The Service of Faith:

I.

Goal

The Community of Inquiry: The University will remain an inclusive community that is, in the words of Ex Corde Ecclesiae, "animated by a spirit of freedom and charity" and "characterized by mutual respect, sincere dialogue and protection of the rights of individuals."

Objectives

1. The University will remain a place that is, in the words of Ex Corde Ecclesiae, distinguished by its "free search for the whole truth" about nature, humanity and God.
2. More clearly identify any rifts that exist between various groups and develop ways to resolve differences.
3. Recruitment and Orientation for Mission: Incorporate the University’s Catholic and Jesuit identity into the recruitment, orientation and development of faculty and staff in a way that encourages members of all faith traditions to be companions in mission. See Financial Responsibility Goal V, Objective C.
    
   1. Ensure that the recruitment and ongoing orientation processes for faculty, staff and administrators provide in a consistent way information about how the institution manifests its Catholic and Jesuit identity and the many ways in which members of the University community can contribute to it. See Faculty Goal I, Objective B.
   2. Engage in a systematic and active process to recruit qualified Jesuits for faculty, staff and administrative positions.
   3. Incorporate in the reward structure for faculty and staff recognition of those who make special contributions to the University’s mission and identity. See Faculty Goal III, Objective A.
   4. Evaluate the success of the Center for Mission Reflection over its first years of service and develop programs to ensure continued attention to the final report of the Task Force on Ignatian Mission and Identity and to support the goals and objectives of this theme.

II.

Goal

Faith Seeking Understanding: As expressed by Pope John Paul II in Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the University will seek "to discern and evaluate both the aspirations and the contradictions of modern culture in order to make it [the University] more suited to the total development of individuals and peoples."

Objectives

1. Seek to meet the challenge of religious illiteracy through the University’s academic and pastoral programs.
2. Seek opportunities in the curriculum to transmit the tradition of Christian humanism to students.
3. Incorporate as one focus of academic programs and offerings the presentation of unique issues of modern culture in its aspirations and contradictions, including the impact of technology on culture.
4. In the spirit of Ex Corde Ecclesiae, continue to engage in both the "dialogue between the Gospel and culture" and the inter-religious dialogue that seeks to discern "the spiritual values that are present in the different religions."

III.

Goal

Faith Seeking Expression: The University will provide a living and learning community that develops the faith of its students and instills in them skills of discernment to understand and address areas where faith and culture interact.

Objectives

1. Strengthen efforts to assist students in the expression, development and understanding of their faith and to nurture through retreats and other programs the skills of prayer, reflection and discernment.
2. Strengthen efforts to train students and others to assume leadership roles in the service of their faith communities.
3. Campus Ministry will continue to provide the University community with opportunities for public worship and will increase its efforts to serve faculty, staff and administrators and to engage them as partners in their efforts.

IV.

Goal

Service to the Church: The University will maintain its harmonious relationship with the Diocese of Scranton through, "mutual trust, close and consistent cooperation and continuing dialogue" [Ex Corde Ecclesiae, paragraph 28] and will seek opportunities to assist the Diocese in its work of education and service.

Objectives

1. Strengthen the pastoral relationship the University enjoys with the Diocese of Scranton.
2. Evaluate the service provided to and by the Diocese across all University divisions.
3. Use the results of the evaluation in Goal IV, Objective A to develop a coordinated plan to govern the University’s outreach and service to the Diocese and to identify areas for collaboration.
4. Implement the coordinated plan developed in Goal IV, Objective C.

The Promotion of Justice:

V.

Goal

Faith Seeking Justice -- Education: The University will continue in its curricula and programs to educate men and women of competence, conscience, compassion and commitment to the service of others.

Objectives

1. Ensure that curricula and student life programs are sensitive to the formation of character as expressed in Goal III. See The Environment for Learning Goal I, Objective B, The University and the Community Goal II, Objective B.
2. Strengthen efforts to promote student volunteer work that integrates thoughtful reflection and encourage service learning activity in all colleges and schools. See The Environment for Learning Goal IV, Objective C and The University and the Community Goal II, Objective A.
3. Develop programs to increase student, faculty and staff understanding and awareness of unjust social structures and systems.
4. Encourage students, faculty and staff to reflect a deep commitment to the cause of justice in their service.
5. Develop programs to increase student, faculty and staff awareness of and appreciation for the natural environment.

VI.

Goal

Faith Seeking Justice -- Corporate Behavior: The University will continue in its corporate behavior to strive for competence, conscience, compassion and commitment to the service of others.

1. Ensure that the University’s corporate behavior promotes justice in its policies and procedures (including any gender-based issues associated with hiring, promotion and compensation). See Diversity and Globalization, Goal II and Financial Responsibility Goal V, Objective C.
2. Ensure that University service activities reflect a deep commitment to the cause of justice. See the University and the Community Goal II.
3. Promote environmentally sound practices in University corporate behavior and service.