1. Office of Summer Session and Special Programs
Northwestern University
405 Church Street
Evanston, Illinois 60208
E-mail: summernu@northwestern.edu  Phone: 847-491-5250  Fax: 847-491-3660
Checklist for
Summer Session Visiting Students
Welcome to Northwestern! This checklist will help you get started as a Summer Session Visiting Student.
Read all this information carefully. You are responsible for knowing all of the information contained herein.
1. Activate your NetID –This is your electronic access to the
University. IF YOU DO NOT ACTIVATE YOUR NetID, YOU
WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CHECK YOUR GRADES ONLINE,
HAVE ACCESS TO THE UNIVERSITY’S WIRELESS
INTERNET, ACCESS TO BLACKBOARD AND MANY NU
LIBRARY ONLINE RESOURCES.
You must activate your NetID before you can use it. Your
instructions on how to activate your NetID are included with your
registration confirmation letter.
NUIT Support Center
(847) 491-HELP (4357)
consultant@northwestern.edu
2. Set up your Northwestern email account
Once you activate your NetID, you can set up your NU email account, also known as your @u.northwestern.edu
account, and start using it for e-mail, calendaring, Google Sites and Google Docs, spreadsheets, and presentations. All
official communication from the University will be sent to your NU email account, and students are expected to
check their NU email for messages. You do have the option of forwarding your NU email to a different email. Visit
www.u.northwestern.edu to log in to your NU email, and for account options.
3. Get your WildCARD (all-campus identification card)
A Northwestern University identification card—a WildCARD—is required for access to University libraries, sports facilities,
IT computer labs, use of the intercampus shuttle, and a variety of other services on campus. And, with your WildCARD,
you can obtain discounts from local merchants. Please obtain a WildCARD at one of the following locations. You must
bring a valid photo ID.
Evanston Campus WildCARD Office Chicago Campus WildCARD Office
Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive
Underground Level (847) 467-3990
Abbott Hall, 710 N. Lake Shore Drive,
Room 100 (312) 503-0548
4. Complete and return your health admission and insurance forms
FULL-TIME (3 or more classes) and HALF-TIME (2 classes) students at Northwestern are required to meet entrance
health requirements. PART-TIME (1 class) students are not required to fulfill these requirements. This includes
submitting the Admission Health Record and proof of immunizations as required by the State of Illinois.
Please visit the Northwestern University Health Services website for links to information and to access necessary forms:
www.nuhs.northwestern.edu/evanston/default.aspx.
5. Purchase your books
Books for your classes are at the campus bookstores. They are arranged by course and stocked by campus. If you are
enrolled in classes on each campus, you must visit each bookstore to purchase your books.
Evanston Campus - Norris Center Bookstore Chicago Campus - Abbott Hall Bookstore
Located on the ground level of Norris Center
northwestern.bncollege.com (847) 491-3990
Located on the first floor of Abbott Hall
abbotthall.bncollege.com (312) 503-8486
Important online resources for students
Blackboard: courses.northwestern.edu
Blackboard is a web-based learning, discussion,
and class administration tool.
CAESAR: www.northwestern.edu/caesar
Through CAESAR, you can view your course
schedule, view an unofficial transcript and your
grades, update address and telephone numbers,
view and pay your Student Account, and more.

2. Office of Summer Session and Special Programs
Northwestern University
405 Church Street
Evanston, Illinois 60208
E-mail: summernu@northwestern.edu  Phone: 847-491-5250  Fax: 847-491-3660
Further Information for Visiting Students
Changes in Registration
Please review the enrollment summary you receive in the mail closely. Students who register for a course are considered enrolled for the duration,
and are expected to attend all sessions of the course for which they are registered. Excessive absences do not signal a student’s intent to drop or
withdraw, and may be cause for failure in the course. If a student does formally drop or withdraw, the student is responsible to pay any tuition
balance on the account, according to the refund schedule determined by Northwestern University Student Financial Services. If you need to add or
drop classes, see www.northwestern.edu/summer/adds_drops/ for the Change of Registration Policy, instructions and refund provisions.
Classroom Locations
Classroom locations are posted online approximately two weeks before the start of Summer Session: www.northwestern.edu/summer/courses.
Grades and Transcripts
You can view your grades and unofficial transcripts on CAESAR. Information on how to request your official transcript is here:
www.registrar.northwestern.edu/academic_records/obtaining_a_transcript.html.
Student Financial Services – contact for questions regarding billing and payments
Once you activate your NetID, the Office of Students Accounts will send your bill electronically through CAESAR (unless you adjust your settings in
CAESAR to request otherwise). It is important that you activate your NetID and regularly check (or forward) your Northwestern email account so
you do not miss notification of your bill. You are responsible for fulfilling your financial obligations to the University. Any student whose account
becomes overdue must pay a $150 late payment fee. Students are liable for any costs associated with the collection of the past due account,
including but not limited to, collection agency costs, court costs, and legal fees. Visit the Student Financial Services website below for information
on payment methods and more.
www.northwestern.edu/sfs
(847) 491-8950
student-financial-services@northwestern.edu
Libraries
Northwestern's library system includes the University Library and three branch libraries on the Evanston campus, as well as three libraries on
the Chicago campus. The combined collections total almost four million volumes. For more information, please visit
www.library.northwestern.edu.
Internet Access and Computer labs
Wireless internet is available throughout campus. NUIT Computer Labs and NU MediaWorks are located in University Library on the
lower level, as well as in the Technological Institute. Specific locations and hours are here:
www.it.northwestern.edu/education/complabs. NUIT Support: (847)491-HELP (4357) or consultant@northwestern.edu
Services for Students with Disabilities:
It is Northwestern University policy to ensure that no qualified student with a disability is denied the benefits of, excluded from the participation
in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in any University program or activity. Northwestern provides a variety of services to assist students
with disabilities in becoming active members of the University community. For more information, please visit www.northwestern.edu/disability,
or contact the Office of Services for Student with Disabilities at (847) 467-5530.
Norris University Center – Northwestern’s community center
Norris University Center has a food court, a coffee shop, study areas, art studios, a game room, a bookstore and more.
1999 Campus Drive Evanston, Illinois 60208
www.norris.northwestern.edu
Transportation
Northwestern University is conveniently located close to several public transportation options. CTA buses and elevated trains run regularly
between Evanston and Chicago, and Metra commuter rail service is available to and from the surrounding suburbs. Northwestern's free shuttles
are also available.
• CTA buses and trains: www.yourcta.com
• Metra commuter rail: www.metrarail.com
• Northwestern Shuttle: www.northwestern.edu/uservices/transportation/shuttles
Room and Board
• Student interested in on-campus housing should contact the Undergraduate Housing Office: www.northwestern.edu/housing/.
• The Off-campus Housing Office maintains a listing of web links that advertise off-campus apartments to rent or sub-lease:
www.northwestern.edu/offcampus/.
• Campus dining hall meal plans can be purchased through NuCuisine: www.northwestern.edu/nucuisine.
Plan-It-Purple
• On-campus events calendar: www.planitpurple.northwestern.edu.
For more information on what Northwestern has to offer, please see www.northwestern.edu/summer/services.