Our Commitment

As a university community dedicated to excellence, we take seriously our commitment to cultivating a diverse intellectual community.

In 2008, in consultation with Provost Tom Burish, President Jenkins requested two reports to define the challenges the University faced with regard to pursuing greater diversity among faculty, staff, and students.

The President and provost's response to these reports led to new initiatives and the creation of an updated diversity statement. That diversity statement clearly articulates the University's commitment to creating a culturally diverse intellectual community.

University of Notre Dame Diversity Statement

The University of Notre Dame is committed to diversity in our University community because it is a moral and intellectual necessity. As a Catholic university, we at Notre Dame believe every human being possesses the dignity of being made in God’s image, and every culture reflects God’s grandeur. Diversity enriches our social interactions and intellectual lives by exposing all of us to approaches and frames of reference that challenge our unexamined assumptions.

Yet our coming together on campus is only the start; we must cultivate community among us if we are to harvest the benefits of diversity. By working together, we come to appreciate how the gifts of each individual enrich the lives of every individual and the community as a whole. At Notre Dame, we believe that promoting diversity among students, faculty, and staff is an essential part of being a Catholic institution that is one of the preeminent universities in the world.