Over the Rainbow, Yet Under the Church
Shannon McClone
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Features
Many students might agree that one of the greatest rewards of attending a small college campus is the opportunity to get involved in student life by becoming part of an organization that one believes in. There are over 65 student organizations at St. Norbert, and every year new organizations are formed from committed students who are passionate about a cause or special interest, who devote their time and energy towards raising student awareness and creating change. In order to become officially recognized as a student organization, the group must prove how their objectives coincide with the college's mission as a "Catholic liberal arts college embracing the Norbertine ideal of communio, which provides an educational environment that fosters intellectual, spiritual and personal development."
While this mission statement may appear to encompass a variety of viewpoints, one may wonder if it has its limits. Does being a part of a private college limit students' freedom of self expression?
One student organization which appears to fit right into the Catholic tradition of St. Norbert is "Campus Hero." Campus Hero is a human rights organization aimed at developing students' knowledge and skills when dealing with human rights issues, such as poverty, genocide, euthanasia, suicide and the death penalty. Andrew Scholz '09, president of Campus Hero, described how the organization aligns with the Catholic social teachings: "Our organization fits perfectly under the mission of the college, as we are a Catholic Norbertine establishment and are under the guidelines of the Catholic Church and the Catholic social teachings."
When asked if the traditional Catholic values should be upheld in regards to the creation of student organizations on campus, Scholz stated, "I have people tell me all the time that there are so many different people with different backgrounds and beliefs and that just because we are Catholic, that should not define who this college is. I agree totally with the fact that people come from all walks of life; however, the reality is that this is a private Catholic college, and it does define who we are. Campus Hero, along with all the groups on campus, should consider the mission of the college and the Catholic social teachings in all the activities that they plan."
While this mission statement may appear to encompass a variety of viewpoints, one may wonder if it has its limits. Does being a part of a private college limit students' freedom of self expression?
One student organization which appears to fit right into the Catholic tradition of St. Norbert is "Campus Hero." Campus Hero is a human rights organization aimed at developing students' knowledge and skills when dealing with human rights issues, such as poverty, genocide, euthanasia, suicide and the death penalty. Andrew Scholz '09, president of Campus Hero, described how the organization aligns with the Catholic social teachings: "Our organization fits perfectly under the mission of the college, as we are a Catholic Norbertine establishment and are under the guidelines of the Catholic Church and the Catholic social teachings."
When asked if the traditional Catholic values should be upheld in regards to the creation of student organizations on campus, Scholz stated, "I have people tell me all the time that there are so many different people with different backgrounds and beliefs and that just because we are Catholic, that should not define who this college is. I agree totally with the fact that people come from all walks of life; however, the reality is that this is a private Catholic college, and it does define who we are. Campus Hero, along with all the groups on campus, should consider the mission of the college and the Catholic social teachings in all the activities that they plan."
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