Category: Updates

UW’s Seattle campus will run a test of the UW Alert system on Jan. 22, 1:22 p.m. in order to highlight for students, faculty and staff how they would be informed (and what to do) in the event of an active shooter attack on the campus.

The test will include a UW Alert message sent via text and email as well as a test of the UW’s outdoor alert system (the blue towers located around campus). The message will clearly read TEST and include prompts for what actions to take during an actual emergency — run, hide, fight — and where to get additional information. The test will not include any simulations out around campus – no gunshots, sirens or simulated victims.

The experience will be similar to the UW Alert Great ShakeOut test that was conducted on Oct. 16. In Seattle, the drill is scheduled for Jan. 22. At UW Tacoma, the active threat drill is on Feb. 19. UW Bothell will also hold a drill during Winter quarter, with the date to be determined.

We know headlines and drills can be stressful for some. The test is an important step in being ready for something we hope never happens.

Learn more and get ready for the test.

In early December, the UW launched a dedicated, skilled team of on-call mental health workers ready to respond to students, staff and faculty experiencing a mental health crisis on the Seattle campus. This new team goes by Husky Assist.

Husky Assist team members are trained mental health professionals who can respond compassionately on the UW campus in Seattle to a variety of situations. The team provides in-person help with things like emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, substance use concerns, support for survivors, connecting to resources, delivering tough news and checking on someone’s well-being. The UW is now one of a growing number of universities in the United States with an on-call mental health team.

The launch of Husky Assist is a big step, many years in the making, and its reality is thanks to scores of students, staff and faculty who have advocated for such a team. Initial funding was approved by former UW President Ana Mari Cauce and Provost Tricia Serio as part of the commitment to reimagine what safety looks like at UW.

Meet Jennifer Magnani, Director of Husky Assist

Husky Assist Director Jennifer Magnani started building policies, procedures and staffing about six months ago. We asked her about her work with UW so far.

Tell us about your professional experience. How did you get into social work?

My path to social work was not linear. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and was working in the field (radio and copy editing) but was struggling to feel connected to the work. I didn’t know if what I was doing was having a positive impact on the world around me. I started volunteering, first at a hospice for people with AIDS and came to know that I needed to do work that had results that I could see and feel more easily. I took a couple of years to explore the health care field more generally. I really liked what I saw the social workers doing, so I went back to school (at UW!) for my Master of Social Work degree.

When should people contact Husky Assist for help?

Husky Assist is a great resource when you or someone you know needs mental health or substance use help on campus but in the moment can’t figure out how to get that help. Maybe the person is feeling overwhelmed or in crisis, or unsure what next steps might look like. Or, maybe you know someone who seems to be deteriorating from a mental health perspective, and you are not certain how to help them.

We have a lot of fantastic mental health and substance use resources on campus, but Husky Assist provides a low-barrier way to start getting help.

What can UW students and employees expect when they call Husky Assist?

The call will be answered by a UW Police Department dispatcher who will ask you questions about what’s going on, such as: What kind of help do you need? What’s happening in that space right now? Are there any weapons around or threat of weapons being used? What are the reasons you are concerned about the person? Based on those answers, the dispatcher will mobilize Husky Assist either solo, or, if there is the potential for a safety issue, with an officer from UWPD. UWPD officers will also respond if there is an active suicide attempt or a close call. If you are certain that you want Husky Assist, please ask for us!

What can you do for students and employees when you show up?

From the moment we arrive on scene we are assessing what’s going on and what would be helpful. We can help deescalate someone in crisis and talk through what’s going on. We can provide a listening ear, answer questions about resources and help guide people towards next steps. We know that some people are more receptive to talking about what’s going on than others, and that’s OK. You can still call Husky Assist even if you’re not sure if the person will talk with us.

Husky Assist team members are considered “confidential employees” because we provide mental health care. That means that clients we are serving can disclose Title IX-related events (sex- and gender- based violence and discrimination) to us and we are not mandated to report in the same way as other University employees. Like other mental health providers, there are limits to confidentiality around disclosures of child abuse/neglect, the abuse/neglect of vulnerable adults, and when someone intends to harm themselves or others. We can review those confidentiality limitations when we respond.

It’s a big campus. How will the team move around? Will people see the team out and about?

