Print Edition of The Observer for Wednesday, August 23, 2017

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The independent

To uncover

newspaper serving

the truth

Notre Dame and

and report

Saint Mary’s

it accurately

Volume 52, Issue 3 | wednesday, august 23, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com

Blais, Shewit outline plans for year ahead Student government president and vice president pursue greater involvement in campus life By RACHEL O’GRADY Assistant Managing Editor

It was a busy summer for student body president and vice president Becca Blais and Sibonay Shewit. Between securing a bike-sharing program on campus, improving their diversity and inclusion initiatives, executing a Flick on the Field event and laying important groundwork with University Health Services, they’re ticking items off their to-do list every day. But as the year actually gets started, Blais said she is excited to focus on the students. “I think the biggest thing … is just a growing presence of student government

in people’s lives,” Blais said. “W hat I want is, at the end of the day, if you pluck a random student off the sidewalk and say, like, ‘how does student government help you? ’ they’ll be able to name something. We’re just doing small, tangible things.” That starts with her team — Shewit, her vice president, and Prathm Juneja, their chief of staff, most immediately. “The three of us have been working together really well,” Blais said. “It’s very different from any partnership between a president, vice president and chief of staff before. We work in a very unique way. see BLAIS PAGE 4

Festival finishes with ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

EDDIE GRIESEDIECK | The Observer

Seniors Becca Blais, left, and Sibonay Shewit discuss plans to connect with the student body at a debate in spring 2017. Since then, the two launched a number of iniatives focusing on improving campus life.

Bike-sharing program comes to campus By TOM NAATZ News Writer

This year, LimeBike — a bike-sharing program introduced to campus by the administration and student government — will sweeten the ride at Notre Dame. The program, which operates in several different places across the country, aims to give students an affordable

Photo courtesy of Grant Mudge

Actresses Angela Ingersoll, Celina Dean and Kiah Stern play Beatrice, Ursula and Hero, respectively, in “Much Ado About Nothing.” By ALEXANDRA MUCK News Writer

Now in its 18th year, the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival is drawing to a close with its summer production of “Much Ado About Nothing,” directed by Drew Fracher. Performed by the Notre Dame Shakespeare

Scene PAGE 5

professional company that includes student apprentices as well as professional actors, the play runs from Aug. 15 to 27 in the Patricia George Decio Theatre in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Grant Mudge, the Ryan see FESTIVAL PAGE 4

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and sustainable mode of transport. The bikes are currently available in South Bend and on Notre Dame’s campus, and are coming soon to Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross. Patrons gain access to a bike by scanning a QR code on the bike with an app available to download to a smartphone. After doing so, students may ride

the bikes any where in the given area — either South Bend or Notre Dame’s campus. Once they have reached their destination, a student would simply lock the bike and leave it wherever he or she is. After that, the bike is available for anyone to use. This easy accessibility and convenience is perfect for see LIMEBIKE PAGE 4

Renovations continue on Angela Athletic Facility By SYDNEY DOYLE News Writer

As the school year begins, renovations continue on the Angela Athletic Facility on Saint Mary’s campus. Julie Schroeder-Biek, the director of athletics at Saint Mary’s, said the the facility will

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include a three-court field house for varsity teams, club sports practices and other student activities. There will also be an elevated track and dedicated spaces for yoga, pilates, spinning and other fitness classes. The new facility will also house a cafe and social area for meeting with friends and the Health and

Men’s soccer PAGE 12

Counseling Center. The facility is projected to be fully completed in January of 2018, Schroeder-Biek said, but students and faculty will be able to start using the new building before that time. “Right now it is limited to see RENOVATION PAGE 4

football PAGE 12


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