The 国产原创-WashU Statement of Principles was adopted by the Boards of听国产原创听and Washington University in St. Louis in听fall听2024 to affirm and codify each university鈥檚 ongoing commitment to these values.
The core purpose of a research university is the creation, preservation and dissemination of knowledge.
Supported by government funding and private philanthropy, research universities in the United States have produced transformational breakthroughs in every domain, generating extraordinary benefits to society. The tremendous success of this distinctively American system of research, education and innovation has garnered respect and admiration across the world.
The most important condition for the enduring success of the American research university is the pursuit of truth solely through the use of reason, argument and evidence rooted in a culture of free inquiry and rigorous debate.
If research universities are to pursue the truth wherever it lies, they cannot have a political ideology or pursue a particular vision of social change. They contribute to the betterment of society not by pursuing an ideological agenda but through the research and innovation of their faculty and students, by producing educated and knowledgeable leaders, and by serving as a model for civil discourse grounded in critical reasoning.
Our institutions are committed to taking collective and individual action to ensure that this core purpose continues to govern our endeavors in the twenty-first century. We are guided by three key principles:
Excellence
We are committed to excellence in all aspects of our work, free of political criteria鈥攖hat includes admissions and support of student success, faculty and staff hiring and promotion, the allocation of resources and the recognition of members of our community.
Academic Freedom and Free Expression
We foster an environment of unfettered inquiry and discovery where our faculty and students are free to pursue their academic interests.
We actively encourage opposing views across a broad spectrum of the human experience, including political, economic, social, religious and other aspects, and provide ample opportunities for open debate and dissent without censorship or retribution.
We live by an ethos of civility and respect for the perspectives of others, guided by policies that support dialogue鈥攁nd enable research and education鈥攆ree from disruption.
We are committed to institutional neutrality whereby the institution and its leaders, including those in charge of academic units like schools, departments and research centers, do not take positions on political and social matters not directly connected to the core function of the university.
Growth and Development
We seek to assemble a broad range of perspectives, backgrounds, and expertise of students, faculty and staff on our campuses as a core driver of excellence in everything we do.
We are committed to minimizing financial and other barriers that impede students鈥� access to our institutions or that hinder their academic success, pursuit of excellence and personal growth.
We are committed to a vibrant campus community where all members can grow in their academic and professional pursuits.
We strive to prepare our students for purposeful and engaged lives and meaningful careers.
By focusing on our core purpose and these key principles, our institutions will be positioned to continue providing our students with a transformational education, conducting pathbreaking research, and driving the field-defining agendas for international scientific learning and research. This is the time to clearly affirm who we are and to live by our purpose and principles in everything we do.
Universities Must Reject Creeping Politicization
Read Chancellor Diermeier and Chancellor Martin's
op-ed in The Chronicle of Higher Education