Volume 106 Issue 10

The Fordham Ram

Fordham Celebrates Jewish Culture During April Class

By NORA MALONE

EDITOR

This month, the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA), Fordham’s Jewish Students Organization (JSO), Campus Ministry, the Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) and the Center for Jewish studies are running a Jewish Heritage Celebration. The celebration combines events from all groups celebrating Jewish culture at Fordham. The events include lectures, exhibitions and a Chocolate Seder.

“The problem we face is that the official Jewish American Heritage Month is in May — a month when classes end and students and faculty leave the campus. So we had to think creatively about celebrating that when everyone is still on campus,” said Magda Teter, Shivler Chair in Jewish studies.

Many of these organizations have been sponsoring events such as these for years, but this is the first time they have all been publicized together.

“This was an opportunity to not necessarily create something new, but to collate everything together in one place where we could showcase it,” said Director of Campus Ministry at Lincoln Center Erin Hoffman.

Fordham Graduate Student Union Authorizes Strike

By ADITHI VIMALANATHAN ASST. NEWS EDITOR

On Monday, April 8, Fordham Graduate Student Workers, the Communication Workers of America (FGSW-CWA) labor union representing students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, voted to authorize a strike. The strike authorization vote passed by 98% and permits union leaders to call for a strike in the event that a fair labor contract is not reached.

Since the vote, the FGSW members have hosted five practice pickets at both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses, most recently on April 14 during Spring

Preview for admitted students. Fordham University administration responded in a mass email shared with undergraduates informing them of the FGSW strike vote and addressing the possible interruption to classes.

Graduate student Fabio Setti described the strike as a last resort effort for a fair contract.

“That is just to show that the university and, they know it, they know that they need us, they need us to do our work. Again, we don’t like doing this. We don’t, it’s really not how we would like things to result. But it’s unfortunately the only way which is forced upon us by 19 months of

The

Sensors Added to Walsh Gate

By CRISTINA STEFANIZZI ASST. NEWS EDITOR

New sensors were installed at Walsh Gate earlier this month, placed at the top of each of the two turnstile entrances outside of Walsh Hall. The sensors will alert Public Safety about incidents of “piggybacking,” where students enter the turnstiles in pairs to get onto campus without individually swiping their IDs.

The new security addition follows an incident in November where a man entered campus through Walsh Gate and entered a Walsh Hall residence suite.

On Nov. 3, an “emotionally disturbed” man entered the Rose Hill campus by “piggybacking” through the Walsh Gate turnstile with a Fordham student. The man entered Walsh Hall and entered a suite where he sprayed residents with a fire extinguisher

before being apprehended by Public Safety and the New York Police Department.

“The new sensors installed at the top of the Walsh Gate turnstiles address a vulnerability in the turnstiles: that it was possible for an unauthorized person to enter a turnstile behind a Fordham ID user (tailgating) to access campus,” said Robert Fitzer, associate vice president for Public Safety.

SEE WALSH, PAGE 4

bargaining on the admin side.”

Currently, the administration and FGSW have been in the bargaining process for a new labor contract for 19 months. In a conversation with student reporters, President Tania Tetlow attributed the lengthy process to delays by FGSW to submit economic proposals. FGSW holds that the lengthy bargaining process was due to the university’s failure to provide crucial economic information.

“Fordham stalled out for eight months, they weren’t responding to our proposals with anything besides their own policy,” said Amal

By JULIANNA MORALES

Each year, Fordham University accepts four different types of applications with their own submission and decision dates: Early Action, Early Decision I, Regular Decision and Early Decision II, as explained on their website. The last of the admissions decisions are released to applicants on April 1. At this point in the year, admitted students are deciding where to put down their deposits and if they want to be a part of the Fordham Class of 2028. This weekend, Fordham hosted Spring Preview, inviting accepted students and their families to get a feel of what it is like to be a part of the Fordham community.

Patricia Peek, dean of Undergraduate Admissions, explained that when looking at the prospective students accepted for the Class of 2028, one must keep in mind that data on enrolled students and final admission rates will not be ready for release until late August. “At the same time, diversity numbers for applicants, admitted and enrolled students will become available as well, as that information is suppressed during the admission cycle after the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruling on the use of race in admission was handed down last summer,” Peek further explained.

Asian American Studies Minor Celebrates First Birthday Opinion

By ALEXANDER HOM STAFF WRITER

Fordham University’s Asian American studies program hosted an event at the Lincoln Center (LC) campus on April 10 to mark one academic year of the program’s new minor. Wednesday’s gathering opened with a roundtable between four students and two faculty members involved in the program and of the Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American (APIDA) community. The collective shared experiences from their lives and classes and fielded questions from a moderator and 80 audience members. Following their discussion, photographer Tommy Kha delivered a slide lecture on his and his peers’ work. “What’s been really nice over the course of this event and Kha’s lecture was the

SEE STUDIES, PAGE 5

However, Peek stated that the average GPA of admitted students on a 4.0-point scale was 3.78, which she said was comparable to other recently admitted classes. “They hail from all 50 states, D.C., [Puerto Rico] and 118 countries,” she added. Peek explained that Fordham received approximately 44,000 applications and every application is viewed with a holistic approach. “In order of importance, we seek students who are academically prepared for the rigors of Fordham, will make positive contributions to our community, demonstrate evidence of service and/or leadership, entrepreneurial skills, intellectual curiosity and resilience,” Peek stated. She also added that the university seeks diverse perspectives and experiences among its students.

Prevarications on Pregnancy: Lying to the Next Generation

Thai New Year Arrives to New York Page 11 in this issue

The Pitcher Injury Epidemic in the MLB Culture

COURTESY OF ADITHI VIMALANTHAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Members of the FGSW picketed outside during this past weekend's Spring Preview.

sensors are meant to prevent "piggybacking" after the break-in earlier this year.

SAFETY BRIEFS

April 11

Southern Boulevard

9:15 p.m.

On Thursday, a student reported that their car had been broken into while parked behind the Fieldhouse on Southern Boulevard. The supervisor responded. The student parked their car at 4 p.m. When they returned at 9 p.m., their window was broken and their property was removed. The NYPD responded and prepared a report.

April 13

Arthur Avenue

4 a.m.

On Saturday, a student called Public Safety to report another student was attacked while leaving Mugz’s Bar. The supervisor responded to the complainant’s residence. The complainant said they left the bar and while walking to their residence, a woman began yelling at the complainant. The offender and the complainant exchanged words. The offender grabbed the complainant by the hair and threw them to the ground. The complainant declined medical treatment and the NYPD.

April 14

McShane Campus Center

11:30 a.m.

On Sunday, there was a stuck occupied elevator in the McShane Campus Center. The supervisor and FDNY responded and freed the occupant. The supervisor notified the elevator company to respond and inspect the elevator.

April 14

Walsh Hall

3:25 p.m.

On Sunday, there was a stuck occupied elevator in Walsh Hall. The supervisor responded and freed the students. The supervisor called the elevator company to respond and inspect the elevator.

Bronx River Alliance Works to Maintain Bronx River for Local Community

By ALANA LEWIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Since 2001, the Bronx River Alliance has been dedicated to restoring and safeguarding the Bronx River and ensuring its integration with the community at large.

For centuries, the 23-mile-long Bronx River has become a dumping ground for industrial and residential waste. Grassroots efforts to revitalize it began in 1974 with Bronx River Restoration, a small band of community activists. Their efforts strengthened in the ’90s when the Bronx River Working Group brought together more than 60 community organizations, public agencies and businesses in order to restore New York’s only freshwater river. In 2001, the Bronx River Alliance was then formally created as a permanent nonprofit dedicated to river and greenway restoration.

“The Bronx River Alliance serves as a coordinating voice for the Bronx River,” said Jennifer Seda, volunteer program assistant. “We work in partnerships to protect, improve and restore the Bronx River corridor. Our goal is to make the river healthy and an ecological, recreational, educational and even economic resource for the communities through which the river flows.”

The Alliance, which stewards primarily the eight miles of the

river that lie within the Bronx, works with a number of local partners and nonprofits.

Concrete Plant Park, once an abandoned concrete plant, is a collaborative effort between the Alliance, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and ?the Concrete Friends volunteer group. The Alliance also main tains the park’s “Food Forest,” a 24/7 collaborative community space providing free vegetables and native herbs.

Another collaborative project includes Soundview Park — the biggest park that the Alliance manages. There, The Bronx is Blooming, an environmental nonprofit focused on youth leadership, helps with park restoration. The Friends of Soundview Park steward a Butterfly Meditation Garden.

Seda also strongly emphasizes the Alliance’s collaboration with all levels of government.

“When it comes to different parks, we always collaborate with our elected officials,” she said. “They’re in these spaces, these parks are their neighborhoods.”

As a volunteer program assistant, Seda’s work involves hosting and promoting volunteer events in collaboration with the Alliance’s various departments. She plans volunteer events based on the needs of the Alliance’s parks, such as litter removal, river cleanups and maintaining the gardens.

“My job is outreaching to the community, outreaching to volunteers, to folks who know and don’t know about us,” Seda said. “I’m in charge of making sure our volunteer opportunities are visible and the other opportunities we have, such as making sure our event is on our website, our flyers are in our parks and our events are in our local libraries or our newsletters.”

Bronx River Alliance welcomes volunteers of all skill levels and offers a number of ways to get involved. One includes the advisory team boards, virtual meetings where people can get department updates and have a say in what best serves the Alliance’s mission. There are three teams: the Eco Team, the Greenway Team (which both meet quarterly) and the Foodway Team (which meets monthly).

One upcoming project Seda is looking forward to is “Weeding and Reading.” The idea for the event came up when Seda and a coworker went to see “1.5 Million,” a film about illiteracy in the Bronx. The event invites families to attend, encouraging the adults to weed invasive species while the children are read to.

“I’m excited about it because it’s something new and something that came from a great film,” said Seda.

Christina Mahle, a retired physician and a volunteer, first

This Week at Fordham

Wednesday April 17

Down the Rabbit Hole

Edward’s Parade 3-5 p.m.

Join Fordham’s Commuting Students Association (CSA) for their Commuter Students Week. Wednesday’s event consists of a tea party with treats, jumbo games and more on Edward’s Parade.

Thursday April 18

Dinner with the Pros

McShane 112 3-5 p.m.

The Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS) is hosting a dinner with physicians and surgeons Thursday. More information can be found on the MAPS Instagram, @fordham_maps.

Friday April 19

Calling All Wimpy Kids

Collins Blackbox Theater 8 p.m.

Fordham Experimental Theatre (FET) is opening their production of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fregley’s in a Coma” on Friday. The show, written by Dorothy Bogan, Sophia Forlenza and Katie Lussen, is a comedy.

Saturday April 20

There’s No Place Like Home

Collins Auditorium 5 p.m.

Jetés, Fordham University’s ballet club, is hosting a production of “The Wizard of Oz” on Saturday at 5 p.m. Julia Morales, Rebecca Lothson, Noel Bernard and Sophia Skelton will perform on stage.

founded the Alliance in late 2020 through the NYC Parks Department’s volunteer group.

“New York parks are particularly important because most of us don’t have yards or even balconies,” Mahle said. “My motivation for volunteering is a combination of interest in the environment and interest in a type of social justice for everybody to have access to parks.”

Last summer, Mahle started helping Seda with reporting to the Parks and Recreation Department and data entry. Mahle still does outdoor volunteer work, including helping with an upcoming water quality testing program.

Mahle’s experience with the Bronx River Alliance has been positive, and she described the staff and volunteers as terrific.

“I like doing things outdoors and in the office, doing something that I find important and interesting and, therefore, rewarding,” she said. “I’m learning about the many aspects that you have to worry about in maintaining and improving the whole area along the Bronx River and the river itself.”

More information regarding volunteer opportunities can be found on their website, bronxriver.org and Instagram, @bronx_river. Seda also encourages people interested to reach out to her at jennifer.seda@bronxriver.org.

Sunday April 21

Lights, Camera, Action!

Edward’s Parade 7:30 p.m.

Campus Activities Board’s (CAB) Spring Weekend events continue with Cinevents’ Campus MovieFest at 7:30 p.m. on Edward’s Parade. The event features student produced and directed films.

COURTESY OF BRONXRIVER.ORG

The Bronx River Alliance has worked since 2001 to restore and maintain the Bronx River and its connection to the Bronx community.

ASILI Hosts “Black Erasure at Fordham” Forum

By ADITHI VIMALANATHAN ASST. NEWS EDITOR

On Wednesday April 8, Fordham University’s Black Student Alliance (ASILI) hosted a forum titled “Black Erasure at Fordham.” Hosted in Rose Hill Commons in the McShane Campus Center, the discussion examined Fordham’s history of Black erasure and ongoing initiatives to combat this. The talk included professors Gregory Jost of sociology, Mark Chapman of African and African American studies and Jeannine Hill-Fletcher of the theology department and was attended by students, faculty and alumni.

Jost began the round of presentations with an examination of Willis Nathaniel Huggins, the first Black man to receive a Ph.D. from Fordham in 1932. Jost encountered Huggins while doing archival research on the South Bronx Black newspaper The Listener News.

“It [The Listener News] also noted the fact that he was the first Black person to receive their Ph.D. from Fordham University and happened to be from the Graduate School of Education in 1932. And, wow, I’ve never heard of his name before. Here’s this very important person in Fordham’s history. Why do we not know anything about him?”

Other professors, including Chapman, were also unaware of Huggins even though he was a prominent community leader, historian and academic.

“When my former student and friend Gregory contacted me and asked me had I heard of Willis Huggins, to my shame, I had to say, ‘no.’ He said, “Do you know that he was the first Black man to get a Ph.D. from Fordham University in 1932?’ I said, ‘No, I never heard that.’”

Chapman then went on and explained that Huggins received

By SOFIA SEMPER STAFF WRITER

The Fordham Rose Hill United Student Government (USG) met on Thursday, April 11, to review election code changes and new business. The Residence Hall Association representative Isaac Forson, FCRH ’26, announced that their Under the Tent event is scheduled for April 28 and the theme is Black and Gold Masquerade.

Senator Ananya Grover, GSB ’26, presented a budget request for the Committee on Sexual Misconduct for a bracelet-making event. The Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Nyla Patel, FCRH ’25, presented a budget request for miniature toys for the Diversity Action Coalition’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion workshops.

Executive President Briana Al-Omoush, FCRH ’24, presented new changes to the USG Election Code. Al-Omoush prefaced by explaining that, if slates are added to the election code, they would not be allowed during this upcoming election

both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Columbia University and became head of the history department at Alabama A&M University when he was 22 years old. He eventually became a teacher in the New York City public school system (the sixth black person to do so) and advocated for African American history education. When he was met with resistance, he founded the Harlem Club for community members to learn about African American history. In 1941, he went missing, only for his body to be found in the Hudson River six months later — an incident the police labeled as suicide but that the community stressed was foul play.

Jost read a statement on the Bronx African American History Project (BAAHP) on behalf of Professor Mark Naison, who was unable to be in attendance.

“The Bronx African American History Project was founded in 2003, in response to two different forms of Black erasure,” said Jost.

“The first was the erasure of Black people in the Bronx, from both histories of the Bronx and histories of Black New York. The second was Fordham’s character as a gated community, leading it to be viewed as a forbidden city by many of the Bronx’s Black residents, a place where they were not welcome.”

In its early stages, the BAAHP conducted oral histories of Bronx residents, inviting them into Dealy Hall and welcoming them with a meal. Residents responded extremely positively, which encouraged the BAAHP to organize events that were open to the community and free of charge.

“The response of the people we interviewed to this experience spoke volumes. The vast majority of the people we

interviewed had never been on the Fordham campus before and regarded the university as a place that kept them out and that had no connection to their lives. They were thrilled to be on campus, thrilled to be treated with respect and glad that at least some professors at a major university were committed to correcting their exclusion from the history books.”

The final presentation was given by Hill-Fletcher on a research project on Fordham’s ties to slavery that she is currently conducting with Professor Ayesha James, director of legal writing at Fordham School of

Law. The project stemmed from discussions that occurred after a 2016 article about a sale of enslaved Africans at Georgetown University in 1838 — three years before Fordham was founded. Hill-Fletcher pointed out key ties to slavery in Fordham’s history, such as that most of the students who were admitted back in 1841 were the descendants of enslavers and that Archbishop John Hughes was an overseer of slaves before he founded Fordham.

“Together, we’ve been trying to put together the pieces of this story in a different way, the ways in which Fordham

USG Discusses Election Changes

but in the next first-year election in fall 2024. The purpose of allowing slates is to encourage candidates who have similar ideas to work together. Candidate endorsement will also be allowed if slates are approved.

Sláinte, Fordham’s Irish dance team, was voted as the March club of the month.

Al-Omoush stated that she advises any members of USG who are graduating to draft one-pagers for their committee members to continue working on their initiatives and proposals next semester. Meet the Candidates nights are set for Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m. in the McShane Gallery.

Stephen Clarke, associate director for campus center operations, gave the advisor report for the Office for Student Involvement. Clarke stated that the last day of programming is May 1. He also said that Senior Week ticket prices are going to increase soon so seniors should buy their tickets as soon as possible. He also advised seniors to buy their Senior Ball tickets soon and to not wait

for their guest(s) or they risk the tickets selling out.

