March 2020

The Mailroom

UW Bothell Campus Newsletter – March 2020

STAY INFORMED ON THE CORONAVIRUS

Look on the left-hand side of the UW Bothell homepage for a link to campus-specific resources that will be updated regularly with relevant information and instructions. In addition, the page has a direct link to the most up-to-date information from the UW in Seattle. These links are the best starting points as you look for answers or seek information and resources.

According to public health officials, the best way to avoid spreading germs is by using proper hand hygiene. Learn how in this silent video from the CDC or a catchy version by an Alaskan hospital.

We have increased cleaning of touchpoints around campus — including building entry door handles, drinking fountains, elevator buttons and vending machine keypads — and ask that you take additional care of your own spaces such as desks, keyboards and dining areas.

NEW PLAN SETS STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

UW Bothell has a new strategic plan — called Ensuring Access, Achieving Excellence — that will guide our individual and shared work in coming years. The plan was unveiled at an event late last month to more than 150 faculty, staff and students. You are invited to read more about the plan online to learn about its three strategic priorities, to begin thinking about how you can align your work to support the plan and to apply for funding that can advance your impact. While on the chancellor’s webpages, you can also review with pride some accomplishments and highlights from Phase Two of our last strategic plan (the 21st Century Campus Initiative), which successfully culminated in autumn 2019.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & ACCOLADES

In the February edition of The Mailroom, we reported that UW Bothell had one individual and one team on the list of nominees for the UW 2020 Distinguished Staff Award. There are, in fact, four individuals. Let's also congratulate Betheny Gross, associate director for the Center on Reinventing Public Education; Jung Lee, assistant director of academic services, School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences; and Susan Smith, space and project delivery manager in Physical Planning & Space Management. We sincerely apologize for our earlier omission.

Alka Kurian, a senior lecturer in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Scholar grant for five months of research in Morocco. Starting in September, Kurian will be based at a university in Fez to conduct research for part of her upcoming book, “Transnational Fourth Wave Feminisms: A Postcolonial Backlash” (Routledge).

Neil Simpkins, an assistant professor in the School of IAS, received a travel award to the Conference on College Composition & Communication annual convention at the end of March in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. One of only three such national awards, it encourages new scholars to present their work relating disability to the field of composition and rhetoric.

Mary Gates scholars: Two UW Bothell students received this prestigious scholarship in the latest round of awards. Wynter Broussard is a senior majoring in Physics who received the scholarship for work with Paola Rodriguez Hidalgo. Kathryn C. Queen is a senior majoring in Biology who received the scholarship for work with Cynthia Chang. Both Rodriguez Hidalgo and Chang are assistant professors in the School of STEM.

Best return on investment: The University of Washington Bothell was ranked No. 2 in Washington and No. 49 nationally in the College Risk-Reward Indicator study conducted by LendEDU. University of Washington Tacoma is No. 33 on the list. The ranking is a calculation of the ratio of average early-career pay to average student loan debt at graduation.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

New community engagement awards

The Community Engagement Council has announced two new awards to recognize faculty and staff for their deep engagement with community.

The Outstanding Community-Engaged Scholar Award-Faculty recognizes scholarship. The Outstanding Public Service Award-Staff & Faculty recognizes faculty or staff community service independent of their campus position. Recipients of each award receive $2,000. Read more about the awards.

Here come the regents

The University of Washington regents will visit UW Bothell March 12 for a regular Board of Regents meeting, starting at 8:30 a.m. in the North Creek Events Center. A 10-minute public comment period begins each regular meeting, with speakers allowed up to two minutes each.

Join #HuskyGivingDay on April 2

UW Bothell Husky Giving Day on April 2 is a 24-hour campaign to rally supporters to the people, programs and causes they care about most at UW Bothell. In addition to making a gift, consider becoming an ambassador and promoting to your community on social media — using the hashtags #huskygivingday and #uwbhuskygivingday. For more information about becoming an ambassador, email Tiffany Kirk, interim director, Alumni Engagement.

GSO electing executive committee members

The General Staff Organization is holding elections this year for chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer. Nominations will be accepted from March 12 to April 24 for the May 11-18 election period. Watch for more information from Caitlin Anne Moats, GSO interim chair.

UW Bothell welcomes community to Earth Day event

UW Bothell will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 with its fourth annual Sustainability Festival, held on campus with Cascadia College.

The campus also is partnered with the city of Bothell this year to welcome the public to explore more than 30 organizations lining up along the Plaza and Promenade to share what they do for sustainability.

The night before there will be a showing of a documentary, “Spawning Grounds,” about efforts to restore kokanee salmon to Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington streams. It features a project in which STEM Senior Lecturer Jeff Jensen is a key player. The showing will be in Discovery Hall (DISC-061) at 6 p.m.

Look for details on the environmental sustainability website or email Alexa Russo, sustainability coordinator.

UW Bothell students count

College students are among those populations who are historically undercounted in the U.S. census, but their participation is important. Census figures are used to allocate representatives in Congress and to allocate billions in federal spending, including money for student loans, research grants, campus improvements and health and social services. On Census Day, April 1, the campus will host a kick-off event with guest speakers and a student panel 3:30-7 p.m. in the Activities & Recreation Center.

Free help with tax forms

Free tax filing help from IRS-certified volunteers is available again this year on campus for students and non-students alike. No appointment is needed for the sessions, held noon to 4 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays and 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays through mid-April. Check with the Health and Wellness Resource Center Benefits Hub in the Activities & Recreation Center for details or with United Way of King County.

UW Bothell Alumni Weekend 2020 – May 15 & 16

Registration is now open for all three events for the sixth annual UW Bothell Alumni Weekend.

