Residence Life FAQs

New, unenrolled incoming students that have not applied for admission can either request an application from Admissions (ext. 7130), or visit the APPLY for Admission page.
If you choose not to apply online, fill out the application and send it to Office of Undergraduate Admissions; sending options and instructions can be found on the 3rd page of the application. It is recommended that you do this as soon as possible, as housing is assigned to students on a first-come first-served basis.
Please be sure to regularly check the email account you provide on the application. Housing Offers and other important information will be sent via email.

*INCOMING FRESHMAN -
You are eligible to live in our Living Learning Communities! Click here to learn more.

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Currently enrolled students at Columbia College that would like to apply for on-campus housing can either request an application from Admissions (ext. 7130), or visit the APPLY for Housing page.
If you choose not to apply online, fill out the application and send it to Office of Undergraduate Admissions; sending options and instructions can be found on the 5th page of the application. It is recommended that you do this as soon as possible, as housing is assigned to students on a first-come first-served basis.

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Current residents at Columbia College who would like on-campus housing for the next academic year need to visit the Residence Life Office during Contract Campaign, which takes place in March. Once Contract Campaign has ended, continuing students will need to submit a housing application.
For more information, visit our Contract Campaign FAQ page.

An Academic Year Contract allows students to stay in Residence Life for the Fall and Spring terms for the 2010-2011 academic year.

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An Annual Contract allows students to stay in Residence Life for the 2010 summer, and for the Fall and Spring terms for the 2010-2011 academic year. If you want to live on campus this summer, and are planning on living on campus for the 2010-2011 academic year, you should sign this contract. Annual Contract housing is available in The University Center and on designated floors in 2 East 8th Street.

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Summer-Session Contracts are for 8-week and 12-week housing at the University Center. You would be required to move into your summer space at a designated time. These contracts are available online only, and will be posted here when available.

Although the College will try to accommodate your housing requests, we cannot guarantee housing preferences or roommate requests. Housing is assigned to admitted students on a first-come, first-served basis according to the date a housing application is received. Current residents of Columbia’s on-campus housing will receive their room assignments prior to new incoming residents. New freshman and transfer students can expect that they will likey NOT be assigned their first housing preference in their first year.

The room-type assigned to you will be the best available match to your stated housing preference & roommate preferences at the time we receive your application.
*PLEASE NOTE: Housing offers are based on room preferences, NOT building preferences.

If the housing offer you receive does not meet your needs, you have the option of reinstating your application. Reinstating your application will result in forfeiting the offer that was made and your application will be resubmitted into the applicant pool. Residence Life can NOT guarantee that a different offer will be made, or that you will secure on-campus housing for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Roommates are assigned based on your housing preference, as well as the roommate preferences you select on your housing application:

• Do you prefer a non-smoker?
• Do you like to keep your living space clean?
• What time do you usually go to bed?
• What is your preferred study environment?

Roommate assignments will be sent via email, starting mid-July.

You also have the option to request a roommate on your housing application. Roommate requests must be mutual. Although we will try to accommodate your request, it cannot be guaranteed; however, it is easier for us to consider your request if both you and your intended roommate apply early and submit your housing applications within a week of each other.

Because there is constant occupancy in all of the Residence Life buildings, getting a tour of the living spaces can be tricky.

Columbia's Admissions Office offers student led walking tours of our campus. These are available Mondays — Saturdays throughout the year and reservations are required. You can book a tour online, or by calling the Admissions Office at 312-369-7130. Housing can be viewed on these tours, but it is limited.

For this reason, we highly recommend attending Columbia College's Open House (which happens twice a year). Columbia's Open House is a full day event that takes place across our entire campus, including the on-campus housing facilities. Housing tours are conducted by current residents and Resident Assistants, giving a personal perspective of what it's like to live on-campus.
**Learn more, and RSVP for our next Open House, here.

If you require special room accommodations due to an ADA recognized disability, please contact the Residence Life Office in writing, via email: residencelife@colum.edu

These disabilities may include (but are not limited to):

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder
• Learning Disabilities
• Communication Disorders
• Psychological Disabilities
• Deafness/Hard-of-Hearing
• Blindness/Visual Impairment
• Other Health or Physical Impairment

For additional accommodations outside of housing, please visit The Services for Student’s with Disabilities Office (SSD) website.

