Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

This message is being sent to all students enrolled at the University of Washington’s Tacoma campus. 

Dear UW Student: 

Title IX and other federal and state laws prohibit all forms of sex- and gender-based discrimination. Sex- and gender-based discrimination includes sexual harassment, relationship violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, and sexual assault. Title IX also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, and pregnancy and related conditions.  

How can the Office of the Title IX Coordinator help? Title IX case managers can: 

1. Provide information, resources and options to individuals who experience sex- and gender-based violence, harassment and discrimination; they can help you support a friend, too 
2. Implement supportive measures — like changes in class schedules or mutual restrictions on communication between two individuals  
3. Explain the formal complaint option, which is a request for the University to investigate prohibited conduct, and discuss how an investigation will progress and what to expect 
4. Assist students who are pregnant or experiencing related conditions to get support and reasonable adjustments to ensure they are not denied or limited access to their classes or related activities 

You can submit online reports directly to the UW Title IX Office 

Starting this year, students can submit online reports directly to the UW Title IX Office. When submitting a report, students can choose to remain anonymous and/or not share their own or others’ names to protect an individual’s identity. Learn more about how to make a report and what happens after you submit a report on the Title IX “Make a Report” page. 

Consider seeking confidential support before submitting a Title IX report  

The Office of the Title IX Coordinator strives to protect the privacy of individuals involved in Title IX-related matters but is not a confidential resource. If you have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking or sexual harassment, and are seeking confidential support, consider contacting the UW Tacoma confidential advocate before submitting an online Title IX report.  

New Title IX regulations 

We are awaiting new Title IX regulations from the U.S. Department of Education. When those regulations are finalized, the Office of the Title IX Coordinator will post information on the UW’s Title IX website and follow up with an email message to all students and employees.  

Have an excellent year and thank you for working with us and with each other to provide inclusive, welcoming communities for all UW students. 

Sincerely, 

Mentha Hynes-Wilson 
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs 

Valery Richardson                                           
Title IX Coordinator   

Dear Huskies:

Welcome to the Autumn 2023 quarter! This time of the academic year is always exciting as I enjoy welcoming both our new and returning students back to campus. As you participate in the various Welcome Days activities and settle into the quarter, you will quickly sense that UW Tacoma is a campus community fully devoted to your support, engagement, and success.

As paert of that support, I am pleased to announce a new service available to all UWT students. Student Legal Services (SLS), funded through the generosity of the Services and Activities Fee Committee, provides free 40-minute consultation sessions on legal matters via Zoom or in-person at the SLS office on the UW Seattle campus. SLS also offers low-cost legal representation for students. (SLS cannot provide representation in matters where the opposing party is another UW student or entity.)

Please visit the SLS website to learn more about the full scope of services and the process for setting an appointment. You are also welcome to contact Tanya Fekri, Director of Student Legal Services, at slsuw@uw.edu. 

Have an enjoyable Autumn quarter, and I look forward to seeing you around campus. 

Best,

Mentha Hynes-Wilson 
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs 

Dear Husky, 

I am delighted you will join us for the 2023-2024 academic year. UW Tacoma is a close-knit community, and here are a few details to help you make connections with classmates, faculty, and staff and campus resources.

Convocation: It is a tradition for students, faculty, and staff to come together to kick off the start of the academic year. Join us on Wednesday, September 27, on the Prairie Line Trail from noon –1:30 pm. We will have free snacks, entertainment, and special UW Tacoma swag! 

HuskiesCare: HuskiesCare, managed through the Office of Student Advocacy & Support, is a Virtual Resource Hub that will help you find resources that include emergency relief and support services to address your basic needs.

Student Discounts: Many shops and stores offer student discounts. Check out Dancing Goats Coffee at 2102 Commerce Street, Zeeks Pizza, 1702 Pacific Avenue, and the UW Tacoma Shop - offering UW Tacoma clothing and accessories - at 1754 Pacific Avenue. Student ID is required.

Welcome Days: There are many rewarding and fun ways to get involved on- and off-campus. Explore all that UW Tacoma has to offer, from Boxing Basics, Donut Thursdays, and Karaoke nights to resume workshops to discussions of identity during Welcome Days events the first week of the autumn quarter. With over 65 student organizations, something is bound to be for you.  

The Annual Class Photo: Each year, new first-year and transfer students assemble on the Court 17 lawn for the celebrated photo were new students arrange themselves in a “W.” Let’s establish a new record on Tuesday, October 3, for the largest participation!

Obviously, I am excited to meet you! The Division of Student Affairs is here to offer guidance and support and we all look forward to seeing you on campus.

Best,

Mentha Hynes-Wilson
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

P.S. Be sure to obtain your Husky ID Card and check your UW Tacoma email account regularly. The ID is needed to access certain buildings, and the University will use UW email to communicate with you through your years on campus.

Dear student:

We recognize that, as of late, you may have received notifications or heard things around campus that may be causing you to be concerned about your safety. We are aware of these issues, taking them seriously, and working to address them. We care about you and the safety of everyone on this campus. 

