Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC)’s United Student Government (USG) conducted its first general meeting on Sept. 8, welcoming new and returning members to discuss issues that students want to develop on campus. The committee addressed various topics ranging from their plans for Fordham identity and an eco-friendly campus to overhauling its website.

Last year, USG encouraged the Office of Enrollment and Financial Services to setup a glass encasement outside its office. They also raised money for the Japan relief after the earthquake, implemented free water in the cafeteria and replaced Freshens with Red Mango. This year, they have new ambitions.

According to Rebecca Nicoletti, FCLC ’13, and member of USG, one of USG’s main focuses this year is changing FCLC’s identity. She said that her biggest complaint is the lack of Fordham identification at Lincoln Center. “FCLC needs an actual identity. It’s just a building to me, not a real campus,” Nicoletti said. Her suggestion is to either put up more banners or utilize better color schemes.

Ryan O’Toole, FCLC ’12 and president of USG, shares the same thoughts. He said that the empty concrete walls on campus need to change in order for Lincoln Center to feel more like a Fordham campus. “The campus should be alive, not empty,” he said. “Why not just put up some of the student’s artwork on it? We don’t want them to be blank empty walls.”

According to O’Toole, USG works closely with the school’s administration to improve the quality of student life. Having a say in student affairs means USG deals with social events on campus like the Christmas tree lighting and the annual Winter Ball in the spring semester. USG also provides students with discounts to local businesses around Lincoln Center such as Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, J. Crew’ and many more.

Another improvement USG is working on is becoming more eco-conscious. O’Toole said that a concern of his “is achieving sustainability and being Eco-conscious; that means using trash cans whenever possible and not wasting energy.”

In terms of sustainability, Ben Schaub, a member of the Environmental Club and sophomore senator of USG, said that he strives to educate others on conserving energy. He said that USG hopes to start an efficient take on waste management in the near future. “It’s tangible, but also experiential,” he said. “We need to make the system sustainable before we can do anything long term.” In addition, USG plans to establish trash receptacles with better models, install new motion sensors in bathrooms, and administer bio-degradable take-away containers.

Beyond these campus initiatives, USG is also working online to increase the traffic to their website. O’ Toole said that recent surveys concluded that its website was too mundane. In an effort to be tech savvy, USG is now making attempts to revamp its website in hopes of becoming resourceful and accessible to everyone.

On Sept. 20, USG congratulated Louise Lingat, Paolo Perez and Sandy Yang, all FCLC ’15, as this year’s freshmen senators; Hannah Yoon, FCLC ’13, secretary; Matthew Ortiz, FCLC ’12, as vice president of student affairsand Caitlin Docherty and Cricket Beeson, both FCLC ’12, senior senators.  Currently, a senior senator position is still open. USG holds weekly meetings every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. in room LL512.