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Extracurriculars

UW Study Abroad
Whether you are a UW student going abroad, or an international exchange student coming to the UW, we are committed to your safety, to your academic and personal growth, and to broadening your perspectives by inviting you to engage the diversity of the world. This experience will push your boundaries and challenge your worldview.

CEP Study Abroad in Berlin
The Once and Future Metropolis: Urbanization, Conflict, and Community
Program Dates: June 23 – July 22, 2022 (Summer A Term)
Credits: 10 credits, I& S/VLPA
Estimated Program Fees: ~$4,800
Location: Berlin, Germany
Other Info: No language requirements, open to all majors
Application Deadline: January 31, 2022

What makes a city? Who decides how a city grows and changes, and what criteria do they use — should it be beautiful, efficient, sustainable, open, just? How do economic systems and political ideologies shape urban development? What is the “right to the city,” and what does it mean for city-dwellers to exercise it? These are just some of the questions we will seek to answer.

If you have any questions, email Megan Herzog at herzomeg(at)uw.edu.

CEP Study Abroad in Tuscany
The Sustainable Landscape: History, Culture, and Agriculture
Program Dates: August 23 – September 13, 2022 (Early Fall Start)
Credits: 5 credits, I&S
Estimated Program Fees: ~$4,800
Location: Rome, Italy; Montepulciano, Italy
Other Info: No language requirements, open to all majors
Application Deadline: February 15, 2022

Students will investigate how Tuscany has developed its coveted farm-to-table practices, how it deals with pressures of global trade, and what challenges and opportunities exist in 21st-century food production such as preserving and marketing heirloom species, building humane standards into profitable production, and responding to climate change and migration.

During our time in Italy, we will focus on how heritage practices and foods interact with contemporary community and environmental development issues to inform and shape a robust regional agricultural tradition and economy, and how Tuscan agricultural practices serve as standards for productive, resilient, and humane development in the modern world.

If you have any questions, email Megan Herzog at herzomeg(at)uw.edu.

CEP Study Abroad in England & The Netherlands
Sustainable Urban Mobility
Program Dates: Summer A & B Terms 2022
Credits: 15 credits
Location: England; The Netherlands
Other Info: No language requirements, open to all majors
Application Deadline: January 31, 2022

This course offers students a unique opportunity to study two important and inter-related subjects that significantly impact the built environment: land use and transportation planning. Best practices in England and the Netherlands will be applied to problem-solving in the U.S. context. Students will use case studies from Seattle as they experience urban mobility in cities such as London, Manchester, Oxford, Amsterdam, Utrecht and Rotterdam. The course schedule will include frequent field trips utilizing public transportation, bicycle and pedestrian modalities. Students will meet with faculty and working professionals in each country who will provide access to mobility solutions in the public, private and non-profit sectors. This course is modeled on previously successful UW Study Abroad programs held in 2016 and 2018. We look forward to meeting you at our information sessions to be held in early Fall quarter 2021!

If you have any questions, email David Blum at blumdw@uw.edu.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee implements the UDP Diversity Plan and works to advance the Department’s goals of equity, diversity, and inclusion. For the 2020-2021 academic year, the EDI Committee implemented Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Week in autumn quarter. The committee is also hosting article discussions, coordinating speakers, identifying trainings and seminars, promoting social gatherings, and more.

Institute for Hazards Mitigation and Planning Research
The University of Washington Institute for Hazards Mitigation Planning and Research is an interdisciplinary academic Institute housed in the College of Built Environments. The creation of the Institute in the Fall of 1999 was a significant step in the evolution of the College’s involvement in disaster studies. The Institute was an outcome of the participation of Dr. Richard McCormick, President of the University of Washington, at the 1997 Seattle Project Impact signing ceremony in support of the University’s partnership. The Institute is dedicated to exploring ways to integrate hazards mitigation principles into a wide range of crisis, disaster, and risk management opportunities. The Institute is interdisciplinary in focus and structure, and the capabilities of the Institute are enhanced by its close links with other academic and research organizations.

Livable City Year
The University of Washington’s Livable City Year program (LCY) is an initiative enabling local governments to tap into the talents and energy of the UW in order to accomplish critical projects. LCY links UW students and faculty with a Washington city or other regional government for an entire academic year, partnering to address the city’s sustainability and livability goals by engaging students and classes across the university. LCY helps cities reach their goals for livability in an affordable way while providing opportunities for students to learn through real-life problem-solving.

Northwest Center for Livable Communities
The Department of Urban Design and Planning has initiated a Northwest Center for Livable Communities that will provide assistance to communities in managing growth, in economic revitalization, and in efforts to become more sustainable and livable. The Department has obtained seed money for the Center through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Urban Ecology Lab
The Urban Ecology Research Lab works to understand and improve the conditions of human-dominated ecosystems by conducting interdisciplinary research, integrating analytical and participatory approaches to problem-solving, and engaging policymakers and the public in the generation and use of scientific knowledge.

Urban Form Lab
The Urban Form Lab (UFL), within the University of Washington (UW) College of Built Environments, is directed by Anne Vernez Moudon, Dr ès Sc, a leading researcher and educator in quantifying the properties of the built environment as related to health and transportation behaviors. UFL research aims to affect policy and to support approaches to the design and planning of more livable environments. The UFL specializes in geospatial analyses of the built environment using multiple micro-scale data in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Urban Infrastructure Lab
The Urban Infrastructure Lab (UIL) brings together students and faculty across numerous disciplines with a shared interest in the planning, governance, finance, design, development, economics, and environmental effects of infrastructure. The interests of the UIL span the systems critical to economic and social well-being, such as energy, water, health, transportation, education, and communications. Across these sectors, UIL studies integrate empirical and applied methods of research to discover the means to obtain long-run objectives, such as decarbonization, resilience, and information security through decisions made today.

Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW)
ASUW enriches student life and develops future leaders. Elected and Hired employees work to represent student voices on campus and provide programming, events, and resources in order for students to succeed, flourish, and enjoy college.

Student Org Directory
Did you know there are more than 1,000 registered student organizations (RSOs)? Find out more about them – and about participating in student government – at the Student Activities Office in the HUB.

ASUW Women’s Action Commission
The ASUW Women’s Action Commission is one of eight diversity commissions founded by the Associated Students of the University of Washington (Links to an external site.). Each commission has a mandate to put on educational programs each quarter, as well as serve and advocate for its constituency within the student government and the administration. The WAC seeks a social justice framework that recognizes and affirms the multiple and intersecting identities held by woman-identified and/or female-assigned-at-birth constituents.

ASUW Student Food Cooperative (SFC)
We are first and foremost a group of students concerned about the environmental, social, economic, and health impacts of our agro-food system. ASUW SFC members are a diverse group of students from a wide variety of disciplines and backgrounds, who’ve come together because we share a passion for improving our own health and the health of our planet through food. We value student autonomy and ensure that all decisions related to running the cooperative are made by students.

UW Farm
The UW Farm is a 1.5 acre student-powered urban farm & educational facility located on the University of Washington’s Seattle Campus. Our mission is to be the campus center for the practice and study of urban agriculture and sustainability, and an educational, community-oriented resource for people who want to learn about building productive and sustainable urban landscapes. Contact us: uwfarm@uw.edu.

The Daily
Keep up with what’s happening with The Daily, the UW student-run newspaper. Or contribute to the paper by writing, editing, illustrating, designing or selling ads for the paper.

Rainy Dawg Radio
A student-powered radio station at the University of Washington. Rainy Dawg Radio is a non-profit radio station staffed and operated by students at the University of Washington. Though the station focuses on providing quality and diverse programming for the University community, its reach is global, and anyone, worldwide, can tune in to our live stream at www.rainydawg.org. (Links to an external site.)

The Collective Improv Troupe
For over two decades, a rotating cast of comedians has been filling up the Ethnic Cultural Theater on Friday nights to crack jokes, tell stories, and laugh with people laughing at themselves. This is all done on a single condition: it’s improvised.

UW Real Estate Club
Membership in the Real Estate Club at the University of Washington helps with the transition from student to working professional. Through listening to speakers and visiting properties you will understand the different career options open to you. Professional development training will give you the hard and soft skills needed to thrive. Events and an active online community connect you with peers and the real estate community at large.

UW Leaders
UW Leaders (UWL) is a program of the Associated Students of University of Washington (ASUW) that offers leadership-building opportunities for first, second, and transfer third-year students. Whether students have been involved in past leadership or want to start now, UW Leaders maximizes their leadership potential and welcomes them into a close-knit, meaningful community of accomplished individuals.

Unite UW
Unite UW is an on-campus cultural exchange program that builds bridges between domestic and international students at the University of Washington. Unite UW’s goal is to create a mutually-enriching international experience in a local setting. The program aims to engage student participants in cultural exchanges to enhance global understanding, overcome barriers and boundaries, inspire lasting international relationships and unify our campus.

Husky Neighborhood Interns
More than 3,000 students live in the North of 45th neighborhood. Join Husky Neighborhood Interns to make a positive impact in your community.

Peer Health Educators
The LiveWell Peer Health Educators are current undergraduate and graduate students at UW-Seattle who facilitate peer-to-peer dialogue and learning on a variety of health and wellness topics aimed at promoting life-long behaviors that support health, self-growth, and meaningful connection. PHEs receive in-depth training and work closely with LiveWell staff as they grow their competencies and skills in health promotion and prevention work.

Connect with the Kelly ECC
The Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center of the University of Washington is part of The Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity. The Kelly ECC has a wealth of resources and opportunities available to students including student advising, organizational development, personal growth, and referrals to different departments and programs.

UW Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
Fraternities and sororities at the University of Washington have been viewed as one of the premiere collegiate experiences since 1896, playing an instrumental role in the lives of thousands of students and alumni. Their mentoring and academic excellence programs, social activities, philanthropic projects and leadership development opportunities contribute much to the University and surrounding Seattle community.

Intramural Activities Building (IMA)
From rock climbing to cardio, basketball to kayaking, swimming to golf, and intramural sports to mindfulness. UW Recreation has options for everyone.

Gear Garage
UWild’s Gear Garage has been outfitting the UW community since 2016. We stock local and national brands that manufacture outstanding outdoor equipment. Whether you’re headed out for a week-long adventure or a quick day trip, we have you covered.

Rec Clubs Program
Rec Clubs are voluntary Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) established by students with a common interest and desire to participate in a recreational or sporting activity (non-sedentary with both physical and mental exertion) in the pursuit of increased agility. Clubs may be competitive, recreational, or instructional in nature, or may have any combination of these characteristics.

The Waterfront Activities Center (WAC)
The Waterfront Activities Center (WAC) is conveniently located on the south side of Husky Stadium, within a short walk of the UW light rail station. From spring through fall they rent kayaks and canoes. Their boat selection can accommodate a single paddler up to a group of four. Go solo, with a group of friends, or with the family and experience a paddle around the Union Bay Natural Area admiring the wildlife such as bald eagles, osprey (also known as seahawks), and various types waterfowl.