Volume 101 Issue 1

The Fordham Ram Volume 101, Issue 1

Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 FordhamRam.com

January 23, 2019

CAB Confirms Soulja Boy

Provost Named for 2019

By AISLINN KEELY and HELEN STEVENSON The university named Dennis C. Jacobs, Ph.D., as its new provost and senior vice president for academic affairs after a nationwide search by the Provostial Search Committee in partnership with the executive search firm of Witt/Kieffer. Jacobs served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Santa Clara University since 2011. Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, announced the appointment in an email on Thursday, Jan. 17, relaying Jacobs will begin his work at Fordham on July 1.

Jacobs said he is excited to serve as the university’s next provost in light of Fordham’s commitment to academic excellence, creative faculty and students, distinctive mission as a Jesuit Catholic university and strategic location in New York City.

“As provost, I look forward to working with Fordham’s dedicated faculty and academic leadership to promote a holistic liberal arts education, adapt our professional programs to meet the needs of today’s rapidly changing environment and expand transformative learning experiences, both inside and outside the classroom,” he said.

Jacobs will fill the position left by the previous provost Stephen Freedman, Ph.D., who passed away last July. Freedman’s death was sudden, according to McShane.

Jonathan Crystal, Ph.D., who worked closely with Freedman, acted as interim vice president and chief academic officer. McShane announced in his email that the university promoted Crystal to the new position of vice provost.

“I am also very happy to share with you the news that Jonathan Crystal, Ph.D., who ably served as our interim provost after the tragic death of Dr. Freedman, SEE PROVOST, PAGE 6

in this issue

Opinion

Page 14 Shame: Fordham Releases List of Abusive Priests

Sports

Page 24

Lauren Holden Scores 1,000th Point for Women's Basketball

Culture Page 20 Anxiety and Depression in Film and Television

By ELIOT SCHIAPARELLI ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

COURTESY OF EMMA SAMMONS

New York City hosted two women's marches this Saturday, Jan. 18, in Foley Square and Columbus Circle.

NYC Women's March Divided: Events Draw Smaller Crowds

By PATRICIA WHYTE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The third annual Women’s March took place on Saturday, Jan. 19 in cities across the country, drawing smaller crowds than previous years.

In New York, two marches were held on Saturday, one in Columbus Circle lead by the original Women’s March organization, the other in Foley Square lead by a group called March

On. March On was created by Vanessa Wruble, former head of campaign operations for the 2017 Women’s March, who left following her accusation that the group is anti-Semitic.

The Women’s March group has faced many allegations of anti-Semitism in recent months.

Co-presidents Tamika Malloy and Cameron Perez have been asked to step down by many people on social media. The March On rally in Foley Square

focused on denouncing antisemitism.

The Foley Square rally was briefly interrupted by a protester who said, “The Women’s March does not represent Jewish people! The Women’s March is the real Nazi Party!”

Despite controversy, the events were created to unify American women and celebrate what has been achieved this year. Following the 2018 SEE WOMEN, PAGE 3

Fordham Campus Activities Board (CAB) announced that Soulja Boy (DeAndre Cortez Way) will headline this year’s Spring Weekend Concert. The news leaked on Sunday, Jan. 20 in an Instagram post from Stacks On Deck Money Gang (S.O.D.M.G. Radio), Way’s record label. It listed the university as the April 27 stop of Soulja Boy’s spring 2019 tour stops.

His stop at Fordham will be part of his “Cut Dat Check” world tour, according to the post

by S.O.D.M.G. Radio.

Soulja Boy is known for hit songs "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" and “Kiss Me Through The Phone.” His most recent album, “King,” was released last year.

CAB confirmed the rapper on Tuesday, Jan. 22 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter via a Soulja Boy meme that mocked the leak.

CAB said it will announce the rest of the Spring Weekend lineup later in the semester.

Applicant Numbers Continue to Rise

By HELEN STEVENSON NEWS EDITOR

As of Jan. 16, Fordham University has received more than 47,400 applications for Early Action (EA), Early Decision (ED) and Regular Decision (RD) admission. Of that number, about 359 students applied ED, 21,174 applied EA and more than 25,900 students applied RD. According to Patricia Peek, dean of undergraduate admissions, this number is the largest applicant pool in university history and a 4 percent increase from last year.

“Last year our final application number was 46,164, and we anticipate our final overall increase to be around 2.5 percent to 3 percent,” Peek said.

“This year’s gains were slightly higher than anticipated, but within the patterns we have seen in recent years.”

Peek said that for EA and ED programs, the university saw a 3 percent increase for EA, 20 percent increase for ED and an aggregate increase of 3 percent.

SEE EARLY, PAGE 7

ELIOT SCHIAPARELLI/THE FORDHAM RAM

The Met's recreation of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel hangs in Butler Commons on the Rose Hill campus.

Sistine Chapel Reproduction Installed in Butler Commons

By ELIOT SCHIAPARELLI ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

It all started with an early morning visit to The Metropolitan Museum of Art and a private tour that was any art history major’s dream. The party included Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the University, alumni Edward M. Stroz, GSB ’79, his wife Sally Spooner, Met

administrator Erin Pick and art history department chair Maria Ruvoldt. They were there to see “Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman and Designer.”

The central piece in the exhibit was a one quarter sized reproduction of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. According to Ruvoldt, upon entering the room McShane was taken with the piece

and knew it would make a great addition to Fordham.

