Conference Center Rental

The Humphrey School Conference Center is open for business! As we start to transition back to a world with live, in-person events, things may look a bit different, but we are excited to have you back in the Humphrey School. Questions regarding events, setups, and availability should be sent to [email protected]. To reserve a space, please fill out the rental request form.

The Humphrey School offers unique meeting and event spaces for University of Minnesota departments and colleges as well as the wider community. From our tiered Cowles Auditorium to the numerous flexible conference rooms, the Conference Center can accommodate groups and gatherings of many sizes.

Room Specifications

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Cowles Auditorium

Cowles Auditorium

The John and Elizabeth Bates Cowles Auditorium, carpeted with tiered theater-style seating, typically accommodates up to 250 in an intimate setting. The back wall of the stage doubles as a projection screen. Studio lighting, three-camera video recording (MP4 format), video conferencing, and live streaming of your event are among the audiovisual capabilities and equipment available at an additional charge. A hired hourly AV technician is required to operate the Cowles Auditorium (sourced by HHHCC); please allow extra time when scheduling to ensure technician availability. The Mondale Commons is included in the Cowles Auditorium rental price.

Specifications:

  • Size: 2,427 sq. ft.
  • Stage area: 28' x 8'

Capacity:

  • Theater seats: 250
  • Accessible spaces: 3

Rental rates:

  • 0–6 hours: $600 (University/non-profit), $800 (corporate) 
  • Additional hours: $100/hour (University/non-profit), $150/hour (corporate)

Mondale Commons

Mondale Commons

The Joan and Walter Mondale Commons is a large three-story, skylit space, which also serves as the main common space for the Humphrey School.

Specifications:

  • Size: 5,500 sq. ft.
  • The Mondale Commons does not include any AV equipment, but staging, PA systems, pipe and drape, dual display monitors, and one wired microphone, as well as well as custom seating are available upon request

Capacity:

  • Plated dinner: 250
  • Buffet dinner: 200
  • Cocktail reception: 300

Rental rates:

  • 0–6 hours: $600 (University / non-profit), $800 (corporate) 
  • Additional hours: $100/hour (University / non-profit), $150 (corporate)

Humphrey Forum (Room 105)

Humphrey Forum

With large museum displays on every wall, the Humphrey Forum chronicles the life and career of Hubert H. Humphrey. The room is equipped with two 85” video monitors, speakers, podium, wired microphone, Bluetooth audio connection, and HDMI computer connection for video or other presentations.

Specifications:

  • Size: 2,495 sq. ft.

Capacity:

  • Seated rounds: 96
  • Cocktail reception: 104
  • Seated rounds with buffet: 80

Rental rates:

  • 0–6 hours: $350 (University /  non-profit), $425 (corporate)
  • Additional hours: $65/hour (University / non-profit), $80/hour (corporate)

Josie Johnson Community Room (Room 180)

Josie Johnson Community Room

The Dr. Josie Robinson Johnson Community Room for Social Justice is ideal for seminars and lectures. This spacious room offers in-ceiling microphones and self-focusing cameras for hyflex modality. It is also equipped with two 90-inch monitors for guest viewing, as well as one 90” confidence monitor for presenters.

Specifications:

  • Size: 1,754 sq. ft.

Capacity:

  • Pods: 60
  • Theater style: 60
  • Conference square: 45

Rental rates:

  • 0–6 hours: $350 (University / non-profit), $425 (corporate)
  • Additional hours: $65/hour (University / non-profit), $80/hour (corporate)

Wilkins Room 215

Wilkins Room 215

The Roy Wilkins Room is a sunlit and intimate area for seminars, retreats, and meetings. The walls are decorated with photographs from the career of the room’s namesake, Roy Wilkins, civil rights leader and NAACP executive secretary from 1955 to 1977. The space is equipped with an LCD projector, screen, speakers, and whiteboard, as well as in-ceiling microphones and cameras for video conferencing.

Specifications:

  • Size: 973 sq. ft.

Capacity:

  • Conference square: 32
  • Theater style: 40
  • Classroom style: 32

Rental rates:

  • 0–6 hours: $200 (University / non-profit), $250 (corporate)
  • Additional hours: $35 (University / non-profit), $45 (corporate)

Stassen Room (Room 170)

Stassen Room (Room 170)

The Stassen Room overlooks the Mondale Commons and contains artifacts from the long political career or former Minnesota Governor Harold Stassen. The space is equipped with a projector, screen, and whiteboard. (As the Stassen Room is located within the Humphrey 130 Suite, the space is only available Monday–Friday during Humphrey School Front Desk hours.)

Specifications:

  • Size: 573 sq. ft.

Capacity:

  • Conference square: 20
  • Classroom style: 24

Rental rates:

  • 0–6 hours: $140 (University / non-profit), $200 (corporate)
  • Additional hours: $30/hour (University / non-profit), $40/hour (corporate)

Freeman Commons

Freeman Commons

The Freeman Commons has a comfortable set-up that is equipped with one TV Monitor, speakers, and a HDMI plug in. 

Capacity:

  • Fixed set-up: 25

Rental rates:

  • 0–6 hours: $75 (University/non-profit), $100 (corporate) 
  • Additional hours: $20/hour (University/non-profit), $25/hour (corporate)