UC s New Bearcat Bond Introduced at Convocation

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As a member of the University of Cincinnati, I will uphold the principles for a Just Community and the values of respect, responsibility, and inclusiveness.  I will promote the highest levels of personal and academic honesty and aspire continuously to better myself, the Bearcat community, and the world."

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Bearcat Bond Honor Pledge

A new pledge to unite the UC community was introduced to UC’s newest students at Convocation. Mitchel D. Livingston, vice president for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer, introduced the Bearcat Bond to students, faculty, staff and guests who attended the ceremony.

This new university honor pledge is endorsed by Faculty Senate, the Graduate Student Governance Association (GSGA), Student Government and the Office of Judicial Affairs.

“The Bearcat Bond encapsulates Just Community, the 2019 plan and the university mission statement into a two-sentence phrase that takes all that richness – but narrows the language – so that every member of the UC community can embrace the Bearcat Bond and even rephrase it from time-to-time,” says Daniel Cummins, assistant dean of students and director of the Office of University Judicial Affairs.

UC’s Just Community is a nationally recognized, civic education program that was first launched in 1995 when UC  governing committees – from the Board of Trustees to student government – voted to endorse the proposal to define a Just Community. Five years of programs and dialogue followed that proposal, resulting in a formal statement that outlined the principles of UC’s Just Community that was formally unveiled in 2001.

“The Bearcat Bond is a way to elevate and bring forward those principles and values,” says Cummins, who adds that there will be opportunities throughout the year for the UC community “to celebrate the goodness and the righteousness of the Bearcat Bond.”

 “The Bearcat Bond is a rather succinct way of stating what we are as a community,” says Lane Hart, UC Student Body President. “We’re hoping it will be something that students, faculty and staff can rally around to embrace what our UC community means to us.”

“The heart of the Bearcat Bond is integrity and inclusiveness,” adds Richard Miller, chair of university faculty and professor of civil engineering.  “Educational institutions produce and transmit knowledge.  Diversity and integrity are integral parts of that process.  Knowledge production requires the consideration of many different points of view so that the problem is examined from all sides.  Knowledge transmission requires integrity or no one will believe what we say even if it is the truth.”

“The GSGA fully supports the Bearcat Bond and the promotion of character and integrity on campus,” says Sarah Hutchings, president of the UC Graduate Student Governance Association. “We wish for all students to take this pledge to heart and to let it be the creed of their commitment to their education at the University of Cincinnati.”

Cummins is leading a team that is exploring programming opportunities for the Bearcat Bond. Cummins says he is now seeking interest, input and ideas from the UC community about building on the Bearcat Bond. To contribute, contact the Office of Judicial Affairs at 513-556-6814.

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