The Principles of Community were adopted in 1990 as part of UC Davis' efforts to "strive to create an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community." They are vital to the success of UC Davis and the well-being of its constituents, as they provide guidance and expectations regarding how our diverse community can live and work together, even when we do not always agree.

In furtherance of the university's mission, the Principles of Community aspire to create an environment committed to the highest standards of civility, respect and decency. UC Davis students, staff and faculty are expected to practice these basic principles as individuals and in groups when they engage in speech and expression. While the Principles of Community are not laws or policies, they are an important values-based mission statement that is grounded in the UC Davis Freedom of Expression Policy and are an important part of UC Davis culture. 

I ask each of you to think about how you might commit to supporting a meaningful and constructive exchange of ideas. We can start by actively listening to one another, even when we find ourselves disagreeing about contentious issues. Each of us plays a role in creating and pursuing a respectful learning environment. Each of us is responsible for embodying our Principles of Community.

Chancellor Gary S. May

Affirming our Values

The Principles of Community affirm our institutional values and provide clear expectations regarding how we should engage with one another. We recognize that people will say and do things that do not align with the principles. People’s deviations from the Principles of Community, especially if disruptive or harmful to the teaching and research mission of UC Davis, further validate, not negate, the need for the Principles of Community at our university.

It is critical for us to be explicit about the fundamental values and ideals we seek to uphold:

• We affirm the dignity inherent in all of us.
• We affirm the right of freedom of expression within our community.
• We reject violence in all forms.
• We confront and reject all manifestations of discrimination.
• We recognize and cherish the richness contributed to our lives by our diversity.
• Each of us has an obligation to the UC Davis community of which we have chosen to be a part.

Supporting our Community

While we firmly believe in the free and open exchange of ideas, we acknowledge that it can cause harm, hurt and discomfort. There are many ways that we live out our values and try to mitigate impact by providing support structures and resources for our campus community. In addition to the reporting resources for students, staff and faculty who may be experiencing acts of discrimination, harassment, hate and/or bias, there are many times when campus units proactively reach out to directly affected individuals and communities to offer resources and support when a concerning issue arises. Mental health and counseling resources are available via Aggie Mental Health for students and the Academic and Staff Assistance Program (ASAP) for staff and faculty. For those who are seeking community support, engagement opportunities exist via various cultural and identity-based centers and initiatives, employee resource groups and value-affirming programming happening across campus. Learn more about all of the ways to get help on the Get Support section of this site.