Dear Students,
I hope this message finds you well and eager to begin the next academic year! With classes, campus activities, football season, and preparations for the Inauguration of the University’s 18th president all upon us, it is an exciting time to be on campus, and I look forward to sharing all this year has to offer with you.
Throughout the next year, you will undoubtedly experience many moments of joy and find countless opportunities to create meaningful connections with others. Regardless of where you encounter these moments — in your residence halls, classes, activities, or conversations — please know that we in Student Affairs look forward to supporting your ongoing development and formation both personally and in the context of community. It is a true privilege to be a part of your journey.
At Notre Dame, learning, living, and growing alongside one another in community is not only a fundamental part of your education — it is an acknowledgment that all of us belong to something greater than ourselves. In this regard, we strive to surround you with people who genuinely care about your sense of belonging — rectors, club advisors, peers, coaches, administrators, and professors — as well as an array of University programs, practices, resources, and policies that converge and cooperate to communicate clearly: You belong here. This means that not only do you have a place at Notre Dame, but that—by virtue of our Catholic mission—you have an inherent and God-given dignity that precedes and transcends your accomplishments. Entering into authentic community with one another means recognizing this in ourselves and those around us.
Throughout the next year, you will undoubtedly experience many moments of joy and find countless opportunities to create meaningful connections with others. Regardless of where you encounter these moments — in your residence halls, classes, activities, or conversations — please know that we in Student Affairs look forward to supporting your ongoing development and formation both personally and in the context of community. It is a true privilege to be a part of your journey.
At Notre Dame, learning, living, and growing alongside one another in community is not only a fundamental part of your education — it is an acknowledgment that all of us belong to something greater than ourselves. In this regard, we strive to surround you with people who genuinely care about your sense of belonging — rectors, club advisors, peers, coaches, administrators, and professors — as well as an array of University programs, practices, resources, and policies that converge and cooperate to communicate clearly: You belong here. This means that not only do you have a place at Notre Dame, but that—by virtue of our Catholic mission—you have an inherent and God-given dignity that precedes and transcends your accomplishments. Entering into authentic community with one another means recognizing this in ourselves and those around us.
The community of belonging we are called to build at Notre Dame stands in stark contrast to the transactional relationships that so often consume our world. Here, belonging is much more than feeling ‘welcomed.’ To truly feel secure in one’s belonging, it’s important that there is a genuine sense of being known, heard, valued, and loved. It’s only in this basic context of support and inclusion when one can experience the authentic growth and personal transformation that are integral to a well-rounded college education.
In the midst of contentious and difficult nationwide issues and global crises, it is more important now than ever that we recommit to caring for one another and cultivating an environment of belonging. I am proud of the strongly held convictions each of you contribute to our community, and I hope you continue to bring these beliefs into your conversations with peers and to your classes, challenging one another even as you remain open to being challenged yourself. With that said, and to quote what University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., wrote in his letter to the Notre Dame community just yesterday, "Our words and actions must be grounded in charity."
While I recognize that advocating for an issue and impeding others’ ability to belong can at times feel like walking a very fine line, I find it helpful to come back to our “why,” and to let the purpose of living in community guide our actions. By taking seriously our call to live in authentic community with one another, and to cultivate an environment where every individual knows they are valued and belong, we offer our society a powerful example of what it might look like to belong to a community that cares deeply for one another — even when we might disagree strongly on important issues. Again, to echo Father Dowd, "We have the opportunity to be a model of vigorous but respectful dialogue for a society greatly in need."
In closing, I’d like to share a brief passage from the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross that I find particularly inspiring as we go about this work:
In the midst of contentious and difficult nationwide issues and global crises, it is more important now than ever that we recommit to caring for one another and cultivating an environment of belonging. I am proud of the strongly held convictions each of you contribute to our community, and I hope you continue to bring these beliefs into your conversations with peers and to your classes, challenging one another even as you remain open to being challenged yourself. With that said, and to quote what University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., wrote in his letter to the Notre Dame community just yesterday, "Our words and actions must be grounded in charity."
While I recognize that advocating for an issue and impeding others’ ability to belong can at times feel like walking a very fine line, I find it helpful to come back to our “why,” and to let the purpose of living in community guide our actions. By taking seriously our call to live in authentic community with one another, and to cultivate an environment where every individual knows they are valued and belong, we offer our society a powerful example of what it might look like to belong to a community that cares deeply for one another — even when we might disagree strongly on important issues. Again, to echo Father Dowd, "We have the opportunity to be a model of vigorous but respectful dialogue for a society greatly in need."
In closing, I’d like to share a brief passage from the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross that I find particularly inspiring as we go about this work:
“It is essential to our mission that we strive to abide so attentively together that people will observe: ‘See how they love one another.’ We will then be a sign in an alienated world; people who have, for love of their Lord, become closest neighbors, trustworthy friends, brothers and sisters” (4:42).
If we follow these words, it will truly set us apart as a University and show the world that a more life-giving path exists — one where difference within a community is valued and engaged with love and respect.
I remain deeply grateful for every one of you, and the many gifts and vitality you bring to Our Lady’s University. Please know of my prayers for each of you as you begin the semester; I look forward to seeing you around campus in the coming weeks!
In Notre Dame,
Fr. Gerry Olinger, C.S.C.
Vice President for Student Affairs
If we follow these words, it will truly set us apart as a University and show the world that a more life-giving path exists — one where difference within a community is valued and engaged with love and respect.
I remain deeply grateful for every one of you, and the many gifts and vitality you bring to Our Lady’s University. Please know of my prayers for each of you as you begin the semester; I look forward to seeing you around campus in the coming weeks!
In Notre Dame,
Fr. Gerry Olinger, C.S.C.
Vice President for Student Affairs