We encourage you to update your emergency contact information in MyUW and to sign up for UW Tacoma Alerts to stay informed about what is happening on campus should an emergency occur. Additionally, we encourage you to visit the Campus Safety & Security website and review the resources they have provided for your safety and emergency concerns.  

Finally, we hope you will to seek out services and resources on campus that can support you whenever you need (i.e. Psychological & Wellness Services and MySSP). We also have a virtual resource, HuskiesCare, that was created to help you with your basic needs and many other concerns you may be having. Please don't hesistate to reach out for support as you need it! And, if you know a friend who may need help, please do what you can to help them find the resources they need. 

We commit to keeping you updated on campus safety measures. As part of this effort, we are holding a Town Hall on Addressing Campus Safety, where your input is welcomed, on Wednesday, May 3 at 4 p.m. I hope to see you there!

Best,

Ms. M

Mentha Hynes-Wilson (she, her)
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Dear students,

We are excited to announce the details for our Commencement celebration. This year, UW Tacoma will hold one Commencement ceremony on Friday, June 9, 2023 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Tacoma Dome. We expect it to last about two and a half hours.

Please check out the Commencement website for details. Information on guest tickets and cap and gown pickup are being finalized right now and should be sent to students eligible to graduate by March 15. Registration for Commencement will open in late April.

Our planning committee is working hard to bring joy and excitement to this pivotal moment in our students’ lives. This includes more opportunities for you to celebrate with friends, family, and faculty.

We look forward to seeing all graduating students and their families there on June 9!

Sincerely,

Sheila Edwards Lange, Ph.D.
Chancellor

Mentha Hynes-Wilson
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Jai’Shon Berry
President, Associated Students of UW Tacoma

Dear Huskies,

As Chancellor Lange noted this past Friday in her outreach message to the campus community, we find ourselves yet again grappling with intensely painful and tragic moments taking place across our nation. On the heels of the heinous shooting in Monterey Park, CA, that claimed 11 lives and wounded nine others, we most recently witnessed Memphis police engaged in the violent killing of Tyre Nichols, yet another unarmed Black man, during a traffic stop. There are no words to adequately express the outrage, grief, and fear that can settle in during the aftermath of such senseless acts of violence.

As we continue coping — individually and collectively — with the aftermath of the frightening and increasing numbers of mass shootings and incidents of police brutality that have targeted Black, Asian, and LGBTQ communities, I invite you to consider guidance from the American Psychological Association for managing distress brought on by traumatic events:

• Talk about it. Ask for support from loved ones and seek professional help should you feel like you are unable to function or perform basic activities of daily living.
• Find your balance. When everything seems negative and overwhelming, remind yourself of the people, events, and things in your life that bring you happiness and encouragement.
• Turn it off and take a break. Set limits for how much news or other distressing information you take in every day. Try to do something that will instead lift your spirits.
• Honor your feelings. Remember that it is common to feel a range of emotions after a traumatic event.
• Take care of yourself. Engage in healthy behaviors that help you cope with stress: drink water and eat nutritious, comforting meals and snacks; exercise; re-establish routines; and avoid substances.
• Help others and/or do something productive. Helping someone else often has the benefit of making you feel better, too.

If you are feeling impacted by the cumulative effects of the societal violence we face, know that you have resources and support within the Division of Student Affairs to assist you. I encourage you to call or visit Psychological & Wellness Services, if needed, for free, confidential counseling services.

On behalf of the Division of Student Affairs, I offer my deepest condolences, support, and empathy to all those who are impacted.

In solidarity and support,

Mentha Hynes-Wilson
Vice Chancellor

Dear UW Tacoma Students:

We’re contacting you with information about Title IX, a federal gender equity law that prohibits discrimination based on sex or gender.

As a UW Tacoma student, there are a number of reasons why Title IX may matter to you:

• You are seeking information about how to support a colleague, student, or friend who has experienced sex- and gender-based violence or harassment. Sex- and gender-based violence and harassment can include relationship violence, stalking, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and sexual assault.
• You have experienced sex- or gender based violence, harassment, or discrimination and want to learn about available support resources and/or reporting options
• You are interested in prevention education and training including the Husky Prevention and Response course for new students
• You are pregnant and want to know more about the support and protections that are available

We also want to share a copy of the inaugural Title IX annual report. Students advocated for the development of this report and provided input on what content to include. You can find the report on the Title IX annual report webpage.

Lastly, you may be aware that the U.S. Department of Education has proposed new Title IX regulations [ed.gov] which will impact how institutions respond to sex- and gender-based violence, harassment, and discrimination. UW’s detailed response to the proposed rules is posted on the Title IX website. We do not know when the final regulations will be issued, but we will alert the UW community when that occurs.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please reach out to the Office of the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@uw.edu. Thank you for working with us and with each other to build an inclusive community that treats every member with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Sincerely,

Valery Richardson
Title IX Coordinator

Mentha Hynes-Wilson
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Hello!

I appreciate the response to the first message and need to hear from a few more undergraduate and graduate students so that I can seek approval for a new residence hall and dining facility.

Take the survey:
http://baseline.campuslabs.com/p/?UUID=28cec2e8d9f74698b2eb6b42a7b07ece

All information you provide is strictly confidential. No individual survey responses will be identified.

