To Catherine, Elena, Enise, Jennifer, Rachel, Twyla, and Vivian,
our superstar 2024-2025 student team:

Thank you for all you contribute to WLRC, CAN, and the UIC community! We love working with you!

[ID: WLRC's student team members posing together and smiling at various campus events. Behind them are pink and gold stars on a purple background.]

Share your thoughts in our weekly poll!

Building a culture of consent, respect, and equity starts with everyday actions. Whether in classrooms, relationships, or community spaces, we all have skills and tools that shape how we show up for others. This week, we're reflecting on the practices we use—and want to share—to create safer, more accountable environments for all.

What skills or tools have you found helpful—or would like to share with others—for building a culture of respect, equity, and consent?

Check back next week for your responses and a new question!

Last week, we asked, "How can we use art and music to promote consent culture, support survivors, and challenge harmful norms in public spaces?" Here are some of your responses:

Thank you for sharing your wonderful responses!

[ID: "Question of the Week" in yellow block letters inside a yellow-orange frame on a purple-blue gradient background.]

Wednesday, April 16 | 1:30-3pm - TODAY!
1700 SSB
Audience: UIC Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional Students

Are you on the e-board of a UIC student organization focused on women, equity and inclusion, or social justice? Want to learn more about how WLRC can support the great work you do? Join us for an open conversation to network and build community with other student org leaders and our staff team!

[ID: A group of people in various shades of pink clothing, each raising a flexed arm muscle. At the top is "Student Organization Roundtable.]

Thursday, April 17 | 3:30-5:30pm
Dorin Forum, Room DEF
Audience: UIC Students, Staff, Faculty

How should we respond using a justice lens? You're invited to join us for a panel of speakers who will explore the current landscape in higher education.

[ID: National Day of Action at UIC logo, a graduation cap surrounded by laurels. Details (above) are shared with an outdoor scene of campus and the Chicago skyline in the background.]

Wednesday, April 23 | 12-1pm
1700 SSB
Audience: UIC Students

How does the media get survivorship right--and wrong? We'll discuss portrayals of survivors in social media, music, TV, film, and the news, and reflect on what these stories mean for survivors in their everyday lives.

[ID: "HEALS: Healing for Engagement, Action, & Leadership by Survivors" in white text over a purple background, with flames rising from the bottom center.]

Thursday, April 24 | 4:30-6pm
1700 SSB
Audience: UIC Students

Members of UIC's fraternities and sororities are invited to a conversation and workshop about creating safe spaces for survivors, while crafting beautiful floral arrangements! All supplies provided. Co-sponsored by Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.

[ID: A bouquet of ranunculus flowers in a white vase surrounded by outlines of flowers and an open hand on a pink background. At the top is "Sexual Assault Awareness Month Bouquet Workshop" in green text.]

Survivors, we are here for you! Please reach out to the Campus Advocacy Network any time you need support, information, resources, answers, and/or advocacy related to safety, healing, or gender-based violence (sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, stalking, harassment, family abuse).

We can connect in person at WLRC or via Zoom, phone, text, or email. Our services are free, confidential, and open to all members of the UIC community.

We can help you build a safety plan, connect with resources (like mental health support or legal assistance), process your experiences, and stay informed about your rights and options. We can assist you as you navigate processes like requesting academic accommodations, communicating with Financial Aid and the Registrar's Office, filing a report with the Office of Access and Equity, and/or petitioning for an Order of Protection, depending on your needs.

We are here not only for survivors and those facing gender-based violence, but also for those in roles where there may be a need to support survivors on campus, such as instructors, mentors, advisors, student leaders, friends, or colleagues.

To connect with an advocate:
- Call: (312) 413-8206
- Text: (312) 488-9784
- Email: can-appointment@uic.edu
- Submit an Ask an Advocate form

[ID: Four members of Mujeres en Medicina, smiling, hold a section of clothesline from WLRC's Clothesline Project, where t-shirts tell the stories of surviving violence or offer messages of support, such as "Women owe you nothing," "You are loved," and "I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become!"]

Everyone at UIC has a role to play in preventing violence and supporting survivors in our community. 

If you are an ally supporting a survivor in your life (whether that is a friend, family member, student, or employee), contact us to discuss questions around advocating for survivors, campus and community resources, mandated reporting, and more.

If you are a student leader, instructor, or supervisor, please consider inviting CAN to speak to your class through our Don’t Cancel Your Class! program, or request a training for your department, college, student organization, or other campus unit. 

