My Wisconsin Idea

A lot of talk lately around campus (or at least the areas that I go) has begun to revolve around the idea of what the Wisconsin Idea is. I was just asked this question last night on WSUM. Chancellor Martin was asked about it when she attended the Legislative Affairs forum on the New Badger Partnership. Even a new group has formed to “Defend the Wisconsin Idea.” I’m just going to interject here and say that this post will cause some controversy, and that is the point. Hopefully this post will spark others to concretely share their views on the subject.

As I stated last night, the first part of my view is that the boundaries of the university do not stop at Regent Street or North Frances Street.The boundaries extend westward to the Mississippi River, northward towards Lake Superior, eastward towards Lake Michigan, and southward to the border with the land of Lincoln. This is a very common view of the Wisconsin idea. Research that goes on this fine university should, and has, effect how this state operates. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries new technologies that came out of research at of the UW and educators in the field cultivated and grew the new dairy industry in the state. This development flooded over to the entire agriculture industry, which is now a $51.5 billion industry. Today, research at this university is helping to foster the new GreenTech industry in Wisconsin. The UW’s ability to influence and better the state’s economy is at the core of my version of the Wisconsin idea.

But I believe that in today’s global economy those borders have been broken down again and a new wall has not been built. The universities reach now goes much further than the banks of Lake Mendota. Recently, the new UW-Madison and China: Strengthening Ties program has allowed the university to have an impact on development all the way on the other side of the world. With this program though interaction goes both ways, and this leads into the second part of what I believe the Wisconsin Idea is.

The ability to take in information and experiences from around the state, country, and world and incorporate them into the actions that are going on on this campus. Whether it be students who are studying abroad in places like Italy and Brazil, going to conventions in Washington DC or Ohio State, or talking with other students in Wisconsin through United Council, new ideas are constantly being brought back to UW-Madison. With these new concepts, new theories are created and them implemented on this campus and like I stated above around the state and around the world.

Finally, the Wisconsin Idea is the knowledge that the university, in the form of professors, students, and anyone else on campus, provide to the state government. This ties into the development of the economy, like I said before, but it also goes further. It bleeds into the area of government policy as well. During the progressive era, professors helped to craft regulations for the banking, railroad, and election systems. This continues even today. Just next week, faculty from the School of Medicine and Public Health will testify to the state legislature about new health policies that would help the state.

And now comes the controversial part. Notice that, in my view, the Wisconsin Idea does not hinder on support from the state. It is the university that props up the state. I know that many of you reading this will say that monetary support for the university is the foundation of the Wisconsin Idea. In my view, it is a supplement. A subsidy. And that is why I believe that whatever form the New Badger Partnership eventually proposed in, the Wisconsin Idea will not be effected. The only thing that can effect my Wisconsin Idea is a lack of effort from members of this university.

So there are my views. What do you think of My Wisconsin Idea? What is your Wisconsin Idea?

An Inexperienced Leader~Samuel Seering