by Mary Lane Gallagher | WWU

Hundreds of Western Washington University students will become mentors to fifth-graders this fall in a proactive effort to get more kids to see themselves as college-bound.

Modeled after a successful program in Wisconsin, Compass 2 Campus aims to get more kids thinking early about college with the help of mentors and role models to show them the importance of higher education.

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Western Washington University's College of Business and Economics will begin a Weekend MBA program at University Center of North Puget Sound in Everett next January.

Washington state's Higher Educating Coordinating Board on June 3 approved the request to start the program, which will hold classes on alternating Fridays and Saturdays and take 24 months to complete.

"We believe it is important to give place-bound Snohomish County residents another choice for quality business education. Our program will give them the grounding they need to advance their careers and help the county continue to develop economically," said Brian Burton, dean of WWU's College of Business and Economics.

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The Western Washington University Board of Trustees today approved tuition rates for 2009-11, the university’s 2009-11 capital budget, and the university’s 2009-10 operating budget.

The 2010-11 operating budget will be reviewed during the course of the coming year and offered to the trustees for their approval next June.

Operating budget

The $258.4 million biennial operating budget plan, under development since last fall, responds to a 28.8 percent funding reduction in maintenance-level state support – or $44 million – that is only partially offset by one-time federal stimulus dollars and tuition increases.

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Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU

Western Washington University's Academic Instructional Center received the honor award at the Civic Design Awards held by the American Institute of Architects Washington Council on May 14.

The AIA presented WWU with one of two honor awards that pay tribute to excellence in public architecture.

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Madsen

Scholarships at Western’s Woodring College of Education first of kind in the state

Dennis Madsen believes that highly qualified teachers can change the world and his generosity is funding a new scholarship at Western Washington University – the first of its kind in the state – that will prepare top high school students to become teachers.  His goal is to recruit students to Western who, like his daughter, a current math teacher, have been inspired by a great teacher and who want to carry on a special experience for the next generation of P-12 students.

Madsen, a member of Western’s Board of Trustees and former president and chief executive officer of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national retail cooperative of outdoor gear and clothing, is funding two new Inspired for Teaching Excellence scholarships at Western’s Woodring College of Education, which is nationally recognized for the high quality of its teacher education.

“Dennis Madsen recognizes the vital role teachers serve in our society and, by his visionary support for these scholarships, he is opening doors for exceptional future teachers,” said Stephanie Salzman, dean of Woodring College of Education.

The scholarships, which cover all tuition and fees during the duration of the students’ studies at Western, are intended for the top high school students from Washington state interested in becoming teachers. That approach for scholarships is a first in higher education in the state.

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Godwin

Peg Godwin will be joining Western Washington University as General Manager of Western AS Bookstore beginning July 1st 2009; she was selected after a nationwide search.

Peg brings over 30 years of experience in college bookstore retail, and for the last 15 years has managed the University of Idaho Bookstore. In addition to her strengths as a leader within the campus environment, she has served in key roles within several college store professional associations, currently serving as a Trustee on the National Association of College Stores and as a part of their Digital Content Strategic Task Force Initiative.

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Western’s approach to equal opportunity and diversity is strongest as a shared responsibility across the university. From the exemplary work of the Admissions Office, which won the diversity achievement award last year, to the committed recruitment done by departments and the Office of Human Resources, it is clear that teamwork among and leadership within all units and partners are critical to our success.

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“FAST,” the newsletter for faculty and staff at Western Washington University, is ending its print production today after 46 years. The newsletter debuted in 1963 under the name “Faculty News.” It was renamed “FAST” in 1968.

The cessation of print publication for “FAST” comes at a time of severe budget challenges for the university. It is estimated that ending the print publication of “FAST” will save Western roughly $18,000 per year.

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Riordan

Catherine Riordan, who has extensive experience in higher education administration, teaching and research, has been appointed as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Western Washington University, President Bruce Shepard announced.

“Catherine Riordan has the vision, leadership, knowledge and breadth of experience to be a great fit for Western. I am delighted she will be joining the Western community and look forward to working with her,” Shepard said.

Riordan, now the vice provost for Academic Affairs at Central Michigan University, will begin her new duties in August. She was selected after a nationwide search.

“I feel privileged to have been asked to join the community of talented students, faculty and staff who are responsible for Western Washington University’s excellent national reputation among public universities.  The widespread engagement of the campus in further strengthening the university even in these tight financial times speaks volumes about the future possibilities for Western.  The university's leadership team is exceptionally strong and I look forward to joining them in August,” Riordan said.

