History of UWM

P. 2 UWM Statistics

P. 3 SHAC and NRHH

P. 4 University Housing

P. 5 Restaurant Operations

P. 6 Meeting Residents Needs

P. 7 Collaborative Programming

P. 8 Student Organizations

P. 9 Student Success Resources

P. 10 Commitment to Diversity

P. 11 Commitment to Sustainability

P. 12 WURHA, GLACURH, & NACURH Affiliation

P. 13 Letters of Support

P. 14

1

2

In 1927, Milwaukee Teachers School stated as a teaching school,

with the mascot: Green Gulls. The college has 2-3 main buildings, also

featuring a hospital. In 1956, Milwaukee then took on another change and “re-opened” as the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and had the name of the Cardinals.

In 1964, the Milwaukee campus took on another change when the school purchased the neighboring all women’s school, Milwaukee-Downer College, with the mascot Victor E. Panther.

In 1967, the campus library was built and dedicated to Golda Meir, the fourth Prime Minister of Israel. She attended UWM from 1916 to 1917, when it was known as the Milwaukee State Normal School. Holton Hall which is now used as offices for the College of Letters and Sciences was once used as a dormitory before Sandburg Residence Hall was erected in 1970.

In 1994, the school was designated as a Research II University by the Carnegie Foundation. UW-Milwaukee was named among the top 102 public doctoral research universities in the nation in 2000. Since 2007, the school has added many new schools and programs, as well as changing the mascot to Pounce the Panther.

In February 2016, UW-Milwaukee was designated as a Research I University, making it a top research University.

3

x Wisconsin’s only public urban research university

x UWM educates more than 27,000 students

x Named a 2016 Best Midwestern University

x 165,000 living alumni, 76% reside in Wisconsin

x 1/3 of Students are students of color

x 8,732 undergraduate students enrolled are noted as first

generation students

x 84% of UWM students are Wisconsin residents

x More Veterans attend UWM than any other school in Wisconsin

x 191 programs offered:

o 94 bachelor’s degree programs

o 64 master’s degree programs

o 33 doctoral degree programs

x UWM is a leading provider in many academic degrees:

Criminal Justice, Education, Environmental Health, Finance,

4

To-DONE List

9 WiFi in all Residence Hall buildings

9 Toasters on all Residence floors for late night toast needs

9 Completely re-done fitness rooms

9 Arcade machines in 2 buildings

9 White boards on all houses of 2 Res. Hall buildings

9 Community Council training at the beginning of each semester

The Resident Hall Association, or the Student Housing Administrative Council, has worked since 1956 to make sure the students have opportunities to develop leadership skills, gain social connections, go to educational programming, and have their rights and privileges upheld. SHAC has five Executive Board members constantly working to uphold University Housing’s and SHAC’s values and helping to develop other student leaders within University Housing. SHAC has a Community Council for each building we represent that works to greater represent their perspective residents. Those 50 active SHAC members are all elected into office by their constituents and go through training to better develop leadership skills.

SHAC Executive Offices: President, Vice President, Business Manager, National Communications Coordinator, and Events Coordinator

Community Council Executive Offices: President, Vice President, Secretary, Events

Coordinator, Eco Rep, and 2 SHAC Reps They work throughout the academic

year with their Residence Hall to create specific events and host housing improvement forums so SHAC is able to better University Housing one request at a time.

Over the years, SHAC has received

many requests for programming specific to the current student needs. As the student government within University Housing, SHAC is always evolving. SHAC over the years has added an Educational Sex Week and a Mental Health Awareness Week. These weeks have made it big at UW-Milwaukee and the University

does not program over these events. SHAC has multiple student orgs that love co-sponsoring and give support as they appreciate the amazing tradition SHAC has created. Over the years, first year students are increasing interested in the events and always

come back as a second and third year student. Maybe because of the giveaways and counseling, but hopefully for the content.

