2022 - 2023 Administration
Department of National Affairs and Political Engagement
Department Director: Quinn Akerman
Contact: jakerman@nd.edu
Civic Engagement Week
Provide voter registration resources for the student body and campus political engagement through local speakers and tri-club events.
Status: In Progress
South Bend Politics
Engage the student body with local politics through a series of local speakers and resources.
Status: In Progress
Political Council Newsletter
Create a monthly newsletter highlighting local, national, and international news headlines taken from the perspectives of different political clubs on campus.
Status: Completed
New Voter Awareness Drive
Create and distribute resources and registration information for our new first year class pertaining to their first time voting.
Status: Completed
Department of Diversity & Inclusion - Disability Advocacy
Department Director: Jill Maudlin
Contact: jmaudlin@nd.edu
Accessible Social Events:
Create guides on how to host accessible events, such as SYRs and formals, and distribute these to Hall Presidents and relevant club leaders.
Status: Completed
ASL Resources:
Work with the administration to bring an ASL interpreter to large Welcome Weekend events and other appropriate University events.
Status: Completed
Ally Poster Campaign:
Run an educational poster campaign regarding how the members of the university can be allies to the disabled community.
Status: Completed
Accessible Social Media:
Work with administrators to ensure all University of Notre Dame official Instagram accounts meet accessibility requirements.
Status: Completed
Mentorship:
Host mentorship events after admissions releases and after first-years arrive on campus to answer questions and walk them through the accommodations process.
Status: Completed
Accessible Seating
Include accessible seating options on the athletic department's website.
Status: Completed
Residence Hall Accessibility Report
Tour each residence hall, determine potential small-scale and large-scale renovations for improved accessibility, and present the findings to Residential Life.
Status: Completed
Department of Gender Relations - Title IX and Women's Initiatives
Department Director: Lane Obringer
Contact: lobringe@nd.edu
Denim Day:
Host an event to educate the student about the history of denim day and stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence on Tuesday, April 19th.
Status: Completed
Callisto Implementation:
Work with Callisto to hire Campus Champion and promote services that work in collaboration with the current government-regulated Title IX policies. Continue to increase awareness of Callisto by implementing education into Moreau FYI, Welcome Weekend, and Hall Council presentations.
Status: Completed
Safety After Parietals:
Continue Safety After Parietals campaign efforts to ensure that students who feel trapped in unsafe situations feel comfortable leaving even after parietal hours. Make this information known through CSAP and SAO.
Status: Completed
Raise the Bar:
Research and benchmark with other universities with similar initiatives. Compile comprehensive bystander intervention training for bar staff in the local South Bend area.
Status: Completed
Back to School Safety:
Implement a Back to School Safety campaign, educating students about the increased risk of sexual violence during the first months of school.
Status: Completed
Pregnancy Aid:
Collaborate with the Family Resource Center to promote available resources from the St. Liam's, UCC, UHS, and local South Bend community for expecting mothers.
Status: Completed
50th Anniversary of Title IX:
Host an educational event about Title IX and the fight for equality in women’s academics, athletics, and more.
Status: Completed
Survivor Mass:
Hosted mass, celebrated by Fr. Pete, for survivors of gender-based violence, giving them a space to feel comforted and supported in healing
Status: Completed
Gender Equity Town Hall:
Survey 16 women's and 5 men's residence halls about their experience of gender equity or inequity in campus life.
Status: In Progress
SpeakOut:
Provide survivors and allies of sexual assault an opportunity to share their stories via the in-person event or proxy form.
Status: Completed
Survey:
Solicit feedback about the Title IX and Office of Institutional Equity reporting process and share the results in a confidential report.
Status: Completed
Department of Student Life
Department Co-Directors: Sarah Mahoney and Mary Massman
Contact: smahone2@nd.edu and mmassma2@nd.edu
Flick on the Field:
Work with Student Union Board and Student Affairs to coordinate programming for annual Flick on the Field showing of Rudy to kick off the fall semester.
