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University of Wisconsin–Madison Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: University of Wisconsin-Madison: History and Key Facts

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University of Wisconsin-Madison: History and Key Facts Study Guide

Founding and Historical Development

The University of Wisconsin-Madison was officially established in 1848, coinciding with Wisconsin's statehood.

Answer: True

Explanation: The University of Wisconsin-Madison was officially established in 1848, coinciding with Wisconsin's statehood, not 1850.

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The University of Wisconsin's establishment traces its origins to a territorial law enacted in 1838 by the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature, which incorporated a 'University of the Territory of Wisconsin'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The foundational legal basis for the university originated from an 1838 territorial law, predating Wisconsin's statehood.

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North Hall, constructed in 1851, was the first building on the UW-Madison campus; Bascom Hall, completed in 1859, is the university's main edifice.

Answer: True

Explanation: North Hall, completed in 1851, predates Bascom Hall (1859) as the first building constructed on campus.

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Female students were first admitted to the University of Wisconsin in 1863, a period coinciding with the American Civil War.

Answer: True

Explanation: The admission of female students in 1863 marked a significant step in the university's early history, occurring during the Civil War.

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What was the first building constructed on the UW-Madison campus?

Answer: North Hall

Explanation: North Hall, completed in 1851, holds the distinction of being the first building constructed on the UW-Madison campus.

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In what year were women first admitted to the University of Wisconsin?

Answer: 1863

Explanation: Women were first admitted to the University of Wisconsin in 1863, during the Civil War.

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University Identity and Mission

UW-Madison is characterized as a public, research university with a comprehensive scope, rather than solely a private, liberal arts college focused on undergraduate education.

Answer: True

Explanation: UW-Madison is a public, land-grant, research university, encompassing a broad range of programs beyond traditional liberal arts undergraduate education.

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The university's Latin motto, 'Numen Lumen,' translates to 'The divine within the universe, however manifested, is my light,' not 'Light of the World'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The motto 'Numen Lumen' is Latin and signifies 'The divine within the universe, however manifested, is my light,' a more nuanced meaning than simply 'Light of the World'.

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UW-Madison holds the Carnegie Classification of 'R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity'.

Answer: True

Explanation: UW-Madison is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as 'R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity,' indicating a higher level of research engagement than 'High Research Activity'.

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In response to attempts to dismiss Professor Richard T. Ely for his teachings, the Board of Regents issued a significant proclamation affirming the principle of academic freedom.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Board of Regents' 1894 proclamation, famously stating the necessity of freely 'sifting and winnowing' truth, strongly supported academic freedom in the context of the Ely case.

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The 'Wisconsin Idea,' articulated by UW-Madison President Charles Van Hise, posits that the university's influence and research should extend beyond campus to serve the broader public good and address societal challenges.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'Wisconsin Idea' emphasizes the university's role in public service and applying research to solve real-world problems, rather than focusing solely on internal academic research.

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What is the official designation of the university commonly referred to as UW-Madison?

Answer: University of Wisconsin–Madison

Explanation: The official name is University of Wisconsin–Madison, distinguishing it from the broader UW System or other potential designations.

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According to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, what is UW-Madison's classification?

Answer: R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity

Explanation: UW-Madison is classified as 'R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity,' signifying its extensive research endeavors.

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What is the Latin motto of UW-Madison, and what is its accurate English translation?

Answer: Numen Lumen - The divine is my light

Explanation: The motto is 'Numen Lumen,' which translates from Latin to 'The divine within the universe, however manifested, is my light'.

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What fundamental principle did the Wisconsin Board of Regents uphold in response to attempts to dismiss Professor Richard T. Ely?

Answer: Academic freedom

Explanation: The Board of Regents' response affirmed the principle of academic freedom, emphasizing the importance of open inquiry and the free exchange of ideas.

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Who is credited with first articulating the 'Wisconsin Idea'?

