Connecting with Fr. Gerry
Students are invited to connect informally with the Vice President for Student Affairs, Fr. Gerry Olinger, C.S.C., at their convenience during weekly office hours or at recurring Fireside Chats throughout the 2026-27 academic year.
STUDENT OFFICE HOURS
Students are invited to meet with Fr. Gerry during student office hours every Wednesday from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. in 316 Main Building. Please either stop by to chat individually on a first-come, first-served basis or complete this form if you’d like to request another date and time.
FIRESIDE CHATS
Students, either individually or as a group, are invited to meet, connect, and share ideas with Fr. Gerry near the fireplace on the first floor of Duncan Student Center. Fireside chats will be held during lunch this fall from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, Wednesday, November 4, and Tuesday, December 1.
Student Activities Office (SAO)
Tuesday, September 1, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m., Joyce Center Concourse
Connect with student leaders from hundreds of student groups, get involved, and find your community at the annual Student Activities Night! Whether you’re interested in growing your leadership skills, exploring new interests, or making a difference in your time at Notre Dame, there is a place for you. Join SAO tomorrow night and discover new ways to follow your passion and leave your mark.
FIRST 3 SERIES: SHIVER ME SHAMROCKS
Saturday, September 5, 8:00 - 11:00 p.m., Library Lawn
Embrace your inner pirate and join SAO this Saturday for Shiver Me Shamrocks, a First 3 Series event. Enjoy dirty sodas while you venture on a cross- campus scavenger hunt, then end the night with live music and a pirate ship carnival ride.
LUCKY LINEUP
All students are invited to join Lucky Lineup Rewards, a program that rewards campus involvement. Earn shamrocks by attending events, completing Tuesday trivia, and staying engaged, then redeem points in the rewards store on the third floor of the LaFortune Student Center. Visit the program website here and sign up using the “Join Now” link.
PROSPECTIVE CLUB APPLICATION PROCESS NOW OPEN
Are you a returning student interested in starting a new club on campus? The Prospective Club Application Process is now open, and applications will be accepted through Sunday, November 1. The process has changed for the 2026-27 academic year, and an extended application window is in place for the fall semester with the final review of potential clubs now concluding in mid-spring. Email sao@nd.edu for additional information about the process, or attend one of the following information sessions:
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Undergraduate Prospective Club Information Sessions co-presented with the Club Coordination Council
Wednesday, September 30, and Wednesday, October 28, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Duncan Student Center, Room 134 -
Graduate Prospective Club Information Sessions, co-presented with Graduate Student Government
Wednesday, September 23, and Wednesday, September 30, from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. in Duncan Student Center, Room 210
Center for Career Development (CCD)
FALL CONSULTING WEEK 2026
Monday, August 31 - Thursday, September 3, Duncan Student Center
Undergraduate students of all majors are invited to participate in Fall Consulting Week. Programming includes consulting career paths, connecting with firms and alumni, gaining industry insights, and preparing for internship and full-time opportunities. Don’t miss The Connective on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., to connect with over 25 employers recruiting students interested in consulting. Select events are also open to graduate students and scholars. View the full Fall Consulting Week schedule and register for events here.
SAVE THE DATE: FALL CAREER FAIR WEEK 2026
Monday, September 21 - Wednesday, September 23, Duncan Student Center
All Notre Dame students are encouraged to save the date for the Fall Career Fair Week, featuring three nights of career fairs organized by job function. Here you can connect with employers from across the country, explore internship and full-time opportunities, and discover career paths that align with your specific interests, skills, and goals. Learn more here.
Office of Student Enrichment (OSE)
SO YOU WANT TO STUDY ABROAD
Wednesday, September 2, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., Debartolo Hall, Room 101
Join Study Abroad and the OSE to learn how to navigate the study abroad process. Gain insights on applying and how to make opportunities work for your schedule. To register, please click here.
Campus Ministry
WORK IN PROGRESS: A CONVERSATION AND READING WITH REV. JAMES MARTIN, S.J.
Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 7:00 p.m., DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, Decio Auditorium
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend a conversation and book reading with New York Times best-selling author, Rev. James Martin, S.J., editor-at-large at America Magazine. The event will begin with a conversation between Fr. Martin and Professor Kathleen Sprows Cummings. Following their discussion, Fr. Martin will read excerpts from his newest book, Work in Progress: Confessions of a busboy, dishwasher, caddy, usher, factory worker, bank teller, corporate tool, and priest. Copies of the book will be available for sale immediately following the event. This event is free, but ticketed. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the DPAC Ticket Office one hour prior. Attendees must show a Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College, or Holy Cross College ID upon entry.
This event is co-sponsored by the Global Catholic Research Initiative, the Transformational Leaders Program, and the Office of Belonging, Engagement, and Mission.
Multicultural Student Programs and Services (MSPS)
MSPS MULTICULTURAL KICKOFF
Thursday, September 3, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., North Quad near the Memorial Fountain
All are welcome to celebrate the start of the academic year with MSPS at the annual Multicultural Kickoff! Meet new people, explore multicultural student clubs and campus resources, and enjoy food, music, games and giveaways. Whether you’re new to Notre Dame or a returning student, this is a great opportunity to build connections and celebrate our vibrant community. Come as you are, bring a friend, and join us.
