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

>> NEW THIS MONTH

Collaborative study/activity center/recreational facilities

With the transition to a four-year institution and anticipated growth, staff and administrators have been working to develop space for collaborative study and recreational/fitness opportunities on campus. Final negotiations are in progress to secure the Longshoremen's Hall at 17th and Market this September for use as a collaborative study/activity center with the possible additional development of recreational facilities (such as a basketball court) in the adjoining south lot. The new UWT fitness center, which will open in the WCG building this fall, is scheduled to move to this facility after the Assembly Hall is completed. [Milt Tremblay]

Alumni relations/annual fund manager starts July 5

Scott Pinkston, UWT's new alumni relations and annual fund manager, starts work July 5. He comes to UWT from The Evergreen State College, where he was director of alumni affairs. Previously, he was alumni relations coordinator at The Art Institute of Seattle. [Carol Van Natta]

>> NEW THIS MONTH

Summer Advising and Registration Kickoff

The first-year students have been invited to a Summer Advising and Registration Kickoff, choosing one of five different dates in June and July. They will meet Jill Haugen, the lower-division academic adviser, participate in group advising sessions, take placement exams as needed, receive help registering for core and elective courses and meet each other. [Beth Kalikoff]

>> NEW THIS MONTH

Core camp

The core curriculum faculty and staff met for "core camp" the week of June 12-16. Their task was to design an integrated and interdisciplinary curriculum for the first-year cohort. Faculty members in composition, nursing, sociology, anthropology, science education and other fields shared ideas with reference librarians, the lower-division academic adviser and educators from the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology. A number of exciting courses were discussed, including "Everyone Eats," taught by a marine ecologist and global studies scholar, and a course on energy, the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and literature on the environment taught by a geologist and a writing professor. [Beth Kalikoff]

UWT working to improve pedestrian safety

UWT Facilities has been working 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 groups have submitted a grant request to the New Tacoma Council for funding for area improvements, including the painting of numerous 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 request also includes a crosswalk with flashing lights on Market Street across from the Longshoremen’s Hall. Status of the grant request should be determined by late June. [Milt Tremblay]

Assembly Hall

Schematic design for the new Assembly Hall is 80 percent complete. Students, staff and faculty, working collaboratively with our design professionals, have come up with what we believe to be a creative and exciting design. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to stop by Mattress Factory 354 to review the latest plans and provide additional input. There will also be a public forum on the project at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3 in MAT 354. 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 fall/winter 2008 occupancy. [Milt Tremblay]

Campus growth

Mirai Transportation Planning and Engineering has completed traffic counts and is beginning data analysis as part of its review of the impact of closing Market Street and possible mitigation scenarios. The group will also analyze the economic development impact on the downtown core on either side of the campus. Community leaders and representatives from the City of Tacoma are serving on a small steering committee. The larger advisory group, comprised of community, city, UW Seattle and UW Tacoma representatives, continues to meet. [Steve Smith, Milt Tremblay]

Court 17

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 up to three hours and $6 for three to 10 hours. The parking fee machine accepts credit/debit cards and cash. To familiarize students, staff and faculty with the new garage, coupons good for one day of free parking on either Wednesday, June 21 or Thursday, June 22 are available from the Cashier. Progress continues on the 128-unit apartment complex that is being constructed by a private developer over the parking garage. The market-rate apartments should be available for occupancy in December 2006, and brochures will be available soon. A priority waiting list will be established by the developer for UWT students, faculty and staff wishing to apply for these units. [Milt Tremblay]

Gift processing guidelines

The UW Office of Development and Alumni Relations has established new guidelines for processing gifts. The policy sets a maximum time of five days between receiving a gift and delivering it to Advancement Services for processing. The full policy is available online. [Carol Van Natta]