Rush University/Campus Information

Rush University’s Campus

The main campus of Rush University/Rush University Medical Center is located on the near west side of Chicago not far from downtown (often referred to as the Loop). The area surrounding the campus is undergoing much redevelopment. Of particular interest is the Chicago Technology Park, which incorporates biomedical research facilities and programs. Townhomes and condominiums have been built in Garibaldi Park, just east of the campus, and many new businesses are flourishing in the Taylor Street area. With other health care facilities in the Medical Center District including: the University of Illinois at Chicago-West Campus, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Westside Veterans Administration Hospital and Illinois State Psychiatric Institute, Rush is centrally and conveniently located. The Marriott Chicago Downtown at the Medical District, a hotel and fine dining establishment, is located at the corner of Harrison Street and Ashland Avenue adjacent to the Medical Center. The main campus now consists of 22 buildings. This includes facilities for achieving the goals of the Medical Center: patient care, education and research. The main campus also includes two indoor parking facilities.

Armour Academic Center is the hub of most student activities. The Library of Rush University Medical Center and the McCormick Educational Technology Center (METC) are located in the Armour Academic Center, along with classrooms; laboratories; academic computing; specialized facilities; the Student Affairs Suite; the Office of Student Life and Engagement,; the Office of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs; the Rush University Bookstore; a cafeteria and the administrative offices of Rush Medical College, the College of Nursing, the College of Health Sciences and The Graduate College.

Medical Center and Facilities

Laboratories are located throughout the Medical Center complex but are principally found in Jelke-South center. Additional departmental laboratories are located in the Cohn Research Building and in the Tech 2000 building located at 2000 W. Harrison Street. In addition to the main campus, Rush includes Rush-Copley Memorial Hospital located in Aurora and Rush-Oak Park Hospital located in Oak Park. Directly across the Eisenhower Expressway from the main campus is the Triangle Office Building (TOB), which is home to finance, legal affairs, philanthropy and communication, the data center and other functions of the Medical Center. On-campus housing for students includes studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments at Center Court Gardens, located just east of the Medical Center. Many students also live in private housing in the area surrounding the Medical Center.

The Office of Student Life and Engagement distributes a campus map to new students and publishes the Rush University Student Handbook which includes a yellow pages section providing locations and telephone numbers of persons, offices, departments and buildings of interest to students.

Office of Student Life and Engagement

The mission of the Office of Student Life and Engagement is to provide an atmosphere that will enhance students’ academic experiences. The Student Life and Engagement staff works closely with students, faculty and the administration to identify student needs and to design and implement programs and policies to meet those needs. The professional staff serves as advisors to student organizations; provides career counseling and services to students in each academic discipline; assists with the development and implementation of orientation and commencement events; and sponsors educational, multicultural and social activities for all students.

Office of Student Life and Engagement
600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 984
(Armour Academic Center)
Chicago, Illinois 60612
Office: (312) 942-6302
Fax: (312) 942- 9283
Email: Student_Life@rush.edu
Web site address: www.rushu.rush.edu/studentlife

Student Activities

The Office of Student Life and Engagement sponsors programs that are open to all Rush University students and faculty. The primary objective of these programs is to enhance the co-curricular life of the Rush student community. In the past, the office has sponsored events including Rush Roundtables and Current Issues in Healthcare as well as Fall Into Rush (student organization fair), International Student Day, and Student Appreciation Week. In addition, the office encourages exploration of Chicago’s many cultural, educational and social resources by regularly offering students discounted museum, theatre, sports and movie tickets. The staff in the Office of Student Life and Engagement welcomes input and assistance from students in the planning and implementation of programming events. Students wishing to become involved are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Life and Engagement at (312) 942-6302 or via email at Student_Life@rush.edu.

