WCC has several policies that make clear that discrimination is not permitted on the WCC campus. Below are statements from several policies, as well as links to the entire policy. All statements are from the Board of Trustees Policy Manual.
For federal and state laws that offer legal protections, see Legal Protections.
Policy 2005 – Admissions Policy:
“Washtenaw Community College does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race,
color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability, veteran
status or any other protected status as provided for and to the extent required by
state and federal statutes in the educational programs and related activities which
it offers. Further, it is the policy of the College not to discriminate on the basis
of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in the educational programs
and related activities which it offers.”
Policy 4095 – Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct Code and
Policy 5081 – Policy Prohibiting Discriminatory Harassment
“Discrimination against individuals on the basis of any protected status is antithetical to the values of the College and is prohibited by law. Harassment of individuals because of any of these innate characteristics will not be tolerated at Washtenaw Community College. Violation of this policy may result in discipline ranging from counseling up to and including dismissal.
“Discriminatory harassment is defined as verbal or physical conduct based upon religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability, veteran status or any other protected status as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal statutes. The College also prohibits discriminatory harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Any verbal or physical conduct is prohibited if it is based on any of these protected statuses and it:
- adversely affects a term or condition of an individual’s education, employment, or participation in a College activity;
- is used as a basis for or a factor in any decision affecting the individual’s employment, education, or participation in a College activity;
- has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s employment or educational performance; or
- has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive or abusive environment for that individual’s employment, education, or participation in a College activity.”
Policy 5010 – Affirmative Action
“The Administrator of the Affirmative Action Program (Vice President for Human Resources) is a staff assistant to the President, and is responsible to the President for the management of the Affirmative Action Program and coordinating the total effort, including systematizing the review of the program, making periodic audits to measure effectiveness, documenting results, offering and providing advice, and for giving counsel and assistance regarding equal opportunity matters.”
Policy 8028 – Policy on Access, Success and Equity for Diverse People
“WCC promotes a climate of access, success and equity for persons from different racial, ethnic and cultural groups, age levels, religions, sexes, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, physical capacities, learning abilities and income levels.
“WCC promotes the awareness and appreciation of cultural differences and commonalties among students, community and staff groups — seeking to build community, unity and learning.
“WCC works to create and maintain a diverse teaching, learning, and work environment that can draw upon the full potential of all individuals in order to provide the very best educational opportunities for all members of our communities.
“Diversity refers to the institution’s commitment to:
- promote an increased understanding and appreciation of the differences, as well as the commonalities among us through such means as education, professional training, dialogue, and discussion.
- work to ensure that our students and staff profiles reflect the diversity of our service area.
- support the educational success of students of all backgrounds.
- increase the organization’s capacity to work effectively in today’s world by attracting and utilizing the best talent available.”