Core Values

1.  Educating

The most important value of the FDUH Programs, Services, and Cultural Events is to educate the UMassD Community. 

2.  Fostering community

The FDUH fosters a sense of shared responsibility and belonging to our buildings, environment, organizations, and on and off campus community; engaging students to be involved or having ownership of programming and extra-curricular activities.

3.  Respecting difference through collaboration

The FDUH operates across organizational boundaries towards achieving desired outcomes; being inclusive, trusting that others are just as responsible; working for the good of the whole and utilizing the diverse strengths of each member of the FDUH staff and student population; cooperation between those who are working together on a task and encouraging each other to agree to disagree well.

4.  Social justice

The FDUH advocating for social justice issues and inclusiveness; accepting, respecting and valuing social diversity among people; being open minded and welcoming to all diverse people and ideas.

5. Developing leaders  

The FDUH creates opportunity for underrepresented students to lead. Student are encouraged to get involved and to take on leadership responsibilities on campus and in the community. Students are also encouraged to be employed at the FDUH as work study students.

6. Engaging difficult dialogue

The FDUH encourages all participants to engage in difficult dialogue for the purpose of educating and transforming the individual. During these events, the Unity House becomes neutral ground for the given discussions. Rules of civic engagement make these discussions a powerful and transformative experience for all who are willing to participate.

7. Exposing culture

The FDUH exposes culture through seeking intentional collaborations with indigenous cultures of the Southwest region of Massachusetts, i.e., Cape Verdean, Portuguese and those tied to the African Diaspora. FDUH develops educational or cultural events in collaboration with and for the community to expose students to the diversity on campus.

8. Safety

The FDUH creates an environment free from the occurrence of risk of injury, danger, or loss; creating a sense of safety and comfort; being able to admit failure or mistakes and agreeing to disagree without negative repercussions. Practicing civility, and unity in all we do.

9. Student-centered

The FDUH focuses on improving the students’ experience on campus; developing programs and events that take into account the needs and perspectives of current students; optimizing the students' experience through friendly and student-centered services and assistance; initiating interactions, with student identity development models in mind.