USG Freshman Candidate Disqualified for Breaking the Rules; Two New USG Freshman Senators Elected

George Meresidis, FCLC '04, was disqualified from the USG Freshman Senate race for campaigning as students voted. Shannon Chang, FCLC '04 and Stephanie Ruiz, FCLC '04 won the election on October 11.

Meresidis, who received 33 votes, would have finished in third place, losing the election anyway. Sophomore Senator Rory O’Neill, FCLC '03, told USG that she saw Meresidis campaigning on the Plaza the day of the election, which is prohibited according to USG rules. O’Neill said she told Meresidis at that time that his actions were not appropriate. In response, Meresidis laughed and walked away saying, ‘I know, but I don’t care,’ according to O'Neill. Meresidis declined to comment.

Following the election, both the full USG and its Election Committee voted that Meresidis be disqualified from the election entirely.

Melissa Matesic, FCLC '01, President of USG, feels that the two students who were elected appear to have strong leadership qualities and seem dedicated to the job. "They have been to all of the USG meetings this year and look like they are ready to take on the responsibility of representing their class," said Matesic.

"If you have a beef with the school, I will take it and put it on the table," Chang said. Ruiz said she was excited to be elected and wants to "represent the students to the best of her ability."

Ruiz and Chang said they feel strongly about the debates over the proposed gay rights club and the pro-choice club, both of which Ruiz and Chang said they want to be approved.

"[Having to give] tuition money to [fund] a club that’s not your belief without allowing the alternative belief to have a club is just not fair," Chang said. Ruiz also said she would like to see the clubs pass, but she feels "a compromise is necessary between administration and the clubs' supporters."

Chang said she decided to run for the position because she felt that USG was a group that was unlike her high school’s student government. Rather than a flashy popularity contest, she feels Fordham’s USG has a purpose. "I really liked the dynamics of the group. They have great respect for other people and their opinions." Chang describes herself as "very liberal and very independent," and she decided to run for USG in order to "get out there and meet everyone and be their vehicle to get things they want done."

Chang said she has felt a little excluded as a commuter and plans to work hard to make activities more accessible to commuting students. "It’s hard to be integrated in the [Fordham] community [as a commuter]," Chang said. One of her goals is to see through with USG's plans for a new commuter student lounge. Chang is an active Commuting Students Association member.

"I want to build a bridge to unite commuters and residents. "Commuters do get active, it all depends on the person." Ruiz said. "Just because they don’t live together doesn’t mean they can’t get along." Ruiz said she is looking to schedule certain activities at more suitable hours for everyone.