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ndsmcobserver.com | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2022 | The Observer
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Student groups travel to Washington, D.C. By MEGAN FAHRNEY News Writer
This month, members of the Notre Dame College Democrats and the Student Coalition for Immigration Advocacy attended Spring Lobby Weekend in Washington D.C. The event, organized by the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCONL), gathered approximately 400 young adults from across the country to lobby for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in the United States. The FCONL is a “national, nonpartisan Quaker organization that lobbies Congress and the administration to advance peace, justice, and environmental stewardship.” This year’s event was held partly virtually and partly in-person in Washington D.C. Twenty-five Notre Dame students attended the event, along with three students participating in the Notre Dame Washington Program this semester. Spring Lobby Weekend took place from March 12-15. Students began the weekend learning how to lobby and listening to speakers, then met with staff of Indiana representatives in order to lobby them. The Notre Dame students met with the staffs of Rep.
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waitlisted in the regular decision process. Last year, Bishop said 107 waitlisted students were eventually admitted. He said that each year, the initial number of students the admissions team admits is designed to allow for some students on the waitlist to eventually be admitted as well. “The quality of the pool that we’ve admitted is so high that competition for them is exceptional,” he said. “A lot of students get into the other top schools in America, so those that really believe in the mission of Notre Dame will pick Notre Dame. Others … they’ll go to another school, and that’s fine because that leaves that spot open to a student who is equally qualified and really wants to go to Notre Dame.” Students from 8,740 high schools applied, and 2,198 high schools are represented among admitted students. Admissions data showed that 47% of admitted students come from public schools, 33% from Catholic schools and 19% from non-Catholic private schools. Bishop said all 50 states, as well as 95 countries, are represented among admitted students. 18.7% of admitted students are international students, U.S. students living abroad or have
Jackie Walorski, who represents the district that South Bend is located in, as well as the staffs of Indiana senators Mike Braun and Todd Young. Senior Patrick Kelly, political director of Notre Dame College Democrats, said three students started off the lobbying session by sharing personal stories on why they were passionate about creating a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. They then allowed the staffer to respond, presented their legislative ask and engaged in a Q&A with the staffer. Senior Josie Flanagan, copresident of Notre Dame College Democrats, said the purpose of the advocacy was to ask the representatives to publicly support a better pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, rather than pushing them to pass a specific piece of legislation in this session of Congress. Kelly said the representatives they were lobbying were conservative, while their legislative ask was more liberal. “I would say [the representatives’ staffs] were not receptive at all, unfortunately,” said Kelly. “But I think it was a good learning experience.” Flanagan said while the staffers did not necessarily agree with their ideas, they responded respectfully to their advocacy.
Senior Matheo Vidal, copresident of Notre Dame College Democrats, said the club’s current motto is ‘Campaigns, Community, Change,’ and the trip was particularly impactful for the community and change. “I think a lot of the students on the trip really got to know each other better, got to know the club better and grew the community of CDems,” Vidal said. Students were able to
advocate for change and be the force for good in the world that Notre Dame strives to be, Vidal said. Flanagan said the trip was informative for students interested in advocacy work. Vidal said he and Kelly are working on compiling a document for future leaders of Notre Dame College Democrats detailing the Student Activities Office request, funding needed and what to plan for in hopes that the trip
continues to happen in future years. “It is my very sincere hope that this is a recurring endeavor for CDems for sure,” Vidal said as he believes it was worthwhile for everyone to get real handson lobbying experience. “I think the biggest value was in teaching the students that their voices could have an impact,” Vidal said.
dual citizenship. The admitted student cohort is also made up of 41% U.S. students of color — specifically 15% Hispanic and Latino students, 14% Black students, 11% Asian and Pacific Islander students and 1% Native American students. First-generation college students make up 14% of the admitted class. Bishop said that while the University is still reviewing financial aid applications and therefore does not yet have an official figure on the number of low-income students in the class of 2026, he estimates based on current and past data that 20 to 22% of the class will be Pell Grant recipients, first-generation or from a family with an annual income below $65,000. Bishop also estimates 18 to 20% of the class of 2026 has at least one parent who graduated from Notre Dame. This is the second year Notre Dame implemented the testoptional policy which allows students to elect whether to include scores from standardized tests like the ACT and the SAT on their application. Bishop said about 50% of applicants did not provide a standardized test score and 33% of admitted students did not provide one. He said he believes the test-optional method is a benefit to Notre Dame because it attracts students who are high achievers in the
classroom but would have in the past felt deterred from applying due to a low test score. “We also have more highperforming students who probably come from lower-income [families] because testing is still unfortunately highly correlated with income,” Bishop said. “Higher-income [families] have a lot more resources to prep their students to take those tests.” The University will continue the test-optional policy next year, Bishop said, and then reevaluate to determine whether to continue it going forward. Director of undergraduate admissions Christy Pratt said she believes the test-optional policy along with the University’s ability to hold inperson tours and recruitment events contributed to the record number of applicants. “The fact that Notre Dame remained open for in-person instruction during the pandemic has been a great thing for our applicant pool, students and families,” she said. “We were able to start doing information sessions and tours in person beginning in late June of 2021 … that was greatly appreciated by students and families.” Bishop said there is space for 2,050 admitted students to enroll in the incoming class. Students have until May 1 to make their decision and submit their enrollment
deposit. The University will host Admitted Student Days April 10-11 and April 24-25 where students can learn more about different academic programs, clubs and student life opportunities, tour the campus and meet current students and faculty members. “In the admissions process, we look for students who want
to give more in their lives than what they intend to get or take,” Bishop said. “There’s a certain generosity, a certain spirit. We’re very proud of the class that applies to Notre Dame and gains admission every year.”
Courtesy of Matheo Vidal
Notre Dame students who were in Washington D.C. for Spring Lobby Weekend speak over Zoom with Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN). The annual event was sponsored by the Friends Commitee on National Legislation.
Contact Megan Fahrney at mfahrney@nd.edu
Contact Claire Reid at creid6@nd.edu
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