WHEREAS, higher education has been a resolute public good since before the founding of the United States;
WHEREAS, public and private colleges and universities in the United States have advanced their missions and beneficial impact from their beginnings over three hundred years ago to their status as one of the most honored systems of higher education in the world today;
WHEREAS, the excellence of universities in the United States has been made possible by a highly professionalized and committed group of faculty members who are collectively among the most honored faculty in the world;
WHEREAS, these faculty have educated, mentored, and supported undergraduate and graduate students who go on to serve as leaders in their communities, and in the economic, civic and cultural success of their states, the nation and the world;
WHEREAS, the faculty of the University of Virginia put the well-being, intellectual and personal growth, leadership development, civic engagement and preparation for meaningful lives of all students at the center of their personal and professional commitments to excellence to such a degree that the University consistently ranks as one of the most highly regarded public universities in the world;
WHEREAS, these faculty have built and continue to advance a climate of tolerance and respect for others in accord with the University’s charter and with the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States of America;
WHEREAS, the faculty, students, staff, and leaders of the University face increasing external demands to turn away from the bedrock standards and principles of the University’s mission and faculty’s professional and institutional standards and obligations;
WHEREAS, the academic freedom, professional standards and beneficial impact of faculty research, teaching, and service at the University is increasingly threatened by demands for constraints on institutional and faculty commitments and expertise;
WHEREAS, these external demands for constraints on academic freedom and challenges to curriculum, teaching, research and professional practice are detrimental to the well-being of students, the University, its alumni and its local, national and global reputation;
WHEREAS, given the unprecedented nature of our current climate, the UVA Faculty Senate resolves to be alert to future action we believe may harm the mission of the University, to play a larger role in bringing information to the UVA community, and to do both in partnership with University leadership by leveraging the influence and knowledge of the faculty present on Grounds and beyond; and
WHEREAS, achieving the vision and values that emerged and have evolved from those set forth at the founding of this great university now requires the faculty of the University of Virginia to raise our collective voice in resisting external efforts to restrain our fundamental mission and commitments; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the UVA Faculty Senate:
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stands for the belief that public and private higher education institutions were created to serve the public good, and that our determination to further expand the power and the reach of our contributions to the public is at the center of the University mission and an essential commitment of the faculty of the University of Virginia;
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stands in support of protecting and promoting viewpoint diversity, recognizing that free, robust and open inquiry, discussion and debate across a wide range of ideas and perspectives is essential the pursuit of knowledge, the education of students, and the flourishing of a democratic society;
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stands in support of a fundamental value that is central to our mission: that as we continue to build a more diverse, more equitable and more inclusive institution we become a greater, stronger and more just University;
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stands in support of the outstanding teaching, critical inquiry, student support, and assessment of learning and student services that have long been hallmarks of the University and that have been lauded for excellence nationally and globally;
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stands in support of the globally renowned research and scholarship at the University, driven by a system of peer review and expert faculty honored by national and global professional associations for their judgement, excellence, and commitment to advancing knowledge in every sphere, with beneficial impact locally, nationally and internationally;
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stands united with our colleagues who serve patients, clients, leaders and organizations, and whose unwavering allegiance to recognized standards has earned them well-deserved professional accreditation;
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stands united with our staff colleagues whose support for the institution and its mission is essential to its success;
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stands united with our colleagues on Grounds in University leadership, throughout the Commonwealth, and in the federal government who share with us the responsibility of governing the University in accord with its mission and values;
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stands united with students, faculty, administrative leaders, staff and any other members of the University community who are harassed online or on Grounds for carrying out their obligations to the University and our mission in accord with the laws, regulations and rules of this institution, the Commonwealth, and the nation;
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stands united with members of the University community who are unlawfully discriminated against on any grounds, including but not limited to those designated in the Virginia Human Rights Act; such discrimination is inconsistent with the mission, values and commitment to lawful treatment that are central to the organization and conduct of the University; and
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calls upon the entire University community of students, alumni, parents, and corporate, governmental and local partners to stand united with the faculty in defense of the mission and values of this great university.