Affirmation of inclusion

Whatcom Community College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the College community feels welcome to participate in the life of the College, free from harassment and discrimination. We welcome people of all races, ethnicity, national origins, religions, ages, genders, sexual orientations, marital status, veteran status, abilities and disabilities. Toward that end, faculty, students and staff will:

• Treat one another with respect and dignity;
• Promote a learning and working community that ensures social justice, understanding, civility and non-violence in a safe and supportive climate;
• Influence curriculum, teaching strategies, student services and personnel practices that facilitate sensitivity and openness to diverse ideas, peoples and cultures in a creative, safe and collegial environment.

Affirmative action statement / plan

Whatcom Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, genetic information or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for Human Resources, 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, 360.383.3400. For Title IX compliance, contact: Title IX Coordinator, 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, 360.383.3400. Whatcom Community College publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access & Disability Services Office at 360.383.3080; VP 360.255.7182. Accommodations for completing the application process are available to persons with disabilities by contacting the Human Resources Office.

Policy statement on affirmative action / fair employment practices

Adopted by the Board of Trustees March 10, 1981

Whatcom Community College will avoid any discrimination in its recruitment, hiring, training, retention and promotion and all other personnel actions of qualified persons because of their race, religion, color, national origin, gender, marital status, age (except where gender or age is a bona fide occupational qualification), handicap due to sensory, mental, or physical reasons or veteran status which includes Vietnam era and/or disabled veterans.

This policy does not require that the College employ or promote unqualified persons, but it does require that the College eliminate any standards or criteria which have the effect of excluding qualified persons in the categories mentioned in the first paragraph unless it is demonstrated that such standards or criteria are bona fide conditions of successful performance in particular positions involved.

The administration of the College is charged with the responsibility of formulating, adopting, and implementing an affirmative action program. The program will include, but not be limited to, the identification of relevant minorities, minimum goals of employment, and related personnel policies.

It is the obligation of all members of the College community to assist in providing equal employment opportunity and achieving the goals of this policy.

The Affirmative Action Program as adopted by Whatcom Community College shall be used for employment procedures. The State Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60), paragraph 2.90.04 in the Washington Community College Standard Policy and Procedures Manual, and all law and regulations affecting state employees shall apply to employees at Whatcom Community College.

This prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, gender, race, color, creed, national origin, marital status, veteran status and/or the presence of any sensory, physical or mental handicaps.

Notice of non-discrimination

Whatcom Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender presentation, ancestry, ethnicity, family status, immigration status, citizenship, socioeconomic status, genetic information or age in its programs and activities.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director for Human Resources, by phone: 360.383.3400 or email: hr@whatcom.edu , 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.

For Title IX compliance: Title IX Coordinator, by phone: 360.383.3400 or email: titleIX@whatcom.edu , 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.

WCC publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access & Disability Services office by phone: 360.383.3139 or email: ADS@whatcom.edu.

Whatcom Community College offers career and technical education programs in Accounting & Finance, Agricultural Sciences, Anthropology, Art, Astronomy, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Communication Studies, Computer Info. Systems/Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Construction Management, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity, Dance, Drama, Early Childhood Education, Economics, English (Composition & Literature), Engineering, Film, Finance, Geography, Geology / Oceanography, Graphic Design, History, Hospitality & Tourism, Business Management, IT, Networking, Journalism, Liberal Studies, Massage Therapist, Mathematics, Medical Assisting, Music, Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Nutrition, Office Administration, Paralegal Studies, Physical Education, Philosophy, Physics, Physical Science, Physical Therapist Assistant, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Software Development, Substance Use Disorder Professional, Visual Communications World Languages, and three Bachelor of Applied Science Degrees: BAS degree in Applied Business Management, BAS degree in IT Networking – Cybersecurity and a BAS degree in Social Work.

WCC will take steps to ensure that the lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission or participation in all educational programs.

WCC Application Process:

Whatcom Community College welcomes all students. Our Advisors at Orca Central help resolve issues, answer questions, and provide information about the next best steps based on each individual’s needs. The college ensures that the lack of English language skills is not a barrier to education, access to services or activities.

Apply here if you are a new student, first time in college student, student with prior college experience (including Running Start), student returning to WCC, and non-degree seeking or visiting student.

Applications for the upcoming quarter are typically processed in 10 to 14 business days. Once your application has been processed you will receive a confirmation email with information about your next steps. If you want to inquire about the status of your application, please email us at OrcaCentral@whatcom.edu. We can't wait for you to join us at WCC!

If you are applying for a future quarter your application may take 4 or more weeks to process.

Steps needed for starting at WCC:

Follow the next steps below:

1. Activate your ctcLink ID

   Once your WCC application is processed, you will receive an admission email prompting you to activate your ctcLink ID. 

2. Set up your student network account

Once you activate your ctcLink Student ID you will use your ctcLink Student ID to set up your MyWCC Student Network Account. Your Student Network account will give you access to:

• MyWCC student portal
• WCC student email
• Whatcom Career Connect
• Campus Wi-Fi
• Remote access to library database and software
• Computer classrooms & Student Access Lab

For more information about WCC’s application process: www.whatcom.edu/future-students/get-started-at-orca-central

Title IX statement of support

We at Whatcom Community College are committed to providing a healthy and productive environment for our students to learn and our employees to work. The College does not tolerate violent, harassing, threatening, or intimidating behavior toward our students, staff, faculty or visitors. Students learn and employees work best when they know they have a supportive environment in which to do so. 

The safety of our students, staff, faculty and visitors is our highest priority. Whatcom Community College offers our campus community professional staff, resources, training and policies that help ensure a safe environment on and off campus. With these people, tools and means in place, we are confident that we have created a college in which people can learn and work at their best.