Welcome (back) to UIC, Flames!

A new year brings new opportunities, new challenges, new excitement. We're thrilled to welcome you to campus with great programming and chances to build community and connections.

In the meantime, come visit us at 1700 Student Services Building for a warm and inviting study and relaxation space. Our team is always happy to chat with students and colleagues who drop in! 

Where is WLRC?

1700 Student Services Building (next to Financial Aid). We're open 10am - 4pm Monday-Friday!

Who can come to the WLRC space, attend events, and use the center's services?

We're here for UIC students, staff, and faculty of ALL gender identities! Some of our events are also open to the public.

How can I find survivor support or ask questions about gender-based violence?

Our Campus Advocacy Network team is here for you! You can stop by the center or contact us via email, phone, or text:

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

Scroll down to the "Campus Advocacy Network (CAN) Corner" for more info!

How can I keep up with what's happening at WLRC?

Read this weekly newsletter and follow us on Instagram!

I have more questions about what WLRC does and other feminist and woman-centered spaces on campus.

Check out our FAQ and feel free to contact us at wlrc@uic.edu!

[ID: "Welcome back" in white cursive text and "Flames!" in text designed to look like flames, all on a blue background.]

Monday, August 31 | 12:45-2:30pm
Location shared upon registration
Audience: UIC Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional Students

Join us to learn more about the PERSIST(Σ) program for students in engineering, discover what's planned for Fall 2026, and connect with student organizations!

Featuring keynote speaker Mary L. Smith, an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, whose journey from mathematics and computer science to law led her to become the first Native American woman to serve as President of the American Bar Association.

[ID: Keynote speaker Mary Smith on a blue background, with details about the PERSIST(Σ) Fall Welcome event above and below her.]

Tuesday, September 8 | 4-6pm
WLRC & Zoom
Audience: UIC Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional Students

Join fellow parenting students at UIC to learn what resources exist to support you, connect to each other, and share tips about how to navigate parenting and academics successfully. Let’s show up—for ourselves and each other!

Children are welcome; however, we are unable to provide childcare. Parking validation available.

[ID: "Rise and Thrive" in bold magenta letters with three green leaves coming out of the final "E." Below that are details about the Rise and Thrive event.]

Wednesday, September 9 | 11am - 1pm
Student Services Building
Audience: UIC Students, Staff, Faculty

Stop by WLRC during the Student Services Building Open House! Visit the student success units, Undocumented Student Resource Center, Disability Resource Center, Career Services, Student Employment, and all our other wonderful neighbors.

[ID: Two people behind an info table at the UIC Native American Support Program, and a group of students crowded in front of another info table in the Student Services Building. Between them are details about the SSB Open House.]

Thursday, September 17 | 12 - 2pm
WLRC, 1700 Student Services Building
Audience: UIC Students, Staff, Faculty

Join us for our Fall Open House! Meet our staff; check out our warm and welcoming space; learn about feminist activism at UIC; connect with other students, staff, and faculty; and enjoy sweet treats and giveaways!

[ID: A collage of photos from previous WLRC events. To their left are details about the WLRC Fall Open House on a blue background.]

First sessions on September 18 & 30
WLRC & Zoom
Audience: UIC Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional Students

Are you looking for support and community as a survivor of domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, harassment, or stalking? Join us for HEALS to strengthen your safety and healing skills while building connections.

Learn strategies for succeeding in your classes, making progress on your thesis, upholding your boundaries, navigating conversations with a new partner, or grounding yourself during a difficult moment.

Complete our HEALS Interest Form to learn more, RSVP, and stay connected with us. All UIC undergraduate, professional, and graduate student survivors and those who support them are welcome to attend! 

[ID: "HEALS: Healing for Engagement, Action, & Leadership by Survivors" in white text over a magenta background. Below that are details about the HEALS program and a group of people with their arms around each other.]

September 1 - September 10

Please stop by our table and meet our team at these upcoming Weeks of Welcome events around campus!

College of Nursing Welcome Event
Tuesday, September 1 | 11am - 2pm

College of Pharmacy Student Resource Fair
Tuesday, September 1 | 12:30-1:45pm

Involvement Fair (look for the Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change table)
Wednesday, September 2 | 11am - 3pm

Graduate College Welcome Back Picnic & Resource Fair
Wednesday, September 9 | 11:30am - 1:30pm

Applied Health Sciences New Student Welcome
Thursday, September 10 | 11:30am - 1pm

[ID: WLRC team members tabling at campus events.]

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis
Apply on Handshake by September 4

Looking for an on-campus job? Come work with us at WLRC and CAN!

- General Office Aide (undergrad, Federal Work Study)
- Peers 2 Allies Intern (undergrad)
- Graduate Assistant (0.33 FTE with tuition waiver)

[ID: "We're Hiring!" and a list of job titles in white text on a purple-blue gradient. In the background are WLRC staff standing together and smiling.]

Survivors, we are so glad that you are here, and we want you to thrive. Start the year strong by learning your options and connecting with the resources you need!

Reach out to the Campus Advocacy Network for free, confidential support if you have experienced gender-based violence (sexual assault, harassment, stalking, domestic/dating violence, or family abuse), or if you have questions about safety or healing.

To connect with an advocate:

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Did you know? 

CAN services are here for everyone! We serve students, faculty, and staff of all genders and sexualities. We're here for you if you experience violence yourself or if you are supporting a friend or loved one. 

From our Resource List...  

College survivors of sexual violence can receive free trauma therapy in Chicago! Greenlight Family Services provides 20 free therapy sessions to student survivors. You can request services anytime using their online form.

[ID: A grey t-shirt with "Someone you love is a survivor" painted on it in red and white. Red and black hearts are scattered around the words.]

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: Three students participating in a dating timeline activity on a tabletop.]

Faculty, please include info about us in your curriculum and 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: A CAN team member standing next to a presentation screen and facilitating a discussion on how to respond to a disclosure of gender-based violence.]

September 14 - 24

Stop by all the Cultural Center Open Houses to meet the staff and learn about our histories, resources, and upcoming programs!

[ID: A skyline view of UIC and Chicago buildings. Below that are details for the Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change Fall Open Houses.]

Check out what else is happening at all our sibling centers this week!

Founded as a direct result of campus activism, the UIC Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change (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.

There are still spots available in some great GWS classes! Be sure to check out all that GWS has to offer!

[ID: A list of Gender and Women's Studies Fall Classes.]

Conference of Women Legislators: Undergraduate Scholarship
Apply by September 5
The one-year undergraduate scholarship will cover tuition, books, and fees for up to $2,500 for women 25 years of age or older who are Illinois residents.

Graduate College: Weekly Funding Opportunities List
Check out this weekly email full of funding, job, and fellowship opportunities for graduate students!

In light of 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 federal law enforcement officers.

WHAT TO DO

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

If you need assistance or suspect ICE presence anywhere in IL, please call the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Hotline: 1-855-435-7693.

[ID: Details about ICIRR's Family Support Network Hotline: 855-435-7693.]

CAMPUS RESOURCES

UPCOMING TRAININGS & EVENTS

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

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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