Originally published on Jan. 8

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Shams Shaikh

Professor Luis Fraga, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, announced that he would leave his position at Stanford to join University of Washington.

After 15 years at Stanford, Political Science Prof. Luis Fraga is saying goodbye.

Fraga made his decision public on Monday, saying that he and his wife will accept positions offered by the University of Washington (UW). They will assume their new posts on July 1.

The possibility of Fraga departing had ignited a fury of activism, as his past and current students wrote letters to administrators and alumni, signed an online petition and created a Facebook in an effort to convince the University to retain Fraga.

In a statement made public Dec. 18, Fraga cited, among other things, UW's ability to support his academic interests.

"The University of Washington, Seattle, is giving us unique opportunities to build upon our previous work," he said. "UW has entrusted us both with the chance to help make higher education achieve intellectual excellence and, at the same time, expand access to college for all students.

"We both have devoted our lives to these very purposes. We will work as hard as we can to push ourselves and our new colleagues to realize these goals that are worthy of the faith students, families, and the general public place in leaders of higher education."

In addition, Fraga's new appointment will give him the opportunity to help spearhead the University of Washington's faculty diversity outreach, both in retention and recruitment of minority faculty members.

Students had lobbied the University in recent weeks to match UW's offer in the hopes of retaining the popular professor, an effort that was ultimately in vain.

"I really am speechless," said Helen Kim '06. "This is a great loss to Stanford and the community."

Political Science Department Chair Terry Moe, who was involved in the negotiations that sought to keep Fraga on the Farm, expressed similar sadness.

"Luis Fraga has been a great undergraduate teacher and a wonderful mentor to undergraduates," Moe said. "We're very sorry to see him go."

In his statement, Fraga acknowledged the outpouring of support he has received since the prospect of his departure became known.

"We are overwhelmed by the support we have received from so many with whom we have had the privilege to work at Stanford," Fraga wrote. "I will always remember the expressions of appreciation for my work as a scholar, teacher and mentor."