Yes, it’s a huge campus! We have a UCAR with the Husky Assist logo on the doors. The car allows us to respond more quickly across the entirety of the Seattle campus.

The team itself tries to be very low-profile much of the time, except when marketing or if we are at a large response scene where it would help to be able to pick us out of the crowd. We do have some Husky Assist labeled clothing for those scenarios. But most of the time, we try to blend into the campus environment so that it’s less obvious when someone is receiving support from the team.

What are some misconceptions you’ve encountered about students, faculty and staff in crisis?

I think a big one is around how a ”crisis “is defined. In my experience, most of us don’t identify with that label, even if we are in acute distress. We question if it really is that bad. Or a common thought is “I SHOULD be dealing with this better, so I just need to get myself together on my own,” which usually means there’s some shame involved that compounds things.

If there’s one thing that I really wished people knew is that we all hit bumps in the road in life and have moments where we are just at a loss or feel really stuck. Sometimes it feels like there are no options or ways of feeling better. It’s really OK to ask for help — help with sorting out what’s going on, what resources are available and, ideally, finding the hope to move forward.

The other thing I’ll mention is that if you are worried about calling us in too soon, don’t be. Sometimes we’ve been called in when things have deteriorated, but if we’d been called in sooner, we perhaps could have helped that person get some relief before things got worse.

How have people responded when you’ve asked for help putting Husky Assist together?

I’m so thankful for the many community partners here that have helped me understand the unmet need that Husky Assist was created to fill and how the program fits into the larger whole. SafeCampus, the UW Counseling Center, Husky Health, Housing & Food Services and UWPD all have spent hours with me hammering out best practices and protocols that are critical for the success of the program. Their partnership has led to a much smoother rollout.

What are you happiest doing when you’re not working?

I love spending time with family, cooking (especially with friends) and being out in nature. I also try to have some sort of trip on the horizon — from local to international.

In the Puget Sound, it’s all about the layers. This winter, you’ll want to break out your raincoat and your fleece, with below-average temperatures and more-than-usual precipitation forecasted.

As you prepare your winter gear, it’s a good time for Huskies to check out what the UW does when there’s snow and ice.

If there’s snow or ice in the forecast, how can I find out if there’s any change to UW classes or in-person work?

If UW, UW Bothell or UW Tacoma decide to change operations due to the weather, we’ll share the news via email (a UW Advisory message) to students and employees at the affected campus. We’ll also send a text message (pro tip: sign up now). Info will be posted on the UW website (check the website for your campus) and on social media. Updates will also be available at information hotlines for each campus.

• Seattle: 206-897-INFO (4636) 1-866-897-INFO (4636)
• Bothell: 425-352-3333
• Tacoma: 253-692-4636

If there’s no message, your campus is operating on a regular schedule.

A change in operations could include later in-person start times, closing offices early, cancelling events or in-person classes. For students, check with your instructors about whether you’ll have class online.

During suspended in-person operations, employees who aren’t essential staff (ask your supervisor if you’re unsure), are encouraged to telework. Those who can’t due to power outages or other impacts should follow the UW Suspended Operations Policy and record time in Workday.

How does the UW make the decision to change operations mode?

The UW has Weather Status Assessment groups for each campus (UWB calls this an Emergency Response Team). These groups include representatives from operational and academic units. UW Emergency Management feeds weather updates to the groups and convenes the Seattle group if it looks like the coming weather might impact mobility and operations. Bothell and Tacoma have different, sometimes tricky microclimates and staff at those campuses convene the UW Bothell and UW Tacoma teams.

UW in Seattle, UW Bothell and UW Tacoma consider current weather conditions and forecasts for our region; whether public transit is operating; current and predicted road conditions; K-12 school operations; and whether UW Facilities crews have the tools and people to keep pathways and roadways on campuses clear of ice and obstructions. The team from each campus makes recommendations for hybrid, virtual or suspended operations to the President and Chancellors.

In the event of snow, ice, high winds or other dangerous conditions, a decision will usually be made no later than 6 a.m. about any change in operations for that day.

