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Below are the Five Core Values (1995) of Virginia Tech (Appendix C): Common Bond, Diversity, Education of the Whole Person, Excellence and Service.
Also, see the updated Core Values (2001).
The mission of Virginia Tech is three-fold: teaching, research, and outreach. While this does not distinguish the university from other land-grant universities, the people associated with the university think it is a special place indeed. What makes Tech unique are the values we hold as we approach the myriad tasks of the university community.
The following five core values and possible means for implementing them are derived from conversations with 19 different focus groups representing seven different segments of the university. The segments are administration, alumni, faculty, graduate students, parents, staff, and undergraduate students. In all, over 200 people participated in these discussions. Over 30 people assisted in the facilitation of the focus groups. While the groups express unique views of the university, the values that follow are held in common, or represent core values, across the groups.
Each of the 19 groups was asked to discuss and answer four questions:
Five core values evolved from the discussions. These are briefly discussed, and the strategies identified in support of each value are listed.
Common Bond |
The members of the university community should be linked by a common bond. This common bond contains a complex profile of moral values that embody the relationship between the person and the university. The specific values that apply to the university include respect, shared and inclusive government, high standards of ethical behavior, and life-long relationships. Individual worth, creativity, and flexibility contribute to the common bond by demonstrating such principles as duty, integrity, honor, leadership, and commitment. Hard work, teamwork, and unity are also listed as expectations of the individual. While there are many dimensions to the establishment of this relationship between the individual and the university, some aspect of the common bond is among the most frequently mentioned values to all groups. |
Diversity |
This university values diversity. As with the notion of common bond, diversity has several dimensions. These dimensions fall into two primary categories: social diversity and intellectual diversity. Social diversity means that Virginia Tech should welcome and appreciate all people regardless of race, gender, social class, or other social category. Intellectual diversity refers to the broad range of undergraduate degree programs, a diversity of theoretical approaches, and a broad definition of service. All segments, save one, listed diversity as significant. Central to this value is openness and the continuance of the land-grant tradition of the university. |
Education of the whole person |
is a value expressed by six of the seven segments. It refers to the breadth of the education provided by the university. This value also has two dimensions. The first refers to the manner in which the university interacts with each student and involves strategies that provide for life-long learning. All segments of the university should engage in educating the student, and opportunities to learn should extend beyond the specific core and major studies of the student. The second dimension refers to the continuous education of all members of the university community. Education and training for faculty, staff, and alumni, along with the development of strong outreach educational programs, are central to the idea of excellence. The provision of education, training, and information to the state and its regions along with the exploration of the use of technology to accomplish these goals are emphasized by a number of the respondents. |
Excellence |
refers to the expectations we hold for the outcomes of our efforts. Five of the seven segments of the university community applied the idea of excellence to all three missions of the university: teaching, research, and outreach/service. All groups supported applying this value to at least one of the tripartite missions. |
Service |
Virginia Tech's motto, Ut Prosim, has meaning for all segments of the university. Respondents commented that service permeates the university and is endemic to our existence. Many respondents commented that service was the most central of the core values. Discussions of service included elements of other core values, such as duty and integrity. Outreach and service were related to the practical use of knowledge and were listed by all groups in all segments of the university community and, in some groups, dominated the conversation. Much of the conversation concerning strategies surrounding this value had to do with helping the university community, the state, and the general public understand the commitment to service exhibited by this university. Of the core values, service is clearly central. |
Contents | Welcome | Mission and Vision | Goals and Tasks | Climate and Status Data | VT Core Values | Print
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Office of Multicultural Affairs - Virginia Tech 332 Burruss Hall, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24061-0176 |
Telephone: 540-231-1820/TTY 540-231-9460 FAX: 540-231-1818 Email: multicultural@vt.edu Web: http://www.multicultural.vt.edu/ |