THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S AND HOLY CROSS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2025 | VOL. LX, NO. 33
Bishop Rhoades rebukes Trump Pope Leo XIV meets with Notre Dame leadership
By Liam Kelly Editor-in-Chief
Just a week after the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued its first special message in 12 years condemning the Trump administration’s deportation tactics, Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend spoke at the Notre Dame Law School. He delivered a message on the importance of religious liberty and humane care for immigrants.
Rhoades serves as an advisor to the White House’s Religious Liberty Commission and until last week was the chairman of the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty, when he was elected secretary of the USCCB.
In his speech, delivered Monday afternoon in the McCartan Courtroom and sponsored by the Law School’s Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic, Rhoades offered his support for the USCCB’s special message and condemned the anti-immigrant rhetoric and deportation policies
of the Trump administration.
“In last week’s special message on immigration, we expressed our strong opposition to the indiscriminate mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, we expressed our serious concerns for the welfare of immigrants, living in fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement, along with the vilification of immigrants,” Rhoades said.
At the same time however, Rhoades recognized the right of the United States to defend its borders and ensure immigration occurs legally.
“We truly do recognize our nation’s responsibility to regulate its borders and to have a just and orderly immigration system for the common good,” he said. “We note that without such processes, immigrants face the risk of trafficking and other forms of exploitation.”
Rhoades drew particular attention to the ways in which Catholic
see “Rhoades” on page 2
Lyons residents to be uprooted
By Gray Nocjar Managing Editor
Lyons Hall will become the Lyons community in Zahm Hall for the 2025-2026 academic year as the dorm undergoes its first major renovation in over a decade.
Hall rector Karla Diaz broke the news to residents at a Tuesday meeting in the hall’s All Souls’ Chapel. Associate vice president for Residential Life Karen Kennedy also spoke at the gathering and answered questions about the transition.
Lyons Hall opened in 1927 as the eighth residence hall at Notre Dame, and today, it is the fifth-oldest dorm in continuous use. It has been renovated twice: in 1974 to welcome its first female
NEWS | PAGE 2
Test-optional
Notre Dame decided to remain test-optional for the next admissions cycle.
residents, and in 2013 to add a kitchen and communal spaces.
Lyons Hall has lounges with kitchens on all five of its floors, but the dorm does not have any study rooms.
Lyons also lacks an elevator and air conditioning and is not wheelchair accessible.
After the renovation was announced, cheers could be heard, but reactions to the news were varied.
Sophomore Maria Aboujaoude, one of two copresidents of the hall’s executive team, expressed optimism that the residents would retain their shared identity during the transition.
“It’s definitely a shock to hear it, but I know that our
By Henry Jagodzinski Assistant Managing Editor
Pope Leo XIV met with a delegation from the University of Notre Dame on Friday for the first time in his pontificate.
The University delegation included University President Fr. Robert Dowd, vice president for mission engagement and Church affairs Fr. Austin Collins, vice presi
dent and chief of staff Ann M. Firth, chair of the Board of Trustees John Veihmeyer and his wife Beth Veihmeyer.
The University made no public announcement of the visit in advance of the meeting. It announced on Monday that the audience had taken place three days prior.
Plans for the meeting with the first American pope had been in the works for months, however, Collins said in an interview with The Observer.
This is the first meeting
between University officials and a pope since Feb. 1, 2024, when former University President Fr. John Jenkins and the Board of Trustees met with Pope Francis. Dowd was also in attendance for that 2024 audience and was president-elect of Notre Dame at the time. This time,
a smaller group of Notre Dame officials met with Leo in a more private audience.
“This was the first meeting we were actually in his office,” Collins said.
According to Collins, Leo spent a significant portion of
see “Pope” on page 3
Students arrested at protest take pre-trial diversion
By Mara Hall News Writer
In May 2024, 17 Notre Dame students were arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespassing following a proPalestine protest. Nearly 18 months later, all the students have completed pretrial diversion stipulations.
Pretrial diversion is an option for nonviolent, first-time offenders who agree to complete specific requirements in exchange for having criminal charges dropped. According to Ariel Thelander, a graduate student who was arrested, the requirements in this case included paying court fines and agreeing to refrain from criminal activity for a year.
Background information
On May 2, 2024, protestors
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gathered on a grass lawn near Hammes Bookstore to read a letter addressed to then University President Fr. John Jenkins. According to The Observer, the letter articulated three demands: divestment from the University’s investments in military contractor companies, a reevaluation of the University’s ties with Israeli universities and the dismantlement of the 15-minute rule, a Vietnam War-era policy which manages protests on campus and requires prior approval from the University administration.
Under the 15 minute rule, students can face disciplinary consequences after 15 minutes of an unregistered demonstration.
“It wasn’t supposed to be a protest or even a demonstration. It was just supposed to be a gathering of students who
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were dedicated to talking about Palestine. That is what we did for the majority of our events,” Connor Marrott, who was arrested during the protests, said. (Editor’s note: Marrott is a former columnist for The Observer.)
Atalia Omer, professor of religion, conflict and peace studies believes students saw the demonstration as a way to put ethics into practice.
“They wanted to be heard by the administrators. In the classroom, we are taught to do the right thing, to put into action what they are learning in terms of ethic — in terms of ethical commitment to the most vulnerable — and they felt very strongly a sense of urgency that they could not continue business as normal so they wanted
see “Protest” on page 4
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Bouts finals
Courtesy of the University of Notre Dame
University President Fr. Robert Dowd (left) and Fr. Austin Collins (right) stand for a photo with Pope Leo XIV in the Apostolic Palace.
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charities have been limited in their ability to provide humanitarian aid to immigrants at the border and throughout the country. He noted that the federal government has cut funding to Catholic charity groups that merely provide food and housing for immigrants without legal permission. Rhoades also criticized Texas attorney general Ken Paxton for investigating the Catholic charity Annunciation House, which provides support for immigrants, and refuted his charge that the organization was harboring immigrants living in the country illegally.
Rhoades also lamented that the Diocese of Fort WayneSouth Bend was being investigated by Indiana attorney general Todd Rokita, who alleged that the diocese had information relevant to an investigation on human trafficking in Fort Wayne. Rhoades said the diocese has nothing to hide and is one of the foremost organizations providing support to victims of human trafficking.
“I don’t really understand what they’re after … To my
knowledge, we have no responsibility to check someone’s immigration status or to report to the government if we know somebody is undocumented. We’re not an arm of ICE,” Rhoades said. “I don’t know where this is going to go, but [it] kind of gives you an idea of the atmosphere.”
Rhoades also said the Church has been advocating to the federal government that serving immigrants does not constitute harboring them and that religious organizations should be able to serve people without inquiring about their immigration status. He insisted on the importance of the work of Catholic charities, despite the pressure from the government.
“The Church is just doing the work of the Gospels,” Rhoades said. “Ministry to migrants is not peripheral to the work of the Church. It’s part of Christian discipleship.”
When it came to threats to religious liberty of migrants, Rhoades focused on the ability of immigrants without legal permission to worship without fear of arrests and receive pastoral care and the sacraments when detained. He condemned the Trump administration’s rescinding of a rule preventing deportation operations at churches, schools and hospitals and stated that the USCCB
had filed an amicus brief in the Mennonite Church U.S.A. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security case challenging these deportations tactics.
Rhoades and the Church have also condemned the restriction of access to the sacraments in an ICE detention center in Illinois and other parts of the country. Rhoades said he had been hesitant to issue a statement on the matter when priests had not gone through proper protocols to enter the facilities, but he issued a statement when the priests were still denied access after going through the proper channels.
“We will continue to work on this issue of religious liberty, access to the sacraments and pastoral ministry for immigrants in detention centers,” Rhoades said.
He also urged the government to accept more refugees and to offer pathways to legal status for immigrants who have been in the country for a long time.
While the USCCB’s special message focused on the actions of the Trump administration, Rhoades stressed that threats to religious liberty and the Church’s ability to conduct its mission have come from Democrats as well. He pointed in particular to a Biden-era U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services policy, the Office of Refugee Resettlement rule, which required organizations receiving funding to pay for transportation for abortion and “gender-affirming care” for migrants. He also recalled that the bishops’ special message 12 years ago was in response to a contraception mandate by the Obama administration.
Rhoades said the bishops try to comment only on moral issues and not stray into making political judgments.
“We only deal with issues that are moral issues that have to do with the rights, human rights of people and human dignity,” he said.
Rhoades ultimately urged his audience to put their identity as Catholics above their political identities.
“There are some who are so taken by the ideology of the left or the right that what the Church says is secondary to their ideology,” Rhoades said. “That’s very troubling, because I’ve always said, be Catholic first, be a disciple of Jesus first, before being a Democrat or being a Republican. And I think, to be honest, the majority of our people get it.”
