Are Catholic Colleges Leading Students Astray?
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SPECIAL REPORT
Are Catholic Colleges
Leading Students Astray?
A nationwide survey raises concerns about the impact that American
colleges have on the faith and morals of Catholic students.
(NANCY WIECHEC/CNS)
By PATRICK J. REILLY
E
ven while many Catholic col-
leges in the United States are
making exciting progress in
their efforts to renew Catholic
higher education, the challenges faced
by reformers just keep growing worse.
Dozens of Catholic colleges recently
hosted productions of “Vagina Mono-
logues,” a vulgar play in which the les-
bian seduction of a 16-year-old girl is
portrayed as her “salvation.” [See side-
bar.] A women’s center at Saint Mary’s
College in Notre Dame, Indiana, funded
four students’ travel to a pro-abortion
leadership conference in Washington,
DC—at a time when thousands of pro-
life college students were finding their
own way to the same city for the annual
March for Life. And now comes hard ■ Students cross the campus of Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
data that confirms the failure of many
Catholic colleges to tend to their stu- ganization of which I am president, ded- HERI compared the 38 participating
dents’ spiritual needs. icated to restoring Catholic identity in Catholic colleges (including 20 four-
A survey of students at 38 Catholic America’s Catholic colleges—commis- year colleges and 18 universities) with
colleges—including major universities sioned HERI to analyze data on students nonsectarian four-year colleges and
like Creighton, Loyola Marymount, No- at Catholic colleges who participated in other religious (mostly Protestant) four-
tre Dame, and St. John’s of New York— HERI’s 2001 national survey (the latest year colleges. It also provided data for
reveals that graduating seniors are for which data is currently available). Catholic four-year colleges—excluding
predominantly pro-abortion, approve These findings have never been report- Catholic universities to ensure a proper
of homosexual “marriage,” and only oc- ed elsewhere. comparison with the other four-year col-
casionally pray or attend religious ser- lege groups—but the results indicated
vices. Nine percent of Catholic students Students losing their faith no significant difference when Catholic
abandon their faith before graduation. The HERI report commissioned by universities were thrown into the mix.
The annual survey of college stu- CWR and the Cardinal Newman Society This was something of a surprise to me,
dents, conducted by the Higher Edu- draws from a 1997 survey of incoming since I expected students at the larger
cation Research Institute (HERI) at the freshmen at American colleges, and a universities to be more liberal, but the
University of California-Los Angeles, is near-identical survey of graduating HERI data do not indicate any signifi-
important because it provides the only seniors in 2001. We excluded responses cant variations. So to avoid confusion,
useful data on Catholic colleges that cuts from students who participated only in we have not reported data from the
across institutions. There simply isn’t one of the studies, thereby ensuring Catholic four-year college group.
any other publicly available assessment an accurate account of how students Although there is some reason to ex-
of the student experience for the 223 changed during their college experience. pect that the results from the surveys at
Catholic colleges in the United States. We included non-Catholic as well as 38 Catholic colleges hold up well if the
Catholic World Report and the Cardi- Catholic students, but tracked each survey had been conducted at all of the
nal Newman Society—the national or- group’s responses separately. 223 Catholic colleges nationwide, the
38 THE CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT, March 2003HERI survey was not designed to be Church teaching. The Vatican and needs of Catholic students.
applied generally to all US Catholic col- the Catholic bishops have vocally The HERI study also found
leges. The 38 colleges included in the opposed abortion, homosexual that 9 percent of Catholic students
survey were not selected with an eye to unions, and premarital sex. If sig- at Catholic colleges leave the
obtaining a representative sample of the nificant numbers of Catholic stu- Church. That is a frightening sta-
whole group, and so the results are sta- dents are turning against Church tistic—even though defections
tistically valid only for the schools in- teaching, non-Catholic colleges were almost twice as common at
volved. (See the explanation of the HERI cannot be expected to reverse the nonsectarian and other religious
survey’s limitations on page 46.) Still, ideological drift, but Catholic col- colleges.
in the absence of any other comparable leges should be combating such One welcome development is
material showing the performance of trends in the classroom, the cam- shown in the fact that 11 percent of
Catholic schools, the survey results de- pus chapel, and the residence hall. non-Catholic students enrolled at
serve careful scrutiny. And what the By and large, students graduating Catholic colleges reported con-
available data do show about the 38 par- from Catholic colleges ought to verting to the Catholic faith dur-
ticipating Catholic colleges is cause for have views more in line with Catho- ing their undergraduate years.
alarm. The full results of the HERI sur- lic teaching, assuming that the Still, despite that influx of con-
vey are shown on page 42. A few of the Church’s teaching is accurately verts, the much greater number of
most noteworthy findings are: presented and lived out by college students dropping away from the
• In 1997, 45 percent of incoming faculty and staff. active practice of their faith left the
freshmen at Catholic colleges said • At non-Catholic religious colleges, Catholic colleges with a net 4 per-
they support keeping abortion 24 percent of seniors reported cent loss in the number of practic-
legal, with 55 percent opposed. much stronger religious beliefs ing Catholics enrolled.
