IE Core Values & Definitions

Building upon our foundational USU principles of community, we define the following core values as:

Accountability

Aggies reflect on and accept responsibility for our experiences, actions, and conduct in honest and ethical ways.

Advocacy

Aggies facilitate community building where we set and respect boundaries, protect human dignity, and genuinely incorporate views and wishes of others when decisions are being made.

Belonging

To feel appreciated and secure as our authentic selves and that our contributions matter; that all are empowered for success. To experience a sense of belonging is to thrive in an environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion intersect to provide learning environments in and out of the classroom that are enriching, vibrant, and welcoming. Our Aggie Family will thrive when they feel secure as their authentic selves, and are confident that their contributions are valued, know their success is championed, and believe they truly BELONG.

Higher Education Act of 1965, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
USU Policies 303, 305, 323

Civil Discourse

Aggies engage in productive conversations where we listen and state differing opinions in respectful ways with an opportunity to enhance mutual understanding. We empower all Aggies to have reflective conversations that extend our understanding of others even as we exercise and maintain the right to freedom of expression. Speech that creates a hostile learning environment or exacerbates aggression and harassment should be avoided.

Read More:

Collective Responsibility

Being a part of the Aggie Family means that we share a responsibility toward the common good of every member of the community, the university, and the State of Utah.

Diversity

To value and engage with all dimensions of human experience including but not limited to racial and ethnic background, nationality, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, religious and ethical value systems, disability, age, political positions, and socioeconomic status

Title VII of The Civil Rights Act of 1964
USU Policies 303, 305, 323

Equity

To ensure accessibility for all students, staff, and faculty to their identified opportunities for success

Ibid Title VI and VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964 et Education
Amendments of 1972
USU Policies 303, 305, 323

Human Dignity

We affirm the inherent dignity and value of each individual in our university community and are committed to freedom of expression and respectful dialogue.

Inclusion

To ensure the presence and contributions of all groups are integrated equitably into the Aggie Family. Inclusion means that different perspectives and experiences are welcome, valued, and included.

Education Amendments of 1972
USU Policies 303, 305, 323

Mutual Respect

Aggies recognize that we each have value and make meaningful contributions in any relationship - student to student, faculty/staff and students, employee to employee etc. An environment based on mutual respect promotes positive learning environments in the classroom, out of the classroom, and in our daily work.

Social Justice

To directly address outcome disparities related to services, teaching, and research in ways that empower individuals and communities who have been historically marginalized

Higher Education Act of 1965, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
USU Policies 303, 305, 323

Social Responsibility

We are each responsible to be Upstanders, who create a healthy and inclusive campus community through advocacy, service, civic engagement, and sustainable practices.