Vice President of Operations Calum Stewertson, GSB ’26, said that his committee recently completed their OPs day and they only had two clubs debunked. He also announced that the student activities fees referendum prompted many clubs to restart. Vice President of Student Life Brian Inguanti, FCRH ’24, stated that he is working on the club suites. Vice President of Communications Ariadna Wong, FCRH ’25, said she is preparing materials for the general elections and campaigning period.

Vice President of FCRH Emma Balint, FCRH ’24, said the FCRH Dean’s Council’s Student Success subcommittee is having a Knack tabling on Thursday, the Undergraduate Research subcommittee is holding an informational session for students and the STEM subcommittee is officially working on their STEM student connection group. Vice President of Sustainability Sean Power, FCRH ’24, said he is working on the final preparations for Earth Week. Vice President

kind of distances itself from an economy of enslavement,” said Hill-Fletcher.

Alumni and students then reflected on the implications of erasure. Marion Bell, FCLC ’92 and chair of the Multicultural Organization Supporting Alumni Initiatives and Community noted the importance for students to be active in fighting and resisting Black erasure.

“Don’t forget who you are, and your role in not being erased and not letting other people get erased. I don’t want to sit down without saying that because who you are today is the history of tomorrow.”

COURTESY OF MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM USG discussed election changes at their most recent meeting.

of International Integration

Nandini Anand, GSB ’25, is working on an upcoming event with the Career Center and she has started working with Senator Ananya Grover, GSB ’26, on a proposal to get Puerto Rican students earlier move-in dates.

Senator Megan Ruzicka, FCRH ’27, said there was great turnout at the Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and they received many donations. Senator Laila Sayegh, FCRH ’27, stated that she will be presenting her accessibility proposal soon.

COURTESY OF ADITHI VIMALANATHAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Hill-Fletcher showed the original version of a picture of Archbishop Hughes and the Jesuits posted on the Fordham website.

FROM 2028, PAGE 1

Jose Olivares, associate director of Transfer Admissions, provided insight into the university’s transfer applications. Peek stated that transfer applicants usually have a minimum college GPA of a 3.0, however, many are much higher.

Olivares explained that since 2020, Fordham has received between 1,350 and 1,650 transfer applications each fall and around 600 each spring. After admissions and enrollment, the university ends up with over 200 transfers in for the

Fall Admissions Cycle Complete

fall semester and 60 for the spring semester.

“Students typically come from four-year institutions, and we are seeking to grow our community college applicant pool,” Olivares explained. Peek elaborated by explaining that in order to support this initiative Fordham offers the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) scholarship for academically talented community college students with the designation.

“For a number of years, we have been focusing more on

increasing our transfer student support,” Peek stated. The PTK scholarship is one of many ways that the university has increased financial aid available for transfer students. Additionally, the Dean’s Office and transfer directors have begun accelerating transfer credit evaluations so prospective transfer students can better understand which courses from their current college or university will count for Fordham credit. Peek mentioned that the university offers in-person and virtual transfer

programming, one-on-one counseling throughout the transfer process, accessible application through Common Application for Transfer and partnership with the School of Professional and Continuing Studies to refer students who are candidates for part-time programming.

The processes for both first-year and transfer students are conducted very similarly. They include the holistic review of an applicant’s submitted information, optional submission of standardized testing and a focus on bringing in a diverse

and motivated class of students.

“We also engage in direct marketing outreach to talented students including those who are recognized as National Merit and/or National Recognition program designees,” Peek commented, stating that the university is excited that the National Recognition program will be adding first generation students to their outreach programs.

More information on the most recent admissions cycle will be released closer to the beginning of the fall 2024 semester, when enrollment numbers are finalized.

OMA, CCEL and Others Sponsor Jewish Heritage

OMA spearheaded the celebration as part of their increasing number of diversity celebrations and different cultural months.

“[They recognized] that an area they weren’t really tapping into as much is the faith diversity on campus so we started to partner more on that,” said Hoffman.

One of the main events of the celebration is a student-curated exhibit about Passover. The exhibit will be in the display cases outside the Henry S. Miller Judaica Research Room in Walsh Library.

Additionally, JSO is hosting a Chocolate Seder, a yearly event where students enjoy an abbreviated version of the traditional seder meal with chocolate and candy instead of traditional Passover foods. The seder will happen on April 19 in O’Hare Hall, room 364.

“What we tend to do is partner with the student faith-based clubs because there’s just more buy-in when the students are involved and it’s something that

“I was happy to inspire, supervise and, ultimately, also learn from the exhibit curated by Fordham’s first year student Miriam Krakowski about Passover, which is beginning next week.” said Teter.

they’re interested in and they’re asking for,” said Hoffman.

OMA has recently hired their first Director of Jewish life and Director of Muslim life. These will be full-time positions beginning May 1.

“One of the hopes and goals for those positions is to really do an assessment of the needs of the community in the first year,” said Hoffman. “[They can make] recommendations for how we can best educate about Jewish life as well as serve the needs of our Jewish community, and those aren’t always the same.”

Fordham sponsors a lot of

interfaith events including interfaith prayer and picnics with the president.

“I think one of the things that is really important at Fordham is that we’re a faith based institution. It’s a place where faith matters and the values of our whole community matter,” said Hoffman. “We want to be a place where people can come here and grow in their faith tradition and connect with other people who are part of that community as well as learn about the faith traditions of other people.”

This Wednesday, April 17, the celebration is hosting a

webinar, “Learning History Through Kibbutz Haggadot.”

Hosted by collector Hollis Granoff Landauer, it will discuss the Holocaust in Kibbutz Haggadot from Mandate Palestine.

The hope from involved organizations is that the celebration will increase student involvement in Jewish culture events.

“I think a lot of our Jewish students who I’ve spoken to anyways don’t necessarily know about those resources, so my hope would be that by putting together these events into one place it can show people that there are resources here for them,” said Hoffman.

Public Safety Adds Additional Security to Walsh Gate

Walsh Gate was turned into sign them in at the guard booths. Walsh Hall, a 13-story resi-

FROM WALSH, PAGE 1 alerted in real-time, and we will dispatch someone to the Fitzer reminds students that, even with the new technology,

“Public Safety had previously addressed the issue with more

FROM UNION, PAGE 1

Zaman, a graduate student who spent a year on the negotiating committee.

“We were making it clear every session that we needed them to give us certain information which they are legally required to do for us in order to make those economic proposals… They were withholding that information — that’s why we currently have three unfair labor practice violations against them.”

The union has currently filed a total of four unfair labor practice violations with the National Labor Relations Board, most recently on Feb. 23 for their removal by Public Safety during campus demonstrations and flier distributions.

According to press releases by the CWA, FGSW’s top priorities include stipends, health insurance subsidies and high student fees. In proposals, FGSW has asked that base stipends be raised to $46,983, comprehensive medical insurance be provided and that all fees be waived.

Currently, graduate students make anywhere from $27,231 to $35,846 a year depending on their

FROM STUDIES, PAGE 1 idea of bringing people together,” said art history Professor Caitlin Meehye Beach, a co-director of the Asian American studies minor who organized the event. “Celebrating our students, course minors and professors is a really nice way to all connect in this space,” she added. Beach expressed her excitement to meet a wide range of people with a heightened interest in the new minor, which officially launched fall 2023. “It’s exciting to hear our students reflect on what they’re looking forward to with the program, what they’re excited about and what the program means to them.” Beach emphasized the challenges of forming new APIDA connections amidst their individual teaching and service duties and doing so across departments, campuses or fields. “It’s really great to build a community of people who’re all interested in Asian American studies, sharing the same questions and approaching them from different ways and perspectives.”

Aiko Palaypayon, FCLC ’27, a student panelist, is among the Asian American studies minor’s first students. “This program gives us a sense of community and makes us feel seen,” shared Palaypayon. “As a first-gen Asian American college student coming from a predominantly white high school, this program allowed me to make sense of my Asian American identity and conceptualize it while appreciating my ancestors’ stories of what it means to be Asian American in America.” She said that she valued the books she read in her classes on the Filipino American experience, noting her Filipino heritage isn’t discussed in America as often as other cultures are. Despite one book’s age, its story reminded her of her parents, who immigrated to America in the 1990s. “It truly shed light on being first-gen and surviving in America, and was really nice to read about my culture in a class. I didn’t get that in high school, nor did I ever get that growing

Graduate Students Fight for Fair Wages

academic year and role. Healthcare and fees often pose significant expenses to graduate students and their stipends.

“It’s [healthcare fees] $1,500… a year with our current stipend being $27,000, so that’s a significant portion of our stipend and I don’t believe that my healthcare gives me too many options for subsidies,” said Setti.

Student fees are another such expense. According to an FGSW Instagram post, students paid $2,487 to $2,621 in fees on top of tuition depending on their status as a domestic or international student.

“We’ve proposed multiple times a fee to waive student fees (which total around $1,000 a year or something like that) which we believe is a really small thing. Again, I personally believe it’s really small… It’s a standard in other union contracts,” explained Setti.

“Essentially, we’re paying fees to work for Fordham… If someone is willing to bargain in good faith, that seems like something at least we’d be like, ‘Okay, well, this is not that big of a deal.’”

Other proposal demands include

childcare and added teaching resources such as office space, computer access and software access.

Tetlow described these demands as not economic, saying they were expensive and hard to meet on a tuition-dependent budget such as Fordham’s.

“The price of their entire package of the current demand, priced over four years, because the expense keeps coming every year, is more than $70 million. And that is why it has been hard for us. We love our graduate students, we are eager to support them, but ultimately their pay, just like all of your faculty’s pay, comes from tuition,” said Tetlow.

“Undergraduate tuition has gone up 10.4% and we haven’t seen raises in years,” said Zaman. Tetlow noted that the university has offered the graduate students a 15% raise, which would increase the base stipend up to $32,200.

FGSW has received widespread support outside the Fordham community, including from Vincent Alvarez, president of the New York Central Labor Council. Notably, Fordham alumni in the NYS legislature led by Senate Deputy Majority

Leader Michael Gianaris signed a letter to the Fordham administration urging them to support the demands of the graduate students.

“As a Fordham alum, I know all too well the importance of student workers in keeping the day-to-day functions of the university going,” said Gianaris. “I’m proud to be a Fordham graduate and continue to uphold the values the institution helped instill in me. Now, I hope the administration can personify

their own ideals and provide student workers a living wage and healthcare.”

News about the FGSW, including a petition for undergraduate students, can be accessed at their Instagram, @fordhamgsw, or on their website, fordhamgraduatestudentworkers.org. Additional information on negotiations can be found at Fordham University’s Human Resources webpage.

Asian American Studies Minor Celebrated

up. Being able to discuss my culture was nice.” Palaypayon found comfort in others’ appreciation of her culture after years of facing high school microaggressions. “It was really a moment of ‘Wow, it’s gotten to this point where I’m seen, and people see my race and ethnicity,’ and not admonishments of ‘Bad! Why’re you eating that!’ Being in classes with other Asian Americans, I felt our experiences were somewhat similar, yet wonderfully unique.”

Eva Lee, FCLC ’27, also plans to minor in Asian American studies and, like her fellow panelist and classmate Palaypayon, was inspired by the advice of program co-director Dr. Stephen Hong Sohn in his “Introduction to Asian American Studies” course. Lee shared her pride in being part of the program’s inaugural class. “It was very much a happy accident! Seeing the program in its nascent phases is really cool, and I hope this gauges more interest among the student body. This really builds your character — even if Asian American studies doesn’t directly apply to your minor, it forces you to think critically and engage with these issues.” During the panel, Lee highlighted how American history is often exclusively taught from a Euro-American view. “It’s really astonishing when you consider Asians have been in the Americas since the 1500s. Students need that content to begin with.” She discussed how all students should learn APIDA histories, not just APIDA members. “This is a part of American history; you can’t think about race in isolation from other racial groups. You must learn about race in relation to all affected by it. Think across racial boundaries: how all groups think about race, what are their socioeconomic and geopolitical standings in America, why we use the languages we do today, where famous stereotypes come from.”

Lee detailed microaggressions that have been directed at her for speaking out of place and defying bodily expectations.

“All those Asian stereotypes are model minority versus yellow peril. In either context, you’re still looked at as this perpetual foreigner. Distancing yourself from that to realize neither is positive, you look at yourself not through the Euro-American lens, but your own. High school was realizing I do criticize myself from another perspective. Coming to college allowed me to realize I can look at myself in a more well-rounded, less critical way.”

Ngoc Vo, FCRH ’24, attended the event. “I liked that many students and professors from different departments came to learn about the program and show their support. A professor in the theater department asked how she could contribute to the program. That really stuck with me.” Vo noted that the co-directors created the program in response to anti-Asian sentiments sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the 2021 mass shooting in Atlanta. “The Asian American studies program is very promising. I would’ve loved to take their classes!” said the graduating senior. “The interdisciplinary aspect of the program itself allows students to explore the long history of Asians in America and have a deeper understanding of the cultures and identities making up quite a large chunk of the American population.”

Kha’s lecture following the panel discussion opened with

a moment of silence in memory of victims of Asian hate. “I do want to take a moment to really think about the victims of Asian American hate crimes in this country that’s still ongoing, and I wanted to reserve space for that.” Kha discussed being Asian and queer while growing up in Memphis, Tenn. “I used a lot of proxies, surrogates and substitutes to relate to instead of ones that weren’t there for me. So how do we arrive at our representation? If I’m going to deal with work and this kind of invisibility, how am I going to deal with that?” Kha shared images that inspired him, including one recreating the opening of the Transcontinental Railroad with descendants of its Chinese laborers. “Identities and self shift and change over time — we never stay at one identity.” He cited his passion for photography as an opportunity for self-validation and documentation. “I love the idea of digging into history; the future always revisits the past. Something about photography makes us time travelers. I’m a cutout of my mother and grandmother. We have to look deeper at other sources to find out contexts and backgrounds and often it crosses into other communities.” Kha said he found difficulty in attracting attention to his work and finding space to be recognized when he began photography. “Part of us existing is a big F.U.

to doing things contrary to what we’re told. There’s ‘no market for these things?’ Keep creating and make that market. We’re finding each other in these platforms/spaces and continuing to talk about it. I’m more about being able to make my work at all.”

The panelists offered their hopes for the Asian American studies program’s future. “I’d like a course on the intricacies of Asian American health and the interplay of dopamine and serotonin on how generational trauma can cause changes affecting an individual growing up,” said Palaypayon, who’ll major in psychology. Lee added, “I want to see this develop into a major, and more course offerings relating to all sorts of fields so students can incorporate Asian American studies into their curriculum, and not feel separated from what they’re majoring in. The LC theater director mentioned she’d love to teach an Asian American studies theater class — I got so excited!”

“It will be really exciting to see how the program grows, though there are a lot of challenges in terms of building a program and fundraising support for it to keep things running,” Beach closed. “The most exciting part is, for every class that’s taught, there’ll be students who decide Asian American studies is what they’ll want to study.”

COURTESY OF LINA JIANG FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

An Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American panel celebrated the Asian American studies program.

COURTESY OF HANNAH BORING/THE FORDHAM RAM Union members picket outside Rose Hill gates.

Towards the end of my senior year of high school, the entire school was called into the gymnasium and herded onto the bleachers in the middle of the day. It was a Wednesday and there would often be announcements and some sort of speaker, usually about events related to the school, and then we would all be dismissed back to homeroom or class. However, on this day, one of the teachers, Mr. Marshak, walked up to the podium and began a presentation on the dangers of social media.

You could almost physically feel the eye-roll the entire student body had at that moment. We had heard these types of warnings from parents, grandparents and anyone who did not grow up accustomed to having social media platforms as a part of their childhood and daily lives. Mr. Marshak was notorious for being blunt and heavily sarcastic. He taught AP Psychology and was thus well-versed in studies on the brain. Instead of the usual lecture kids are subjected to, Marshak dove into social media and current technology’s toxic effects on brain

functions and development.

I still think weekly about that impactful presentation. About how social media’s “heart” or “like” functions on posts condition our brains to have a burst of dopamine whenever someone notices or comments on our posts. And how the lack of attention on social platforms can lead to depression and anxiety when someone does not get enough likes on their posts. Or how extensive phone and technology usage can actually affect and shrink your gray matter, making people addicted to their phones. Sleep issues, social isolation and attention issues have been linked to social media platform usage.

Hearing those facts made my heart drop. My dad always chided me for using TikTok. He said the app was terrible for teenagers and constantly urged me to delete it. I brushed it off as something all parents did. Now, I regret not listening to him.

After that presentation, I stopped using TikTok. It started slowly, with me being intensely guilty every time I used the app. Then I stopped

using it altogether. The only times I’ve used the TikTok app since high school is the one time every few months someone sends me one and tells me to watch it. I usually don’t understand the joke behind the video because I am so out of touch with the platform.

