Photo provided by Dennis Callahan '83.
Photo provided by Dennis Callahan '83.
We are attempting to gather any and all historical events that have helped shape Carroll over the years. A rough timeline of those events are listed below. Any veteran Vermin are encouraged to bring facts forward.
1879
- The Origin of Carroll Hall Added: Aug. 11, 2002
1890s - Rapscallions Added: Aug. 25, 2002
1906 - Dujarie
1911 - Daily Communion
1916
- Domers and the Bend Added: April 11, 2004
1920s - The Main Building
1940 - Yearbook Added: July 27, 2003
1941 - Yearbook
1942 - Yearbook Added: July 27, 2003
1943 - The Closing of Carroll Hall
1966 - The Resurrection of Carroll Hall Added: Dec. 1, 2002
1969 - Parietals Added:
Feb. 15, 2004
1977
- Undergrad entry
1979 - Carroll Abolishes Parietals
1980 - Yearbook
1980 - Shake Down the Thunder Added: July 13, 2003
1981 - Carroll Annex
1981 - Stairway to Heaven
1983 - The Vermin Colors
1985 - Yearbook Added: Dec. 8, 2002
1985 - The Vermin Caricature Added: Jan. 26, 2003
1985 - Father Steve Gibson Added: Aug. 9, 2003
1989 - Scholastic Flashback
1993 - Modular Units Added: Sept. 19, 2004
1994
- Claire Kittle Added: Feb. 8, 2004
1994 - LEFT-LEFT Added: Oct. 23, 2005
1994 - Yearbook Added: July 2, 2006
1996 - DOS KLOSKAS Added: April 27, 2003
1996 - The Vermin Redemption Added: Aug. 4, 2002
1997 - The Demise of the Haunted House
1999 - 2nd Annual Carroll Christmas Tree
1999 - Carroll Signs
1999 - The Renovated Basement
1999 - Father Sullivan
1999 - VERMINAPALOOZA '99
2000 - New Rectors
2000 - Fusic Festival
2000 - "GO IRISH!" Banner Added: 6 May 2001
2001 - Scholastic Shoutout
2001 - Hall of the Year
2001 - New Rector
2001 - Carroll posterized Added: Sept. 30, 2001
2001 - 4th Annual Carroll Christmas Tree Added: Dec. 16,
2001
2002 - USA Today Added: Feb. 17, 2002
2002 - Carroll Awareness Club Added: Mar. 31, 2002
2002 - Vermin Class of '02 Added: May 19, 2002
2002 - Wooden Carroll Replica Added: June 2, 2002
2002 - Fisher Regatta Added: June 23, 2002
2002 - ID Access system Added: July 6, 2002
2002 - Notre Dame Magazine Added: July 28, 2002
2002 - Scholastic Added: Jan. 19, 2003
2002 - 5th Annual Carroll Hall Christmas Tree Added: Feb
2, 2003
2003 - Fisher Regatta Added: June 1, 2003
2003 - FRAL Added: June 22, 2003
2003 - Scholastic Editor-in-Chief Added: November 16, 2003
2004 - 6th Annual Carroll Christmas Tree Added: Jaunuary 25, 2004
2004 - Interim Scholastic Editor-in-Chief Added: March 7, 2004
2004 - Sarcastic Added: April 18, 2004
2004 - The Four Horsemen of Scholastic Added: June 13, 2004
2004 - ND Magazine Added: July 4, 2004
2004 - Scholastic: The Censored List Added: July 11, 2004
2004 - Selim Nurudeen Added: July 18, 2004
2004
- Scholastic: A Dashing Designer Added: Nov. 28, 2004
2004 - Scholastic: Vermin Football Added: Dec.
12, 2004
1879 - The Origin of Carroll Hall
The original Main Building did not contain a west or east wing. The Great Fire of 1879 presented a tragedy but also an opportunity. In three months time, the Main Building was reconstructed in a T-formation (Is it any wonder we became a football school?) with the west extension known as Carroll Hall and the east wing that went by the name Brownson Hall. The Main Building officially re-opened in the Fall of 1879, just in time for the school year.
FYI: The Dome was not actually complete until September of 1882. Funny thing is the Statue of Mary arrived in 1880. Mary was perched atop the temp roof where she waited patiently for two years. (This information comes out of a book titled "Notre Dame 100 Years." It was published in the '40s and covered ND's first century.)
Added: June 25, 2002
Thought you might find this interesting. It's a paragraph from the 1948 book "Notre Dame One Hundred Years." The time period is the 1890s:
"The conduct of the students, mostly preps, during these and similar performances sometimes created terror in the hearts of actors and singers. In all truth, it must be said that this howling, hissing, foot-scraping body of young rapscallions found some cause for complaint. On the other hand, the boys of Carroll Hall were a sassy, defiant group of lads who more than likely would have hissed John McCormick or thrown pebbles at Sarah Bernhardt. We can laugh now, because those days have passed, let up hope, forever."
Not so fast, my friend.
The current Vermin live in a building that at one time was known as the Dujarie institute. Most of you no doubt noted the "Dujarie" and "1906" on Carroll's cornerstone. Here's a little background on Dujarie...
Despite the construction of the institute in 1906, it was not dedicated until 1907. An August 16th, 1907 article from the South Bend Times tells of Dujarie's dedication. Dujarie was erected on the southwest shore of St. Mary's lake at a cost of $30,000 and was used as a house of studies by brothers of the Holy Cross. The article went on to detail: "The institute is a four story white brick building provided with class rooms, study halls, dormitories, music hall, chapel, recreation rooms, dining hall, kitchen and heating plant. It is splendidly located and makes a notable improvement for the university grounds. The superior of the institute is Brother Adam."
Did they say "white brick building"? They musta meant off-white. Or maybe even off-off-off-off-off white.
Added: Oct. 6, 2002
This historical note is for the year 1911. It comes from the 1948 book titled "Notre Dame One Hundred Years"....
The history of daily communion at Notre Dame began when John O'Hara was yet a student and young instructor, about the year 1911. As he observed the preps in Carroll Hall, he was convinced that their spiritual welfare demanded some special care, the care of a priest who, while not quelling their youthful ardor, would direct them in a manly, spiritual way, particularly fostering the practice of daily communion. He went to Father Cavanaugh with his idea, and pestered him until the president appointed Father Cornelius Hagerty as religious director for Carroll Hall.
It would be a mistake to suppose that Carroll Hall became at once a model of perfection. There was the same boisterousness, the same appetite for pranks, the same youthful restlessness. But there was something new, too. The chapel on the third floor of the Administration Building was made the chapel for the Carroll Hallers. There they had their own religious devotions, their sermons, their novenas. Every night as well as in the morning during Mass, some priest was there in the confessional. There was a "calling list," signed by those who wished to be called in the morning for Mass and Communion. On Monday evenings they held meetings of the Eucharistic Society - Anarchistic Society, it was called by a neighboring professor, who had not grown quite deaf. One thing was noted principally: the boys were happy. And so was John O'Hara as he watched them.
Added: Apr. 11, 2004
A recent issue of Scholastic talked about relations between Notre Dame students and the City of South Bend. The piece gave a brief history of the interactions between the two. And Carroll even got a shoutout:
"Since its inception in 1842, the university has had a sometimes- checkered relationship with its neighboring town. When the university was founded on land belonging to Father Badin, the campus was well outside the town limits of South Bend, and today, Notre Dame, Indiana remains separate from South Bend.
The town always offered diversions for students, however, especially in the way of taverns. In the university's early days, the priests did everything in their power to prevent student forays into South Bend. Until the turn of the century, students wanting to leave campus had to be accompanied by a perfect of discipline, and the university printed advertisements in the South Bend newspaper asking citizens to report any misdemeanors committed in town by Notre Dame students. Even through the 1920s, the university forbade students to drive automobiles, and priests patrolled forbidden sections of downtown South Bend.
These efforts did not prevent students from getting into scuffles with South Bend residents, however. In 1916, a gang of students set fire to a streetcar after representatives of the streetcar company assaulted two Carroll Hall residents."
Rule #1: Don't mess with Vermin.
The second floor: The far left room description says: "Carroll Study Hall."
(blueprint photocopies provided by I.I. Probst '26)
While in the Main Building, Carroll was purely a freshmen dorm. Brownson was another freshmen dorm that existed on the east side of the Domer. Carroll covered parts of four floors. Three of them are posted. Below all these floors was Carroll's bathroom. Sort of. I guess it could be described as a bathroom. Each student had a wash bowl and medicine cabinet. Privacy was at a minimum and so were showers, as they only occured roughly once a week. The Carroll Study Hall took up the whole west wing. It contained about 70 desks and was pretty much the hangout (not unlike Beverly Hills 90210's "Peach Pit" if I remember correctly).
The third floor: The far left room description says: "Carroll Dormitory".
In the '20s Carroll had a population of about 70 to 75 students. The freshman class as a whole had roughly 350 to 375 pupils. Total enrollment at ND hovered around 1350 to 1400.
You may have noticed "(St Edward)" written on the 3rd floor blueprint and "(St Aloysius)" on the plan of the 4th floor. Mr. Probst could not recall exactly what these pertained to in the Main Building. He remembered dormitory life, though. Bedrooms (if you could call them that) consisted on a cot and a four-drawer wooden cabinet per student. Personal items were kept in the "trunk room." This was basically everyone's closet. Belongings were kept there and visited maybe once a week. So if someone needed something they stocked up a week at a time.
