Student Diversity and Inclusion

Resources at Columbia

• Bathrooms

  Columbia has a handful, wheelchair accessible, all gender restrooms and restrooms with menstrual products avaliable.

  (*Not wheelchair accesible)

  (Menstrual products avaliable on all first floors)

  • 33 E. Ida B. Wells Dirive: floors 1, 5* 
  • 72 E 11th St. / Getz Theather Center: floor 1 
  • 600 S. Michcigan Ave. / Alexandroff Campus Center: floor 4 (Men & Women)
  • 618 S. Michigan Ave: floors 1, 3, 4 , 5, 9 
  • 619 S. Wabash Ave: floor 2* 

  • 623 S. Wabash Ave: floor 1 
  • 624 S. Michigan Ave: floor 4
  • 754 S. Wabash Ave. / Student Center: floors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 
  • 916 S. Wabash Ave: floors 1, 2, 3, 4
  • 1014 S Michigan Ave. / Music Center: floor 1 (Men & Women)
  • 1104 S. Wabash Ave: floor 1*
  • 1306 S Michigan Ave. / The Dance Center: floor 3
  • 1312 S Michigan Ave. / Sherwood Community Music School: floor 1 (Men & Women)
  • 1600 S. State St. / Media Production Center: floor 1

• Center for Student Wellbeing

  The Center for Student Wellbeing is a space-driven, integrated mental health model that services students through a variety of rapid intervention services. They are here to support any student interested in seeking mental health resources and connecting them with providers both on and off-campus. Their goal is to create a supportive environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

  Click here for more information

• Services for Students with Disabilities

  Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) is dedicated to providing students with documented disabilities full access to the College’s educational programs, activities, and facilities. Accommodations are determined through an interactive process. They are intended to level the playing field for students with disabilities, while maintaining the integrity and standards of the College’s academic programs.    

  Through education, collaboration, and advocacy, SSD’s goals are to:   

  Provide the most integrated and appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities.    

  Equip students with the confidence and skills to become empowered members of their communities.   

  Serve as a central resource for students with disabilities and the entire College community.

  For more information, visit the SSD website https://students.colum.edu/ssd/, stop in the office at 623 Wabash, Suite 311, email ssd@colum.edu or call 312 369-8296. 

• Student Engagement & Leadership

  Whether you’re brand new or a continuing student, you can find Columbia students for mutual support through student organizations. With 40+ student organizations including a number of cultural and identity based student organizations.

  Click here for more information

• Reading Resources
  The Library & Archive located at 624 S. Michigan Ave holds a plethora of books, movies, and magazines with information on LGBTQ topics which can be found in the curated database here: libguides.colum.edu/lgbtqThe Library & Archive located at 624 S. Michigan Ave holds a plethora of books, movies, and magazines with information on LGBTQ topics which can be found in the curated database here: libguides.colum.edu/lgbtq
• Gender Inclusive Resources

  GENDER INCLUSIVE HOUSING

  Columbia offers optional Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH). This means that we do not categorize students by gender or legal sex who apply for this program. However, this option is inclusive to all, and while it seeks to benefit and comfort our trans/gender non-conforming students, it is not exclusively available to them.

  Click here for more information

  GENDER INCLUSIVE RESOURCES

  Columbia College Chicago strives to create and promote a campus community that is inclusive and affirming of individuals of all gender identities/expressions and sexualities.

  First Name Change

  Columbia College Chicago recognizes that many members of our community use names other than their legal names to identify themselves. For many of our students, a first name is an important part of their identity.

  If you enter a new first name in this field, Columbia will make every effort to ensure that this name appears in your student records wherever we are able to do so. This will include your Columbia email address, the college’s learning management system, and class rosters.

  Please understand that the college is required to keep documents related to financial aid, and official academic transcripts, under your full legal name.

  Please visit the MyColumbia portal to begin the process. Click on "Change My First Name" in the My Profile section of the MyColumbia tab. You will receive a notification in your portal once your request has been reviewed and processed. After you have been notified of the change, please contact Columbia Central at ColumbiaCentral@colum.edu to request a card with your updated name.

  Guide to Pronoun Use

  With any person you meet, in addition to asking their name, we recommend asking their preferred pronouns. Someone’s preferred pronouns are how they would like to be referenced in conversation. For example, you would ask a student their preferred pronouns, or what pronouns they use.

