Iowa Students' Fun Activities And Pastimes

The University of Iowa offers a wide range of activities and organizations for students to get involved with outside of the classroom. With over 600 student organizations, there are plenty of opportunities for students to develop leadership and personal skills, connect with their peers, and have fun. From groups dedicated to developing technical skills to those celebrating different dance forms, there is something for everyone. The University also offers international student programs, mentorship schemes, and support for students wishing to study abroad.

Student Leadership & Engagement

The University of Iowa offers a wide range of opportunities for student leadership and engagement, with over 600 student organizations to choose from. These organizations provide students with the chance to develop leadership and personal skills, connect with their campus community, and have fun.

The Leadership and Engagement office is central to student life at the University of Iowa, comprising three offices: Student Engagement and Campus Programs, Leadership Service and Civic Engagement, and Fraternity and Sorority Life. The first two offices offer programs and organizations that help students improve their leadership skills, engage in civic activities, and network with peers to share ideas and drive positive change. They also organize popular events like the Homecoming, Hawkeye Service Breaks, and the Dance Marathon. Fraternity and Sorority Life, meanwhile, helps students develop a better understanding of one another while serving others and achieving academic excellence.

The University of Iowa also has over 100 multicultural student organizations that provide programming, service, educational programs, and cultural experiences to the campus community. The Multicultural and International Student Support and Engagement (MISSE) team is dedicated to promoting a diverse range of events and organizations on campus, fostering a "Home Away From Home" atmosphere through their four cultural centers.

The University of Iowa encourages students to get involved from the moment they arrive on campus, as research shows that involved students tend to have more success in the classroom and feel more connected to the university. To help students find the right organizations, the University offers Engagement Advising, where advisors help students create action plans to achieve their goals.

The Campus Activity Board (CAB), a student-run organization, provides alcohol-alternative programming for the community, hosting events like the CAB Haunted House and WinterFest throughout the year. The Undergraduate Student Government also plays a crucial role in funding student organizations, leadership development, and student services, allocating approximately $1.7 million from the student activity fee.

With so many opportunities for student leadership and engagement, students at the University of Iowa can easily find their niche, develop their skills, and make meaningful contributions to campus life.

Fraternity & Sorority Life

Fraternity and Sorority Life is one of the three offices included in the Leadership and Engagement division at the University of Iowa. It offers students the chance to develop a better understanding of one another, serve others, and achieve academic excellence. The University of Iowa has four councils, and the team has created a guide for parents and families to support their students' recruitment journey.

The Leadership and Engagement division also includes the Student Engagement and Campus Programs office and the Leadership, Service, and Civic Engagement office. These offices offer several programs and organizations for students to improve their leadership skills, engage in civic engagement opportunities, and network with other students to share ideas and promote positive change. They also facilitate popular events like the Homecoming, Hawkeye Service Breaks, and Dance Marathon.

The University of Iowa has over 600 student organizations, ranging from groups dedicated to developing technical skills to those celebrating different dance forms. These organizations help students connect to the campus, develop leadership skills, and have fun. The Undergraduate Student Government allocates approximately $1.7 million from the student activity fee to fund student organizations, leadership development, and student services.

The Campus Activity Board (CAB) is a student-run organization that provides alcohol-alternate programming for the community. They host events throughout the year, like the CAB Haunted House and WinterFest. The University also has the iPeer Mentorship Program, which pairs new international students (mentees) with returning international students (mentors) to support their transition and personal development.

Multicultural & International Student Support

The University of Iowa offers a vibrant and diverse range of activities and organizations for students to get involved in outside of the classroom. With over 600 student organizations, there is something for everyone, and the University encourages students to join and get engaged from the moment they arrive on campus. One of the key offices dedicated to this is the Multicultural and International Student Support and Engagement (MISSE) team.

The MISSE team aims to foster an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all students, creating a "Home Away From Home" environment through their four cultural centers. They promote a wide variety of multicultural programs, events, and organizations, with over 100 multicultural student groups providing programming, services, educational initiatives, and cultural experiences for the entire campus community. These groups offer a great way to meet people, develop leadership skills, and gain a sense of belonging. Students can search for these organizations through Campus Labs, an online portal, and are encouraged to get involved early to enhance their university experience.

One of the programs offered by the University of Iowa is the iPeer Mentorship Program, which pairs new international students with returning international students. This initiative supports the transition and personal development of new international students and helps them navigate academics, campus life, cultural adjustment, and other important aspects of university life. It also empowers them to become leaders on campus and actively contribute to the community. The International Student Advisory Board, comprising both international and domestic students, further enhances the support and representation of international students on campus.

In addition to the cultural and international-focused groups, the University of Iowa offers a range of other student organizations. These include groups dedicated to developing technical skills, exploring different dance forms, and providing alcohol-alternative programming, such as the Campus Activity Board (CAB), which hosts events like the CAB Haunted House and WinterFest. The University also encourages students to explore study abroad opportunities, providing a unique blend of academic and personal development. With such a diverse range of activities and organizations, students can easily find their niche and create a well-rounded and fulfilling university experience.

Campus Activity Board (CAB)

The Campus Activity Board (CAB) is a student-run organization at the University of Iowa that provides alcohol-alternate programming for the community. CAB is just one of over 600 student organizations at the university, which aim to help students connect to the campus, develop leadership skills, and have fun.

CAB hosts events throughout the year, including the CAB Haunted House and WinterFest. These events are open to all members of the University of Iowa community and provide an opportunity for students to take a break from their studies, socialize, and build lasting memories.

In addition to CAB, students can explore a wide range of other organizations to suit their interests. These include multicultural and international student groups, fraternities and sororities, and groups dedicated to developing technical skills or celebrating dance. The Undergraduate Student Government also allocates funding to support student organizations, leadership development, and student services, ensuring that there are ample resources for students to pursue their interests and develop valuable skills outside of the classroom.

For students who are new to the University of Iowa or the country, the iPeer Mentorship Program pairs new international students with returning international students to help ease their transition and provide support. Friends of International Students (FIS) is another program that pairs international and domestic students with friends in the Iowa City area, fostering cultural exchange and friendship. These programs provide international students with a sense of community and help them navigate campus life and their new surroundings.

International Student Advisory Board

The University of Iowa has over 600 student organisations, and one of them is the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB). Established in 2014, ISAB is a joint initiative of the UI Undergraduate Student Government (USG), Graduate & Professional Student Government (GPSG), International Programs, and the Division of Student Life.

ISAB is an advisory board that advocates for international student needs, promotes cultural exchange, and fosters global connections on campus. It raises concerns from international students and provides recommendations to assist university departments in serving international students better. ISAB also provides resources and information from international student perspectives and disseminates them to the international student community.

ISAB has two types of liaisons. The first type is elected by another organisation to sit on the ISAB board, such as the International Affairs Director in Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG). The second type is nominated by ISAB to serve on other boards or committees, such as the International Constituency Senator in Undergraduate Student Government (USG).

ISAB does not plan events, but it does participate in some, such as Fresh Check Day, to represent and support international students. ISAB also meets with campus partners and stakeholders, such as the Dean of International Programs and Student Governments, to provide feedback and raise concerns based on the international student experience.

In addition to ISAB, the University of Iowa has many other student organisations and activities that promote multicultural programs and community engagement. The Multicultural & International Student Support and Engagement (MISSE) team, for example, aims to create a "Home Away From Home" atmosphere through its four cultural centres. There are also fraternities and sororities, which offer students the opportunity to develop a better understanding of each other while serving others and achieving academic excellence.

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