A key benefit to living in University Housing is easy access! Living the Illini Life means easy access and proximity to campus buildings and dining halls, but also to campus resources. I want to highlight a few resources you should take advantage of as a University Housing resident – some you might not know about!

Residence Hall Front Desks   

Not only does your front desk have a friendly clerk who can answer questions about residential or campus life, but it also has many useful items you can check out. You can check out keys to rooms, such as a full kitchen, kitchen supplies, tools, cleaning supplies, fans, board games and even outdoor games like bags (or cornhole)! These items can help you avoid extra expenses as well as save space in your room. Take advantage of them!

Residential Case Managers  

Residential case managers are here to support you through your life on campus. They can help you work through a variety of life events and personal challenges, such as feelings of loneliness, struggling to meet financial or basic needs, dealing with mental health concerns, interpersonal and family conflicts or just transitioning to campus. There is a residential case manager for both Champaign and Urbana Halls – you can contact them both at ResidentCaseMngr@housing.illinois.edu.

Image

Resident Advisors

An RA’s job is to create a welcoming and safe environment within your residence hall and help you grow and learn in your experience at the University of Illinois. They can serve as your first point of contact in a crisis or give you advice and support in any situation. Make sure you have your RA’s contact information and remember that they are trained to be a resource for you and happy to help you throughout your residential experience!

Study Spaces

Residents have easy access to study spaces both on campus and within University Housing buildings. There are plenty of study spaces within residence hall main lounges, but an abundance more in the SDRP (Student Dining and Residential Programs Building) and within Illinois Street Residence Halls. The SDRP and ISR are great places to study solo or with friends. You can also grab a snack or caffeinated drink to fuel your studying while you take advantage of quiet spaces within the Caffeinator, InfiniTEA and the new Corner Café, three of our dining retail locations. If you want to venture out for a study space, check out our previous blog, “Get focused: Smart study spaces on campus,” to find a spot near you! My favorite study spot is the Main Library, which is a short walk or short bus ride away from all residence halls.

Image

Mental Health and Wellness Resources

The university's Counseling Center offers free mental health services from licensed professionals. It is open to all students, but there is also a special embedded counselor just for University Housing residents! If you need someone to talk to, this embedded counselor might understand your struggles a little bit better. There are also additional counselors for each specific school within the university. Visit the embedded counselors page to learn more! Appointments can be scheduled on the Counseling Center website or over the phone. It’s important to take care of your mental health as well as your physical health, and utilizing the Counseling Center is a great way to do so.

McKinley Health Center  

Speaking of physical health, University Housing residents also have easy access to the McKinley Health Center. McKinley Health Center is an excellent resource that provides students with multiple different medical services, including a Women’s Health Center, a pharmacy and helpful health information. McKinley is in Urbana – a very short walk from Urbana halls like LAR, Allen, PAR and FAR. It is also near a bus stop on multiple bus routes for Champaign residents. Schedule an appointment and learn more about McKinley Health Center through their website!

Image

The University of Illinois provides you with excellent student resources, and as a University Housing resident, you have the easiest access to them! Make sure to take advantage of these resources to maximize your residential experience.