Contact UWAA
UWAA Lobby Hours
Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(closed daily for lunch from noon – 1 p.m.)
Please note that the UWAA office is closed for all recognized Federal Holidays.
Mailing address
UW Alumni Association
4333 Brooklyn Avenue NE, Box 359508
Seattle, WA 98195-9508
Telephone
206-543-0540 or 1-800-AUW-ALUM
Fax: 206-685-0611
Location and directions
Washington Commons, the home of the UW Alumni Association, is located in the UW Tower at 4333 Brooklyn Avenue NE, across the courtyard from the main Tower lobby. The courtyard is located a half block south of NE 45th Street. Once in the courtyard, you will see the entrance to the Commons on your left, to the right of the big “W” on the south wall.
Public transportation
The UW Tower is located across the street from the U District Link light rail station and near several King County metro and Sound transit bus routes. Plan your trip.
Driving from the South
Take I-5 North to Exit 169 (NE 45th Street/NE 50th Street). Keep right at the fork in the ramp. Turn right onto NE 45th Street.
Driving from the North
Take I-5 South to Exit 169 (NE 45th Street/NE 50th Street). Follow the exit to NE 45th Street. Turn left onto NE 45th Street.
Driving from the East
Take SR 520 west towards Seattle. After crossing the floating bridge, take the Montlake Boulevard exit. Merge to the left. Cross the Montlake Bridge. Turn left on NE Pacific Street Take a right on 15th Avenue NE. Take a left on NE 43rd Street. Take a right onto Brooklyn.
Parking
Parking is available in the UW parking garage located at 12th Avenue NE and NE 45th Street. Follow the signs to visitor parking on the 1st and 2nd levels. Note your space number and pay at the parking machine on Level 3 near the footbridge to the Tower. Note this building entrance is secure and inaccessible without a Husky ID card. Please proceed to the street level and follow NE 45th St. to the Brooklyn Avenue entrance.
Metered street parking is also available.
Washington Commons
Washington Commons is the University of Washington Alumni Association’s gift in thanks for the many years of support from alumni and friends of the university, and in anticipation of many more years to come. It is located in the UW Tower.
Besides being a comfortable, beautiful space with top-notch presentation and entertainment facilities, the Commons offers a symbolic overview of the University of Washington and its mission. Celebrating the university’s motto, Lux Sit — “Let there be Light”— the Commons is intended to celebrate the transformations the university makes possible, encompassing not only the institution’s rich history but also its future.
The entry to the Washington Commons is reminiscent of the Rainier Vista on the UW campus. The dome light overhead represents the Drumheller fountain; scrollwork on the walls suggests the distinctive façade of the Suzzallo library. The vista culminates with a relief of Mount Rainier at the end of the hall.
In the lounge area, the theme of Lux Sit comes to life through contrasting light and dark woodwork and illuminated composite panels that glow with a soft golden light. The limestone flooring, imported from Tunisia, sets off the darkness of the walls and serves to brighten the space.
The décor of the Washington Commons was carefully selected to celebrate the university and its role in transforming those who interact with it. The table in the conference room was constructed from lumber salvaged from a red elm tree on campus that blew down in a windstorm. The timeline in the conference room is less a chronological history of the university than a celebration of the impact and importance of the university throughout its 150 years and beyond.
