Issue 8

Observer the

AUGUST 27, 2017 VOLUME XXXVIII, ISSUE 8

www.fordhamobserver.com

By COLIN SHEELEY News Editor

“The Board needs to communicate more with the faculty,” Andrew Clark, Ph.D., vice president of the Faculty Senate spoke through a patchy sputter of cell phone reception. “Communicate” was what it sounded like he said. Clark had been an important figure over last year’s faculty health care negotiations; he chaired the Faculty Salary and Benefits Committee, helped organize a silent protest of University Statute violations in February, and later gave a speech in front of a bandaged and crippled crowd of professors who had gathered to stage a “sick-in” rally on the Fordham Lincoln Center Plaza where they voted in an overwhelming statement of “no confidence” in University President Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J. At that moment, he was speaking about the future.

Clark was, of course, only glancing at a portion of the issues Fordham faces in this year ahead. Over the course of his 15 years at the university, he said that he had come to notice a systematic effort on behalf of the university administration to hinder, dissuade and contain the voices and demands of students and faculty in the protection of their own interests. As to what interests Father McShane and the Board of Trustees have, he could only speculate. “Decisions seem to be driven by financial concerns,” Clark said, but there’s no way of knowing until members of the Board express “true transparency.”

Bob Howe, Assistant Vice President of Communications conceded on this point. “We are going to keep people more abreast. You will notice this coming year that the university will be communicating more frequently.” How this new communication would look, Howe could only say so much, but noted that soon, for instance, faculty and

State of the Instituion: Free Speech at Fordham

By STEPHAN KOZUB News Editor

SIMON GIBBS/THE OBSERVER

Following myriad contentious situations, students and faculty question the university’s responsiveness.

staff will start receiving emails and written information about the new health insurance plan.

This was as far as Howe was able to agree, however. In every other respect, it was a matter of diametric opposition. In circles, the vice presidents exchanged remarks–Clark claiming the university has shut the door on the grievances of professors and students, Howe parrying: “Certainly, the administration listens.” Clark arguing that censorship in the inaccessibility of the Fordham alumni network, Howe

arguing that contacting alumni is a large part of his job.

The contradictions extended through others’ experiences as well. Sofia Dadap, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’18, recalled more explicit occasions of free speech transgression. She remembered an October 2016 incident where a Women’s Empowerment counter-protest was visually intercepted by Public Safety vans during a Rose Hill film showing by Respect for Life. Howe had no recollection of the incident, but noted

that “it is not unusual for the police to put themselves between protesters, for obvious reasons.”

The striking division between perspectives amongst the populations at Fordham University points to a larger epidemic of miscommunication between parties. Much like speaking through a spotty phone line, messages and intentions are broken up and misinterpreted.

Keith Eldredge, dean of students at Fordham Lincoln Center, see FREE SPEECH pg. 3

Despite Deal, Tensions Around Salary and Benefits Remain

By STEPHAN KOZUB News Editor

Amidst criticism from members of the Faculty Senate over a lack of transparency, the Board of Trustees has launched an effort to release information regarding the faculty salary and benefits negotiations which took place during the 2016-17 academic year. A July 11 statement regarding the efforts from Robert Daleo, Chair of the Board of Trustees, however, has done little to ease tensions between members of the Faculty Senate and the university administration.

“With the benefit of hindsight, we realize now that providing clear, detailed and timely information to the Fordham community at large would have made a complex process go more smoothly and lessened the anxiety of those who were not part of the negotiation process, yet going to be affected by the outcome,” Robert Daleo, chair of the Board of Trustees, said in an email statement to The Observer.

In the statement, the Board of Trustees demonstrates its continued support for University President Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., and stands by the faculty salary and benefits deal reached on May 12, following the faculty’s April 19 vote of no confidence in McShane’s leadership. Faculty Senate members such as Vice President Andrew H. Clark,

Is Fordham Too Tuition Dependent?

Ph.D., however, continue to criticize the deal and the way in which the Board of Trustees manages the university’s finances, arguing that Fordham is too tuition dependent and is not taking the proper steps to meet the goals for increasing the endowment that it set for itself.

“I don’t think it’s a success,” he said. “It’s a crisis. And every year it creates panic situations that there’s not enough money to run the institution.”

Daleo refutes these claims, standing by the deal and citing the endowment’s return on investment.

He does state, however, that the deal will affect other areas of the university’s finances.

“Other areas of the budget are unavoidably affected, because no separate pool of funds exists that we could draw from to pay for salary, health insurance, and other benefits,” Daleo said in an email statement to The Observer. “Some administrative departments have already been asked to trim their budgets in the current fiscal year.”

While Daleo’s new statement provides further information on the deal, both his July 11 statement and Clark’s response largely echo the arguments they respectively presented for and against the deal during the Spring 2017 semester before it had been agreed upon by the Faculty Senate. On April 24, Daleo issued a statement to the Fordham com-

“ It’s a crisis. And

every year it creates panic situations that there’s not enough money to run the institution.”

ANDREW H. CLARK, PH.D.

Vice President, Faculty Senate

munity, updating its members on the status of the salary and benefits negotiations. Clark and the Faculty Senate responded with a lengthy counter-statement later the same day, refuting many of Daleo’s arguments.

A new commitment to transparency In his July 11 email to the Fordham Community, Daleo states that the Board will share “detailed information on the health insurance plans on the web, through email and printed materials, and during inperson information meetings.”

The decision to release this information was motivated by McShane, according to an email statement Daleo sent to The Observer.

McShane has “committed to better ways of communicating with the University community, including resuming Budget Forums in the coming year,” and is “actively exploring ways in which to most effectively accomplish that,” Daleo said in the statement. Among the possibilities under consideration are “live or virtual town halls,” “dialogue via social media channels,” and “open office afternoons.”

These efforts would be “not just for [McShane], but for other members of the administration,” he said.

“Father McShane believes it is as important to listen as it is to inform.”

During the past academic year, the Faculty Senate and Clark repeatedly criticized the Board for a lack of transparency, with Clark still arguing that there is a “non-transparent, top down style of authority that is eroding shared governance with respect to faculty and students.” He cited the adjunct faculty’s push to unionize and the university’s handling of Students for Justice in Palestine as other examples of the phenomenon.

In describing the university’s efforts to increase transparency, Daleo

THE STUDENT VOICE OF FORDHAM LINCOLN CENTER

Fordham being an expensive school is not a groundbreaking observation. With tuition at $49,645, and approximately 90 percent of undergraduates relying on some form of university-funded financial aid, most students here either do not or cannot pay the full price to attend.

But how do those tuition dollars and the volume of financial aid being given to students affect the university’s finances?

On July 11, Robert Daleo, chair of the Board of Trustees, released new information on the May 12 faculty salary and benefits deal.

In the statement, he provides the financial aid statistic, and states that because 92 percent of Fordham’s revenue comes from tuition and student fees and 63 percent of Fordham’s expenditures are in salary and benefits, the university’s ability to provide financial aid and compensate faculty and staff are “inextricably linked.”

Fordham’s dependency on tuition was highlighted in the Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s 2016 report to the university, which stated that Fordham had to resolve issues with financial resources. Over the past year, this situation has become a focal point in discussions regarding the university’s financial situation, a statistic used to make arguments on both sides of the salary and benefits negotiations.

While he acknowledges this situation exists, Andrew Clark, Ph.D., vice president of the Faculty Senate, argues that this situation only exists because Fordham is “too tuition dependent.”

“We understand this is the case, but to use this argument points to issues of leadership because since Fordham President Rev. Joseph M. McShane S.J. became University President in 2004, this hasn’t significantly changed,” Clark said.

That’s not to say that McShane see TUITION pg. 5

OPINONS

What to Expect Will Fordham change?

PAGE 7 ARTS & CULTURE

FCLC at Cannes Juniors make successful film.

PAGE 11 FEATURES

Building a Bridge

Fr. Martin comes to Fordham.

PAGE 14 SPORTS & HEALTH

Renovations

Rose Hill gym gets a makeover. see SALARY pg. 2

PAGE 16

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AUGUST 27, 2017 THE OBSERVER

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The Road to Compromise Continues SALARY FROM PAGE 1

gives the example that faculty and staff have already begun receiving information via email and on the web regarding health insurance plans they will be able to choose when open enrollment opens in October. The new plans will take effect in January 2018. Among the details on the website are an FAQ and Medical Plan Changes and Options, with a price calculator coming “in the near future,” according to Daleo. He also states that the Benefits team will be available to answer any questions.

The details released this summer.

In the July 11 statement, Daleo provides information on both the agreed upon salary increase and changes to the health insurance plans.

The salary increase will be for 2.7 percent each year for the next three years, according to Daleo’s statement. Changes to the health insurance plan offerings have also been made, which include a new Enhanced Standard Plan, the Health Savings Account (HSA) Plan and the Bronze Plan for “non-benefits eligible employees.” In the statement, Daleo calls the salary increases “generous” and done because “the Board wished to acknowledge the important work done by the members of the staff and in the daily life of the University.”

Clark, however, refutes the generosity of the raises. Because of anticipated inflation—which economics believe will increase by about 2 percent this year—the increase in real salary comes out to only 0.7 percent, according to Clark. But this 0.7 percent increase in real salary will only go to 50 percent or less of the faculty since only those with merit receive the full salary increase. Merit is awarded to approximately 50 percent each year, according to Clark.

Merit is equal to about 0.6 percent of that 0.7 percent increase above the projected inflation.

With that number factored in, the real salary increase comes out only to about 0.1 percent for approximately 50 percent of the faculty, he continued. He also states that out-of-pocket expenses will go up significantly under the new health insurances plan if anyone actually uses the insurance.

Daleo noted an increase in expenses in his April 24 statement, saying that the plan would “still offer our staff and faculty excellent coverage, but would increase some co-pays and deductibles.” He added, however, that “Under the plan, faculty and staff would also see lower monthly premiums deducted from their pay.”

The university has stood by the deal in the months following the agreement. “As it is, Fordham’s new health insurance plan, which will begin Jan. 1, 2018, still provides excellent benefits, and helps slow the

increase of health insurance costs to the university,” Bob Howe, assistant vice president for communications and special advisor to the president, told the National Catholic Reporter.

In the April 24 statement, Daleo noted that “Faculty and staff have received a salary increase every year under Father McShane’s tenure, at his insistence.”

In his new statement, Daleo continues that “Without intervention, it was estimated that Fordham’s health insurance costs would rise by 60 percent in the next three years-an unsustainable figure for both the University and its faculty and staff,” a claim the Board has repeatedly

“ If you can’t change

the size of the pie, the size of the other portions has to be adjusted.”

ROBERT DALEO

Chair, Board of Trustees

EMMA DIMARCO/THE OBSERVER

Students express their support for faculty members at a Rose Hill Campus protest.

presented during the past academic year and which Clark has refuted.

Daleo adds that “Similarly, the plan will help us begin to moderate tuition increases.” In his April 24 statement, Daleo noted “the Board of Trustees has already directed Father McShane to contain tuition increases.” Between 2001 and 2016, tuition and fees went up from $22,585 to $48,858, or by 59.53 percent adjusted for inflation.

How will the deal affect the university’s finances?

Following the deal, Daleo said that adjustments will have to be made in other areas of the university’s finances, but that no adjustments will be made until the university begins to prepare for the next budget. The coming year’s budget was adopted in June.

“Adopting a budget is a holistic process, so each allocation impacts all other allocations,” he said in an email statement to The Observer. “If you can’t change the size of the pie, the size of the other portions has to be adjusted. Of course, a pie could get bigger or smaller in any given year—fundraising, the economy, the stock market can all have an impact.

