THE INDEPENDENT
TO UNCOVER
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THE TRUTH
NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S
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AND HOLY CROSS
IT ACCURATELY
VOLUME 59, ISSUE 67 | FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
Senate holds inaugural meeting for 2025-26 Senate welcomes incoming cohort of senators and votes on executive cabinet members By MEGAN CORNELL Staff Writer
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
MEGAN CORNELL| The Observer
The 2025-26 student senate meets for the first time on the evening of Wednesday, April 2. The senate conducted various measures, including reviewing departments and honoring the outgoing senate leadership.
Robinson will receive 2025 Laetare Medal Observer Staff Report
At the University of Notre Dame’s 180th commencement ceremony on May 18, Kerry Alys Robinson, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, will receive the 2025 Laetare Medal, the oldest and most prestigious award for American Catholics according to the University. Robinson, a lifelong advocate for Catholic Social Teaching, women’s leadership and
humanitarian work, has led Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) since 2023. The organization represents 168 agencies that serve more than 15 million people annually through services including food assistance, affordable housing and disaster relief. “Kerry Alys Robinson has dedicated her career to serving the Church, standing in solidarity with those on the margins so that they may experience the abundant love of God,” University
President Fr. Robert Dowd, said in a statement. “In awarding her the Laetare Medal, the University celebrates her boundless compassion, visionary leadership and inspiring example of faith-filled service.” Before joining CCUSA, Robinson spent nearly two decades with Leadership Roundtable, a nonprofit that fosters leadership accountability see LAETARE PAGE 3
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, see SENATE PAGE 4
ND emphasizes green commitments By EMILY BARLETT News Writer
For Earth M onth in April, there is a heightened emphasis on environmental efforts across the University of Notre Dame. This includes a variety of ongoing developments and projects to minimize energy consumption and conserve resources for sustainability. For recycling changes, the University encourages students
and faculty to bring recyclable materials to centrally placed toters. Big blue bins have been spread out over the campus as part of their centralized toter system. There are also efforts to use cleaner energy forms and promote composting strategies in food manufacturing. “Twenty years ago, the University’s power plant was see EARTH PAGE 3
NDISC professors weigh in on leaked war plans By DAVID MURPHY Staff Writer
On Monday, March 24, editor in chief of The Atlantic Jeffrey Goldberg revealed that he had been mistakenly added to a private group chat that included topranking members of the Trump administration, such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, among
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others. According to Goldberg, the group chat revolved around plans for an American attack on the Houthis in Yemen. The Houthis, an Iran-backed terrorist organization that controls most of Northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, have threatened and significantly disrupted the sea routes in the Red Sea, disturbing trade throughout the region. In a public statement,
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the White House announced it had conducted large-scale strikes against the Houthis to respond to these actions. Professor of military history Ian Johnson, who also serves as co-director of the Notre Dame International Security Center (NDISC), provided context regarding the importance of the Red Sea. see LEAK PAGE 3
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MARIELLA TADDONIO| The Observer
South Dining Hall workers collects food scraps as a part of a green initiative. Food waste was collected and weighed from both the halls.
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