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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt">Hello Biology department and students-</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt">As you likely know, the <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.uaw4121.org/2024-ase-bargaining-portal/__;!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!ihojoNE-2yG5kGucqZMwcV73pNVO9K3C7GK9UOx9Kp6h3WtQAKamZYexBRqtP5rMWZ9BrQaC_BkIJD5C$"><span style="color:#96607D">union</span></a> representing
our graduate student TAs has been negotiating their contract with the <a href="https://hr.uw.edu/labor/academic-and-student-unions/uaw-ase/ase-negotiation-updates"><span style="color:#96607D">UW</span></a>. While we hope that both parties can reach an agreement
very soon, the strike has begun. We understand that this strike can lead to stress and questions for everyone involved, including the undergraduates enrolled in Biology courses, the instructors, and of course the graduate student TAs themselves. Our goal
is to try to reduce stress and support people during this time.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt">For students enrolled in our courses, we will do our best to continue to provide excellent educational opportunities to the extent we can. However, we know that our graduate students provide countless hours
of essential and caring teaching in many of our courses. The instructor of your course has been encouraged to communicate to students all strike-related changes to their course schedule and assignments in a timely fashion. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt">If you have questions specific to your course, please contact your instructor. If you have any further questions, please email <a href="mailto:schivell@uw.edu"><span style="color:#96607D">schivell@uw.edu</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt">Thank you and be well,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt">Mandy Schivell (Undergraduate Program Committee Chair) and David Perkel (Department Chair)</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">Mandy Schivell, PhD (she/hers)<br>
Teaching Professor and Undergraduate Program Committee Chair<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">Department of Biology<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">Box 351800<br>
University of Washington<br>
Seattle, WA 98195<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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