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Volume 54, Issue 96 | wednesday, March 4, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Students to stay in London despite virus University warns program participants not to travel to Italy amidst worldwide coronavirus epidemic Observer Staff Report
Notre Dame officials called a mandatory meeting for London Global Gateway students at Marian Kennedy Fischer Hall at noon Monday to update them on the ongoing spread of coronavirus throughout Europe. Notre Dame’s Dublin program — its secondlargest abroad program — has yet to call for such a meeting. In the meeting, administrators stressed that, as of right now, the London program will continue as normal. “As of today, we have no intention of closing the London
program. We’ve made that very clear to everyone,” Alice Tyrell, director of academic programs for Notre Dame in London, said. “That means, at this moment, if you chose to voluntarily withdraw from London today, that would constitute a voluntary withdrawal from the University.” The situation is active and changing, Tyrell said, and is informed by advice from the University, as well as both the U.S. and U.K. governments. “If this guidance changes, it will be communicated to you,” Tyrell see CORONAVIRUS PAGE 4
Priest reflects on time fighting in Bengal Bouts
Photo courtesy of Sarah Naatz
Notre Dame officials met with students in London on Monday about the coronavirus outbreak and its implications for the abroad program. At this time, students studying abroad will remain in the city.
SMC students discuss mental health resources By HANNAH THOMAS News Writer
Editor’s Note: This is the fourth article in an investigative series on the accessibility and effectiveness of mental health resources available within the tri-campus community. When junior Alexandria Leonardo’s grandparent was undergoing cancer treatment, she turned to the Health and Counseling Center for help. “Having a grandparent go through cancer treatment is just really stressful on that patient
and the whole family,” she said. Whether Leonardo was sick with strep throat or simply needed to talk with someone, the center gave her a place to talk about her anxieties and seek treatment for physical illness. “They’re really awesome about trying to get the girls in as soon as possible,” she said. However, she believes some students may be embarrassed to seek assistance for their mental health. And there’s research to support that belief. The “Healthy Minds Study,” conducted by the University of
Michigan — which includes data from Saint Mary’s — reported that 47% of all students surveyed believed “‘[m]ost people would think less of someone who has received mental health treatment.’” In October, The Observer circulated a form asking students to share their experiences about campus mental health facilities and mental health awareness. Several Saint Mary’s students responded to the form and detailed their journeys in finding both resources and acceptance on campus. see COUNSELING PAGE 3
Photo courtesy of Nathan O’Halloran
Fr. Nathan O’Halloran, seated, receives coaching from Fr. Brian Daley during Notre Dame’s annual Bengal Bouts boxing tournament. By RENEE PIERSON News Writer
When Fr. Nathan W. O’Halloran moved across the country to pursue a doctorate in theology at Notre Dame, boxing was the last activity he expected to pursue. Known by his competition names “The Exorcist,” “Priest Mode” and “Last Rites,” O’Halloran is the first priest to ever participate in Bengal Bouts, a campus tradition for 90 years. O’Halloran said his fellow Jesuit priest and Bengal Bouts coach Fr. Brian E. Daley encouraged him to
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get involved. “When I first arrived, he basically bugged me every day to get involved,” O’Halloran said. “I told him, ‘I’ve never thought about boxing in my life, I have no interest in boxing.’” Eventually, Daley wore him down. Daley, a Bengal Bouts coach, gives boxing pointers to O’Halloran. O’Halloran credited Daley for his involvement in the competition, citing him as a major source of motivation. see BENGAL PAGE 3
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College designs exhibit on women’s suffrage By MIA MARROQUIN News Writer
Women’s suffrage and the ratification of the 19th Amendment are explored in “Votes for Women: 100 Years of the 19th Amendment,” a new exhibit that will be on display at the South Bend History Museum from March 21 to Dec. 31. The exhibit was created by Jamie
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Wagman, associate professor of history and gender and women’s studies at Saint Mary’s, and her students. The project was sparked when Wagman was granted a fellowship from Indiana Humanities to study suffrage, she said in an email. “I wanted to be able to use it to visit archives and create an assignment for U.S. Women’s
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History students to work with me on designing an exhibit,” she said. “It’s always exciting getting students involved and interested in primary document analysis, oral history interviews and public talks and performances.” Wagman said she studied a variety of sources as she undertook her research. see SUFFRAGE PAGE 3
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