The Observer

The Observer The Observer is the daily, independent, student newspaper serving the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary's College and Holy Cross College.

It was founded in 1966.

Notre Dame has housed a fleet of food-delivery robots since February 2023, when an initial batch of 30 began to whir aro...
06/23/2026

Notre Dame has housed a fleet of food-delivery robots since February 2023, when an initial batch of 30 began to whir around campus. The fleet rose to 50 despite mixed reactions from students. Now, their presence on University streets and sidewalks is coming to an end.

“We’ve made the decision to wind down our U.S. campus operations as we shift our strategic focus to retail grocery chains and hot food delivery in cities across Europe and the United States,” Ahti Heinla, co-founder and CEO of robot-operator Starship Technologies, wrote in a message shared via a spokesperson to The Observer.

According to the company’s press release, 1,200 robots across U.S. college campuses will now be redeployed elsewhere.

Story by Observer News Staff

https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2026/06/notre-dame-food-delivery-robots-join-mass-exodus-from-college-campuses

Since Le Mans Hall was established in 1926, its bell tower has never featured a bell to ring. That changed at 9 p.m. Sat...
06/07/2026

Since Le Mans Hall was established in 1926, its bell tower has never featured a bell to ring. That changed at 9 p.m. Saturday during alumnae weekend — a new bell was uncovered, and the tower broke a century-long silence.

The church bell is 45 inches in diameter and 1,800 pounds.

To obtain the bell, the College collaborated with the Verdin Company to restore, transport and install the bell. Saint Mary’s previously worked with the company on a tower clock outside of Angela Athletic and Wellness Complex.

Story by Observer News Staff

https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2026/06/new-bell-revealed-in-le-mans-bell-tower

Multiple North Quad residences — Cavanaugh, Farley and Zahm Halls — will be renovated at some point in the future, Unive...
06/01/2026

Multiple North Quad residences — Cavanaugh, Farley and Zahm Halls — will be renovated at some point in the future, University Architect Dan Cook said in an interview with The Observer.

Cook said that determinations on Keenan and Stanford have yet to be made.

“The specific timing of all North Quad dorm work is still being finalized,” Cook wrote in a follow-up email with The Observer.

Story by Mara Hall

https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2026/05/renovations-for-three-north-quad-residences-confirmed-by-university-architect

Fr. Thomas King, former rector of Zahm Hall from 1980-1997, sexually abused at least 15 students during his tenure at No...
05/28/2026

Fr. Thomas King, former rector of Zahm Hall from 1980-1997, sexually abused at least 15 students during his tenure at Notre Dame, according to an external investigative report released today by the University. Fr. David Porterfield, former rector of Sorin Hall from 1978-1983, was also implicated as engaging in an “extensive course of conduct of abuse at Notre Dame,” the report stated.

University President Fr. Robert Dowd and Board of Trustees chair John Veihmeyer initiated an investigation into King’s conduct in September 2025, hiring Helen Cantwell from the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton.

“This investigation has determined that in the 1990s, under the guise of concern about students’ health, Fr. King took students to the Rockne Memorial Gym (“Rockne”) to be weighed. Once in the locker room, he would direct students to undress fully before they stepped onto a scale, suggesting they needed to be naked in order to obtain an accurate reading of their weight,” a portion of the report’s summary stated. “Beyond the weighing scheme, Debevoise also found that multiple individuals, some of whom were weighed, were sexually touched or assaulted by Fr. King, both at Notre Dame and after he left.”

Story by Observer News Staff

https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2026/05/breaking-sexual-abuse-by-former-zahm-and-sorin-rectors-confirmed-after-investigation

After a man with a knife allegedly threatened a woman in a laboratory in Stinson-Remick Hall of Engineering on Monday, N...
05/22/2026

After a man with a knife allegedly threatened a woman in a laboratory in Stinson-Remick Hall of Engineering on Monday, Notre Dame has been reportedly conducting a review of its policies and procedures “to ensure buildings and spaces across campus remain safe and secure.”

According to an emailed crime alert to the University community on Monday, the man with a knife instructed the woman to close the windows before another person entered the room, at which point the man concealed the knife and asked for the restroom before departing.

A suspect, Alan Patrick Arceneaux, 37, was arrested by the Notre Dame Police Department Monday afternoon and was booked into St. Joseph County Jail by Monday evening. He has been charged with intimidation and threat to commit a forcible felony, along with criminal confinement, committed while armed with a deadly weapon.