Sometimes I feel left out because I don’t use the app anymore. My friends constantly ask me, “Have you seen this TikTok?” only for them to remember who they are speaking to and make fun of my lack of awareness. Even my own eight-year-old brother seems to be more chronically online than I am. In no way am I detached from the Internet. I still use Instagram regularly and enjoy posting pictures to share with my friends. I run a food review Instagram page I love deeply and would be crushed to part with. But I often find myself mindlessly opening the app on my phone. The preconditioning startles me, and I am sitting back in the gym at my high school with Marshak explaining the addictive tendencies of apps like TikTok and Instagram. Regardless of technology’s

mind-altering cons, we can all agree that it negatively impacts all users. You are constantly tuned into the lives of other people. It is nearly impossible not to compare your life, activities, appearance and overall state of being to how people portray themselves online. To this day, I get anxious when people post themselves doing more interesting things than I do daily. I feel like my life should be more “postworthy” like theirs. It’s hard to remember that you only see the tidbits of a person’s life online that they want you to see. A person’s Instagram page is not pulling back the curtain on their life; it’s simply the highlight reel.

With that said, I won’t stop using Instagram or Snapchat anytime soon. I know deep down it would be beneficial for me. I would worry less about what other people are doing and invest in spending more time just being present with people. But the anxiety and fear of missing out stops me from deleting social media whenever I think about finally getting rid of the apps. And that’s why it scares me so much.

Why We Stand with the Grad Students

We have all seen the protests, read the emails and viewed the Instagram posts. All of this is in response to negotiations between Fordham and the Fordham Graduate Student Workers (FGSW). Last week, 98% of FGSW voted to authorize strikes, shifting negotiations into a new gear. Now, the question on all students’, faculty and parents’ minds is “What happens next?” The Editorial Board wanted to hear the views of both the administration and graduate students to gain a deeper understanding of events. We had the opportunity to listen to a press conference held by President Tania Tetlow on April 12 and met with a representative from FGSW named Alfredo Dueñas. After hearing directly from both sides, we have concluded that graduate students deserve a fairer deal.

Let’s look at the status quo to understand why we think this way. Members of FGSW currently teach 7.2% of courses this semester. Last semester, they taught 450 classes, which made up 30% of the classes offered. It would be fair to say most students reading this piece have had at least one graduate student teacher while attending Fordham. First and second-year graduate teaching assistants are compensated by a $27,231 stipend. Thirdyear-plus students receive a $28,961 stipend. Regarding benefits, graduate teaching assistants are automatically enrolled in the Student Health

Insurance Plan (SHIP), which

Aetna insurance provides. The Fordham Observer has reported that current healthcare premiums for the plan are $1,427 after the university provides a 67% subsidy. SHIP does not cover dental or vision.

FGSW doesn’t think the status quo is fair at all. They want Fordham to raise their stipend pay to $47,219 over the academic year. In addition, FGSW argues Fordham should offer a premium rate on healthcare, dental, and vision. They also want the school to provide a childcare subsidy of $3,000 per child for graduate students with children below kindergarten age.

What struck us the most from these conversations was the clear disagreements between the two parties on what is deemed fair compensation. The school considers graduate students part-time employees, whereas the graduate students think that term undervalues their work. On its union negotiations page, the university says that graduate students are capped at 19 work hours per week for nine months. When asked about this during our interview, Dueñas stated that the label was inaccurate because it does not include the “personal research” they do. He argued that “personal research” includes important work such as working on their research and attending conferences and colloquiums. He believes these activities enhance Fordham’s status as a research

school. The disagreement has resulted in the university and FGSW measuring graduate student’s pay levels differently. Tetlow stated in the interview that Fordham’s data analysis finds they are currently in the middle of the market when it comes to compensation and argued they pay at a higher hourly rate than what is typically paid in the marketplace. FGSW has released its own data stating that Fordham’s stipend rate is near the bottom of the universities they have analyzed.

When looking at the status quo, it is clear to us that graduate students deserve more than the pay and benefits they currently receive. In the press conference, President Tetlow stated that they would raise the stipend by 15% and were open to raising it more. Even when factoring in a 15% increase, that would result in around a $32,200 stipend, which is still below what the union wants. Graduate students provide an important service to the school by teaching classes and conducting research. These activities enrich our university’s community and reputation. But for all that hard work, their current stipend is lacking. A yearly income of $28-29,000 alone is not enough to survive as a single person in this city. While the school may disagree with some data FGSW uses to calculate an individual’s cost of living, the New York State Comptroller’s Office says that New York City is “one of the

most expensive cities to live in globally.” New York City being an expensive place isn’t up to interpretation; it is an objective fact. We think it is only fair that Fordham raises the graduate student stipend to reflect this.

A concern the president raised in the press conference was how raising the stipend would impact tuition for undergraduates. She stated, “Their pay comes from tuition, so we have to balance doing right by students who pay the cost of their education against our desire to pay our people well.” We think Tetlow’s framing of the situation is misleading. Tetlow seems to want to frame this as the union asking for too much from undergraduates. But the sentiment of many undergraduate students is that Fordham itself is asking too much of them. In terms of tuition increase, we think Fordham’s argument would be more persuasive if the school was more transparent with their spending.

The uncomfortable question graduate students are asking Fordham is where the tuition money is going. It’s fairly obvious the money isn’t going to graduate students’ stipends. Graduate students are an essential part of the Fordham community, and this process has made it clear to us that they deserve more than the status quo. That is why we support FGSW, and we hope they can come to a fair tentative agreement with the university soon.

By ABIGAIL SMITH

WRITER

In today’s world of politics, celebrities hold immense power in captivating an audience through endorsing politicians. By outwardly supporting a candidate, they make a statement that surely not everyone can agree in today’s divided political climate. Directly telling fans whom to vote for discourages voters from developing their own political opinions and educating themselves. Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, celebrities should keep their politics to themselves, encouraging independent thought and critical thinking in a nation divided by partisanship.

Recently, in a Fox & Friends interview, famous pro-wrestler and actor Dwayne Johnson was asked if he would endorse current President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 presidential race. Johnson endorsed Biden and Harris in the 2020 presidential election. In response, Johnson acknowledged the country’s starkly current divided state, saying he would keep his politics to himself this time. Considering his significant influence, Johnson’s decision was shocking yet mature

Celebrities Need to Keep Out of Politics

in acknowledging the current political climate of America. With over 390 million followers on Instagram, Johnson’s audience consistently observes him, leaving him no choice but to be cautious of what he does and says as a celebrity. More celebrities should take note of Johnson’s decision to stay out of politics because he is, in fact, a celebrity and not a politician. Just because a celebrity has a large platform, does not mean they are qualified to speak out on pressing issues, nor are they obligated to. Johnson says he only wishes for the country to come together, having complete trust that the American people will make the correct decision for president.

Celebrities funding a political candidate may sound like a brilliant move to arouse votes. However, the consequences may suggest more harm than good. If a celebrity spreads misinformation while endorsing a candidate, the public can look to place blame on the celebrity. They could be accused of inciting political chaos or even become looped in conspiracies, such as famous singer Taylor Swift. Swift first endorsed Biden’s campaign in 2020, and the White House reportedly wishes she would

do so again. A recent poll shows that just under one in five Americans believe Swift is part of a plan to assist Biden in winning the 2024 election. Most believers support Republican candidate former President Donald Trump, who claims Swift benefited enormously from the Music Modernization Act and would be disloyal if she again endorsed Biden.

If Swift decides to endorse Biden, she should be cautious about becoming further entangled in political conspiracies or getting stuck in the crossfire of political debates. As a musician first and endorser second, Swift should focus on bringing people together through her music, rather than forcing her opinions onto fans who may disagree politically. Celebrities’ political opinions reflect their personal views, like every American voter. No two Americans’ political views are the same when it comes to topics like healthcare, abortion or the economy. Now, more than ever, we live in a country divided by strong labels such asRepublican and Democrat. Being told to vote for a candidate simply because of a celebrity’s praise only further contributes to the polarization of left and right-wing politics.

When a worshiped celebrity speaks, their fans listen. In September 2023, Swift made an Instagram post to her then 272 million followers, encouraging them to register to vote. Soon enough, Vote.org recorded 35,000 registrations thanks to Swift’s persuasive power in one Instagram message. Celebrities such as Swift can no doubt promote issues, like voter registration, that notably benefit American civic duty. But when they dive deeper into politics, directly backing presidential candidates they know are both hated and supported by the country, they willingly enter a realm of controversy. Politics is uncharted territory for many celebrities who are not experts in pressing issues. Rather than actively be politi-

cians, celebrities should just encourage Americans to go out and vote, keeping silent about who they are supporting.

Celebrities should advocate for education and research in formulating one’s political opinions. Though Swift and Johnson are just as wellknown as Biden or Trump, it does not mean they are experts in American politics. To unite the American people, celebrities should use their influence to seek attention and speak positively regarding our right to vote. The partisan state of our country will never improve should Americans look to celebrities to tell them who to

The “CoComelon” Conundrum: Crack for Kids or Parenting Tool?

By ELEANOR SMITH ASST. OPINION EDITOR

To make sure I knew what I was talking about when I wrote this article, I did some firsthand research and watched an episode of “CoComelon.” I was unable to find a list of the best “CoComelon” episodes, so I chose one at random and watched season three episode two: “Learning With JJ.” Here’s what I noticed: the show lacked any sort of dialogue or overarching plot — in one song, Baby JJ gets ready for bed and, in another, ducklings leave the nest, but each of the segments was completely unconnected to the other segments in the show. The resulting episode watches more like a compilation of YouTube videos made for toddlers than anything resembling a normal episode of television.

Some child development experts say that shows like “CoComelon” are so stimulating that kids can experience withdrawal when it is time for them to stop watching. Jerrica Sannes, a child development expert based in Orange County, Calif., shared that “Cocomelon is so hyperstimulating that it actually acts as a drug, as a stimulant. The more children watch the show, the more the brain begins to expect that kind of stimulation. This makes it impossible for the child to play solely without entertainment.”

While there is not yet any

research on the effects that highly stimulating shows such as “CoComelon” have on child development and well-being, parents have shared anecdotes about the show changing their child’s behavior. I knew I had to go to Reddit to find the most accurate and helpful information. Some of the Redditors said things like “It’s banned in my house just cause it’s annoying as F**K,” and others said that they hadn’t noticed anything different about from their child’s normal behavior. Many shared stories that they felt were proof that fast-paced shows were addictive for their children. One parent shared that they had to ban “Paw Patrol” because “turning it off would create some seriously genuine heartbreak and terror, even if I warned it was coming, set a timer, etc. it was seriously like he was addicted.” Another user stated that they noticed that their daughter had “stopped playing and would just stare at the tv screen waiting for cocomellon [sic] to come on.”

Why does “CoComelon” affect kids in this way? Let’s take a look at how it’s produced — or should I say “engineered.” At Moonbug Entertainment, the London based company that produces many popular children’s television shows, toddlers and children are brought in to view episodes so that producers can fig-

ure out what aspects of the show are engaging for children. Next to a large screen showing kids “CoComelon,” a smaller screen showing the Distractatron is set up, with a loop of real-world scenes of adults doing household tasks playing on it. Whenever the toddler test subject looks away from “CoComelon” to watch the Distractatron, the producers write a note and that scene is altered to make it more engaging. The show is literally edited and engineered to create a product that children cannot tear themselves away from, and parents are dealing with the consequences.

“CoComelon” is said to be educational, but while I was watching, I had trouble believing it. Maybe some of the songs are about the alphabet, or the days of the week, but child development experts argue that the best way to educate a child is through playing and interacting with them, not through a screen. Research has shown that the right television shows can help children with autism learn social skills like empathy, following directions and asking for help, provided parents talk to their children about what they are watching. While children may be able to learn the alphabet or the numbers from a show such as “CoComelon,” the show lacks meaningful dialogue and social conflict, and it seems unlikely that engaging with that type of content

would teach children the types of social skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

As someone who doesn’t have children, it’s easy for me to say that, as a parent, I would never let my children watch television shows like “CoComelon.” It is also important to recognize that American society is especially unfriendly to children and working parents. If a busy parent needs half an hour to get chores done or make dinner, “CoComelon” or a similar show is readily available to distract their toddler or child. The cost of childcare is rapidly rising, and television shows are both more accessible and cheaper than having another person watch the kids while a parent does chores or makes dinner. And

then think about the things people post on social media after an experience with a crying child on an airplane. (Yes, it is unpleasant to share a small space with a crying child, but children are also people who have a right to be on public transportation, and air travel is uncomfortable for everyone, which is probably why they are crying.) If I were a parent with an unhappy child facing a flight of any length, the first thing I would do is quickly sedate my child with “CoComelon.” There are problems with the show, but it also has its merits.

Abigail Smith, FCRH ’27, is an English major from Verona, N.J.

Eleanor Smith, FCRH ’26, is an American studies and history major from St. Paul, Minn.

“CoComelon” has little educational value for children. COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

It is better for celebrities to stay out of politics. COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL/THE FORDHAM RAM

Don’t Reinstate Anti-Loitering Laws, They Don’t Work

By ANDREW MCDONALD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In a misguided attempt to combat human trafficking, some California lawmakers are pushing to reinstate loitering laws that were rightfully repealed just a year ago. While supporters of these anti-loitering laws claim these laws are necessary tools for law enforcement, the reality is that criminalizing loitering disproportionately targets and harms marginalized communities, particularly people of color and those experiencing homelessness. Loitering laws are not only ineffective in addressing the root causes of crime and human trafficking (which is the justification for these laws), but this kind of legislation only works to perpetuate systemic oppression and injustice without enacting any real or materially tangible change.

My home state of California has a troubled history with loitering laws, which have long been used as a tool for harassment and discrimination. As president of the Erotic Service Providers Legal, Education, and Research Project Maxine Doogan stated, “When the law was still on the books, ‘police could and did use it to harass and arrest anyone they wanted to who was walking down the street.’”

Recognizing the harm these laws caused, California took a progressive step forward in 2021 with the passage of Senate Bill 357, which repealed the crime of loitering with intent to commit prostitution. This move was celebrated by civil rights advocates who saw it as a crucial step towards

protecting vulnerable communities from unjust criminalization and police harassment.

Loitering laws are not only ineffective at deterring crime and human trafficking but can actually make these problems worse. By criminalizing the act of simply standing or wandering in public spaces, these laws only push vulnerable individuals further into the shadows, making it harder for them to access support and resources.

As Doogan points out, “The proponents of AB 2034 falsely claim that the repeal of [the loitering law] facilitated forced labor in the sex trade. There is absolutely no evidence of that.”

In fact, by driving trafficking victims underground, loitering laws can make it more difficult for law enforcement to identify and assist those in need. Furthermore, as Jen Flory, a health policy advocate with Western Center on Law & Poverty, wrote in a guest commentary for the publication “CalMatters,” “Criminalizing homelessness won’t make the issue go away. It would be expensive, and in most cases, illegal.” Instead of wasting resources on arresting and detaining individuals for simply existing in public spaces, we should focus on providing housing, mental health support and services that address the causes of poverty and exploitation.

Criminalizing loitering is an approach that disproportionately harms marginalized communities. Doogan warns these laws “allow law enforcement to harass LGBTQ, Black and Brown people for walking or standing in public.” This targeting perpetuates systemic

oppression and erodes trust between these communities and law enforcement. Moreover, law enforcement does not need loitering laws to investigate human trafficking effectively. As Doogan stated, “Law enforcement do not need reasonable suspicion of prostitution to investigate forced labor in the sex trade.” Existing California legislation already provides immunity from arrest for prostitution if a person is a victim or witness to serious crimes like trafficking.

Arresting people for loitering also exacerbates the disastrous homelessness and mental health issues plaguing California. In her guest commentary for CalMatters, Flory argues that “forcing people into institutions is imprisonment by another name. Zero-tolerance approaches like this only exacerbate racial and class disparities in our overly aggressive criminal justice system.” Instead of criminalizing those who are most vulnerable, we should focus on addressing the root causes of poverty, homelessness and mental health challenges through supportive services and resources.

While repealing loitering laws was a necessary step towards protecting vulnerable communities, it has also had unintended consequences. In certain areas, open sex markets and trafficking have increased since the repeal. Summer Stephan, the San Diego County District Attorney described witnessing a harrowing scene of “an open sex market with young women barely dressed and a line of sex buyers waiting in cars as casually as if they were at a drive

through ordering a hamburger.”

Law enforcement officials argue that the lack of loitering laws has left them without the tools necessary to intervene in suspected trafficking cases. Some, such as the California Family Council now claim, “prostitution has surged as individuals dressed in minimal clothing roam the streets during daylight hours in close proximity to businesses, residences and educational institutions.” However, it is crucial to recognize that these unintended consequences are not an indication that the repeal was wrong, but rather a sign that more comprehensive solutions and spending are needed. Criminalizing loitering is not the answer, as it ultimately does more harm than good. Instead, government officials must focus on addressing the root causes of trafficking, such as poverty and lack of resources, while also providing support and services for victims. Law enforcement can still investigate trafficking without relying on unjust loitering laws that disproportionately criminalize vulnerable communities. Instead of relying on criminalization, California should invest in alternatives that address the root causes of trafficking and support those most vulnerable. As Flory suggests, “We must pressure the state to invest in more permanent supportive housing and deeply affordable housing for people on the precipice of homelessness, and to compel local governments to comply with a mandate to get that done.”

