Vice President for Campus Life and Student Services and Dean of Students in the University: Winter 2015 Welcome Message

January 8, 2015

The message below was sent to all current College and graduate and professional students on January 8th, 2015.

Dear Students,

Welcome back and happy new year!  As Winter Quarter begins, we want to make sure you’re aware of Campus and Student Life’s wide array of programs and services designed to support College, graduate, and professional students; to foster campus community and student engagement; and to complement your academic work and enrich your student experience.  We encourage you to visit csl.uchicago.edu to learn more.

CSL has a profound commitment to the diversity of our community and is focused on creating an environment where students can thrive. Dialogues about diversity and inclusion will be taking place throughout the month of January, and we’d like to draw your attention to some key events.

On January 15, the entire campus community is invited to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Rockefeller Chapel. This year, civil rights leader Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., will be the keynote speaker. The MLK celebration website has information about small group dialogues surrounding the event and the community reception to follow. 

Organized by the University Community Service Center (UCSC), the Martin Luther King Day of Service takes place on January 17 and will serve more than 20 community-based organizations around Chicago. To learn more about community service opportunities, check out UCSC’s website. 

On January 22, students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in a discussion forum about issues of diversity and campus climate, hosted by Provost Eric Isaacs. You may RSVP and get more information about the event here. In addition, students interested in the newly created Diversity Advisory Council, which will advise the President and Provost on broad approaches to issues of campus climate, should apply here. This site has additional information about the Council and application process.

Students are also invited to join Campus and Student Life’s many advisory groups, committees, and councils, which provide ways for you to give input on matters of importance to our campus community.

Throughout the Winter Quarter, numerous sports, recreation, and fitness opportunities are also offered.  The Chicago Maroons are now busy with wrestling, men’s and women’s basketball, track & field, and swimming & diving. Neon Night is back by popular demand on January 16 with a basketball doubleheader as the men’s and women’s teams take on the University of Rochester. These events are open to our entire campus community. Additionally, registration for team and individual intramural winter sports are open and there are also many FitChicago classes available.

We also want to highlight the University’s new international travel registry, UChicago Traveler. It’s a secure website for students to register University-affiliated international travel plans and contact information. By providing the University with this information, we can better locate and assist you in the event of an emergency.

You are always welcome to contact us directly – we appreciate hearing from students. Also remember that if you need support, resources such as Dean-on-Call, Student Health and Counseling, and Spiritual Life are available to you.

We wish you the best during the Winter Quarter.

Karen Warren Coleman
Vice President for Campus Life and Student Services
vpcampuslife@uchicago.edu

Michele Rasmussen
Dean of Students in the University
dos-university@uchicago.edu

UChicagoSocial: Campus and Student Life