Visitor Accessibility at Grinnell College
Outdoor class in Kington Plaza

Category: South Campus

Gardner Lounge Main Hall

By

On August 12, 2025

In Elevators, Entrances & Exits, Main Hall, Social Space, South Campus

Accessible Entrance

The accessible ramp entering Main Hall is in the South Loggia. The automatic door opener is to the left of the door, underneath the p-card card panel. The automatic door opener is about 3 feet off the ground.

This ramp area in the South Loggia can be accessed from South Campus or from the East Street side. The entrance ramp that leads directly from outside to Gardner Lounge is too steep to navigate safely with a chair.

Upon entering the automatic door, continue to the doors on the right to enter the lobby, where the elevator is located on the south side of the building.

The elevator is very narrow and may not be able to accommodate all chairs. Take the elevator to the basement. The elevator doors open directly to Gardner Lounge.

The entrance to Bob’s is propped open if there is an event. After entering the doors, there is a hallway with a gently downward sloping ramp that will take you to the space; note that there are no handrails. 

***The layout of the room can change depending on the event. The stage at the front of the room does not move.*** 

Stage Area:

2 steps lead to the stage area.

Sensory

Floor: The floor is linoleum tile with white, blue, and brown specs in it.

Walls: The walls are painted white with some accent areas in burgundy.

Lighting: The room is primarily lit by bright overhead lights. There are a couple of windows that allow some natural light, but most of the lighting comes from the artificial light.

Sound: There is no noticeable sound when the room is empty.  Sound echoes in this space, and can be very loud when there are many people present with music playing.

Smell: There is no specific smell.

James Hall Lounge

By

On August 12, 2025

In Social Space, South Campus

Entrance

As you enter the hall from the South loggia, take the first left and enter the lounge.

Moving Clockwise Around the Room

As you enter the lounge to your left is a trash bin and two grey sofas 17” high, moving along clockwise you will see two armchairs 17” high and 21” wide. Then, to your right is a non-functioning fireplace in between two entrances to the area with two square dining tables 30” high with metal chair 19” high around them. Coming back to the main lounge area and finishing up clockwise there is a coffee table 18” high with a TV set above it mounted on the wall, followed by another armchair similar to those in the beginning.

**Please note that all furniture can be moved around**

Sensory

Floor: Light wooden floor mostly covered by dark grey carpet.

Walls: Cream white painted walls.  

Lighting: There are windows facing the loggia that do not allow much sunlight. The room could be fully lit up by the overhead lamps of neutral white color.

Sound: There is no noticeable echo in the room.

Smell: There is no distinct smell in the room. The kitchen is located outside of the lounge.

A large Reunion tent in front of Gates tower. (Photo by Justin Hayworth/Grinnell College)

Reunion Class and Cluster Tents

By

On January 15, 2025

In North Campus, Outdoor Space, Social Space, South Campus

Classes and clusters celebrating Reunion have a large outdoor tent designated as their home base for the weekend. These tents are often used for the class or cluster’s Thursday evening Welcome Event.

The tents are located on the grass near the dorms for each class or cluster. If you need mobility or other accommodations, please email reunionhelpdesk@grinnell.edu or call 800-850-1846.

Under a Reunion Class/Cluster Tent (Photo by Justin Hayworth/Grinnell College)

Under a Reunion Class/Cluster Tent (Photo by Justin Hayworth/Grinnell College)

A gathering at a class/cluster tent during Reunion.

A gathering at a class/cluster tent during Reunion.

 

 

 

Accessible Bathrooms Main Hall

By

On January 15, 2025

In Bathrooms, Main Hall, South Campus

Accessible Bathroom Entrance

This bathroom is entered from Main Hall lobby. The door to the accessible bathroom is 33 inches wide. 

Moving Around the Room

The bathroom counter is 30 inches off the ground. Inside the accessible bathroom, there is a trash bin to the right of the door. An accessibility handle is located next to the toilet, along with a paper towel dispenser adjacent to the sink. The sink is equipped with a motion sensor-activated paper towel dispenser. 

Women’s Bathroom Entrance

This bathroom is entered from Main Hall lobby. The women’s bathroom is to the right of the accessible bathroom and includes an accessible stall. The entrance is about 41 inches wide with no door. The entrance curves to the left as you move forward. 

Moving Around the Room

Located to the right, this bathroom includes an accessible stall with a lock and a handlebar next to the toilet. There is a general stall next to the accessible stall, separated by plastic stall doors. 

At the entrance of the women’s bathroom is a sink with an automated motion sensor dispenser, soap, and a mirror. 

To the left wall at the entrance is a sanitary napkin and tampon dispenser. 

Sensory

Floor: The flooring is tiled. 

Walls: The walls are cream and white. 

Lighting: The overhead lights are yellowish in tone, providing a warm light. 

Sound: No specific sounds noted.

Smell: No specific smells noted. 

 

A Too Many String Band performance at Reunion in Bob's Underground.

Bob’s Underground Main Hall

By

On January 15, 2025

In Elevators, Entrances & Exits, Main Hall, Social Space, South Campus

Entrance  

The ramp entering Main Hall is in the South Loggia. The automatic door opener is to the left of the door, underneath the p-card card panel. The automatic door opener is about 3 feet off the ground.

