This week begins and ends with two important days in the civic life of our nation: Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day. In many ways, these two days represent two sides of the same coin. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we celebrate the life of a man who used advocacy, peaceful protest and civil disobedience to advance the cause of human rights. And on Inauguration Day, we mark the peaceful transition of power as determined by the votes cast in our electoral system.
Category: Campus
The test of free expression is protecting speech that offends (Updated)
I want to state clearly, especially to the thousands of people who have contacted my office with concerns about an upcoming visit by a speaker known for racist and misogynist provocation, that we understand and empathize with their objections and frustration. Nonetheless, the right to free speech and expression is broad and allows for speech that is offensive and that most of us would consider disrespectful, and even sexist or racist. As a public university committed to the free exchange of ideas and free expression, we are obligated to uphold this right.
Welcoming the residents of Tent City 3
Fast Facts
Selected location: Parking lot W35
When: 90 days, starting December 17, 2016, so as to largely coincide with the 2017 winter quarter
- Community feedback at least 2-to-1 in favor
- Hosting is based on safety and operations plan requirements, and a permit has been received from the city
- Up to 99 people – families and individuals – will be able to stay at any one time
- No taxpayer or tuition funds will be used
- Consistent with TC3 code of conduct, no weapons, alcohol, drugs or violence will be allowed, and security will be coordinated with UWPD
- Faculty encouraged, but not required, to incorporate service learning into courses
- Participation in related activities will be voluntary for students and residents
Winter is approaching, and with it the need for shelter for our neighbors who find themselves without permanent housing only grows.
Earlier this year, at the request of the Tent City Collective – a group of students, alumni and Tent City 3 residents – our University engaged in a public process to assess whether we should host Tent City 3 for 90 days during the winter quarter. As a result of your feedback, and thanks to the work of students, faculty and staff, in June it was announced that the UW will indeed host TC3.
The move-in day for TC3 residents at parking lot W35 will be December 17, and they will depart March 18, 2017. This will largely overlap with the winter quarter, aligning with our University’s academic mission by providing the opportunity for educational connections – from courses to service learning projects.
I want to thank the faculty who have already organized educational connections via the Carlson Center. Additional opportunities to connect classes and service learning with TC3 residents will continue to be facilitated through the Carlson Center.
If you would like to help in other ways – whether that’s by assisting with the move, collecting needed supplies or simply providing a meal for the TC3 community – I encourage you to check out TC3’s interactive calendar in order to find and schedule the right opportunity. We have also established a Community Advisory Committee that will meet regularly during the time TC3 is on campus. Those meetings will happen Thursdays at 4:30 p.m., in UWPD’s meeting room starting Dec. 8.
I also want to thank the many people in our community who have been working to create and implement the operations and safety plans for hosting and to obtain the city permit. As was pointed out when we began this process, TC3 was chosen as our preferred partner because of its good track record and its code of conduct that prohibits alcohol, drugs, violence and registered sex offenders. For the safety of all involved, including TC3 residents, the TC3 community’s own safety procedures, which include regular walking patrols, are being coordinated with UWPD.
Organized tent cities are by no means a replacement for permanent housing, but they do provide a safe place for families and individuals to live until they secure stable housing. TC3 will provide shelter and security for up to 99 people and is just one way in which the UW is contributing to solving the many intertwined issues that lead to homelessness. From scholarship to direct service, our University is helping tackle this pernicious challenge.
I look forward to welcoming the residents of TC3 to our campus, and know that our community will demonstrate the same welcoming, open spirit that it has throughout the lead-up to this opportunity.
A safe and welcoming place for all
In the week since the presidential election, many in our university have come together to engage in peaceful gatherings, public forums and other forms of community engagement within residence halls, departments and other groupings across campus. Participation in difficult discussions as well as celebrations of our shared humanity represent the best of who we are, the ideals of our democracy, and demonstrate how, by working together, we can continue to build a better future — the heart of our institutional mission.
Our shared ideals
In the aftermath of this very close and highly contentious election, I want to take this moment to reaffirm our University’s commitment to our mission of education, discovery, healing and public service. I also want to reaffirm our ongoing and unwavering support toward creating and nurturing an inclusive, diverse and welcoming community.
Announcing a transformative gift for the UW’s Population Health Initiative
I am humbled to announce that the UW’s Population Health Initiative has received a transformative gift from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – a gift that will accelerate our work to improve human health, environmental resiliency, and social and economic equity here and around the world.
President Young on the SPU shooting
Dear members of the University of Washington Community:
Another tragic shooting occurred today, this time much closer to home at our neighbor, Seattle Pacific University. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to those who were shot, to their families and friends, and to the entire Seattle Pacific University community. We can only imagine the shock and horror they experienced today at the hands of an individual bent on destructive and violent acts.
Based on the news reports that have been forthcoming, the perpetrator is in custody and the incident at SPU is under control. Any occurrence like this raises concerns for the safety of the entire community, especially such a close-knit community as a college or university. I know everyone is especially vigilant at a time like this and rightly so. Again, I want to remind everyone that we have resources on campus where people can go to report any incident or event that causes discomfort or concern: http://uw.edu/safecampus/
Please be wary and look out for each other. Together, we are our best protection.
Sincerely,
Michael K. Young
Cherry trees on the Quad in bloom
The University of Washington Seattle campus has many spectacular views and settings, and my favorite of all is the Quad in early spring when the cherry trees are in bloom. Luckily for all Huskies, that happens to be right now! The first time I saw cherry blossoms, I was living in Japan, and I immediately appreciated their beauty and significance as a national symbol. And my affinity for Sakura (Japanese for cherry blossoms) has grown exponentially ever since.
Much to my delight, the April 2014 issue of a Japanese magazine, Home Pictorial, has stunning photos of our cherry blossoms in a feature story about Sakura in the western U.S. UW Arborist Sara Shores is mentioned.
If you’re interested in learning more about our cherry trees, cared for by UW gardener Chris Holmer, visit our Grounds Management website and our Cherry Trees on the Quad webpage.