Student Life

This section contains the following information:

• Division of Student Life
• Housing
• Career Services
• Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services
• Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
• Student Wellness Services
• Student Health Clinic
• Recreation Center
• Military, Veterans, Spouses and Dependents
• Student Activities and Honors

Division of Student Life

Mission

We help students succeed.

We do this by:

• Facilitating engagement so that all UNI students feel they belong
• Emphasizing relational experiences and connections
• Prioritizing holistic care for the well-being of our students
• Meeting students where they are on their journey to success
• Providing radical student service, in all that we do

While embracing the values of:

• Community
• Equity
• Inclusion
• Care
• Innovation
• Partnership

Housing

https://uhd.uni.edu/housing

Living in the Dorms

Official admission to the University of Northern Iowa is a prerequisite to contracting for housing in the residence halls. Once new students are admitted, Housing & Dining will send information about living on campus. Housing & Dining website includes information about each of the dorms, meal plans and the housing and dining contract. The housing and dining contract can be filled out online and is considered complete once you have accepted your offer of admission, paid the acceptance fee and agreed to the terms and conditions.

Priority for room self-selection is based on the contract completion date; the earlier your contract is completed, the greater the chances of getting in to the dorm and room you prefer. If an applicant finds it necessary to cancel the contract before occupying the room, any refund or forfeiture is based on the date of written notification and fulfills the terms of the contract.

Occupancy

Move-in for the fall semester begins during the week prior to the first day of classes; the actual move-in date depends on the student’s classification and years on campus. Spring semester move-in is generally the Friday before the start of the semester. If a reserved room is not occupied on the first day of classes and arrangements have not been made with Housing & Dining for later occupancy, the reservation will be cancelled and forfeiture of prepaid fees and penalties will be applied as stated in the contract terms and conditions.

The housing and dining contract covers a full academic year (fall and spring semesters) or the balance thereof; separate contracting is necessary for the summer term. If the contract is terminated before the expiration date, appropriate provisions of the contract will apply. The student is responsible for any financial liabilities incurred prior to the date of termination and a contract buyout fee.

Continuous housing during academic and holiday break periods is available in all dorms as part of the academic year contract. Students may also remain living in the dorms during the summer, regardless of whether or not they are enrolled in classes for the summer term, by adding a summer housing contract.

Dorms

University Housing & Dining is designed to provide housing to nearly 3,600 students in ten residence facilities. Students living on-campus have the advantage of easy access to all classrooms, campus activities and campus resources. Dorm rooms have Internet access, are furnished and include laundry and utilities. Each dorm is designed with lounges, study rooms, recreational areas, laundry rooms and other facilities for the comfort and convenience of the students, as well as direct access to a computer lab. Both professional and student staff members organize social events that build a strong sense of community and inclusion, as well as support activities that promote academic success.

The dorms offer a mix of traditional double and single rooms, suites and apartment-style spaces. All are mixed gender and many offer all-gender housing. Residential communities within each of the dorms are divided up into houses of approximately 50 students. One resident assistant (a student staff member) lives within each community to serve as a resource for the members of that house.

Upper-Division Housing

Housing for upper-division students is available within all of our dorms. However, Lawther Hall, Panther Village, Roth Apartments and Jennings Court Apartments have been designed to better accommodate upper-division students.

Lawther Hall is a mix of traditional double rooms, single rooms and suites with private and semi-private bathrooms. Students living in Lawther Hall have a meal plan. Jennings, Panther Village and Roth are apartment-style residence halls, offering individual rooms within a common unit containing a private restroom, kitchen and living space. Students wishing to live in any of these accommodations must be a returning or transfer student.

Dining

Students living in the traditional dorms can select between the all-access or Block 220 plans. Both plans provide for meals in the two dining centers on campus, Piazza in Redeker Center and Rialto in Towers Center. Both come with Dining Dollars to be used at any of the campus retail stores. 

Additional meal plan options are available to students living in our apartment-style halls, as well as those commuting to campus. Learn more online at https://uhd.uni.edu/meal-plans.