Four years later, the same students and convictions than when they • In 1997, more than two-thirds of
were 57 percent pro-abortion, 43 were freshmen. Even liberal Prot- Catholic freshmen at Catholic col-
percent pro-life. Similarly, stu- estant colleges are known for leges attended religious services
dents’ support for legalizing ho- placing a high priority on the spir- frequently, while the remaining
mosexual “marriages” increased itual development of their stu- third attended occasionally. By
from 55 percent to 71 percent. Ap- dents. But at Catholic colleges, senior year, 13 percent stopped
proval of casual sex increased only 15 percent of students re- attending services altogether, and
from 30 percent to 49 percent. ported the same sort of spiritual nearly half attended only occa-
For all three issues, the increase growth. Catholic educators should sionally.
in support among students at be asking how they can achieve Similarly, only 37 percent of
Catholic colleges was far more better results by emphasizing the seniors at Catholic colleges said
dramatic than increases at other they prayed or meditated more
(CNS/REUTERS)
religious colleges. This difference, than one hour a week. Almost
however, is largely explained by a one-third of the students reported
disturbing trend among Catholic that they do not pray at all.
students generally, rather than
any particular factors at the in- Are the colleges to blame?
stitutions involved in the survey. Michael James, assistant executive
HERI’s analysis shows that Catho- director of the Association of Catholic
lic students’ support for abortion, Colleges and Universities (ACCU), dis-
homosexual unions, and casual misses the HERI survey results as hav-
sex increased at roughly the same ing little importance for anyone beyond
d r a m a t i c r a t e re g a rd l e s s o f the participating colleges. “In terms of
whether the students enrolled at a this being representative of the Catholic
Catholic, nonsectarian, or other student population,” James says, “I find
religious college. Support for these it difficult to make that case.”
issues increased rapidly at Catho- Certainly there is no scientific basis
lic colleges where most students for the assumption that the HERI data
are Catholic, while other religious from 38 Catholic colleges would apply
colleges with fewer Catholics re- without modification to America’s 223
ported less support. Catholic colleges. But the set of 38 col-
Nevertheless, Catholic colleges leges seems sufficiently varied by size,
■ Students at a September 11, 2001
ought to be alarmed when most prayer service at Marquette Univer-
location, and controlling religious order
students thumb their noses at sity in Milwaukee. or diocese to resemble the national set,
THE CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT, March 2003 39SPECIAL REPORT
CATHOLIC COLLEGES PRESENT OFFENSIVE “MONOLOGUES”
hile the Church agonizes over revelations of the play glorifies sexual deviancy and the seduction of girls by
W priests’ predatory seduction of young men,
dozens of Catholic colleges in the United States
were scheduled in February and March to pre-
sent the vulgar play “Vagina Monologues,” complete with a
favorable reminiscence about the lesbian seduction of a 16-
older women.
At the University of Detroit-Mercy, “Vagina Monologues”
is being organized in the middle of Lent by a nun, Sister Sandra
Yost, CSJ, an associate professor of electrical engineering. At
other colleges, faculty members are also involved in the play
year-old girl. through women’s studies programs. On the Internet one can
Each year, the “V-Day College Campaign” encourages find that Dominican University of California “is proud to
campus productions of “Vagina Monologues” to raise funds announce” its production involving students and faculty.
for charities that prevent violence against women. This year
students and faculty announced plans to present the play at Few cancellations
656 colleges worldwide, including 43 Catholic colleges in the Despite a nationwide protest led by the Cardinal Newman
US. Among them are several of America’s most prominent Society (www.cardinalnewmansociety.org), as this article is
Catholic institutions: Boston College; the College of the Holy written only four colleges are known to have banned students
Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts; DePaul University in from presenting the play. The College of New Rochelle in
Chicago; Fordham University in New York; Georgetown New York told students the play “is not an appropriate vehi-
University in Washington, DC; Loyola University of Chicago; cle for the college.” Nearby Iona College also told students
Saint Louis University; the University of Dayton in Ohio; the that “Vagina Monologues” was inconsistent with the college’s
University of Detroit-Mercy; the University of Notre Dame in “history, traditions, and community composition.” At Loras
Indiana; and the University of San Francisco. College in Dubuque, Iowa, the student organizer canceled
“Vagina Monologues” is a collection of feisty narratives by plans for the play after the college refused permission to pre-
women celebrating their sexuality, replete with vulgarity and sent it on campus. The University of Portland’s president
explicit discussions of sexual encounters including lesbian banned the play after reading the script.
activity and masturbation. In one scene, a woman describes Other presidents have tried to minimize public criticism of
her seduction by a lesbian woman when she was 16 years old, student productions. Father Robert Spitzer, SJ, president of
declaring the incident her “salvation.” (This scene, as it is now Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, told students
performed, represents a departure from the original script, in they could not present the play on campus, although the Gon-
which the girl was only 13 and the seduction was called “a zaga Women’s Studies Program was allowed to sponsor the
good rape.”) play at a nearby hotel. Boston College allowed the play on
campus, but told students they could not advertise it to any-
An academic-freedom issue? one outside the student body itself.
