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
Showing posts with label Information for Media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Information for Media. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
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
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
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.
Friday, June 20, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
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 briefing for June 18
(To listen to the briefing in mp3 audio format, click here.)
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
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
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 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 addressadvising-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
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 (
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
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.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
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."
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.
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.
Loud steam blow set for temporary boiler noon Tuesday
[NOTE: This is an updated posting. The steam blow will now start at noon today.]
Monday, June 16, 2008
UI media experts can discuss flood and recovery for stories
The following experts on the University of Iowa faculty and staff are available to discuss with the media the various aspects of the flood and flood cleanup. Please note that the university's TV studio is temporarily unavailable due to the flooding.
BIO-AEROSOLS
--Peter Thorne, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health and director of the UI Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, 319-335-4216, peter-thorne@uiowa.edu
--Wayne Sanderson, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health and director of the UI Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, 319-335-4207, wayne-sanderson@uiowa.edu
DOCUMENT AND MANUSCRIPT RESTORATION
--Nancy E. Kraft, head of preservation, University of Iowa Libraries, and co-editor of “The Flood Recovery Book.” Can discuss how to restore books, photos and other items that have been damaged in a flood. Phone: 319-360-5387 or 319-395-7418. Email: nancy-e-kraft@uiowa.edu
ECONOMIC IMPACT
--Charles Whiteman, professor of economics, former director of the Institute for Economic Research, Tippie College of Business. Can discuss the impact of the flooding on the state and national economies. Phone: 319-335-0863. Email: whiteman@uiowa.edu
--Beth Ingram, professor of economics, former director of Institute for Economic Research, Tippie College of Business. Can also discuss economic impact of the flooding. Phone: 319-354-0077, or 319-331-9076. Email: beth-ingram@uiowa.edu
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Wayne Sanderson, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health and director of the UI Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, 319-335-4207, wayne-sanderson@uiowa.edu
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Michael Wichman, Ph.D., associate director of environmental services, University Hygienic Laboratory; Peter Thorne, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health and director of the UI Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, 319-335-4216, peter-thorne@uiowa.edu
GENERAL PUBLIC HEALTH TOPICS RELATED TO FLOOD RECOVERY OPERATIONS
--Christopher Atchison, M.P.A., director of the University Hygienic Laboratory, 319-335-4259, chris-atchison@uiowa.edu
--James Merchant, M.D., Dr.P.H., dean of the UI College of Public Health, 319-384-5452, james-merchant@uiowa.edu
HEALTH CARE
--Kathleen Staley, assistant director of University Counseling Services and licensed psychologist. Can discuss mental health issues the impact of floods and post-flood recovery. Phone: 319-335-7294. Email: kathleen-staley@uiowa.edu
HYDROLOGY AND ENGINEERING
--Larry J. Weber, professor of civil and environmental engineering and director of IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering in the University of Iowa College of Engineering. Can comment on river hydraulics. Phone: 319-331-1135. Email: larry-weber@uiowa.edu
INFECTION RISKS
--Gregory Gray, M.D., professor of epidemiology and director of the UI Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, 319-384-5008, gregory-gray@uiowa.edu
--Michael Pentella, Ph.D., associate director of infectious disease, University Hygienic Laboratory, 319-335-4765, michael-pentella@uiowa.edu
