Group reviews the University Initiatives Fund guidelines

Evaluation of the University Initiatives Fund process is now under way through the leadership of a newly formed committee, the UIF Working Group, chaired by Vice Provost for Research Alvin L. Kwiram.

In a memorandum establishing the group, President Richard L. McCormick wrote, "Everyone on campus should have an opportunity to say what worked and what did not (in the first round of the UIF program), what should be kept and what needs changing."

To that end the working group is meeting weekly and soliciting comments from across campus. Part of that campus consultation will include meetings with the Board of Deans, the University Budget Committee, the Senate Committee on Planning and Budgeting. Based on remarks and suggestions received, a draft of proposed revised guidelines will be developed and widely circulated for additional comment before being finalized. The final draft guidelines are expected to be announced in mid-April. Those guideline s will also be widely circulated for comment prior to adoption by President McCormick. The next UIF awards will be made in July 1999.

As part of this campus review of UIF guidelines, the Provost's Office will communicate to the University community information about what budget cuts were made to fund the UIF, what the impacts of those cuts are, and how the UIF money is being spent on the projects to which it was awarded. It is important to understand the effects of this reallocation of funds and to recognize what the University is giving up and what it is gaining through the UIF, President McCormick said.

Members of the working group, in addition to Kwiram, are Jerry V. Finrow, dean, College of Architecture and Urban Planning; Dawn Hewett, president, ASUW; Weldon E. Ihrig, executive vice president; Marsha L. Landolt, dean and vice provost, The Graduate School; Mark McDermott, chair, Faculty Senate; Carol S. Niccolls, executive assistant to the president; Arthur Nowell, dean, College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences; Paul G. Ramsey, dean, School of Medicine and vice president, Medical Affairs; and John B. S impson, dean, College of Arts and Sciences.

A web site is under development to provide continually updated information on the UIF program and the opportunity to communicate with the UIF Working Group. The URL will be published in the Jan. 22 issue of University Week. In the meantime, comm ents to the group may be sent to Deborah Illman, Office of Research,
Box 351202, illman@u.washington.edu, 543-6166.

The UIF is a mechanism for reallocating University resources. Its goal is to fund innovative new programs, strategically selected to strengthen the UW and to seize opportunities that would not otherwise be realized. The UIF was introduced by President McCormick in January 1996 after wide consultation with faculty and administrators. Money for the fund comes from 1 percent assessments on all University operating budgets in five successive biennia beginning in 1997-99. Funding for 1997-99 is approximatel y $8 million. ¶

Nedra Floyd Pautler