Messages from Melynda
Supporting Students as Federal Policy Changes
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.
Student Affairs remains absolutely committed to welcoming all students into community here at Western. Student Life, Counseling, Health, and Wellbeing, and The Centers for Student Access, Community, and Intercultural Engagement, including the Office of Multicultural Student Services, the Disability Access Center, and LGBTQ+ Western, are core resources for all Western students. I encourage you to connect with these services throughout your time at the university. The impacts of executive orders addressing equity and diversity initiatives remain uncertain. Student Affairs supports, and will continue to support, the healthy development and self-determination of all Western students.
I want to acknowledge that transgender and gender-expansive people are targeted specifically in many of the most recent executive orders. For people who are trans, who have trans family members and friends, and who care about the well-being of everyone in our communities, this is especially concerning. I want to affirm with clarity that transgender people--students, faculty, and staff--have every right to be respected, to be safe, and to flourish at Western and everywhere.
Student Affairs is proud to stand with and support students and colleagues of all gender identities in thriving as their full selves. We celebrate that Western students, faculty, and staff include people of many gender identities.
- LGBTQ+ Western provides support and resources to individual students, offers groups including Trans Tea and QTPOC to support connection amongst trans students and LGBTQ+ students more broadly, and leads programming throughout the year that celebrates diverse trans identities and experiences. I encourage you to contact JoeHahn (he/they), Western’s LGBTQ+ director, and Ayanna Phillips (she/her), program manager for LGBTQ+ Western and The Centers, to learn more about available resources.
- Our Gender-Affirming Care Team, including staff from LGBTQ+ Western, the Student Health Center, and the Counseling & Wellness Center, works every day to provide evidence-based holistic services for trans and gender-expansive students.
- The Counseling & Wellness Center provides individual therapy and group support, including a Lost & Found group for students whose family dynamics are impacted by their gender identity or sexuality.
Students may have concerns about ongoing access to gender-affirming care, the ability to obtain identity documents that accurately reflect their gender identity, the right to have their pronouns and lived name respected. Please know that none of that has changed at Western Washington University. At the university and in the state of Washington, those rights are protected. If something does change, we will do our very best to provide accurate information as soon as possible and to continue to provide the services Western students need.
Western is for everyone. Together we can build a community of respect and care.
With appreciation for each of you,
Melynda