Know Your Rights Workshop, Bouquet Workshop, Year-end Events + More

Question of the Week
News and Upcoming Events
Campus Advocacy Network (CAN) Corner
Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change
Know Your Rights
Campus Opportunities
Community Opportunities

Share your thoughts in our weekly poll!

In next week's newsletter, we'll feature our staff team's media and activity recommendations for the summer!

What are your summer recommendations, or what are you looking forward to doing this summer? Feel free to include books, movies/TV, podcasts, games, activities, destinations, etc.!

Check back next week for your responses!

Last week, we asked, "What skills or tools have you found helpful—or would like to share with others—for building a culture of respect, equity, and consent?" Here are some of your responses:

"Step Up, Step Back" - the practice of sharing and creating space for others to share; not take corrections personally or as a flaw - being corrected is a sign of progress!
One skill I’ve found especially helpful is active listening. Giving someone your full attention and letting them speak without interruption shows that you care and respect their experiences. It creates a space where people feel seen, heard, and valued—something that’s essential for building a culture rooted in consent, equity, and mutual respect.
I think back to a phrase my grandmother said--“We all have 1 mouth, but 2 ears”--and in that sense always try listening out to others. You might never know if that’s all someone needs, and it’s not necessary to always respond immediately because people might continue on with their thought and explain themselves more if clarity from their perspective is needed.

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 23 | 12-1pm - TODAY!
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.]

Tuesday, April 29 | 12:30-2pm
Zoom
Audience: UIC Students, Staff, Faculty

With ICE raids, visa revocations, and threats of deportation for immigrants and international students, it is urgent that we all understand our rights and our power. Join us for a virtual workshop with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR).

[ID: "Know Your Rights Workshop" title text inside large rectangles is at the top half of the poster. A black and white arm holding a megaphone in the air is next to this title 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: 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! There will be chalk art, locally roasted coffee, a pop-up library, screenprinting, and more!

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: 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!

Black Cultural Center: Open Mic Night
Thursday, April 24 | 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!

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 for a night of poetry focused on environmental justice!

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.

Disability Cultural Center: Create Your Own Story Monster
Saturday, April 26 | 1pm, 410 S Michigan Ave Suite 419
Join The Center for Mad Culture and exhibiting artist Cam Collins for a unique workshop: “Story Robots.” Using shapes, you'll draw small narratives or memories that come together to form a new body—one entirely of your creation.

Arab American Cultural Center: Inaugural Village of Oak Park Arab American Heritage Month Celebration
Sunday, April 27 | 1-4pm, Oak Park Village Hall (123 Madison St. Oak Park)
Learn about Arab American culture and contributions, connect with your neighbors, make some art crafts, and enjoy tasty food and musical performances.

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:

If you are approached by a non-UIC law enforcement officer (or someone who claims to be), do not provide any info. Instead, immediately refer them to UIC Police (943 W. Maxwell St., Chicago, IL, 60608) and call UIC Police at (312) 996-2830 to inform them.
If you receive an inquiry via email, social media, or printed documents, do not respond. Instead, forward the communication to chancellor@uic.edu.

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.]

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."

Asian American Student Academic Program: Cupshup: Paint Outside the Lines
Wednesday, April 23 | 1-2pm, 1600 SSB
In this warm and welcoming space for South Asian women, we’ll reflect on what it means to take up space — through bold brushstrokes and brave storytelling.

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.

Asian American Student Academic Program: Study Together for Finals
Friday, April 25 | 1-2pm, 2720 SSB
Need a boost to stay on track with your work? Come solo or bring a friend and we’ll match you with a study buddy to help you stay focused.

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.

Office of Student Success and Belonging: Black Excellence Graduation Ceremony
Saturday, May 10 | 4:30pm, Dorin Forum
Join us to celebrate graduates from colleges spanning undergraduate, graduate, and degree programs, in one place on the same day.

IRRPP: Faculty & Grad Student WriteOut! Retreats
Various May & July dates
We invite current UIC faculty members, B2F scholars, postdocs, staff members, or doctoral students from all disciplines who are studying race and ethnicity and would like writing support to participate.

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!

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 23: Standing Silent Witness
- April 23: Intro to Crochet for Anxiety Reduction
- April 28: Survivor's Book Club
- April 28: Women of Color Support Group
- April 29: Survivor's Book Club: Free Support Group
- April 30: Denim Day

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.

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago: Denim Day Workshop
Tuesday, April 29 | 6:00-7:30pm, 2055 Army Trail Road, Addison
Reclaiming Denim is a workshop for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Join to raise awareness, reject victim blaming, and remind the world that jeans are not consent.

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.