From: Mike Hayes, Dean of Students in the University
To: All Students
Subject: Resources, Programs, and Services for UChicago Students
Date: October 10, 2025

Dear Students,

With the Autumn Quarter well underway, I am writing to remind you of the resources and diversions available to enhance your experience at the University of Chicago. 

Health and Wellness Services

UChicago Student Wellness offers students access to coordinated and comprehensive medical, mental health, and health promotion services targeted at building and maintaining overall wellbeing. Services are provided in the University’s Student Wellness Center located at 840 East 59^th Street. Virtual appointments are also available, depending on the nature of your need. A full list of services is on the UChicago Student Wellness website. Services are provided at no cost to eligible students. (Most degree programs that convene full time on the Hyde Park campus are eligible.)

To help further support mental wellbeing, eligible students also have access to TimelyCare, a service that complements the in-person and virtual appointments offered through UChicago Student Wellness. TimelyCare offers scheduled counseling and psychiatry with licensed clinicians, as well as a 24/7 on-demand service where students can discuss any concern. I encourage you to download the app now so you have easy access if you ever need it. The service is free, and registration takes only a few minutes.

Fitness and Recreation

You can stay active and de-stress through Athletics & Recreation’s many free fitness classes (available in person or virtually) and intramurals and sport clubs. Students have access to the Gerald Ratner Athletics Center and Henry Crown Field House with their UChicago ID (no membership is required). Both facilities provide a fitness center with weights and cardio equipment and multipurpose courts. Ratner also houses the Myers-McLoraine Pool.

Center for Leadership and Involvement (CLI)

CLI supports hundreds of Recognized Student Organizations across a range of interests, from community service and fine arts to politics. CLI also offers leadership development programs to help students cultivate skills to become effective leaders, advocates, and change agents.

Center for Identity + Inclusion (CI+I)

CI+I offers a wide variety of programs and resources that are open/available to all students – and works in partnership with student-facing areas to advance the University’s commitment to diversity of thought and experience. The building (accessible to all students using their UChicago ID cards) is a hub for student activity and is home to the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, LGBTQ Student Life, and Student Support Services.

Speakers, Performances, and Other Special Events

UChicago frequently hosts leading figures from the world stage. International House’s Global Voices Performing Arts and Lecture Series features prominent speakers, roundtable discussions, musicians, performers, and other guests.

Rockefeller Chapel and Spiritual Life offer spiritual support and gatherings for students of all traditions, in addition to frequent concerts and regular recitals for organ, carillon, and choir.

Access Services

Student Disability Services assists students with disabilities to ensure equitable access to University programs. The Center for Awareness, Resolution, Education, and Support (UChicago CARES) supports the full participation of all members of the University community and works to prevent and respond to all forms of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct.

Emergency and Crisis Services

The Dean-on-Call and Sexual Assault Dean-on-Call are available 24/7 to support and care for students. Both resources can be reached by calling the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) at 773.702.8181.  Be prepared to leave a call back number including an area or country code. They are also available via text through the UChicago Safe App.

If you are concerned about the physical or mental wellbeing of another student, contact the Dean-on-Call or report your concern online to request a well-being check.

More information about these resources is at help.uchicago.edu. In addition, the University’s safety webpage has an overview of the robust safety resources available to members of the University community.

Resources for Graduate Students

UChicagoGRAD offers a range of services and resources that promote professional development and wellbeing for students in masters and doctoral programs. The Graduate Student Lounge offers space where graduate students from all programs can do work, reserve a private study room, and meet other grad students. UChicagoGRAD also works closely with several student groups to receive feedback, ideas, and guidance for supporting graduate students most effectively.

The International House Graduate Commons Program supports the graduate student community with over 100 annual programs, while International House also offers over 100 fellowships and internships to UChicago graduate students. 

You can learn more about Campus and Student Life programs and services on our website. On behalf of my colleagues, best wishes for a healthy and successful year.

Sincerely,