Husky Caucus Day and a Primer on Priorities

On February 18th, the UW Impact team, along with members of the UW Alumni Association Board of Trustees and other supporters, will meet with state lawmakers on Husky Caucus Day to advocate for support for the University of Washington and for public higher education.

Advocates like you will amplify our voices in every district across the state by writing to your lawmakers on Husky Caucus Day. We will also acknowledge the Huskies serving in our State Legislature by sending them an interactive thank-you note, with fun UW facts personalized to their district.

During times of economic uncertainty, the public higher education sector often suffers, gutted to pay for other state priorities. However, this approach is notoriously shortsighted as post-secondary education, with training and degree opportunities, proves critical to economic recovery.

Making an even stronger case for investment is acknowledging the positive impacts of higher ed for our “two pandemics:” COVID and systemic racism. From critical research and care to advancing racial equity through economic mobility and leadership, higher education offers real solutions to these most pressing of national issues.

The Governor’s proposed budget, released in December, recognizes the importance of investment in higher education, recommending significant investment in programs and capital projects that fulfill UW Impact’s legislative priorities and the UW’s legislative agenda.

Our legislative priorities this year are as follows:

Investments in quality and excellence

  • Support the Governor’s budget and do not cut funding to the University of Washington or the higher education sector during a critical time for racial equity, economic recovery, and COVID response, the latter of which has been largely UW-led.
  • Extend the $6M in one-time funds for safety net operations at UW Medical Center, Harborview, and UW Dentistry clinics

Investments in access and affordability

  • Protect the investments in the Washington Education Investment Fund.
  • Support the Governor’s budget and do not cut support to the University of Washington or the higher education sector during a critical time for racial equity, economic recovery, and COVID response.

Investments in high-demand degrees

  • The UW has $300 million in capital requests, mostly for the expansion of high-demand degree programs. Most in need of advocacy:
    • $45.4M for the new Engineering building, for which the Legislature has already granted pre-design and design funds, plus operating funds.
    • $36M to construct a Business and Engineering building in Tacoma.
    • $2.3M in annual funding for UW/Gonzaga medical school partnership.

 

Here are some helpful talking points you can use when speaking with Legislators:

If you have 1 minute (classic elevator speech):

  • Note your affiliation (UWAA Board of Trustees, Legislative Advocacy Committee, UW unit/department/college graduate, etc.) so your legislator(s) identifies you with your cause.
  • Tell them that you care deeply about the UW and higher education in the state of Washington.
  • Choose one of the priorities above to cite as your top priority: “In particular, I care about access for BIPOC students and want to be sure the Legislature does not cut funding to higher education during this uncertain time.”
  • Note the Governor’s generous budget as an example.
  • Thank them for supporting higher education during the session.

If you have 5 minutes (if he/she is late to your meeting, etc.):

  • Do the above and:
  • Tell your personal UW story, and/or have an anecdote or data ready to support your top priority.
  • Tell the legislator(s) that you will follow up with these details in an email (leave your contact info).
  • Ask them if they see any barriers to supporting higher education this session.
  • Thank them for supporting higher education during the session.

If you have 15 minutes (the length of a typical in-person or virtual meeting):

  • Do the above and:
  • Cite UW Impact’s top three priorities.
  • Ask the legislator what his/her top priorities will be for the session, and where higher education is on the list of priorities.
  • Ask what information you can provide to be sure higher education stays relevant and top of mind.
  • Thank them for supporting higher education during the legislative session.

 

Advocating for the UW and higher education would not be possible without tremendous support from our alumni and friends in Washington. Together, we can help promote equity, access, and excellence in higher education at the UW and at public higher education institutions across Washington state.

 

Learn more about the University’s legislative agenda here.