Print Edition for The Observer for Friday, April 23, 2021

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Volume 55, Issue 62 | Friday, april 23, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Clubs celebrate Earth Tri-campus emphasizes sustainability efforts on Earth Day

By MIA MORAN

ND Forum theme announced

News Writer

Observer Staff Report

Thursday, April 22 celebrates the 51st anniversar y of Earth Day. In acknowledgement of the day, clubs at both Notre Dame and Saint Mar y’s have organized events to discuss awareness and appreciation for the env ironment.

EcoBelles, an env ironmentally focused club at Saint Mar y’s, is putting on a weeklong event called Earth Week that has collaborated w ith many on-campus departments, including Campus Ministr y, OCSE, SGA, SDV, ENVS, see EARTH PAGE 3

Courtesy of Anna Medrano

GreeND and partners are hosting the annual sustainability festival from 4 - 6 p.m. on South Quad near O’ Shaughnessy Hall on Friday.

The theme for the 2021-2022 Notre Dame Forum w ill be “Care for Our Common Home: Just Transition to a Sustainable Future,” Universit y President Fr. John Jenkins announced in an email Thursday.

Jenkins said the purpose of the annual forum, which started in 2005, is to bring in multiple perspectives to talk about a topic important to both the Universit y and the world.

Jenkins noted this year’s theme was chosen due to

changes in global climate that have led to w ildfires, intensified storms and drought around the world.

He also cited Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ 2015 Church encyclical, which identifies both the social and env ironmental crises the world faces as one complex crisis.

“As a Universit y communit y whose work is the education of the next generation who w ill inherit these challenges, and as one w ith a Catholic mission calling us to seek justice and ser ve the common good around see FORUM PAGE 4

ND leaders reflect on reaching vaccine goal

By EMILY DeFAZIO News Writer

The eve of Thursday, April 15 proved to be an exciting one for the Notre Dame student body. In an email, Universit y President Fr. John Jenkins announced to the campus communit y that they had succeeded in

achiev ing the “ambitious goal” of vaccinating at least 90% of undergraduate and professional students. Those included in the statistic have either been fully vaccinated or have received the first of a two-dose coronav irus vaccination. Many of the students received this immunization through the

mass vaccination site that was held on campus beginning the weekend of April 8.

With the announcement came the highly anticipated new adjustments to COVID protocols that had been promised by the administration. They detailed that starting Wednesday, April 21, guests w ill be allowed

in 24-hour dorm lounges, the ma x imum number at outdoor informal gatherings w ill raise from 10 to 25 people and the requirement to wear masks outdoors is eliminated w ith the exception of gatherings over 25.

Furthermore, and most importantly to some students, outdoor basketball rims and

volleyball nets were also reinstated.

Since the initial announcement, the mask policy has been amended slightly.

Masks w ill still be required outside if at a Universit y event or if students are told by a HERE ambassador to see VACCINE PAGE 4

Senate discusses changes to Welcome Week

By KATIE WERNER News Writer

The third meeting of the 20212022 student senate commenced in DeBartolo Hall on Thursday evening, where student body president junior Allan Njomo delivered a statement on the trial of former

Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin and senators discussed Welcome Week changes.

Student body vice president junior Matthew Bisner relayed updates from the student advisory group for campus reopening.

This week, chief of staff junior Alix Basden, Njomo and Bisner met

with vice president for student affairs Erin Hoffman Harding and other faculty members to deliberate over commencement, senior week and COVID-19 concerns.

During the meeting, faculty responded to several concerns about these regulations, such as masking during the passing periods,

which is not required. Additionally, University President Fr. John Jenkins announced new relaxations of COVID-19 regulations on April 21.

Njomo delivered a statement on the conclusion of the trial of Chauvin, who was found guilty of the murder of George Floyd on

Tuesday. While Njomo said the verdict is a step towards accountability, he added that “no amount of punitive justice will bring back George Floyd or the countless victims of police violence.”

He called for a continuation of see SENATE PAGE 5

Upcoming ‘Show Some Skin’ to explore identity “Show Some Skin,” a student production engaging with personal stories about identity

within the Notre Dame community, will livestream its 2021 rendition, “eXposed,” across campus Friday and Saturday.

Every year, a call for stories for the production is issued in the

fall, which welcomes anonymous submissions detailing experiences that illustrate the differences in identity across Notre Dame’s community.

The monologues come from

students, faculty and residents of South Bend and are brought to life by student actors.

For 10 years, “Show Some Skin” has been lifting voices and providing a platform to express

the many unique identities formed by race, sexuality, gender and other identities that exist within the campus community.

NEWS PAGE 3

EDITORIAL PAGE 7

SCENE PAGE 9

ND M Lax PAGE 16

ND W Softball PAGE 16

By SIOBHAN LOUGHNEY News Editor

see IDENTITY PAGE 4

2

TODAY

The observer | Friday, april 23, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

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GABRIELLE PENNA | The Observer

Flowers are blooming around the tri-campus as spring arrives. A small garden with a pond by Le Mans Hall on the campus of Saint Mary’s College provides shade from the sun and beautiful scenery. The weather is predicted to get warmer over the weekend.

The next Five days:

Want your event included here?

Email news@ndsmcobserver.com

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

LepreCon North Quad 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Cross-club mini Comic Con, sponsored by the Sci-Fi Fantasy Club.

Basilica Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 10 a.m. and noon All are welcome to attend.

Intramural Sports Combine Football Registration online via IMLeagues 12 a.m.- 11:59 p.m.

Register online.

REAL Lecture Series Zoom 8 a.m - 9:30 a.m.

Lecture on the implications and value of data science.

Denim Day Fieldhouse Mall and Fitzpatrick Terrace noon - 4 p.m.

To raise awareness about sexual violence.

Dance Company Spring Showecase South Lawn 9 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Dancers will perform for the ND community.

La Misa en Espanol Basilica of the Sacred Heart 4 p.m.

Mass rooted in Hispanic tradition.

FRC Virtual Welcome Desk Hours Zoom 10 a.m. - 11a.m.

Hosted by the Family Resource Center.

Slow Look Zoom 12:30 p.m.- 1 p.m.

Mindfulness and meditation session to understand art.

Wellness Wednesday North Quad 7 p.m.- 9 p.m.

Activites related to wellness, hosted by McWell.

News

Earth Continued from page 1

Theatre and Mission.

Earth Week started Saturday, April 17 and w ill end Saturday, April 24.

Events included volunteering at a sustainable farm, eco triv ia, outdoor mass on the grass, bird-watching bingo and an on-campus unit y garden.

EcoBelles coordinator Melissa Bialko hopes that the College communit y stays informed on climate issues and makes proactive change.

“The planet is in crisis and we must work hard and together to make changes.

The best way to do that is to lead by example and create a culture of change, as w ith any social or env ironmental issue,” Bialko said.

On Earth Day, the Universit y Student Union Board (SUB) w ill host a planting event from 3:305:30 p.m. near Clarke Memorial Fountain on North Quad.

Junior Gabrielle Huggins from SUB said the event is meant to give people an opportunit y to celebrate Earth Day by grabbing a pot, painting it, putting some soil in it and planting some f lower seeds.

“I want students to think about Earth Day and what it means to them and this might be just a fun way to

ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, april 23, 2021 | The Observer

implement that,” Huggins said, “and taking the initiative to do it themselves to be more cognizant of what it really means to appreciate the Earth.”

Students w ill be able to take the potted seeds back to their dorms and enjoy free food distributed by SUB as well.

The day after Earth Day, GreeND w ill be hosting its annual event Sustainabilit y Fest in collaboration w ith other groups such as the Sustainabilit y minor, Office of Sustainabilit y, Unit y Gardens and BeeND. It w ill take place 4-6 p.m. near on South Quad near O’Shaughnessy Hall.

Sophomore and v ice president of events in GreeND Anna Medrano said that Sustainabilit y Fest’s focus for the year is on sustainabilit y education.

Medrano mentioned that the theme aligns w ith the Sustainabilit y Cup put on this month by the Office of Sustainabilit y.

“We w ill be hav ing a bunch of tables including triv ia and prize table, fast fashion education table, climate change and cov id table, area climate table and climate footprint table,” Medrano said.

Medrano particularly emphasized wanting students to learn about how sustainabilit y works on campus especially in regard to COVID-19.

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“I also want for students to realize the severit y of climate change and anthropogenic activ it y on the planet,” Medrano said. “If more people were awakened to how severe the problem is then we w ill be able to enact change more quick ly and people would be more open to the idea of change.”

Senior and president of GreeND Maureen Shack lette added that the event additionally ser ves as an opportunit y for students to learn about opportunities relating to the env ironment and sustainabilit y on campus.

“Ever y thing sustainabilit y related on campus is in one place and so, if you’re at all interested in sustainabilit y or the env ironment and you’re curious about what options there are … you would learn so much about on campus sustainabilit y,” Shack lette said.

Bialko explains how good habits are adopted when approached methodically and at a reasonable pace.

“I urge people to challenge themselves to make one small change at a time, ever y semester, season, year or whatever time frame works well for their mind and body … And by doing so, we inf luence others to do the same.”

Contact Mia Moran at mmoran23@nd.edu

3

Research seeks to solve family issues

By SPENCER KELLY News Writer

A group of Notre Dame researchers is currently trying to show that fighting in households does not have to be a destructive aspect of family life. These researchers are leading the Happy Families Project with a mission to use domestic disputes as an avenue for improving communication and strengthening familial relationships.

The project, led by psychology professor E. Mark Cummings, research assistant professor Katie Bergman and professor emeritus John Borkowski, helps families better handle everyday challenges and conflicts. The project leaders claim that if disputes are handled in a certain way, they can actually be beneficial and lead to a more harmonious household.

The project is based on over 20 years of research primarily conducted by Cummings but builds on findings dating back a century. According to Cummings, conflict has been well established as a predictor of problems children experience such as depression, anxiety and conduct issues.

Through his research, Cummings found that if the conflict was resolved in a positive manner it created a constructive experience through which all members of the family benefitted. “[The research] gave us an impetus to think about how to develop programs to get this information out to parents,” Cummings said. “We did a number of studies over the years where we developed programs based on this research, presenting it in a very user-friendly way.”

The result was the Happy Families Project. Cummings and his team have translated his research into a teachable program that is accessible to all families.

Their four-step training program is designed to teach families conflict resolution techniques and strategies and equip them with the tools needed to constructively mediate disputes among themselves.

After years of testing the Happy Families Project on campus, it is expanding to South Bend, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. To facilitate the program’s rollout and reach a large and diverse set of families, Bergman said the Happy Families team is partnering with a multitude of community organizations such as churches, community centers and nonprofits.

Bergman and her partners will teach the program to trainers in these organizations who will in turn teach it to local families.

“This is the first time that we’ve really gotten to step out into the community and put the program into the hands of the people who would actually be working with these families,” Bergman said.

“It’s an exciting step.”

Cummings stressed that this program is still a work in progress. The primary goal of the expansion is to determine not only if the program works but why the program works and if some families benefit more than others.

Cummings said this process will serve the dual purpose of testing the effectiveness of the program while also providing a valuable scientific learning opportunity.

“This is really, in some ways, the best way to test the theoretical model — to do it in the real world rather than just a laboratory setting,” Cummings said. “We’ll learn a lot scientifically as well as providing a service that should be highly valuable, we hope, based on past work for families.”

The current expansion is funded by a four-year grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. The team originally applied for the grant before the COVID-19 pandemic began, and while the pandemic forced them to adapt the training program to go virtual, it also exacerbated family conflicts and confirmed the need for constructive conflict resolution, according to Borkowski.

“Strengthening families became even more important with the pandemic,” Borkowski said, noting that anxiety, depression and stress levels have dramatically increased during the pandemic. “This program addresses these issues. It is even more relevant today than in pre-pandemic times.”

Borkowski also noted that the virtual format has increased the portability, accessibility and scalability of the program. However, it is unclear if virtual learning impacts the efficacy of the program — an issue the team will monitor as in-person training returns in the future.

