Top honoree rejects recognition based on choice of Obama as graduation speaker.

It is not often that someone turns down a prestigious award from a college like Notre Dame.

But then again, it is equally unusual that the presence of a newly-elected, highly-popular president, would be the catalyst for rejecting such an honor.

But that is precisely what Harvard Law professor Mary Ann Glendon has done. Citing the school’s invitation to Barack Obama to deliver the 2009 commencement address and plan to award the president an honorary degree, Glendon has politely said thanks, but no thanks to the university.

Initial Acceptance

The issue centers upon the conflicting position of Catholics and the president on the issue of abortion.

In December, Glendon, a former ambassador to the Vatican and a consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops had been selected to receive the 2009 Laetare Medal. Described by the university as the “most prestigious award given to Catholics” yearly, the medal recognizes those “whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the Church and enriched the heritage of humanity.”

Glendon, chosen as commencement speaker and given an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 1996, was at first pleased to learn of her selection last December. However, when she became aware that Obama was selected to receive an honorary doctorate and given the opportunity to give the commencement address, she found herself extremely dismayed.

From Critic to Absentee

Still, it appears that Glendon was set to attend, at least initially. Reports had the Harvard Law professor attending the ceremony and accepting her award so that she could take advantage of her opportunity to provide public remarks to criticize the president’s position.

But later, when it appeared that Notre Dame might utilize her presence at graduation as a step towards defending the school’s choice of Obama as commencement speaker, Glendon decided to reject the prestigious honor.

Directly citing the abortion issue, Glendon wrote in her university rejection letter that the choice demonstrated “disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions ’should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles’ and that such persons ’should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.’”

Moreover, in her letter to Rev. John I. Jenkins, Notre Dame’s president, she noted that the university appeared to be seeking to use her to balance off the more recent, unpopular selection of Obama.

She first cited one of the Notre Dame talking points regarding the matter:

“We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about.”

Then soundly rejected the idea that commencement was a place for dissenting views to be aired. She wrote:

“A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision—in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice.”

Tough Position for the President

Given Obama’s ability to see the large picture, the rejection by Glendon, a professor at the president’s alma mater, has to be upsetting to him personally. In addition, the fact that such a prestigious honor, awarded prior to his being chosen to speak, would be summarily rejected on account of his being selected definitely puts the president in a very difficult position.

It is perhaps too late for either Notre Dame or the president to rescind. Most notably, if he does preside at commencement as expected, Obama will need all of his rhetorical skills and speech writing talents to ensure his presence does not undermine the spirit of the day for those graduating.

Tips for Enjoying the Time Off this Holiday Season

Feeling uneasy about going home for a few weeks? You’re not alone.

Many students find it difficult to leave their day-to-day college routine and go back home for the holidays. There may not be any fun stuff to do in town or your college friends may all be in other cities.

Don’t get the wrong idea. We’re not saying that spending time with family is a bad experience, only that it can leave a student feeling homesick from their new home, college. Spending the whole time at the family house can be depressing compared to the exciting, fast-paced, and social college atmosphere.

Catch up with your family first. Tell them all the great things you’ve been doing while at school, then use these tips when you start feeling cramped inside the house:

1. Earn money: Work while you’re home on break. You have a set schedule, you’re out of the house and you earn money doing it. Here are some in-demand places to work:

• Bars, restaurants and caterers
• Bakeries and coffee shops
• Florists, garden centers and Christmas tree farms
• Ski resorts
• Boutiques and chain stores (pretty much all retail)
• Pet-sitting—you can work for yourself or for a business.

2. Volunteer locally or overseas: Why not help others with your spare time? Local and international short-term volunteer opportunities are available. These provide a win-win situation for you and for others in need. Consider these volunteer situations for the holidays:

• Take a spot with an international volunteer organization: participate in a short-term volunteer program outside the U.S.
• Hospital-visit with patients, especially children that are hospital bound for the holidays.
• Nursing home
• Animal shelter
• Mission or homeless shelter
• Meals on Wheels or Toys for Tots are in dire need of volunteers at Christmas
• Ask your church pastor, minister, preacher, rabbi, or priest for any volunteer opps available.

3. Hang out using your spare change: Relax, watch the time pass, and strike up conversations at some low to no-cost venues:

• Public library
• Bookstore (Barnes and Noble, Borders)
• The mall (window shopping only)
• Coffee shop
• Public park

4. Consider alternatives to going “home”: For some students, home is not an inviting place at all for a variety of reasons. Guess what? You’re an adult and can make your own choice about where you’re willing to spend your hard-earned time off. Here are some alternatives:

• Stay on campus and do your own thing.
• Stay with a favorite family relative if you have one—an aunt or grandparent, an independent sibling, a parent that lives outside the home.
• Go home for the holidays with a friend from school if you’ve been invited.

Worried About Finals This Year?

With some exams accounting for around 50 percent of your final grade, the pressure to make the grade may lower your level of performance. You don’t have to suffer this year. There are solutions.

We researched the fields of proper study habits, nutrition and health, and psychology to compile this list of the most important and often overlooked study tips. We present these to you in no particular order:

1.) Stay Away from Stimulant Drugs!

These include caffeine, ephedrine, cocaine, ect…

Many stimulants may be part of your everyday diet, and it’s ok to use your normal amount. The problem arises when you use stimulants to stay awake studying for long periods of time. You may have trouble digesting the information you need to absorb. The worst case scenario is that you stay up so long that you finally crash during the test and give a crappy performance.

If you generally rely on stimulants to stay awake or be more alert, try to change a few daily activities and get a natural boost. Exercise, stay away from saturated fats and sugar, and get a full night of rest each day.

2.) Carefully Choose Your Study “Setting”

Your setting will be the location of your cram sessions. Everyone has unique study preferences. Some prefer music while others enjoy total silence. Do you like to lie around, or is a large desk necessary? Take all of your considerations into account before going to your location. You don’t want to be stuck in an unaccommodating setting when your grades are on the line.

3.) Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Stop stressing. Think positive. Visualize taking the exam while confident and relaxed. KNOW that you have the mental ability to do well. All this is easy to say, but hard to do. If you have trouble, talk to a trusted friend for reassurance. Mothers tend to be pretty good giving you positive feedback when asked.

4.) Get Your Priorities in Order

You have a certain amount of time, and a big load to study.

Do you know what classes are most important? And what information in the class should be focused on? Make a list of your studying priorities and stick to it.

5.) Time for Time Management

You’ve got your list of priorities, but limited time. Create a schedule of where you will be located and what you’ll be studying. Be sure to work in some short breaks to stretch your muscles and stay alert.

Stick to the schedule. Make no sudden emotional changes to the schedule since this will likely cause a loss of valuable time.

6.) Don’t Study with Your Crush

I know studying for an important test is a great excuse to spend time with that person you find really attractive.

However, don’t use it when cramming, no matter what. I know it’s even harder if they ask YOU to study.

Just DON’T DO IT! You have enough distractions in your life right now as it is.