Father Edward Malloy, CSC, president of the University of Eight other colleges where productions were planned by
Notre Dame, defends the on-campus production scheduled students—including La Salle University in Philadelphia;
for March 3 and 4 as an exercise of academic freedom, arguing Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania; and
that “a responsible academic setting is precisely the place Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia—have told the
where controversial topics should be examined and dis- Cardinal Newman Society that the performances are can-
cussed.” But Notre Dame alumni and students who have orga- celed. But they did not explain whether students simply aban-
nized under the name Mary’s Advocates to protest the play doned their plans or college administrators intervened.
don’t agree that “Vagina Monologues” can be justified as an Father Michael Garanzini, SJ, president of Loyola Univer-
academic exercise. One of the Advocates is Mary Lake, who sity of Chicago, told protesters “we are not presenting” the
graduated from Notre Dame Law School in 1991. She says the play—”at least not that I know.” He made this statement
university owes students its “protection” from an ultra-femi- despite announcements of the event on the university calen-
nist play that aims to “cheat young women out of a normal sex- dar and the website of Loyola’s Women’s Studies Program,
ual life with their future husbands.” which sponsored the play on February 14 and 15. Other col-
“As a parent, I would not want my college-age daughter to lege officials have denied reports that “Vagina Monologues”
be exposed to that play, because it glorifies in a humorous way would be presented on their campuses, only to discover that
masturbation and lesbian seduction,” Lake says. students had indeed organized productions.
University of Dayton president Daniel Curran doesn’t try Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the apostolic constitution for Catholic
to justify the play’s content, but he defends his university’s higher education, requires that a Catholic college “informs and
production as a fundraiser for local charities. “While I have carries out its research, teaching, and all other activities with
some concerns about some of the material in the play, I see Catholic ideals, principles, and attitudes.” That “Vagina Mono-
great value in the discussion of the larger issue of violence logues” is presented at even a single Catholic college is reason
against women,” Curran told protesters, ignoring the fact that enough for Catholic parents to take notice. ■ —Patrick J. Reilly
40 THE CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT, March 2003(KIMBERLY JANSEN/CNS)
so that we might draw some inferences on moral issues is primarily a result of
about what a national survey of students their entry into adulthood and integra-
at Catholic colleges might find. We may tion into American society. Catholic col-
never know. leges are comprised largely of Catholic
Strong similarities among most students, and Hoge is not surprised that
Catholic colleges’ approaches to teach- young Catholics experience a more dra-
ing, curriculum, campus life, campus matic swing toward views that are prev-
ministry, and extracurricular activities ■ Students dance during a gathering alent in American society, reasoning that
also contribute to the case for drawing of the Fellowship of Catholic they start as freshmen with more tradi-
University Students. The orthodox
national inferences from the HERI data. college outreach trains recent tional attitudes than their peers. “Col-
For example, in my experience working graduates to return to campus as lege students are more volatile to making
with Catholic colleges, I have seen that faith leaders. changes in attitudes than older people,”
most require similar types of core cours- that even a college that receives disap- Hoge says.
es, provide similar campus ministry pointing survey responses from its stu- All this is natural at Catholic colleges
programs and sacramental opportuni- dents might blame those responses in that showcase dissenters as campus lec-
ties, and have similar policies for allow- part on “mitigating factors” such as the turers, subsidize student clubs that dis-
ing dissident speakers on campus. Most broad diversity of students who attend sent from Church teaching, and do little
Catholic colleges are becoming increas- Catholic colleges, many of them poorly to stem sexual activity in residence halls.
ingly homogenized, often mimicking formed in the faith and not much differ- But Hoge embraces the typical line of
prestigious secular colleges. ent from students at non-Catholic col- American Catholic academics, arguing
Even the recurring scandals on many leges. “We have some real challenges that colleges should allow free and open
Catholic campuses suggest strong com- when those students come to Catholic discussion of all issues, and saying that
monalities. The pro-abortion politician colleges and universities,” James says. this process inevitably allow Catholic
who is given an opportunity to gain That much is certain. The lack of spir- students to encounter and possibly em-
some favorable publicity on a Catholic itual formation among Catholic youth brace views contrary to Catholic teach-
campus by speaking on world peace, the prior to college is well documented. In ing. (More conservative observers reply
environment, or women’s rights seems Young Adult Catholics: Religion in the Cul- that open debate should be distin-
almost obligatory for many colleges—as ture of Choice (Notre Dame Press, 2001), guished from outright propaganda, and
does the harassment of a pro-life speak- noted researcher Dean Hoge and his co- by observing that Catholic institutions
er who may not even intend to discuss
abortion. Sometimes even the names of Catholic students’ support for abortion, homosexual unions, and
the guest speakers are the same, from
one school to another. Leon Panetta, the casual sex increased at roughly the same dramatic rate
former chief of staff in the Clinton White
House, makes the rounds at Jesuit col-
regardless of whether the students enrolled at a Catholic,
leges; former Senator George Mitchell nonsectarian, or other religious college.