Moving forward, the Happy Families team will continue their rigorous testing of the training program. If the results are positive, Borkowski said he would like to see the program taught nationwide.

“It’s clear that there’s a need out there, and people see it fitting in as one small tool in their arsenal to improve family life, reduce stress and mental illness problems,” Borkowski said.

Bergman said she is excited by the recent progress of the project and is looking forward to seeing how their research can create a positive impact in the community.

“We’re getting closer and closer to our ultimate goal with this kind of work which is to make supportive programs accessible,” Bergman said. “That’s why we do the research — to find out how we can help families.”

Contact Spencer Kelly at skelly25@nd.edu

4

NEWS

The observer | Friday, april 23, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Vaccine Continued from page 1

put one on.

The reason the goal was reached, according to director of campus ministr y Fr. Pete McCormick, lies w ithin the student communit y.

“W hen it comes to the 90% , we have to make sure that we give a lot of kudos to the Notre Dame student body,” McCormick said. “I mean, it’s entirely about them buy ing in. It’s entirely about them getting invested in this and believ ing in the importance of getting vaccinated, period.”

In addition to this motivation, he said, the incentives prov ided w ith reaching the goal caused a push among the student body to get vaccinated. This especially rang true w ith regards to the outdoor basketball hoops on campus.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen, in all of my years here at Notre Dame, more basketball getting played on any given weekend than I did this past weekend,” McCormick said. “The weather was great, and people were just out there hav ing a blast, which is so fun to see.”

Though the rims caused an immediate gratification among students who took advantage of the good weather, their reinstallation, paired w ith the other adjustments to protocols, had an even greater impact on the communit y in the form of a collective morale boost on campus after months of struggles due to the pandemic.

Identity Continued from page 1

Now, as an annual staple in the spring calendar and a feature of the Moreau First Year Experience curriculum, “Show Some Skin” is celebrating 10 years of creating space for people who have felt marginalized in the tricampus communit y. Senior Theresa A zemar, who ser ves as the executive director, said the production holds a special place in her heart. “‘Show Some Skin’ is what I would consider to be my Notre Dame experience,” A zemar said.

The call for stories for “eXposed” asks, “From your ow n experience, what does exposure mean for you?

Show us the difference bet ween the world we see and the world you know. Expose to us what can be hidden no longer.” Despite the theme of exposure, the monologues remain anony mous in order to prov ide communit y members a way to voice their experiences w ithout fear.

“Ever y piece that we have in the show — including the

McCormick highlighted that the year has been a hard one for many of the members of the Notre Dame communit y, w ith several people feeling the effects of the strain in day-to-day life.

“The image I use is that if you push on something, it has the potential to show the cracks, if you exert enough force,” McCormick explained. “And I think what the semester does by itself is that it oftentimes applies force, and the beaut y of that force is that it fosters enough pressure to bring about learning. W hat I found particularly challenging about COVID is that in addition to the force that normally comes w ith any given semester at Notre Dame, you also have COVID, which kind of applies an additional [force].”

McCormick described that a struggle that came w ith the pandemic was in tr ying to find a sense of equilibrium so students can live their lives while hav ing the abilit y to continue learning at the level required at an institution like Notre Dame. Finding and keeping this balance can account for the emphasis on health in all forms: mental, physical, spiritual and emotional. A ll of these components, then, inf luence the academic life of campus.

Now, w ith the lessened restrictions, McCormick said, people w ill be given opportunities to spend more intimate time w ith each other, which he said is something “all of us are crav ing in our ow n ways.” This, in turn, can

account greatly for a general lift in the mood on campus.

He hopes that this sentiment w ill continue to be present throughout the rest of the semester.

“I think the momentum that we have kind of caught over the course of the past several days w ill carr y us for ward,” McCormick said.

He noted that in riding his bike throughout campus, he has already been able to tell that the mood is better. The excitement students have about being able to connect w ith each other on the quads and Librar y Law n, McCormick said, meant a lot to him.

W hile the students were instrumental in achiev ing the 90% goal, McCormick also acknowledged the “v illage” it took to get something of this great of a scale done.

“There are so many people who have sacrificed sleep, and time w ith family and any number of things to be able to ensure that Notre Dame could safely and in person return to campus,” he said.

Erin Hoffmann Harding, v ice president of student affairs, also recognized that the easing of restrictions was a source of “pride and excitement” for the administration as well as the students, as it is the culmination of months of hard work and planning. From a public health standpoint, being able to ease restrictions was a large achievement for them, and she expressed excitement for

how it w ill positively impact the communit y.

“We have know n for a ver y long time that some of these items were really important to students, and we’re always balancing our responsibilit y to keep ever yone as safe and as healthy as possible, but w ith the needs and desires to come together and to share life w ith one another on campus,” Harding said.

She mentioned a “renewed optimism” that has arisen among students about not only the rest of this semester, but of a more-normal fall semester now that the communit y at large has been vaccinated.

“We are so grateful that we have been able to offer some rela xation of, we know, tough asks that we have asked of students over the course of this ver y challenging year, almost counterintuitive to our communit y in a normal year to be distant from each other,” she said.

Nearly a year after Notre Dame announced its plan to return to campus in-person for fall 2020, Hoffmann Harding said the mass vaccination of the campus communit y can ser ve as proof of what students can achieve in coming together. Her hope is that the larger Notre Dame communit y and beyond w ill take notice of the school’s desire to be in person w ith one another.

McCormick also ref lected on the uncertaint y of the past year. In taking on the task of bringing an unvaccinated group together for in-person classes and

pieces that we could not include because there were so many — they all come from a place of radical honest y,” A zemar said. “There is a reason why someone would submit something so deeply honest and truthful anony mously.”

A zemar joined the cast of “Show Some Skin” as a first-year after receiv ing encouragement to audition from a friend. She felt out of place and unwelcome at the Universit y — t wo of her friends had transferred out of Notre Dame and she was considering the same decision — but the communit y of “Show Some Skin” prov ided a place of belonging, A zemar said.

Since then, A zemar has taken on a new role w ithin the show each year, progressing from actor to acting coach to assistant director, all before becoming executive director for the show’s 2021 production. She said the team’s welcoming communit y has had a profound impact on her.

“Finding ‘Show Some Skin’ was life-changing for me because I was introduced to a

space where people actually wanted to listen to one another and embrace the differences bet ween each other,” A zemar said. “I felt like I didn’t have to change any part of myself to be welcomed into that space.”

A lthough A zemar has a bird’s eye v iew of the production as executive director, she does not know the names and faces behind the monologues submitted for the production.

W hile “Show Some Skin” has created a space for expression and relief for some, it also prov ides an opportunit y to challenge one’s ideas and perceptions of identit y, junior and assistant producer Ashton Weber said. She said the monologues reveal the real struggles that people w ithin the Notre Dame communit y come head-tohead w ith.

(Editor’s Note: Weber is a Viewpoint columnist for The Observer.)

Weber urged students to take a moment to listen to the monologues. Ref lecting on the common perception of what it means to be a Notre Dame student, she

noted the value of hearing perspectives from people who do not conform to what she believes to be the stereot y pical identit y.

“It really just shows how diverse and beautiful our communit y is but also how lacking our administration is in supporting students who don’t fit into that stereot y pical Notre Dame student image,” Weber said.

Like A zemar, Weber was an actor in a prev ious production of “Show Some Skin” before mov ing up to an executive role. She was cast in the 2020 production, which was scheduled to take place the week after last year’s spring break.

Despite in-person classes being suspended during the break, the production team ensured that their submitted stories would still be heard. Each actor recorded their monologue from home and submitted their clips to be compiled into a YouTube v ideo.

“It was a really interesting experience of taking this thing that I had really been preparing to put on stage and changing it so that

Forum Continued from page 1

the globe, we turn to these urgent and complex questions,” Jenkins w rote.

Jenkins also inv ited members of the communit y to engage w ith the forum in some regard, whether it be attending an event or planning a related discussion.

“Our goal is to extend the dialogue into our classrooms, labs, studios, workplaces, dining halls, and residence halls and thus transform the Forum into a true campus-w ide conversation,” he w rote.

nav igating the uncertainties that came w ith it, the communit y grew smarter each day while also apologizing for the moments in which it made mistakes.

“No one gets through COVID perfectly,” McCormick said. “And so what I hope is — I really genuinely truly hope this — that the lessons learned in this particular situation are not that Notre Dame was perfect in its practice of guiding this Universit y communit y, but that Notre Dame sought to do something bold and have the humilit y necessar y to be able to admit when it was w rong, to adapt and to continue to pursue what we believe matters most, which is the education of both heart and mind of our students.”

Contact Emily DeFazio at edefazio@nd.edu

it would look okay on my iPhone,” Weber said.

In an effort to make the show accessible to as many people as possible, the cast has pre-recorded this year’s production, which w ill be show n at Carey Auditorium, DeBartolo Hall and Montgomer y Auditorium.

Student tickets are available for reser vation through the student shop. A YouTube live stream w ill also be available for Friday’s show.

Weber said that even though students are increasingly aware of what they can expect to see at a production of “Show Some Skin,” there is a my riad of new stories and experiences to be heard each year.

“These are real stories of real people that are part of our communit y,” Weber said. “and for us to better engage w ith one another as students and as friends, it’s really important to understand what is happening to people on our campus and what different people are going through.”

Contact Siobhan Loughney at sloughne@nd.edu

News

ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, april 23, 2021 | The Observer

5

RouteND guides young service members

By MEGAN FAHRNEY News Writer

Launched in March 2021, RouteND aims to encourage young members of the armed forces to apply to Notre Dame and helps guide them in their enrollment.

Through the program, alumni serving in the military recruit service members who they believe are qualified to apply to the University.

Megan Leis, assistant director of military and veterans affairs, helped plan and launch RouteND. She said alumni serving in active duty are in a unique position to seek out stellar individuals.

“There’s so many folks that would just thrive at Notre Dame and we want to kind of help pave the way for them to

Senate Continued from page 1

the fight for justice for Black and brown communities.

“We cannot rest until we have a system that uplifts communities instead of killing them,” Njomo said. “We can only hope that these past years’ events will bring us towards true justice.”

After Njomo’s statement, the senate debated the proper approach to Welcome Week changes. Two weeks ago, University leadership limited the number of Welcome Week ambassadors from 15 to five.

Smaller dorms will receive even fewer ambassadors, with the total determined by the number of resident assistants. Senators discussed potential problems that could arise from this decision. One

get here,” Leis said.

Oftentimes, service members will spend four to eight years in the military and then look to transition to higher education, Leis said.

The program is offered through the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs (OMVA) in partnership with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Alumni Association.

The OMVA was established in 2017. Its goal is to support the military, veterans and their families by showing gratitude to service members, fulfilling the moral obligation to honor our troops and expanding Notre Dame’s impact on the military community.

Alumna Lt. Mary Coyne of

the U.S. Nav y Reserves said she was personally interested in taking part in RouteND because her grandfather came to Notre Dame after serving in the Nav y in World War II with help from a similar program.

“I think a lot of men and women who are getting out of the Nav y who enlisted in the past sometimes aren’t aware of the different opportunities available to them and just how unique and valuable their experiences [are],” Coyne said.

Part of the inspiration for the program came from firstyear John Noonan, who was an active duty submariner and enrolled in Notre Dame with the encouragement and mentorship of alumnus Lt. Tom Catalano.

“That was a little bit of a prototype for us, and we thought that this might be a good endeavor to kind of explore,” said Leis. “We’re always looking for creative ways to engage.”

The program is currently in the pilot phase and is focused on connecting with alumni.

After a virtual information session last month, over 100 alumni signed up to work with RouteND, Leis said.

Coyne said she is tapping into her network of colleagues to identify potential candidates, especially via LinkedIn. “I think that’s the biggest hurdle that this program is going to have to overcome … just making people aware of it,” Coyne said.

Service members would

bring diversity of experience and a new perspective to Notre Dame students, Coyne said.

“I think we need more people around us in classes on campus that can remind everyone who’s 17 to 21 how lucky they truly are,” Coyne said.

Leis said she believes the program is a manifestation of Notre Dame’s gratitude for our troops and their families.

“I think this program is a mechanism by which we can show that gratitude, and …

I think it’s also important to enroll student veterans because they enrich the academic environment tremendously,” Leis said.

of the concerns mentioned was that first-years would experience a lack of guidance from older students and have a harder time moving into residence halls.

In response, first-year Walsh Hall senator Ava Downey explained that her hall will only have four ambassadors, but her rector found a way to offer students more assistance while moving in. She formed a “lift, loft, love” group of students from Walsh Hall who will move into the dorm early next semester. This unofficial group will help firstyears move in and meet more upperclassmen.

However, other students asserted that the senate must also find a permanent institutional solution. Keough Hall senator Benjamin Erhardt said his new rector will likely

be less willing to form an unofficial group similar to the one in Walsh Hall. He criticized the lack of transparency behind the decision to limit the number of ambassadors.

“I feel like this was a decision that was made very quietly, and then announced like it was already there,” Erhardt said.

Others also questioned the reasoning behind the decision. Junior and student union treasurer Meenu Selvan conjectured that faculty may have been concerned about hazing or a lack of ambassador training.

However, she did not see a strong correlation between the policy and potential hazing. She said this activity typically occurs off campus with upperclassmen not involved in Welcome Week. The lack of ambassador training has

also been addressed in recent years. First-year Siegfried Hall senator Zach Cortez remarked that this year ambassadors must attend multiple in-person and virtual asynchronous training sessions.

Another senator also mentioned the lack of programming and support for transfer students, who were “treated like freshmen” this past year.

Notably, Breen-Phillps Hall senator Faith Oluwakuyide said the lack of ambassadors will disadvantage and discourage first-years of color.

She said when she arrived at Welcome Weekend, there was only one person of color aiding first-years.

“When you cut down Welcome Weekend numbers, there’s a lot less chance to see people of color,” Oluwakuyide said.

She said white ambassadors are also less likely to direct students to resources for people of color on campus like the Multicultural Students Programs and Services.

To address these concerns, Erdhart suggested the senate could pass a resolution to call the Campus Life Council (CLC) to move forward with this issue. The CLC has the authority to meet with Hoffman Harding and specific directors of the Welcome Week program. Basden advocated for a smaller discussion with several members of the senate before welcoming Hoffman Harding to the larger senate body.

Looking ahead, Njomo will soon present his first State of the Student Union Address.

Contact Megan Fahrney at mfahrney@nd.edu

Contact Katie Werner at kwerner3@nd.edu

Second Notre Dame Day raises $1.8 million

By ALYSA GUFFEY Notre Dame News Editor

Notre Dame Day 2021 wrapped up Monday at midnight after 36 hours of live broadcast featuring numerous students, alumni and faculty sharing their stories and encouraging members of the community to donate to over 700 causes.

This year, Notre Dame Day occurred twice during the 2020-2021 academic year to make up for the missed annual fundraising day in the spring of 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic initially hit. In total from the two events this year, $3,785,239 was raised through 43,027 gifts. The 2021 day raised $1,895,874 alone.

Katie Kerby, assistant director of alumni and parent giving, said the additional day in

the fall was added as a means to provide funding for student clubs.

“We wanted to honor the missed Notre Dame day from last spring and ensure that students have the funding that they needed,” Kerby said.

The current plan is to return to a single annual day during the spring semester, Kerby said.

While the majority of groups participated in both giving days, Kerby said some groups decided to only participate in one day.

“There were some groups that just participated in the fall and pushed really hard, and then some just participated the spring because they either didn’t want to overwhelm donors or the students felt like they didn’t need to participate again,” Kerby said.

A change this year was

that the minimum donation amount was lowered from $10 to $5 to make a donation more feasible for younger alumni and students, Kerby said.

With the change in minimum donation, the number of gifts went up, and the average donation amount rose to $35.

Topping the leaderboards for the total amount of money raised was the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Fund with $104,960 raised through 330 gifts. The fund dedicates donations to finding a cure for Niemann-Pick Type C, a rare neurodegenerative disorder.

Kerby said the fund typically tops the leaderboard because it receives high dollar amount donations.

Meanwhile, the groups with the highest number of donors included the BolerParseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, IDEA

Center Inventor’s Fund and St. Edward’s Hall.

St. Edward’s raised the most out of any residence hall on campus, with a total of $25,231. Kerby said she sees St. Edward’s success in Notre Dame Day donations as a ref lection of rector Fr. Ralph Haag’s commitment to introducing the event to families early in their time with the hall.

St. Edward’s hall president and sophomore Michael Lynch also credited Haag with the dorm’s fundraising efforts.

“He has been here for a number of years and he’s just been able to create a great community,” Lynch said. “He has relationships with pretty much all the [St. Edward’s] men because we’re a smaller dorm.”

Lynch also noted the history of St. Edward’s as a

contributing factor to the large donation pool.

“Being the most storied dorm on campus, we have a lot of tradition, a lot of culture and so the Steds men current really enjoy it and Steds men of past really know how special it is and so they make sure to donate to keep it going,” Lynch said.

Despite the University’s efforts in planning Notre Dame Day, Kerby said the ultimate reason for its success is the efforts of the students to promote their causes.

“Our students — they do it — and everyone like steps up to the task and it’s really no work of us but all of our wonderful cause leaders and so I‘m really proud of all the work that it takes to pull it off,” Kerby said.

Contact Alysa Guffey at aguffey@nd.edu

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The observer | Friday, April 23, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Inside Column

‘Fake news’ is our fault Carolina Jimenez Viewpoint Copy Editor

Fake news.

Two words that have seemingly been able to slip into the average Joe’s vocabulary in the past four years. However, pre-2016 election, the words were unbeknownst to the majority of the population. Most blame the appearance on the wondrous former president, who seemed to only be able to communicate in these two words like Groot from The Guardians of the Galaxy. Nonetheless, given the abundance of these two words in our conversations and tweets, you’d think we’d know their meaning. In a sense, we do.

We know that it encompasses false stories being passed as legitimate journalism to sway elections or just the infamous bit of false gossip. However, we are also well aware that the term is a façade, made to discredit journalism opposing any individual — as well as one of the greatest threats to democracy, free speech and Western order.

Why then, given all the information we have supposedly known in our tiny meaty brains, are we still susceptive to the phenomenon of fake news? The answer lies in our emotions and ignorance.

Many of us believe we have a hold of the wild horses that are our emotions. Just like Plato, we’d like to think we are driven by reason, and emotions just add a layer of depth to our reality. However, truly our species comes closer to how Hume predicted: “a slave of the passions.” The reason just lies as a tool of understanding, while emotions drive this understanding. As a result, communication became a vehicle for emotion implicitly. This is clearly exampled with the “expressivism” of the 20th century, which argued that the human mind deceived itself to believe the piece of information as fact, while in actuality it was driven by emotions. Furthermore, the human mind has been wired to associate: If something feels wrong, it is bad all around. Taking this into consideration, the act of retweeting or sharing news posts online has a lot more depth than realized.

When we take the step to retweet or share, we become a “testimony,” endorsing the knowledge provided. However, most of us don’t even take the time to read the article, clicking share blindly. Research shows that around 60% of shared news post has not been read by the person sharing. So, we endorse it because of our first impression: the title. Human behavior has shown that the best indicator of what will be shared or not lies in strong moving emotions. This lies in the spectrum of cutesy feelings to moral outrage. Research indicates that stronger emotions increase the chances of a tweet being shared by 20%. However, consciously, we believe our reasoning is to transfer information, but mostly we aren’t trying to do that. If we were, wouldn’t we take the time of the day to read the article? When it comes to political news stories, our outrage is usually stimulated, leading to the spread of an equal feeling among social groups.

Almost cult-like, some can say. In a sense, social media is a collection of cults, sharing their own outrage. And weirdly enough, it has worked due to the ignorance of many.

It has become common knowledge that the world holds too much information for the feeble brain of a human being. So, human judgment relies on the limited amount of stored information and external sources: our idea of what others think. Digital culture and its wealth of information have brought a new reliance on social information and influence. Researchers have branded the new phenomenon as an “infostorm,” which is “in the sense of a sudden and tempestuous flow of social information — and suggests an intriguing alternative to the narratives of human folly and unreason so often applied to fake new.”It is not that we live in a post-truth dystopia — however close we may be. The book “Infostorms” by Pelle G. Hansen and Vincent F. Hendricks states that many social media sites are results of perfectly rational decisions by those above, “and originate not so much in human foolishness as in the nature of information environments themselves.” Imagine the scenario of the spreading of false information through a media site. Case scenario one: A normal citizen encounters it and relays the information as true. This is the worst one, if we are honest. Case scenario two: The citizen is a little more skeptical and questions: “True or untrue?” The step to take is to look up the answer elsewhere, meaning a process of seeing both possibilities — claims and counterclaims. If the person wants a quick solve, they might just ask for another’s opinion. “When you don’t possess sufficient information to solve a given problem, or if you just don’t want to or have the time for processing it, then it can be rational to imitate others by way of social proof.” Many take the second choice due to the “arduous” work of the first.

I think it is plausible that sharing content online has become a stabilizing function for our emotions, for political news in particular. Our confusion in our intent of sharing has made us easy marks for the news outlet predators. The term “fake news” has turned to embody our blind outrage. Perhaps, the survival of fake news is due to the waves of social information through social networks because of uncertainty and fullblown ignorance or, possibly, the cult-like following of opinions. No matter what, it lies in the mess of webs that is our society. With our attempts to find the truth in the beast that is yellow journalism, we have let the door wide open for the monster that is fake news — and our former president was riding it.

You can contact Carolina at cjimene4@nd.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Subverting reality Jeremy Yoder Show Some Skin

Not too long ago, I was dreaming up ideas for a potential thesis topic, and the notion of “subverting reality” came to mind. I initially thought of the phrase in the context of existing uncomfortably within systems that we cannot immediately change. We subvert reality when we resist the systemic forces that tempt and pressure us into simply resigning ourselves to complacency, hopelessness or nonexistence. This can be as small as private affirmation of one’s identity or as large as a nationwide profit-sharing co-op. We can resist the way things are by proving it’s not the way they have to be.

The CEO of Gravity Payments, Dan Price, made headlines in 2015 when he took a million-dollar pay cut to raise his company’s minimum annual salary to $70,000. Many derided the move as a terrible business decision (among other ridiculous critiques).

Ultimately, time proved the critics incorrect, but much more interesting and terrifying is the incredulous uproar caused by the move.

U.S. culture is plagued with extreme individualism, and this actually makes many of us angry when we see others benefit as a result of anything other than their own directly proportionate effort. Naturally, this is an absurd fallacy which leads us to blind spots in reasoning, but it is perfectly indicative of the culturally-sadistic assumption that one’s economic benefit must be zero-sum: In order for me to make a buck, someone else has to lose it. Now, most prominent economists would argue that this is simply not the case: Everyone can actually benefit simultaneously, but that’s a much larger and more contentious debate that I will let Roemer, Przeworski and G.A. Cohen handle for me.

But many people hate to hear this. It sounds idealistic, unrealistic and dare I say it — socialist! Setting aside for a moment the astronomical misappropriation and fearmongering that still surrounds that term (stemming in no small part from our country’s national campaign against the word’s connotative cousin during the Cold War), it cannot be denied that at the very least this economic statement — that we all truly can benefit simultaneously in an economy — is often given little to no legitimate consideration in modern business contexts. But why?

When business is taught with only one philosophical through line, and that unitary, oftentimes unspoken philosophy is never explicitly debated or critically approached in any mandatory component of the education, the system largely produces strict capitalists

with little tendency for critical reflection.

Specifically at Notre Dame, by the time we reach junior year’s “sequence three” courses and are finally exposed to the macroeconomic evidence that the wealth gap is only widening at an alarming rate and that the real wage has not increased in over 40 years, it’s far too late. By this point, the vast majority of the class has already committed to the philosophy of strict capitalism and received two or three job offers from top corporations, making any opposing philosophy even less appealing due to anchoring bias and a sunk cost fallacy.

Obviously, we all have to make money to survive, and I’m not exactly advocating we all take a vow of poverty; I am simply arguing that it would serve to benefit business students (and society at large) if curriculums included critical discussions regarding the underlying philosophies that drive the systems we otherwise study so fervently.

Subverting reality. It sounds so catchy I went straight to Google to see if someone had already coined it or at least written on this topic using the same language. I was surprised to instead discover an article from a social epistemology collective framing the phrase in a much more pessimistic light: It describes the ongoing subversion of reality resulting from the crumbling of truth itself, specifically in the context of the Trump presidency. The author, Adam Riggio, diagnoses our current era as “post-truth,” pointing to an abysmal lack of public trust in both the media and the government. These are both fascinating notions, each with its own respective field of study and both almost as elusive and convoluted as the idea of nationhood. Of course, this was vastly different from the way I had initially imagined the term, but I think it parallels nicely. After all, the first step to changing something is acknowledging that there’s a better alternative, an objective truth to the better reality that we are trying to instate.

Jeremy Yoder is a junior and be reached at jyoder9@nd.edu by email.

Show Some Skin is a student-run initiative committed to giving voice to unspoken narratives about identity and difference.

Using the art of storytelling as a catalyst for positive social change across campus, we seek to make Notre Dame a more open and welcoming place for all. If you are interested in breaking the silence and getting involved with Show Some Skin, s.someskin@gmail.com by email.

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Submit a Letter to the Editor: viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com

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The observer | Friday, April 23, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Speak up, this and every month Editor’s Note: This editorial includes discussions of sexual abuse and violence. A list of sexual assault reporting options and on-campus resources can be found on the Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross websites.

Last week, a conglomerate of tri-campus groups led

by Saint Mary’s Belles Against Violence Office (BAVO) and Notre Dame’s Gender Relations Center (GRC) stood with sexual assault survivors and marched against sexual violence during this year’s Take Back the Night.

The event corresponded with the recognition of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing public awareness of issues surrounding sexual assault, promoting educational opportunities and elevating the voices of survivors. This month is also a time to prioritize prevention by advocating for better public policy and cultural practices, in order to protect potential victims and survivors.

The issue of sexual violence is prevalent everywhere — not only in our dorms and on our campus but around the world. According to a recent report from the U.K., 97% of women aged 18-24 have experienced sexual harassment. As of 2018, 81% of women in the U.S. have faced sexual harassment. In the U.S., one in six women will experience sexual assault.

Sexual assault also disproportionately affects marginalized communities in the U.S. According to a 2018 investigation by NPR, individuals with intellectual disabilities are seven times more likely to experience sexual violence. In addition, one in five Black women are survivors of sexual assault and over half of Native American women experience sexual violence in their lifetime. To advocate for survivors of sexual violence, we must consider and be aware of the intersections of oppression and rape culture.

While cisgender women are at an elevated risk of

sexual violence, this affects many others. For instance, transgender college students are at higher risk for sexual violence. Twenty-one percent of transgender and gender-nonconforming college students have been sexually assaulted, compared to 18% of cisgender women and 4% of cisgender men. Additionally, cisgender men aged 18-24 in college are approximately five times more likely than non-students of the same age to be a victim of rape or sexual assault.

In Notre Dame’s 2020 campus climate survey, 4% of female respondents and 1% of male respondents indicated they had experienced non-consensual sexual intercourse as a student, and 16% of female students and 4% of male students said they had personally experienced other forms of non-consensual sexual contact while enrolled at Notre Dame.

At Notre Dame, there is limited transparent and accessible data on sexual assault. Because the Notre Dame Police Department operates as a private branch of a private University and not as a public agency, it is exempt by Indiana law from making records on the specific location of reported incidents — such as dorms, among other student spaces — publicly available.

This decision dates back to November 2016, when the Indiana Supreme Court ruled in favor of NDPD (which was NDSP at the time) in regard to a records request made by ESPN in 2015. The court concluded the department was not a public agency under state law.

That same month in 2016, the South Bend Tribune and The Observer filed records requests with the NDSP, all of which the University denied, citing the ruling in the ESPN case.

Earlier that year, however, the Indiana General Assembly had changed the definition of “public agency” to include private university police departments. This had been the result of a “technical printing error” that was to be amended. After both the South Bend Tribune and The Observer filed a complaint with the PAC office (Public Access Counselor), it ruled in Notre Dame’s favor in February 2017. As a result, NDPD’s crime log still contains very few details of reported incidents and, at the moment, the department is not required by law to

make more specific information publicly available.

Yet having access to such information would better empower our communities to enact effective change and take the necessary steps to prevent future occurrences of sexual assault on our campuses. That’s why we’re calling upon the University and NDPD to be more transparent with students regarding reported incidents of sexual violence — because members of our tri-campus community deserve transparency from the systems designed to protect them. Additionally, we call upon the administrations of Holy Cross College and Saint Mary’s College to allow for easier public access to sexual assault report data on their respective campuses — both colleges have not updated their campus crime statistics since 2019.

As we approach the end of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we also want to encourage our communities to continue increasing awareness, all year round, about sexual violence and how it relates to the tri-campus community. People in the age range of 18-24 are at higher risk of experiencing sexual violence, an issue that is particularly prevalent at colleges and universities.

But there is more to rape culture than sexual assault.

Combating rape culture also involves shutting down language that perpetuates sexual violence — which can take many forms, including derogatory jokes and offhanded comments that blame victims or make light of sexual assault. It involves being active bystanders even in spaces not commonly thought to be dangerous, because you never know what someone has been through and how that kind of atmosphere affects them. Most importantly, it means continuing to support survivors.

Stand up against a culture of silence by listening to and believing survivors.

Next year, there will be two class years of undergraduate students who have never experienced a nonpandemic semester. Given the potential for a return to a more typical dorm and off-campus social and party culture, we strongly urge our tri-campus community to be intentional in protecting and caring for each other, especially our rising first-years and sophomores, in order to foster a safer, more welcoming community.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Advice, like youth, usually comes off as pedantic and unoriginal Editor’s Note: The following letter includes mentions of suicide.

When I was a senior in high school, I competed to give one of the commencement speeches for my class’ graduation. Unfortunately, I was not chosen. But much like Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune, a deep-seated desire to provide some solemn words of wisdom that I had amassed over time has stayed with me. And with both the academic year and my time at Notre Dame coming to an end, I hope you will indulge that desire for a few minutes.

To the class of 2021: Don’t just wear sunscreen.

If you get nothing else from this article, it is that you should not only rely on sunscreen. Most medical evidence today suggests that while sunscreen is highly effective, there is a tendency for those who put it on to stay out in the sun longer than they should, increasing your risk of developing skin cancer. An overconfidence in the effectiveness of sunscreen can be quite harmful.

I say this because there is a strong scientific basis to support it. As opposed to the rest of my advice, which is based solely on overcoming my many years of inexperience. Never leave things left unsaid. Good, bad or inbetween. Tell your parents you love them. And then tell them you, in fact, will not go to law school, despite how much they spent on that LSAT prep course. The question of “What if?” will rob you of your peace. Try not to

dwell on it — even though we both still will. Sing with abandon. I personally believe it is most therapeutic when done off-key.

You should not smoke cigarettes. But for the love of God, if you do, always make sure to brush your teeth before you pass out. Just trust me. Dating and graduate school have one thing in common — the better you get with handling rejection, the more successful you will be in both endeavors. Never fear heartache. Some of the hardest choices you make may break your heart or someone else’s. But much like any part of you, it is quite a resilient muscle. Don’t be afraid to flex it. Don’t microwave jalapeños. Once you open the microwave, you’re essentially pepper spraying yourself. Forgiveness and closure are not guaranteed in this world. At most, they are gifts you are best never expected to be bestowed and should be incredibly grateful if you are ever given.

Go to the movies by yourself. There’s something restorative about being in complete darkness, illuminated by that vast light, with a face full of popcorn and a blue raspberry ICEE off to the side. It’s one of the last socially acceptable bastions to turn off your phone and unplug from the world, so take full advantage of it. Seek help whenever you need it. As someone who has seriously contemplated suicide, seeking out help is the only reason I’m still alive today.

In the words of a colleague, “You can’t force friendship.” Be willing to know who to keep and to know when to keep your distance. Respect people, not

authority. Yeah, I’m a Ph.D., but I also didn’t know that “blue raspberries” weren’t a real fruit until I was 25. Titles mean nothing until the person proves their worth.

But everyone is worthy of basic respect. There is a fine line between curiosity and conspiracy. Tread carefully.

Never forget the luck it took to get here; allow it to humble you. Never discount the hard work either; allow it to empower you. Use the latter to keep going when it feels like the former has run out. If we have learned anything this last year, it is that we are all quite miserable. A little kindness and grace (for yourself and others) can go a long way. Remember — copying without attribution is plagiarism. Inspiration with citation is the hallmark of all academic endeavors. (See the beginning of this piece.) Listen to your gut. It’s usually right — if not immediately, then at least retrospectively. If nothing else works, a nap can’t hurt. Advice is like literature; there’s only so many different stories, but an infinite number of ways to tell them. Sometimes that difference in context may be the thing that gets it to stick with someone in a way that would wholly be rejected by somebody else. It’s also like literature in that just because it’s written down, that doesn’t mean it’s any good. Except that thing about the sunscreen.

Amir M. Sadeh postdoctoral fellow April 19

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The observer | Friday, April 23, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Our education of heart and mind Vince Mallett Independent Idealist

I’m dreading graduation next month for so many reasons.

Of course, I don’t want to leave this place, this community, and the great friends I have made here. To a lesser, though still significant extent, I’m also worried about continuing my education after my schooling is complete. Not in graduate school or law school — I mean in an informal way. Am I going to be able to find the time to keep reading, writing and learning about the world around me?

Maybe part of the motivation for wanting to do so in the first place comes from the fact that I’m a philosophy major, and I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of learning about philosophy. That’s not an indictment of the program here, of course; I’ve loved and benefited from every philosophy class I’ve taken. But in addition to teaching me a whole lot, they’ve taught me how much I don’t know. There are centuries of writing out there by millions of people, all of which sheds light on the human experience and can teach us something about how to live our lives. I’m not only talking about philosophy, either. What impact did the French Revolution have on the common people of Europe? How did Einstein’s theories of relativity challenge traditional assumptions about space and time? How has western intervention changed political life in the Middle East? These are important questions: We can only genuinely work together for our common good if we have some understanding of the world around us, and of the people who have preceded us.

Asking important questions should not end just because we are moving from the “school” portion of our lives to the “employment” portion of our lives. If anyone at this University feels like they’re a perfectly educated person who knows all they need to know, then Notre Dame has failed to teach them an important lesson about humility. We can’t

ever know as much as we should. None of us are perfect —there are always ways to better ourselves, and learning is one of the most important tools for doing so. Our society has pretty arbitrarily decided that us seniors are at the age when we are ready to dedicate most of our time to work. I don’t think any one of us would say that we have to dedicate all of our time to it. We should use the time we have to love others, to grow as human persons and to learn about the world we’ve been given.

I am not quite sure what learning post-school will look like. I hope to read a whole lot; I want to get involved in whatever community I end up living in, and learn from and with the people around me. There are two things which worry me about this plan. First, I simply don’t know if I will be able to find the time and motivation to learn on top of the obligations of everyday life. Reading more has been a New Year’s resolution of mine every year for an embarrassingly large number of years, so I am not sure how realistic it is to expect extra work from myself. Second, I know that the quality of my education will diminish greatly after graduation. How could it not? When I read a book for class, I have the opportunity to discuss it with 15 to 20 of my peers and a renowned scholar who has likely been studying the text for decades.

I’m simply not going to get that experience while learning on my own.

The first of these problems, like everything in life, comes down to two things: willpower and divine help. If you’re not a believer in the second, then just concentrate on the first.

God wants me to continue learning — I’m reasonably sure of that — so it really comes down to me deciding to carry out my plan. The second problem is unavoidable. I am incredibly thankful for the education I have received here, and I recognize that it is an immense privilege that almost everyone in the world never gets to experience. I have studied at the University of Notre Dame for four years. I will study elsewhere afterwards, but nothing will be like this. That’s

just a fact of life.

If you are a senior who is not in the College of Arts and Letters who has read this column so far, I commend you, because you very well might feel like this doesn’t apply to you.

In the College of Science and the College of Engineering, or in Mendoza, it’s most likely that your education will continue post-graduation to precisely the extent your job requires.

Why learn more about technical matters if you don’t need to? Two friendly reminders: First, learning is in itself a good thing, no matter what you are learning about. Training your mind to process information and communicate clearly is always helpful. Second, and more importantly, there is a reason Notre Dame, and most, if not all, other universities, have liberal arts requirements for all graduates. It is important, regardless of your career, to experience great works of literature, to consider life’s most fundamental questions, to learn about the world we live in and how we have gotten to where we are. Don’t give up on those endeavors just because you’ve fulfilled your two philosophy and two theology classes.

There are many parts of Notre Dame we won’t be able to hold onto after graduation. We’ll be locked out of the residence halls we’ve called home, we’ll have to pay absurd prices for worse seats at one or two football games, and we’ll have to make Spotify playlists to try to represent the dulcet tones of the Duncan Student Center. But the central part of our experience here, our education of heart and mind, need not end when we sing the alma mater together next month.

Let’s carry that forward.

Vince Mallett is a senior majoring in philosophy, with a minor in constitutional studies. He currently lives offcampus, though he calls both New Jersey and Carroll Hall home. He can be reached at vmallett@nd.edu or @vince_mallett on Twitter.

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

How language shapes politics Megumi Tamura Subject to Change

I’ve recently begun to find linguistics — the study of language — quite fascinating (a testament to the now verifiable fact that I am, indeed, a boring grandma living inside the body of a 19-year-old). The words we choose to say and write and the ways in which we string them together construct a sort of bridge between the theoretical and the concrete, especially when it comes to politics. It’s only through the spoken and written word that an idea has the chance to materialize into a policy that can and will impact people’s lives.

Within the political discourse, I’ve observed three patterns. For some words, we haven’t decided on a universal definition, so people and politicians will use their personal interpretations to push and pull their constituents this way and that. Sometimes, opposite sides of the aisle are talking about the same issues but are just making particular word choices to describe them and to sway their constituents onto one side. Other times, I find that certain words have nearly lost all meaning and are just thrown around by politicians and the media to either scare voters away or pull them in. I guess there’s no real problem with this aspect of politics except for when language — this stringing together of words that gives us the freedom to choose how to communicate certain messages — is used to manipulate and harm. Either way, it’s become clear to me that politics, in the sense of elected officials seeking votes and pushing agendas, is often more of a language game than it is a policy game.

One example that comes to mind is the Biden administration’s recent American Jobs Plan: a $2 trillion “investment in America that will create millions of good jobs, rebuild our country’s infrastructure, and position the United States to out-compete China.” While it’s laid out as an “infrastructure bill,” it includes things that go beyond traditional definitions of infrastructure such as broadband, the electric grid, housing, water, senior care, public

schools, etc. Because it’s a plan put forth by a Democratic administration, many Republicans in Congress have spoken out in opposition to the bill (just as Democrats would speak out against any bill that a Republican administration would put forward), with people like Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee tweeting that “President Biden’s proposal is about anything but infrastructure” and posting a photo which reads “$400 billion towards elder care” in an attempt to make the plan look bad. This debate about the infrastructure plan is essentially a language debate. I’m sure Senator Blackburn and the others don’t think providing care for the elderly is bad; they just don’t think it falls into the definition of “infrastructure” and, therefore, shouldn’t be included in an infrastructure bill. What does the word “infrastructure” even mean? Should it matter that every aspect of this bill falls under the definition of the word “infrastructure” if, either way, it’s sorely needed to improve life and is popular among the American people? Is the definition of “infrastructure” one that remains stagnant or undergoes a sort of semantic evolution with time?

Here’s another example: “gun control” versus “gun safety.” As the multiple mass shootings in the past few weeks have shown, America has a problem with how easily accessible guns are in this country. According to multiple polls, there is overwhelming support for increased background checks and other safety measures for gun ownership among Americans of both parties, yet whenever a shooting occurs and human life is lost, this debate about rights, freedoms and the Second Amendment always comes back. “Gun control” and “gun safety” encompass pretty much the same thing, but that one-word distinction — “control” versus “safety” — makes these phrases able to be used in different arguments: One about freedom and another about safety. “Control” brings to mind the government taking something away; “safety” brings to mind keeping people from harm. With a change in word choice, two phrases that mean the same thing are torn apart to be used by different sides of a political debate (although there should be no debate that gun violence is a serious problem

in America and something must be done). A similar example might be “illegal alien” versus “undocumented immigrant.” Again, both of these phrases mean the same thing, but one is used in an offensive and demoralizing manner to push a certain political message.

Then, there’s the way that language is used in politics where a single word has become enough to scare people away — to the point where that word has almost lost meaning because of how often it’s thrown around.

I’m talking about, of course, “socialism.” This throwing around of the word “socialism” as a scare word is ages old in America, as everyone from FDR to even Joe Biden, a lifelong moderate Democrat, has been called a socialist. When a word like “socialist” is used so often to simply apply to anything one doesn’t like, then it loses all of its meaning.

The same thing seems to be happening to the word “liberal.” This single word means something different depending on which side of the aisle you’re on. For conservatives on the right, “liberal” is synonymous with leftist, radical, socialist. For those on the progressive left, “liberal” connotes the Establishment — Joe Biden is a “liberal,” but AOC and Bernie Sanders are “leftists.” “Socialist” and “liberal” are two examples of language being used not to represent a single definition but to push a certain message depending on who’s using it.

Of course, at the end of the day, the words we use in political discourse don’t matter as much as getting things done. However, the importance and utilization of language in American politics cannot be overstated. It makes me think that every political action is twofold, with each part holding equal value: The idea itself and then the way it’s communicated — the way in which it uses language.

Megumi Tamura is a freshman in the Gateway Program. She is originally from Ridgewood, New Jersey and enjoys going to museums, watching political debates and eating Jersey bagels. She can be reached at mtamura@nd.edu or @megtamura on Twitter.

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

The observer | Friday, april 23, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

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ELAINE PARK | The Observer

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The observer | Friday, april 23, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

By JAKE WINNINGHAM Senior Scene Writer

Editor’s Note: Read predictions for all 23 categories on our website.

This Sunday’s 93rd Academy Awards will cap one of the strangest, most turbulent years in recent movie history. To celebrate, I’ll complete my Trophy Hunter series with a final Oscar ballot. A combination of streaming and screenings, both in-person and virtual, allowed me to see every feature and short nominated this year. Last year’s ballot found me going 20-for-24 overall (I underestimated the power of “Ford vs. Ferrari,” at my own peril).

Hopefully, I’ll do even better this year. Below, you’ll find my picks for who will win and should win each category.

Best Picture Will Win: “Nomadland” Should Win: “Minari”

“Nomadland” has been the favorite in this category since its festival premieres last year, leaving smaller paths to victory for its competitors. The easy-to-love, hard-to-hate “Minari” could benefit from the weighted ballot for Best Picture, which asks voters to rank their choices rather than select an outright winner. If “Minari” snags the second spot on enough ballots, it could surge past “Nomadland.”

A “Chicago 7” win would happen solely because of the Academy’s largest voting body: actors, whose ranks also comprise a sizable portion of the SAG group that gave “Chicago 7” its top prize in the lead-up to Oscar night.

Aaron Sorkin’s pedantic polemic is the kind of movie that has found success at the Oscars before — particularly in the acting categories — and could overcome Sorkin’s lack of a Best Director nod to win Best Picture.

At this point, however, wins for “Minari” or “Chicago 7” would constitute massive upsets. Look for “Nomadland” to come away with the biggest award of the night.

This has solidified into a three-movie race, with “Nomadland” serving as a clear front-runner alongside hopefuls “Minari” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” Chloe Zhao’s low-key docudrama would be one of the smallest Best Picture winners ever, continuing a years-long Oscars drift away from big-budget, mainstream successes. Whether or not a presumptive “Nomadland” win will serve as another indicator of this trend or merely a COVID-aided blip remains to be seen.

Best Actress in a Leading Role

By JP SPOONMORE

art on Spotify, if feels like every moment was crafted just for you. The layers of sound and mixed-in elements of both church choirs and electric guitar make a clashing mix with a surprisingly gentle experience. A war of machine and nature exists in the notes, swaying through the choruses in a river of sound. The two intensities are expressed in the metallic end of the world with “Age of Machine,” and the floral pastures of peace in “Heat Above.” The entire album has a cohesive theme throughout, using this conflict to sway the tone from one side to another, creating a holistically diverse album. It all looks scrambled at first glance, yet it sounds so connected that each listen unravels a new, subconscious understanding.

My only reservation with these songs is how little weight the lyrics hold. Most of the songs sing just two verses outside the chorus, the longest song only reaching its length by having a four minute guitar solo. The brief words sung bring out striking imagery of burning skies and war-swept landscapes, but does it all mean anything? I feel if the words were supposed to be as prophetic as they appear, there would be more of them. Behind the curtains of the stage, the band has really shifted its focus to the instrumental rather than the lyrical elements of their writing, allowing the gifted guitarist, Jake Kiszka, to lead the band for the future. Hopefully, this shift will evolve beyond the need for lyrics, because right now, it feels like I’m missing the underlying message of the music.

Scene Writer

What once was just a small band in Michigan with three brothers, Greta Van Fleet has soared to the front of modernday rock with vocalist Josh Kiszka’s incredible voice and his brother, Jake’s, sensational guitar skills. My first time hearing them was with my brother during Thanksgiving break of my senior year in high school. Listening to their music was a simple past time of mine to connect with my brothers, but their newest album has shaped how I see the medium of music.

Greta Van Fleet’s third album, “The Battle at Garden’s Gate,” evolves the band’s new-age rock and roll sound with a slower, ethereal chorus. Josh Kiszka perfects his angelic voice to preach verses of nature and peace, though with sparse depth found in the lyrics. The more I listen to the album and the band, I realize it is not what they are saying that is important, but what I am hearing. This band knows that their sound is stronger than anything they will ever be able to write. As the drums bang audible pyrotechnics and smoke as the guitar takes center stage, fashioning electric solos with unstoppable force, their chords surround you like fireflies in the forest.

It is the little things in each song that build this album up to the next level. From the rumbling thunder in, “Tears of Rain,” to the individual symbols for each song on the album

Will Win: Viola Davis, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” Should Win: Viola Davis, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” This is the most fascinating above-the-line race of the night, with four potential winners and plenty of historymaking potential among the five nominees. Mulligan (Critics’ Choice), McDormand (BAFTAs), Day (Golden Globes) and Davis (SAG) have split the Oscar precursor

awards. (Apologies to first time nominee Kirby, who does genuinely heart wrenching work in the otherwise blasé “Pieces of a Woman.”) Wins for McDormand or Davis would place them in historical company: McDormand would tie Katharine Hepburn and Meryl Streep for most Best Actress Oscars with three and Davis would become the first Black actress to win two Oscars.

While all four have a chance at winning, Davis’ win at SAG is the most indicative of Oscar success, which is good news. Her eponymous turn in “Ma Rainey’s” was the performance of the year, all wounded confidence and fiery mettle. Her win would set “Ma Rainey’s” to become the first movie to win both Best Actress and Best Actor since 1998’s “As Good As It Gets,” which leads me to...

Best Actor in a Leading Role Will Win: Chadwick Boseman, “Ma Rainey’s” Should Win: Chadwick Boseman, “Ma Rainey’s” …the easiest-to-predict category of the Oscars.

Boseman has been penciled in as the winner here since “Ma Rainey’s” became available on Netflix, and with good reason. The closest comparison for Boseman here is Heath Ledger’s work in “The Dark Knight:” a posthumous award for a performance that is at once a careerbest and an indicator of what could (and should) have been.

Contact Jake Winningham at jwinning@nd.edu

“The Battle at Garden’s Gate” signals a new chapter for Greta Van Fleet, pushing past any misconceptions of their skills and sailing to new horizons of wonderful sights and sounds. Even if they merely sound cool to you, this album serves as a perfect way to lose track of time and space for an hour. Just plug in the headphones and relax for the best listening experience. At first it will only sound cool, but soon you will find yourself cracking your voice trying to hit Josh Kiszka’s notes as you pretend to know how to play air-guitar.

Their style is contagious as they continue to evolve. Each album builds its own unique sound and texture with climactic beginnings and endings. The craft of their music is timeless, and I cannot wait to listen to it for the rest of my life.

Contact JP Spoonmore at jspoonmo@nd.edu

“The Battle at Garden’s Gate” Greta Van Fleet Favorite Tracks: “The Weight of Dreams,” “Age of Machine” If you like: The Police, Van Halen, Rush

JACKIE JUNCO | The Observer

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Crossword | Will Shortz

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Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Follow through with your plans. A productive strategy will push you into unusual territory. Strive to be and do your best, and the results you get will far exceed your expectations. Don’t settle for less when discipline and hard work can lead to so much more than you anticipate. A partnership will lead to new opportunities and personal growth. Your numbers are 6, 11, 21, 28, 30, 41, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Settle into something you enjoy doing, and an unexpected opportunity will come your way. Fix up your space to accommodate a new project. Don’t wait for someone else to make the first move. Consider what you want and make it happen.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Stubbornness will lead to uncertainty. Size up whatever situation you face, and make a decision. Spending too much time on something you cannot change will end up holding you back. Consider your options, and do what’s best for you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Expand your options, be open to suggestions and make changes at home that add to your convenience. Abide by the rules and take bureaucratic matters seriously. A mistake can be costly mentally, physically or emotionally. Moderation and accuracy are essential.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Coordinate with people who bring out the best in you.

What you learn and accomplish will encourage you to form a healthy relationship and a positive and prosperous plan. Educational pursuits will pave the way to a lucrative income.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Proceed with caution. Limit what you share with others. Be a good listener, and it will give you the competitive edge you need to get ahead.

Distance yourself from indecisive people. Follow the path that leads to a stable future.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Stand your ground and make things happen. Use your knowledge, experience and know-how to reach your goal. Refuse to let anyone take over or hold you back. Personal, physical and emotional improvement are encouraged. Romance is in the stars.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Consider what you enjoy doing most, and head in that direction. Pick up a license, degree or whatever qualifications you require to improve your chance to advance in an area that excites you. Don’t give up or give in; embrace new beginnings.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Listen to your intuition. You have plenty to gain if you are productive. Put the past behind you, and concentrate on the people, places and pastimes that make your life better. Physical improvement will boost your confidence. Romance is featured.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Put your energy where it will bring the highest returns. Refuse to let anyone play with your emotions or push you in the wrong direction. Expand your interests; dedicate your time to something that makes you happy.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take care of responsibilities, and you’ll feel less stress. Make changes at home that will add to your entertainment and make your life easier. Spending time with someone you love will lead to decisions that will stabilize your life.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Question what you are doing, how you handle your money and the changes you can make to improve your current situation. Put your energy where it counts, and strive to be the best you can. Focus on selfimprovement, not changing others.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): An opportunity to change the way you work or how you earn your living looks promising. Learn to use your skills in new and exciting ways, and you’ll end up with extra cash. Someone from your past will offer insight into your future.

Birthday Baby: You are optimistic, entertaining and outgoing. You are playful and persuasive.

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The observer | Friday, april 23, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Sports Authority

Sports Authority

Colts aren’t contenders yet Gehrig Smalstig Sports Writer

Tom Brady, Leonard Fournette, Rob Gronkowski, Tristan Wirfs, Antoine Winfield Jr. That’s the haul of starters that it took to push the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into Super Bowl contention, where they would ultimately emerge victorious. That is the result of a very busy free agency, accompanied by one of the better draft classes in the league.

Carson Wentz. That’s the only projected starter that the Indianapolis Colts have added so far this offseason.

I can already hear the groans of the more optimistic fans, hoping to take the next step into Super Bowl contention. Yes, I know, there’s at least a possibility that we got an upgrade at quarterback.

Yes, I know, we still haven’t drafted yet and Chris Ballard has had a great track record when it comes to talent evaluation. Yes, I know, we are waiting to spend money on the likes of Quenton Nelson, Braden Smith and Darius Leonard. But, looking at it now, that all just sounds like a bunch of bad excuses.

To start, Carson Wentz is still one of the biggest question marks in the league. I’d like to think that I believe in him more than most, knowing how early I recognized his playmaking abilities and how I drool over his multiple seasons with a 100+ passer rating, but at heart I am a realist. Anyone who turned on a single Eagles game last year knows how bad Carson Wentz looked. Not only was his confidence and chemistry with the team a wreck — two things that could hopefully be rectified with some new scenery and a trusted coach in Frank Reich — but his decision making and accuracy were also more than suspect.

If the Colts are leaning on Wentz to take them to the top, it could be a bumpy ride.

The draft is also an awfully shaky system to rely on. I am more than willing to admit that Chris Ballard and the Colts’ scouting system have done a great job since they have arrived, but it’s silly to think that another top 5 draft class is a sure thing. Who is to say whether this year’s first and second round picks will turn out to be more like Malik Hooker and Rock YaSin than Quenton Nelson and Darius Leonard? Even if you think you have got the talent that you wanted, who is

to say they won’t be plagued by injuries like Parris Campbell? If you ask me, the Colts are taking a gamble on a part of the game that has long been marked by luck.

While I understand that the Colts will have to shell out big money soon, the teams that are winning now are manipulating the cap space in ways that make it obvious that saving money is a thing of the past if you want to win Super Bowls.

Two offseasons ago, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Patrick Mahomes to a contract worth more than a half a billion dollars and still saved space for Chris Jones, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce.

This past offseason, the Buccaneers were even able to bring back every single starter from their Super Bowl winning roster. With the use of up-front bonuses and other tricks of the trade, there is no reason that money should have been a problem for the Colts in free agency.

But, for the sake of argument, let’s say things turn out well. Carson Wentz returns to at least his 2019 form, posting around 4000 passing yards and a 4:1 touchdown to interception ratio, and they are able to fill the holes at edge rusher and left tackle in the draft, getting prospects similar to Chase Young and Tristan Wirfs. That would be near hitting the ceiling in terms of potential outcomes. Yet, Philip Rivers posted a better passer rating with the Colts in 2020 than Wentz did in 2019, Chase Young posted less sacks than Justin Houston, and you would be hard pressed to find someone who would prefer a rookie tackle to an All-Pro like Anthony Castonzo. As the 2021 NFL Draft quickly approaches, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Colts might still have a ways to go.

Will the Colts be a bad team? No. They should make the playoffs. But, they’re still a ways away from competing with teams like the Chiefs or the Bucs come playoff time and, considering the massive amount of cap space there was to work with, I think that an inactive free agency should be a large target for the blame.

Contact Gehrig Smalstig at esmalsti@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

What I learned running with the Ugly Boys Maeve Filbin Senior Sports Writer

The last time I played on an organized sports team was my brief stint in the world of intermural basketball as a Saint Mary’s freshman. We called ourselves “Belles Got Ballz,” and we were terrible. Absolutely no form to be found — we traveled like nobody’s business, and many baskets were made granny style.

However, we inexplicably made it to the final round of the championship tournament, in which we were famously the first freshmen to square up against the neverdefeated senior team.

Much of this opposing team was made up of off-season Saint Mary’s athletes, as well as several certified Soul Cycle instructors. That is to say that they were exceptionally strong, fast and coordinated. We got spanked, but more importantly, both teams had fun.

Up until college, I had called myself a member of many teams — track, cross country, lacrosse, volleyball, basketball, Irish dancing, soccer and softball. I tried every sport my parents would sign me up for — let me know if you want to see my water polo highlight reel — and loved learning the rules of the game alongside my best friends.

It is important to note that I valued quantity over quality, preferring to sample as many sports as possible without ever becoming exceptionally talented in any of them. Maybe that makes me well-rounded, but it more likely explains why I am not a college athlete or a regular writer for the Observer Sports department.

I am, however, what some might consider to be a runner. I run every week, something the tri-campus and its surrounding area makes very easy to do with its various lake trails, forest paths and winding river.

Cross country is definitely the sport I identify most closely with, as I ran long

distance for seven years and met some of my best friends during hill sprints and outand-backs. Of all the myriad of sports I joined over the years, I poured the most heartfelt effort into my high school cross country team.

Long distance running is gross; it’s sweaty and muddy and ugly (thanks to the team moms who brought nice cameras to meets, these moments are captured in high-definition). There’s way too much poison iv y and never enough Porta Potties. Cross country is also pretty lonely, despite the fact that you’re surrounded by other runners and you’re all sharing the same desperate goal: Get to the finish line without throwing up Gatorade.

As a retired high school cross country runner, I’ve held onto the basics (run on grass, don’t overextend your stride, don’t clench your fists, don’t swing your arms across your chest) which have helped me improve and stay relatively injury-free.

I’ve also discovered three things: 1) Running for your own health and enjoyment is an extremely empowering experience.

2) I’m kind of an ugly runner.

3) I miss running with a team.

Running independent of a team invites you to explore your own abilities and limits outside of a competitive environment; it also holds you accountable and makes you more patient with yourself. Running by myself gives me time to think, to breathe outside and feel grounded.

Something else I’ve noticed: I’m kind of an ugly runner. I’m f lat-footed and one of my legs is few inches longer than the other. I tore my ACL and shredded my meniscus during my years as a lacrosse midfielder, which adds a certain je ne sais quoi to my running gait.

I can run five miles, but it won’t look like “Bay watch.”

Third, I definitely miss having teammates. Running

is an inherently lonely sport. Everything you’re competing against is internal: the lactic acid in your legs, cramped muscles, your limited lungs. It’s as much mental exertion as it is physical, especially if you hydrated at Olf’s the night before. So as much as I love taking the trails at my own pace, in my own head I miss knowing that other people are putting in the work with me.

I couldn’t help but wonder … where could I find a support system for lonely, f latfooted runners?

Naturally, I found the answer on TikTok when I followed the Ugly Boys Running Club, a group based in San Francisco, California that has built a nationwide community around running for the sake of running. The club has a Strava group and Discord channel, makes curated Spotify running playlists and custom screen-printed shirts and keeps up an active presence on TikTok. “We’re not out here to run eight-minute miles,” one club member says as he jogs up a grassy knoll. “We’re not out here to run nine-minute miles. We’re not out here to perform. We’re running ugly and we’re just having fun getting our body moving.

I want to emphasize that this is not a competition … this is about being a sh*tty runner, an ugly runner, and doing it because it’s fun and it’s good for us. Let’s push each other to keep doing it.”

I love that the Ugly Boys Running Club has created a space for generally unskilled but earnest runners, and I’m excited to join the conversation. I’d invite every runner who’s ever passed me on the lake trails and given me the classic close-lipped grimace, wheezed my way or thrown a thumbs-up to do the same.

Let’s get ugly.

Contact Maeve Filbin at mfilbin01@saintmarys.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

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ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, april 23, 2021 | The Observer

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FOOTball | WAY TOO EARLY

Way-Too-Early preview: UNC Tar Heels Observer Staff Report

Opponent: Wisconsin Badgers Date: Sept. 25th, 2021 Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois Kickoff: TBD

History of the Matchup This game will mark the first time the Irish have played the Badgers in 57 years, as the teams have n A little Halloweekend primetime action for the Fighting Irish in 2021? That’s a distinct possibility when potential top 2022 NFL draft selection Sam Howell and his North Carolina Tar Heels visit Notre Dame on October 30th. With USC visiting the weekend before, it’s not a guaranteed evening kickoff for the Irish, but it’s one of the highest-profile games in a difficult schedule for the Irish, and possibly their final major test of their regular season campaign – let’s take a look at the WayToo-Early Preview.

Opponent: North Carolina Tar Heels Date: Saturday, October 30 Location: Notre Dame Stadium Kickoff: TBD

History of the matchup The history of the UNC-Notre Dame matchup has been quite kind to the Irish, who have dominated the Tar Heels to the tune of a 19-1 overall record versus UNC. UNC does have one other win, but it was a vacated victory in 2008. Excluding that game, Notre Dame has won nine straight since their lone loss in 1960 to the Tar Heels.

They played most recently in 2020, in which Notre Dame shut down a high-powered UNC offense in their 31-17 victory on Black Friday. Notre Dame has held UNC to 17 or less points in all but three countable games in the 20-game series, but that will certainly be tested against a UNC offense expected to be dangerous once more under the guidance of Howell.

2020 performance UNC has hopes of entering this 2021 clash with the Irish as a top-5 team, which they were for a brief moment last season before an upset loss to Florida State ended that time. Ultimately, the Tar Heels finished 8-4, with two upset losses to Florida State and Virginia, the loss to Notre Dame, and a bowl game loss to Texas A&M, although their lethal offense was severely depleted due to opt outs in that last game.

They had three ranked wins, including a 62-26 demolition of Miami, ranked No. 9 at the time.

Howell was the offensive leader, completing 68% of his

passes for 30 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. His top targets were wide receivers Dyami Brown (55 catches, 8 touchdowns) and Dazz Newsome (54 catches, 6 TDs).

And the Tar Heels weren’t weaker on the ground, as running back Michael Carter ran for 1,245 yards and nine touchdowns, while running back Javonte Williams notched 1,140 yards and 19 scores. Both backs notched 25 receptions as well, contributing in the aerial attack.

UNC was a mess at times defensively, although they did have a top NFL prospect in converted linebacker Chazz Surratt. Tomon Fox was another disruptive linebacker, with 7.5 sacks to his name, while linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel was the only Tar Heel with two interceptions. The offense ranked 9th in points per game, but the defense gave up 29.4 points per game, ranking 65th in the nation.

2021 outlook Clemson is still the team to beat in the ACC – that hasn’t changed. But, particularly after dominating Miami at the tailend of the 2020 season, UNC can stake a claim as the Tigers’ top challenger in the conference. This makes UNC one of the toughest opponents on the schedule for Notre Dame, and it’s likely the Tar Heels are 7-0 entering this high profile clash at Notre Dame Stadium, where they’re 0-12 all time. The Tar Heels w ill have to sur v ive Virginia Tech on the road and Miami to get to South Bend unblemished, but if they do so, they’ll be coming off a bye week and ready to topple the Irish.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame w ill be at the tail end of the toughest part of their schedule, ending a five-game stretch against Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Virginia Tech, USC, and UNC. If Notre Dame gets through that gauntlet, they have a high chance of returning to the CFP in 2021, but it’ll take some magic, particularly against this Tar Heels squad. UNC is losing a lot of talent, but w ith Howell under center, they’ll still be dangerous. His top targets are gone, but sophomore w ide receiver K hafre Brow n is full of barely-tapped potential, graduate student tight end Garrett Walston notched 19 catches last season, and w ide receivers Emer y Simmons and Beau Corrales are other players who notched over a dozen receptions last season. There is at least experience, if not a clear #1 receiver w ithin the corps, but the running game

Photo Courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics

Irish senior placekicker Johnathan Doerer during Notre Dame’s 47-40 double-overtime win over Clemson on Nov. 7 at Notre Dame Stadium. Doerer played a crucial role in the Irish win, tallying six field goals.

may be a different struggle.

British Brooks is the top returning back…w ith 99 rushing yards to his name last season, so guessing who may be the feature back is hardly more than speculation.

Expect more of an aerial attack from UNC this season, but that should suit Howell just fine.

Defensively, North Carolina loses Surratt but returns Fox and Gemmel to a strong linebacker room.

Senior Ray mond Vohasek anchors the defensive line after notching 8.5 tack les for loss last season, while junior Kyler McMichael and senior Trey Morrison lead the secondar y into action.

The amount of returning defensive talent should help North Carolina, particularly early in the season as their offense adjusts to the new set of play makers.

(Way Too Predictions

Early)

Aidan Thomas History sides with the Irish, but certainly this is an incredibly dangerous game

for Notre Dame. It would be in standard circumstances, but as it ends the aforementioned brutal stretch, and comes just seven days after what is sure to be a physical battle against USC (who could also be a top-10 opponent), Notre Dame is in for a slugfest. If I’m being realistic and honest with myself – which is always hard to do – I don’t think Notre Dame enters this game undefeated, which as an independent means they’ll be out of the CFP race and playing for (maybe) a NY6 game.

Worst case scenario, they’re trying to spoil UNC’s unbeaten run as their primary challenger, and maybe continue their home winning streak, should they avoid any earlier losses in South Bend. Currently, without really knowing who is the starting quarterback for the Irish, I anticipate some early season adjustments, but I think they’ll be playing like a top 10 team by late October, and I’m not going against them in South Bend, against a team that they are 19-1 against all-time. Give me Jack Coan (or Drew Pyne… or Tyler Buchner) leading a game-winning drive in the final minute.

Notre Dame 28, UNC 27 Nate Moller This one has been circled on my calendar for awhile, and I expect it w ill live up to the hy pe. If last year’s game was any indication, this game should be highly competitive as the Tar Heels w ill likely improve this season and be able to compete better w ith the Irish. In last year’s game, the Irish defense was able to make a statement and shutdow n Sam Howell and the highpowered Tar Heel offense for most of the second half, but I expect this year’s game to be much different. As Howell w ill be more experienced this year, I don’t see him being shut out like he was last year. This one w ill be close all the way through, but the Tar Heels w ill have a late drive and kick a game w inning 45-yard field goal to give the Irish their first home loss of the season and end Notre Dame’s home w inning streak.

Notre Dame 31, UNC 34

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Sports

The observer | Friday, april 23, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Softball

Baseball

Continued from page 16

Continued from page 16

instrumental: She clocked t wo solo home runs (.455 average) and six RBIs in addition to her impressive defensive play. Marino w ill seek to carr y this momentum into the weekend.

Senior outfielder Abby Sweet has dominated in ever y aspect of the batting process. She continues to lead the ACC in batting average (.477), and this statistic places her at 12th in the nation. The 51 hits she has garnered this year also add her name to the leaderboards, w ith Sweet coming in at the top again in the ACC and 14th nationally. With only five strikeouts this season out of her 107 times at the plate, Sweet has proven to be the hardest player in the ACC to strike out, and her conference-leading total bases (85) and on-base percentage (0.545) statistics are only more proof of this.

Sweet also tied the record for most HBP taken in a single game of anyone in D1 NCA A histor y. She was hit by four in the second game of the NC State doubleheader.

These contributed to a combined six HBP on the day.

Because of this, that game also ended her 16-game hitting streak.

Junior outfielder Emma Clark has also been valuable at bat, ranking in the ACC’s top four indiv idual batters alongside Sweet. Clark is tied for third (.413).

The Notre Dame pitching squad has also excelled this season. Senior A lex is Holloway, senior Morgan Ryan and junior Pay ton Tidd have combined to pitch two no-hitters. The group has also proven a force to be reckoned w ith on the offensive side of the ball. The three pitchers total 12 extra-base hits, w ith Tidd accounting for eight of them.

Tidd has also been named an Honorable Mention for the Nation’s Best Hitting Pitchers by Justin’s World of Softball.

Because of this abundance of talent, Notre Dame ranks in the ACC’s Top Five for team batting average and pitching. They are at third and fifth respectively w ith a .302 average and a 2.38 ER A. The Irish look to dominate again against Virginia Tech, utilizing the skill of the team to secure a fourth series sweep of the season. Games w ill be aired on the ACC Net work Extra on Friday and Sunday. There are now two games on Friday at 2 and 4 p.m. follow ing a recent time change due to anticipated weather. Sunday’s game w ill remain at noon. Saturday now has one game at 9 a.m., the broadcast of which has yet to be determined.

had been a weakness, and we needed to f lip that and turn it into a strength.

Being hard to score on is a characteristic of an elite team. We have to figure out the offensive piece; we still haven’t been great. We’ve been better at times, but if you can contain the people you’re play ing and make it hard for them to score, you’re in good shape.”

The offense Jarrett referenced did struggle in the first two games of the series against NC State, scoring three runs in the w in on Friday and just t wo runs in the loss on Saturday. The at-bats did get going on Sunday, as the Irish put up 11 runs in the series-clinching blowout w in. Notre Dame recorded 15 hits in the w in, led by three hits from senior infielder Niko Kavadas and t wo each from senior outfielders Spencer Myers and Ryan Cole, senior infielder Carter Putz, and junior infielder Zack Prajzner. Sophomore infielder and pitcher Jack Brannigan led Notre Dame in the game w ith three runs batted in.

Jarrett indicated that junior pitcher Will Mercer and graduate student pitcher John Bertrand w ill pitch Friday and Saturday, respectively, the same tandem that started the first two games of the series for the Irish a week ago. Bertrand, who had missed some time recently due to injur y, pitched for the first time competitively in almost two weeks. W hile his performance was not quite up to the point that Jarrett had hoped for, Bertrand felt fine after the

M Lax Continued from page 16

leading 10-5 near the end of the 3rd quarter and 12-7 with under nine minutes to go.

Duke (12-1, 4-1 ACC), however, would score five unanswered goals, including two from Sowers in the final minute of regulation, to force overtime before sparsely-used senior attackman Cameron Mule scored an acrobatic game-winner to hand the Irish (6-2, 2-2 ACC) a stunning 13-12 defeat.

Sowers, handling the ball behind the cage on a manup opportunity, spotted the cutting Mule. Playing in just his sixth game of the season, Mule caught Sowers’ pass and ripped his only shot of the night mid-jump past Irish sophomore goalie Liam Entenmann with just over two minutes left in overtime for the sudden-death

ARI DENNING | The Observer

Irish junior lefthanded pitcher Will Mercer throws from the mound during Notre Dame’s 3-2 win over NC State last Friday at home on Feb. 13 at home. Mercer is 1-0 in games he’s started this year.

start, a positive sign for both him and the team.

Pitching w ill be a ver y important part of the contest, as Jarrett said Boston College’s “top half of the order is as good as any top half of the order in the countr y.” A solid pitching performance paired w ith Notre Dame’s elite defense w ill put the Irish in a position to be successful.

With Louisv ille’s series against Pitt cancelled this weekend, Notre Dame has the opportunit y to move into sole possession of

first place in the Atlantic side of the ACC. As the race for seeding w ithin the ACC Tournament heats up, Jarrett notes the importance of each game, no matter who his team is play ing.

“The margin of error in the league is zero, really,” he said. “Boston College was probably picked by some publications to go to the College World Series. That’s how good they are, our guys know that. We’ll break the scouting report dow n tomorrow.

We don’t get in until about 10 :30 tonight, which is

obv iously trick y.

They know, and they know the magnitude of ever y one of these games.”

Notre Dame w ill continue to approach each series one game one inning at a time, beginning w ith Boston College on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Games t wo a nd three w ill follow on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m. A ll three contests w ill be available for v iew ing on ACC Net work Extra.

victory.

Notre Dame never had an opportunity on offense in overtime after losing the initial faceoff. Duke was able to keep possession and renew the shot clock after a save by Entenmann and errant effort by Sowers both went out-of-bounds. A holding penalty from Irish senior midfielder Ryan Hallenbeck gave the Blue Devils their first man-up opportunity of night with 2:23 to go, which Mule ensured would prove decisive.

Despite conceding the tying goal in regulation with just 14 seconds left in the fourth, Notre Dame thought they had won the game through sophomore attackman Pat Kavanagh.

