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Session news: UW Regents advocate in Olympia; Regents Tamaki, Fuller, and Rhoads testify in confirmation hearing

 

Last week, the UW Board of Regents visited Olympia to champion the University’s legislative priorities prior to the release of the House and Senate budget proposals. They met with Democrat and Republican budget writers to advocate for competitive compensation for faculty and staff to ensure the University can continue to recruit and retain valuable employees and discussed the importance of investing in high-demand degrees and student support services. They also emphasized the need to invest in the UW’s hospitals so they can continue to serve Washington’s most vulnerable populations and train the state’s future healthcare workforce. With capital budget leaders, they highlighted the UW’s project requests, including Magnuson Health Sciences Center, Anderson Hall, wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House, Chemical Sciences, and land acquisition at UW Tacoma.

The Senate capital budget proposal was released on Monday with funding for all of the UW’s major asks included. The Senate’s draft operating budget will be published tomorrow, and the House will release their operating and capital budgets early next week.

Today, UW Regents Blaine Tamaki, Leonor Fuller, and Linden Rhoads joined the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee for a confirmation hearing. UW Regents are appointed to their positions by the Governor and must be confirmed by the Senate.

Today, UW Regents Blaine Tamaki, Leonor Fuller, and Linden Rhoads joined the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee for a confirmation hearing. UW Regents are appointed to their positions by the Governor and must be confirmed by the Senate.

Regent Tamaki is the former Board Chair and current Vice Chair. In his testimony, he emphasized his long standing commitment to the UW and shared he was the recipient of last year’s Husky Alumni of the Year award. He also stressed his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through his work representing Indigenous people who were sexually abused in residential schools, for which he was awarded Trial Lawyer of the Year, and as a third-generation Japanese American, who’s father was wrongfully interned during WWII. He is honored to assist in guarding the UW for the benefit of all Washington residents.

Regent Fuller has three degrees from the UW and was a former Student Regent. Additionally, she previously served as a Community & Technical College Trustee. She shared her dedication to Washington’s higher education institutions and recognized their profound impact on students and local communities. She also specifically highlighted the UW’s local, national, and global impact. As Regent, she aims to continue improving the lives of Washington’s residents and communities.

In her testimony, Regent Rhoads recognized the UW’s importance as a driver in the state’s innovation economy. She is a tech entrepreneur who co-founded two companies with UW faculty and worked at the University for six years as a Vice Provost assisting faculty with bringing their life’s work to the world. She is also a graduate of UW School of Law and has served on a multitude of UW boards and committees. She wants to continue pushing the UW to innovate and remain a leader in education, research, and public service.

All three Regents were unanimously confirmed by the committee. Their appointments will now go to the Senate floor for consideration and a vote.

Thank you to all our Regents for your dedicated service to the UW!