Notre Dame fires administrator who opposed honor for Obama [CWN]

[Teelynn]

Usually there is a two fold (or more) reason that someone is dismissed from employment. I would imagine that there were several factors involved in terminating him. Not being on the inside, who in the world would know what those are? The article only speculates that it was because of his objection to the Obama fiasco. No one would know for sure what the reason(s) was. I do wish him well and hope that this might turn out to be to his benefit in the long run.

The manner in which several things were handled after the Obama scandal were enough for me to forever dismiss them as a Catholic University. The administration has acted in an anti Catholic manner actually. I do know that I for one, will NEVER look at ND the same way ever again. There is no way in _ _ _ _ that I would EVER send a child of mine there nor would I recommend the University to anyone. There are a few Catholic Universities that I believe are still Catholic that I would look into…ND would not be one of them. There might indeed be many pro life and truly Catholic ministries that are very strong at ND, but if the administration governs in a secular humanist manner, I personally want no part of it.

I guess I really could care less what ND does or doesn’t do. I have written them off entirely, and don’t even consider them to be a Catholic University any longer.

 

[Verbum_Caro]

Yes. And if you were part of the ND community, you would know them too.

Hi ndmom,

I find that reply odd, since you don’t know if I am part of the ND community or not. You’ve been concerned about people getting their facts straight . . . could you perhaps have leveled that accusation at me without first knowing the facts?

I’m not trying to take you to task. In fact, I want to point out to all that your concern about gossip, etc. is a holy and noble one.

But, it seems to me that Dr. Solomon’s piece merits some consideration – at least more than simply trusting that “Notre Dame knows best” and leaving it at that. I say this because the article wasn’t written by a student journalist or an outside observer. The article was written by a close personal friend of Bill Kirk (as Dr. Solomon states) who also happens to employ his wife (as you stated). It is reasonable to think that Dr. Solomon’s knowledge of the matter should be given some weight.

Anyway, back to my question: I was wondering what other senior administrators participated in NDresponse. Do you know who? Or, did Dr. Solomon get that right – Bill Kirk was the only senior administrator to participate in NDresponse?

Thanks,
VC

 

[ndmom]

But, it seems to me that Dr. Solomon’s piece merits some consideration – at least more than simply trusting that “Notre Dame knows best” and leaving it at that. I say this because the article wasn’t written by a student journalist or an outside observer. The article was written by a close personal friend of Bill Kirk (as Dr. Solomon states) who also happens to employ his wife (as you stated). It is reasonable to think that Dr. Solomon’s knowledge of the matter should be given some weight.

Anyway, back to my question: I was wondering what other senior administrators participated in NDresponse. Do you know who? Or, did Dr. Solomon get that right – Bill Kirk was the only senior administrator to participate in NDresponse?

Thanks,
VC

Dr. Solomon has NO knowledge of the situation. His letter makes that quite clear, as he fails to provide a single factual detail concerning Kirk’s termination that is not also a matter of public knowledge. And his assertion that Kirk should be somehow immune from termination because of his length of employment, his wife’s notable accomplishments at Solomon’s Center, and his family situation is a bit peculiar, especially given his praise of Kirk for refusing to play favorites among students charged with violations of the disciplinary code.
With regard to the claim that Kirk was the only senior administrator to participate in NDResponse, here’s what really happened. At the rally following the Mass on the South Quad, faculty and other staff were asked to come to the podium to demonstrate their solidarity with the students. Kirk was evidently among those who trooped up to the podium (I wasn’t keeping track, but apparently Solomon was). There were other faculty and administrators who had attended the Palm Sunday rally, the Mass, and part of the rally – which went on for quite some time – but who, for whatever reason, failed to appear on the podium. Some of them attended the official graduation ceremony out of a sense of obligation to their students or because they had professional responsibilities in the ceremonies, even though they strongly objected to the honors bestowed upon Obama. In Solomon’s eyes, their opposition to the Obama invitation somehow doesn’t count.
This whole situation is far more complicated than Solomon lets on. And a man’s reputation is at stake, a fact that Solomon, who is a friend of the Kirk family, seems to have forgotten in his zeal to condemn the university. It’s too bad.

