View news from this page and other flood-related resources at the UI Flood Recovery Web site.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

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