The 91探花 has earned a Gold rating from the 鈥嬧�婼ustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, or STARS.

The STARS ratings, administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, are good for three years and are based on self-reported assessments. The 91探花has held a Gold rating from STARS since first participating in 2012.

鈥淭he STARS Gold rating is recognition of all the hard work being done across our campus by staff, students and faculty for sustainability,鈥� 91探花Sustainability director Lisa Dulude said. 鈥淎s we celebrate Earth Day in April, this achievement is a reminder of the UW鈥檚 commitment to embed sustainability in everything we do, and the benefits of this work for our environment and our community.鈥�

The STARS report covers the 91探花in Seattle and includes questions on sustainability performance in academics, planning and administration, engagement and operations. About 380 schools worldwide have active STARS ratings. Gold is the second-highest tier. There are 17 schools that have achieved the highest Platinum rating. 91探花Bothell also holds a STARS Gold rating.

All STARS reports are public, and the .

STARS is the most wide-reaching sustainability report, and the information collected gives the 91探花a comprehensive view of its sustainability performance and allows for comparison to peer universities. It can also provide insight on areas where additional efforts might be needed.

The information is used to inform the UW鈥檚 Sustainability Action Plan, which sets out the 鲍苍颈惫别谤蝉颈迟测鈥檚 sustainability goals. The first Sustainability Action Plan was adopted in 2020, and the 91探花is currently in the process of creating an updated Plan, which will be finalized by summer 2026.

鈥淭he 91探花has long been a sustainability leader in higher education, as evidenced by our long track record of STARS Gold ratings,鈥� Dulude said. 鈥淲ith the Sustainability Action Plan update, working groups have identified several areas to set measurable targets, which ensure we will continue that leadership.鈥�

The UW鈥檚 sustainability efforts are also on show in recognition of Earth Day on April 22. Events organized by a variety of groups across the 91探花happen throughout the month, including volunteer opportunities, workshops and more. You can see the on the 91探花Sustainability site.

Lance brings more than 18 years of university leadership and legal experience to the role, serving for the past five years as chief of staff to the provost at Seattle University. Prior to that role, Lance served as SU鈥檚 associate university counsel from 2017 to 2021 and assistant to the executive vice president and assistant university counsel from 2010 to 2017.

鈥淒avid stood out not only for the depth and breadth of his experience as a university chief of staff, but for the incredible esteem in which he is held by all who have worked with him. In addition, his deep knowledge and understanding of the local higher education landscape makes him the ideal person to fill this important role,鈥� said President Jones.

Before joining Seattle University, Lance was an associate attorney for Miller Nash, LLP where his practice focused on higher education. He holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science from Marquette University, a juris doctorate from Seattle University School of Law and was an adjunct law professor from 2012 to 2016.

鈥淗aving been born and raised in Washington, I am honored to join the Husky family,鈥� Lance said. 鈥淭he 91探花stands as a leading public research university and prominent member of the AAU and Big Ten Conference. I look forward to serving alongside President Jones, Provost Serio and the 91探花community as we navigate the headwinds facing higher education, lead in this moment of change, and continue our work to educate students, care for patients, innovate and produce knowledge, and serve our communities, all for the common good.鈥�

As chief of staff, Lance will serve as a senior advisor to the president, helping to drive strategic priorities and oversee the operations of the Executive Office of the President and Provost. He will work closely with campus and external partners to ensure alignment across the University, advance the institution鈥檚 strategic plan and strengthen collaboration among divisions. Lance will also support the administration鈥檚 engagement with the 91探花Board of Regents and help ensure the 鲍苍颈惫别谤蝉颈迟测鈥檚 mission and values are reflected in its leadership and decision making.

Lance is the youngest son of two Huskies 鈥� Stan Lance, who graduated with a master鈥檚 degree in 1972 and an MBA in 1975, and Nora Lance, who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in 1973.

Outside of work, Lance enjoys running and longs for more October baseball in Seattle. He also explores the Pacific Northwest鈥檚 trails, beaches and mountains with his wife, Christi, and three young kids.

Lance succeeds Hasoni Pratts, who served as chief of staff following the departure of Margaret Shepherd, who left the 91探花in September after serving at the University for听16听years.

