Print Edition for The Observer for Monday, October 10, 2023

University releases Title IX climate survey results

By KATHRYN MUCHNICK Associate News Editor

On Sept. 15, the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) published its sixth Title IX climate survey.

The survey is administered every two years to “assess the knowledge, perceptions and experience of Notre Dame students in relation to sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating or domestic violence, stalking and other conduct that creates a sexually hostile environment,”

according to OIE.

Around 6% of women and 1% of men indicated they personally experienced “nonconsensual sexual intercourse,” which includes any form of penetration, while a student at Notre Dame. Only 4% of women indicated similarly in 2020. Approximately 192 students, or 4% of respondents overall, said they personally experienced “nonconsensual sexual intercourse.”

Of these students, 57% said their experiences of

Mayor Mueller visits Geddes

nonconsensual sexual intercourse occurred on-campus residential buildings.

Emily Patterson, a member of the Title IX and Women’s Initiatives’ department of student government, said that at first, the percentages seemed small.

“But then when you crunch the numbers, it’s a lot of people,” Patterson said. “Like 200 people walking around in just this one isolated system that we have here. And,

By LIAM KELLY Associate News Editor

On Friday afternoon, South Bend Mayor James Mueller spoke in Geddes Hall about sustainability and the environment in an event hosted by the Center for Social Concerns. Mueller earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame and his Ph.D. in ocean science from the University of Delaware. He stressed that his education, during which

he studied “the physics of climate,” allowed him to get a grasp on the issue of climate change. Mueller’s time working in the United States Senate for Senator Maria Cantwell was also key in informing his environmental policy, he said.

Mueller explained how he helped draft legislation to reduce climate emissions in the United States which, although never passed, was an informative experience.

Pets visit campus for blessing Saint Mary’s promotes vaccinations with Flu Fest

By CATHY DOHERTY News Writer

Saint Mary’s held their annual Flu Fest in the Angela Athletic Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon.

The event encouraged students to receive their flu shots by promoting the importance of a healthy campus environment while also incentivizing students with different prizes and activities.

Students were emailed about the fest in mid-September. The

email from Sarah Granger, the director of health and counseling at the College, was titled “Say BOO to the flu.”

“All Saint Mary’s students are encouraged to take part in this event and help keep our campus healthy … because the symptoms for COVID and the flu are so similar, we want to prevent as many cases of the flu as possible, and you can help us achieve this goal,” Granger wrote.

Saint Mary’s nursing students administered the shots at tables set up on the first floor of

Angela. Sophomore Madelynn Chestovich explained that she participated in the event because her sister is a Saint Mary’s nursing major.

To pay for the flu vaccination, students could provide the College with their health insurance information or have a $21 charge added to their student account. Registering online and walk-ins were accepted. According Granger’s email, students were encouraged to

see FLU PAGE 3

By GRAY NOCJAR

News Writer

A parade of basset hounds and Yorkshire terriers, some dressed in denim clothing sewn with embroidered strawberries and pineapples, marched along South Quad Sunday afternoon, headed to a “Blessing of the Pets” at the Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Fr. John Santone, a professor of theology and the priestin-residence in Flaherty Hall, was responsible for proffering the blessings.

“A blessing is invoking God and seeking his kindness, favor and goodness,” Santone said. “We do this when blessing the pets. We ask God to look kindly on the animals that he created and who are a significant part of our lives.”

The event is a part of the Notre Dame Office of Sustainability’s observance of St. Francis of Assisi week.

St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of ecology, and his feast day on Oct. 4 is

PETS

Students express cultures during fashion show

By AYNSLEE DELLACCA News Writer

“Are you ready guys? Listen to me,” sophomore Saif Elmaleh said to gather everyone’s attention backstage of the Washington Hall auditorium, ten minutes before the Multicultural Fashion Show.

As the finale of Cultural

Relations Week, the fashion show is the biggest event of the year for the Department of Diversity and Inclusion: Race and Ethnicity. Over 30 students listened to Elmaleh, preparing to step foot onstage.

“We’re going to have a lot of people now coming through those doors to see you guys,” Elmaleh said.

“We want to have spotlights on you because this is your opportunity to express yourself. This is the fashion show. It’s your fashion. It’s your time to shine at Notre Dame.”

GRAY NOCJAR | The Observer

Fr. John Santone, professor of theology and the priest-in-residence of Flaherty Hall, blessed community member’s pets Sunday afternoon.

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Music by native artists will be playing.

Notre Dame Children’s Choir Church of Our Lady of Loretto at Saint Mary’s

Inclusive Finance Workshop

Mueller offered a sharp critique of the Inflation Reduction Act passed by President Biden last year for giving subsidies to companies for using green practices, instead of taxing companies that use fossil fuels.

“We’ve decided that we don’t want to have punitive measures to clean our energy mix,” Mueller said. “Instead, we are offering a lot of incentives. This is probably the most expensive way you can do it because essentially what we’re doing is we’re giving incentives that we’re taking from either income taxes or our other sources of revenue, and then subsidizing the new energy sources.”

Pets

CONTINUED

meant to encourage action on climate change and other green behaviors. The week is also a time to promote the health and safety of all living things, including pets.

The entourage of furry friends trickled in a few minutes before the event began.

Locals from the South BendMishawaka area and Notre Dame seniors living in offcampus housing were the two most prominent groups in attendance.

Pet owners lined up outside of the Mausoleum Complex, which features a statue of St. Francis Assisi himself, to be blessed with holy water.

Beth Kuhl, a friend of the event organizers, was one such owner. The South Bend native was there with two terriers, who were sitting in a baby stroller.

“We have the two pets, and who can’t use an extra blessing or two?” Kuhl said.

Kuhl also helped to

Fashion

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

smoothness of every act that performed on stage, which included dance and instrumental performances in addition to every performer wearing clothes representing their cultural and ethnic heritage.

The fashion show acts as more than just a showcase. It’s become a safe space for all students to feel they can be themselves and celebrate their own culture, Elmaleh explained.

“In Notre Dame, it’s easy to lose sight of your identity, especially if you are from underrepresented backgrounds … so it’s not that we’re trying to attack this problem head-on, but it’s just definitely helping by allowing an area for everyone to feel who they are, while

Despite his critique, Mueller praised Congress for actually passing the bill and emphasized that it is now up to states, cities, organizations and individuals to determine how the money is put into use.

“At least on the climate front, we’re moving in the right direction,” he said.

When it comes to South Bend, Mueller said he has been working with state and federal officials to allocate the money appropriated by the Inflation Reduction Act to green initiatives, such as providing clean energy, increasing tree cover and building more electric vehicle charging stations. Mueller particularly focused on public transportation and increased urban density as means to reduce carbon emissions in the

distribute pink power pins for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event’s organizer, Amy Huber, is a survivor of breast cancer.

“[Amy] would do anything to help support the cause,” Kuhl said. She went on to clarify that the event was not originally intended to bring awareness to breast cancer, but with the overlapping times, Huber believed it would be a great idea.

Another attendee was M.K. McGuirk, a senior from Pasquerilla East Hall who had come to take pictures of the ceremony.

“Blessing of the Pets sounded really fun, and they are all really cute so I couldn’t say no,” McGuirk said.

McGuirk said the cutest animal she photographed was “the chocolate lab with the frosted, powdered sugar face.”

Santone also weighed in on his favorite furry friend.

“I have a black English Labrador, Watson, and I bless him every day,” Santone

at the same time feeling included in the community,” Elmaleh said.

The department invited several clubs on campus to showcase their identity and sense of self onstage. Clubs such as Dance Africa, the South Asian Student Association, the Caribbean Student Association, the Chinese Student Association, the Africana Studies Club, RitmoND, the Japan Club and K-pop group ASCEND all participated in the Multicultural Fashion Show.

“Seeing all these identities coming together, being able to show off their clothes, show off their music, show off their appreciation for their identity. It’s so beautiful, and it reminds me that we’re all people trying to be proud of ourselves,” freshman Humyra Ferdus

city.

“The denser you are, the less you’re spending on energy to travel to and from. Or if you’re using mass transit, it’s actually a smaller carbon footprint than if you’re living out in the s uburbs or rural areas,” he explained.

Mueller noted that public transportation systems often find themselves in a “downward spiral” in which poor service and low density causes ridership numbers to decrease, which then causes a subsequent decrease in revenue and a decline in available services. He said he hopes to combat this phenomenon.

Mueller said it might be possible to bring South Bend’s Amtrak station to downtown in “the next few years,” but bringing the South Shore Line

said.

He also commented on some of the more unusual pets that he had blessed in his two years with the event. These included rats, iguanas and snakes, which Santone admitted he did not care for.

Students, alumni, parents and grandparents alike credited the event for improving their emotional well-being.

“I definitely feel better. It’s kind of a cloudy day, but it’s nice that it’s filled with such cute animals,” McGuirk said.

Santone said that the people who gather for the blessing are aware of the “special role” of their animals in their lives.

“Stories are shared, visits are made to the animals, people catch up and everyone walks away happy knowing that God has bestowed his blessing upon their companions who bring them happiness, love and peace each day,” Santone said.

Contact Gray Nocjar at gnocjar@nd.edu

said.

Ferdus, along with freshman Arham Surana, performed in and found the fashion show to be an empowering and important way to express their East Asian identities.