The group then met up with Carmen Bambach, a worldrenowned Michelangelo expert and curator of the exhibit.

Bambach once taught at Fordham and was hired by McShane when he was dean of FCRH. After that day, Ruvoldt, McSEE SISTINE, PAGE 6

NEWS

Page 2

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS Jan. 14 Arthur Avenue 7:40 p.m.

A fire alarm was set off on Arthur Avenue. FDNY responded as well as Public Safety. A student was cooking and set off the alarm. FDNY ventilated the building and reset the alarm.

Jan. 16 Cambreleng Avenue 1:30 a.m.

Fordham Public Safety was notified about a large loud party on Cambreleng Avenue. Public Safety responded with the NYPD and the party was dispersed.

Jan. 16 Belmont Avenue 1:50 a.m.

A female student reported she was grabbed from behind and dragged approximately a block and a half. A witness intervened and the perpetrator fled the location. The NYPD SVU made an arrest within 12 hours and the case will now go to court.

Jan. 17 Hoffman Street 1:45 p.m.

Public Safety responded to a smoke detector at 2400 Hoffman St., also known as Terra Nova house. The apartment was filled with smoke from burnt food on the stove. It was ventilated and the fire panel was reset.

-Compiled by Eliot Schiaparelli

Follow us on Twitter! @TheFordhamRam

January 23, 2019

University Addresses Clerical Abuse Claims

By ERICA SCALISE, ELIOT SCHIAPARELLI and AISLINN KEELY Editor's Note: This article contains mentions of sexual abuse.

Fordham named several Jesuit priests affiliated with the university who have been credibly accused of clerical abuse in an email to the Fordham community last Tuesday. While none of the priests listed are currently affiliated with the university or reside in Murray-Weigel Hall, the Jesuit New York Province’s infirmary and retirement home on campus, some of the abuse allegedly happened while the priests were employed by Fordham University and Fordham Prep.

Following a detailed report earlier this year of widespread abuses in Pennsylvania, Jesuit provinces have detailed alleged stories and composed lists of priests who have been credibly accused of clerical abuse.

Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, and Robert Daleo, chairman of the Board of Trustees, outlined the situation and Fordham’s involvement in a university-wide email Tuesday, Jan. 15. The email listed a total of nine priests, five of whom the Jesuit USA Northeast Province placed at Fordham and four from other American provinces.

The Northeast Province has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Bob Howe, senior director of communications for Fordham, said the university has no tolerance for sexual misconduct in any form.

“While none of the accused priests are involved in Fordham University’s student life or operations today, we are horrified that some of these alleged crimes were committed when the perpetrators were associated with the University or Fordham Prep, or were otherwise in close proximity to our students,” said Howe.

The Fordham Ram investigated claims of abuse using bishopaccounability.org, a website that tracks and records credible incidents of clergy abuse.

These priests included Rev. Peter Conroy, S.J., who worked at the university from 1972 to 1979 when he allegedly groped two female relatives, according to WKBW. The email’s list also included Rev. Roy Drake, S.J., a former

JULIA COMERFORD/THE FORDHAM RAM

Priests with credible abuse allegations have been removed from Murray-Weigel Hall, pictured above.

science teacher at Fordham Prep in the late 1960s who lived in Murray-Weigel Hall for a number of years.

Drake was accused of molesting the friend of a Fordham Prep student while on a ski trip in 1968.

The Ram previously reported that Drake lived in Murray-Weigel Hall until 2006, when he was transferred to a treatment center for troubled priests.

The Fordham Ram also previously reported that another one of the priests listed, Rev. Eugene O’Brien, S.J., was principal and president of Fordham Prep in the early 1970s when he allegedly molested a student. The accuser filed a lawsuit that was settled in 1997 for $25,000 by Fordham.

According to McShane’s email, O’Brien was at Fordham Prep from 1950 to 1953 and 1960 to 1980 and at the university from 1986 to 1991, years following the initial accusations brought against him.

Rev. John McCarthy, S.J., who worked at Fordham from 1956 to 1992, was accused of abuse of minors in the ‘70s; as well as Rev. William Scanlon, S.J., who was also listed and accused of abuse of minors.

Four priests not from the Northeast Province were also listed in the email. These include Rev. John Bellwoar, S.J., who

taught at Fordham in the 1930s; Rev. Maurice Meyers, S.J., who was affiliated with Fordham in both the 1950s and ‘70s; and Rev. Francis X. Nawn, S.J., who was at Fordham from 1980 to 1981.

The list also includes Rev. Philip Sunseri, S.J., one of two priests still alive. Sunseri lived in university residence halls from 1983 until 1986 and currently resides in San Jose, according to Bishop Accountability.

In acknowledging the abuse in the university-wide email, McShane and Daleo encouraged survivor support.

“As the sexual abuse scandal that has engulfed the Catholic Church unfolds, it is incumbent on all of us who are leaders at affected institutions to support the survivors and to acknowledge the inalterable harm that was inflicted on these brave survivors and their families,” said the email. “They are and will remain the University’s first and central concern.”

The email also said the university must ensure that policies and procedures are in place to prevent this from happening again.

According to the university statement, the school will create an independent Advisory Committee to review allegations of sexual misconduct.

“The Advisory Committee has

been tasked with reviewing and analyzing allegations of abuse

by Jesuits who were employed by or otherwise associated with the University at the time the alleged misconduct was committed, overseeing the management of claims concerning such abuse, and examining any appropriate preventative and remedial measures to address allegations of such abuse,” said the email.

