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About the Candidates

Neil Joseph: Presidential Candidate

Neil is a sophomore at Notre Dame,

majoring in political science and
economics with a minor in Middle
Eastern Studies. He calls Columbus,
Ohio his home and is a resident of
Stanford Hall. He is currently serving
as the treasurer of the sophomore
class, and has been on student
government since his freshman
year. He is also an intern in the
mayors office in South Bend, a
campus tour guide, and the captain
of the Stanford B1 Basketball Team.

Noemi Ventilla: Vice Presidential Candidate

Noemi is a sophomore at Notre
Dame, majoring in political science
and peace studies. Originally from
Hungary, Noemi grew up in NYC
and now lives in PE. Currently she
serves as President of the
Sophomore Class, and has been
on student government since her
freshman year. She will be
representing Notre Dame at the
ACC Leadership Symposium this
Spring, is a campus tour guide,
and is an avid co-rec volleyball
player.

Our Platform

We believe that it is the duty of student government to

effectively represent the needs and the desires of every
student on campus. With that comes the responsibility and
the privilege to interact with students, administrators, and
peers around the country. If elected, we promise that the
needs of Notre Dame students will be at the forefront of
our conversations, policies, and events. We love Notre
Dame, but just like any great institution, it can be
improved. In our conversations with a variety of people
around campus, we have come to realize that we want to
change this school for the better for every single student.
With this idea in mind, we have come up with a
comprehensive platform that we believe will greatly
improve student life at Notre Dame. Read more about it to
see how we will change Notre Dame for you.

Department of Academic Affairs

Purpose
The Department of Academic Affairs addresses undergraduate student needs as
they relate to the academic affairs of the University and works to improve the
scholastic experience of all undergraduates. This department will work to improve
relations between students and faculty through creative programming and
discussions, as well as work to maintain an engaging academic environment for the
student body.
Our Goals
Reforming DARTing, greater CIF availability, expanding open study spaces.
Reforming DARTing
Our class registration system on campus is outdated and needs to be improved. If
elected, we intend on studying the course registration process at similar colleges and
figuring out the most effective and simplest method to pick classes. Ideas include
releasing course syllabi before students pick classes and streamlining the online
registration site to make looking up classes simpler by being able to compare classes
side by side. This, in turn, would make the course selection process simpler and less
stressful.
Greater CIF availability
All students should be privilege to the remarks and opinions that their peers have of
classes available. Since CIFs are filled out by most students, we believe that any
student should be able to see the comments that are made about each professor or
class. In doing so, we would hold students accountable by providing further
incentive to fill out CIFs, but also hold teachers accountable to the opinions that
students have of them and their class.
Expanding open study spaces
With the impending construction to the library and around campus, the availability
of quiet study areas around campus is continuing to decrease. To combat this, we
would like to see places like DeBartolo, Jordan, and OShaughnessy open up
classrooms to give students more study spaces and to also accommodate students
who need more room or blackboards for what they are studying.
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Department of Campus Technology

Purpose
The Department of Campus Technology addresses undergraduate student
needs concerning issues of information technologies and serves as a liaison between
students and the Office of Information Technologies. Past initiatives include adding
printers to each residence hall, improving wireless Internet capabilities, compiling
an online syllabus database, and fostering better communication between students
and OIT.
Our Goals
Attention to print quota, tailoring the ND app to student needs, Improving WiFi
around campus
Attention to print quota
With the changing of print quota in this past year, we want to closely monitor the
changes that OIT has made to the print quota for students. We want to continue to
work with OIT to make sure that students who need to print more for certain
classes have enough room to do so, and that all students get the amount that they
need.
Tailoring the ND app to student needs
The ND app is a very effective tool for conveying information and giving students
updates on campus services such as dining, OSNAP, and events. Many students
dont realize the detail that the app gives, or just may not know that there is one. We
want to make students aware of all that the app can do, and in addition continue to
update and improve the app as we hear suggestions from students. Ideas include
adding Domer Dollars via mobile phone and viewing flex point and meal swipe
balances.
Improving WiFi on campus
We have WiFi all around campus, yet there are spots on the quads and at various
spots on campus that are spotty or do not provide internet service at all. We will
work with OIT and with students to identify these spots and improve the wireless
speed and connectivity.