Happy hour at Husky headquarters kicks off the weekend on Friday, May 15, at the Hilton Garden Inn Bothell. The hotel is offering a room discount that includes free shuttle rides to the Bothell Block Party and BrewFest.

The 15th annual Husky 5K on Saturday morning, May 16, is a family-friendly run that raises money to support student scholarships.

The sixth annual Bothell Block Party and BrewFest on Saturday afternoon, May 16, will include seven of Seattle’s hottest bands, a variety of award-winning food trucks and more than 40 breweries, wineries and cideries. This event, in partnership with the Bothell Kenmore Chamber, is open to anyone 21 or older.

FROM THE ACADEMY

New Research Advisory Council

As the Office of Research works to become self-supporting, a new Research Advisory Council has formed to coordinate and guide support for scholarly research and creative activity. The council will assess new policies for the office, considering the role of research, funding and support structures. Members of the council from across campus will serve two-year terms.

Council members include:
Karam Dana, associate professor, IAS
Marc Dupuis, assistant professor, STEM
Dan Jaffe, professor, STEM
Deanna Kennedy, associate professor, Business
Joey Key, assistant professor, STEM
Thelma Madzima, assistant professor, STEM
Surya Pathak, associate professor, Business
Yang Peng, assistant professor, STEM
PK Sen, professor, Business
Antony Smith, associate professor, Education
Wadiya Udell, professor, IAS
Jong Yoon, associate professor, STEM

Ex officio members include Kara Adams, director of Community Engagement; Sarah Leadley, director, UW Bothell/Cascadia College Library and associate dean of University Libraries; and Karen Rosenberg, acting executive director, Teaching & Learning Center.

New grants to seed faculty research

A new seed grant program will support UW Bothell faculty who are starting or relaunching projects that have the potential for internal UW or external funding. Amounts up to $30,000 are available in the UW Bothell Scholarship, Research and Creative Practice Seed Grant Program. Carolyn Brennan, the assistant vice chancellor for research, is holding a program information session at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 5, in the Office of Research, Founders Hall (UW1-391). Email Carolyn if you plan to attend.

Nominate inspiring student for chancellor's medal

Each year at Commencement, the chancellor honors a student for extraordinary achievement at UW Bothell. The UW Bothell Chancellor’s Award recognizes an individual who has been a consistent source of inspiration for faculty and fellow students alike, and has overcome significant obstacles or endured major burdens in order to complete a degree or certificate program. The deadline for nominations is March 27.

SPOTLIGHT

MY STORY: NARRATORS IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Some members of the UW Bothell community have been invited to tell their inspiring stories in their own words. In case you missed them, check out these stories in UW Bothell news.

Kyle Kinoshita, a faculty member in the Leadership Development for Educators program, illustrates the power of story by sharing about his mother who was among the Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II.

Mateó Ochoa, a graduate from UW Bothell’s Master of Arts in Cultural Studies program, is traveling the world through a Bonderman Fellowship, which offers the opportunity for independent exploration.

REMINDERS & UPDATES

Be in the Know

Keeping up with Sharon A. Jones

As she completes her first year as vice chancellor for academic affairs, Sharon A. Jones invites faculty and staff to bring their questions and comments to a meet and greet. So that more people have a chance to speak, attendance is limited to 20 people, but there will be multiple meetings at various times and locations. The next one is on Monday, March 30, at 1:30 p.m., in Founders Hall (UW1-361). Find details on all the meet and greets by searching the UW Bothell Events Calendar and register for the time/date you would like to attend. Questions? Email the vice chancellor’s office.

VCs at the Vista

The next opportunity to meet informally with the vice chancellors is on Tuesday, March 31, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the second floor vista in Founders Hall (UW1).These quarterly sessions are a chance for faculty and staff to stop by and ask questions. There is no formal agenda.

New wording on accommodation notice

The University of Washington Bothell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. As such, the University provides notice of equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations on all relevant publications. Check out best practices and the latest wording to use in your outreach and promotions.

New online learning strategy initiative

The Online Learning Strategy Initiative, launched last summer, aims to determine how 100% online learning can best serve UW Bothell. So far, the project team has focused on listening to students, faculty and staff through one-to-one interviews and group sessions. In the coming weeks, watch for surveys and take advantage of the opportunity to help draft an online education strategy. Questions? Email Penelope Moon.

READ, WATCH, PARTICIPATE

READ: LATEST EDITION OF UW BOTHELL MAGAZINE

Read how our students are honing their collaboration, mentoring and leadership skills — and, of course, enjoy Husky headlines and highlights.

WATCH: GRAD STUDENT CURATES PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

Watch Seattle Channel's ArtZone for a feature on Berette Macaulay, graduate student in Cultural Studies, multidisciplinary artist and writer.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Encore from Chancellor Emeritus Chan
Thursday, April 16, 6:30 p.m.
Discovery Hall

This year’s Encore! Lecture, which recognizes UW Bothell’s distinguished faculty, features Chancellor Emeritus Kenyon Chan. Hear Chan explore how a strong and effective social justice and equity perspective can profoundly shape the direction of a university. Read more and register.

Lend-a-Paw with Farmer Frog
Wednesday, April 25, 9 a.m.
Bellevue Urban Garden

Join UW Bothell alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends for the eighth annual Lend-a-Paw with Farmer Frog at the Bellevue Urban Garden. This day of service, sponsored by the UW Bothell Alumni Council, involves hands-on, outdoor volunteer work to support the mission to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to King County families experiencing food scarcity. Register by April 24.

WE NEED YOUR STORIES

Have a story to share? Connect with your school or unit's primary contact for newsletter content. To submit items for the acknowledgments and accolades section, go to your school or unit’s primary contact or email newsltr@uw.edu directly.