INJURIES
--Corinne Peek-Asa, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health, and director of the UI Injury Prevention Research Center, 319-335-4895, corinne-peek-asa@uiowa.edu
--Marizen Ramirez, Ph.D., assistant professor of occupational and environmental health, 319-335-4425, marizen-ramirez@uiowa.edu
INSURANCE AND FINANCE
--J. Tyler Leverty, assistant professor of finance in the Vaughan Institute of Risk Management and Insurance, Tippie College of Business. Can discuss issues concerning flooding and its effects on property and homeowners insurance. Phone: 319-337-4447. Email: ty-leverty@uiowa.edu
MENTAL HEALTH
--Kathleen Staley, Ph.D., assistant director, University Counseling Service, 319-335 7294, kathleen-staley@uiowa.edu
--Michael Flaum, M.D., director, division of public and community psychiatry , 319-353-4340, michael-flaum@uiowa.edu
PUBLIC HEALTH
--Christopher Atchison, director of the University Hygienic Laboratory. Can discuss flooding-related issues such as water quality, water- and mosquito-borne illnesses, and public health practices during flood-recovery efforts. Phone: 310-335-4500. Email: chris-atchison@uiowa.edu
PUBLIC POLICY
--Jeffrey Schott, director of the College of Law's Institute of Public Affairs and adjunct professor of urban and regional planning. Can discuss public policy impacts of a flood. Jeff was also the long-time city manager of Marion, Iowa, where he dealt with frequent flood clean-ups. Phone: 319-329-6207. Email: jeff-schott@uiowa.edu
SURVEILLANCE (TRACKING ILLNESSES AND INJURIES AFTER THE FLOOD)
-- Infectious diseases: Michael Pentella, Ph.D., associate director of infectious disease, University Hygienic Laboratory, 319-335-4765, michael-pentella@uiowa.edu
--Injuries: Corinne Peek-Asa, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health, and director of the UI Injury Prevention Research Center, 319-335-4895, corinne-peek-asa@uiowa.edu; Marizen Ramirez, Ph.D., assistant professor of occupational and environmental health, 319-335-4425, marizen-ramirez@uiowa.edu
WATER QUALITY
--Nancy Hall, supervisor of environmental microbiology, University Hygienic Laboratory, 319-335-4331, nancy-hall@uiowa.edu
ALLERGIES/MOLD:
Antoine Azar, M.D., clinical assistant professor of internal medicine, UI Carver College of Medicine and UI Hospitals and Clinics, 319-356-4899, antoine-azar@uiowa.edu
Amy Dowden, M.D., associate in internal medicine, UI Carver College of Medicine and UI Hospitals and Clinics, 319-356-2150, amy-dowden@uiowa.edu
Antoine Azar, M.D., clinical assistant professor of internal medicine, UI Carver College of Medicine and UI Hospitals and Clinics, 319-356-4899, antoine-azar@uiowa.edu
Amy Dowden, M.D., associate in internal medicine, UI Carver College of Medicine and UI Hospitals and Clinics, 319-356-2150, amy-dowden@uiowa.edu
BIO-AEROSOLS
--Peter Thorne, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health and director of the UI Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, 319-335-4216, peter-thorne@uiowa.edu
--Wayne Sanderson, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health and director of the UI Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, 319-335-4207, wayne-sanderson@uiowa.edu
DOCUMENT AND MANUSCRIPT RESTORATION
--Nancy E. Kraft, head of preservation, University of Iowa Libraries, and co-editor of “The Flood Recovery Book.” Can discuss how to restore books, photos and other items that have been damaged in a flood. Phone: 319-360-5387 or 319-395-7418. Email: nancy-e-kraft@uiowa.edu
ECONOMIC IMPACT
--Charles Whiteman, professor of economics, former director of the Institute for Economic Research, Tippie College of Business. Can discuss the impact of the flooding on the state and national economies. Phone: 319-335-0863. Email: whiteman@uiowa.edu
--Beth Ingram, professor of economics, former director of Institute for Economic Research, Tippie College of Business. Can also discuss economic impact of the flooding. Phone: 319-354-0077, or 319-331-9076. Email: beth-ingram@uiowa.edu
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Wayne Sanderson, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health and director of the UI Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, 319-335-4207, wayne-sanderson@uiowa.edu
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Michael Wichman, Ph.D., associate director of environmental services, University Hygienic Laboratory; Peter Thorne, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health and director of the UI Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, 319-335-4216, peter-thorne@uiowa.edu