  If the student says, “I use they/them pronouns” you can solidify that in your mind the same way you would remember their name. They and them, or the less common gender-neutral pronoun ze, are pretty easy to use once you understand the basics. They/them/theirs: They are going somewhere. I have a gift for them. This jacket is theirs. Ze/hir/hirs: “Ze is a writer and wrote that book hirself. Those ideas are hirs.” Ze/zir/zirs pronouns: “Ze is a writer and wrote that book zirself. Those ideas are zirs.”

  Pronunciation: Please note that “ze” is usually pronounced with a long “e” and that “hir” and its forms are usually pronounced like the English word “here.” Instead of ze/hir pronouns, some people go by "ze/zir" pronouns because of the more consistent pronunciation and spelling.

  For more information: www.mypronouns.org/how.

  Addressing Trans People

  Address any person by the name and pronouns they wish to be called. Ask their name and pronouns, and follow those regardless of what you expected.

  Here are some guidelines for not disrespecting trans people: Don’t ask their “real/birth/legal name.” They will tell you if they want to share it at all (many people don’t). Don’t ask them to categorize themselves by their sex, or assigned gender.

  Offer a third option (preferred) and/or allow them to choose which side they would rather identify with. If you mistake someone’s pronouns or name, it isn’t good, but it isn’t the end of the world either. Apologize clearly, correct yourself, and move on.

  The person in question shouldn’t feel obligated to comfort you over your mistake. For example: “I don’t know if she- I’m sorry, they, can make it tonight.” For more information: www.mypronouns.org/mistakes.

  Pronouns & Gender Identity on MyColumbia

  Students can now share their pronouns and gender identity in MyColumbia. Faculty teaching your classes, advisors, and other college staff will be able to see your pronouns in the portal, informing how they should address you in emails and in-person interactions.

  Your pronouns will also be visible to your instructors and fellow students in Canvas. Your gender identity will not be visible to others, but information you share will help us better understand and support your student success.

  How to Change Your Pronouns or Gender Identity: If you wish to change your pronouns or gender identity, this guide will show you how to do it. You can change your pronouns or gender identity at any time, and you can always choose to un-share if you wish. You are not required to select your pronouns or gender identity in MyColumbia.

  Columbia College Chicago takes great pride in the diverse, creative student body that chooses us as their educational home. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive campus environment in which all students feel safe and respected. We will continue to use your student feedback to proactively update our administrative databases to better reflect our Columbia community.

• Support for Undocumented Students

  At Columbia College Chicago we are committed to affirming the dignity of everyone, regardless of citizenship status. We value diversity and culture, and it is our honor to demonstrate our support for undocumented students. We know the value and impact our students bring to the campus community and we are a stronger institution because of them.

  As an institution that is working to become a leader in antiracism, we recognize the importance of acknowledging all our community members and assisting them to the best of our ability.

  It is for these reasons that we have compiled a list of different resources that students can explore as you see fit. We encourage you to come to us with questions you have, and we will support as best as we can.

  • The information is meant to serve as a general informational and educational purposes. For questions on immigration policies, statutes, and processes, please see a licensed immigrant attorney.

   

   

   

   

City Support & Resources

• Name Change

  On the last Friday of each month, Transformative Justice Law Project of Illinois hosts a legal name change mobilization event. This takes place 9:00am – 3:00 pm in room 1202 of the Daley Center, located at 50 W Washington, Chicago, IL 60602. To learn more about this process, visit: tjlp.org/services/name-change-mobilization/

• Personal Health & Safety

  We understand that not all healthcare services cater to the safety and comfort of LGBTQ+ people. Here are some that do:


  • Howard Brown Health - https://howardbrown.org/patient-resources/
    
    • Howard Brown is a dedicated network of clinics that offers sexual, behavioral, and physical health care to the LGBTQ+ community. Their appointments are sliding-scale priced, and their website offers information on a range of topics such as STI screenings, informed consent hormone treatment, and mental health counseling.

  • Planned Parenthood - https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-illinois/patient-resources. A full list of services can be found at the link above.

  The Trevor Project (866-4U-TREVOR)

  • • The sole national organization with a 24-hour hotline focused on suicide prevention among LGBTQIA youth.

