Observer Issue #9

Observer the

SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 VOLUME XXXVII, ISSUE 9

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Fordham Welcomes Class of 2020

By TERRY ZENG Copy Editor

In Fordham University’s dodransbicentennial year, the class of 2020—also called the “visionary” class by President of Fordham University Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J.—has arrived.

The class of 2020 has a student population comparable to that of last year, comprised of 2,160 students across both campuses, with more than 500 freshmen at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) and more than 100 at Gabelli School of Business at Lincoln Center (GSBLC), according to Director of Undergraduate Admission Patricia Peek. The freshman class brings together domestic students from 44 U.S. states and 200 international students from across the world. 30 percent of the class of 2020 represent ethnic diversity or are international.

This year’s admission process has been more competitive than ever, according to Peek.

Undergraduate admissions only accepted 45 percent of applicants from a pool of nearly 45,000 students.

“We are excited that more than 2,100 students have chosen to join our campus community and share their many gifts with us,” Peek said. “Each year, we strive to enroll a talented and diverse class, and this year is no exception.”

Freshmen Class Dean Joseph Desciak said that he is most impressed by the class’s academic profile because it is among the strongest in the history of the college. He also noted that their thoughtful reflection and interaction on the class blog was enthusiastic and heartfelt.

Nick Howard, FCLC ’20, is a resident from Connecticut. He and his twin brother are continuing their family history of pursuing studies at Fordham, following the footsteps of his see CLASS OF 2020 pg. 2

JESS LUSZCZYK/THE OBSERVER

193 Fordham College at Lincoln Center students had their enrollment temporarily cancelled by Student Financial Services this August.

Students Frustrated by Financial Services

By STEPHAN KOZUB News Co-Editor

Jessica Toufayan, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’18, spent the first half of August doing what most college students do at the time: beginning preparations for the fall semester.

Toufayan, however, had much more to worry about when she received an email from Student Financial Services on Aug. 17 with the subject line “Enrollment Cancellation.”

“We wish we were writing to you with better news,” the email began.

“Pursuant to the communication sent to you on August 2, 2016 your courses for the fall 2016 term have been cancelled due to non-payment of your balance. Since you are no longer enrolled for the fall term you cannot reside in University housing.”

“I was crying,” Toufayan said. “I was saying ‘I’m not a student anymore.’ I wasn’t a student for a few days.”

Toufayan had her enrollment status and housing threatened by Fordham when she and her father did not submit a tax form—or K1—for one

“ Of course we’re all supposed to be treated as

adults...But it’s also Fordham’s responsibility when it comes to a point that they need to reach out and tell students what they need to submit.”

–

VINCENT KAPPEL, Fordham College at Lincoln Center ’18

of her father’s businesses, leaving her FAFSA loan unprocessed and leaving an unpaid balance of $5,000 on her account.

The tax form, however, did not exist, because the business was out of commision. Despite notifying Fordham that this was the situation earlier in the summer, the University continued to ask for the tax form and notified Toufayan via email on Aug. 2 that she had an unpaid balance. After calling Fordham and resending the tax forms for her father’s other businesses, the issue appeared to be resolved.

As a result, Toufayan said that she was not expecting the Aug. 17 email.

After further communication with

the University, however, her schedule was restored and she was able to move into her dorm on time.

While Toufayan’s issue was resolved, she was not the only FCLC student whose enrollment and housing were threatened. 193 FCLC students received the Aug. 17 email from Student Financial Services about their enrollment being cancelled due to unpaid balances, according to Associate Director and Bursar of Student Financial Services Stefano Terzulli.

Students have said that these emails and their interactions with Student Financial Services in August left them frustrated, pointing primarily to issues regarding commu-

nication. Alumni have also said that they encountered similar issues during their time at Fordham.

“There’s a lot of real consequences to the family and to other families that we try to manage to,” Peter Stace, Ph.D., vice president of Enrollment, said. “We’re really pretty good about working with families who reach out and work with us and that’s why the big window and the more threatening tone of the last letters, because in the end it’s like ‘okay I really can’t wait anymore and I need to do this.’”

Financial aid and bills began to be processed in April and bills were issued to students on July 5. On Aug. 2, those with unpaid balances were notified via email by Student Financial Services that if they did not resolve their situations through submitting missing paperwork or making payment arrangements by Aug. 16, their enrollment and housing would be cancelled. On Aug. 17, students who had not resolved their issues were notified via email that their enrollment and housing had been cancelled and that they had until Sept. 8, the end of see ENROLLMENT pg. 3

NEWS

FEATURES

ARTS & CULTURE

SPORTS

OPINIONS

Adjuncts Rally

Fashion Fluidity

Mimes and Mummers

Faith and Football

First Responders

Petition for better conditions

The rise of gender-neutral styles

Cross-campus theatre involvement

Page 2

Page 12

Page 7

Anderson resumes starting quarterback role

Name limits discussion of police brutality

Page 14

Page 6

THE STUDENT VOICE OF FORDHAM LINCOLN CENTER

2

News

September 15, 2016 THE OBSERVER

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ANDREA GARCIA/THE OBSERVER

Fordham Faculty United protest low wages and deliver petition to Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., at the Rose Hill Campus.

Adjunct Faculty Protest Low Wages

By CECILE NEIDIG News Co-Editor

On Thursday, Sept. 8, Fordham Faculty United (FFU), a group comprised of adjunct faculty members at Fordham, staged a rally at the Rose Hill campus.

The group delivered a petition to Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the University, to contend for better wages, more comprehensive benefits and just treatment.

As of Friday, one day after the rally, 394 people supported the online petition.

“The petition’s goals were specifically to address the administration, who should be familiar with the low wages they’re paying us and the lack of health benefits, retirement, that sort of thing,” Kathryn Krasinski, Ph.D., a member of the organizing committee of FFU, said.

“But also it’s for the whole Fordham community.”

Members of the group delivered the petition to McShane and the University’s legal team following the rally. They are giving McShane one week to respond to the demands in the petition, according to a post on the Fordham Students United Facebook page.

“The more that I talk about this topic, the more I realize that most of my students really are not familiar with the adjunct system,” Krasinski continued. She thinks that if students realized how the adjunct and contingent faculty “were being compensated, the system would quickly collapse because adjunct teaching conditions are students’ learning conditions. When professors are teetering on the poverty level and running to some other job, or multiple jobs, they cannot provide the high quality education Fordham claims to offer.”

Krasinski also contests the unjust treatment of adjunct faculty by

the administration.

When a student tried to call the phone number listed under Krasinski’s name in the directory, the call was automatically directed to the Fordham Rose Hill (FRH) Dean’s office, as this is where calls to her phone number go. The student asked to speak with Krasinski and was told that adjuncts do not have a place on campus, according to an email from Krasinski.

After the student relayed this experience, Krasinski called her own phone number. According to Krasinski, she asked for her own name when the call was automatically directed to the FRH Dean’s office and was then told, “adjuncts do not have a physical presence here. They do not have a phone or office. That is the policy of Fordham University.”

In the email explaining the events, Krasinski stated, “This says volumes about what Fordham thinks of its adjuncts.”

Other demands included in the petition to ensure the just treatment of adjunct and contingent faculty are that the University adopt the Jesuit Just Employment Policy, that there be a public meeting with McShane, the Provost and a panel of adjunct and contingent faculty, and that the University live up to the pronouncement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

This pronouncement is stated in the petition and asserts, “If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected—the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property and to economic initiative.”

The Jesuit Just Employment Policy petitions for a university that adopts the policy to recognize “the connection between its Catholic faith and its moral commitment to promote a just work environment,”

as written in a model policy on the Just Employment Policy’s website.

Georgetown University, another Jesuit university in Washington, D.C., adopted the policy last November.

Krasinski stated that the administration can start taking action now by adopting the policy.

“Georgetown has already done this and if Fordham really wants to be the leader it claims to be, it can do this immediately,” she said.

“We’re happy to work with the administration if they’re willing to take action immediately,” Krasinski continued. “We can start generating a plan to adopt the Jesuit Just Employment Policy, but if these actions don’t happen within the month, we’re going to need to find alternative solutions. Too many of us are living on the verge of losing an apartment, not being able to buy food, pay bills and provide for our families.”

Fordham Embraces the ‘Visionary’ Class 2020 FROM PAGE 1

mother and uncle.

Howard favors the small class environment at Fordham, which has helped him interact more easily with other students in class. According to College Board, the student-faculty ratio at Fordham University is 14:1.

“I actually made a lot more friends than I thought,” Howard said. “[The student-faculty ratio] has helped me make friends and build community within Fordham.”

“Considering my family has history at Fordham, I can say it’s a thriving college, so it’s really cool to be in the 175th class,” Howard continued.

Kimberly Cruz, FCLC ’21, is a commuter from SoHo. She is enrolled in the five—year Ph.D. in Social Work program. She met Howard in the same orientation group and they have been involved in extracurricular activities together.

Cruz appreciates the support freshmen leaders have given her. “I didn’t expect to be given so many

TERRY ZENG/THE OBSERVER

Freshen students Kimberly Cruz and Nick Howard with their friends on the outdoor plaza.

[opportunities],” Cruz said. “I have support from different groups. I

have my orientation leader, a CFM (Commuter Freshmen Mentor) and

I have a lot of support, which is very nice.”

Cruz chose to study at Fordham because she previously studied at a Catholic high school focused on diversity, acceptance and non-discrimination, which led her to continue her education at a Jesuit university like Fordham.

Freshmen students were encouraged to participate in activities at orientation, such as the dance party held on the outdoor plaza where Cruz met most of her friends.

She was surprised to find that education at Fordham is not only about academics, but also about student life.

Cruz feels special being a part of Fordham’s 175th class, and is happy to see a strong school spirit during her first year.

“It means that the school has placed education in the middle of the city that everybody can look at and be in awe and in shock. We have to place school spirit inside us and be happy about it,” Cruz said. “It has changed my perspective and made transitioning from high school to college a lot easier.”

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THE OBSERVER September 15, 2016

News

3

Fordham Raises Tuition by 3.75 Percent

By STEPHAN KOZUB News Co-Editor

Fordham University’s tuition went up this summer by 3.75 percent, bringing it to a total of $47,850.

This increase continues the University’s trend of raising the tuition rate on an annual basis.

“Though I wish we did not have to raise tuition at all, we have been able to limit the increase through careful management of our budget and aggressive fundraising,” Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham University, said in a letter to students regarding the rise in tuition sent in May. McShane added that the University offers financial aid to more than 85 percent of students and drew attention to Tuition Management Systems and Financing Fordham Online, which “help families plan for their educational expenses.” The average amount of financial aid that students received from Fordham in 2014-15 was $23,508, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

“We are deeply aware of the financial sacrifices students and their families make in obtaining a Fordham education,” he noted.

