Some of Iowa's first early farmers were a small group of Native Americans in southwest Iowa. The Glenwood people farmed individual plots for about 150 years until mysteriously vacating the region about A.D. 1350. The Office of the State Archaeologist at the UI is researching the group's past.

Repair work is set to begin July 25 on the University of Iowa's most recognizable building: Old Capitol.

President Bruce Harreld comments on Obermann Center director Teresa Mangum's recent essay about the value of the humanities and reiterates how important they are to the University of Iowa.

The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, approved a $250 increase in tuition for resident undergraduate students for the fall of 2016, $50 less than the University of Iowa proposal.

A study by Michael Flatte proposes that a current in one iron magnetic sheet creates a current in a separate sheet. The finding could be important in the emerging field of spintronics, which seeks to channel energy from spin waves generated by electrons to create smaller, more energy-efficient electronic devices.

Federal support of University of Iowa research and scholarship increased 4 percent in fiscal year 2016, with substantial gains from both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF). Federal research funding increased $8.5 million over FY15, from $231.9 million to $240.4 million.

Alex Lodge, who holds a doctorate in chemistry and a juris doctor from the University of Iowa, says he’ll continue to draw on the lessons he learned from Iowa Law faculty who encouraged him to think beyond the outcome of a case.

The Drupal Digital Signage Service was rolled out campuswide as part of the OneIT Web Hosting Project, one of 16 TIER efficiency initiatives in information technology. Expanding use of Drupal to digital signs saves time and money several ways, including convenience and ease of use.

Humanities scholars use unique interpretive tools to investigate topics from gerontology to genetics, criminology to cancer, women’s rights to war, race-related violence to utopian futures. Obermann Center director Teresa Mangum spotlights the humanities research happening across the UI campus.

The University of Iowa Honorary Degree Selection Committee is seeking nominations for the 2016-17 awards. Notable recipients of past honorary degrees include William “Bill” Bryson (2016), Tom Brokaw (2010), and Earl Warren (1962). Nominations are due by Aug. 12.

The Board of Regents will consider the University of Iowa’s proposed fiscal year 2017 budget and decide new tuition levels for fall 2016. If the proposed tuition increase is approved, UI’s general university budget is expected to grow by 4.4 percent in FY 2017 to $736 million.

Bonnie Brown is a mother with a full-time job, studying social work and taking newly offered courses through the Des Moines campus of the University of Iowa.