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Archives: September, 2010


September 13, 2010  |  Learn

Dawg Treats: Weekly links to UW stories

By Derek Belt

Each week, we’ll gather stories and links about the University of Washington that may be of interest to you. Our aim is to become a hub for Huskies on the web and Dawg Treats is your connection to everything UW:

  • Lack of sleep linked to child obesity: UW Assistant Professor Janice F. Bell is the lead author in a fascinating new study that’s been all over the news lately.
  • UW to host largest university-based global health conference Sept. 19-21. The Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) will discuss the role of universities in global health.
  • Sex expert and UW Sociology Professor Pepper Schwartz is quoted in this USA Today story on why more young couples are trying long-distance relationships.
  • After a huge remodel, the 45th Street viaduct re-opened in time for Saturday’s football game. See the story from KING 5-TV.
  • Virginia B. Smith, a 1944 and 1946 UW graduate, was the eighth president of Vassar College and a champion for higher education in California. She passed away at her home in Palo Alto, Calif.
  • UW Professor Dr. Thomas Walsh is quoted in this story on male menopause. Is it reality or myth?

    Read more…

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September 10, 2010  |  Learn

Is a college education what it used to be?

By Derek Belt

A recent headline in The Washington Post read, “College isn’t the golden investment it once was.” The story argues that higher education is simply a bad financial investment in many cases, that it doesn’t make nearly as much sense as it did 5, 10, 20 years ago. What do you think? Is college what it used to be?

Obviously, this an issue that hits close to home for many of us. I earned a journalism degree at the University of Washington that taught me so much and has paved the way for my professional career. Now, I’m a graduate student here and am getting every penny’s worth out of that investment. For me, this is a great deal.

James Altucher, an author and hedge fund manager, is quoted in the story as saying, “You’ve been fooled into thinking there’s no other way for my kid to get a job,”  arguing that using a college education as a springboard to wealth and prosperity is an outdated way of thinking. He says people should start a business or pursue their travels, but you could easily ask where somebody might get the knowledge (not to mention the money) to do those things if they don’t go to college?

The story also makes note of a Wall Street Journal report calculating that the hundreds of billions of dollars in U.S. student-loan debt has actually overtaken the country’s credit-card debt. That’s an amazing statistic, no question, but I’m not sure it negates the need for people to pursue a college degree. Higher ed isn’t for everyone, but it’s a game-changer for many including myself.

I encourage you to read the story if you have time. Then return for a discussion on what the value of college is these days. Please share what you think. Times are definitely changing and tuition is increasing across the board, but is the college experience still something we value as a culture?

Photo by Wonderlane.

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September 9, 2010  |  Membership, Outside Seattle

Browse member benefits on your mobile phone

By Derek Belt

Let’s say you need new luggage. There’s no doubt in your mind that ExOfficio is the place to get it. But you want to make sure there’s an ExOfficio discount for UW Alumni Association members. You’re not going to drive all the way to the store if there isn’t, but you’re not at your computer desk so you can’t be sure.

Oh, yes you can.

Simply head to UWalum.com/mobile on your smartphone for a quick look at all your benefits and services. Browse dozens of member perks and see what’s available to you while you’re away from your desk, standing in line at the coffee shop or sitting comfortably on your couch. In this case, just tap “Dawg Deals & Discounts” and scroll down to ExOfficio. Members save 20% off any regular price purchases. What a deal!

See our Membership page for more details, and bookmark UWalum.com/mobile.

Click the photo above to enlarge.

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September 7, 2010  |  Cheer, Husky Sports

Special insider’s guide to tailgating in 2010

By Derek Belt

Wondering what to do for tailgating this year? You are definitely not alone.

The south parking lot at Husky Stadium is under construction and closed due to the Sound Transit Project, meaning many UW fans will have to adapt to new surroundings in 2010. But tailgating is a college football tradition, and we’ll make it work. Here are some useful tips to help your Husky tailgate parties succeed.

Please share any comments about Husky tailgating in the comments section below.

What’s new in 2010:

  • The “Montlake Lot” is now for Tyee Club members (season ticket holders) only. You may not park in this lot without a Tyee Club permit.
  • All public parking is on the main UW campus.
  • Parking rates have changed: $25 for vehicles with three or more persons; $30 for vehicles with two or fewer persons; $100 RV and vehicles with trailers.
  • RVs and vehicles with trailers must have an RV-specific parking permit prior to entry into any campus lot. Click here for more info.

