Support, Resources, and Programming

The Division of Student Affairs aspires to serve as a trusted resource, helping to connect students with information regarding health, development, faith, residential life, extracurricular interests, and future endeavors. For questions or concerns, please email osa@nd.edu.

COVID-19 Updates

Throughout the academic year, the Division of Student Affairs will provide regular guidance and answers to student questions and concerns related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These updates are based on feedback received from student inquiries to University Health Services (UHS) and conversations with members of Student Government.

SYMPTOMATIC TESTING
Our uniformly, highly-vaccinated campus community has resulted in a drastic reduction in the number of students who have tested positive for COVID-19. However, other common illnesses are regularly being diagnosed by UHS and at the University Testing Center, including typical upper respiratory infections which are not COVID-related such as strep throat, mononucleosis, influenza, and RSV. The prevalence of these illnesses can be attributed to students no longer wearing masks, practicing physical distancing, or being as diligent with other preventative health measures like hand washing and disinfecting personal spaces.

UHS takes all calls and individual concerns very seriously. The vast majority of calls to UHS are from students who are experiencing what could be secondary symptoms for COVID-19. These include persistent headache, body aches, sore throat, and fatigue. Students who call with these symptoms are also screened for primary COVID-19 symptoms, which include a high fever, difficulty breathing, and loss of taste or smell. Students experiencing primary symptoms can also complete the Student Symptomatic Test Request Form to automatically schedule a COVID-19 test at the University Testing Center.

If a student calls UHS with secondary COVID-19 symptoms, they are asked questions pertaining to the duration and severity of the illness to determine the appropriate next steps. A large percentage of calls for secondary symptoms are referred to the University Testing Center for COVID-19 testing. Many of these students, however, are encouraged to rest and report back in 48-72 hours if symptoms have not improved or the condition has worsened. 

At this point in time, primary symptoms appear to be a better predictor of a positive testing result compared to secondary symptoms. Of those students referred for testing this academic year, only 3% of symptomatic callers to UHS have tested positive for COVID-19.  

SURVEILLANCE TESTING ACCESS
Based on current data and our campus community’s high rate of vaccination, it can be assumed that there is an extremely low prevalence of the COVID-19 virus circulating among the student body on Notre Dame’s campus. As such, vaccinated students are not subject to surveillance testing. Additionally, less than 1% of exempt, unvaccinated students have tested positive for COVID-19 through surveillance testing this academic year, and therefore, a need for more widespread surveillance testing among the vaccinated student population has not been deemed necessary at this time. The University is continually reviewing all positive cases and remains in regular contact with its medical team and public health officials, and health and safety protocols can be altered should the need arise. 

Flu Vaccine Blitz

The University will offer free flu vaccines to students, faculty, and staff starting with the annual Flu Vaccine Blitz Monday, Oct. 4 through Wednesday, Oct. 6. The second Flu Vaccine Blitz will be held Monday, Oct. 25 through Wednesday, Oct. 27. Registration is required and is now open.

Like last year, all students – undergraduate, graduate, and professional – are required to receive the seasonal flu vaccine this fall. Click here to register.  

Student Activities Office (SAO)

SILENT DISCO
Thursday, Sept. 30, 9 p.m. - 12 a.m., Legends
Grab some headphones, choose your station, and dance the night away with SAO, the Office of Student Enrichment, and NDPD.

COOKIES AND CANVAS
Friday, Oct. 1, 8 - 10 p.m., Library Lawn
Paint your very own picture of the Golden Dome while indulging in Insomnia Cookies! Please register in advance to claim your paint kit here.

GAME DAY PROGRAMMING
Saturday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., North and South Quads
Prepare to watch the Fighting Irish take on Cincinnati with this unique experience right on the quad! Stop by North Quad and South Quad this Saturday for free food, live music, and spirit gear before heading to the Stadium to support our favorite team!

McDonald Center for Student Well-Being (McWell)

CONNECTION GROUPS
Connect with others (and yourself!) while enjoying a hobby or exploring a new interest through McWell Connection Groups. Groups will meet for six to eight sessions throughout the fall semester to allow students to make new friends and share in an enjoyable and meaningful activity. McWell will provide all the materials and all experience levels are welcome. Capacity is limited and we ask you to commit to attending every meeting.

