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Statement from UW Interim President Phyllis Wise regarding state budget

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It is hard to express satisfaction with a budget that removes another third of the University’s state appropriation, bringing it to just half of what it was three years ago. But these are unusual times, and to its credit, the Legislature did much to try to soften the blow and enable us to manage our resources in more efficient, targeted ways. We understand the heavy responsibility that comes with tuition-setting authority, and our Board of Regents intends to exercise that responsibility with great care. We appreciate the Legislature’s strong commitment to student financial aid, a critical component of the complex equation of state appropriations and tuition. As the burden of paying for college has shifted from the state to students and their families, making sure that Washington’s citizens continue to have access to quality education is our core responsibility as a public institution. It will take a strong commitment from all of us to meet this mission.

Join us for the 2011 UW Awards of Excellence

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Please join me in celebrating the outstanding achievements of
our faculty, staff, students and alumni
at the 41st Annual Awards of Excellence.

Thursday, June 9, 2011
Meany Hall Auditorium
3:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony
4:30 p.m. Reception
Reservations are not required.

The Awards of Excellence honor members of the UW community who exemplify the University’s values with special distinction. While the first ceremony was held in 1970, the origins of these awards date back to 1938, when the Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus Award was first presented. Since that time, other awards have been added to pay tribute to individuals from across our UW community who have demonstrated exceptional talents, dedication and service.

To read more about these awards and their history, visit the Honors & Awards site. Continue reading “Join us for the 2011 UW Awards of Excellence”

Join me for a community conversation, May 18

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Dear Members of the UW Community:

Please join me this Wednesday, May 18, for a community conversation about our budget and other issues affecting our University. I will provide an update on the latest developments, including legislation granting tuition-setting authority to Washington’s four-year public institutions, followed by Q&A. The details for the conversation are below.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Microsoft Atrium, Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

I hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Image of Phyllis Wise's signature

Phyllis M. Wise
Interim President

Tuition-setting authority for Washington’s public colleges and universities

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Dear Members of the UW Community:

Today, the State Senate added its approval to yesterday’s passage in the House of Representatives of E2SHB 1795, granting Washington’s public colleges and universities the authority to establish their own tuition rates for all students the next several years. This is a landmark piece of bi-partisan legislation. The bill is on its way to the Governor’s desk, where it is expected to be signed into law.

The impetus for this important legislation, of course, was the state’s current economic climate and the withdrawal of state tax dollars from our budget. With the tireless help of many internal and external supporters, the Legislature recognized the need for our universities and colleges to be able to manage our way through tough times in order to meet the needs of our students, the citizens, and our state. We appreciate this expression of confidence by the Legislature to entrust to our Board of Regents the authority to establish tuition rates for all of our students.

This is a responsibility I can assure you we will not take lightly. We understand the financial pressures increasing tuition places upon students and their families. We also recognize the necessity to provide increased financial aid for low and middle income families who cannot afford to pay as much tuition. At the same time, we must enable our faculty to offer the kind of learning experience all UW students expect and deserve. It will take careful planning, consultation, and a fine balancing of interests, but I am confident we will produce a reasonable and fair plan to keep this University strong.

This Friday, May 13, I will be holding the second in a series of community conversations to help keep everyone up to date on the latest developments affecting our University. I will begin with an update on this legislation, followed by plenty of time for Q&A. The details for Friday’s meeting and for a third meeting next week are below.

I want to express the University’s thanks to the Legislature, especially those individual legislators who led the passage of this important piece of legislation. Our financial troubles are not behind us by any means. A lot of work remains to be done. But today, we gained a critical tool to be able to plan, manage, and navigate our way through these difficult times as we work toward an improved economy and brighter days.

Sincerely,

Image of Phyllis Wise's signature

Phyllis M. Wise
Interim President

Join me for community conversations, starting May 4

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Dear Members of the UW Community:

First, I want to congratulate UW President-designate Michael Young and welcome him to our community. His impressive background in academia and public service as well as his extensive leadership experience and commitment to collaboration make him a wonderful fit for our University, and I look forward to working with him to secure a strong future for the University of Washington.

As Regent Herb Simon indicated in his announcement to the University community, UW President-designate Young will take office on July 1. Between now and then, a great deal will happen, particularly in regard to our state budget. With our state legislative leaders currently in a special session to finalize a budget, I know there is much interest within our community regarding issues affecting the UW and public higher education as a whole. To help keep everyone up to date on the latest developments in the budget process as well as the presidential transition, I will be holding a series of community conversations, the first of which will be later this week. The format will be similar to a town hall meeting in that I will give a brief presentation followed by Q&A, but these meetings will be on a smaller, more informal scale. They also will be recorded for later viewing on the Web if you cannot attend.

I hope you will be able join me at one or more of the community conversations.

Sincerely,

Image of Phyllis Wise's signature

Phyllis M. Wise
Interim President