Commitment
Academic Advising Services (AAS) in the College of Letters and Sciences (L&S) strives to advance L&S’s commitment to diversity. We believe that equity and inclusion are essential for both the well-being of our campus community and for addressing systemic inequities in higher education that deepen historical injustice. We welcome, affirm, and celebrate all students, their identities (e.g., gender, race, faith, sexual orientation, ability, nationality, ethnicity, socio-economic background, cultures), and lived experiences. Your educational and personal aspirations matter to us.
AAS acknowledges that the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) is a predominately white institution occupying ancestral Ho-Chunk land and that a history of white supremacy and oppression exists on this campus (see the Public History Project); we also acknowledge that this is an ongoing issue. Therefore, we commit to a vision of a UW-Madison that actively fights hatred and bias, acts to dismantle systems of oppression and white supremacy, and works to realize the promise of accessibility for all students.
In so doing, AAS is committed to putting accessibility, equity, and inclusivity at the center of the work that we do. As your advisors, we are a direct connection for you and an important component of your academic, co-curricular engagement, and career support. We strive to create an environment in which all students feel welcomed, safe, and seen. We are committed to fostering a culturally humble, collaborative advising space; advocating for and centering all students; and cultivating diversity and inclusivity. As advisors, we will continue to educate ourselves and hold ourselves and each other accountable to the work of justice.
We acknowledge that we cannot foster an inclusive and affirming space without taking into account your lived experiences. To that end, we invite you to share your perspectives, ideas, and suggestions for how AAS can better support you.
As Advisors, We Will...
- Learn about our social identities, biases, and privilege.
- Educate ourselves about the historical and structural imbalances that contribute to the different ways in which students with different identities experience the institution.
- Continue to learn about and implement best practices for inclusion, systemic change, and social justice in higher education.
- Respond to incidents of racism and other forms of oppression in a timely and transparent manner.
- Consult with our campus partners and students on issues of diversity and inclusion.
- Increase the diversity of our professional and student staff.
- Create and maintain a welcoming and safe advising space for all students.
- Listen to, learn, and validate our students to constantly improve our services.
- Integrate cultural humility into our advising training and practices.
Resources for Students and Staff
On-campus resources
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Dean of Students
Dean of Students Office Homepage
About: The Dean of Students Office is a primary resource for connecting students who are navigating personal, academic, or health issues, to supportive campus and community resources. The Dean of Students Office also serves as a central location for reporting issues of hate and bias, sexual assault, and hazing.
Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA)
Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA) Homepage
About: The DDEEA supports the mission of the University of Wisconsin–Madison as it works to create a diverse, inclusive and excellent learning and work environment for all students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners at the university.
DDEEA accomplishes this work centered in the core values of community, inclusion, organizational excellence, transparency, accountability and social justice. DDEEA uses collaboration, leadership and seeding of new initiatives, consultative advice and the coordination of numerous institutional initiatives to support Campus, Wisconsin and the world.
Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC)
Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC) Homepage
About: The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center provides education, outreach, advocacy, and resources for UW-Madison student communities and their allies to improve campus climate and their daily intersectional experiences.
International Student Services (ISS)
International Student Services (ISS) Homepage
About: International Student Services (ISS) serves UW-Madison students on F and J visas by providing holistic support through advising on immigration, personal, and cultural matters, and by organizing events and activities to support students’ engagement and development within the campus community.
L&S Center for Academic Excellence (CAE)
Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) Homepage
About: The Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) provides an enriching, inclusive community and academic support for College of Letters & Science (L&S) students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education, including first-generation and low-income students, and students of color. CAE offers a variety of engagement opportunities, including high-touch advising, tutoring programs, health and wellness events, social events, graduate school preparation, and connections with high impact life changing opportunities.
McBurney Disability Resource Center
McBurney Disability Resource Center Homepage
About: The McBurney Disability Resource Center is the office for students with disabilities and classroom accommodations on the UW-Madison campus.
Multicultural Student Center (MSC)
Multicultural Student Center Homepage
About: The primary mission of the Multicultural Student Center is to collaboratively strengthen and sustain an inclusive campus where all students, particularly students of color and other historically underserved students, can realize an authentic Wisconsin Experience.
Office of Childcare and Family Resources
Office of Childcare and Family Resources Homepage
About: The Office of Child Care and Family Resources promotes the academic and professional goals of the University of Wisconsin community through the administration of early education and family support programs.
Our Shared Future
About: Offers resources and educational activities to spark learning and deepen understanding about the Ho-Chunk Nation and other regional indigenous history and culture.
University Health Services (UHS)
University Health Services (UHS) Homepage
About: University Health Services is the UW–Madison student health center, with a mission to enhance learning and student success by promoting, protecting, and restoring health and well-being.
Off-campus community resources
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Centro Hispano
About: Centro Hispano works to empower youth, strengthen families and engage the Latino community of Dane County.
Dane County Aging and Disability Resource Center
Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dane County (ADRC) Homepage
About: The ADRC of Dane County provides information about resources and support on all aspects of life related to aging or living with a disability and is a one-stop shop for older adults, people with disabilities and their families. ADRC staff are unbiased and knowledgeable professionals who listen to your concerns, help clarify your options and direct you to appropriate resources. The ADRC is also the access point for information about long-term care options and applying for public benefits. Services provided by the ADRC are free and available to all Dane County residents regardless of income or assets.
Disability Pride Madison
Disability Pride Madison Homepage
About: Disability Pride Madison’s mission is to work as a cross-disability organization to support and celebrate disabled communities and promote disability justice in Madison, Wisconsin, and beyond.
Freedom Inc.
About: Freedom, Inc. engages low- to no-income communities of color in Dane County, WI. Our mission is to achieve social justice through coupling direct services with leadership development and community organizing.
GroundWork: White Anti-Racism Collective
Groundwork: White Anti-Racism Collective Homepage
About: Groundwork is a community organization of white people working to achieve racial justice and equity in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Madison Institute for the Healing of Racism
Madison Institute for the Healing of Racism Homepage
About: The Madison, WI Institutes for the Healing of Racism, Inc. offers a 10-week series that aims to raise consciousness about the history and pathology of racism and help heal racism in individuals, communities, and institutions in Madison. We work cooperatively to educate ourselves about the disease of racism through facilitated and voluntary sharing.
Madison Social Justice Resource Center
Madison Social Justice Resource Center Homepage
About: Our mission is to provide space for nonprofits to succeed in their pursuit of social justice, where the community can come together in support of the common good.
Outreach LGBTQ+ Community Center
Outreach LGBTQ+ Community Center Homepage
About: Our mission is a commitment to equity and quality of life for all LGBTQ+ people through community building, health and human services, and economic, social, and racial justice advocacy.
Our vision is to create a community where the presence and contributions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender people are welcomed and celebrated; where intolerance is challenged and defeated; where justice prevails; and where civil rights of all people are valued and respected.
Urban Triage
About: Our mission is to foster, develop, and strengthen Black economic power, Black families’ self-sufficiency, community leadership, advocacy, and family success through transformational education, psycho-education, community engagement, trauma recovery, and cultural heritage.