Staff Editorial: Don’t Be Afraid of the ‘Chicago’ After ‘Loyola University’

Content warning: Crime

Loyola is a distinctly unique university because of its urban and suburban landscapes, giving students a taste of both city life and the serenity of being in a neighborhood. 

While this is often a draw for many students, it’s also a great source of apprehension for family members and even the future Rambler themselves.

The university has two primary campuses. The first — the Lake Shore Campus — sits on the border of Rogers Park and Edgwater, the former being the northernmost neighborhood in Chicago’s city limits. The Water Tower Campus is located in Chicago’s Gold Coast, less than two miles north of the Loop.

One main reason families are often worried about sending their student to Loyola University Chicago has nothing to do with the Jesuit aspect of its name but the locale itself.

Each of us on The Phoenix Editorial Board have heard different family members say they’re worried about our well-being and whether we’ll experience crime.

Frankly, that is a valid concern. Chicago has the 20th highest crime rate in America, according to the World Population Review. 

And yet, Chicago is behind cities like St. Louis, Milwaukee and Minneapolis.

While these may not be comforting statistics to hear, it’s important to note any university with an urban epicenter is bound to be faced with similar issues.

Chicago is the third largest city in the U.S., according to the World Population Review. While this stat brings crime, it also brings joy. 

The city of Chicago offers some of the best museum experiences in the world with the Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium all just a train ride away. This accessible transportation — while it may be intimidating at first — is among the world’s best, ranked sixth by the U.S. News & World Report. 

Loyola’s campus is lucky to have two CTA Red Line stops — Loyola and Granville — just a short walk from campus, with trains passing through every few minutes.

The city’s sports scene is unlike any other, at least in the Midwest, with seven major teams represented in the MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL and WNBA.

Chicago also features some of the greatest beaches from Lake Michigan that you don’t even have to leave the city to experience, with Loyola being located right on the water and just blocks away from multiple lakefronts. 

Family members and friends have a right to worry about their student attending Loyola, or any university for that matter. College is scary and so is sending your loved one to an unfamiliar city. 

We understand your concerns and know they come from a place of care. At the same time, we hope you’ll take advantage of being in Chicago. 

There are few places where you can experience the full breadth of what life has to offer like Chicago. Its rich history, lively sports, beautiful beaches and diverse neighborhoods make it an incredible city to start adulthood.

Featured image by Austin Hojdar / The Phoenix