the Observer The Independent Newspaper Serving Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s Volume 44 : Issue 56 Thursday, November 18, 2010 ndsmcobserver.com Harry Potter mania hits Notre Dame Conference Students dine on meal inspired by book and film series, anticipate next movie’s release to focus on religion By LAURA McCRYSTAL News Editor In the early 20th century, the idea that religion was “on its way out” became predominant, according to Notre Dame Professor Patrick Mason. Today, Notre Dame is launching a research initiative to explore the relevance of world reli- gions in the m o d e r n world. The initia- Mason GRANT TOBIN/The Observer tive, titled Students dine at rearranged tables mimicking the layout of Hogwarts’ Great Hall at Wednesday night’s Harry Potter- Contending Modernities, will themed dinner at South Dining Hall. use multi-disciplinary research to promote understanding of swept Notre Dame, with South Hall. college and my childhood is how religious and secular forces By SAM STRYKER Dining Hall holding a “Harry “I think its always looked like seemingly over,” he said. interact. Its first phase involves News Writer Potter Dinner” in honor of the the Great Hall, but with the Domel also said the fact studying the interaction penultimate installment in the House signs and butterbeer, I Harry’s age corresponds with between Catholicism, Islam and With the Sorting Hat and but- film franchise, “Harry Potter feel like I am at Hogwarts,” she the generation of current college secularism. terbeer greeting students as and the Deathly Hallows: Part said. students forges a connection Mason, the project’s associate they entered South Dining Hall One,” set to be released in the- Freshman Jack Trunzo said that is particularly strong at the director for research, said Notre and Hogwarts banners hanging aters Thursday at midnight. he believes Harry Potter’s age University of Notre Dame. Dame has always been a leader from the ceiling, it seemed the Sophomore Tommasina Domel throughout the books serves as “I feel like this is the perfect in the study of religion, specifi- only thing missing was said the additional décor in the a connection between current time to be in college because we cally Catholicism. Contending Professor Snape leering at stu- dining hall only added to her students and the series. all grew up with Harry,” she Modernities, which began dents from the Head Table. belief of South Dining Hall “It is funny that the movies Wizard mania has officially resembling Hogwarts’ Great are ending now just as I get to see POTTER/page 5 see CONTEND/page 4 HPS graduate program ND strives to save energy adds new hybrid track By CAITLYN KALSCHEUR News Writer “Some people like to think of By KATLYN SMITH Notre Dame as America’s leading While students and resi- News Writer Catholic research university,” dence halls are competing to Howard said. “Well, you put those see who can save the most Notre Dame’s History and two terms together — Catholic energy during the Office of Philosophy of Science (HPS) grad- and research — that’s just anoth- Sustainability’s month-long uate program has added a new er way of naming theology and Dorm Energy Competition, the track in theology and science. science as a topic that we should University is doing its own The addition marks the first be doing more to address here.” part to conserve as well. time HPS has offered a new track Howard said the HPS program Though the University itself since its inception in 1990. was “frustrated” when trying to is not doing a particular push HPS Director Don Howard said appoint faculty members in the for the month of November to no other graduate program in the area of theology and science ten save energy, there are various world produces Ph.D.s specializ- years ago. programs effective all year ing in theology and science within “The idea to occurred to us that, long, according to Rachel the context of a history and philos- well, if we’re having trouble mak- Novick, Education and ophy of science program. ing a really high-impact, stellar Outreach Programs Manager “We want the products of this senior faculty appointment for the Office of Sustainability. program to be the leading because the talent is so thin, “The University recently thinkers internationally about maybe we are approaching this started work on stage two of issues of science and religion,” from the wrong direction,” its energy conservation meas- Howard said. Howard said. ures,” Novick said. For