That’s a big reason why negotiating a multi-year agreement is such a complex process—we are locking in the size of the biggest piece—nearly

two-thirds—of the pie for three years, even though we can’t predict the future.”

He added that the Board is “obligated to err on the side of fiscal restraint” due to its members’ roles “as fiduciaries and stewards of Fordham’s financial health,” but noted that the members “understand why other members of the Fordham community may bring different viewpoints to the table.”

“Without knowing the size of pie we’ll have to work with, it’s not possible to say how the portion not committed to salaries and benefits will be allocated,” he said.

The AAUP Daleo continues in his statement that the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) survey “shows Fordham faculty compensation is higher than that of our five closest peer institutions and 10 local institutions. This is reflective of the fact that over the past 10 years, salaries have increased at an average annual rate of 3.2 percent, resulting in real purchasing power gains, versus a 1.8 percent annual inflation rate over the same period.”

Daleo, however, does not mention what the peer and local institutions are, but they may include the university’s Fordham lists as its peers in its 2016 Middle States self-

study: Boston University, George Washington University, Syracuse University, Villanova University, Northeastern University, and Loyola University Chicago.

“If you’re going to compare us, let us know whom you are comparing us to,” Clark said, adding that the university’s comparisons do not take into account the cost of living, a major cost in New York City, or housing stipends that faculty may receive at other universities. A majority of faculty are spending 50 percent or more of their salaries on housing, according to Clark.

Repairing Relations and New Goals While tensions may still be present between the Board of Trustees and the Faculty Senate, both parties are looking at other goals and tasks to accomplish in the coming year.

Daleo said that the Board’s major agenda items in the new academic year are “continuing to increase the size of the pie by developing alternate revenue streams and continuing the fundraising momentum” from the 2017 fiscal year, “repairing relations among the faculty and administration,” and “fostering dialogue within the Fordham community at large.”

“With the negotiations behind us, our community can focus on

finding common ground, supporting one another, and building a solid framework to foster open, reciprocal communication,” Daleo said in an email statement to The Observer.

The Faculty Senate plans to continue tackling topics such as diversity, which it worked on prior to the protracted salary and benefits negotiations but put on hold due to the contentious nature of the process, according to Clark.

Clark, however, believes that improvements will only happen with “significant structural changes, such as the Provost being given more authority than the other Vice Presidents; more transparency in the budgeting process; and less tuition dependency.

“I am fighting for it because I think Fordham has always been a place where the parts are greater than the whole, and for me that’s a huge opportunity, but it’s also a huge loss if it’s lost,” Clark said. “There is not enough cohesiveness, and until those structural issues are addressed and there’s a greater sense of a shared purpose and a greater sense of a shared mission and respect for students and workers at every level, unless that happens, forming such a greater whole will be difficult to realize.”

Students Oppose Fordham’s Motion to Dismiss in SJP Legal Battle

By KATHERINE SMITH Asst. News Editor

The fight to grant club status to Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) has not ended, as several Fordham students who are engaged in an ongoing legal battle with the university have filed their opposition in response to the university’s June motion to dismiss their lawsuit.

The filing, occurring on July 10, is the latest move in a two-year battle for Fordham University to recognize SJP as an official club. After a year-long application process that garnered the support of the United Student Government (USG), Dean of Students Keith Eldredge denied the group club status after consulting with school officials, faculty, and students. In his email explaining his decision, Eldredge stated that the “complex” topic of the

Israeli-Palestinian conflict often leads to “polarization rather than dialogue,” and that “the purpose of the club as stated in the proposed club constitution points toward that polarization.”

Although the students provided a letter expressing their non-affiliation from the National Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Jeffrey L. Gray wrote on January 20 that the decision “was based on the fact that chapters of this organization have engaged in behavior on other college campuses that would violate this University’s student code of conduct.”

In the following months, the university brought disciplinary charges against plaintiff Sapphira Lurie, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) 17, as a result of an unsanctioned January 23 protest in support of SJP. After leaving due to the fact that she was not allowed to

have representation or a third individual attend her hearing, she was sanctioned. Additionally, over 100 Fordham faculty members signed a petition in support of granting SJP club status.

The students of SJP filed a lawsuit on April 26, represented by the Center for Constitutional Rights, Palestine Legal and cooperating counsel Alan Levine. In early June, the university made the decision to move to dismiss their lawsuit rather than establishing SJP as an official club at Fordham.

“Groups like the proposed SJP at Fordham play a vital role in helping to shift domestic public opinion away from uncritical support for Israeli policies,” Palestinian Legal stated in an official response to the university’s motion to dismiss.

“Fordham’s ban on SJP reflects a broader trend of growing hostility towards advocacy for Palestinian rights.”

On May 3, a group of Fordham alumni wrote an open letter to President Joseph McShane, Dean Eldredge and other officials at the university, stating their opposition to the decision to ban the SJP chapter at Fordham.

“We believe that by denying organizational status to Students for Justice in Palestine after the group was approved by the Fordham United Student Government (USG), then by singling out one student protesting this decision for disciplinary action, you contribute to the systemic silencing and punishing of students who choose to exercise their free speech to organize in support for the struggle for justice in Palestine,” the letter stated.

The letter also expressed concern for Fordham’s reputation, mentioning that Fordham is included in the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) 2017 ranking

of “The 10 Worst Colleges For Free Speech,” referencing a sentence that states that few universities are as “persistent and brazen” as Fordham University in imposing “viewpointdiscriminatory justifications for rejecting student groups’ applications to become officially recognized.”

In the letter’s conclusion, the alumni urge the university to reserve the “discriminatory denial of organizational status” to SJP. “The university should encourage, not repress, students as they engage in critical thinking and organizing on issues that compel their interest and enliven informed debate on campus,” the letter states.

“We therefore call upon you not to spend precious resources on a legal defense when you have the capacity and support to follow your own rules—and to support freedom of speech—without a Palestinian exception.”

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News

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Too Many Voices Leads to Lack of Communication FREE SPEECH FROM PAGE 1

acknowledged this growing issue.

“We need to make sure that folks are aware about how to go about voicing their frustrations,” said Eldredge. “I think all parties in a conversation need to be open to compromise.” Otherwise, we lose the signal and we dig in our heels.

Dadap believed this impasse all came to a head after a series of student actions in protest of Dean Eldredge’s veto on the formation of a Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter and the university’s opposition towards the unionization of adjunct faculty resulted in an altercation at the Cuniffe House last April where both sides claimed injury by the other.

An independent investigation concluded on June 15 that the Public Safety officers present at the incident refrained from using excessive force during the incident and acted in accordance with university rules.

Before that, in a May 19 email, Father McShane declared a reversal on his opposition to the unionization.

The email noted that his decision was an ethical one. “Though it may not always be as obvious as I’d like, I am sensitive to the concerns of the University community, and I deeply appreciate your input.

I would not have made this decision were it not the right thing to do, but in this case, popular opinion and the ethical choice were in harmony,” McShane wrote.

Both Clark and Dadap found that the letter did not give credit where it was due. Clark felt that McShane “gave no recognition to the students” who had nothing to gain outright from protesting. Dadap thought the letter was “fascinating because they’re trying to ignore all the bad press students were giving to the administration...It always happens that people just pretend

GEORGE HORIHAN/THE OBSERVER

Crowds gather outside of Fordham Lincoln Center Plaza to advocate for Students for Justice in Palestine.

they come to these decisions on their own,” Dadap said.

She believed that lending little to no acknowledgement to the activism of students was evidence of an authoritative leadership. Clark too, suspected that the administration functioned with “top-down authority.”

On the inside, however, Eldredge described a different world. “I don’t

think this is a place where decisions come from on high,” he said.

Eldredge and Howe argued that issues raised from within go through a much more democratic process than what might appear. “My experience is that every issue that has been raised–even minor issues get discussed,” Howe said. “Nobody I work with has any hesitation about sharing their point of view.”

That being said, if there was

a major divide between either of them and their bosses, it would be grounds for leaving. “If I personally disagreed with something...I would resign,” Howe said, adding, “I wouldn’t tell you anyway” if it were ever that serious.

Likewise, Eldredge, who could not think of a decision by the Board of Trustees or McShane with which he ever had a qualm, stated that he could not allow himself to work in

a place that did not consider the voices of its employees. “If I felt like I couldn’t share my opinions, or that my opinions didn’t matter, I’d leave,” Eldredge said.

Student protesters, on the other hand, come up against a completely different scenario. Howe was uncertain of the extent to which a student’s activism can affect real change in some of these decisions.

“It can,” he said. Fordham cannot do everything for every individual and, “it’s hard to know if the students in general are mobilized over an issue.” This, in addition to financial and logistical restraints, means there is only so much an administration can do in a year. Call it an “administrative bandwidth.”

“I would not say that it’s easy,” Eldredge said. He mentioned that students in the past have impacted administrative decisions such as the guest pass policy, and the educating the community on the reclamation of the word “queer.”

But students in general are difficult to marshal, according to Dadap. “It’s pretty easy not to care.

If these issues aren’t passed down, people will forget about it,” she said.

Apathy is a part of the culture at Fordham. She said she hears things from students like “You shouldn’t have come to a Catholic school and expected to change it.” Nevertheless, she is hoping for the small victories, like reforming the sexual health program for Orientation and securing trans-friendly housing.

Clark is also planning for the future. He returned to the vote of “no confidence” which registered almost 80 percent of tenure track faculty, 88 percent of whom supported the state. “That is a resounding ‘no confidence,’” Clark said. “The board has chosen to ignore that, but that feeling doesn’t go away.”

Where Hate Speech Begins

By KATHERINE SMITH Asst. News Editor

“Hate speech is protected. Hate crimes are not.”

Those were the words spoken

by Anti-Defamation League representative Frederick Lawrence at the hearing held by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in late July. The meeting, lasting three hours, focused on the growing controversy surrounding recent events involving freedom of speech on college campuses and provided a platform for many speakers at different ends of the debate.

Many of the problems discussed were ones that the Fordham community encountered as recently as last spring semester, where the question of where to draw the line between constitutionally protected speech and hateful rhetoric has yet to be answered.

The university has seen and spoken about several different incidents surrounding the issue within the past few years. In November 2012, the College Republicans at Rose Hill invited controversial commentator Ann Coulter as a guest speaker, resulting in concern and vocal opposition from the university community.

President Joseph McShane made a statement expressing his disappointment with the decision to invite her, saying that her rhetoric is “often hateful and needlessly provocative.”

President McShane also stated that “student groups are allowed, and encouraged, to invite speakers who represent diverse, and sometimes unpopular, points of view, in keeping with the canons of academic

ASEAH KHAN/THE OBSERVER

Hate speech is protected. Hate crimes are not.

freedom.” The College Republicans released a statement shortly after, stating that the “size and severity of the opposition” surprised the club and caused them to question their decision and eventually determine that “some of her comments do not represent the ideals of college Republicans, and are inconsistent with both our organization’s mission and the university’s.”

Florida Representative Val Demings mentioned speakers like Ann Coulter at the hearing, saying that the problem is not with her, but with

the “increase in white supremacist hate groups on campuses, the targeting and harassment of students because of their race, religion, gender, and sexual identity.”

Demings went on to cite a report from the Anti-Defamation League that found 159 separate incidents of racist fliers and stickers throughout the 2016-2017 school year. She used the statistics provided to support her overall message, that while free speech should be protected, the real problem is “criminal acts wrapped in banners of free speech.”

Fordham has also seen incidents similar to the national incidents described by Demings on both campuses over the past few years.

