Dean of Students in the University: Autumn Quarter Message to Students

October 24, 2017

To: University of Chicago Students
From: Michele Rasmussen, Dean of Students in the University
Date: October 24, 2017
Subject: Autumn Quarter Message to Students

Dear Students,

As the balmy weather gives way to the chilly weeks of late autumn, challenging coursework and the quarter system may lead you to late nights in the library to meet looming deadlines. If this is your first quarter at the University, welcome to UChicago! We don’t want the intensity of your coursework to overshadow your accomplishments and all the reasons you chose to come here, so I’d like to remind you of the various resources, programs and services available to help you integrate your academic, co-curricular and social experiences in a healthy and balanced way.

The Center for Leadership and InvolvementCenter for Identity + Inclusion and Office of Spiritual Life each host a plethora of events and programs throughout the year and welcome all students, regardless of background and affinity, to participate. Graduate and professional students can also make new connections by participating in programs offered through UChicagoGRAD, whose advisors can help you with fellowships, career exploration and planning, writing and public speaking, as well as getting involved in Grad Council meetings and initiatives. Students with children can take advantage of family-friendly activities at the Family Resource Center, and graduate students who are in teaching positions can also seek support at the Chicago Center for Teaching.

All students can take advantage of fitness classes, personal training and recreational facilities at Ratner Athletic Center and Henry Crown Field House, and if you’re looking for some competitive action, you can join one of more than 70 sport clubs and intramural teams. You can then refuel and recharge at one of our many campus eateries and cafes, which are designed to foster community and interaction among all members of our community.  Taking some time to enjoy one of the many stellar arts programs at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel is also highly recommended, along with a visit to the Smart Museum of Art and the Oriental Institute.

I encourage you to visit wellness.uchicago.edu, the one-stop website for Student Health Service, Student Counseling Service and Health Promotion and Wellness to find out more about ways to achieve a healthy mind and body through appointments with a healthcare provider, meditation and mindfulness programs and the “Better Together” social connectedness campaign. (And remember to get your flu shot! There is still time; for a listing of flu vaccine clinics, please click here.) Student Support Services (part of the Center for Identity + Inclusion) offers programs and assistance to help undocumented, low-income and/or first-generation students thrive on campus. For international students, the Office of International Affairs can answer questions about travel, work authorization, daily life, and enrollment requirements.

Students can also take advantage of Student Disability Services, which offers resources, support, and accommodations for those with disabilities and works to remove physical and attitudinal barriers.

The suggestions above represent just a few of the many opportunities that you have open to you as members of the UChicago community. Please also remember that we offer support for emergency and crisis situations through the University Police Department (773.702.8181), the Dean-on-Call and Sexual Assault Dean-on-Call programs (773.834.HELP), the Bias Education and Support Team, the Therapist-on-Call (773.702.3625) and the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs (773.834.6367). Contact information for all of these resources can be found at csl.uchicago.edu/get-help.

On behalf of my colleagues in Campus and Student Life, I wish all of you a successful year and hope to meet as many of you as possible in the months ahead.

Sincerely yours,
Michele A. Rasmussen
Dean of Students in the University

Questions? Comments? Please contact us at Campus and Student Life

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