Following the cancellation of all youth camp programming in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Recreational Services is pleased to again be hosting Wildlife Camps this coming summer. The original Wildlife Camp program, hosted at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area, will be celebrating its 30th year in the wild, carrying on a long legacy of hands-on experiences that awaken awareness, nurture appreciation, and inspire action for all things wild.

It is with a heavy heart that we report that Senéad Short, a 2018 graduate of the University of Iowa, and 2020 Fulbright award winner, was among those killed in a train derailment on Friday, April 2, in Hualien County, Taiwan. Our thoughts are with Senéad’s family and friends and we offer condolences to all of those who lost loved ones in Friday’s accident.

On March 12, the Board of Regents, State of Iowa approved the agreement for Follett Higher Education Group, Inc., to manage the day-to-day operations of the Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore.

For individuals looking for a job, finding the right position is more than just the job itself. It’s a chance to gain work and life experience. For University Housing and Dining, it was an opportunity to partner with the local community.

When the University of Iowa began making plans for the Fall 2020 semester, students, faculty, and staff knew that this would be a semester like no other in the institution’s history. While many worked to redefine the classroom and research experiences, University Housing and Dining focused on the elements of living on campus. While many students were completing much of their coursework online, they still chose to live and dine on campus.

The María Cano Martínez Service Award, established by University of Iowa Chicanx/Latinx alumni and students in 1982, is named in honor of María Cano Martínez, a dedicated University of Iowa and Iowa City community member.

As we enter the virtual instruction period for the Fall 2020 semester, students may continue to feel more isolated, struggling to identify the resources to support them through their academic and campus engagement pursuits. This has not been a typical semester and has been challenging in many ways. While we are moving to virtual instruction, we may be apart, but students are not alone. The University of Iowa has many resources to support student success, particularly in this period.

As you likely know, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a new proclamation effective at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 17 and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 10. The proclamation states:

Thanksgiving recess begins November 22, and while we are all looking forward to the opportunity for rest and relaxation, it is important that we all continue to be mindful of COVID-19. The decisions we make during this time will have the potential to impact our health and the health of others.

Getting involved on campus or in the community is the surest way to find your home away from home while at the University of Iowa. UI students who are engaged report greater feelings of connection to other students, faculty, staff, and others in the university community. They also tend to be more successful in the classroom, and learn valuable job skills that future employers are looking for in college graduates. Best of all, by getting involved, you will develop greater self-confidence while also meeting new people, and developing lifelong connections.