UI Graduate College posts new academic deadlines

The Graduate College has posted new academic deadlines for all graduate students, which you can find here and below:

Graduate College Revised 2008 Summer Deadlines

Due to the flooding in Iowa City and consequent one-week cancellation of summer classes, the Graduate College has revised its summer 2008 deadlines as follows:

Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Plans of Study for summer master’s recipients
and Final Exam Requests for all summer graduates

Monday, July 14, 2008
First Deposit of Theses

Friday, July 25, 2008
Final Exam Reports

Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Final Deposit of Theses

Friday, August 8, 2008
Degree Conferral Date

Please pass this information along to department/program faculty, staff, and graduate students. If you have any questions concerning these changes, please call Caren Cox at 319-335-2135 or e-mail caren-cox@uiowa.edu.

UI Controller's Office creates special Web page on dealing with flood-related costs

The Controller’s Office website -- http://www.uiowa.edu/~fuscntrl/ -- contains a flood-related special links section. Accounting Services, Property Management, Grant Accounting & Purchasing websites also have the same information. That information includes an FAQ document that seeks to address common questions. This document will be updated as necessary so please check it from time to time. And forward this information to your staff so they are aware of these resources.

New student orientation programs revised

The Office of Admissions has revised some aspects of the new student Orientation programs scheduled to occur this summer. Three programs in June had to be canceled in the early stages and immediate aftermath of the flooding. In addition, the Iowa Memorial Union remains closed due to water damage, and programs have been relocated to other buildings on campus.

As a result:

• All future two-day programs for first-year students have been redesigned as one-day programs, and refund checks will be mailed to individuals who had reservations for the Hawkeye Dinner and overnight stays in Stanley Residence Hall. 
• Transfer student programs through August 22 will occur as scheduled, but in alternate locations as indicated on our web site and in correspondence to students.
• Locations for August programs are still to be determined, but the programs will take place as scheduled.
• All new graduate, professional, and undergraduate students expected to arrive for the fall 2008 semester were sent a message from UI President Sally Mason via e-mail. Classes will begin August 25, as scheduled.

All students registered for affected programs are being (or will be) notified of changes as soon as possible by phone, e-mail, and/or letter. In addition, Admissions has a special web site at www.uiowa.edu/admissions/orientation, to publish the revised program arrival and parking information. Questions should be addressed to the office at 800-553-IOWA.

Steam blow scheduled soon

A steam blow will be held sometime later today or on Thursday to test a new boiler being installed. The blow will be loud.

University Hygienic Lab answers question about who should test well water

University of Iowa News Release

June 25, 2008

University Hygienic Lab answers question about who should test well water

Should I be testing my water? Many people who are on private well systems are asking that question because of the recent flooding.

Nancy Hall, supervisor of environmental microbiology for the University Hygienic Laboratory (UHL), explains that the focus for testing is on wells that have been directly impacted by floodwaters.

"People whose drinking water comes from private wells should have their water tested if their wells were covered by flood water or if the well is located close to flood water, which are those located in the 100-year and 500-year flood plain," Hall said. "We have sent the message for years that people should have their well water tested once a year, and people should do this. But our priority now is to first make sure that we test the water for those families impacted by the flood who may be without safe water."

The UHL distributed hundreds of water testing kits to all county health departments affected by the flooding for this testing. These kits include supplies and instructions for collection and mailing of samples to the lab on the Oakdale Campus, just north of Iowa City. Contact your county health department to obtain a kit.

The UHL provides consultation on disease prevention, water and food safety, and disinfection of environmental surfaces. These services are particularly helpful to homeowners and businesses as they resume operations following a flood. The toll-free number for the Hygienic Lab is 800-421-IOWA (4692).

Additional information about health concerns related to flooding is also available on the University of Iowa Flood Information blog and on the UHL home page.

The Iowa Department of Public Health provides detailed information about precautions to following recovery and clean-up following a flood on its website.

The University Hygienic Laboratory is part of the University of Iowa and is the state of Iowa's environmental and public health laboratory. The UHL is the designated laboratory for the Iowa Neonatal Metabolic Screening Program, with facilities located on the Oakdale Campus in Iowa City and at the Iowa Lab Facilities in Ankeny, a Des Moines suburb. Among its many services, the laboratory functions as a consultative and analytical support facility for state agencies, health professionals and citizens. The UHL performs analyses on samples from virtually all matrices, including human clinical specimens, air, drinking water, wastewater, soil, sediment, industrial effluents, oil and fish.

STORY SOURCE: University Hygienic Laboratory, 102 Oakdale Campus, H101 OH, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-5002

MEDIA CONTACT: Pat Blake, 319-335-4177 or 319-721-0000, patricia-blake@uiowa.edu

UI offers flood relief assistance to students

University of Iowa News Release

June 25, 2008

UI offers flood relief assistance to students

The University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid (UI OSFA) is responding to the emergency and short-term needs of students negatively impacted by the flood of 2008 with a combination of existing UI short-term loan funds and grants supported through the UI Flood Relief Fund.

The amount of support to individual students for both loans and grants will vary by individual circumstances. All students requesting special consideration for support will need to see a UI OSFA financial aid counselor. Counselors are available on a walk-in basis at 208 Calvin Hall between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The UI OSFA will be responding to the longer-term needs of UI students by determining, on a case by case basis, if there has been a significant change in the parents' and/or students' overall financial situation as a result of disasters such as the recent flooding and tornados. In the event that a financial reassessment is possible, the student may qualify for additional federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process.

In all cases the UI OSFA will be requesting supporting documentation to help assess the extent of financial support needed beyond other financial resources available to the family, such as Red Cross, FEMA, and insurance. The UI OSFA encourages those with questions about applying for financial aid, or about completing an existing financial aid application, to contact the office in person at 208 Calvin Hall, by phone at 319-335-1450, by email at financial-aid@uiowa.edu or by postal service at:

University of Iowa
Office of Student Financial Aid
208 Calvin Hall
Iowa City, Iowa 52242

STORY SOURCE: University of Iowa News Services, 300 Plaza Centre One, Suite 371, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2500.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark S. Warner, assistant provost for enrollment services and director of student financial aid, 319-335-3127, mark-warner@uiowa.edu

Summer session resumes for Engineering as flood cleanup continues

After a week of record-setting flooding throughout eastern Iowa, the UI and the College of Engineering resumed Summer Session classes on June 23 while working toward full recovery. With regard to college facilities, the Seamans Center received no water damage.

The Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory received sub basement flooding and remains in lock down until damage can be assessed. Faculty and staff are temporarily relocated to the Seamans Center. Ventilation of the C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory began June 20.

The Engineering Research Facility, also in lock down and with undetermined water damage, has staff temporarily relocated to the National Advanced Driving Simulator. At the Iowa Advanced Technology Labs (IATL), some equipment was moved to the nearby Chemistry Building prior to IATL Suffering first-floor water damage of about 2-3 feet of water.

Arts courses will be offered as planned for the fall semester

The University of Iowa will be back in business in the fall, and that will include the departments most affected by the flooding -- the School of Music, Theater Department and School of Art and Art History, all of which are located next to the Iowa River on the arts campus.

University of Iowa President Sally Mason noted, “This University is known for its commitment to the arts, and we will honor that commitment to the fullest.”

Among the buildings closest to the river are the UI Art Building and Art Building West. John Scott, summer director of the School of Art and Art History, said that no classes or courses had been canceled for the summer, and there are no plans to cancel any courses for the fall.

Some of the school’s facilities have been harder hit than others -- particularly the photography, ceramics, metalsmithing and sculpture studios, which were under 6 or 7 feet of water. Those studios will not be available in the fall, and the first floor of Art Building West will also not be available until recovery and repair work is completed. Classes and administrative offices will be moved to other buildings on campus, Scott said, and the school is currently identifying suitable space for the affected studio areas.

Scott said no other details are available at this time. “We are already planning for the fall, while recovery gets under way,” he said.

The Division of Performing Arts has also been hit by flooding, particularly the School of Music and the Department of Theatre Arts. Conditions are not yet known in the Theatre Building; it is fairly certain that Clapp Recital Hall and the Voxman Music Building will have to be closed in the fall. Currently, the division staff is housed in Halsey Hall with the Department of Dance. Their primary mission this summer is to identify locations on and around the UI campus for classes that have been displaced by the flood damage.

Kayt Conrad, director of operations for the division, commented: “There is much to be grateful for. We were able to save much of our costume collection, many of our musical instruments and the majority of our technology from the floodwaters.

“Insuring the continuity of our academic missions in Theatre Arts and the School of Music is our highest priority. As of today, no classes in the Division of Performing Arts have been canceled, and there are no plans to cancel any classes due to flooding. Scheduling staff in theater and music are working on relocating fall classes, performances and recitals, a process that will take several weeks to complete. The Dance Department was largely unaffected by flooding and will continue classes as usual in Halsey Hall.