Department of Community Relations

Purpose
The Department of Community Relations addresses the relations between the
student body and the residents of the Michiana area as it works to build a lasting
relationship between the two groups. This department will serve as a liaison
between students and the South Bend community while working to ensure that the
Notre Dame student body plays an active role in community life.
Our Goals
Expanding quad markets, create an online database about South Bend events Notre
Dame students would be interested in, encouraging student groups to collaborate
with the community for events
Expanding Quad Markets
The quad markets that were instituted this past year were extremely successful. We
intend to not only continue, but also to expand upon the quad markets. We want to
make the quad markets not only a venue for Notre Dame students to see what South
Bend has to offer, but also a venue for South Bend to see how they can benefit from
Notre Dame students. We envision a bazaar of sorts, where students and South
Bend businesses come together to interact and learn about the opportunities each
other present.
Create an online database about South Bend events Notre Dame students would be
interested in
South Bend has so much to offer to our students in terms of service, social events,
and enriching experiences. In consultation with the city of South Bend, we want to
create an online database that informs students about the long-term opportunities
and monthly events in the city.
Encouraging student groups to collaborate with the community for events
As a focal point of our city, we have the opportunity to shape the city of South Bend
with our service projects and collaborative events. We will encourage all student
groups to collaborate with organizations within the city in the name of mutual
benefit.

Department of Constituent Services

Mission:
The Department of Constituent Services addresses undergraduate needs as
expressed by individual students. Its primary responsibility will be serving as the
gateway to Student Government for any student who has a concern, complaint,
question, or request.
Our Goals
Meeting with students weekly, informing students of important changes before they
are made
Meeting with students weekly
The most important job of student government is to effectively represent the
student body. Student government cannot do this without continued input from
every student on campus. We intend to have publicized weekly office hours where
we will meet with students and discuss the various issues that each individual is
encountering. In doing so, we will more in tune with the issues that all students face
and gain a broad spectrum of perspectives to inform our own decisions and
conversations.
Informing students of important changes before they are made
As the representatives of the student body, student government is in tune with
potential changes that administration may make. As a result, it is the responsibility
of student government to inform students when there are potential important
changes to student life on campus. Furthermore, we intend to consult with students
extensively when administration informs us of any changes that may come in the
future that require student opinion.

Department of Gender Issues

Mission:
The Department of Gender Issues addresses undergraduate student needs
concerning issues of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and the
development of gender resources.
Our Goals
Continuing the Its On Us campaign, advocate for PrismND, continued review of
residence life on campus
Continuing the Its On Us campaign
The Its On Us campaign is an important initiative started by the Vidal/Devine
administration. A nationwide cause, it seeks to protect all students from sexual
assault around the country. To further this, we want to continue the discussion,
awareness, and action about sexual assault at Notre Dame. The Its On Us
campaign is an important endeavor that needs to be continued and expanded
through student government.
Advocate for PrismND
PrismND is a young organization that is extremely important to gender relations on
campus. We want to continue to advocate for PrismND on behalf of students to the
administration, with an eye towards its expansion and its presence on campus as a
force for support. With the restructured Physical Education program, we would like
to see the first year curriculum reflect the values of inclusion and improved gender
relations in consultation with PrismND and Student Government.
Continued review of residence life
Continuing the precedent set by the Coccia/Joyce and Vidal/Devine administrations,
we want to review residence life on campus. This includes working with Hall
Presidents Council to expand brother-sister dorm relations, collecting data on
student opinions towards various aspects of student life, and continuing to improve
and revamp Freshman Orientation.

FUEL
Mission:
First Undergraduate Experience in Leadership (FUEL) is a freshman-only
organization which provides opportunities to participate in specific projects and to
learn about all the different areas of Student Government.
Our Goals
Introducing interested freshmen to student government, establishing a freshman
mentoring program
Introducing interested freshmen to student government
FUEL is an important division in student government because of its role as the first
experience for potential leaders on our campus. Through FUEL, we want to educate
First-Years about student government, getting them involved with specific
initiatives and projects.
Establishing a freshman mentoring program
In conjunction with FUEL, we hope to establish a freshman mentoring program. In
doing so, freshmen can have candid conversations with upperclassmen who have
similar majors and interests about student life at Notre Dame. This, in parallel with
the First-Year orientation, will provide freshmen the opportunity to learn about
Notre Dame from people who have experienced what they have.

Department of Internal Affairs

Mission:
The Department of Internal Affairs monitors the transition, internal review, and
overall process of the Student Union as outlined in this Constitution and make
appropriate recommendations to the Senate.
Our Goals
Simplifying transition policies within the Student Union, evaluating the
effectiveness of student organizations each semester
Simplifying transition policies within the Student Union
The transition process into and out of office within the Student Union will be
reviewed in order to make student government as effective as possible for as long as
possible while easily transitioning newly elected student representatives into their
new roles.
Evaluating the effectiveness of student organizations each semester
We intend to have a review of each Student Union programming group each
semester. In doing this review, we will be able to effectively grade and gauge just
what each student programming has done and failed to do effectively, and thus
evaluate and make recommendations for each organization. In doing so, we will
provide incentives for programming groups to think big and have effective,
innovative events.

