Tyler Raciti

Tyler Raciti

Senator

Fordham College Rose Hill, Class of 2021

Major: International Political Economy 

Committees: N/A

Clubs: Editor-in-Chief, Fordham Undergraduate Law Review; Committee Member, Diversity Action Coalition; University Ambassador, Rose Hill Society; Columnist, Fordham Political Review; Contributing Writer, The Fordham Ram

Why did you join USG?

As a first-generation LGBTQ+ transfer student, I was keenly aware that being elected as the FCRH Class of 2021 Senator on the United Student Government would grant me the unique opportunity to serve our incoming junior class, particularly those facing similar uphill battles or lacking of resources and opportunities. I hope that my identity, along with my previous leadership experience, will culminate a successful line of events and activities, along with resources and available lines of communication for at-risk demographics, such as the LGBTQ+ community and those suffering from mental health illnesses.

Before I transferred to Fordham University, I served as the Freshman President of the Student Government Association of Pace University in NYC. I implemented eco-friendly initiatives that ended up saving the University $35,000 a year. I also founded and chaired the Mental Health Advisory Committee. Additionally, I founded the nonprofit organization PRO-NEO: The Overdose Reduction Group in part to help mandate Narcan, an antidote for opioid overdoses, in New York State high schools. After drafting state legislation and meeting tirelessly with elected officials, the bill entered into the Senate Education Committee in September of 2017. This experience opened the pathway to run for elected office, becoming one of the youngest candidates to run at-large in New York State. I was a candidate for the Board of Education for the Locust Valley Central School District. As for on campus experience, I am the Editor-in-Chief of the Fordham Undergraduate Law Review and a University Ambassador in the Rose Hill Society. Outside of Fordham, I am a member of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce, where I serve as a board member on the Young Leadership Network.

I consider that my background in nonprofit leadership and student government, as well as my proven track record in various other organizations, make me a qualified candidate to carry out and excel at the duties required to be your USG Senator of the FCRH Junior Class.

What are you hoping to accomplish this year?

As a Junior Class Senator of FCRH, I will increase both the discussions and resources for mental health services and related-issues at Fordham University, specifically for at-risk minorities within the Junior class. In example, let us look at depression among our own demographic. Approximately 8% of college students in New York City in 2016 suffer from depression. Moreover, the prevalence of depression was higher in the Bronx (12%) in comparison with Manhattan (7%) and Brooklyn (8%). I will work with Jeffrey Ng, PsyD, the Director of the Counseling and Psychological Services, to stimulate a partnership between USG and CPS to provide a “liaison-like” link between students and their University’s mental health services. To work on not only helping CPS with related USG mental health-related objectives, but to improve the overall mental health in all possible aspects at the Rose Hill campus.

Additionally, I will work alongside the Vice President of Sustainability and become a board member of the USG Sustainability Committee to help make Fordham University more economically efficient as well as more sustainable. I will examine the implementation of motion sensor lights in certain high-electricity buildings to reduce the consumption of electricity, and look to propose faucet aerators to reduce the consumption of water. By reducing these bills, the monetary savings of the University can be better apportioned to other services. Before I had transferred to Fordham University, I was the Vice President of Pace University’s Pace Sustainability Initiative (PSI). I had worked with the University administration to implement eco-friendly initiatives such as making bathroom faucets more water efficient. This simple plan saved the University 5,073,502 to 7,610,254 gallons of water annually and removes 22 tons of carbon from the atmosphere while also saving the University $35,000 annually. I look to take these skills and apply them to Fordham University to help make our University more sustainable and economically efficient.

Lastly, I am determined to prioritize inclusivity and diversity to better suit our community and to improve Fordham’s retention rate and national ranking. Minorities are at a higher risk of dropping out or transferring from college. Providing much-needed resources to minority students will aid Fordham’s administrative and student government goal of reaching the “Ivy League” student retention rate of above 91%. Lastly, resources geared towards minority individuals foster community growth and can lead to a positive experience for our future alumni and potential donors.

Where are you originally from?

Long Island, New York