Initiatives: Resources for Work-Life Integration
- Introduction
- Arts & Culture
- Childcare
- Domestic Partnerships
- Education
- Elder Care
- Flexibility
- Health
- Hyde Park: Home in the City
- Recreation
- Religion
- Relocation
- Summer Programs for Children
- Transportation
Introduction
Whether faculty or other academic personnel, you will find this to be true: The University of Chicago is a community of thinkers and engaged citizens, where ideas reign, innovation is the rule, and discovery is daily fare.
We are diverse in our backgrounds and origins; we are like-minded in our approach to problem-solving: We fearlessly explore the possibilities, examine ideas from multiple perspectives, accept nothing less than the best answer, and know that tomorrow’s solution may be better yet.
This is a community that will engage you, stimulate you, challenge you, and become a way of life. Our intellectually rich culture invites dialogue and encourages involvement, both on campus and in the neighborhood.
The University offers unlimited opportunities to be educated, involved, and entertained, from professional theater to noontime concerts, from lectures by Nobel laureates to cutting-edge art exhibits, from community radio to ice skating on the Midway.
The University is without boundaries, blending into the city both physically and intellectually, contributing to an environment where work and life are comfortably integrated, particularly for individuals and families who live on the Mid–South Side. Most people who come to the University of Chicago for academics or employment develop an affinity with the University that lasts a lifetime.
Life at the University of Chicago has much to offer everyone who is part of this community. The support services we provide are intended to make your transition to life here as seamless as possible, help you take advantage of all the University has to offer, and allow you to live a rich and balanced life.
Arts & Culture
Rich cultural resources abound in Hyde Park, both within and beyond the University.
Opportunities to Participate
A sampling of ways to participate
Oriental Institute Volunteer Program
University of Chicago Department of Music Performance Program
Opportunities for Kids
A sampling of programs available for children and families
Directory of Southside Arts and Humanities Network
Being situated in the diverse Mid–South Side of Chicago provides opportunities to engage with organizations from the National Museum of Mexican Art to the DuSable Museum of African American History, from Friends of the Gamelan to Puppetposse.
Childcare
Child Care Initiative
773.702.8846
Contact: Ingrid Gould
The Child Care Initiative of the University of Chicago and University of Chicago Medical Center enhances the availability and access to high-quality child care in Hyde Park and the surrounding communities for children under age 3. Through a partnership agreement, each provider has set aside dedicated child care slots for employee children.
Child Care Referral Program
773.702.9634
benefits@uchicago.edu
The University provides a child care referral service for parents at no charge. The service provides information on:
- child care centers
- family child care homes for infants and school-age children
- before- and after-school care for school-age children
- summer programs for school-age children.
Dependent Care Travel Grant Program Assistant Professors are eligible for a grant of up to $500 to defray incremental, out-of-pocket expenses incurred for dependent care while the faculty member is attending professional conferences, seminars, meetings, or workshops.
Flexible Spending Accounts
The University of Chicago Flexible Spending Plan offers benefits-eligible employees the opportunity to pay certain health care and dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars. The Dependent Child Care FSA can be used to pay for eligible day care expenses for a dependent child or adult relative while you or your spouse or domestic partner work or while your spouse or domestic partner is a full-time student or disabled.
Domestic Partnerships
Domestic Partnership Forms
Benefits-eligible employees may add their partner and the child(ren) of their partner to their medical and dental insurance. If you are eligible for the Laboratory Schools benefit or the Faculty Child Scholarship Plan, eligibility will extend to your domestic partner and/or the child(ren) of your domestic partner. Housing, gymnasium, and library privileges will also be extended.
Education
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools provide an experience-centered, rigorous, and well-rounded education for a diverse community of students in grades pre-K–12. The Schools are committed to help each student:
- learn to think critically and creatively
- cultivate a passion for excellence in academics, the arts, and athletics
- master important subject matter
- achieve a sense of emotional and physical well-being
- celebrate both our cultural differences and our common humanity
- gain a sense of personal and community responsibility
- develop a life-long love of learning
The University Laboratory Schools Benefit pays 50 percent tuition for full-time employees’ children attending the school.
