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Presidential Blog

Category: Community

Reflections on the tragedy of Charlottesville

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This weekend was a difficult and painful one for all of us committed to a more equitable and inclusive society — to those of us who believe in justice and equity. There should be no question whatsoever that those white supremacists who marched across the University of Virginia campus and gathered across Charlottesville hold views that are anathema to our values, and that their actions were beneath contempt.

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The pain, and yes anger, evoked by what happened is intensified for those of us who live, work or study on college campuses. It is no coincidence that they chose a campus for their march, for they know that universities are diverse, vibrant communities, which are striving to become even more inclusive and are committed to building a better world for all humanity.

My own reactions are impossible to fully describe, for they are very personal. The images of the Klan, Nazis and neo-Nazis brought me back to the horror of almost 40 years ago to another Saturday morning when people from these same groups murdered my own brother, Cesar, then 25. My heart aches at the loss of the young woman, Heather Heyer, who was killed and the two state police offers, H. Jay Cullen and Berke M.M. Bates, who died in the line of duty, as well as for their families and loved ones and the many who were injured. This will be with them forever and I can only hope that together with the pain, they find strength and inspiration.

I recall a late night conversation with my brother, in which he talked about “the struggle.” He did not view justice as an endpoint, or a goal with a clear finish line. Justice, he said, was a constant work-in-progress. You pushed the boulder up the hill, it would slide back, and you would have to push again. You needed to stay vigilant.

We are at a time in our country’s history where we must put our shoulder to that boulder, for it is sliding back down with a momentum many of us thought was impossible in this day and age. We must recommit to equity and inclusion — for all. But even in our grief and anger, it is important to remember the words of Martin Luther King, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

I do not have a road map forward, but I do know that we must find that way together. When our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in the collective embrace of community.

Celebrating the life and impact of Jeff Brotman

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Photo of Jeff and Susan BrotmanWith the passing of Jeff Brotman the University of Washington has lost one of its greatest volunteers and most accomplished and generous graduates. His and Susan’s principled and passionate leadership, coupled with their generosity — particularly in support of students and of advancements in medicine — have left a lasting impact on our University and all those we serve. Thousands of students were able to attend college and earn degrees thanks to the Costco Scholarship Fund, which he helped launch, and his dedicated support for UW Medicine, including his vital role in the development of the South Lake Union Campus, are just two examples of the many ways his heartfelt devotion will continue to change lives for years to come.

Jeff earned two degrees from the UW, an undergraduate degree in political science and a J.D. in law. His role as a co-chair, together with Susan, of the UW’s Be Boundless campaign, and his previous service as a Regent, and as a leader on numerous UW boards and initiatives, including his significant roles at UW Medicine, have been defined by his strong advocacy and forthright counsel, both of which have been invaluable to me and to many UW leaders. He was actively involved in advancing the School of Law, and as a passionate Husky, he could be found at almost every home football game.

We send our heartfelt condolences to Susan, to their children Amanda and Justin, and to his loved ones. As we remember Jeff, we will rededicate ourselves to his long-held belief in social justice and equity. His generosity is a model for what it means to give back to your community and to provide opportunities for all, and for that we are forever grateful.

A message to alumni: Proud of our community of shared values

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As we conclude another successful academic year, some 15,000 or so new graduates will go forth from the University of Washington and begin to carve their post-college paths. Among them are visionaries who dream of interplanetary travel and asteroid-mining, newly minted Ph.D.s with expertise in everything from classics to bioengineering, and Washington students who were the first in their families to enroll in college and will leave the UW with a diploma and untold opportunities. Each graduate’s story is unique and powerful.

Kicking off a national search for the next UW Provost

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Last week, I officially charged a group of faculty, staff and students to advise me by searching nationally to identify candidates for the UW’s top academic job. In their search for a Provost and Executive Vice President, I have asked them to seek candidates who value our traditions of shared governance, transparency and accountability. I also encouraged them to reach out across disciplines and to individuals who reflect the diversity of our community. Finalists for the position will come to campus to meet with members of our community and talk about their vision sometime in the fall or winter.

Tent City 3 concluding successful stay at the UW

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Lizards outside a tent at Tent City 3 in February
When I visited TC3 in February, I was struck by the decorations outside this tent. The lizards reminded me of growing up in Miami where they were practically house pets. They sparked a conversation with the tent’s resident, during which I learned that, like me, he is of Cuban descent. This is just one very small example of the human connections that have been forged during residents’ stay.

This weekend, our neighbors in Tent City 3 (TC3) depart for their next location, this time in Skyway, having completed their planned 90-day stay here on the UW’s Seattle campus. The way our community embraced our neighbors and the learning and human experiences that took place have been fantastic to witness, and I want to thank everyone whose planning and hard work went into making their stay a successful one.

When students, alumni and TC3 residents in the Tent City Collective first proposed hosting a tent city on campus, a key factor in the decision-making process was whether there would be clear connections to the UW’s academic mission. That’s why I’m so pleased by the number of faculty and students who stepped forward to make this hosting a part of their teaching and learning.

At least eight courses in disciplines including public policy, environmental science, English and several health fields, as well as via the Honors Program, formally engaged with TC3 during the last three months. That’s in addition to other ways the UW and TC3 communities connected, ranging from clinics and outreach provided by students from Nursing, Dentistry, MEDEX and Public Health, to a drop-in art studio, to the many shared meals made possible by a range of units, professional organizations, student groups and individuals. You can read about many of these connections on the Addressing Homelessness page.

The stay faced challenges, not the least of which being the unusually cold winter. But those were no match for the openheartedness and ingenuity of individuals in departments from Facilities Services to ICA and IMA, the last of which opened up the Waterfront Activities Center as a warming center during the coldest part of the season.

One of the questions I received even as TC3 was arriving in December was “When will the UW host again?” Key to answering that question will be student involvement. The Tent City Collective did its homework and gathered support on and off campus before presenting a proposal. Students remained engaged and have done tremendous work, in addition to their class loads, in order to make the stay a success. Future hosting will be contingent on having that same level of student engagement. It’ll also be guided in part by the results of an evaluation – we are academics, after all, and evaluating a program is vital to improving it in the future – that a School of Public Health program evaluation course is conducting. You can contribute to that evaluation by taking this survey.

In the meantime, please remember that TC3’s residents – and the many other individuals and families in our community without reliable shelter – are our neighbors, wherever they may spend the night. For those of us who connected with TC3’s residents, whether for a day or a quarter, it is a lesson we will not soon forget – and one that I hope will lead to action to finally end the crisis of homelessness in our community.

Remembering Helen Sommers, UW alumna and advocate for higher education

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Helen Sommers was a true champion of public higher education and her advocacy for our state’s students and universities changed the lives of countless Washingtonians. She was an advocate for ensuring our universities remained accessible, including through the creation of the branch campuses, and a strong supporter of everything from advanced technology research to her beloved Burke Museum.

Standing together

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No matter who you are, where you’re from, whom you love, where or whether you worship, or any other aspect of your identity, we welcome your contributions to helping the University of Washington maintain its commitment to access and excellence, to building a better and more equitable future, and creating a world of good.

Update on University response to Friday’s events (Updated)

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On Friday night, our campus community was shocked and heartbroken when what was intended to be a peaceful protest was disrupted by violence that resulted in several assaults and a man being shot. Like all of you, I’m thankful that the victim is reported to be recovering. In the days since that incident, the University has received many inquiries from community members concerned about campus safety.

Pursuing the ideals of a more perfect union

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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.

The test of free expression is protecting speech that offends (Updated)

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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.