“We plan to have a full schedule of School of Music, Theatre Arts and Dance events posted on departmental Web sites and on the ArtsIowa Calendar in August. We ask students to check ISIS for information on classes that have been relocated from arts campus buildings.”

The School of Art and Art History and the Division of Performing Arts are academic units of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

UI President Mason sends message of welcome, hope to incoming students

[University of Iowa President Sally Mason issued the following message on June 24 to new students who will begin attending the UI this fall.]

Dear New Students for Fall 2008,

The unprecedented flood emergency experienced by The University of Iowa as well as the cities of Iowa City and Coralville has reached its peak and the water is beginning to drain away.

The effort to reclaim those areas of our beloved campus and community that were directly impacted by the flood has begun in earnest. The spirit of support and cooperation is extremely high and I am pleased to share with you the optimism I see in everyone who is working to repair the damage caused by the flood.

Classes for the Summer Session resumed June 23 and should finish on schedule. This is a testament to the collaborative spirit of this great university’s faculty, staff, students, and the larger Iowa City community.

Some undergraduate first-year and transfer students will be coming to campus soon to complete their orientation and registration for fall classes. Others have completed that process and will arrive on campus in August for the start of the fall semester. Graduate and professional students will arrive on schedules recommended by their departments and colleges.

By August 25, everyone will be here and a full complement of classes will have begun. While the restoration of some parts of the campus will still be in progress when you arrive to begin fall classes, let me assure you that we will be ready for your arrival!

You can follow our progress via the University’s web site at www.uiowa.edu. I look forward to seeing you in the fall!

Sincerely,

Sally Mason
President

UI Fleet Service fuel island back in service as of June 24, call ahead for vehicle rental

To All Fleet Services Customers:

Officials with the University of Iowa Fleet Services announced that the fuel island was inspected today, Tuesday, June 24, and it is now back in service. There was no contamination found in the fuel and all of the pump electronics are operating normally.

The Fleet Services vehicle rental operation has temporarily relocated to Mossman Business Services Building on Riverside Drive on Old Highway 218 South in Iowa City. This is the same building that houses Printing, General Stores and Equipment Rental. To view a map, visit http://www.uiowa.edu/~printsvc/PDinfo/access.html.

When the parking situation works itself out, and UI staff and faculty can park their vehicles in Lot 64 (UI Fleet Services old lot), they will move this operation to the first floor of the University Services Building. UI Fleet Services staff hope that will be later this week. When the flood waters finally recede completely, they will have a trailer placed back where it was located before the flood and will move back there. They anticipate at least three to four weeks before that will be possible.

For those picking up a car or retuning a car during this time of uncertainty please call (384-0564) before trying to find UI Fleet Services to see where they are located. When people pick up the vehicle, Fleet Services staff will let them know where to leave it, and what to do with the keys and the paperwork. They will also be calling all customers the day before the scheduled pick-up to make sure everyone knows where Fleet Services are located. Parking is still available at all locations for people to park their personal vehicle.

For more information, call UI Fleet Services Manager Mike Wilson at 335-5088.

UI offers resources to faculty and students for teaching, learning in times of crisis

The University of Iowa Center for Teaching, in collaboration with the University Counseling Service, is offering resources for faculty members and students dealing with the personal and institutional losses related to the flood. The Center for Teaching homepage (www.centeach.uiowa.edu) provides a number of useful online resources under "Teaching in Times of Crisis." University Counseling Service, 3223 Westlawn, offers individual counseling to students as well as an educational program on "Resilience: Strengths in the Face of Natural Disaster.” They can be reached at 319-335-7294. Faculty and Staff Services offers counseling to faculty and staff members and their families who may have been affected by the flooding. They can be reached at 319-335-2085 for appointments or for more information.

Macbride Nature Recreation Area to open June 24

Macbride Nature Recreation Area will be operational beginning Tuesday, June 24th. The flood waters receded more quickly than originally expected.

Due to flood debris, users are asked to not use the south end of the Bluestem Picnic Area. In addition, it is advised that users bring their own drinking water until the well water at MNRA can be tested.

Wildlife Camps will now take place at Macbride Nature Recreation Area and the originally planned drop-off locations will once again be available.

For questions regarding Macbride Nature Recreation Area, contact Rob DuBay, 319-335-9293
For questions regarding Wildlife Camps, contact Jeanette Luke, 319-335-9293

Additional announcements throughout the week will continue to be posted on the Recreational Services website. Please call 319‐335‐9293 with additional questions.

June 26 Iowa City Foreign Relations Council luncheon and lecture cancelled

The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council's (ICFRC) Thursday, June 26 noon luncheon with the theme "German Foreign Policy under Chancellor Merkel" has been cancelled. Due to area flooding, Klaus Rupprecht, director of the Canadian Center for German and European Studies at York University in Toronto, will not be visiting the University of Iowa. ICFRC members hope to reschedule his lecture at a later date. For updates, visit
http://international.uiowa.edu/outreach/community/icfrc/events.asp

UI updates list of closed buildings and facilities

Closed major buildings

1. Adler Journalism Building
2. Art Building
3. Art Building West
4. Becker Communications Studies Building
5. Danforth Chapel
6. English Philosophy Building
7. Hancher Auditorium
8. Hawkeye Court Apartments
9. Iowa Advanced Technology Labs
10. Iowa Memorial Union
11. Main Library
12. Mayflower Residence Hall
13. Madison Street Services Building
14. Museum of Art
15. North Hall
16. Power Plant
17. Stanley Hydraulics Lab
18. Theatre Building
19. Voxman/Clapp Music Building

Other closed facilities

1. Court Street Storage
2. Cretzmeyer Track
3. Lagoon Shelter House
4. Softball Equipment Storage Building
5. Softball Stadium
6. Track Equipment Building
7. IMU and Hancher Footbridges

Closed parking lots and ramps
http://www.uiowa.edu/~parking/

Closed streets and bridges in Iowa City and Coralville
http://www.icgov.org/default/fs/?id=1874

Hancher Box Office is back in business

The Hancher Auditorium Box Office has just about returned to normal business, although in a temporary location due to the floods. Tickets for Iowa Summer Rep 08 may now be purchased by telephone, at 319-335-1160, or long distance 1-800-HANCHER. Tickets may also be purchased online, HERE, and over-the-counter sales are available at the Lindquist Center, South Building, Suite 107.

Please note that both individual event and advance tickets will also be on sale at the door, one hour before each Iowa Summer Rep performance in West High School. For the full schedule of Summer Rep performances, visit the ArtsIowa calendar. 

Board of Regents brief media following UI campus tour

Board of Regents, State of Iowa President David Miles, President Pro Tem Jack Evans and Executive Director Robert Donley were joined by University of Iowa President Sally Mason at a news conference this afternoon after they took a bus tour of areas of campus affected by the flood. The Regents thanked all those who helped in the flood response and offered their support for the continuing recovery effort. Listen to the briefing. 

Specialized resource list for international students and scholars

International students and scholars at the University of Iowa in F-1 or J-1 status are often not eligible for the same resources as U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The UI Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) has created a Web site detailing the types of funding available to those in the F-1 and J-1 non-immigrant categories. The list includes information on financial support, housing, food, clothing, furniture, moving and clean-up assistance and short term loans for students. Other resources are being added regularly. International students and scholars are strongly urged to check the OISS Web site at http://international.uiowa.edu/oiss/documents/Flood-Assistance.pdf or send e-mail to oiss@uiowa.edu.

UI Upward Bound Project canceled for entire summer

The University of Iowa Upward Bound Project is cancelled for the entire summer due to the flooding. Participants are being notified directly by Upward Bound staff.

An estimated 62 students were signed up to participate in the 2008 Upward Bound Project, said Upward Bound Director Jeanne Meyer. The program serves high school students who would be the first in their family to receive a college degree and/or whose family’s income met U. S. Department of
Education guidelines.

For more information on the program, visit
http://upwardbound.uiowa.edu/.

UI Police continue to operate Nite Ride for women

The UI Police Department is continuing to operate its Nite Ride Program, the UI’s safe means for late transportation service for women only. The phone number is 319-384-1111.

The programs offers women on campus a free, safe ride home. With a number of summer sessions, sports camps and the university community still being active in the summer months, the UI Department of Public Safety has continued the program even though a number of activities have been cancelled or postponed due to the flooding situation.

Nite Ride uses a light gold, 15-passenger van. By dialing 319-384-1111, callers are connected with the van driver, who can give a current location and an estimated pickup time.

For more information, including a link to a route map and the times for both academic and downtown routes, visit http://www.uiowa.edu/~pubsfty/nite.htm.

