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McDowell Hall

mcdowell hall exterior building

About The Hall

McDowell Hall underwent rennovation in the summer of 2024. It now houses approximately 370 students and has a traditional residence hall design with corridor-style rooms and shared gender-neutral pod bathrooms. Watch the McDowell Hall Renovation Video here.

Each floor community has a central lounge space with a kitchen, lounge furniture, and television for students to study or socialize with their community. McDowell is also home to the Eagles in CommUNITY themed community,Eagles in CommUNITY is an affirming residential community open to all students, with dedicated support systems designed to empower LGBTQIA+ students and allies. This community fosters a welcoming and safe living environment where students can fully embrace their authentic selves while engaging in meaningful connections, personal growth, and educational experiences.

Each floor also has a laundry room. The building is connected to Hughes Hall. Nearby is the Woods Brown Amphitheater, a peaceful and eventful green space for the AU community. The Cassell Fitness Center, open to all AU students, is across the street.

Personalize Your Room

Decorative and additional items can be purchased from the HRL coordinated vendors through our Personalize Your Room webpage. Each room will include the furniture noted on this webpage.

In-Hall Staff

In-hall staff include resident assistants (RAs) and a community director (CD). McDowell’s RAs live in the building, acting as peer educators and helping residents connect to their community. The Hughes and McDowell community has one CD, a professional staff member who works with RAs to foster a living-learning environment to bridge the academic and residential experience.

McDowell is connected to Leonard and Hughes, both are mixed-class buildings.

  • Wi-fi throughout building
  • Gender-neutral pod bathrooms 

  • Community kitchen/lounge

    • Microwave 

    • Induction Stovetop

    • Oven  

    • Sink with garage disposal  

    • Dining room table and chairs

  • Daytime front desk service

  • Printer in lobby 

  • Elevators 
  • Laundry rooms

  • All carpeted floors  

  • Cable-ready outlet

  • Windows with cellular shades  

  • Built in closet with vanity 

  • In-room Ethernet connections

  • Twin sized adjustable beds  

  • Dual/firm mattress 

  • Desk, chair, and bookshelf (newly replaced)

Who can live in McDowell Hall?

  • 2025-2026 academic year: all classifications
McDowell Hall
Description Approximate Dimensions

Room

15'1" x 9'9"

Built-in shelves

1'10.25" (W) x 1'11" (D) x Adjustable (H)

Bookcase

1'10" (W) x 10.5" (D) x 2'6" (H)

Desk

3'6" (W) x 1'11.75" (D) x 2'6.25" (H)

Wardrobe or built-in closet

3'4.75" (W) x 1'10" (D) x 5'8.5" (H)

Dresser or built-in drawers

2'8" (W) x 1'5" (D) x 3'.25" (H)

Bed frame

3'6" (W) x 2'4" (H) x 6'7" (L)

Mattress

Standard twin

Virtual Tours

Our virtual tours are representative of a given room type. Each space varies based on room sizes and dimensions.  Each virtual tour includes some decorative items and a MicroFridge to show what the room looks like when occupied, but these items are not included in rooms. 




Click below to view virtual tours of McDowell Hall:

Your Community

  • Get involved in your Residence Hall Association or Hall Council.

  • Check out the history plaque in the front lobby!

Residence Halls

Community Director