Introduction
Welcome to Boise State! If you’re here on our campus and want to learn more about what you’re seeing, you’ve come to the right place. This audio tour will guide you through our campus, starting at the Student Union Building and looping around to 9 of key spaces. For the best experience, pause the audio after each stop to give yourself time to explore before moving on to the next location. Be sure to reference our digital self-guided tour map, as well.
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
Before we begin our walk, here are a few things to know about Boise State University. Boise State is the largest public university in Idaho, offering nearly 200 majors, minors, and certificates. Our beautiful campus is located right in the heart of Boise, and is just a 15-minute walk from downtown’s coffee shops, restaurants, and concert venues. The campus itself is only 0.9 miles from one corner to the other, making it easy to get around by foot, scooter, or bike.
Student Union Building
Our first stop is the Student Union Building, affectionately called the “SUB.” This is a favorite spot for many of our Broncos. Inside, you’ll find the Bronco Shop, perfect for picking up blue and orange apparel, the Games Center with bowling lanes and pool tables, and the Info Desk where students can get their ID cards. If you’re feeling hungry, the SUB has many dining options including Buster’s Kitchen, one of our main cafeterias that offers rotating menus, allergy-friendly stations, and delicious desserts.
Meal plans are available for all students, not just those living on campus, and can be purchased at any point during your time here. Meal plans have a combination of “meal swipes” that are used per week, and “dining dollars” that are used throughout the semester. Meal swipes can be used at one of our two dining halls–Buster’s Kitchen located in this building, and Southfork Dining Hall located across the street in the Honors College, in Sawtooth Hall. Dining dollars can be used at any of our on-campus dining options to grab a coffee between class or a snack before heading over to the Rec Center.
Upstairs, you’ll find meeting spaces for our many student clubs and organizations. With over 200 student groups, this is where they often will gather. Boise State’s 20+ Greek chapters also meet here regularly.
Lastly, you’ll find the Admissions Office located in the SUB. If you ever have any questions about how to apply to Boise State, or want join an in-person guided tour, this is the place to stop by! Next, you will want to head across the street to University Drive, where we’ll find our Rec Center.
Rec Center
Welcome to the Rec Center! As a full-time student, you’ll have unlimited access to all the facilities here. The Rec Center features three full-sized basketball courts that can also accommodate volleyball, pickleball, or spikeball. Above the courts is an indoor track for running or walking, perfect for getting steps in no matter the weather.
On the first floor, there’s a full weight room for strength training, and upstairs you’ll find cardio machines like ellipticals and stair climbers. If group fitness is more your style, the second floor has studios where you can join cycle, yoga, or HIIT classes — all taught by fellow students and included in your fees.
Don’t forget the Rock Wall, one of the Rec’s standout features, where you can try your hand at climbing! Our staff regularly re-routes the wall to provide new challenges for our students – whether you are a beginner or an advanced climber. We also have an Outdoor Program, offering guided trips like snowshoeing, rafting, and even Spring Break adventures in Hawaii! You can also rent outdoor gear for skiing, floating the river, and so much more. If you enjoy swimming, check out the aquatics area. The pool is open for lane reservations, and we even host fun events like “Movie in the Pool” and “Canoe Battleship.”
If you are interested in playing an intramural or club sport (the levels below Division 1), the Rec Center can get you connected with one of our club sports teams, such as Lacrosse and Soccer, or they can also connect you to intramural opportunities, like football, tennis, golf, soccer, and so many more.
Looking for an on-campus job? The Rec Center is one of the many places that employs students. Providing flexible hours, community-building, and a little extra cash. Regardless of how you like to stay active, the Rec Center is here to help find what moves you.
Next, we will head over to Albertsons Stadium.
Albertsons Stadium
Now you’re standing in front of Albertsons Stadium, home to our Division 1 football team and one of the most iconic spots on campus—the Blue Turf! Installed in 1986, Boise State was the first organization to have a non-green football field, and we’re proud to still hold the trademark for all non-green fields. Boise State has 16 Division 1 sports teams, which are the pride of our campus, and our city. One of the best perks of being a Boise State student? Free tickets to home games! The student section is located in sections 20-22 and 120-123, giving you a fantastic view of the field, the Capitol Building, and the Boise foothills.
Speaking of game day, the traditions here are something you won’t want to miss. Tailgating is a big part of the experience, and the energy in the parking lots and around campus before the game is electric. The Corral, our student section, brings an unmatched level of excitement to every game and helps give the Broncos one of the best home-field advantages in the West. During the game, keep an eye out for one of the coolest traditions: Blitz, our team dog, who sprints onto the field to grab the tees after kickoff and Petey our horse who leads our team out onto the field.
