The Fordham University Student Life Council (SLC) held its third meeting of the semester on Wednesday, March 18, to discuss changes to the orientation process and receive updates from council members.

The meeting kicked off with an invitation from SLC Chair Reese McDonald, GSB ’26, for Senior Associate Director for Student Formation Angelo Coppotelli V to present regarding changes to the process of orientation for the incoming class of 2030.

Coppotelli noted that Fordham will try to build on various first-year orientation program changes enacted in the fall of 2025, such as Rose Hill students spending a portion of their orientation at the Lincoln Center campus under the idea of “OneFordham.” Coppotelli asked the council for feedback on changes they have or could make to this process by posing a series of questions.

The first question concerned what kind of information new students would need the most during orientation. United Student Government (USG) Vice President of Budget and Finance Peter Grimes, FCRH ’26, shared that he thought orientation leaders should offer more guidance to new freshmen. Coppotelli agreed, noting that the orientation for the class of 2030 has already been changed to be four days long in order to spend more time with new students.

Senior Resident Assistant Justina Diaz, FCRH ’26, added that she thinks students are not given a proper explanation of what’s expected of them when first arriving at Fordham. Diaz recommended giving a standardized presentation on Fordham’s expectations to all orientation leaders to help with this issue.

In response to Diaz’s idea, Assistant Dean for Seniors at the Gabelli School of Business Jenna Cook, Ph.D. suggested that orientation leaders talk about the path to graduating, with topics such as what students should be taking and how major/minor requirements can overlap with courses in the core curriculum within their attributes.

USG Executive President Lucas Hjertberg, FCRH ’26, noted that the Fordham study abroad office should be more involved in the orientation process in order to help advise incoming students on how to academically prepare for classes offered abroad.

Coppotelli’s second question for the council concerned the experiences and resources new students should have to aid them in connecting with the Fordham community and finding a sense of belonging on campus. McDonald noted that student panels discussing such resources may be more effective than those presented by faculty. Cook suggested a club fair catered specifically to first-years to help them figure out where they belong and what sort of activities and organizations they want to participate in at Fordham.

The council then shifted from discussing fall orientation for the class of 2030 to listing organization-specific updates.

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) shared that Spring Weekend programming will run from April 20 through April 26. CAB President of Operations Emma Seber, GSB ’26, noted that the vice president for communications position under CAB is open.

Hjertberg shared that USG’s proposal to provide free menstrual products in university dorms is currently under review, with facilities suggesting a three-way split of the $3,000 cost between ResLife, the Residence Halls Association (RHA) and USG. Hjertberg also noted that it is unusual for USG to cover part of the cost for a proposal like this.

Executive Vice President of the Commuting Students Association (CSA) Jasmine James, FCRH ’26, noted that the nap pod has been moved to Walsh Library Room 108B.

Executive President of RHA Anna Callendrillo, FCRH ’26, shared that, following the conclusion of Spring Weekend, the Big Four (USG, RHA, CSA and CAB) will be having a brunch on April 26. Additionally, there will be a Pugsley’s Pizza van outside of the Mcshane Campus Center on April 30 for a separate event.

Senior Associate Dean of FCRH David Swinarski told SLC that voting on the Core Curriculum revision has officially begun, and that it will apply only to future students if enacted.

The next SLC meeting of the semester will be on April 29. This meeting will also be the last SLC meeting of the semester before next year.