First-Year Progress Report
Priority: Reinvigorate the Wisconsin Idea and renew our commitment to our public mission
Achievements related to the Wisconsin Idea illustrate how fully the university sustains this guiding principle, which is now emulated around the world.
Addressing needs within the state, the School of Medicine and Public Health has placed its first cohort of medical students in clinical training sites in rural areas and has launched an effort to work toward healthy birth outcomes in key Wisconsin communities. The Law School’s criminal justice projects help low-income clients, including 1,300 who are currently incarcerated and several hundred who have civil legal concerns. The Center for Patient Partnerships advocates for approximately 250 clients facing serious illnesses. The School of Nursing has received additional grant funding to link public health departments and nursing programs across the state. The School of Education is helping Wisconsin educators enhance their skills and meet licensing standards, extending K–12 partnerships to improve math and science instruction, and sponsoring arts events that enrich audiences across the state. The School of Pharmacy has increased enrollment of PharmD students to meet the state’s workforce needs. Among other arts outreach efforts, the Arts Institute and the School of Music bring three faculty ensembles to communities around the state, and nearly 35,000 people attended the 12th annual Wisconsin Film Festival.
Responding to needs throughout the state and beyond, the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital provides expertise during 20,000 patient visits each year, Human Ecology is developing a new center to help consumers understand financial issues, and the School of Business serves more than 900 companies and associations each year via its executive education programs. Continuing Studies enrolls 17,000 students annually — both for professional development and personal enrichment — in the more than 700 courses it offers annually. The School of Pharmacy assists practicing pharmacists and the pharmaceutical industry by conducting 225 continuing education courses each year. The Office of Corporate Relations worked with 159 companies during the first quarter of 2010 alone, connecting businesses with expertise across the campus.
Reaching beyond the borders of the United States, International Studies is spearheading an initiative that focuses on research and education in the emerging powers of China, India, Brazil, and Russia.
Cross-campus initiatives to reinvigorate the Wisconsin Idea include responding to a resounding theme that emerged during the reaccreditation process: the UW’s ability to tackle complex societal problems.
Faculty, staff, and students from a broad range of disciplines will engage in research, learning, and service to advance the complex issues of global health and sustainability. The Global Health Initiative (GHI) is focusing on understanding root causes and developing innovative solutions to health issues that can lead to equitable and sustainable health for people in Wisconsin and around the world. The Sustainability Initiative, which is described in more detail under the Resources priority, is in close collaboration with the GHI, leveraging solutions that impact both issues.
In an additional cross-campus effort, the newly established Office of University Relations is reaching out to UW–Madison’s multiple constituencies both on and off campus, building stronger partnerships and aligning communications strategies to support the overall advancement of the institution and its mission.
Supporting measures
$1.1 million The value of community-service hours contributed in a year by more than 4,000 UW students.
#1 The UW-Madison Executive Education program’s ranking in the world for “value for the money” by the Financial Times of London.
143,923 UW-Madison alumni living in — and contributing to daily life — in Wisconsin.
125 Startup companies housed at University Research Park.
30,339 Students attending evening, weekend, off-campus, or distance-education courses in 2008-09.
10 The UW’s economic development partnerships in Sheboygan County alone, as noted in this searchable Wisconsin Idea database.