STUDENT AFFAIRS

Northwestern’s fraternity and sorority community is composed of 31 organizations, including 7 that are historically African American, 8 that are culturally based, and 14 that are housed on campus. Students who join fraternities and sororities benefit from experiences in community service and philanthropy, scholastic support, social outlets, and leadership development while on campus, and are offered the opportunity to learn and benefit from a network of lifelong members. Those involved in these organizations also have the chance to interact with administrators and other student leaders across campus while working on collaborative initiatives.

Leadership Development & Community Engagement pursues justice & equity through students’ leadership development and engagement in the community. We develop sustained partnerships on campus and in the community that advance student learning, transformation, and commitment for a just, equitable, and sustainable world.

Connect with us to get involved in social change efforts with Evanston or Chicago non-profits and K-12 schools, and to build your capacity to create change.

Student Organizations & Activities engages students in involvement opportunities to build a stronger sense of belonging and community at Northwestern. We support, advise, and train student leaders in nearly 500 registered student organizations and facilitate on and off-campus programming and entertainment. Students can find a full listing of registered student organizations through Wildcat Connection, after logging in with their netID and password to set up their account, available at WILDCATCONNECTION.NORTHWESTERN. EDU

The Graduation and Senior Year Experiences Office exists to create meaningful commencement, convocation, and congratulatory experiences that celebrate students’ accomplishments and inspire them as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. Thoughtfully designed programming helps students nearing graduation reflect on their time at Northwestern, navigate the transition from being a student to a new environment, and celebrate their accomplishments through Commencement and school convocations.

The Office of Student Transition Experiences (OSTE) supports undergraduate students in navigating their unique transition to and through Northwestern by providing intentional learning experiences and fostering connection through timely community partnerships. This work includes the three-part orientation process and cohort-specific programming and communication through the third year. OSTE is also home to approximately 250 student leadership positions who work closely with professional staff throughout the year and support programs for students in transition.

With its variety of services, resources, and meeting spaces, Norris University Center is an essential element of community and leadership at Northwestern. It is the headquarters of the Campus Life office, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and numerous student organizations that provide leadership opportunities for students. Each quarter, Norris also offers Mini Courses that are fun, educational, and open to everyone. The Game Room, ARTica Studios, and Norris Outdoors provide space and resources for many forms of recreation, including the latest high-tech gaming systems, art supplies, and outdoor equipment for rent.

Among the range of meal and snack sources at Norris are Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, Mod Pizza, Wildcat Deli, Viet Nom Nom, Roots and Seeds, The Market, and Patty2. Other in-house amenities include a printing station, a prayer and meditation room, and a full-service U.S. Bank. The Norris Bookstore sells textbooks, campus gear, and is an Apple-authorized campus store, offering Apple products and other user support services.

Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) provides a full spectrum of career counseling and advising services, workshops, programming, and special events for undergraduate and graduate students. It aims to help students translate their Northwestern education into professional opportunities, including successful job and internship searches and graduate/law school admission.

Services include:

career counseling and career assessments, internship and job-search advising and resources, including industry and company information, application material review, mock interviewing, and advice on salary negotiations.

In addition Handshake, our online system, provides more than, 100,000 jobs and internships. NCA also hosts career fairs, information sessions and on campus interviews.

Religious and Spiritual Life provides programs, staff, and spaces to help students explore meaning and purpose, grow in their religious or spiritual traditions, practice social justice, and create community. We welcome all people, regardless of religious, spiritual, or secular background. We are here for you if are seeking resources in a particular faith tradition, craving more depth in your daily life, or needing a caring presence in a difficult moment.

We help students:

1. Connect
   1. with peers who share their spiritual, religious, or non-religious identity
   2. with peers from different spiritual, religious, and non-religious backgrounds with peers who share your student’s love of music and performance through our ensembles
   3. with other resources on campus for different aspects of wellbeing including mindfulness and meditation
2. Support
   1. student wellbeing through individual and confidential appointments with a chaplain
   2. your student’s spiritual exploration and specific religious practices and holidays
   3. offer use of Alice Millar Chapel, Vail Chapel, Parkes Hall (Muslim Prayer Space, Multi-Belief and Meditation Space) and other gathering spaces on campus a desire to engage in social justice and advocacy work
3. Develop
   1. explore and reflect on your student’s sense of belonging, meaning, and purpose
   2. leadership skills to build bridges between people who hold diverse and intersectional identities
   3. learn practices and habits to enhance spiritual wellbeing and self-care
   4. professional skills in event management, programming, planning, and performance through our student worker program

Residential Services is committed to meeting the needs of the 4,300 undergraduate students who call the Evanston campus home. Faculty-in-Residence and Resident Directors work with live-in student staff and elected student boards to provide support and programming that promotes community and encourages each student’s growth and development.

