University Facilities and Educational Services

This section contains the following information:

• University Facilities
  • Rod Library
  • Human Performance Center
  • Maucker Union
  • The Commons
  • Marshall Center School House
  • Broadcasting Services
  • University Event Coordination
  • Office of University Relations
  • The University of Northern Iowa Alumni Association
  • The University of Northern Iowa Foundation
• Educational Services
  • Orientation and New Student Programs
  • Undergraduate Academic Advising
  • Academic Learning Center
  • Information Technology Services
  • HNI Corporation Instructional Resources and Technology Services
  • Educational Opportunity Programs and Special Community Services (EOP/SCS)
  • The Roy Eblen Speech and Hearing Clinic
  • UNI Child Development Center

University Facilities

Rod Library

Rod Library is open Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. - 11 p.m. during the Fall and Spring semesters, with extended hours during finals.

Human Performance Center

Opened in late fall of 2007, the 33,000 square feet Human Performance Center represents a unique public/private partnership between UNI and Cedar Valley medical community. Designed to support the academic and public service programs of UNI's Department of Health, Recreation and Community Services and Department of Kinesiology and Athletic Training, the center includes classrooms, offices, laboratories and medical office space. The Human Performance Center has two distinct areas: the Sport and Human Performance Center which provides space for UNI's Athletic Training academic program, Office of Online and Distance Education, Athletics Academic Advising, Cedar Valley Medical Specialists P.C.-Department of Orthopedics and Northeast Iowa Physical Therapy as well as space for sports medicine and hydrotherapy services; and the Davis Center for Healthy Youth Development provides space for UNI Community Engagement Office, the R.J. McElroy Professor of Youth Leadership Studies, Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, and the National Program for Playground Safety.

Maucker Union

The Maucker Union, located east of the UNI Library, serves as an informal meeting place for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests of the university. The unique facilities of Maucker Union are useful for a wide range of activities including cultural, recreational, and conference events.

General services include: meeting rooms, HealthBeat exercise facility, computer lab and dining/retail services. The building houses the offices of the campus newspaper (Northern Iowan), student government (NISG), student radio, the Center for Multicultural Education, student organization offices, Gender and Sexuality Services office, Military and Veteran Student Center, and International Student Programs.

Student Involvement & Event Services is responsible for the programs which focus on co-curricular development of the student. Leadership development, skills development, support for student organizations/interest groups, Greek Life, programming and event scheduling are central to this office.

Social and cultural activities include movies, comedy, forums, and lectures. Maucker Union is financed through fee monies, general education funds, and income-producing services within the building.

More information about Maucker Union and special programs and events can be obtained at union.uni.edu.

The Commons

Students, staff, and university guests use the Commons in a variety of ways. Housed within this building are the Georgian Lounge and the Slife Ballroom. The Georgian Lounge is used for teas, receptions, and other special occasions. The Slife Ballroom is a multi-purpose room used for banquets, dances, lectures, and student activities.

Marshall Center School

Built in 1893, the Marshall Center School is a symbol of UNI’s contribution to Iowa’s long record of excellence in education. This historic structure was moved from Pocahontas County in western Iowa to the campus in 1987 to celebrate the early history of the campus as a teachers college. It now serves as a museum telling the story of early Iowa education.

Marshall Center served as a school, community meeting place, township school board meeting room, and voting place from 1893 until 1944. It has been restored and furnished as it would have looked circa 1922 and is one of the most authentic one-room school museums in Iowa. Programs are presented at the school to campus classes, regional elementary school groups, and the general public. Storytelling, reenactments, and presentations help visitors step back in time to visualize a typical day at a rural school.

The school is located at the corner of West 23^rd and Indiana Streets and is open by appointment by calling the museum at 319-273-2188 or email requests to pamela.kelly@uni.edu.

