Student Diversity and Inclusion

SDI Scholar Ship Opportunites

• SDI Scholarship Opportunities

  The Columbia College Chicago Diversity Award was established to encourage students to focus on the importance of diversity in higher education as preparation for life in a global society. Scholarship winners are announced in the Spring of each academic year. The total amount of the award is $4,000 for one academic year; $2,000 awarded in the fall semester and $2,000 awarded in the spring semester. The Diversity award is open to both undergraduate and graduate students and is applied toward tuition only.

  Eligibility Requirements and a downloadable application can be found at the Columbia Central website.

  Students who are selected and accept this award are considered Diversity Scholars through Student Diversity and Inclusion. Diversity Scholars are encouraged to participate in ways that continue to nurture and maintain the vibrancy of diversity within the Columbia College Chicago community. 

  Diversity Scholars form a special community – a community of students dedicated to nourishing diversity at Columbia College Chicago. As a community, Diversity Scholars have occasional gatherings, cultural hot topics, and events hosted by Student Diversity and Inclusion.

Resources at Columbia

• 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.

   

• Bathrooms

  Spanning over our campus, Columbia has a handful of single-person, wheelchair accessible, all gender restrooms.

  • 
33 E. Ida B. Wells: floor 5 (not accessible)

  • 72 E 11th: floor 1 
  • 
618 S. Michigan: floors 0, 5, 9, 9 (not accessible)
  • 
619 S. Wabash: floor 2 (not accessible)

  • 623 S. Wabash: floor 1
  • 754 S. Wabash (Student Center): floors 1, 2, 3, 4 (inclusive shower in Fitness Center), 4, 5, 5
  • 916 S. Wabash: floors 1, 2, 3, 3 (not accessible), 4, 4 (not accessible)

  • 1104 S. Wabash: floor 0 (not accessible)

  • 1600 S. State: floor 1

  • We also have two multi-stall, all gender restrooms (not wheelchair accessible) in SDI (4th floor, 618 S. Michigan Ave.)
• Counseling Services
  Counseling Services is committed to helping students reach their highest academic personal potential. The aim is to help students fulfill their educational goals with minimal distractions. With the realization that students might encounter difficult situations that could impede their academic, personal, and social progress, services are designed to help students address concerns and increase self-awareness, while being empowered to manage challenging areas of their lives.
• 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 Organizations
  Whether you’re brand new or a continuing student, you can find Columbia students for mutual support through student organizations. With 40+ student organizations inclsuding a number of cultural and identity based student organizations. For more information please visit Student Organizations & Leadership
• 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

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/

   

• Crisis Hotline
  www.aidschicago.org/page/i-need
• Talk Therapy & Counseling

  Live Oak Counseling
  LifeWorks Psychotherapy

   

• Columbia Rack
  via ColumbiaCares

Gender Inclusive Resources

Columbia College Chicago strives to create and promote a campus community that 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 is 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 
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

  Simply put, address any person you meet as if they may be trans. 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 your 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.

• The Rack

  

  The Rack, located in Student Diversity and Inclusion, is a free clothing, toiletry, and sexual health product service available to all Columbia College Chicago students. The Rack aims to provide a safe environment for students to find clothing that is affirming to them and their expression.

  The Rack is not a charity, but instead is a program that names the conditions in which we are made to live create barriers to our basic needs. In providing these resources, we aim to challenge these barriers and to celebrate students claiming what they need.

  Students may access The Rack during Student Diversity and Inclusion’s operating hours. There are no perquisites to access. Donations of new or gently uses clothes are always accepted. 

  For any questions or inquiries, email Matthew Rillie at mrillie@colum.edu 

  Columbia community members may donate or visit the Rack anytime Student Diversity and Inclusion is open. For larger donations, please contact Matthew Rillie at mrillie@colum.edu to setup a time.