In Spring 2025, a campus‑wide survey gathered over 320 responses on how the University of Iowa community uses and envisions outdoor spaces. Findings highlight current practices, barriers, and opportunities to strengthen outdoor learning, research, and well‑being.
Who took the survey?
47 %
34 %
19 %
Do people want to use outdoor spaces for teaching and learning?
What is your level of interest in doing these activities outdoors on our campus?
Student Responses
Faculty Responses
How does our campus engage with outdoor spaces?
“I have studied in my hammock in various areas along the river… the quiet and views of the river are great… I like to read, sketch for my art class, or work on homework.” - Anonymous Student
88 %
79 %
65 %
41 %
Many faculty and students are using outdoor spaces!
Engineering outside
“The Pentacrest is used as an engineering lab.”
Writing outside
“Teaching creative writing workshops, I would have my class meet outside sometimes in nice weather."
Environmental research outside
"It was extremely enjoyable to be able to learn about prairies hands-on and interact with the plants.”
Art outside
“I have held class outside on nice days. It seems to improve everyone's mood!”
How are people interested in using outdoor spaces?
Students, faculty, and staff showed strong interest in using outdoor spaces. The data suggests a strong desire to blend academic, social, and wellness experiences outdoors.
Eating meals
Attending classes and conducting research
Hosting events
"I would *LOVE* to have an outdoor space for meeting with students, having small group discussions, doing research, or just a place to sit and write. I cannot think of any space right now where I could do that comfortably." - Anonymous Faculty Member
What Makes a Space Work?
Top-rated needs for academic and professional use of outdoor spaces are below. This feedback provides a clear roadmap for planning and enhancing UI’s outdoor infrastructure.
Shade, tables, and seating
“There’s just never enough tables or seating. Shade is critical!”
Wi-Fi and electricity
“I’ve used the hammock stands by the IMU to study… there was natural shade and a strong WiFi connection.”
Teaching aids like whiteboards
“All my schoolwork requires a computer, and there’s no shaded, quiet space close to my building
Gardens, trees, and natural features
“For teaching: just a greenspace next to the building; nothing special but it was a great reward for the class and I!”
What Gets in the Way?
What are the biggest challenges that make it difficult to use outdoor spaces for teaching?
(Faculty responses)
