We are nearing completion of our first full month in session! Here are a few highlights:
On Thursday, January 26, Dr. Chuck Murray from UW Medicine facilitated a presentation on cell regeneration to members of the Legislature.
![Dr. Chuck Murray presenting to Legislators](https://uw-s3-cdn.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/02/05084942/Chuck-Murrary-Presentation-300x197.jpg)
UW faculty representative, JoAnn Taricani testified in support of HB 1561 regarding textbooks and open educational resources (OER) in the House Higher Education committee on Tuesday, January 31.
![JoAnn Taricani testifying to the House Higher Education committee](https://uw-s3-cdn.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/02/05084939/JoAnn-T-at-HHE-re.-Textbooks-300x169.png)
That same day, student representatives Alex Wirth from UW-Seattle and Anna Nepomuceno from UW-Tacoma testified in support of HB 1561 to the House Higher Education committee as well as provided a presentation on the impact of textbook costs on students in the Senate Higher Education committee.
![Alex Wirth presenting to the Senate Higher Education committee](https://uw-s3-cdn.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/02/05084937/Alex-Wirth-SHE-on-Student-Textbooks-300x154.png)
![Anna Nepomuceno presenting to the Senate Higher Education committee](https://uw-s3-cdn.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/02/05084934/Anna-N-SHE-on-Student-Textbooks-300x155.png)
Dr. Philip Reid, Vice Provost of Academic and Student Affairs, shared his perspective of teaching requirements and faculty workload to the Senate Higher Education committee on Tuesday, January 31.
![Dr. Philip Reid talking to the Senate Higher Education committee](https://uw-s3-cdn.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/02/05084932/Dr.-Philip-Reid-at-SHE-300x225.jpg)
February 2 was Regents and Trustees Day, with thirty representatives from four-and two-year institutions across the state of Washington traveling to the capitol to advocate for higher education. The group met with legislators from the House and Senate, concluding with a meeting with Governor Jay Inslee.
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