In 2008 The Center—in addition to publishing two issues of the quarterly Bulletin of Catholic Higher Education, continuing research on the 2009 Newman Guide and publishing a series in anticipation of the beatification of John Henry Cardinal Newman—has three priority research areas: Academics, Student Life and Governance.

Academics

Academics are, of course, the reason that colleges and universities exist. Among the most important issues that The Center is researching are the core curriculum and academic freedom. For decades the core curriculum at many Catholic colleges, once a hallmark of Catholic higher education, has been weakened to the point that it is practically non-existent. The Center will trace the history of the core, examine its importance to educating students and look at models of core programs that are able to meet the needs of modern students without sacrificing academic quality.

In addition to commissioning research on core curriculum issues, The Center has begun to establish a working group of academics to delve more deeply into the issue and will host a symposium on the issue in the fall. Other papers and events will examine the importance of teaching bioethics at Catholic colleges and examining academic freedom in light of Pope Benedict’s address to Catholic college presidents.

Student Life

While academics are what colleges “do,” most students spend far more time in the dorm room than in the classroom. The Center is commissioning research in this area on a broad range of issues including pastoral resources and campus ministry, campus student life policies, and student attitudes on core Catholic values.

The Center will also take responsibility for conducting research for The Cardinal Newman Society’s “Love & Responsibility Program.” This program was launched in 2006 after student surveys and a steady stream of other evidence pointed to a crisis of student behaviors in opposition to Catholic values on life, love and marriage with significant detrimental effects on their physical, psychological and spiritual well being.

Among the specific papers The Center will produce in 2008 are a scientific survey of current students and recent graduates, a study of Humanae Vitae and sexual ethics on campus, and an examination of the pastoral care of students with same-sex attraction. In addition, The Center is working with the Institute on Religious Life to examine how best to foster vocations on campuses.

Governance

Establishing a quality academic program and providing students with a campus culture that promotes a Catholic way of life requires leadership from academic departments, administrators and boards of trustees. The Center will produce a series of papers in 2008 on the importance of these issues from the perspective of a trustee and an administrator, as well as a report on why hiring for mission is critical to an institution's Catholic identity.