The University of Chicago Charter School
Talented teachers educate students at four University
of Chicago charter school campuses operated by the Urban Education Institute on the city’s South Side.
The campuses are designed to create a pathway to college success for students in grades pre-K–12.
Faculty Children’s Scholarship Plan
For faculty, the University pays 100 percent of the undergraduate tuition at any college or university, up to 75 percent of the University of Chicago tuition rate.
Elder Care
Elder Care Consultation/Referral
The University provides an elder care referral service for employees and retirees and their families to assist in making elder care arrangements. The University provides the referral service at no charge.
Flexibility
Stop the Clock Program
An Assistant Professor on the tenure track or clinical scholar track who becomes the parent of a child by birth or adoption will be granted a one-year extension of the current term appointment for each pregnancy or adoption if the faculty member has equal or pirmary care-giving responsibilities. Other circumstances in which a one-time term extension may be considered for a tenure-track or clinical scholar faculty member include caring for a sick or disabled immediate family member or the illness or disability of the faculty member.
Parental Leave (for full-time faculty members on regular three-quarter appointments)
Parental leave is considered leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. University policy additionally provides that a faculty member who gives birth or her spouse or University-registered domestic partner, if he/she is the child’s primary care giver, may take a one-quarter leave without loss of salary or benefits within one year of the arrival of the child. Similarly, an adoptive parent who is the primary care giver may take a one-quarter leave without loss of salary or benefits within one year of the arrival of the child. A faculty member whose normal annual teaching expectation is three or more courses will be relieved of teaching duties for one course.
Rearrangement of Teaching Duties
In lieu of parental leave, a faculty member may request rearrangement of his or her course teaching schedule within 12 months of birth or adoption, in order to have a quarter free from classroom teaching. Likewise, a faculty member who receives a foster child placement may request rearrangement of his or her course teaching schedule. Rearrangement of teaching duties is available only to spouses and University-registered, same-sex domestic partners.
Maternity Leave (for full-time Academic Personnel [other than faculty] in all units outside the Biological Sciences Division on regular four-quarter appointments)
Full-time academic personnel (other than faculty) on regular three- or four-quarter appointments who give birth may take up to six weeks of a Family and Medical LEave Act (FMLA) leave as paid leave and up to six weeks of the FMLA leave as unpaid leave within 12 months of the delivery.
Maternity Leave (for full-time faculty and academic staff members in the Biological Sciences Division on regular four-quarter appointments) Maternity leave is considered leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, a federal law permitting up to 12 weeks total of unpaid leave per year, after at least 12 months of employment at the University. University policy additionally provides that a faculty member or member of the academic staff in the BSD who gives birth may take up to six weeks of the FMLA leave as paid leave and up to six weeks of the FMLA leave as unpaid leave within 12 months of the delivery.
Child Care Leave & Caregiver’s Leave
The Family and Medical Leave Act permits up to 12 weeks total unpaid leave per year, after at least 12 months of employment at the University, under certain circumstances. A faculty member or member of the academic staff may request an unpaid leave of up to 12 weeks to care for a spouse; University-registered, same-sex domestic partner; child; or parent with a serious health condition.
Health
Medical Plans
The University of Chicago offers a choice of four medical plans for benefits-eligible faculty, other academic personnel, and staff. The Maroon Plan is a preferred provider plan, and three are HMO-style plans: HMO Illinois, Humana Premier, and the University of Chicago Health Plan (UCHP). You can select from three levels of coverage: employee, double, or family, including domestic partners and their dependents.
Dental Plans
The University of Chicago offers a choice of two dental plans, the MetLife Dental PPO Plan and the MetLife Dental Copay Plan. Under either of the two plans, you are free to visit any licensed dentist you choose. However, you save money if you visit a preferred provider, also called a participating PDP (Preferred Dentist Program) dentist. Although the plans utilize the same provider network, your costs associated with the plans will vary.
