The Notre Dame student senate met on Wednesday in their final meeting before transitioning to the 2025-2026 senate class. On April 1, the 2024-2025 senate tenure will end, with the incoming body of newly-elected senators convening for the first time.
The meeting began with a prayer led by student body president Dawson Kiser.
Following the prayer, secretary Eileen Burger took roll call before moving into executive announcements. She highlighted several ongoing initiatives and events, including the Back the Bend and Taste of South Bend community events. Burger also took time to state the “Marcus Freeman: Leadership, Family, and Football” event would take place after the meeting.
Kiser then gave his third and final state of the union address, which is set to be presented by the last senate meeting of the student body president’s term under the student government constitution. Kiser expressed gratitude to the senators in attendance.
“Thank you for your dedication to the student union. Thank you for the legislation and orders you all passed … in order to best serve students … This student union is only as strong as the people who make it up,” Kiser said.
Kiser continued his address by highlighting several projects undertaken by the major student union branches. This included work by the ethics council to improve the impeachment process, the department of national affairs and political
engagement’s hosting of the Civic Engagement Series and the celebration of Women's History Month by the Department of Title IX, among several other accomplishments.
“As you may have picked up, the student union has been hard at work this year to create the best Notre Dame student experience that we know ... Our terms are coming to an end, but the true spirit of Notre Dame pursuing greatness to glorify God and promote human
flourishing must never falter within each of us. Know my prayers and support for you as we finish this semester,” Kiser said.
Following the speech, final legislation and nominations were passed and voted upon. SO 2425 34, legislation meant to reform senate voting procedure, was voted upon first, passing unanimously. The senate then continued preparing for the incoming senate body transition, voting to confirm their nominated candidates for the 2025-2026 executive board. After brief questioning, the new executive board was quickly confirmed.
Student body vice president Maeve Miller urged incoming senators to attend an upcoming senate workshop to
prepare them for their terms in office. Miller concluded with her own gracious remarks,
describing her time as vice president as “the highlight of my nerdy experience.”
Several senators spoke as the meeting wrapped up, providing information on upcoming events and achievements.
The new student senate will meet under the leadership of president and vice president-elect Jerry Vielhauer and Sonia Lumley.
