Lori Berquam,
Dean of Students,
Division of Student Life
Hello, Badger Parents!
Welcome from the Dean of Students
I hope that both you and your student have had a terrific summer. A flurry of activity is taking place on campus, all designed to welcome students back to UW–Madison. I encourage your family to also do a little preparation for what we hope will be another successful year in Madison.
Here at the Division of Student Life, we believe that parents and family members are the greatest allies and resources in our efforts to support the success of our students. I hope you will help us get off to a great start by bringing yourself up to speed on several important campus matters, and by talking with your student before he or she returns to campus.
UW–Madison is a place that expects academic rigor. Encourage your student’s commitment to this rigor. We also provide resources and support to help ensure that his or her time here is successful. A good starting point for resources is the UW–Madison website.
Take a few minutes to talk to your student about getting involved in activities outside the classroom. Students have significant opportunities to integrate in-class and out-of-class learning experiences through active, creative, and entrepreneurial engagement in real-world problems — we call this the Wisconsin Experience.
As you may know, the number-one problem on college campuses across the country is high-risk drinking. Consequences can range from missed classes and poor grades to long-term health risks. Talk about this with your student, reflecting your own family’s values and expectations, and revisit the topic throughout the semester.
Madison is generally a safe community in which to live and work, but it isn’t immune to the challenges of a growing city. UW–Madison views safety as a shared partnership among students, staff, police, and our community. Please remind your student to walk with friends or use SAFE Nighttime Services, let others know where he or she is going and when to expect him or her to return, always lock doors and windows, and carry a cell phone. For additional safety resources and information, visit the Campus Safety website.
Review our expectations of students and encourage them to uphold our values. We expect that all UW–Madison students:
- Are positive representatives of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, reflecting the ideals of the Wisconsin Idea.
- Conduct themselves with the highest level of personal and academic integrity.
- Demonstrate respect for other members of the university and local community.
- Take pride in themselves as students, scholars, and community members.
- Demonstrate a strong work ethic and capitalize upon the many opportunities and challenges they have as students.
- Leave a positive legacy on campus and continue to live the values of the university as alumni.
Your student is now a part of the Badger community, one committed to upholding the values of the Wisconsin Experience and the university. Badgers are ethical and curious in their academic work, seeking opportunities to engage critically and deeply. Badgers show respect for the dignity of others, pursuing opportunities to learn and grow.
Lastly, Badgers incorporate their education into their lives, applying the knowledge they learn and sharing it with the world. I am excited that your student is a part of this growing legacy.
Please keep in touch with us, and don’t hesitate to let us know if there’s anything we can do to help. You can learn more about the Division of Student Life online.
Thank you for being a partner in reinforcing these important messages with your student. Together, with your student, we can make it a safe and successful year!
Lori Berquam
Dean of Students