College Dorms and You: Live your Best Life on Campus
Key Takeaways:
A comprehensive guide for prospective undergraduate and graduate students who are exploring on-campus housing options at Illinois Tech. This post covers tips for roommate success, the benefits of living in Chicago, and detailed breakdowns of Illinois Tech’s residence halls including Kacek Hall, Cunningham Hall, MSV, Rowe Village, and Carman Hall.
Ah, moving into a residence hall. A rite of passage, and maybe the first time you’ve lived away from home or in a shared space. Excitement, enthusiasm, and maybe a little nervousness are natural on move-in day.
But once you’re moved in, here are a few tips to help make living on campus a positive experience:
Be Yourself: Moving to a dorm with peers your age gives you an opportunity to showcase a new you. Everyone is nervous and ready to make a good first impression. Being yourself can bring lasting friendships and the best time of your life.
Meet Your Roommate Before Moving In: Call, text, or message the person you’ll be spending the next (at least) nine months with. Figure out who is bringing the dorm room essentials. Dorm room organization is also a top priority: bring some shelves or storage boxes instead of cardboard boxes from Amazon or UPS.
Get to Know your Roomie: You might share a love of art, volleyball, volunteering, or exploring the city. A connection can bring you so much: from on-campus student organizations to memorable trips exploring your city or town.
Clear the Air: Having a disagreement with your roommate? Talk to them directly. Beating around the bush or ignoring a problem will only drag out any awkwardness. Compromise is king, so don’t fight over a song or laundry. If a direct talk or message doesn’t work, talk with your resident adviser to find a solution. Don’t hide in the library to avoid going to your own living space.
Snacks for Days: Don’t forget to bring easy-to-make snacks and meals. Cold weather or late-night studying can keep you away from the food court, so having a quick bite to eat is better than going hungry.
Life On and Beyond Campus
Explore all that your campus and city has to offer. As an Illinois Tech student, you live in Chicago, a world-class city full of music venues, museums, sports, restaurants, and more. Jump on the Chicago Transit Authority’s ‘L’ train for a 10-minute ride to the heart of the city. Or take a bike down the shores of Lake Michigan. Or walk to a White Sox game a few blocks away.
Ready to find your home base? Here is a guide to the residence halls on Mies Campus.
Living Options for First and Second Year Students
George J. Kacek Hall and Cunningham Hall
Modern Living in a Mies Masterpiece
Both Kacek Hall and Cunningham Hall are legacy buildings designed by the iconic Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and revitalized by Illinois Tech Professor of Architecture Dirk Denison to offer a vibrant living experience. These halls feature "pod-style" living where rooms pinwheel around central social and study lounges, encouraging community interaction.
The Vibe:
These buildings are bathed in natural light and offer amazing views of downtown Chicago. They are designed to balance social life with academic focus.
- Kacek Hall: Features “social lounges” on the south side and “study lounges” on the north side of every floor.
- Cunningham Hall: Floors two through seven follow the Kacek model for first- and second-year students, while the eighth and ninth floors offer apartment-style living for upper-class/graduate students.
Building Features:
- Room Types: Mix of single-, double-, and triple-occupancy spaces
- Furniture: XL twin bed (bunkable), desk, chair, dresser, and closet space
- Amenities: Laundry and fitness facilities in the lower levels/basement
- Tech: High-speed internet and cable TV by Comcast
- Security: Staffed 24/7 by community desk assistants (HawkCard tap required)
McCormick Student Village (MSV)
The Social Center of Campus
MSV is a complex known for its “communal-style living,” making it easy to meet people and make friends. It’s the traditional college experience where residents on each floor form tight bonds, set their own study hours, and agree on community guidelines.
The Vibe:
Highly social and community-driven. Leaders from each hall belong to the Residence Hall Association, which organizes intramural sports, concert outings, and film screenings.
Building Features:
- Room Types: Mostly doubles (two beds, two desks, four dressers)
- Amenities: Community kitchen for upper-class/graduate students, student lounges on each floor, and laundry/fitness facilities in the basement
- Support: Each floor has a resident adviser (RA) for social and academic programming
- Note: Larger rooms do not have central air conditioning
Living Options for Upper-Class (3rd Year and Higher) and Graduate Students
Suite-Style City Living
Designed by acclaimed architect Helmut Jahn, Rowe Village consists of three five-story buildings facing the main thoroughfare. With the Green Line "L" train running behind it, this complex offers a distinctly Chicago, urban feel.
The Vibe:
Independent but connected. The fifth-floor outdoor terraces offer panoramic views of the skyline, perfect for unwinding after class.
Building Features:
- Configuration: Suite-style (two students per room sharing a bathroom with two others) or apartment-style
- Amenities: Fifth-floor lounges, laundry, and small kitchens (stove/oven/fridge/microwave) on floors two through four
- Tech: Lounges feature extensive AV displays, including 50-inch plasma TVs and surround sound
- Furniture: Fully furnished including bed, desk, dresser, and chair. Rowe Village South apartments also include a couch
Apartment Living on Campus
Designed by Mies van der Rohe, Carman Hall provides furnished apartments for students in their third year and above, as well as serving as the university’s student family housing.
The Vibe:
This is ideal for students who want the independence of an apartment with the convenience of campus resources. It serves a diverse population, including graduate students and students with families.
Building Features:
- Configuration: Studio and one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments
- Kitchens: Updated appliances including oven, range, hood, and refrigerator
- Amenities: Two first-floor lounges
- Eligibility: Open to registered graduate students, undergrads who are in their third year or higher, students with domestic partners/spouses, or students with children
Renovated Apartment Style
Note: Gunsaulus Hall is currently closed for renovations.
When it opens, this 10-story building on South Michigan Avenue offers studio and one- and two-bedroom apartments. It combines the benefits of apartment living with the safety and community of campus housing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is it safe to live on campus at Illinois Tech?
A: Yes. All residence halls are staffed 24 hours a day by community desk assistants. Students must tap their HawkCard ID at the main entrance and the community desk to gain entry.
Q: Do I need to buy my own furniture?
A: No. All Illinois Tech residence halls come furnished. While packages vary slightly by building, you can generally expect a bed (often XL twin), desk, chair, and dresser. Apartments in Carman and Rowe Village South also include couches and dining tables in select units.
Q: Can graduate students live on campus?
A: Yes! Graduate students are eligible to live in Carman Hall, the upper floors of Cunningham Hall, and specific sections of Rowe Village. Campus housing is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so graduate students are encouraged to submit contracts early.
Q: Is internet included in the housing cost?
A: Yes, all residence halls are equipped with high-speed internet access and cable TV provided by Comcast.
Q: How do I handle meals if I live in an apartment-style dorm?
A: Buildings like Carman, Gunsaulus, and Rowe Village feature kitchens with appliances (ranges, ovens, refrigerators). However, residents in all buildings also have easy access to campus dining facilities.
Q: I am a current resident; how do I stay on campus next year?
A: Current residents of buildings such as Rowe Village or Gunsaulus who intend to live on campus for the summer or the following academic year must take part in the reservation process via the Housing Portal.