About
“Washington is a place that supports every resident’s civil rights. We recognize that diversity, equity, and inclusivity is a strength.” —Governor Bob Ferguson
Seattle Colleges remains in compliance with Washington laws, executive orders, and directives. We are closely monitoring and evaluating recent federal actions and changes in policies and the possible impacts they may have on the members of our community—including students, staff, and faculty—as well as impacts on our teaching and services.
Seattle Colleges' Compliance with Washington State Laws, Executive Orders, and Directives
In 2021, Washington state's Our Colleges, Our Future Act was signed into law. State Senate Bills 5194 and 5227 were enacted to address persistent inequities by embedding DEI principles into the core operations of Washington’s public higher education institutions. Senate Bill 5194 and Senate Bill 5227 were split into five different RCWs (listed below).
Seattle Colleges is fully committed to remain in compliance with:
- RCW 28B.10.145 - Diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism—Professional development
- RCW 28B.10.147 - Diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism—Campus climate assessment
- RCW 28B.10.149 - Diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism—Program for students
- RCW 28B.10.151 - Diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism—Reports
- RCW 28B.50.920 - Diversity, equity, and inclusion—Strategic plans—Student-based organizations—Outreach programs—Model faculty diversity programs
- State and federal anti-discrimination laws, including RCW 49.60.400 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- The Keep Washington Working Act, RCW 43.17.425
- Directive of the Governor 16-11: LGBTQ Inclusion and Safe Place Initiative (Directive 16-11 pdf)
Background of Recent Federal Actions
On February 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) Office for Civil Rights issued a Dear Colleague Letter (Letter) to “…reaffirm the nondiscrimination obligations of schools and other entities that receive federal financial assistance” from the Department. Dear Colleague Letters do not hold the power of law, which footnote 3 of the Letter acknowledges: “This guidance does not have the force and effect of law and does not bind the public or create new legal standards.”
On Saturday, March 1, 2025, the Department released “frequently asked questions” that provides the insight into how the Department will implement the policy described in the Letter and how the Office of Civil Rights will determine whether a school is legally compliant.
Both the FAQ and Letter target illegal programs that provide racial preferences or discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Since 1998, Washington law has prohibited discrimination or preferential treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public education. See RCW 49.60.400(1). Similarly, federal non-discrimination laws have long governed the operations of the Community and Technical Colleges.
Seattle Colleges Forms Taskforce
In light of recent federal announcements regarding immigrant, undocumented, and LGBTQIA+ communities and federal grants and funding, Seattle Colleges formed the Federal Changes Taskforce to discuss federal changes, identify potential impacts, and process strategies to move forward as the Seattle Colleges District. The Task Force is a collaborative effort involving members from across the district including North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College.
The goal is to evaluate federal policy and its intersection with state and college policy. The group will recommend districtwide responses including but not limited to communications, policies, and actions for addressing federal mandates and executive orders.
Navigating Uncertain Terrain
We are working and collaborating with our state attorney general, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), and our fellow community and technical colleges across the state. We have also mobilized a taskforce of leaders across our colleges to navigate and provide guidance and direction.
We are committed to supporting our community while navigating this uncertain terrain. While we await additional information, we ask that all our programs remain in compliance with state and federal laws. We will continue activities as planned until or unless we are notified differently.
Our planning is and will be constant. We will share information that is based on fact rather than speculation. This is a fluid situation. Please allow us to do the work of due diligence.
This website will serve as the main source of current information and resources.
Our Community Equity Statement
Seattle Colleges is committed to promoting equity, diversity, inclusion, and community and to ensuring just and equitable policies and practices. It is a moral and social justice imperative. Our complete statement is found in the accordion box below.
Seattle Colleges is committed to promoting equity, diversity, inclusion, and community and to ensuring just and equitable policies and practices. It is a moral and social justice imperative.
We work to ensure our systems, processes, and practices are equitable for all identities including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, culture, creed, religion, spirituality, non- spirituality, social and economic status, sex, sexual orientation and identity, gender, gender identity and expression, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, disability, citizenship, and immigration status.
Equity Is the Foundation of Our Work
We define equity as the presence of justice and fairness within policies, practices, and distribution of resources by institutions and systems. We commit to equity as a core value to advance our charge to adopt and implement the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) Vision Statement: Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities.
An Anti-Bias, Anti-Racist Institution and Framework
We explicitly and unequivocally denounce racism and discrimination because they undermine the well-being and vitality of our communities. We acknowledge structural racism, ethnic discrimination, and other forms of oppression have contributed to disparities that have existed in the past and persist in the present.
Anti-racism is an active and conscious effort to work against all aspects of overt and systemic racism. We commit to becoming an anti-bias, anti-racist institution where all students and employees receive the access, resources, and services needed to achieve their educational, career, teaching/learning, and personal goals.
We use the Framework for Advancing Racial Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy on Campus, developed by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, to focus our work—both in achieving our strategic goals and in the recruitment, support, retention, and completion of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC) and other historically underserved, under-supported groups.
Commitment to Change
We commit to continued professional development and the unlearning of racism, sexism, classism, ableism, heterosexism, and other forms of oppression, biases, and anti-blackness operating at the personal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural levels. As we understand the depth and history of inequitable, racist policies and practices in higher education in the United States, we commit to addressing and correcting these wrongs.
We acknowledge that these commitments will take intentional action both immediately and over time. Meaningful and effective change requires a fully engaged commitment throughout the organization and adequate time to develop capacity for change. We as individuals and as employees must change, in order for the system to change. We are not separate, and students can only have a more effective experience at our colleges when we are also willing to make changes in our teaching and the ways we serve our students. Our institutional success is measured by the success of our students, those who face the greatest systemic barriers to completion.
May this statement manifest to be more than words. May it guide us and be reflected in our strategic plan, goals, strategies, and outcomes. Our commitments hold space for all voices.
Strategic Plan 2024-2034
The strategic plan for 2024-2034 serves to set the strategic direction and goals for Seattle Colleges. Rooted in our commitment to becoming an anti-bias, anti-racist institution, the plan reflects a collective common purpose, beliefs, commitments, major goals and priorities. It recognizes the unique characteristics of each college and includes a range of high-level strategies that will be operationalized in a manner appropriate for each college. Learn more on our strategic plan webpage.
Last updated: Thursday, April 3, 2025