The Main Campus of the University of St. Francis is in the Cathedral Areas Preservation District, amidst some of the city’s most elegant and historic homes, and within easy walking distance of the Cathedral of St. Raymond. The campus is 35 miles southwest from Chicago. Downtown Joliet and its Metra station are just minutes away, along with the university’s downtown campus.
As the Sisters of St. Francis continued to educate the members of their congregation and those studying nursing and teaching, Donovan Hall was eventually added on to the Motherhouse along Taylor Street. Fittingly, Donovan Hall still houses College of Education classrooms and offices, the Regional Education Academy for Leadership, and other facilities for budding teachers.
The Harold & Margaret Moser Performing Arts Center, known as “MPAC,” is home to the large Sexton Auditorium, the more intimate Turk Theater, and numerous practice spaces for music ensembles and performers.
The LaVerne & Dorothy Brown Library has more than 110,000 volumes, special collections, current periodical subscriptions, computer research areas and group and individual study areas. The Academic Resource Center (ARC), the Center for Instructional Delivery and the university archives are within the library.
USF science students get the feel for working in real research laboratories by using the lab equipment in the sleek LaVerne & Dorothy Brown Science Hall. The building, which opened for instruction in 2018, is outfitted with modern resources and equipment. Students are encouraged to use them to collect, analyze and synthesize data, design and conduct experiments and discover how living things work and interact.
Marian Hall is a 250-bed student residence for freshmen and sophomores. Each floor contains computer/study area and social lounges. A kitchen is also available to residents. A game room and the Abbey Lounge, where students can attend performances or watch television, are at the ground floor of Marian Hall.
Built in 1881, the expansive Motherhouse was originally home to the university’s founders, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate. In addition to unique residences for 40 students, it is home to USF’s Welcome Center, the President’s Office, University Advancement, Alumni & Family Relations, Admissions, Campus Culture Office and Student Life. Central to campus life is the St. Joseph Chapel, located on the third floor and the nearby University Ministry offices. On the ground floor, you’ll find Three Oaks Bistro, Bernie’s Pub, the Fireside Lounge, a computer lab, a game room and vending areas.
The Pat Sullivan Recreation Center, heart of the Fighting Saints sports teams, has an intercollegiate basketball/volleyball arena, three racquetball courts, locker rooms, a state-of-the-art training room and center and Athletic Department offices. Learn more about athletics here.
Tower Hall, the main academic building on Main Campus, houses classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, Student Life offices, and the Terrace Cafe. The College of Arts & Sciences and the College of Business are based in Tower Hall. You can also find Safety and Security and the Health & Wellness Office in the south end of the building, which also contains student residences on the upper floors.
Music and cultural events are held in the Harold & Margaret Moser Performing Arts Center, which includes an art gallery, the Sexton Auditorium and the Turk Studio Theater.
In 2026, USF opened the Student Success Center in Tower Hall. The entire upper floor is dedicated to student support services in the Dorothy A. Ritter Ph.D., M.D. Center for Learning & Achievement. This space includes the Academic Resource Center for tutoring, Accessibility Services, Career Services, the Registrar’s Office and more. On the lower floor, the Terrace Cafe expands into the center’s large gathering space, brightened by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Quad.
In the Wilcox/Taylor Street roundabout in front of Tower Hall is a statue of Mother Alfred Moes, founder of the Sisters of St. Francis, reminding all of the Sisters’ many contributions to USF and the Joliet community. In front of the Tower Hall entrance is a statue of St. Francis of Assisi, the university’s patron saint.
