The Notre Dame student senate congregated Wednesday evening on the second floor of LaFortune to discuss the Shirt Project president nominations, orders to amend the constitution, orders to amend electoral procedures and resolutions for the divestment in the fossil fuel industry.
Student body vice president Matthew Bisner kicked the meeting off with a prayer, announcements and a warm welcome back from fall break. Afterwards, Grace Fjermedal was nominated as president for the Shirt Project. Fjermedal, a senior, has been involved with the Shirt Project since her first year.
“I believe Grace’s expertise and experience in design marketing communication will contribute to the continued success of the Shirt Project and can overcome almost any obstacles,” student union treasurer Meenu Selvan said. “Grace’s kindness, diligence and effective leadership skills have inspired many students to fully invest in their passion, including myself. Therefore, I can recommend Grace without reservation and I’m requesting that the senate approve her nomination as a result of her extensive qualifications.”
Other student senate members agreed with Selvan and spoke positively on behalf of Fjermedal’s character. Fjermedal was unanimously voted as president for the Shirt Project.
Judicial Council president David Haungs withdrew back to the committee for further discussion of an order to amend the constitution to establish an electoral code.
“They’re essentially two brackets of change,” according to Haungs. “One is to the substance of what is allowed and not allowed in elections, and the other is to the location of where these rules are housed.”
Discussion surrounding an order to amend the electoral code’s procedure for allegations and results was then brought to attention.
This order is the shortening of time allotted for students to file allegations. Currently, the time is 11:59 p.m., this time has previously caused delays for the release of results. Haungs proposed changing the time to 9 p.m. to expel the issue of delays.
The other substantive change is in the procedure for the release of opinions relating to allegations so when an allegation is filed and ultimately resolved by Judicial Council, the vice president of elections writes an opinion that essentially explains how the Judicial Council came to its decision.
“In the case that an allegation is found to produce a constitutional violation, the VP of elections has to publish that opinion to the press [with] he name of the person [who] was found guilty, but not the person who filed the allegation because we want to protect that confidentiality,” Haungs said.
Upon discussion, this order was passed.
Farley Hall senator Annika Barron wrapped up the student senate meeting with an order to amend the electoral procedures and resolutions for the divestment of fossil fuels.
“The department of sustainability has been working on learning to divest from fossil fuels as part of their larger campaign towards a more sustainable adjust to transition and a more sustainable future,” said Barron.
Barron said she believes it is important to work toward sustainability as a Catholic institution: “We should have a commitment to supporting sustainability and creation.”
Senate discusses orders to amend the constitution, electoral procedures and resolutions
The Notre Dame student senate met Wednesday to appoint a new president to the Shirt Project, amend electoral procedures and discuss resolutions for the divestment in the fossil fuel industry.