Get to know the Residence Life Staff!

Residence Life Office
731 South Plymouth Court, 1st Floor
Chicago, IL 60605-1996

Office Hours:
9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday

Phone: (312) 369-7803
Fax: (312) 369-8074
Email: residencelife@colum.edu

After you have received a Housing Contract, a $500.00 prepayment is required to secure your space and is applied towards your first semester housing costs.

Methods of Payment:

• Checks need to be made payable to Columbia College Chicago. Please include your OASIS ID on the check.
• Credit Card payments can be made at http://www.colum.edu/onlinepayment.
• Cash payments can be made at the cashier’s office on the 3rd floor of the 600 S. Michigan building. The Residence Life Office can not accept cash. Please bring your paid receipt to The Residence Life Office.

This prepayment is an out-of-pocket expense. It cannot be covered by financial aid from federal, state, institutional or private sources, including loans, as those funds are not typically disbursed to students until the school year begins. We regret that we are not able to waive or defer the prepayment for any student.

Your $500 housing prepayment is refundable only until May 1, 2010. Requests must be written and emailed to residencelife@colum.edu BY OR BEFORE this date.

• If you have a student account balance, your $500.00 prepayment will be applied towards your overall balance.
• If you do not have a student account balance, Student Financial Services will issue a refund. Please note that credit card payments are credited back to the credit card.

*Refund requests may take a minimum of 7 - 10 business days to be issued.

If you miss the May 1st refund deadline, you may be released from any further financial obligations of your housing contract, but you will not receive a refund on your $500.00 prepayment.

Housing costs vary according to building, type of room, occupancy and location within the building. Even within a single building, there are variations in cost. Because students will not know their actual housing costs until a specific space is offered through a housing contract, students and their families should understand that, for most students, housing will cost roughly $5,000 to $6,000 per semester. Some students may choose to purchase or enhance the optional meal plan, which will add to their total costs.

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Shared Bedroom in a Traditional-Style Semi-Suite
Price range per student per academic year:
$10,806.00 — $12,270.00
Consists of a traditional two-person room. Students share a bathroom with 1 to 3 other students. A 15-meal per week plan is mandatory and is included in the cost of the room. In addition to the on-campus dining facility, students also have access to kitchenettes and community lounges on each floor.

Shared Bedroom in a Shared Apartment
Price range per student per academic year:
$8,600.00 — $10,800.00
Consists of a two-person bedroom within a 1 to 3 bedroom apartment. The apartment, depending on number of bedrooms, may house from 2 to 6 students and will include 1 to 3 bedrooms, one or more bathroom(s), a living/dining area and a kitchen. Students will prepare meals for themselves and may opt to purchase a supplementary meal plan, for an additional cost, through our on-campus dining facility.

Private Bedroom in a Shared Apartment
Price range per student per academic year:
$10,137.00 — $12,800.00
Consists of a one-person bedroom within a 4 to 5 bedroom apartment. The apartment will house 4 to 5 students and will include one or more bathroom(s), a living/dining area and a kitchen. Students will prepare meals for themselves and may opt to purchase a supplementary meal plan, for an additional cost, through our on-campus dining facility.

For specific prices per room, please refer to the Student Financial Services list of 2009 - 2010 Residence Hall Rates.

Housing costs are billed by semester, and will be included in your tuition and fees statement. You will not receive a separate bill for housing.

The housing rates listed here are for the 09-10 Academic Year.

To read about the payment plans available to pay the total cost of your housing, tuition and fees statement, go to www.colum.edu/sfs.
In general, payment either full or partial, is due on the first day of class each semester. If your anticipated financial aid covers the total amount of housing, tuition and fees due, you do not need to sign up for a payment plan. If anticipated financial aid covers only a partial amount of your total due, you may sign up for a payment plan for the remaining amount due. If you do not sign up for a payment plan for the remaining amount due, you must make all the necessary financial arrangements to ensure that the remaining amount is paid to the College. Inquiries regarding the relationship between housing costs and student's financial aid package can be answered only by Student Financial Services.

