Editor’s Note: This is a developing story which references allegations of sexual misconduct whose authorship has not been identified by The Observer or administrator(s) of shareyourstory.notredame, an Instagram account where the allegations originated. References to allegations are not intended to be construed as evidence of their accuracy or credibility. An account administrator has been granted anonymity by The Observer for their role in disclosing information relevant to the University’s investigation.
Elizabeth Greenop, rector of McGlinn Hall since August 2024, is under investigation by the Office of Institutional Equity at Notre Dame for alleged sexual misconduct, arising from anonymous posts on the Instagram account shareyourstory.notredame. She has been on leave since June 29.
“We have been made aware of the online allegations. The University takes allegations of sexual misconduct seriously, particularly when persons in positions of authority may be involved, and is conducting an investigation,” the University stated in an email to The Observer. “The employee in question is on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.”
On June 17, the first post alleging sexual misconduct by Greenop was published on shareyourstory.notredame. The account administrator redacted the rector’s name from this and subsequent posts alleging misconduct.
The Instagram account receives submissions for its posts via a Google Form, open to anyone who accesses the link in the account’s bio. The form does not request names, email addresses or other identifying information.
On June 18, the account administrator filed a Speak Up report — an option the University enables for filing complaints concerning “bias, discrimination, hazing and hazing-like initiation, and/or harassment” according to the report’s homepage.
Greenop is the sixth rector of McGlinn Hall. She received a bachelor’s in psychology and theology from Xavier University and a master’s in theology from Notre Dame in May 2024 through the Echo Program — a graduate student cohort that places inductees into service with participating Catholic dioceses for two years. According to a University bio, Greenop served at the Parish Community of Saint Helen in Westfield, New Jersey.
Greenop did not respond to an email request for comment regarding the date or circumstances of her leave, or whether she had received written notice of OIE’s investigation.
Residential Life informs McGlinn community
Greenop’s leave was disclosed to McGlinn residents on Monday via an email from Karen Kennedy, associate vice president for Residential Life. Breyan Tornifolio, director of Residential Life, was named as a primary point of contact for residents during the summer. The message stated Greenop’s leave took effect on the day the email was sent.
“Rest assured we will share additional information regarding McGlinn Hall leadership prior to the start of the fall semester,” the email stated.
The message did not offer a reason for the leave. It did provide residents with links to the University Counseling Center, telehealth service TimelyCare and Campus Ministry.
“Should you have concerns you wish to share with the University, I encourage you to use the Speak Up online form so the University can take appropriate action to assist those involved and improve the campus climate,” the email stated.
The University also linked its Speak Up report in its statement to The Observer.
“Members of the campus community who experience such misconduct are strongly encouraged to report it to law enforcement and/or the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE),” the statement read. “Reports to OIE can be made at speakup.nd.edu. Without reporting, our ability to investigate allegations is severely limited and we strongly encourage anyone with information to please reach out.”
The McGlinn Hall profile on the Residential Life website and the staff profile on McGlinn Hall’s website were similarly updated to communicate the leave and point any questions concerning the community to Tornifolio prior to Welcome Weekend, which begins Aug. 20.
Tornifolio did not respond to an email request for comment on additional details regarding the McGlinn Hall community.
University operates under refined investigative procedures
In late May, Notre Dame announced a new policy meant to provide more oversight over handling reports of sexual misconduct when alleged perpetrators are University employees or associates qualified as “in a role of authority, responsibility, or trust with respect to students.”
The General Counsel and the vice president for Student Affairs are assigned by the policy to involve senior University leadership in handling reports, typically including the University President, Board of Trustees and any separate organizations alleged perpetrators associated with, including Catholic dioceses and religious orders.
The new policy affirms that oversight by senior leaders would continue “regardless of whether the person is still employed by or affiliated with the University.”
It was implemented to address findings from an investigative report originally commissioned by the University to examine misconduct by former Zahm Hall rector Fr. Thomas King and expanded to investigate the actions of former Sorin Hall rector Fr. David Porterfield.
The report, released concurrently with the University’s new policies, documents multiple instances of sexual abuse by both rectors, some involving their respective hall residents.
”The University will conduct an Investigation under the Sexual Harassment Procedures only upon the filing of a Formal Complaint alleging Sexual Harassment,” the University’s policy on procedures for resolving allegations of sexual misconduct stated.
The policy, last updated in January 2025, states the University aims to conclude investigations within 60 days after a formal complaint is filed — the result of a 2011 Resolution Agreement between Notre Dame and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights.
The 2011 agreement states the University will conclude Title IX investigations within the allotted time “except in extraordinary circumstances.”
A formal complaint can be signed by the assistant vice president of OIE and Title IX Coordinator, or made by a complainant — defined in a 2022 policy as “An individual who is alleged to have been directly affected by a violation of this Policy.”
The 2025 policy specifies that a hearing board will determine if an individual has violated any University policies, and if so, what sanctions to apply.
“The Respondent in the Sexual Harassment Procedures is presumed to be not responsible. This presumption may be overcome only after a Hearing where the Hearing Board concludes that the Respondent violated University policy, based on a preponderance of the evidence,” according to the policy. The document defines preponderance of the evidence as “whether it is more likely than not a violation occurred.”
Sanctions offered specifically for faculty and staff respondents include reduction of pay and privileges, demotion or removal from leadership positions, and suspension or termination of employment.
University procedures are distinct from criminal investigations “as a result of the University’s obligation under Title IX and other laws pertaining to equal opportunity and access to ensure that it is providing an environment free from discrimination for all members of the University community,” according to its procedures for sexual misconduct policy.
Notre Dame can defer a case to law enforcement or provide information for them to pursue a criminal investigation. A complainant may also file a criminal investigation that runs concurrently with the University’s.
Editor's Note: The Observer received material evidence to substantiate the assertion that the McGlinn Hall rector was mentioned by name on referenced Instagram posts. The Observer has taken an active role in providing the Office of Institutional Equity with information related to its investigation by filing a Speak Up report on June 27. If you wish to correspond with The Observer regarding this or other matters involving sexual misconduct at the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College or Holy Cross College, contact us at editor@ndsmcobserver.com.