“Learning new things and meeting different people, it’s really important,” Surana said. ”That’s the power of community, of university. You get global exposure rather than just sitting at home,” Surana said.

Senior Luzolo Matundu, the director of the Department of Diversity and Inclusion: Race and Ethnicity, changed the name of the week from Race Relations Week to Cultural Relations Week this year. She said she made the change so the week would feel more inclusive and allow all students to feel seen and celebrated.

station downtown would be a longer-term project.

“I agree with our former mayor, current Secretary of Transportation — you know, trains are meant to go downtown to downtown and that’s how they were designed,” Mueller emphasized. “That’s what makes sense.”

At the same time, Mueller did say he is committed to bringing the train travel time from South Bend to Chicago down to 90 minutes and confirmed the South Shore’s current station will be relocated to the other side of the airport in order to reduce the travel time.

Mueller said he has been working with U.S. Secretary of Transportation and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg in order to improve

Flu

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

sign up for the fest with various games, prizes and incentives, including a caramel apple bar.

“If you pre-register and receive your vaccine at the event, you will receive a door prize as a thank you for making our campus as healthy as can be,” the email said.

The first 375 students to register online received a tall water cup with the Saint Mary’s French cross. There was also an arts and crafts table where students could create dorm door decorations and paint pumpkins.

Freshman Clarisse Lorin decorated a pumpkin coloring page after getting her flu shot.

“I came to get my flu shot and just have fun with my friends on a Sunday and do all the fun little activities afterwards,” Lorin said.

Those who received their flu vaccination were encouraged to pose in front of a festive, painted tapestry that read “say boo to the flu 2023” surrounded by autumnal flowers, gourds and skeletons.

Molly Schneider, a senior who

“I want people to be able to see cultural fashion, hear cultural music,” Matundu said. “I think it’s very important because if we want to make the school more diverse, we have to make sure we showcase those things. And if we want to make it more inclusive, we have to showcase them and embrace them for who they are and celebrate them.”

Throughout Cultural Relations Week, Matundu and the rest of the board of the department hosted an interfaith service, a discussion panel, a guest speaker and MINDful (Micro-aggression Intervention at Notre Dame) training all leading up to the fashion show. The mission and goal of the week was to bring people from all walks of life together in openmindedness, understanding and inclusion.

public transportation in South Bend. Mueller said he hopes to share an announcement on public transportation “soon,” but could not do so yet.

Mueller also spoke about the importance of building more affordable housing downtown in order to increase density.

“We know we need more affordable housing. We know the market by itself is not producing enough housing units for the people in this country, in the city,” he said.

Mueller pledged that the government would help subsidize this housing, which he hoped would be in mixed income neighborhoods.

Contact Liam Kelly at lkelly8@nd.edu

attended the Flu Fest, said the free cups were an additional benefit to getting vaccinated.

“I get my flu shot every year, so it’s a nice incentive that they have it on campus so you don’t have to drive to any pharmacies or anything,” Schneider said.

For some students, Flu Fest was a good opportunity to support the Saint Mary’s community in preventing a flu outbreak.

“Shots are scary, but they’re a good way to support the community in beating whatever epidemic comes through,” senior Madeleine Winston said.

In addition to providing flu shots, Flu Fest gave students the chance to take a break from studying by participating in the different activities offered at the event.

“I’m glad that we have something fun to do on a Sunday before midterms,” freshman Brooke Cunningham said. “It’s the most fun flu shot I’ve ever gotten.”

Contact Cathy Doherty at cdoherty1@saintmarys.edu

“Even though we are different, and do come from different places, we all have something unique and powerful in our culture, and it’s very important to showcase that diversity in order to be more inclusive,” Matundu said.

Aside from Cultural Relations Week, the department plans to host more events and participation weeks for students to get involved in celebrating diversity, culture and ethnicity.

“We always stress diversity and inclusion. Diversity, having people from different backgrounds. Inclusion, having them for their uniqueness and being a part of the community,” Elmaleh said.

Contact

Saint Mary’s hosts Banned Book Week

By NATALIE SMITH News Writer

Last week, Saint Mary’s College held their annual Banned Book Week.

Founded in 1982 by librarian Judith Krug, Banned Book Week is annual event that celebrates the freedom to read and access information while highlighting current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.

“I think it’s particularly important this year because we’re seeing a lot more bans and challenges,” associate professor of education Terri Suico said.

Suico explained the importance of the event and the need to raise awareness.

”We’ve seen this huge surge in people, and it’s a very small minority, who are trying to limit access to books in schools and public libraries,” she said. “It’s important to draw attention to that and to make people aware.”

The week started with a read-in at the writing center in the Cushwa-Leighton Library. During the event, designated readers would read portions of a banned

Title IX

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

it’s like ‘OK, well, this is bigger than what we might think.’”

According to the survey, 32% of student respondents reported they had an experience with a fellow student disclosing an occurrence of sexual assault.

Reports of nonconsensual sexual contact were also slightly higher than in 2020, though reports of dating and domestic violence and stalking remained similar. About 19% of women — compared to 16% in 2020 — and 5% of men — a 1% increase from 2020 — said they experience other forms of nonconsensual sexual contact.

Erin Oliver, assistant vice president for institutional equity, said the decrease in participation response rate was the most surprising result to her.

All enrolled students, including graduate students, were invited to participate in the survey. About 37% of students completed the survey. By comparison, 47.5% of students completed the previous survey in 2020.

“I was concerned about that right out of the gate. What is causing this?” Oliver said. “It’s my understanding that nationally, this is a trend … but I think that that’s one piece for me. What else can we be doing or what do we

book aloud.

On Thursday, students and staff went to the Spark Lab to make buttons that read “I read banned books” and “Freedom to read.” The week ended with a “talk back” in Madeleva Memorial Classroom Building. The event was hosted by Suico and Stacy Davis, professor of theology and gender and women’s studies.

The talk back started with an introduction on the motivations for holding Banned Book Week and a showing of the documentary “Judy Blume Forever.” The documentary addressed how Blume was censored because of the topics she covered in her books were targeted toward young adults.

At the end of the documentary, attendees discussed their reactions to the documentary and how they felt about Banned Book Week.

Piper Odgen, who took a class on banned books with Suico, explained why she attended Banned Book Week.

“I’m an elementary education major, so I’m super interested in literature, but as a future teacher, it’s really hard to learn about banned books,”

need to be doing to solicit feedback and perspective from students?”

More than 80% of student respondents said the University response to sexual assault is somewhat, mostly or very effective. By comparison, 90% of students said the University response to sexual assault was somewhat to very effective in 2020.

After the results are collected from the climate survey, the assessment subcommittee from Committee on Sexual Assault Prevention (CSAP), which Oliver cochairs with assistant vice president for student services Christine Caron Gebhardt, convenes to digest the results.

CSAP holds focus groups to “dig in” on the survey results, Oliver said.

“[The lower response rate] puts more responsibility on us to ensure that those focus groups are done and done well, and that we can reach as many and as diverse a group of students as possible,” she added.

The assessment subcommittee is also the body which works with Institutional Research, Innovation and Strategy (IRIS) to create and administer the survey.

Oliver said the survey questions are designed to have few changes from year to year to protect the quality of the longitudinal data.

“But there are occasional changes based on policy and procedure needs,” Oliver

she said. “There might be parents who challenge books that I want my students to read, and so talking about banned books is a great way to prepare myself for these conversations.”

A portion of the discussion included why books are banned and how these books often contain characters who are LGBTQ+ or from other diverse backgrounds.

“I think it’s going to help people want to be aware of all the different books that are banned. Any book that you can imagine has been banned or challenged at some point,” Suico said. “A large majority of the books that are being challenged are books that are by or about people who are from diverse backgrounds who traditionally haven’t been able to tell their stories.”

Suico also commented on Saint Mary’s role as an academic institution in this discussion.

“I’m hoping to draw attention … to the fact that we are in a place of higher learning, and one of the tenets is learning about important issues and sometimes confronting topics that we’re not always comfortable with talking

said. “So in 2020, we had major Title IX regulation changes, and when the federal law changed, we had to make substantial changes to our policies and procedures. So we adjusted some of that terminology and some of those questions in the survey.”

The 2020 regulation changes, which universities were required to comply with by Aug. 14, 2020, redefined sexual harassment, Oliver said. The regulations also shifted to requiring live hearings, where students’ advisers could cross-examine witnesses or involved parties.

In the 2023 climate survey, half of students agreed that “Notre Dame’s policies regarding sexual misconduct and sexual assault are clear,” and 29% of students somewhat agreed. Oliver said the shifting federal regulations play into this result.

“This regulatory space makes the requirements for our policies and procedures kind of challenging. The current Title IX laws are very prescriptive, from specific definitions to timelines for document reviews, things along those lines,” Oliver said. “I think that there’s a real reality to that [result] and that they are complex.”

Oliver said when a student reports something to the Title IX office, the first consultation is usually just a review of policies and procedures.

The 2020 regulation

about,” she said.

According to the American Library Association (ALA), 71% of voters oppose book bans in libraries. Still, Suico described a “surge in the 1980s and we are seeing a surge again now, but it is much worse.”

