General University Information

Main Campus

The campus is in a residential area on the west side of Joliet, Illinois, 35 miles southwest of Chicago. The campus houses all administrative offices, residence halls, recreational facilities, and library in addition to classroom facilities.

The LaVerne and Dorothy Brown Science Hall is a three-level facility with spaces for merging research and teaching in microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics, a human cadaver lab for anatomy and biophysics, a lab for exercise physiology and biophysics, and merged spaces for inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. The building also houses a medium-sized lecture hall, a green roof, flexible laboratory spaces, a conference room and a science tutoring and supplemental instruction area.

Harold and Margaret Moser Performing Arts Center, adjacent to Tower Hall, is host to a wide variety of cultural and scholarly events on campus. The center includes the Sue Manner Turk studio theater, choral room, instrumental practice rooms, and the James and Patricia Sexton Auditorium, a 235-seat auditorium.

Donovan Hall, Motherhouse, houses general classroom space, and faculty and administrative offices for the College of Education. Donovan Hall has a 200 seat ballroom, conference rooms, and an executive meeting room.

The LaVerne and Dorothy Brown Library provides more than 40 computer workstations, a variety of areas for group and individual study, a media viewing room, a snack lounge, several comfortable seating areas and classrooms. Professional librarians are available during all hours the library is open via email or in person. ARC (Academic Resource Center) and the offices of the Department of Academic Technology are both located in the library.

Marian Hall, a student residence, has accommodations for 238 students. Completely refurbished in 2006, the residence contains TV lounge areas, group study rooms, a kitchenette, laundry facilities on each floor, student computer labs, a game room, and the Abbey lounge. The Information Technology offices are on the ground floor of Marian Hall.

Motherhouse Residential Center is located in the historic former Motherhouse building of the Sponsoring congregation, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate. Located on the first floor are Residence Life and Student Activities offices. Upper floors include student residential living in apartments, suites, single and double rooms.

The Pat Sullivan Recreation Center is a three-level facility which includes an intercollegiate basketball/volleyball arena, two intramural basketball/volleyball courts, one racquetball court, a golf simulation studio, locker rooms for men and women, athletic department offices, athletic trainer’s center, a fitness training and exercise center and conference room.

St. Joseph Chapel and University Ministry Center is on the third floor of the Motherhouse. It houses the offices for Campus Ministry, Mission Integration, along with an Interfaith Prayer Room and the historic 250 seat St. Joseph Chapel.

Student Center is located in the historic Motherhouse building. The first floor houses Bernie’s Pub, the Fireplace Lounge, Three Oaks Bistro, a Cyber Café, student game room and Student Life Offices. The second floor is home to the Welcome Center, President’s Office, Admissions, and the Advancement and Alumni Offices.

Tower Hall North houses classrooms, laboratories, administrative offices, faculty offices, the Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Registrar’s and Financial Aid offices, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business and Health Administration.

Tower Hall South houses a residence wing, the Office of the Provost, the Terrace Cafe, campus radio and TV studios, a media arts laboratory, the University Health Services office, the departments of Social Work, English, Psychology, Philosophy, Theology, Digital Audio, Mass Communication and Media Arts, also the University newspaper and television production areas.

Satellite Campuses 

Albuquerque Campus, New Mexico houses classes for the Physician Assistant Studies program. Classrooms, laboratories, offices and a small medical library collection are maintained at the site.

St. Bonaventure Campus – Located in the Joliet City Center, the St. Bonaventure Campus is comprised of two separate facilities: The Arts and Design Department is on the third and fourth floors of the Rialto Square Theatre. Steps away from Rialto Square Theatre is the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center which includes faculty offices, state-of-the-art classrooms, a courtroom for mock trial activities, student study and leisure space, computer labs and offices. A business incubator is a major feature of the building supporting USF’s undergraduate and graduate entrepreneurship degree programs. The Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center houses the College of Arts & Sciences’ Recreation & Sport Management, History, Political Science, and Criminal & Social Justice degree programs. The College of Business & Health Administration’s Supply Chain Management and Logistics programs are also based there.

St. Clare Campus – Located at the corner of Plainfield Road and Theodore Street in Joliet, the St. Clare Campus houses all Leach College of Nursing (LCON) facilities, state-of-the-art classrooms, simulation labs, skills labs, as well as, USF marketing, admissions and business office functions, Clare’s Garden Café, student lounges, and a large, discounted parking lot for shuttling to the main USF campus.

Educational Extension Sites 

Commitment to Off-Campus Locations

The University of St. Francis meets its goal of providing “programs and courses that are constructed for and offered at a time and place convenient for lifelong learning” by offering undergraduate and graduate programs on campus and at onsite locations throughout the nation, as well as online.

The University, upon initiating a new location, makes a commitment to offer the courses in that area which will enable students to complete the degree program. During the program cycles, the colleges will evaluate the course enrollment each semester. If insufficient enrollment is determined, a projected closing date will be announced that will enable current students to complete the program onsite if there are no program interruptions, or through alternative delivery formats. The deans of the colleges reserve the right to make decisions on closing site locations. Every effort will be made to maintain the designated meeting night and location. However, in the event of instructor or site unavailability, or a change in enrollment, the University of St. Francis reserves the right to change a class night or class meeting location to another site within the area, if possible. Advanced notice will be given to accommodate students’ scheduling arrangements.

Academic Support to Off-Campus Sites

Students attending classes at off-campus sites are encouraged to call the appropriate faculty member to discuss academic issues or academic advising. To discuss any other matters pertaining to their association with the University, students should contact an administrator within the college.

Student Identification Card

A current University of St. Francis ID card is issued to all off-campus students at the beginning of each academic year and to new students each semester. The card identifies the holder as a USF student and entitles the holder to privileges awarded to such. It may enable students to obtain library privileges in some areas. It is also useful for admission to museums, theaters, sporting events, etc. that have special rates for students.