A BME Graduate Student’s Guide to Northwestern’s Downtown Campus
This document is a guide written for graduate students by graduate students. It is meant to ease your
first few weeks doing research downtown and help you answer those important non-academic
questions of where are the cheapest places to eat and what is the easiest way to get downtown. It is not
meant to be an all inclusive guide or to replace the advice and instructions of your advisor.
Resources:
Abbott Hall (710 N. Lake Shore Drive, http://offices.northwestern.edu/detail/3)
Abbott Hall hosts several administrative offices on the downtown campus (including but not limited to:
Financial Aid, Bursar, International Office, Parking, and Facilities Management). If you will spend most of
your time on the downtown campus, these offices are conveniently located so you will not have to go to
Evanston to address all administrative issues.
Health Services (675 North St. Clair, http://www-chicago.nuhs.northwestern.edu/Default.aspx)
The Chicago campus Health Service is located at 675 North St. Clair, Suite 18-200 (Northwestern Medical
Faculty Foundation, General Internal Medicine). As a Northwestern student, you are free to use this
office located downtown or the health services office located on the Evanston campus.
In case of emergency, Northwestern Hospital Emergency Room entrance is located on 250 E Erie St.
There is also a physician on-call for after-hour emergency associated with the Chicago campus’s health
services, that number is 312 695-8134.
Galter Health Sciences Library (http://www.galter.northwestern.edu/)
The Galter Health Sciences Library is located in the Ward Building. If you enter Ward from the shuttle
stop on E. Chicago Street, the library will be on your left before you exit the lobby. You will need to show
your Wildcard to the librarian upon entrance. Also, be sure to visit Galter online. By creating an account
and accessing journal databases, like Pubmed, through the Galter website buttons appear to help you
access journal articles through Northwestern, retrieve call numbers for papers that are not available
online, and request papers through interlibrary loan.
LIFE Center
Located in the lobby of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, the journals in this center are included in
the NU library catalog. Journals such as the Archives of Physical Rehabilitation Medicine, can be accessed
here. The journals cannot be taken out of the center.
Holmes Place (Gym) (http://www.univsvcs.northwestern.edu/fitness/)
Located at 355 E. Grand Ave., this gym is only four-blocks south of campus. The gym offers all of the
amenities you would expect or want from a gym including a 25 m pool, weight-training equipment, a
dedicated spinning room and more. Membership for this premier downtown gym is more than
reasonable since Northwestern students get a special discount. For current rates and more information,
check online.
Last updated September 2009
Transportation:
RTA Trip Planner (http://tripsweb.rtachicago.com/)
This CTA resource provides the fastest public transportation route given a beginning and ending address.
Inter-Campus Shuttle
(http://www.northwestern.edu/uservices/transportation/shuttles/intercampus/index.html)
Most students living in Evanston utilize Northwestern’s shuttles to get downtown. Northwestern
currently provides two shuttles between the Evanston and Chicago campuses. The Inter-Campus shuttle
runs weekdays from approximately 6 am to 10 pm (check the schedule online for exact times). This
shuttle makes stops throughout Evanston, at Loyola, and at the downtown campus. The Chicago Express
provides limited service between campus and downtown attractions on select Saturdays. All
Northwestern Shuttles require a WildCard to use.
EL (http://www.transitchicago.com/)
The closest CTA El stop to Northwestern’s downtown campus is the Chicago Redline stop located at the
intersection of Chicago and State. It is approximately a 10 minute walk from campus. If travelling to
Evanston, transfers to the Purple-line express can be made a Fullerton and Belmont during the hours
when the express is running (peak commuting times). Check the CTA website for further details and
schedules. When the purple express is running, taking the El from Chicago to Noyes will take about an
hour, although it can be highly dependent upon how long you have to wait for a transfer.
Bus (http://www.transitchicago.com/)
The students that live in Lakeview or Edgewater tend to take buses from their homes to locations along
N. Michigan Ave. These buses include 144, 146, 147, and 151. For more information and specific routes,
check out the CTA website.
Bike (http://www.northwestern.edu/uservices/transportation/parking/bicycle.html)
The Lakeshore path provides a beautiful pedestrian pathway between Evanston and Chicago. If you
choose to bike to work, bicycle parking can be purchased on a yearly basis for a nominal fee. Check the
website for the most up to date information on fees.
