The foundations of our democracy rest on the principles enshrined in the Constitution – including freedom of expression, the right to elect our leaders and a free press. But as we continue to grapple with the sudden acceleration and volume of communication in the digital age, those foundations are jeopardized by a rising tide of misinformation and disinformation. That’s why I’m pleased that the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has made a significant investment to create the UW Center for an Informed Public.
Presidential Blog
International exchange and collaboration are at the heart of our mission
The University of Washington is proud to be a part of the global research community and to participate in international research collaborations, here in Washington and around the world. We are part of the fellowship of those united by academic curiosity and scientific inquiry, and we welcome talented scholars and students from many nations.
In memoriam: Marvin Oliver, ’73, artist and professor emeritus
Today, we mourn the loss of Marvin Oliver,’73, a giant of the art world, a treasured professor emeritus of American Indian Studies and a graduate of University of Washington. It’s painful to lose someone who has been so integral to our culture and community, but we can reflect with joy and gratitude on his enormous and lasting contribution to our world. His impact will always be felt here, not only through his seminal artwork, but through his efforts to advance the cause of equity through teaching, mentorship, and community building.
Only a few months ago, we had the privilege of presenting Marvin with the Charles E. Odegaard Award, which honors individuals whose leadership in the community exemplifies the former UW president’s work on behalf of diversity, at the UW Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity’s annual Celebration. Marvin, of Quinault and Isleta-Pueblo heritage, perfectly embodied that spirit. Across his career spanning more than four decades, his soaring, breathtaking sculptures merged, in his words “the spirit of past traditions with those of the present to create new horizons for the future.” In the process, he greatly advanced the development and recognition of Native American contemporary fine art in the art world and within the broader culture.
Here at the UW, where he earned his M.F.A. in 1973, he will be best remembered as an inspiring teacher who connected deeply with students. He loved introducing students to the discipline and technique of his craft while also encouraging them to discover and celebrate their own identity. Early in his tenure, he began a tradition of an annual dinner, now known as Raven’s Feast, to celebrate the accomplishments of American Indian and Alaska Native graduates. In the years since he founded it, Raven’s Feast has grown into a cornerstone of the UW Native community.
Marvin will be missed by all who knew him and experienced his incredible impact, whether in the classroom, the studio or simply by being in the presence of his phenomenal work. His legacy remains a vibrant part of our campus, from his influence at the Burke Museum to his powerful works like “Raven’s Journey” in the HUB and “Soul Catcher” at the School of Public Health. Above all, he lives on in the many people and places he touched with his art and wisdom. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones in their time of loss.
What we are doing to prepare for I-1000
I-1000, which enables state agencies and public universities to factor in characteristics such as race, gender, ethnicity, and veteran status when making admissions, hiring and contracting decisions, was passed by the state legislature this session and is currently scheduled to take effect in late July. To prepare the University of Washington for this change in state law, I have initiated a staff review of our current practices in admissions, hiring, and contracting to lay initial groundwork for implementation.
Congratulations and thank you for a year of excellence
As we wrap up another academic year at the University of Washington, we have much to celebrate. I am deeply grateful to be marking this milestone with all of you – students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and neighbors who make up our diverse and vibrant community.
Thank you, Grant County, for being great neighbors in the UW’s time of need
Yesterday’s visit to Quincy High School in Grant County with the Husky Band was a fabulous opportunity to say THANK YOU to all the members of this community.
Provost’s Town Hall offered insight and vision
I had the pleasure of attending Provost Mark Richards’ first Town Hall yesterday and his talk was a great demonstration of his thoughtful but action-oriented leadership. His talk showed how quickly he has zeroed in on our incredible strengths as a leading global research university while offering a realistic assessment of the areas in which we can – indeed must – invest more time, energy and, yes, money if we are to have an even greater impact.
The Population Health Initiative, three years in
Three years ago, our community launched the Population Health Initiative, an effort to consolidate our extensive expertise and maximize our collective impact to improve the health and well-being of all people. As we knew then, and remain well aware, making an impact of that scale and magnitude is not easy or lightly undertaken. While this wasn’t new work for us, it was an acknowledgment that truly improving health and well-being for whole communities and populations will require efforts across a range of disciplines and actions, with a focus on identifying our strengths and partnerships and learning from what we can do together.
We need reasoned debate on affirmative action, not mockery
Over the next few months, we will likely be engaging in conversations and debates about affirmative action and if, where and how it should be practiced. I am on the record in support of repealing provisions of I-200, which would allow us to take race and gender into account, as one of many other factors, when admitting students and hiring faculty and staff. This is something that all private universities in our state do, so do public universities in many other states. Indeed, at this time when we are beginning to learn more about the advantages that legacy status, monetary donations, participation in elite sports, or being the child of a faculty member can provide in gaining admission to some of our most elite institutions, allowing some consideration for race seems benign by comparison. The intent is to level the field, not advantage one group over another.
