It appears that Gov. Scott Walker does not actually intend to end the “Wisconsin Idea” in his executive budget.
As the Center for Media and Democracy first pointed out on Wednesday, Walker’s newly proposed budget included changes to the University of Wisconsin’s mission statement. The changes would eliminate the UW’s goal to “extend knowledge and its application beyond the boundaries of its campuses,” as well as the words, “Basic to every purpose of the system is the search for truth,” and instead would charge the UW to focus on helping the state’s workforce.
However, Walker spokeswoman Laurel Patrick sent the following e-mailed statement to Wisconsin Public Radio on Wednesday afternoon:
News with a little more humanity
WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” newsletter keeps you connected to the state you love without feeling overwhelmed. No paywall. No agenda. No corporate filter.
“The Wisconsin Idea will continue to thrive. This was a drafting error. The final version of the budget will include the Wisconsin Idea.”
More on what was included in Walker’s budget can be found here.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2025, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