 

[Verbum_Caro]

Thank you for the reply ndmom.

his assertion that Kirk should be somehow immune from termination because of his length of employment, his wife’s notable accomplishments at Solomon’s Center, and his family situation is a bit peculiar

I’m not sure that was asserted. The way I read it, he was saddened that someone who was employed so long and about to have a new child should be dismissed rather abruptly and suddenly.

ndmom:

With regard to the claim that Kirk was the only senior administrator to participate in NDResponse, here’s what really happened. At the rally following the Mass on the South Quad, faculty and other staff were asked to come to the podium to demonstrate their solidarity with the students. Kirk was evidently among those who trooped up to the podium (I wasn’t keeping track, but apparently Solomon was). There were other faculty and administrators who had attended the Palm Sunday rally, the Mass, and part of the rally – which went on for quite some time – but who, for whatever reason, failed to appear on the podium.

So it is possible that Bill Kirk was the only senior administrator who went to the podium (and was he the only senior administrator there? Do you know?)

I’m wondering about administrators who have expressed to Dr. Solomon that they won’t cross the administration in such a fashion because of what happened to Bill Kirk. These things were shared with Dr. Solomon, presumably, before he published his piece. I find it significant that this sentiment exists.

Dr. Solomon mentions that Some of them attended the official graduation ceremony out of a sense of obligation to their students or because they had professional responsibilities in the ceremonies, even though they strongly objected to the honors bestowed upon Obama. In Solomon’s eyes, their opposition to the Obama invitation somehow doesn’t count.

Could you explain this? Where does Dr. Solomon say that such opposition to the Obama invitation didn’t count?

Thanks,
VC

 

[the_phoenix]

As a former student at Notre Dame during the 60s, when it was still an all-male college, I can attest to the time when beliefs were certain, and Catholic meant something at the University. Since that wonderful time I spent there, something’s changed, and I think it’s called secularism. I don’t know how or why it came to ND, but it’s there. And it’s sad, very sad. Prayers are in order to overcome this evolving culture of anti-Catholicism.

For anyone to be castigated for standing up for the true beliefs of the Catholic Church while demonstrating same at ND is preposterous, unless you subscribe to the secular PC world of most universities these days. Bad enough that it happens at those campuses. ND has championed Catholic beliefs and theology in its long and good history. If it means to remain a center of Catholic culture and teachings (apparently a big if) as well as excellent education, it needs to return to the days of listening to what the Holy See has promulgated and stands for, not some temporary liberalism of political expediency.

 

[ndmom]

I’m wondering about administrators who have expressed to Dr. Solomon that they won’t cross the administration in such a fashion because of what happened to Bill Kirk. These things were shared with Dr. Solomon, presumably, before he published his piece. I find it significant that this sentiment exists.

I’m wondering whether these administrators are a figment of Solomon’s imagination. Let me repeat that there are a number of members of the ND community, including senior faculty and administration, who are fiercely committed to Notre Dame’s Catholic identity, who were adamantly opposed to the Obama debacle, and who chose to communicate their opposition directly to the powers that be rather than through NDResponse. Solomon can speak for himself (and for those who have determined that it is unsafe for them to speak), but he does NOT speak for others on campus, many of whom are dismayed at his piece and the publicity it has received.

 

[the_phoenix]

Let me repeat that there are a number of members of the ND community, including senior faculty and administration, who are fiercely committed to Notre Dame’s Catholic identity, who were adamantly opposed to the Obama debacle, and who chose to communicate their opposition directly to the powers that be rather than through NDResponse.

“For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.”

~~ Ephesians 6:12

 

[Verbum_Caro]

there are a number of members of the ND community, including senior faculty and administration, who are fiercely committed to Notre Dame’s Catholic identity, who were adamantly opposed to the Obama debacle, and who chose to communicate their opposition directly to the powers that be

Thank God.

VC

 

[Verbum_Caro]

Some more discussion about this topic:

projectsycamore.com/bulletins/100912.php

(I hadn’t heard of project sycamore – evidently an alumni group formed with the goal of “Protecting Notre Dame’s Catholic Identity”)

The comments to the article are interesting. “Guest” seems to echo many of ndmom’s points. Others provide some good responses.

VC