Budget cuts and crowded classes

While the current economic downturn may seem hard to envision for many students on campus, its effects will soon be visualized with the onset of larger, less available classes. Equally as noticeable will be a reduction of out-of-state travel by the UW and a potential tuition raise. Already apparent is the current hiring freeze. These effects are exaggerated by a recent recommendation by Gov. Chris Gregoire for a $10 million cut in state funds for the UW. There has also been a concern raised by faculty members about potential salary changes. However, President Mark Emmert remains hopeful about the effects of the economic crisis on students and faculty.

Washington state legislators discuss budget issues

With the recently proposed UW budget cuts, a hiring freeze in place since August and the economy spiraling toward a deep recession, it comes as no surprise that many affiliated with the University would be interested to hear from Washington state legislators. By hosting three legislative forums this month, ASUW and GPSS worked to encourage discussion between state legislators and their constituents in the UW community. The second forum, held Tuesday, focused on questions that hit close to home for students ­— issues of affordability, housing inspection and health care. While the legislators could not specify how the budget will be adjusted for the current economic downturn, and the effect the financial change will have on the student community, the panel emphasized the importance of student feedback.

Students join Prop. 8 protest

UW students joined several thousand protesters Saturday in a march to protest California’s Proposition 8. The initiative defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman and has sparked intense nationwide controversy and called into question whether the approximately 18,000 same-sex marriages granted in California could be annulled. The protesters marched from Volunteer Park to Westlake and included guest speakers Mayor Greg Nickels and King County Executive Ron Sims. While an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 protestors demonstrated in Seattle, similar marches took place Saturday in a 300-city nationwide protest in support of gay rights.

Former UW professor honored by ACLU

Former UW professor Hubert Locke has been chosen by The American Civil Liberties Union Washington Board of Directors as the recipient of the William O. Douglas Award. Given for a lifetime dedication to human and civil rights causes, the award is the national organization’s highest honor. Appointed Dean Emeritus of the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs at the UW in 1982, Locke has made significant contributions in the defense of civil rights locally, through participation on citizen boards and work in the nation’s criminal justice system. Locke was honored with the award at the ACLU of Washington Bill of Rights Celebration Dinner Saturday at the Seattle Mariott waterfront hotel, along with recipients of the Civil Libertarian Award and the Youth Activist Awards.

Getting ‘Wise’ about the College of the Environment

Provost Phyllis Wise discussed the University’s efforts to address environmental issues in a town hall meeting Tuesday. Although Wise discussed the positive grade the UW received on recent sustainability evaluation, the majority of the meeting was spent discussing the newly developed College of the Environment. With the first meeting of the college held only a month ago, many students were eager to find out more about the program. The college’s final design is still in early development stages.

Reach reporter Julian Martin at news@dailyuw.com.