Looking for a good location for access to classes, good quality building, maybe newly remodeled, maybe an engineering floor or pod. Any recommendations? We heard Maple, Larch were good.
Lots of other posts talk about Friley being the best choice. Any negatives about it?
@CiscoLake This link might be helpful, concerning residential learning communities. http://www.housing.iastate.edu/places/rlc-th You will see communities for most of the engineering majors. Now, mechanical engineering is such a huge major (most popular at ISU). There are non-residential communities for mechanical engineering, the mechanical engineering learning teams.
I don’t have any inside information. My son has been admitted in ME, so we would also like more information. We have visited campus but are not from Iowa.
Engineering students typically live in Martin or Eaton, because they are on the same side of campus as the engineering buildings
After researching the options, my son signed up for Starbuck, the Honors floor in Martin. Here’s the summary that I put together for him in an email.
Here’s an interactive Map: http://www.fpm.iastate.edu/maps/ Current Housing Rates. http://housing.iastate.edu/rates/2015
Martin Hall is just south of the Engineering complex in the Union Drive neighborhood. It has an Honors Floor (Starbuck), Suite Style rooms, lofted beds, and air-conditioning (very nice in late spring and early fall!), http://www.housing.iastate.edu/places/halls/martin Mail & Dining are located in the Union Drive Community Center. Another close dining option is Clyde’s, a sports bar type atmosphere. There is also a convenience store nearby. Based on the information and video. Martin Hall does cost more @ $5933/year.
Lorch-Russell, on the fifth floor of Friley (the large dorm we got lost in) is an Honors cluster. These are traditional-type rooms, with non-lofted beds. This part of Friley Hall is air-conditioned. This would also be a convenient location, and costs less @ $4334/yr. http://www.housing.iastate.edu/places/halls/friley http://www.housing.iastate.edu/places/house?id=42 Dining options would be the same as for Martin Hall.
The other Honors Floors are in Barton Hall and Lyon Hall, well east of the Union. These dorms are each 100-years old and not air-conditioned. $4279/yr.
The other Honors Cluster is in Larch Hall on the eastern edge of campus. This is traditional style, just renovated, and air-conditioned. $4334/yr.
Meal Plans. The Gold plan (14 meals/week and $200 dining dollars) is currently $3,791/year. http://www.dining.iastate.edu/meal-plans/options
Assuming the Gold plan, total room and board for Martin Hall would be $9724/year; for Lorch-Russell in Friley it would be $8125/yr.