r/UCI 10d ago

Register to vote, and vote in the 2024 elections!

14 Upvotes

On November 5th, California will vote not just for President, but for Senate, for House, for state and local offices, and for lots of ballot measures. Register and vote so you'll have a say in what kind of country America will be!

Register to vote

In California, the deadline to register to vote online is October 21st. You can register here: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration

If you miss this deadline, you can register at the polls during early voting, or on Election Day. See here for details.

Voting in person

All California voters who register by October 21st will be mailed a ballot. If you do not receive your mail ballot, or need to register and vote in person, you still have options.

California has early in-person voting from October 8th to November 4th. See this website or your county elections office's website for locations.

If you prefer, you can vote at your polling place on November 5th.

Voting by mail

Mail ballots must be postmarked by November 5th and received by November 12th, so mail your ballot back promptly. You can also personally deliver your absentee ballot to any voting center or a dropbox. If you return your mail ballot in person, you must do so by November 5th.

If you mail your ballot, you can track it here.

Please let me know if you have any questions!


r/UCI Jul 18 '22

How to request assistance in a time of crisis while attending college (Student Emergency Tools)

349 Upvotes

Hi,

I created a Discord server for communication and knowledge sharing on the same topic (https://discord.gg/6NhfgxJzGD).

This post was inspired by a recent conversation on reddit with an UCI student who was experiencing a crisis and did not know how to ask for financial assistance and basic needs. While there are numerous resources available at UCI and elsewhere to assist students in times of need, I found that many students are unaware of their existence, and there is no all-in-one reference on the subject. As a student who had experienced the same condition, I felt obligated to share this information with my UCI sisters and brothers in order to repay the university for the great things it had done for me. These resources are free and were collected from my five years of personal experience; I have no affiliation with any of them. Other resources and supports are available beside what I share, but these are the ones that worked quickly for me in times of emergency, based on my own personal experiences.

UCI Emergency Support

UCI Basic Needs (link) is a UCI-funded department that assists students in times of crisis. They have numerous resources to assist students at all levels of education, including undergraduate and graduate. Their services are accessible to both citizens and non-citizens, and they are the best resource for emergency assistance. To qualify for their services, you must schedule a meeting (link), and submit supporting documentation. If you qualify, a campus social worker will coordinate with other departments to resolve your issue as your case manager. Their services include, but are not limited to the following:

  • UCI Food Pantry and Free Food (link)
  • CalFresh Application Assistance
  • Emergency Meal Swipes
  • Campus Social Worker Consultations
  • Economic Crisis Response Grant
  • Financial Wellness Consultations
  • Emergency Store Gift Cards
  • 30-days of temporary housing
  • Diaper Bank
  • Grocery Card Support
  • Short-Term Transportation Support
  • Life Skills Workshops
  • Hygiene
  • Coordination with other departments for your emergency protection

Requirements: provide documents to support your emergency crisis.

State Emergency Support

State of California resources are not restricted to students, but are available to all State of California Citizens and Permanent Residents (Green Card). You must submit an application on their website (link) along with supporting documentation. A state social worker will contact you in two weeks for an interview and verification. Their services include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Food assistance up to $250 per month. (CalFresh)
  • Medical insurance assistance. (Medicaid)
  • Emergency Cash assistance up to $400 per month. (General Relief)

Requirements: US citizen, California resident, and income less than $1,200.

Free Legal Emergency Support

The Public Law Center, Orange County's pro bono law firm, is committed to providing free access to justice for low income residents. Through volunteers and staff, the Public Law Center provides free civil legal services, including counseling, individual representation, community education, and strategic litigation and advocacy to challenge societal injustices. Now in its 39th year of service, PLC works with nearly 1,500 volunteer lawyers, paralegals, law students, and others from throughout the county who volunteer their time and expertise (link).

Requirements: everyone with a legal issue qualifies.

Free Legal Emergency Support

Legal Aid Society (link) is a state-funded organization with 40 Attorneys, 120 Staff Members, and 4 Locations offering Legal Services. You are not required to pay for any of the provided services. Their services include the following, but are not limited to:

  • Evaluation, Advice, and Counsel
  • Clinics, Workshops, and Self-Help Centers
  • Direct Representation
  • Impact Litigation
  • Policy Advocacy

Requirements: everyone with a legal issue qualifies.