GENERAL PUBLIC HEALTH TOPICS RELATED TO FLOOD RECOVERY OPERATIONS
--Christopher Atchison, M.P.A., director of the University Hygienic Laboratory, 319-335-4259, chris-atchison@uiowa.edu
--James Merchant, M.D., Dr.P.H., dean of the UI College of Public Health, 319-384-5452, james-merchant@uiowa.edu
HEALTH CARE
--Kathleen Staley, assistant director of University Counseling Services and licensed psychologist. Can discuss mental health issues the impact of floods and post-flood recovery. Phone: 319-335-7294. Email: kathleen-staley@uiowa.edu
HYDROLOGY AND ENGINEERING
--Larry J. Weber, professor of civil and environmental engineering and director of IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering in the University of Iowa College of Engineering. Can comment on river hydraulics. Phone: 319-331-1135. Email: larry-weber@uiowa.edu
INFECTION RISKS
--Gregory Gray, M.D., professor of epidemiology and director of the UI Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, 319-384-5008, gregory-gray@uiowa.edu
--Michael Pentella, Ph.D., associate director of infectious disease, University Hygienic Laboratory, 319-335-4765, michael-pentella@uiowa.edu
INJURIES
--Corinne Peek-Asa, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health, and director of the UI Injury Prevention Research Center, 319-335-4895, corinne-peek-asa@uiowa.edu
--Marizen Ramirez, Ph.D., assistant professor of occupational and environmental health, 319-335-4425, marizen-ramirez@uiowa.edu
INSURANCE AND FINANCE
--J. Tyler Leverty, assistant professor of finance in the Vaughan Institute of Risk Management and Insurance, Tippie College of Business. Can discuss issues concerning flooding and its effects on property and homeowners insurance. Phone: 319-337-4447. Email: ty-leverty@uiowa.edu
MENTAL HEALTH
--Kathleen Staley, Ph.D., assistant director, University Counseling Service, 319-335 7294, kathleen-staley@uiowa.edu
--Michael Flaum, M.D., director, division of public and community psychiatry , 319-353-4340, michael-flaum@uiowa.edu
PUBLIC HEALTH
--Christopher Atchison, director of the University Hygienic Laboratory. Can discuss flooding-related issues such as water quality, water- and mosquito-borne illnesses, and public health practices during flood-recovery efforts. Phone: 310-335-4500. Email: chris-atchison@uiowa.edu
PUBLIC POLICY
--Jeffrey Schott, director of the College of Law's Institute of Public Affairs and adjunct professor of urban and regional planning. Can discuss public policy impacts of a flood. Jeff was also the long-time city manager of Marion, Iowa, where he dealt with frequent flood clean-ups. Phone: 319-329-6207. Email: jeff-schott@uiowa.edu
SURVEILLANCE (TRACKING ILLNESSES AND INJURIES AFTER THE FLOOD)
-- Infectious diseases: Michael Pentella, Ph.D., associate director of infectious disease, University Hygienic Laboratory, 319-335-4765, michael-pentella@uiowa.edu
--Injuries: Corinne Peek-Asa, Ph.D., professor of occupational and environmental health, and director of the UI Injury Prevention Research Center, 319-335-4895, corinne-peek-asa@uiowa.edu; Marizen Ramirez, Ph.D., assistant professor of occupational and environmental health, 319-335-4425, marizen-ramirez@uiowa.edu
WATER QUALITY
--Nancy Hall, supervisor of environmental microbiology, University Hygienic Laboratory, 319-335-4331, nancy-hall@uiowa.edu
Highlights from Monday, June 16 media briefing
Here are highlights from the Monday, June 16 media briefing on the University of Iowa campus (Note: Some of the information is updated from a posting of highlights earlier today and available here.) Listen to an audio file of the briefing in WAV format here.
--Don Guckert, associate vice president for facilities management, said electrical power has been restored to all campus buildings that lost power yesterday (although some remain offline because of flood waters) and all data centers are back online so the university’s information technology system is much more stable.
--Don Guckert, associate vice president for facilities management, said electrical power has been restored to all campus buildings that lost power yesterday (although some remain offline because of flood waters) and all data centers are back online so the university’s information technology system is much more stable.
Guckert also said the university has begun working with companies that specialize in restoration and reconstruction to begin the recovery effort. He praised the volunteers for the sandbagging they did, even on the levees that were breached, because their work means recovery operations are beginning earlier and damage will be minimized in the buildings that were flooded.
