Student Advisory Councils

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) Student Advisory Council is a standing council supporting the Director, comprised of students who represent the College, graduate divisions, and professional schools. The purpose of the Student Advisory Council is to:

• Advise OMSA in its pursuit of student development by providing feedback on programming (social, cultural, and academic), engagement with the community (particularly students, faculty, and staff), and support services.
• Actively seek feedback from multicultural students about their experiences on campus and identify opportunities for collaboration with student organizations.
• Elevate important issues related to diversity and inclusion to OMSA.
• Advocate for the concerns of multicultural student communities, in partnership with OMSA, to the university administration and the student body.
• Interface regularly with UChicago leadership to become apprised of university-wide initiatives, programming and climate issues and provide informed recommendations to OMSA staff.

Goals and Objectives

• Provide feedback to OMSA staff at regularly scheduled meetings on university-wide issues, including topics pertaining to the social, emotional, academic, and professional, needs of multicultural students.
• Create forums and seek invitations for the student body to offer input and express concerns related to diversity and inclusion.
• Identify university stakeholders, including students, faculty, and staff, and engage with these partners to promote OMSA’s vision and objectives.
• Interface with University leadership on a regular basis and promote collaboration.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Accountability

The Student Advisory Council will consist of 8-12 members who are expected to participate in all council meetings and contribute to standing committees (when created) and program planning. There will be 4 meetings per quarter. In addition, council members are encouraged to attend at least 2 OMSA-sponsored events per quarter. 

Council members who are unable to attend meetings should notify the Director in advance. Members who miss more than 2 meetings over the course of the academic year and/or are unable to actively participate may be asked to step down to ensure continuity. 

Term Limits

Each council member will serve for one academic year, with the opportunity to reapply. There are no term limits, as experience and familiarity with University structures are important assets. Returning applicants will be asked to reflect on their involvement over the past year of service, including attendance at meetings, active participation, and personal/professional growth. The OMSA staff will review written materials and make final decisions.

The LGBTQ Student Advisory Council is a standing council supporting the Office, comprised of students who represent the College, graduate divisions, and professional schools. The purpose of the Student Advisory Council is to:

• Elevate important issues related to diversity and inclusion to the Office.
• Develop new ways to engage and support students.
• In consultation with the Director, interface with University leadership on a regular basis and promote collaboration.

Goals and Objectives

• Actively seek feedback from LGBTQ+ students about their experiences on campus and identify opportunities for collaboration with student organizations.
• Support the Office in advocating for the concerns of LGBTQ+ student communities within the University administration and the student body.
• Advise the Office in its pursuit of student development by providing feedback on programming (health and wellness, social, cultural, and academic), egangement with the community (particularly students, faculty, and staff), and support services.
• Provide feedback to the Office at regularly scheduled meetings on University-wide issues, including topics pertaining to the health and wellness, social, emotional, academic, and professional needs of LGBTQ+ students.
• Advocate for, stand in solidarity with, and support LGBTQ+ students during crises.
• Create forums and seek invitations for the student body to offer input and express concerns related to diversity and inclusion.
• Identify University stakeholders, including students, faculty, and staff, and engage with those partners to promote the Office's mission and objectives.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Accountability

The Student Advisory Council will consist of 8-12 members who are expected to participate in all council meetings and contribute to standing committees (when created) and program planning. We are deliberate about seeking students from a wide variety of identities within the LGBTQ+ community as well as across schools and divisions. There will be 4 meetings per quarter.

Council members who are unable to attend meetings should notify the Director in advance. Members who miss more than 2 meetings over the course of the academic year and/or are unable to actively participate may be asked to step down in order to ensure continuity.

Term Limits

Each council member will serve for one academic year, with the opportunity to reapply. There are no term limits, as experience and familiarity with University structures are important assets. Returning applicants will be asked to reflect on their involvement over the past year of service, including attendance at meetings, active participation, and personal/professional growth. The Office will review written materials and make final decisions.

The SSS Student Advisory Council is a standing council supporting the Office in achieving its mission and is comprised of students who represent the College, graduate divisions, and professional schools. The purpose of the Student Advisory Council is to:

• Elevate important issues regarding the experiences of low income, first generation, and undocumented students on campus, particularly as they relate to diversity and inclusion.
• Develop new ways to engage and support students, with a focus on strengthening self-efficacy, resilience, and sense of belonging. 
• In consultation with the Director, interface with University leadership on a regular basis and promote collaboration.

Goals and Objectives

• Actively seek feedback from SSS students about their experiences on campus and identify opportunities for collaboration with student organizations.
• Support the Office in advocating for the concerns of SSS student communities within the University administration and the student body.
• Advise the Office in its pursuit of student development by providing feedback on programming (health and wellness, financial, social, professional, and academic), engagement with the community (particularly students, faculty, and staff), and direct individualized and group support services.
• Provide feedback to the Office at regularly scheduled meetings on University-wide issues, including topics pertaining to the financial, academic, career, and social needs of SSS students.
• Advocate for, stand in solidarity with, and support SSS students during crises.
• Create forums and seek invitations for the student body to offer input and express concerns related to diversity and inclusion.
• Identify University stakeholders, including students, faculty, and staff, and engage with those partners to promote the Office's mission and objectives.

Roles, Responsibilities, and Accountability

The Student Advisory Council will consist of 8-12 members who are expected to participate in all council meetings and contribute to standing committees (when created) and program planning. We are deliberate about seeking students from any combination of first-generation, low-income, and undocumented/DACA recipient identities across graduate divisions and professional schools. There will be 4 meetings per quarter.

Council members who are unable to attend meetings should notify the Director in advance. Members who miss more than 2 meetings over the course of the academic year and/or are unable to actively participate may be asked to step down in order to ensure continuity.

Term Limits

Each council member will serve for one academic year, with the opportunity to reapply.  There are no term limits, as experience and familiarity with University structures are important assets. Returning applicants will be asked to reflect on their involvement over the past year of service, including attendance at meetings, active participation, and personal/professional growth.  The Office will review written materials and make final decisions.