We are pleased to see criminal charges filed with the court related to the occupation of the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building. This is an important step in ensuring accountability for those who perpetrated this occupation, in addition to the suspensions that the students arrested in the building received through the student conduct process. We value free speech and expression but also must continue to be a campus community where dangerous, unlawful actions are not tolerated.

We appreciate the hard work by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, 91探花Police and law enforcement partners who investigated a complex case involving a large number of individuals.

Pratts brings a distinguished record of leadership in higher education governance and national policy advocacy.听She currently serves on the New York State Board of Regents, with responsibility for the general supervision of all educational activities within the听state, the University of the State of New York, and the New York State Education Department.听She serves on several committees,听including the Higher Education and the Professional Practice Committees overseeing the licensing and discipline of听54听professions.听

In addition to her service on the听New York State听Board of Regents, Pratts serves as Senior Advisor to the CEO of the National Urban League, where she has听demonstrated听exceptional skills in public policy, education equity, workforce development, stakeholder engagement, and economic empowerment initiatives that听impact听communities across the nation. 鈥�听

鈥淗asoni听Pratts brings an exceptional combination of governance expertise, strategic vision, and commitment to educational excellence,”听Jones听said. “Her experience navigating complex policy landscapes and her dedication to expanding access and opportunity in higher education make her ideally suited to help us achieve our strategic objectives and serve our diverse community.”听

Pratts holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from North Carolina A&T State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University. This blend of financial acumen and public sector leadership expertise positions her to provide valuable counsel on the operational, strategic and policy dimensions of university administration.听

As chief of staff, Pratts will serve as key advisor to the President, manage strategic priorities, oversee operations of the Executive Office of the President and Provost, facilitate communication between leadership and key stakeholders, manage special projects, and ensure alignment of institutional efforts with the university’s mission and values. She will play a central role in advancing the university’s strategic plan, fostering collaboration across divisions, and strengthening connections between the administration and the 91探花Board of Regents.听

“I am honored to join the 91探花 at this transformative moment in higher education,” Pratts听said. 鈥淚 am hopeful that my experience in advancing an institution鈥檚 strategic priorities in the ever-dynamic landscape of higher education will position me well as a partner with the 91探花leadership, faculty, students and staff,鈥� Pratts says.鈥� 鈥淚鈥檓 excited about building new relationships and working alongside President Jones, the talented听leadership team, and the entire campus community to enhance the 91探花鈥檚 impact regionally, nationally and internationally.鈥濃���听

鈥淗asoni鈥檚听appointment reflects听my听ongoing commitment to recruiting visionary leaders who can help navigate the evolving landscape of higher education听and听staying听true to the听institution’s听core mission of teaching,听research听and public service,鈥� Jones said.听

Pratts succeeds Margaret Shepherd, who left the 91探花in September after serving at the University for听16听years.听

听# # #

Contact Victor Balta: balta@uw.edu.

鈥淥ur student conduct policies and practices must ensure there is transparency about the expectations we all have for our students, as well as what happens if their actions run counter to those expectations by violating the Student Conduct Code.听We must also ensure a fair process and听appropriate accountability, reflecting the unique circumstances of each situation and the responsibility we each have as members of the 91探花community,鈥� said Jones, who became 91探花President Aug. 1.听听

The firm听听will conduct the review.听It听will evaluate the Student Conduct Code () for its effectiveness in the modern University environment,听which includes听a number听of issues not foreseen when听the code听was last updated in 2021.听Student conduct policies and practices are听also听an important part of the 鲍苍颈惫别谤蝉颈迟测鈥檚 commitment to听upholding听Title VI, Title听IX听and other civil rights laws.听

The review听will evaluate how those policies are implemented,听including听how different听forms听of misconduct听鈥� including sexual and other non-academic misconduct 鈥� should be handled, with a goal of听continuing to听ensure听a fair听process and听promoting transparency and听appropriate听accountability.听It is not a review of individual cases, but rather of听student听policies and practices overall,听though听the review听may听be听informed by听the handling of specific cases to demonstrate trends or themes.听听

The goal is for the review to be completed听in听winter听quarter听2026,听with recommendations implemented听after听its completion.听

Husch Blackwell鈥檚 higher education team has worked for hundreds of colleges and universities across the country.听They have听reviewed听student conduct codes听and听other matters of institutional policy and procedure听at dozens of public universities, including other institutions within the Big Ten, and bring decades of experience with and sensitivity to the unique aspects of life on campus.听

Contact Victor Balta: balta@uw.edu听

Yocom has served as interim dean since October 2024 and is a professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture, where he previously served as department chair. A longtime member of the 91探花faculty, Yocom brings deep institutional knowledge, a collaborative leadership style and a long-standing commitment to the college鈥檚 mission of advancing justice, sustainability and resilience through the built environment.

