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Zahm Hall

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Coordinates: 41°42′12″N 86°14′14″W / 41.7034°N 86.2373°W / 41.7034; -86.2373
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Zahm Hall
"Swing" Residence Hall
University of Notre Dame
Arms: Sable fretty gules
Campus quadNorth
Coordinates41°42′12″N 86°14′14″W / 41.7034°N 86.2373°W / 41.7034; -86.2373
MottoVenite et apparete aliquid
Established1937
Named forRev. John Augustine Zahm, C.S.C.
ArchitectMaginnis & Walsh
Architectural styleCollegiate Gothic
GenderSwing (used for halls during renovation years)
ChapelSaint Albert the Great
Map
Zahm Hall is located in Notre Dame, Indiana
Zahm Hall
Location in Notre Dame, Indiana

Zahm Hall, also known as Zahm House, is a University of Notre Dame residence hall. The building was constructed in 1937 and is located directly east of St. Edward's Hall and is directly west of North Quad. Starting with the 2021-2022 school year, Zahm Hall hosts communities of residents whose halls are being renovated, starting with Sorin Hall.

History

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Zahm Hall

Construction began in the spring of 1937. The new dorm was built just east of Saint Edward’s Hall on the site of the minim's extension (a structure that was added to Saint Edward's Hall) and the temporary dorm called Sophomore Hall (built in 1923), a wooden-framed structure that was demolished around 1935.[1] Zahm was the third building constructed on North Quad – at the time called the “east campus.” The Boston architecture firm of Maginnis and Walsh designed it, together with Cavanaugh hall and the Biology hall (now Haggar Hall).[2] The designs of Cavanaugh and Zahm Halls are nearly identical. They were erected despite the lack of funds during the Great Depression. The dorm, with its brick exterior, limestone stone, and slate roof, was finished in time for the opening of the school in September 1937 and housed 193 men. At its construction, it joined Brownson and Cavanaugh halls to host freshmen, while Carroll, Lyons, Morrissey, and Badin were for sophomores, Howard, Dillon, and Saint Edward’s for Juniors, and Sorin, Walsh, and Alumni for seniors.[3] Zahm Hall was dedicated to Rev. John Augustine Zahm, CSC. Zahm was a priest, naturalist and scientist at Notre Dame, and was the pioneer of the study of natural sciences at the University.[4] The first rector of the hall was Reverend John A. Molter, C.S.C. Other rectors included Charles I. McCarragher (1945-1953), James L. Shilts (1960-1967) and, Thomas Blantz (1967-1970). The hall also housed Navy and Marines officers in training for the V-12 Navy program from 1943 to 1944.[5]

Over the years, Zahm Hall garnered a reputation on campus, and has been the center of many contentions with the administration and other dorms.[6][7][8][9] According to one legend, this stereotype comes from the early days of the university, when Zahm, at the time being the farthest hall from the academic and dining halls, was always picked last by students. Since picks were in order by GPA, Zahm often hosted the least accomplished students.[10] In the 1960s, the University dropped academic requirements for first housing picks, and students were henceforth assigned randomly to residence halls before they arrived on campus their freshman year. One of the points of contention was the fraternity atmosphere fostered in the community, bolstered by hazing, streaking, vandalism, rowdiness, and the self-imposed moniker of "Zahm House".[11][12][13] Fraternities and sororities are not allowed on campus, as they are described as in opposition to the university's educational and residential mission.[14] In 2001, Zahm Hall residents were disciplined for purposely vomiting and throwing fruit at the window of rector of Keenan Hall.[15]

The "Here Come The Irish" gameday sign

Zahm Hall was best known for its practice of streaking during the Bun Run. The Zahm residents run naked across various campus locations, usually the weekend before final exams.[16] This practice led to controversy and debate.[17][18] Zahm also hosted their formal dance, known as "Zormal" in the fall semester and their SYR (Screw Your Roommate) dance, Decade Dance, in the spring semester. Zahm was known for its raucous reputation on campus. Its residents referred to it as Zahm House. Zahm Hall exhibited a large "Here Come The Irish" sign on the side of the building facing the North Quad during home football games. The mascot of the hall was Ignats, a stuffed moose's head acquired in 1979.[10]

It was announced that Zahm Hall would become a temporary and host the Sorin Hall community for the 2021-2022 school year.[19] The university cited vandalism inside and outside the dorm, a troubling culture and conduct of the dorm, deliberate lack of adherence to COVID-19 protocols (it was reported earlier that Zahm had twice the rate of cases than any other dorm[20]), and disrespect for university officials, rector turnover, and "years of unsuccessful intervention to alter a troubling culture."[19]

