Commencement: new location to be announced

As Chancellor Steven Olswang announced last week, UW Tacoma is investigating several possible outdoor venues for this year's commencement. Ceremonies were originally planned for the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center. Whatever site is selected will be spacious enough to accommodate guests of all graduating students. To follow the news on commencement, visit the commencement Web site.

• Visit the commencement Web site

Launch into summer: paper-airplane contest

How good is your aim with a paper airplane?

The GWP atrium will be transformed into (paper) airspace today and Thursday. Students, staff, faculty and visitors can test their tossing skills and enter to win a prize at this event, which celebrates the launch of UWT's Summer Quarter Preview.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, staff from the Summer Office will hand out paper-airplane templates along with copies of the Summer Quarter Preview publication on the first floor of the GWP atrium. Participants can take their airplane up to the fourth floor and toss it across the atrium toward the third-floor terrace. Everyone who participates will be entered into a drawing to win a brand-new Apple iPod music player. Everyone who throws a plane that reaches the terrace will be entered into one of two daily drawings for an iClick MP3 player and flash drive. Free pizza will be available for all.

To keep the skies friendly, a net will be strung across the atrium to separate foot traffic from air traffic.

Olympia update: Four-year bills out of committee
Funding for enrollment growth, capital, Autism Center still under consideration

One of the major issues in the Legislature this year has been the future shape of the state's higher education system.

The four-year question
Bills that would authorize UW Tacoma and other upper-division campuses to offer four-year baccalaureate programs have passed out of the higher education policy and budget committees in both the House and Senate. The bills must be passed by the House and Senate by Wednesday, March 16 or they die.

From there, the bills will go to conference committees to address differences between the House and Senate versions and then to the Governor for final approval.

• Read more about the legislative session

Discover science at UWT

Ever wondered what it would be like to swing into space on a giant sling?

Find out — in theory, at least — at UWT's second-annual Science Day celebration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. At this forum on science and science education, the creators of the proposed "Space Elevator" will join some of the region's most interesting and innovative scientists in demonstrations that will help visitors learn how science fits into their lives and explore careers in this exciting field.

"We're really hoping to promote science in our region and encourage students and community members to take an active role in the development of science," said Courtney Randazzo, K-12 Outreach Coordinator at the Institute of Technology. "Anyone who is interested in a scientific career should come to learn more."

The event is sponsored by the Institute of Technology and the Environmental Science program at UWT. Presenters include the UW Human Interface Technology Lab - which researches virtual-reality applications - along with the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, the Museum of Flight, Cascade Volcanoes Observatory, the U.S. Geological Survey and many more.

In addition, advisers will be on hand to share information about transferring to UW Tacoma. Everyone who attends can enter a drawing to win a free iPod.

Planners expect the Space Elevator to be a big draw for Science Day. Creators of the elevator have made plans to set up a small-scale replica of their device on the UWT grounds. Their designs call for a cable with one end attached to the Earth and the other end in geosynchronous orbit, 21,700 miles above the planet. With the cable, objects would be able to travel into space with considerably less force than required by a traditional launch.

Both UWT science programs will exhibit recent projects.

• Learn more about Science Day

Distinguished Alumni nominations sought

Nominations are due April 1 for the Distinguished Alumni award, to be presented at the second annual Founders Day celebration May 25.

The Distinguished Alumni Award honors a successful UWT graduate who is making an impact in the community.

"This is an opportunity to recognize some of the great things our alumni are doing," said Karen Reed, director of alumni relations. "Even being nominated is an honor, so please help us recognize the accomplishments of alumni you know who are doing great things."

Nominations may be submitted to the Office of Advancement. For more information or to nominate someone, contact Reed at 2-5641 or kimmie@u.washington.edu.

Career Fair links job-seekers with employers

More than 80 business, nonprofit and government employers are signed up for the annual UWT Career Fair, to be held this year on Tuesday, April 12 and Wednesday, April 13.

Employers looking for people with bachelor's degrees will be available to discuss what it takes to get full- or part-time work with their organizations. Information will also be available about internships, summer jobs and work-study positions that can take you where you want to go. Participants should bring their resumes and dress in professional attire.

Career Fair 2004 will be held from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at UW Tacoma, across Pacific Avenue from the Washington State History Museum. On Tuesday, April 12, the fair will feature business and corporate employers, and on Wednesday, April 13, the fair will feature employers from non-profit organizations, government and public agencies. Admission is free.

• Learn more about Career Fair

Founders Endowment grants announced

The following applicants have been awarded Founders Endowment grants for 2005:

Faculty and Staff Notes

Jamie Martin-Almy has accepted a new position as development officer in the Office of Advancement.

Ray Diaz and Josh Carper have been hired as senior media technicians in Media Services.

Administrative Snapshot: A look at issues and projects at UWT

If you are working on something you think should be included here, please contact Inside Track at uwtnews@u.washington.edu.

Choose a topic:

• Welcome events planned for new chancellor
• Nursing to offer BSN courses in Olympia
• Security staff getting certified as self-defense trainers
• C-STEP to host multicultural expert for lecture, one-man play
• Institute BA, minor pending approval
• Open house showcases Institute facilities, industry job prospects
• Institute eyes new engineering-education partnership
• Research days in Olympia
• Committee formed to advise on campus security communications
• Accreditation
• Dawg Shed
• Hot Rod Dog
• Institute director search
• 15th-year: Founders Day ceremony, reception, dinner May 25, fall event Oct. 8
• Faculty searches
• Global honors
• UWT data reports on SIS
• Tuition and Fee Policy Committee
• Higher Education Coordinating Board
• Web support for grants and contracts
• Housing/Parking
• Commerce Street
• Tri-campus Task Force
• Cafe Indochine