--Lola Lopes, interim vice president and provost, urged students who return when classes likely resume on Monday, June 23 to carpool, take public transit, or park in temporary remote lots and ride Cambus. She said many roads and parking lots on campus will still be closed when classes resume.
In addition, she said students who want to drop their summer class can do so without a mark appearing on their transcript and receive a full financial refund. However, she encouraged students to consider whether that would be appropriate, particularly those who need the summer credits to graduate or advance academically. She urged all students enrolled in summer classes to contact their advisors.
--Jean Robillard, vice president for medical affairs, said now that roads and highways to Iowa City are beginning to clear, transportation shuttles to bring University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics personnel from Cedar Rapids and the Quad Cities will be phased out.
--Lola Lopes, interim vice president and provost, urged students who return when classes likely resume on Monday, June 23 to carpool, take public transit, or park in temporary remote lots and ride Cambus. She said many roads and parking lots on campus will still be closed when classes resume.
In addition, she said students who want to drop their summer class can do so without a mark appearing on their transcript and receive a full financial refund. However, she encouraged students to consider whether that would be appropriate, particularly those who need the summer credits to graduate or advance academically. She urged all students enrolled in summer classes to contact their advisors.
--Jean Robillard, vice president for medical affairs, said now that roads and highways to Iowa City are beginning to clear, transportation shuttles to bring University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics personnel from Cedar Rapids and the Quad Cities will be phased out.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Latest University of Iowa flood news
The following information was announced at the 1 p.m. flood news briefing on Sunday, June 15 (Note: because of technical difficulties, no audio file of the briefing will be available today):
-- UI President Sally Mason announced that the University of Iowa Foundation has established a flood relief fund, thanking alumni and friends who have already offered their support. Additional information is available at www.givetoiowa.org/floodfund. [To read a full press release on the fund, go here.]
-- Mason also noted that she has been in contact with the presidents of Iowa State University and the University of Illinois, who have offered their assistance. Don Guckert, UI vice president for facilities management, reported that technical and trades personnel from these schools are already en route to Iowa City.
-- Guckert added that thanks to a tremendous volunteer turnout, the university has completed its planned sandbagging operations. Two million square feet of facilities are threatened by the flood, and half of those have already taken on water. Officials expect the Iowa River to crest within the next couple of days at 1.5 feet above its current level, higher if the area experiences significant rainfall. Guckert noted that temporary dikes around at-risk facilities were built to sustain a 4-foot rise.
-- Utility systems remain the university’s greatest challenge. An underground electrical vault near the campus power plant was taken offline due to flooding, resulting in power outages at several east campus buildings. A pumping operation is under way to restore lost power, and some of the affected facilities or running off emergency generators.
-- Steve Fleagle, associate vice president and chief information officer, reported that the University’s core information technology services, including e-mail, web, phone, human resources systems, and others, are stable and operational. Some services are located in buildings affected by the power outage and are relying on generators.
-- Jean Robillard, vice president for medical affairs, noted that utilities at UI Hospitals and Clinics are stable and that the hospital continues to accept patients. Road closures have created transportation problems for some staff, but UIHC has arranged a shuttle bus from the Cedar Rapids area and airlifts from the Quad Cities to transport essential nursing, laboratory, and medical staff. Low-priority clinic visits set for next week are being rescheduled, but high-priority patients will be seen as scheduled. To avoid congestion in the hospital area, staff arriving from the west can park at the Hawkeye Campus lots west of Mormon Trek Blvd. and catch shuttles to UIHC. So long as the Burlington Street bridge remains open, staff arriving from the east can park at no charge in the Newton Road Parking Ramp.
-- Even after the river crests, flood conditions will persist for several weeks. Mason again thanked the thousands of volunteers that have offered their support, and acknowledged that waiting out the flood can be difficult. She urged the campus community to avoid dangerous floodwaters, remain calm in the face of uncertainty, and remember that the current crisis will pass.
-- UI President Sally Mason announced that the University of Iowa Foundation has established a flood relief fund, thanking alumni and friends who have already offered their support. Additional information is available at www.givetoiowa.org/floodfund. [To read a full press release on the fund, go here.]
