Graduate College Response to Covid-19
The Graduate College will maintain this site as a central source for updated College planning and announcements.
Graduate students should continue to monitor their UIC email and follow UIC campus and guidance on COVID-19 Policies found on the website in the link below. This is the first and main place you should be consulting for information regarding this dynamic situation.
If you have symptoms that are concerning you about possible coronavirus infection (COVID-19) or believe that you may have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, please call our student health center at 312-996-2901. It is important that you call ahead of time so that clinic staff can talk to you about your concerns and what the best next steps are right for you.
UIC’s Response to Covid-19
Graduate College Covid-19 Updates and Resources
Please use the tabs below to view Graduate College Covid-19 updates to polices and procedures, along with resources.
Online Preliminary Examinations and Defense Guide
Online Preliminary Examinations and Defense Guide
Graduate College Guidelines for Online Preliminary Examinations and Defenses Including Options for Faculty to Sign Examination Forms.
Also check out our Zoom Defense Tips info-graphic which contains tips for conducting your defense via Zoom.
Spring 2020 Graduate Student Grading Policy
Spring 2020 Graduate Student Grading Policy
Due to the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated effects on UIC graduate students, and with the consent of the UIC Senate Executive Committee and the College Deans, the Office of the Provost is enacting the following modifications to the grading policy for graduate students at UIC for the Spring 2020 Semester.
Please view it by following the link below.
Wellness Resources
Wellness Resources
Resources to help promote wellness.
Resources for Undocumented Students
Resources for Undocumented Students
For our undocumented immigrant community, we want to make sure you are aware of our internal and external resources available to support you during this time.
Professional Development Resources
Professional Development
Individual Development Plan (IDP) – The Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a mechanism for creating and accomplishing both long and short term goals in pursuit of a desired career goal. To receive maximum benefit from the IDP process, it is essential that both graduate students and their faculty mentor(s) participate fully in the process. The IDP will need to be revised as circumstances change, and it is most helpful if the mentor and graduate student work together to modify the IDP.
UIC International Student Resources
Office of International Services News
- Coronavirus/COVID-19 Updates for the UIC International Community.
African-American Cultural Center’s Virtual Community
- The African American Cultural Center has launched a weekly series of virtual programs designed to keep us connected and focused on the positive.
Arab-American Cultural Center
- Homepage has information about joining their ongoing Graduate Student Support Group. Also check out their Tips for Working/Studying from Home, linked below.
Disability Cultural Center
- Link to the Disability Cultural Center Zoom room.
Other International Student Resources
Chicago COVID-19 Resource Repository
- Spreadsheet compiled by the Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine’s Center for Community Health.
Chicago COVID-10 Hardship and Help Page
- The Chicago COVID-19 Hardship and Help page was created by Chicago organizers Kelly Hayes and Delia Galindo to offer a simple way for people in the Chicago area to ask others for assistance during this crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Graduate College has created this FAQ section to help address questions regarding changes and updates to academic policies along with student health and wellness.
ACCC Technology Resources
ACCC Technology Resources
ACCC has created a Technology for Academic Continuity page. This page contains information for Students, Faculty/Instructors and Staff and can accessed using the links below.
Students will find resources and support focused on remote learning. This includes links to ACCC’s laptop request form (requires active NetID) along with information on Internet Service Provider offers, Software resources and tools for collaboration.
Faculty/Instructors will find resources and support focused on remote teaching. This includes using Blackboard, Assessment and Grade Management and Setting up online classes and meetings.
Staff will find resources and support focused on working remotely. This includes using the VPN, Email and Calendaring, online meeting tools and voicemail.
Departmental Resources
Departmental & Program Resources
Your department or program may have technology services or resources available to you. Please contact the IT services group for your respective department or program to inquire about the availability of any of these services. You may use the UIC directory to search for your department and locate it’s REACH contacts under Department Liaisons.
Campus Resources
U & I Care Emergency Fund
The U&I Care Emergency Fund continues to be accessible for students experiencing financial constraints, especially in light of the COVID-19 updates. The U and I Care Fund provides temporary, short-term financial assistance to currently enrolled students who are unable to meet essential expenses due to a temporary or unexpected hardship. This emergency funding program is designed to offer financial assistance to students in the form of one-time awards (typically not exceeding $500). Emergency funding is NOT intended to provide ongoing relief for recurring expenses. Decisions regarding disbursement of funds are made on a case-by-case basis.
Student Legal Services (SLS)
Student Legal Services (SLS) is available to assist current UIC students in understanding and solving their legal problems. Funded through student fees, SLS can provide confidential legal advice, counsel and limited representation for currently enrolled students. Staff can advise or represent students in variety of legal areas including, but not limited to: landlord/tenant disputes, simple divorces, misdemeanors, expungements, traffic violations, and small claims consumer disputes. Legal matters that the program is not available to handle are referred to appropriate agencies.
Campus Food Resources
UIC Pop-Up Pantry
We are happy to announce that the UIC Pop-Up Pantry remains open to serve you throughout this critical moment in history.
Delivery Services
Grocery Delivery Services
Grocery Delivery services such as Instacart and Shipt may be alternative options to in-person grocery shopping. You can find links to several of these services below.
Please be advised many of these services charge an additional delivery fee on top of the cost of the groceries ordered. Please review the terms of the respective service for details.
USDA Food and Nutrition Services
USDA Food and Nutrition Services
USDA is using all available program flexibilities and contingencies to serve their program participants across our 15 nutrition programs. They have already begun to issue waivers to ease program operations and protect the health of participants.
Campus Resources
UIC CampusCare
CampusCare covers treatment for coronavirus/COVID-19 in the same way it does all other illnesses. If you have CampusCare you can review the plan’s summary of benefits using the link below.
UIC Counseling Center
The Counseling Center provides diverse services to help students deal with stress, handle a crisis or trauma, cope with the transition to college, gain strength from gender and cultural identity, or manage serious mental illness and many other issues.
Coronavirus and Forbearance Info for Students, Borrowers, and Parents
Federal Student Aid Website
Information regarding Coronavirus and Forbearance for Students, Borrowers, and Parents.
Additional Resources for Graduate Students
Additional Resources for Graduate Students
Emily Nott, PhD, Ed Policy, has compiled a list of additional resources that may be beneficial to Graduate Students.