UIC Development

UIC has developed quite a bit since its modest beginnings at Navy Pier. Obviously this is because of the increased demand for higher education due to societal changes in the need for an advanced degree as well as increased population. The facilities are certainly much better now than they were when UIC was a crowded campus on Navy Pier but through the years UIC has remained largely a commuter school that many find drab and uninviting.
The development on the former Maxwell St. neighborhood (now University Village) attempted to right some of those wrongs. There are many newer student residences as well as street shopping. However, the reality is that many of the apartments in the new developments are being bought by people of a higher socio-economic status that students simply cannot attain. These residents are changing the character of the street shopping to be something that is out of the reach of students. I cannot say that I am familiar with the old neighborhood but at times the new development feels empty, like it was just dropped fully formed into the area. Maybe it will get better over time.
What UIC really needs is more student residences. UIC is starting to move in that direction with higher numbers of incoming freshmen living in the dorms. With a larger resident population the ambience of the school will change for the better. When the campus is empty it feels desolate and rather scary. Contrasted with schools that have a larger resident population it simply feels boring. I have faith (and I really have faith in so little) that given enough time UIC will become a fun, interesting campus. It's really too bad that I won't be around to experience it. I can come and visit but it will not be the same.