Outgoing student body president Jerry Vielhauer described his year in office as “an honor” and “transformational,” pointing to dining changes, student outreach and work with University leaders as defining parts of his administration.
One moment that stood out came after his administration’s spring report to the Board of Trustees, which he described as a culmination of the team’s work throughout the year.
“It was one of those moments where all your hard work kind of culminates, almost had a capstone kind of situation,” Vielhauer said. “I think that really stands out as a time where we felt happy with what we did, happy with what our team did.”
When he entered office, Vielhauer said his administration’s broad goals were to increase transparency with the student body and make changes that would affect students’ daily lives. He said the administration hosted over 100 events and worked on several policy initiatives during its term.
“I think that every student email that I got, I made sure that I answered and did something about to the best of my ability,” Vielhauer said. “I’m really proud of the way that everyone kind of just really [went] head first into their role to try to help the student body and serve them appropriately.”
Among the changes Vielhauer said he was most proud of were the additions of grab-and-go dining options in Duncan Student Center and the Huddle, as well as changes to the meal exchange system.
Vielhauer said the dining changes had a “gigantic impact” on students, as late-night dining options helped students avoid spending money off campus, and those with schedules that previously made it difficult to eat lunch during the day.
“I think that’s one that was able to happen early in our term that we’re really proud of,” Vielhauer said.
Vielhauer also said his administration worked on longer-term initiatives, including Notre Dame AI and Olive Kitchen, a dining option intended to better serve students with allergies or dietary restrictions.
“There’s so many things that are those long-term changes that you hope will continue to make an impact after next year, after school, as well as after I graduate,” Vielhauer said.
One initiative that emerged unexpectedly, Vielhauer said, was a Campus Life Council resolution on off-campus housing. The issue arose from concerns discussed in Campus Life council meeting, with a resolution calling on local government officials and the University to help prevent students from feeling pressured to sign leases more than a year in advance.
“That’s something that we didn’t necessarily have in our initiatives,” Vielhauer said. “But that’s really important.”
He said the proposal has not yet resulted in legislation but helped start conversations with University administrators and community leaders.
Addressing a challenge which came with the role, Vielhauer learned how to respond when larger institutional goals could not move forward immediately.
“Sometimes you’re trying to make these larger institutional changes and take on these kind of lofty goals, and sometimes you’re just told no,” Vielhauer said. “You have to decide whether you want to keep pushing on something to see if there’s anything there, or whether you have to just redirect.”
He said his relationship with University administration shaped much of the year’s work, describing administrators as helpful and willing to work with students. He noted, however, the administration and his council sometimes came to discussions with different priorities.
Vielhauer said the role taught him the importance of building relationships, hearing different perspectives and treating leadership as service, as he and his team worked to consult directors, department members, students and campus stakeholders before making decisions.
“It was never just like one of the three of us or myself just making a decision because we thought it was best,” Vielhauer said. “Really working as a team and knowing that leadership is ultimately a place of service, I think is really key to keep in mind.”
Reflecting on his legacy, Vielhauer said he hopes students remember his administration less for any one initiative and more for its effort to listen.
“I think your legacy, a lot of times, is less about things you’ve done and more about who you are as a person,” Vielhauer said. “I hope that you remember us as an administration that was genuine, that wanted to help them and that did the best of their ability.”
Advising the next administration to embrace the limited time they have in office, Vielhauer said, “You only get 365 days, which at first might seem like a long time, but now looking back, felt like a flash.”
As his term ends, Vielhauer said Notre Dame feels even more like home after a year spent learning about the University through student groups, administrators and campus offices. He thanked the student body for its support and said he has confidence in the next administration.
Vielhauer, who will remain on campus next year, said he is excited to serve as a resident assistant (RA) after leaving office.
“Student body president gives you a great opportunity to make an impact across all students on campus,” Vielhauer said. “But a role like RA will give me the opportunity to make a real deep and lasting impact on those guys in my section.”
