Western Washington University
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

At Western Washington University we see equity, justice, and inclusion as fundamental principles integral to our success. We value diverse experiences and perspectives, and strive to create learning, living, and working environments that promote respect, access, opportunity, and equity for all.

https://www.wwu.edu/diversity

https://policy.wwu.edu/POL-U1600.02-Ensuring-Equal-Opportunity-and-Prohibiting-Discrimination-and-Retaliation#:~:text=1.,is%20prohibited%20under%20this%20policy.

The BRT’s role is to identify and collaboratively coordinate caring, prompt, and effective responses to bias incidents to (1) support Western students, staff, and faculty who are targeted or impacted by these incidents and (2) educate the Western community about impacts and histories of such bias and actions to prevent future similar acts. The BRT also educates the university community about how to notify BRT of bias incidents.

The BRT does not replace or supersede existing processes through the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Student Conduct, or University Police to investigate alleged violations of university policy or civil rights or criminal law. People may choose to notify the BRT of an incident and also report to University Police and/or the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. The BRT’s role is one of support and education; the BRT does not impose discipline or sanctions.

46 incidents of bias were responded to during FY 2021-2022.

STUDENTS:
Diversity Scholarships - Western Washington University has included in its design for excellence the need to diversify its student body, faculty, and staff. Western offers scholarships to this diverse group of students who demonstrate strong academic promise, talent and community service activity.

STAFF AND FACULTY:
Multiple federal and state civil rights laws require that all job applicants be provided with an equal opportunity to seek employment at Western. Affirmative action regulations likewise require that search committees engage in proactive efforts to build diverse applicant pools for staff positions.

Diversity statements (ADEI) are required for many new hires.

FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS:
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Advocacy Council:
The LGBT Advocacy Council (LGBTAC) is a university committee composed of faculty and staff, with student representation, who meet on a regular basis and serve the needs and interests of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex and Ally population on Western's campus.
Council responsibilities include assessing or responding to campus climate issues that have been identified, providing Safe Zone training in concert with the Associated Students Queer Resource Center, sponsoring campus speakers and events, hosting Rainbow graduation, and participating in Back to Bellingham. Council committees include Institutional Commitment to LGBT Issues, Integrating LGBT Q Issues into Curriculum and Pedagogy, Attracting and Retaining LGBTQ and Ally Faculty, Staff and Students, and Providing Educational Programming and Safe Zone Training.

FACULTY AND STAFF
Faculty and Staff of Color Council (FSOCC):
The Faculty and Staff of Color Council is an advisory board that makes recommendations to the President via the Special Assistant to the President on Diversity on all matters pertaining to diversity, or issues that affect faculty/staff of color. The Council also serves as a catalyst for social engagement and community for faculty and staff of color. All activities shall advance the educational and cultural philosophical principles of inclusiveness and advocacy, and engender mutual respect for all groups.

STUDENTS:
Counseling Center:
The Mission of the Counseling Center is to facilitate student success and psychological well-being through culturally sensitive clinical services, outreach, and consultation. Group Counseling is a program organized by the Center, which provides help specifically to underrepresented groups. The Counseling Center therapy group meetings that are focused on sharing personal experiences, connecting with other group members, and offering cultural, financial, and academic support. The therapy groups are designed to facilitate connection, promote personal growth and self-understanding and build resilience. Some of these specific groups are:

After Silence
A confidential space for students who identify on the feminine gender spectrum to learn resilience skills and connect with others after experiencing interpersonal violence.

Rainbow POCket
A safe and confidential space for students to be seen and heard as their intersectional identities of being Queer People of Color. A space to gain and give support related to their POC and LGBTQIA identities. All are welcome, including those questioning their identity.

STUDENTS:

Student Outreach Services
Student Outreach Services serves first-generation, multicultural and non-traditional students and engages students in personalized academic coaching, peer mentoring and specialized programs using a global and multicultural focus to support student persistence and academic achievement.

-The Social Issues Resource Center (SIRC) is responsible for raising awareness about social issues, including those not commonly represented in the mainstream media, and inspiring students to be more active and engaged citizens. The SIRC facilitates the sharing of diverse perspectives by providing resources, information, and the coordination of events. It also serves as a networking center for related AS clubs and community organization.
socialissues.as.wwu.edu

-The Veterans Outreach Center (VOC) helps veterans and concerned individuals with information about employment, educational opportunities, counseling, disabilities, and benefit information. The VOC also serves as an advocate for veterans on Western’s campus while striving to create a united community of support and understanding.
voc.as.wwu.edu

-The Women's Center is committed to supporting, empowering, educating and connecting all people on campus around gender related interests and issues. We provide a safe space to share experiences, resources and referrals, and programs that raise awareness and spark and foster dialogue. The WC promotes gender equality, solidarity against violence and a healthy, inclusive culture for people of all identities.
women.as.wwu.edu

-The Queer Resource Center (QRC) provides non-judgmental and unbiased programs, safe space, and resources to both students who identify as Queer and their allies. The QRC does this by reaching out and building community among Western students of diverse backgrounds, advocating for and educating about the Queer identity through events and resources, creating and affirming positive self-identities, networking with Queer clubs, providing peer counseling services, and addressing current issues relevant to the Queer community.
https://win.wwu.edu/organization/qrc

-Student Outreach Services’ Peer Mentor Program
Student Outreach Services’ Peer Mentor Program serves first-year students by fostering excellence through social and academic integration. The Peer Mentor Program is made up of juniors and seniors who help, guide, and provide resources for incoming first-year and transfer students. As active student leaders, Peer Mentors share personal experiences to assist and help ease the transition from high school and other colleges to Western’s campus by providing support and building bridges between their mentees and departments and resources across campus.

-The Ethnic Student Center (ESC)
The Ethnic Student Center (ESC) is a student-run organization within the Association Students (AS) of Western Washington University and was established in 1991. ESC’s goal is to help students affirm their identity, Build a sense of community, and Cultivate leadership. The ESC is a home to several diverse clubs open to students of all backgrounds, among which are:

African Caribbean Club
Arab Student Association
Blue Group
Black Student Union
Chinese Student Association
Fillipino American Student Association
Japanese Student Association
Khmer Student Association
Korean Student Association
Latinx Student Union
Middle Eastern Student Association
Mixed Student Organization
Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán
Native American Student Union
Pacific Islander Student Association
Queer Trans People of Color
South Asian Student Association
Vietnamese Student Association
Western Hmong Student Association
https://mss.wwu.edu/esc/esc-clubs

Western Success Scholars
Western Success Scholars (WSS) is a campus-based supportive program designed to assist all incoming WWU first year, transfer and continuing students who have experienced foster care or homelessness. The Program fosters academic success and a sense of community and belonging by providing a place where students can have a voice, support services and resources as they persist towards graduation. We offer a welcoming community focused on building a safe and caring space with peers who have similar life experiences. This is an inclusive program where all former foster youth, unaccompanied homeless youth, and students who have experienced homelessness are invited to participate and enjoy a community of support.
https://wss.wwu.edu/

Disability Access Center
Through services, programming, and advocacy centering disabled Western students, the DAC advances holistic student development and inclusive achievement. Focusing on disability outreach services, DAC helps ensure institutional legal compliance and fosters a justice-oriented campus community that centers disability-positive identity formation. DAC increases access, equity, and inclusion for disabled Western students through collaborative transformation of structures, policies, and practices.
https://disability.wwu.edu/