Throughout the years, NIU students have lived in many different types of housing, ranging from boarding houses to apartments to public and private dormitories.

Before NIU provided students with dormitory housing, they lived in boarding houses such as the Stone Club Boarding House. Around 1913, NIU decided it was necessary to build a women’s dormitory, not only to house women but also to become the center of social life on campus.

In 1915, Williston Hall finally opened after a long delay due to lack of funds. The building housed 119 women in 40 double rooms and 47 single rooms. The women were allowed to entertain friends in the living room, which contained a grand piano. Applicants were chosen on a first-come-first-serve basis.

During the late 1940’s, there was a shortage of student housing as veterans returned from World War II. Students had to sleep on cots and bunk beds placed in Still Gym. Others had to live in empty attics, basements, and garages which were available in DeKalb. Temporary housing units were set up in the field located at Lucinda Avenue and Garden Road. Finally funds were appropriated for two new dormitories.

In 1949, Adams Hall, another women’s dormitory, opened. The building was named after former NIU President Karl L. Adams. Men had to wait until 1952 before Gilbert Hall was finally opened. The building was named after a prominent faculty member, Newell D. Gilbert. There was a dedication ceremony on May 18, 1952, for both Gilbert Hall and Swen Parson Library.

Students also lived in off-campus university-approved housing. DeKalb citizens would contact the university to get rooms in their homes approved by the university for renting out to students. In 1955, these residents who rented to students formed the Householders Association and formed close ties with NIU. Students who lived off-campus in these houses were required to complete the same forms and follow the same rules as the on-campus students.

Three years after the opening of Gilbert Hall, another dormitory complex was started and was named after another prominent faculty member, Celine Neptune. Neptune North was opened in 1955 as an all-women dormitory. Four years later, Neptune West opened for residence and in 1960, both Neptune East and Central were opened.

During the 50’s and 60’s, NIU’s enrollment increased dramatically. To avoid the housing problems of the 1940’s, NIU decided to expand west and build four residence halls. These halls would be named after four prominent Illinois men: President Abraham Lincoln, Senator Stephan A. Douglas, President and General Ulysses S. Grant, and Governor Adlai Stevenson II. Each of these residence halls housed men and women in seperate wings.

The first of the western residence halls to be opened was Lincoln in 1962. Douglas opened a year later in 1963. Grant Towers South opened in 1965 and Grant North opened the following year. Finally, the Stevenson Towers Complex was completed–Stevenson South in 1967 and Stevenson North in 1968. A manual was published every year for the residence hall students which contained rules and policies compiled over the years. In 1967, this manual became known as the Guide Post.

As these western residence halls opened, Adams and Williston Halls were converted from women’s dormitories to office buildings. Adams first became office space in 1967 and Williston followed in 1969.

The residence halls now offer a variety of different atmospheres for students to suit many different student needs. Types of environments offered include co-ed, quiet lifestyle, foreign language, wellness, and alcohol-free lifestyle floors as well as all women’s and men’s floors.