The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 Volume 104, Issue 5
TheFordhamRam.com
February 23, 2022
Athletics Celebrates 50 Years of Title IX
RussiaUkraine Conflict Escalates
By PAOLA GALIANO
By SAMANTHA MINEAR
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the formation of Title IX, Fordham Athletics announced its celebration in collaboration with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, an annual day of observance to acknowledge and commend the accomplishments and influence of female athletes. Fordham’s celebration of the 50th anniversary in accordance with this annual day emphasizes the importance of Title IX, as it protects against sex-based discrimination in the collegiate athletic system. Heading these celebrations is Jordan Bowles, associate athletic director for strategic initiatives and diversity, equity and inclusion at Fordham. According to Bowles, Title IX “opened up access to higher education for women across the country, giving them new opportunities for the future.” Continuing through November 2022, Bowles also illustrated the initiatives planned for celebrating this anniversary. These initiatives include a fundraising campaign that benefits all women’s programs
The Russo-Ukrainian War is a series of tensions with an extensive history dating back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. As the atmosphere thickens in Eastern Europe, particularly on the eastern Ukrainian border, all eyes are on the Russian, Ukrainian and Western governments to see how this global conflict will evolve. While some theorists are calling this geopolitical standoff the next Cold War, others surmise that Western hegemony will prevail against the Kremlin. Olena Nikolayenko, Ph.D., is the chair of Fordham’s political science department and a Ukraine native. Having moved to the United States to pursue her graduate education, Nikolayenko speaks fondly of her home country. “Ukraine is the largest country entirely within Europe. Slightly smaller than Texas, with a population of 41 million people,” she explained. She is firm in breaking down the issue, stating that “the Russian government refuses to accept the fact that Ukraine is an independent country, with its own culture, history and language” ever since the “collapse of communism and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.” The cause for greater concern is how aware Americans are of what is happening in the east. College students in particular seem to be somewhat ignorant of international relations and potential turmoil. Christopher Toulouse, Ph.D., a professor in Fordham’s international studies program, states that “we are still under the COVID-19 cloud” and “generally, students don’t like to think about the amount of damage COVID-19 has done to us.” Focusing on the Russo-Ukrainian War in his “Democracy, Terrorism and Modern Life” course, Toulouse finds it unsurprising that students “are trying to ignore the outbreak of another war.” Regardless of students’ reactions
SEE TITLE IX, PAGE 3
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM
The English Department's new major is for more than just English majors, focusing on public and professional writing.
New Minor in English Dept: Public and Professional Writing By AVA ZINS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
This spring, Fordham’s English department created a new minor for all undergraduate students that aims to strengthen student’s ability to write professionally for broad, public audiences. The minor, public and professional
writing (PPW), will debut in the fall 2022 semester, but students can sign up for classes associated with the minor during this spring’s registration period. This minor was created to provide both the personal enrichment of a writing degree while also emphasizing professional development and improvement.
It prioritizes and deepens analytical, rhetorical and critical thinking skills while ultimately providing a crucial skill set that will be helpful beyond college. Many students and faculty have shown interest in the minor. While the minor is writingfocused, it is definitely not an SEE MINOR, PAGE 4
Travel Ban Placed on London Students By ISABEL DANZIS NEWS EDITOR
COURTESY OF FACEBOOK
Liberty Partnership Program, founded by the New York City Department of Education, is partnered with Fordham University.
Liberty Partnerships Program Continues to Help Students By EMMA KIM
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
The Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) is a college access and dropout prevention program involving 46 institutions of higher education throughout the state of New
York, helping middle and high school students engage more in their education. The program includes tutoring services, mentoring, socio-emotional counseling, career and college exploration activities and support for students
and their families. The program was started by the New York City Department of Education in 1988, and Fordham University has been associated with it since 1989. “At the time when it started back in 1988, the reason for it to be created SEE LIBERTY, PAGE 5
For many students who study abroad, traveling to new places is a key part of the experience. However, travel beyond Great Britain is not permitted for students currently studying at Fordham’s London Centre. The travel ban is a universityenforced and university-created mandate. The goal is to limit COVID-19 transmission and prevent students from being exposed to the virus through travel. According to Emma Bainbridge, GSB ’23, a student at the London campus, residents face expulsion if they travel away from Great Britain. “The reason Fordham has instituted travel restrictions is to reduce as much as possible the transmission of COVID-19 among the students and faculty at Fordham in London. The stuSEE LONDON, PAGE 5
SEE UKRAINE, PAGE 4
in this issue
Opinion
Page 9
Kamila Valieva's Coach and Country Failed Her
Culture
Page 11
Local Cafe Combines Caribbean and Dominican Influences
Sports
Page 20
Men's Basketball Bounces Back in Big Way