The University District

UDPDA Public Records Information

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 00:00:00 -0800

To submit a public records request to the University District Public Development Authority (UDPDA) please utilize this form. Alternatively, requests can be emailed to Public Records Officer, info@spokaneudistrict.org, or sent via U.S. mail to UDPDA, 120 N Pine St, Ste 252, Spokane WA 99202.

The UDPDA provides access to public records under the provisions of the Washington State Public Disclosure Act (RCW 42.56) and the UDPDA Public Records Policy. Per RCW 42.56.520 please allow five business days to respond to a records request.

All records maintained by the UDPDA are available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. You are entitled to access public records, under reasonable conditions, and copies of those records can be provided upon paying copying costs. In most cases, you do not have to explain why you want the records. However, specific information may be necessary to process your request. The UDPDA may require further information to establish if disclosure would violate certain provisions of law.

The more precisely you can identify the record(s) you seek, the more responsive the UDPDA can be. The UDPDA provides access to existing public records in its possession but is not required to collect information or organize data to create a record not existing at the time of the request. Keep in mind that a question or request for information only is not a request for a record.

2026 University District Board and Committee Dates

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Advance agendas will be posted approximately 3-4 days before the meeting. Contact info@spokaneudistrict.org if you need a Zoom link for the meetings.

In 2026, the University District Development Association (UDDA) board of directors will meet on January 7, February 4, March 4, May 6, June 3 (retreat), September 2 (annual meeting), and October 14. Meetings (unless otherwise indicated in the agenda) are at the Catalyst Building, 601 E Riverside Ave, Spokane, Room 309.

In 2026, the University District Public Development Authority (UDPDA) board of directors will meet on January 7, February 4, February 19 SAO audit exit conference, March 4, May 6, September 2 (annual meeting), and October 14. Meetings (unless otherwise indicated in the agenda) are at the Catalyst Building, 601 E Riverside Ave, Spokane, Room 309.

In 2026, the UDDA/UDPDA Executive Advisory Committee (EAC) will meet on the following dates at 11:30 AM via Zoom: January 20, February 17, March 17, April 21, May 19, August 18, September 22, and December 8. Please email info@spokaneudistrict.org for the virtual link.

University District U-Forward Monthly E-Newsletter Issues

Fri, 25 Dec 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Below are links to our most recent monthly U-Forward e-newsletters:

2026 - January, February

2025 - January, February, March, August, September

2024 - No issue November and December, October 2024, September 2024, August 2024, July 2024, no issue May or June, April 2024, March 2024, February 2024, January 2024

2023 - No issue December, November 2023, October 2023, September 2023, August 2023, no July issue, June 2023, May 2023, April 2023, March 2023, February 2023, January 2023

2022 - No December issue, November 2022, October 2022, September 2022, August 2022, July 2022, June 2022, May 2022 ,April 2022 (first issue)

EWU Business Leadership Series - Irv Zakheim April 14

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0700

The latest in the EWU Business Leadership Series here in the UD. Parking will be free in the lot in front of the Catalyst building. As always, EWU would appreciate an RSVP through the QR code below.

Gonzaga to hold AI conference in April

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Gonzaga University's second annual Value & Responsibility in AI Technologies Conference
Date/Time: Thursday, April 23, 2026 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Location: Hemmingson Ballroom

This year’s conference will address three themes through panels and discussions with industry leaders, educators, scholars and healthcare leadership; Personal Identity and Meaning, Learning and Education, and the Future of the Workforce. Look for additional events and workshops throughout the week of April 20-24.

Who Should Attend?

This event convenes scholars, students, thought leaders in education, INW industry professionals and global tech leaders to explore the impact of AI on our identity, educational practices, and the evolving landscape of work.

