University Resources and Services
Library
As a center of intense intellectual inquiry, the University of Chicago Library shares with the University of Chicago the aspiration to be the most dynamic research and learning environment in the world, supporting the University’s commitment to research and teaching in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and the College, as well as to use its intellectual resources to help solve the world’s problems.
The University of Chicago Library serves its users from 6 locations at the heart of campus, providing faculty and students with rapid access to its collections, research and study spaces, and diverse services: the John Crerar Library for science, medicine, and technology; D’Angelo Law Library; Eckhart Library for mathematics; the Joe and Rika Mansueto Library and the Joseph Regenstein Library for humanities, social sciences, business, and special collections; and the Social Service Administration Library. All libraries are open to readers who have a valid University ID or library card. These Library resources include 11.3 million print and electronic volumes; 62,300 linear feet of archives and manuscripts; and 153 terabytes of born-digital archives, digitized collections, and research data.
Even as building and preserving collections continue to be a critical commitment, the Library is assuming new roles that are vital to research, innovation, and learning at the University of Chicago. In doing so, the Library is leveraging the deep expertise of the Library staff, developing services that support new avenues of research, and expanding access to and preservation of scholarly resources in ways that advance the goals of the University community and the needs of the next generation of scholars.
Librarians are present in all of the libraries to provide orientation to library collections, services, and facilities. The reference staff is available for individual and group consultation, and the Library’s subject specialists are also available for specialized reference services or to discuss resources in their respective disciplines.
Instruction services are available for students. The library staff is available to teach workshops on the identification and use of library resources, and to assist in developing effective library research strategies.
The online subject guides offer an overview of both print and electronic resources, and provide a useful starting place when beginning your research. A comprehensive list of electronic resources with links to a variety of subject guides is available at http://guides.lib.uchicago.edu.
Dining
Students may use their UChicago Card to pay for meals in most campus dining locations, including all cafes and campus markets. Credit cards and cash are also accepted at all locations. Visit the UChicago Card site for more information about how to use and load the UChicago Card.
Living Accommodations
Learn more about housing options on UChicagoGRAD’s Housing Resources site. Among the resources, you will find tips to getting started, finding an apartment, and the rental application process in Chicago along with a list of local neighborhood property management companies.
UChicagoGRAD offers a housing webinar, February – July, that may be useful for new Chicago and Hyde Park residents.
Resources for Families
Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center, located at 950 E. 61st St., is a drop-in center for families that offers family-friendly programs, informational materials for families, and a support network. Membership is free for graduate students and postdocs.
Writing Groups
Student parents can join their colleagues for special writing sessions that coordinate babysitting services.
PhD Child Care Grants
Doctoral students with children may apply for need-based stipends.
UChicago Child Care Resources
The University's Child Care Resources site provides an overview of University services, resources, and policies for families. The Parent Resource Guide also offers related information, including lists of child care providers and information about local schools.
UChicago Grad
UChicagoGRAD is located on the third floor of the University Bookstore and is a one-stop shop of integrated services to help graduate students and postdocs navigate their academic and professional careers. UChicagoGRAD staff are committed to serving the graduate and postdoc community, focusing on recruitment, skills and experience, career development, and alumni engagement.
Human Resources Services
Human Resources Services (HRS), located at 6054 S. Drexel Ave., is the central source of both full- and part-time employment within the University. It provides a variety of secretarial, clerical, technical, and other positions for spouses/domestic partners of University students. In advance of their arrival on campus, spouses/domestic partners may contact HRS to explore employment opportunities.
Campus Bus Service
While University residences are located within walking distance of SSA, many residents prefer to use the Campus Bus Service, which operates in partnership with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). On weekdays during the academic year, buses provide comprehensive shuttle service over two routes (171 and 172) that run throughout the Hyde Park area. Student riders who present the driver with a valid University of Chicago card may ride the buses free of charge. All others may pay CTA fares, or may purchase CTA transit cards to ride the buses.
The NightRide program serves University students, faculty, and staff during the late-night hours. Buses run approximately every 20-30 minutes throughout the evening, departing from Regenstein Library. An express bus service to downtown is also available on Friday and Saturday evenings.
For more information, call 773.795.6108 or email bus@uchicago.edu.
Midway Metra Shuttle
The University's Midway Metra Shuttle serves Metra stations near campus, several destinations along 59th and 60th streets, and the University of Chicago Medicine's campus. This shuttle service will operate Monday through Friday during the morning rush (5:40-9:40 a.m.) and evening rush (3:30-6:40 p.m.) periods. For estimated arrival and departure times, view the Midway Metra Shuttle schedule.
This shuttle stops only at the designated stops and does not pick up or drop off passengers at intersections.