The email also stated that the Northeast Province has recently removed all men with known credible accusations against them from Murray-Weigel Hall.

The email’s list did not include Rev. Cornelius Carr, S.J., whom The Ram recently reported has a number of credible sexual misconduct allegations against him.

Carr did not teach at the university, but lived at Murray-Weigel Hall in his final years until his death in 2013.

The university made the request to the Northeast Province that alleged abusers be removed from Murray-Weigel soon after The Ram began its investigation into Carr.

Directors at Murray-Weigel said the hall could not provide a list of priests in residence and that the Northeast Province should provide that information.

The Northeast Province has not responded to requests for this in-

This Week at Fordham Wednesday Jan. 23

Wednesday Jan. 23

Thursday Jan. 24

Friday Jan. 25

Saturday Jan. 26

Clothing Donation Table

Student Life Council Meeting Bepler Commons 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Spring Career Fair

McGinley Ballroom 1:00 p.m - 4:00 pm.

Ice Skating at Bryant Park

Bryant Park, NYC 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 pm

Fordham Stand Up

Black Box Theater 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 pm

Donate clothes to Fordham Flea! All members of the Fordham community are welcome to donate pieces of clothing. For every one item donated, you will receive a one dollar coupon for the flea, coming to the McGinley lobby this semester.

Student Life Council is Rose Hill's monthly town meeting lead by students and administrators. Students are invited to submit an agenda item for the council's next meeting or simply come to see what is being discussed.

Fordham’s spring 2019 career fair is being held in the McGinley Ballroom on Thursday. The career fair is open to Gabelli (undergrads), Fordham College, PCS, GSE, GSAS and GRE. Come meet and network with multiple diverse employers.

Join the Outdoors Club for free ice skating at Bryant Park. MetroCards and skate rentals will be provided at no cost! Students will leave from the Rose Hill campus at 5 p.m. and arrive at Bryant Park via the D train around 6 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of student performed stand up comedy brought to you by Fordham Experimental Theater in the Black Box Theater.

Admission is free and the line starts at 7:30 p.m. Enter through the back entrance of Collins Hall.

McGinley Lobby 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

NEWS

January 23, 2019

Page 3

NYC Women's March Attendants Focus on Unity: Seek to Spread Empowerment Through Action SEE WOMEN, PAGE 1

midterm elections, more than 100 women were elected to Congress, an all time high in the House of Representatives.

Both movements appeared to stress the importance of intersectional feminism. Many protestors said it was imperative to fight for the rights of women of color, transgender women, disabled women and women of the LGBTQ+ community.

Though turnout was lower than expected, the Women’s March in Columbus Circle attracted many local organizations and activist groups.

The League of Women Voters has attended the event since 2017. Barbara Ettington, chair of Voter Services Committee, marched with the League to encourage both men and women to register to vote and update their registration.

“Everybody should be participating; voting is a right and it’s their duty to get their voices heard,” Ettington said.

Protestors carried signs bearing messages, pop culture references and images of feminist figures. Many dressed for the event as well, wearing political t-shirts, pussy hats and even costumes in order to convey their messages.

One group of men dressed in orange jumpsuits and pussy hats as “Trumpbusters,” a spoof of the popular movie Ghostbusters.

The men said they had previously

worn the costume to a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans and decided to wear it again for the Women’s March.

“The world is rapidly changing under this presidency and we need to stop it as much as we can,” one said. “I’m glad to see that [the march] is still happening, I wish there were more people, two years ago I felt it was massive crowds, but there’s thousands in DC also this weekend too, so it’s still happening everywhere and I think that that’s awesome.”

The 2017 start of the movement motivated some women to become politically active. It has also inspired women of younger generations to march and use their voices to express political opinion.

16-year-olds Sofia Rich and Ellie Patch attended the march on Saturday with their friends, carrying signs reading, “The World is Changed by Your Example, Not by Your Opinion” and “How We Dress Doesn’t Mean Yes.” “I’ve seen older women that have been doing this for years and years, and I feel like it’s important as the next generation to keep it going, and to keep fighting for our independence and rights,” Patch said.

Though they are not yet old enough to vote, Rich and Patch are looking forward to being able to place their ballots in the 2020 election.

JULIA COMERFORD/THE FORDHAM RAM

Women and men of all ages gathered in Columbus Circle and Foley Square for Women's Marches in NYC.

“The fact that we’re going to get to vote in the next election is a really big motivator for us today,” said Rich. “It’s nice to know that there’s, like, a whole group of people who have and want the same goal.”

Though the Women’s March

has endured controversy in recent months, many attendants affirmed that the central message of the event is unity.

Logan Avidan, who attended the march last year in Columbus Cirle, said she returned to the march this year to spread empow-

erment through action.

“We all come from so many different places but the commonality is love, acceptance and I think it’s great that everyone can come from all these different areas and see that we’re all really the same,” Avidan said.

Tina Zaccardi Wins Televised Baking Competition University Employee Brings Joy Through Baking

By SARAH HUFFMAN

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Tina Zaccardi, an employee in Fordham’s Office of Strategic Sourcing, recently won the fourth season of “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition.” Zaccardi won the competition after baking traditional cannoli sicciliano, baumkuchen and a three tiered holiday celebration cake in the final episode of the competition.

