Volume 92 Issue 18

2010 MIDTERM ELECTION COVERAGE- PAGE 5

A TAKE ON FORDHAM’S STUDY ABROAD PROCESS- PAGE 9

SERVING THE FORDHAM UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY FOR OVER 90 YEARS

1918-2010

NOVEMBER 3, 2010

VOLUME 92, ISSUE 18

Fordham Honors Anti-Death Penalty Activist Sr. Helen Prejean, C.S.J., Author of Dead Man Walking, Recognized by Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education with Gaudium et Spes Award

By CHRIS GRAMUGLIA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PHOTO BY SIMON SULIT/ THE RAM

The Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education honored Sr. Helen Prejean, C.S.J., at an event on Oct. 29.

Fordham’s Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education held its fifth annual Sapienta et Doctrina celebration in the McGinley ballroom on Friday, Oct. 29. The event honored and thanked the men and women who have embodied the mission and virtues of the school and the Church through their work in religious education, community organizations and worldwide social justice.

The keynote speaker and recipient of the Gaudium et Spes Award was Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J. Prejean is America’s foremost advocate for the abolition of the death penalty. Her book Dead Man Walking, in which she recounts her experiences as the spiritual advisor to Elmo Patrick Sonnier, a Louisiana man whom she accompanied to his execution, was a bestseller and Pulitzer Prize nominee. The book was also made into an Oscar-winning film by the same name in 1995 in addition to an opera that was performed at the New York City Opera in 2002 that received international praise. In addition, the book has also been

adapted into a play by director Tim Robbins.

The event began with a reception outside of the ballroom during which honorees, friends and family members were able to eat, drink, laugh and catch up with one another before the ceremony.

The event began with an opening hymn led by New York City-area composer, conductor and singer Laurence Rosania, who was accompanied by Joe Simmons, another local musician, on piano.

The hymn concluded, “Love to the loveless and gladness for pain, filling all hearts with the joy of your name.” Dean of the GSRRE, Father Anthony J. Ciorra G.S.A.S. ’91, then began by thanking everyone for being at the event.

“This is the Church at its very best,” he said.

He then humorously revealed that he would be scrapping the original opening remarks he had prepared in exchange for a piece that had “fallen out of his briefcase.”

“Why are you a person of hope, even in these days?” he said. “Because I believe that God is creating the world today at this very moSEE PREJEAN ON PAGE 3

Gabelli Dean Identifies Curricular Goals, Lauds New Core

By VICTORIA RAU

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

The Hughes Hall renovation set to provide Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business with a centralized location will allow greater educational innovation and more interaction between faculty and students, Dr. Donna Rapaccioli, dean of GSB, said in an interview with The Ram. “Having Hughes Hall as a home for the Gabelli school is essentially creating an academic community for the schools of business,” Rapaccioli said. “The building will serve as a facilitator to allow us do the kind of educating we want to do.”

The current scattered nature of GSB’s departments, offices and classrooms leaves business students without a common place to interact, a gap that a newly renovated Hughes will fill, according to Rapaccioli.

Academic excellence, global opportunity, personal and professional development and pedagogical innovation were the four areas of focus that Rapaccioli identified as crucial elements of GSB’s continued ascension, areas for which both the Hughes renovation and Gabelli’s donation will provide resources.

“One of our challenges has always been that the faculty was too small,” Rapaccioli said, adding that one of the main uses for the gift will be hiring more faculty members.

GSB’s current fundraising goal, as part of the Excelsior | Ever Upward | The Campaign for Fordham, is $60 million, $43 million of which has been raised due to the efforts of Rapaccioli and others. Although BusinessWeek rankings are frequently

a topic of conversation surrounding the improvements this fundraising supports, Rapaccioli emphasized the subjective nature of the rankings and said that her focus lies elsewhere.

“I have to focus on what I know that we’re doing,” Rapaccioli said.

“In the end, what’s important to me is that we really are serving the students better and we are.”

Rapaccioli named Career Services as one area for which GSB has increased support. Each business discipline now has a specific counselor within Career Services, and Nancy McCarthy now serves as director of personal and professional development.

In a related effort to serve students better academically, GSB administrators have changed both the liberal arts and the business core for business students to reflect some of that aforementioned pedagogical innovation. These revisions allow students flexibility to take more liberal arts electives that might link more closely to their business major.

With regard to the business core, Rapaccioli said that the now-required writing and speaking intensive freshman course “The Ground Floor” was successful during its trial period last year and continues to garner positive response from this year’s GSB freshmen.

“This is exactly what I hoped business school would be like,” Paul Guinee, GSB ’14, wrote via e-mail to Rapaccioli. “Thanks so much for giving me this opportunity.”

Changes to the sophomore business core are designed to allow students exposure to every business discipline before declaring their

majors. Students take either a half or a whole course in all business disciplines throughout the year in addition to working on an integrated project that ties together all the courses a student is taking in a term.

“As the Core Revision Committee and I surveyed the curricular offerings at peer and aspirant institutions, we found that no other business schools offered an instructional framework to business in this way,” Dr. Frank Werner, associate professor of finance and economics, said.

As the first group of sophomores experiences the new core, some students have expressed concern with managing so many different courses at once.

“We have a large number of projects and exams, which makes the core very hard to balance out at times,” Rushi Shah, GSB ’13, said of the new core. “It almost seems like we have two or three major projects or tests due every week.”

“I think they’re working hard, and it is more rigorous, but that was our intention,” Rapaccioli said, adding that they have created a Web site called corequniverse.net to help students manage several courses at once and that the faculty is open to tweaking the core in the future.

“One great thing about the fac-

ulty that are teaching it [the new core] is that they’re very open,” Rapaccioli said. “They want to make it an outstanding experience for the students.”

As this year’s GSB freshmen make the transition, Rapaccioli said she hopes to see one-half to three-quarters of students participate in the new core as sophomores, eventually reaching fully participation for sophomores in the GSB class of 2015.

“Recruiters like it because it’s helping students connect the dots,” Rapaccioli said. “It makes everything more real and more alive.”

In addition to exposing students to a variety of business disciplines early in their undergraduate careers, GSB has continued to strengthen programs in business disciplines across the board, as evidenced by BusinessWeek ranking Fordham’s marketing department fourth nationally.

“We’ve put a lot of support behind the marketing students,” Rapaccioli said.

She cited the increasingly active Finance Society and the studentmanaged fund in the University portfolio as ways GSB has strengthened the finance department, too.

“I know people think of us as an accounting school, but I see us as

much broader,” Rapaccioli said, adding that GSB students’ majors are almost evenly split between accounting, marketing and finance.

“The accounting profession is so dominant,” Rapaccioli said in identifying this aggressive recruiting as part of what contributes to the perception that Fordham is exclusively an accounting school. “They come on campus, they don’t pull out any stops [. . .] the profession itself is much more aggressive in the way it recruits.”

Similar to Dr. Michael Latham, dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill, Rapaccioli said she sees the initiative for increased study abroad opportunities and accessibility as a major priority.

“I fully support his [Latham’s] initiative to get more and more students to do full-semester study abroad programs,” Rapaccioli said.

The nature of the business curriculum, though, means that her strategy is a little different, concentrating more on short-term and summer programs.

“I think that every student should have an international experience, whether it’s a study abroad for a whole semester or a summer program or an extended study tour,” Rapaccioli said.

Sports PAGE 24

Opinions PAGE 7

Culture PAGE 13

Football beats Georgetown University Hoyas, 24-19.

A debate on the merits and scheduling of midterm exams.

A review of the Vince Lombardi play now on Broadway.

INSIDE

NEWS

PAGE 2 • THE RAM • NOVEMBER 3, 2010

SECURITY

BRIEFS

Oct. 27, Walsh Library, 10:30-11 p.m.

A student discovered her MacBook computer missing in the library when she returned from getting something to eat. Security is investigating the incident.

Oct. 28, Faculty Memorial Hall, 12 p.m.

A projector was removed from its place on the ceiling in an attempted theft. After a brief investigation, the projector was found.

Oct. 28, Campbell Hall, 8 p.m.

A fire alarm went off in response to burning food in the kitchen.

Occupants evacuated the building without injury or incident. FDNY responded.

Oct. 29, Alumni Court South, 9:30 p.m.

Two students became involved in a verbal dispute over the use of a video game controller, which turned physical. The incident was referred to the Office of Residential Life.

Oct. 30, outside McGinley Center, 1:30 a.m.

A student returned to the Ram Van parked outside McGinley looking for his backpack, which he found missing. The backpack, according to the student, contained books, a cell phone and an iPod.

Oct. 31, Walsh Hall, 7 p.m.

Food on the stove in an apartment burned, causing the smoke alarm to go off. The building was evacuated without incident. FDNY responded.

Oct. 31, Lorillard House, 7 p.m.

Some non-Fordham students were throwing eggs at the University security booth. The security guard notified the police, and the students fled.

Oct. 31, Southern Boulevard, 5:30-7 p.m.

A woman parked her car on Southern Boulevard.

Upon returning after about two hours, she found her passenger-side window smashed and her GPS unit missing from the car. The woman notified NYPD, which is currently investigating.

-COMPILED BY PATRICK DEROCHER

AXA CEO Talks Finance with GSB Students

By REBECCA HORNE STAFF WRITER

After years of student requests for more high-profile speakers, the Gabelli School of Business offered students the rare opportunity to meet the CEO of a multibillion dollar firm. On Tuesday, Nov. 2, Christopher “Kip” Condron, CEO of AXA Financial, Inc. personally greeted students over breakfast in Tognino Hall, along with Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the University, and Dr. Donna Rapaccioli, dean of GSB. Condron then spoke to the students and administrators about lessons learned throughout his career in finance, even allowing individual students to ask him pointed questions about his experiences.

“Students always say that they want more high-profile speakers to come to Fordham, and so it was great to have a CEO speak to us today,” Tim Lynch, GSB ’13, vice president of GSB on United Student Government and chairman of the Gabelli Dean’s Council, said.

Newer students in the audience echoed Lynch’s excitement.

“I learned a lot about AXA and how it’s important to work hard in the financial industry,” Karan Gupta, GSB ’14, said. “It was great to have someone so high up speaking to us. We were able to really take advantage of our geographic positioning in New York City.”

Condron, who has worked at AXA since 2001, retold the twists and turns of his career path, which took him from real estate sales to founding his own firm to

PHOTO COURTESY OF REBECCA HORNE

Speaking to a group of GSB students on the morning of Nov. 2, AXA’s Kip Condron discussed the future of investing and insurance in America, in addition to the relationship between his line of business and a Jesuit education.

his current position at AXA. As both CEO of AXA Financial and an executive within the larger AXA Group, Condron now serves as global head of life and savings and health businesses throughout AXA’s overall business in 54 countries. Throughout his remarks, Condron emphasized the growing opportunity that the insurance industry poses to students.

“I want to propose to you that the life insurance industry is a place where you should consider building your career,” Condron said. “The next 30 years belong to the life insurance industry.”

Condron supported his proposal with the claim that his industry is the sole source of guaranteed

income for the United States’ quickly-retiring baby boomer generation through such products as variable annuities.

“For me, the event was very helpful and informational,” Lynch said. “Until today, I had not considered insurance as a career opportunity, and now I am seriously considering it.”

In addition to learning about Condron’s life and work, students also witnessed his example of Jesuit values and integrity.

“Kip Condron is a man whose life is marked by great integrity,” McShane, who served with Condron on the University of Scranton’s Board of Trustees, said.

“During my time at Scranton, he

was a great friend and wise counselor.”

As a closing thought, Condron revealed that one of his most valued lessons from his career is that people will notice you for your diligence in doing one task well and with integrity.

“Chop the wood in front of you,” Condron said. “Just do your job.”

According to Condron’s economic outlook, neither the current recession nor the recent regulatory legislation will keep graduating students from doing their jobs well, which comes as an encouraging sentiment delivered by a successful CEO to GSB undergraduates.

Valera, USG Address Environmentality, Accessibility USG Votes to Co-Sponsor LGBT Prayer Service Later this Month in Response to Incidents at Rutgers University and Elsewhere

By VICTORIA RAU ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Outdoor recycling bins will soon be available on campus, and the campus map will feature notation of the handicap-accessible entrances, Marc Valera, vice president of facilities, said when he attended United Student Government’s meeting on Oct. 28.

These changes, consistent with Fordham’s “green” initiative and Jesuit commitment to equal accessibility, are a result of recommendations that Sara Kugel, FCRH ’11, executive president of USG, and Caitlin Meyer, FCRH ’12, executive vice president of USG, made to Valera in a meeting last month.

“USG is very grateful for Valera’s receptivity to our ideas,” Kugel said.

“USG believes that despite the relative simplicity of these changes, they will both greatly contribute to the community and represents what the University should stand for.”

In the past, according to Valera, people misused outdoor recycling bins, depositing trash rather than recyclable materials. He said that he hopes that this attempt at adding outdoor receptacles, which New York City itself has alternatively provided and not provided due to similar issues, will be more successful due to a population that is more educated about recycling. The bins will feature instructions for what should be put in them, just as those

in the residence halls and other buildings do.

The campus map, which previously did not specify which entrances were handicap-accessible and which were not, will henceforth contain that information, Valera said.

“By adding to the map Fordham shows students and visitors that we are a community that promotes inclusively and responsibility to better our environment,” Kugel said.

Both the incorporation of recycling bins around campus and the markings on the campus map were suggestions Kugel and Meyer emphasized during their campaign for office last spring and included in their campaign platform, with focus on addressing disability issues being a key theme in the Kugel-Meyer administration.

Kugel said that Disability Services confirmed her markings of handicap-accessible entrances as accurate before she brought the proposed map to Valera.

Valera said that recycling is a major focus of his in terms of sustainability in addition to the University’s goal of reducing emissions by 30 percent by the year 2017.

“Our operations will endeavor to recycle as much material as possible, in line with commonsense operational requirements,” Fordham’s sustainability policy reads from its Web site. “We will also explore all avenues to reduce waste and to

purchase renewable and reusable products. We will educate and train our students, staff and faculty in all aspects of this work.”

In addition to making recycling available outdoors, Valera said that he plans to work with Residential Life and student leaders to get the university involved in RecycleMania, a nationwide competition.

“The concept is you want to recycle as much as possible and measure within that 10-week period,” Valera said.

This year’s competition will run from Feb. 6 to April 2, 2011, with a “trial” period beginning on Jan. 23, according to the RecycleMania Web site.

In other news, USG voted to cosponsor a prayer service in support of the LGBT community at Fordham. In light of recently heightened awareness of LGBT issues because of tragedies such as Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi’s suicide, Barbara Andolsen, professor of theology and James E. Buckman Esq. Chair in Applied Christian Ethics, reached out to USG and Campus Ministry to co-sponsor an event before Thanksgiving break.

USG plans to reach out to PRIDE alliance and Women’s Empowerment in coordinating this effort. More information can be found about this event in the coming weeks on USG’s Web site, usgrh. com.

“USG wants to show its support

for the community and will be bringing attention to resources on campus for our students,” Nicole D’Souza, GSB ’13 vice president of communications, said in a press release.

THIS

week at FORDHAM Thurs., Nov. 4 Governor Gary Johnson, Keating 3rd Auditorium, 7-8:30 p.m.

Fri., Nov. 5 Static Jacks and Penrose, Rodrigue’s Coffee House, 8 p.m.

Sat., Nov. 6 Yoga, Keating B23, 10- 11:30 a.m.

Sun., Nov. 7 FET General Meeting, Blackbox Theatre, 5 p.m.

Mon., Nov. 8 GO! Peru Breakfast Sale, Dealy Hall Lobby, 8-10:30 a.m.

Tues., Nov. 9 GO! El Salvador Bake Sale, Walsh Gate, 10 p.m.

Wed., Nov. 10 Fordham Anti-War Coalition, Dealy Hall 202, 7-8 p.m.

-COMPILED BY ABIGAIL FORGET

NEWS

NOVEMBER 3, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 3

PREJEAN, FROM PAGE 1

ment. He did not create it in the long ago and then forget about it […] That unexpected sense […] is the something coming out of God’s love for us […] I believe in surprises of the Holy Spirit.”

Ciorra then thanked the audience again and also the alumni committee for working tirelessly over the past year to organize the event. After a reading from the Gospel of Luke, two candles were lit to symbolize the selfless lives led by the honorees before they received their awards. The first award was The Graduate School of Religion & Religious Education Founders Award and was given to Cathy Canavan, Marie Gough, Marylin Pelletier Martin and Ruth Anne Rubin for their 40-plus years of service to the school.

“They reached out to each and every student with generosity and concern—and they got their dayjobs done too,” Rosania said.

The Joseph P. Fitzpatrick S.J. Award for Service to the Hispanic Community was given to Juan Lulio Blanchard, who covered the gap between the sciences and faith with his work as a physics teacher in Santo Domingo. He also became a parish organizer at Christ the King Church upon coming to New York and is currently the director of the Office of Hispanic Affairs of the Archdiocese of New York. Recipients of the Sapienta et Doctrina Awards for Service to the Renewal of the Church included Paul Carty, David Cervini,

PHOTO BY SIMON SULIT/ THE RAM

Sr. Helen Prejean, C.S.J., was given the Gaudium et Spes award by GRRE for her work with deathrow inmate Elmo Patrick Sonnier. Her experiences with Sonnier formed the basis for the lauded book Dead Man Walking, which in turn spawned an opera and an Oscar-winning film starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn.

Sister Pauline Chirchirillo PBVM Gaynell Bordes Cronin, Rev. Joseph A. Currie S.J., Dr. Thomas E. Legere, Reverend Monsignor Michael J. Motta, D. Min., Sister Maureen Sullivan, O.P. Ph.D., and the Church of the Presentation of Upper Saddle River, N.J. Prejean was then presented the Gaudium et Spes Award and delivered a deeply gripping account of some of her experiences as spiritual advisor to Sonnier.

“I can never receive an award myself,” she said. “You all look

through me into the stories where I’m going to bring you now.”

She spoke of the sanctity of human life, societal justice, the need for forgiveness and revealed some of her own personal struggles with defending Sonnier.

“Then I found out what the crime was,” Prejean said. “And when I looked into his eyes […] I remember thinking that whatever he had done, he was worth more than the worst thing he had ever done in his life.”

One incredibly moving section

of her address was the moment she discussed a conversation she had with Sonnier.

“You are not going die alone without a loving face to see […] you look at me and I will be the face of Christ for you,” she said.

Prejean’s powerful message and her story resonated strongly among the attendees and made the event a memorable one.

“When I see someone like Sister Helen Prejean who embodies everything that we say that we are, that is, ‘men and women for

others’, it brings tears to my eyes,” Ciorra remarked after the ceremony.

“I’ve been teaching all throughout my time at Fordham, and it’s nice coming back home to see some new faces and to honor the work they’ve done,” honoree and Fordham theology Professor Father Currie, S.J. explained.

This is the fifth consecutive year the GSRRE has hosted this event, and plans to continue honoring members of the church for their service in the future.

Manresa Program to Depart from Tierney Hall Academic Program Moving to Alumni Court South or Jogues Hall as Tierney Hall Becomes Upperclass ILC; Martyr’s Court to Transition to Completely Freshman Hall “We invest in things like projectors

By VICTORIA RAU ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Tierney Hall residential college’s Manresa program will be moving across campus to an as-yet undetermined location, most likely either Jogues Hall in Martyrs’ Court or Alumni Court South, Christopher Rodgers, dean of students, said.

The University’s decision to move the residential college out of Tierney Hall comes as part of an effort to create a “freshman quad,” composed of the buildings on the west side of campus, including Martyrs’ Court, Alumni Court South, Loschert Hall and Queen’s Court.

In the shake-up, Tierney Hall would become an upperclassman residence hall while the population of Martyrs’ Court would be entirely freshmen. Logistically, the shift in students from one end of campus to the other will work, according to Rodgers.

“It’s a swap of the same number of beds,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers relayed the news of this residential change for the 20112012 school year during a questionand-answer forum in Walsh Hall on Oct. 26.

In response to questions about the recent renovations made to Tierney, purportedly to further the goals of the Manresa program, Rodgers said that whichever residence hall houses the program next year will undergo some renovations in order to facilitate the program’s needs and involvement of faculty.

“I’m always looking to support renovations that get faculty into the residence halls,” Rodgers said.

because there’s a connection to the academic content that we want to bring into the residence halls.”

Although neither potential location for the Manresa program residential college are as technologically advanced or aesthetically updated as Tierney, Rodgers said he is not concerned about maintaining the character of the program.

“Change in the architecture and the location might mean some change to the program, but the core elements will stay the same,” he said.

Overall, “the advantages [to moving the residential college into the freshman area of campus] outweigh the disadvantages,” Rodgers said, citing the importance of a freshman community located in the same space.

The new Tierney Hall will most likely maintain its residential college status, complete with some type of application process, as an upperclassman residence hall, though it is uncertain exactly how that process would operate. Rodgers said he hopes it will give rising sophomores coming out of Queen’s Court or Tierney Hall residential colleges an opportunity to continue living in a community-oriented setting.

With the opening of new buildings Campbell and Salice-Conley Halls, Hughes Hall’s shift from a residential to an academic building and fewer students than anticipated dropping out of housing lotteries, the University has had to do some juggling of residential space, according to Rodgers.

“This is the biggest residential

RAM ARCHIVES

Tierney Hall will no longer be home to the Manresa program, as it has been since the 2007-2008 school year. Though the details are still sketchy, Manresa will move into either Alumni Court South or Martyrs’ Court’s Jogues Hall.

population the University has ever seen,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers arrived at the topic of moving the Manresa residential college following a question from a student about how the University allocates funds to different residential buildings relating to the seemingly disproportional allocation to buildings that are residential colleges or that house integrated learning communities.

