The Division of Student Life fosters student success by creating and promoting inclusive educationally purposeful services and activities within and beyond the classroom. The departmental program review process empowers departments within the Division of Student Life to critically evaluate their work and their impact on the UI student experience through a lens of continuous improvement. As a department of the Division of Student Life, the Iowa Memorial Union engaged in a program review process in the Fall of 2022. The Iowa Memorial Union completed a comprehensive self-study and hosted three external reviewers and one internal reviewer for a multi-day visit. The external reviewers were Dr. Ryan Lahne (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), Neela Patel (Rutgers University and ACUI President-Elect), and Susan Pile (University of Michigan). The internal reviewer was Tom Paulsen (Senior Associate Director, Outreach & Recruitment, Admissions). This action plan is intended to be a living document based on the current campus environment. Action items and outcomes may change. 

Table of contents

Recommendations:

  1. Center of Student Life on Campus
  2. Dining and Food
  3. Renovation and Re-imagination
  4. Facility Condition
     

Recommendation #1

Center of Student Life on Campus

By giving students a sense of belonging, opportunity, and a path to success

Critical Tasks

  1. Develop communications and marketing plan for renovation centered around the IMU 100th Anniversary
  2. Convene 100th Anniversary Planning Committee
  3. Establish consistent and comprehensive assessment plan during and following renovation
  4. 100% adoption of IOWA GROW.
  5. Study viability of constituency-based (Faculty Senate, Staff Council, USG, GPSG, CAB, Community, Alumni, etc.) Advisory Board in relation to DOS Advisory Board.
  6. Increase communication and team development among the IMU and Leadership and Engagement teams, focusing on community building and engagement.
  7. Relocation of staff and programs

ACUI Core Competency

  • Facility Management
  • Marketing
  • Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
  • Event Management

Progress and Success Outcomes

  • Incremental increase in door counts (10% annually)
  • Increased customer counts and sales revenue in Hawk Shop
    • Opened the Hawk Shop Café and Market. (completed spring 2024)
  • Customer satisfaction surveys score of 8 or above (out of 10)
    • Made improvements to the Welcome Center including a change in supervision and adding functions (checkout program). (completed spring 2024)
  • CAB program and participation level increase
    • Increased CAB formal programming including Thursdays on Terrace and Finals at the IMU involvement.  (completed spring 2024)
  • 100% compliance for Iowa GROW
    • Working on incorporating GROW into Hawk Shop Operations (Follett). (in process summer 2024)

  • 100th Anniversary becomes a “University” celebration (partners, collaborators, marketing)

     

Recommendation #2

Dining and Food

Create a food program that builds community and vibrancy

Critical Tasks

  1. Determine operational responsibility for retail dining and catering.
  2. Hawk Shop Café fully staffed and full menu options available 
  3. Design vibrant, desirable, and compatible food options

ACUI Core Competency

  • Facility Management
  • Marketing
  • Fiscal Management

Progress and Success Outcomes

  • Hired a new Director of Dining (complete spring 2024)
  • Reconstructed IMU/UH&D committee (complete spring 2024)
  • Engaging in ongoing work to renovate the IMU (in process)
  • Increased Customer Counts and Sales revenues post Phase I
  • Hawk Shop Café and Market becomes a destination and driver of increased door counts
  • Customer satisfaction surveys score of 8 or above (out of 10)
  • Offsite catering kitchen maintains quality, delivery, and service 
     

Recommendation #3

Renovation and Re-imagination

Promote well-being, improve building circulation, robust dining program, and reengage with outdoor spaces

Critical Tasks

  1. Determine what “has” to be in Phase II
  2. Design (architect) phase for Phase I

ACUI Core Competency

  • Facility Management
  • Student Learning

Progress and Success Outcomes

  • Phase I complete by end of FY26

 

Recommendation #4

Facility Condition

Create a highly visible, safe, functional, desirable, space with a robust Hawkeye theme

Critical Tasks

  1. Continued focus on short-term opportunity spaces (Former Market, South Stair landing)
  2. Operationalize ice cream concept at former Java House location
  3. Fully engage, develop, and maximize relationship with SLC Environmental Graphics Designer and (SLC) IMU/L&E Communicator.
  4. Creation of Veteran’s/Memorial Plaza on North side of IMU

ACUI Core Competency

  • Facility Management
  • Marketing

Progress and Success Outcomes

  • 1st Floor SE restroom renovation (complete spring 2024)
  • East Lobby and South Lobby improvements (complete spring 2024)
  • Digital Map installation at all entrances (complete spring 2024)
  • Completion of Residence Hall Room Showroom (complete spring 2024)
  •  Integrated SLC Designer and Communicator into all aspects of IMU (complete spring 2024)
  • Hawk Shop renovation (complete spring 2024)
  • Veteran’s Plaza becomes a pride point, and photo opp, for the University—similar to IOWA letters, Herky, etc.
  • Post-renovation IMU becomes a model/trendsetter of Well-being services, and programmatic mix for student unions across the country