Community Principles

Mills College supports open inquiry and freedom of speech that allows for constructive discourse and debate on complex and divisive issues; however, this does not give permission to individuals or groups to engage in blatant or subversive acts of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, class, age, disability, sexual orientation, religious, or political beliefs. 

Insensitive actions that demonstrate religious intolerance, hatred, bigotry, or oppression serve to undermine and diminish all people. Such actions are inconsistent with the values we hold at Mills for diversity in its totality.

The dean of student life, the provost, and the director of employee services, work with our institutional Diversity Committee to address the full range of diversity issues that affect the campus climate both inside and outside of the classroom. As we work together to build a strong community, it is important to share concerns with us.

• strengthening our institutional policies to protect individuals and groups more effectively who find themselves placed in dangerous, discriminatory, or harassing environments;
• encouraging additional and continual education among students, faculty, and staff to counteract hate or discriminatory behavior;
• enforcing consistent disciplinary action and/or sanctions that apply to students, faculty, and staff who violate the codes of conduct currently articulated in the faculty, student, and employee handbooks;
• regularly and systematically assessing and evaluating the development of a culture of acceptance and civil discourse amongst the different constituencies of the College.

We hereby reaffirm our commitment to being an inclusive educational community where all individuals are treated fairly and with respect. It is our hope that each of us will engage in thoughtful acts of civility and social justice, and that we learn to understand and respect the richness and the diversity that is Mills.