The Student Life Council (SLC) met for the second time this semester on Feb. 19 to discuss the implications of recent national executive orders on Fordham University’s mission.

To begin the meeting, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students at Rose Hill Christopher Rodgers noted recent executive orders and introduced Vice President of External Affairs Travis Proulx to discuss Fordham’s intentions and answer questions from SLC members.

Proulx began his conversation by explaining his journey to his position at Fordham. Proulx was raised in a single-parent household and mentioned that he hadn’t viewed college as his path. College only came on Proulx’s radar due to potential football recruitment, which he ended up getting rejected for but went to college anyway, attending St. Lawrence University. He credits not only his success to the faculty within his college program but also his position working in higher education. Proulx shared that his mission is to help create that environment for others to succeed, no matter the challenges posed. Proulx cited Fordham’s ability to operationalize its institutional values of diversity and inclusion as his reason for applying for and accepting the job.

Proulx then discussed the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term in general and the implications this period has on people. Proulx noted that Trump is doing what every president should do when they come in, which is to learn about what is currently going on. However, Proulx also mentioned that it has not been done in a way that is thoughtful, resulting in confusion and fear. 

“The president is testing the limits of traditional power…we are just going to be in a period of unknown for a while, that’s just the reality,” he said.

Proulx cited the recent executive orders and their impact on education as an instance of this. He explained that executive orders do not have the power of codified laws but do give the president authority over agencies that aren’t predetermined by congressional law. He noted the recent directive from the acting assistant secretary of education, stating that every institution needs to verify that there is no teaching or mention of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) within their coursework. Proulx shared that there is no definition of DEI in federal agencies, making it difficult to find a path forward. He cited the lack of clarity as intentional, as it “makes it easier to test the fences.”

Staff Development and Training Coordinator for Commuter Student Services (CSS) Dana Kein, FCRH ’25, noted real photos taken of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) right outside of Fordham’s gates. Kein recognized that a lot of commuter students may be a part of undocumented families and wanted to know what the university is doing to support students during this time. Proulx ensured that Fordham is set up in a way where ICE agents cannot just come onto campus, as there is a protocol wherein they would have to go through a procedure involving security.

President of Commuter Student Association (CSA) Kellen Zeng, GSB ’25, asked about Fordham’s plans on standing committed to DEI. Proulx shared that at the end of the day, Fordham is a Jesuit institution that specifically is committed to welcoming neighbors: “For us as an institution, DEI is a value and remains a value, period.”

If there are any additional questions, Proulx urges students to contact him at his Fordham email [email protected].

For United Student Government (USG) updates, Executive President Eron Malzman, GSB ’25, noted that the USG bylaws are currently undergoing proposed change reviews. Vice President of Operations Megan Ruzicka, FCRH ’27, mentioned that operations packets opened on Feb. 21 and will close on March 14. Failure to complete the packets can result in a 100% sanction and the possibility for a club to go defunct. Packets and Pastries will be held by Ruzicka and Vice President of Budgets and Finance Peter Grimes, FCRH ’26, on March 5 to assist club leaders in completing the forms.

For the Commuter Student Association (CSA), Zeng shared that there will be a “Binge, Blind Box and Bingo” event held in the McShane Third Floor Great Hall from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 26. Vice President of CSA Crystal Wu, GSB ’25, announced that there have been umbrellas secured for the rental service that is set to begin at the end of the month. Wu also noted a partnership with Public Safety in improving transportation updates in an app where students can track the shuttle to and from the D Train.

Due to the absence of Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life Charles Clency, Rodgers gave the monthly intoxication report. There were 11 intoxication transfers and four students who refused medical assistance.

Assistant Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs Rashain Adams noted recent Black History Month events, such as the “Love Your Hair Expo” on Feb. 22. Adams also shared an upcoming event for Women’s History Month, the 8th annual Women’s Luncheon, which will take place at Fordham University Lincoln Center on March 6 at 1 p.m. Adams stressed that any student who wants to attend should RSVP soon as the event has a hard cap on attendance.

Assistant Dean for Seniors at the Gabelli School of Business (GSB) Jenna Cook mentioned that GSB has recently taken an artificial intelligence (AI) forward stance. The school has been conducting classes for faculty and staff on how to integrate AI into the classroom, and an AI consultant met with GSB Rose Hill Dean’s Council to discuss how students engage with AI. Cook noted that GSB has three options for professors in terms of allowing AI usage: yes it can be used, it can be used in moderation or no usage permitted. Cook also shared that GSB is working with Fordham College Rose Hill (FCRH) to streamline registration to make a more equitable and less stressful process for students.

Associate Dean for STEM and Pre-Health Education Robert Beer provided updates in place of Dean of FCH Maura Mast. Beer noted the upcoming Major Declaration Day on March 6, with a ceremony in Keating 317 and 318 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. for declared sophomores. In conjunction with Cook, Beer shared that registration dates for the fall semester are being finalized now. Beer also mentioned that the core reform group presented a proposal to change the core requirements for faculty to vote on. Beer noted that the changes, if approved, won’t be fully implemented for a few years, but that the requirements proposed are more flexible and a significant development.

The next SLC meeting will be held on March 26 in McShane 112.