SEIU Faculty Forward and U-PASS Pricing
On February 22, UW faculty received an alarmist and inflammatory email from SEIU Faculty Forward: "Recently, we learned that UW’s Transportation management is proposing to raise the cost of the U-PASS and parking by as much as 43% this year." We were asked to sign a petition headed "SEIU Local 925" to "Keep U-PASS Affordable."
This is a misleading publicity stunt. Josh Kavanagh, UW Director of Transportation, responded:
Dear UW Transportation customers,
There have been some recent claims that “UW’s Transportation management is proposing to raise the cost of the U-PASS and parking by as much as 43% this year.” That is not accurate, and I want to make sure that you have full and current information. U-PASS and parking prices affect most of our campus community and it’s important that we have a transparent process.
UW Transportation has not proposed U-PASS and parking fees for the Seattle campus yet. Parking and U-PASS rates are proposed following a deliberative process by the University Transportation Committee, a representative body of students, faculty, staff, and the operational stakeholders in our campus transportation system. During their deliberation, these representatives of our campus community take a hard look at the issues facing our transportation programs and a range of possible approaches to addressing any budget shortfalls. Of course, one of the scenarios they examined included worst-case assumptions and undesirable choices that would have resulted in steep rate increases. There were also several other scenarios that included more optimistic assumptions and different choices that could hold rate increases to much lower levels. This study and deliberation continues; when completed, the Committee will produce a final proposal that is shared with the campus community for feedback prior to consideration by the administration and our Regents. That has not happened yet.
Yes, there is a budget shortfall and yes there will need to be an increase in both U-PASS and parking rates but it will not be 43%. I am confident that the students, faculty, and staff that comprise the University Transportation Committee will find common ground and a responsible path forward that balances the varied needs and priorities in our campus community.
This is shared governance at its best. The Committee’s deliberations must take time and must include discussion of uncomfortable or even bad ideas. Still, I believe in the process and I am confident that with all the stakeholders around the table, frank discussion about difficult issues, and exploration of a wide range of options, we will get to a solution. I am grateful to the members of the University Transportation Committee for their service and I intend to give them space to do their job.
When the University Transportation Committee has completed its work it will be shared widely and public comment will be invited, both in a formal hearing and through an online forum. I look forward to the full participation of our community in this process.
Undoubtedly, when a U-Pass cost increase substantially less than 43% is approved through UW's existing shared governance process, SEIU Faculty Forward will claim credit.
On February 22, UW faculty received an alarmist and inflammatory email from SEIU Faculty Forward: "Recently, we learned that UW’s Transportation management is proposing to raise the cost of the U-PASS and parking by as much as 43% this year." We were asked to sign a petition headed "SEIU Local 925" to "Keep U-PASS Affordable."
This is a misleading publicity stunt. Josh Kavanagh, UW Director of Transportation, responded:
Dear UW Transportation customers,
There have been some recent claims that “UW’s Transportation management is proposing to raise the cost of the U-PASS and parking by as much as 43% this year.” That is not accurate, and I want to make sure that you have full and current information. U-PASS and parking prices affect most of our campus community and it’s important that we have a transparent process.
UW Transportation has not proposed U-PASS and parking fees for the Seattle campus yet. Parking and U-PASS rates are proposed following a deliberative process by the University Transportation Committee, a representative body of students, faculty, staff, and the operational stakeholders in our campus transportation system. During their deliberation, these representatives of our campus community take a hard look at the issues facing our transportation programs and a range of possible approaches to addressing any budget shortfalls. Of course, one of the scenarios they examined included worst-case assumptions and undesirable choices that would have resulted in steep rate increases. There were also several other scenarios that included more optimistic assumptions and different choices that could hold rate increases to much lower levels. This study and deliberation continues; when completed, the Committee will produce a final proposal that is shared with the campus community for feedback prior to consideration by the administration and our Regents. That has not happened yet.
Yes, there is a budget shortfall and yes there will need to be an increase in both U-PASS and parking rates but it will not be 43%. I am confident that the students, faculty, and staff that comprise the University Transportation Committee will find common ground and a responsible path forward that balances the varied needs and priorities in our campus community.
This is shared governance at its best. The Committee’s deliberations must take time and must include discussion of uncomfortable or even bad ideas. Still, I believe in the process and I am confident that with all the stakeholders around the table, frank discussion about difficult issues, and exploration of a wide range of options, we will get to a solution. I am grateful to the members of the University Transportation Committee for their service and I intend to give them space to do their job.
When the University Transportation Committee has completed its work it will be shared widely and public comment will be invited, both in a formal hearing and through an online forum. I look forward to the full participation of our community in this process.
Undoubtedly, when a U-Pass cost increase substantially less than 43% is approved through UW's existing shared governance process, SEIU Faculty Forward will claim credit.