“We deeply believe that education is worth the price and more, and at the same time we are doing everything we can to reduce the burden.

As a Jesuit university, we cannot do otherwise.”

The increased cost of attending

GRAPHIC BY BEN MOORE/THE OBSERVER

Cost of attendence at Fordham has steadily increased since 2001.

Fordham—$48,958 after factoring in the technological fee and general fee—is not unprecedented. Fordham’s tuition and fees have been increasing since 2001, the first year on record on the National Center for Education Statistics’ website.

Since 2001—when tuition and fees together were $22,585—the cost of attending Fordham has increased by approximately 116 percent. Ad-

justed for inflation, the change is 59.53 percent.

On record, the highest percent increase in cost from one year to the next was between 2003-04 and 2004-05, when tuition and fees went up by 9.41 percent from $24,720 to $27,047. The largest amount increase in cost from one year to the next was between the 2007-08 and the 200809 academic years, when tuition and

fees went up by $2,637.

“Regarding tuition rate-setting, rates are established by considering a number of factors that revolve around affordability for our students and their families, our mission, and the costs of operating in a very expensive metropolitan area,” Nicholas Milowski, vice president of Finance, said in an email statement.

“It is difficult to evaluate tuition

alone without consideration of financial aid, which significantly discounts tuition,” he continued in the statement. “In fact, the institutional discount rate for our fall 2016 entering class exceeded 45% (more than $47 million) and further, financial aid has been awarded to more than 90% of Fordham undergraduates (this excludes restricted and governmental aid). In addition, the University is currently in the midst of a financial aid campaign with the hopes of making a Fordham education even more affordable for students.”

During the Middle States accreditation evaluation in April, the evaluation team had cautioned the university that “we don’t have the financial resources to do everything that’s planned that at the present time we would need,” according to Rev. Robert Grimes, S.J., Ph.D., in an interview at the time.

“In terms of additional expenditures of resources, we need to work on developing new sources of revenue and emphasizing development and fundraising, that kind of thing,” Jonathon Crystal, vice president of Academic Affairs in the Office of the Provost, also said at the time.

He added that we want “to think in terms of developing a long term budgeting model to help us make those decisions effectively.”

Both Grimes and Crystal pointed to the Continuous University Strategic Planning (CUSP) to address these issues.

Students’ Enrollment Status Threatened FINANCIAL AID FROM PAGE 1

the add/drop period, to resolve their issues before the cancellations became permanent.

515 FCLC students received the Aug. 2 email. 193 FCLC students received the Aug. 17 email and four FCLC students had their enrollments permanently cancelled.

“A majority of the students, when they get that letter saying they need so start getting things together, they do,” Giancarlo Annese, senior assistant director of Student Financial Services, said.

“We don’t take it lightly and we wait until the very last second before taking any action of this nature,” Terzulli said. He continued that he and Annese reviewed all of the notes left on students’ accounts regarding their situations before sending out the Aug. 17 email. Each of the cases is also “very carefully vetted” as the final deadlines draw closer in order to avoid sending a threat that is “unnecessary” or “unwarranted,” according to Stace.

The number of students receiving these emails is high because of timing, according to Stace.

“If we waited, there might be fewer students who got the letter, but there’s so much less time to do what needs to be done that folks wind up feeling like ‘Now all of the sudden I have to do these six things and there’s no time,’” Stace said. “So to avoid that sense of extreme pressure at the end, we start doing it earlier, which may touch more students, but each of them has more time to reach a resolution before anything bad is going to happen.”

Stace said, however, that between the beginning of April and the middle of August, “there’s a lot of water over the dam.”

“Sometimes people don’t peak to what they need to do,” he said.

“Sometimes there are delays and misunderstandings for a host of reasons.”

Many of the situations that arose this summer had to do with timing and students waiting too long to address their situations, Stace said. “We have to have certain documents that if we don’t have, we can’t act.”

In the first weeks of August, Student Financial Services is dealing with the complexity of traffic and the urgency of the situations that arise, according to Stace.

“We set up teams to work with the students who are a part of this notification so we’re ready for what they’re going to bring,” he said. “So it’s not a volume issue. But if lots of people have waited up until the last day, you may run into time wait on the phone or that sort of thing.”

In some of these cases, more paperwork is needed than expected, according to Stace. “It’s like peeling an onion in some cases,” he said.

Rodriguez was planning to move off campus because the scholarship he received would apply the money he would have used for university housing to his off-campus housing. He therefore did not enroll in student housing and in early August signed the lease for his apartment and had his roommates situated.

Shortly thereafter, however, Rodriguez received an email from Fordham stating that they did not have his mother’s tax returns, even though he had sent them in April.

“So I was kind of freaking out because I did not enroll in student housing and I had this plan to move off

“ We don’t take it lightly and we wait until

the very last second before taking any action of this nature.”

–

STEFANO TERZULLI,

Associate Director and Bursar of Student Financial Services

“It’s like we asked for [a document] and now in light of you having provided that, we discover that we also need [another document], because we didn’t know before you told us. And that information has consequences that we then have to pursue.”

He added that the University is required by federal regulation to “reconcile any data discrepancies that appear.”

Students being frustrated by Student Financial Services is not isolated to this year. In 2012, Jaime Rodriguez, FCLC ’14, had his enrollment threatened and was left “effectively homeless” for two months.

Rodriguez received a full-ride scholarship from an outside organization for all four years at Fordham.

In order to get the scholarship each year, he needed to send his mother’s income tax form to the University.

The University would then send a verification letter to the scholarship foundation, which would then approve his scholarship for the academic year.

The summer before his junior year,

campus,” he said. When he went to the scholarship agency, they said that they had not received a verification letter from Fordham. This situation left him without housing for the first two months of his junior year, during which time he slept on people’s couches and snuck into dorms.

“I was risking disciplinary action,” he said. “I’m just really lucky for all of the Fordham students in my year and other classmates taking care of me in my time of need. That’s what kept me focused.”

Rodriguez, however, was still able to attend his courses. Until the end of October, he did not receive a refund check for his housing and had an outstanding balance of $25,000, leaving him in a “limbo stage.” When the scholarship paperwork was taken care of, Rodriguez was able to get an apartment.

While none of the other students interviewed were left without housing due to paperwork issues with the University, their frustrations were similar.

One student, who wished to re-

main anonymous, received the Aug. 17 email because she did not pay her bill by the Aug. 16 deadline. She was instructed by the University to not pay until her financial aid awards were processed, which did not become available until Aug. 18. When she paid her bill after her awards became available, she was charged a $500 late fee, which was later refunded to her.

“It’s not the practice of the University to impose a late fee on folks who are late because of something we didn’t do,” Stace said.

The student said that throughout the process “it took a ton of time to get a hold of somebody” when she called Financial Services. She also said that “email coordination was terrible” and would not get responses for one to two weeks in some cases.

The student attributed some of the issues to the students working at the Office of Financial Services.

“I feel like it’s hard to yell at them because they’re also college students and they’re doing what they’re told, but they’re also messing up things and promising things that they can’t honor,” the student said.

Nadia Semmar, FCLC ’18, an RA in McKeon Hall who is being incorrectly charged over $2,000 for a meal plan—which is supposed to be free to all RAs and RFMs—had similar criticisms of the students working at Financial Services.

“They are not helpful to the students,” Semmar said. “I feel like they’re not prepared to help the students and they keep saying ‘don’t worry we’ll do it’ and they don’t and it just feels like they’re just waiting for me to forget about it and go away.”

The student workers at the Student Financial Services offices are trained by sitting with full time employee to go over the calls that come in and common questions, such as inquiries about balances and missing paperwork, according to Terzulli. “A vast number of calls we receive are straightforward.”

Vincent Kappel, FCLC ’18, another student who received the Aug. 17 email, took out a $28,000 loan in order to pay his balance. He is appealing his financial aid package and was notified by Fordham on Aug. 16 that

they were missing paperwork for a scholarship he was receiving from an outside organization. Kappel, however, said that he had contacted the University prior to Aug. 16 about his financial situation after he received the Aug. 2 email.

“Of course we’re all supposed to be treated as adults,” Kappel said.

“It’s college. To a certain extent it’s our responsibility to make sure that Fordham has what it needs.”

“But it’s also Fordham’s responsibility when it comes to a point that they need to reach out and tell the students what they need to submit,” he continued. “Because I don’t know what I need to submit. I’m not a tax expert. I did all of the paperwork myself and that’s because I was calling and asking. It shouldn’t be that way.”

“I do believe that the students need to take a little bit more ownership of their loan process, their financial aid process, all of the taxes and missing information,” Junior Class Dean Milton Bravo said. “But I think the students could also hold accountable the people that they interact with from these offices. Write down the names, write down the days and the times that you’re speaking with them.”

In order to avoid these situations, Stace advised students to “respond earlier, rather than later to what’s being asked for. And if you see a problem over the horizon, don’t wait to get there.”

“If there is some situation that is unique to the student, it’s really important that they come in and talk to us about it,” Terzulli said. “The more time you give yourself, the better chances you have of being able to make all of the arrangements before it gets to the consequences.

While students such as Toufayan had their situations resolved, she encountered one more issue during the first week of the semester: there was a hold on her registration portal because of the same non-existent form for her father’s out of commission business. The issue was resolved once she contacted the University.

“You can’t make mistakes in an office that is that important to the University,” Toufayan said. “You just can’t.”

Opinions

John McCullough — Opinions Editor jmcculloughiii@fordham.edu

September 15, 2016

THE OBSERVER

STAFF EDITORIAL

RISING TUITION LEAVES STUDENTS WITHOUT ANSWERS For the 15th year in a row, Fordham increased the tuition for the University.

The total cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, is now $47,850.

Since 2001, tuition and fees have risen nearly 60 percent, after being adjusted for inflation. Even though the average amount of financial aid that students received from Fordham in 2014–15 was $23,508, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. In 2012, TIME Magazine ranked Fordham University 10th among colleges with the most student debt.

Fordham students are not alone in facing huge debts following their higher education endeavors. The Wall Street Journal Reports, “More than 40% of Americans who borrowed from the government’s main student-loan program aren’t making payments or are behind on more than $200 billion owed.”

By continuing to increase tuition, Fordham is doing its students a major disser-

vice. Not only does the high tuition drive away potential students, it also forces current students to take out more loans. This increased burden stays with students

“This increased burden stays with students long after they leave Fordham.” long after they leave Fordham and can be a major source of stress throughout their time here, especially given the inconsistencies with financial aid that occurred this summer.

In the Jesuit teachings, cura personalis is the practice of caring for the whole person. This care should extend to the financial concerns of students and their families. It is unfair to ex-

pect students to handle the cost of a rising tuition when the average household makes less now than it did in 2001, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“We are deeply aware of the financial sacrifices students and their families make in obtaining a Fordham education,” Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham University, noted. “We deeply believe that education is worth the price and more, and at the same time we are doing everything we can to reduce the burden. As a Jesuit university, we cannot do otherwise.”

