This statement was developed by the Community Principles working group composed of undergraduate students and staff from CC, Barnard, SEAS and GS. The statement was informed by feedback from student leaders across the undergraduate community through a series of leadership summits starting in the spring of 2006.

Columbia University is a community of students, faculty, alumni, staff and visitors. As members of this community we understand that our actions as individuals impact not only our own lives but also those of our community. Through these principles we can continually engage each other in order to understand our differences and similarities.

We believe that intellectual discourse in all forms is essential to the University; as such it is vital that we give all perspectives a place to be expressed.

We are all responsible to this community and affirm that we treat each other with respect and dignity.

Members of our community act with honesty by accepting accountability for their words and actions, and maintaining the integrity of the community as a whole.

As members of the University with different experiences and ideas, we actively engage each other to understand, appreciate and accept our various identities.

We participate in a free and open community and ask that all those who come within our gates act in accordance with these principles.