Albertsons Stadium is not just about football – throughout the year, the Blue Turf hosts a variety of events, like yoga sessions, outdoor movie nights, and even concerts. Big names like Luke Combs and Garth Brooks have performed here and are an absolute must-go if you are a Boise State student.
Across the way is ExtraMile Arena, where our Mens and Womens Basketball teams compete, as well as our Womens Gymnastics. Outside of sports, ExtraMile Arena also hosts commencement and convocation each year, as well as tons of concerts.
Our next stop will be the First-Year Village, located along the Boise River Greenbelt.
First Year Village
This area is home to six of our ten first-year residence halls on our campus. Boise State does not require students to live on-campus, but we do highly encourage it. Students who live on-campus tend to do better academically, are more involved, and make the most out of their time in college. All first-year halls come fully furnished, laundry is included, and each hall has a communal kitchen. Residence Assistants and Resident Directors live in each building to ensure that students are supported and have a great experience. Boise State offers a variety of floor plans within the residence halls, giving you the flexibility to choose the option that best suits your needs and your preferences.
Not a first-year student? No worries! Boise State University offers housing options for students first, through their fourth year. Make sure to check out our virtual tour series that we have on the housing website, to see and inside scoop of what your future home could look like.
For your next stop, walk down the Boise River to the Friendship Bridge.
Friendship Bridge
Friendship Bridge is a symbolic connection between Boise State’s campus and the city of Boise. It spans the Boise River, one of the city’s favorite outdoor hangout spots. In the warmer months, floating the river is a popular activity, and our WiFi even reaches the riverbanks so you can study or relax near the water.
The path you see is the Boise River Greenbelt, a 25-mile trail that runs alongside the river. It’s perfect for walking, biking, or getting to downtown Boise in just under 15 minutes.
Looking for some local spots to check out? Downtown has plenty of attractions for students. Grab a bite to eat on 8th Street, enjoy a stroll through Hyde Park, or stop by BoDo for local shopping. Julia Davis Park, located across the bridge, hosts events like Art in the Park and Treefort Music Festival. You can even spot giraffes from Zoo Boise nearby!
Boise State takes student safety seriously. You’ll notice Blue Light emergency poles around campus, and we use the Guardian App to keep students updated.
Next, you will head into the Quad – the center of our campus.
The Quad
Welcome to the Quad, the heart of Boise State’s campus—both geographically, and in terms of student life! This open space is where students gather, hang out, and get involved in everything Boise State has to offer. From here, you can see some of our most important academic buildings, like Albertsons Library, Riverfront Hall, and the Math and Liberal Arts buildings, as well as the Administration Building.
First, let’s talk about Albertsons Library, a resource hub for students of all majors. Inside, you’ll find 3D printers, study spaces, a vinyl record room, and friendly staff that are there to support you. The library also houses our World Languages, “Games, Interactive Media, and Mobile Technology”, Criminal Justice, and History departments!
Next, there’s Riverfront Hall, home to the College of Arts and Sciences’ advising offices and a variety of classrooms. Many of the academic departments hold classes here, so it’s a place you’ll likely become familiar with as a student.
Over in the Math Building, you’ll find the tutoring centers for math and chemistry. If you ever need help with a paper, make sure you head to the Liberal Arts Building, where the Writing Center is located.
Now, let’s get back to the Quad itself. This is a bustling area, always full of activity. Boise State offers over 200 student clubs and organizations, so there’s definitely something for everyone. Throughout the year, you’ll see tables set up by different student clubs, fraternities and sororities, and other organizations, inviting you to get involved. Whether you’re interested in joining an academic group, a special interest club, or watching people get “pied” in the face (yes real pies!) in the spirit of philanthropy, this is the place to explore your involvement options.
One of the highlights of the Quad is our Blue Spruce tree, which plays a special role in campus traditions. Every year, right before students go home for Winter Break, we gather for a beautiful tree-lighting ceremony with complimentary hot chocolate and apple cider, reindeer, and the choir to get our campus community in the holiday spirit. The Quad is also the site of fun events like our annual Splatter Party that kicks off the fall semester, and that’s where students will enjoy a live DJ and glow in the dark paint being sprayed at the crowd.
Now, please walk south to the Interactive Learning Center.
Interactive Learning Center (ILC)
The Interactive Learning Center, or ILC, offers both academic spaces and dining options. On the first floor is a space where you’ll find tons of food choices. Whether you’re craving a full meal or just a quick snack between classes, you’ll have plenty of choices here!
In regards to academics, the Interactive Learning Center features classrooms, a lecture hall, and study rooms that you can reserve for free, making it a great place to meet up for group projects or find a quiet spot to focus. The Zone, located in here, is an IT support center where students can get help with any tech issues they might encounter, from fixing laptops to connecting to campus Wi-Fi, as well as checking out equipment like laptops, iPads, GoPros, and more!
