THE The Independent Newspaper Serving Notre Dame and Saint Mary's OLUME 41: ISSUE 58 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER29, 2006 NDSMCOBSERVER.COM ND, SMC see increase in black freshmen Journalist National journal praises University's continued efforts to encourage minority enrollment speaks at Dame's "concerted effort to By MARCELA BERRIOS increase the number of black and News Writer other minority students on cam­ University pus." Only one year after University The JBHE said better outreach President Father John Jenkins programs and an increase in the Editor for The New articulated the need for increased financial aid available to low­ diversity at Notre Dame in his income students contributed to the York Times visits ND inaugural address, the number of 10 percent increase in the number black and other minority appli­ of African-American applicants By RYAN SYDLIK cants enrolled in the Univel'sity and the 44 percent increase in the News Writer this fall is up significantly - and a enrollment of admitted black national publication has taken applicants at Notre Dame. As part of Notre Dame's con­ notice. The JBHE reported 53.4 percent tinuing push to bring top names The Journal of Blacks in Higher of admitted black applicants in journalism to campus, Jill Education (JBI-IE) completed a enrolled in the University, making Abramson, managing editor of survey of the admissions offices of it the fifth highest enrollment rate The New York Times, was a the highest-ranked national uni­ guest of sev­ versities, and praised Notre see RANKING/page 4 eral journal­ ism classes on Monday and Tuesday. Abramson -one of the Zahm struggles with culture shift top women in her field - also met with '------' Students, alumni say change began with new rector and more rule enforcement in 2003 students and Abramson faculty infor- mally Monday and Tuesday, the basis for that connection is events that included sharing cof­ By MADDIE HANNA fading, and the dorm's rector News Writer fee with University President maintains the portrayal is far Father John Jenkins and Provost from accurate. Thomas Burish on Tuesday. Editor's note: This is the first "One big, big problem with Her visit was scheduled to last story in a two-part series Zahm actually - this is some­ longer, but personal matters examining changes to resi­ thing we don't talk about often forced Abramson to leave unex­ dence life within Zahm Hall - is that the campus, I think, pectedly Tuesday night. and what those changes mean or at least parts of it, want us to Despite the shortened visit, to the campus community. be something like that. They those involved in the Notre Dame want there to be a bad boy Gallivan Program in Journalism, Its dorm-wide dining hall din­ dorm, or a frat boy, frat house, Ethics and Democracy - a ners are legendary, its residents that kind of dorm," Father Dan minor for students interested in are unabashedly rowdy at pep Parrish said. "Because it kind journalism - were pleased that rallies and it's notorious for of gives them a whipping boy, she accepted the offer to come. sending hundreds of naked someone to make jokes about." "The Keifer Endowment for males to streak through That "bad boy" image, Excellence in Journalism allow LaFortune in the dead of win­ Parrish said, is an unfair - [the University] to bring a ter. and unfounded- stereotype. notable journalist to campus Zahm Hall, a dorm widely "It really concerns me that every year, and Jill Abramson is regarded as both fanatical and when my freshman parents one of the most admired and close-knit, has drawn compar­ show up on campus, that the Observer File Photo isons to a fraternity for years­ A sign advertising Zahm during Frosh-0 promotes an image that but students and alumni say see ZAHM/ page 8 former and current residents say doesn't reflect recent changes. see GALLIVAN I page 4 COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES Fetnale student body Group discusses awareness tactics presidents set to speak BySONIARAO Relations Center (GRC). News Writer By EMMA DRISCOLL It "seem[edl like it was the News Writer right time to note that there Members discussed possible have been three [female stu­ ways to generate interest in stu­ dent body presidents! in the dent government during It took Notre Dame 130 history of Notre Dame," said Tuesday's meeting of the Council years to admit female stu­ Heather Rakoczy, GRC direc­ of Representatives (COR) in dents and another 29 years tor. LaFortune. until the first female student Shappell said she feels priv­ Student body vice president Bill body president, Brooke ileged to be one of the female Andrichik said