The campus community received an email from the office of the president April 14 proclaiming the celebration of Tropical Celebration (TC) Day. Although the blustery chill of winter has not yet vacated campus, warm weather and tropical treats are on the horizon.

Presidential Proclamation

Whereas the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Northern Iowa celebrate the end of brutal winters with Tropical Celebration (TC) Day, and

Whereas, as I pen this proclamation, it is 36° F and snowflakes are in the air, and

Whereas UNI students, faculty, and staff have survived 63 days of below-freezing average temperatures since January 1, 2022, and

Whereas, on 17 of those days Mother Nature unforgivingly sank to subzero temperatures with wind gusts reaching up to 55 miles per hour, and

Whereas the lows on January 21, 2022, and January 26, 2022, were -18 F (-27.78 C), and

Whereas the first snowfall of the season occurred five months ago on November 11, 2021, and

Whereas UNI students, faculty, and staff have endured freezing rain, snow flurries, and/or heavy snow on 29 separate occasions since the first snowfall of the season, including a dusting of snow on April 8, 2022, and 

Whereas the first day of Spring officially occurred 26 days ago, and

Whereas the University of Northern Iowa is a close-knit community defined by a personalized and caring approach to student success, and

Whereas no spring semester should end without students relaxing in purple and gold adirondack chairs and hammocks on the Campanile lawn;

Therefore, be it declared that winter has hereby concluded and the University of Northern Iowa community is emphatically ready for spring;

Be it further declared that Monday, April 18, 2022, is officially Tropical Celebration (TC) Day at the University of Northern Iowa, regardless of the weather that day.

Be it further declared that all students and employees are strongly encouraged (but not required) to wear your favorite island wear to celebrate the end of winter and beginning of spring.

Be it further declared that Tropical smoothies will be available at Chats in the Maucker Union from 12:30 p.m. until they run out.

Signed this thirteenth Day of April, Two-thousand twenty-two.

Panther Proud – Mark A. Nook

President

University of Northern Iowa