TerrapinSTRONG

If you have any questions please contact us at terrapinSTRONG@umd.edu

What is TerrapinSTRONG?

TerrapinSTRONG is a shared vision and values for the entire campus community. All new faculty, staff and students participate in the TerrapinSTRONG onboarding course, as well as TerrapinSTRONG onboarding initiatives within their division/college/school. These onboarding experiences are just the first step to creating an inclusive campus. The TerrapinSTRONG vision is the shared understanding from which we work to improve the sense of community, connection and inclusion on our campus.

TerrapinSTRONG Vision

The University of Maryland strives to create an inclusive environment where every member of our community feels that they belong and are empowered to reach their full potential.

Shared Values

At the University of Maryland, we try to be:

We depend on one another to meet our goals, and we are strongest when we support each other. This means we think about what is good for everyone when we make decisions and choose our actions. We are diverse but we have a lot in common. We have similar goals, we share resources and we spend the majority of our lives together in a common space. We use acceptance and our unity of purpose to create a sense of belonging for every member of our community.

Values language adapted from UMD history and mission page.

To be TerrapinSTRONG is to:

Engage diversity.

This means we value the diversity of our community. We are constantly seeking new ways to work together, be inclusive, and show the world that our diversity is our greatest strength. We excel in education, research and service because of our diversity.

Acknowledge the role the University of Maryland has played throughout its history in denying access and full participation.

We cannot move forward if we do not admit the mistakes of our past and present. The University of Maryland takes responsibility for our history of causing harm and preventing people from participating in our community based on their race, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, income, disability, national origin and religion. We recognize that our campus rests on land first stolen from the Piscataway Tribe and later used as a slave plantation.

Celebrate University of Maryland traditions, trailblazers and communities.

We show Terrapin Pride by celebrating trailblazers (those who paved the way for us), welcoming new TERPS into traditions, and constantly creating new and inclusive communities.

Take actions to advance diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and social justice.

The University of Maryland sees the many challenges our world faces. We speak up for human rights, and we take actions to advance equity, inclusion and social justice.