Reminder: UI forum on flood mitigation is Thursday

This is a reminder that the University of Iowa's Flood Mitigation Task Force and Campus Planning Committee will host an open forum at 7:30 p.m. this Thursday March 26 in the UI Libraries' Shambaugh Auditorium. The hosting groups will provide updates on the ongoing process of evaluating options and strategies for protecting the campus from future flood events. The forum will then be open to questions and comments from the audience.

All interested members of the community including UI faculty, staff, and students as well as other residents of the surrounding municipalities are welcome to attend. For more information contact Gregg Oden, 319-335-2455 or gregg-oden@uiowa.edu.

Group invites flood victims to use writing for healing

University of Iowa faculty, staff and students affected by the flood of 2008 are invited to share their stories of the disaster and its aftermath through written expression or journaling in a safe, supportive community for six weeks starting March 26 at the Johnson County Crisis Center, 1121 Gilbert Court in Iowa City.

Hosted by the center, the "Swept Away-Brought Together" writers group is open to people with all levels of writing skill. It will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on six consecutive Thursdays: March 26 and April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.

Group members will be invited to share their heart's needs and use poetry, prose and essays as a source of healing and recovery and as a creative way to make meaning out of life's traumatic circumstances. Participants will be encouraged to record events, describe places and belongings, and explore emotions, thoughts and beliefs that came with the waters of last June.

To reserve a spot contact Diane Yagla, flood case advocate, 319-351-0140.

UI Museum of Art to open IMU and Levitt Center galleries; receives NEH grant

The University of Iowa Museum of Art (UIMA) -- whose former building was severely damaged during the flood of 2008 -- has received an Emergency Flood Assistance grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to help turn the Iowa Memorial Union's (IMU) Richey Ballroom into an art gallery.

This gallery is one of three on-campus spaces specifically designed for classroom use that the UIMA will open for viewing this year. Two of the new art venues will be on the IMU's third floor; the third will be in the Levitt Center for University Advancement's Stanley Gallery. [more]

UI organizes flood clean-up project over spring break

Hundreds of homes in Cedar Rapids remain in poor condition after the June 2008 floods, and the University of Iowa community's help is needed to clean out and refurbish these structures over spring break. The University of Iowa is organizing alternative spring break service project to do post-flood cleanup in Cedar Rapids, joining volunteers from across Iowa and the rest of the nation.

UI alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members are encouraged to participate in the flood clean-up effort, which begins Saturday, March 14, and continues through Friday, March 20. The cleanup dates coincide with the official UI spring break. Commitment is left to the discretion of individual participants, who may volunteer for the entire week or any days they are available. Shifts for the cleanup are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and transportation to and from Cedar Rapids will be provided if necessary.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own tools, if possible. Volunteers should register at http://osl.webtest.iowa.uiowa.edu/springbreak09. The registration deadline is Monday, March 2. Any special construction skills should be noted, but are not required. Student volunteers can earn hours toward a free concert ticket at http://www.10000hoursei.org.

Once the number of volunteers and their skills are determined, volunteers will be assigned to work in groups of up to 10 in flood-affected areas of Cedar Rapids, said Sue Driscoll of the United Way of Eastern Iowa. The East Central Iowa Volunteer Center is coordinating several flood clean-up projects in Cedar Rapids.

UI volunteers will join hundreds of high school and college students and church groups from around Iowa and the rest of the nation to help with flood recovery in Cedar Rapids over spring break, Driscoll added. She expects groups from the UI College of Law, Iowa State University, Grinnell High School in Iowa, as well as groups from Scranton, Pa., and Stout, Wis., to help.

Among those planning to assist in the cleanup are UI President Sally Mason and her husband, Ken, as well as Tom Rocklin, interim vice president for student services and dean of students.

"My husband Ken and I very much look forward to helping our neighbors in Cedar Rapids who were affected by last year's flood. I encourage members of the UI community to spend a little or a lot of time over spring break helping people get back on their feet in this important way," Mason said.

"I was amazed, but not surprised, by how the UI and Iowa City communities came together locally as we battled the flood last summer, and I hope as many of us as possible can extend that spirit of mutual support to those in need in Cedar Rapids. It's a great and caring way to spend some time off of work or school," she said.

The UI effort began after John Laverty, associate director in the UI Office of Admissions, contacted UI Civic Engagement Program and later the Office of Student Life to form groups of interested UI staff and students to organize the project.

"I remembered hearing about UI students going on spring break to help victims of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast, and wondered if there were any efforts underway to do something to help the local flood victims this spring break," said Laverty, who saw the flood devastation as a Cedar Rapids resident.

