Student Government Candidates' Commitment to Life

Rather than endorse one particular candidate or viewpoint, Right to Life has taken the time to interview each of the running tickets for Student Body President and Vice President for the 2023-2024 school year. Below are the responses from each of the tickets as well as notable quotations taken from their respective platforms. We encourage each student to take the time to understand the impact that a commitment to life, the protection and care of pregnant and parenting students, and the dedication to ample resources and service opportunities will have on promoting a culture of life on Notre Dame's campus.

Derick Williams and Hunter Brooke

Are you familiar with the pregnancy resources available to students at ND? Would you be willing to work with NDRtL to help spread awareness about these resources?

Yep, we’re familiar with the FRC – they’re explicitly mentioned in our platform (point #41) – and the resources they provide to pregnant and parenting students on campus. We’re further aware that the University does support students who end up facing unplanned pregnancies and of several resources provided in the greater South Bend community, including the Women’s Care Center. Hunter and I want to heighten awareness of these resources among the student body and seek to build better relationships between those groups and Student Government.

Both Hunter and I greatly support the sharing of all kinds of information and resources. We absolutely want to ensure students make informed decisions and would happily work alongside RtL to promote and distribute this information.

Annually, NDRtL partners with Let Them Live to Adopt-a-Mom and support them in their choice of life. Would you be willing to continue this sponsorship in the coming year, and to support initiatives and fundraising events to raise money for this program?

Absolutely. We applaud the initiative and would love to see heightened student involvement.

In what ways do you think the university could improve on her pro-life mission?

First and foremost, we think it’s essential that information be better distributed through posters in the bathroom, informational pamphlets, etc. That’s where the work starts, and where the University can begin the awareness-building process. Second, Hall Staff absolutely need improved training on assisting and supporting pregnant students. The optional 10-minute session isn’t enough, and must be dramatically improved, enlarged, and made mandatory.

Finally, the University needs to step forward, to improve on the mission of supporting women and children in this time, to bring about the ethical and moral change we want to see.

What are your convictions, if any, about the pro-life movement?

We respect the doctrine of the Church -- and thus the position of our University -- which has a clear stance on this issue. We have hope for a future where abortion is unnecessary & unthinkable. We acknowledge and seek to uphold the University’s long-standing commitment to pro-life values.

Title IX transparency and accountability is a major topic this election cycle, what are some ways we can better support women who are either facing unexpected pregnancies or the fear of them in light of these Title IX-type issues?

We recognize Title IX is both confusing and difficult for students to navigate, and we believe that the students who find themselves engulfed by that process should be given the resources necessary to make informed decisions, especially regarding unplanned pregnancies. It’s important that we continue to improve the transparency, efficiency, and awareness behind Title IX so that the process may at all times support and assist women. Whether it’s better training Hall Staff or working alongside Peggy & the FRC, students want and deserve a process that provides them with all necessary information and resources.

Is there anything else you would like to add about your commitment to the Catholic identity and tradition of Our Lady's University?

My faith journey began here at Notre Dame. I joined the RCIA process and was baptized last spring because of our university’s Catholic identity. Hunter and I appreciate Notre Dame’s commitment to being a force for good in the world, and we want to see that mission and identity continue in the future. We look forward to building a Student Government that partners with faith groups on campus, and we absolutely hope to support the great work they do. For example, we’ll help to increase opportunities for Confession, increase opportunities and resources for women to explore religious vocations, and re-establish celebrations for Black Catholic History Month. Hunter and I appreciate what makes Notre Dame unique, and we hope to live up to its values and traditions.

Important Commitments Outlined On Their Platform

“Expand UCC Coverage: We will push the University to hire more full-time Counselors – allowing for greater overall coverage – while simultaneously publicizing the offerings of UCC, creating a streamlined booking process, and pushing for a transition to a more long-term model of care.”
“Clarify Reporting: We will explicitly clarify the procedures involved in the Title IX reporting process, and offer guidance and information about each part of the process so that all students are aware of where their report stands, and the steps involved.”
“Clarify Reporting Methods: We’ll make it easier and clearer for students to report sexual assault, particularly by emphasising (sic) the assistance that may be offered by RA’s, AR’s, and Rectors – as well as working with ResLife to ensure proper training is administered to all Hall Staff – and ensuring students are aware of the support they may receive through Calisto.”
“Better Distribution of Feminine Hygiene Products: We’ll continue Student Government’s long-standing promise to equip relevant dorm restrooms and buildings with feminine hygiene products, either by offering a full subsidy or via partnership with OSE.”
“Expanded Religious Services on Campus: Notre Dame is privileged to have such an expansive faith community on campus. We must continue to discern ways in which we can invite people of all faith backgrounds into the campus community and offer them the religious services in the traditions they belong to.”
“Foster a Caring Culture: We will set a tone of partnership with the South Bend community; we will ensure each and every member of our government serves to volunteer & offer help when requested.”
“Build a Database of Service Opportunities: Potentially in coordination with the Mayor’s Office, we’ll create a full database of service opportunities within South Bend, streamlining the service and volunteer process.”
“Push for Expanded ResLife Transparency: We will fight to ensure any decisions made by the University regarding dorms/residential life are clear, involve student input, and are fully justified; we will strive to usher in transparency, honesty, consultation, and accountability to any large decisions. Push Positive Change: We’ll work within the Campus Life Council (a public forum linked directly to University Administrators) to raise residence issues & push better ResLife policies directly to University Administration.”
“Joint Events: To alleviate fiscal and logistical complications – as well as build a strong ND community – our government will work to jointly host events with Clubs. Reestablish Student Government Grants: We’ll reintroduce Student Government Grants, allowing the Executive Cabinet to financially support club events aimed at supporting the Notre Dame community.”