Hillcrest Market Place re-opens

The Hillcrest Market Place food service in Hillcrest Residence Hall is now open for service. The current hours for Hillcrest Market Place are: Breakfast, 7 to 8:30 a.m.; Lunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Dinner, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Iowa Testing Programs Summer Professional Development Series postponed

Iowa Testing Programs Summer Professional Development Series has been postponed and did not begin as scheduled on June 19. Participating teachers will be notified with updated information as it becomes available.

Campus mail update

[NOTE: This is an updated message.] If you are sending campus mail to individuals who have been moved due to flooding, please continue to use their OLD campus mail address. Mail Services will reroute items as soon as the new locations are posted on the relocations web page. Until they are posted, mail will be held in the Campus Mail area of the Mossman Building.

FEMA assistance available to residents of 36 Iowa counties, including Johnson

Residents in 36 Iowa counties are now eligible for federal Individual Assistance programs offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Anyone in those counties who suffered damage from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding beginning May 25 and continuing, can register with FEMA either online or by phone.

As of June 19, the Iowa counties eligible for federal Individual Assistance include Adams, Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Crawford, Delaware, Des Moines, Fayette, Floyd, Fremont, Hardin, Harrison, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Louisa, Mahaska, Marion, Mills, Monona, Muscatine, Page, Polk, Story, Tama, Union, Warren, and Winneshiek.

Homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and non-profit organizations can register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairments, or they can register online anytime at the FEMA site. The toll-free telephone numbers are operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

By registering, applicants can be considered for assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious, necessary disaster-related expenses such as damaged personal property, medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest loans from the SBA also are available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Residents are encouraged to register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA does not duplicate insurance payments or pay deductibles, but applicants may be eligible for assistance with serious, necessary expenses not covered by insurance. Those who find themselves under-insured may be reconsidered after claims have been settled.

Registration with FEMA is required separately from registration with any other disaster relief organizations. When registering, applicants should provide current contact information, insurance information, a brief description of damage sustained as well as the specific location of damaged property.

Additional information on disaster assistance programs can be found online at:

• Disaster assistance available from FEMA

• Disaster loans available from the Small Business Administration

• Disaster assistance available from other organizations and agencies

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

UI Housing begins allowing tenants back into Hawkeye Court

On Friday, June 20th University Housing notified Hawkeye Court tenants that they would be allowed to move back into the apartments beginning on Sunday for those who live in 100s, 500s and 600s. Others who live in the 200's, 300s and 400s will be allowed to move back in on Monday at 8 a.m. The parking lots of the 200s and 300-400s had to be cleaned and housing officials were not certain they would be done before 8 a.m. on Monday. By Monday, all tenants will be allowed back in except those who live in 301-376, the apartments which were directly affected by the floodwaters. Staff gave keys and cleaning supplies to all tenants today from 1-5 p.m. On Monday staff will also offer a shuttle for tenants that need help in returning to hawkeye court.

President Mason, Eastern Iowa leaders join private fundraising effort

(DES MOINES) - Today, Governor Chet Culver announced that three eastern Iowa community leaders - Aegon USA Chief Executive Officer Pat Baird, Rockwell Collins Chief Executive Officer Clay Jones, and University of Iowa President Sally Mason will represent Eastern Iowa in a new statewide private fundraising initiative designed to help the victims of this year's severe weather and historic flooding. Governor Culver announced the effort earlier this week, which will be spearheaded by civic leaders Barry Griswell and Fred Hubbell.

"This year's flooding has impacted tens of thousands of Iowans, and it will take the help of many to get all Iowans back on their feet," said Governor Chet Culver. "That is why I am proud that Cedar Rapids Business Leaders Pat Baird and Clay Jones, as well as University of Iowa President Sally Mason have agreed to join in this fundraising effort. Sally, Clay, and Pat have demonstrated their deep commitment to their communities and to Iowa as a whole. They will bring invaluable experience to this committee of business and community leaders, and I look forward to working with them and the rest of the committee as we begin to rebuild Iowa."

"This catastrophic event has affected the lives of thousands across our state, including many in my hometown of Cedar Rapids," said Clay Jones. "I look forward to joining this effort and doing whatever I can to rebuild, restore and revitalize our community and make it even better than before."

Clay Jones has served as Chairman, President, and CEO of Cedar Rapids-based Rockwell Collins since June of 2002. He had been president and chief executive officer of Rockwell Collins since 2001. Jones serves on the Board of Directors of Priority One (Cedar Rapids' economic development organization), the Tippie College of Business Board of Visitors at The University of Iowa, the Board of Trustees for the United Way of East Central Iowa (UWECI), and is a member of the Iowa Business Council.

"Rarely have our communities and our state been so tested, but working and standing together, we will get through this historic disaster," Sally Mason said. "The University community is deeply indebted to Governor Culver for his efforts on our behalf, and I look forward to marshaling the spirit of giving to return that favor for the benefit of all Iowans."

Sally Mason - who was selected by the Iowa Board of Regents exactly one year ago today -- became the 20th President of The University of Iowa on August 1, 2007. She holds a full professorship with tenure in the Department of Biological Sciences of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She served as Provost of Purdue University from 2001-2007. From 1995 to 2001, she was Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the largest academic unit on the University of Kansas campus. Mason is currently co-chair of the Chicago Council Task Force on National Energy Policy and Midwestern Competitiveness.

"Watching these historic floods overtake so many communities throughout Iowa was heartbreaking," said Aegon USA CEO Pat Baird. "But from this tragedy has come hope - hope for a stronger, brighter future for our state. I am honored to join in this effort, and know that together with the spirit and generosity of Iowans, we can return life to normal for those who have been affected."

Pat Baird has served as President and CEO of Aegon USA since 2002. A native of Vinton - which was also affected by this year's flooding - Baird serves on many boards for community organizations that share the common theme of making the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor a better place to live.

Earlier this week, Governor Culver announced the creation of the new statewide private fundraising effort, which will be led by Principal Chairman Barry Griswell and former Equitable of Iowa President Fred Hubbell.
Governor Culver continues to reach out to eastern Iowa business leaders to ask for their assistance.

"I want to thank Clay, Pat, and Sally for agreeing to join in this unprecedented fundraising effort, and I look forward to working with him," said Barry Griswell. "Their years of service and expertise as civic and business leaders will be invaluable as we begin to direct financial help where it is needed most."

Contact: Troy Price, 515-281-0173

Update issued on IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering

Dear IIHR Advisory Board Members,

I would like to update you on the status of IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering and the massing flooding in Iowa and on the University of Iowa campus. Many parts of the state are experiencing unprecedented floods and widespread damage to roads and bridges, homes, businesses, and crops. The Cedar River and Iowa River recently crested many feet above their highest documented levels.

Our landmark building, the C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory (SHL) located on the Iowa River was evacuated on Friday, June 13. At about noon, the building's exterior doors were chained and padlocked and power was turned off to the building. Soon after the evacuation, the SHL sub-basement flooded. Since then, IIHR staff have been manning pumps around the clock to remove water from the SHL sub-basement to prevent river water from entering the ship hydrodynamics tow tank or compromising the tow tank equipment. Pumps are also keeping the building transformer platform from flooding. So far, these efforts, in combination with all of the sandbags place by IIHR students and staff and local volunteers last week, have been successful. The towing tank equipment and the transformer remain dry.

I am pleased to report that the Iowa River crested in Iowa City on Sunday, June 15th - earlier and lower than expected. We will remain stationed by the building at the pumps for several days, perhaps even a couple weeks, until the river level drops significantly. I am optimistic that the critical towing tank and building transformer will be spared. IIHR's south campus buildings (East Annex, Model Annex, and Wind Tunnel Annex) are also flooded. We won't know the extent of the damage until we can re-enter them. Critical equipment in these building was placed well above anticipated flood levels too.

The support of the local community has been outstanding, but I am especially proud of the efforts by IIHR students and staff to sandbag critical parts of the building to help safeguard the facility. In addition, the full evacuation of personnel, computers, and essential research materials from SHL in just a few short hours was amazing. Our people exemplified the true spirit of the IIHR family.

Until the flood waters completely recede and SHL is safe to reoccupy, our colleagues in the main UI engineering building (Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences) on the east side of the Iowa River graciously found office or desk space for all IIHR students, staff, and
faculty housed in SHL (about 100 people!). We will be able to continue most of our teaching and research activities there, but I look forward to the day when we all move back together into SHL.

Many other buildings on The University of Iowa campus are far worse than SHL. Especially hard hit was the arts campus (the visual and performing arts buildings such as Hancher Auditorium and the Museum of Art). The University of Iowa home page has more information about the damage on campus (www.uiowa.edu). [Note: Also see the UI Flood Information blog here.] The IIHR web site (www.iihr.uiowa.edu ) has preliminary flood information, and will be updated as soon as we have full computer access again - hopefully by early next week.

