University of Wisconsin System
Encyclopedia
The University of Wisconsin System is a university system
of public universities
in the state of Wisconsin
. It is one of the largest public higher education systems in the country, enrolling more than 182,000 students each year and employing more than 32,000 faculty and staff statewide. The University of Wisconsin System comprises two doctoral research universities, eleven comprehensive universities, thirteen freshman-sophomore colleges, and the statewide University of Wisconsin–Extension.
(WSCM) and the University of Wisconsin-Extension
's Milwaukee division. The new campus consisted of both the WSCM campus near the lakefront
and the UW extension in downtown Milwaukee.
In 1968, another two University of Wisconsin campuses were created in Green Bay
and Kenosha, and by 1971, the University of Wisconsin system consisted of campuses at Madison
, Milwaukee, Green Bay and Parkside, along with 10 freshman-sophomore centers and the statewide UW-Extension. The total enrollment of the University of Wisconsin system at that time was 69,554. The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin system consisted of ten members, nine of whom were appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate for nine-year terms. The tenth was the State Superintendent of Public Instruction who served ex-officio on both the University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin State University boards.
In 1971, Wisconsin lawmakers passed a law to merge the University of Wisconsin system with the Wisconsin State Universities system to create today's University of Wisconsin System. These two higher education systems were brought under a single board of regents.
at Platteville
--the first of eight teacher-training schools across the state. In 1911, the legislature permitted the normal schools to offer two years of post-high school work in art, liberal arts and sciences, pre-law, and pre-medicine. The broadened curriculum proved popular and soon accounted for over one-third of the normal schools' enrollment. In 1920, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching issued a report on "The Professional Education of Teachers of American Public Schools", which attacked such programs, arguing that normal schools should not deviate from their purpose as trainers of teachers. When the Milwaukee Normal School persisted with its popular enhanced curriculum, the regents of the Normal School system, the legislature, and the governor all became involved. MNS President Carroll G. Pearse was forced to resign in 1923, and the regents ordered the discontinuation of non-teacher-education programs. The issue was not settled, though; public pressure for expanded offerings at normal schools continued to grow, and education professionals asserted that traditional two-year curricula in teacher training were inadequate.
In 1926, the regents repurposed the Normal Schools as "State Teachers Colleges", offering a four-year course of study leading to a Bachelor of Education degree that incorporated significant general education at all levels. The thousands of returning World War II veterans in Wisconsin needed more college choices for their studies under the G.I. Bill, and popular demand pushed the State Teachers College system Regents to once again allow the teacher training institutions to offer bachelor degrees in liberal arts and fine arts. In 1951 the state teachers colleges were redesignated as "Wisconsin State Colleges," offering a full four-year liberal-arts curriculum. The state colleges were all granted university status as "Wisconsin State Universities" in 1964 (with the exception of Wisconsin State College, Milwaukee, which became part of the University of Wisconsin in 1956).
As of 1971, the Wisconsin State Universities comprised nine public universities (Platteville, Whitewater, Oshkosh, River Falls, Stout, Superior
, Stevens Point
, La Crosse, Eau Claire) and four freshman-sophomore branch campuses, with a total enrollment of 64,148. The board was made up of 14 members, 13 of whom were appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate for five-year terms. The 14th was the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
under a single Board of Regents, creating a system with 13 universities, 14 (now 13) freshman-sophomore centers (now colleges), and a statewide extension with offices in all 72 counties. Each university is named “University of Wisconsin–” followed by the location or name. Each two-year college is named “University of Wisconsin–” followed by the city and/or county in which it is located. The move, intended to enhance the University of Wisconsin's prestige and influence, was resisted by some parties concerned with a possible brand dilution.
The Board of the University of Wisconsin System includes 18 members, 16 of whom are appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate. Of these 16 members, 14 serve staggered, seven-year terms. The remaining two are two-year-term position filled by current UW System students. The two ex officio members are the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the president or a designee of the Wisconsin Technical College System
Board.