Housing and Dining Contracts

Contractual responsibilities are reviewed annually and are subject to change. Refer to terms and conditions of the current contract. The current terms and conditions are available at https://uhd.uni.edu/housing/contract-terms-and-conditions.

UNI Housing & Dining
1501 Redeker Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0252
319-273-2333
housing@uni.edu

Career Services

https://careerservices.uni.edu/

The Office of Career Services coaches students in gaining professional experience while attending UNI. From managing campus jobs to preparing for a fulfilling career, UNI Career Services provides expertise to be career ready.

UNI Career Services manages student employment and campus jobs. In addition, Career Services guides students in securing community positions including part-time, internship, and field experiences. By maintaining a robust network of thousands of employers and graduate programs, students have access to up-to-date employment trends.

Career Services strives to create access for students to interact with employers and graduate programs. Hosting four large-scale recruiting events annually, campus interviews, and a wide range of employer/graduate program engagements, students will graduate with a unique understanding of how to find career success. Career Services coaches students in exploring careers, connecting with career related experience, and preparing application materials. Finally, Career Services provides workshops, small group leadership training, and one-to-one career coaching.

It is our mission to help students succeed. Visit our website at https://careerservices.uni.edu/ or stop by 102 Gilchrist to meet your career coach.

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services

GIL 116B
319-429-3815
katrina.webbeking@iowa.gov

https://uni.edu/resources/disability

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services is a state agency, provided space on campus by UNI, to serve persons with disabilities. The mission of IVRS is to help persons with disabilities become employed along with support while attending UNI. Vocational Rehabilitation may assist with the following services while students are participating in our program:

• Assessment of the disability
• Restoration/assistive technology
• Training/tuition assistance
• Class accommodations
• Counseling and guidance
• Job placement assistance

Services continue, as needed, until a person has successfully completed the degree as well as has been employed for over 90 days. Students desiring services can contact the office by phone or email to schedule an appointment between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m, Monday-Friday. On campus availability may vary. Students will meet for an orientation of services, an intake appointment and then appropriate documentation will be requested to determine eligibility for services along with supports needed. 

Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

Student Accessibility Services is located in Gilchrist Hall 118. SAS views disabilities as an integral part of the rich diversity at the University of Northern Iowa. To that end, we work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to create an accessible living and learning environment for students. For more information regarding services and how to get connected, contact SAS at (319) 273-2332, accessibilityservices@uni.edu, 118 Gilchrist Hall. Additional information on the accommodation process and how to submit a request is available at sas.uni.edu/.

Student Wellness Services

Student Health Clinic

The University of Northern Iowa specializes in college health services. We have a board-certified family practice physician, a physician assistant, nurse practitioners, and psychiatric providers who are dedicated to caring for college students. Additional staff includes registered nurses, laboratory technologists, a certified medical assistant, mental health case manager and support staff. We want to serve as students' on-campus health resource and assist students in meeting their healthcare needs.

All registered University of Northern Iowa students are eligible to use our services. We encourage students to schedule an appointment by calling (319) 273-2009. We are located on West 23rd Street next to the Schindler Education Center.

The University offers health and dental insurance coverage to students through the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), group policies administered by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa and Delta Dental of Iowa. To be eligible for SHIP, you must be a registered student attending on-campus classes at the time coverage begins. The University of Northern Iowa requires that international students entering the University purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan provided by the Student Health Clinic. For more information visit us at health.uni.edu.

Counseling Center

Enrolled students who pay the mandatory health fee are eligible for a free assessment and clinical recommendations. Appointments for services can be made by calling 319-273-2676 or in person at the Counseling Center. The UNI Counseling Center has partnered with TELUS Health Student Support to offer this confidential service. Any student can access services by downloading the TELUS app. There is no fee for this service and is available 24/7/365 anywhere in the world. 

More information is available at counseling.uni.edu.

Recreation Services

Recreation Services, located within the Wellness/Recreation Center, offers campus-wide programs in informal recreation, fitness, aquatics, intramural sports, outdoor recreation, youth programs and sport clubs.  