and author Garry Wills also make regu-
lar appearances on the Catholic-college
lecture circuit. Dozens of Catholic col- authors summarize national surveys of have no duty to invite speakers whose
leges presented “Vagina Monologues” young Catholics showing overwhelm- conduct is notoriously immoral, or
this year. Liturgical abuses at Mass are ing dissent with Church teaching on whose views are incompatible with fun-
common, as are referrals to Planned sexual ethics and weak allegiance to the damental Catholic doctrine.)
Parenthood for contraception and abor- Vatican and bishops.
tions. The campus culture of excessive Hoge, a sociology professor and di- Not taking faith seriously
drinking and sexual activity is near uni- rector of the Life Cycle Institute at the But while free and open discussion
versal. Catholic University of America, ac- among students is vital to higher educa-
Given similar problems, policies, and knowledges that one would hope to see tion, and while many freshmen entering
programs at most Catholic colleges, the Catholic colleges producing better re- Catholic colleges may be ready quickly
HERI study might indicate broader con- sults than what the HERI data indicates, to abandon their parents’ religious prin-
cerns for all of Catholic higher educa- especially on issues like abortion— ciples because they lack a strong spiritu-
tion. But even if there is no attempt to where the Church’s teaching is clear and al formation, Catholic colleges still have
generalize the HERI data beyond the 38 more widely embraced by lay Catholics, the option of being authentically and
participating colleges, it is certain that unlike issues such as contraception and firmly Catholic, thus shoring up their
the survey results are appalling. Are homosexuality on which there is more students’ faith. The sad fact is that the
Catholic colleges to blame? widespread dissent. But Hoge suspects HERI survey results show increasing
The ACCU’s Michael James argues that the changing opinions of students dissent and declining morality among
THE CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT, March 2003 41SPECIAL REPORT
CATHOLIC COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES NONSECTARIAN 4-YEAR COLLEGES OTHER RELIGIOUS 4-YEAR COLLEGES
All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic
Number of Respondents 7,197 5,199 1,998 5,153 1,520 3,623 2,747 395 2,352
All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic
1997 44.9 37.9 62.8 61.1 49.5 66.1 39.8 42.5 39.3
Abortion should be legal.
2001 57.3 51.7 71.9 71.6 65.5 74.3 47.6 56.8 46.0
Change 12.4 13.8 9.1 10.5 16.0 8.2 7.8 14.3 6.7
If two people really like each All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic
other, it’s all right for them 1997 29.9 27.5 36.3 40.2 38.7 40.8 22.2 28.3 21.2
to have sex even if they’ve
known each other for only 2001 49.4 48.0 53.3 58.8 59.8 58.4 34.4 47.5 32.1
a very short time. Change 19.5 20.5 17.0 18.6 21.1 17.6 12.2 19.2 10.9
All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic
Same-sex couples should 1997 54.6 52.4 60.2 62.8 62.0 63.1 39.8 53.8 37.5
have the right to legal
marital status. 2001 70.6 69.5 73.7 72.2 76.9 70.2 48.1 69.1 44.6
Change 16.0 17.1 13.5 9.4 14.9 7.1 8.3 15.3 7.1
All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic
The dealth penalty 1997 32.2 35.5 23.5 27.4 28.9 26.8 25.2 25.0 25.3
should be abolished. 2001 39.9 37.7 40.9 36.2 35.3 36.3
46.3 49.5 38.1
Change 14.1 14.0 14.6 12.5 8.8 14.1 11.0 10.3 11.0
All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic
Religious Preference– 1997 73.4 100.0 0.0 30.8 100.0 0.0 14.7 100.0 0.0
Roman Catholic 2001 69.0 91.0 11.0 27.8 84.0 3.7 13.1 83.9 1.3
Change -4.4 -9.0 11.0 -3.0 -16.0 3.7 -1.6 -16.1 1.3
All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic
1997 6.6 0.0 24.8 17.8 0.0 25.8 7.6 0.0 8.9
Religious Preference–None
2001 10.9 5.5 25.0 22.8 9.8 28.3 11.4 9.5 11.7
Change 4.3 5.5 0.2 5.0 9.8 2.5 3.8 9.5 2.8
All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic
Source: Higher Education Research Institute, University of California - Los Angeles; 2001 College Student Survey, 1997 Cooperative Institution Research Program.