Rodgers explained that students living in residential colleges pay higher housing cost, which independently funds their extra programming. Residents of Integrated Learning Communities benefit from a specific investment the University makes in ILCs through “strategic money” set aside for that purpose as part of strategic planning.

The transition of the Manresa program out of Tierney’s residential college and into Jogues or South will be a main priority of ResLife in the year to come, Rodgers noted.

Greer Jason, assistant dean of students and director of Residential Life, said that residential life is still in the process of determining the new location for the program and that she hopes to seek student input during this process.

Dr. Michael Latham, dean of Fordham College Rose Hill, said that they hope to determine the specific location of the Manresa program amongst the other freshman residence halls by the end of November. He also acknowledged that the next step would be to determine which renovations would be necessary to the residence hall selected to be Manresa’s next home.

“One of the advantages of Tierney was that it had a lot of amenities that lent itself toward that type of learning community,” Latham said. “We need to make sure that whatever space we move into facilitates programming [and] we need to plan the renovations carefully to make sure it lends itself to this type of integrated learning community.”

Dr. Robert Parmach, assistant dean for freshmen and a faculty member in the Manresa program, echoed Latham’s and Jason’s sentiments that the full effect of the transition is yet to be realized.

“It’s still very much in its infancy in terms of any planning,” Parmach said. “We don’t have any definitive sense yet of how the academic program would, in fact, change since the decision was just [recently made].”

PAGE 4 • THE RAM • NOVEMBER 3, 2010

CRC to Present Forum Fordham University’s Center on Religion and Culture will collaborate with the Opus Prize Foundation to host a forum called “Globalization and the Ecology of Caring: Untold Stories, Unsung Heroes” on Nov. 10 at the Rose Hill campus.

Part of a two-day event at Fordham to award the Opus Prize, the forum will center on community leaders working to combat poverty and improve the lives of poor people around the world. The Opus Foundation will award the actual prize at an event on Nov. 11.

Fred de Sam Lazaro, a “PBS Newshour” journalist and filmmaker, will present a discourse as part of the forum. Lazaro, who manages the Project for UnderTold Stories at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minn.,

NEWS

Fordham in Brief

has reported on global efforts to combat poverty, disease and disaster and has been a contributor to the NewsHour since 1985. His Project for Under-Told Stories focuses on the grassroots efforts of “unsung heroes” working to make a difference in their communities and around the world.

William F. Baker, the Claudio Aquaviva chair and journalistin-residence, is set to moderate a panel discussion as part of the CRC event. The discussion will address how the decisions of government bodies, corporations and non-government organizations influence those who are working in communities worldwide to further social justice and better living conditions.

Jacqueline Novogratz, founder and CEO of Acumen Fund, a nonprofit global venture firm that uses entrepreneurial approaches to

solving global poverty, and Lawrence MacDonald, a vice president of the Center for Global Development, a nonprofit research organization dedicated to reducing global poverty, are among the panelists scheduled to provide commentary on these timely issues.

Nostra Aetate Dialogue Dr. Robert Aleksander Maryks, GSAS ’05, associate professor of history at the City University of New York, and Dr. Thomas Cohen, associate professor of history at Catholic University of America, explored the role of Jesuit priests of Jewish descent in the formation of the Society of Jesus in 18th century Spain as part of the 18th annual Nostra Aetate Dialogue on Oct. 27.

Claudio M. Burgaleta, S.J., associate professor of Latin studies in

the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education at Fordham, served as the moderator for the dialogue, which traversed such issues as anti-Jewish bias, “purity of blood” and attitudes toward new converts to Christianity.

The discussion, geared toward developing meaningful CatholicJewish discussion, benefited from both panelists’ historical expertise.

Maryks outlined the economic, psychological and physical basis for anti-Jewish sentiment in Spain, a sentiment that applied to the Conversos due to their lack of “pure” blood, but that the Jesuits did not share.

“Contrary to a rather significant number of Spanish civil and ecclesiastical authorities, the Basque founder of the Society of Jesus, Ignatius of Loyola, and his two Spanish successors […] took

pleasure in admitting men of Jewish ancestry into the order,” he said.

Maryks, who earned his doctorate in early modern European history at Fordham, stressed that new converts to Christianity formed a strong constituency in the young Christian church until the emphasis on “purity of blood” made Christians suspicious of Conversos.

Cohen highlighted the non-religious factor of nationalism that played a role in the disagreements over purity of blood.

“They would say, ‘Well, we’re not anti-Semitic, but people around us in Spain and Portugal are extremely anti-Semitic, and therefore we ought to accommodate that anti-Semitism and not admit a lot of new Christians,’” Cohen said of the Conversophoebic Spanish Christians.

Student Life Council Discusses Alcohol, Senior Week Matters

By PATRICK DEROCHER NEWS EDITOR

As at the United Student Government meeting on Oct. 21, the second Student Life Council meeting this school year on Oct. 27 addressed the matter of increased student transportation to area hospitals for alcohol-related matters.

This is a shift, many at the meeting noted, that coincided with a national rise in such incidents, but that is not entirely attributable to this change.

“There is a real cultural problem on campus,” Christopher Rodgers, dean of students at Rose Hill, said.

Backing up his statement were numbers presented by him and Sara Kugel, FCRH ’11 and executive president of United Student Government at Rose Hill. According to these statistics, Fordham University Emergency Medical Service and other EMS groups transported some 36 students to local hospitals, up from 27 in Sept. 2009 and 26 in Sept. 2008. Just over the weekend prior to the meeting, Oct. 22-24, six students were involved in hospital transports. Statistics were not yet available regarding Halloween weekend at the time of printing.

Rodgers and other administrators at the meeting, including Claudia Marin Andrade, director of Alcohol and Other Drug Education at Rose Hill, noted that these numbers do not include the great many students who arguably should receive medical attention, those who refuse medical attention and those who are very drunk but are not in any immediate danger of harming themselves or others.

Economics, Andrade suggested, also plays a role in students’ decisions to act as they do.

“When students go out to bars, they often have to pay a cover charge, and then there are the individual drinks,” she said. “With pregaming, getting drunk is much less expensive, and in times like these, that can be appealing.”

The council recognized that pregaming activities, in which students consume alcoholic beverages before attending major events or going out to bars or parties, are generally associated with certain on-campus events and festivities.

“Mass events seem to be associated with students showing up having pre-gamed,” Rodgers said, specifically citing the President’s Ball as an example of this phenomenon.

The general consensus among the students and administrators present was that, although there is work that the University administration can do to stem this problem, it is a problem that cannot be fully solved working from the top down. Marisela Sigona, FCRH ’11 and executive vice president of the Residence Halls Association at Rose Hill, suggested that, as an administrative top-down solution, Fordham work to sponsor more late-night programs in Manhattan, where students are less likely to turn to drinking as an evening activity and less able to obtain alcohol.

Regarding “bottom-up” solutions in which students take it upon themselves to improve the on-campus environment, those at the meeting applauded efforts by student organizations, namely Peer Educators and their poster campaign against Four Loko.

Four Loko, which has been blamed for rashes of illnesses at such schools as Ramapo College of New Jersey and the University of Central Washington, combines fruity-tasting malt liquor with large doses of caffeine. The resulting mixture, experts say, can cause drinkers to believe themselves less drunk than they actually are and subsequently consume more of the beverage or perform activities, such as driving, that they normally would not attempt while drinking.

Additionally, as the Peer Educators’ posters and Rodgers point out, one 23.5-ounce can contains some 600 calories, or roughly as many as a Buffalo chicken wrap from the Millennium Grille.

Greer Jason, assistant dean of students and director of residential life, summed up the feelings most people at the meeting were expressing as regards student involvement.

“The direct way [to affect campus alcohol culture] is to step up as student leaders when you see people making poor decisions,” she said.

On a similar but largely unrelated matter, Reynold Graham, FCRH ’12, who is also a resident assistant in Tierney Hall, proposed that the

University institute an on-campus bias reporting system similar to the one that currently exists for security filings.

“It is time that the University reveal the truth about what campus life is really like,” he said, noting that Georgetown University, generally considered to be one of Fordham’s peer or at least aspirant institutions, has a similar system.

In Georgetown’s system, students can fill out an online form detailing the nature, location, time and extent of the incident.

Administrators present at the meeting, including Rodgers and Jason, pointed out that Fordham is legally required to report any biasrelated incidents to the Federal government on an annual basis, and that RAs have a system for reporting such incidents.

Students and staff at the SLC meeting raised questions regarding privacy and rumor mills as regards recent incidents, both at Fordham and elsewhere.

Some, such as RHA’s Sigona, argued that such systems, if made public, could feed and exacerbate rumor mills that already exist on campus, as has happened in recent incidents. Alternatively, Graham countered, an informed student body is less likely to jump to conclusions than one that is kept in the dark.

Another issue raised during this section of the meeting was the current dissemination of security alerts, specifically as regard on-campus versus off-campus alerts. Although Graham contended that security alerts were limited to off-campus matters, part of the reason that he brought the issue of an on-campus alert system to the meeting, Rodgers asserted that the campus security office looks at all security files and comes to a conclusion about their relevance, and that on- or offcampus has nothing to do with that decision.

The third and final major issue debated at the Oct. 27 meeting was that of the budget for Senior Week.

Bobby Skoda, GSB ’11 and senior chair of the Senior Week Committee, came to the council asking for an increase of $5,000 per semester of increased budget to the committee. Senior Week, he said, lost some

PHOTO BY SIMON SULIT/ THE RAM

Posters, largely funded by Peer Educators, have been working to dissuade students from drinking such beverages as Four Loko, a caffeinated malt drink.

$10,000 last year and has been consistently a money-losing venture for the University.

“Ticket prices are significantly below cost,” he said. “If we were to raise them enough to be at-cost, the change would be enormous.”

Skoda added that prices were raised for the first time in “a while” last year.

Council members questioned the request and its foundations, namely whether costs could be cut and the extent to which the departments of alumni relations and development could be more involved in financing the week’s events.

In particular, they pointed out what they believed were potential improvement points on a sample event budget that showed a loss

of $5-10 per attendee. As for the involvement of alumni relations and development, Skoda said that these departments spend about $15-20,000, over which the Senior Week Committee has no control.

The council voted on the funding initiative. However, many members felt that they had insufficient information regarding the budgetary workings of Senior Week. As such, the vote was zero for, five against and 13 abstaining, and the matter was tabled until the next meeting.

The Student Life Council normally meets on the last Wednesday of every month. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the next meeting will be Nov. 17 at 2:30 p.m. in the McGinley Center Faculty Lounge.

NEWS

NOVEMBER 3, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 5

2010 Midterm Elections Coverage

IMAGE BY PATRICK DEROCHER/ THE RAM

IMAGE BY PATRICK DEROCHER/ THE RAM

In the results that were available as of 11:45 p.m. EDT on Nov. 2, Republicans had control of 44 Senate seats and 186 seats in the House of Represntatives as compared to 48 Senate and 129 House seats. CNN, as well as other national news organizations, had called control of the House of Representatives for the Republican party. One early estimate by NBC put the predicted tally as 237 seats for the Republicans (gray states) and 198 for the Democrats (black states). Certain races, namely those for the Senate seats in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Washington and those for governorships in Florida, Illinois and Ohio were broadly considered too close to call at this point. Additionally, Alaska did not close its polls until 12 midnight EDT. However, the marquee race in that state - Senate between Joe Miller, Scott McAdams and Lisa Murkowski - was widely looked at as a likely tight race; because Murkowski is a write-in candidate, it may take days for a winner to be determined. It should also be noted that, while some news agencies had called the Governor’s race in California for Democrat Jerry Brown, CNN, which was used to determine these diagrams, still had it as uncertain. However, as of 12:02 a.m. EDT on Nov. 3, CNN had Brown up by a margin of 3% with 23% of all precincts reporting. Similarly, Nevada’s Senate race between incumbent and Senate majority leader Harry Reid and Republican contender Sharron Angle. It is believed, though as of yet unconfirmed, that this year saw the largest-ever turnout for a midterm election in the US. For more current information, visit The Ram’s Web site at www.theramonline.com.

PAGE 6 • THE RAM • NOVEMBER 3, 2010

ADVERTISING

Super Pasta Special, GRANDMA STYLE! Spaghetti or ziti with marinara sauce and half a loaf of bread: only $4.99 Mozzarella $1 extra!

Sara, Tom and Gina Treasure your friends!

You miss your mother but not for the pasta. I love Pugsley’s Super Pasta Special!

Beauty is not only on the inside. Here it shows!

The Virgin Mary and Elizabeth, the Mother of John the Baptist, came to Pugsley for a chicken roll!

590 E. 191st Steet • Fast Delivery ($5 Minimum) • (718) 365-0327 • www.pugsleypizza.com Mon. — Sat. 11 a.m. - 3 a.m. • Sun. — 2 p.m. - 3 a.m.

NOVEMBER 3, 2010

PAGE 7

Point-Counterpoint: Midterms Scheduling

NHAT V. MEYER/MCT

Students study for midterm examinations, which some claim are unfairly interspersed with classes, prompting long, dreary hours in the library and sometimes even stressful, tiring all-night cram sessions.

Existing Midterm Schedule Is Fine, Changes Might Ameliorate Studying

By CHRISTINE BARCELLONA OPINIONS EDITOR

Extra bags hung beneath students’ eyes for the past few weeks, a result of late nights in the library during Fordham’s loosely designated midterm weeks. Unlike the highly structured finals period, during midterm season students must juggle class attendance, regular coursework and extra studying for midterms. However, Fordham is right to keep midterms low-key by letting professors decide the date and nature of exams. This allows professors more leeway in case they fall behind the schedule on their syllabuses, which often happens, and prevents wasting time during the term with dedicated reading periods.

The University is right to allot certain time slots for final exams; no matter what the subject, it is important for professors to conduct a final assessment to make sure students learned what they should have in the course. However, by the middle of the semester, professors are still laying the groundwork for what will be covered in the class, and any exam should be more of an informal, progress-checking tool. It is a way for professors to coerce students into studying, which helps solidify material in students’ minds. This helps with comprehensive final exams later, which professors often weigh more. This also enriches the learning experience by making sure that everyone is on the same page, and indicates whether professors’ teaching or students’ study methods should be adjusted.

However, while midterms are important, evaluation methods should not be the University’s main focus; Fordham is a liberal arts school and defies the standardized testing and learning environment that permeates much of the American education system. A small assessment of students’ comprehension is apt, but if Fordham specifically designated a certain amount of time for midterms, and had a set-in-stone date for each exam in each class, it would give this assessment undue weight. This would signal a stop in classes, or a halt in the learning process, and usher in a week or two of stagnation focused on memorization, reiteration and regurgitation so students could earn good grades on their midterms. Fordham is right to have its current midterm schedule and testing method, because it prevents this issue.

However, there are a few things professors could change to use their midterm-making power for preventing unnecessary bags under students’ eyes. It would be ideal if professors could give students an in-progress grade for the course, like the midterm grade reports

that freshmen receive during their first semester. This way students would know where they stand before the midterm, and whether additional studying or office visits might be necessary to understand concepts that they may not have grasped yet.

Another good facet of Fordham’s midterm policy is that it allows professors to assign whatever type of midterm they prefer; however, this freedom gives professors leeway for making students’ lives nightmarish. Professors who do not want to waste class time with assessment might eschew the midterm altogether, or assign a take-home exam.

These are both perfectly acceptable solutions, but sometimes busy professors have trouble deciding exactly what type of evaluation would be best, and change exam formats at the last minute. This is unacceptable and hurts students, especially those who try to work ahead and understand the importance of studying over a period of days or weeks, instead of cramming the night before. If a professor tells students that there will be an in-class exam, he or she should not change the format after students have already spent significant amounts of time studying. Even worse is when students arrive in class the day of an exam and the professor announces that the test that they have spent hours studying for will not occur, and that they instead have a paper due within a few days. Professors are busy, but so are students, and advance notice helps students manage their time without pulling all-nighters or missing other classes to finish suddenly assigned take-home exams.

A similar service that would decrease students’ stress levels would be if professors gave students information about the format of the midterm and possible topics that might be covered at least a week in advance. Again, this would allow students to spend a couple days a week for several weeks reviewing class notes in preparation for the exam, instead of having to find the best study method for a midterm in the following class.

Students would and should study differently for an exam with a large focus on vocabulary and identifications than they would for an inclass essay, and it would be kind of professors to remember this.

The flexible midterm schedule is an affirmation of Fordham’s liberal arts values and a kindness to students and professors alike.

However, as always, improvements would make students’ lives more pleasant, help with the quality of their midterm performance and bring relief to their sleepless, bleary eyes.

Christine Barcellona, FCRH ’12, is an English major from Dallas, Texas. She can be reached at cbarcellona@fordham.edu.

Fordham Must Designate Week for Midterm Exams to Increase Study Time

By RORY MASTERSON STAFF WRITER

A few weeks ago, a distinct feeling crept up on me. Urgency and an almost blind necessity to study knocked on my door, and even though I had other school work to accomplish, I was only too obliged to answer.

I had entered my first midterm period as a college student.

The preparation required to meet the demands of four or five professors’ standards of success halfway through a class can be enough to drive someone mad. Add that to the work a person already has because classes continue through the midterm period, and the resulting frantic campus takes on a coinciding air of mental and physical exhaustion not recommended for the weak of heart. Sleep becomes a more valuable commodity than crude oil in the dead of summer, and students scour the campus for quick, filling foods so as not to waste precious time. Midterms are, in short, hectic.

Why is it then, one might be inclined to ask, that Fordham and many other universities in the United States choose to continue classes through the midterm period? The reader might also notice that I continually use the phrase “midterm period” rather than “midterm week.” We can solve the class question and grammatical question with a simple answer: Treat midterms like finals; condense midterms to a single week during which classes are not in session so students may focus solely on the impending testing period.

I have already heard stories of professors assigning papers while also giving midterms, perhaps due on the same day. That is a bit heavy on the workload, even for the average, hardworking college student. Each paper and a test require a sufficient amount of time. When the workload of one class is combined with the essays and exams of a full schedule, each assignment requires time students simply do not have.

In less drastic cases, professors ask students to read, do calculations and analyze all of which happen in the regular course of school. Again, this devotion of time to regular schoolwork rather than studying for midterms may be asking too much. We are not divine, and yet the work that professors ask of us during midterm week builds us to biblical proportions.

Fordham, as the aforementioned “many other universities in the United States,” also needs to cancel classes for midterms so professors do not have the opportunity to bog us down in times of need. In some classes,

midterms count for as much as one-third or even half of a student’s entire grade.

If a professor asks for a reading due in class on Tuesday and the midterm is on Wednesday, it is probably safe to say that a student is far more likely to study class materials Monday night than to do the reading.

Then, when the professor calls on that student to give a brief synopsis of the reading he did not do the next day, he chides the student for being a slacker and may even bring down the mythical “participation grade,” of which students usually have very little personal knowledge.

This injustice stands as just one of the many aspects of the midterm period that Fordham can avoid if it wants to have midterms for classes. If our University allowed us to focus solely on exams and did not force us to worry about anything else for classes, everyone would be much happier. Professors would not have to grade as much, students could sleep more and Fordham would look stellar when test scores would show students averaging high midterm grades.

This, as Voltaire’s Dr. Pangloss might say, is the best of all possible worlds.

Students could then take the weekend to recuperate (because Fordham’s breaks are the most sparing of anyone in America, it seems, but that is for another incendiary opinion article at another time), celebrate, sleep and refocus on the day-to-day goingson of college classes. The frustration of midterms running together with classwork would vanish, as would the omnipresent bags under students’ eyes. A general sense of relief would undoubtedly overtake the campus when the single week of studying and test-taking finished.

That may be taking the dream too far, but every reader should understand the point.

Everyone would be more content with a midterm schedule that lets classes out and allows students to study for midterms without becoming overwhelmed with work. The current system is inconsistent, with midterms spanning the course of up to three weeks for some. Condense midterms to a single week, eliminate classes and do not assign papers during this time.

Please, Fordham is it really that much to ask? Would you prefer if we asked you for a paper and a midterm due together next Wednesday?

Rory Masterson, GSB ’14, is a business administration major from Fort Mill, S.C. Staff Poll: When The Ram was polled, 9 staff members thought the existing midterm schedule was fine; 7 staff members did not. Four members think there should be no midterms.

OPINIONS

PAGE 8 • THE RAM • NOVEMBER 3, 2010

The Ram Serving campus and community since 1918.

The Ram is the University journal of record. The mission of The Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate.

The Ram is published and distributed free of charge every Wednesday during the academic year to the Rose Hill, Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses with a readership of 12,000. The Ram office is located in the basement of the McGinley Center, room B-52.

www.theramonline.com Editorial: (718) 817-0873 Production: (718) 817-4381 Newsroom: (718) 817-4394 Advertising: (718) 817-4379 Fax: (718) 817-4319 theram@fordham.edu Fordham University - Station 37 Box B Bronx, NY 10458 Editor-in-Chief Mark Becker Managing Editor Abigail Forget Design Editor Stephen Moccia Business Editor Caroline Dahlgren News Editor Patrick Derocher Assistant News Editor Victoria Rau Opinions Editor Christine Barcellona Assistant Opinions Editor Brian Kraker Culture Editor Celeste Kmiotek Assistant Culture Editors Jen Cacchioli Sandy McKenzie Sports Editors Danny Atkinson Nick Carroll Assistant Sports Editor Jonathon Smith Copy Chief Claire Borders Copy Team Mary Alcaro Tara Cannon Tom Haskin Sean McGonigle Olivia Monaco Jenna Petranglo Sarah Ramirez Hussein Safa Veronica Torok Ryan Vale Photo Editor Simon Sulit Operations and Outreach Mike Burkart Web Editor Kelly Caggiano Assistant Web Editors Tracy Fan Ou Cara Stellato Faculty Advisor Beth Knobel Opinions Policy The Ram appreciates submissions that are typed and saved on a disk in a *.rtf, *.txt or *.doc formats, or sent to the staff via e-mail at RamLetters@fordham.edu. Commentaries are printed on a space available basis.

