Madison Reporter

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has announced a renaming of its Center for Leadership & Involvement to the Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement (SOLI). This change aims to better reflect the office's mission and range of services provided to students.

Barb Kautz-Wittwer, interim director of student leadership and involvement, explained the motivation behind the new name: “Our work is three-fold: cultivating student leaders, getting students involved on campus and registering and providing resources to student organizations,” she said. “After surveying students and campus stakeholders, one thing that rang loud and clear was the need to better represent our role with student organizations. This new name — Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement — brings together all that we do and paints a clearer picture of how we serve students.”

SOLI will continue its functions, such as facilitating the registration and advisement of student organizations and overseeing leadership development opportunities.

Mark Guthier, Wisconsin Union director and associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs, expressed satisfaction with the new name: “The Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement continues to provide students with integral opportunities to engage with campus and beyond, building real-world skills, fostering connections and creating a sense of community along the way. We’re excited that the Office’s new name makes it even easier for students to discover these incredible resources, no matter where they are in their UW–Madison journey.”

For further information on the Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement, individuals are encouraged to seek out resources provided by the office.