State Relations

Aerial view looking down and southwest, of the Wisconsin State Capitol and Capitol Square in downtown Madison during spring. ©UW-Madison University Communications

The relationship between the State of Wisconsin and the Universities of Wisconsin is one of the most important connections in this State. The State of Wisconsin is the single largest stakeholder in the Universities of Wisconsin, providing over $1 billion annually to support the operations of the universities. The Universities of Wisconsin, in turn, is also the largest state entity with more than 35,000 public employees scattered throughout 26 campuses and 72 county extension offices.

The State Relations team manages that relationship, serving as the primary points of contact at the Universities of Wisconsin for all state government agencies and the legislature. The team monitors legislation, provides legislative and political updates, and advocates on behalf of the system. It also works closely with the Board of Regents, as well as the legislative liaisons, public information officers and Chancellors of each UW university to ensure a consistent legislative strategy and advocacy plan.

The team coordinates the annual Research in the Rotunda event, which celebrates undergraduate student research in the Capitol Rotunda each spring. Faculty and staff from the Universities of Wisconsin bring research to present to legislators and the public.