In accordance with state law and federal laws, including Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the University of Washington works to prevent and respond to discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics.
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Protected characteristics include: Race Color Creed Religion National origin, including shared ancestry Citizenship Sex Pregnancy Age Marital status Sexual orientation Gender identity or expression Genetic information Disability Veteran status
If you or someone you know may have experienced discrimination or harassment, the University offers support, resources, and resolution options. You can learn more and connect with a Civil Rights Case Manager by visiting Make a Report. Case managers will:
- Listen to your concerns.
- Help you navigate the situation.
- Coordinate supportive measures.
- Provide information on available resolution options.
- Offer referrals to additional resources, both on and off campus.
You can also learn more about resources, options and initiatives related to sexual misconduct and disability and accessibility.
Title VI and race, color and national origin discrimination
Additional Information
In January 2025, the University of Washington entered into a voluntary resolution agreement with the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Education. This agreement seeks to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The climate for Jews, Muslims, Palestinians, Israelis, and others from the Middle East has been an area of significant concern for the UW, especially since October 7, 2023. In early 2024, President Ana Mari Cauce charged two task forces, the Antisemitism and Islamophobia Task Forces, to work together with the UW Office of Educational Assessment to “assess how students, faculty and staff are experiencing discrimination or harassment because they are Jewish and/or Palestinian, Middle Eastern, or Muslim on our campus, and to what degree they feel the climate is supportive and welcoming.” A climate assessment was completed in May 2024.
On October 15, 2024, the task forces issued their reports, which were released alongside the findings from the climate assessment survey and focus groups. The full report document can be viewed in PDF format. Actions the University is taking in response to the findings of the climate assessment and the related reports from the task forces are summarized in a UW News article shared with the UW community and detailed in a letter to the co-chairs of the task forces.
FAQs
SafeCampus: Provides consultation and support when you have safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others. You can request anonymity when you contact SafeCampus at 206-685-7233 or safecampus@uw.edu.
Seek help for yourself if needed:
- Students: You may contact the UW Bothell Counseling Center, UW Seattle Counseling Center, UW Tacoma Psychological and Wellness Services, or the UW Husky Helpline.
- Employees: You may contact the Washington State Employee Assistance Program.
The Civil Rights Compliance Office does not have legally protected confidentiality but strives to safeguard individual privacy and only shares information as needed to respond to the requests of those who have been harmed, to assess community safety, or to comply with legal requirements.
Filing a police report is your right and personal choice. You can file a police report and also make a report to the University’s Civil Rights Compliance Office. To contact your local police department, call 911.
A protection order is a type of “restraining order” you can file against another person. It is a civil court order that may be issued by a judge at your request, and is not available through any University process.
Consider connecting with a Civil Rights Case Manager to discuss your options and learn more.
Anyone named as a respondent in a University investigation can access help to understand their rights and navigate the process.
- Student respondents can work with the Community Standards and Student Conduct’s Respondent Resources Program.
- Employee respondents can request assistance from a human resources consultant, the Faculty Liaisons Program, the Office of the Ombud, and the Washington State Employee Assistance Program.