Support for Jewish and Muslim students

ALL ARE WELCOME

Lutes open doors. We know that nothing worth doing should be done alone. And we are keeping the door open for you.

At PLU, diversity is intrinsic to our vitality of learning, resilience, and growth. Here you will find a place of acceptance, open-mindedness, and compassion. No matter your background, faith, gender identity, or orientation, we can flourish together.

Diversity and Inclusion at PLU

As an institution of Lutheran higher education, Pacific Lutheran University understands that difference is intrinsic to all life, creativity, vision, and innovation — the cornerstones of higher education. Diversity is vital to the vibrancy and sustainability of our university community and the world beyond it.

Student Code of Conduct

In the Student Code of Conduct, PLU affirms that… “the University holds as basic the integrity and well-being of every person in the community. PLU is committed to providing a living, learning, and working environment that is fair, consistent, caring, and supportive of intellectual and personal growth. PLU is committed to protecting the rights of its community members to engage in dialogue and express ideas in an environment that is free from harassment, discrimination, and exploitation.” Harassment, discrimination, and exploitation include anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

The Disruption of University Community policy states that freedom of expression to engage in dialogue and express ideas does not “entail the freedom to threaten, stalk, intimidate, harass, or abuse.”

Calling for the genocide of any people would be a violation of our conduct policies and would be referred to Student Rights and Responsibilities or Human Resources.

Campus Resources

PLU is committed to the success of Jewish and Muslim students, staff, and faculty. We have a number of resources designed to co-create an inclusive environment, including:

In The Classroom

At PLU, our commitment to the Lutheran model of higher education compels and inspires us to continually challenge ourselves to be more inclusive and to deconstruct inequitable systems and traditions that alienate, harm, or disempower our community members. We do this through our mission, in our living spaces, and in the classroom, via such avenues as:

Campus Life

PLU is committed to creating inclusive living communities that foster a sense of belonging and comfort for all students. Residential Life at PLU routinely works with students to address issues of individual needs, comfort, and fit with the on-campus living experience, through offices and initiatives like:

Conflict Resolution

Resources for faculty, staff, or students who need consultation or referral to resolve an on-campus conflict, or who desire conflict-resolution services, include:

Teach-ins and Campus Forums

At PLU, teach-ins and campus forums serve as valuable platforms for students, as well as for the wider university community, to come together, share experiences, and deepen their understanding of various topics related to contemporary issues.

In Fall 2023, PLU hosted two all-campus forums on the current conflicts in Israel and Palestine. Faculty (current and emeritus), guest scholars, and alumni researchers presented a series of topics to help community members think about the moment from various disciplinary perspectives and to hold in tension the complexity of histories and narratives. Likewise, participants learned about the ways that they can navigate an information environment that is often not conducive to thoughtful inquiry on major world events. Panelists offered tools to identify mis/disinformation, extended resources and support to students, and opened up Q&A sessions.

Policy on Non-Discrimination

Pacific Lutheran University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law in the educational programs or activities which it operates. Numerous federal, state and local laws, including but not limited to the following federal laws, prohibit discrimination in educational programs, activities, admission to and employment at PLU: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Inquiries concerning the application of these laws (and their accompanying regulations) to this university may be referred to this formal list of contacts.

More Work To Do

We are committed to finding ways to learn, listen, share, support, celebrate difference, cultivate a sense of belonging, engage in relationships and community, and thrive at PLU, both inside and outside the classroom. And even as we strive toward living these values, we recognize there’s always more work to be done. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is ever-evolving, and we will continue to create space to allow our understanding and empathy to grow.