The show is based off of the popular show “The Great British Baking Show.” Zaccardi said that she saw the show for the first time four or five years ago. After watching the show, she said that she promised herself that if they ever did an American version, she would have to try to compete.

Zaccardi said that she has been baking for as long as she can remember and that her interest in it blossomed from childhood. She said she became very interested in researching new techniques and playing with new recipes.

As she practiced, she said she noticed growth in her skills and wanted to continue.

“I love baking cookies, it’s kind of my thing, but I do bake everything else,” Zaccardi said.

Zaccardi said that being on the show was a real milestone for her.

The process to get on the show involved a 75-80 question application, three pictures of baked goods she had made, a long inter-

view, a tasting interview where she had to bring baked goods for judges to taste and a test to see how she would handle being in front of a camera.

Zaccardi said being there was surreal and overwhelming, especially after watching “The Great British Bake Off.” She said the other bakers were great and they all got along very well. She said they all still talk and are even trying to put together a reunion.

When she won, she said she felt disbelief and excitement.

It still has yet to sink in. Zaccardi works part-time, three days a week, here at Fordham, but she said that when she is not at work, she is usually baking and trying something new. Although she said her life has not changed much since winning the competition, she works on leading baking classes and doing interviews.

She also started her website, tinazaccardi.com, after the the competition to expand her baking career.

Currently, Zaccardi does not have anything specific lined up for the future, but wants to reach a wider audience, especially through her instagram, @ theitaliancookie. She said she is open to writing a book or teaching classes.

Zaccardi said her favorite thing about baking is making people happy with her creations.

She brings baked goods to her coworkers and she makes treats

COURTESY OF TINA ZACCARDI

Fordham University employee Tina Zaccardi won "The Great Holiday Baking Show: Holiday Edition" with her pastries.

for her family.

She also said she considers herself a very analytic person and enjoys the precise measurements and careful process of baking.

She said cleaning up is the only part she dislikes.

As much as she enjoys baking desserts, Zaccardi also enjoys eating them. “I think anything with a combination of chocolate

and peanut butter is my favorite,” she said.

When asked if it is hard to balance her passion for baking with the rest of her life, she said no because it is not a chore to her. Zaccardi said it is important to pursue the things you love and never give up on your dream.

“When you watch these shows, you usually don’t know anybody

on them or anybody close to you and you don’t think that’s ever going to happen to you or somebody you know, but I think I learned from this experience that no matter how big our outlandish your dreams seem, don’t give up on it,” she said. “You just never know. When everything aligns for you, you never know what could happen.”

NEWS

Page 4

USG Column

USG Discusses Goals for Spring Semester

By KRISTEN MCNERNEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

United Student Government’s (USG) first meeting of the newyear had a packed agenda, with representatives discussing their policy goals and initiatives for the spring semester.

Executive President Connor Sullivan, FCRH ’19, spoke about the necessity of developing a new constitution and said it would better suit the organization and direct it into a sustainable future.

According to Sullivan, the new constitution will have more specific roles and functions for representatives to better serve students. He said it will be a consolidation of the current 25-page constitution and contain a set of by-laws to be followed.

USG released a statement following the university-wide controversy of past Jesuits who served at Fordham University and Fordham Preparatory School and were credibly accused of sexual abuse. The members of USG stated they condemn these actions and strive to focus on the Jesuit mission of providing for the well-being and development of students in the aspects of mind, body and soul.

“These abhorrent abuses of power are nearly certain to severely undermine a student’s overall wellbeing that Fordham so dearly attempts to cultivate,” the statement read.

The statement drew connections to a nationwide culture of campus sexual assault. USG members said they hope for a strong, intensive reaction from the Fordham administration and community.

This semester, USG plans to focus on environmental consciousness and implement policies that reflect that goal. This week, the senate will vote on a resolution for Walsh Library to place more recycling bins throughout the building. The resolution reads that bins should be separated by type of recyclables such as paper or plastic.

It also called for an adequate use of signage to make students aware of the goal.

The USG Sustainability Committee currently has a petition to make Fordham run on 100 percent renewable energy by 2040. This follows Governor Cuomo’s plan for the entirety of New York State to do the same by the same deadline. The committee hopes to tackle issues such as climate change, water and air pollution, habitat loss and damage to public health by making this goal a priority.

The committee also stated a goal for all electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030.

After an attempted rape last Wednesday on East 189th Street was prevented by an EMS worker, a representative for USG stated, “Bystander intervention works. If you see something, say something.

It makes a difference.”

USG representatives also discussed other works-in-progress this semester, which include reusable cups in Urban Kitchen and printing

January 23, 2019

Research Spotlight

Student Researches Coastal Management Hopes to Change Views on Climate Change

By ELIOT SCHIAPARELLI ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Colleen Cochran, FCRH ’21, plans to create environmental policy in order to change the way America views coastal management and climate change. If her work up until now is any indication, she is certain to make waves — or minimize them.

When Cochran was 13, she saw the effects of climate change firsthand during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

“I saw all this fantastic scientific research surrounding coastal management, but I didn’t see that being implemented into the policy around me,” she said. “It was something we hadn’t really experienced before, but I think with climate change we’ll start to see stronger and more frequent storms. So I think it’s really important that we know how to react to these storms, and, from my personal experiences, I don’t feel that we do.”

Cochran began her first research project in high school. Under the mentorship of Bianca Charbonneau, she researched natural plant recolonization after storms. The experiment took place in New Jersey at Island Beach State Park, just an hour from her home.

After that experience, Cochran was hooked. In her second semester at Fordham, she joined the Plant Evolutionary Ecology Lab run by Steven Franks, Ph.D.. She then began her second research project looking at photosynthesis patterns of a key management species at Island Beach State Park.

That key management species was Ammophila bicuiligulata or (as Cochran calls it familiarly) Ammophila. However, its common name is American beachgrass, and it is used for dune pro-

Photo of the Week:

COURTESY OF COLLEEN COCHRAN

Colleen Cochran, FCRH ‘21, researches coastal management and climate change to find common misconceptions.

tection. The long root structures anchor the plant, and its long leaves catch wind-blown sand, preventing it from blowing away.

Cochran’s project studied the diurnal and seasonal photosynthesis patterns of the plant. Dunes can create stressful conditions for plants because of seaspray, heat, lack of fresh water and exposure to the elements. American beachgrass and Asiatic sand sedge are some of the few plants that can survive there.

In Asiatic sand sedge, photosynthesis fluctuates throughout the day to conserve energy so the plant can survive. Cochran hypothesized that American beach-

grass would follow the same pattern, but instead she found the plant continues to photosynthesize even through the hottest parts of the day.

According to Cochran, this goes to show what a fantastic species American beachgrass is for coastal management. Cochran sees these plants as a long-term solution rather than a band-aid solution like sand replenishment.

Cochran was able to work on this study as a result of two FCRH research grants and help from Franks. She said she is deeply appreciative of the research opportunities Fordham offers and has encouraged friends to submit

KRISTEN EGAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

A very fashionable puppy wearing sunglasses, a coat, a scarf and a hat. The puppy and his owner attended the annual New York City Women’s March on Saturday, Jan. 19.

research proposals.

“Specifically at Fordham, there are so many professors who do such wonderful research and I think if there’s a professor whose research you’re interested in, then 100 percent reach out to them,” she said. “They would love to hear from you.”

Cochran has been able to present her research at plant ecology and coastal conferences.

Last year, she presented at the International Conference on Sustainable Cities sponsored by Fordham, NYU and Columbia.

She was the only undergraduate researcher to present, and she was only a freshman. The coastal management project she worked on last year has also been accepted for publication in the Journal of Environmental Management.

“It’s a very rewarding process to just spend so much time on this – especially to be able to submit something for publication and have a piece of work that you’re very proud of and I think will contribute a lot to the scientific community,” she said.

“This publication that we’re submitting now is for in-depth policy makers, so hopefully it will create more sustainable coastal management solutions that will be better for our environment and anyone who is living close to the coast.”

Cochran is majoring in economics with a double minor in environmental studies and sustainable business. She said she believes her background in research will help her develop political, economic and societal solutions to pressing issues when she makes the move to policy making.

“There is so much wealth of information in the scientific community,” she said. “And the scientific community understands these issues, so it’s more a matter now of translating that knowledge to the community and to the policy makers.”

NEWS

January 23, 2019

Page 5

Respect for Life Members Attend March for Life Event Sparks Controversy and Conversation

By HELEN STEVENSON NEWS EDITOR

March for Life, an annual event protesting women’s constitutional right to an abortion, happened this past Friday, Jan. 18 in Washington D.C.’s National Mall.

Although organizers do not keep official attendance numbers, organizers told The Washington Times it could be as high as 100,000. A group of students with the university’s Respect for Life (RFL) group attended the event to show their support for the movement.

“This year was the third time I have attended the March for Life as a member of RFL at Fordham University,” said Jacqueline McConologue, FCRH '20, president of RFL. “The first time I attended, I was in awe at the sheer numbers of young people of every religion, gender and race that were in attendance.”

McConologue said that she believes that a woman’s right to choose is not a necessity to her and other women in the movement.

“I think there is a popular narrative that pro-life movements are run largely by ‘men trying to control women's bodies,’ but my experience has been almost entirely the opposite,” she said. “Everywhere in the pro-life movement I have experienced powerful, strong women in leadership positions, attempting to state their be-

lief that women don't need abortions.”

Matthew Elenio, GSB '20, member of RFL, said he chose to attend the march because he believes in the sanctity of all life.

“We walk to stand up against the abortion of children, the killing of the convicted and the killing of the elderly,” he said. “It is important that all that support the right to life come together at this time, and keep the March for Life the largest right to life demonstration in the United States.”

Elenio said that the demonstration is largely based on religious beliefs.

“The environment is predominantly a religious one, with several Catholic parishes coming with banners signifying where they are from, along with other religious communities and several signs all stating the same message: life is sacred and should be preserved and respected,” he said.

Elizabeth Vernon, GSB '22 and member of RFL, said she was excited at the opportunity to attend the march for the first time this weekend. She said that in her opinion, life begins at the point of conception.

“I was moved by the words of the speakers at the rally, such as Abby Johnson, Chris Smith and Mike Pence,” she said. “Additionally, it was very powerful to see many people of different backgrounds and beliefs unifying to

give a voice to the voiceless.”

Vernon said she was disappointed by the lack of media coverage considering the number of people that attended the rally.

“I was blown away by the number of people that were present,” she said. “Some people may assume that being pro-life is not a widely held belief, but with just a little bit of support from the media, the true number of people present could further progress the movement.”

However, the event did get national attention as a result of a viral video showing a group of young men in "Make America Great Again" hats that appeared to be taunting a Native American man participating in the Indigenous Peoples March on the same day.

When asked about the relevance to the march, Margaret Riley, FCRH '22, member of RFL, said that she was not educated enough on the story behind the video to comment with complete accuracy. However, she said that it looked like the young men are in the wrong.

“Hopefully [they will] learn from the disgracefulness of their actions and change their ways,” she said. “Furthermore, I would like to point out that these boys do not represent the majority of those who attend the March for Life; most of those who march do so because of their own story and are accepting and welcoming of all

KEVIN STOLTENBORG /THE FORDHAM RAM

Students with Respect for Life march in Washington D.C. with March for Life.

people.”

Elenio agreed with this sentiment, saying that the actions of these young men do not represent the movement as a whole.

“Although the video's popularity, it is not relevant to the March for Life and its importance for the right to life, but note that the March for Life is extremely peaceful and the March has never had any violence to it,” he said.

McConologue said she is frustrated with the way people perceive the movement as a result of videos such as this one.

“As the March has been in the media recently for the actions of a few attendees, it is difficult to shake that reputation,” she said, “Every year I am faced with people... mak-

ing unkind comments towards me because I am vocal about my attendance at the March.”

The March for Life was held just a day before the annual Women’s March in Washington D.C. and New York City. Many students at the university attended the NYC Women’s March and Riley said although the movements seemingly contradict one another, the pro-life movement is not against women’s rights in general. “[We] just also support and love unborn women. There is such a thing as a feminist pro-lifer,” she said. “It is not an issue of race, gender, economics or anything else. I walked in the March for Life because it is an issue of human rights.”

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NEWS

Page 6

January 23, 2019

Jacobs Named University Provost Committee Concludes Nationwide Search

COURTESY OF DENNIS JACOBS

In the fall of 2019, Dennis Jacobs, Ph.D., will serve as the university's permanent provost.

FROM PROVOST PAGE 1

will be promoted to the newly created post of vice provost, the senior member of Dr. Jacobs’s staff,” said McShane.

Crystal said he is excited to begin his position as vice provost

under Jacobs's leadership “[ Jacobs's] extensive experience and deep commitment to the values of Jesuit higher education make him an ideal leader for this next stage in Fordham’s history,” said Crystal.

According to Crystal, McShane and. Jacobs have not yet solidified the vice provost’s responsibilities. He said until he discusses what his role with Jacobs will entail, it would be premature for him to set distinct

goals.

In a broad sense, he said he hopes to support the academic achievement of the university's students and faculty.

“My overall goal is to focus on ways of enhancing Fordham’s academic mission – supporting our faculty in their research and teaching and working to improve the quality of the educational experience that we offer to students across all the colleges and schools of the University,” he said.

Jacobs received a doctorate in chemistry from Stanford in 1988.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1981 and physics in 1982, both at the University of California-Irvine.

After completing his doctorate, Jacobs taught chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame in 1988, receiving a full professor appointment in 2000. He became the university’s associate provost and vice president for undergraduate studies four years later. In 2011, Jacobs moved to Santa Clara University in California.

At Santa Clara, Jacobs led strategic planning, seeing the university through the construction of multiple facilities. He also launched multiple online advanced degree programs and

recruited all of the institution’s academic deans.

In addition to this recruitment effort, he created the Office for Diversity and Inclusion at Santa Clara to bolster the recruitment of underrepresented faculty. The office also seeks to foster diversity across the Santa Clara community.

“In Dr. Jacobs we have gained an innovative and thoughtful leader, and one who is well prepared to lead the faculty during what promises to be a period of great change in academia,” said McShane. “I am deeply impressed by his experience, intellect, and humanity, and am proud to call him a colleague.”

The Provostial Search Committee collaborated with Witt/ Kieffer, an executive search firm that provides leadership guidance in healthcare, higher education, academic medicine, life sciences and not-for-profit industries. McShane thanked the committee, which was chaired by Virginia Roach, Ed.D., dean of the Graduate School of Education.

“Their thorough, intensely focused work in collaboration with the executive search firm of Witt/ Kieffer, produced a roster of truly superior candidates,” said McShane.

Sistine Chapel Exhibit Finds a Home at Rose Hill FROM SISTINE, PAGE 1

Shane and Pick put together a proposal for The Met detailing why Fordham could give the piece a good home at the close of the exhibit. The proposal contained a letter from McShane pointing out the connections between Fordham and The Met and telling The Met how the piece would be used.

Ruvoldt said she thinks Fordham was lucky to be able to secure the piece over other interested parties.

“At Fordham, we try to think of New York City as the campus for our students and the Met has always played a central role in the way we teach art history,” she said. “So the idea was we could create a reciprocal relationship there and we would install the ceiling somewhere where it would be accessible to the Fordham Community, and that multiple departments, not just art history, could use it as a teaching tool.”

Ruvoldt said, “I think the idea that it would be used as a teaching tool and would be widely accessible to the Fordham community is what helped make The Met see the university as a great landing place for the ceiling.”

Unfortunately, the piece, which was placed in Butler Commons in December, has not been as accessible as many students originally hoped. Since the ceiling was installed, the doors to the room in Duane Library have been locked for the majority of the time.

Shannon Zipfel, FCRH ‘21, is an art history major and was thrilled to hear that the piece

was on campus.

“I’m really excited about this addition to the Fordham campus and I feel like it will be helpful in my art history education.