The Ram reserves the right to reject any submission for any reason, without notice.

Submissions become the exclusive property of The Ram and will not be returned.

The Ram reserves the right to edit any submissions. The opinions in The Ram’s editorials are those of the editorial board; those expressed in articles, letters, commentaries, cartoons or graphics are those of the individual author. No part of The Ram may be reproduced without written consent.

From the Desk of Caroline Dahlgren, Business Editor I am often considered the black sheep of The Ram staff. As the sole business editor, I often get mistakenly grouped with other editors on staff. You see, the title of business editor is quite deceiving; I edit nothing but I do conduct significant amounts of business for The Ram. I’ll take numbers over words any day – debits over commas, negotiations over rhetoric and invoices over articles. To be honest, I am not a big fan of literature, fluff y poetry or even writing opinions pieces (I tried to negotiate the word count down to an efficient 400 words on this one, but stalwart Managing Editor Abigail Forget wouldn’t give in).

Believe me, I would much rather be making an advertising deal or prospecting new clients than editing articles or writing them. Simply put: it’s just not me.

Some may suspect that my desk is filled with money from The Ram’s advertising initiatives. Although this isn’t technically incorrect, and I like seeing The Ram succeed financially, I love my position as business editor due to the fact that I get to essentially run my own business as a 21-year-old college

student. Though I am quite different from other members of The Ram staff, my contribution to the publication is of value, but more or less behind the scenes.

When I transitioned into my position as business editor, I was surprised as to how little structure there was regarding the advertising business model. I happily accepted this freedom and addressed issues such as advertising placements and collecting on accounts payable. In this way, I have been able to gain an extremely realistic picture of several different business disciplines from my experience at The Ram. Over the course of the past three years, I have come to appreciate the unique experiences that Fordham has offered me, such as my position as business editor. Both on campus and off, I would have never been offered the same opportunities had I chosen a different university.

I don’t know too many people beyond the Fordham community who can say they had a private U2 concert at their school, or they have been an extra in a Michael Douglas film or they headed to the remote Zuofu Hani Village in China to learn about rural Chinese cul-

ture. I have danced (not well) on a Broadway stage with a group of my friends at the end of Hair, had four extremely valuable internship experiences ranging from financial services to marketing a high fashion luxury brand and I will be headed to El Salvador as part of a GO! project this winter. This summer I worked for my dream company, Tiffany & Co. and I couldn’t have asked for a better final work experience before beginning my last year at Fordham.

This unparalleled range of experiences has shaped me in ways I could never have imagined when I first stepped foot on Fordham’s campus with the idea that I was just here to get a degree. My intellect has been challenged, my faith has been tested and I have been pleasantly surprised with how my perspective has changed.

I am extremely proud of the relationships I have established, the work experiences that I have had and the aspects of culture in which I have been involved. While giving tours of the University, I often get asked what personifies a typical Fordham student. To this day I don’t think one can accurately

generalize the “Fordham student;” there are no stereotypes in my mind. I think it is perfectly acceptable and encouraged to find your place at the University, even if you have seemingly divergent interests.

Although I may not be the typical Ram editor, I am happy to have found my niche and be appreciated for the work I do, no matter how far away it is from the field of journalism.

This year at New Student Orientation, T-shirts with the quote “What will you do with your time at Fordham?” were handed out. I can answer that question by looking back and confidently saying that I would not change anything about how I have spent my time here.

Missed Chance for Spooky Festivities

LAWRENCE K. HO/ MCT

While Halloween means creepy mayhem at haunted houses and trick-or-treating for children, Fordham students turn to alcohol and partying for entertainment.

By CHRISTOPHER KENNEDY STAFF WRITER

Around 11:30 on the night before Halloween, I realized I was out of milk. Although I could have gone to the Grille or Tiger Mart, I decided to go to Belmont Avenue and find a bodega so I could get a sense of the Halloween crowds. On the way over, I found larger-than-usual throngs on the corners of Arthur Avenue and 189th Street, dressed as everything from mice (in the finest Mean Girls tradition) to superheroes to bottles of beer. They meandered, and in many cases stumbled, from establishment to establishment. Although I was intrigued and, admittedly, a bit amused, I decided to return to my Walsh apartment as quickly as possible, because it was quite chilly (how did the “cheerleaders” and others tolerate it?).

When I returned I noticed that, aside from traffic in and out of the Walsh gate, the campus was all but deserted. If students wanted to show

off their costume creativity, I realized, their only options were at the intersections of Arthur and 189th or Webster and Bedford Park.

At a forum in Walsh Hall last week, Dean of Students Christopher Rodgers mentioned that one only had to drive by those intersections to see that many students at this school have an unhealthy obsession with alcohol. The question must be asked, then, what is Student Affairs doing to rectify this? If there was any time to provide an alternative to the bars, it was around Halloween.

This is not to say that the University did not try, but it seems like there could have been some better planning done. First of all, I did not see a “Halloweek” poster in Walsh Hall until Saturday night, when I went on my aforementioned milk run. The only activity yet to happen at that point was the Martyrs’ Court Halloween party, which was on Sunday night and, therefore, less likely to deter people from leaving campus.

If CAB, USG and RHA had worked

together to have these activities and others on a Friday or Saturday night, they might have been effective.

I have a feeling, however, that those organizations thought it was useless to have events on those nights, as it was accepted that most students would just be going out. If this was in fact the case, then they simply legitimized a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I may be an optimist, but I do not see why a well-planned event would not deter people from fleeing campus in droves to drink. This is not to say that I wish everyone would just sing songs, make s’mores and forget about liquor for a night. However, I would like to see this school give credence, on a weekend in which it is admittedly hard to do so, to the idea that you do not have to drink to have fun. Not only would this give an alternative to those who do not drink, but also to those for whom the idea of squeezing into a sweaty bar in a hot costume does not sound very appealing.

What, then, could Fordham do?

It seems to me that every one likes

to trick-or-treat. Who doesn’t like candy? What if, and this is just one of countless possible ideas, all the resident directors, Jesuits and other staff and faculty members who live on campus and nearby handed out candy at various locations around campus from, say, 11 p.m.-1 a.m.?

Sure, it is cheesy, but sorry are the souls who do not have a little bit of kid left in them. We could tie in other events, like costume contests, bobbing for apples or whatever else.

Not only could this serve as some sort of community-building event (as Residential Life would be quick to point out), but it could also serve as a poster child for whatever initiatives Student Affairs is taking or is planning to take to provide alternatives to drinking. I have a feeling they would be pleasantly surprised at the number of students willing to take them up on their offer of a night of costumes and candy, without any expense or the hangover.

Christopher Kennedy, FCRH ’12, is a theology major from Mystic, Conn.

OPINIONS

NOVEMBER 3, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 9

Study Abroad Office Student Apathy Trumps Activism Frustrates Students

By SARAH ELIZABETH LAHOUD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

While my fellow Rams read this article, perchance eating breakfast in the caf or snuggled up warmly in their Martyrs’ bunk bed with a lukewarm cup of coffee, I am at the moment sitting in the Boole Library at University College, Cork, Ireland.

Studying abroad is a formidable concept, one that many students consider but very few achieve. Sometime around the beginning of sophomore year at Fordham, students start talking and daydreaming about it.

There are a lot of young hopefuls at first, people who have dreamed of studying abroad for a semester somewhere exotic and new.

However, toward the second semester of sophomore year, only the stouthearted applicants remain. The rest have deserted the dream, for one reason or another. One of the reasons for this resignation is Fordham’s difficult study abroad application process.

Many obstacles stand between a Fordham student currently studying in the Bronx and the actuality of studying in a foreign country. As a Fordham student currently residing on the other side of the pond, I have had to overcome them all.

One problem with the process is that only a small percentage of a Fordham-sponsored grant or scholarship will transfer, even to a Fordham-approved program.

Work-study aid certainly will not transfer to a foreign school, either. For many students, money is a serious concern, and it would be nice if there were a way that more of our scholarship money could be applied to abroad programs.

Also, approving foreign transfer credits to count for a Fordham degree is no small task, and if the foreign school applied to is anything like mine in Ireland, chances are applicants will not even know what classes they will be taking before they arrive.

This unfortunate, and probably avoidable, confusion leads to many sleepless and stressful nights for the Fordham applicant.

Many students who have been brave enough to go through with their applications argue

that working with the Office of International and Study Abroad Programs is a nightmare. It would seem that though Fordham enjoys displaying the number of students studying abroad each year, it also likes making it as difficult as possible to achieve that number. Studying abroad is not for the faint-hearted, and the application process reflects that idea. First, students must submit a full application to Fordham’s office for approval. After getting approval, they must submit another full application to their programs of choice.

This complicated application process forces students to consider seriously their choice of studying abroad. Studying abroad is a huge investment of time and money. Fordham seems to be simply asking its students to carefully consider their decision. When I told a friend that I would be studying abroad, he accurately described the study abroad experience for many college students: a waste of time and a way for college kids to slack off for a year and spend their parents’ hard-earned cash on a good time in a foreign country. Perhaps if the application were easier, more students would feel this way, perhaps not.

However, the application process is tedious, scholarship money is limited and credit transfer is a fuzzy topic at best.

All of these factors inspire very few students actually to study abroad. I can be honest and say that there was more than one point in my application journey where I believed I would never get to Ireland. Issues with money and transfer credit plagued me for many months. Though it was extremely difficult, I have to say thank you to the Fordham study abroad office because without it, I would not be here right now. The application process made this whole experience worth it, and I was certainly proud of myself when I walked off the plane and realized that I had actually done it.

In the end, studying abroad is worth the hassle. I would have gone through a lot more pain than what I did have to go through just to be here in Ireland.

Sarah Elizabeth Lahoud, FCRH ’12, is an English major from McLean, V.A.

Issue of the Week:

Rally to Restore Sanity

A Look at the World Outside of Fordham from the Perspective of Professional News Bloggers

See what commentators from the Left and the Right have to say about Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert’s rally in Washington D.C.

OLIVIER DOULIERY-ABACA/MCT

While students around the country supported Jon Stewart’s and Stephen Colbert’s rally, students here remain indiffierent.

Fordham wants you to be bothered. With each recruitment speech to prospective students, Rev. Joseph McShane, S.J., president of the University, sings the same old refrain: Fordham wants students who are not content with the status quo. When faced with injustice, Fordham cannot stand idly by, but actively combat these issues.

This past Halloween weekend, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert exemplified McShane’s mantra. The Comedy Central comedians held a rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington D.C, combating the culture of contemporary politics. Stewart pleaded for rational voters to ignore the extremists of the current political climate and to support moderate and reasonable candidates from both sides of the aisle. Colbert satirized political pundits’ eccentric rhetoric, conceiving of scare tactics for everything short of the apocalypse.

Two of television’s funniest personalities held a rally to strengthen America’s moderate core. Fordham could not pay someone enough to care about these issues on campus. College Republicans promote the radical right, presenting students with a brand of conservatism that only Glenn Beck would only support. The College Democrats are so inactive, it would lead students to believe the country had legalized marijuana. While a few clubs, including Progressive Students for Justice, have shown a propensity to propose change, the larger student body does not share their passion.

This lack of activism on campus extends beyond political clubs. The majority of the student body is apathetic to oncampus concerns. Students are content to gripe among their friends within the safety of their dorms, while few actually voice their opinions about Fordham policies. The Health Center should consider checking the collective pulse of the student body to ensure they are still living. However, they may misdiagnose them with Swine Flu. Not every student has remained silent on issues at Fordham. Last year, John Tully Gordon, FCRH ’10, former United Student Government president, advocated for Maroon Square, a designated area on campus for student protests. Similar to Georgetown University’s Red Square, this area would provide students with an open forum to protest Fordham policy or national issues. While USG compromised on minor issues, the administration denied the creation of Maroon Square, affectively saying, “We want you bothered, just not here.”

The administration supports student activism so long as it is outside the gothic stonewalls.

Fordham would not want its pristine Eddie’s Parade marred with footsteps from students exposing blemishes within the University’s operations. While telling students not to be satisfied with injustice, yet doing everything to prohibit student activism on campus, the administration is contradicting itself.

Students have the right to voice their opinions about how their college is run, especially at a school on which they spend a fortune to attend.

The only aspect more disap-

pointing than the administration’s denial of student activism is the student body’s apathy.

When the University abruptly closed the 24-hour section of the library, students mutely signed a petition. The administration keeps the details of how it spends tuition more tightly wrapped than the truth about who shot JFK, but students keep shoveling their checks into this infinite budget abyss without question. Fordham needs to be disturbed by the evident flaws in the University’s operations.

Students should not picket outside the president’s office after every unfavorable decision or participate in hunger strikes every time the caf makes a bad burger. Fordham students need to become invested in the University they are attending. They need to educate themselves on how their money is spent or demand a transparent budget from the University. If students are truly concerned about a 24-hour library, they should not settle for a two-hour compromise.

Not every student needs to be advocating a Maroon Square or holding rallies in D.C., but everyone should be taking an active role in the campus’s operation.

Fordham students should be bothered, not only by the administration’s refusal to permit student activism on campus, but that their peers are indifferent. This University is a great establishment, but far from a perfect one. Students cannot remain this content, or McShane has failed at his mission to bother you.

Brian Kraker, FCRH ’12, is an English and computer science major from Pompton Lakes, N.J. He can be reached at kraker@fordham.edu.

Barbara Ransby, The Huffington Post

Ed Morrissey, Hot Air

Jon Stewart, Rally to Restore Sanity

“Despite the therapeutic effects of a good laugh in the face of lunacy, we are not going to joke and jive our way to a better social and political situation. I settle in to watch Colbert and Stewart make fun of my enemies. It is a way to restore my sanity. It is not the route to building a movement.”

“This is a celebration of political laziness masquerading as ironic detachment.

Instead of having actual, serious, and developed political arguments, it’s much easier to make fun of those who do on both sides of the political divide and pretend that one is above it all.”

“We hear every damn day about how fragile our country is, on the brink of catastrophe, torn by polarizing hate and how it’s a shame that we can’t work together to get things done, but the truth is we do. We work together to get things done every day.”

By BRIAN KRAKER ASSISTANT OPINIONS EDITOR

–COMPILED BY BRIAN KRAKER

OPINIONS

PAGE 10 • THE RAM • NOVEMBER 3, 2010

Caf Layout Harms Students’ Eating Habits

PHOTO BY BRIAN KRAKER/ THE RAM

The Marketplace’s layout places healthy options out of site from entering students, including the International station.

By ALEX KRASNER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

There once was a popular rumor that Sodexo serves food one level above prison-grade food; as a freshman, I believed it. However, over the two and a half years I have been at Fordham, the caf has made many changes in its food selection–some for the better.

Throughout my freshman and sophomore years, I feared every time my hunger grew because I knew that I would have to eat at the caf. The crowds, the poor food quality and the lack of obviously wholesome choices terrified me. Looking around, I rarely noticed anything other than the traditional hot food, sandwiches, pizza and burgers. I could not

wait until the day came when I could cook my own food, on my own terms, at any time I pleased.

Now with an apartment in SaliceConley, I occasionally find myself once again sitting in the caf eating the once-feared food, and finding it is not as bad as I remembered.

Starting freshman year, certain food items were available only on certain days. In addition, the caf contains limited choices, especially when supplies run low. The food quality was also poor. In terms of how the caf was set up, there were some serious shortfalls. The hot-food line never grew shorter and blocked the soups; the sandwich line was slow and understaffed during the busy times and there was no flow from section to section. I saw few

options besides the traditional meals, and those lines made me resort to pizza more times than I would care to admit.

Since that time, the caf has taken some serious steps in the right direction, as well as some steps in the wrong direction. There was a large push for the caf to go trayless to reduce waste. This may have helped reduce waste, but it makes it harder for students to enjoy healthful meals. The New York Times reported a study that showed that in cafeterias without trays, students eat 21 percent less salad and consume more ice cream than before going trayless.

In addition to promoting less healthful eating habits, trayless dining creates other problems.

Personally, I do not like getting up

multiple times during my meal to get more food. I get my food and drink once and maybe a desert or a second drink after. It sounds really lazy, but I do not want to get up multiple times to eat a full meal. After years of practice, I can now carry two plates and a drink, but when I signed up for a meal plan, I did not think I was also signing up for a balancing act in the circus. I just want to be in and out of the crowded caf.

The way the caf has been rearranged is an improvement, but only in alleviating lines, not in encouraging students to make better food choices. Moving the pasta to the center, which allows the vegetarian hot food to be more available, was smart, but not effective for encouraging healthful eating.

Think about it: When you walk into the caf, what do you see?

Straight ahead there are pizzas, burgers and fries, while glancing to your right you see ice cream and glancing to your left there are sushi and toasters. Why not move some things around so that we see the wholesome food first?

For example, the salad bar could be switched to where the pizza is.

Students might be tempted by a grilled chicken salad if they saw it right away. Putting salads where they could be quick and easy to grab, right when students walk in, would be a huge improvement.

Simply putting wholesome choices in front of everything else can make a difference.

A study by the USDA found that when it came to healthful eating, “viewing led to significantly greater consumption of healthier foods and significantly less consumption of less healthy foods.�

Little changes such as simply putting wholesome food in an easierto-reach area can help a lot without too much renovation.

The quality of caf food has seemed to improve, as well, over the past few years. I have noticed that the salad looks fresher and has more toppings, there is more fresh fruit readily available, the sandwich station has more choices available and now offers toasting and the pasta station has vegetables available. However, the hot-food plates are still lacking.

Usually the portions of vegetables are small, not cooked right or just plain gross. Most vegetables can taste good if prepared correctly.

Overall, I like what is new. The caf offers somewhat better food, but not enough has really changed.

It is still much more convenient to get a hot-food plate, sit down and eat without getting anything else.

Mixing and matching from different stations is annoying, because it involves walking back and forth between the throngs of hungry students. While improving food quality can help with healthier eating, Sodexo should shuffle the caf around a bit and make wholesome food a more accessible and obvious choice.

Alex Krasner, GSB ’12, is a finance major from Bedford, N.H.

FORDHAM Little Italy Gardens NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS

# # " #! #

LOCATED ON BELMONT, HUGHES, AND HOFFMAN ST. ALL JUST ONE (1) BLOCK OFF FORDHAM ROAD

BRAND NEW 1 &2 BR APARTMENTS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR FORDHAM STUDENTS

IMMEDIATE AND FUTURE OCCUPANCY AVAILABLE! Amenities include: air conditioning, video intercom, dishwasher, microwave oven, and laundry facility on premises.

(718) 364-5700 Main Office (347) 330-9190 Andrew

NO FEE!!!

WWW. FORDHAMHOUSING.COM

•

) ) # ! & # & # $ "%

•

& !

)%'( %" ! " " " !" ! !"# !

