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Get involved

A page within Graduate Education

As a graduate student, you are eligible to serve on campus committees and to run for Student Association. You can compete in our annual graduate student competitions and be eligible for scholarship dollars. University involvement can be an important professional development experience during graduate school, so we encourage you to check out the opportunities listed below!

A graduate student speaks at a campus meeting

The Graduate Student Organization (GSO) allows students from different programs to meet and network, while also advocating for their own program. We also provide professional development opportunities throughout the year. It is a great way to become an involved member of the UW-La Crosse community.

Sign up for GSO on MyOrgs to get added to our mailing list and receive information about upcoming meetings and other opportunities.

The Student Senate is the legislative branch of the UWL Student Association. It seeks to provide a student voice by advocating for student rights and responsibilities, fostering leadership, communicating student issues, and demonstrating respect for diversity in our actions. 

Additionally, one graduate student senator typically serves on the UWL Academic Initiatives Differential Allocation Committee (AIDAC). This committee allocates differential tuition funds, which support the Graduate Studies Research, Service, and Educational Leadership grants. 

  • Two graduate students needed for annual appointments
  • Students can run for election in the fall, or, if vacancies exist, volunteer to be considered for appointment at any time
  • Contact the Student Association Vice President for more information

Graduate students are eligible to serve as members on a number of Faculty Senate committees. If you are considering a career as a professor or as a higher education professional, serving on a committee will be valuable experience.

As a committee member you will be expected to regularly attend meetings with UWL faculty and staff. You will receive an agenda before each meeting, so you know what will be discussed. When you have an idea or comment to share at the meeting, you should! Faculty and staff are interested in hearing students' perspectives on the policies and projects which affect them. 

To volunteer, email gradstudies@uwlax.edu. Most committee assignments are made in the fall, but openings are sometimes available at other times of the year.

  • Graduate Academic Program Review Committee  develops and carries out the procedures and criteria used to review graduate programs at UWL. 
    • 1 graduate student needed for an annual appointment
    • Meeting time set by committee members
  • Graduate Council is the primary body on campus overseeing graduate policies and strategic planning. The Graduate Council also evaluates graduate student grants and hears petitions for exceptions to policies.
    • 2 graduate students needed for annual appointments
    • Meets every other Friday at 10 - 11 am
  • Graduate Curriculum Committee reviews and acts on proposals for changes to graduate curriculum, including changes to classes or the development of new academic programs.
    • 3 graduate students needed for annual appointments
    • Meets every other Tuesday at 3:30 - 4:30 pm
  • Library Committee Studies and recommends ways to improve library services and policies. 
    • 1 graduate student needed for an annual appointment
    • Meeting time set by committee members
  • Joint Planning and Budget Represents the university community in regards to planning and budget decisions. The committee makes recommendations to the Chancellor regarding budget proposals.
    • 1 graduate student needed for an annual appointment
    • Meets every other Wednesday at 1:15 - 2:15 pm 

According to the Faculty Senate Articles and Bylaws: 

“(d) Graduate & Extended Learning will email the graduate student body to ask for volunteers for graduate student members for Faculty Senate Standing Committees. Students will be appointed to committees based on their stated preferences and schedule availability. Appointments are contingent upon Faculty Senate approval." Graduate & Extended Learning utilizes the same process to identify a graduate student member for Joint Planning and Budget, but that body approves the appointment.