Welcome to Iowa State University Main Campus

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Welcome to Iowa State

Tour stop audio transcript

Welcome to Iowa State University! We look forward to showing you our beautiful campus and the numerous opportunities Iowa State has to offer. Before we get started, let me explain some of the ways you can explore during the tour. In case this is your first visit, here are some tips to help you get started: To jump to the next destination, select the Next button on the right side of your screen. Or, if you already know where you want to go, simply select that location from the list on the sidebar OR directly on the map below. And remember to explore each destination in more detail by clicking the interactive icons included throughout each location.

Student Innovation Center

Tour stop audio transcript

The Student Innovation Center is a centerpiece of innovation and collaboration on campus. Open to all students, this facility provides a variety of labs and workspaces including a metal and wood working shop, Gaffer's Guild, 3D printing shop, a virtual reality lab, culinary creation lab, and more. Students can take advantage of numerous study rooms and student organization office spaces within the building. Stop by the fourth floor to grab a coffee from the Sparks café or visit the student-run Innovate 1858 store on the first floor.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is ranked as one of the top agriculture programs in the nation and offers 28 different majors for students to choose from. The college hosts the nation's largest agriculture career fair with more than 200 companies and organizations participating. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences awards millions of dollars in scholarships each year and has a job placement rate of 98 percent for undergraduate students (within six months of graduating).

College of Design

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Iowa State's College of Design is one of the country's most comprehensive design institutions, offering more than ten undergraduate majors- most of which are nationally ranked- under one roof. Here, you'll get hands-on experience working on projects with public, private, and nonprofit organizations in the US and beyond. Sustainability, social change, and caring for others through design are common themes in coursework. Most undergraduate students enter the College of Design as pre-majors and complete a set of five foundational design courses along with general education classes during their first year before applying to their majors.

College of Engineering

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The College of Engineering offers 14 undergraduate majors and a popular undeclared program for students who need more information their first year to decide which major. The engineering section of campus has 12 buildings – including the Student Innovation Center – located together for easy access. Students have the opportunity for hands-on experience through their classroom work, internships and research opportunities. The college provides academic advisors for each major and dedicated engineering career services professionals. With 1,400 companies recruiting our students each year, it’s no wonder our graduates are in high demand. The student experience includes more than 90 engineering student clubs and organizations, learning communities, study abroad programs and leadership opportunities.

College of Human Sciences

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The College of Human Sciences is educating the next generation of health professionals, athletic trainers, teachers, food scientists, dietitians, fashion designers, event planners, financial counselors and those looking for a career helping others. All 17 undergraduate majors have a strong foundation in science combined with hands-on experience. With over 95% of students finding careers in their field, you’re well-prepared to enter the workforce, get a master’s degree or attend a health professional school. MacKay Hall is home to our nationally-ranked Apparel, Events and Hospitality Management program. You’ll find textile-science labs and a student-run restaurant. Our college’s welcome center; student and career support teams; and multicultural programs are also in MacKay.

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

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You can do anything in the academically diverse College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS), from gene-editing research to climate science. With majors that range from English to computer science to psychology, your path toward a meaningful career, graduate school, or a future in health, law, or medicine is just beginning. If you’re still exploring majors, you can start in the Open Option program while progressing toward graduation. We’ll also support and encourage your involvement in internships, undergraduate research, innovation and entrepreneurship, learning communities, and study abroad.

Ivy College of Business

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The Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business is where high-caliber academics meet the real world. In the largest undergraduate business college in Iowa and the second largest business school in the Big 12, tomorrow's business leaders are prepared to explore their passion, identify their purpose, and pursue careers to impact the world of business. Offering 14 academic programs and opportunities beyond the classroom, Ivy is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). The newly expanded Gerdin Business Building is where internationally-known faculty and staff come together to deliver business education and support for students who are preparing to enter the global world of business.

Residence Life

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Iowa State is a residental campus offering 19 different on-campus residence halls serving thousands of students each year. 92 percent of first-year students choose to live in the residence halls. Two main styles of residence hall living are offered. Traditional-style residence halls provide double occupany rooms with a community restroom shared by the floor. Suite-style residence halls feature two double rooms that are connected by a common restroom. Each residence hall includes various common areas, study rooms, and game rooms for residents to hang out with their friends and relax. Iowa State also provides gender inclusive housing options for interested students.

