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News and Updates

Category: Community News & Events

Current news and events happening on campus and in the community designed to improve quality of life and foster economic vitality.

New outdoor dining area on revamped NE 43rd St.

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Picnic tables on a city street
Outdoor dining on NE 43rd Street in the U District Photo: U District Partnership

With the pandemic spurring more outdoor dining and recent completion of a new NE 43rd Street, the University District Partnership has sparked a new look between the light rail station and campus, one that emphasizes people over vehicles. The Partnership has deployed picnic tables along 43rd for everyone to enjoy – preferably with a meal from a nearby restaurant. For a refresher on local restaurants, check the Partnership’s handy guide to the neighborhood with information on shops, services, classes, entertainment, places to live, and more.

Improvements to 43rd and the re-opening of Brooklyn Ave. NE set the stage for the October 2 opening of the U District light rail station, one of three new Seattle stations that make up Sound Transit’s Northgate Link Extension.

A special thanks to UW’s Facilities Services who helped paint these picnic tables. This is part of the University’s ongoing partnership with the community to improve the surrounding neighborhood.

UW announces COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students starting fall 2021

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University of Washington announced on May 3 that all students will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 this coming fall. View UW News coverage for details or President Cauce’s campus communication. Information on vaccine access, as well as information about support resources and campus operations, can be found on the University’s updated Novel coronavirus webpages. Autumn quarter instruction starts September 29.

Health One, a new kind of 9-1-1 response team, expands in the U District

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Earlier this week, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Fire Chief Harold Scoggins announced the launch of a second Health One unit to expand the program to the U District. Health One is a 9‑1‑1 response team comprised of firefighters/EMTs and case managers who are specifically trained to help people experiencing mental illness, substance use disorder and non-emergency medical issues.

With the second Health One unit becoming operational on April 15, the program will now cover the U District and Ballard in addition to the downtown core and Capitol Hill.

Each Health One unit includes two firefighters/EMTs and one case manager from the Human Services Department Aging and Disability Services Division. Unlike other emergency responders, the Health One units can spend more time with the individual in distress and connect them with the services that will help them remain stable after the team leaves the scene. This could include providing the individual a referral to a shelter, helping them schedule a next-day appointment or supplying them food and clothing.

Health One dovetails with the U District Partnership’s existing outreach program operated by REACH. The REACH Care Coordinator, David Delgado, works with individuals experiencing homelessness and mental illness to help them achieve stability. Through daily outreach and ongoing relationship building, David helps homeless neighbors access essential resources including housing, health care and treatment.

Commencement 2021: Celebrating worldwide

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This year’s graduating class will celebrate through a highly interactive virtual commencement. UW President Ana Mari Cauce announced the online format in an April 1 letter to graduating students. On June 12, 2021, the virtual event will include many elements of a traditional graduation to be shared across the globe with friends, family and classmates. Learn more about the virtual festivities here.

Spring quarter to continue current virtual course patterns

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It’s almost a year since most UW students, faculty and staff transitioned to remote class and work. With the exception of the Health Sciences schools, the Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma campuses have been quiet despite full workloads.

Most classes will remain virtual during spring quarter, as President Cauce and Provost Richards detailed in January, along with early thinking about the University’s outlook for summer and fall. If case numbers continue to fall, precautionary measures like face coverings and distancing are followed, and vaccine supply increases, it’s possible more in-person activities could happen in the next few months.

Cherry blossom season is an especially beautiful time on the Seattle campus, but again this year the best way to enjoy the blossoms will be virtually. UW will again provide live web-camera access and discourage in-person visits. View the blossom announcement here for more details.