Part of what makes Urbana-Champaign a great place to learn is that it’s also a great place to live. With fantastic dining, vibrant theatre, unique shopping, and award-winning parks, the twin cities surrounding the University provide plenty of excitement. On campus, students can attend performances by world-class artists at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, participate in numerous student clubs and organizations, attend lectures by distinguished individuals such as Jesse Ventura and Bill Gates, and cheer on our winning athletic teams. Campustown, the business district immediately adjacent to campus, offers a wide range of inexpensive ethnic restaurants, eclectic coffee houses, health clubs, and even a gourmet chocolate café.

First-year students can choose to live in one of several living-learning communities, which offer the ability to take classes in a residence hall, or they can join a fraternity or sorority and become part of the nation’s largest Greek system. With the completion of a major expansion project in 2007, Illinois students will also be able to play and exercise in the nation’s largest collegiate recreation and fitness facilities.

We encourage our students to find a healthy balance between education and recreation and between architecture and other classes. We believe that the most successful architects are well rounded individuals who know how to work hard and have fun. With the incredible range of recreation and entertainment options available in and near Champaign-Urbana, the definition of “fun” is entirely up to you.