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

>> NEW THIS MONTH

Library conducting national search

The UWT Library is currently searching for a head of Instruction Services. In conjunction with faculty and academic support services, this position will initiate and develop the increased integration of information literacy objectives across the curriculum. [Anna Salyer]

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]

Milgard School of Business admission changes

Starting next Winter Quarter, the Milgard School of Business will begin accepting applications for admission for all quarters (except Summer). Applicants will be strongly encouraged to apply during Autumn Quarter, but applications submitted during alternate quarters will be considered on a space-available basis. Prospective students who are considering applying during an alternate quarter are asked to contact the Milgard School directly for advising and coursework review. [Julia Smith]

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 plan to submit 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.

KeyBank CEO to visit

Thomas Spilman, the new CEO of KeyBank, will visit the UWT campus May 17 for a one-hour presentation on business ethics. The event is free to all staff, faculty and students. Visit the Professional Development Center Web site for more information. [Alice Dionne]

Research projects featured at April Brown Bag session

UWT faculty members Janice Laakso, Christine Stevens, Cathy Tashiro and Greg Benner discussed their work on two UWT research projects at the April Research Brown Bag session. Laakso, Stevens and Tashiro spoke about their collaboration on an evaluation of the revitalization of the Salishan public housing project. Benner’s presentation focused on building educators’ capacity to assess literacy skills and provide high-quality reading instruction to students with reading difficulties. Audio from this session is not available. [Carol Hert]

Nursing Program Advisory Council

The Nursing Program advisory council met April 19. The group discussed new UWT nursing initiatives, including the clinical nurse leader option, dual admission at Pierce College and selected BSN courses in Olympia in partnership with Providence St. Peter Hospital. There was considerable interest in the upcoming summer graduate course in “how to teach online courses,” and in discussion of health as an area of study. The demand for admission to Nursing programs by very qualified applicants continues to outpace enrollment capacity. [Sharon Fought]

Nursing Program outreach

The Nursing program is continuing its outreach efforts in collaboration with Nursing programs in Seattle and Bothell. A career fair focusing on educational options is planned for May 17 at South Puget Sound Community College. In addition, Nursing continues to support Olympic College as it makes plans to begin offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. [Sharon Fought]

Activities space

With freshmen coming to the UW Tacoma campus next fall, staff and administrators have been working to develop space for collaborative study and recreational/fitness opportunities on campus. Progress continues on both of these. Look for more information in the next few months. [Milt Tremblay]

Assembly Hall

Schematic design of the new Assembly Hall is underway. A committee of students, staff, faculty and design professionals have met several times and come up with a number of creative and exciting design options. As preliminary plans evolve, they will be posted online for general comments. 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 is scheduled to be completed in Fall 2008. [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, is scheduled to meet this month. [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 0 to 3 hours and $6 for 3 to 10 hours. The parking fee machine accepts credit/debit cards and cash. The apartment portion of the building is topped out and the tower crane has been removed. The complex is scheduled to be completed in December. Look for brochures on the market-rate apartment units soon. A priority waiting list will be established for UWT students, faculty, and staff wishing to apply for these units. [Milt Tremblay]