Policy Statement
The core institutional values of Brown University are:
The pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
The pursuit of knowledge and understanding is the primary way in which the University serves the community, the nation, and the world. It does so through research and creative expression and by educating students duly qualified for discharging the offices of life with usefulness and reputation.
Academic freedom and freedom of expression.
Academic freedom is the freedom to investigate and learn without interference or censorship. Academic freedom is necessary for the production of knowledge and understanding and imposes responsibilities on those who exercise it. Freedom of expression is the right to communicate ideas and engage in reasoned and informed protest, dissent, and criticism.
A commitment to openness and diversity of ideas, perspectives, and experiences.
Successful fulfillment of the University mission requires a wide range of ideas, perspectives, and experiences to advance knowledge and understanding.
Responsibility for a thriving academic community.
The University is a community of students, faculty, and staff, and holds itself responsible for generating the conditions necessary for every individual member of its community to thrive. This responsibility rests on the fundamental presumption that all persons have something of value to contribute to the University mission.
University voice is:
University “voice” is defined as a public statement or action that intentionally expresses a position on an issue.
Being necessary to advance and defend the mission and core values of the institution, use of University voice should concern only those issues that directly influence the University mission. The University has discretion in the use of its voice on such issues, informed by the principles of shared governance.
The University must refrain from expressing positions on topics unrelated to its mission, because doing so risks undermining the public trust, damaging the conditions necessary for academic freedom, and preventing fulfillment of the University mission.