Flooding Causes Classes to be Held in New Buildings at University of Iowa

The site of a former hardware store is now home to the University of Iowa’s theater performance, music and ceramics classes, a move that reflects the possible confusion after flooding pushed a slate of old classes into new buildings.

The former Menards, now dubbed the “Studio Arts Campus,” takes the place of a flooded-out part of campus that was less than 100 yards from the Iowa River. Students travel on a campus bus to get there.

The fall semester began at the U of I last week after a summer of record flooding that began when the Iowa River crested at 31.5 feet on June 15. More than 20 buildings were flooded, including the Iowa Memorial Union and main library on the east side and the arts campus on the west.

“We made a commitment to teach every class on the books,” said U of I Vice Provost Tom Rocklin. “Now it’s just a giant jigsaw puzzle.”

The kitchens in the basement of the Iowa Memorial Union, operated by IMU Catering, were destroyed in the flood and relocated to Kinnick Stadium. They were later moved again to a downtown location.

“It was like an episode of M*A*S*H, trying to move while still doing surgeries,” said Mark Grulke, one of three catering chefs. “We were still catering an event while trying to move tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment.”

There are still campus departments without buildings, including the engineering research department, moved to a facility at the Oakdale campus, and the student government, student legal, and the IMU administrative offices.

Topics Flood Education Iowa Universities