1997—Not at all 7.4 2.8 19.6 18.1 6.5 23.1 8.2 6.1 8.6
1997—Occasionally 33.1 28.9 44.4 37.6 37.2 37.7 24.9 36.5 22.9
Have
attended 1997—Frequently 59.4 68.3 36.1 44.4 56.4 39.2 66.9 57.4 68.5
a religious
2001—Not at all 19.6 12.8 37.4 41.2 27.8 46.9 18.7 23.5 17.9
service.
2001—Occasionally 45.1 44.7 46.3 37.3 50.2 31.8 34.6 52.6 31.6
2001—Frequently 35.3 42.6 16.3 21.5 22.1 21.2 46.6 24.0 50.4
Reported much stronger All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic
religious beliefs and 2001
15.2 15.9 13.3 11.9 7.8 13.6 24.3 12.2 26.3
convictions since entering ONLY
college as a freshman.
All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic All Catholic non-Catholic
1997-None 20.7 14.4 37.5 35.9 25.2 40.6 18.1 20.7 17.6
1997—20 0.4 0.3 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.3 0.8
Prayer/Meditation
2001—None 31.2 25.9 44.8 48.2 41.9 50.8 23.6 35.9 21.5
2001—20 0.6 0.5 0.9 0.4 0.3 0.4 1.3 1.0 1.4
42 THE CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT, March 2003SPECIAL REPORT
students during their four years of a weak. It’s wrong.
Catholic college education. Regardless Given similar problems, Active Catholic students enrolled at
of where the students begin their college Catholic colleges often complain that
journey, Catholic colleges should be policies, and programs at core curriculum requirements are in-
helping students move closer to Christ, most Catholic colleges, the adequate, and fail to give most students a
and certainly doing a better job of mov- college-level understanding of the Catho-
ing students toward the Catholic faith HERI study might indicate lic faith. “The required theology classes
than secular colleges do. In fact, the HERI for all students don’t necessarily cover
data show that the Catholic colleges are broader concerns for all of Catholic teaching,” complains Christina
not significantly different from the secu- Catholic higher education. Dehan, a sophomore at the University of
lar schools in terms of their effect on stu- Notre Dame. She continues:
dents’ beliefs and conduct. Everyone [at Notre Dame] has to take
“When students graduate from a cise their profession.” He also calls for a Scripture class, but mine was taught
Catholic college with less understand- the combination of “academic and pro- by a Protestant graduate student who
ing of the Church, or with beliefs incom- fessional development with formation knew nothing about Catholic teach-
patible with Church teaching, such as in moral and religious principles and the ing. The second theology requirement
being pro-abortion, then I would call in- social teachings of the Church” as well can be completed by any of a wide
to question what that college has done or as “ethical formation” in each discipline. variety of classes that don’t normally
failed to do,” says David House, presi- The Holy Father ’s use of the word pertain to Church teaching specifi-
dent of St. Joseph’s College of Maine. “formation” is a reminder that colleges cally.
“To be fair, it may not necessarily be the should provide more than simple text- Dennis Martin, associate professor of
fault of the college, but I would still book instruction in Catholic teachings, theology at Loyola University of Chica-
wonder what happened over a four- which could theoretically be accom- go, says the problem is not only whether
year period.” plished without any faith commitment. students are assigned Catholic theology
House says he is surprised by the The Pope places some emphasis on out- courses, but what is being taught in
number of parents he meets who send comes, reasoning that colleges should those classrooms. “Many major Catholic
their children to Catholic colleges ex- graduate students who are well formed colleges do teach students to appreciate
pecting at least basic instruction in and active in their faith, and embrace the ‘Catholicism Lite’ and to take offense at
Catholic teachings and intellectual Church’s teaching as truth that must be the magisterium’s teaching on sexuality
traditions. “That this often doesn’t occur lived. and marriage,” Martin says, “because
would be occasion for consumer-fraud David House of St. Joseph’s College any self-respecting American intellectu-
lawsuits in just about any other indus- argues: al simply ‘knows’ these things are hope-
try,” House says. I think the notion of, “Here’s Catholic lessly out of date, and Catholics have
Thomas Dillon, president of Thomas teaching; take it or leave it,” is better been hungry for respect for more than
Aquinas College in Santa Paula, Califor- than nothing, but it is still far from the two centuries on this continent.”
nia, agrees that many Catholic colleges mark, and doesn’t really approach There are problems outside the class-
do not seem to be adequately pursuing formation. Ultimately, of course, each room as well. David Endres, a graduate
the mission of Catholic higher educa- human being is free to exercise his student in religious studies at the Catho-
tion. Dillon says: will, but to present Church teaching lic University of America, sees class-
In general, a turning away by stu- at a Catholic college as neutral or as room instruction as only one aspect of
dents from the Catholic faith seems one of many offerings in the cafeteria students’ spiritual formation at a Catho-
to be the inevitable result of an edu- of belief systems is more than just lic college. What students experience
cation that does not take seriously outside the classroom—including cam-
(ED LANGLOIS/CNS)
the intellectual underpinnings of the pus lectures, student clubs, social events,
faith. In addition, students only rare- peer encounters, dating, community ser-
ly witness in the academic or admin- vice, the liturgy—can have a significant
istrative staff the living out of the impact on students’ spiritual lives.
