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

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Activities on Campus Tlie war in Iraq, terrorism, the economy, homosexual marriage, and abortion are just some of the issues that have caused many Notre Dame students to shed the traditional reputation of apathy for involvement in the 2004 political campaigns of Republican President George W. Bush and Democratic Senator John Kerry. College Democrats and Republicans joined with he Rock the Vote campaign to register voters and increase voter awareness on the Notre Dame campus. For freshmen, studying the campaign began early. The fresbnen were assigned T ie Vanishng Voter as required summer reading. Tlie book deals with the trend of increasing apathy toward voting and politics. On September 2, 2004, author Thomas Patterson, a professor of government at Harvard University, visited Notire Dame for the First Year of Studies Academic Convocation. The convocation consisted of ;in interview followed by a question and answer periexf, wliich allowal students to ask Patterson about his h.x)k iind liis views. The first 250 students at the convocation received Voting Irish t-sliirts. In addition to numerous student debates, Natuynal Review cxlitor Richard Lowry and Tim Natiim editor David Com debatal at Washington Hall. Lowry presented the conservative argument while Gim offered the liberal. Tliey debated on many of the major issues of the campaign, focusing especially on the war. The College Republicans also sponsored a Republican convention watch at LaFortune. In addition, many domis and groups sponsored debate watches where students gathered to see President Bush and Senator Kerry face off on the issues. The director of labor policy for the Kerry Edwards campaign, Marco Trbovich, gave a lecture titled Tlie Power of Libor in Presidential Politics. UxA leaders also traveled to the Noo-e Dame campus. Joe Donnelly, a U.S. Representative for Indiana and the Democratic challenger to Chris Chocola, spoke to the QJlege Democrats at LaFortune. Chocola spoke to students at Saint Mary ' s College about his political experiences and his campaign. The Center for Serial Concerns offered a sbc-week, one-credit course called QinscicTice in the Crossfire. Stijdents, who ranged from freshmen to seniors, attended tliis class for two hours every Monday, participating in discussions and listening to guest speakers. Tlie class ' s purpose was to encourage students to vote using their conscience and take an active part in politics. In addition to diis class, the Center for Stxial Gincems also held numerous Iccaires on topics such as the election, trade, the role of religion in politics, the economy and Iraq. On October 26, a week before the general election, WVH, WSND-FM, NDTV, iind Sdmkmh Magazine held a mock election where students could cast dieir vote throughout the day at LaFortime. Bush won the mtx:k election by receiving 47.5% of die vote; Kerry Ciune in second with 46.8% . Many sftidents participated in the preparation for the 2004 election hv simply watching the live debates from LaFortune or their dorm ' s common areas. Photo by Bizcibeth Heshurgh ftY Amy W Audta aa Section Activities «

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MomK-n. of the O ' Neill frcslini;in class sign in u m their amval at Ni tre l ,uiie ;md preixire to move all ol their things in while eiifn ' - ing the fun activities of Freshman Orientation. I ' iom couTKay of Ala Frencii Orientation usuiilly invi l es crarv acrivines or behavior, including these freshmen from Fisher Hall showing their support for Pangtom. P uilo courtesy of Pamcin .Aliare; Other games may even involve the limbo, which is usually played during the Morrissey ' Lyons luau. hoco courtesy of Paul DeMo« M; ny freshmen find it easy to meet new people when coming to campus for the first rime, including these Lyxns residents. Photo counesy of Megan Camnw iCU ti c,oy ' r ' ' U« Campus Life a

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Junior Adriame Y me: xHes in a mock elecmci in LaRinune shortly Sefore the naticTial election. This was just iTie iA many on anipus activities that prepared students lor the election. Memlxrs of the Online Re- puHicans work the phone bank for a local campaign. This is just one of many ways students were able to be active in the 2004 elections. Photo courtesy of Tom R jpiiiger 100 YEAFIS OF IRISH BASKETBALL Jj INSDE AN ND BAND HALFTIME SHOW SCHOLaSTIC 05 NOTRE DAMES STUDENT MAGAZINE SQUARING OFF ••••••••• STUDENTS GET ACTIVE FOR T}1E UPCOMING TUESDAY. fvOVEWBEB 2 ••••••••• MOCK ELECTION RESULTS - PLUS: THE BIG ISS Dspts KNOW AS A einipus publicarioas like the Sc ioIosDc prepared students for the election U ' providing information tliat pertained primarily to college student.s. P ioto aruncsy of Sdnlasac Tins group of Gillt je Democrats proudl ' represent their state during ihe 2004 election. Sttidents attaidcd many activities in an attempt to get involved nith the election Photo couneyy of Niojla Bunick Campue Uf ? ga