Executive President John Tully Gordon, FCRH ’10, and Executive Vice President Michael Recca, CBA ’10, have already begun to implement their campaign promise of more transparency for United Student Government.
At the meeting on April 23, while discussing the appointment of a new student-director of athletics, the Senate did not close the meeting to the public, a subtle but important change from previous years. During the 2008-2009 Senate, discussions of personnel and budgets were routinely closed, a practice Gordon, Recca and several other newly elected members vowed to change in their campaigns.
“In an effort to make this the most transparent USG ever, we set a precedent not to close meetings.
The Senate was seeking to fill the newly created athletics position, which will promote better relations between students, student-athletes and athletic administrators. Former Commuting Students Association President Vladimir Cruz, FCRH ’10, and Sixth Man Club President and track athlete John Korevec, FCRH ’10, put themselves forward for the role.
Cruz, in a short speech to the Senate, stressed his experience working for the athletics department and his three years working with guest services for the New York Mets. He said it would be essential for the USG director of athletics to get freshmen involved and attending games.
“We need to focus on the freshmen and build school spirit with that class,” Cruz said. “If we start at the beginning, we can have success.”
Korevec said his position with Sixth Man Club and simultaneous role as a student-athlete gave him a unique perspective, one that helped him understand both student and athlete desires and expectations.
“We need to create a culture where athletics is a campus event,” Korevec said. “On Friday night, you go to the game before you go out.”
He talked about how in the Milwaukee airport (he is from Wisconsin), there is a massive poster advertising Marquette University, another Jesuit school. On the advertisement are pictures of Jesuit priests, the campus and of basketball.
“Sports has to become part of Fordham’s identity, too,” he said.
After a short discussion, the Senate voted to appoint Korevec as the new director of athletics. Senators cited his passion for athletics – Korevec attends nearly every football and basketball game and makes his presence felt - and his ability to give an athlete’s perspective.
USG also appointed Brendan O’Morchoe, FCRH ’11, as the new chief justice of the USG Court. O’Morchoe has been given the initial task of helping to form the court’s role within student government, as it has been dormant for years. Basic rules for when terms end and begin, in addition to larger issues like when the Court should become involved must be ironed out.
Abraham Mercado, former vice president of FCRH ’12, was appointed as senate parliamentarian, charged with ensuring that the Senate follows proper procedure.
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