Info for Academic Support Providers & Partners

Please share drop-in hour schedules with the MSLC so we can make these more accessible to students and connect students with course support. We are happy to post drop-in hour information on the MSLC website pages that offer a general overview and more detailed, discipline-specific perspective of the academic support schedules.

Each Department or course unit should establish mechanisms for TAs, Instructors, and any Peer Learning Assistants to schedule drop-in hours sessions collaboratively.

The goal is to avoid overlap in sessions for each course and promote increased student access to a variety of session times each week.

Process for Sharing Drop-In Hours Session Information with Students through MSLC Website:

• Academic providers should share student drop-in hours information with the MSLC through a survey form for individuals or a collaborative document used by all members of a course team (ex: Google document/sheet) before the semester begins or no later than the end of the first week of the semester.
• The MSLC will do its best to post this information as soon as it is submitted. We aim to display the academic support schedules on the MSLC website by the start of Week 2 each semester.
• Once drop-in hour information has been submitted and posted to the MSLC website, please email any schedule changes to mslc@uic.edu. This includes any one-time updates, recurring changes, and edits made to previously shared, collaborative documents.
• The MSLC website schedule refreshes early each day. Since MSLC staff manually enter any changes prior to the refresh, we appreciate receiving updates ASAP.  If we receive a last-minute change, we will post a note on the website rather than update the actual schedule feature.  We will also notify the main MSLC desk so Ambassadors can help direct students to alternate sessions.

Here are a few flyers and other helpful documents with info about the MSLC:

• MSLC video tour
• Spring 2025 flyer for the MSLC
• Spring 2025 Procedures and Highlights document – including general MSLC info, tips for a self-guided tour if you bring groups to visit the MSLC, procedures for hosting sessions in the MSLC, and ideas for encouraging MSLC participation / incorporating the MSLC into your course.
• Paragraph describing MSLC to copy/paste
• MSLC Updated logo
• MSLC Learn, Discover, Succeed logo image
• MSLC Student Feedback Form to share during sessions (QR code to be posted in MSLC for in-person session feedback as well)

The MSLC features modular, open seating with group-study areas designated for various disciplines.

All MSLC services are offered on a drop-in basis, and the number of visitors fluctuates throughout each day.  Our staff works hard to accommodate different size groups as they arrive, and we appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we rearrange seating or ask individuals to move to another space within the MSLC to accommodate as many visitors as possible.

If you anticipate a large group attending your session or you are hosting a pre-exam review or Department event, we are happy to reserve an area in the MSLC or the Fishbowl room (SES 221) for you.

• Please email mslc@uic.edu with as much detail as possible about the type of event/session you are hosting, so we may find an appropriate space.
• Please submit reservations as early as possible. We receive many requests, especially during midterms and finals weeks, and do our best to accommodate as many groups as possible.
• Additional guidelines will be provided when using the space for large groups or general events.

Spring 2025 Update In Progress!

• For Time Cards:
  • All student employees will submit the UIC web entry to officially report your hours worked during each 2-week pay period.  The system has been updated on 2-12-24, and here are some instructions and a brief video for how to enter hours in the new system.
  • Science Peer Leaders will also submit MSLC time card online form this Spring and general information can be found on the updated PL Time Card Info document.
  • Math Learning Assistants will utilize the paper / Word Doc version of the time card.  Please view the Spring LA Time Card Info document for the time card and instructions for submitting this to your program. (Fall update coming soon!)
• Please share the MSLC Student Feedback Form with students participating in your sessions whenever possible!
• Please complete the MSLC Alumni Connections Form to keep in touch with the MSLC upon graduation!
• Please complete the Meet the Team form and submit the media release form to be added to our staff directory page! (it is also UIC login protected similar to the schedule pages!)
• To borrow an electronic device for the semester, please complete one of the forms below and email mslc@uic.edu to schedule a pickup!
  • Drawing Tablet Request form

   

  • Document Camera Request form

   

A variety of helpful teaching resources are available at the campus and College level!

• MSLC Guidelines for Working with PLAs – tips for incorporating Peer Learning Assistants (PLAs) into your course team including discussion topics for team meetings and resources for continued learning
• LAS Teaching Excellence – with information about best practices, LAS/Campus policies, and inclusive teaching and learning resources.
  • Drop-In Hours Guide with Tell Me Your Story Prompts
• Center for the Advancement of Teaching Excellence (CATE) – offers numerous online resources, workshops, and programs for instructors including:
  • Workshops, Short Courses and Events
  • Inclusive Teaching Toolkit
  • Active Learning Teaching Guide
  • Events for Graduate Students and Post Docs
  • Inclusive Education Scholars Certificate Program
  • Action Research Scholars Program

Spring 2025 Events:

Crossing Borders, Cultivating Futures:Monarchs, Milkweeds, and Journeys ofTransformation in Science Education

CIM²AS at UIC

Establishing Monarch Butterfly Overwintering Sites for Future Climates: Sacred Fir (Abies

Religiosa) Upper Altitudinal Limit Expansion by Protected Assisted Migration

Cuauhtémoc Sáenz-Romero, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Mexico and

Laboratorio Nacional CONAHCyT de Biología del Cambio Climático, Mexico

Please view the program for detailed schedule of talks and details on speakers!

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• Date: March 13
• Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Location: Northwestern University

You are welcome to post the brief MSLC message regarding general expectations during online sessions on your Blackboard site or during your session introduction.

For Additional resources for hosting sessions online, please visit the campus links below:

• Faculty Resources   page from Technology Solutions with info on using the various online platforms (& specific Zoom resource page!)
• Online Learning Resources for students
• Provost’s page with links to numerous academic resources
• UIC Center for the Advancement of Teaching Excellence  (CATE)
  • CATE Inclusive Teaching Toolkit– great resource!
• Panopto video on using Blackboard Collaborate
• Teaching with Tech – finding the right tools for teaching online
• Troubleshooting Tips
• go.uic.edu/teachinglearning – answers to many online teaching technical questions
• UIC Zoom webpage log in (to update settings/download session reports)

A recent Chronicle article also highlights some really helpful tips and provides links to additional resources from professionals at various institutions.

Contacts:

• UIC Help Center
• teaching@uic.edu – Center for the Advancement of Teaching Excellence

Additional Info:  UIC Email Signature Page including the “Show You Care” logo.

Here are a few links to a variety of campus resources:

• Wellness Center
• Basic Student Needs
• U & I Care Funds and General Support
• Student Resources Main Page
• Counseling Center
• Campus Advocacy Network
• Resources for staff and faculty from the Office of Student Veteran Affairs
• Academic support across campus
• Office of the Dean of Students – general info and forms:
  • Faculty & Staff Resources Page
  • Student Assistance Request Form
  • Community Standards Reports – Academic and Behavioral Misconduct
  • Bias Reporting
• Office for Access and Equity, Title IX Coordinator
• Office of Preparedness and Response
  • Toolkit
  • UIC Safe App
  • Educational Videos
• Campus Police
  • Emergency Number: 312-355-5555 (campus phone: 5-5555)
  • Non-Emergency Number: 312-996-2830

Please visit the MSLC website For Students page for additional campus resources.

Here are some helpful links for COVID-19 guidelines and resources for 2023-2024:

• Healthy Return to Campus – Spring 2024
• General Isolation and Exposure Guidelines
• UIC Reporting Tool – to report an exposure, symptoms, off-campus positive test, and receive personalized guidance on next steps.