Each year, a new student government regime comes to office, bringing a fresh crop of students with them in order to put their agenda into effect.
Student body president-elect Catherine Soler and vice president-elect Andrew Bell, whose terms begin on April 1, are now looking for students to fill positions in Student Senate, different committees and other student government positions.
Soler and Bell said they are looking for hard-working students to fill these spots.
"To be a chair [of a student government committee], you have to be here all [year] so you can't be studying abroad, but there are lots of positions available to anyone studying abroad," Soler said. "We really want to encourage anyone who wants to apply. We are looking for people who are passionate, hard-working, genuinely motivated and interesting."
Bell said dedication is an important part of the job.
"When I think of who we are looking for, I am reminded of this story: One of the committee chairs this past year was thanked by Grant for her work, and she said, ‘You don't have to thank me. I'm doing it because I care.' I really want people like that," Bell said.
Soler and Bell also emphasized passion as integral to the functions of student government.
"We want people who are passionate about their positions, passionate about Notre Dame and passionate about making a difference," Bell said.
Soler and Bell also want to reshape student government to make it more about the students.
"We don't want résumé builders or people who like the titles. Those are legitimate things because we are Notre Dame, but we want people who care about improving student life, social concerns or all the other community topics," Bell said.
"Andrew and I are really in it for the students, not the power," Soler said. "We want to make a difference, so students with a good attitude who will really put their heart into it are the best candidates for these positions. We need people who want to improve student life just like we do."
Soler and Bell said they want to reach out to a wider pool of possible applicants by breaking out of the mold of simply choosing former student government members. In order to hire students with new perspectives, they said they are looking for a wide range of applicants.
"We want people with past experience but no amount of experience can compensate for a deep passion for what they are working with," Bell said.
Soler is currently president of the sophomore class and Bell is a Knott Hall senator.
Soler said positions on the University Affairs, Residence Life and Community Relations committees are generally popular.
"I think that we are going to be careful in picking each of the positions, but there are a few that personally stick out to me," Bell said.
Bell said the Social Concerns Committee chair and University Affairs Committee positions are important positions.
"Catherine and I really want to focus on the [Social Concerns Committee] this year," Bell said. "Our vision is about making student government not only about improving student life through offering conveniences or providing opportunities … but also by realizing that we can make a huge difference in the world."
Applications for the various student government positions are available at the student government office in LaFortune Student Center or online at studentgover-nment.nd.edu.