Dear Central Washington University Community:

By now you have probably learned about the tragedies that have occurred on the Rutgers University and the Johnson and Wales campuses. The suicide of two gay men within a week of each other is deeply troubling to our community. This is the fifth suicide of an LGBTQ youth within three weeks. The circumstances of these and other suicides have also called attention to the devastating consequences of online bullying. Our sympathies are with the many family members, friends and community members affected by these tragedies. As such we hope that the following educates and reinforces our current institutional resources as they are needed on our campus.

Central Washington University strives to create an inclusive environment that is free of harassment and bullying of those who identify as gay, lesbian, transgender, or questioning. All students, faculty and staff must feel safe and free to express who they are. Discrimination, prejudice and harassment in any form prevent us from fulfilling the University’s mission and don’t belong on this or any other college campus. It is our responsibility to sustain our communities and to protect against bias and hate acts. As such, we ask every student at Central to take the time to read through this message outlining University protocols and responses.

If you, or someone you know, experiences or witnesses harassment or bias acts please know that there are places to which you can turn. The Bias Motivated Incident Response Plan for students and student groups is a resource where Central students can report these acts in a safe manner. This anonymous process is coordinated through collaborative partners in the Diversity Education Center, Department of Public Safety and Police Services, Office of Student Life, University Housing and New Student Programs, Center for Student Empowerment, Student Medical and Counseling Clinic and the Office for Equal Opportunity. Questions can be submitted directly to Marian Lien at lienma@cwu.edu or by phone at 509-963-1685.

Central’s Student Medical and Counseling Clinic is a wonderful, supportive resource that can assist students who may be dealing with harassment or feelings of isolation because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity or expression. The Clinic encourages appointments but also has same day crisis appointments and walk-in services if a student needs immediate support. The clinic is open Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. They may be contacted by calling 509-963-1391. This is a FREE resource for students and, as always, these visits will remain confidential.

CWU’s Diversity Education Center can provide resources such as one-on-one advising, educational programming and training for faculty, staff and students. The office offers Safe Space, Responding Bias as well as a myriad of other trainings and workshops. To attend or schedule a training, please contact Leah Shelton at sheltonl@cwu.edu or 509-963-1687.

The Office for Equal Opportunity manages the "Discrimination Complaint and Resolution Policy and Procedures." Anyone wishing to file a formal or informal complaint alleging discrimination against a CWU employee could use this process. Copies of the policy and procedure are available at http://www.cwu.edu/~oeo/policies_procedures.html

Donna Kramer, CWU Ombuds, assists CWU community members in broaching difficult topics, including issues of harassment and bullying. The Ombuds Office provides informal, confidential, and impartial services to address the concerns and complaints of full and part-time university faculty, staff, and administrators. The office operates independently, as a complement and supplement to existing administrative or formal grievances processes.

The President's Inclusivity Committee strives to ensure equity for LGBT people at Central Washington University and to address issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression throughout the Central community. The committee is also dedicated to the on-going process of enhancing the ways in which our university welcomes, values and supports LGBT members of the campus community and their allies. If you are interested in joining the committee please contact Delores Cleary at clearyd@cwu.edu.

In this time of great tragedy and sorrow let us remember to come together as a community to support one another.