Career Development

The Office of Student Life and Engagement assists students who are preparing for the job search and residency application processes with resumes, curriculum vitae, cover letters, personal statements and interviewing techniques. A variety of career resources are available for student use, including workbooks, handouts and guide books. Many of these resources are available on the RUConnected Portal site. Each student is also assigned an academic advisor knowledgeable about the student’s educational program. This advisor provides assistance in curriculum selection, academic progression and professional and career development. Within Rush Medical College, an Assistant Dean in the Office of Medical Student Programs has specific responsibility for providing counseling about specialty choice and application for postgraduate residency positions.

Students are also individually assigned academic advisors from their associated colleges who are knowledgeable about the student’s educational program. These advisors provide assistance in curriculum selection, academic progression and professional and career development.

Publications

The Office of Student Life and Engagement oversees the publication of student related materials, such as the Rush University Student Handbook and the New Student Picture Book. The New Student Picture Book may be accessed through the RUConnected Portal site. The Rush University Student Handbook is provided to each new student at the time of orientation and is also available online at www.rushu.rush.edu/studentlife.

Rush University Counseling Center

The Rush University Counseling Center is open all year and provides professional counseling at no charge to all currently enrolled students. Individuals and couples explore a variety of concerns ranging from academic problems to issues encountered in the course of clinical training. Students also seek help for anxiety, depression, relationship problems, insomnia, eating disorders, sexual orientation and coming out issues, bereavement, family mental illness, and career decisions. The Counseling Center maintains strict standards of confidentiality. No information regarding a student is released to anyone - inside or outside of Rush - without prior consent of the student, within the limits of Illinois law. Contact with the Counseling Center does not become part of any other University record. The Counseling Center is located in 701 Kidston House. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 312/942-3687.

International Student Services

International Student Services, housed within the Office of the Registrar and located in 440 Armour Academic Center, works with international students planning to study at Rush and who will need authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to do so. International Student Services serves students in the following ways:

• Representing Rush to the Student and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP) regarding the attendance of international students
• Helping prospective students navigate issues concerning international admission
• Issuing USCIS documents for F-1 students, to assure compliance with established governmental policies and procedures
• Consulting with current and potential students, academic and administrative offices, staff and faculty regarding nonimmigrant student issues
• Orienting new students to the Rush community in collaboration with the Office of Student Life
• Helping international students be an integral part of the diversity and culture of the Rush community

The International Student Services is available to serve the needs of prospective and current international students and alumni. The office provides pre-arrival information, prepares immigration paperwork and provides orientations. For additional information, please call (312) 942-2030.

Office of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs

The Office of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs strives to create an environment for students that is welcoming, inclusive and supportive. The office aims to develop a community culture that embraces diversity and multiculturalism, appreciates the importance of this value in both the educational and clinical environment, and displays this appreciation in the recruitment of a student population that is reflective of the diversity which exists in the communities Rush serves. The office’s work focuses on:

• Supporting Academic Success-Developing culturally inclusive academic support programs that complement the learning environment and foster academic achievement.
• Student Development-Encouraging students to participate in diverse leadership opportunities, professional development, service learning, community engagement, and mentoring, while highlighting and encouraging wellness in students’ lives.
• Education and Training-Offering ongoing trainings, webinars, workshops, lecture series and events to promote diversity and inclusion awareness for students and the greater campus community.
• Campus Climate-Implementing a systematic, continuous assessment of campus climate for students and action plans to enhance a welcoming multicultural and inclusive student environment.

The Office of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs is located in the Armour Academic Center, 984B. For additional information, please call (312) 942-0725.

Campus Housing

Information pertaining to on-campus housing, including the application process and/or roommate selection, may be obtained from the Office of Student Life and Engagement, Suite 984, Armour Academic Center or found on the website at www.rushu.rush.edu/studentlife/housing. Center Court Gardens, located on Harrison Street across from the Chicago Marriott at Medical District/UIC, consists of apartment style living with almost 300 units available as studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms. All apartments are unfurnished, carpeted and have individually controlled heating and air conditioning, modern appliances and bathtubs with showers. Basic cable and internet are included in the rent but electric and heating utilities are not included.

