True Bruin Values

Distinctly UCLA

The True Bruin Values aim to unite the campus community around a shared purpose, inspire personal accountability in decision-making, embed these values into everyday life at UCLA across classrooms, offices, research labs and residence halls, and foster a campuswide culture.

Our final Campus Community Conversation around the draft of our values is on May 13, 2026.

We want to hear from you! Take our updated survey by May 15, 2026.

TAKE THE SPRING 2026 SURVEY

Spring 2026 Update

Based on campuswide feedback that began last fall 2025, a second draft of the refreshed values consolidates and sharpens the values, as well as reintegrates excellence and aligns more explicitly with UCLA’s academic mission:

Integrity

Lead with character.

We communicate with honesty and transparency
We make ethical decisions grounded in evidence
We engage in disagreements with openness and humility
We take responsibility for our actions and their impact

Excellence

Strive for greatness.

We pursue the highest standards in teaching, research and service
We ask questions and challenge assumptions
We collaborate to elevate quality and impact
We direct our efforts toward the public good

Belonging

Engage across difference.

We treat one another with respect, even when we disagree
We create inclusive environments for learning and collaboration
We address bias or harm with accountability and care
We build relationships across differences in identity, role and viewpoint

This second round of draft refreshed values were developed based on data from campuswide surveys, focus groups, Campus Community Conversations, Steering Committee deliberations and Academic Senate engagement since last fall.The values won’t be final until the community has spoken. Read on for further opportunities for our community to help craft and finalize our values.

Originally created two decades ago, the True Bruin Values are being refreshed for a new era of boldness at UCLA. Through a broad, inclusive process — via community surveys and collaborative dialogue with thousands of Bruins — a dedicated steering committee of students, staff and faculty has worked to develop a new draft set of values that reflect who we are today and who we aspire to be.

The statement of values that we ultimately finalize and carry forward will only be as strong as the collective voices and action behind them.

Next Steps: Join the Process

We want to further engage with the Bruin community to finalize these values. We invite every Bruin to join us for a participatory process to share your input and the ways in which we can all live these values.

At the end of this pilot year, we will refine the values, make sure their definitions are responsive and reflective of Bruins’ lived experiences, and have a series of activations that meet the community’s vision of what they look like in action.

Attend UCLA Connects: Campus Community Conversations

Join us for the last in a series of campuswide conversations designed to bring together students, staff and faculty in meaningful dialogue around the draft refreshed values. These gatherings are an opportunity to share perspectives, listen deeply and strengthen our sense of connection across the UCLA community. The first two conversations were on Nov. 3, 2025 and Feb. 4, 2026.

The final conversation will take place Wednesday, May 13, 2026 from 4-5:30 p.m.

Host a conversation with your peers or team

Bring colleagues together to share ideas, reflect on key topics and strengthen connections. Use this toolkit as a guide to plan and lead a meaningful discussion.

View and Download Toolkit

Share your voice

We want to hear from you on this second draft of the values. Please take a moment to share your thoughts via this updated survey by May 15, 2026. Your voice can help inspire others and strengthen our campus culture.

Share Your Input

Values in Action

“I see many people at UCLA who truly care about doing the right thing and helping others. In my department, team members often go beyond their regular duties to solve problems, support colleagues, and make sure campus systems run smoothly. That shows real service and teamwork. If we continue improving openness and collaboration, the workplace will feel even more supportive and connected.”

UCLA Staff Member

“We have excellent, hard-working, open-minded students.”

UCLA Faculty Member

“One thing that should never change about the culture at UCLA is that people are generally very friendly and willing to collaborate.”

UCLA Student

“ UCLA is bold, with a focus on innovation and caring for each other and the community. This is a space where people can be themselves and feel safe and respected for being who they are. ”

UCLA Staff Member

“The desire held by seemingly everyone on this campus — staff, faculty students — is to make an impact.”

UCLA Staff Member

A few examples of how we’ll bring our final True Bruin Values to life at UCLA:

Ahead of a meeting or class discussion, name a value that will guide the discussion.
Recognize a colleague or classmate with a ‘value card’ for being a True Bruin.
Use the values in performance reviews, hiring rubrics, decision-making frameworks and student leadership training.
Choose a value a day to bring out in your interactions with colleagues or classmates.

Timeline

Fall 2026

Formal launch of refreshed True Bruin Values following input period.

2025–26

Throughout the 2025-26 academic year, the new True Bruin Values are refined iteratively with UCLA community input.

UCLA hosts Campus Community Conversations on Nov. 3, 2025, Feb. 3, 2026, and May 13, 2026.

In spring 2026, UCLA launches a second draft of the values for campuswide feedback: Integrity, Excellence, Belonging.

Fall 2025

The Bruin community is invited to engage in a yearlong process to provide feedback on the draft set of refreshed True Bruin Values.

2024–25

In partnership with thousands of Bruin voices, via campuswide surveys and dialogue, the committee develops a draft set of refreshed values: Integrity & Accountability, Service with Purpose, Belonging Through Action, Curiosity & Growth, and Collaboration with Humility.

2024

True Bruin Values Refresh Steering Committee is formed and begins the work of designing a process to refresh the values.

Early 2000s

UCLA’s True Bruin Values of Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Service and Excellence are created based on values from the UC Office of the President.