Division of Student Affairs
Seeking Members
We are currently seeking members to serve on the working groups. If you are a current WSU undergraduate student, graduate/professional student, faculty or staff and feel you can contribute your knowledge as an active participant working collaboratively with others to create a more welcoming campus culture and climate for our Cougs, please submit your interest through our online form.
Faculty, staff and student groups begin addressing campus climate issues
Five working groups comprised of more than 110 Washington State University students, faculty and staff have begun meeting to develop recommendations for creating a more inclusive and welcoming community at WSU campuses system-wide.
The working groups are the most recent steps in the institutional initiative WSU President Kirk Schulz announced last June to address system and campus climate and culture issues. Mary Jo Gonzales, vice president for student affairs, is leading implementation of the initiative.
“During the past year we have listened carefully to our faculty, students, and staff,” Gonzales said. “We have heard the frustration, disappointment, and anger expressed by many, who feel the university’s past efforts to build an inclusive and welcoming community have fallen short.
Going forward, we recognize that we must take a different approach to addressing these concerns. We will involve the entire community in creating needed systemic change to address issues of community, equity, and inclusive excellence.”
Policy review, training, campus resources among areas of focus
Each of the new working groups will address priorities identified by the WSU community, including students, as critical to advancing the university’s initiative.
Among the topics and primary objectives the working groups will address:
WSU Executive Policy (EP) 15 prohibiting discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct
- Review EP 15 for language and make recommendations for changes, including clearly defined sections for sexual/gender violence and speech
- Develop EP 15-specific training for students, faculty and staff
Cultural competency
- Review and evaluate cultural competency and ally trainings offered by WSU and trainings proposed by students
- Identify specific implementation plan for students, faculty and staff
Campus cultural and resource centers
- Review current funds allocated to central- and academic college-supported cultural and resource centers
- Review services and activities offered on all campuses by centers/programs to determine gap areas and recommend strategies to meet the needs of current and future students
The diversity of faculty and staff
- In alignment with relevant state and federal statutes, develop proactive programs, targeted outreach and a recruitment plan for diverse faculty and staff
- Identify current and future professional development programs for diverse faculty and staff
Gender inclusive and trans* support
- Develop long-term plan to incorporate gender-inclusive restrooms on all campuses
- Assess gap areas and make recommendations for trans* support on all campuses
The working groups are expected to submit their recommendations throughout 2018 as they convene and begin their efforts.
Suggested Readings or Resources
- Step Up and Lead for Equity: What Higher Education Can Do to Reverse Our Deepening Divides
- Committing to Equity and Inclusive Excellence: A Campus Guide for Self-Study and Planning
- WSU's 2014 Commission on Campus Climate: final report
Recent Updates
Submitted by Work Groups
May 1, 2019: Five Working Groups Session Recap
April 10, 5019: Gender Inclusive and Trans* Support Meeting Minutes
April 3, 2019: Diverse Faculty & Staff Meeting Minutes
April 2, 2019: Executive Policy 15 Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2019: Five Working Groups Session Recap
March 3, 2019: Diverse Faculty and Staff Meeting Minutes
February 13, 2019: Cultural and Resource Centers Meeting Minutes
January 2, 2019: Five Working Groups Session Recap
January 2019: Cultural and Resource Centers Progress Report
December 4, 2018: Executive Policy 15 Meeting Minutes
Additional Chair/co-chair and subcommittee meeting minutes and resources are available on each workgroup webpage.