Values Statements

Dr. Carolyn Roberts, Assistant Professor, History of Science & History of Medicine, and African American Studies: “Our goal as a learning community is to create a safe environment that fosters open and honest dialogue. We are all expected to contribute to creating a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment. To this end, classroom discussions should always be conducted in a way that shows honor, respect, and dignity to all members of the class. Moreover, disagreements should be pursued without personal attack and aggression, and instead, should be handled with grace and care. This will allow for rigorous intellectual engagement and a deeper learning experience for all. Lastly, please remember to practice self-care, which, according to Audre Lorde ‘is not an act of self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.’”

Dr. Rona Ramos, Lecturer and Graduate Services Coordinator in Physics: “This class strives to be an inclusive community, learning from the many perspectives that come from having differing backgrounds and beliefs. As a community, we aim to be respectful to all. We reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination, including but not limited to those based on age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status. Faculty and students are expected to commit to creating an environment that facilitates inquiry and self-expression, while also demonstrating diligence in understanding how others’ viewpoints may be different from their own.”

Dr. Zahra Fakhraai, Associate Professor of Chemistry: “Please remember that groups are only effective if everyone treats each other with respect. You are encouraged to communicate your thoughts, but please also allow others in your group to also express their thoughts. You will be surprised how much you can learn by mutual respect of each other’s ideas, even if you are knowledgeable about a subject. Remember that you learn best by teaching a subject. Try to be receptive to constructive criticism, and open about accepting mistakes. Please come to the class prepared and take ownership of your group’s success.”

Department of Sociology: “The Department of Sociology embraces a notion of intellectual community enriched and enhanced by diversity along a number of dimensions, including race, ethnicity and national origins, gender and gender identity, sexuality, class and religion. We are especially committed to increasing the representation of those populations that have been historically excluded from participation in U.S. higher education.”

College of Education: “Respect for Diversity: It is my intent that students from all diverse backgrounds and perspectives be well served by this course, that students’ learning needs be addressed both in and out of class, and that the diversity that students bring to this class be viewed as a resource, strength and benefit. It is my intent to present materials and activities that are respectful of diversity: gender, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and culture. Your suggestions are encouraged and appreciated. Please let me know ways to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally or for other students or student groups. In addition, if any of our class meetings conflict with your religious events, please let me know so that we can make arrangements for you.”

Writing a values statement is like writing a teaching philosophy statement in that it requires a self-reflective process. Instructors might consider their own background and perspectives when crafting statements that will represent their philosophical and ethical viewpoints for class.

When including a values statement, instructors may consider the larger structure and tone of the syllabus and broader course design to imagine how a values statement may be reflected throughout the document and the course. 

Every discipline has developed conventions and assumptions over decades and centuries of practice. These conventions and assumptions often lead to jargon and shared vocabularies that can be initially opaque for students. Instructors might consider how students with varying backgrounds could respond if that language is used.

Engaging with varied perspectives in the classroom is often an extension of the instructor’s own teaching philosophy. Research indicates that students often respond positively to transparent indications of teaching strategy and philosophy (Ambrose et al., 2010), so instructors can consider sharing the reasons behind their classroom policies, including the values statement.

Research suggests that the design and tone of the syllabus can positively impact student engagement with and perception of the instructor (Ludy et al. 2016, Gurung et al. 2021). The values statement helps set an initial impression, which instructors should uphold throughout the term through personal treatment of students, facilitation of dialogue, and consistency in policies for grading, attendance, participation, and absence.  

Instructors can use the values statement to lay out expectations for student behavior and invite students to become active agents in establishing and maintaining classroom tone. 

Instructors can use the values statement as an opportunity to direct students toward campus resources that facilitate and support various initiatives. Yale’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Belonging at Yale Initiative, Office of Institutional Equity & Accessibility, and Cultural Centers provide resources, events, and support for the range of faculty, student, and staff representations.

Ambrose, S., Bridges, M., Lovett, M., DiPietro, M., & Norman, M (2010). How Learning Works: 7 Research – Based Principles for Smart Teaching. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Bart, M. (2012). Strategies for Creating a More Inclusive Classroom. Faculty Focus. 

Branch S., Stein L., Huynh H., Lazzara J. (2018, October). Assessing the value of diversity statements in course syllabi: Annual Conference on Teaching (ACT). Talk presented at the Society for the Teaching of Psychology ACT, Phoenix, AZ.

Brown University. (2011). Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning. Diversity Statements.

Gurung, R. A. R., & Galardi, N. R. (2021). Syllabus Tone, More Than Mental Health Statements, Influence Intentions to Seek Help. Teaching of Psychology.

Harnish RJ et al. (2011). Creating the Foundation for a Warm Classroom Climate: Best Practices in Syllabus Tone. Association for Psychological Science.

Ludy, M., Brackenbury, T., Folkins, J., Peet, S., & Langendorfer, S. (2016). “Student Impressions of Syllabus Design: Engaging Versus Contractual Syllabus.” International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning 10.2 (1-23).

Packard, J. (2013). The Impact of Racial Diversity in the Classroom: Activating the Sociological Imagination. Teaching Sociology 41.2: 144-158.

• Belonging at Yale Initiative

• Office of Institutional Equity & Accessibility

• Cultural Centers

• Syllabus Design