UGo Shuttles
The University provides free daytime service around the campus area and portions of the neighboring communities as a safe and convenient way for all students, faculty, staff, and University of Chicago Medicine staff to get around. The shuttles run year-round except on University-observed holidays.
All UGo Shuttle riders are asked to tap their valid University-issued ID or University of Chicago Medicine ID on a card reader each time they board a shuttle. See the UGo Shuttle ID Guidelines for more information.
Safety and Security
The University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) is a full service, CALEA-accredited police department serving the University of Chicago and surrounding areas from 37th Street to 64th Street, and Cottage Grove Avenue to Lake Shore Drive. Members of the department are committed to conducting their work in a respectful and dignified manner while providing a safe environment for those who live, learn, and work in our community. Read the University of Chicago Police Services brochure to learn more about our police department and the services we provide.
Contact the UCPD
- 123 from on-campus phones
- Press the red button on an emergency phone
- 773.702.8181 from other phones
- cops@uchicago.edu
The cops@uchicago.edu email account is monitored from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you need immediate assistance, call 773.702.8181 or dial 123 from any campus phone.
UCPD headquarters is located at 850 E. 61st Street and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
There are approximately 380 emergency phones located throughout the campus community. Emergency phones can be identified by the blue lights atop a white pole, and each contains a red button you can push in case of emergency. To use the emergency phones, press the red button and you will be immediately connected to the UCPD Emergency Communications Center. The specific location of a phone is transmitted to the UCPD as soon as it is activated. If you must keep moving to protect yourself, you do not need to say anything; pressing the red button will allow police to follow your course as you continue to use emergency phones along the way. An officer or patrol car will respond immediately.
The University has a multifaceted Safety Awareness Program, which is fully described in the app UChicago SAFE. The information and functions within the app describe how to get around safely, whom to call if you need advice or help in emergencies, and how to prevent or avoid threatening situations. Information is also included about crime statistics on campus and descriptions of security policies and awareness campaigns online at safety-security.uchicago.edu or on request by writing to the University Office of the Dean of Students, 5801 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago, IL 60637. The University also annually distributes its drug and alcohol policy to all students and employees.
University of Chicago Student Health Insurance
All students are required to carry adequate health insurance. Your insurance must cover routine, non-emergency medical care in the Chicago area, and meet all comparable coverage requirements. You must satisfy UChicago's health insurance requirement in one of two ways:
Confirm enrollment in the University Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP)
-OR-
Apply for a waiver by certifying that you have comparable insurance coverage
Please visit the UChicago Student Wellness site for details about student insurance.
By State of Illinois law, generally all new students are required to present proof of immunity from German measles, measles (two shots required), mumps, and tetanus/diphtheria (three shots required for international students). UChicago Student Wellness notifies all new students of the requirement and provides instructions for compliance. Forms will be sent to all incoming students and are available here.
Students who are not compliant will have their subsequent registrations restricted and will not have the restriction lifted until they have become compliant with the immunization requirement.
In the midst of COVID-19, we realize there are questions about how this policy applies to students studying remotely. For the 2020-21 academic year, please contact UChicago Student Wellness with questions. For a copy of the State of Illinois law, click here.
Graduate Student Services Fee
The University requires all students, with the exception of Extended Evening Program (EEP) students, to pay the Graduate Student Services Fee each quarter of enrollment. Note: EEP students who specifically opt-in to the University Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP) will be assessed the Student Life Fee. This fee covers patient visits at the Student Health Service and Student Counseling Service. This fee also covers student activities through the Center for Leadership and Involvement. Dependent spouses or same-sex domestic partners and dependent children age 14 and older, who are insured through the University Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP), are assessed the Dependent Life Fee and are entitled to receive services at Student Health and Counseling Services.
Students who live more than 100 miles away from the University are eligible to waive the Student Life Fee by submitting a request to the SSA Dean of Students.
University Policies
The University of Chicago is a community of scholars dedicated to research, academic excellence, and the pursuit and cultivation of learning. Every member of the University—student, faculty, and staff—makes a commitment to strive for personal and academic integrity; to treat others with dignity and respect; to honor the rights and property of others; to take responsibility for individual and group behavior; and to act as a responsible citizen in a free academic community and in the larger society. Any student conduct, on or off campus, of individuals or groups, that threatens or violates this commitment may become a matter for action within the University's system of student discipline.
The Student Manual is the official statement of University policies and regulations, and expected standards of student conduct which are applicable to all students. The manual includes the following University policies:
- Civil Behavior in a University Setting
- Statement of Nondiscrimination
- Policy on Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment
- Sexual Assault Policy
- Violence Prevention Policy and Threat Assessment Team
- Disability Accommodation Protocol
- Graduate Student Parents Policy
- Domestic Partnership Policy
- Student Employment
- Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Networking Services and Information Technologies Policies
- Patent, Software, and Intellectual Property Policy
- Safety and Appropriate Use of Facilities