The Notre Dame student senate convened Wednesday night in DeBartolo Hall to discuss upcoming campus events and pass an amendment to the constitution.

Student body vice president Sofie Stitt began the meeting with executive announcements, where she reminded senators that they are required to get GreeNDot certified. Stitt also asked all senators in men’s dorms to fill out a survey for the department of health and wellbeing to understand the availability of period products in unisex bathrooms in men’s dorms.

Sophomore Jessica Vickery, the senator from Ryan Hall, spoke about involving first-years in student senate. She brought along two first-years to shadow her and learn how to act as a proxy for future senate meetings.

After approving the minutes, Stitt moved to general orders. Jared Schlachet, the student union parliamentarian, introduced a memo from the Committee on the Constitution. After reviewing a proposed amendment to Article XIV of the constitution — which deals with petitions, initiatives and referendums — the committee recommended that the senate split the amendment into a divided order.

The senate passed the first part of the amendment order, SO 2223-10a. The order changes the signature requirements for undergraduate students signing petitions and initiatives. Previously, the constitution mandated that students include their name and local address, but the amendment stipulates that students include their name and email address. Schlachet said local address was already interpreted to mean email address, but this formalizes that practice.

After a brief discussion on the parliamentary process, the amendment passed unanimously.

The senators then discussed their plans for upcoming resolutions. Sophomore Keough Hall senator Derick Williams updated the group on his work to give band members and ROTC students access to early registration.

Williams met with Chuck Hurley, the University registrar, but he said most of the decision making power lies with the provost’s office.

“I think having a little bit more concrete details could help us put together a resolution [and] help us get a better footing if we were to go in and try to present a plan to the provost and or whoever else could make the final decision on that,” Williams said.

Senior Megan Mikuen then updated the senate on her research into “design-your-own-major” programs at other universities, with the ultimate goal of passing and writing a resolution to implement a similar program at Notre Dame. Mikuen found that most self-designed majors are hosted in the equivalent of the College of Arts and Letters at other universities, but that more research is necessary to understand what university and college course requirements are applicable.

Finally, students involved in various organizations across campus previewed upcoming campus events.

Senior Connor Patrick, the president of the Club Coordination Council, asked senators to stop by the ND Cultural Showcase on October 14. The event will take place from 8:30-11 p.m. on Library Lawn and will showcase many of the cultural and performing arts groups on campus.

Junior class council president Paul Stoller previewed the junior class game watch Saturday. Chicken nuggets, wings and an Elvis-themed halftime show will be provided.

Finally, sophomore class council president Patrick Smart asked sophomores and other interested students to stop by Duncan Student Center and sign thank you cards for the dorm housekeepers. Sophomore class council will have a table set up from 12 to 4 p.m. and will provide free Insomnia cookies.

After closing announcements, the meeting was adjourned.

Tags: constitution, Judicial Council, Senate, sofie stitt, student senate