PENNANTS FOR YOUR THOUGHTS
Wednesday, September 9, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., LaFortune Student Center, Community Kitchen
Join the MSPS Senior Fellows for an evening of creativity and connection! Create your own pennant to decorate and hang in your room, meet this year's Senior Fellows, and learn more about everything MSPS has to offer.
MSPS HAIR CARE VENDING MACHINE
Looking for hair care products on campus? The MSPS Hair Care Vending Machine, located in the basement of LaFortune Student Center, makes hair care products more accessible and affordable for students. The vending machine offers a variety of hair care products for different hair types and needs, making it convenient to find what you need right on campus.
Student Health and Wellness
BAR NONE: TRIVIA AND DIRTY SODAS
Friday, September 4, 8:00 - 10:00 p.m., Saint Liam Hall, Room 307
Get ready for a high-stakes battle of wits where random knowledge can score you serious bragging rights. Fuel your brain with O’Rourke's apps and a custom, flavor-packed dirty soda bar, and prove your squad is the smartest in the room!
PEER LISTENER POP-UP
Friday, September 4, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Fieldhouse Mall
Stop by the Peer Listener Pop-Up at Fieldhouse Mall this Friday for free snacks, good vibes, and judgment-free listening from peers!
BE THE LIGHT COFFEE CART
Monday, September 7, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Library Lawn
The Plant a Pinwheel tradition honors all those whose lives have been touched by suicide while raising awareness for prevention. Each pinwheel symbolizes hope, support, and a reminder that no one is alone. Visit the display to learn about this project, discover how to Be the Light, and grab a free coffee from Cardinal Coffee.
AVOID THINKING TRAPS WORKSHOP
Tuesday, September 8, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., LaFortune Student Center, History Makers Room
Join the Wellness and Resilience Program for the “Avoid Thinking Traps” workshop. In this session, guests will identify common thinking traps and strengthen skills to disrupt counterproductive thoughts. Chips and dips will be provided. Please register online here.
I CAN HELP SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY TRAINING
Wednesday, September 9, 5:30 - 6:45 p.m., LaFortune Student Center, History Makers Room
You don’t have to be an expert to make a difference—just a friend who knows how to listen. This training will help you to spot when someone is struggling, start supportive conversations, and connect them to real help. Register here.
Family Resource Center (FRC)
PREGNANT AND PARENTING STUDENT OPEN HOUSE
Wednesday, September 2, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m., Beichner Hall
All Notre Dame degree-seeking students and their spouses are invited to stop by the FRC Open House this Wednesday to learn more about available resources, “shop” for gently used baby clothing and accessories, and meet other members of the FRC community. For more information, please email ndfrc@nd.edu.
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER’S SPOUSE ORIENTATION SESSION
Thursday, September 10, 5:15 - 6:30 p.m., Beichner Hall
The annual orientation program and dinner for the spouses of Notre Dame degree-seeking students is an opportunity to meet others and learn more about campus and community resources. Students, spouses, and children are welcome to attend, and limited childcare will be provided. Please register here.
Stay Connected
Friday, September 4, Duncan Student Center
In preparation for the AC/DC concert in Notre Dame Stadium this Friday, the Duncan Student Center will close at 3:00 p.m. that afternoon. Additionally, access to the building will be limited to doors 14-17 beginning at 5:45 a.m., and all individuals visiting the facility should expect additional security measures in place at each of the entrances. Typical operating hours* for both Student Centers are as follows:
Duncan Student Center
Monday through Thursday: 5:45 a.m. - Midnight
Friday: 5:45 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - Midnight
LaFortune Student Center
Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
*All building hours are subject to change over University breaks and/or during major University events. Follow the Student Activities Office (@sao_nd) for information on updated building hours and more.
The Division of Student Affairs e-newsletter is only distributed at the start of the fall and spring semesters. To continue engaging regularly with Student Affairs areas and departments beyond the third week of classes, please consider signing up for one or more of the following subscription-based e-newsletters to learn more about upcoming opportunities and events.
- RecSports: Distributed monthly; subscribe here.
- Multicultural Student Programs and Services (MSPS): Distributed weekly; subscribe here.
- Office of Student Enrichment (OSE): Distributed weekly; subscribe here.
- Campus Ministry: Distributed weekly; subscribe here.
- Graduate Student Life: The Stream e-newsletter is distributed weekly; sign up by emailing gradlife@nd.edu using the subject, “Newsletter Opt-In.”
- Family Resource Center: The Hub e-newsletter is distributed weekly; subscribe here.
Office of Sustainability
Recycling remains an easily accessible way for students to support the University’s mission to care for our common home. Each residence hall room is equipped with a personal recycling bin that can be emptied in the centrally located recycling totes available on most floors of every hall. Learn more about how you can keep waste out of the landfill and other student opportunities by visiting the Notre Dame Sustainability website.