Print Edition of The Observer for Wednesday, September 30, 2020

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Volume 55, Issue 18 | wednesday, september 30, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Candidates clash during 1st debate Meeting between Trump, Biden marked by exchange of insults, interruptions at Case Western

By ALYSA GUFFEY Associate News Editor

The highly-anticipated first 2020 presidentia l debate bet ween Dona ld Trump and Joe Biden took place Tuesday w ith no opening handsha ke due to COVID-19 and severa l reminders to both candidates to respect the a llotted time of each candidate.

Throughout the night, tension rose as Trump continued to ta lk over Biden, who eventua lly told Trump to “shut up.” At one point, Biden ca lled Trump the worst president in A merican histor y to which Trump responded that he had

done more for the countr y in 47 months than Biden had done in 47 years.

Trump, the Republican incumbent, stood by his campaign slogan of “Keep America Great” w ith his defense of a booming economy during his first term that he claimed overshadows the work of the Barack Obama-Biden administration. Democratic nominee Biden said he and Obama overcame a historic recession and handed Trump an uplifted economy.

In addition to an economic focus, the candidates argued see DEBATE PAGE 5

Petition calls for Jenkins to resign

Courtesy of the Washington Post

Pesidential candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden exchanged blows during the first 2020 presidential debate held at Case Western University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, on Tuesday.

College to host discussion on mask-wearing

By PAIGE MADDEN News Writer

The Dia logue and Civ il Discourse program at Saint Mar y’s w ill be hosting “Beyond the Mask Debates” this Wednesday on the O’Laughlin Patio at 6 p.m.

The event w ill discuss the ba lance bet ween public hea lth and persona l libert y surrounding wearing a mask.

Beginning in 2017, the Dia logue and Civ il Discourse program is fairly new to the Saint Mar y’s communit y.

Professor Zwart, associate professor and chair of the department of philosophy, Courtesy of WSBT

University President Fr. John Jenkins pictured maskless at Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination at the White House on Saturday.

By EMILY DEFAZIO News Writer

Universit y President Fr. John Jenk ins was seen w ithout a mask and in close prox imit y to other mask less indiv idua ls while attending the nomination ceremony of Notre Dame law professor A my Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court Saturday. His actions sparked

NEWS PAGE 3

a range of reactions among facult y and students, including the creation of a petition ca lling for his resignation.

The petition “ca lls for the resignation of Fr. John Jenk ins, C.S.C. as Universit y President, effective immediately, for failure to comply w ith COVID-19 protocols.” see JENKINS PAGE 4

VIEWPOINT PAGE 6

and a few of her students formed the idea of a program that would focus on helping students have productive conversations about controversia l issues w ith family and friends after seeing the results of the 2016 presidentia l election on relationships.

A fter receiv ing a grant from Campus Compact in 2017, the course PHIL 291: Dia logue and Civ il Discourse began. This one-credit hour course meets once a week and focuses on helping students develop sk ills to engage in conversations w ith others who have different v iews on socia l and politica l

issues, such as abortion, the Second A mendment, k neeling for the anthem and racia l justice, Zwart said.

“I’ve had students tell me that they have learned sk ills that help them have productive conversations w ith family members for the first time in months, or that help them get through Thanksgiv ing dinner w ithout tension,” Zwart said.

The program has si x student leaders involved in a ll aspects of the project.

Junior Vanessa Hawk ins is a leader in the project, and as see DIALOGUE PAGE 5

Junior Parents Weekend to be held virtually Observer Staff Report The annua l Junior Parents Weekend is slated to ta ke place v irtua lly this year, according to a Tuesday email from junior co-chairs John Couri and Molly O’Brien.

SCENE PAGE 9

The email emphasized that the traditiona l celebration w ill look different from years prior but w ill still remain a memorable event for juniors and their family members.

“Junior Parents Weekend tends to be a celebration that

nd m soccer PAGE 16

one remembers for a lifetime, and we can guarantee our year w ill be no different,” they said in the email.

Students should anticipate an email in the coming weeks to offer input on the planning process.

ND W SOCCER PAGE 16

2

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The observer | wednesday, september 30, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

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Students gather outside Le Mans Hall and the Moreau Center for the Arts at the College’s new outdoor seating offers students a recreational gathering space. During the pandemic, socializing outdoors has been promoted due to indoor gathering restrictions.

The next Five days:

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Sunday

Lecture: “Consuming Patterns” virtual noon - 1:30 p.m.

Learn about the role of insects in Oaxaca.

Panel: “Where We’re Going” virtual 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.

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by Think ND.

Marvel Trivia Night Library Lawn 9 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Competition presented by Student Activites.

Picnic and Pops Concert Irish Green 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Outdoor concert and picnic.

“The Devil and Miss Jones” (1941) virtual 4 p.m.

Film hosted by Higgins Labor Program.

Lecture: “Style and Substance” virtual 5:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Hosted by the School of Architecture.

Snite @ Nite: Around the World in One Snite Snite Museum of Art 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

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Food Truck Friday Library Lawn 9 p.m. - 11 p.m.

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The Fighting Four Bookstore Lot Registration deadline Foursquare match hosted by Provost and ND W Basketball.

News

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3

ND dining halls to reopen for indoor seating

By RYAN PETERS News Writer

Follow ing an extended closure of indoor seating in the dining ha lls due to COV ID-19, dine-in seating in North and South Dining Ha lls w ill reopen Oct. 5. As colder weather is expected to limit outdoor dining options, Campus Dining, a long w ith other work ing groups, made the decision to reactivate the dining ha lls.

“As our weather changes, [we want] to prov ide a facilit y to be able to dine in and a lso be somewhat secure from the elements,” campus dining director Chris Abayasinghe said.

W hile dine-in seating w ill be available, students w ill continue to be able to ta ke their mea ls to go. Abayasinghe said the dining ha lls w ill be configured so there is still adequate spacing for students to queue while waiting for food. “[At North] we’re going to reconfigure the area where you might pick up your beverages into seating, and then of course you have the additiona l landings that we w ill reactivate,” he said. “At South, we w ill reactivate East Wing and West Wing.”

Abayasinghe estimates that South Dining Ha ll w ill be able to hold around 500 students at

any time, while North Dining Ha ll’s capacit y w ill be approx imately 400 students.

A ll students w ill be seated at least si x feet apart from each other, and plex iglass shields w ill separate diners in accordance w ith St. Joseph Count y guidelines. Protocols w ill a lso be in place to sanitize the dining areas.

“We are rea lly focused … on our continued cleaning and disinfection protocols because that w ill a lso be in tandem w ith this,” Abayasinghe said.

Campus Dining collaborated w ith Student A ffairs, the loca l hea lth department and others to plan for how to prov ide safe indoor seating. Abayasinghe said he received a lot of student feedback that sparked the discussion about how to adapt to the colder conditions.

“Our students love to prov ide feedback. So for many students, especia lly over the last week or so as the weather started to turn, this became the most frequently used topic,” he said. “Additiona lly, w ith the engagement that my department has w ith Student Government and student leadership as well, there has been encouragement for us to move for ward on this conversation.”

The Universit y a lso expects

indoor dining spaces in LaFortune and Duncan Student Centers to reopen Nov. 1. Dining spaces w ill be open on the first t wo f loors of Duncan while LaFortune w ill have seating on a ll f loors.

Abayasinghe added that the Nov. 1 target date is tentative as the Universit y continues to monitor COV ID-19 data on campus.

Additiona lly, Campus Dining is work ing on prov iding conditioning in the tents in order to prov ide comfortable seating in the spaces a lready adapted to the hea lth guidelines.

The announcement of available indoor seating comes as the Universit y attempts to prov ide dining and gathering spaces that follow loca l hea lth guidelines.

Recently, South Quad and the area west of Hesburgh Librar y received chairs and fire pits.

Devon Sanchez-Ossorio, assistant director for events and ser v ices, said in an email that the popularit y of Librar y Law n pushed the Student Activ ities Office (SAO) and the w ide variet y of units who collaborated on Librar y Law n to add additiona l gathering spaces.

“The Librar y Law n has been so well received by students that we initia lly expanded it to include the area west of Hesburgh Librar y,

Courtesy of Chris Abayasinghe

Plexiglass shields will separate diners in order to reduce potential virus transmission when the dining halls reopen Oct. 5. adding additiona l chairs, fire pits, and lights. Given the interest we have seen from students in these spaces, we decided to move forward w ith introducing an additiona l inv iting outdoor space to [South Quad] while the weather is still nice,” Sanchez-Ossorio said.

Sanchez-Ossorio said there are currently no plans to create any more gathering areas,

but SAO is open to feedback.

“W hile we do not currently have any plans to expand to additiona l areas on campus, we remain receptive to student feedback and look for ward to seeing the impact these ex isting spaces have on our campus communit y,” Sanchez-Ossorio said.

Contact Ryan Peters at rpeters5@nd.edu

Grad student conducts research at Vatican

By ADRIANA PEREZ News Writer

Bet ween study sessions, doctora l candidate Susanna De Stradis ta kes brea ks at a sma ll, private court yard cafe of the Vatican Apostolic A rchive to drink coffee, meet other scholars and “zoom back to the present day.”

De Stradis recently started conducting research into the Vatican’s archives for her dissertation during her third year as a doctora l student of histor y at Notre Dame. Her investigation explores the relationship bet ween Catholicism and principles of A merican libera lism like religious freedom and the separation of

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church and state.

Her studies focus primarily on Vatican perspectives on post-war Catholicism in the United States, that is, bet ween the end of World War II and the Second Vatican Council.

During that time, the Church is learning to dea l w ith A merican democracy through a closer, geopolitica l relation w ith the United States, De Stradis told The Obser ver.

“But a lso, the United States is rethink ing the terms of its ow n First A mendment and what it implies, both in the courts, but a lso in Congress,” De Stradis said.

The archives open at 8:30 a.m. ever y day. W henever she goes to the Vatican, De Stradis arrives at the Porta Sant’A nna around 9: 00 or 9:30 a.m. and shows her entrance badge to the Sw iss guards. Then, she passes through a meta l detector and heads to the archive; before entering, she leaves her belongings in a locker — even her phone.

“It’s not a norma l Hesburgh Librar y-t y pe thing, obv iously,” she said.

There is no signa l inside the Vatican A rchive and no photos are a llowed, any way.

“This slows the process quite a bit,” De Stradis added, “but it a lso forces you to rea lly think critica lly about what you’re seeing on the spot.”

Her research is being funded by a Peter R. D’Agostino research travel grant through the Cushwa Center for the Study of A merican Catholicism and the Center for Ita lian Studies, as well as by a “Religion, Spiritua lit y, and Democratic Renewa l” fellowship from the Socia l Science Research Council.

De Stradis initia lly became interested in the historica l tensions bet ween the United States and Catholicism when she studied histor y as an undergraduate student at the Scuola Norma le Superiore in Pisa and as a Master of A rts student at the Universit y of Pisa.

“As I started to delve deeper into this k ind of histor y, I rea lized there had been frictions bet ween the Vatican and the United States, something that I was not necessarily aware of before I entered college,” she said.

She ca lled her particular interest an “exotic topic to pursue” in Ita ly, but not so much in the United States, where she was told even sociologists,

politica l scientists and lawyers would be interested in the questions she wanted to ask.

