Programs

Student Support Services hosts programs of varying formats to raise awareness, provide support, develop community and engage the community in learning about first-generation, lower-income, and undocumented grad/professional students.

On Campus

Student Support Services provides a variety of assistance to students with food security issues. Please contact Student Support Services at studentsupport@uchicago.edu or 773.702.2435 to learn more. You may also fill out a quick form requesting assistance (bit.ly/FoodSecurityUChicago). 

Please note requests are reviewed during regular business hours (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri). For urgent needs or afterhours requests students may also contact the various Emergency Resources on Campus, including the Dean-on-Call program.

We encourage you to contact us if you or a student you know is experiencing hunger, worried that food will run out, or has to skip meals. SSS staff can help students access the resources below and guide students in finding additional resources not listed. 

  • Current Resources
    We currently offer three main resources. Two resources, Hyde Park Produce Voucher (HPPV) and the Dining Commons Meal Credit (DCMC), are available year-round and Spring Break Meal Program (SBMP) is offered specifically during the week of spring break. Please note these resources are meant as short-term assistance. If you or a student you know could benefit from longer-term support, please contact Student Support Services to explore other options.
    • The Hyde Park Produce Voucher program is available for students from autumn 2018 through spring 2019. It consists of a $50 credit to Hyde Park Produce.
    • The Dining Commons Meal Credit program offers five meal swipes for use (for any meal) at any of the three dining commons on campus.
    • Spring Break Meal Program provides access to three meals a day for the week of spring break. Students have a “pick up” or “dine in” option. 

    State Resources
    • Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
      • Apply: Call 217.782.2166

  • Local Food Pantries
    • Hyde Park Union Church
      Address:     5600 S. Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
      Phone:        773.363.6063
      Frequency: Every Saturday from 10am – 1pm
    • KLEO Community Family Life Center
      Address:     119 E. Garfield Blvd, Chicago, IL 60637
      Phone:        773.702.2939
      Frequency:  First Wednesday of each month from 2-5pm
    • St. Paul & Redeemer
      Address:     4945 S. Dorchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60615
      Phone:        773.624.3185
      Frequency: Every Wednesday from 3:30 – 5:30pm
    • Comer Children’s Hospital
      Address:     5721 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60615
      Phone:        773.702.1000
      Frequency: Open to patients and families every day

To find a food pantry near you, please visit: www.chicagofoodbank.org/find-food
Please call food pantry directly or check their website to assure you are eligible and have all required materials.

  • Butterfly Support Group (Virtual)

    • The Butterfly Support Group is a confidential, non-judgmental, and safe space for students who would like to gain support and insight on dealing with the stressors surrounding immigration policy and changes that may impact you or your family. For the spring quarter we will transition to virtual meetings. Each meeting will focus on a topic around a mental health issue or concern. The topics can be adjusted depending on members’ needs or requests. We hope you can join us for community and support!
    • Contact SSS studentsupport@uchicago.edu) to join.
    • Kickoff Date: Wednesday, January 13 
    • Future Meeting Dates: TBA
    • Time (for all meetings):4:00-5:00 PM CST
       

  • Structured Writing Accountability Groups (SWAG)

    • Register here by January 10, 2021
    • This program is open to all graduate and professional school students and postdocs who are working on a major writing project (e.g. dissertation chapter or proposal, journal article, thesis, etc.; however, completing short-term assignments is not ideal for this program). Please be aware that the objectives and activities are tailored to the experiences of people from racial/ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds historically excluded in higher education. January 22nd-March 12th: Each Friday co-working session lasts for 3 hours and will consist of goal-setting and focused writing time. By the end of the sessions, you'll have developed an awareness of your writing process and made measurable progress toward your writing goals—all within an encouraging community of writers. Please note that this opportunity is intended to support your writing process and productivity, not the content and mechanics of writing. To participate, it is preferable that you can attend *all* sessions. Please indicate any extenuating circumstances in the application. These programs are co-sponsored by the Office of Student Support Services, UChicagoGRAD, and the Writing Program. 
       