-- Mason also noted that she has been in contact with the presidents of Iowa State University and the University of Illinois, who have offered their assistance. Don Guckert, UI vice president for facilities management, reported that technical and trades personnel from these schools are already en route to Iowa City.
-- Guckert added that thanks to a tremendous volunteer turnout, the university has completed its planned sandbagging operations. Two million square feet of facilities are threatened by the flood, and half of those have already taken on water. Officials expect the Iowa River to crest within the next couple of days at 1.5 feet above its current level, higher if the area experiences significant rainfall. Guckert noted that temporary dikes around at-risk facilities were built to sustain a 4-foot rise.
-- Utility systems remain the university’s greatest challenge. An underground electrical vault near the campus power plant was taken offline due to flooding, resulting in power outages at several east campus buildings. A pumping operation is under way to restore lost power, and some of the affected facilities or running off emergency generators.
-- Steve Fleagle, associate vice president and chief information officer, reported that the University’s core information technology services, including e-mail, web, phone, human resources systems, and others, are stable and operational. Some services are located in buildings affected by the power outage and are relying on generators.
-- Jean Robillard, vice president for medical affairs, noted that utilities at UI Hospitals and Clinics are stable and that the hospital continues to accept patients. Road closures have created transportation problems for some staff, but UIHC has arranged a shuttle bus from the Cedar Rapids area and airlifts from the Quad Cities to transport essential nursing, laboratory, and medical staff. Low-priority clinic visits set for next week are being rescheduled, but high-priority patients will be seen as scheduled. To avoid congestion in the hospital area, staff arriving from the west can park at the Hawkeye Campus lots west of Mormon Trek Blvd. and catch shuttles to UIHC. So long as the Burlington Street bridge remains open, staff arriving from the east can park at no charge in the Newton Road Parking Ramp.
-- Even after the river crests, flood conditions will persist for several weeks. Mason again thanked the thousands of volunteers that have offered their support, and acknowledged that waiting out the flood can be difficult. She urged the campus community to avoid dangerous floodwaters, remain calm in the face of uncertainty, and remember that the current crisis will pass.
University of Iowa Foundation establishes campus flood relief fund
The University of Iowa Foundation has created a special flood relief fund that will accept gifts from UI alumni and friends who wish to support the university as it recovers from flood-related damage not covered by insurance or other resources.
Gifts may be made to the fund online by visiting www.uiowafoundation.org or www.givetoiowa.org/floodfund, or they may be sent by mail to the UI Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, Iowa 52244-4550.
In announcing the creation of the flood relief fund, UI Foundation and university officials said contributions will be used at UI President Sally Mason's discretion to address areas of greatest need throughout the campus.
Mason and UI Foundation President Lynette Marshall encourage all in the UI community and all Iowans to help –- whether through volunteering or through other sharing of resources -- with the flood-relief efforts throughout all parts of the state affected by the flooding.
[Note: On Saturday night, June 14, the UI suspended campus volunteer efforts after sandbagging as many flood-prone areas as possible. People wishing to volunteer are encouraged to contact the Iowa City Hall Flood Hotline at (319) 887-6202. The hotline is operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.]
“Much of the eastern half of the state of Iowa, as well as the UI and the greater Iowa City-Coralville area, have suffered widespread and unprecedented damage as a result of the historic flood of 2008,” Mason said. “Alumni and friends who wish to help neighbors in need should contact the Red Cross and other local relief agencies.
“We do not yet know the extent of the damage to our campus, but we are certain that it will take multiple sources of support – from insurance, government resources and private gifts -- to recover and restore the university’s full ability to pursue its mission of teaching, research and service to all Iowans,” she added.
UI facilities either flooded or at risk of flooding include: Hancher Auditorium, the UI Museum of Art, Art Building West and Art Building East, the Iowa Memorial Union, the Theatre Building, Voxman Music Building, Stanley Hydraulics Lab, Iowa Advanced Technology Labs, North Hall, Hawkeye Court apartments, the Adler Journalism Building, the English-Philosophy Building, the Becker Communications Studies Building and the Main Library.
