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Volume 52, Issue 13 | wednesday, september 6, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
Former student files lawsuit against ND Complaint becomes second current case against University Observer Staff Report
An unnamed former student filed a lawsuit against Notre Dame on Aug. 17 alleging the University orchestrated the closure of a Title IX sexual assault case to facilitate the transfer of a Notre Dame football player. According to the complaint filed in the St. Joseph Circuit Court, the female student — referred to as “Jane Doe” in the lawsuit — is suing for damages on the counts of negligence and invasion of privacy, breach of contract and violation of Title IX on the
basis of gender bias. In January of 2016, Doe agreed to help an intoxicated Notre Dame football player — referred to as “Jack Roe” — return to his dorm room in Alumni Hall, where she was sexually assaulted, according to the lawsuit. At the time, Doe was enrolled at the Gateway Program at Holy Cross College, a program that facilitates the transfer process into Notre Dame for select students who were not admitted to the University as freshmen. Doe decided to deal with the incident in a private way
by simply avoiding contact with Roe, the lawsuit stated. However, three months after the incident, a female Notre Dame student approached Doe to ask for her anonymous support of a second victim who was hesitant to report an alleged assault by the same football player. This student took Doe’s story to the Title IX Office, triggering the response of deputy Title IX coordinator Heather Ryan, who summoned Doe to her office in April of 2016. Doe told Ryan she did not want to see LAWSUIT PAGE 4
Former German president to lecture at Notre Dame By TOM NAATZ News Writer
Former President of Germany Horst Koehler will deliver a lecture entitled “Citizenship in a Global Age: Personal Reflections on a Political Conundrum” at the Mendoza College of Business on Wednesday. The lecture is part of a four-day visit from Monday to Thursday by the former head of state and his wife, Eva Luise Koehler, to Notre Dame. Over
the course of the visit — sponsored primarily by the Nanovic Institute for European Studies and the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study — Koehler will also speak with faculty and students about various topics as wells as visit the Harper Cancer Research Center. Koehler has enjoyed a long career in public service. In addition to serving as the president of Germany from 2004 to 2010, he also served as the managing
Jenkins releases statement addressing DACA
director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 2000 to 2004, and he will soon start a new job as the United Nations’ (UN) personal envoy for Western Sahara. He has also served in numerous roles in the German Federal government. He has negotiated several international agreements on Germany’s behalf, including the German monetary union with the former see GERMANY PAGE 3
Observer File Photo
Students gathered in front of the Main Building on God Quad last fall to demonstrate their support for DACA students at Notre Dame. Observer Staff Report
University President Fr. John Jenkins released a statement Tuesday condemning the repeal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the program would end. “A decision to discontinue DACA would be foolish, cruel and un-American,” Jenkins said in the statement. “Foolish because it drives away talented people the country needs; cruel because it abandons people who have done nothing wrong and have known life only in the
United States; and un-American because we have always welcomed immigrants to our land of opportunity.” Jenkins promised Notre Dame would continue to advocate for DACA students. “In coming days, I hope to meet with congressional leaders to argue for a permanent fix to this pressing problem,” he said in the statement. “In the meantime, Notre Dame will continue to support DACA students financially, maintain their enrollment even if Congress fails to act and provide expert legal assistance should it become necessary.”
Career Expo connects students with employers Students — from freshmen to seniors — will be donning their nicest suits and blazers Wednesday for the Fall Career Expo. The event will have a new location this year — Notre Dame Stadium, where students will network with company representatives in the concourse. The fair will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Julie Gray, associate director of career operations at the Career Center, said 242 companies will be present for the event. “Throughout the entire summer, we’re talking to employers working on logistics, working on set-up,” she said. “We generally start almost at the end of the previous year, so [in] May [we’re] sending out invitations. As soon as we can get a date booked that’s when we start reaching out to
employers.” Gray said the fair acts as a mutual opportunity for both the students and the employers. Students are given the chance to practice important networking skills and employers are given the opportunity to talk more about their brand, she said. LoriAnn Edinborough, director of employer relations at the Career Center, said 85
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By SELENA PONIO Associate News Editor
Observer File Photo
The Fall Career Expo provides opportunities for students of all years to interact with and make an impression on potential employers.
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see CAREER EXPO PAGE 4