Inclusion and Belonging
Building a community where all can flourish
As a Catholic institution of higher education, the University of Notre Dame is dedicated to the pursuit and sharing of truth for its own sake. Across a range of disciplines, the College of Arts & Letters provides a forum for free inquiry and open discussion, fostering an environment in which Catholic thought can intersect with knowledge and creativity across the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
Guided by the University’s commitment to the principles of Catholic social teaching, the College strives to build an intellectually rich, welcoming community that at once explores the problems of the past, considers solutions to the challenges of the present, and pursues answers that will drive progress in the future.
“The principles of inclusion and belonging are essential to excellence in research and teaching — diverse ideas and methodologies coupled with the freedom to study and discuss any and all topics are inherent to the pursuit of truth. As a community of scholars and students that represents diversity in all its forms, we must thoughtfully explore and meaningfully engage all areas of inquiry, no matter how difficult, in order to create knowledge for the good of the world.”
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
This standing Arts and Letters committee promotes an inclusive climate; facilitates the development of scholars whose work is essential to a flourishing diverse community; and sustains and champions innovative and inclusive scholarship and teaching.
Teaching and Learning
Notre Dame’s mission statement calls for the University to be a place that “seeks to cultivate in its students not only an appreciation for the great achievements of human beings, but also a disciplined sensibility to the poverty, injustice, and oppression that burden the lives of so many.” Through deep reading, critical thinking, and respectful dialogue, a Notre Dame liberal arts education helps broaden students’ understanding of the world beyond their own perspective, fostering an appreciation for the complexity of the human experience.
We Are All Notre Dame
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion arises from our aspirations about the community we seek to be and lies at the heart of our mission as a Catholic research university. In keeping with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, Notre Dame commits to respect the dignity of every person, build a community in which all can flourish, and live in solidarity with all, particularly the most vulnerable.
“This is who we are, and who we are called to be—seekers of truth, sustainers of hope, builders of bridges, extending and expanding these gifts we’ve been given, to others and to the world. ... That’s why Our Lady is depicted on the Dome, with arms and hands open. Never closed off to anyone; always ready to receive; always ready to embrace.” — Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., Notre Dame President
We acknowledge our presence on the traditional homelands of Native peoples including the Haudenosauneega, Miami, Peoria, and particularly the Pokégnek Bodéwadmik / Pokagon Potawatomi, who have been using this land for education for hundreds of years, and continue to do so.