 The Wellness/Recreation Center provides:

• (10) multi-purpose gymnasiums/courts for basketball, volleyball, and soccer

• (6) racquetball/wally ball courts

• a leisure pool with spa and water slide

• an eight lane, 25-yard lap pool

• (2) aerobics/dance studios

• a 38.5-foot climbing wall

• a free weight room

• Panther Performance Center for individual and small group high intensity workouts

• the UNI Outdoor Recreation Center

• a running track

• men's and women's locker and shower facilities

• a spacious fitness area with cardiovascular and strength training equipment

• West Campus Complex with outdoor recreation fields for a wide variety of sports and activities

• (9) lighted outdoor tennis courses

For more information visit the Recreation Services website at https://recreation.uni.edu/.

Military, Veterans, Spouses and Dependents

The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is proud to serve military members, veterans, and families. UNI supports veterans, military members and their families as they transition from military duty, to college and future careers. UNI is committed to faculty and staff education, on and off campus resource networking, advocacy for and listening to each student. UNI ensures every student's voice is heard and concerns are addressed to achieve success in the classroom and beyond. For more information contact:

Coordinator, Military and Veteran Student Services
111-G Maucker Union (Plaza Level)
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA, 50614-0166
Phone: (319) 273-3040

UNI was designated a Military-Friendly®, small public school, Gold Status for 2023-2024. UNI has also sustained a designated Military Spouse friendly school. Criteria for inclusion in the Military Friendly Schools list includes a strong commitment to recruiting, retaining, and providing financial, academic, and social services to student veterans.

UNI collaborates with the Veterans Administration (VA) and partnered with the County Veteran Affairs Office to provide assistance to any veteran or member of their family eligible for education benefits and resources. School Certifying Officials verify eligibility and certify classroom and attendance information. In abiding with the SIT-REP (Servicemembers Improved Transition through Reforms for Ensuring Progress) Act, the University of Northern Iowa will not impose late fees, deny access to classes or institutional facilities, or require individuals to borrow funds to meet their financial obligations to UNI as a result of the delayed disbursement of any payment from the VA. This policy is only applicable to Veterans or eligible dependents who are receiving educational assistance under Chapters 31 (VR&E), or 33 (Post 9/11 and Fry Scholarship) of title 38, United States Code. In accordance with the SIT-REP Act, students receiving VA educational benefits from Chapter 31 or 33 must provide a certification of eligibility for entitlement of educational assistance to the Office of the Registrar. Nothing in this policy precludes the University from assessing a late fee, denial of access, or any other penalty in relation to payments due to the University that are not covered by the SIT-REP Act.

For additional information, contact:

Office of the Registrar
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA, 50614-0006
Phone: (319) 273-2241

Student Activities and Honors

Co-curricular activities are encouraged at the University of Northern Iowa because of the important contribution these activities make to the total education of the student. The university maintains an extensive program of co-curricular activities: intercollegiate athletics, theatre, forensics, publications, music, social life, student organizations and interest groups, intramural sports and recreational activities, and sports clubs.

Speech and Debate

The forensics program (Panther Speech and Debate teams) invites all interested students to participate in debate and/or individual events speech, regardless of your major. Sponsored by the Department of Communication and Media, our speech and debate teams travel regionally and nationally to participate in 20-25 intercollegiate meets each year. Further information is available at cm.uni.edu/forensics.

Fraternities/Sororities

The Greek community at UNI consists of nationally affiliated (National Interfraternity Council and National Panhellenic Council) social sororities and fraternities, and nationally affiliated (National Panhellenic Council) historically African-American sororities and fraternities. The Greek community has a long, rich tradition of supporting student involvement and development, and providing service, social and leadership opportunities. Formal and informal membership recruitment and intake processes take place each semester. More information is available at https://union.uni.edu/involvement/fsl.

Honor Organizations

Superior achievement in various academic disciplines and in extracurricular activities is recognized in honor organizations. Information on these organizations may be obtained from the Office of Student Life, located on the plaza level of Maucker Union, or at https://studentlife.uni.edu/.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Various intercollegiate sports are available to both men and women at UNI. The university engages in intercollegiate athletic competition in a total of 17 sports. Men may participate in basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor and outdoor track, and wrestling. Women also compete in basketball, cross country, golf, and indoor and outdoor track, as well as in soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, and volleyball.

