A Principle in Practice: A Message From Chancellor John D. Wiley

About a century after then UW President Charles Van Hise found a memorable way to describe the problem-solving character of this university, I am reminded of how some ideas — truly great ideas — can go through generations of applications and remain vital, even as everything else changes around the idea.

Such is the case with the Wisconsin Idea.

This principle was built on the belief that “university knowledge could have a practical impact on the needs and aspirations of the people,” according to a 1912 book exploring Van Hise’s big idea. Simply put, the Wisconsin Idea meant that a university’s influence must extend beyond the classroom, into the communities and the farms and the schools it supports.

The Wisconsin Idea was a driving force that helped UW–Madison become a pioneer in governmental and workplace reforms such as Social Security, the minimum wage and worker’s compensation. It led to countless agricultural and dairy-industry improvements, and to big strides in health care and education reform.

I believe that the Wisconsin Idea, in practice, is as strong today as it has been at any point in the university’s history. Indeed, we now live in a “knowledge economy” that requires an almost universal need for postsecondary training as a career prerequisite. The “practical impact” seems even more self-evident today as higher education becomes a much more essential part of the public experience.

Ironically, however, we are facing a growing perception that the university has become more disconnected from state citizens. People may sense that the university’s values are no longer in sync with the values of the state. Some of these beliefs are an outgrowth of increased competition to attend UW–Madison. But we also are battling a broader perception that people can no longer connect to the university in the same practical and tangible ways, nor have a sense of ownership with the institution. While our work is extensive — reaching across hundreds of communities and supporting many diverse groups — our collective impact appears less noticeable, or may seem fleeting, to Wisconsin’s citizens.

We are actively working to turn that perception around. Beginning in earnest in 2006, we recognized that UW–Madison needs to put together a complete picture of the Wisconsin Idea’s role in the 21st century, and more importantly, we must invite our constituents, in a real and deliberate way, to help set that agenda.

The Wisconsin Idea Project, launched in fall 2006, is dedicated to getting out into Wisconsin communities, listening intently to public input and, ultimately, redirecting some of our outreach efforts to those matters of greatest local importance and benefit. We want to generate a baseline assessment of what the university currently is doing, and explore what Wisconsin citizens expect from us, in five core areas:

• Increasing access and affordability of a college education for Wisconsin students
• Fueling economic development throughout the state
• Rising to the challenges facing K–12 education
• Providing better access to health care services
• Contributing to the overall quality of life

We already have some major developments under way, particularly related to access to the university. In the last year, we have launched new transfer agreements with technical colleges in Madison, Milwaukee and Rhinelander that will bring more of their students into the UW–Madison bachelor’s degree pipeline. On the economic-development front, we recently secured a $5 million private gift from the Kauffman Foundation that will help us bring entrepreneurial education to a much larger audience statewide. And our commitment to K–12 education education shows in programs such as PEOPLE, which now is helping more than 1,000 students from underserved and low-income populations to begin preparing for college readiness and success.

The Wisconsin Idea Project is a joint effort of my office and the Office of the Provost. Leaders at our schools, colleges and divisions — where, ultimately, our valuable work takes place — have pledged their enthusiastic support. We intend to create opportunities in coming years for all faculty and staff to be more active contributors in meeting the needs and interests of the state.

I believe that the Wisconsin Idea is woven into the shared values of our campus. It is demonstrated not only in outreach work, but also in teaching and research initiatives devoted to economic growth, health care, education and quality of life.

As we reach out to the state via the Wisconsin Idea Project, and work to shape this long-standing principle for the 21st century, I hope you will join the conversation.

John D. Wiley
Chancellor