principles of our faith. All too often “Catholic colleges should work to build
they find, instead, outright disdain a culture that encourages spiritual and
for the faith. moral growth at every level,” Endres
In Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the apostolic says. Of special importance is avoiding
constitution on Catholic higher educa- even the appearance of accepting in-
tion, Pope John Paul II instructs colleges appropriate student conduct, notably
to ensure that students “realize the re- ■ A Franciscan sister meets with including premarital sex and substance
sponsibility . . . of being witnesses to students at Clark College in Oregon abuse.
preparing to enter the Catholic
Christ in whatever place they may exer- Church. Thomas Kneier, dean of student life
THE CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT, March 2003 43SPECIAL REPORT
(CNS/REUTERS)
at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Crisis magazine, sent out an email news-
Ohio, notes that Ex Corde Ecclesiae re- letter in which he used the HERI results
quires that “all the basic academic activ- as the basis for some sweeping and un-
ities of a Catholic university are connect- justified criticism of American Catholic
ed with and in harmony with the evan- colleges. His criticism in turn was based
gelizing mission of the Church.” on a preliminary summary of HERI da-
“This says to me that the mission of ta, prepared by the Cardinal Newman
a Catholic university goes beyond in- Society but not intended for broad pub-
tellectual formation and includes what lic distribution. Unfortunately Hudson
Cardinal Ratzinger describes as the heart was unaware of, and thus failed to ex-
of evangelization: namely, ‘teaching the plain, the facts that only 38 Catholic col-
art of living,’” Kneier says. But for many ■ Students at Jesuit-run Boston Col-
leges participated in the survey, and that
lege carry mock coffins last Decem- the original HERI data included results
ber as they protest a possible US- from many students who participated in
CATHOLIC COLLEGES led military action in Iraq.
the survey only once, either as freshmen
PARTICIPATING IN THE 2001 floundering campus life programs, “the or as seniors. Those responses from one-
HERI STUDENT SURVEY standard is mediocrity.” time participants obviously did not, and
Kneier make his case this way: could not, offer any information about
Alvernia College (Reading, PA)
Oranges grow best in Florida because how the students’ attitudes were influ-
Avila University (Kansas City, MO)
of the ideal climate and conditions. enced by their years in college; only the
Cabrini College (Radnor, PA)
A Catholic university with a strong before-and-after interviews afforded
College of Mount Saint Vincent (Bronx, NY)
Catholic culture that pervades cam- such information on the outcomes of
College of New Rochelle (New Rochelle, NY)
pus life is the best climate for students undergraduate education.
College of Saint Catherine (St. Paul, MN)
to grow spiritually. The truth taught Critics of Hudson’s analysis, and
College of Saint Mary (Omaha, NE)
in the classroom is reinforced and defenders of the American Catholic col-
College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, MA)
applied outside the classroom. leges, pounced on this methodological
Creighton University (Omaha, NE)
Whether in the classroom or the resi- error as a reason to dismiss his argu-
Fairfield University (Fairfield, CT)
dence hall or the cafeteria, what is need- ment. Ironically, the heated debate that
Gannon University (Erie, PA)
ed is a genuine commitment to helping ensued almost resulted in a decision to
Gonzaga University (Spokane, WA)
students live moral lives. shelve the only available study of Catho-
John Carroll University (University Heights, OH)
“Professing to be a Catholic college, lic college outcomes. HERI researchers
Loyola College in Maryland (Baltimore, MD)
but then tacitly allowing or tolerating angrily protested the misuse of their
Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, CA)
openly immoral behavior, is worse than findings. Catholic college leaders de-
Marian College (Indianapolis, IN)
a secular institution that, after all, makes nounced the public embarrassment
Marywood University (Scranton, PA)
no particular claim to a religious tradi- caused by the premature release of in-
Mercyhurst College (Erie, PA)
tion or a religious belief,” agrees David complete findings. The New York Times
Molloy College (Rockville Centre, NY)
House. and the Chronicle of Higher Education
Mount Saint Mary College (Newburgh, NY)
both reportedly canceled plans for arti-
Mount Saint Mary’s College (Emmitsburg, MD)
More information, please cles describing the HERI results.
