Historically Catholic university drops Catholic mission from staff values for more ‘global’ identity

The University of Notre Dame has dropped the school’s historic Catholic mission from its staff values and adopted a “refreshed” set of generic concepts like “community” instead, though it will still identify as a “Catholic research university.”

The Catholic school’s list of staff values previously included requiring that one “Understands, accepts, and supports the Catholic mission of the university and fosters values consistent with that mission.” Now, the list has been watered down into generic requirements that staff “treat every person with dignity and respect” and “work together.”

The list of values also previously demanded a “high moral standard” for staff members, a commitment to “the overall team objectives rather than own interests,” and consideration of “the common good.” Staff should be “widely trusted, respectful, and honorable” and remain “accountable for both how and what is accomplished,” Notre Dame previously believed.

Notre Dame did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

The new values state simply that staff should have “a commitment to truth and service” and “embrace opportunities with creativity and dedication.” University vice president for human resources Heather Christophersen said the updated values “are an expression of how we seek to advance Notre Dame’s mission as a global, Catholic research university.”

Notre Dame announced the changes on Nov. 10 after university leadership discussed the school’s “response to the changing higher education environment.”

The university further backtracked on its Catholic values in February when a top academic officer said that hiring women and minorities is “equally important” to the school’s mission as hiring Catholics.

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