  Trans LifeLine (877-565-8860)

  • • Trans LifeLine is a hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people, ready to respond to whatever support need members of our community might have.
• STI & HIV Screening and Information

  If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms or fear of STIs or HIV, you are not alone. Outside of the stigma around having these illnesses, plenty of resources exist to treat and support those living with HIV, AIDS, or STIs, including but not limited to:
 gettested.cdc.gov/

• Chicagoland Mutual Aid Groups

  Chicagoland Mutual Aid Group List (Alphabetically by Name)

  
  19th Ward Mutual Aid (Mount Greenwood, Morgan Park, and Beverly)
  Service Area: Mount Greenwood, Morgan Park, and Beverly
  Mission: On the southwest side, 19th Ward Mutual Aid group formed. We are a group of
  neighborhood volunteers who want to help neighbors during this time.
  Phone: 773-980-6043
  Email: info@19aid.com
  Website: http://19aid.com/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/19Aid

  
  Albany Park Mutual Aid
  Service Area: Albany Park
  Mission: Albany Park Mutual Aid is designed for easily helping one another.
  Phone: 312-854-9741
  Email: apmutualaid@gmail.com
  Website: https://www.albanyparkmutualaid.com/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1317900055267586/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/albanyparkmutualaid/?hl=en

  
  Avondale Mutual Aid
  Service Area: Avondale
  Mission: An all-volunteer group operating in the Avondale neighborhood in Chicago
  Phone: 708-620-7941
  Email: mutualaidavondale@gmail.com
  Website: https://www.avondalemutualaid.org/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvondaleMutualAid/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avondalemutualaid/
  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/avondalemutualaid

  
  Belmont Cragin Mutual Aid
  Service Area: Belmont Cragin
  Mission: We are neighbors helping neighbors, working together during covid-19
  Email: BelmontCraginMA@gmail.com
  Website: https://www.belmontcraginmutualaid.com/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BelmontCraginChicagoMutualAid/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belmont_cragin_ma/
  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/belmont_cragin_ma

  
  Bronzeville-Kenwood Mutual Aid
  Service Area: Bronzeville & Kenwood
  Mission: Mutual Aid group based in the Bronzeville & Kenwood neighborhoods on the South
  Side of Chicago. Working for food sovereignty and autonomy.
  Phone: 312-945-6647
  Email: bronzevillekenwood@gmail.com
  Website: http://bkmachicago.com/
  Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/bk_mutualaid/
  Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/BKMutualAid/
  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/bkma
  Twitter: https://twitter.com/bk_mutualaid

  
  Edgewater Mutual Aid Network (EMAN)
  Service Area: Edgewater
  Mission: We are a grassroots effort aiming to provide critical relief and engage in mutual aid
  practices with those in our community.
  Phone: 312-324-4378
  Email: covidonedge@gmail.com
  Website: https://edgewatermutualaid.org/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edgewatermutualaid/
  Twitter: https://twitter.com/CovidMutual

  
  Gage Park Latinx Council
  Service Area: Gage Park
  Mission: GPLXC free community market is a community care, mutual aid, free market operating
  by appointment only due to covid restrictions.
  Phone: 708-872-8798
  Email: info@gplxc.org
  Website: https://www.gplxc.org/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GPLXC/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gplxc/

  
  Hermosa Mutual Aid
  Service Area: Hermosa
  Mission: Made up of neighbors joining together to share resources with and support for our
  community during the coronavirus outbreak and beyond.
  Phone: 773-236-7760
  Email: hermosamutualaid@gmail.com
  Website: https://hermosamutualaid.org/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hermosamutualaid/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hermosamutualaid/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hermosamutualaid/

  
  Humboldt Park Solidarity Network
  Service Area: Humboldt Park
  Mission: We are friends and neighbors living in Humboldt Park, working to help assist each
  other during COVID-19
  Phone: 312-883-7526
  Email: hpsolidaritynetwork@gmail.com
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hpsolidaritynetwork/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hpsolidaritynetwork/?hl=en
  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hpsolidarity

  
  Irving Park Mutual Aid
  Service Area: Irving Park, Chicago between Kenneth & California, Addison & Montrose
  Mission: Working to provide support & relief to our neighbors in Irving Park.
  Phone: 773-231-7310
  Email: Irvingparkmutualaid@gmail.com
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/irvingparkmutualaid/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irvingparkmutualaid/
  Jefferson and Gladstone Parks Mutual Aid
  Service Area: Jefferson and Gladstone Parks
  Mission: JPMA/GPMA is not offering direct food security services, but is available to link
  residents to community resources/other supports in the area.
  Phone: 773-270-1288
  Email: jeffmutualaid@gmail.com
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jeffmutualaid

