January 6, 2022
2022 Legislative Priorities
Happy New Year, Huskies! The legislative session starts on January 10, 2022, and UW Impact is ready. We surveyed our alumni again in late 2021 to discern which higher education issues they cared about most. The answers were both clear and familiar: alums care about access and affordability, maintaining quality and excellence, and expanding high-demand degree opportunities. One of the
January 5, 2022
2022 UW Impact Legislative Preview
Join us for the 8th annual Legislative Preview, taking place virtually on January 6, 2022. The topic? Restoring Public Trust in Higher Education. We have university presidents! We have lawmakers! Best of all, we have nearly 80 of your questions, which have helped us shape the program. Learn more and register here.
October 15, 2021
Summer Book Club Selection Leads to Judicial System Refresher
UW Impact, along with the UW Alumni Association and UW Bookstore, continued our summer book club program partnership in 2021. This program began four years ago as a way to bring together UW alums from different political and philosophical backgrounds to read common books. We hoped to challenge one’s thinking, encourage civic dialogue, civic engagement and reflect statewide perspectives. This
August 3, 2021
Vote and Read with UW Impact
Summer greetings from UW Impact! First, we strongly encourage all UW Impact advocates to participate in your civic duty to vote. Tuesday, August 3 – is Election Day here in Washington state. Ballot boxes close at 8pm. You still have time to vote! Your voice matters — make sure you use it. Second: it’s time for summer reading! Each summer,
July 7, 2021
Summertime Engagement with Lawmakers
Summertime is a great time to connect with legislators. Lawmakers engage with constituents at a furious pace during the legislative session each winter and spring, so summer engagement is a way to distinguish yourself and to make your legislative priorities known. Building relationships with legislators can be as simple as meeting for coffee on a Saturday morning or sending an
June 9, 2021
Reflections from our UW Impact Intern
UW Impact’s student intern, Manaal Shafi, wrapped up her internship with UW Impact this month. Manaal graduated in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic with a dual degree in Political Science and Law, Societies & Justice degrees. At the end of her internship, she took time to share reflections on her work with us in helping to advocate for public higher education.
April 27, 2021
State Lawmakers Invest in UW | 2021-23 Final Budget
The Washington State legislature released their final two-year state operating budget after an exceptional remote legislative session, and the news is good for higher education. In the fall, the Governor asked all state agencies to model 5, 10, and 15% cuts, readying UW and other institutions for a worst-case scenario. Despite our initial concerns about how the pandemic would affect
April 5, 2021
How Did UW and Higher Ed Fare in Proposed Budgets?
The Washington State House and Senate released their proposed budgets late last week, both making solid investments in higher education even during an uncertain time. These investments signal their agreement with hundreds of UW Impact advocates who have made a compelling case for support since session began in January. Key investments for the UW include: Ensuring quality and excellence: $20M
March 17, 2021
2021 Mid-Session Legislative Update
We are more than halfway through the 2021 legislative session. Here is what you have helped us accomplish so far: Since our annual Husky Caucus Day on February 18th, advocates have sent more than 600 emails to state legislators in support of funding for higher education. Advocates have sent more than 300 emails in support of investment in UW Medicine
February 17, 2021
Husky Caucus Day 2021!
Today is Husky Caucus Day! The UW Impact team, along with key supporters of the University, are advocating for higher education investments and recognizing the 33 UW alumni currently serving in our State Legislature. Help us “paint Olympia purple” (even virtually!) by writing to your elected officials today- it takes less than a minute. UW volunteers are reminding legislators of