Through providing affordable

housing and supportive services, we can create a more stable foundation for individuals at risk of exploitation. Additionally, prioritizing social workers as the primary points of contact, rather than law enforcement, can help build trust and connect individuals with the resources they need. Through a focus on rehabilitation and support, rather than punishment, we can work towards creating a more just and equitable society.

Reinstating loitering laws in California, or in any state that has had them repealed would be a grave mistake, a mistake that will no doubt do more long-term harm than good to already marginalized communities. These laws have historically been used as tools of oppression, disproportionately targeting people of color, the queer community and those experiencing homelessness. To effectively combat human trafficking, we must address its root causes by investing in affordable housing, supportive services and rehabilitation programs. Only by focusing on the well-being and empowerment of vulnerable individuals, rather than their criminalization, can we hope to build a more just and equitable society for all of our citizens, not just in my home state of California, but across the country.

Andrew McDonald, FCRH ’26, is a history and political science double major from Sacramento, Calif.

Prevarications on Pregnancy: Lying to the Next Generation

By SAISHA ISLAM OPINION EDITOR

Reproductive autonomy and abortion access are rights which have been continuously attacked for the past two years. Other facets of sexual education have also suffered as a result. On Thursday, April 4, the Tennessee State Senate passed a bill commonly known as the Baby Olivia Act which requires the inclusion of a three-minute video depicting growth and development in the school curriculum. An alternative substitute to the video may be used as long as it is a “highquality and computer-generated animation or high-definition ultrasound of at least three minutes in duration that shows the development of the brain, heart, sex organs, and other vital organs in early fetal development.” The passed bill resembles a similar law signed in by North Dakota. The threeminute video was produced by the anti-abortion group Live Action and has been accused of medical inaccuracies as well as biases. If the bill is signed by Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee, it will take effect in

the 2024-25 school year. The Baby Olivia Act is unethical and doesn’t hold purely educational purposes. Critics of the bill include The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists who state that the video is filled with medical inaccuracies. For example, the video implies that life begins at conception, but this is not verified, and because of this, the fetus depicted in the video is two weeks more advanced than the stage it is shown at. Additionally, the video claims that a heartbeat can be heard when the fetus is three-weeks old despite the heart not being fully formed until the ninth week. The video also misguidedly states that a fetus which is delivered at 20 weeks is able to survive with a large amount of help despite the fact that “only 10% of babies born at 22 weeks survive long enough to be discharged from the hospital,” according to Dr. Daniel Grossman, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. If the bill is signed into law, thousands of students

will learn inaccurate medical information about pregnancy.

While the creator of the video, the group Live Action, claims that it consulted medical doctors while making the video, it doesn’t excuse the blatantly false medical information provided in the video. Additionally, many of the doctors who were consulted hold antiabortion views and are associated with right-leaning groups. When seeking to educate students, information which lacks bias is crucial in order for students to be able to take in information and form their own opinions regarding it. In this aspect, the goals of Live Action in creating the video is concerning as the group looks “to shift public opinion on the

killing of preborn children.”

Throughout the three-minute video, there is barely a focus on the individual who is pregnant and instead the narrator states, “Though she has yet to greet the outside world, she has already completed an amazing journey.” If the video wants to show human development and growth, it would also be important to focus on the individual who is pregnant and what they face throughout their pregnancy. Not presenting this information is dangerous and hypocritical, since it fails to educate students on how a pregnant person can also be affected throughout the process.

Overall, if a video regarding human growth, development and pregnancy is required

within the school curriculum, the video should, at the very least, contain medically accurate information and shouldn’t have any bias whatsoever. The video in the Baby Olivia Act fails these basic standards and is harmful to the education of students regarding these important topics. I find it somewhat ironic that sex education in America is highly contested by much of the same individuals who support the Baby Olivia Act. Sex education is an important topic in education, but it shouldn’t be utilized as a political or moral point.

Saisha Islam, FCRH ’25, is a biology major from New York, N.Y.

The Baby Olivia Act mandates that students view a video depicting fetal growth and development.

COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL / THE FORDHAM RAM

The Double-Edged Sword of Public Education

Fixing the public school system is far more complex than data suggests.

By ZACHARY BADALAMENTI ASST. OPINION EDITOR

It’s easy to see but difficult to fully grasp one’s educational privilege and the inequities of the education system when you grow up in a bubble. Having previously attended Catholic school and now working in a public school in Harlem, I find myself feeling guilty about the pessimistic reality that the education system just isn’t fair.

in the classroom.

While I firmly believe that every child is innately good and wants to receive praise in academia, some children are simply not in environments where they are able to succeed. Whether as a result of a learning disability or behavioral disorder, oftentimes undiagnosed mental health concerns can impact the classroom environment. When this occurs, not only is the child not receiving the appropriate form of support, but it can also serve as a major detriment to the academic progress of the rest of the class.

Although it is a reality that I, like the vast majority of people, have long been aware of, I’ve come to the realization that the issue is far more complex than I naively assumed. Statistics concerning the matter substantiate the fact that an educational disparity exists. Still, numbers on paper provide a far too simplistic, generalized view of the inequalities between private and public school education.

For starters, Article XI of the New York State Constitution guarantees access to a public school education for all children. The idea that all children should be granted educational opportunities is the basis for public education in the United States. That said, Article XI can impact classroom dynamics in ways that are unexpected, especially in younger age groups. It goes without saying that education for all should be upheld, but certain combinations of children together can present unexpected challenges

Although a school’s administration can make efforts to recommend alternative schooling options and testing to parents of students struggling with mental health concerns, parents reserve the right to refuse the recommendations and ask for their child to remain in the school. In this case, a New York City public school has few options to remedy the issue, as expelling or suspending the child from the classroom in order to ensure the success of the other students would be depriving an innocent child of their right to learn.

The issue of undiagnosed mental illness in public schools is not uncommon. Data from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality supports the notion that mental illness is disproportionately undertreated in the communities

that typically make up the New York City public school system. Mental illness goes untreated in the communities that make up public schools for a number of reasons from awareness of mental health resources, to stigma against mental illness to the cost of the child receiving proper medical and educational attention. Given the fact that public school is an alternative to expensive private schooling, many members of the public school community are of lower socioeconomic status. Research shows that mental health resources can be incredibly costly: “the mean total cost per episode for publicly funded outpatient services for youth mental health issues was $2,673.” This, along with other factors, can deter a parent from listening to school administration and can deter their child from receiving the necessary attention they deserve.

During my stint working in the public school system, I have become aware of the fact that several students in my class cannot learn in an orthodox learning environment. This has resulted in those children becoming major disruptions in the classroom and developing behavioral problems. As a teaching professional, this makes my job incredibly difficult as the presence of certain children in the classroom can present such a major disruption to the flow of learning for

the rest of the students in the classroom. Untreated mental illness was something that I did not predict would impact the efficacy of a public school classroom, but I can speak firsthand to the fact that it can present unforeseeable issues in the classroom.

Private schools, on the other hand, are able to set up model classrooms and learning environments for their students. This places students who attend private school at a significant educational advantage as a negative classroom space can affect the future ability of students to learn and absorb new information. The testing process to get into private schools weeds out children that a school perceives as having behavioral problems. At the same time, because private schools give a child a better education and the opportunity to go on to college, and the environment of public school classrooms can present many difficulties to a child’s ability to learn, the testing process practically determines which child will be given a real opportunity to succeed. The current educational system has to change to make public school classrooms more comparable to the classrooms afforded to private schools.

COURTESY OF THE FORDHAM RAM

Zachary Badalamenti, FCRH ’25, is a journalism major from Oakland, Calif.

The Big Apple: Too Big for Tourists to Chew?

By HANIYYAH USMANI DIGITAL PRODUCER

To most people, thinking of New York City brings an image of Times Square and its bright commercials lighting up the area. It brings an image of crowded streets and people following their dreams with every step they take, getting closer every day. NYC has always maintained its global reputation as one of the top cities, even being declared the best city in the world because of its successful bounce-back even after the COVID-19 pandemic. But do the people match the energy of the city they live in? The Big Apple is globally known as one of the biggest cities in the world, specializing in staying busy and, most importantly, being fast-paced. It’s no secret either — whenever NYC is featured in any form of media, the nature of the bustling streets is portrayed

somehow. Is it as aesthetically pleasing in person as it seems from afar?

The answer to the first question is yes, but the second one is a definite no. Being a New Yorker means you’re a part of the crowd, and everyone has their own destinations and schedules to follow. But being the tourist attraction NYC is, there’s nearly always a bunch of visitors who unfortunately cannot keep up with the pace. It’s understandable, of course.

According to the New York Times, New Yorkers are the eighth fastest walkers in the world, and it isn’t too big of a surprise. The main forms of transportation in the city are walking and the MTA’s bus and train, so everyone is in a hurry to get where they need to be. People aren’t rushing everywhere without reason!

Since tourists don’t have that reason, nor do they have any experience with needing to

walk that fast, they seem very out of place. Seeing tourists in NYC is nothing new, but it’s incredibly frustrating every time they seem to claim a sidewalk for themselves, taking up all the space by walking smack in the middle, only to walk at a pace comparable to a snail’s. To intrude on people’s pace is one thing, but to then get annoyed at people who tell them to move is uncalled for.

When asked why New Yorkers hate slow walkers, Quora user Ross Cohen provided a detailed response, saying, “Because that’s how we get places. Most people on the sidewalks are not out for a stroll, they’re trying to get to work, or home, or a date, to meet friends…basically a specific destination at a specific time. We’re not sightseeing, we’re traveling.” For those here to sightsee, they should be aware of the environment that surrounds them, since they are the ones who have willingly come to visit. As a friend of mine once so eloquently put it: Google is free. New York City’s reputation isn’t necessarily kept secret by any means, and if someone wants to look at specifics, there are resources they can check prior to visiting.

“I feel like if you’re a tourist anywhere, whether it be New York City or anywhere else, you need to respect the place you’re going to,” said Jasmine James, FCRH ’26. It’s simple, really. There’s no reason to complain when you are an outsider.

There’s nothing wrong with not knowing where to go; it’s easy to get lost and even New Yorkers need to use Google Maps to get around sometimes. But if you aren’t accustomed to walking as fast as the rest of the crowd, then please walk on the side. It’s

Student Views | Eclipse

like sharing a highway where slower driving cars stay in the right lane, and you pull over to the side if you need to check directions. Cohen compared the flow of foot traffic to a beating heart, saying that sidewalks are already compromised in many areas due to trash, bikes and outdoor seating areas: “Slow or stopped people blocking passage are like the clot that triggers a stroke or heart attack.” New Yorkers are just very independent and schedule-oriented people, but no one will go out of their way to be rude to anyone else.

“As a New Yorker, let me be real. Tourists are annoying as f**k,” Nushana Alam, FCRH ’27, shared. “In a city like New York, everyone has to fend for themselves, that’s why they walk so fast. Tourists don’t really know what it’s like to live in New York, whereas we’ve grown up walking fast. For us, growing up in New York, walking slowly would be considered rude because not only is not walking fast being rude to everyone else, but you become part of the traffic itself. No one wants to be the one to ruin someone’s day by just being in the middle of a sidewalk

or something.” Alam went on to speak on how New Yorkers are simply people who are always on the go, so they need to be able to reach their destinations. Whether it be work, school or any kind of meeting, it’s frustrating if you would’ve been on time had there not been slow-moving foot traffic ahead of you. “If tourists think walking fast is rude, it’s the same where we think walking slowly is rude,” Alam stated.

To add to Alam’s point about growing up differently here, we learn to keep moving and to mind our business. Even in a movie as simple as “Home Alone: Lost in New York,” Kate McCallister, Kevin’s mother, was frantically asking around if anyone had seen him, yet no one paid any attention and just continued walking, simply because that’s the way it is. In Taylor Swift’s “Welcome To New York,” she said “It’s been waiting for you” — the only thing New Yorkers are waiting for is the MTA.

What Did You Think of the Solar Eclipse?

“I was out on Eddie’s with everyone else and it was cool. However, it would’ve been really cool if it was totality; So, in that case, it was a little bit underwhelming. It was still a great day with my friends. It kind of reminded me of when everyone used to go and hang out on Eddie’s during COVID-19.”

“To be honest, I didn’t think it was all that. I had class during the eclipse and my teacher let us out early to watch it. I thought it would be totality, but it’s okay. My teacher did share some fun space-related trivia about some of Einstein’s theories and how light can bend around the sun, which I found very interesting.”

“One of my professors canceled class at 4 p.m., and my other professor let us out early at 3:10 p.m. to watch, which was awesome. My professor put on the NASA livestream in a city with totality, which was very cool to see. I also got to go on Eddie’s with my friends and take some great pictures.”

“I saw the eclipse last week and it was a ton of fun. It was really cool to see everyone out on Edward’s Parade gathered together. Me and my friends had a blast!”

“I was actually in class, but it was really nice seeing all of the pictures on Instagram. I loved seeing President Tetlow’s dog, Archie, with his eclipse glasses. It was really cute and made me miss my dog at home.”

BRINDA PURIMETLA FCRH ’24

ISAAC FORSON FCRH ’26

AISHNA GAIKWAD GSB ’26

AIDAN PARAMORE FCRH ’27

YAZMINE SIBISKI FCRH ’26

Haniyyah Usmani, FCRH ’27, is undecided from the Bronx, N.Y.

Central Park is a beloved destination for tourists and New Yorkers alike.

COURTESY OF MARY HAWTHORN / THE FORDHAM RAM

New Yorkers are often frustrated by slow tourists in their neighborhoods. COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL / THE FORDHAM RAM

Thai New Year Arrives to New York

By RACHEL WANAGOSIT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

April 13 is Songkran, also known as Thai New Year. It’s a celebration that lasts three days, April 13-15, in Thailand. It’s also celebrated in Thailand’s neighboring countries, Cambodia and Laos. At its core, Songkran is a watersplashing festival. People spray each other with water to symbolize washing the previous year away and welcoming the good fortune of the new year.

During this time of year, it’s extremely hot in Thailand and Songkran is the perfect festival to help cool off. In fact, many people in Thailand will get off work for a full week to celebrate this holiday.

Here in the United States, our main celebration lasts one day, at least for most. It is on Sunday, which is the usual day for temples on any given week. I celebrated at Mongkoltepmunee Temple in Bensalem, Pa., where I’ve been going my whole life. There is a temple on the property that is built to look just like the ones in Thailand, a rare sight in the United States. Mongkoltepmunee Temple is the best one in the tri-state area with no competition. Many of the Thai temples here look ordinary on the outside, like Wat Buddhayaram, located in the Bronx, whose exterior is that of a “modest two-story home.”

There are many traditions that take place during Songkran and

you can participate in them by donating money to the temple. One of my favorites from when I was younger was building sandcastles. To do this, you donate some money, say “Sādhu” and make a wish. You then grab a sand-filled cup, flip it over and stick a flag into it, and then again make a wish and say “Sādhu.” This phrase is a way to say thank you for the blessing. People can donate as little as a dollar up to as generous as they would like to be.

I spoke with the man who has managed this station for many years, Hansa Yimyam. He told me they raised over $1,300 from just the sandcastles last year and that they were hoping to do the same this year. It’s a genius way to get donations because there’s a one-time cost that is the purchase of the sand, cups, flags and stupa (bellshaped tower) in which they place the sandcastles around. They are able to just break down the sandcastles and reuse them without incurring any additional costs. The activity still brings so much joy for generations to come. I think this is one of the most kid-friendly ways to immerse children in Thai culture. When Hansa was asked about his favorite thing about the festival, he expressed, “Seeing people from all walks of life that come together to celebrate Thai New Year and seeing them give to the community. [Which then allows us] to continue to promote the temple that brings

people together and Buddha’s teachings. Not only that, but we also try to spread the beauty of Thai culture and Thai language. And of course, the food, right? The best way to get to your heart is through your stomach.”

I agree. Songkran is the biggest festival of the year at the temple. I talked to a woman that day who hadn’t visited in five years. She said it was the biggest celebration that she’d ever seen at the temple.

This year is particularly special because UNESCO inscribed the holiday on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, meaning Songkran has finally been recognized as a unique Thaioriginating holiday.

Another sacred tradition is Dak Bat, a morning food ritual where you donate money and grab a tray of food to give to the monks. You are even allowed to bring them food you make; this past Songkran, my great-aunt made some tofu for the monks. The main event in our ThaiAmerican version of the festival is the food, which takes place under tents outside. The food is scrumptious. The lines stretch far before serving time at 11:30 a.m. This time allows people to run into old friends and meet new people waiting in line. The food is free, thanks to the people who volunteer their time to make food and those who donate. Almost everyone who comes donates. They understand what a blessing that this

temple brings for them. Thai people are a large minority in the U.S., so a place like this which is filled with Thai people and the air with Thai language brings a feeling of home that is longed for thousands of miles from the motherland.