“I was interested in the histor y of A merican Catholicism, so Notre Dame is prett y much the best place in the world to pursue this k ind of studies,” De Stradis said.

In fact, she said, a book that drew her to this research topic was “Catholicism and A merican Freedom: A Histor y” by John McGreev y, professor of histor y and De Stradis’ mentor and dissertation adv iser at Notre Dame.

“I lived in South Bend for three years, and now the time has come to fina lly go do some research — or should I say come do some research — over here, in Rome,” she said.

De Stradis is origina lly from Apulia, the “heel of the [Ita lian] boot,” but she said she had not been feeling homesick before returning to her countr y.

“I can’t say that I’ve missed Ita ly while I was in South Bend. I rea lly loved the U.S. …

But Rome is sort of exceptiona l,” she said.

De Stradis said her plans fell see VATICAN PAGE 5

4

NEWS

The observer | wednesday, september 30, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Engineering professor develops infrared light detectors to study sun with NASA grant

By IZZI BARRERA News Writer

Despite it being the most important star in the ga la x y, the astronomy communit y still has a lot to learn about the sun. As a complex ba ll of gas and plasma, it proves enigmatic. However, w ith discoveries made by an interdisciplinar y team of researchers at Notre Dame w ith funding from NASA, the world may reach a new understanding of the sun and its effects on our planet through the development of nanoantennas, or microscopic antennas that detect infrared light.

W hen Gar y H. Bernstein, Frank M. Freimann chair professor of electrical engineering, proposed that the sun was a perfect application for the nanoantennas he had been developing for over 10 years, he didn’t know NASA would accept his application for a grant. Now, the research team has received funding to improve the nanoantennas to later be used on satellites to image infrared wavelengths, some of which cannot even get through the earth’s atmosphere.

The project is focused on

Jenkins Continued from page 1

In the plans laid out by the Universit y before the beginning of the semester, wearing a mask and remaining physically distant are “key responsibilities” required of ever y member of the Notre Dame communit y.

Universit y v ice president for public affairs and communications Paul Brow ne said Jenk ins and a ll others in the Rose Garden for the ceremony passed a nasa l swab test before entrance.

“Only when the test results returned negative were they and others in their group escorted into the Rose Garden for the ceremony,” Brow ne said in a statement.

Ashton Weber, co-w riter of the petition, said the measure has a tota l of 218 signatures as of Monday night, 18 signatures more than needed to pass on to the student body senate.

Editor’s Note: Ashton Weber is a columnist for the Viewpoint section of the Observer.

The petition, bearing the necessar y amount of va lid signatures, w ill be brought forth and considered as a resolution at this Thursday’s senate meeting, student body president Rachel Inga l confirmed in an email.

The measure was met w ith

developing nanoantennas so small that they can pick up infrared light, which is produced by wavelengths that cannot be studied by the human eye. For reference, the diameter of the end of a piece of hair is about 100 microns. The range of innovative nanoantennas that are being developed is between eight and 100 microns. “[The sun] also has significant emissions at much longer wavelengths,” Bernstein said in a recent press release for the College of Engineering.

“The more wavelengths we can detect, the more we can learn about what is happening on the sun. The technolog y we are developing w ill provide new insights into the physics of solar f lares, sunspots and magnetic fields on the sun that contribute to weather on Earth.”

The research team includes members across disciplines who each dedicate their time and expertise to the project. The team includes Frank M. Freimann chair professor of electrical engineering Wolfgang Porod, research professor of electrical engineering A lexei Orlov and assistant professor of electrical engineering David Burghoff.

The project also includes associate professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering Edward Kinzel, visiting assistant research professor Gergo Szakmany and external collaborators Steven W hite and David Strobel.

W hile Bernstein led the NASA proposal, the entire team has been essential to the development of the infrared light detectors.

“I volunteered to be the lead on the proposa l and could not have done it w ith a ll the great data that ever ybody had a lready achieved, and a ll the input from ever ybody in the group,” Bernstein said.

The team hopes the nanoantennas w ill ma ke a positive impact in understanding the sun and infrared light.

“We decided that a good target for our infrared sensors would be to perhaps help get involved in the solar astronomy communit y by offering them a way of look ing at the full spectrum of infrared light coming from the sun,” Bernstein said.

W hile most of the research team is composed of highly-informed professors and researchers, sophomore research assistant Dav id Garcia

is learning through his experiences w ith the project, yet proves to be an asset to the project. “[Garcia is] becoming a useful member of the team because he’s starting to do computer simulations that are actually of value to us in our research,” Bernstein said. “So, in one year he’s gone from being an observer to being a participant.”

Garcia had little knowledge of infrared sensors before joining the team. However, he has continuously learned since joining the team last spring during his first year.

“When I first started, I didn’t have any clue about it,” Garcia said. “I started from a point where I was not able to explain to my parents what I was doing, and today I’m actually able to answer questions about the topic and participate in group meetings.”

Garcia works with computer simulations to test the nanoantennas and optimize the design.

“I basically work with simulations to create scenarios and decide which antenna design is the best,” Garcia said. “I ma ke simulations of heat transfer to see how the

temperature is distributed on the surface of the antenna. I a lso sometimes ma ke measurements of the frequencies the antennas receive and the efficiency of the antenna.”

Garcia enjoys being able to apply the topics he is learning in the classroom and on the research project to rea l-world situations.

“One fear I had before doing research was that I was going to do something useless,” Garcia said. “Thank fully, it’s not the case because the research is rea lly design-based.”

The team is ma k ing discoveries that could be useful to the astronomy communit y, prov ing their research here can ma ke an impact beyond the campus communit y.

“We decided that the sun would ma ke a good testbed for a communit y of solar physicists and solar astronomers who could use the data,” Bernstein said. “We now have three years of funding to not only improve our nanoantennas, but to get them into the hands of solar astronomers and to introduce it to them as a new tool in their toolbox.”

mi xed responses from the Notre Dame communit y.

“I think what motivated the three of us to k ind of spea k out was frustration,” junior Patrick Kelly-Dutile, one of three Notre Dame students involved w ith w riting the petition, said.

Kelly-Dutile said Jenk ins’ apparent disregard for Universit y hea lth and safet y protocols affects not only Notre Dame, but the entiret y of the South Bend communit y.

“The South Bend communit y, for one, is counting on us because we are in a sense we are liv ing on their turf,” KellyDutile said. “Because we have people that are rely ing on us, and because there’s people around the countr y and around the world that are rely ing on ever yone to do their part, we felt that seeing Fr. Jenk ins appearing to disregard CDC guidelines, in terms of not wearing a mask and not socia l distancing, struck a ner ve for us.”

Kelly-Dutile said at the root of his dismayed reaction is his love for Notre Dame.

“That’s the reason why I see it fitting to hold myself, to hold my friends and to hold the administration to such a high standard, because I care about those things,” he said.

“I want to see those things be safe and hea lthy and be able to continue in person, as we are right now.”

In regards to those who do not believe the pandemic is something to worr y, Kelly-Dutile said he believes Jenk ins’ “hy pocrisy should ma ke them mad as well,” regardless of their feelings about the v irus.

This incident is the second time Jenk ins was accused of brea k ing protocol, hav ing issued an apolog y for a prev ious transgression in early August.

However, not a ll students share the opinion that Jenk ins should resign from office.

“I think a forma l apolog y should be issued to the students,” first-year Gabrielle Penna said. “I was ver y disappointed w ith his failure to protect himself and the Notre Dame communit y this past weekend at the nomination.”

Instead of ask ing for his resignation, however, Penna said she ca lls for forgiveness and understanding.

“He’s given us the opportunit y to show the world that it’s possible to continue liv ing safely throughout COV ID,” she said. “I think to go out of his way like that for the student body shows just how much he loves and cares for the Universit y. I think there just needs to be accountabilit y. He needs to ack nowledge when he does ma ke those mista kes, because we a ll are tr ying our best.”

Fr. Jenk ins issued an apolog y to the Notre Dame

communit y for his actions in an email Monday evening.

“I failed to lead by example, at a time when I’ve asked ever yone else in the Notre Dame communit y to do so,” Jenk ins said in the statement. “I especia lly regret my mista ke in light of the sacrifices made on a daily basis by many, particularly our students, in adjusting their lives to obser ve our hea lth protocols.”

First-year Elle A kerman said she believes the petition is an overreaction.

“I feel like they just need to ta ke a step back and think about what they’re doing, and what this means for Fr. Jenk ins,” she said. “I am definitely 100% against it.”

A kerman said she does not think the issue is serious enough for his resignation.

She said that by not adhering to guidelines, “[Jenk ins] himself rea lizes that it is not that big of a threat. I feel like he should bring that back to campus and ma ke rules based off of that.”

Instead of creating a petition, she said ta lk ing about the issue w ith Jenk ins is a more successful way of handling the situation.

“I just don’t see any reason that he should resign or even think of resigning,” she said.

“So, to me, the petition is a lmost silly and … not worth it.”

Severa l students a lso took

to socia l media to encourage their peers to use the Universit y’s COV ID-19 incident report system to report Jenk ins’ actions. The goa l, according to senior Lan A nh Dinh, was to catch the attention of the administration.

“I think that they ta lk a lot about leading by example, but then we’ve seen how, in prev ious cases of Fr. Jenk ins’ actions, and this past weekend … It just k ind of feels like empt y promises, a lmost,” Dinh said.

Dinh said she was “highly dissatisfied” w ith Jenk ins’ apolog y statement.

“A part of me even feels like it might not have been Fr. Jenk ins who w rote the email,” she said.

However, Dinh said she is not sure Jenk ins’ resignation is the answer.

“I do think that Fr. Jenk ins has acted reck lessly and has been a bad example, not only for his students, the facult y and staff, but a lso for the whole countr y,” Dinh said. “I am war y [about the petition], I don’t k now what that would mean. I don’t k now what the process is to select a new president for a private Catholic universit y. A lthough I do believe that a level of accountabilit y has to be ta ken, or has to be ack nowledged.”

Contact Izzi Barrera at ibarrera@nd.edu

Contact Emily DeFazio at edefazio@nd.edu

News

Debate Continued from page 1

a range of topics from appropriate response to the coronavirus pandemic to the integrity of mail-in ballots to race relations in America.

Originally, Tuesday’s debate was scheduled to be held on Notre Dame’s campus after the Universit y announced it had won the bid to host the debate in a press conference Oct. 11, 2019. The Universit y officia lly w ithdrew from the debate July 27, as Universit y President Fr. John Jenk ins cited hea lth concerns and a diminished experience for students to engage in the politica l process as the leading reasons for the cancellation.

Junior Francine Shaft said she was disappointed the Universit y ultimately did not hold the debate as she was look ing for ward to it.

“I think if they have footba ll, they probably could have made it work, and I think they could have just limited the number of outside people that came in,” Shaft said. “A nd w ith the testing that we have, it probably would have been safe.”

Instead, the debate took place at Case Western Universit y in Cleveland, Ohio, attendance was reportedly capped at 70 and a ll attendants had to undergo

Vatican Continued from page 3

into place, time-w ise, since Pope Francis opened in March 2020 the archives of Pope Pius X II’s papacy — which lasted from 1939 to 1958 and during which World War II took place.

