Information for New Graduate Students

There are many housing options in the city.

UIC’s Commuter and Off-Campus Life team is a wonderful resource for students new to Chicago and those new to living on their own. In addition to housing listings, they offer workshops and training on how to safely search for apartments, avoid scams, and deal with landlords. They also offer resources for students experiencing concerns with their current housing situations. You can also sign up for their newsletter using your UIC email address: http://tinyurl.com/commuter21.

In general, areas close (or semi-close) to the lake to the north of UIC and areas around and just south of UIC are good, safe neighborhoods. Other neighborhoods that are traditionally safe are Logan Square, Lincoln Square, Avondale, Irving Park, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Hyde Park, Pilsen, Bronzeville, Bridgeport, and Chinatown.

Here are some suggestions on places to look:

• UIC On-Campus Housing
• UIC Off-Campus Housing Service
• Craigslist Chicago
• Chicago Sun Times Classifieds
• Domu

Illinois state law requires proof of certain immunizations for all students. Please see the immunization requirements and how to submit proof of vaccines to UIC on the Registrar’s website. (NOTE: You will be assailed by prompts to sign up for Med+Proctor Pro and pay $10. Ignore those! The service is free.)

If you don’t have these records or proof of immunization, you will be able to get them through your UIC insurance once you arrive and classes start.

This must be completed by the end of your first semester so that you can enroll for Spring.

The i-card is the official identification card of the University for students, staff and faculty.

You will use your i-card to access the Daley Library, Student Center East, Student Recreation (i.e., gym complex with pool), and many other campus facilities. You will also need it for after hours access to buildings.

Complete information, including locations, is available from the i-Card Office.

You should activate your NetID and UIC email as soon as possible. You will use your NetID to log into all UIC electronic systems.

Your UIC email will be used by your professors and, if you are teaching, students to communicate with you. This is the address that will be added to the listservs for your program/department and for all graduate students in the School, so please be sure to check it regularly.

Once you have activated your NetID, you can access the registration platform through my.uic.edu. (Domestic students will be able to register immediately. International students must wait to register until they have arrived in the US and completed the OIS check-in process.)

To register for courses in MyUIC click on the “Registration/View Classes – XE Registration” button or search for “XE” in the box at the top right. There are step-by-step instructions on how to register from there available on the Registrar’s website.

Course descriptions for the semester are available on individual department websites.

All students should consult with their Director of Graduate Studies (or should they have one, assigned advisor) before registering for classes.

If there is a name that you prefer to be called other than your legal first name, you can designate this in UIC’s systems so people know how to address you. Examples of such names might include a middle name, a shortened first name, an Anglicized name, or a name that better represents your gender identity. (Read the full preferred first name policy.)

There are four places in which you can update your preferred first name. (Please see links below for instructions.)
UIC student administrative systems This will update your name in class rosters and in other situations where you are a student.
UIC Blackboard This will update your name in UIC’s learning management system (for both student and instructor roles). You can also add preferred pronouns.
UIC Zoom This will update your name in UIC’s video conferencing platform. You can also add preferred pronouns.
UIC employee administrative systems This will update your name in course schedules where you are listed as an instructor.

WiFi is available throughout the UIC campus. You will use your NetID and password to access the network. Instructions on how to connect your device can be found in the UIC Knowledge Base.

UIC students have free access to cloud storage through Box and OneDrive. These are great resources for graduate students who are working both at home and on campus and may not want to carry a laptop with them.

Students also have access to Microsoft 365, which includes Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, for free during their time at UIC. For details and to access this service, please visit office.uic.edu.

In addition to these key services, UIC Technology Solutions offer labs, printing, educational technology tools, software, and more to the UIC community. Students are encouraged to consult their website for resources and help.