Details of the 2020-2021 budget:
https://www.washington.edu/news/2020/06/11/uw-regents-approve-2020-21-budget-as-university-faces-financial-challenges-from-covid-19/
Category: Uncategorized
A new Race & Equity Initiative Anti-Racism Resource page is now live!
The Race & Equity Initiative has created a list for all who would like to gain a deeper understanding of historical and present-day manifestations of racism in the United States. This list of guides and resources is a wonderful sample of the abundance of resources available online. In the coming days and weeks, more will be added. Stay tuned and check back often.
https://www.washington.edu/raceequity/2020/06/10/race-and-equity-resources/
Antiracism work is all of our work
The University of Washington Professional Staff Organization stands with and supports our Black community members and works in solidarity to end racism and oppression at the UW and beyond. We are grateful for and endorse the message below from Vice President Rickey Hall, Acting Dean Wayne Ay, and Assistant Chancelor James McShay. We also encourage all professional staff to consider and engage in the conversations that are currently taking place about how to disrupt racism and end police violence. Some opportunities our community has shared include protecting UW communities from police violence; and to reallocate graduation requirements toward diversity courses.
View the web version of this message
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Dear members of the UW community,George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. Three more Black lives snuffed out and lost to our world either at the hands of police or, in the case of Arbery, white racists being protected by local law enforcement. While we shouldn’t need it, these deaths serve as yet another reminder of the pervasiveness of racism and our failure to adequately address it. As a UW community — all three campuses — please remember that at this time, many of our students, staff and faculty are hurting. Many of us were already struggling to deal with the shift to emergency remote learning, financial hardships, family health issues and emotional strain related to the pandemic. Now, on top of all of that, we are also faced with the collective trauma from the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. Our hearts break for their families and our communities. For members of the Black community, we see you, and we acknowledge the deep pain, anguish and extra trauma you are carrying right now due to this senseless loss of life. In the midst of these challenging times, when the pressures stemming from our history of racial violence and ensuing trauma feel heavy and unyielding, please know that we are here to uplift you, and we are in community with you. We have no answers in this message. Just a shared understanding that we stand with you in the pain of the moment as we ourselves search for answers and justice. In 2015, President Cauce called on our community to “combat the racism and inequities, both individual and institutional, that persist here and throughout our society” when she established the UW’s Race and Equity Initiative. Her commitment — and ours — to the continuation of that work is unwavering. We are united and unequivocal that antiracism must be at the core of all we do if we are to dismantle the destructive and oppressive effects of white privilege and systemic racism, which is the cornerstone of all U.S. social institutions, including our criminal justice system. This work is all of our work. We realize there are cumulative effects to these traumas. If you need help, here are some resources. UW Bothell Seattle campus UW Tacoma George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. We say their names to honor their lives and make them matter. |
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3rd Annual Environmental Justice Conference May 19, 2020
We want to invite you to participate in the 3rd Annual Environmental Justice Conference:
WHEN: May 19, 2020 | 1:00 – 5:00pm
WHERE: Virtual Event (an email with the login information will be sent to those who RSVP a day before the event)
Climate change poses one of the greatest threats to humanity and it is happening right now. Unfortunately, not all of us are impacted in the same way. Communities of color and underprivileged groups are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to structural inequities.
The 3rd Annual Environmental Justice Conference entails to bring awareness on environmental and climate justice initiatives, as well as to create a space for dialogue across scales, affiliations, and worldviews. Through presentations and interactive sessions, participants will be able to explore approaches to inclusive and meaningful engagement through innovation and collaboration. The main objective of this conference is to reflect on best practices around equitable partnerships within the context of environmental/climate justice.
RSVP at: https://environment.uw.edu/deievents/
For more information visit: https://environment.uw.edu/envjustice2020
2020 PSO Board Elections now open
VOTE NOW
We represent you so make sure your vote is counted.
Submit your vote by May 15, 2020.
Technology note: The PSO Board application is in a Google form. In order to access the form you must be logged in to Google Apps with your UW account. Users should log out of all personal Google accounts before launching the voting form.
https://forms.gle/j9qncyKneVs327XF7
IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE OPENING THE VOTING GOOGLE FORM:
* We sent out an incorrect Marketo redirect link in the PSO newsletter – please dont use that link, use the one above.
* Due to the way we implemented the PSO election this year using a google form, in order to vote you must have google apps for education enabled on your UWNETID.
* Many UW Professional Staff do not have this enabled by default, but it is quick and free to do so.
* Enabling Google Apps for education does not change your email forwarding or affect your Office 365 setup. They will peacefully coexist.
Enabling Google Apps for EDU on your UWNETID directions are here: https://itconnect.uw.edu/connect/email/google-apps/getting-started/#activate
Input sought for UW draft Sustainability Strategy
Summary: The UW is seeking staff, faculty and student input on its newly released draft Sustainability Strategy. Help shape UW’s future by providing feedback and learning more at http://green.uw.edu/plan
Sustainability Action Plan solicits feedback:
Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the UW has released a draft Sustainability Strategy to guide institutional initiatives over the next five years. The Strategy proposes measurable targets and actions across the University to ensure a sustainable, equitable and responsible future. Your input on this Strategy is vital, especially during this unprecedented time of Covid-19. Learn more and provide input at http://green.uw.edu/plan
PSO Election Process
2020-2022 PSO Board Election Process
Why Run for the PSO Board
Being part of the PSO board is a tremendous way to learn more about UW and the professional staff role, share ideas, resources and connections, and make impactful contacts all across campus! The PSO works with UW leadership at the President’s office, Human Resources, WholeU, faculty committees, and the membership to support professional staff and advocate for their needs and priorities. In addition, board members come from all across the Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma campuses, Harborview Medical Center, and UW Medical Center providing opportunities to meet other professional staff members in a variety of areas.