For links to photos of UI campus flooding, and for complete information about the UI and the Flood of 2008, visit the special UI News Services blog at http://uiflood.blogspot.com/
“The UI Foundation will gratefully receive contributions of all sizes to this and other important UI initiatives; however, due to the impact that flood conditions have had on our own operations, we may not be able to send gift receipts in our typically timely manner,” said UI Foundation President Lynette Marshall. “We thank our alumni and contributors for their generosity and patience during this challenging time.”
The UI acknowledges the UI Foundation as the preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the university. For more information about the UI Foundation, visit its web site at www.uiowafoundation.org.
STORY SOURCE: UI Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, Iowa 52244-4550
MEDIA CONTACT: Susan Shullaw, senior VP-strategic communications, the UI Foundation, call 319-351-2606 or 319-541-4288, susan-shullaw@uiowa.edu. Writer: Forrest Meyer.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Latest flood news from the University of Iowa
The following information was announced at the 1 p.m. flood briefing today: (An audio recording of the briefing, in mp3 format, may be heard by clicking here.)
--Sandbagging operations will likely be wrapped up later this evening as all parts of the UI campus that can be protected by a temporary dike will be protected. Don Guckert, associate vice president for facilities management, said the huge turnout of volunteers over the past week helped the university complete the sandbagging well ahead of next week's expected crest.
Guckert also said the previous sandbagging efforts on dikes that failed on the north campus were not in vain because it will allow recovery operations to begin much sooner. He pointed out that operations can begin once the water drops below the level of the breached dike. Without the dike, recovery would have to wait for months.
Volunteers should not try to drive themselves to sandbagging locations and should not attempt to cross the river to reach one of the staging locations. Also, volunteers and all residents of Iowa City should only report to volunteer stations on their side of town. For more information, call the Flood Hotline at 887-6202. Phones are staffed 24/7.]
--The university's electrical and steam plant has been taken offline because water has gotten into the basement and water levels are expected to reach the production equipment. Guckert said taking the plant offline before it's hit by floodwater will cause less damage and make it easier to re-start the plant after the flood.
--Jean Robillard, vice president for medical affairs, said the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is now receiving steam from its own back-up steam generator in Pomerantz Pavillion. A temporary boiler is expected to be operational within 72 hours to back up the back-up. He said steam is used for such hospital functions as sterilization, food service and heated water.
--Robillard said the hospital also has adequate medical and surgical supplies to last two weeks, and six days of fuel to power its back-up generators, should electricity fail.
--The Burlington and Benton Street bridges are expected to close later today. When they do, UIHC employees who live east of the Iowa River can still report for work by traveling Dodge Street to Interstate 80 to US Highway 218 to Melrose Avenue.
--The UI Department of Public Safety has opened a satellite office at Kinnick Stadium so that officers can respond to calls on both sides of the river once the Benton and Burlington Street bridges are closed. The Facilities Management department has also set up a satellite office on the west side of the river.
--Lola Lopes, interim vice president and provost, is hopeful that classes will resume the week after next so that students enrolled in summer classes will receive full academic credit and those students set to graduate at the end of the summer will be able to graduate.
--Student workers should not report to their campus jobs next week. They will continue to receive full pay for the week. Those workers should contact their supervisors.
--Evacuation of Hawkeye Court apartment was completed Friday, but the Housing Department was unable to notify all residents. Those residents unable to get to their apartments should call 335-9168 to make whatever arrangements are needed.
--Sandbagging operations will likely be wrapped up later this evening as all parts of the UI campus that can be protected by a temporary dike will be protected. Don Guckert, associate vice president for facilities management, said the huge turnout of volunteers over the past week helped the university complete the sandbagging well ahead of next week's expected crest.
Guckert also said the previous sandbagging efforts on dikes that failed on the north campus were not in vain because it will allow recovery operations to begin much sooner. He pointed out that operations can begin once the water drops below the level of the breached dike. Without the dike, recovery would have to wait for months.