Facilities staff ensure that buildings are kept clean and up to date. Support for students is available through area desks and a network of student and professional staff who serve on call. Learn about the people, amenities, and programs in each residential area and follow the area Instagram accounts to see highlights of the many activities offered throughout the year.

Inclusive dining is the hallmark of Northwestern University’s innovative campus dining program. Unlimited, all-you-care-to-eat dining is offered in four residential dining locations: Allison Residential Community, Elder Residential Community, Foster-Walker Complex, and Sargent Hall. Residents of halls without on-site dining services may eat in any of these.

Eating at the dining commons in your neighborhood is encouraged! Hours of operation vary but are focused on providing options throughout the day and evening hours. Northwestern Dining has a dedicated Pure Eats Dining Hall in Foster Walker Complex East as well as Pure Eats stations throughout campus. Pure Eats focuses on providing options for those with celiac and does not use any foods containing the top 8 allergens. There is an on-site Campus Dietitian for all nutritional counseling needs as well as help for those with allergies or celiac. The dietitian can always be reached at via email.

For those with other special dietary needs, we offer certified Kosher stations at Allison and Elder Dining Hall. Halal options are labeled at all dining commons. Vegans and Vegetarians can enjoy rotating daily selections at dedicated stations in all dining halls.

Additionally, we have many retail locations on campus – including quick-service cafes, convenience stores like Lisa’s Cafe, and nationally known franchises such as Starbucks and, MOD Pizza as well as local brands like Café Coralie. Please see the dining website, for complete information about meal plans, menus, nutrition information, and more.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Website

While college is an exciting time of growth and development for students, many also experience emotional or mental health challenges at some point during their educations. Counseling can be a safe, supportive, and objective way for students to obtain support and assistance with these challenges.

Northwestern’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers mental health services that include initial assessment consultations individual counseling, group therapy, psychiatric and medication consultation, educational programming on variety of mental health related topics, and crisis consultation and intervention. CAPS offers supportive referral services for students whose needs require longer-term or specialized services that are beyond the scope of what can be provided on campus.

Services provided at CAPS are confidential and are documented separately from the student’s educational record. Access to information about a student’s use of CAPS is limited to CAPS staff.

Information is disclosed to a third party (including parents/family, faculty, University administrators) only with a student’s written permission or when other limited legal circumstances compel us to do so.

Students are eligible for CAPS services at no additional cost. Psychiatric services are offered only when a student is in ongoing counseling at CAPS. A therapist is on call 24/7 year-round for emergencies.

For additional information about CAPS services, assistance with an after-hours emergency, students should contact CAPS at (847) 491-2151 or visit the CAPS webpage for additional information. 

AccessibleNU (ANU) supports and empowers students with disabilities by collaborating with the Northwestern community to ensure equal access to fully participate in the academic learning environment. ANU also works to raise campus-wide awareness on issues of access, thus enriching the experience of the University community.

While not required, registering with ANU is recommended for any student who has a physical disability, a chronic health condition, a psychological condition, a learning or attention disorder, or other such condition as ANU is the proper channel for requesting accommodations if and when needed.

For more information, visit the website or contact ANU via email or at (847) 467-5530.

The mission of CARE is to create a culture of healthy sexuality at Northwestern where sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking are not tolerated. CARE promotes this mission through confidential  support and advocacy services and prevention education.

CARE’s confidential support and advocacy services provide students impacted by violence with a space to process, ask questions, safety plan, and learn more about trauma. Supporters of survivors, such as friends and partners, can also consult with staff on how to better support survivors while caring for themselves. CARE staff can act as advisors through the campus reporting process; connect students to on- and off-campus resources to meet academic, legal, medical, and housing needs; and provide accurate and shame-free sexual health consultations for any interested student. Staff facilitate trauma support groups as needed.

