We fear getting caught more than we fear not learning

There’s a famous quote in “Dead Poets Society,” where Robin Williams tells his students, “Medicine, law, business, engineering — these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love — these are what we stay alive for.” Some might think it’s a cringy line, but I think he was right. Writing is not just a tool for getting grades or passing requirements; it is one of the few ways we discover what we believe, what we value and who we are. When we let algorithms generate our thoughts, we are not simply breaking a rule — we are depriving ourselves of one of the few opportunities college gives us to hear our own mind and find what it is that we stay alive for.

Print Edition for Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Lyons residents uprooted by major dorm renovation

Lyons Hall will become the Lyons community in Zahm Hall for the 2026-2027 academic year as the dorm undergoes its first major renovation in over a decade.

Pope Leo XIV meets with Notre Dame leadership

Pope Leo XIV met with a delegation from the University of Notre Dame on Friday for the first time in his pontificate.

Nine champions crowned in Baraka Bouts finals

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.

An era of consensus

As hard as it might be for some, especially the political left, to see reality, the fact can’t be ignored: 10 months of Trump have been extremely good for consensus. The end of the shutdown proves it, even Democratic opponents in Congress almost entirely conceded to the president’s voter-mandated agenda.

Will Notre Dame continue to juice Otto the Orange?

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.

Bishop Rhoades argues for religious liberty, humane care for immigrants at Law School

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.

Notre Dame looks to defend undefeated home floor against fast-paced Bellarmine

After kicking off the season with three convincing double-digit 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 64-63 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.

A flaneur in South Bend: Counterspell Café

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.

All 17 students arrested at pro-Palestine protest take pre-trial diversion

In May 2024, 17 Notre Dame students were arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespassing following a pro-Palestine protest. Nearly 18 months later, all the students have completed pretrial diversion stipulations. 

Saint Mary’s art department hosts mural project with local youth and artist

In the seven weeks since November the walls of Moreau Center for the Arts, cultural artworks and paintings can be seen throughout the gallery. The artworks, designed by students from grades 6-12 during a seven week period, were a part of a mural project initiative titled, “Rise Together: A Mural Project/Unidos en Ascensco: Un Proyecto de Mural.” In collaboration with the art department, the showcase was held on Thursday from 5-7 p.m.

Notre Dame reaffirms test-optional admissions policy as top-10 universities reimplement requirement

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 Mastermind’: acting over action

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.

Grammy nominations uncovered

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.

Belles basketball finds success at the first The Inn at Saint Mary’s Classic

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. 

Print Edition for Monday, November 17, 2025

Identity is also at the Thanksgiving table

With Thanksgiving approaching, I would like to reflect on my experience of celebrating it as someone who did not grow up with this tradition and on my relationship with adapting to American culture as an international student. Each November, as conversations on campus turn toward family gatherings and travel plans, I reflect on what this holiday means to me as an international student. I have found it profoundly meaningful to share my journey of negotiating these identities, to acknowledge the vulnerability of my early encounters with this culture and to value the strength that comes from belonging to both worlds. 

Why I stopped ‘romanticizing boredom’ — and you should too

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. 

Air travel industry recovers after record government shutdown ends

With the government shutdown officially over, air travel across the country is beginning to return to normal. Students traveling during the shutdown experienced delays, grounded flights and uncertainty at airports.