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UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA CEDAR FALLS, IA THURSDAY, APRIL 5 VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42
CEDAR FALLS, IA
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024
VOLUME 120, ISSUE 22
HOUSING PORTAL SCRAMBLE Students face slow webpages in the race to fill out housing forms
OPINION
CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN
Opinion Columnist Nkasa Bolumbu argues legislation in needed to protect survivors of trafficking like Pieper Lewis.
Executive Editor
For Jordan Hicklin, choosing a dorm for the 2024-25 school year was, “a little frustrating.” A transfer student currently living in Dancer Hall, he was planning on reserving a room in Lawther. With a reservation date of Feb. 15, he logged into the Housing Portal twenty minutes prior to his reservation time, but he quickly encountered, “numerous problems.” He said, “I tried to get into the portal at the time I was given, but I was denied access, as it said there were too many people trying to get onto the server. And that frustrated me because I am sitting here in class, trying to set up my housing as fast as I can to ensure that I can get a room.”
SEE PAGE 5
See HOUSING PORTAL, page 2
EMILY EAVES
CAMPUS LIFE
Waverly restaurant owners bring new addition to downtown Cedar Falls, Bigfoot Betty’s. SEE PAGE 6
SPORTS
Panthers annhiliate in-state rivals Drake Bulldogs on Saturday, 91-77. SEE PAGE 11
UNI showcases Applied Engineering Building TAYLOR NOHRENBERG Staff Writer
The University of Northern Iowa’s Applied Engineering Building hosted local media members and business partners during a media tour on Tuesday, Feb. 20, that highlighted the state-of-the-art construction that will house the next generation of industry leaders. Led by Applied Engineering and Technical Management Department Head Lisa Riedle, Ph.D, PE, University Relations Director Pete Moris, UNI Facilities Management Assistant Vice President and Director Michael Zwanziger and UNI’s Metal Casting Center (MCC) Assistant Program Manager Nate Bryant; media members were able to see the impressive reconstruction that would add around 40,000 square feet of space — an expansion of almost 50% of the original facility — to the almost 50-year-old building. Riedle says the $44.7 million renovation project was
COURTESY/INSIDE UNI
The $44.7 million renovation project expanded the Applied Engineering Building by almost 50%. Phase one of the project has an official opening date of March 18 for students and faculty.
special in the sense that future students got a hand in what decisions were made about the renovations. “Students have been involved in the process,” she said. “Students got to come in and vote on what they liked and didn’t like.” Even down to room signs, UNI collaborated with students to facilitate the creation of the labeled signs and install them as a learning experience.
This wouldn’t be the only time UNI has sought out the specialties of its own students. Back around 2021, MCC and five teams of students led by 2022 UNI graduate Matt Watson were vital in the casting of the 56 commemorative Campanile handbells as a gift to the sponsors of UNI’s Our Tomorrow campaign. See APPLIED ENGINEERING, page 3
News briefs CAB offering free pancakes Campus Activities Board will be celebrating National Pancake Day by handing out free pancakes this Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m in Maucker Union. They will have a variety of toppings, ranging from syrups to sweet jams. There will be giveaways while supplies last. Toast for Change Black St udent Union will be hosting their annual “Toast for Change” event Feb. 29 from 6 - 9p.m. in Maucker Union Ballrooms. An RSVP is required for this event, and the dress code is formal. BSU will be reflecting and celebrating on all the work they have done so far this year at the event. UNI Opera to present “Suor Angelica” UNI Opera will present three performances of Suor Angelica this Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 3 at 2:30 p.m in the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. The opera in one act by Giacomo Puccini to an original Italian libretto by Giovacchino Forzano, and weaves the tragic tale of a woman who bears a child out of wedlock and is sent to a convent to repent for her sins. Accounting program receives award UNI’s Department of Accounting has been awarded the inaugural KPMG Accounting Program Innovation Award from the American Accounting Association, the largest community of accountants in academia. The awards committee specifically noted UNI’s new hybrid accounting program, increasing access for placebound adult learners in central Iowa. The program allows some online courses alongside in-person courses taught through the UNI@ DMACC program.