Housing
Housing Areas and Description
For most groups staying under two weeks, housing accommodations are typically offered in two of our housing areas (neighborhoods) – Richardson Court and Union Drive.
Richardson Court Residence Halls are located on the east side of campus, south of the Lied Recreation Center and north of the Iowa State Center. These halls include three air-conditioned high-rise buildings (Maple, Willow, and Larch) with an approximate capacity of 1,500 people total.
Union Drive Residence Halls are located on the southwest side of campus within short walking distance of many academic buildings. Two smaller (approximately 300 people each), low-rise residence halls (Martin and Eaton) offer air-conditioned, suite-style housing. Friley is a large (approximate capacity of 1,150 people), low-rise residence hall in which most rooms are air-conditioned. Helser is a large (approximate capacity of 700 people), low-rise residence halls with non air-conditioned rooms.
When Richardson Court and Union Drive are filled, additional residence halls are used. South Campus Residence Halls are located just south of Lincoln Way and the Memorial Union. Geoffroy is an air-conditioned high-rise building with an approximate capacity of 750 people.
The majority of residence hall rooms are double-occupancy sleeping rooms, with some single-occupancy rooms available. If single-occupancy rooms are requested, guests may be assigned to either a single-occupancy room or alone to a double-occupancy room.
Room furnishings typically include a lofted twin (single) bed for each occupant, desk, chair, storage drawers, closet space, window coverings, and wastebasket. Residence halls and the two-bedroom apartments in Frederiksen Court have lofted beds. A lofted bed is raised high enough for a desk with bookshelves to be placed underneath; lofted furniture must remain as originally set. Some residence hall areas used to house guests with special needs may be de-lofted if arrangements are made in advance. For further descriptions of specific residence halls and apartments, see the Online Campus Map.
Linen Options
In all residence halls a linen service is available for an additional $5.00 per person per night to the Standard Rate.
The Linen Service option for provides each guest with sheets, pillow, pillowcase, blanket, two towels, one washcloth all packed within a linen pack. Beds are not made. Towel exchange in the residence halls is available daily at a centralized location. For groups staying over 10 nights, a change of bed linen is available at the hall desk.
Rates for Housing
Housing rates for 2025:
| Location | Standard Rate |
|---|---|
| Maple, Willow, Larch, Friley (Air-conditioned Single) *per person per night | $45.75 |
| Maple, Willow, Larch, Friley (Air-conditioned Double) *per person per night | $33.00 |
| Martin, Eaton, and Geoffroy Halls (Air-conditioned Single) *per person per night | $53.25 |
| Martin, Eaton, and Geoffroy Halls (Air-conditioned Double) *per person per night | $40.50 |
| Non-Air-conditioned Single room *per person per night | $34.00 |
| Non-Air-conditioned Double room *per person per night | $24.50 |
Keys, Keycards, and Building Access Hours
At check-in for the residence halls, each guest will be issued a key packet containing a room key and a keycard to access their building’s exterior doors. Doors and other access points utilizing a keycard may be accessed by slowly passing the keycard in front of the keycard readers located near the entry point.
If a key, keycard, or keyholder is lost, replacements can be purchased with identification at the appropriate conference desk. Residence hall replacement costs are: $122 for each room/suite key, $10 for each keycard, and $3 for each keyholder.
Bathrooms
Most residence halls have group-style (community-style) bathrooms, with multiple sinks, toilets, and partitioned shower stalls. In areas with group-style bathrooms, male and female guests will be assigned to different bathrooms. Non-binary bathroom options in halls can be arranged upon request.
Maple Hall has individual bathrooms and individual shower rooms located in the center area of each floor, providing complete privacy during occupancy. Martin and Eaton Halls have suite-style bathrooms used only by occupants of the same suite (typically two rooms share the bathroom within the suite).
Internet and Wireless Access for Guests
All residence halls and Frederiksen Court apartments are wireless. Guest access to the internet through the ISU campus network is a service provided by Information Technology Services at ISU. This service allows visitors temporary access to the internet to browse the Web and check their e-mail. Initial guest access is 7 days and after the 7-day period, visitors will not be able to re-register for guest access for 90 days. Steps to use the guest access are:
- Navigate to Network Settings on your wireless device and click “ISUguest”.
- Iowa State’s Network Registration page will automatically open for most devices. If not, please open a web browser and go to https://netreg.iastate.edu.
- Select the specific event you are attending if it is listed and click “Register Here,” or if it is not listed click “Guest Registration Here.”
- Enter your local contact information and click “Next.”
- Read the terms and click “I Agree.” You will be taken to a registration confirmation page.
- Shut down your device completely for at least 5 minutes.
- When you reboot your device you will have access through the ISUguest network.
Parking
In the Richardson Court Residence Halls, parking passes will be available for guests in Lot 63, which is located just north of the Maple-Willow-Larch Commons.
In South Campus Residence Halls, parking passes will be available for guests in Lot 62, which is located just south of Buchanan and Geoffroy Halls. If this lot were to become filled, the alternate lot for guests will be Lot 63, which is located just north of the Maple-Willow-Larch Commons.
