Summer 2022 Quarter TGS Activity Fee and U-Pass Access
Dear TGS students,
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has once again agreed to make the U-Pass program optional for the Summer 2022 Quarter.
The Graduate School will not charge a Summer Quarter activity fee for full-time students and will not activate any U-Passes for the Summer Quarter unless you choose to opt in.
If you do not plan to use your U-Pass during the Summer Quarter, no further action is needed. Your U-Pass will be inactive, and you will not be charged the Summer Quarter activity fee.
Opt-in details for the Summer Quarter are outlined below. This change is designed to provide you with the greatest amount of flexibility as we continue to mitigate challenges created by the pandemic.
Please email tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu with any questions.
Sincerely,
Lauren-Ashley Buchanan, PhD
Associate Director, Student Life
The Graduate School
Opting In for Summer Quarter
If you are an eligible full-time student and plan to use your U-Pass during the Summer Quarter, please complete this opt-in form by Friday, June 3.
We will activate your U-Pass, and a Summer 2022 Quarter activity fee of $125 will be applied to your student account later in the quarter. Please note, the Summer Quarter 2022 begins on Tuesday, June 21, and ends on Monday, September 19.
Depending on how often you plan to use your U-Pass during the Summer Quarter, it may be more affordable to pay the activity fee of $125 for continuous service or to pay out of pocket. Please refer to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) fare chart to help make the decision that is best for you. Please also visit the CTA pandemic webpage to read about their safety measures and tips for riders.
- If you already have a U-Pass and choose to opt in, your Summer Quarter U-Pass benefits will be activated on Tuesday, June 21 (or on the next business day if you opt in after this date).
- If you do not already have a U-Pass and choose to opt in, one will need to be issued:
- New U-Pass cards can take up to 2 weeks to create. To ensure that you receive your U-Pass on time, please submit your photo to the Wildcard Office by Friday, June 3, make sure your current address is listed in CAESAR, then complete the opt-in form.
- You will then be provided the option to have your U-Pass card mailed to you or to pick up your card at The Graduate School's Evanston office in the Rebecca Crown Center.
- Pick-up times for your U-Pass will be on Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
- TGS will begin mailing U-Passes the week of Monday, June 13 via USPS. Typically, the U-Pass arrives a few business days after mailing, but any returns may take up to three weeks to reach TGS. TGS is not responsible for any lost transit benefits in the case of a mailing delay.
- Once you receive your U-Pass, you will need to activate it by following the instructions on the accompanying card sleeve.
- You will then be able to use your U-Pass starting on Tuesday, June 21 (the first day of the Summer Quarter).
Activation Deadlines
- In order for your U-Pass to be created and activated by the start of Summer Quarter on Tuesday, June 21, please complete the opt-in form by Friday, June 3.
- If you are unsure of your Summer Quarter plans, you may opt in any time before Friday, July 29, but your U-Pass will not be active until the next business day after you complete the form.
- Once you choose to opt in and your U-Pass has been activated, you will not be able to change your decision due to our contractual obligations with CTA/Ventra. In addition, per our contract, we will not be able to honor any new U-Pass activation requests for the Summer Quarter after Friday, July 29.
U-Pass Eligibility
Students enrolled in the Online Master of Arts in Counseling Program through The Family Institute, TGS 512 (continuous registration), TGS 514, or a co-op internship are notcharged an activity fee and are not eligible for the services it provides.
Activity Fee Waivers
If you previously applied for and/or were approved for an activity fee waiver for the Summer Quarter, opting in for the U-Pass will supersede the waiver, and you will be charged the activity fee. Otherwise, you do not need to submit an activity fee waiver request since TGS is only charging an activity fee for the Summer Quarter to those who are using their U-Pass.
Legal Services
All TGS eligible students will retain access to TGS Legal Services, which also is covered by the quarterly activity fee.
Questions?
Please email tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu with any questions.