Opportunities and resources available at Indiana University Bloomington and the City of Bloomington

Growth is not only about what your unique goals are; it includes the network that supports you.  

People who are navigating new environments, seeking community, or looking for support often don’t know about valuable resources designed to support professional development, personal wellbeing, and basic needs. This information gap can define  the difference between struggling in silence and flourishing. 

In this week’s Community Tips, we look at the various resources and support services available to our diverse staff, faculty, and students. IU-B and the City of Bloomington offer a wealth of opportunities for career development, personal support, financial assistance, and community connection. Building an inclusive campus means ensuring everyone knows where to turn for support. 

Upcoming Events

Cultural Centers

IU-B is home to six cultural centers that provide faculty, staff, and students opportunities for community engagement, outreach, advocacy, and academic support. 

  1. Asian Culture Center: Promotes awareness and understanding of the diverse Asian cultures and histories through educational support and community. Asian Culture Center 807 E. 10th St. 
  2. First Nations Educational and Cultural Center: Supports American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian students, faculty, and staff by building a native community at IU that provides opportunities and creates awareness of the First Nations people.First Nations Cultural Center 712 E 8th St. 
  3. Jewish Culture Center: Welcomes and creates a home for Jewish students and those who want to learn about Jewish life and culture. The Center offers opportunities for leadership development and connections with Judaism in traditional ways. Jewish Culture Center 730 E. 3rd St. 
  4. La Casa/Latino Cultural Center: Provides academic support, networking opportunities, and community programming that offers students the opportunity to learn about their heritage and provide resources for success. La Casa/Latino Culture Center 715 E 7th St.
  5. LGBTQ+ Culture Center: Celebrates sexual and gender diversity on campus and provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ students. The center also offers programming to expand understanding of LGBTQ+ communities and issues. LGBTQ+ Culture Center 705 E 7th St.
  6. Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center: Supports Indiana University efforts in recruitment and retention of Black students. It raises awareness of the Black experience and celebrates students’ accomplishments. Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center 275 N Eagleson Ave.
  7. Office of International Services (OIS): Provides support and resources for international students, scholars, and their families, including immigration advising, cultural programming, and compliance assistance. They also provide hardship assistance to international students, who are experiencing emergency financial difficulty. Office of International Services 330 N Eagleson Ave.

 

Essential Needs (Food, Housing, Finance)

IU-B and the city of Bloomington have great resources that provide emergency and long-term support for feeding, housing, and financial needs. 

Food and Housing 

Crimson Cupboard: Offers free healthy food for students, staff, and faculty struggling with food insecurity. No proof of need is required: Crimson Cupboard. 

Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard: Provides healthy, whole foods to members of the Bloomington community from Tuesdays to Thursdays. They also offer resources to grow and prepare food at home:  Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard. 

Community Kitchen of Monroe County: Hosts free dinners at its centers Monday to Saturday from 4pm-6pm with no questions asked. They allow take-home meals too: Community Kitchen. 

Student Legal Services: Offers free, confidential, legal services to IU-B students, and can represent students in civil cases. They also support students in reviewing lease agreements to ensure they understand what they are signing: Student Legal Services.  

City of Bloomington’s Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND):  A government agency that provides information on tenant rights and landlord responsibilities. It offers community resources and administers home buying and rental assistance programs for Bloomington residents: HAND 

Opportunity House: A local nonprofit thrift store selling low-cost clothing, household goods, and furniture located at 907 West 11th Street, Bloomington. 

IU Real Estate Property Management:  Assists faculty, staff, postdoc, graduate and professional students to find a rental home or apartment conveniently located near the Bloomington campus.  Contact them on 812-855-3054. 

The following organizations offer emergency rental assistance:  

Beacon Inc: 620 South Walnut St. 812-334-5734 

Sherwood Oaks Christian Church: 270 E. Rogers Rd. 812-334-0206 

St. Vincent de Paul: 1999 N. Packing House Rd. 812-961-1510 

Salvation Army: 111 N. Rogers St. 812-236-4310 

Finance 

Emergency Funding: IU-B provides an emergency fund for currently enrolled students through an online application. Students can get up to $500 by applying to: Emergency Fund.  