Story by Observer News Staff

https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2026/05/man-with-knife-in-stinson-remick-apprehended-by-ndpd

A Year in Photos: the photography department’s best photos of the year.Photos by: Keira Jones, Jonathan Karr, Gabriella ...
05/14/2026

A Year in Photos: the photography department’s best photos of the year.

Photos by: Keira Jones, Jonathan Karr, Gabriella Martin, Mariella Taddonio, India Doerr, Gray Nocjar, Declan Lee, Abraham Medina, and Kevin Sanchez

Paul Popiel has been hired by the University to take over the Notre Dame band program after the 2025-2026 academic year ...
05/13/2026

Paul Popiel has been hired by the University to take over the Notre Dame band program after the 2025-2026 academic year concludes.

“Popiel will direct the entirety of the band program, which includes the Band of the Fighting Irish, athletic bands, concert bands and jazz bands, and features more than 500 students from every academic discipline. The all-volunteer organization provides music for a variety of University events throughout the academic year, including liturgies, sporting events and the annual Commencement Ceremony,” the press release announcing Popiel’s selection stated.

Popiel received a master’s degree in trumpet performance from Notre Dame in 1995, following his bachelor’s degree at Truman State University in instrumental music education and trumpet performance. He later earned a doctorate from Michigan State University in musical arts in wind conducting. Additionally, he holds an arts diploma in 20th-century music from the University of Bristol.

The press release highlighted that Popiel brings three years of experience as the dean of the School of Music at the University of Kansas.

Story by Observer News Staff

https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2026/05/notre-dame-hires-new-band-director

Several on-campus restaurants are set to close, and a number of new dining options will open at the beginning of the fal...
05/13/2026

Several on-campus restaurants are set to close, and a number of new dining options will open at the beginning of the fall semester, Notre Dame Dining confirmed in a statement to The Observer.

Taco Bell, a longtime fixture of LaFortune Student Center, will close and be replaced by Gipper’s Pizza.

“Responding to strong student enthusiasm, Gipper’s Pizza will expand its operations and move into the former Taco Bell location following the conclusion of that contract. Gipper’s will now serve lunch through late night daily, featuring an expanded menu ranging from pizza to a wider range of craveable options including a gluten-friendly pizza option,” the statement read.

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers will replace Street Fare in LaFortune Student Center.

By Observer News Staff

https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2026/05/taco-bell-and-modern-market-to-close-new-dining-options-coming-to-campus-this-fall

University President Fr. Robert Dowd has announced the reappointment of John McGreevy as provost for a second five-year ...
05/13/2026

University President Fr. Robert Dowd has announced the reappointment of John McGreevy as provost for a second five-year term. Dowd had issued a “highly enthusiastic recommendation” for McGreevy’s reappointment to the University’s Board of Trustees. Faculty were notified of the decision in an email on May 5.

“I am truly delighted that John has agreed to serve a second five-year term as Provost. John is an invaluable and deeply trusted partner to me as we seek to achieve our aspirations as the premier Catholic research university in the world. I ask you to join me in congratulating and thanking John for his exceptional leadership, his tireless efforts on behalf of the University, and his extraordinary dedication to our distinctive mission,” Dowd said in the email to faculty.

McGreevy was unanimously re-elected by the Board of Trustees and unanimously endorsed by the Board of Fellows, which consists of six Holy Cross clergy and six lay people and is responsible for ensuring the University “maintains its essential character as a Catholic institution of higher learning.”

Story by Observer News Staff

https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2026/05/mcgreevy-reappointed-as-provost-for-a-second-5-year-term

Jelani Cotton is the first Holy Cross College student to receive a Fulbright scholarship, one of the nation’s most compe...
05/12/2026

Jelani Cotton is the first Holy Cross College student to receive a Fulbright scholarship, one of the nation’s most competitive international academic honors. He will be teaching in Asturias, Spain.

Cotton, a senior majoring in business with minors in Spanish and marketing, described his four years at Holy Cross as “transformational.”

“So many doors have been opened because of my decision to attend Holy Cross College,” Cotton wrote. “I feel that I am a completely different person with a whole new world perspective thanks to the experiences I have had and people I have met.”

Story by Annelise Demers

https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2026/05/first-holy-cross-college-student-earns-fulbright-through-relentless-work-ethic

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