• % $

" " %'

"+ ( # -)2,,)01,)/.0/ $$$( ( #* "

ADVERTISING

NOVEMBER 3, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 11

Fordham College at Rose Hill Dean’s List 2009-2010 Class of 2011 FIRST HONORS Olivia Begasse de Dhaem Danielle Behette Joseph Bertino Steven Bondi Kailip Boonrai Ryan Brennan Tristan Brennan-Torrel Brianna Carusillo Michele Chirico Mark Connor Patrick Coughlin Kevin Crenny Marie Culpepper Jaclyn Cunningham Martin de Jong Christine D’Urso Michael Emala Eleni Eracleous Julia Golubenko Michelle Hardy Kristen N. Huners Geoffrey Johnson Ariana Jones Jennifer Keefe Nicholas Kelleher-Murray Timothy Kieras Daniel Lopreto Sarah Manning Katherine McDermott Sean McGonigle William McSpedon Mackenzie Minihan Diana Moore Peter Morrissey Kathleen Mroz Ilya Naoumov Arielle Pukanecz Demarchlier Pukanecz Sean Radomski Nathalie Rochel Kristin Thurlow Ryan Vale Thomas Whitney SECOND HONORS Sheehan Ahmed Kristine Beaudoin Claire Borders Ashley Bullock Melanie Close Robert Difilippo Ross Drueding Daniel Funsch Sebastian Kolaj Reed Lahaye Siobhan Mahoney Madeleine Metzler Mary Michael Lauren Naymie Thomas O’Connell Felicia O’Connor Aryany Perez Jenny Portillo Taylor Riccio Daniella Rizza Joseph Rosinski Craig Small Brittany Soto Francis Stabile Timothy Steinhoff Frank Valdinoto Brett Vetterlein Thomas Wittemann Jr. HONORS John Abbamonte Ryan M. Adams Benjamin Allen Courtney Ambrose April Barnum Kimberly Barnum Casey Barrett Maggie Bauman Anna Beckelman Kiara Bellardini Sevan Biramian Alicia Bozzone Colleen Brady Anne Brewka Christina Brower Michael Brusic Margaret Ellen Byrne Anne Marie Cernera Peter Cherry Andrea Cody Neil Garvey Condon

Stephen J. Cronin Amanda Deal Bianca DeCastro Dennis Devivo Diana Dolce Dannialles Dominguez Gina Doria Chloe Edwards Lolita Feld Emilie Ferri Natazia Fistrovic Melanie Flaherty Stephen Fox Philip L. Fraietta Robert Frawley Yuen Fung Kerri Gallagher Christopher Gannon Nicholas P. Garcia Alexandra Theresa Gaudio Robert Gitman Augustus Gleason Alexander Alexandrov Golec Thomas Gondek Ryan N. Gorup Elizabeth M. Granato Valerie Grant Jason Halpern Camille Harris David J. Hartnett Barrett Holen Kathryn Hough Anthony Iliakostas Laura Izzo Heather Joerger Kristopher P. Kalibat Larissa Kobziar Emiliya Kojouharova Andrew Koudlai Eleni Koutroumanis Katherine Kucera Elona Kukaj Steven LePorin Ajay Marken Kathryn Mayr Lauren McCurdy Robin McNamara Michael Metz Michael Michela Daniel Murphy Sarah Mutter Paulina Martyna Naroznik Bryan Newell Kelly O’Halloran Heather Olsen Brendan O’Morchoe Timothy O’Toole Gabrielle Panessa Dominique M. Plavosin Joanna Ptak Sarah Raza Lindsay Robinson Jillian Robustelli Ashley Ruocco Brittany Russell Courtney Schiessl Holly Schiff Catherine Silver Alexander Alexandrov Slavtchev Joshua Sobrin Vincent Stracquadanio Kristen Sullivan Stephanie Szempruch John Terhaar Julianne Troiano Joseph E. Turchiano Marisa Vati Michael Walsh Michaela Walsh Kurt Watkins Alvan Wong Michael Wood Tiffany Yeung

Class of 2012 FIRST HONORS Kyle Alexander Alyssa M. Barnard Christina Barreiro Steven Czurlanis Vincent Decesare Asmaou Diallo Caroline Hadley Courtney Kane Brian Kelley Alycia Kravitz Isabel Krome Peter D. Lachman William Larkin Lauren N. Mariani

Scott G. McDonald Catherine McNamara Caitlin Meyer Xavier Montecel Andrew O’Connell Michael Pappas Stephanie Pennacchia Katherine Rakowski Anthony Reda Sarah Rosati Joseph Saraceni Kristen Sharp Charles T. Smith Stephanie Spanarkel Allison Sullivan Colleen B. Taylor Rebecca Triano Caroline Waldman Erin R. Wilson SECOND HONORS Stephen M. Abenavoli Megan Arend Lorraine Beppel Kathryn Blanquart Brittany M. Bolella Margarite Camaj Gregory Carlsson Rachel M. Chiulli Matthew Ciampi Gray S. Crenshaw Dorothy Daniel Wilson Duggan Ashley Dziegielewski Clara E. Ennist Elizabeth Leary Gatti Stephen Gray Helena Guzik Sarah Kelleher Misuk Kim Celeste Kmiotek Brian Kraker Grace E. Loughney Aaron Markowitz Mariela Marrero Benjamin Marsh Sandy McKenzie Danielle Moeser Robert Mushinski Anne Neuendorf Jennifer Prevete Frances Rusnack Anthony Saitta Elizabeth Scheib John G. Scott Nadia Seeteram Sheila Sennett Victoria L. Spicer Veronica Torok Alan Zakko HONORS Alan Abraham Nicole M. Andranovich Theodora Andriotis Ashlee Armsby Daniel J. Azzari Margaret Baisley Christine M. Barcellona Fuad Bashjawish Nicole Lori Bettini Bethany Boyle Rachel V. Brown Melissa Buchan Kaitlin E. Campbell Tara Cannon Kristen Carlin Emily Cavallaro Gina Ciliberto Sarah Croghan Matthew Cuff Rachel Curland Alison Daly Danielle Darmofal Julian David Shaneil C. Deas Matthew Dillon Michelle A. Duda Catherine Evich Christian Flessner Dennis P. Flynn Martin Fogelman III Anne Fox Fallon France Isabella Frisoli Rebecca Fritton Timothy Gallagher Courtney Godbolt Lindsey Grier Timothy Griffin

Mehadi Hassan Brendan Horell Emily Hunter Catherine Huyette James J Innocent Brett Johnson Kevin Jordan Anuar Juraidini Giulia Kaftan Catharine Kane Parker Knight Taylor Knortz Elizabeth Kralovec Pajtesa Kukaj Angelo G. Labate Erin Leidy Elena Lightbourn Sarah M. Madges Rachel Malinowski Matthew Manuszak Clare Masullo Anthony Matos Melissa A. Maturo Kathryn L. Mayr Katherine McCabe Mawendo McDevitt Linda A. McSorley Abraham Mercado Deanna Minasi Jennifer Mineau Stephen Moccia Kara Morrissey Susan M. Murray Maryellen G. O’Malley Kevin Oshinskie Miranda Ossolinski Erik Pedersen Tessa L. Ramsay Christopher Ready Colleen Ring Andrew Roddin Elizabeth Ryba Peter Sanneman Gregory Scaduto Jordan Seidel Lauren Sepanski Laura Shaw Lauren E. Shirey Samantha Shisko Annette Stabile Amelia Starr Kelsey Sweeney Charles Tandler Rachel Thomas Jacqueline M. Tralies Emily Tuttle Stephanie Urciuoli Michelle L. Usala Caitlin Waickman Elizabeth Yaslik

Class of 2013 FIRST HONORS Jillian Marie Abballe Anne M Buckel Laura E Buckley Benjamin Thomas Delikat Malcolm J. Edgerton Yi Gao Timothy James Luecke David Marcelin Katarina L Martinez Annelise Rose McCarthy Laura Katherine Muse Luigi Patruno Michael Paul Rametta Victoria C Rau Gabriella Marie Riley Allison R Russell Hannah E. Schaffer Anna Maria E Shaker Sarah Chantelle Teyssen Brian Albert Williams SECOND HONORS Frederick Olen Barnum Megan Irene Brady Nicole Caso Danielle Nicole Craft Sabina P De Matteo Isabella Fante Lauren Elise Hathaway Seth Peter Houston Alexis C. Kedo Chelsea Macarevey Larson Lyle P Leblanc Brendan Edward Malone Zachary Meinhart

Jillian Marie Minahan Jacqueline J Monnat Jeffrey Casimir Monroe Andrew Terrence Morrissey Michael James Omboni Megan Christine Powers Patrick Thomas Raleigh Erin Marie Reynolds Kira Marin Rosi-Schumacher David James Rowley Joseph Ralph Taliercio Morgan Blayke Vazquez Li Yang HONORS Thomas Joseph Alcala Thomas Michael Alia John P Anistranski Susannah Margaret Apuzzo Andrew Partrick Arne Christopher E Bair Michael James Beckage Stephanie E. Brown Karen Graydon Bullock Julia Ellen Burd John C Byrd Navena Felicia Chaitoo Daniel Arthur Clemens Holly Alexandra Curtis Giuseppe S. D’Amelio Karina Marie Daza Christopher R. De Marchis Mark J. Deal Sarah Elizabeth Dorman Lauren Margaret Duca Liam J Duffy Jacob Alexander Edison Stephen Migliore Erdman Meghan Margaret Farmer Joseph Gerard Ferrone Kristen Stephanie Flores Olivia Hannah Gall Delfin Tucay Ganapin Elizabeth A. Garcia Anna E Gildea Justin Sean Gillis Jonathan H. Gillis Rebecca Lynne Greene Thomas Henry Haskin Michael Robert Hickey Sean Martin Hickey Samantha Hokanson Sara Marie Jansson Anan Kahari Colette M Keane Michele Christine Keathley Alexander Robert Kelso Thomas Jerrel Larson Olivia R Licata Rebecca Marie Lindner Jeffrey William Lockhart John Michael Malfetano Michael A Martinez Louis P. Masi Cecelia Kathleen Mendiola Chelsey Mackenzie Mitchell Olivia N Monaco Elizabeth J. Moore Joseph Harold Moreshead Claudine Annick Murphy Leila Fereshteh Nabizadeh Harjot Kaur Nayar Melissa C Neri Brendan Jeffrey Nosal Catherine E Nwachukwu Kelly Marie O’Brien Keelin C O’Donoghue Evan Oei James Orlando Pascucci Catherine Alexis Paul Jillian Norma Pellegrini Ashley Portal Rose Puntel Marian Judith Rogers Christina Taylor Rooney Casey Elizabeth Ryan Teresa Avila Salinas Cristina Dora Schlesier Sara Shahmiri Victoria Anne Shore Robert A. Sikorski Stephanie Simeone Melissa Noel Smyth Gabriella Lucia Solano Rachel A Suther Michael C. Troiano Jobin John Varghese Anthony Jordan Walters Mark Andrew Ward Bethany Lynn Wolff Dylan Scot Young

ADVERTISING

PAGE 12 • THE RAM • NOVEMBER 3, 2010

Cram even faster.

AT&T. The nation’s fastest mobile broadband network.

SAMSUNG CAPTIVATE™ Access to tens of thousands of apps from Android Market™ Innovative entertainment and social networking features

FREE SHIPPING

|

16% STUDENT DISCOUNT

1 . 8 6 6 . M O B I L I T Y – AT T.C O M / N Y N J – V I S I T A S T O R E Bring your student ID to an AT&T store and mention FAN #3094832 for a 16% monthly discount on qualified charges.

Mobile broadband and other services not available in all areas. See coverage map at stores for details. Monthly discount: Service discount applies only to the monthly service charge of qualified plans and not to any other charges. Available only to qualified students and employees of colleges/universities with a qualified business agreement. Other service discount qualification requirements may apply. Restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. See store for details. Screen images simulated. ©2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. Service provided by AT&T Mobility. All rights reserved. AT&T and the AT&T logo are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

NOVEMBER 3, 2010

PAGE 13

Lombardi Pleases Audiences and Honors Football Legend

By KYLIE NELSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A legendary name on the football field has become a legendary name on Broadway. Circle in the Square is the new home of Lombardi, a poignant new play chronicling the life of Fordham alum Vincent Lombardi.

Fans of sports and theater will enjoy watching Lombardi fight to win his first Super Bowl Championship as coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1965. Performed on a circular stage with video accompaniment, this play is a multimedia triumph.

Actual footage of the games and the old coach himself routinely flutter across the floor and onto the monitors, adding a sense of realism to the remarkable events portrayed within the small theatre.

A star of the popular television series “The Wonder Years,” Dan Lauria takes on his next great role as Lombardi. Not only does Lauria resemble the football legend, but he also delivers a strong performance that encapsulates his very essence. With his quick temper and stern discipline, the character Lombardi is a force on stage, full

of volatility and wisdom. Using all of his emotion and fervor, Lauria manages to capture his awe-inspiring spirit through the simplest of acts. Despite his flaws, Lombardi is portrayed as a man of integrity. As a result, the play quickly turns into an epic tribute to the short life that left such a lasting impact.

Whether a sports fan or not, this play will captivate and inspire.

While the focal point in Lombardi’s life is the success of his Green Bay Packers team, family issues and journalistic ethics also hold great importance to the overall plot.

Judith Light, (“Ugly Betty,” “Spin City”), steals the show as Marie Lombardi, Vincent’s hardheaded wife who struggles to support her husband as she longs for her native New York. Fierce yet devoted, Marie acts a motherly figure toward her husband’s players and the young journalist, Michael McCormick, played by Keith Nobbs, (“In Treatment,” “The Pacific”). Her role adds a level of intimacy to the sport-oriented plot and reveals her husband’s softer nature.

Nobbs similarly sheds new light onto the life of Lombardi in his role as the sportswriter working on a

Lombardi column. Trying to get a credible story for a newspaper with questionable motives, McCormick must also overcome Lombardi’s overwhelming tendency to dominate. While tensions arise between the idealistic reporter and the ruthless coach, there remains an underlying sense of respect that the two hold for one another. While their personalities cannot be more opposite, their values are very much the same. Their quirks, along with the humorous antics of Dave Robinson, Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor, played by Robert Christopher Riley (“Nurse Jackie,” “Medium”), Bill Dawes (“Damages,” “Law & Order”) and newcomer Chris Sullivan, respectively, provide constant entertainment and intrigue.

Throughout the play, Fordham is a constant presence on stage. Not only does Lombardi mention the hard work he put in while at his alma mater, but he dons what is undoubtedly a championship ring from his years at the University during Fordham’s heyday. To further illuminate Lombardi’s past, the character of Dave Robinson mentions the coach’s involvement as one of the iconic Seven Blocks of Granite, the

PHOTO BY SIMON SULIT/THE RAM

Broadway’s Lombardi is a moving tribute to a great sports legend.

blocking force that dominated college football during the 1930s. Even so, Fordham’s greatest impact on Lombardi resonates in the university’s ideology and Jesuit teachings.

Citing from the Bible and quoting “freedom through discipline” on the

football field, Lombardi proves himself to be a loyal subject to the values fostered during his Fordham studies. He is shown as a great leader full of integrity and determination and Fordham proves to be very much a part of his success.

Sodexo Aims to Improve Food Quality

By SCHARON HARDING STAFF WRITER

A college’s food service is an important factor in college life that is hard to overlook. It is an important staple of the college experience, especially if you are living on campus.

Here at Fordham, Sodexo–one of the top three food providers for colleges and businesses–provides the food for all the dining facilities on campus. Therefore, it is Sodexo’s job to find ways of improving food for the colleges it serves.

One of the ways Sodexo tries to better satisfy its customers is with its Student Board of Directors. The Student Board of Directors contains 25 students from around the country who participate in conference calls, conferences and symposiums. The directors of the board are broken into committees to spe-

cifically focus on things such as experience and sustainability. Justin LaCoursiere, FCRH ’13, is the first Fordham student to be appointed to the Student Board of Directors.

A few weeks ago, Sodexo held a symposium in Philadelphia for the Student Board of Directors.

One of the features of the conference was multiple vendors which provided the Student Board with taste samples. The top 20 rated vendors will be selected to serve Sodexo’s clients next semester.

The change of meal plan options students saw this semester is an example of the types of changes Sodexo implements to appease students. Another example is the new café in Campbell Hall, both of which have received positive reviews.

“It’s great because now I don’t have to go to the Caf a million

times a day,” Sabrina Wani, GSB ’13, said.

Amanda Ryland, FCRH ’13, also agrees with the new Sodexo additions.

“The café tastes just like Starbucks,” she said.

One of the next projects Sodexo is working on is expanding Dagger John’s. Sodexo plans to implement a to-go section in the restaurant.

Another long-term project Sodexo is working on is to have Flex Cards accepted in restaurants around Fordham. It would be a big future success if students were able to use their flex dollars in places such as restaurants on Arthur Avenue, although the idea is still in its very early stages.

“I would definitely be more interested in meal plans if they had any use outside of Fordham,” Paul Lougee, FCRH ’13, said.

RAM ARCHIVES

Current Sodexo plans aim to make the experience of the Marketplace better than the current level.

An important tool for Sodexo is the opinions of the students. The company runs by the mantra “for students by students.” Sodexo urges students to fill out opinion cards and voice their opinions on food forums in the residence halls in order to improve their services.

However, some feel that student opinion is often left unheard.

“I’ve read the comment cards people put up and simple suggestions have not been followed,” Chrissy Cuse, FCRH ’13, said.

“People are always asking for more granola. They refill the Lucky Charms 10 times a day when people want granola.”

LaCoursiere says students have to take care and pride in voicing their opinion.

“They need more than just the ‘the food is bad,’” LaCoursiere said. “They want to hear answers to questions like “What do you specifically like or don’t like?”

Sodexo also tries to be schoolconscious. LaCoursiere said that Sodexo keeps in mind that Fordham is in New York City, so students have a diverse taste in food.

For example, its service is different than for a school that has a predominantly Jewish population.

On the other hand, some students do not think Sodexo is completely aware of what Fordham students want.

“One time I went to the grill at 10:30 a.m. and all the stuff for the salad was out,” Codie Landsman GSB ’13, said. “The guy was right there and he wouldn’t make it for me because ‘salad station starts at 11.’”

Providing good food to college students is not just about finding the tastiest foods.

“Food depends on quality and

money,” LaCoursiere said. “Sodexo does a great job of fitting Fordham’s budgets and providing the food that students on their campus are looking for.”

To be happier with the choices Sodexo makes, students have to be wise with their dining.

“You have to switch it up,” LaCoursiere said. “You should try everything once. Whether you go to the Deli, Grille or Marketplace, there are options.”

Students often complain of the lack of variety of food served at Fordham, therefore determining that the food here is bad. LaCoursiere said he disagrees with this logic.

“I challenge you to go to your favorite restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner for three weeks and tell me you’re not sick of their food,” he said.

Some of the bad reputation that Sodexo receives is not from the food itself.

“The service of the employees doesn’t help,” Landsman said. “I try to be nice to them but they are never nice back.”

LaCoursiere agrees with the importance of employee service.

“The dining experience is just that, it’s an experience,” he said.

“From how you’re greeted, to how you’re treated, to eating and enjoying yourself, all factors in your opinion of the overall picture.”

Regardless of one’s opinion of Sodexo, it does have the ability to encourage improvements. Sodexo says it heavily relies on student opinion to change its service.

“If you want to see change, be a part of the change,” LaCoursiere. said. “Send a suggestion to the Student Culinary Council, or consider joining if you share that passion.”

CULTURE

PAGE 14 • THE RAM • NOVEMBER 3, 2010

That’s So Po MARY PORPORA Week 7: Laundry Room Woes I would say that the worst part about living at Fordham is the laundry situation. Besides the fact that I actually have to do laundry, the facilities here do not make it easy. I guess the most polite way to describe the machines at Fordham is temperamental.

When I found out freshman year that we did not have to pay for laundry, I was very excited. My first few loads went well, but then I witnessed an ever-present situation in all of the laundry rooms across campus – the water-filled washing machine. Apparently, sometimes the washing machines get lazy and decide that they are just not going to drain. Your clothes are now basically being held hostage by a pissed-off washing machine. Now what? You could do what many seem to think is the most logical solution and simply open the machine door. If so, you will then have to brave the flood of water that is comparable to the dam explosion at the end of X2. If you do choose this route, you will be known by the rest of the launderers as “that kid.” The only way to escape dirty looks is to make sure you are alone or that there are no credible witnesses in your midst.

If you are like me and have a hate/fear of standing water (thank you West Nile), you can just call facilities, who will sometimes react in a timely manner, or transfer you to the boiler room. Why the boiler room? I do not know, but shockingly people other than Freddy Krueger are always there. Someone will come quickly and act as crisis counselor to your clothes hostage situation.

Once you finally finagle your clothes out of the washing machine, it is time for the dryers. In every building I have lived in there are always more dryers than washing machines. This makes sense and is convenient except when people get greedy. One time I peered into a dryer and saw two socks. Unless those socks were woven from Rumpelstiltskin’s gold, there is no reason for those two items of clothing to be isolated in a dryer.

When you find a dryer that does not have a “broken” sign on it, I learned it is best to test it before putting clothes in. Close the door and let it spin for a few minutes. Open it and put your hand in to check if it is hot. If it’s hot, you are all set. If not, do not bother with this dryer. The most it will do is just spin your clothes around and blow cold air at them. If that is what I wanted, I would just hang my clothes off of a ceiling fan.

I thought once I moved into Walsh Hall, laundry would get easier, considering there are laundry rooms on every other floor. Naturally, every time I try to do laundry, the machines on my floor are broken. The only thing these washers know how to do is spew water and make the carpets outside of the laundry closets nice and moldy.

It is time for Fordham to stop replacing the flowers every season and start reassessing the laundry situation throughout campus.

Laundry room woes, now that’s so Po!

Dining Out: Beacon Restaurant American Style Dining Is Sure to Please Hungry Diners

PHOTO BY JUSTIN LACOURSIERE/THE RAM

Beacon Restaurant, offering eclectic dishes, is located at 25 West 56th St.

By JUSTIN LaCOURSIERE STAFF WRITER

If you are looking for a restaurant that offers both group-friendly and intimate dining options, along with a menu of familiar food that has been revamped to foster an eclectic twist, I have just the place for you. Beacon Restaurant, located at 25 West 56th St., serves American food in an autumnal-colored atmosphere of burnt oranges and cocoa browns.

Beacon has a warm feel that stretches from its welcoming bar to its three

levels of dining.

The open space sports balcony seating boasting large tables, perfect for dinner with business friends after work. The main dining room offers both cushioned wooden chairs and tall striped couches, and the lower level overlooks an open kitchen, perfect for a night on the town with family. A wine case lines the wall of the third level and a private party room is available in the back. Note that Beacon calls for business casual attire, and its menu is adjusted according to season.

The menu offers both your typical à la carte dining, in addition to a prix fixe three-course menu ($42) with a small variety of starters, entrées and desserts to choose from. Pumpkin apple soup with spiced spun sugar ($13) is a sweet and savory way to start a meal. A log of sugar spice and miniature croutons is placed on top of the soup and instantly melts away. The soup has the consistency of thick gravy, and is dark brown in color. This soup is both filling and perfect for dunk bread . Beacon offers its restaurant goers three types of bread: country-styled white, whole wheat and onion.

Beacon’s woodoven duck confit is Overall perfectly cooked and served to slide right Location off the bone ($23).

This dark meat has a Food Quality crispy outside and a tender inside. It is in Atmosphere a confit sauce, which is a combination Hospitality of herbs and spices used while cooking Price $$ the duck and which turns into a thick (Out of 4 ’s) syrup. The confit is similar to balsamic vinaigrette in color, flavor and consistency. Warm thick orange slices and grape slices give this dish a citrus twist.

The duck entrée is perfectly proportioned with its side of fingerling potatoes, very flavorful and worth the money.

Roasted fall vegetable risotto ($26) is one of the choices that Beacon offers on its prix fixe menu. It is a healthy choice with a portion big enough to bring home and enjoy again later. This dish comes with spinach, carrots, turnips, onions, brussel sprouts and al dente risotto. These ingredients are blended and held together by shredded pecorino cheese. The dish is topped with a small piece of braised short rib but could be ordered without it for a vegetarian-friendly meal. Beacon’s risotto dish is filling and balanced in both taste and presence, with no one vegetable overpowering the others.

