Mission Statements

Scope

This policy applies to all UW System institutions.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to codify the shared mission of the UW System and its institutions, and the core missions of the doctoral, comprehensive, and polytechnic universities within the UW System. The policy further establishes principles to guide any revisions to select mission statements of individual UW institutions.

Policy Statement

Section 36.01(2), Wis. Stats., describes the mission of the UW System as follows:

The mission of the system is to develop human resources, to discover and disseminate knowledge, to extend knowledge and its application beyond the boundaries of its campuses and to serve and stimulate society by developing in students heightened intellectual, cultural and humane sensitivities, scientific, professional and technological expertise and a sense of purpose. Inherent in this broad mission are methods of instruction, research, extended training and public service designed to educate people and improve the human condition. Basic to every purpose of the system is the search for truth.

This statutory mission for the UW System shall be shared by every institution within the UW System.

Core Mission Statements

Core mission statements apply to a group of institutions that share a common mission and establish broad parameters under which UW System institutions develop programs and services.

Doctoral Universities Core Mission

The core mission statement for the doctoral cluster reflects the unique role of, and articulates a common mission that applies to, research institutions within the UW System.

As institutions in the doctoral cluster, UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee share the following core mission. Within the approved differentiation stated in their select mission statements, each university shall:

Offer degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels.
Offer programs leading to professional degrees at the baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate levels.
Conduct organized programs of research.
Promote the integration of the extension function, assist the University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension in meeting its responsibility for statewide coordination, and encourage faculty and staff participation in outreach activity.
Encourage others in the University of Wisconsin System and in other state and national agencies to seek the benefit of the unique educational and research resources of the doctoral institutions.
Embrace and encourage student, staff, and faculty diversity in all areas and demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Support activities designed to promote the economic development of the state.

Comprehensive Universities Core Mission

The core mission statement for the comprehensive university cluster reflects the unique role of, and articulates a common mission that applies to, UW System institutions that offer associate degree, baccalaureate degree, and selected graduate programs.

As institutions in the comprehensive university cluster, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Superior, and UW-Whitewater share the following core mission. Within the approved differentiation stated in their select mission statements, each university in the cluster shall:

Offer associate and baccalaureate degree level and selected graduate programs within the context of its approved mission statement.
Offer an environment that emphasizes teaching excellence and meets the educational and personal needs of students through effective teaching, academic advising, counseling, and university-sponsored cultural, recreational and extra-curricular programs.
Offer a core of liberal studies that supports university degrees in the arts, letters and sciences, as well as specialized professional/technical degrees at the associate and baccalaureate level.
Offer a program of pre-professional curricular offerings consistent with the university’s mission.
Expect scholarly activity, including research, scholarship and creative endeavors, that supports its programs at the associate and baccalaureate degree level, its selected graduate programs and its approved mission statement.
Promote the integration of the extension function, assist the University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension in meeting its responsibility for statewide coordination, and encourage faculty and staff participation in outreach activity.
Participate in inter-institutional relationships in order to maximize educational opportunity for the people of the state effectively and efficiently through the sharing of resources.
Embrace and encourage student, staff, and faculty diversity in all areas and demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Support activities designed to promote the economic development of the state.

Polytechnic University Core Mission

The core mission statement for the polytechnic university reflects the unique role and articulates a core mission that applies to the UW System institution designated as “Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University”:

As a polytechnic university, UW-Stout shall, consistent with its approved select mission:

Educate and lead through applied learning and research, business and industry collaboration and career-focused experiences.
Offer associate and baccalaureate degree level, selected graduate programs, and pre- and post-professional curricular offerings within the context of its approved mission statement.
Provide industry-aligned facilities, equipment, technology, labs and learning environments necessary to fulfill the polytechnic mission.
Meet the holistic needs of students through required and integrated experiential learning.
Offer a systems-based culture grounded in Baldrige values to meet the educational, personal and professional needs of students. [1]
Offer a transformational, technology-advanced education that develops holistic thinking and problem-solving skills that lead directly to successful careers and engaged citizens.
Expect and sustain applied scholarly activity relevant to the evolving needs of the workforce, professional and academic qualifications and experiential learning activities across all modalities.

Promote the integration of the extension function, assist the University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension in meeting its responsibility for statewide coordination, and encourage faculty and staff participation in outreach activity.

Maintain and expand mutually beneficial relationships with employers, business and industry, and community and educational partners to enhance innovation, expand learning opportunities and address challenges for the people of the state, nation, and globe.
Embrace and encourage student, staff, and faculty diversity in all areas and demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Actively engage as the state’s polytechnic leader in meeting economic and workforce needs.

[1] The use of the term “Baldrige values” in this Regent Policy Document means the “Core Values and Concepts” section found on pages 40 through 45 of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. 2023. 2023-2024 Baldrige Excellence Framework® (Education): Proven Leadership and Management Practices for High Performance. Gaithersburg, MD: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://www.nist.gov/baldrige.

Select Mission Statements

Section 36.09 (1)(b), Wis. Stats., requires the UW System Board of Regents to establish a mission statement for each UW System institution. Section 36.09(1)(d), Wis. Stats., requires the Board to establish policies to guide program activities to ensure that they will be compatible with the missions of the institutions of the UW System. Consistent with these requirements, at a minimum, each select mission statement shall:

Uphold the principles of the UW System mission statement.
Uphold the principles of the UW System core mission statement for either the doctoral university cluster, comprehensive university cluster, or polytechnic university, whichever is appropriate for the institution.
Describe specific program responsibilities and types of degrees offered by the institution.
Meet any applicable accreditation requirements related to select mission statements.

Any changes to a select mission statement must be approved by the Board of Regents, following a public hearing at the institution.

The full document of core mission statements and select mission statements may be obtained from the Office of the Executive Director and Corporate Secretary of the Board of Regents.

Oversight, Roles and Responsibilities

The Board of Regents authorizes UW System Administration’s Office of Academic and Student Affairs to maintain procedures for revising and requesting Board approval of changes to select mission statements. These procedures shall be consistent with Wisconsin state statutes, any applicable accreditation standards related to select mission statements, and this policy.

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