Ogden said that one of the concepts from her class on banned books that stood out the most was how few people actually support book banning.

changes also required universities to decide whether to use a “preponderance of the evidence” or “clear and convincing” standard as a burden of proof. Universities must use the same standard for all complaints, no matter if they involve student or faculty misconduct.

Notre Dame hearings require a “preponderance of the evidence” to make a determination, meaning it is more likely than not that a violation occurred.

Patterson said that she did not look at the University policies until she filed her own Title IX report.

“I think people haven’t read the policy,” she said. “It’s not clear what we have [in the policy] because everything is pretty broad, like all of the definitions are so broad. It’s just like, ‘Okay, you know, how am I going to win a Title IX case with this?’”

Oliver said they are currently waiting on the updated Title IX policies from the federal government, which were supposed to arrive in May but were delayed until October. She added she does not expect they will arrive in October, either.

The results brief also highlighted an increase in the percentage of reported incidents to the University. Students who experienced dating or domestic violence indicated the highest rates of reporting to the University at 25%, compared with 15% in 2020.

“It can be super discouraging to be like ‘No one wants us to read all these books,’ but really most people don’t support these bans,” Ogden said. “That’s why it’s so important to continue talking about that. I think being able to have conversations about it and being able to recognize what these books can teach us all is important.”

Contact Natalie Smith at nsmith03@saintmarys.edu

“When [increases] like that happen, that tells me that when we look at prevention, when we look at education, when we’re looking at support, that’s an area we need to focus on,” Oliver said. “Not that I think that there’s any less or any more of it happening — this survey’s really talking about what’s being reported to us. But it’s encouraging to me that we’re seeing that increase.”

Last week, NDPD sent a campus-wide email reporting a date rape drugging on campus and three druggings off-campus. Since the start of school on Aug. 22, the NDPD crime log included three instances of reported rape, harassment or battery that led to either a Title IX review or an OIE review. As of Oct. 9, a disposition is pending for the sexual battery, strangulation and stalking reported on Sept. 28.

Oliver said she hopes communication with students will be a priority of CSAP’s work in the coming year.

“I would really like to see some additional focus … on what does that communication look like? And how are we best getting good information and ingestible information to students to better educate them not only on the policies and procedures, but also just resources available?” Oliver said.

Contact Kathryn Muchnick at kmuchnic@nd.edu

NATALIE SMITH | The Observer Saint Mary’s hosted a Banned Books Week, discussing books such as “The Catcher in the Rye,” “Mockingjay” and “Slaughterhouse Five.”

By NATALIE ALLTON

Scene Writer

You’ve seen every film in “The Conjuring” franchise. You already know about all of the great slashers like “Halloween” or “Scream.” You’ve thoroughly explored the filmography of Tim Burton. You’re happy to return to “Halloweentown” and “Hocus Pocus” every October, but what if I told you that there’s more out there? Here are some movies to put you in the spooky mood that you may not think to reach for.

“Casper” (1995)

“Casper” is an underrated gem of the mid-90s and of Christina Ricci’s early career and one of the defining movies of my childhood. It makes me laugh. It makes me cry. Young Devon Sawa had my heart when I was six years old. It’s all 90s cheese and cultural references but with a genuine emotional payoff and CGI that honestly could look a lot worse considering the movie is almost 30 years old. The cast is stacked, starring a young hot Bill Pullman and featuring cameo appearances from stars like Mel Gibson, Rodney Dangerfield and Clint Eastwood. I can’t view this film objectively, so I don’t know whether it’s “good,” but I can confidently say that it’s a really, really fun time.

“Saw” (2004)

Your mileage may vary in terms of whether the first “Saw” is actually “underrated,” but I do think it’s widely mischaracterized in the public eye. The later installments

— which, full disclosure, I have not seen — are often seen as gratuitous “torture porn,” but the series didn’t start that way. Don’t get me wrong: The movie has its fair share of gore, and if a copious amount of fake blood isn’t your thing, I would suggest trying a different movie on this list. But the original “Saw” has more in common with an escape room than with the legacy that the franchise has picked up over the past 20 years. It sits right on the line between clever and camp, and its quotability and iconic imagery have made it a personal horror movie mainstay. If you’ve written off the “Saw” franchise as being too long and too gory to be worth a try, it may be worth it to surprise yourself with the first one.

“ParaNorman” (2012)

You’re almost certainly familiar with the work of stopmotion animation studio Laika for “Coraline,” which is a phenomenal Halloween movie that’s unfortunately too mainstream to make this list. Instead, I point you to “ParaNorman,” a ghost story/zombie apocalypse movie/ coming of age film that deserves to be talked about way more than it currently is. The animation is stunning and beautifully stylized, the characters are charming, the jokes are perfectly paced and, despite being a kids’ movie, the scares genuinely hit. Do yourself a favor and check out “ParaNorman,” and then do yourself a second favor and watch through the rest of what Laika has to offer.

“Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” (2019)

Most people simply don’t know that this movie exists

— which is shocking because it’s based on perhaps the greatest children’s horror anthology of all time. “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” was a ubiquitous member of school libraries and secondhand store bargain bins, and the 2019 film adaptation gives perfect homage to its source material. The film prioritizes practical effects, creating the monsters with makeup, prosthetics and extraordinarily talented actors and contortionists, and the effect is massive. If you remember the Pale Lady, Me Tie Dough-ty Walker or Harold the Scarecrow — or if you’re just looking for a recent and classic-feeling horror movie — this one is worth the watch.

“Twilight” (2008)

Let me finish.

I know “Twilight” has, historically, gotten a bad rap. In many ways, that reputation is justified: Its idea of romance borders on stalkerish, its portrayal of indigenous people is uncomfortable at best and its writing is, well, bad. But allow me to reframe the movie for you: “Twilight” is not a teen vampire romance. It is a camp horror-comedy, and it is fantastic. Nothing puts me in the spooky mood quite like hearing Muse’s “Supermassive Black Hole” play over Alice Cullen’s high-kick pitch. If you want a solid laugh, gather a group of friends, put “Twilight” on the big screen and hold on tight, spider monkey.

Contact

Natalie Allton at nallton@nd.edu

By MARCELLE COUTO

Scene Writer

The Notre Dame Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Daniel Stowe, recently took center stage with their performance of “Epic: Fall Promenade Concert,” embarking on a musical odyssey like no other. The concert promised a grandeur that lived up to its name, and the audience was in for a treat that would transport them through a kaleidoscope of emotions.

The evening commenced with Rossini’s “William Tell Overture,” a piece famous for its dramatic narrative. The overture’s haunting cello solo, executed with meticulous care, was impressive. The cellist’s handling of long, mellifluous notes added depth to the piece. Further, the pastoral oboe and flute duet nestled within the overture was truly enchanting. The gentleness of these notes showcased the orchestra’s remarkable ability to delicately handle transitions, each note a carefully crafted brushstroke on the canvas of sound within the interplay of contrasting melodies. Each varied section of the music seemed to tell a story of its own, painting a vivid picture of the Swiss countryside and the swashbuckling tale of William Tell. As the overture surged forward into the exciting march, the orchestra burst into full splendor, filling the hall with an electrifying energy.

Stowe himself provided valuable insights into the performance, highlighting the late appearance of the familiar cavalry section, which only shows up after we have coursed through the other vignettes of the piece. He emphasized how “William Tell” was not only one of Rossini’s

last operas but also a groundbreaking example of “grand opera” with its spectacular scenes and cast of thousands, setting the tone for the epic performances of its era.

The musical journey continued with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major. Stowe described Beethoven, the quintessential epic composer, as composing in a more intimate mood. The symphony, composed in 1806, echoed the classicism of Haydn and Mozart, displaying Beethoven’s witty, sparkling and elegant side.

Stowe shared Robert Schumann’s pseudonymous review of the symphony, which encouraged the audience not to search for the abnormal in Beethoven but to turn to the source of his creativity. The Fourth Symphony, while conventional and mostly consonant in many respects, still brimmed with tension and excitement. The conductor’s choice of a slightly faster tempo injected a newfound vitality into the piece. The symphony opened with an ominous and foreboding atmosphere. The first movement, marked “Adagio — Allegro vivace,” began with a sense of mystery and anticipation. The slow introduction unfolded with dark, brooding chords that seem to linger in the air, setting a somber tone. This foreboding quality was heightened by the orchestra’s skillful use of dynamics and articulation, creating a sense of tension that pervaded the movement.

However, as the symphony progressed into the Allegro vivace section, a dramatic transformation occurred. The ominous clouds gave way to a burst of enthusiasm and vitality. The orchestra’s performance here was characterized by energetic and lively themes with a spirited tempo that propelled the music forward. The dynamic contrast

between the initial darkness and the subsequent exuberance was striking and demonstrated the orchestra’s ability to convey a wide range of emotions within a single movement. Both “William Tell” and Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony showcased the orchestra’s dexterity with the strings’ rapid finger movements producing exhilarating notes that mesmerized the audience.

The concert’s grand finale paid a heartfelt tribute to John Williams’ iconic “Star Wars” score. The orchestra’s brass section shone, particularly in the rendition of the Main Title theme. The dazzling light show also deserves mention. The hall plunged into darkness, only to be illuminated by various colors corresponding to different character themes, calling our attention to the leitmotifs present in Williams’ music, a tradition born in opera. The use of fog added an epic mystique to the performance, enhancing the immersive experience.