鈥淜en has been a thoughtful and steady leader during a critical period of transition,鈥� Serio said. 鈥淗e brings not only deep institutional knowledge but a clear vision for how the college can meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. His collaborative approach and student-centered focus will continue to strengthen the college鈥檚 impact in our region and beyond.鈥�

Yocom鈥檚 research and teaching examine the relationships between ecological systems and the built environment, with a particular focus on how infrastructure, water and landscape shape communities. His work reflects the college鈥檚 commitment to place-based, interdisciplinary solutions that respond to today鈥檚 most pressing societal challenges 鈥� from climate change to housing access to public health.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to continue leading this remarkable college 鈥� a community defined by purpose, creativity and care,鈥� Yocom said. 鈥淎t the College of Built Environments, we don鈥檛 just prepare students to design buildings or plan cities 鈥� we help them imagine and shape a better world. I鈥檓 inspired by the ways our faculty, staff and students come together to confront urgent challenges, and I鈥檓 excited for what we will build 鈥� together.鈥�

Yocom holds a master鈥檚 degree in landscape architecture and a doctorate in built environments from the 91探花. As dean, he will lead a college that brings together architecture, construction management, landscape architecture, real estate and urban planning in pursuit of transformative solutions for communities and the planet.

The 91探花 condemns antisemitism, harassment and discrimination. Throughout the May 5th incident, the 91探花was in contact with campus and Seattle Jewish community leaders. We value these partnerships and understand their deep concern. The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and clear denunciation of antisemitism.听

The 91探花 fully complies with Title VI and other federal civil rights laws. We also recognize the need to continually improve and have for many months been taking concrete actions to improve the campus climate for Jewish students, faculty, staff and visitors. This includes the creation of a full-time Title VI coordinator position, training on preventing shared ancestry discrimination, a review of University policies and procedures, strengthening relationships with the Jewish community, improvement of bias incident reporting and response processes, and consolidation of anti-discrimination compliance in a new Civil Rights Compliance Office. And this March, the 鲍苍颈惫别谤蝉颈迟测鈥檚 Board of Regents overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to divest from companies with ties to Israel.听

The University values its long-standing partnership with the federal government. We will cooperate with the Task Force鈥檚 review and are confident that an evaluation will find we are in compliance with federal civil rights laws.听

The 91探花is committed to maintaining a secure learning and research environment, and strongly condemns this illegal building occupation and the antisemitic statement that was issued by a suspended student group Monday. The University will not be intimidated by this sort of offensive and destructive behavior and will continue to oppose antisemitism in all its forms.

With a career in public media spanning over two decades, Pamintuan鈥痓rings a wealth of experience and leadership to KUOW.听 Before joining STLPR, she was the general manager at鈥疜ALW鈥痠n San Francisco. During her time there, she oversaw the creation of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, launched and managed the station鈥檚 first governing board, and negotiated its inaugural operating agreement with the San Francisco Unified School District.听 Her efforts led to a five-year strategic business plan and helped reinvent the station鈥檚 local public affairs and music programming to attract a more inclusive and diverse audience.听

At St. Louis Public Radio, Pamintuan partnered with her staff to create a strong and resilient workplace culture and to develop a three-year strategic plan. During her tenure, the station won the highest number of journalism awards in its history two years in a row and was also awarded its largest grant. Her tenure culminated in the University of Missouri鈥檚 announcement that the station would transition into an independent nonprofit, a move Pamintuan had long advocated for.听

听鈥淪electing a new leader to guide KUOW into the future was no easy task. We are thrilled to have found someone of Tina鈥檚 vision and expertise to take the helm,鈥� said Randy Hodgins, 91探花vice president of External Affairs. 鈥淗er skills and experience will allow her to lead KUOW with excellence as the station builds on its strong tradition of producing award-winning journalism, innovative podcasts, and strong community engagement.鈥�听

Prior to her leadership role at KALW, Pamintuan founded and directed the audio journalism program at the鈥疌raig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism鈥痑t the City University of New York. There, she taught courses in radio news writing and reporting, news magazine production, podcasting, audio documentary, and oral history. Her former students are regularly heard on air across the public radio system and podcasting worlds.听

