The Division of Student Life fosters student success by creating and promoting 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 effect on the UI student experience through a lens of continuous improvement. The University Housing & Dining (UHD) review took place in fall 2024. 

Recommendation #1

Increase and/or improve departmental staff support, development, and compensation.

Senior leadership at the University of Iowa needs to complete a comprehensive and detailed market salary analysis and adjust salaries in University Housing to more closely align to Big Ten peers and other units of similar scope and size.                                 

Year 2 action items

• Conduct a staff satisfaction survey targeting all UHD employees (full-time, part-time, and student staff) to identify support gaps (e.g., compensation, training, workload).
• Evaluate onboarding policies in alignment with DSL initiatives and recommend changes for UHD practice.

Success measures and updates

• Market study complete. Staff salaries raised as appropriate. (completed spring 2026)
• Review complete. Use Big Ten peers, Iowa State, as base line. (in progress summer 2026)
• Have completed list of merit salaries and comparable by institutional type.
• Survey completion with actionable data.
• Alignment with DSL strategic plan objectives and outcomes. 

Recommendation #2

Review and Revise Student Experience

As student needs and interests change, providing a robust residential experience for living and learning is essential. Residence Education will review the currently residential curriculum model (REM) to determine if the structure meets the needs of students and campus partners, as well as being simple for resident assistants to implement. Additionally, modifications to the Living-Learning Community program (LLCs) will be developed to increase communication and efficacy of the program.                               

Year 2 action items

• Implementation of bi-semesterly LLC partner trainings and update meetings.
• Develop annual recognition event for LLC partners and staff.
• Investigate process for proposal of new LLCs and revise as needed for better promotion.
• Evaluate and adapt REM Model as needed.
• Evaluate LLC seminar courses for effectiveness.

Success measures and updates

• Revision of REM standards and requirements for RA staff. Inclusion of campus partners. (completed spring 2025; summer 2026)
• Data driven choices on what components remain. (completed spring 2025; summer 2026)
• Modification of requirements based on student need and interest. (completed spring 2025; summer 2026)
• Development of new LLC FYS courses with faculty instructors.(completed spring 2025)
• Marketable LLC events and programs students can count on as part of the LLC experience. (completed spring 2025)
• Campus partners for LLCs report better communication and more opportunities to connect with each other and Res Ed staff. (completed spring 2026)
• A completed annual event is held with all relevant campus partners aware of the event. (completed spring 2026)
• LLC proposal process developed. (completed spring 2026)
• REM adaptations outlined and documented. (in progress summer 2026)
• LLC seminar courses evaluated and changes outlined to improve effectiveness.(in progress spring 2026)

Recommendation #3

Review and Improve Internal Communication Efforts

Enhance internal communications and coalition building to foster a cohesive, transparent, and innovative work environment. Review communication efforts related to decision-making and develop stronger teams across the department.                        

Year 2 action items

• Explore investment in an internal communication structure utilizing technology platform with equal access for all staff.
• Assess function of UHD advisory groups to determine if it is meeting mission, vision, value of increased staff communication.
• Implement strategic plan.

Success measures and updates

• Facilitator identified, process started, documents gathered. (ongoing)
• Focus groups held by positional type. (completed spring 2026)
• Reformatted meeting agendas and participation. (ongoing)
• Establish if need exists, if so, identify potential vended products and self built options.
• Conduct assessment of advisory group population to determine need and viability.
• Established plan with metrics and timelines for completion.

Recommendation #4

Revise External Communication Practices and Coalition Building

Break down silos and strengthen partnerships to more effectively understand campus partner needs and more reliably relay decision making and policy implementation rationale.                         

Year 2 action items

• Reinstate annual "What's New in Housing" sessions for campus partners. Take it to specific units at important times of year for that specific unit.
• Complete and publish a "Who's Who in Housing." document with clear delineation of whom to contact for key questions.

Success measures and updates

• Information shared in more timely manner that allows for sufficient planning for anticipated class sizes. (in progress spring 2026)
• Campus partners report a better understanding of who to contact with specific questions in UHD. (in progress summer 2026)
• More campus partners report an understanding of the goals, initiatives, and successes of UHD operations. (in progress summer 2026)
• Information shared in more timely manner that supports partnerships.
• Campus partners report a better understanding of who to contact with specific questions in UHD.

Recommendation #5

Administrative Positional Review and Realignment

Conduct an administrative positional review and realignment to ensure our staffing structure effectively supports summer camps and other key administrative needs and initiatives.                          

Year 2 action items

• Assess 4141 administrative support needs including administrative support for AVP, special projects coordination, and support for AOA/reception desk consistency.
• Comprehensive review of OA position to align with needs for operations.

Success measures and updates

• Summer conference operations needs assessment and future goals for summer program established. (in progress spring 2026)
• More responsive to students, cost savings to department. (completed spring 2026)
• Establish structure that addresses current needs with eye toward alignment for future AVP transition. (ongoing)
• Review of OA position complete. Explore Merit vs. P&S status. Consider staffing level and if adequate. Consider alternative models. (ongoing)

Recommendation #6

Develop Long Term Facilities Plan

Develop a 5-10 year plan for the ongoing upkeep and renovation plan for University Housing facilities.                         

Year 2 action items

• Analyze staffing levels (maintenance and custodial) and enrollment data with Enrollment Management to forecast housing and upkeep demands over 5 years.
• Conduct a comprehensive facility assessment of all residence halls, including structural, HVAC, and environmental issues, to prioritize upgrades.

Success measures and updates

• Data used to inform choices for key Mayflower upgrades for next 3-5 years. (in progress summer 2025)
• Publication sent out to campus stakeholders identifying key projects and renovations. 
• Established plan for staff enhancement and recruitment scaled to building occupancies. 
• Established plan or revision of current plans to address long term needs.

Recommendation #7

Financial Health and Operational Efficiency

Conduct a review of financial obligations and make recommendations for changes to continue to support the ongoing growth and needs of the campus population.

Year 2 action items

• Conduct an internal audit of current financial practices to identify inefficiencies.

Success measures and updates

• Benchmark report complete. 
• Audit of key financial processes to construct a narrative of policy and practice to accompany pro forms.