Campus Information Services at the north entrance to the Illini Union (333-INFO) answers questions and offers information about the University. If a student does not know exactly where to find help, the center will refer the student to the proper department
The Counseling Center at 206 Turner Student Services Building (333-3704) is staffed by clinical and counseling psychologists, a clinical social worker, a paraprofessional specialist in education, a reading and study skills specialist, a multicultural educator, an assessment/evaluation specialist, predoctoral interns, graduate assistants, and paraprofessionals who provide a variety of services to help students with psychological, educational, social, and developmental problems. Among the services offered are workshops on specific topics such as identifying and referring troubled students, test anxiety, time management, completing dissertations, survivors of child sexual abuse and acquaintance rape, eating disorders and disturbances, and dual-career issues. Also offered are reading and study classes; individual, couple, and group counseling (short- and intermediate-term), and referral services for long-term counseling; psychological and emergency services; assessments for psychiatric disorders under ADA and for alcohol and other drug problems as part of the Alcohol and Drug Office; and consultative services to University departments and staff members.
The Center co-sponsors the Program on Intergroup Relations, a diversity education program, with the Office of the Dean of Students as well as the Inner Voices social issues theater program with McKinley Health Center and the Theater Department.
The Counseling Center has a Self-Help Information Center (SHIC) in the Undergraduate Library. The center sponsors student-led support groups for a variety of issues and concerns. The center aims to be aware of and sensitive to both the regular and special needs of students of color, students with disabilities, international students, and gay, lesbian, and bisexual students. Fees for the services of the Counseling Center have been prepaid through the student health fee. All counseling is completely confidential.
Dean of Students
The staff in the Dean of Students Office at 300 Turner Student Services Building (333-0050) provides general counseling to all students. Staff members are available to help students cope with whatever problems may face them at the University, including sexual harassment, assault, discrimination, and grievances. A dean is available twenty-four hours a day to help in emergencies. Call the Emergency Dean at 333-0050 any time for help.
Minority Student Affairs
The Office of Minority Student Affairs (MSA) at 130 Turner Student Services Building (phone: 333-0054; Web site: www.omsa.uiuc.edu) provides leadership in developing, implementing, and coordinating student support services and activities designed to assist minority students' personal development and academic achievement. Through several programs the department provides guidance and counseling support to African-American, Latino/a, Native American and other students in all areas relevant to their persistence and success on campus, including general adjustment, academic support, career development, and graduate school preparation. Particular emphasis is placed upon preparing students accepted to the University through the President's Award Program (PAP) or the Educational Opportunities Program (EOP) to achieve and maintain academic excellence. Other University students may participate in MSA programs by applying to be an EOP affiliate.
In collaboration with other Student Affairs and campus units, MSA promotes and develops programs for all UIUC students. MSA assists with educational and personal growth issues, as well as providing preparation for post-graduation challenges. MSA-sponsored programs include technology training, orientation programs, leadership retreats, career conferences, academic award programs, internship preparation and location activities, and cultural enrichment programs. MSA serves as a resource for students, faculty, staff, and prospective students.
MSA assists campus units and student organizations in creating environments and programs that will attract, support, and bolster minority students' success and continuation at the University through monitoring of students' academic progress and making appropriate referrals to both Student Affairs and academic units. MSA administers the Federal TRIO Programs, including Student Support Services, the Upward Bound College Prep Academy, and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Institute. In addition, the department administers several state-assisted programs for 4,000 students annually.
GRADUATE COLLEGE MINORITY STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE
The Graduate College Minority Student Affairs Office coordinates minority graduate student recruitment, collects and disseminates information for prospective and current minority students, and counsels minority students who have problems with financial aid, academic matters, race relations, or personal and social concerns. In addition, the office supports the activities of many campus groups involved with minority graduate students, including the Black Graduate Student Association, La Casa Cultural Latina, the Bilingual Multicultural Education Student Association, and the African-American Cultural Program. These groups, in turn, help the office in disseminating information and assisting students. For more information, call 333-4860.
FINANCIAL AID AND STUDENT EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID
Staff members in the Office of Student Financial Aid (620 E. John, Student Services Arcade Building, 333-0100) provide information on the four main types of financial aid administered by the University: grants, scholarships, loans, and employment. The Student Employment unit within the financial aid office provides assistance to all students, regardless of whether they have applied for financial aid. For a more complete description of student financial aid programs and employment services, visit the office online at www.odos.uiuc.edu/osfa/.
CAREER CENTER
The Career Center at 715 South Wright, Student Services Arcade Building (333-0820) offers students a wide range of career-related services, including individual and group counseling, assistance on job search efforts, choice of major, career planning, graduate and professional school admissions strategies, and help in identifying postgraduate employment opportunities. The Career Library and its duplicate at the Undergrad Library, The Career Cluster, has occupational literature and career profiles, job search aids, geographic career information, graduate and professional school descriptions and resources, and special resources to all students, regardless of major, with career and life planning. Each year, the Center sponsors regular and scheduled career seminars and workshops and responds to speaking requests from the student community. The office also maintains and administers credentials/recommendations files for students to use for graduate school applications.
Health Careers provides advising and career counseling for students interested in dentistry, medicine, osteopathic medicine, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, occupational therapy, physical therapy and other health professions. This unit of the Career Center maintains a complete collection of catalogs from health professional schools. A credentials/evaluation service is available for application to health-professional schools. Counselors are available on an appointment basis and walk in to advise students on preprofessional choices and help them apply to professional schools.
COUNSELING CENTER
The Center, located on the first and second floors of the Turner Student Services Building (333-3704) offers workshops and individual counseling to help students with career or career-related problems in cooperation with the Career Center. SIGI Plus career development computer program is available at the Self-Help Information Center in the Undergraduate Library and in the Career Library in the Student Services Arcade Building.
College Placement Offices
Individual colleges and departments on campus sponsor their own job placement programs for majors. These offices provide advising and job search assistance. Each office makes arrangements for employer representatives to conduct interviews on campus.