In Principio v16 no3 (2005)

A. Professor Lance Twomey Vice Chancellor of Curtin University, Mrs Meg Twomey, Mr Peter Tagliaferri, Mayor of the City of Fremantle, Hon Justice Neville Owen, Chancellor, Dr Peter Tannock, Vice Chancellor at the opening of the School of Medicine, Fremantlle Campus. NOTRE DAME AS A CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY At a recent forum held at the Australian Catholic University in Sydney the Vice Chancellor outlined his answers to two key questions about Notre Dame as a Catholic university. This is the text of his remarks: How does Notre Dame define itself as a Catholic University? • Through its Objects as set out in its enabling legislation, These are listed in Section 5: a) the provision of university education within a context of Catholic faith and values ; and b) the provision of an excellent standard of: (i) teaching, scholarship and research; (ii) training for the professions; and (iii) pastoral care for its students. • Through its canonical statutes and agreements, • Through its governance structures, and especially through the composition and role of its Trustees. • Through its Statutes and Rules. • Through particular activities in support of the role and work of the Church and its agencies. • Through its role as a centre for Christian intellectual life. • Through its Australian and international relationships, especially NDUS. • Through its physical presentation. • Through its private status. What are the strategies and practical steps adopted by The University of Notre Dame Australia to achieve its objectives as a Catholic University? Ten Steps: 1. Having a compulsory core curriculum for all students, comprising courses in philosophy, theology and ethics. There is no substitute for the academic study of these disciplines. 2. Seeking to select our community in a deliberate way - our students and staff (academ ic and administrative). We try to 'recruit for mission'. This enhances quality and direction. 3. Encouraging our teachers to integrate discussion on ethical issues into the day to day curriculum. We must provide systematic development programs for staff to enable this to happen. All staff must grapple with this - not just those from campus ministry. 4. Promoting social justice education: formal courses available to all students and (compulsory) service-learning programs and service internships (for credit); supporting the educational aspirations of Aboriginal people through our Broome Campus. 5. Encouraging a sense of community within the university by actively supporting the student association and a wide variety of clubs; student involvement in sport, recreation, cultural activities and social life. 6. Investing in an active campus ministry which underpins and promotes spiritual and liturgical life on campus for staff and students. 7. Emphasising pastoral care as a goal of equal importance to the academic. Everyone on staff (academic and administrative) has a pastoral care obligation - for students and other staff. We must be inclusive and supportive of everyone in our community. 8. Promoting a university culture that recognises and values every student. Every student is someone. We must know his/her name. They are not an anonymous number in a mass higher education factory. Our goal is 100% graduation! 9. Being openly and unequivocally Catholic - and proud of it! We welcome people of all faiths (and none at all) into our community, but there is no doubt about our Christian faith underpinnings and our integral membership of the Catholic Church. 10. Seeking excellence in teaching, scholarship, research and professional training. We believe that excellence in standards in these areas is fundamental to being a Catholic university worthy of the name. ii