Information for Parents and Guardians

We understand that you, as a parent or guardian, have concerns about your writer's safety and supervision during the Studio. We hope the following information will answer most of your questions. If you can't find the information you need then please contact us at (319) 335-4209 or by email: iyws@uiowa.edu The Studio also has a print catalog that we would be glad to send along.

Almost all of your young writer's time will be spent in scheduled activities. Workshops and seminars take up most of each day. Nightly outings and activities take place in groups and are supervised by counselors and/or teachers. Older students may find the level of supervision somewhat restrictive, but we believe it is necessary for the comfort of the student population as a whole.

WHAT ARE THE RULES? The rules are a set of operating instructions delineating appropriate and acceptable behavior at the Studio. When your young writer is accepted to the Studio, he or she will be sent two copies of the Studio's rules. We ask that you review the rules with your writer and that you both sign a copy indicating that you have gone over the rules and agree to abide by them while at the Studio. Send the signed copy back to the Studio and keep the other copy for your records. Students who break the rules as outlined in the agreement may be expelled from the program and sent home at their parents' expense.

WHO TEACHES THE CLASSES? Workshop leaders are professional writers; their work is published in national literary magazines and many have books published or under contract. We require our instructors to hold a Masters degree in Fine Arts, which is the degree required to teach creative writing at the collegiate level. They are also experienced teachers, both at the high school and college level, and are selected by the Studio for their knowledge, teaching ability, and enthusiasm.

WHAT CAN MY YOUNG WRITER EXPECT TO LEARN? The Iowa Young Writers' Studio is a program devoted to the art and process of creative writing. And while the Studio does not teach academic essay or college essay classes, the technical problems involved in those types of writing are identical to the ones that occur in a short story or a poem. Creative writing promotes a positive feedback process: the more one writes, the better one writes, and so on.

DO STUDENTS RECEIVE COLLEGE CREDIT FOR THEIR CLASSES? The Studio does not offer college credit for any of its classes.

WHERE WILL MY YOUNG WRITER STAY? The Young Writers' Studio occupies two floors of Currier Residence Hall on the University of Iowa campus. Students live in double rooms; men and women stay on separate floors -- this rule is strictly enforced. Currier has a lounge, laundry facilities, pay telephones, mail service, and vending machines. Please see the Housing page for more information about Currier.

WHO SUPERVISES THE RESIDENCE HALL? At least two university-trained counselors live on each floor for the duration of the program. There is one counselor for approximately every 12 students. Counselors are there to listen to students' concerns, solve problems that may arise, and help provide for the safety of each and every student in the program. They are also writers themselves, graduate students pursuing degrees at the Iowa Writers' Workshop. They will be available to give writing advice, to lead small writing groups, and to foster a strong sense of creative community.

WHAT ARE THE SECURITY PROVISIONS IN THE DORM? Currier Hall is located on a main street in the heart of the University of Iowa campus. The residence hall and its surroundings are well lit and well staffed. Nightly room checks and morning roll calls are performed daily. Students are required to be on their hall by 10:30 p.m. Lights out is at midnight.

WHAT HEALTH PROVISIONS ARE MADE? We expect each student to have medical insurance. In the event of an emergency, care is provided by University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. The UI Student Health Clinic handles routine matters. All health care costs are the responsibility of parents or students. All health information given to the Studio is confidential.

JEALOUS? The Iowa Summer Writing Festival offers adults more than a hundred and thirty classes in a broad range of subjects. Weekend and week long sessions are offered throughout June and July.