General Information

The University

Chicago State University is a fully-accredited, public, urban commuter and residential institution. Originally founded in 1867 as a teacher training school, the institution has evolved into a multipurpose university committed to meeting the needs of the urban community.

The primary purpose of Chicago State University is instruction. Degrees are conferred at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The university offers undergraduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, and the College of Health Sciences and through the Division of Continuing Education and Non-Traditional Programs. The university offers graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Pharmacy, and the College of Health Sciences. In addition to degree programs, the university offers many courses, certificates and programs of study for in-service education available through late afternoon, evening, and Saturday classes; summer sessions; and extension courses.

Chicago State University admits applicants who meet the admission criteria for its programs to undergraduate and graduate programs. The university is affirmatively committed to providing opportunities for enrollment to all students, regardless of racial or ethnic background, sex, religion, and social or economic circumstance. Faculty and students of Chicago State University engage in scholarly and creative activities that complement and supplement the instructional programs of the university. Faculty and students also provide services to the public. These services integrate the university’s research and instructional purposes and demonstrate their applications to practical matters of importance to governments, businesses, schools, social agencies and community groups. Public services are adjunct to the university’s primary instructional purpose.

Chicago State University is sensitive to the diverse needs and characteristics of its student population. The university’s multiracial student body reflects the demographics of the Chicago metropolitan area, particularly the southern and western areas of the city and adjacent suburbs. In addition, the student body includes more females than males, many part-time students who hold full-time employment, a substantial population of students from low-income backgrounds, and many students who are older than the traditional college age.

CSU is committed to increasing equity through education. The University of Southern California’s Race and Equity Center recently ranked Chicago State University first in Illinois and tied for second nationwide among public universities for educating and supporting African American students. Additionally, a 2017 study on economic mobility conducted by Harvard University economist Raj Chetty, and featured in the New York Times, showed that graduates of Chicago State University were among the most likely to improve their economic status with a college degree: in ranking the nation’s best universities for economic mobility, CSU ranked #2 out of 103 colleges and universities in Illinois, and in the top 4% nationwide out of over 2,000 colleges and universities.

Location

The university is located in a residential community on the south side of Chicago, approximately 12 miles from downtown. The 161-acre campus has contemporary buildings, attractively placed in a carefully preserved woodland setting. The university is conveniently served by the Dan Ryan expressway, the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and several bus routes. Ample parking is also available. The mailing address is 9501 S. King Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60628-1598. The phone number is 773/995-2000, and the website address is www.csu.edu.

Organization

The university is classified as a comprehensive urban university with a mission that incorporates instruction, research and public service. Chicago State University is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor of the State of Illinois. The president has full power and responsibility within the framework of the general policies determined by the Board of Trustees in the organization, management, direction and supervision of the university and is held accountable to the board for the successful functioning of the institution in all its departments, divisions, and services. The general administration of the university is managed by the president.

The university is organized into five divisions, each administered by a vice president: Academic Affairs; Enrollment Management; Administration and Facilities; Financial Operations; Labor and Legal Affairs. Faculty, student, and staff participation in university governance is accomplished through the Faculty Senate, Student Government, the Civil Service Council, and membership on standing and ad hoc committees. These bodies and their committees consider and recommend policies, curricula, and procedures to the president.

Vision

Chicago State University will be recognized for innovations in teaching and research, community development and civic engagement. We will promote excellence, ethical leadership, entrepreneurship, and social and environmental justice. We will embrace, engage, educate, propel and elevate our students and community to transform lives locally and globally.

Mission

Chicago State University transforms students’ lives by innovative teaching, research, and community partnerships through excellence in ethical leadership, cultural enhancement, economic development, and justice.

Values

• Personal and academic excellence
• Personal, professional, and academic integrity
• Diversity, Equity, and inclusion
• Leadership, service, philanthropy, social justice, and entrepreneurship
• Creative and innovative thinking and learning
• Pride in self, community, and the university
• Lifelong learning

History

Chicago State University opened its doors as a teacher training school in a leaky railroad freight car in Blue Island, Illinois on September 2, 1867. Today, in contrast, the university is a fully accredited public, urban institution located on 161 picturesque acres in a residential community on the Southside of Chicago. During the first year of its founding, CSU enrolled 62 students. The current student enrollment is over 3,000.

