Wilmington College Core Values

The following core values are fundamental to the success of Wilmington College in realizing its mission and vision. These values are inherited from the College’s founding faith – The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), from important traditions of American higher education, and from universally held beliefs that serve to guide the best in human thought and action.

(Approved by the Wilmington College Board of Trustees: March 25, 2003.)

The following Expressions of Core Values in Wilmington College’s Community Life document, approved by the Wilmington College Board of Trustees on April 22, 2006, are used to encourage thoughtful and conscientious reflection, which in turn may lead to positive actions that benefit individuals and the campus community. Queries take the form of questions that do not have simple or unambiguous answers. Following Quaker practice, queries are used as a means for self or group examination and inward reflection.

Community

Queries:

• Do we realize that this community was founded by a community, the Religious Society of Friends, whose vision of higher education still informs our experiences today?
• What are the sources for the idea of community you bring to campus with you? How do you share those ideas? How do you respond when those ideas are not always realized?
• How can we avoid the negative effects of the growing ‘consumer’ view of higher education?
• Do we recognize ourselves as members of a community, not just as students or employees of an institution?
• Do we feel some responsibility to contribute to the shaping of the Wilmington College community?
• Are we consciously aware of the problems and prospects for our community? Do we strive to build community through our daily interactions and special programs, or activities designed to promote community building? Do we understand the challenges of continuous improvement and growth within our community?

Diversity and Respect for All Persons

Queries:

• Do I try to understand other peoples’ viewpoints and perspectives with empathy even when they disagree with my own?
• Do I treat all persons, regardless of position, with respect?
• Are the activities that I am involved in consistent with the College’s Diversity Statement?
• In our efforts to achieve diversity are we representative of the communities that we serve?
• Do our efforts to achieve diversity help strengthen and enrich our community?
• Are our efforts to create diversity fair and effective? Do they enhance the learning experience at Wilmington College?
• Are all activities, classes, sports, extracurricular events and service opportunities open to and supportive of the Wilmington College Diversity Statement?

Excellence 

Queries:

• Is excellence defined strictly in terms of achievement?
• Are we aware of our sources for defining excellence at the College?
• How do we demonstrate our commitment to excellence at the College?
• Is there a difference between standards of excellence for the community and those for individuals in it?
• How do we recognize and acknowledge examples of excellence in our community?

Integrity

Queries:

• Do I speak the truth even when it is difficult and not in my interest to do so?
• Do I confront lapses in integrity in myself and others?
• Do I seek ways to be open to opinions and ideas, thereby strengthening my commitment to critical thinking, intellectual rigor, and truth-seeking? Am I careful to credit others, rather than taking credit for works and ideas not my own? Do I make sure that those who deserve credit for works and ideas receive it?
• Am I aware that cheating in classes, in games, or in sports is inconsistent with the testimony of integrity? Do I try to eliminate the practice of plagiarism, borrowing another’s work, lying, deceit, excuse-making, and infidelity or disloyalty in personal relationships?
• Do I avoid the illegal and/or harmful use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco? Do I treat students, teachers, colleagues, employees, and co-workers honestly and fairly?
• Do I conduct College business in good faith and in a way that reflects the Quaker testimony of integrity?
• Do I manage my commitments so that over-commitment, worry, and stress do not diminish my integrity?

Peace and Social Justice

Queries:

• Do I seek win/win solutions to the resolution of conflict?
• Do I work to take away the causes of conflict?
• Am I aware and concerned about issues of social injustice in our community?
• Do I work to take away the causes of social injustice?

Service and Civic Engagement 

Queries:

• Do I recognize that, along with the College community, there are many communities within which we participate, individually and as a College? Do I recognize, in turn, that the College ought to exercise its role as one community amongst many?
• Do I recognize the universal nature of the College’s mission?
• In a public gathering, do I represent the College’s standards of behavior?
• Do I avoid personal attacks?
• Do I, under all circumstances, speak the truth?
• Do I seek to be open to a variety of opinions and ideas?
• In seeking to resolve conflict, do I attempt to ensure all discussants are heard, understood, and sense that they have been treated honestly and fairly?
• Do I accept and support the work of committees? Do I accept and support the appropriate use of executive decision-making?
• Do I invest myself in consensus? Do I value consensus decision-making as a vital practice in our community? Do I encourage other communities to consider the value of such a practice?
• Do I question my priorities? Do I attempt to be a responsible steward of my time and talents? Do I consider the needs of a variety of communities?
• Do I listen for and search out “the inner light” in all people?