• This weekend's Keenan Revue raises ques­ • The Notre Dame fencing team opens their home Friday tions for some students about the limits of season this weekend. humor. JANUARY29, News • 3 Sports • 24 1999 THE The Independent Newspaper Serving Notre Dame and Saint Mary's VOL XXXII NO. 78 WWW. N D.EDU/-OBSERVER Joinin DECISIONS IN LONDON Pope calls for Editor's Note: On Fri., Feb. 5. the Board of Trustees will meet in London to discuss, among other issues, Notre Dame's position on BI~N joining the Big Ten and the possibility ofadding the protection of more control sexual oritmtlffion to the University's non-discrimination clause. coNmiNcE Throughout the days leading to that meeting, The Observer will trzke a comprehensive look at the history ilnd people behind these The Big Ten two issues as well rzs possible ramifications of decisions that the by bishops board might deliver. By LAURA PETELLE Big Ten could break up ND, NBC Assistant News Editor Is Notre Dame in danger of losing its By NOREEN GILLESPIE independence? Nrws Writer No, not to the Big Ten - to the Vatican. Or, morn specifically, to tlw KPnping thn magic of Notre Dame control of tho local bishop, John D'Arcy. football alive and accessible outside While some deny that there is a tlm~at thn stadium walls for fans, parents at all, others sen a dear and presnnt and alumni has not been a large danger for Catholic higher education in prohlnm, for finding a Notre Dame the United States. The danger lies in a football game on tnlevision has bnen dispute between the Vatican and U.S. only a remote control away for the Catholic colleges and universities over past I !i years. the application of a 1990 Vatican docu­ But tlw advanl<tge of having all ment called Ex Corde Ecelesian. Notre Damn home games tnlevised is The argument is over a proposal that in danger. Should the Board of would transfer control of the United Trustnns opt for a move to the Big States' 236 Catholic colleges and uni­ Ten wlwn it meets in London next versities from their boards of trustees to week. weekly national coverage of the local bishops. Notrn I>am1~ honw football games. The document itself is pastoral in would not only hn endangered by a tone, and the Vatican left it to each nnw tnl1wision contraet, but coverage nation's bishops to individualize the could decrease nationally. said application of the document. In 1996, Melissa Conboy, associate athletic the National Conference of Catholic director. Bishops (NCCB) approved a proposal for "Orw of the things that is enviable The Observer/Kevin Dalum Ex Corde Ecdesiae's application in the about being an independent is that As the Board of Trustees Feb. 5 meeting nears, many Irish fans are curious about United States by a vote of 224-6. evnry lwnw garnn is tel1wised evnry what will become of Notre Dame's coveted television contract with NBC. The Vatican rnjeetnd their document week," said Conboy. "Under Big Ten and demanded language that guaran­ run its duration. After that, it is an ever. covnragn, there are more regional teed bishops control over the schools. unknown," she said. "ABC would "In order to remain with our cur­ telncasts. In one part of the nation, The current draft under consideration rent coverage, we would have to be the Michigan/LSU game could be most likely look to continue I Big Ten I was proposed in November by the coverage. Would NBC put in a bid? with our own network," Conboy said. more important, in another, the Ohio NCCB. It's tough to say. We never know "We could never do both [networks] Statn garnn could bn." "In summary, an NCCB approval of what the television market is. Looking at the same time." Undnr the current television con­ this draft document would be profound­ at television property values, they The advantages for the Big Ten tract. all Notre Dame horne games ly detrimental to Catholic higher educa­ television contract are clear-cut - arn covnred by NBC. If Notre Dame have been going up, but that is no tion," wrote Father Edward Malloy, guarantee." Notre Dame football would serve as a joins the Big Tt~n. all pre-existing president of Notre Dame, and Father lucrative addition to the Big Ten agrenmnnts would stay in effect, Weekly national home game cover­ Donald Monan, past president and cur­ age would be over regardless of what Conboy said. rent chancellor of Boston College, in the network covers Big Ten football, how- "The Notro Damn contract would see CONTRACT I page 6 see BISHOPS I page 4 Winter weather may cause fatigue, depression This is the third in a three-part series on winter weather in South Bend. The series appears on Fridays. By CHRISTINE KRALY SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISOHDEH Assistant News Edimr When students complain that the Each year, when winter rears its ugly wnather is driving them erazy, they may head on South Bend, a transformation not be exaggerating. occurs. "For a person adjusting to this lweath- A l'ieree current whips the ,.