I sometimes disagree strenously with Fr. Jenkins and the administration, especially when it comes to a failure to uphold ND's Catholic identity with more than words, but in this instance I'm pleased with and proud of such a rational, prudent, and courageous approach to the ever-present risk in life.

Yeah, money and image told you to reopen Notre Dame and make the “courageous” decision to put your students, staff and faculty at risk. That is our Notre Dame family you are taking about, not soldiers in a war that can’t be prevented. Do not volunteer some of them and their family members to die and call it “mean courage.” And stop trying to draw parallels between yourself and Dr. Fauci, Fr. Jenkins. It doesn’t mean a thing, even if you do keep name dropping Aristotle to try to justify a premature decision like this. Frankly, your opinion piece reads like a first year’s Philo essay and I am deeply disappointed by it. You can and need to come up with a better plan.

Can you talk more about the impact of this decision on the south bend community? You do not discuss it, which I find distressing.

Open it up to get the tuition. Then, wait until the second wave kicks in and move all classes online. Talking about ethics... sounds very “courageous”.

Data supports the reopening with accommodation for the 65+ age group, and those with specific underlying conditions. Latest CDC data leads them to a current “best estimate” fatality rate of 1 in 20,000 for under 50 with no underlying conditions, and for age 50 to 64 a 1 in 5,000 fatality rate.

Fr. Jenkins describes why God gave our brains two hemispheres, not just one sphere, and an executive region to override one of them if necessary.

A decade ago when I was a freshman, an upperclassman passed away after falling off of a scissor-lift while recording a football practice session. The student body, the faculty, the entire university was in mourning that entire year. Those who were close to him are still hurting, I'm sure. A lack of knowledge of the scissor-lift model and an unawareness of wind speed conditions were cited as contributing factors to the accident [news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-investigation-finds-four-primary-factors-led-to-declan-sullivan-tragedy/]. There was an extensive investigation and a number of recommendations were made to ensure an accident like this never happens again. Now, with ND's plan for Fall 2020, I just hope the university isn't overlooking anything, there are no gaps in their knowledge, and all - and I mean all - precautions will be taken. Go Irish.

I’m sure there have been plenty of calls between the White House and Notre Dame in preparation for the September 29th presidential debate.I’m sure the Trump administration expressed their interest in having students in class during that time period.Or else.

Glad the University if ND is deciding to open up. As we all know scientists are nit 100% right all if the time, they have already had admitted they have been wrong about several things. These are intelligent healthy young adults and I’m sure all will be ok. Thank you Notre Dame, our student looks forward to fall quarter.

I think Father Jenkins makes a pretty clear philosophical point in this. Science cannot in principle give you the moral framework to make decisions that require value judgments -- you can't examine the concept of justice or the principle of fairness with a microscope. You need something beyond science for that. But I hope that, in today's charged political climate, his making this obvious point isn't somehow interpreted as an anti-expert view or an anti-scientific view. It isn't anti-science, it is in fact very respectful of what science can in principle accomplish, but it could be perceived that way by people unfamiliar with the distinction between science and moral valuation.I am personally not sure if the golden mean between the two extremes of recklessly reopening and shutting everything down forever is opening a university of 12,000+ plus students and a bunch more staff who typically frequent high-density sites (dining halls, dorms, the gym, Debart 101....). I think it still leans too much toward the reckless side. But that's something that reasonable people can arrive at different conclusions about.

Someone needs to step up and lead from the front. While my child just graduated, I'm hoping the other two colleges my kids are attending step up and make a decision.Thank you Notre Dame for stepping up.

The thoughtfulness and purposefulness of Notre Dame has been awesome to experience...our son is now a junior and we are happy our daughter made the choice to attend Notre Dame

Yes, I’m very proud to see that my University is one of the few leading the way with a courageous stance. Thank you!

Can you post this not behind the NYT paywall? Seems odd they could use, what I presume to be, a free contributor to them, and put the contribution behind a paywall.

First time I’ve been proud of a moral stance made by my university in a long time. We cannot all wait on science to solve humanities issues. If you don’t agree then stay at home, but you are going to be there for a LONG TIME. Safety is a farce long sought after but never achieved. As I tell my kids, be wise not be safe. The second is never in your control.

When it comes to Athletics, ND is gonna have to find other schools who share his vision about the safety of student athletes. Otherwise, no game or match.

😡Only immunity can stop this virus open up the school and stadium.!!

Did Fr. Jenkins equate sending your kids to school with sending your kids to war?I had a Theology of War class at ND and I just can’t equate the two.

Faith, science, courage and common sense. Proud of my ND!

Oh please. It is a huge gamble & you think you can outrun the second wave. Let’s hope it works out.

So important to reopen all schools in person!

Science & courage. Seems reasonable. We need more reasonable.

At least Father has thought it through. He’ll have to stand by the results. God speed.

An institution of higher learning saying that science can't solve a science based issue? Glad I'm not sporting tuition for that waste of time.

A voice of reason in unreasonable times.