Car (http://www.northwestern.edu/uservices/transportation/parking/index.html)
Driving to campus is always an option. Check Northwestern’s downtown parking website for the best
places to park and the cost associated with each lot. If you choose to drive, good luck with traffic!
Metra (http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home.html)
The Union Pacific Northline can be taken from Davis Street in Evanston to the Olgive Transportation
Center in downtown Chicago. From Olgive, Northwestern’s campus can be most directly accessed by the
120 bus. Although the metra can be expensive for a daily commute, they offer a $5 weekend pass
(Friday – Sunday), which can provide a convenient and inexpensive way to get downtown on the
weekends. Check out the Metra’s website for more information, up-to-date fares, and other metra
routes.
Airport Transportation
From the downtown campus, the fastest way to both Midway and O’Hare is by El. Take the blue line to
O’Hare or the orange line to Midway.
Last updated September 2009
Food and Drinks:
This is not an all inclusive list, but every place on this list can provide a decent size lunch for under $10.
Restaurants:
Chipotle (291 E Ontario St) – burritos, tacos, and salads
Jazzman’s Café (E. Superior St, in the Lurie Building) – pasta, pizza, sandwich, salad etc.
Panera (635 N Fairbanks) – soups, salads, and sandwiches
Potbelly (277 E Ontario St) – sandwiches, salads, soup and chili
Pompei Bakery (212 E Ohio St) – everything Italian for a very reasonable price
Water Tower Place (845 N. Michigan Ave.) – everything from Asian fast-food in the lobby to a food court
on the mezzanine level (go up the escalators to the 2nd floor, then down a half floor to the food)
Hospital Fare:
Each hospital offers a unique cafeteria experience with surprisingly tasty food.
Northwestern Memorial Cafeteria (251 E Huron St, up one floor from street level)
RIC Cafeteria (2nd floor, 345 E. Superior St)
Women’s Hospital Cafeteria (333 E. Superior St, up one floor from street level)
Grocery Stores:
Treasure Island (inside Playboy Building, entrance on E Huron St) – great place to pick up snacks or grab
some groceries before you head home
Coffee and Drinks:
Argo Tea (lobby of Prentice Women’s Hospital, E. Superior St) – a Chicago chain serving tea the way
Starbucks serves coffee
Starbucks (251 E Huron St) – coffee and caffeine
Nightlife:
Please note that the places suggested here do not qualify as providing quick food for under ten dollars,
but just the same they are places that you may be interested in knowing about. Also, one of many
websites to explore nightlife opportunities is http://chicago.metromix.com/
Good restaurants and/or happy hour places include D4, Elephant & Castle, Reagle Beagle, and
Giordono’s. If you are interested in a fun night out, Rush/Division has a large number of bars and
restaurants. Popular student-friendly bars include McFaddens and PJ Clarkes. There are some nice
restaurants such as Hugo’s Frog Bar, Tavern on Rush, and Gibson’s Steakhouse and Bar also in the area.
Last updated September 2009
Information by Building:
The BME department has offices and labs spread throughout a variety of downtown buildings. The main
buildings of interest are the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Ward, 645 N. Michigan Ave., and 737 N.
Michigan Ave. Each building has different regulations.
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (345 E Superior St.)
The 13th and 14th floors of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) are home to the Sensory Motor
Performance Program (SMPP). According to their website, SMPP “is devoted to the study of
musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and sensory disorders that are associated with abnormal control of
posture and movement.” The offices and labs of many of the BME faculty specializing in these fields are
affiliated with SMPP and are found at the RIC. It is also important to note that the RIC is a rehabilitation
hospital. Do not be surprised to run into patients in the elevators or cafeteria.
ID Badges – As a Northwestern student, you are not required to have an RIC ID badge. Your
Northwestern Wildcard will be accepted as identification to get into the building. If your advisor feels
you need an ID badge for any reason, one can be procured by getting a letter from Debbie (SMPP’s
Business Support Manager in room 1401) and taking the letter to human resources (located on the
mezzanine level). If you want a lanyard for your ID badge, ask human resources on the mezzanine level.
SMPP Seminars – SMPP hosts weekly seminars. The easiest way to hear about seminars is to be added
to the SMPP e-mail list or check the seminar calendar online. A link to the calendar can be found at the
bottom of the SMPP website (http://www.smpp.northwestern.edu/) . To be added to the list, send an email to Debbie (d-znajda@northwestern.edu) stating your SMPP affiliation (i.e. new graduate student in
so-and-so’s lab) and requesting to be added to the SMPP mailing list. Be forewarned that you will get all
SMPP e-mails, not just e-mails about seminars. You can ignore any e-mails referring to RIC employees.