Pablo Oropeza and Griffin McAndrew

Oropeza-McAndrew failed to respond to our questions.

Important Commitments Outlined On Their Platform

“Provide the UCC with the resources it needs to hire more counselors from diverse backgrounds, as well as more counselors in general.”
“Partner with UCC and McWell to change the narrative about mental health and make treatment more accessible and approachable for students who seek out other coping mechanisms.”
“Sexual Health: Work with UHS to spread awareness of pre-existing on campus sexual health resources; Lower the cost of UHS’s STI screening services; Collaborate with UHS and student groups to expand student awareness of options and resources in the event of a pregnancy; Support and expand the Code Red project by ensuring that free menstrual products are available in all major restrooms, including those of mens’ dorms.”
“Working with the Family Resource Center and partner with student groups to increase awareness on pregnancy aid on campus.”
“Advocate for more lactation stations across campus for mothers.”
“Notre Dame has a Catholic identity that inspires both our minds and hearts and drives the policies and actions we want to participate in. We pledge to help build up all religious communities on campus so that we all may enjoy and experience the love and compassion of God. We pledge to work to build our relationship with the South Bend community and to help preserve nature by advocating for sustainable alternatives and efforts.”
“Collaborate with Campus Ministry to ensure that both male and female residence halls have equal access to sacraments.”
“Partner with Right to Life in order to bring more awareness to pregnancy aid on campus.”
“Continue to partner with Campus Ministry to celebrate our Catholic identity.”
“Continue to partner with the DeNicola Center for Ethics in order to encourage the growth of understanding of the Catholic tradition.”
“Partner with the McGrath Institute to ensure that Notre Dame continues in its mission of building Catholic intellectual leaders.”

Daniel Jung and Aidan Rezner

Are you familiar with the pregnancy resources available to students at ND? Would you be willing to work with NDRtL to help spread awareness about these resources?

Yes, our ticket knows the pregnancy resources available to students on campus through the UCC and the Family Resource Center. We are most certainly willing to work with ND Right to Life to help further awareness about what resources are offered for students.

Our ticket would love to work with ND Right to Life to continue the amazing partnership with Let Them Live. We would be willing to help fundraise for, and even help grow, this partnership.

In what ways do you think the university could improve on her pro-life mission?

We believe that the University needs to do a better job at fostering a campus-wide culture of life. All too often, students are ostracized or villainized for holding pro-life views. While this requires a cultural shift and cannot be completed in one year, we are committed to helping foster a Notre Dame community that respects and values people with pro-life beliefs.

What are your convictions, if any, about the pro-life movement?

Our ticket is unapologetically pro-life. We believe in the sanctity of the human person from the point of conception, and if elected, will do everything in our power to defend life.

We believe that the key to supporting women is bringing awareness to the resources that the University has available to them, which are often not well-publicized. We are committed to working with on-campus institutions like the UCC and the Family Resource Center, as well as off-campus institutions like the Women's Care Center and Hannah's House, in order to more greatly publicize the pregnancy resources available to Notre Dame students.

Important Commitments Outlined On Their Platform

“We pledge to work with residence halls to create a comprehensive database of additional sacrament offerings (i.e. Confession) and other important religious events (i.e. Adoration).”
“We pledge to host a series of guest speaker events from the local South Bend area and encourage local stakeholders to share their initiatives, concerns and opinions about the ways in which Notre Dame students can engage in their communities.”
“We pledge to establish and finalize a comprehensive database for all available volunteering opportunities within the community for all interested students — particularly those who are seeking volunteer hours for secondary schooling applications (i.e. pre-professional, pre-law, etc.).”
“Currently, despite past media efforts, many students are still unaware of the processes, intricacies and overall details of the Title IX reporting process. Thus, to disseminate vital knowledge regarding Title IX information and University resources, we pledge to frequently promote resourceful guides regarding Title IX through multimedia efforts (i.e. LCD screens, social media graphics, physical poster campaigns, helpful videos, etc.).”
“Launch “Women Advocacy Week”: Currently, Student Government does not have a formalized period of programming and events in commemoration of Women’s History Month (March). Thus, in an effort to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of women in history and on this campus, we pledge to launch “Women Advocacy Week.,” a week dedicated to events and programs honoring the many accomplishments of women at Notre Dame as well as bringing awareness to the struggles faced by women on campus today.”