Residents assigned to Traditional-Style Semi-Suites in the University Center are provided with MANDATORY meal plans, as these units do not include kitchens. The meal plan offers 15 meals per week during the Fall and Spring semesters. It also includes $660 in "flex" dollars to spend at the student’s discretion within the dining facility during the regular academic year. The cost of the meal plan is included in the price of the room.

Residents assigned to apartments may choose to apply for an optional, supplementary meal plan. The plan includes 150 meals for the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters), plus $250 in "flex" dollars to spend at the student’s discretion within the dining facility. Please understand that this plan is strictly supplementary as it allows an average of five meals per week. Supplementary meal plans cost approximately $1600; several hundred plans are available for purchase each year and are made available on a first-come first served basis until all are sold. Detailed meal plan information will be included in your Housing Contract Packet.
However, apartment units do have full kitchens that include a full-sized refrigerator, oven, range, and dishwasher. Residents without meal plans cook for themselves, and often share cooking duties with their roommates.
Two major grocery stores are within walking distance of our residence centers, or students may order groceries on-line through a commercial provider (such as Peapod™). Meal preparation is an important part of the independent living experience available to our students.

If you are a current resident and would like to sign up for the 150 Meal Plan, please stop by the Residence Life Office (731 S. Plymouth Court).

Live in a bit of Chicago architectural history. The George F. Kimball building, built in 1886, epitomizes the heavy timber loft construction so popular in the movement to rebuild Chicago after the great fire of 1871.

The Congress building is a handsome and sturdy edifice at the corner of Congress and Wabash; one block from Harold Washington Library, two blocks from Buckingham Fountain and the shores of Lake Michigan, and just a short walk to the Art Institute, Chicago's Museum Campus, the Oriental and Chicago Theaters, and four separate train lines.

All units are apartment-style (@1,150 sq. ft.), in two configurations:

• 4-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 4-person apartment
• 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 4-person apartment

Heat, air-conditioning, electric, water, phone, internet and basic cable are all included in the cost of the room.
Please visit the 18 E. Congress web page for a video-tour, floor plans, and specific building details.

2 East 8th Street is one of the luxury high rise's in the heart of Columbia's campus. This building offers fully furnished apartment-style units with double-occupancy bedrooms, a full kitchen and bathroom, and a spacious living and dining area in four configurations:

• 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 2-person Convertible apartment
• 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 2-person apartment
• 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 4-person apartment
• 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 4 person apartment

Basic cable, internet access, heat, air-conditioning, electric and water are all included in the cost of the room. Phone lines must be set up separately by the residents.
Please visit the 2 East 8th Street web page for a video-tour, floor plans, and specific building details.

Columbia's premier residence center, Plymouth Court, houses the main offices of Residence Life and approximately 350 Columbia College Chicago students.
Students who live in 731 S. Plymouth reside in 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 4-person apartments (@1,200 sq. ft.). Each apartment has a full kitchen and full bath, plus a spacious living and dining area. High ceilings and immense windows with views of the surrounding cityscape combine to create the "loft" feel of these appealingly urban living spaces.

Heat, air-conditioning, electric, water, phone, internet and basic cable are all included in the cost of the room.
Please visit the 731 S. Plymouth web page for a video-tour, floor plans, and specific building details.

The Buckingham is our newest building. It is located at 59 East Van Buren St. and will house approximately 400 students. This building is primarily designed to house students who are at least 20 years old and has floors reserved for those who are 21 years old and over.

The Buckingham offers the following room configurations:

• Double Occupancy bedroom in a shared apartment
• Double Occupancy bedroom in a shared premium apartment
• Double Occupancy bedroom in a shared penthouse apartment
• Double Occupancy in a shared premium studio
• Small Single Occupancy bedroom in a shared apartment
• Single Occupancy bedroom in a shared apartment
• Single Occupancy bedroom in a shared premium apartment
• Single Occupancy bedroom in a shared premium penthouse apartment

Heat, air-conditioning, electric and water are all included in the cost of the room. Plus high speed internet access in each bedroom, basic cable in the living area and an in-unit washer/dryer!
Please visit the Buckingham web page for a video-tour, floor plans, and specific building details.