From the blue glow of Leia’s theme to the ominous red of the Imperial March, the interplay of light and music was nothing short of magical. Yoda’s theme emerged in a serene green hue, all enveloped by a mystical fog similar to the ambiance of Yoda’s scenes in the movies. In the intervals between pieces, a single spotlight illuminated the conductor, adding a touch of drama to the proceedings. Not to be overshadowed, the shape of the instruments themselves became a part of the appeal, their surfaces reflecting and glowing with the colorful lights, adding an extra layer of visual delight.

Read more online at ndsmcobserver.com

Contact Marcelle Couto at mcouto@nd.edu

The art of the all-nighter

power of Disney music at 3 a.m.

Angels, god and overachievers

Kelsey Quint

It takes a special combination of homework, Monster Energy drinks and utter franticness to inspire the all-nighter. I’ve had my fair share of them, so rest assured that you’re getting an expert opinion. And this expert believes they get a bad rap, so I’m here as an advocate — a believer in the art of the all-nighter. Just hear me out on five points …

1. You won’t be able to pull allnighters forever.

Let’s face it, people use this excuse of fleeting youth to defend practices much worse than the allnighter. College produces a seemingly endless flow of work. There is always something(s) you could be doing — the something(s) which just never seem(s) to make it to the top of the to-do list. What if you just did them all? What if you stayed up all night just doing this/ these something(s) which never get done? What would happen? Nothing. You’re a college student — fatigue is just part of the job description.

2. All-nighters remind me life should take place in the present.

Some nights, the workload feels like a monster — it’s alive, actively growing and working against me. But I’ve changed my mindset towards battling this enemy. Instead of racing to finish as much as possible as quickly as possible, I’ve begun to prioritize the present. Rushing to complete my work might win future Kelsey a couple of hours of shut-eye, but present Kelsey would pay the costly price of hours of stressful work. Instead, I’ve begun to embrace the “it’ll get done” mindset. I listen to absurd music, talk to those that pass by and laugh at myself through the night. I’d rather spend all night enjoying myself than a late night of misery. In the end, it always gets done.

3. All-nighters make you cherish the power of mindset.

First of all, college isn’t that serious. Life isn’t that serious, at least not serious enough to prevent you from laughing about it. And secondly, I’m here to tell you it’s possible to make almost anything fun. Just make it into a joke. Laugh at yourself falling apart — it’s more fun that way. Once you’ve accepted the all-nighter, once you’ve stopped working towards the possibility of sleep, you can embrace the all-nighter. And trust me, you’ll be surprised by the transformative

4. Try to stay awake in class the next day.

Okay, this might sound sarcastic, but it becomes genuinely funny when you are taking notes in a theology class, and you’ve actually managed to misspell “Jesus” (true story … ). But in all seriousness, the following night’s sleep will be almost as transformative as the “Moana” soundtrack the night prior.

5. All-nighters keep life interesting.

This is what I like to call “The Roller Coaster Effect.” It is the draw to do things outside the bounds of our normal existence. When we step outside these bounds, we feel the most. It heightens our senses. Who knows, you might even strike genius once the clock strikes 4 a.m. If not, you can count on at least one comical existential crisis when you hear the birds chirping. Plus around 6 a.m., the early risers make the mistake of believing you’re disciplined like them — which I find pretty funny.

Before you run off to buy your energy drinks, let me advise you to be stingy with your all-nighters. If your night’s workload seems unconquerable, then yes, I would say an all-nighter might actually help. However, let me make it known I’m not defending a night spent procrastinating or binge-watching that new Netflix show — leave those under-justified all-nighters for the summer.

But perhaps the ultimate purpose of an all-nighter is simply spontaneity. There is a recent trend in “creating healthy habits.” This tends to manifest into lists, calendars and schedules, planning out quite literally every second of the day. Now, don’t get me wrong, I use a planner every day, and I encourage it. But I think we have taken it too far — we have become prisoners to our schedules. Life should be led in the present because the present is all we have. Planning is a trap — too much of it and we accidentally spend our lives waiting. Like all great art, the all-nighter is a rejection, a protest against this waiting game. It is a harnessing of the side of us which loves roller coasters; it is a heroic dissent from our schedules. Try it. Just say “screw it.”

You can contact Kelsey Quint at kquint@nd.edu.

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

On my TikTok “For You” page, I’ve gotten a handful of slideshows where characters from TV shows are paired and labeled as angels or gods. The audio comes from the climax of ç song “Not Strong Enough,” and it repeats the lines “Always an angel / Never a god” as the viewer swipes through the photos. The idea is the angel is the character who always does the right thing and puts in the work, but the god is the character who always comes up on top. This happens no matter how little effort the god puts in and no matter what the angel does to try and catch up. The god will win, and the angel will come in second. It is written into the DNA of their dynamic.

You can find examples of this dynamic in most TV shows and many movies. In “Gilmore Girls,” Paris was an angel; Rory was a god. In “Suits,” Louis was an angel; Harvey was a god. In Glee, Mercedes was an angel; Rachel was a god. As a movie example, in the “Prince of Egypt,” Ramses would be an angel, and Moses would be a god.

Basically, being the angel is always being good but never being great.

The (former) English major in me wants to write the trend off as TikTok discovering character foils and making it trendy, but I think there is more to it. For me at least, this trend seems to give life to one of my biggest fears: that I could give my all and do everything right, but it would still never be enough. It’s a difficult fear to reckon with, and I imagine that there are many overachievers on this campus that have it as well. So how does one overcome the fear of always falling short? The short answer is you don’t.

The longer answer is you don’t

stop. Yes, the idea there could be something innate about me which stops me from achieving everything I could ever want to terrifies me to no end, but even if I knew for a fact I was destined to be good but never great — I would do nothing differently. Because even if I shoot for the moon and miss, I will still land among the stars.

At Notre Dame (and possibly throughout academia, but I cannot speak for what I do not know), we have a chronic culture of busybodying. For better or worse, if the phrase “work hard, play hard” was in the dictionary, you would see a picture of a booked and busy Notre Dame student. I’m always astonished by the wonderful things my friends are doing in things like research and club leadership, but I am also aware of how much time they spend studying as well as investing in social and professional relationships. We all do so much and push ourselves to manage impossible workloads. The fact we’re all doing it successfully (granted, depending on the week) and at a T20 university might imply we all have the makings to be great.

Certainly there is something intrinsic in each of us that guarantees success, but we’re also human. There will be moments of failure. However, as long as we keep striving and working to be good, we maintain the chance of being great.

I’m telling you this now because I need to hear it, too. It’s midterms week, and I just spent the better part of last week knocked out by the campus flu. I feel incredibly overwhelmed and behind on everything. If there was ever a moment I thought maybe — just maybe — I put too much on my plate, it’s right now. Make no mistake: these words of encouragement are for me, but I hope they’re helpful for you too.

Keep striving. Keep pushing. Keep being good, and one day, we’ll all be great.

Joy Agwu is a senior at Pasquerilla West, originally from Bowie, Maryland. She is pursuing a degree in philosophy with a minor in constitutional studies. In her free time, she finds great pleasure in consuming media and reflecting on the deeper meanings behind the content she encounters. Whether you have recommendations for TV shows, movies, podcasts or any other form of media, or if would like to further discuss an idea presented in a column, feel free to reach out to her on Instagram @JoyfulJoyousss.

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

News Writer

Joy Agwu Lessons I’ve Learned from Media

“You can ask anybody who constantly pushes themselves, they always fear they’re not doing enough. It may not be a morbid or pathological fear of failure, but there’s always this uncertainty… It’s always ‘I haven’t really done enough’ or it is ‘one more thing I need to think about.’”

— Clarence Thomas from “Created Equal”

The intersectionality of breast cancer

oppression of their race and gender, and other factors such as their economic status can dictate their experience in the world.

October marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During this time, it is important we all reflect on this highly prevalent disease, consider how many people it impacts and strengthen efforts to find a cure. In the United States, 240,000 women are diagnosed with and 42,000 women die of breast cancer each year. While the highest percentage of breast cancer is found in cisgender women, people of all genders can be impacted by this disease. While there has been significant progress in combating breast cancer, it is still highly prevalent and does not affect every person equally.

According to the American Cancer Society, Black women are 42% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. The main reason for this is systemic racism, a term which describes how racism is embedded in social institutions. Black women are more likely to face conscious and unconscious bias in the healthcare system. Not only does this lead to lowerquality treatment, but this can prevent black women from seeking care which increases the chance they will be diagnosed too late to receive certain preventative treatments. Systemic racism creates barriers for people of color when navigating different social institutions including but not limited to healthcare, education, employment, food and housing. While systemic racism impacts everyone within the BIPOC community, black women are particularly impacted because of their identity.

Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, describes the ways different forms of oppression overlap and intersect within an individual’s identity. Black women experience the

Intersectionality is a helpful tool for social justice — it diagnoses the problem and offers a solution. In a healthcare setting, simply being aware of a patient’s intersectional identities can widen doctors’ perspectives when it comes to providing the best care they can for their patients. Considering the ways in which systemic racism can make the healthcare system seem like an oppressive rather than a safe space can help healthcare providers understand that they may need to take a different approach with each patient they have. Additionally, factors such as access to grocery stores, leisurely time for exercise and financial stability are important determinants when analyzing a person’s health. For example, redlining — a discriminatory government practice which highlights non-white neighborhoods as “high risk” and ineligible for federal mortgage insurance — dictates the quality of institutions which residents in these neighborhoods have access to. This political practice blocks Black families from living in certain neighborhoods and therefore impacts their access to things such as nutritious foods and fresh produce in grocery stores. At the same time, a lack of financial stability limits an individual’s leisure time for exercise. There are many factors which contribute to one’s oppression. It is essential to make healthcare professionals aware of these different circumstances, so they can offer the most tailored care to their patients without perpetuating the same discrimination oppressed groups face on a daily basis.

Ending systemic racism means combating this issue within institutions through education. While the integration of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (D.E.I.) programs in the medical

field has increased, it is essential these institutions continue to put their education into action and address the disparities between individuals seeking healthcare. By highlighting these issues, healthcare providers can hold an increased awareness about the patient they are attempting to treat and offer the best care possible, the type which takes into account their intersectional identity. An individual’s health is a personal, vulnerable and at times difficult subject to talk about. That is why it is essential for medical professionals to do everything they can to make sure their patient feels welcomed, safe and heard. As stated by the organization BE MORE, “ending unconscious bias in healthcare, trusting patients to tell their providers what they are feeling, and refusing to ignore or minimize symptoms can be game-changing in allowing Black women to feel seen and heard at the doctor’s office — and to receive better care as a result.” Education and awareness about institutional forms of oppression are the solution to systemic racism in healthcare. By centering people’s individual experiences, medical professionals will be able to treat diseases like breast cancer with a wider perspective which integrates intersectionality into their approach and ultimately strengthens efforts to combat breast cancer.

Grace Sullivan is a sophomore at Notre Dame studying global affairs with minors in gender and peace studies. In her column I.M.P.A.C.T. (Intersectionality Makes Political Activist Change Transpire), she is passionate about looking at global social justice issues through an intersectional feminist lens. Outside of The Observer, she enjoys hiking, painting and being a plant mom. She can be reached at gsulli22@nd.edu.

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

Grace Sullivan I.M.P.A.C.T.

Miller: Football season is over

Jake Miller Senior Sports Writer

In the press box at Duke’s Wallace Wade Stadium, I overheard another writer say that “we have five minutes until hoops season.” I laughed at the time and I’m glad that we came back and won that game. But I think that there’s truth to what the writer said.

If Notre Dame loses two games during the regular season, what are we playing for? Like it or not, in the current four-team College Football Playoff format, for a program like Notre Dame, there is one clear goal: making the Playoff and winning those games.

Part of the current beauty of the College Football Playoff is that every regular season game matters.

As NDTV analyst Cian Bagenstose said, “For Notre Dame, every game is a playoff game.”

Sure, Notre Dame could still qualify for a major bowl game. Possibly, that could be a New Year’s Six game, which Notre Dame still needs to prove that they can win. At the same time, it’s not the goal. It shouldn’t be the goal for an institution that invests so much in football.

Program goals

When USC comes to town next week, the Irish still want to win. USC is a good program. Freeman wants to prove he can win big games, especially at home. But even if the Irish win, there’s no real, significant effect. Cool – we’ll play in the Orange Bowl instead of the Gator Bowl.

Notre Dame could end the season as a two-loss team instead of a three-loss team. For fans like me, though, it’s not what we need.

Former head coach Marvin Lewis took the Cincinnati Bengals to the playoffs seven times, but they lost their first playoff game all seven times. Cincinnati had some good teams during Lewis’ tenure, but because of his success, the goal got bigger. Making the playoffs wasn’t

FREEMAN COLUMN

enough and Lewis paid the price. Freeman is not in the same place as Lewis. He still has time and he needs to bring in his recruits and his coaches. But if we look ahead five years and the Irish are in the same place, that won’t cut it. There needs to be progress and in Freeman’s first two years, we haven’t seen much.

What does this season mean, then?

Notre Dame will hype up its three remaining home games as much as possible. It wants to sell out the stadium and earn as much ticket revenue as it can. NBC doesn’t have the most alluring product, but they want to see ratings. They’ll hype up the games.

There’s still a lot of fun to be had with this team. At times, they’re fun to watch. Sam Hartman has skill. When Audric Estimé is on, he’s on. But it’s not a forward-looking team. This year’s stars will move on to the NFL or other ventures. Many of next year’s stars aren’t even on Notre Dame’s campus yet.

It’s pivotal that Freeman and his staff give meaningful reps to up-and-comers like Steve Angeli. Angeli might be, at least initially, Notre Dame’s starting quarterback in 2024. He’ll need to see a bigger role going forward.

Niele Ivey and her Irish women’s basketball team look strong. As a Notre Dame fan, I recognize my naivete. This season is always “the one.”

There’s real hope in Purcell Pavilion, though. Ivey has a veteran team that could claim the ACC title and play deep into the NCAA Tournament. Let’s just be honest: that same hope isn’t going to be found in Notre Dame Stadium. That’s okay, but it needs to be recognized.

Contact Jake Miller at jmille89@nd.edu.

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

On the Ground: Louisville

By EMILY DeFAZIO Associate Sports Editor

Our experience in Louisville was certainly one for the books, but not necessarily the good ones. We started our day off strong with a four-hour road trip from South Bend — one that was filled with an extensive country playlist, impassioned debates on New Jersey/New York sports teams and musings on what the night would bring. By the time we got to our hotel it was mid-afternoon, and I certainly was tempted to hop on over to the amusement park next door to get in a rollercoaster ride or two before the game (this, sadly, did not come to fruition).

On the way to the stadium, we were confused as to where and how Cardinal fans tailgated. Tents were set up on the small strips of lawn in front of the likes of McDonald’s and El Nopal, and cars were balanced at precarious angles on the front steps of houses.

Upon entering the main lot it was clear that, instead of the isolated tailgates we had seen to that point, the preferred method of pregaming was a giant mosh-pit. Full-scale basketball nets were set up between the several fraternity and personal tailgates that bled into each other. People dashed across the street dodging cars in the pandemonium; by the time we got to a four-way intersection and the crowd controllers told us to “just cut straight through,” we had to trust in blind faith.

As we made our way up the red-paved Card Walk, it was clear that Louisville fans came to play that night.

Their cheerleaders and band were hyping up the crowds enough to the point where some of the lucky fans who rented out the train cabooses started dancing on the cars’ rooftop decks. We had to weave through spectators all

the way to the media gate.

Once inside, we grabbed a quick dinner before heading down to the field for warmups.

It seemed as if half the attendees had a field pass given the amount of people we had to fight through to get to Notre Dame’s tunnel. We weren’t able to be on the side of the field the Irish were warming up on, but it was still an incredible experience to watch the team walk out and crane our necks towards the sky-high seating decks as fans trickled in.

We collectively commiserated at half-time with the other Notre Dame beat writers, drowning our sorrows in complementary cookies and popcorn. At that point, we knew we were struggling, but still believed the team would come through in the end. But when the crowd starts chanting “F*** Sam Hartman” towards your quarterback, you start to lose some optimism as it is replaced with aggravation.

That sentiment only escalated as we walked down to the field for the final minutes of the game.

We wound up on the Louisville side, giving us a full view of the Notre Dame sideline as they struggled to come back after most of their fans had left the premises.

It was glum.

There was a slight burst of energy when the Irish notched their final touchdown of the night, and it was fairly satisfying to hear griping from the intense Cardinals fans.

However, when “Shipping Up to Boston” came blaring over the loudspeakers, it felt more like a taunt than a longloved Notre Dame anthem. The Louisville fans fed off of this, and by the time they rushed the field following the game, spectators were coming to both physical and emotional blows.

Having narrowly missed getting pummeled by someone

launching from the stands, we found ourselves in the middle of a screaming match between a Notre Dame couple and a Louisville student. In that moment, the “How many championships do you have?” argument from the Irish fans did not stack up well against the rebuttal “No more playoffs for you!”

Once the final players made their way off the field, we headed back for the press conference that we assumed would be a short one. While that was certainly correct, it was also a somber one. And, while one could make light of some of the OSU loss, there was not much to justify in this match. Freeman immediately turned the blame on himself and the coaches, with more self-deprecating remarks from Joe Alt and JD Bertrand. Seeing how hard this loss psychologically affected everyone will be hard to put into words. We walked alongside some players on our way out of the tunnel, and it felt as if we were participating in a funeral procession, mourning the loss of their season’s high hopes.

While we toyed with the idea of heading back to South Bend straight from the game, we decided leaving early the next morning was our better option.

However, taking a night to sleep on it did not help the emotional whiplash of the day. To cope on our bookend fourhour drive home, we listened to Taylor Swift’s discography and assigned songs to different people and situations in ND Football (it is now canon that this was a heavily “evermore” game).

But even Swift herself could not soften the blow the Cardinals dealt us Irish fans, and turning our sights to USC only bolstered the sentiment.