  • FLI Network’s Winter Social

    • The quarterly FLI Network socials are a great way to connect with University community members who are FLI: First-Generation, Lower-Income, and/or Immigrant. Anyone who identifies with any aspect of being FLI or is a FLI ally is welcome to attend. During the winter social we will be exploring the topic of self-care: what is it and how can we work to achieve it? We’ll share our own practices and hear some expert tips from FLI Health Educator Cassidy Wade.  Please RSVP to join us. We’ll be raffling off GrubHub gift cards to attendees to contribute to your self-care. For more information, please visit: flinetwork.uchicago.edu

    • Date: Friday, January 22

    • Time: 5:00-6:00 PM Chicago Time 

    • RSVP: bit.ly/flisocial

  • Thrive Workshop: Prioritizing Self-Care for Continued Productivity

  • Soros Fellowship Info Session

    • The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans program honors the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States. Each year, 30 New Americans—immigrants and children of immigrants—who are poised to make significant contributions to US society, culture or their academic field, are selected for the fellowship. Each Fellow receives up to $90,000 in financial support over two years, and they join a lifelong community of New American Fellows. You can find more information here.

    • In this information session we will discuss the application and a Soros Fellow will be available to answer questions. 

    • Friday, October 2
    • 12 - 1 PM CST
    • Sign up via Gargoyle to receive Zoom link

  • Butterfly Support Group (Virtual)

    • The Butterfly Support Group is a confidential, non-judgmental, and safe space for students who would like to gain support and insight on dealing with the stressors surrounding immigration policy and changes that may impact you or your family. For the spring quarter we will transition to virtual meetings. Each meeting will focus on a topic around a mental health issue or concern. The topics can be adjusted depending on members’ needs or requests. We hope you can join us for community and support!
    • Contact SSS Director, Ireri Rivas (call 773.702.2435 or mirivas@uchicago.edu) to join.
    • Dates: October 5 and 19 and November 2 and 16
    • Time (for all meetings): 5 - 6 PM CST
       

  • First-gen Grad Student Panel

    • Join us for an orientation panel with and for first-generation, lower-income and immigrant (including undocumented/dacamented) (FLI) graduate students organized by Student Support Services (SSS). We will share information about resources, programs and events available for FLI students followed by a Q&A session with current FLI graduate students. This is a great opportunity to hear from returning FLI grad students about their experiences on campus and ask them questions! 
    • Wednesday, October 7
    • 1-2 pm CST
    • Via Zoom meeting. Register in advance to receive link information. 

  • FLI Network’s Autumn Social

    • The social is a great opportunity to meet returning and new members of the Network, learn more about FLI activities for the year and ask questions about the Champions program. Anyone who identifies with any aspect of being FLI or is a FLI ally is welcome to attend.
    • Thursday, October 15
    • 4:30-6 PM CDT
    • Register in advance for this meeting.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
       

  • FLI Champions

    • The FLI Champions program matches First-Generation and/or Lower-Income and/or Immigrant (FLI) undergraduate or graduate/professional students with FLI faculty or staff members for a self-directed, coaching-style commitment.
      • Participants are paired according to indicated interests and identities and will receive training and support from the program liaisons.
      • The paired participants will work on an academic, personal or professional goal set jointly by the student and their Champion. 
      • Selected participants are expected to meet, virtually until further notice, an average of two hours per month. 
         
      • If you are interested in receiving coaching or serving as a Champion please apply no later than Friday, October 16. More information and the application is available here.

  • Immigrant Know Your Rights, DACA Updates, and Pro Bono Legal Consultations 

    • Tuesday, October 27

    • 4-5:30 p.m. (4-5 p.m. presentation, 5-5:30 legal consultations)

    • Zoom | Register here 

    • This event is a partnership between the National Immigrant Justice Center, the UChicago Law School Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, the Center for College Student Success, Student Support Services, and the DACA/Immigration Working Group.  