I'll try to provide you with periodic updates in the coming weeks. In the mean time, please contact Carmen Langel (carmen-langel@uiowa.edu) or me (larry-weber@uiowa.edu) if you have any concerns.

Best Regards, 

Larry J. Weber
Director, IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering

Several parking lots reopen and Cambus routes resume Monday

Receding water will allow several University of Iowa parking lots to reopen Monday, June 23.

Cambus will resume its regular routes on Monday, once again servicing Madison Street and all other stops that are not on roads closed due to flooding. The shuttle service from the Sycamore Mall parking lot to campus will discontinue Monday.

On the east side of Iowa River, parking lots 8 and 11 (partial), 20, 51, 64 (partial), the IMU Parking Ramp and the North Campus Parking Ramp will reopen.

On the West side of the Iowa River, Lot 25, half of Lot 55 (Hancher Commuter) and the Hydraulics Lab parking meters will reopen.

Permit and public parking areas that remain closed are:

East side of Iowa River: Lot 3 (Library Lot), 7, 11 (partial), 18, 53, 56 (Mayflower), 64 (partial), Main Library parking meters, IMU parking meters and Mayflower parking meters.

West side of Iowa River: lots 16, 17, 19, 28, 42, half of Lot 55 (Hancher Commuter), Art Building parking meters, Theatre parking meters and Music parking meters.

Everyone assigned to a parking space that has flooded was offered an alternative – a new parking space, or a free transit pass. Anyone with questions is encouraged to call the Parking and Transportation Office at 319-335-1475

Students and employees are still encouraged to walk, bike or bus to campus if possible.

Also starting Monday, a special Cambus route will provide service from Parklawn Residence Hall to Hardin Library, where riders can transfer to the Pentacrest or Red Route. Stops will be made every 15 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Cambus will make every effort to keep routes running on time, but riders are asked to remain patient when buses are delayed due to traffic congestion. Please contact the Cambus dispatcher at 319-335-8633 with questions.

Click here for further parking and transportation announcements.

Regents to tour flood damage Monday

The following news release was issued Friday, June 20, 2008, by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Robert Donley, Executive Director, Board of Regents, State of Iowa
(515) 281-3934

Board of Regents Representatives to Tour Flood Damage at University of Iowa

(URBANDALE, Iowa) – Board of Regents President David Miles, and President Pro Tem Jack Evans, will visit the University of Iowa on Monday, June 23, to observe the massive impact on the University from the historic flooding of the Iowa River. The Regents will be available to meet with the press at 2:30 p.m. in Room 2520D of the University Capitol Centre.

The visit will allow the Regents to view first-hand the significant damage to the University buildings, infrastructure and other property, as well as the results of the extraordinary University and volunteer efforts which protected the University from greater damage and disruption in response to this historic threat. The Regents will also observe the University’s efforts as it begins the massive clean-up and recovery work that will be ongoing in the months ahead.

Fox, Big Ten Network to launch 'Support the UI' Day Sunday

This Sunday, June 22, Fox and the Big Ten Network (BTN) will launch a daylong "Support the UI" day, running Public Service Announcements and a "screen crawl" sending TV viewers to our flood-fund giving page. The UI has also have received word that Fox's parent company, News Corporation, will match all gifts made during this one-day promotion. 

UI President Sally Mason's first priority is to use the UI Flood Relief Fund to assist students, faculty, and staff who have been displaced as a result of the flooding, and thereafter, to address other flood-related needs throughout the campus.

Special Section: Health Issues During Flood Recovery

[Related: Public health experts at the University Hygienic Laboratory and the UI College of Public Health held a special media briefing today to discuss their initiative to develop and distribute information to aid Iowans as they face the daunting and protracted task of cleanup and recovery. Read about the briefing here. Listen to an mp3 audio file of the session here.]

The flood of 2008 that devastated more than 80 counties in Iowa now challenges the public health community to develop strategies that will help guide Iowans through the recovery process.  

In many areas, we do not know the extent of damage to homes and businesses. We do know that the record flood levels isolated people from their normal routines and presents many health risks from contaminants in water that still flows through our communities.

Public health partners at the University Hygienic Laboratory (UHL) and the UI College of Public Health (CPH) collaborate on developing and distributing the following information that will aid Iowans as we face the daunting and protracted task of clean-up and recovery. We encourage you to send us your ideas and suggestions for other topics as we look for ways to protect the health of Iowans during this time of emergency.

Informational Topics

The University of Iowa College of Public Health and the University Hygienic Laboratory developed the following materials to inform you about potential health hazards you may face after the recent flood. Listed below are links to fact sheets about each topic and video clips that explain what you might encounter.

Links:

• University Hygienic Lab answers question about who should test well water (June 25, 2008 news release)  NEW

PDFs:

• Flood 2008 Public Health Fact Sheet
  
• Avoid Fraud Following the Flood

VIDEO: Coping with the stress of an emergency (Dr. Kathleen Staley)

VIDEO: Is water from my well safe to drink? (Nancy Hall)

Look for additional topics and videos in coming weeks. Meanwhile, here are a list of additional resources:

University Hygienic Laboratory – Water testing, environmental and public health concerns

Iowa Department of Public Health – Flood-related Information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- Key Facts About Hurricane and Flood Recovery

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences – Floods

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Natural Disasters and Weather Emergencies

Evacuation Considerations for Persons who are Elderly, Disabled or Have Special Medical Care Issues

UI Memo on Charging and Documenting Flood Related Costs

MEMORANDUM

TO: Deans, Directors, and Departmental Executive Officers

FROM: Terry Johnson, Associate Vice-President & Controller

RE: Charging and Documenting Flood Related Costs

DATE: June 19, 2008

The University has expended significant efforts to protect its employees, buildings, equipment, books, and other assets from flood-related loss or damage. We recognize that these efforts have taken place across various departments on campus. FEMA and the University’s flood-damage insurance carrier have very specific requirements for documenting flood-related costs. Costs must be identifiable to a University department and to a University building. As a result, we are asking departments to set up new WhoKeys utilizing the following centrally defined grant-program numbers which correspond to the disaster relief phases prescribed by the University’s insurance carrier and FEMA. A description of each phase is also included at the end of this memo.

Grant Program (Description)
50600001 (Flood Ph I – Preventative/Protective Measures)
50600002 (Flood Ph II – Clean-up/Debris Removal -- use limited primarily to Facilities Management)
50600003 (Flood Ph III – Repair/Replacement-Buildings, Contents & Equipment)

Clean-up/Debris Removal and Repair/Replacement-Buildings Services will be coordinated by Risk Management. Campus should not hire services to perform these tasks without contacting Risk Management. Such services may be denied from reimbursement by insurance or FEMA if the right process is not followed.

Each new WhoKey will be established in Fund 275 using your department’s unique org and department codes. If desired, you can also attribute costs to a sub-department. Grant-Program will be one or more of the codes listed above. Function code is 00. Accounting Services staff is available to set up Fund 275 WhoKeys for your unit. Please email all requests to your primary Org contact in Accounting Services (http://www.uiowa.edu/~fusas/contact.html#staff) and copy Steve Romont (steven-romont@uiowa.edu) and Amy Welter (amy-welter@uiowa.edu). As transactions are charged to one of these flood-related WhoKeys (accounts), it is important to assign the cost to the appropriate Institutional Account in order for costs to be properly categorized (e.g.: supplies, non-capitalized equipment, capitalized equipment, etc.). Costs charged elsewhere must be CV’d to one of these flood-related WhoKeys.

Expenditures charged to a flood account will be required to be accompanied by The UI Flood 2008 Justification Form (http://www.uiowa.edu/~purchase/purchase/P_Forms/

UI_Flood_2008_Justification_Form.xls). This form details the nature of the flood-related costs, the room number and building location of the purchased items. The form must be attached to the transaction – requisition, e-Voucher or procurement card. A justification form must also be completed for all costs which are CV’d to a flood-related WhoKey. In this case, the justification form should be emailed to flood2008@uiowa.edu. Purchasing or Risk Management will perform an initial review of the justification to determine if it qualifies for insurance reimbursement. If not, the requisition or e-voucher claim will be denied and the department will have to record the transaction on a departmental MFK. If it is approved by Purchasing then the expense will be charged to the flood-related Account. Final settlement will be made with FEMA and the University’s flood insurance carrier in the future. At that point, the University will know how much of the flood expense will be funded from either insurance proceeds or FEMA. Options for expenses not covered include University or departmental funds as well as direct requests for support from the State.

