Fordham’s United Student Government (USG) met to hear from Campus Ministry and the Fordham University Substance Abuse Prevention and Support Program on Feb. 13.
Tatiana Nolen Matos, interim assistant director for Residential Life for Mental Health and Prevention, began the presentation with a short speech about what services Substance Abuse Prevention and Support at Rose Hill offers. The office works with all campus partners and is a “one-stop shop” for any student who needs help with housing, food, mental health or substance abuse. Nolen Matos noted that students should be referred to her office for all concerns listed above as she can quickly and effectively line up resources for each need.
Gil Severiano, director of Campus Ministry Operations, Budget and Community Engagement, discussed meal swipe donations with the United Student Government (USG). Guest meal swipes can be donated to students who are experiencing food insecurity. Severiano shared that around 20 students have come in this month, but the program has been unable to help due to a lack of donations.
The amount of help provided is dependent on the donations, so Severiano urges students who don’t use their guest swipes to donate them. Guest swipes can be donated using a form in the bio of the Campus Ministry’s Facebook page.
Severiano also spoke about how Fordham can help students in relation to recent developments involving the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They said that Campus Ministry is a resource for students who want more information on the current situation, and that commuter tables and churches have red cards with what to do when approached by an ICE agent, as well as papers for students whose families are in need of assistance. Papers and red cards are in Spanish and English, and the red cards include a section in English that can be torn off and handed to an ICE agent.
Marshall Becket, GSB ’26 and Michael Sangillo, GSB ’26, presented their new club proposal for the Martial Arts club. The purpose of this club would be to build a fun environment of like-minded individuals and promote active lifestyles through teaching Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. The club would focus on introductory moves and cardio, meaning it would be an open, fun and safe learning environment for any student, regardless of experience.
According to Becket and Sangillo, the club would meet twice a week with a rotating schedule between Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. The two meetings would be an introduction class and a drilling class (for those who have completed the introduction classes). The club plans to meet in the Fordham Prep wrestling gym, and hopes to also include Bronx Martial Arts instructor sessions and UFC Fight Night watch parties as some of their events.
When asked about how much money they would need for equipment, Sangillo shared that currently they have ten sets of Muay Thai pads and would like to double that amount. As they have also already raised an unspecified amount of money themselves, the club is only asking for $750 as of right now. A big concern voiced by numerous members of USG was a lack of continued interest after Becket and Sangillo graduate. Sangillo assured USG that as they already have around 50 people interested in their club, they would be able to pass on the club to future Rams.
Due to Dean McGlade’s absence, a full advisor report was unable to be given. In her place, Arielle Duran, Assistant Director for Leadership and Commuter Student Services, shared that there will be a Student Life Council (SLC) meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
Vice President of Operations Megan Ruzicka, FCRH ’27, noted that the Operations subcommittee reviewed six clubs with three tabled, one rejected and two approved. Club packets will open this week and close March 12.
Vice President of FCRH Emma Blake, FCRH ’25, reported on the potential of an academic fair for underclassmen who haven’t declared their major yet, as suggested by the FCRH subcommittee’s vice chair. Blake also noted that Study Abroad is doing a panel on March 6 at 1 p.m. and is looking for students to speak on their experiences.
Vice President of Facilities and Dining Mike Rodriguez, FCRH ’27, shared that the reason behind the Campbell Hall classrooms reportedly smelling bad was due to the syrup pipes for Coke in the Così soda machine rotting. Rodriguez claims that the issue has been resolved and that the smell should be gone. Rodriguez also reported that the mold issues in O’Hare Hall are being solved as well, and that the current tests show no mold in the air.
Senator Sarah Bayas, GSB ’28, noted that she met with Dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill Maura Mast to discuss the addition to course evaluations of student feedback on how well a professor accommodates their needs according to the Office of Disability Services (ODS). As ODS has its own survey, Mast suggested proposing amendments to the current survey.
During the open floor period, Maddie Ando, FCRH ’27, brought up a concern regarding the potential change in USG bylaws restricting students eligible to run for the executive ticket to former members of USG. Ando shared that she, among other students, felt this change to be undemocratic. Executive Vice President Ava Cascella, FCRH ’26, assured her that each bylaw change is discussed and approved by not only USG but the deans as well.