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Department of National Engagement and Outreach

Mission:
The Department of National Engagement and Outreach strives to foster
relationships with student governments at Notre Dames peer and aspirational
institutions and to develop benchmarks for Notre Dames Student Government in
both policy and programming based on peer and aspirational institution activities.
Our Goals
Student government-organized discussion of hot-button issues, engagement with
peer institutions
Student government-organized discussion of hot-button issues
Similar to the Political Brews of this previous year, we intend to have student
government facilitate and moderate discussion of issues within Notre Dame and
within the United States that arise. As the primary non-partisan organization on
campus, it is the duty of student government to organize and to facilitate civil
discussion of polarizing issues that face our university and country. Working with
Senate and with other members of the Student Union, we will establish resolutions at
specific times which call for town hall forums where members of various student
clubs can discuss issues that concern all of us.
Engagement with peer institutions
We plan to receive and give ideas and advice from institutions around the country in
order to better our own policies and the policies of our peers. We will seek out the
ideas and effective methods that other universities use in their various initiatives to
better our own plans, but also share our ideas in order to improve the college
experience around the country.

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Department of Residence Life

Mission:
The Department of Residence Life represents the students' interests in all areas of
residence life. This department communicates extensively with university
administrators and faculty.
Our Goals:
Reforming student dining on campus, reviewing campus safety protocols, working
with administration to optimize First Year Orientation
Reforming dining on campus
We intend to suggest numerous changes to the dining system on campus and work
with Notre Dame Food Services in order to optimize the dining experience on
campus for Notre Dame students. Ideas include instituting a hot Grab-n-Go option
for students, increasing the flexibility of meal swipes, and turning extra meals into
Flex Points. In doing this, we are seeking to make dining on campus the most
nutritious and most cost-effective for students.
Reviewing campus safety protocols
By reviewing and potentially changing campus safety protocols, we will make
students feel safer and better informed about potential dangers around Notre Dame
and the South Bend area. We seek to expand the alert system to inform Notre Dame
students exactly when potential threats arise to any Notre Dame students, and the
steps to avoid them. Furthermore, we want to better educate students who are
living off-campus and work with the police departments to protect students who are
living in the surrounding area.
Working with the administration to optimize First Year Orientation
With the administration and the First Year Orientation committee, we intend to
continue to review and improve First Year Orientation to make it welcoming and
relaxing for all freshmen.

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Department of Social Concerns

Mission:
The Department of Social Concerns promotes service learning opportunities and
advocates for justice in areas including poverty, sustainability, labor, civil rights,
immigration rights and mass conflict. This department will involve communication
with policymakers, legislative advocacy organizations, non-profits, and community
leaders, in conjunction with the Department of National Engagement and
Outreach.
Our Goals
Creating a comprehensive list for students to get involved in South Bend, partnering
with the Center for Social Concerns to publicize events
Creating a comprehensive list for students to get involved in South Bend
There are many opportunities for students to connect with the South Bend
community, especially with service projects. That being said, however, there is no
exhaustive list that enumerates all of the opportunities that students have in South
Bend. We intend on creating a webpage that is updated weekly where students can
find one time service opportunities or expansive service projects in the area
Partnering with the Center for Social Concerns to publicize events
The Center for Social Concerns is at the forefront of organizing student involvement
around the country and around the world. Because of this, it is most effective to
partner with them to publicize their many events throughout the year to increase
student participation in long term and extensive service projects.

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Department of University Affairs

Mission:
The Department of University Affairs addresses concerns and issues pertinent to
the mission of the University of Notre Dame.
Our Goals
Increasing student involvement with student events, meeting with other leaders
around campus to enhance collaboration
Increasing student involvement with student events
Student Government and the Student Union is only effective when students are
interested in the various initiatives and projects that its various organizations are
planning. We intend to have a greater presence on social media and on campus in
order to get students more involved with the ideas that Student Government and
other groups have.
Meeting with other leaders around campus to enhance collaboration
In meeting with leaders in athletics, academics, faculty, and clubs, Student
Government will be more capable of responding to the various concerns and issues
that arise involving students. We will seek out leaders of many groups around
campus, and in doing so we will get a more diverse range of opinions and concerns.
Furthermore, this process would enhance collaboration between clubs and
organizations around campus.

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