Selected Speeches of Richard McCormick

1995 Address to the University Community (January 1995) 23

In his inaugural address, President McCormick introduced himself and his academic interests to the university community. He recounted the growth and development of the University of Washington during the past century, and called upon its faculty, staff, and students to re-dedicate themselves to the university’s historical missions of research, learning, and service.

1996 Address to the University Community (January 1996) 33

President McCormick’s 1996 address to the university community explored how “economy, demography, technology, and ideology” influence the success of higher education in the state of Washington. He explained how the traditional role of the university must change to meet the public’s need for “lifelong learning”.

The Role of the Research University (March 21,1996) 45

In a March 21, 1996 article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, President McCormick described the importance and interconnections of the UW’s teaching, research, and public service missions.

Full Text of President’s Decision on Law School Siting (May 13, 1996) 49

In this report, President McCormick explained the process and rationale for deciding the location of a new building for the School of Law.

President Accepts Recommendation on New Site for Law School (May 13, 1996) 59

On May 13, the president announced his decision to accept the recommendations of two faculty committees concerning the proposed location of a new building for the UW School of Law.

President McCormick’s Freshman Year 61

Columns recently invited President Richard L. McCormick to reflect on his first year in office. The following is his report.

President Reports to Board of Regents on First Year in Office (September 30, 1996) 63

President McCormick reported the progress of the University of Washington during his first year of service as its president, and identified nine priorities for the UW during the 1996-97 academic year.

University of Washington Board of Regents Resolution of Expectations (October 18, 1996) 73

Following its selection of Richard L. McCormick as UW president in 1995, the Board of Regents agreed to develop a formal list of expectations to guide the president and evaluate his performance.

President Announces First University Initiative Fund Awards (May 3, 1997) 75

President McCormick announced funding for six academic and two support-services proposals in the first round of UIF grants. The University Initiative Fund Awards were established to allow the UW to take advantage of strategic opportunities by funding programs that show exceptional promise.

Legislative Appropriation for Salary Increases (May 16, 1997) 79

The president reported salary increases for UW faculty and staff, enacted by the 1997 Washington State Legislature.

Huntsman Selected as Provost (May 20, 1997) 81

After a comprehensive national search, President McCormick selected Lee L. Huntsman to be the provost of the University of Washington. Huntsman, a longtime UW professor, served as the founding director of the UW Center for Bioengineering.

Task Force on International Education (June 13, 1997) 83

In this letter, President McCormick summarized the recommendations of the Task Force on International Education, established in 1995. He described several steps the UW is taking to improve excellence in international education.

Report to the Board of Regents for 1996-97 (September 11, 1997 ) 87

President McCormick reported the university’s progress in meeting a list of nine priorities outlined in his 1996 report to the Board of Regents, and summarized 14 new goals for 1997-98.

1997 Address to the University Community “Change at the Core” (October 7, 1997) 101

President McCormick identified four necessary changes “at the core of the university” in his 1997 address. He encouraged the community to recognize that the University of Washington is a three-campus university, and called for the UW to become more involved in K-12 education statewide.

Opinion-Editorial: An educational case for diversity (January 15, 1998) 111

This article, which first appeared in the January 15, 1998, edition of the University Week, is a joint statement of opinion in support of diversity in education

Memo from the President on faculty diversity (April 9, 1998) 113

In this memorandum, President McCormick described several UW initiatives to increase faculty diversity.

The Power Of The Question (June 1998) 115

In this June 1998 column, President McCormick lauds the quality and breadth of scholarly inquiry at the University.

President McCormick’s Commencement Remarks (June 13, 1998) 117

In his 1998 commencement address, President McCormick called for the university community to support programs of affirmative action and not abandon the “two great hallmarks of progress, access and opportunity.”

Historic American Accomplishments Are Now at Risk (June 1998) 121

The following are excerpts from remarks made by President Richard L. McCormick at the UW’s 123rd Commencement ceremonies held in June

Report to the Board of Regents for 1997-98 (September 18,1998) 123

President McCormick reported the university’s progress in meeting a list of 14 priorities outlined in his 1997 report to the Board of Regents, and established new goals for 1998-99.