Application Process

Students can apply for housing upon their acceptance to Rush University. Applications for both new and returning students are available via the web at www.rushu.rush.edu/studentlife/housing. Because on-campus housing is in great demand, Rush University has established the following set of priorities for assigning students to available units. Students grouped in priority number one receive the highest priority followed by those in category number two, etc.

Priority one: Returning undergraduate, graduate and professional students who apply for on-campus housing by the advertised deadline.

Priority two: Incoming undergraduate, graduate and professional students who begin their academic programs in the summer academic term and have been accepted for admission and apply by April 15.

Priority three: Incoming undergraduate, graduate and professional students who begin their academic programs in the fall academic term and have been accepted for admission and apply for housing by May 1.

These priorities will be used as a guide when assigning housing. Returning students who fail to submit a housing application for the succeeding year prior to the advertised deadline will lose their number one priority. Rush University reserves the right to make exceptions to these priorities when extenuating circumstances exist. Apartment types available:

Notification of acceptance into University housing will be sent to each student assigned to on-campus housing. New students must receive an acceptance for admission to the university before any housing notification will be sent. Entering students whose program of study begins in the summer academic term will be sent housing assignments by the beginning of May. Students who begin their programs in the fall will receive housing assignments by the end of May. Returning students will receive their housing notifications in April. Students starting in the winter or spring academic term will receive their housing assignment any time after May 1.

Lease and Deposit

A lease is included with each letter of acceptance into University housing. The lease, accompanied by a security deposit equal to one month’s rent, must be signed and returned. Failure to return the lease and the security deposit by the specified deadline will result in the loss of the housing assignment. Students are billed for rent along with tuition and fees prior to the beginning of each academic term.

Consolidation Policy

In an effort to maximize the number of on-campus housing spaces available to Rush University students, consolidation of tenants may occur. This consolidation policy will affect only those students who occupy an apartment by themselves that was originally leased to two or more students. Such a situation can occur when a roommate leaves University housing during the course of the academic year. If consolidation is necessary, students involved will be informed in writing. At that time the student will have the following options: 1) share an apartment with another student in any building who is also in need of a roommate, 2) find a Rush University student roommate of his or her choice, 3) have a roommate assigned from the available applications, or 4) pay the full rent of the apartment. If the fourth option is chosen, the apartment will become a single accommodation only through the end of the current lease. If the student wishes to renew the lease, the student will have the option of remaining in the apartment with the understanding that he or she will receive a roommate or will be given an opportunity to move to another available apartment.

Students should address questions concerning the application process, assignment process, or roommate selection to the staff at Center Court Gardens via phone at (312) 226-2836 or via email to RU_Housing@rush.edu.

The Office of Student Life and Engagement is also available to assist students with their off-campus housing needs. Information regarding local apartment listings, transportation, Internet resources, etc., is available. Students are also encouraged to check bulletin boards throughout Armour Academic Center for apartment leads within walking distance to Rush, including the University Village/Little Italy neighborhoods. An off-campus housing guide is available on the housing website (www.rushu.rush.edu/studentlife/housing) to assist in making decisions such as how much rent can be afforded, what commuting distance is acceptable, and if finding a roommate will be necessary. Rush University accepts no responsibility for off-campus arrangements.

Rush Community Service Initiatives Program (RCSIP)

The mission of Rush Community Service Initiatives Program is to provide community based volunteer experiences for Rush students that enhance their ability to work in interprofessional teams, develop patient relationships, care for diverse populations, and to provide targeted services based on community need.

We will achieve our mission by:

• Aligning volunteer experiences with the findings of the Rush Community Health Needs Assessment
• Developing community programs that align with Rush’s community implementation plan
• Providing appropriate supports and training for student volunteers
• Accessing the outcomes of community programs
• Evaluate the effects of community service experiences on the personal learning and development of the students.

Recreation

For students interested in yoga and pilates classes, Rush University Medical Center Employee Wellness sponsors classes during the noon hour and late afternoons. For a class schedule, fees and other information call (312) 942-5878 or visit the Medical Center intranet at iris.rush.edu/wellness and click on Employee Wellness.

