History
Ever since Central Washington University was founded in 1891, we have prepared students to excel in the workplace and become effective contributors in society. Over the past 135 years, CWU - originally named the Washington State Normal School - has consistently sought to redefine and advance higher education in the state of Washington, while focusing on making post-secondary degrees accessible to all, regardless of tgeir background or socioeconomic status.
Our success is based on creating a diverse and welcoming environment through hands-on academic programs that prepare our students for the real world; cultivating and sustaining an award-winning faculty; and delivering an affordable education provides lifelong benefits to our graduates. By focusing on these Core Values and constantly working to improve our product, CWU offers one of the best returns on investment among higher education institutions in the Northwest, if not the country.
Vision
Central Washington University will be a model learning community of access and opportunity.
Mission
To build a community of access and opportunity, Central Washington University fosters high-impact practices, sustainability, and authentic community partnerships that are grounded in meaningful relationships.
Core Values
Central Washington University is committed to advancing societal growth through the essential activities of teaching, discovery, and service. None of these core elements can be achieved in isolation from the others, but when combined, they contribute to making the world a better place for everyone.
As we work to elevate individuals and communities, the faculty and staff at CWU know that we must prioritize our efforts in relation to our Vision, Mission, and Core Values. While seeking to maximize the value of each element of our Mission, CWU goes out of our way to emphasize the integration of scholarship, teaching, and public service.
As a public comprehensive university, CWU strives to create a learning environment that prioritizes teaching, learning, and student success. The faculty is comprised of scholar-teachers who are committed to the interests of their students, their disciplines, and the region. This altruistic approach by CWU faculty and staff encourages individualized programs geared toward student success. By keeping the needs of our students and the broader community top of mind, we promote undergraduate and graduate student-faculty partnerships that are geared toward discovery, creative expression, and engaged learning.
Along these same lines, CWU understands that we must create a campus environment that promotes reasoned, civil, and enlightened discourse and creative expression without fear of reprisal, ridicule, or exclusion. We are dedicated to the principles of academic freedom, and our primary focus is to provide an educational environment that empowers each person with the freedom to explore, evaluate, and learn in ways that suit their individual needs.
Central takes pride in being a place where people from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures gather to pursue a common purpose. This dynamic requires everyone who works and studies here to do everything we can to encourage and enable all individuals to grow and prosper as they seek to identify their true selves. In keeping with the academic values of shared governance and reasoned dialogue, the university aims to be open, transparent, and empowering above all.
This philosophy guides everyone in the CWU community, including our students, staff, faculty, and administrators. Every member of the Wildcat family agrees that we must adhere to these shared values:
Unifying Value: Student Success
Central Washington University creates pathways for students of all backgrounds to reach their academic and professional goals. Through providing a supportive learning environment, faculty and staff inspire students to become engaged professionals, active citizens, and lifelong learners.
- Goal #1: Develop clear pathways into and through the university to ensure equitable access to higher education, enhance student engagement and success, and improve retention and graduation rates.
- Goal #2: Elevate culturally sustaining practices so that the cultural wealth that historically excluded students, faculty, and staff bring to our university community is integrated into the learning environment.
- Goal # 3: Elevate the holistic well-being of our students.
Core Value #1: Engagement
Central Washington University nurtures authentic relationships built on mutual respect, responsibility, and reciprocity. Our various communities engage in a network of mutuality and interdependence to advance collective learning and growth.
- Goal #1: Amplify and elevate CWU’s relationship with local and regional communities.
- Goal #2: Partner with businesses, nonprofits, governmental agencies, tribal agencies, and other entities, as well as with individuals, to increase opportunities for students.
Core Value #2: Belonging
Central Washington University believes that a diversity of peoples, cultures, and ideas are essential to learning, discovery, and creativity. Collectively, we take responsibility for welcoming and integrating diverse perspectives into our community to advance our vision and mission.
- Goal #1: Establish hiring, onboarding, and evaluation processes that nurture a culture of inclusion for all employees, with a focus on increasing the number of employees from historically excluded groups.
- Goal #2: Cultivate an inclusive and welcoming campus culture that embraces diversity, that fosters a sense of belonging for all students, faculty, and staff, and that nurtures pride in the
university.
Core Value #3: Stewardship
Central Washington University advances environmental, social, and economic sustainability in ways that support an ecologically and socially responsible world and that honor the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial and who continue to reside here. We nurture our internal talent through professional development opportunities, coaching and mentoring, and accountability enacted with care and compassion.
- Goal #1: Promote sustainable practices and responsible stewardship of land and resources to support an ecologically healthy and socially responsible world, while respecting and honoring Indigenous peoples.
- Goal #2: Elevate shared governance and collaboration across the university and advance professional development and leadership opportunities that demonstrate the value of our human resources and that build a strong, united university community.
- Goal #3: Implement values-based budgeting to ensure the efficient and effective use of fiscal resources and the long-term fiscal sustainability of the university.
Nondiscrimination Policy
Central Washington University (CWU) is committed to its vision of being a model learning community of access and opportunity where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. CWU’s policies prohibit discrimination or harassment based on age, color, creed, disability, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy or related conditions, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, sex stereotypes, or other legally protected status. These policies apply to anyone participating or attempting to participate in CWU’s programs, activities, or employment.
CWU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding discrimination, harassment, and retaliation which includes, but not limited to, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Washington State Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60), and Gender Equality in Higher Education (RCW 28B.110). CWU provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Policy statements on equal opportunity, affirmative action, and discrimination complaint and resolution are available at https://www.cwu.edu/about/offices/civil-rights-compliance/.
The Director, Civil Rights Compliance & Title IX Coordinator has the responsibility of CWU’s Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Officer, ADA/504 Coordinator, as well as ensuring compliance with Title IX and other federal and state civil rights laws. Inquiries or to make a report related to discrimination, harassment, or retaliation can be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX by contacting 509-963-2050, crc@cwu.edu, or visiting Barge Hall, Second Floor, Suite 204.
Individuals with disabilities may request this material in alternative format or other accommodations by calling Disability Services at 509-963-2214 or by emailing DS@cwu.edu.
Accreditation
Central Washington University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Some programs have been accredited by specialized accrediting and certification associations, including:
Go to Accreditation for further information.
WTB Catalog Statements
Catalog certified as true and correct for content and policy. Ruben Cardenas, CWU Veteran and Military-Connected Student Center Director
Selected programs of study at Central Washington University are approved by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board’s State Approving Agency (WTECB/SAA) for enrollment of those eligible to receive benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, USC.
Central Washington University does not and will not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollment or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting or admissions activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance.
Schools should limit student enrollment to 85% veteran enrollment for each separately approved educational or vocational objective. In the event that a veteran wishes to enroll in a program that has already reached the 85% cap, he or she may do that but will not be eligible for VA funding. Chapter 35 and 31 students may still enroll even if the 85 percent has been realized.
|