The Return on an Investment in Education (October 1, 1998) 143

1998 Address to the University Community (October 6, 1998) 145

President McCormick’s 1998 address to the university community challenged UW faculty and staff to take advantage of university-wide initiatives such as the University Initiatives Fund (UIF) and Tools for Transformation (TFT). He also reiterated the importance of maintaining diversity in higher education.

Statement from UW President Richard L. McCormick on I-200 (November 1998) 157

Following the passage of Initiative 200, President McCormick issued this brief statement. He announced the UW’s intent to comply with the law while maintaining diversity as much as is possible.

Dramatizing the Value of the University 159

This month’s Columns article describes the steps being taken to promote public awareness of the value of the University to the entire community.

Statement from UW President Richard L. McCormick regarding I-200 161

Following the passage of Initiative 200, President McCormick reiterated the importance of maintaining a diverse student population at the University of Washington. In this statement, he advises the community that the UW will continue to maintain and promote diversity as much as possible within the law.

Preserving the “Public” in a Public University 163

President McCormick addresses the issue of “public” support to public higher education.

Connecting with the Life of the State (June 1999) 165

In June 1999, President McCormick describes what has become a tradition, the Faculty Field Tour of the state

Maintaining Diversity at the University of Washington After Initiative 200 167

On November 3, 1998, voters in Washington State passed Initiative 200, which prohibits preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, and contracting. This document outlines a three-pronged approach to help maintain the diversity of the University of Washington’s student population.

The University of Washington’s Partnerships with the K-12 Schools (July 19, 1999) 171

With the end of the cold war, the role of the research university has changed. In this speech, President McCormick argues that institutions of higher education should establish a “new social compact” with the public by working to solve society’s most pressing needs. Foremost among these needs is the health of America’s K-12 educational system. President McCormick delivered this speech at the Maydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Washington on Saturday, July 19, 1999. Another version of this statement was published in the August 29, 2000 edition of the Seattle Times.

Creating a Vision for the Future 181

President McCormick poses several premises to be considered in envisioning the UW campus of the future

Annual Report to the Regents for 1998-99 (September 10, 1999) 183

1999 Address to the University Community (October 5, 1999) 199

In his October 1999 address, President McCormick called for the UW community to begin a conversation about the future—“a conversation that will lead us toward a collective sense of the UW’s strategic opportunities and responsibilities in a changing world.” McCormick also highlighted innovative UW programs that he characterized as “present programs with a future focus.”

University of Washington Board of Regents : 1999-2000 Strategic Emphases  for the President and Administration of the University of Washington (October 15, 1999) 211

This document, jointly signed by UW President Richard L. McCormick and the president of the Board of Regents, outlines three areas of improvement that are “strategically vital” to the University of Washington.

Going Out to Create the Future (December 1999) 215

President McCormick poses several premises to be considered in envisioning the UW campus of the future.

Advancing Diversity in a Post-Affirmative Action State:  Implications for the Future ( Washington, D.C., January 20, 2000) 217

President McCormick addressed the Association of American Colleges and Universities following the passage of Initiative 200, which prohibits preferences based upon race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, and contracting. He described how affirmative action has helped to enrich the University of Washington, and discussed several new strategies that the UW is using to maintain diversity.

Taking the “E” Ticket to the Future 227

Information Technology is an asset to both the UW and the community at large.

Letter regarding collective bargaining for teaching assistants (April 6, 2000) 229

President McCormick wrote to the campus community about the University’s response to a request by a group of graduate teaching assistants for union representation in collective bargaining agreements.

Letter to Washington Students Against Sweatshops (May 4, 2000) 231

After several students from the Washington Students Against Sweatshops asked the University to withdraw its membership in the Fair Labor Association and instead join the Worker Rights Consortium, President McCormick wrote this response.

Letter to the Campus Community about Diversity (July 11, 2000) 235

President McCormick addressed an open letter to the campus community on July 11, 2000, asking for ideas to ensure that the University of Washington campus provides a welcoming environment for everyone.

It Takes a Campus 237

A college campus fosters great accomplishment and the UW is no exception.