Gonzaga Faculty, Staff and Students: Free
Other (non-GU) students: $10
Educators (K-12 teachers, Other University employees): $35
Industry and General Public: $75
Registration link

Renowned Environmental Author Terry Tempest Williams Visits Gonzaga April 7

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Terry Tempest Williams, one of the nation’s most celebrated voices on nature, justice, and the human spirit, will visit Spokane on Tuesday, April 7, at 4 p.m. for a special event hosted by the Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment in partnership with the Gonzaga Visiting Writer Series. The program, held in the ballroom of Gonzaga University’s Hemmingson Center, is free and open to the public, and will also be accessible via livestream.

The gathering invites community members into an evening of conversation, reflection, and shared inquiry. Williams — an awardâ€‘winning author, environmentalist, activist, and current writerâ€‘inâ€‘residence at Harvard Divinity School — will offer a short reading before engaging in an interview and moderated discussion.

Together with the audience, she will explore climate change as a moral and social justice issue; the role of imagination and creativity in ecological restoration; the art and craft of writing and reading well; and how environmental stewardship connects to human dignity and global solidarity.

Brian G. Henning, director of the Gonzaga Climate Institute, notes that Williams’ voice is particularly resonant at this moment.

“The Climate Institute’s ‘For Our Common Home’ lecture series hosts prominent speakers who help us understand different aspects of the complex nature of the climate crisis,” says Henning, director of Gonzaga’s Climate Institute. “We are honored to host the renowned writer Terry Tempest Williams, who is known for her exceptional ability to blend deeply personal memoir with ecological advocacy. She helps us better understand what it is to be human on a planet in crisis.”

Williams is widely known for her ability to illuminate the intimate connections between land, people, and story. Her books, including “Refuge” and “Erosion,” have shaped national conversations on ecology and public lands, while her essays for The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Orion have established her as a leading figure in environmental thought. Her career has brought her before Congress, into collaborations with artists and scientists, and to major honors such as the John Muir Award and the Thoreau Prize, each recognizing her lifelong commitment to environmental justice and freedom of speech.

John Eliason, interim director of Gonzaga’s Visiting Writer Series, says bringing Williams to Gonzaga represents more than a literary highlight — it is an invitation to deeper attentiveness and care.

“Terry Tempest Williams is a public artist and intellectual who has dedicated her life to challenging the notion that any gap exists between humans and the world around them,” Eliason says. “Her work emphasizes the intimate, inextricable connections between people and place, thoughtfully excavating the very idea of nature. She approaches the world with a sensitive yet rigorous disposition toward questioning, and seeing her model that curiosity makes engaging with her in person a worthy pursuit.”

Eliason notes that this collaboration between the Visiting Writer Series and the Climate Institute reflects shared commitments at the heart of Gonzaga’s mission.

“The Climate Institute and the Visiting Writers Series are both dedicated to learning and living well,” he said. “While the two organizations have different areas of focus, both align deeply with Gonzaga’s mission. This collaboration is especially fitting for this event, as the beautiful and erudite writing of Terry Tempest Williams has the capacity to inspire students and community members alike. I believe they will leave with new ways of caring as they navigate their own paths toward vibrant, sustainable lives.”

“A Conversation with Terry Tempest Williams” will take place Tuesday, April 7, at 4 p.m. in Hemmingson Ballroom on the Gonzaga University campus. The event is free and open to the public; registration is requested but not required for attendance.

UW/GU Health Partnership NextGen Medicine Lecture April 2

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0700

The UW School of Medicine - Gonzaga University Health Partnership just announced their Next Generation Medicine Lecture for Thursday, April 2nd, featuring Ellen A. Schur, MD. As an internal medicine physician and founder of the UW Medicine Center for Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery, she will be diving into the new science of weight loss. Don't miss out and register today! As always, admission is free. Please see below for more event details.

SRTC Public Participation Plan Survey

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Spokane Regional Transportation Council's current Public Participation Plan (PPP) outlines how the public can get involved in SRTC's work and the organization's outreach commitments. This plan is being updated. Your feedback will influence the plan's outreach strategies and priorities. To learn more and read the current plan, visit SRTC's Public Involvement webpage.