For doctoral students, De Stradis said, their academic credentials and a letter of recommendation are often enough to apply for and gain access to the archives.

“I don’t know of anyone who has applied and has been rejected for obscure reasons,” she added.

De Stradis said most documents that can be accessed through the Vatican Archive were produced or received by the central organs of the Roman Curia — the different branches of the Vatican’s central bureaucracy. Of particular interest to her, though, was the col lect ion of t he Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See to the United States.

“Every kind of communication between the American Catholic hierarchy and the Vatican had to go through the Apostolic delegate,” she said.

“So, since I want to look at Rome’s attitude towards mainly domestic developments in the U.S., this is the place to look at.”

But the archives are not as well sorted as she expected, so “you have to rely a lot on

ndsmcobserver.com | wednesday, september 30, 2020 | The Observer

COVID-19 testing.

Despite students’ disappointments on the change of location, hundreds gathered on South Quad for a watch part y hosted by student government.

Moderator and Fox News anchor Chris Wa llace opened the debate w ith a hot topic at Notre Dame — the recent nomination of law school professor A my Coney Barrett to fill the empt y seat on the Supreme Court.

Trump defended his sw ift nomination of Barrett as a responsibilit y to the A merican people.

“We won the election, and elections have consequences.

We have the Senate and the W hite House,” Trump said.

He a lso cited libera l support for Barrett.

“Some of her biggest supporters are libera ls including from Notre Dame,” Trump said.

Biden argued the seat should not be filled until A mericans vote this November.

“The A merican people have a right to say who the Supreme Court nominee is when they vote for the president. They are not going to get that chance because we’re in the middle of an election,” Biden said.

As the debate shifted to focus on the ongoing pandemic, Trump and Biden clashed on both persona l v iews on

the goodwill of the personnel there,” De Stradis said.

She, for one, has been collaborating with an archivist to overcome these hurdles.

“He’s basically bringing folders to me that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to locate and ask [for] through the normal system,” she said.

Due to COVID-19 health and safety precautions, the archives can accommodate only 25 scholars every day in a room that would normally accommodate 60, De Stradis said. But the effects of the pandemic can be seen outside of Vatican City and throughout Rome, as well.

“The city is empty,” De Stradis said.

There are few tourists — particularly, very few Americans — and the subway is not crowded.

She said she expects her research at the Vatican and her stay in Rome w ill last at least seven months.

“I do rea lize that I’m in a ver y uniquely priv ileged position as an Ita lian [and] as a graduate student who’s still able to go to the archives,” she added.

De Stradis arrived in Ita ly Sept. 14.

“W hich is exactly the date I had planned to be here, so this is not COVID-related, it’s just as planned,” she said.

“Again — I feel ver y blessed.”

Contact Adriana Perez at aperez8@nd.edu

safet y measures — including mask-wearing — and plans for economic prosperit y. Biden condemned Trump for the number of deaths from the v irus, say ing the president “panicked” and did not listen to experts on the seriousness of the v irus.

Biden a lso took hits at the president’s refusa l to accept the grim rea lit y of coronav irus deaths, say ing that when Trump was show n the numbers, the simply president said, “It is what it is.”

“Well, it is what it is because you are who you are. That’s why it is. The president has no plan. He hasn’t laid out anything,” Biden said.

Trump responded that Biden “could have never done the job [the Trump administration] did.”

“If it was up to you, millions of people would have died, not thousands,” Trump said.

A n extended segment on race in A merica led to Biden ca lling Trump out for his protection of white supremacists in a 2017 riot in Charlottesv ille in addition to ca lling Trump a racist.

W hile Trump did not condemn the white supremacists he ca lled “fine people” in 2017, he attacked Biden for his treatment of Black A mericans.

“You have treated the Black communit y about as bad as anyone has,” Trump said to Biden. “You ca ll them

Dialogue Continued from page 1

expressed in her biography on the project’s GoogleSite, she said she understands the difficult y in expressing one’s beliefs and listening to others’ v iew points on controversia l topics.

“I think the Dia logue and Civ il Discourse project w ill have a large impact on the Saint Mar y’s campus because we can promote and educate others about useful sk ills when engaging in difficult conversations,” Hawk ins said.

The event Wednesday on the topic of mask-wearing w ill be facilitated by Hawk ins and senior Mia Marroquin, Zwart said.

“I have found that by voca lizing my beliefs about mask-wearing I can listen for my ow n inconsistencies.

My hope for this discussion is that others begin to recognize inconsistencies in their beliefs and behav iors related to mask-wearing,” Hawk ins said.

It is expected that students w ill have differing opinions on the topic, Zwart said, but that is what ma kes the conversations interesting.

“We’ll tr y to avoid the binar y debate of ‘mask! ’ or ‘no mask’ and think critica lly about when the public good justifies some sacrifices of

super-predators, and you’ve ca lled them a lot worse than that.”

The debate took a persona l turn toward the Biden family as Biden brought up his son, Beau, who received a bronze star in the militar y.

Trump proceeded to attack Joe Biden’s other son, Hunter, claiming he was dishonorably discharged from the militar y w ith a cocaine addiction and later received illegitimate funds from Uk raine. Biden responded that the Uk raine scanda l was not true, and he ack nowledged Hunter’s past struggles w ith drugs.

“My son had a drug problem, but he’s overcome it, and I’m proud of him,” Biden said.

Sophomore A nna Guzman described Trump’s attacks as “incredibly persona l.”

“Trump’s attacks were incredibly out of line, honestly, he is an embarrassment to our nation, especia lly after his performance tonight,” Guzman said.

A common tactic the candidates seemed to share was an appea l to voters in Midwestern sw ing states such as Ohio and Michigan. At one point, Trump bragged about his contribution to the return of Big Ten College Footba ll while Biden pointed out his contributions to autoworkers.

In regard to the outcome of the 2020 election, Trump

persona l freedoms,” Zwart said.

Students are not expected to do any thing in particular to prepare for the event. The program w ill prov ide some context about mask-wearing debates and ma ke connections bet ween mask-wearing, public hea lth and persona l libert y.

The project’s first event Sept. 22 was open to firstyear students and was centered around building a strong communit y from the start.

The group was sma ll — only 7 students plus Zwart and t wo student leaders — but Zwart said the conversation was ver y thoughtful.

“I appreciated the student leaders’ w illingness to share their ow n experiences, including what they w ish they had k now n as first-year students, and what they have learned since about productive dia logue, listening and engaging on socia l media,” she said.

In years to come, Zwart said she hopes to see the program become more popular around campus. It has a lready grow n since the onecredit hour class started in 2017, w ith a student leadership program and first-year workshops during orientation and the first-year common course, SPLL 101.

The project collects anonymous data from students who

5

def lected to a skeptica l stance on the legitimacy of mail-in voting.

“If it’s a fair election, I’m 100% on board. But if I see tens of thousands of ba llots being manipulated, I can’t go a long w ith that,” Trump said.

Biden said he would wait to declare v ictor y until the election results are verified.

A fter the debate, junior and co-president of College Democrats Emma Dudrick said she felt Trump derailed the night w ith his interruptions and persona l attacks on Biden.

“I think that Biden held his ground well, and I rea lly appreciated his comments about the importance of voting,” Dudrick said in an email. “It felt like a direct appea l to the A merican public, not a childish attack.”

Meanwhile, sophomore and president of College Republicans Adam Mor ys said he was not impressed w ith either candidate.

“Biden didn’t present any good arguments, and Trump was interrupting too much.

Trump w ill have more success if he stays more disciplined and attacks Biden’s policies,” Mor ys said in an email.

The second presidentia l debate is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15.

Contact Alysa Guffey at aguffey@nd.edu

voluntarily fill out sur veys throughout their involvement. The project is still collecting enough data to see if any ev idence of larger change is ref lected from students, but Zwart said she has a lready seen changes w ithin different indiv idua ls.

Soon, the program w ill reach facult y and staff through other programming.

“I would love for this program, especia lly through the work of the student leaders, to set a tone on campus that we can be curious about others’ v iews, while still being passionate in our ow n conv ictions,” Zwart said.

Contact Paige Madden at pmadden01@saintmarys.edu

Follow us on social media: Facebook fb.com/ndsmcobserver

Twitter @NDSMCObserver

6

The observer | Wednesday, september 30, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

Inside Column

Where are the tampons?

Emma Bacon News Writer

Tampons. Pads. Menstruation. Okay, now that I’ve gotten rid of those who would prefer not to hear this, (I’m looking at you, male population), here we go. My friends and I are hanging out in Duncan Student Center after our first full week of classes at Saint Mary’s. My friend walks out of the bathroom with a funny look on her face. We ask her why, and she whispers, “They have free tampons here.” My friend Meg sarcastically remarks, “Are they blue and gold?”, and we laugh the situation off. We let this go for the evening, and then, upon returning to our dorm, we realized that we, as an all-girls school, don’t even have 25-cent tampon dispensers in our residence bathrooms, let alone free products. The closest thing on the Saint Mary’s campus is a wicker basket of tampons in the Health and Counseling Center, which still feels like a public statement to have to grab, or the Mother Pauline Pantry, where we can get tampons, but for the price of an explanation.

We became upset and confused at the fact that we don’t have free tampons available to us. If we’re an all-girls school, where we can assume that most everybody menstruates, then why doesn’t our administration provide such a simple necessity? It’s also worth mentioning that Notre Dame accepted women much less recently, while Saint Mary’s remains an all-women’s college to this day. How has the school across the road been able to make such a necessary step, but we haven’t?

Every person who menstruates, too, knows the feeling of walking into a bathroom, sitting down and realizing, “Oh, shoot.” What makes the situation worse for a Belle, though, is that most are expected to use communal bathrooms. This means that there is no option of just sticking a box in the bathroom, like one could at home.

Instead, the expectation is that a girl must run back to her dorm to grab one. Imagine for a second how uncomfortable and humiliating that is, when a girl was just planning to use the bathroom, especially if she’s already running behind on getting to class.

Sure, you can tell me we should “be more prepared” all you want, but what if somebody expected you to bring your own toilet paper? Do you think that you would remember a roll every single time?

What if that girl then must go back to her room and realize that she’s out of tampons, and beg her roommate for one? What if the roommate is also out, and she doesn’t want to go knocking on doors, informing others that she’s on her period right now?

(Having grown up as the middle child of all girls, this happens more than you might think.)

We are paying to live here. So, Saint Mary’s, do not take this the wrong way. I’m not angry with you, I’m just confused and looking for an answer. I am not asking for a free box a month or a scented product.

I don’t care if it’s off-brand. I’m not trying to ask for anything fancy and understand that, as is the same with toilet paper, you will provide it and if I want something better, then I will have to go about providing it myself. I am just asking, for a school that I am paying a pretty penny to attend, to have a few tampons in my dorm bathroom, so that on the day I (inevitably) forget, I can just grab one — available to me right in the restroom — and be on my way.

You can contact Emma at ebacon01@saintmarys.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Frankly, this is embarrassing In case you missed Notre Dame’s most recent trip through the headlines, here are the highlights: On Saturday, President Donald Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett, a Notre Dame Law School alumna, professor and member of the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, to replace the late justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court of the United States.