Finally, according to Mr. Probst, it was believed that Carroll stopped being in the Main Building around World War II.
The fourth floor: The far left room description says: "Carroll Dormitory". (Only
had a partial photocopy to post.)
Carroll was labeled the "home of sophomore athletes." It was the "scene of the big blaze." And something about "green desks."
More historical notes about Carroll when it was a part of the Main Building...
The 1941 yearbook surmised Carroll in a poem:
Carroll of the West Wing...
The "Frosh" now dominate
(The tiny acorns from which great oaks grow)
Where many a political faction is born...
Where "high-school-greats" of pride are shorn...
Here they live from floor to floor...
Wash stands and lockers far below
Rise to green desks row on row...
And further rise to row of beds...
But here the "rising" ceases
The tilted chairs in study hall
Where eyes look out to a yellow wall...
Carroll...
You'll remember it when...
You remember the place
Where men are men.
By the lordly church, neath the stately Dome
Lies the Carroll dorm
Its fame may rest in its ages
But never, never in its form.
When did Carroll Hall cease to be in the West Wing of the Main Building? Interesting question. An olllllllld school alum ('26) thought Carroll at the Dome ended with World War II. Had to do some digging to confirm this. Prior to WWII Carroll was consistently mentioned amongst other dorms in the yearbooks. The Dome was not produced during the war. Post-WWII yearbooks again mention the hall but no longer acknowledge Carroll. Although the Dome was lacking during the war, random Scholastics were printed. The April 23, 1943 Scholastic had this to say:
"The war caused no housing shortage on campus this semester. Most of the previous doubles were un-doubled, and there was still plenty of room. Carroll Hall was closed for the duration, and maybe longer; Brownson was cut down to those who refused to move out, now amounting to about twenty students."
I guess they were right about the "maybe longer" part.
When exactly was Carroll Hall resurrected after being shut down during World War II? The former Dujarie Hall was sold by the Brothers of the Holy Cross to the University in 1965. Possession of the building came to the University on September 1, 1966. Starting in that year it was a residence hall. It did not appear on the lists of undergraduate dorms. Instead it housed graduate students. It continued to do so until 1977 when the kids took over.
1969
- Parietals
Added: Feb. 15, 2004
Parietals in Carroll. Quit snickering. There were and are parietals (wink, wink). The introduction of parietals was mentioned in the Friday, March 28, 1969 Observer. It's introductory form was nothing like what we know it to be. Since it was 1969, and the campus exclusively male, the students actually looked FORWARD to parietals.
The Observer declared Carroll to be one of six dorms trying out parietals. Parietals were brought forth by the Tripartite Hall Life Board. The Board of Trustees approved the attempt. The halls, though, had to meet the requirements. The Observer stated parietals permit "women visitation hours in the residence halls for a total of no more than 24 hours from 5pm Friday through 11pm Sunday." The paper continued that "no hall's hours may extend beyond one a.m. any day nor begin earlier than one p.m. any day but Friday." Also, "the formulation of the exact hours in each hall is left to the discretion of the individual hall councils." Oh how the times have changed.
In 1969 parietals were so welcome that The Observer headline screamed "Parietals This Weekend!" The Board of Trustees was more giving in '69 than '04, but they still let it be known that they were in charge. The Observer told that there was a "misconception of the experimental basis of the rules and the actual feelings of the Board of Trustees on the subject... This experimental period extends to January, not to June. The trustees want to get a good idea of how responsible the students can be." Giving the students a chance... what a novel idea.
The year was 1977. Twas the first year of our Lord that undergrads occupied the Hall by the lake. Terry Coonan '81 was a freshman in the Fall of '77 and he was kind enough to provide some information. One hundred ten Vermin entered Carroll. Terry had this to say...
"It wasn't even on the campus map at the time. It turns out that we were the retards who had turned our housing applications in too late and so were punished by being assigned to Carroll. It was the best thing that ever happened to us."
Hear! Hear! Terry continued...
"As the original class of Vermin, we were pretty much left to our own devices. We originated waterdropping, the Carroll Hall Happy Hour, and kept a canoe in the basement for (illegal) nighttime canoeing on St. Mary's Lake. We also went through 4 rectors in 4 years (we seem to have been rough on rectors!)"
1979 - Carroll Abolishes Parietals
On January 31, 1979, The Observer headline read "Carroll Hall 'Abolishes' Parietals; Plans Protest." That's right, the Vermin voted to do away with gender restrictions. The residents did so because they were dissatisfied with a campus atmosphere they said was partially caused by visitation restrictions. Some other hall presidents said it had the potential to spread campus wide, citing a social atmosphere that was "downright unhealthy." Carroll planned to collect support for a campus-wide protest. Carroll section leader Mark Mocarski said that this was "only the beginning." The plan was to get a show of solidarity from other dorms. Hopefully they would have similar "abolish" votes. Then there was to be an organized and publicized "parietals break night" that was to involve the whole campus. Carroll decided this on their own because the University and the Campus Life Council had done nothing to foster gender relations.
So Carroll had voted to abolish parietals and was seeking to unite the dorms in the cause. Flanner, Dillon, and Pangborn (which was male at the time) were in favor of the idea. The Grace Hall president had a different take on the situation. I kid you not when I quote this guy who said that while the "symbolism of the thing is good, I don't like the smell of it. It sounds like [a] conspiracy that the administration is in on with Carroll to kick us all off campus (for breaking parietals) so that there will be no need for a lottery."
Oh, yes, that sounds plausible. It should also be noted that the Grace Hall president swears the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny are one and the same and that yearly pilgrimmages to Roswell, New Mexico should be embraced.
The February 1st Observer headline stated "Hall Councils React to 'Abolition of Parietals.'" Now it should be noted that the whole parietals issue didn't actually come from out-of-the-blue upstart Vermin. This whole incident occurred because the University rejected a request to reduce parietal-breaking violations to a "hall offense" instead of something that involves going before administators. So students were still smarting from that rejection when the Hall Councils met to discuss Carroll's bold move.
At the meeting, Stanford joined Pangborn and Flanner in supporting Carroll. St. Ed's was on the way to joining the Coalition of the Willing. Keenan, though, thought it was "a joke" and were not taking the issue seriously. (Is "Keenan" of French descent?) Pangborn was supposedly on board but their president stated: "We're going to lay back for now and let them (Carroll residents) lead the way. They've already got it started, so I don't want to interfere with them." (That's code for: "We are lazy and too scared of getting in trouble.") Many male dorms were supporting the Vermin, but no female dorms were coming forward. An Observer editorial from the paper's staff called for ALL dorms to join the cause or it would not work. Hall presidents "will fail the students" if they don't act.
The number of dorms voting to "abolish" parietals rose to 8 (out of 22) on February 2nd. Carroll was joined by Flanner, Stanford, Grace, St. Ed's, Pangborn, Lyons, and BP. The toolbox Grace president used the C.Y.A. (Cover Your Ass) Theory and released the statement that Grace "voted unanimously in a special meeting to create a 24-hour visitation policy and endorse a document which cites sections of du Lac in an argument in favor of hall-determined visitation hours." What a donkey. The only negative statement to appear in The Observer came from the ladies of Farley. They did not "take the abolition of parietals seriously." They wanted independent dorm determination in favor of weekly "quiet" hours and parietals abolished on the weekends.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, University officials were not concerned with the little rebellion. The Lyons female rector stated, "Breaking parietals is not the route to take. The students should keep moving along the established route through student government. This is what is known as the "Getting-the-Runaround" Policy. The University did not feel threatened and vowed that all caught violators would be punished.
The Vermin were not content to only vote against parietals and yell "LONG LIVE ABOLISHTIONISTS!" Carroll sent letters to Father Hesburgh, other University heads, each Trustee, heads of all the alumni organizations, and each rector. And this was before email! The Vermin also wrote a Letter to the Editor that appeared in the February 2, 1979 Observer. The piece was titled "An Open Letter From Carroll Hall" and appeared as follows:
"In protest of the University's apparent disregard of students' rights and interests, the Carroll Hall Council has unanimously voted to abolish the parietal visitation program. By this action, we hope to make the administration more responsive to the wants and needs of its students. Parietals, like many other University policies, hinder both personal and social growth, and lead to the decay in the quality of life at Notre Dame. We feel it is the administration's obligation to make a favorable reply to this protest."
The February 8th Observer stated that the Hall Presidents' Council planned to administer a 'parietal' survey before taking an official stand on the "abolish" issue. Student Government, in the same Observer, stated it would not endorse a "Break Parietals Night." Student Government did not believe there was enough support on the defiant activity.
Farley grabbed headlines on February 12th. The Observer stated "Farley 'Redirects' Carroll." The women of Farley stated they felt "the real issue was not parietals but rather the lack of student input into student life policy formulation." Farley rejected the initiative to abolish parietals. Farley called for "a recognition by the Administration of student discontent and for increased student participation, through voting power, in forming rules governing student life." Farley also wrote an editorial that appeared in The Observer reaffirming those statements. They closed the editorial with the statement: "Let's see some effort to plan realistic courses of action!!" Yes, there were two exclamation marks and it was even italicized to verify that it was written by tools.