At the very least, the University should be transparent in how it spends the money from the rise in tuition. Some of this information will need to be confidential, but there is no reason why any funding related to the departments, campus or student body should not be made known to the students and the broader Fordham community.

the

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Opinions

5

On the Issues 2016: Immigration JOHN McCULLOUGH & BEN MOORE Opinions Editor & Editor-in-Chief

As the general election nears, The Observer will be running a series of articles on political issues that interest students. In our coverage, we will analyze each of the four presidential candidates’ (Clinton, Johnson, Stein and Trump) stated platforms on these issues and examine how they compare to one another. This particular feature concerns the topic of student loans and tuition costs of higher education, due to its extreme relevance to the majority of students on campus and throughout the country. If you would like a particular issue to be covered or want to cover an issue yourself, please reach out to us at fordhamobserver@gmail.com.

COURTESY OF GAGE SKIDMORE/FLICKR

Donald Trump, Republican Party

Dr. Jill Stein, Green Party

Gary Johnson, Libertarian Party

Hillary Clinton, Democratic Party

For the vast majority of his 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump’s rise has been fueled by his insistence on a tightly regulated border with Mexico and harsh restrictions on immigration. His policy has been marked by bold proclamations, such as his famous “We’re going to build a tremendous wall...and Mexico’s going to pay for it.” His campaign website is filled with his promises on immigration policy, calling for a three-fold expansion of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), increased penalties for violating the terms of a visa and the end of birthright citizenship.

In the summer, news had arisen of a possible “toning down” of his immigration policy. According to CNN, Trump said in July “that he would favor a ‘merit-based system’ for undocumented immigrants in the U.S.” However these rumors of a “softening” were dispelled after he announced at a rally in Phoenix that he would see the creation of a “deportation task force...focused on identifying and quickly removing the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens in America.”

Much of Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric is based in responding to what people want to hear, regardless of the facts. While Trump attempts to paint immigrants as parasites who use up public services and contribute nothing in return, the statistics show a different story. According to U.S. News and World Report, undocumented immigrants contribute $12 trillion per year in national revenue, half of all undocumented immigrants pay income tax and 75 percent pay into the social security system. Regardless of one’s views on the cultural impact of immigration, the idea of undocumented immigrants as thieves and leeches does not hold up to scrutiny or investigation.

As candidate of the Green Party, Jill Stein has maintained a firm stance in favor of relaxed immigration laws. Her website touts points of her plan such as “Support immigrants’ rights. Create a welcoming path to citizenship for immigrants,” “Halt deportations and detentions of law-abiding undocumented immigrants” and “Demilitarize border crossings throughout North America.”

According to her campaign website, she has criticized the June decision of the Supreme Court to block an executive decision by President Obama that would have prevented the deportation of four million undocumented immigrant parents, calling for “a just immigration system that won’t allow the ruling elite to divide working people. That means halting deportations.”

With this statement, she endorses a view of the relationship between American-born and foreign-born workers as a kind of kinship; a class united against a class that exploits it. To Jill Stein, it is not a case of immigrants “stealing” jobs from hardworking Americans, but of greedy business people operating within a system that allows them to choose workers that can be more easily exploited.

Stein should be commended for her commitment to protecting the human rights of undocumented immigrants, and for her recognition of the class dynamic at play in American immigration. However, she often fails to offer more in-depth plans regarding her intentions. She gives no plan for how deportations will be halted, or how the border crossings will be demilitarized.

This is a weakness; having a comprehensive plan would give added weight to the kinds of radical proposals she suggests. Bold statements make for excellent public discussion, but when new ideas are suggested, specifics are necessary to back them up.

In an op-ed he wrote for CNN, Gary Johnson directly states, “No caps. No categories. No quotas. Just a straightforward background check, the proper paperwork to obtain a real Social Security number and work legally or prove legitimate family ties.”

Johnson continues, “We really are a nation of immigrants, and we’ve become the greatest nation on earth without big walls and nativism.”

His campaign website says, “We should focus on creating a more efficient system of providing work visas...and incentivizing non-citizens to pay their taxes.”

Johnson rejects the idea of militarizing the border and building fences, claiming that these are “popular rhetoric, not practical solutions.” The Libertarian candidate also looks at the situation from a capitalistic perspective, stating, “It’s no coincidence that recent history shows the only successful way to reduce illegal immigration is to have a recession.”

Johnson also defended President Obama’s Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) policy expansion via executive action in an interview on Politico, which would have granted undocumented immigrants with children a three-year work visa and the ability to become full citizens, explaining that stating,“[he] saw it as a reasonable use, challenging Congress to action.”

In an interview on MSNBC earlier this month, Johnson admitted that he did not know what a moderator meant by Aleppo, the epicenter of the Syrian refugee crisis.

This was either a lapse in judgement or an indication that he is not well-versed on the subject, a troubling shortcoming for a presidential candidate.

Additionally, for all of his talk of a simplification of the system, there are very few actionable details on his campaign website.

Hillary Clinton states on her campaign website she promises to “fix our broken immigration system… and treat those who come to our country with dignity and respect—and that we embrace immigrants, not denigrate them...I think it’s important that we move to our comprehensive immigration reform, but at the same time, stop the raids, stop the round-ups, stop the [deportation] of people who are living here doing their lives, doing their jobs, and that’s my priority.”

According to NBC news, she “pledged to pursue legislation creating a path to citizenship for qualifying immigrants in her first 100 days in office,” and “to “go even further” than President Obama in using executive action to shield undocumented immigrants from deportations, and pledged she would not deport children or break up families.”

Another major point in her platform is to expand the Affordable Care Act to all those who want to purchase insurance, regardless of immigration status.

Many of Clinton’s proposed reforms would be extremely costly, such as her proposed Office of Immigrant Affairs, which would require a $15 million grant for its establishment.

During the PBS Democratic Primary Debate, Clinton stated, “Preventing Muslims from immigrating is un-American,” and Breitbart reports that “she would expand Muslim migration by importing an additional 65,000 Syrian refugees into the United States during the course of a single fiscal year.” A specific stance on Syrian refugee immigration is not stated anywhere on her website.

Among other rhetoric featured on her website is a promise to “Enforce immigration laws humanely,” which is too vague to for real policy. The practicality of ensuring that all refugees will have a fair chance to tell their stories is questionable.

Fordham Needs a Scholarship for Undocumented Students and Refugees ISRAEL MUNOZ Staff Writer

Fordham University is a school that takes pride in its Jesuit values. In its mission statement, Fordham asserts that it is “committed to research and education that assists in the alleviation of poverty, the promotion of justice, the protection of human rights and respect for the environment.” Clearly, the University acknowledges that education is a critical component in the promotion of social justice. As an exercise of these important values, Fordham should develop a scholarship for admitted applicants who are undocumented students or refugees. The reason is very simple: these two demographics find it substantially more difficult to finance a college education.

At a time when the cost of higher education continues to soar, prestigious universities, such as Fordham, become increasingly out of reach for both of these groups. While some states, like New York, offer in-state tuition to non-US citizens at public colleges and universities, undocu-

mented students are not permitted any federal or state educational grants and scholarships to help cover the costs of education. On the other hand, although many refugees and asylees are considered “eligible noncitizens” for federal student aid, they often face unique financial challenges that result from relocating to a new country.

As such, it is evermore important for universities to step up and assist these students in overcoming their obstacles. Many of these individuals are high-achievers who will excel at colleges like Fordham, and dreamers who, given the right education and resources, will make extraordinary accomplishments and carry forward Fordham’s mission and values. But the status quo means windows of opportunity are closing and an increasingly xenophobic political environment risks further marginalization of these individuals.

Fordham should actively welcome undocumented and refugee students, empower them to accomplish their goals through education and enable them to be men and women for others by setting up a scholarship that makes a Fordham education possible. This is a mission that

Many of these individuals are highachievers who will excel at colleges like Fordham. many other Jesuit institutions have already embraced. For example, a research partnership between Santa Clara University, Loyola University Chicago and Fairfield University on the experiences of undocumented students found that their largest needs are financial. As a result, the schools collectively made recommendations that included the creation of a “common fund” to help meet the financial needs of undocumented students at Jesuit universities.

Santa Clara University provides the Hurtado scholarship, which covers tuition, room and board, and a living stipend for undocumented students annually. Many non-Jesuit colleges offer similar scholarships for undocumented students and refugees as well, such as Harvard, Pomona and Columbia to name a few.

In contrast, Fordham does not

have financial resources dedicated specifically for undocumented and refugee students in its restricted scholarships, nor does its website even include outside resources for applicants and admitted students.

It is not just goodwill that makes this scholarship important. Including these students at Fordham is crucial to enriching the academic experience. How can we have meaningful discussions in the classroom about immigrant and refugee policy without including them in our conversation? How can we discuss ongoing refugee crises around the world without including perspectives of those who have been a part of them? A rich academic experience requires diversity of perspective and that cannot be achieved unless those from marginalized communities have a seat in the classroom.

I was born and raised in Chicago’s south side in a community of Mexican immigrants. My parents were undocumented for much of my childhood, as were many of my neighbors, friends and family members. I attended high school alongside many undocumented students, where classrooms were overcrowded and severely under-resourced; our

books were as old as our teachers, and in a school of nearly 2,000 students, we had three armed police officers and over 10 security guards, but only one college counselor. Similar hardships prevail in inner cities where many undocumented and refugee families settle.

There are those who persevered through these struggles, but not all had the fortune of being U.S. citizens or having the financial resources to make ambitions of a great college education a reality. As a result, many settle for lower-quality education at local community colleges where opportunities are less abundant or become stuck in entry-level jobs.

Alternatively, a Fordham education can make the American Dream possible for these individuals. I know so because Fordham has made it possible for me, and countless others, to achieve what we never thought was possible. Fordham can change these individuals’ labels from immigrant or refugee into entrepreneur or scientist or academic. To exclude them from these possibilities because of their legal status and financial obstacles would be an injustice of the kind that Fordham teaches us to fight against.

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Opinions

September 15, 2016 THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

“First Responders” Limits Debate About Police COURTESY OF THOMAS HAWK//FLICKR

COURTESY OF AV DEZIGN/FLICKR

JOHN McCULLOUGH Opinions Editor

In the aftermath of countless highly publicized shootings of civilians by police officers, such as those of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, the actions of law enforcement have come under a greater level of scrutiny than ever before. In the face of this criticism, families and supporters of law enforcement alike have mounted to defend police officers from accusations of abuse of authority and corruption, under the banner of “Blue Lives Matter” organizations.

Groups such as these often claim they are invested in the defense of “first responders,” but the use of this term in media and debate has served to detract from the general discourse surrounding the police, and at times shield it from responsibility for wrongdoings.

