The Fordham Rose Hill United Student Government (USG) met on Thursday, Oct. 5, to discuss business updates and review the USG constitution and bylaws.
The Residence Hall Association (RHA) delegate announced that RHA special elections are underway and that Oct. 5 is the last day to vote.
Judy Rothschild, assistant director for IT Service Desk and Student Relationship Management, gave a presentation on Fordham’s IT Services. Rothschild said IT will be sending out a new satisfaction survey for commuter and resident students. Rothschild said IT is trying to increase student involvement and the department is open to feedback from students. Brittany Perez, employer relations specialist, gave a presentation on the Career Center’s upcoming Reverse Career Fair. The fair will consist of student clubs and organizations tabling while companies visit each table. The Reverse Career Fair will host various employers such as non-profits, law firms, schools and business and finance companies. The fair will be on Oct. 16 from 1-2:30 p.m.
Executive Vice President Ava Coogan, FCRH ’25, announced that, moving forward, USG will award club of the month to more club-focused organizations. The Freshman Advising Mentorship Program delegate accepted the certificate for September club of the month. Vice President of Health and Security Molly Ewing, FCRH ’25, proposed a budget request for the Committee of Sexual Misconduct (CSM) for their annual Clothesline Project. Executive President Briana Al-Omoush, FCRH ’24, and Coogan reviewed USG’s Constitution, bylaws, Robert’s Rules and meeting standards. Coogan said they wanted to review the documents to reiterate everyone’s roles in USG and to remind newcomers and returners of USG’s standards.
Vice President of Operations Lauren Walczyk, FCRH ’25, said they are trying to reschedule the club training on Sep. 29 that was canceled due to weather. Operations Committee budget packets opened on Oct. 2 due to technical difficulties and will close on Nov. 2. If students need help completing budget packets, there is a guide available online. Vice President of Student Life Brian Inguanti, FCRH ’24, said that Keating Steps will possibly be rescheduled to the spring. There will be an art exhibit in JMCC, and there will be an event to encourage submissions. Vice President of FCRH Emma Balint, FCRH ’25, announced the undergraduate research committee met with the head of undergraduate research to discuss hosting a panel with students and professors who work in undergraduate research. The panel will aim to clarify how research at Fordham works. The STEM department will host their own panel and Q and A. Balint said they’re meeting with the director of study abroad to debrief the week; they will try to host a town hall with study abroad this semester to discuss upcoming changes to the department.
Vice President of Gabelli School of Business Catie Flores, GSB ’25, said the mentorship committee is working on a networking event with upperclassmen and underclassmen. Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Mirei Fukushima, GSB ’25, said they are working with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council to incorporate a DEI workshop into GSB’s Ground Floor classes. Ewing announced CSM is tabling on Oct. 25 for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and they’re planning a budget request for CSM’s Week of Action. CSM is working with Dean Rodgers to make posters with reporting resources available in bathrooms.
Senator Aiden Costello, FCRH ’27, gave feedback on CARE sessions and said that Fordham should implement educating students on safe sex. Due to the administration’s strict rhetoric on what’s included in presentations, the class of 2027 senators are looking into optional peer-led sex education, possibly through Rodrigue’s Coffee House. Al-Omoush and Coogan announced the first senior night is Oct. 12 and the second senior night is Nov. 9. Family weekend is Oct. 27-29. The Fordham University Emerging Leaders (FUEL) program application will go live in the next couple weeks. The digital commuter lockers in the McShane Campus Center are still in the testing phase and it’s projected the lockers will be up and running this month. In the meantime, students can sign up for a locker at the Office of Student Involvement.
