Most universities have a quad, an open area surrounded by buildings on four sides.
The University of Iowa has a Pentacrest.
It's a two-by-two block area with five buildings arranged like the dots on the "5" face of a die or domino.
In the center is the Old Capitol building, now occupied by a museum commemorating Iowa City's former status as state capitol.
In the corners, clockwise from northwest, are Jessup Hall (ID services), MacBride Hall (containing a natural history museum and classrooms), Schaeffer Hall (classrooms), and MacLean Hall (containing the math library and classrooms.)
The grassy areas are often populated by students walking to and from class, or playing various recreational sports. The area on the west side is large enough that major events are often held there, including convocation and concerts.