Howard, the track speaks to The program instead focused on This $6.5 million investment Notre Dame’s Catholic intellectual mission. see GRADUATE/page 4 see SUSTAIN/page 5 LISA HOEYNCK | Observer Graphic INSIDE TODAY’S PAPER Soler gives State of Student Union page 3 N Delta Spirit to perform page 9 N Men’s Basketball wins page 16 N Viewpoint page 6 page 2 The Observer N PAGE 2 Thursday, November 18, 2010 THE OBSERVER QUESTION OF THE DAY: IF YOU COULD PLAY ANY POSITION ON A QUIDDITCH TEAM, WHAT WOULD IT BE? P.O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Matt Gamber MANAGING EDITOR BUSINESS MANAGER Madeline Buckley Patrick Sala ASST. MANAGING EDITOR: Sam Werner ASST. MANAGING EDITOR: Laura Myers Emily Murphy Sarah Thompson Arianne Rodriguez Katie Donovan Nim Nannan Liz Kraig NEWS EDITORS: Sarah Mervosh Laura McCrystal freshman freshman junior junior junior sophomore VIEWPOINT EDITOR: Michelle Maitz McCandless McCandless Regina Le Mans Le Mans Le Mans SPORTS EDITOR: Douglas Farmer SCENE EDITOR: Jordan Gamble “A seeker. They “Chaser, “I would “Beater so I “I wouldn’t be a “Seeker, SAINT MARY’S EDITOR: Ashley Charnley have the because I can’t definitely be a could use my player — I’d be because I could PHOTO EDITOR: Dan Jacobs GRAPHICS EDITOR: Blair Chemidlin hardest job, but throw a beater.” brute strength. the announcer!” go really fast ADVERTISING MANAGER: Lillian Civantos they can win bludger, but I’m And so I could on my Firebolt.” AD DESIGN MANAGER: Jane Obringer the game with fast.” practice with CONTROLLER: Jeff Liptak one catch.” Fred and SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR: Joseph Choi George.” OFFICE MANAGER & GENERAL INFO (574) 631-7471 FAX (574) 631-6927 Have an idea for Question of the Day? 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The class willt take place today at 5 p.m. THE Students must preregister for o bserver Online this event in 204 LaFortune. www.ndsmcobserver.com The cost is $5 and space is limit- POLICIES ed. The Observer is the independent, daily newspaper published in print and online by the students of the ACE will be hosting an infor- University of Notre Dame du Lac and Saint Mary’s mation night tonight at 7 p.m. College. Editorial content, including advertisements, is in 101 Jordan Hall of Science. not governed by policies of the administration of either COURTNEY ECKERLE/The Observer ACE staff members will be pres- institution. The Observer reserves the right to refuse Junior Caitlin Puntillo throws the quaffle through the hoop during Bellakazam ent to share their experiences of advertisements based on content. Tuesday. The Saint Mary’s Quidditch team did demonstrations such as broom rac- serving with ACE, to discuss this The news is reported as accurately and objectively as ing, and concluded the session with a game anyone could participate in. year’s application process, and possible. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the majority of the Editor in Chief, Managing Editor, to answer your questions. Assistant Managing Editors and department editors. Commentaries, letters and columns present the views The launch of a major new of the authors and not necessarily those of The research and education initia- Observer. OFFBEAT tive, Contending Modernities: Viewpoint space is available to all readers. The free Catholic, Muslim, Secular will expression of all opinions through letters is encouraged. Wis. man accused of shoot- bail was set at $1,500. shoes to fill. take place in New York today. Letters to the Editor must be signed and must include ing TV over Palin dance Cowan’s attorney at the Weeks after announcing The project, directed by R. Scott contact information. MADISON, Wis. — A rural hearing, Jonas Bednarek, the death of the longest Appleby, professor of history Questions regarding Observer policies should be Wisconsin man apparently declined to comment. snake in captivity, the and director of Notre Dame’s directed to Editor-in-Chief Matt Gamber enraged by Bristol Palin’s Cowan’s wife, Janice Columbus Zoo and Kroc Institute for International “Dancing with the Stars” rou- Cowan, told investigators that Aquarium said Wednesday Peace Studies, involves dozens POST OFFICE INFORMATION tine blasted his television her husband suffers from it has acquired the of Catholic, Muslim and secular The Observer (USPS 599 2-4000) is published Monday through Friday except during with a shotgun, leading to an bipolar disorder and had python’s smaller daughter.