Contact Liam Kelly at lkelly8@nd.edu
University affirms test-optional policy
By Avabella Mitrano News Writerr
While many universities have reinstated standardized testing as an admissions requirement, Notre Dame has decided to remain test-optional for the next admissions cycle.
The test-optional policy, originally implemented during the COVID pandemic when access to standardized testing was limited, has since become an intentional part of the University’s admissions process. In a statement to The Observer, vice president for undergraduate enrollment Micki Kidder wrote that, even before the pandemic, test scores were just one variable in a holistic admissions process, and that students have thrived both before and after the policy was implemented.
“Notre Dame is also committed to ensuring access for all high-potential young people, and the current policy aligns with our institutional mission by removing financial and logistical barriers for talented students, demonstrating a commitment to comprehensive assessment over reliance on a single score,” Kidder wrote.
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Kidder’s statements contrast with those shared by institutions like Harvard College. On its admissions FAQ page, Harvard wrote that the school decided to reimplement mandatory standardized testing due to “a number of important new insights, including research led by Harvard faculty members that confirms the role of standardized
testing to help predict college and post-college success for students, including those from less-resourced backgrounds.”
The statement references a 2024 Opportunity Insights study titled “Standardized Test Scores and Academic Performance at Ivy-Plus Colleges,” which found that students who tested higher on the SAT and ACT are more likely to have higher GPAs in college than students who tested lower on the tests. The University of Pennsylvania also reimplemented mandatory standardized testing but also accepts a waiver in place of test scores for those face a hardship preventing them from taking the SAT or ACT.
“The flexibility of a test-optional policy has escalated decision-making stress in an application process that is already stressful,” UPenn wrote on its admissions blog.
Recent data on how many testoptional students were admitted to the Notre Dame class of 2029 is limited, but according to a 2021 undergraduate admissions article, 30% of admitted, restrictive early action students from the class of 2026 were admitted without a test score.
“Applications have increased and the composition of our applicant pool has changed over the past six years, undoubtedly resulting from a number of factors and not only the test-optional policy,” Kidder wrote.
Kidder continued, writing that as with all aspects of its admissions policies, the University will continue to reevaluate its test-optional policy every year. She noted Notre Dame would favor continuing the policy, unless future data indicates it hinders the University’s ability to attract “the most academically-prepared,
mission-oriented young people to the Notre Dame family.”
Freshman Sarah Hornick shared that she did not mind the testoptional policy, feeling that some students lacked access to the same preparatory resources as others in the college admissions process.
“I don’t think it’s the most perfect indicator, but what I like about it being optional, not completely revoked, is that it gives kids who have the ability to score well to score well and let that shine on their application as well,” she said. “As long as they see consistent ability across students to perform well in classes, I don’t see why they should go back to having the ACT and SAT [being] enforced. Maybe if they do a hybrid policy where you could submit AP or ACT/SAT scores.”
In 2024, Yale University announced it would be implementing a “test-flexible” policy, allowing applicants to report Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam scores in lieu of SAT or ACT scores. On its admissions website, Yale wrote that the school does not prefer one test over another or penalize applications without particular scores.
Freshman Elijah Delashmit also supports the test-optional policy, believing it helps reduce educational inequality. He said that the University should take whatever routes it sees fit in the future as long as it maintains an equal level of academic rigor. He however noted that a test is not always a perfect indicator of intellect.
“I think being test-optional provides a good opportunity for people who are really smart, but bad testtakers. I submitted my score, but
I also understand [someone] not wanting to submit [their] score,” Delashmit said.
Since the class of 2029 admissions cycle, Notre Dame also accepts 60 to 90-second Glimpse video submissions from InitialView. The videos allow the University to learn about students’ personalities and perspectives outside of their writing, according to the admissions website. A Glimpse video costs $22, but the fee can be waived through the video platform if the applicant meets one of five requirements. The videos cannot be edited, and they can be sent to multiple colleges.
Neither Delashmit nor Hornick was aware the option to record a video existed. Hornick believes video is a good idea because she feels there are many aspects of an application that could be better explained without a word limit. She still said, however, it would be worthwhile for the University to implement an interview process.
“What matters too is your ability to hold a conversation and your ability to think on your feet. You cannot get this through an application. I’m actually genuinely surprised we don’t have an interview process. Especially with the Notre Dame alumni. I feel like a few of them would be willing,” Hornick said. Delashmit said he would have submitted a video if he knew it was an option.
“I think that having it as an option is extra beneficial, just because sometimes when I write, it doesn’t really reflect my personality because I try to write formally,” he said.
Contact Avabella Mitrano at amitrano@nd.edu
Continued from page 1
time discussing world affairs, including the war in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“There’s no other organization like the Catholic Church.
I hope the United Nations is someday, but you know, the Catholic Church serves the world. It’s a really global organization,” Collins said after mentioning Notre Dame’s work on issues of poverty and peace and the University’s mission to be a “force for good in the world.”
Collins added that the pope was quite familiar with the University and its work.
Lyons
Continued from page 1
girls have a very strong community here … We’ll be able to carry that wherever we live, and especially bring it back,” Aboujaoude said.
She also discussed potential changes a renovation could bring to the physical building.
“I’m really curious to see what the dorm will look like, whether they’re keeping it identical to the original look, or how different it’ll be, because it holds so much character, and I hope other girls have the chance to experience the same kind of character it has [now],” Aboujaoude said.
In an email from director of Residential Life Dan Rohmiller to hall residents scheduled to send after the meeting, the move was specified as an effort to “modernize the mechanical systems and improve the community building spaces.”
Other residents spoke to the
“He was a very gracious, humble man, very educated and knew a lot about Notre Dame and Notre Dame’s service to the Church,” he said.
The pope also had a specific message for the University.
“He was like, ‘Thank you for being Notre Dame and continuing being Notre Dame. Continue to do your mission, continue to be a Catholic University,’” Collins recounted. “I think that came across loud and clear that he appreciated all that was going on, and he knew that he could rely on Notre Dame for assistance.”
According to the University’s press release, Leo also “encouraged Notre Dame to continue its efforts to
change in lifestyle that could accompany the physical move out of the building and into a North Quad dorm.
“I’m just grateful that we’re not fully getting into a new dorm,” junior Molly Fink said. “[It’s] going to be weird being a North Dining Hall person though, that’s going to kill. Not opposed, but just a different lifestyle.”
The renovation was attributed to the University’s residential master plan, which went into effect in 2015 and was reaffirmed last year. Since its inception, seven residence halls have been renovated, all among the 10 oldest dorms on campus. Lyons Hall is the first student residence to undergo a renovation since Breen-Phillips during the 2023-2024 academic year.
The University has traditionally designated a “swing hall” to serve as temporary accommodations for displaced communities. Pangborn Hall housed four communities of temporary residents between 2016 and 2020. The
build bridges” and discussed the role Catholic universities like Notre Dame play in serving the Church.
Collins also said that the pope’s American roots give him greater insight into higher education in the United States and the unique challenges facing the country.
“He knows the polarization in this country, which I think he’s very concerned about,” he explained.
Collins also revealed that Leo previously visited Notre Dame on multiple occasions before becoming pope.
“I asked him directly, have you ever been to Notre Dame? He kind of looked at me and said, ‘I’m from the south side
of Chicago. Of course. I went to games,’” he said.
Until that meeting, Collins said the University was unaware if Leo had ever visited campus.
Collins added the University has an open invitation to Leo should he wish to return.
“He is welcome at Notre Dame anytime,” he stated.
In its press release, Notre Dame said Dowd gave Leo a sculpture of St. John Henry Newman made by a Holy Cross priest, and Leo concluded the audience by giving a blessing “upon those gathered and upon all who are part of the Notre Dame family.”
Notre Dame leadership met with Vatican secretary of
state cardinal Pietro Parolin to discuss the University’s involvement in sensitive regions of the world, including Jerusalem, China and Ukraine. The delegation also met with several Vatican dicasteries during the four-day visit to Rome, including the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, the Dicastery for Evangelization, the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life and the Dicastery for Education and Culture.
Dowd also celebrated Mass at the Basilica of San Clemente for Notre Dame students studying abroad in Rome as part of the trip.
Contact Henry Jagodzinski at hjagodzi@nd.edu
distinction passed to Zahm Hall in 2021, which currently hosts the Fisher Hall community before its move to Coyle Hall. The community will move
back to Lyons Hall for the 2027-2028 academic year, which will correspond with the hall’s 100th anniversary.
In the meantime, the community will
begin preparations to relocate. Rohmiller’s email explained that room picks for the new building would be made, and residents would have the chance to tour the building in the spring. A focus group composed of Lyons Hall residents and organized through Residential Life was also promised.
“I love Lyons so much … the carpet floors and the stucco walls, it feels so much more like a home than the apartments of the newer building style,” Fink said.
Fink hopes to be a resident assistant next school year for the Lyons community in Zahm. As a senior, Fink aims to cultivate the same feeling of the current Lyons community for the incoming freshmen who will have not seen Lyons.
