Wiley: Student services improvements on the way

In an effort designed to promote efficiency and enhance student services, the Offices of the Dean of Students (ODOS) will revise its organizational structure by the end of the spring semester, Chancellor John D. Wiley has announced.

“We have an opportunity before us to re-imagine the way we provide student services,” Wiley says. “In certain areas we have growing demands, while in others there are unmet needs. We’re also faced with a budget in which we must become more efficient.

“As a result, we’re developing a plan to reallocate our resources in a way that will best meet all of these challenges,” he adds. “I applaud all the staff in ODOS for being willing to think creatively and always putting the needs of students first.”

Dean of Students Luoluo Hong, the senior student affairs officer for the university, says that all existing student services and programs will continue to be offered without interruption, and no staff will be cut.

“The end product will be a win-win for students,” Hong says. “We won’t be asking for more resources, but we’ll be providing improved and enhanced services.”

Currently nine units are under ODOS management. Hong is looking for additional collaboration among units that would cluster services and bring together additional staff support to better serve students.

Among the areas that Hong and her leadership team have identified for additional focus under the reorganization are: additional advocacy and support resources for students, social-justice education for majority and minority students, graduate-student services, student leadership training, student organization advising, and safety-awareness programs.

Hong plans to meet in April with a series of shared governance groups, including the Faculty Senate, University Committee, Academic Staff Assembly, Dean of Students Advisory Board and the Associated Students of Madison Student Council, to discuss the proposed changes and to seek feedback for how to ensure better programs and services for students.

Hong also plans to host a listening session for the entire campus community to be held at 4-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, in the On Wisconsin Room of the Red Gym to share ideas and gather input.

To offer thoughts about how student services at UW–Madison can be improved, send e-mail to dos@bascom.wisc.edu.