Good timing for new UW advocacy group

With a looming $4.6 billion state budget shortfall, University of Washington alumni are forming a new group, UW Impact, to advocate and take action in support of the university and higher education.

Gov. Chris Gregoire’s budget proposal calls for nearly $200 million in cuts over the next two years for the UW and a total of $630 million from higher education. But, her budget is not the final word. The state Legislature convenes in January to debate and pass the 2011-2013 budget.

With a network of 300,000 graduates, UW Impact arrives on the scene with enormous clout. The organization plans to provide alumni with:

• Important information on issues affecting the viability of the UW and higher education;
• Efficient ways to identify and contact elected officials to ask their support for specific legislation affecting the UW;
• Ways to share their viewpoints with the media; and
• Invitations to attend Town Hall meetings with legislators and their constituents.

For more information, visit the UW Impact website or read more about the group in the Seattle Times.