After completing the survey, you will have an opportunity to enter a drawing to win one of five $50 Amazon gift cards. 

Thank you for your time! The survey will close on Friday, April 30.

Mentha Hynes-Wilson
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Dear students,

Your thoughts can help steer our future.

UW Tacoma is engaging in a planning process to assess our on-campus housing and dining offerings.

We want to learn more about our own housing and dining experiences to ensure that we better meet your needs and those of future students.

I would appreciate 10 minutes of your time to complete a web-based survey. All information you provide is strictly confidential. No individual survey responses will be identified.

Take the survey:
http://baseline.campuslabs.com/p/?UUID=28cec2e8d9f74698b2eb6b42a7b07ece

After completing the survey, you will have an opportunity to enter a drawing to win one of five $50 Amazon gift cards. Once you have completed the survey, you will be prompted to enter your UW Tacoma email address, which will enter you in the drawing. Winners will be notified once the survey period is closed and entries are processed. Only respondents that have completed the full survey will be eligible for participation in the prize drawing.

UW Tacoma has retained the services of a nationally-recognized independent consulting firm, Brailsford & Dunlavey, to administer the survey. If you have any questions about this process, please contact Amy Ellingson at aellingson@bdconnect.com.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to participate in this important project for the UW Tacoma community.

Mentha Hynes-Wilson
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

This message was sent via e-mail to all students at UW Tacoma. Similar messages were sent to faculty, and to staff.

Although you may already have heard about UW’s plans to return to largely in-person classes on Jan. 31, we want to assure you that we on the Tacoma campus are aware that conditions in Pierce County are different than in the counties of our sister campuses, and this message describes how we will be approaching the remainder of winter quarter.

• On Monday, Jan. 31, we will return to largely in-person classes and learning experiences. You should expect your classes to be in the original format listed in the time schedule unless your instructors inform you otherwise.

• Accommodations may be requested by students with health-related condition or needs that put them at heightened risk. We’re also asking instructors to be flexible when it comes to student absences due to illness or other coronavirus-related disruptions. Note that while instructors will work to find ways for you to make-up missed coursework, they are not required to provide a synchronous remote option for classes that are being taught in person.

• Winter quarter has been designated an “extraordinary circumstances” quarter. This means specifically that students can change your course grades between numeric grades and Satisfactory/Non-Satisfactory (S/NS) until your degree is posted. During an extraordinary circumstances quarter, S grades will count toward degree and graduation requirements.

• Autumn quarter worked because of your efforts! We ask you to continue the same diligent care: stay home when sick, get a booster shot, avoid unmasked gatherings, wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask. Testing options in our region continue to expand and now include rapid tests that are mailed to you.

• Psychological & Wellness Services provides confidential mental health counseling and related services for currently enrolled UW Tacoma students at no additional cost. PAWS also provides consultation to faculty, staff and university student families. MySSP is available outside PAWS hours.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 25, from 10-11 a.m., we will be hosting a Community Conversation where you can learn more about how the remainder of winter quarter will work, and you can ask questions you may have about our plans. It will also be an opportunity to hear your suggestions for how best we work together to uphold our values of access, equity, excellence and belonging as we successfully transition back to a largely in-person environment. You can submit your questions in advance or during the event to uwttownhall@uw.edu.

We want you to know how much we appreciate the grace you have shown throughout these last two years. Our core values include providing, safely, an excellent in-person educational experience for you, our students. The emergence of Omicron has been stressful and for many traumatic, but case counts in some parts of our region are already declining, and are predicted to begin declining in Pierce County within the next week.

With your continued dedication and patience on- and off-campus, we will get through this! Thank you. You make us proud to be Huskies!

Sheila Edwards Lange, Chancellor
Mentha Hynes-Wilson, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

I am deeply grateful for your patience in the face of changes to our plans for winter quarter.

Even though many classes are retaining a remote format for the next several weeks (instructors have flexibility through Jan. 28), the campus remains open. There are some in-person classes, and students are on campus to study and access services. It is wonderful to see you!

Mattress Factory (MAT) 106 is the central hub for students and visitors needing in-person assistance. Main entrances to campus buildings are open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri. Outside those hours you will need your Husky Card to access buildings.

Students can use their Husky Cards to enter the Dawg House Student Lounge in the MAT and find spaces to study, eat, and access remote classes in a private area. Quiet space is also available near MAT 103, MAT 213 and MAT 352. Admissions is continuing to serve prospective students in MAT 251.

The UW Tacoma Library, computer labs, the University Y and reservable study spaces are open, too. Find the location of reservable and non-reservable spaces by using Scout.

Please wipe down tabletops, chairs and other surfaces before and after you use campus spaces. Disinfectant wipes are available at stations throughout campus buildings.

I appreciate your commitment to Protecting the Pack. Stay home if you are ill, get tested through the Husky Coronavirus Testing program (HCT), wear a face covering over your nose and mouth, safely distance when possible and wash your hands frequently.

Thank you again for all you have done and will do to keep yourself and those around you safe.

Mentha Hynes-Wilson
Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs