The University of Dayton is known for the strong sense of community and “warmth of welcome” that permeates its environment. Less well known is the fact that the community established at UD does not happen by accident. Its foundation is deeply rooted in the Catholic and Marianist traditions which enliven this “family spirit” and make UD unique.

Through participation in the distinctive living and learning community at UD, students accept the challenge of moral development which will prepare them to live as mature members of a pluralistic society. There are certain attitudes and behaviors which stand out as effective means to internalize, live out and to exemplify this Catholic and Marianist vision of community.  Growth in these areas is a life-long process. As members of this community, every UD student is responsible for understanding, developing and integrating the following practices, habits and virtues into their lives.

To develop the practices, habits and virtues which support the Catholic and Marianist vision of community living, each member of the UD community should reflect often on the following questions:

"The results of the Campus Climate Audit tell us that we must focus on strengthening diversity and inclusion if we are to continue to be a vibrant, welcoming learning community. The trustees and the administration agree that we must concentrate on systemic, measurable change that will move the University toward realizing the Vision of Excellence. The University of Dayton strives to be a community commited to the Catholic and Marianist educational tradition. Within this tradition, we recognize the importance and educational value of other traditions and beliefs held by members of the community. These traditions and beliefs are shaped by a wide variety of life experiences: culture; race and ethnicity; religious backgrounds; gender; socio-economic status; age; sexual orientation; and varying abilities. We are committed to achieving an intellectual, cultural and social environment on campus in which all are encouraged to make their contributions. We all have gifts to share and can learn from one another. We envision a campus climate in which community members think, act, learn and grow without prejudice, intimidation or discrimination."

Diversity refers to the variety of backgrounds, orientations and experiences created within our community. When a community is diverse there is the presence of different points of views and ways of making meaning which flow from the variety within it. This variety arises out of different cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, gender, socioeconomic class, political, developed abilities, and/or sexual orientation. However, even as we recognize that diversity is multi-faceted, we must remember that some aspects of diversity ( i.e., race, gender) have proven particularly difficult to embrace. Those aspects of diversity deserve special ongoing attention. In short, an authentically diverse environment recognizes and nurtures the talents of all persons within the community.

Consider the power of naming. How we speak of each other, how we label each other, plays a determining role in the quality of our human relationships. Probably few of us have escaped the self-doubt, even humiliation, that accompanies taunting or other forms of abusive language that attack our personal worth. Unfortunately, here at the University of Dayton, gays and lesbians have been forced to bear the heavy burden of hate-filled remarks and other forms of harassment. Their painful experiences verify that a certain power comes in naming another.