For hours of operation and further information, visit https://museum.library.uni.edu/

Broadcasting Services

Administratively housed in the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences are UNI's two separately programmed public radio stations. KUNI-FM serves the Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City areas at 90.9 on the dial. KUNI can also be heard at 89.7 in Dubuque, 102.1 and 94.5 in the Quad Cities, 88.9 and 101.7 in Des Moines, and at 91.5 in Mason City and 1010 AM in north central Iowa. KUNI offers listeners news and information programming during the day and contemporary music at night. KHKE-FM, at 89.5 on the dial, serves the Cedar Falls/Waterloo metro area with an arts and classical music format. KHKE is also heard at 90.7 in Mason City and 91.1 in Ottumwa. KUNI and KHKE are part of Iowa Public Radio which includes the public radio stations of the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. UNI students majoring in Electronic Media in the Department of Communication and Media serve as interns for the two stations.

For further information, visit http://iowapublicradio.org/.

University Events Coordination

University Events Coordination provides assistance in planning, budgeting, managing and evaluating conferences and seminars to enable the community to use UNI as a valuable resource.

This office has coordinated local events, small seminars, large conferences, simple operations and complex multiple speaker and site programs, and has resources and experience to help make each project a smooth, successful operation.

For information, call 319-273-5141.

Office of University Relations

The Office of University Relations leads and oversees all official institutional marketing and communication channels, programs and activities used to reach internal and external audiences.

These specifically include activities related to logos and marks/visual identity, style, usage, public relations, crisis communication, media relations, university website (web content and design), mobile app content and design, social media, internal campus communication, community relations activities, printing, displays, paid media, photography, videography, graphic design, marketing support and contracting for related professional services.

University Relations develops standards, guidelines and procedures necessary for the effective management of university branding and communication efforts, and routinely communicates these to university units.

For more information, visit ur.uni.edu or call 319-273-2761.

The University of Northern Iowa Alumni Association

The UNI Alumni Association boasts of more than 125,000 living alumni.  More than 60% of our graduates live in Iowa, a testament to our standing as Iowa’s university. Our mission is to facilitate communications and outreach activities with alumni, students and friends of UNI.

It is never too early to get involved with your Alumni Association. There are opportunities to network, learn and lead. Learn more at alumni.uni.edu, email alumni@uni.edu, visit our office at 205 Commons or call 319-273-2355.

Association Scholarships

Each year the Alumni Association awards three scholarships to current UNI students who have shown involvement with campus organizations, events, and activities. Two scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students, including one to a child of an alum. The third scholarship is awarded to a UNI graduate student who received their bachelor’s degree from UNI. 

The UNI Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships coordinates the awards.

Connecting Alumni to Students (CATS)

CATS, an official student organization of the UNI Alumni Association, is dedicated to enhancing UNI as a great place to live and learn; to serve as official keepers of traditions; to represent UNI in a positive manner on and off campus; and serve as a link between students, administration, and alumni. Learn more about this nationally recognized student group at alumni.uni.edu/cats.

Official UNI Class Ring

The custom-crafted UNI Ring features the UNI Campanile and founding date of 1876 around the crown. The campanile was built in 1926 to commemorate UNI’s 50^th anniversary. The four bells, which sound on the hour and quarter hour, are dedicated to the president of the university, the school children of Iowa, the faculty, and UNI students and alumni. The inside of the ring is inscribed with the word LUX, Latin for light. The word and map has been a part of the University seal since 1876.

The ring is available for purchase to those who have completed 60 credit hours at UNI. Learn more at unialum.org/ring-program.

UNI Outreach Events

The Alumni Association hosts a variety of events to connect alumni to the university. Parents and students are welcome to attend any UNI Alumni Association event or program. Celebrate the Power of Purple! Find a complete schedule of events at alumni.uni.edu.

UNI Alumni Clubs

The Alumni Association has eight clubs across the country in Panther hubs. These alumni-led organizations plan events throughout the year including networking events, game watches, community service activities, and a variety of other opportunities to connect with fellow panthers.

Learn more at alumni.uni.edu/alumni-clubs.

The University of Northern Iowa Foundation

Established in 1959, the University of Northern Iowa Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing and sustaining private resources and building relationships to support the University of Northern Iowa, its students, faculty, staff and programs.

The UNI Foundation is designated as the central fundraising agency for the university. The UNI Foundation aligns its fundraising goals with the goals of the University's strategic plan. The Our Tomorrow campaign, the comprehensive fundraising campaign publicly launched in 2023, has raised more than $250 million to support student access & success, engaged learning, academic programs & faculty support and the iconic spaces that make UNI home. 

