As members of SUNY Brockport, we choose to be a part of an academic community that is dedicated to principles that foster integrity, civility and justice.

As citizens of a broad and pluralist society, we encourage those of all cultures, orientations and backgrounds to educate, understand and respect one another in a safe environment.

  • We respect the dignity of all persons and assume the best about them.
  • We challenge and reject all forms of bigotry while striving to learn from each other’s differences.
  • We celebrate our differences while appreciating our similarities.
  • We value an inclusive environment that is accepting of each other’s cultural, physical, cognitive, social and professional differences.
  • We respect the rights of each and every member of the community, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, medical condition, disability or socioeconomic status.
  • We realize that our common interests exceed our individual differences.

As members of this University community, we strive for academic and personal excellence that will enable us to achieve lives of productive work, personal enrichment and useful citizenship in an increasingly interdependent world.

  • We invite the exploration of new ideas that can stretch us beyond artificial barriers that are academic, political or social.
  • We affirm that the well-being of our individual units, groups, organizations or disciplines cannot be separated from the overall University community.
  • We, as members of smaller groups on campus, respect and affirm the transcendent values and principles of the overall University community.
  • We uphold the right of each individual to pursue his or her intellectual, educational, professional and personal goals in a fair and encouraging environment.

As individuals who work, study or live in this University community, we affirm our rights to freedom of expression and association, and the belief that they must be exercised responsibly.

  • We value the right to due process which includes concepts of fairness, notice, opportunity to be heard, and timely and objective review of determinations.
  • We acknowledge that free speech, debate and discourse are necessary to achieve an examined life.
  • We acknowledge that the essence of academic freedom is the free and open expression and exchange of ideas, even when controversial or unconventional.
  • We affirm that the dignity of our Brockport community is protected when free speech, academic freedom and individual rights are expressed only with responsible and careful regard for the feelings and sensitivities of others.

The spirit of building a better community is best served when the ideals of integrity, civility and justice are expressed and debated with tolerance and good will.

The Better Community Statement is a declaration of the values and beliefs of the University and Student Senates of SUNY Brockport. It is not intended to obligate, or to be binding upon, any student at the University, nor is it intended to provide grounds for disciplinary action against any student at the University.