In April 2017, a Rose Hill student reported to Public Safety that she found a message expressing support for “white power” carved into her desk. In March 2016, a student found a backwards swastika drawn in the 10th floor garbage room of McMahon Residential Hall at Lincoln Center. In September 2015, a black Rose Hill student found a racial slur carved into the door of their dorm room.

The situations that occurred elicited different reactions from the students and faculty. Many Fordham students online expressed their outrage at the 2015 incident, including Fordham’s Black Student Alliance at Lincoln Center, who called it a “hate crime against one’s racial identity.” There was also controversy surrounding the decision by the university to refer to the events as a “bias” incident rather than a hate crime. Bob Howe, senior director of communications and special advisor to the President, stated that the term “bias” was not used because the university wants to “go easy” on whoever the suspected writer was, but to avoid being accused of being biased or prejudiced before the person accused could have a chance to defend themselves.

Many students spoke of the hate crime in regard to feeling safe on campus. “I think a variety of opinions are good, but all student’s safety must be protected first and foremost,” Stephanie Scamuffo, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC ) 19, said.

Others responded differently to the reported incidents. Professor Doron Ben-Atar, Israeli-born history professor, called the 2016 swastika incident “sophomoric,” and said that “there are much more pressing issues to be concerned about in America and the world.”

For speakers like free-speech advocate Nadine Strossen, the definition of hate speech is not clear, and the statement ‘hate speech is not free speech’ is “absolutely wrong,” as well as the statement “hate speech is absolutely protected.” Disgust in someone’s ideas does not warrant censorship, but when the speech contains a “clear and present danger of harm,” it qualifies as harassment under the existing laws, according to Strossen.

When discussing how to assess the constitutional protection of hateful speech, Lawrence condensed Strossen’s point into a simple question, asking, “Is the intent to communicate, no matter how hateful, the idea, or to intimidate the victim?”

Lawrence also offered a middle ground for those split by the conflict, advocating for the right for others to exercise their First Amendment right, while those opposed to their opinions should also speak to counter it.

“Even if there is a white supremacist on campus, if they are invited by a campus group, or at a state university if they are entitled to be there under university rules, then you don’t shut it down,” Lawrence said. “But you do counter it with comments of your own. The administrators have to say we have values at this university … and more speech is not just an option, it is a moral obligation.”

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August 27, 2017 THE OBSERVER

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Investigation of April Incident at Cunniffe House Finds No Evidence of Excessive Force

THE FORDHAM OBSERVER

Fordham Center at Rose Hill (FCRH) became the setting for a student protest on April 27, ending in a confrontation between students and Public Safety Officers.

By COLIN SHEELEY News Editor

An independent investigation of an April 27 incident involving a confrontation between student protesters and Public Safety Officers (PSOs) found that the Public Safety officers did not use excessive force and acted in accordance with established University rules.

T&M Protection Resources conducted the investigation and sent their report to the University. In an email sent on June 15 at 11:50 a.m., Bob Howe, assistant vice president for communications and special advisor to the President, briefly discussed the reports finding, and provided a link to the document.

The released pages of the report can be found on the Fordham News website. They include pages 9-14 and 65-66 of the report, which encompass the categories of “Summary of Relevant Results” and “Conclusion.”

The names of those mentioned in the report have been redacted.

No sources have disclosed the identities of those mentioned in the report to The Fordham Observer, but we have used context and publically available information to deduce the identities of individuals involved.

All individuals whose identities were indeterminable are referred to as they are in the report.

T&M stated that they interviewed 20 individuals, “most of whom were present, involved in, or witnessed the Incident,” reviewed 13 videos, reviewed the university’s Department of Public Safety safety procedures, the university’s Demonstration policy and “numerous media articles and social media content.”

In addition to finding “no evidence of PSOs excessive force,” the investigation concluded that protesters had been trespassing.

A “review of video and eyewitness accounts” found that a student–referred to as Student E in the report– posing as a flower delivery person gained entry to the Cunniffe House and waited for a text to open the

doors of the foyer until the group of protesters arrived. Video footage of Sapphira Lurie, FCLC ’17–referred to as Student L in the report–reveals her texting in front of the closed doors, walking up to them just as they opened from the inside.

She denied in her Student Statement that the flowers were used to obtain entrance to the Cunniffe house, stating that the flowers were meant to be delivered “as a nice gesture.”

T&M add that their “review of video and eyewitness accounts of the Incident found that the protesters were trespassing, had gained entry to the foyer area in question by means of a pre-planned ruse

this glass. Get out” K said.

The report also states that the PSOs were following the university’s Demonstration Policy, which states “No group may be admitted into a private office unless invited...

Passage through reception areas leading to a private office must not be obstructed.”

Additionally, “PSOs clearly appear to have adhered to the Level 2 Emergency Response section of the University’s Emergency Management Plan which states, ‘Campus demonstrators’ civil rights will be protected at any demonstration site. However, demonstrators will be disallowed from blocking side-

“ The seriousness of the allegations against

Public Safety and the need to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest were the determining factors.”

–

ROBERT HOWE, Assistant Vice President for Communications

designed to gain access to what was clearly known to be a locked and private area, and that several protestors appear to have initiated physical contact with PSOs by pushing, shoving – and possibly even pulling, grabbing, and kicking PSOs.” In the report, the investigators cite the “Unusual Occurrences” section of the Safety & Security Department Manual of Procedures, which includes the statements “remove all from harm’s way” and “coordinate strategy to ensure the safety of the University community is paramount.”

Multiple PSOs noted that at the time they were worried about protesters breaking and falling through the glass wall of the foyer. Video evidence shows Director K telling the protesters to back out of the foyer.

“I don’t want anyone going through

walks, streets, access points, building entrances/exits.’”

As a part of the investigation, T&M interviewed students and PSOs, and consulted many of the videos circulated on social media, including those posted by Fordham Students United, The Fordham Ram, and the FU Paper.

One interview references the Fordham Students United video, which shows a closeup of Sarah Lopez’s “face under PSO M’s armpit amid chants of ‘Let Her Go.’” Lopez is also referred to as Student L in the report.

“These optics suggest that [Lopez] is being held; however, based on PSO interviews with T&M, these appear to be images taken out of context that don’t show the the force used by protestors,” the report detailed.

According to an interview held with the public safety officer referred to as PSO M, the PSO said that “[Lurie], Student P, and [Lopez] physically assaulted him in efforts to pry him from his position blocking the foyer’s half-glass door, alleging that Student L pulled his shirt and jacket, and Student P pulled his shirt and kicked his right leg and Student L kicked his left leg” [both Lurie and Lopez are referred to as “Student L” in the report, making their identities indeterminable in this instance].

Lurie and Student P admitted to using force against PSO M, but said that their efforts were “actions to help [Lopez].”

PSO M states that he did not assault anyone, a claim with which the students involved agreed. However, according to the report, PSO M’s forearm made contact with the head of an undisclosed individual, “but he stated he ‘does not know if it was incidental or intentional.’”

However, Lopez “sounded like she was crying while describing her encounter inside the foyer with PSO M” on a phone interview with T&M, “saying she felt like she couldn’t breathe and thought she was dying.”

She made similar statements in a first-person account published in the FU Paper on May 4, noting that “Nobody asked us if we were injured.” Dean Rodgers and VP Carroll–identified as Dean R and VP C in the report–told T&M that they personally asked her if “she needed medical help,” with a video showing them approaching her when she rested on the porch following the incident.

In response to her statements, PSO M and another public safety officer identified as PSO F said that it was “[Lopez’s] own persistent grip on the handle of the foyer door that kept her against the glass wall.”

The report also details multiple statements from students claiming that students present were injured, including assertions that students were injured, and were only injuring PSOs because the PSOs were

harming Lopez. The report also references a statement made on Facebook by Student L that Dean Rodgers had “personally assaulted a student on [April 27].” The university and T&M have found this claim to be false.

On May 23, the university published an “April 27 Incident Fact Check” in order to “help members of the University community sort out the facts from exaggeration or outright fiction,” according to an email from Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Jeffrey Gray to the Fordham community sent that day. Many of the claims the university makes in this document are corroborated by T&M’s fundings, including the assertion that Dean Rodgers did not harm students and that PSOs did not use excessive force.

The university has consulted T&M Protective Resources in the past for other incidents of alleged misconduct. In November 2015, the university consulted T&M to investigate an incident where a student alleged that Fordham University Emergency Medical Services (FUEMS) had mishandled a sexual assault case. McShane described the organization in a Feb. 2, 2016 email as “a firm which employs former prosecutors and other law enforcement experts, and specializes in investigating claims of misconduct.”

The decision to employ a private investigation is, “made on a caseby-case basis” according to Assistant Vice President for Communications Robert Howe in a statement to The Observer. “The seriousness of the allegations (subsequently found baseless) against Public Safety and the need to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest were the determining factors,” Howe said.

Fordham had previously conducted its own investigation, performed by a Public Safety supervisor who was not a firsthand witness to the incident. The university also interviewed students following the conflict, and both processes ruled in favor of the innocence of the PSOs.

WWW.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER August 27, 2017

News

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Tuition Affects University Expenses TUITION FROM PAGE 1

hasn’t raised money. In his statement, Daleo states that Fordham has raised more than $645 million during McShane’s tenure, more than it did in the previous 161 years of its history. This number includes $540 million in the Excelsior Campaign, and $105 million in the $175 million Faith and Hope Campaign, which was “devoted solely to raising money to support financial aid for our students.” He continues that Fordham has invested more than $600 million in infrastructure improvements and has tripled the number of endowed professorships from 23 to 71. In an email statement to The Observer, he also added that the 2017 fiscal year was the best giving year in the university’s history, with more than $75.9 million raised.

Despite this fundraising and development, however, the university’s endowment remains “modest,” as Bob Howe, assistant vice president for communications and special advisor to the president, told the National Catholic Reporter. It also sits well below the university’s endowment projections set back in 2005 in the Board’s Towards 2016 ten-year plan. At the time, the university set the goals of having a $1 billion endowment by 2011 and $2 billion by 2016.

In 2003, the university’s endowment sat at $226.2 million. By the end of the 2007 fiscal year, when the university issued an update on the status of the Towards 2016 goals, the university’s endowment and other investments had grown to $513 million.

The endowment now sits somewhere around $728 million.

But even though that number sits well below where the Board of Trustees hoped the endowment would be by this point in time, it is the median endowment among the institutions Fordham University considers to be its peers. Syracuse University, George Washington University, and

YIPING HOLLY WANG/THE OBSERVER

Fordham Faculty members at the Lincoln Center campus to oppose cuts to their healthcare plans.

Boston University have endowments ranging from $1.157 billion to $1.655 billion, while Fordham’s three other peer institutions--Loyola University Chicago, Villanova University, and Northeastern University--have endowments between $551 million and $700 million.

In comparison to other New York universities, Columbia University’s endowment sits around $9 billion, while New York University’s endowment is about $3 billion.

In an interview with the National Catholic Reporter, Howe said the goal of $1 billion by 2011 may have been “overly ambitious,” but cited the 2008-09 recession as a reason for the endowments lack of predicted growth.

Clark sees the recent salary and benefits deal as a way the university

is trying to compensate for the endowment’s lack of projected growth.

“Cutting faculty benefits and wages is what I believe is a slow death and is not a long term strategy,” Clark says. “If Fordham wants to achieve what it wants to do, it needs to become less tuition dependent.”

Daleo, however, refutes Clark’s claims that the salary and benefits deal was a strategy on the Board’s part to make up for not meeting the goals it set in 2005 for increasing the endowment. He states that the endowment’s return on investments “has significantly outpaced the stock market” in an email statement to The Observer. From July 1, 2003 to July 1, 2017, Fordham’s endowment increased from $226.2 million to $728 million, an increase of 221 percent, according to Daleo. As

a comparison, he said that the Dow increased by only 136 percent in the same time frame.

