Advising
Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS)
Internships
Career Services
Scholarships and Other Financial Resources
Student Organizations
The Student Academic Affairs Office (SAA) prepares students to take an active role in their educational experience. Committed to helping both current and prospective students succeed, the SAA staff provides a variety of academic services including:
Each student in the school is assigned to an academic advisor in the Student Academic Affairs Office. Every student is strongly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor regarding long-range planning toward a degree. This includes educational objectives, academic requirements and course sequence, and specific problems related to academic progress and plans. It is the student's responsibility to select a major, learn about and get admitted to the major, and fulfill degree requirements. A student may participate in group information sessions, attend walk-in hours, or confer with an advisor by appointment during the academic year or summer. It is especially important for students to seek advising during the preregistration periods each semester.
The Student Academic Affairs staff regularly assists students with referrals to campus testing, tutoring services, and counseling services.
The Student Academic Affairs Office, Room 135, 1300 Linden Drive, actively recruits and supports students from diverse populations and assists students in meeting academic and career goals. Effective January 2010, the office will be located in Room B411 Sterling Hall, 475 North Charter Street.
Advising is complemented by faculty mentors in the student's major. Faculty mentors can share their expertise to:
For more information, contact the Student Academic Affairs Office, Room 135
Human Ecology Building, 1300 Linden Drive, Madison WI 53706;
608-262-2608; acadaffairs@mail.sohe.wisc.edu;
www.sohe.wisc.edu.
The Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) is a tool that students and advisors use to determine how courses and credits fit into degree requirements. DARS is an automated report of a student's academic progress toward completion of a degree. A DARS report shows which course requirements have already been completed and which course requirements remain unsatisfied. It includes a list of appropriate courses that may be taken to meet specific degree requirements.
Students should check the DARS report at least twice each semester—before registration to determine which requirements remain un-satisfied and after registration to see how new courses apply. The "what if" DARS report allows students to see how completed or in-progress courses may be used in different degree programs, either within the School of Human Ecology or in other UW-Madison schools/colleges. Both the DARS report and the "what if" DARS report can be accessed through the student's My UW-Madison Student Center .
The quick and thorough analysis provided by DARS provides an opportunity during an advising appointment to discuss course options, research opportunities, graduate school, or issues of personal interest or concern to students. Although students are encouraged to review the DARS report regularly with their advisors, final responsibility for completion of the requirements for graduation rests with the student.
Undergraduate students are encouraged to augment the content in their chosen major through the internship program. The School of Human Ecology recognizes the value of enhancing classroom learning with the practical work experience that an internship provides. Students gain marketable skills and work experience, while contributing to their community and the mission of the School of Human Ecology.
Through partnerships with local, national and international businesses, internships are offered to upperclass students in the fall, spring, and summer terms for varying amounts of university credit. Each department within the School offers internships for credit. In certain majors, the internship is a requirement. For further information, see Internships. Students interested in pursuing an internship should contact an internship coordinator in the Student Academic Affairs Office (acadaffairs@mail.sohe.wisc.edu.)
The Student Academic Affairs Office (SAA) provides students with career development services. The Student Academic Affairs Office works with students to identify their strengths and passions, explore career options, make career decisions and conduct a successful job search. The office also provides connections with recruiters in collaboration with the Business Career Center (BCC).
For appointments call the SAA office at 608-262-2608. For additional information see Career Services.
The Business Career
Center (BCC) (3290 Grainger Hall; 608-262-2550) provides comprehensive career development programming, advising, and placement assistance. School of Human Ecology students who are interested in careers in business are eligible to register with the Business Career Center.
All students are
Educational Portfolios and Career Services (EPCS) (141 Educational Sciences Building, 1025 West Johnson Street; 608-262-1755) may be used by eligible students in the School of Human Ecology. EPCS assists students and alumni with career questions and career decisions, providing job search information about teaching; including job vacancy information, resume writing assistance, and a credential (reference) service. It is recommended that students register with EPCS at the beginning of the school year in which they expect to enter the job market.
The School's Student Academic Affairs and Awards Committee awards many merit and need-based scholarships each year. The deadline to apply for scholarships is generally during February each year. To be eligible for these awards, scholarship recipients must be registered as full-time SoHE students. For further information see www.sohe.wisc.edu/new/undergraduates/u-scholarship.html.
Students who experience emergency financial situations may inquire about the availability of short-term loans through the SoHE Student Academic Affairs Office. In addition, university scholarships, loans, and employment are available through the Office of Student Financial Aid (333 Campus Mall; 608-262-3060).
School of Human Ecology student organizations include:
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC)
Student Chapter of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID)
Consumer Science Student Association/Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals (CSSA/SOCAP)
Financial Occupations Club for University Students (FOCUS)
Phi Upsilon Omicron (an national honor society in
Family and Consumer Sciences)
Retail Club
Students for Families and Children (SFC)
Student Chapter of the Wisconsin Association of Family and Consumer Science (WAFCS)
Textile and Apparel Student Association (TASA)