Administrative Snapshot: December 2006
Names of key participants appear in brackets at the end of most items.

>> NEW THIS MONTH

Tacoma Art Museum partnership

Making plans for Winter Quarter classes? Don't forget that faculty, staff and students can now use the resources at the Tacoma Art Museum. This fall, UW Tacoma launched an exciting partnership with TAM to promote usage of the museum by students, faculty and staff. TAM will grant free one-day passes to 900 UWT students, and faculty and staff are eligible for discounts on individual memberships.Visit the museum's Web site for a list of current and upcoming exhibitions, including Frida Kahlo: Images of an Icon. For more information about this program, contact the General Education Center at 2-4740. [Steve Smith]

Longshoremen’s Hall

The official opening of the Longshoremen’s Hall has been delayed due to necessary repairs. The facility is still being developed to provide collaborative study and recreational opportunities for UWT students. Improvements include a new heating system and sports courts, including a full-sized outdoor basketball court. [Milt Tremblay]

Fitness Center

The UWT fitness center, located next to the art gallery on the Pacific Avenue level of the West Coast Grocery Building, opened for business on Monday, Nov. 6. Available equipment includes elliptical trainers, treadmills, a weight unit, a recumbent bike, exercise balls, and dumbbells. The Fitness Center is open, at no charge, to all UWT students, staff, and faculty from noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. [Milt Tremblay]

UWT working to improve pedestrian safety

UWT Facilities and Community Relations continue to work collaboratively with the Hillside Development Council, the New Tacoma Council and the City of Tacoma to help create a more pedestrian-friendly environment in downtown Tacoma. The New Tacoma Council has approved a grant request for funding improvements such as painting a number of crosswalks in the UWT area. The most notable of these are at C and 21st streets and several intersections along 19th and 17th streets from Jefferson to Tacoma avenues. The grant will also fund a crosswalk with flashing lights on Market Street across from the Longshoremen’s Hall. UWT staff continues to work with the City of Tacoma to expedite this work. [Milt Tremblay]

Assembly Hall
Design professionals at Thomas Hacker Architects, working collaboratively with students, staff, and faculty, have come up with a creative and exciting design for the new Assembly Hall. Everyone is encouraged to stop by Mattress Factory 354 to review the plans and provide additional input. The hall's 500-seat capacity and flexible format will provide a forum for a wide variety of academic functions, job fairs, lectures and banquets as well as collaborative meeting areas and informal gathering spaces. The project continues to be on schedule for a fall/winter 2008 occupancy. [Milt Tremblay]

Court 17

Looking for parking? Don’t forget that the Court 17 parking garage is open for business. Students, staff and faculty can purchase quarterly passes from the UW Tacoma Cashier for $150. Hourly and daily parking is also available to the public; rates are $3 for 0 to 3 hours and $6 for 3 to 10 hours. The parking fee machine accepts credit/debit cards and cash. Progress continues on the 128-unit apartment complex that is being constructed by a private developer over the University’s parking garage. The apartments should be available for occupancy in December. Brochures on these market-rate apartments are available in Enrollment Services. A priority waiting list has been established by the developer for UWT students, faculty, and staff wishing to apply for these units. Interested parties can contact Lorig Development at (253) 274-9000 for additional information. [Milt Tremblay]