Stacked up against Fordham’s peer institutions, this number is a good percentage. It’s actually the best percentage increase; every peer institution’s endowment increased from only 69 percent to 197 percent for the same time period.

That comparison, however, does not fully reveal the amount each university has raised. From 2003 to 2017, Fordham’s endowment went up by $501.8 million. That’s still a larger increase than four of Fordham’s six peer institutions.

But the two others--Boston University and George Washington University--experienced endowment gains significantly greater. While their percentage increases went up

by only 167 percent and 147 percent during the same time period as Fordham’s 221 percent, their endowments went up by $1.035 billion and $935.9 million, respectively, sums which are each greater than Fordham’s current endowment.

“Our insurer informed us that the cost of obtaining insurance for Fordham’s faculty and staff was projected to increase by 60 percent over the next three years,” Daleo said in an email statement to The Observer in defense of the salary and benefits deal, an argument he also made in his July 11 statement to the Fordham Community. “We pushed back but they had solid data, and a spate of recent rate approvals by insurance regulators backed them up. The only way to forestall that huge jump in cost was to agree to modify the plan, which allowed us to lock in a price for three years.”

Daleo added that “institutions and businesses across the country are also facing this.” He cited projections reported on by the Poughkeepsie Journal, PBS Newshour, the Washington Post and Modern Healthcare as evidence of this situation.

“We thought it prudent to ensure good coverage at a predictable price, while health care reform and the insurance market get sorted out over the next few years,” he said.

The university’s dependency on tuition, however, will likely remain at the forefront of discussions of the university’s finances for some time.

Daleo is aiming to grow the university’s endowment by continuing fundraising momentum from the 2017 fiscal year and by developing alternate revenue streams, according to an email statement he sent to The Observer.

“The Board is committed to Fordham’s long-term intellectual and financial health, and to the advancement and well-being of its students, alumni, faculty, and staff.”

Daleo said in his July 11 statement.

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Opinions

Opinions Editor Alex Seyad- aseyad@fordham.edu August 27, 2017 THE OBSERVER

STAFF EDITORIAL

IN DARK TIMES, FORDHAM MUST STAND TOGETHER

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s the Fordham community comes together for the start of the academic year, we are doing so after a troubling few weeks in regards to the current political climate. Many of us are still trying to process or recover from the emotional trauma and anger caused by the Unite the Right white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia on Aug. 11.

We at the Fordham Observer universally and unequivocally condemn the hatred and animosity perpetuated by white supremacist groups and all related ideologies, such as neoNazism. We strongly believe that racism and any other ideology that promotes hatred directly contradicts American and Jesuit values. We can combat the growth of these harmful ways of thinking by unifying our campus, our country, and our world trhough meaningful discussion, respect and compassion. his country’s universities are a prime example of the many places where Americans and members of the international community commingle. That rings particularly true here at Lincoln Center, a school diverse in ethnic backgrounds, religions, orientations, opinions and more. Unfortunately, with so many voices shouting at the same time about a topic that is deeply personal to so

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many people, it can be easy for those voices to be drowned out in the noise. This is why meaningful and productive conversation is important now more than ever at Fordham. Dealing with issues of white supremacy and race inequality is incredibly difficult, but we are hopeful

“...meaningful and productive conversation is important now more than ever at Fordham.”

that administrators, professors and students alike can facilitate productive discussions every day, and do the same as other issues inevitably arise over the academic year. hat being said, we believe that it is vital that Fordham once again becomes the safe space it has been in the past. The administration must make a concerted effort to support members of the student body who have been affected by hate speech and take steps to prevent any and all hatred on campus. Professors must foster a comfortable and encouraging classroom environment at all times. Students must

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OBSERVER THE

continue to support the multicultural and community clubs and organizations on campus, such as Black Student Alliance, Jewish Students Organization, Muslim Students Association and Rainbow Alliance just to name a few. We encourage our fellow members of Fordham to continue to speak out against injustice and to unite to protect and defend their fellow person without concern for race, gender, sexual orientation or creed. e want to stress the importance of unity now more than ever. If we let negativity plant the seed for hatred and discord then we will have failed each other as peers and as humans. Fordham must come together to invoke the Jesuit value of men and women for others as we have done before when we faced racially charged incidents in the past.

Performing actions as little as asking a fellow student how they are feeling about what is going on and its effect on them can make all the difference to that person and to the entire community as a whole. To tackle the big problems in our society, we must first start with the smallest of gestures to foster a sense of love and camaraderie that can be expanded to tackle the larger issues.

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Editor-in-Chief Morgan Steward Managing Editor Reese Ravner Business Manager Michael Veverka Layout Editors Sherry Chow Loic Khodarkovsky News Editors Stephan Kozub Colin Sheeley Asst. News Editor Katherine Smith Opinions Editor Alex Seyad Asst. Opinions Editor Jordan Meltzer Arts & Culture Editors Maryanna Antoldi Sam DeAssis Asst. Arts & Culture Editors Lindsay Jorgensen Bessie Rubinstein Features Editor Carson Thornton Gonzalez Asst. Features Editor Jenna Battaglia Sports & Health Editors Mohdhobair Hussaini Alexander DiMisa Artemis Tsagaris Photo Editors Jon Bjornson Erin O’Flynn Aseah Khan Literary Editor Erika Ortiz Copy Editors Izzi Duprey Erika Ortiz Gianna Smeraglia Social Media Managers Sabrina Jen Katie Mauer Angelika Menendez Andronika Zimmerman

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THE OBSERVER August 27, 2017

Opinions

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What Can We Expect from Fordham this Year?

ALEX SEYAD Opinions Editor

As the fall semester comes to a start and the hallways at Fordham come back to life with fresh faces, there will be a sense of calm before the storm of cycles of stress and anxiety takes over. For us upperclassmen who remember the events of the past semester, all of our eyes will be on the administration to see how and if they will try to make acts of good faith to reconcile with a disgruntled student body. We don’t care about the flashy events that the university hosts to impress freshmen and prospective students, but rather some form of action that will make students believe that the administration is putting their best foot forward in moving the university in the right direction.

We, the students, will be looking for transparency and cooperation from the administration. We want to see that the faculty providing us with our education is being treated fairly and that our right to speak our mind is protected by our school, not limited by it.

Fordham has given itself a bad reputation this past year and was listed as one of the worse universities in the United States in terms of free speech. In terms of disciplinary action, many moves by administrators have been questionable to say the least. I believe the only goal of the university moving forward should be to show us that they are willing to hold themselves accountable for wrongful actions and that they’re committed to protecting and promoting free speech on campus.

Unfortunately, in reality we will probably only receive an email from Father McShane that will share a narrative of how the university is committed to protecting our rights via Jesuit values etc. In the end, we will probably all glance at the email

ELIZABETH LANDRY/THE OBSERVER

The last semester saw numerous protests on campus at Lincoln Center.

in our inbox, roll our eyes and move on with our day. The sad fact is that there probably won’t be any serious attempt to address this issue because Fordham, like most other universities, will try to push this under the rug and pretend that nothing ever happened.

One act that Fordham can execute to show a commitment to helping the student body is the hiring of the new Chief Diversity Officer. While we constantly get emails about this, few of us actually really

give it much thought because we know in the end we will never have a say in the matter nor will we ever having any interaction with this administrator. What Fordham should do is hire someone who is committed to the mission of promoting and sustaining diversity on campus.

Someone who is of color and won’t present us with the run of the mill speech about how the university is all for diversity. In the end we can only expect the university to hire a placeholder, probably a middle-aged

white male, whose words about his commitment to diversity hold as much weight as Donald Trump’s.

Furthermore, with the events happening in Charlottesville, it is more important now than ever that our university implements these changes. Fordham will have to be vigilant to protect its student body from hate groups that may be looking for an audience and they will also have to look to empower anti-hate groups that will no doubt pop up around campus. We will

need something more than emails condemning the acts of white supremacists and other hate groups.

What we will need is action. Action by the administration to mend old wounds and to show a reinvigorated interest in pursuing social justice.

Last semester has shown that the Fordham student body isn’t afraid to stand up and use their voices. The goal for Fordham’s administration should be to help the students voice their opinions and their discontent, not suppress it.

Extremist Politics Has Gone Too Far JORDAN MELTZER Asst. Opinions Editor

On Oct. 11, 2008, a spectator at a John McCain rally told the Republican presidential candidate that she did not trust then-Senator Barack Obama because “he’s an Arab.” Senator McCain promptly cut her off and defended him, saying that he’s a “decent family man” with whom he disagrees politically. This comment may seem to be taken from a bygone era of respectful politics, but one might forget that it was just nine years ago. In 2017, we hear constantly of senators, cabinet members and the president attacking entire parties. For example, a tweet from Senator Bernie Sanders, a liberal, reads, “Republicans must start worrying about the planet they will leave their kids, not the contributions they get from the fossil fuel industry.” Meanwhile, President Trump, a conservative, tweeted this in April: “What’s more important?

Rebuilding our military - or bailing out insurance companies? Ask the Democrats.”

Too frequently, politicians generalize the views of opposing political parties and, in doing so, condemn all members of a party at once. I doubt anyone would disagree with me if I said that President Trump dislikes most Democrats just for being Democrats. But bipartisanship is a two-way street. Republicans are not the only ones at fault; Democrats and liberals such as Senator Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

COURTESY OF GAGE SKIDMORE/FLICKR

President Trump exemplifies a politician who perpetuates the nationwide issue of extremist politics.

and others have work to do in this area as well.

But I won’t pretend that I haven’t dealt my fair share of unfair criticism as well. I am the first to admit that this is an issue upon which I, and some of my closest friends and family, need to improve. More likely than not, you have done this too.

And I get it. All of us are frustrated, worn down and, quite frankly, livid.

This anger has led us to back into corners of extremist politics: a “my way or the highway” mentality.

Many of us are staunch conserva-

tives or immovable liberals who refuse to listen to reason or be patient with members of other parties. But let me assure you that there is no surer way to stifle progress.

Health care is the perfect example of a ridiculous lack of development. President Trump and GOP Senators have been promising to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act for over two years now. And yet here we are in August 2017, meeting after meeting, vote after vote, and over 200 days into Trump’s presidency — without a

single step forward in passing an improved or even comparable health care bill. The Republicans who have been promising to rid America of Obamacare have made a fatal mistake, though: they have been too stubborn. They have not worked at all with Senate Democrats, many of whom are willing to work in a bipartisan setting to improve healthcare in America.

This is a low point in American history. One could argue that there have been many low points this presidency, but this one hits particu-

larly hard because the Senate is at a stalemate over health care. This is not a local traffic law. Tens of millions of people’s lives are on the line.

If our elected representatives cannot agree on the health care coverage for about 23 million American citizens because they are too stubborn, this 115th Congress should be ashamed of itself. It is on the wrong side of history.

The time for change is now. The selfishness of modern-day elected officials is inexcusable, but the focus should not lie solely on them. This movement must start at home with us. We go to a liberal arts college where conservatives are fewer in number. I encourage you to have a productive conversation with your Republican suitemates, classmates or anyone else with whom you disagree. Additionally, I firmly believe in the right and responsibility to talk to your representatives. As their constituents, you have the power to let them know that interparty diplomacy, however radical an idea it may seem given the current political climate, is the right step forward.