For more information about the Cedar Rapids flood cleanup, contact the Office of Student Life at 319-335-3059.

There are several other alternative spring break options available for UI students, including some sponsored by UI Student Government. Opportunities include the Pay It Forward Tour to do service projects in several different states, two Hurricane cleanups in New Orleans, and a School of Social Work trip to Philadelphia to assist a welfare rights organization.

Campus Christian Fellowship is also offering its "Beach Reach" event in Panama City, Fla. For more information on these programs visit http://www.asbiowa.org or email asb.iowa@gmail.com; scholarship opportunities are also available.

UI Division of Continuing Education and the UI Chicago Center are offering a Spring Break Service Learning Course in Chicago." This course is a six-day trip, March 15-20, to the southwest side of Chicago, where students will get hands-on experience working to improve the library system located at Thomas Chalmers Elementary Specialty School. Students will get hands-on experience working with children as they help organize their school's library system. For more information on this event visit http://www.uiowa.edu/chicago/events/index.html.

The Division of Continuing Education is also offering several credit courses as alternatives to the stereotypical spring break retreat. Courses offered through UI Recreational Services include scuba instruction in Florida, mountain biking in Utah, backpacking through national and state parks, ballroom dancing, introduction to bouldering, and a new course this semester, salsa dancing. For more information and a detailed listing of these spring break courses enter keyword "spring break" on ISIS at http://isis5.uiowa.edu/isis/courses/search.page.

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

MEDIA CONTACTS: Scott Ketelsen, University Relations, 319-384-0018, scott-ketelsen@uiowa.edu; John Laverty, UI Admissions, john-laverty@uiowa.edu, 319-335-0097; George McCrory, University News Services, 319-384-0012, george-mccrory@uiowa.edu; Writers: George McCrory and Megan McIntyre

University Housing to return Parklawn residence hall to apartment complex

After seven years as a single-student residence hall, Parklawn Hall at the University of Iowa will return to serving families and others as an apartment complex beginning in July.

Built in 1955, the building served as apartments for married students and families through 2002. During the summer of 2002, Parklawn was designated as a residence hall in response to a record number of incoming freshmen requesting housing. Parklawn's re-designation is in response to the loss of 76 apartments at Hawkeye Court during the June 2008 flood and the opening in August 2009 of a new wing at Burge Hall that will include additional beds, said Von Stange, director of University Housing. [Full Story]

UI advises students to double-check spring 2009 class locations

The University of Iowa Registrar's Office strongly encourages students registered for spring 2009 classes to double-check the location of those classes via ISIS at http://isis.uiowa.edu.

Many classes have been relocated because of the summer floods, and ISIS will provide the most up-to-date locations for next semester's classes.

Further questions may be directed to the registrar's classroom scheduling office at 319-335-1243.

UI purchases 22 mobile units to be used by School of Music, Theatre Arts

The University of Iowa announced today, Tuesday, Dec. 2, that it has purchased 22 mobile units for use next semester by its School of Music faculty, staff and students and by teaching assistants in the Department of Theatre Arts. For more information, visit
http://news-releases.uiowa.edu/2008/december/120208mobile_units.html

UI Theatre Building update

The University of Iowa Theatre Arts Department plans to return to the Theatre Building, which was flooded this summer, during finals week. The target dates are Thursday and Friday, Dec. 18 and 19, with a few things moving earlier that week. On those two days the department plans to move nearly everything and everyone back to the building, though officials expect it may take a while to get the space organized.

For more details, visit the Theatre Arts Department Web site.

Portions of the Iowa Memorial Union reopen

The first through the third floors of the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) reopened to the public Saturday, Nov. 1. Limited services are available, but the building may be used for events, meetings and studying.

The IMU has been closed since June 13 because of flooding of the Iowa River. The ground floor of the building remains closed. Some services are being relocated within the building while others remain in alternate locations.

Campus Event Services offices and the Campus Information Center reopened today (Monday, Nov. 3), and the IMU is taking reservations for events and meetings. To make a reservation call 319-335-3114.

The University Book Store is in the Old Capitol Town Center, and will remain there until further notice. The Iowa One Card Office will remain in 3 Jessup Hall.

Moving back to the IMU in the next few weeks are the University Box Office, Office of Student Life, UI Student Government and student organizations, IMU Human Resources, Office of the Vice President for Student Services, and all IMU support services. The Bijou Theater will start showing films on Friday Nov. 7, and resume its regular schedule, showing movies seven days a week.

On Dec. 1 the Iowa House Hotel is scheduled to reopen, as is the River Room with a full menu. The hotel is accepting reservations for dates after Jan. 1, 2009; call 319-335-3513 to make reservations.

