The College values diversity of perspectives and experiences among its faculty, staff, and students who are dedicated to building a community in which living and learning are intertwined and habits of creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking are encouraged.

Freedom of Expression

We are firmly committed to the free expression of ideas in all forms – a central tenet of liberal arts education. There are no questions that cannot be asked, no answers that cannot be discussed and debated. This principle is a cornerstone of our institution.

This statement is not limited to the classroom. It extends to the dining hall and student suites and the common rooms. It also extends to many forms of expression, including debate, speech, dance, and theatre.

This free expression also extends to you, the students, in a way that defines our community. It sets an expectation that you allow your peers to hold views different from your own. Be open to changing your mind, weighing evidence and arguments to re-evaluate ideas you took to be self-evident. Remember that agreement is not a requirement, nor even an expectation. It is through disagreement and debate that we come to understand and sharpen our own views.

We also ask that you be mindful of the local Singaporean context, just as we would encourage you to be mindful of the local context wherever you travel, live, work or study in the world.

As students, you are encouraged to debate political ideas and those ideas should filter into and out of the classroom. Partisan political campaigning and fund-raising, however, are not permitted on campus.

As students, you are encouraged to discuss all aspects of identity – including race, religion, nationality, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic class – and we hope that you will come to broader and more nuanced understandings of all of these identities. You are also welcome to join or create groups representing various identities.

Non-Discrimination

The College is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all community members regardless of race, religion, nationality, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic class.

In Singapore, to deliberately wound the religious or racial sensitivities of any person is considered an offence. The Penal Code criminalises the deliberate promotion of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different racial and religious groups on grounds of race or religion.

Singapore has passed laws prohibiting acts that may cause disharmony among various religious or racial groups. The Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act is an example of such legislation.