This Songkran, my greataunt, Amporn Aldridge, made a Ton Par Pa, a money tree that people make wishes on after donating. She provided a place for people to donate through which she was able to raise $1,200 for the temple with just her tree. There are usually two or three trees. When asked why she chose to make a Ton Par Pa she told me about how she hasn’t been back to the temple in a while. She knows how donations teach people to be good, share and follow the laws of Buddha. They raise money for the people who work hard and keep these traditions alive. Also, donating can be very fun for the little kids especially in the unique ways of the Thai temple. Of course, there’s the watersplashing portion. Children

were given water guns as they sprayed plants and each other. The monks sprayed us with nam mon, a tool made from bamboo, while those getting blessed bowed their heads for respect.

Every year that I come to this festival, I learn more and more each time. For example, each time I come back my mom points out a person and she tells me that they changed my diapers. There’s so much I have yet to learn, but I’m very glad that I have the privilege to be part of such a beautiful and accepting community. I can feel a lot like an impostor not knowing the language all that well. In order to change that, I’ve started taking the initiative of engaging with more people and learning their story. At the Mongkoltepmunee Temple, there’s substantial effort that goes on behind the scenes to keep the slice of home that is the temple afloat. The Songkran festival is not one to miss.

Who Wouldn’t “Kill” for the Perfect Pair of Jeans?

By NICOLE BRAUN LUSA HOLMSTRUM

Maggie Rogers has done it again. She’s made another no-skip album — from fivesong EPs to divinity-school dissertations and now to an album that’s as comfortable and loved as worn-in jeans.

In “Don’t Forget Me,” Rogers has pulled together the two threads that her music wants to follow: the fun folk-ish music of the 21stcentury, and loud, alternative indie pop that you feel in your teeth. Unlike her previous two long plays, “Heard it in a Past Life” and “Surrender,” which she wrote and recorded for months, Rogers wrote and recorded the songs for her third album, “Don’t Forget Me,” chronologically in just five days. As for the elemental vibe of the album, where her first LP is air and her second is fire, “Don’t Forget Me” is earth, which comes across to listeners in 10 grounded tracks.

Rogers has always written about her experience of love as a full-bodied emotion, and fans have watched Rogers for the past seven years, as her songwriting has evolved alongside

drastic changes to her hair. As she has grown as an artist and person, in her music she reminisces about and critiques her experience of love more than letting the feeling consume her. From her first album, the song “Light On” talks about longing for the comforts of an ex-flame — “If you keep reaching out / Then I’ll keep coming back.” Three years later with “Shatter,” Rogers confesses the recklessness of love: “I don’t really care if it nearly kills me / I’d do anything just to feel with you.”

Now, as she nears 30, Rogers reflects on a past relationship in a way that is impossible at a young age; in “I Still Do,” the song she calls her saddest to date, she sings, “Love is not the final straw / But it’s always a reason to risk it all / At least the way that I loved you.”

Between the two of us, Rogers has fans on both sides of the country and, as of right now, both sides of the Atlantic. Last August, at the Hollywood Bowl, Rogers told fans she’d be performing three new, never-been-heard-before songs from her upcoming album. Immediately after hearing “The Kill,” with a

completely silent audience, rapt at her every word and hip swing, I knew that it would be the first song I looked for on album three. Unsurprisingly, the mastered version of “The Kill” did not disappoint. This song is the most fun depiction of the highs and lows of falling for someone who doesn’t show up in the way you want them to, and it is unbelievably addictive — there’s some out-of-body compulsion that makes us hit “repeat” again and again. In a surprising plot twist, Rogers switches the pronouns in the chorus of the song, signaling to listeners that she is just as much to blame for the failed relationship. Another album highlight is “If Now Was Then,” which beautifully captures the futility of wanting to change your past behavior, but also the release that such a self-admission can provide.

That said, for the astute Rogers fans like us, you might have noticed that both of our favorites are contained within the first half of the album. We found that “Don’t Forget Me,” was a little top-heavy and that the latter half of the album was a bit repetitive. Not to say

there aren’t some gems in there, but they didn’t carry as much original, emotional weight.

This past Saturday, to celebrate her album’s release, Rogers sold tickets to her upcoming stadium shows at a box office and was also selling tickets for a general admission show that night. After waiting on the sidewalk since 7:30 a.m. in the morning, at 1:30 p.m., I finally got my $25 ticket for that night’s show at Irving Plaza, feeling very grateful that I braved the sidewalk as early as I did because tickets sold out just half an hour later while lines were still wrapped around multiple city blocks.

The concert was intimate in size, but also in company. The

1,100-person venue was filled with mega fans who devoted themselves to a Saturday spent on concrete, which gave Rogers the freedom to perform deeper cuts instead of her “biggest” hits like “Alaska,” the song that went viral and launched her to fame in 2016. Rogers didn’t even plan a setlist — aside from playing the entirety of her new album, she chose audience members to call out the songs they wanted to hear.

In the same way that Rogers’ lyrics speak to us as her audience, her own music has done the same for her, as “Don’t Forget Me” the album has allowed her to “sew [her] shadow back on.” Just like a favorite pair of jeans, “Don’t Forget Me” is something we’ll put on when we want to feel like ourselves.

COURTESY OF RACHEL WANAGOSIT FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

New York showed up for Thai New Year.

The Best Eclipse View in New York State

By ALEXANDER HOM STAFF WRITER

Who needs the thick clouds and mists of Niagara Falls when you’ve got the smog of New York City? I confess I didn’t get my eclipse-viewing glasses; I have far too many actual eyeglasses already, and violentstrobe-light Happy New Year ones from intermittent years over the past decade shaped in the year they were made to ring in. Thus, I subconsciously forewent my free pair from Fordham. I figured two, maybe three pairs of sunglasses would do, which they did, and I elected to watch the eclipse through my phone’s camera, sacrificing one of its countless eyes. How wonderfully ironic that the New Year’s and eclipse glasses have polar opposite intentions when it comes to protecting your eyes.

Earth uniquely experiences two types of eclipses: lunar and solar. During a lunar eclipse, the Earth moves directly between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the moon that completely obscures it from view — not to be confused with a new moon. But solar eclipses emerge when the moon blocks the 400-times-larger sun from view in a near-perfect optical illusion that NASA estimates is unique only to us and our solar system. Eclipses have held fascinating significance in ancient history: the Chinese once believed that a dragon obliterated the sun, the Indians thought that the sun was being blocked

by the decapitated head of a demon forever chasing immortality and Native Americans, especially the Choctaw, say that a misbehaving squirrel is gnawing on the sun. Traditional cultures across the world still hold solemn prayer and observation when in the path of totality, or at a location on Earth where the sun is completely blocked by the moon positioned smack center “over,” “in front” or “between” it. More commonly today, eclipses are cause for exclusive three-hour news network coverage, social media virality, eclipse-viewing flights from Southwest and Delta, special donuts from Krispy Kreme and pies from Pizza Hut.

From my home in Queens, New York City, I was approximately 215 miles from the closest spot on the eclipse’s path of totality, which would have been Hamilton, N.Y. I got the same view, more or less, as my friends in Rose Hill and Lincoln Center. Niagara Falls was touted in the weeks prior as an eclipse-viewing hotspot, being a scenic landmark in the path of totality, and was so in terms of crowd attendance — but the thousands who flocked there had their eyes filled with, among what I presume to be tears, rainfall, thick clouds and Niagara mist. Those at Niagara did reportedly enjoy a nice, distraction-free four minutes of nighttime during their afternoon. Here, stuck on a hill, I humble-bragged to my friends about being closest to

the eclipse (my neighborhood is 300 feet above sea level) as 3 p.m. rolled around. They all received a GIF of a moment from SNL’s April 6 Weekend Update schtick, where Kenan Thompson’s eclipse guffaws to a thigh/desk-slapping Marcello Hernandez, “An earthquake during an eclipse? That’d be biblical, brother!... Well, don’t worry, I’m sure Mayor Adams will have it totally under control!”

Literally turning back to the eclipse, through my three pairs of sunglasses, I focused in on the beginning of NYC’s partial eclipse, just barely catching the moment as the moon moved slowly over the right edge of the sun’s path a little before the turn of the hour. The hazy clouds that had danced with the sunlight throughout the

day — but just like the moon, would never once obscure the sun completely — began to dissipate, as lower temperatures resulted in a reduction of atmospheric condensation. In other words, when it’s cooler, clouds tend to let up. And I indeed felt the midday comfort of the 65-degree day begin to fade back. Though the warmth had gone, the bright glare of the sun itself never wavered, still peering through from behind an ever-creeping moon crawling over its right half. I never glanced through my (layered) sunglasses more than 20 seconds at a time, and upon each glance back, noticed a perceptible progression of the moon. The waxing gibbous morphed to an irregular “firstquarter” phase, before sliding to a waxing crescent. Finally,

at 3:18, only a fifth sliver remained of the sun, but the rest of the ground below was still illuminated as if a cloud had just interrupted a normal sunny day. If people had no notice and weren’t looking up at the sun that day, I hazard to guess almost no one would’ve noticed anything different. The eerie, honeyed glow thrust through the eclipse, and the haze on the shrubs around me began to brighten as the hour ticked on. Totally worth saving the trip to misty Niagara, but maybe I’ll give it a moonshot up there in 2079. The U.S. gets its next total solar eclipse in 2044, moving northwest-southeast instead of this year’s southwest-northeast. Trust me, I’ll save and wear the proper glasses for then.

Junior Joyfully Dances Through Life

By SARAH URBANO DIGITAL PRODUCER

Maia Werner’s, FCRH ’25, love for dance began at three years old when her parents signed her up for classes at The Academy of Dance Arts in New Jersey. By the time she was seven, Werner landed her first role in the studio’s spring production of “The Wizard of Oz,” where she portrayed Toto. After this, her love of dance was solidified, and she continued to flourish.

She dipped her toes into a few activities as she grew up, such as soccer, basketball and lacrosse. Soccer was her favorite, and she played on a travel team before she realized ballet was her true passion and wanted to quit all other sports to focus on dance.

For 14 years, Werner danced at the same studio, with the same teachers. “It’s kinda cool, they watched me grow up and they got to train me my whole life,” says Werner. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, she took a break from dancing and focused her time on completing her senior year of high school and becoming close with her family.

When applying to colleges, Werner only applied to one school on the east coast; can you take a guess at which one it was? She had big plans of living her college life by the ocean in California, her top school being San Diego State, but at the last minute, her heart drew her to New York City. She liked that it was something different than her original plan. One thing about my friend Maia, she is not afraid to take risks!

Growing up in New Jersey made her fall in love with being outdoors, leading her to be an environmental studies major with a double minor in real estate and sustainable business here at Fordham University. She is passionate about Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) work and wants to do something in that field after college. When she is not dancing, Werner loves to go to the beach, go on hikes with her family and, when at Fordham, sit outside on Eddie’s when it’s nice out. At school, Werner has a sweet tuxedo cat named Pluto, who is always the life of any party we celebrate at her apartment.

Werner also loves to cook for her friends and family and, as

one of her best friends, I can confidently say I would hire her to be my personal chef. She loves cooking meals for her family when at her home in New Jersey, as spending time with them is extremely important to her. They often go snowboarding together and spend time outside hiking with their dogs, Franklin and Pickles.

In the second semester of her first year at Fordham, Werner found herself auditioning for The Fordham Jetés, Fordham’s ballet club. She was a bit nervous, as the last time she picked up her ballet shoes was over two years ago, but she was accepted into the club and her passion for ballet was quickly reignited.

Werner’s contributions to The Fordham Jetés never go unnoticed. She served as their publicist for her first two semesters and now holds a position as vice president of the club. As vice president, she teaches one class a week to the rest of the members of the club and also teaches an open class every Friday from 5-6 p.m. with the schedule alternating between beginner and intermediate (follow @fordhamjetes on Instagram

to see the schedule).

This spring, Werner will be performing in her second performance of “The Wizard of Oz” as the Wicked Witch! If you would like to attend a performance of

“The Wizard of Oz,” they will be held on April 20 at 5 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m. in Collins Auditorium. You can purchase tickets at the link in the bio of @fordhamjetes on Instagram.

The eclipse caught the eyes of New Yorkers everywhere, from Eddie’s here in the Bronx to Queens.

Werner is inspired through the art of dance.

Who’s That Kid? | Maia Werner, FCRH ’25

CULTURE

Olivia Rodrigo Spilled Her Guts In New York City

By MARY HAWTHORN PHOTO EDITOR

Olivia Rodrigo concluded the North American leg of her GUTS World Tour with four sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden. The “drivers license” icon asserted her dominance in the music industry once again by putting on one of the best concerts of 2024. Rodrigo’s confidence on stage, detailed set design, engagement with the audience and pure musical talent is a reminder that she is the “perfect all-American.”

Firstly, the excitement and energy of the crowd was unbelievable. There were times it was actually difficult to hear Rodrigo because of how loudly fans were belting the lyrics. Everyone knew every word to every song, and this made the concert that much more special. This was especially true when Rodrigo started off the set with her No. 1 Billboard hit “bad idea right?”

The best part about this concert — and what, in my opinion, makes it different from others — is Rodrigo’s production and set design. The visuals and graphics were so unique, ranging from baby videos of Rodrigo

By LUSA HOLMSTROM STAFF WRITER

I have never overused a word to the extent that I have overused “wander” in the past three months. No plans? “We can just wander.” Ready to leave the cafe? “Should we start wandering?”

Updating my travel journal?

“This morning, we wandered around.” Not only is wandering a great way to fill endless hours of free time abroad, but it has also been the way that I have stumbled upon some of my favorite stops.

My friends and I have the benefit of studying abroad together now and living together back in New York. This has served us in many ways, from shared wardrobes to the fact that while others were scrambling in recent weeks, we planned our spring break in… October. Cut to March and the four of us are being hypnotized by the endlessly spinning luggage belt in the Rome airport at one in the morning. Once we were finally reunited with our bags, we got into a car fit for at least 10 more passengers, which our Airbnb host insisted was the only reasonable size.

Our trip involved three days in Rome, Florence and Venice, complete with reunions with other friends studying abroad and some who valiantly flew from JFK to Istanbul to Italy all for hugs and piles of pasta.

to a giant floating moon in the center of the Garden.

Before the show began, there were four giant purple candles on the stage that spelled “GUTS.” After they burned, Rodrigo took the stage. These candles are just one testament to Rodrigo’s creativity, attention to detail and effort to engage the audience in every aspect of the show, even technically before it began. Simply waiting for her to go on stage was fun for the audience.

Another captivating element of the set was when Rodrigo sang “logical” and “enough for you” on the floating crescent moon. Glowing stars descended and filled the stadium, creating an otherworldly atmosphere; it was almost cinematic. It allowed for everyone, no matter where you were sitting, to wave and interact with her. Having these slow ballads to contrast her rock anthems was the perfect balance. Rodrigo is so unique in that she can switch from one aesthetic to the next while keeping everyone engaged.

The costumes could simply be described as ’90s/ Y2K “cool girl.” As noted by Harper’s Bazaar, “Rodrigo’s style has undergone a poppunk metamorphosis since

she first started in the entertainment industry.” This certainly remained true on stage with outfits ranging from a custom Swarovski silver bralette and skirt set to a seemingly effortlessly chic white tank and glitter mini skirt. What I love about Rodrigo’s style is that she is unapologetically herself, which aligns with her vulnerable lyrics about the life of a 21-year-old girl.

Further, her style was a major part of this tour and fostered a sense of community at the show. The audience wore entirely red and purple, Rodrigo’s signature colors, along with platform boots, plaid mini skirts, lace bows and lots of glitter.

In addition to her ’90s/ Y2K teen girl aesthetic, Rodrigo’s sense of fashion shares a lot of similarities with Gwen Stefani, particularly her white cropped tank top with lettering. There are many instances where Stefani rocked this simple look, such as her 1996 performance of “No Doubt” in Los Angeles, according to British Vogue. In fact, just a few days ago, Rodrigo performed with Stefani at Coachella in the same look.

Although this concert is definitely unique from any

Study Abroad | Spain

other, I think we can compare elements of it to Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour. For one thing, fans went all out. Clothes, hair, signs, everything. There were even people dressed as actual vampires in honor of Rodrigo’s hit, “vampire.” Secondly, her stage presence and graphics took the show to the next level. There were background dancers, colorful lighting, YK2 filters on the big screen and cameras in the stage itself to give unique aerial-looking shots of Rodrigo. Like The

Era’s Tour, it was far more than just a performance, but a cinematic experience. Finally, at the end of the show, Rodrigo took time to hug, receive gifts and take pictures with hundreds of fans on the floor. I loved this aspect of the show because it highlights how humble she is, in addition to being such a talented musician. Overall, it is safe to say that Rodrigo proved she is a pop icon, and I look forward to her next show in New York City.

Rodrigo drew inspiration from other pop icons for her style.

My Word Of The Semester

We traveled back in time by staring up at the Pantheon, at the Roman Forum and wistfully at the Colosseum from the outside — we didn’t get tickets. The street vendors sold everything from cheap leather bags and postcards to baskets of ripe strawberries and “Hot Priest Calendars.”

One night at dinner at a small restaurant tucked into a corner underneath a staircase, the pastry chef came to each table to present the desserts. She was Presenting, with a capital P. In her English-Italian hybrid (heavy on the Italian) she described homemade tiramisu, decadent chocolate cake and fresh gelato. My friends were mesmerized and got all three. On the way home, we passed an abandoned pair of Sambas next to a fountain. Someone must have wandered too far.

