In Spring 2025, the University of Iowa’s Living Labs Working Group launched a campus-wide survey to better understand how students, staff, and faculty are using—and envision using—outdoor spaces on campus. The goal was to gather insights that could inform future design, programming, and infrastructure improvements that support learning, research, wellness, and community connection in the university’s outdoor environment.
The survey received over 320 responses from a diverse cross-section of the campus community. Participants shared how they currently engage with outdoor spaces, their level of interest in outdoor teaching and learning, the barriers they face, and their boldest ideas for making campus a more vibrant, accessible, and functional living laboratory.
This page presents the key findings from the survey, including data visualizations, themed analysis, and direct quotes from participants. Together, these responses offer a valuable roadmap for expanding the role of outdoor spaces in supporting sustainability, interdisciplinary education, and well-being at Iowa.
Who took the survey?
A Snapshot of Campus Voices
47 %
34 %
19 %
According to survey results, how do we engage with outdoor campus spaces currently?
“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 %
Dozens of faculty and students are already using outdoor spaces creatively!
Engineering experiments on campus lawns
“The Pentacrest is used as an engineering lab.”
Writing workshops on the Pentacrest
“Teaching creative writing workshops, I would have my class meet outside sometimes in nice weather."
Environmental research at Ashton Prairie
"It was extremely enjoyable to be able to learn about prairies hands-on and interact with the plants.”
Art classes sketching city views from the Old Capitol
“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!”