Perhaps Representatives and Senators should look to the example set

by Senator McCain, who recently called for Congress to “return to regular order with input from all of our members – Republicans and Democrats – and bring a bill to the floor of the Senate for amendment and debate.” His bipartisanship is to be admired by all Americans of all political parties, for that bipartisanship is both an effective means forward and the American way – just ask George Washington, the original party opposer.

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Features

August 23, 2017 THE OBSERVER

WWW.fordhamobserver.com

ROAMIN’ RAMS: WHER Canada My immersion trip started off with attending daily french classes, learning both general and québécois french, since I came to Canada to improve my French language skills. After classes ended for the day, my friends and I explored “le vieux Québec”, where we admired le Chateâu Frontenac, walked down St. Jean’s, and devoured ice cream at “le chocolat favoris”. Then towards the end of my trip, I saw Kendrick Lamar, Pink, The Backstreet Boys, Flume, and Gorillaz live at “le festival d’été” (a week long music festival in Québec)! Overall, my 5 week French immersion program in Québec City was truly a blast, especially with meeting many new people and being immersed in a culture where English was not the primary language.”

--Matthew Gallo, Class of 2020

Guatemala “My experience in Guatemala was truly life-changing. There aren’t many words to describe it, you had to be there, immersed in the culture, the communities, the dance, everything. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I didn’t want to leave.” . -- Mikaela Brandon, Class of 2019

Copenha “My weekend i is one of my favor being abroad. Being try where you don’t sp don’t really know what t and then having an amaz you belong is such a cool we only had a few days th a lot. We went to castles ments, climbed up to in a boat tour and ate lun I’ve never been mor was 100 percent w Duprey, Class

Germany “Out of all the cities that I’ve been able to visit, Berlin has felt the most like home.

A friend took me to a thrift store with an entire room to East German fashion the first day I was there. I was sold immediately.”

-- Elodie Huston, Class of 2018

WWW.fordhamobserver.com

RE DID FORDHAM GO?

agen in Copenhagen rite memories from able to go to a counpeak the language, you there is to explore there, zing time and feeling like l experience. Even though here, I felt like we covered and gardens, saw monuncredible views, took nch on a riverbank. re exhausted but it worth it.” -- Izzi s of 2020

Israel “This summer I was lucky enough to spend 10 days traveling all over Israel. This is a photo of my friends Beatrix, Sonya and I exploring the ancient city of Jerusalem. Overall, it was an amazing experience exploring a land with such a rich history and learning more about my heritage. The best part was forming friendships with the locals, some of whom are coming to visit us in America later this year.”

-- Gillian Nelson, Class of 2019

THE OBSERVER August 23, 2017

Features

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Opinions

August 27, 2017 THE OBSERVER

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Enrique Peña Nieto is Just as Dangerous to Mexico as Trump is to America KILEY CAMPBELL Contributing Writer

At this point in the tenure of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, any publicity is good publicity. His approval rating can’t sink much lower, having tanked to 12 percent by Jan. 19, 2017. For a time, he was less popular in his own country than our own tangerinecolored man-baby, President Donald Trump. Peña Nieto is two-thirds of the way through a term which has been plagued by constant scandals and protests of ever-increasing fury.

Like Trump, he deserves every single bit of criticism he’s received. The incompetence of Trump and Peña Nieto cannot be compared, but Peña Nieto’s time as leader of Mexico has put the future of Mexico, as well as the future of U.S.-Mexico relations, in potential jeopardy.

Peña Nieto’s election in 2012 was clinched with 39 percent of the vote in a four-candidate race, and was immediately met with protest.

Claims arose that Peña Nieto’s party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), was guilty of bribing voters and opposition parties demanded a vote recount. The recount proved Peña Nieto had indeed won, but protest in Mexico hasn’t subsided since then. Peña Nieto began his term in December 2012 at a respectable, but modest, 54 percent approval rating. Little happened in his first year, but the early warning signs of corruption within the PRI- now the party in power- proved correct in

September 2014.

A turn of events that have now become known metonymously as Ayotzinapa, 43 students from Ayotzinapa Teachers’ College disappeared after being arrested for commandeering buses for a protest.

Independent international experts found that the federal government’s conclusion of its investigation into what happened was impossible. The kidnapping, and the subsequent cover-ups by the government, caused Peña Nieto’s approval rating to plummet and cast him as a power of banality not committed to solving actual problems.

Since Ayotzinapa, a series of unfortunate events and interior scandals eroded public trust in Peña Nieto. These range from the “Casa Blanca” scandal in which First Lady Angelica Rivera bought a $7 million home on credit through a contractor associated with the government, to the escape of drug kingpin El Chapo.

Perhaps the most vicious criticisms target his complacency since 2016 in dealing with Trump, whose extraordinary controversy roots in scapegoating Mexican immigrants.

Trump visited Peña Nieto in August 2016, at Nieto’s invitation, a move that enraged the Mexican people. Peña Nieto told Trump in person that Mexico would not pay for the famed “wall,” but in many ways seemed to submit to Trump’s domineering obnoxiousness. After the meeting, Peña Nieto’s approval rating plummeted to 24 percent.

Since Trump’s election, transcripts of phone conversations between the two have been leaked. Trump has

COURTESY OF CONECTO ABOGADOS/FLICKR

President Peña Nieto has caused irreversible damage in Mexico and many fear he is prepared to do more.

been recorded asking Peña Nieto to keep quiet about Mexico’s refusal to fund the wall. The value of the peso plummeted immediately after Trump’s inauguration, and the price of gasoline rose nearly twenty percent overnight. It was at this point, political analysts concur, that Peña Nieto hit rock bottom, from which it will be nearly impossible to escape.

Bafflingly, Peña Nieto recently announced the planned construction of a brand-new airport outside Mexico City, a city that is currently suffering from massive infrastructural problems and a lack of running water in many neighborhoods.

There is an importance to Peña Nieto’s blunders that goes beyond Mexico, however. In the Trump era, all eyes are on the nations Trump most often throws tantrums over.

Peña Nieto is the most important potential defender against Trump, and yet he cowers. Peña Nieto’s complacency and constant stream of atrocities have chipped away at Mexico’s stability, making it all the easier for Trump to bully the country into submission. If Peña Nieto is not very careful in the time he has left as president, he will ensure Trump making good on his signature campaign promise, and

from there create a domino effect. If Trump is able to accomplish this, it will be a sign to the rest of the world just how dangerous he really is.

This is just a premonition, but the further Peña Nieto slides down, the more likely it will be that it happens. He has the power to balance the scales of this bizarre political standoff, and decide the fate of international relationships between the United States and any nation that suits Trump’s fancy. Either Peña Nieto genuinely doesn’t understand what he has done over the last four years, or he doesn’t care. Both possibilities are equally disquieting.

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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editors Maryanna Antoldi - mantoldi@fordham.edu Sam DeAssis - sdeassis@fordham.edu August 27, 2017 THE OBSERVER

Student Filmmakers Find Summer Success

By MARYANNA ANTOLDI Arts & Culture Editor

Over the summer, two incredible Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) student filmmakers, Luke Momo, FCLC ‘19, and Nevin KellyFair, FCLC ‘19, reached new heights with their filmmaking careers. With passions for both writing and directing short films, Momo and KellyFair’s work has screened at multiple film festivals around the country— and even at the famous Cannes International Film Festival in France.

Momo and Kelly-Fair met their freshman year in a playwriting class, where they recognized each other’s passion for film and decided to create together. Since then, the two have created multiple films together and are beginning to reap the benefits of their hard work. One of their first collaborations “Dead Dog” (2015), directed by Kelly-Fair with cinematography by Momo, was selected over the summer to be in the San Francisco Frozen Film Festival. Another short film the two worked on, “We Regret To Inform You” (2016), was an official selection in the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. Kelly-Fair even attended the prestigious festival for free as part of the reward.

“Cannes was amazing because I could see the people who have made these transformations that Luke and I are really at the beginning of making right now,” Kelly-Fair explained, “Talking to a lot of people who have either done what we’ve done or haven’t done what we’ve done and just seeing what works and what didn’t was a great thing to do at the premiere film festival of the world.”

Their most recent project, a two-part film titled “The Last Playboys” (2017) screened at the Princeton Film Festival in July. Nominated for its cinematography at the 2017 Campus MovieFest, the film follows three boys (played by Kelly-Fair and sophomores David Camou and Daniel Moses) and their misadventures around New York City, including a trip into the

COURTESY OF SABRINA POLKOWSKI

Momo (right) and Kelly-Fair (center) have worked on multiple films together over their college career.

pretension of the fashion industry.

The 10 minute short film, originally broken up into two separate parts, was filmed and edited in six days. However, the thought behind the film far exceeded its production time. Each scene was carefully planned, alluding to different films such as the 1950s drama “Shadows” and the work of directors like Emmanuel Vesky and Stanley Kubrick.

Even the music held symbolism, with a contrast between jazz to highlight the rambunctiousness of the three friends with classical pieces that dominate the pretentious fashion world.

“There’s an idea that movies are made from other movies.

This is a real precedence as you look into other films— they are all in communication with the his-

tory of cinema,” Momo stated.

But, the difference between Kelly-Fair and Momo’s films from those of other film students is that they focus more on story than anything else. “The Last Playboys” cost only $30 to provide food for the extras, while “Dead Dog” only cost $2 for one subway fare. The two co-founded FCLC’s Filmmaking Club with this type of methodology—that one can make a great movie working with the resources that you have as long there is a compelling story to tell.

“I think the biggest thing is that Luke and my experience of getting into filmmaking is very different from others student filmmakers in New York,” explained Kelly-Fair, “You have a lot of these kids who have money, can pay to get equipment, go

to film schools and make these films that are $10-$12,000 dollars, but just have horrible stories. When Luke and I co-founded the Filmmaking Club, our idea was that you can make this stuff for no money at all.”

More than anything, Kelly-Fair and Momo are driven by their sheer love of movies. Both had an interest in making films since they were young, Momo beginning in middle school and Kelly-Fair when he was six years old. To have their work recognized in festivals around the globe is more than enough motivation for the two to continue pursuing their dreams.

“When you’re an 18-20 yearold in college, it’s pretty hard to get your films out there. But Nevin and I hopefully will see success in terms of putting your work out

there into the large world and have people experience an emotional reaction to it,” Momo mentioned.

For the two juniors, the sky is the limit. They will continue to create short films, but they are constantly willing to challenge themselves and expand their horizons. Their latest aspiration is to write and direct a 90-minute feature film which will be completed by the time that they graduate. All they need to do is find a story.

“We’re just trying to get our stories told and, at the end of the day, Luke and I are want to make movies that people want to see and tell stories that people want to hear,” said Kelly-Fair.

With their passion and gift of storytelling, it is clear that they will be able to accomplish anything.

B.F.A. Dancers Pirouette Through the Summer

By LINDSAY JORGENSEN Asst. Arts & Culture Editor

While summer break is typically known for relaxing and recovering from the busy school year, there is no vacation for a dancer, especially for the dance majors at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC).

To maintain and improve their technique, dancers often train over the summer, and even discover some revelations about themselves as students, performers and humans.

Below are only some of the diverse summer experiences of the Fordham/Ailey B.F.A. students, who attended programs not just all over the U.S, but the world.

This July, six B.F.A. dancers attended the prestigious Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Program. Located in Massachusetts, the Pillow only accepts 24 students from around the world to attend their program — our dancers acquired a quarter of these coveted slots. These students had the privilege to work with famous choreographers and teachers like Jae Man Joo and Milton Myers.

Every morning, students would take two technique classes and then have rehearsals for the rest of the day — they were required to learn four pieces of choreography in three weeks. One of these pieces was the world-renowned“D-Man in the Waters (part 1)” by Bill T. Jones.