      Representatives from the National Immigrant Justice Center will debrief the most recent news regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and will lead a Know Your Rights (KYR) presentation. The KYR presentation will help you learn about your rights, no matter what your immigration status is, prepare an action/safety plan, and identify and report incidents with law enforcement. The workshop will also help provide important tips about legal consultations and connecting with immigrant rights organizations. 

      Following the presentation, UChicago Law School's Immigrants’ Rights Law Clinic will offer pro bono immigration legal consultations by request only.

  • Thrive Workshop: Staying Grounded in Uncertain Times

    • Thursday, October 29
    • 1:00 PM CST
    • Via Zoom. Sign up in GRAD Gargoyle

    • The last several months has brought about several challenges, including the pandemic, racial injustices, and economic instability. We are experiencing losses and feeling fear and anxiety about the future. The impact of these challenges can take a toll on our well-being, such as decreased productivity, difficulty being present, concerns about safety, health issues, and struggles to connect. Underrepresented minority students in particular can experience these challenges more acutely. Now more than ever, it’s important to make your well-being a priority. Join us in this workshop to learn ways to cope, instill hope, connect to community and support, and increase resiliency in these uncertain times.

      THRIVE is a partnership with UChicagoGRAD, Student Counseling Services (SCS), Student Support Services (SSS), and the Office of International Affairs (OIA)  to provide emotional wellness related workshops for graduate students.

  • Uncovering Grad School's Hidden Curriculum

    • Wednesday, November 11
    • 1-2:30 pm 
    • via Zoom. Please register in advance.
    • During the session, copies of A Field Guide to Grad School will be raffled!

    • Some of the most important things you need to know in order to succeed in graduate school—like how to choose a good advisor, how to get funding for your work, and whether to celebrate or cry when a journal tells you to revise and resubmit an article—won’t be covered in any class. They are part of a hidden curriculum that you are just expected to know or somehow learn on your own. In this discussion, Dr. Jessica McCrory Calarco will explain why the hidden curriculum of grad school stays hidden and how that hiddenness reinforces inequalities in grad school and in academia as a whole. Calarco will also highlight key parts of the hidden curriculum uncovered in A Field Guide to Grad School, discussing how to build a team of effective mentors and how to plan for the job market post-degree.

  • Online Structured Writing Accountability Groups (SWAG) 

    • SWAG is designed to provide you with an encouraging community of writers to help you develop an awareness of your writing process and make measurable progress toward your writing goals. This program is open to all graduate and professional school students and postdocs who are working on a major writing project (e.g. dissertation chapter or proposal, journal article, thesis, etc.; however, completing short-term assignments is not ideal for this program). Please be aware that the objectives and activities are tailored to the students of color, first-generation, low-income, and/or immigrant students

    • Applications are closed. Plese contact studentsupport@uchicago.edu with any questions.
  • Application deadline: Sunday, September 20, 2020, 11:59PM CST 
    • Meeting times: Every Friday October 2 - December 4, 2020
      •  9:00AM-1:00PM

  • Butterfly Support Group (Virtual)

    • The Butterfly Support Group is a confidential, non-judgmental, and safe space for students who would like to gain support and insight on dealing with the stressors surrounding immigration policy and changes that may impact you or your family. For the spring quarter we will transition to virtual meetings. Each meeting will focus on a topic around a mental health issue or concern. The topics can be adjusted depending on members’ needs or requests. We hope you can join us for community and support!
    • Contact SSS (call 773.702.2435 or mirivas@uchicago.edu) to sign up or join a meeting.
    • Dates: 
      • Monday, April 13 | Coping with Transitions & Adjustment
      • Monday, April 27 | Managing Uncertainty & Anxiety
      • Monday, May 11 | Connecting With Others & Expressing Needs 
      • Monday, June 1 | Increasing Resiliency & Self-Care
    • Time (for all meetings): 4-5PM
       

  • SWAG Online 

    • SWAG is designed to provide you with an encouraging community of writers to help you develop an awareness of your writing process and make measurable progress toward your writing goals. This program is open to all graduate and professional school students and postdocs who are working on a major writing project (e.g. dissertation chapter or proposal, journal article, thesis, etc.; however, completing short-term assignments is not ideal for this program). Please be aware that the objectives and activities are tailored to the students of color, first-generation, low-income, and/or immigrant students. 
    • Link to application: http://bit.ly/SWAGspring
    • Application deadline: Sunday, April 5, 2020, 11:59PM CST 
    • Meeting times: Every Friday 9:00AM-1:00PM
      • Friday, April 10 - Friday, May 29

  • Abbreviated Online Structured Writing Accountability Groups (SWAG)

    • APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Sunday, April 26th, 11:59 pm CST
      Meetings: May 1st-May 29th
      To apply for this session, please click this LINK.

