December 19, 2002
Update on fire at UW Educational Outreach building at 5001 25th Ave. NE
An early-morning fire Thursday destroyed the Seattle campus offices of UW Educational Outreach. The fire was reported to the Seattle Fire Department at about 6:10 a.m. Thursday, quickly escalating to a three-alarm blaze. The fire did not spread to any other buildings.
The fire has halted registration, counseling and support services at the main UWEO offices. The UWEO website and registration phone lines are also off-line, as are UWEO online courses. Until the damage can be assessed, officials don’t know if grades, applications or other administrative services will be affected. UWEO staff are currently looking for temporary office space and a registration system.
About 100 people work at the UWEO main offices, with other employees at the King Building to the south. Operations at the King Building have not been affected.
UW Educational Outreach is the division of the university that administers continuing education, distance learning, summer quarter, English language programs and other programs for non-traditional students. It handles about 34,000 registrations a year.
Despite this devastating setback, the UWEO staff still plan to meet Friday afternoon, 3:30 p.m. at the UW Faculty Club on the Seattle Campus for a holiday celebration and to offer each other support.
UWEO offices are closed today but will open tomorrow — for in-person registration at the King Building, or by phone at 206-543-2310. UWEO students should check the main UW website (www.washington.edu) for updates on their classes and UWEO services.
For more information (MEDIA ONLY), contact Roberto S?hez, manager of public relations, at 206-685-6344
