This message was sent to all UW students on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. You are also welcome to view the companion message shared with UW employees.
Dear UW student,
Now that autumn quarter is underway, we want to share important updates on the University of Washington’s ongoing efforts to foster a respectful, safe and welcoming environment for all Huskies. These updates align with UW’s responsibilities under state and federal civil rights laws, which collectively prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability and other protected characteristics.
We want to highlight three key changes:
- A new resource office
- Support for anyone with civil rights concerns
- Expanded reporting requirements for UW employees
New resource office
The University recently launched the Civil Rights Compliance Office (CRC), which serves as a central resource for preventing and responding to discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics, as well as sexual misconduct. Civil Rights Case Managers are available to assist you in understanding your options, accessing resources and resolution options, and navigating University processes.
Support for civil rights concerns
If you have a civil rights concern, you can reach a Case Manager via the Civil Rights & Title IX Reporting Form on the CRC website, by email at civilrights@uw.edu or by phone at 206-221-7932. Anonymous reporting is also available. After a report is made, a Case Manager will offer support and actively work with you to identify options to address your concerns.
CRC can assist with a range of civil rights concerns, including:
- Discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including age, citizenship, disability, national origin or shared ancestry, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, veteran status and more.
- Sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, unwanted sexual contact, sexual exploitation, relationship violence and stalking.
- Any retaliation in response to reporting discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct; requesting an accommodation; or participating in a process to resolve a report.
Expanded reporting requirements
As of July 23, 2025, many UW Employees have expanded requirements to share information with CRC when they become aware of potential prohibited conduct involving students. If a student prefers, an employee can make a report without including the impacted student’s name.
Student employees should also be aware that supervisors must report incidents that occur in the workplace involving employees they supervise. In those cases, supervisors must include the names of the individuals involved.
Some UW employees, including health-care providers, confidential advocates and University ombuds, have been designated as confidential employees who are not required to report when providing professional services to students.
In early 2026, the University will launch a new online civil rights course for students, staff and faculty. This course will help you recognize discrimination and harassment, understand available resources and learn more about recent policy updates.
If you have questions, please contact the Civil Rights Compliance Office at civilrights@uw.edu.
Please remember that we are here to support you, and that every Husky deserves to feel safe, valued and welcome.
We hope you have a wonderful year.
Valery Richardson
Assistant Vice President for Civil Rights Compliance & Title IX Coordinator
Scott R. James, Ed.D.
Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs
University of Washington Bothell
Denzil Suite, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Life
University of Washington Seattle
Mentha Hynes-Wilson, Ed.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
University of Washington Tacoma