Administrative Snapshot: November 2005
Names of key participants appear in brackets at the end of most items.

>> NEW THIS MONTH

Computing Systems Engineering program

The Institute of Technology has begun the approval process on a new Bachelor of Science program in Computing Systems Engineering. If approved, the program will be the first engineering-related degree available through the Institute of Technology. Faculty members have voted to go ahead with the approval process, which is expected to take several months. The Institute will consider hiring a new faculty member to head this program. [Orlando Baiocchi]

>> NEW THIS MONTH

Campus growth update

A possible area for expansion of the UWT footprint, a city-owned parcel of land adjacent to campus, is on hold while the City of Tacoma considers how to handle surplus property. City officials are in the process of reviewing their policies for handling surplus property before further exploring what to do with several parcels, including the 6.2-acres near UWT. The city is not expecting to take action on it surplus property policy until March. The property, between 21st and 23rd streets and Jefferson and Tacoma avenues, was originally slated for a new police station, but the station was ultimately built elsewhere. Some community leaders suggested the property should become part of the UWT campus. UW Tacoma has been working with the UW Capital Projects office to evaluate the feasibility of a plan that involves long-term leases to private developers to develop the land in ways that fuel economic development in the short-term, while providing the opportunity for UWT to expand down the road. No decisions have yet been made as to whether the University will pursue the property if it becomes available.

In addition, Mirai Transportation Planning & Engineering has been hired to look at the impact of closing Market Street on traffic patterns and ways to mitigate those effects. 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 were involved with selecting the consultant and will serve on a small steering committee. There will also be a larger advisory group composed of community, city, UW and UWT representatives. The committees will be appointed soon. [Steve Smith, Milt Tremblay]

First-year student data

Sharon Fought is working with Jane Decker and Mary McGuire from UW Bothell, along with staff from UW Seattle, to analyze data from incoming UWS freshmen who live off-campus and come from the region served by UWT. The group anticipates this information will help inform them about the type of student who might be interested in attending UWT as a freshman. The results of their work will be available later this quarter. [Sharon Fought]

New student recruitment

New student recruitment for Autumn 2006 goes into full swing this month as admissions and academic advisors attend high school nights, national college fairs, and community college transfer fairs. While regular, intensive recruitment is an ongoing effort throughout the year, November continues to be particularly busy month. Adding lower-division students to our campus next year has prompted us to add a number of new recruitment activities to our calendar that are intended to reach those students. [Wanda Curtis]

First-year admissions process

An online application for freshman was made available this week. As part of the "Charting the Future of UWT" planning process, the need to develop admissions processes and requirements for first-year students was identified an immediate task. As a result the Student Services committee presented recommendations and an admissions application that were adopted as provisional for this next year. An application for admission is now available to prospective students and the selection criteria has been established. A selection committee of faculty and staff will be formed over the next few weeks in preparation to review files this spring. [Wanda Curtis, Ginger MacDonald]

Small-projects consultant selection

BCRA Architects of Tacoma will be starting work this month as the architectural consultant to assist in the development and construction of a number of small projects on the UWT campus during the next two to three years. Many of these projects will focus on providing amenities that will help make UWT a complete four-year campus. Additional projects may include campus beautification, building improvement and preservation and safety projects. BCRA is now under contract with the UW Capital Projects Office. [Milt Tremblay]

Student health resources

Printed health information is now available on the first floor of the Mattress Factory building; first-aid supplies and a vending machine containing selected over-the-counter medications should be available within weeks, as should a web page with health resources and health care provders. Work has also begun to provide additional or improved insurance options and services for students in the future. Later this quarter, work will begin on the possibility of providing a healthcare facility on the campus. [Sharon Fought]

Space inventory

Sharon Fought and Noreen Slease are continuing to meet with unit directors to verify specific office assignments for emerging office space needs, including new faculty and staff and those anticipated in Autumn 06. Work is now complete on the basement of the Library, the Snoqualmie Room; a number of improvements to the space have been made. The space will not house staff, but shelving has been installed for storage and easy retrieval of infrequently used books. [Sharon Fought]

Applied bachelor’s degrees

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges continues to make progress in plans to offer pilot baccalaureates at selected community and technical colleges. Decisions should be made in April 2006 about which of the community and technical colleges will offer pilot baccalaureate degrees. Contact Sharon Fought if you’d like additional information. [Sharon Fought]

• Overview of the process
• Criteria for selection (Word document)

Storage on campus: Tacoma Paper and Stationery Building and Snoqualmie Room

No new requests are being processed for storage in the Tacoma Paper and Stationery Building (Spaghetti Factory) as a review of the space is undertaken. Please let Sharon Fought know if you have pressing storage needs. [Sharon Fought]

Assembly Hall

Thomas Hacker Architects has been selected as the architect for the new Assembly Hall/Commons project, which is to be located on the site of the existing Dawg Shed. This Assembly Hall/Commons project will be funded by $7.5 million from the state Legislature and an additional $2.5 to 5 million in private funds to be raised by UWT. The combined multipurpose hall and student commons area will provide much-needed presentation and gathering spaces for UWT faculty, staff and students. Its 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. Several Public Forums on this project will be scheduled during November and December of this year. Students, Staff, and Faculty are highly encouraged to participate in these forums.[Milt Tremblay]

UWT data reports on SIS

Reports in the electronic fact book on the Student Information System (SIS), available for internal use, have recently been updated. A few updates with 10th day data for Autumn Quarter 2005 are a bit behind schedule, but expected to be online within days. FERPA training is required to use the database, and use is currently restricted to UWT staff and faculty advisers. Some of the information is confidential. More information is available on the DataPlus Web site. If you have questions about the SIS application, contact the Director of Information Technology at ppow@u.washington.edu. [Sharon Fought]

Housing/parking

Phase 1 of the Court 17 parking garage/apartment complex is about 65 percent complete and the 309-stall parking garage portion of this project is anticipated to be operational in early 2006. The 129-unit apartment complex, which will be privately managed, should be ready for occupancy by Fall of 2006. Court C will remain closed during construction. [Milt Tremblay]

• View a PDF of the 2003 campus master plan (CAUTION: Very large file)

Bachelor of arts in CSS and minor in applied computing

A proposed BA in CSS is in final approval stages; the next step is review and approval by the Higher Education Coordinating Board. Steve Hanks is providing leadership in crafting the proposal, with input from George Mobus and Josh Tenenberg and the support of new director Orlando Baiocchi. [Sharon Fought]

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