Resources available to first-generation students at the UI If you are the first student in your family navigating college life, there are many helpful resources available to you at the UI
UI continues practices to mitigate spread of With COVID-19 still a relevant issue in the Iowa City community, the University of Iowa will bring initiatives to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 into the 2021-2022 school year. Since March 2020, the University of Iowa has implemented various initiatives to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the campus community and adjacent areas. The UI has worked to slow the spread of COVID-19 by requiring students and employees to wear a mask when inside campus buildings and practice social distancing. The university also provided quarantine and isolation housing for on-campus students and helped with the allocation and distribution of vaccines. On May 19, the UI lifted its mask requirement for fully vaccinated people. Fully vaccinated people aren’t required to wear face masks or social distance in most UI facilities, excluding the UI Hospitals and Clinics and CAMBUS. The university will be returning to an on-campus, face-to-face residential experience for the fall 2021 semester, and is updating current and future students, families, faculty, and staff regarding the semester and any information that may indicate a change in proposed plans. The UI plans to offer primarily face-to-face instruction, excluding most classes that have an enrollment of more than 150 students. Decisions regarding face masks, social distancing, and other health and safety measures for the fall semester will be based on the advice of the state Board of Regents; the
Iowa and Johnson County departments of public health; the Big Ten Conference; and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Based on a policy from the regents, the UI won’t be mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for students nor employees, but the university heavily encourages everyone who can be vaccinated to do so. Going into fall 2021, the UI will continue to test symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals with a known COVID-19 exposure in coordination with Johnson County Public Health.
The UI plans to offer primarily face-to-face instruction fall 2021 semester
First, University Housing offers a first-generation Living Learning Community. This LLC puts you on a residence floor with other first-generation students. The LLC can be a great way to connect early and make friends with other students in similar situations. The LLC is located in Stanley Residence Hall, which is situated on the central part of campus near two of the dining halls. Iowa Edge is a three-day program targeted for first-generation students and students of various other underrepresented groups. This program is designed to help underrepresented students adjust to life and succeed at the UI. Attending the program could be helpful in aiding your transition to college while also connecting you with other students before the start of the academic year. TRIO Student Support Services is a federally funded program that can also help aid you in navigating important college-related tasks. Such tasks include filing for FAFSA, applying to postgraduate and professional programs, and finding additional sources for financial aid and scholarships. Finally, the Undergraduate Student Government has an elected First-Generation Constituency Senator serve in the student senate. You can reach out to this student representative for further guidance and to also voice your concerns related to being a first-generation student at the UI.
8 | HAWKEYE VIEW THE DAILY IOWAN | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2021 | DAILYIOWAN.COM
