The Fordham University United Student Government (USG) met on March 26 and saw a new club presentation, passed budget requests and discussed the upcoming USG elections.
The meeting started with a presentation for a new proposed club from Natasia Shivers, FCRH ’28, for the Fordham Birdwatching Club. In her presentation, Shivers said that while Fordham has an Outdoors Club and a Plant Club, there is no animal club on campus, representing a “gap in the market.” The Bird Watching Club, she explained, would provide students with education on different types of birds, and on rising concerns regarding their population status, as well as guidance on bird watching for students who are new to the activity.
The club would offer its members excursions to the Bronx Botanical Gardens, Central Park, Prospect Park and other places to view birds. Shivers said the club would also expand beyond its members to do outreach events, such as bird trivia, bird seed making, birdhouse making and more. USG then moved on to discussing budget requests.
There was a request from Senator Joseph Onorato, FCRH ’26, for the Student Experience Committee to purchase materials to enhance an art exhibit opened on March 29 on the second floor of the McShane Student Center.
Vice President of the Gabelli School of Business Hunter Gholson, GSB ’26, submitted a request to purchase food for the upcoming GSB Year in Review Dinner.
USG’s Vice President of Sustainability Ayden Johnson, FCRH ’27, requested funding for paint for a shell-painting event on April 20 and for prizes for an Earth Week trivia event on April 21.
Vice President of Facilities and Dining Madeline Ando, FCRH ’27, submitted a request for candy and cat stickers for an upcoming community tabling event.
There was also a request from USG Vice President of Fordham College at Rose Hill Mary Hawthorn, FCRH ’26, for a prize wheel for an upcoming community tabling event.
Before USG voted on the budget requests, Senator Regan Healy, FCRH ’28, presented a proposal from the Menstrual Products Commission to provide menstrual products in all residence halls. Healy explained that Fordham is a predominantly female community and that menstrual products are a health necessity, not a luxury good, that should be available to everyone.
Regarding the specifics, she said the menstrual products would be in residence hall laundry rooms and would be restocked weekly by Campus Operations. Healy said the cost of the first round of products, which would last for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year, would be $3,000 and split between USG, the Residence Hall Association and the Office of Residential Life.
USG then voted on the budget requests, the Fordham Birdwatching club and the Menstrual Product Commission’s proposal. All requests passed unanimously.
During USG updates, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Laila Sayegh, FCRH ’27, said that her committee is currently conducting an accessibility audit of on-campus buildings to gauge areas for improvement to accessibility.
Senator Katelyn Martins, FCRH ’27, discussed updates to the Governing Documents Commission review. She explained that they are trying to change the election policy to allow USG members to individually endorse candidates. She specified that the executive ticket would not be permitted to endorse anyone and executive board members would not be permitted to endorse a candidate for their position. After deliberation among USG members, they found that there was confusion regarding what constitutes endorsement: some members questioned whether reposts on social media were considered endorsement. Martins said she would clarify the terminology in the document.
Executive President Lucas Hjertberg, FCRH ’26, then discussed the upcoming USG elections. He said there will be four information sessions for prospective candidates before April 10, when signature forms are due. Hjertberg said that Meet the Candidates for the e-board and senate positions will be on April 17. Hjerberg also reminded everyone that The Walk would take place on March 28.
Then they moved on to the e-board report. Vice President of Budget and Finance Peter Grimes, FCRH ’25, announced that they received an additional $17,000 from the Office of Student Involvement the week prior. Executive Vice President Andrew McDonald, FCRH ’26, asked Grimes if there were any interesting budget requests, to which Grimes said the Mischief Managed club requested $15 for a Tri-Wizard Tournament.
Vice President of Student Life and Experience Luc Angus, FCRH ’26, said the ceremony for the new faculty community award went well and that the family of the late professor Olson Saez — who the award is honoring — spoke at the event.
Gholson announced that Fordham will be piloting a course to train Gabelli seniors on artificial intelligence. He also said that the Outreach Committee’s Spring Market would be happening on April 27.
Johnson said his committee is gearing up for Earth Week and that they will be having events and activities throughout the week of April 19-25.
Sayegh said that her committee is getting ready for Bronx Appreciation Week, which will take place from April 13-18 and will involve events throughout the week.
Senator Henry Carstens, GSB ’29, said that he was happy with the outcome of USG’s State of the Students Town Hall they received for the Contraceptive Policy Commission’s proposal to amend the university’s current policy on contraception.