First responders are defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as “those individuals who in the early stages of an incident are responsible for the protection and preservation of life, property, evidence, and the environment.” As one might expect from this definition, the term “first responder” is often used interchangeably with “firefighter,” “paramedic” and “police officer.” The New York Post popularized the phrase in reference to the public safety workers that “first responded” to the scene of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Clearly, under this definition, the term “first responder” is accurate for a police officer, as many sacrificed themselves on that tragic day to save the lives of innocent men and women. However, in other contexts, the use of this term tying together Emergency Medical Services, fire departments and law enforcement can become an issue when reforms of the police department are being debated.

The problem with tightly grouping these roles together is that it makes it more difficult to critique one free of the assumption that you are critiquing all of the others. Firefighters and paramedics are not charged with

Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics are often grouped together under the term “first responders” but this can be an obstacle to honest discourse.

COURTESY OF HIGHSIDER10/FLICKR

active confrontation with the citi- and mission, as well as their history. clear that the police are not infallible, zenry, but are only tasked with savWhile the police force certainly nor are they always just. While public ing them from dangerous situations. does good things, it would be a mis- attention is now placed on the conPolice forces, on the other hand, must take to ignore the historical reality of tributions police make to the public maintain the law through violent its existence. According to a study by good, the inherent role of the police force if necessary. According to the the Eastern University of Kentucky, as breakers of strikes and protests Fraternal Order of Police, a vital part modern policing has its roots in 19th remains in force, as has been seen in of the police’s the recent exmission is “to amples of the inculcate loycrackdown on “References to ‘first responders’ contribute to a alty and allethe Occupy giance to the protests and lionizing of the police as purely a public safety United States on the 2012 organization, while limiting our ability to acof America; strike of the knowledge its continued role in maintaining to promote International and foster Longshore structures of inequality.” the enforceand Warement of law house Union and order.”

(ILWU).

This is not Ack nowlthe same as the role of the fire depart- century battalions loyal to factory edging this troubling facet of the ment, which as the FDNY website owners and landlords, whose original historical role of the police opens up states, is to “keep our citizens rea- purpose was to break labor strikes, the door to a much more rigorous sonably free from danger, especially catch runaway slaves and maintain questioning of the nature of policing deliberate, harmful acts.” This is not the property laws of an inherently and the kind of behavior we should to say that police do no good, or that unjust and exploitative economic sys- consider acceptable from officers of the fire department can do no wrong, tem. The first American police force the law. but it is important to point out that was not established until 1838, and References to “first responders” there is a difference in their purpose the idea of most municipalities set- limit this by contributing to a lionting up their own law enforcement izing of the police as purely a public divisions was not commonplace until safety organization, while limiting the 1880s. Understanding the origin our ability to acknowledge its conof police forces (and understanding tinued role in maintaining structures that they are a very recent invention) of inequality, and in this its profound is vitally important, as it makes it difference from EMS and fire depart-

ments.

One troubling example of the “first responders” term being used is within the context of Louisiana’s recent “Blue Lives Matter” bill, which extends hate crime protection to police officers and firefighters alike, under the umbrella of “first responders.” This law’s miscalculation is that it grants police officers the same protection afforded to people who are under threat as a condition of their very identity, such as those at risk of retaliation due to their race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Much like the term “first responders” itself, it attempts to introduce the idea of police officers as a protected group that cannot be criticized by implying that police are an oppressed group like people of color or queer folks, and dismisses any attempt to critique very real power dynamics as irrational.

When a man such as Philando Castile is slain at a traffic stop as his young child watches on in horror, his killer must be held accountable, regardless of his badge or his uniform.

This is a necessary condition for a just society. Policing desperately needs radical reform, and the use of systematically misattributed language such as “first responders” is not the way to open up that dialogue.

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editors Elena Ciotta - eciotta@fordham.edu Ana Fota - afota@fordham.edu Morgan Steward - msteward2@fordham.edu September 15, 2016 THE OBSERVER

Shining the Spotlight on “Mimes and Mummers” The Rose Hill club makes musical theatre part of your college career.

By ELENA CIOTTA & MORGAN STEWARD Arts& Culture Co-Editors

Most Fordham Lincoln Center (FLC) students are well versed in the clubs this campus has to offer, but what about the opportunities at Rose Hill? While FLC has some things Rose Hill does not (a theatre major, visual arts major and dance major), the Bronx campus has one significant edge on Lincoln Center: a musical theatre organization with a professional atmosphere.

The Mimes and Mummers is a performance group for non-theater majors based at Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH). It is the oldest club on either campus, having started a mere 14 years after the Rose Hill campus’ opening in 1841. Founded in 1855

by Charles Melton Walcott, FCRH alum and professional Broadway actor, Mimes and Mummers has been an integral part of Fordham theater for 161 years.

The Mimes combine the use of student talent for lighting, sound, costume and publicity, with professional guidance from local directors, choreographers and musical directors to produce four shows each year: two musicals and two plays (one drama and one comedy). While every show The Mimes produces is stellar, they have gained notoriety for their lavish musical productions, as they are the only club on either campus with the resources to produce a full-scale musical.

Despite being based at Rose Hill, any Fordham University student who is not a theater major can participate in The Mimes and Mummers. In fact, Lincoln Center students have had great success participating with the club in the past.

“We’ve had a very decent amount of [Lincoln Center] participation,” Vice President Katie Dolan, FCRH ’18, explained. “Rent” (spring 2015) and “Bonnie and Clyde” (fall 2015) have been the two shows in recent years that have had the highest rate of Lincoln Center participation: “‘Rent’ had about a 50% LC cast. ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ had pretty much an all Lincoln Center group in the leads of the show,” Dolan said.

For those worried that their Lincoln Center affiliation might be a detriment to them in the audition process, Dolan explained that FLC students should not be worried about not getting roles based on their home campus. “They have an equally good chance of getting a spot as anyone else.

It’s the best person for each role.”

While the time commitment may seem daunting, many FLC students who have participated in the shows report that the experience was invaluable and rewarding. “It can be good to devote yourself to this, and it can give you a community… a new part of the Fordham community that you can be exposed to, and that can be worth it,” Emma Copp, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’17 and “Bonnie and Clyde” participant, said.

Kyle McKee, FCLC ’17, was one of the FLC students who participated in “Rent” with Mimes and Mummers.

“ Our mission is to provide students with an

oppurtunity to learn as much as they can in as many different areas of theater as is humanly possible.”

– KATIE DOLAN, FCRH ’18 Mimes & Mummers Vice President

McKee was quick to point out that the commute to Rose Hill should not discourage anyone’s participation: “that part was not difficult because they gave us free ram van passes. The hardest part was the time commitment to the show itself. Besides classes, my semester was pretty free. It would be impossible to do one of these shows if you were involved in something outside of school,” he said.

The Mimes and Mummers has also begun plans to expand the club on campus in order to make it more available to those who are not able to commit to such a rigorous time commitment. “We are starting a workshop series this year! The workshops will be shorter and once every other week. You don’t need to come to all of them—you can come to what you want to come to,” Dolan reported.

Sarah Hill, FCRH ’17 and president of the club, stressed the value of participating in any capacity with Mimes and Mummers. According to Hill, “It feels like a professional environment on a college campus and we offer that to people who otherwise might not get that opportunity.” Her biggest piece of advice for potential members? Don’t dwell on discouragements. “If you’re not cast initially, it’s because we get a lot of interest and sometimes it’s easy to think that [acting is] the only way to get involved with us. Our club has a huge network who gets involved through costume design and set design because we do all of that our-

selves. Don’t assume that acting is the only way to get involved. It’s part of what makes us really special.”

Dolan agreed with Hill, saying, “The Mimes and Mummers are a really special group in that we do our best to make this a very all-encompassing and really unique teaching experience.

Our mission is to provide students with an opportunity to learn as much as they can in as many different areas of theater as is humanly possible.”

Copp joined Mimes to have more of a chance to get involved in theatre on campus. “I’m involved in Splinter Group here, but up until this year, we had only been able to do one full scale show per semester. I thought, if I have the opportunity to do two full scale musicals in a year, why not seize that,” Copp explained.

McKee echoed the sentiment. “I would say give it a try. You’re only here for four years, you’ll be able to make great friendships, I’ve met so many people over there who I’m still in contact with. You can get in touch with an artistic side of you that you didn’t really know you had.”

“Once you are part of the show, you are part of the family,” Dolan said. The Mimes and Mummers’ first show of the 2016–17 school year will be a musical production of Gypsy. Their full season line up and audition information for upcoming shows can be found on their website, www.themimesandmummers.com.

COURTESY OF SARAH HILL/THE OBSERVER

Pictured from top to bottom, the club’s stagings of “Kabarett,” “Bedroom Farce” and “Bonnie and Clyde.”

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Photo Feature

September 15, 2016 THE OBSERVER

Fordham Celebrates

By STEPHAN KOZUB News Co-Editor

B

etween maroon-velvet cake pops, free bamboo plants and an a capella rendition of Happy Birthday, the Fordham Lincoln Center (FLC) Dodransbicentennial Celebration on Sept. 2 left Mara Haeger, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’19, saying it was “the most exciting thing that ever happened here.”

While other students may not have had the same degree of excitement about the event, the celebration drew several students to the indoor plaza and atrium to celebrate the Uuniversity’s 175th birthday, also known as a dodransbicentennial.

The event featured a short speech by Dean of FCLC Robert Grimes, S.J., Ph.D., about the history of the Uuniversity and the significance of the celebration. “I hope you are justly proud of Fordham and I hope you join with us and the F#s in wishing Fordham a happy birthday,” Grimes stated during his speech.

The student a capella group followed by singing “Happy Birthday” to the Uuniversity, adding the line “Happy Dodransbicentennial to you” at the end, eliciting laughter from those present.

In addition to these features, the event included free Fordham gear, including shirts, sunglasses and water bottles. Free food was also available throughout the event, including sandwiches, cookies, popcorn, candy and maroon-velvet cake pops. Dodransbicentennial party hats and cards explaining the meaning of the word were also available.

“I’m really happy with how the event turned out,” Leighton Magoon, FCLC ’17 and United Student Government (USG) president, said. “It’s a lot of time and effort put in on behalf of the Office of Student Involvement, the Dodransbicentennial Planning Committee and United Student Government, and I feel like the event was incredibly successful. I’m happy with the turnout. I’m happy that Father Grimes came and gave a really good speech and the F#s were awesome as they always are.”

Students such as Demitrios Stratis, FCLC ’19, shared similar feelings.

“It’s great to see that we’re honoring Fordham’s history,” Stratis said. “Our school, our campuses, both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center have a very rich history and we’re leaving a legacy behind for generations of students to come and it shows we’re making a landmark. And I hope we’re having a good time doing it.”

