Welcome to MaroonLife
The guide to your first year experience as a Maroon!Hi, new Maroons! You’re officially a member of the UChicago family, a survivor of storms and a connoisseur of Core Curriculum. This year, whether you’re joining us virtually or socially distancing on campus, the Student Alumni Committee is determined to help you get integrated into the UChicago culture and take part in our storied history, traditions and philanthropic actives.
Welcome to MaroonLife is the guide to your first year at The College. We’ve put together an ever-updating checklist of events, action items and resources especially designed to get you connected to volunteer opportunities, make friends, and access UChicago alumni resources.
First, hear a message from the Executive Director of UChicago Alumni on behalf of the more than 190,000 alumni worldwide that offer you encouragement and a gift as you set off on your journey at UChicago:
Check It Out, Check It Off
Here’s what you have to look forward to starting this fall. Don’t forget to check back for more to-do items on this Welcome to MaroonLife list:
Vote for Your Favorite House Banner at Homecoming
A UChicago tradition, the House Banner Competition is a Homecoming favorite and way to show support for your house and give back to the community simultaneously. Each house creates a banner and raises money for their respective causes by earning your vote with their design. Consider virtually voting for your favorite banner and giving a gift to your choice of a variety of causes.
Run a Brisk 5K for Comer Children’s Hospital
Each October, hundreds of Chicagoans run in the Comer 5K to benefit the Comer Children’s Hospital. This year, you can make your run from any city you’re in! Form a running team, join the SAC running squad or make a solo run. Register for free and consider making a gift that will support one of our local hospitals during this especially difficult time for medical professionals.
November 30: Join Us On Giving Tuesday, November 30
Participate in Giving Tuesday, the nationwide traditional day of giving back to the community. Consider giving a gift through UChicago Crowdfunding to an RSO you’ve recently joined, or support the Odyssey Scholarship Program which provides a path to a need-blind, loan-free education for talented students who otherwise would not be able to afford one of the world’s top universities.
Warm Up with Hot Cocoa on the Quads
Hot Chocolate Night is a cornerstone of the first year experience. Traditionally you’d grab class mug filled with rich hot cocoa, but this year, Hot Chocolate Night is going to look excitingly different.
Sign up for Wisr to Connect with UChicago Alumni
Find new contacts and growing your professional network with Wisr, UChicago’s new mentoring platform. Connect with alumni in your industry and get advice about how to achieve your professional goals through quick online meetings. You are just a few clicks away from connecting with alumni who have been in your shoes! All you need is a valid LinkedIn account. Sign up for Wisr today
Grab Dinner at Zoom with 12 Maroons
Previously called, Dinner with 12 Maroons, Zoom with 12 Maroon (Z12) is a series of dinners that occurs in the Winter Quarter. Students sign up and are chosen at random to attend a dinner with peers, alumni, and faculty. This event is a great way to cultivate meaningful connections in informal settings. At any given dinner, conversation topics may range from structuralism to public finance.
Look For This Logo
When you see this this logo, you’ll know it’s us! Look for this seal as an indication of Welcome to MaroonLife related events, programs and action items curated just for your first year experience. Check off enough items on the list to join one of these three exclusive groups: Friendly Phoenix, Magnificent Maroon or Shining UChicagoan!
How Many Boxes Can You Tick?
Check off as many items on the Welcome to MaroonLife list to join one of these three tiers.
Help support UChicago by making a donation today!
You can give to any area within our UChicago community that you feel most passionate about.