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Volume 53, Issue 64 | tuesday, december 4, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com
Taskforce gathers, processes feedback Group dedicated to examining sexual abuse scandal gives update after campus listening sessions By NATALIE WEBER News Editor
From Nov. 1 through Nov. 16, Notre Dame’s Campus Engagement Task Force hosted a series of listening sessions to gather the community’s input on the sexual abuse crisis facing the Catholic Church. The task force also collected anonymous responses through a feedback form through Nov. 16. Jennifer Mason McAward, co-chair of the task force and director of the Center for Civil and Human Rights, said the group was convened to gather thoughts and consider future actions in relation to the crisis. “We had two facilitators who handled each session so
there was continuity in leadership and at each session we asked three general questions,” Mason McAward said. “The first was what people’s ref lections were on the sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. The second question was how Notre Dame might respond educationally, administratively and pastorally. And then the third question related to how Notre Dame might proceed in terms of research and scholarship.” Fr. Gerry Olinger, the vice president of mission engagement and church affairs and the other co-chair of the task force, said during listening sessions, members of the community expressed a consistent frustration with the Catholic Church’s handling of the sex abuse scandals.
“Certainly we heard the frustration, the anger that exists on campus and I think throughout a couple pieces: one was certainly about the abuse that happened and certainly real concern for the victims of sexual abuse,” Olinger said. “But we also began to hear as well, the same anger, frustration, expressed around the leaders of the Church who either perpetrated that abuse and or failed to act in the face of that abuse. A very clear desire from campus was the church to take strong action moving forward.” Community members addressed their concerns and recommendations to both the University and the Catholic Church as a whole, Olinger said.
College appoints new general counsel Observer Staff Report
Nancy Nekvasil, the Interim President of Saint Mary’s College, has appointed attorney Martha “Marty” McCampbell to serve as the College’s general counsel effective Dec. 4, according to a press release. “[McCampbell] has a strong record of success throughout her
diverse legal career,” Nekvasil said in the release. “With significant higher-education experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge about the industry that will make her a valuable addition to our leadership team.” Since June 7, the College has been searching for a new general counsel. Former College general counsel Cristal Brisco
“I think both the responses and certainly the recommendations were directed both at the Church and at Notre Dame,” he said. “I think we’re, again, really in the midst of absorbing all of that, processing all of the responses to both the reactions as well as to the recommendations, but I think we did see both.” When asked what recommendations community members had for Notre Dame, Olinger said the task force was processing the responses from the listening sessions and anonymous online feedback forms which community members could complete. “I think at this point, we’re processing all the feedback and as a task force, really
kind of thinking about how we want to formulate specific recommendations,” Olinger said. “So I think that’s really the work that’s happening right now and that will be forthcoming.” At each listening session, the task force had two discussion facilitators and two recorders, who took notes on the conversations. “The week of Thanksgiving … the task force really was immersed in reviewing all the data that was provided through the listening sessions and the online forms summarizing those [responses],” Olinger said. “We asked everyone to submit a summary by [Nov. 26] and then on Tuesday, we met with see TASKFORCE PAGE 4
Club hosts Santa event for charity
was appointed as magistrate for the St. Joseph Circuit Court and began serving in that role since July 16, according to a June press release. McCampbell most recently worked as deputy Title IX coordinator and director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Indiana see COUNSEL PAGE 4 EMMA FARNAN | The Observer
Belles Against Violence Office outlines strategy By HANNAH THOMAS News Writer
Saint Mary’s College students are working to spread the word about the Belles Against Violence Office, or BAVO. Sophomores Audrina Massey and Kate Hill are both members of the organization, and said they are seeking to create a safer
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environment at Saint Mary’s. Hill is an ally under the “subcategory” of BAVO known as Green Dot. “As an ally we make sure … that we are made available to those people to let them know that we are confidential sources they can come and talk to,” Hill said. Massey is on the Student Advisory Committee, or SAC,
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and also works on the Green Dot committee. Massey explained all of the committees come together to work on their common mission. “Each committee has their own events but work together to really put on events and spread awareness and education about see BAVO PAGE 4
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Students have their photo taken with Professor André Venter, who is dressed as Santa Claus, in support of St. Jude Children’s Hospital. By MARIA PAUL RANGEL News Writer
As Christmas approaches, sightings of Santa Claus become more frequent. Santa, in his characteristic bright red suit and white beard, makes frequent appearances around malls, toy stores, parks and other public places. Members of the South Bend community were able to have their photo taken with Santa at Irish Fighting for St. Jude’s annual event, Snapshots with Santa, which took place on Monday
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night at the Dahnke Ballroom. For the price of $5, participants were able to take a snapshot with their favorite Santa, who was brought to life by different Notre Dame campus celebrities, including several athletes and professors, as well as decorate cookies and write cards for the patients. The event benefits pediatric cancer research and treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This year, Irish Fighting for St. Jude managed to enlist the help see SANTA PAGE 4
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