5

The National Residence Hall Honorary at UWM works with our Resident Assistants and University Housing Administration to make sure students and staff members are being recognized, helping the community, and have opportunities to grow as a leader. Each RA and Professional Staff member, along with the Student Leadership within the Halls, are required to submit at least one OTM each month. This ensures that the OTM committee on the conference level has a variety of different candidates to select from. One of the fun things this NRHH chapter does are “U ROCKS”. After all he OTMs are submitted, they go around and give rocks with the letter ‘U’ on them to students/staff that have been nominated. Whether that person win or not, this shows that someone thought they were doing special things. Like any other chapter, NRHH struggles with membership. A solution they came up with, was allowing 2nd semester first year students to be inducted into the chapter. As UWM has a high1st and2nd year living-in population, hopefully this will retain members.

University Housing at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee is by far one of the best departments on campus. So SHAC, as the official RHA and Student Government in the halls, may be a little bias but it’s true. From Move-In volunteers, to student jobs, to how-to workshops and events, University Housing makes sure everything is taken care of. University Housing Mission Statement:

UWM University Housing is committed to enhancing community members’ cultural understanding, leadership skills, academic success, social connections, and social responsibility by creating safe, comfortable, and well-maintained living learning environments that inspire growth and development. Thus the C.L.A.S.S. model, something every program/event has to deal with, was created.

From the mission of University Housing, the Directorship emerged, SHAC was created, and student employees were hired. UWM University Housing does a really great job of making sure everyone who represents University Housing has the personal values to align with the departments’. Student Employees University Housing, and actually UW-Milwaukee as a whole, is about

95% student run in regards to employment. Students, straight out of high school or returning as a graduate, have the opportunity to work at the University. University Housing is unique because students live and work in the same space. The Directorship of University Housing has found that students take more pride in an on-campus job than a job off-campus or even at home. The department also makes sure that employees take inclusion and diversity training to best serve the students.

6

Pop. 2,800 Comprised of North, South, East, West Tower

7

Pop. 50 Returners ONLY

Returners ONLY

Pop. 525 Returners and Freshmen Returners ONLY

Pop. 600 Returners and Freshmen

Returners ONLY

Pop. 300 Junior level and up Returners ONLY

University Housing prides itself on being as

inclusive as possible; giving the students as many options as possible. One way the University all together accomplishes this goal is having a range of options.

Not only does UW-Milwaukee have one cafeteria in each of the first year Residence Halls, but they are open from around 7:30AM to 10PM / 12PM. Having a cafeteria in each first year building allows UWM students to go to breakfast in their PJs, which everyone loves doing at home. If University Housing is supposed to feel like your home away from home, why not?

While all the cafeterias are open, they have a salad bar, a pasta bar, a donut bar, a build your own station, a family style station, and a sandwich station open the entire time. Each of these stations have multiple different choices, ranging from gluten free to vegan/vegetarian and dairy free to nut free.

University Housing also has a mini gas-station (w/o the gas – ReStor) and our UWM Coffee Shop – Grind, in a few of the Residence Halls to better our students.

If that wasn’t good enough, students can now use their Panther Card at neighboring restaurant, so students really have no need to bring a debit/credit card. It’s all in one, all over the city of Milwaukee.

8

The University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee does a great job of making sure each student has the right to have access to an education. We make that possible in a variety of different ways. Extra Assistance

Some students need a little extra to help them be prepared for class? Whether that be a student needing an extra 30 min on their tests because they get anxiety, a student needed an emotional support animal, a Deaf student needing interpreters, or a student who needs someone to take notes for them so they can focus, UWM’s Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) is the go to for anything we may need. The range of counselors they offer makes it perfect to talk to someone who has experienced schooling and knows what you need.

Transportation Needs Some students just need an extra set of wheels to get around the town. UWM makes sure there are ample opportunities for students to get around campus safe, all of which include wheelchair accessibilities. Our campus shuttles and student run late-night taxi service all have vehicles that are wheelchair accessible.