• UW in Seattle – Winter Storms
• UW Tacoma – Suspended Operations
• UW Bothell – Inclement Weather

Getting to campus

If it’s snowy, be prepared for changes to your commute. If you ride the bus, check King County Metro, Community Transit or Pierce Transit for updates and snow routes. Link light rail and Sounder trains typically operate regular service during cold weather, but some emergencies, such as mudslides, can cancel service. If you take one of the UW shuttles, check Transportation Services or Shuttle alerts for changes to routes and schedule times.

If you drive to campus, be aware that certain levels of parking lots or garages may close for safety reasons. Refer to onsite signage for lot closure instructions and relocation directions. Transportation Services will list closures and re-routes for Seattle. Conditions can change quickly, however, so always use your best judgment.

Plan ahead

UW Environmental Health & Safety has great winter season safety tips that covers preventing falls, working safely outdoors, and traveling in the dark. If you’re headed to the UW campus in Seattle, check the UW Facilities snow removal map for real-time information about the condition of roads and walkways during a snow event.

If we’re expecting a severe winter storm, keep the King County emergency preparedness checklist handy, along with some flashlights and batteries.

What if I can’t make it to campus?

Conditions may be different at your home than they are on campus. If it’s not safe for you to get to campus, students should contact instructors as soon as possible.

Employees should contact their supervisor if they’re unable to come to work. Learn more about inclement weather, including leave use and compensation, at the UW Human Resources website.

If heavy and extended snow is in the forecast, units should check their department’s business interruption and continuity plan and talk with supervisors. UW’s Center for Teaching & Learning also has excellent recommendations for teaching during campus disruptions.

Stay warm, stay dry and have a safe winter!

University of Washington classes, labs and other learning spaces are essential to the University’s educational mission. They are where teachers and students make discovery and learning real. Disruption in these spaces is distressing, steals valuable learning time and can be unsafe.

A recent incident on the Seattle campus of someone entering a class for the purpose of disruption has instructors and students thinking more about what to do in case of an outside intruder entering a class. Planning in advance can bring down your anxiety in the moment.

The Division of Campus Community Safety has guidance for faculty, staff, instructors, teaching assistants and lab assistants to help you prepare and act in the event of an intruder disruption. Classroom success is everyone’s responsibility, but we recognize that professors, instructors and TAs have special responsibilities. Most importantly, you do not need to face these responsibilities on your own.

Before a disruption

• Know your learning space’s entrance(s) and exit(s), including how to get out of the building if you and your class need to leave. This is important for any emergency, not just a disruptive person.
• Add your campus safety team numbers to your phone:
  • Seattle: UW Police Department, 911
  • Tacoma: UW Tacoma Campus Safety & Security, 253-692-4416
  • Bothell: UW Bothell Campus Safety, 425-486-1254
• Share concerns. If you see or hear something in or near your classroom that causes you concern, contact UWPD in Seattle or your Campus Safety Office for Bothell and Tacoma. If it’s not an emergency, but you have safety concerns about yourself or others, another option is to contact SafeCampus by calling 206-685-7233. SafeCampus is the UW’s violence prevention and threat assessment team. Trained, caring professionals will talk you through options and connect you with additional resources if you want them. SafeCampus also offers de-escalation training. To request this training, fill out the Tailored Training request form.
• Review the UW’s guidance for active threats.

During an intruder disruption

Unfortunately, last week wasn’t the only time an individual has entered a class and disrupted the course. What to do depends on your assessment of the situation and whether the intruder is an immediate threat to your safety.

If in your estimation the intruder presents as an immediate threat, move away and instruct your class to leave the room away from the intruder if possible. Call 911 immediately.

If the intruder does not present as an immediate threat to safety:

• Acknowledge their presence and calmly instruct them to leave: “I hear you. However, this is a class. Please leave this classroom so we can continue.”
  • If they do not leave: End class immediately, clear the room if you can and call 911.
  • If they do leave: Still call and alert UWPD for the Seattle campus or the Campus Safety teams for UWB and UWT, and follow dispatcher and safety officer guidance.
    Consider checking in with your students. “That was weird, right? Is everyone OK?”
  • End class if that feels appropriate given the circumstances, or continue if that feels right.
• Do not engage with the disruptor. For your safety and the safety of others, please do not argue with the individual or attempt to forcibly remove, obstruct, follow or make physical contact with the individual.

