The Fordham Rose Hill United Student Government (USG) met on Thursday, April 24, to view club proposals and discuss new business.
Executive President Eron Maltzman, GSB ’25, stated that he and Executive Vice President Ava Cascella, FCRH ’26, have written a statement on international student deportation here at Fordham University. They specifically wanted to outline resources and highlight places that students can turn to if they have concerns. He stated that they have been in constant communication with the deans regarding this issue and are having discussions behind the scenes.
The Diversity Action Coalition (DAC) Vice President Laila Sayegh, FCRH ’27, presented her committee’s accessibility one-pager in which she plans to propose new Office of Disability (ODS) student accommodation forms. Sayegh explained that, with these new forms, it should be much easier for students to request academic accommodations throughout the semester rather than having to wait until the end of the term. She also stated that she hopes the new forms will help professors to be more understanding and aware of ODS issues.
Senator Jude Ortega, FCRH ’25, presented updates about his recurrent STEM Career Center proposal. He stated that he has been talking about this proposal idea for a while, but it is now being worked on. Ortega explained that the Career Center events are often scheduled for around the same times, and most STEM students cannot go to these events due to their time constraints. This proposal aims to have more funding for STEM-related events that do not overlap with common STEM class times.
Senator Grace Shin, FCRH ’28, quickly summarized updates regarding her Nap Pod Proposal. She explained that the Commuter Student Association (CSA) reached out to her regarding the research for the Well Space Program and they concluded that they want to do a pilot program with the nap pods starting this week. This past Monday, April 28, a single nap pod was installed in the music room on the second floor of the McShane Student Center, and students can use it on a reservation basis.
Maltzman reviewed the last changes to the USG Bylaws. He announced that Ortega’s proposed change to incorporate a delegate from the Career Center has been approved, and the Career Center is on board with this idea. They have changed the voting rules for quorum: instead of needing one senator from Fordham College Rose Hill (FCRH) and one from Gabelli School of Business (GSB), they will only need to acquire two senators from each class year.
Zach Johnson, FCRH ’26, presented a club proposal for Fordham’s chapter of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) club. Johnson stated that the purpose of this club is for Fordham students to connect to a global network of students advocating for sensible drug policies. He explained that the SSDP educates and empowers youths to advocate for safer, just policies opposing harmful drug laws. For the first meeting, he plans to discuss the importance of the club, their goals and their schedule for the semester.
After their initial meeting, their regularly scheduled meetings will consist of discussions regarding news updates on drugs and substance abuse and policy changes, event planning, outreach and engagement opportunities and other SSDP updates. Johnson explained that they hope to plan speaker and educational events where the SSDP club could bring in Fordham alumni and other advocates to talk about new drug policies and different approaches to those policies. In addition to speaker events, they plan to have fundraising events and opportunities, a peer education program and ongoing advocacy on a local and state level for policy reform. He requested roughly $500 in funding for catering, events and raffle expenses.