The University of Notre Dame has moved quickly to restore "Catholic Mission" as a core staff value after backlash over its brief removal — a change school leaders now admit created "confusion" over the school's identity and priorities.
In a Nov. 21 message to staff, Notre Dame President Rev. Robert A. Dowd said the university had originally placed its Catholic identity in the preamble of a new set of four staff values unveiled last week, believing that approach would emphasize its "overarching importance."
But the shift, he acknowledged, sent the wrong signal.
"Thanks to some constructive feedback we received, we now realize that placement is causing confusion," Dowd wrote. "Some could interpret that not as elevating our mission as we intended but as a sign of diminishing commitment. To avoid any further confusion, we have now included the language on Catholic mission as the first of our five core values."
"Catholic Mission" is now the university's top stated value, defined as: "Be a force for good and help to advance Notre Dame's mission to be the leading global Catholic research university."
The remaining values — Community, Excellence, Collaboration, and Innovation — follow.
Dowd stressed that the Catholic character of Notre Dame "guides and informs all that we do and how we work together," calling it a foundational force present "from the university's founding" and one that "will always be our guiding force."
Addressing staff directly, Dowd closed by expressing gratitude for their role in upholding Notre Dame's identity.
"I could not be more grateful for the many ways you embody the very best of Notre Dame," he said. "You inspire me with your generosity, kindness, and dedication to Our Lady's university."
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