There are two research universities in the University of Wisconsin System that grant doctoral degrees: University of Wisconsin–Madison
and University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse began offering a doctorate in 2007; the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire will do so starting in 2010.
is the largest university in the state, and the flagship of the UW System, with a total enrollment of over 41,000 students, of whom approximately 30,000 are undergraduates.
and master's degree
s:
is an institution of the University of Wisconsin System that grants associate degrees at 13 two-year campuses located throughout the state. Many of the credits earned at the UW Colleges can be transferred to other colleges and universities. The UW Colleges also grant associate degrees through an online program. The UW–Extension operates extension courses statewide through offices in each of Wisconsin's 72 counties.
.
In 2006 and 2009 the students at the Milwaukee campus voted on whether the school should change its name to something that didn't carry the UW name (such as Wisconsin State University or University of Milwaukee). In both cases, a plurality of students voted to retain the name "University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee," but over 50% were in favor of a different name. However, since 2004 the UWM athletic program has dropped the UW prefix and simply call themselves the Milwaukee Panthers
. UW-Green Bay has since done the same and are officially the Green Bay Phoenix. Other UW system programs are commonly referred to by just the city name as they all play in the same conference, the WIAC
, making the 'UW' redundant. The exception is UW-Parkside, who plays in the Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference
and are commonly just called Parkside.
Notable alumni from their respective campus:
University system
A university system is a set of multiple, affiliated universities and colleges that are usually geographically distributed. Typically, all member universities in a university system share a common component among all of their various names...
of public universities
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
in the state of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. It is one of the largest public higher education systems in the country, enrolling more than 182,000 students each year and employing more than 32,000 faculty and staff statewide. The University of Wisconsin System comprises two doctoral research universities, eleven comprehensive universities, thirteen freshman-sophomore colleges, and the statewide University of Wisconsin–Extension.
History
The University of Wisconsin System was created on October 11, 1971, by Chapter 100, Laws of 1971, which combined the former Chapter 36 (former University of Wisconsin) and Chapter 37 (former Wisconsin State Universities) to create a new Chapter 36 (University of Wisconsin System) of the Wisconsin Statutes.Former University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin was created by the state constitution in 1848, and held its first classes in Madison in 1849. A century later, pressed by the growing demand for a large public university that offered graduate programs in Wisconsin's largest city, Wisconsin lawmakers created another University of Wisconsin campus in Milwaukee. In 1956, the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee was created from a merger of the Wisconsin State College of MilwaukeeWisconsin State College of Milwaukee
Wisconsin State College of Milwaukee was the predecessor institution of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.Founded in 1885 as Wisconsin State Normal School, it became Wisconsin State Teacher’s College in 1927, and Wisconsin State College–Milwaukee in 1951. Originally at a downtown site, the...
(WSCM) and the University of Wisconsin-Extension
University of Wisconsin-Extension
The University of Wisconsin–Extension is the outreach arm of the University of Wisconsin System. It provides statewide access to university resources and research to Wisconsin residents of all ages...
's Milwaukee division. The new campus consisted of both the WSCM campus near the lakefront
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
and the UW extension in downtown Milwaukee.
In 1968, another two University of Wisconsin campuses were created in Green Bay
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
and Kenosha, and by 1971, the University of Wisconsin system consisted of campuses at Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, Milwaukee, Green Bay and Parkside, along with 10 freshman-sophomore centers and the statewide UW-Extension. The total enrollment of the University of Wisconsin system at that time was 69,554. The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin system consisted of ten members, nine of whom were appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate for nine-year terms. The tenth was the State Superintendent of Public Instruction who served ex-officio on both the University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin State University boards.
In 1971, Wisconsin lawmakers passed a law to merge the University of Wisconsin system with the Wisconsin State Universities system to create today's University of Wisconsin System. These two higher education systems were brought under a single board of regents.
Former Wisconsin State Universities
In 1866, the state legislature established a normal schoolNormal school
A normal school is a school created to train high school graduates to be teachers. Its purpose is to establish teaching standards or norms, hence its name...
at Platteville
Platteville, Wisconsin
Platteville is the largest city in Grant County in southwestern Wisconsin. The population was 11,224 at the 2010 census, growing 12% since the 2000 Census. Much of this growth is likely due to the enrollment increase of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville...
--the first of eight teacher-training schools across the state. In 1911, the legislature permitted the normal schools to offer two years of post-high school work in art, liberal arts and sciences, pre-law, and pre-medicine. The broadened curriculum proved popular and soon accounted for over one-third of the normal schools' enrollment. In 1920, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching issued a report on "The Professional Education of Teachers of American Public Schools", which attacked such programs, arguing that normal schools should not deviate from their purpose as trainers of teachers. When the Milwaukee Normal School persisted with its popular enhanced curriculum, the regents of the Normal School system, the legislature, and the governor all became involved. MNS President Carroll G. Pearse was forced to resign in 1923, and the regents ordered the discontinuation of non-teacher-education programs. The issue was not settled, though; public pressure for expanded offerings at normal schools continued to grow, and education professionals asserted that traditional two-year curricula in teacher training were inadequate.
In 1926, the regents repurposed the Normal Schools as "State Teachers Colleges", offering a four-year course of study leading to a Bachelor of Education degree that incorporated significant general education at all levels. The thousands of returning World War II veterans in Wisconsin needed more college choices for their studies under the G.I. Bill, and popular demand pushed the State Teachers College system Regents to once again allow the teacher training institutions to offer bachelor degrees in liberal arts and fine arts. In 1951 the state teachers colleges were redesignated as "Wisconsin State Colleges," offering a full four-year liberal-arts curriculum. The state colleges were all granted university status as "Wisconsin State Universities" in 1964 (with the exception of Wisconsin State College, Milwaukee, which became part of the University of Wisconsin in 1956).
As of 1971, the Wisconsin State Universities comprised nine public universities (Platteville, Whitewater, Oshkosh, River Falls, Stout, Superior
University of Wisconsin–Superior
The University of Wisconsin–Superior is a public university located in Superior, Wisconsin. UW–Superior grants bachelor's, master's, and specialist's degrees...
, Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
The University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point is a public university located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin...
, La Crosse, Eau Claire) and four freshman-sophomore branch campuses, with a total enrollment of 64,148. The board was made up of 14 members, 13 of whom were appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate for five-year terms. The 14th was the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The University of Wisconsin System
The University of Wisconsin system merged with the Wisconsin State University system in 1971 to create today's University of Wisconsin System. The 1971 merger law approved by the State Senate combined the two higher education systems in WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
under a single Board of Regents, creating a system with 13 universities, 14 (now 13) freshman-sophomore centers (now colleges), and a statewide extension with offices in all 72 counties. Each university is named “University of Wisconsin–” followed by the location or name. Each two-year college is named “University of Wisconsin–” followed by the city and/or county in which it is located. The move, intended to enhance the University of Wisconsin's prestige and influence, was resisted by some parties concerned with a possible brand dilution.
The Board of the University of Wisconsin System includes 18 members, 16 of whom are appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate. Of these 16 members, 14 serve staggered, seven-year terms. The remaining two are two-year-term position filled by current UW System students. The two ex officio members are the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the president or a designee of the Wisconsin Technical College System
Wisconsin Technical College System
Wisconsin Technical College System is a group of 16 technical colleges in Wisconsin.-History:The Wisconsin Legislature passed laws in 1911 requiring cities with a population of 5000 or more to set up trade schools, and a school board to control them...
Board.
Research universities
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
and University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse began offering a doctorate in 2007; the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire will do so starting in 2010.
UW–Madison
Founded in 1848, University of Wisconsin–MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
is the largest university in the state, and the flagship of the UW System, with a total enrollment of over 41,000 students, of whom approximately 30,000 are undergraduates.
