As tens of thousands of new and returning students poured back into Iowa’s public university classrooms Monday, leaders delivered welcome messages of hope and trepidation given rising COVID case and hospitalization numbers statewide.
On the eve of an academic year promising to be unlike any other — by being, officials hope, more than last year like many others — University of Iowa President Barbara Wilson stood with thousands of new freshmen in solidarity. “Our job is to be healthy Hawkeyes,” she said.
Although the City of Iowa City on Thursday night defied state law by mandating masks in all indoor spaces — specifically naming University of Iowa academic buildings and business offices — UI administrators on Friday advised campus leaders the mandate doesn’t apply to them.
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.
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