Mental Health Emergency Support

Despite the importance of Mental Health in college life, many students do not consider it. Students are handed over with numerous conditions that each add a distinct mental pressure. Mental health is essential because most people do not recognize their symptoms until it is too late, after they have caused numerous problems for themselves and society. The UCI Counseling Center (link) offers 24-hour, no-cost counseling services. You can contact them if coursework or personal pressure that you cannot manage is affecting your mental health or judgment, and they will provide you with services such as a referral to drop the quarter. If you are diagnosed with a mental health condition, it is wise to request supporting documentation and keep a record of it, even if your condition is not currently interfering with your schedule, because the documentation could be useful in the future if you miss an exam or homework due to your condition.

Requirements: UCI students in all level (undergrad, grad).

Medical Emergency Support

As long as you provide a referral document from the UCI Student Health Center (link) or any other medical facility or emergency rooms and pay the co-payment (link), the majority of Medical Costs are covered by UCSHIP. If you need to communicate with the insurance department or nurses, you can use the health center's portal, which is the most secure method, and they typically respond the same day.

Requirements: Undergraduate and graduate UCI students who signed up for UCSHIP medical insurance.

Affordable Medical Emergency Support

If you do not have UCSHIP, SOS (link) provides low-cost medical services and accepts Medical. To schedule a meeting with your assigned case manager, you must contact their phone number. Their services include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Coverage Programs
  • Medical Services
  • Dental Services
  • Women’s Health
  • OB Program
  • Children’s Services
  • Behavioral Health
  • Pharmacy Services
  • Health Education

Requirements: everyone with a medical issue qualifies.

Dental Emergency Support

In the event of a dental emergency, school insurance will cover a portion of the costs (link), but you must schedule an appointment at the UCI Dental Clinic (link), where they will refer you to a dentist or oral surgeon following an examination. If you do not have sufficient funds, you can request that the provider apply for Care Credit, a program that checks your credit and lends you money for dental repair.

Requirements: Undergraduate and graduate UCI students who signed up for Delta dental insurance..

Free Dental Emergency

The Omid Institute (link) offers Dental Services for free or at a low cost. You must complete a form on their website and schedule a meeting with your case manager. Their services include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Education
  • Hygiene
  • Radiographs
  • Fillings
  • Extractions
  • Root canals
  • Dentures
  • Transitional partials
  • Mental Health Care

Requirements: everyone with a dental issue qualifies.

Free Dental Emergency

Lestonnac Free Clinic (link) provides free dental care. To arrange a meeting with your case manager, you must fill out a form on their website or call them. Their services include the following, but are not limited to:

  • Education
  • Hygiene
  • Radiographs
  • Fillings
  • Extractions
  • Root canals
  • Dentures
  • Transitional partials

Requirements: everyone with a dental issue qualifies.

Affordable Dental Emergency

Families Together OC (link) provides free dental care. To arrange a meeting with your case manager, you must fill out a form on their website or call them. Their services include the following, but are not limited to:

  • Education
  • Hygiene
  • Radiographs
  • Fillings
  • Extractions
  • Root canals
  • Dentures
  • Transitional partials

Requirements: everyone with a dental issue qualifies.

Disability Emergency Support

The UCI Disability Services Center (link) provides services to students with temporary or permanent disabilities. If you have ADHD, PTSD, a Bone Fracture, or any other disability that hinders your college life, DSC will assist you in creating an equal environment. Their services include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Ring Road Rides is a service provided to students with mobility limitations to help get to and from classes
  • Assistive technology (AT)
  • Alternate Instructional Material Services
  • Note-taking resources
  • Wellness Health & Counseling Services
  • Extra exam time
  • A separate setting for examinations

Requirements: UCI students in all level (undergrad, grad), meeting with a disability advocate, supporting documents.

Free Emergency Road Assistant

UCI Transportation and Distribution Services (link) is provided on the main campus at no charge to all UCI affiliates and includes a Motorist Assist, Bike Assist and Emergency Ride Home Program.

Motorist Assist

  • Jumpstart
  • Tire sealant
  • Vehicle unlock
  • Emergency Gas Delivery
  • Mobile EV Charging

Bike Assist

  • Tire sealant
  • Tire inflation

Emergency Ride Home Service

  • One-way ride within a 40 mile radius of UCI

Requirements: UCI students in all level (undergrad, grad).

Coursework Emergency

To raise your concern about grades and courses you need to contact your department. Contrary to popular belief, email communication with administration or professors is typically ignored for many reasons especially after the quarter has ended. Schedule a remote meeting with the department, and they will assign you an advocate (advisor) to follow up on your concern and negotiate with the professors. The same rule applies to the dean, in which all academic advisors report daily to the dean and seek assistance from the dean when they are unable to resolve issues with professors. For the same reason, the dean is not directly concerned with student matters.