IMU building hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4 through Friday Nov. 7. After Nov. 7, the IMU will resume normal hours of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

For detailed, up-to-date information visit http://www.imu.uiowa.edu.

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

MEDIA CONTACTS: David Grady, IMU, 319-335-3114, david-grady@uiowa.edu; George McCrory, University News Services, 319-384-0012, george-mccrory@uiowa.edu

Flood Recovery Update Memo

TO: Robert Donley

FROM: Doug True

RE: Flood of 2008 – Status

DATE: October 24, 2008


This is an update of the October 6 flood status report. Next week an oral report will be provided to the Iowa Board of Regents at its meeting.

To view a UI Flood Building Major Projects Progress update, visit
http://www.uiowa.edu/floodrecovery/recovery-reports/BOR-102408-building.pdf

Power Plant Update

The University is optimistic that the goal of bringing the Main Power Plant back on line by November 1 will be met. Boiler #11, one of two solid fuel boilers at the Main Power Plant, has successfully been restarted. This boiler burns both coal and oat hulls. Since being energized there have been two occasions when the boiler was “tripped”, but the problems were addressed and the outages short-lived. Solid fuel boiler #10 is expected to be energized this week (Friday, October 24) or early next. Each solid fuel boiler produces approximately 170,000 pounds of steam per hour. The reliability of these units is critical for winter operations at the University.

The Main Power Plant’s two natural gas fired boilers have been operational since early October. These boilers each produce approximately 100,000 pounds of steam per hour. By contrast, the temporary boilers engaged immediately after the flood each produce ~60,000 pounds of steam per hour. Given the expected operational challenges due to the length of time the solid fuel boilers were idle, Power Plant operators anticipate utilizing the natural gas fired boilers to a greater degree than in past years. Shortly after boiler #10 is back in service, the University intends to disassemble the temporary, rented boiler located behind Burge Residence Hall and relocate it to the west campus. This temporary boiler will be co-located with the other temporary boiler serving UIHC in a winterized facility near the west campus chilled water plant. These units will serve as additional back-up for the health care campus through the winter.

Work on the steam distribution system continues to provide needed service and redundancy. Projects to “direct bury” steam lines on the east and west campuses are nearing completion. The new line through the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center construction site is expected to be tested and made available next week; the new direct bury steam line near Rienow and Slater Halls on the west campus is progressing on schedule. The steam lines (via tunnel system) providing service to the IMU and Iowa Advanced Technology Labs have been energized. Steam service will also soon be available through the tunnel system to buildings on the Arts Campus as well. However, heating (mechanical) systems within certain flood affected buildings have not been recovered. Therefore the University will be utilizing the services of Munters Corporation to provide temporary heating in some buildings on campus.

Facilities Management personnel are meeting with Stanley Consultants, HBK, Inc of Chicago (tunnel consultant), and Shive-Hattery to develop a system of bulk-head barriers to protect the Main Power Plant from inundation of flood waters through the utility tunnel system. It is the University’s intent to have these protective barriers in place by June 2009.


Other Flood Related Matters

The University has established an “Interim Solutions” committee to assess the intermediate term needs (1 to 3 years) of departments displaced by the flood. Representatives from the Provost’s Office, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Facilities Management and Risk Management serve on the committee. Issues currently before this committee include evaluating additional intermediate-term options for the School of Music and the School of Art and Art History. Both Schools are in temporary quarters; however, some better options for facilities will need to be developed for extended temporary use.

The University has submitted “business interruption” claims with its insurance carrier – FM Global. Claims from UIHC and the Faculty Practice Plan have been processed, and we are expecting a $4 million payment within the next week.

Financing – the University continues to work with representatives of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to process the necessary paperwork (project worksheets or “PW’s”) to obtain reimbursement for flood-related expenses. (The attached two-page document summarizes the status of buildings affected by the flood as well as programmatic and funding issues). The expeditious processing of these claims is crucial to avoid cash flow problems. I will be reporting to the Board next week the status of FEMA’s response to University reimbursement needs.

Please let me know if you or Board members have questions.


Attachment


C: Regent Miles
Regent Evans
President Mason
Joan Racki

Participants sought for local StoryCorps flood stories project

The devastating flood that hit Iowa last summer made headlines around the state, nation and world. Yet many stories could be lost if not preserved -- or worse yet, simply remain untold. University of Iowa Libraries -- along with university and community partners -- plans to document and preserve these stories of everyday heroism and kindness by launching a StoryCorps-style oral history project titled "Under the Current: Collecting Stories from the Flood." (more)

Final Friday Night Concert to celebrate flood recovery progress

The final performance in this summer's Iowa City Press-Citizen Friday Night Concert Series will be more than a great musical event. It'll be a chance for the community to mark the end of a long wet summer, note the incredible progress the area has made since the Iowa River flooded in June and -- of course -- have a good time.

