Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a series covering the Feb. 27 protest of Susan Ostermann’s promotion to direct the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies.
Student groups and Sycamore Trust offered their opinions on an upcoming demonstration to protest the appointment of Susan Ostermann to lead the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies.
Sycamore Trust, an organization aiming to uphold Notre Dame’s Catholic identity, put out a tweet Sunday announcing the protest.
Bill Dempsey, chairman of Sycamore Trust, said the organization contributed in “one way or another” to all student organizations who uphold the Catholic faith. Based on the limitations of their IRS charter, they are unable to support secular campus groups, including political organizations.
Dempsey said the Bishop’s assertion that the Ostermann appointment is a scandal should be taken more seriously.
“The scandal, if it involves a serious matter according to the Church, is a gravely immoral action,” he said, continuing that Rhoades’ position qualifies that the University “does not pay a lot of heed to the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of human life.”
“We know that the Church would never appoint a racist to a position like this, and so it is a fair inference that the University regards abortion as less evil than racism,” Dempsey said. “I do not suggest that the University thinks it is perfectly all right, but it does pretty clearly think that it is not so terribly wrong.”
Dempsey worried that the notion will mean women with unwanted pregnancy, particularly students of the University, will think “yes, the Church says [abortion] is wrong, but the University does not think it is all that wrong and so it is kind of a venial matter.”
Sycamore Trust has written an open letter to University President Fr. Robert Dowd echoing the sentiments of Rhoades’ letter. They are collecting signatures on this, amounting to 786 signatures as of 9 p.m. Feb 25.
In a written statement to The Observer, Jorden Poulson, political director for College Democrats, called upon the Land O’ Lakes statement to justify that “being a Catholic university means having the academic freedom and independence to pursue truth without fear.”
In contrast, when asked how he understands the Land O’Lakes statement in references to academic freedom, Dempsey suggested the independence affirmed in the statement is not actualized. He pointed to the fact that half of the 12-person Board of Fellows must be from the Holy Cross Order, and the President of the University, who is automatically on the board, must be from the Holy Cross Order.
Poulson voiced support for the University’s decision to promote Ostermann.
“As Father Bob mentioned in his brunch with Cavanaugh Council & President’s Circle donors, decisions like this aren’t simple, and they require careful thought about the University’s mission, values and the needs of our community,” Poulson wrote. “We know there are mixed opinions on this, but we hope people understand that a scholar’s personal opinions are separate from their ability to direct an institute. While some are protesting, we would rather spend our time supporting vulnerable communities, tackling real-world problems and putting Notre Dame’s values into action.”
Shri Thakur, co-president of College Republicans, wrote, “College Republicans fully supports the March on the Dome and encourages the University to reverse its decision to appoint Susan Ostermann as head of the Liu Institute.”
Lucy Spence, editor-in-chief of the Irish Rover and an event speaker for the march, clarified the newspaper’s position on the protest.
“We’re all going to be there, and we support the protest one hundred percent. But in an official capacity, we’re not sponsoring it,” she said. She clarified that when she does go to speak, she will be doing so in her capacity as the paper’s editor-in-chief.
The Rover’s post-protest article will be written by someone unaffiliated with the demonstration. “We want to preserve as much distance as we can,” she said.
Following a Tuesday Grotto prayer service given by Rhoades, co-organizers sophomore Luke Woodyard and junior Gabriel Ortner informed the crowd of “March on the Dome” happening on Friday.
A spokesperson for Rhoades specified that the Bishop will not be present for the “March on the Dome” protest this upcoming Friday.
Anna Kelley, president of Right to Life, as well as The Militia of Immaculata, Children of Mary and Students for Child-Oriented Policy (SCOP), have not responded to requests for comment.
