O'Donoghue predicts fresh term
FINN PRESSLY
Assistant News Editor
With a productive six weeks already under its belt, Notre Dame student government has set its sights on improving the overall quality of life at Notre Dame, from addressing the smallest details to crafting an ambitious plan for the future.
"We want to represent hope," said student body president Brian O'Donoghue. "It's something we're all up to. We're trying as best we can to make this hope manifest itself into a better reality," he said, recalling the memory of 1948 Notre Dame graduate Dr. Tom Dooley.
First on this year's agenda is the opening of the school year Mass Tuesday, an evening that will include a campus-wide dinner and ceremony honoring University president emeritus Theodore Hesburgh. The events will conclude with a fireworks display.
When the smoke clears, however, O'Donoghue maintains that student government will remain an integral part of University life.
"From that step, we're going to be a viable and visible presence on this campus," he said. "We're ready to start, ready to go. We are going to make a difference, and we are in place to do so."
Joining O'Donoghue at the head of the Student Union is junior Brooke Norton.
Among the plans for the year is a commitment to bring a variety of speakers to campus.
"We've been working tirelessly to bring … speakers to campus on a number of issues [from] sexual assault to political education as well as entertaining speakers," he said.
The issue of political education is of particular concern this year, O'Donoghue said, stressing his administration is committed to promoting student participation in elections.
"We are set and determined to make Notre Dame very much involved in this election year," he said. "We're going to target the registration of freshmen voters. We want them to register in St. Joseph County, if they want."
O'Donoghue also highlighted the need for freshmen to get involved in student government.
"We want freshmen to come up and get involved. This is their University, and this is their Student Union. It doesn't necessarily have to be an elected position. They just have to come up and say they want to get involved. We have a great group of dedicated students … but we can always use a fresh insight and a new way of looking at things."
Campus Life Council
With representatives hailing from all corners of the Notre Dame community, Campus Life Council has a "major year" ahead, according to O'Donoghue who chairs the commmittee.
"We're looking at the very structure of the body and organization of it," he said. "We do have a full agenda of issues."
The Council hosts rectors, students, administrators and faculty members in a forum designed to address issues that affect the entire University community.
"The CLC has a large range of topics, from academic tenure to academic freedom to the incorporation of better community in the residence halls. Issues on diversity and gender and women's issues will all be at the forefront," O'Donoghue said.
With very few returning members, O'Donoghue predicts a "fresh, new council."
The Council meets bi-weekly on Wednesdays in the Notre Dame Room of LaFortune.
Student Senate
The April 1 turnover in the student government office not only brought in a new administration, but also introduced a new roster for the Student Senate. With one senator for each residence hall and one senator for off-campus students, the senate remains primarily concerned with addressing the needs of the Notre Dame student body.
Under Norton, who chairs the body, the senate must approve the yearly Student Union budget, certify nominations to Student Union positions and provide a voice for the student body in the mechanisms of student government.
Last semester, senators faced an agenda including a variety of issues. Some, such as the debate regarding the construction of a new student center, have been staples of senatorial discussion for years. Others, such as rising controversy about acquaintance rape on campus, blossomed during the term following a campus-wide debate on the subject.
With just six weeks of their term behind them, senators can expect to address many of the same, ongoing controversies, but must also react to issues as they arise on campus.
All News Stories for Saturday, August 19, 2000
