The formation of a Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI) by individual schools, colleges, and divisions at UW-Madison dates back to 1998 with the adoption of Academic Staff Document #210 by the Academic Staff Assembly. This document provides:

"The academic staff of each school, college or division shall establish a Committee on Academic Staff Issues, which shall advise the dean or director on the formulation and review, and shall be represented in the development of all policies and procedures concerning academic staff members of the school, college
or division, including personnel matters."

Membership in campus CASIs was intended to provide opportunities for advocating for academic staff and for helping address academic staff concerns. Currently, at least fourteen CASIs on campus have been organized and are operational.

Efforts to organize the Law School's CASI began in 2001. The Law School's CASI was formed in 2001 and met until 2003. In 2012, the Law School encouraged new efforts to establish a working CASI. The Dean initially appointed CASI members, and then in 2015, new members were elected by the academic staff. 

CASI lapsed at the end of 2020 during the pandemic but was revived for the 2023-24 academic year. In fall 2023, CASI updated its bylaws to include university staff as well as academic staff. CASI now stands for Committee on All Staff Issues.