Status: Completed
Ice Skate Night:
Organize a skate night in the Compton Ice Arena either before or after Christmas break that is free to the student body, with food and beverages served.
Status: Completed
Dining Staff Appreciation Week:
Recognize the dedication and hard work of our dining hall staff through tabling, gratitude banners, thank you cards, and a social media campaign.
Status: Completed
Adopt a Dorm - Transfers and Gateway:
Pair gateway and transfer students with a Notre Dame dorm for community events such as hall council, signature events, formals, and more. Strengthen sense of belonging for students by bringing them into the residential life community at Notre Dame.
Status: In Progress
Art Showcase Initiative:
Partner with the Snite Museum to host events on art education and empowerment to enrich the student body.
Status: Completed
Study Abroad Advocacy:
Provide an outlet for student voices and experiences with study abroad to enrich the experiences of others in the future. Supplement resources for students to ensure an optimal transition to education abroad.
Status: In Progress
Dining Hall Modification:
Work with Campus Dining to provide and promote food of higher quality and nutrition for students in North and South Dining Hall, inducing shorter lines, a wider variety of options, and a greater flexibility of meal plan options.
Status: In Progress
Enhancing Residential Life:
Provide opportunities for students to provide feedback to Residential Life in an informal setting through a coffee and donuts social as well as a FAQ/suggestion box email, which would increase visibility of residential life and provide opportunities for student engagement.
Status: Completed
First Undergraduate Experience in Leadership (FUEL)
Co-Directors: Joey Kositzke and AnnahMarie Behn
Contact: jkositzk@nd.edu and abehnlin@nd.edu
Assemble the FUEL Team:
Promote FUEL to incoming first-years and send out applications in a timely manner. Review applications and conduct interviews in a holistic manner to determine this upcoming year’s FUEL members.
Status: Completed
Assist FUELers in gaining an understanding of the Student Union:
Present the intricacies of Student Government and other executive leadership organizations, including their purpose, their workload, and their application process. Be a resource for the first-years and any questions they may have regarding the Student Union.
Status: Completed
Involve FUELers first-hand experience with department work:
Assign every FUELer to another Student Government department which matches their interests. Ensure each FUELer is introduced to the department leader and is included in regular meetings as a member.
Status: Completed
Develop FUEL committees and guide each to their established goals:
Break up members of FUEL into 5 departments of unique pursuits and guide them to create a long-term goal for the year they seek to accomplish. Manage each group as the year progresses and be a resource to ensure they stay on track and maintain accountability.
Status: Completed
Steps to Wellness Week:
Host a week of programming to promote awareness of the Step Care Model and all on-campus mental health resources. Events include an afternoon with service dogs, bounce house stress relief, basketball with Fr. Pete, and many more events inspired to draw in the broader student population. This week was co-sponsored with the Division of Student Affairs, Student Health and Wellness, the UCC, McWell, the Center for Student Support and Care.
Status: Completed
Department of Gender Relations - LGBTQ+ Advocacy
Department Director: Briana Chappell
Contact: bchappel@nd.edu
Representation in UCC Staff:
Partner with the UCC to increase LGBTQ+ and racial/ethnic representation in their staff so that minority students feel as though they have a representative support system that they are comfortable sharing their personal life and experiences with.
Status: Completed
Hall Staff Training:
Collaborate with PrismND to develop hall staff training to better meet the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community and accompany all students as they navigate diverse lived experiences. This will include resources for students, action steps available to take, and guidance on seeking professional help.
Status: Completed
Moreau Materials with Appropriate Language:
Due to the lack of LGBTQ+ programming in the current Moreau curriculum, we intend to reach out to the proper staff and administration to express the need for more resources on allyship, intersectionality, and LGBTQ+ experiences in the curriculum.
Status: Completed
Abroad Safety:
Using research and student testimonials, compile both a guide and a student panel to help LGBTQ+ students navigate the cultural differences of various abroad locations and guide them in their discernment.
