University opts for 'KU Leuven'
After more than 18 months of extensive reflection on its Catholic identity, a substantial majority of the university community wants to maintain the reference to the university's Catholic origins, and particularly its Christian worldview on people and society. "This is clear from the updated mission statement," says Rector Mark Waer, who quotes: "From its Christian perspective, KU Leuven endeavours to be a place for open discussion of social, philosophical and ethical issues and a critical centre of reflection in and for the Catholic community."
The KU Leuven seal.
"During this period of reflection it also became clear that the university community, as has long been the case, wants openness with respect to all philosophical and religous perspectives. Furthermore, we are choosing unequivocally for a continuation of our managerial autonomy as a condition of our academic freedom."
"There was a need for updating our identity: who is KU Leuven today, and what does the K in our name actually stand for? We debated and corresponded over this extensively, including in the crucible of Metaforum, the university’s interdisciplinary think tank. Everyone – all staff members, students and alumni – was welcome to take part. We also consulted with external parties: our sister university UCL, our partners from the KU Leuven Association, organisations from civil society and the Flemish bishops."
"The vast majority of voices were moderate. One group argued that the K should stay, but that its significance should certainly not be extended. Those who wanted to see the K disappear did not necessarily want to totally reject the university's Christian approach to religion in life."
Openness and autonomy
"Everyone concurred that, above all, clarity was needed. That was the main concern that emerged when exchanging ideas. This implies a clear view of who we are in terms of our outlook on life, but also of who we are not. The term one might use to characterise the university's position is centred pluralism. We are pluralistic, open to other religious and philosophical perspectives. But we are also centred, which means that we advance our own vision of people and society, around which there is room for alternation."
"In the broader interpretation of the bachelor curriculum, there is room for concretisation of this concept, as well as in the widening of the course Perspectives on Religion and Meaning. In this way, we can draw attention in the humanities to what genetics or neurobiology have to contribute to concepts like 'knowledge' and 'freedom' and, likewise, the science or tech oriented degrees can become acquainted with the approach in the humanities and social sciences."
"Important too is the clear idea of independence and autonomy, especially in our university's relationship with the ecclesiastical authorities. There are links but, certainly since the 1960's, they have evolved significantly. Characterisations like "obedience to" or "approval from" disappeared decades ago. In their place came managerial autonomy, which has always been respected. In the coming months, we will reconsider our managerial organisation in the context of the integration into the university of the academic degree programmes at the university colleges."
New name
"Based on extensive consultations, we have opted to use 'KU Leuven' as our 'corporate' name from now on. This is the household name in Flanders and Belgium for Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. In an international context, it may be complemented when necessary or useful with ‘Catholic University of Leuven’, depending on the context or target group, or ‘University of Leuven’, as is already commonly done."
"But as important as the mission statement, institutional organisation and name are, the most important way to show who we are is found in our day-to-day operations, in our pedagogical project, and in the way we deal with people within our own ranks and with society in general."
