Fordham University Rose Hill’s United Student Government (USG) met to award the November Club of the Month and work on the possibility of introducing Spanish prospective student tours on Nov. 7.
USG awarded Circle K the Club of the Month for November. Circle K is a student volunteer organization with chapters at schools nationwide. Mary Hawthorn, FCRH ’26, president of Circle K, accepted the award. Hawthorn noted that there will be a big Thanksgiving food drive and card-making event this coming Thursday, Nov. 21.
Jerrod Ames, assistant director of admissions and director of the Rose Hill Society, attended the meeting in order to discuss the proposal of Spanish tours for prospective students with USG. Ames first asked for opinions from USG on the proposal. Vice President of Communications Angel Madera, FCRH ’26, mentioned his experience coming from a Spanish-speaking family and said that Spanish tours would be an amazing resource to have as it is very important to have Spanish speakers at Fordham University. Vice President of Facilities and Dining Mike Rodriguez, FCRH ’27, shared that many students have parents who only speak Spanish, and having easy communication would be helpful for those families. Ames noted concern regarding the scale of this proposition, as students would be needed to give the tours. There are currently virtual tours offered in Spanish, but Ames plans to work with USG in order to make this proposal a possibility.
Vice President of Operations Megan Ruzicka, FCRH ’27, and Tina Pathak, FCRH ’28, mentioned the recently made pre-law database. This site centralizes pre-law resources, including clubs and internships, into one place. Ruzicka proposed making a subcommittee under Operations to manage it and ensure the database stays up to date.
Executive President Lucas Hjertberg, FCRH ’26, and Executive Vice President Eron Maltzman, GSB ’25, shared the USG response to recent racial bias incidents at Fordham. There was a written statement responding to the incidents, with campus resources at the bottom. During the presentation of said statement, Hjertberg noted that USG “will not rest until our campus is a place where all students can feel safe.”
There was a form to apply to the Socially Responsible Investing Advisory Committee, with a due date of Nov. 21.
Special elections will be held on Thursday, Nov. 21, for executive board and Senate positions that will be open due to students within those roles studying abroad. USG has posted open seats on their Instagram account, @fordhamusg.
The Office of the Provost is hosting a student research job fair on Dec. 6 at noon. These opportunities will be for more research–oriented students in fields such as psychology and computer science. There will be a lunch and a discussion on the research being done by a few Fordham professors who are looking for student researchers.
Vice President of Budget Reese McDonnell, GSB ’26, noted that the Budget Committee is working on collecting spending trackers from clubs to make sure all funds allocated are being utilized. With the exception of permanently allocated clubs, if clubs don’t use 80% of their budget, there will be a 25% sanction.
The Rose Hill Dean’s Council has been discussing ways to improve how students have been getting their information from the university. A survey will also be sent out by the Study Abroad subcommittee, asking for advice from upperclassmen to underclassmen regarding the process, alongside an upcoming tabling event to get that information to students.
The Gabelli School of Business (GSB) Dean’s Council will be having a small business fair from 12:30-3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, on Hughes Terrace. There will also be a panel event this upcoming week, which will count as a marketing event for sophomore students in GSB.
The Diversity Action Coalition hosted its first fundraiser on Tuesday for accessibility. There will also be an upcoming December tabling event, where students will make holiday cards to send to incarcerated people and their children.
Vice President of Health and Security Aidan Costella, FCRH ’27, noted that the Committee on Sexual Misconduct (CSM) will host events this week for Week of Action. On Monday, there was a clothesline project on the Edward’s Parade walkway from 1-4 p.m. Students could write messages to support sexual assault victims on t-shirts, which were hung on the fence surrounding Eddie’s. There was also a resource fair on Tuesday and there will be a “Take Back the Night” event on Wednesday. On Thursday, there will be an event titled “Let’s Taco Bout Consent and Sexual Health” and an Empowerment Speak Out on Friday to round out the week. More details can be found on CSM’s Instagram page, @csm_fordhamusg.
The Facilities and Dining Committee has made progress with its paper straw initiative, with paper straws now available in select locations. Sustainable silverware is still being worked on. Mike Rodriguez, Vice President of Facilities and Dining, FCRH ’27, shared that the committee is also looking into increasing GrubHub efficiency in places like The Grotto.
Vice President of Sustainability Regina Miller, FCRH ’26, mentioned a recent partnership with Siege, where the Sustainability Committee hosted an event to watch “The Lorax” and discuss the recent presidential election. Miller also noted that Fordham Flea was in attendance for the Fordham Women’s Basketball opener and that there will be an upcoming event to donate used Halloween costumes.
Of the various Senate updates, there was mention of a resume review workshop on Dec. 2, with hot chocolate and someone dressed as Santa. Senator Ava Cascella, FCRH ’26, shared that she met with Aramark to discuss her meal plan proposal. Aramark, working with Cascella, is considering revising every meal plan offered to students but does not have a strict timeline.