“You could be thrown into crazy partnering with people that you have known for three days, Ybut you have

COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER DUGGAN

Jolin Veseau, FCLC ‘18, Henry McCall, FCLC ‘18, and Jaryd Farcon, FCLC ‘20 at Jacob’s Pillow in Massachusettes.

no option but to try,” Charles Scheland, FCLC ’20, said. “And in that ‘sink-or-swim’ mentality, I found myself growing a lot as a dancer, artist and partner.”

Additionally, these students were exposed to the rich, historical dance

atmosphere at the Pillow, spending their evenings attending live dance performances or watching recorded dance videos.

“Being able to study in an environment that is so immersive and completely dedicated to the past,

present and future of dance is a humbling honor,” Scheland said.

Ashley Simpson, FCLC ’20, attended the BalletX Summer Intensive in Philadelphia in addition to the Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Program. “I feel so much better about the competitive aspect of the dance world,” Simpson said. “It really is just knowing that you are on the right page and trusting in your talent and individuality.”

Heading west, Morgan CoyleHoward, FCLC ’19, attended The Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Summer Intensive. She described the intensive as “an unexpected hug from a stranger.” Originally viewing the intensive as an opportunity to train before the Arts Umbrella Summer Intensive she was planning to attend in Vancouver later on in the summer, Coyle-Howard fell “in love with the welcoming faculty and staff, the various technique classes and repertories, and the feeling of home.”

“I think the summer is the time to branch out and discover new communities of the dance world – or just the world,” Coyle Howard continued. “As humans [and] especially artists, we are constantly trying to enrich our lives and touch as many textures life has to offer.”

Many rising seniors from the Fordham/Ailey B.F.A. Program had the distinct honor to rehearse as apprentices with Ailey II, the second company of the celebrated Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.

“The Ailey Company has always been a dream of mine since I first started dancing 10 years ago,” Amarachi Korie, FCLC ’18, said. “Being given the opportunity to apprentice with Ailey II has been more than an

Five rising seniors from the Fordham/ Ailey B.F.A. Program had the distinct honor to rehearse as apprentices with Ailey II. honor.”

Ailey II apprentices are responsible for understudying every piece that Ailey II will be performing this year. If a company member were to become sick or injured, the apprentice would thus perform that person’s role for the night. This means that these apprentices could be learning several roles within the same piece.

“The first week was very overwhelming mentally,” Marcel Wilson, FCLC ’18, said. “But once you get used to it and develop skills for retaining information, the process is very fun and rewarding.”

Amongst the demanding responsibility of rehearsing as an apprentice, Korie is coming back from a see PIROUETTE pg. 12

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Arts & Culture

August 27, 2017 THE OBSERVER

Pirouette-ing Around the World

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Getting Out of Your Head Freshman Year

By BESSIE RUBINSTEIN Arts & Culture Asst. Editor

College is the time to meet new people. The time to figure out what you’re passionate about and pursue it with a safety net. The time to work hard, go out and have fun. Even for the most responsible students, all of these options can be hard to balance. If weighing what you want to do, what you have to do and what you feel like you should be doing is getting to be too much, a tried and true method for getting out of your own head is to go somewhere you can relax and read a good book.

Here are my top three places to read in the city, along with a few book recommendations, for when the expectations of freshman year get to be overwhelming.

COURTESY OF MARCEL WILSON

All five Ailey II apprentices (left to right): Henry McCall, Alisha Peek, Shaina McGregor, Amarachi Korie, Marcel Wilson, all FCLC ‘18.

PIROUETTE FROM PAGE 11

knee injury. Instead of allowing her knee to inhibit her, she is discovering new and effective ways of moving.

“I am learning to really listen to my body because I only have onesion and inspiration,” Korie said. Wilson’s favorite piece thus far is Bridget Moore’s “Sketches of Flames.” “It really challenged me in the sense of truly being aware of what’s going on around myself. I love how much you have to rely on the group and really feel each other’s energy in order to do the choreography justice. It’s also just a very fun and energetic piece in itself! The party section is always fun to do with the other apprentices!”

Meanwhile, overseas in the Netherlands, Sarah Takash, FCLC ’20, attended the Nedelands Dans Theater (NDT) in Den Haang.

Training and rehearsing in the studios for over nine hours a day, Takash had the opportunity to perform a solo coached by a former NDT company member.

“The biggest challenge was physical because [I was] experimenting with new movements that were foreign to my body,” Takash said.

One out of only 19 students in her class, Takash not only received personal attention, but she was also exposed to dancers from all over the world.

“I think in the whole program of 60 dancers, something like 14 countries were represented. It was absolutely amazing to be immersed in an environment like that, and it’s something I don’t think I could find anywhere else.”

Takash continued her training in Zurich, Switzerland where she danced for two weeks in the Art of Ballet program.

Eleanor Frechette, FCLC ’19, along with many other dance ma-

jors, conversely approached her dance growth this summer from a teaching aspect, traveling to San Francisco and Guatemala for outreach programs with JUNTOS. These students taught dance workshops and performed in various underserved communities, safe houses and orphanages.

“This summer I realized the importance of dance for our world, and how essential human connection really is,” Frechette said.

While the summer provides students with amazing opportunities to expose themselves to unique and unfamiliar surroundings, the summer also allows many dance majors a solid recovery period for preexisting injuries.

Due to a minor surgery from June, Kathy Liu, FCLC ’19, spent most of her summer working at FCLC’s Office for Student Involvement as an Orientation Coordinator (OC). She, along with two other OCs, planned and organized all of the summer and fall orientation events for the Class of 2021.“I really enjoyed becoming a part of Fordham’s student leadership community while also giving my body a chance to rest and recover for the Fall Semester!” Liu said.

Isabel Wallace-Green, FCLC ’19, spent her summer at the Ailey School’s Summer Intensive, recuperating from her reconstructive knee surgery performed last November. After tearing both her ACL and meniscus, Wallace-Green was unable to dance spring semester of 2017.

“It was total bliss to come back to the studios and regain strength and confidence in my dancing,” Wallace-Green said. “I ended the six weeks feeling grateful, remembering how lucky I am to pursue my dream while surrounded by beautifully inspiring artists.”

Elizabeth Street Garden—Elizabeth Street between Prince & Spring streets Giving off some major southern gothic vibes, this garden is for those who think there’s no green in the city. Here, you can lean up against an old statue, lounge in the grass and let everything go. The perfect book to bring with you is “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” by John Berendt, which not only complements the garden with its themes of decay and growth, but also with its twisted, almost dark undercurrent. Based on real life events, “Midnight” will transport your thoughts from your own worries to the murder on which the novel hinges. Did

southern socialite Jim Williams shoot a male prostitute in cold blood or in self defense? Take the train down to Nolita and find out.

It will make you feel closer to the people around you, but more importantly, it gives you the perspective you need when you’re feeling overwhelemed

The Strand Rare Books Room— 828 Broadway Adored by all book lovers, the Strand Bookstore near Union Square is one of my favorite places to lose myself. The packed shop houses three floors of books, both known and unknown, as well as holds talks by authors and academics alike. A secret that a friend and I stumbled upon while looking for a place to read? The rare books room.

This floor is the least crowded in the Strand, because you can only get to it by elevator, and holds some of the most valuable books in the city.

First editions, signed copies, vintage novels—they live in the rare books room. I can’t recommend a specific book for the Strand because part of

the experience is milling through the stacks and finding something you’re drawn to. Regardless, once you’ve found your book, make a beeline for the four leather chairs in the rare books room. Leather, wood and carpeting are the perfect materials to surround you as you read—just don’t fall asleep!

Bryant Park—40th to 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Ave Bryant Park holds a special place in my heart; a 15-year old me came to Bryant Park to read the first summer I ever came to New York. Whatever you need—a sunny day, a minimeltdown on the phone with your mom, an ice cream, somewhere to relax—Bryant Park will supply. Located in midtown, this huge, lush park with an amazing lawn for lying down is also a great place to people watch. Because midtown sees all sorts of people, and because Bryant Park is a great place to observe them, “Let the Great World Spin” by Colum McCann. McCann weaves together stories involving immigration, the loss of a child, religion and the famous tightrope walk of Philippe Petit across the Twin Towers in a book that will leave you in awe of storytelling. It will make you feel closer t o the people around you, but more importantly, it gives you the perspective you need when you’re feeling overwhelmed. McCann writes about people coping with their new situations, which, when it comes down to it, is all freshman year is really about.

Fordham University at Lincoln Center 113 W. 60th Street

Elizabeth Street Garden Elizabeth Street between Prince and Spring Streets

The Strand Rare Books Room 828 Broadway

Bryant Park 40th to 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues ILLUSTRATION BY LOIC KHODARKOVSKY

EMMA DIMARCO/THE OBSERVER

The Elizabeth Street Garden, Strand Bookstore and Bryant Park are some of Fordham Lincoln Center student’s favorite spots to curl up with a book.

Features

Features Editor Carson Thorton Gonzalez - cthortongonzalez@fordham.edu

August 27, 2017 THE OBSERVER

Spilling Tea: The Truth About London

By SABRINA JEN Staff Writer

If the millennial stereotype were personified, it would probably be a Fordham student with some sense of sarcastic humor and an unpaid summer internship. Take away the sense of humor and that would most definitely be me. This summer I interned for 45 hours a week and wasn’t paid a dime. But then again, if I were paid, my visa would have been violated, and I would have been kicked out of the United Kingdom. So despite the sad current state of my bank account, I would gladly do it all over again.

This summer, I got the chance to study at the beautiful London Centre campus in Kensington and intern at a large marketing research company in the heart of London through one of Fordham’s study abroad programs. To be quite honest, London was not as exciting as I had hoped when I first arrived: the food was nothing compared to what Hell’s Kitchen has to offer, unairconditioned rush hour buses redefined my idea of “crowded” and I desperately missed my beloved NYC grid system. The Old Smoke just did not live up to my expectations. The people I met and the experiences I gained in my short time abroad however, were invaluable and made everything — including the bipolar British weather — worthwhile.

Perhaps one of the reasons why London was not as intriguing to me as I had hoped was because it seemed so similar to the U.S.; there were no mysterious and magical elements of being abroad that I was looking forward to experiencing. The fact that I was taking a Fordham class with Fordham students also contributed to this feeling of familiarity that was maybe too comfortable and a little bit boring. The second half of the program with my internship was what gave me the chance to more fully immerse myself in an authentic environment, allowing me to slowly pick up on subtle differences between American and British culture

SABRINA JEN/THE OBSERVER

London at first glance seems reminiscent of New York City, but when experienced immersively, its subtle discrepancies are revealed.

that I came to appreciate.

During the two rounds of interviews for my internship, the hiring directors were quick to point out and ask about my ethnicity (I am Asian American). I have had one too many uber drivers in New York ask me about where I am from in ignorant and almost demeaning ways, but my British interviewers asked me with a sense of curiosity and bluntness that made me feel welcome and accepted. This seemed to be an apparent theme. Throughout my time in London, I noticed that the straightforward manner in which the British address each other rules out the opportunity for taboo topics to exist, eliminating assumptions that lead to the microaggressions that are ever-

so-present in American culture.

This unapologetically blunt manner in which British people communicate allows for extremely efficient and transparent conversations in the office, which I quickly recognized.

My colleagues were not afraid to speak up during office-wide meetings and seminars, and while a rigid hierarchical structure did exist, mutual respect was given and demanded by all. Even as a short-term intern, my opinions and input were very much valued and taken into consideration by not only my direct supervisor, but even the company’s CEO who took the time to have an authentic and genuine conversation with me about my future career goals — and ask me bluntly about

my ethnicity.

