Frequently Asked Questions

What is a typical day in the UI REACH Program?

Each student is responsible for setting an alarm early enough so they can appropriately dress, organize for the day, and be on time for the first class or activity. In the afternoon, students have classes, internships, and/or community life experiences. In the evening students take part in engaging activities. On weekends, UI REACH Staff and RAs coordinate a variety of opportunities to help students get involved in the campus or community, including social outings, leisure activities, and sports events. As the semester continues, students are encouraged to plan their own social gatherings and events as they learn more about the offerings on campus and in the surrounding community with the support of assigned peer mentors.

Is there a curfew? How is it monitored?

Yes. Students need to be back in their residence hall by midnight. Students sign a log once they are in the building for the evening.

Who is responsible for cleaning my room and hall?

Roommates are responsible for sharing their room cleaning duties. Cleaning tasks are assigned when students complete the roommate agreement. Bathrooms and other shared areas are cleaned daily by housing staff, but students are reminded to be good residence hall citizens and clean up after each use of shared areas.

What are Quiet and Courtesy Hours?

Conversation and other noise should be kept at a level that does not disturb the study and sleep of other residents. It is a student’s right and responsibility to respectfully address noise volume concerns with other students. Resident Assistants are available to assist with these issues as they occur.

What if my roommate and I do not get along?

Sharing a room with someone offers many opportunities for interesting experiences, fun, growth, and maybe a life-long friendship. If problems arise, students are first encouraged to attempt to resolve them. If assistance is needed, the Resident Assistant and UI REACH staff are trained to help students resolve these conflicts. At the beginning of each semester the Resident Assistant helps both roommates discuss issues such as bedtime, guests, cleaning the room, respecting personal belongings, and shared interests to set a good foundation for the relationship.

How will I meet new people?

We are excited to have you join the UI REACH experience and to create opportunities for you to meet students in your hall community and on campus. Talk to your roommate, a neighbor, or a RA to learn about common interests or to talk about similar concerns you may have about moving to college. Students are encouraged to actively attend UI REACH and other campus activities to build their social circles. One of the best ways of meeting other students is by joining one or more of the 500+ campus student organizations. UI students are assisted in learning about these opportunities through the Office of Student Engagement, an excellent resource.

How do I receive and send mail?

Letters and packages are delivered to the residence hall front desk each day. Your room key opens your mailbox. If you receive a package, you will be sent an email notice. Just present your Iowa One (University ID) Card at the front desk to pick up the package. Outgoing mail with proper postage can be left at the front desk to be picked up daily by the mail personnel.

Mail should be addressed as follows:
Student's Name
100 Residence Hall, Room#___
Iowa City, IA 52242

Do I have to always carry my room key and student ID with me?

Yes. As with any security system, all residents play a key role to ensure their own safety. Each student is responsible for always carrying and securing their room key and Iowa One (University ID) Card. Students are advised to lock the room door when they leave or are asleep. You also need your University ID Card to eat in the dining halls and to do laundry. Do not loan your University ID Card to anyone.

It costs $125 to replace the room key and $35.00 to replace the Iowa One card

What should I do if I get lost?

If you are lost on campus, you may look at a campus map and navigation app on your phone, or go to the nearest university building to ask someone in an office to assist you in finding your class, hall, etc. Additionally, you can call the UI REACH on-call phone.

Who should I contact if there is an emergency on campus?

There are “Code Blue Phones” around campus that connect you immediately to the University Police if you have an emergency. If something happens and there is not an officer nearby, go to the closest campus building and report the emergency to a staff member or call 911. If it is a weather-related or fire emergency, you should follow the directions given by Hawk Alert or staff at the time of the emergency. In case of an emergency, UI REACH students will be able to contact a UI REACH on-call staff member.

What happens if I get in trouble by breaking a university or hall policy?

Students must follow The University of Iowa Code of Student Life, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and the Residence Hall Guidebook. These documents explain general rules and academic conduct policies.

UI REACH students can be dismissed from The University of Iowa, UI REACH Program, and University Housing for university and/or program code violations Students in the UI REACH Program must follow the expectations and policies outlined in the Code of Student Life , University Student Policies , University Housing Polices , and the UI REACH Student Handbook. Violations of the Code of Life can result in sanctions including written warnings, probation, restitution and fines, exclusion from university facilities or activities, a no contact order, suspension, or expulsion. UI REACH staff may be involved in the disciplinary process and outcome decision.

Are UI REACH students official university students?

Students admitted to the UI REACH Program are considered University of Iowa students and have the same privileges, rights, and responsibilities and access to campus resources as traditional students.

What happens if I miss class or internship?

Class attendance and participation are key parts of the learning experience for the UI REACH Program. Students are responsible for attending classes, internships, and activities as scheduled. Classes and internships help students with transferable skills to independent living and employment post UI REACH. Attendance numbers for each student are included in student progress reports. Students can use one vacation day and two sick days per semester for their internships.

UI REACH staff and instructors understand that sometimes students may have a prior commitment, for example a doctor’s appointment, that conflicts with their schedule. In this situation, it is the student’s responsibility to contact their instructor in advance to get any work that will be missed. If a class is missed due to illness, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor to discuss make-up work.

What campus protocol is in place to prevent the spread of COVID 19?

The University of Iowa provides detailed guidelines on vaccinations, testing, reporting and other safety measures. These can be accessed through the university’s COVID 19 webpage. UI REACH follows the protocol established university-wide for all classes and activities.