Thanks to our global community, we have unique opportunities to share the quest for knowledge and discovery far beyond our campuses. This weekend, I was honored to take part in one such opportunity: Converge Taipei.
Category: Archive
Come together to honor – and support – our veterans
The University of Washington is proud to honor all veterans, especially the students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents who are part of our UW family. Throughout the week leading up to our annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony, we are hosting events to celebrate our veterans and help our community better understand how to support our friends and colleagues who have served.
2019 Annual President’s Address: The Public University’s Role in Tending Democracy
Thank you to everyone who joined me for this year’s Annual President’s Address, whether in person or via livestream. Our great public university has a unique and essential part to play in advancing our democratic values.
New population health building named in honor of renowned data scientist Hans Rosling
Today, the Board of Regents voted to name the new population health building the Hans Rosling Center for Population Health. I am delighted that we have this opportunity to honor Dr. Rosling, a Swedish physician and pioneer in the use of data to address the world’s biggest health challenges.
University-wide climate survey needs your voice
As I shared in April, next week we will launch a university-wide climate survey to examine the experiences of students, faculty and staff across the UW. This survey will be a powerful tool in our collective work to make our University a more equitable working and learning environment that allows everyone to reach their full potential. But this tool will only be as powerful as you make it through your participation.
This is your university and your voice matters. Your candid, thoughtful answers to the survey questions will inform how the UW moves forward in making positive, lasting changes. The survey will cover a broad range of experiences, from questions about your sense of inclusion and belonging on campus, to questions on sexual harassment and sexual assault. The greater the response, the more we can understand how to improve the climate on our campuses, however the survey is completely voluntary and your decision to participate or decline is yours alone — opting out will not affect employment or academic records.
The confidential survey will launch on Tuesday, October 8, when you will receive an email with a link to the live survey on yourvoiceyouruw.org. The survey will remain open until Friday, November 8, at 11:59 p.m. PST. The survey will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete and is compatible with common desktop and mobile browsers, as long as you have JavaScript updated and enabled.
Because we want to encourage every UW employee to participate, taking the survey will be considered release time and employees do not need to use accrued or unpaid time off in order to take the survey during their work day. And because of the sensitive and personal topics discussed, confidentiality is assured. You will not be asked to provide identifying data like your EID/Student ID number or your NetID. The survey is hosted on a non-UW server and your IP address will be stripped from the survey when you submit it. The survey is also available in paper format on request.
We will not be able to track whether you have started the survey. This means that you must finish and submit it without closing the browser window. We recommend budgeting time to complete the entire survey at once, but if you do need to step away, be sure to keep the browser window open and connected to the web until you complete the full survey. You can skip any questions that make you uncomfortable and still submit the survey, and there will be a content alert at the section that asks people about experiences of sexual harassment and sexual assault.
After completing the survey, you will be taken to a page where you may choose to participate in a prize drawing. You will need to provide your UW email address to opt-in, but this information will not be linked to your survey responses. You can find detailed information about confidentiality and data security in the privacy and data security section of our climate survey FAQ.
The survey development was led by a working group of 29 UW students, faculty, and staff representing Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma, and is being facilitated by Rankin & Associates Consulting, which has conducted climate studies at over 190 institutions nationwide. We look forward to sharing initial results in spring 2020, with action plans to follow later in 2020.
I am excited to take this next step in our ongoing work to ensure that the UW is a place where everyone can thrive, and I thank you in advance for your contribution to this critical effort.
Universities and the public health crisis of gun violence
Universities can provide the foundation upon which our nation can take evidence-based action to stem this uniquely American epidemic.
Defending our democracy against disinformation
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.
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.