I also learned to admire how passionate everyone in the office was about what they were doing at work and what their company stood for.

For example, my direct supervisor (who is the head of her department), expressed to me that while her current job is not her ultimate career goal, she is still extremely invested in and passionate about the projects that she is currently working on.

She shared with me that this mindset is very common among younger people in London, especially at the company I was interning at. I found that their full investment in the present and their inspiring focus on short-term goals allows for great motivation and dedication towards

their work. This was apparent in the office as I quickly noticed in my first week the absence of smartphones, office gossip and wasted time. The environment was purely professional and as a result, focused and extremely efficient.

While I would choose New York over London any day of the week, being able to fully immerse myself in British culture through a working environment was a unique experience that I am very thankful for.

This rare opportunity to discover London as a student abroad inspired me in unexpected ways and taught me things far beyond mastering the underground system and the joys of afternoon tea.

Accepted, Will Not Attend: Why I Chose Fordham Over the Ivy League

By JOE ZOYHOFSKI Staff Title

My cursor hovered over the button I could not bring myself to click: Accepted, Will Not Attend. It was not the mouse that froze, but the hand that held it. A pair of lives I’d not yet lived flashed before my eyes.

I’d visited both Cornell’s and Fordham’s campuses, I’d spoken with students and faculty, and I’d done hours of research about my major online, but my most important question remained unanswered: What do I really want to get out of life? This was the final question posed to my senior class in a homily given by one of the Franciscan friars who taught at my high school. After weeks of reflection, I’ve finally come up with an answer. I want to give the most destitute members of society opportunities to succeed.

After four years of classes and lessons at St. Francis High School in my hometown of Buffalo, NY, I am most grateful for all that I learned about myself. I spent the past four years discovering my vocation and I intend to spend the next four years learning how to achieve my goals in practice. Any university could prepare me for a job, but Fordham will teach me to do God’s work.

Two integral aspects of Fordham’s mission statement correspond with my aspirations. Fordham takes pride in its liberal arts education.

The school subscribes to the concept of Cura Personalis, a Latin phrase meaning “whole person.” Students take a rigorous core curriculum over the course of their first two years.

range of disciplines before deciding what specific career path I think will make me happiest.

Like St. Francis High School students, Fordham undergraduates are not called to be mere scholars, but diverse Renaissance men and women. Outside of the classroom, students are encouraged to join

“ Any university could prepare me for a job, but Fordham will teach me to do God’s work.”

–

Though it is unlikely anyone will enjoy every class that they are required to take, the value of a “well-rounded” education is that students learn to understand a variety of subjects and develop different perspectives.

I want to help those less fortunate than me—beyond that, I have no idea what I want to do for a career.

I like that I will be able to take collegiate-level courses in a broad

JOE ZOYHOFSKI, Staff Writer

student organizations to connect with classmates and further enrich their college experience. Many of these student organizations are service-oriented. I was the community service coordinator of my high school’s Campus Ministry. Through various volunteer experiences, I have learned to see the value in service to the poor. Fordham students have a reputation for caring for others in

the community. They truly live the mission of their second motto.

Fordham students are called to be “People for Others.” Along with caring for the whole person, Fordham students make a commitment to care about the whole community.

The opportunities to serve are unparalleled at almost any other university. Each semester, Fordham students dedicate thousands of hours to working with poor families in the Bronx. Having the ability to volunteer and make a genuine difference in the lives of those who most need assistance was one of the main reasons I chose to go to college in New York. Not only will I be able to continue my Catholic education, but I will be able to live the faith that is such a core component of my identity. I will also be able to serve the professional community through innumerable internship opportunities in the financial capital of the world. I can work with accounting firms, financial planning corporations and even the United Nations while gaining practical experience in providing financial opportunities to the poor. Fordham will challenge and encourage me to harbor my desire to become more conscientious

and compassionate.

Choosing which university to attend was the toughest decision I have ever made. This “fork in the road” separates into a pair of oneway streets, and I am terrified that I will regret the path I chose to follow.

What if I fail to excel academically?

What if I never grow accustomed to New York? What if I cannot keep the promise I made to myself to help those less fortunate than me? I may not achieve all that I set out to do by the time I graduate college. But at least I know if I fall flat on my face, it’s because I took a tremendous leap of faith by choosing the holistic education of Fordham over the reputation of Cornell. Life isn’t about having no regrets; it’s about having the right regrets. Growing up is about living with the choices we make. I chose to be a man for others.

To the seniors who have decided where they will go after graduating Fordham, I hope that your Jesuit liberal arts education has helped you find your passion. To my fellow incoming freshmen who may still be in the midst of making difficult decisions about their majors, consider this: What do you really want to get out of life?

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August 27, 2017 THE OBSERVER

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Little Italy Seeks to Preserve Traditions

PHOTO COURTESY OF TERI TYNES VIA FLICKR

The Feast of San Gennaro has grown to celebrate the rich Italian culture in New York’s Little Italy.

By JEFFREY UMBRELL Staff Writer

The first Feast of San Gennaro celebrated in New York was held on Sept. 19, 1926, as Italian immigrants from Naples observed the martyrdom of Saint Gennaro, who died on the same date in 305 A.D. Since then, the festival has grown into a massive, eleven-day affair.

The 91st annual Feast of San Gennaro will be held in Little Italy from Sept. 14 through Sept. 24. The Feast is one of New York City’s largest and longest running religious festivals, and has been featured in films such as “The Godfather Part II” and “Mean Streets,” as well as television shows including “CSI: NY.” The Feast of San Gennaro has had a long and tumultuous history.

In 1995, newly-elected mayor Rudy Giuliani threatened to shut down the festival over alleged mob ties

and improper financial dealings.

The directors of San Gennaro were forced to clean house, and a community group, led by Mort Berkowitz, was formed to oversee the festival. Berkowitz has since become involved with numerous Little Italy events, including the winter and summer Carnevales and Columbus Day festivities.

Under Berkowitz’s direction, the Feast of San Gennaro has become one of the last remaining vestiges of a neighborhood on the brink of extinction. Little Italy, which once spanned more than 50 downtown blocks, has since been confined to a three-block radius around Mulberry Street. Ever-increasing rent has put the futures of even the few remaining businesses in the neighborhood in jeopardy. Today, fewer than five percent of residents living within what was once Little Italy actually identify as Italian-American, com-

pared to roughly half 50 years ago.

As the surrounding neighborhoods of Chinatown, SoHo and the Lower East Side close in, Little Italy is now little more than a nostalgic tourist destination (part of the neighborhood has even been renamed NoLIta - “north of Little Italy”).

The fact that Little Italy is quite literally disappearing makes it unique among gentrified New York neighborhoods. While places like Harlem and the Lower East Side experience tenant displacement and rent increases, geographically, they still occupy the same streets within the same borders. Conversely, almost all of what was formerly known as Little Italy is now part of Chinatown, as the Chinatown Business Improvement District (BID) absorbed most of the neighborhood in 2011. BIDs are organizations responsible for neighborhood upkeep and tourism promotion, and have

long been criticized for advancing gentrification. The formation of the Chinatown BID was especially controversial, as it caused numerous businesses on the famed Mulberry Street to be listed online as located in “Chinatown.” The National Park Service recently designated a “Chinatown and Little Italy Historic District,” with no distinction between the two neighborhoods.

The uncertain fate of Little Italy has similarly put the future of the Feast of San Gennaro in question.

The shrinking of the neighborhood means that the bulk of the procession route now technically takes place outside of Little Italy. In 2011, boutique workers in NoLIta requested that the route be changed, as to keep the “greasy hands” of the Feast attendees away from their expensive wares. This request, not surprisingly, did not sit well with either the fes-

tival directors or its longtime supporters. Ensuing Little Italy community board meetings were filled with protestors, and letters were received from Italians from across the world expressing their support for the festival, and the traditions and history it represents. Ultimately, the San Gennaro directors won out, and the city ruled that the parade would not be scaled back.

The Feast of San Gennaro returns Sept. 14, concentrated on Mulberry and Grand Streets. Vendors will be open 11:30-11:00 Sunday-Thursday and 11:30-midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and there will be live music every night from 7:00-9:30. The focus of the Feast is the Grand Procession, in which a statue of Saint Gennaro is carried from the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood through Little Italy after a celebratory Mass.

Theology Event Aims to Unite Church and LGBT Groups

By CARSON THORNTON GONZÁLEZ Staff Writer

The relationship between the Catholic Church and the LGBTQ+ community has long been characterized by tension. As a sect of Christianity that prides itself on tradition and following what the Catechism decrees, the Catholic Church has been known to condemn homosexuality and same-sex marriage, failing to recognize the rights of LGBTQ+ people. In recent years, a line of communication has begun to present itself between the two groups.

This movement toward acceptance, or at least the encouragement of discussion surrounding the topic is being reflected in a variety of communities, including here at Fordham. In order to spur conversation about this relationship, the theology department will bring “Building a Bridge: The Catholic Church and the LGBT Community” to the McNally Amphitheatre on September 5th.

In many realms, the Catholic Church promotes acceptance and a willingness to help marginalized members of society, like the impoverished, and because of this generous philosophy, the Church’s general attitude towards sexual diversity has often been seen as hypocritical and intolerant. Only in recent years, with

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHAWN CALHOUN VIA FLICKR

Fr. James Martin will present about his new book at Fordham next month.

the appointment of Pope Francis, have we seen some flexibility and compromise within the church and its attitude toward LGBTQ+ rights.

In 2013, when asked whether he would criticize gay priests for their sexuality, Pope Francis famously said, “who am I to judge?”

The goal of the event will be to initiate discussion about the relationship between the two groups. Fr.

James Martin, a Jesuit writer and influential figure in the Catholic faith, will present his newly published book on the relationship between the Church and the LGBTQ+ community. Professor Patrick Hornbeck, the head of the theology department noted, “His book has received both praise and criticism, the latter both from some representatives of the institutional church and from some

leaders in the LGBTQ+ community. The Theology Department is eager to bring Fr. Martin to Fordham for a dialogue about his book, his response to the criticism he has received, and the overall state of the relationship between LGBTQ+ people and the Catholic Church.”

Moderating the event will be Fordham Rose Hill alum Natalia

Imperatori-Lee, a religious studies faculty member at Manhattan College whose research has also focused on the relationship between the Catholic Church and marginalized groups. She will contribute her own knowledge of the subject to the conversation while facilitating conversation between Fr. Martin, Professor Hornbeck and the attendees.

The event hopes to draw as many people from the Fordham community as possible, both those who hope to engage in discussion and those that just want to listen and reflect. While the relationship between the Catholic Church and the LGBTQ+ community may be characterized by tension, the theology department hopes to create a space where ideas can be expressed openly and respectfully while discussing some of the most hard-hitting issues of our time.

“Religious traditions’ attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people have long contributed to the marginalization of sexually diverse people in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world,” Professor Hornbeck concluded. “At a time when the U.S. is more polarized socially and politically than in the recent past, we hope that this event will lift up the possibility of honest, candid discourse around controversial issues.”

Sports & Health

Sports & Health Editors Mohdshobair Hussani - mhussani2@fordham.edu Alexander DiMisa - adimisa@fordham.edu Artemis Tsagaris - atsagaris@fordham.edu August 27, 2017 THE OBSERVER

A Healthy Start to the Academic Year

EMMA DIMARCO/THE OBSERVER

It’s imperative for college students to start the semester on a high note health-wise and this can be achieved through proper dieting, exercise and stress management.

