Though students are generally familiar with the more prominent resources Northwestern has to offer, it probably comes as a surprise that there are a whopping 33+ departments within Student Affairs dedicated to our Wildcats.
We want to make sure you know where to go for what, so we are highlighting all of the awesome opportunities and programs at Northwestern through a series of blog posts. Don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz at the end, but hopefully you’ll learn something new along the way and find the help you didn’t even know you needed. These first five programs will come in handy as we get into midterms, colder weather and the thick of fall quarter.
For the late nights at the library when home feels too far away, there’s SafeRide. When rehearsal runs a bit longer than expected, there’s SafeRide. Once winter really hits and it is freezing cold, there will be SafeRide.
A campus system similar to Uber, SafeRide offers free rides to students, by students, within and around Northwestern between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. The service runs everyday during the academic year through finals week, and you can request a ride through the TransLoc mobile app or by calling the SafeRide office at 847-491-7000.
Center for Awareness, Response, and Education (CARE)
The Center for Awareness, Response and Education is committed to promoting healthy sexuality on campus. CARE is devoted to social justice and sex positivity, and its mission emphasizes the importance of always centering survivors. While it provides a range of resources, such as legal advocacy and support groups for people affected by sexual violence, it is also simply a safe space for students who need a place to talk. If you need CARE, you can schedule appointments to speak with staff and access confidential support online.
Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL)
Many students may not realize that Northwestern hosts weekly services and prayers around campus in addition to special religious events. There are various Christian denominational services at different locations every Sunday. Jummah prayer is offered Fridays at Parkes Hall, which is home to RSL, following weekly mindfulness meditation sessions. Hillel hosts weekly Shabbat services as well.
RSL goes beyond regular religious programming and ultimately aims to help students better understand spirituality and faith traditions. According to its learning outcomes, it hopes to encourage thinking about social justice and guide students in better exploring personal identity. For more individualized needs, RSL offers crisis support through University chaplains and ministers who can answer students’ questions. Its website also offers a list of meditation and prayer spaces on campus.
AccessibleNU aims to make all aspects of a Northwestern education accessible to all students, regardless of ability. AccessibleNU serves, supports and empowers Northwestern students with disabilities by ensuring equal access to fully participate in academic programming and all other facets of University life.
Students can complete an online application before scheduling an intake appointment to register for services. AccessibleNU also addresses a range of issues beyond regular academic accommodations. If you have any questions regarding food allergies, assistive technology or temporary injuries, make sure to contact AccessibleNU to learn about your options.
Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA)
Northwestern Career Advancement is the heart of recruitment for all students, especially upperclassmen actively seeking jobs and internships. Though perhaps most well-known for its expansive job fairs that attract recruiters and hundreds of students, NCA offers services for all steps of the job search.
Most exciting is NCA’s new Handshake platform — an upgrade from CareerCat — for students to find jobs and learn about exclusive application and interview opportunities on campus. For those interested in general questions (known as “express advising”), NCA is camped out in the Core tower of Main Library, and online resources or adviser meetings are always available with tips on crafting a perfect resume or cover letter.