“It’s going to be our job to be like ‘this is what home feels like, and you’ll be able to get that here [in Zahm],’ and then hopefully even feel it more when you can go back to Lyons.”
Contact Gray Nocjar at gnocjar@nd.edu
GRAY NOCJAR | The Observer
Lyons Hall residents will move to Zahm Hall while the dorm undergoes renovations, which will begin in the 2026-2027 school year and will be finished the following year, in time for Lyons Hall’s 100th anniversary.
Protest
Continued from page 1
to go out and say, ‘this is not consistent with my understanding of Catholic values and the values that University is saying we have to inhabit in a part of our formation as citizens,’” she said.
Prior to the demonstration, Marrott and another student were assigned the role of police liaisons. According to Marrott, police monitored the protest with drones and undercover cars positioned near the lawn.
“I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the gathering was a group of people who were majority people of color. We had many women in our group wearing hijabs, and so it just felt like very immediate and very targeted and very intentional that the police were there, almost immediately at the start of our gathering,” Marrott said.
Later in the evening, protestors moved the demonstration to the center of campus outside of the Main Building. By this time, police had warned students that they would need to disperse or risk arrest, but Thelander said students were unsure if police would follow through with these threats. Leaders of the student group advised those unwilling to risk arrest to disperse. Provost John McGreevy and former dean of the Keough School of Global Affairs Scott Appleby arrived nearly an hour later to meet with students.
Francesca Freeman, one of the protestors arrested, said the group was disappointed in the lack of action from McGreevy and Appleby. “We of course knew that we wouldn’t get everything we wanted in one night, but we wanted a commitment from the University to seriously engage with us. While University leaders, including provost McGreevy and dean Appleby met with us, they refused to engage with us in any meaningful way and refused to agree to a second meeting, a request that they laughed off,” Freeman said.
McGreevy and the University declined to comment on this story. Notre Dame Police Department, Appleby, Student Voices for Palestine and the Muslim Student Association did not respond to requests for comment.
The arrests
In response to what some protestors felt was a disappointing response from the University, the students escalated their demonstrations, linking arms in a circle on God Quad and chanting. Before doing this, protestors were warned multiple times that they would be arrested if they continued in their unauthorized protest.
The students in the circle were then arrested, including one person filming the protests, and taken to on-campus holding cells.
“They segregated people by
sex and eventually chose to transport us to the St. Joseph County jail. Booking someone at a county jail requires charging them for a crime, so they were holding us for a while until they figured out what they were going to charge us with,”
Thelander said.
All 17 students were charged with misdemeanor trespassing. Three students were additionally charged with resisting arrest.
Marrott recounted how the protestors responded to the arrests.
“One of the things we had planned for is, if anyone gets arrested or if anyone gets in trouble, we have to start a phone banking campaign. So what we did is, when we got arrested, we had a team back at the school that was running a social media campaign that was alerting the press, and one of the things they did was they told people to call the jail,” he said.
In the three hours they were in jail, protestors said the phone rang continuously.
The pretrial diversion process
After the students were released, the University declined to drop the charges. Lawyers representing the students submitted a motion to dismiss, which was rejected both initially and upon appeal.
After delayed hearings, students were able to choose between pretrial diversion or trial. All 17 students chose the former option.
Although some students felt they would have had a strong case at trial, the costs of litigation dissuaded them from pursuing that option. “There is an argument to be made that had we gone to trial, we had a contractual interest in the property, which is one of the determining factors in misdemeanor trespassing. Particularly the graduate students, who, in the course of our normal duties would
have access to that area of campus and are being paid by the University … For all of us, going to trial would have been personally very expensive in time and in money that a lot of us do not have,” Thelander said.
Marrott expressed concern that several of the students charged were international students using visas and green cards who he feared could be targeted more than other student protestors.
Internal consequences
According to Omer, arrested students were summoned to a disciplinary board within the University. Omer said she was invited to the hearings twice to provide emotional support to the students arrested.
Omer noted that nothing tangible came of the board hearing, although students were asked what they learned from these experiences. She explained the students felt justified in their positions and actions.
Reflections on the arrests
Reflecting on the arrests and subsequent pretrial diversion, professor Ricky Herbst of the Department of Film, Television and Theatre felt it was unfair that students “carri[ed] the weight of a movement for a campus and for a community.”
“I spend a lot of days wondering, should I have been arrested with them?... It felt unfair that no one older stepped up and said, ‘You know, I will be with you. I will walk with you. I will be beside you,’” Herbst said.
Herbst also worried the arrests might deter students from protesting in the future. “When you have moments where it becomes something that the internet is able to archive, like arrests, like a story, people are going to start avoiding those things because they know they do not want their name forever tied to this for the rest of our lives,” he said.
Thelander explained, had the arrests happened today, she might have opted for trail
instead of pretrial diversion “on principle just because I do not think that the arrests were fair.”
For Marrott, the arrest is a source of pride. “I think my arrest represents something that’s contradictory to that piece of Notre Dame’s identity, but I think now having graduated and having a job and being a little bit more secure, I guess, in my future, I wear it as a badge of honor,” he said.
He also expressed his surprise and disappointment in the University’s response. “I never expected Notre Dame to be so complicit in a nationwide trend of silencing Palestinian protesters,” he said. “One, because I thought Notre Dame would want to stick up for people in Palestine. But two, because Notre Dame prides itself on being different, on being more respectful of students’ rights and students’ intellectual freedom,” he said.
Contact Mara Hall at mhall27@nd.edu
Megan Brown
Associate Professor of History Swarthmore College
Thursday, November 20 at 5:00 p.m.
Hesburgh Center Auditorium
GRAY NOCJAR | The Observer
In May 2024, 17 students were arrested protesting the University’s contribution to Israeli institutions. Eighteen months later, students chose to complete pretrial diversion requirements, including paying court fines.
Why I stopped ‘romanticizing boredom’
By Sophia Anderson Columnist, “Transfer Tales”
Ever since British Vogue’s “Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?,” I’ve noticed a sudden uptick in lifestyle-type, punchy opinion articles in my Instagram ads. I usually click right through these ads, but recently one caught my eye. The Cut featured an article, “Quit Romanticizing Boredom,” that I couldn’t resist opening. The article, written by novelist Anna North, is written from the perspective of a mother. In her story, she longs for time off in her busy life as a parent to rest and relax, describing a “hospital fantasy” which she describes as one in “which mothers dream about being hospitalized for some minor ailment just to get some respite from the responsibilities and stresses of contemporary parenting.”
Eventually, due to a complication in her pregnancy, the “hospital fantasy” comes true; she spends two weeks on complete bed rest, mostly isolated from her friends and family and unable to go outside or do most of her normal activities.
While I, along with most ND students, am not a mother, I was intrigued by this idea. I too have daydreamed about unforeseen yet mild illnesses or circumstances that would give me an excuse to get out of my daily responsibilities — I think it’s normal to sometimes feel burned out on life.
The more I pondered this idea of romanticized boredom, the more I began to recognize that I might have experienced it before. The first instance that came to mind, of course, was COVID. For the first couple of weeks of quarantine, COVID felt to me like an unbelievable dream come true.
While this is, of course, a privileged position (Many people who were high-risk or had family members who were high-risk were definitely not “excited” about COVID.), I think many people can relate to me. When I was 15, the idea of attending all my classes half-day on Zoom was amazing.
I woke up late every day, took long afternoon naps and binge-watched countless TV
shows. It was exactly what I had dreamed of doing for months, and it’s what I often daydream about today. Similar to North’s experience, however, I found that after a couple weeks, isolation and boredom wasn’t so fun anymore. As she puts it, “We’ve forgotten that too much boredom, just like too much stimulation, can kind of destroy your brain.”
A lot of us tend to romanticize the idea of boredom, not only from our academic and work responsibilities but also from our technology; it’s cooler to “be present” than it is to “brain rot” (which I’ve already written about). We idealize time spent without our phones, which we blame for taking away precious boredom time.
Boredom, we claim, fosters problem solving, self-entertainment skills, curiosity about the world and a desire to socialize. We constantly parrot advice for parents to “let kids be bored,” lest they become the dreaded “iPad kid.” We apply this to ourselves as well; we make TikToks on how to live a more “analog” lifestyle and, in general, glamorize the days before technology controlled our daily lives.
While I believe there are benefits to deprioritizing your phone, I also believe that you can always have too much of a good thing.
Just like it’s healthy for us to get outside, interact with the world and challenge ourselves, it can be healthy for us to engage with the world
The dangers of dehumanization
via our devices even while we’re not actively living in it. If we had no technology during COVID, all that boredom wouldn’t have been better without the screen time — we would have been even less social, even less aware of the world around us and even more societally delayed as a result.
