By Naomi Hofferber
Several organizations in the University of Iowa have teamed up to offer free services to students throughout finals week — but it comes with a cost.
The organizations, including Recreational Services, Student Government, Student Health & Wellness, and others, offer financial support for Finals@IMU, a six-day program in the IMU that focuses on helping students relax and providing them with a place to study to prepare for their final exams.
“They’ve all helped us in some way, shape, or form, and been very willing to do so,” said Eric Rossow, the assistant director of IMU Outreach Programs and Services.
He estimates the cost of all the services provided throughout the week is between $12,000 and $13,000.
UI Career Center, UI Admissions, Academic Support and Retention, Student Employment, Financial Aid, and the Dean of Students Office also contribute resources.
“We’re always attentive to what the students want, that’s a part of our building is really being a place and a space for this to be a vibrant student center on campus,” William Nelson, the executive director for the IMU said. “To do that requires us to be responsive.”
Finals@IMU’s daily activities include free coffee, bagels, popcorn, pancakes, healthy snacks, yoga classes, massages, therapy dogs, and more.
While the event has been offered for a long time, its current extensive form has only been in existence the past four or five years, Nelson said.
“We’ve got it down through evaluation what students want and what students need,” he said. “We’ve been very successful in securing partnerships to make this happen. Students want it. It’s important to provide that kind of support, it’s important to provide that kind of space for students to be able to study, and it’s important to provide space for students to relax.”
UI students can participate in activities at the IMU at as early as coffee at 6:30 a.m. to snacks at 10 p.m., and it is open 24 hours for students.
“I think it’s really great that they offer lots of things during finals, because finals can very stressful, and sometimes you need a break,” UI freshman Amaris Hornbuckle said. “I like the idea of the stress puppies, and coloring is a good way to de-stress.”
Hornbuckle said the IMU provides an escape from the dorms, and that changing up one’s environment relieves stress and helps a person focus on studying. She also said that because of the popularity of some aspects of Finals@IMU, such as the therapy dogs, she had to opt out because of long lines.
“I would say it’s the most stressful [time of the semester],” she said. “A majority of your grade depends on how well you do on a test, so that puts a lot of pressure on how you prepare for it. It’s a very stressful time.”