THE INDEPENDENT
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VOLUME 59, ISSUE 50 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
University DEI website changes language Notre Dame renamed its DEI website to “We Are All ND,” while many DEI programs remain in place By LIAM KELLY and SOPHIE HANAWALT Notre Dame News Editor and Associate News Editor
As President Donald Trump has taken action to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal and private sectors, colleges across the country, including Notre Dame, have adjusted language on their websites to remove some references to DEI initiatives. On Jan. 21, a day after being sworn in as president, Trump
signed an executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.” The order focused on rooting out DEI initiatives in government, business and higher education. Under section three of the order, all federal contractors and subcontractors must cease promoting diversity and using affirmative action in hiring. Moreover, every federal contract or grant award must include a term requiring the recipient to certify that it follows federal anti-discrimination
law in hiring and does not operate DEI programs that violate federal anti-discrimination law. All federal contracts and grants must also “excise references to DEI and DEIA [diversity, equity, inclusion and access] principles, under whatever name they may appear.” According to the 2024 annual report, Notre Dame received over $154,039,000 in federal grants in fiscal year 2024. Per the Office of Institutional Equity’s website, Notre Dame is considered a federal contractor when it comes to federal employment law,
seemingly making it subject to these requirements. According to the order, federal contractors may operate under the previous regulatory scheme for 90 days after the signing of the order. Section four requires the heads of all federal government agencies, including the Department of Education and attorney general, to eliminate DEI initiatives in the private sector. The Department of Education, along with other agencies, is also required to identify up to nine publicly traded
corporations, non-profit corporations or institutions of higher education institutions with endowments over $1 billion to investigate to determine their compliance with the order. As of 2024, Notre Dame had an endowment of over $23 billion, making it eligible for investigation. In section five of the order, Trump also directed the attorney general and secretary of education to issue guidance to institutions of higher education receiving federal see DEI PAGE 3
Keenan Revue set to return with space-themed show
Vatican priest speaks on reform
memories and making fun of ourselves. I stayed truthful to that mission even though our external view has changed some.” Preparation for the event involves extensive effort from Keenan Hall residents, with nearly 20% of the dorm’s residents participating in various aspects of the production. Among them is freshman Nick Facchini, who serves as one of the promotional managers for the event. Facchini, responsible for promoting the Revue across campus, underscored the need to uphold the show’s comedic legacy
Reverend Monsignor Anthony Ekpo, who is the Vatican undersecretary for promoting integral human development, spoke Monday.
By ISABEL TORRES News Writer
The Keenan Revue, one of Notre Dame’s longest-running winter traditions, returns for its 49th year of comedy. With a space-themed show set to debut on Feb. 27, Keenan Hall residents have spent months writing skits, perfecting punchlines and rehearsing performances to bring their annual comedy tradition to life. Joey Kositzke, this year’s director and a resident assistant in Keenan Hall, emphasized the dedication that has gone into planning the event.
“I have been planning the show since early August, and we have a crew of 40 guys,” Kositzke said. With a reputation for sharp wit and community engagement, the Revue ties its skits together with a unifying theme. This year’s space concept, Kositzke explained, will be woven throughout the show to create a cohesive comedic experience. “Ultimately the revue is a show designed to bring people together, it leans into our shared experiences with the goal of creating memories that campus can enjoy as a group,” he said. “Keenan Hall remains prideful in making
see REVUE PAGE 4
MARIA CLARA LOPES CORONA | The Observer
By MARIA CLARA LOPES CORONA News Writer
‘ND By Night’ promotes Vietnamese culture By SOPHIA TRAN Staff Writer
A night filled with witty pick-up lines, vibrant cultural dances and comedic storytelling, this year’s “ND By Night” provided an array of performances ranging from acting to traditional Vietnamese dance. The annual showcase, organized by the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), took inspiration from the latest
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season of “The Bachelorette,” which featured the show’s first-ever Asian and Vietnamese Bachelorette, Jenn Tran. Planning for the two-hour event began in September, led by head director Rose Nguyen, with assistant directors Vivian Nguyen and Kyle Phan. Vivian explained that the show was inspired by “Paris By Night,” a famous Vietnamese variety show known for its comedic skits.
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Held in Washington Hall on Feb. 9, the showcase drew a crowd of approximately 400 people. The audience followed a fictional and dramatized storyline centered on Quynh Vi, the night’s bachelorette, played by VSA president Kat Le. Le noted the humorous nature of the show and its ref lection of Asian-American experiences. see NIGHT PAGE 3
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Notre Dame’s annual Keeley Vatican lecture took place this Monday, featuring Reverend Monsignor Anthony Ekpo, undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Hosted at Jenkins Nanovic Hall, the lecture aimed to strengthen Notre Dame’s connection with the Vatican by engaging in critical discussions on Catholic mission and global challenges. This year’s lecture was centered on the reform of the Roman Curia and the Holy See’s commitment to integrated human development, a theme closely aligned with the focus of the Keough School of Global Affairs. Ekpo’s address explored the progression of structural and theological reformations within the
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Vatican and their implications for the Roman Church’s engagement with the modern world. Ekpo, a Nigerian priest with doctorates in systematic theology and canon law, has played an essential role in the Vatican’s governance, particularly within the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The reverend began his lecture by acknowledging the historical complexities of the Roman Curia, noting both its strengths and the necessity for continued reform, to ensure adaptation to the evolving global landscape. “The Roman Curia is always in need of reformation,” Ekpo said. “As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be … does not apply to Vatican structures.” Tracing major reforms from Pope Sixtus V’s modernization see VATICAN PAGE 3
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