USG Opens Socially Responsible Investing Committee Applications and Issues Club Sanctions

Andrew Massie and Emma Leonardi

November 13, 2024

USG discusses Club of the Month and potential Spanish tours at weekly meeting. (Courtesy of Facebook)

Fordham University Rose Hill’s United Student Government (USG) briefly met to hear public concerns and delegate reports on Nov. 7.

Executive Vice President Eron Maltzman, GSB ’25, announced that USG will oversee the selection of a student representative for Fordham’s Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Investing — a group tasked with aligning the university’s investments with Jesuit values. Applications open on Nov. 11 and close on Nov. 20, featuring a brief, three-question format.

Maltzman opened the meeting by inviting public concerns from attendees. Andrew Massie, FCRH ’27, a staff writer for The Fordham Ram, raised an issue with the USG website, pointing out that several representative pages result in 404 errors and that the Facilities and Dining page contains outdated information. Maltzman assured Massie that he would relay this feedback to Vice President of Communications Angel Madera, FCRH ’26, who manages the website, but was absent from the meeting.

Maltzman presented a draft for a new Club of the Month nomination form. The form will be open to all students, except USG members, and will allow nominators to propose clubs they participate in and explain why they deserve recognition. As recommended by Senator Jude Ortega, FCRH ’25, the form will ask for the nominator’s relationship to the club and details on the club’s accomplishments. Maltzman emphasized that the number of nominations a club receives will not influence the selection process. USG will review monthly submissions and consider additional clubs nominated by senators or the Executive Board.

Vice President of Budget and Finance Reese McDonnell, GSB ’26, reported that USG has used only half of its allocated budget this semester. To reassess budget allocations, McDonnell plans to send a form to USG committees requesting updates on their spending needs. Upcoming expenses include $500 to support the integration of the International Immigration program into a formal USG committee and additional funding for a potential Study Abroad committee.

Vice President of Operations Megan Ruzicka, FCRH ’27, reported on Operations Day results, announcing that 14 clubs have received 100% sanctions, meaning they will no longer receive funding from USG. These sanctions are not appealable unless clubs provide evidence of an automated notification. Additionally, six clubs have received 50% sanctions due to issues like incorrect e-board information, lack of an advisor or failure to hold a meeting this semester. Ruzicka also noted that four clubs are now classified as defunct.

McDonnell stated that budget sanctions have been applied to any club that failed to use at least 80% of its allocated funds.

Vice President of Student Experience Joseph DaProcida, FCRH ’25, announced an upcoming art show and holiday event on Dec. 9, featuring cookies, caroling and hot chocolate. DaProcida is collaborating with the USG at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) to allow FCLC students to submit artwork for the show.

Vice President of Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) Emma Blake, FCRH ’25, reported that the Student Success Committee is discussing with Associate Dean of FCRH Robert Beer and Assistant Dean of Pre-Law Advising Program Hillary Mantis to enhance pre-law and pre-health resources. The committee is also researching how other universities handle excused absences for mental health and exploring ways to improve feedback for the Study Abroad program.

Chief Communications Officer Yeonsu Son of the Residence Hall Association (RHA) reported on the success of RHA’s Halloween Dodgeball tournament. Son highlighted several upcoming events: a Thanksgiving food drive, the LollaNoBooza event and an upcoming trip to an RHA conference.

Six of the 13 executive board members were absent from the meeting, including Executive President Lucas Hjertberg, FCRH ’26, who was attending a Model United Nations event. The other absentees were Vice President of Communications Angel Madera, FCRH ’26; Vice President of Health and Security Aidan Costella, FCRH ’27; Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Nyla Patel, FCRH ’25; Vice President of Facilities and Dining Mike Rodriguez, FCRH ’27; and Vice President of International Integration Nandini Anand, GSB ’25.