Information for SSSI Chicago 2015 Students

To ensure your efficient arrival and participation in the program we have provided the following information as a resource. If you have further questions not covered here please contact: coordinator.hceo@gmail.com

Location

  • SSSI Chicago courses will be held at the Saieh Hall for Economics in Room 146 on the Hyde Park campus of the University of Chicago. Registered participants are provided with accommodation at the Max Palevsky Residential Commons. For a map of the campus, click here.

Transportation

  • By air: Participants can get to the University of Chicago from either O'Hare International Airport or Midway Airport. Public transportation is available from both of these airports to downtown Chicago, and from downtown Chicago to Hyde Park. Alternatively, Omega Shuttle Service offers transportation to/from Hyde Park and Chicago's Midway and O'Hare Airports. You can find fare and scheduling information as well as boarding locations on their website.
  • By car: Directions to campus can be found here. Please be advised that parking can be difficult to find at the University of Chicago, so a car is not recommended or necessary (as there is public transportation to downtown, and all SSSI Chicago locations are within easy walking distance).
  • Within Hyde Park: the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) runs a bus service on campus; more information is here. To learn more about the CTA bus routes that serve the UChicago campus, read the Transportation & Parking Guide.

Visas: Obtaining the proper immigration status/visa is the sole responsibility of the program participant.

  • Participants coming from countries other than the United States must be in the proper immigration status to participate in SSSI Chicago. Foreign nationals who are currently abroad may enter the United States in tourist status. To do so, participants need a B-1/B-2 visa, unless they are exempt from the visa requirement, or are eligible to enter the country on the basis of the Visa Waiver Program.
  • Foreign nationals who are currently in the U.S. on the basis of a different immigration status should inquire with the sponsor whether or not participation in SSSI Chicago is permissible.   
  • NOTE: If you are at a university outside the US, you need to remember that the US does not have a national health insurance system. That means if you get ill or hurt, you are responsible for all expenses. Therefore, you should acquire traveler's insurance that covers your time in the US. Also, be sure to bring sufficient documentation proving you are covered. Details of the requirements for J-1 visa holders may be found here.

Accommodations

  • Participants will be staying at the Max Palevsky East Residential Commons, 5630 South University Avenue, Chicago IL 60637. There will be no charge to participants for these accommodations.
  • Rooms are reserved for SSSI Chicago participants from 2:00pm on August 9, 2015 - 10:00am Saturday, August 15, 2015.
  • If you need accommodation for dates other than these, you will need to make your own arrangements. Options close to campus and one option away from campus include:
  • If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact the HCEO Coordinator.

Items to bring

  • Bathrobe and shower footwear
  • Laundry detergent
  • Calling card (for international phone calls)
  • Laptop Computer
  • International students: Power adaptor and/or converter

Working/Relaxing

  • The University of Chicago has wireless internet access throughout the campus. Wireless passwords will be distributed upon arrival. This service will allow you to work anywhere on the campus you find a comfortable spot. Here are a few options to try:
  • Printing: Computer labs, one equipped with PC compatibles and the other with Macintosh computers, are located in each Max Palevsky building. Each lab offers copying and printing, in addition to computer access.
  • Exercising: The University’s Ratner Athletics Center has extended a pro-rated “community” rate for SSSI Chicago participants. Ratner Athletics Center is located at 5530 S. Ellis Avenue. The hours can be found on their website. You will need to show an ID at the desk, identify yourself as an SSSI Chicago participant, and fill out a membership application form. Further information on the gym:http://athletics.uchicago.edu/facilities/facilities-ratnercenter.htm

Meals

  • There are many dining options on campus, including a full-service dining hall in the Booth School of Business (open 7:00am - 3:00pm Monday-Friday). You may find a list of the University's cafes HERE.
  • Hyde Park has many restaurants, many located on 57th Street, just east of Woodlawn Avenue, on 55th Street, east of the railroad tracks, and on 53rd street, from Woodlawn Avenue to the lake shore. More information on area restaurants can be found HERE.
  • A few recommended places include:
    • Plein Air Café for coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner. Located across the street from Saieh Hall, next to the Robbie House at 5751 S Woodlawn Avenue
    • Yusho Hyde Park for Dinner (Japanese Small Plates, Ramen, and a great burger) at 1301 E. 53rd Street
    • Café Corea for Lunch or Dinner (Korean Food) at 1603 E. 55th Street
    • Z&H Market Café for Lunch (Sandwiches, Soups) at 1323 East 57th Street
    • Medici & Medici Café for Lunch or Dinner (Sandwiches & Pizza) at 1327 E. 57th Street
    • A variety of food trucks serve lunch on Ellis Avenue between 59th and 57th Streets on campus, typically starting at 11:00am until they run out. For the day’s food trucks check out the UchicagoFoodTruck Twitter account at:  http://twitter.com/uchiNOMgo
    • The Promontory for Weekend Brunch and Dinner (New American) at 5311 South Lake Park Ave West
    • VEGAN: Native Foods Café for Lunch and Dinner at 1518 E Harper Ct
  • There is a small number of bars/pubs in Hyde Park:
    • 7-10 Lanes (1055 E. 55th Street, 773-347-2695): bowling, billiards (pool). Bowling costs $15 per lane Mon-Thur 11:30am-4:00pm, $25 per line Mon-Thur after 4:00pm, and $35 per lane Fri-Sun. Billiards is $12 per table Mon-Thur and $15 per table Fri-Sun.
    • Jimmy's Woodlawn Tap (1172 E. 55th Street; 773-643-5516): Neighborhood pub with a large beer selection and some food offerings.
    • The Pub (Ida Noyes Hall basement, 1212 E. 59th Street): Good selection of beer, some pub fare (fish and chips, spicy chicken wings, etc.). Guests will have to pay $3 at the door. Open Mon, Thur, Fri 4:00pm - 1:00am and Tue, Wed, Sat 4:00pm - midnight.

Getting around Chicago

  • Public transportation is available between Hyde Park and downtown Chicago and all over the city itself. To get from the campus to downtown, you may take either the Metra Rail train or a CTA bus (click here for a range of options). You will need exact change or a pass for the CTA bus. CTA passes may be purchased at CTA stations or at the ID and Privileges Office in the lobby of the Regenstein Library (map; hours on their website). More information may be found HERE.
  • Once you are downtown, you can take busses or the elevated trains (El's) to other parts of the city.

Chicago Attractions