THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S AND HOLY CROSS ESTABLISHED 1966
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2026 | VOL. LX, NO. 55
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
Protest gathers community against Iran war
By Matthew Morin and David Murphy Associate News Editors
Student Voices for Palestine hosted a ‘No to War’ demonstration on Monday to protest U.S. and Israeli-backed military interventions abroad, including in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. In a statement to The Observer, the group shared their intent for the protests, citing the University’s cooperation with prominent defense manufacturers. “As a community grounded in Notre Dame’s core values of human dignity, solidarity, and a steadfast commitment to the common good, we are called not only to reflect on injustice, but to respond to it with courage and clarity,” SVP wrote. “These principles demand more than words. They demand accountability. They compel us to ask whether our institution’s actions truly reflect the values it professes to uphold.” They added that their organization is called to urge the
MATTHEW MORIN | The Observer
About 30 students and community members participated in an authorized protest Monday evening organized by Student Voices for Palestine. The event took place on Notre Dame’s Main Quad against the Iran war.
University to stop supporting major defense manufacturing corporations. We therefore renew, with urgency and resolve, our call for the
ND expands taxidermy exhibits By Gray Nocjar Editor-in-Chief
A polar bear, a 500 pound walrus and avian species from around the globe all went on display last month along the galleria of the Jordan Hall of Science. The Museum of Biodiversity, led by curator Joanna Larson, is in charge of the animals — their care and upkeep, protection from vandalism and their location within the science hall or elsewhere. “We trust that Notre Dame students are not going to try to ride the polar bear,” Larson said of the exhibit’s open placement in Jordan Hall. The current collection of taxidermy was taken in two major acquisitions. Giraphael — the 15-foot Masai giraffe that has overlooked gallery visitors since January 2024, as well as a cheetah, hyena and a mountain goat, among others, originated from the Greensboro Science Center’s own biodiversity museum in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The Delbridge Museum of Natural History in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which closed in 2024, gifted the walrus, polar bear and a zebra last year. The animals were acquired for free, though Notre Dame was asked to charter transportation on its own according to Larson. Three lions, three tigers, three black bears, a snow leopard, a spirit bear — so-called for its white fur by First Nations peoples in the northwest United States and Canada — crocodiles and “a whole pack of wolves,” Larson said, also feature in the museum’s collection. The biological collection of the University stretches back to its formative years, and when some specimens were added isn’t always clear. In 1845, University founder and President Fr. Edward Sorin traded land he owned in Detroit for a collection of animals, birds, fish and other antiquities. see “Taxidermy” on page 3
university to divest from weapons manufacturers, including Lockheed Martin, RTX, Boeing, and others whose operations are tied to the perpetuation of war
and militarization,” SVP stated. Students began gathering for the demonstration at 6:15 p.m. outside the Main Building, with 30 protesters in attendance. A
statement from the University confirmed that the protest was “properly registered with the Student Activities Office in accordance with existing policy.” Beginning with chants, Saint Mary’s College graduate student Allyson Krause initiated the chant, “The students, united, will never be divided.” “No more innocent blood for oil, US off Iranian soil. Palestine, Palestine, don’t you cry, Palestine will never die,” Krause continued. Several protestors carried signs reading various slogans, such as “HANDS OFF IRAN” and “We’re a Catholic University funded by blood money.” With several onlookers watching, Krause chanted catchphrases on a megaphone urging the University to cut ties with defense contractors. The crowd responded with further chanting. “Notre Dame, you can’t hide, you are funding genocide,” they shouted. “No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA,” they continued. see “Protest” on page 3
SMC student reports ‘unwanted physical contact’ By The Observer News Staff Phil Bambenek, director of Campus Safety at Saint Mary’s, alerted students Friday morning via email of a “concerning” incident report involving a Saint Mary’s student at the Marathon gas station located on S Dixie Way, half a mile off campus. The incident, which occurred
on March 20 at approximately 9:30 p.m., involved an unidentified Saint Mary’s student asking for assistance from one of two supposed employees inside the station with pumping air into the tires of her vehicle. According to the email, “One individual offered assistance and accompanied her to her vehicle. After assisting, and while the student’s back was turned, the individual engaged in unwanted physical
contact. The student was able to leave safely.” While completing a follow-up report, Campus Safety identified a prior complaint “involving comparable behavior at the same location.” According to Bambenek in a separate email, the prior complaint was filed with Title IX and reported on Nov. 11, 2024. The email stated see “Report” on page 4
Incoming hall presidents discuss upcoming term By Matthew Morin Associate News Editor
On March 3, the 33 residence halls at the University of Notre Dame elected their hall presidents for the 2026-27 academic year. Following several weeks of campaigning, Judicial Council
announced the election results for the 32 dormitories who opted in to the council’s voting system, with Duncan Hall being the sole exception to opt out. Throughout their campaigns, candidates addressed issues within the residential halls, the Notre Dame community and suggested
changes that they hoped to implement for the betterment of their dorms in the future. Several incoming dorm presidents spoke with The Observer following their election about their platforms and hopes for the
SPORTS | PAGE 11
see “Dorms” on page 4
NEWS | PAGE 3
OPINION | PAGE 5
SCENE | PAGE 8
SPORTS | PAGE 9
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