Summer Opportunities for Incoming Students of Color and LGBTQ Students
We encourage incoming students of color and LGBTQ+ students to join our affinity-based cohort programs – sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and LGBTQ Student Life – which are designed to help foster a strong sense of community and belonging. These are exciting opportunities to start building peer networks, engage in conversation with student leaders and key administrators, learn about all that our offices have to offer... and have some fun!
Our pre-orientation programs are open to both College and Graduate/Professional Students:
College Students: [September 13th-September 18th] We welcome College Students to campus for a 5-day in-person experience, from Wednesday, September 13 through Monday, September 18. The program is led by a dedicated team of full-time staff members and Peer Advisors, who are current student leaders. The schedule includes small group activities, excursions to museums and cultural attractions, meals with alumni, and more. Housing and meals were provided at no cost to participants during the 5-day program. Registration is open and closes on June 9th. If you have any questions, please contact Janelle White, Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, at janellewhite@uchicago.edu.
Graduate/Professional Students: [2023 dates & registration coming soon!] We are moving forward with a virtual format to allow as many Graduate/Professional Students to participate as possible. This program will include two interactive sessions in late August/early September, which will take place virtually, plus an in-person welcome event at the Center for Identity + Inclusion in mid-September.
One of our goals at the Center for Identity + Inclusion is to offer programs and resources at no cost to students, though we welcome gifts from alumni and friends.
Questions? Please email inclusion@uchicago.edu.
Dear New Students,
Welcome to the University of Chicago! We could not be more excited to meet you.
We would like to take this opportunity to highlight one of many resources available to support students of color and LGBTQ students. The Center for Identity + Inclusion (CI+I), home to the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and LGBTQ Student Life, is a beautiful three-story student center located in the heart of campus at 57th/Woodlawn. It has been a home away from home for many students over the years, and we hope the same is true for you.
Our full-time staff and student staff work hard to develop an exciting menu of programs each quarter. We plan to kick off the year with pre-Orientation programs – sponsored by OMSA and LGBTQ Student Life – that are designed to create a strong sense of community and belonging for incoming students. These are great opportunities to start building peer networks, engage in conversation with student leaders and key administrators, and learn more about all that our offices have to offer.
We also enjoy supporting student-driven programming, and there is a strong network of culturally-based and identity-based student groups on campus. We are happy to help identify groups that may be of interest to you – and to make personal introductions. This individualized support is an important part of our work. Our team members are always available to chat, celebrate an accomplishment, troubleshoot a concern, or connect you with campus and community resources. Consider us part of your support network as you embark on this new adventure.
Interested in learning more or getting involved? We encourage you to watch our welcome video (just under 2 minutes) to hear directly from some of our alumni – and then sign up for summer updates (it’s never too early). We will reach out soon!
If you have any questions or if we can be of assistance in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to email us at inclusion@uchicago.edu or text us at 773.702.5710. Once again, welcome to UChicago!
Warm wishes,
The Center for Identity + Inclusion Team
What is the Center for Identity + Inclusion?
The Center for Identity + Inclusion – home to the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, LGBTQ Student Life, and Student Support Services – is a three-story student center located in the heart of campus. Our offices work to enhance the experiences of students of color and multicultural students; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students; and first-generation, lower-income, and immigrant (FLI) students – including undocumented and DACAmented students. We offer a wide variety of programs/resources throughout the year (i.e. speakers, panel discussions, workshops/trainings, social and community building opportunities) and also love supporting student-driven initiatives. The building has a variety of lounges and meeting spaces, and students often describe it as a “home away from home.” We invite you to watch a brief welcome video (just under 2 minutes) to hear directly from some of our alumni.
What are the dates for the CI+I Pre-Orientation Program?
Fall 2023 dates coming soon, but here is a sample from last year's program: The program will took place in-person and ran from Thursday, September 15 through Monday, September 19. Most participants arrived on Thursday, September 15 between 12:00-5:00pm.
Who leads the program and how will we be spending our time?
The program will be led by a dedicated team of full-time staff members and Peer Advisors, who are current student leaders. The schedule will include small group activities, presentations by / conversations with campus and community leaders, excursions to museums and cultural attractions, meals with alumni, and more.
How do the cohorts work?
The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and LGBTQ Student Life will both be organizing activities, and you can choose to participate in either or both sets of activities based on your identities and/or interests. For example, there may be two panel discussions before dinner – one with leaders of cultural/ethnic student groups and one with leaders of LGBTQ+ student groups – and we will make sure they do not overlap. That being said, we will be spending a lot of time together as one large group!
What should I bring with me?
We encourage you to pack a separate bag for the 5-day program (linens will be provided). We will be staying in a residence hall, and it will most likely not be the same residence hall that you will be living in during the academic year. When you arrive, you will be able to store luggage that you won’t need during the program.
When will I move to my term-time housing assignment?
Students will be able to move into their term housing when the program ends.
Is there a cost to the program?
Housing and meals will be provided at no cost to participants.