������Ƶ strives to honor the legacy of the Siouan-speaking American Indian tribes who first lived in this area and the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation (OBSN), . Members of the OBSN continue to live in this area today and carry forward their ancestors’ history, traditions, and love for this land. Learn more about the OBSN on its .

In recognition of this long history and connection to this land, the OBSN adopted an  in 2022 and ������Ƶ joins with the OBSN tribal community in encouraging all to treat this land with the respect, love and care that their ancestors carried for this land.

In the spring of 2023, the OBSN Tribal Council drafted a for non-Indigenous tribal members. The longer statement is a welcome from members of Indigenous tribes to other people. The OBSN invites non-tribal members, including the ������Ƶ community, to use the shortened version in honoring the Indigenous people and their relationship to the land. In addition to other community-building efforts, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to consider the following guidance in using the of the official land acknowledgement.

1. The university does not require the use of the land acknowledgement for any event, syllabus, or document. Instead, this statement is to be used as an opening and reflective practice that promotes mindfulness of the original stewards of the land and all people’s responsibility to care for it.
2. The land acknowledgement should be recited, printed or presented in the official shortened version with no edits or paraphrasing and as stated on the Occaneechi website at obsn.org.
3. Members of the ������Ƶ community may include the land acknowledgement in their meetings, classes, programs, events, competitions, performances and other gatherings to respect the long-standing and ongoing presence and culture of Indigenous people.
4. The event host or highest-ranking member of the sponsoring organization or department in attendance should read aloud the statement with respect and sincerity as part of the opening.
5. Users of the land acknowledgement may print it or a link to it in university documents or event programs.
6. Land acknowledgements tend to evolve in their language as tribal communities adjust these living documents to retain their purpose and remain relevant. Therefore, users should check periodically for land acknowledgement updates.

������Ƶ’s mission highlights both freedom of expression and inclusion as cornerstones of a dynamic academic community, and as necessary for holistic student development in a student- and learning-centered educational environment. The exchange of ideas and the safety and well-being of students are both essential elements of a rich intellectual community.

Nurturing both freedom of expression and inclusion, ������Ƶ is committed to creating and sustaining a strong campus community, wherein each member critically examines multiple ideas and perspectives about the issues that matter most to our campus, community, and world. We foster a campus community that embraces an exchange of ideas, with thoughtful discussion, ongoing dialogue, and respectful debate that is both robust and free from harassment.

The marketplace of ideas works best when multiple voices speak and are heard, when serious ideas are taken seriously, and when impassioned responses are coupled with reason. This can be difficult and nuanced, for free speech is not without consequence and may include the condemnation of ideas or social isolation due to the expression of ideas that others view as damaging. The advancement of knowledge arises out of a crucible of difference, wherein risk and challenge are essential.

While embracing an open exchange of ideas, we also acknowledge and expect all within our community to act in ways that acknowledge that words have impact, and that impact is differential and contextual, influenced by societal structures, life experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We abhor and rebuke speech that disenfranchises, denigrates, and dehumanizes. Targeted harassment, threats, and speech that creates a hostile learning environment have no place at ������Ƶ.

There are inherent responsibilities that accompany membership in an academic community committed to the advancement of knowledge and open inquiry. These responsibilities include acknowledging the impact of one’s speech, listening openly to understand the perspectives of others, affording respect and dignity to all, contending with challenging and discomfiting ideas, being thorough in one’s own inquiries, and actively engaging when speech threatens to harm others. These values are inscribed in the pillars of : honesty, integrity, responsibility, and respect. By assuming and acting on these responsibilities, each and all of us participate in sustaining the values of the academy and creating a healthy academic community reflective of dissenting views supportive of personal transformation.

Difficult conversations challenge members of our community to be logical in our arguments, capable of respectfully seeing things from others’ perspectives, careful about what we say and how we say it, committed to the advancement of knowledge and understanding, open to change in one’s own views and actions, and resilient in the face of adversity. The learning that takes place through a robust exchange of ideas and the skills of democracy that are sharpened through such exchanges are essential to our future success, individually and collectively.

This statement of commitment can be found in the .

Consistent with ������Ƶ’s non-discrimination statement, the University does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of employees, students, or other individuals associated with the University including, but not limited to, vendors, contractors, and guests on the basis of any of the Protected Categories, whether actual or perceived. In addition, retaliation against any employee or student for exercising their rights under this policy or applicable non-discrimination law will not be tolerated.

Any employee or student who fails to comply with this policy will be disciplined as appropriate consistent with University policy. Any employment agency, vendor or contractor used by the University will be informed of this policy. Failure to comply with this policy may result in termination of contract.

This policy applies to, but is not limited to, recruitment, employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, position advertising, reduction in force, termination, rates of pay, and selection for training.

Allegations of any policy violations by students should be directed to the Office of Student Conduct. Allegations of any policy violations by employees, vendors, or guests should be directed to the Office of Human Resources.