Private gifts from alumni and friends provide support for scholarships, capital projects and for academic and co-curricular programs. All gifts are used for the purposes which the donor intended.

To learn how you can invest in a better future for UNI and our students, visit foundation.uni.edu or call 319-273-6078.

Educational Services

Orientation and New Student Programs

https://success.uni.edu/orientation

Orientation programs facilitate the successful transition of new students to the University of Northern Iowa by offering comprehensive programming focused on academics, essential campus resources, and peer-to-peer connections. At orientation, new students meet 1-on-1 with an academic advisor to prepare for the first semester of enrollment and register for classes. Both first-year and transfer students who enroll at the start of the fall semester attend an orientation session in the preceding summer. All new students who enroll at the start of the spring semester attend orientation in December or January. Concurrent orientation programming is provided for family members/guests, with an emphasis on partnering with UNI to support students in achieving success throughout their entire college career.

Jump Start is an extended orientation program designed to facilitate the successful transition of students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as students who have participated in AVID or TRIO programs (such as Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search).

During Panther Welcome, new students will have a chance to get acclimated to campus, make friends, meet staff/faculty and make UNI their home.

Welcome Week is geared at welcoming returning students back to campus and continuing to welcome new students to the Panther Family. Welcome Week starts the Saturday before the fall semester begins through the first week of classes.

Undergraduate Academic Advising

UNI’s undergraduate academic advising is structured for students to receive guidance from a designated representative in their academic department. It is the responsibility of the student to track their progress toward degrees and meet requirements for graduation. All students are encouraged to meet each semester with their assigned academic advisor for guidance and their record analyst in the Office of the Registrar two semesters prior to expected graduation date to verify satisfying degree requirements.

University Academic Advising Vision Statement

UNI aspires to create the best academic advising experience for each student.

University Academic Advising Mission Statement

Academic advising is a critical component of the teaching and learning environment at UNI. Advising is a personalized educational experience, empowering students to explore, articulate, and achieve their academic, career, and life goals.

University Academic Advising Goals

1. Promote a culture of quality academic advising through advisor education, recognition, and reward, and advising program assessment.
2. Assist students in understanding the nature and purpose of higher education.
3. Ensure that all students have access to knowledgeable and respectful advisors.
4. Provide accurate information about university requirements, policies, and procedures.
5. Encourage, support, and guide students to take responsibility for meeting their own educational, personal, and career goals.

Office of Academic Advising

https://advising.uni.edu/

The Office of Academic Advising serves as an academic advising center for undergraduate students - providing advising to exploratory students, as well as to students in their first-year through graduation in select programs. 

The professional and peer advisors in the Office of Academic Advising can guide and support individuals to explore academic majors, relate career goals to academic programs and opportunities, serve as a resource for students' transition to college and through graduation, and interpret institutional requirements and processes/procedures.

The Office of Academic Advising can help individuals to:

• explore academic majors and connect to careers
• relate career goals to academic programs and opportunities
• select appropriate coursework and engagement experiences
• tailor academic programs to fit interests
• interpret institutional requirements and processes / procedures
• develop long-term plans of study

With a supportive community and network, the Office of Academic Advising guides students to develop goals and expectations based on their interests, strengths, and skills.

Questions related to new student advisement and undergraduate advising should be directed to:

Office of Academic Advising
007 Innovative Teaching and Technology Center (ITTC)
319-273-3406

The Learning Center @ Rod Library

Main Floor Rod Library

https://tlc.uni.edu/

The Learning Center @ Rod Library (TLC) is staffed by professional educators and trained, certified peers who deliver quality services in an accessible, supportive environment to help students become more independent, effective, and confident learners. At UNI's TLC, you will find students helping students develop the academic skills necessary to be successful in college and beyond, by assisting students to study more effectively, draft essays, expand math skills, prepare for tests, revise papers, develop lab reports, manage study time effectively, improve reading skills, create a study plan, avoid plagiarism, and much more. TLC services are offered free of charge to all currently enrolled students.

Information Technology

Information Technology (IT) is responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of information technology services to the University of Northern Iowa. Services include support for enterprise systems serving academic and business functions, communications systems, data and voice network services, systems administration, endpoint device support, help desk services, academic technology integration services, support for classrooms and learning spaces, online learning systems, business intelligence and reporting, identity management and authentication, multimedia services, and many others.

