University of Iowa shared governance expresses concerns with halt of diversity, equity, and inclusion training
Morgan Ungs, News Reporter
October 13, 2020
University of Iowa shared governance leaders asked the UI to reinstate diversity, equity, and inclusion workplace training as soon as possible after the trainings were put on pause to evaluate compliance with a White House executive order. The order threatened to withhold federal funding from ...
USG proposes fall classes should offer pass/not pass options
Morgan Ungs, News Reporter
October 6, 2020
The University of Iowa Undergraduate Student Government voted unanimously on Tuesday to suggest the university offer a pass/not pass option for all undergraduate students this fall because of the increase in online classes. When the UI sent classes online in March at the onset of the pandemic, the U...
USG passes resolution supporting sustainability, affordability, COVID-19 mitigation on campus
Rylee Wilson, News Editor
September 23, 2020
In the annual joint session between the University of Iowa Undergraduate and Graduate and Professional Student Governments, senators passed three joint resolutions supporting 2030 sustainability goals, tuition affordability, and COVID-19 mitigation on campus. Senators and executives from both ...
USG reassesses Student Activity Fee to support students during COVID-19
Eleanor Hildebrandt, News Reporter
September 1, 2020
All undergraduate and graduate students are required to pay a $72 Student Activity Fee once a semester, which funds several different aspects of student life at the university. But with the coronavirus pandemic upending the operations of so many organizations, the funding will be routed differently durin...
USG members disappointed in Harreld’s response to campus issues
Rylee Wilson and Caleb McCullough
August 26, 2020
Undergraduate student government members said they felt no progress came out of meeting with University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld as he spoke to the group on COVID-19, in-person classes, racism on campus and more. Harreld spoke over Zoom at a student government meeting on Tuesday and took ...
University of Iowa to begin testing any students, Harreld says, as Johnson County coronavirus cases continue to climb
Eleanor Hildebrandt and Alexandra Skores
August 25, 2020
University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld told student government leaders on Tuesday that testing options would be available to students soon, but didn’t specify any timeline, while cases ramp up in Johnson County. After senators discussed the lack of testing for students who are not exper...
University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld ‘exceedingly disappointed’ in downtown businesses
Rachel Schilke and Eleanor Hildebrandt
August 25, 2020
University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld sharply rebuked downtown Iowa City businesses not enforcing COVID-19 guidelines after maskless students packed bars over the weekend. "We're having an explosion of cases that are originating in the downtown, nighttime life, [especially] at the bars and c...
Reynolds signs USG-backed medical amnesty bill
Caleb McCullough, Summer Editor
June 25, 2020
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a medical amnesty bill into law Thursday, closing five years of University of Iowa Student Government advocacy for the measure. House File 684 prevents underage people from facing charges if they seek medical attention for alcohol-related emergencies. Advocates say the ...
Student organizations urge University of Iowa to cut ties with local law enforcement
Rachel Schilke, News Reporter
June 6, 2020
University of Iowa and Iowa City leaders pledged Friday to review policing procedures after the Iowa City Police Department, under the direction of the Iowa State Patrol, used tear gas, pepper spray, and flash-bangs on peaceful protesters headed toward Interstate 80 Wednesday night. The actions of law enforcement on Wednesday prompted...
Regents approve tuition freeze for fall 2020 semester, student leaders urge for similar action in spring
Kelsey Harrell, Managing Digital Editor
June 4, 2020
The state Board of Regents heard from student government leaders at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa about the proposed tuition freeze for the fall 2020 semester on Thursday, voicing concerns about the possibility of a mid-year tuition increase. ...
UI student governments ask Iowa City to forgive utilities for unemployed students, residents
Riley Davis, News Reporter
May 6, 2020
The University of Iowa Undergraduate Student Government and Graduate and Professional Student Government wrote a joint letter April 29 asking the Iowa City City Council to consider forgiving utility fees for unemployed students and residents, amid financial uncertainty in the COVID-19 pandemic. The lette...
USG makes budget changes to better represent their, Division of Student Life’s priorities
Eleanor Hildebrandt, News Reporter
April 30, 2020
The University of Iowa Undergraduate Student Government voted Tuesday night to make its fiscal 2021 programming budget more flexible for USG to prioritize its funds year-to-year in line with the Division of Student Life. The programming budget, originally called the collaboration budget until...