Contact Emily DeFazio at edefazio@nd.edu

Miller: Freeman’s decision making needs help

Jake Miller Senior Sports Writer

We need to acknowledge that Marcus Freeman needs help with in-game decision making. With

9:49 left to go in the fourth quarter against Louisville, on fourth and

11, Freeman left the offense on the field. Unsure of what to do in this situation, Louisville called a timeout. But after the break, Freeman still brought the unit back out onto the field. Hartman ended up throwing an incomplete pass that was nearly intercepted. No receiver was in sight. With less than 10 minutes left

to go in the game, the Irish needed two scores. It was right for Freeman to acknowledge that he couldn’t leave this game to his defense. However, abandoning the game plan with so much time left in the contest raises questions. In his postgame press conference, Freeman defended his decision, claiming that finding time for two additional possessions would be difficult.

Starting with the defense

On the defensive side, Louisville’s physicality overpowered the Irish. Missed tackles fueled both of Louisville’s second-half touchdowns. They each came on ordinary

runs that turned into breakaway scores. Going into the matchup, the Irish averaged giving up 3.5 yards per opponent rush – significantly lower than the 4.6 yards per carry that Jawhar Jordan and the Cardinals picked up. Missed tackles are inexcusable.

For much of the game, even into the fourth quarter, the Irish played static man coverage. Man coverage could not contain Louisville’s dynamic offense, filled with motions and options. Often, the Irish locked on to one player. When any presnap change came their way, such as a horizontal pre-snap sweep, the opposing receiver often got lost

in traffic. Freeman and Al Golden can’t stop opposing offenses themselves, it comes down to their players making the right moves. But not moving to zone coverage needs a serious explanation behind it. If – even worse – the Irish weren’t prepared to play zone defense or didn’t focus on it during practice, the coaching staff didn’t watch enough film and wasn’t prepared to play a quality ACC team.

A slow, stagnant offense

On the offensive side, Notre Dame struggled to run the ball. Including Sam Hartman’s runs, the Irish gained just 44 yards on 28 carries,

averaging 1.6 yards per carry. Yet Gerad Parker and his team continued to give the backs carries, especially on first down. Estime ran for 20 yards on 10 carries. Outside of his game-winning run against Duke, Estime has slowed down recently, following four monster games to start the season. Throughout the game, the Irish rotated their offensive line. In his postgame press conference, Freeman admitted that the team has struggled at the guard position. The coaching staff thought that rotating players was a way to be more dynamic. Unfortunately,

Happy Birthday: Decide your goal and put a long-term plan in place. You can venture down new avenues this year if you add to or use your skills, experience and connections diversely. Updating your image, qualifications and attitude to fit trends will help you see the possibilities and take advantage of unique opportunities. Make personal gain, love and saving for something special your priorities this year. Your numbers are 6, 14, 25, 29, 31, 37, 43.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Put more energy into relationships. Make contact, share thoughts and put plans in motion. How you respond to others will make a difference in what you receive. Keep your money and possessions safe and temptation at bay. Romance is in the stars.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t let the little things get to you. If you think matters through, you’ll find a simple solution. Put your energy into positive action, increasing your profile and securing what’s important to you. Look at the big picture and put things in perspective.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): F Attend a reunion, try something new or head out on an adventure. Socializing will inspire you to revamp how you use your spare time. Let inhibitions go, and embrace the person you want to become. Dodge temptation, and pursue personal growth.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Keep an open mind, but don’t reveal too much personal information. Pay more attention to how you look, what you have to offer and the life changes that will endorse something you long to pursue. Put a game plan in place, then begin your journey.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Speak up, share feelings and find out where you stand. If you must use force, you are better off backing away. What comes naturally will bring better results. A solid commitment will help build momentum to make your dreams come true.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Do what you can to help or make a difference. Your input will prompt others to join in and follow suit. Changing your surroundings will spark your imagination and encourage you to entertain new adventures. Set a budget to accommodate your plans.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A physical activity or adventure will be exhilarating and conducive to meeting someone who touches you emotionally. If you show compassion, your reputation will skyrocket, allowing you access to information conducive to something or someone you wish to pursue.

Romance is favored.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Concentrate on what you can do, and bypass situations holding you back. When things slow down, switch lanes and head in the most productive direction. A unique maneuver will change your perspective about someone or something you decide to pursue.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You don’t have to buy into someone else’s dream. Consider what you enjoy most and take the initiative to do your own thing. Someone you encounter will offer something that changes how or where you live or what you pursue next.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Live up to your promises and hold others to theirs. It’s up to you to deliver and bring about change that promotes personal happiness. Adjust your lifestyle and improve your surroundings. Your objective is to uncomplicate your life and ease stress.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Sit tight, contemplate your next move and refuse to let temptation lure you away from common sense. A change of heart is apparent if someone disappoints you or takes advantage of your generosity. Set boundaries, protect your reputation, money and possessions, and be responsible.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take inventory and find out what you have and what you no longer need. Decluttering your life will help you save and set better guidelines moving forward. Don’t deny yourself the freedom of choice; follow the path that makes you happy.

Birthday Baby: You are thoughtful, spirited and assertive. You are hospitable and reliable.

Post: Irish offense’s position

J.J. Post Associate Sports Editor

If you’re a Notre Dame football fan, you’ve no doubt read dozens of takes over the last 24 hours microanalyzing the team’s struggles on Saturday night.

I wish I could come to you with some fresh perspective or a new damning stat. I cannot. What stuck with me most on the exceedingly quiet four-hour drive home from Derby City was the same line that so many other articles before this have written.

Notre Dame, in every phase of the game on Saturday, looked unprepared.

The Irish didn’t seem ready when Louisville got the ball and drove down the field surgically on their first offensive possession. They didn’t have much in the way of firsthalf firepower after tying the score at seven. And when the Cardinals began to break the game open in the second half, Notre Dame’s response was a self-destructive spiral that turned the game into a rout.

In most losses, blame is delegated to either the coaching staff or the players. Coaches are blamed when the game plan is subpar. Players are blamed when the plays that are called simply aren’t executed properly.

On Saturday night, it felt uniquely accurate to say both of those statements would be true for the Irish offense. One second quarter failure on third and one feels like the perfect snapshot of this dualism.

Notre Dame had reached Louisville territory with the game tied at seven.

A first down would set the team up to, at minimum, begin approaching field goal range.

The Irish coaching staff tried to get clever. Instead of a hand-off up the gut to usual short-yardage backs Audric Estime or Gi’Bran Payne, offense coordinator Gerad Parker dialed up a jet sweep, with multiple pulling blockers. The operation failed at every level.

Cardinal players swarmed the backfield, and an apparent miscommunication between Hartman and Chris Tyree left the ball on the turf. Louisville recovered the fumble. It was a poor play that was

Miller

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

continually changing and rotating guards meant repeatedly making the same mistakes.

An uncertain, but different future

Freeman is a young coach and much of his current staff is young and inexperienced. However, for the second straight season, Notre Dame will not meet the high expectations set by fans at the season’s start. After this year, Notre Dame’s future is unclear. Next year’s team will be young,

executed equally poorly, creating a chicken-or-the-egg situation with regards to its failure.

After a promising start to the season, such failures have become commonplace for Notre Dame’s offense. Seven weeks into the 2023 campaign it feels like the Irish offense has more questions than answers. These questions aren’t broad hypotheticals such as “who should the team throw to in clutch moments?” The ones Notre Dame currently face are as fundamental as “who are the starting guards?”

Perhaps the biggest issue with the Louisville collapse is how difficult it has become to say with confidence that the Irish know how to respond to these problems. The bizarre first-half sequence of rotating the offensive line mid-quarter smacks of desperation, not deliberation. Throwing stuff at the wall to see if it sticks is the type of testing you do against the likes of Central Michigan and Tennessee State, not in a prime-time game on the road against a top 25 team.

Seven weeks into the season, we know the following about Notre Dame’s offense: Joe Alt is great. Sam Hartman is also great, but he needs help from his weapons to truly tick. Audric Estime and Jeremiyah Love have the potential to be one of the best one-two punches in the country, but wrinkles still need to be ironed out in game-planning to make the duo work. And, the team’s most productive receiver — by some distance — is tight end Mitchell Evans, who has generated nearly all of his output in the last three weeks.

That’s not an ideal list of positives for a team about to play its eighth consecutive game. The USC game will be an opportunity for Notre Dame to put the season back on track with a statement win.

The Trojans’ defensive woes make for a good opponent for an offense in need of a spark. But, the Irish won’t be able to capitalize unless they avoid the preparation and execution issues that plagued them against Louisville..

Contact J.J. Post at jpost2@nd.edu.

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

but the schedule should be lighter and a team could get into the playoffs with two – or possibly three – losses. Whatever Notre Dame looks like next year, one thing is certain: if they want to be an elite team, Freeman must make better in-game decisions and adjustments. I’m not sure where – or when – that starts, but some form of change is necessary to see better results.

Contact Jake Miller at jmille89@nd.edu.

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

Irish split season-opening series with Clarkson

By RYAN MURPHY Sports Writer

It was a weekend of debuts, and firsts: a first loss, a first win, a first shutout and a number of first career goals as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish earned a two game split with the visiting Clarkson Golden Knights. After dropping game one Saturday by a 3-1 score, the Irish bounced back with a 3-0 win Sunday.

