The Fordham University Rose Hill United Student Government (USG) met on Thursday, Feb. 22, to review budget requests and discuss the upcoming Student Activities Fees (SAF) Referendum vote.
Vice President of Sustainability Sean Power, FCRH ’24, presented a budget request to purchase eight reusable, plastic storage containers for Fordham Flea donations. Vice President of Communications Ariadna Wong, FCRH ’25, presented a budget request to purchase a second-hand Canon camera for about $176. The Student Experience Committee presented a budget request for ice cream and an ice cream cart for Keating Steps and for catering for Beacon’s Exemplar. The FCRH Dean’s Council made a budget request for Insomnia Cookies and Dunkin’ Donuts for the Student Wellness subcommittee’s tabling, where they will be promoting the Out of the Darkness Walk. All budget requests were approved.
Executive President Briana Al-Omoush, FCRH ’24, presented a SAF Referendum information session to make sure that the entire Senate is well informed about this initiative. She said she does not want any misinformation to be spread because it is important that this referendum is passed. Al-Omoush explained that the referendum is asking for the SAF to be increased by $95 and this increase would bring over $400,000 more for allocation of event-funded clubs. This increase would only affect the Rose Hill students, not Lincoln Center students. Al-Omoush stated that the USG does not have nearly enough funding available to give to existing clubs which is why this increase is necessary. She explained that even students who are not involved in clubs will benefit from this increase as it would also increase funding for popular events such as Spring Weekend and Senior Week. The Budget Committee has already begun communicating with clubs about the increase and they will be visiting club meetings to discuss it further. The voting period will be from March 4 to 18.
Al-Omoush also announced she has been working on this year’s Fresh Checks Day. Fordham Fresh Checks Day is a day that is meant to open discussion about mental health struggles and mental health resources on campus as well. She said that there might be some changes to the purchase request forms due to changes in the Office for Student Involvement (OSI). She has also almost completed the updated election code and the mid-year report should be sent out soon.
Assistant Dean for Student Involvement Catharine McGlade, EdD, announced that OSI posted newly available positions and they have begun interviewing possible new hires.
Vice President of Operations Calum Stewertson, GSB ’26, stated that he is currently looking over club proposals and going over constitution changes. Wong and the Communications committee is working on SAF Referendum materials and general elections posts. Vice President of Gabelli School of Business (GSB) Catie Flores, GSB ’25, stated that she is meeting with the core curriculum revision team this week and the GSB Dean’s Council will be hosting “A Year in Review” dinner on April 15. Vice President of Health and Security Eliza Collins, FCRH ’26, said that she met with Christopher Rogers, dean of students at Rose Hill, and they discussed future programming.
