A striking resolution condemning the actions taken by the College of Arts & Sciences and Dean Harris began moving through the ASUW Student Senate (ASUWSS) on Monday, and passed the General Affairs Committee on Tuesday. At the time of publication, the resolution is in second readings, where it will be reviewed and amended before being read again and voted on.
Former ASUW Senator Ishan Ghosh-Coutinho authored the resolution, with contributions from UW Bothell student Carol K. Miu and astronomy student Bruce Ritter, and sponsorship from current ASUW senator Ishaani Purang. The resolution has already collected more than 20 co-sponsors, but the collection of signatures is ongoing while a form circulates in student forums.
“It felt to me, as a current post-bac researcher with the department and [also in] discussing it with current seniors, and with staff, and with faculty, that this situation was going to unravel the departments that I have been a part of for the last four years,” Ghosh-Coutinho said. “Seeing how it was negatively affecting everyone we … could not stand by and let that happen, so [we] decided to take what actions we can.”
'R-31-26: A Resolution Condemning the Actions of the College of Arts and Science and Dean Harris'
The resolution outlines the potential impact of budget cuts made by university administration to address a $12.5 million shortfall. CAS leadership proposed a plan that would terminate approximately 250 staff and rehire around 100 into a new centralized shared-services model, according to numerous faculty sources. Critics of that plan said it came together without sufficient consultation with faculty and staff and would diminish the operational capacity of departments within the college.
“Given the magnitude of the proposed upheaval and the fact that people’s livelihoods are at stake, ASUW condemns any attempt to move forward with such a profound lack of detail or planning, the clear and present disregard for due diligence, and with a general course of action that ASUW finds both indefensible and profoundly irresponsible,” the resolution stated.
A central tenet of the resolution is a call for accountability from Harris. It demands that Harris appear before the student senate to provide a formal justification for the proposed layoffs and restructuring plan. Specifically, she is asked to demonstrate “beyond a reasonable doubt” why proposed alternatives such as utilizing university reserves, pausing construction projects, or implementing proportional pay cuts on high leadership salaries, were not sufficient to address the budget reduction.
In addition to the public explanation, the resolution calls on Harris to issue two letters of apology: one addressed to the entire CAS community and another sent directly to staff through the CAS Staff Council.
If upon passage, Harris fails to comply with these calls, the resolution says that UW and CAS must strike the words “to support the very best liberal arts education and a research enterprise that has a positive impact on the lives of all those in our region and beyond” and similar language from all public descriptions of CAS leadership positions.
“These words would become blatantly false under CAS’s current course of action,” the resolution stated.
The resolution also notes that the Committee on Governance and Verification of Enacted Legislation may consider censuring Harris — and also perhaps UW Provost Tricia Serio and President Ana Mari Cauce — if they are found to have contributed to the implementation of these measures without regard for staff welfare and operational integrity.
The resolution considers salary details among top college officials, zeroing in on Harris’ 2023 $381,700 annual pay and recent raises. It points out that, out of the projected $254 million 2026 fiscal year college budget, an isolated 5% cut from that budget would match a major portion of the deficit, around $11 million, and terminating 150 college staff members receiving an average yearly salary of $75,000 would save the college that $11 million.
Citing testimony from departments within the college on the Seattle and Bothell campuses, the authors also suggest that the proposed shared-services model would negatively impact student function. During a previous period when the physics and astronomy departments at UW Seattle shared advising staff, the resolution authors report that students struggled with the lack of major-specific advising.
Though the resolution is public, it does not reflect the official position of ASUW until it is passed by the ASUW Board of Directors, including President Naomi Snow.
“We do not want to make premature condemnations, but we’re aware of potential impacts,” Snow said in an email to The Daily. “If a shared services model were proposed for staff or advising, we would strongly oppose it, as it’s widely seen as harmful to student experience and academic support.”
The model presented by Harris would potentially combine advising services for not only these two departments but the 39 schools and departments across the college.
The authors also cited Bothell’s switch to generalized STEM advising as opposed to department-level advisers as another negative example of shared-services model operation. Bothell student government members stated the model has “not been effective” for students and does not meet their needs to succeed academically.
As the resolution moves through the student government committees, its demands and recommendations will draw attention to the broader university climate. If passed, this resolution would raise questions about larger budget debates, administrative transparency, and the move toward increased shared services at UW. The senate is expected to meet again on Tuesday, May 6. Students can watch the meeting in person at HUB 250 or virtually from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“I understand that since this is an evolving situation and ASUW moves slowly, the current wording of the legislation doesn’t reflect the current nature of the situation,” Ghosh-Countinho said. “But me and the co-authors stand by the words we wrote at the time we wrote them.”
The Daily's coverage on this topic is ongoing.
Reach Development Editor Evelyn Archibald and News Editor Morgan Bortnick at news@dailyuw.com. X: @evearch_ and @morganbortnick. Bluesky: @evearch.bluesky.social and @morganbortnick.bsky.social.
Like what you’re reading? Support high-quality student journalism by donating here.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.