Measuring Students’ Perceptions of Institutional Identity: Validating the DePaul Mission and Values Inventory at a Franciscan University

Abstract

The DePaul Mission and Values Inventory (DMV) was validated based on the mission, identity, and values of a large, urban, Catholic, Vincentian institution. 1 We examined the suitability of the DMV at a small, suburban, Catholic, Franciscan university. A sample of 275 undergraduates (218 women, 57 men: M age = 23.47 years old: SD = 8.81) completed the inventory. The original DMV inventory items were maintained, however, some items were changed to refl ect the identity of the current institution. Confi rmatory factor analyses indicated a moderate fi t on subscales for a Franciscan-DMV measure assessing religious pluralism (i.e., all faiths including Catholicism are supported) and innovative/inclusive programming (i.e., taking risks in programming and a campus that welcomes diversity). Results suggest that the DMV may be easily adapted for other religiously affi liated institutions. Given the paucity of valid and reliable inventories, other faith-based institutions might consider using the DMV in their regular mission assessment.