University of Notre Dame - Dome Yearbook (Notre Dame, IN)

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saded than reported. Its pages did reflect some of the liveliest, if not the best, writing on campus, a condition which jaundiced several administrators. Ironically, the newspaper ' s most vehement critics were in student government, but an attempt to cripple its indepen- dence was rightfully squelched. Although occasionally imperfect, the Observer proved that the possibility of Notre Dame ' s having a first rate college newspaper is excellent. And given responsible editors, terse queries about the need for such a medium at Notre Dame can only be regarded as sophomoric. For the first half of its existence, editor Murray ' s Scholastic displayed occasional good writing and a lot of technical competence. Although features by Sullivan, McKenna and Anson were excellent, much of the material was dull, and editorials were predictable: boor- ish students are out, stay hall is in. In the second semester, however, the magazine ' s tempo increased, and the issue devoted to responsibility and the press was one of the best Scho- lastics to appear in the last four years. It provided a history of censorship at Notre Dame, and within this framework suggested that such procedures are anachronistic and barbaric. Apart from this issue on censorship, and fre- quent articles on stay hall, the Scholastic voiced few strong opinions, the notable exceptions be- ing editorials which criticized student govern- ment and denigrated the value of the athletic and convocation center. Success of the honor council continued to place the burden of academic honesty and per- sonal integrity on the student. Its place in the Notre Dame academic community is secure but, in its fourth year, has not eliminated legalism as a primary motive for personal honesty. A residence university is educational environment in its totality. Perhaps the most sig- nificant part of an individual ' s education comes not in the classroom, but in the hall. As one exercises his talent, he is educating his classmates as an artist, engineer, scientist or philosopher. Although Notre Dame has always been a residence university, almost one- third of the undergraduate student body lives off-campus. Further, most on-campus stu- dents live in forced accommodations, which despite environmental inadequacies produce a remarkably cohesive and loyal student body. The dedication of the alumni to Notre Dame THE BURDEN OF HONESTY AND INTEGRITY

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as well as the reluctance of most students to move off-campus reflects an attachment to the University rarely found at other institutions. But success on the economic level does not insure success on other levels. Despite a close student body, current residence conditions are in no way conducive to cultural and intellectual development. While rigid and authoritarian rules have been abrogated in favor of personal freedom, the value of a residence university is questionable if it does not con- tribute fully to the development of its students. Most of the older halls offer only con- stricted accommodations with minimal facilities for study and relaxation. Newer resi- dences unfortunately present a sterile conformity distasteful to many. Although plans have been completed for three tower dorms to be built north of the Library, funds are currently unavailable, and in lieu of private donors a government loan will be sought. Recognizing these structural inadequacies, both students and administration have at- tempted to make hall life a vital force in student development. Part of this has been achieved by placing upon the student the responsibility of hall regulations. No longer are students required by administration fiat to observe curfew and sign in at appointed hours. Other restrictions on the possession of liquor and presence of women in the halls have been at least tacitly eased. Although the necessity for instruments like the hall judicial boards were questioned by some and rejected by members of Lyons, they do represent a shift in emphasis from the rector to the student. Not directly concerned with hall life, the development of the Honor Code places the burden of personal integrity on the student and indirectly forms the basis for community by creating concern for others. Underlying this has been the assumption that the removal of external regulations would allow students to form meaningful relationships in a hall community. The difficulty of forming any kind of community within the halls, however, indicates that the absence of structural rigidity is no panacea. Although there is no Catholic equivalent, Notre Dame included, of a Chicago, Harvard or Berkeley on the graduate level, in undergradute studies the institution is competitive with any university in the United States. Despite a poor representation this year in Na- RIGID AND AUTHORITARIAN RULES HAVE BEEN ABROGATED FOR PERSONAL FREEDOM