What's happening in Student Affairs

The Maintenance Shop: Pleasing ears for 50 years

November – December, 2024

For centuries the relationship between music and stained glass has evoked spiritual experiences most commonly associated with sacred settings. For half a century, live music and stained glass have transformed the Maintenance Shop in Ames into one of Iowa’s revered artistic spaces where musicians and fans revel in the joy of secular music that transcends culture and time.


Free haircuts offered to students of all hair types at Parks Library

November 10, 2024

Parks Library hosted its third free haircut clinic Friday, providing barbers and stylists who specialize in all types of hair.


The hidden crafting corral in the basement of the Memorial Union

November 4, 2024

Crafting opportunities can be difficult to come by in college. With limited supplies and money, many college students have to leave their crafting hobbies at home. Luckily, inside the Memorial Union is the Workspace: a crafting place for everyone.


Main Lounge Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening

September 20, 2024

After two years of renovations, join us for a grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration featuring the new Main Lounge on the second floor of the Memorial Union. Guests may enjoy cake and refreshments after the ribbon cutting. All are welcome to attend this event.


Harnessing data to strengthen the student experience

September 19, 2024

Sometimes it's best to let the data tell the story. The office of assessment, research and divisional effectiveness in the Division of Student Affairs excels at studying data to inform decisions on university policies and programs and help students achieve their goals.


Students helping peers: A record-setting collection

August 1, 2024

At move-out time every May since 2008, the department of residence (DOR) partners with United Way of Story County on a food collection drive. At locations in each residence hall and apartment community, students may donate unopened, nonperishable food items for distribution to food pantries in Ames. For example, in 2023, the donations went to the Salvation Army, Mid-Iowa Community Action and the Bethesda Food Pantry.


Welcome Chad Garland

April 18, 2024

Chad Garland began serving as director of the Memorial Union (MU) on April 15. With ISU Dining and the residence department, the MU makes up the campus life unit in the division of student affairs.


Enhancing campus wellness: Students reflect on Wellness Wednesday

April 3, 2024

Student Health and Wellness collaborated with Parks Library Wednesday to host Wellness Wednesdays, a chance for students to take a break, focus on their mental health and engage with members of the campus community while de-stressing.


Student Wellness on Iowa State campus

November 26, 2023

Iowa State University offers student wellness services throughout the entire academic semester. However, supporting students at the end of the semester is important to Student Counseling Services (SCS).


Iowa State partnership hires specialized skills support coordinator

November 5, 2023

The Iowa State Academic Success Center (ASC) has partnered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to hire an academic coordinator for neurodiverse students seeking guidance.


Dining halls tackle inclusivity and special diets

November 1, 2023

Students with dietary restrictions, allergies and special diets can find options for food on campus, due to efforts from ISU Dining.


Gold Star Hall Ceremony to honor three fallen heroes who attended Iowa State

October 30, 2023

The Iowa State University community will honor three veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice during the annual Gold Star Hall Ceremony on Nov. 6.


Military-Affiliated Student Center provides transition support to student veterans

October 29, 2023

Madison Lihs, a senior in history and a member of the Air National Guard, said she got back from military training right before her spring semester at Iowa State would begin in 2020.


Alleviating food insecurity at the SHOP Food Pantry

October 17, 2023

The rumble of fully loaded carts echoed down a hallway in Beyer Hall on a late-summer morning as volunteers unloaded about 3,500 pounds of food from a truck for delivery to the SHOP Food Pantry.


Student Engagement hosts leadership workshop on student organizations

October 3, 2023

Iowa State Student Engagement hosted a workshop Tuesday in the Memorial Union aimed at teaching students about how to start organizations on campus, the steps to receive recognition and how to go about revising an organization’s constitution.


CyBowl Buck Bowling offers affordable entertainment for students

September 25, 2023

Located in the basement of the Memorial Union, Cybowl has provided students and visitors with affordable and exciting entertainment since 1939.


Sloss Center continues to foster community, support on campus

August 28, 2023

The Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity continues to provide a safe space for students and a hub for resources and activities on campus, according to Jehan Faisal, assistant director of the Sloss Center.


Live at the Maintenance Shop: Behind the Venue's History

May 1, 2023

It’s a Friday evening in 1984, and the crowd at the Memorial Union’s upper terrace is tightly packed to watch the next band perform. Students gather around the stage, holding plastic cups full of Miller High Life. Some clutch crumpled dollar bills in anticipation of kegs; others enjoy the excitement brought by the F.A.C. – Friday Afternoon Club – pack.


Polar Plunge raises more than $250,000 for Special Olympics

April 2, 2023

A student eagerly awaits to dive into a small pool of ice-cold water as the warmth of the sun shines down on them. When it is finally their turn, they hold their breath and jump off what feels like an endless cliff before finally getting the most euphoric shock of their lives. They are submerged for only a few seconds before they finally return to land and dry off.


Symposium turns words into action

February 9, 2023

University public health coordinator Kristen Clark and associate director of the student health center Ashley Pick congratulated the inaugural Health and Wellbeing Champion, Carmen Flagge, during the opening session of the university's first Health and Wellness Symposium Feb. 3. Students could nominate faculty or staff for the honor as part of their registration for the event.


CyBowl rises in popularity following recent updates

February 8, 2023

Students passing through the first floor of the Memorial Union will be greeted with the sight of a newly-renovated CyBowl and Billiards waiting for someone to go for a game of bowling. CyBowl and Billiards have undergone renovations to provide an improved experience for students and give them a space to relax and go bowling.