Housing and Residence Life

Housing and Residence Life Call to Action

Black Lives Matter.

Housing and Residence Life has a responsibility and a desire to address and dismantle barriers oppressing our Black students and colleagues. We commit to a departmental action plan that will be informed by direct input from the communities we serve. We approach this long-term work with open minds and open hearts; injustice and inequity cannot have a home with us. Our Black community and all community members with marginalized identities unequivocally deserve affirmation, respect, and equity.

Affinity RSOs WMU Diversity and Inclusion Housing's Action Plan

Vision

Housing and Residence Life is deeply invested in our students and their experiences. We believe in taking action and working for safe, inclusive and equitable communities.

Pillars

As we look to who we want to be and where we want to go, three key concepts guide us.

Safety
Education
Inclusion and Access

Values

We include and value all members of our community.

We insist on a culture of respect, and recognize that words and actions matter. The absence of action and words also matter.

We appreciate and acknowledge our differences.

We treat all people with dignity, open-mindedness and esteem.

We respect that each of us is at a different place in this process.

We believe that our community is strengthened when everyone has a voice and is encouraged to contribute.

Call to Action Plan

1. Support minoritized students' access to living on campus

Create communication avenues for students and staff to share experiences and concerns.
Continuously examine and assess current practices, protocols and policies within Housing to ensure inclusion and appropriateness.
Expand recruitment strategies to increase BIPOC representation in learning communities.

2. Create a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for all community members, including Housing staff

Create a positive environment that takes into consideration the physical and emotional safety of students and staff.
Be aware of and respond in a timely manner to student needs as well as current events that may impact the wellbeing of our students and staff.

3. Commit to continuing education on inequality and marginalized identities

Expand DEI training for all Housing staff.
Improve DEI programming for students.

4. Continue to hire staff reflective of the students we serve

Invest in new strategies to recruit a diverse pool of applications for student and professional positions.
Evaluate all components in the hiring process, including reviewing recruitment and application materials using a cultural sensitivity lens and bias training before interview cycles start.
Address the challenges of being a staff member who is part of a marginalized population(s).

5. Actively role model supportive, responsive advocacy

Teach students and staff what successful advocacy looks like, including how to express desired changes and setting realistic outcomes.

6. Transparency

Review web, social media and marketing pieces for opportunities to share our commitment to DEI and its outcomes.

Yearly Progress

Summary of DEI Initiatives 2023-24

Summary of DEI initiatives 2022-23

Summary of DEI initiatives 2021-22

Summary of DEI initiatives 2020-21