Campus Life
Off-Campus Housing
- What is the difference between on-campus and off-campus housing?
Off-campus housing refers to locations where students live that are not part of the College House system. The on-campus residence hall system is known as the House System.
- Is living off-campus safe?
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The services of the University of Chicago police are equally available to off-campus students as to students living in the dorms. More information about safety and emergency services is available on the Student Services page under the Parent Resources link above.
- Will my student still be able to access University services?
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Students living off campus remain eligible for the University health and wellness resources, career advising services, student activities and organizations, and other aspects of campus life. Your student will continue to have the support of his or her College adviser, as well as the resources of the Dean-on-Call and the University of Chicago police in case of emergency.
Many opportunities offered by the House system, such as subsidized event tickets and House trips, are only available to House residents. Similarly, the presence and assistance of the Resident Heads and Resident Assistants are unique to on-campus housing.
Some Houses offer associate membership programs, whereby former House residents can continue to participate in their House communities after moving out of the dorm.
- How will my student know about programs on campus?
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As long as your student keeps his or her contact information up-to-date, he or she will continue to receive important information about both academics and campus life.
- Will my student be living far from campus?
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Students who live off-campus typically reside in Hyde Park or in the neighboring Woodlawn and Kenwood communities. Many student apartments are a short walk from campus and other neighborhood destinations. If your student owns a bicycle, he or she may be able to store it in a designated location in the apartment building. Furthermore, all Hyde Park-area apartments are within a short walk of a route serviced by the University of Chicago bus system.
- How will my student get around campus and the city?
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Many students choose to bring or buy a bicycle, which is a convenient mode of transportation. It is strongly recommended that a bicycle always be secured with a U-shaped lock and that students register their bike with the University Police. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses travel throughout campus and the surrounding Hyde Park–South Kenwood neighborhoods during the day and evening. The University provides free neighborhood transportation on designated CTA routes, and free night-time shuttles. Students have to show their Chicago card ID card in order to ride these routes for free. Buses and trains make other parts of the city easily accessible.
- How can my student find housing off-campus?
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Apartments and some houses are available for rent all throughout Hyde Park. Many apartments are owned by private individuals, and property management companies control the rest. The Chicago Life website (chicagolife.uchicago.edu) maintains a list of contact information for the larger apartment buildings and property management companies.
- What are my student’s dining options?
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Many off-campus students cook for themselves, buying groceries from one of Hyde Park’s grocery stores or from a delivery service (such as Peapod). Other students choose to purchase a meal plan and continue eating in the dining halls. All off-campus students are eligible to purchase an Unlimited Residential Meal Plan from the Office of Undergraduate Student Housing.
- What should my student do if s/he has problems with a landlord?
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This will be most students’ first experience as independent renters, so they may have questions about landlord and tenant laws. To help with these questions and issues, the City of Chicago website (cityofchicago.org) includes a Home & Property link on its Residents page. A wealth of information for renters is available on this page.
- Will moving off-campus affect my student’s financial aid?
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For information about how your student’s financial aid package may be affected by the move off-campus, please visit the Financial Matters page under the Parent Resources link above.
- Can my student move back into a University dorm after living off-campus?
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The University of Chicago guarantees on-campus housing for any full-time registered college student. If at any time – mid-quarter, mid-year, or between academic years – your family should decide that living off-campus is not a good fit, the Office of Undergraduate Student Housing is able to place your student back in a residence hall. The staff in the Office of Undergraduate Student Housing will work with your student to learn his or her housing preferences, but are unable to promise a room in a certain hall or House. However, a room in one of the College Houses is guaranteed.
