Oct 05, 2011
Catholic Theological Union and DePaul University to Form Educational Alliance
Catholic Theological Union and DePaul University to Form Educational Alliance
Catholic Theological Union (CTU), the largest Roman Catholic graduate school of theology and ministry in the United States, and DePaul University, the largest Catholic university in the United States, announced that they are forming an educational alliance.
“This is an opportunity for both schools to strengthen their academic ‘muscle’ to address the challenges that we face as a society and in the church,” said the Rev. Donald Senior, C.P., president of CTU.
“The CTU-DePaul alliance is an extraordinary way to advance the discussion about the future of theological study and to create exciting new ways to deliver ministerial education,” said the Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., president of DePaul. “CTU has been home to some of the finest Catholic theological scholars in the nation. We are proud to align ourselves with them.”
The alliance comes at a pivotal point in the life of theological education in the United States. Many schools are looking for ways to combine resources to strengthen their ability to provide educational opportunities for today’s students.
The alliance is a vehicle for both institutions to explore exciting new ways to deliver educational opportunities to their respective students, faculties and staffs. CTU sees advantages in making available to its students preparing for ministry the managerial, communications and social media education, among other opportunities, that DePaul provides.
The alliance will make it possible for DePaul students interested in theological graduate study to begin doing so while still at DePaul. Faculty will be able to expand their experience by teaching both at CTU and DePaul. The two schools also anticipate mutual benefits through common purchasing strategies and shared IT expenditures.
CTU and DePaul are both healthy and financially sound institutions. The alliance will not include any changes in governance or financial structures. Through the alliance, however, both institutions will be in a better position to meet the changing needs of those students interested in theological study, and be better prepared to take a leading role in shaping the discussion of how that education should be delivered. This will include joint conferences designed to advance the discussion of ministerial education.
CTU and DePaul both have missions that are firmly rooted in Roman Catholic tradition and both institutions are committed to ecumenism, interreligious dialogue, and global outreach. This alliance will enable both institutions to enhance their Catholic character and strengthen Catholic educational opportunities in Chicago.
According to Francis Cardinal George, archbishop of Chicago, “The importance of these two institutions to the life of the Archdiocese is without question. This alliance will strengthen the Catholic mission of both institutions.”
About Catholic Theological Union
The mission of Catholic Theological Union is to prepare effective leaders for the Church, ready to witness to Christ’s good news of justice, love, and peace. For more than forty years, Catholic Theological Union (CTU) at Chicago has been educating and preparing men and women to serve God’s people throughout the world. Founded in 1968, CTU has grown to be the largest Roman Catholic graduate school of theology and ministry in the United States. Since its inception, CTU has been blessed with a rich diversity reflecting the global church itself: a student body representing forty-six countries worldwide; religious order seminarians and lay women and men; students of varying ages and backgrounds. Its distinguished Catholic faculty also includes scholars from the Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim traditions. And over the years CTU’s programs have expanded to address the intercultural needs of the Church in an increasingly global society. CTU alums now number more than 3,500.
About DePaul University
DePaul is the largest private university in Illinois and the largest Catholic university in the United States. The university enrolls a richly diverse population of more than 25,000 students who take classes on two city and six suburban campuses. DePaul was founded in 1898 by the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers (the Congregation of the Mission), a Roman Catholic religious community that continues the mission and values of Saint Vincent de Paul. That mission includes evangelizing the poor after the fashion of Jesus Christ. The university emphasizes academic excellence, service to the community, access to education and respect for the individual. DePaul’s Department of Religious Studies offers a bachelor’s degree and a minor in Religious Studies. DePaul also has a program in Catholic Studies and is the home of the Center for Global Catholicism, which is at the forefront of the discussion about the relationship between the global Catholic Church and the forces of globalization.
CTU-DEPAUL UNIVERSITY ALLIANCE FAQ
1. What is the significance of this announcement?
This educational alliance allows the Catholic Theological Union and DePaul University to explore new ways to deliver ministerial educational opportunities to their respective students, faculties and staffs. For example, DePaul students interested in pursuing graduate studies in theology could begin doing so while still at DePaul. Additionally, the faculty will be able to expand their experience by teaching both at CTU and DePaul.
CTU-DEPAUL UNIVERSITY ALLIANCE FAQ
1. What is the significance of this announcement?
This educational alliance allows the Catholic Theological Union and DePaul University to explore new ways to deliver ministerial educational opportunities to their respective students, faculties and staffs. For example, DePaul students interested in pursuing graduate studies in theology could begin doing so while still at DePaul. Additionally, the faculty will be able to expand their experience by teaching both at CTU and DePaul.
2. Why is it necessary to form an alliance at this time?
The alliance comes at a pivotal point in the life of theological education in the United States. Many schools are looking for ways to combine resources to strengthen their ability to provide educational opportunities for today’s students. We see synergies that could help expand opportunities for our respective faculties and students.
The alliance comes at a pivotal point in the life of theological education in the United States. Many schools are looking for ways to combine resources to strengthen their ability to provide educational opportunities for today’s students. We see synergies that could help expand opportunities for our respective faculties and students.
3. What does DePaul University gain from this alliance?
For example, our undergrads will be able to take graduate theology classes at CTU. We do not offer a graduate degree in theology. Our faculty in the departments of Religious Studies and Catholic Studies may teach graduate theology classes at CTU on an adjunct faculty basis, and CTU’s part-time faculty will be given special consideration should they apply for part-time teaching positions in our Religious Studies or Catholic Studies programs. Our Center for Global Catholicism and Intercultural Theology will continue to collaborate with select CTU faculty members in joint programs and conferences.
