Faculty Anti-Racism and DEI&B in the Workplace
At Washington State University (WSU), we value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives; strive to create welcoming and respectful learning, working, and living environments; and promote access, opportunity, and justice.
With the passage of Senate Bill 5227 in June of 2021, WSU – along with all public higher education institutions in Washington state – must provide a professional development program for faculty and staff with the purpose of eliminating structural racism and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
About Senate Bill (SB) 5227
In 2021, the Washington State Legislature approved Senate Bill 5227, which requires all public institutions of higher education to provide a professional development program for faculty and staff with the purpose of eliminating structural racism and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B), beginning with the 2022-23 academic year.
The program must also work to improve academic, social, and health and wellness outcomes for students from historically marginalized communities.
Additional elements include:
- Student training beginning in the 2024-25 academic year
- Campus Climate assessment every five years
- Evaluation and reporting
Minimizing Unconscious Bias and Microaggressions Course
All employees including WSU faculty and staff are required to complete the Minimizing Unconscious Bias and Microaggressions Course. Individuals joining WSU must complete the course within 30 days of their hire date.
Following the training, community members will:
- Start to recognize when unconscious bias occurs and why it’s important to understand
- Define several different common types of unconscious bias
- Identify ways to counteract potential unconscious bias
- Create awareness surrounding the common occurrences of microaggressions
- Define the three types of microaggressions that exist
- Explore the outcomes associated with the experience of microaggressions
- Identify ways to respond to microaggressions and takes steps toward accountability
Minimizing Unconscious Bias and Microaggressions Course
Washington State University’s Institutional Surveys
WSU’s Employee Engagement Survey
WSU’s Human Resource Services recognizes the value of providing employees an opportunity to share this experience of working at WSU and the importance of evaluating employee feedback to measure the effectiveness of improvement efforts.
In a continuing effort to attract, cultivate, and retain an engaged workforce built on organizational integrity, effectiveness, and transparency, the WSU Employee Engagement Survey was developed. The goal of the survey is to gather feedback on employee engagement and satisfaction within the workplace.
WSU’s Participation in the COACHE Survey
The Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) is a national, research-based initiative that is designed to help us better understand and initiate plans for improving the quality of work-life for faculty. The COACHE survey is sponsored by WSU’s Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President. The latest COACHE survey closed in April 2024.
COACHE Survey Report and Action Plan
2024-2025 Steering Committee
- Douglas Call, Senior Vice Provost, WSU System
- Lisa Guerrero, Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusive Excellence, WSU Pullman
- Kim Holapa, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for External Relations and Strategic Initiatives, WSU Pullman
- Jennifer Klein, Interim Vice President & Chief Human Resource Officer, WSU System
- Kristina Peterson-Wilson, Vice Provost for Academic Administration & Chief of Staff, WSU System
Questions
For questions, you are welcome to contact provosts.office@wsu.edu.