Mission:
It is the mission of the Department of Residential Life at Concordia University Chicago to enhance the educational experience for our students through the development of and encouraged participation in programs and activities that aid in social, academic, knowledge and individual development for the student within safe and comfortable living and learning environments.
Goals:
1. Students that
a. make a successful transition to college,
b. actively participate in and show a commitment to community development within the halls and across the greater campus,
c. meet the enrollment targets of the university
2. The creation of meaningful, student centered programming and activities that reflect the Department of Residential Life Programming Commitment for student involvement and participation within the residential halls,
3. Maintaining safe and comfortable residential communities that are conducive to positive individual development and successful academic endeavor,
4. A department that remains committed to service, professionalism, positive stewardship of resources, assessment and growth, and the mission and core values of the institution and the Division of Student Life and Development, and
5. A positive work environment that supports and encourages collaboration, learning, and innovation in the development, application, and assessment of services and programs.
Programming:
The department is committed, through programming efforts both passive and active, to addressing nine areas with our Residential Students in positively aiding their individual development and growth while in our residential communities at Concordia University Chicago:
1. Developing and enhancing the abilities of critical thought,
2. Aiding in the establishment of interpersonal relationships,
3. Exploring identity development and supporting individual growth and maturity,
4. Aiding in the development of a personal career path,
5. Educating on and supporting independent, healthy choices and personal wellness,
6. Offering opportunities for the strengthening of Christian faith, and educating on other spiritual dimensions of life,
7. Supporting multicultural awareness and their personal involvement in activities that will strengthen their multicultural development,
8. Developing civic responsibility and a commitment to global citizenship, and
9. Increasing Concordia pride.
Live-On Housing Requirement
Concordia University Chicago requires all fulltime freshmen, sophomore, and junior year students to live on campus (exemptions to this policy our outlined in the Undergraduate and Graduate Student Academic Catalog.)
All full-time freshmen, sophomore and junior students are required to live in Concordia residence halls. Degree-seeking students taking less than 12 semester hours in a 16-week semester (part-time students) are considered ineligible for campus housing but exceptions will be considered (subject to housing availability) on a case-by-case basis. Concordia, under its parietal rule (for bond revenue projects), reserves the right at any future dates to require all students to live in University housing. Exceptions to the required housing policy are:
1. Full-time senior students, based upon earned credit hours, (Minimum of 90 Credits)
2. The student is living with parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and commuting to campus from that residence,
3. The student can claim “independent” designation as defined by federal aid requirements and standards,
4. The student is married,
5. The student, because of a disability, provides the college with appropriate documentation for reasonable accommodations that the university is unable to provide,
6. The student is twenty two years of age at or before the first day of the semester
7. The student has children or is the one that provides direct care for a legal guardian.
8. The student is a transfer and have completed at least 30 hours of transferrable, academic credit in a collegiate setting, during which time, in the previous semester, have resided in their own off campus housing, or
9. The student has a documented financial hardship.
Any fulltime freshmen, sophomore, or junior student that does not meet any of these exemptions, but wants to live off campus, must first seek and receive approval from our Dean of Students by completing and submitting the Off Campus Housing Request form. Students who are at the senior standing are encouraged to complete the same form in order to identify the housing intensions.
Non-Traditional Housing
Graduate student and Non-Traditional Undergraduate (22 years old or older) student housing is available on campus as space permits. Students looking for non-traditional housing must contact the Department of Residential Life to inquire about and gain approval for on campus housing based upon availability, suitability, and need. Currently Concordia University Chicago does not offer on campus housing for married students or families. The Department of Residential Life maintains an off-campus housing binder, accessible at their office on 2nd Krauss, and will work with students to make referrals for off campus housing options as questions arise.
Special Accommodations
The office of Residential Life works with students that have a necessity for special accommodations in relationship to their room or board plan. The three accommodations we regularly address are: 1) medical single room, 2) medically required air conditioning, and/or 3) a special or waived meal plan. Additional accommodations that are not listed here might be able to be met. Please discuss those in person with the Director of Residential Life.
Please Note:
• While every attempt is made to meet all reasonable accommodation requests, submission of the Special Accommodations Request form does not guarantee receipt of stated request.
• Medical single rooms are awarded on a space available basis and must be renewed each year with updated documentation on file with the Office of Residential Life.
• The room assigned and/or roommates assigned are at the discretion of the Director of Housing for those requiring special accommodations.
• Documentation of a disability alone, without justification, does not constitute grounds for a medical single room.
• Seasonal allergies alone, without justification, do not constitute grounds for an air conditioned room.
• All requests to waive a meal plan for dietary reasons are first shared with Sodexo. Sodexo must waive their ability to meet your dietary needs prior to having a meal plan waive request granted.
Process
1. All requests for accommodation are subject to review and approval prior to any allowable updates to status or account.
2. Students must have a completed Accommodations request form on file before any requested accommodations will be granted.
3. Information that is incomplete or that has not been completed will be returned to the student without being approved.
4. The accommodation request form is available on the portal in the Form Depository in addition to a link included on the housing application
5. All completed accommodation request forms must be turned in to, mailed to or faxed to the Director of Housing.
For more information regarding Residential Life and Housing at Concordia University Chicago, please visit the Residential Life and Housing section of the Student Life Tab on the Concordia Connect Portal, or contact one of our professional staff members:
Andrew Pollom, Assistant Dean of Students for Residential Life and Student Conduct
Location: Krauss Hall 211
Phone: (708) 209-3248
andrew.pollom@cuchicago.edu
Scott Hendricks, Director of Housing/Resident Director of Mary Martha Hall and Thomas and Apartments
Location: Krauss Hall 207
Phone: (708) 209-3505
scott.hendricks@cuchicago.edu
Kati Jendraszak, Coordinator of Freshman Residential Experience (FRE)/Resident Director of Kohn, Lindeman, Brohm, and Krauss Halls
Location: Krauss Hall 210
Phone: (708) 209-3006
kati.jendraszak@cuchicago.edu
Dirvelys Allen, Resident Director of Gross Hall / Coordinator of Academic Support Services
Location: Klinck Library – Lower Level #025
Phone: (708) 488-4109
dirvelys.allen@cuchicago.edu