[ID: A coffee cup, paper, paper clips, buttons, and pencils scattered around text about the Don't Cancel Your Class program, all on a teal background.]

If you are teaching, please share information about CAN during class and in your syllabus:

"If you have experienced sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, stalking, or harassment, there is help available. The Campus Advocacy Network provides free and confidential services to UIC students, faculty, and staff who have experienced or are experiencing interpersonal violence. Pregnant and parenting students are also welcome to contact CAN for resources, information, and support.

If you would like to speak with an advocate, please email CAN at can-appointment@uic.edu, call (312) 413-8206 and leave a voicemail message, text (312) 488-9784, or fill out CAN's Ask An Advocate form online at can.uic.edu/ask. To learn more, visit CAN's website at can.uic.edu."

[ID: The text of the CAN Syllabus Statement in dark blue on a white background, with a teal green border.]

Black Cultural Center: Student Leadership Symposium: Navigating Change and Uncertainty
Wednesday, April 16 | 10am - 4pm, 207 Addams Hall
Join us for an annual event with dynamic speakers breaking barriers. Don’t miss the chance to connect, learn, and engage.

Arab American Cultural Center: Ana Min Hunak, Ana Mun Huna: Morocco
Wednesday, April 16 | 12-1:30pm, B01 BSB
Join us to hear stories about Morocco, its people, and its culture from students, staff, alumni, and faculty.

Latino Cultural Center: Zona Abierta: Reviving Local Democracy: New Conflicts in the Chicago City Council - Dr. Kumar Ramanathan
Wednesday. April 16 | 2-3pm, Virtual
Join us as UIC postdocs share research on marginalized communities. Dr. Kumar Ramanathan will discuss how inequality is reshaping the Chicago City Council.

Disability Cultural Center: Crip Coffee Break: Game On! Mixed Games
Wednesday, April 16 | 3-4pm, 235 BSB
We'll hang out together and let the conversation be guided by what’s going on in our lives or what’s on our minds.

Latino Cultural Center: Film Screening & Panel Conversation: we are each other's harvest
Thursday, April 17 | 2-3pm, Lecture Center B2
Join us in celebrating Earth Month and connect with local organizations!

Asian American Resource and Cultural Center: AARCC 20th Anniversary Celebration
Thursday, April 17 | 6-8pm, 301 Student Center East
AARCC has served the UIC community since 2005. This year, it launches the “Race to 20” fundraiser to celebrate nearly 20 years and support its programs and services.

Asian American Resource and Cultural Center: Not Okay and That's Okay: Bagels & Bingo
Tuesday, April 22 | 5-6pm, 723 W. Maxwell
Join us for a reflective and fun game night exploring Asian American mental health, family expectations, and redefining success on your own terms!

Black Cultural Center: Lunch & Learn
Wednesday, April 23 | 12:30-2pm, BCC Gallery
Come enjoy a thoughtful afternoon of conversation and community!

Latino Cultural Center: Earth Month Arts Festival: Another World is Happening ft. Anticonquista Café
Wednesday, April 23 | 2-4pm, Lecture Center B2
Celebrate Earth Month with the LCC at their interactive arts festival!

Asian American Resource and Cultural Center: GAME NIGHT!
Wednesday, April 23 | 4-5:30pm, 723 W. Maxwell
Destress and relax over a variety of Asian games while learning about their cultural importance to Asian Americans.

Black Cultural Center: Open Mic Night
Thursday, April 23 | 7-9pm, 207 Addams Hall
BCC Open Mic is more than a stage, it’s a celebration of Black artistry, truth, and expression. Where voices and stories shine! 

Black Cultural Center: Finals Destresser
Thursday, April 24 | 5-6pm, 207 Addams Hall
Take a break from studying and recharge—an hour of relaxation, fun, and good vibes before the big exams!

Latino Cultural Center: Noche de Poetas (Student Open Mic)
Thursday, April 24 | 5:30-7pm, Lecture Center B2
Get ready for a night of powerful voices and poetic vibes at Noche de Poetas—come share your story or cheer on your peers at this student open mic!

Arab American Cultural Center & Gender and Sexuality Center: Care, Connect, Growth 2025 Conference: A Celebration of Queer Muslim Faith
Saturday, April 26 | 9am - 6pm, Student Center West
Join Hidayah US for an in-person conference featuring dialogues on intersectional identities and queer spirituality.

