It鈥檚 that time of year when we commemorate hard work, excellence and a job well done. It鈥檚 an important moment 鈥� or series of moments, as we work through finals and ceremonies small and large 鈥� when we reflect on who we are as a community and the bright future that is possible when we work individually and together to achieve great things.
Past-Presidential Blog
91探花stands with the world to fight climate change and protect our future
With almost a hundred of our university peers and with the Governor Inslee and other governors, mayors and business leaders, we have become signatories of the CERES letter stating that in the absence of leadership from the federal government, we remain in solidarity with those around the world committed to a transition to clean energy and to holding global warming to well below 2掳C.
New budget would harm nation鈥檚 health, economy and security
In March, I wrote about the negative impacts on our nation鈥檚 health, economy and security that would result from implementation of the President鈥檚 budget outline for the next fiscal year, FY18.
That initial budget outline has now been expanded to a full proposed budget for FY18, which was released today. The cuts to science, health care and other investments in our national prosperity are even more draconian 鈥� and more harmful 鈥� than those proposed in the original outline.
To honor those we鈥檝e lost, support those who are with us
Memorial Day is not about celebrating war, but about celebrating the lives of men and women like Will, who put everything on the line so that others might live a better life, across the world and at home. It offers a moment for all of us to unite in honoring them, and, just as important, supporting the family, friends and fellow veterans who grieve their loss.
Reflecting on the first year of the Population Health Initiative
This month, we mark the one-year anniversary of our Population Health Initiative, an effort we launched with the goal of bringing our community together to improve health and well-being here and around the world. The impetus for that call remains as strong as ever, while our capacity to create change for the better is only growing. One year in, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what we鈥檝e accomplished so far and what lies ahead in this journey.
Kicking off a national search for the next 91探花Provost
Last week, I officially charged a group of faculty, staff and students to advise me by searching nationally to identify candidates for the UW鈥檚 top academic job. In their search for a Provost and Executive Vice President, I have asked them to seek candidates who value our traditions of shared governance, transparency and accountability. I also encouraged them to reach out across disciplines and to individuals who reflect the diversity of our community. Finalists for the position will come to campus to meet with members of our community and talk about their vision sometime in the fall or winter.
The Lincoln Project and the future of public higher education
Public research universities like the 91探花are essential engines for social mobility and prosperity, especially for first generation students. If, as a society, we fail to make the investments needed to keep them strong, we endanger progress, prosperity and innovation not just for the individuals who attend, but for their communities, states and our nation.
A visit with The Daily and the value of journalism
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to sit down with the staff of The Daily, our student newspaper, for a wide-ranging conversation that touched on everything from our University鈥檚 Race and Equity Initiative, to questions of free speech to the changing nature of journalism. In these days when our social media feeds are chock full of clickbait and dubious headlines, and we鈥檙e forced to dissect 鈥渇ake news鈥� and 鈥渁lternative facts,鈥� it was gratifying to meet with students who are committed to the ideals of an independent press. (For more info on fake news and how to detect it, see our course, offered 聽through the .)
Transparency and accountable is necessary for a strong democracy — so is a public is informed and engaged with the issues. A strong, independent press is critical to both. 聽Over the years, the Daily has taken me to task more than a few times. I鈥檝e learned a lot from those critiques, though I don鈥檛 always agree with the views of some writers.聽 Still, 聽I’m always glad they are there. All of us at the 91探花should be.
Public investment in science serves Washington and the world
Exploration and discovery are at the core of our mission. For many of us, they are the substance of our life鈥檚 work. This Saturday, I know many members of our 91探花 community will march in support of science and inquiry. I wanted to take this opportunity to reiterate the UW鈥檚 enduring and vocal support for scientific research.
On the value of science, healthcare and education, our Washington delegation is listening
This week, I spent a few days in the 鈥渙ther Washington鈥� where I had the opportunity to meet with the members of our legislative delegation and their staffs. I shared with them the invaluable, vital work that our 91探花 community does to expand the frontiers of scientific research, improve healthcare, develop creativity through the arts, and provide quality and affordable education to our students.