Since the Fall of 2004, the University Center (UC) has created a home away from home for approximately 1,700 college students from Columbia College Chicago and nearby DePaul & Roosevelt Universities. The UC has established a one-of-a-kind community in downtown Chicago by combining living, learning and a collegial spirit in a way never done before.

Housing Options with a Meal Plan (included in cost):

• 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom, private semi-suite
• 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom, premium private semi-suite
• 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 4-person semi-suite
• 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 4-person premium semi-suite
• 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 2-person semi-suite
• 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 2-person premium semi-suite

Housing Options without an included Meal Plan:

• 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 4-person apartment
• 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 4-person premium apartment
• 4-bedroom, 2 bathroom, 4-person apartment; single occupancy bedroom
• 4-bedroom, 2 bathroom, 4-person apartment; single occupancy premium bedroom

Local phone, basic cable, internet access (T-1 lines), heat, air-conditioning, electric and water are all included in the cost of all rooms.
Please visit the University Center web page for a video-tour, floor plans, and specific building details.

A living learning community by its nature is unique. Students within these communities will be taking two courses together (one in the Fall and another in the Spring—both required towards graduation) and then living together on the same floor. Each floor has its own "theme" and incoming students (freshmen) who either have a passionate interest in the theme or who have selected a major related to the theme are welcome to apply for the community.

We are currently offering five LLCs for students to choose from:

• Big Screen/Small Screen (New Media)
• Visual Arts
• Writing
• Performing Arts
• Marketing, Management, the Arts, Media and Culture

Visit the Living Learning Communities page for additional information.

Each University Center suite comes with:

• 1 desk & desk chair, per student
• 1 closet organizer, per student
• 1 twin bed and extra-long mattress (80" x 36"), per student
  *Please Note: students living in a Private Room Semi-Suite have a double bed
• Book Shelf
• Suite Style bathroom, shared with suite mates
• Central air and heat

Each apartment comes with:

• 1 desk & desk chair, per student
• 1 twin bed and mattress, per student. Mattresses in 731 S. Plymouth, 59 E. Van Buren, and University Center are twin extra-long, 80" x 36".
• 1 closet w/ shelf and clothing rack, per student
• 1 dresser, per student
• Sofa, two chairs, and coffee table
• Dining room table w/ 4 or 6 chairs
• Kitchen w/ stove, oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher
• Bathroom(s)
• Common area storage closet w/ shelf
• Central air and heat
• Microwaves are included in University Center and 59 East Van Buren apartments

What is Temporary Housing?
Temporary housing allows Residence Life to maximize its use of housing spaces to place as many students into housing at the beginning of the year. Since the demand for housing usually exceeds the amount of spaces available, Columbia College Chicago has identified different spaces on campus to accommodate more students in need of housing. Students who are assigned temporary housing are those students with the latest application date.

Why is there Temporary Housing?
We have temporary spaces on campus in order to provide as many students as possible an opportunity to live on campus and enjoy the residential experience. Typically students will be assigned to a permanent space within six (6) weeks maximum.

General Information
Students are assigned to housing on a first come/first serve basis, starting with the date a completed housing application is submitted. Your housing contract offer letter indicates whether you are a temporary resident or temporary impacted resident. For further explanation of temporary housing, please refer to Section VIII in your housing contract.

Temporary Residents
Students who are placed temporarily in a unit are considered "temporary residents." As soon as a permanent space becomes available, these students will be reassigned to a new space.

Temporary Impacted Residents
Students assigned an additional roommate are considered "temporary impacted residents." As soon as a permanent space becomes available, the additional roommate will be reassigned to a new space, and the additional furniture will be removed as quickly as possible.

Temporary Housing Credit
Both the temporary resident and the temporary impacted resident receive a 20% credit on their housing charges for the time which they are assigned to a temporary space or share a room with an additional temporary roommate.

When a temporary resident is moved to a permanent assignment, he/she will be charged the full, pro-rated amount for the new space. The temporary impacted residents’ credit will cease once their temporary roommate is assigned a new space.

This credit is not applied to any of the student’s accounts until after the temporary resident moves out.