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THE OBSERVER September 15, 2016

Photo Feature

YEARS PHOTO BY BEN MOORE/THE OBSERVER GRAPHIC BY SABRINA JEN/THE OBSERVER

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THE OBSERVER September 15, 2016

Arts & Culture

10

Global Citizen To Hold Annual Festival

By KATIE MAURER Layout Co-Editor

On Sept. 24, more than 60,000 spectators will gather in Central Park to experience a music festival like no other. Contrary to other popular festivals such as Coachella, Firefly and Lollapalooza, the fifthannual Global Citizen Festival is more than just another venue—it’s a concert with a conscience available to everyone, free of charge.

WHAT IS GLOBAL CITIZEN? Global Citizen is a community managed by the Global Poverty Project, which seeks to open a platform for all generations to discuss a variety of social injustices and challenges occurring worldwide.

They seek to address the “greatest challenges” plaguing the world today, such as global poverty, social and political inequalities, as well as supporting sustainable ways of life to protect the future of the planet.

Rather than focusing their efforts on fundraising, the community seeks to create advocates—people who will in turn challenge governments, businesses and those deemed as oppressors to improve the quality of life for citizens around the world.

Recent initiatives have focused on education for young girls, food and hunger, environmental crises, water and sanitation, and global health, among other causes. Global Citizen strives to increase awareness of the inequalities in today’s world and motivate people of all generations to take action and stand up for their fellow human beings.

WHAT IS THE GLOBAL CITIZEN FESTIVAL? Since its inception in 2012, the annual Global Citizen Festival has offered musical performances for its participants, as well as brought attention to injustices plaguing communities worldwide. The festival last year, hosted by actor Hugh Jackman and comedian Stephen Colbert, featured performances

by Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé and Pearl Jam. Alongside these Grammy Award-winning acts were appearances by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Malala Yousafzsai, Vice

KATIE MAURER/THE OBSERVER

Every year, Fordham students wait in line morning to noon, for a chance to spot celebrities and see several performances in a row.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama. Pop culture icons like Laverne Cox, Leonardo DiCaprio and Salma Hayek Pinault.

They were in attendance to promote issues they’re passionate about, challenging the audience to truly become “Global Citizens.”

HOW DO I GET TICKETS? The Global Citizen Festival is a free-ticketed event, meaning that

it’s free to the public; however, you will need a ticket to participate. To earn a ticket you can visit globalcitizen.org, upon which you will be prompted to “take action” within a specific campaign. Past tasks include signing petitions, crafting emails and even calling local government branches. Each time you take action you earn points. These points can then be redeemed and entered into the contest lottery. Lottery winners are awarded two tick-

ets, so you and a friend can experience the festival together. Look out for additional opportunities to earn tickets through social media contests and other events throughout the city leading up to the festival.

HOW CAN I SUPPORT GLOBAL CITIZEN? Attend the festival! This year’s annual festival is hosted by Chelsea Handler, Deborra-Lee, Hugh Jack-

man, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra and Salma Hayek Pinault.

Music headliners include Rhianna, Kendrick Lamar, Demi Lovato, Major Lazar and Metallica, who are bound to deliver an experience like never before. The festival also includes special guests throughout, keeping the audience in constant anticipation wondering who will appear next and what task they will challenge the audience to do next.

New York Film Festival Sets This Year’s Cinematic Trends

By LIAM HABER Contributing Writer

At the end of every September, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall becomes a hotspot for celebrities and cinephiles alike. Just last year, actors and actresses including Kate Winslet, Colin Farrell, Rooney Mara, Michael Fassbender, Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Winona Ryder and many more could be seen just two blocks from our campus.

The reason: the 54rd New York Film Festival (NYFF), one of the biggest celebrations of movies in the country. In the past five years, NYFF has screened more than 30 Oscar nominees, including eventual Best Picture winners “The Artist” in 2011 and “Birdman” in 2014. Yet, aside from all of the new and exciting movies premiered every year, the festival is one of our city’s cultural institutions, placing in the ranks with Toronto, Venice and Cannes for the most important place for film in the world.

This year, the festival will host the World or American premieres of nearly twenty movies, ranging from documentaries to comedies to horror films, with the entire slate of films hailing from a total of 18 countries. This describes only the feature length movies being shown, with short films and revivals of

ZANA NAJJAR/THE OBSERVER

Every September, Alice Tully Hall hosts several World premieres.

classics also taking place during the two weeks of the festival. This year the festival will open with the newest film from Ava DuVernay (“Selma”), a documentary called “The 13th” about the prison system’s oppression of African Americans.

Other films include “Manchester By The Sea,” starring Casey Affleck and Kyle Chandler, and Jim Jarmusch’s “Patterson” starring Adam Driver.

The movies of the film festival are typically awe-inspiring and reach a level of quality that stuns. I was at the premieres of “The Martian” and “Brooklyn” last year and was blown away by both. Screenings are typically attended by cast and crew of the films, which often leads to interesting looks at the making of the films.

However, some of the best mov-

ies are those without the same level of celebrity attached. If you have any interest in the cultures of other countries, watching a film from a different country and seeing the director talk candidly about it is amazing and gives you a look at what really happens behind the scenes of fantastic films.

Unlike most film festivals across the world, NYFF does not award the best films screened, instead allowing each to stand on its own without competing with others. While this removes the entertainment value from the festival itself to a degree, it also allows for a more relaxed environment.

Along similar lines, the NYFF is the only festival of this magnitude held in New York, with others often much smaller or held outside of Manhattan itself. Because of this, the festival is more likely to be attended by more notable celebrities, as many of them are locals to New York.

As one might have guessed, prices can be fairly steep. However, students can buy tickets at a significantly discounted price. Along with that, as a student, one can sign up for a membership with the Film Society of New York (the organization which runs the festival out of its theaters underneath Lincoln Center) for even cheaper tickets.

Finally, there are a number of movies that have free screenings prior to and during the festival for members and the general public alike, with options ranging from classics to festival premieres. I was able to see three different classic movies for free over the course of a weekend, introducing me to some excellent films that I would never have seen otherwise.

The New York Film Festival is the type of event that could only happen in a city like ours. No where else can you walk down the street and accidentally bump into Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and only in New York could you stand 20 feet from Neil DeGrasse Tyson as you both look up at a lunar eclipse. But on top of all of that, the New York Film Festival is a place to sit back, relax, and watch a movie that will touch your soul and become a new favorite.

The New York Film Festival runs from Sept. 30 through Oct. 16.

Tickets are on sale now. Information on showtimes and screenings can be found online at filmlinc. org or at the box office of the Film Society on 65th street. Additional screenings are added throughout the festival, so follow the festival on Twitter or Facebook for updates, and check the website often. I hope to see you there!

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER September 15, 2016

Arts & Culture

11

Empanada Mama to Reopen in Hell’s Kitchen

By ANA FOTA Arts & Culture Co-Editor

Fordham Lincoln Center (FLC) students are in for a year of reinvented dining options. With the opening of Argo Tea and the change in food service providers, on campus new dishes will compete for the students’ attention.

The new school year will also bring about a new beginning for beloved food chain, Empanada Mama. The restaurant’s Hell’s Kitchen location used to be a hot spot for FLC students, until a fire shut it down in late January. The Ninth Avenue spot constituted the restaurant chain’s second Manhattan location, the other one located near the Williamsburg Bridge. This summer, it found a new home at 765 Ninth Ave, between 51st and 52nd street. It will replace the sports bar “Cannery.”

Stuart Bragg, manager of the relocation, hopes the doors will open in the first week of November. “We are very eager, but we are at the mercy of the city,” he said. The opportunity to move to the new location came at the beginning of the summer. According to Bragg, the food chain had been looking to open a third restaurant since before the fire. Now, the main focus is rebuilding their second one. After getting their liquor license transferred, the next steps are gutting the basement, stripping the floors down and adding in a brand new kitchen.

The new location will be three times the size of the old one and unlike before, the restaurant will accept reservations and host small parties. It will be open 24/7 and will feature two TV screens and a bar. “It really is about both the food and the people,” Bragg said, adding that it will be “a comfortable place, where you can sit down and have a meal for under $15.” As for the old location right next door, the plan is to create an order pick-up spot.

In the meantime, students will be

COURTESY OF STUART BRAGG/THE OBSERVER

The restaurant’s new spot is officially under construction and set for an early November opening.

“ No more than four It was one of those places

where if someone suggested you go, you would grab your bag and head out.”

–

CHRIS MADEIRA ,

claiming their to-go orders at a temporary spot in the front of the restaurant.

After the fire earlier this year, students took to social media to ex-

FCLC ’18, frequent customer

press their grief. For Chris Madeira, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’18, it was a preferred dining option, ever since the beginning of his freshman year. “It was one

of those places where if someone suggested to go, you would grab your bag and be ready to head out,” he said. “I would go with people I’ve just met or to hang out with friends.” Madeira believes the new dining options on campus will not replace the nearby restaurants.

“You don’t go out to eat because you don’t have options on campus,” he said, “you go out for the sake of it.”

Alex Rebosura, FCLC ’18, agrees. “I think the new dining hall will affect the quality of our food during the day. Sometimes I’ll grab

a quick dinner, but most times I’ll still want to dine out at night.” She believes the reopening will “make a lot of people happy.” During the past school year, she would enjoy their cuisine a few times a month.

“When I realized how close it was, I stopped ordering empanadas online,” she said. “There’s no place around that serves them in the same way. It was one of a kind.” As for the new food on campus, Rebosura believes it serves a different purpose, that of quick and available meals for when time is scarce.

Attending the “Sully” Premiere: A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

By MARYANNA ANTOLDI Staff Writer

No one in college really thinks about attending a movie premiere in their spare time, right? As students, we just want to do well in school, explore New York City and have some fun. So naturally, when my friend and I found out that the premiere for Clint Eastwood’s new drama “Sully” was right down the street at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center, we wanted to go check it out.

It began with the two of us standing against guardrails across the street, watching the celebrities walk the carpet with wide eyes. We took some photos together, marveling at how glamorous the premiere looked, but little did we know that we would actually get to attend.

Once the celebrities entered Alice Tully Hall, we decided it was best to just head back to McMahon Hall and finish some homework. We doubted anyone else would come out and say hello, so we began to walk down 64th Street towards the dorms. It was business as usual— until a couple dressed in black-tie hailed us down.

“Hey,” the woman said, waving her and her boyfriend’s tickets in the air. “Do you guys want to go to the premiere? Our dog is sick. We have to go home.” Suddenly, our night got way more exciting. Thanking them profusely, we accepted their offer and found ourselves running down the street in our jeans and Converse sneakers back towards Alice Tully Hall. We had our golden tickets, and we were not going to miss this incredible opportunity. As soon as we approached the theater,

KANAKA RASTAMON/FLICKR

The biopic chronicles Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s emergency landing in the Hudson River in 2009.

we ran into none other than “Glee’s” Darren Criss as he was entering, and he said hello to us. That was when we knew that this opportunity was definitely once-in-a-lifetime.

