Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System

The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System is an 18-member governing body responsible for overseeing the University of Wisconsin System. It consists of 16 appointed members by the Governor of Wisconsin, subject to Senate confirmation, and two ex-officio members: the state superintendent of public instruction and the president or a designee of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board[1][2].

Composition

• Appointed Members: Fourteen of the appointed regents serve staggered, seven-year terms.
• Student Representatives: Two university students are appointed for two-year terms; one of these students is designated as a non-traditional student[1].
• Ex-officio Members: The state superintendent of public instruction and the president or designee of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board serve as the two ex-officio members[1].

Responsibilities

The Board of Regents has several key responsibilities:

• Policy and Governance: Establishing policies and rules for the UW System and ensuring that these align with future state needs for higher education.
• Leadership Appointments: Appointing the President of the UW System and the Chancellors of the 13 universities.
• Tenure Granting: Granting tenure appointments to faculty members.
• Budgetary Oversight: Reviewing and approving university budgets.
• Admission Standards: Setting admission standards and policies.
• Operational Framework: Establishing the regulatory framework for individual units to operate with a degree of autonomy[1][2][3].

Meetings and Governance Structure

The Board holds regular meetings eight times annually and convenes special meetings as needed[1]. The President, Vice President, and a full-time Executive Director and Corporate Secretary are elected by the Board each June during the annual meeting. The Board President is responsible for designating committee memberships[1].

Purpose and Impact

The Board plays a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape within Wisconsin by ensuring that the UW System aligns with state needs and maintains academic excellence across its campuses. Its decisions impact tuition rates, academic programs, and overall educational policy within the system[5].