This ramp area in the South Loggia can be accessed from South Campus or from the East Street side. The ramp leading down to Gardner Hall and subsequently to Bob’s is too steep to navigate safely with a chair.

Upon entering the automatic door, continue to the doors on the right to enter the lobby, where the elevator is located on the south side of the building.

The elevator is very narrow and may not be able to accommodate all chairs. Take the elevator to the basement. Once in the basement, the door to Bob’s is the right-most door on the wall to your right. There is also a sign that says Bob’s Underground.

The entrance to Bob’s is propped open if there is an event. After entering the doors, there is a hallway with a gently downward sloping ramp that will take you to the space; note that there are no handrails. 

Moving Around the Room

***The layout of the room can change depending on the event. The stage at the front of the room does not move.*** 

Bob's Underground bar (photo by Alex Fontana)

Bob’s Underground bar (photo by Alex Fontana)

Bar Area: 

The room features a countertop bar to the left when you enter the room. The bar is 30 inches wide, just over 9 feet long, and 42 inches tall. Near the bar is one of two square pillars in the room. 

 

 

 

Bob's Underground booth tables with bench seating (photo by Alex Fontana)

Bob’s Underground booth tables with bench seating (photo by Alex Fontana)

Seating Area: 

There are various short and tall tables throughout the room. 

The tall tables are about 40 inches tall and are accompanied by chairs that are 29 inches tall without armrests. 

The shorter tables are 26 inches tall and are paired with soft-surface chairs with armrests, which are 16 inches off the ground. 

There are two couches in the lounge, one seating four and one seating three, with a hard surface table placed between them. 

The room also includes a piano in one corner. 

A Too Many String Band performance at Reunion in Bob's Underground.

A Too Many String Band performance at Reunion in Bob’s Underground.

Stage Area:

A small stage or podium is available for speakers or performers, located in an area with bright overhead lights and spotlights. 

The stage is equipped with colorful lights aimed from above. 

Additional Features: 

The DJ booth and sound system control area are located the square pillar that is not by the bar. 

The room has an emergency exit leading to East Street. **this exit has steep stairs**

Sensory

Floor: The floor is linoleum tile with white, blue, and brown specs in it.

Walls: The walls are extremely colorful, featuring a variety of painted collage by students.

Lighting: The room is primarily lit by bright overhead LED lights, with additional colorful spotlights pointed at the stage. There are a couple of windows that allow some natural light, but most of the lighting, especially at night, comes from the LEDs.

Sound: There is no noticeable sound when the room is empty.  Sound echoes moderately in this space, and can be very loud when there are many people present with music playing.

Smell: There is no specific smell.

 

Quad Dining Hall Main Hall

By

On January 15, 2025

In Dining Space, Entrances & Exits, Main Hall, Social Space, South Campus

Note: Due to construction and renovation elsewhere on campus, Quad Dining Hall is being used as a storage space and is not available until Reunion 2027.

Entrance  

The ramp entering Main Hall is in the loggia and is on the opposite side of the automatic door opener. The automatic door opener is to the left of the door, underneath the p-card card panel. The automatic door opener is about 3 feet off the ground.

Upon entering the automatic door, Quad Dining Hall is on the left. The pull doors to the hall are light and often propped open for events. Both doors can be opened to create a wider entrance.

Moving Around the Room

The layout of the space can change depending on the event being held.  Dining tables, if used, may be a mix of circular and rectangular, with chairs with no arms.

Sensory

Floor:  Grey tile

Walls: Half of the wall is dark wood paneling with accents and the other half is white painted cement.

Lighting: Decent natural light. There is a special switch panel with a key that operates the lights.

Sound: Light hum of the heating cooling system.  ** Sound echoes greatly in this space**

Smell: No discernible smell, unless food is served at an event.

Main Hall Lounge

By

On January 15, 2025

In Main Hall, Social Space, South Campus

Main Hall Lounge viewing southeast towards one entrance/exit to lobby.

Main Hall Lounge viewing southeast towards one of the entrances/exits to the lobby.

Entrance

The ramp entering Main Hall is in the loggia and is on the opposite side of the automatic door opener. The automatic door opener is to the left of the door, underneath the p-card card panel. The automatic door opener is about 3 feet off the ground.

Upon entering the automatic door, continue to the doors on the right to enter the lobby, and Main Hall lounge will be to your right.

There are two sets of doors that do not have a divider between them. There is no automatic door opener.

Main Hall Lounge view as one enters from east side lobby door.

Main Hall Lounge view as one enters from east side lobby door.

Moving Around the Room 

The furniture in the space, which consists of tables, chairs, and couches, can be rearranged depending on the event being held.

The fireplace has a feature that juts out.

Sensory

Floor: Wood with low pile loop carpeting. 

Walls: Wood paneling ¾ of the way up the walls and then plaster. The plaster is pink with white accents. 

Lighting: There is no standard light switch. There are tables in front of the light controls. The different settings are labeled on the controls.

Sound: Low to moderate hum of the heating and cooling system.

Smell: No discernible smell unless food is being served at the event.

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén