Observer the
The Independent Newspaper Serving Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s Volume 45 : Issue 3
THURSDAY, August 25, 2011
ndsmcobserver.com
ND, South Bend to begin taxi reforms SGA plans key goals for campus
By TORI ROECK News Writer
Early morning cab rides back from Club Fever will soon be safer for students thanks to reforms to South Bend taxi services planned by Notre Dame’s student government and the South Bend Common Council. The changes are intended to reduce the number of unlicensed cabs operating in South Bend, improve taxi safety for passengers and prevent drivers from price-gouging customers, the most common offense, South Bend assistant city attorney Ann-Carol Nash said. “Specific reforms addressing these concerns include prohibiting smoking in all vehicles, requiring a receipt for each passenger, publicizing standards for passing inspection, raising the fine for operating an unlicensed cab and requiring placards inside taxis that list the driver’s name, the fares and a phone number for complaints,” Nash said. The reforms will begin taking effect in October. “The predictability and struc-
By KRISTEN RICE News Writer
lack transportation for otherwise getting to and from various places, whether meeting up with friends, going to parties or
Saint Mary’s student body president Nicole Gans and vice president Jackie Zupanic outlined a plan for their administration to be the “backbone” for student life and campus activities this year. “Our goals for this year include partnering with more offices and departments to integrate activities on campus, creating better spaces for students to relax and study, and strengthening established clubs and organizations on campus by providing support both financially and structurally,” Gans said. Zupanic said the team worked over the summer to plan a retreat for their new board. During the Student Government Association (SGA)
see TAXI/page 7
see SMC/page 7
MACKENZIE SAIN/The Observer
A pair of taxis waits at Main Circle for student customers Wednesday. The planned taxi reforms, such as prohibiting smoking in all vehicles, will take effect in October. ture for charges is a very big [reform] because that is often the source of complaints or confusion,” Nash said. “We want to help prevent surprises.”
Student body president Patrick McCormick said safety issues are the biggest reason for the reforms. “Taxis provide an essential service for many students who
Professor predicts turbulent times
RecSports offers free fitness classes
AP
Bank of America Merrill Lynch traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday. Notre Dame finance professor Jeffrey Bergstrand said he expects market volatility to continue. By ADAM LLORENS News Writer
The “Notre Dame bubble” will not protect current students and University administrators from feeling the effects of recent economic tumult in coming months, finance professor Jeffrey Bergstrand said in an interview with the Observer. “The biggest concern is the volatility that we have been seeing in the stock market. This reflects constant uncertainty and pessimism for growth, cre-
INSIDE TODAY’S PAPER
ating the possibility for another recession,” Bergstrand said. “The risks of parents losing jobs is heightened by the situation, and longer term, it means that there are prospects for our juniors and seniors heading out into the workforce to find a job.” As the job market reels, the country’s unemployment rate reflects the turbulent economy, Bergstrand said. “At this moment, we have a very low level of output relative to our potential, which is revealed by an abnormally high
unemployment rate of nine percent.” Bergstrand said. “The United States of America’s normal unemployment rate usually is at five percent.” He also added that the effects of the recent economic chaos are not isolated to those searching for jobs. While Notre Dame traditionally ranks among the top universities for endowment performance, Bergstrand said administrators, particularly those working in the Office of Financial
see JOBS/page 7
SARAH O’CONNOR/The Observer
Class members work out as part of a Turbo Kick fitness class Wednesday during “Try It, You’ll Like It” week, sponsored by RecSports. By EMMA RUSS News Writer
With a determined look on her face, junior Eileen Quandt thrust her leg in the middle of a Turbo Kick class hosted in Rockne Memorial G y m o n We d n e s d a y a f t e r noon. Quandt and the other members of the class not only got
a good workout, but also burned their calories for free. The Turbo Kick class was p a r t o f t h e “ Tr y I t , Yo u ’ l l Like It” promotion RecSports is offering this week, which allows students to try all campus exercise classes free of charge, Kristen Malmstrom, RecSports fit-
see FITNESS/page 6
Philosophy club begins its first year page 3 ◆ Viewpoint page 10 ◆ Midnight in Paris page 12 ◆ Football prepares for South Florida page 24