University of Wisconsin System

Last updated

University of Wisconsin System
Universities of Wisconsin seal.svg
Other names
UW System [1]
Universities of Wisconsin [2] [3]
Type Public university system
Established1848;177 years ago (1848)
Endowment $738.5 million (2021) [4]
Budget$7.53 billion (2023–24) [5]
President Jay Rothman [6]
Students160,782 [7]
Undergraduates 135,263
Postgraduates 25,519
Location, ,
United States
Campus
  • 13 comprehensive universities
  • 12 branch campuses
Colors   
(Navy blue and teal)
Website wisconsin.edu
Universities of Wisconsin wordmark.svg

The University of Wisconsin System [8] [a] is a state public university system in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is one of the largest public higher-education systems in the country, enrolling more than 160,000 students each year and employing approximately 41,000 faculty and staff statewide. [7] [9] The system is headquartered in the state capital of Madison.

Contents

The University of Wisconsin System comprises two major doctoral research universities, eleven other comprehensive universities, and eight two-year branch campuses. At its peak, the system had 14 two-year colleges, of which six have since been shut down. When comparing state and local funding per student given to two-year institutions, Wisconsin ranked 4th in the nation in 2023. This was in contrast to four-year institutions where Wisconsin ranked 42nd. [10]

History

The present-day University of Wisconsin System was created on October 11, 1971, by Chapter 100, Laws of 1971, which combined the former University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin State Universities systems into an enlarged University of Wisconsin System. The final legislation passed in May 1974, combining two chapters of the Wisconsin statutes. The merger took effect July 9, 1974. [11]

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.

In 1956, pressed by the growing demand for a large public university that offered graduate programs in Milwaukee, Wisconsin's largest city, Wisconsin lawmakers merged Wisconsin State College of Milwaukee (WSCM) and the University of Wisconsin–Extension's Milwaukee division as the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. The new campus comprised the WSCM campus near the lakefront and the UW extension in downtown Milwaukee.

Starting in the 1940s, freshman-sophomore centers were opened across the state. In 1968, the Green Bay center was upgraded to a full-fledged four-year institution as the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, while the Kenosha and Racine centers were merged as the University of Wisconsin–Parkside. By 1971, the University of Wisconsin system had campuses at Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay and Kenosha/Somers, together with 10 freshman-sophomore centers and the statewide University of Wisconsin–Extension. [12] 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 comprise 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.

Former Wisconsin State Universities

In 1866, the state legislature established a normal school 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 (MNS) 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's 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. In 1955, the Stout Institute in Menomonie, which had been founded as a private engineering school in 1891 and was sold to the state in 1911, was merged into the Wisconsin State Colleges system; it had previously been governed by a separate state board of regents.

The state colleges were all granted university status as "Wisconsin State Universities" in 1964 (with the exception of Wisconsin State College-Milwaukee, which had become 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 (in Menomonie), Superior, Stevens Point, La Crosse, and 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.

Merger

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 Wisconsin under a single Board of Regents, creating a system with 13 universities, 14 freshman-sophomore centers (as University of Wisconsin 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 was 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. [12]

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 positions filled by current University of Wisconsin 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. [12]

2018 restructuring

In October 2017, University of Wisconsin System president Ray Cross publicly proposed restructuring the University of Wisconsin System to bring the UW Colleges under the control of their nearest comprehensive university, creating regional two-year campuses within the system. [13] The proposal also included splitting UW–Extension between University of Wisconsin–Madison and University of Wisconsin System administration. University of Wisconsin Colleges Online, which was operating as an additional campus of University of Wisconsin Colleges, would be relocated under University of Wisconsin System administration. Cross announced this proposal without consulting shared governance groups or administrators. System administration argued that the merger would save money. [14] Critics said the merger was being rushed without input from the campuses and that the system was buckling to political pressure from the state. [14] The proposal was approved by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents in their November 2017 meeting, and implementation began July 1, 2018. [14] [13] [15]

2023–present: Branch campus closures

In 2023, University of Wisconsin–Platteville Richland shut down, marking the first time a University of Wisconsin campus has closed since University of Wisconsin–Medford in 1980. Following this closure, four other University of Wisconsin branch campuses have closed. Additionally, one campus has gone entirely online and another has stopped using several of its campus buildings. Many have expressed concerns about the future of the Wisconsin Idea following these closures. [16] [17] [18]