After a disruption

• Notify your leadership. Even if the person left when asked, please let your campus safety team know about the disruption so we can understand what happened and where. Also, alert your dean and/or chair.
• Get support and take care of yourself. Disruptions are unsettling. Support is available for UW employees through the Washington State Employee Assistance Program (WA EAP).
• Consider sharing resources with your class. The UW’s Counseling Center provides a variety of options for support, including the 24/7 Husky HelpLine.
• It’s a big online world. Unwanted attention can come after videos of a disruption are posted. Check out suggestions for how to protect yourself or respond to on-line harassment.

When someone walks in and disrupts a class, it can leave us feeling shaken. Our community’s strength comes from care and connection — checking in with colleagues and classmates and reaching out for support. Together, we can continue building the respectful, welcoming classroom environment every Husky deserves.

P.S. October is the month where we focus on another type of potential classroom disruption — earthquakes! Click here for the latest on the upcoming Oct. 16 earthquake drill.

A new academic year brings fresh opportunities, new students and plenty of excitement. It also gives us the chance to think about how we make our campus safe and welcoming for everyone.

Being part of the UW Pack means knowing that no Husky — student or employee — has to face challenges alone. We are a strong, safer campus when Huskies watch out for each other.

As we begin the year, here are some important updates and resources to help you stay connected and informed.

Practice makes us prepared — earthquake and active threat drills

On Oct. 16, the UW community will take part in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill, a worldwide event that helps us practice how to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” during an earthquake. We’ll also be testing our emergency communications system during that time, so watch for a UW Alert email and text message. Make sure you’re signed up to get UW Alerts via text — it’s the fastest way to get information during an emergency.

Next quarter, students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to learn and reflect on important safety procedures in the unlikely event of a violent threat on campus. Like the earthquake drill, it will include a test UW Alert email and text message. During this time, you will be asked to think critically about how to respond to an incident in your space. This will be a communications drill and will not include live actors, simulated gunfire or sirens.

In Seattle, the drill is scheduled for Jan. 22. At UW Tacoma, the active threat drill is on Feb. 19. UW Bothell will also hold a drill during Winter quarter, with the date to be determined. Watch for more information about the drills later this quarter.

New training opportunities

UW Emergency Management is offering a new Preparedness 101 training to teach students, faculty and staff about the risks and hazards in our area and how to personally prepare at home and in the workplace. To request training for your UW group, organization or team, submit a UWEM training request form.

SafeCampus offers violence prevention learning opportunities for all campuses. In addition, SafeCampus provides training in how to de-escalate tense or unsafe situations with people who may be experiencing substance use disorders or a mental health crisis. To request this training, fill out the Tailored Training request form. Hot tip: The SafeCampus deescalation training is great for groups that have some level of public interface.

Take a campus safety walk

On the Seattle campus, join us and our friends from ASUW for this year’s annual safety walk on Wednesday, Nov. 12, starting at 5 p.m. We’ll walk through campus, talk about personal safety after dark and answer your campus safety questions. Keep an eye out for more details next month!

If you’re on the Bothell campus, you have this opportunity to walk and talk safety with the Chancellor on a safety walk each quarter. UW Tacoma, you have a safety walk soon to be scheduled. Check the calendar on UW Tacoma’s Campus Safety & Security website for upcoming events.

Safety resources

As we get into this academic year, you may want to bookmark some of these resources, including these:

UW protocol for responding to requests from federal law enforcement agencies: Learn what to do in the unlikely event you are contacted for information by federal law enforcement at a UW campus or other UW location. This question comes up related to potential immigration enforcement actions, but could involve other agencies.

Support for UW scholars experiencing targeted harassment: Find out ways to get help if you, a student or a colleague experience harassment via email or social media due to your academic work, your research, your practice or your beliefs.

Resources for people experiencing homelessness: Unhoused and sometimes unwell people can be present on all campuses. Each UW campus has resources to support individuals who appear to be unhoused and in need of assistance.

• UW in Seattle: A Homeless Outreach Specialist is available to engage with individuals in need. To request assistance, contact the UW Police Department (UWPD) non-emergency line at 206-685-8973. A skilled person from REACH will respond.
• UW Tacoma: Campus Safety will coordinate with Tacoma’s Homeless Engagement Alternatives Liaison (HEAL) team. For support, call 253-692-4416.
• UW Bothell: Campus Safety will contact the City of Bothell Police Department to initiate a referral to Hopelink. For assistance, call 425-352-5359.

