Schaumburg Campus History
Schaumburg Campus

Recognizing a need for higher education in Chicago's fast-growing northwest suburbs, Roosevelt University opened a satellite campus in Arlington Heights in September of 1978. Located in a former elementary school building, The Northwest Campus started out small, with 15 classrooms, limited student services and a faculty that was shared with the Downtown Campus. Classes were offered from each of the University's five Colleges, but it was a limited offering. Area residents didn't seem to mind, however, as 800 students enrolled for the first semester of classes, 200 more than officials expected.

Roosevelt's mission to serve the area's educational needs was quickly realized. By 1984, over 1,800 students were taking courses at The Northwest Campus. Bursting at the seams, officials began a search for a larger facility. In 1985, when High School District 214 closed Forest View High School in Arlington Heights, Roosevelt began negotiations for a long-term lease of the building. Boasting over 40 classrooms, the refurbished 90,000-square-foot facility opened in August of 1986. The following month, The Northwest Campus was officially renamed The Albert A. Robin Campus, honoring the Chicago real estate developer who was Roosevelt's generous benefactor and life trustee.

The years at Forest View brought many changes to the Robin Campus, reflecting maturation of the facility from a satellite to a full service campus. A resident faculty was established, enabling an increase in the number of academic programs and classes being offered. Doctoral programs were introduced. A new administrative structure was developed to better meet the educational requirements of the northwest suburbs. Complete student services were made available, including academic advising, financial aid counseling and career services. A student government was formed, along with clubs and numerous student activities. An electronic library was installed, with access to computerized databases and all holdings of the Downtown Campus library. Roosevelt also became more involved in local community affairs, offering cultural programs, academic lectures and professional expertise to the surrounding area. An Advisory Board, consisting of business, political, educational and community leaders was organized, providing the school with valuable direction toward fulfilling its mission.

Student enrollment increased to over 2,700, and University officials again found themselves looking for space to expand. This time, however, their goal was to find a permanent location for the Robin Campus. In 1995, Roosevelt purchased the regional offices that had been vacated by Unocal in Schaumburg, IL, about eight miles from the Forest View facility. After extensive renovation, the "new" Robin Campus opened in August of 1996. Set on 27 acres of land, the 225,000 square foot building has a collegiate look, with a red brick and stone exterior, copper roofs, courtyards, and a colonnade.

The one-level Campus houses 60 classrooms, and state-of-the-art computer facilities and science laboratories. Students are served by a resident faculty of 60, supplemented by over 200 Downtown and part-time faculty members. Four of the University's Colleges are represented at the new campus, including the Walter E. Heller College of Business Administration, which moved its headquarters to the Robin Campus. Partners in Corporate Education and The Center for Business Alliances also relocated to the new facility. Approximately 140,000 square feet of the building are currently renovated, leaving ample space for future growth and expansion. Eventually, officials envision serving over 5,000 students at the Robin Campus. The latest developments in its history leave Roosevelt University poised for the future, as it works toward the goals of being a metropolitan university and an asset to the surrounding communities.