Student organizations at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee were first administered by
the Wisconsin Student Government Organization, which began in 1956. In 1960 the Office of
Student Affairs came into existence and would oversee student organizations until 1963. In
1963 the Office of Student Activities Coordinator was created and took over the
responsibility until 1967 when the Student Activities Office was created. In 1971 the
Department of Student Activities was formed and was responsible for student organizations
until 1976, when the Office of the Dean of Students was founded. The Office of the Dean of
Students would oversee student organizations on campus for the next several years, until
1988, when the responsibilities were handed over to the newly created Office of Student
Life. In 1994 Student Organization Advising and Resources (SOAR) separated from the Office
of Student Life and became the primary UWM office with oversight of the campus's student
organizations. In 2004, SOAR changed its name to Student Activities Office. In 2011 the name
again changed to Center for Student Involvement. The office name was changed again, to
Student Involvement, in 2013.
The University supports student organization activity and recognizes it as an important
part of student life at UWM. University advising is provided, helping student groups with
organizing, funding, event planning, complying with existing regulations, and participating
in University governance.
Department Heads
| 1994-1995 |
Thomas Dake
|
| 1995-2010 |
Tom McGinnity
|
| 2010- |
Eric Jessup-Anger
|