Winter Weather Precautions Some students can walk to and from classes in a foot of snow, others can’t if there is 3 inches on the ground. As we are in the heart of crazy-winter territory, UWM makes sure all students can get to class on time. One of the campus jobs UWM has is to wake up at 4:00 AM and shovel and salt the roads and sidewalks. These dedicated students make sure anyone with a cane or wheelchair or crutches can get to class without slipping.

9

An important value of UWM’s programming is to include a number of the amazing organizations that exist in order to represent all that makes our school amazing. Each of the organizations that either put on traditional events such as the Panther Prowl or introduce new events will always reach out to other organizations that may be able to help make the event(s) to be a complete success. The overall goal of every program that UWM hosts is to make them easily accessible to students and for student organizations to work together to bring students on campus together. CAB and SHAC work together to put on many events around campus such as the Homecoming Concert with headliner Hippo Campus and Holding a special premiere of MockingJay Part Two for UWM Students to attend. SHAC also works with Student Involvement to put on events like Geek Week and PantherFest. The University as well as the Alumni Association also partners with outside Organizations such as Liberty Mutual for the Panther Prowl and other events on campus. Gruber Law offices sponsor several Athletic events on campus, offering student fans free apparel.

10

11

“PantherFest is a great! Who doesn’t love going to a free concert with your friends when you are a college student on a budget.” – Michaela Wagner, a UWM Senior “I love PantherFest, it brings the campus together as a whole for one night. Helping plan this was one of my favorite events that I have been involved with thus far.” – Trevor Bramstedt, a 2016 Working Group Member

The Working Group plays a very big role into bringing acts to UW-Milwaukee as well as planning the event and Panther Street Festival. Street Fest is an event that happens before PantherFest on campus around the fountain. The Street Festival offers music, lawn games, Inflatable games, and free food for all students not just those who attend the concert. UWM also provides free transportation from Campus to the Marcus Amphitheater where PantherFest has been held the last ten years.

PantherFest is a Concert free to UWM students in September of every year which is put on by Student Involvement and the Working Group. In the past UWM has had acts such as Jason Derulo, Twenty-One Pilots, B.O.B, Time Flies, Mac Miller, and many other big name acts.

12

UW-Milwaukee offers over 300 Student Organizations, sociocultural programs, fraternities & sororities, a variety of leadership and organization training opportunities, the UWM Bucket List, major campus traditions like PantherFest and the Dance Marathon, Campus Activities Board, films ,Union Rec Center, the Union Art Gallery, the Distinguished Lecture Series, and much, much more.

Among these Student Organizations UW-Milwaukee has many unique and diverse organizations on campus such as Cru, Campus Crusade for Christ, a caring community passionate about connecting people to Jesus Christ. As well as the HYPE Dance Organization whose purpose is to develop dancing and choreography skills of UWM students. Student Association and Campus Activities Board play a major role in activities and government on campus for students.

13

The University also offers a free health center for all students to use when needed. Not only can students see a doctor about illness or STD testing, but the Norris Health Center is also open to students seeking mental health services on campus. The University also offers free tutoring and Supplemental Instruction to students needing and/or wanting help with their courses through P.A.S.S, Panther Academic Support Services. P.A.S.S even offers tutoring to students during Winterim and Summer terms. Supplemental Instruction is a program especially designed for large lecture classes. SI leaders attend class along with students in order to stay current with the lecture. The leaders then offer review sessions each week in order to provide personal attention to students who may be struggling with the lecture or would like to go more in depth on a topic. P.A.S.S not only offers tutoring and Supplemental Instruction for students but they offer student employment as tutors and SI leaders on campus as well as study tips for students, and resources for parents on their website.

UW-Milwaukee offers many programs and offices to help students succeed in classes and beyond the University. UWM has centers such as The Writing Center for Students to get help with composition course work. The Writing Center is open to all students, not just Undergraduate students.

