Commitment
Academic Advising Services (AAS) in the College of Letters and Sciences acknowledges the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) is a predominately white institution and that a history of white supremacy and oppression exists on this campus. 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 injustices.
(adding something about colonialism here and/or in land acknowledgement)
AAS welcomes, affirms, and celebrates all students and their identities (e.g., gender, race, belief system, sexual orientation, ability, nationality, ethnicity, socio-economic background, cultures, and intersections and interconnections of identities). We believe that every individual is worthy of dignity and unique in their lived experiences and perspectives. Your educational and personal aspirations matter to us.
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.
To that end, AAS is committed to putting accessibility, equity, and inclusivity at the center of the work that we do. We strive to create an environment in which all students are celebrated and feel welcomed and seen. And, as advisors, we are committed to continue advocating for and centering the student experience, creating spaces that are more diverse and inclusive, and educating and holding 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.
Actions
- 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.
- Implement best practices for inclusion, systemic change, and social justice.
- Respond to incidents of racism and other forms of oppression in a timely and transparent manner.


- Consult with campus partners and students (e.g., informal advisory board regarding diversity and inclusion).
- Increase the diversity of our professional and student staff.
- Create a welcoming and safe advising space.
- Listen to, learn and validate our students to constantly improve our services.
- (More advising-focused steps)
- Integrate cultural competency into our advising training and practices
On- and Off-Campus Resources for Students and Staff
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Hate and Bias Incident Reporting
Multicultural Student Center (MSC)
University Health Services (UHS)
Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA)
Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC)
DACA/Undocumented Student Support
McBurney Disability Resource Center
International Student Services (ISS)
Center for Academic Excellence (CAE)
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Freedom Inc.
https://www.freedom-inc.org/
Madison Social Justice Center
https://www.socialjusticecenter.org/