Dear Students in the College:
Given the request to avoid traveling outside of the Chicago area if possible between the Winter and Spring Quarters, I write to share the rich variety of activities and programs available to you as College students, both through the University and through our extraordinary city. There are many ways to enjoy what the city has to offer as we uphold practices to keep our community safe and healthy during the pandemic. After all, springtime in Chicago is marvelous!
For those who live in or near Chicago, spring is a reminder of why we call this great metropolis home. From parks filled with flowering trees and tulips to museums, outdoor dining, and miles of lakefront paths, springtime is when Chicagoans renew their admiration for Chicago’s culture, sites, and experiences. This is supplemented by programming from the College and University, such as Chicago Studies’ new Chicago by the Book Tour, offering 30 different literary gateways to the city with suggestions of places to eat, explore and admire the communities that have inspired authors’ creativity. In combination, the city of Chicago has much to offer students who stay in or near Hyde Park before Spring Quarter begins.
To assist in planning, the College has created a 2021 Spring Activities webpage, with a menu of opportunities to consider. Following is a preview of available information.
- City of Chicago Activities and Attractions
- Historic Running Routes
- Career Advancement Opportunities: Virtual Job Shadowing, Micro-Metcalf Program
- UChicago Experiences: Winterfest, Chicago Futures Design Challenge,
- Chicago By the Book Tour, I-House Japanese Garden Tour
- Virtual Experiences: Gather Campus, Puzzle Hunt, Scavenger Hunt
- Pastimes: UChicago’s Coffee Shop Playlist, Activity Book, Coloring Book
While I regret the limitations the pandemic brings to our plans for this season, our decisions to remain local will contribute to the health and safety for all in our community.
My best wishes for a successful end to Winter Quarter and a stimulating week in Chicago.
Sincerely,
John W. Boyer
Dean of the College
The University of Chicago