Improving Access

LAI’s commitment to expanding access to information and education is reflected in all of our spaces (physical and virtual), programs, and strategies. 

Creating Welcoming Learning Environments 

LAI envisions our physical and virtual spaces as places where all WOU learners, especially those from historically minortized or underrepresented communities, feel a sense of safety and belonging.

Working Towards Inclusion

LAI staff will work towards better understanding of our own identities and how those identities intersect with and impact each other and the WOU community. This work will enable us to strengthen feelings of belonging between ourselves and with the people we support.

Adapting and Innovating

LAI will continue to adapt and innovate. We do this by asking questions, trying new things, evaluating the result, adjusting as needed, and then repeating the cycle. As WOU changes and our resources change, LAI will strive to offer sustainable services aligned with WOU’s goals.

Stimulating Learning and Creativity

LAI is a vital component of WOU’s teaching and learning infrastructure, providing services and spaces where learning and creativity continues outside of the classroom.

Student-Centeredness

LAI listens to students and is open to change based on their feedback. We’re willing to try new things and be a constant work-in-progress in order to meet our students’ evolving needs, especially during difficult times. We want to meet our students where they are, accept how they do things, and share our own knowledge with them along the way.

Inclusion 

LAI values access, equity and belonging. We strive to ensure all learners have equitable opportunities at WOU. We want everyone to feel safe in their relationships with us, in our relationships with each other, and in our physical space. Being welcoming and creating a sense of belonging is important to us. Inclusion also encompasses accessibility of information and universal design in our physical and virtual spaces. 

Creativity

We value adaptability, flexibility, thinking outside the box, being open to better ways of solving problems and doing things, learning and applying learning, using our resources creatively, and always looking for new ways to serve the WOU community.

Collaboration 

LAI takes a collaborative approach to partnership, teamwork, decision-making, teaching and learning. Services we provide the WOU community are built on the concept of collaborative, shared learning experiences. We value building relationships based on trust, respect, inclusion, kindness, compromise, clear boundaries and transparency to work together with positive intentions and open minds. 

Transparency

Clear and frequent communication is important to us, especially when changes are being considered or implemented. Effective decision-making processes include sharing information and gathering stakeholder input as early as feasible. External communication is also important to ensure the WOU community has the information they need to best utilize LAI’s resources and services. We strive to relay information reliably and consistently, particularly in regards to LAI’s policies and procedures.