Principles of Community

The University of California, Santa Cruz is committed to promoting and protecting an environment that values and supports every person in an atmosphere of civility, honesty, cooperation, professionalism and fairness.

UC Santa Cruz expects that every campus member will practice these Principles of Community.

We strive to be:

  • Diverse: We embrace diversity in all its forms and we strive for an inclusive community that fosters an open, enlightened and productive environment.
  • Open: We believe free exchange of ideas requires mutual respect and consideration for our differences.
  • Purposeful: We are a participatory community united by shared commitments to: service to society; preservation and advancement of knowledge; and innovative teaching and learning. 
  • Caring: We promote mutual respect, trust and support to foster bonds that strengthen the community.
  • Just: We are committed to due process, respect for individual dignity and equitable access to resources, recognition and rewards.
  • Disciplined: We seek to advance common goals through reasonable and realistic practices, procedures and expectations.
  • Celebrative: We celebrate the heritage, achievements and diversity of the community and the uniqueness and contributions of our members.

We accept the responsibility to pursue these principles in an atmosphere of personal and intellectual freedom, security, respect, civility and mutual support.

UC Santa Cruz is committed to enforcement of policies that promote the fulfillment of our principles of community. These policies include but are not limited to: University of California Personnel Policies for Staff Members; applicable University Collective Bargaining Agreements; Academic Personnel Manual O15-University of California Policy on Faculty Conduct and the Administration of Discipline; UC Santa Cruz Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline; UCUC Santa Cruz Policy on Sexual Assault and UC Policy on Sexual Harassment; UC Abusive Conduct in the Workplace Policy; UC Santa Cruz Hate Bias Incident Policy. For further information or inquiries, contact the Directors of Academic Personnel and Staff Human Resources; Director of EEO/Affirmative Action Office; Director, Student Judicial Affairs; Title IX Officer; Compliance Specialist; and Campus Ombudsman.

The UC Santa Cruz Principles of Community statement was developed under the aegis of the Campus Welfare Committee, with broad campus consultation, and was endorsed by the Provost’s Advisory Council and the Chancellor in June 2001.