Within the University’s accounting system, building codes are recorded in the Cost Center element of the MFK. You may find a list of buildings and related cost center codes that were affected by the flood in a document called Flood Related Costs - Allowable Building Codes in the following website: http://www.uiowa.edu/~fusrm/. If costs were incurred in protecting buildings that are not shown on this list please contact Donna Pearcy, Director of Risk Management, to see if these costs can be included in the flood damage insurance claim.

If you have questions related to charging of flood-related costs, please send an email to the following address: flood2008@uiowa.edu. Risk Management, Purchasing & Controllers Office will work together to respond to questions as promptly as possible.

Please pass on this memo to others in your unit as appropriate. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience.

Description of Disaster Relief Phases:

Phase I – Preventative/Protective (Grant-Program 50600001). This includes resources expended for the purpose of protecting & safeguarding University assets (buildings, equipment, inventory, etc.). These measures are taken before, during, and after a disaster to save lives, protect health & safety and prevent damage to property. Such activities may include, but is not limited to, the following: sandbagging, provision of food, water, ice & other essential needs, provision of shelters, emergency care, packing boxes and supplies or cost to relocate employees and departments, temporary storage of furniture, equipment purchases and supplies.

Phase II – Clean-up/Debris Removal. (Grant-Program 50600002). This includes resources expended for the purpose of clean-up activities, including debris removal. Costs expended for efforts in Phase II will primarily be made by central Finance & Operations staff. Departments should not engage in any clean-up/debris removal activities as the University has hired two external firms, BMS and Cotton, to perform this work in collaboration with Risk Management & Facilities Management. For additional details, please read the document posted on the Risk Management website www.uiowa.edu/~fusrm.

Phase III – Repair/Replacement (Grant-Program 50600003). This includes resources expended for the purpose of repairing/replacing damaged buildings, equipment or supplies. Finance & Operations staff will be responsible for managing the repair and replacement of University facilities. Departmental staff may be responsible for ordering equipment and supplies damaged by the flood.

Hancher Auditorium Box Office Web server is back online

The Hancher Box Office Web server is back online. You now may go the usual site, https://boxoffice.hancher.uiowa.edu/, to purchase advance tickets for Iowa Summer Rep. The box office remains closed for telephone or walkup sales. However, both individual event and advance tickets will be on sale at the door, one hour before each Iowa Summer Rep performance in West High School. Go to the ArtsIowa calendar, http://www.uiowa.edu/artsiowa/index.html, for the full Iowa Summer Rep 08 schedule of performances.

An Update from the Provost on Returning to Somewhat More Normal Operations

The following message was sent Thursday to the University of Iowa community by UI Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Lola Lopes:

Dear Colleagues:

Although the worst part of the flood seems to be abating we are still in crisis mode regarding utilities (steam, chilled water, and electricity). This means that even though we are resuming classes, research, and other university operations on Monday, this is not a return to normal. We have beaten back a major catastrophe and should be proud of ourselves, but it will be many, many months before we return to full functioning. Until then, we need to continue to work as a team and always keep the functioning of the entire enterprise in mind.

From a utility point of view, the east and west sides of the campus are no longer connected. This means that conditions are different on the east and west sides of the river.

On the west, UIHC has been functioning throughout the crisis and classes will resume on Monday as scheduled. However, limits on availability of steam and chilled water mean that ramping research back up will need to be a controlled process in order to protect the system and prevent a set back. Interim VP for Research, Jordan Cohen, will oversee this process in consultation with deans and program directors.

The utility situation on the east side of the campus is even more fragile. As of this morning we were running at only 23% of normal chilled water capacity. If we are able to get the temporary chillers outside Old Music running, that will bring us to 40% which is probably the best we'll be able to do until steam is restored. Bottom line: we are all going to need to live gracefully with some discomfort. (Why steam is necessary for air conditioning is a whole other interesting story. I am going to try to get some information to you about this in the next few days.)

The strategy we discussed this morning involves running the chillers at night to bring down classroom and office building temperatures to a super-cooled state and then letting temperatures rise naturally during the day. In the daytime, the cooling capacity can be shifted to other areas such as labs that need air flow for hoods and other scientific apparatus. We also need to make sure that the IT infrastructure on this side of the river does not fail which means that IT areas need good cooling.

Many summer classes already meet in the morning when the buildings should be cool. If it become warm enough that afternoon classes are uncomfortable, faculty might try switching classes to early morning. (No, I am not joking, but I also appreciate that I might not get many takers on this idea!)

Parking is also in very short supply and some roads are still closed. Because of this, the university is encouraging faculty and staff to talk with their supervisors about flex-schedules or working from home. I am told that some researchers have found that forced time away from the lab is just right for writing grant proposals. That's an idea worth trying!

Before closing, let me recommend two web sites that provide information about the flood response that I found interesting. The company that has begun the "mucking out" operation in the flooded buildings is BMS CAT. We hope to have a story on the flood stories blog about BMS CAT soon, but in the meantime, you might enjoy looking at their web site (http://www.bmscat.com/). I was also fascinated to learn about the Hesco Barriers that were used at IATL and IMU. There is a big interesting web site for Hesco. I recommend browsing the section on applications at http://www.hesco.com/US_CIVIL/apps.html. The section on flood control (http://www.hesco.com/US_CIVIL/product.html#test) is particularly apt.

Keep watching the UI flood blog (http://uiflood.blogspot.com/ ) and the flood stories blog (http://uifloodstories.blogspot.com/). We are all in this together and we are all sharing in the loss and in the recovery.

Best wishes,

Lola Lopes

--
Lola L. Lopes
Interim Executive Vice President and Provost
The University of Iowa
111 Jessup Hall
Iowa City, IA 52242
319 335-3565

UI optometrist Sindt offers eye safety tips

After the floods of 1993, the University of Iowa saw a record number of eye infections related to water-borne pathogens. These pathogens--including amoeba, parasites, bacteria, and virus--are extremely dangerous to the eye and may lead to corneal transplantation or loss of sight. 

"We have already seen flood-related eye infections and we have every reason to believe they will be as prevalent, or more so, than after the last flood," said UI Hospitals and Clinics optometrist Christine Sindt in an interview with UI Health Care Today. 

Read a transcript of the interview, and get access to an audio recording of her comments, here. 

Cambus to resume normal routes Monday

Cambus will operate all of its normal routes as of Monday, June 23.

The Red Route & Blue Routes will be modified as they will not service the Arts/Hancher lot campus. They will service all other bus stops at approximately the scheduled times - every 15 minutes. The Pentacrest Route will not use Iowa Ave. but will service all other stops - approx. every 15 minutes. The Hawkeye-Interdorm Route will be modified as it will not service Mayflower (every 30 minutes).

All Hospital and Hawkeye routes will operate.

In addition, a special route (Parklawn "Shuttle") will operate between the Parklawn Residence Hall and Hardin Library. People from Parklawn can catch the bus (every 15 minutes) on Park Road and then transfer to a Pentacrest or Red Route bus at the Hardin Library. To return, they can catch a Blue Route from the downtown back to the Hardin Library and then transfer to the
Parklawn Shuttle.

The Oakdale route will continue to operate using Camp Cardinal Rd. It experiences significant delays due to this re-route.

People should expect some delays during the AM & PM peak periods.

One more thing - Cambus will NOT operate the special shuttle from the Sycamore Mall as of Monday.

Brian McClatchey
Cambus Manager
Parking & Transportation Dept.
The University of Iowa
100 Cambus Office
Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
319-335-8632 FAX 319-335-6647
www.uiowa.edu/~cambus

UI to discontinue housing essential staff

With the waters on the Iowa and Cedar Rivers receding and roads reopening for traffic flow, University Housing will be discontinuing housing for essential staff, beginning Friday, June 20. All staff who may need housing are asked to contact one of the following resources:

Short term housing options: http://www.iowacitycoralville.org/visitors_wheretostay.asp

If you have a short term need, please contact Cathy Fountain Cathrine-fountain@uiowa.edu. She will maintain a database of space.

Von Stange, Ed.D.
Director of University Housing
The University of Iowa
8 Burge Hall
Iowa City, IA 52242
von-stange@uiowa.edu
phone: 319-335-3000

Burge Marketplace re-opens to serve meals on Monday

Burge Market Place will re-open Monday, June 23 to serve three meals throughout the week. The cost for an all-you-can-eat meal is $5 for breakfast and $7.50 for lunch or dinner. Daily serving hours are: Breakfast, 7 to 9 a.m.; Lunch, 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.; Dinner, 4:45 to 6:15 p.m. Please note breakfast is not served on Sundays.

Burge Market Place is located on the first floor of Burge Residence Hall on North Clinton Street.

