Diversity
College of Business Common Understanding of Diversity Purpose:
The College of Business at Washington State University maintains that every individual has value and potential to make a contribution to our common endeavors irrespective of physical, ethnic, cultural, economic or behavioral differences. Including and engaging all our stakeholders in productive community is our goal. In order to establish a common understanding of the dimensions of this goal, enable the development of policies and programs to foster it, and allow us to develop measures of our progress; we propose the following common understanding.
Access and Success:
The College of Business at Washington State University enthusiastically endorses the University commitment to ensuring access to all irrespective of individual differences, “including race, sex, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, language, physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, sexual orientation, class and status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran, which enrich and complicate our interactions with one another.” We are sensitive to the needs of individuals from historically underrepresented groups.
In addition to access to our College, we recognize the importance of providing each individual a chance for success. We believe that each person must have the programs, support and environment that will allow them the opportunity to achieve their personal, professional, and learning objectives that are consistent with the mission of the College.
Climate:
The College of Business at Washington State University is committed to developing and maintaining an environment that ensures equity and trust for all members of the College community. This commitment is reflected not only in the policies and procedures of our operation but also in our everyday treatment of one another. Equity and trust must be built upon mutual respect developed through engagement and activity directed toward common objectives. The College of Business programs for students, staff, faculty, and others must be developed with an “open door” as a sign of welcome and belonging. This organizational hospitality reflects our sensitivity to those who are not yet engaged, or who have been rebuffed in other environments for whatever reason.
Education:
The College of Business at Washington State University is dedicated to teaching, learning and scholarship. Each member of the College has a role to play in this mission and College programs and policies must be designed to foster the mutual understanding and respect fundamental to achieving the mission. Students, staff and faculty must have opportunities, both in and out of the classroom, to learn about the issues and challenges of working together while recognizing and accepting differences.
College as Community:
The College of Business at Washington State University is a community with many and varied stakeholders. Each stakeholder has his or her own expectations for the benefit they derive from association with or membership in the College community. We recognize the complexity of our community and that there are different needs among our members, just as there are different talents, backgrounds, and contributions from each. College programs and policies must be designed and executed with a sense of accommodation where possible, and always with recognition of the overriding of importance mutual understanding, respect and trust.