*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.