Welcome

Graduation Pledge Alliance

"Become the change you want to see in the world."
-Gandhi

Stepping into a global future:

As you consider the next step after graduation, the excitement of starting a career as well as questions of how to best use your education, consider also the call to act responsibly in your job or career choices. The Graduation Pledge encourages you to examine the ethical practices of any job you consider, in order to benefit society as a whole. Taking the Pledge is voluntary, and allows you to determine for yourself what you consider to be socially and environmentally responsible. Whether it is starting up recycling programs, promoting women in management, or decreasing discriminatory language in manuals, the Graduation Pledge signee is taking the first step towards making a difference in their communities, as well as throughout the world. Signing the pledge is one step towards ensuring a hopeful future for yourself and others.

What is the GPA?
Founded at Humboldt State University in the late 1980s, the Pledge was designed to challenge social and environmental injustice that sometimes results from career-motivated decisions. Since then, over seventy colleges and universities, from Harvard University to Manchester College in Indiana, have adopted the pledge in their commencement ceremonies.

Why is it important to ULV?
The University of La Verne is rooted in a historic peace tradition within the Church of the Brethren. As reflected in our mission statement, this tradition includes a philosophy that actively supports the health of the planet and its people, community in the midst of diversity, and approach to education that is lifelong, and service to the human and ecological community. The Graduation Pledge Alliance attempts to promote these ideals by challenging students to reflect on what they have learned at the university and apply it to everyday life, while at ULV and after they graduate.

The GPA at ULV
The Peace Studies program promotes the GPA by asking those who are interested to sign a small card to keep in their wallets as a reminder of their commitment, wear a green ribbon at Commencement, and support the incorporation of the Pledge into the life of our campus community.

The Pledge
"I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider, and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work."

Download the Graduation Pledge Form (pdf)

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