*Western Michigan University's Board of Trustees has unanimously approved updated non-discrimination and sexual misconduct policies that align with the latest state and federal laws.*
The policy changes were presented by WMU Legal Counsel Keith Hahn during the April 16 Board meeting in the WMU Student Center ballroom. The updates reflect definitions from the 2020 Title IX Final Rule, changes to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, and the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
What Changed
The new policies aim to establish clearer standards for what constitutes prohibited conduct within the university community. Hahn explained that WMU strives to cultivate a healthy and diverse community that recognizes the value of each individual.
Members of the WMU Community have the right to be free from sexual and protected class discrimination, harassment, violence and all other forms of prohibited conduct described in these policies, Hahn said.
The motion to approve the policies passed unanimously during the April 16 meeting.
Context and Timing
The Board meeting also honored three recipients of the American Association of University Professors Scholarship for First-Generation Students, including electrical engineering student Shofi Alom, an electrical engineering student.
Alom shared his harrowing journey from Burma to the United States during the meeting. Born in Burma, Alom is a survivor of Rohingya genocide committed by Burmese military. He fled his home at age 12 and survived in the Thailand jungle for six days before being held in detention centers, jails and orphanages for over 17 months.
Alom came to the United States as a refugee in December 2016 and was placed in foster care until he aged out of the system in 2021. He officially became a U.S. citizen in December 2022.
Why the Update Matters
WMU President Russ Kavalhuna emphasized the importance of public education as a pathway to opportunity.
One of the most transformational things we do is giving people shots at the American dream through public education, Kavalhuna said.
The scholarship that honored first-generation students is made possible through a partnership between the AAUP and Kavalhuna. Kavalhuna's parents were first-generation college students who shared Alom's experience of working toward educational opportunity.
The Broader Picture
The policy update comes as many institutions review their compliance with Title IX and other civil rights protections. The 2020 Title IX Final Rule brought significant changes to how universities handle sexual misconduct cases and protected class discrimination.
The Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act requires colleges to maintain accurate crime statistics and respond to campus safety concerns. The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act is Michigan's state-level civil rights law that protects individuals from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability and sexual orientation.
WMU Legal Counsel Keith Hahn presented the updated Non-Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Policies, which reflected definitions from the 2020 Title IX Final Rule, changes to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act and the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
WMU strives to cultivate a healthy and diverse community that recognizes the value of each individual and helps foster safety, civility and respect for all people, Hahn said.
The policy update represents WMU's commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive campus environment while ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements.
What Students Can Do
Students, faculty and staff can report incidents of discrimination, harassment or misconduct using WMU's Incident Reporting Form. The university's Institutional Equity Office handles complaints surrounding incidents, allegations and charges of protected class discrimination and harassment, and retaliation prohibited by federal and state civil rights laws and regulations involving WMU students and employees, and other members of the University community.
To report an incident of prohibited class bias, discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct or retaliation, use the Incident Reporting Form.
Sources
- https://wkzo.com/2026/04/17/916632/
- https://www.westernherald.com/news/article_a64af396-5ee5-494d-b3db-a7932a01e9f8.html
- https://wmich.edu/news/news/2026/04/wmu-board-trustees-meets-thursday-april-16
- https://wmich.edu/trustees/bulletins/trustees-meet-april-16-2026