Principles of Community

The International Studies Program (ISP) is animated by the recognition that our world is irreducibly plural. Attending to our most pressing global challenges requires that we develop an accurate and compassionate understanding of perspectives beyond our own. ISP cultivates interdisciplinary inquiry with the aim of deepening our insight and expanding our capacity for responsible action.

UC San Diego’s Principles of Community, enumerated below, inform ISP’s educational vision. They guide us in our ongoing efforts to become more accountable to the demands of a just society.

• We value each member of the UC San Diego community for his or her individual and unique talents, and applaud all efforts to enhance the quality of campus life. We recognize that each individual's effort is vital to achieving the goals of the University.
• We affirm each individual's right to dignity and strive to maintain a climate of justice marked by mutual respect for each other.
• We value the  diversity of UC San Diego because it enriches our lives and the University. We celebrate this diversity and expect respect for everyone by both individuals and the University as a whole.
• We are a university that adapts responsibly to  differences among the faculty, staff, students, and community.
• We acknowledge that our society carries historical and divisive biases based on race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and political beliefs. Therefore, we seek to foster understanding and tolerance among individuals and groups, and we promote awareness through education and constructive strategies for resolving conflict.
• We reject acts of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and political beliefs, and, we will confront and appropriately respond to such acts.
• We affirm the right to freedom of expression at UC San Diego. We promote open expression of our individuality and our diversity within the bounds of courtesy, sensitivity, confidentiality, and respect.
• We are committed to the highest standards of civility and decency toward all. We are committed to promoting and supporting a community where all people can work and learn together in an atmosphere free of abusive or demeaning treatment.
• We are committed to the enforcement of policies that promote the fulfillment of these principles.

We represent diverse races, creeds, cultures, and social affiliations coming together for the good of the University and those communities we serve. By working together as members of the UC San Diego community, we can enhance the excellence of our institution.

These policies include but are not limited to Academic Personnel M015 – The University of California Policy on Faculty Conduct and the Administration of Discipline; The University of California Personnel Policies for Staff Members and UC San Diego Implementing Procedures, Appendix II – Personnel Policies for Senior Managers; the University of California, San Diego Student Conduct Code; UC San Diego House Officer Policy and Procedure Document; and applicable university collective bargaining agreements. For further information or inquiries, contact the Director of the Office of Academic Diversity and Equal Opportunity, the Director of ACCES and the office of Equal Opportunity/Staff Affirmative Action, and/or the Director of the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination. To the extent that any information presented in this document is interpreted as being in conflict with University policies, procedures, or applicable collective bargaining agreements the terms of those University policies, procedures, and agreements shall govern.

Spanish version of the Principles of Community [PDF] (Principios de la comunidad de la UC San Diego)