Status: In Progress
Mentorship Program with the GRC:
Collaborate with the Gender Relations Center (GRC), along with ARC ND (Notre Dame’s LGBTQ+ alumni association) to facilitate the revitalization of the LGBTQ+ peer mentorship program and the spread of the Active Ally Training to residence halls.
Status: Completed
PrideFest:
Host PrideFest 2023 and ensure that this event returns annually to celebrate LGBTQ+ students and their place on campus. Promote the right of each student on this campus to feel safe, welcomed, and loved through speakers, a dedicated mass, and time of fellowship.
Status: Completed
Department of Sustainability
Department Director: Nick Albrinck
Contact: nalbrinc@nd.edu
Material Waste Reduction:
Properly implement recycling systems in dorm buildings and reintroduce recycling strategies in all campus buildings. Develop and implement pervasive behavioral material waste reduction strategies.
Status: Completed
Sustainable Investing:
Create a communication campaign to promote sustainable investing, including a social media campaign and an ESG-themed event. Keep the Notre Dame student body informed on the state of sustainable investing in collaboration with the Endowment Office.
Status: In Progress
Energy Use:
Drive both behavioral and facility energy use reduction strategies on campus through partnerships with administrative and student groups. Promote and support the use of the Campus Energy Use Dashboard being launched in the Fall.
Status: Completed
Dining Sustainability:
Ensure verification and labeling of Campus Dining sourcing information and Continuation of the expansion of vegetarian and vegan options in the dining halls.
Status: Completed
Net Zero Planning and Analysis:
Foster analysis and engagement of the University's Net Zero plan by the campus community.
Status: In Progress
Upcycling Event:
Host an event selling second-hand apparel for the campus community to sustainably discard and purchase clothing options.
Status: Completed
Sustainability Cup:
Create a dorm-based competition to promote sustainable living practices in a community setting.
Status: Completed
Department of Community Outreach
Department Director: Lala Petty
Contact: cpetty@nd.edu
Select our “Community Building Experience” high school volunteer interns:
These students will receive experience in community building and collegiate student government, and a chance to build their resumes. Additionally, mentorship will be provided throughout this community outreach opportunity.
Status: Completed
Back the Bend:
Partner with local South Bend community organizations to host a school-wide day of service.
Status: In Progress
Game Time:
Invite Notre Dame students and local 5th-8th grade students to engage in a team-based game fundraising event where they can register a team, compete, and win prizes. Donate the proceeds to the Local Cup SB, a pay-it-forward coffee shop.
Status: Completed
Empowered students, empower students:
Inviting 3 community leaders in South Bend to be on a panel and host group discussions for college students about leadership skills in the community, physical and mental health, and the benefit of service in order to grow individually and then elevate as a community.
Status: Completed
Department of Health and Wellness
Department Director: Sisy Chen
Contact: schen27@nd.edu
Extension of the University’s subscription to Calm and TimelyCare:
Increase student utilization of these free, accessible services which aid their mental and physical health.
Status: Completed
Code Red Initiative:
Provide free menstrual hygiene products at high-traffic bathrooms in order to reduce financial stress and gender inequity surrounding menstrual hygiene product cost and accessibility.
Status: Completed
Brain Foods Week:
Provide a new "brain food” every day of one week for students to boost their mental and physical health via foods that are known to increase cognitive function. Use this week as an avenue to allow Campus Dining and Student Government to gauge student reception to different “brain foods” to open the door to expand this initiative in the future.
Status: Completed
Health & Well-Being Resources Fair:
Increase awareness of the various health-related resources available to students, the services provided within each unit (McWell, UCC, and UHS), and how to access these resources.
Status: Completed
Health and Wellness Unit Representatives:
Create comprehensive training of the various departments within the health and wellness unit for student leaders on campus so they can act as a representative for the various communities they serve. Disseminate information regarding relevant mental health, physical health, and wellbeing resources for students.
