Faculty Assistance and Emergency Resources

If a student exhibits erratic or disruptive behavior, makes verbal or written threats, expresses suicidal thoughts or housing/food insecurity, or reports sexual harassment/misconduct or bias/discrimination, contact the Office of the Dean of Students (312-996-4857), the Counseling Center (312-996-3490), or the Office for Access and Equity (312-996-8670).

If you witness acts or threats of violence, urgent safety concerns, possession of a weapon, an imminent threat of suicidal actions, or a medical emergency, call 911 or the UIC Police at 312-555-5555.

The CADA Wellness Specialist is available to provide additional mental health support for our students. The specialist is an MSW candidate completing a year of required fieldwork. In general, students might seek help the help of the Wellness Specialist to navigate challenges outside of the purview of academic advising or classroom management.

More info about the specialist and their services is available here: https://cada.uic.edu/cada-wellness-specialist/.

2026–2027: Corrine Lipkin

The Wellness Specialist is available to help students with:

• Short-term, solution-focused counseling
• Help with various kinds of challenges
  • Life transitions & uncertainty
  • Relationships
  • Academic stress
  • Time management
• Help getting connected with on- or off-campus resources (which may include other mental health resources, housing or food insecurity, etc.)

These forms are reviewed during normal business hours:

• If a student needs help addressing complex crises, life traumas, and barriers that may adversely affect their academic success or collegiate experience, submit a Student Assistance and Support Referral Report.
• The U and I Care Fund provides a one-time financial assistance award (not to exceed $500) for currently enrolled students who are unable to meet essential expenses due to an unexpected hardship. Please submit an Emergency Fund Application.
• If a student is experiencing housing/food insecurity, they may submit a Basic Needs Assistance Form.
• If a student reaches out regarding or appears to need help with stress or time management, you might suggest they visit the Wellness Center’s Stress Management page, which shares coaching resources, workshops, and tips.

The Disability Resources Center (DRC) is committed to providing accommodations and access to all students with disabilities and to working collaboratively with faculty and staff to provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of the educational experience at UIC, while maintaining compliance with relevant federal and state laws. The DRC recognizes various environments in which people function: physical, programmatic, informational, and attitudinal. Some modifications to these environments are readily achievable through direct consultation with faculty or staff. For additional assistance, visit the DRC or call 312-413-2183.

In the context of our school’s studio-based curriculum, the standard wording of a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) may not provide a clear picture on how to deliver the best access for these students to succeed in their courses. It is important to privately meet with each student and discuss their specific accommodations to clarify how the student will meet the expectations of the course. After this meeting, faculty should email the student, copying their academic advisor, confirming the expectations and accommodations discussed. Be sure to include specifics (dates, duration, frequency of adjustments) as they were agreed upon in your meeting. These documented specifics assist in any future adherence discussions between the student, faculty, and the DRC. To assist in discussions, below is a list of the most commonly reported accommodations faculty may encounter when presented with an LOA.

Here are some suggested prompts for your in-person discussion with the student:

• Recorded Lectures / You are free to record my lectures and one-on-one feedback sessions, as needed. I can also make my lecture slides available to you the night before class, so you can print/review them in advance for any discussion and/or questions.
• Ability to Leave Class / Attendance in class is required. It is expected that students will be learning not only from the instructor, but also through interactions with other students. When a student is absent, they miss the opportunity to learn from fellow students and to contribute. Studio culture demands both the presence and participation of all students. However, it is reasonable to allow you to leave no more than thirty minutes during each class meeting, if needed.
• Periodic Absences / It is reasonable to allow no more than three excused absences from the course before deductions of your final letter grade will begin. Upon the fourth absence, one half-letter grade will be deducted from the final course grade. Upon the fifth absence, one full letter grade will be deducted from the final course grade. Six absences will result in course failure. Communication between student and instructor is crucial throughout the semester, so please be sure to notify me in advance of any likely absences.
• Preferred Seating / Please feel free to move to any seat you feel is best for you to succeed in this course. Arriving early to be able to select the optimal seat would be a great idea.
• Extended Participation Time / The deliverables of this course involve student presentations. However, critique and feedback of your work could occur on a one-on-one basis, after you have given your presentation to the class. Additionally, if you feel that written prompts, being given extra time for responses, etc., would help, please let me know.
• Written Directions / All assignments are detailed and available 24/7 on the course page. If you need clarification, please come and see me after class and we can review the expectations of the project.
• Information Review / Our time in class is meant to be instructional in all aspects, including review of your work and the expectations of an assignment. Please approach me in class for clarification and/or further feedback on your work. If that is not possible, feel free to email me outside of class with any questions regarding course material and/or general issues, allowing twenty-four hours for a response.

Updated August 9, 2026