This mission statement embodies the principal purposes of DePaul University.
As such it is the nexus between past, present and future; the criterion
against which plans are formulated and major decisions made; the bond
which unites faculty, students, staff, alumni, and trustees as an academic
community. As a university, DePaul pursues the preservation, enrichment,
and transmission of knowledge and culture across a broad scope of academic
disciplines. It treasures its deep roots in the wisdom nourished in
Catholic universities from medieval times. The principal distinguishing
marks of the university are its Catholic, Vincentian, and urban character.
Central Purposes
DePaul, in common with all universities, is dedicated to teaching, research,
and public service. However, in pursuing its own distinctive purposes,
among these three fundamental responsibilities this university places
highest priority on programs of instruction and learning. All curricula
emphasize skills and attitudes that educate students to be lifelong,
independent learners. DePaul provides sufficient diversity in curricular
offerings, personal advisement, student services, and extracurricular
activities to serve students who vary in age, ability, experience, and
career interests. Full-time and part-time students are accorded equivalent
service and are held to the same academic standards.
As a comprehensive university, DePaul offers degree programs at the
undergraduate and graduate levels and a range of professional programs.
The liberal arts and sciences are recognized not only for their intrinsic
value in undergraduate and graduate degree programs, but also because
they are foundational for all specialized undergraduate programs and
supportive of all advanced professional programs. The university maintains
that depth of scholarship to offer the doctorate in selected academic
disciplines. Libraries, computer resources, and other academic support
services match the levels and diversity of degree programs.
Research is supported both for its intrinsic merit and for the practical
benefits it offers to faculty, students, and society. Broadly conceived,
research at the university entails not only the discovery and dissemination
of new knowledge but also the creation and interpretation of artistic
works, application of expertise to enduring societal issues, and development
of methodologies that improve inquiry, teaching and professional practice.
In meeting its public service responsibility, the university encourages
faculty, staff and students to apply specialized expertise in ways that
contribute to the societal, economic, cultural and ethical quality of
life in the metropolitan area and beyond. When appropriate, DePaul develops
service partnerships with other institutions and agencies.
Students and Faculty
DePaul invites to its programs of study students from across the nation.
Originally founded for students from the greater Chicago area, and still
serving them predominantly, DePaul continues its commitment to the education
of first generation college students, especially those from the diverse
cultural and ethnic groups in the metropolitan area. Admission standards
for all degree programs are selective or highly selective. In admitting
students the university places greatest weight on intellectual potential
and academic achievement. It seeks diversity in students' special talents,
qualities, interests, and socio-economic background.
DePaul University seeks to manage its resources effectively so as to
control the costs it charges students for programs and services. Moreover,
it makes available as much financial aid as possible to assure access
to a broad range of talented students. The university identifies and
offers special assistance to students of high potential who have been
handicapped by educational, personal or societal obstacles beyond their
control.
From its first charter DePaul has supported a philosophy which now is
expressed as being an equal opportunity educator and employer. DePaul
continues to provide equal opportunities to students and employees without
regard to age, national origin, race, sex, handicap, creed or color.
Moreover, it strives to recruit faculty and staff who reflect the diverse
mix of the student body.
The faculty, learned yet learning, gives substance to the mission of
the university. These men and women personify the intrinsic value of
scholarly inquiry and the force of creative and intellectual efforts.
Through their dedication to learning, their contributions to a personalistic
environment, and their faith in the potential of their students, the
faculty and staff serve as role models for students.
Distinguishing Marks
By reason of its Catholic character, DePaul strives to bring the light
of Catholic faith and the treasures of knowledge into a mutually challenging
and supportive relationship. It accepts as its corporate responsibility
to remain faithful to the Catholic message drawn from authentic religious
sources both traditional and contemporary. In particular, it encourages
theological learning and scholarship; in all academic disciplines it
endorses critical moral thinking and scholarship founded on moral principles
which embody religious values and the highest ideals of our society.
On the personal level, DePaul respects the religiously pluralistic composition
of its members and endorses the interplay of diverse value systems beneficial
to intellectual inquiry. Academic freedom is guaranteed both as an integral
part of the university's scholarly and religious heritage, and as an
essential condition of effective inquiry and instruction.
The university derives its title and fundamental mission from St. Vincent
de Paul, the founder of the Congregation of the Mission, a religious
community whose members, Vincentians, established and continue to sponsor
DePaul. Motivated by the example of St. Vincent, who instilled a love
of God by leading his contemporaries in serving urgent human needs,
the DePaul community is above all characterized by ennobling the God-given
dignity of each person. This religious personalism is manifested by
the members of the DePaul community in a sensitivity to and care for
the needs of each other and of those served, with a special concern
for the deprived members of society. DePaul University emphasizes the
development of a full range of human capabilities and appreciation of
higher education as a means to engage cultural, social, religious, and
ethical values in service to others.
As an urban university, DePaul is deeply involved in the life of a community
which is rapidly becoming global, and is interconnected with it. DePaul
both draws from the cultural and professional riches of this community
and responds to its needs through educational and public service programs,
by providing leadership in various professions, the performing arts,
and civic endeavors and in assisting the community in finding solutions
to its problems.
Adopted
by
the Board of Trustees
November, 1991
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