Bear Down Be Kind Campus Initiative

The Bear Down Be Kind Campus Initiative  is a comprehensive, long-term effort launched in Fall 2025 by the Office of the Provost, with campus-wide sponsorship, to infuse kindness into every aspect of the University of Arizona community. In collaboration with Tucson's Be Kind Organization Ben’s Bells and the Science of Kindness Community Collective, this initiative will actively involve students, staff, and faculty in learning, practicing, and modeling kindness. Through science-based tools, actionable strategies, and visual reminders , the initiative will cultivate positive attitudes, shared norms, and skills that support a compassionate campus environment.

This initiative will provide continuous support, trainings, and monthly resources to Kindness Ambassadors within each campus unit. By embedding kindness into everyday interactions and campus culture, the Bear Down Be Kind Campus Initiative aims to strengthen community connections, enhance well-being, and inspire a lasting commitment to kindness across the university.

We are deeply thankful to this initiative sponsors: Student Affairs, Native American Initiatives, Staff Council, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences-Faculty Affairs, Provost Investment Fund, Faculty Affairs. 

Research indicates that kindness is associated with better well-being and more productivity. Through this initiative, the University of Arizona community will gain a deeper understanding of kindness and its impact on communities and the confidence to share this information with their unit. The units will be positively impacted in areas such as: 

• Attitude – Shaping positive perspectives on kindness
• Norms – Establishing kindness as a shared value
• Skills – Equipping individuals with actionable kindness practices
• Environment – Creating a culture that supports and reinforces kindness

Kindness Ambassadors 

To advance our goal of infusing kindness into every aspect of the University of Arizona community, volunteers from across campus will partner with us in this meaningful effort. 

Each academic and administrative unit will have the opportunity to designate one Kindness Ambassador. If you would like to represent your unit as a Kind Campus Ambassador, please click here to sign up.

Kindness Ambassadors will lead by example and implement a series of facilitated activities provided by Ben’s Bells to foster a culture of compassion, connection, productivity, and well-being across campus.

kind campus embassador form

Be Kind Bear Down Launch Event 

To launch this incredible and transformative initiative, we are excited to invite you to the Be Kind Bear Down Launch Event. Please complete this form if you plan to attend, and help spread the word by inviting students, colleagues, and staff to join us for this inspiring event. Lunch will be provided.

At the kickoff, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with fellow kindness champions and participate in a dynamic one-hour presentation designed to foster Kind Campus Communities and inspire the practice of kindness in our daily lives.

This special session will be facilitated by Ben’s Bells, with guest speakers from the Science of Kindness Community Collective and student representatives from Kind Cats.

kindness kick off event registration form