Richard McCormick at a Seattle press conference.
Photo by Mary Levin.
"If access means increasing enrollments at the UW, we're going to have to think
hard about how to do that and be responsive to the need. I believe higher
education is a ticket for professional prosperity, economic well-being and even
personal happiness. We have a responsibility to provide opportunities that come
from higher education."
"We have to listen hard to what they say and then take a look at our own
institution and how we can improve it. The concern for accountability is not
going to go away. I see many needs that are straining the public coffers.
Higher education is in competition for scare dollars. But that doesn't mean we
have to do everything our critics tell us to do."
"Undergraduate education is our first mission. It will continue to be so. But
at the UW teaching is done in the context of a research university by men and
women at the cutting edge of their disciplines who know more than can be found
in any textbook."
"Alumni provide critical linkages between the University and the people of the
state. ... They are extremely well situated to represent the University to
their fellow citizens. And they can help alert members of the University,
including the president, what the University could be doing better."
"Intercollegiate athletics are a tremendous asset for the University. They
bring the community together. ... I am aware that graduation and retention
rates are not as high as they should be and we will continue to improve them.
Everyone can be proud that the UW athletic program is both successful and
self-supporting. It is a source of great pride to the University."
"As president, my goal will not be to provide some blind, blanket defense of
every existing affirmative action program. They were crafted two decades ago
under somewhat different circumstances. I will welcome careful scrutiny of our
programs. But racial diversity must continue to be a goal of the University of
Washington for two reasons: a racially diverse university is a smarter
university, and it contributes to achieving the goal of social justice." END