University President Fr. John Jenkins and Notre Dame Law School dean G. Marcus Cole both attended Barrett’s nomination ceremony. A video of Jenkins failing to follow social distancing protocols or wear a mask at the event — held in the White House Rose Garden — quickly made the rounds on social media. Cole, seated next to Jenkins at the event, was wearing a mask.

It was later reported that upon arrival at the White House, both Jenkins and Cole were directed to a room where individuals attending the ceremony were tested for COVID-19. Every guest was tested by a nasal swab prior to entering the ceremony.

“Only when the test results returned negative were they and others in their group escorted into the Rose Garden for the ceremony,” vice president for public affairs and communications Paul Browne said in a statement to The Observer before Jenkins returned from his trip.

Despite his negative test results, Jenkins’ actions should be considered nothing less than hypocritical.

Notre Dame students are prohibited from gathering in large groups or removing their masks in public regardless of their surveillance test results.

Students, faculty and staff are also discouraged from leaving campus or gathering in large groups off-campus, which is exactly what Jenkins did Saturday in D.C. Further, students have been threatened with and received severe disciplinary action for being photographed without masks in groups far smaller than the one gathered in the Rose Garden.

It appears Jenkins made a conscious and deliberate decision to not wear a mask, thereby jeopardizing the health and safety of himself, those at the event and all those in the tri-campus and South Bend communities with whom he interacted after the ceremony.

Furthermore, Jenkins traveled to D.C. on the same day the University’s football program was originally scheduled to take on Wake Forest, a game which was postponed to Dec. 12 due to athletes testing positive for COVID-19. The number of players in quarantine and isolation climbed to 39 as of Monday. The Notre Dame football team is one of the most outward-facing, well-known groups on campus, and it is experiencing a spike in positive cases within its roster.

Jenkins leaving South Bend to flagrantly disobey his own rules while the community he is supposed to lead is suffering creates a sense of separation between himself and everyone else. A “do as I say, not as I do” mentality is not one a University president should have in a time of crisis.

As students begin to feel the unprecedented emotional and mental strain of a semester with no break and faculty continue to make sacrifices by remaining in one place, Jenkins’ jaunt to D.C. becomes all the more frustrating. Of course the circumstances are historic, perhaps making his travel “essential” and therefore permissible according to his own guidelines, but even historic circumstances do not justify a blatant disregard for health and safety protocols.

Furthermore, rapid COVID-19 tests — such as antigen tests — have been shown to have a greater propensity for delivering false negatives than PCR tests. In fact, Notre Dame’s testing protocols require students to take both a rapid and a PCR test due

to the potential of receiving a false negative result from the rapid test.

If this isn’t enough cause for concern, a report from CNN stated that two of Barrett’s colleagues in attendance at the nomination ceremony were not notified of any testing protocols, nor did they receive a test from the White House prior to the event.

This is all without mentioning that Jenkins was attending a political event hosted by a president and administration whose stance on wearing masks has, at times, been in direct opposition to University policies and the advice of the national medical community.

His refusal to wear a mask, a simple action he has encouraged in countless email sign-offs to the University community, is puzzling, and we must wonder if it was due to pressure from the surrounding political environment. Regardless, this is an issue that should never be political.

Many students and staff expressed their frustration and anger over seeing health and safety guidelines so blatantly broken, with some even resorting to reporting Jenkins on Notre Dame’s incident reporting form and others calling for his resignation.

“I know many of you have read about the White House ceremony I recently attended. I write to express my regret for certain choices I made that day and for failing to lead as I should have,” Jenkins said in an email addressed to students, faculty and staff Monday.

But what was omitted from the statement? An explicit apology.

Saying, “I regret my error of judgment in not wearing a mask,” does not convey sufficient willingness to take ownership of his mistake. There is a difference between regret and remorse. In fact, Jenkins’ refusal to use the words “apology” or “sorry” in his email appears deliberate and conveys that he is more sorry he was caught and criticized by our community than anything else.

This is not the first time Jenkins had to answer for poor decision making.

Before the fall semester began, Jenkins issued a similar statement — apology included — after breaking social distancing protocols in a group photo with Farley Hall residents.

“While all of the scientific evidence indicates that the risk of transmission is far lower outdoors than indoors, I want to remind you (and myself!) that we should stay at least 6 feet apart,” he said less than two months ago. “I am sorry for my poor example, and I am recommitting to do my best. I am confident you will too.”

Apparently, that first incident did not serve as enough of a reminder for Jenkins himself.

If Jenkins’ only intention was truly to “represent the University at this historic event [and] to support a faculty colleague and alumna of Notre Dame” as he said, the optics show a troubling trend of ill-advised and inconsistent decision making on the part of the University president. Lest we forget, Jenkins has stated publicly he and other University officials were preparing to send students home less than two weeks into the semester amid a spike in positive cases.

It is imperative in times such as these that leaders and others in positions of power maintain coherent messaging and lead by example. Failing to abide by health and safety protocols during a global pandemic that has taken the lives of one million people worldwide is not an appropriate representation of the Notre Dame community. In fact, it’s an embarrassment.

And, since he seems to require frequent reminders, we would like to stress to Jenkins, as well as everyone within the tri-campus community, to please: 1. Wear your mask.

2. Practice physical distancing.

3. Wash your hands regularly.

4. Complete your daily health check.

5. Show up when selected for surveillance testing.

The observer | Wednesday, september 30, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

7

The Supreme Court is not your friend Ellie Konfrst Butterfly Effects

The moment news broke of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, I was, unfortunately, on Twitter.

As I processed the implications of this news, I watched my entire timeline do the same, in real time. First came the emotional reactions from those who idolized her, then the backlash highlighting the more conservative parts of her record and, of course, the mass panic about what a vacancy on the Supreme Court meant 47 days from Election Day. As of this column’s publication, we are now 35 days out from Election Day with a new nominee to the Supreme Court. Notre Dame alumna and law professor Amy Coney Barrett was officially nominated to the Court just over a week after Justice Ginsburg’s death. The past 12 days, Twitter has been ablaze with heated discussions, pleas to “call your senators” and discourse about one of the most consequential political moments of our lives.

But wait — in my 12th grade AP Government class, I was told that the Supreme Court was an apolitical actor. Its job was to reject partisanship and serve as the last line of defense in protecting democracy. I learned about the landmark cases, like Brown v. Board of Education and Obergefell v. Hodges that did away with politics and stood up for what was right. What was I missing?

The answer is complicated, but can be summed up like this: The Supreme Court is no one’s friend. Most importantly, it is not a friend of those attempting to make political change. While the Court is often used by partisans as a political tool, it is fundamentally an apolitical actor, making it an unreliable institution for achieving anyone’s political goals.

In making this argument, a good place to start is one of the aforementioned cases that is often cited as an example of the Court doing the right thing: Brown v. Board of Education. Brown was a Supreme Court decision in 1954 that found that segregation in public education violated the 14th Amendment. It was a landmark civil rights case that

overturned nearly 60 years of court precedent explicitly endorsing segregation, which stemmed from the decision made in Plessy v. Ferguson. The decision, however, was not an example of the court taking a courageous stance against racial discrimination. The only reason they even heard the case is because of tireless work done by Thurgood Marshall and activists at the NAACP dating back to a strategy conceived of in the 1930s. Additionally, the decision wasn’t particularly courageous — some scholars argue that it didn’t even come as a surprise, given that the tide of public opinion had been shifting toward integration for a while.

The details of Brown are consistent with the rest of the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence: Resist change for as long as possible, letting steadfast activists do the grunt work and only making a decision once it is no longer controversial. In these cases, the court was not making a political decision, but reflecting and enforcing political decisions that had already been made.

Our problem with the way we talk about and conceive of the Supreme Court extends to the lives and legacies of individual justices. While Justice Ginsburg spent much of her career as a lawyer advocating for social justice issues, and while she was appointed by a Democratic president and part of the liberal wing of the Court, she did not serve as a political actor. It is true that many of her decisions and opinions advanced progressive causes, especially for gender equality, but it’s also impossible to ignore that she often sided with the conservative wing, in cases permitting the construction of pipelines through federally-protected or indigenous land and upholding some of President Trump’s immigration policies.

Justice Neil Gorsuch, President Trump’s first appointee, was initially seen as one of the most conservative additions to the Court, as he reliably upheld President Trump’s policies in his first term. Yet, just this summer, he authored the opinion in McGirt v. Oklahoma, a case that substantially advanced Native American rights to land.

Ultimately, these conflicting decisions are a result of the purpose and mandate of the court — it is to make decisions about the law based on legal precedent, having nothing to

do with advancing any specific political cause. It is true that presidents’ choices of nominees are usually political, and that Justices are undeniably influenced by their own bias, but neither any individual Justice nor the Court as a whole are ever making purely political decisions.

What does this mean for us, sitting here 35 days away from Election Day, awaiting hearings for a Supreme Court nominee that will undeniably have political implications for decades? It really just means that the general liberal conception of either the court or individual liberal justices as reliable agents of progress makes it harder to make actual progress. The court must be seen as, and was created as, an obstacle to making serious progress — one that must be utilized when it is favorable and overcome when it is not. In fact, the legal principle of “stare decisis” (“let the decision stand”) means the court’s job is usually to resist change. We have to stop romanticizing it as some kind of pinnacle of progress and upholder of democracy. It is part of our political system, yes, but its apolitical mandate means that it will not always err on the side of what is “right” — instead, it will definitionally err on the side of what is legal.

The romanticization of the Supreme Court fosters a complacency among activists, as a belief that the court will always eventually make the right decision gives one no reason to fight for what they believe is right. In the next 35 days and beyond, I hope we can foster a discourse that recognizes that the Supreme Court is not a political ally, but a political obstacle — it is the only way they can adhere to their true purpose and the only way we will find ourselves moving toward progress.

Ellie Konfrst is a junior majoring in political science, with minors in the Hesburgh Program for Public Service and civil & human rights. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, she’s excited that people will finally be forced to listen to all of her extremely good takes. She can be reached at egloverk@nd.edu or @elliekonfrst13 on Twitter.

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

To Republican leadership Blake Ziegler News with Zig

You are understandably eager to fill the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat. Along with the numerous other judicial appointments under the current administration, a 6-3 conservative majority on the highest court in the land would surely enact the agenda you have been struggling to implement for years. However, I cannot emphasize enough how horrible a decision you have made. My purpose is not to praise or discredit President Trump’s nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Rather, it is to criticize your choice to fill the seat so close to the election, a decision that will have dreadful consequences for Republicans in November.

Deciding to confirm Barrett days before the election is a clear flip-flop from 2016. After the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia in February 2016, you declared you would not hold a vote over any nominee from President Obama.

The Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee wrote in 2016 that “the American people are presented with an exceedingly rare opportunity to decide” their next Supreme Court justice. When the election was still months away, you were comfortable stalling the nomination process to give a voice to the people. Yet, you are even more comfortable in confirming Trump’s nominee thirty-four days before the election, robbing those same people of their voice. This is blatant hypocrisy for political gain that does not bode well for our democratic institutions. I urge you to abandon the desire to manipulate procedure for personal benefit. If we allow ourselves to disregard our constitutional infrastructure, we will suffer the same hand we dealt the Democrats when they gain power again, which is becoming exceedingly likelier.