Yet, there are also cogent arguments that can be made against taking race or gender into account during hiring or admissions, and some forms of affirmative action – including quotas – remain illegal. There are, no doubt, difficult conversations about affirmative action that should be had; conversations that are serious and evidenced based. But, the so-called “affirmative action” bake sale the UW College Republicans are hosting today has no place in such a debate. It does not create a forum for serious discussion, but instead appears to mock not so much just a policy, but individuals who belong to racial, ethnic and gender groups that have historically been marginalized and that have often experienced very real prejudice, discrimination and oppression. Indeed, the way that the poster advertising this event juxtaposes race and price is reminiscent of a time when persons in some of these groups were literally bought and sold. Regardless of its intent, this sale humiliates and dehumanizes others. It is no surprise that so many on our campus and in our community are deeply offended by it, as am I. It is the opposite of the equitable, inclusive and welcoming climate that the vast majority of us are working hard to create and maintain.
I have written before about free speech and why we uphold it, even when it is offensive and hateful. In this case it is also important to keep in mind that the number of students involved in the sale is extremely small and certainly not representative of all UW students. They are not even representative of the state College Republican organization. It is the crudity, offensiveness and sheer outrageousness of the message that creates a megaphone that amplifies it. Indeed, I suspect more students have been exposed to this hateful message by those who refer to it while seeking to protest or counter it. While I support the intent of these complaints and admonishments and can certainly understand, and support, peaceful protest, I hope we will not let the actions of this small group detract from other truly wonderful events happening today, including Poly(nesian) days on the HUB Lawn and the First Nations Cookie Potlatch. Let us counter the fear and hate of the few, by joyfully participating in these celebrations of diversity, equity and inclusion.
And, let’s keep talking, even when – especially when – it’s tough. But, for these conversations to lead to greater understanding they must happen in a manner that is respectful of each individual’s dignity and worth. This isn’t always easy, but it is necessary.
State budget passage is much needed investment in Washington’s future
This weekend, the Washington Legislature made a significant and profoundly forward-looking investment in our state’s future when it passed a state budget for the next two years. I’m grateful to the members of the House and Senate, as well as Governor Jay Inslee, for their hard work and vision that made this truly the “year of higher education.”
The legislation that passed on Sunday, once signed into law, will have a substantial impact on the UW’s ability to fulfill and advance our public service mission. The new budget will provide greater foundational funding for the UW so that we can better support our talented faculty and staff. It also fully funds the State Need Grant, now to be called the Washington College Grant, increasing equity and opportunity for all Washington students. In our state, higher education is affordable and achievable, regardless of family income. The budget also increases our capacity in high-demand fields on all three campuses, particularly in engineering.
To fund many of these vital initiatives, including the Washington College Grant, legislators created a dedicated source of revenue through an increase in the Business and Occupation Tax on certain professional businesses and services. Making this connection between those industries that benefit most from college graduates and the funding of higher education is an important milestone. I especially thank those businesses, such as Microsoft and Amazon, that supported this legislation actively during the session.
The budget also includes critical support for the UW’s hospitals and clinics, including the clinics in the School of Dentistry. As the state’s largest public health care provider, this funding will help ensure we remain a vital safety net for the patients who need us most. Legislators also began the important work of overhauling our state’s mental and behavioral health system, including through the establishment of a behavioral health teaching hospital within UW Medicine. This critical effort is just beginning, but must be successful if our state is to truly meet the health care needs of its residents.
I also applaud the Legislature’s vote to approve Initiative 1000, thereby repealing I-200’s ban on the use of affirmative action policies in education, government employment and contracting. In our increasingly diverse state and nation, this change will improve the UW’s ability to attract not only the most talented students from underrepresented backgrounds, but also talented and diverse faculty and staff and business and industry partners.
Finally, I want to thank the many, many people who advocated passionately for not only the University of Washington, but for all the public higher education institutions that are serving the students and communities of our state. Students, faculty, staff and friends, including members of UW Impact, used their personal time to advocate continually for this tremendous commitment to the education, health and prosperity of Washington. Together with the tireless work of our government relations, budget office and communications teams, the results of their efforts are a vivid reminder that together, we can achieve great things for our students and communities.
We can create change that advances a more prosperous, educated and equitable world. I am deeply grateful to everyone across Washington — especially our state legislators and Governor Inslee — for their tireless service, measured in hours and miles, late nights and exhaustive debates grounded in the public good. They will enable the UW to continue to serve our students, state and society as part of our proud public mission as the University for Washington.