Students with Families

Graduation Photo with Student

The University of Chicago does not discriminate, or tolerate discrimination, on the basis of any protected status - including pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. 

At the Law School, we work diligently to support current and future parents by coming up with an individualized plan of action. Our policies, space and infrastructure are designed to ensure that your needs are met and do not create barriers for pursuing your legal education. Below you will find a list of resources that highlight how we support pregnant or parenting students. If you need assistance with navigating any of the resources below, do not hesitate to visit the Dean of Students Office or contact us via email at deanofstudents@law.uchicago.edu

Academic Policies

The Dean of Students office works closely with expecting parents to provide academic accommodations on a case-by-case basis. All advising and support is highly individualized depending on the student's needs. Students are encouraged to contact Dean Welch early to discuss options. Examples of academic accommodations for new or expecting parents include: 

  • Attendance - Students may be eligible for excused absences for doctors appointments, delivery, recovery, and other health related issues.
  • Exam accommodations - Options include rescheduling or deferment of exams, breaks during exams, or a separate testing location.
  • Deadlines - Options include deferment on paper other other assignment deadlines.
  • Classroom breaks -  We work with students who need lactation or health related breaks during class.
  • Notes or recordings - Students may be eligible for note taking assistance and/or class recordings. 

In some cases, students may choose to take a leave of absence. The Dean of Students will work with students to create an academic plan for the successful completion of their degree in those instances. 

Law School Resources

UChicagoGRAD Family Resource: UChicagoGRAD and the Family Resource Center offers free drop-in childcare opportunities for graduate student parents beginning Saturday, October 6th, and continuing for the remainder of fall quarter. On Tuesdays and Thursdays they have morning child care slots available and on Saturdays we will have 6 morning child care slots available for three hours at a time while you work on academic writing in the same building. 

Lactation Rooms & Changing Tables: In the Law School, you have access to private lactation rooms and single user restrooms that both are equipped with changing tables. Nursing mothers should pick up a key from the Student Affairs Administrator in the Office of the Dean of Students.

Law School Student Organization: The Law School has a student-run organization called PaLS (Parents at the Law School). PaLS members support one another and also serve as advocates for student parents with the administration.

Parent Support

Fussy Baby Network
888-431-2229
This network, run by the Erikson Institute, offers parents of fussy babies assistance and support through the hotline, clinics at the University of Chicago Children’s Hospital, home visits, and parent support groups.

Hyde Park Parent Support Network
5650 S. Woodlawn Ave.
Parent Support Network (PSN) is a volunteer-run organization for parents of babies and young children from Hyde Park and surrounding neighborhoods. PSN offers a playroom in the First Unitarian Church and weekday playgroups organized by age, as well as mixed-age playgroups that accommodate a working or studying parent’s schedule. PSN also hosts fun, child-focused parties to celebrate different times of year.

Kids in Danger
116 West Illinois Street Suite 4E / 312-595-0649
This local organization tracks child product recalls and distributes information on unsafe products. It was founded by two University of Chicago faculty members.

Mocha Moms
Mocha Moms is a support group for stay-at-home mothers of color.

Mothers of Children Having Allergies (MOCHA)
Mothers of Children Having Allergies is a group of parents of children with food allergies who share information and support each other.

Smart Love Parenting
800 W. Buena Ave. / 773-665-8052
Smart Love Parenting offers parent education seminars, parent coaching, parent courses in child development, parent support groups, and publications on infants/toddlers, school-age children, and preteens and teens.

The University of Chicago Family Resource Center
950 E. 61st St. / 773-795-5437
The Family Resource Center is administered by the Office of Graduate Student Affairs. It offers classes for children of all ages, parent support groups, and family-friendly events, including holiday parties and Parents Night Out events. The drop-in center is open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays during the academic year and welcomes graduate and professional student parents affiliated with the University of Chicago. Many students have found the Family Resource Center’s listserv especially helpful for finding babysitters and babysitting swaps, low cost used children’s toys, clothes, and furniture, and meeting other parents.

A room for nursing mothers is located in the Lower Level of the Law School. Nursing mothers should pick up a key from the Student Affairs Administrator in the Office of the Dean of Students.

Health Services

Dependent children and married spouses or registered same-sex domestic partners are eligible to be insured under the University Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP) for an additional charge. Enrollment for family members is not automatic. You can contact United Healthcare On-Campus Insurance Coordinators. Their offices are located in the Woodlawn Social Services Center at 950 E 61st St., Rooms 368 and 370. You may also reach the Insurance Coordinators by phone (773-834-4543; press option #2) or by e-mail (uchicagoadvocates@uhcsr.com). You will need to provide the Insurance Coordinator with proof of marriage, domestic partnership, birth certificates, adoption papers, etc., to begin enrollment.

Here are some family health centers:

ACCESS Booker Family Health Center
654 E. 47th St. / 773-624-4800
ACCESS Booker Family Health Center offers community health and public housing.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Ave. / 312-227-4000
Lurie Children’s is one of the top pediatric specialty hospitals in the Midwest.

