Student Life

Hair styles and fashions, visitation hours in dorms, rules of conduct, and more: Campus life changed dramatically in just one decade. Your mid-term exam essay question: Compare and contrast various aspects of student life between 1960 and 1970.

Greek Week 1965 brochure

Greek Week brochure and schedule, 1965

Hawkeye Greek brochure

This brochure served as a guide for incoming students considering fraternity membership. The document features messages from university officials, including President Howard R. Bowen and IFC President Steve Wherry, welcoming students and encouraging them to explore fraternity life during Rush Week. The content highlights key aspects of fraternity membership, such as scholarship, leadership opportunities, athletics, social service, and brotherhood.
The publication underscores the importance of scholastic excellence within the fraternity system, emphasizing the support structures in place, including big brother programs and tutoring initiatives. It also addresses the development of leadership skills through active involvement in fraternity activities. Additionally, the document touches on the role of intramural athletics, social programs, and community service within the fraternity experience. The concept of brotherhood is portrayed as the culmination of the overall fraternity experience, emphasizing shared values, mutual support, and the development of a well-rounded individual. The document concludes with information on how to apply for Rush Week, answering common questions, and providing insights into the

Petticoat pamphlet

Petticoat Pamphlet, Revealing the 1965 Sorority Pledge Classes’; 1965 brochure

Action Studies Poster

This Action Studies poster provides a snapshot of the diverse and socially engaged curriculum offered during the spring semester. The courses and activities reflect the spirit of the late 1960s, addressing contemporary issues and embracing alternative forms of education. The poster showcases a range of topics, including the poetry of resistance, women’s liberation, Edgar Cayce readings, organic gardening, film and social change, science fiction writing, men against sexism, and more. The inclusion of the Prairie Dog Project, described as a free school-community, aligns with the steering committee’s vision outlined in the “Action Studies Program” report. This initiative, driven by the Institute of Syntropic Studies, connects various elements such as Buckminster Fuller’s ideas, meditation workshops, and the greening of America, fostering a holistic approach to education. The poster encourages engagement, inviting students to seek course information, propose ideas, teach courses, or simply engage in discussions at the Action Studies office in the Jefferson Building. The interconnectedness between the poster and the steering committee’s report suggests a collective effort to explore progressive educational approaches and address societal concerns at the University of Iowa during this historical period.

Crisis Center Benefit poster, ca 1970

Featuring performances by artists like David Gross Sundance and Combinations, the concert aimed to raise funds for the Crisis Center. The archival materials include details about the venue, emphasizing its location at the City Rel Center. The use of phrases like “Angels in the Alley” and “Old Mother Blues” adds a touch of the counterculture and the spirit of the time. The announcement encourages donations at the door and hints at the presence of rumors, suggesting an air of excitement and anticipation surrounding the event. This archival piece captures the essence of a grassroots effort to use music as a means of support for a social cause during a significant period in history.

Contraceptives on campus handout

This article sheds light on the policies of the Student Health Service at the University of Iowa regarding contraceptive information and materials as well as the efforts being made to liberate those resources. Dr. R. A. Wilcox, Acting Director, states that there is no specific policy, leaving each physician to practice according to their licensure in Iowa. The availability of birth control information and materials is established for married women students, either directly from Student Health or through referral to the Obstetrica-Gynecology Clinic. However, the situation is different for single women students, who may face arbitrary treatment, including refusals or lectures against premarital sex, depending on the views of individual doctors. The Committee for Contraceptives on Campus advocates for a comprehensive policy ensuring that any student seeking contraceptive information is referred to the Obstetrics-Gynecology Clinic, emphasizing the importance of sexual responsibility for all women students, not just the married ones.

Otherways newsletter

The Other Ways newsletter appears to be an attempt to provide a platform for various organizations and individuals working towards peace, social change, and addressing societal issues to share information and coordinate efforts. It emphasizes the need for unity and awareness among these groups. The content includes a calendar of events, in-depth articles, and calls for involvement, support, and financial contributions to sustain the newsletter’s distribution. Additionally, the newsletter covers a range of local initiatives such as free medical services, draft information centers, peace education activities, and social activism by different groups in Iowa City. The publication reflects the vibrant and engaged activism of the University of Iowa community during a period marked by anti-war sentiments and broader social change movements.

1966 Homecoming

Homecoming Open House announcement, 1966

1966 Homecoming

Homecoming Open House announcement, 1966

Compost Guide

Compost was intended to be a resource guide aimed at sharing information about various services and opportunities in Iowa City, focusing on aspects like daycares, preschools, women’s liberation, children’s liberation, employment, medical services, and more.
In the historical context, this guide reflects the community-driven efforts of individuals and organizations to share information and resources. The creators acknowledge the limitations and potential inaccuracies in the guide while expressing the intention to improve and expand it based on feedback from the community.
The document encapsulates a snapshot of the sociocultural landscape of Iowa City in 1971, showcasing the community’s engagement in addressing various needs and fostering a sense of collective support. It aligns with the spirit of the time, emphasizing community collaboration and grassroots initiatives.

May 1970 'Special Report from UI'

The 1970 document, “A Special Report From the University of Iowa,” provides a nuanced overview of the May demonstrations at the University. It includes excerpts from letters to President Boyd expressing diverse opinions on campus unrest, with some parents concerned for their children’s safety and others supporting Boyd’s decision to keep the university open amid protests. Mayor Loren Hickerson reflects on challenges faced during anti-war demonstrations, addressing arrests, campus occupations, and a bomb explosion. The report details options offered to students during protests, disciplinary actions taken, and the faculty’s split vote on the ROTC program. President Boyd’s concluding letter asserts the university’s commitment to remaining open, emphasizing access to learning and services despite challenges, and the document features eyewitness accounts offering varied perspectives on the unfolding events.

Action Studies founding Document

The 1968 report from the steering committee of the “Action Studies Program” outlines the University of Iowa’s program origins and objectives. Formed in response to a Faculty Senate resolution encouraging discussion of contemporary issues, the program seeks to facilitate the study and discussion of immediate concerns for faculty and students. President Bowen appointed a committee, including Dr. Schoer, to develop the program, emphasizing a facilitating role and avoiding an additional layer in the university structure. The Action Studies Program spans various initiatives like noncredit courses, discussions, seminars, and conferences, aiming to contribute significantly to the academic and student life at the University of Iowa. The report acknowledges potential mistakes in the early stages but expresses a commitment to improvement and welcomes suggestions from faculty members for program enhancements.

Latino-Native American Cultural Center

The Latino-Native American Cultural Center was founded in 1971, originally as the Chicano Indian-American Cultural Center. The following year the Center sponsored a historic conference in Iowa City hosting Latino and Latina students from across the Midwest.

Football game tickets, 1960-69

Take me out to the football/basketball/baseball game! Here are some tickets to Hawkeye football games during the 1960s.

Housing survey statistics

A survey of dormitory residents and other students was conducted in 1968 by Associated Women Students to determine attitudes concerning visitation hours, coed housing, and other matters. The survey, and other efforts, eventually led to liberalization of on-campus housing rules.