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Year in review: 2021-2022

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Fr. Gerry takes over as Vice President for Student Affairs — June 1, 2021

Following the end of Erin Hoffman Harding’s term, Fr. Gerard “Gerry” Olinger C.S.C. took over as Notre Dame’s vice president for student affairs. Previously serving as vice president for mission engagement and Church affairs, Olinger began his new term June 1, 2022. Olinger, who students affectionately call Fr. Gerry, made an effort to enter into conversation with students and faculty to inform his plans for the University with real experiences. 

University commits to carbon neutrality by 2050 — September 10, 2021

University President Fr. John Jenkins committed Notre Dame to become carbon neutral by the year 2050. Jenkins’ remarks came during his opening statement for the first keynote event of this year’s annual Notre Dame Forum, “Care for Our Common Home.” Achieving these goals will require a long reevaluation process as well as many improvements in campus infrastructure, Jenkins explained. The University will also employ emerging sustainable technologies as they become available.

SMC President Katie Conboy officially inaugurated — October 9, 2021

President Katie Conboy was officially installed as the 14th president of Saint Mary’s College during a ceremony at O’Laughlin Auditorium Oct. 9. Though she took office in June 2020 and has led the College through the reopening of in-person learning, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic delayed official ceremonies for over a year. A number of distinguished guests, Saint Mary’s students and community members attended to mark the occasion and listen to Conboy’s inaugural address.

Marie Lynn Miranda announces she will step down from provost — December 9, 2021

Marie Lynn Miranda announced her intention to step aside as University Provost effective Dec. 31. Miranda said she has reflected on how she wants to engage in building a post-pandemic world, writing “I find myself compelled to work more directly on the issues about which I am most passionate.” During her time at Notre Dame, Miranda prioritized the University’s goals in diversity and inclusion, led adjustments in educational teaching during the pandemic and hired new academic leaders, among other achievements.

Masks make a return — December 31, 2021

After one semester back to normal conditions, masks returned to campus at the beginning of the spring semester. An email from the Office of the President announced that until 90% of the community achieved the full protection of an approved booster, all students, faculty and staff would be expected to wear masks indoors on campus, along with various other COVID-19 protocols. This update came with nationwide increases in COVID-19 cases due to the highly contagious omicron variant. 

University sued for alleged price fixing — January 11, 2022

Notre Dame was among 16 elite U.S. universities sued for alleged violations of antitrust laws and collusion with other schools to limit students’ financial aid. The lawsuit posits that the University engaged in alleged price fixing and “​​artificially inflated the net price of attendance for students receiving financial aid.” In addition, the suit argues that over 170,000 students have been overcharged for tuition as a result. 

Students receive COVID-19 vaccine booster — January 11-14, 2022

Like the vaccine clinics held in Compton Family Ice Arena in spring 2021, Notre Dame offered a three-day vaccine booster program for everyone in the campus community who had not already received an approved COVID-19 booster. With a vaccine deadline of Jan. 21, these efforts were coupled with the return of masks and other COVID-19 related protocols that dominated 2020 until 90% of the community received the booster. 

University observes MLK Day — January 18, 2022

For the first time in its history, Notre Dame fully observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a University holiday, which also marked the beginning of the University’s annual Walk the Walk Week. The observance came after months of work behind the scenes by department heads within the Njomo-Bisner administration and was announced during the first meeting of the Notre Dame student senate in fall 2021. 

Tri-campus shuts down for snow day — February 2, 2022

After a winter storm dropped 11.2 inches of snow on South Bend and an estimated 8.5 to 12.5 inches on Mishawaka, Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross all closed — the snow day was on. Classes for Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross went online, and with all the unexpected extra time, students were still able to sleep in, catch up on homework or plan fun activities in the snow. For a little while, everyone was able to take a breather and enjoy the glorious winter weather.

Chick-Fil-A opens in Duncan Student Center — February 11, 2022

Notre Dame Campus Dining celebrated the grand opening of the new on-campus Chick-fil-A location Feb. 11, serving the first of many chicken sandwiches and nuggets to students. Campus Dining staff and executives were present to welcome community members and show them how the new location operates. The new restaurant is located on the southern end of the first floor in Duncan Student Center, in what was formerly the Star Ginger location.

Russia invades Ukraine, students pray, mourn, raise awareness — February 24, 2022

When Russia crossed the border and ignited a war, students at Notre Dame and across the country mobilized in support of Ukraine. Students put on prayer services, shared information across platforms and organized fundraising efforts. “There’s no more days of the week. It’s just days of the war,” junior and president of the Notre Dame Ukrainian Society Maryna Chuma said, describing how the crisis dominated her thoughts.

Gateway students offered housing for the upcoming academic year — February 28, 2022

Notre Dame announced they would be able to provide on-campus housing to the current Holy Cross College Gateway 9.0 cohort upon their transfer to Notre Dame in the fall semester, the Office of Residential Life announced in an email to Gateway students. The email described intense efforts by the University to solve the on-campus housing shortage. The announcement came after last fall’s news that Gateway and transfer students were not guaranteedon-campus housing for the 2022-2023 year.

Former dean John McGreevy elected as new University Provost — April 12, 2022

The Board of Trustees elected historian and former dean of the College of Arts and Letters John McGreevy as the next provost in April. McGreevy, a Notre Dame alumnus who also chaired the department of history from 2002 to 2008, was elected with consideration of a search committee consisting of elected and appointed faculty and students and University President Fr. John Jenkins’ recommendation.

Marco Clark chosen as first HCC President from outside Congregation of Holy Cross — April 13, 2022

Holy Cross named Marco Clark the next president of Holy Cross on April 13. Clark. Clark, who has over 30 years of experience working in Catholic education, will be the first Holy Cross president to not be a brother or priest. Current College President Fr. David Tyson is retiring in June after five years in the role.
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