Student Lounge

The Student Lounge, located on the ninth floor, north end, of the Armour Academic Center is equipped with couches, a flat screen television, an email workstation, tables and chairs, a copy machine and a complete kitchen (refrigerator and microwave ovens). All students are invited and encouraged to use the facilities of the lounge. A student ID proxy mechanism located along the west corridor allows students 24-hour access to the lounge.

Student Lockers

At the time of orientation, Rush University will assign lockers for the storage of coats, books and other miscellaneous articles. Please note that most lockers are shared with another student. Be advised, that Rush University assumes no responsibility for the loss of personal property from lockers. If any difficulties arise with a locker, contact the Office of Student Life and Engagement, located in 984 Armour Academic Center.

Student Organizations

The Office of Student Life and Engagement recognizes the interests and goals of each student organization through administrative and limited financial support. Students who wish to establish a new organization are encouraged to stop by the office and speak with a staff member. Currently, there are nearly 35 active organizations, including the American Medical Student Association, The Graduate College Student Council, National Student Speech- Language Hearing Association, Rush Medical College Student Council, Rush Muslim Students’ Association, RU-Student Nurses Association and the Student Occupational Therapy Association. A complete description of all student organizations can be found on the Student Life and Engagement website.

Voter Registration

Voter registration materials are available through the Office of Student Life and Engagement, located in 984 Armour Academic Center. These voter registration materials allow for a student to vote in local, state and federal elections.

Worship Opportunities

The Department of Religion, Health and Human Values provides weekly opportunities for worship in the J. Hall Taylor Memorial Chapel, located on the first floor of the Kellogg building near elevator C, as well as special services on faith-group holidays.

A Meditation Room, available at all times as a refuge for the spirit, is located on the fourth floor Atrium Lobby. A directory of churches in the area is available by calling the Department of Religion, Health and Human Values at (312) 942-5571. Chaplains are available for consultation about professional and personal issues.

Rush University Bookstore

The Rush University Bookstore, located on the ground level of Armour Academic Center, is a health sciences bookstore serving the needs of students, faculty and staff at Rush University Medical Center. The bookstore stocks the required and recommended textbooks for courses offered at Rush University, as well as an assortment of reference and review books. Special orders are handled by the bookstore and will generally be received in one or two weeks. Lab coats and medical-surgical equipment are also stocked. School supplies, greeting cards, convenience items, USPS stamps, computer software and Rush insignia items are also available.

Office of General Education Resources

The Office of General Educational Resources offers a wide variety of services to Rush University students and faculty. Available services include: Laboratory Services, Emergency Cardiac Care Program, and the Quick Copy Center. The office is located in the Multidisciplinary Laboratory (MDL) area on the 7th floor of the Armour Academic Center. The classrooms are open to students 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday. Students who need special laboratory instruments or services for education or research projects should discuss such needs in advance with the staff. For questions please call (312) 942-6791.

Quick Copy Center

Located on the seventh floor of Armour Academic Center, this facility duplicates materials for educational purposes as well as general needs. A full range of services, including front and back copying, three-hole punched copies, booklets and multiple binding options are offered through the center. Personal work of one or more copies can be accommodated for faculty and students at a reasonable fee. Quick Copy is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Library of Rush University Medical Center

The Library serves the education, patient care and research needs of the students, faculty, staff and patients at Rush University Medical Center. Visit the Library on the 5th floor of the Armour Academic Center or at http://rushu.libguides.com.

The Library offers a comprehensive collection of print and online materials covering all areas of the health sciences. The Library’s database collection features resources such as SCOPUS, CINAHL, Medline, and PsycINFO. Other online resources include point-of-care reference tools like UpToDate and Clinical Key, which provide concise topic reviews, clinical guidelines, extensive drug information and full-text for a wide range of medical textbooks and journals.

If the library does not have an item, it can be requested from another library via interlibrary loan or (I-Share). Books, journal articles, proceedings, dissertations and audiovisual materials can all be requested from other institutions. Turnaround time and loan period depend upon the lending library. For details call (312) 942-5950.

