The mission of the Council on the Status of Women (CSW) is to ensure an environment that supports the rights of all women at The University of Iowa. The council is committed to working in partnership with the University to develop policies that remove barriers to women’s learning, professional growth, creativity, employment, and contributions to the institution and to the broader community.

CSW acts as an advisory body to the University administration and as an advocacy group for all women on campus. The Council consists of twenty voting members (five faculty, five professional and scientific staff, five merit staff, and five students) and ex-officio members from the offices of the University Vice Presidents and Provost, Student Services, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, the Women's Resource and Action Center, the Rape Victim Advocacy Program, Women in Science and Engineering, UI Student Government, Graduate Student Senate, Staff Council, Faculty Council, and Women's Studies.