For plating purposes, there is a vegetable and cheese purée that the chef drizzles around the edges.

My meal came to a sweet end when my dessert arrived: a caramelized apple pancake with cognac ice cream ($9). The sweet caramelization and liqueur-infused ice cream balance each other in this dessert big enough for sharing. The caramelized apples are baked and topped with sugar and then torched like crème brûlée. The dish is tangy from the apples and moderately heavy due to the dense pancake that sits underneath. For those with a sweet tooth, this just might be the perfect way to end a meal.

Beacon has a very attentive, but not overbearing, service staff. From the moment I walked in, the hostesses were friendly, creating a welcoming feeling. My waiter was a real character, but still acted professionally throughout the evening. The workers at this restaurant do their jobs while making it a point to relate to their customers for an eventful experience. The servers apper to want to be more than just people who take orders and bring food –people who you want to come back and see next time you go out for dinner. Now that is something that not every restaurant can say it has.

Editor’s Pick: Heavyweights This Iconic Movie Can Change Childhoods, One Viewing at a Time

By JONATHON SMITH ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Only every so often does a movie or book or other work of art come along that changes your life; something that seems to hit you in a way that not many other things do – something that appeals to the emotions in ways that nothing else can.

Ever since middle school when I first saw Heavyweights, my life has never been the same.

Heavyweights, a cult classic from 1995, is about a summer camp designed for, in the words of one of the counselors, “portly adolescents.” The movie follows the camp-goers (all-male) as they learn to cope with a new owner of the camp, Tony Perkis (Ben Stiller, Meet the Parents) who is trying to make a weight-loss video for profit.

In a quick synopsis, Perkis does not want the kids to have fun at all and destroys things such as go-karts

and “the blob” and cancels lunch due to “lack of hustle.” All Perkis cares about is making a few bucks off of his potential weight-loss infomercial.

The boys, after being mocked and treated poorly all summer, wind up capturing Perkis and holding him hostage in a cage until he escapes during parents’ weekend, appears to go crazy and is forced to hand the camp over to one of the counselors to run. Once this happens, the boys start enjoying summer again, and the movie culminates with the boys beating their rival camp, Camp MVP, in an end of summer competition known as the Apache Relay.

What makes this movie one of my favorites of all time is the pure, wholesome humor. No matter how old you are, I guarantee this movie will make you laugh. The plot is one that not many people would even think of. The characters are

10 main boys along with a cute nurse, two older counselors who stick with the kids and then Perkis’ team led by Lars, a foreign counselor with a snoring problem. Once again, even the idea of this is funny, when they all come together in the film, in the words of many film critics, “you will split your sides.”

The thing that makes this movie so memorable and enjoyable is the writing. The lines in this movie are absolutely hilarious. In a time when most humor only comes in the form of crude jokes or poking fun of someone, this movie is original, tasteful and clever. It is seen as a teenage/adolescent film, but the way it is written allows for anyone to sit back and enjoy it. It is one those movies that after you see it, you will quote it forever. Honestly, I do not think that I have gone a day all year without quoting the movie, even if I am aware if I am doing it or not.

The writers, one of them being Judd Apatow (Knocked Up), should be commended on how well the film resonates with people.

It is not the most popular movie, but for those who have seen it, it is a classic. With lines such as “Oh look, a deli meat” when Perkis sees that one of the boys has snuck in a large pepperoni into camp, or “There are so many myths about the abdominal muscle, I’m happy to put this one to rest” when the boys bet Tony that he cannot do a sit-up blindfolded. These, along with numerous others, have come to be a part of my everyday vocabulary.

As I look at the movie poster hanging in my room, I smile just thinking about the movie and all of the laughs that it has provided me.

I am reminded about how every now and then a film comes along that changes your life. Heavyweights is one of those films.

CULTURE

NOVEMBER 3, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 15

‘South Park’ Under Suspicion

By CLARA ENNIST STAFF WRITER

“South Park” aired an episode titled “Insheeption” which parodied the critical and commercial hit Inception on Oct. 20. While the episode focused on other current issues like hoarding, it has become notorious for its plagiarism.

“Insheeption” tried to mock the complexity of Inception, but some of the lines were extremely similar or identical to lines from the Web video “Inception Characters Don’t Understand Inception.” The Web video from which Matt Stone and Trey Parker lifted many of their lines was posted on CollegeHumor. com on Aug. 2, and was written by Dan Gurewitch and David Young.

Some of the lines were extremely similar: CollegeHumor: “We need to move to the next dream level before these projections kill us.”

“South Park”: ‘We need to move them all to the next dream level before the projections kill them.”

While one line, “Sometimes my thoughts of my dead wife manifest themselves as trains,” was a wordfor-word copy.

Both Parker and Stone have issued public apologies to Gurewitch and Young, but their plagiarism is puzzling, given “South Park’s” usually relevant commentary. Also, their different explanations as to why they plagiarized were confusing. Parker and Stone admitted that they had never seen the movie, and rather than trying to find a theatre playing Inception, on an illegal download, scheduling a private screening, etc., they decided to watch and read other people’s parodies.

This begs the question, why did they want to parody something when they hadn’t even seen it?

“South Park’s” handling of Inception is three months late, so it doesn’t make sense that they would now decide to parody a movie that they never watched. The best “South Park” episodes are when the writers come up with their own mate-

rial to comment on society, rather than create flat-out parodies of films, television shows, etc. While its parodies are entertaining, they take less time to write and create, especially if the writers are able to lift the dialogue directly from another source. In the New York Times, Stone explained that the two wanted to parody the convoluted explanations in Inception; however, their efforts seem lazy.

“They were probably lazy about it,” Joseph Herrmann, FCRH ’12 said. “Even if they didn’t know where it came from they would still have to find that out.”

He also asserted that he didn’t think this indicated a trend of lacking creativity.

Stone even admitted that he and Parker had been lazy about the composition of the episode. Nevertheless, it is really out of place for “South Park” to be so late to comment on a social phenomenon and to do it in such an ungraceful manner. Gurewitch tried to acknowledge the plagiarism as a fluke, writing in his blog that he wanted “to give [Parker and Stone] the benefit of the doubt” and saying that he was honored if “South Park” was trying to pay homage to his and Young’s work.

In a world where everything circulates on the web and sources become less credible but easily traceable, some people may even

unintentionally plagiarize. That isn’t to defend Parker and Stone, but to demonstrate that they may not have realized they were plagiarizing in the first place. So many facts are prefaced with the words “I read somewhere” or “somebody was saying” and most of the time the “somewhere” or “somebody” is a random internet source. Stone and Parker even said that they thought the dialogue from “Inception Characters Don’t Understand Inception” was pulled directly from the movie itself. Watching the video clip, the dialogue does have the same pacing as the film so it would be easy to confuse the two, but a small amount of research would clear up any misconceptions.

Parker and Stone did genuinely apologize for their mistake and they probably did not intentionally plagiarize, as they would have to have known that they would be found out quite quickly.

Overall, Parker and Stone have apologized for their error, and at this point that’s the most that they can do. Though, maybe their error in judgment demonstrates the crux of Inception, trying to implant an idea in somebody’s mind without them realizing where the idea came from. For two writers trying to parody Inception, it seems only fitting that they should parrot another team’s idea but then forget the source itself.

what’s Know “what’s going on” on campus or in NYC?

Going

04

?

On

Send tips, event listings, or comments to theram@fordham.edu.

THURSDAY

Basement Bhangra S.O.B.’s 204 Varick St.

The first Thursday of every month, D.J. Rekha hosts a Bollywood-themed dance party, making for a nice break from the norm.

05

FRIDAY

Interpol The United Palace 4140 Broadway

Carlos D. may no longer be with this band, but they are as brooding as ever.

06

SATURDAY

Ghosthunting Brooklyn Word 126 Franklin St.

Do not let go of Halloween too soon; go see author L’Aura Hladik (Ghosthunting New York City), a paranormal investigator, who is hosting a multimedia presentation.

07

SUNDAY

Guided By Voices Terminal 5 610 W. 56th St.

Revisit the ’90s as this group reunites for a concert that’s sure to be just as amazing as it was back then.

08

MONDAY

Nicole Krauss and Cynthia Ozick 92nd Street Y 1395 Lexington Ave.

Though Krauss is 36 while Ozick is 82, both novelists have a poignant take on being Jewish in New York.

09

TUESDAY Brad Mehldau and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Judy and Arthur Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall 881 Seventh Ave. Get classy and go see the renowned pianist as he begins his residency as Carnegie’s Composer’s Chair.

10 COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

Hiroshi Sugimoto The Pace Gallery 545 W. 22nd St.

WEDNESDAY

Break away from the numerous painting exhibits popping up throughout the city and view some of this modern photography.

— COMPILED BY CELESTE KMIOTEK

Yet again, “South Park” landed in trouble, this time for alleged plagiarism.

Ram Reviews TELEVISION

THEATER

THEATER

WEB SITE

“GLEE” : “THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE”

BRIEF ENCOUNTER

MERCHANT OF VENICE

“GILT GROUPE”

Why would a high school teacher from a relatively conservative school have his students perform Rocky Horror Picture Show? To add to Will Schuester’s current campaign for worst teacher, he lies to his love, Emma ( Jayma Mays, “Ugly Betty”), saying that he wants his students to perform the play because Emma and her boyfriend have been regularly going to watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The episode ends with Will realizing his mistake, and he cancels The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The students only perform it once, and Will gives one of his now clichéd speeches to sum up the lesson. The lesson I learned? “Glee” would like to have all the originality of The Rocky Horror Picture Show but its episodes’ plots continue to rely on the same formula week after week.

Set in interwar England, Brief Encounter follows Laura (Hannah Yelland) and Alec (Tristan Sturrock). The two meet by chance at a railroad station café, and they start randomly running into each other. Their brief encounters begin innocently enough, but it is only a matter of time before a romantic friendship develops between the two. However, both are already married with children, rendering a real relationship impossible.

Right now there is no show on Broadway quite like Brief Encounter. The script and the cast strike a fine balance between old-fashioned British humor and a heartwrenching romance. The show is set to close after a quick (albeit successful) run, so do not waste an opportunity to see it on the Great White Way.

After a successful run this summer at New York’s Shakespeare in the Park, the Public Theater’s production of The Merchant of Venice is playing on Broadway, starring the legendary Al Pacino (Scent of a Woman) as Shylock and Lily Rabe (No Reservations) as Portia.

The show’s production values are high – a simple-but-stunning wrought iron set, beautiful Edwardian costumes (a departure from the play’s original Renaissance setting) and nearly perfect atmospheric lighting. The real stars of the Public’s rendition are the excellent performances and the thoughtful presentation of Shakespeare’s complicated, controversial text. Pacino does not disappoint as a Jewish moneylender made bitter and vengeful by the way Venetian society has treated him.

There was a time when a sample sale was the best place you find designer pieces for more than half off. Now, there is Gilt Groupe (gilt. com).

This online retail site is truly a gift sent from the fashion gods, offering steep discounts for top brands that one merely dreams of finding. While it may appear only to benefit the consumer with its unbelievable steals, it has simultaneously helped boost the fashion industry by adding to the demand for luxury brands.

The site is actually private, meaning you have to either be invited by a member or request an invitation to join, either of which are easily attainable. Once I got my own account, I immediately regretted being unaware of its existence for such a long time.

ALBUM TAYLOR SWIFT SPEAK NOW

Taylor Swift is arguably one of the biggest stars out there. Her self-titled debut was a massive success, while her sophomore album, Fearless, established her as one of the power players in the music business. I definitely enjoyed her first two albums, and admittedly, I am a fan of her music. I expected more of the same from Speak Now, and her first single off it, “Mine,” indicated a fun album that could possibly replicate the success of her previous works. Long story short, I listened to it about four or five times on loop.

Swift has surpassed all my (already lofty) expectations and her latest effort is very impressive.

Swift has definitely matured as a songwriter. While she keeps her trademark autobiographical approach, her lyrics are now more thoughtful and carefully crafted.

TO READ THESE REVIEWS IN THEIR ENTIRETY, VISIT THERAMONLINE.COM AND CLICK ON “CULTURE” ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HOMEPAGE.

CULTURE

PAGE 16 • THE RAM • NOVEMBER 3, 2010

Peter Jackson Creates Problems in New Zealand Tax Breaks, Labor Disputes and Casting Decisions Worry and Rally Citizens

PHOTO COURTESY ABACA PRESS/KRT

Award-winning directer Peter Jackson is stirring controversy in New Zealand.

By CELESTE KMIOTEK CULTURE EDITOR

The Hobbit, by the quirky genius J.R.R. Tolkien, is roughly 320 pages. The Lord of the Rings trilogy, by the same author, is roughly 1,536

pages combined. The Hobbit is a children’s adventure tale. The Lord of the Rings is an involved, dark tale for adults. Finally, up until now, The Hobbit did not have a live-action movie adaptation, while The Lord of the Rings had an iconic, award-

winning series of full-length films directed by Peter Jackson (King Kong).

Suddenly, this innocent little tale is turning movie production on its head once again as Peter Jackson is back in New Zealand, where he filmed The Lord of the Rings saga, and is creating quite a ruckus.

Most notably, the government of New Zealand seems to have realized just how much money the two Hobbit movies will bring to the country, and changed production laws in order to keep the lucrative venture within its borders.

According to CBC News, Jackson threatened to film elsewhere after the actors’ union boycotted the filming over the lack of a contract between the production company and the workers; although the boycott ended, workers continued to harbor bad feelings.

The potential for a $500 million loss for the economy sparked efforts throughout the country to retain the shoot, as well as a meeting between Prime Minister John Key and Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema.

Jackson came out of the negotiations with a $15.4 million tax break to add to the $46.3 million he had already received. To top it all off, the government is contributing $7.6 million to help with marketing costs.

According to The National Business Review, the two movies will save about $85 million in tax breaks combined.

Of course, these sums do not even begin to touch the money The Lord of the Rings trilogy accu-

mulated in tax breaks. Though Key refused to give definite numbers, upon being probed at the East Asia Summit in Vietnam, he conceded that it could have been as much as $100 million per movie, and amounted to considerably more than what is being given to the Hobbit movies.

“It’s by a margin of an enormous amount,” he said.

On top of the money, the government, by a 66-50 vote, amended labor laws to meet the union’s demand that actors from the area and other production workers be hired as employees on the union’s contracts rather than as independent contractors.

New Zealand’s government has widely announced its pleasure with the outcome, despite opposition from other politicians.

“We can get on and make some movies now,” Key said, quoted in the National Business Review. “It’s a good outcome for New Zealand.

We paid a bit more but in the overall scheme of things it’s still good value for New Zealand.”

“What is the government going to do next – give in to any multinational that asks for a labor standard to be diluted in return for some form of investment?” Charles Chauvel, a lawmaker in the Labour Party, said.

In true Jackson fashion, the government is not the only sector he has up in arms; fans, too, are reeling at the news that Richard Armitage (“MI-5”), who is from Britain and whom Entertainment Weekly referred to as a “heartthrob,” will be playing the dwarf Thorin Oak-

enshield. In the 1977 animated version of the book, he is represented, according to Entertainment Weekly, “as a squat, crabby, Wilford Brimley-ish old dwarf with a long white beard.”

Jackson is defending his choice, comparing it to casting Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Carribbean) and Viggo Mortenson (Hidalgo) as Legolas and Aragorn, respectively, in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Furthermore, the 13 dwarves featured in the film leave room for maneuverability regarding makeup and personality, so Armitage will only be one representation of the dwarves.

“Richard is a powerful actor with a wide range, and we’re very excited to be handing Thorin over to him,” Jackson told Entertainment Weekly.

“In this partnership, we need Richard to give us his depth, range and emotion as an actor – and we’ll make him look like a dwarf.”

Nevertheless, fans have high hopes.

“I have extremely high expectations for the movie version of The Hobbit, my favorite installment in the world of Middle Earth,” Alan Zakko, FCRH ’12, said. “With the return of Peter Jackson as the director, and a purported $500 million budget, I can’t see how this movie could be anything but amazing.”

Given that the movies do not begin filming until February, and will not be released until December of 2012 and December of 2013, respectively, it is doubtful this is the last fans will hear of Jackson’s filming adventures; here’s for hoping the film is eventful.

WHO’S THAT KID? Jim Shields A MEMBER OF GSB ‘11, FROM DREXEL HILL, PA. MAJORING IN FINANCE AND MINORING IN ECONOMICS Where have we seen you?

Probably running around or outside around campus in shorts that would best be described by most as too short (they are – I’m sorry).

Or delivering “the Jim” to hungry students for GO! Peru’s PB&J sales (note: the Jim is a peanut butter, honey and cinnamon sandwich, and is in fact the most delicious).

Favorite childhood show and favorite current show?

I’m going to say “Spongebob” and act like it’s just a show from my childhood and not one I still watch.

And for current shows, “Friday Night Lights” – not the best movie, but by far my favorite show on in the past few years (though “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” comes closest).

Who would play you in a movie and why?

Michael Cera. But specifically Juno and “Arrested Development” Michael Cera. What I’m trying to say is that I am Paulie Bleeker and George Michael Bluth, together.

If you could have a dinner with any historical person, who would it be and why?

Either Alfred Hitchcock, because he’s fascinating, funny and brilliant (and would find a way to make the dinner more exciting), or Ben Franklin, because he’s (essentially) a Philadelphian and he’d probably invent something awesome on the spot if I asked.

What would your ideal day in Manhattan consist of?

Get up early on a beautiful summer day, and run in Central Park.

Breakfast at my favorite food cart (on 60th and Columbus – it’s amazing). A movie, probably Toy Story 3 – a good cry would be had. Lunch at Shake Shack. There’s no line! Walk to the ferry, bike around Governor’s Island while looking over the river at the city and the Statue of Liberty and everything amazing, and take some pictures.

Ferry back at the exact point when the sun is setting. Dinner at South Street Seaport. And then it starts to snow slowly, not too much, but just enough. Ice skating in Bryant Park. Dessert at Dylan’s Candy Bar. Maybe another movie. Also, it’s Christmas Eve. (Also, this day is impossible, but you said ideal).

If you could be anywhere and

doing anything right now, what would it be?

While not the most exotic location, I’d be at Glenmary Farm in Vanceburg, Ky. It’s beautiful, peaceful and surrounded by and filled with incredible and generous people. And I’d be doing something farm-like, or playing a game (or making a puzzle!) with my closest friends (and anyone from the farm who loves games).

Favorite class at Fordham and favorite professor?

Hands down, Byzantine Christianity with Daniel Reginald Soowoong Kim (hope I got that all right – if I didn’t, sorry Reg!). I’ve never gone from caring so little to caring so much about a subject, and that was entirely because he’s incredibly passionate about the class, cares about the students, and makes it fun and captivating.

How do you blow off steam?

Either running – preferably in a steady downpour or monsoon – or watching a movie – preferably something light ((500) Days of Summer always works).

What is the biggest misconception people have about you?

COURTESY OF JIM SHIELDS

That I’m not that pale. I am.

Stuck on an island, what would you need?

A Netflix account (I’m assuming I can get and watch the DVDs too), running shoes, water, chocolate milk and peanut butter (maybe bagels, cinnamon and honey, for a delicious Jim, but that’s a little excessive).

What is your dream job?

Either a film director and screenwriter of movies where Michael Cera gets to pretty much play me,

or the guys who make Lego models.

Lego engineer. And I’d make lots of dinosaurs, because dinosaurs are the best.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Christmas music before Christmas. It’s after Halloween, so I’m playing it openly now (which some Grinches and Scrooges may disagree with, but that’s okay), but I may or may not have been secretly listening for months (I have).

Also, the Jim – I have three or four a day.

CULTURE

NOVEMBER 3, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 17

Fordham Road Is a Worthy Shopping Locale Nearby Stores Offer Some Unlikely, and Convenient, Treasures

By LAUREN HATHAWAY

ham Road shopping experience.

STAFF WRITER

Shopping on Fordham Road is certainly a unique outing that cannot be experienced in just any shopping district. On Fordham Road, shoppers can find great buys even on a college student’s budget.

While many stores tend to carry lower-quality merchandise, others carry name-brand and even designer merchandise at prices comparable or oftentimes lower than retail price.

Caitlin Lewis, FCRH ’13, is a frequent shopper on Fordham Road.

“My favorite thing about shopping on Fordham Road is the intrinsically Bronx atmosphere – the crowded streets, quick New York pace and the entertaining music,” she said. “Every time I shop on Fordham Road, I come back in a dancing mood and with a mental list of songs to look up.”

Fordham Road shopping excursions can be intimidating at first.

With stores lining both sides of the street for blocks, it can be difficult to know which stores are worth stopping by and which are not.

The stores on this list are some of the best on Fordham Road and are great places to begin one’s Ford-

Best Women’s Clothing Store: Dr. Jay’s Ladies Located on the northeast corner of Fordham Road and Valentine Avenue, Dr. Jay’s offers not only a great selection of clothing but also shoes, accessories and other items.

Prices are usually reasonable and oftentimes very cheap.

The south side of the second floor is dedicated to outerwear, including an entire corner dedicated to The North Face.

Lesser-known brands run cheap, and fall/winter coats and jackets can be found for as little as $25. The first and second floors also have racks of sweaters, blouses, sweatshirts, jeans and other clothes in both regular and plus-sizes, priced usually between $10 and $20.

Leggings and tights of seemingly every variety – black, neon orange, patterned, metallic – are available starting from $3.

The loft-style upper floor has a large selection of shoes in all styles – flats, boots, moccasins, athletic, oxfords, heels and more.