*This credit does not include the meal plan.

Located in the Columbia Arts District in the heart of Chicago's South Loop, Columbia College is just steps away from Chicago's museum campus, and a short bus or train ride from hundreds of theatre and music venues, independent film festivals, and galleries.


Click the image below to view a virtual map of our campus:



or Download the Campus Map

Starting mid-July, 2009, move-in information will be sent via email to new students who have contracted to live in Residence Life. This information will include a move-in schedule, your specific campus address, roommate name(s) and contact information, and a list of suggested items to bring with you to campus. If assigned an apartment, you and your roommate will need to provide cooking utensils and dishes.

Students who live in Residence Life are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0. Students that do not maintain a 2.0 or higher will not be allowed to live in Residence Life, and their housing contract may be terminated for the 2009-2010 Academic year.

Beginning at the third week of each semester, students have the option to request a Space Change if they are unsatisfied with their current space. Space Change Request Form will be available in the Residence Life Office at this time.
At this time, you may select your preferred building, room type, and request a roommate.


Some things to know:

• Space Changes are subject to availability. Please note that there will be no space changes UNTIL the beginning of the third week of classes, during the Fall and Spring semesters. Space Changes must take place within one week of approval. If you are not properly checked out of your current space within one week, your space change will be denied.
• If you wish to live with another resident, or have a Roommate Request, you MUST have your friend sign the request form. We cannot accommodate any Roommate Requests if they are not mutual. We will try our best to accommodate your request; however we cannot guarantee that it will be granted.
• While there is no charge to space change, you will be expected to pay the difference in cost between your current and new assignment (if applicable). Any cleaning, damage, or replacement charges from your current space will also be charged to your student account.

Health Center

Columbia’s Health Center, located in the 731 S. Plymouth Court building, provides clinic-type medical services to students. A physician or nurse practitioner is available to provide outpatient clinical evaluation, treatment of minor illnesses, injuries, and also, evaluation and triage/referral of more serious illnesses or injuries. Health Center Services are very affordable. A semesterly fee, which is included in your tuition and fees, covers the costs of all visits. For more information, please visit the Health Center website.

Counseling Services

The office of Counseling Services, also located at 731 S. Plymouth Court, is committed to helping students reach their highest academic and personal potential. Services include individual, couple, and group therapy for students. Therapists are also available for workshops and presentations on a variety of psychological issues. All currently enrolled students are eligible to receive counseling services. This service provides students with up to ten individual counseling services per academic year. More information is available on the Counseling Services website.

Resident Assistants (RA's) are Undergraduate and Graduate students who have been selected and trained to provide a variety of services to residents. RA's answer questions about Residence Life and refer students to appropriate campus offices when they need help or services. RA's provide advice to students on personal and academic problems and mediate roommate conflicts. RA's are responsible for building community in Residence Life, enforcing the rules in the Residence Life Handbook and other College rules.

Get to know our 2009 - 2010 Resident Assistants!

Although you will probably interact most often with the RA on your floor, please be aware that any staff member may assist you if you need help. Also, be aware that RA's have responsibility and authority anywhere in the residential areas regardless of their assigned floors. We expect you to cooperate with any staff member who is carrying out his or her duties, which includes presenting proper identification upon request.

Columbia College Resident Assistants live in each of the Residence Life buildings, except for The University Center. The University Center is under different management than the rest of Columbia College Chicago Residence Life, and as a result, they have separate Resident Assistants.

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Residence Hall Linens -
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SmartBox Portable Storage -
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University Center Amenities & Upgrades -
**Please note that these are available for UNIVERSITY CENTER RESIDENTS ONLY!**

While Columbia College Chicago does not offer students assistance with finding off campus housing or roommates, the College has compiled a brief reference, called the "Relocation Guide" to help students figure our the apartment search process in Chicago.

All information listed in this guide is as current as possible, but it is subject to change. This information is provided by the Columbia College Residence Life Office, but we neither endorse nor have any special arrangement or relationship with the buildings and businesses listed. All dealings with these businesses occur strictly between the apartment/business/service and the individual.

*NOTE: We do not recommend these housing options over ones that are not listed.