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View this information in PDF format on the WWU Emergency Web site.

The City of Bellingham is holding a community-wide damage assessment exercise intended to engage willing community partners in the process of developing and testing damage assessment capabilities during disaster events.

Western Washington University is participating in this exercise to test its internal capability to quickly and effectively establish situation status following a simulated earthquake. Close to 100 Western employees will participate in the on-campus damage assessment exercise. Participants will simulate evaluation of damage to the WWU campus and communication of WWU’s situation to the community’s emergency operations center.

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Photo by Mark Malijan | WWU intern

A bicyclist rides through Red Square on Friday, April 3, 2009. Under the proposed new rules, riding in Red Square would be illegal.

Western Washington University officials are proposing amendments to the university’s Washington Administrative Code rules and will hold three public hearings on April 22. Officials hope to amend three rules: One regarding skateboards and similar devices, one regarding bicycles and similar devices and one regarding dining and housing.

The proposed new rules for skateboards, foot scooters, skates, and other similar devices acknowledge them as sustainable forms of transportation. Currently, such devices are banned from the WWU campus. The new rules will allow riders on campus under certain speeds – walking speeds within 10 feet of pedestrians, and jogging speeds otherwise – and provide for walk zones where riders are required to dismount from their skateboards. The hearing on skateboards is scheduled for 3 p.m. April 22 in Old Main Room 340. The proposed rules for skateboards and similar devices are available online at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/laws/wsr/2009/07/09-07-032.htm.

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In an effort to save money for the university, which is facing severe cuts in the proposed state budgets, Western Washington University officials have decided to stop printing FAST at the end of this month and move the publication completely online. The April 23 issue will be the last issue that appears in print.

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Guyette

Daniel Guyette has been appointed to serve as dean for the College of Fine and Performing Arts at Western Washington University, Provost Dennis Murphy announced today.

"It became clear through the interview process that Dr. Guyette had strong support from both the search committee and members of the College," said Murphy. "We're excited he's going to be here, and we look forward to many long years of service."

Guyette, the current dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of South Dakota, will begin at Western on July 1, and was selected following a national search. He will replace Ron Riggins.

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Western Washington University is proposing amendments to its Washington Administrative Code rules and will hold three public hearings on April 22.

1. Skateboards, Foot Scooters, Skates, and Other Similar Devices. WWU proposes amendments to skateboard and foot scooter rules to provide clear operational guidelines for students, faculty, staff and guests. The proposed rules acknowledge skateboards, foot scooters, skates, and other similar devices as sustainable forms of transportation. The new rules will also set allowable speeds on campus and provide for walk zones where riders are required to dismount from their skateboards. The hearing on skateboards is scheduled for 3 p.m. April 22 in Old Main Room 340.

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Collins

Gail Collins, the well-respected New York Times op-ed columnist, will talk about contemporary national politics from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Room 150.

Collins is well known for her humor, keen insight, and astute observations and opinions about national politics and politicians.  She was also one of the New York Times reporters assigned to cover the 2008 presidential campaign.

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The 2009-11 operating budget presentations by Western’s planning unit leaders will be made on Wednesday, March 18, and Thursday, March 19.

A critical function of the presentation process is to allow all planning units, campus leaders and members of the campus community an opportunity to fully understand and offer comment on proposals. The individual sessions—which will last from 15 minutes to an hour in length—will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 18 and from 8:30 a.m. to noon March 19, both days in Old Main Room 340.

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Carbajal

[ Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect the correct name of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. ]

Brent Carbajal has been appointed to serve as dean for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Western Washington University, Provost Dennis Murphy announced today.

"Dr. Carbajal has proven administrative and leadership abilities and enjoys the enthusiastic support of the faculty. I am very pleased that he has agreed to assume the permanent deanship. I have full confidence that under his leadership the College will continue its legacy of excellence and outstanding service to students and the University," Murphy said.

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A new advisory committee working on parking and transportation issues seeks the input of Western Washington University faculty, staff and students.

Among the tasks of the advisory committee is to determine whether to amend the policies for assigning parking permits and to determine a fee structure necessary to support sustainable transportation and parking at Western.

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Peggy Zoro

Gov. Christine Gregoire has reappointed Trustee Peggy Zoro to another term on Western Washington University's Board of Trustees.

"Peggy Zoro is a strong and effective advocate for Western and for higher education in the state of Washington. The University benefits immensely by her leadership and commitment to excellence," said WWU President Bruce Shepard.

