CHAPTER 1 - THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-STEVENS POINT

SECTION 1 THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

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• Statutory Authority

• Responsibility and Organization

• Administration

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The University of Wisconsin System was created in 1971 as a result of the merger of the University of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Universities. The University of Wisconsin System is authorized and defined by Chapter 36 of the Wisconsin statutes.

RESPONSIBILITY AND ORGANIZATION

DUTIES.

The primary functions of the UW System are teaching, research, and public service.

ORGANIZATION.

The University of Wisconsin System consists of 13 four-year institutions, 13 two-year centers, and UW-Extension.

Doctoral Cluster.

Two institutions, UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee, known within the System as the doctoral cluster, are authorized to grant bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

University Cluster.

There are eleven institutions in the university cluster: UW-Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Oshkosh, Parkside, Platteville, River Falls, Stevens Point, Stout, Superior, and Whitewater. These universities are authorized to grant associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s degrees, and select professional doctoral degrees.

Extension.

UW-Extension is a statewide organization offering credit courses for degree, continuing education courses, and service programs.

MISSION.

The statutory mission of the University of Wisconsin System is to

• develop human resources;

• discover and disseminate knowledge;

• extend knowledge and its applications beyond the boundaries of its campuses; and

• serve and stimulate society by developing in students

o heightened intellectual, cultural, sensitivities;

o scientific, professional, and technological expertise; and

o a sense of purpose.

Inherent in this broad mission are methods of instruction, research, extended education, and public service designed to educate people and improve the human condition. Basic to every purpose of the system is the search for truth.

ADMINISTRATION

GOVERNING BODY.

Authority.

Chapter 36 of the statutes vests in the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System the primary authority for the governance of the System and, except as limited under Chapter 36, gives to the Board all powers necessary or convenient to perform its duties in order to accomplish the objectives of the System. The Board concerns itself primarily with the development of broad policy for operating the System. Implementation of policy generally resides with the individual institutions under policies and procedures developed locally.

Membership.

The Board of Regents consists of seventeen members: fifteen individuals, one of whom must be a student of the UW System, appointed by the governor and approved by the state senate, and two ex officio members, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the President of the Board of Vocational, Technical and Adult Education. The appointed members serve staggered seven-year terms except for the student regent, who serves a two-year term.

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION

President.

The president of the University of Wisconsin System is the officer who has executive responsibility for the operation and management of the System.

Duties.

The president, who reports directly to the Board, has the responsibility to carry out the duties prescribed in Chapter 36, provisions of other applicable statutes, and appropriate provisions of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, Rules of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.

In fulfilling these obligations, the president directs, manages, and coordinates System Administration and the institutions of the System pursuant to Board policies. The president is also charged with the responsibility to

• assure System-wide fiscal control;

• maintain a full range of management-planning information;

• develop a single System budget; and

• coordinate academic program review, evaluation, and development on all campuses.

Administrative Personnel.

Chancellors.

Each of the universities of the System and Extension is headed by a chancellor who reports to the president of the System or to the Board through the president. All local policy matters which require Board approval for adoption, amendment, or rescission are submitted by the chancellor through the president to the Board. The president may include a recommendation for Board action.

System Administrative Officers.

System administrative personnel reporting directly to the president are the

• Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs;

• Senior Vice President for Administration;

• Vice President for Business and Finance;

• Vice President for Physical Planning and Development;

• Vice President for University Relations;

• Assistant to the President for Equal Opportunity Programs;

• Special Assistant to the President for Minority Affairs; and

• General Counsel.