    • We have decided to offer a Session II for the Spring SWAG that would allow students that still want to participate in the program to join us at the mid-quarter point. This is contingent upon the number of students that express interest.To participate, it is preferable that you can attend *all* sessions. Please indicate any extenuating circumstances in the application.

    • SWAG programs are co-sponsored by UChicagoGRAD, Student Support Services, and the Writing Program.

  • Self-Compassion: Challenging Your Inner Critic

    • RSVP through Grad Gargoyle: https://grad-uchicago-csm.symplicity.com 
    • Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 5:30PM
    • Location: virtual live stream, link given at time of registration
       
    • Do you often think about what you said/did and beat yourself up? Think back to your past and fixate on what you should have done differently? You’re not alone and can do something differently! When we believe our inner critic, it can take a toll on our well-being and capacity to thrive. Underrepresented minority students in particular can internalize messages of worth and expectations to succeed. Join us in this workshop to learn more about ways to be self-compassionate and not give our inner critic the power to take over our lives.

  • Supporting FLI Students

    • Thursday, May 14, 12-1 PM

    • Register: https://bit.ly/FLIwebinar (virtual live stream, link given at time of registration)

    • Join us for a webinar with Dr. Tieka Harris, Director of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program at the College of New Jersey. We will explore how to use a strengths based approach with first-generation, lower-income, and/or immigrant (FLI) students, foster community cultural wealth, and how we can best support students virtually as we all navigate a new environment. Following the talk, there will be an opportunity to discuss any challenges you may have come across in your mentoring roles.

  • SSS Game Night

    • Friday, May 15, 7:00- 8:00PM
    • RSVP: bit.ly/sssgame
    • Join us for our first virtual game night! Prepare yourself for a fun night of pictionary, scattegories and more. We will email you a zoom link and password on the day of the event. Feel free to pop in at any point from 7-8!

  • Undocumented Student Ally Training

    • The Undocumented Student Ally Training provides participants with tools and promising practices to support undocumented communities, with a focus on UChicago students. Open to members of the campus community who identify as allies or would like to be identified as allies.
    • Registration for general session: http://bit.ly/SSSAllyTraining
    • Friday, May 22
    • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM 
    • Contact us to request a training at a different time: studentsupport@uchicago.edu

  • Coping With Change and Increasing Resiliency

    • RSVP through Grad Gargoyle: https://grad-uchicago-csm.symplicity.com 
    • Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 4-5:15pm
    • Location: virtual live stream, link given at time of registration

    • Our lives have changed drastically with the global pandemic COVID-19. We are experiencing losses and feeling fear and anxiety about the future. The impact of these losses can take a toll on our well-being. Underrepresented minority students in particular can experience resources/financial challenges, worries about safety, and struggles to connect with their community. You’re not alone and it’s more important than ever to have support! Join us in this workshop to learn more ways to cope, instill hope, and increase resiliency, particularly in these uncertain times.

  • SSS Graduation Celebration 

    • Thursday, June 4, 2020 
    • 6-7 PM
    • Registration:  bit.ly/FLIgrad
    • SSS is proud to highlight the accomplishments of students who identify as first-generation, lower-income, and/or immigrant (regardless of immigration status) graduating from the College, graduate divisions, and professional schools during any quarter of the 2019-2020 academic year. 
      In lieu of an in-person celebration, we ask graduation FLI students to share their accomplishments and recognize individuals who have helped them through their academic journey. Please share thank you notes and pictures that we can use to feature you and your supporters on our social media. Additionally, SSS will offer all FLI graduates a token of recognition that will be mailed to their address.

