A look at our proudest achievements to-date.
1. Created programs to address student food insecurity
For our new Student Day at the Farmers Market, 295 students received small vouchers for the Iowa City Farmers Market, and of those students surveyed, 34% had not attended the Farmers Market before. We also collaborated with campus partners to develop the Hawkeye Meal Share, which has received donations from hundreds of students and will be available for use in Spring 2018.
2. Spread information about sexual assault prevention and response, mental health, and alcohol safety
We collaborated with Downtown businesses and the Iowa Memorial Union to post flyers that share information about sexual assault prevention and response. We held various educational events, including the On Iowa! Health & Safety Fair, Hungry Hawks, and Mochas for Mental Health. We continued Yoga on the Pentacrest, expanding the offerings to the residence halls and increasing collaboration with the embedded counselor, raising awareness of the resource.
3. Took steps to increase off-campus student support and off-campus housing safety
We worked with new off-campus student support staff to develop an off-campus student support advisory committee. A new website with off-campus resources has been published at offcampus.uiowa.edu. We have also collaborated with the Iowa City City Council to pass our proposal requiring deadbolt locks on multi-family units.
4. Supported under-served student organizations with new opportunities
We decreased restrictions for student organization funding periods so that chapters of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and Multicultural Greek Council had more opportunities to receive UISG financial support. We also developed more advocacy opportunities by expanding our constituency senators to include an International Student Constituency Senator, holding an Asian Student Roundtable, and bolstering the International Student Advisory Board.
5. Established the Student Leader Training Incentive Program
The Student Leader Training Incentive Program, or Student Leader TIPs, encourages student leaders to provide further education incentive and opportunity issues of diversity and inclusion, sexual assault prevention, and mental health or wellness by participating in trainings offered through various programs and departments on campus.
6. Provided the Airport Shuttle for Thanksgiving and Winter Break
UISG established an airport shuttle to facilitate transportation to and from the Cedar Rapids Eastern Iowa Airport For those students who fly away for breaks, transportation can be expensive, costing up to $30-$50 for a one-way trip. The program took off quickly, and has been used by a total of 126 students for Thanksgiving and Winter Break.
7. Expanded the Cambus Interdorm Route to weekend mornings
The route has allowed an average of 114 students per day the opportunity to reach their destination by bus, increasing access to dining facilities, places of employment, and spaces for worship.
8. Developed resources for professional school preparation
This spring, University College will offer an LSAT preparation course on campus for students interested in applying to law school. UISG worked with University College to provide financial assistance to students who want to take advantage of the course and have financial need.
9. Improved governmental relations efforts at the local, state, and federal levels
UISG hosted a City Council Candidate Forum, having a great turnout, for students who wished to learn more about the candidates for the Iowa City City Council. Over the summer, UISG increased engagement in the Board of Regents Tuition Task Force by educating students about the tuition proposals. UISG leaders also met with higher education policy officials in Washington DC this fall, after hosting a town hall by Senator Joni Ernst.
10. Increased transparency and engagement with UISG
We held our first-ever town halls, focusing the discussions on affordability, mental health, and sexual assault. On social media, we have posted monthly update videos to actively share our progress. All of our communication efforts have been spearheaded by a new seven-person Communications Team.
With this progress made, we recognize there are still opportunities for improvement and growth at the University of Iowa for students. We remain committed to advocating for students and making the University of Iowa a place where students can be successful.
We would like to sincerely thank everyone involved in efforts to better the student experience at the University of Iowa. None of these accomplishments could have been made without the support of all of our campus partners, including, but not limited to, the Office of the President, the Office of the Executive Vice President & Provost, the Division of Student Life, and the Chief Diversity Office. We deeply appreciate your continued support of our priorities.