The voters are already against you. Across 12 polls, 52% of voters prefer the winner of the 2020 election fill the vacant seat. While it is likely people’s opinions are driven by

partisanship, can you afford to alienate 62% of women and 63% of independents, voting blocs you need to keep the White House in November? What about the majority of voters in Michigan and Wisconsin, two Democrat-turnedRepublican states that helped elect President Trump in 2016? There is no rhyme or reason to risk losing these voters to acquire a new conservative so soon when you can easily confirm Barrett during the lame duck session or in President Trump’s second term (assuming he is reelected).

Pushing forward a divisive issue weeks before the election does nothing to improve the Republicans’ chances in November.

Furthermore, your decision loses a key opportunity to rally Republican voters in support of the party on election day. In 2016, 56% of Trump voters cited the Supreme Court pick as “the most important factor” in their decision, while 26% saw it as the primary basis for their vote. If you confirm Barrett before the election, you lose the momentum and encouragement behind these voters. This gives no urgency for Republicans to vote, an especially important factor in an election amidst a pandemic that will likely depress turnout.

Meanwhile, Democrats are weaponizing the issue against you. Their rhetoric of a conservative court threatening to take away health care joined with ads displaying your hypocrisy from 2016, such as with Senator Lindsey Graham, enables the opposition to mobilize their voters. Democrats are angry and ready to turnout over this SCOTUS pick, just like they were four years ago. We won, but that was because our voters were ready to turnout as well. The difference this time, however, is that you are putting the cart before the horse. Confirming Barrett before the election leaves no impetus for Republicans to turnout, but the anger of Democrats will live on and carry them to polling sites.

Another area of backlash goes beyond the polls as we consider the makeup of the Supreme Court itself.

Democrats have threatened to pack the court if you follow through on the Barrett nomination, expanding the Court’s

size until there is a clear liberal majority. If this is done, the Court will lose all legitimacy and become purely a partisan body. Whenever one side gains power in the White House and the Senate, more justices will be added to sway the majority, and again once the opposition comes into power.

This cycle will continually repeat itself. The pretense that court precedent and case law will change based on partisan interests removes the judicial aspect of a judge’s role, reducing them to partisan actors. We cannot allow this to happen and must ensure the integrity of the Court remains solid.

This is only possible by holding the confirmation hearings and votes until after the election.

There is no need for political expediency for this pick.

President Trump warns of a 4-4 tie in the Court that could ultimately decide the election due to our unique circumstances. However, five of the remaining eight justices are conservative, reducing the likelihood of a tie among ideological lines. Even so, you were not worried in 2016 about a tie in the Supreme Court during the election. Consistency is key.

My position is not from the Democrats, or anywhere outside the party. It is from within the party, among others that are also critical of your actions. I look at a party consumed by partisanship and unaware of its duty to voters with increasing worry and dread. You should have waited until after the election. If Republicans lose the White House, the Senate, or both, it will be on your hands.

Blake Ziegler is a sophomore at Notre Dame from New Orleans, Louisiana, with double majors in political science and philosophy. He loves anything politics, especially things he doesn’t agree with. For inquiries, he can be reached at bziegler@nd.edu or @NewsWithZig on Twitter if you want to see more of his opinions.

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

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The observer | wednesday, september 30, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

For the Oreos Sydni Brooks Everything is Fine

As I continue to grow into adulthood, I’ve reflected constantly on the journey of my identity. I was born and raised by incredible Black parents and loved by a proud, Black family, yet I attended a predominately white school (PWI) for 14 years before college. Though I love and appreciate every aspect of my childhood, the stark contrast of cultures I lived in made me conscious of the identity I was forming. Many of the people around me made me hyperaware of the choice I had to make between which culture I would represent.

Beginning in elementary school, several Black peers expressed I embodied different qualities than the majority of the Black community. Family members told me I “acted white and preppy” because I spoke differently than them, and Black classmates addressed the absurdity in the vast amount of studying I did for class. It “wasn’t in their nature” to study for long hours like I did, and they were sure to negatively point out how hard I focused in school. My friends called me the “Oreo” of the group, because though I appeared Black in skin tone, I exuded the attitudes and persona of a white person. Several Black peers questioned why I wasn’t familiar with certain rap artists, encouraging me to lie about my music interests when asked and keep my preferences private.

As my Black friends made subtle comments about the discrepancies in my passions compared to theirs, I wasn’t completely included in white spaces either. White students made comments about my collard greens and stews my mom would pack me for lunch, and some days I wouldn’t eat my lunch out of fear of embarrassment. It was awkward correcting teachers daily for continuing to call me by the names of other Black students who look nothing like me, and I felt extremely uncomfortable reading novels in an African-American vernacular English accent to “stay true

to the text.” I was asked on multiple occasions if I was from Africa, and after the 2016 election, I was asked if I was ready to be sent back to Africa. I thought I had made it quite clear I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the only place I would be returning to after school was my house 20 minutes from campus.

As I prepared to start my college career at Notre Dame, I thought my experiences would be recognized and supported, but I was met with some difficulty in the beginning of my journey. Some family members sneered when I expressed I was attending yet another Catholic, private PWI, indicating how my preppy and white demeanor hadn’t changed since middle school. I was unwelcome to associate with certain friend groups because I socialized with friends of a different race. Academically, I continued to attend classes with professors who seemed uncomfortable discussing the sociology of the Black experience, unable to control their quick, awkward glances at me who was usually the only Black student in the room.

While the persistent comments, sneers and microaggressions were annoying, exhausting and unnecessary, these remarks and actions weren’t the most taxing concept in these situations. The distinction each race’s self-proclaimed archetype made between me and them eradicated the space for me to belong to any community. I was too white for the Black kids to integrate with and too Black for the white kids to resonate with. I didn’t belong to a friend group, and I didn’t have a concrete identity to cling to, yet my efforts to force myself into an unwelcome space were helpless because no one likes a try hard.

So I stopped trying.

I graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA and a multitude of extracurricular activities in athletics, service, music and paid work. I am attending one of the country’s top 30 colleges, and I am studying for a career in the medical field. I have tried incredibly hard in several other facets of my life; I am not about to try in the one category that I don’t have to

— being myself.

Unapologetically, I am a Black woman, and no musical interests, vernacular or increase in IQ points is going to change that. It should go without saying intelligence is not a color, and if working hard academically makes me an outcast, at least I’ll be an outcast with a degree. I am allowed to be Black and enjoy any genre of music. I am allowed to be Black and have friends of all shades and cultural backgrounds. I don’t need to choose between who I resonate with more to appease a specific group of people; I’m the only person that I need to appease.

I write this not to seek pity from a situation I’ve already learned to grow from. I write this for Black students who have felt or continue to feel they must choose between two identities to be accepted or appreciated. I write this for students who can’t find a place to belong because they don’t believe they are enough for either category, and their interests don’t quite fit any mold. Every Black experience is different, which includes yours. You can’t choose between multiple parts of your identity because you will always lose part of yourself in the pieces you don’t choose. You don’t have Black pieces or white pieces; you have pieces of your Black story from different categories, and each piece is more than valid. You don’t need to erase part of yourself to make space for someone else’s comfortability with you. You only need to make space for you and every unique piece that comes with you.

Sydni Brooks is junior at Notre Dame majoring in English with a supplemental major in pre-health and a minor in Africana Studies. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, she has made Flaherty Hall her campus home.

She aspires to be a gynecologist to serve women from all backgrounds in the medical field. Sydni can be reached at sbrooks2@nd.edu or @sydnimaree22 on Twitter.

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

Basic questions about UBI Justice Mory In the Interest of Justice

What is Universal Basic Income?

Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a proposed program that would provide citizens with a certain amount of income periodically, without strict restrictions on who can receive this benefit. In the US, the most popular version of the proposal is monthly payments of $1,000 to adult US citizens regardless of employment status. This concept is gaining momentum and has been described as something that may become necessary in the future to account for rapid change in the shift of employment.

Why do we need a Universal Basic Income?

By 2030, nearly 40% of jobs in the US could be automated.

With robotics and artificial intelligence either replacing jobs or drastically changing the skills needed to perform certain jobs, there likely will be a large shift in the overall job market.

McKinsey & Company estimates that “between 400 million and 800 million individuals could be displaced by automation and need to find new jobs by 2030 around the world.”

Besides this future threat of automation and the loss of jobs or the need to transition for many to new jobs, there are other reasons UBI is needed. Human beings deserve dignity and basic needs, and unfortunately in some places, this is hard to deliver. According to the US census, “about one in eight Americans still lived below the poverty line — $25,465 for a family with two adults and two children.” With a UBI in place, a two adult household would be lifted just about to the current poverty line.

Additionally, as we have seen with a crisis that affects employment such as the COVID-19 pandemic, people are struggling to make ends meet and pay for their necessities, and the government is slow to react and has proven unable to provide the financial support for its citizens when needed in a timely and sufficient manner. The UBI would eliminate some of the need unemployment aid in times of a crisis, as well as the catastrophes of not being able to pass such measures, such as people being evicted from their homes.

What would Universal Basic Income do? What are the benefits?

The biggest reason for UBI is the increase of freedom and flexibility it would provide US citizens. It could help break the cycle of poverty by allowing people to gain skills, education, or pursue small business development or other passions with additional income giving them the financial security to do so. It would be a catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation, while also providing people with enough money to take care of basic needs such as rent, food, and childcare. As opposed to unemployment, this income would not be based on working status, so people would not have disincentive to work, since the income is guaranteed at a level meant to augment employment income, not replace it. By not making any requirements to earn this income, besides being 18 years or older, the costs of administering or deciding who qualifies would not be an issue. Another benefit is that this program would empower workers, who no longer need to keep exploitive jobs at employers just to survive with UBI, granting them leverage.

UBI also improves the health and well-being of citizens among many other areas of life.

Is this socialism?

No, Universal Basic Income has nothing to do with revolutionizing the current system in terms of the ownership of the means of production. UBI is just an addition to capitalism, that protects people from falling through the floor unlike the current system. Research suggests that UBI will enhance the economy as markets and businesses will be bolstered by consumers who now have more purchasing power. Andrew Yang describes UBI as “pro-growth, promarket, and pro-consumer” and fundamental in a “trickleup economy.”

Who supports Universal Basic Income?

Activist Martin Luther King Jr: “I’m now convinced that the simplest approach will be the most effective — the solution to poverty is to abolish it directly by a now widely discussed measure: the guaranteed income.”

Former Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang: “I’m a

capitalist, and I believe that universal basic income is necessary for capitalism to continue.”

CEO of Tesla and SpaceX Elon Musk: “What to do about mass unemployment? This is going to be a massive social challenge. And I think ultimately we are going to have some sort of universal basic income. I don’t think we have any choice.”

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg: “Every generation expands its definition of equality .... We should explore ideas like universal basic income to make sure everyone has a cushion to try new ideas.”

How will we pay for it?

