The Observer is a student-run, daily print & online newspaper serving Notre Dame, Saint Mary's & Holy Cross. Learn about us.
-Katherine Smart | Monday, April 18, 2016
While the world is aware of the hardships that face refugees living in the Jordan camps, such as Zaatari, the lack of protection for women against sexual and domestic violence is especially appalling. In an exposé done by The Guardian, reporters write that due to the frequency of sexual violence and lack of resources, families
Katherine Smart | Monday, April 4, 2016
In 2000, Peru’s president was removed from office and an international commission was put together in order to uncover the truth about the violence that had been occurring since 1980 by both terrorist organizations and Peru’s own government. Unfortunately, since strong enough reparations did not follow the report’s release, the Peruvian government and people have
Katherine Smart | Monday, March 14, 2016
Currently, children between the ages of zero and six years old receive an average of 28 doses of ten different vaccines. Although there is no federal mandate requiring these vaccinations, all 50 states have some sort of requirement for public schools. This has sparked debates over the legality of these mandatory vaccinations, especially pertaining to
Katherine Smart | Monday, February 22, 2016
During the summer of 2014, I had the incredible opportunity to spend a week with each of the different branches of the Navy. From driving a 16,000-ton warship to climbing around the engine room on a submarine, I had some awesome life experiences. During one such excursion, I was allowed to go on the shooting
Katherine Smart | Monday, February 8, 2016
When you think back to middle school, gym class is probably one of your best, or worst, memories. Despite your personal experiences, physical education class is one of the most important classes middle schools and high schools offer. Unfortunately, with budget cuts and increasing academic pressures, schools are beginning to explore the option of cutting
Katherine Smart | Monday, January 25, 2016
Everyone can agree that no two individuals have identical personalities or life experiences. Just think of all the unique people you have met at this one University. There are bizarre combinations of academics, athletes, musicians, artist, activists and entrepreneurs. Even the “Katies from a suburb of Chicago” can have completely different interests or ideologies. With
Katherine Smart | Thursday, January 14, 2016
The debate over capital punishment is like “Whack-A-Mole.” One minute, the media is showing people protesting outside prisons and statehouses, and the next minute, another Donald Trump story. Despite the lack of consistent coverage, the death penalty’s presence in the legal system of the United States is reducing it from a democratic state that values individual liberty to
Katherine Smart | Monday, December 7, 2015
Even though it’s only the start of December, the first “War on Christmas” controversy has already infected my Facebook page. This particular battle is over Starbucks’ decision to remove Christmas decorations from their red holiday cups. The gravity both sides of the argument are putting on this issue is pure insanity and the very definition
Katherine Smart | Monday, November 9, 2015
The recent debate over the University’s pilot program to allow selected factories in China to manufacture University-licensed products has caused me to think of my own apparel choices. As a college student, how many times have I walked into the bookstore (or any clothing store for that matter) and shaken my fist at the ridiculously high prices? In