Thirty-five years ago, a community of UC Davis students came together to define a shared set of values related to a sense of belonging and respect that would shape the university’s future. What started as a grassroots movement in Student Housing has since grown into a core part of UC Davis’ identity, culture and everyday interactions.

To mark this milestone, UC Davis is launching a 10-month-long commemoration starting this February under the theme “Principles of Community, by Community, for Community.”

“This anniversary celebrates our university’s historical commitment to giving one another   mutual respect. It also reminds us, the UC Davis community that built these principles, that we have committed to keeping these principles alive,” said Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Renetta Garrison Tull. “We honor our shared values and the ways they continue to benefit us all, guiding UC Davis through change, challenge and growth.”

A celebration across campuses

While the Principles of Community 35th anniversary ceremony will officially kick off on Feb. 10 at UC Davis Health, the university will be hosting numerous events throughout the February and beyond: 

• Feb. 8: UC Davis Black Futures Month Kick-Off Reception
• Feb. 8: UC Davis Alumni Careers & Identity Conference
• Feb. 10: UC Davis Health Campus 35th Anniversary Kickoff Event (Sacramento)
• Feb. 10: Lunar New Year Lantern Decorating
• Feb. 11: Race Matters: Connecting Principles to Progress
• Feb. 12: Community Building Circle
• Feb. 12: Growing as a Community
• Feb. 13: Tatreez Workshop
• Feb. 13: Restorative Practices 

See more events

Principles in Action Grants for students

In concert with the anniversary, the Center for Student Involvement has renamed its Beyond Tolerance Grant to The Principles in Action Grant. These $250 grants will support registered student leaders who champion inclusion and community-building at UC Davis. The grants can help fund student-centered events hosted by UC Davis departments and centers, such as Picnic Day, Black Family Day, the Whole Earth Festival, La Gran Tardeada and more.

More ways to celebrate our communities 

In place of the usual Principles of Community Week, the university plans to continue this year’s celebration for 10 months to give more opportunities for units throughout the university to celebrate the milestone with faculty, staff, students and the community at large. Various campus units have already signed up to host events to elevate the Principles of Community and more are expected to be confirmed in the coming months. See more event listings.

For example:

• The university will distribute Principles of Community posters to encourage departments and groups to sign their own copies of the document. (Subscribe to the Empower monthly newsletter to stay in the loop about this project.)
• Student Affairs will be hosting a solidarity and belonging event this spring.
• This summer, the UC Davis Library will open a multi-month exhibit on the history of the Principles of Community.
• A special Principles of Community finale event is currently scheduled for November.

The variety and range of these events are intentional, ensuring that people from all corners of the university can engage with the campaign in a way that feels authentic to them. 

The idea of shared ownership is reflected in the campaign's visual identity and messaging. The Office of Strategic Communications intentionally wove elements of the Principles of Community into the university’s brand of Outgrow the Expected, both visually and in storytelling, to reinforce the idea that UC Davis thrives when its people thrive together.

Find your community: See lists of Employee Resource Groups and Administrative Advisory Committees

A guiding light for 35 years

For 35 years, the Principles of Community have sustained and guided the campus through times of challenge and transformation. In times of challenge and change, a shared commitment to excellence and human dignity remains a guiding force. This anniversary celebration is an opportunity for everyone to engage with the Principles of Community and to honor those who have chosen to live these Principles during the past 35 years.

“We hope the 35th anniversary celebration serves as a reminder that no matter what is happening in the world, there is a community here at UC Davis that believes in the dignity of every person, values respect, and will continue working to create spaces where everyone has the opportunity to pursue their own happiness and thrive,” said Chancellor Gary S. May.

See a full list of events and ways to participate.