Answer: Charles Van Hise

Explanation: UW-Madison President Charles Van Hise is credited with first articulating the 'Wisconsin Idea' in 1904.

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What is the primary purpose of the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) for its member institutions?

Answer: To facilitate shared resources and collaborations among member institutions

Explanation: The BTAA serves as a consortium for its member universities to foster collaboration, share resources, and enhance academic and research initiatives.

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Campus and Facilities

UW-Madison's main campus spans approximately 933 acres (378 hectares).

Answer: True

Explanation: The main campus of UW-Madison covers approximately 933 acres, which is less than the figure of 'just over 1,000 acres'.

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UW-Madison's main campus is situated partly on the Madison Isthmus, located between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona.

Answer: True

Explanation: The campus occupies land on the isthmus, but not 'entirely'; it extends across both sides of the isthmus between the two lakes.

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The UW-Madison campus includes four designated National Historic Landmarks.

Answer: True

Explanation: The presence of four National Historic Landmarks underscores the historical and architectural significance of the UW-Madison campus.

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North Hall and South Hall, the oldest surviving buildings on campus, were designed in the Federal architectural style.

Answer: True

Explanation: North Hall and South Hall are designed in the Federal style, not Romanesque Revival.

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Where is the main campus of UW-Madison geographically situated?

Answer: Partly on the Madison Isthmus between two lakes

Explanation: The main campus is strategically located on the Madison Isthmus, nestled between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona.

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Which of the following architectural styles is NOT mentioned as being represented within the historic core of the UW-Madison campus?

Answer: Art Deco

Explanation: While Federal, Gothic Revival, and Beaux-Arts styles are represented, Art Deco is not explicitly mentioned in the provided information regarding the historic core's architecture.

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Which of the following is one of the two primary student union facilities at UW-Madison?

Answer: Wisconsin Union South

Explanation: Wisconsin Union South is one of the two main student union facilities, alongside Memorial Union.

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How does UW-Madison's library collection rank among research libraries in North America?

Answer: 12th largest

Explanation: UW-Madison's library system holds the 12th largest research library collection in North America.

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Academic and Research Contributions

The 'Wisconsin School,' a significant academic designation associated with UW-Madison, primarily refers to its influential contributions in the fields of economics and diplomatic history, not engineering.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'Wisconsin School' is renowned for its contributions to economics and diplomatic history, distinguishing it from fields like engineering.

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In 2023, UW-Madison ranked sixth among U.S. universities for research expenditures.

Answer: True

Explanation: According to the National Science Foundation data for 2023, UW-Madison ranked sixth nationally in research expenditures, placing it within the top 10.

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Individuals affiliated with UW-Madison as alumni, faculty, or researchers have collectively earned 20 Nobel Prizes.

Answer: True

Explanation: Affiliated individuals have collectively earned 20 Nobel Prizes, exceeding the stated figure of 15.

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The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), chartered in 1925, serves to manage patents and commercialize income derived from university inventions.

Answer: True

Explanation: WARF plays a crucial role in translating university research into practical applications by managing intellectual property and licensing inventions.

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The University of Wisconsin Experimental College, established in 1927 with a curriculum centered on great books, closed in 1932 due to financial constraints imposed by the Great Depression and a lack of broader institutional support, not a lack of student interest.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Experimental College closed primarily due to the economic pressures of the Great Depression and insufficient institutional backing, rather than a deficit in student interest.

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Warfarin, an anticoagulant medication, was developed at UW-Madison in the 1940s by Karl Paul Link's laboratory.

Answer: True

Explanation: The development of Warfarin occurred in the 1940s, not the 1950s, under the direction of Karl Paul Link.

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In 1998, James Thomson achieved a significant scientific breakthrough by being the first scientist to successfully isolate and culture human embryonic stem cells.

Answer: True

Explanation: Thomson's work in 1998 represented a landmark achievement in stem cell research, enabling further study of human development and disease.

