UW System and UW Oshkosh Missions, Learning Outcomes, and Principles
THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH
Organization
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is both a major undergraduate, a regional graduate and doctoral campus in the statewide University of Wisconsin System, which ranks among the top education systems in the nation; it is one of thirteen four-year campuses in the System. Control of the System rests with the state, a Board of Regents, and an administrative head with the title of President. Each campus is administered under the leadership of a chancellor.
History
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has a long and distinguished academic history, having served Wisconsin since opening its doors as Oshkosh Normal School in 1871. Keeping abreast of educational trends, the school was designated Wisconsin State Teachers’ College in 1927, and upon the approval of curricula in the liberal arts in 1951, became Wisconsin State College, Oshkosh.
Recognizing the growth in enrollment and programs and the inauguration of several graduate degrees, the college was designated as Wisconsin State University Oshkosh in July of 1963. Upon the merger of the Wisconsin State University and University of Wisconsin systems, the campus became the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in 1971.
The Campus
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a regional university comprised of two campuses: Oshkosh and Fox Cities. The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campuses increase access to education and serve more than 12,000 students and 1,000 employees. In turn UWO benefits from the unique advantage of a region that provides abundant opportunities for internships, research, employment, entertainment and community service.
MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM
The mission of the University of Wisconsin 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 UW System is the search for truth.
CORE MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY CLUSTER INSTITUTIONS
As institutions in the University Cluster of the University of Wisconsin System, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the University of Wisconsin-Stout, the University of Wisconsin-Superior and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater operate under a shared core mission.
MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh provides a high-quality liberal education to all of its students in order to prepare them to become successful leaders in an increasingly diverse and global society. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to innovative teaching, research, economic development, entrepreneurship and community engagement to create a more sustainable future for Wisconsin and beyond.
High quality academic programs in nursing, education, business, social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, fine and performing arts, engineering technology, information technology, health sciences and applied and liberal studies—all delivered in an innovative and inclusive learning environment—lead to degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s and professional doctorate levels.
Vision Statement
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh will be a research-enhanced comprehensive university built upon the ideals of a liberal education, inclusive excellence, and shared governance that reinforces a nationally recognized emphasis on sustainability.
Core Values
- Student Success
- Inclusive Environment
- Sustainability
- Shared Governance
- Community Partnerships
- Creativity
- Workplace Joy
The UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
UW Oshkosh prepares graduates who are talented, liberally educated, technically skilled global citizens and are fully engaged as leaders and participants in civic, economic, political and social life. The University fulfills its learning mission through a commitment to providing a 21st century liberal education that is grounded in a set of student learning outcomes unanimously adopted by the Faculty Senate on May 13, 2008.
The University embraces the following definition of liberal education:
Liberal education is a philosophy of education that empowers individuals with broad knowledge and transferable skills, and a strong sense of values, ethics and civic engagement. These broad goals have been enduring even as the courses and requirements that comprise a liberal education have changed over the years. Characterized by challenging encounters with important and relevant issues today and throughout history, a liberal education prepares graduates both for socially valued work and for civic leadership in their society. It usually includes a general education curriculum that provides broad exposure to multiple disciplines and ways of knowing, along with more in-depth study in at least one field or area of concentration.
Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World
- Through study in fine and performing arts, humanities, mathematics and science and social science, focused by engagement with big questions, both contemporary and enduring.
Skills, both Intellectual and Practical, including
- Identification and objective evaluation of theories and assumptions.
- Critical and creative thinking.
- Written and oral communication.
- Quantitative literacy.
- Technology and information literacy.
- Teamwork, leadership and problem solving practiced extensively, across the curriculum, in the context of progressively more challenging problems, projects and standards for performance.
Responsibility, as Individuals and Communities, including
- Knowledge of sustainability and its applications.
- Civic knowledge and engagement—local and global.
- Intercultural knowledge and competence.
- Ethical reasoning and action.
- Foundations and skills for lifelong learning developed through real-world challenges and active involvement with diverse communities.
Learning: Integrated, Synthesized and Advanced, including
- Synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general and specialized studies demonstrated through the application of knowledge, skills and responsibilities to new settings and complex problems.
[Note: Learning Outcomes are adapted from AAC&U report, College Learning for a New Global Century [http://www.aacu.org/advocacy/leap/documents/GlobalCentury_final.pdf]]
ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES
- Maintain an open, inclusive, non-threatening environment
- Embrace responsive shared governance
- Treat people with respect and integrity
- Encourage risk-taking
- Respect the ideas, roles, and talents of all members of the team
- Nurture, promote and integrate diversity of people and ideas
- Preserve the ideals of altruistic leadership
- Recognize, reward and celebrate success
- Advocate for all aspects of the University
- Empower and support others
- Communicate honestly and constructively
- Recognize our accountability to our internal and external constituencies
- Listen carefully and respond clearly
- Make decisions based on the priorities integral to the Governing Ideas of the University