The Fordham Rose Hill United Student Government (USG) met on Thursday, Jan. 18, to discuss new business and learn about the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA).
Juan Carlos Matos, assistant vice president of student affairs for diversity and inclusion, explained the importance of OMA and presented a short video showcasing the OMA team. The OMA team consists of Matos; Marie Castro, assistant director of OMA; and Lincoln Center and Rose Hill graduate interns Rashain Adams, Krish Persaud and Kat Manansala.
Matos explained that the main goals of OMA is to increase multicultural and intercultural competency, create a welcoming and inclusive environment and increase diverse student engagement at Fordham. Some of their initiatives include networking programs, such as their LGBTQ+ and Ally Network of Support Training, cultural heritage month events, such as their multicultural reception and BIPOC student mixer and general cultural club and student support. Matos shared that the OMA will be reaching out to students about creating a Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) committee and about possibly setting up a Jewish heritage week. Senator Karam Yousseff, GSB ’26, asked when OMA would be reaching out to students about the MENA committee. Matos said that the project is not finalized yet but he hopes to be able to reach out to students sometime next week.
Andres Cuevas, GSB ’24, ran for the open seat on the Gabelli class of 2024 senate. Cuevas stated he has been a part of the Facilities and Dining Committee for a while and he would like to continue his work on that committee. He also expressed his excitement to work with the marketing team and he hopes that, with this position as senator, he can work towards increasing security on campus. Cuevas won the election.
Executive President Briana Al-Omoush, FCRH ’24, announced that the Club Fair will take place Friday, Jan. 26, from 12-1:30 p.m. and 2:15-3:45 p.m. The Club Fair had to be split up into two time slots due to there not being enough space to accommodate every club at once.
Kayla Velez, assistant director for leadership and commuter student services, gave the advisor report for the Office for Student Involvement (OSI). She stated OSI recently hired a new graduate intern and that their January new student orientation program went well. They welcomed nearly 50 new students, with about half of those being commuter students.
Vice President of Finance and Budgets Lucas Hjertberg, FCRH ’26, announced that the Budget Committee has five non-USG seats and two USG seats open for students to join. Hjertberg also announced that he and the Budget Committee are discussing the new activity fees referendum number. He is considering doing a paper ballot instead of electronic voting. Vice President of FCRH Emma Balint, FCRH ’24, stated that the FCRH Dean’s Council’s Undergraduate Research committee is participating in a discussion panel about summer research opportunities, and the STEM subcommittee is also participating in a discussion panel. Balint said the FCRH Dean’s Council is going to begin discussing the Study Abroad Town Hall again. Vice President of Facilities and Dining Jamie Serruto, FCRH ’24, announced he will be resigning from his position as vice president, but he will remain active on the Facilities and Dining committee. He also explained that the food truck was officially launched last week. However, due to the harsh weather conditions, the truck had to be closed and will open again once temperatures go above 30 degrees.