CARE’s prevention education work aims to promote a public health model of sexual violence prevention through trainings on topics such as consent, bystander intervention, supporting survivors, and healthy masculinity. These trainings are offered by both CARE staff and trained students in two peer education groups, SHAPE and MARS. CARE facilitates regular events and outreach on campus to promote awareness, knowledge, and empowerment among the student body.

Students who are interested in scheduling an appointment with CARE can do so on our website. Phone calls (847-491-2054) and emails (care@northwestern.edu) are also welcome.

Health Promotion and Wellness (HPaW) works with campus and community partners to create a healthy and safe environment for all Northwestern students. HPaW supports the academic and personal success of students by providing outreach, education, and services that address health and wellbeing using the Eight Dimensions of Wellness framework. HPaW professional staff and graduate student interns deliver trainings and outreach programs on numerous health topics, including alcohol and other drug misuse prevention, stress management, sleep, building resilience, and more.

HPaW offers free Wellness Coaching to students interested in working on goals related to healthy eating, physical activity, sleep, time management, and stress management. Students who wish to learn more about their own alcohol or drug use may choose to seek out BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students), a confidential and nonjudgmental exploration with a trained provider. ResilientNU, a student/staff led program, runs five-week small group cohorts each quarter. Participants learn evidence based strategies to increase wellness, manage stress, and improve balance.

HPaW also manages the WELLNESS AT NORTHWESTERN and ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG RESOURCES websites. More information about HPaW programs and services can be found under the HPaW tab on the Wellness at Northwestern website.

The Off-Campus Life office is the first point of contact for students moving and living off-campus. The Off-Campus Life office has one constituency group: Northwestern students. This office works with multiple stakeholders to communicate, coordinate, and refer regarding issues of students’ rights, responsibilities, and resources.

The Office of Community Standards (OCS) serves as the primary resource for resolving and addressing alleged student violations of Northwestern’s policies, expectations, and standards. The OCS upholds the standards and policies outlined in the Student Code of Conduct through providing education and training to the University community and conducting the University Hearing and Appeals System (UHAS). The purpose of UHAS is to cultivate student integrity, civility, respect, and accountability. Additionally, UHAS provides equitable and effective means for resolving situations in which a student(s) or student group(s) may have violated a non-academic standard or policy of the University.

Students can submit a report to the OCS here. A student may also contact Northwestern University Police or Residence Community and Support staff to report a concern. OCS staff will follow up on all reports to gain additional information or clarifications, and to answer questions from the reporter.

Once reported, an alleged violation of policy, expectations, or standards, will typically be resolved through UHAS’s formal student conduct process. Most allegations are resolved through administrative hearings with an individual case resolution coordinator assigned by the OCS. More severe incidents that may result in a student’s separation from Northwestern are resolved by two investigators and sanctions will be assigned (if applicable) by a Sanctioning Panel.

Parents and families with questions may contact the OCS at (847) 4914582 or via email. 

Most students enter Northwestern prepared to manage the everyday stresses of college life. But when unforeseen life events — unexpected illness or injury, a personal or family crisis — or other major disruptions interfere with their academic, extracurricular, or social success, students may turn to the Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) team for help. SASS fosters students’ well-being by providing referrals and facilitating access to a well-coordinated network of campus and community resources.

Through the online portal, NUhelp, students can report any concerns regarding their own or another student’s well-being, explore health and wellness program offerings, and find sources of academic assistance specific to their school. To make an appointment with someone from the SASS team, please call 847491-4582.

Northwestern’s community believes that its members share responsibility for promoting healthy behavior. This includes setting expectations around alcohol and illegal drug use that minimizes the risks and harms from substance use or abuse. Northwestern follows state and federal law that prohibits the unlawful use, possession, or distribution of alcohol, cannabis, and illegal drugs by University students. As a result, students under the age of 21 may not possess or consume alcohol, and students over 21 are prohibited from providing alcohol to those under the legal drinking age. Possession or use of cannabis by any individual on campus is prohibited and possession or use of cannabis by individuals under the age of 21 off-campus is prohibited. No student may use, possess, or distribute illegal drugs or controlled substances.

