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Volume 52, Issue 6 | monday, august 28, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
University updates Title IX policy Two additional deputy Title IX coordinators hired; ‘alternative resolution’ process added as option By KATIE GALIOTO Managing Editor
The University implemented a number of changes to its process of reporting and resolving cases of sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking at the beginning of the academic year. The changes included the hiring of two additional deputy Title IX coordinators, an increase in the role of the deputy Title IX coordinator in the administrative resolution process — which can result in disciplinary consequences
— and the new option of pursuing an “alternative resolution” in lieu of disciplinary action. “We always get feedback about incidents that have occurred,” University vice president for student affairs Erin Hoffmann Harding said. “We’ve made a variety of changes trying to be responsive to what we’ve learned and how we can be more supportive of all students.” These changes were rolled out in the midst of an unsettled lawsuit against Notre Dame filed in April by a former student — referred to as “John Doe” — alleging
Notre Dame Trail participants walk in Fr. Sorin’s steps
he was unjustly dismissed from the University less than a month before his graduation. Doe was experiencing episodic depression and suicidal thoughts in the summer and fall of 2016, according to the original lawsuit, and sent related texts to his girlfriend — referred to as “Jane Roe” — over the course of months. Roe perceived the texts as sexual harassment and dating violence and reported the incidences to deputy Title IX coordinator Heather Ryan on Oct. 14, according to documents from a preliminary injunction hearing in the Northern District Court of
Indiana. After an investigation and subsequent administrative hearing, the University found Doe in violation of its sexual harassment policy and expelled him, with an opportunity to re-enroll at a later date. The lawsuit alleges Notre Dame mishandled the case and conducted an investigation full of “procedural flaws, lack of due process and inherent gender bias, designed to ensure that male students accused of any type of sexual misconduct or harassment — concepts that do not apply to John’s conduct — are found responsible.”
Judge Philip Simon ordered the University to permit Doe to take his final exams in May, stating in his order following an April 28 injunction hearing that “the University’s limits on hearing testimony — particularly the application of its narrow witness standard — might be found to be arbitrary or capricious in several respects.” Notre Dame was required to grade Doe’s work, the order said, but it could still withhold his degree and ban him from campus pending the result of the case. see POLICY PAGE 4
Saint Mary’s professors encourage new minor By GINA TWARDOSZ Associate Saint Mary’s Editor
Saint Mary’s has expanded its list of minors to make way for the start of something new: a musical theatre minor.
Specialist in costume design Melissa Bialko said in an email that she proposed the idea for the minor — which requires 17 credit hours — to her colleagues after years of polling students and alumnae.
“I presented the idea to my wonderful colleagues after several years of polling alums, and after hearing many times that students were interested in such a minor,” she said. “My colleagues in see MINOR PAGE 3
‘Rudy’ screening fosters unity, energizes students PETER ST. JOHN | The Observer
Fr. John Jenkins speaks at a Mass on Bond Quad commemorating the trek Fr. Sorin made to Notre Dame, concluding Notre Dame Trail. By LUCY LYNCH News Writer
175 years ago, on a snow y November day in 1842, Fr. Edward F. Sorin traveled more than 300 miles north from Vincennes, Indiana, to Notre Dame, where he developed his v ision for the Universit y. Over the course of 13 days, thousands of participants walked any where from 15-41 miles each day — some walking the full journey made by Father Sorin — to commemorate the founder’s journey, w ith the
Scene PAGE 5
trek concluding Saturday morning. In a Mass follow ing the venture, Universit y President Fr. John Jenkins said Sorin demonstrated resilience and showcased love in his determination to found the Universit y. He said the original dream constantly expands to include more indiv iduals interested in enhancing the mission of Notre Dame. “That’s the way it’s always been w ith Notre Dame,” see TRAIL PAGE 3
viewpoint PAGE 6
By TOM NAATZ News Writer
On Friday night, thousands of students and community members watched as a “five foot nothing, hundred and nothing” character slipped through a poorly secured gate and into the North Tunnel of Notre Dame Stadium. As he emerged from the tunnel, a wide expanse of green spread before him, anchored by two goalposts. Rows of bleachers ascended to the sky. The diminutive character, dwarfed by the arena that expanded around him, walked awestruck onto the field he was seeing in person for the first time. Previously, this scene was a
Viewpoint PAGE 7
dramatization that existed only in the film “Rudy.” Yet on Friday night, that changed. Thousands of moviegoers relived the title character’s experience and viewed events from his vantage point as they attended Flick on the Field, a screening of the iconic Notre Dame movie on the stadium’s new video board. For co-directors of student life on the executive cabinet of student government, Caitlin Murphy and Tim O’Connell, the event was a capstone to several months of planning and coordination between the administration and various student groups. “We were approached about the idea by a couple of people our first few weeks,” O’Connell said. “We started to push it up in
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the next few weeks to vice president for campus events and security Mike Seamon, who immediately brought in higher ups in the administration.” According to Murphy, collaboration was key. “Intense planning started last week,” Murphy said. “Casey St. Aubin with the Division of Student Affairs was integral in planning the event.” Most of the planning was handled by the administration and happened over the summer, Murphy said. He said he and O’Connell both envisioned an event reminiscent of last year’s presidential debate watch on South Quad. see RUDY PAGE 4
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