To transform lives for the benefit of society.

Learning — A caring community, all of us students, helping one another grow. 
Discovery — Expanding knowledge and human understanding. 
Freedom — To seek the truth and express it. 
Leadership — The will to excel with integrity and the spirit that nothing is impossible. 
Individual Opportunity — Many options, diverse people and ideas, one university. 
Responsibility — To serve as a catalyst for positive change in Texas and beyond.

Affirmation

I pledge, as a member of the University of Texas community, to do my work honestly, respectfully, and through the intentional pursuit of learning and scholarship.

Elaboration

• I pledge to be honest about what I create and to acknowledge what I use that belongs to others.
• I pledge to value the process of learning in addition to the outcome, while celebrating and learning from mistakes.
• This code encompasses all of the academic and scholarly endeavors of the university community.

The University of Texas at Austin strives to create a dynamic and engaging community of teaching and learning where students feel intellectually challenged; build knowledge and skills; and develop critical thinking, creativity and intellectual curiosity. As a member of this community, it is important for all students to engage in assignments, exams and other coursework with openness, integrity and a willingness to make mistakes and learn from them.

The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.

The UT Regents elected to adopt the core principles of the Chicago Statement on Free Speech as the UT System's formal commitment to free speech and expression.

Read the Commitment

Protocols regarding issuing institutional statements in response to societal events:

The University of Texas at Austin refrains from issuing institutional statements related to major societal events and matters of general public interest except on rare occasions in which an event has a unique impact on members of the UT community or has a significant impact on public safety or University operations. Such events tend to occur locally, on campus or in locations with distinct relevance to the campus community and its interests. The University, as a state agency, also refrains from taking positions on matters of public policy with rare exception.

Alternative ways to support and engage with our community:

While mass distribution of official statements allows us to convey a position or information to the most constituents, these mechanisms — typically email and social media — may not be the best approach for any given situation. Also, tragedies and concerning issues occur frequently, so selecting some and not others to communicate about creates inconsistencies about what our community should expect to see in the future.

As an educational institution, we have a unique role to play sharing knowledge and expertise about public policy and issues that impact our society:

• University experts routinely speak to the public in response to current events, through media interviews, opinion editorials and speeches.
• CSUs can also organize special seminars, speaking events or panels to help members of the UT Austin or broader community understand current events.

University leaders, faculty and staff can also offer support and resources to individuals and groups who feel/experience the greatest impact from specific events:

• Hosting listening sessions for those struggling with grief and pain or in need of support
• Reaching out personally to those affected by a tragedy or event to check-on their well-being
• Creating vigils or events that allow those affected to share support and be heard
• Providing guidance to student, staff or faculty groups about how they can host events that provide free exchange of information and support
• Sharing information or training about available community support resources; consistent inclusion of these resources in other messages, newsletters, etc. can be helpful.
• Sharing volunteer opportunities to support impacted communities

Updated Fall 2022