The students, faculty and staff of Rush University Medical Center may access online library resources, such as full text journals, eBooks and databases, from off-campus locations. For more information please call (312) 942-5950.

Reference librarians provide personalized information services to all members of the Rush community. Request a comprehensive literature search or schedule individual or group instruction at your convenience to learn how best to use PubMed, evidence-based medical databases, bibliographic management tools or any other library resources. Call (312) 942-6784 or email lib_ref@rush.edu to make arrangements for individual or course related instruction.

McCormick Educational Technology Center (METC)

The McCormick Educational Technology Center (METC), a department of the Library of Rush University Medical Center, is a media, computer and educational support center. Its mission is to facilitate university teaching and learning through the use of media, computer software and instructional design assistance.

The METC houses a large collection of media, including video-cassettes, DVDs, CD-ROMs, computer software, slide/tape programs and audio-cassettes, which are available for student and faculty use. Students may request, in advance, media materials for use in course presentations.

The METC is home to two multimedia classrooms, Room 903 (capacity: 40) and Room 908 (capacity: 16), and 3 media viewing rooms. Rush faculty can reserve multimedia classrooms for classes and exams. Students can use viewing rooms for study and group discussion. Workstations in Room 917 (computer lab) are also available for students and residents through a touchless access control system. There are 2 printers in the METC. Software installed on workstations includes the Microsoft Office suite, secure exam software, SPSS and specific software requested by faculty for instruction. Rush faculty can reserve computer classrooms via the Astra scheduling system.

The METC also coordinates the Academic Testing Center located in the Triangle Office Building. The ATC accommodates up to 75 students for online testing, and includes a multipurpose waiting area that can also function as a collaborative learning space. The ATC is also reserved through the Office of the Registrar.

Students with a valid Rush University I.D. have computer lab access on a first-come, first-serve basis 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tablets, laptops, projectors, video and audio recorders, and other accessories are available to students for limited checkout.

METC staff partner with faculty into enhance instructional content and delivery. This includes locating, previewing, evaluating and acquiring commercially produced software and media for use within courses and offering collaborative support with audio/visual projects using products such as Blackboard Collaborate, Camtasia, and Panopto. The METC provides access to methods of creating lecture files to post in RULearning (Blackboard), the university’s web-based learning management system, and to virtual classroom software to allow distance education students to communicate with their instructors, and peers in real time.

METC staff also provide assessment support through the scanning and reporting of testing results to faculty through optical mark reader (OMR) test forms, and online testing. The METC collaborates with Information Services to provide Blackboard support for both faculty and students.

Media Services

Media Services, located 121 Professional Building 1, provides a wide range of audio/visual support for classrooms, meeting rooms and auditoriums throughout the University/Medical Center. Additionally, Media Services works with Rush Photo Group in providing a full service video production department that is able to assist in scripting, shooting and editing a client’s video program. Video duplication services, as well as audio/ visual equipment rental, are usually provided at no charge to the client. Media Services is glad to provide recommendations to faculty, staff or students who are purchasing audio/visual equipment. Please call extension 2-5187 to reach Media Services.

Rush Photo Group

Rush Photo Group (located at 121 Professional Building 1) is an in-house photo studio offering any number of photographic services to students, faculty and employees. The Photo Group is available for graduation photos, portraits needed for applications, posters, passports and many other creative digital solutions. Video production is also available working in tandem with Media Services from scripting, shooting, to editing the final project. There is also a self-serve Mitsubishi kiosk available for printing from digital camera memory cards. For more information please call extension 2-8278.

Rush Fitness Center

Whether you’re trying to get in shape, lose weight, be more active or unwind after a busy day - the Rush Fitness Center is just what you’re looking for. Facilities include a variety of machines, equipment, fitness studio, cardio and strength training, stretching areas and lockers rooms. Also, there are special classes and training opportunities. For questions, please email rushfitnesscenter@rush.edu.