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Chancellor Wilson outlines vision of "Maximum Access" for UW Colleges and UW-Extension
More than 250 faculty, staff and special guests packed three rooms at the Pyle Center in Madison on Feb. 7 to hear Chancellor David Wilson unveil the shared vision for the UW Colleges and UW-Extension.
A vision of "Maximum Access"
"Our shared vision is that the University of Wisconsin-Extension and the University of Wisconsin Colleges will be the "Maximum Access" institutions within the UW System," Wilson said.
UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor David Wilson explained his vision for the two institutions at the Feb. 7 Maximum Access: Building on Excellence event in Madison. Photo by Jim Gill, Wisconsin Public Television
Expanding access to the UW's resources
Wilson focused on several ways these two statewide institutions can expand access to the UW's resources and reach out to underserved populations and regions.
- Social innovation: According to UW-Extension research, Milwaukee and many rural areas have similar problems: schools with decreasing numbers of graduates, increased drug and alcohol use, homelessness, lack of access to health care, teen pregnancy and more. Wilson said that new ways will be sought to use the UW-Extension network to innovatively address issues.
- Agility: The time it takes to complete a degree needs to be reduced to encourage more adults to earn a bachelor's degree. This might be achieved by offering six- or eight-week courses, hybrid courses and/or courses based on mastery learning. Mobile campuses that bring instruction to underserved parts of the state will be explored. The technological resources of Wisconsin Public Radio and Television also will be used for delivery of courses and information.
- Collaborations: Relationships will be strengthened with the UW comprehensive and doctoral universities and the technical colleges in order to bring more adults into classrooms and online. Service learning will be promoted. The feasibility of restricted baccalaureate degree authority for the UW Colleges will be explored.
- Affordability: Keeping tuition within reach of the average citizen will be a goal, so that lack of resources is not a barrier to developing human potential.
- Diversity: A renewed commitment to diversity will mean endeavoring to serve more diverse communities and seeking more diversity in our faculty, staff and students.
- State investment: Wilson urged the state of Wisconsin to invest more heavily in the two institutions, which already have effective networks in place.
- Awareness: The two institutions need to promote themselves more and shed the "best kept secret" label.
The next level of excellence
Those speaking at the unveiling of the UW Colleges and UW-Extension vision included UW System President Kevin Reilly, UW Board of Regents President David Walsh and UW Regent Danae Davis. Photos by Jim Gill, Wisconsin Public Television
Wilson concluded by noting, "We are now woven together by the common goal of access and by the common desire to take the dream of the Wisconsin Idea... to the next level of excellence. Join me in embracing our vision and supporting our efforts to benefit more people in this beautiful state."
The chancellor's speech received a standing ovation.
Access through technology
Malcolm Brett, interim director of Broadcasting and Media Innovations at the UW-Extension, applauded Wilson's initiative to use public broadcasting to gain maximum access. "Broadcasting, webcasting and other distance-learning tools deliver real impact and offer terrific access to university resources in schools, in the workplace and at home," he said. "We expect to be a significant portal for access in the future."
Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton praised the joint UW Colleges and UW-Extension vision of maximum access to UW resources for Wisconsin's people at the reception following Chancellor Wilson's speech.
A mutual future
Patrick Schmitt, dean and chief education officer of UW-Waukesha, noted that the chancellor "had two tasks: to persuade Extension and Colleges that we have one future together, and to outline the nature of that future."
"By tying together the two institutions into a single vision of 'Maximum Access,' he achieved both," said Schmitt.
By Judi Wittkopf, director of university relations, UW-Marathon County