Farley again took the offensive in the February 15th Observer. The Farley President stated: "In order to fight the administration, we must be unified. Before the halls do anything, they should try working with other halls and the Hall Presidents' Council."
And on February 19th survey results revealed that students were in favor of reducing parietals violations to a hall offense. The same Observer carried a stance by Student Government. They said a parietals- breaking protest would be ineffective and cited the "15-minute rule" as an example of why to not test the administration.
The "15-minute rule" is the name a student government official gave to an incident that took place on campus in 1969. During that particular school year, several hundred students protested the presence of Dow Chemical (napalm manufacturer for the Vietnam War) and CIA recruiters on campus. Father Hesburgh said all protestors should leave within 15 minutes. All but 7 students left. Those 7 were later expelled.
The Observer headline blared: "Hesburgh Declares Parietals Must Stand." He finally dropped the hammer. Hesburgh also rejected the reduction of a parietals violation to a hall offense. He stated the parietals standards "can create an atmosphere conducive to education and growth, if they are observed." Hesburgh further described the campus gender relations atmosphere to be "generally healthy, wholesome and good." Father Ted was not about to let the dorms decide this issue on their own.
The February 21st Observer stated that the Hall Presidents' Council would not support Carroll. It was officially a dead issue.
The story did pop up one last time at the end of the year. The final Observer of each school year lists the "Top Ten Campus Stories" for that academic year. The Vermin act of defiance ended up as the #3 story of the year.
Carroll became an undergrad dorm in the Fall of '77. Therefore, you'd think The Hotell would have been mentioned in the 1978 Dome. I didn't see it mentioned, though. In fact, I didn't see it mentioned in a yearbook until 1980.
The 1980 Dome stated Carroll was "the school's most recent addition to dorm life." Another paragraph read:
"Carroll Hall houses a close knit family of 97, mostly sophomores and juniors. The residents often enjoy the peacefulness of being set so far from the rest of the campus. Whether they be lounging in newly renovated quarters, playing basketball at 3am in the gym, enjoying the sun on the front lawn beach, or even snow writing; Carroll residents enjoy the difference their hall provides."
Shake down the thunder. Carroll did it like no other on September 2, 1980. On
that day Carroll was hit by a bolt of lightning. Carroll suffered a temporary
loss of power due to a malfunction in the electrical circuitry system. All because
of damn Ben Franklin. There was a concern of fire but none occurred. (Probably
because if any dorm went up in flames it would be Farley. Ya know, smokers and
all.) Luckily Carroll had been rewired in 1979. (And barely since.) A serious
fire was averted because of the new electrical equipment. The new system had
been grounded. Betcha didn't now Carroll was a mecca of re-wiring. Throw in
a surge protector and the Vermin could probably house the entire internet. Move
over, IBM. The real Big Blue is in the northwest part of the ND campus.
Some Carroll history for you concerning the previously existing Carroll Annex.
All you need to know is stated below in a short Q&A between Slim Miller
'94 and Jack Zeto....
Slim:
Could someone please tell me what the Carroll Annex was, when it was torn down,
and why it's still on the campus map if it doesn't exist?
Zeto:
The Carroll Annex was, believe it or not, an antiquated indoor basketball gym
situated on what now is the outdoor basketball court. It was torn down in the
summer of 1981 much to our dismay. Although delapidated, and in fact condemned,
there was nothing like it for a friendly pick up, and often very heated, basketball
game among the vermin. You just had to be careful retrieving the ball from the
perimeter of the indoor court, especially the corners. Stray to close to the
corners and you were bound to go through the floor.
As to why it's still on the map. . .who can say? Suspect that the Carroll section
of the map gets about as much top-down ND attention as Carroll itself gets.
Vermin Bill Becher '84 passed some historical information on the structural
integrity of our beloved dorm. Bill stated, "In '80-'81 (and before, obviously)
we had a very large and very wide stairway (with heavy wood banisters, etc.)
that ran up to all floors through the center of Carroll, right where the front
door is. It was a popular place to hang out, drink, or study. When we returned
for the '81-'82 year, it had been removed and replaced with rooms, leaving only
the very narrow side stairway."
This little morsel was passed our way courtesy of Matt "Slim" Miller '94. It
was written by old school Vermin Kevin "The Toe" Corbley '85....
The Vermin colors date back to the 1983 Vermin football team, my junior year.
Up until then, the Vermin changed colors every year, usually picking whatever
was on sale at the sports supply store. For instance, my freshman year it was
a hideous orange, then sophomore year it was a lovely royal blue. Finally, junior
year we got those cool looking maroon uniforms that everybody liked because
instead of having "Carroll" emblazoned across the front, they had "Vermin."
These jerseys were also particularly well made. Many guys wore them to play
interhall hockey. When the next year rolled around, everybody still had an intact
jersey, except for the freshmen. At about $30 a pop, we were all tired of buying
new ones, so we went back to the same supply store and found they still stocked
the maroon for those who needed them. It's hard to imagine that a Vermin tradition
was driven by nothing more than practicality.
The '85 Dome had quite a few notes concerning Carroll. The opening line was
classic '80s...
"If
you're looking for a 'boss' dorm on campus, you'll be 'cheesin' if you don't
'bootleg' out to Carroll Hall."
The Dome went on to tell of a concert on front lawn that opened the school year.
The Haunted House was mentioned as was a statement that a bonfire accompanied
it. "Rector of the Year" Father Steve Gibson lived amongst the Vermin. The coolest
note concerned that front lawn. During the winter the yard was converted into
a large ice rink that was used for hockey and skating parties.
The Vermin caricature originated during the 1985-86 school year. Joe Krumenacker
'86 gave birth to the Vermin drawing during his senior year. Earl Baker '86
tells what he remembers...
"On
the front page at VerminNet, lower left corner, is a small picture of a very
suave-looking vermin, holding a martini. Joe first drew that vermin. I don't
recall if it was for a Happy Hour, or an SYR, or some other occasion, but somebody
decided to make a banner with our mascot on it. Paul Bruce probably remembers
the details better than I do. But Joe was the artist. A bedsheet was used as
his canvas, and the vermin was patterned after (or copied) from a character
that Joe had found on the front of a greeting card. Once completed, the picture
of the vermin on the sheet was probably four feet tall. A masterpiece. The rest
is history."
Additional note on the tuxedo-wearing, martini-swilling Vermin: Those of you
in the dorm during the 1997-98 campaign may recall this. The Vermin mascot made
quite a splash in that year's Vermin wear. Black baseball caps were made with
"CARROLL" in maroon on the back and the suave Vermin on the front, off-center
to the left. Look how far the drawing has come since being sketched on a bedsheet.
Carroll's current rector is Father Jim Lewis. His predecessor was layperson
Brian Coughlin, who left to take another position within the administration.
He took over for Father Mike Sullivan after he retired from the life of a rector.
But who came before Father Sullivan?
Only the old school Vermin from the mid '80s remember Father Steve Gibson. Some
'80s Carroll alums that have written this site have spoken highly of their former
rector. One alum mentioned something about Father Gibson getting a raw deal.
I wondered if this was actually a campus issue or one that was swept under the
rug. Turns out it made headlines back in the day.
Three different issues of The Observer in the Spring of 1985 spoke of the "resignation"
of Father Gibson. The heavy hand of the administration did not jive with Father
Steve's hall management. And, of course, the administration does not play second
fiddle to anyone, even Vermin leaders.
The April 19, 1985 Observer informed the campus that Father Steve Gibson would
not be back for the next school year. Father Gibson had just been named the
runner-up for Rector of the Year. The year prior he actually was named Rector
of the Year. That came in his sophomore campaign as a rector. And after his
third year he was out. Father Steve had certainly hoped to be back. He had turned
down another position to stay as rector. Then he was let go. Father Steve had
had a meeting with Father David Tyson, who was the vice president for Student
Affairs. The Observer quoted Father Steve saying they had "reached a mutual
agreement that it would be best if I did not return as rector next year." Father
Gibson went on to say: "Until quite recently I had every intention of staying
in the hall, but as they decided their future plans for the University and their
model for hall rectors, it became obvious that I'm not the kind of administrator
they are looking for." Father Tyson would not comment.
Sophomore Michael Ialacci stated, "The administration must have felt he was
too liberal with students because he dealt with matters himself, rather than
referring everything to Student Affairs." Father Steve asked the Vermin not
to protest his apparent dismissal. The men of Carroll, though, did send a letter
to Father Tyson expressing their disappointment. The Vermin felt there was not
a proper explanation for the whole issue. Ialacci continued, "Father Steve's
philosophy as rector is not to try and catch students, but to trust them so
they can approach him when problems arise. There is a strong mutual trust. It
may appear to be lax but it works." Father Steve added, "It probably appears
permissive from across the lake, but from what goes on, I have reason to believe
it works." The garrulous Ialacci finished by affirming, "He may not appear to
be as strict as most rectors, but he has developed a good sense of community
and respect in Carroll that I think a Catholic community like Notre Dame should
encourage." Not to be outdone, sophomore Bruce Lohman concluded, "The general
consensus in this hall is that they made a mistake. He's a great person and
is going to be difficult to replace."