Flexible Spending Accounts
The University of Chicago Flexible Spending Plan offers benefits-eligible employees the opportunity to pay certain health care and dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars. The Health Care FSA can be used to pay for most out-of-pocket medical, vision, and dental care expenses for yourself and your dependents.
Staff and Faculty Assistance Program (SFAP)
The SFAP is a free, confidential service designed to help you or your family members when you need assistance with personal problems. SFAP services are offered through Perspectives Ltd., a professional firm with assistance program expertise. SFAP is available to University employees and retirees as well as their families.
The University of Chicago Medical Center Featured in the 2008 U.S. News & World Report elite list of America’s “Honor Roll” hospitals.
Recreation
On Campus
Ratner Athletics Center and Henry Crown Field House
773.753.4680
Memberships are available for individuals, spouses or domestic partners, children, and a work-out partner (Plus One) of members.
In the Neighborhood
Parks and Recreation From Promontory Point at Lake Michigan to ice skating on the Midway Plaisance, Hyde Park presents many opportunities for recreation.
Religion
On Campus
Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
5850 South Woodlawn Avenue
Rockefeller Memorial Chapel serves as the spiritual and ceremonial center of the University of Chicago. It serves as the liaison for other campus ministries, a place of worship, and a center for activities to promote the betterment of society.
In Hyde Park
Houses of Worship in Hyde Park and Kenwood
Relocation
Assistance with housing in the Hyde Park area
Leasing and Marketing (Housing Services) 5316 S. Dorchester Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60615
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 773.753.2209
Helps qualified current and prospective faculty and other academic personnel and staff members purchase or rent housing in the University community
Mortgage Loans
Two programs are available:
- Faculty and Staff Loan Programs, which provide second-mortgage and swing loans
- Employer-Assisted Housing Program, available to qualified employees
Dual Career Office Director: Phyllis Brust, 773.834.5440
pbrust@uchicago.edu
Provides faculty partners and spouses with assistance in their job search,including preparation for the job search, developing networks, and identifying important resources.
Immigration Assistance
The University provides all faculty members with legal assistance in the application for both temporary and permanent visas. Faculty should contact their dean’s office to request referral to outside counsel or the Office of International Affairs.
English as a Second Language
English Language Institute at International House
773.753.2281
i-house-programs@uchicago.edu
Classes are offered at three levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced. (Note: These classes are not part of the accredited program of the University of Chicago; they will not qualify you for student status or a student visa.)
Summer Programs for Children
Many Hyde Park cultural organizations offer special summer programs for kids and families. Here’s a sampling.
On Campus
Lab Schools Summer Programs
773.702.9450
Summer School, Adventure Kids Day Camp, Summer Lab on Stage, Sports Camps, and Field Study
Summer Camp Programs
Ratner Athletics Center
773.702.9065
Smart Museum of Art Family Programs
The Oriental Institute Museum Family Programs
University Theater Outreach Programs
Off Campus
Hyde Park Arts Center Creativity Camps
Transportation
Transportation & Parking Services
Three daytime routes between campus and other Hyde Park locations are operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). Rides are free for those with Chicago Cards. Other CTA routes link campus to downtown and the north side and to the downtown Metra stations. The University also provides free evening bus and escort service.
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
Bus and train ('L"and subway) transportation
312.836.7000
888-YOURCTA
Metra
City and suburban train transportation
Weekdays 312.322.6777; TDD 312.322.6774
Events & Weekends: 312.836.7000; 312.836.4949
South Shore Line Train Service Indiana only: 800.356.2079 TDD/Voice
Car Sharing Services
These subscription services make cars available for short-term use from various locations on campus and in Hyde Park.
Qualified Transportation Program (QTP)
Under the QTP, you are able to pay for certain commuting expenses with tax-free dollars
Last updated: October 2009