There are many ways to pay for it, and one common proposal is the institution of a value-added tax on goods, notably not on grocery or clothing goods (as to not have an impact on the price of those goods). By instituting this, inflation should not occur any more than normal, since new money is not being added into the economy. Value-added taxes make it harder for large companies to avoid paying their fair share of taxes, and the vast majority of countries already have this in place. To pay for UBI, Andrew Yang (one of the most popular proponents of this system) would implement a value-added tax of 10%, which is about half of the rate in the European Union. Costs would also be expected to lower in other areas of government operations, as UBI would be expected to lower the need for other programs such as incarceration and health programs, as the US population would become more stable and healthier.

Additionally, research suggests this would grow the economy, furthering the justification on a cost level.

Justice Mory is majoring in Business Analytics and is part of the John W. Gallivan Program in Journalism, Ethics and Democracy. He is from Southern California and now lives in Duncan Hall. His main goal is to keep learning and to continue to become more informed.

He can be reached at jmory@nd.edu or @JmoryND on Twitter.

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

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Crossword | Will Shortz

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Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Pay attention to expiration dates, personal documents and money matters. Aim to be fully prepared to take on an unexpected change. Leave nothing to chance, and it will put your mind at ease. A disconnect with someone you’ve known a long time will encourage you to take control and do things your way. Romance and a lifestyle change are favored. Your numbers are 7, 15, 23, 29, 32, 46, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take pride in what you do. You will be judged by what you complete and what you leave unfinished. Put a plan in place that will ensure you take care of business before moving on to preferable pastimes. Romance is favored.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A change of mind will lead to benefits. Follow your gut feeling when dealing with work-related situations. Refuse to put your health at risk.

Protect children and those most vulnerable. Stand up for your rights. Set a good example.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Align yourself with like-minded people. There is safety and strength in numbers. If you want to bring about change, you have to fight for what you want. Don’t let a smooth-talking outsider take advantage of you or your loved ones.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Strive to make a change that allows you to use creative skills to get ahead. A partnership will change the way you view life and how you live.

Don’t settle for less when a slight adjustment can make your experience better. You deserve the best possble outcome.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Keep a close watch over your possessions, finances and domestic situation. Aim to please, but not at the expense of your health or position.

Anger will not help you get your way, but preparation and organization will.

Romance is encouraged.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Different directions will entice you. Listen to what others say, and you’ll get a sense of what will work in your favor. A systematic move will help build a strong base to implement the changes you want to bring about.

However, always be sure to stay trute to yourself and not bend to outrageous demands.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t argue over something you cannot change. Your energy is valuable and should be allocated to more important endeavors. Consider every angle, and you will recognize how best to get around someone who is trying to take advantage of you. Focus on self-improvement and meaningful relationships.

Romance is on the rise.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Bring about the changes that make you happy. Let go of situations that are holding you back or making you miserable. Use your imagination, and create a plan to help you achieve a lifestyle geared toward personal growth and inner peace.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Think twice before you share personal information. Someone will be searching for a way to make you look bad. An emotional situation will escalate if you act on an assumption or get involved in gossip. Concentrate on enlightenment.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): It’s OK to do things differently. A unique idea will encourage you to diversify and use your skills and knowledge to up your income.

A domestic change will push you to make adjustments that will bring you peace of mind.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Evaluate your lifestyle, relationships with others and the ways you keep fit. Setting up a routine will encourage better health, proper diet and achieving your goals. Putting romance back in your life will bring you closer to someone you love.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Use your imagination, strive to be unique and don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and insights into trends. Pay attention to not only what your brain tells you, but your heart as well. A change will improve your vision regarding how you handle your money, health and contractual matters.

Birthday Baby: You are passionate, intense and unpredictable. You are assertive and energetic.

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Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek

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2020 MLB postseason preview: Wild Card round Andrew McGuinness Sports Writer

We made it. There were times when it looked like coronavirus would end the season prematurely, times when the owners’ and players’ greed threatened having a season at all and probably times where your favorite team looked like they might not make it here.

But in the end, we have reached the 2020 MLB postseason. This year’s field is larger than ever, with baseball expanding from 10 postseason teams to 16, granting a batch of mediocre clubs that would usually be on the golf links right now a second wind to their season. For the first time ever, every team will be competing in a best-of-three Wild Card round, with every game played at the higher seed’s park. The winners will travel to bubbles to carry out the rest of postseason play. Who’s made it to baseball’s big dance, and who is slated to come out on top?

National League No. 1 Los Angeles Dodgers (43-17) vs. No. 8 Milwaukee Brewers (29-31) It’s a rematch of the 2018 NLCS, where the Dodgers made their second-straight World Series appearance only to fall short. Much like the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, the Dodgers are just too good to suffer another humiliating first-round defeat. Mookie Betts is the biggest addition in baseball since last season, and he and company have been as good as advertised. Add in a struggling Brewers lineup and suspect rotation, and this is LA’s series to lose. Granted, that hasn’t stopped them before. But still, Dodgers in two.

No. 2 Atlanta Braves (3525) vs. No. 7 Cincinnati Reds (31-29) Cincinnati has been my dark horse team for a while, as I really like their team on paper and they have one of the best 1-2-3 rotation punches in baseball. Touching Trevor Bauer and Luis Castillo will be tough.

But much like Los Angeles, the Braves have a chip on their shoulder after allowing 13 runs in a do-or-die Game 5 last year in the NLDS. Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park saw more home runs than any ballpark this year, but the entire series will be in Atlanta’s Truist Park, which ranked 17th in long

balls. Ronald Acuna, Jr., fresh off his 2020-record 495-foot home run stroke, will lead the Braves to their first series victory since 2001. Braves in three.

No. 3 Chicago Cubs (34-26) vs. No. 6 Miami Marlins (31-29) In their 28-year history, the Marlins have only made two postseason appearances, both as a Wild Card team. Both times they have won the World Series. It’s their first meeting with the Cubs in the playoffs since the infamous Steve Bartman series, but unfortunately, it comes in the typical “learning experience” year for Miami. They don’t have a true superstar like the ‘97 and ‘03 champions. Chicago’s big bats like Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo are bound to turn things around sooner rather than later. Cubs in three.

No. 4 San Diego Padres (3723) vs. No. 5 St. Louis Cardinals (30-28) I’ll opt for consistency in picking a battle-tested veteran club over exciting youth.

Yes, the Padres are a popular World Series darkhorse sporting the third best record in the Majors (and yet they’re the No. 4 seed — thanks, MLB!) with exciting youth and star power. Fernando Tatis Jr. is an absolute stud, and Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado are living up to their mega deals. They have an NL Rookie of the Year favorite in Jake Cronnenworth.

However, the Cardinals have a knack for winning series they don’t deserve to, and if this year is the end for catcher Yadier Molina, it won’t come in this series. They have a young star of their own in Dylan Carlson, and in a tight series, their veteran presence will be the difference maker, as much as I hate to admit it. Cardinals in three.

American League No. 1 Tampa Bay Rays (4020) vs. No. 8 Toronto Blue Jays (32-28) The Rays have one of the most unorthodox rosters in the MLB — the league’s lowest payroll with no one truly playing over their heads. Yet somehow they have the best record in the AL for the first time since 2010.

Continuing the theme, the Blue Jays’ young core is playing with house money rather than for a ring, and Tampa should knock them off without much trouble.

Toronto will be back before long, but for now, Rays in two.

No. 2 Oakland Athletics (3624) vs. No. 7 Chicago White Sox

(35-25) Missing Matt Chapman is a devastating blow for the A’s in this battle of teams that haven’t won a series in a long time. Oakland’s bullpen is great, but the Sox potent lineup featuring MVP contender Jose Abreu and top prospect turned ROY candidate Luis Robert should push their rotation to the brink. The A’s lineup, which didn’t have a single batter hit over .250, won’t be able to keep up. For the first time in MLB history, both Chicago teams will win a postseason series in the same year. White Sox in three.

No. 3 Minnesota Twins (3624) vs. No. 6 Houston Astros (29-31) Sometimes you have to pick with your heart over your head.

It’s been a trying season for the Astros, even without fans in the stands to relentlessly mock the cheating scandal that tarnished their 2017 title. They’ll be looking to win one fair and square this year (at least we assume so), but the Twins won’t go down easy. Minnesota boasts a stacked lineup and an underrated starting rotation that Houston’s underwhelming offense won’t get to enough.

Without Justin Verlander or Roberto Osuna to lock down the Twins’ bats, a third World Series run for the Astros in the last four years is a tough sell.

Twins in two.

No. 4 Cleveland Indians (3525) vs. No. 5 New York Yankees (33-27) On paper, the Yankees boast one of the top teams in Major League Baseball. However, injuries and poorly timed spells of underperformance from stars like Gary Sanchez and the $300 million man Gerrit Cole led them to a bit of an underwhelming season. Meanwhile, the Indians traded away one of their best starting pitchers during the season after he broke COVID-19 protocols, and the team has little to offer on offense outside of sensational shortstop Francisco Lindor. As much as I’d like to pick Cleveland, this is where I reverse my trend from the Twins-Astros series. We’re getting a condensed carbon-copy of their 2017 ALDS meeting.

Yankees in three.

against Syracuse. Playing alongside Nunez will be junior outside hitter Charley Niego and sophomore outside hitter Caroline Meuth.

The duo each had huge performances in Notre Dame’s matchup against Louisville, totaling 11 and 10 kills respectively. Niego and Meuth were also key contributors for the Irish last season.

Niego earned All-ACC first team honors, while Meuth earned All-ACC second team honors. The hitting pair has already shown they can work effectively with their setter.

Looking at the team’s defense, freshman libero Hattie Monson figures to be the stalwart. The Lisle, Illinois, native came to South Bend ready to play.

JUNYA KANEMITSU | The Observer

Irish setter Zoe Nunez (left) and former middle blocker Kristin Baer during Notre Dame’s 3-0 win over Valparaiso on Sept. 4, 2019.

Contact Andrew McGuiness at amcquinn@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

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Continued from page 16

In her first career game for the Irish, she recorded 20 digs. Monson certainly has the potential to develop into a star for the Irish.

In 2019, she was named a PrepVolleyball.com First Team All-American and an Under Armour Second Team All-American. Guided by the likes of junior libero Lexi Saulny, Monson is expected to grow into her role as a primary defensive contributor and is poised to have a strong series against the Orange.

Going into this series with a 1-0 record, the Irish will be looking to start a winning streak. This series will be the season opener for Syracuse. The Irish can expect a focused Orange team.

With that, stay tuned to watch this Notre Dame team fight to defend their home court.

JUNYA KANEMITSU | The Observer

Irish sophomore outside hitter Caroline Meuth goes for a kill during Notre Dame’s 3-0 win over Valparaiso on Sept. 4, 2019.

sports

M Soccer Continued from page 16

It will be a unique experience playing on the road this year, with many restrictions in place. Many of the typical pregame activities, such as scouting sessions and pregame meals will be socially distanced. Riley said it will be an adjustment.

“Sometimes there’s one way it works on paper and then trying to figure out how it works in reality, once we’re down there,” he said.

The Irish have already faced the Cardinals this year, in an exhibition game which ended in a 1-1 draw.

This game will mean much more, because it is the first of only six conference games. Despite Pittsburgh being an ACC opponent, the game did not count towards conference standings. “[It means] a lot. From here on out, every game is a way to get points towards

ndsmcobserver.com | wednesday, september 30, 2020 | The Observer

the ACC tournament,” Riley said. “Every chance we get to compete now, it is the biggest game of the year.”

