CHICAGO-The University of Illinois at Chicago announced on Sunday its entrance into the competition to land the future home of President Barack Obama's library and museum.

The university says it is studying five sites on its New West Side campus to house the Presidential Library, according to university spokesman Bill Burton. The university began discussing the possibility of hosting the Obama library in May and is awaiting word from the White House before moving forward with any plans, according to the Chicago Tribune.

"Our candidacy follows the recommendation of a task force of deans, administrators and outside advisers who agreed that UIC's diversity, research, outreach and central location make it uniquely appropriate for the library and museum honoring President Obama's legacy," said UIC Chancellor Paula Allen-Meares.

Several other universities are also vying for the Obama Library, including the University of Hawaii, Chicago State University and the University of Chicago. See story in the Chicago Tribune.