A look at the mission statements of student political student groups at Notre Dame

 

As stated in Notre Dame’s mission statement, “The University is dedicated to the pursuit and sharing of truth for its own sake.  As a Catholic university, one of its distinctive goals is to provide a forum where, through free inquiry and open discussion, the various lines of Catholic thought may intersect with all the forms of knowledge.”  The existence of various political groups on campus exemplifies Notre Dame’s mission of providing a forum for open discussion, with each club maintaining aspects of the university’s Catholic mission.

The various political clubs on campus hold events and discussions through which they engage in “free inquiry,” such as bringing in different political speakers to speak, or protesting those speakers.

The Notre Dame Moderates club, also known as bridgeND, holds events such as March’s open debate on immigration, in which the College Republicans, the College Democrats, GreeND, and Notre Dame Right to Life participated.

Notre Dame College Democrats’ platform focuses on commonality, stating on its website: “Republicans and Democrats alike strive to confront the immense challenges of society and to fish out truth in life.  Too often, this common purpose is lost in a melee of partisan bickering.  We tend to focus so intently on our differences that we fail to remember we are bound up in one common destiny—that we share our humanity.”

While the mere existence and activities of political groups on campus are manifestations of Notre Dame’s function as an intellectual forum, the political groups themselves participate in the university’s Catholic mission in different ways.  The College Democrats of Notre Dame explain their application of Notre Dame’s Catholic mission directly, saying, “As a Catholic University, we are in a unique position to address the issue of faith and politics.  Make no mistake—we welcome all people, regardless of belief or creed.  Nonetheless, we hold with firm conviction that our Democratic ideals are deeply rooted in our Catholic morals.”

According to their mission statement, bridgeND’s “social mission encourages members to form deep friendships and connections with other Notre Dame politicos.  BridgeND is open to all voices—liberal and conservative, Democrat and Republican, and anyone in between—willing to talk about our nation’s public policy in new ways.”

The Notre Dame College Republicans’ mission, according to its website, is to “strive to spread the Republican message.  As with the National Committee, our goals are to help elect Republicans and prepare future leaders of the party and our country.  While doing so, we hope to do our part to increase conservative values on campus.”

The College Libertarians’ mission statement directly reflects the national Libertarian Party’s perspectives, stating, “Libertarians believe the answer to America’s political problems is the same commitment to freedom that earned America its greatness: a free-market economy and the abundance and prosperity it brings; a dedication to civil liberties and personal freedom that marks this country above all others; and a foreign policy of non-intervention, peace, and free trade as prescribed by America’s founders.”  This statement was last updated in 2005.

Though their approach to the university’s mission differs, the political clubs on campus are manifestations of a dedication to maintain open forums for the pursuit of truth and knowledge.

Laura Machado is a sophomore studying Psychology and English.  She does not participate in any political clubs on campus, but hopes to attend more of the events that they put on in the future.  Contact her at lmachado@nd.edu.