Iowa State University Memorial Union — Local services in Ames

Iowa State University’s memorial union is located very conveniently between Campustown and the rest of the university. There is a wide variety of food options at the dining centers inside plus it contains a Panda Express as well! The bowling alley on the bottom floor is a great spot for students to hang out as long as it doesn’t get too crowded. In addition, the memorial union also houses the Iowa State University bookstore, which is packed with Cyclone-based merchandise.

Upon reading this review, one might ask “Why is this only a two star review?” The following information is the answer to this question. Occasionally, the Memorial Union hosts events that are way too big and crowded considering the limited amount of space they have. One remarkable event like this occurred in early November of 2023, when Giancarlo Esposito, actor of Moff Gideon from ‘The Mandalorian,’ came to speak to students and fans at a relatively large auditorium in the memorial union (although not large enough to fit in all the people trying to cram into the room to see him).

I arrived there about 3 hours early, knowing it was going to be insanely crowded very soon. My brother arrived late and he got stuck in a long line that was supposedly ( according to the staff monitoring the event) stretching practically outside the building! I tried reserving the seat for him, but the room was already filled to maximum capacity!

15 minutes before Giancarlo Esposito was supposed to appear in front of all the students and fans, the fire alarms started blaring all over the memorial union. This was met with boos and obscene language from the crowd. Shortly afterwards, the staff ordered students to evacuate the building. The densely packed crowd of hundreds moved out of the building, and after some 15 minutes, the building was cleared for everyone to return inside. What happened next was absolute chaos! The mass of students of Iowa State and fans of Giancarlo Esposito tried racing back inside to get a chance to see him in person, and violent language and fist throwing broke out among the crowd! It was like a riot!!! My brother and I just left the place, not wanting to be involved in the mayhem.

If you think that I just made that story up, I didn’t. Other students that were at that event can testify for the chaos that erupted that night. Some of them even mentioned that it was a student, most likely stuck in line, that pulled the fire alarm. Regardless, the ones organizing events here at Iowa State University might need to consider hosting large scale events like this in the massive Hilton Colosseum as opposed to the Memorial Union. This is where I end my excessively lengthy review about the Iowa State...

Very beautiful and attractive building. Facilitatates all new comers (either student who got new admission or scholar including visiting, short-term and research, also Postdoctoral candidates as well as internee). All of them are subjected to their country but here in Iowa State University as well as in Ames, they are righteously guided by the International Students Scholar Office and other concerned officials. Staff is very cooperative and helpful. They just leave their ongoing work and walk through with you to guide you specific office or room. They have Smile all the time on their face. They engage students and above mentioned categorically scientists in different positive and fruitful activities to interact with each other for the respectful and responsible duties. The Building also includes, Conference Rooms, Meeting Rooms, Art Exhibition, Orientation Rooms, Food Facilities, and more. Another most important thing to share is, the Entrance Hall of the Memorial Union Building is honored with the names of the those Alumni of the ISU who served Army during WWI and II as well as in Kuwait. Long Live ISU. Long Live...

The Memorial Union is a very confusing building that consists of 4 floors with multiple entry points. It houses everything from the University Book Store to everyone's favorite Panda Express. My favorite quiet place in the MU is the Underground in basement, where a terrible bowling alley, a bunch of pool tables, and a small arcade resides. There used to be a hotel above the public floors, but the fate of these hotel floors has been uncertain ever since the hotel was closed and the MU renovation fee proposal was voted down by the students. Parking at the MU ramp is relatively expensive, so beware of the potential surprise when paying for your...