UIC is located just southwest of Chicago's loop in an area designated by the turn-of-the-century era city plan as the site for a civic center. The Great Chicago Fire started about three blocks from campus. This explains the name of our sports teams -- the Flames. Jane Addams located her world reknown immigrant help complex here (the remnants are preserved in a museum on the east edge of the campus).
This area of the city is also a part of the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor, a conceptualization which recalls the foundations of Chicago and Northern Illinois.
Today UIC is the largest institution of higher learning in Chicago (apx. 25,000 students), offering degrees in more than 90 fields and engaging in cutting-edge research.
A major asset to the University is that Chicago is on our doorstep. UIC is one of the area's largest employers, and Chicago is the place where most university people go to have fun.
The lesbigaytrans community here was -- some years ago -- barely visible. In addition to the early student groups, the past half-decade saw the development of a faculty/ staff/ graduate student advisory committee to the Chancellor. Through dedicated lobbying efforts of students, faculty, and staff, the Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Concerns was established in 1994 (the name was later broadened to include transgender). UIC's non-discrimination policy provides that no one connected with the University shall be adversely affected on account of their sexual orientation. Chicago and Cook county have non-discrimination ordinances as well.
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