Have you ever seen the movie “Finding Neverland,” when J.M. Barrie sends young orphans to sit among the rich during his first performance of “Peter Pan?” As we entered the theater and saw everyone adorned in their designer attire, that is exactly how we felt. However, our

sheer excitement overpowered any realization of how simple we looked, and we did not even care. Soon, our tickets were scanned and we were allowed inside to the screening.

My seat was directly in the center of the theater with a perfect view of the screen. My heart was pounding with anticipation for the 7:30 p.m. show to begin. Next to me was a man appearing to be in his late 20s, who introduced himself simply as “Michael.”

“I worked with Clint Eastwood on a little movie called ‘Jersey Boys,’” he said nonchalantly. After searching online later that evening, I found that Michael (whose full name is actually Michael Lomenda) starred in the movie as Nick Massi, one of the members of the Four Seasons. He was extremely cheerful, talking to me about my own aspirations for the future and encouraging me to follow my dreams.

“Hopefully you can come to one of these again,” he said to me as the lights began to dim.

As soon as the room darkened, roars of applause escaped the audience as Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood, Aaron Eckhart and Chesley Sullenberger took the stage. Mr. Eastwood gave a brief speech about how much he enjoyed making the film and the actors looked equally proud. Trust me, the movie definitely did not disappoint.

“Sully” follows the story of Chesley Sullenberger, the infamous pilot of American Airlines flight 1549 who was forced to land in the Hudson River after he lost thrust in both engines. Sullenberger singlehandedly saved the lives of his passengers, but that action came with a lengthy investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration to see if that landing was indeed necessary.

The movie focuses on Sully (Tom Hanks) and his co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles (Aaron Eckhart) as they handle the intense PTSD and thrust into the public eye in the aftermath of their heroic deed.

The film was extremely wellmade and told Captain Sullenberger’s story in an honest and real manner. We as viewers got to look

inside the man and see what actually happened in the cockpit as the plane’s engines blew, as well as the emotional trauma that occurred afterwards.

The acting was serious and compelling, and the special effects were unbelievable. When the plane dropped, you felt as if you were falling as well. It was interesting to watch, and it was incredibly emotional to see how both Sully and Skiles were affected by the flight and the fame that followed.

The screening ended with several minutes of applause and cheering, and, just as in any other movie, everyone stood up to leave. As I began walking down my aisle, I heard a familiar voice and turned to see Tom Hanks chatting away with friends in the row behind me. He was sitting there the entire time in earshot, and I had no clue. That was truly incredible.

It was surreal to be in the same room as so many visionary men and women who worked tirelessly to tell this captain’s story. As the credits rolled, you could tell how proud the moviemakers were of their finished product. Being in that environment, you could see how much one movie can affect so many lives, especially that of Chesley Sullenberger himself.

I ended up with tickets to this premiere completely by luck. As I walked out with my friend that night, we were in utter shock. After all, who could say they spent a Tuesday night sitting in front of Tom Hanks at the New York screening of his movie? It is definitely a story worth sharing, and something that I will never forget.

Features

Features Editors Ruby Buddemeyer - rbuddemeyer@fordham.edu Reese Ravner- rravner@fordham.edu

September 15, 2016

THE OBSERVER

Fashion Trends Subvert Gender Expectations fashion shows that an outfit is no longer made for just men or women; it is merely a form of self expression. Women are wanting garments that would be traditionally found in the men’s section, and men are being inspired by what is seen in the women’s section.

Rhea Dandashy, FCLC ’19, is an anthropology major who is known

By KARIN HADADAN Contributing Writer

Years ago, the world of fashion was strictly divided in two: womenswear and menswear. In the past five years, that line has blurred, making women’s clothing and men’s clothing more similar than ever. Gender-fluid fashion has taken over the runway, the streets and even here on campus at Fordham Lincoln Center (FLC).

If you scroll through your Instagram feed, you’ll come across famous models such as Cara Delevingne or Hailey Baldwin rocking oversized sweatshirts, knitted beanies and structured blazers while running errands or posing on the red carpet. Search Jaden Smith, who was once the face of Louis Vuitton’s womenswear campaign, and you’ll notice how he regularly sports feminine pieces such as skirts or tunic shirts. While his outfit choices were once considered out of the norm, people are actually loving it with their positive Instagram comments.

This emergence of unisex clothing isn’t brand new—in 1966, Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) introduced Le Suiting, a tuxedo style suit made for women. During that same decade, while women’s fashion was becoming more masculine, men’s fashion was also taking a turn with floral prints, slimmer suits and brighter colors. Fast forward to today and those turns are even wider.

In 2011, Kanye West wore a black leather Givenchy kilt while performing on stage at his “Watch The Throne” tour. Just last month, Young Thug released a mixtape along with cover art, which was a photograph of him dressed in a Japanese kimono-inspired garment.

In Gucci’s Fall/Winter 2016 collection, although female models were featured in super girly ruffles, there was also a wide array of male models walking down in garments with floral prints and embroidery.

Pink, known as a soft, delicate

KARIN HADADAN/THE OBSERVER

Alan Gelman is a Fordham student who sees no boundaries in fashion.

and pretty color, has lately been the palette for structured blazers, slim fit pants or clean cut sneakers. On the other hand, boxy cuts, high-top sneakers and oversized tees are now closet staples for the average New York girl. FLC students are also seeing this change, such as Alan Gelman, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’20, who feels that many styles look good for both men and women.

Gelman, a natural science major and possible fashion studies minor, is a fashionable freshman who’s only been at Fordham for two

weeks. Gelman expressed, “In this day and age, people wear more masculine or more feminine clothes to encourage unity between the genders. Things like bomber jackets happen to look great on girls, and long tops with floral prints do look good on guys.” He added, “Fashion has no boundaries, and aesthetics aren’t always associated with a gender.” When it comes to his own personal style and while describing his wardrobe, Gelman said, “I have plenty of light peach, baby blue and pink.”

This rise of gender fluidity in

for men or women and consumers are using their creative minds to sport personal looks that represent what they believe in. Griffin Hull, Gabelli School of Business at Lincoln Center (GSBLC) ’19, is often seen around campus sporting fashion forward looks. Back in the day, the majority of designers were males who were creating womenswear rather than menswear. According to Hull, “More and more brands “Fashion has no are creating men’s lines and often blur the lines boundaries and with what should be considered men and women’s aesthetics aren’t clothing.” always associated with “Two brands that have produced feminine-ina gender.” spired clothing are Rick Owens and Hood by Air, – ALAN GELMAN, FCLC ’20 specifically in their recent collections,” Hull stated, both of which have gained incredible, positive reacfor always wearing a different pair tions in recent shows. Hood By Air of sneakers while on her way to had men walking down the runway class. When asked if she’s ever pur- in skirts, while women were wearchased merchandise other than in ing pants. “I also believe society’s the women’s section in a store, she progression on homosexuality has stated, “a good 30 percent of my encouraged the use of men’s clothclothing is from the men’s section,” ing on women and women’s clothDandashy explained. “I love shop- ing on men,” Hull added. ping in different sections and seeIn the heart of Manhattan, FLC ing what kinds of things I can pull students are advocates of gender flutogether to look good.” id fashion. Some women own more Some women are more com- pairs of sneakers than heels, and fortable in oversized apparel or many men have pompom keychains loungewear, while others feel more hanging off their backpacks. Hull confident wearing a skirt and a also noticed a fluidity in fashion on silk blouse. Dandashy is “most campus. He explained, “I have seen comfortable in relaxed clothing women wearing men’s clothing, but and a nice pair of sneakers.” She have also seen men using bags as added, “Whenever I have a pair of backpacks.” kicks on, I am physically comfortWhether it’s a new trend that able and always internally feeling will last less than a year or if it’s a good.” That’s what an outfit should revolutionary moment in history, be about — being comfortable and fluidity in fashion has changed the feeling good. definition of masculinity and femiIn the past few years, society’s ninity. Today, people are creatively take on gender issues has encour- expressing themselves outside of aged the fashion world to expand gender norms. As Gelman suggesthorizons and be more equal. De- ed, “Anyone can wear something signers are no longer creating a de- that is considered for the opposite fined line between what is created gender and make it look fantastic.”

Peer Ministry Hopes to Expand Faith-Based Programming

By MORGAN STEWARD Arts & Culture Co-Editor

Fordham Lincoln Center (FLC) saw many new additions to the campus over the summer. Most changes were structural—the old law school finally reopened as “140 West,” the home to the new Quinn Library, Gabelli School of Business (GSB) classrooms and the Office of Student Involvement, and the Ram Cafe was transformed by Aramark to include F’real milkshake and Jamba Juice dispensers. One noticeable addition to the 2016-17 academic year is the Peer Ministry Program, a new initiative sponsored by Residential Life and Campus Ministry.

Residential Life and Campus Ministry first began having serious conversations about starting the Peer Ministry program at the beginning of the summer based on the student feedback each organization was receiving. “Some of the hopes for both of our departments are that as more and more of our students begin living in residence halls, we think about ways to provide support for them,” Erin Hoffman, associate director of Campus Ministry at Lincoln Center, explained. Hoffman acknowledged that “peer leadership is really one of the most effective means of connecting with students; helping to build a sense of community in our residence halls starts more student-to-student than it does imposed from staff.”

BEN MOORE/THE OBSERVER

The program aims to connect students with Campus Ministry.

Through this program, Peer Ministers will partner with members of the residential life staff to host special events in the residence halls catered towards mission-based spiritual programming or programs promoting faith and justice. For students interested in applying, but worried about the time commitment, Hoffman expressed that the programming “depends on them...it’s up to the Peer Minister.”

Hoffman explained, “The goal is to do about two programs a semester.” Peer Ministers will also have the option to bring students to already existing events, like Ignatian Week or interfaith events, instead of

always creating their own program.

“We don’t want to say you have to do this or you have to do that,” Hoffman noted.

Besides planning events, a large aspect of being a Peer Minister involves connecting students with the proper support they need or acting as a support system for those going through difficult times. “Being a presence and somebody that is identifiable, someone that students can go and talk to” is also an important aspect of Peer Ministers according to Hoffman. “If [students] want to talk about faith and spirituality, or even if they’re just struggling with relationships or homesickness, then [Peer

Ministers] are an additional sort of somebody you can go and talk to.”

Upon applying and being accepted, Peer Ministers will receive some type of training so that they will be best equipped to handle tough situations. “It might be the case that a student wants to come and talk about something that could be a little challenging for a student,” Hoffman noted. “We certainly wouldn’t put RAs in residence halls without some kind training and we won’t do that to Peer Minister either.”

