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Campus Resources for Students

Resources for students including accessibility, counseling, campus inclusion, and work/life issues. In emergency situations, faculty should call 911 or call the University Police at 847-491-3456 in Evanston or 312-503-3456 in Chicago. For non-emergency concerns regarding statements or behaviors that are threatening toward others, notify the Behavioral Consultation Team by submitting the Wildcats Aware form.

  • Affordable Instructional Resources (AIR): A University-wide initiative to support faculty in making course materials more affordable and accessible. Experts in course affordability are available to meet for individual consultations and assistance.
  • Counseling and Psychological Services: The primary mental health service on campus. CAPS provides a set of core services, including clinical services, educational workshops, and consultation with faculty, staff, and parents.
  • Emergency Financial Aid Assistance: The Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid has an emergency fund. Students experiencing difficulty accessing food can drop by the Purple Pantry to receive free snacks and groceries. SES also offers assistance with connecting to resources for books and supplies, laptops and winter gear.
  • Medical Leave of Absence: This is a voluntary process for students who need to take time off of Northwestern to prioritize treatment of a physical or mental health condition.  Students must also apply for reinstatement through the Dean of Students office to return from a medical leave.
  • Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA): MSA is a unit on campus that enriches the cultural experience of Northwestern BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) and LGBTQIA+ students through leadership and education programming; providing opportunities for community engagement and identity expression; and assisting students in navigating the University.
  • Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service: Provides quality medical care to allow students to perform optimally, physically and mentally, to achieve their academic and intellectual potential, and to minimize interruptions in their academic pursuits. The Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service (NMSHS) team can also support academic flexibility if the student is seen on the day of illness.
  • Religious & Spiritual Life: Provides confidential counseling and support for students, staff, and faculty of any or no religious affiliation.
  • Student Enrichment Services (SES): Offers programming, resources and community building for and first-generation, lower-income and undocumented/DACA students.
  • Work/Life and Family Resources for Students: The Office of Work/Life and Family Resources, in partnership with The Graduate School and other University partners, offers individual consultations and a wide range of resources to support the needs of Northwestern students who are parents, as they navigate the competing demands of academic and family life.
  • Title IX and Pregnant and Parenting Students: Title IX protects pregnant and parenting students and allows them to request reasonable accommodations as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions, both in and out of the classroom. Title IX also makes discrimination or harassment on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, parental status or related conditions illegal. The Office of Equity, in collaboration with the Office of Work/Life and Family Resources, offers training on this topic by request.