14

In the 50 years since UW-Milwaukee was added to the UW system, UWM has grown one of the top-30 LGBTQ+ friendly schools in the country. UWM offers 186 degree programs and countless certificates to make up a fully inclusive campus that offers quality academic classes anytime. Diversity has been a main mission for UWM since its founding. Today, 1/3 of incoming freshman are students of color and 39% undergraduates are flagged as first generation students. UWM works tirelessly to include and recruit all walks of life from all over the world. With over 27,000 students, UW-Milwaukee is an urban institution devoted to the academic and social prosperity that creates a vibrant community that adapts to the ever changing tides of the modern world.

http://uwm.edu/dining/wp-content/uploads/sites/132/2014/09/Green-Roof-August-2009-003-1024x679.jpg

15

Sustainability at UWM can be seen across campus, from green roofs to gardens, from recycled computers to energy efficiency overhauls of major campus buildings.  Changes in campus operations seek to reduce energy, waste, and toxic materials while increasing recycling, renewable energy, and campus awareness of green practices and procedures.

UWM manages two separate waste streams for compost. All pre-cooked kitchen scraps and Grind coffee grounds are hauled to the campus hoop house for aerobic composting. The second stream of food waste consists of all cooked food, dairy, and any meat. This is all hauled to an industrial composting site.

UWM has partnered with Bublr Bikes to have a more sustainable way to travel around campus and Milwaukee. There are over 28 bike stations around the city of Milwaukee, with at least four on campus for student’s easy access. Students are offered a discount for Bublr bikes through the Transportation office.

16

UWM has been affiliated with these three University Housing Conference organizations for many years, benefiting more than just student housing. By attending the conferences each year and being connected to these organizations UWM’s Student Housing Organization (SHAC) has been provided with new ways to conduct business, put on programs and overall better the environment in the residence halls. For every conference, SHAC has traveled with a group of student leaders to represent our

values as a school as well as share the great things that SHAC has to offer. Many of the students who have participated in conferences have then used the resources and skills learned at the conferences in their other activities at UWM. For example, many students who attend conferences from UWM have either been RAs or have become RAs, some have been non-active student leaders and then later became a bigger part in SHAC or NRHH, and some have even become part of campus-wide organizations to help improve all of UWM. Not only has UWM received from these organizations, various student leaders, such as SHAC members or RAs have brought to conferences their amazing programs in order for other schools to gain the knowledge of how to produce the same or similar kind of program at their school. Throughout the years that UWM has been affiliated with these organizations we have received many awards to show our success in the realm of University Housing. Building Block of the Year, various advisors of the year, as well as various Program of the Year awards just to name a few. Because of the success that our RHA has achieved as well as the connections and support that has been provided by these organizations UWM will continue to be affiliated with them, in order to both better the environment here and help add to the success of these organizations and to other schools around the world.

Student Body President – Letter of Support

When I think about what makes a school great, I think about the people. As student body president, I can say confidently that the people I attend class with, go to org meetings with, stand in line for food with, are truly incredible people. But, from a better perspective, why are the people at UW-Milwaukee so great?

One of the biggest reasons is the emphasis our school has placed on the value of diversity. It's common to go to a lecture with Saudi international students of color, white students who grew up on farms, and every walk of life in between. No one thinks anything of it. We are educated in a campus culture that places a real value on valuing our differences, not one that builds walls between us or pretends that we're all the same.

Recently, we invited two of the three founders of Black Lives Matter to campus. I was proud to see the makeup of that event be very diverse: people of all ethnic and racial identities were present, not just people who identified as black. To see so many white students come out in support and in solidarity with their fellow students of color was moving.

Going to a school that values diversity, that values the identity of individual students, brings about fruitful dialogue that I don't see at other universities when I visit. We've broken down walls, and built ourselves up. I am proud to call myself a Milwaukee Panther, and I believe the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee deserves to be called the School of the Year.

Mike Sportiello Student Body President 2015 - Present

17

18

19

20