Iowa State Will Reopen Sloss House in Spring 2027
The historic building will return as a support center for commuter students following renovations.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Women’s Issues
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Iowa State University has announced plans to reopen the 142-year-old Sloss House in spring 2027. The facility will be repurposed to house Parent and Family Programs as well as Off-Campus Student Support.
Why it matters
The decision to close the existing Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity, which opened in 1981, comes amid shifts in Iowa law and internal staff turnover. University officials aim to create a more consistent support model for the roughly two-thirds of the student body living off campus.
The 142-year-old Sloss House will be refurbished to include new study spaces and lockers for commuter students. Nearly 300 students signed a formal petition regarding the status of the historic building.
The players
Iowa State University
This is a public land-grant research university based in Ames that manages student support services and campus facilities.
Dean of Students Office
This university department is responsible for managing student support programs, facility usage, and policy compliance at Iowa State University.
The details
The renovated space will be overseen by an assistant dean of students and will feature dedicated staff offices on the second floor. While the Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity is closing, the university continues to operate other support facilities, including the SHOP food pantry in 1306 Beyer Hall and the Parenting Resource Pantry at 2623 Bruner Dr.
Timeline
The Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity was established in 1981.
A student met with official Van Dyke last Wednesday to discuss concerns.
The Dean of Students Office released the official plan the following day.
The Sloss House is currently scheduled to reopen in spring 2027.
Culture Shift
This project reflects a broader trend of universities reallocating historic campus spaces to better serve the needs of the modern, off-campus commuter student population. It signals a move away from legacy equity centers toward centralized administrative support hubs.
Commuter students can anticipate new access to study spaces and lockers once the facility reopens in 2027. Students who previously utilized the Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity will need to adjust their routines to utilize the newly designated support offices.
The takeaway
The university's plan highlights an evolving approach to student engagement by prioritizing centralized amenities for the off-campus population. Residents and students should monitor university updates to track the progress of the building's refurbishment and future service availability.
Further reading
Learn more about the local campus community in the Women’s Issues section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Iowa State Daily.
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