Beardshear Hall, located on the west side of Central Campus, is known for where all your tuition money goes to. A common rumor students pass around is the green dome located on top of Beardshear Hall is to represent students’ money.

Built in 1906, Beardshear Hall is home to the offices of the president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, registrar, student financial aid and the provost of Iowa State University. 

Originally, these offices were located in Old Main, which was located where Beardshear currently stands. However, Old Main burned down in 1900.  Quickly after the fire, president William Beardshear started rebuilding the central offices building. 

The new building was built to be completely fireproof, including bedford stones and scagliola columns that deceivingly looked like marble. The building is so fireproof, the only thing that can catch fire in the building is the hardwood furniture.

In 1938, the building was renamed Beardshear Hall in honor of president William Beardshear, who was president of the institution when planning the construction stages of the then called Central Building.

The original building not only contained the offices of the president and vice president, but it also contained classes and offices for the English, mathematics, botany, history, modern languages and elocution programs. In the 1970s, all classes remaining in Beardshear Hall were then relocated to buildings across the ever growing campus.

Another fun rumor about Beardshear Hall is it is said to be haunted by a former janitor of the original Old Main building. Tom Thompson worked the halls of the original building and is said to haunt the halls of the current building.