Reactions to the shutdown of Zahm Hall were mixed.[21] Residents of the dorm protested the move by marching on South Quad and in front of the Main Building, arguing that the university's decision was unjust and saying that the dorm's negative reputation was undeserved.[22][23] The Observer, a student newspaper, published claims by some students that the dorm's culture enabled an increased frequency of sexual assault.[24] Those opposed to the university's decision contested this notion, citing the high rate of Green Dot Bystander Intervention certification of dorm residents,[23] pointing out that there was no data to support the claim that sexual assaults happened more frequently in Zahm,[24] and saying that the tight knit community ensured accountability.[21][25] The Observer later reported that the number of sexual assaults that occurred in the dorm was "impossible to determine", citing a lack of public data.[24] The Observer also reported that a series of mass emails distributed among Zahm residents featured references to heavy drinking, party culture, racial slurs, and jokes about sexual assault.[24][26]

As a swing dorm, the men of Sorin Hall took up residence in the dorm during the 2021-2022 academic year, as did the men of Alumni Hall during the 2022-2023 academic year and the women of Breen-Phillips Hall during the 2023-2024 academic year.[27] Currently, the men of Fisher Hall are scheduled to move into Zahm Hall with the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic year.

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  • The rear of Zahm in 2016, displaying the "Zahm House" sign
    The rear of Zahm in 2016, displaying the "Zahm House" sign
  • A side view of Zahm, taken from North Quad
    A side view of Zahm, taken from North Quad

Notable residents

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References

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  1. ^ New Residence Hall in Honor of Rev. Zahm,” Notre Dame Scholastic magazine, 28 May 1937, p. 5.
  2. ^ Damaine Vonada, "Notre Dame – The Official Guide," Notre Dame Press, 1998, p. 163-68.
  3. ^ “University Begins Its 96th Year,” Notre Dame Alumnus magazine, October 1937, p 1-2.
  4. ^ New Catholic World. 1922.
  5. ^ "Zahm House rector explores history, traditions of dorm // The Observer". The Observer (Notre Dame). 2018-09-28. Retrieved 2019-09-30.
  6. ^ "Zahm's fight to preserve community // The Observer". The Observer. 2014-03-25. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  7. ^ "The rules of existence in Zahm's kingdom // The Observer". The Observer. April 2013. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  8. ^ "Claims regarding Zahm Hall unfounded // The Observer". The Observer. 2001-11-30. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  9. ^ "Zahm losing respect // The Observer". The Observer. 2001-11-30. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  10. ^ a b Dame, ENR/PAZ // University Communications: Web // University of Notre. "Hall portrait: Zahm // News // Notre Dame Magazine // University of Notre Dame". magazine.ND.edu.
  11. ^ "Voters say Zahm is no 'House' // The Observer". The Observer. 2001-11-30. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  12. ^ "Direction of Zahm examined, questioned // The Observer". The Observer. December 1, 2006. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  13. ^ "Domers defend dorm life at Notre Dame // The Observer". The Observer. March 24, 2006. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  14. ^ "Student Activities Policies". du Lac: A Guide to Student Life. University of Notre Dame. Retrieved 2019-11-02.
  15. ^ Van Hoegarden, Heather (2001-11-30). "Zahm awaits outcome for incident at Keenan // The Observer". The Observer. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  16. ^ Dame, ENR/PAZ // University Communications: Web // University of Notre. "Study break -- cover your eyes // News // Notre Dame Magazine // University of Notre Dame". magazine.nd.edu.
  17. ^ Merlan, Anna. "Notre Dame Engulfed in Fierce Debate Over Dong-Heavy Nude Run".
  18. ^ "On behalf of ND employees: boycott the 'Bun Run' // The Observer". April 28, 2015.
  19. ^ a b "Zahm House to close, become transitional housing for Sorin College in upcoming year // The Observer". The Observer. 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  20. ^ "Zahm House has twice the amount of coronavirus infections of any other dorm, all residents will be required to undergo testing // The Observer". The Observer. 2020-09-10. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  21. ^ a b Stockrahm, Bridget (31 March 2021). "Zahm House to be Dissolved". The Irish Rover.
  22. ^ Now, 16 News. "Notre Dame students protest closing of residence hall". WNDU. Retrieved 2021-03-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ a b Lanich, Carley (17 March 2021). "Notre Dame moves to disband men's dorm. Is it too much partying or an unfair reputation?". South Bend Tribune.
  24. ^ a b c d "Plans to alter COVID tests, thousands of dollars of property damage, a disputed partying reputation: Officials, students discuss 'troubling culture' in Zahm". The Observer. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  25. ^ Brendza, Will; Crooks, Tommy; Downey, Nolan; Jbara, Alec; Lance, Carson; Moran, Mark; Rotter, Austin; Peralta, Hector; et al. (19 March 2021). "An open letter from current, former Zahm House student government to University administration". The Observer.
  26. ^ "Remembering Zahm: A Complicated Legacy". Scholastic. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  27. ^ "Breen-Phillips Hall to undergo renovation, residents to live in Zahm House next year". The Observer. 27 October 2022.
  28. ^ a b c Roura, Phil (26 March 2006). "REGIS ON THE ROAD. Philbin hits Harrah's this weekend with Susan Lucci: [SPORTS FINAL Edition]". New York Daily News. p. 41. ProQuest 306017228 – via ProQuest.
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