By MOHDSHOBAIR HUSSAINI Sports & Health Editor

It’s September, which means another academic year is officially underway. For the freshman, this means getting acclimated to not only the academics, but the college lifestyle in general. For the upperclassman, the start of the academic year can mean meeting up with friends again after a few months of summer break. After all, many students haven’t been on campus since the end of the finals period in the spring. Nonetheless, the desire to excel academically is a goal shared by every student. In setting this, the need to establish a healthy lifestyle is often sidelined.

Health is multi-faceted, it’s important to create a balance between one’s mental, physical and social health. There’s often a perception that simply lifting weights and eating healthy foods will lead to a perfect healthy-minded lifestyle. Some others are of the belief that an hourlong cardio session a few times each week will yield result in becoming healthier.

While there is some truth to the aforementioned cases, they don’t depict the entire picture. For this reason, college students, especially freshmen, should be reminded that one’s health is a holistic balance between the physical, mental and social aspects of one’s health.

Now, the following question arises: how can students begin to find this balance? One of the components to consider is daily food intake. For the freshman who lives in McKeon Hall, or for the upperclassman residing in McMahon or even the commuter, it’s important to make healthy food choices. Luckily for residents, there are a variety of campus dining choices which incorporate fruits and

vegetables. The Community Dining Hall and Ram Café are two examples of such on-campus options.

If the on-campus dining options aren’t satisfying for some students, the Lincoln Center campus’ proximity to the Hell’s Kitchen opens up a plethora of other healthy dining options. For the student who enjoys cooking, the food guide pyramid can be used as an example of what a proper diet should consist of. The daily intake of foods that fall within

a registered dietitian or nutritionist for a personally-catered eating plan.

One’s diet is just a single dimension to starting the academic year on a healthy note. Focusing on one’s physical health and the importance of consistent exercise is also important. It’s recommended for adults to take part in at least an hour of physical activity every day. Most college students, because of their commutes, internships, jobs and their academics, can only dedicate so much time

“ Eating healthy foods and making sure some

type of exercise routine is in place will not only keep us in shape but it’ll prevent many other problems such as lack of energy during the day and fatigue.”

– MUHAMMAD BURNEY, GSBLC ‘19 the dairy category, such as milk, yogurt and cheese, should not exceed two to three servings. Regarding vegetables and fruits, an individual should eat three to five servings and two to four servings respectively each day. The next food group consists of meat products, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs and nuts. One should have two to three servings of food within this category each day. The largest recommended food group based off servings consists of bread, cereal, rice and pasta. It is suggested that one has six to eleven servings within this food group. The final group which consists of fats, oils and sweets, should be eaten sparingly.

It should be mentioned that the serving sizes mentioned above are simply estimates. Detailed amounts vary from one person to another. For this reason, it’s helpful to work with

to exercise. Therefore, a collective 30 minutes of exercise each day for at least five days a week can make quite the difference.

During these 30 minutes, students should focus on physical activities that are moderately intensified and elevate heart rate. A few examples of cardiovascular exercises that do just this are jogging, playing a team sport, swimming a few laps in the pool or even using a jump rope.

An on-campus luxury is having the McMahon gym, which adds a greater flexibility to students who may want to just use an elliptical machine or run on a treadmill. When the weather permits, taking a jog in Central Park or cycling throughout the boroughs can be a workout in itself.

When dieting and physical activity are both managed consistently,

one can then focus on maintaining a healthy weight. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a method often used to determine if one is at a healthy weight. This is performed by taking one’s weight in pounds, and dividing it by one’s height in inches squared.

The result should then be multiplied by 703, which yields one’s BMI. A normal weight is categorized by a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9, while a BMI greater than 25.0 places one in an overweight category. It should be noted, however, that the BMI indicator can sometimes be inaccurate if an individual is highly muscular.

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most vital components to living a healthy lifestyle, especially with a new academic year ahead.

Taking care of the proper components which constitute a healthy lifestyle, such as dieting and exercise, can aid in preventing illness and disease. Muhammad Burney, Gabelli School of Business at Lincoln Center (GSBLC) ‘19 also believes in the importance of creating a balance between one’s diet and physical activity. He said, “Eating healthy foods and making sure some type of exercise routine is in place will not only keep us in shape but it’ll prevent many other problems such as lack of energy during the day and fatigue.”

Something else to consider in starting the academic year is stress management. With the semester being a rollercoaster of emotions inside the classroom, juggling between academics and an internship can be quite difficult. Burney shares this sentiment, saying, “Coping with stress as a college student all comes down to planning well and having specific goals in mind to work on.”

Letting stress magnify early on in the semester without addressing it, can be dangerous to one’s emotional and physical health. Studies have even indicated that it can raise blood

pressure and one’s resting heart rate.

If untreated, long-term stress can lead to medical problems, such as cardiovascular disease. As a result, it’s crucial to learn how to manage one’s stress levels. “Planning out how to balance your workload can reduce the stress of staying up late the night before to write a paper,” Burney added.

One method of controlling stress is exercise. A publication in the journal, Front Psychiatry, published in 2013, highlighted the correlation between regular exercise and physical activity lowering the prevalence of chronic disease(s). The article states, “Adults who engage in regular physical activity experience fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms, thus supporting the notion that exercise offers a protective effect against the development of mental disorders (van Minnen et al., 2010).”

It’s no secret that living a healthier lifestyle is a goal of every college student. Focusing on one’s mental, physical and social health by dieting, exercising and managing one’s stress levels is a crucial first step toward achieving this goal.

BY THE NUMBERS

18.5 to 24.9

A normal BMI, while a BMI greater than 25 places one into the overweight category.

1

The amout of hours for which adults are supposed to be physically active every day. .

3-5

The amount of servings of vegetables a healthy individual should eat every day.

16

Sports

August 27, 2017 THE OBSERVER

WWW.fordhamobserver.com

Rose Hill Gym Takes On A New Look

By MOHDSHOBAIR HUSSAINI Sports & Health Editor

As students return to the Rose Hill campus for the start of the semester, some may realize a few changes in Fordham athletics. And no, there haven’t been any new additions to Fordham’s currently extensive number of Division I National College Athletic Association (NCAA) teams. Instead, the Rose Hill Gymnasium underwent a series of renovations which completed the first phase of the renewal project which was announced earlier in the year.

The renovations are part of a two-phase project. The first phase involved replacing all the lower level seating. Specifically, new bleachers were installed for the seating reserved for students. Chair back seats were also put in behind the team benches.

The purpose of this is to create a better game-viewing experience for fans who attend men’s and women’s basketball as well as volleyball games. Dave Roach, Fordham University’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, agreed by stating, “The [gym] looks sharper. It will be a more comfortable atmosphere especially in the seating behind the team benches, which are now chair back as opposed to bench seats. [Overall], we’re hoping to sell more tickets and season tickets.”

The second phase of the renovation project will commence next summer granted the proper funds have been raised. Next fall, students can expect a new state-of-the-art wood surface replacing the existing hardwood in the gym. Additionally, a hospitality suite will be installed in the upper balcony of the Rose Hill Gym. While the historic venue’s name will remain the same, the court will be renamed the Frank McLaughlin Family Basketball Court.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FORDHAM SPORTS

The Rose Hill Gynasium underwent phase 1 of its renovations this summer, which involved the installation of new lower-level seating.

The name change will be in honor of Frank McLaughlin, who had a distinguished career at Fordham, graduating as a member of Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’53. He later served as the athletics director at Fordham from 1985 until 2012.

The project is expected to cost a total of $2.5 million. It should be noted that the renovations are being performed solely through fundraising by donors. Suffice to say, students won’t need to worry about tuition money being used towards the renovation project.

The Rose Hill Gymnasium renovation project is quite timely and long due for a facelift. The 3,200seat arena is the oldest on-campus venue used primarily today in NCAA Division I basketball. In fact, the historic gym has seen over nine decades since its opening in January of 1925.

The age and size of the Rose Hill Gym may portray it as outdated in comparison to Fordham’s other Division I counterparts. However, when entirely filled up, the arena can create quite the nightmare for

any opponent. These renovations are an attempt to maximize on the gym’s size by attracting a full-capacity crowd each game. Mr. Roach believes, “When the Rose Hill Gym is at capacity, it’s a great home court advantage and that’s what we’re looking for and hoping to get this year from our students, season tickets holders, alumni and fans.”

The Rose Hill Gym renovations can also be an opportunity to attract more recruits into the Fordham Athletics program. Mr. Roach stated, “With recruiting, when we

have a game and bring recruits on campus, we need to have a lot of our students and need to have a great crowd and a great atmosphere.”

With the newly installed bleachers for students, Fordham students can look forward to an improved experience in cheering on their fellow Rams. With that said, a more comfortable viewing experience may be all that’s needed to attract a great number of alumni and fans to each and every one of the Fordham men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball games.

Fantasy Football Reaches a New Audience

By ARTEMIS TSAGARIS Sports & Health Editor

It seems football is no longer just a sport for men. In recent years, female interest in the sport high skyrocketed, and, with this rise also comes the increase in another football related activity: fantasy football. While fantasy sports has traditionally been viewed as a men’s game, more and more women have started to join the sport. The increase in participation can be traced back to 1980 when the first

“ I read articles

online, looking at the current and past few rookie classes for sleepers and sometimes doing it the old-fashioned way by reading a magazine.”

LAUREN RUSSELL, FCLC ‘21

all-female league was born.

Fantasy football is a game played online during the football season. You can either make your own “league,” in which you get a bunch of friends together and play against each other, or join a random

TESSA VON BERGER/THE OBSERVER

With a new NFL season ahead, a growing trend among women is playing in football fantasy leagues.

league.. You and your competitors take turns drafting actual National Football League (NFL) players to make the “perfect” team. When your team is completed, you can make trades with other players if you wish. Each week, starting with the start of the football season, you play a “game” against one other player. It is your players against the other team. Each of your players earns a certain number of points depending on how well they did in that week’s game. Whoever’s players accumulate the most points for

that week wins. This process goes on until the football season is over.

I started playing fantasy football when my dad’s company started a small league amongst themselves.

I immediately took interest and, when my dad stepped away from the computer, he asked me to take over for a few rounds. I did, and immediately fell in love. I was checking updates each week to see how the players on my dad’s team were doing, and giving advice on switching them out if I suspected they would underperform or got hurt. It was a

really fun season and I am starting a league with some friends this year.

Fantasy football is a great way for people to learn more about the sport in general. Having specific players to follow each week is very engaging. It gives players motivation to watch more games and, if they don’t know much about football to begin with, it is a great way to educate them in a fun way about the game. I know football pretty well, but being part of a fantasy league gives me motivation to start following other teams to make sure

my other players will do well. This gets me more involved in football as a whole as opposed to watching one specific team in general.

Lauren Russell, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’21 has been playing fantasy football since 2014, when she was 15 years old. She started playing because she wanted to be more involved in the sport. In this coming year, she will be involved in two random fantasy leagues. Preparing for the draft takes a lot of work. “I read articles online, look at the current and past few rookie classes for sleepers and sometimes do the old fashioned way by reading a magazine.”

However, there are always newcomers to the game. Lyra Tan, FCLC ’20, is hoping to gain a new experience from fantasy football. She has never been in a league before, and is getting a crash course from her brother about the league and how it is played. “I don’t know much about football, so diving headfirst seems to be the way to go.”

Dawn Hudson (Chief Marketing Officer at NFL), Stacie Stern (General Manager at Head2Head Sports), Stephania Bell (ESPN Injury Analyst), Megan Van Petten (Executive Director at Fantasy Sports Trade Association) and Sarah Walsh (SportsCenter Anchor) are five influential fantasy football female leaders from last year. They are the role models of fantasy football for females in the game.