  • FLI Network End of Year Gathering

    • Wednesday, June 10
    • 4-5 PM CST
    • Registration: bit.ly/FLINETWORK 
    • The FLI Network welcomes members of the FLI (first-generation and/or lower-income and/or immigrant) community and allies to come together in community to reflect on the year and celebrate our accomplishments. Participants of the FLI Champions program are especially encouraged to attend as a culmination of your year of coaching.
      This event is open to University of Chicago undergraduates, graduate and professional students, staff,faculty, instructors, and alumni. Registration is required, and registrants will receive a Zoom meeting link upon confirmation.

  • SCOTUS DACA Opinion Debrief

    • Wednesday, June 17
    • 12-1:30 PM
    • Registration link: bit.ly/dacawebinar
    • Join SSS and DePaul University's Asylum and Immigration Legal Clinic for a presentation following up on SCOTUS' DACA decision and steps going forward. We will discuss steps to create an action plan and ways to be better allies.

The Spring Break Meal Program (SBMP) provides access to free, healthful meal options as well as opportunities for students to build community over spring break (March 23 - March 27). 

Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who already experience food insecurity or anticipate experiencing food insecurity during spring break may be eligible to receive food resources and access support through the program.  SBMP is a collaboration of the Center for College Student Success, Student Support Services, and UChicago Dining.
Community events are open to all.  

Application Link: https://ucinclusion.wufoo.com/forms/q11786xe0cq368r/

Application Deadline: March 15 at 5:00PM 

The application involves a few questions about your personal situation and food preferences. 

Update: As of March 13, 2020, Spring Break Meal Program will still be available for students. We will send out more information in an email to all those who have already filled out the form. However, the associated social activities will be cancelled. 

  • Butterfly Support Group 
    • The Butterfly Support Group is a confidential, non-judgmental, and safe space for students who would like to gain support and insight on dealing with the stressors surrounding immigration policy and changes that may impact you or your family.
    • Contact SSS (call 773.702.2435 or stop by the 2nd floor of CI+I) for full details.
    • Dates: 
      • January 13 
      • January 27 
      • February 10 
      • February 24 
    • Time: 4:00PM-5:00PM
  • SWAG
    • SWAG provides FLI and multicultural students with an encouraging community of writers to help develop an awareness of writing process and make measurable progress toward writing goals. SWAG is open to all graduate and professional school students and postdocs who are working on a major writing project. Participants meet weekly; program is by application only.
    • Link to application: http://bit.ly/SWAG20w
    • Application deadline: January 5, 2020, 11:59PM CST 
    • Meeting times: Every Friday 9:00AM-1:00PM
  • FLI Network Winter Social
    • Celebrate the start of a new year and quarter by connecting with students, faculty and staff members in FLI community over dinner.
    • RSVP: http://bit.ly/FLISocialw20
    • Thursday, January 16, 5-6:30 pm at Community Lounge, CI+I
  • Undocumented Student Ally Training
    • The Undocumented Student Ally Training provides participants with tools and promising practices to support undocumented communities, with a focus on UChicago students. Open to members of the campus community who identify as allies or would like to be identified as allies.
    • Registration for general session: http://bit.ly/SSSAllyTraining
    • Date: Friday, February 7
    • Contact us to request a training at a different time: studentsupport@uchicago.edu
  • Self Care to Increase Productivity and Resilience 
    • Students in a highly competitive environment, such as UChicago may feel intense pressure to succeed even at the cost of our well-being. We might sacrifice sleep, skip meals, or withdraw socially to work harder and get more done. Underrepresented minority students are especially impacted. When we stop caring for ourselves we often struggle to keep up with our work, engage with our friends and family in the way that we would like, and have a fulfilling life. Join us in this workshop to learn more about ways to care for ourselves in an active, empowering way to increase productivity and resiliency.
    • Thrive Collaborative Workshop
    • Registration through Grad Gargoyle: https://grad-uchicago-csm.symplicity.com/
    • Date: February 5, 12-1:30 pm

Click on "events" above or see below for programs this quarter. All events are free and held at CI+I, 5710 S. Woodlawn Ave. 

