Working from space rented in nearby buildings, the Tacoma program has already begun, with programs in Nursing, Liberal Studies, Education, and Business Administration.

The Business Administration Program is an upper-division program, providing the final two years of an undergraduate degree program. With a faculty of 10, it has been in operation for a year. Since the faculty for the program began work only a few months before the program's start, everyone has been occupied with the myriad details of starting a new program in a new location..
Right: One of the first buildings to be rennovated

Program Design

Program Competency Areas

Teamwork develop effective interpersonal skills and work norms function as an effective team leader and follower manage conflict and create consensus	Flexibility anticipate and adapt to change effectively manage for continuous quality improvement proactively respond to the changing needs of stakeholders appreciate diversity
Communication communicate clearly and concisely in writing make clear and persuasive presentations negotiate effectively listen to the ideas and opinions of others provide and receive constructive feedback	Strategic Thinking understand economic and cultural forces develop an awareness of the organization as a system appreciate the perspectives of those at other organizational levels model and foster ethical behavior utilize a repertoire of practical and theoretical tools
Problem Solving recognize business opportunities and problems acquire and interpret information effectively develop creative alternatives consider all constituencies make decisions that consider short- and long-term outcomes	Personal Development balance personal and professional roles capitalize on opportunities for life-long learning encourage creativity

Left: Now a government building, the Union Station is across the street from the campus. The faculty work together to develop the program's courses, and seek ways to incorporate competencies everywhere. For example, in the " Information Management & Analysis" course, communication skills and Management Information Systems are cotaught by two faculty, one with an Engineering background, the other with an Organizational Behavior background. The Communications course has been expanded to include not only verbal communication, but also giving presentations, negotiations, and communication in teams. Even non-course aspects of the program are geared to facilitate skill learning. For example, if a student has an issue with a faculty member, he/she may be counselled to go to the person directly and work it out.

The Business Adminstration Program is by no means settled: the faculty continue to refine the program's objectives and design. Even so, the program has established a foothold in a collaborative, systemic skills design which many more established programs would admire, but find difficult to emulate. Despite its startup pains, the 100-year old campus holds the promise of a brand new, trend-setting skills program.

References

• The UW/Tacoma home page
• Fandt, Patricia M (1995). "Management Skills: Practice and Experience." Minneapolis St. Paul: West Publishing Company.