Staying True to Our Core Values
Dear UMB Community,
As April draws to a close and we head into the final stretch of the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) academic year, I find myself, like many of you, experiencing both the joy and the full pace of activity this season brings. There’s a special energy to this time of year: We celebrate accomplishments, prepare for transitions, and work our way through the many duties that come with concluding a semester.
This year, however, carries particular challenges. Shifts in federal orders, guidance, and funding are reshaping how many of us approach our work. Some of these changes bring uncertainty — and I know that is not easy.
In times like these, I find it helpful to return to what grounds us. At UMB, that foundation is our mission — to improve the human condition and serve the public good — and our core values: Respect and Integrity, Well-Being and Sustainability, Equity and Justice, and Innovation and Discovery. These values are not just words on a wall or a poster. They are the principles that shape how we work, how we lead, and how we uphold our shared commitment to each other and those we serve.
Our seven remarkable schools — Dentistry, Graduate Studies, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Social Work — and the more than 13,000 students, faculty, and staff who make up UMB are united by these values. Even when external conditions change, our purpose remains constant. We teach with intention, conduct research that saves lives, care for patients and clients, and collaborate with our communities in Baltimore, Maryland, and beyond. That’s who we are. And it’s work we do with heart and with pride.
You might notice an update to how we describe our core values set of Equity and Justice. This change reflects thoughtful engagement with the national conversation and reinforces that Equity and Justice are values that benefit us all.
While our language might evolve to better reflect our values, our commitment to Equity and Justice does not. We remain steadfast in cultivating a community where all belong and are welcome to contribute ideas and perspectives. After all, our ability to recognize and respect one another’s differences is foundational to an inclusive community and helps us to overcome barriers together.
Our core values also help us navigate change. For example, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently updated its process requiring recipients of federal awards to promise not to advance or promote programs that violate federal antidiscrimination laws. Much has been reported about what this new notice does or does not mean to institutions that lawfully promote the virtues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Although the prospect of changing rules and processes might at first increase uncertainty, we turn to our core values to guide our behaviors and everyday interactions. UMB opposes discrimination in all its forms, and at its core, this NIH requirement reflects the principles that have long guided UMB’s mission and community. We stand by our values of Equity and Justice.
The road ahead could present challenges, but our purpose and resolve remain steady. In times of change, our core values and shared mission matter more than ever. Thank you for your dedication, your heart, and your resilience. I’m proud to walk this road with you.
With deep appreciation,
Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS
President
