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For UW employees

June 1, 2015

Drumheller Fountain reopens a week early

Drumheller Fountain, one of the University of Washington’s campus icons, reopened Monday, one week ahead of schedule after having been closed by Facilities Services crews April 27 for its biannual cleaning and maintenance. “Drumheller Fountain is the centerpiece of our campus,” maintenance supervisor Dale Baxmann said. “We need to be good stewards of our campus landmarks; responsible planning and maintenance work is really important to our aging icons.” Maintenance activities included patching and repairing the fountain’s liner, to prevent water leaks. Facilities’…

May 19, 2015

Former Gov. Christine Gregoire to be UW commencement speaker

Christine Gregoire, who served as Washington’s 22nd governor from 2005 to 2013, will be the featured speaker at the University of Washington’s Commencement exercises June 13. Gregoire, a 1969 graduate of the UW, was named director of the Washington Department of Ecology in 1988. Four years later, she became the first woman elected to the position of attorney general in the state of Washington and served in that post for three terms before being elected governor. During two terms as governor, Gregoire proposed…

May 14, 2015

UW Regents vote to divest from coal companies

The University of Washington Board of Regents on Thursday voted to prohibit direct investment of endowment funds in publicly traded companies whose principal business is the mining of coal for use in energy generation. The Board also reaffirmed the importance of the University’s wide-ranging sustainability efforts. The vote is the culmination of a process that began in December 2012, when Divest UW, a student campaign representing more than 20 registered student organizations, sent a petition to then-President Michael K. Young…

UW Regents appoint Presidential Search Advisory Committee, authorize Chair to contract with national search firm

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The University of Washington Board of Regents took another critical step in selecting its next president Thursday by naming the members of its Presidential Search Advisory Committee and selecting a national search firm to assist in the process. Kenyon Chan, chancellor emeritus and professor at UW Bothell, will chair the committee comprising 27 additional members, including Regents, faculty, staff, students and members of the public. The Regents have also held open forums, one each in Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell, with…

UW Regents approve new name for Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs

The Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington has a new name following approval by the university’s Board of Regents during a meeting Thursday. Effective July 1, the university’s largest graduate degree program will be known as the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. “The Regents’ action is welcomed and an exciting development in our program’s history,” said Sandra O. Archibald, dean and professor. “The new name recognizes our intellectual and practical…

April 10, 2015

UW raises minimum wage to $11 per hour for all student workers

A sculpture of the University of Washington W logo

The University of Washington announced today it is increasing the minimum pay for its student workers to $11 an hour, effective April 1, 2015, consistent with its announcement March 31 that it was moving 70 non-student staff earning below $11 to the new level. Approximately 2,600 student workers are affected. On March 31, the University said it was working with student groups to assess the feasibility of increasing student worker wages. Student jobs at the UW are funded from a…

April 2, 2015

Sally Clark named UW director of regional and community relations

Sally J. Clark, who has served on the Seattle City Council since February 2006, has been appointed director of regional and community relations at the University of Washington, effective May 18, 2015. “I am thrilled to welcome Sally to the University,” said Randy Hodgins, UW vice president for external affairs. “She brings a wealth of leadership experience to the office not only from her time on the Seattle City Council, but also in her neighborhood and economic development work. All…

March 31, 2015

UW Interim President Ana Mari Cauce statement on proposed Senate budget

The following statement is from University of Washington Interim President Ana Mari Cauce: “While I am very pleased to see that the Senate budget not only provides most of the state funding needed to pay for its tuition reduction bill, and makes additional investments for the next biennium, there are some troubling aspects to the proposal. Rejection of our collective bargaining agreements means that thousands of our employees will not receive the wage increases they deserve. There are other troubling…

UW raises minimum-wage workers to $11 per hour

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The University of Washington announced today that it is bringing a small group of employees who currently earn below $11 an hour to that level, effective April 1, in keeping with the spirit of Seattle’s new minimum wage law. Of the approximately 39,000 non-student employees at the UW, 70 currently earn below $11 per hour. Effective Wednesday, they will reach the $11 level. “We are pleased to be moving in synch with the rest of the city,” said Interim UW…