The Vermin paid for a whole page in the April 29, 1985 Observer. Carroll bought
that page and had the following statement printed for the whole campus to read:
"We
the students of Carroll Hall wish to express our discontent with the dismissal
of Father Steve Gibson. He is more than our rector; he is our friend and we
love him. He is what a rector should be. We are appealing to the university
to let him stay."
At the bottom of the Observer page was a rectangle for students to cut out.
The rectangle declared: "KEEP FATHER STEVE - If you wish to help this cause,
clip and sign this ad and drop in campus mail." There was a place for a signature
and the address to send it was "Fr. David Tyson, 144 Dillon Hall."
The May 1st Observer's Viewpoint section had two pieces that focused on the
Father Steve issue. A non-Carroll resident had written a letter-to- the-editor.
The letter mentioned the issue but was mainly about a "deterioration of the
Notre Dame 'Family.' "
The other piece was an editorial by the Observer staff. The editorial asked
the University to clarify a rector's role in the wake of Father Gibson's dimissal.
"Should disciplinary and administrative skills be criteria"? Or "personality
which lends itself to a good relationship with dorm residents"? The editorial
touched on Father Steve's support across campus, not just from the Vermin. The
piece closed with the following: "It (the administration) owes the residents
of Carroll Hall and the entire campus an explanation for its actions."
Even though Father Steve and Carroll parted ways almost two decades ago, he
is still remembered by the Vermin who were under his guidance. Earl Baker '86
said the following:
"My
senior year Father Steve was assigned to the Fatima Retreat Center, and Father
Sullivan came in. I'm sure he was a good man, but we really missed Father Steve
and we didn't give Sullivan much slack. After graduation, Father Steve came
all the way to California and officiated at my wedding to the former Karen Robinson,
SMC '86. It tells you how much he meant to all of us that we asked him to marry
us. And it tells you how great a guy he is to go all the way to California to
do it."
A flashback piece occurred in Scholastic entitled, "10 Years Ago." it read....
In the February 23, 1989, election issue of Scholastic, the magazine interviewed
Dan Fahey, a junior from Carroll Hall who chose to run for Student Body King.
When asked about his strengths and weaknesses, Marty Debenidictis, Fahey's running
mate, was frank: "Everyone submits their will to the king. He has pretty much
no weaknesses." Kind of makes current candidate Luke White, who claims he can
control the sunlight, look downright sane.
1993 -
Modular Units For the older Vermin from before the
'90s, dorm life today is obviously very different. Certainly the electronics
have changed but so has the University-provided furniture. Old school Vermin
were given a desk, a bed, and a wardrobe. Loft construction was up to the Vermin
and they were up to the task. Most of the Vermin back in the day built lofts
to put beds up and out of the way. But the freshmen in the fall of 1993 received
what is now standard furniture. Now all the rooms in Carroll have a modular
furniture system. A bed is on top of a wardrobe and a desk. The furniture can
still be separated but most Vermin just keep it all as one unit. By 1994 all
the residents of Carroll had the modular units. Lofts, as old school Vermin
knew them, had become a thing of the past. his move mainly had to do with the
sprinkler system. If a loft covered the sprinkler, parts of the loft had to
be removed to expose the sprinkler head. Manish Patel '95 had some input: "Now when they inspected all
the lofts for violations, they made some people completely take them down and
left others alone. I don't know how these guys did not have to take this loft
down, but my junior year [Tom] Fraire, [Phil] Culcasi, [Pete] Buonaccorsi, and
[Kevin] Hoffman [all '95 Domers] had a loft on the second floor that covered
the entire room! Basically a two story room. Beds on top, and desks below. Across
the hall was the common room. Entertainment center, couches, chairs, pretty
much wall to wall carpeting, and a direct view of the Golden Dome out the window.
It served as a party room, hook up room, sleeping room, and anything else your
imagination can think of. It's the best common room I can think of." 1994
- Claire Kittle Claire Kittle's self-starring
photograph graced the cover of the Student Film Festival program. Who is Claire
Kittle? Vermin from the mid '90s remember her well. She was a freshman in 1994
and no lass was better known amongst Vermin. Claire was a Lyons resident who
loved the great outdoors. Early in the school year when the temps were high
she would venture from Lyons to a tree near St. Mary's Lake. She would lean
up against the tree and diligently engage in her studies. The sturdy trunk was
stationed (thankfully) next to the road leading to Carroll. And the best part....
she wore a stars and stripes bikini top. The Vermin passed by at full attention.
In fact one time she was serenaded with the Star Spangled Banner as a pack of
Vermin coasted by in a shuttle. One stud approached the fair maiden. Rudy Christopher
'96 was the fella who asked her out and proceeded to date her for many moons.
He escorted Miss Kittle to the Vermin tables to dine in SDH. She was a regular
and honorary Verminette. Fantastic young lady who continued to dine with the
Vermin even after Rudy graduated.
I don't know when it began. I don't know if it was a collective
decision or
the brainchild of a handful of original Vermin. I do know it was one of
the
best Vermin traditions. At dinnertime what do all Vermin mutter to each
other?.....LEFT-LEFT. We all knew it. It was understood. Yet we still
said
it. Sort of like a secret password. RIGHT-LEFT was only done as a last
resort. LEFT-LEFT was the only way to go at SDH. I don't know of any
other
dorm that adamantly sticks to two or three tables in such a sacred
manner. I
still recall the good times of sophomore year. We had four different
years
of Vermin all mixed together at two tables during the dinner hour and
it was
a blast. Brian "Slimmer" Miller. Sam Watson. Kevin Fumai. Rudy
Christopher.
Big Joe Schenher. Manish "Dogg" Patel. Mike "Huck" Finn. Kevin
"Cricketman"
Reichart. And all the rest from those years all together at the same
tables.
Great times. Great stories. Great Vermin.
So how exactly do the LEFT-LEFT tables fill? Randomly? Specifically? Or
with
a sort of understood pattern? Let's go with the latter. I was usually
one of
the first to hit SDH for dinner so I saw the tables fill. The first
Vermin
to arrive usually sits nearest the exit doors at the end of the table.
The
first is always facing the middle where people first appear with their
trays. The second to show up has two options: two seats over from the
first
Vermin and facing the same way or kitty-corner on the other side of the
table from the first Vermin and facing the other way. The third Vermin
to
arrive has to recognize. If two Vermin are on one side, then he has to
go to
the kitty-corner position. Three on one side and none on the other is a
big
no-no. The fourth to arrive continues the pattern of skipping seats.
Soon
the table is half full in a checkboard pattern. All Vermin thereafter
simply
fill in the gaps in no particular order.
No one ever actually articulated the pattern. At least during my years
(mid
'90s) it just sort of happened. It was awesome to just see the tables
fill
in like a jigsaw puzzle coming together. No wonder our motto is "VERMIN
UNITE."
Thanks has to go to Sam Watson '95. He did not introduce me to
LEFT-LEFT but
he did enlighten on.... The Wrap-Around. Before SDH was re-configured
in
'97-'98, the dining hall was divided in symmetrical halves. (The
"divide"
has since been removed.) The right and left halves opened at different
times. Ideally, all true Vermin wanted to go LEFT-LEFT. However, if you
arrived early the left side had a delayed opening. You could either
loiter
about for 15 minutes or you could go in the right side, get your food
and
do... The Wrap-Around. Sam Watson gave me the lesson. We went right and
picked up our grub. Then we went to the far corner of the right food
area
and went through a doorway as if we were entering the kitchen. As soon
as we
were through the doorway we turned left, wrapped around the "divide"
and
were in the far corner of the left food area. So smooth. So
in-the-know. So
Vermin.
Another little Vermin trick that was the sidekick to LEFT-LEFT was the
"push
& pull." (It's not capitalized because it didn't really have an
official
name and was not practiced by all.) When Vermin of old arrived at SDH,
we
didn't want to have to lug around our packpacks while we were acquiring
our
dinner. The men of Carroll were the only ones allowed to come in
through the
out door, drop our bags off, exit and then enter to tray up. Sometimes
the
door was propped open and we could easily pop in and toss our books by
the
wall near our tables. But many times, the door was closed. So how could
we
gain entry? Well, the doors were old and has some give to them. You
could
actually push them in about an inch and they would spring back about an
inch
and a half. When that extra half inch popped past neutral, nimble
fingers
could snag it and you could pull the door open without the use of a
handle.
No other dorm could be so clever. Resourcefulness, thy name is Vermin.
The Class of '97 did a lil somethin'-somethin' to add to the mystique
of
LEFT-LEFT. Every other Thursday Scholastic came out. The fellas of '97
usually were amongst the first to arrive. The first '97er usually took
it
upon himself to snag four or five Scholastics to throw on the table for
Vermin already seated and for those about to arrive. Since the dining
hall
table filled every other seat first, there was room to eat and place
the
magazine beside you to read. So for the first fifteen to twenty
minutes,
table talk was at a minimum as the literate Vermin digested the current
Irish publication.
LEFT-LEFT is still exercised by the Class of '97. When we all come back
for
a football game, we hit SDH beforehand. Unfortunately, as in the past,
the
left side is usually closed. But we still say "LEFT-LEFT" and hold out
hope.
