Important Notes from the Presidents

Two important emails were recently sent to our partners, see below:

CPS Strike

Dear IACAC Friends,

As you are likely aware, the Chicago Teachers Union is on strike which means that counselors and other staff who assist students in providing necessary documents to admission offices are unavailable. Their emails are locked and cannot be used during a strike. This means there may be delays in providing documents to our college and university partners with a November 1st deadline.

While we certainly hope for a speedy resolution, the leadership of IACAC is requesting that colleges and universities please take this into consideration and allow some flexibility for students who are trying to meet upcoming deadlines. Additionally, college representatives should keep this work stoppage in mind if planning to travel to CPS schools and/or CPS college fairs.

We will update you when this is resolved and thank you in advance for your understanding.

Amy Thompson, President
Megan O’Rourke, President-elect
Patrick Walsh, Past President

California Wildfires

Dear IACAC Friends,

It’s been an unprecedented year of unusual issues and because of this, we are reaching out to you again. In addition to the continued work stoppage in Chicago Public Schools, The Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC) is managing efforts to request flexibility for November 1st deadlines due to wildfires in California. Below is a message from the WACAC Executive Board. In addition, the Los Angeles Times has a fire map that can inform your admission staff who may have California travel plans: latimes.com/wildfires-map

If new information becomes available regarding any of these issues, we will update you.

Message from WACAC:

Sadly, fire season has erupted again in California. WACAC continues to monitor the situation in communities impacted in Northern and Southern California and make connections with our members about how to best serve them as the situation evolves.

Please be aware that schools may be closed, families may be evacuated, and power may be out as students are in the midst of preparing applications. We appreciate colleges and universities being mindful of the challenges that impacted students are facing. If WACAC determines a college counseling or access event is needed from affected communities, we will use email and social media to reach out to our members for assistance. Thank you for your support.

From the WACAC Executive Board

Until we know more, IACAC leadership thanks you all for working with students, families, and college admission peers during these challenging times.

Amy Thompson, President
Megan O’Rourke, President-elect
Patrick Walsh, Past President