However, I’m also disappointed that it is not more accessible to students,” she said. “I feel like that is a missed opportunity and prevents students from appreciating the piece that Fordham has worked so hard to acquire. Ideally, the room would be open at least at certain times for students to come and view the reproduction.”

Ruvoldt said she plans to make use of the piece next year when she teaches a class on Michelangelo, and Intro Art History classes are being encouraged to view it during their Renaissance unit.

The Sistine Chapel ceiling is among one of the most famous works of art in the world. The focal point of the piece, God and Adam’s pointed hands, has become a motif in pop culture and advertising. According to Ruvoldt, it is not the only extraordinary part of the piece.

“When Michelangelo paints that ceiling he is completing the decoration of a chapel that began a generation before, in the 1480s,” she said. “And he comes in and confronts all the masterpieces of that generation that are painted on the sidewalls of the chapel and he paints this story of Genesis from the creation of the world through Noah and the flood and essentially ties the whole chapel together.”

The installation of the reproduction was made possible by a donation from Stroz and Spooner. It is a backlit digital photo-

ELIOT SCHIAPARELLI/THE FORDHAM RAM

A recreation of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel hangs in Butler Commons on Rose Hill campus.

graph printed on fabric and encased in plexiglass.

Ruvoldt said the original piece is an incredible achievement based on its sheer size.

“As a fresco, it’s an enormous amount of square footage that Michelangelo paints and it’s recognized almost immediately as an incred-

ible achievement, a technical achievement and an artistic achievement because he takes these complicated stories from Genesis,” she said.

Ruvoldt said the piece will bring the Sistine Chapel to her students when she cannot bring them to it.

“To see the whole thing in its

entirety in the way that you can when you have that reproduction in front of you, gives you a much more palpable sense of the extent of that achievement and of how enormous a painting it is,” she said. “How many figures are in it. How complicated it is in terms of storytelling and yet how accessible it is to a viewer.”

NEWS

Januaray 23, 2019

Page 7

Applications for Fall Admission Increase FROM EARLY, PAGE 1

However, she said the university anticipated this increase; nationwide, trends show students taking greater advantage of early programs.

Peek said that in addition to acquiring a record-breaking number of applications, the university's applicant pool is composed of an academically talented and diverse group of students.

“I am very excited about the students who have chosen to apply to Fordham,” she said. “Having learned about them through visits and application review, they are talented, diverse and committed to service and issues of social justice.”

Peek said the applicant pool is extremely talented academically, especially among those that applied Early Action.

“For the early rounds, the average admitted GPA is a 3.77 on a 4.0 scale and the average high SAT Score is a 1409,” she said.

“For students who report a high school rank, 90 percent are in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class.”

According to Peek, Early Action applicants are either admitted, denied or deferred to Regular Decision so that the university has the opportunity gain more information prior to making a final decision. She said the waitlist decision is not employed in the early rounds of applications.

JULIA COMERFORD/THE FORDHAM RAM

Applicants from all over the world applied to Fordham University for admission in the fall of 2019.

Peek said that because the applicant pool for Early Action was very strong, the university was able to admit 53.7 percent of the students.

“Typically, our overall admit rate is around 46 percent,” she said. “About 26 percent of applicants.. were deferred for additional information and will be

reviewed again, [and] 12 percent of students were denied.”

In terms of which applicants will join the class of 2023, Peek said the yield rate will probably stay consistent in comparison to years past.

“Our average yield rate in the most recent 5 years has been 10.9 percent. We would like to see

this number increase, but given the strength of the pool and the many options available to these students, we anticipate a similar rate,” she said.

In addition, this year’s pool of applicants saw an increase in diversity across the board.

6,134 Asian students applied, a 12 percent increase in students

compared to the fall of 2018; 3,551 black students applied, a 7 percent increase; 8,597 Hispanic students applied, a 9 percent increase; and 1,968 students who are two or more races applied, a 12 percent increase.

According to Peek, the university’s pool of applicants continue to grow geographically as well.

The number of international student applications saw a 3 percent increase with more than 125 countries represented. Nationally, only one state (North Dakota) was not represented.

In addition, the admissions department has seen application increases in our top distance markets including California (8 percent increase), Illinois (16 percent increase), Florida (7 percent increase) and Texas (7 percent increase).

Peek said that the admitted students have the potential to bring a variety of interesting experiences and perspectives to the university that would enrich its classrooms and community.

She said the undergraduate admissions office is excited to continue to learn about and meet potential students of the class of 2023.

“Those of us on the undergraduate admission team are looking forward to the remainder of the cycle as we head into our final applicant review period and plan for our spring admitted student events,” she said.

Let Your Voice Be Heard Tell the Princeton Review and the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education about Fordham’s academics, campus life, and student body.

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OPINION

Page 8

January 23, 2019

The Fordham Ram

Ocasio-Cortez and the New Guard Should Act Both Progressive and Realistic

By NICK ZAROMATIDIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

At the age of 29, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was officially sworn into Congress on Jan. 3. In September, she beat incumbent Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley in arguably one of the largest upset victories this election cycle. She represents the 14th Congressional District of New York, which includes areas in northern Queens and the northern Bronx. Moreover, she is member of the Democratic Socialists of America. This party strives to represent working class families in a socialistic manner. In other words, the party seeks to reduce a capitalistic order, hereby denouncing staggering inequalities of wealth and power, sexual, gender and racial discrimination and more.

In September, Ocasio-Cortez presented a $40 trillion proposal.

This monstrous proposal was only supported by a $2 trillion budget.