Hillcrest Market Place will be open on select days. More information is available online at the Residential Dining Web site: http://housing.uiowa.edu/departments/residentialdining/menus/SummerHours.pdf

New information about building closures, parking, streets and bridges

Closed major buildings (buildings are locked down and no entry is allowed)

1. Adler Journalism Building
2. Art Building
3. Art Building West
4. Becker Communications Studies Building
5. Cambus Maintenance Facility
6. Danforth Chapel
7. English Philosophy Building
8. Hancher Auditorium
9. Hawkeye Court Apartments
10. Iowa Advanced Technology Labs
11. Iowa Memorial Union
12. Main Library
13. Mayflower Residence Hall
14. Madison Street Services Building
15. Museum of Art
16. North Hall
17. Power Plant
18. Stanley Hydraulics Lab
19. Theatre Building
20. Voxman/Clapp Music Building

Other closed facilities

1. Court Street Storage
2. Cretzmeyer Track
3. Fleet Services Fuel Pumps
4. Lagoon Shelter House
5. Softball Equipment Storage Building
6. Softball Stadium
7. Track Equipment Building
8. IMU and Hancher Footbridges

Additionally, Macbride Nature Recreation Area is closed

For information on closed parking lots and ramps, visit http://www.uiowa.edu/~parking/

For information on closed streets and bridges in Iowa City and Coralville (updated 06/18/08), visit http://www.icgov.org/default/fs/?id=1874

Public Health officials to hold special media briefing Friday

Public health experts at the University Hygienic Laboratory and the UI College of Public Health are collaborating to develop and distribute information that will aid Iowans as they face the daunting and protracted task of clean-up and recovery. As a first step, a special media briefing with selected UI experts will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 20, in Room 2520D of the University Capitol Centre. Those scheduled to participate include:

• Kathleen Staley, assistant director, University Counseling Service (mental health) 
• Nancy Hall, supervisor of environmental microbiology, University Hygienic Laboratory, (water quality) 
• Wayne Sanderson, professor of occupational and environmental health and director of the UI Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health (environmental assessment, personal protective equipment, molds)
• Jim Merchant, dean of the UI College of Public Health (general public health issues related to recovery) 

Media Contact: Dan McMillan, College of Public Health, 319-335-6835 or daniel-mcmillan@uiowa.edu

Prevention, early treatment key to avoiding flood-related eye infections

Vision specialists at UI Hospitals and Clinics have begun treating patients with flood-related eye infections, which suggests that the problem will be as prevalent as in 1993, when specialists treated a high number of eye infections related to water-borne pathogens. These pathogens, which include amoebae, parasites, bacteria and viruses, can be extremely dangerous to the eye, leading to vision loss and, in some cases, corneal transplantation.

Prevention and early detection and treatment are vital to maintaining eye health. Key symptoms include:

• A red, frequently painful eye
• Foreign-body sensation, tearing, light sensitivity and blurred vision.
• Red, irritated eyes lasting for an unusually long period of time after removal of contact lenses.

Tips for preventing eye infections:

• Avoid contact with floodwaters (and if you cannot, do not wear contact lenses at this time).
• Don't assume treated tap water is safe. Avoid using tap water to wash or store contact lenses.
• Always wash and dry hands before touching the eye or handling contact lenses.
• Use only sterile products recommended by your optometrist to clean and disinfect your lenses. Saline solution and rewetting drops are not designed to disinfect lenses.
• Contact lens solution must be discarded upon opening the case, and use fresh solution each time the lens is placed in its case.
• Rub and rinse the surface of the contact lens before storing.
• Do not sleep in contact lenses (unless prescribed by your doctor) and never after contact with water.
• Replace lenses using your doctor’s prescribed schedule.
• Never swap lenses with someone else.
• Never put contact lenses in your mouth.
• Sterilize your contact lens case, as this is a frequent source of infection.

If you experience redness, secretions, visual blurring or pain, contact your physician or eye care specialist immediately.

Law school summer session class update

Classes, exams, and other academic programs will resume in the Boyd Law Building on Monday, June 23. Students enrolled in first summer session classes interrupted by the closing of the law building should communicate directly with their instructors about arrangements for completing course work. Second summer session courses should begin on schedule on June 30.

Media briefing for June 18

(To listen to the briefing in mp3 audio format, click here.)

--The university will be open for business on Monday, with classes in session and offices open. “However, it will not be business as usual,” said President Sally Mason. Many parts of the campus are still closed, so some classes will be rescheduled to other rooms. Some parking lots are underwater so students and employees are urged to walk, bike or bus to work to reduce congestion that will be worse than normal. She also urged employees and supervisors to discuss continued use of flexible scheduling to reduce the number of people working on campus.

In addition, utilities will still not be returned to normal capacity for some time so some buildings will be too hot and some will be too cold. Students and employees should dress accordingly.

Students should check the Iowa Student Information System (ISIS) to see if their classes have been moved to a new location.

Students unable to return to campus for classes should check with the Registrar’s Office.

--Mason also said the university will be open for classes when the fall semester starts. Accommodations will have to be made for many classes, though, particularly on the arts campus, where some buildings will not be open in time for the start of the semester.

--Jean Robillard, vice president of medical affairs, said all parts of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics are open and maintaining a regular schedule. He said hours will be extended in the coming weeks to accommodate those patients whose appointments were cancelled in recent days because of the flooding.

--Mason also thanked many people for their work in helping the university through the crisis, including the thousands of volunteers who helped sandbag or move equipment, alumni, Hawkeye fans and people from other universities who have offered help, and to Gov. Chet Culver, Sens. Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley and Rep. Dave Loebsack. She said 450 people have already given more than $75,000 to the university, gifts that will be used to help UI employees who have been affected by the flood.

UI building closure list for June 18

Note that restrictions have been lifted on campus buildings previously listed as being at-risk of flooding. These are: 700 South Clinton Street (WSUI/KSUI radio, Office of State Archaeologist); Hydraulics Annexes; and the Women’s Resource and Action Center.

A number of other buildings remain closed:

1. Adler Journalism Building
2. Art Building
3. Art Building West
4. Becker Communications Studies Building
5. Cambus Barn
6. Danforth Chapel
7. English Philosophy Building
8. Hancher Auditorium
9. Hawkeye Court Apartments
10. Iowa Advanced Technology Labs
11. Iowa Memorial Union
12. Main Library
13. Mayflower Residence Hall
14. Madison Street Services Building
15. Museum of Art
16. North Hall
17. Power Plant
18. Stanley Hydraulics Lab
19. Theatre Building
20. Voxman Music Building

New aerial photos available

University Relations has posted new aerial photos of flooding on the University of Iowa campus. To view them, visit the University News Services Flickr site here.

Interim Provost Lopes issues statement on resumption of summer classes Monday

University of Iowa Interim Provost Lola Lopes issued the following statement today on the resumption of summer classes:

I am very happy to announce that as of Monday, June 23, summer school at the University of Iowa will resume. We expect that all 6-week and 8-week classes will be completed as planned. This includes classes that were scheduled to meet on the arts campus. Students who wish to drop one or more of the classes should refer to the message on this blog titled Information on Dropping Classes or Changing Registration.

The campus is nowhere near back to normal operations, but we know that many students depend on summer session to finish courses needed for graduation or for entry into selective programs. We are committed to supporting your academic plans.

Many classes have had to be re-located, even classes in buildings that were not affected by the flood. Be sure to check on ISIS before coming to class to make sure that you know where your class is meeting.

We lost a whole week of the 8-week session. Your professor will be talking with you about how that lost time can be made up. There are several different ways that this can be done, so you need to find out which plan your particular faculty member has chosen for your class.

The Memorial Union Bookstore has been relocated to the University Capitol Centre and will be open for business by Monday the 23rd at the latest. It is located on the first floor next to Marharishi. The University Housing Department is working directly with students who have been displaced.

In addition to flooded buildings, we also have suffered damage to utility systems. Although utilities have been restored to all classsroom buildings, the level of service is less than normal. This means that some rooms may be too warm and others too cool. Until you know what is happening in your building, wear layers so that you'll be as comfortable as possible.

On the east campus, university buildings on the east side of Madison are open for business. Buildings on the west side of Madison are closed to all extry except for the professionals who are beginning the job of cleaning up. This is dangerous work and everyone is urged to stay away so that the work can proceed as quickly and safely as possible.

All of us need to be patient and flexible as the recovery begins. Recovery will take time, in some cases a lot of time. But the most important thing is that we have survived a major catastrophe and can hold our heads high. There are many tales to be told of grace under pressure and heroic efforts, both physical and mental. I hope in the weeks and months to come that these tales will be told.

Welcome back to summer school!

Lola Lopes

Information on Dropping Classes or Changing Registration

The following message was issued today by Larry Lockwood, assistant provost and university registrar [to see detailed information about changes to the schedule for the eight-week summer session, view this PDF.]

We are pleased to announce that Summer Session classes will resume on Monday, June 23 and that UI faculty and staff are working to ensure that students will be able to complete their summer session courses. Students are encouraged to check their courses on ISIS to see if the meeting time and/or location has been change.