Additional safety information and resources for your campus:

• Seattle safety resources
• Bothell safety resources
• Tacoma safety resources

Here’s to a great year ahead, Huskies. Watch out for each other!

As Hot Rat Summer heads into its warmest days, Huskies face a double challenge – rising temperatures and potential wildfire smoke.

UW students, faculty and staff can expect August to be warmer and drier than usual, according to the Washington State Climate Office at the UW. Washington, which is already seeing drought conditions in some parts of the state, also faces an above-average fire risk this year.

That means it’s a good time to grab your largest water bottle and check out the UW’s tips for handling hot and smoky days.

What does the University do if there’s a heat wave?

When the weather is expected to get really hot (temps above 90 degrees for at least two to three days), the UW’s Emergency Management team in Seattle and the UW Bothell and UW Tacoma teams alert the relevant Weather Status Assessment Group. The group, which includes representatives from operational and academic units across the three campuses, meets and recommends possible changes to campus operations, such as limiting outdoor activity.

UW employees working outside (and their supervisors) are required to follow UW Environmental Health & Safety’s outdoor heat exposure guidance. EH&S also has info about excessive indoor heat for the UW’s non-air conditioned buildings. For youth campus and events, the Office of the Youth Protection Coordinator provides guidance for extreme heat and air quality.

Learn more about how UW Facilities handles campus cooling and is planning for warmer days in the future.

What does the University consider when assessing outdoor air quality?

Wildfire smoke visits Western Washington almost every summer. When the skies get smoky, the UW’s Emergency Management team keeps an eye on the air quality index (AQI) and info from the National Weather Service to protect the UW community.

When the AQI reaches (or is expected to reach) unhealthy levels for an extended period of time, UW Emergency Management gets the Weather Status Assessment group together to determine if a change in UW operations is needed. Environmental Health & Safety also requires safety precautions for UW employees working outdoors.

Everyone reacts differently to wildfire smoke, and your individual health circumstances can play a big role in how much it affects you. That’s why it’s important to make the best decision for your own health and comfort, whether that means limiting time outside, wearing a mask or finding a space with cleaner indoor air. If you can’t make it to campus, let your professor or supervisor know.

If the UW changes operations due to heat or air quality (or both), where will that info be shared?

If UW, UW Bothell or UW Tacoma decide to change operations due to the weather, we’ll share the news via email to students and employees at the affected campus. We’ll also send a UW Advisory text message (make sure you’re signed up now). Info will be posted on the website (check the website for your campus) and on social media.

For Seattle, students and employees can call the UW Information Lines at 206-UWS-INFO (206-897-4636) or toll-free 1-866-897-4636. For UW Bothell, call 425-352-3333.

If there’s no message posted, your campus is operating on a regular schedule.

Any advice for cooling off?

• If you’re in Seattle, check out the new IMA pool (free for current Seattle students) or consider renting a canoe or a kayak from the UW Waterfront Activities Center.
• UW Tacoma students can visit the Tacoma Center YMCA pool or any other YMCA pool (free for current students and students who attended Spring quarter).
• UW Bothell students living on campus or elsewhere in Bothell can swim for free at McMenamins Anderson School’s North Shore Lagoon swimming pool with ID and proof of Bothell residency (take a pic of your lease).
• If you’re visiting one of the area’s beautiful lakes, rivers and beaches, see some safety tips.

For more information, visit UW Emergency Management’s extreme heat and outdoor air quality guides. UW employees working outdoors, don’t miss Environmental Health & Safety’s outdoor heat safety and wildfire smoke safety training courses.

As the academic and fiscal years draw to a close, it’s time for a look-back and a report out on some of what the Division of Campus Community Safety (DCCS) accomplished this year.

DCCS, which includes SafeCampus, UW Emergency Management, UW Police (Seattle campus), Business & Academic Continuity & Resiliency and Crisis Communications, is guided by the goals of accountability, transparency, innovation and equity. Putting these goals into practice at the ground level in a difficult, unstable world can be a challenge. DCCS team members show up to take on that challenge every day with energy, creativity and empathy.