2000 Address to the University Community “ The Fourth UW” (October 9, 2000) 239

In his 2000 address, President McCormick described a mental picture of three distinct universities that exist within the University of Washington today: the “Institute” of high-tech and biomedical research; the “University of the Quad,” which continues the UW’s tradition of liberal arts education; and the “University of Rising Expectations” that reaches out to disadvantaged, underserved, and nontraditional learners. President McCormick called for the University of Washington community to work toward integrating these three models into what he calls The Fourth UW: “a university that integrates its strengths and links the ambitions of each to the ambition of all.”

University of Washington Diversity Compact (October 21, 2000) 251

Answering a request by UW student groups, President McCormick, the University of Washington Regents, student leaders, and UW administrators signed a Diversity Compact on October 21, 2000. They pledged to improve diversity on the UW campuses through 19 specific initiatives, which the Diversity Compact describes.

Walking a Tightrope 255

In this article President McCormick anticipates some of the challenges facing higher education during the coming legislative session.

Ground Rules Changing for Public Universities 257

This column addresses some of the potential changes in funding of public higher education.

‘The Envelope, Please?’ 259

The President shares highlights from one of his favorite events-the UW Recognition Ceremony.

Scientific Inquiry: A Risky Business 261

President McCormick takes the broad perspective in his column inspired by the destruction of the Center for Urban Horticulture.

Letter of Welcome to the Campus Community – 2001 (September 28. 2002) 263

President McCormick wrote a letter of welcome to the UW campus community following the terrorist attacks on Washington, D.C. and New York City. He asked the community to renew its commitments to diversity and tolerance, and asserted that the University of Washington should prepare its students for “citizenship in a global society.”

University Day of Reflection and Engagement (October 2, 2001 ) 265

President McCormick called on the UW campus community to come together for a day of learning and reflection one month after the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. Classes scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on October 11 were suspended.

2001 Address to the University Community: “Daughter of a Farm Worker—Look at Me!” (October 9, 2001) 267

A month after the terrorist attacks on Washington, D.C. and New York, President McCormick addressed the UW campus community. He described the new responsibilities that face institutions of higher learning in the aftermath of the attacks, while reiterating the centrality of traditional liberal education to the University’s mission. Though the attacks have challenged the UW in new ways, McCormick explained, the most fundamental concerns of the University of Washington have not changed: funding, access, teaching and research excellence, diversity, and academic integrity.

University of Washington Diversity Compact – 2001 (October 20, 2001) 279

Following the precedent of the first Diversity Compact, signed in October 2000, President McCormick and other UW leaders reaffirmed their commitment to diversity in 2001. As with the first Diversity Compact, this document defines specific steps that the University of Washington will take to establish a campus community “that fully reflects the human diversity of our state and our world.”

September 11: A University Searches for Answers (December 2001) 285

In his December, 2001 column President McCormick reflects upon the September 11 terrorist attacks on America.

A Noble Ambition (December 2001) 287

In this month’s column President McCormick recounts his experience in Stockholm honoring the accomplishments of the University’s most recent Nobel Laureate, Dr. Lee Hartwell.

State’s fiscal crisis puts UW in jeopardy (May 28, 2002) 289

The President’s observations on the impact of the state budget crisis on higher education appeared as an Op/Ed column in the Seattle Times.

The Liberating Power of Private Scholarships 291

President McCormick highlights the importance of privately funded scholarships to ensure access to the UW for all.

2002 University of Washington Recognition Ceremony (June 13, 2002) 293

In this annual event the President honors the recipients of many awards and honors to members of the extended University community.

Our Way to Keep Moving Along 309

In his Columns article, President McCormick reflects on the legacy left by Marc Lindenberg , the late Dean of the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs.

2002 Address to the University Community (October 8, 2002) 311

Why don’t we feel better?” President McCormick asked. He cited a few of the UW’s extraordinary accomplishments in 2002, but warned that declining state funding threatens the excellence of the University of Washington. He called for the University community to “fight,” and described a multi-pronged communications strategy involving the Regents, the UW community, and other institutions of higher learning in Washington State.