The independent
To uncover
newspaper serving
the truth
Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s
and report
and holy cross
it accurately
Volume 53, Issue 23 | wednesday, september 19, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com
Jenkins addresses ND faculty President discusses possible implications of taxes on University’s endowments By KELLI SMITH Associate News Editor
University President Fr. John Jenkins discussed clergy and institutional misconduct, the cost of a Notre Dame education, new facilities on campus and changes in the University’s staff and leadership in his annual faculty address Tuesday evening in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Jenkins dedicated part of his address to the importance of reporting wrongdoings, mentioning the Pennsylvania grand jury report on clergy sexual abuse and “the finding regarding Cardinal Theodore McCarrick” as examples. “Our gaze, however, must not simply be on the evil acts but on the work of attending to victims, protecting the vulnerable and healing the Church,” Jenkins said. “These will be tasks of
coming months and years, and the University will look for ways to assist in these tasks.” It is not only the Catholic Church that has had to deal with problematic behavior extending over long periods of time, Jenkins said. He cited the University of Southern California, Michigan State, Ohio State and the University of Maryland as examples of institutional misconduct. “You only need to look at the tragic aftermath for individuals and institutions mentioned above to see why this is important at Notre Dame to report and address misconduct,” Jenkins said. “Yet the most important reason you should report is because it is the right thing to do, and that is what we do at Notre Dame. That is what we at Notre Dame should always aspire to.” Jenkins also discussed the country’s “negative public perceptions” on higher education,
Saint Mary’s students host talk on activism By COLLEEN FISCHER News Writer
College students and political activism have historically been linked. On Tuesday, Saint Mary’s seniors Zoie Clay and Ashley Hovorka spoke about their participation in the nationwide tradition of student political involvement through a panel discussion. The students participated in the College’s internship program in Washington D.C., and while there marched in two demonstrations. Clay said she participated in a third after she returned home. The students first participated in the Women’s March in January 2018. Both said that the March helped them to dispel stereotypes and empower them. “It was an incredible experience and it felt that we were taking part in a historic movement
NEWS PAGE 2
of our time,” Hovorka said. “It was an empowering place to be.” She was impressed by the variety of people who marched and got involved with the cause. “There were a lot of young women there, families there as well, older people, couples especially and that surprised me because I made the assumption that there would just be a lot of young women there,” Hovorka said. Hovorka also discussed how the march was an extension of her work on campus in the Belles Against Violence Office (BAVO). “Coming from Saint Mary’s, I was involved in BAVO so it was nice to be able to put my actions from here on campus and take that out and be politically active as well,” Hovorka said. The second march that both students attended was the March see ACTIVISM PAGE 3
SCENE PAGE 5
Priests named in abuse Observer Staff Report
the tax was politically motivated, as the Republican majority targeted a relatively small group
The Diocese of Fort WayneSouth Bend released the names of 18 priests who had been “credibly accused” of sexual abuse of a minor Tuesday. Of these 18 priests, at least four have some past affiliation with the tri-campus community: Edward Krason, Paul LeBrun, Cornelius Ryan and James Trepanier. Three of the affiliated priests were are members of the Congregation of the Holy Cross (CSC). University vice president for public affairs and communications Paul Browne said none of the priests were the subject of complaints while at the University and that they were not
see ADDRESS PAGE 3
see PRIESTS PAGE 3
KELLI SMITH | The Observer
Fr. John Jenkins speaks to staff and leadership at his annual address Tuesday evening in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.
criticizing Congress for taxing the endowments of certain private universities like Notre Dame. “I agree with those who suggest
CEO explains Kodiak clean energy initiative By MARY STEURER News Writer
Kodiak, Alaska — one of the only cities in the U.S. to generate almost 100 percent of its electric power from renewable resources — was celebrated for its environmental sustainability in a lecture Tuesday night in DeBartolo Hall. The lecture was presented as part of the 12th ND Energy Week, an awareness week hosted by ND Energy and the Student Energy Board that promotes education and discussion about energy sustainability. Darron Scott, CEO of the Kodiak Electric Association Inc. (KEA) said the city’s initiative to implement clean power began in the early 2000s. KEA is Kodiak’s locally owned and operated electric cooperative. A primary reason KEA decided to switch to clean energy was due to the economic stability hydroelectric power and wind power offered, he said. Kodiak’s local industries
VIEWPOINT PAGE 6
looking to keep the price of power low was a major proponent of the switch, he said. “We were getting a lot of pressure [to transition] from seafood processors and from the government facilities,” he said. Scott said the Kodiak community embraced the transition for its economic benefits. Because the electric grid on the island is isolated from other cities, the clean power initiative serves Kodiak exclusively. “The benefit from [the wind turbines] comes directly to the people on the island,” he said. Scott said while the project began as an independent, local initiative, he attributes part of its success to government funding. “[While KEA was] getting ready to put the project in motion, the state [put] out a big grant for renewable energy projects,” he said. Scott said Kodiak’s transition to sustainable energy was gradual. It began with the introduction of hydroelectric plants, then
ND W SOCCER PAGE 12
expanded to include three wind turbines. After gathering close data on its first three wind turbines, the company later doubled the amount to six, he said. Scott said since switching to renewable energy, Kodiak has seen immense economic benefits. “Just the wind turbines alone have saved about 14 million gallons of diesel for our town,” he said. Scott said the project has also helped Kodiak make progress in combating pollution. KEA’s renewable energy has reduced the city’s carbon dioxide emission by 150,000 tons. Scott said he believes it is possible for the U.S. to make a full transition to renewable energy in the near future. “This model — it should work,” he said. “ ... The technology’s there.” Contact Mary Steurer at msteure1@nd.edu
FOOTBALL PAGE 12