Associated Students of the University of Washington
Student Senate
Session 16
 

A Resolution in Support of the Women's Center

WHEREAS this year marks the Women’s Center’s 100th anniversary at the University of Washington; and

WHEREAS the Women's Center has been pivotal in achieving suffrage in Washington; and

WHEREAS the UW Women’s Center provides a safe and supportive space and a variety of services which allow women students, faculty, staff, and community members to participate actively and fully in the university system and succeed in their educational, career, and life goals; and

WHEREAS the UW Women's Center currently receives no SAF Funding; and

WHEREAS the UW Women's Center collaborates with the UW's Jackson School of International Studies to conduct research and host international delegations and assisting in efforts to raise awareness on issues of human trafficking and is known worldwide these efforts; and

WHEREAS the UW Women's Center offers the Making Connections program, a mentoring program for area high school students, which serves socio-economically disadvantaged and first generation college students by providing support throughout the college application process and access to professionals in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. This program has proved extremely successful, with 100% of Making Connections senior high school students from the class of 2008 enrolling in higher education institutions; and

WHEREAS the UW Women's Center also runs the Re-Entry Program for students who return to school later in life to help them re-adjust to the academic environment and to offer assistance in dealing with personal issues; and

WHEREAS the UW Women's Center offers an array of low-cost, non-credit courses and seminars through the Lifelong Learning Program which encourage and allows women and men of all ages to participate in the ongoing pursuit of achieving their full potential in their education, career, and personal life; and

WHEREAS in addition to its many programs, the UW Women’s Center serves as a resource center for campus and community members seeking information and referral regarding issues of violence prevention, relationship violence, sexual assault, stalking and related issues; and

WHEREAS the UW Women’s Center has recently created a Student Advisory Board with the intent of becoming more connected with the student body; and

WHEREAS the UW Women's Center has continued to offer services with minimal staffing and even after a 16% budget cut last year; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON:

THAT the ASUW supports the Women's Center and its programs; and

THAT the ASUW believes there should be no more cuts to the Women’s Center’s budget for the next biennium (2 years) so that they may have a stable funding model; and

THAT the ASUW encourages students to learn more about the Center; and

THAT the ASUW encourages the University to increase its support to the Women’s Center in ways that are not necessarily monetary; and

THAT at the next Senate meeting for which they are available, we invite the Women’s Center staff and volunteers to come be acknowledged for their efforts; and

THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to President Mark Emmert, the UW Board of Regents, Vice Provost Phyllis Wise, Vice President for Minority Affairs and Vice Provost for Diversity Sheila Edwards Lange, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Ana Mari Cauce, Dean of Social Sciences Judy Howard, Chair of the Women's Center Review Committee Ruth Johnstone, Chair of Women Studies David Allen, and Director of the Women’s Center Sutapa Basu.

History of Legislation

03/7/2010: Submitted for consideration
03/30/2010: Rules Suspended:
04/06/2010: Amended by the Senate
04/06/2010: Passed by the Senate

Legislation ID:
R-16-24

Date Submitted:
03/7/2010

Sponsor:
Chris Paredes

Cosponsor(s):
Maggie Capwell