Right-left lacks the flare, the panache, but we still are sitting at
the
Vermin tables. Once a Vermin, always a Vermin.
The following is a photo from the 1994 Yearbook. Carroll received a
shoutout
on page 79. The two gentlemen photographed were both freshmen. Dave
Lillis
'97 has the chainsaw while Bob Fincutter '97 is dressed as the world's
scariest mime.
Since it's Bookstore time, it's appropriate to catalog the team of DOS KLOSKAS.
The squad consisted of four Vermin and one Flanner (I believe) resident. The
Vermin were Mike Kloska '96, Jeff Kloska '97, Dan Fannon '97, and linebacker
Bert Berry '97. Pete Coleman '96 was the fifth. So when they were all freshman
and sophomores they were relative unknowns. Their first year ended in the Elite
Eight where they lost to a team that had a senior member of the men's basketball
team. That was the game where Jeff suffered a series of injuries but kept getting
taped up to continue playing. As sophomores and juniors they made it to the
Final Four but lost to the eventual champions that had a football player and
a senior basketball player. Their last shot together would come in the spring
of 1996.
DOS KLOSKAS entered Bookstore as one of the top teams, obviously. After making
the Sweet Sixteen they were re-seeded to #2. They advanced to the Championship
where they faced the #4 all-senior team known as Showtime. Two classy team played
a classic game. The weather was less than stellar. Light rain made the Stepan
court a slippery environment. DOS KLOSKAS claimed the crown with a 21-19 victory.
Dan Fannon scored 6 buckets and was named MVP. Bert Berry added 7 baskets and
was on the All Holtz Team. Pete Coleman hit a 22-footer to win the game and
also earned Mr. Bookstore honors. Mike and Jeff Kloska made 1st Team All Bookstore.
A basketball commemmorating the event is in the Carroll Hall trophy case. The
ball has the date and score and was signed by the members of DOS KLOSKAS, the
Bookstore XXV Champions.
Intro: Dan Delgado '97
Remember the good ole January days? Trudging to the Rock to do laundry on a
crisp, brisk morn? I recall the times fondly. Many a Vermin knows the trek.
We mimicked Santa Claus with our bountiful bags of goodies: ripe in one direction,
fabric softened in the other. Those days came to an end after some Vermin resourcefulness.
The teller of this tale has had his ability to recall marred by the years of
grad school. Please forgive his somewhat spotty memory. He's getting on in years
despite his Vermin nickname. Jim "Sweet Baby" Zawada '97 details "The Vermin
Redemption" from the spring of '96....
One fine spring evening during my time as a Vermin (I can't remember when, it
all blurs together now), I was at a hall council meeting for some unknown reason.
With Booker and Fumai running the show (or was it Darryl and Rudy, or someone
else?), it was a safe bet nothing would be accomplished. But that didn't really
bother me since I was more than half way to being comfortably numb - courtesy
of few rum and Barq's. One of the issues brought up was the possibility of getting
a laundry room in Carroll. That's when a bolt of inspiration struck me. Thanks
to having just watched "The Shawshank Redemption" at the Delgado Cinema, it
occurred to me that the best way to actually get some attention from the fine
administration would be a letter writing campaign. So, I drafted a letter, printed
a bunch of copies, and spread the word through the dorm with the help of a few
Vermin (I can't remember who now). By the end of the week, approximately 100
individual letters (one from just about every Vermin) were dropped into campus
mail for Bill Kirk.
A couple of days later, the Man summoned us to his office. He bowed before our
presence and begged for mercy, "You can have the laundry, just please stop sending
the letters," (or something like that). The following summer, the laundry was
installed in the abandoned food sales room.
The haunted house is no more, it's a thing of the past, it is caput. Seems that
a girl went through the touchy-feely portion of the house and apparently wasn't
bowed down to and given the royal red carpet. She cried foul and took the Vermin
to student affairs. The house has been condemned. Apparently the world wasn't
completely revolving around her so she had to bitch until things were the way
she wanted them. I'm surprised a civil suit wasn't filed. Oh yeah, the chick
was dating a Vermin....and he didn't get her to call off the dogs....and he
kept going out with her. Yes, that's right, a Vermin's girlfriend did in the
Haunted House. The final Housing was the Fall of '97.
Last weekend was the lighting of the 2nd annual Carroll Christmas Tree. Since
the Haunted House ended in the fall of '97 (story in "Hall Notes" June 13, 1998),
this has taken its place. It's no Haunted House, but at least its something.
The half hour event began with a blessing by the new Vice President of Student
Affairs Father Mark Poorman. The liturgical choir was on hand to sing Christmas
carols courtesy of a Vermin choir member, Andres "Big Country" Arredondo '00.
The 30 ft tree was placed in the middle of the front lawn. The University placed
the tree and even performed the labor of hanging the lights. The large pine
is well tethered and should remain standing. Too bad the same couldn't be said
last year.
Carroll has a couple of new signs. The old dark blue and gold lettered Carroll
sign is gone. A Soph. had made a larger new one that was maroon with gold lettering.
That one is not up, though. Instead there are 2 University brown signs (like
the rest around campus) at the drives that surround the small island at the
end of Carroll Drive. The new maroon sign is hanging in the basement.
The basement of The Hotel has been renovated. It has been painted and carpeted.
Couches are present, as will be a new 51" television in a day or two. Two other
additions are a new foosball table and a dartboard. The new Carroll sign has
also reappeared. One day it was mysteriously discovered in the basement. Gee,
it sure was nice of the University to finally give the Vermin back THEIR sign.
The sign is set to be hung above the television, probably until next fall when
the dorm hopes it will become the new posted outdoor Carroll sign.
I ran into Father Sullivan on campus last weekend. He had a good first non-rector
year. He had been a rector for 26 years (13 yrs. high school, 13 yrs. ND). He
still teaches full time (4 classes) and hopes to do so until he's 70. Father
is 57 and is liking his retirement.
Wrap-up of VERMINPALOOZA '99 tailgater before the Oklahome game...
By my count there were 17 Vermin in all that gathered under the maroon and gold
flag. Those in attendance were...Mad Rise, Paul Lewis, Mo, Slimmer, Mitch, Brian
Buoye, Todd Kuczaj, Big Joe, Fin, Del, Rangers, John Butler, Dave Ratliff, Tony
Farina, and Kevin Kileen. They covered years '96-'99. A couple older Vermin
from the very early '90s - Chris Fillio and Sean Donnelly - also dropped by.
Some photos were taken by Butler's wife and hopefully we can get them posted
soon. It was a solid get-together for all the Vermin and their significant others.
Hopefully for VERMINPALOOZA '00 the game can be named a few months in advance
so everyone who so desires can attempt to get tickets. Thank you to Butler for
hosting the 'gater and Slimmer for spreading the word.
Father Al is gone as of this year and is believe to be at Moreau Seminary on
the north end of campus just south of Douglas. Father Thomas is also out of
the dorm and supposedly in Corby. Father Mike left a year before them and lives
in Corby and is still teaching. The current rector is Domer Brian Coughlin.
He's a young fellas (26 or 27, I think) that was Grace's president back in the
day. He works in the converted offices of Grace and teaches a theology class.
One assistant rector is Shawn O'Brien, a Domer who's back on campus attending
law school. The in residence is Father Mike Connors.
A couple weeks ago a new Carroll tradition was born. On April 8th the first
annual Carroll Hall Fusic Festival (a tradition of food and music) took place.
The food was provided by Wolfies, Dominos, Papa John's, and Dairy Queen. The
grub was given in exchange for different quantities of food tickets which were
on sale for 50 cents per ticket. All profits went to support the Make-A-Wish
Foundation. Four bands played the event: NAZZ winner Sexual Chocolate, D-BoNeZ,
Doc Brown, and the Carroll Hall House Band. The event was to take place on the
front lawn of Carroll, but on the morning of the 8th an inch of snow was on
the ground. To Stepan Center! I happened to check out the festivities and the
turnout was solid. Grand idea by the present Vermin.
It is Wednesday, September 6, three days until Notre Dame faces the number one
ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers in football. The campus is in a frenzy and Irish
spirit is contagious. At the weekly hall meeting that Wednesday, David Rink
passes around a small wooden model of Carroll Hall. Taped to the front is a
piece of paper, covering half the dorm, with "GO IRISH" written on it. It is
at this meeting that Carroll Hall decided to construct the world's largest "GO
IRISH!" banner.
During the afternoon of Thursday, September 7, David Rink, with the assistance
of Steve Bomeli and Pat O'Donnell, scoured South Bend for the materials. The
decision was made to build the banner using linen bed sheets and staples because
it was relatively cheap, sturdy, and since almost everybody owns a stapler,
the entire dorm could help. To find 72 linen bed sheets, David had to visit
three Meijer's, two Wal-Marts, two K-Marts, and a Target. Construction of the
banner began at 9 pm Thursday evening. At any given time, there were 10 to 20
Vermin stapling away in the lobby of Carroll Hall. At 3 am, the stapling had
been completed. More than 70,000 staples were holding the 72 bed sheets together.
Next, the blank banner was taken to Carroll Hall's basketball court to be painted.