Among the more obscure brands, there are also many namebrand shoes including Nike, Bear Paw, Converse and Steve Madden at prices cheaper than they are usu-

ally be sold.

Other women’s clothing stores to check out include Bonbini (Fordham Road and Grand Concourse) and Easy Pickins (Fordham Road and Marion Avenue).

Best Accessories: Cinderella Club Fashion Jewelry The walls of Cinderella Club (Fordham Road and Tiebout Avenue) are covered in colorful costume jewelry and other accessories. Piles of bejeweled hairpins and flower hairclips sit in a bin near the door for as low as $4.99 each, and farther back in the store are headbands in many different colors and styles.

Rows of earrings line the wall, ranging from more conservative post-earrings to earrings that dangle four inches long.

Gold and silver necklaces come with pendants of all variety – small simple hearts, flashy skulls, Hello Kitty and so many more. In the center of the store are gold and silver engagement-style rings.

Scarves and other cold-weather gear, as well as rain boots, are also sold. Cinderella Club is a favorite Fordham Road spot of Sara Theissen, FCRH ’13.

“I love the wide variety of fun jewelry at cheap prices,” she said.

Don’t expect to come to Cinderella Club and find expensive, quality jewelry – Cinderella, herself, probably wouldn’t be too happy if Prince Charming bought her engagement ring here. However, for jewelry for everyday wear and casual occasions, Cinderella Club is worth a look!

Best Grocery Store: Compare Foods Yes, even the grocery stores on Fordham Road are special. Compare Foods (located in Fordham Plaza, south of Walgreens) carries all the necessities – bread, produce, snacks, dairy, drinks, etc.

Since it is a popular place for neighborhood families to shop, this grocery store has a friendly vibe. Compare Foods also has an interesting assortment of Hispanic foods, so there are plenty of new things to try!

“Compare Foods is awesome,” she said. “You can grocery shop while dancing down the aisle to the latest Latino music.”

Best Kept Secret: Supermundo Supermundo is located just north of the main drag of Fordham Road on Valentine Avenue. It can be easy to miss, especially since stalls with cheap knick knacks line

the store’s entrance and the store’s sign is nearly blocked by a shade covering.

The first and second floors of the store are deceiving, usually disorganized with everything from laundry detergent to slippers to sheets strewn on tables or on the floor.

Head to the third floor, however, and there will be tables and racks of discounted designer and name-brand shoes for as low as $25. Steve Madden, Betsey Johnson and Guess are just a few brands that can be found.

On the other end of the floor are discounted jeans, outerwear, blouses, dresses and other clothing with name-brand labels such as DKNY, Michael Kors and Tahari at low prices.

Step outside of Fordham’s gates and into the world of Fordham Road shopping. Don’t be afraid of exploring – some of the most interesting finds are in the stores you might not expect.

“Fordham Road stores are fabulous for fun finds that you would not ordinarily get in generic stores,” Lewis said.

Who needs Fifth Avenue when Fordham Road is steps away? Just walk a block or two off campus and get shopping!

LUCKILY THE GM COLLEGE DISCOUNT DOESN’T. In fact, it’s the best college discount from any car company,1 and can save you hundreds — even thousands — on a new Chevrolet,2 Buick or GMC. If you’re in college, a grad program or even if you’re a recent grad, take advantage of this discount today and get a great deal on a new ride to call your own. Check it out:

2010 Chevrolet Camaro LS

(Discount Example) MSRP (sticker price on vehicle) Preferred Pricing3 Your Discount

$ 23,855.00 $ 23,330.24 $ 524.76

2010 GMC Terrain SLE FWD

(Discount Example) MSRP (sticker price on vehicle) Preferred Pricing3 Your Discount

$ 24,995.00 $ 24,208.95 $ 786.05

Don’t forget... you can also combine your discount with most current incentives.

Discover your discount today at gmcollegediscount.com/Fordham

1) Eligible participants for the GM College Discount include college students (from any two- or four-year school), recent graduates who have graduated no more than two years ago, and current nursing school and graduate students.

2) Excludes Chevrolet Volt. 3) Tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment extra. See dealer for details.

The marks of General Motors, its divisions, slogans, emblems, vehicle model names, vehicle body designs and other marks appearing in this advertisement are the trademarks and/or service marks of General Motors, its subsidiaries, affiliates or licensors. ©2010 General Motors. Buckle up, America!

ADVERTISING

PAGE 18 • THE RAM • NOVEMBER 3, 2010

Visit theramonline.com for more of The Ram. Check out our blogs, upcoming video content, vote in the polls and read the PDFs of the print issue.

Visit our Overhauled Sports section!

Coming Soon to Sports:

ding u l c n i , s ’s view e r n p l e l a b m sket tire d a n B e n ’s d n n e a a M all tic 10 ies n r b a l t t o A t o e s ith th o t w f e a w k ! e d i o v o m e r l a m , inte ga Rea e a l p l a c g s a d e look th etb a on I lan i r k d s i n s e v i a t D a a f b a ecor P s r m o u T h o rends ac t h o g c n t d i t a i s e u h ju nt recr e c e r ’s am Click the at Fordh links to se e the Mo schedule re o , standin o g s n and ly co nline es l roster of fi every For ro nte p r d nt ham io n Varsity sp e S o orts team e d i . v on

Applications for Staff Positions on Volume 93 Are Available Volume 93 Will Span the Spring and Fall 2011 Semesters All Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors are Eligible and Encouraged to Apply Applications Are Available on our office door, McGinley B-52.

All applications must be turned in to the office by Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 5 p.m.

Interviews will take place Wednesday, Nov. 17

Positions Available: Managing Editor

Executive Editor*

Design Editor

News Editor

Opinions Editor

Culture Editor

Assistant News Editor*

Assistant Opinions Editor*

Assistant Culture Editor*

Sports Editor

Copy Chief

Photo Editor

Assistant Sports Editor*

Copy Team**

Photographers**

Web Editor

Design/Layout*

Columnist*

*Multiple positions available. **No application necessary; stop by the office during production (Tuesday nights) if interested.

NOVEMBER 3, 2010

PAGE 19

Volleyball Splits Pair Despite Suffering Major Injuries Seniors Lead

By DANNY ATKINSON SPORTS EDITOR

Injuries are part of any team sport. Key members of a squad will get injured at different points in the season and coaches will have to adjust lineups and strategy as a result. However, sometimes a team can sometimes avoid injuries for a key portion of its season, as was the case for Fordham volleyball in 2010. The Lady Rams did not have an essential member of their lineup injured until last week.

Unfortunately for Fordham, its luck ran out in the worst possible way when three starters were injured right before its home match versus Rhode Island. Suddenly a squad playing well and looking to make a final push for the Atlantic 10 conference playoffs was forced to change its lineup on the fly and put players in roles they were unaccustomed to. Even though the Lady Rams suffered a costly loss in the face of this scenario, the team’s play on the weekend demonstrated that they will not go down without a fight.

Fordham began its weekend schedule with a grueling five-set home loss to Rhode Island on Friday, Oct. 29 by scores of 21-25, 25-16, 18-25, 26-24 and 11-15. In the days leading up to the match, Brittany Daulton, a junior outside hitter; Katie Wells, a senior middle hitter and Randi Ewing, a sophomore middle hitter, were all injured in practice, forcing Wells out for the rest of the season with a leg injury and Daulton and Ewing to play through the match with a hand injury and possible stress fracture, respectively. Head Coach Peter Volkert was pressed into juggling his lineup immediately before the match and gave significantly more playing time to other Lady Rams, like junior outside hitter Kim Capicotto and freshman middle hitter Carina Thompson, who have seen little action on the court this season. While the team gave a valiant effort, it was somewhat shell-shocked and unable to put

PHOTO BY SIMON SULIT/THE RAM

Senior middle blocker Christi Griffiths earned the Atlantic 10 Co-Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season.

together a complete performance against URI. Just a week earlier, Fordham had beaten URI in five sets on the road and without their flash of injuries, the Lady Rams would have been heavy favorites over URI, which came in 2-7 in-conference. Without three of its best players, though, this was not the same team, and Fordham’s nervousness and talent drop off was obvious in the first set when the Lady Rams allowed URI to record a blistering .455 hitting percentage with 17 kills.

While the team gained confidence as the night went on, its play remained inconsistent for the rest of the match. Fordham’s exquisite passing carried the team to an easy second set win in which it held URI to a .090 percentage, but the third set showcased URI’s ability to attack an undermanned Lady Rams team.

Rhode Island consistently went after Fordham’s inexperienced

players in the set and, as a result, obtained a constant stream of kills and aces while racking up a .414 percentage. URI maintained this strategy for the rest of the match as it went on to victory.

Although the Lady Rams pulled off a stirring comeback from six points down in the fourth set, the team was tired by the end of the match and was never able to get going in the fifth set, as URI went on to win the match, 3-2.

Despite playing with an injury, Wells had a great match, leading all players in the game with 17 kills.

Freshman setter Mary Diamantidis also helped carry Fordham with her 51 assists and 12 digs.

Following the match, which hurt the Lady Rams’ already-tenuous grip on the final playoff spot in the A-10, Volkert was more resigned than angry about the loss and his team’s sudden batch of injuries.

“Today was a tough set of circumstances,” he said. “Our practice

lineup wasn’t on the court and we only had 90 minutes to pull together a lineup before the game. There was definitely some anxiety shown by our players out on the court and Rhode Island was able to effectively target our less-experienced guys.

These injuries could change how strong we’ll be, but I still think the playoffs are within our reach.”

Even without the injured Ewing and Daulton, Fordham put on a clinic in a sweep of La Salle on Sunday, Oct. 31 by scores of 25-15, 25-17 and 25-18. Instead of playing down to an inferior opponent (La Salle is winless in the conference), the rebuilt Lady Rams improved on their performance against Rhode Island, hitting .302 in the match while holding the Explorers to a -.018 percentage. While usual suspects like senior middle hitter Christi Griffiths and senior outside hitter Kailee May had excellent matches, it was less heralded players like Jenna Hart, who had seven digs and Thompson, who had five kills, that carried Fordham to this essential victory.

“Our team was more confident against La Salle then we were Friday night,” said Volker. “Our players are still looking to the ultimate goal of making the playoffs.”

Fordham still holds the sixth spot in the A-10 with a 5-6 conference record, as they have the tiebreaker over Charlotte due to the team’s victory against the 49ers. The chances of the Lady Rams making the conference playoffs are less than stellar, as Fordham next faces three teams it has already lost to, including the Dayton Flyers. With Ewing officially out for the rest of the year and Daulton and Wells having to play hurt for the rest of the season, the team will truly earn any playoff berth it receives. The next two weeks will measure just how fast Fordham’s less-heralded players can grow up.

“Seeing how we played while I was out made me more confident,” Daulton said. “I feel like we have a great shot of being in the playoffs in a few weeks.”

Cross Country Finishes Strong at Atlantic 10 Championships

By CELESTE KMIOTEK CULTURE EDITOR

Fordham’s men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in the Atlantic 10 Championships on Saturday, Oct. 30 at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh.

Despite several injured team members, the men finished ninth in a field of 14 teams and the women placed 12th, also in a field of 14.

On the men’s side, Richmond came in first with 51 points, followed by Duquesne with 64 points and UMass with 112 points. Fordham earned 223 points.

“As a team I think we were happy with our performance,” freshman Michael Belgiovine, the conference Rookie of the Year, said.

“While we may not all have run our best, we still performed well and we’re excited because next year we return all of our A-10 team

aside from captain senior Pat McDonough. The team was certainly happy with the results as we’re taking a step in the right direction and we had a great improvement from last year’s performance.”

Belgiovine came in first both for Fordham and among the freshmen in the eight-kilometer race, placing 25th with a time of 25:30.

Freshman Ryan Polo followed, coming in 46th with 25:53, while junior Brian Riley took 47th with 25:54, freshman Brian Walter took 49th with 25:56 and junior Kevin Fitzgerald took 63rd with 26:10.

Sophomore Julian Saad (64th with 26:10), freshman Kevin Harvey (82nd with 26:30), sophomore Nick Synan (97th with 26:46), junior Sam Stuart (101st wit 26:53) and senior Patrick McDonough (109th with 27:00) also competed for Fordham.

Richmond also won the women’s competition, earning 43

points. La Salle followed with 68 points and Dayton came in third with 75 points. Fordham finished with 293 points.

“The girls had a good showing at A-10s,” freshman Anisa Arsenault said. “Quite a few people ran their best times, probably helped by the fact that we worked hard to run in packs. Both the course and the competition were great. We were a little disappointed by our overall placement, but satisfied with the effort we put into it.”

Senior Kerri Gallagher came in first of the Fordham competitors, placing 28th with a time of 18:26.

Arsenault followed, taking 30th with 18:27, while sophomore Ashley Davis placed 94th with 19:42. Freshman Kerry Sorenson came in 105th with 19:56, junior Nako Nakatsuka came in 107th with 20:00, senior Kerry Kwalwasser came in 109th with 20:01 and senior Johanne Sterling came

in 111th with 20:08.

The teams are preparing for the penultimate race of their season, the NCAA District Regional.

“I’m not exactly sure what to expect from NCAA District Regionals,” Belgiovine said. “It’s a long course, a [10-kilometer] as all NCAA championship races are, and anything can happen. In terms of training each individual athlete seems to be taking his own course in regards to how he wants to prepare for the upcoming races.”

Ultimately, the teams are looking forward to producing solid results.

“I still whole-heartily believe that we’re going to perform great and show everyone Fordham cross country is on the rise,” Belgiovine said.

Both teams will next compete Saturday, Nov. 13 at the NCAA District Regional at Hammonasset State Park in Madison, Conn.

Water Polo to Win Over Iona

By CHESTER BAKER STAFF WRITER

It was Senior Day last Wednesday for the water polo team, and the seniors were not going to let their lasting memory be a loss in their final home match. The Rams took on their rivals, the Iona Gales, in their final regular season match of the season, and defeated them 1311. The seniors took it upon themselves to ensure a winning season, as they scored all goals for the Rams and boosted their record to 14-13.

Senior utilityman Ryan Hultman got things going for Fordham with his first of six goals on the day to give the Rams the early lead.

Graduate student two-meter man Ali Arat’s first quarter goal was followed by an Hultman blast to give the Rams a 3-0 lead. Fordham’s defense blinked for a moment and gave up two quick goals, as Iona shrank the lead to one by the end of the first quarter.

In the second period, senior driver Daniel Munoz kept up the solid work by scoring the first goal of the quarter, promptly followed

by Arat’s second goal of the match.

A few minutes later, Arat and Hultman both struck again, as they each scored their third goal, giving Fordham a four-goal lead. Once again Iona used a late surge to close the gap just before the quarter ended and brought the score back to 7-5.

Iona got within one of the Rams before senior two-meter defensive man Victor Bautista Medina scored, bringing the lead back to two. Bautista Medina was coming off on of the best weeks of his Fordham career after being named CWPA Northern Division Defensive Player of the Week.

Still, Iona kept with it and struck again to bring the lead back down to one. At this point, the seniors had had enough, and wanted to just seal the deal and make sure they went home with a win. Senior twometer defensive man Jakob Muller got in on the scoring with a goal, while Arat and Hultman continued to carry the team by both scoring again to give the Rams a four goal lead. Arat finished the regular season as the Rams’ leading goal-scorer, notching 80 goals on the year.

Hultman opened up the last quarter with his sixth and final goal of the day to give the Rams the biggest lead of the day. Munoz padded another goal to his stats before a late Iona rally brought the lead back to two again, but Fordham held on for the win.

The two-goal win was the third in a row for the Rams and they look to have the momentum rolling as they gear up for the postseason. Fordham will open up postseason play on Saturday, Nov. 6 in the Northern Division Championship in Cambridge, Mass.

“I think we can definitely go up there and make some noise, and get some good results,” sophomore utility-man Cashel Barnett said.

ADVERTISING

PAGE 20 • THE RAM • NOVEMBER 3, 2010

$1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE towards the purchase or lease of a new Scion GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE. $1,000.00 COLLEGE GRADUATE REBATE.

FordhamScion .com

FordhamToyota.com

$1,000.

00

College Graduate Rebate + the Scion Pure Lease

New 2010 Yaris Stk# 3179, 4 cyl, 4DR, A/C, man trans, AM/FM Stereo/CD, pwr str/ brks, ABS, VSC, MSRP $15,218.

LEASE PER MO FOR 36 MOS† ________________________ BUY

11,964

New 2010

25

$

xD

with purchase^

New 2010 Corolla Stk# 9322, 4 cyl, auto, AM/FM Stereo/CD, A/C, pwr str/brks, ABS, MSRP $17,350.

36 Camry $ 75

LEASE PER MO FOR 36 MOS† ________________________ BUY

13,727

$

Stk# 2754, 4 cyl, auto, AM/FM Stereo/CD, A/C, pwr str/brks/ winds/lcks, MSRP $21,595.

18,324

$

rad

College G

New 2010

Fordham Toyota

with purchase^

PURE LEASE PER MO FOR 36 MOS†

00

0. ate + $1,00 uate Reb rad

College G

Navi

included

PURE LEASE PER MO FOR 36 MOS†

00

Model# 6202, 4cyl, auto, 4dr, power steer/brks/wind/lcks, AM/FM stereo/cd, a/c, MSRP: $17,670, $849 due @ signing

tC

179 $ 199 $ 205 $

0. ate + $1,00 uate Reb

Navi

included

LEASE PER MO FOR 36 MOS† ________________________ BUY

xB

with purchase^

New 2011

Model# 6232, 4cyl, auto, 4dr, power steer/brks/wind/lcks, AM/FM stereo/cd, a/c, MSRP: $16,420, $829 due @ signing

New 2011

Fordham Toyota

$

rad

College G

Navi

included Fordham Toyota

$

00

0. ate + $1,00 uate Reb

Model# 6220, 4cyl, auto, 2dr, power steer/brks/wind/lcks, AM/FM stereo/cd, a/c, MSRP: $18,620, $855 due @ signing

PURE LEASE PER MO FOR 36 MOS†

2.9% Financing available on Toyota Certified Used Vehicles†† 2003 Toyota Corolla CE

2004 Toyota Rav4 4WD

2007 Toyota Rav4 Ltd

Stk# U5352, auto, 4cyl, pwr steer/brks, $ AM/FM stereo/cd, a/c, 63k mi ....................... BUY FOR

2008 Toyota Matrix XR

11,988

Stk# U5316, auto, 4cyl, 4x4, pwr steer/brks/wind/lcks, leather, $ alloys, sunroof, AM/FM stereo/cd, a/c, 30k mi .............. BUY FOR

2002 Toyota Solara SLE Convertible

6,388

Stk# U5349, auto, 4cyl, 4x4, pwr steer/brks/wind/lcks, $ ABS, cruise, tilt, AM/FM stereo/cd, a/c, 69k mi .... BUY FOR

2006 Toyota 4Runner SR5

Stk# U5351, auto, V6, pwr steer/brks/wind/lcks, $ alloys, leather, AM/FM stereo/cd, a/c, 68k mi BUY FOR

Stk# U5354, 4 cyl, Auto, A/C, AM/FM Stereo/CD, $ pwr Steer/Brks/Wind/Lcks, 27k mi ................ BUY FOR

2007 Toyota Avalon XL

12,988

Stk# U5305, auto, V6, 4x4, pwr steer/brks/wind/lcks, alloys, $ sunroof, AM/FM stereo/cd, a/c, 50k mi................... BUY FOR

2007 Toyota Corolla CE

7,988

2007 Toyota Highlander AWD

Stk# U5309, 4 cyl, Auto, A/C, AM/FM Stereo/CD, $ pwr Steer/Brks/Wind/Lcks, 62k mi ................ BUY FOR

Stk# U5303, 6 cyl, Auto, A/C, AM/FM Stereo/CD, $ pwr Steer/Brks/Wind/Lcks, 38k mi ................ BUY FOR

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid

13,688

Stk# U5309, 4 cyl, Auto, A/C, AM/FM Stereo/CD, $ pwr Steer/Brks/Wind/Lcks, 30k mi ................ BUY FOR

2003 Toyota Sienna LE

9,688

2009 Toyota Sienna LE

Stk# U5347, 6 cyl, Auto, A/C, AM/FM Stereo/CD, $ pwr Steer/Brks/Wind/Lcks, 57k mi ................ BUY FOR

Stk# U5342, 4 cyl, Auto, A/C, AM/FM Stereo/CD, $ pwr Steer/Brks/Wind/Lcks, 39k mi ................ BUY FOR

2010 Toyota Camry LE

15,988

Stk# U5254, 4 cyl, Auto, A/C, AM/FM Stereo/CD, pwr $ Steer/Brks/Wind/Lcks, 8 passenger, 43k mi ..... BUY FOR

2009 Toyota Corolla LE

9,988

2007 Toyota Sienna XLE

Stk# U5293, 4 cyl, Auto, A/C, AM/FM Stereo/CD, $ pwr Steer/Brks/Wind/Lcks, 48k mi ................ BUY FOR

Stk# U5218, auto, 4cyl, pwr steer/brks/wind/lcks, $ ABS, cruise, tilt, AM/FM stereo/cd, a/c, 27k mi .... BUY FOR

2009 Toyota RAV4

15,988

Stk# U5281, auto, V6, pwr steer/brks/wind/lcks, leather, $ DVD, alloys, sunroof, AM/FM stereo/cd, a/c, 44k mi.... BUY FOR

2009 Toyota Camry LE

11,488

2008 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD

11,688

Stk# U5248, 4 cyl, FWD, Auto, A/C, AM/FM Stereo/CD, $ pwr Steer/Brks/Wind/Lcks, alloys, 23k mi......... BUY FOR

16,588

Stk# U5231, 6 cyl, Auto, A/C, AM/FM Stereo/CD, pwr $ Steer/Brks/Wind/Lcks, lthr, sunrf, 56k mi ........ BUY FOR

Stk# U5327, auto, 4cyl, pwr steer/brks/wind/lcks, $ ABS, cruise, tilt, AM/FM stereo/cd, a/c, 15k mi ..... BUY FOR

16,688 17,688 18,988 19,588 19,988 23,688

236 W Fordham Rd | Bronx, NY 10468

236 W Fordham Rd | Bronx, NY 10468

800.214.9914

888.282.6656

SERVICE: 212.690.8000 | PARTS: 212.690.9000 Dept of Consumer Affairs No. 1269790 DMV No. 7049046

INTERSTATE

Exit 9 87 Fordham Rd Off The Major Deegan Expressway

OPEN SUN 11-5

FREE VALET PARKING

Mon-Th: 9-9 Fri-Sat: 9-7

Prices incl all costs to consumer except tax, tags & reg fees. Dealer does not charge dealer fees. ††2.90% APR financing avail up to 60 mos on TCUVs provided by TFS, Low APR and leases req Tier 1+ appr, 750 credit score + and super pre, subj to primary lender’ appr; must select from dlr stock; cannot combine offers. †Price & lease reflects $500 mil rebate to eligible active duty personnel & inactive reserves thru TFS (exp.10/31/10) & $1000 coll rebate. Must be a coll grad w/proof of diploma within past 2 yrs & must fin thru dlr, rebate is prov by Toyota Motor Credit. Ttl pymts/Resid:’10 Corolla=$1296/$9750, ’11 Camry =$2700/$13,213, ’10 Yaris=$900/$8386, Due at sign=$2695 down+$650 bank fee+1st mo pymt +$0 Sec Dep wavied by TFS, 12k mi per yr, 15c per/mi thereafter. Lessee resp for excess wear/tear. ^Port handheld navi with purch, see dlr for details. *Cannot be combined with any other offer or advertised specials. Photos for illus purp only. Not resp for typos/equip errors. Offers exp 3 days after pub, programs subject to change by mfr.