In Union Drive Residence Halls, short-term parking will be available for drop-off and pick-up only.
Laundry Facilities
Laundry facilities are available within each residence hall. Washer and dryers are operated with the Speed Queen app (download through Google Play or Apple Store). With the app, you can view available machines, know when your laundry is done and pay! You load money in to the app using a credit or debit card and you’re good to go! Our school code is IOWAST.
Meeting Rooms
During the summer, a variety of Meeting Rooms such as small or medium conference rooms and large lounges in the residence halls are available for rental by conference groups. Consult with Conference Services Staff about your activity needs to find the most suitable, available space.
Conference Desks
The Maple-Willow-Larch (MWL) Conference Desk provides services to the residents of Maple, Willow, Larch and other residence halls on the east side of campus. The Conference Desk is located on the second level of the MWL Commons. The Conference Desk can be reached at 515-294-8401 (dial 4-8401 if calling from a campus phone). Typical desk hours are 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day when guests were living in the area. For after-hours assistance phone number will be available and posted at the desk.
The Martin Conference Desk provides services to the residents of Friley, Helser, Martin, and Eaton Halls on the west side of campus. The Martin Conference Desk is in room 2104 Martin by the east entrance to the building. The Conference Desk can be reached at 515-294-7117 (dial 4-7117 if calling from a campus phone). Typical desk hours are 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day when guests were living in the area. For after-hours assistance phone number will be available and posted at the desk.
During designated times when Geoffroy Hall is occupied, the Geoffroy Conference Desk may be open to provide services to the residents of Geoffroy Hall. The Conference Desk is located in the center of the ground level. When open, the Conference Desk can be reached at 515-294-6172 (dial 4-6172 if calling from a campus phone). Summer desk hours will be determined based on group occupancy and needs of the group.
For after-hours assistance phone number will be available and posted at the desk.
During large conferences, additional desks may be open in other areas. Service hours will be adjusted as needed and publicized to sponsors.
Summer Conference Staff are eager to help serve the guests in our halls. Facilities issues may be reported to the staff at the Desks. For any additional information and assistance please see Conference Service Staff at the desk.
Youth Groups
All programs for participants under the age of 18 are subject to the Youth Activities, Pre-Collegiate Programs and Camps policy and procedures and the Reporting Responsibilities – Violations policy and procedures on the ISU Policy Library website. Sponsor must agree to follow these policies and review the resources and procedures, (including but not limited to procedures regarding background checks). Sponsor must follow and meet all guidelines and procedures outlined through ISU Risk Management.
The Sponsor agrees to perform a background check on all personnel including volunteers working at a Youth Program on ISU property in accordance with the Youth Activities, Pre-Collegiate Programs and Camps policy and procedures. At minimum, the background check shall include checking the National Sex Offender Registry. An individual who has been convicted of an offense for which he/she must register with the Iowa or National Sex Offender Registry may not serve as in any capacity for a youth program at ISU.
All youth programs are required to have adult chaperones (18 years of age or older). According to the American Camp Association (ACA), the number of chaperones required may vary, and the ratio is determined by age and special needs. Minimum ACA-recommended ratios are: One chaperone for every five participants 5 and younger; one chaperone for every six participants ages 6 to 8; one chaperone for every eight participants ages 9 to 14; and one chaperone for every ten participants ages 15 to 17. Exceptions may be granted by the Department of Residence upon consultation with ISU’s Office of Risk Management.
Programs with a majority of participants under 18 years of age require a short presentation by the Sponsor’s staff to the Sponsor’s participants and chaperones. Sponsor’s staff will explain behavior expectations and Department regulations as given to them by Department staff in writing. The presentation must be held no later than 10 p.m. on the day participants check-in. The time should be scheduled within 30 minutes after the end of the check-in period, or at 9:30 p.m. on check-in day.
Sponsors will be required to have every minor child unaccompanied by a legal guardian provide the Sponsor an Emergency Contact and Medical Information Form which includes a medical release for hospital treatment or treatment by a physician. Sponsors may use their own form or use a form provided by Iowa State University. These forms must be in the possession of the Sponsor during the camp or conference. Sponsor agrees to have the parental/guardian of youth under 18 sign a permission agreement for participation in the program.
Dining Options for Groups Under 2 Weeks
ISU Dining, our award-winning, self-operated campus dining provider, prides itself on providing a variety of quality culinary experiences to our university community and guests. ISU Dining offers several residential dining centers, markets, cafés, vending areas, and restaurants across the ISU campus. ISU Catering is part of ISU Dining’s network of services. All the right details will be present for any catered event from a simple boxed meal to a meeting break to a five-course dinner. Both on-campus and off-campus caterings are available, and many Iowa State University campus locations can be served. See Dining Options for Groups Under 2 Weeks.
Accommodations Request and Contracting
For housing and dining availability, contact our Conference Services Staff. Housing in specific areas is subject to availability of space and facilities projects each summer.