“If there are commuters who are interested, I am certainly open to developing that component. Right now, the application is set up specifically for residence halls, but if anyone is interested they are welcome to contact me and send me or Camille the application as well,” Hoffman explained.

The program is a growing endeavour. “We are still working on recruiting,” Hoffman said. The long term goal for the program is to have at least one peer minister on every floor of both McMahon and McKeon. While the program has had a few applicants thus far, they are hoping to expand their recruitment to the freshman class. Applying to the Peer Ministry program would give freshman the unique opportunity to hold leadership roles on campus right from the beginning. “There are few opportunities for freshmen to really jump right into leadership, so we thought this would be one opportunity to help

them serve their community,” Hoffman said.

Lydia Culp, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’19, is very excited about the emerging program.

“I saw the email and thought it would be something that I really like,” Culp said. “It had the word minister in it, and ministry is all about meeting, helping, and listening to people...I thought it would suit my passion for people.” Culp hopes that, if chosen as a Peer Minister, she will be able to act as a confidant to students and help them understand and appreciate her faith. “While Fordham is Jesuit, it teaches a lot of diverse beliefs. I was inundated with a lot of new information in my theology class and it was hard to process,” Culp explained.

“You can’t fully understand all of that information in an hour and 15 minute long class.”

“It’s good to have someone to fill in the holes, to have a bit of spiritual guidance,” Culp said. “It’s not always your first thought to go to Fr. Shea.

Sometimes it’s just nice to have a peer to turn to instead.” Culp also believes that the Peer Ministry program will be a learning experience for her as well. “I learn a lot from others, not by just talking to them, but by listening. Learning about people would help open my mind and understand theirs,” Culp explained. “If accepted, I hope to gain a more in-depth perception about different ways of thought and make new connections.”

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER

September 15, 2016

Features

13

London Calling: A Summer in Parliament Student Works in the House of Commons During A Controversial Time in the UK

By ALEXANDER DIMISA Asst. Sports Editor

On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, and on that day I was in Scotland counting those very votes that would change history. This summer I was one of only a few students to intern at the Parliament of the United Kingdom through a program created by Arcadia University.

After interviewing and being offered the position, I was ready to begin my summer adventure working for a Peter Grant, a Member of Parliament from the Scottish National Party who represents an area in Eastern Scotland. Along with students from colleges across the United States who were interning in companies from all sectors, I lived in central London for the duration of my internship. I have yet to realize the full impact of this amazing opportunity.

From the first day that I walked into Westminster Hall, a building older than the United States, shortly after I got over acting like a tourist, I was shocked to see the Leader of the Opposition Party, Jeremy Corbyn, standing next to me. What was even more surprising was that he was carrying a tray of strawberries for his staff. He immediately asked me about fishing in Scotland, before realizing that I was American, and then went on his merry way to question the Prime Minister in the traditional Wednesday Prime Minister’s questions. This period of questioning is where the Prime Minister will go to the Houses of Parliament for one hour and must answer questions from the members.

Along with Jeremy Corbyn, I was able to meet and take a picture with Boris Johnson, the now Secretary of State for the United Kingdom. Mr. Johnson rolled his eyes when he saw who I worked for, due to clashing opinions on critical issues. In addition, I passed by the Speaker of the House without even realizing it. I held the door for David Cameron after he resigned from being Prime Minister. I also had the chance to meet countless other Members of Parliament representing areas from all of the United Kingdom.

Once I settled into my office, I was offered a tour from a fellow employee of the Scottish National Party, where I was able to learn insider facts and trivia about the Houses of Parliament. For instance, in the main chamber where all discussions take place, the two parties sit across from each other at the length longer than two swords in order to avoid any potential duels. I also learned the secret route to the roof of Parliament, where I would sit and eat lunch everyday overlooking the city, only 50 feet away from Big Ben. Besides venturing around the antique buildings and trying to take everything in during my internship at Parliament, I also worked. While my exact position was assisting Peter Grant, he wanted to make sure that I had the best experience possible, and able to do as many interesting jobs as possible, which I was very

“ Being able to particpate in this event that has massive implications for the entire world was simply incredible.”

–

ALEXANDER DIMISA , Asst. Sports Editor

grateful for. Most of my jobs involved researching various topical issues for Mr. Grant and the Scottish National Party. Some of the most interesting tasks I had included: writing a report on a 150 pages of a 2.6 million word document, the Chilcot report, determining what various world leaders said on Scotland and its future, and helping the constituents of my boss back in Scotland. In addition to these fascinating projects, I was able to go and watch the Prime Minister’s Questions, and other debates in the Chambers of Parliament and report back on them.

While I was in Parliament, I was told countless times that this was the most interesting time to possibly work there, and I quickly realized that this was correct. While interning, many exciting events took place that would change history: the United Kingdom left the European Union, David Cameron resigned as Prime Minister, Theresa May was elected Prime Minister, the United

Kingdom released a 10-year-long inquiry into the Iraq War called the Chilcot Report, and Britain voted on its new budget.

Out of all of these historic storylines, the most fascinating was the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, also known as Brexit. During the European Union Referendum, the vote that ultimately led to the United Kingdom’s departure, I was in Scotland assisting with the voting. On the actual day of the referendum, I visited several polling stations with my Member of Parliament to see how the turnout was and what was occurring. This led up to the actual counting of the ballots, of which I was a part until four in the morning, I was inside a massive gymnasium with hundreds of other people counting the ballots of over 250,000 citizens. The impact of the vote has yet to be seen, but being able to participate in this event that has massive implications for the entire world was simply incredible.

ALEXANDER DIMISA/THE OBSERVER

DiMisa took some time to explore popular London destinations amidst the hard work of his internship.

Join us every Monday for Editorial and Visual workshops at 4 p.m.

Sports & Health

Sports Editor Mohdshobair Hussaini - mhussaini2@fordham.edu

September 15, 2016

THE OBSERVER

Faith Drives Anderson Towards Success

By MOHDSHOBAIR HUSSAINI Sports Editor

“I honestly ask myself that a lot.

What is worth all the work? I have been blessed to play football. There are a lot of people that love the game of football and can’t play as long as they’d want to.” These are the words of Kevin Anderson, Fordham’s senior quarterback. Anderson has been a student-athlete at Fordham for the past three years, after having transferred from Marshall University.

While Anderson is academically a senior, athletically he’s a redshirt junior. Therefore, he has one more season of NCAA eligibility. This is just the start of good news for Fordham football fans.

In 2015, Anderson replaced AllAmerican quarterback Michael Nebrich. To say that he had a successful season is an understatement. He started all 12 games and was named the Fordham 2015 Offensive Player of the Year. Anderson led the Patriot League in passing touchdowns and passing efficiency. Moreover, he threw 32 touchdown passes, which cemented his performance as the second best single season total in school history. He also rushed for a careerhigh 115 yards against Holy Cross University last season, which is the most yardage carried by a Fordham quarterback in a single game.

Anderson’s season statistics are remarkable. However, what’s most fascinating is how he reached his current status. Many assume that individuals such as Anderson have been playing football since they were six or seven. In reality, he only started playing competitive football in seventh grade with a team in southern Florida. The largest obstacle for Anderson was meeting the weekly weight requirement imposed by the league. He described this, saying, “It taught me at a young age how dedicated I had to be to my diet and the preparation of my body. There were times I wasn’t making weight. I had to spend all the day at a sauna trying to sweat out water just so I can make weight and play in the game.” This experience and participation in football from middle school followed with him through high school and now to the collegiate level.

Anderson hails from Boca Raton, Florida. Graduating early from Boca Raton High School, he accepted an

COURTESY OF VINCENT DUSOVIC/FORDHAM SPORTS

Kevin Anderson hopes to lead Fordham to another successful season, guided by his faith.

athletic scholarship at Marshall University. After his freshman season, he transferred to Fordham.

Through all the ups and downs, Anderson’s confidence level may have diminished, but his faith in God didn’t dwindle in the slightest. For Anderson, this story began as an upperclassmen in high school. He suffered a season-ending injury which detrimentally affected his college recruiting process. “That was a tough time for me. The recruiting process is very difficult for football. Everyone growing up where I was from was receiving many Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) offers. Those teams were looking at me and wanted to see film.” Because he shattered his collarbone and the reconstructive surgery which followed, Anderson was overlooked by many Division I schools.

Anderson added, “The injury was a low point for me. That senior year was supposed to be the year I led our team to the playoffs. Unfortunately, when I went down, we weren’t able to have the same success as predicted we would have.”

Anderson expressed gratitude to the staff at Marshall University for honoring his scholarship despite his injury. At Marshall, Anderson’s playing time was restricted and his rehabilitative process was not completed thoroughly. On top of this, half of the personnel who recruited him had left the organization. He noted a “lack of love” from the new personnel.

He subsequently requested his release from Marshall University and sought recruitment from Ivy League and Patriot League schools. “After I got my release from Marshall, it was a very low point in my athletic career.

Something I had almost a natural ability to do my whole life became my pitfall. I simply lost my confidence,” said Anderson. His interest in Ivy League and Patriot League schools magnifies the level of importance acadmemics plays in his life. “I knew they all had great academic programs. If I was going to leave, I knew I wanted to go somewhere where I could receive a valued education,” Anderson said.

A week after reaching out to schools, Anderson contacted the Op-

erations Coach at Fordham. Anderson described this moment saying, “I was curious and asked regarding the team’s quarterback situation, and asked if they were looking for a transfer.” Luckily for Anderson, later that day, he received a call from Andrew Breiner, the current Head Coach and then Offensive Coordinator. “We talked on the phone for about two hours. He was on the road recruiting.

We spoke about my values and beliefs about football.”

Just a week after having gone through arguably the lowest point of his athletic career, another opportunity presented itself. “They wanted to bring me in and build the future around me. Hearing that and knowing that there was a staff that was committed to helping [me] grow was the perfect thing to hear. I immediately committed that day,” Anderson stated.

Through it all, Anderson’s faith prevailed. He articulated, “It was interesting going through all the trials and the low points in my life at the time. Putting trust in God and ending up at a Catholic school was

a symbol to me that everything was going to work out as God’s plan.”

Anderson’s connection to his faith is not just a statement, but an action.

During his spare time, he is active in Campus Ministry and participates in community service projects.

From a young age, Anderson was taught discipline and to never lose faith. This same discipline has followed him to this day. When asked of his offseason summer routine, he stated, “We’d have workouts every morning at 6 a.m. until 7:30 a.m.

Then, I headed to shower, put on a suit and headed to work in a law firm in Manhattan for eight hours. Afterwards, I would head back to the field and throw routes to my receivers.

Once that was done, we’d have dinner. I’d repeat the same the next day.”

Anderson’s story is not just one of success—it’s one of perseverance.

