THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S AND HOLY CROSS ESTABLISHED 1966
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2025 | VOL. LX, NO. 3
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
Saint Mary’s renames inclusion and equity offices Observer Staff Report
In an email to the Saint Mary’s College student body on Thursday evening, Redgina Hill, vice president for belonging, announced that the Division for Inclusion and Equity would be relabeled the Division for Belonging. Another name change occurred for the Office for Student Equity, which was renamed to the Office for Student Empowerment (OSE). The name change was reflected on the College’s website. Hill wrote that the change is “a reflection of the heart of our mission: creating a campus where every student, faculty, and staff member knows they are seen, valued, and supported, and believes they belong to our community.” The OSE continues to hold the same responsibilities and services that it held under its former name, including the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, Belles Connect
programming and annual campus events. It also retains responsibility over the Office of Multicultural and International Student Services, with no future changes known for that department. The email announced promotions and new positions for two faculty members on campus within their respective fields. Eli Williams will become a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Gender and Women’s Studies, a two year role. Additionally, Liz Baumann, Title IX officer for the past five years, now holds a new role as the Director for Harassment Education and Response. The announcement of the name change follows the reveal two weeks ago that Notre Dame’s Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion would be retitled the Sister Thea Bowman Center. Neither of the institutions have made an official press release regarding the changes.
Students honor school victims
MARIELLA TADDONIO | The Observer
Saint Mary’s renamed the Office for Student Equity to Student Engagement and the Division for Inclusion and Equity to Belonging. The former name still appears on the wall of the office.
Student senate convenes for start of fall semester
By David Murphy Staff Writer
MEGAN CORNELL | The Observer
Students gather at the Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes to pray for victims of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic school.
By Megan Cornell Staff Writer
On Thursday evening, students gathered in the Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes to honor the victims of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. On Wednesday morning, two children were tragically killed and 17 were injured when a former student opened fire during a school Mass for the first week of school. For
members of the University of Notre Dame community, the shooting was especially personal and close to home, including for students who attended the school previously. Sophomores Molly Kolar and Annabelle Tautges, Notre Dame Club of Minnesota members, organized the prayer service to help students affected by the tragedy see “Vigil” on page 2
Student senate convened for the first time this academic year on Wednesday for a brief opening session, passing its first resolution and confirming a new director of firstgeneration and low-income students for the upcoming term. The meeting opened with a prayer and brief announcements before moving into general orders, starting with Resolution SS 2526-04, which aims to increase fiscal transparency within the Student Union. The resolution tasks the Financial Management Board and the Club Coordination Council with creating an itemized bill that includes both the income and expenses of the Student Union. It also calls on the council to publish its report on the Notre Dame student government website. The resolution, introduced by Baumer senator Matthew Dunn and Badin senator Madison Denchfield, passed
unanimously. The senate then moved to confirm Farley Hall sophomore Sherroya Robb, student body president Jerry Vielhauer’s nominee, to serve as director of first-generation low-income students. In his nomination letter, Vielhauer cited Robb’s “strong passion for equity, representation and community-building,” in addition to her “involvement in faith life, research, public service and student leadership” as making her particularly adept for the role. “She’s been so dedicated to everything she’s involved in at Notre Dame,” junior class president Aleah Applin said. “I’m extremely proud of her and think that she deserves this role.” Robb’s appointment to the executive cabinet was soon confirmed unanimously, allowing the Senate to move forward with announcements. Among them was the Dunne Fun Run, scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 30. Tickets for the event cost $5 and will benefit
André House, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. Additionally, the senate also discussed Friday’s “Flick on the Field” event and the upcoming Thursday, Sept. 4 South Bend Cubs game, which Vielhauer is set to throw the first pitch at. “Either way, it will be entertaining because I haven’t played baseball too much, so if it goes well, it’ll be good, but if it goes poorly, then you’ll get to laugh at me for it,” Vielhauer said. Concluding the meeting was a final announcement regarding ND110, a Duncan Hall signature event which honors first responders who served on 9/11. Last year, the hall raised $31,000 for Heart 9/11, an organization that assists first responders and aids communities in crisis, which was made possible by 1,356 participants. Registration for the event is now open. Contact David Murphy at dmurph23@nd.edu
NEWS | PAGE 2
OPINION | PAGE 5
SCENE | PAGE 7
SPORTS | PAGE 8
SPORTS | PAGE 10
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