The Wisconsin Idea is the idea that government exists to help its constituents, codified by the turn of the century progressives. It remains today mostly in the sphere of higher ed and can be summed up with a phrase: the boundaries of the university should reach the boundaries of the state. In other words, all people, whether they attend University of Wisconsin or not, should benefit from the UW’s existence.
Educators in this state take this ideal seriously. In the article, Wisconsin’s Big Idea, I explored a few of the hundreds of projects that the UW undertakes to improve the quality of life for the citizens of this state.
Katie Venit 