He went from a season-ending injury in high school to the starting quarterback on Fordham’s football team, expected to win the Patriot League.

This, for Anderson, is what makes football—and all that came with it— worth it.

The Best Free Events NYC Has to Offer 44th Street on rainy days.

By ANGELIKA MENENDEZ Contributing Writer

Summer on the Hudson: Yoga Evening Salute to the Sun

The “freshman 15” is an issue all freshman face when they come to college, worrying about what to eat and where to work out. Many students are unaware of all the free health classes offered around New York City. To help freshmen and other students, here’s a look at three different events that take place weekly in parks around the city.

Bryant Park Tai Chi Bryant Park and their Tai Chi class is approximately a twenty minute walk from the school. Every Tuesday and Thursday through Sept.

29, Jeremy Hubbell, one of the lead Tai Chi directors, leads a group of students and teachers in a Tai Chi class. Whether rain or shine, all ages are welcome to join Hubbell and his group from CK Chu Tai Chi from 7:30–8:30 a.m. CK Chu Tai Chi is a non-profit organization that promotes health in both the spirit and body. Taking part in Tai Chi does not require any prior experience, so students shouldn’t be afraid to go if it’s their first time performing this

COURTESY OF NICK GROSSMAN/FLICKR

NYC offers plenty of free events to help keep you healthy.

exercise.

When Sarah Takash, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’20, was asked about her interest in this event, she said, “I would look forward to experiencing tai chi for the first time because any physical activity outside is always beneficial,

and it is different because it’s out in the open air.”

This event is organized by Bryant Park Co. and takes place at the Fountain Plaza in Bryant Park. Participants will always meet at the park regardless of weather conditions, but the class moves indoors to 156 W

After a long day of classes students are welcome to go to the Hudson River and join other New York residents for a free yoga class. After hosting other successful classes, Summer on the Hudson has brought back its popular events such as yoga for people of all ages and fitness levels to enjoy.

“I really love yoga. I think yoga on the Hudson would be beautiful and the atmosphere would be really relaxing,” Lauryn Masciana, FCLC ’20, said.

This waterfront event takes place every Wednesday through Sept. 28 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Anyone who attends the yoga class must bring their own yoga mats. The yoga-filled evening is known as Hatha Yoga with Hollis. Participants meet at the Plaza at 66th Street in Riverside Park South and get to watch the sunset from there while performing yoga.

Summer on the Hudson events run on a first-come, first-serve basis, so

spots will fill up if you don’t arrive on time to claim one.

A.M. Stretch Stretching in the morning helps the body wake up and prepares a person for a long day of classes and work. Luckily, the New York City Parks and Recreation Department has set up a free stretch class from 10:30–11:30 a.m. at Hamilton Park on the Lower East Side for people of all ages and interest levels.

Claire Kielsa, FCLC ’20, said, “If it worked in my schedule, yeah I would go! I always exercise better in group settings, since on my own I’m not too motivated.”

The class was created to help students learn to stretch correctly, as well as gain correct posture in their exercises.The commute from campus is a bit far, since the class takes place at the Hamilton Fish Recreation Center in the East Village. The recreation center also features an Olympic-sized pool, basketball courts and many other facilities. For students who choose to go, it is a great way to jump out of bed and become active on any weekday morning through Sept. 25, when the event ends.

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER September 15, 2016

15

Kaepernick’s Decision Under Scrutiny

By ALEXANDER DIMISA Asst. Sports Editor

By STEPHAN KOZUB News Co-Editor

On Aug. 26, the San Francisco 49ers backup Quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat during the pre-game national anthem. It is tradition that during the national anthem, players and fans alike will stand and honor the flag while the anthem is played. However, Kaepernick decided to sit during this period as a sign of protest, saying that “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” This controversial decision sparked national debate on the morality of the issue. Four Fordham students decided to share their views on this decision.

Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit through the national anthem and the people who later decided to denounce him for the action share something in common: they both exercised their freedom of speech.

They demonstrated patriotism for their country. These similarities, however, have been misconstrued by those who view patriotism and freedom of speech as only expressible in a set list of practices. This checklist approach to free speech and patriotism is not only misleading and misinformed, but also ignores the purpose of the right of free speech reserved to citizens of the United States under the Constitution. As President Obama said, Kaepernick was “exercising his constitutional right” by sitting during the national anthem. Essentially, individuals don’t need to agree with what he did, but should at least respect his right to do so.

John Tortella, Team USA’s hockey coach, said he would bench any of his players who didn’t stand for the national anthem. New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider said, “It’s [Kaepernick’s] right to do, but everyone here is just concentrating on representing their country and their flag.” New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz says he can respect what Kaepernick is standing—or rather, not standing for. However, he said, “You’ve got to respect the flag and stand up with your teammates.”

Standing up for the national anthem is a symbol of patriotism, and not standing could be seen as dishonoring the men and women in uniform who gave us our freedom of speech.

Kaepernick says he will continue to kneel during the national anthem.

“When there’s significant change and I feel like that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent, like this country is representing people the way that it’s supposed to, I’ll stand.”

By THOMAS O’CALLAGHAN Staff Writer

While it would be hypocritical to disregard the Kaepernick’s protests, it is his First Amendment right to sit during the anthem.

However, it seems that Kaepernick could have chosen a better venue and time for his message—one that would not be interpreted as being disrespectful to our fallen soldiers and what the United States truly stands for.

Substantive debate on the use of our military is important, but we can never let personal politics override the gratitude we need to show to our veterans. It has always represented something better; what America strives to be if we work hard enough together. When we rise for the Star Spangled Banner before events, for just that minute, we are not divided as 49er fans or Packer fans; we are united as citizens of the United States. The anthem has always signified what Kaepernick is sitting for: a country united that sees all of its citizens as equals. As someone who is concerned about this issue, I think Kaepernick should stand.

By ARTEMIS TSAGARIS Contributing Writer

By MATTHEW MCCARTHY Managing Editor

COURTESY OF MIKE MORT/TWITTER

Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit during the national anthem has sparked a nation-wide debate.

At the 2016 ESPY Award Show in July, after a series of high-profile shootings, Lebron James pleaded to all athletes to “speak up, use [their] influence and renounce all violence, and most importantly, go back to [their] communities, invest [their] time, [their] resources, help rebuild them, help strengthen them, help change them.” At the time, athletes and analysts applauded James’ call to action. However, when Colin Kaepernick decided to sit for the national anthem and therefore create discussion on how minorities are treated in the United States, he was criticized for his stance. Kaepernick’s motive is not to disrespect those who have fought for our country, but to bring light to those who are oppressed. By creating conversation surrounding the treatment of people of color in the United States, Kaepernick is simply following the directions that analysts praised just two months ago. Whether or not you agree with Kaepernick’s decision, he is getting people talking and that is exactly what is necessary.

Fordham Grad Shares Olympic Insights

By ALEXANDER DIMISA Asst. Sports Editor

The 31st Olympiad ran from Aug. 5–21 in Rio De Janeiro, but back in Connecticut, one of Fordham’s own was covering the event for NBC. Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’16 graduate Connor Mannion reported on Olympic Boxing, a sport which has 10 male weight classes, three female weight classes and featured over 300 matches leading up to the elimination matches.

This was just one of the 28 sports that NBC televised during this time, with over 170 commentators and hundreds of articles written throughout the Olympics.

Mannion was a Digital Editorial Producer for NBC throughout the games. He managed the NBC website and produced digital content related to boxing. He was responsible for watching the live stream of all of the events, which on average was about four hours of uninterrupted matches a day. Mannion would write up articles based on these livestream results, including any framework and

special stories that arose during specific matches. Following all this, he would put together highlight reels of the matches.

When asked about covering the spectacle, Mannion said, “You must be prepared to dive into research very quickly.” This was essential to him, since he knew very little about boxing going into the job. Mannion had to do massive amounts of research to properly analyze the matches and provide clear commentary during the games. Mannion said that one of the most important skills required was the ability to find a story, which he noted could be based on an athlete’s background or a performance that provides insight to readers.

Mannion said that the most interesting part for him during these Olympics was the realization that he was part of something unique and an event different from any other Olympic Games. Mannion pointed out that during the London 2012 Olympics the United States struggled and did not medal in boxing. However, during Rio, an unseeded US boxer defeated a Russian, who was the favorite

YUNJIA LI/THE OBSERVER

Mannion used his Fordham education to guide his Olympic coverage.

to win gold. It became very special for Mannion when he realized this was the moment that there was a change in the tides. The United States ultimately won three more medals than they were expected to.

Mannion said his favorite part of the job was finding the stories that he

would focus on writing. He had the opportunity to interview some of the athletes and write short features on them. “[It was] great to talk to them, learn from them and to pick their brains on their feelings before a fight.

While following the games and reporting on them from Stamford, Conn., Mannion recalled his Fordham education. For him, the most important things he learned from Fordham were “being able to look at something holistically, and the research skills,” both of which turned out to be essential to his time covering the games. In addition, Mannion said that “Fordham makes you write a lot, and as soon as you graduate you learn that writing well is probably the most essential skill that you can have.”

Mannion concluded with some advice that he had for anyone hoping to get involved in the field of major sports event coverage, or journalism in general. “Make sure your writing skills are strong, make sure to know a story when you see one, and to make sure you know what the conflict in the story is.” Mannion added, “Always

research the topic you are writing about, and find out the unique storylines involved to create the most wellrounded article possible.”reporting on them from Stanford, CT Mannion recalled his Fordham education and what helped him most during the Olympics. For him, “being able to look at something holistically, and the research skills,” turned out to be essential to his time covering the games. In addition, Mannion said that: “Fordham makes you write a lot, and as soon as you graduate you learn that writing well is probably the most essential skill that you can have.”

Mannion concluded with some advice that he had for anyone hoping to get involved in the field of major sports event coverage, or journalism in general.

“Make sure your writing skills are strong, make sure to know a story when you see one, and to make sure you know what the conflict in the story is.” Mannion added to always look into the topic you are covering, and find out the unique characteristics or storylines involved to create the most well-rounded article possible.

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER September 15, 2016

BEGIN YOUR JOB SEARCH WITH

A MASTER’S. YOU’VE PROBABLY THOUGHT A LOT ABOUT WHERE YOU’LL WORK AFTER FORDHAM. Think about how much better that job could be with an MBA or MS. The Gabelli School of Business is holding information sessions on the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses.

We encourage you to come discuss your master’s degree options and the benefits of joining the Gabelli School graduate business community.

ROSE HILL

THURSDAY, OCT 20 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM DALEO HALL B, HUGHES HALL

ALL ATTENDEES WILL RECEIVE AN APPLICATION FEE WAIVER.

LINCOLN CENTER THURSDAY, OCT 20 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM MCMAHON 109

CAN’T ATTEND?

EMAIL ADMISSIONSGB@FORDHAM.EDU FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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