In 1992, the Syracuse University Senate adopted a mission and vision compact focused on promoting learning and a positive campus culture. The compact supported scholarly learning, endorsed a culturally and socially diverse climate, valued personal and academic honesty, and a safe and healthy environment for each member of the Syracuse University community.

Syracuse University continues to embrace those goals, and is guided by the principles contained in the statement. In building on that foundation, this New York college recognizes that its greatest strength is based on the interactive and collaborative nature of its many graduate and undergraduate programs. Through active engagement with practitioners and communities around the world, Syracuse University students and faculty learn, discover and create. As expressed in Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor's vision statement, Syracuse University is dedicated to faculty excellence and scholarly distinction, attracting and supporting enterprising students and a close interaction and engagement with the world-locally, nationally and globally.