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FOR PARENTS & FAMILIES

HRL FAMILY PHILOSOPHY

At the University of Chicago, we are committed to the developing of the whole student, and we embrace the philosophy that living in a campus Residence Hall is an important part of the university experience. We understand that sending your student off to college is a significant milestone, and you likely have questions or concerns about their Housing and Residence Life experience.

Family members often communicate with us on behalf of their student before they have taken any steps to obtain information or resolve the matter on their own. To best honor our commitment to the development of the whole student, we strive to make students proactive partners in their educational experience. This helps them develop important life skills, professional communication, critical thinking, and interpersonal abilities.

We have created this webpage as a way for family members to help us stay true to our commitment. It helps inform parents and families how to best support and empower their student’s personal growth, while giving them the space to gain a sense of independence and responsibility. Please use this as a landing page to help guide conversations with your student as they navigate the transition to becoming emerging adults.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

What support staff is available to my student in their Residence Hall?

Assistant Directors of Residence Life
Assistant Directors of Residence Life (ADRLs) from the Housing & Residence Life team supervise and provide support to the resident staff in each Hall and help address any community/resident issues as they arise. ADRLs also serve as the primary contact for parents who may have concerns or information to share about their student, allowing RHs and RAs to preserve a trusting relationship with their residents who more readily engage with their resident staff in times of crisis.

Resident Assistants
Resident Assistants (RAs), who are usually third- or fourth-year students, also live in the House. As advanced students, RAs know the ropes around campus and offer younger students the benefit of their experience.

Resident Heads
Resident Heads (RHs) are advanced graduate students, faculty, or University staff who reside in each of the Houses. They and their families open their homes to House meetings, cheer on the House’s teams, host study breaks (with free food!), and are there to support and provide resources to all students.

Resident Deans
Resident Deans (RDs) are senior faculty who strive to make the intellectual life of the University and the cultural life of Chicago part of the daily lives of their student residents. They host community-wide events like dinners, receptions, outings to the symphony or the opera, and informal discussions with luminaries from all corners of the University.

Assistant Directors of Operations
Assistant Directors of Operations (ADOs) support resident staff and students as they encounter building issues within the Hall and ensure that it persists as a safe, functional and welcoming space for community life.

What should my student do if they have a medical emergency?

Students needing immediate treatment of very serious or critical conditions should contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. The University of Chicago’s Emergency Department is located at 5656 S. Maryland Ave.

For other non-emergency medical concerns, students can utilize resources provided by UChicago Student Wellness. See here for more information on the services they provide.

I'm worried about my student's mental health. How can I ensure they are safe? What resources are available to them?

This is a complex time in your child’s life: They are navigating newfound independence and facing unique challenges for the first time. If you are aware that your student is struggling, encourage them to reach out to UChicago Student Wellness. They provide accessible, high-quality, culturally-sensitive mental health services. Their services are covered, at no cost, for students who are actively enrolled in an eligible program of study. Click here for more information about their services.

If you are concerned about the physical or mental well-being of your student, please complete this form. The University will assist your student with early intervention resources and strategies. If you believe it to be a life-threatening emergency, please call the University of Chicago Police Department at 773-702-8181.

What should my student do if they feel unsafe on campus or in their Residence Hall?

The safety of our students is a paramount priority for the University of Chicago. We are located in one of the world’s great cities, but there are safety and security considerations that come along with living in a large city. There are extensive resources available to help your student stay safe. Encourage your student to explore the resources available to them so they are well-versed on what to do if help is ever needed.

If they feel unsafe in their Residence Hall, they should connect with their RH or ADRL to come up with solutions to ensure their safety. UChicago HELP can also provide valuable resources in a timely manner for students who experience a variety of issues; see here for ways they can HELP. For fears related to their health and well-being, the Student Wellness Center can be a good place to start.

When it comes to safety on campus and in the surrounding community, UChicago Safety and Security offers resources and tips to promote safe habits and keep your student informed. Their support is available to students 24/7. Visit their webpage to sign up for security alerts and get more tips on staying safe in the city!

My student is having issues with their roommate. What steps should they take to resolve this? Can they request a new roommate or room change?

Conflicts between roommates are a normal part of college. Most of the time, lack of communication and unrealistic expectations can be the cause of most roommate conflict. This can usually be resolved by both parties having an open conversation. If your student experiences roommate conflict, encourage them to talk it out with their roommate and work towards finding a solution.

If they have exhausted all personal resources, it’s best for them to connect with their RH or ADRL to offer advice, provide mediation, or (in some cases) work to place them in an environment that is conducive to their success. It’s important to allow your student to take the lead on navigating this. Having difficult conversations is a life skill that will contribute to their overall growth and independence.

My student is unhappy with their housing assignment. What is the process for room changes?

When your student tells you they are unhappy with their housing assignment, it’s best to ask open-ended and empathetic questions to understand exactly why they are unhappy. Are they uncomfortable? Is there a conflict with their roommate? Have they engaged with their RA or ADRL? They may have helpful advice to help your student navigate these feelings.

Don’t underestimate the power of having an open and honest conversation with your student. As someone your student trusts, you have the ability to provide comfort and offer a different perspective. Validate their concerns and try to reinforce that idea that their room assignment is just a tiny piece of the puzzle. Having a positive college experience is much bigger than your housing assignment; it’s about the people you meet, the classes you take, and the activities and experiences you participate in.

If your student continues to voice concerns about their placement, they may request a change in their housing assignment through the established myHousing portal process. More information can be found here.

When will my first-year student select housing for their second year?

The annual returning student Room Selection process is the process by which current students select on-campus housing for the next academic year. The process occurs entirely through the myHousing portal during the Winter Quarter.

Room Selection has a number of specific deadlines, policies and procedures that are strictly and uniformly followed. A guide summarizing these points is available here.

Questions or concerns about Room Selection can be directed to their RA or ADRL.

Can my student store their belongings on campus over the summer?

There is no on-campus storage available. Students seeking storage options during the summer months, while studying abroad, or while they are on a leave of absence or suspension, must make their own arrangements with a third-party vendor. We recommend students use our preferred storage vendor, UStorage, which offers a convenient, professional, and eco-friendly storage solution. Students are welcome to work with an alternative storage vendor of their choice; however, UStorage is the only vendor permitted vendor escorts for in-room pick-up and delivery. Students who choose another storage vendor are required to personally meet that vendor to pick up their items prior to their departure, and must also make similar arrangements to meet the vendor to have their items delivered after moving in.

How can I stay involved and informed about my student's housing experience?

The best way to stay up to date about your child’s UChicago experience is by communicating with them. It’s important to establish and respect their boundaries as they are entering this new phase of life, but asking certain questions can help you stay engaged in the right way. Ask them about what events are occurring on campus and in their Hall. Ask about their classes and how they are adjusting to their new schedule. Ask how they are spending their free time outside of class. In order to build trust with them, remember there’s a balance to expressing interest and concern while still allowing your child to learn from mistakes and be independent.

Encourage your student to attempt to solve their own problems but know that they will never be left to do it alone. If you are concerned about how your student is adjusting to life at school, there are a few helpful resources that are good to be aware of. Below you can find links to a few added layers of support provided to your student that may help put your mind at ease:

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