The banner was so large that it took up the entire basketball court. Before
blocking out the letters, Joe Fremeau used sheets of grid paper to create a
scaled sketch of the banner with the lettering. Using this as a blueprint, Joe
blocked out the letters with a marker. Joe deserves the credit for the clarity
of the lettering. After three hours of painting and five gallons of leprechaun
green paint, the banner was finished. If you look closely at the period on the
exclamation point, you can read the names of the nine Vermin who stayed up until
6 am painting the banner. (For the record, they are David Rink, Bob LeBlanc,
Joe Fremeau, Pat O'Donnell, Tom Flanagan, Eric Chanowich, Jason Raver, Dave
Heinsch, and John Moore.) If you are ever jogging around the west end of St.
Mary's lake, you may notice that the basketball court still has "GO IRISH!"
painted on it.
On the afternoon of Friday, September 8, the banner was hoisted into place in
front of Carroll Hall using 1000 feet of rope, 18 concrete blocks, and over
30 able bodied Vermin (while the music of "Braveheart" played in the background).
The banner had been constructed and raised into place in less than 24 hours.
The banner's final dimensions were 90 feet wide by 30 feet high, covering almost
all of the windows on the second and third floor of Carroll Hall. Almost everybody
in the dorm took part in the project, whether it was placing a couple staples
into the cloth or helping hoist up the banner. The banner was hung in front
of Carroll for two football games, making an appearance on national TV during
the broadcast of the Nebraska and Air Force football games. During half-time
of the Nebraska game, the banner, as seen from the Goodyear Blimp, was on the
air. The announcers talked about the spirit at Notre Dame, commented on "the
big banner" and mistakenly called Carroll Hall "a big house."
The reception for the banner was awesome. Plans for next year are to raise the
banner for every home football game, continuing this new tradition. The Vermin
are elated that people took notice and enjoyed the banner. Now people not only
know that life exists on the other side of the lake, but that the Vermin are
full of that Irish spirit! The new admissions poster, which will be sent to
high schools and prospective students around the world, is a campus photograph
taken from the top of the library one early fall morning. The morning sunshine
brilliantly illuminates the golden Dome and the yellow bricks of Washington
Hall, the Basilica, and the Dome. To the left in the background is Carroll Hall,
wearing the banner. The caption reads: "Nowhere else but Notre Dame."
Pictures of the construction and raising of the banner can be found at:
http://www.nd.edu/~carroll/rathole/photo_album/fall_2000/goirish_banner/
Banner statistics:
72 bed sheets
The banner is erected only for important occasions and these occasions are written
on the sheet next to exclamation point. Written so far:
Scholastic Issue from late February of 2001:
What's better than riding around campus on a stolen golf cart? Riding around
on one at Lafayette. A Carroll Hall resident discovered a cart in front of Badin
that still had the keys in the ignition. Taking advantage of this divine providence,
the guy hopped in the cart and tooled around campus for a while. Then he got
a much better idea and took his show on the road. When he got to Lafayette,
the cart was such a hit that someone offered to buy it from him for $50. The
new owner had fun playing with his recent purchase until he realized that a
golf cart is sort of tough to hide. Faced with this reality, the guy - now $50
poorer - decided to ditch the cart on the outskirts of campus.
Source:
The Observer
These are the obvious reasons why Carroll Hall won 2000-2001 Hall of the Year:
They won the Fisher Regatta. They created a dorm event "Fusic." They were named
the best overall freshman orientation program by student activities. And they
painted "Go Irish" on a 90 by 30-foot banner and hung it on the dorm for several
home football games.
This is the hidden reason why Carroll Hall won 2000-2001 Hall of the Year: 107
men with a 10-minute walk from the center of campus who have to invent novel
ways to entertain themselves.
This is one way they waist time: using an empty barrel and 12 empty soda cans,
they bowl in the middle of the hallway.
This is what Jonathan Jorissen said about the invention of barrel bowling: "We
were sitting around with no visitors, as usual, looking for ways to amuse ourselves.
We saw a barrel and we saw 12 empty pop cans, and thought `These two go together.'"
This is what other Notre Dame students do when they're sitting around looking
for ways to amuse themselves: walk to Lafortune, go to Reckers, visit other
dorms or even study at the library.
This is why Carroll residents don't go to the places: Lafortune is a 15-minute
walk, Reckers is 12, the closest dorm is seven and the library is 17.
This is what Carroll men talk about on those long walks back to the dorm: hockey
versus basketball, why Switzerland stinks, are student managers drug dealers,
the O.D.B. project and movies versus books.
This is how Carroll residents decided to unwind after a stressful finals week
last year: they turned on all three showers at the highest temperate for 30-45
minutes and sat in the bathroom "sauna."
This is what Casey Grabenstein said to the Rector Brian Coughlin when he walked
into the "sauna," a shower handle had fallen off, and Grabenstein and Patrick
Brennan were trying to stop the water from squirting out at full force: "I didn't
do it."
This is what other students do to relieve stress after finals week: leave their
dorm.
This is what some Carroll residents do to entertain themselves: they accidentally
light fires.
This is what the housekeeping lady said to Jimmy Mandich when he was running
through the hallway with a trash can engulfed in flames: nothing, she simply
opened the door.
This is why Mandich was running through the hallway with a burning trash can:
he was refilling a Zippo lighter and unknowingly dropped lighter fluid into
the trash can. Then, on a dare, he lit a piece of paper and when it was almost
gone, dropped the flame into the trashcan. It instantly caught the entire can
on fire.
This is why the housekeeping lady and students jogging around the lake did not
question Mandich running with a burning trash can: events like this are somewhat
normal at Carroll.
This is what Brennan asked the Grab'n'Go lady as he ran into the basement of
South Dining Hall: "Can I still get lunch too?"
This is what Brennan took from Grab'n'Go for both lunch and dinner: three orange
juice boxes, cereal, a milk, a container of yogurt, a banana, a bag of chips,
a bag of popcorn and a sandwich.
This is how many times a week Brennan and most Carroll residents actually eat
inside the dining hall: one or two.
This is how many times the average Notre Dame student eats in a dining hall
per week: between 10 and 12.
This is why Mandich said the Carroll men often eat at Wendy's on U.S. 31 instead
of at South Dining Hall: "Our cars are closer than the dining hall. And we dig
red heads."
This is what happens when 107 men spend the majority of their time secluded
together: they get to know everyone in the dorm. They never close their doors.
They create weekly rituals. They all become best friends.
This is what Carroll's former hall president Bob LeBlanc said about the dorm's
spirit: "Due to this small size, everyone in Carroll knows each other, and a
friendly, family-like atmosphere pervades the dorm."
This is what Patrick Laboe said about the Taco Bell employees who informed him
that there were no 49 cent tacos left to take back to Carroll for the weekly
ritual, Sunday Night Taco Bell: "I think they were lying."
This is what rector Coughlin said when several Carroll residents, who won't
even live on campus next year, showed up at the room picks lottery with signs
to cheer for their best friends: "Why in the world are people here who aren't
even living here next year?"
This is why those Carroll residents attended the lottery: because they support
each other whenever possible. At Bookstore basketball games. Before big tests.
Even during video games.
This is why Dan Soldato wanted Carroll Hall to create a new signature event:
"Ever since we lost the Haunted House, we kept thinking about what could do
for a new dorm event." This is what the event, "Fusic," accomplished in its
first year: approximately 500-700 people came to eat from several different
food booths and hear various bands. From the proceeds, Carroll Hall was able
to donate $1,000 to the Make a Wish Foundation.
This is what Soldato said about the event, which will be held on Carroll's front
lawn from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday: "It was a great day for Carroll Hall, because
normally we don't have that much attendance at a dorm event."
This is what the Carroll men used to make the 90 by 30 foot banner which was
hung on the hall during several home games: 72 bed sheets, 70,000 staples, five
gallons of paint, 1,000 feet of twine, 15 cinder blocks and 90 feet of pipe.
These are the stores the Carroll men had to visit to find 72 bed sheets: two
Walmarts, two Meijers, a Target and a Kmart.
This is how long it took the guys to complete the project: it was all done within
a 15-hour period.
This is what an NBC announcer said during one of the three times the banner
appeared on national television: "That's a very big house with a lot of school
spirit."
This is why the NBC announcer's comment is true: in 2000-2001, the men of Carroll
Hall did show spirit and enthusiasm, both within the hall itself and for the
entire Notre Dame community.
This is what former hall president Tim Dosal says about Carroll's hall government:
"Our first goal was always to serve the men of Carroll hall ... but then we
tried to go out and serve the entire Notre Dame community."
This is why Jorissen, a junior, has no desire to move off campus next year:
"And leave all this? No thank you."
Carroll has a new rector. Father Jim Lewis is the lucky chap who is now at the
helm after serving as rector for the University's undergraduate program in London
the past two years. Prior to the London stint, Father Lewis did various kinds
of social work, serving as a therapist in the psychiatric unit of St. Joseph's
Medical Center in the Bend, as well as at Central Professional Group in Joliet,
Illinois. Father Lewis has been a Carmelite priest for 18 years.
Last year the University made some changes in its high school recruiting efforts.
Apparently they felt other schools were getting a leg up through wall decorations.
So the University decided to make a poster to distribute to high school guidance
counselors. A photographer was assigned to get a snapshot that encompassed the
Dome and Basilica. The view was from the library. Here is the poster....