The City of Iowa City's Summer of the Arts, United Way, the University of Iowa and local government officials have declared the Sept. 5 concert, featuring the reggae/ska band Public Property, a "Community Celebration." In addition to the performance, which is sponsored by MidWestOne Bank, the night will include special activities for children and brief remarks by community leaders who want to thank the thousands of people who pitched in to reclaim the land from the river. (more)

UI Police remind students of Nite Ride, note flood-related service

University of Iowa Police would like to remind students that they offer the Nite Ride van service between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. seven days a week. Women may get a safe, free ride home by dialing 319-384-1111. Callers are connected with the van driver, who can provide the van's current location and an estimated pickup time.

An academic route, which operates Sundays through Thursdays, picks up passengers at any UI parking lot, ramp or building (except for residence halls and University Housing) and drops them off at any UI parking lot, ramp or building including residence halls, University Housing and apartments within the specified boundaries.

The downtown route, which operates Fridays and Saturdays, is staged at Clinton and Washington streets and is bounded by Summit Street to the east, University Housing (Hawkeye Campus) to the west, Highway 6 and Melrose Avenue to the south, and Highway 6/Park Road/Foster Road to the north.

Additionally, Nite Ride is serving academic facilities relocated because of the flood, even if they are temporarily housed in non-UI buildings. These include the Studio Arts Building (formerly Menards) on Highway 1, where many of the arts studio and studio faculty offices are located; the School of Music's "Clinton Street Music 375" and "Clinton Street Music 376" near the Iowa City Main Post Office and Johnson County Courthouse; and the Department of Theatre Arts' main offices in Brewery Square, North Linn Street, above the restaurant Devotay.

For more information, including a link to a map of the route, visit http://www.uiowa.edu/~pubsfty/nite.htm.

UI Police step up patrols in areas where Blue Caps are out of order

Half of the University of Iowa's Blue Cap emergency phone stations scattered across campus are out of order because of direct flood damage or because nearby buildings that provide power to them are not yet fully operational.

Eleven of the 22 stations are still working (12 including a wall-mounted unit located inside the Lindquist Center), while 11 remain out of order, according to UI Police. Most of the units that are out of order are located near the arts campus and along the river.

Police have wrapped the broken units in red plastic and posted signs noting that they're out of order and directing pedestrians with cell phones to call 911 if there is an emergency. They've also stepped up patrols in areas where the Blue Caps are out of order.

Officials are working to get all of the units up and running as soon as possible. Until then, they urge pedestrians to stay away from construction zones and parts of campus that aren't well lit, to walk with friends, especially late at night, and to report any suspicious activity to police.

Note to news media on delayed opening of Studio Arts

The University of Iowa had hoped to have Studio Arts (Menards building) open by Monday, Aug. 25, but officials are delaying the opening until Wednesday, Aug. 27 in order to get the building completely ready. Media are being informed in case they were planning to do a story on its opening.  

To view a note sent to students affected by the delay, click here. If you need more elaboration on this, call Vice Provost Tom Rocklin at 319-331-1951.

IMU status updated

David L. Grady, associate vice president and director of the Iowa Memorial Union, issued the following update on the status of the IMU to University of Iowa deans, directors and departmental executive officers today:

As the fall semester approaches, I wanted to provide you with an update on the flood recovery of the Iowa Memorial Union, the status of its operations, and the temporary locations of some of its offices.

The cleaning process is now finished and the mechanical restoration work has begun. We are working to have floors one to three of the IMU open to the public by mid-semester. We will provide updates to the UI community as the work progresses and we are able to determine a firm opening date.

In the meantime, many important activities and services provided in the IMU continue to operate and provide critical services to the UI community. The Office of Student Life is temporarily housed in W300 Seashore Hall. Important student programs will continue so that students are provided with meaningful and relevant out-of-classroom experiences.