SERVICE: 800.527.3341 | PARTS: 800.527.3341 Dept of Consumer Affairs No. 1269790 DMV No. 7049046

INTERSTATE

Exit 9 87 Fordham Rd Off The Major Deegan Expressway

OPEN SUN 11-5

FREE VALET PARKING

Mon-Th: 9-9 Fri-Sat: 9-7

Prices incl all costs to consumer except tax, tags & reg fees. Dealer does not charge dlr fees. †Available on approved credit to qualified customers through participating Scion dealers and Toyota Financial Services on new 2010 models with automatic transmission. Not all customers will qualify. Other lease terms and conditions are available. Offer based on MSRP of $16,420 for xD, $17,670 for xB, $18,620 for tC including delivery, processing and handling fee. Monthly payment may vary depending on final price of vehicle and your qualifications. Ask your dealer for availability of offers after these dates and for lease program details. Contracts must be dated between October 1, 2010 - January 3, 2011. ††2.90% APR fin avail up to 60 mos on TCUVs provided by TFS, Low APR and leases req Tier 1+ appr, 750 credit score + and super pre, subj to prmry lender’ appr; must select from dlr stock, $0 Sec Dep wavied by TFS, 12k mi per yr, 15c per/mi thereafter.

Lessee resp for excess wear/tear. Photos for illus purp only. Not resp for typos/equip errors. Offers exp 6 days after pub. $1000 coll rebate. Must be a coll grad w/proof of diploma within past 2 yrs & must fin thru dlr, rebate is prov by TMC.

By NICK CARROLL SPORTS EDITOR

I want you to consider the Stanley Cup Champion goalies since the lockout: Cam Ward, JeanSebastien Giguere, Chris Osgood, Marc-Andre Fleury and Antti Niemi.

Of that list, only Ward can be considered an elite goaltender (I think we can all agree Fleury is not good now), and he was a rookie goalie who turned it on in the playoffs and won it all years before reaching his potential.

The point is, goalies do not win Stanley Cups, especially in the salary cap era.

When you consider the money that goes into a top-notch goalie, it seems off. That money would be much better spent on a skater, who seems to have much more of an effect.

Look at the Philadelphia Flyers (an ongoing experiment in devaluing goalies). Since the lockout, the Flyers have been searching long and hard for a permanent solution in net, with the closest answer being Martin Biron, who has served as a backup for both the Islanders and, now, Rangers since leaving Philly.

However, after a quick playoff exit in 2005-06 and a rebuilding year in 2006-07, the Flyers have made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals in ’08, gave the eventual Cup champ Penguins all they could handle in the first round in ’09 and won the East last season.

What changed for the Flyers?

How did they go from being the worst team in hockey to an impressive three-year stretch that has led them just short of the Cup? The answer can be found on the blue line.

After hitting rock bottom, the Flyers made smart moves, acquiring defensemen Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn, who have been mainstays for the Flyers in recent years.

Additionally, the team acquired defenseman Chris Pronger before last season, elevating the team to title contention.

In fact, the Flyers’ best run came with their worst goaltenders. However, it didn’t matter whether journeymen Brian Boucher or Michael Leighton were in net, the team in front of them did an outstanding job making the goalies’ lives easy and carrying the Flyers to the Cup Finals.

That leads me to the defending champion Blackhawks. There was a great deal of controversy surrounding the team’s decision to go with veteran Marty Turco over Niemi, who led the ’Hawks to a championship last season. However, my point is, it does not really matter.

The Blackhawks did not win a Cup because of Niemi (some might even argue they won despite him).

The Blackhawks won because of their stellar defense and team depth.

If they fail to replicate what they did last season, it will be because of salary cap casualties that stripped the team of its outstanding depth.

Now, let’s look at the top defensemen on each Cup champion since the lockout: Bret Hedican, Pronger, Nicklas Lidstrom, Sergei

Gonchar and Duncan Keith.

Outside of Hedican, this list is filled with all-stars and future Hallof-Famers.

I do not think there is any coincidence that Pronger has appeared in three of the five Stanley Cup Finals since the lockout (with three different teams).

This comes down to value. While goaltender has become a glamorous position akin to NFL quarterbacks, garnering all the praise or blame after games or seasons, they are not as important as we make them out to be.

Keep in mind the success of whoever is playing in net for the Boston Bruins. Two years ago, Tim Thomas won the Veznia Trophy as the league’s top goaltender. Last year, Tuukka Rask led was a collapse shy of taking the Bruins to the Eastern Conference Finals. So far this season, Thomas is off to an incredible start, notching shutouts in three of his first six games. The only constant in this situation is Norris Trophy-winning Zdeno Chara, known as one of the league’s top defensemen.

While Thomas’ streak is impressive, it is important to remember the play in front of him. In most situations, it is the defense that makes the goaltender.

Between forcing the opposition outside, limiting quality scoring chances, clearing rebounds and eliminating traffic in front of the net, the defense has more to do with a team’s goals allowed than the goalie does.

So when everyone wants to destroy Roberto Luongo for his shortcomings in Vancouver, the focus should really be on the Canucks’ depleted defense.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine automatically eliminated the Canucks from Cup contention based on Luongo and his perception that he comes up small.

However, that is very unfair. The Canucks defense was not prepared to take on the Blackhawks’ forward depth the past two seasons and was dominated.

This season, with Dan Hamhuis aboard, the Canucks have a much better chance of making a run. It does not have to do with Luongo (who, if the 2010 Winter Olympics are any indication, can withstand pressure); rather, it has to do with the team in front of him giving him a chance to win.

When I did my projections for this season, I categorized the Sabres and Coyotes in the same class, a step below teams that will seriously compete for the Cup. I did this because despite having two of the best goalies in hockey in Ryan Miller and Ilya Bryzgalov, they lack the scoring prowess to take them to greater heights.

Even though people will always overvalue the goaltender and teams will constantly overpay for them, the teams that will compete for championships have great defense and the ability to score and apply pressure.

It is easy to put everything on a star goalie’s back or count out a team with a suspect goalie, but this has been proven wrong time and time again.

Football 1 2 3 4 F GU 0 7 0 12 19 FOR 14 10 0 0 24

First Downs Total Yards Rushing Passing Punt Returns Kick Returns Comp-Att-Int Punts Time of Poss.

GU FU 19 24 422 454 80 318 342 136 1-7 1-17 5-121 3-56 24-46-113-24-2 5-34.8 4-39.2 30:24 29:36

Individual Statistics PASSING-Georgetown, Kempf 1326-1 Fordham, Higgins 13-24-2 RUSHING-Georgetown, Oladeji 6-35-0 Fordham, Whiting 38-251-2 RECEIVING-Georgetown, Lawrence 6-103-0 Fordham, Caldwell 5-53-1

Coming next week: Winter Sports Preview Read about the prospects of each winter sports team, and check out several articles on Fordham and the rest of Division I Men’s Basketball

Goalies Overvalued Winning the Cup

SPORTS

NOVEMBER 3, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 21

Women’s Soccer Fordham 2-0

URI

RhodeIsland Sh Reiber 0 Shimoda 1 David 0 Veith 0 RuLischke 1 Persaud 0 Santos 3 Ruothsalainen 0 Evangelista 2 Hart 0 Rauscher 0 Subs Martinez 0 Totals 7 GK Reiber

MIN 90:00

Fordham Sh Suther 0 Murphy 0 worden 0 carballeira0 Solimine 2 Ancelj 1 Nowakoski 0 Romano 3 Nowakowski 2 McDermott 1 Ingram 0 Subs Rooney 0 Dougherty 1 Alpaugh 1 Wah 0 Bergin 0 Walker 0

G 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 3

0 0

0 0

Sav 4

SOG 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0

G 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

A 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0

0 1 1 0 0

0 0 1 0 0

0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 6

0 0 0 2

0 0 0 3

0 0 11

GK Suther

MIN 90:00 1 2 0 0 0 2

URI FOR

Fordham 1-0 UMA SOG 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0

GA 2

Abrams Brady Totals

GA 0 F 0 2

Sav 3

MIN 90:00

FOR UMA

PCT BE

DIG PTS

Hart 4 0 1 Thompson 9 1 1 May 5 2 2 Diamantidis2 0 1 Wells4 0 2 Griffiths10 1 3 Friede0 0 0 Brown 0 0 0 Keathley0 0 0 Capicotto1 0 0 Rodenberg0 0 0 Atwood 0 0 0

.235 0 .381 0 .300 0 .333 0 .571 0 .083 0 .533 0 .000 0 .000 0 .000 0 .000 0 .000 0

7 4.5 5 10.5 0 8.0 10 5.5 1 5.0 1 12.5 3 0.0 3 0.0 2 0.0 0 1.0 1 0.0 8 1.0

Totals 4

.302 0

41 48.0

LaSalle BS

K PCT BA BE

DIG PTS

Scanlon 1 -.357 4 0 0 0 1.0 Clark 2 -.286 3 0 1 0 2.5 Tulskie 4 -.056 3 0 0 0 4.0 Mitrovich8 .263 0 0 2 0 9.0 Kennedy 8 .294 0 0 0 0 8.0 Noga 0 -.429 0 0 0 0 1.0 Federowicz5 .000 8 0 1 0 5.5 Conlon 0 .000 7 0 0 0 0.0 Finkbeiner1 -.200 0 0 0 0 1.0 Mazalewski0 .000 12 0 0 0 1.0 Totals 0 FOR LAS

29 -.01837 0 4 0 33.0 1 2 3 25 25 25 15 17 18

G 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

GA 0

1 0 0

MIN GA 90:00 1 2 1 0

Sav 2 G 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sav 2

3 1 0

Fordham 0 - 1 URI Fordham

35 10

SOG 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0

UMass Sh SOG PIEKOS 0 0 KEY 0 0 SKRAJEWSKI0 0 CRAFT 3 1 STOKER 0 0 SIDIBE 1 0 DANGLEIS 0 0 ROSWESS 1 0 GILBERT 0 0 CLEVERDON 1 0 AMICK 1 0 Subs ARIKIAN 1 0 STEIGERWALD10 0 RANDS 0 0 CANEPA 0 0 HENSHAW 1 1 VACCARO 0 0 Totals 10 2 GK Piekos

Fordham 3-0 LAS K BA

Fordham Sh Meara 0 Ferrantello 0 Jolly 0 Niyonsaba 1 Richardson 3 Curran 0 Vigliotti 0 Axelsson 0 McHugh 3 Stalker 0 Courtenay 1 Subs Gomez 0 Valencia 0 Gimand 2 Heyder 0 Nagel 0 Seidenthal 0 DesRoches 0 Corrao 0 Totals 10 GK Meara

Volleyball Fordham BS

Men’s Soccer

Sh

Meara 0 Ferrantello2 Jolly 0 Richardson 0 Curran 0 Vigliotti 0 Axelsson 0 McHugh 2 Stalker 1 Courtenay 0 Seidenthal 1 Subs Gomez 0 Valencia 0 Niyonsaba 3 Gimand 0 Heyder 1 Nagel 0 DesRoches 0 Corrao 0 Gomez 2 Totals 12

SOG

G

A

0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

GK Min GA Meara 90:00 1 URI

Sh

TAVARES 0 ECKMAYER 1 WILLIAMS 3 HAUGHT 0 BALICKI 3 PEREIRA 2 RIBBENS 2 PREYSS 0 GARGARO 0 CLOUTIER 0 TANKE 1 Subs PALMER 0 AUSTIN 0 GOMEZ 0 Totals 12 GK Min Tavares 90:00

FOR URI

1 0 1

2 0 0

3 0 1

Sav 4

SOG

G

A

0 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 5

0 0 0 1

0 0 0 1

GA 0

Sav 4

PAGE 22 • THE RAM • NOVEMBER 3, 2010

MATT MANUSZAK

The Smush Parker Project For many Clevelanders, the trial is over: LeBron James is guilty, on all counts, of being a self-promoting and pompous prick who, to echo the famous Kevin Harlan call from 2008, ironically and truly does have “no regard for human life.” “The Decision” was an indefensibly self-absorbed move that showed no regard for the city of Cleveland or the Cavaliers, as LeBron didn’t have the courtesy to let his old team know that he was taking his talents elsewhere.

His most recent Nike commercial is a brilliant marketing ploy that is extremely slick and well made; it’s also extremely hollow, as LeBron is clearly just following the cue cards of Nike marketing executives feverishly working to bring their once-star pupil out of sneaker purgatory.

So, though any semblance of objectivity in my writing has long been eradicated by Cleveland’s Chernobyl-esque winters, I still would like to think that my appreciation for basketball and my status as a spurned Clevelander are not mutually exclusive.

For this reason, in my eyes, LeBron James actually can save himself.

Don’t confuse this shot at partial redemption and tepid appreciation with actual forgiveness; the blood on my back is still drying, the knife having just recently been pulled out.

Yet, in watching LeBron’s Heat struggle to score against the Boston Celtics on opening night, I felt no joy, like many of my fellow Clevelanders. Schadenfreude only gets you so far. Instead, I felt like a colossal opportunity was being wasted.

When was the last time two of the top five players in the league were on the same team? Shaq and Kobe in the late 2000s, MJ and Scottie in the ’90s, Magic and Kareem in the ’80s and Wilt and West in the late ’60s are some of the times. All of those partnerships yielded multiple rings, but even beyond that, they were playing beautiful basketball.

Even with the current Lakers, a team featuring Kobe Bryant, who is still hated more around the country than LeBron and who is perhaps more overrated legacy-wise than any current NBA player (in his prime from 2004-2007 he averaged a .500 record for three seasons?), magic happens from time to time.

Because when Kobe Bryant is choosing not to chuck, but is instead working the ball in to Pau Gasol on the high post, and Andrew Bynum is lurking near the left block, and Derek Fisher is waiting in the right corner, and Ron Artest is rotating over from the left wing, and WHOOPS there went Kobe cutting right by you: that triangle offense can be something special.

Many, including David Halberstam, who is probably the best basketball writer of all time, have

noted that the most visceral thing about Jordan’s Bulls, in both the early ’90s form with Pippen, Grant and Cartwright and the late ’90s with Pippen, Rodman and Kukoc, was the way they seemed to shrink the court with their defense. Scottie Pippen was probably the greatest perimeter defender ever, Dennis Rodman was one of the greatest rebounders ever and was quick enough to guard nearly all five positions and Michael was and is simply the greatest. They hounded opponents and wore them out, night after night.

LeBron and Wade aren’t as accomplished defensively as Michael and Scottie, but they are certainly as athletic. They should be able to lock teams down, as both are becoming a pretty good on-ball defenders when they want to be.

Additionally, no defensive play is more incredible than watching LeBron lurk behind an offensive player on the fast break and simply swallow the gap between them until he smacks the ball off the backboard with such impunity that it’s probably back at center court by now.

When the ball is in the Heat’s hands is when they truly have a chance to shine. Yet, as many have noted (including, obviously, noted Celtic fan and Rob Gronkowski enthusiast Bill Simmons as well as Yahoo! Sports’ Kelly Dwyer), for the Miami Heat to even approach their considerable potential on offense, one player has to be the scorer and one player needs to be the facilitator.

Because while Michael scored the points, smiled in the commercials, got the glory and slept with the hairdressers, it was Scottie who made the offense purr.

Pippen always seemed to know the proper pass to make and not only where everyone on the court was, but also where they could and should be.

I don’t know who is going to fill what role, but by nature of his remarkable passing skills, LeBron could do a lot worse than being that guy.

Again, to say that if LeBron is that passer and facilitator, that this is somehow a comment on his talents against Wade’s (hint: LeBron is way better, and Wade better figure it out soon) or his all-time standing (certainly damaged but not irrevocably so) is ridiculous.

If the Heat get everything figured out, the results could be mind-blowing. We could have the quickest fast breaks ever, with LeBron and Wade throwing no-look alley oops to each other like they’re playing sixth graders (and like I saw them do against the Nets). In the half-court offense, which was so ugly against the Celtics it devolved into isolation mode: with Chris Bosh screening and rolling, and LeBron prowling around the top of the key with Wade working off the ball, something special could happen.

Again, this is not serving as my reunion with LeBron.

That will never happen, and I will neither like nor respect that man as a person ever again, but art is bigger than the artist, and if LeBron James ever figures out how to put his talents to their proper use on the basketball court during this season with this team, it will be historic. I know I’ll be watching.

SPORTS

Senior Profile: Kerri Gallagher

By NICK CARROLL SPORTS EDITOR

Kerri Gallagher is a senior track and cross-country athlete from Belle Harbor, N.Y. She ran in all eight cross-country events last year, posting elite times at each event. She was named to the AllAcademic team in the A-10 the past year and placed second at the ECAC Championships. She is a very versatile athlete, competing in many events and has been called “untouchable” in the 800-meter race. She is a math major.

The Ram: How do you think the season has gone so far this year?

Kerri Gallagher: We started off strong this year and have been working hard throughout it all. We just finished up the A-10 Championships where everyone ran pretty well. We have a few more important meets remaining so hopefully we can keep up our momentum.

team for the relays and working together.

TR: What do you have to do to perform well in your next few meets?

TR: What are your goals for the rest of the year with indoor/outdoor track and cross-country?

KG: We just have to work on keeping our mileage up and staying in races. We have to keep reminding ourselves to keep going in our races, and keep working hard.

KG: Basically just to improve on my times from last year, and do anything to help the team get more points.

TR: Throughout your career you have set a lot of high marks and achieved a lot. What are you most proud of?

KG: I think I’m most pround of the records we have in the relays, the 4x800 and the 4x400. Individual success is great, but nothing beats the feelings of being with the

COURESY OF FORDHAMSPORTS.COM

Senior Kerri Gallagher reflects on her time at Fordham and looks ahead to track.

TR: How have you prepared yourself to try to cut down your times from last year? How have you trained?

KG: Over the summer I did a lot more mileage than I usually do, along with practicing longer this fall. So that, along with keeping my endurance up, hopefully will help me out come winter and

spring.

TR: With your career coming to an end, do you have any plans for after graduation?

KG: I’m a math major and I will keep my options open, really take whatever comes my way, but I would not mind being a teacher perhaps.

TR: What are your fondest memories of your times at Fordham?

KG: There are so many memories that it is hard to focus on just one, but last year going to districts in North Carolina with my teammate Brigid Moriarty, FCRH ’09, was very rewarding and just a great experience.

After UMass Win, Men’s Soccer Disappoints

By RICH HOFMANN STAFF WRITER

The men’s soccer team was not able to follow up on a big road win on the road for the second straight week.

After a 1-0 win at league power UMass, the Rams fell by the same score at Rhode Island.

After the UMass victory, Fordham (9-7-0, 4-3-0) had a chance to further solidify a position in the Atlantic 10 Championship. The loss to URI puts the Rams in the middle of a jumbled playoff picture with one weekend left.

“I think we were our own victims after the win against UMass,” junior midfielder John Niyonsaba said. “I think we went into the game overconfident and forgot how important it is to respect every opponent despite their record.”

The games provided a test for the Rams as they were setting the pace in the A-10 along with Charlotte. Not only was UMass the second-place team in the conference, but it was unbeaten in its last seven games.

The game was evenly played as both sides attempted 10 shots and both goalkeepers made two saves.

Fordham won the game because it took advantage at the opportune time.

Early in the second half, Niyonsaba did the scoring honors for Fordham. Junior midfielder Matt

Courtenay made a run down the side of the field and crossed a ball into the box.

Junior forward John McHugh picked the ball up and his shot deflected to Niyonsaba, who placed the ball into the open net.

“Luckily the ball fell to me and I made sure that I capitalized on the opportunity,” Niyonsaba said.

“Sometimes during the game you make like 30 of the same runs in the box and the ball might not fall to you but when it does like it did, then it can make a huge difference.”

