The Fordham Rose Hill United Student Government (USG) met on Thursday, April 4, to discuss new club proposals and the election code.
The Rose Hill Meditation Club presented their new club proposal. The club’s president stated that the purpose of this club would be to create a relaxed community for students. He said there are no other clubs like this on campus, and it would also be very easy for students to join. The only funding that would be required from USG would be for event ticketing, transportation and for any snacks or tea that they will provide at meetings. Fordham Dance Marathon (FDM) presented a proposal for their organization to have club status. The co-executive directors explained that FDM works to raise money to fight childhood cancer. They are hoping to be named a club so that they can receive funding from the USG budget as they had no budget this past year. President of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) Harry Parks presented the purpose and goals of his club. He said they received their club status five years ago but it was taken away last semester due to late paperwork. OCF is the official national campus ministry with about 400 chapters around the country. They work with Orthodox Christian students to deepen their faith and invite other students to learn more about the faith. Parks stated that they host a variety of educational events, bible study and bi-annual open discussion dinners.
The Gabelli School of Business (GSB) Dean’s Council presented a budget request for picture frames, catering for the Year in Review Dinner and materials for Earth Day.
Vice President of Diversity Action Coalition Nyla Patel, FCRH ’25, presented a budget request for their community Earth Day event where they will be decorating plant pots with kindergarten-third graders. She requested money for pots, acrylic paint pens and stickers.
Vice President of Sustainability Sean Power, FCRH ’24, presented a budget request for his Earth Week events. He requested money for trail mix materials, soil and for the committee’s raffle giveaway.
Vice President of Operations Calum Stewertson, GSB ’26, requested funding for food for this semester’s OPS day.
Executive President Briana Al-Omoush, FCRH ’24, presented changes that were made to the USG election code. Al-Omoush stated that candidates who are running for Vice President of Finance and Budget, Student Life, Operations or Gabelli must attend three meetings of their respective committees before the mandatory candidate meeting. Additionally, candidates who are running for Vice President of GSB or FCRH must attend at least one super meeting where the deans are present. Al-Omoush also introduced the topic of candidate endorsements and slates for an open discussion amongst the Senate. She explained that if a few candidates realize that they are campaigning for the same changes, then they could create a slate and discuss their ideas with voters together. However, on the actual ballot, students cannot vote for an entire slate but rather for each candidate individually. Al-Omoush said she thinks this will encourage more students to run because they see that other students share their ideas. Senator Nicky D’Abundo, FCRH ’26, said he feels that campaigning and voting are both easier the way that they currently are.
Vice President of Communications Ariadna Wong, FCRH ’25, said that she and her committee are working on election materials. Power said he is looking over the last few materials for Earth Week and he will be announcing Earth Week’s schedule soon. Senator Ananya Grover, GSB ’26, stated that she had a meeting with the Office of Residential Life to start working on a proposal.
