Fall Quarter TGS Activity Fee and U-Pass Access
If you do not plan to use your U-Pass during the Fall Quarter, no further action is needed. Your U-Pass will be inactive, and you will not be charged the Fall Quarter activity fee.
Note: The quarterly activity fee and an automatic opt-in to the U-Pass program will resume starting in Winter 2022 Quarter based on our contractual agreement with CTA.
Opting In for Fall Quarter
If you are a full-time student and plan to use your U-Pass during the Fall Quarter, please complete this opt-in form by Friday, August 27.
We will activate your U-Pass, and a Fall Quarter activity fee of $125 will be applied to your student account later in the quarter. Please note, the Fall Quarter begins on Tuesday, September 21, and ends on Sunday, January 2.
Depending on how often you plan to use your U-Pass during the Fall 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 Coronavirus webpage to read about their safety measures and tips for riders.
- If you already have a U-Pass and choose to opt in, your Fall Quarter U-Pass benefits will be activated on Tuesday, September 21 (or on the next business day if you opt in after this ).
- 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, August 27, and make sure your current address is listed in CAESAR, then fill in 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 located in the Rebecca Crown Center.
- Pick-up times for your U-Pass will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 – 4:00 PM effective immediately through Thursday, September 2. Beginning on Tuesday, September 7, you can pick up your U-Pass in our office Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
- TGS will begin mailing U-Passes the week of Monday, August 30 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, September 21(the first day of the Fall Quarter).If you do not already have a U-Pass and choose to opt in, one will need to be issued:
Activation Deadlines
- In order for your U-Pass to be created and activated by the start of Fall Quarter on Tuesday, September 21, please complete the opt-in form by Friday, August 27.
- If you are unsure of your Fall Quarter plans, you may opt in any time before Saturday, October 23, 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 Fall Quarter after Saturday, October 23.
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 Fall 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 Fall Quarter to those who are using their U-Pass.
Legal Services
All TGS eligible students will retain access to TGS Legal Services, which is also covered by the quarterly activity fee.
Questions?
Please email tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu with any questions.
Sincerely,
Lauren-Ashley Buchanan, PhD
Associate Director, Student Life
The Graduate School
Categories: Around Campus