• Crochet Connection Group 
  Wednesdays, 6 - 7:30 p.m., beginning Wednesday, Oct. 6 
  Sign up here. 

MCWELL RECESS: BEADED FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS
Friday, Oct. 1, 12:30 - 2 p.m., North Quad
Recess is in session! Students are invited to take a break with the McWell Senior Fellows at Recess - a weekly event to discover opportunities for active breaks in your busy life to promote well-being through play, movement, connection, prayer, and rest. This week, McWell will promote connection by making friendship bracelets.

SHARED WALKS
Meet someone new! Register for Shared Walks to find connection in people and places by exploring campus spaces with a fellow student. Walkers will be randomly paired with another student and invited to meet up and take a walk together on campus. Sign up here and someone will follow up. Registration closes this Friday, Oct. 1 at 5 p.m.

Center for Career Development

ARE YOU CAREER READY? INTERACTIVE CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERIES
Are you looking to take a more active role in your own career development process? The Center for Career Development is excited to announce the start of the Career Development Series with the first of six career development offerings. Upon completion, students will earn a certificate and can promote their accomplishments to employers on their Handshake profile. The October series kicks off with:

• Discern Your Career Path (First Years/Sophomores)
  Tuesday, Sept. 28, 5 - 6 p.m., Duncan Student Center, 512
  When it comes to career development, most people look externally at jobs and career paths first. While this is important, career discernment starts with internal self-reflection. In this session, you will learn how to engage in career discernment by exploring your values, interests, personality, and skills. Register here.
• Promoting Your Skills (Juniors/Seniors)
  Wednesday, Sept. 29, 5 - 6 p.m., Duncan Student Center, 512
  This session will help you confidently talk about your skills and experiences in a way that clearly shows the relationship to the opportunity you are pursuing. Register here.

Campus Ministry

THUNDER FROM THE SKY: FESTIVE ORGAN MUSIC IN THE BASILICA
Friday, Oct. 1, 3:30 - 3:45 p.m., Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Begin your home game weekend festivities by experiencing musical thunder from the sky! Basilica organists will “pull out all the stops” during 15-minute informal recitals that are sure to shake the rafters! The concerts will conclude with a rousing rendition of the alma mater. 

On home football game weekends, masks are required in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart starting at 1 p.m. Friday through the conclusion of the 12 p.m. Mass on Sunday.

ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER STUDENT MINISTRY
Friday, Oct. 1, 5 - 6:30 p.m., Grotto
Join Campus Ministry this Friday for the Asian Pacific Islander (API) Student Ministry kick-off prayer service at the Grotto followed by dinner from Cre-Asian in the Coleman-Morse lounge. If it rains, both the prayer and dinner will be held in the Coleman-Morse lounge.

The prayer service will focus on identity with the intersection of spirituality and culture, and include prayer intentions spoken in multiple languages. Please RSVP here by Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. Contact Angela Ly at aly2@nd.edu with any questions.   

EXALT ADORATION
Friday, Oct. 1, 7:30 - 9 p.m., Basilica of the Sacred Heart
EXALT Adoration and Reconciliation will be held this Friday in the Basilica. Fr. Kevin Grove, C.S.C., will offer a brief reflection on the Second Constitution of the Congregation of Holy Cross followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, music from Totus Tuus, and Reconciliation during the night of prayer and worship. For future updates about EXALT, please complete this form.  

FOLK CHOIR TENORS AND BASS AUDITIONS
The Notre Dame Folk Choir derives its name from its diverse repertoire: the choir sings music of the people, or folk, of the Church. The choir sings weekly at the 12 p.m. Sunday Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and will tour to New York City and Jerusalem this year. Learn more about the choir at folkchoir.nd.edu. Contact Dr. JJ Wright with questions or to schedule an audition at jwright9@nd.edu. 

Fall Shuttle Service

Royal Excursion will offer airport transportation service to and from Chicago airports for Fall Break and the Thanksgiving holiday. For reservations, please click here or reserve on the Royal Excursion Facebook page. For additional questions or information, please email Airport@royalexcursion.com.