Status: Completed
UCC Wait Time Tracking Platform:
Establish a wait-time tracking system where students can see current estimated wait times for walk-in appointments, sign up for appointments with greater ease, and know what to expect when going to the UCC for a counseling session
Status: In Progress
Midterms De-Stress Event:
Provide a space for students to decompress from their pre-midterms stress. Give away goodie bags filled with items for students to focus on self-care and wellbeing, and offer free fresh-fruit smoothies; disseminate vital information about health and wellbeing resources on campus.
Status: Completed
Suicide Healing and Memorial Prayer Service:
Welcome all Notre Dame faculty, staff, and students to join together in a space of healing and reflection at the memorial prayer service at the Grotto, in honor of National Suicide Prevention Month (September).
Status: Completed
DineTogether ND:
Create designated areas in both North and South Dining Hall for those who want to share a meal and get to know someone new. Increase community on campus and boost students' social, mental, and emotional well-being.
Status: Completed
Department of Academic Affairs
Department Director: Isabella Garcia
Contact: igarcia5@nd.edu
Exploration Week:
A week of programming organized to help students across campus, particularly first years, discern their academic journey and other opportunities at Notre Dame. Events executed in collaboration with First Year Advising, academic departments, and the Center for Career Development.
Status: Completed
Teach at ND Day:
Collaborative effort with the Kaneb Center for Teaching Excellence to honor instructors across campus and their pedagogy through a day of discussion, celebration, and appreciation.
Status: Completed
Department of Faith
Department Director: Ben Nash
Contact: bnash2@nd.edu
Host Bishop Robert Barron:
Bishop Robert Barron is an acclaimed author and speaker and is the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries. His talk is sure to inspire conversation regarding the intersection of faith and reason, as well as the phenomenon of religious disaffiliation.
Status: Completed
Host Vocations Fair:
Where is God calling me? The vocations fair will provide an opportunity for students to encounter the diversity of vocations in the Church—religious life, consecrated life, priesthood, marriage, missionary work, and more.
Status: In Progress
Provide opportunities to learn about the Catholic Mass:
These events will provide Catholic and non-Catholic students alike with a deeper understanding of the Catholic Mass. The goal of these events is to promote meaningful engagement in worship, particularly in residence halls, as well as to provide fodder for interfaith dialogue.
Status: In Progress
Provide Hallow App Free of Charge:
Provide the Hallow app, a Catholic Christian prayer and meditation app created by Notre Dame graduates, free of the standard monthly charge.
Status: Completed
Strengthen the Interfaith Council:
Last year was the inaugural year for the Interfaith Council, and we intend to bolster it significantly this year. The Interfaith Council is a place where students, faculty, and administrators can engage in substantive interfaith dialogue, and it aids Student Government in advocating for the needs of people of all faiths.
Status: Completed
Mass Database:
Collaborate with Campus Ministry to create a database of all Mass times and locations on campus.
Status: Completed
Equitable Access to the Sacraments between Genders:
Men's and women's dorms do not presently have comparable access to the Sacraments. We will advocate for more frequent Mass, adoration, confession, and spiritual direction opportunities in women's dorms, and work with spirituality commissioners from both men's and women's dorms to equip them for ministry in their communities.
Status: In Progress
Department of Diversity and Inclusion - Race and Ethnicity
Department Director: Eliza Smith
Contact: esmith43@nd.edu
Race Relations Week:
Host a week of speakers, events, mass, and celebrations that seek to promote racial awareness and productive dialogue in regards to race relations on campus and nationwide.
Status: Completed
Walk the Walk Week:
In following with the full observance of MLK day, host a week of events dedicated to making Notre Dame a more inclusive place for people of all backgrounds. Include a service event in South Bend.
Status: Completed
NASAND Collaboration:
Collaborate with Native American Student Association of Notre Dame to host events which celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Native American tribes and inform students of Native American influence in the founding of this University.
Status: Completed
MiND Training:
Assist the Multicultural Student Programs and Services (MSPS) in promoting participation in MiND training which seeks to educate students on microaggressions and give them the tools to be active allies to people of color.
Status: Completed
Department of South Bend Engagement
Department Director: Quinn McKenna
Contact: qmckenna@nd.edu
Farmers Market on the Quad:
Host a farmers market on campus, inviting South Bend vendors to come to campus.