A few items of note from the past year.

Preparing for the next emergency… and the next one

UW Emergency Management (UWEM) started the school year with the President’s Cabinet and the Board of Deans & Chancellors in a September tabletop exercise predicated on a spiraling Seattle campus incident. What better way to start the year than catastrophizing together! Seriously, though, this time dedicated to walking through roles and responsibilities is critical to how teams perform in a real crisis.

UWEM provided support during multiple events in the past year, assisting the University’s Incident Coordination Team and Weather Status Assessment Group for events involving severe weather, major protest activities, campus infrastructures challenges (like power outages and water pressure issues) and more.

To help the UW better prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies in the future, UWEM and campus partners in December 2024 began work on a tool that identifies the top natural and human-made risks to UW’s Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma campuses. This Threats and Hazard Identification Risk Assessment will be a building block for updating the University’s emergency plans.

This year UWEM added Deputy Director Rob Sabarese and Training and Exercise Manager Michael Palacioz to the team, allowing UWEM to fully step into emergency response planning and developing a preparedness and roles/responsibilities training calendar. Watch for the training calendar to go live on the UWEM website this fall.

Safety planning and group de-escalation training

SafeCampus, UW’s model violence prevention and safety planning program, received slightly fewer calls from students, faculty and staff across all of UW in the past academic year. However, cases proved more complex and were more likely to involve members of the public or unknown individuals.

This may reflect broader health and safety challenges in the surrounding city, including persistently high numbers of homeless and unwell individuals in Seattle, as well as substance abuse and mental health crises.
The unpredictability of some encounters in public and open-campus spaces was a key factor in the development last year of a new de-escalation training, designed to better equip university staff and faculty to respond to moments of tension with care and clarity. As of this year SafeCampus has trained 380 UW students, faculty and staff in de-escalation. To request training for your area, please reach out to SafeCampus at safecampus@uw.edu.

Recruitment, reaccreditation and laptop reunions

UW Police Department officers on the Seattle campus responded to 11,696 calls for service over the academic year. This included too many calls regarding stolen laptops and bikes. In good news, officers reunited laptops and bikes with the rightful owners a surprising number of times!

While UWPD remains in high recruitment mode to fill vacancies with great people, In the past year, the department has welcomed three new UWPD officers, four new Campus Safety Responders, and eight new security guards. As a small department serving a big community in a big city, UWPD personnel have worked hard and smart.

UWPD is the first and only university law enforcement agency in Washington state accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This is a chance for UWPD to test itself against the highest standards (532 of them, to be exact) for excellence in law enforcement. UWPD, which is also accredited by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, will find out this summer if it earned re-accreditation for a 20th year.

Thanks to generous support from the community, UWPD continued to provide safe rides home with a security guard for students and staff learning or working late. Last year, the program, previously known as Husky NightWalk became Husky SafeTrip in order to better describe this service. The service name changed just before the start of last fall quarter. The service remains popular. UWPD started working with a student group this past year on the possibility of an app for SafeTrip dispatch instead of calling UWPD to request a ride. Stay tuned.

Business continuity planning gets a boost

UW’s Business, Academic, and Research Continuity (BARC) program unveiled new tools this year to help departments and programs make plans to continue services during and after a disruption. The needs could range from how long a unit can work from home in extreme weather, to how a department can continue to function in the event the entire email system goes down.

In February 2025, BARC introduced the new Husky Ready online planning tool, a user-friendly platform with embedded guidance to make the continuity planning process easier and provide more in-depth information for departments using the plan during and after a disruption.

To support effective implementation, UW introduced BARC cohorts — a structured, six-month program that guides unit leads through the continuity planning process via monthly meetings (with snacks). The first cohort began on March 12 with a second starting in July. Want to join a cohort or learn more about the planning process? Submit the BARC Contact Us form or email continuity@uw.edu.

Ensuring free speech and a safe learning environment

World and national events continue to heighten anxiety for many in our campus communities. This year we saw multiple campus protests in Seattle and a redoubling of efforts to protect the exercise of free speech and ensure all students, staff and faculty feel safe on campuses. As a small department, UWPD relied on the support of area law enforcement partners to ensure staffing numbers appropriate for events.