Notre Dame College (Cleveland, OH)
In the debate over whether Catholic Only Catholic World Report and the
Regis University (Denver, CO)
colleges can and should have a more Cardinal Newman Society insisted on
Sacred Heart University (Fairfield, CT)
positive impact on students’ spiritual taking a closer look. Together we per-
Saint Bonaventure Univ. (St. Bonaventure, NY)
growth, one important missing ingredi- suaded the HERI researchers to prepare
Saint Francis College (Brooklyn, NY)
ent is solid, reliable information about a report using fully accurate and com-
Saint John’s University (Jamaica, NY)
the effects of Catholic campus life on plete data. This HERI report analyzed
Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame, IN)
undergraduate students. There is sim- only the responses from students who
Saint Mary’s College of California (Moraga, CA)
ply a dearth of good research on the out- had participated in the survey twice—
Saint Mary’s University (San Antonio, TX)
comes produced by Catholic institutions thus eliminating the methodological
Saint Norbert College (De Pere, WI)
of higher education. The limitations of flaw in Hudson’s analysis, and offering
Saint Vincent College (Latrobe, PA)
the HERI study—and a controversy the best available study of Catholic col-
Salve Regina University (Newport, RI)
that arose out of the premature use of lege outcomes.
Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, CA)
some HERI findings—have made that About a decade ago, institutional re-
University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN)
shortage of hard data all the more no- searchers attempted to design a national
Viterbo University (LaCrosse, WS)
ticeable. survey for Catholic colleges, according
Wheeling Jesuit University (Wheeling, West VA)
The controversy over the HERI data to Michael James of the ACCU. But the
Xavier University (Cincinnati, OH) ■
began when Deal Hudson, the editor of project fell apart because of disagree-
44 THE CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT, March 2003(AMY BUCK/CNS)
ments about the data to be collected, a
lack of sufficient funding at some col-
leges and “some sensitivity” among col-
lege leaders about the collection of po-
tentially embarrassing data. “We need to
continue to look for ways to assess our-
selves and be honest with ourselves,”
James says. James was one of the readers
who were unhappy with Hudson’s an-
alysis of the incomplete HERI results.
“When I saw those numbers, I asked my-
self, what other data can we rely on to put
these numbers in perspective?” he re-
ports. “But there’s nothing.”
But it is evidence of negligence bor-
dering on irresponsibility that Catholic
colleges have not yet developed any in-
strument for tracking students’ four-
year experiences across all 223 Catholic
colleges, and across relevant subsets of
that large group, such as the country’s
Jesuit-run colleges. And there seems to ■ Young people join in the celebrations at “Mount 2000 and Beyond,” an annual
be a plethora of competing explanations Eucharistic prayer festival held at Mount St. Mary’s College and Seminary in
Emmitsburg, Maryland.
for this failure to gauge outcomes—
which continues to this day, more than a reinforce the notion that if they waver of hard data on students at Catholic
decade after Ex Corde Ecclesiae called for too much they are abnormal,” House colleges. So again, why is that data still
a movement toward reform of Catholic says. “Or, conversely, if the attitudes and lacking? Jennie Bradley, a junior at the
colleges. behaviors of students at Catholic col- University of Notre Dame, asks whether
Thomas Dillon of Thomas Aquinas leges are well within the national, secu- other administrators are deliberately
College thinks the absence of data re- lar norms, this is used to affirm the insti- avoiding public embarrassment. “As
flects the fact that there is simply no tutional culture, not to challenge it.” long as you keep on talking about a
motivation to study the essential charac- If a survey instrument were designed problem, you have an excuse not to take
teristics of a Catholic institution at col- to test students’ beliefs and behaviors, action,” Bradley says. A national survey
leges, since those characteristics have would the results help spur needed re- of students at Catholic colleges “would
faded away in recent decades. Dennis forms at Catholic colleges? Is better data highlight the desperate need for reform
Martin of Loyola doubts that Catholic a solution to the lack of spiritual forma- at these schools, and then there could no
college leaders in the past few decades tion? longer be any excuses.”
would have had much use for survey House suspects that many college
results, and he suggests that any surveys leaders and even many American bish- Hope for reform
they did produce would have been ops are already “fully aware of the dele- Without any plan in sight for further
shaped by what he calls ‘Catholicism terious effects of college on the spiritual research, is there any hope that Catholic
Lite,’ and thus would not have truly and religious lives of students.” Unfor- colleges will be convinced that they
measured fidelity to the Church. Thom- tunately, he continues, “I don’t think need to do a better job of helping stu-
as Kneier of Steubenville notes that re- many of them care about it, otherwise dents develop spiritually as well as aca-
search requires time and money, and there would be more done to address the demically?
“perhaps there has not been a felt need issue.” There are some promising signs. Sig-
for such an investment until now.” Endres also doubts that many Catho- nificant efforts are underway at many
David House believes that most lic college leaders would recognize stu- Catholic colleges to review their campus
Catholic colleges are interested in com- dent views and behavior as connected to life policies in light of their Catholic mis-
paring themselves to national norms, so their essential educational mission. “It sion. The ACCU last year sponsored a
that administrators put their focus on seems that ‘belief’ is not considered an workshop for student affairs personnel,
comparisons with secular institutions, essential determination of a Catholic and the Cardinal Newman Society’s na-
leaving little room for consideration of college’s strength,” Endres says. tional conference on “Catholic Campus
their Catholic identity. “Of course, the But it is difficult to believe that there Life” gathered student affairs and cam-
result is that Catholic colleges are then are not many administrators and re- pus ministry personnel, college leaders
gauged by secular norms, which then searchers who would make good use and students to discuss voluntary
THE CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT, March 2003 45SPECIAL REPORT
guidelines for student life policies and Catholic campuses: just one example of
programs. The HERI survey results what students can accomplish. “Even a
“What I find truly noteworthy are the small number of faithful and faith-filled
Catholic colleges and universities that show increasing dissent and students can be a leaven to the whole
are struggling—successfully, I might declining morality among campus that gives rise to a dynamic
add, and often spurred by Ex Corde Ec- Catholic environment,” Kneier says.
