Idaho State University Reviews

Pocatello is a very laid-back...

Pocatello is a very laid-back community. It is a liberal stronghold in an otherwise conservative state. The closest major university is Utah State, an hour and a half away. Definitely stay away from the railroad tracks unless you like carnies and other transients. Any mountain around Pocatello offers great chances to engage in many outdoor activities, like hiking.

The atmosphere is small but not...

The atmosphere is small but not too small. As far as stuff to stay away from, there is always naughty stuff to stay away from—stuff that challenges you as a person regardless of the size of the town.

I love the atmosphere of...

I love the atmosphere of Pocatello. It is small enough to avoid the problems that larger metropolitan areas have, like traffic, pollution, and crime, and at the same time it gives me all the things I need.

ISU has somewhat of a small-town...

ISU has somewhat of a small-town atmosphere. Usually, the events the University has going on are the main things to do in town. BYU Idaho is 80 miles north of Pocatello, and Utah State is 80 or so miles south, so both are easily visited for major events.

Public Safety is always on duty,...

Public Safety is always on duty, so that provides some sense of security. I have always felt safe while on campus.

Safety on campus is very good. ISU...

Safety on campus is very good. ISU was actually rated the third safest school of its size in the nation; I think that says something. We have blue-light emergency poles throughout campus that have a phone with important numbers, such as Public Safety and the Pocatello Police. I also think the campus is well lit at night, making it easier for students to feel safe when they come home from studying or night classes. Our Public Safety does a great job at keeping our campus safe. They patrol the grounds 24/7 and will even come and assist students a certain distance off campus. You can call whenever you need an escort home.

ISU is one of the safest campuses...

ISU is one of the safest campuses in the nation. I think that is more due to the Pocatello community rather than any efforts by Public Safety. My experiences with them have been less that satisfying.

Safety and security are pretty...

Safety and security are pretty good. I feel safe when I am on campus—not to mention the Public Safety that patrols all day long! That is somewhat annoying because you know they are just waiting to give you a ticket or something.

Although I have only been here a...

Although I have only been here a semester, I feel extremely safe on campus.

You can always find niches that...

You can always find niches that are considered unsafe and unpleasant, but for the most part, it is really safe—especially compared to other places.

As of late, it seems that some...

As of late, it seems that some campus crimes are rising, but in a small community everything is noticed, so general trends are still very low. Public Safety does a satisfactory job of maintaining a safe feeling by offering rides at any time, emergency poles, etc.

It seems like there is very little...

It seems like there is very little security on campus. Every now and then, I seen a couple of guys riding around on bikes and someone riding around in an SUV, but it doesn’t seem like it is that necessary.

Computer resources are adequate...

Computer resources are adequate but are fairly crowded in the evening and very crowded as finals week approaches. However, you could easily get by without a personal computer.

Computer labs are usually crowded...

Computer labs are usually crowded at certain times. A personal computer would be really convenient.

Computer access here is great. I...

Computer access here is great. I have yet to wait in a computer lab. There are so many places around campus where I can access computers that I really don’t have use for the one I bought except for those late-night papers.

The computer network is always...

The computer network is always busy, depending on which station. The library and business labs are the two busiest places on the campus. But one advantage is that the business lab is open all night long.

The network here is quite ahead of...

The network here is quite ahead of the curve compared to most other things. The wireless network is accessible in any campus building now. There are enough labs around campus that you can usually get a computer, but it might not be in the lab most convenient for you. Your own laptop here makes perfect sense with the wireless network, although laptop checkout is also available to students who purchase a computer account.

The computer network is great....

The computer network is great. Labs are more crowded during certain times of day, but I have never walked into the lab and not gotten a computer.

The computer center at ISU has...

The computer center at ISU has excellent resources and top-of-the-line equipment, software, and support. Wireless connections are constantly being added. Students are given server space that they can access from anywhere. There are also areas where you can check out laptops for three hours at a time.

There are plenty of computers on...

There are plenty of computers on campus for everyone to use. You get 30 pages of free printing in most labs if not all of them. They are kept really clean, and the computers are up to date. The high-speed connection is nice, and you can generally find a computer to use.

Computer labs aren’t too...

Computer labs aren’t too bad—they do get crowded at certain times. There are a few different labs on campus, so you should always be able to find one. Having your own computer would be nice but not necessary. The school’s computer accounts work great!

The facilities on campus are...

The facilities on campus are great. I love the rock climbing wall. The gym could use a bit of an update.

Reed Gym has a ton of facilities...

Reed Gym has a ton of facilities in and of itself! There is a nice pool for swimming, a rock climbing wall, an indoor track, tons of court space for basketball or volleyball, racquetball courts, tennis courts, dance rooms, pilates, yoga, etc. My only complaint about Reed Gym is the lack of ventilation. There are some summer days when you just can’t work out because it is too hot and muggy!

The Holt Arena brings in a lot of...

The Holt Arena brings in a lot of great events from state wrestling to First Security Games to rodeos. The facilities are really nice and well taken care of. Most of the time it’s free for students to get into these activities.

The Stephens Performing Arts...

The Stephens Performing Arts Center is an incredible addition to ISU. Many more concerts, symphonies, and even plays are starting to take advantage of this great facility—which is really nice for students, too!