UI may convert Iowa House hotel to dorm

The University of Iowa is considering converting a campus hotel into a residence hall to ease overcrowding.

Campus housing is over capacity, and officials are looking for alternatives. One idea is to convert the 112-room Iowa House Hotel at the Iowa Memorial Union into a dormitory.

University spokesman Von Stange says up to 97 percent of first-year students live on campus. Residents halls are over capacity by 100 to 160 students a year. Stange says with plans to expand the student body, the university could be short more than 400 beds before long.

Iowa Board of Regents member Bob Downer has suggested razing an older residence hall and building a new one. University officials say such a project could cost about $60 million.

-- Associated Press