Technology can be a distraction, but it is meant to be a tool. As long as you set reasonable limits for yourself (which, hot take, I believe Gen Z and younger are the most capable of due to growing up with technology and actually teaching ourselves how to responsibly use it), it acts as an escape from a world that is arguably more challenged than ever before — and for a college student, who operates in a very stressful and constantly changing environment, it can be a comforting constant.
The truth is that there’s nothing wrong with choosing not to be bored. Rest comes in many forms — if taking time off of your phone sounds restful, then by all means. But for the average person, if Netflix or doom scrolling sounds good after a long day of classes, work or even just socializing, I say, just embrace it.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Contact Sophia Anderson at sander38@nd.edu
By Amaris O’Connor Columnist, “Filibustered”
As a child, the word “alien” evoked thoughts of E.T., space and the unknown. As a young adult, when I hear aliens, I think of what I know — and that is more terrifying to me.
“The Democrats say, ‘Please don’t call them animals. They’re humans.’ I said, ‘No, they’re not humans, they’re not humans, they’re animals,’” That was the current president’s words in 2024, talking about immigrants in Michigan.
He was speaking about Laken Riley’s murder. The perpetrator was someone who did not have legal immigration status. Many of you reading will wonder if I am going to be yet another person who monopolizes violence against women for my own agenda. The answer is no. Violence against women is an epidemic infecting the entire world, and it is prevalent in countries with varying levels of immigration. I want to focus on the dehumanizing language toward immigrants used by the current administration. I want to emphasize that the dehumanization of even one person is
media. The power of language is incomparable, and “alien” reinforces the idea that immigrants are from some other world and completely different from us, as does the word “animal.” Using language that likens anyone, whether they have legal status or not, to a sub-human creature is dangerous.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told us, “It’s a big culture shift in our nation to view someone who breaks our immigration laws as a criminal,” and that is what the current administration has done. But how do we not see the inherent dangers in doing so? Not all undocumented people are criminals, and to assume so is to completely negate the fact that many pay taxes, contribute to the economy, go to school and work hard.
Trump’s consistent dehumanization of immigrants has prompted a revival of words like “alien” in the
dangerous to the dignity of everyone. Dehumanization is simply an easy way to dismiss the fact all humans are capable of great evils. Dehumanizing one group is an attempt to isolate their unfavorable behavior from the rest of society, but there is no singular group that alone is susceptible to unfavorable acts.
Being undocumented is a civil violation. It is only
see “Immigration” on page 6
ALYSSA SIRICHOKTANASUP | The Observer
DIONE QUIAMBAO PAHILAN | The Observer
Immigration
Continued from page 5
classed as criminal in specific situations, including illegal entry and fraudulent documents. Overstaying a visa, for example, is, on its own, not a criminal violation in the United States. We have entered into a period where lines are becoming blurred and important distinctions are becoming lost in favor of generalizations.
The notion that if you’re here legally, it’s no problem, is commonly stated, but holds little truth. ICE is creating fear
amongst communities across the country. In September, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 in Noem v. Vazquez Perdomo, which halted federal district court judge Maame EwusiMensah Frimpong’s order to effectively bar “roving patrols” from snatching people off of the California streets and questioning them based on how they look, what language they speak or where they were from. The Supreme Court issued a brief, unsigned order that overturned what Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong said.
The order is not final, but it is an indicator that the Supreme
Court potentially might not uphold the previous strict constitutional limits on the authority of immigration agents. ICE is essentially granted the power to question and harass anyone they think is an immigrant. Many of these people are simply on their way to work or to see their families, friends and loved ones.
They live in this country as you do, and they love just as you do. Why are we giving federal agents the power to treat anyone they choose as a secondclass citizen? Is this not the land of the free? Currently, it is looking like the land of the free
for some, not for all. ICE is an extension of the government; if the president refers to people as aliens and animals, that is exactly how ICE will treat them. I urge you to look beyond yourself for a moment and think about the power we are allowing these actors to have.
in her dissent to Noem v. Vazquez Perdomo, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote, “We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish and appears to work a low-wage job. Rather than stand idly by while our constitutional freedoms
are lost, I dissent.”
We are all standing by as more and more constitutional freedoms are lost. If you are thinking this could never happen to you, I urge caution. Persecuted groups have, and will, continue to change. Just because it’s not you today doesn’t mean it won’t be you tomorrow.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Contact Amaris O’Connor at aoconn27@nd.edu
Why I’m grateful for the first snow
By Noirin Dempsey Columnist, “Through the Overton Window”
Living in the Midwest my whole life has come with its perks — gorgeous open fields, great fresh produce and the friendliest people you’ll ever meet — but the weather has not been one of them. We Midwesterners are all too familiar with the weather’s drastic, nonsensical fluctuations. It’ll be 60 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny one day, then the next thing you know, you’re trick-or-treating in a blizzard. Between the blistering heat of summer and the biting cold of winter, I have often found myself wondering why anyone — myself included — would decide to live in such a hostile, bipolar place.
Last week, everyone on campus got a taste of this signature Midwestern weather. Sunday brought over 8.2 inches of perfect packing snow to South Bend (which was more than enough to justify the traditional all-school snowball fight in the early hours of Monday morning), breaking the previously-held
record for that day: eight inches in 1913. I’m a Wisconsin native, and therefore no stranger to heavy snowfall, but I found myself enthralled that night along with the rest of campus. The Golden Dome shimmered white, framed by snowcovered trees straight out of a Christmas card. Snow on the roofs of the dorms and dusting the tops of statues reminded me of icing on a gingerbread house. Footprints in fresh snow traced paths to lumpy snowmen with crooked smiles all over campus. In just a few hours, the place had transformed into a winter wonderland.
By far my favorite part of the night was observing my friends from the southern parts of the country react to the weather. Some of them had never even seen snow before. Watching them get so excited about weather that would have set off an epidemic of seasonal depression back home made me view the snow with a newfound wonder. I shared their giddy joy when they made their first snow angels, when we built a lopsided snow reindeer
together and when we ran through the falling snow. Not only was the landscape transformed, but so was my perspective. I realized I’d forgotten what it felt like to be a kid on a snowy day.
That night really got me thinking about the power of perspective. I’d never considered the things in my life I find unpleasant — like brutal Midwestern winter weather — could actually bring joy to others. I’d spent such a long time hating the cold and grumbling about the seasons that I hadn’t thought about why people love them. As the first Notre Dame snow reminded me, there is beauty in all of nature’s forms, even the harshest ones. If we can recognize that and find beauty amidst pain, it has the power to dramatically change our perspective — like how I was so caught up in my friends’ excitement that I “forgot” to be cold or wet. Joy is contagious, and if just one person can find it, any experience can be transformed into something beautiful.
The snow has long since melted,
leaving behind patches of mud. And while the pain from receiving a solid chunk of ice to the face has faded, the memories of that night remain. I won’t forget how we celebrated and laughed in the bitter cold while snowflakes pelted our faces. I won’t forget how I rediscovered the truth behind the saying “winter wonderland.” I’d still take summer over winter any day, and I can’t say I’d be happy for it to snow
on Halloween, but I now have a newfound appreciation for the unpredictable weather and cold winters of the Midwest.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Contact Noirin Dempsey at ndempsey@nd.edu
A flaneur in South Bend: Counterspell Café
By Oliver Ortega Columnist, “The O.G. Grad Student”
One thing I’ve learned this semester is that the graduate student running club at Notre Dame doubles as a coffee club. That makes sense, I guess, since coffee is the drug of choice for those of us who couldn’t get enough of college the first time around. How many dissertations would remain unfinished if not for caffeine? Someone petition the NIH for emergency funding, quick. Let’s find a PI before all the scientists flee to Canada and China.
I kid, I kid. In all seriousness, though, coffee is an integral part of the graduate student scene here. That’s why, on select Saturday mornings, when the football team is on vacation or traveling, and campus is spared the hullabaloo of home games, the running club congregates outside a local café in the area. We jog a few miles in the nearby vicinity before finishing at the coffee shop and treating ourselves to food and drink. Usually, we run about ten people deep. Mix the adrenaline from the
run with the adrenaline from the coffee, and you get an unusually vivacious bunch of grad students.
This past weekend’s coffee run was especially noteworthy because it involved a coffee shop that just opened last month. Counterspell, as it’s called, is a spin-off of the widely popular Cloud Walking Café, which is located east of downtown South Bend. The city’s newest coffee spot sits on the corner of Portage Avenue and California, on the main thoroughfare of the Near Northwest Neighborhood. When we walked in fresh off our five-miler up Riverside Drive, there was a 30-minute wait for drinks. Crazy, I thought. But then I remembered how fanatical people are about Cloud Walking. Despite ongoing street construction around the original café, they stream in by the dozens on the weekend, parking be damned. Counterspell seems to be much of the same. I bumped into an acquaintance of mine who joked that the cafe was living up to its name. By this, she meant that there was some sort of sorcery behind its popularity. That, or some secret ingredient
they’re not telling us about.
As I sat my sweaty self on a corner stool by the register and took in the scene, I made note of what people were ordering. One of the most popular drinks was the fortune’s favor, a latte with caramel, all spice, nutmeg and sweet potato flavoring. The visuals were interesting. The barista had placed what looked like a cubed marshmallow on a stick over the mouth of the cup. The two girls in our group who ordered it found the setup amusing. We joked that it was actually fried tofu with sugar. All jokes aside, they enjoyed it. One of the guys in the group ordered the goodberry — a mix of tonic and espresso with hints of blackberry. Apparently, mixing tonic with espresso is a thing. He said it was good, so go figure. For myself, I ordered a cappuccino, my goto. Lo and behold, it tasted just like the cappuccinos at Cloud Walking — kind of nutty and more coffee flavored than milky. I didn’t order any pastries or food because I had a meal waiting for me back home. But the people in my group said positive things about the raspberry torts and the cookies.
Aesthetically, Counterspell is miles apart from Cloud Walking. Unlike Cloud Walking, which has a sunless backroom where most people sit to work on their laptops or socialize in small groups, Counterspell gets tons of natural light. There are no Pride flags or socially conscious placards on the windows, so the ambience is decidedly apolitical. The furniture, including a sofa and sofa chair in the corner of the shop, is all new, in contrast to the couches at Cloud Walking, which are unabashedly s econd-hand and worn. Counterspell looks like a café you might encounter in some semi-upscale corner of downtown Chicago. Lured by novelty and journalistic duty, I went back the next day. It was around midday and there was a lull in foot traffic, as you can see in the picture. But by the time I got my second drink, the café was packed. I was lazy about cooking that afternoon, so I ordered a ham and cheese sandwich. I was struck by the ham’s tenderness — I was expecting Jimmy John’s and I got some Boar’s Head-type cut, instead. To
drink, I ordered an iced Americano that hit the spot. As the afternoon wore on, I ordered a cappuccino. Good vibes all around. By chance, just before closing time, I ran into one of the girls who jogged with us on Saturday. I was sitting on the same stool, except this time I was freshly showered and wearing decent clothes instead of sweat pants and a t-shirt. As we exchanged pleasantries, she brought up her chai latte to her nose and took in the aroma. Part of me was embarrassed to find her there again. But part of me was amused that we were both hooked. Until someone comes up with a 12-step plan for coffee, I’ll keep haunting South Bend’s coffee shops on the weekends. I’ll keep doing this flaneur thing. And I’ll keep smashing espresso drinks. Peace.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Contact Oliver Ortega at oortega1@nd.edu
DIONE QUIAMBAO PAHILAN| The Observer
A group of Notre Dame students make celebratory poses during the winter snowstorms that hit South Bend in November, 2025.
‘The Mastermind’: acting over action
By Kate Shin Scene Writer
If your “For You” page looked anything like mine, the truth may be that the Louvre heist consumed it all. Keeping with that spirit, the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center screened Kelly Reichardt’s 2025 film “The Mastermind” on Nov. 14.
Despite what the title states, the film is not a heist movie in the traditional sense. There is no ocean of blueprints, choreographed acrobatics or glamorous criminal masterminds. Set in 1970s Framingham, Massachusetts, the film follows James “J.B.” Mooney (Josh O’Connor), an unemployed carpenter drawn into an ill-conceived plan to steal four Arthur Dove paintings from a local museum. From the outset, Reichardt favors atmosphere over action, foregrounding the weight of J.B.’s financial state, his parents’ disappointment and his quiet longing to be taken seriously.
The heist itself is almost deliberately unremarkable. J.B. ferries two petty criminals to the museum, where the theft devolves into a clumsy, unglamorous scramble.
One thief assaults a student doing homework; another nearly bungles the art itself. Reichardt refuses to romanticize crime, instead situating it within the mundane pressures and small humiliations that shape J.B.’s life.
O’Connor’s performance is cen tral to the film’s resonance. His J.B. is not a mastermind but an ordinary man out of his depth: ashamed, confused and unable to comprehend the chain reaction he sets in motion. While most heist narratives glamorize the ingenuity of the criminal, “The Mastermind” serves as a critique of that mythology. Reichardt cares less about the mechanics of the theft and more about the psychology behind it. J.B. becomes emblematic of working-class precarity, someone for whom risktaking is not adventurous but desperate.
What ultimately grounds the film is Reichardt’s sensitive depiction of the emotional logic behind bad decisions. Instead of framing J.B.’s actions as the product of greed or thrill-seeking, the film shows how easily small resentments, wounded pride and a desire to be seen can calcify into something reckless. Reichardt captures the quiet humiliations that accumulate in J.B.’s life and suggests the heist is less an act of ambition than it is a misguided attempt to reclaim dignity. This psychological throughline gives the film a surprising intimacy, turning what could have been a
conventional crime narrative into a study of how fragile identities fracture under pressure.
Yet the film’s meticulous restraint may challenge viewers expecting a more propulsive or genre-driven experience. The pacing drifts toward repetition as J.B. cycles through a series of failed escape attempts and tenuous connections. Several supporting characters appear briefly but disappear before their emotional significance can fully register. Even J.B.’s relationship with his wife, Terri — a relationship that could have grounded the film in deeper emotional stakes
— remains frustratingly underexplored. At times, Reichardt’s commitment to ambiguity over catharsis reads less like intentional minimalism and more like missed opportunity.
Still, what Reichardt offers is a film defined by texture, tone and quiet observation rather than plot mechanics. Christopher Blauvelt’s cinematography renders the 1970s in grainy, muted hues, emphasizing bleak New England winters, cramped interiors and the physical smallness of J.B.’s world. Rob Mazurek’s score injects tension without overpowering the film’s steady, contemplative rhythm. The film becomes a study not of a crime, but of the emotional landscape that precedes and follows it: a meditation on failure, yearning and the fragile illusions by which people try to outrun their lives.
Rather than glamorizing the heist, Reichardt strips away genre conventions, crafting a deeply human study of failure, masculinity and the consequences of impulsive choices.
“The Mastermind” stands out not as a flashy crime film but as a character-driven exploration of how quickly a life can unravel. It is tender, darkly humorous and at times painfully realistic. The DPAC screening captured a movie that is sure to linger.
Contact Kate Shin at kshin2@nd.edu
Grammy nominations uncovered
By Mara Hall Scene Writer
The 2026 Grammys will take place on Sunday, Feb. 1 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The nominations were announced on Nov. 7, and the eligibility period runs from Aug. 31, 2024, to Aug. 30, 2025. Note that Taylor Swift’s most recent album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” does not fall within this eligibility period, and so cannot be nominated until the 2027 Grammys.
The “big three” in the Grammys world are the categories of Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Album of the Year. While these categories seem similar and often see some overlap, they acknowledge three very unique aspects of the music-making process.
Song of the Year acknowledges the composition of a song, giving acknowledgement to songwriters. This year, “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga, “Anxiety” by Doechii, “APT.” by Rosé and Bruno Mars, “DtMF” by Bad Bunny, “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” by HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, “luther” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter and “WILDFLOWER” by Billie Eilish were nominated.
Record of the Year acknowledges the recording of
a song by the artists, producers and sound engineer behind the work. Nominations this year include “DtMF” by Bad Bunny, “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter, “Anxiety” by Doechii, “WILDFLOWER” by Billie Eilish, “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga, “luther” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, “The Subway” by Chappell Roan and “APT.” by Rosé and Bruno Mars.
Clearly there is a lot of overlap between these categories, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Such overlap is not uncommon to see, but it is especially strong this year. 2005 was the first and only year the categories of Song of the Year and Record of the Year had no overlap since the Grammys were established in 1959.
Finally, Album of the Year honors the full body of work of an album, rather than a single song like Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Nominations include “DtMF” by Bad Bunny, “SWAG” by Jusin Bieber, “Man’s Best Friend” by Sabrina Carpenter, “Let God Sort Em Out” by Clipse: Pusha T and Malice, “Mayhem” by Lady Gaga, “GNX” by Kendrick Lamar, “Mutt” by Leon Thomas and “CHROMAKOPIA” by Tyler, The Creator.
While these big three categories remain each year, other categories come and go as the recording academy sees fit. This
year, they chose to add categories for Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover.
The full list of nominations can be viewed here.
This was a breakout year for K-pop within the Song of the Year category with both “Golden” from “KPOP Demon Hunters” and “APT.” receiving nominations. However, BLACKPINK did not receive any group nominations. Having never previously won a Grammy, this group could be eligible for the Best New Artist category, or the success of their song “JUMP” — at nearly 400 million streams on Spotify — could have warranted a nomination.
The Best New Artist category featured many who have seen breakouts this year, but the genre distribution was incredibly skewed. With every nomination in the category going to pop artists, rap and country were left without representation, and this is not for a lack of people who deserved nominations.
While this category often faces criticism stating the nominees are not really new artists, it is important for fans to remember that this category has historically been an acknowledgement of upand-coming artists who have had breakthrough years rather than artists who are truly new. This explains the inclusion of artists like Alex Warren, Lola Young and
Olivia Dean along with recent winners such as Chappell Roan.
Much to some fans’ dismay, many predict that Alex Warren will take home this category of Best New Artist after winning it at the Video Music Awards this fall. His song “Ordinary” has over a billion streams on Spotify and saw ramped-up success across social media platforms this year.
As for who got snubbed, some fans were surprised to see Sombr’s “Back to Friends” left out of categories such as Song of the Year or Record of the Year. However, it is not very common to see artists receive nominations in both the category of Best New Artist and one of the big three.
Additionally, others were surprised to see Lorde receiving zero nominations after her release of “Virgin” this year. Unfortunately for fans, “Virgin” just did not see the streaming numbers of other Lorde albums, and did not compare in streaming numbers to songs and albums that did receive nominations.
Finally, The Weeknd did not receive any nominations. After being bitter about not receiving any nominations for “After Hours” and the accompanying single “Blinding Lights” in the 2021 Grammys, he publicly shamed the recording academy, kicking off a longer-running controversy. Without Beyoncé or Taylor
Swift being nominated this year, there are fewer Grammy records to break, but that does not mean there are none. Kendrick Lamar is the person to keep an eye on this season as he leads the number of 2026 nominations with nine. With his 22 past wins and current nominations, he has the ability to surpass Kayne West’s 24 wins and Jay-Z’s 25 to set the record for rapper with the most Grammy wins. Additionally, if he wins Song of the Year or Record of the Year, this would be the second consecutive year in a row for Lamar, as he took home these categories for his song “Not Like Us” last year. Winning Album of the Year would make him the first solo male rapper to do so. Regardless of who wins Album of the Year, it will be their first time doing so. While some of the nominees have had previous nominations in the category, none will be a repeat winner. With many of the biggest artists not releasing music in this eligibility period, we are seeing some newer faces in the nominations and fewer records to be set. Nevertheless, this season promises to award individuals who have put in the hours in the music industry.
Contact Mara Hall at mhall27@nd.edu
ALYSSA SIRICHOKTANASUP | The Observer
immediate impact for
down a two-handed slam during Notre Dame’s 78-58 win over Eastern Illinois at Purcell Pavilion on Nov. 11, 2025. The consensus
Irish, including a 17-point performance on perfect 6 for 6 shooting in the double-digit victory over the Panthers. ND MEN’S BASKETBALL
Irish look to defend home floor againt Bellarmine
By Alex Andia Sports Writer
After kicking off the season with three convincing doubledigit wins at Purcell Pavilion, Notre Dame men’s basketball returns home Wednesday night for a matchup with Bellarmine. The Irish (3-1) are coming off their toughest test of the season thus far: a one-point road loss to Ohio State. Notre Dame fell 6463 in Columbus on Nov. 16. Despite the loss, the Irish displayed grit on the road. They held the Buckeyes to 38% shooting and outrebounded them 36-28, but struggled with late-game execution. Now the Irish look to bounce back against a Bellarmine team that presents a much different type of challenge.
Notre Dame enters Wednesday’s contest averaging 83.0 points per game while holding opponents to 64.8, with an 18.3 scoring margin. The Irish have been highly efficient offensively, shooting 49.4% from the field and 41.2% from three, while holding an impressive 12.3 rebound margin behind the emergence of graduate forward Carson Towt. The Northern Arizona transfer continued his dominance on the glass against Ohio State, collecting 12 rebounds. This
marks his fourth-straight game with double-digit boards, good for the program’s best rebounding start since at least 1996. His interior presence, coupled with Notre Dame’s improved spacing around the perimeter, has shaped the team’s early identity. Towt also added eight points in Columbus.
Junior guard Markus Burton leads Notre Dame at 18.0 points per game, and his competitiveness showed against the Buckeyes. Burton collected fourteen points, going 8-for-9 from the freethrow line, and tied the game multiple times in the final stretch. His ability to break down defenses has helped open looks for other shooters, particularly fellow junior guard Braeden Shrewsberry, who continues to make noise as one of the most accurate perimeter threats in the nation.
Shrewsberry scored eleven points against Ohio State, including eight in the second half after draining two triples that briefly disrupted the Buckeyes’ momentum. His season average sits at 12.5 points per game, and he boasts an impressive 61.9% clip from beyond the arc. This places him at the top of the team and one of the highest in the ACC.
Notre Dame’s depth has been a bright spot. Sophomore guard Cole Certa, senior forward Kebba Nije and sophomore forward Garrett Sundra each give the Irish productive rotational minutes. Overall, eight different players average at least six points per game.
They will look to utilize that depth Wednesday against a Bellarmine team that, despite a 1-3 record, can score in bunches and force opponents into uncomfortable rhythms. The Knights average 77.5 points per game and shoot 48.7% from the field — a particularly impressive mark considering their early road trips to Georgia and Kansas State.
Senior forward Jack Karasinski leads Bellarmine and ranks among the ASUN’s early scoring leaders at 21.3 points per game, shooting 55.0% from the floor while also collecting 5.7 rebounds. His ability to attack off the dribble and finish in traffic makes him the Knights’ focal point.
Senior forward Brian Waddell, a transfer from Purdue, provides an additional scoring punch with 14.5 points per game on 61.1% shooting, including an impressive 66.7% from three. Sophomore guard Kenyon
Goodin also averages 10.7 points while shooting 50% from deep, giving Bellarmine multiple perimeter threats.
Bellarmine’s offensive efficiency, however, is counterbalanced by its defensive struggles. Opponents are averaging 87.8 points per game against the Knights with 50.6% shooting, including 42.1% from three — a statistic Notre Dame’s shooters will surely take into account. Bellarmine also holds a minus 3.3 rebound margin, an area that aligns directly with one of Notre Dame’s strengths.
If the Irish can control the glass and continue their strong three-point shooting, they have a clear path to dictating tempo and limiting Bellarmine’s opportunities in transition. The Knights average 8.8 steals per game, often using full-court pressure to disrupt opponents.
Notre Dame has incurred 12.3 turnovers per game, a number that will be taken into account Wednesday night given Bellarmine’s aggressive defense. Defensively, Notre Dame has been solid to start the season, holding teams to 39.4% shooting and 29.0 rebounds per game. The Irish have allowed only one opponent to score more than 70 points, and their combination of range on the wings and
physicality in the paint will test Bellarmine’s offensive cohesion.
Beyond the stat sheet, Wednesday’s game carries weight given where it falls on Notre Dame’s early-season calendar. The Irish are entering one of the most competitive stretches of their nonconference slate, with a trip to Las Vegas on Nov. 24 for back-to-back matchups against Kansas, Rutgers and then a team to be determined, at the Players Era Festival. Those neutral-site games represent their toughest tests to date, and securing momentum beforehand could prove valuable for a roster heavy with freshmen in major roles. Against that backdrop, the meeting with Bellarmine becomes more than just a bounce-back opportunity after the narrow loss at Ohio State. It’s a chance to reinforce the identity the Irish want to take into the heart of their schedule — controlling the glass, defending with discipline and trusting their offensive flow. A strong showing on Wednesday would set the tone as Notre Dame enters its most challenging twoweek stretch of the season so far. Contact Alex Andia at aandia@nd.edu
GRAY NOCJAR | The Observer
Freshman forward Jalen Haralson throws
five-star recruit has made an
Micah Shrewsberry’s
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
How many people do you know whose Marriage Pact is still intact?
Cara Finn sophomore Welsh Family Hall
“Zero.”
Diana Bishop junior Ryan Hall
“Zero.”
Caitlin Jaskolski senior off campus
“Zero.”
CROSSWORD | WILL SHORTZ
Chiara Bilant junior Welsh Family Hall
“Two (as friends).”
Jessica Mayor junior Ryan Hall
“Zero.”
SOCIAL MEDIA POLL
Have an idea for a poll? Email dstangel@nd.edu
To what extent is AI impacting how students do work?
THE NEXT FIVE DAYS
Want your event included here? Email news@ndsmcobserver.com
Wednesday
‘Making Physics Viral’ The 2025 Christmas Lecture with Tatiana Erukhimova Century Center in Downtown South Bend
6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Thursday
Play: ‘John Proctor Is the Villian’ FTT student performance of Broadway show DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday
Concert: ‘Tragedy and Triumph’ ND Symphony Orchestra presents a late fall concert DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday
Notre Dame football vs. Syracuse
The Irish take on the Orange Notre Dame Stadium
3:30 p.m.
Sunday
Film: “A Town Called Panic” Three boys share a house in a town with mysterious events DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
JONATHAN KARR | The Observer
Pat McAfee and Aaron Donald take off their shirts on the set of ESPN’s College GameDay. Donald would soon push McAfee off his chair when McAfee picked ND to beat Pitt, which they would do by a score of 37-15.