clesiae—to return to Catholic orthodoxy,” students during their four But tackling the problems indicated
House says. He continues: by the HERI survey and building a new
These institutions face odds that years of a Catholic college commitment to students’ spiritual for-
seem insurmountable in today’s rela- education. mation is no small task. For every stu-
tivistic, New Age culture of medioc- dent or faculty member seeking reform,
rity, yet they are succeeding in re- many others will be comfortable with
forming their institutions, including ing alone to be an example for their peers the status quo. Recent books like Sandra
student life, and in returning to val- or working with student organizations Estanek’s Understanding Student Affairs at
ues rooted in the teachings of Jesus like the Association of Students at Catho- Catholic Colleges and Universities (Sheed
Christ and in the doctrines and her- lic Colleges (ASCC), COMPASS, and the & Ward, 2002) and David Guthrie’s Stu-
itage of the Roman Catholic Church. Fellowship of Catholic University Stu- dent Affairs Reconsidered (University Press
In other colleges that are slow to re- dents (FOCUS). The ASCC is about to of America, 2002) are only beginning
form, great hope lies in the influence of launch a major effort to help establish steps toward building effective campus
faithful Catholic students, whether act- Eucharistic adoration programs on life programs that address students’
needs beyond the classroom.
For several decades now, Catholic
LIMITATIONS OF HERI DATA college leaders have followed the exam-
ple of secular colleges, paying little seri-
A
lthough the HERI survey of students at 38 Catholic colleges raises
ous attention to student life concerns fol-
concerns about the colleges’ impact on students and suggests possi-
lowing the abandonment of the in loco
ble trends throughout Catholic higher education, the colleges and
parentis approach to administration of
universities that participated in the survey were not intended to com-
undergraduate life. What is needed
prise a representative sample of American Catholic institutions of higher learn-
today is a major shift in the way most
ing. Only a survey carefully designed to achieve such a representative sample
Catholic colleges are managed, with
could provide fully accurate data on the views and habits of students at all
more resources, personnel, and research
Catholic colleges nationwide. Because the HERI survey was not designed for this
dedicated to those aspects of “educating
purpose, the results have certain limitations including:
the whole person” that have been short-
1. The institutions represented in the study are not perfectly representative of
changed in recent years.
all 223 Catholic colleges in the US. For example, more than a quarter of the institu-
“Interestingly, in the early stages of
tions in the HERI study are Jesuit-run. Jesuit schools, which are generally consid-
higher education in this country, it was
ered to be more liberal than the other Catholic colleges, make up just 13 percent of
widely accepted that things such as a
all US Catholic colleges. On the other hand, none of the participants in the HERI
strong sense of morality, wisdom in
survey came from among those colleges commonly recognized as thoroughly
decision making, and ‘life skills’ were
orthodox, such as Thomas Aquinas College in California or Franciscan Univer-
meant to be the outcomes of any college
sity of Steubenville, Ohio; responses from those students might have balanced
or university experience,” Bradley says.
out any liberal bias from the Jesuit institutions. Moreover, the 38 colleges are geo-
“Higher education was meant to pro-
graphically diverse and represent varied forms of administrative control (includ-
duce not just young people with a good
ing religious orders and dioceses). The split among four-year colleges (20) and the
and useful body of knowledge, but gen-
usually larger universities (18) is reasonably close to the split among all Catholic
tlemen: people who were respectful and
institutions.
respectable in every way.”
2. Each participating institution selects students for the survey according to its
Only by embracing those goals once
own methods—probably not always by random selection. The number of stu-
again can the renewal of Catholic higher
dents that participate may also vary regardless of total student population. So
education truly succeed. ■
there is the likelihood of sampling error even within institutions.
3. The HERI data reported here is aggregate data for the 38 participating col-
Patrick J. Reilly is founder and president
leges and the comparison groups. Although we have identified the 38 colleges,
of the Cardinal Newman Society
assumptions cannot be made about the survey responses for individual institu-
(www.cardinalnewmansociety.org), a
tions. It is likely that the results from some of the 38 colleges indicated no particu-
national organization dedicated to the
lar cause for concern about students’ spiritual development, while other colleges
renewal of Catholic higher education.
demonstrated much worse problems than the group as a whole. ■
46 THE CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT, March 2003THE CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT, March 2003 47
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