---------, er]. this is hard," Vachon said. wind into a bitter nightmare, a Students can experience a sheet of pure white snow covers "seasonal pattern of a depres- the landscape, and, what the sive episodn," he addml. heck happens to the sun? Life Whnn the wintnr air becomes becomes dreary and desolate, unbearable and the sporadic just like the moods of some stu- naturn of the sun works the dents on campus. nerves, a student can become "When there's less sun, people susceptible to Seasonal will complain and their moods Affective. Disorder [SAD I. A stu- change," said Dr. Dominie c____ -=....:.:...:..:::___ _ _, dent may fnnlunusually tired or Vachon, counselor at the University dnpressed, and could become lethargic. Counseling Center. The harsh weather Students,espeeially those from warmer and lack of sunlight, combined with the areas, are vulrwrable to this change in everyday stress of student life, can make mood. life on campus much harder during the "A common thing I hear is students winter months, according to Vachon. from warmer parts of the country adjust- The Observer/Kevin Dalum Besides cold temperatures and lake effect snow, winter in South Bend brings an see WINTER I page 6 increased risk of depression for students, especially those from ~rmer regions. ------ -~ ------ ------------------ ~~--~ page 2 The Observer· INSIDE Friday, January 29, 1999 • INSIDE COlUMN Singles' Day utside the Dome Compiled from U-Wire reports Were you alone for the holidays? Was there no call on Christmas from your Significant Other? No little remembrance Olympic scandal investigators subpoena University of Utah from your other half? No one to kiss as the new year began? SALT LAKE CITY, Utah David Sibandze, Sibusiso's father, If you're an upper­ Three possible Olympic scandals is a current member of the IOC. classman, did the sea­ are unwrapping. The University of Sibusiso is listed in the 1991-92 sonal flurry of engage­ Utah is tangled in all three. University Student Directory as a ment announcements The University was issued a sub­ Pre-business major, freshman. In the leave you out in the poena by the Federal Grand Jury last following years' directories he is not cold? week. listed. If this is you, congratu­ The Justice Department is seeking The Salt Lake Tribune reported lations! You're one of any information concerning records that Sibusiso obtained both master's related to various students, medical and bachelor's degrees from the uni­ the few, the proud, the Laura Petelle services and transactions between SLOC's own Board of Ethics are also versity. single. Assistant News Editor At Notre Dame, that's the university and the International looking into the allegations. The Tribune also reported that One investigation has been com­ something of an oddity. Bid Committee and the Salt Lake Sibusiso's father allegedly attempted pleted. The International Olympic After all, where else but Notre Dame can Organizing Committee, University to obtain a scholarship for another Committee released the conclusion of good Catholic boys and girls relate, date and Legal Counsel Advisor John Morris son to attend college in Falun, their investigation Sunday. Six IOC mate? said. Sweden, when it placed their bid for Almost anywhere, as the single person "They have thrown a wide net, so members were asked to step down. the 1988 Winter Games. Twelve others are still under investi­ knows. Why limit your options? as not to miss any information," "There are several investigations If you're single, hold your head high. Morris said. gation. taking place. The University has and The Justice Department has You've stood firm against peer pressure. The Justice Department is just one will cooperate in these investiga­ You've been strong in the face of that cute of three investigatory committees allegedly gathered checks written for tions," Morris said. tuition payments made out to the blue-eyed boy in your sociology class. You've looking into improper practices by The law prevents the University bravely ignored the fluttering eyelashes of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. university in Sibusiso Sibandze's from discussing information about your lab partner. You've defied the odds: 55 The U.S. Olympic Committee and name. the investigations, Morris said. percent of Darners and Belles marry other Domers and Belles. YOU are not a statistic. • GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY • BosToN UNIVERSITY These, however, are the times that try our single souls. Right on the heels of alone-for­ Students protest single-sex rooms Health benefits for partners stirs debate the-holidays December and admire-your­ WASHINGTON, D.C.