For example, our undergrads will be able to take graduate theology classes at CTU. We do not offer a graduate degree in theology. Our faculty in the departments of Religious Studies and Catholic Studies may teach graduate theology classes at CTU on an adjunct faculty basis, and CTU’s part-time faculty will be given special consideration should they apply for part-time teaching positions in our Religious Studies or Catholic Studies programs. Our Center for Global Catholicism and Intercultural Theology will continue to collaborate with select CTU faculty members in joint programs and conferences.
4. What does CTU gain from this alliance?
- We will extend our expertise on students’ financial fitness by providing CTU students with access to the online program we developed to help our students best manage their personal finances.
- They will have the opportunity of DePaul faculty from the Religious and Catholic studies teach graduate classes at the CTU.
- CTU students may possibly be able to take select courses at DePaul. These could include Finance courses, accounting, art, art history, music, communications, digital media, law, English as a Second Language, etc.
- DePaul can become a field education site for CTU students who want to work in University Ministry, counseling services, and other selected parts of the university.
- CTU students will be able to participate in appropriate DePaul study abroad courses, especially programs focusing on justice and peace (e.g. Hiroshima-Nagasaki Program, El Salvador Program, Mexican Border Program, etc.)
- We will extend our expertise on students’ financial fitness by providing CTU students with access to the online program we developed to help our students best manage their personal finances.
- They will have the opportunity of DePaul faculty from the Religious and Catholic studies teach graduate classes at the CTU.
- CTU students may possibly be able to take select courses at DePaul. These could include Finance courses, accounting, art, art history, music, communications, digital media, law, English as a Second Language, etc.
- DePaul can become a field education site for CTU students who want to work in University Ministry, counseling services, and other selected parts of the university.
- CTU students will be able to participate in appropriate DePaul study abroad courses, especially programs focusing on justice and peace (e.g. Hiroshima-Nagasaki Program, El Salvador Program, Mexican Border Program, etc.)
5. Is DePaul merely assuming control of the CTU?
DePaul is not assuming control of the Catholic Theological Union. There is no change in the CTU’s governance structure. CTU will keep its Board of Trustees. (DePaul University Secretary and present member of the CTU board Rev. Edward R. Udovic, C.M., Ph.D. will continue to serve on the board.) DePaul University will not be adding any new members to the CTU board.
DePaul is not assuming control of the Catholic Theological Union. There is no change in the CTU’s governance structure. CTU will keep its Board of Trustees. (DePaul University Secretary and present member of the CTU board Rev. Edward R. Udovic, C.M., Ph.D. will continue to serve on the board.) DePaul University will not be adding any new members to the CTU board.
6. If there is no money being exchanged from this alliance will there be any kind of cost savings potential?
There is that potential. CTU and DePaul are both healthy and financially sound institutions, and the alliance will not include any changes in governance or financial structures. There will be no exchange of money between the two institutions, however, we will each share ideas and explore best practices in such areas as purchasing, facilities management, IT, accounting practices, policy making and enrollment strategies.
7. Given the decrease in vocations, is there still a need to maintain these kinds of graduate theological programs?
Yes. Growth in vocations has been seen overseas in developing worlds. There is a need for graduate ministerial education to prepare these individuals for their religious professions. CTU has students who come from 65 different countries that illustrate the geographic diversity of its students. At present, 25 percent of students in U.S. seminaries are international. *
*Source: Boston College Magazine, Summer 2011, “Training Grounds,” by Katarina Schuth, OSF
8. Why not incorporate the CTU programs into DePaul University?
CTU is a vibrant, healthy institution that wants to stay independent. While we have similar educational missions, this alliance is designed to maintain the independence of both institutions with their own faculty, staffs and students. CTU and DePaul are both healthy and financially sound institutions, and the alliance will not include any changes in governance or financial structures.
9. After much fanfare, DePaul University took over Barat College, but after three years and a hefty financial investment, the college was closed. What measures are in place to prevent any kind of dissolution of the alliance and protect both the CTU and DePaul?
No ramifications are expected as there will be no exchange of money and no funds to be invested. There will be no governance restructuring of any kind as a result of this alliance.
10. When does the CTU-DePaul alliance go into effect and what is the timeline for DePaul undergraduate students to attend classes at CTU? What is the timeline for CTU students to begin to online Financial Fitness or other DePaul courses?
The details of the educational alliance between CTU and DePaul are still being developed. But we hope as soon as conveniently possible.
11. Will this result in any kind of duplication of services that may result in workforce reductions?
Absolutely not. This is an educational alliance and will not result in any changes in staffing.
12. Will this alliance affect tuition costs for either university?
This alliance will have no impact on tuition at either institution.
13. How many students are enrolled at CTU?
CTU’s current enrollment is close to 500 students. About half of those are priests or seminarians and the other half are laity.
This alliance will have no impact on tuition at either institution.
13. How many students are enrolled at CTU?
CTU’s current enrollment is close to 500 students. About half of those are priests or seminarians and the other half are laity.
14. Will there be any sharing of resources between DePaul and CTU?
There will be no exchange of money between the two institutions, however, we will each share ideas and explore best practices in such areas as purchasing, facilities management, IT, accounting practices, policy making and enrollment strategies. For example, we’ll extend our expertise on students’ financial fitness by providing CTU students with access to the online program we developed to help our students best manage their personal finances.
There will be no exchange of money between the two institutions, however, we will each share ideas and explore best practices in such areas as purchasing, facilities management, IT, accounting practices, policy making and enrollment strategies. For example, we’ll extend our expertise on students’ financial fitness by providing CTU students with access to the online program we developed to help our students best manage their personal finances.
Rev. Donald Senior, C.P., president of Catholic Theological Union, (left) and Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., announce the formation of an educational alliance between the two schools.