Students relax on benches and grass near a pond at UC Davis, with ducks nearby and bikes parked along the path. One student reads a book with a bicycle in the foreground. Trees and flowers create a peaceful, shaded environment.

Principles of Community

Principles of Community in the College

In the College of Biological Sciences, we embrace the UC Davis Principles of Community and strive to embody them in all that we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and equitable environment—one that values every member of our community and affirms the dignity of every individual. As scientists, educators, and learners, we recognize the power of collaboration, open inquiry, and mutual respect in advancing discovery and knowledge. We believe that by cultivating a culture of care and understanding, we strengthen not only our college but the broader campus and global communities we serve.

Principles of Community Collective

The CBS Principles of Community Collective is an advisory body to the dean comprised of faculty, staff, graduate students and postdocs that provides advice and guidance to support the cultivation and advancement of the UC Davis Principles of Community. The collective aims to support community in all areas of student, staff, faculty, and educational and college programs. Please send us an email if you are interested in participating!

Our Mission

We strive to provide equitable and just academic and professional experiences for all members of our community, and to connect our community members with on- and off-campus resources to ensure their academic and professional success.

Partner and Report

Partner with the Dean and Office of Inclusive Excellence to steward and create resources in support of best practices throughout the CBS community, and report on committee activities and findings.

  • Support college and campus efforts to determine areas of strength/weakness, better understand attitudes and experiences, and inform yearly policy and funding
  • Identify and collaborate with groups in CBS to facilitate crosstalk, synergize efforts, consolidate resources, and increase communication on available resources
  • Participate in campus Inclusive Excellence meetings and engage in campus-level activities
  • Document and report to campus on strategic investments, ongoing recommendations from campus stakeholders, and CBS progress
Educate and Inform

Curate new and existing resources and CBS-sponsored activities to promote a culture of learning and growth. Provide guidance on best-practices for faculty, staff, postdocs and students.

  • Incentivize CBS participation in community-building events
  • Create a template for mentoring agreements and/or individual development plans, to be shared with new trainees when joining a faculty research group
  • Organize monthly Principles of Community Collective meetings
  • Provide language to college units for websites indicating that all are welcome
  • Recommend to the Dean additional opportunities for paid undergraduate research and training
  • Promote and advise relevant stakeholders regarding best practices for the recruitment and retention of faculty, students, and staff
Communicate and Support

Ensure the college’s Principles of Community webpage is up to date with resources, information, opportunities and committee membership information, and recommend to the Dean financial support for related activities.

  • Offer assistance to faculty to add PI mentorship philosophies to their CBS website profiles
  • Promote programs that provide small grants to support engagement with and participation in related activities within the college
  • Ensure public spaces in CBS (e.g. building hallways and lobbies) accurately represent a culture of all being welcome in the college