The university understands that some students already may have returned home and would prefer to withdraw from summer session. Students who withdraw their registration for the 6-week and/or 8-week summer sessions and who have been assessed tuition and fees for these sessions will have their tuition and fees fully refunded.

Students have until Friday, June 27 to make a decision as to whether to withdraw their registration for the 8-week summer session. Students who drop an 8-week session course by 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 27, will not be held responsible for the tuition and mandatory fees associated with that course.

We know students count on summer session courses for many reasons--four-year plan, meet prerequisites for admission into academic programs--and that withdrawing their registration or dropping a course can have an impact on their academic plans, fall semester registrations and/or financial aid. Because of the extraordinary circumstances of the flood, we ask students to follow the procedures outlined below to withdraw their registrations.

Students who have left the University campus and who do not plan to return to complete summer session.

• Students advised by the Academic Advising Center should send an email to their advisor or to the AAC website (advising-center@uiowa.edu) with a request to withdraw their summer registration. Their academic advisor will contact the student to discuss any impact the withdrawal might have on the student's program and to discuss appropriate changes in student's fall schedule. Their advisor will send an email to the Registrar approving the withdrawal. The Registrar will then withdraw these students. Students who have questions about the impact of withdrawal on their financial aid should contact Cynthia Seyfer at 319-335-1444 or cynthia-seyfer@uiowa.edu.
• Students advised by colleges or departments should email registrar@uiowa.edu, phone (319-335-0238) fax (319-335-1999) the Registrar to request that their summer session registrations be withdrawn. Students should contact their college, department or the Academic Advising Center advising-center@uiowa.edu if they have questions about the impact of withdrawing on their academic programs. Students who have questions about the impact of withdrawal on their financial aid should contact Cynthia Seyfer at 319-335-1444 or cynthia-seyfer@uiowa.edu
• All student athletes must contact Athletic Student Services (319-335-9384 or 319-335-9598) prior to withdrawing their registration or dropping a course.
• International students who are new to UI this summer must contact the Office of International Students and Scholars (319-335-0335; e-mail oiss@uiowa.edu) prior to withdrawing their registrations. International students who were also enrolled for spring 2008 do not need to contact OISS.

Students who have remained in Iowa City or have returned to campus should follow standard procedures for dropping a course or withdrawing their registration.

Students who have questions about the impact of withdrawal on their financial aid should contact Cynthia Seyfer at 319-335-1444 or cynthia-seyfer@uiowa.edu

The Academic Advising Center will serve as a campus-wide resource for students who wish to discuss the potential impact of withdrawing on their academic programs. Students can send their questions to the Center's email address advising-center@uiowa.edu . The Academic Advising Center also will provide "Advisor on Call" hours during which students who have questions about withdrawing can meet individually with an advisor. Students who have questions about the impact of withdrawal on their financial aid should contact Cynthia Seyfer at 319-335-1444 or cynthia-seyfer@uiowa.edu

University Relations launches companion blog for UI flood stories

The University of Iowa Office of University Relations has launched a companion site to the UI Flood Information blog dedicated to posting flood stories—including those submitted by readers—from throughout the campus community. To share your account of preparing, evacuating, volunteering, or waiting out the waters, go to uifloodstories.blogspot.com or send an email here.

Information regarding UI employees and volunteers who suffer injuries

Richard G. Saunders, senior associate director of Human Resources at the University of Iowa, issued the following message today regarding UI employes and volunteers who are injured:

Non-employee Volunteers: The State of Iowa has determined that if a person who is not an employee volunteers for any activity at a state agency and is injured in the course of that volunteer activity, that person is not considered an employee and cannot file or participate in the State of Iowa's workers compensation program. The individual must file a State of Iowa tort claim through the Risk Management Office.

Employee Volunteers: This rule would also apply to hourly employees who participate in volunteer efforts outside of their regular work hours. Keeping in mind the current flood situation on campus, hourly employees participating in flood support efforts, while not in pay status, will not be covered by workers compensation unless specifically assigned by their supervisors.

Assigned Employees: FLSA exempt employees are considered to be on duty at all times so they will be covered by workers compensation for work place injuries. This will include support efforts related to the flooding on campus.

Iowa Summer Rep offers free preview June 25, in honor of flood efforts

Iowa Summer Rep, relocated from the flooded University of Iowa Theatre Building to Iowa City West High School, will recognize the courageous efforts by Iowa communities in the face of the disaster with a free preview of the first production, David Lindsay-Abaire’s adult comedy “Wonder of the World,” at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, in the West High Auditorium.
“A free performance of “Wonder of the World” is Iowa Summer Rep's gift to Iowa City, Coralville and the other flood-ravaged communities in Iowa,” said Alan MacVey, chair of the UI Department of Theatre Arts and director of the Division of Performing Arts. “After weeks of watching, sandbagging, moving and worrying, the entire community is invited to attend a free preview performance of David Lindsay-Abaire's wonderful comedy. Lets all laugh together and celebrate Iowa’s remarkable sense of community.”
West High Auditorium seats 800, and the audience will be admitted on a first come-first served basis.
“Wonder of the World” includes material that is not appropriate for small children. Potential audience members who are concerned about whether the play is appropriate for them should contact the Department of Theatre Arts, 319-335-2700, for additional information.

UI calls for volunteers to gather at 8 a.m. Wednesday to help with sandbag redistribution

Rod Lehnertz with UI Facilities Management issued the following message to the campus community Tuesday evening:

As was announced at Tuesday's UI flood event press conference, we working to help those southeastern Iowa communities that are bracing for the floods that hit us. Thanks to all of the hard volunteer work during the last week and the currently dropping river levels, we are in a position to offer the sand bags we have available (on the east side of Madison - dry and above the highest flood level) to those communities in need.

Tuesday afternoon we assembled more great volunteers, along with the IDOT and the National Guar, and sent approximately 450 tons of sand bags to our southern neighbors.

We are planning to re-assemble the trucks tomorrow morning and finish off this meaningful task. President Mason announced today that we are asking for another army of volunteers to join this effort at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Please, if you are available, join us on Madison Street in front of the Lindquist Center.

Thank you for all of the inspiring work you have done to help our university, and now our friends struggling to the south of us.

Law school reschedules LSAT

The LSAT examination originally scheduled for June 16 has been rescheduled for Monday, June 30 in the Boyd Law Building. The Law School Admissions Council will contact those registered with additional information.

Daily flood briefing: Bush may visit Iowa; 'no doubt' UI to open for classes in fall

Following is a summary of issues discussed at the daily media briefing today, June 17 (listen to the briefing in an mp3 audio format here.)

Bush Visit: University of Iowa officials have been told that President George W. Bush is scheduled to tour areas in Iowa affected by the flooding on Thursday, June 19. With 83 of Iowa's 99 counties affected by the flood, UI officials don't know for certain whether Bush will visit campus, but UI President Sally Mason said, "We would certainly welcome the commander in chief."

Summer Classes to Resume: Lola Lopes, interim provost, announced that summer classes would resume Monday, June 23. Details about relocated classes, how students and faculty will make up for lost class time and how students can update registration information will be announced officially Wednesday, June 18. "Our academic programs and students are being cared for despite the extraordinary flooding on arts campus," Lopes said. "I know of only one class being cancelled as a result of the flooding. Everything else has remained online and I'm very proud of that."

Record Enrollment: Lopes said that despite the flood, the UI has seen record enrollment this summer, including for the next six-week summer session that begins next week. "The numbers are going up daily, hourly, even," Lopes said. "So I think people out there are seeing we're a class act." 

'No Doubt' Fall Semester On: Lopes and Mason also made it clear that the fall session will go on as planned, although details about class assignments and other logistics won't be firmed up until later this summer. In any case, Lopes said, "The fall semester will not at all be affected in terms of academic content." Mason put it even more bluntly. "There is no doubt whatsoever that the University of Iowa will be open for classes in the fall."

New Student Orientation: Lopes said new, incoming freshman orientation, which was delayed by the flooding, would be rescheduled soon. A schedule for orientation should be ready by this Thursday.

Essential Versus Nonessential Employees: Mason said there's been some confusion about which UI employees are considered essential, and which are considered non-essential and should work from home this week. She said the designation simply refers to employees' skill sets as they relate to flood relief efforts. "This is not to imply that we have employees who are not essential to the university," Mason said. "We're talking about functions in a crisis. We're dealing with a flood to an extent we've not dealt with before.” Mason said the university continues to encourage employees who are not directly assisting with the flood relief effort or related tasks to work off-campus, especially since there are limited parking spots on campus and traffic congestion could hamper relief efforts. The current exceptions to this policy are employees of UI Hospitals and Clinics, College of Dentistry patient care clinics, and Oakdale employees who have been directed to return to work on campus. Mason strongly advised employees to contact their direct supervisors to determine their status, if they are uncertain, and to make arrangements to continue working off-campus if they are deemed nonessential. "After next Sunday, to stay in pay status, they need to be in touch with their supervisor to continue working from home," Mason said. [More details here.]