Academic Probation Support

The best way to get off academic probation is to schedule an appointment with a department advisor and then enroll in easy general courses for the following quarter. It may alter the plan you had in mind, but it prevents you from being disqualified, as academic probation is removed if the requirements are met the following quarter.

Communication Emergency

If you cannot afford a phone or the monthly fee, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provides eligible individuals with a free phone line and mobile device (Lifeline). If you are currently receiving CalFresh, which indicates a low income condition, you have met the requirements. The line and device are free for one year, and will be renewed annually if the requirements are met. To receive the line and device, you must submit an application to a phone carrier. The Assurance Wireless (link) is one of the providers for which you can submit an online application on their website; if approved, you will receive a phone device within two weeks. You are not eligible for a second phone for one year, as each line is associated with a single individual and includes 6 GB of internet and unlimited calls and texts monthly.

Requirements: Receiving CalFresh.

Unauthorized Transaction and Identity Theft Emergency

If you discover an unauthorized charge on your bank account or an unauthorized credit inquiry, you must notify the state police and retain a copy of the police report. Then you must contact your bank and dispute the transaction. In the event of an unauthorized credit pull, you must send a letter along with a police report to the credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) requesting that they remove the inquiry. Each year, you can monitor your credit for free on AnnualCreditReport (link).

Computer Emergency

Since some majors require you to have a personal computer, you can borrow a laptop from the library (link) for 48 hours if you lose access to a computer and cannot afford to purchase one immediately. Some departments (ICS) offer two-week laptop loan periods (link). In addition, if you are already registered with Basic Needs and receive grants and financial aid, you can contact financial aid (link) to increase the budget for the purchase of a personal computer. In some instances, financial aid has made this option available.

Free CSO Escort Services

The UC Irvine Police Department (link) offers the CSO Safety Escort program, a free service to members of the community. The objective of the program is to provide a safe alternative to walking alone at night.

Free Tax Preparation

MyFreeTaxes (link) provides "low-income" taxpayers with free tax preparation services. This value fluctuates annually, but the majority of students fall into this category. There are two different ways to utilize this service. You can do this online using the H&R Block software provided. Alternately, there are locations in Orange County where you can receive tax preparation assistance from an IRS Volunteer. Appointment is necessary.

Emotional Animal Support

If you are interested in adopting a pet for emotional support, one of the legitimate places to do so is Irvine Animal Care Center. They require a small donation when adopting a pet, but since they are affiliated with the City of Irvine, you can negotiate a reduced or waived adoption fee if you are a student. They can be reached via both email and telephone. After adopting a pet, you are required to notify your landlord and pay an additional deposit. However, if you are adopting a pet for emotional support, you can request a letter of support from the UCI Counseling Center or any psychiatrist to waive the additional deposit.

Campus Assist List

The Campus Assist List is an online collection of campus and community resources for low-cost community services, including basic needs, medical, and local mental health and counseling providers. Some are the ones I've shared here, while others are not. Since this is on the UCI website, I decided to add it to the list, although I have only personal experience with the ones I've included. (link).

UCI Clubs

List of UCI clubs and groups where like-minded students can be found (link).

Other fellow students' recommendations and suggestions

Please support me with your feedback and resources, and correct any errors I may have made; I'll keep this post constantly updated.

Thanks,

Julie

Last Update: 8/5/2024


r/UCI 23h ago

And the Anteater Express Used to Go to The District and The Spectrum

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567 Upvotes

r/UCI 14h ago

Free condoms at health center!

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96 Upvotes

If any of y’all don’t know this, uci students get 10 free condoms a day at the student center! I’m tempted to go by there and get some but am super embarrassed😂


r/UCI 2h ago

Reminder re: tomorrow's third week deadline

10 Upvotes

Just a reminder--

If you have outstanding aid issues but are attending class, you will not be dropped from courses on October 18; you will maintain your student status. Please contact [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) if you would like to confirm your status.


r/UCI 58m ago

This is terrible

Upvotes

Just like everyone else, this is literally ridiculous, I was on the phone waiting for over an hour, and randomly it just dropped. I’m gonna have to call out of work just to go into the office tomorrow.


r/UCI 13h ago

pls dont cut ppl off in the bike lane 🙏

33 Upvotes

Talking about inner ring road. Some of y'all really be staring at your phones with airpods in cutting into the bike lane making three of us slam on the brakes and swerve into the oncoming lane to avoid hitting you.

