Board of Trust

Mission Statement

Our Purpose:

Vanderbilt University's core purpose is to create, preserve, and disseminate knowledge through teaching, research, and the arts. In a culture of inquiry and debate, we create a community driven by radical collaboration and unwavering commitment to academic, professional, and personal growth.

Our Guiding Principles:

Excellence
We are committed to the pursuit and recognition of excellence in all aspects of our community, including the hiring and promotion of faculty and staff, the allocation of resources, and the admission and support of students.

Freedom to Teach, Learn and Conduct Research
We foster an environment of bold inquiry and discovery, grounded in a commitment to open forums with a range of perspectives, institutional neutrality, and civil discourse, where our faculty and students are free to pursue their academic interests without censorship or retribution.

Growth and Development
We are committed to minimizing financial and other barriers to attending Vanderbilt and cultivating a vibrant campus community that supports our students' academic and personal growth and pursuit of purposeful lives.