West Chester University is committed to attracting, enrolling, and graduating quality students from a
wide variety of educational, cultural, and economic backgrounds. This endeavor requires
the University to attract and retain highly qualified faculty and staff and to provide
each member of the University community with learning and leadership development
opportunities. To this end, the University supports and encourages programs which benefit
all people and which seek to eradicate discrimination and injustice. We treasure what we
believe to be the highest principles of American society: the worth and uniqueness of each
individual, the belief that success is to be earned by individual effort put forth in an
environment founded on equality of opportunity, and the appreciation of the ideal of an
inclusive society.
We believe that it is incumbent upon all members of our community
staff, students, faculty and administrators to conduct themselves with civility
toward one another at all times. We value the special talents and contributions of each
member of our community. We further affirm the worth and dignity of each member and the
shared responsibility of all to treat each other as individuals, with respect and
courtesy.
As a university owned by the citizens of Pennsylvania, we value our
mission to provide the best educational opportunities possible which will enable the
University community to successfully address the concerns of a global society. To
this end, West Chester University seeks to provide diligent advising for students and to
focus on teaching students to think clearly and critically, to make logical and ethical
judgments, and to communicate effectively with others.
West Chester University's community strongly supports the principles of academic integrity and
academic responsibility, viewing both as the province of every member of the campus
community. We hold the highest esteem for teaching directed toward student learning
and affirm that mastery of content as well as mastery of teaching skills necessary to
communicate such content are paramount.
This values statement is intended to be a
living document which will serve West Chester University as it changes and evolves in the
coming years.