Tailgating rules:

  • BBQs and open flames are not allowed in any of the parking garages or enclosed parking structures including the Triangle Parking Garage, Central Parking Garage, Padelford Garage and West Campus Garage.
  • You may BBQ on the roof of the Padelford Garage only. This is not an option in all parking garages, but if there is sky above you at Padelford then you are in the clear.
  • Click here for all of the information on tailgating rules.

What the general public needs to to know:

  • UPDATE 9/17: The ticket office says the parking lots will open at 6 a.m. for the Nebraska game. The UW says that waiting outside any of the parking facilities before they open will not be allowed. Whatever happens, be careful in those close quarters, respect your fellow Huskies, and have fun.

Keep reading for information on Tyee parking, campus maps and more.

Read more…

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September 7, 2010  |  Learn

Dawg Treats: Weekly links to UW stories

By Derek Belt

Each week, we’ll gather stories and links about the University of Washington that may be of interest to you. Our aim is to become a hub for Huskies on the web and Dawg Treats is your connection to everything UW:

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September 3, 2010  |  Cheer, On Campus

A look at the proposed Husky Stadium

By Mark Stewart

Getting excited for the start of the Husky football season tomorrow?

As the UW gets ready to take on BYU, we get a peak at the future of football on campus. The University of Washington and its partner in the Husky Stadium renovation project have released this fly-over video that models the new stadium.

You can find answers here to frequently asked questions about the project. And if you happen to be in the area, be sure to check out the Great Wall of Us on the fences of the Sound Transit construction site south of the stadium.

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September 3, 2010  |  Learn

Ours is the longest running street fair in the U.S.

By Mark Stewart

U District StreetFair 2008

As we near the end of summer, here is an interesting piece of trivia about an event that marks the beginning.

For one weekend in May, the Ave fills with crafts booths, musicians, artists and lots of people. Just another street fair, you might think. But did you know the University District StreetFair is the longest running street festival in the nation?

The brainchild of Andy Shiga, a local merchant who owned Shiga’s Imports (still located right on the Ave just south of the University Book Store), the first StreetFair took place in 1970. It was intended as a celebratory olive branch between the merchants of the Ave and student activists. This was in the middle of the Vietnam War when campus demonstrations often spilled onto the Ave and police responded in force. Shiga, a business owner but also a committed peace activist, conceived of a festival of music and arts that would also help local businesses.

The Ave continued to change during the early 1970s, but the StreetFair continued to grow, now attracting more than 40,000 people each year.

Check out the collection of StreetFair posters over the years and get a feel for the variety of design. You can read a bit more about Andy Shiga on the Shiga Imports site or his obituary in The Seattle Times.

What are your memories of the U District StreetFair? Were you there for the first edition? We’d love to hear your stories.

Photo by IsJo. Used under Creative Commons license.

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September 1, 2010  |  Cheer, Husky Sports

Huskies @ BYU pre-game checklist

By Derek Belt

Washington opens the 2010 football season Saturday at BYU. Kickoff is 4 p.m. on the West Coast. Here is a quick list of things to know heading into the big game:

College Colors Day
Every Friday is “Purple Friday,” part of the UW’s Real Dawgs Wear Purple campaign, but this Friday, Sept. 3 is extra special. It’s College Colors Day and it’s a national event with alumni and fans donning their favorite team’s school colors. For us, that means wearing purple and gold to work, to school, to the grocery store, to everywhere in between. Tell your boss, “I just had to show the Huskies some love!”

Sark on UWTV
Don’t miss Steve Sarkisian’s weekly press conference every Monday on UWTV. Straight from Sark airs live at noon (PST) from the Don James Center at Husky Stadium. Visit UWTV.org and click “Watch the Webcast” in the upper left corner. These press conferences give you great perspective on last week’s game and this week’s opponent. Plus, Sark is the most motivating guy you know!

BYU Buttons Ready
Each week, we’ll unveil a winner of our popular button slogan contest. The BYU slogan is ”COSMO-NOT!” and it’s a reference to the BYU mascot, Cosmo the Cougar. If you’re traveling to Utah for the game on Saturday, you can score a limited edition button at the Husky gathering in Salt Lake City on Friday at Squatter’s Pub Brewery. Click here for info on this special pre-game party.

TV Coverage for the BYU Game
A reminder that Saturday’s game is on CBS College Sports. It is channel 412 on Comcast or 633 in HD. It’s a pay channel so you may have to pony up a few bucks or head to a friend’s house to watch it. The game is also available via satellite on DirecTV channel 613 (Choice Xtra Package) and Dish Network channel 152 (America’s top 200 Package). There does not appear to be any way to watch the game online.

As always, follow Bob Condotta’s Husky Football Blog at The Seattle Times for the latest info on UW.

Photo by Otto Gruele Jr. – Getty Images

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