Dear Colleagues,
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, know that you and your loved ones are very much in my prayers.
I write to provide an update on our Notre Dame Values. As you know, we shared these with you at our recent Staff Town Halls. In that version of our Values, our commitment to our Catholic mission—which is the primary value that grounds all that we do—was referenced in the preamble to the four values as a way to show its overarching importance. Thanks to some constructive feedback we received, we now realize that placement is causing confusion, and that 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. You will see the updated Values below.
I hope this change makes clear what I believe we all understand: Our Catholic mission guides and informs all that we do and how we work together. I invite each of us to reflect more deeply on how we can be a force for good in the context of ND’s mission to be the leading global Catholic research university. Our Catholic mission has animated our common work from the University’s founding, and it will always be our guiding force.
I could not be more grateful for the many ways you embody the very best of Notre Dame. As I have said on many occasions, you inspire me with your generosity, kindness, and dedication to Our Lady’s University. I wish you and yours a joyful and restful Thanksgiving.
Sincerely yours in Notre Dame,
Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C.
