It is one of the largest public higher-education systems in the country, enrolling more than 160,000 students each year and employing approximately 41,000 faculty and staff statewide.

The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin system comprise ten members, nine of whom were appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate for nine-year terms.

MNS President Carroll G. Pearse was forced to resign in 1923, and the regents ordered the discontinuation of non-teacher-education programs.

The issue was not settled, though; public pressure for expanded offerings at normal schools continued to grow, and education professionals asserted that traditional two-year curricula in teacher training were inadequate.

The thousands of returning World War II veterans in Wisconsin needed more college choices for their studies under the G.I.

As of 1971, the Wisconsin State Universities comprised nine public universities (Platteville, Whitewater, Oshkosh, River Falls, Stout (in Menomonie), Superior, Stevens Point, La Crosse, and Eau Claire) and four freshman-sophomore branch campuses, with a total enrollment of 64,148.

The 1971 merger law approved by the State Senate combined the two higher education systems in Wisconsin under a single Board of Regents, creating a system with 13 universities, 14 freshman-sophomore centers (as University of Wisconsin Colleges), and a statewide extension with offices in all 72 counties.

The move, intended to enhance the University of Wisconsin's prestige and influence, was resisted by some parties concerned with a possible brand dilution.

[9] The Board of the University of Wisconsin System includes 18 members, 16 of whom are appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate.

The two ex officio members are the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the president or a designee of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

[11][10][12] Madison Milwaukee Oshkosh Whitewater La Crosse Eau Claire Green Bay Stevens Point Stout Platteville River Falls Parkside(Kenosha) Superior Set to close Barron County(Rice Lake) Fox Cities(Menasha) Manitowoc Marinette Sheboygan Waukesha Baraboo Sauk County Wausau Marshfield Rock County(Janesville) Richland(Richland Center) Fond du Lac Washington County(West Bend) Since the 1971 union of the universities and colleges under the University of Wisconsin System name, there has been a controversy over the arrangement.

Conversely, many who are connected to UW–Madison have claimed that having so many institutions share the "University of Wisconsin" title has caused a form of brand dilution.