Western Community,
Registration is open for the Western Washington University Employee Language Program workshops, with sessions starting the second week of winter quarter.
Open to all Western employees, these workshops support faculty and staff through professional development, and encourage multicultural outreach and awareness. Language learners of all levels are welcome.
A new year brings fresh opportunities to enhance your well-being journey. In 2021, you’ll find new activities designed to support all of you—including ones to help you manage stress and anxiety, improve sleep, increase your energy levels, build resilience, and more.
You will not be able to access SmartHealth Jan. 1-6, 2021. They will refresh activities during this time. You can access SmartHealth starting Jan. 7, 2021. Your points will reset to zero.
Editor’s Note: After each Board of Trustees meeting, Western Today provides a recap of decisions and discussion.
Western’s Board of Trustees on Friday unanimously approved naming the University’s new residence hall, now under construction, after Alma Clark Glass, the first Black student to attend Western.
Western Washington University employees recently presented at the Pacific Northwest Social Marketing Association’s (PNSMA) 8th annual SPARKS conference on the marketing strategy behind "COVID-19 IRL," the ASWWU’s student-directed COVID messaging campaign. The presentation was delivered by Western Washington University Assistant Professor of Public Health Steve Bennett and graduate student, AS Communications Director and Student Trustee Hunter Stuehm, who have both played active roles in the campaign’s development and implementation.
Dear Western Community,
We are nearing the end of a year unlike any other in our history. I imagine that you are looking forward to saying goodbye to 2020, and welcoming a healthier, safer and brighter 2021, as much as I am.
As part of its work advising the nation on responding to COVID-19, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine held a public information-gathering session “COVID-19 Testing Strategies for Colleges and Universities (2020)” in November to foster dialogue among universities and colleges, and with other subject-matter experts and stakeholders.
Considering a WWURP and VIP distribution related to COVID-19?
The Western Washington University Retirement Plan (WWURP) is allowing a Coronavirus (CARES Act) Distribution.
Important details and requirements:
WWU Director of Financial Services Teresa Hart will retire on Jan. 8, after 16 years at the University.
Hart started at Western in 2004 as Internal Controls Officer, became director of Treasury Services in 2007 and director of Financial Services in 2009.
As we approach the end of 2020, Human Resources wants to remind you that the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) will be ending on Dec. 31. This act allowed employees to take leave to quarantine or care for a child whose school is closed due to COVID-19. With the FFCRA ending soon, we wanted to remind everyone that you can apply for shared leave for any reason related to COVID-19, even childcare reasons. Changes were made to the Shared Leave RCW to include any reason related to COVID-19.
Francisco Ríos, chair of the Dean of Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies Search Committee, is pleased to provide the following information about search activities to date:
The search committee has finalized the position announcement and has published it in a variety of national publication outlets. The announcement includes a link to the complete job posting. Applicant screening begins February 1, 2021.