March 23, 2015

Mia Tuan named dean of the UW’s College of Education

Mia Tuan has been named dean of the College of Education at the University of Washington, interim President Ana Mari Cauce and interim Provost Jerry Baldasty announced today. Tuan comes to the UW from the University of Oregon, where she has held a number of academic and leadership positions over the past 18 years. The appointment, effective July 1, 2015, is subject to approval by the UW Board of Regents. “Mia Tuan brings a wealth of successful administrative experience in…

March 10, 2015

Efficiency on display at first Organizational Excellence Showcase

Representatives from more than 50 University of Washington departments crowded into the HUB Lyceum on Tuesday afternoon to share recent workplace improvements at the first Organizational Excellence Showcase. “What’s most exciting to see is that there is a real appetite for continuous improvement and change on campus,” said Ruth Johnston, leader of Organizational Excellence and associate vice president and chief of staff in Planning and Budgeting. “There are more people now here at the UW with the interest, training and…

March 9, 2015

UW leads nation in primary care, rural medicine and family medicine; top 10 in dozens of graduate programs

The University of Washington has 42 graduate schools and specialty programs among the nation’s top 10 in each area, according to U.S. News & World Report’s Graduate School Rankings released Tuesday. The UW again ranked as the No. 1 primary care medical school, while the rural medicine and family medicine specialties continue to lead the nation. Seven other health and medicine schools and programs rank in the top five. “Top graduate programs around the country are incredibly competitive with one…

February 24, 2015

Jerry Baldasty named interim provost of the University of Washington

University of Washington Provost and Executive Vice President Ana Mari Cauce has selected Jerry Baldasty to serve as interim provost, effective March 3, when Cauce assumes the role of interim president. Baldasty has served as senior vice provost for academic and student affairs since 2012. “Jerry is a candid communicator who exemplifies transparency, mutual respect and honesty — all critical values of a leader in resource-limited times,” Cauce said. “In my years as provost, I have found that genuine concern…

February 13, 2015

University of Washington named one of 12 ‘top producers’ of both Fulbright scholars and students

The University of Washington is one of 12 institutions to make the “top producers” list of both Fulbright scholars and students for 2014-15, according to lists released Thursday in the Chronicle of Higher Education. The Fulbright Program, operated by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. Seven scholars and 13 students from the UW were awarded Fulbright grants for 2014-2015, with the university landing fourth on the…

February 12, 2015

UW Regents name Provost and Executive Vice President Ana Mari Cauce interim president

University of Washington Provost and Executive Vice President Ana Mari Cauce was named interim president by the Board of Regents at their regular meeting on Thursday. Her appointment will be effective March 2, 2015. She succeeds President Michael K. Young, who is leaving the UW for Texas A&M University. “Dr. Cauce is an extraordinary leader of our University – a person who is known throughout our community for her straightforward and accessible leadership, extraordinary intellect, plain-spoken common sense, honesty, sense…

University of Washington releases design plans, names architect for former Spokane visitors center

SPOKANE, Washington — The University of Washington has released its architectural renderings for the redesign of the former Spokane Visitors Center, soon to be the UW Spokane Center. Located in the heart of Spokane’s University District, the UW Spokane Center will serve as a hub for Spokane-area alumni, students, prospective students, parents and supporters with space for meetings and special events. The UW has retained Spokane architectural firm Blue Room Architecture & Design, PS to lead the remodel of the…

February 4, 2015

UW Combined Fund Drive raises $2.2 million

A sculpture of the University of Washington W logo

The 2014 University of Washington Combined Fund Drive, part of the state’s workplace giving campaign, raised $2,199,793, making it the most successful campaign in the program’s 30-year history. The campaign ran from Oct. 16 to Dec. 5, 2014, with UW faculty, staff and retirees pledging to 1,819 nonprofit organizations. Employees contributed through ongoing payroll deduction or one-time gifts. “The UW community’s philanthropic spirit is inspirational,” said Kerri Everly, campaign manager for the UW Combined Fund Drive. “Our record-breaking campaign will…

