Dominican UniversityStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for Dominican University. Core organization is free for students.

Private Non-Profit Liberal Arts College in River Forest, IL. Operating on a semester system.

Looking for dorms? Scroll for the dorm and housing breakdown below.

Free for all Dominican University students. No credit card required.

4K+

Total Enrollment

Liberal Arts College

Institution Type

7

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Fall III 2026

The semester, explained for Dominican University

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Fall III 2026
Campus terms
13
Local details
11

Academic calendar

Fall III 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Dec 4, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

15 entries
  1. Fall I 2026
  2. Fall III 2026Relevant now
  3. Fall III 2026
  4. Fall II 2026
  5. January Interim 2027January Interim Term 2027
  6. Spring I 2027
  7. Spring III 2027
  8. Spring III 2027
  9. Spring II 2027
  10. Summer Session IV 2027
  11. Summer Session I 2027
  12. Summer Session III 2027
  13. Summer Session II 2027
  14. Fall Semester 2027

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

13 terms

C

Coughlin
Coughlin Hall, a residence hall housing both new and returning students.
Cyber
The Cyber Café, a dining location in the Rebecca Crown Library serving coffee and snacks.

D

DU Star
The official student-run newspaper of Dominican University.
DUBS
Dominican University Black Student Union, a student organization focused on Black student life.

L

LASO
Latinx American Student Organization, a cultural group on campus.

M

Mazz
Mazzuchelli Hall, a residence hall primarily for upperclassmen.
Murray
Murray Hall, a residence hall typically housing first-year students.

P

Power
Power Hall, a residence hall that also houses the main dining hall and social spaces.

S

SGA
Student Government Association, the primary student representative body.

T

The Caf
The main Dining Hall located on the lower level of Power Hall.
The Grotto
An outdoor prayer and reflection space often used as a meeting landmark.
The Quad
The central grassy outdoor area on the main campus used for events and socializing.
The Underground
A student lounge and dining area located in the lower level of the Rebecca Crown Library.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

11 details
Canvas
The online learning management system where students access course materials and grades.
Crown
The Rebecca Crown Library, the main campus library and study hub.
cyber_caf
Cyber Café
DU Alert
The emergency notification system used to broadcast safety alerts to students.
du_to_go
DU To Go
Lewis
Lewis Hall, a central building housing administrative offices and classrooms.
main_dining_hall
Main Dining Hall
Parmer
Parmer Hall, the main building for science, health, and education classes.
StarCard
The official student ID card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
The Priory
The Priory Campus, a secondary campus location used for specific programs and housing.
The Shuttle
The campus bus service that transports students between the Main Campus and the Priory Campus.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Fall III 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Dec 4, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
13 approved campus terms and 11 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Class of 2030 · Dominican University

You just committed to Dominican University.

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What we’ll email you about

  • Aug 24

    Submit Immunization Records

    Required · source

  • Aug 28

    Final Tuition Payment / Plan Enrollment

    Required · source

One email per real deadline. Source link cited every time. We re-check 7 days before each one fires.

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Assisted

Find a few communities to try at Dominican University

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

7 mapped items from 11 public sources

Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

Easy to try first

Welcome Weekend

An orientation program held the weekend before the fall semester begins, filled with sessions and events to help new students transition into the Dominican community.

Drop in any time

Source: dom.edu · Verified 2 months ago

Learn More

Campus rituals

Candle and Rose Ceremony

A historic ceremony held before commencement where graduating seniors, holding candles, pass the light of learning to their underclassmen partners, who hold roses symbolizing love and compassion.

Drop in any time

Source: dom.edu · Verified 2 months ago

Learn More

DU Fest

An annual festival for all students held on the Quad to kick off the new school year, featuring food trucks, live music, and activities.

Drop in any time

Source: dom.edu · Verified 2 months ago

Founders Week

A week of events celebrating the university's founding, mission, and the Sinsinawa Dominican sisters.

Drop in any time

Source: dom.edu · Verified 2 months ago

Resources & spaces

Center for Cultural Liberation (CCL)

An inclusive space that provides identity-based resources, supports social advocacy, and celebrates diverse cultures.

Open to all

Source: dom.edu · Verified 2 months ago

Learn More

Wellness Center

Provides confidential counseling, health services, and wellness education to support students' physical and mental well-being.