GU hosts Housing Affordability & Homelessness in Spokane March 23

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Housing Affordability & Homelessness in Spokane:
Trends • Data • Policy Perspectives

Presented by Gonzaga SBA and the Mozilo Chair of Business

Monday, March 23, 2026
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Jepson Center Wolff Auditorium

About the Event
Spokane continues to face significant challenges related to housing affordability and homelessness. To help our community better understand the current landscape and how recent policy and administrative changes are shaping it, Gonzaga University will host a 90â€‘minute public panel discussion featuring experts who work directly with regional data, policy, and service systems.

This event will highlight insights from the most recent Pointâ€‘inâ€‘Time (PIT) Count and the Longitudinal System Analysis (LSA), offering a comprehensive view of the region’s homelessness trends and housing system performance. Our panelists bring experience in social work, sociology, city housing initiatives, and community data systems, providing a multidimensional look at the issues Spokane residents and policymakers are navigating today.

Discussion topics will include:

Current conditions and emerging trends in housing affordability in Spokane
Findings from the latest PIT Count and what they reveal about homelessness
Broader system insights from LSA data
How the current city administration’s strategies are influencing housing and affordability
Opportunities and challenges for policymakers, service organizations, and community members going forward

Guest Speakers

Opening Remarks: Peggy E. Haun-McEwen
Director of Community Engagement
Gonzaga Family Haven & Housing Social Service Coordinators

Arielle Anderson
Director of Community, Housing & Human Services
City of Spokane

Matthew Anderson
Professor of Urban & Regional Planning
Department of Political Science & Public Policy
Eastern Washington University

Mark Killian
Professor & Chair, Department of Sociology
Whitworth University

Liat S. Kriegel, PhD, MSW (She/Her)
Assistant Professor
Approaches to Community Mental Health Collab • PRISM Collaborative
Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Washington State University

Amanda Martinez (She/Her)
HMIS Lead Information Systems Analyst
Community, Housing & Human Services
City of Spokane

Moderated by Dan (Danielle) Xu, Ph.D.
Professor of Finance
Mozilo Chair of Business Administration
School of Business Administration
Gonzaga University

This panel continues with the tradition of engaging the public in critical conversations around housing, with contributions this year from regional collaborators such as city analysts, academic researchers, and community program leaders. The event aims to foster informed dialogue and support collaborative approaches to addressing one of Spokane’s most pressing issues.

Free and open to the public. RSVP below.

Whitworth’s Business Programs Earn AACSB Accreditation Extension

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Whitworth University is proud to announce the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) has extended accreditation for the university's business programs reaffirming Whitworth’s commitment to rigorous standards, continuous improvement and student success.

The extension signifies a high standard of quality and accountability in business education and strengthens employers’ confidence that our graduates are career-ready. It also recognizes faculty excellence in teaching and scholarship.

Earning AACSB accreditation is a multiyear process that looks closely at how a school operates, includes guidance from an AACSB advisor, and culminates in a peer review centered on continuous improvement. Along the way, schools build and carry out a plan that advances their mission and aligns with AACSB standards for excellence in strategic management and innovation, research, and teaching and learning.

“This wonderful news reflects the hard work, dedication and excellence of our programs, faculty, staff and students,” says Robin Henager, interim dean of the School of Business. “I want to extend a special thank-you to our operations team for their work in preparing the Continuous Improvement Review report and coordinating the successful Peer Review Team visit.”

Whitworth was among 25 institutions to receive the accreditation extention this year.

“AACSB congratulates each institution on their achievement,” says Stephanie M. Bryant, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB. “Every AACSB-accredited school has demonstrated a focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research, curricula development, and student learning. The intense peer-review process exemplifies their commitment to quality business education.”

About AACSB:

Established in 1916, AACSB International (AACSB) is the world's largest business education alliance, connecting educators, learners and business to create the next generation of great leaders. With a presence in more than 100 countries and territories, AACSB fosters engagement, accelerates innovation, and amplifies impact in business education. Learn how AACSB is transforming business education for a better society at aacsb.edu.