Here at Notre Dame we value study, but also pride ourselves in understanding the limits of that knowledge. At a point the pursuit of simple joys and endeavors are necessary for a fulfilling existence.
This past weekend, to ease our transition from our effortless summer pastimes to the rigors of academic responsibilities we raised a rope swing in McGlinn fields on a large oak tree. We decorated it with Notre Dame emblems and affixed a sharpie marker to if for people to record their visits on the swing. We hoped that it would become a reminder that life is more than exams and papers. We also hoped that it would be a way to make the University more accessible to visitors and the community.
The day after we put up the swing, we came back and saw that there were several signatures inscribed — one was from a father and son. They recorded the fun time they spent there, and this drove home to us how a community structure, as simple as a rope swing, can connect so many people regardless of age or background.
On Thursday we returned to the tree to discover its deliberate removal. We contacted NDSP and as of Thursday night they have no record of it being in violation of a code and taken down. This has led us to believe that it was taken by a student or faculty member of the University. We implore the responsible party to return the swing to us.
We took great pride in building this tribute to the more rare and elusive solace that comes from spending a summer evening flying in the shadow of an oak tree. It was a refreshing conclusion to our days as students, athletes, friends and members of this community.
If you have it or have any information about it please come find us. We are in Welsh Family Hall, on the fourth floor.
Ingrid Woelfel and Abbey Nichols
juniors
Welsh Family Hall
Sept. 1