•       IT Web Site:  https://it.uni.edu
•      Support and Training: https://elearning.uni.edu/faculty-workshop-calendar
•      Student Computer Labs: https://it.uni.edu/student-computer-centers
•      Services and Solutions: https://it.uni.edu/services
•      eLearning: https://elearning.uni.edu
•      CATID Passphrase Information:  https://it.uni.edu/kb/8354
•      Departmental Purchasing: https://it.uni.edu/departmental-purchasing
•      Personal Purchasing:  https://it.uni.edu/personal-purchasing-uni-students-faculty-and-staff

HNI Corporation Instructional Resources and Technology Services

The HNI Corporation Instructional Resources and Technology Services (IRTS) serves as a resource facility for the university's educator preparation programs. Our goals is to provide quality services and resources to our education students. An extension of UNI's Rod Library, students come to IRTS to examine and review Pre-K-12 curriculum resources, take advantage of available technology, gather with peers and much more. OneSearch can be used to search the library catalog for curriculum resources in the IRTS collection. We hope to spark your creativity and collaboration. Stop by our space on the second floor of the Schindler Education Center (202 SEC).

Website: https://coe.uni.edu/students/instructional-resources-technology-services

Educational Opportunity Programs and Special Community Services (EOP/SCS)

The University of Northern Iowa places a high priority on providing quality education to first-generation and low-income students. To fulfill this commitment for all students, the university has established the Educational Opportunity Programs and Special Community Services Department (EOP/SCS). EOP/SCS is designed and coordinated specifically to meet our students’ educational, social, and financial needs for pursuing their educational goals and prepare for careers. A primary goal for EOP/SCS staff is to provide supportive services to all project students, thus enhancing the successful completion of the student’s college career. EOP/SCS consists of the following programs: the UNI Center for Urban Education (UNI-CUE), Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) Educational Talent Search - Waterloo (ETS - W), Educational Talent Search - Cedar Rapids (ETS - CR), Upward Bound (UB), and Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS). 

EOP/SCS provides a positive environment for lifetime learning. EOP/SCS staff collaborates with other campus departments and community programs to match its resources with community needs.

The Center for Urban Education (UNI-CUE), located in the heart of the urban area of Waterloo, Iowa, is the university’s community connection. In addition to hosting UNI’s federally funded TRIO programs, the UNI-CUE has a number of in-house programs that serve both UNI students and citizens of Black Hawk and Linn Counties:

• Continuing Education Classes are offered at UNI-CUE when requested by the University of Northern Iowa: providing easy access to university credit courses.

• During the academic year, the UNI-CUE Tutoring Center provides tutoring services free of charge to K-12 students from Black Hawk County.  Tutors work one-on-one with students at all skill levels in English, reading, composition, social sciences, math, and other content areas as requested. The Tutoring Center is specifically designed to provide students with skill development over the course of several weeks to a semester.

• A free ACT Prep Program for high school students who are preparing to take the ACT Exam. Prep sessions are held during the academic year. Each session consists of subject specific tutoring and test taking strategies. Students can repeat courses as often as they feel necessary in order to raise their ACT/SAT scores.  

• The UNI-CUE Leadership Academy is a four-week summer program for students preparing to enter middle school in the fall. Students must be nominated for this program by their 5^th grade teachers. During the program, students work to improve their reading, writing, and study skills. Students participate in community outings and field trips. They are also are introduced to guest speakers who present on a variety of topics pertinent to their age level.

The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is an academic counseling program to provide counseling services to promote post-secondary education in communities with large populations of low-income, first-generation adults. Professional career and education counselors assist eligible adults with selecting a post-secondary institution and training program suited to their interests. Counselors assist participants with the completion of admissions and financial aid applications, scholarship searches, and defaulted student loans. The EOC program provides academic advising and workshops on topics such as: study skills, scholarships, financial aid, financial literacy and career exploration.    

