Frequently Asked Questions

Browse the list below for answers to some frequently asked questions about the UW Alumni Assocation and its offerings. Scroll down or browse by category:

Joining UWAA & Member Benefits


Who is eligible to join UWAA? I didn't graduate from UW—can I join the UWAA?
Anyone is eligible to join the UW Alumni Association. While the largest portion of our members are UW alumni, if you're interested in supporting the university and taking advantage of our unique membership benefits, you're welcome to join no matter your background.

What types of memberships do you offer?
Our standard membership levels are annual and life. Within both these categories we offer discounted memberships to young alumni (UW degree holder within 5 years of graduation date) and seniors (UW degree holder 65 years of age or older). Joint memberships are available to partners living in the same household. See our membership section for more information.

We also offer a special membership for new graduates. If you graduated within the last six months you can sign up for our special New Grad Membership Pack.

How do alumni get a library card after becoming a UWAA member?
Take your UWAA membership card to the Suzzallo Library cashier desk (open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday), to have a new library card issued or an old one renewed. You can also get a card at the Health Sciences, Bothell or Tacoma circulation desks. In all cases, you'll need to show your current UWAA membership card.

As a member, can I use online reserach databases and other UW Libraries services?
The main Libraries membership benefit is the ability to check out books. Due to licensing restrictions, the UWAA member benefit does not include remote access to restricted online databases. However, research workstations are available for use by the public at many UW library locations. For more information on what's available, visit the UW Libraries Borrowing for Alumni page and the Services for Visitors page.

Can UWAA members use the IMA?
No. The IMA is open only to current students, faculty and staff.

Can UWAA members use the Nordstrom Tennis Center?
Only Lifetime members paid in full have access to the Nordstrom Tennis Center.

Can alumni get discounted football or basketball tickets?
Sometimes we do have discounted tickets to sporting events, but it varies from year to year. The athletic department provides the UWAA with blocks of tickets that are usually available only online. Check our "Cheer" section for any current ticket offers.

For all other questions about Husky sports tickets, please see the Husky Athletics site or contact the Husky Ticket Office at 206-543-2200 or tickets@u.washington.edu.

Personal Information and Records


How can I change my address?
If you've moved, help us keep our records current by letting us know your new address and your e-mail address by using our change of address form.

How do I get access to my UW transcripts?
Former students and alumni who attended classes in 1983 or later can order official and unofficial transcripts online. You will need a UW NetID to do this—see the Online Services section of the FAQ for more dtails on obtaining a UW NetID.

Online Services


What is a UW NetID and why should I get one?
UW Computing & Communications provides detailed information on what a UW NetID is and how it works. As to why, you might want to show your pride in your alma mater by using a UW e-mail address, or you might want to use an online service for career networking or lifelong learning. You'll need a UW NetID to do any of those things.

Who is and who is not eligible to get a UW NetID?
Most alumni and UW Alumni Association members are eligible for a UW NetID, but not all. Alumni and member populations that MAY NOT BE eligible for a UW NetID include:

  • Degreed alumni of UW with no Social Security Number and no Student ID number on file with UW.
  • Non-alumni members of UWAA with no Social Security Number and no Student ID number on file with UW.

What do I do if I've forgotten my UW NetID password?
UW Computing & Communications provides information on how to reset your UW NetID password.

What computer and email services are available to UW alumni and UWAA members?
UW Computing & Communications maintains a description of e-mail and computing services available to UW alumni and UWAA members. UWAA members can also search the Husky Career Network and the online Alumni Directory.

I'm a UW student. What happens when I graduate?
You must indicate your desire to continue using UW e-mail and computing resources after you graduate. UW Computing & Communications will contact you during your final quarter of studies to tell you about alternatives and show you how/where to sign up for continued services. If you don't take any action upon graduating, you can always sign up later as an alumnus, but you will lose any stored e-mails or Web sites you may have had access to as a student. UW C&C provides a fact-sheet with complete details about the transition from student to alumnus.

What is UW Outlook Live?
UW Outlook Live is a Husky-branded, Web-based version of Microsoft Outlook available as a pilot program to Class of 2008 graduates. Users will be able to retain their u.washington.edu e-mail addresses and use other handy features such as calendars, task lists and more. Users will also have access to other Microsoft Windows Live Services, such as SkyDrive, Spaces and more. Learn more about UW Outlook Live.

Does the UWAA have an e-mail privacy policy?

The UW Alumni Association takes your privacy very seriously. We will never request personal information—including passwords, usernames, telephone numbers or any financial data—through e-mail. Please review the resources below to learn more about e-mail "phishing," which is the practice of trying to collect sensitive information through fraudulent means.

Please do not release any personal information in response to any suspicious message. Contact the UW Alumni Association at uwalumni@u.washington.edu or 206-543-0540 or 1-800-AUW-ALUM to report possible fraud.

RESOURCES

Columns Magazine


Who receives Columns Magazine?
Any graduate with a 4-year degree from UW or any UWAA alumni member will automatically receive Columns magazine. Graduates with certificate program degrees or 2-year Master’s degrees may only receive the magazine by joining the UWAA.

How often is Columns published?
It is a quarterly publication, mailed out the first week of December, March, July and September.

Can I be added to the Columns mailing list if I am a non-member?
No. The only way to be added to the mailing list if you did not attend or graduate from UW is to join the UWAA.

How can I get extra copies of Columns?
The UWAA is happy to provide a complimentary copy of the current issue of Columns. Send your request to columns@u.washington.edu, or stop by the Alumni House at 1415 N.E. 45th St. Because of limited availability, we cannot provide back issues except under special circumstances.

Miscellaneous Questions


Who do I contact to make a donation or ask about a donation that I previously made?
All inquiries about donations should be directed towards the UW Foundation:

How do alumni register for classes?
Alumni older than 60 can join the Access Program to take classes. Otherwise, it is necessary to enroll as a regular student to take classes.

How can I verify that someone received a degree from UW?
The University of Washington maintains an online Degree Validation page. Please note that this only lists graduates after 1983 and does not include alumni who have restricted their directory release information. You can also contact the UW Office of the Registrar at 206-543-8580 or registrar@u.washington.edu.

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