WSU President Replies to APA Community Letter

May 25, 2005
Statement from Washington State University President V. Lane Rawlins
concerning a Campus Climate Free of Harassment and Discrimination

Washington State University has a long-standing commitment to a campus climate free of harassment and discrimination. We have made important new investments in this work, but know there is much more work to be done. I want to reiterate the University's position on this vitally important matter and briefly outline key initiatives we are working on this summer.

The firm position of the Regents and the Administration of Washington State University is that acts of harassment and discrimination related to ethnicity, religion, race, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, or disability will not be tolerated and cases of such behavior will be swiftly investigated. A university must be a place where all people feel safe and welcome. This must never negate an environment where people are free to express differing views and opinions. Free speech is essential in an educational environment, but that right does not protect harassment and discrimination.

The Regents and Administration have called for a review of our student conduct code and other policies and procedures related to acts of discrimination or harassment. We are working with the Washington State Human Rights Commission in this review. A team from the Commission spent time on campus this spring and will provide feedback in June. We expect to use that input to revise our student conduct code to ensure that definitions of harassment and discrimination are clear, that procedures for reviewing charges of harassment and discrimination can be readily understood, and that alternative ways to settle disputes are provided.

We will also increase our efforts to educate members of our University community about discrimination and harassment of all types, including how such acts cause pain and lead some people to believe that they are not welcome. Our Office of Equity and Diversity, under Dr. Michael Tate's leadership, is preparing a new training program based on proven models. As these new educational tools become available, I will expect that students, faculty and staff will participate. I plan to be the first.

I also want any who have been victims of harassment or discrimination to know that I deeply regret that these things happened within our community. I firmly believe that the vast majority of people at Washington State University are supportive of a diverse environment and want to reach out to others with genuine understanding and friendship.


I pledge my personal efforts to achieving this goal .

OCA - GREATER SEATTLE CHAPTER

EMBRACING THE HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS OF CHINESE AND ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS IN THE UNITED STATES