Campus and Facilities
Nestled among majestic, moss-shrouded oaks on the banks of the St. Johns River, JU’s 250 acre suburban campus is only ten minutes from downtown Jacksonville and 20 minutes from Atlantic Ocean beaches. In the 2016-2017 academic year, the JU campus became an official Tree Campus USA® and was recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Alexander Brest Dance Studio
The Alexander Brest Dance Studio, unsurpassed in the area, is a double-tiered, multi-windowed studio for dance study and related activities.
Art Research Centers
The newly expanded 2D and 3D Art Research Centers house spacious drawing, illustration and printmaking studios, the largest glass shop in the southeast, a comprehensive wood and metal sculpture shop, a well-equipped ceramics studio and personal reflective studio space for majors.
Bartlett Kinne University Center
The Bartlett Kinne University Center features magnificent views of the campus, athletic fields, and St. Johns River. It is a hub of student activity and includes campus dining facilities, the post office, bookstore, banquet rooms, student lounges and a Starbucks.
Carl S. Swisher Library
The Mission of the Carl S. Swisher Library is to provide the best access to current, relevant, and historical information to the JU community. We provide quality information resources in multiple formats and have liaison outreach to support the academic programs. We offer guidance in research and review of sources, and teach critical thinking skills to evaluate the quality of sources and publications. The Library is viewed as a place on campus to get work done and provide a physical collaborative gathering space to foster student learning and personal growth.
Check out our dynamic digital collections by conveniently accessing our electronic databases, eBooks, and streaming content by visiting http://www.ju.edu/library. Online users have access to high quality academic research at their fingertips at any hour or location. When using the physical space, collaborative tables with smart TVs, charging stations, upgraded electrical outlets, and a Fit Desk are available to students to enhance the learning experience. The Carl S. Swisher Library has books that circulate and items on reserve, computer labs, quiet study areas, group study rooms, free DVD checkout, a popular reading collection, and a staff committed to meeting your needs.
The Academic Support Center (ASC), located on the upper level of the Library, provides free peer tutoring and a variety of academic support services to JU students. The First-Year Experience Office, located in the Academic Support Center, oversees the JU 101 and JU 103 First-Year Experience courses. JU 101 instructors create supportive communities where first-year students learn advanced tips and techniques to successfully navigate their transition from high school to college. On the opposite end of the same floor is the Marilyn Repsher Center for Teaching and Learning, offering learning opportunities and production facilities for faculty. The Johnson Training Lab, on the lower level, is used for library instruction as well as group training by faculty and administrators.
Davis College of Business Building
The Davis College of Business building is a state-of-the-art facility with classrooms, faculty offices, executive seminar rooms, tiered lecture rooms, computer labs, lounges, and a casual dining facility. It is here that many VIP speakers, community mentors, and other guests converge in a variety of events, including town hall meetings, debates, conferences, media avails, and annual speaker series.
Davis Student Commons
The new Davis Student Commons provides students with a central gathering place for fun and activities. The facility houses a fully-equipped campus fitness center, offices for student clubs and organizations, the campus radio station, Chik-fil-a, the Career Resource Center, and much more.
Founders and University Council Buildings
The Founders and University Council buildings are two of the original campus structures. These buildings feature large inner garden courts and contain the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Academic Advising Center, classrooms, computer labs, faculty and administrative offices.
International Institution Partners
Jacksonville University is the school of record and official transcriptor for courses taught at two international institutions.
Barcelona SIS
Calle Trafalgar, 14, 2, 1
08010 Barcelona
SPAIN
Sant’Anna Institute
Via Marina Grande, 16
80067 Sorrento NA
ITALY
Jacksonville University Downtown
JU Downtown is comprised of two locations: the 18th floor of the VyStar Tower located at 76 S. Laura Street and WJCT located at 100 Festival Park Avenue. The VyStar Tower is the headquarters for the Nathan M. Bisk Center for Professional Studies. This 15,000 square foot multi-functional space has sweeping views of the St. Johns River, as well as downtown Jacksonville and contains four state of the art classrooms, conference areas, and offices. WJCT offers modern art film studios, which provide students, professors, and staff with access to filming and editing facilities, as well as all necessary equipment needed to support students in the development of the highest quality productions.
J. Arthur Howard Administration Building
The Howard Administration building, completed in 1972, contains the offices of the president, provost, registrar, admission, controller, financial resources, financial aid, communications and various administrative offices.
J. Henry Gooding Building
The J. Henry Gooding building is headquarters for all social science disciplines, Honors Lounge and Office, Experiential and Service Learning Office, and International Programs including Study Abroad. It includes a large auditorium/lecture hall, classrooms, two computer classrooms, and faculty offices.
Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences
The Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences is comprised of two adjacent buildings, occupying 60,000 square feet. The Main Building is home to the School of Applied Health Sciences and the Keigwin School of Nursing. The adjacent Building primarily houses the School of Orthodontics.
Marine Science Research Institute
To preserve and protect Jacksonville’s most significant natural asset by exploring solutions for the various local aquatic environments, in 2010 Jacksonville University established the Marine Science Research Institute (MSRI) on the banks of the St. Johns River. Since our local waters share concerns with similar ecosystems nationwide, the research work accomplished at the MSRI will have national benefits. Florida Fish and Wildlife Northeast Field Lab, the St. Johns Riverkeeper and an environmental laboratory all share space in the 30,000 square-foot facility and work together toward a common goal of preserving North Florida’s waterways through research and education. The Marine Science undergraduate and graduate programs are housed in the MSRI.
A Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)® Gold-certified building, the MSRI is energy efficient, complete with solar hot water system and a rainwater harvest system for non-portable usage. The MSRI achieved their certification for lighting, water and material use, as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
OCEARCH at Jacksonville University has its academic home in the JU campus in the Marine Science Research Institute, and the M/V OCEARCH vessel is home-ported in Jacksonville, Florida when it is not on expedition. Chris Fischer, the world-renowned founder and CEO of OCEARCH, is Jacksonville University’s Explorer in Residence, helping to lead our programs and provides unequaled opportunities for our students to gain real-world, hands-on learning in ocean research
Merritt C. Penticoff Science Building
The Merritt Penticoff Building houses the Division of Science and Mathematics and serves as the classroom and laboratory facility for the Computing Science, Mathematics, and Physics majors.
Nelms and Swisher Science Buildings
Chemistry, Biology and Engineering share space in the Nelms and Swisher complex.
Phillips Fine Arts Building and Alexander Brest Gallery
The Phillips Fine Arts building includes a newly renovated tri-room exhibition space, rehearsal and practice rooms, studios, classrooms, and faculty and administrative offices. The gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. when school is in session. The gallery regularly hosts 2-dimentional and 3-dimentional exhibits by distinguished regional and national artists, as well as works by JU faculty and students.
Recreation Facilities
These facilities include historic Swisher Gymnasium; Sessions Baseball Stadium; Brest Baseball Field; Keith Watson Tennis Complex; Ashley Sports Complex/Milne Field, a football/track-and-field facility; Southern Oak Soccer Stadium; Debbie & Fred Pruitt Softball Complex; The outdoor Wurn Pool; Dolphin Beach Volleyball Courts; Dolphin Green; Cost Trail, Kurzius Beach & Pavilion, Strom Amphitheater, and Swisher Golf Practice Facility.
Reid Medical Science Center
The Reid Medical Science Center houses classrooms, laboratories, and a 92-seat auditorium that serve biology, marine science, nursing, and pre-health programs in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and pharmacy. Science activities are centered in the complex of Nelms, Swisher, Penticoff, and Reid buildings.
The River House
The River House, which formerly housed the University presidents and later administrative offices, recently went through a $1.5 million renovation project in 2014 and is now a signature location for student events, socializing, high profile receptions, and a bite to eat. Overlooking our pool and sand volleyball courts, the ‘50s-era ranch structure is a 5,000 square-foot mecca with interactive flat screen TVs, food service, wireless technology, conference and meeting rooms, a screen porch, and more.
Student Residence Halls
Jacksonville University provides a variety of on-campus living experiences for its diverse student population. Jacksonville University is proud to provide housing to approximately 1,150 students.
Residence hall options include a “first year” hall for incoming students, as well as “suite style” and “apartment style” residence halls for returning and upperclassmen students. All residence halls are air-conditioned, and include both physical and wireless internet access. For additional information regarding Residential Life and university residence halls, please visit http://www.ju.edu/ResidentialLife or contact the Office of Residential Life at 904-256-7538.
Swisher Theatre
Swisher Theatre seats nearly 400 guests for dramatic and musical productions presented by the College of Fine Arts, theatre arts majors, and other students.
Terry Concert Hall
Opened in 1991, Terry Concert Hall is an architectural-award winning, 400-seat concert hall and has welcomed a variety of world renown guests and performers over the years, as well as student performers. The Hall recently underwent a major renovation, including a major art installation and unmatched acoustics in the area for voice performance and small or large instrumental groups.
Tillie K. Fowler NROTC Building
In 2004 the NROTC building was named in Tillie K. Fowler's honor to recognize her leadership, effectiveness and dedication to national security, and her dedicated work on behalf of Jacksonville University. The building contains the offices of the commanding officer, staff, conference room, student classroom and wardroom.