Next up was Florence, where our wandering led me to the most delicious ragù I’ve ever had, in a local restaurant with a handwritten menu and a patron who leaned back in her chair to inform my roommate she had to eat her ravioli while it was hot. We went out of our way to find the best gelato in every city, which naturally turned into one, two, three gelatos a day.

Walking 10-plus miles a day for days on end slowly started to show in everyone’s manner.

On every train ride — one of which my roommate accidentally booked us in business class! — we go nonverbal, four girls engrossed in reading our Kindles, a travel necessity.

Hailing from Venice, Calif., I was immediately giddy when we stepped out of the Venice train station in the pouring rain at the foot of the Grand Canal. My excitement could not even be dampened by our baggage-laden trek to the apartment, about which my roommate said, “Only eight bridges left!” I had to restrain myself from buying every miniature glass animal I came across and kept sending pictures to my family of similarities between my hometown and its counterpart. Another wandering win: we went for a walk once the rain stopped and the sky cleared and lucked out with the most beautiful, multi-toned sunset over the water. I carried the buoyancy of that walk with me for the rest of the rainy trip, boosted additionally by heaping plates of arrabbiata and the glass animals I couldn’t resist.

Enter new wanderers: my mom and my younger sister. After a night spent in the Barcelona airport — which is not conducive to wandering between the hours of midnight and 7 a.m. — my mom and sister were waiting for me in Granada. They were

unfazed and fresh, eager for a week of city-hopping in Spain and a weekend trip to Portugal. Over lunch with my host family who doesn’t speak English and my family who doesn’t speak Spanish, I became the mediator between two cultures and two mothers. I translated the refined process of olive oil making as dictated by my host dad and explained to my mom why my host mom thought she needed one more piece of flan! At one point, I turned to my mom and said, “Just smile and laugh, she lost me but I know it was a joke.”

At the end of the meal, the waiters brought out flan with 21 candles in it and everyone

sang “Happy Birthday” in Spanish as a very early surprise. My host mom said it was because I should “celebrate my birthday with my family.” We also went to Easter Mass in a 16th-century church as one big happy family, and my mom wondered aloud why there was a big screen at the front. We quickly found out. It turned out to project a Prezi-like read-along, complete with transitions, effects and a musical number with the Virgin Mary singing a ballad and an actor playing Jesus with a fluorescent white robe. I have three people who can vouch for me. Imagine if I had just wandered into that.

COURTESY

COURTESY OF MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Are Celebrity Brands Worth the Attention?

By JULIANNA MORALES FEATURES EDITOR

It is not uncommon for celebrities to move beyond brand collaborations to start their own, particularly in the beauty industry. Some of these brands are more strongly connected to the celebrities behind them like Billie Eilish, Kylie Cosmetics and Florence by Mills. Even some without the owners named directly in them are highly associated, such as Rare Beauty, Rhode Beauty and Harry Styles’ Pleasing. Opposingly, there are brands like About Face that I had no idea belonged to Halsey. Did anyone else have no idea that Jessica Alba owned The

Honest Company? Then, there are those like Ariana Grande who has her perfume line and r.e.m. beauty. The move for celebrities to create their own brand is an incredibly wise one. With the followings that these people have, it’s almost impossible for their brand to fail because consumers will buy for just their name. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t some that are more successful than others and the quality of the brands certainly differs.

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna is one of the best celebrity-owned makeup brands out there. The company stunned the makeup world when it launched in 2017

By SOPHIE MASELLI DIGITAL PRODUCER

It’s 2016 and my family and I are sitting on the soft brown couch of my childhood on a weekend morning. Stomach full of homemade pancakes and waffles, my siblings and I had just run around the living room to close all the curtains, ensuring that there would be no glare on the television screen. But now, I sink into the corner of the couch, my favorite and assigned spot. My mom picks up the chunky television remote and clicks on the “recorded” shows, and there it is, another episode of “Timeless.” Anticipation bubbles inside of me as my eyes dart to the photo cover of the episode as well as the title to discern where, and when this episode is going to take place. I gasp, recognizing the time period and historical figures, immediately locked in and ready to travel back in time.

An action-packed time-travel series with a romance subplot and fabulous costumes and set design, “Timeless” is perfect for history buffs and anyone obsessed with key historical events. This television series aired when I was in middle school, from 2016 to 2018, but I recently rewatched it in 2023 and found myself still obsessed

because of its unprecedentedly wide and inclusive shade range. With the release of her brand, Rihanna put pressure on the rest of the cosmetics industry to step it up by showing the inclusivity that could be achieved.

Because of this, Fenty was one of the first celebrity brands I ever tried. It stood for amazing progress in the beauty community, and Rihanna is stunning, so I trusted her products to be beautiful, and I was not disappointed. The product quality was high and the price point was comparable to other similar brands, which was a respectable move, as you do see some celebrities seem to charge for their names.

Other than Fenty, I never specifically sought to buy a brand because it was celebrity-owned. I actually felt self-conscious about buying celebrity brands because people tend to show a bit of judgment towards buying things for the name attached or the publicity they have, and I thought any celebrity product I bought I would instantly be seen as obsessed with that person. Despite this, many have won me over with the products themselves throughout the years.

Eilish by Eilish was the first notable purchase for me. The perfume is a vanilla lover’s dream. It is a warm, sweet with a little spice, gourmand that from the first spray I knew would be very popular among fragrance fans. Since then,

Eilish has released two more scents that broadened the audience of her perfumes with the second release being a little less overtly feminine than the first. Whichever fragrance profile appeals to someone most, the Eilish fragrances are worth the buy, regardless of whether you are a fan of her music or not.

Grande has had particular success in fragrance launches. The most talked about scents would have to be Sweet Like Candy, Cloud and Mod Vanilla. What is particularly appealing about Grande’s launches is that they fall on the more affordable side of high-end perfume prices. Sabrina Carpenter’s release Sweet Tooth is probably one of the most accessible celebrity fragrances, costing only $30 for an ounce. With the adorable chocolate bar-like packaging, Walmart availability and sugary marshmallow scent, it is clear Carpenter took the younger age of her demographic into consideration. Despite this, the scent is beautiful and suitable for a large audience.

Opposingly, Styles has made his brand Pleasing quite inaccessible. The brand is solely online and a single nail polish retails for almost $20. I can’t speak to the quality of the brand, as I have never tried it, but there is a clear markup just for the association with Styles and the knowledge that his dedicated fanbase will pay the steeper prices. I’d be lying to say the products don’t look

Lost In Time(less)

with and captivated by every episode.

The two-season show follows Lucy Preston (Abigail Spencer) the historian, Wyatt Logan (Matt Lanter) the widower soldier heartthrob and Rufus Carlin (Malcolm Barrett), an engineer and programmer who helped create and now flies the time machine — otherwise known as the lifeboat. This team of brains and brawn find themselves asked to follow the American terrorist Garcia Flynn (Goran Visnjic) who stole millionaire Connor Mason’s (Paterson Joseph) time machine and will no doubt use it to change history to his advantage. Thus, the hush side of Mason Industries hires Lucy as a historian to travel after Flynn and ensure that any history that is changed is prevented or fixed. Wyatt acts as the muscle of the group, fighting off the bad guys that work for Flynn, and Rufus flies the lifeboat through time, providing other bits of history.

They find themselves witnessing Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, fighting at the Alamo, in the middle of the Watergate scandal and trying to prevent an execution at the Salem witch trials, among many other stressful yet aweinspiring adventures. The fate

of history often relies on them to make sure it goes as it did, even when for the worse, combating the aftermath of Flynn skewing opinions and killing certain people in order to achieve an unknown goal. The trio encounters historical icons such as John F. Kennedy, Marie Curie, the real Sherlock Holmes, Benedict Arnold and Al Capone, meeting their heroes and finding themselves in living nightmares.

As said before, “Timeless” only has two seasons… Well, this is because the show got canceled right after the second, and NBC ordered a two-part season finale that doubled as a holiday special to wrap up this series. Are there plot holes due to this? Yes. Are there questions that were built up from episode one that go unanswered? Also yes. However, I will defend “Timeless” until the day I die. The ending remains perfect even if the final episodes seem slightly out of the blue. History will never be truly happy, and not everyone gets their happy ending. To see who does, you’ll have to watch!

As a history buff myself, I am engrossed with “Timeless,” and elated to see historical events I have only read about acted out on the screen with striking accuracy — the only inaccuracy

intriguing, but the purchase is just so much harder to justify.

The prevalence of celebrity brands is rapidly increasing, and it is overwhelming to keep up with as a consumer. Selena Gomez’s brand Rare Beauty is likely one of the most popular celebrity brands at the moment, having blown up particularly because of her extremely pigmented liquid blushes. Also likely contributing to the company’s relevance is the pop culture debate and fan war regarding Gomez and Hailey Bieber, who has her own brand, Rhode Beauty. The media attention that these celebrities already get makes it easy to keep their brands talked about.

However, I think it would be interesting as consumers to turn our attention to celebrity owned brands that aren’t as intertwined and dependent on the celebrity’s name. It’d be interesting to see reviews of brands like About Face by Halsey, Golf le Fleur from Tyler, the Creator and even Haus Labs by Lady Gaga be reviewed by people who are unaware of the celebrity connections and get the opinions of those with no bias going in. Of course, this may be hard as many beauty product connoisseurs would be more aware of who owns what brand. However, celebrity products, for better or for worse, will be evaluated with bias as soon as they are known to be celebrity-owned.

being when Flynn undoubtedly changes the course of history for his personal benefit. Getting to watch historical icons that double as former obsessions of mine such as Harry Houdini, Bonnie and Clyde, President Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Tubman is inspiring, and brings me back to my “Who Was…?” phase in school. “Timeless” is filled with multiple morally gray, complex characters, everyone with motives and priorities that may cause problems while trying to preserve the course of history. This show is perfect for people

of all ages; the gore and content that is inescapable in important historical events is the only risk factor for a younger audience. “Timeless” will leave you wondering, “What if?” The smallest moments can alter history in the most colossal of ways. What everyday decisions do we make that change the course of our lives forever?

Will our presence on this earth one day trigger a future major historical event?

Buckle up your seatbelt as you’re ready to travel back in time, as you’ll find yourself lost in it.

COURTESY OF MARY HAWTHORN//THE FORDHAM RAM

Celebrities have branched out into consumer products.

By

Niedziółka Weaves a Story With Her Artwork

The Polish artist Natasza Niedziółka’s most recent exhibition, “273 Days” at Sean Kelly, combines three series to express an intricate and meditative examination of time, in both personal and collective terms. The exhibition features select pieces from three series of Niedziółka’s: “Zero, Protest Song,” and “At One.” Whereas “Zero” is an intimate reckoning with time, “Protest Song” examines linguistic modes of resistance. “At One” is a meditative examination of the artist’s process of creating a state of calm.

Niedziółka’s embroidery works embrace the enigmatic boundaries between tapestry weaving and modernist painting. Her meticulous punctures in the canvas are at once repetitive, linear patterns and soft, nuanced explorations of the color scale and gradient. Individual threads, many from reclaimed Italian silk, strike different hues as the viewer moves around the canvas, providing a sense that the works develop in tandem with movement. The materials are essential in cultivating the works’ visual prowess. These nuanced shifts in color are part of the exhibition’s understated but striking quality. These are not simply works to look at, but pieces to contemplate. The works themselves are thoughtful and demand the same level of reflection from their viewer.

This reflectiveness is not only due to the visuals but also due to the way that the sight

of embroidery at this scale ignites a kind of primal recollection. Niedziółka subverts the traditional use of embroidery, long associated with women’s domestic work, by engaging with discourse about contemporary world events. The atavistic use of thread recalls centuries of women’s work, while her abstract patterns establish the works as a firmly contemporary form of expression. Her use of embroidery in large-scale works reflects the tradition of tapestries as record-keeping devices and social commentary. Instead of figural motifs, she employs repetitive patterns and text to express a contemporary reflection of the medium. The pieces are striking because of this blend. The imagery is a recollection of modernist tradition, but her use of atavistic embroidery diverts this show away from canonical expectations. Niedziółka’s embroidery works sit at the intersection between modernist tradition and figural tapestry; they are the modernist answer to the figural tradition of narrative tapestry. In-person, the works pull at some kind of primal string yet are also an intricate interaction with personal and collective memory. This memory is clear in her choice to feature lyrics from Stephan Czarnecki’s Ukrainian folk song “Czerwona Kalina (Red Viburnum)” to Lil Baby’s 2020 “The Bigger Picture.” To clarify, “Czerwona Kalina” is a symbolic song popular throughout history about Ukrainian resistance against Russian forces. This

multiplicity of lyrics allows for threads of resistance to wind together; it’s binding generations of resistance together, finding unity through resistance rather than segmented, solitary stances. Words blend together, creating a pattern of repetition that is somehow reminiscent of the precision yet ambiguity of memory. The interwoven connections are emphasized by her choice to weave in words while simultaneously leaving certain threads loose in “Protest Song (The Bigger Picture).” However, this examination of cultural memory does not just extend to the past but also to the present. It is an examination of how contemporary cultural threads and narratives form. In short, she is considering how memories are made. This consideration also becomes personal in “Zero” and “At One.” The combination of the interwoven colors and loose threads evokes a sense of a multitude of voices, whereas the gentle, almost monochrome “Zero6812” implies an internally focused examination of memory. It is the sense of thoughtfulness, conveyed through painstakingly detailed and confident lines, which comes through most strongly in the exhibition.

Perhaps most importantly, Niedziółka’s artistic practice takes time. Both her meticulous work and her process address time and memory. Embroidery is a time-consuming medium. Niedziółka switched from painting to embroidery because painting was too quick. She explains that the process

of embroidery is “long and annoying but there’s a beauty in the time you spend on the work. You have to give the work time.” The time that she puts into them is reflected by how the pieces interact with the viewer. The finished product and the act of creation are equally important because this process is evident in the way that the works also ask viewers to spend time with them. Their morphing gradations in color ask viewers to luxuriate in looking: to think, to feel, to meditate. Their alluring nature augments their status as devices that ask viewers to engage with both cultural memory and personal memory-making.

When thinking about advice for young and aspiring

artists, Niedziółka’s advice is honest and succinct. Her suggestion for artists: “To fail. To do and to fail. Not to think of if it will be successful. When you do your stuff to develop your own language. Don’t just follow the steps of art history.” Her contemplative works are a clear representation of this exacting code. Niedziółka is not afraid to fail but is excited to create.

An artist whose paintbrush has become a needle and thread, Niedziółka’s work is a subtle yet decisive acknowledgment of how memory, both personal and collective, becomes canonized in public and private thought. “273 Days” is a stirring reminder to value both ourselves and our memory.

ACROSS

1. Not once, not three times, but ____

6. Backpacker, climber, ______

7. Barclays Center, Wells Fargo Center, Madison Square Garden

8. Popular 50s slang meaning “very cool”

DOWN

1. Not to be confused with then

2. The ____, popular 2000s crime show known as Idris Elba’s breakout role

3. Furniture store known for its food court

4. A penny is worth one of these

5. Roman, Elizabethan,Victorian

6

Instructions

Use the clues to the left to fill out the boxes above. By GRACE GALBREATH

COURTESY OF ANNIKA SUDERBURG FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

The artist relies on woven and tapestry-based mediums.

Men’s Tennis Hits Slide With Five Straight Losses

By NOAH HOFFMAN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

After a successful spring break for Fordham’s Men’s Tennis, winning three in a row to stretch their total win streak to four, the Rams hit a rough patch in their next series of matches, losing five in a row.

Fordham started this run of contests by traveling to Queens to face Saint John’s University. It was a match to forget for Fordham as they were shut out 0-6 by the Red Storm, unable to win a single point to end the four-match win streak.

The Red Storm opened the day by claiming the doubles point after winning both completed matches. St. John’s continued their dominance, winning five of the six completed matches for the 6-0 victory.

Hoping to shake off the tough loss, the Rams returned to the Bronx to square up against Sacred Heart University on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. A tightly contested battle ended in a 3-4 Fordham defeat.

The day started with Fordham taking the doubles point on the backs of wins in the first two matches. Sophomore John Mascone and senior Giorgio Soemarno took care of Matyas Vencl and Darius Eftekhar 6-2 to start the day. The Rams clinched the doubles point in the next match when senior Nicholas Kanazirev and his sophomore teammate Dhillon Virdee-Oakley narrowly beat Lefteri Apostolou and Enrique Laennec-Baffrey 6-4. With the doubles point already won, Fordham lost the last doubles match.

Sacred Heart evened up the score in fifth singles when Paul Goncalves beat Chen in straight sets, 6-0 and 6-2. Fordham retook the lead when VirdeeOakley defeated LaennecBaffrey 6-4 in set one before winning a tie-breaking point 7-2 to win the second set 7-6 in third singles. The back-and-forth contest continued as Soemarno fell to Vencl in second singles

Athletes of the Week

6-1 and 6-4 to tie the score back up. Sacred Heart took their first lead of the day in first singles when big red Apostolou outlasted Kanzirev in straight sets, 6-3 and 7-5. Big Red sealed the victory in sixth singles after Stojanovic won the first set 7-5 but lost the next two to Eftekhar 2-6 and 4-6. Fordham won the fourth singles match, but it wasn’t enough, falling 3-4.

