Beyond the mission statement: What makes a college Catholic

This study identifies elements which are perceived as contributing to the Catholic nature of a college. While most colleges and universities experienced rapid changes during the 1960's and 70's, the challenges facing Catholic institutions of higher education were compounded by concomitant changes in the Catholic Church. Many of these institutions attempted to redefine their relationships with the Church and to clarify their unique indentities as members of both the higher education and the Church communities. At the same time, many Catholic colleges, in order to receive government funds, legally relinquished their Catholic status and became independent institutions.;Most of these independent colleges and universities, however, still consider themselves to be Catholic. There is, in fact, a growing trend among them to clarify and strengthen their Catholic identity and mission. Legal issues aside, what makes these institutions Catholic? While many authors have identified elements contributing to Catholic identity, few have focused on the perceptions of constituents.;A case study was undertaken at the College of Mount Saint Vincent to identify elements which its constituents perceive as contributing to its Catholic identity. Questionnaires were distributed to the College's trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents of students and alumnae/i; interviews were conducted with administrators, faculty and trustees. The study identified two essential elements, chosen by all constituents, which contribute to the College's Catholic identity--attention to the moral and spiritual development of its students and the College's environment of Christian community manifested by respect and concern for each member. Other factors identified as important to the Catholic nature of the college varied with the degree of responsibility its constituents have for shaping or fostering the mission. Those with little or no responsibility in this regard more often chose signs or symbols as important for the College's Catholic identity.;If the College of Mount Saint Vincent wishes to preserve its Catholic identity it must discover ways to either maintain some of these outward signs or symbols or find substitutes for them. More importantly, the College should educate its constituents with regard to the intrinsic, intangible elements which contribute to or define its Catholic nature.