Located across from us is the Simplot Micron Advising and Success Hub (also known as the SMASH building) – this is the home to our Testing Center where students can take proctored exams, as well as the Global Learning Office who oversees Study Abroad. Our Study Abroad team offers programs that range from a few weeks to a full academic year, with opportunities in over 60 countries. Some popular study abroad destinations for Broncos include England, Australia, Spain, and Italy! This office even provides passport assistance and specialized advising to help you find the right program for your major. For our students who might be undeclared (our third most popular major), this building has our undeclared advisors who can help students ensure that the major they pick will align with those career and those life goals.
Lastly, we’ll talk about the Education Building. This space is home to the College of Education, which prepares students for careers in teaching, counseling, and educational leadership. This building also has tons of beautiful study spots with a great view of the river.
Don’t let the names of our buildings fool you, the majority of our students will take classes in all buildings throughout campus – math students will take classes in the Education Building, Engineers will take courses in the Business Building, and so on, and so forth
Our next stop will be on the farthest edge of campus – the Micron Business and Economics Building where we discuss academics.
MBEB/ACADEMICS
The building that we are at now is the Micron Business and Economics Building. This is home to many of our business students, but is also a favorite area for students of all majors to study. This building is home to Skaggs Hall, the largest lecture hall, which you are welcome to visit, that seats 250 students, as well as regular classroom spaces, which resemble most classrooms across campus. This also has tons of study spaces that are reservable for students. The College of Business also has a Career Closet for students of all majors to pick-up free business attire, and their own dedicated academic advising and career advising teams.
When it comes to academics for all majors, Boise State offers a variety of options that fit all types of students. Classes are offered in a variety of formats, online, in-person, or hybrid, that fit any schedule. Whether you’re taking a class that meets twice a week for an hour and 15 minutes or a longer 2-hour and 45-minute session once a week, you’ll find something that works for you. Classes can start as early as 7 a.m. and go as late as 9 p.m., offering flexibility around your other commitments. Even the size of our classes vary to meet student needs – from lecture halls to small-class sizes, we are here to make sure you feel supported as a student. All students have access to Teaching Assistants, Learning Assistants, labs, and office hours. If you require educational accommodations, our Educational Access Center is a great advocate for students and are located in Lincoln Parking Garage. Students of all majors will have an academic advisor assigned to them, to help with class scheduling, finding internships, and preparing you for post-grad life.
Center for the Visual Arts
Outside of this building you can see two buildings that are focus on the Arts. The Center for the Visual Arts is home to students interested in areas like graphic design and painting, sculpture and metalwork, and so muchmore. One of the standout features is the Stein Luminary, a giant gallery space that showcases art from local artists in Idaho, and throughout the world. It’s open to the public, so even if you’re not an art major, you can stop by to appreciate some of the incredible work.
The Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, when viewed from above, resembles both the shape of the shape Idaho and the grand piano. This is where you can catch incredible performances, from Broadway shows like Hamilton—with student discounts as low as $15, I might add!—to choir and orchestra concerts. Theater, dance, and music classes are held here, allowing students to learn in a world-class performance space.
To make the return back to where your tour began, we will head to the B-Plaza.
B Plaza
We have now made it to the B Plaza! Behind you is the iconic B that is a perfect picture spot for you and your family. It is a tradition of many of our students to take a picture in front of this statue when they visit for their first time and then to take their graduation photos here as well – talk about a full circle moment!
The Honors College and Sawtooth Hall is the building across the street from our Student Union Building and serves two purposes: it’s home to our Honors College, and it also houses Sawtooth Hall, where residence hall spaces are available to all students, whether or not they’re apart of the Honors College. You don’t have to live in the Honors College to be a part of the same credible program. It’s a tight-knit community that provides students with unique academic opportunities, smaller class sizes, and a more personalized learning experience. The Honors College offers priority registration, additional academic advising, and a specific Welcome Program to help you transition smoothly into college life. The Honors College is an additional 21 credits over the course of your time here, which is less credits than most minors would be.
Now to touch on transportation options for students. Boise State offers a convenient shuttle system with various routes taking students around campus, to the airport, and into downtown. Students of all years are welcome to bring their car to campus and will just need to purchase a parking pass for one of our lots or one of our two parking garages. More of a biker? Students can utilize the Cycle Learning Center located in Lincoln Garage to rent, repair, or store your bike!
Boise is an incredibly walkable and bikeable city which makes it easy for our students to explore beyond campus.
Conclusion
Thank you for joining Boise State University’s audio campus tour! We hope this tour gave you a glimpse of what it’s like to be a Bronco, and you are now excited to take your next steps. We look forward to seeing you on campus again soon. As always, Go Broncos!