The Educational Talent Search - Waterloo (ETS -W) program helps students prepare for and acquire a college education.  All students who attend one of the Waterloo Community School District’s public middle or high schools (Bunger, Central, Hoover, Logan, East, Expo, or West), high school graduates (who are not currently taking college courses), and individuals in who withdrew from high school or college before graduation living in Black Hawk County through age 27 are eligible to apply. ETS is an educational counseling service designed to assist 1,200 students to continue in and graduate from high school and enroll in an educational program beyond high school, and also to assist individuals in who withdrew from high school or college before graduating to return to an educational program.

Like its ETS-W counterpart, the Educational Talent Search - Cedar Rapids (ETSCR) program is a college preparatory program funded by the US Department of Education. The goal of ETSCR is to encourage participants to graduate from high school and to enroll in college. ETSCR participants are students who demonstrate potential for postsecondary education, but may be lacking resources and knowledge to prepare adequately. Two-thirds of participants in ETSCR must meet income requirements and be first-generation college-bound (meaning neither parent has received a Bachelor's degree). ETSCR services are available to 6th - 12th grade students who attend school in the Cedar Rapids Community School District (Franklin, McKinley, Roosevelt and Wilson middle school and Jefferson and Washington high schools).

The Upward Bound (UB) program is a college preparatory program designed to empower program participants with the academic skills and motivation necessary for success in high school and ultimately college. UB serves students from low-income first-generation families who demonstrate potential for college as measured by standardized tests, high school grades, and written recommendations from a school administrator, counselor, or teacher.

UB focuses around the after-school Supplemental Instructional/Tutorials program. It includes academic advising, career exploration, college tours, study skill development workshops, leadership conferences, and other activities. During the summer, UB students spend six weeks living in UNI dorms attending enrichment courses in mathematics (algebra, pre-calculus), English (literature and composition), science (biology, physics), foreign language (Spanish, French), economics, and computer science. Students earn credits, which are transferable to the college or university that the student will attend upon high school graduation. 

The Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) program one of the University of Northern Iowa's TRIO programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education. UBMS provides academic enrichment, retention services, post-secondary preparation, and a summer residential program to low-income and first-generation students. The goal of the program is to help students recognize and develop their potential to excel in math and science.

UBMS aims to provide services that respect the diversity of student needs, while supporting and increasing their competitiveness and readiness for post-secondary careers.

Contact Information:

Educational Opportunity Programs & Special Community Services (EOP/SCS) and University of Northern Iowa Center for Urban Education (UNI-CUE)

800 Sycamore Street
Waterloo, IA 50703
319-273-4772    fax 319-433-0160
https://eop.uni.edu/

Educational Opportunity Center (EOC)

800 Sycamore Street
Waterloo, IA 50703
319-273-4774    fax 319-433-0160
https://eop.uni.edu/educational-opportunity-center

The Roy Eblen Speech and Hearing Clinic

This clinic offers communication services in the areas of speech, language, swallowing, and hearing to both university and community members. These clinical services form an integral part of the program of professional preparation in speech-language pathology. Majors in communication disorders and speech-language pathology carry out clinical services under the supervision of licensed faculty and clinical instructors in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Services offered include audiological evaluations, speech and language evaluations, and therapy services for individuals of all ages.

UNI Child Development Center

https://cdc.uni.edu/

The UNI Child Development Center (CDC) is an accredited non-profit care and early learning facility designed to meet the needs of young children by providing quality programming within a safe and nurturing environment. The CDC provides high quality, full-time childcare for the children of faculty, staff, and students of the University of Northern Iowa.

The CDC serves as an educational laboratory for UNI students majoring in Early Childhood Education and other related fields, facilitating the students' learning about young children. Inclusionary special education services are integrated within all of our classrooms and serve identified students who need an individualized education program. When a child is enrolled with special needs, staff are oriented in understanding that child's special needs and ways of working with the child in the group setting. Certified teachers, assisted by university students, provide instruction in the multi-age classrooms. The CDC goals include providing an innovative curriculum based on current research, developing of teacher education curriculum, and modeling developmentally appropriate evaluation processes.

The CDC is located in the Nielson Fieldhouse. The CDC serves approximately 62 children. The Center operates on the university calendar, offering programming during the academic year and summer sessions.

For more information on the programs offered, or to learn how to register your child, call the CDC at 319-273-3946. Or you may visit the CDC office located in the Nielson Fieldhouse, 1901 Campus Street, Cedar Falls.