Arab American Cultural Center: Graduation Haflah
Sunday, April 27 | 4-7pm, SCE Illinois Room
Join us to celebrate the accomplishments of UIC students as they graduate in 2025 helping them mark a milestone in their lives.

About the UIC Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change (CCUSC): Founded as a direct result of campus activism, the CCUSC work collectively to produce knowledge and shift university culture, validating the multidimensional lived experiences of historically and currently excluded communities. Informed by social justice frameworks, the Centers support students, faculty, and staff as they build a strong identity and sense of belonging, becoming change agents for a more just campus and society.

The Centers connect our communities and design intercultural and engaged-learning opportunities, student mentorship programs, cultural programming, advocacy, collaborative research, and community partnerships. Through these efforts, the Centers expand the educational and transformational mission of UIC.

[ID: The above statement about who the UIC Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change are, on a purple background.]

In light of potential threats to our communities, both here at UIC and throughout the Chicago area, it's important to know what our rights are when interacting with immigration and other law enforcement officers.

UIC's administration has shared official protocols for such interactions on campus. In short:

UIC's Rigo Padilla Pérez Undocumented Student Resource Center provides a comprehensive set of resources you can use on campus and in the community, including printable cards in multiple languages. They can also provide Know Your Rights trainings by request.

For more detailed info, check out this presentation from Sanctuary for All UIC, a collective of students, faculty, and staff imagining a sanctuary for all at UIC.

We are here for you and will continue to share resources and information with our campus community.

[ID: A two-page flyer with Know Your Rights info from ICIRR, which is available on its website.]

Little Sparks: Family Study Space Launch
Wednesday, April 16 | 5:15-6:15pm, Library of the Health Sciences
Join us as we celebrate the grand opening of the Little Sparks Family Study Space! This special event marks an exciting step in supporting student parents by providing a dedicated, family-friendly study environment.

Native American Support Program (NASP): Conversations about Native American Research and Support at UIC
April 16 & 17 | Various Times & Locations
NASP is hosting experts to enhance Native and Indigenous recruitment, retention, and career development at UIC. The event includes opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to participate and provide feedback.

People's University: National Day of Action for Higher Education
Thursday, April 17 | 12-3pm, UH Lawn
Join us as we build a collective space of joy and resistance with food, music, art making, yoga, and performances. 

Planning, Sustainability and Project Management: Sustainability Fund Advisory Board (SFAB): Apply by April 18!
SFAB manages the sustainability fund and is seeking one student member. Attend meetings, evaluate applications, and influence UIC’s sustainability efforts while gaining experience and connecting with advocates.

Gender & Women's Studies: Brown Bag with Professor Terrion L. Williamson
Friday, April 18 | 12-1:30pm, 1250 UH
Dr. Terrion L. Williamson, Associate Professor, Black Studies and Gender and Women's Studies, will give a talk titled "Richard Pryor, Black Serial Murder, and the Making of an All-American City."

Black Studies: Grace Holt Celebration & Awards
April 22-24 | Various Times & Locations
Each year, we uphold UIC Black Studies founder Grace Holt's commitment to the field and celebrate our community through a keynote presentation, series of community and scholarly events, and recognition of students. The 2025 theme is Black Solidarity Politics. The keynote lecture by Dr. Nisrin Elamin, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and African Studies at the University of Toronto, is entitled "Sudan's Counterrevolutionary War."

Global Asian Studies: GLASapalooza
Thursday, April 24 | 3-5pm, 605 SCE
Join us to honor the transformative work of students, staff, and faculty, celebrate our fearless graduating minors and majors.

Gender & Women's Studies: End of Year Celebration & CECSCO Awards
Thursday, May 1 | 5-6:30pm, 153 BSB
Join us to celebrate our graduating students and student award winners and learn about what feminist, anti-racist education can offer us in this moment!

Asian American Student Academic Program: Asian American Congratulatory
Friday, May 2 | 3-5pm, SCE Illinois Room
Join us to celebrate the academic achievements of UIC Asian American undergraduate and graduate students, as well as their support networks. 

Gender & Women's Studies: Summer & Fall 2025 Course Offerings
Explore GWS and Social Justice courses for Fall and Summer 2025! The flyer on their website includes course descriptions, dates, and times. 

Black Studies: Summer & Fall 2025 Course Offerings
Explore BLST courses for Fall and Summer 2025!

