Administrative Snapshot: January 2008
Names of key participants appear in brackets at the end of most items.

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Legislative update

The state legislature is now in session. This is a 60-day supplemental session, allowing lawmakers to fix anything urgent and address issues that couldn’t have been foreseen last year and that simply can’t wait until next year’s biennial budget is crafted. UW Tacoma has some urgent property acquisition issues that meet this criterion. Two properties, in particular, are in the process of being sold or developed in ways that would interfere with the completion of the campus over the long term. These and a few other properties could be purchased if UW Tacoma’s $5.5 million request for site acquisition is funded. In addition, $1.9 million is being requested for soil remediation to clean polluted soil and groundwater.

The Governor’s budget contains $2 million for site acquisition, which would cover the most urgent needs. The House and Senate will each craft their own budgets, then negotiate with the Governor’s Office to reach a final budget, so subsequently, funding could increase or decrease in the end. The University of Washington is requesting funding for several initiatives, including campus safety. UW Tacoma hopes to receive $250,000 from this request to improve emergency notification systems, such as loudspeakers that can be heard across campus. In addition, legislators are considering the location and initial funding to build a UW North Sound campus.

Full details of the UW request can be found here. Chancellor Pat Spakes and Mike Wark, director of Public Relations and Communications, make several trips to Olympia during the session to advocate for the UW Tacoma and UW requests throughout the session, which ends in mid-March. [Mike Wark]

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Save the date: Social Work 10th anniversary reception

The UW Tacoma community is invited to a reception and lecture May 3 to honor, celebrate and reflect upon the first 10 years of the Social Work program. This event, held at Tacoma’s beautiful Museum of Glass, will also raise funds for student scholarships. Mark your calendars and check the Social Work Web site for more details. Contributing sponsors include MultiCare Health System, UW Seattle School of Social Work and the UW Alumni Association. [Marcie Lazzari]

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Master Plan Update

UW Tacoma is currently engaged in a review of the campus master plan, last updated in 2003, that allows us to assess the impact of four-year institutional status on the current master plan and consider other changes expected in or around the campus. The master plan update will build upon UWT's strategic plan currently in the final stage of development. Issues to be considered include the need for future residence halls and student space, expansion of academic programs, academic support space, library space, open space, recreation and pedestrian and vehicle traffic through and around campus. To guide this process, Chancellor Spakes established and appointed the Building Advisory and Design Review Committee last fall. The master plan update will be accomplished in three phases – information gathering (Winter 2008), options development/evaluation (Spring 2008) and final plan presentations and approvals (Summer 2008).  A campus forum was held Jan. 16 and future open meetings will be announced soon. Additionally, a Web site is under development to provide detailed information. [Ysabel Trinidad]

>> STILL CURRENT FROM LAST MONTH

Credit and debit cards

The UW Tacoma Cashier’s Office is now accepting debit and credit cards for certain transactions. The office is authorized to accept payments from cards containing a Visa or MasterCard logo only and can process payments for Flexpasses, parking permits, parking fines, application fees, key deposits and locker rentals. University policy does not permit acceptance of in-person debit or credit card payments for tuition or related charges. Students may still pay these fees with a credit or debit card online. [Mia Limbrick]

>> STILL CURRENT FROM LAST MONTH

Endowment fund continues to grow

UW Tacoma’s endowment grew to just over $24 million this year, increasing nearly $6 million since this time last year and greatly enhancing the University’s ability to support its programs and students. The fund consists of 24 individual endowments, which are permanent funds established to support a specific purpose, such as an academic chair, deanship or scholarship. The principal of an endowed fund is invested to grow over time, while income it produces is used to support the endowment’s purpose. Endowments also grow when new gifts are received. Endowments at UW Tacoma include the First Step Scholarship Endowment for freshmen, the Port of Tacoma Chair and individual scholarship endowments being created through the Faculty, Staff, Retiree Campaign for Students. [Carol Van Natta]