Opinions
FORDHAM HAS HAD 32 WHITE MALE PRESIDENTS, BUT THE NEXT SHOULDN’T BE
W
Fordham’s next president should be someone who will advocate for students and accommodate largely progressive interests. Since the university has repeatedly expressed interest in addressing institutional racism, electing a person of color and/or a woman will be proof of this commitment. Fordham’s undergraduate population is 65% female, but there has yet to be a female president. If elected, the potential female president would not be a Jesuit priest, as priests must be male. However, one could still practice Jesuit values. To be a person for others is a central Fordham tenet, regardless of gender. Over the last decade,
The university should hire a president who represents the student population. Fordham has sought to diversify its upper leadership, hiring women, people of color and others who identify as members of minority groups. One of the biggest changes occurred in 2015 when Fordham hired four new deans, three of whom were women: Eva Badowska at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Maura Mast at Fordham College at Rose Hill, and Virginia Roach at the Graduate School of Education (who stepped down in 2020 to
November 10, 2021 THE OBSERVER
Observer the
STAFF EDITORIAL
ith the resignation of current Fordham University President Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., the presidential transition has begun with the assembly of a search committee consisting of trustees, faculty, staff and current students. Fordham has also been hosting virtual town halls to gather the community’s input. The committee will present its front-running candidates to the Board of Trustees in early 2022 and announce its final choice in the spring of 2022. Despite this show of inclusivity, students are concerned that Fordham’s next president will not embody the community’s values nor identities. Fordham has many policies that differ from the values of the student body, like limiting overnight guests based on sex, unlike other Jesuit universities. The 2020-21 academic year was the first with gender-inclusive housing options at Lincoln Center, only provided after five years of advocacy by students. Fordham’s administration has previously ignored petitions by students demanding more concrete actions to address racial inequity, such as cutting university ties with its food service Aramark and unpacking Public Safety’s involvement with the NYPD. It is important for our administration to listen to the student body when petitioned.
Opinions Editors Clara Gerlach Ava Peabody opinions@fordhamobserver.com
pursue other opportunities). Mica McKnight became the Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) assistant dean for sophomores in 2017 and served in that position until just last month. Laura Auricchio followed suit, becoming the FCLC dean in 2019. Also at Lincoln Center, Tracyann Williams was appointed to the recently added position of assistant dean for Student Support and Success. Since then, Fordham leaders have continued to diversify the administration with special attention to race, particularly after the intensification of anti-racism efforts in 2020. Three months ago, José Luis Alvarado became the dean at the Graduate School of Education and Jenifer Campbell was promoted to dean of students at Lincoln Center. Efforts to include more people of color in administrative positions should extend to the selection of Fordham’s next president. Doing so would further diversify the management of this institution and better reflect the makeup of the student body. If the university wants to progress along with the students they admit, they should hire a president who represents the student population. Fordham students have a voice that deserves to be heard at the highest level and a president who resembles them.
Feature Photo: Public Cuteness Advisory
Camera-friendly, Rose Hill’s feral cats are adorable (even if scared of, and aggressive towards, humans).
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