THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S AND HOLY CROSS ESTABLISHED 1966
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2026 | VOL. LX, NO. 42
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
Editorial: Jones-Evers is the right choice for ND The Observer Editorial Board With this endorsement, The Observer returns to its decades-long history of endorsing a ticket. Each year, we interview candidates and carefully deliberate who would best serve the interests of the University and its students. Two years ago, this paper made a carefully weighed decision not to issue an endorsement, citing the gross inefficacy of student government. Last year, we made an even bolder announcement when a sole ticket ran unopposed: Abstain, then abolish student government. We stand by many of the sentiments we expressed in those editorials. Candidates promise much, and inevitably accomplish little. Students are disillusioned with student government, as demonstrated by the fact that a pitiful 899 students voted for the unopposed ticket last year, barely more than 10% of the student body. However, the weight of The
DIONE QUIAMBAO PAHILAN | The Observer
The Observer’s Editorial Board endorses Elijah Jones and Riley Evers for student body president and vice president. This decision comes after two years of The Observer not making a formal endorsement.
Observer’s civic responsibility is one the Editorial Board takes seriously. Students this year do face a choice in the upcoming
election, and they would be wise to elect Elijah Jones and Riley Evers over Mason McCart and Luke Parikh.
Jones-Evers campaign focuses on policy By David Murphy Associate News Editor
Elijah Jones, Judicial Council president, and Riley Evers, a student senator, are running for student body president and vice president respectively on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Last week, The Observer interviewed both
candidates on their views and goals for their positions. Jones is a computer science major and a junior living in Alumni Hall. He has been recused from his duties as Judicial Council president so he can run for student body president. His running mate and vice presidential candidate, Evers, a sophomore
living in Pasquerilla West Hall, is a program of liberal studies (PLS) and classics major. She also serves as her dorm’s representative in the student senate. While the two were unable to interview together due to scheduling issues, both sat down with see “Jones” on page 3
McCart, Parikh outline plan for student government
In our interview with Jones, we were struck by his candor about the ineffectiveness of student
government, which he brought up unprompted. “A lot of people feel like student government doesn’t do anything, and I’m going to agree with that sentiment, having been inside Student Government,” he said. What impressed us about Jones was his clear commitment to changing this. Jones, in his interview, demonstrated insight into the inner-workings of student government and should be able to draw on his considerable experience as Judicial Council president to accomplish his goals. In our interviews, we asked candidates to identify their top priorities. We thought the ones Jones named have a reasonable chance of being successful. The first he listed was to reinvigorate the Campus Life Council, a relatively obscure body consisting of see “Endorsement” on page 5
Thousands attend North Quad Mass By Chloe Hanford News Writer
Thousands of members of the tri-campus and South Bend community braved 19-degree weather gathered for Candlemas Mass at an unexpected location: an ice chapel. At 10 p.m. Monday, the newlyconsecrated St. Olaf’s Ice Chapel glowed with candlelight on the University’s North Quad. Altar servers processed an icicle cross and processional candles with stems of ice through a sea of people standing and kneeling in the snow. A conjoined choir, conducted by Kaleb Reil, sang “Lift High the Cross.” The sacrament of Communion took over 30 minutes, and co-celebrants Fr. Greg Haake and Fr. Pete McCormick ran out of Consecrated Hosts even after dividing wafers into shards. McCormick later announced 1,600 Consecrated Hosts had been distributed, though the actual number was at least 2,000 — 1,500 consecrated at St.
Olaf’s and an additional 500 previously Consecrated Hosts from the Saint Albert the Great Chapel in Zahm Hall. Sophomore James Burke received the very last Consecrated Host, followed by hundreds of students who missed out. Total attendance was unclear but likely numbered around 2,500. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the largest chapel at Notre Dame, seats 800. “I’m super glad I went,” Burke said. “I was inspired both by the work that had been done building it and the University’s decision to embrace that creativity by holding Mass there tonight.” Junior John Geitner arrived 40 minutes early, calling it a “once in a lifetime experience.” Before the Mass, some students could even be seen climbing trees for a better view, reminiscent of the biblical Zacchaeus. The idea originated with seniors Wesley Buonerba and Martin Soros, both residential assistants
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, Notre Dame students will elect new student government leaders. Per a Judicial Council email, two campaigns – the JonesEvers and McCart-Parikh tickets
– qualified for the ballot. In an interview with The Observer, Mason McCart, who is running for president, and Luke Parikh, who is running for vice president, discussed their platform ahead of the election. McCart is a Dillon Hall junior double-majoring in marketing
and film. His running mate, Parikh, is a sophomore finance and accounting major, also living in Dillon. The pair expressed gratitude for the vibrant community and welcoming culture of Notre Dame’s student
NEWS | PAGE 4
OPINION | PAGE 5
SCENE | PAGE 6
SPORTS | PAGE 9
Irish top Stanford
Irish 9/11 tribute
Future residents of Grojean Hall selected Penguins as the new mascot after student pitches.
Fr. Miscamble writes that Susan Ostermann’s recent appointment is “untenable.”
Miss Holy Cross was crowned the winner of O’Neill’s signature charity event.
Hannah Hidalgo scores 37 points en route to an Irish victory at Stanford.
Irish fan Pat McGarry cycles across the U.S. to raise money for victims of 9/11.
By David Murphy Associate News Editor
New Grojean mascot
Liu controversy
see “McCart” on page 3
O’Neill’s Miss ND
see “Mass” on page 4
SPORTS | PAGE 12