Status: Completed
South Bend Passport:
Create a guide to South Bend which includes restaurants, coffee shops, shopping, and other commercial offerings to familiarize Notre Dame students with the city they live in.
Status: Completed
Hall Council Information:
Provide hall leadership with slides which inform students of different activities happening around South Bend each week to show at hall councils.
Status: Completed
South Bend Guest Speaker:
Host a community partner on campus for a presentation and student Q&A to discuss the relationship between Notre Dame and South Bend in an effort to educate students about their broader community.
Status: In Progress
Taste of South Bend:
Host an event providing students the opportunity to sample dishes from many local restaurants.
Status: In Progress
Department of Diversity and Inclusion - First-Generation Low-Income
Department Director: Tavin Martin
Contact: lmarti25@nd.edu
Office of Student Enrichment Collaboration:
Work with the Office of Student Enrichment to support and promote their events which are open to the entire student body, such as "Cooking on a Budget" and “Investing with Carl Ackermann”.
Status: In Progress
FGLI Faculty Pins:
On November 8th, National First Generation Day, we will provide pins to faculty who identify as First Generation in order to create a community of support and visibility for First Generation students on campus.
Status: Completed
Football 101: ND Edition:
This event was hosted to inform members of the Transformational Leadership Program about the basics of football and Notre Dame’s specific game day traditions such as chants, band walks, signature events, and overall ND spirit. Additionally, to ensure these students feel welcomed and included in the Notre Dame Community, we supplied “Game Day Swag Bags” to the students that included The Shirt, necklace beads, sunscreen, clear fanny packs, and many other game day amenities gifted by various organizations on campus.
Status: Completed
Registration Night Q&A:
Hosted a virtual event to assist students in registering for classes. Incoming students were able to talk one-on-one with current students to receive real, unfiltered advice on the college course registration process.
Status: Completed
Research Exploration Night:
Research Exploration Night is meant to be a first look into the world of research for students with little to no experience in the field. We will provide general information about research at Notre Dame and how to get involved on campus through labs, jobs, internships, etc. during the semester and summer.
Status: Completed
Golden Generation: First Under the Dome:
The Golden Generation: First Under the Dome is both an initiative and community created to empower and celebrate First Generation Students, Faculty, and Staff. The Golden Generation has a podcast, community dinners, merchandise, and other community-building events.
Status: Completed
Department of Campus Technology and Innovation
Department Director: Jeremy Moynihan
Contact: jmoyniha@nd.edu
General Student Input Protocol:
Create an input form for students with technological issues, requests, and questions.
Status: In Progress
Volunteering Database:
Work with the Departments of Community Outreach and South Bend Engagement as well as the Center for Social Concerns to develop an interactive directory for student groups who want to volunteer with off-campus community partners.
Status: In Progress
Student Government Progress Tracker:
Create a progress tracker to inform the student body of the ongoing and completed initiatives of Student Government. Update the tracker as these initiatives progress.
Status: Completed
Department of University Policy
Department Director: Anna Dray
Contact: adray@nd.edu
Mobile Campus ID Cards:
Work with the Office of Information Technologies to create mobile ND ID cards that can be stored in Google and Apple Wallet.
Status: Completed
Equitable Dorm Gyms:
Survey and benchmark all 32 dorm gyms on campus to determine quantitative differences between men’s and women’s dorms. Generate funding to provide new equipment to under-resourced gyms to bridge the disparities across dorm gyms and create a welcoming environment for students to stay active within their dorms.
Status: In Progress
ND Safe App Rollout:
Help Chief Shibata with the development and launch of ND Safe through communicating feedback and coordinating a schedule of student meetings to increase downloads and utilization. ND Safe is a smartphone app that centralizes campus safety resources -- such as SafeWalk or Mobile Blue Light -- for faculty, staff and students.
Status: Completed
Coffee Chats with Faculty:
Reinstating the opportunity for students to receive funding to meet with faculty members
Status: Completed