Saturday

On day one of the college hockey season all across the nation, the Clarkson Golden Knights spoiled Notre Dame’s home opener, walking away 3-1 victors. Forward Cody Monds scored two goals for the visitors from Potsdam, NY, including the game-winning marker early in the third period. Star graduate student netminder Ryan Bischel turned away 22 saves for the Irish in a losing effort.

4,395 Irish fans took in the home opener at Compton Family Ice Arena, which featured a younger and speedier Irish lineup. Nine newcomers debuted for the Irish Saturday, seven of which were freshmen. Longtime Irish head coach Jeff Jackson opened the game with at least one freshman on each forward line.

It was only natural, then, that the theme of night one for the Irish was about growth. A young lineup will make mistakes. But Notre Dame cannot — and will not — improve if they do not make mistakes in the interim.

“The first month here is going to be about us figuring out what we have, learning our young guys,” Jackson said. “Just a couple bad turnovers basically led to both goals.”

Clarkson struck for the first goal midway through the first period. After Notre Dame turned the puck over at the offensive zone blue line, Monds and sophomore forward Ryan Taylor broke the other way 2-on-1.

With Taylor carrying the puck on the right side, he dished a saucer pass to Monds who snapped it into the back of the net. There was no chance for the diving Bischel.

Beginning the second period, Clarkson had their way with Notre Dame. The Golden Knights came up with nothing to show for it before the Irish swung momentum in their direction. Breaking the puck out of his own end, graduate transfer defenseman Ryan Siedem found a streaking Landon Slaggert with a tape-totape pass.

Slaggert blasted into the Clarkson end unimpeded and wired a wrist shot blocker side, beating Clarkson starting netminder Austen Roden to tie the game.

Who more appropriate than Slaggert to score the first goal of this Notre Dame season? The

team’s captain will be a critical piece of the Irish’s success this year, both from a leadership standpoint and a production one. After putting up 26 points two years ago, Slaggert only notched half that number last season. Part of that was due to a slow start. Scoring in game one of the season, Slaggert made clear that would not be the case again this season.

Slaggert’s goal would be Notre Dame’s only. 4:45 into the third period, Clarkson took the lead for good. An unforced giveaway by Irish freshman defenseman Paul Fischer left Monds in alone on Ryan Bischel. Monds made no mistake, deking to his forehand and tucking the puck around Bischels extended left leg.

Clarkson held off a fierce attack from the Irish down the stretch to clinch an important season-opening win. The Golden Knights lost their first four out of the gate last year, setting the tone for an inconsistent, sub-.500 season. For them, the game one victory was about setting a different standard.

For Notre Dame, there were many positives to take away from night one. Although Jackson expressed disappointment that his team could only manage one goal, the potential was on display.

“The freshmen are going to grow, and they’re going to get better as the season goes on, they’re going to get confidence. We just gotta get through these early stages, where they can get that experience.”

Sunday

On night two, Notre Dame bounced back with a 3-0 win. Ryan Bischel made 22 saves for his eighth career shutout, and the large freshman core once again made an impact. Four of the firstyears recorded their first career points, and two of them scored their first career goals.

“I think there was one shift out there we had five freshmen on the ice,” Jackson said postgame Sunday. “It’s the way we are built right now, but they’re good players. They’ve acclimated pretty quickly. There’s still work to be done, I like a lot about our team, but it’s going to be a process this first month I think, just getting everyone acclimated.”The first period ended with no score, and both teams failed to convert a power-play chance. Notre Dame controlled much of the play in the frame, breaking the puck out of their own end smoothly.

To start the second, Clarkson put together a few strong shifts of forechecking. But it was the Irish who got on the board first. Freshman forward Jayden Davis, playing his first game in an Irish uniform, overpowered goaltender Austin Roden with a wrist shot over the glove-side shoulder. Davis had worked to set up

his own goal. He took out two Clarkson players with some physical play on the wall before spinning to the middle and catching the pass from freshman forward Maddox Fleming.

It was the first career goal for Davis, and the first career point for Fleming. Davis and Fleming, playing on an all-freshman line with Brennan Ali, had a strong game and generated a number of scoring chances from below the goal line.

The Irish added to their lead in the third off another first career goal, this one from New York Islanders draft pick Danny Nelson. The insurance marker came just 1:13 into the final frame, as graduate student forward Trevor Janicke created a turnover on the wall. Janicke made a pass to senior Grant Silianoff, who cut in below the faceoff circles and backhanded a pass across the crease. Nelson had gained inside-out leverage on Clarkson defender and St. Louis Blues draft pick Noah Beck, and was standing right in the paint for the tap-in. Unafraid to go to the hard areas of the ice, Nelson led all players in shots on goal this weekend with 11, and had his first career goal to show for it.

A late-game, offensive zone penalty sank the Golden Knights and their comeback bid. With George Grannis in the box for elbowing Carter Slaggert, the Irish were able to put the game out of reach on the power-play with Landon Slaggert’s second goal in as many nights.

Trailing by three, Clarkson pulled their goaltender with 3:24 to go in the contest, hoping to end Bischel’s shutout bid. It was to no avail.

Bischel, making his 39th consecutive start for Notre Dame dating back to last season, was strong again in net for the Irish. Back for his graduate student season, Bischel’s play will be another key part of the season for Notre Dame.

“He gives our team confidence,” Jackson said. “He’s just so calm back there. I [am] so proud of that kid for how he’s grown over the last four year. I want to see him have a great year, so he can can get an opportunity to play at the next level. He’s got to be dialed into what he’s doing here right now, but if he’s not the best goalie in the country, you’re going to have to show me who is.”

Looking Ahead

Notre Dame heads to Rochester, New York for one game Saturday night against the RIT Tigers. The Irish return home two weekends from now to take on No. 1 ranked Boston University and top NHL draft prospect Macklin Celebrini.

Contact Ryan Murphy at rmurph22@nd.edu

O’Brien’s world-class goal pushes Irish to huge home win against ranked Blue Devils

By TYLER REIDY

Associate Sports Editor

Saturday night, Notre Dame men’s soccer took the Alumni Stadium field with a shot at its biggest win of the season. As the last remaining unbeaten ACC team in conference play, the 11th-ranked Irish faced No. 14 Duke. Fresh off a 5-3 takedown of defending national champion Syracuse, the Blue Devils came in hot with two extra days of rest.

But Notre Dame rose to the occasion. On a 13th-minute highlight goal by graduate student midfielder Ethan O’Brien, the Irish prevailed 1-0.

“I think it’s huge,” head coach Chad Riley said. “To be fair, Clemson is a top-20 team, Virginia is a top-20 team. So the team’s proven that they can do it. But the pressure that [Duke] put us under at moments tonight – I think the team will take a lot of confidence from it.”

At 7-1-3 overall and 4-0-1 in ACC play, Notre Dame now leads the Coastal Division by five points. The Irish also lead Wake Forest, their opponent on Oct. 20, by three points atop the entire conference.

Saturday’s match opened with tremendous pace. Neither team,

Wrap

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

in the Evans touchdown, Notre Dame averaged just 9.7 yards per drive in the second half.

Only one drive out of the eight consumed more than two minutes of the game clock. Four ended in turnovers. The passing attack managed

particularly Duke, cared for settling into the top-15 contest as its action rapidly shifted from end to end. Forster Ajago, the leading Blue Devil and ACC scorer, sent the night’s first shot high in the third minute.

“We haven’t played a team that gets the ball forward as quickly as they did with two big strikers and an attacking midfielder,” Riley said. “But with that said, I thought we still created some really good moments in the first half to score.”

For the eighth time this season, that score resulted from a Notre Dame set piece. A long throw-in from junior defender Kyle Genenbacher leaped outside the 18 and toward the Irish midfielders.

There, O’Brien smashed a volley that rainbowed toward the far post. Not even six-foot-six goalkeeper Julian Eyestone could reach it as it dipped just underneath the crossbar.

“The set pieces are really important in these types of games, especially against a team like Duke,” O’Brien said. “We work on them in training. Me and Bryce [Boneau] and the midfielders usually stay there at the top of the box if it comes back out to us.”

The co-captain’s breathtaking

254 yards and two touchdowns in total. A little under half of the yardage and both scores came from tight end Evans and walkon wide receiver Jordan Faison.

Notre Dame’s scholarship wide receivers combined for 87 yards as a collective.

Hartman, who hadn’t thrown an interception in his first six games in blue and gold, threw three.

goal marked his first in almost two calendar years. O’Brien, who missed all of 2022 and the first seven games of this season with injuries, described scoring as “the best feeling you could have out there.”

Unsurprisingly, Duke pushed back within two minutes of the goal. Ruben Mesalles Jr., the engine behind the Blue Devil attack early on, bent a wicked cross just left of the penalty spot. Despite tight marking, Ulfur Bjornsson deflected it with power along the ground.

But senior goalkeeper Bryan Dowd, on his way to a fifth shutout this season, dove quickly and preserved the lead with his right hand.

After two less dangerous Duke chances, senior defender Paddy Burns nearly doubled the Irish lead in the 40th minute. A poor Blue Devil clearance left the aggressive Burns alone from 15 yards out. But his low drive couldn’t beat Eyestone who made his second of four saves on the night.Ahead 1-0 at halftime, Notre Dame knew the finish line wouldn’t be easily attainable.