Some schools and departments also provide emergency funds for students. Ask your academic advisor or other resource navigators for guidance. 

Staff and faculty who are facing financial difficulties or need emergency assistance can find a range of local, state, and national resources to support them, depending on their needs: Emergency Assistance. 

Money Smarts: A program that helps faculty, staff, students, and alumni make informed financial decisions that help them attain their financial goals. Learn more or schedule an appointment: Money Smarts. 

Health and Wellness

In a previous Community Tips, we provided detailed mental health care resources: Supporting Mental Health Across Identities. 

Accessibility: Indiana University provides reasonable accommodation when necessary.  Accommodations are handled on a case-by-case basis. Contact Frank Epperson at fepperso@iu.edu and 812-855-7511. 

Discrimination, sexual violence, abuse: If you have experienced any form of discrimination, sexual violence and abuse, or need assistance, contact the Office of Civil Rights Compliance at ocrc@iu.edu and 812-855-7559.  

Lactation: The IU Bloomington campus supports lactating employees, students, and guests through lactation rooms across campus. To find a comprehensive list of these rooms, see Lactation rooms. 

Discounts and Benefits: IU Employees receive exclusive discounts, perks, and special offers on travel, home improvement, car purchases, dining, recreation, sports, real estate, and more.  Available offers: Employees discount. 

Parenting: IU also provides resources and information to support employees and graduate students who are parents, ranging from early learning, special education and childcare.  Employee: Parenting resources and Graduate Student support on Parenting are available. 

Monroe County United Ministries provides childcare assistance and educational programs for children. They are located at 827 W 14th Ct and can be contacted via bdenton@mcum.org.

Other Important Campus Resources

Office of Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs (OVPFAA): Supports all faculty on the Bloomington campus across all stages of their career. OVPFAA’s focus includes new faculty onboarding, professional and leadership development, policy development, faculty recognition, conflict resolution and training, workshops for promotion, tenure, and one-on-one assistance for matters like medical leave, grievances, and reappointment reviews. OVPFAA seeks to build a consistent, diverse, and supportive environment where all academic appointees can flourish. 

Ombudsperson: IU Graduate School has an Ombudsperson, a position created to support graduate students, faculty and staff in navigating challenges they may encounter. The office is a safe, confidential, impartial, and informal resource that helps people at all levels navigate complex relationships and policies. Acting as a trusted, no-barrier first-stop, the Ombudsperson works to resolve disputes and conflicts, empowering people to overcome barriers and reach their full potential. Contact the Ombudsperson at ombuds@iu.edu or 812-855-4153 

The GradGrants Center: Supports IU-B graduate students in securing external grants, fellowships, and awards for their academic and professional development. They offer personal sessions on funding proposals from inception to submission, guiding students through specialized funding databases, and hosting workshops to enhance grant-writing skills. Request an appointment: GradGrants Center 

LinkedIn Learning: IU faculty, staff and students have access to LinkedIn Learning with over 15,000 video tutorials and courses that offer professional and personal development. To access LinkedIn learning, log in through One.IU using your IU login details.  

First-Generation and Limited-Income Programs: Ensures first generation and low-income students have a place to learn how to navigate their experience on campus and work toward academic and personal success:  First Gen. 

 

See our Archived Community Tips

Learn more about Common Ground Collective

Navigating Resources

Indiana University Bloomington and the Bloomington community offer a wealth of resources to support the diverse needs of faculty, staff, and students. We encourage you to explore these resources, share them with colleagues and peers, and remember that seeking support is a sign of strength. 

Navigating these resources and campus  systems can be overwhelming. If you are uncertain about where and how to start, reach out to a trusted colleague, your unit’s HR, your mentor, or your academic advisor for guidance. 

If you know of additional resources that should be included in this guide, please contact us at coground@iu.edu. 

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