University Center Dorm Reviews at Columbia

Overall, UC is a nice, simple residence building. There's a lot of diversity with students from multiple colleges. It's mostly quiet, but the walls are thin, so you could hear people if they're being even a little loud. All the common areas were closed due to COVID, but UC is in a great spot in Chicago. That's by far the best part about it. Our bathroom wasn't great though. The showers are very small and I kept banging my elbows on the walls. Water pressure and temperature were constantly changing. Most of the time you had to choose between freezing cold or boiling hot. Also, we always seemed to have an issue with either our shower or toilet. Luckily the maintenance was easy to schedule and fast. It's a safe building. You need a key card to get in and there are two security guards in the lobby 24/7. It's a very clean place. The staff was constantly cleaning. The staff was awesome too. Very friendly and funny. I would talk to a few of them regularly.

The University Center itself is not that bad as a dorm experience goes. I had a great time living in the dorm and hanging with my friends who lived in other dorms. Living in a tiny suite, with four people that do not get along all using one shower/bathroom... is awful.

My experience has been very positive thus far. It is a surprisingly quiet living space for being in the middle of Downtown Chicago. Depending on where you are in the building, you're likely to hear passing trains at any given hour, but they aren't very disruptive, and I personally enjoy them. The staff in the Caf and at security are very nice.

I enjoyed it for the semesters that I was there, but I wouldn't consider it as a permanent residence. However, it is a good start for a new college student moving to the city and I would recommend it to new people. Also they desperately need better food choices.

The University Center isn’t that bad of a place to dorm in. It has decent meal plans, it’s relatively clean (though that also depends on your room mates too), and it’s very safe when it comes to security.

The University Center is usually pretty clean, and the security officers are very kind and understanding! The RAs do a good job of keeping the noise in check, and the common areas are always a nice place!

I had a great time living at the University Center of The New School. I lived there right after the building was opened to students, so everything was brand new - nice and clean. The location can't be beat, and the amenities were really great.

I love the University Center & this is my second year as a resident. Both years I have been in a semi-suite room, but I hope to get into one of the apartments next year. The building location is great, it has lots of amenities like exercise room, large laundry room, music practice rooms, computer labs, social lounges, etc. The semi-suite rooms have large windows that bring in a lot of light, they are large size rooms (about double of a normal "dorm" room, have nice sized closets with closet organizers, and you share a "jack and jill" style bathroom with the suite mates on the other side of your room.

Made new friends and the bathrooms and areas are clean. Everyone picks up their trash and is responsible for their own being as well as everyone getting along in every hallway at the University Center

The dorm rooms are small and need upgrading to include a bathroom in each room but the restrooms are clean and accessible down the hallway. It was not an issue moving onto campus it was pleasant and the resident aide on duty was helpful and courteous. I would definitely recommend that you live on campus attending this small private university because of the one on one help you will receive and this makes it feel more like a home setting than a large college.