THE The Independent Newspaper Serving Notre Dame and Saint Marys OLUME 43: ISSUE 108 TUESDAY. MARCH 24.2009 NDSMCOBSERVER.COM Catholic groups outraged over Obama selection University stands by invitation to president 2008 article that Obama led the stu­ By MADELINE BUCKLEY dent body with 52.6 perc,ent of the News Editor vote in a mock election held by stu­ dent government, in which 2,692 Several religious and pro-life undergraduates and graduate stu- groups nationwide arn expressing . dents voted. outrage and threatening to protest The Cardinal Newman Society in South Bend after the University (CNS) - a group dedicated to announced President Barack "renewing and strengthening Obama will deliver the 2009 Catholic identity at America's 224 Commencement address at Notre Catholic colleges and universitit'!s," Dame's graduation ceremony May according its mission statement - 17. launched a Web site, Assistant Vice President for News www.notredamescandal.com, that and Information Denni'l Brown told acts as an online petition asking The Observer a rumor that Jenkins to withdraw the invitation Uniw~rsity ~witchboard'l were over­ for President Obama to speak based whelmed with callers and had to be on Obama's pro-choice stance. shut down Friday night is false - a The site currently claims over claim made by a March 20 article 47,000 signers, as of press time. on pewsitter.eom. David Costanzo, CNS communica­ Although many outside groups tions director, told The Observer AP are protesting University President that the Society believes Obama is Left: Protesters flocked on Washington shortly after President Barack Obama's January Inauguration for Fr. John Jenkins' decision, The the annual March for Ufe, in support of the right to life. Right: Obama, who is pro-choice, speaks to Observer reported in an Oct. 8, see 0 BAMA/ page 4 reporters in the Roosevelt Room of the White House Monday. Schmidt names Brellenthin Chief Executive Assistant Former Academic Affairs commissioner will bring experience to third-highest role in student government "You need someone to tell Committee," Schmidt said. during his term as vice presi­ (CLC) and Student Senate. By LIZ O'DONNELL you when you're wrong and to "He worked on majors night dent from 2008-2009. According to the student News Writer be honest with you," Schmidt for two years, excused "Grant and I met several constitution, the CEA also will said. absences for interviews and times a week," Brellenthin chair the Executive Student body president Schmidt and Weber also knows all the deans of all the said .."It was a good opportu­ Programming Board meeting, Grant Schmidt selected Ryan c i t e d colleges." nity for me. Grant let me help a task that Weber highlighted Brellenthin as Chief Executive Brellenthin's Schmidt and Weber both him out on certain issues." as extremely important. Assistant (CEA) for the 2009- prior expe­ said they believe Brellenthin's Brellenthin is also a strong "The Executive 2010 school year. rience ·in connection with the admmis­ leader. "Ryan can be frank Programming Board is The CEA is thn third high­ student gov­ tration is one of his strongest and is highly practical," extremely important because es-t-ranking member of stu­ ernment as skills. Weber said. "His qualities it is comprised of the heads of dent government. behind a reason for Schmidt and Weber have work well with Grant and I. all the University program­ Schmidt and vice president their choice. each worked with Brellenthin He will keep us on track." ming," Weber said. Cynthia Weber. "Ryan did before. Weber sat on the As CEA, Brellenthin will Brellcnthin will also pn1side Brellenthin will be able to amazing Academic Affairs committee attend Executive Policy Board over several ideas that were balance out the president and work as the Brellenthin when Brellenthin was the meetings and will sit on the on their campaign platform. vice president, according to commis- chair. Schmidt oversaw the Council of Representatives Schmidt. sioner of the Academic Affairs Academic Affairs committee (COR), Campus Life Council see CEA/ page 4 SMC drafts new Constitution Web site brings ND By LIZ HARTER spirituality to world Senior Staff Writer After almost a year of discus­ the creators of the Web site, sions and revisions, the Saint By MOLLY MADDEN said. Mary's Student Government News Writer Sullivan came up with the Association (SGA) Constitution is idea for the site three years online to be voted upon the stu­ Spirituality plays a dynamic ago when a new position had dent body this week. role in the life of the Notre been created within the As far as she could tell, the Dame community, even those Alumni Office. Constitution hadn't been revised not on campus. The University "We were focusing on spiri­ since 2000, Sarah Falvey, student has its own prayer