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Equity, impartiality and fairness

We support fair and equitable policies, processes, and treatment in admissions, employment, and procurement, and in access to our programs and activities. We strive to help everyone develop their unique potential and value while they are associated with the U of I System.

Everyone has a fundamental right to be treated fairly. When people know they are treated fairly, they will strive to perform their best. They will also trust the policies and procedures designed to resolve problems and are more likely to report situations that may detract from their full participation in our community. Finally, those subject to corrective action will be much more likely to accept and learn if they know the resolution process is fair and impartial.

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Inclusion

Our faculty, staff, students, and those we serve hail from a myriad of cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds from around the world. Members of our communities represent a variety of gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities and disabilities, and spiritual practices. Inclusiveness is one of our greatest strengths because it allows us to bring different perspectives to learning, problem solving, and breaking down barriers.

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Dignity and respect

People are at the center of all we do, and we nurture a community of dignity and respect while fostering individual growth and development. We value the role of disagreement and informed debate as critical components of academic freedom and the learning process, and recognize that marginalizing, demeaning, intimidating, threatening, bullying, or violent behaviors are inconsistent with our values.

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Diversity

Diversity means more than acknowledging and tolerating difference. Diversity is an active appreciation and affirmation that individuals and communities deserve to be recognized in their uniqueness and difference. By recognizing differences, we are able to see, develop, and use everyone’s strengths. By valuing differences, we contribute to a climate where equity and mutual respect are promoted.

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Commitment to the mission

The U of I System is recognized worldwide for the depth and breadth of our innovative education, research, scholarship, and public service. Our strong work ethic, sense of responsibility, discipline, and passion are essential to that hard-earned reputation. Students, patients, research sponsors, elected officials, and the public know they can trust and rely on the U of I System to contribute positively to the overall good of our communities, state, nation, and world. This, in turn, fuels a demand for our services and creates an environment where knowledge, health and discovery flourish for our students, faculty, and staff. Our first and foremost commitment is to the mission of the U of I System.

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Fostering and promoting health and safety within the University of Illinois System communities

Our people are our greatest asset. Every member of our U of I System communities contributes to our mission, so we must all strive to make the institution a safe and healthy place to work, live, study, be cared for or visit. This means making workplace, hospital/clinics, and campus safety a priority and supporting the health and well-being of students, patients, staff, residents, visitors, and the community. It means reporting suspected unsafe conditions or situations and watching out for each other. Ultimately, it means developing safe relationships – whether personal or professional – that promote mutual respect, trust, empathy, and dialogue.

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Protecting privacy and confidentiality

Transparency is vital to our success and to maintaining public trust - So is protecting the privacy of individuals and confidentiality of information as required by law. We honor the confidentiality of personal and private information as key to maintaining healthy relationships, but also recognize there are situations that require disclosure for the health and safety of the community. Accordingly, all of us who work with student education records, sensitive employee data, patient records, contract negotiation documents, sponsored research, or other information subject to release or dissemination restrictions must know and understand the applicable restrictions so we can do our part in keeping the information secure.

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Modeling a respectful, collaborative and supportive environment for all

One of the most important outcomes of a collaborative workplace is the positive effect it has on people, innovative and creative education, healthcare, and research. We will strive to enhance our creative and judgement-free workplace culture where ideas and discussions are respectfully welcomed, whether they are small and curious or ambitious and dramatic. Each member of the collaborative team has unique and distinctive skills allowing for consideration from diverse angles and more creative solutions. By exhibiting empathy and compassion toward others while being objective and transparent, we further enhance the U of I System’s collaborative culture. When disagreements arise, we will respond respectfully and with professionalism and emotional maturity.

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Being good stewards of all resources

Taxpayers, donors, elected officials, and students and their families entrust us with significant resources and technology to accomplish our mission. We owe them the best possible return on their investment and our best effort to offer world-class educational programs and to produce technology, healthcare, and social breakthroughs that improve our world now and into the future. This means we use our facilities and resources efficiently and effectively, and only in furtherance of the institution’s mission. It also means we accurately account for revenues and expenditures; we don’t tolerate fraud, waste, or abuse; and we strive to be a model of environmental sustainability.

In instances of poor stewardship, we will seek to identify and address the situation in a fair and impartial manner at the earliest opportunity before there is significant harm to the institution or members of the community. During this process, we will protect innocent students and employees.

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Maintaining and strengthening the public's trust and confidence

Integral to the credibility of the U of I System is maintaining and strengthening the public’s trust and confidence. This trust cannot be assumed. Violations of laws or regulations expose the institution to costly sanctions that drain precious financial resources or cause prospective faculty, staff, patients, and students to look elsewhere to teach, work and learn. We must establish and nurture the public’s trust through our actions. Following federal, state and local laws, and regulations is the right thing to do. By modeling awareness of and compliance with the full spectrum of laws and regulations that apply in higher education and healthcare settings, we earn the public’s trust and confidence, and protect the U of I System’s reputation.