Gallaudet Credo Statement

Gallaudet's Vision Statement expresses what the University aspires to become and achieve as the world's premier academic institution for deaf and hard of hearing people. Implicit in our vision are core values that serve as guiding principles for the way members of the campus community teach, study, work, and live. The Gallaudet Credo identifies and realizes those core values.

The Gallaudet University campus community includes students, faculty, teachers and staff, all of whom share certain common goals and values that we all believe enrich our academic environment. The community's primary goal is to prepare students to be informed, literate, productive and responsible citizens. In pursuit of this goal, community members pledge to uphold the following values:

We believe that education is a dominant influence on our lives and recognize that learning is a lifelong quest.

Therefore, we will practice academic and personal integrity and work to create a positive and welcoming environment that is open to the free exchange of ideas among members of our community.

We believe that every person should be treated with civility and that our community is strengthened by the broad diversity of its members.

Therefore, we will promote and applaud behaviors that support the dignity of individuals and groups and are respectful of others' opinions. We will especially discourage behaviors and attitudes that disrespect the diversity of individuals and groups for any reason including religion, race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, hearing status, or language and communication preference.

We believe that as members of the Gallaudet community we are the recipients of a proud and rich heritage, as well as contributors to and benefactors of our institution's bright future.

Therefore, we will strive to bring credit to our community and ensure that the institution flourishes and succeeds in its mission.