Affirmation of Commitment to Social Justice
Adopted by the Board of Trustees on December 14, 2016
The Board believes it is necessary and prudent to regularly evaluate the District’s guiding principles that
dictate our behavior and actions to ensure they are relevant and reflective of the aspirations and needsof our students, faculty and staff as well as the diverse local community we serve. The District, throughits recently adopted Strategic Plan, outlined several unwavering educational values that embrace thefundamental notion of equity and social justice for our students. As the demand for attaining a higher
education continues to grow, and as the world in which we operate continues to evolve in its complexity,
the San Mateo County Community College District is actively committed to supporting the educational
process according to the primary tenets of social justice.
We believe that social justice is practiced when we openly challenge injustice and value diversity. It exists
because all people share a common humanity and therefore have a right to equitable treatment andsupport for their human rights, and are entitled to a fair allocation of community resources. When thetenets of social justice are fairly applied, people do not experience discrimination or prejudice nor is theirwelfare/well-being constrained in any manner.
As such, the San Mateo County Community College District commits to a fundamental duty to create asocially just environment with the following core values and principles:•Dignity and Respect. The Board has an unwavering belief that universally all humans haveinherent value and every person should be treated with dignity and respect. Without exception, allindividuals should be extended a basic level of understanding and accommodation so they may
conduct their lives with decency and pride.

•Access and Affordability. Ensuring that all students, regardless of citizenship or status, haveaccess to affordable, high-quality education is essential. Education is an equalizer that provides anopportunity for upward mobility. The Board is committed to keeping the District’s colleges accessibleand affordable so all individuals throughout the socio-economic spectrum have an equal opportunity
to attain their natural potential.

•Removing Barriers. The Board is committed to removing barriers to student success andreinforces the importance of routine examination of curriculum, policies, procedures, and practices
to ensure that limitations are not applied which unfairly impede student growth, expression orlearning.

•Serving All. Community College students are among the most diverse learners in the world. TheDistrict values the unique characteristics of our students, and is committed to meeting our students
where they are and to providing them the quality education and support services that best support
their individual needs and circumstances.

•Valuing and Promoting Diversity. The Board is committed to its continued practice of promoting,encouraging and fostering diversity, equity and inclusion inside and outside of the classroom,
including in its hiring, promotion, employment, contracting, and purchasing practices. The District’s
colleges continue to undertake bold steps to ensure that students are exposed to a variety ofopinions, ideas, cultures and people, have regular interaction with those from similar and differingexperiences and backgrounds, and are encouraged to maintain and include familiar and important
cultural symbols that reflect their heritage and aspirations.
•Participation and Freedom of Expression. The Board expects the District’s colleges to becommunity focused institutions where students, faculty, staff and the general public participate
without fear or concern for retaliation or intimidation. Our colleges are models for open expression
and are safe zones for sharing ideas and opinions.

•Safe and Inviting. The safety and security of the District’s students and employees is a top priority
for the Board. All students and employees must feel that their learning and work environments arefree from fear, intimidation, violence, aggression, harassment, bullying, discrimination andintolerance.

The Board believes that adherence to this commitment to educational social justice will continue toadvance the interests of our students, faculty, staff and the broader community we serve.