UW task force proposes splitting the Allen School from the College of Engineering
Independence would give one of the world's leading computer science and AI schools control of its own budget and a seat with UW's deans; no decision is expected before spring.
University of Washington leaders are weighing whether to separate the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering from the College of Engineering after a task force recommended the move, GeekWire reported on Tuesday. The report concluded that UW’s successes in computing, data science and AI have come “not because of the organizational structures we have in place but in spite of them,” and described a “difficult relationship” between the two units.
Engineering Dean Nancy Allbritton called the relationship “complex rather than difficult” and said the college supports the university’s decision to “carefully evaluate” the recommendations. UW President Robert J. Jones and Provost Tricia Serio said they are not making a decision yet and named two implementation committees due to report by the end of winter quarter 2027, with next steps planned for spring.
Under UW’s budget model, tuition and a share of research funding go to the college where courses are taught and research is based. As an independent school, the Allen School would control those funds directly and its leader would sit with the other deans. Allen School faculty voted 83-0 in late September to move forward with a process toward independence, and interim director Dan Grossman has been invited to join the Board of Deans and Chancellors.
The school is a major source of talent for the region’s tech industry: nearly 100 graduates from the 2025-26 class went to work full time at Amazon, and more than 70 went to Google, Microsoft or Meta. Any change would still need approval from the Faculty Senate and Board of Regents, with a goal of taking effect by the end of the 2027-28 academic year.
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