Commission for Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation

Function

To advise the president and the chief diversity officer on matters relating to needs and concerns of the campus communities related to gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation

• To identify and advocate for policies and services in support of issues regarding gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation
• To inform campus communities about the University’s policies, initiatives, priorities, plans, and services regarding issues of gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation
• To develop and set priorities for action items from current reports and surveys, e.g., the Council on Campus Climate’s Homophobia Report and the University’s climate survey
• To collaborate with other commissions and organizations to gain respect and equity for all people

Composition and tenure

The commission recommends nominees for membership to the president. The membership consists of 21 members with the following distribution:

Pullman campus representation: 2 undergraduate students (U), 2 graduate students (G), 2 staff/administrative-professional employees (S/AP), 2 faculty (F), 2 community representatives, 4 ex officio: Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation Resource Center liaison, Human Resource Services liaison, Vice President for Student Affairs, Equity, and Diversity.

Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver campus representation: 1 student, 1 faculty/staff/administrative professional (F-S-AP) from Spokane and Tri-Cities campuses; 2 students and 2 faculty/staff/AO from the Vancouver campus. These can be reassigned between these 3 campuses, as needed.

Members at large: 3 members at large

Students serve a 1-year term with the option of continuing renewals. Faculty/staff/AP/ members at large serve 3-year staggered terms with the option for continuing renewals.

The commission leadership is elected annually by the membership. Leadership includes chair, chair-elect, secretary, historian, membership coordinator

Responsible to the president through the vice president for student affairs, equity, and diversity

Commission vacancies are announced through WSU Announcements, with a call for applicants when vacancies arise. Commission members may recommend or nominate applicants or members of the campus community.

Membership applications can be obtained from Nolan Yaws-Gonzalez, nolan.yaws@wsu.edu.