February 3, 2015

UW President Michael K. Young named sole finalist for president at Texas A&M University

University of Washington President Michael K. Young on Tuesday was named as the sole finalist for president of Texas A&M University by its Board of Regents. Young became President of the UW in July 2011. Young is expected to assume his duties at Texas A&M in the spring. Statement from UW President Michael K. Young “Deciding to be a candidate for the presidency of Texas A&M University was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. I was…

January 8, 2015

Study: University of Washington generates $12.5 billion, nearly 80,000 jobs for the state

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The University of Washington generates $12.5 billion a year in economic activity and supports 79,331 direct and indirect jobs in the state of Washington, according to a new economic impact report released Thursday by an independent research firm. The UW employs 34,668 people and, following Boeing and Microsoft, is the third-largest nonfederal employer in the state, with more than half of those jobs related to UW Medicine. “The University of Washington continues to be a major force in the Washington…

January 6, 2015

Mark Pagano selected as chancellor of UW Tacoma

University of Washington President Michael K. Young and Provost Ana Mari Cauce announced today the selection of Mark Pagano, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Montana State University Billings, as the next chancellor of the University of Washington Tacoma, effective March 16. The appointment is subject to approval by the UW Board of Regents. “President Young and I are delighted to have Dr. Mark Pagano join the vibrant UW Tacoma community. Chancellor Pagano brings his expertise in leading…

December 29, 2014

William P. Gerberding, 27th president of the University of Washington, dies at 85

William P. Gerberding, the 27th and longest-serving president of the University of Washington, died Saturday. He was 85. Gerberding, who assumed the presidency in 1979 and retired in 1995, is credited for boosting the university into national prominence, navigating it through potentially devastating budget crises and significantly increasing private financial support. “We are all deeply saddened by this news. Our heartfelt sympathies go to Ruth and the rest of the Gerberding family,” UW President Michael K. Young said. “Bill left…

November 24, 2014

Last chance to donate: UW Combined Fund Drive ends Dec. 5

UW faculty and staff have until Dec. 5 to contribute to this year’s UW Combined Fund Drive, part of Washington state’s workplace giving campaign. Donors can choose from more than 4,000 nonprofits operating locally and globally. You can give a one-time donation or give all year through payroll deduction. Donations are tax-deductible. The UWCFD has raised $1,885,617 so far, and organizers hope to surpass $2.2 million in pledges this year. From local food banks to environmental causes to UW departments…

October 31, 2014

Study: Expansion of UW medical school in Spokane is state’s lowest-cost, highest-quality and most-immediate solution

The University of Washington’s plan to double the size of its medical school in Spokane is “clearly the most cost-effective option” to meet the physician workforce needs in Eastern Washington and throughout the state, according to an independent study by research firm Tripp Umbach. The study also found that Eastern Washington currently cannot support two medical schools because of a lack of capacity in clinics and residency programs. “As an established program, UW School of Medicine has greater capacity than…

October 17, 2014

UW president touts innovation, public commitment in annual address

head shot of president

The University of Washington fosters innovation on its campuses not only because of its deep economic impact “but because, more importantly, we know it can create a world of good,” UW President Michael K. Young said Wednesday at his annual address. “Equally important is the extraordinary advantage that teaching innovation and creativity gives our students, whatever path they ultimately choose to pursue,” Young said. “We do good, and we train the next generation of people who will do good.” The…

August 18, 2014

University of Washington No. 15 in the world

The University of Washington moved up one position to No. 15 on the 2014 Academic Ranking of World Universities, conducted by researchers at the Center for World-Class Universities of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, which was released Friday. The UW ranked 13th among U.S. universities and fourth among public institutions worldwide. The ranking considers several indicators of academic or research performance, including alumni and staff winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals, highly cited researchers, papers published in Nature and Science magazines,…