UW–Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee is the second research institution of the University of Wisconsin System and the second largest urban university in the state of Wisconsin. It currently enrolls the most students that are native to the state of Wisconsin and has a total enrollment of over 30,000 students.Comprehensive universities
There are eleven comprehensive universities in the University of Wisconsin System that grant baccalaureateBachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
and master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
s:
- UW–Eau Claire (Also offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree)
- UW–Green Bay
- UW–La Crosse (Also offers the Doctor of Physical TherapyDoctor of Physical TherapyThe Doctor of Physical Therapy or Doctor of Physiotherapy is a post-baccalaureate three-year degree conferred upon successful completion of a professional clinical doctoral level professional or post-professional physical therapist education program for the licensed physical therapist...
degree) - UW–Oshkosh
- UW–Parkside
- UW–Platteville
- UW–River Falls
- UW–Stevens PointUniversity of Wisconsin–Stevens PointThe University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point is a public university located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin...
- UW–Stout
- UW–SuperiorUniversity of Wisconsin–SuperiorThe University of Wisconsin–Superior is a public university located in Superior, Wisconsin. UW–Superior grants bachelor's, master's, and specialist's degrees...
- UW–Whitewater
UW Colleges & UW–Extension
UW CollegesUniversity of Wisconsin Colleges
The University of Wisconsin Colleges is a unit of the University of Wisconsin System composed of 13 local campuses and one online campus, University of Wisconsin Colleges Online.The campuses are:*University of Wisconsin–Baraboo/Sauk County...
is an institution of the University of Wisconsin System that grants associate degrees at 13 two-year campuses located throughout the state. Many of the credits earned at the UW Colleges can be transferred to other colleges and universities. The UW Colleges also grant associate degrees through an online program. The UW–Extension operates extension courses statewide through offices in each of Wisconsin's 72 counties.
Controversy
Since the 1971 union of the universities and colleges under the University of Wisconsin System name, there has been a controversy over the arrangement. The name "University of Wisconsin" is often used to refer to the Madison campus, which has made it difficult for other institutions to make names for themselves. Conversely, many who are connected to UW–Madison have claimed that having so many institutions share the "University of Wisconsin" title has caused a form of brand dilutionTrademark dilution
Trademark dilution is a trademark law concept giving the owner of a famous trademark standing to forbid others from using that mark in a way that would lessen its uniqueness. In most cases, trademark dilution involves an unauthorized use of another's trademark on products that do not compete with,...
.
In 2006 and 2009 the students at the Milwaukee campus voted on whether the school should change its name to something that didn't carry the UW name (such as Wisconsin State University or University of Milwaukee). In both cases, a plurality of students voted to retain the name "University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee," but over 50% were in favor of a different name. However, since 2004 the UWM athletic program has dropped the UW prefix and simply call themselves the Milwaukee Panthers
Milwaukee Panthers
The Milwaukee Panthers are the athletic teams of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. A total of 15 Panthers athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I. Panthers have won the James J...
. UW-Green Bay has since done the same and are officially the Green Bay Phoenix. Other UW system programs are commonly referred to by just the city name as they all play in the same conference, the WIAC
Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference that competes in the NCAA's Division III. As the name implies, member teams are located in the state of Wisconsin, although there are three associate members from Minnesota and one from Michigan...
, making the 'UW' redundant. The exception is UW-Parkside, who plays in the Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference
Great Lakes Valley Conference
The Great Lakes Valley Conference is an intercollegiate athletic conference which competes at the NCAA's Division II level. Member institutions are located in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Wisconsin....
and are commonly just called Parkside.
Notable alumni
Notable alumni from their respective campus:
- Madison
- Milwaukee
- Eau Claire
- Green Bay
- La Crosse
- Oshkosh
- Parkside
- Platteville
- River Falls
- Stevens Point
- Stout
- Superior
- Whitewater
See also
- University of Wisconsin Hospital and ClinicsUniversity of Wisconsin Hospital and ClinicsUniversity of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics is a 471-bed academic medical center with 80 outpatient clinics in Madison, Wisconsin. It is an American College of Surgeons designated Level I adult and pediatric trauma center, one of two Level I trauma centers in Wisconsin- the other in Milwaukee...
- University of Wisconsin Credit UnionUniversity of Wisconsin Credit UnionThe University of Wisconsin Credit Union is a credit union headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin.As of January 2011, UW Credit Union has over 150,000 members with over $1 billion in assets and is the second largest credit union in the state of Wisconsin...