The priorities of an academic environment mean that some of the expectations regarding alcohol and drug usage exceed those of the law. For instance, those who are underage may not be in the presence of alcohol while in the University’s residence halls. Severe intoxication, meaning the use of substances that result in disruptive behaviors or concern for one’s well-being, is prohibited, and this policy similarly exceeds Illinois and federal law. The full range of alcohol, cannabis, and other drug policies are available at bit.ly/NUStudentHandbook. Students are strongly encouraged to review the policies to have a complete understanding of the expectations incumbent upon them as members of the Northwestern community.

Northwestern considers violations of its alcohol, cannabis, and other drug (ACOD) policies to be an opportunity to intervene and educate our students.

 To that end, students who are found responsible for a violation generally participate in educational programs such as BASICS, an individualized, educational, data-driven intervention program used widely at many colleges and universities. Disciplinary sanctions are also typically issued to students for ACOD violations, such as a University warning or University probation. Students may also be expected to complete educational sanctions such as research papers, community service hours, or reflection papers. Northwestern believes that our partnerships with parents and families are important. Therefore, in accordance with federal law, we inform parents of violations of the University policies pertaining to underage use of alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs.
 

Amnesty through Responsible Action

1. Call for help from emergency services or Residential Life staff;
2. Stay with the person until released by responding staff or emergency personnel; and
3. Cooperate with all instructions and requests of responding staff or emergency personnel.

Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) enriches the cultural experience of Northwestern through educational programs and services focusing on leadership, community engagement, identity development, and identity expression.

MSA provides service in three spaces on campus: the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (Norris University Center, 3rd Floor), the Multicultural Center (1936 Sheridan) and The Black House (1914 Sheridan). In addition, MSA advises several student organizations, including the Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC), For Members Only (FMO): Northwestern’s Black Student Alliance, the Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance (NAISA), and Rainbow Alliance.

SJE offers workshops and trainings for students focused on topics of inclusion, identity development, and social justice. SJE sponsors the Peer Inclusion Educators (PIE), a student organization that facilitates social justice programming, and Sustained Dialogue, a student-facilitated program that encourages students to engage in conversations across lines of difference.

SES offers resources and support for students who are the first to go to college, come from lower-income backgrounds, and/or undocumented/DACA backgrounds..Students can connect with SES staff using our SES Interest Form (found on our webpage) to learn more about resources and programs such as SES’s Winter Gear program, Compass, a mentorship program for incoming first year students, and many more.

The Northwestern University Emergency Notification System disseminates timely information to the campus community in the event of a crisis affecting the University.

• Contact Emergency Management

For immediate or imminent threats, messages titled AlertNU notify members of the Northwestern community via email, text, phone calls, digital screens, the web and social media when there is an emergency occurring on campus that requires immediate action, like an active aggressor. AlertNU messages will be denoted with the color red, where possible.

Members of the larger community (including parents, visitors, contractors, vendors and external community members) can enroll in AlertNU by texting “AlertNU” to 226787. You will receive a confirmation text indicating that you have successfully subscribed. To be removed from the system, simply text "stop" to the same number. AlertNU subscriptions expire in 365 days so you must subscribe each year.

The Evanston campus has 2½ miles of bicycle paths that connect to the city of Evanston’s bicycle paths. Anyone who has a bike on campus is encouraged to register their bike with the City of Evanston. Bikes must be parked in designated areas such as bicycle racks and bicycle storage rooms. Bicycles stored in unauthorized areas may be removed at the owner’s expense. The University and City of Evanston have also partnered with Divvy to provide a bike share option. There are a number of stations on campus and throughout Evanston and Chicago. A discounted Annual Membership is available for students.

Northwestern has partnered with Zip-car to offer students the convenience of car ownership without the hassle and expense of bringing a car to campus. Discounted memberships are available, which includes gas and insurance.

Due to campus space constraints, the purchase of Northwestern’s Ryan Field parking permit (valid for the whole year) is for students who require off-street parking for extended periods. (Almost all of Evanston’s on-street parking near campus is for residents only or limited to two hours for visitors.)

