The University Center
Since Fall 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.
Media Gallery
Residence Life
Student Life
⭐ Residence Life
Learn more about Residence Life at Columbia College Chicago here.
Room Types
Approximately two thirds of our housing spaces are apartment-style, and the remaining one third of spaces are traditional semi-suite units w/ mandatory meal plans.
Your room type preferences and roommate requests are taken into consideration at the time a housing contract is issued.
Housing contracts are issued by room-type preferences, and NOT specific buildings.
Gender Inclusive Housing
Columbia College Chicago is committed to providing a safe, accepting and inclusive experience for all students. The College has a nondiscrimination policy that includes gender identity and/or expression. This policy extends to student housing. As such, Residence Life is proud to offer Gender-Inclusive Housing (GIH) options. These living options provide an on-campus residence experience that welcomes students across all gender identities and/or expressions, including transgender, questioning or gender non-conforming students. All residential students, regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation have the option of requesting a gender-inclusive room on the housing application.
The GIH options are available on the 3rd & 4th floor of 30 East Balbo and the 2nd & 3rd floor of the Arc. Please note, the Arc houses students who are 20 years and older. Residence Life does not use gender as a criteria in the assignment process. All students assigned to the GIH community will live with others who have requested this living accommodation.
Honors Housing
The Honors Community presents an opportunity for students, who are curious & dedicated to learning, and want to further share their passion and interests with those who are academically like-minded, to live with one another. Honors faculty & staff work with residential students in their living environment and provide additional programming opportunities for students in this community.
The Honors Living Community is available in a combination of shared-bedroom and private-bedroom, shared apartment settings on the 12th & 14th floor of 30 East Balbo.
Roommate Assignments
Roommates are assigned based on your housing preference, as well as the roommate preferences you select on your housing application.
In the housing application, students can indicate their personal preferences, such as room environment, sleep habits, music, etc, as well as complete a personal profile. This information is then viewable to other applicants, as to allow them to search for potential roommates. The application even provides roommate suggestions, based on the information you've entered. If you would like to request a specific person, they must have an active housing application on file before they can become searchable. Although we will try to accommodate your requests, they cannot be guaranteed.
Meal Plans
Meal plans can either be mandatory or optional, depending on the type of space a student has been assigned to. Each plan includes a certain amount of meals and Flex dollars. Meals are on a fixed price, all you care to eat basis. Flex money can be used in the retail store within the dining center, where you will find snacks, smoothies, bottled pop and juices, coffee, packaged salads, frozen food, toiletries, and more to-go items.
Resident Assistants
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.
⭐ Student Life
Learn more about Student Life on campus here at Columbia College Chicago.
Student Organizations
The mission of the Student Organizations and Leadership office is to promote student involvement and leadership development as a vital part of an arts and communications education. Through efforts to empower students as aware and purposeful citizens, we create quality learning experiences outside of the classroom that build engagement and connection to the life and culture of Columbia College Chicago and the city.
Student Organizations and Leadership is located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center (754 S. Wabash Ave). We serve as the hub for student involvement and leadership on campus; offering students with meeting spaces, resources for student groups, a new Loft space for students to relax, and exciting programs throughout the school year.
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association of Columbia College Chicago represents the student voice and endeavors to construct a more perfect union. It serves as a liaison between students and faculty, staff and administration in order to ensure the welfare of our unique and diverse art and communication community. Through leadership and strong representation, it strives to provide students with opportunities to grow academically, artistically, professionally and personally.
Student Organization Council
The mission of the Student Organization Council (SOC) is to provide student organizations and their members the support and resources needed to accomplish their goals. SOC is dedicated to building a stronger campus community by providing club members with opportunities to grow personally, professionally and artistically.
The SOC is comprised of one member of each of the recognized student organizations. The SOC's executive board consists of a President, Community Director, and Finance Director.
Student Programming Board
The Student Programming Board (SPB) is a team of students committed to planning, promoting, and producing campus-wide programs that create and foster the unique artistic community on Columbia's campus.
We are a diverse, hard-working group of students who "live what we love" and gain real-world experience on the daily. Everything that we do- from working on contracts when booking artists, to working with graphic designers to develop cohesive marketing campaigns, to create and maintain relationships with sponsors- we do ourselves. With support from our advisor, staff, and administrators, SPB is all student-work.
Student Athletics Association
Known as the Renegades, club sports are student-run organizations that are funded through the Student Activity fee, dues, and club fundraising. Club sports allow students to participate in athletic activities that go beyond the scope of intramural.
The Renegades compete against other colleges and universities, in addition to competing in city leagues and in tournaments. Members of the Renegades are involved in fundraising, scheduling, and budgeting/financial management of their respective club sports. Interested and dedicated new members are always welcome to suit up for the following teams and clubs:
Badminton, Basketball, Columbia Renegades Dance Team, Columbia Renegades En Pointe, E-Sports, Marching Band, Medieval Combat, Quidditch, Figure Skating, Renegades Outdoor Collective, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Renegades Steppers, Renegades Hip Hop, Flag Football