Academic Technologies (AT)
Savery Hall classroom updates: Academic Technologies recently renovated nine classrooms in Savery Hall, updating projection systems and new audio-visual systems. Work will continue throughout Spring Quarter to renovate the remaining classrooms.
Upcoming updates to Kane Hall: Kane Hall will receive major technology upgrades this summer. Academic Technologies will install a new scalable AV system that utilizes the existing campus network to deliver video.
The Systems Team has implemented a new Linux service offering: AT found a way to make it possible to use NETID logins on Linux-based computers in the Odegaard Lab. Linux is an oft-requested and customizable option that was not previously available since it could not be secured via NETID. AT is now sharing this new methodology and sample scripts with the UW Tech Community and adding this information to the UW IT Manager’s Handbook.
ASA-Information Systems (ASA-IS)
New check-in kiosk for Office of Student Financial Aid: ASA-IS installed and configured a new touchscreen kiosk for the Office of Student Financial Aid in their Schmitz Hall offices. The kiosk utilizes in-house software developed by the ASA-IS team to support quick check-in and office routing for students and visitors to OSFA’s help desks.
Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL)
CTL staff members nominated for the Distinguished Staff Award: Members of the CTL who worked on developing the Teaching@UW website were nominated for a Distinguished Staff Award for Collaboration. This award recognizes teams making an outstanding achievement or providing ongoing excellence through effective collaboration.
Supporting neurodiverse students: The CTL hosted a session for 235 attendees led by Hala Annabi (Associate Professor, UW iSchool) on teaching strategies that support neurodiverse students. Currently, the CTL is concluding a series of focus group interviews listening to neurodivergent students’ classroom experiences.
International Student Services (ISS)
ISS helps 600+ international students get work authorization for internships and jobs. Spring quarter is a busy time for international students applying for summer internships or searching for post-graduation jobs – and for ISS as they respond to student employment authorization requests. ISS is currently helping more than 600 of these students apply for their work authorization.
ISS implements a new online chat service: International students are now able to connect directly with the ISS team through online chat. This new service is an efficient, virtual option for students to get quick answers to questions from ISS.
Office of the University Registrar (OUR)
New posthumous degree request form and process: Students who die before completing their degree may be awarded a degree posthumously – but the process has historically been very complicated. A new form simplifies the process for requesting posthumous degrees, is more respectful of grieving families, and allows us to better track these requests. Kudos to Sara Torres of ASA-IS, for partnering with OUR to find a creative and innovative solution.
Bill Abella and Alison Bazeley promoted: OUR is happy to announce that Bill Abella is taking on the manager position with the Academic Data Management team and Alison Bazeley will assume the manager position with the Residency Team – thanks to a VP decision to add more levels to the OUR leadership structure that provides a path to promotion.
Strategic Initiatives
Work is progressing on defining teaching excellence at UW. The Future of Teaching & Learning working group is finalizing a definition of teaching excellence based on input gathered from 600+ instructors and an advisory council. A final draft and recommendations for implementation will be submitted to the Faculty Council on Teaching and Learning this spring.
ASA and Student Life launch a faculty advisory council for DRS. Phil Reid and Glenna Chang of Student Life are co-chairing a new faculty advisory group that will advise and guide efforts in the Disability Resources for Students office. The group has identified current strengths and opportunities, and are working with DRS leadership to prioritize next steps.