With under eight seconds to go, Kavanagh bypassed Blue Devils’ graduate student defenseman JT GilesHarris, but lost his shoe in the process. As Kavanagh

slotted home the apparent game-winner, the officials blew the play dead for an equipment malfunction, even though Kavanagh had kept playing after GilesHarris stepped on and dislodged the shoe while failing to prevent the Irish attackman from blowing past him.

With the victory, the Blue Devils improved to 3-0 in overtime this season, with the other sudden death victories coming against then-No.2 North Carolina and in their last time out against then-No. 4 Virginia, respectively.

The Irish, specifically Kavanagh, were rampant in the early going. Kavanagh, who leads the Irish in both goals and assists, recorded a hat trick in the first quarter alone as the Irish raced out to a 5-0 lead with just under 13 minutes left in the second quarter.

Kavanagh, who leads the

country in assists per game, was involved in all of Notre Dame’s seven first-half goals. The Rockville Centre, N.Y. native was kept off the offensive stat sheet in the second half, however, finishing with four goals and three assists.

Notre Dame entered the locker room at halftime with a 7-3 advantage.

Sowers led the Blue Devils with four goals to accompany his game-winning assist. Besides Kavanagh and Sowers, Duke senior midfielder Nakeie Montgomery was the only other man on the field to record a hat trick.

Two of those goals came in the fourth quarter, the first of which initiated the Blue Devils’ rally with 8:12 to go.

Notre Dame will now make the short trip to Chapel Hill and look to rebound vs. No. 4 North Carolina Sunday at 2 p.m. The game will air on the ACC Network.

Contact Jamison Cook at jcook22@nd.edu

sports

ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, april 23, 2021 | The Observer

15

ND woMEN’s lacrosse

Irish respond after loss to Eagles, defeat Hokies Observer Staff Report

The Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team dropped its second-straight game to then-No. 5 Boston College 18-12 on Saturday, April 17.

The Eagles (11-1, 7-1 ACC) got off to a fast start and took an early five-goal advantage, and they carried their momentum to a 11-3 halftime lead. The Irish clawed their way back into the contest though thanks to a 3-0 run early in the second half w ith goals from sophomore attacker Madison A hern and graduate student midfielder Katie Enrietto.

However, Boston College quick ly responded w ith a 3-0 run of its ow n to extend the lead to nine, and the Irish could never catch up. Senior attacker Charlotte North led the Eagles w ith six goals and one assist, and fifth-year attacker Cara Urbank tallied four goals and two assists for the game.

Notre Dame did not let the back-to-back losses keep them dow n, as the team responded w ith a strong performance to defeat Virginia Tech 15-10 on Wednesday.

The matchup was a game of runs, as the Irish had two 3-0 runs in the first half to take a 6-2 lead into halftime. Senior goalie Bridget Deehan was sharp in the first half w ith six saves, and senior midfielder Diana Kelly bolstered the Irish defense by forcing t wo turnovers.

After the Hokies (4-10, 0-8

M Golf Continued from page 16

be held on Monday. “Our mindset is to just like every other tournament we’ve played in is to go out and win that, even though the top four make it,” Handrigan said.

Notre Dame is sticking with its usual starting five of freshman Tucker Clark, sophomore Palmer Jackson, senior Davis Chatfield, junior Andrew O’Leary, and junior Taichi Kho, all of whom have been playing very well of late. Clark carded a season low -11 to finish in seventh place at the Stitch Invitational, while Jackson’s best performance of the season came at the Augusta Haskins Award Invitational, where he finished 5th.

ACC) scored first to start the second half, Notre Dame went on a 6-0 run to take a 12-3 advantage. Virginia Tech responded w ith a 5-0 run of its ow n to make it 12-8, but two goals from sophomore midfielder Kasey Choma stopped the Hokies’ momentum and put the Irish ahead for good.

Wednesday’s v ictor y was also a career day for many Notre Dame players. Choma tied her career-high w ith six goals, while sophomore attacker Jackie Wolak had a career-high five points thanks to three goals and two assists. Additionally, Diana Kelly ended the game w ith four caused turnovers, which was a career-high mark.

The No. 5 Fighting Irish (7-5, 4-5 ACC) w ill look to build off of their momentum and finish the regular season on a high note Saturday w ith a Senior Day matchup against the No. 19 Louisv ille Cardinals.

The Cardinals (5-9, 1-8 ACC) have faced a brutal schedule of late, losing seven of their past eight games w ith all seven losses coming against top-10 opponents.

One of those losses was to Notre Dame on March 21, where the Irish prevailed 1510, and the Cardinals w ill be looking to even the season series this weekend.

Defensively, the Irish w ill have to be aware of senior attacker A lly Hall and senior midfielder Caroline Blalock.

Hall leads the Cardinals w ith 41 points on the season as a result of her 32 goals and nine assists. Blalock is second on the team w ith 35 points off of 25 goals and a team-leading 10 assists. Hall kept Louisv ille in the game in its prev ious matchup w ith Notre Dame on March 21, as she led the way w ith three goals and t wo assists on the day.

Despite Hall and Blalock’s strong play this season, they w ill have a difficult time scoring against Notre Dame senior goalie Bridget Deehan. She was named as one of the 25 nominees for the 2021 Tewaaraton Award, which honors the top men’s and women’s lacrosse players in the countr y.

Deehan ranks among the top-40 goalies in the countr y in saves, save percentage, and goals-against average, and the Cardinals w ill need to be creative on offense to get any thing past her.

As for the Irish offense, Notre Dame has multiple attackers that have been highly effective this season.

Four players have over 30 points on the year, including graduate student attack Samantha Ly nch, sophomore attacker Madison A hern, sophomore midfielder Kasey Choma and sophomore attacker Jackie Wolak.

Senior attacker Maddie Howe is not far behind either w ith 29 points.

Both Notre Dame and

RYAN VIGILANTE | The Observer

Irish sophomore attack Madison Ahern drives with the ball during a 15-10 shutout win over Virginia Tech on Wednesday at home.

Louisv ille w ill hope to use this Saturday’s matchup as a chance to build confidence for the ACC Championship, which begins next Wednesday in Chapel Hill, N.C. North Carolina, Boston College, and Sy racuse have clinched the top three seeds in the tournament, but

none of the eight seeds w ill be finalized until after this weekend. Notre Dame is currently fifth in the ACC standings, while Louisv ille is in seventh place.

Saturday’s game is set to start at 1 p.m. ET at Arlotta Stadium, and the matchup w ill also be streamed live on ACC Net work Extra.

“We had a great week of prep last week, we had some nice weather in South Bend, and [we were] fortunate to play some other courses in the area that we thought were going to be similar to what we’ll see here at the ACC tournament,” Handrigan said.

Stroke play begins Friday morning at 7:30 am from the Capital City Club’s Crabapple Course. Live stats can be found here, and the finals will be streamed Monday beginning at 9 am on ACCNX. After returning from this weekend’s competition, the Irish will begin preparations for the NCAA tournament, which begins on May 17.

The finals will be held May 28-31 in Scottsdale, Az. Contact Liam Coolican at lcoolica@nd.edu

Please recycle The Observer.

Observer File Photo

Irish junior Taichi Kho drives a ball off the tee during an exhibition match on Aug. 24, 2018, at Warren Golf Course. Kho currently holds the fourth best career stroke average on the team with a 72.60.

16

The observer | Friday, april 23, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

ND MEN’s Golf

nd SOftball

ND preps for ACC Notre Dame softball looks Tournament play ahead to final away series

By LIAM COOLICAN Sports Writer

The Notre Dame men’s golf team has been play ing their best golf heading into the postseason but w ill face their toughest challenge yet this weekend at the ACC tournament in Milton, Ga. The ACC features six teams in the top 25, including four in the top ten. No. 2 Florida State leads the conference, followed by No. 4 Clemson, No. 6 Wake Forest, and No. 8 North Carolina State. “It’s got to be the best golf conference in the countr y,” Notre Dame head coach John Handrigan said. “But we’re just tr y ing to focus on ourselves, controlling what we can do, and I think if we do that we’ll put ourselves in a really good spot in this event.”

The Irish have been impressive in recent weeks.

After a second-place finish in their most recent outing, the Stitch Intercollegiate, the Irish surged into the top

25. “[I’m] proud of the team for play ing really well lately, and our ranking and stats and results have show n it,” Handigran said.

Their under-39 as a team marked the second lowest score in program histor y.

The Irish have improved their score in each of the five tournaments they have played in, and have placed in the top three teams in each of the last three. “[We’re] definitely trending in a great direction, and I owe it to the team for all their hard work, they’ve done ever y thing that coach [assistant coach Scott] Gump and I have asked throughout the semester,” Handrigan said.

The tournament features a new format this year, w ith the first two rounds of stroke play, featuring 18 holes each, being contested on Friday and the third on Saturday.

The top four teams w ill then advance to the semifinals on Sunday, and the finals w ill see M GOLF PAGE 15

Observer Staff Report

ALLISON THORNTON | The Observer

Irish graduate student infielder Katie Marino stands in the box during a 8-0 shutout win over IUPUI on Apr. 2, 2019, at home.

Irish succumb to Duke in heartbreaking fashion Observer Staff Report

see M LAX PAGE 14

see SOFTBALL PAGE 14

BASEBALL

nd men’s lacrosse | nd , Duke

A lmost two weeks after Notre Dame made Kev in Corrigan the w inningest head coach in Div ision-I histor y w ith a home v ictor y over then-No. 1 Duke, the rematch between the No. 2 Irish and No. 3 Blue Dev ils in Durham Thursday night followed an almost identical plotline to the first showdow n for over 50 minutes.

For almost three-and-ahalf quarters, Notre Dame graduate student defender Jack Kielt y and the Irish defense again held Duke’s fifth ranked offense nationally, led by graduate student attackman and Tewaaraton Award candidate Michael Sowers, largely in check.

Notre Dame again appeared to amass a comfortable second-half advantage,

The Notre Dame softball team travels to No. 15/13 Virginia Tech for what w ill be the final road series of the season. Their other scheduled matchup from this week against DePaul, which was postponed due to inclement weather, has been rescheduled for Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

The Irish (22-12, 13-10 ACC) enter the Virginia Tech matchup follow ing a fivegame w inning streak. They also hold a 14 home game w in streak that began in 2019 and w ill seek to add to it after the away series this weekend.

Additionally, players on the team remain nationally ranked for their gameplay, lifting morale even further before traveling.

During the Irish’s sweep of Virginia last weekend, graduate student infielder Katie Marino proved to be

Baseball wary of Boston College

By JAMISON COOK Sports Writer

GABRIELLE PENNA | The Observer

Irish senior midfielder Wheaton Jackoboice fights for the ball in a matchup against Cleveland State on March 20, 2021, at home.

The Notre Dame baseball team is 25 games into its season and still has not dropped a series. The Irish w ill put this streak on the line when they v isit Boston College this weekend for another three-game ACC series. Notre Dame (18-7, 16-7 ACC) has risen as high as No. 7 in some national polls, and they continued to trend upwards w ith an 11-2 v ictor y over North Carolina State on Sunday that gave them another series w in. Despite the recent struggles for Boston College (15-19, 5-16 ACC) — who have lost six of their last seven games — head coach Link Jarrett is war y about the matchup. “[Boston College] is a good team: balanced offense, talented, athletic, good defensively, can run,” Jarrett said.

“They’re going to be tough, tough top to bottom, so it

w ill be a good matchup, no doubt.”

Interestingly, the Eagles have struggled at home, where they are just 5-9 on the season. The Irish, who have been a good road team this year w ith an away record of 9-3, w ill look to take advantage and remain perfect in series games on the season.

A large part of the continued success for the Irish has been their elite defensive play, and their .988 fielding percentage ranks best in the nation. Defense has been a focus for Jarrett and his team this season, and the improvement from last year has been noticeable throughout their meteoric rise in national rankings.

“It’s been a focal point, and I told you guys from day one we needed to get better at that,” Jarrett said. “I think if you look back, that see BASEBALL PAGE 14