On Wednesday evening, senate held their inaugural meeting for the 2025-26 year. Student body vice president Sonia Lumley began the meeting with a prayer asking God to watch over the new class of senators and guide them through a productive year.
Former secretary Eileen Burger next took roll call by asking each of the senators to introduce themselves and share a favorite memory from their Notre Dame experience.
After introductions, judicial council president Elijah Jones swore in Jerry Vielhauer as student body president and Lumley as student body vice president. The two promised to “endeavor to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Student Union ... and to protect and defend the Constitution of the undergraduate student body.”
Lumley then led the new senate class through the same oath of office and the senators began voting on the week’s agenda. Student union parliamentarian Thomas Musgrave discussed the typical proceedings of senate to new members.
“I know this is your first meeting and if you have any questions, you can say point of inquiry at any time,” Musgrave said.
The agenda for the meeting included approving Ethan Chiang as student body chief of staff, Catherine Morrissey as secretary, Kevin White as executive controller and Sam Robinson as student union parliamentarian. Additionally, 16 departments were confirmed, with four new departments up for debate next week.
In recognition of former president Dawson Kiser’s service, the senate granted him student body president emeritus status.
“Dawson Kiser has served faithfully and dutifully the office of the University's student body president … He set an incredible example of what it means to hold this office and to truly give back to the University of Notre Dame,” Vielhauer said.
Former vice president Maeve Miller echoed Vielhauer’s statement.
“I’ve been truly inspired by Dawson’s leadership this past year … He’s an incredible person who has given so much to this role this year,” Miller said.
Miller and former chief of staff Allison O'Connor also received emeritus status.
“Maeve’s roll at the University extends far beyond student body vice president and has made an undeniable impact on Notre Dame,” Vielhauer said.
Many new senators mentioned their excitement in representing their dorms and assisting different groups of the student body population, including Welsh Family Hall senator Z Zavala.
“I am representing Welsh Family Hall and one of my goals is to get the hang of how to do the motions. The second is just to do what's best for my dorm, as they are really into athletic groups. Not only that, but they are women, so Title IX is very important to me. I just want to make everybody in my dorm happy,” Zavala said.
