The University of British Columbia

In late September 2008, President Toope introduced UBC’s Respectful Environment Statement for Students, Faculty and Staff. The Statement speaks to our freedoms and our responsibilities, and provides the guiding principles to support us in building an environment in which respect, civility, diversity, opportunity and inclusion are valued.

Many of us live by the Golden Rule or the Ethic of Reciprocity.

“Treat others the way you would like to be treated”

Have you heard about The Platinum Rule?
“Treat others the way they want to be treated”

This rule means that you recognize that service is not about what you want to give; it’s about what others want to receive. Ask people what they want. Listen to their answers.

Apply the Golden Rule to avoid harming others, and apply the Platinum Rule to provide people with the things that they value or that are important to them.

Read the full UBC Respectful Environment Statement (.pdf).