STUDENT ACTIVITIES E350 Union Building - 414-229-5780

Students at the campuses of the University of Wisconsin, including UWM, have statutory rights of participation in the governance of the University. They have primary responsibility for the formulation and review of policies concerning student life, services, and interests, and also contribute to the development of the University's academic and administrative policies.

Students carry on their policy development and decision-making responsibilities through their own governing organizations, and by participating as members of faculty and administrative committees. There are over 250 positions available for students on university committees. Most student members of committees are appointed by the Student Association.

No student may be denied admission to, participation in, or the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any service, program, or course or facility of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, pregnancy, marital status or parental status. Discrimination is also prohibited based on political affiliation or belief, arrest or conviction record or disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran status.

The Student Association (SA) All students of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, are automatically members of the Student Association, the official governing body for UWM students. Student government works on issues such as improving facilities and technology on campus, enacting the right of students to participate in the administration of the University, funding student groups and events, ensuring the access of all students to the resources of the University, and providing an information resource for student groups.

The Student Association serves as a liaison between the students and university administrators as well as the Milwaukee community. The SA is comprised of three branches: Executive, Student Senate, and the Student Court. The SA is a member of the United Council (UC), which is the largest student research and advocacy group in Wisconsin committed to enhancing the quality of student life and education. The SA is also a member of the United States Student Association (USSA), the country's oldest and largest national student organization committed to represent the interests of students in higher education on Capitol Hill, in the White House, and in the Department of Education.

The Executive branch of SA is comprised of four executives and a staff that represents students at meetings and other functions within and outside the University, particularly on issues that affect students uniquely because they are students.

The Student Senate is the legislative branch, comprised of 35 elected students. The Senate formulates policies pertaining to student activities, charters and approves funds for student organizations, confirms student appointments to various committees, and develops and communicates student opinion on a variety of issues.

The University Student Court (USC) is composed of five student justices and handles cases relating to parking and vehicle regulations, student organization disputes and rule offenses.

Students can participate in many ways, the most basic of which is to vote in campus elections. Students can also be appointed to a university committee, or even run for a position. Elections for the Senate and Executive positions take place in April. Court justices are selected by a search and screen committee and appointed by the SA president. Vacant Senate seats are filled internally.

SA Committees

Independent Election Commission (IEC): enforces the rules governing the elections set forth in the SA constitution. The Chairperson is appointed by the Senate.

The Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC): distributes funds to student organizations. The membership is comprised of seven senators.

Committee Representation

There are also a number of committees that exist on campus which have seats available for student representation. Students make a valuable contribution to the quality and focus of University decisions.

Administrative Committees: are constituted by the Chancellor or other University officials. Some administrative committees relate to University programs and services. Other administrative committees that include students screen candidates for vacant positions, handle appeals such as those related to state residency and financial aid, advise the Chancellor, or hear student misconduct cases.

Academic Unit Committees: are formed within the schools and colleges. Students serving on these committees are concerned with curriculum, scholastic appeals, awards, and student grievances. Student members of these committees must be enrolled in the academic program or department corresponding to the committee.

Faculty Senate and Faculty Committees: The UWM Faculty has its own governing body, called the Faculty Senate. Many faculty committees have student members.

The Union Policy Board (UPB): (UPB) is the policy board for the UW-Milwaukee Union. The UPB shall formulate and set policy for the overall operation of the UWM Union. The UPB shall work with the Union Director to make the UWM Union a social, cultural, and recreational center for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students and the community.

The UPB consists of nine voting members, and one ex-officio member. Six voting members of the board are students. The duties of the board are to consider, review, and enact policy for membership, programming, and building usage; to review annual and long term budgets for the UWM Union; and to consider requests for and assign office space to student organizations.

The Sandburg Halls Administrative Council is a student organization, presenting residents' ideas and opinions to the Department of Residence Life and the University. Each 70-person House elects two representatives to attend meetings of the S.H.A.C. general body, guided by an executive board of elected officers. S.H.A.C. has an office in the Sandburg Commons.

S.H.A.C. sponsors programs such as Opening Week activities, Casino Night, trips to Great America, and more. It also provides opportunities for residents to get involved in activities like BOSS (Be On the Safe Side) escort service, POWER (Programmers Of Wonderfully Energetic Residents) and various planning committees.

If you are a resident of Sandburg, contact your housefellow to find out how to become the SHAC Representative for your house. For more information on SHAC, contact them at 229-7013 or stop by the office in the Sandburg Commons Cl97, across from the Palm Gardens.