The Fordham University Student Life Council (SLC) held its second meeting of the semester on Feb. 11 to hear a presentation from External Affairs, discuss a permanent food pantry and go over typical SLC council business.
The meeting kicked off with a presentation from Assistant Vice President and Director of the Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) Keisha Shay, Ph.D., on what the External Affairs department is and what its role within the Fordham community entails. In November 2024, Fordham decided to create a new division of External Affairs to expand Fordham’s connections to both its immediate surroundings and to partners in other outside organizations. Shay spoke on her work with CCEL and External Affairs, detailing how they overlap.
“[Our purpose is] to elevate the existing work, forging new partnerships with purpose,” Shay said. “But how do we do that in a cohesive way to serve Fordham’s welcoming front door for community and external partners, and really live up to our Jesuit mission of service as well?”
Shay walked the SLC through the various aspects of External Affairs’ current work at Fordham, specifically highlighting Advocacy Days. As cited by Executive President of the United Student Government Lucas Hjertberg, FCRH ’26, several students traveled to Albany, New York, to advocate for more funding for higher education.
Shay noted that if students would like to learn more about Fordham University’s External Affairs, they can visit fordham.edu/externalaffairs. External Affairs has offices on both the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses.
Following Shay’s presentation, Chair of SLC Reese McDonald and Dean of Students Kevin Williams brought up the ongoing idea for a long-term food pantry on campus. Assistant Dean for Student Involvement Catharine McGlade asked the council for an explanation of what a permanent food pantry would look like.
Hjertberg responded that there has already been an emergency food pantry run by CCEL and Campus Ministry, and that this permanent one could take notes from how that one was run.
Editor-In-Chief Emeritus of The Paper Adam Serfilippi, FCRH ’26, asked if the permanent pantry would be primarily for Fordham students or for the outward community as well. McGlade said it would be intended for Fordham students.
The Ram Features Editor Emeritus Andrew Massie, FCRH ’27, asked where the food and monetary donations would come from. McGlade responded by saying that they are currently researching how to receive these donations.
Hjertberg also noted that many meal swipes go unused by students, and wondered what to do with that waste, which McGlade said will be taken into consideration.
Executive Vice President of the Commuting Students Association Jasmine James, FCRH ’26, suggested keeping the pantry in the McShane Campus Center due to it being a hub for commuter students.
Williams shared that the SLC will be reviewing their governing documents at the next meeting, similar to what USG recently did with their own documents.
Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life Charles Clency reported that so far this semester, there were eight instances of intoxes, or cases where a student was taken to the hospital due to intoxication. There was also one instance of refusal of medical attention.
Co-President of the Campus Activities Board (CAB) Emma Seber, GSB ’26, shared that CAB found the hosts for Spring Weekend entertainment, but that it will be announced closer to the event. Seber also noted that CAB is collaborating with Fordham’s Black Student Alliance on their 2026 Black History Month Keynote event on Feb. 26, where actor, singer and dancer Jordan Fisher will be their special guest.
Assistant Director for Student Organizations and Programming Mark Less noted that the Rose Hill Commons will be closed for maintenance until further notice.
Clency also shared that room selection will open in March and specified that students must make their deposit to select a room.
SLC will meet again on March 18.
