Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement

Dear Western Community,

Western Washington University is deeply committed to the principles of equal opportunity employment and engages in affirmative action to increase employment opportunities.

It is the policy of the University not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. It is also the policy of the University  to take affirmative action to employ and to advance in employment, qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected (or covered) veterans, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. Affirmative actions include training programs, outreach efforts, and other positive steps. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment. Furthermore, the University will provide qualified applicants and employees who request an accommodation due to a disability with reasonable accommodations, as required by law.

Western Washington University prohibits harassment of employees and applicants based on legally protected characteristics. The University also prohibits retaliation against employees and applicants for filing a complaint, opposing any discriminatory act or practice, assisting, or participating in any manner in a review, investigation or hearing, or otherwise seeking to obtain their legal rights under any Federal, State, or local EEO law requiring equal employment opportunity on these bases. Prohibited retaliation includes, but is not limited to, harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or other adverse actions that might dissuade someone from asserting their rights.

As President, I am committed to the principles of affirmative action and equal employment opportunity. To ensure dissemination and implementation of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action throughout all levels of the organization, the Director Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator has been assigned duties for Western Washington University, including establishing and maintaining an internal audit and reporting system to allow for effective measurement of the University's programs.

In furtherance of the University's policy regarding affirmative action and equal employment opportunity, Western Washington University has developed written Affirmative Action Programs (AAPs) which set forth the policies, practices, and procedures that Western Washington University is committed to in order to ensure that its policy of nondiscrimination and affirmative action is accomplished. Western’s AAPs are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment upon request and during normal business hours. Requests to inspect the AAPs should be made in advance by contacting the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance (crtc@wwu.edu or 360-650-2307). Any questions should be directed to the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance.

For more information about the University’s commitment to equal employment opportunity, please view the "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" Poster, as well as Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision Statement. These resources are also provided by EEOC and OFCCP in additional languages and in a format optimized for screen readers. To request any of these resources in an alternate format, please contact crtc@wwu.edu, 360-650-3307, or 711 (Washington Relay).

Sincerely,

Sabah Randhawa
President

September 19, 2023