Louisville opened the season with back to back 3-1 defeats to Wake Forest and Kentucky. Despite their 0-2 record, Riley Notre Dame is not overlooking them.

“In a shortened schedule and with the teams competing, arguably, every team we’re going to play is a top15 team in a normal year,” Riley said.

“They’ll be at home, they’ll be hungry, so I think it’ll be a good intense contest.”

He also said he was wary of the Cardinals experience.

“They’ve got some good older players,” he said.

“They’ve got some special players individually, that can hurt you.”

He singled out forward Pedro Fonseco as a player Notre Dame would have to work hard to contain.

In such a short season, depth will be especially

important.

“We’ve been really tested properly in the last 10 days with our depth,” Riley said.

“We’ve been down three or four guys in the last couple weeks.”

The Irish have had a number of different players contribute thus far, including multiple freshmen.

“The first-year guys have come in and are challenging for minutes,” Riley said.

Freshman forward Daniel Russo — who scored the only goal in the Irish’s season opening game against Kentucky — and freshman midfielder Matthew Radivojsa — who has managed four shots already — have been among the biggest contributors thus far.

The game will kick off at 2:30 on Saturday at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn stadium and will be streamed on ACCNX. Contact Liam Coolican at lcoolica@nd.edu

Sports Authority

2020 MLB MVP, Cy Young picks John Kalemkerian Sports Writer

This MLB season has been a wild ride, but we’ve finally made it to the playoffs. Although 60 games is a comparatively small sample size, the MLB is (rightfully) still giving out its usual regular-season awards. With no All-Stars this season, the awards are pretty much the only honor that players will have.

Disappointing, yes, but that means that the award recipients will be even more thrilled to be recognized. As the playoffs kick off, it’s a good time to look at the players who had standout regular seasons that should go home with MVP or Cy Young trophies after the voting concludes.

American League

JUNYA KANEMITSU | The Observer

Sophomore midfielder P.J. Bujouves plays the ball during Notre Dame’s 4-2 loss to Clemson last year.

Saturday’s match against Louisville will be the first to count toward conference standings for the Irish.

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MVP: José Abreu, Chicago White Sox The White Sox are heading to the postseason for the first time in over a decade, due in large part to the strong play of Abreu. He played all 60 games and led the MLB in hits, RBI and slugging percentage.

The veteran third baseman has competition, but his strong campaign should be enough to edge out DJ LeMahieu, who missed 10 games, and Shane Bieber, who is legitimately in the MVP discussion despite being a pitcher.

Runners Up: DJ LeMahieu, New York Yankees; Shane Bieber, Cleveland Indians Cy Young: Shane Bieber, Cleveland Indians After coming in fourth in Cy Young voting last year, Bieber is a shoe-in this season as the clearcut best pitcher in the AL. He

claimed the pitching triple crown (leading the MLB in wins, ERA and strikeouts) and was arguably the most dominant player in the league this year. Bieber seemingly came out of nowhere, accelerating himself from the second tier of pitchers last season to become the ace of a strong rotation this season. Even though he probably won’t be the first pitcher since Justin Verlander in 2011 to take home MVP honors, the Cy Young is all but on his shelf.

Runners-Up: Kenta Maeda, Minnesota Twins; Liam Hendricks, Oakland Athletics

National League MVP: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers After being the centerpiece of the biggest trade of the offseason, Mookie didn’t disappoint in his first season in Los Angeles. He led the league in WAR and was the heart of the most consistent offense in the league this season.

Betts and the Dodgers are on the fast track to a World Series title if he keeps up his MVP-level play.

Betts will have strong competition from Fernando Tatis Jr., who deservedly received heaps of media coverage for bringing the Padres out of baseball purgatory and into the heart of the playoff picture.

Tatis Jr. tailed off however, slashing under .200 over the last three weeks of the season, while Betts remained strong. Expect the right fielder to collect his second MVP. Runners-Up: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres; Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves Cy Young: Yu Darvish, Chicago Cubs Perhaps the most contested of these four awards, the NL Cy Young race came down to the wire, and the season finished with no clear cut favorite. Darvish posted a blistering 2.01 ERA in his third season with the Cubs while striking out 93 batters over 76 innings. A strong rebound campaign, Darvish is very deserving of the Cy Young. Mets stalwart Jacob deGrom was amazing as usual, and could end up walking away with the award for the third straight year (the first time this feat would be completed since Randy Johnson won four in a row in the early 2000s). The Reds’ Trevor Bauer also has a good case, finishing with an even 100 strikeouts and a 1.73 ERA. A 5-4 record is a blemish on his clean season though, and I have Darvish slightly edging out his fellow hurlers.

Runners-Up: Jacob deGrom, New York Mets; Trevor Bauer, Cincinnati Reds Contact John Kalemkerian at jkalemke@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

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Fantasy Football Week 4: Running backs on rise Gavin Aitken, Jamison Cook, John Kalemkerian, Andrew McGuiness, Justice Mory and Sam Ouhaj Sports Writers

We didn’t see a rash of major injuries in Week 3 of the NFL season as in the week prior, but we still gleaned some useful information for fantasy league participants out there. See who our Fantasy Corner crew believes you need to start and sit in your league this week.

Sam Ouhaj Must start: Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys Say what you want about the Cowboys and their recent struggles over the first three weeks. Despite these struggles, one of the few players who has shined for the Cowboys is quarterback Dak Prescott. Currently, Prescott is averaging 28.3 fantasy points a game, which makes him a top-3 fantasy quarterback. Prescott leads the league in passing yards with 1,188 and shows no signs of slowing down. The Dallas Cowboys are set to face the Cleveland Browns this Sunday, whose defense has already given up 27.5 fantasy points to Lamar Jackson and 24.5 points to Joe Burrow. Prescott is coming off 39.8 and 27.5 point games these last two weeks. Jackson and Burrow each threw for 3 touchdown passes against the Browns defense, and I have all the confidence in the world that Prescott will replicate this success. I have a strong feeling that Prescott is going to have a career game against the Browns this week.

Something worth noting is the Cowboys are returning to Dallas for a three-game home stretch with fans, an advantage that can go the extra mile in a year like this. If you have any of the Cowboys wide receivers, they are a must-play as well.

Must sit: Ronald Jones II, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers It has become clear that despite being the number one running back for the Bucs, Jones has yet to produce points at a consistent level. Jones was a high upside f lex player to start the season, but after three games, I am ready to abandon ship. Jones has yet to break more than 10.7 points this season, and his matchup this week against

the Chargers gives me no justification to even consider starting him. W hile the Chargers are allowing teams to run for a total of 109.3 yards a game, Jones will see time split between Leonard Fournette and on occasion, LeSean McCoy. The Bucs are also a pass-first team with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, so there is little reason for the Bucs to choose the run game. If you have Jones, I would keep him on the bench and maybe look to pick up a new running back through the waiver wire.

W ho to pick up: Myles Gaskin, RB, Miami Dolphins (owned in 45.8% of fantasy leagues) Rex Burkhead, RB, New England Patriots (owned in 28.8% of fantasy leagues)

Gavin Aitken Must play: Mike Davis, RB, Carolina Panthers With Christian McCaffery out with an ankle injury, Davis looks to be the next man up in terms of replacing the monstrous load that McCaffery holds each week.

W hile obviously not expected to be as productive as the Stanford product, Davis has already proven himself to be a sneaky good pick in terms of receiving production, picking up 16 receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown in his last two games. With a favorable matchup against the Arizona Cardinals this week, expect the Panthers to try to get Davis integrated in the lineup as quickly as possible with matchups against NFC South rivals looming in the distance.

Must sit: Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots After watching what the Kansas City Chiefs did to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ passing game this Monday, I don’t exactly have high hopes for production from the wideouts for the Patriots this weekend. Cam Newton will get his production on the ground, but the Chiefs are going to make it really uncomfortable for him to find his preferred targets, Edelman chief among them.

Perhaps the Chiefs experience a let off after their near perfect half of football last weekend, but that’s not something I’m willing to count on in terms of fantasy.

W ho to pick up: Nick Foles, QB, Chicago Bears (owned in 0.6% of fantasy leagues) Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings (owned

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in 17.0% of fantasy leagues)

John Kalemkerian Must start: Melvin Gordon, RB, Denver Broncos Gordon had a disappointing game against the Buccaneers, rushing just eight times for a meager 28 yards. His limited attempts were more a factor of game f low than anything else, as the Broncos fell behind early and were forced to rely almost exclusively on the pass in the second half. This week will be much different for Gordon and the Broncos offense, who get a weak Jets defense to rip apart on Thursday night. Gang Green is 29th against the run so far this season, and even a return of Gordon’s backfield mate Philip Lindsay won’t be enough to limit his touches.

Must sit: Giants RB’s The Giants struggled mightily against a 49ers team largely comprised of second string players last week, and a matchup with the Rams doesn’t appear much — if at all — better.

Dion Lewis, Wayne Gallman and newly-signed Devonta Freeman weren’t able to generate anything on the ground, rushing for a total of 17 yards on 10 carries.

Their leading rusher, quarterback Daniel Jones, actually managed to outgain the combined yardage of the three backs. Yikes. Though Freeman has the potential to carry some standard league value later on in the season, he’s still adapting to the team and this is not a good matchup. Until the Giants offense can have some semblance of functionality without Saquon Barkley, steer clear of this trio of running backs.

W ho to pick up: Allen Lazard, WR, Green Bay Packers (owned in 50.9% of fantasy leagues) Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings (owned in 38.0% of fantasy leagues)

Andrew McGuinness Must start: DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins No team has had a worse pass defense in the early going this year than Seattle.

They’ll be matched up against the Dolphins this week, and while Miami isn’t exactly an offensive juggernaut, their No. 1 wideout DeVante Parker is a solid option this week. Parker appears to be getting back to full health after dealing with a hamstring injury early in

Email Hayden Adams at hadams3@nd.edu

the year, catching all five of his targets last week and putting up a season-high 69 receiving yards. He’ll likely be a prime target once again for Ryan Fitzpatrick, as the Dolphins will likely look to go with more of an air raid look against Seattle this week, benefitting Parker’s potential production (try saying that five times fast).

Must sit: Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns Though his team is over .500 for the first time in over half a decade, Baker hasn’t exactly been the catalyst behind their 2-1 start. Mayfield has yet to put up a performance over 16.5 points in my league (for reference, 25 passing yards is 1 point and a passing touchdown is 4), as the Browns have most relied on their ground game to put up 69 points in the past two weeks. Granted, Dallas’ defense hasn’t been the best so far this season at defending the pass, so it’s not the end of the world if you have to start him. Just know that there are many better options on the table at quarterback this week, and probably one of your team, too.

Pick Up: Keelan Cole, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (owned in 41% of fantasy leagues)

Jamison Cook Must start: James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars The undrafted rookie had his second big week in a row, following up a 21-point performance in Week 2 with a 30.9-point outburst in Week 3 (PPR leagues). Robinson has seen double-digit carries in each of the three games so far this season and has reached the end zone in each of the last two weeks, including twice against the Dolphins in Week 3. Even more notably, however, is the receiving production Robinson showed in Week 3. His six receptions for 83 yards led the Jaguars in both categories. The Bengals suspect defense, which has given up more than 350 yards every week, adds even more appeal to starting Robinson in Week 4, making him a lock for your starting lineup this weekend.