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Western Washington University ranks sixth among the top medium-sized colleges and universities with alumni serving as Peace Corps volunteers in 2008.

“Western has a long history of service to others and our alumni continue this strong tradition in many ways, as this Peace Corps ranking clearly demonstrates,” said WWU President Bruce Shepard.

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Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU

The Critical Junctures Institute, a Whatcom County-based institute that conducts research promoting community and individual health, held its coming-out party Tuesday, Jan. 13, in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room on the Western Washington University campus.

The institute is a collaboration of WWU and St. Joseph Hospital, and the event will be hosted by WWU President Bruce Shepard and St. Joseph Hospital Chief Executive Officer Nancy Steiger.

"The hospital and the university have come together to form the institute so that faculty and students can be exposed to different aspects of health care, and so that our health care can benefit from the resources of the university," said CJI Executive Director Lisa Brown.

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Western Washington University officials announced today that its football program is ending, following a careful evaluation to determine how best to ensure the excellence of all University intercollegiate sports.

"I have made this decision with a heavy heart as I am well aware of the profound consequences it has on the student-athletes on the football team, their dedicated and hard-working coaches, and on our passionate supporters on campus, in the community and region and on our alumni," said Western President Bruce Shepard.

"I feel strongly that we need to offer a high-quality program of intercollegiate athletics that is commensurate with our status as a premier university. It is the focus on maintaining overall intercollegiate program quality and doing so at a time when we and all universities are being challenged financially that drives the recommendation of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and my decision to accept that recommendation," Shepard said.

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Updated at 11:20 a.m.

WTA buses used for evacuation of flood-affected areas; Meridian closed at I-5

Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen has declared a state of emergency for Whatcom County as a result of the heavy rain, warm temperatures and resulting rapid snow melt.  This situation has resulted in wide spread flooding impacting major transportation corridors and some homes and businesses throughout the county.

Meridian is closed at Interstate 5. Both northbound and southbound lanes of Meridian are completely covered by water and pose a public safety risk. All on- and off-ramps at I-5 and Meridian are also closed.

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Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard has approved a temporary policy to allow for internal candidates to be considered for hiring before job descriptions are released to the public.

The policy, "POL-U5400.25 Temporary Policy to Facilitate Internal Placements," is effective retroactive to Jan. 1, 2009, through June 30, 2011.

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For a photo gallery of the AIC and some its green features, visit the FAST Online photo gallery.

Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU

Western Washington University's new Academic Instructional Center (AIC), designed to meet Western's growing need for classroom, laboratory and office space, will open Jan. 6 with the start of winter quarter.

The 120,000-square-foot facility includes a number of "green building" concepts such as solar shading, natural ventilation and heat recovery, energy and water efficiency, onsite use of excavated materials and the recycling of construction waste. The University has applied for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) designation for the AIC.

"Western's long and distinguished history of leadership with sustainability continues with the Academic Instructional Center," said Western President Bruce Shepard.

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Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU

Western Washington University officials are coordinating cleanup and repair efforts after 16 rooms in the Gamma Hall residence hall were damaged by water from a broken pipe discovered Dec. 23.

Rooms that house 32 students were damaged when a frozen radiator pipe burst on the fourth floor, leaking water into rooms on the four floors below, damaging walls, floors, furnishings and some students' belongings. The rooms were empty at the time; students are on winter break.

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Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU

Snow melting from the roof of Old Main on the WWU campus led to the formation of the icicles seen here on Dec. 23, 2008.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008:

Western Washington University is open, and no operations have been suspended. Staff who are unable to report to work or need to leave work early due to hazardous weather conditions should contact their supervisor and consult the inclement weather policies or a collective bargaining agreement when reporting lost time. Parking enforcement is suspended today on campus.

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Today is Monday, Dec. 22, 2008. The University is closed today due to weather conditions. Only those persons designated as "essential" need to appear for work. Employees who have a question as to whether it is essential to report for work should contact their supervisors as soon as possible.

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by Matthew Anderson | WWU

Craig Dunn, chairman of the Provost Search Advisory Committee, said in an e-mail message to the Western Washington University community today that the search for a new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs for Western will not be ending soon, as initially thought.

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[ Editor's note: This message was distributed via e-mail to the WWU community on Dec. 18, 2008. ]

Colleagues,

This morning, the Governor released her budget for the remainder of the current fiscal year and for the next biennium.  While it will take some time to sift through the details, we currently understand that the budget, as it pertains to Western, would have these implications:

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