The path from then until now has been marked by change. During more than 140 years, CSU has changed its name, focus, governance and location. But with each transition, the university has kept sight of its educational mission and enhanced its services to Chicago and its surrounding communities.

Under the name of Cook County Normal School, the school found its first permanent home in 1870. Daniel S. Wentworth was the institution’s first principal. The original building contained 27 rooms and a model grammar school. A few years later, Cook County Normal School added a dormitory that earned it a jump in enrollment and a national reputation. The school was acquired by the Chicago Board of Education in 1897, and renamed Chicago Normal School. In 1913 it became Chicago Normal College, and still later Chicago Teachers College.

A major change, reflected in a broadening of the college’s curriculum, came in 1965, when control of the school passed into the hands of the State of Illinois. The revamped institution was renamed Illinois Teachers College: Chicago South. Soon after, the legislature acted to remove the title of “teachers college” from all state colleges and universities. In 1967, the school became Chicago State College. Throughout the 1960s, Chicago State expanded its academic programs and began to move toward fulfilling its new, more comprehensive role as a liberal arts institution. The school was renamed Chicago State University in 1971.

In November 1972, the university made the monumental move from its 6800 South Stewart Street campus, where it had been located for 102 years, to its present location at 9501 South King Drive, 12 miles from the Loop. A new student union and a 360-bed residence hall opened in August 1995, giving CSU students an opportunity to experience the convenience of living on campus in an enriched academic, social and cultural environment.

Today, CSU is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor of Illinois. The university’s five colleges - Health Sciences, Arts and Science, Business, Education, and Pharmacy - offer 34 undergraduate and 27 graduate degree-granting programs. In addition, CSU has a Division of Continuing Education and Non-Traditional Programs that reaches out to the community with extension courses, distance learning and not-for-credit programs.

From its humble origins Chicago State University has evolved into an outstanding, nationally-acclaimed university that provides a value-added education for all who enter its hallowed halls. Consistently evolving to reflect state-of-the-art trends in higher education, Chicago State University prepares students for success in the twenty-first century.

The Seal

The Chicago State University seal is based on the design of the original seal of the normal school, probably the earliest symbol of Chicago State University. It appropriately reiterates the university’s heritage and proud past. The pine evergreen design is a symbol of vitality, life, and continued growth; it is always green and growing, persistent, and long living. Each stage of the evergreen’s growth broadens its base and increases its stature. The seal appears along with the Message from the President.

Accreditation

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago IL 60602, 312/263-0456,www.higherlearningcommission.org.

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division I, 700 W. Washington Street, PO Box 6222, Indianapolis IN 46206-6222, 317/917-6222, www.ncaa.org.

In addition to North Central Association accreditation, CSU has additional independent program accreditation from the following associations:

In addition to the accreditations listed above, the Illinois State Board of Education recognizes Chicago State University’s teacher education programs.

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association
• Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
• American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
• Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
• Council of Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc.
• National Association of Schools of Music
• National Association of Schools of Art and Design
• Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE)
• National Recreation and Park Association/American Association for Leisure and Recreation Council on Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT)
• Bilingual Education/Association for Childhood Education International
• Doctor of Education in Education Leadership/Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC)
• Early Childhood Education/National Association of Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education/Association for Childhood Education International
• Principal Preparation/Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC)
• Physical Education/National Association for Sport and Physical Education
• Special Education/The Council for Exceptional Children
• Teaching Biology and Chemistry/National Science Teachers Association
• Teaching English/National Council of Teachers of English
• Teaching Geography and History/National Council for Social Studies
• Teaching Physics/National Science Teachers Association
• Teaching Reading/International Reading Association

The university is a member in good standing of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. It is also affiliated with the American Council on Education.