Open to all

Source: dom.edu · Verified 2 months ago

Learn More

Intramural Sports Program

Provides individual and team activities at competitive and recreational levels for the campus community to exercise, have fun, develop skills, and build relationships.

Drop in any time

Source: dustars.com · Verified 2 months ago

Learn More

Using DormWay at Dominican University

What the product handles for students.

Syllabus to schedule

Upload your Dominican University syllabus to organize dates and course details

Workload planning

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Free student access

Core organization is free for Dominican University students. Optional Pro tools are in development.

Dominican University on DormWay

Current DormWay activity for this campus

7

Active Students

4

Syllabi Analyzed

4

Courses on DormWay

Browse all courses →

Popular Courses

Browse all →
Custom CourseHonors First-Year: Navigating UniversityHonors First-Year Seminar: Justice as Virtue: Thoughts and PassionsIntroductory General Chemistry

DormWay integrates with Dominican University's LMS

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Canvas

Supported

Paste your Canvas calendar link to automatically sync your assignments and due dates.

Life in River Forest for Dominican University Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in River Forest.

Timezone

Central Time (CT)

Median Rent

$1,350

Cost of Living Index

135

Student Population

6,000

City Transportation

Walkability

70

Bikeability

60

Public Transit

Metra Union Pacific West Line (River Forest station), CTA Green Line (nearby Oak Park stations), Pace Suburban Bus

Nearest Airports

O Hare International Airport, Chicago Midway International Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Humid continental

Avg Annual Temp

50°F

Avg Snowfall

37 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Parking Garage

garage

Houses the Office of Campus Safety on the first floor.

East Parking Lot

surface_lot

Primarily for residential students.

Circle Drive

other

Designated for visitor parking.

Greenfield Parking Lot

surface_lot

Commuter and general parking.

Campus News

Latest updates from Dominican University

Student Invention 'Foamey' Receives $10,000 DU ELF Grant

Senior entrepreneurship student Joshua Ogiba won the $10,000 Entrepreneur's Launchpad Fund grant for his invention, Foamey.

Oct 21, 2026

Read More

DU Feeds Prepares to Support Students as SNAP Eligibility Changes

Dominican's on-campus food pantry, DU Feeds, is ramping up support as rising grocery prices and federal benefit disruptions impact students.

Oct 21, 2026

Read More

Dominican University Tops Midwest for Value in New U.S. News Rankings

Dominican University was ranked #1 for 'Best Value' and #3 for 'Social Mobility' in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report.

Sep 22, 2026

Read More

Upcoming Events

What's happening at Dominican University

Disability Justice Workshop

November 11, 2026

Innovation Lab (Crown 110)

A workshop for students and participants to learn about disability justice principles and self-advocacy when interacting with healthcare professionals.

Why Should We Trust Them? Libraries, Museums, Archives, and Higher Education

November 13, 2026

Online

A discussion on institutional distrust and the role of libraries, museums, and archives in modern education.

Chicago Campus Open House

November 14, 2026

Chicago Campus (1805 S Paulina St)

Explore the new associate degree program, residence spaces, and career-focused curriculum at the Pilsen campus.

A New Look at New Seeds of Contemplation

November 15, 2026

Martin Recital Hall

Exploring the past, present, and future of Thomas Merton's spiritual classic.

Black & Catholic: An Enduring Tradition of Joy & Liberation

November 18, 2026

Martin Recital Hall

A celebration of the traditions and liberation within the Black Catholic community.

DU Family Night

November 18, 2026

River Forest Campus

An opportunity for prospective students and their families to learn about admissions, financial aid, and campus life with a guided tour.

Class Act(s) - Alumni Band Night

November 21, 2026

Martin Recital Hall

An evening of music featuring Dominican University alumni performers.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at Dominican University

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

7 known dorm and housing options. Every known option is shown below.

Dominican Townhomes

Capacity: 65

Room types: double, single

Edgehill Village

Room types: double

Fanjeaux Hall

Room types: triple, double, single

Guzman Hall

Hertel Hall

Pennafort Hall

Room types: triple

Rosary Hall

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Private Non-Profit

Email Domain

@dom.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

Plan your semester at Dominican University

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