Discrimination
WSU prohibits discrimination and discriminatory harassment, as defined in the WSU Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment, Executive Policy 15 (EP 15). EP 15 prohibits discrimination based on the following protected classes:
- Race
- Color
- Sex, including:
- Sex stereotypes
- Sex characteristics
- Pregnancy or related conditions
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity or expression
- Religion
- Age
- Creed
- National or ethnic origin
- Marital status
- Genetic information
- Status as an honorably discharged veteran or member of the military.
- Physical, mental, or sensory disability, including the use of a trained service animal
- Immigration or Citizenship Status, except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract
Examples
Discrimination may include conduct such as:
- Harassment
- Denial of educational or employment opportunities
- Treating individuals differently
- Name calling, jokes, or other verbal or physical behavior
- Following a practice that disproportionately impacts one group
- Hate Crimes
- Sex and gender based violence (see next section for more information)
In determining if the conduct is discriminatory and a violation of this policy, the totality of the circumstances is assessed including, but not limited to, the following factors:
- Severity
- Frequency of discrimination
- Status of the reporting and responding parties and their relationship to each other
- Physicality, threats, or endangerment
- Whether or not the conduct could be reasonably considered protected speech or serving some other lawful purpose
WSU prohibits sex discrimination and sex-based harassment, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, as defined in WSU Executive Policy 15. Such behaviors can be reported to Compliance and Civil Rights and resources and grievance options are available.
Sex discrimination includes discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression. Pregnancy or related conditions include:
- Pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation
- Medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation, or
- Recovery from pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, or related medical conditions
Examples
Sex discrimination and sex-based harassment may include conduct such as:
- Harassment
- Different treatment based on sex
- Verbal comments or physical gestures of a sexual nature
- Quid pro quo harassment (e.g., offering someone a benefit in exchange for sexual favors)
- Stalking
- Dating violence
- Domestic violence
- Sexual assault
- Sexual exploitations
- Nonconsensual sexual contact
If you are the victim of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, sex discrimination, or sex-based harassment, or you become aware of such conduct, Compliance and Civil Rights (CCR) may be able to assist you. Learn more about CCR and the university’s policies and procedures to respond to misconduct: