UC Berkeley Principles of Community

UC Berkeley Principles of Community

VSPA proudly supports the Principles of Community and believes that all who are affiliated with the VSPA abide by and embrace these principles. Fostering a welcoming and supportive environment at UC Berkeley is an important part of what we do and strive for every day. 

These seven principles of community for the University of California, Berkeley, are rooted in our mission 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.

While all 7 of our principles apply to each of us individually, 3 of them are more university-wide:

  • We are committed to ensuring freedom of expression and dialogue that elicits the full spectrum of views held by our varied communities.

  • We embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our obligation and goal.

  • 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.

And 4 of our principles are more at the interpersonal level:

  • We place honesty and integrity in our teaching, learning, research and administration at the highest level.

  • We recognize the intrinsic relationship between diversity and excellence in all our endeavors.

  • We affirm the dignity of all individuals and strive to uphold a just community in which discrimination and hate are not tolerated.

  • 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 “Principles of Community” statement was 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.