Published on December 6, 2000 on www.FCLCobserver.com
What Have They Done for us Lately?
A look back at the semester that was for USG
By Mike Robbins
"So, is GALA a club yet or what?" "Where in the world is the student
directory?" "There’s money on my ID card, what’s that all about?"
Students have asked these and other questions of USG this semester. Melissa
Matesic and Matt MacIntyre, President and Vice President of USG, have given
their insight into some of these issues and more.
Student Directory
Rose Hill has about 1500 more students than Lincoln Center, right? I thought
so. I wonder how come the Hill’s student directory can be put out sooner than
ours? Melissa Matesic says that the student directory was finished in the
beginning of September but USG had a problem with the printing company. "We did
make multiple meetings with the printer but he constantly never met with us, so
now we’re looking for a new printer and it will definitely be out by January,"
she said.
Computer Lab & Library Hours During Finals
A 24-hour computer lab? What are we, a traditional college now? Well,
don’t look now, but it appears that starting on January 15, 2001, the computer
lab will be open 24 hours a day. A swipe card system is scheduled to be in place
by then to give students access whenever they want.
That date is after finals, so what about this semester?
While it is still uncertain that the hours are going to change for finals,
they will change for the library. VP of Facilities, Charles Hodulik, told
Matesic that the hours "will mirror Rose Hills." If that's the case, it would be
open until 1 a.m.
The Plaza
Besides Central Park, FCLC has one of the biggest patches of grass on the
Upper West Side and it’s all ours! So, how come security sometimes yells at us
when we try to go and play on it? What can and can’t be done on the plaza and
when can these things be done?
MacIntyre met with Vice President, Charles Hodulik, to set guidelines for
students and security guards so that everyone is on the same page. "The exact
hours will be posted. Basically they are from dawn until dusk," says MacIntyre.
The plaza includes the entire area including that green stuff, called grass,
that can be played upon. Playing frisbee, having a catch, things that
aren’t detrimental to the grass’ health can be acceptable. Blankets, however,
are not permitted. So, I guess I can’t petition for a bocce ball court then,
eh?
Money on ID Cards & Printing Costs
As a result of the printing costs enforced in the computer labs starting last
year, USG pushed for $15 dollars to be put on the ID card of each student and
got it. This year, V.P. Hodulik also agreed with USG to put an extra $5 on cards
for students who needed it for the 2001 spring semester.
"This money is for copies in the library and in the computer lab," said
MacIntyre. "Between the original $15 and the extra $5 for next semester, that is
a total of 200 free copies that students can use."
Some of these copy machines in the library are five and 10 cents -- so what’s
up with that? According to Matesic, Hodulik said it is being looked at to make
them both uniform prices. Thank the Lord!
The Status of GALA
The only news story that has dragged on longer than the Florida recount is
the issue over whether or not GALA is going to be a club. Melissa Matesic said
that the proposed club, GALA (Gay and Lesbian Association), was discussed at a
recent FCLC College Council, which is a meeting of all of the heads of
departments, three student representatives, three USG members and the chair of
the Council, Dean of Lincoln Center, Rev. Robert Grimes, S.J.
Of that meeting, Matesic said, "The FCLC College Council strongly supports
GALA and urges the administration to approve it."
Now, this backing is beneficial for the clubs hopes, but it does not
guarantee the club’s passing. Dean of Students, Mary Jane Conlon-Reilly, has the
constitution and if she approves it, it will go to USG to be voted on for club
status.
USG Web site
According to USG Secretary, Mitch Malnati, FCLC ’03, a finished Web site is
expected to be up around the beginning of next semester. Its progress can be
found at http://go.to/usglc. It has polls,
activity listings, minutes from previous meetings, a message board and all
pertinent info about USG and its operations.
Overall
Melissa Matesic and Matt MacIntyre both feel similarly when it comes to doing
what the student body asks of them. MacIntyre says, "You may not always see the
results from what we do but we are the voice of students at meetings with the
Board of Trustees or the college council. We have a voice at meetings that
decide on changes in the curriculum or courses in general. Many times what we do
can't be seen but it doesn't mean we are not working our hardest to make Fordham
as enjoyable to the students as it can be."
Matesic similarly adds that some of "this stuff all takes time, so we may not
see [the results] until later, but that’s out of our hands. Some students feel
that we’re not doing anything, but we do a lot and I invite and encourage those
people to attend our meetings and see what we do."
If you have any questions or comments you'd like to direct to USG, there are
a few ways to contact them:
E-mail: usglc@fordham.edu
Phone: x6261
Instant Messenger: usglc
USG meetings are held on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. on the student side of the
cafeteria.
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