These seven principles of community for the University of California, Berkeley, are rooted in our mission elements of teaching, research and public service. They reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.
University-Wide Principles
While all seven of our principles apply to each of us individually, four of them are more university-wide; they are:
- Free Speech: We are committed to ensuring freedom of expression and dialogue that elicits the full spectrum of views held by our varied communities.
- Equitable Access: We embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our obligation and goal.
- Mission Impact: We believe that active participation and leadership in addressing the most pressing issues facing our local and global communities are central to our educational mission.
- Diversity/Excellence: We recognize the intrinsic relationship between diversity and excellence in all our endeavors.
Interpersonal Principles
Additionally, three of our principles guide our interpersonal interactions:
- Honesty/Integrity: We place honesty and integrity in our teaching, learning, research and administration at the highest level.
- Just Community: We affirm the dignity of all individuals and strive to uphold a just community in which discrimination and hate are not tolerated.
- Civility/Respect: We respect the differences as well as the commonalities that bring us together and call for civility and respect in our personal interactions.
UC Berkeley’s “Seven Principles of Community” were developed collaboratively by students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and issued by the Chancellor. Its intent is to serve as an affirmation of the intrinsic and unique value of each member of the UC Berkeley community and as a North Star for our personal and collective behavior, both on campus and as we serve society.