  
  Lincoln Square Ravenswood Solidarity Network
  Service Area: Lincoln Square Ravenswood
  Mission: Mutual aid network for the Lincoln Square/Ravenswood neighborhoods of Chicago.
  Phone: 224-458-4666
  Email: neighborsrespond@gmail.com
  Website: https://www.lsrsn.org/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnSquareRavenswoodSolidarityNetwork/

  
  Logan Square Mutual Aid
  Service Area: Logan Square
  Mission: Logan Square Mutual Aid is here to make helping one another easy.
  Phone: 773-234-8313
  Email: lsmutualaid@gmail.com
  Website: https://www.logansquaremutualaid.org/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Logan-Square-Mutual-Aid-104943747956674/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/logansquaremutualaid/
  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lsma/

  
  Mayfair Mutual Aid
  Service Area: Mayfair
  Mission: Mayfair Mutual Aid is an all-volunteer, grassroots collective operating as part of the
  Chicago Mutual Aid Network.
  Phone: 773-359-3137
  Email: mayfairmutualaid@gmail.com
  Website: https://www.mayfairmutualaid.com/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MayfairMutualAidPublic/

  
  McKinley Park Mutual Aid
  Service Area: McKinley Park
  Mission: We're a group of neighbors coming together and looking out for each other during the
  coronavirus pandemic.
  Phone: 312-772-4806
  Email: mckinleypark.covid19@gmail.com
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McKinleyParkMutualAid/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mckinleyparkmutualaid/
  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mckinleyparkmutualaid

  
  Northwest Side Solidarity Network
  Service Area: Avondale
  Mission: We work in solidarity with mutual aid groups throughout the city to ensure that all
  our neighbors have access to the resources that they need.
  Phone: 773-510-0562
  Email: hello@northwestsidesolidarity.com
  Website: https://www.northwestsidesolidarity.com/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northwestsidesolidarity
  Instagram: https://instagram.com/northwestsidesolidarity

  
  Oak Park Mutual Aid
  Service Area: Oak Park
  Mission: We are not currently accepting new requests, but have a list of local resources on our
  website.
  Phone: 708-628-8373
  Email: oakparkmutualaid@gmail.com
  Website: https://oakparkmutualaid.com/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakParkMutualAid/

  
  Portage Park Mutual Aid
  Service Area: Portage Park
  Mission: Portage Park Mutual Aid Network is a group of neighbors who have come together to
  support one another during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  Phone: 312-854-9851
  Email: portageparkmutualaid@gmail.com
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1195127357553811/

  
  Suburban Solidarity Network (Skokie and North Suburbs)
  Service Area: Skokie and North Suburbs
  Mission: A community mutual-aid network centers out of Skokie and the north suburbs of
  Chicago.
  Email: suburbansolidaritynetwork@gmail.com
  Website: https://www.facebook.com/SuburbanSolidarityNetwork/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suburbansolidaritynetwork/
  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/suburbansolidaritynetwork

  
  Ukrainian Village Mutual Aid
  Service Area: Ukrainian Village and West Town
  Mission: UKVMA is an all volunteer, grassroots organization operating in UKV, Chicago. We’re
  neighbors, helping neighbors.
  Phone: 312-298-9328
  Email: ukvmutualaid@gmail.com
  Website: https://www.ukvmutualaid.com/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKVMutualAid/
  Instagram: https://twitter.com/ukvmutualaid

  
  West Town Mutual Aid
  Service Area: West Town
  Mission: The West Town Mutual Aid network is a collective of movement organizers and
  autonomous people who are willing and able to lend a hand. We are immediately providing
  grocery and supply deliveries, and we hope to offer other much needed support such as rent
  Phone: 773-245-6846
  Email: westtownaid@gmail.com
  Website: https://sites.google.com/view/westtownmutualaid/home...
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Westtownmutualaid/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westtownmutualaid/

  
  Wicker Park & Bucktown Mutual Aid
  Service Area: Wicker Park, Bucktown
  Mission: We're a collective of neighbors helping neighbors, and part of Chicago's city-wide
  mutual aid network.
  Phone: 773-273-9640
  Email: wickerparkmutualaid@gmail.com
  Website: https://www.wickerparkmutualaid.org/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WickerParkBucktownMutualAid/
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wickerparkbucktownmutualaid/
  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/wickerparkbucktownmutualaid/