Fordham University’s United Student Government (USG) met on Feb. 12 to hear a new club presentation, discuss USG’s upcoming winter retreat and town hall and create new proposal teams.
The meeting started with delegate reports. The Residence Hall Association (RHA) delegate Hannorah Ragusa, FCRH ’26, said that RHA is planning an upcoming spring weekend event with RHA, USG, Campus Activities Board and the Commuting Students Association involving food trucks and tabling from campus organizations
Executive Vice President Andrew McDonald, FCRH ’26, announced Fordham University’s Philippine American Club (FUPAC) as the club of the month.
Following these announcements, there was a new club presentation from the proposed Math Club. Kiara Bauza Ramirez, FCRH ’27, Natalia Ramlogan, GSB ’27, Abraham Garcia, FCRH ’29 and Lisbeth Rodriguez, FCRH ’29, said that there are currently no math clubs at the Rose Hill campus, and that the goal of their club would be to create community among math students and faculty in the math department. They said they would need funding for pizza at club meetings, hosting guest speakers and holding educational trips — an example provided was to the National Math Museum. They also said they would need to use Ram Vans for transportation.
USG members then voted on budget proposals, including the Math Club’s funding request. There was also a budget request from Vice President of Sustainability Ayden Johnson, FCRH ’27, for $150 to purchase flowers for their Valentine’s Day bouquet making event on Feb. 13. Both budget requests were unanimously approved.
Executive President Lucas Hjertberg, FCRH ’26, shared that he had a meeting with the faculty senate on Feb. 9, at which they discussed increasing collaboration between the senate and USG. He said the senate is open to collaborating on proposals and that he is thinking about setting up monthly meetings with the senate or sending a USG liaison to the faculty senate meetings.
McDonald announced that they had secured tickets for the USG retreat on Feb. 21, which was at Sky Zone followed by Chipotle and games in Bepler Commons.
Hjertberg shared that there is an upcoming New York City Student Government Conference being organized by Barnard College. USG hopes to send five to seven representatives to the conference, and Hjertberg said sign ups would go out soon. He noted that the conference is being held on the same day as Fordham’s annual Out of the Darkness Campus Walk at the end of March.
McDonald asked all senators to sign up for a one-on-one meeting with him before the retreat to check in on how things are going this semester.
McDonald then opened the floor to suggestions for proposal committees. He mentioned that they already had two proposals, one for menstrual products to be provided in residence halls and another for a Fordham College Rose Hill (FCRH) mentorship program, but that they needed at least three more to vote on. After several suggestions and discussions, they added a proposal for updates to the Ram Fit Center, including an extra row of treadmills, increased servicing of machines and updates to the RamFit app (including things like current gym capacity and wait times). They also added a proposal for American Sign Language (ASL) class offerings and increased harm reduction resources. Members voted to create proposal committees for menstrual products in residence halls, FCRH mentoring and Ram Fit updates. Hjertberg said he would send out an email for members to rank their preferred proposal and would create teams by the next meeting.
Vice President of Operations Tina Pathak, FCRH ’28, said her committee is working on several new club proposals and that the club proposal form would close on Feb. 13; however, she said she is not opposed to reopening the form later in the semester. She also announced that Pickleball Club would be presenting at the next USG meeting.
Vice President of Finance and Budget Peter Grimes, FCRH ’25, shared that there have been 33 budget requests over the past week and announced that the Office of Student Involvement received another $35,000 in funding. He also said that the Philosophy Society wants to send 21 students to Montreal and that since they are requesting over $7,500, they will need to present their budget request to USG. Grimes also shared that budget packets will likely be due after spring break and that budget day will be sometime in April.
Vice President of Sustainability Ayden Johnson, FCRH ’27, announced that he had started conversations about implementing an environmental education program at first-year orientation. He also mentioned that orientation will be extended by one day starting with the class of 2030.
Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Layla Sayegh, FCRH ’27, announced that her committee would be hosting a movie screening and lecture for Black History Month on Feb. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. The committee is also collaborating with the African American studies department and the art history department to do a Black art exhibit in McShane, which will likely take place on March 2. Additionally, Sayegh announced that the sociology department donated $200 for Bronx Appreciation Week.
Vice President of International Integration Jenny Hong, FCRH ’28, shared that the Alumni Panel is collaborating with the Gabelli Deans Council to help international students with things like H1 visas.
Senator Henry Carstens, GSB ’29, who is part of the Contraceptive Policy Commission, announced that USG will be holding a town hall on March 20 at 6 p.m. in the Great Hall in the McShane Student Center. He noted that the town hall is not just for the Contraceptives Policy Commission and that other committees and commissions are encouraged to table at the event.
During senate reports, Senator Anna Gayton, FCRH ’27, said that, although the harm reduction proposal was not accepted, she would continue working on it on her own.
USG met again on Feb. 19.
