Tackle campus issues head-on by joining a Charter Committee


	Photo by Tom Jorgensen.

The University of Iowa is one big place. Whether you work on the east or west side of the river, in a lab, office, or even a former mall, it’s possible to get so wrapped up in your world that the rest of the University passes you by.

“It’s easy to put blinders on in terms of your own particular department and not know what’s going on or even meet people outside of where you work,” says Mike Wright, a librarian at the University’s Main Library. While there are many ways to become involved, Wright chose to join a University Charter Committee.

“I saw this as an opportunity to step out of my office and deal with some campuswide issues,” he says of the three-year term he began serving in September 2008 on the Committee on Parking and Transportation.

News in brief

Required education on sexual harassment to be offered online, in-person

Late last year, the University and the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, agreed on a policy that requires all University employees, staff, faculty, and student teaching assistants to participate in sexual harassment awareness training. On June 1, 2009, all employees are required to have completed sexual harassment education within the past three years.

Photo feature: Pentacrest at twilight

A colorful evening sky provides the perfect backdrop for the University's signature building, Old Capitol, on the Pentacrest. fyi photographer Tom Jorgensen captures a few glimpses on a recent winter day.

See the photos...

Profile

Gwen Senio

Helping people has always been a priority for Gwen Senio. Through her job as director of the Child Life Program in the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, she realizes that goal each and every day. Senio and the Child Life Program staff work to normalize hospitalization for children by offering developmental play experiences—group activities and one-on-one sessions that focus on helping children understand illness—and medical play that prepares the children for upcoming procedures. Parents and siblings also benefit from the program’s coping techniques and information offerings. Senio spoke with fyi about the rewarding aspects of her job, how the Child Life Program has evolved throughout her career, and how the UI Dance Marathon program has provided Child Life with year-round support.

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"It's great to be back. It is great to have the arts activated again on this side of the river."

Alan MacVey, director of the Division of
Performing Arts
(Iowa City Press-Citizen, Jan. 19)