News Release: UI flood relief efforts focus on personal safety, recovery plans

June 16, 2008--With water levels on the Iowa River having already crested, University of Iowa flood relief efforts are focused on issues of public safety. UI officials request that all non-essential personnel continue to stay away from flood-affected areas.

UI officials also said that every effort is being made to resume classes beginning Monday, June 23. Lola Lopes, interim executive vice president and provost, stresses that the summer session has not been canceled.

"A rumor is circulating that all classes are canceled. That is not so. Classes are suspended and we are hoping to resume classes on Monday, June 23. Please stay tuned," she said.

UI officials also noted that the status of UI buildings remained stable over the weekend and noted that by Monday, power had been restored to a number of campus buildings that had temporarily lost power on Sunday. It was reported that at the Main Library, no collections are wet or in danger of water damage and that only an inch or two of water had gathered in various parts of the basement.

UI officials are scheduled to begin meeting today, Monday, June 16, to begin planning recovery activities. They emphasized that no volunteers are needed at this time.

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

MEDIA CONTACT: Linda Kettner, University News Services, 319-384-0030, linda-kettner@uiowa.edu