EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION AT DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY
Academic Year 2024-2025
De La Salle University implements a Safe Spaces Policy aligned with the Philippine Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act No. 11313), which expands protections against gender-based sexual harassment across educational institutions, workplaces, public spaces, and online environments. By adopting this national framework, the University ensures that its policies are consistent with broader legal standards while remaining responsive to the specific needs of an academic community.
Complementing this policy is the University Code of Ethical Conduct, which reinforces a strong institutional commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion by upholding respect for the dignity of all individuals and explicitly prohibiting discrimination in all its forms. Together, these frameworks establish a comprehensive and integrated approach to safeguarding members of the University community. To wit:
De La Salle University commits to treat its members and stakeholders with respect and dignity, prohibits discrimination and harassment, and provides equal opportunities for all Lasallian Community members regardless of age, religion, marital status, race and ethnicity, political and cultural views, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical and mental condition, and citizenship.
The Safe Spaces Policy affirms the University commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for students, faculty, and staff. It provides clear definitions of gender-based sexual harassment and related forms of misconduct, encompassing both physical and non-physical acts, including verbal, psychological, and online behaviors. By identifying and prohibiting these acts, the policy establishes clear standards of conduct and reinforces a culture of accountability and mutual respect within the institution.
Beyond addressing harassment, the Safe Spaces Policy and the Code of Ethical Conduct function as key instruments of University equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). These frameworks ensure that all individuals are protected from discrimination and exclusion regardless of personal characteristics. The University explicitly upholds protections for individuals across a wide range of identities and conditions, including age, gender, disability, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, refugee and asylum status, and pregnancy and maternity. In doing so, the institution affirms that all members of its community are entitled to equal respect, opportunities, and participation in academic and social life.
The Code of Ethical Conduct further strengthens these protections by mandating ethical behavior grounded in fairness, integrity, and respect. It ensures that discriminatory practices and prejudicial behavior—whether based on age, race, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics—are not tolerated within the University. This ethical framework complements the Safe Spaces Policy by embedding inclusion not only as a regulatory requirement but as a shared institutional value.
In addition, the University emphasizes prevention and awareness by promoting education on respectful behavior, consent, inclusion, and diversity. These principles are integrated into campus life through orientations, campaigns, and institutional initiatives designed to foster a culture of understanding and shared responsibility. This proactive approach enables the University to address not only incidents of misconduct but also the underlying attitudes and social dynamics that contribute to discrimination and exclusion.
While the Safe Spaces Policy primarily focuses on addressing gender-based sexual harassment, its implementation— together with the Code of Ethical Conduct— advances a broader institutional commitment to equity and inclusion. It ensures that all members of the University community can engage in learning, work, and social interaction in an environment that is free from discrimination, regardless of age, disability, race, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.
Through these combined policies, De La Salle University strengthens its role as an inclusive academic institution that safeguards the dignity, rights, and well-being of its community. By integrating clear standards of conduct with a strong ethical foundation, the University fosters a campus environment defined by respect, inclusion, and shared responsibility.
