Division of Student Life: New name, new changes

The Division of Student Life, formerly the Offices of the Dean of Students (ODOS), began the 2010–11 academic year with a new divisional name.

“The name change is an important step forward that gives us the opportunity to redefine who we are as a division,” says Dean of Student Lori Berquam. “It does not affect any of the resources or services we have always provided to the campus community.”

The Division of Student Life name is designed to encompass the many departments in the division, as well as the work that done across campus to ensure a positive and dynamic Wisconsin Experience for all UW–Madison students.

The division is made up of the following departments across campus: the Associated Students of Madison, the Center for the First-Year Experience, the Center for Leadership and Involvement, International Student Services, the LGBT Campus Center (LGBTCC), the McBurney Disability Resource Center, the Multicultural Student Center (MSC), and Student Assistance and Judicial Affairs.

The division has two new directors: Robin Matthies is the interim director of the LGBT Campus Center, and the MSC is welcoming Donte Hilliard as interim director, replacing Candace McDowell, who retired.

In addition to the changes at the LGBTCC and MSC, the Student Assistance and Judicial Affairs (SAJA) unit has just completed a reorganization. The reorganization allows SAJA to have a specific focus on judicial affairs, aside from student assistance, as well adding the focus of academic integrity.

The division has also launched an effort to promote citizenship among students by the creation of a draft student-values statement.

“Our hope is that when it is fully implemented, students will have a better sense of belonging to the community, ownership of their actions, and responsibility to each other,” Berquam says.

The Division of Student Life is also preparing to launch a redesigned Web site as soon as this week.