Physical Facilities and University Services

The Idaho State University campus encompasses over 1,100 acres of property. Its 105 buildings are surrounded by 180 acres of attractively maintained landscape. There are over 5,600 parking spaces available throughout the campus.

For convenience, a free on-campus shuttle bus is available during the fall and spring semesters. Riding a bicycle is also a popular way to get around campus. The campus is located just off of I-15, making access very easy. The university commuter bus system brings students to the campus from over 70 miles away from Idaho Falls, neighboring towns, and areas in between.

All academic units are housed in the various campus buildings ranging from the oldest, Frazier Hall (built in 1925), to the newest, the Rendezvous Building (completed in 2008). The Rendezvous is a 256,000 square foot, multi-use facility located in the center of campus. It contains 82 student suites that house 300 students, a core food service facility to serve housing students and retail customers, and an academic building with 31 classrooms, two computer labs, and a 250-seat lecture hall/future planetarium. The Rendezvous also serves students with a 120-seat drop-in computer lab and numerous styles of study and relaxation spaces. This expansive facility creates a new living, learning, studying, social, and academic heart for the campus.

The L. E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center, completed in 2004, is located on 16.8 acres, high on a hill on the perimeter of the campus, adjacent to I-15. This 123,000 square foot facility includes a 1200-seat concert hall, an elegant rotunda, a 446-seat thrust theatre, and a 200-seat Black Box theatre. The three-level concert hall, the Center’s largest venue, incorporates state-of-the-art design and technology to optimize sound. The Center also includes classroom space, offices for the Department of Theatre and Dance, and a conference room. The facility and the various wonderful performances it presents are a must-see part of campus.

In 2011, ISU purchased the Ballard Medical/Kimberly Clark building, which the university repurposed as a research facility. Renamed in 2017, the William M. and Karin A. Eames Advanced Technical Education and Innovation Complex now houses several programs from the College of Technology, allowing the College to expand its programs and provide opportunities for research.

Occupied in 1971, Holt Arena was the first enclosed football stadium on any university campus. The arena is used for football and basketball games, indoor track meets, and various trade and garden shows, as well as monster truck exhibitions. Students especially look forward to the Spring and Winter Commencement Ceremonies held in Holt Arena.

Remodeled in 2002, Reed Gymnasium provides a unique and exciting venue for basketball games, volleyball, and other sporting events. A world-class climbing wall is located in the Recreation Center along with racquetball courts, a running track, weight rooms, and other sports equipment as well as an Olympic-size swimming pool. The Recreation Center was expanded in 1996. A new $7.7 million expansion, completed in April 2010, includes weight, cardio-training and fitness areas, dance/multipurpose rooms, offices, and a lobby.

A new NCAA Women’s Softball Field and locker room facilities have been completed and provide a competition-level practice and performance field for the ISU women’s softball team.  

Historic Davis Field provides a well-maintained, multi-use field and outdoor running track where Idaho State University hosts a variety of events including soccer and track tournaments and Special Olympics. Bartz Field is a 30-acre, dog-friendly field used for events such as softball, archery, sledding, cross country, golf, and rugby. The Pocatello Greenway passes through the campus above Davis Field, connecting with 13 miles of trail through the Portneuf Valley.

Remodeling and updates of the campus are an ongoing process. All of the campus buildings are accessible to the disabled.

Outdoor recreation opportunities abound on the many acres of developed and undeveloped campus grounds. A disc golf course, challenging cross-country course, vertical challenge tower, bike trails, jogging trails, hiking areas, and walking paths are part of the Idaho State University campus. Softball, track, ultimate frisbee, soccer, and rugby are all options for the active student. Summer and winter sports, including rock climbing, skiing, and snowboarding, are also available only minutes away in the beautiful mountains surrounding the city. Just 35 miles away, located in the mountainous valley of the Portneuf River on the old route of the Oregon Trail and California Trail, the city of Lava Hot Springs is a popular resort location, noted for its numerous hot springs amenable to bathing, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and unique shops and restaurants.

The ISU-Idaho Falls campus provides modern classroom facilities and a student union. The university also has many outreach centers available to assist students in Southeast Idaho, Twin Falls, and Meridian.

