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Volume 54, Issue 79 | monday, february 10, 2020 | ndsmcobserver.com
Knights of Columbus hosts debate Student body candidates discuss platforms, parietals and student government improvements By MAX LANDER News Editor
With the student government elections this week, the Notre Dame chapter of the Knights of Columbus hosted a student government election debate Sunday evening in the Carey Auditorium in Hesburgh Library. The candidates discussed the parietals policy, areas for improvement in student government, the role of Catholicism at Notre Dame, student life and sexual assault prevention. The candidates running for student body president and vice president respectively this year include junior Noble
Patidar and freshman Connor Patrick, junior Connor Whittle and sophomore Jack Rotolo; junior Zachary Mercugliano and freshman Aviva Lund, freshmen Henry Bates and Thomas Henry, juniors Michael Dugan and Ricardo Pozas Garza and juniors Rachel Ingal and Sarah Galbenski. The Bates-Henry ticket was not present at this debate. Each candidate was given approximately a minute to answer each of the five questions posed as well as a minute and a half for an opening and closing statements. see DEBATE PAGE 3
Students create online textbook marketplace By CHRISTOPHER PARKER News Writer
Sophomore Jacob Novitch had a problem he didn’t know what to do with: his almost brand-new copy of “Theological Foundations for Environmental Ethics.” “I had gotten this book last semester, and I was unable to rent it,” Novitch said. “I just kind of had it, and I didn’t need it anymore.” W hile the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore offers a renting option for some textbooks, many students find themselves stuck with a textbook they no longer need after the semester finishes. Novitch’s close friend and roommate, sophomore Ryan Wigglesworth, recently started a project creating an on-campus network for buying and selling textbooks. Wigglesworth said the idea was inspired by his own frustrations with buying textbooks. “Last winter break, when I was at home with my parents,
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we were looking for ways to save money,” he said. “They wanted me to sell my textbooks on an ND mobile service.” Wigglesworth created a survey that canvassed students across the countr y and received 160 responses, about half from Notre Dame and half from other schools. “I figured if I had this problem then other people probably would, too,” Wigglesworth said. Wigglesworth said his survey showed that people spend an average of around $520 a year on their textbooks. In fact, the average cost of books per year at a private four-year university is $1,240, according to research from the College Board. The University of Notre Dame factors a slightly lower $1,050 into its 20192020 cost of attendance. “I learned that there’s kind of a huge need for it. About half the people who responded have tried to sell textbooks, but only half of those actually see TEXTBOOKS PAGE 4
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MAX LANDER | The Observer
Candidates gathered two days before the student body election to debate issues presented by the Knights of Columbus. Five of the six election tickets were present for the debate. Above, they pose with the group’s flag.
Incoming Editor-in-Chief names supporting staff Observer Staff Report
Juniors Mariah Rush, Maeve Filbin, Claire Rafford and Sara Schlecht will help oversee The Observer’s Editorial Board next term, incoming Editor-in-Chief Maria Leontaras announced Sunday. Rush will become the Managing Editor, while Filbin, Rafford and Schlecht will serve as Assistant Managing Editors. The four
women will begin their new roles March 16. Rush, a junior currently studying abroad in England for the semester, was previously an Associate News Editor for the Observer. A former resident of Pasquerilla West Hall and a South Bend native, Rush has worked in the Notre Dame News department since her freshman year. She has written about a variety of topics, including the University’s
history of legacy admissions, ND’s history with Native Americans and her interview with presidential candidate and former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg. “I have always loved being part of the Observer family, and I’m so excited to continue being involved as Managing Editor alongside four amazingly talented women,” Rush said. “We are see STAFF PAGE 3
SMC alumnae networking event connects graduates By JULIANNA MCKENNA News Writer
Saint Mary’s alumni hosted a casual networking event Friday to connect students and alumni, fostering a sense of support and community. The alumnae event included representatives of the Belles of the Last Decade (BOLD) committee, who work closely to assist new graduates with the
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transition from Saint Mary’s to the workplace. “As soon as you graduate from Saint Mary’s College, you become a member of BOLD automatically,” Kristin Murphy, a member of BOLD, said. “If you would like to be more involved, BOLD representatives have meetings twice a year to help the College prepare for the annual Donor Challenge and also help lead initiatives to engage
with recent graduates.” Murphy said the BOLD committee is a valuable resource for graduates to maintain a connection with the Saint Mary’s community. “We try to assist recent graduates by highlighting grads around the country who are doing different things and hosting events like this, so
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see ALUMNAE PAGE 4