II. Missions

A. Core Mission of the University Cluster

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 share the following core mission. Within the approved differentiation stated in their select missions, each university in the Cluster shall:

a) Offer associate and baccalaureate degree level and selected graduate programs within the context of its approved select mission.

b) Offer an environment that emphasizes teaching excellence and meets the educational and personal needs of students through effective teaching, academic advising, counseling and through university-sponsored cultural, recreational and extracurricular programs.

c) Offer a core of liberal studies that supports university degrees in the arts, letters, and sciences, as well as specialized professional/technical degrees at the associate and baccalaureate level.

d) Offer a program of pre-professional curricular offerings consistent with the university's mission.

e) Expect scholarly activity, including research, scholarship and creative endeavor, that supports its programs at the associate and baccalaureate degree level, its selected graduate programs, and its approved mission statement.

f) Promote the integration of the extension function, assist the University of Wisconsin-Extension in meeting its responsibility for statewide coordination, and encourage faculty and staff participation in outreach activity.

g) Participate in interinstitutional relationships in order to maximize educational opportunity for the people of the state effectively and efficiently through the sharing of resources.

h) Serve the needs of women, minority, disadvantaged, disabled, and nontraditional students and seek racial and ethnic diversification of the student body and the professional faculty and staff.

i) Support activities designed to promote the economic development of the state.

(From University Handbook, Section I-A, revised Mar 1, 1989)

B. Select Mission of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is committed to the development of the individual, the growth of personal and professional integrity and respect for diversity and global perspectives.  These are met by providing a safe and secure environment in which academic and co-curricular programs emphasize the pursuit of knowledge and understanding and a commitment to service.

The mission of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is:

1. To provide a range of undergraduate programs and degrees in letters, sciences, the arts, and professional specializations, including interdisciplinary programs.
2. To offer graduate education built clearly upon its undergraduate emphases and strengths with particular emphasis in the fields of business, education, communication, and human services.
3. To engage in scholarly activity, including research, scholarship and creative endeavor, that supports its programs at the associate and baccalaureate degree level, its graduate programs, and its select mission.
4. To create and maintain a positive and inviting environment for multicultural students, students with disabilities, and nontraditional students, and provide support services and programs for them.
5. To serve as a regional cultural and economic resource center through its service initiatives.
6. To provide continuing education and outreach programs as integrated institutional activities.
7. To provide a variety of co-curricular activities which enhance out-of-class learning opportunities.
8. To encourage and maintain a high level of personal and professional integrity in all University life and activities.

(Approved by UW System Board of Regents, February 11, 2005)

C. Mission and Goals of Andersen Library

The mission of Andersen Library derives from that of its parent institution, UW-Whitewater. The Core Mission of the University Cluster and The Select Mission of the University of Wisconsin Whitewater constitute the basis for defining the general mission of the Library Services that is to support UW-Whitewater in carrying out its institutional mission of teaching, research, and public service.

Within this context, Andersen Library has established its operational goals and objectives as follows:

1. To provide access to electronic and traditional information resources of the University and the world.
2. To develop, organize, preserve, and maintain an adequate, functional, and balanced core collection of library materials to support the instructional, curricular and research needs of the University.
3. To ensure ready accessibility to the library collection by generating and maintaining an accurate, up-to-date, comprehensive, and integrated online catalog.
4. To provide efficient services in the circulation of library materials.
5. To offer high quality reference and information services and user education to faculty, staff, students, and other user groups.
6. To promote information literacy at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater by providing instruction in effective access, evaluation, organization, synthesis and application of information from a variety of sources and formats in a variety of contexts.
7. To organize and maintain the official records and archives of the University.
8. To participate actively in regional and national cooperative programs of resource sharing.
9. To cooperate in the licensing and purchase of library resources to create a UW System-wide electronic library.
10. To use modern technology in innovative ways to enhance information services and delivery capability.
11. To provide adequate physical facilities to meet the diverse needs of library users, and to maintain an attractive environment that is conducive to independent learning and research.

(Revised and approved by Provost Telfer 6/05)