Heritage in Perspective
- The University Mission
Statement
Villanova University is an independent coeducational institution of higher
learning founded by the Augustinian Order of the Roman Catholic Church. The University is
a community of persons of diverse professional, academic and personal interests who, in a
spirit of collegiality, cooperate to achieve their common goals and objectives in the
transmission, the pursuit and the discovery of knowledge. This community serves society by
developing and sustaining an academic environment in which the potentialities of its
members may be realized. Villanova is committed to those same high goals and standards of
academic integrity and excellence as well as personal and corporate achievement that
characterize all worthy institutions of higher learning.
As a Catholic Institution, Villanova both emphasizes the values of the
Christian humanistic tradition and concerns itself with all value systems. The University
attempts to develop an environment in which students, faculty and staff may experience a
Christian intellectual and moral perspective, believing that the teachings of the Catholic
faith are applicable in every area of human activity. Although Villanova functions as an
independent institution in the conduct of its own affairs, in matters theological it
recognizes its obligation to the Magisterium of the Church. Villanova looks to the Order
of St. Augustine to preserve the University's Augustinian character through its presence
and influence and by providing personnel and financial support. In turn, the University
recognizes its special relationship to the Order of St. Augustine by showing appropriate
preference to Augustinians in the initial appointment of faculty and staff.
Given its character and resources, Villanova is committed to offering such
undergraduate and graduate programs as will best serve the needs of its constituencies. As
a medium-sized comprehensive university, it offers programs in the humanities, in the
natural and social sciences and in professional areas such as business, education,
engineering, law, library science and nursing. The University emphasizes
undergraduate instruction and is committed to a liberal arts component in each of its
undergraduate programs. In all academic departments, it encourages such research and
scholarly work as are compatible with the faculty's other obligations to the University.
Villanova stresses the disciplines of philosophy and religious studies.
Moreover, it seeks to add its influence to the search for world peace and justice by means
of both its academic programs and the pastoral ministry it provides for the members of the
University community. In like manner, the University has always encouraged and supported
its faculty, students and staff in providing public service to the community. Ultimately,
all these programs and support are seen as a means of developing the total person:
intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, culturally, socially and physically.
Villanova attempts to enroll students with diverse social, geographic,
economic and educational backgrounds. Furthermore, in utilizing its financial aid
resources to help achieve this diverse student body, Villanova recognizes its
responsibility to use part of those resources to assist the economically and educationally
disadvantaged.
Villanova welcomes students who consider it desirable to study within the
philosophical framework of Christian humanism. Similarly, the University seeks to employ
on all levels those who are sympathetic to and supportive of its character and identity.
Accordingly, Villanova confidently expects that all - students, faculty,
administration, and staff - will so comport themselves as to assure the continuance and
enhancement of the University's high purposes and its moral and religious traditions. In
accomplishing its purposes, the University fully complies with all the requirements of
Federal and State legislation with respect to equality of opportunity and
non-discrimination.
Villanova encourages communication among all the elements of the academic
community and operates on a policy that promotes easy access of students to faculty and of
students and faculty to administrators in the development of University policy through
appropriate structures of governance.
Finally, this community seeks to reflect the spirit of St. Augustine by the
cultivation of knowledge, by respect for individual differences and by adherence to the
principle that mutual love and respect should animate every aspect of University life.
Board of Trustees, 1979
This site is maintained for the
Mission Effectiveness Task Force of Villanova University
by Dr. Christopher M. Janosik, Office for Mission
Effectiveness christopher.janosik@villanova.edu