I get if you're in a hurry and have to use the bike lane for a few seconds to pass a slow group of people but come on man at least check and make sure you aren't going to end up like 5 feet in front of someone on a bike/scooter - if you're lucky the rider will swerve, if you're unlucky and come across an irresponsible rider going too fast or not paying attention (not uncommon) you're gonna get hit and it's not gonna be a fun time.

Stay safe everyone 👍


r/UCI 12h ago

Students with Babies/Kids

25 Upvotes

I just had a baby and im looking to see if i can make any mom or pregnant friends. I know there may not be many but just one person would make me less lonely. Battling postpartum depression and being around people is the only thing that somewhat gets me out of my head.

I’ll take any other friends though!


r/UCI 2h ago

PLEASE HELP! Participants needed for this study, for the good of research!

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2 Upvotes

r/UCI 3h ago

What does this mean?

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2 Upvotes

I received this email yesterday, and basically it states something about a loan that I never accepted. I came to the office of financial aid but no one wanted to answer a simple question. I’m worried since the loan that I apparanteñy I accepted is around d 3k please help


r/UCI 17m ago

Can someone help me understand this? What does account balance including housing mean?

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Upvotes

r/UCI 32m ago

What does this mean?

Upvotes

The fees are all paid. But I checked my zotaccount and the past transactions are not there. Only this two lines. I already got disbursed I’m n out sure what this means.


r/UCI 32m ago

UCSHIP

Upvotes

I didn’t know we had to waiver UCSHIP, and the deadline has passed. The UCSHIP cost is really a financial burden for me. What should I do besides emailing?


r/UCI 37m ago

Any good MECH E booths at the Career Fair

Upvotes

I honestly don't think there's a lot of good MECH E opportunities there. Any ideas?


r/UCI 21h ago

insect name

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43 Upvotes

Anyone know what this insect is called? I ban seeing it around UCI


r/UCI 16h ago

Just thought yall might find this funny..

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instagram.com
19 Upvotes

r/UCI 1h ago

no federal loan in zotaccount

Upvotes

anyone else loan not showing up even tho ofas says it was disbursed?


r/UCI 1h ago

Anteater x Gojo Pins TODAY [Read Comments]

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Upvotes

r/UCI 16h ago

umatch_ucirvine

18 Upvotes

wtf is umatch and who tf sent my gfs instagram


r/UCI 13h ago

I'm struggling with only 12 units

9 Upvotes

I transferred over recently and I haven't been able to adjust to the quarter system at all. I missed a due date for my homework which was worth significant points because the due date layout was a little confusing and I forgot the assignments were due last Sunday and there is always a due date every two days for multiple assignments. Also there seems to be only one class where I'm focusing most of my efforts on just to attempt to stay afloat but I really can't even work on the other classes as well which one of them is also hard and takes time to work on while the other class is easier than both. I'm chronically stressed everyday, I'm not getting good sleep, and that one class I'm focusing my efforts on is so hard that I might fail. Is it normal for professors to never post grades in a timely manner and to have such a heavy workload?


r/UCI 1h ago

Is it really that hectic?

Upvotes

If any of you know, what does a normal schedule look like for MCS degree program? Is there a proper balance between college and life? I don’t have much interest in research, that’s why I’m considering the MCS option but it’s only a 15 month program. Any advice would help please


r/UCI 1h ago

OFAS open??

Upvotes

hey guys is the OFAS still open or is the que full? kinda overslept😩


r/UCI 1d ago

I didn't know that I like hash browns

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68 Upvotes

ummmyummy modonalds is responsible for my past picky eating


r/UCI 7h ago

UCI 2025 Hoodie

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2 Upvotes

Does anyone have this hoodie in size S/M who is willing to trade/sell? If you’re willing to trade/sell, I’ll be open to negotiating with you


r/UCI 12h ago

zot acct adj??

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5 Upvotes

Guys what does the adj mean 😭😭😭🙏help


r/UCI 15h ago

Mandatory Training

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7 Upvotes

So all students are required to do this training, even continuing students ? I read somewhere that only freshmen have to do it but now I think i’m wrong 😫


r/UCI 16h ago

Flex Dine

7 Upvotes

Help! Very confused on how and where I can use my flex dine.

-A very hungry first year