Campuses

Main campuses

University of Wisconsin System
Transparent.svg
Transparent.svg
100km
62miles
13
Superior
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
12
Parkside
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
11
River Falls
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
10
Platteville
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
9
Stout
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
8
Stevens Point
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
7
Green Bay
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
6
Eau Claire
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
5
La Crosse
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
4
Whitewater
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
3
Oshkosh
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
CampusFoundedEnrollment
(Fall 2023) [19]
Endowment
(2021–22)
(millions) [20]
Athletic affiliationAthletic nickname
(Conference)
U.S. News Rank
(Midwest 2024) [21]
Carnegie Classification [22]
UW-Bascom Hall 10-12-2011 066 (6937357125).jpg

Madison

184850,335$4,000.0 NCAA D-I
(FBS)
Badgers
(Big Ten)
35 (national) R1: Doctoral Universities
Very high research activity
UWM Mitchell hall.jpg

Milwaukee

195622,703$262.0NCAA D-I
(non-football)
Panthers
(Horizon)
332 (national)R1: Doctoral Universities
Very high research activity
HarringtonUWOshkosh.jpg

Oshkosh

187113,778$22.0NCAA D-III Titans
(WIAC)
332 (national)Doctoral Universities
Doctoral/Professional Universities
Image Old Main.jpeg

Whitewater

186811,522NCAA D-III Warhawks
(WIAC)
43Master's Universities
Larger Programs
Morris Hall University of Wisconsin-La Crosse near Wing Tech Center Building.jpg

La Crosse

190910,275$45.9NCAA D-III Eagles
(WIAC)
249 (national)Master's Universities
Larger Programs
Eau Claire Wisconsin-UWEC looking northeast.jpg

Eau Claire

19169,949$80.5NCAA D-III Blugolds
(WIAC)
21Master's Universities
Medium Programs
UW-Green Bay Campus Photo.jpg

Green Bay

196510,338NCAA D-I
(non-football)
Phoenix
(Horizon)
60Master's Universities
Medium Programs
UWSP Old Main.jpg

Stevens Point

18948,184NCAA D-III Pointers
(WIAC)
47Master's Universities
Medium Programs
UW Stout MSC.JPG

Stout

18916,938$64.5NCAA D-III Blue Devils
(WIAC)
67Master's Universities
Larger Programs
Ullsvik Hall.jpg

Platteville

18666,700NCAA D-III Pioneers
(WIAC)
67Master's Universities
Larger Programs
2009-0620-UW-RiverFalls-SouthHall.jpg

River Falls

18745,058NCAA D-III Falcons
(WIAC)
60Master's Universities
Medium Programs
University of Wisconsin-Parkside Student Center.jpg

Parkside
(Kenosha)

19684,030$5.6NCAA D-II Rangers
(GLIAC)
103Master's Universities
Medium Programs
Swenson Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.jpg

Superior

18932,721NCAA D-III Yellowjackets
(UMAC)
124Master's Universities
Medium Programs

Branch campuses

University of Wisconsin System
Transparent.svg
Transparent.svg
100km
62miles
14
Medford
13
Rock County
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
12
Marshfield
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
11
Wausau
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
10
Richland
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
9
Baraboo Sauk County
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
8
Waukesha
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
7
Washington County
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
6
Sheboygan
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
5
Marinette
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
4
Manitowoc
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
3
Fox Cities
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
2
Fond du Lac
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
1
Barron County
Transparent square.svg
Transparent square.svg
Branch campuses
  • Steel pog.svg Former campus
  • Red pog.svg Online campus

Current

CampusParent
campus
FoundedEnrollment
(Fall 2022) [7]
Athletic nickname
(Conference)
WIMap-doton-Rice Lake.png

Barron County
(Rice Lake)

Eau Claire 1966455Blugolds
UniversityOfWisconsinManitowocEntranceJuly2007.jpg

Manitowoc

Green Bay 1933373Blue Devils
UW Sheboygan Main Entrance December 2011.jpg

Sheboygan

Green Bay 1933440Wombats
UW Baraboo 04 (Science Building).jpg

Baraboo Sauk County

Platteville 1968179Fighting Spirits
(WCC)
2009-0620-WI016-UWmarathon.jpg

Wausau

Stevens Point 1933404Huskies
(WCC)
UW-Stevens Point at Marshfield.jpg

Marshfield

Stevens Point 1963344Marauders
(WCC)
WIMap-doton-Janesville.png

Rock County
(Janesville)

Whitewater 1966593Rattlers

Former

CampusParent
campus
FoundedClosedFinal
enrollment
Nickname
UWFoxValleyMall.jpg

Fox Cities
(Menasha)

