Timeline of Key Dates and Actions

In 1998, Washington Initiative 200 (I-200) was on the November, ballot in Washington as an Initiative to the Legislature, where it was approved. The measure prohibited public institutions from discriminating or granting preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the areas of public education, public employment, and public contracting.  (Add Link)

In 2020, Seattle Colleges Board of Trustees charged the Seattle Colleges with adopting and implementing 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”.  

In December 2020, Washington declared to be an anti-racist state and committed to take actions that hold our state to that commitment.

In 2021, the Our Colleges, Our Future Act (Senate Bill 5194 and Senate Bill 5227 that were broken into five different RCWs) was signed into law. Washington 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.  

In 2022, Appointed Acting Chancellor Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap declared Seattle Colleges becoming anti-bias and anti-racist institution and committed to take actions that hold our colleges to that commitment. Approved by our Board of Trustees and our Chancellor's Executive Cabinet.

In 2024, the Seattle Colleges Board of Trustees adopted a ten-year strategic plan. The new plan 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 affirms our fundamental mission: to prepare each student for a successful life and work in a diverse, global, and dynamic society, in compliance with WACTC requirements for all colleges.

In 2024, Seattle Colleges Division for Access, Community, and Opportunity sent a statement out to the SC Community rejecting and condemning all acts of hate, bias, racism, and injustices against all our communities, and standing with our Jewish, Muslim, and LGBTQIA2+ community members. The statement is informed by our mission, vision, and values. Issued by our Board of Trustees and our Chancellor's Executive Cabinet. (Where We Stand | Seattle Colleges) 

January 2025 — Chancellor and Presidents host Town Halls

January 21 — Training guidelines for Keep Washington Working Act were provided during Social Justice Week.

January 27 — Seattle Colleges Federal Mandates & Executive Orders Taskforce created

January 27 — Seattle Colleges' Chancellor Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap provided Leadership Updates on Federal Mandates & Executive Orders.

January 28 — Notice is sent that the federal funding pause does not apply to student loans and Pell grants, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of Education. All Winter Quarter financial aid and funds were paid out and dispersed to students.

January 29 — The federal Office of Management and Budget rescinded its own order. (The order was quickly challenged in two separate lawsuits.)

January 31 —  Seattle Colleges' Leadership attends a statewide Washington Attorney General Education Division Webinar

January 31 —  Seattle Colleges publishes the Keep Washington Working Act Guidelines on all its college websites:

• North: Keep-Washington-Working-Act 
• South: Keep-Washington-Working-Act. 
• Central: Keep-Washington-Working-Act 

The related PDF: KWWSchools Model Guidance.pdf  

February 3 — The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the funding pause.

February 6 — Seattle Central Acting President Dr. Chantae Recasner sends a message of support and unity.

February 7 —  Seattle Colleges Federal Changes Task Force host its first meeting.

February 7 — Seattle Colleges hosts its first Federal Mandates & Executive Orders debrief. More than 250 attend.

February 10 — Winter Chancellor Townhall: update provided on Federal Mandates & Executive Orders

February 11 — the Division for Access, Community, and Opportunity provides update during districtwide Professional Development Day

February 12 — Seattle Colleges representatives attend the WA State Undocu Check In.

February 13 — Seattle Colleges Federal Changes Task Force co-chairs provide update during the Board of Trustees meeting.

February 13 — Governor Bob Ferguson hosts press conference.

February 14 — Seattle Colleges, Federal Changes Task Force hosts second meeting

February 18 — Members of Seattle Colleges' executive leadership attend the "Future of Campus Diversity and Student Support" hosted by the American Council on Education. 

February 19 — a message to students inviting them to attend the Student Debrief Session on Federal Mandates & Executive Orders.

February 19— Members of Seattle Colleges' executive leadership attended a webinar on the Education Department's Civil Rights Law "Dear Colleague" letter dated 2/14/25.

February 19 —  Seattle Colleges College and agency designee attend The Washington State Office of the Attorney General Designee Training on Immigration. 

February 19 — NADOHE (National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education) PNW Check-in. The NADOHE files a lawsuit.

February 20 — The Chronicle of Higher Education Webinar.

February 20 — The Seattle Times-WA Superintendent statement. 

February 21 — Seattle Colleges holds Federal Mandates & Executive Orders Debrief sessions for employees and students

March 7 — Seattle Colleges holds Federal Mandates & Executive Orders Debrief sessions for employees and students

March 21 — President Trump signs executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education

March 24 — Washington Attorney General Nick Brown joined a 21-state lawsuit to block the executive order dismantling the Department of Education. The lawsuit asserts the executive order and related layoffs within the department are illegal without authorization from Congress.

March 28 — Seattle Colleges holds Federal Mandates & Executive Orders Debrief sessions for employees and students