Now on a two-game losing streak, Fordham had a quick turnaround, hosting Queens College the following day. It was another hard-fought contest but once again ended in a 3-4 Rams loss.

For the second straight day, Fordham started the day by taking the doubles point. Mascone and Soemarno won 6-3 over Omar El Shehawey and Lucas Foix Sotos before Queens College evened up the score with a 6-3 win of their own in third doubles. However, the duo of Kanazirev and Virdee-Oakley came to the rescue for the Rams with a 6-4 victory over Roni Rikkonen and Cameron Henricy to take

the winning point.

The singles matches provided more of the evenly fought duels. Queens College tied up the score at one when Tim Andersson beat Virdee-Oakley in third singles 6-1 before finishing off the point with a 6-3 win. Like the last match, Fordham again retook the lead 2-1 when Kanazriev defeated Rikkonen in straight sets for a first singles victory. The back-and-forth affair continued when El Shehawey took care of Stojanovic in fifth singles, 6-2 and 6-1. After a sixth singles victory from Noah Gauthier over Chen, Queens College snatched their first lead of the day 3-2.

With Fordham on the brink of losing, Mascone came through in fourth singles. He lost the first set 6-4 to Foix Sotos before bouncing back and winning the next two 6-3 and 6-1, retying the match at three a piece. In the deciding match, Soemarno squared off against Henricy. Soemarno took the first set 6-3 before losing the second 6-1 and setting up a decisive third set for the match. In this set,

Henricy outlasted Soemarno 7-5 to hand Fordham their second straight 3-4 loss and third consecutive loss overall.

Up next for the Rams was an away matchup against George Mason University, where their losing streak would continue with a 0-5 loss. It was a tough day for Fordham as they could not win a single set. One of the three doubles matches, and two of the six singles matches went unfinished.

The following day, the Rams’ fortunes did not turn in the right direction, with another shutout loss coming to the University of Richmond this time. Fordham again did not win a set, losing 4-0 after three singles wins and a doubles win for the Spiders. Three singles matches went unfinished.

The five losses put the Rams at 5-12 on the season. Looking ahead, Fordham will finish the season with home matches against Saint Joseph’s University and New York University, along with a Florida trip to face Eastern Florida State College before the Atlantic 10 Championship at the end of the month.

This past Monday, Mrva had a nearly perfect round 67 to win the ABARTA CocaCola Collegiate Invitational at Northampton Country Club. This victory is the junior captain’s second of the academic year, winning the Hartford Hawks Invitational in September. In his victory at the Collegiate Invitational, Mrva tallied an impressive six birdies in the final round, bringing his final two-day total to 139 (-5), just two strokes shy of the Fordham record and good enough to tie his all-time lowest score. With his win on Monday, Mrva became just the third golfer in the program’s history to win two tournaments in the same academic year.

Enoch has been a staple in the Fordham softball program since she joined in 2021. This past week, senior Enoch recorded five hits in three games, including a three-run homer in Saturday’s 6-0 victory over Dayton. On the prior Wednesday, in a match against United States Military Academy West Point, Enoch had three hits, leading to her scoring two runs in the Rams’ 8-1 victory. Enoch pitched five shutout innings in the same game, walking only one batter while striking out five.

Each week, The Fordham Ram’s Sports section honors two athletes for their on-field performances as their “Athletes of the Week.”

Men’s Tennis

Lake Morey

St. Bonaventure

Saint Louis 1 p.m.

Saint Joseph’s 11 a.m.

NYU 3 p.m.

Jake Mrva Junior Men’s Golf

Bailey Enoch Senior Softball

Saint Joseph’s Baseball

Mark Young Invitational

Women’s Tennis Wagner Easterm Florida

Fordham will look to turn their season around against NYU and Saint Joseph’s. COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham Men’s Tennis has had a rough stretch of games, recently falling to Richmond over the weekeend.

Saint Joseph’s 3 p.m.

Saint Louis 12 p.m.

Saint Louis 3 p.m.

Softball’s Bats Held Silent in Series Loss to Dayton

By LOU ORLANDO ASST. SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS

It’s an old adage that pitching wins championships. It turns out it also helps you win regular season games, as excellent pitching was on display all weekend long in an exciting Atlantic 10 clash between Fordham University and the University of Dayton.

Another weekend brought another clash against one of the A-10’s best. Both teams entered play tied for third place in the standings with identical 8-4 conference records. The storylines wrote themselves: a high-powered Fordham offense juxtaposed by a Dayton pitching staff that ranked second in the A-10 with a 3.07 ERA.

The Rams entered confidently, winning their last two series and riding a six-game heater after an 8-1 win against the U.S. Military Academy West Point. Home runs from sophomore Eva Koratsis and junior Sydney Wells, the latter of which belted her A-10 leading 10th of the season, coupled with a three RBI day from sophomore Neleh Nogay, continued a stretch of high-level production, averaging 6.2 runs per contest over the winning streak.

Fordham made sure not to skip a beat in Game 1 of a Saturday doubleheader, tallying five runs off Dayton’s #3 starter Haven Dwyer. Four came on one swing as senior Bailey Enoch broke the game open in the bottom of the second with a grand slam, her sixth homer of the season. The Rams pushed two more across in the fifth on an error from catcher Nicolette Papavasiliou and a wild pitch from Sami Scholtz.

Not that they needed the extra run support, graduate student ace Devon Miller shined in the circle, tossing her third complete game shutout of the season as she held the Flyers to three hits with six strikeouts to boot. The six run win extended Fordham’s winning streak to a season-high seven games.

By NOAH HOFFMAN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

The New York Knicks are back in the NBA Playoffs for the second year in a row.

The Knicks clinched the second seed in the Eastern Conference with their 120-119 overtime win against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday afternoon. They’re now primed for a first-round matchup with the winner of Wednesday night’s play-in game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat.

The Knicks will enter the tournament without Julius Randle, who’s recovering from a seasonending right shoulder surgery. They ended their campaign with a 50-32 record despite important pieces like Randle, OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson and even Jalen Brunson missing time throughout the campaign.

“We had a number of guys just stay up and play great,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau

Unfortunately, they wouldn’t have much time to enjoy it as the shoe was on the other foot in the back half of the doubleheader.

Facing the dynamic pitching combo of Sarah Bailitz and reigning A-10 Rookie of the Year Izzy Kemp, the Rams were held scoreless in game 2. Bailitz pitched the first 3.1 innings, but Kemp stole the show, entering in the fourth and closing out the last 11 outs in dominant fashion. Entering with a 2-0 lead, Kemp struck out six and allowed just one base runner in 3.2 innings of work.

Sophomore Holly Beeman pitched well in her own right, going the full seven innings with her only blip being a two-run top of the fourth. She kept the game in striking distance, but the Rams were held to just three hits against the top two pitchers in Dayton’s rotation.

Sunday brought forth a rubber match, with the winner taking sole possession of third place in the A-10. The combination of Kemp and Bailitz stymied Fordham’s bats for the second game in a row as Dayton took the final game 5-0 to hand the Rams their first series loss since March 22.

Kemp got the start and dazzled with a scoreless first inning, but head coach Cara Clark turned the ball over to Bailitz after the Flyers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a Papavasiliou RBI single. Bailitz was on cruise control for the final six innings, holding the Rams scoreless on five hits to shut them out for a second game in a row.

Miller got the nod for Fordham but couldn’t exert her dominance this time. Dayton’s best hitter, sophomore Maddie Kapsimalis, caught up to a fastball and belted a two-run home run to extend the lead to three. Kirnan Bailey tacked on another in a rainy fourth inning with an RBI triple, ending Miller’s outing. Beeman came on in relief and hunkered down for the final 3.1 innings, allowing just one run on an infield miscue.

series with a shutout in every game, but it’s not the most surprising thing when you consider the two pitching staffs at work. The tandem of Kemp (2.07 ERA) and Bailitz (2.40 ERA) is easily among the top 1-2 punches in the conference and should give opponents headaches when the Atlantic 10 Championship rolls around in May — the pair combined for 16.0 scoreless frames, striking out 14 Rams in the process.

Miller’s start on Sunday spoiled the weekend’s final pitching line, but she and Beeman continue to impress.

Miller will get her flowers for the complete game shutout in the Rams’ lone win, but Beeman’s valiant effort in two losing games should not go unnoticed, allowing just three earned runs in a combined 10.1 innings pitched. Dayton and Saint Louis University are the first two programs that come to mind when talking about elite pitching duos in the A-10 this season, but Fordham sneakily boasts one of the most deadly as well.

It was a frustrating finish for a Fordham offense that went uncharacteristically silent. The Rams struck the ball well on Sunday, but the Flyers made a multitude of highlight defensive plays in seemingly every inning. Nonetheless, there wasn’t much to write home about offensively outside of the Enoch grand slam.

Things won’t get any easier this upcoming week. If backto-back battles with George Washington University and the Dayton Flyers weren’t enough, the A-10 leading Saint Joseph’s University Hawks come to town for a Wednesday doubleheader, boasting a 12-3 record in conference. The Rams will have more of a respite next weekend, visiting 2-26 St. Bonaventure University for a three-game set.

Varsity Scores & Stats

It’s not every day you get a Men’s Track and Field

With a 9-6 conference record, Fordham still sits fourth in the A-10, but with plenty of road left and a tight conference, they’ll have to get back to their winning ways if they wish to stay towards the top of the conference.

Men’s Gold

-Compiled by Griffin Stevenson

News & Notes

Men’s Basketball Announces the Completion of New Film Room

Men’s Basketball recently announced the completion of their newly renovated film room. The original film room, completed in 2011, was replaced with 20 new DreamSeats, including on-seat logos and desks. The film room was gutted to accommodate a state-of-theart video and sound system, highlighted by a 98-inch 4k Samsung television. “It’s a truly remarkable time at Fordham thanks to the generosity of our New Era Fund donors who supported this project,” said Athletic Director Ed Kull. The new room won’t only be used for men’s basketball, with all 22 varsity teams utilizing the room for occasional events and meetings. The film room is also a meeting space for athletic administrators.

Knicks Clinch Second Seed

told Yahoo.com. “You have to be a team. It’s not the best individuals. It’s the best team. And there was no quit in this team.”

There were several possibilities heading into New York’s final game, some of which may or may not have been made more advantageous by a Knicks loss. Both Miami and Philadelphia boast serious star power.

The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Orlando Magic and slid into the East’s third slot, drawing a first-round bout with the upstart Indiana Pacers. The Cleveland Cavaliers sat Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets, setting up a playoff matchup with a young Magic team.

“We don’t care what they’re doing,” DiVincenzo said. “We’re focused on our locker room. Whatever they decide to do, that’s their team, their organization’s decision. Our decision was to play. Everybody played and we

won the game.”

Regardless of who New York plays, they’ll arrive to the dance with Jalen Brunson playing some of his best basketball. The Villanova product finished the regular season by winning the Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors. Across his final four games, Brunson averaged 38.5 points and 7.5 assists while shooting 50% from range.

There are questions as to whether or not the Knicks will be able to compete against powerhouses like the Bucks or Boston Celtics in a seven-game series without Randle. The path may be more challenging with a first-round matchup against either the Sixers or Heat looming.

In any event, the Knicks will have a chance to prove they’re the real deal once and for all.

Thibodeau then went on to comment, “The spirit of this team is very strong.”

Jalen Brunson

Baseball Takes A-10 Series Against UMass

By NOAH HOFFMAN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Fordham Baseball ended their spring break games with six consecutive Atlantic 10 contests, going 3-3 against the University of Dayton and the University of Richmond.

Before another A-10 series against the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in Amherst, the Rams traveled to face Columbia University at Robertson Field. Fordham’s pitching and hitting were both sluggish in a 14-2 loss.

The game was scoreless through the first three innings of play, but in the third, the floodgates opened. The Lions pounced on Fordham’s pitching for 11 runs through the next three innings. The Rams tacked on two in the seventh with an RBI double from senior Ryan Thiesse and an RBI single from junior Cian Sahler, but it was too little too late. Columbia added three more runs, one in the seventh and two in the eighth, to close out a 14-2 victory.

Sophomore third baseman

Daniel Bucciero was the lone bright spot for the Rams, going 3-4 with a double and one run scored, continuing his impressive second season.

The first game of the threegame series in Amherst was scheduled for Friday, April 12, but with rain in the forecast, the game was rescheduled for the following day to set up a double-header to open the series. In the first game of the twin bill, Fordham held off a four-run ninth-inning comeback from the Minutemen to win 7-6. The Rams struck first when Bucciero singled to lead off the game and advanced to

By JONAH RING SPORTS EDITOR

second two batters later on a failed pickoff attempt. With two outs and Bucciero in scoring position, Sahler brought him home with a single for a first-inning 1-0 Fordham lead.

It remained 1-0 until the third when UMass tied it up on an RBI groundout before taking a 2-1 lead two batters later with a runscoring single. In the fourth, the Rams took advantage of some sloppy Minutemen fielding as two errors led to first and third with only one out. The errors were two of four total on the day for UMass. With runners on the corners, senior Chris Genaro singled one in to tie the score again. Bucciero followed up with another RBI single to continue his hot hitting and reclaim the lead for Fordham. Thiesse scored both Genaro and Buccero on a double to make it 5-2 Rams.

Fordham tacked on one

more in the fifth and another in the ninth to provide plenty of run support for starting pitcher senior Declan Lavelle. Lavelle notched both season and career highs in innings pitched and strikeouts, with 8.2 and 12. Until the ninth, Lavelle had only allowed three runs, but with two outs and trying to finish off the complete game, he gave up a three-run homer to make it a 7-6 game. Sophomore Aric Berg came in for the final out to earn the save and preserve a 7-6 Rams win in game one. The win was the 500th of head coach Kevin Leighton’s career and 300th at Fordham.

In game two of the series, the Minutemen capitalized on an early offensive surge to a 7-5 win. UMass jumped out to a commanding 5-0 lead, scoring all five in the second inning. In the third inning, Fordham began to chip away, scoring one in the third on a Sahler RBI single

before scoring three in the fourth. The runs in the fourth came on a Genaro sacrifice fly, graduate student Andrew Kanellis’ hit by pitch and a Sahler walk to put the Rams within one. The Minutemen got two back in the bottom half of the inning on a tworun home run to make it a 7-4 ballgame. Now down three in the fifth inning, graduate student outfielder Henry Pelinksi ripped a double to center, and a throwing error allowed one run to score as Fordham tried to chip away at the lead once again, but that was the last run they scored.

The Rams and Minutemen headed into the final game with the series tied up at one apiece. The game started looking like it would be all UMass, but a late Fordham rally led to a 6-5 victory to win the series.

The Minutemen touched up Rams starting pitcher junior Andres Perez for four runs in the first, the big blow being a three-run home run. In the second, Fordham began to chip away at the 4-0 UMass lead with a solo shot off the bat of sophomore Tommy McAndrews. After the four-run first, Perez and the Ram’s pitching settled down to keep the score 4-1 and allow the offense to get back into the game. In the sixth, the offense did just that with some small ball. Thiesse led off the inning with a hitby-pitch, followed by a Sahler bunt single. A double steal put runners at second and third before a McAndrews walk loaded the bases. With the bases juiced, graduate student Steve Luttazi was hit by a pitch to score one and freshman Madden Ocko

Overtime: For the Unsung Heroes

Speaking in full transparency, I must admit that I was nowhere close to being “the man” at any point during my varsity basketball career. Sure, I got what was certainly a respectable amount of minutes off the bench, but I never really managed to steal the show in any way; my contributions to the team have often been the sort of “dirty work” that nobody would ever think to put in a highlight reel. However, I am now sort of thankful for having experienced what it feels like to exist in this rather nameless state, as it was this time that I spent in relative obscurity that led me to appreciate the brilliance of Fordham Basketball’s managerial staff, being almost preconditioned to notice all the thankless and tireless dirty work that they did.

I, through my own experience, was able to recognize that they were truly the team’s unsung heroes, as while all their behind-the-scenes dedication

and hard work fundamentally would never be recorded in any scorebook, make any highlight reel or be talked about in any postgame press conference, they were indeed the individuals who made it possible for the program to field a team.

With all this being said, I must say that there was therefore nothing quite as personally uplifting for me as seeing what occurred over these past few weeks as the entire Fordham community rallied around, sang the praises of and supported Fordham Basketball’s managers to bestow upon them the highest honor in the managing world: a trip to the Manager Games at the Final Four Fan Fest in Phoenix, a basketball tournament comprised of the eight best managerial staffs in Division I Basketball. And while the full story of this journey into the spotlight is way too complex to recap in succinct manner (it does indeed involve games in a “Fight Club”-esque basketball organization known as the “Underground Basketball League,” a series of hotly-

contested public Twitter polls and a GoFundMe campaign of about $7,500), the gist of it all is that the Fordham community was finally able to thank their managers for all that they have done and will do. What occurred was nothing less than a watershed moment in which these underappreciated and unsung heroes finally found themselves at the center of the campus’ social consciousness. Not only did some of the most important figures in the greater Fordham community (Athletic Director Ed Kull, star basketball players like seniors Antrell Charlton and Kyle Rose and WFUV legend Andrew Bogusch, just to name a few) use their influence to rally support for this group of amazing young men, but a plethora of current students, alumni and family members also contributed to ensure that our amazing managers finally received their long overdue recognition as being the best of the best.

