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
    • Increased customer counts and sales revenue in Hawk Shop (completed spring 2025)
  • 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)
    • New materials developed for supervisor, student employee, and break areas.  (completed spring 2025)
  • 100th Anniversary becomes a “University” celebration (partners, collaborators, marketing)
    • Committee formed and moving forward. (completed spring 2025)
  • Renovation marketing campaign—“We’re still here”—in process with SLC alongside Centennial campaign. (in process summer 2025)
  • Evaluation of comprehensive assessment plan for the renovation—beginning with construction in July 2026 (in process summer 2025)
  • Assessed the effectiveness of relocations of USG, L&E, and CAB and all have permanent locations post renovation. (completed spring 2025)
  • Assessed the relocation and effectiveness of Food Panty/Clothing Closet. The relocation has been extremely successful and will be the permanent location. Numbers are up at the Food Pantry. (completed spring 2025)
     

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
    • Opened the Hawk Shop Café and Market. (completed spring 2024)
    • Increased offerings at Hawk Shop Café and Market. A new robust menu will be available beginning August 2025. (completed spring 2025)
  • Customer satisfaction surveys score of 8 or above (out of 10)
  • Offsite catering kitchen maintains quality, delivery, and service 
    • Assessed offsite catering kitchen, delivery, and offerings. (completed spring 2025)
  • Activate food trucks, promotions, and pop-ups during the renovation (in process summer 2025)
     

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 FY27

 

Recommendation #4

Facility Condition

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

Critical Tasks

  1. Fully engage, develop, and maximize relationship with SLC Environmental Graphics Designer and (SLC) IMU/L&E Communicator.
  2. Creation of Veteran’s/Memorial Plaza on North side of IMU.
  3. Determine and execute facility projects and upgrades outside of the Phase I project.
  4. Determine our “wow” factor in the renovation.
  5. Assessment of ice cream concept.

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 for the university
  • Post-renovation IMU becomes a model/trendsetter of well-being services, and programmatic mix for student unions across the country