Notice anything? In the upper left corner the grand hotel of Carroll is decorated
with a banner. ("Go Irish!" banner story is on the "Carroll Hall History" page.)
It is the only dorm in the photo, which speaks volumes. A close-up of the poster
is below...
2001
- 4th Annual Carroll Christmas Tree
Added:
Dec. 16, 2001
The 4th annual celebration of "A Carroll Christmas" took place on the evening
of December 7th. The events began at 6pm on the front lawn. Once again an enormous
Christmas tree was the centerpiece. The tree lighting ceremony involved Christmas
Carols and the music of the Notre Dame Glee Club. Yuletide refreshments accompanied
the holiday cheer. The Vermin also requested that people give from the heart
by donating a children's toy or book to "Toys for Tots." Hopefully pictures
of this year's tree can be posted within a couple months. Last year's event
was missed, unfortunately. The 2nd year was captured. So we are consistently
catching all the even-numbered gatherings. All in an every-other day's work.
Carroll Hall was mentioned on the third page of the Sports Section in Thursday's
(Feb. 7, 2002) edition of USA today. The title is "Futures on the dotted line"
and the story begins:
"For
the first time as head football coach at Notre Dame, Tyrone Willingham was speaking
in a student dormitory Wednesday afternoon. He sat on a chair in a lounge at
Carroll Hall, sometimes speaking so quietly that the geese outside on St. Mary's
Lake were almost as loud..."
This piece appeared in Scholastic Vol. 143 No. 10 on 21 Mar 2002:
"We
think we're tough, but most people think we're exiles," laments Carroll Hall
resident Ryan Greenberg. But he and fellow Vermin Sean Dudley are working to
change the negative stigma attached to living across the lake. These two freshmen
are the co-founder, co-presidents and executive board of the Carroll Awareness
Club (CAC - pronounced "sassy"), which Greenberg defines as an unofficial "grass-roots
organization" whose mission is to "spread love of and for Carroll throughout
the university."
"[W]e
felt it was our solemn duty to...promote greater Carroll awareness," Dudley
says. "Plus, one night when we had nothing better to do, we sat down and rewrote
most of the words to Nelly's song 'Ride Wit Me," [renaming the song 'Bike Wit
Me' and] substituting lyrics about life at Carroll for the frequent references
to...bouncing in clubs and doing drugs with Vanna White. As we pondered the
great aspects of living in a quiet resort dorm on the west edge of campus, [CAC]
was born."
There is no official list of members, but Greenberg estimates that "at least
100-150 people know about [the club] just by word of mouth." He says most are
non-Carroll residents, because "it's not about Carroll - it's about bringing
Carroll to others."
In an effort to cast the net even farther, Dudley will be performing "Bike Wit
Me" live for McGlinn's Shamrock 'N' Roll this Thursday. The co-founders have
rewritten several other songs as well, including "North Quad Girl," based on
Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl." "It's about a long- distance relationship," explains
Greenberg. He says CAC will continue to rewrite popular songs, with possibilities
of a future album.
In addition to this (somewhat) original soundtrack, CAC has other plans to "spread
the Carroll love," including propaganda videos and fact-sheets that answer frequently
asked questions such as, "Do you have to dial long distance to call Carroll?"
They also hope to entice visitors by getting the word out about Carroll's spacious
accommodations through the publication of a comparative study of the per-capita
square-footage of each dorm's 24-hour space, which the co-founders currently
are in the midst of conducting.
Still, they insist that CAC's mission is not simply to prove their dorm's superiority.
Says Greenberg, "We're not doing this to flaunt what we have. We just want people
to come experience the love of Carroll and get the Carroll vibe."
The Vermin Class of '02 made some noise at the end of the school year. Tim Dolezal
was named the 2002 Class Valedictorian. Not too shabby. (For the record, I was
nearly the Valedictorian of the '97 class. I would have been, too, if it weren't
for the 1000 or so students with higher GPAs.) If you read your most recent
Alumni Newsletter then you already know of the award bestowed on Bob LeBlanc.
Bob was honored with the Alumni Association's Distinguished Student Award. He
was on every dean's list and a two-time Carroll co-president. Bob started out
as a freshman class representative and finished up as co-chair of the Hall Presidents
Council and as a representative on the Campus Life Council. Congratulations
to them and the rest of the '02 Vermin.
So who has a little wooden replica of Carroll on thier shelf? If you bought
one from way back in the day then you have a bare backside. However, if you've
purchased within the past few years then you have probably noticed a paragraph
on the back giving a history lesson on Carroll. We had taken that lengthy note
and put it at the head of our Carroll Hall History page. Well, thanks to the
"search" command on the internet, everyone and their mother can locate specific
words and find their way to the page to read said paragraph. The third sentence
in the paragraph drew one curious reader. He was looking for information on
Brother Andre Bessate. The sentence stated: "For a brief time in 1938, Blessed
Brother Andre Bessate lived in this special building." VerminNet.com was sent
an email asking where this sentence came from. The inquirer was a Domer writer
living in Toronto who was researching Brother Bessate as part of his job. So
he certainly knew quite a bit about the man. How interesting I found it when
this Domer informed me that Brother Bessate died in 1937. D'OH! So unless Carroll
doubled as a mortuary, the research department dropped the ball big time.
Carroll won the Fisher Regatta for the third year in a row. The Vermin rowed
the three-year-old vessel "Wood 'n Caulk" to victory. This championship was
not without spice, though. Vermin Steve Bomeli '02 tells the tale:
"In
the semi-final race this year, guys from Keough started attacking our boat to
try and break one of the outriggers so that the boat might flip over. We just
pulled ahead and smeared them in that race, and as we rowed back across the
lake, they started rowing towards us (not even having finished the race yet)
and again tried a second attack. One of their guys jumped on one of our outriggers
which caused the boat to flip over. We got back on top of the upside down boat
and were towed back to shore by the water safety. One of the seams on the boat
broke during the whole ordeal, so we needed some wood to go and fix it. Several
of the rowers took Keough's boat to cut it up and take its wood for the repairs,
and there were almost some punches thrown. In the end, we found some other scrap
wood and made a quick repair on the site, put the boat back in the water, and
won the final race.
At the next hall president's council, Keough declared war on Carroll (I really
don't know what this means) since they accused us of starting things even though
they were the aggressors."
I'm not sure what Keough's nickname is but I'll got out on a limb and say they
are the "Donkeys."
Carroll is one of the five dorms to receive the new ID card access systems this
summer. Father James Lewis, the Carroll Hall rector, said:
"We
will literally go from using keys this spring to the security system in the
fall."
Lewis went on to say:
"Anything
that adds security to our residence halls is a good thing. It's important, given
our location. It's a beautiful location, it's a wonderful location, but we really
could face security problems."
So if we alums want to visit our old stomping ground, we'll have to wait for
some Vermin to come out to be able to catch the door. And a lack of keys will
make it terribly difficult to scratch names on the bricks that surround the
main south door.
This appeared in the Summer 2002 Notre Dame Magazine:
As many as 30 squirrels are thought to have been living, uninvited, in Carroll
Hall this past winter. they were getting in through unscreened vents leading
from the second-floor bathrooms of the dorm on the west end of Saint Mary's
Lake. From there they made their way throughout the building, moving between
walls and above ceilings. Carroll's residents found the new lodgers amusing
at first, feeding them moon pies and catching them by wearing hockey gloves
or just barehanded. When someone discovered the squirrels were of the flying
variety, they began launching them down the hall to see them float. One day
junior Tom Silio put his foot in his ROTC army boot and found it full of shells
from Reese's Pieces. Apparently a squirrel had found a stash of the candy in
another room and stored them in Silio's boot for later munching. Once the bathroom
vents were screened, animal control professionals were able to trap and evict
the rodents.
"15
Minutes From DeBartolo." That is the name of the photograph that appeared on
the inside back cover of the last Scholastic of 2002. Carroll sophomore Ryan
Greenberg snapped a shot that all Vermin can recognize and appreciate. My face
lit-up as soon as I saw it. I remember it like it was yesterday. Here's a trip
down memory lane for all of us that endured the winter walks to class.....
O Christmas tree, O Carroll tree. Once again the Vermin closed the Fall semester
with "A Carol Christmas." For the 5th year in a row, the dorm plopped an enormous
evergreen tree in the middle of the front lawn. A grand star was placed on top.
Scroll down and catch a glimpse of the 2002-03 Carroll Christmas tree.
The Vermin once again claimed victory in the Fisher Regatta. This was the 4th
year in a row the Carroll lads took the crown. And just like last year, another
dorm tried to sabotage our boat. The culpable parties this year belonged to
Fisher. During the night before the race they absconded with the Vermin sailing
vessel. The Fisher boys employed the use of a dumbbell to try to sink Carroll's
boat. Alas the weight failed to plunge the ship to the bottom of St. Mary's
Lake. Repairs on Wood n' Caulk began at 1:30AM. The frame was damaged and the
wood was soaked but the good doctors got her up and running by 2PM. The Vermin
won 3 heats and then defeated Fisher in the Championship round. As the old saying
goes: "Winners never cheat and cheaters get their asses kicked by Vermin."