Soros Info Session

  • 10/7/19 12:30-1:30 pm
    The P.D. Soros Fellowship for New Americans is a generous fellowship open to immigrants and children of immigrants. Learn about the opportunity, tips for applying, and hear from a UChicago Soros Fellow. Organized in collaboration with UChicagoGRAD's Fellowship Office.

SWAG

  • Application deadline: October 5, 2019 11:59pm CST.
    SWAG provides FLI and multicultural students with an encouraging community of writers to help develop an awareness of writing process and make measurable progress toward writing goals. SWAG is open to all graduate and professional school students and postdocs who are working on a major writing project. Participants meet weekly; program is by application only. Application deadline: October 5, 2019 11:59pm CST. Participation by application only. Contact SSS with any questions. 

FLI Champions Kick Off

  • Application deadline: 10/14/19 at 11:59 pm CST.
    The FLI Champion program matches FLI students with FLI faculty or administrators for a self-directed, coaching-style mentorship commitment. In this session, participants will meet their pair, review participation roles and expectations, get FLI swag, and connect with other Champion participants. Participation is by application only.
    bit.ly/FLIChampions19

UndocuWorkshops

  1. DACA Updates and Know Your Rights 
    11/20/19 5-7
    Representatives from the National Immigrant Justice Center will detail the recent news regarding the DACA program and will lead a Know Your Rights presentation. Legal screenings are available upon request in registration link.
    Register: bit.ly/112019SSS

  2. The Undocumented Student Ally Training provides participants with tools, and promising practices to support undocumented communities, with a focus on UChicago students. Open to members of the campus community who identify as allies or would like to be identified as allies. Contact us to request a training: studentsupport@uchicago.edu.

Thrive Collaborative: Belonging & Community

  • 12:30–2:00 pm
    This workshop provides a safe space for FLI* and multicultural students to enhance their well-being and mental health as a tool to better navigate the institution and be successful. Organized by Student Counseling Services, Student Support Services, and UChicago GRAD. 
    *First-generation, lower-income, and/or immigrant

Butterfly Support Group 

  • The Butterfly Support Group is a confidential, non-judgmental, and safe space for students who would like to gain support and insight on dealing with the stressors surrounding immigration policy and changes that may impact you or your family. To get involved please email: mirivas@uchicago.edu

  • October 23 | Meet and greet

    October 30 | First meeting

    November 13 | Second meeting

    November 20 | Third meeting

    December 4 | Final meeting

Have an idea for an event, an activity, or a need on campus that directly impacts first-generation, low-income, undocumented, and/or immigrant students, particularyly graduate/professional students? Submit it to SSS!

SSS is pleased to support student-led program or event initiatives. These initiatives include, but are not limited to lectures, invited speakers, social activities, community engagement, art initiatives, and other programs or events on topics that pertain to first-generation, low-income, undocumented, or immigrant students at the University of Chicago. Individual research or travel by UChicago students will not be considered. SSS collaboration may include, but is not limited to, planning, financial, marketing, and/or thematic support. To have your idea considered, please submit a proposal.

Proposal guidelines:

  • Proposal should include a description of the proposed activities including:
    • Basic logistical information: title, date, time, place
    • Participants: main participants, such as invited speakers including UChicago affiliates, moderators, workshop leaders
    • Audience: intended audience and ways to engage them
    • Description of the content and thematic significance
    • Itemized project budget including, whenever available, other funding sources secured or sought
  • Participation in all activities must be free.
  • The event must take place at the University of Chicago Hyde Park campus or in a venue within Chicagoland.
  • Individual research projects or travel by University of Chicago students and faculty are ineligible proposals.

Proposals will be considered on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Please submit your proposal to studentsupport@uchicago.edu or drop off a hard copy at 5710 S. Woodlawn Ave.

Please contact studentsupport@uchicago.edu with any questions.