In compiling this guide, we researched all Catholic colleges and universities that provide undergraduate degrees. Clearly, a number of

institutions that have been exemplary in liv- ing their Catholic mission, and we are proud to recommend them.

The greatest challenge came in evaluat- ing the University of Notre Dame. For many people, Catholics and non-Catholics alike,

cation. As we interviewed faculty, students and alumni, and as we researched the record of the university over the past 10 years, we alternated between excitement and discour- agement.

Clearly, the academic reputation of many of its colleges and departments as well its overall renown is a source of pride for its alumni and supporters. We also are impressed by the vi- brant spiritual life that comes at a time when most large Catholic universities have become

But there are issues, many of which have concerned us for some time, that prevent us from recommending Notre Dame. Overall,

Fortunately, there are signs of improve- ment. Thanks to the concerns raised by Father John Jenkins, C.S.C., Notre Dame\u2019s president since 2005, The Vagina Monologues

launched an initiative to strengthen Catholic hiring, which is sorely in need of strengthen- ing.

Ultimately, we decided that no guide to Catholic universities would be complete without discussing Notre Dame. For that rea- son, we are providing the same analysis that we presented for the preceding institutions,

Notre Dame is not an anomaly among large Catholic universities. Most of them share a desire to move from their traditional

Notre Dame is a dream come true. But we alert them and their parents that to thrive at Notre Dame requires a good Catholic forma- tion and the exercise of caution in their course selections and social life. And so, we are pro- viding a cautionary note.

ed States. Its impressive 128-year-old Golden Dome (with the Blessed Virgin Mary on top) has become a symbol of Catholic higher edu- cation.

Founded in 1842 by the Congregation of Holy Cross, Notre Dame achieved promi- nence in the 1920s as a result of its exception- al football teams coached by Knute Rockne.

Millions of Catholics became \u201csubway alum- ni\u201d who aspired to have their children a\ue005end the college and be part of the \u201cFighting Irish\u201d

By all accounts, Notre Dame provides a broad-based, quality education. There are 59 bachelor\u2019s degree programs, and students have the opportunity to prepare for various professions. The university has eight colleges or schools.

Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C., founded the uni- versity, and it remained under the control of the Congregation of the Holy Cross until 1967,

The Fellows name the board of trustees, a group that is headed by former Qwest execu- tive Richard Notebaert. There are currently 56 members on the board.

This two-tiered structure, with the higher tier largely in the hands of the religious of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, is unusual among larger Catholic universities and pres- ents an opportunity to protect the Catholic interests of the institution.

The president must be a member of both the Congregation of the Holy Cross and the Fellows. Upon his election, the new president is not required to take an Oath of Fidelity to the Catholic Magisterium, although the presi- dent does have to make a commitment to the university\u2019s mission statement and its poli- cies.

a Catholic academic community of higher learning, animated from its origins by the Congregation of the Holy Cross. The Univer- sity is dedicated to the pursuit and sharing of truth for its own sake. As a Catholic uni- versity one of its distinctive goals is to pro- vide a forum where through free inquiry and open discussion the various lines of Catholic thought may intersect with all the forms of knowledge found in the arts, sciences, profes- sions, and every other area of human scholar-

There is no question about the academic rep- utation of this university. But for those con- cerned about faithfulness to Catholic teach- ing, the story at Notre Dame is sometimes mixed.

nately, his successor, Father Jenkins, endorses the principles of Ex corde Ecclesiae, and he has presented to the faculty reasons why a mis-

Accordingly, many at Notre Dame and oth- ers, including alumni and bishops, hoped that Father Jenkins would forthrightly resolve em- barrassing contradictions to the university\u2019s

Catholic identity, such as the annual \u201cqueer \ue000lm festival\u201d and performances of the lewd and morally o\ue002ensive Vagina Monologues. Im-

provements are being made, but many alum- ni told us that they are frustrated by the slow pace.

Jenkins publicly expressed concern about the content of the play and its variance with Catholic teaching, even while accepting the

less likely than in previous years, but they are not forbidden by any clear standards of stu- dent or faculty conduct.

It is also hoped that Father Jenkins will curb invitations to campus speakers and hon- orees who clearly are in opposition to Church teaching. TheM o n ol og u e s\u2019 author, Eve Ensler, spoke in 2005. The following year, President Mary McAleese of Ireland, a critic of the Church, delivered a commencement address and received an honorary degree.

And in May 2007, University of Michigan president and biochemist Dr. Mary Sue Cole- man delivered the commencement address to the graduate school. She is a strong public supporter of embryonic stem-cell research.

\ue000cial recognition of a student homosexual club. One example is the annual \u201cqueer \ue000lm festival,\u201d which has featured dissident speak- ers and \ue000lms that celebrate a homosexual life-

While concerned about such moral con- tradictions on a prominent Catholic campus, we acknowledge the many challenges that face Father Jenkins as he seeks to strengthen Notre Dame\u2019s Catholic identity. We are im- pressed by his pronouncements on Catholic