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Volume 56, Issue 6 | Friday, september 3, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Campus adopts Canvas Switch from Sakai to Canvas excites campus, raises issues By CONNOR MARROT News Writer
Since 2011, Sakai has been a key component of students’ educations as the primary hub for online resources, assignments, grades and communication with professors. However, as the University welcomed back fully in-person instruction, it has also mandated a transition for select faculty from Sakai to Canvas as the new Learning Management System (LMS). The University’s LMS serves as the software for course
work, assisting instructors in the delivery of content and assessments. According to professor David Campbell, one of the chairpersons of the committee responsible for the change, the switch from Sakai was “inevitable.” According to Campbell, Sakai has “lost most of its market share, which means there are fewer updates being coded.” He added that Sakai lacks any incentive to improve the platform as fewer institutions contract the software. Essentially, a “negative reinforcement” has been
created where Sakai fails to evolve in an ever-changing technological landscape, Campbell said. Campbell said the negative reinforcement was one of many factors that led to the transition. The Office of Information Technologies (OIT) was already dealing with a lot of questions from faculty about the rudimentary functions of Sakai, he said, and the University’s contract with Sakai was nearing its end.
Social Media Editor
After two semesters of dining on opposite sides of Plex iglas, logging into online classes and spending each morning taking a daily health sur vey, many Saint Mar y’s students looked forward to returning to campus this fall w ith hopes of returning to at least partial normalcy. Many were disappointed. In an email from the Saint Mar y’s College Student
Affairs Office on Aug. 13, the College’s fall restrictions were outlined. “Our goal has been to create a fall semester that is full of the t y pical activ ities and traditions of the season, while continuing to consider CDC and Indiana Department of Health guidelines,” the email said. Some of the notable updates cited in the email included the College welcoming v isitors to campus again, no longer requiring the daily health sur vey,
Observer Staff Report
Notre Dame Police Department (NDPD) emailed students Wednesday evening alerting them to a report of an incident of sexual batter y late Saturday night. The female v ictim reported she believes she was given a date rape drug in a North Quad men’s residence hall prior to the alleged batter y, which “may have occurred at another unknow n
see CANVAS PAGE 3
Saint Mary’s students react to new COVID-19 policies By VERONICA NAVARRO
NDPD reports sexual battery
classrooms and common areas returning to normal capacit y, lifting all dining hall restrictions and eliminating the option of remote classes. However, some restrictions from last year remained in place. “Saint Mar y’s students, facult y and staff have access to residence hall common areas and rooms. Guests are not allowed in residence halls or in rooms, including tri-campus communit y
location on campus,” according to the email. The incident was first reported to the South Bend Police Department on Sunday during a different investigation. It was then reported to NDPD on Tuesday. “The Notre Dame Police Department has been in contact w ith the v ictim as well as w ith our partners in South Bend,” the email said. A description of the suspect see NDPD PAGE 3
Noodle Nook debuts in LaFortune
see REACTIONS PAGE 5 CLAIRE REID| The Observer
University reveals speakers Observer Staff Report
The first keynote event of the 2021 Notre Dame Forum will feature NBC News’ chief environmental affairs correspondent Anne Thompson and U.S. Senator Chris Coons taking part in a “fireside chat” in the Jordan Auditorium at the Mendoza College of Business on Sept. 10 at 3 p.m., University President Fr. John Jenkins announced in an email Wednesday evening.
News PAGE 4
This year’s Forum, announced in April, is titled “Care for Our Common Home: Just Transition to a Sustainable Future” and will focus on placing a continued emphasis on caring for God’s creation, as Pope Francis writes about in Laudato Si. “We will host a wide range of discussions and events that aim to explore climate challenges across various dimensions,” Jenkins said in the email. Thompson, a 1979 Notre
Scene PAGE 10
Dame graduate, and Coons, a co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus, will discuss building a sustainable future by crossing political divides and steps the U.S. government can take domestically and internationally to ensure an environment-focused future. Jenkins added that additional events are planned for the week of Sept. 6. The Forum, established in 2005, begins Sept. 7.
Viewpoint PAGE 7
The Noodle Nook opened August in the Huddle Mart at LaFortune Student Center occupying the space of LaFortune Ice Cream shop. By CLAIRE REID News Writer
Earlier this summer Campus Dining announced the opening of the Noodle Nook, an Asian concept located in the LaFortune Student Center’s Huddle Mart as part of their Retail Dining Master Plan. The new restaurant — occupying the space formerly home to the LaFortune ice cream shop — opened in August, just in time for students’ return to campus. “The Noodle Nook offers
FOotball PAGE 16
a variety of customizable bowls with a choice of noodles, broths, proteins, vegetables and sauces,” said director of retail dining Sandra Garcia. “It is an affordable dining option, easy to customize, where animal protein is not the focus of the dish but instead complements it.” At the restaurant’s counter or via Grubhub, patrons can customize and order either a noodle bowl — which includes your choice of four see NOODLES PAGE 3
Men’s soccer PAGE 16