La Rabida Children’s Hospital
6501 S. Promontory Dr. / 773-363-6700
La Rabida focuses on treating children with chronic conditions.

Planned Parenthood
800-230-PLAN
There are many clinics throughout the Chicago area; use the website to search by zip code. Planned Parenthood offers education, family planning, medical services and advocacy programs.

University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital
5721 S. Maryland Ave. / 888-824-0200
Comer Children’s Hospital uses advanced diagnostic and medical techniques to care for children of all ages.

Walgreens Take Care Clinic
773-667-1177
Clinics inside Walgreens stores offer basic kid’s physicals and vaccinations at low cost, in addition to other basic medical services.

Childcare Referral Services

Alternative Schools Network
1807 W. Sunnyside Ave. / 773-728-4030
Alternative Schools Network provides a directory of pre-school through high school schools and educational programs. 

ChildcareCenter.us
ChildcareCenter.us allows users to find licensed childcare centers and home daycare providers. You can simply search using your zip code.  

Illinois Action for Children
4753 N. Broadway Ave. / 312-823-1100
Illinois Action for Children provides an easy way for families to find a list of childcare providers in their area. 

Sittercity.com
SitterCity is America’s largest, most easily accessible database for babysitters and nannies. You can post a job (with information about your specific needs), and qualified local sitters will contact you. You can then review their profiles, read reviews, run background checks, check references, meet face-to-face, and make your pick. 

Sunshine Illinois Accountability Project
The Sunshine Project contains licensing compliance information on current State licensed Day Care Providers, organized by zip code. 

The University of Chicago Marketplace
The University of Chicago Marketplace allows University-affiliated individuals to post and respond to want ads for a variety of things, including childcare. Those who offer childcare on the site are not pre-screened.

Childcare Facilities

Baby Ph.D.
Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood / 773-643-4062
Baby Ph.D. participates in the University of Chicago Childcare Initiative and is dedicated to development and support of high-quality childcare for children 0-3 years of age whose families live and work in the Hyde Park and University of Chicago communities. Baby Ph.D. offers a daycare center, daycare homes, and early childhood education. Baby Ph.D. also offers assistance navigating local childcare options and holds monthly meetings with home-based childcare providers present.

Chicago Child Care Society: Preschool Center
5467 S. University Ave. / 773-643-0452
The Chicago Child Care Society Preschool Center offers various programs for children and youth between the ages of 0 and 21 years. Chicago Child Care Society participates in the University of Chicago Child Care Initiative and runs a preschool center in Hyde Park for children ages 2 to 5.

Children’s Rendezvous Inc.
5039 S. Greenwood Ave. / 773-924-2832
Children’s Rendezvous Inc. provides an academic after school and school day off camp program for students from kindergarten to 8th grade.

Cuddle Care Academy
4800 S. Lake Park / 773-285-1114
Cuddle Care Academy serves children between the ages of 18 months to 6 years.

Little Inspirations
5480 S. Kenwood / 773-817-1274
Little Inspirations offers care for children 6 weeks to 6 years of age.

Little People Learning Center
First Unitarian Church, 5650 S. Woodlawn / 773-955-9942
Little People Learning Center provides childcare and activities for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old.

The Law School student group Amicus often collects information about childcare options and emergency babysitting contacts.

Also see the University's Child Care Resources website.

Education Resources

Chicago Public Library
312-747-7760
The Chicago Public Library has a number of locations, the closest of which is at 731 E. 63rd Street. Children under the age of 14 are eligible for a juvenile card. You can also visit the website find information about activities, to request particular publications, and even to view primary source documents. Checking out a Kids Museum passport from your local library branch is a great way to visit a local museum for free.

Educational Services Associates
773-538-5003
Educational Services Associates provides educational therapy, remedial tutoring, educational and neuropsychological evaluation, and consultation services to children and adolescents with learning challenges.

Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference Schools and Education Committee
773-288-5464
The Committee is heavily involved with promoting, growing and helping Local School Councils (LSC) and serves Bret Harte, Canter, Kozminski, Murray, Ray, Reavis, and Robinson elementary and middle schools, and Dyett, Kenwood Academy, and King high schools. The Committee welcomes new members. For information about meetings, please contact hpkcc@aol.com.

Kumon
1525 E. 55th St / 773-955-7010
Kumon is the world’s largest after-school math and reading program. It helps children of all ages and levels become independent-self learners.

Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools (LMAIS)
LMAIS provides information on the many Chicago area independent schools. You can use their online directory to search for schools and learn about tuition assistance and affordability.

Language Stars
5500 Woodlawn Ave / 866-557-8277
Language Stars has classes at locations throughout Chicago. Their Hyde Park offers Spanish, French, and Mandarin instruction for children between the ages of 1 and 10 years old.

Sylvan Learning of Chicago
5307 S. Hyde Park Blvd. / 866-206-8441
Sylvan Learning offers tutoring in math, reading, and writing; homework help; robotics and coding classes for kids; and standardized test preparation.