Pamintuan will succeed Caryn G. Mathes, who is retiring on June 2 after 11 years at KUOW鈥檚 helm.听听

鈥淚 am honored to join KUOW and look forward to working with the exceptional team here,鈥� Pamintuan said. 鈥淭ogether, we will build on the station’s legacy, chart its future course, and explore new opportunities to serve and engage our audience.鈥� Pamintuan is committed to fostering a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and accountability ensuring that KUOW remains a vital resource for listeners. Pamintuan’s work is deeply rooted in her belief in the power of people and their stories, and the ability of public media to foster community and societal change. She has a proven track record of creating environments where staff are supported to do their best work and continue growing at every stage of their careers.听

鈥淲e are confident that Tina鈥痠s the right leadership choice for the future of our station and growing public audience,鈥� said Ian Warner, KUOW Board Secretary and Chair of the search committee. Pamintuan was selected following an exhaustive, nationwide search led by a KUOW PSPR board-appointed search committee and executed by Campbell & Company. KUOW is the top news station in one of the country鈥檚 largest radio markets and is a self-sustaining service of the 91探花.听 It is licensed to the 91探花 Board of Regents. Under an agreement, the station is managed by KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio, a private, non-profit corporation established in 1999 and governed by the KUOW PSPR community board of directors.听听

Kerry Swanson, KUOW鈥檚 Chief Operating Officer, and long-time public media leader, will act as Interim President and General Manager, from June 2 through August 1, 2025.听听

For more information, please contact Michaela Gianotti Boyle, michaela@kuow.org听听

Update: 4/25/25: The 91探花 is heartened by the reports that the U.S. Department of Justice has announced a reversal of the unilateral and sweeping cancellation of many international students’ visas that began earlier this month. Given the rapidly changing situation, we can confirm as of late this morning (Friday) that many of the records of students and recent graduates across the UW’s Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell campuses have been restored. The 91探花has not received any notification from the government of these changes or reason for the reversals, however we have verified in SEVIS the records are returned to active status and we are hopeful the remaining records will also be restored soon. The 91探花will work students and recent graduates individually to understand what actions they have already taken and to discuss options for how to proceed with their studies and immigration status.

Update 4/24/25: We are heartened to share that eight students whose visas had been revoked have now had their SEVIS records reinstated. The 91探花was not given any formal notification of these changes, however we have verified the reinstatements and know that at least one was due to litigation that the student pursued. We have not been given a reason for all of the reinstatements. Given the eight reinstatements, that leaves 15 individuals whose revoked status remains in place.听

Update 4/17/25: As of this update, 13 current 91探花students and 10 recent graduates participating in post-graduation training have had their visas unilaterally cancelled by the federal government without prior notice to the University or the students. All other information regarding this situation as described below is unchanged.听

***

The 91探花 has learned that, as of this posting, five current 91探花students plus four recent graduates participating in post-graduation training have had their visas unilaterally cancelled by the federal government without prior notice to the University or the students. We are deeply concerned about the well-being of these students and graduates and are working to support them. International students and scholars are essential and valued members of our University and they contribute immensely to our community, state and nation. The 91探花will continue to support them and provide the resources they need to be able to learn, teach and succeed here.

We became aware of these actions during recent checks of international student records in the federal government鈥檚 Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The SEVIS record states the visa revocations were due to an immigration status violation. No additional information or details were provided, but we have no indication these actions are due to activism or other protected free speech. We are also not aware of any immigration officials coming to 91探花campuses related to this situation.

In a situation like this, the relevant campus鈥� international student services office immediately reaches out to the affected individual to encourage them to contact the office as soon as possible so that we can connect them with information and resources. These resources include access to legal services available to students as part of their student fees, as well as mental health and academic support.

Our priority remains supporting our international students and scholars and we will continue to proactively communicate directly with them about these issues. Because the federal government is not notifying universities of status changes, we have been checking SEVIS records daily so that we can proactively contact students whose records have been changed.

We respect the privacy of the students and graduates affected by these actions and will follow their wishes on how and whether to share their names and information publicly. If a member of the 91探花community learns of a 91探花student or scholar who has been affected by a similar visa action, they are encouraged to have them contact their campus鈥� international student services office immediately.

# # #