The Fordham University United Student Government (USG) met for the first time this semester on Jan. 15.
Executive President Lucas Hjertberg, FCRH ’26, and Executive Vice President Andrew McDonald, FCRH ’26, presented Vice President of Dining and Facilities Madeleine Ando, FCRH ’27 and Vice President of International Integration Jenny Hong, FCRH ’28, with the award for vice presidents of the fall semester.
To begin, Vice President of Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) Mary Hawthorn, FCRH ’26, proposed a budget request for Chick-fil-A for the Dean’s Council’s first meeting of the semester. Hong presented a budget request for a hot chocolate event set for Feb. 4. Vice President of Student Experience Luc Angus, FCRH ’26, was absent but submitted a budget request for his committee’s art show. All three budget requests were approved.
Hjertberg said USG is overhauling how they do delegates before they pass their proposal. He also said that anyone who is part of Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Campus Activities Board (CAB), Commuter Student Association (CSA), Resident Halls Association (RHA), the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL), Campus Ministry (CM) or the Fordham Veterans Association (FVA), should let them know if they are interested in being a delegate for the time being.
Hjertberg also mentioned that the Jesuit Student Government Alliance is hosting a summit at the College of the Holy Cross and are looking for three members interested in attending.
USG’s meeting on Jan. 22 hosted special elections for two open FCRH 2027 senate seats, as well as one open Gabelli School of Business (GSB) 2027 seat. Hjertberg announced the openings during this meeting.
The Contraception Policy Commission leading members, Vice President of Health and Security Aidan Costella, FCRH ’27, and Senator Henry Carstens, FCRH ’29, shared that the Town Hall regarding contraception distribution policy on campus was postponed in December 2025. They shared they were looking for ideas on how to improve support for students. Ando shared a possibility of partnering with Catholics for Choice, a reproductive justice organization, and letting students get involved with the proposal and process. She continued by noting that many activists would want to come and help with the initiative. Carstens said the use of external forces puts a lot of pressure on the university, with Senator Domenick Fedele II, FCRH ’29, saying that they have been gaining faculty support.
McDonald took ideas for USG’s upcoming semester retreat and Hjertberg said the tentative date is Feb. 7. After a brief discussion, the possible ideas of Skyzone, Texas Roadhouse, Medieval Times, an escape room or a Brooklyn Nets game were suggested. However, no concrete plans were made until their next meeting.
Hjertberg shared that there is currently about $1,500 worth of food sitting in the USG office suite. The food is from their Day of Service; however, it did not arrive in a timely manner. He said they are looking for volunteer USG members to bring the extra food to Part of the Solution.