recent Student Norton, was elected in 2001. student body presidents - Senate meetings have raised To date, there have been although she wishes it hadn't concerns about how aware stu­ three female student body taken so long for women to dents are of opportunities within presidents - and all three take charge at Notre Dame. student government. will come together tonight at "I am definitely honored to He pointed to several instances the event titled "We Can Do be in this group of three with of "inconsistency" that could con­ It! Women & Leadership at these other two women," she tribute to an apathetic attitude ND." said. towards student government. Norton, 2002-03 student Each of the women will These included "inconsistency in body president Libby Bishop spend approximately 10 to 15 Judicial Council representatives and current student body minutes addressing pre- CHRISTIAN SAGARDIA/The Observer in the dorms [with] a lot of peo- president Lizzi Shappell will Hall Presidents Council co-chair Bryan Lowery explains speak at the event, which is HPC's involvement in dorm activities Tuesday. see COR/page 6 hosted by the Gender see GRC/page 6 page 2 The Observer+ PAGE 2 Wednesday, November 29, 2006 INSIDE COLUMN QUESTION OF THE DAY: WHAT'S THE NERDIEST THING YOU'VE EVER DONE? Registration reservations I sit at my desk surrounded by an array of course selection materials - everything my advisor had to offer. I Andrew Hayes Chris Johnson Noelle Crooks Judith Kaczmarek Gary Pritts Tashi Thomas have my prospective schedule in front of me. My computer screen displays junior junior sophomore junior senior junior every piece of Stanford St. Ed's Cavanaugh Lyons off campus Farley pertinent Bill Brink information I "Went to the "/stayed in "One time I "/go to ND, I'm "J wore Harry could find. "Enrolled at , I'm physically Sports Writer ND.'' library. once to play stayed in on a a physics major, Potter glasses ready and Boggle on a Thursday I'm in the all day when mentally pre- Saturday night." marching band pared to schedule my classes for next the sixth book semester. night.,, and I'm friends came out. ,, It's 12:39. My registration time is with Andrew 12:45. I'm not worried about getting Hayes. What the classes I want. All that worries me is whether I've made the right choic­ more do you es. I cross-check the classes with The need?" Hours, second-guessing myself and my ability to construct a schedule. 12:45. I'm in. My PIN works. The page looks like the tutorial said it IN BRIEF should. My first three classes fall into place smoothly. 12:46. I hit some roadblocks. The Gender Relations Discussion sessions I need are full. Center is sponsoring an event Apparently, I have more AP credit called "We Can Do It! than I thought- paradoxically mak­ Women & Leadership at ND" ing life more difficult. today at 7 p.m. in the Oak I worry more that a wrong choice Room of South Dining Hall. will hinder my college career. No, I tell The program features the myself, that can't be right. Every only three female student course I'm taking fulfills a require­ body presidents in the histo­ ment for either the University, the ry of the University. College of Arts and Letters or my major or minor. Pasquerilla East Hall is But is that the way it should be? holding its annual Silent Some say college is preparation for Night Silent Auction today the real world. Others believe it to be at 7 p.m. in LaFortune the best four years of your life and Ballroom. think it should be treated as such. Should I take classes that will help Indiana State Senator guide me along the path I envision my John Broden, a 1987 Notre life taking, and that will be useful to Dame graduate, will speak at me? 7:30 p.m. today in the Or should I instead embrace the Hammes Student Lounge of moment and take what I want to the Coleman-Morse Center take? about his service on the "Political Theory" is clearly the right Indiana Assessment Team of decision. It meets both a University CHRISTIAN SAGAHLJIA/1 he Observer the American Bar and an Arts and Letters requirement Members of the Notre Dame Gregorian Schola, from left, Raymond Haln, Philip Association's Death Penalty and looks interesting to boot. Smith, Joseph Caudle and Garrett Smith rehearse In the Alumni Hall Chapel. The Moratorium Implementation But the "History of American Sport" group will perform in the chapel Friday during the 5 p.m. Mass. Project. sure does look enticing. 1:32. I stare glumly at my computer A Thai and Cambodian screen as it mocks my feeble attempts fundraising dinner buffet to salvage anything resembling a OFFBEAT will be held Thursday at 6 schedule. It says I'm in a class at 8:30 p.m.