The defense tightened up for the rest of the game and after a couple of close calls on UMass shots, junior goalkeeper Ryan Meara recorded his fifth shutout of the season. Many players said that the win was a complete effort.

“It was one of the first games this year where everyone on the field completed their task to the best of their ability,” junior defender Phil Ferrantello said. “It was a really fun game to be a part of, and I think as an athlete, you always want to compete at the highest level, which is what we all did on that day.”

Rhode Island, which was picked fourth in the conference in the preseason poll, has suffered through a difficult season. It headed into the Fordham game winless in the conference.

URI took control early in the first half of the game, in which it

outshot Fordham six to four. URI sophomore midfielder Matt Ribbens scored in the 17th minute.

Fordham had trouble mounting an attack until late in the game when the Rams took three shots on goal, one of which was on net.

Junior defender Leonardo Gomez had two shots on goal, one of which was saved by URI senior goalkeeper Anthony Tavares. The game ended with a 1-0 score.

“We really let a great opportunity slip away by not coming home with a win on Sunday against a team who really has not had much success this year in conference,” Ferrantello said.

The loss sets up a make-orbreak weekend for Fordham in the crowded A-10 race. The Rams have 12 points, which places them in a five-way tie for fourth place. Six teams in the league make the playoffs.

Fordham hosts Dayton and Xavier after being on the road for four games. The two games will have playoff implications for both teams as Dayton has 11 points and Xavier has 12.

The Rams know if they take care of business at home, they will make it to a third straight A-10 Conference tournament.

“The positive to draw from this situation is that we won’t be relying on anyone else’s results to go through because it’s all up to us,” Niyonsaba said.

Women’s Soccer Finishes Just Short of Atlantic 10 Tournament

By ERIK PEDERSEN STAFF WRITER

The women’s soccer team came up just short of qualifying for the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament, losing 1-0 to UMass Friday night and shutting out Rhode Island 2-0 on Sunday. By splitting the weekend’s games, the Lady Rams finished in a tie with La Salle for sixth in the conference at 4-4-1 (810-1 overall), but failed to qualify due to having a worse conference record against common higherranked opponents in the A-10.

Fordham dominated the possession for the vast majority of the game against UMass, outshooting the Minutewomen 17-4 for the game. UMass, however, was able to convert one of its few scoring chances into a goal, with junior forward Deanna Colarossi taking a shot that went off the hands of diving sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Zieman for an 18 minute goal.

“Soccer can be a cruel game,” Head Coach Ness Selmani said.

“It only takes one shot to win, they took one shot and they scored a goal.”

The Lady Rams had a great chance to equalize a minute before the half when sophomore forward Annie Worden sent in freshman midfielder Mary Solimine on a breakaway, but Solimine’s shot was chipped just over the crossbar.

Fordham continued to increase the pressure in the second half, outshooting UMass 10-1, but the Lady Rams were unable to get a goal. One problem throughout the game was an inability to put shots on goal. Of the 17 shots, only five were on target.

Senior midfielder Michelle Ancelj, who led the team with seven shots, had one of the best chances of the second half with 27 minutes left, but her long-distance shot from the left side went just high and wide to the right.

“We were killing ourselves trying to get a goal,” Selmani said.

“It’s very disappointing because this was such a big game for us, and sometimes the game means so much that you get tense and you make decisions faster than you should.”

The Lady Rams were able to rebound Sunday on Senior Day with a well-played victory over Rhode Island. Team captains Ancelj and midfielder Katie McDermott both played their last game at Fordham, along with defender Lauren Nowakowski and midfielders Danielle Ingram, Colleen Brady and Kelsey Walker. All six seniors received playing time throughout the game.

“Four years is a long time, and they mean so much to this team,” Selmani said. “I was glad to see them all get in and go out with a win.”

After a scoreless first half, Rhode Island nearly took the lead a minute into the second half, but sophomore forward Ashley Evangelista’s shot hit off the post and bounced back to Fordham sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Suther.

The Lady Rams then took the lead six minutes later. A cross from McDermott was flicked on by Ancelj over the goalkeeper to junior midfielder Mariella Romano, who scored her fourth goal of the season.

Freshman forward Kelley Alpaugh finished out the scoring 15 minutes later, taking a headed pass from Romano and hitting a low shot past junior goalkeeper Sasha Reiber for her first collegiate goal.

Despite the victory, Fordham was eliminated after La Salle defeated UMass 3-0 to clinch the last playoff spot.

“It’s almost like a dream,” Selmani said. “We had so many injuries this year that we never had our starting 11 from one game to another. Injuries happen but this year there were too many for us.”

Rowing Successful at Schuylkill

By ALEXANDER VILLARDO STAFF WRITER

While spending “Halloweekend” at the famous Boathouse Row in Philadelphia, the women’s rowing team gave Head Coach Ted Bonanno a few more reasons to be happy, as the squad had yet another successful regatta.

The team entered a Club 8, a Championship 8 and a Freshman 8 in the highly competitive Head of the Schuylkill Regatta.

“We put our Junior Varsity 8 in the Club 8 event,” Bonanno said.

“Our Varsity 8 could have rowed in that event, but we stepped them up to the Championship 8 event.”

Rowing the approximately 2.5mile race in a solid time of 15:34.91, the Varsity 8 finished third out of 22 boats. Fordham was also the second college to finish, behind Rutgers.

While the typical head race starts each boat one at a time, the Schuylkill starts its boats two at a time in order to make the races more entertaining. Since both Fordham’s and Temple’s Championship 8 boats finished close to one another at last year’s Schuylkill, they started side-by-side this year.

According to Bonanno, the last

time Fordham and Temple raced against each other, Temple had the better finish.

“So here we are, starting side-byside with a crew that was supposed to be faster than us, and [our boat] met that challenge and ended up beating [Temple] by about forty seconds,” Bonanno said. “Every time we’ve gone up against an A-10 opponent this year, we’ve matched up really well.”

The JV 8 finished second out of 22 boats in the Club 8 event, which is open to both JV and Varsity crews, and posted a time of 15:50.58.

“Finishing second in the Club 8 event is without question the best our JV [crew] has ever done,” said Bonanno. “I have had varsity crews finish out of the top five in that event [in the past].”

While the JV 8 and the Varsity 8 had great results, the Freshman 8 was not so fortunate, as it finished with a time of 18:25.66 and finished 17th out of 26 boats.

On Sunday, Nov. 7, the team stays local as it will wrap up the fall season at the Fall Metropolitan Championships at Orchard Beach in New Rochelle, N.Y. The race is open to schools primarily in the New York City area.

NOVEMBER 3, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 23

SPORTS

By DANNY ATKINSON SPORTS EDITOR

Roger Goodell’s Office, Nov. 2, 2010 Roger Goodell: Hello gentlemen, I’d like to welcome you all to the case of NFL Nation versus Brett Favre but his giant ego. A nation of NFL fans, along with most of the writers who cover the sport, are arguing that Brett Favre has hijacked the NFL season with his ego and ridiculous persona, while Mr. Favre and a few lonely supporters are arguing that he has been vilified by a nation of fans who don’t understand his passion for the game.

We will have appearances from a few representative NFL fans, Mr. Favre himself and, of course, his male member. Let’s hear from our first witness. The prosecution represented by ESPN sports guy Bill Simmons calls to the stand Don Cheese Head from Green Bay, Wis. Bill Simmons: Hello, Mr. Cheese Head. We called you to the stand to get the current perspective of Green Bay fans on the Brett Favre saga. How do Packers fans now feel about the QB you once loved?

Mr. Cheese Head: Good riddance. That’s all I and any Packers fan have to say. Brett went on and on about how much he loved playing here and how he was a “Packer for life.” We all wanted to see him retire here and then suddenly he became a mercenary. What the hell is that?

All the Packers fans thought he was a family-values guy. That’s not right.

He’s ruined his legacy and no one here cares about Favre anymore. I wish he’d just retire. He’s screwing over his teams with the way he’s playing. I want to remember Favre as a great QB. BS: No more questions, Your Honor.

RG: Very interesting. Now let’s hear from Mr. Boor, a fan of the New York Jets.

BS: Hello Mr. Boor. What is your opinion on Brett Favre?

NYB: Come on, Sports Guy, who ya talkin’ to? He ruined the Jets! We were all like, “Oh my god, we got Brett Favre, it’s Brett Favre, we’re gonna win the Super Bowl,” and he was a bum! He did nothing for us. Favre couldn’t handle playing in the big city, he can only handle playing for those idiot cheese heads. He wasn’t focused on football in NYC. He was focused on his health and cheating with another woman. Now don’t get me wrong,

Sports Guy, I don’t care about Favre’s personal life, but you don’t fool around with a babe connected to the team. You do your business on the down low. And then, of course, we heard about how Brett Favre was ready to retire and that he was burnt out on the game, and then a couple of months later he turns his back on the Jets and goes to Minnesota. What a traitor! Why couldn’t he play for us like he did for the Vikings last year? I think its hilarious how badly Favre is playing this year. He deserves it for how he’s managed to piss off everyone who once loved him. Brett Favre needs to retire. He’s taking all the fun out of following the NFL. BS: Doesn’t Brett Favre’s legacy mean anything to you?

NYB: Oh, forget his legacy! Legacy is useless when you’re screwing up your career so much and are suddenly one of the worst QBs in the league. I’m a New Yorker. We only ask one question: What have you done for me lately?

BS: No more questions, Your Honor.

RG: Thank you, Mr. Simmons.

We have one more fan to call to the stand. Let’s hear from Mr. Minnesota, a Vikings fan.

BS: Hello, Mr. Minnesota. How frustrated are you currently with Brett Favre?

Mr. Minnesota: Geez, Sports Guy, where do you want me to start? We’re just simple, hard-working people up here in the Twin Cities. All we want from our athletes is for them to play hard and stay out of trouble. Instead we got Favre hogging all the attention and playing horribly! Brett Favre doesn’t care about the game of football anymore. He just cares about himself. Otherwise he would have come to training camp and showed some camaraderie instead of being a prima donna. By golly he can’t play anymore. I’m sick of his “Iron Man” persona; I wish he would just retire. He’s causing this team way too many problems and tearing them apart. The day Brett Favre finally retires will be a good one for the Minnesota Vikings.

BS: How do you feel about Brett Favre’s legacy?

MM: It’s sad. I really feel bad for him; he was such a great quarterback in Green Bay. Hopefully he’ll wake up and realize the damage he’s doing to his legacy. Maybe he’ll turn things around in retirement.

BS: No more questions, Your

Honor.

RG: Thank you, Mr. Simmons, for your portion of the trial. I’ll now call the defense up to the stand so that Mr. Favre and his personal lapdog, Peter King, can make a case for Favre’s innocence and legacy.

PK: Why do you think NFL fans and writers are suddenly so united against you?

BF: I really don’t know Peter. I’m just a guy who loves to go out there and throw the pigskin around. Is that a crime? I’m trying to play my best and if my best isn’t good enough, so be it.

PK: That’s right. You’re just a gunslinger, and sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t.

Fans should enjoy that.

BF: I couldn’t have said it better myself.

PK: So why do people feel like you burned bridges?

BF: I didn’t burn any bridges; I just changed my mind a lot. I thought I was going to retire but I loved the game too much. I’m just happy that teams wanted me.

PK: What’s going on with the Vikings?

BF: We’re just not playing our best and I’m struggling. We’ll get better. I resent people telling me that I need to sit down, though.

This team will win with me as its quarterback.

PK: So you still feel as if you can be a good quarterback at your age despite all the miles on your body?

BF: Absolutely I can.

PK: So do I, Brett. You’re the best.

Ruling RG: Brett Favre, you are one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. No one will deny that, but recently you have destroyed your legacy. You’ve done the one thing a quarterback is never supposed to do, which is make the team all about yourself.

Mr. Favre, you are an attention hog and your ego is blinding you from the realization that barely any fans like you anymore. The coverage of your trials is taking away from the excitement of the NFL season. I will make you retire before your lack of abilities forces you to. Brett Favre, I sentence you to automatic retirement and a job as Tony Siragusa’s personal errand boy every weekend. If any position can humble you and teach you the importance of teamwork, this one can.

Please go, Mr. Favre, so that fans can remember you as the outstanding player you used to be.

Upcoming Varsity Schedule CAPS=HOME lowercase=away

Thursday Nov. 4

Friday Nov. 5

DAYTON 7:00 p.m.

XAVIER 1:00 p.m.

Northern Division Championship Cambridge, Mass.

Water Polo

Fall Metropolitan Championship Orchard Beach, N.Y.

Women’s Rowing

Volleyball

Sunday Nov. 7

at Bucknell 1:00 p.m.

Football

Men’s Soccer

Saturday Nov. 6

at G.W. 7:00 p.m.

SAINT LOUIS 2:00 p.m.

Monday Nov. 8

Tuesday Nov. 9

Wednesday Nov. 10

NOVEMBER 3, 2010

PAGE 24

Whiting Carries Rams to Victory with 251 Yards on the Ground Rams Improve to 4-5, 2-2 in Conference; Ryan Higgins Still Undefeated As Starting QB

By NICK CARROLL SPORTS EDITOR

Coming into a matchup between two 3-5 teams, the Rams were without their top-two rushers, sophomore quarterback Blake Wayne and senior running back Xavier Martin. Somehow, this all seemed irrelevant as junior running back Darryl Whiting had a day that will go down in Fordham football history.

Carrying the ball an astounding 38 times, Whiting picked up 251 net yards rushing, third-most in Fordham history (Chip Kron holds the record with 272 yards against Georgetown in 1985), and added two touchdowns.

“The middle of the field was wide open,” Whiting said. “It was all coach [Bryan] Volk.” “[Whiting] ran the ball extremely well and hard,” Head Coach Tom Masella said. “He’s a big back who can run.”

In addition to Whiting’s performance, the offensive line and wide receivers also garnered praise for allowing Whiting and sophomore running back Carlton Koonce (who had 66 yards on 11 carries) to have big days.

“The offensive line did a great job today,” Whiting said. “They always do a great job against Georgetown.”

“Last week a lot of guys on the outside weren’t blocking,” senior wide receiver Jason Caldwell said.

“We focused on blocking and the offensive line did a great job up front.”

On top of Whiting’s phenomenal play, the defense also did its part, holding Georgetown without an offensive score until the fourth quarter, helping propel the Rams to a 24-19 lead.

Whiting set the tone early for Fordham. After the two teams started the game with three straight punts, Whiting broke a 47-yard run straight up the middle late in the first quarter to get the Fordham offense started. Four plays later, Whiting finished what he had started, punching home a 2-yard touchdown to get Fordham out to a 7-0 lead.

After a poor return that was initially fumbled was taken back to the Georgetown 14, the Hoyas tried to respond. Junior quarterback Scott Darby connected with sophomore wide receiver Jeffrey Burke for 17 yards on third down to the Georgetown 30.

However, the drive soon fizzled and the Hoyas were forced to punt.

On Fordham’s first play on offense, sophomore quarterback Ryan Higgins had a receiver in one-on-one coverage deep down the middle of the field. The pass, though, was underthrown and junior defensive back Jayah Kaisamba skyed to tip the pass and then reel it in. However, on the interception return, junior tight end Brad Pierre punched the ball loose for senior tight end Stephen Skelton to recover and move to the

PHOTO BY SIMON SULIT/THE RAM

Junior running back Darryl Whiting had the third-best rushing performance in Fordham history, going for 251 yards.

Georgetown 12.

Fordham quickly took advantage of the break and great field position by keeping the ball on the ground. After Whiting put even more pressure on the Hoyas with a 7-yard run on the following play, he finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown two plays later to open up a 14-0 Fordham lead.

Georgetown took the ensuing kickoff to its own 48, but could not do anything with the excellent field position, giving the ball back to the Rams with a chance to turn the game into a blowout.

It appeared the Rams would do so after Higgins converted three third downs with a 7-yard scramble and then two passes, a 13-yard pass to Skelton and a 10-yard strike to sophomore wide receiver Nick Talbert, getting the Rams all the way to the Georgetown 43.

Momentum turned when junior defensive end Andrew Schaetzke tipped and caught a bubble screen and took it 45 yards for the Georgetown touchdown to cut the lead to 14-7.

“It was a bubble screen,” Masella said. “The guy made a play; he shouldn’t be able to get his hands up there, but he made a play.”

On the ensuing drive, the Rams regained their two-score lead with a 38-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Patrick Murray. The kick was set up by a 30-yard run up the middle by Koonce to get the Rams into Georgetown territory.

Georgetown finally started to break out of its offensive rut on the following drive, picking up 66 yards on a screen pass to senior wide receiver Keerome Lawrence.

The Fordham defense tightened up when the Hoyas reached the 5, forcing Georgetown to settle for a short field goal attempt which junior kicker Brett Weiss missed wide to the right.

Fordham was unable to take

advantage of the big miss, though.

After a screen pass to senior wide receiver Jason Caldwell could have gotten the Rams to the 37, Caldwell fumbled, giving the Hoyas the ball at the Fordham 41.

Georgetown quickly went to work, getting all the way to the Rams’ 13, but sophomore quarterback Isaiah Kempf threw a pass that caught freshman wide receiver Will Carroll off guard and was intercepted by sophomore safety Brendan Melanophy.

This time Fordham took advantage of the Georgetown mistake.

The Rams used Whiting runs of 15 and 21 yards to help get them to the Georgetown 20, setting up a strike from Higgins to Caldwell on a double-move to the back of the end zone to give the Rams a 24-7 lead.

“We’ve been planning different plays throughout the season,” Caldwell said. “Double move worked last week, I was wide open but it was overthrown. This week it was worked and was well executed.”

Fordham had one last drive before half to try to open up the lead further; however, Murray hit the left upright on a 42-yard field goal attempt, sending the game into halftime with the score at 24-7.

After helping get Fordham the lead with 142 yards on 16 carries in the first half, Whiting helped secure the victory in the second half by chewing up large amounts of time.

“They haven’t stopped the trap play all game,” Masella said. “Just keep running it until they figure it out.”

The second half began with large doses of Whiting. After a 17yard pass to Skelton got the drive started, Whiting carried the ball into Georgetown territory before the drive stalled at the Hoyas’ 44 and Murray came on and punted.

Georgetown attempted to get back into the game but had another drive stall soon after reaching Fordham territory and had to punt.

The Rams went to work at their own 13 with the ground game.

Fordham started the drive with nine rushes in 10 plays, taking it all the way to the Georgetown 26. “[Whiting] seemed to get stronger as the game went on,” Masella said.

That is where the drive stalled and Murray was called on for a 38yard field that he missed wide left.

“The field goal [misses] made the game a lot closer than it should have been,” Masella said. “The first one he hit well, the second, he has a little trouble from the left hash.

He’s still a young guy, he has a lot of talent. We’re going to keep sending him out there.”

The miss might have finally given Georgetown some momentum as the Hoyas began to chip away at the Fordham lead.

Less than a minute into the fourth quarter, Darby threw up a 37-yard jump ball on third-and-10 that 6’4” junior wide receiver John O’Leary came down with over the 5’9” sophomore cornerback Zach Crosby, cutting the lead to 24-13 after the missed extra point.

“It was a matchup problem,” Masella said. “Crosby was in for [senior cornerback] Jamal [Haruna] and they got it to their guy over our guy.”

Fordham went three-and-out, giving the ball back to the Hoyas, and they quickly went back to work. On third-and-18, Darby went right back to O’Leary, who caught another pass over Crosby for 41 yards and a first down at the Fordham 36.

A pass interference call on senior cornerback Ahmed Haruna gave the Hoyas the ball at the Fordham 2 and Darby snuck it in two plays

later, cutting the lead to 24-19 after a failed two-point conversion.

With just over eight minutes remaining, what once seemed like an easy win was quickly becoming a disaster.

On the following drive, Fordham tried to use Whiting as the closer to finish out the win.

However, after he was able to pick up a first down, the Hoyas defense focused in on the run and forced Fordham to try to beat them some other way.

Georgetown gave the Rams a break by committing a holding penalty on third-and-four at the Fordham 45, holding Talbert on a pass that did not appear catchable and giving the Rams new life.

The Georgetown defense redeemed itself with a big stop on third-and-2 and then fourth-and-1 to give the offense a chance to complete the comeback.

However the Fordham defense came through in the clutch, as junior defensive lineman Patrick McGee ran down Darby on fourth down for the sack, giving the Rams the ball back and killing Georgetown’s best opportunity to come back.

Georgetown had one last chance with 44 seconds left, starting at its own 20 with no timeouts, but could only reach the Fordham 45 before time expired, sealing a 2419 Fordham win.

“Same old deal,” Masella said.

“Every game to the last possession. We found ways to make plays down the stretch.”

With the win, the Rams have now won two straight over Patriot League opponents, improving their record to 4-5 (2-2 in conference; unofficially, however, as the Rams are not eligible to win the Patriot League due to the offering of athletic scholarships).

The win also marked Higgins’ second as the Rams’ starting quarterback, making him 2-0. However, according to Masella, there is no controversy.

“We still have another quarterback in there we like,” he said. “We like Blake.”

With the loss, Georgetown is now 3-6, a drastic improvement over previous years, although disappointing considering the team started off 3-1.

Whiting’s impressive showing comes in what is becoming a lineage of huge rushing performances against the Hoyas. Last year, Whiting ran for 172 yards against the Hoyas and in 2008 Martin ran for 186 yards.

Next week Fordham heads to Lewisburg, Pa. to take on the 1-7 Bucknell Bison, a team the Rams have run into trouble with despite its usually poor record.

“They’re not in the same offense,” Masella said. “You used to have to prepare extra for the spread; they’re more traditional now.”

“We have a lot of confidence for the last two weeks,” Caldwell said.

“There is a lot of motivation to push for victory.”