"KU Leuven - University of Leuven" [in English]. This is probably the new name of the university. A consensus has been reached in the university to keep the K, but to remove all references to the name Catholic. The proposed [new] mission statement of the university also includes independence from the Church and proactive openness.
Although final decisions on the identity [of the university] are to be taken only by the University Board meeting of December 22, President Mark Waer has made clear that "the line has been drawn." ...
The position of the five bishops within the Board will be placed under pressure ... . The acknowledgment of Archbishop Leonard [of Mechlin-Brussels] as Chancellor of the university would remain, but he would no longer sit on the Board
All references to the Catholic character will be removed from the name. ... Internationally, in order to avoid confusion about the identity of the university, the present document recommended the subtitle "University of Leuven." [sic, in English]. ... The interest of KULeuven is to associate its independence from the Church with a more proactive diversity policy. It would seem that a broad focus for the different groups at the university is necessary. President Waer argues for a broader interpretation of the hitherto compulsory course "Religion, Meaning and Values." "The students, who are the leaders of the future, must be open to and confronted with different views." Waer suggested that the RMV course be replaced by one on "Man and worldviews", where Christianity is just one of the different worldviews represented.
These conclusions, likely to be adopted by the end of December, are the result of a broad debate within the university. ... "More than 500 people participated actively in this process," said Waer.
It remains to be seen if Our Lady, Sedes Sapientiae, will be removed from the University seal...
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