 | Name: University of Notre Dame Location: Notre Dame, Indiana Religious Affiliation: Catholic Enrollment: 11,417 Website: www.nd.edu Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission |
Concerning GLBT Equality:
The University of Notre Dame 2006-07 student handbook includes the following:
Resources for Gay and Lesbian Students
"The Spirit of Inclusion at Notre Dame" states: We welcome all people, regardless of color, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social or economic class, and nationality, for example, precisely because of Christ’s calling to treat others as we desire to be treated. We value gay and lesbian members of this community as we value all members of this community. We condemn harassment of any kind, and University policies proscribe it. We consciously create an environment of mutual respect, hospitality and warmth in which none are strangers and all may flourish."
Within this context, the University offers resources to students who are gay, lesbian or bisexual:
Campus Ministry offers an annual retreat in February for gay/lesbian/bisexual students and their friends.http://www.nd.edu/~ministry/retreats/index.html
University Counseling Center offers individual counseling: 1-7336.
The Core Council for Gay and Lesbian Students is an advisory group to the Vice President for Student Affairs, composed of students, staff and administrators. http://corecouncil.nd.edu. The Council sponsors events on campus to heighten awareness and increase understanding about issues relating to homosexuality:
NETWORK: A Welcoming Place for Respectful Dialogue, aims to prepare members of the Notre Dame community to offer a confidential and respectful place of dialogue regarding gay and lesbian issues. NETWORK participants display a small placard with the NETWORK logo to signify that they are prepared to offer a welcoming place of conversation about issues related to sexual orientation.
CommUnity: seeks to educate first-year students about the inclusive nature of community at Notre Dame.
Monthly coffee hours provide a gathering space for refreshments and conversation.
Solidarity Sunday invites the Notre Dame community to pray with its gay/lesbian and bisexual brothers and sisters.
Gay and lesbian student-members are available to answer student questions; check http://corecouncil.nd.edu/current_events/members.shtml for their names and e-mail addresses.
The student handbook also states that a sexual union outside of marriage is grounds for suspension or dismissal.
Student Life Policies
- Because a genuine and complete expression of love through sex requires a commitment to a total living and sharing together of two persons in marriage, the University believes that sexual union should occur only in marriage. Students found in violation of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary suspension or permanent dismissal.
It is unclear whether the University excludes same-gender marriages (i.e. would the University cite this policy in suspending or dismissing monogamous homosexual students who were married.)
The University of Notre Dame student handbook can be viewed as a PDF here.