Elizabeth “Liz” Brown was elected Notre Dame student body president in spring 2007. Her election, along with that of her running mate, Maris Braun, was one for the record books: it was the first time in Notre Dame history that women held the roles of both president and vice president in the student government.
Here, Brown takes a minute from representing undergraduate student interests, responding to student opinions and maintaining regular communication with the student body, to answer five questions posed by ND Today readers:
NDT: Because it’s the 35th anniversary of coeducation, the University has spent the last year celebrating the women of Notre Dame and their accomplishments. You, however, prefer not to be seen as a “female” student body president, rather a qualified leader, who just happens to be a woman. How do you balance the excitement generated by the first-ever female student body president and vice president with your desire to make your presidency about your qualifications and not your gender?
LB: When Maris [Vice President Maris Braun] and I decided to run together, we knew that, if we won, we would be the first all-female pair to hold the top positions of student government. What we didn’t expect was the amazing response we received from female alumni who were so proud of our accomplishment. Interestingly, we did not receive the same response from current students at Notre Dame. Our gender was never brought up during our campaign, and it seemed like it took quite awhile for some students to realize that they were making history by voting for us. Recognizing this discrepancy in reactions, it has been an easy and natural balance between celebrating our accomplishment as women while at the same time emphasizing our qualifications as leaders. To the students we represent, our gender is secondary in importance to our capacity to address and serve their concerns.
NDT: What has been your most significant achievement or impact as the student body president?
LB: My most significant achievement as student body president came early in my term as I responded to the controversial South Bend Common Council legislation to restrict student gatherings. While I recognized the dilemma of unruly and disruptive students, these are also the students I represent, and it was clear to me that proactive, collaborative efforts between students and the city would be far more effective than any punitive ordinance. After nearly two months of meetings with city and community officials, we came to the consensus that the establishment of the Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC), with city, University, and community representatives, was the superior solution to the problem. The creation of the CCAC is my proudest achievement, as this is a body that will hopefully have a lasting, positive effect on community relations for years to come.
NDT: What has been the University’s most significant positive change during your time as a student, and what element do you hope remains unchanged forever?
LB: I think the most positive change during my four years at Notre Dame was the introduction of the annual Academic Forum. With topics ranging from global health to immigration, the Forum engages in important contemporary topics to push the Notre Dame community to further their intellectual development and take a stand on these difficult issues. I hope that future campus renovations do not have a negative impact on the unique campus community that makes Notre Dame residence life so special. I lived in Cavanaugh Hall for three years, and loved the sense of community that I experienced not only within my dorm, but throughout the campus. I think the current campus boundaries are perfectly situated and should not be expanded to make room for more campus buildings.
NDT: When people read the history books about Notre Dame, how would you like the story of your presidency to be told? What words will come to mind when describing your term?
LB: For those who worked with me during my term, I hope they remember me as an effective leader with a robust sense of humor who was able to keep things in perspective. For outside observers, I hope I am remembered as hardworking, intelligent, efficient, and in touch with the needs and concerns of the Notre Dame student body.
NDT: You hold a very important -- and public -- position at the University, but first and foremost you’re a student. How are you able to maintain a “carefree” college lifestyle without compromising your reputation as a strong leader?
LB: This is a tough balance, but I have managed to maintain both my “carefree” college lifestyle and reputation as a leader by surrounding myself with amazing friends who remind me what’s important. I try not to take my position too seriously, because I am, first and foremost, a college student who is trying to enjoy what many people call “the best four years of your life.” I project this attitude in my interactions with my peers, and I think this is one of my strengths. Student leaders shouldn’t be disconnected from those they represent, which may mean giving up some nights in the office in order to go out with my friends.
