Student leaders will give signatures to Poorman, other University officers
By JASON McFARLEY
News Writer
An effort to reverse planned changes to the alcohol policy and to give students more voice in campus decision-making has the backing of nearly half of all Notre Dame undergraduates, according to organizers of a petition that circulated last week.
As of Monday night, 4,063 undergraduates had signed the petition, Student Body President Libby Bishop said. The signatures represent autographs collected between April 9 and 11 from on- and off-campus students and e-mail confirmations from students studying abroad.
Bishop and Vice President Trip Foley expect this week to forward the signatures and an explanation of the petition to University officers, including Father Mark Poorman, vice president for Student Affairs.
"We want to give the officers an accurate picture of students still wanting a voice," Bishop said. "The petition was a tangible object of student opinion. When you think about what a short time period it was collecting [the signatures], we're really happy."
Foley, who attributed the petition's success to the Hall Presidents Council and Student Senate publicizing the campaign, said it was more productive than recent student protests.
"The petition really focused on student voices. It was more of a constructive way to include students in policymaking of the University," he said.
The petition calls for:
* Poorman to repeal his own decision to outlaw in-hall dances effective this fall
* Notre Dame to use education in lieu of imposing restrictions to address alcohol abuse among students and
* University officials to guarantee undergraduates direct input in the creation of student life policy.
The third goal will be a key issue for the Bishop-Foley administration.
"It's part of an ongoing issue of student voice," said Pat Hallahan, Bishop and Foley's chief of staff. "We'll continue to revisit this issue until we believe that students are able to contribute to policy at Notre Dame."
Any student who still wants to sign the petition can do so today and Wednesday in the student government office, Room 203 LaFortune Student Center.
All News Stories for Tuesday, April 16, 2002
