Federal Administration Updates
Dear Western Community, We would like to update you on recent developments concerning the implementation of Title IX. As you may have heard in the news, the US Department of Education recently issued a Dear Colleague Letter in response to a recent court decision, Tennessee v. Cardona. Consistent with that court’s ruling, the United States Department of Education’s (ED) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) intends to enforce Title IX under the provisions of the 2020 Title IX Rule, rather than the 2024 Title IX Rule.
We write with some updates concerning federal research grants. Despite all the recent activity around federal grants, Western's guidance to principal investigators remains unchanged: grant-funded work may continue as usual under the terms of the original award unless / until the award is formally amended. As of today, only a single Western grant has received a stop-work order and no Western awards have been amended, and therefore all other projects may continue work as originally planned.
Dear Western Students, As new federal executive orders are released each day, there is so much that is not yet clear about proposed changes to policy and law. I know our students and staff are worried about what these changes may mean for them, for their friends, their families, and our communities. Please know that the university is committed to providing you with the most accurate information we can. President Sabah shared information with the campus community yesterday, and regular updates and information on federal policy will be provided on the President’s website. The Office of Equity website provides information specific to immigration enforcement concerns. They are also leading a year-long initiative to grow belonging and community on our campus.
Dear WWU Community, Recent federal policy changes, including executive orders, have created uncertainty for higher education institutions. At Western Washington University, we remain dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and safe environment where all members of our community can thrive. Ensuring the well-being, success, and sense of belonging for our students, faculty, and staff remains at the heart of our mission.
Dear Western Community, I hope this message finds you well and ready for a fulfilling and successful winter quarter. I would like to inform you of an important update to Western’s policy regarding access to campus, university property, and student information for immigration enforcement purposes. This revision ensures that university policy remains in full alignment with state law, which is protective of individuals’ rights, and upholds the values of privacy and respect for all members of our university community. The revised policy can be accessed here. The policy procedure can be accessed here.
This page will be regularly updated with guidance on federal and state policy changes and potential impacts to WWU.