Opened in October 2008, the Center for Advanced Energy Studies or “CAES” Building is a world-class research facility with offices and laboratories for collaborative projects between Idaho State University, Boise State University, the University of Idaho, and Idaho National Laboratory scientists and engineers. It is certified as a LEED Gold building and located on our Idaho Falls campus. It is a 55,000 square foot, $18 million facility and includes a fluids lab, advanced materials lab, imaging suite, radio chemistry and chemistry labs, systems modeling, power wall, and visualization cave.
 

Opened in August 2009, the 200,000 square foot ISU-Meridian Health Sciences Center includes programs with an emphasis on health sciences, consolidating programs already leasing space in Meridian and the Treasure Valley. A building addition is currently underway to support the expansion of programs in Meridian and to support further ISU’s relationship with the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine collocated on our Meridian campus.

The University Bookstore

The ISU Bookstore, called the University Bookstore, is located in the lower level of the Pond Student Union. The bookstore carries both new and used textbooks for all your courses, as well as school and office supplies, Bengal gear and gifts, and general interest books.

Bookstore hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday during the fall and spring semesters, and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday during the summer. The bookstore can be reached at 208-282-3237, or online at http://www.isustore.com. The University Place Bookstore is located at the Idaho Falls campus, and they can be reached at 208-282-7940. The University Place bookstore is only open for one week prior to the start of the semester, the first and last week of the semester, and a week after the semester ends.

  Students can purchase their textbooks online by going to their concise class schedule, which can be found under Registration Tools on the Academic Tools page of MyISU. On the Concise Student Schedule, go to the bottom of the page and click on the link corresponding to your campus: "Buy Pocatello Books" or "Buy Idaho Falls Books."

Refunds will be paid with receipt through the first week of classes for fall and spring semesters, and during the first two days of summer classes. Refunds, with receipt, will be paid through the drop/add period with proof of dropped class. All refunded books must be returned in the condition purchased; new books that are marked or damaged will be refunded at the used book price. See store for details.

Information Technology Services

Idaho State University's Information Technology Services (ITS) is dedicated to meeting the computing needs of ISU's students. ITS maintains nine full-service computer labs in Pocatello, three in Idaho Falls, and two in Meridian. Visit our Classrooms and Computer Labs page for more information on locations, hours, capacity, and software available in each lab. Students get ~500 pages of free black and white printing each semester. We also offer PawPrint, a cloud printing service that enables you to upload a document from anywhere to a PawPrint station on campus. You then go to the print station to release and retrieve your document.   

Many individual departments operate additional computer labs (partially supported by ITS) that often feature specialized discipline-specific software. ITS also provides wireless access (TigerNet) for students on campus who have their own mobile devices/laptops.

All ISU students are automatically given a free ISU email account with an assigned email address. ISU uses this account for ALL official communication, from waitlist notifications to pending deadlines. Students should check their ISU email often or forward it to their preferred email address to avoid missing important university messages. 

MyISU provides one-stop, personalized access to all of ISU's electronic resources. Students can use it to register for classes, print out class schedules, find book lists and campus maps, check on financial aid, pay for classes and fees, construct a graduation plan, check on grades, and request a transcript. It also provides links to campus news, advising, housing, library services, movie schedules, employment opportunities, and TigerTracks (an online resource for requesting help or looking up answers to questions). 

The IT Service Desk provides technology support to students accessing IT services by calling 208-282-HELP (4357), emailing help@isu.edu, or by visiting one of the walk-in service locations

Student Unions

Idaho State University offers student union services in three locations: the Earl R. Pond Student Union and Hypostyle (Pocatello lower campus), the Samuel H. Bennion Student Union (Idaho Falls), and Union facilities in the new Rendezvous Center (Pocatello mid campus). These locations serve the campus as focal points for experiential education and provide student opportunities for campus employment.

The Earl R. Pond Student Union provides students with: lounges, automatic teller machine, food service, bowling, billiards, movie theater, computer lab, copy service, ballroom, bookstore, meeting rooms, and much more. This facility is in constant use by students, organizations, university departments, and community groups.