The Intercampus shuttle and CTA bus #201 provides service between the parking lot and the main Evanston campus for free. Ryan Field parking is limited to time periods of fewer than 5 consecutive days, and all vehicles must be removed from the lot on the days of home football games.

Safe Ride provides students, faculty and staff with a safe and free alternative to walking alone after dark. Operating from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m. seven days a week when classes are in session, Safe Ride’s service is available on campus as well as in selected parts of Evanston. Rides are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and may be requested by phone call or via ride-sharing app.

Northwestern operates several shuttle buses during the academic year which are free for students and make stops on the Evanston and Chicago campuses, as well nearby shopping centers. Shuttles can be tracked in real time using GPS trackers offering the location of the shuttle as well as predicted arrival time at stops.

Academic Support & Learning Advancement (ASLA) helps Northwestern undergraduates reach their academic potential. ASLA offers peer-facilitated study groups for more than 30 courses, drop-in peer tutoring throughout the week, individual and group peer academic coaching, individual consultations with staff, and an array of workshops and other resources. Trained peer leaders provide approachable, comfortable settings for learning. Students can participate at locations across campus and can find schedules and sign-up information on the ASLA website.

Northwestern’s Department of Safety & Security (DSS) is committed to meeting the safety needs of our community and building relationships with community members to enhance service delivery. Northwestern University Police (University Police), Environmental Health and Safety, Transportation and Parking, Emergency Management, and Security Systems and Technical Services are all divisions within DSS. University Police is a full-service department with State of Illinois certified peace officers and provides safety and security services to both our Evanston and Chicago campuses.

The University Police departments, on both campuses, are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year and may be reached for non-emergencies at (847) 491-3456. Numerous readily accessible indoor and outdoor emergency phones also connect directly with University Police. The Behavioral Consultation Team (BCT) is a multidisciplinary team that reviews reports of concerning and threatening behavior on our campuses and is comprised of representatives from departments across the University, including University Police, the

Dean of Students Office, Office of Human Resources, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Office of the Provost, Residential Life, and the Office of General Counsel. Concerning behaviors can be reported directly or anonymously through the Wildcats Aware Concerning Behavior Reporting Form.

The DSS website is host to safety and security resources that our students, parents, and other community members can reference. Information regarding emergency procedures, shuttle routes, crime statistics, current crime trends, and the University’s Annual Security Report is accessible on the DSS website. Community members can also check the DSS website for information on how to request a safety presentation, receive a free bicycle helmet and light once they register their bike, and reclaim found property.

Personal property awareness is important as theft of unsecured, unattended property is the most frequently reported crime on campuses. However, our campuses, like all others, are not immune to other types of criminal activity. Through our crime prevention strategies, transportation options, security technology, and emergency planning, we equip students, faculty, and staff with tools they can use to maximize their safety. We encourage students and parents to contact University Police if they have any questions or concerns related to safety and security throughout campus. We can be reached at (847)491-3456.

Students may apply for external fellowships with help from the Office of Fellowships. The staff has expertise in identifying opportunities that fund language study, research, tuition support, and internships. These awards may include, but are not limited to, such major fellowships as Goldwater, Luce, Marshall, Rhodes, and Truman, as well as the Fulbright US Student Program, which funds research and study in 140 countries worldwide.

Whether students are seeking an award as a first-year student or a recent alum, the Office of Fellowships is here to guide them through the initial search, applications, interviews, and more!

Family Engagement works with family members of all undergraduate students to ensure we create a supportive environment to aid in student learning and development. Family Engagement communicates on behalf of the University with Wildcat parents and families the entire time your student is an undergraduate at Northwestern.

Family Engagement also coordinates and oversees Parent and Family Orientation, Family Weekend, and the NU Family Advisory Council (NUFAC). We also send an email called the Wildcat Family Recap to parents and families twice per month which provides University updates.

Finally, Family Engagement is home to approximately 40 student leadership positions including the Family Coordinators and Family Ambassadors who work closely with the Family Engagement professorial staff to implement programming. Family Engagement facilitates year-round leadership training and professional development for these student leaders.

Grants, loans, and work-study opportunities are offered to undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time; aid eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need.

