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Images Obtained by U.W. Astronomers from the Hubble Space Telescope
Unrestricted funds are essential for an active, enterprising, and risk-taking department.
The funds enable us to explore or seize various new opportunities while we plan for sustainable funding or raise
directed funds. Without taking such risks our research and education missions would wither. Unrestricted funds
also provide funds that will position the Department and its students to seize new opportunities, to underwrite
recruitment costs at critical times, to allow the Chair to provide incentives and rewards to members of the
Department for special achievements, or simply to hold an occasional retreat to examine our goals and progress
or to plan for our future. An endowment or gifts of any size are most welcome.
"Friends of Astronomy" Discretionary Fund
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Here are common examples of the needs for unrestricted
(discretionary) funds deposited in our "Friends of Astronomy" account:
- Special Research Initiatives -- small amounts of seed funding are often needed for bold and risky new projects
- New Cross-Disciplinary Initiatives -- our faculty often develop new outreach opportunities beyond our standard
and sustainable outreach efforts, such as one-time special visits, astronomy as art or music, or a short
collaboration in the history of science. Those special opportunities that extend our reach beyond of the
Astronomy Department and into the broader campus or regional community deserve support.
- Fundraising Functions -- small investments in time and money can be of incalculable value in fostering
financial or other contributions. The Chair often needs to act swiftly and decisively. A fund of $10,000 is needed.
- Faculty Recruitment -- travel and related costs of the interviews of 6 candidates are about $10,000.
- Faculty, Student, and Donor Recognition -- Prizewinners and key benefactors are honored at a dinner
(about $5,000 annually).
- Receptions for New or Graduating Students -- we celebrate the arrivals and departures of our students and faculty.
Our motives are rapid social assimilation of new people and the honoring the successful completion of challenging
programs.
- Department Retreats -- community discussions and long-range planning exercises are essential for departmental
cohesion. We normally meet at an off-campus locations operated by U.W., such as Friday Harbor Oceanographic
Research Lab (College of Oceanography) or Pack Forest (College of Forestry). Expenses are modest: typically $2000.
- Emergency Repairs -- equipment repairs (e.g., student telescopes, off-campus observatories) are not generally part of the Department's base
budget. Trying to raise emergency funds can cause huge disruptions and delays in ongoing programs, so a ready pool of discretionary funds can be very useful.
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