SB5227 has the goal of each public institution of higher education annually assess the learning, working, and living environment on campus that students, faculty, and staff experience to better understand the evolving state of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Each WA state institution of higher education must:
(a) Develop and establish a professional development program on diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism for faculty and staff.
(b) Provide professional development training on diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism to faculty and staff beginning with the 2022-23 academic year;
(c) Develop clear learning objectives for professional development program participants by July 1, 2022,
(d) Create an evaluation by July 1, 2022, with follow-up evaluation that focuses on participants' behavior and applied learning.
SB5227 requires that four-year institutions of higher education conduct a campus climate assessment to understand the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the learning, working, and living environment on campus for students, faculty, and staff and lays out related requirements. They also must develop and establish a program on diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism for students.
Rules adopted under this act must meet 19 federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state.