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!
Graduate Student Organization
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. Graduate students in both campus and online programs are encouraged to participate.
Sign up for GSO on MyOrgs to get added to our mailing list and receive information about upcoming meetings and other opportunities.
Faculty Senate Committees
Graduate students in both online and on-campus programs 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
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."
Student Senate
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.
- Two on-campus graduate students needed for annual appointments.
- Students can run for election in the fall - watch for the email from Student Association about how to submit your nomination papers.
- You can also volunteer to be considered for appointment at any time.
- Contact the Student Association Vice President for more information.
Joint Planning and Budget Committee
The Joint Planning and Budget Committee 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
Contact the Student Association Vice President for more information
SUFAC and AIDAC
Campus graduate students are encouraged to consider serving on either the Segregated University Fee Allocation Committee (SUFAC) or the Academic Initiatives Differential Allocation Committee (AIDAC). These committees allocate funds collected from segregated fees and differential tuition, which support the Professional Travel and Research, Service, and Educational Leadership grant programs.
Contact the Student Association Vice President for more information
Scholarship Competitions
Graduate & Extended Learning encourages graduate students to participate in our Say it in 6 and 3 Minute Grad Project competitions, held each fall and spring semester. These serve to highlight our programs and students on campus, and could help you with paying for graduate school!
Say it in 6 is a fully online event open to all graduate students. Online students are encouraged to participate in 3 Minute Grad Project if they can travel to campus for the in-person competition.