Amenities
Lounges
Cowles Hall has two large lounges located on the first and second floors. Both lounges are equipped with a large tv, comfortable seating, and several tables to use for studying. The second floor lounge is attached to a kitchen.
Kitchens
Cowles has one kitchen on the second floor with a refrigerator, stove/oven, sink, and microwave. This is a great space to cook a meal together. The kitchen is located next to a large lounge.
Storage
Storage is available in the form of a trunk room located in the basement of Clark Hall. Please contact C&K or the Department of Residence Life for inquiries.
Bathrooms
Cowles first floor offers one gender-inclusive shower/restroom. The second and third floors each have two gender-inclusive restrooms with showers.
Laundry
Residents can use laundry facilities located on the first floor. Cowles Hall houses three washing machines and six dryers.
Computer Lab
Cowled Hall does not contain a computer lab.
Recycling
Recycling bins and trash bins are located on each floor of Cowles Hall.
Air Conditioning and Heating
Cowles Hall offers heating and air conditioning.
Elevators
The upper floors of Cowles are not accessible by elevator.
History
Cowles Hall is located on North Campus near the Physical Education Complex and Harris Center. It was made possible by a gift from the Cowles Foundation in 1941.
President Samuel Stevens anticipated the need for better facilities during World War II and quickly built Cowles Hall and Darby Gym in 1942 to accommodate the Officers’ Candidate School. It was not available for civilian use until 1945.
With the completion of the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center and its new dining facilities, Cowles and Quad dining halls were no longer needed. Cowles dining was retrofitted to provide additional housing. The Des Moines architectural firm Herbert Lewis Kruse & Blunk designed the retrofit, and completion of the project was done by Neumann Design Build.
Details
1942