This year, the community of students, faculty and staff at the University of Washington witnessed news happen first-hand. They reported it, reacted to it and made it happen. These are some of the more prominent issues that were addressed on and around campus this year.

Humanity

The UW had a unique perspective on humanity issues this year. Beginning fall quarter and continuing now with debate about bringing Tent City III to campus, homelessness is one of the most prevalent issues UW students have had a glimpse of this year.

Health class encourages UW to host tent city

The homeless encampment Nickelsville resided in the U-District from October 2008 until the beginning of March. A month after Nickelsville had to leave due to permit issues, students held a public forum about bringing Tent City III to campus. The ASUW, GPSS and Faculty Senates all passed resolutions in support of hosting the group, and the issue has been presented to the UW administration. Supporters hope to receive a response by the end of the school year.

Tragedy

Living in such a large community, students are introduced to many different aspects of life. One of the more unfortunate of those is the reality of tragedy. Students faced this reality several times this year.

Students rush to save man who set himself on fire

In October, a former UW employee set himself on fire in Red Square. Students rushed to put out the flames, but the man passed away the same day after being taken to Harborview Medical Center.

Police shooting leaves UW student dead

Senior Miles Murphy was shot seven times on New Year’s Day by Seattle Police Department officers after authorities shouted for him to put down a rifle he had been firing. Police confirmed that the firearm had been loaded with blanks. Murphy died hours later.

Man shot on University Way

A shooting occurred at Northeast 42nd Street and University Way Northeast in April. The victim was shot in the face and later stabilized. The shooter fled, causing UW dorms to be locked down for several hours. The UW Alert system was not utilized, and some students voiced frustration about not being notified of the incident until the next day.

Budget

This year, the UW saw the largest budget cuts from the state Legislature in school history. For the first time, the UW is now being funded more by private tuition dollars than by the state. For the past several months, the campus community has been realizing the effects of this reality.

Demanding discussion

In March, in response to budget concerns, administrators began discussing the possibility of a 14-percent tuition increase. In April, the state Legislature approved the removal of a 7-percent tuition cap that has been in place for several years. The Board of Regents is expected to approve the 14-percent increase later this month. Students voiced their opposition to this proposal on many different occasions, and groups such as the Anti-Budget Cut Coalition plan to protest until the decision is finalized June 11.

Turning out the lights

Custodial swing-shift workers learned in March that they would be forced to move to a day shift in order for UW Facilities Services to save on operating costs. These custodians, many of whom work the swing shift to take care of family members or work separate jobs during the day, voiced their opinions about the impact this change would have on their lives. They have since negotiated to keep the shift until July 1 but plan to continue negotiations to stay on the swing shift.

Libraries lost to budget cuts

Students were notified in early May that the Physics/Astronomy, Fisheries-Oceanography, Drama, Social Work and Chemistry libraries will be merged into a research commons in the Allen Library during the 2009-10 fiscal year. The consolidation is partially in response to the 12-percent budget cuts the UW libraries are facing this year. For a brief period of time, administrators also considered cutting Odegaard Undergraduate Library’s 24-hour service, but the service ended up being spared.

Protest

Pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators faced each other on the HUB lawn in January after Israeli ground forces entered Gaza Jan. 3 to retaliate against continual rocket fire from Hamas militants. Months later, the campus group Democracy Insurgent (DI) protested what it called “Israeli apartheid” at this year’s Israelpalooza, a celebration of Israeli culture on the HUB lawn. DI attempted to organize a group to “crash” the event, but the group was stopped when UWPD officers prevented it from entering the event.

Abortion-rights protestors clash in Red Square

The national abortion debate got local when the Genocide Awareness Project set up on campus. The controversial group, which compares historically recognized genocides to abortion, was invited to campus in May by students. Abortion-rights supporters and opponents of the group’s tactics voiced their disapproval of the display.