During World Finals: Resources
Our World Finals app will allow you to quickly and easily access schedules, maps, and so much more tournament information, to make the most of your Odyssey of the Mind World Finals experience!
Download details and updates coming soon!
OMER’s News is the daily Odyssey of the Mind World Finals newsletter. The first edition is available when you arrive on campus and new editions are digital only and will be posted on our app and website each day of the event.
Residence Area Parking
Teams living in residence housing on campus will be able to park in assigned areas within easy walking distance of their living area.
General Parking
Those not staying in residence housing on campus should park at the Iowa State Center. There is no charge for parking in this area. The shuttle transfer station is located on the West side of C.Y. Stephens Auditorium near Lot F. The free shuttle is provided to central campus. Additional parking adjacent to central campus is available at the Memorial Union parking ramp with an hourly charge. Normal restrictions apply to fire lanes, spaces marked “handicapped parking,” and spaces reserved for service vehicles. Other university lots are assigned to university staff.
Please take care to avoid restricted areas.
Charter coaches
If your team is chartering a coach to bring you to Ames, please make the following arrangements with your driver. When on campus, the charter should park in the general lots at the Iowa State Center. At registration, pick up information on permitted pick up/drop off locations on campus. Parking is not allowed for buses on central campus, and waiting times are limited. Be sure to exchange cell phone numbers with your driver in case either your driver or the team need to make arrangements for an alternate meeting place.
CyRide
CyRide, the city’s public transit system, will operate a free bus service throughout the competition connecting the residence areas, central campus, and the Iowa State Center. CyRide also will offer free rides throughout Ames for Odyssey of the Mind participants and coaches wearing their wristbands. CyRide will be operating during the following hours:
- Monday, May 20 TBA
- Tuesday, May 21 TBA
- Wednesday, May 22 TBA
- Thursday, May 23 TBA
- Friday, May 24 TBA
- Saturday, May 25 TBA
*TBA – please check back on updated parking and CyRide information in the weeks leading up to OM.
Thielen Student Health Center
The Thielen Student Health Center is located on the corner of Union Drive and Sheldon (west edge of campus, directly west of Beyer Hall, across the street from State Gym). The phone number is 515.294.5801. Fees will be billed to the participant or their insurance company. For minors seeking care, you must have medical release/insurance information with you. If prescription medications are ordered, they may be filled at the health center pharmacy, if open, or at a local commercial pharmacy. The pharmacy will bill your pharmacy benefit plan if you provide them with that information.
The Thielen Student Health Center is open during the following hours:
- Monday, May 20 – 7:30 am – 4:00pm
- Tuesday, May 21 – 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
- Wednesday, May 22 – 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
- Thursday, May 23 – 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
- Friday, May 24 – 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Locate Thielen Health Center on ISU Map
McFarland Clinic Ames
Urgent Care
The McFarland Urgent Care Clinic provides care for acute, non-emergent health problems or injuries that require immediate attention. The urgent Care Clinic is available during evenings and weekends by appointment only. You do not have to be an established McFarland Clinic patient to be served in the Urgent Care Clinic. To schedule your same-day appointment at the McFarland Urgent Care Clinic, please call 515.956.4044.
The Urgent Care Clinic is located at 3815 Stange Road, Ames, IA https://www.mcfarlandclinic.com/communities/ames/mcfarland-urgent-care
Express Care
McFarland Clinic offers same day and next day appointments for common illnesses, and is available inside both Hy-Vee Grocery Store locations in Ames.
Hy-Vee Lincoln Center – 640 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA Hy-Vee West Ames – 3800 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA
Hours of Urgent Care and Express Care
- Monday through Friday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
https://www.mcfarlandclinic.com/specialties/express-care
Mary Greeley Medical Center (MGMC)
Medical care also is available through the emergency room of MGMC at 1111 Duff Ave, Ames, IA
First Nurse phone line
First Nurse is a free health-information community service that allows you to speak with a specially trained registered nurse. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call 1-515-239-6877 or toll-free at 1-800-524-6877
Department of Residence and ISU Dining
- Smoking is prohibited on all university grounds, including parking lots and in all university-owned or operated buildings, residence halls and apartments.
- Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in any Department of Residence buildings and ISU Dining facilities.
- Water guns, ball playing, etc., are not allowed indoors.
- Firearms, weapons, ammunition, fireworks, explosives, and highly flammable materials are not allowed.
- Tampering with elevators, fire alarms, and other building property is prohibited. Complete evacuation of the building is required in the event of a fire alarm.
- For safety reasons, window screens may not be removed. A charge of $50 will be assessed to occupant for removal.
- Guests must present their wristbands at all meals served within the ISU Dining facilities. Food and beverages may not be carried out of the dining rooms (for example, no filling of water bottles, coolers and mugs). Shirts and shoes are required in the dining center; swimwear and sleepwear are not acceptable attire. Guests shall not engage in conduct which is disruptive to other guests or University programs. Chaperones are responsible for the conduct of minors at all times.
- Quiet hours are from 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Noise that can be heard outside of a closed door may be considered too loud for your neighbors at any time.
- Participants are not allowed in Department of Residence areas which are not assigned to their group unless accompanied by a responsible host registered for that area.
- Always lock your door and take your keys even if you leave for “just a minute”. Never leave suitcases/belongings unattended and make sure your belongings are clearly marked.
An Odyssey of the Mind Information Desk will be available on campus to assist visitors. Location and hours coming soon!
The Iowa State Athletics Department has a clear bag policy for all ticketed events.
The following bag types are allowed:
- Plastic, vinyl, or PVC clear totes that do not exceed 12x6x12 inches and do not have a logo larger than
- 4.5×3.5 inches;
- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (i.e. Ziploc or similar); Small clutch bags no larger than 6×9 inches;
- Exceptions will be made for bags containing items required for medical, family, or child care.
Permitted Items:
- Items required for medical, family, or childcare needs
- One 20oz. unopened or empty bottle of water per person
Prohibited Items include, but are not limited to:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Artificial noisemakers
- Backpacks, fanny packs, purses (or any bag that is not clear) Cameras (a lens less than 6 inches is permitted in the Coliseum) Chairbacks or stadium seats
- Coolers or containers
- Beach balls
- Food and beverages
- Pets (with the exception of service animals used by disabled guests) Strollers
- Umbrellas, Video cameras, Weapons
- Tools, razor blades, scissors, etc.
- Sealed packages of any kind, including gifts Laser pointing devices, flashlights, or glowsticks
- Selfie sticks, telescopic devices, tripods, or camera poles
- Hazardous items including, but not limited to, fuels, torches, lighter fluid, chemicals, paint, batteries, or aerosols