Food (Dining)

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ISU Dining has you covered for all of your food needs on campus! With over 20 locations across campus, ISU Dining provides a variety of food and drink options. Students living in most residence halls are required to have a meal plan, which gives them access to several all-you-care-to-eat dining centers, including Union Drive Marketplace, seen here. Meal plans also include "Flex Meals" for to-go meals around campus and "Dining Dollars" to be used as a coffee and snack budget. A variety of markets, cafes, and fast casual options keep you covered through your entire Iowa State experience. ISU Dining is also the largest employer of students on campus.

Student Health/Wellness

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Iowa State makes student physical, mental, and emotional health a priority through Student Health and Wellness programs. Recreation Services features three indoor recreation facilities including State Gym. The facilities provide numerous amenities beyond your typical weight and cardio space including a Gaming and E-Sports Room. Iowa State is home to one of the largest intramural sports programs in the nation hosting over 40 programs yearly. Thielen Student Health Center is a full-service medical clinic staffed with physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses. Student Wellness provides numerous resources to students to promote emotional wellness. Student Counseling Services offers free, confidential mental health services for students from licensed psychologists and counselers.

Parks Library

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Parks Library is the main library on campus. Within the library's five floors and seven tiers, students will find a variety of dynamic spaces including group study rooms, project areas, and quiet spaces. The library houses almost three million books and an extensive online library. The IT Solution Center is available for technology assistance. Iowa State is home to one of the largest campus public art programs in the United States with over 2,000 works of public art on campus. Grant Wood, a famous Iowa painter known for "American Gothic," created his largest murals in the 1930s, one of which is located near the Bookends Café in Parks Library.

Academic Resources

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Academic success is a centerpiece of the Iowa State experience. The Hixson-Lied Student Success Center provides resources through the Academic Success Center. Students in difficult 100 and 200 level courses receive free review sessions from upper level students in the class previously through our Supplemental Instruction program. Paid tutoring services are available in small group sessions for five dollars per session. The Academic Success Center also provides one-on-one academic coaching and workshops. The Writing and Media Center helps students become stronger, more confident communicators through peer tutoring for written, oral, visual, or electronic communication.

Honors

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The University Honors Program at Iowa State promotes an enriched academic environment for students of high ability, regardless of major, who are interested in taking advantage of educational and intellectual opportunities and challenges. More than 1,000 students participate in Honors. Benefits of the program include early research opportunities, in-class and out-of-class activities including leadership opportunities, close connections with peers and faculty, and priority course registration. The Martin C. Jischke Honors Building houses the University Honors Program and Honors students have 24-hour access to this facility.

Memorial Union

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The heart of campus and the center of student activity is the Memorial Union. The Memorial Union houses student gathering space, a food court, bowling alley, entertainment venue, and bookstore. The Workspace provides arts and crafts opportunities and the Maintenance Shop is a small concert venue that features local artists and Open Mic nights. The Student Engagement office offers over 800 clubs for students to join. Many university office spaces call the Memorial Union home, including the Multicultural Center, Soults Family Visitor Center, Military-Affiliated Student Center, Office of Sorority and Fraternity Engagement, The Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success, International Students and Scholars Office, and New Student Programs.

Campanile/Central Campus

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Built in 1897, the Campanile contains 50 bells and stands 110 feet tall with over 21,000 bricks. The bells chime every 15 minutes and on the hour. Iowa State music professor Tin-Shi Tam climbs to the top of the Campanile on weekdays to play the carillon over the noon hour during the academic year. Special requests are taken on Fridays. The Campanile sits on the 20-acre Central Campus lawn. Central Campus is the perfect spot to hang up your hammock, play a game of frisbee, study, and take in the sun.

Beardshear Hall

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Beardshear Hall is the main administrative building at Iowa State. Built in 1902, the building houses the offices of the president, vice president, and provost. Offices also located in Beardshear Hall include Accounts Receivable, the Office of Student Financial Aid, and the ISU Card office.

Lake LaVerne

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Lake LaVerne is home to Iowa State's most famous residents, swans Lancelot and Elaine. The swans have been making Lake LaVerne home since 1935 (since that time there have been numerous Lancelots and Elaines). Iowa State tradition states if you walk around Lake LaVerne three times in silence with your beloved, you are destined to be together.

Athletics

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Iowa State participates in Division I college athletics and is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Jack Trice Stadium was named after Iowa State's first Black athlete. Trice died from injuries sustained during a football game in 1923. The stadium is the only one at the nation's major college football schools to be named for a Black man. James H. Hilton Coliseum is home to men's and women's basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and wrestling. Iowa State's proud fan base in Hilton Coliseum produces a powerful phenomenon called Hilton Magic, which helps lead our Cyclones to victory.

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