Read and learn all about the fantastic people behind the scenes at the Tutorium. They work very hard to ensure your journey here is a great one. When you see them around campus, say hello. They would love to see you! 

Dave Onufrock

Academic Chair

Tell us a little about yourself. 

I live in the western suburbs (10 minutes from the Aurora outlet mall) with my family...which includes our three dogs!  In my free time, besides spending time with my family, I also enjoy playing trombone in the West Suburban Homeschool Band.  Music is a wonderful way to be creative and even learn as we communicate in a wordless language. 

What do you do here at the Tutorium?
While my favorite thing to do at the Tutorium is teach, I am currently the "Academic Chair."  It doesn't mean a fancy place to sit. I just mean that I ensure the teachers have everything they need to help you learn English. 

What do you love about your job?
I love working with students and seeing them make progress in their language skills because they are working hard to understand. 

Where can students find you? 
107 Addams Hall

What's one piece of advice you have for students?
Don't be afraid to make mistakes in class--No one is perfect--and when you don't understand, ask a question--it's how we learn!

Did you know that there is an app to help you stay safe? The UIC SAFE App Version was designed to help students access safety resources and guides on campus. When you are commuting, working alone, or just in need of help during an emergency, the UIC App SAFE app is here to help you! 

To learn more about the UIC SAFE app's features and how to navigate campus at night, read more>>. 

As a member of the UIC community, you are able to . . .

Access the UIC Library: You are welcome to use the UIC library and all of its amenities. To enter the library, you must present your i-card.

Student Discounts: You can get discounted rates at movie theaters, museums, supermarkets, and more when you show a valid university ID card. You can read more about student discounts here.

As an international student, it is important to . . .

Would you love to connect with other students here at UIC? Are you looking for opportunities to practice English? Would you like a place to meet and converse with native English speakers right here on campus? Joining a student organization might be just the opportunity for you! Whether you like playing video games, cooking, politics or sports, you can get involved and connect with other students here at UIC. There are more than 300 student activities and organizations to enhance your resume, learn valuable leadership and organizational management skills, and make new friends. So what are you waiting for? To start exploring student organizations, read more>>.

UIC’s Student Recreation Facility (SRF) provides fitness, leisure, activity, and adventure all in the same place! The SRF is located on the east side of the campus across the street from the UIC Student Center East. Take a virtual tour!  

Most Intensive English students do not pay all of the UIC fees, so you will need to buy a Campus Recreation Membership. The price is only $120.00 for Spring 2025: January 12, 2025 – June 7, 2025! To purchase a membership, see Student Memberships. Show your I-card and tell them you are a Tutorium Student.  

Students who pay all UIC fees (Global students) have access to all Campus Recreation Facilities.

Are you planning to apply to a university or college in the USA? Do you need help with understanding the meaning of credit and credit hours? Have you ever wondered the difference between a major or minor, certificate, or specialization? Do you have so many questions and need help figuring out where to start?

Applying to a university or college in the USA can be scary and challenging. The good news is that you are not alone. We are here to help! 

Join us Wednesday, February 5th, 2:30 PM in AH 104. If you want to ask questions ahead of time, email tutorium@uic.edu. Come ask all your questions about higher education in the USA and learn some helpful vocabulary, too! 

Join OIS and the UIC international community on an outing to the Chicago Auto Show. First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent.

Participants will receive FREE transportation to McCormick Place and entry to the exposition hall. Please note that participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation home. This allows everyone to enjoy the expo on their own timeline. Visit McCormick Place's website for more information on public transportation options when leaving the expo.

This event is FREE and open to UIC international students and scholars. Dependents (spouses and children) are also welcome at no additional cost.

Registration is now open at the OIS front desk! Registration must be done in person and cannot be completed online or via phone/email. Seats are limited.

What a fun time we had at this month's English Conversation Hour. Check out the video to see some pictures. We can't wait to see at February's English Conversation Hour!

Snack break was a success! We also had a blast playing games and getting to know our classmates. 

Email Management

You  probably receive many UIC mass email messages in your inbox that do not interest you. You can unsubscribe to these messages by setting up Massmail Preferences.  

Please visit https://it.uic.edu/services-support/student resources/email/massmail for more information. 

Did you know you can sign up for text reminders about your student account bill in addition to email notifications?

To enroll in text message alerts for billing notifications:

By now, your teacher has probably told you to check "My Grades" on Blackboard. Or maybe you submitted a homework assignment, and your teacher gave it to you on paper or in Google Docs. Of course, you want to see whether you did well on an assignment. But is there more beyond the Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory or the 75% score? To find out, read more>>. 

In the U.S., you can attend a public or private university. Choosing the best school for you is a balancing act. The tuition cost must be balanced with other factors, such as the size and number of degrees a school offers.

Need help with deciding what type of school is the best for you? 
Read more>>

Teachers write comments for several reasons. 

To point out your most common writing errors. Teachers typically look for your most common mistakes, and then they highlight and comment on those. If you make a lot of AGREE (agreement) errors, it means you need to be more careful with subjects and verbs, for example. “Many people lives in Chicago” is not correct. “Many people live in Chicago" is correct.  

To show you a specific mistake so you see it and look for it in the rest of your paper. They won’t correct all your mistakes for you, though. They want you to find your own mistakes, so always look at all of the paper for the same type of error.

To help you know when to use a specific word or phrase. If you use a dictionary, you will note, for example, that it’s good to say, “We watch TV” rather than “We see TV.” 
This is another way they can teach you good writing skills, style and form. 

Listen to them as you read their comments. Can you hear them talking to you?  They want you to be the best writer you can be!

Remember that your teacher wants you to be able to find your own mistakes, and it starts with reading and understanding your teacher’s comments. 

Do you like to visit new restaurants? Do you like to take fun pictures of places or your friends? Do you like to tell jokes? Do you have something to share about your culture or life back home? Do you have something valuable to share that will help us all understand what is like being an international student here at UIC? If your answer is "yes," then you can write for the newsletter! 

The newsletter editorial team is looking for students like you to write for the Tutorium newsletter. If you are interested, fill out this google form or you can email Mrs. Nora to let her know (ntatina@uic.edu). 

Email questions to tutorium@uic.edu.
Or contact us to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting.