This message was sent to all students, staff, faculty and academic personnel across the University of Washington on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
Dear UW community member,
At the University of Washington, our mission is to serve the public through learning, discovery, patient care and community engagement. The success of our mission depends on a University culture in which every student and employee can pursue their goals in a respectful, equitable and inclusive environment in accordance with the civil rights enshrined by the laws of our state and nation.
Our civil rights are the legal safeguards that ensure fair and equal treatment, but they are also a reflection of our shared values and the ethos that unites us as community. They codify our commitment to equal access to education and an environment where are all are free from discrimination, harassment and mistreatment. Upholding these rights is essential to maintaining a University where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and experience a genuine sense of belonging.
This commitment is reflected in the policies, practices and initiatives that shape our University. Our newly restructured Civil Rights Compliance Office and updated Executive Order 81 Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct will ensure that our resources and processes align with our ideals and strengthen our ability to prevent and address discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct across all campuses, facilities and programs.
We are also guided in this work by our obligations under federal and state laws and by our responsibility to one another. To support all faculty, staff and students in understanding their rights and responsibilities, the UW will launch a new required online civil rights course for all employees in winter 2026 and for all students in spring 2026.
For anyone who experiences or witnesses discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct, resources and support are available. They include:
- An individualized response to any report or concern shared with the Civil Rights Compliance Office
- Confidential advocacy for any student or employee impacted by sexual misconduct, including relationship violence, stalking and sexual assault
- Confidential support and conflict resolution through the Office of the Ombud, which is available to all members of our UW community
Together, we share the responsibility for ensuring that the University of Washington is a place where every person feels safe, valued and empowered to contribute. Thank you for your continued dedication to this important work and for helping the UW live up to its highest ideals.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Jones
President