Iowa secretary $35,000 after she was fired for sleeping on the job – despite reporting a related disability necessitating workplace accommodations she said UI failed to provide.

The University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa, while rivals, have neighboring booths at the Iowa State Fairgrounds each year.

Even before the pandemic upended education in 2020, fewer Iowans were filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — a key indicator of college enrollment and, for many, a “door” to higher education.