The Pond Student Union and the Union Hypostyle house offices for the Associated Students of Idaho State University (ASISU), Student Affairs, including the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, AVP and Dean of Students (University Judicial Officer), The Bengal student newspaper, the Outdoor Adventure Center (comprised of C.W. HOG, Outdoor Program, and Outdoor Adventure Rentals), Craft Shop, Idaho State University Mail Center, KISU-FM Public Radio, Student Leadership and Engagement, Scheduling and Event Services, Student Activities Board (SAB), Student Organizations and Greek Life, University Food Services, Lookout Credit Union, and the Bengal Card Services office.

The Samuel H. Bennion Student Union provides students with a study/exercise lounge, automatic teller machine, food service area, computer lab, multi-purpose room, bookstore, meeting rooms, Parking and Bengal Card Services, Counseling, Testing, Career Services, and the offices of Student Services.

The Rendezvous Center offers additional student lounging areas, automatic teller machine, food service areas, computer lab, meeting rooms, and a convenience store.

University Housing

https://www.isu.edu/housing
email: reslife@isu.edu
208-282-2120
745 S. 5th Avenue, Stop 8083
Pocatello, ID 83209-8083

According to the American Council on Education, students who live on campus are more likely to succeed academically than students who live off campus. This includes earning higher grades and being more likely to complete a college degree. University Housing is here to contribute to your success at Idaho State University.

Housing Options

University Housing offers traditional residence halls and suites, as well as apartments. Traditional age first-year students are eligible to live in either the residence halls or the suites; however, returning students have priority and availability in the suites can be limited.  On-campus apartments are available for sophomores and above, married students, and students with children. Floor plans and photos, as well as pricing, can be found at https://www.isu.edu/housing. The housing fee covers all utilities, free laundry, and wireless internet. 

Food Service

University food service is required for first-year and second-year students living in the residence halls, and is an option for other students, regardless of whether they live on campus. More information can be found at https://www.isu.edu/housing/meal-plans/.

To Apply

Applying for University Housing is separate from application to Idaho State University. Housing applications are completed and submitted online. To apply, simply go to the Housing website (https://www.isu.edu/housing) and then click the “Apply Now” link, or the link can be found through the MyISU portal, under University Resources. Then select either the residence hall or apartment application. If you have questions please email reslife@isu.edu.

University Libraries

The Oboler Library, named for a former Library Director and intellectual freedom luminary, Eli M. Oboler, provides academic collections and services for the Idaho State University community.  Two other ISU Library facilities provide service to ISU students, staff, and faculty: the ISU Library-Idaho Falls and the ISU Library-Meridian.  The Oboler Library is located on the Pocatello campus, and includes the Idaho Health Sciences Library (IHSL) and the Arthur P. Oliver Law Library.

Collections provided by the University Libraries include books, journals, newspapers, maps, governmental publications, streaming media collections, databases, special collections, and university archives.  Services provided by the University Libraries include reference and research assistance, library instruction, interlibrary loan, and reserves.  Visit the University Libraries at http://www.isu.edu/library.

Library Courses

LLIB 1115 Introduction to Information Research: 3 semester hours. Develop life-long strategies for recognizing when you need information, locating it, evaluating it, and using it effectively and ethically. Explore a variety of tools and formats in order to find sources worth using/citing in support of academic projects. Satisfies Objective 8 of the General Education Requirements. F, S

LLIB 1125 Introduction to Health Information Research: 3 semester hours. Develop life-long strategies for recognizing when you need health information, as well as how to find it, evaluate it, and use this information effectively and ethically. This course will focus on concepts such as evidence-based practice, developing a well-built clinical question, searching biomedical information resources, and using health-science research techniques. S

Graduate Programs and Graduate Courses

Idaho State University offers many master’s and several doctoral programs as well as a Family Practice Residency Training Program for physicians. Numerous graduate courses are delivered in almost all ­disciplines. Undergraduates who are last semester seniors may take up to six credits at the graduate level in the 5000 series with ­permission. Enrollment in graduate courses requires admission to graduate school, ­except for the professional development courses that are the 5597 series. Students accepted into an Accelerated Program may take up to twelve graduate credits within their program of study with the permission of their Accelerated Program advisor. For additional information regarding graduate courses and ­programs of study, please see the Graduate Catalog.