THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S AND HOLY CROSS ESTABLISHED 1966
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026 | VOL. LX, NO. 57
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
Raise Your Voice addresses sexual violence Keynote panel
Memorial service
By Berhan Hagezom
By Aynslee Dellacca
Saint Mary’s alumnae and former faculty returned to speak at the 2026 Raise Your Voice Symposium keynote panel. In 2021, College President Katie Conboy established this symposium as a means to address, respond to and develop awareness toward sexual violence occurring within and outside of the tri-campus community. Redgina Hill, vice president of belonging, opened the event and recognized the Committee for Sexual Violence Prevention, a subcommittee of which organized the symposium. She also thanked Tom and Mary Seeberg with a round of
To kick off the annual 2026 Raise Your Voice Symposium, over 50 people gathered in prayer at the Lizzy Seeberg Memorial Garden next to Reidinger House. Hosted by the Center for Faith, Action and Ministry and the Belles Against Violence Office, the prayer service that was traditionally held to commemorate Seeberg’s experience now aims to encompass the lives and experiences of survivors of sexual violence. Seeberg, a former student at Saint Mary’s College, received severe pushback and harassment after filing a police report on former Notre Dame football player Prince
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see “Keynote” on page 3
Aynslee Dellacca | THE OBSERVER
Title IX officer and director for harassment education and response Liz Baumann offered a reflection for the 2026 Raise Your Voice prayer service at the Lizzy Seeberg Memorial Garden. Over 50 people attended.
Exhibit highlights stories of survivors By Mara Hall Associate News Editor
Editor’s note: This story include mentions of sexual violence. A list of reporting options and on-campus resources can be found on the Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross websites. As part of the Raise your Voice Symposium, Saint Mary’s hosted a “What Were You Wearing?” exhibition on Monday featuring anonymous stories of sexual violence from students, staff and faculty. Liz Baumann, Saint Mary’s director for harassment education and response and Title XI coordinator, explained that the exhibit represents a national movement originally inspired by Mary Simmerling’s poem, “What I was wearing” and the question of “What were you wearing?” that is asked as a means of victim blaming. “When we decided to bring Raise Your Voice to our campus in 2022, we wanted a visual exhibit to go with it and the ‘What Were You Wearing?’ exhibit really fit quite nicely in it, so we have kept it ever since,” Baumann said. She said the hardest part about the exhibit is where to put it. The placement is intended to keep the
location accessible but cause attendees to make an “intentional commitment” before walking in due to the gravity of the content. This year’s exhibit was located in the conference room attached to Stapleton Lounge. Precautions for the online version, which features illustrations of the outfits alongside the survivor stories, also exist. The top of the page includes a warning of its contents, and Baumann said “it is also a click through on the website. You cannot just come to it.” Baumann advised people who wish to explore the exhibit to “take it at your own pace. Take breaks as you need to, and recognize when you need to take a step away and do some self-care.” “It is a little hard to walk through, seeing the diverse clothing being so small to wearing a nightgown,” senior Ivory Muñoz, Saint Mary’s student body president, said. Senior Kayli Zelinske-Mader, Saint Mary’s student body vice president, noticed how different everyone’s experiences were. “Yes, some of them are very similar, but each one has very different experiences internally, both see “Exhibit” on page 3
see “Service” on page 4
Cavanaugh Hall named Golden Hall of the Year
By Observer News Staff
The Hall Presidents Council of the University of Notre Dame recognized several residence halls and student leaders Monday evening during the annual student leadership awards, highlighting excellence in community building, service and leadership across campus. Coyle Hall and Duncan Hall were each named Hall of the Year for their commitment to fostering strong traditions and inclusive communities. “This hall has gone above and beyond the entire year while facing significant challenges. They focused on continuing their strong traditions while intentionally creating new events that highlighted the hall’s unique culture,” senior Megan Klein, Hall Presidents Council co-chair, said in regards to Coyle Hall. Joseph Tunney, a senior and Hall Presidents’ Council cochair, explained what the hall has been able to build since the past year. “They have focused on mindfulness, spirituality and
forming men of character. They have built community, brotherhood and a whole lot of respect throughout this year,” Tunney said. Cavanaugh Hall received the highest distinction, Golden Hall of the Year. This was due in part to their new dorm signature event — Cavchella. “This year’s Golden Hall of the Year has truly set itself apart the whole year with its energy, enthusiasm and creativity. They completely revamped their signature event, focused heavily on service and collaborated with many organizations and halls,” Klein said. Junior Joe Balto of Stanford Hall was named Hall President of the Year for his leadership and dedication to his hall. “They brought unmatched energy to their role, strengthening hall spirit and fostering relationships across campus. One resident shared there is no person in the hall that cares more about our dorm than them. A testament to the pride and unity they’ve
inspired beyond their organizational excellence, this leader has gone above and beyond,” Tunney said before announcing the winner. Walsh Hall’s “Mr. ND” event was named Event of the Year for its campus-wide impact and charitable contributions. The event brought together participants from nearly every men’s residence hall and drew more than 550 attendees, raising approximately $7,000 for a local nonprofit. According to Klein, “One participant shared, ‘This was such an incredible event, and it will be an honor to know that all of this is going to a good cause.’ Through thoughtful planning and a commitment to both fun and purpose, this event has grown into a beloved campus tradition, one that unites the Notre Dame community and leaves a lasting impact every year.” Klein and Tunney emphasized that while award winners were recognized, every residence hall contributes to campus life through leadership, programming and community-building efforts.
NEWS | PAGE 3
OPINION | PAGE 5
SCENE | PAGE 8
SPORTS | PAGE 9
SPORTS | PAGE 12
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