• The University Book Store is ready for the fall semester. The University Book Store is located in University Capitol Centre (Old Capitol Town Center) on the first floor. Textbooks that have been ordered by faculty will be available for students. The bookstore’s Apple Campus Store is also located on the first floor of the University Capitol Centre. 
• IMU Catering continues to provide on-campus catering. Catering sales can be contacted at 335.3114 to place orders. We are also pleased to announce the appointment of a new Executive Chef. Chef Donovan Campbell brings to the UI a great deal of culinary skill and creativity. Classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu culinary academy, with Pan Asian expertise, Chef Donovan held executive chef positions at Bellagio Hotel Resort Inc., Wynn Las Vegas Hotel & Resort Inc., and Event Solutions in southern California. 
• Plans are to open The Iowa House Hotel around the same time as the other parts of the IMU this fall. The Hotel is accepting reservations for dates after January 1, 2009. Please call 335.3513 to make reservations. 
• The Campus Information Center is located on the first floor of the University Capitol Centre. 
• Departments and individuals with reservations for meeting room space and Iowa House Hotel rooms are being notified if we are not able to provide space as a result of the flooding. 

Other relocations include:

• University Box Office—first floor of the University Capitol Centre (south end near parking ramp) 
• IMU Human Resources—2840 University Capitol Centre 
• IowaOne Card Office (ID Card)—Jessup Hall, Room 3 
• University of Iowa Community Credit Union—500 Iowa Avenue 

Please check our Web site for updated information: http://imu.uiowa.edu/ and also the University of Iowa Flood Recovery Web site: http://www.uiowa.edu/floodrecovery/. A map of IMU locations in the University Capitol Centre can be found at this Web site: http://www.uiowa.edu/floodrecovery/fall/bookstore.html

The IMU has been an important community center for the University of Iowa since 1925. Although we have had a slight setback as a result of the flooding, we plan to come back better and to provide the quality services and programs that you and our students expect. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

UI reopens Hancher footbridge

The University of Iowa will reopen the Hancher Auditorium footbridge at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12. The bridge has been inspected by Shive-Hattery and determined to be safe for use.

UI Facilities Management and Public Safety officials urge pedestrians to use caution on the Arts Campus walkways as much flood recovery work continues in that area. During the next couple of weeks, contractors will be removing flood-control levees. This work, in conjunction with building recovery work, will result in high vehicle and equipment traffic in that area.

The Iowa Memorial Union footbridge remains closed.

UI rations chilled water Monday, Aug. 4 due to high temperatures, heat advisory

The University of Iowa is rationing chilled water on the UI East Campus from about 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, Monday, Aug. 4 because of the warm temperatures, very high humidity and the fact that two of the temporary chillers on East Campus are offline for repairs, according to Ken Lloyd, senior engineer with UI Facilities Management.

The chilled water load on West Campus will also be high. While rationing is not anticipated on West Campus today, some warming in the chilled water distribution loop and in West Campus buildings may be noticed because of the high cooling load.

The weather is expected to remain hot through Monday, Aug. 4 and Tuesday, Aug. 5, with the possibility of thunderstorms tonight and cooler temperatures later in the week. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory today for Eastern Iowa area from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m.

Parking office returning to IMU Ramp

The University of Iowa Parking Services & Transportation and Field Services Offices are relocating back to the IMU Ramp location.

On Thursday, Aug. 7, the main office will be closed as employees move from their temporary office at 868 S. Capitol St. back to the IMU Ramp location. The Hospital Ramp 2 Office will remain open for business as usual. The IMU Ramp Parking Office will reopen on Friday, Aug. 8. The office's phone number and our e-mail address will remain the same.

Beginning Friday Aug. 8th, the IMU Ramp office hours will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and the Hospital Ramp 2 Office hours will change to 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For questions, call the IMU Ramp Office at (319) 335-1475 or the Hospital Ramp 2 Office at (319) 335-8924, or e-mail parking-office@uiowa.edu.

UI libraries announce due date changes, instructions for returning damaged items

To best support our library users needs and accommodate issues resulting from flooding, the University Libraries has extended due dates and is providing assistance with damaged materials.

DUE DATE CHANGES

Faculty loans that have not been recalled are now due June 1, 2009.

Graduate loans that have not been recalled are now due January 28, 2009.

Short-term loans that were due between June 12 and July 9 are now due August 1, 2008.

Items that were recalled and were due between June 12 and July 9 are now due August 1, 2008.

If you have any questions about due dates, you can "Check My Account" (http://infohawk.uiowa.edu/myaccount) from the Libraries' website.

DAMAGED MATERIALS

If you have library books that were damaged in the flooding, there are several options for returning them.

Wet, but not muddy books -- wrap in wax paper and put in your freezer.

Muddy books-- rinse as best you can, put in freezer bag and freeze. Wear gloves when handling books to protect yourself.

Books tossed/lost during recovery efforts -- contact Main Library Circulation lib-maincirc@uiowa.edu or 319-335-5912. Staff will retrieve title information and start the replacement process.

For any questions relating to library materials please contact Main Library Circulation staff at lib-maincirc@uiowa.edu or 319-335-5912.