Oshkosh 19332025Cyclones
(WCC)
UWGB MarinetteMainBuilding.jpg

Marinette

Green Bay 19352025Buccaneers
University of Wisconsin-Waukesha.jpg

Waukesha

Milwaukee 19662025Panthers
MelvillHall.jpg

Richland
(Richland Center)

Platteville 1967202360Roadrunners
UW Fond du Lac Main Entrance.JPG

Fond du Lac

Oshkosh 19682024258Falcons
(WCC)
WIMap-doton-West Bend.png

Washington County
(West Bend)

Milwaukee 19682024Wildcats
WIMap-doton-Medford.png

Medford

Stevens Point 1968198090 [23] (WCC) [24]

Branding

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 dilution. [25]

In 2006 and 2009, the students at UW–Milwaukee (UWM) voted on whether the school should change its name to something that did not 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. [26] Since 2004, the UWM athletic department has simply referred to the school's athletic teams as the Milwaukee Panthers. UW–Green Bay has since done the same and are officially the Green Bay Phoenix. Most other UW system programs are commonly referred to by just the city name as they all play in the same conference, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC), making the "UW" redundant. The exceptions are UW–Parkside, who plays in the Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and is most often referred to as simply "Parkside", and UW-Superior, who plays most athletics in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, who go by UWS or Wisconsin–Superior. [27]

In October 2023, system president Jay Rothman announced that the system would be rebranded as "Universities of Wisconsin", adopting a new logo and color scheme. The legal name of the system would remain unchanged. [28]

See also

Notes

  1. Since 2023, the system has marketed itself as "Universities of Wisconsin", while leaving its legal name as University of Wisconsin System.

References

  1. Goldbeck, Madison; Carter, Dylan Hunter; Mackar, Mariam (December 28, 2023). "UW-La Crosse chancellor fired over pornography scandal considering litigation". WTMJ-TV . Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  2. Prouty, Aly (October 10, 2023). "UW System gets a rebrand as the Universities of Wisconsin". Spectrum News 1 . Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  3. "Rothman unveils new Universities of Wisconsin identity to represent 13 universities" (Press release). University of Wisconsin System. October 10, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2025. the University of Wisconsin System will remain the official legal name of the state's public universities.
  4. As of June 30, 2021. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2021 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY20 to FY21 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  5. Kosirowski, Ken (August 24, 2023). "UW System Board of Regents approves operating budget amid some campus deficits". WKBT-TV . Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  6. "UW System President". UW System. May 31, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 "Enrollments". University of Wisconsin System. June 30, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  8. "2009-11 285 UWS Executive Budget: University of Wisconsin System" (PDF). State of Wisconsin Department of Administration. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  9. "Faculty & Staff". Universities of Wisconsin. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  10. "State Higher Education Finance (SHEF) Report". State Higher Education Finance. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  11. John Stott (January 1, 2003). "University of Wisconsin System Overview" (PDF). Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 History and Organization of the University of Wisconsin System Archived 2007-02-02 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
  13. 1 2 "Wisconsin merger plan stokes controversy, but some see upside". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  14. 1 2 3 "UW System will propose merging two- and four-year campuses to cut costs, raise graduation numbers". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  15. "UW Regents Approve Merging System Campuses". Wisconsin Public Radio . November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  16. Kremer, Rich (April 25, 2024). "UW to vacate Richland campus 1 year after college classes ended". WPR. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  17. Kremer, Rich (November 22, 2022). "In-person classes ended at UW-Platteville Richland campus July 1". Wisconsin Public Radio . Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  18. "UW-Oshkosh to shut down Fox Cities campus amid enrollment plunge". AP News. June 13, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  19. "Enrollments". Education Reports & Statistics. June 30, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  20. As of June 30, 2021. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY21 to FY22". National Association of College and University Business Officers and Commonfund Institute. 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  21. "Best Regional Universities Midwest Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  22. "Wisconsin Institutions". Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education . Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  23. Meyerhofer, Kelly (February 28, 2020). "18 months into UW merger, small, rural campuses still struggling to find students". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  24. "Medford Center, University of Wisconsin Catalog 1972 - 1974" (PDF).
  25. Klotsche, J. Martin. The University of Wisconsin–-Milwaukee: An Urban University, pp. 1–40.
  26. Jones, Meg. Referendum "UWM students rebuff change: New names such as Wisconsin State University fail in referendum" Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine , Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , April 30, 2006.
  27. "University of Wisconsin-Superior Athletics - Official Athletics Website". University of Wisconsin-Superior Athletics.
  28. Wethal, Kimberly (October 11, 2023). "'UW System' no more; Wisconsin is rebranding its collection of 13 universities". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved October 17, 2023.