The University plans to undertake a university-wide climate survey to examine the learning and working experiences of our students, faculty and staff on our three campuses. This survey is a critical tool for gathering information and perspective about our community’s lived experiences to understand what fosters – and impedes – the sense of belonging that is so necessary to thrive and succeed. In the coming months, you will hear more about this confidential survey, which will take place from October 8 to November 8, 2019. Students, faculty, and staff across all three campuses will be invited to participate.
Category: Community
Attack on Christchurch mosques is an attack on values we ALL share
Today we join the global community in grief and sympathy for the victims of the attacks on the Al Noor and Linwood Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, one of Seattle’s sister cities. This despicable act of terror aimed at Muslims is an assault on the values honored by ALL people of good faith: love, peace, friendship and awareness of our shared humanity.
A tragic accident and a loss to our community *UPDATED*
We are all in shock and sadness over the death of a UW student after a tragic fall on the Seattle campus yesterday. I have spoken with the student’s father and my heart is with her grieving family and friends and all who knew her. This was a tragic accident, one that is felt very personally by me and all the UW staff who work to keep our campus safe, every day.
Othello-UW Commons opens a new chapter in our community partnership
Yesterday marked a wonderful and special moment in our University’s partnership with the South Seattle community as we opened the UW Othello Commons.
A win for Washington
Yesterday, we had a lot to celebrate in Pullman, including a fantastic win by our Husky Football team. But what really warmed my heart on that cold, wet, snowy day were the ways our state came together.
Giving thanks, and hoping for a bright future
In this season of thanks, throughout our nation, and here in the Pacific Northwest, we live in a landscape and time of contradictions. We are surrounded by the natural beauty of mountains, waters and forests and we are home to a culture of innovation creating prosperity and incredible advances in science, technology, medicine, music and art. We have much to be grateful for.
In the face of tragedy, what can we do?
It is with great sadness that I write to our community to express my deepest condolences to all who have been affected by the truly horrific events of this past week, and especially the shootings at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.
A dose of inspiration from Justice Sotomayor
This weekend, I had the tremendous honor of interviewing Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor who was invited here by the University Book Store and the UW School of Law to talk about her newest book, Turning Pages
Welcoming our new provost, Mark Richards
It’s my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Mark Richards, the University of Washington’s new provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and Professor of Earth and Space Sciences. I am delighted to be working with Mark and look forward to his contributions to our community. Mark’s responsibilities are broad and include serving as the University’s chief academic and budget officer in support of teaching, research and service across the UW.
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Prior to joining us, Mark was a professor of Earth and planetary science and special assistant for diversity in the mathematical and physical sciences, having previously served as executive dean of the College of Letters and Science (2006-2014) and dean of Mathematical and Physical Science (2002-2014), all at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a celebrated scholar of geology and will be delivering a public lecture of great general interest — the seismic and meteoric activity that coincided with the extinction of the dinosaurs — on October 30. It will be a wonderful opportunity for our campus to get to know Mark and learn more about his fascinating research — I look forward to seeing you there and at the welcome reception that will follow.
Until then, Mark will be taking time this summer to get to know our campus and community, as well as our beautiful region and state. He’ll be visiting many units and departments to learn about the extraordinary teaching and scholarship that define our academic community, as well as the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Please join me in making Mark — along with his wife, Dr. Sarah Noonberg, and their three children — feel welcome, as we all work together to advance the great public mission of the UW.
Academic student employees ratify contract
Sunday evening, UAW 4121 announced that the proposed 3-year contract with academic student employees had been ratified by a 62 percent to 38 percent margin (1476 to 918). We are heartened by this result because this contract continues the progress we’ve made in recent years in elevating wages and benefits for ASEs, and also means that undergraduates can finish their courses as planned. Academic student employees are critical to our success as a world-class research university, and this new contract represents our commitment to them and to ensuring fairness for all UW students.
We recognize that our region’s sky-rocketing housing costs are placing real financial stresses on our ASEs, along with other members of our community, and we look forward to working together during the legislative session on behalf of funding for higher education and our top priority, which will continue to be better wages for all our employees.
The negotiations were lengthy, spanning 22 sessions, and we want to thank the negotiators from both sides, as well as all those who made their voices heard constructively throughout this process. We also want to thank all the faculty and staff who made preparations for mitigating the effects on undergraduates of a strike that, fortunately, will now not take place. Students should consult with their instructors to confirm plans for finals and for concluding the quarter and academic year, and we look forward to joining the entire community in the coming days as we celebrate graduation.