From the president’s address, Academic Convocation 2004
Canisius College: A University
Canisius is described as a comprehensive university, an institution that offers undergraduate liberal arts education and a select number of master’s level programs; as a university, it is committed to the discovery and communication of truth in all the areas in which we teach and do research. It is committed to professionalism in everything that we do. There can be no substitute at a university for the uncompromising pursuit and communication of truth. Scholars and students may often disagree about what counts as true in a particular area of inquiry; it is the role of a university to sort out and strive to resolve those disagreements by open and frank discussion. The inappropriate influence of ideologies of any sort must always be resisted in a university.
Canisius College: An American University
As an “American” university Canisius is autonomous and self governing. It is chartered by the University of the State of New York, and is governed by its own independent board of trustees, subject to the final supervision of the board of regents of the State of New York. As a self governing institution Canisius is autonomous relative to both Church and State. However it is subject to federal and state laws, and follows the laws of New York State and the federal government in not discriminating in the admission of students or in the hiring of faculty and staff on the basis of race, religion or any other basis prohibited by law.
Canisius is committed to the concept of academic freedom as that term is understood by standards established by the American Association of University Professors. Any professional code of behavior is somewhat less than perfect, and for that reason AAUP standards are evolving constantly as conditions in academia and society change. It is important for the sake of assuring due process, a very important American value, that the College leave no ambiguity about the standards that it will employ in protecting academic freedom; it does this in endorsing AAUP standards. Canisius is also committed to the service of our society: our neighborhood, our city, and our nation. We are committed to respect for the individual dignity and personal conscience of all members of our academic community. This respect is not only an “American” value, but is firmly endorsed as a “Catholic” value by the Second Vatican Council.
Canisius College: A Catholic University
Canisius is also a “Catholic” American University. It provides a campus culture that is welcoming to religion in general and to Catholicism in particular. Canisius is a place where the Catholic Church has a presence. The Church is visible in our Jesuit community, in Church liturgical services that are available daily, in our Campus Ministry that is available to all students and faculty, and in the many cooperative programs of service to the Diocese of Buffalo.
Canisius is a place where the Catholic intellectual tradition receives special emphasis. We have a strong Religious Studies and Theology Department. The Catholic intellectual tradition is further studied in our Philosophy Department and elsewhere throughout the curriculum. As a “Catholic” American University Canisius maintains a proper respect for Catholic doctrine. This means that, while Canisius does not proselytize, the institution as institution will be supportive of Catholic doctrine and will not do anything incompatible with Catholic doctrine. Individuals as individuals retain the right to personal respect and freedom to follow their own consciences. These are distinctions easily made in the abstract, but oftentimes produce grey areas in practice. The institution has to be sensitive not to act in a way that violates the legitimate rights of individuals; at the same time, individuals have to be sensitive not to allow their own personal opinions to be interpreted as the position of the institution.
Canisius College: A Jesuit University
Jesuit universities are a particular style of being “Catholic.” As a Jesuit university Canisius accords a high priority to the work of intellect. It offers an education that is world affirming and committed to promoting the liberal arts as well as the sciences. The founders of Jesuit education in the sixteenth century were among the earliest advocates of Renaissance humanism, as well as being some of the leading scientists of the early modern age. Canisius seeks to educate leaders who will make a difference in society. It values highly ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue.
Canisius is not controlled by Jesuits, but by its independent board of trustees. It is a place where Jesuits work in collaboration with their colleagues. Many people at the College derive inspiration from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and the Gospel. Some slogans that have been used to characterize the “Jesuit” Catholic style of Canisius are: men and women for others, the service of faith and the promotion of justice, cura personalis (personal care), and the Magis (always striving for something more).
All universities are committed to “hire for mission.” At Canisius we understand this to mean hiring people who can contribute to the work of an American Catholic Jesuit University, and who want to be part of it.