On Tuesday, August 12th I visited the University of Illinois at Chicago. UIC is part of the Illinois state system of public institutions. For a listing of all public universities in Illinois, see here.
UIC is the largest school in Chicago, just edging out DePaul, with nearly 25,000 students - 16,000 of which are undergrads. UIC's campus consists of over 300 acres on Chicago's Near West side. The main undergraduate portion of campus is referred to as East campus (pictured below).
Below is the West Campus, home to some undergraduate housing options and many of the graduate options at UIC.
While the university itself dates back the mid 40s, the bulk of the main campus at Halsted and Harrison was originally built between 1960 and 1963. The campus was designed by Walter Netsch. The fact that the campus was built all at once to serve over 30,000 students, as opposed to the more organic growth seen at most universities, earned UIC the reputation as an "instant campus." At the time, the campus was considered an architectural marvel for it consistency of vision and use of the "brutalist" style of architecture. (We have seen examples of this style in the main libraries at U of C and Northwestern, as well in Mertz and Damen Hall at Loyola).
Unfortunately this utilitarian style of architecture has not aged particularly well. What was revolutionary in 1965, seems somewhat institutional and sterile in 2008. Walking through campus, I felt like I was touring some sort of colony. (I remember going to Chicago State a few years back, and thinking the same thing.) It is an unusual feeling to see so many different buildings with such a similar unique aesthetic style in one area. While it is kind of odd, the uniformity of design is also kind of cool. Primarily this describes the East Campus, as the West Campus consists of more recent construction. For more information about the Netsch Campus UIC has created a really cool website.
This beautiful building is the original Jane Addams' Hull House, the famous "settlement house" and social service agency in Chicago. UIC's College of Social Work is named after the renowned humanitarian and crusader for social justice.
This building is an example of new construction on the East Campus. This is the recreational sports center for UIC students.
The UIC campus is just a few miles outside of downtown. A Blue Line 'El' Station is right by campus and UIC participates in the CTA U-Pass program. Here you can see the Sears Tower in the distance. Also you see construction, like all campuses in the summer. This construction is, unique to UIC, however.
Recognizing that the campus looks dated due to the brutalist style of architecture, UIC has taken steps to update the exterior of buildings, without having to start from scratch. Below you will see three examples of of three separate buildings on campus that were originally built to look exactly the same. The first building demonstrates the original style.
This building is in the process of being renovated.
And this building has already been completed. What a difference mew windows make.
There have also been nice updates done on the inside of older buildings. These new student lounges have been built in the center of the various lecture buildings.
As a large public institution, UIC does employ the use of large lecture hall style classrooms for some of its courses.
This is the largest lecture hall on campus and seats several hundred students.
This is the Architecture and Art building. It was also a Netsch design, but built in 1967 during the second stage of campus construction.
This sculpture is built onto the side of the Engineering building.
This was my tour guide. She was great. Here she is showing the Circle Forum, or main congregation area of campus. This forum is surrounded by the lecture hall buildings.
Here are the dining options in the main UIC Dining Hall.
Connected to the dining hall is one of the newer first year residence halls. UIC, historically almost entirely a commuter campus, now has about 50% of its first year students living on campus. Given the size of the school, this is a significant residential community.
UIC is a great option, particularly for Illinois residents (in-state tuition averages around $6500 per semester). It provides a National Research University experience with the expected social, academic, and internship benefits of an urban setting. UIC offers 74 different degrees through 15 separate colleges.
For information about visiting see here.
For information about applying see here.
To talk to an admission counselor, you can contact
| Daniel L. Dicesare Assistant Director, Recruitment |
| Admissions and Records Administration, Office of |
| 1169 SSB, MC 018 |
| 312-996-9587 |
| 312-413-7628 |
| dicesare@uic.edu |
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