UPDATE: Aiden Costella, FCRH ’27, Laila Sayegh, FCRH ’27, Megan Ruzicka, FCRH ’27, Carter Soderberg, GSB ’27 and Thang Nguyen, GSB ’27, will represent the class of 2027 in the United Student Government 2023-24 Senate.
On Friday, Sept. 15, first-year students running for the United Student Government (USG) senator positions introduced themselves to the Fordham community. Executive President of USG, Briana Al-Omoush, FCRH ’24, introduced each candidate while The Fordham Ram moderated the event.
Candidates from the class of 2027 were each given two minutes to introduce themselves. Following the introductions, candidates were asked questions from the moderators and the audience.
Megan Ruzicka, FCRH ’27, was first to present her platform. She spoke about her experience with the “Out of Darkness Walk Committee.” Ruzicka said she hopes to bring the walk to Fordham. She also spoke about improving the mental and physical health of the Fordham community through the expansion of RamFit hours. She said they can be expanded by offering new job positions to first-years.
Emma Dolan, FCRH ’27, cited prior experience working in student government. She also mentioned the need to create a better site for Fordham students to access information. Dolan said the new site will differ from pre-existing interfaces like Rams Involved and Fordham Hub because it will be easier for students to access.
Lilian Hunter, FCRH ’27, emphasized her campaign slogan: “by the people, for the people.” Hunter, who spoke about her status as a student-athlete and an international student, created a form for first-year students to ask questions and receive feedback from others.
Aidan Costella, FCRH ’27, mentioned his experience working in student government and his passion for social justice. He raised concerns about the lack of air conditioning and broken bathroom facilities in dorms. Costella said that, over the past week, students were sleeping in communal lounges to combat the heat. He also said that the promotion of campus ministry and the Jesuit mission should not overpower student needs.
Laila Sayegh, FCRH ’27, presented a four-pillar platform of change. The pillars included increasing accessibility, off-campus safety, overall sustainability and further advocacy for mental health. Sayegh said she hopes to improve mental health services at Fordham by allowing Fordham students to work for Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) and through the implementation of virtual sessions. Sayegh also highlighted the accessibility of the marketplace as something she would like to improve.
Carter Soderberg, GSB ’27, was the first GSB senator to present. Soderberg emphasized boosting school spirit as one of his main initiatives. He said that a lack of pride at the first football game led him to create this initiative, and that he will work to create more opportunities for student engagement during sporting events. Soderberg also spoke about extending the Marketplace hours, fostering free speech and improving dorm conditions.
Brandon Macaluso, GSB ’27, spoke about creating a “voice for the mute,” in which he hopes to advocate for first-year students who feel isolated. He said that the transition from high school to college is difficult for many, likening the move to living in a “cold, dark, terrible, terrible world.”
Macaluso said he will ease the inevitable transition period by remaining an available voice for all students. He also mentioned that if he becomes a senator, he will focus on the needs of the student body.
Michael Charney, GSB ’27, spoke about expanding the Rose Hill hours of operation, specifically in the post office and Marketplace. Charney also mentioned increasing the number of GSB networking events and expanding the hours of the trading floor to be open 24 hours a day.
Thang Nguyen, GSB ’27, said he hopes to improve the quality of the dorms. Nguyen said that the lack of air conditioning in the first-year dorms is “an injustice.” He also stated that he hopes to reallocate money to focus on the needs of the students.
Following the presentations, the class of 2027’s Meet the Candidates night concluded. Due to technical issues, the voting time and date for the USG class of 2027 representatives is to be determined.