DCCS units actively collaborated this year with partners in UW’s Compliance & Risk Services Division to initiate setting up a new Title VI office for reports of harassment and discrimination based on race, national origin and shared ancestry. This will be a central office for investigating antisemitism and Islamophobia. Watch for launch this fall.

Renewing REACH and launching Husky Assist

It’s been two years already since UW and REACH signed a contract for an outreach worker to connect with unhoused, often unwell people on the Seattle campus. The experience of the last two years has shown REACH to be a valuable partner in building relationships that turn into opportunities for their unhoused clients. That has meant basic deescalation with someone in crisis, but it’s also meant in some cases connections to temporary and permanent housing and regular access to medication.

Based on feedback from building coordinators, UWPD, Safe Campus and others, we’re renewing with REACH for another two years.

In this past school year, DCCS made significant progress on launching an on-call mental health crisis intervention team for students, staff and faculty on the Seattle campus. Husky Assist, a team of skilled and compassionate mental health crisis responders, will continue to provide on-campus support for individuals experiencing emotional distress, suicidal ideation, self-harm or in need of a welfare check. The team may respond independently or with UW police officers, depending on the safety of the situation.

Long a goal, President Ana Mari Cauce and Provost Tricia Serio dedicated funding for a new team starting in this past academic year. Since then, a broad group has collaborated on the basics of building a program. A few staff visited Oregon State University’s program this past November for lessons. In May, Husky Assist welcomed its first director, Jennifer Magnani.

Watch for launch details coming this fall.

Crisis communications and U District advocacy

Over the past academic year the Crisis Communications team for the Seattle campus met 27 times. The teams at UW Bothell and UW Tacoma met 11 times and nine times respectively. While not all activations result in an alert, these teams functioned effectively in assessing a situation and determining if an alert should be sent.

Spring quarter saw a higher number of incidents involving guns being brandished or fired. Gun violence on or near campus is unacceptable. DCCS and UWPD staff met this spring quarter with the new Chief of the Seattle Police Department and the new SPD North Precinct Commander to discuss mutual interests in campus and neighborhood safety. In addition, UWPD and SPD met with Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic house leaders to air concerns and share advice for safety north of campus.

Thank you

So many partners contribute to incident prevention, education, training and emergency response, including Facilities, Environmental Health & Safety, UW Medicine and Student Life, to name just a few. The information sharing and collaborations across campuses makes all three teams stronger, better and more effective in serving the needs of our students and campus communities.

Finally, thank you to all the students, staff and faculty thinking about what it means to be together in classrooms, labs, libraries, offices and open spaces in what can feel like a difficult, sharp-edged time.

DCCS team members show up to take on that challenge every day with energy, creativity and empathy. We are inspired by the incredible acts of compassion and support between individuals and teams each and every day. Happy summer.

Five-four-three-two-one… relaunch! The UW’s Business, Academic and Research Continuity program relaunches this month with new tools to help you and your unit create a plan for navigating emergencies and disruptions.

The past several years of pandemic, weather and infrastructure breaks have reminded students, staff, faculty and researchers that disruptions can happen anytime and be costly, but they can also be weathered with good planning and adaptation. That’s what BARC is all about. Through BARC, you and your group identify your critical functions, determine potential disruptions (e.g., email goes down or power goes out), and plan for how to safeguard critical materials and restore some level of function.

BARC’s re-launch comes with two key changes: a revamped Husky Ready online planning tool and the introduction of continuity planning cohorts for a supportive, collaborative environment in which to make your plan.

The new version of Husky Ready provides the opportunity to update an existing plan or start the planning process for the first time. (Detailed information about the new Husky Ready has been sent to anyone designated previously as the person responsible for their department’s continuity plan or who may have been involved in prior continuity planning at UW.

These changes are part of the University’s commitment to building and supporting a culture of resilience. As detailed in Administrative Policy Statement 13.2, all areas at the UW need to have a plan for getting through disruptions.

Create stronger continuity plans with the new version of Husky Ready

The new version of Husky Ready makes the planning process more straightforward and provides more in-depth information for departments using their plan during and after a disruption.

The new Husky Ready includes embedded guidance and how-to information to help make your plan. Also, it brings together preparedness activities, standard business continuity practices, continuity strategy development, exercise tracking and operational risk management concepts.

Join a BARC cohort – make your plan in 6 months

Developing a continuity plan by yourself can be challenging. No need to go it alone. You’re invited to join a BARC cohort, a facilitated step-by-step planning process. Along with planners from other units across campus, you’ll build your plan in six months. The cohort will include monthly meetings (hybrid), plus a few treats and rewards for participants. Get the support you need to check continuity planning off your list in 2025.

The first cohort starts on March 12. To join this cohort submit the Contact Us form as soon as possible. Additional cohorts will be added as interest builds. You’re also welcome to submit the form to express interest in a future cohort. Want to know more? Email continuity@uw.edu.

BARC is here to help!

Please get in touch and share your continuity planning needs. Submit the Contact Us form with any questions you have.

The University of Washington is dedicated to a safe learning, teaching, research and visitor environment in a diverse community that values compassion and belonging. Working together to foster a community that feels safe is essential for Huskies to thrive academically and professionally in Seattle, Bothell, Tacoma, and the UW’s various other locations.

The University maintains this commitment in compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Washington state law prohibits the sharing of information or use of state resources, including University resources, to target Washington residents solely on the basis of race, religion, immigration, citizenship status, or national or ethnic origin, except when otherwise complying with federal or state law. In addition, most student information is protected by federal law (FERPA).

While immigration officials cannot enter a classroom, laboratory, campus residence or private office without an appropriate warrant or judicial order, the UW cannot legally prevent federal immigration officials from coming into the public spaces of a UW campus or facility. There may also be instances when UW will be required to respond to valid criminal warrants or judicial orders.

In the event of a federal official from Immigration & Customs Enforcement or another agency appearing and requesting information or access, the University has developed guidelines for response.

Protocol

If a student, faculty member or staff person on a UW campus or in a UW location is approached by a federal enforcement officer who requests access to UW facilities, inquires about members of the campus community or requests access to records, please follow these guidelines.

1. Request information: Remain calm and professional. Ask the law enforcement officer for their name, identification number and agency affiliation. You can ask them to take a seat nearby in a public area while they wait for you to contact a campus safety officer and your supervisor or, in the case of UW Medicine locations, the On Call Administrator.

Inform the agent that UW protocol requires you to contact your campus safety office, supervisor and/or Administrator On Call: A trained officer or campus safety employee will respond to take over engagement with the agent, determine the purpose of their visit and involve the Attorney General’s Office.

Campus and facility safety contacts:

• UW Bothell Campus Safety Department: 425-352-5359
• University of Washington Police Department (Seattle campus): 911 or 206-685-8973 (these are answered by UWPD)
• UW Tacoma Campus Safety & Security: 253-692-4416
• UW Medicine clinical facilities: Please contact the Administrator On Call for your specific facility.

If your UW facility isn’t on a campus or part of UW Medicine, UWHR will coordinate training for a designated on-site supervisor.

2. Protect student and employee privacy: Please do not answer questions regarding confidential information unless told to do so by UWPD, your campus safety office or the Attorney General’s Office. Examples of personally identifiable information may include and are not limited to names, contact information, class lists, student schedules, etc. As always, ensure compliance with FERPA and HIPAA regulations.

Remember to not lie to law enforcement agents. Also, it’s not your role to accept legal documents on the University’s behalf. It’s best to wait for UW officials to arrive or direct delivery to the UW’s attorney general’s office.

If you are questioned by agents, consider these responses:
“I am not authorized to answer your questions.”
“I am not authorized to review or accept legal documents”
“I have been instructed to call the UW Police Department/Campus Safety Office before you proceed. Please wait while I do that.”
“I will call my supervisor now.”

UW supervisors, UWHR has published a new website to house resources related to the many federal policy changes that may impact our workplace— https://hr.uw.edu/fedpolicy/. Additional resources will be developed and added to this site in close collaboration with executive leadership.

3. Do not attempt to physically block or interfere with an agent.

4. Additional support is available for you.
Mental health support is available for UW students and employees.

• Students: UW Counseling Center; UW Tacoma Psychological & Wellness Services; UW Bothell Counseling Center
• Employees: Washington State Employee Assistance Program (WA EAP)