Web site, tuality and wanted a ·way to body vic11 president and chair of pray.nd.edu, to allow people . touch as many people as possi­ the Constitution Committee, said. from across the world to par­ ble," Sullivan said. "My The Committee is a group of stu­ ticipate in the University's rich dream was to find a way that dent representatives as laid out prayer life. we could bring the vibrant by the Constitution meant to be "The purpose of the site is spiritual experience of Notre representative of the entire stu­ to help people connect with. Dame into homes, workplaces dent body. It consist'> of members their spirituality," Kathleen and schools." from each major board, each Sullivan, senior Director of After a year of planning and Spirituality and Service at the see SMC/page 6 BLAIR CHEMIDLIN I Observer Graphic Alumni Association and one of see PRAYER/page 4 -------------- page 2 The Observer+ PAGE 2 Tuesday, March 24, 2009 INSIDE COLUMN QUESTION OF THE DAY: WHAT SONG DESCRIBES YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW? Vievvpoint controversies The Observer Viewpoint has received more than 200 letters on the mntroven:.-y generated by Obama's pending visit and his 2009 Comrriencement speech. The whirlwind of Sarah Spieler Kevin de Ia Montaigne Steven Santay Cristina Anaya Janeya Waked emotional frenzy surrounding our pre;ident's freshman sophomore visit has led me to realize something very freshman junior senior important P.W. Fisher Alumni Howard Howard No, I have no polarizing mmments to make about my political views in this situation. I '"/Love College' '"In Love With '"Hey Stephen' '"Poker race:' "Lady Gaga - know you were all holding your breath filr my " keen wisdom, but blues not a hemming skin by Asher Roth." the 8o's (Pink' by Taylor Lady Gaga. 'it'll be okay - color. So feel free to Tux to the Swift." just dance!'" exhale. Jess Shaffer Prom)' by Instead, I have real­ Relient K." ized that a true Viewpoint mntroversy requires the perfect Scene Editor mnditions, the ·perfect storm so to speak. First, of course, there must be a topic that sparks the passionate, emotional and ideologi­ cal foundations of how the Notre Dame mm­ munity understands the world as we know it For example, Melissa Buddie could not IN BRIEF have given this campus a blissful few days of poignant social commentary and mmedy if it The McBride Lecture: had not been for students' fundamental "Protecting the Planet and understanding of hook-ups and how they Creating Jobs: A Win-Win affect our unique Notre Dame social climate. Proposition" will feature Similarly, there must be one person, with David Foster, executive direc­ either a surplus of free time or an "O'Reilly tor, Blue-Green Alliance, a Factor"-esque need to share with the class. coalition of labor unions and This one person can push the boulder that environmental organizations. can bemme a juggernaut force behind mn­ The lecture will take place troversy, intrigue, mudslinging, and some­ today in the Hesburgh Library times valuable intellectual discussion. auditorium at 7:30p.m. Sometimes. I will now make a bold claim. Everyone A lecture hosted by the loves a Viewpoint mntroversy. Everyone. It's Theology department titled journalism and irrational intrigue all in one. "The Igbo and their No matter how mad one article or another Perception of God, Human will upset you or disturb you, you will always Beings and Creation," will eome back to Viewpoint It's as addictive and take place Wednesday and vital to Notre Dame sodallife as Facebook. Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the But sometimes readers' love affair with Jordan Auditorium of opinion mntroveto.)' might get a little ::;tale. A Mendoza Coll£'ge of Business. tad predictable. Uke any long term relation­ Nigerian novelist and poet ship, it might start to lack the sparks that mig­ Chinua Aehebe wHI deliver the inally drew you to it It is at these low points, Third Biennial Blessed Pope these lulls in controversy, that threaten the John XXIII Lecture Series in future of Viewpoint mntroversy and Observer PAT COVENEY !The Observer Theology and Cult· re. The readers' entertainment It is at these pinnacle A student panel titled "I Shall Arise in the Salvadoran People," featuring Cinnamon Sarver, talk on Wednesday ·ill focus moments where new Letters to the Editor a graduate student at Notre Dame pursuing a Masters in Theology, took place Monday on "Human Bein· and the must take up the torch and rekindle the night in Room 103 in the Hesburgh Center. It was the kick~ff event of "Romero Days," talk on Thursday will focus on flame. Or light the powder keg as the case celebrating the life and work of Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero. "Creation." may be. We are mmpletely capable mem­ bers of the Notre Dame mmmunity.