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Volume 51, Issue 61 | friday, december 2, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com
Jenkins considers Trump, graduation University President remains undecided on 2017 Commencement speaker, discusses impact of election By KATIE GALIOTO News Editor
Three weeks ago, students crowded around TV screens, watching as votes trickled in from around the country. Some cheered. Some cried. Across campus, emotions ran high as one of the most divisive election seasons in American history drew to a close. Now, the country is starting to look forward and examine the implications of Donald Trump’s victory — and for University President Fr. John Jenkins, that means pondering what the election means for Notre Dame. In an interview with The Observer on Thursday, Jenkins said he is considering inviting the President-elect to speak at this year’s Commencement ceremony.
“I do think the elected leader of the nation should be listened to. And it would be good to have that person on the campus — whoever they are, whatever their views,” he said. “At the same time, the 2009 Commencement was a bit of a political circus, and I think I’m conscious that that day is for graduates and their parents — and I don’t want to make the focus something else.” Traditionally, the University has invited presidents to speak at graduation during their first year in White House. In 2009, President Barack Obama was the sixth president to deliver the Commencement address, following in the steps of Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush. Jenkins said he plans to select a see JENKINS PAGE 4
JOSEPH HAN and CHRIS COLLINS | The Observer
Students demand fossil fuel divestment By MEGAN VALLEY Associate News Editor
A month after their last demonstration, more than 20 students involved with Fossil Free ND presented a petition with 1,183 signatures to University President Fr. John Jenkins’ office Thursday afternoon. “We’re asking that Notre Dame live up to the mandates of our Catholic faith and fully divest from the top 200 fossil fuel companies and set a target of 100 percent renewable energy on campus by
2050, which we think are reasonable goals and goals that other universities have done. We’re asking Notre Dame to step up to the plate as well,” fifth-year student Bryan Ricketts said. Jenkins was not in his office, but the petition was delivered to his chief of staff, Ann Firth Currently, 4 percent of the University’s endowment funds are invested in fossil fuel companies. Jenkins has said there are no plans to change that number in the near future. On Sept. 20, Jenkins announced
Speakers address Catholicism, LGBT inclusion By LUCAS MASIN-MOYER News Writer
When in 2013, Pope Francis, referring to gay and lesbian persons, said “who am I to judge?” he sparked a conversation on the Catholic Church’s stance on LGBT issues that has continued
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over the past few years. In a panel hosted by Campus Ministry, PrismND and the Gender Relations Center on Thursday evening in DeBartolo Hall, professor of theology at Providence College Dana Dillon and Dr. see PANEL PAGE 4
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the University’s five-year sustainability plan, which included eliminating coal usage on campus by 2020 and providing at least 25 percent of the University’s energy from renewable resources by 2050. “A few weeks ago, 47 developing countries committed to going 100 percent renewable,” senior Sophia Chau said. “I feel like if they’re able to do that, we — as the world’s leading Catholic university — should be able to set a more ambitious goal than just 25 percent renewable by 2050. “I hope this will bring attention
to the disappointment regarding Notre Dame’s sustainability goals on campus, and I hope that the administration will be more willing to engage in meaningful and fruitful dialogue with students and faculty.” Before the petition was delivered, the students gathered in front of the steps of Main Building for a brief prayer service. Senior Luke Hamel said the prayer was written in seven sections, one for each Catholic social teaching. “Each section starts off with a description of that Catholic social teaching and then a personal
story of someone around the world who’s been affected personally by climate change,” he said. “Climate change is affecting real people; it’s affecting them now, and we want to share that through prayer and make sure the whole message that Catholics have to protect the most poor and vulnerable is clear.” During the service, students held up painted cardboard signs, reading statements like “planet over profit” and “the climate is a common good.” see FOSSIL FREE PAGE 3
Saint Mary’s to host annual Madrigal Dinner By STEPHANIE SNYDER News Writer
The Saint Mary’s Department of Music will present their 44th annual Madrigal Christmas Dinner Celebration in the North Lounge of Regina Hall this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. According to Nancy Menk, the chair of the music department and the person responsible for
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putting the program together, the dinner — like other madrigal dinners — is a re-creation of a 16th century holiday feast. “The idea is that it takes place in a manor and the lord of the manor hosts guests from the community,” she said. “The dinner includes entertainment, instruments, dancers and there is sort of a little play going on during the dinner.”
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The choir group who performs at the dinner, or the “Madrigals,” have been rehearsing for the dinner since October, sophomore Riley Harber said. “I do women’s choir four hours a week and this is an additional two, which is challenging, but definitely worth it,” Harber, a member of the see MADRIGAL PAGE 4
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