Bridgewater State University reaffirms the values of our community as a welcoming, compassionate, and intellectually rigorous learning, working and living environment. We reject all forms of bias, discrimination, xenophobia and violence. We re-commit ourselves to actions that put into practice our individual and institutional values of diversity, inclusion and equity.”
Commitment to Culture: Institutionalizing our Core Values
What does it mean to “institutionalize” something? While the term might conjure up a negative or unsettling image of being under care or surveillance, in a broader sense, to “institutionalize” something means to normalize it — to make it a permanent or respected part of an organization. It becomes woven into an organization’s culture.
Throughout the year, all members of the BSU community will be reminded of our values: “Bridgewater State University reaffirms the values of our community as a welcoming, compassionate, and intellectually rigorous learning, working and living environment. We reject all forms of bias, discrimination, xenophobia and violence. We re-commit ourselves to actions that put into practice our individual and institutional values of diversity, inclusion and equity.”
Those last three words – diversity, inclusion and equity – are core values that apply to every member of our campus community.
Diversity is about embracing a variety of people or things with different characteristics, backgrounds and experiences.
Inclusion is about creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and welcomed, regardless of their differences.
Equity is about providing individuals with resources and support they need to succeed and ensuring fair access to opportunities.
At BSU, these values are central to our mission and critical to who we are. We strive to support every member of our community by offering the resources they need to thrive (equity), ensuring those resources are accessible to all (inclusion), and celebrating the many different experiences, aspirations and life stories (diversity) that enrich our community.
By living out these values, we make them an enduring part of our culture — they become institutionalized, continuously woven into the very fabric of who we are.
In this edition of Action, you will find stories about supporting all students who need access to books and other learning materials amid the rising costs. You’ll also read about efforts to hire faculty and staff who reflect the different backgrounds of our student body. By institutionalizing actions on our campus, we ensure that, regardless of our differences, everyone has equal access to opportunities and the support needed to reach their potential. And perhaps the most important impact of our values and work is fostering the development of good citizens—those who respect others, show kindness and understanding, and strive to improve the well-being of their communities.
Diane Bell, vice president of the Division of Outreach and Engagement
Dr. Jakari Griffith, interim assistant provost for global engagement and senior international officer of the Dr. Edward W. Minnock Institute for Global Engagement; associate professor of management in the Ricciardi College of Business
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