Thus, while I certainly do not have as much influence as a Kull or Rose, I too would like

sent a fly ball to right for a sacrifice fly to score another, making it a 4-3 ballgame. A Minutemen solo shot in the bottom of the seventh pushed the UMass lead back to two. The lead didn’t last long, though, as in the eighth inning, a McAndrews double and Luttazi walk put two on for Pelinski, who drove the ball over the left field wall for a go-ahead three-run home run.

Berg pitched the final three innings, including the final three outs with the lead, to preserve the 6-5 Fordham victory and 2-1 series win. After the first inning, Perez came back to pitch 2.2 innings of scoreless ball, followed by 6.1 innings of one-run ball from the bullpen. Junior Connor Haywood pitched 2.1 innings, freshman Brixton Lofgren pitched a scoreless sixth and Berg finished it off.

To wrap up the week, the Rams hosted Sacred Heart University for a single-game exhibition. Fordham came away with a tight 2-1 victory in a pitcher’s duel. The Rams opened the scoring after two singles and two walks scored one. The game remained 1-0 until the seventh, when Big Red tied it up with a sacrifice play. Fordham answered in the eighth with a sacrifice fly of their own to give them a 2-1 lead. Overall, the Rams deployed a total of seven different pitchers, with Berg finishing off the ninth for his third save to seal the one-run victory.

The 3-2 week puts Fordham at 14-21 overall, but with the series win, they improve to 5-4 in conference play. This weekend the Rams in another A-10 series hosting Saint Louis University.

Fordham’s managerial staff got some long overdue praise recently.

to use whatever platform I have here to thank the Fordham Basketball managerial staff, especially their head manager senior Alex Soumakis (GSB ’24) and their lead managers

Alex Usatine (GSB ’25), Charlie Dino (GSB ’26) and Jack Abajian (GSB ’26). It is because of your tireless dedication to this school that I and thousands

of other students are willing to pack into a sold-out Rose Hill on a Friday night to scream our hearts out; it is because of all your early mornings and late nights that Fordham is able to trot out a team that I will forever be compelled to root for; and it is because of your class and in everything that you do that make us proud to be Rams.

Baseball won their second A-10 series of the season.

COURTESY OF CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM

COURTESY OF CHARLIE DINO FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

By NOAH HOFFMAN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

The Pitcher Injury Epidemic in the MLB

Major League Baseball (MLB) has seen an unprecedented number of injuries to starting pitchers to begin the 2024 season, and many players and fans are connecting the rise directly to the league’s new pitch clock.

For years, MLB partner leagues, minor league baseball and college baseball have played with a timer, but in 2023, the MLB implemented a pitch clock of their own, among a slew of other new rules, to speed up the pace of play. Initially set at 15 seconds between pitches with the bases empty and 20 seconds with at least one runner on base, the timer did just what it intended to do. According to Baseball Reference, the average time for a nine-inning game was three hours and three minutes in 2022 and two hours and 39 minutes in 2023, reducing the average game by 24 minutes.

Even with the almost half an hour saved per game, those in charge in the MLB were still unsatisfied, reducing the clock with runners on base to 18 seconds before the start of the 2024 season. This change was much to the Major League Baseball Players Association’s (MLBPA) chagrin and dismay, leading executive director Tony Clark to publically state, “We just had the biggest adjustment this league has ever seen in regards to length of game and how the game was affected, by including a clock. Rather than give us another year to adjust and adapt to it, why are we adjusting again, and what are the ramifications going to be?”

Clark’s concerns have been repeatedly validated since the beginning of Spring Training and throughout the season’s first few weeks. It began on March 11 when the Yankees manager told reporters that 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole was receiving an MRI on his pitching elbow. The “precautionary” MRI revealed no tear in his UCL. Therefore, he would not require surgery

but, after multiple doctor’s opinions, would still be out for 1-2 months. Cole is one of the “lucky” ones, avoiding going under the knife for Tommy John surgery, which would require a pitcher to miss over a season.

Since the beginning of Spring Training, 107 pitchers have had some sort of injury or issue with part of their throwing arm. Of the 107 injuries, 58 are in association with the elbow. Fortunately, of the total injuries, 84 of the pitchers are expected back at some point this season. However, not every pitcher avoided this luxury, with 23 out for the season and the majority again associated with their pitching elbow. Typically, such an injury requires the three worst words in baseball: Tommy John surgery.

Star pitchers like Shane Bieber, Framber Valdez and Spencer Strider were added to this list in the past two weeks alone. Of the three, Valdez is the only one who avoided going under the knife. Bieber and Strider are out for the remainder of the year after already undergoing Tommy John. For Bieber, the injury couldn’t have come at a worse time as he is in his contract

year and was looking forward to a big payday next offseason. The former AL Cy Young Award winner was off to an incredible start, pitching 12 innings, yet to allow a run and striking out 20 over his first two games, winning both for a Guardians team looking to compete for the AL Central title. Strider came into the year as the NL Cy Young favorite and is on a Braves team eyeing to make it back to the World Series. Valdez is not out for the season but will miss an extended period of time for a team also with World Series aspirations. The injury epidemic has hurt not only players but also teams as a whole. With the rate of starters and star players getting injured, teams will have to dig deep into their farm systems to find players from whom they can get quality innings out of. So, what is the underlying reason for all these injuries? As mentioned before, the MLBPA is pointing to the pitch clock as the cause, stating that it is rushing pitchers and, therefore, putting extra and unnecessary strain on their arms. Clark and the MLBPA issued a statement on April 6, right after Strider and Bieber both went down. The statement calls out, “The league’s unwillingness thus

far to acknowledge or study the effects of these profound changes is an unprecedented threat to our game and its most valuable asset — the players.”

In response, MLB issued its own statement pushing back against the allegations that the pitch clock was increasing the number of injuries. Instead,

it noted that velocity and spin increases are highly correlated with arm injuries. It also cites a not-yet-published study conducted at Johns Hopkins University, which supposedly says no evidence has been found relating injuries to the pace of play.

Though this pitcher-injury problem is certainly rising, it is by no means new, several players always succumbing to injuries each year, with some always requiring Tommy John. Therefore, as most pitchers and fans of the game agree, there are various contributions to the rise, with no clear-cut answer. That being said, decreasing the pitch clock anymore, as beneficial as it may be to the length of the game, surely will not help the matter.

Even if injuries and the pitch clock aren’t directly correlated, if there is any suspicion from either side, there should not be another change, and if anything, go back to how it was in 2023. The players’ health and ensuring they can perform at the highest level should always. without question, take precedence over shaving off another measely 5-10 minutes of game time.

2024 New York Yankees Season Preview: “Told You So”

By COLIN LOUGHRAN STAFF WRITER

Fans of the New York Mets, who have plenty of moments they would like to forget, were reminded of a player worth cherishing last weekend.

The Mets officially retired former starting pitcher Dwight “Doc” Gooden’s number 16 on Sunday afternoon, officially cementing the ace’s place in franchise history. Despite past drug issues and arrests, “Dr. K” finally returned home to the team that drafted him in 1984.

“The moral of the story is everything’s about timing,” Gooden said during his speech in front of the Citi Field crowd on Sunday. “Now, today, the time is right. My health is good, my mental health is good and today I get to retire as a Met.

And I want all you guys to know, you guys are part of this.

Thank you so much.”

Gooden pitched for 11 years with the Mets. He was the 1984 National League Rookie of the Year and 1985 National League Cy Young Award winner. His ’85 campaign is remembered as one of the best seasons a pitcher has ever put together. Gooden posted a 1.53 ERA across 276.2 innings that season and quickly became a must-see talent.

The Tampa, Fla., native was also undeniably integral to New York’s infamous 1986 World Championship team.

“Doc” recorded a 3.10 ERA and 1,875 strikeouts throughout his Mets career, but following an unfortunate suspension from June 1994 through the 1995 season, he would sign with crosstown rivals New York

Yankees. Fans jokingly booed when Gooden mentioned his time with the Bombers, and the doctor knew exactly what to say in response. “I’m always a Met,” Gooden said.

The four-time All-Star did also briefly mentioned his time with the Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays, but mainly spoke about how he yearned to return to Flushing in between each stop.

“I wanted to come back and finish my career [with the Mets] and said I’d go to Triple-A and do whatever it takes,’’ Gooden said. “They said there was no room, so I signed back with the Yankees and won a World Series.”

Gooden officially retired in 2001 after spending the latter part of 2000 with the Yankees. Since then, he’s dealt with

several legal and drug-related problems, but has seemingly turned a corner over the past few years.

Gooden is only the ninth Met overall to have his number immortalized at Citi Field and is also only the second Met from the 1986 team to receive such an honor, with legendary

first baseman Keith Hernandez being the other.

“The fans stuck with me through everything,’’ Gooden said on Sunday just prior to the ceremony at Citi Field to officially retire his number.

“After ’94, when the Mets cut ties with me, I always wanted to come back here.”

COURTESY OF TWITTER

The MLB has seen many of its top arms go down with injuries in recent weeks, and many are blaming the new pitch clock.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

The Mets retired pitcher Dwight “Doc” Gooden’s number this past weekend.

Spencer Strider has become the most recent victim of a season-ending arm injury.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Women’s Tennis Celebrates Senior Day

By JOE HENRY STAFF WRITER

This past Saturday, Fordham’s Women’s Tennis rolled onto their native Hawthorn-Rooney Tennis courts in search of their eighth straight win. The match, which happened to be the first allseason at their actual home court (they’ve played 14 road matches and two home matches inside the Cary Leeds Center), was the squad’s Senior Day. The Rams honored their graduating class of graduate students Franny Shea, Raffaela Alhach, Demi Jhaveri and Camila Baeza, seniors Eleni Fasoula and Rose Hu and Director of Operations senior Rhett Bailey.

Fordham matched up against St. Thomas Aquinas College for the occasion, where the 12-5 Spartans sought to break the Rams’ unbeaten streak. Fresh off a spring break road trip to Texas and Louisiana, Fordham picked up right where they left off, demolishing their competition in doubles. Fasoula and Hu paired to deliver a 6-1 win at first, while freshman Julianne Nguyen teamed up with Shea to make a 6-0 sweep of their foes at second. The same Rams who once lost the doubles point regularly have become a force, while the tandem of Fasoula

and Hu has been particularly strong as the season’s waned on.

In singles, Fasoula opened play with a swift victory in third singles, 6-1, 6-2. At first, Alhach put together a dominant performance against fierce competition, taking the point by way of a 7-5, 6-3, two-set win.

After STAC took second singles to earn their first point, Shea clinched the Ram’s eighth win in a row. The grad student overwhelmed her opponent, 6-0, 6-4. Baeza got the nod at sixth singles, winning 6-2, 6-2. Baeza seems to have gained the trust of head coach

Michael Sowter of late, earning her first singles draw of the season after winning at doubles against Southern University.

The match of the day came from the racket of Jhaveri, though. At fifth singles, she went to three sets versus Elita Silins. Jhaveri started strong with a 7-5 win before falling 4-6. Jhaveri served the finishing blow in the tiebreaking set, taking an enthralling 12-10 win and putting a bow on a day whose celebratory and victorious spirit epitomized the Rams’ season.

Then, only just a measely 24 hours later, the Rams would

find themselves in Amherst, Mass. for a major in-conference battle against the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Minutewomen were voted fourth in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll, whereas the Rams polled second; UMass entered play at 10-7, while Fordham stood at 125. In what may be a preview of an A-10 semi-final or final matchup, the Minutewomen sundered the Rams’ hot streak. UMass entered doubles on the front foot and reversed the Rams’ ongoing trend of success in two-on-two play, taking both finished matches 6-3.

The Rams could not regain their footing in singles, where senior Danielle Hack and junior Thamonpan Jonglettra would each earn UMass points by taking down the duo of Alhach and Hu convincingly. At #3 singles, Fasoula found a bit more success but ultimately lost to Ella Faessler in a thrilling 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 3-6 match. The Rams’ lone bright spot was thier preseason all-conference member Anlin Xie. The freshman rallied to win a three-set battle at fourth singles, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, giving the Rams their lone point. However, gifth and sixth singles went unfinished despite play remaining close early on, and the match went into the books 4-1 in UMass’ favor. It was the first in-conference loss for Fordham, who looks to get back in the win column this Saturday against fellow A-10 competitor, the scrappy Saint Joseph’s University Hawks. The Rams will once again home-court advantage, seeing as the squad has been on the road for 15 of 18 contests. The Rams plan to celebrate their former players on Saturday, with the Alumni Day game being the last of the regular season; as April presses on, the A-10 championship looms near.

Track and Field Stumbles Off the Block

By JONAH RING SPORTS EDITOR

Momentum tends to be a fickle thing for sports teams, often coming and going throughout a season as if it were an ebbing tide nipping at the shoreline. Unfortunately, Fordham Track and Field’s momentum seems to have entered the recession portion of this cycle; every bit of positive mojo that the squad previously had vanished into the spring air this past weekend at the Larry Ellis Invitational at Princeton University. The Rams struggled during the two days they were there, with almost every athlete on the squad performing well below the level they have proven themselves capable of meeting. However, that is not to say there were no bright spots; sadly, they were just few and far between.

In terms of the Rams’ first day at the meet, sophomore Leia Ruvo provided the first of these rare bright spots with her impressive performance in the women’s long jump, not only setting a new season-best mark of 17’ 8¾” in the event but also registering a solid 11th-place finish for the Rams. However, apart from this very strong opening performance by Ruvo, the women’s team only had one other top-10 performance on the day: freshman Meredith Gotzman’s ninth-place finish in the women’s 3000-meter steeplechase on the back of her rather solid time of 10:53.56.

Sadly, the men’s team didn’t fare too much better overall as a squad than the women. They did, however, manage to register what was the Rams’ strongest collective single-event performance on the day in the

men’s 1500-meter run. This small team-victory came largely because of the efforts of junior Rodolfo Sanchez and graduate student Colin Flood, as Sanchez’s astounding time of 3:49.91 was good enough to claim silver on the day. Flood finished close behind timewise, with a 3:51.47 mark, despite coming in 14th.

Finally of note for the Rams on the first day was senior Steven Zucca’s impressive performance in the men’s 10,000-meter run, as he managed to propel himself into second place in the event and claim another silver for the Rams with his time of 30:33.98.

Turning to the second day of the meet, the Rams once again put in a rather abysmal set of performances as a team, as only a few of Fordham’s athletes proved to be competitive in their respective events.

Senior Skylar Harris was amongst the few Rams who figured things out. Her strong performance in the women’s 100-meter dash, an 11th-place finish behind a solid time of

12.37 seconds, helped kick off what little amount of secondday success Fordham found.

The 100-meter hurdles also proved to be one of the few fruitful races for the Rams, as sophomores Nicole Lytle and Kylie Ritz both ran themselves into the upper echelons of the event’s field, the two finishing in 11th and 12th, respectively. This duo would also combine for another pair of strong finishes in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, Ritz being the higher-finisher this time around, finishing in ninth while Lytle finished in 11th.

After this successful pair of races by Lytle and Ritz, the Rams would then hit their high point of the weekend in the men’s 800-meter dash. There, the Rams actually managed to achieve a rather sizeable degree of team domination over an event’s field, with the aforementioned Flood (1:54.48) and Sanchez (1:55.42) finishing in first and second. Moreover, the Rams registered two more runners in the race’s top 15,

as sophomore Trevor Rinn finished quite comfortably in sixth place with a strong time of 1:56.02, while his freshman teammate John Corrigan ran himself into 11th place with his own solid time of 1:56.89.

The Rams additionally saw a trio of their athletes finish in the top 10 later in the day in the women’s high jump, with Ruvo leading the charge in the event with her sixth-placeworthy mark of 5’ 21/4”. Fellow sophomore Zoe Arakelian and

freshman Lexi Fujita finished just behind her in seventh and ninth. The men’s team also recorded a top-10 finish in their iteration of high jump, freshman DaRon Elam claiming seventh place with a season-best mark of 6’ 43/4”. Finally of note for the Rams on day two was another one of Ruvo’s performances, as she continued her strong weekend by recording a 10thplace worthy mark of 37’ 11/4” in the women’s triple jump.

Having said all this, the Fordham track and field team will have an almost immediate opportunity to rebound from this very frustrating weekend. The team will travel to the beautiful greystone confines of Yale University this coming weekend for the Mark Young Invitational. While in Bulldog territory, it is truly imperative that the Rams manage to turn things around, as this is their last meet before they enter the by far the most important and grueling stretch of competitions of their outdoor season: one that includes the legendary Penn Relays, the always important Atlantic 10 Championships and the always-competitive ECAC/ IC4A Championships respectively.

COURTESY OF LILIAN VERDI FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Women’s Tennis honored their graduating players this past Saturday, thanking them for all they have done for the program.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Track and Field faltered this past weekend, having their worst single-meet perfomance in recent memory.

Freshman Dakota Strain has been brilliant

far during his rookie campaign.