Must sit: AJ Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals It appeared as if the arrival of Joe Burrow in Cincinnati would bring Green back to fantasy relevance, but that has not been the case so far this season. Green has no touchdowns, has only caught

13 passes through the first three weeks of the season and has only topped 50 yards receiving once. His teammate Tyler Boyd has caught 17 passes in the last two weeks, with a touchdown in Week 2 and 125 receiving yards in Week 3. Boyd seems to be the preferred target for Burrow, and this does not bode well for Green owners, especially entering a matchup against a Jaguars defense that ranks 10th against wide receivers in Week 4. Green should stay on your bench until he shows signs of life and the Bengals offensive line shows they can give Burrow enough time in the pocket.

W ho to pick up: Myles Gaskin, RB, Miami Dolphins (owned in 45.8% of fantasy leagues) Cole Beasley, WR, Buffalo Bills (owned in 10.4% of fantasy leagues)

Justice Mory Must start: Denver Broncos defense For people that stream defenses, it has become clear that any team playing the New York Jets merits must start fantasy consideration.

They are still available in the majority of leagues, and with the Jets giving up an average of 13 points to fantasy defenses over the season, this appears to be a strong play.

Must sit: T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts Do not let name recognition cloud your judgement.

Even with a decent matchup against a suspect Bears secondary, T.Y. Hilton has not managed double digit points once this season. W hether it is his chemistry with new Colts quarterback Philip Rivers, game plan, or just age, Hilton is not currently a viable starting option in terms of consistency or upside.

W ho to pick up: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers (owned in 3.6% of fantasy leagues) Jimmy Graham, TE, Chicago Bears (owned in 13% of fantasy leagues) Contact Gavin Aitken at gaitken@nd.edu, Jamison Cook at jcook22@nd.edu, John Kalemkerian at jkalemke@nd.edu, Andrew McGuiness at amcquinn@nd.edu, Justice Mory at jmory@nd.edu and Sam Ouhaj at souhaj@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.

sports

ndsmcobserver.com | wednesday, september 30, 2020 | The Observer

15

Courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics

Irish junior running back C’Bo Flemister (right) runs with the ball while freshman wide receiver Jordan Johnson looks to provide a block during Notre Dame’s 52-0 win over South Florida on Sept. 19. Flemister had a game-high 127 rushing yards to go along with one touchdown as the Irish dominated the Bulls with 292 yards and six scores on the ground.

Football Continued from page 16

policy of athletes isolating for 10 days and quarantine for 14, it is unclear if the Irish will face the Seminoles on the established date. Depending on when positive tests were reported, the Irish may not be able to give key players ample practice time ahead of another game.

The tilt with the Demon Deacons was pushed to Dec. 12, a date which served as a built-in buffer for ACC teams by the conference. The ACC Championship is scheduled for Dec. 19, and no additional plans have been made public if the Irish must postpone another game.

However, while thngs were looking dire for Notre Dame’s prospects of a season, good news came from the Irish football camp.

Following the news on Monday that 18 players tested positive for COVID-19, head coach Brian Kelly addressed the media on Tuesday, confirming that the outbreak was

W Soccer Continued from page 16

led the team with six goals, five assists and 17 points last season. Van Zanten also returns for Notre Dame looking to build on her four goals from 2019, two of which were game winners. Overall, the Irish are bringing back 90.3% of their scoring, 92% of their assists and 93% of their total points from last season.

On the defensive side, Notre Dame returns senior Jenna Winebrenner and junior Jade Gosar, both of whom started 19 games a season ago. The Irish also brought in nine freshmen who will look to make an immediate impact in the pandemic-shortened season.

ACC All-Freshman honoree

linked to a shared meal and a vomiting player during the weekend of the South Florida game.

The Irish beat the Bulls 52-0 on Sept. 19 at home before suspending all team activity on Sept. 22 due to seven positive tests that were conducted the day before. Their Sept. 26 matchup against Wake Forest was postponed until Dec. 12 as they continued to quarantine and test members of the team.

Tuesday, the team announced an additional 18 positive tests and a total of 39 players in either quarantine or isolation.

According to Kelly, team doctors traced this outbreak back to two events during the weekend of the Bulls matchup. Prior to the game, the team had a meal together, something Kelly said was a first for the team.

“Throughout our entire time together, we had not had one meal where we sat down together. Everything was grab and go,” Kelly said. “We get into our game situation where we have a pregame meal together, and that cost us. Big. We had somebody who was asymptomatic, and it spread like

Sam Smith is the leading returning scorer for Boston College, and she will be joined by 10 new teammates — including eight freshmen — on the 2020 roster.

The Eagles have not played a game this season, making them the only women’s soccer team in the ACC yet to take the field.

Notre Dame and Boston College did not meet at all during the 2019 season. The Irish finished tied for eighth in the ACC with a conference record of 4-4-2, while the Eagles finished dead last at 1-8-1. In a season with only eight conference games, it will be crucial for the Irish to defend their home turf, especially if they hope to catch conference leader North Carolina, who already sits at 3-0 in the ACC.

wildfire throughout our meeting area where we were eating and then it got guys in contact tracing.”

During the game, one player was vomiting on the sidelines and was treated for dehydration. That player later tested positive for COVID-19.

“In trying to discern the difference between somebody who may be dehydrated in a game and having the effects of COVID on the sideline, [it] becomes very tricky,” Kelly said.

Kelly said going forward that this experience has served as a reminder of the importance to remain vigilant in public health measures at all times.

“The basic parameters of this are still in play, and you’ve got to be diligent with them, even when it’s right up to game time, and that’s the lesson we learned,” he said.

According to a Sept. 28 tweet by the team account, despite having 39 players currently in quarantine or isolation, the team has “resumed conditioning activities, and will continue to adhere to testing protocols and procedures throughout this week and the season.”

Courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics

Irish junior C’Bo Flemister carries the ball during Notre Dame’s 52-0 shutout win over South Florida on Sept. 19 at Notre Dame Stadium.

Allison thornton | The Observer

Irish sophomre forward Kiki Van Zanten runs down the field during Notre Dame’s 3-2 home loss to Iowa on Sept. 15, 2019. Van Zanten recorded four goals as a freshman last year, includiing two game-winners.

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The observer | wednesday, september 30, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com

nd men’s soccer

nd volleyball

ND to open home slate against Cuse Observer Staff Report

The Notre Dame volleyball team w ill face off against Sy racuse on Friday in Purcell Pav ilion. The Irish w ill be hosting Sy racuse for a two game series. This is the second game of the season for Notre Dame. After sweeping Louisv ille 3-0 Friday, the Irish are ready to take on the Orange in their home debut.

With only two seniors on the team, this w ill be a tr y ing series for the Irish. Senior setter Monroe Olsen and senior middle blocker Hannah Thompson are going to lead the team throughout the season. The pair didn’t contribute much in 2019, w ith Olsen totaling 10 digs and 10 kills in 36 sets, while Thompson had 20 kills and 15 blocks in 25 sets. However, the two are the most experienced players on the team in terms of years in the program and w ill be expected to ser ve as the leaders of this team.

Squad to play first official conference game

This is head coach Mike Johnson’s third season at the helm for the Irish. Johnson guided his team to the NCA A Tournament last season. He coached a record number of A ll-ACC team nominations in his first season w ith the Irish. Hav ing coached a number of his players for multiple seasons, it is going to be exciting to see what Johnson can piece together this year. Sy racuse is going to have a lot to handle in terms of team strateg y and chemistr y.

Johnson w ill be rely ing on a number of key players in the upcoming series against the Orange. On the offensive end, junior setter Zoe Nunez is the main facilitator for the Irish and had 32 assists against Louisv ille. Last year, she earned A ll-ACC first team honors. Her role as a setter is going to be important in leading the charge

Junya Kanemitsu | The Observer

Notre Dame (1-1, 0-0 ACC) will travel to Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday to take on the Louisville Cardinals (0-2, 0-0 ACC) for their first road game of the year. The Irish are coming off a 3-1 loss at home against Pittsburgh.

“We were just a little bit off,” head coach Chad Riley said of the game. “There were a lot of little things we could just do a little bit better.”

Riley especially wants his team to continue communicating at a high level.

“Something that we’ve tried to work on a lot over the last year is our communication within the game, especially if you don’t have the ball,” Riley said. “I think those have been really strong. We need to continue to do that if we’re going to make the progress we want to make.”

see VOLLEYBALL PAGE 12

Irish sophomore defender Reese Mayer heads the ball during Notre Dame’s 4-2 loss to Clemson on Sept. 13, 2019 at Alumni Stadium.

see M SOCCER PAGE 13

By LIAM COOLICAN Sports Writer

nd women’s soccer

Football

Kelly says pregame meal cause of positive tests

Irish to host BC in home opener

Observer Staff Report

Observer Staff Report

Notre Dame football conducted 273 COV ID-19 tests on team personnel from Tuesday of last week through Sunday of this week with 18 of resulting in positive tests, Notre Dame football’s public relations team said in a Monday tweet.

This comes after Notre Dame postponed its Sept. 26 contest with Wake Forest as a result of 11 positive tests after its Sept. 19 matchup with South Florida. This brought the team’s totals to 13 players in isolation and 10 in quarantine.

Seven of last week’s 18 positive tests were already in quarantine after the South Florida test results. The Irish now have 25 players in isolation with 14 more in quarantine.

Notre Dame has an alreadyscheduled bye for this week and is slated to face Florida State on Oct. 10. Given the

Notre Dame women’s soccer w ill host Boston College on Thursday, Oct. 1 in an early season ACC contest.

The Irish are only t wo games into their 2020 season, w ith one w in and one loss. The Irish v isited Florida State to open the season, but the trip ended w ith a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Seminoles.

They bounced back w ith a 6-0 w in over the Miami (FL) Hurricanes to complete the road trip and even their record at 1-1.

The Irish now return home to a spectator-less A lumni Stadium for the 2020 home opener, seeking to bring some balance to their young season. The Eagles are looking to start their season off on the right foot as they w ill take the field for their first game of the season on Thursday.

In the loss to Florida State, Notre Dame failed to put pressure on the Seminoles for the entiret y of the

see FOOTBALL PAGE 15

Courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics

Irish graduate student quarterback Ian Book attempts a pass during Notre Dame’s 52-0 win over South Florida on Sept. 19.

contest, only managing to get one of their t wo shots on target. The Irish also struggled on the defensive side of the ball, giv ing up five goals — three of which were unassisted.

The v isit to Miami, however, showed a completely different Irish team. Notre Dame jumped out to a quick lead w ith senior midfielder Sammi Fisher’s penalt y kick goal less than eight minutes into the match and controlled the action throughout. Fisher added a second goal in the second half, and sophomore for ward Kiki Van Zanten led the way w ith a hat trick. Junior for ward Oliv ia Wingate also scored for the Irish.

Notre Dame was also dominant defensively, allow ing just one shot on target over the course of 90 minutes.

Fisher, who was an A ll-ACC Third Team selection a year ago, returns this season to anchor the Irish midfield. She see W SOCCER PAGE 15