Diversity at Western

Incorporating accessibility into Western Washington University’s culture is not only the right thing to do, but also provides many benefits to the campus community. Accessible technologies allow all members of the university to learn, work, and contribute in their own way. Locate accessibility tools, resources and services as well as report barriers at Western.

360-650-3083, drsfrontdesk@wwu.edu, wwu.edu/access

The Black Student Coalition (BSC) provides Black students at WWU a community of support on campus. With leadership from the BSC Coordinator and student staff, the BSC provides space to make connections, study, access resources, and build community.

Viking Union 504, 360-650-2889, mss.wwu.edu/bsc

The Blue Resource Center (BRC) supports and advocates for/with undocumented students and those with mixed-status families at Western. The BRC works provides peer-to-peer support, a welcoming drop-in community space, educational and social events, and connections to campus and community resources. The BRC exists today thanks to the advocacy work of undocumented students at WWU. 

Multicultural Center 721, 360-650-6124, mss.wwu.edu/brc

The Disability Access Center (DAC) supports disabled students by administering reasonable accommodations across all aspects of University life including academics, on-campus housing, and Western programs and services. Focusing on holistic student development and inclusive achievement, DAC helps ensure institutional legal compliance and fosters a justice-oriented campus community that centers disability-positive identity formation. 

Wilson Library 170, 360-650-3083, drs@wwu.edu, disability.wwu.edu

Western's comprehensive framework for accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion is illustrated with links to relevant resources.

The Ethnic Student Center (ESC) centers the voices and experiences of historically underrepresented BIPOC students and allies by providing a social atmosphere and inclusive environment. The ESC supports more than 20 cultural clubs that assist students in transitioning to Western, developing cultural identity, providing a sense of community, and being active in social justice.

VU 736, 360-650-7271, mss.wwu.edu/esc

LGBTQ+ Western supports diverse LGBTQ+ students through education, connection to resources, advocacy, and celebration. LGBTQ+ Western’s community space, programs like Trans Tea and the Black LGBTQ+ Thriving Collective, and multiple student clubs provide opportunities for learning and connection. You can find resources in Viking Union, Multicultural Center room 723 and hang out in the LGBTQ+ Lounge next door in 722.

Western Multicultural Center, Viking Union 723, 360-650-7500, LGBTQ@wwu.edu, lgbtq.wwu.edu

The Multicultural Center (MCC) is home to multiple offices and people serving Western students, including the Executive Director of American Indian/Alaska Native and First Nations Relations, the Office of Multicultural Student Services, including the Ethnic Student Center and Blue Resource Center, LGBTQ+ Western, the Director of Student Resilience, and Western Success Scholars. In the MCC, they strive to foster an inclusive Western community by centering and amplifying the voices of students with underrepresented and marginalized identities as we support student success. The MCC includes great spaces for studying, socializing, and building community and is located on the seventh floor of the Viking Union.

Viking Union 751, 360-650-2889, ess-adei.wwu.edu  

The Office of Multicultural Student Services (MSS) creates initiatives and programming to support Western Washington University’s strategic goals in equity, excellence, and inclusion for our students. The MSS strives to create and ensure an inclusive Western Washington University community by centering and amplifying the voice of students with underrepresented and marginalized identities and supporting student success. They do this through collaboration, celebration, advocacy, and the development of learning spaces that focus on the topics of race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and ability.

Programs of MSS include the Ethnic Student Center, Blue Resource Center, and Black Student Coalition.

Viking Union 751, 360-650-2889, mss.wwu.edu

The Executive Director for the Office of Tribal Relations has both external and internal-facing leadership responsibilities. Externally, the Executive Director represents the WWU president and Board of Trustees as a liaison and envoy to American Indian/Alaska Native and First Nations governments; and, internally advocates for the support and success of American Indian/Alaska Native students at Western.

752 Viking Union, 360-650-3110, wwu.edu/tribal-relations

Veteran Services assists with educational benefits, change of program forms, and other services to support WWU veterans.

Wilson Library 165, 360-650-3324, veterans.affairs@wwu.edu, wwu.edu/veteranservices

Western’s Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance (CRTC) office is responsible for overseeing compliance with civil rights laws and University policies prohibiting discrimination and sexual misconduct, and works to create an environment in which equity, inclusion and diversity are valued. Under Western’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation (POL-U1600.02), students have the right to learn, work and participate in university programs and activities free of harassment or discrimination based on:

• 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

Our office works to resolve discriminatory concerns at the earliest and most informal levels, depending on the nature of the complaint. Students with concerns about harassment, discrimination and/or sexual violence are encouraged to contact Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX Coordinator & ADA Coordinator for assistance. Formal complaints are investigated using Western’s Discrimination Complaint Procedure (PRO-U1600.02A). Western policies prohibit retaliation against anyone who raises a discrimination concern or otherwise participates in an investigation as a witness, advisor or third-party reporter. If a person who experiences sexual misconduct chooses not to file a formal complaint, Western must still take reasonable actions to provide support for the targeted individual and work to prevent reoccurrence, which may include an investigation.

Students and employees are encouraged to contact the CRTC by phone or by email to schedule an appointment. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday throughout the calendar year. Visit their website to learn more about policies and procedures as well as University resources and reporting options.

Old Main 345, 360-650-3307, crtc@wwu.edu, crtc.wwu.edu