Students must reapply for aid each year and will be emailed instructions for reapplication, during the winter term with decisions being released on a rolling basis throughout the spring and summer. In the event of dramatic changes in their financial circumstances, students, even those not currently receiving aid, should contact the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid via email or at (847) 491-7400.

All degree-seeking Northwestern students are required to have comprehensive health insurance that meets all the University’s comparable coverage requirements. To this end, all insurance-eligible students are defaulted into the Northwestern University Student Health Insurance Plan (NU-SHIP) every year; the annual premium is billed to students’ accounts at the same time tuition and other fees are charged.

Students must confirm or waive their NU-SHIP enrollment via the online Coverage Selection Form in CAESAR, during the applicable open enrollment period. The open enrollment period for students who begin their studies during the Fall quarter is 7/1/23 - 10/1/23.

In keeping with a mandate set by the Office of the Provost, Northwestern requires international students holding an F-1 or J-1 U.S. visa to maintain enrollment in the NU-SHIP for the entire time they are pursuing their studies at Northwestern and are not eligible to waive.

Students who are covered under alternate insurance plans and wish to waive their NU-SHIP enrollment should review the University’s comparable coverage requirements to ensure their coverage provides all required benefits. Students (and their families) are encouraged to download the Comparable Coverage Checklist to determine if their plan qualifies to waive the NU-SHIP.

Enrollment Waivers

• Out of State
• NU-Ship Enrollment with Medical
• Comparable Coverage Requirements

Generally speaking, most out-of-state HMO plans and out-of-state Medicaid plans do not meet the university’s requirements since they also only provide emergency/urgent care coverage in Evanston/Chicago area. Please visit our webpage for more information.

Students who intend to use the NU-SHIP for their coverage should confirm their enrollment in CAESAR as soon as possible, to ensure access to all benefits at the start of the new plan year (Sept. 1). Students who do not confirm or waive their NU-SHIP coverage by the open enrollment deadline (for most students, midnight on Oct. 1st) will remain enrolled in the NU-SHIP for the 2023-24 academic/plan year, which runs Sept. 1, 2023 - August 31, 2024, and will be responsible for the $5,144 premium billed to their accounts.

For additional information about 2023-24 NU-SHIP coverage, confirming or waiving NU-SHIP enrollment, or annual Northwestern insurance requirements, please see the Northwestern Student Insurance website. For assistance navigating the online confirmation or waiver process; researching alternate plans on the marketplace; or questions related to insurance billing and claims, irrespective of insurance provider (NU-SHIP or private plans); contact the Northwestern Student Insurance office via student.insurance@northwestern.edu or by phone at 847.491.3621.

Located in Searle Hall on the Evanston campus, the Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service is the convenient on-campus resource for comprehensive health care for students. The health services team includes primary care and sports medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, clinical nurses, medical assistants, and athletic trainers. The NM Student Health Service is a contemporary ambulatory care facility with a pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology department on site. Students registered in degree programs are eligible to use the Health Service with no charge for office visits and telehealth visits. Fees for laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy services may apply and can be billed to insurance plans.  

Students will be able to use their My NM account and app to schedule appointments, message their healthcare team, view laboratory and test results, access their health records, and much more. Students who have not yet reached age 18 at the time of an appointment will need to have the NM Consent for Minors form completed with a parent/guardian signature. See the Health Service website for more information about specific services offered and how to register for a MyNM account.

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS) at Northwestern University is dedicated to supporting and enhancing the experiences of international students, scholars, employees, and their families. With a diverse community of over 8,000 individuals from more than 130 countries, the OISS plays a vital role in supporting international students throughout their journey at Northwestern.

One of the primary responsibilities of the OISS is to provide guidance and support to international students on F-1 and J-1 immigration regulations. OISS assists students in understanding and complying with these regulations, which govern their stay in the United States. The OISS issues the necessary immigration documents (Form I-20 for F-1 students or DS-2019 for J-1 students) which are required to apply for a student visa.

OISS offers pre-arrival assistance, hosts in-person orientation programs, and helps to guide students through the transition to study in the United States. Throughout their time at Northwestern, international students can rely on the OISS for immigration guidance. The office is available to address any questions or concerns related to immigration regulations, maintaining legal status, employment authorization and other related matters. OISS provides ongoing support and resources to ensure international students can focus on their academic and personal growth. OISS also sponsors or co-sponsors a range of programming and events relevant to the international student experience. See the OISS website for more information.

The Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance (OCR) , which was formerly known as the Office of Equity, is responsible for ensuring compliance with anti-discrimination and accessibility policies, and responding to reports of sexual misconduct, discrimination, and harassment within the University community. OCR responds to reports and complaints of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct by conducting investigations, facilitating alternative resolutions, providing training and educational responses, and providing help and supportive measures to individuals who have experienced misconduct or are otherwise engaged with OCR processes. More information about OCR and how to report is available here.

A confidential, impartial, informal, and independent resource for conflict resolution for the entire university community, including students, faculty, staff, and families.

Please reach out to the Office of the Ombudsperson for concerns related to living, going to school, or working at Northwestern University. The ombudsperson can assist in navigating these university-related issues, facilitating difficult conversations, and conducting mediations. For assistance, can call (847) 467-2430 or email ombuds@northwestern.edu.

The University’s Office of Student Finance is responsible for billing students and collecting tuition, fees, and room and board charges. Due dates are September 1 for fall quarter, January 1 for winter quarter, and April 1 for spring quarter.

• Fall      September 1, 2023
• Winter  January 1, 2024
• Spring  April 1, 2024
• Summer June 1, 2024

Northwestern’s Health Professions Advising (HPA) commits to advise, engage, connect, and prepare students and alumni on their unique journeys toward a career in the health professions by providing guidance on their options and choices, and by contributing to building a health workforce that better reflects the diversity of our society.

Students are encouraged to develop plans aligned with their unique goals and interests on their journey toward a medical or other health professions program. HPA advisors offer one-on-one advising on topics including required coursework for health professions, application timelines, personal statements, clinical and non-clinical experiences, entrance exams (MCAT, DAT, PCAT, GRE, etc.) and guiding students to develop a stronger application to a health profession program.

 Students interested in pursuing careers in the health professions will be invited to complete HPA's intake form during Wildcat Welcome, which helps us ensure students receive information about advisor assignments, as well as events and opportunities throughout the academic year. HPA also offers workshops, information sessions, and other programs throughout the year to help students explore career options in the health professions.

For example, we host quarterly Promoting Diversity in the Health Professions Program where diverse individuals discuss their career paths, identities, and important health issues in our communities. For more information about our services, please visit our website.

With multiple locations serving all of Northwestern’s campuses, University Libraries provide a variety of spaces for quiet study and collaborative group work, including many with access to computers, printers, scanners, and specialized software. Library staff includes personal librarians and research specialists in more than 65 subjects, who offer consultations to help students navigate academic resources relevant to their research.

The University Libraries are home to more than 7 million volumes including Northwestern’s renowned Herskovits Library of African Studies, Music Library, and Transportation Library, as well as access to articles through over 900 databases. Having this personal support is essential to finding what you need.

The Wildcard is the official identification card for Northwestern students. Safe, convenient, and easy to use, the Wildcard enables students to access their meal plan; ride University shuttles and use campus fitness facilities for free; get free or discounted admission to sports and other events on campus; check out library materials; use Cat Cash for purchases at convenience stores on campus; and get discounts at local businesses. When linked to a U.S. Bank account, a Wildcard may be used as an ATM/debit card.

The Women’s Center pursues gender justice for staff, faculty, and students through advocacy, support, education, and research.

We are committed to gender justice institutionally, locally, nationally, and globally for women and gender expansive people. We are actively pursuing a feminist future that accounts for all forms of marginalization through the development of next generation leaders and through the shared work of creating a fully inclusive Northwestern.

The Women's Center hosts ongoing support spaces and thematic annual programming. We determine our educational goals, advocacy work, research agendas, and commitments of our support in accordance with our strategic priorities: those areas of greatest need which we pursue on a five-year cycle.

The Writing Place, located in University Library North Tower, Second Floor, Room 2305, is a writing resource center. In-person and online appointments are available with peer writing consultants – students with superior writing skills who are trained to help their peers at all stages of the writing process, from narrowing a topic and formulating ideas to evaluating and revising rough drafts. All students are welcome to come to the Writing Place. Even strong writers benefit from talking about their writing with trained consultants.