UNI photo of Lawther Hall.

UNI photo of Lawther Hall.

The University of Northern Iowa is temporarily closing its only all-women dormitory for updating.

UNI vice president Michael Hager told the State Board of Regents at their meeting in Council Bluffs today that because enrollment is down, the timing is right to shutter the residence hall for at least two years.

“The University is going to temporarily close Lawther Hall, our only only all-women residence hall, and completely renovate it,” Hager says. “It was built in 1938 and 1950 and it’s time to bring it up to contemporary standards.”

Female students during the next two years will be living in UNI’s coed dorms. Hager anticipates re-opening Lawther Hall in the fall of 2017.