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Volume 56, Issue 5 | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
University to observe full MLK Jr. Day Two Notre Dame students share their experience of advocating for full observance of the holiday By MIA MORAN News Writer
THOMAS MURPHY | The Observer
Members of the community gathered last semester for a candlelight prayer service to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The service was the first event in Walk the Walk Week 2021.
University professors have the final say on masks By MAGGIE EASTLAND Associate News Editor
Last year, University professors lectured to rooms of half-faced students or two-dimensional squares lighting up the projector screen. This fall, they have an opportunity to dictate their own classroom mask policy. According to the Notre Dame health and safety protocols released this August, there is no mask requirement in the classroom setting. Students always have the option to wear a mask, and professors can require their students to wear a mask.
Eager to see their students’ full faces and expressions, some professors have adopted completely mask-optional classrooms. Some maintain mask requirements, citing the delta variant and personal family concerns as their justification. Others seek to find a healthy middle ground that maximizes both safety and personal connection. Jenn Cronin, associate teaching professor of management and organization, is not asking her students to wear masks, but she is maintaining more physical distance than normal. As a professor who specializes
in communications and teaches classes on data storytelling, Cronin understands the value of complete face-to-face interaction with her students. “It is so hard to teach when you’re looking at a room full of masks,” she said. At the same time, Cronin is pregnant and wants to protect both herself and her child. “It’s something that I’m always thinking about,” she said about her pregnancy and the delta variant. Since pregnant women have a higher risk of becoming see MASKS PAGE 5
Professors speak on U.S. presence in Afghanistan By CAROLINE COLLINS News Writer
According to USA today, over 2,400 U.S. service members have died in Afghanistan in the last 20 years. The 13 troops who were killed in the Kabul airport attack on Thursday
NEWS PAGE 3
were the first U.S. casualties since February 2020. In addition to American casualties in Afghanistan, many Afghan service members have also lost their lives. According to Mahan Mirza, executive director of the Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with
VIEWPOINT PAGE 6
Religion at Notre Dame, more than 65,000 Afghan service members have died, and this number does not reportedly account for civilian casualties. Mirza said he believes see AFGHANISTAN PAGE 4
SCENE PAGE 8
Last Wednesday, student government announced the Universit y’s full obser vance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day for this academic year. The announcement followed the senate resolution calling for its full obser vance passed last March and a Letter to the Editor addressing how MLK deser ved more than a photo in June. The process for the full obser vance of MLK Jr. Day was initiated by junior Eliza Smith, who w rote the
original Senate resolution. “[The lack of a full obser vance of MLK Jr. Day is] something I’ve always felt off about even when talking to other diverse students and potential new students when I’m asked about diversit y or inclusion on campus,” Smith said. To gain input on the resolution, Smith reached out to the Multicultural Student Program and Ser v ices. The resolution then received cosignatures and was passed
see COALITION PAGE 4
University clubs kick off more normal semester
ISA SHEIKH | The Observer
Students filled the concourse of the stadium on Monday night, investigating hundreds of clubs, groups and organizations. By ISA SHEIKH News Writer
Students toting free green bags and large color-coded maps filed into the stadium concourse Monday night for the Student Activ ities Fair, organized by the Student Activ ities Office (SAO). More than 350 undergraduate clubs and organizations were present to meet Notre Dame students, primarily first-years and sophomores, and recruit them to their groups. Tables adorned w ith
ND M SOCCER PAGE 16
posters, QR codes and endless free swag lined up, filling half of the stadium’s concourse and prov iding an over whelming number of choices for students looking to get involved. Student organizations, academic clubs, social ser v ice clubs, performing arts clubs, cultural clubs, campus partners, communit y partners, special interest clubs and athletic clubs all had dedicated sections. The fair’s bustle struck see CLUBS PAGE 5
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PAGE 16