[NOTE: The university is encouraging volunteers to offer assistance to the City of Iowa City with its ongoing sandbag effort.
Volunteer sandbaggers in east Iowa City should report to the Volunteer Staging Location at Regina High School at 2150 Rochester Ave. between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. A map is available here. Volunteers will park at Regina and be transported by bus to locations where they are needed.
Volunteers in west Iowa City should report to the volunteer staging location at the University Athletic Center on Melrose Avenue (across from West High School) and will be transported by bus to locations where they are needed. A map is available here. Bring a shovel and gloves if possible.
Volunteers should not try to drive themselves to sandbagging locations and should not attempt to cross the river to reach one of the staging locations. Also, volunteers and all residents of Iowa City should only report to volunteer stations on their side of town. For more information, call the Flood Hotline at 887-6202. Phones are staffed 24/7.]
--The university's electrical and steam plant has been taken offline because water has gotten into the basement and water levels are expected to reach the production equipment. Guckert said taking the plant offline before it's hit by floodwater will cause less damage and make it easier to re-start the plant after the flood.
--Jean Robillard, vice president for medical affairs, said the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is now receiving steam from its own back-up steam generator in Pomerantz Pavillion. A temporary boiler is expected to be operational within 72 hours to back up the back-up. He said steam is used for such hospital functions as sterilization, food service and heated water.
--Robillard said the hospital also has adequate medical and surgical supplies to last two weeks, and six days of fuel to power its back-up generators, should electricity fail.
--The Burlington and Benton Street bridges are expected to close later today. When they do, UIHC employees who live east of the Iowa River can still report for work by traveling Dodge Street to Interstate 80 to US Highway 218 to Melrose Avenue.
--The UI Department of Public Safety has opened a satellite office at Kinnick Stadium so that officers can respond to calls on both sides of the river once the Benton and Burlington Street bridges are closed. The Facilities Management department has also set up a satellite office on the west side of the river.
--Lola Lopes, interim vice president and provost, is hopeful that classes will resume the week after next so that students enrolled in summer classes will receive full academic credit and those students set to graduate at the end of the summer will be able to graduate.
--Student workers should not report to their campus jobs next week. They will continue to receive full pay for the week. Those workers should contact their supervisors.
--Evacuation of Hawkeye Court apartment was completed Friday, but the Housing Department was unable to notify all residents. Those residents unable to get to their apartments should call 335-9168 to make whatever arrangements are needed.
WSUI remains off the air; KSUI still live
Because of flooding at the transmitter site, WSUI, 910 AM remains off the
air for the time being and anyone wishing to listen to the Iowa Public
Radio News Network should tune, in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area, to
KUNI, 90.9 FM.
However, KSUI, 91.7 FM continues to broadcast at full power and has
begun a period of regional service in which WSUI and KSUI staff will
bring listeners in eastern Iowa in-depth reporting and emergency
announcements that will help them negotiate the next few dangerous
days. KSUI's classical music format will continue on 91.7 but will be
accompanied by extensive regional news, flood and emergency updates
for Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and other locations in eastern Iowa that
are and will be heavily impacted in the coming days by flood waters.
The IPR Classical Network's programming is available on WOI-FM in
Ames/Des Moines, KHKE in Cedar Falls/Waterloo, and KUNZ in Ottumwa.
air for the time being and anyone wishing to listen to the Iowa Public
Radio News Network should tune, in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area, to
KUNI, 90.9 FM.
However, KSUI, 91.7 FM continues to broadcast at full power and has
begun a period of regional service in which WSUI and KSUI staff will
bring listeners in eastern Iowa in-depth reporting and emergency
announcements that will help them negotiate the next few dangerous
days. KSUI's classical music format will continue on 91.7 but will be
accompanied by extensive regional news, flood and emergency updates
for Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and other locations in eastern Iowa that
are and will be heavily impacted in the coming days by flood waters.
The IPR Classical Network's programming is available on WOI-FM in
Ames/Des Moines, KHKE in Cedar Falls/Waterloo, and KUNZ in Ottumwa.
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