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

>> NEW THIS MONTH

Pacific Avenue repairs

A project to fix settling portions of Pacific Avenue between 17th and 25th streets will begin some time in 2008. UW Tacoma is working with the City of Tacoma, local businesses, residents and other organizations on a plan to minimize the impact of construction on our community. City officials believe this project will be less disruptive than previous Pacific Avenue construction projects. The repairs will take place only on asphalt portions of the road. Utilities will not be disturbed, and existing sidewalks, intersections, LINK tracks and the crosswalk in front of campus will not be affected because they are made of concrete. [Steve Smith]

Campaign update

UW Tacoma raised nearly $3.2 million in contributions in the 2005-06 fiscal year, bringing the university within $200,000 of its $30 million fundraising goal with two years left in the campaign. Between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006, UWT raised $3,180,472 from 770 donors, the highest donor count ever at UWT. More than 50 of these donors were UWT staff and faculty members. [Carol Van Natta]

>> NEW THIS MONTH

New faculty

Nearly 20 new faculty members have been hired for Autumn 2006. They will teach in Education, the Milgard School of Business, Social Work, IAS, Urban Studies and the Institute of Technology. Look for photos and profiles of our new faculty members in the September edition of Inside Track.

New faculty and staff reception

The annual reception for new faculty and staff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19 in the Bookstore. All new faculty and staff since last September will be honored at the event. The Bookstore will offer a 20 percent discount on all items except software and textbooks. [Steve Smith]

Strategic planning retreat

Selected faculty, staff, students, alumni and UWT Advisory Board members will hold a strategic planning retreat Aug. 18 at the Tacoma Country & Golf Club. The group, led by Chancellor Spakes and Jim Coolsen, will begin structuring a plan, based on extensive planning work done in the past through the 2707 process, preparation for freshmen and more. A process to engage campus and community feedback and complete the plan will be implemented this fall. [Jim Coolsen]

Japanese Language School

About 30 people from a Quaker organization called The Friends visited the UW Tacoma campus July 5 to visit the site of the Japanese Language School. The group came to learn more about the school and how Quaker groups supported Japanese-Americans during World War II. Former Japanese Language School student Joe Kosai, a member of the UWT Advisory Board, shared stories of his family's internment. [Mike Wark]

New Student Orientation

The details of this year's New Student Orientation, planned for Sept. 14 and 15, are coming together quickly. With more than 500 students expected over two days, the event packs workshops, fun activities and introductions to programs into a day-long event (two days for freshmen). One highlight for the whole campus will be the Taste of UWT event from 11:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15 with live music, food from local restaurants and booths for student organizations and campus services. A complete schedule will be available on the Orientation Web site in the next few days. The Orientaton Committee will give a campus presentation of plans for the event at 11:30 a.m. July 26 in a location to be announced. [Brian Anderson]

>> UPDATED FROM LAST ISSUE

Freshman advising and preparation

Three additional Summer Advising and Registration Kickoff sessions have been scheduled for students who could not attend the five sessions held in June and July. The General Education Center is also working with the CTLT and Student Affairs to establish an early warning system for freshmen who are in academic danger. [Beth Kalikoff]

Court 17

Lorig Management Services has developed a Web site for people interested in the Court 17 apartments. A brochure that includes rental rates is also being produced. The apartments will be open for a sneak preview during the annual Tour of Urban Living Oct. 14 and 15, and pre-leasing will begin that month.