PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY
SAMUEL MERRITT UNIVERSITY is
committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning community, workplace, and campus environment. We demonstrate this commitment by ensuring that SMU is a community where:
»W e affirm the value of human diversity, respecting our differences, while acknowledging our common humanity. » We affirm the inherent dignity and value of every person and strive to maintain a climate based on mutual respect, fairness, and inclusion, calling for civility and decency in our personal interactions, regardless of position or status in the academy. »W e respect the right of freedom of expression within our community and value the different perspectives of others; recognizing and appreciating these differences builds trust and contributes to the excellence of the university. »W e challenge all forms of behavior that are prejudicial, discriminatory, and detrimental or contrary to the values expressed in this document; and we take responsibility for increasing our own understanding of these issues through education and our interactions with one another.
As a community, we are committed, individually and collectively, to embodying and safeguarding these principles.