Global Asian Studies: Summer & Fall 2025 Course Offerings
Explore GLAS courses for Fall and Summer 2025!

Latin American & Latino Studies: Fall 2025 Course Offerings
Explore LALS courses for Fall 2025!

Black Studies & Gender and Women's Studies: Open Study Hours
MTWTh | 1-5pm, 1250 UH
Come connect with fellow students, study together, and build community.
Tea, coffee, and snacks will be available. Drop in whenever it fits your schedule!

Asian American Student Academic Program: Low Sensory Space at AASAP
Tuesdays | 9:30-11:30am, 2720 SSB
Looking for a quiet or low-sensory space? Every Tuesday, AASAP will have low light levels, little sound/relaxing music, and calming tools available.

Office of the Dean of Students: U&I Care Meals
Click above to access emergency meal assistance through the U&I Care Meals Program! Limited meals are available each term for UIC students facing urgent food insecurity.

Commuter and Off-Campus Life: Upcoming Events
Click above for exciting events, resources, and opportunities designed for UIC commuter and off-campus students!

Career Services: Upcoming Events
Click above for career prep workshops, career fairs, and more!

Daley Library: Upcoming Events
Click above for fun and engaging events for UIC students!

Counseling Center: Upcoming Events
Click above for popular workshops, peer-support groups, drop-in groups, and other events!

Little Sparks Program: Services and Opportunities for Student-Parents
The Little Sparks Program supports student-parents as they complete their education by providing childcare funding and wrap-around support. They offer things like child care; tuition assistance; diapers, wipes, and formula; student-parent network & events; and community resources.

Resilience: Upcoming Events
Resilience is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the healing and empowerment of sexual assault survivors through non-judgmental crisis intervention counseling, individual and group trauma therapy, and medical and legal advocacy in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. Resilience provides public education and institutional advocacy in order to improve the treatment of sexual assault survivors and to effect positive change in policies and public attitudes toward sexual assault.

- April 16: Resilience x &Rise BIPOC Wellness Event
- April 16: Intro to Crochet for Anxiety Reduction
- April 18: Standing Silent Witness T-Shirt & Sign Making Day
- April 21: Survivor's Book Club
- April 21: Women of Color Support Group
- April 22: Survivor's Book Club: Free Support Group
- April 23: Standing Silent Witness
- April 23: Intro to Crochet for Anxiety Reduction

Youth Abortion Support Collective: Midwest Compass: Navigating Support
Wednesday, April 16 | 6-7pm, Zoom
hear from Midwest abortion funds and practical support organizations on what they do and how you can be involved in helping abortion seekers get the care they need in your state. Open to 14- to 24-year-olds in the Midwest!

CAASE: Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together
Thursday, April 17 | 3-5pm, Virtual
Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together is an online gathering space for survivors of sexual harm and those who support them, either personally or professionally or both.

CAASE: Let's Chat Over Lunch: Community Forum
Wednesday, April 23 | 1-2pm, Virtual
CAASE will discuss current cultural events, media, and news headlines related to sexual harm and/or social injustice. 

CAASE: Shifting Culture: How Communities Can Foster Consent, Safety, and Respect – A Panel
Wednesday, April 23 | 3:30-4:30pm, Virtual
Join CAASE for a panel exploring how nonprofits, schools, and community groups can create environments that forefront consent, safety, and respect while empowering members to end sexual harm.

CAASE: Legal Clinic for City Colleges of Chicago
Wednesday, April 30 | 9am-12pm, Virtual
City College of Chicago students– facing a legal issue but not sure where to start? Join us for a special SAAM event for students of the City Colleges of Chicago.

Chicago Women's Health Center: Pelvic Self-Exam Workshop
Monday, May 12 | 6:00-7:30pm, Virtual
This 90-minute workshop will cover the pelvic floor, the Pelvic Self Exam movement, exam best practices, and biases in pelvic health.

KAN-WIN: Youth Peer Advocate Leadership (YPAL) Program: Apply by May 26!
June 9 - July 22
YPAL is a program for high school aged people to receive in-depth training on issues of gender-based violence, be in conversation with other young people interested in combating gender-based violence, and explore ways to contribute to the anti-violence movement. 

UIC Women’s Leadership and Resource Center
& Campus Advocacy Network

1700 Student Services Building (MC 363)
1200 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60607

(312) 413-1025 ∙ wlrc@uic.edu ∙ wlrc.uic.edu

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