The robbery occurred just a few blocks from where a University of Chicago graduate was shot and killed earlier this week.
Police said several men approached the victim outside Chapin Hall on East 60th Street around 5:30 a.m. They showed a gun and demanded the victim's belongings.
No one was hurt, police said.
Police did not say if anyone was in custody. Police did not provide further information about the incident.
The University of Chicago held a safety seminar Thursday afternoon for faculty and students.