An early-morning fire Thursday destroyed the Seattle campus offices of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Educational Outreach. The fire was reported to the Seattle Fire Department at about 6:10 a.m. Thursday, quickly escalating to a three-alarm blaze. The fire did not spread to any other buildings.
The fire has halted registration, counseling and support services at the main Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµEO offices. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµEO website and registration phone lines are also off-line, as are Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµEO online courses. Until the damage can be assessed, officials don’t know if grades, applications or other administrative services will be affected. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµEO staff are currently looking for temporary office space and a registration system.
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ 100 people work at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµEO main offices, with other employees at the King Building to the south. Operations at the King Building have not been affected.
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Educational Outreach is the division of the university that administers continuing education, distance learning, summer quarter, English language programs and other programs for non-traditional students. It handles about 34,000 registrations a year.
Despite this devastating setback, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµEO staff still plan to meet Friday afternoon, 3:30 p.m. at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Faculty Club on the Seattle Campus for a holiday celebration and to offer each other support.
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµEO offices are closed today but will open tomorrow — for in-person registration at the King Building, or by phone at 206-543-2310. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµEO students should check the main Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ website (www.washington.edu) for updates on their classes and Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµEO services.
For more information (MEDIA ONLY), contact Roberto S?hez, manager of public relations, at 206-685-6344