“Against a team like that, they’re very direct and very good up front with two very good strikers,” O’Brien said. “So we know

A shuffled offensive line failed to create push in the run game (which averaged 1.6 yards per attempt) or protect Hartman when he dropped back (conceding five sacks).

Notre Dame tinkered with their lineup up front early on, but personnel rotations proved ineffective.

After the game, Freeman highlighted guard play as an area requiring improvement.

going up early, it’s going to be a long battle. But I’m really proud of the guys – just the way they played and defended really well.”

Despite outshooting the Irish 8-4 and generating four secondhalf corners, Duke never found the equalizer. Its first opportunity followed one of those corners just 90 seconds into the half. But traffic inside the 18 forced sophomore midfielder Kenan Hot to shoot high and off-target on the second ball.

“We made a couple of adjustments as a group at halftime that the team really applied,” Riley said. “And I thought we controlled the game, bar the last few minutes. And that would have felt a lot different if we could have finished. I thought we had two or three good looks to get the second goal to really finish it off.”

Those looks piled up halfway through the final 45. First, Eyestone pawed away O’Brien’s third shot on goal, a sharp-angled free kick delivered toward the upper right corner of the goal.

Senior forward Daniel Russo later cut back into a 15-yard shooting lane but barely missed wide with the left foot. Finally, with 16 minutes remaining, sophomore midfielder Sebastian Green sent a 20-yard free kick just over the bar.

“We have to be better at the guard position,” Freeman said. “That was something that was evident last game… we gotta do a better job of protecting our quarterback. We’ll watch film and see how each guard did, but we didn’t protect the quarterback the way we needed to.”

The Irish won’t be afforded much time to lick their wounds.

Notre Dame has now played seven

In the game’s waning moments, Duke threatened with its best chances. After another corner, Ajago settled a rebound in close with the right side of the goal wide open. But heavy traffic forced extra precision on his part, and he sent the ball wide. Then, with 103 seconds to play, reigning ACC Offensive Player of the Week Nick Pariano stepped up to a 20yard free kick. He bested both Notre Dame’s wall and keeper, but not the top of the crossbar. As the clock hit zero, a physical match ended with a brief altercation. Burns wrapped his arms around Ajago while defending him, inciting the Duke striker to flail wildly and catch Burns with an elbow. Both teams came running to the scene and exchanged light shoves, but nothing more. The players separated, and Notre Dame walked away with its best 11-game start in seven years.

Up next, the Irish will play their final non-conference game of the regular season. The Oberlin Yeomen of the North Coast Athletic Conference visit Alumni Stadium on Tuesday. ACC Network Extra will carry the 7 p.m. kickoff.

Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu

consecutive games to open the year and the road doesn’t stop there. They’ll welcome USC to South Bend next week, as well as the Trojans’ high-powered offense that no doubt will be licking their chops at any fatigue the Irish showed on Saturday.

Entering this game, you could argue Notre Dame was one play away from being either 6-0 or 4-2.

Such dramatic endings allowed an open-ended perspective on the second half of the Irish season and the team at large.

Were they a squad that was a single mental lapse away from taking down a Playoff contender?

Or merely a team averaging roughly 17 points per game in contests against opponents with records better than .500 in conference play?

On Saturday night, Notre Dame looked more like the latter. The prospect of playing in the College Football Playoff has faded from pipe dream to a nearmathematical impossibility.

A USC game many thought could rival the infamous “Bush Push” matchup in hype is now merely a chance for the Irish to play spoiler.

Freeman took responsibility for the loss after the game, acknowledging the simple fact that his team looked out-gunned.

He’ll now have just six days to find solutions before a slide of sloppy performances turns into a midseason spiral.

Contact J.J. Post at jpost2@nd.edu

LOUISVILLE GAME WRAP

Hartburn: Nightmare second half dooms Irish in 33-20 away defeat to Louisville Cardinals

By J.J. POST Associate Sports Editor

Perhaps it was the physical toll of a third consecutive game under the primetime lights. Maybe it was the distraction of an undefeated USC coming to South Bend next Saturday.

Regardless of the reason, Notre Dame failed to execute at just about every level Saturday, a sixty-minute misfire that ended in a 33-20 defeat.

Even the two-score margin fails to adequately reflect the depth of the Irish’s struggles on the road in Louisville.

The offense couldn’t find its groove, unable to run the ball consistently or hit big plays through the air. The defense did a solid job with the poor hand it was dealt by the offense, but still allowed a pair of chunk rushing scores to star Cardinals running back Jawhar Jordan. It was far from a terrible effort, but it also wasn’t close to one that could will Notre Dame to victory on its own.

graduate student linebacker JD Bertrand expresses his sheer disappointment following the 33-20 away loss against Louisville.

ND WOMEN’S SOCCER

Ironically, the only unit that

executed at the level required on Saturday was the previously-maligned Spencer Shrader, who entered the contest kicking 50% on the year, and the rest of the field goal operation, which converted both attempts it was sent out for.

But even the reason Notre Dame’s field goal unit was on the field smacks of error. Shrader’s first effort came after a Sam Hartman deep ball went through an open Chris Tyree’s hands. His second came after the Irish offense was stuffed for a loss on third and three.

The failed efforts on third and short were a common theme in the loss. Notre Dame finished the day 3 of 13 on third down and several of the miscues came in convertible situations. There was an operational failure on an attempted jet sweep that turned a second-quarter third and one into a turnover. There was the stuff of Gi’Bran Payne in the same situation in the third quarter.

Notre Dame’s first attempt at a fourth-down conversion came five minutes into the final quarter and it failed. Louisville tacked

on a field goal. Subsequent drives resulted in an interception and a lost fumble, each followed by another Cardinals field goal.

Irish head coach Marcus Freeman complimented the defense after the game for continuing to fight in the fourth quarter, even when the offense repeatedly set them up with a short field to defend.

“I thought our defense battled for the most part,” said Freeman. “They were put in some bad situations late in the game. But for the most part, I thought they did a pretty good job.”

While the Irish defense performed damage control, trying its best to bend and not break, Notre Dame’s offense sputtered all game. Nothing, from the playcalling to the players, seemed in tune.

A Mitchell Evans touchdown gave the Irish some late window dressing, but that was the extent of Notre Dame’s firepower in the second half. Excluding the late 75-yard march that ended

see WRAP PAGE 11

Irish dominate ACC as bigger tests loom

By ANDREW McGUINNESS

Sports Editor

The three-game homestand the Notre Dame women’s soccer team wrapped up Sunday weren’t exactly banner games.

The Irish played three teams — Louisville, Boston College and Miami — who are all in the back half of the ACC standings. But that’s what made the stretch so important.

Notre Dame’s next two games are the two toughest games they could possibly have — road matches against No. 2 Florida State and No. 1 North Carolina. With the three teams right atop the ACC standings, it was essential for the Irish not to give up any ground.

After beating Louisville convincingly on Sept. 30, the Irish struggled a bit more against the Eagles. In fact, Eagles star Ella Richards gave her team the early lead with a rebound goal just 4:37 in.

But the Irish eventually found their stride, gradually starting to take control of play.

They got a huge payoff of their own late in the half. Freshman forward Charlie Codd tallied her first collegiate goal on an Irish

rebound of their own in the 35th minute.

That momentum carried into the second half. While the Eagles peppered freshman goalkeeper Atlee Olofson, most of the nine shots they put on goal were fairly easy saves.

A beautiful Notre Dame passing play resulted in senior midfielder Ellie Ospeck’s go-ahead goal, with a beautiful backheel pass by graduate student midfielder Kristina Lynch. Boston College ratcheted up the pressure late, but the Irish put the game out of reach on a long-range strike by graduate student forward Maddie Mercado.

There was no slow start to Sunday’s clash with Miami, however. It took just over half an hour for the Irish to match their goal tally from the entire Boston College game. By the time the dust settled, Notre Dame had its most goals in a single contest since Sept. 9, 2021, as they thrashed the Hurricanes with a 7-2 final.

“We moved the ball well,” Irish head coach Nate Norman said. “We just connected really well.”

Though the match isn’t the final one at home for the Irish this season — that will come on Oct. 26 against No. 9 Clemson — Sunday’s match doubled as the

team’s senior day.

It certainly was one to remember, with five of the goals coming from seniors or graduate students. Lynch, Mercado, midfielder Kiki Van Zanten and defender Eva Gaetino (who was returning from a one-game injury absence) all found the back of the net, with Van Zanten tallying twice.

“These seniors are a really big part of the last three or four years, we’ve had some much success, and they’ve been a huge part of that evolution,” Norman said. “It was a great day.”

Freshmen forward Chayse Ying and Codd tallied their first and second collegiate goals, respectively.

Ashley Naylor returned to goal for the Irish on senior day, her first action since Sept. 15. Senior Kaylin Slattery came on for the second half for her first game action of the year, notching a save.

The Irish return to action with the first match of their threegame road gauntlet against the No. 2 Seminoles on Oct. 12. The game is available to watch on the ACC Network.

MEGHAN LANGE | The Observer Irish

Contact Andrew McGuinness at amcguinn@nd.edu

SOFIA CRIMIVAROLI | The Observer

Senior Erin Hohnstein (10) heads the ball at the women’s soccer game against Butler on Aug. 24. The Irish took the win with a score of 4-1.