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In 2023, what was UW-Madison's national ranking among U.S. universities for research expenditures?

Answer: Sixth

Explanation: UW-Madison ranked sixth nationally in research expenditures in 2023, according to NSF data.

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Which of the following prestigious awards has NOT been collectively earned by individuals affiliated with UW-Madison as alumni, faculty, or researchers?

Answer: Academy Awards

Explanation: While affiliated individuals have earned Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, and Pulitzer Prizes, Academy Awards are not listed among their collective recognitions.

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What is the primary function of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)?

Answer: To manage patents and income from university inventions

Explanation: WARF's core mission is to manage patents and facilitate the commercialization of inventions originating from UW-Madison research.

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The University of Wisconsin Experimental College, established in 1927, focused its curriculum primarily on the study of great books.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Experimental College, under Alexander Meiklejohn, emphasized a 'great books' approach to learning, focusing on foundational texts and democratic principles.

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What significant medical development occurred in Karl Paul Link's laboratory at UW-Madison during the 1940s?

Answer: Development of Warfarin (Coumadin)

Explanation: Karl Paul Link's laboratory was instrumental in the development of Warfarin (Coumadin), a crucial anticoagulant medication.

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In 1998, James Thomson achieved a major scientific breakthrough related to which area?

Answer: Human embryonic stem cells

Explanation: Thomson's 1998 breakthrough involved the isolation and culture of human embryonic stem cells, a pivotal moment in regenerative medicine.

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Student Life and Campus Culture

In 2024, UW-Madison reported a combined enrollment of approximately 48,500 students, comprising roughly 34,200 undergraduates and 14,300 graduate and professional students.

Answer: True

Explanation: The reported enrollment for 2024 indicates approximately 34,200 undergraduate students and 14,300 graduate and professional students, totaling around 48,500.

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Memorial Union holds the distinction of being the first student union at a public university to serve beer.

Answer: True

Explanation: This unique feature of Memorial Union highlights its historical role in student social life and university policy.

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What unique distinction does Memorial Union's Rathskeller hold within the context of university unions?

Answer: It was the first union at a public university to serve beer.

Explanation: The Rathskeller at Memorial Union is notable for being the first student union at a public university to offer alcoholic beverages, specifically beer.

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What is the significance of the name 'Dejope' for a UW-Madison residence hall?

Answer: It is a variation of the Ho-Chunk term for the 'Four Lakes' area.

Explanation: 'Dejope' is derived from the Ho-Chunk Nation's term for the Madison area, signifying the region's 'Four Lakes'.

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What is the approximate freshman retention rate at UW-Madison?

Answer: Approximately 94%

Explanation: UW-Madison boasts a high freshman retention rate, approximately 94.2%.

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Why did UW-Madison adopt test-optional admissions beginning in Fall 2021?

Answer: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Explanation: The university implemented test-optional admissions starting in Fall 2021 primarily as a response to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Which university represents the Wisconsin Badgers' most significant traditional rival within the Big Ten Conference?

Answer: Minnesota Golden Gophers

Explanation: The rivalry with the Minnesota Golden Gophers is the most-played rivalry in Division I (FBS) football and is considered the Badgers' most significant Big Ten rivalry.

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How many national championships have the Wisconsin Badgers athletic programs won in NCAA Division I?

Answer: 31

Explanation: The Wisconsin Badgers athletic programs have achieved a total of 31 national championships in NCAA Division I competition.

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Significant Events and Controversies

The bombing of Sterling Hall on August 24, 1970, was an act intended to destroy the Army Mathematics Research Center (AMRC) located within the building.

Answer: True

Explanation: The perpetrators of the bombing intended to target the AMRC, a facility involved in military research.

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In 2012, UW-Madison faced controversy concerning its research involving which animal species?

Answer: Testing on cats

Explanation: The university encountered significant controversy in 2012 related to its experiments on cats, which led to an NIH funding suspension and subsequent policy changes.

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