Entering Recovery Phase: UI officials said the campus is beginning to enter the recovery phase of the flood response operation. FEMA officials have already begun surveying the flood damage in Coralville, Iowa City and on the UI campus. Although full recovery is expected to take many months, water levels at the Coralville Reservoir are declining faster than anticipated.

Sandbag Donations: Don Guckert, associate vice president for facilities management, said that declining floodwaters, coupled with a favorable weather forecast for the next week, will permit the UI to donate unused sand bags to communities that are downstream and still coping with rising water. Both the UI and city of Iowa City have suspended new sandbagging operations. With the help of volunteers and the Iowa National Guard the UI plans to load some 250,000 unused sand bags on trucks for shipment to Burlington, Iowa and other southeast Iowa communities later today. Guckert said a portion of sandbags would be kept in reserve on campus. Volunteers are needed immediately (Tuesday afternoon and possibly into the evening) to help load the sandbags onto the trucks. They should report to the corner of Burlington and Madison streets.

Building Update: Guckert reported that the UI Main Library took on about 2 inches of water this week. While he said this didn’t cause any damage, the building was added to the flooded building list. Guckert also reported that on Monday, June 23 the UI would reopen the IMU parking lot. Despite this good news, he said the campus is still down 3,000 parking spots.

Floodwater Risks: Chris Atchison, director of the University Hygienic Laboratory at the UI, warned the public to avoid contact with floodwater, which he said is carrying raw sewage, agricultural runoff, fecal matter and industrial byproducts that can make both people and animals sick. He said the contaminated water could cause illness if it's ingested or enters the body through a scratch or puncture wound.

Atchison also said the UHL has distributed more than 695 test kits through county health departments in Iowa so private individuals can test their well water. He cautioned owners who receive the kits to postpone testing the wells until the water recedes. "Once that happens, wells need to be flushed, shock chlorinated and then tested," he said. He said people with public health questions may visit the UHL's Web site at www.uhl.uiowa.edu or by calling 319-335-4500.

Flood Relief Fund Update: Mason said that the UI Foundation has done a "fantastic job" getting out word about the UI flood relief fund. As of today, the fund has received more than 150 gifts totaling $60,000. Mason said the university would look for ways to use the money to assist members of the UI family most personally affected by the situation.

Steam blow postponed

The steam blow from a temporary boiler installed near Kinnick Stadium that was scheduled for noon today has been postponed. The blow, which is needed before the boiler can come online, will be held later Tuesday or Wednesday. When it occurs, the blow will be loud.

Volunteers needed to help move sandbags to southeast Iowa

Volunteers are needed immediately to help the University of Iowa move 250,000 unused sandbags to other towns in southeast Iowa stricken by floods. The sandbags will be transported by Iowa National Guard trucks and volunteers are needed to load the bags onto the trucks. Volunteers should report to the corner of Burlington and Madison Streets, and will likely be needed into the evening.

Non-essential employees urged to stay home until Monday

University of Iowa faculty and staff are urged not to return to campus unless absolutely essential until Monday, June 23. This is necessary in order to continue the important work of protecting the campus, its faculty, staff and students, and to assist the protection and recovery assets. The University has lost to flooding 3,000 parking spaces and access to campus is very limited. The utility system is extremely stressed and lacks redundancy to the point where non-essential energy loads could jeopardize essential functions. During this period, it remains critical to minimize congestion on the campus, as well as the draw on campus utilities. The current exceptions to this policy are UIHC, College of Dentistry patient care clinics, and Oakdale employees who have been directed to return to work on campus.

Faculty and staff should be prepared to return to campus on Monday, June 23. Faculty and/or staff who normally work in buildings that have been compromised should contact their supervisors regarding whether they can work from another campus location, work at home, or perform some other activities of value to the University. If no work is available, employees will need to begin to use vacation, but the University is encouraging all units to find every opportunity to keep staff in pay status by finding activities of value they can perform. This is consistent with the University’s policy on disrupted workplaces:
http://www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/v/16.htm#1611

Staggered start times or other flexible work arrangements should be considered for those who must work from campus.

Updated building status list for June 17

Two buildings were removed from the “At risk of flooding” buildings today: Communications Center and Engineering Research Facility. The four buildings that were listed as having no access off Madison Street because of sandbagging now have access: Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences, Chemistry Building, Lindquist Building and Halsey Hall. [NOTE: This list was updated at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday]

Flooded (buildings are locked down and no entry is allowed)

1. Adler Journalism Building
2. Art Building
3. Art Building West
4. Becker Communications Studies Building
5. Cambus Barn
6. Danforth Chapel
7. English Philosophy Building
8. Hancher Auditorium
9. Hawkeye Court Apartments
10. Iowa Advanced Technology Labs
11. Iowa Memorial Union
12. Main Library
13. Mayflower Residence Hall
14. Madison Street Services Building
15. Museum of Art
16. North Hall
17. Power Plant
18. Stanley Hydraulics Lab
19. Theatre Building
20. Voxman Music Building


At risk of flooding (buildings are locked down and entry is restricted to authorized personnel only)

1. 700 South Clinton Street (WSUI/KSUI radio, Office of State Archaeologist)
2. Hydraulics Annexes
3. Women’s Resource and Action Center

University Book Store has temporary location, hours

University Book Store will open in its temporary location on the ground floor of University Capitol Centre on Monday, June 23 (in the former Stuff location). Hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Hours for the remainder of the week are to be determined.

Please check the University Book Store website at www.book.uiowa.edu for updates and more information.

Peggy Leichty, Marketing Manager
University Book Stores, Iowa Hawk Shops,
& Wild Rose Books
286 Iowa Memorial Union
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319.335.2744
www.hawkshop.com
www.book.uiowa.edu

University Counseling Service re-opens June 18

University Counseling Service (UCS) will have staff on duty daily beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, for anyone in the university community experiencing difficulty coping with the Iowa City/Coralville flooding.

To schedule a consultation or talk to a counselor, call 319-335-7294.

In anticipation of the resumption of classes next week, UCS will offer additional consultation appointments to the regular appointment schedule, beginning Monday, June 23.

Offices that would like to discuss outreach or educational programs directed toward flood recovery, coping, and debriefing from the flood trauma may contact UCS to discuss their needs and schedule a program or presentation.

Contacts: Sam Cochran, Kathleen Staley, University Counseling Service, 319- 335-7294

Student Health Service opens for limited hours

The UI Student Health Service will be open for limited hours on Wednesday, June 18, Thursday, June 19, and Friday, June 20. Students may call 319-335-8394 beginning at 8 a.m. June 18 to make an appointment for these days. A walk-in clinic for immunizations such as tetanus will be staffed 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday-Friday at Student Health Service in Westlawn.

The SHS Nurseline will be staffed from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 17-20. Call 319-335-9704 to reach the Nurseline. Leave a message and a nurse will return your call.

Other resources students may consider for non-emergency medical questions or treatment are the UIQuickCare clinics (note that some hours have been modified) or UI Health Access at 1-800-777-8442. There may be charges related to these care options.

Students experiencing a medical emergency should call 911.

Sarah Hansen, M.A., CHES
Associate Director for Education
Health Iowa Coordinator
UI Student Health Service
4189 WL, Iowa City, IA 52242
319.335.8387

Hancher Box Office reopens for online sales only

The Hancher Auditorium Box Office, which has been closed since it was displaced by the flood, has re-opened for online sales only. The new, temporary URL for the box office is http://hancher.tardiscomm.com/. Advance tickets may now be purchased through this online facility for all Iowa Summer Rep 08 performances. Summer Rep will continue as scheduled, with all performances at Iowa City West High School. (See http://www.uiowa.edu/artsiowa/index.html for a complete calendar of Summer Rep performances.)

Loud steam blow set for temporary boiler noon Tuesday

[NOTE: This is an updated posting. The steam blow will now start at noon today.]

UI Facilities Management will do a steam blow through piping on the temporary boiler near Kinnick Stadium starting at 12 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, June 17. The blow is required to clean the new pipes and set combustion controls on the boiler. The steam blow will be intermittent and last several hours. It will also be loud.

More Summer Writing Festival sessions cancelled

The weekend session of the Iowa Summer Writing Festival scheduled for June 21 – 22 and the week-long session scheduled for the week of June 23 have been cancelled. The Iowa Summer Writing Festival will resume on July 6th. Updates regarding location changes for Summer Writing Festival events will be posted at http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/iswfest/ .