Avenue News

Campus Coffee Shop Opens as SMC Student Venture

Great news for coffee lovers on campus! Seven students, Hannah Shoemake ’23, Erin Bennett ’23, Erin Harrington ’23, Elizabeth Andersen ’23, Grace Marcheselli ’23, Annie Doyle ’23, and Jennifer Utterback ’24, are proud co-founders of coffee shop Off The Avenue, located in Spes Unica Hall. The café is quickly becoming a popular spot for students and faculty to grab a quick caffeine fix on their way to class or to catch up with friends over one of many delicious new lattes. Refreshing teas and tasty, from-scratch pastries created by local bakery The Ragamuffin are also available.

Expanded Summer Camps and Programs Offer College Credit

Registration is open now for an expanded line-up of summer camps and pre-college programs at Saint Mary’s. New programming offers opportunities for high school students to earn college credit and includes sessions focused on entrepreneurship, spirituality, and civic engagement. Two new music intensives created in partnership with South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestra and Fischoff National Chamber Music Association are open to every student, regardless of gender. Generous scholarships are available through a Lilly Endowment grant. Learn more and register online.

New Books Program Launching This Fall

First-year students will receive, as part of their tuition, all books required for their coursework beginning this fall. Launching with the arrival of SMC’s Class of 2027, the new initiative will expand next year to include all students. The free materials program includes traditional textbooks and lab manuals as well as access codes, digital materials, and electronic books. Christin Kloski ’15, director of the Office for Student Equity, said the program is part of the College’s work to provide every student with the necessary tools to be successful. “Due to the ongoing increase of textbook costs, we are mindful of the overall affordability of college for students,” Kloski said. “In order to promote equity and academic success, we need to ensure they have access to all of their course materials without any financial barriers.” The program is offered in partnership with the campus bookstore, operated by Barnes & Noble College. Individual course lists will be shared with the bookstore team, with the appropriate materials delivered to students before classes begin. An option to buy the books they want to keep at the end of the semester is available.

College VP for Inclusion and Equity Honored for Contributions to City’s Culture

Redgina Hill, Ph.D., Saint Mary’s vice president for inclusion and equity, was recognized by the City of South Bend and Mayor James Mueller for contributions to South Bend’s history and culture. Hill was one of eight African American honorees whose service to the community was highlighted as part of Black History Month. Her recognition, promoted on billboards throughout the city February 20-26, is part of the city’s ongoing commitment to creating a better understanding among residents of local Black leaders’ service to the community.

Listen, Learn, Lead: Second Raise Your Voice Symposium Set for April

Saint Mary’s Raise Your Voice Symposium—three days devoted to raising awareness, supporting survivors, and advocating against sexual violence—returns to campus April 17-19. Maggie Nichols, elite gymnast and former member of Team USA, opens the conference by sharing her story on April 17 at 6 p.m. in O’Laughlin Auditorium. Nichols was the first athlete to speak out against the sexual abuse and misconduct of a team doctor in 2015. The symposium’s panels and presentations are free and open to the public, culminating with Take Back the Night on April 19, a walk uniting Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, and Holy Cross campuses in an effort to create a safer shared space for the community.

Renovations to Reignbeaux and Student Center Offer New Ways to Connect

High-top and low-top tables, new conversation sets, and booths are some of the highlights of the updated Reignbeaux Lounge in Le Mans Hall. The fresh layout has resulted in a significant increase in the number of students making use of the area. The project’s focus was to create a space accessible to both individuals and groups, while also accommodating a diverse range of needs. Renovations to the Student Center were another significant change on campus this winter. New floors, an updated bookstore, and a reconfigured upstairs created a more welcoming atmosphere and improved functionality. Senior Vice President for Strategy and Finance Dana Strait explained that the support of donors, partners, and bond funds will lead to a new and improved Student Center. “Our primary goal, in all of our work, is to enrich opportunities for community-building across the Saint Mary’s Campus,” she said.