History
Student councils were the earliest student groups at colleges and universities. They were usually concerned with social functions. Although students had been involved in social movements for decades, it was not until the early 1950's that a true student rights movement took shape. Soon, student councils became student associations and the transition began towards broader issues.
To aid in their goals, students organized on a statewide level. In 1960, students from five of the nine Wisconsin State Colleges met at the Stevens Point campus as a "united council." The original body met quarterly to interact on a social, as well as political, basis. As the decade came to a close, students became increasingly active with more militant tactics such as demonstrations, riots and takeovers.
In 1971, the process of merging the University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin State University systems began. With much lobbying by United Council, in 1974, Wisconsin state statute 36.09(5) was created, granting students a legal share in the "rights and responsibilities" of institutional governance.
Around the same time, state and system student associations expanded their roles to include activism and representation, as well as a focus on change. United Council was no different in this respect. Through the 1970's and 1980's, United Council worked on a variety of social and higher education issues.
United Council was granted tax-exempt status in 1978, but the organization began to feel a severe financial crunch. The membership decided to develop an alternative funding method that would help to stabilize United Council’s finances. After testing the idea, they proposed a "mandatory refundable fee" to be charged to all students on member campuses, which was approved by the Board of Regents in 1980.
Meanwhile, United Council moved into permanent office space in Madison. Prior to the move, United Council had operated from the various campuses attended by the student officers. Professional staff also began to be hired, replacing the former system of electing or appointing students to serve in positions and represent the interests of the organization.
United Council has worked for decades to organize students across the state on a variety of issues. Every two years, students join together to make sure that their interests are provided for in the state’s budget process. United Council has also taken to running at least one coordinated statewide campaign each year.
Higher education remains a powerful avenue for sparking debate and civic engagement in society, and through United Council, the students of Wisconsin ensure access to higher education and its role in provoking thought, discourse, and action.