Student Assistance

Guidance and support for all students dealing with personal problems, including reporting an incident, academic complaints, and helping someone you know. We will help with addressing problems, and finding who to contact.

Drop-In Appointments

Anytime you'd like to chat, we are here for you without judgement. These chats can be about your academic life or personal issues.

You can schedule a same-day Drop-In appointment in person, via phone, or video conference.

8 staff members from the Dean of Students Office standing facing forward in front of black and white artwork

Report an incident

At UW-Madison, we recognize that deciding to report an incident and choosing how to move forward can be difficult decisions.

All reports made to our office will be taken seriously and information will be provided to the proper office for investigation. It is your choice to report an incident, know that the Dean of Students Office promises to support you through the reporting process.

Student of concern

Any student displaying behaviors that may interfere with their ability to be successful or disrupts the learning of others.

Report student concern

Bias concern

Including slurs, degrading language, epithets, graffiti, symbols, assault, microagressions, and harassment.

Report bias concern

Other incidents

This could include a student that you are concerned about, hazing, stalking, or a missing student.

Report other incidents

Getting help for others

Student of concern

Any student displaying behaviors that may interfere with their ability to be successful or disrupts the learning of others.

Report student concern

Missing student

A student who suddenly stops attending classes, activities, misses an exam, or stops responding to communications.

Report a missing student

More guidance

The Dean of Students Office provides guidance on variety of topics related to being a student at UW-Madison.

Explore more guides

Report an academic complaint

While the Dean of Students assists students with personal matters, Academic Deans assist students with academic matters pertaining to their respective School or College.

Common issues include: changing majors, classroom concerns, late drops or withdrawals, grade disputes and more.

Reporting an academic complaint

Getting help now

Amnesty Through Responsible Action

The purpose of these guidelines is to create a situation where responsible action is encouraged and expected. We encourage responsible actions and remove barriers to safety-conscious decision-making.

Crisis Services

Available anytime for students, family members, partners, friends, roommates, faculty, housing staff, and other campus community members who are concerned about a student.

Speak with an on-call crisis counselor who can help.

Students singing Varsity together

UW Police Department (non-emergency)

Contact UW–Madison Police to file a police report, speak with an officer, or for other general inquiries. No online reporting available.

Call 911 if you have an emergency.

Essential workers on campus, UWPD patrol campus.

Supporting your health

There are many health and wellness options on campus for you, and resources to help you find the right fit.

Health and well-being includes personal physical health, mental health, and connection to a safe campus where all students can thrive.

Bucky working out at Camp Randall

Support for DACA recipients

Dreamers are welcome at UW-MadionRegardless of immigration status, UW-Madison wants all students to know that “You belong here” and are an integral part of the UW campus community.

As a student population in the U.S., there are unique challenges for dreamers who may be DACA-mented, undocumented.

How UW-Madison Supports DACA recipients

Exceptional Citizenship Award

Know of a student who has acted as a true Badger with exceptional citizenship? The Exceptional Citizenship Award is given to students who decide to act with courage and moral character in challenging circumstances to make campus a safer community.

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Nominate someone for the Exceptional Citizenship Award

Coin with the Lincoln statue and Bascom Hall and the words Exceptional Citizenship Award On Wisconsin! surrounding it.
This coin is awarded by the Dean of Students office to any student honored as an exceptional citizen.

Previous award recipients have intervened in incidents to prevent harm to others, reacted quickly to an emergency situation, and chosen to act with integrity instead of for personal gain.

If you know of a student who has acted as a true Badger with exceptional citizenship, the Dean of Students Office wants to know!

Nominate someone

Email us at doso@studentaffairs.wisc.edu and include “Citizenship Award” in the subject line.

Include your full name, the student’s name, details about the incident, and your contact information in the email. While not all students may be awarded Citizenship Award, we will try to recognize each student that we hear about.

Dean’s Certification

What is the Dean’s Certificate?


Many transfer, graduate, law, medical, and professional schools require the completion of a Dean’s Certification or disciplinary clearance. To expedite the process, all requests can be made through the Registrar’s office, the official record keepers of the University.

What you will have to do.


Students must take all clearance, certifications, and other forms to the Office of the Registrar Transcripts and Certifications office, 333 East Campus Mall, Student Services Tower Rm. 10101.

Current students, former students, and alum have the right to inspect their records, consistent with federal law. Request your record.

Contact

Dean’s Office Contacts

How can we help?

Call us at:
608-263-5700

Email us at:
doso@studentaffairs.wisc.edu

Line art image of Bascom Hall at the University of Wisconsin–Madison

Dean of Students Office
70 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706-1380


Monday-Friday: 8:30am -4pm
during Fall and Spring semester

After Hours Contacts

Crisis response:
Call Mental Health Services
608-265-5600 (option 9)
Emergencies:
Dial 911 for immediate help from the
UW Police Department
UWPD Non-emergency line: 608-264-2677