If you are looking for leadership opportunities that you don’t have in your daily work at the UW, there are many ways a PSO position can provide this professional growth for you. Chairing a committee, organizing outreach, and supporting our various events are just a few of the ways you can expand your skills with a supportive group of colleagues.
Not only can you develop your leadership skills but you can make an impact on the more than 10,000 professional staff. Board members work together to advocate for and enrich our roles at the UW.
We are now accepting applications for 2020-2022 board members. The application deadline is: April 30, 2020.
Technology note: The PSO Board application is in a google form. In order to access the form you must be logged in to Google Apps with your UW account. Users should log out of all personal google accounts before launching the voting form. Please contact your department IT person if you have any issues accessing the form.
Duties and Responsibilities
UPDATED 3/2020
PSO Board Member Job Description
Current PSO Bylaws
(Excerpt from the Job Description document linked above)
Board members are required to:
● Serve in accordance with all bylaws.
● Participate in monthly Board meeting from September through June.
● Attend the Board retreat, which happens in August and is scheduled collaboratively to align with Board members’ calendars.
● Participate in at least one Board committee.
● Participate in a minimum of 1 PSO event a year (Diversity Forum, Annual Meeting/Awards Ceremony, or outreach/engagement events).
● Represent the PSO Board at 2 or more UW Welcome Days, which are held bi-monthly throughout the academic year.
● Engage with PSO business on all relevant platforms (email, Teams, shared Google Drive, etc.), including responding to PSO member queries as appropriate.
Benefits
- Meet and network with other professional staff across campuses (Seattle, Bothell, Tacoma, Harborview, UW Medical Center).
- Hear from UW departments and administrators on topics that impact professional staff.
- Develop skills to advocate for professional staff on topics such benefits, salary, recognition, etc.
Questions? Contact us at psoboard@uw.edu.
Please comment on HR 6074: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations
Professional Staff, please review and comment on HR 6074
This is an Important Federal Bill under consideration in Congress
HR 6074 the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations contains stipulations for
– Free testing
– 14 days paid sick leave
– 3 months paid family leave
– Expanded unemployment insurance & food security
– Medicaid funds
Check it out at
https://congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6074/
And then contact your legislator to let them know your feelings about this legislation
State Bill to subsidize UW Employees transit use introduced in Olympia – PSO member testifies
A new Bill to fund UW Employees transit passes was recently introduced in Olympia. Sponsors are Reps Macri, Chopp, Pollet, and Valdez
HB 2949 – 2019-20
Requiring transit passes to be provided by certain entities.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2949&Year=2019
This bill is now scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 11:00 AM this Saturday 2/29/2020
Full Text: HERE
Bill would also amend the state commute trip reduction law and add additional reporting requirements and tools for implementing compliance.
Click here for current full text of WA CTR – RCW 70.94.531
Erin Rants, PSO Member, testified in favor of the Bill and read a PSO Board endorsed statement (Thank you Erin!)
PSO Statement here:
Audio and Video, as well as a computer-generated transcript of the proceedings can be found here:
Report from UPASS/Parking rates public hearing
UPDATE 2/7/2002: Please review changes to UW Parking system. Page now live here: https://transportation.uw.edu/parking-product-changes
Several PSO board members and constituents were present at the January 29th hearing on parking rate increase in the Husky Union Building.
the University Transportation Committee voted on Monday to recommend to the UW Regents a rate increase of 6% to parking and bicycling products . The UW regents have the ultimate say on what will happen here and will consider the proposal at their next meeting. The intent of the public hearing was to gather employee feedback and summarize it to the Regents so they may use it in their decision making process.
The hearing itself was lightly attended, with just a few dozen UW employees present. Almost everyone who took the time to testify mentioned appreciation of the lack of increase and support for a future fully subsidized U-PASS. This is a big win for our effort to raise awareness at the University about the topic, and it was evident in the hearing that other employee groups share PSO members’ passion for this proposal.
We were disappointed that there were not more PSO members present at this hearing. Please remember that you can’t have your voice heard unless you lend it to the conversation. We strongly encourage professional staff members to attend hearings on policy proposals that affect your important work here at the University of Washington. For those who are uncomfortable with public speaking, written comment can still be provided in regards to proposed parking rate increases by emailing tsfeedback@uw.edu .
PSO president Brett Bass has done this kind of public speaking for some time and has some tips for staff who are interested in providing testimony:
* If you’re particularly nervous, it’s perfectly acceptable to read a prepared statement.
* You can take notes and move through bullet points, but many prefer a more structured way of presenting their case.
* Always be respectful. Nobody is right all the time, most people are acting in good faith, and reasonable people can—and-do—differ in opinion.
* Remember to stay on-topic and be professional.
* Be concise. Having one or two points is more engaging than a whole list.
* If you want to expand on ideas, consider submitting written testimony as a supplement to your presentation.”