M5. Washington Huskies

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University of Washington

The UW opened officially on November 4, 1861, as the Territorial University of Washington. The following year, the legislature passed articles formally incorporating the University and establishing a Board of Regents. The school struggled initially, closing three times: in 1863 for lack of students, and again in 1867 and 1876 due to shortage of funds. But by the time Washington entered the Union in 1889, both Seattle and the University had grown substantially. Enrollment had increased from an initial 30 students to nearly 300, and the relative isolation of the campus had given way to encroaching development. A special legislative committee headed by UW graduate Edmond Meany was created for the purpose of finding a new campus better able to serve the growing student population. The committee selected a site on Union Bay northeast of downtown, and the legislature appropriated funds for its purchase and subsequent construction.

The University relocated from downtown to the new campus in 1895, moving into the newly built Denny Hall. The regents tried and failed to sell the old campus, and eventually settled on leasing the area. The University still owns what is now called the Metropolitan Tract. In the heart of the city, it is among the most valuable pieces of real estate in Seattle and generates millions of dollars in revenue annually.

In the early 1950s, the University of Washington Police Department was established. It currently has jurisdiction over the University of Washington campus and University-owned housing, except for the Radford Court apartments in Sand Point.

The University opened branch campuses in Bothell and Tacoma in 1990. Initially, these campuses offered curricula for students seeking bachelor's degrees who have already completed two years of higher education, but both schools will transition to four year universities accepting its first freshman class in the fall of 2006. Both campuses offer master's degree programs as well.

Private support strengthens the University's outstanding teaching, research, and public service programs. Donors may choose to support any program or purpose at the University. Through the work of the University of Washington Foundation, donors are able to learn about the many ways of giving and giving opportunities, as well as how their gift helps the UW.

The University is governed by ten regents, one of whom is a student, appointed by the Governorof the State of Washington. Its most notable current regent is likely William H. Gates, Sr., father of Bill Gates. The undergraduate student government is the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW) and the graduate student government is the Graduate & Professional Student Senate (GPSS).

Selected statutes of the State of Washington relating to the authority and duties of the Board of Regents.

The President leads the administration of the university.

The Executive Vice President is the chief business and financial officer for the University of Washington. He is also one of the primary policymakers for the UW and represents the university in political, business, and civic affairs. Leadership in financial and administrative areas is provided by a team of assistant vice presidents and special project managers.

The Office of the Provost provides leadership and services to the University of Washington in academic program, budget, research and faculty matters. Deans report to the Provost. Services are provided through a number of administrative units, which make up the Office of the Provost.

Vice Presidents

Recent UW Leadership Appointments

The UW Faculty Senate shares university governance with the President and the academic deans, with powers delegated by both statute and the actions of the Board of Regents.

Because the shared governance structure doesn’t resemble a chart outlining who reports to whom, it is sometimes puzzling to those unfamiliar with the academic world. Its strengths, however, include bringing depth, breadth, and the extensive expertise of the faculty to the rewards and problems of governing a modern university. A strong system of shared governance is almost always an indicator of an excellent university.

Shared governance means that the UW faculty are responsible for educational policy, including requirements for admission, graduation and honors, approval of candidates for degrees, student activities and conduct, and the criteria for faculty appointment, tenure and promotion.

The faculty also make recommendations on the budget, and provide consultation on university facilities, policies on research, benefits and retirement, university libraries and coordination of policies on all three campuses, along with many other areas.

The importance of honoring and practicing shared governance led to an important accord between the faculty and the President. This 1956 accord was incorporated as part of the new Faculty Code (Section 12-20). It was passed unanimously by the Faculty Senate and approved by the University Faculty with an overwhelmingly positive vote.

In taking this action, the Faculty Senate emerged with a robust “constitution” in the form of the Faculty Code – the framework for shared governance that remains in effect to this day.

University of Washington Hanbook