UNI Athletic teams participate within Division I of the NCAA. UNI Football is part of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS, formerly 1-AA). The University Athletics Program is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and the Big XII Conference. All intercollegiate athletic programs are governed and operated in accordance with NCAA, Conference, and university rules and regulations. In some instances, university rules and regulations may be more restrictive than those of the NCAA and/or Conference.

Interest Organizations

Numerous organizations sponsored by departments and specialized interest groups provide students the opportunity to become better acquainted with other students and faculty as well as to explore leadership skills and perpetuate interests outside the classroom. Many of the organizations have no membership requirements other than an active interest in the work for which the club exists and regular attendance at the meetings. Information on specific interest organizations can be obtained in the Office of Student Life, located on the plaza level of Maucker Union, or at https://union.uni.edu/involvement/student-organizations.

Maucker Union Advisory Board

The Maucker Union Advisory Board, comprised primarily of students, provides feedback and guidance on all issues related to Maucker Union administration, facilities, and programming. More information is available at https://studentlife.uni.edu/.

Music

Northern Iowa Student Government (NISG)

The Northern Iowa Student Government (NISG) is comprised of three separate branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. The Legislative branch contains senators from all colleges across the university. The Executive branch includes the President, Vice President, Director of Public Relations, Director of Finance, Director of Government Relations, Director of Diversity, and the Chief of Staff. The Judicial branch is composed of nine justices, including a Chief Justice and a Clerk of Court. NISG is actively involved in initiatives to improve the university experience for all students. Members of this organization work with faculty, local, and state officials to address student interests and concerns.  More information is available at https://nisg.uni.edu/.

Professional Performing Arts on Campus

For more information, refer to The Fine and Performing Arts at UNI section of this University Catalog.

Religion

Surrounding the campus are various student religious centers. Information on specific religious organizations may be obtained in the Office of Student Life, located on the plaza level of Maucker Union.

Social Life

The social life at the University of Northern Iowa is flexible, designed to meet the ever-changing interests and needs of the students and university community. Social opportunities include popular and cultural film programs, art exhibits, fine arts productions, live musical entertainment, dances, campus-wide events, speaker programs, forums, and community service projects. Much of the program planning relies heavily on student involvement. Information pertaining to involvement is available through the Office of Student Life, located on the plaza level of Maucker Union, or at https://studentlife.uni.edu.

Station KULT-LP

Station KULT is the student-managed and operated radio station of the University of Northern Iowa. The station operates at 94.5FM and on Channel 5 of the Campus Cable Television System. KULT programming consists of music, UNI sporting events, and news. The studios and offices of KULT are located in the lower level of Maucker Union. For further information go to https://kult.uni.edu/.

Student Government

The student government associations include the Northern Iowa Student Government, the Residence Halls Association, the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and the individual residence hall senates.

Student Publications

The Northern Iowan is written, illustrated, and edited by students for campus-wide distribution. This student newspaper is distributed twice a week during the fall and spring and once a week during the summer session https://www.northerniowan.com/.

Theatre

Any enrolled student is welcome to audition or volunteer for production responsibilities in the major productions or many student shows produced by TheatreUNI. Seasons typically include a classical and contemporary play, a musical, and a theatre for youth production. All members of the university community are invited to attend productions in the Strayer-Wood and Bertha Martin Theatres. For additional information, including audition postings, visit the website https://theatre.uni.edu/.

Veterans

UNI welcomes any student who is interested in joining the UNI Student Veterans Association (UNIVA). UNIVA's purpose is to educate the campus community about military and veterans, support student members of the military who are currently serving, assist those deploying or returning from deployment, or have completed military service and are transitioning to an educational institution. UNIVA builds comradery and contributes to the improvement of UNI as a Military Friendly institution. UNIVA believes in having fun and socializing with the local veteran community to include the veteran students who attend the University of Northern Iowa.