Shop and Mop – Almost every SMPP seminar held at noon in room 1301 has lunch provided. Once you
are working downtime full-time (i.e. no longer taking 3 or 4 course per quarter), you should have your
name added to the Shop and Mop list. To add yourself to the list, ask older graduate students in your lab
who is currently in charge. The graduate student in charge of the list assigns two people for each
seminar to purchase food and set up room 1301 for seminar. It is an easy way for the graduate students
to help the department. Specific directions will be provided when you are added to the list.
Food – A refrigerator, microwave, and coffee pot are located on the 14th floor in the main SMPP office.
The RIC cafeteria is located on the 2nd floor.
Last updated September 2009
Ward (303 E Chicago Ave)
Ward is the home of the both the physiology and neuroscience departments. Many BME labs with
focuses in these areas are housed in Ward.
ID Badges – The southern entrances to Ward on E. Superior St. are locked at 6 pm. The east-most
entrance remains unlocked, but there is a doorman behind the desk that will require you to show your
Wildcard in order to enter.
Food – There is a refrigerator for communal use on the 5th floor. Also, there is a small snack shop located
in the main hallway on the 1st floor of Ward.
645 N. Michigan Ave. (PT Building)
645 N. Michigan Ave. is the home of the Physical Therapy Department. Many BME students who have PT
focused research find themselves in offices on the 11th floor. An important thing to note about this
building is that although the address if for N. Michigan Ave. the entrance is actually on E. Erie Street,
near the TGI Fridays.
ID Badges – To use the building during off-hours (i.e. after 6 pm), you must have a building ID. Ask your
advisor or the other people in your lab who to contact in order to get an ID.
Food – There is a refrigerator for communal use and drink vending machines located on the 11th floor.
Snack vending machines are located on the 5th and 7th floors.
737 N Michigan Ave (“Neiman Marcus Building”, Suite 1600)
737 N. Michigan Ave. is not a Northwestern University building. Suite 1600 (located on the 16th floor) is a
private office space leased by the Radiology Department and the Siemens Cardiovascular MRI Research
and Development Group. Downtown students interested in imaging often find themselves in this office
suite. The entrance is on Chicago Ave., through grand hallway with concierge desk (not through the
Nieman Marcus store). International students may also be interested that this building houses the
Consulates General of Bulgaria (21st floor), Croatia (13th floor), Romania and Japan (11th floor), making it
convenient for students who want to vote in their home countries’ elections or fill out paperwork.
ID Badges – Students will need to obtain a building ID to access Suite 1600, unlock the restrooms, and
operate the elevator on weekends. Ask your advisor or colleagues about obtaining an ID badge once you
start research. Visitors can ring the suite doorbell and sign in with the suite receptionist. To use the
washroom as a visitor, ask the receptionist for the bathroom code.
Food – There is a kitchen on the East side (“Siemens side”) of the suite containing a refrigerator,
microwave and sink for common use, as well as machines for making tea and coffee.
Last updated September 2009
710 N Fairbanks Ct (Olson Research Pavilion)
The Center of Advanced MRI, located in the basement of the Olson Research Pavilion, houses two
research-dedicated MRI scanners (1.5 T and 3T with functional MRI capabilities), an animal
catheterization lab, a technician office, a nurse’s room, and a waiting area. If you are doing an imaging
study, it is likely that you will find yourself using this space. To enter the MRI facility, use the North
Fairbanks Ct. entrance for Olson Pavilion (McGaw), sign in at the security desk, and take the elevator
down one level to the basement (LC).
ID Badges – Students must have a secure Wildcard to gain access to the MRI facilities. To get a secure
Wildcard, you must attend an MRI safety training session, pass an online safety test, and be or become
CPR certified. For more information, visit http://www.camri.northwestern.edu/start-a-study/.
Food – Since students typically spend just a couple of hours each day in Olsen and have offices
elsewhere, there is no dedicated food storage area. However, you can ask permission to use the
microwave in the technician office; there is also a water fountain outside this office.
Last updated September 2009
Northwestern Downtown Campus Map
(http://www.northwestern.edu/campus-life/chicago-campus/index.html)
Last updated September 2009