Campus and Community
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Campus
Established in 1847, the University of Iowa is a major research institution and has numerous nationally ranked academic programs, as well as athletic teams. Iowa is a member of the Big 10 Conference and continues to produce highly qualified graduates. The University is composed of 11 different colleges, which provide more than 100 undergraduate majors, 107 areas of study for graduate students and 7 professional degrees. There are 125 buildings that host more than 29,000 students, over 1700 faculty and 13,000 staff members. Of the 29,000 students, 64% are from the state of Iowa, 29% are from other states and 7% are international students representing 109 different countries.
Community
Located in downtown Iowa City straddling the Iowa River, the University community finds itself in the heart of eastern Iowa. The greater Iowa City community includes Coralville, North Liberty, Solon and other small towns. With easy access to Cedar Rapids, the Quad Cities, Des Moines, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago and St. Louis there is plenty to see and do.
Iowa City has an active music and theater scene, with Hancher Auditorium, the Englert Theater and others producing affordable shows and Broadway musicals. There are annual music and theater festivals, as well as a downtown concert series at the Pedestrian Mall during the summer and fall months.
The Iowa City area is rich in history. Iowa City was formerly the capital of the State of Iowa, and the Old Capitol at the heart of the campus is now a museum. The university also features a Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History. Coralville offers a Children’s Museum. The nearby seven villages of the Amana Colonies are a National Historic Landmark City and offer a glimpse into the area's German heritage.
Besides downtown shopping, there are three shopping malls, an ice skating rink and movie theaters that provide a welcome respite from studies. The area also prides itself in providing a diverse selection of cuisine from Asian, Indian, Mediterranean, German, Mexican to American restaurants that are easy on the student budget.
Here's what others have to say:
- Outside Magazine placed Iowa City among its 10 Best Towns for 2007.
- The Milken Institute ranked Iowa City the nation's no. 1 small metro economy in 2003.
- USA Today has listed Iowa City as the third best-educated city in the nation.
- Men's Journal has ranked Iowa City the sixth-most sexy, healthy and safe place to live.
- The AARP has named Iowa City the sixth-best college town in which to retire.
Athletics and Recreation
The University of Iowa, a NCAA Division 1A institution, boasts 10 men’s and 12 women’s varsity athletic teams, which provide ample opportunity to cheer on the Hawkeyes. If you are not satisfied with just cheering on the Hawkeyes, why not participate in either intramural sports, club sports or various University fitness programs which are administered through Recreational Services. Iowa City also has numerous parks, biking, walking and hiking trails nearby.
Housing
10 different residence halls are available for on-campus housing. Students are also permitted to live off campus in apartments, houses or housing cooperatives (co-ops). The International Crossroads Community is a unique opportunity for students to live with others who share an interest in international issues, languages and foreign cultures.
Transportation
The University of Iowa campus is pedestrian and cyclist friendly. There are ample sidewalks and a few bike trails that wind through Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty, and you can actually walk across campus in about 20 minutes. If your feet are tired, hop on the free Cambus which quickly transports you around campus. Both Iowa City and Coralville have bus services that are available for a small fee. Although parking is somewhat limited and there are areas for students to park, students are strongly encouraged to make use of public transportation.
More Information
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