Chicago Campus

The question isn’t “What will I do?” It’s more like, “What won’t I do?”

As you walk to class in the shade of towering building, you’ll be reminded that the sky truly is the limit. Located in Chicago's downtown Loop, Roosevelt University is always a short walk from the splendor of Lake Michigan, as well as numerous world-class attractions, cultural centers, restaurants, recreation, tours and events.

Also, students studying at Roosevelt University in downtown Chicago find themselves surrounded by academia. Amongst the bustling metropolis exists a colossal community of learning called the “South Loop Educational Corridor,” which is comprised of  Roosevelt, DePaul University, Columbia College Chicago, Robert Morris University and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

A Strong Foundation – The buildings of Roosevelt’s Chicago Campus

Located at 430 S. Michigan Ave., the Auditorium Building is the heart of Roosevelt University’s Chicago Campus. The building houses the University’s core administration and many of the key program offerings, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the Chicago College of the Performing Arts, student services, academic resources and the Barnes & Noble bookstore. Erected in 1889 and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1975, this iconic, multipurpose structure was masterfully designed by architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler – with help from their apprentice draftsman, Frank Lloyd Wright. Though it’s since been surpassed by the impressive skyscrapers of the 20^th century, when completed, it was the tallest building in Chicago and largest in the United States, standing 270 feet high. This architectural treasure is a paradigm of the Chicago School, featuring a steel frame, lightweight terra-cotta exterior, the distinctive three-part “Chicago window,” ornate iron staircases, and embellishments of stained glass and carved mahogany.

Within this architectural treasure, you’ll find the University’s spectacular Auditorium Theatre – a perfect combination of Adler’s incomparable triumph of acoustic engineering and Sullivan’s signature theory of “form follows function.” With the wide-sweeping curves of its arched proscenium and flourishing ivory and gold ornamentation, this elegant hall boasts a capacity of nearly 4,000 seats, yet it still inhabits less than half of the 400,000 square foot Auditorium Building. The Auditorium Theatre remains committed to offering Chicago the best in international, cultural and community programming, hosting a range of performances including the Joffrey, Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies; Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; select Broadway musicals; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Bruce Springsteen; and Bob Dylan.

Roosevelt University’s Gage Building – another Sullivan masterpiece – is just across the street from Chicago’s world-renowned sculpture, Cloud Gate – also known as “The Bean.” The historic building accommodates the College of Education, the Evelyn T. Stone College of Professional Studies and the Walter E. Heller College of Business, as well as programs in information technology, communication, real estate, paralegal studies and the Gage Gallery. Approximately four blocks north of the Auditorium Building, the Gage Building features an electronic library, computer labs, multimedia and film editing resources, student lounges on each floor, the Torch student newspaper office, and The Blaze (WRBC) – Roosevelt’s student-run streaming radio station.

Also, our downtown Chicago Campus offers choice student accommodations at two different residence halls, the  University Center of Chicago and Roosevelt on Washington. Find out more information about living on campus and engaging in a unique student community experience at Residence Life.

Information Center

Auditorium Building
Michigan Lobby
Ph: (312) 341-3500, ext. 0

Services available:

• General information concerning campus events
• Campus directory
• Location of offices/rooms
• University phone numbers
• Lost and found
• Campus safety
• Shuttle information

RU Caffeinated Coffee and Snack Shop

Auditorium Building
Michigan Lobby

Open to faculty, students and staff. Service and dining options include:

• Sandwiches, grill items, entree specials, salads and soup
• Grab-and-go express items
• Vegetarian options

Vending machines offering snacks and drinks are located throughout the buildings at each campus.

Fitness, Recreation and Wellness

Find out more about fitness, recreation, wellness and athletics on campus by visiting the following pages:

• Fitness
• Intramural Sports (Center for Student Involvement)
• Athletics 

 For more information, contact:

Mike Vander Heyden
Coordinator for Recreation and Wellness
Ph: (312) 341-3848
E-mail: mvanderheyden@roosevelt.edu

Get directions to our Chicago Campus.