Fordham University’s United Student Government (USG) held their weekly meeting on Feb. 5 to hear a new club proposal, approve internal budget requests and listen to committee and senate updates.
The meeting began with a new club presentation. Gray Fraser, GSB ’29, Caeden Joyce, GSB ’29 and Will Barrios, GSB ’29, presented their idea for a Fordham spikeball club. Their pitch for the club said that it facilitates skill building and creates an inclusive space to encourage connection, as well as fun. They said they would like to offer competitive tournaments as well as casual sessions.
In their pitch, the trio also outlined the plans for their first few meetings. They will begin with a kickoff opening meeting, followed by a secondary one to learn the game before getting into casual practice in their third session.
In terms of budget, they shared that the club would need approximately $1,000, with these funds covering net sets, pumps, a first aid kit and small tournament prizes.
The biggest concern within USG about this proposal was whether the budget would work. However, Vice President of Budget Peter Grimes, FCRH ’25, said that the request is something USG can handle. The club was unanimously approved by USG.
There were several budget requests coming internally from USG. The Gabelli School of Business (GSB) Dean’s Council requested funding for their annual Valentine’s Day tabling event.
Vice President of Student Experience Luc Angus, FCRH ’26, requested money for the committee’s Beacon Exemplar event, where they would provide food for certificate holders and nominate a faculty member who will receive an award.
Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Laila Sayegh, FCRH ’27, asked for funding for the Diversity Action Coalition’s fundraiser for their Terra Firma National event. All budget requests were unanimously approved.
USG also discussed a proposal from the fall semester, presented by Edwin Charles Quimby, GSB ’29, for a soft serve ice cream machine to be put in The Marketplace dining hall. According to USG, 97% of students said yes when asked if they would like one, with 77% saying they would use it three times a week. Vice President for Facilities and Dining Madeleine Ando, FCRH ’27, said that Facilities and Dining also put up a form for general dining related concerns.
Ando also shared that there has not been a lot of change regarding the interactive campus map for students. According to her, Marketing, Information Technology (IT) and Facilities will begin working on it soon.
In discussing his executive updates, Executive President Lucas Hjertberg, FCRH ’26, shared that the USG retreat will take place on Feb. 21. He also noted that there is a proposal in the works to create a Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) student mentoring program, an idea that was born out of a Student Life Council conversation with the career center.
Regarding some instances of budget requests being sent to external people, Senator Ava Cascella, FCRH ’26, said that she has had a lot of complaints about club sports budget requests, specifically with them being sent to everyone. Hjertberg said he has reached out to the Office of Student Involvement about this issue, but hasn’t heard back.
In terms of other executive board reports, Vice President of Operations Tina Pathak, FCRH ’28, said that quite a few clubs have moved into the final review of the process. She also noted that one club that submitted a proposal needs to resubmit due to missing information.
Grimes shared that the university will be hosting actor Jordan Fisher for an event on Feb. 26. He also noted that his committee is looking to have more flexibility with funding so they can keep approving requests, as the current funding standings are not looking as ideal as they would like.
Vice President of FCRH Mary Hawthorn, FCRH ’26, said that her committee has an event scheduled for Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. in Freeman Hall, where there will be a research grant writing workshop supervised by professor Christopher Aubin, Ph.D.
Vice President of Health and Security Aidan Costella, FCRH ’27, announced that he met with Assistant Dean for Student Involvement Catharine McGlade to discuss how him and his committee could collaborate more with the university’s department of marketing. Costella also noted that there would be Title IX training with Title IX Coordinator Liz Fanelli on Feb. 9.
While Vice President of Sustainability Ayden Johnson was not in attendance, his committee updates were shared by Ando. According to her, Johnson is working on looking into the intense amount of bacteria supposedly found on RamFit cleaning wipes, with more information to come.
Costella also shared an update about the contraceptive policy reform committee he is leading. He noted that he, alongside Hjertberg and senator Henry Carstens, FCRH ’29, will be meeting with McGlade to talk about the town hall they are hoping to hold this semester. Costella said that there was a survey posted on the USG Committee on Sexual Misconduct Instagram page.
In terms of senate reports, senator Megan Ruzicka, FCRH ’27, shared that she is working with the Office of Disability Services on an introductory workshop series in the fall semester for students battling chronic illnesses while transitioning to college.
USG meets next on Feb. 12.
