Opinion

What's the point?

Happy Halloween everyone!

Being international at Notre Dame

If you studied abroad, you would know that being an international student is a challenging experience.

Class is not tradition

Lost in recent debate is the fact that Notre Dame is not a university bound to tradition.

What makes Notre Dame classy

What's the big deal about having a Jumbotron? How does that make the game suddenly classless ("Tradition is character," Oct. 28)? Historically, Notre Dame has always been a team that embodies the American public.

Ghosts, goblins and the GreenMan

With the tailgating season wrapping up, you're probably wondering — how can I go green now? Don't you worry, the holiday season is beginning with Halloween on Monday. While I'll save my Thanksgiving and Christmas tips for a little later, greening Halloween is a great way to get a trial run in before the overwhelming chaos of turkey takes over.

A chance to heal, unify and enlighten ND

As Halloween comes up, punctuating our first week back at Our Lady's University, the members of the Diversity Council wish to spread a message to the greater Notre Dame student body that serves to fulfill all three facets of Notre Dame's newly displayed mission: "To heal, unify and enlighten." This weekend, when celebrating in all of the festivities offered on and off campus, we ask that members of the student body think twice about how they dress themselves. Companies often sell costumes that caricaturize other groups based on ethnic stereotypes, without regard to how groups may want to represent themselves. To take any culture and simplify it to a headdress of feathers, or a sombrero, or whatever may seem "satirical" and humorous in the market, not only diminishes those who identify with that culture, but also the well-documented struggles that groups of people have been forced to face in the past and present. We know that celebrations are meant to be fun, but even without malicious intent, it takes a special care and compassion to think of others' feelings above one's own. Just because one may personally have friends or acquaintances that do not mind costumes depicting their ethnic heritage in a supposedly humorous fashion, that does not mean that the chance of insulting others while walking around campus is immediately diminished. We are a faith-based community that often refers to being a family, and in order to best exemplify the passion, compassion and familial atmosphere Notre Dame is known for, it is important to think of others when faced with a decision that holds the power of hurting others.

Change your focus

Dear Brian Kelly,

A week of happiness

First, a shout out to whoever reads this:

Tradition is character

I apologize for continuing this conversation into yet ANOTHER day of Observer Viewpoints. But I felt it was necessary.

Supporting 'X for X'

Notre Dame Family,

Raise an X for X

Notre Dame Family,

Synesthesia

To say that my senses aren't too sharp is an understatement. I have horrible hearing, sub-par sight and an almost complete lack of smell — not to mention my notoriously bad hand-eye coordination. Instead, I have an extra sense: I can see sound.

Channeling St. Paul

Perspectives on tradition

I think we forget what tradition is sometimes at Notre Dame. Age does not make a tradition. The "Play Like a Champion Today" sign was put up by Lou Holtz. The leprechaun became Notre Dame's mascot in 1965. The first time we wore green jerseys under KnuteRockne in Oct. 8, 1921, we lost against Iowa. Should we have stopped wearing green jerseys?

Daisy, daisy

"Uh, tell Jon I'm running late!" "Here's your message to Jon, are you ready to send it?" "Yeah, that's perfect. Also, I have to meet Sarah at 5 p.m. tomorrow and again the week after." "Okay, I've scheduled your meeting, note that you have another meeting that overlaps. Do you want me to schedule it anyway?" "Oh, ****, move dinner with Joshua to 6:30." "Watch your language, Blake … I've moved dinner with Joshua to 6:30 p.m." "Thank you, Siri." "Your wish is my command."

The business case for going green

Since the environmental movement started, most businesses have viewed the process of "going green" as a cost rather than an investment. This sentiment is especially magnified in the United States, where corporate environmental responsibility is generally held to a low standard. This most likely stems from the public's skepticism — just 48 percent of Americans believe human activities play a role in climate change, a 12 percent decrease from 2008. Yet even if the public is undecided about the science behind climate change, it is financially wise for companies to take initiative. Businesses must cater to the consumer, and the demand for environmentally responsible companies will only increase over time. Also, even the simplest of internal efficiency adjustments can decrease unwanted spending while helping the environment at the same time. On top of this, it is also wise for the private sector to invest in green energy to prepare for inevitable environmental legislation like cap and trade.

Cincinnati style

Let me preface this by stating that I am among the greatest Brian Kelly supporters you'll ever find. I am a Cincinnati native, and passionately followed my Bearcats as Coach Kelly was bringing them to the top of the Big East. With that said, I was extremely perplexed by an idea attributed to Coach Kelly in Christopher Lilly's Sept. 29 submission ("The Football Coaching Internship Continues"). In this article, Coach Kelly was noted to have said in the past that the high-flying, deep-ball-loving offense he ran in Cincinnati was used only out of necessity — you've gotta score points to put fans in the seats.

Questionable report cards

Dear report card editor,

Motherhood

I am not certain that what follows is orthodox, but … well, it may be.

ESPN wins

In late July, ESPN announced it was going to air seven new documentaries as a result of its wildly successful and critically acclaimed 30 for 30 series that aired from Oct. 2009 through Dec. 2010.