SPORTS
Will Notre Dame continue to juice the Orange?
By Payton Dymek Sports Writer
After their win last Saturday at Pitt, Notre Dame is currently 8-2 on the year, looking to extend their winning streak through the Syracuse game.
The Irish and Orange first met in 1914, but have only played 11 times since then. The Irish lead the series 8-3 with a win streak of five games dating back to 2014. While Syracuse averages 22.3 points per game this season, Notre Dame has a leg up, averaging almost 38.5.
The first meeting over a century ago saw the Orange lose 20-0 in their own stadium. They didn’t face one another again until 1961, when the Irish won 17-15 in a controversial way — at least according to many Syracuse fans.
The Orange were one of the most dominant programs in the country at the time, coming into this game ranked tenth, led by Ernie Davis who was the first AfricanAmerican Heisman Trophy recipient. Notre Dame was up by two touchdowns before Syracuse was able to come back to take a 15-14 advantage that held until the Irish had a final chance to secure the win. With 17 seconds
left, Notre Dame decided to attempt a 56 yard field goal, and although kicker Joe Perkowski initially missed the kick, a controversial roughing the holder penalty allowed the Irish another chance, this time from 41 yards away. Perkowski made the kick, securing the 17-15 victory. In the following matchup in 1963, the Orange came back to avenge the loss two years prior, beating Notre Dame 14-7.
The first decade of the 2000s is when the two faced off again, trading victories. In 2003, Syracuse continued their win streak from 40 years prior with a 38-12 win. Running back Walter Reyes ran for five scores, gaining 189 yards on 19 carries, including a career-best 71-yard run.
The 2003 game would also be the Orange’s highest margin of victory, coming by 26 points. The Irish earned revenge in 2005, when sixth-ranked Notre Dame used a 270-yard passing day from quarterback Brady Quinn and 123 rushing yards from running back Darius Walker to beat Syracuse 34-10. In 2008, the Irish came in as the 19.5 point favorite after the Orange fired head coach Greg Robinson, but they blew a fourth quarter 23-10
lead and Syracuse quarterback Cameron Dantley threw the winning touchdown pass with 42 seconds left in the game. This was the infamous game where the stands erupted with snowballs hurled towards the players as a result of the embarrassing 24-23 loss.
Since then, the Irish have held a five game win streak from 2014 to 2022, scoring between 31 and 50 points in each game. Their largest margin of victory to date came in 2018 with a 36-3 win against the No. 12 Orange in Yankee Stadium for the Shamrock Series. With Notre Dame forcing an early three-and-out on the first possession, followed by an interception of Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey on the second, the defensive tone for the game was set. The Orange were held to 234 yards, while Irish quarterback Ian Book threw for 292 yards, looking like a future pro.
The Irish are looking to continue this win streak and secure a high ranking going into their last game, with their eyes set on a College Football Playoff berth.
Contact Payton Dymek at pdymek01@saintmarys.edu
Belles find success at The Inn at Saint Mary’s Classic
By Payton Dymek Sports Witer
Concordia
On Friday night, Saint Mary’s faced Concordia Chicago for the first time in basketball history and earned their first win of the season 78-69, an impressive feat since the Belles didn’t have the pre-season they had hoped for. This game pushed Saint Mary’s to a record of 1-1 while the Cougars fell to 0-3.
The first quarter of the game was extremely tight, with both teams displaying defensive control as neither were able to lead by more than two points at a time. The Belles were able to hold Concordia down and control the scoreboard. However, the Cougars fought back and sank a 3-pointer despite the Belles’ efforts. Offensively, freshman guard Caroline Langworthy answered, making the same shot soon after.
The Belles were able to finish the quarter strong with credit to junior guard Kate Restovich, who scored five points, assisting the 17-16 score.
Early into the second, Saint Mary’s extended their lead by nine points with big performances from senior forward Hannah Outlaw, making her first appearance and scoring seven points, junior guard Annie Restovich, scoring six, and sophomore guard Ella Notaro, also tallying six. By the half, Saint Mary’s was outshooting Concordia as they went six for 13 from the field goal.
The back half of the game was off to a rough start when the Cougars
went on a 12-3 scoring run to make their first big lead of the game 5049. Annie Restovich scored seven more points to push her to 13 on the night. The fourth quarter was vicious basketball from both teams, but Saint Mary’s pushed harder and went on a 10-0 scoring run, taking back the lead and holding it until the buzzer.
Kate Restovich and Annie Restovich led the team by scoring 16 points each. Outlaw followed closely behind with 14, and Notaro scored 11.
Hiram
Also playing each other for the first time in school history, Saint Mary’s played Hiram College during their second game at The Inn at Saint Mary’s Classic, earning an 8655 victory. The Belles moved to 2-1 on the season while the Terriers fell to 0-3.
The first half of the game was extremely active for the Belles, going on a 20-5 scoring run early to extend their lead to 25-13. The majority of their shots came from Annie Restovich at the 3-point line,
who was three for three from the 3-point line and scored 10 points by the end of the first quarter. The back end of the half featured Saint Mary’s forcing five turnovers and an impressive half-court buzzer beater shot by sophomore guard Kate Passinault to give the Belles their largest lead of the game with 23 points and making the score 45-22 going into halftime.
The beginning of the second half saw routine basketball, but the fourth quarter saw things heat up on the court. Saint Mary’s made a 20-point
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run. Afterward, Langworthy made a conversion and pushed the run to 30 until 1:30 was left in the game. Passinault led with 15 points, Annie Restovich and senior guard Nicole Connolly both scored 13 and Kate Restovich followed with 10. Saint Mary’s will head to Hanover, Indiana, next weekend for the Hanover Invitational before traveling to Anderson University on Nov. 25.
Contact Payton Dymek at pdymek01@saintmarys.edu
MARIELLA TADDONIO | The Observer
Sophomore cornerback Leonard Moore completes a tackle during Notre Dame’s 37-15 win at Pitt. The Texan has three interceptions this season.
Notre Dame football offensive grades: Pitt
By Dan Kilcoyne Sports Writer
Both No. 9 Notre Dame and then No. 22 Pitt came into Saturday’s game at 7-2, but an impressive Irish side dismantled Pitt to pick up their second ranked win of the season. It was a rollercoaster of a game which provided plenty of entertainment for Irish fans, although none quite as spectacular as Pat McAfee’s pre-game antics on College GameDay.
of the first quarter, although a 35-yard pass to senior wide receiver Malachi Fields at the end of the first brought hope. This hope was quickly crushed as Carr made a poor decision to try and find senior tight end Eli Raridon over the middle in tight coverage, and an even poorer throw led to his fifth interception of the season. He settled into the game more soon after as Notre Dame moved the chains on both of their following drives, with Carr making a number
work. Bar another poor decision which resulted in a pick six, Carr looked much better to end the game as we saw his accuracy return with some well-placed throws into tight coverage.
Overall, this performance showed some of the flashes of brilliance that we’ve begun to expect from Carr, but some uncharacteristic mistakes blemish the stat line, as Carr finished going 21 for 32 for 212 yards, with two passing touchdowns, one rushing
epitomizes the fight of this Irish side. Combine this with his exceptional vision, and you have a man who is gaining more and more momentum in this year’s Heisman race. The moment of the day was a 56yard touchdown run on the first play of the second drive of the game, which kickstarted the Irish’s scoring spree. All I’ll say is Syracuse and Stanford will not be looking forward to facing this man.
It was a quiet day for the other half of the Irish’s own
Quarterbacks
Despite Notre Dame’s dominant victory, it was freshman CJ Carr who got reps at quarterback this Saturday, and he produced an uncharacteristic mistake-ridden performance. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock decided to begin the game leaning heavily on the Irish’s dynamic running back duo, with Carr going one for two for eight yards, a likely attempt to avoid his startof-game inconsistency which has been one of few criticisms of an otherwise stellar freshman season. Carr never really got into the game in the rest
of short completions which seemed to prevent any further rash decision-making. Despite junior duo running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price still dominating the workload, two touchdown passes on Carr’s next two drives, including a perfectly placed 25-yard touchdown throw to Fields, helped turn a slow start into an ever more impressive performance. Head coach Marcus Freeman’s decision to keep Carr out despite the Irish’s blowout victory seemed a conscious decision. This allowed Carr to feel more comfortable in the game, and it seemed to
touchdown and two interceptions. While it was a game of highs and lows for the everimproving freshman, Irish fans should feel safe with him at the helm moving forward.
Weekly grade: “B.” Season grade: “A.”
Running backs
What more can be said about what is undeniably the best running back duo in football. Love was again the driving force behind the Irish’s offensive success as he had 23 carries and three receptions for 167 yards. Love is a pure workhorse, and his grit to fight for every last yard
absolutely amazing day at Acrisure Stadium, which is shown in part by his impressive stat line of seven receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns. This tells part of the story, but Fields was consistently open which made him a reliable target for Carr and a nightmare for the Pitt secondary.