Housing and Residence Hall

Welcome to Chicago State University Office of Housing & Residence Life (HRL). Here at Chicago State University we strive to offer the most engaging residential experience enriched with diverse living and learning opportunities that foster academic growth. We achieve this by providing academic, social, cultural and personal developmental support through programming and student engagement.

Our Residence Hall is a three-story coeducational building that houses approximately 300 students in suite-style living. Our hall provides spacious living quarters, lounge spaces for studying, programming & fun. The hall also has an on-site laundry facility equipped with washers and dryers, as well as a 24-hour computer lab with free printing capability for your late night studying needs.

With 150 double rooms, we provide a room with adjoining bathrooms and 24 single rooms with private baths; in addition, ADA room accommodations are accessible to be processed through the Abilities Office prior to approval for moving into housing. This includes service/ESA animals and/or ADA needs. 

Each room comes furnished with beds (frame and mattress), dressers, desks, chairs, closet space, and cable, as well as ethernet and Wi-Fi access. All rooms are equipped with smoke & heat detectors and water sprinklers for your safety. All suites are equipped with units for controlling air and heat operation. In the center of the Residence Hall, you will find our outdoor courtyard with trees, flowers, greenery and barbeque grills - great for warm Chicago days.

You will find that our Residence Hall is staffed 24-hours a day, 365 days a year by professional and trained student paraprofessional staff. Our Housing and Residence Life (HRL) team are all trained to support students within the residence halls. We have two resident assistants per floor that provide educational and fun programming to build community, campus support, and serve as a resource for any concerns that come up throughout your collegiate experience. There are also eight Community Desk assistants and two full time resident hall attendants that serve as first responders providing 24/7 support, safety and security within the Residence Hall. Lastly, we have two office assistants here to support the day-to-day operations of the HRL team and assist students during the day by helping with the mail on site and any housing needs. Our front desk has temperature monitors and video surveillance to assist with our efforts in providing a safe and secure community and we are proud to be one of the safest campuses in the city of Chicago.

During the academic year, students have an option to live on campus for 8 months with the opportunity to explore interim, winter and spring break and summer housing , during which the students are required to utilize the on-campus meal plan which is a part of the Housing Agreement. We have three options of meal plans for your individual needs, 10 meals per week, 15 meals per week or 19 meals per week. We have vending machines available in the hall for late night snacking. The Residence Life Community Living Standards can be found in the Student Handbook located in the CSU student portal and online via the University housing website.

For more information concerning Chicago State University Housing & Residence Life, please contact the office at (773)995-4543 Monday through Friday 9am-5pm, visit our housing website at csu.edu/dosa/resources/housing or email at housing@csu.edu.

Student Identity Verification Process

The verification of a student’s identity begins at the time of admission or initial course registration. When the student is initially accepted at CSU, a unique BANNER user Id is created for the student. The Identity and Access Management (IAM) system creates a new profile for the student. Students claim their account on an online system. During the account claiming process, students are required to enter their Student Id Number, Date of Birth, and last name. This process allows the student to set up their own passwords which expire every 150 days.

Students are required to change or reset their passwords using the online system only. The Information Technology Department (ITD) assists students in resetting passwords if needed.

Access to the Course Management System is through Cougar Connect and requires the use of the student’s username and password. Data transmission of login information is secured using standard encryption technologies. Students are given information regarding best practices related to setting up and maintaining the security of passwords on the IAM screen.

Instructions to claim accounts and password resets can be found on the URL below: http://www.csu.edu/itd/servicesoffered/iam.htm

The user account setup using this online IAM system can be used to access the following online resources at CSU:

1. Computers in the CSU domain
2. Cougar Connect (Intranet)
3. Moodle Course Management System
4. Course Evaluation
5. Email
6. Online Courses

The United States Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act, Public Law 110-315, requires colleges to establish policies to ensure that a student who registers in an online course is the same student who participates in and completes the program and receives academic credit for the course. When Chicago State University students enroll in an online course, their participation in the course is restricted to using the Moodle Course Management System which requires a secure login and password to enter.