As luck would have it, we have some photos to share from that event. These pictures
are courtesy of then sophomore and Carroll President Ryan Greenberg. photos
are provided at the link below and each one can be enlarged by individual selection....
http://www.ryangreenberg.com/gallery/album09
Those of you who lived in Carroll in the '90s surely remember Father Al. Check
out the following University release on FRAL...
May 21, 2003
Rev. Alfred E. D'Alonzo, C.S.C., a senior counselor in the Office of Academic
Services for Student-Athletes and director of the Campus Bible Study at the
University of Notre Dame, has been honored with the creation of an athletic
grant-in-aid in his name.
The University has received a $100,000 commitment to endow the Father Al D'Alonzo,
C.S.C., Grant-In-Aid, which will benefit members of the women's fencing and
softball teams. It was established with a gift from the family of his brother
Frank and nephew Frank Jr., in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Father
D'Alonzo's ordination as a Holy Cross priest.
"Father
Al has provided wise counsel to Notre Dame student-athletes for 15 years," said
Kevin White, director of athletics. "We are most appreciative of his service
and of his family's gift in support of two programs for which he has developed
a particular appreciation."
A native of Orange, N.J., Father D'Alonzo enrolled at Notre Dame on an athletic
scholarship in football in 1944 and played for two years. As a member of the
Navy's V-12 program, he also attended Officers Training School on campus.
In his sophomore year, Father D'Alonzo gave up football and turned down his
commission with the Navy to enter the priesthood. He received the habit of a
novice in August 1946 at the Holy Cross Novitiate in North Dartmouth, Mass.,
and returned a year later to Notre Dame to complete his undergraduate studies
in philosophy. After earning his bachelor's degree in 1949, he undertook theological
studies at Holy Cross College in Washington, D.C., and in 1953 was ordained
a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross. He later earned his master's degree
in educational administration and sociology and his doctorate in administration.
Father D'Alonzo served from 1953-69 as a prefect of discipline, director of
athletics, teacher, vice principal, counselor and headmaster at high schools
in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. He then spent two years in Canada
as a research assistant at the University of Ottawa, from which he earned his
doctoral degree. While in Canada he served as chaplain and counselor at Ottawa
Teachers College.
From 1971-81, Father D'Alonzo served as dean of students at King's College in
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he also taught Italian as an assistant professor of
education.
Father D'Alonzo returned to Notre Dame in 1981, first on sabbatical and then
serving for eight years on the staff of Moreau Seminary. He became director
of Notre Dame's Campus Bible Study in 1986 and two years later was appointed
a counselor in the Office of Academic Services for Student-Athletes. He also
has served as an assistant rector in Pangborn and Carroll Halls. In academic
services, he has assisted student-athletes with curricular planning, taught
study skills, maintained NCAA records and provided academic and personal counseling.
He has worked with various athletic teams, including lacrosse, hockey, baseball
and football, and in recent years he has worked most closely with the fencing
and softball programs.
In 1995, Father D'Alonzo was honored for his many lifetime endeavors when he
received the Distinguished American Award presented by the Essex County (N.J.)
Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.
The foundation bestows the award on former players who have carried the lessons
learned on the field into a life of service to community.
The golden jubilee of Father D'Alonzo's ordination will be celebrated this weekend
(May 23-24).
2003
- Scholastic Editor-in-Chief
Added:
November 16, 2003 The
current Editor-in-Chief of Scholastic is Vermin! Matt Killen is the man "In
the summer of 2000 I was getting ready to enter into my first year as a The
name sounded good, but that was about all I knew about the place. That
summer, when I came on campus to take a language placement exam, "Let's
go see your dorm," they told me. As
we headed out of DeBartolo, turning down South Quad, I naively pointed But,
of course, it wasn't. We
kept walking, past the lake, down Carroll drive, and an old, mansion While
the isolation of Carroll Hall seemed strange to me at the time, after I 6th
Annual Carroll Christmas Tree Added:
January 25, 2004
The photo is in and it has been scanned. The Carroll Christmas Tree is available
for your viewing pleasure. The photo was snapped mid to late December. Snowfall
was sparse at the end of 2003, unfortunately. It would be nice to see a pine
drenched in snow. Maybe the future Vermin can turn up the creativity with greater
decorations. Possibly some wind-tested ornaments or all-weather tinsel. I would
suggest a string of popcorn and candy canes, but I think the inhabitants of
B.P. would scarf them down. I don't even know if B.P. fat jokes still apply
in 2004. Considering how the University is pushing diversity I wouldn't be surprised
if B.P. is now the home of the eating disorders. Is that a tasteless joke? Must
be since hungry B.P.-ers rarely take the time to taste. Forget the Keenan Revue,
where's the Carroll Def Comedy Jam?!?! 2004
- Interim Scholastic Editor-in-Chief Added:
March 7, 2004 Vermin
to Vermin. It was previously revealed that a member of Carroll was the editor
in chief of Scholastic. He has now passed the torch to another Vermin. Matt
Killen just finished up his term leading the magazine with following signoff:
"Matt Killen, editor in chief, somehow tricked everyone else on the staff
to do work and managed to slack off for 12 consecutive issues. He thanks them
for that. Next year, he'll harness his skills at obnoxiousness as he attends
law school somewhere. 'Crippling loneliness, here I come!'" The editors in chief
for next year area a male (non-Vermin) and female. Now usually the new chiefs
take over immediately. However, both juniors are abroad. Junior Vermin Ryan
Greenberg was appointed to serve as editor in chief for the remainder of the
spring semester. Ryan came on board as a designer his freshman year. His current
position is executive design editor. Ryan was quoted as sayi1980
- Shake Down the Thunder
Added:
July 13, 2003
Added:
4 February 2001
Photo provided by Dennis Callahan '83.
1981
- Stairway to Heaven
Added:
18 June 2000
Photo provided by Dennis Callahan '83.
1983
- The Vermin Colors
Added:
13 Aug 2000
1985
- Yearbook
Added:
Dec. 8, 2002
1985
- The Vermin Caricature
Added:
Jan. 26, 2003
1985
- Father Steve Gibson
Added:
Aug. 9, 2003
Added:
Feb. 14, 1999
Added: Sept 12 & 19, 2004
Added: Feb. 8, 2004
1994 - LEFT-LEFT
Added: Oct. 23, 2005
By: Dan Delgado '97
1994 - Yearbook
Added: July 2, 2006
1996
- DOS KLOSKAS
Added:
April 27, 2003
The
Vermin Redemption
Added:
Aug. 4, 2002
1997
- The Demise of the Haunted House
Added:
June 13, 1998
1999
- 2nd Annual Carroll Christmas Tree
Added:
Dec. 12, 1999
Added:
Mar. 21, 1999
1999
- The Renovated Basement
Added:
18 April 1999
Added:
6 June 1999
1999
- VERMINPALOOZA '99
Added:
Oct. 3, 1999
2000
- New Rectors
Added:
13 February 2000
2000
- Fusic Festival
Added:
23 April 2000
2000
- "GO IRISH!" Banner
Added:
6 May 2001
over 3,100 square feet of cloth
over 70,000 staples
5 gallons of leprechaun green paint
90 feet of PVC pipe
1000 feet of rope
Notre Dame
24
Nebraska
27
OT
9-9-2000
Notre Dame
34
Air Force
31
OT
10-28-2000
Fusic
Festival & Fisher Regatta (Vermin Victory)
4-21-2001
2001
- Scholastic Shoutout
Added:
Mar. 5, 2001
This
is the Story of a Hall
Added:
29 April 2001
By: Laura Rompf
Date: Apr. 20, 2001
2001
- New Rector
Added:
Sept. 9, 2001
2001
- Carroll posterized
Added:
Sept. 30, 2001
2002
- USA Today
Added:
Feb. 17, 2002
Carroll
Awareness Club
Added:
Mar. 31, 2002
2002
- Vermin Class of '02
Added:
May 19, 2002
Added:
June 2, 2002
2002
- Fisher Regatta
Added:
June 23, 2002
2002
- ID Access system
Added:
July 6, 2002
2002
- Notre Dame Magazine
Added:
July 28, 2002
2002
- Scholastic
Added:
Jan. 19, 2003
2002
- 5th Annual Carroll Hall Christmas Tree
Added:
Feb 2, 2003
2003
- Fisher Regatta
Added:
June 1, 2003
2003
- FRAL
Added:
June 22, 2003
running the show. And Carroll was mentioned in a recent inside-cover
editorial. The piece was an intro to the Scholastic cover story on ND's dorm
system. Matt wrote:
student at the University of Notre Dame. Like any incoming student, I got
countless packets of information, all gearing up to that momentous August
move-in day. One of these packets listed my dorm: Carroll Hall.
my parents decided to hunt down my dorm and check it out. I emerged
from the DeBartolo exam room, and my parents were waiting for me with
odd-looking smiles on their faces.
at dorm after dorm, wondering which one would be Carroll. But we kept
walking, and we approached Lyons arch, which I assumed to be the edge of
campus.
appeared at the end of a small grassy field. It looked like something out of
a
Scooby-Doo mystery. We had to be well off-campus at this point, I thought.
But that was it: Carroll Hall, right before my eyes.
moved in it quickly became a great characteristic of a wonderful community;
something that set it apart from the rest and made me feel at home."