Fields’ 35-yard catch has been doing the rounds online and has many viewers reminiscing on Odell Beckham Jr. in his Giants days. It was a spectacular one-handed grab over two defenders, which is sure to be in the running for catch of the year, and showed the athletic ability that has been an amazing asset to the Irish offense since his transfer from Virginia. His first touchdown consisted of another impressive catch, this time an incredible sideline grab, again showing dominance in contestable catch situations. Fields’ seven receptions were his highest since he arrived in South Bend, and his 99 yards beat out his previous high of 97 against Navy just last week.
The other standout was Raridon, who bounced back from an injury which kept him out of the Navy game in impressive fashion. He caught six passes for 67 yards although his search for his first touchdown of the season continues. He again proved to be one of Carr’s most reliable targets, and his consistency has been key for this Irish passing offense.
Weekly grade: “A.” Season grade: “B+.”
Overall, Notre Dame put in a dominant and ruthless offensive performance, with 387 offensive yards to the Panthers’ 219. Once again, the combination of the running and passing game gives the Irish one of the most well-rounded offenses in the country, and I would give the offense an “A-” for Saturday’s performance.
Sonic and Knuckles. Price had 21 yards from eight carries going down as one of his worst performances of the season as the Pitt defense seemed to get the best of him, but we can never underestimate how much his contributions allow Love to shine.
Weekly grade: “A.” Season grade: “A+.”
Receivers Saturday was one of the best performances this season from Notre Dame’s receiving core but one that was dominated by one man, Fields. Fields had an
The two interceptions may be lost among the array of spectacular moments, with Love and Fields in particular adding to their highlight reels. The interceptions may have not impacted the result, but they do limit me from grading this performance any higher, despite its many positives. Looking forward, with the College Football Playoffs seemingly within touching distance for the Irish, this is an offense to watch out for and one I think defensive coordinators around the country will hope to avoid come December.
Contact Dan Kilcoyne at dkilcoyn@nd.edu
MARIELLA TADDONIO | The Observer
Junior running back Jeremiyah Loves spins out of a tackle from Pittsburgh sophomore cornerback Shadarian Harrion. Love, a Heisman Trophy candidate, took 23 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown during Notre Dame’s 37-15 win over the Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on Nov. 15, 2025.
Nine champions crowned in Baraka Bouts finals
By Caloe Peretti Sports Writer
On Tuesday night, Dahnke Ballroom hosted the finals of the 23rd annual Baraka Bouts. Nine champions were crowned. Here’s how each of the contests played out.
Anna “No-Delay” Saadeh def. Victoria “Southern-Belle” Baltz
Anna “No-Delay” Saadeh opened the night with immediate fire, jumping into Round 1 with sharp footwork, quick pressure, and strong crowd energy. Victoria “Southern-Belle” Baltz tried to find openings, but Saadeh’s speed kept her pinned to the ropes. In Round 2, Saadeh continued to dominate with rapid body shots and persistent offense, while Baltz tried to rally with a few solid responses before losing momentum again. Round 3 saw Baltz enter with renewed intensity, but Saadeh refused to let her find a rhythm and stayed firmly in control from bell to bell. Saadeh won by unanimous decision.
Kylie “Countdown” Carney def. Kylie “Sneaky Pizza” Fuerbacher
From the opening bell, both Kylies delivered a ferocious Round 1, trading heavy shots and matching each other’s intensity. Kylie “Sneaky Pizza” Fuerbacher impressed the crowd with slick weaving, slipping through Kylie “Countdown” Carney’s punches, but Carney kept
firing back with power. Round 2 brought more nonstop action, each forcing the other around the mat without backing down. In Round 3, a brief timeout for Fuerbacher’s nosebleed didn’t slow the pace — Carney capitalized on the break, landing sharp, clean hits and maintaining pressure through the final seconds. Carney won by split decision.
Emily “Punches” Poruczynski def. Lily “Lil’ Knockout” Mesler
Emily “Punches” Poruczynski took early control in Round 1, using fast pacing and steady jabs to keep Lily “Lil’ Knockout” Mesler from reacting. Mesler landed counters and moved well, but Poruczynski dictated most of the round. In Round 2, Mesler stormed back with renewed aggression, turning the round into a fast-paced back-and-forth exchange with no clear dominant fighter. Poruczynski opened Round 3 by landing first and pressing forward, forcing Mesler to match her energy. In the final moments, Poruczynski reasserted control with a strong offensive push. Poruczynski won by unanimous decision.
Rosie “The Riveter” Binette def. Eugenia “Guerrera” Ríos
Rosie “The Riveter” Binette started strong with quick jabs and active footwork, but Eugenia “Guerrera” Ríos met her intensity with equally sharp, aggressive exchanges in Round 1. In Round 2, Binette picked
up speed, forcing Ríos into more defensive slipping and weaving as she tried to adjust. The final round saw both fighters unleash everything they had — Ríos even dropped Binette to the mat at one point, only for Binette to fire back with a flurry of punches in the closing seconds. It was a tightly contested bout from start to finish. In the end, Binette emerged victorious by split decision.
Maribella “The Bomb” Fues def. Mallory “Bing Bang” Turner
Maribella “The Bomb” Fues came out explosive in Round 1, throwing sharp jabs and moving with fast, clean footwork, as both fighters fed off the loud crowd. Round 2 repeated that pace, with Fues driving Mallory “Bing Bang” Turner around the ring and keeping her mostly on defense. By Round 3, Maribella’s pressure and speed continued to dominate, forcing Mallory to constantly reset her position. Even as fatigue set in for both, they traded strong shots in the final seconds, ending the match with high intensity. Fues won by split decision.
Hope “The Wonder” Wanken def. Mia “The Sugar Cookie” Simon
Hope “The Wonder” Wanken and Mia “The Sugar Cookie” Simon opened Round 1 with matched aggression, trading fast jabs and keeping the pace high. Simon returned for Round 2 with increased force, capitalizing on Wanken’s bloody
nose, though she fought back to land clean shots despite the setback. Round 3 was a display of grit — Simon fought through heavy bleeding while Wanken, despite losing a shoe mid-round, kept pressing forward. The two exchanged nonstop offense until the final bell, both refusing to slow down. Wanken won by unanimous decision.
Faustina “Bear” Barcena def. Olivia “The Gentle Giant” Nijim
Faustina “Bear” Barcena exploded into Round 1, overwhelming Olivia “The Gentle Giant” Nijim with relentless pressure and rapid-fire punches that forced Nijim to choose between slipping or scrambling to counter. Round 2 brought even more dominance from Barcena, who continued landing clean, heavy hits while keeping Nijim on the defensive nearly the entire round. In Round 3, Barcena stayed aggressive and fast on her feet, pushing Nijim around the ring and never letting her settle. Barcena won by unanimous decision.
Kiska “The Hitwoman” Porter def. Tess “TK-O” Kesler Kiska “The Hitwoman” Porter opened Round 1 with fierce speed, knocking Tess “TK-O” Kesler off balance early. Porter kept Kesler on defense through much of the round, though the Baraka Bouts vice president did rally with powerful counters late. Round 2 flipped the script — Kesler pushed forward
with intensity while Porter landed sharp jabs, electrifying the already loud crowd. Round 3 was pure chaos, with both fighters charging into exchanges so intense the ref had to step in multiple times. Neither backed down for a second in this explosive matchup. Porter won by split decision.
Lucy “Alpha” Graceffo def. Meghan “The Megalodon” Sharkey
In the final match of the night, Meghan “The Megalodon” Sharkey opened with instant pressure, pinning Lucy “Alpha” Graceffo to the ropes and launching powerful shots. Graceffo struck back with heavy jabs, keeping herself in the fight despite Sharkey’s quick footwork. Round 2 saw Graceffo come out fast with clean blows to the head, while Sharkey stayed agile even as the ref repeatedly adjusted her headgear. The last round was fueled by crowd energy, with both landing strong hits until Graceffo forced Sharkey into the corner in the final seconds. Graceffo won by split decision.
Binette was named the Ocean Leto Best Boxer of the 2025 Baraka Bouts, an honor recognizing grit, technical excellence, sportsmanship, and unwavering heart in the ring. Beginning this year, the award now bears senior captain Ocean Leto’s name permanently.
Contact Caloe Peretti at cperett2@nd.edu
KEIRA JONES | The Observer
With a spot in the finals on the line, two Baraka Bouts boxers trade jabs during the tournament’s semifinals at Duncan Student Center’s Dahnke Ballroom on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Through the club’s mission work, Baraka Bouts raised over $40,000 for educational services at St. Joeph’s Hill and Lakeview secondary schools in Kyembogo and Jinja, Uganda.