This proposal includes initiatives, such as Medicare for all, free college programs, paid family leave and Social Security expansion. These initiatives are necessary for the United States; Medicare for all can revolutionize our healthcare system.

However, these initiatives all come with a large price tag, which creates a budgeting issue for the U.S. Government. With a $38 trillion disparity, our nation cannot

afford to continue the descent into debt. Taking into consideration the current government shutdown and all the other budgeting issues that our nation is facing, there is no need to continue the descent into crippling debt. Ocasio-Cortez’s solution to this enormous disparity lies in taxpayer-funded programs, which would theoretically increase over the next 10 years due to more people working for greater salaries, higher taxes on higher income tax brackets and greater corporate taxes.

Apart from her financial plan, Ocasio-Cortez is attempting to push hot-button social issues. One huge issue that Ocasio-Cortez is spearheading is diversity in company’s hiring practices, specifically in the technology industry. Given the relatively recent influx in the technology and software industries, maintaining diverse staffs is crucial for ensuring the continued success in these fields of work. By encouraging diverse hiring practices and following in the footsteps of Gov. Jerry Brown of California, who implemented Senate Bill 826 which calls for a gender quota in publicly traded C-Suite officers, our nation’s greatest industries will continue to thrive.

This financial plan is all theoretical and absolutely not practical.

Our nation continues to climb into debt, and a $38 trillion disparity

COURTESY OF FLICKR

Representative Ocasio-Cortez has come to represent the progressive “New Guard” of freshmen Congress representatives.

would almost double our national debt. This could cause the U.S. to default on loans, lower national credit ratings and inadvertently raise interest rates on U.S. loans, thus increasing our debt at a catastrophic exponential rate.

Annually, politicians grapple with the question; how much debt is too much debt? We must come to this sad realization of economic misfortune to further progress our social standards and financial standings.

However, Ocasio-Cortez is one of 36 new members of Congress in this election cycle that allowed the Democratic party to take the majority. These new members, commonly referred to as new bloods, should bring in new ideas that typically align with younger generations. This presents many idealistic

policies that could work with some tweaking, but Ocasio-Cortez’s agenda seems to be the epitome of this idealism.

However, there are many career politicians that are less ambitious in their goals and become, as the years go in, set in their ways. Most do not propose much legislation; their voice is solely their vote, and they act as a slave to their respective political parties. Typically, career politicians are well-liked by their constituency, winning them re-elections, but lack any propositions in Congress. Career politicians are also more likely to have been exposed to some degree of political corruption. Most look at the bottom line of a scenario, which is usually the numbers and immediate benefit, not the overall circumstance and betterment of the

nation.

Overall, our nation must start to weed out these career politicians and bring more new blood into Congress; however, new blood must gain more realistic ideas that can be swiftly implemented in our country. There must be a balance between the number of career politicians and newly-elected politicians in Congress.

Although there would be no regulation for this, Alexandria OcasioCortez is just one of many newly elected politicians who must step up to the plate and implement realistic, progressive solutions.

Nick Zaromatidis, GSB ’21, is an applied accounting and finance major from Franklin Square, New York.

Defend Our Kurdish Allies

COURTESY OF FLICKR

The Kurds, who have been one of America’s closest allies in Syria, are under threat from the Turkish military.

By TIMOTHY KYLE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On Dec. 19, President Trump made a surprise announcement that ISIS had been defeated and that U.S. troops would return home from Syria “as soon as possible.” The fallout from the announcement was far-reaching — it led to the resignation of Secretary of Defense James Mattis and intense political drama.

However, the inflammatory nature of the remarks and the continuing controversy surrounding the Trump administration threatens to obscure the complex geopolitical consequences of our withdrawal. Without American troops to shield them from potential Turkish aggression, the

fate of our allies in the fragile Kurdish state hangs in the balance. It is our duty to protect those who have fought and sacrificed alongside us, and if Trump’s administration continues with the withdrawal plan, it must recognize this.

The history of the Kurds is one of oppression, marginalization and struggle. The largest ethnic group in the world without their own state, the Kurds are native to the central Middle East and form minorities in countries like Syria, Iraq and Turkey.

The Kurds are unique in a region seemingly packed with Islamist warlords and brutal dictators for their commitment to democracy and secularism. The Kurdish state, called Rojava, formed out of the Syrian civil

war. Independent in all but name, Rojava is a decentralized democratic entity governed according to a form of libertarian socialism that guarantees gender equality and pluralism.

This is all the more reason for the United States to protect the Kurds.

The crux of the conflict threatening to engulf Rojava, should the U.S. military teams embedded in the Kurdish militias return home, stems from the threat of Turkey. The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has unfounded concerns that the Kurdish People’s Protection Groups (YPG) of Rojava will launch attacks against Turkey in support of their fellow Kurds across the border.

Turkey’s posturing masks their true fear that a Kurdish state in Syria will

motivate the long-oppressed Turkish Kurds to agitate for greater autonomy, or, worse, an independent country of their own. Erdogan sees the very existence of Rojava to be a threat to Turkey’s territorial integrity.

The fact remains that Turkey is the belligerent in this situation by waging a decades-long war and imposing what is tantamount to cultural genocide on its Kurdish citizens. It would not be a leap to assume that the Kurds would be angered by Erdogan’s increasingly autocratic government. President Erdogan has already announced that the Turkish military, which has been making small incursions to strike at Kurds in Syria for years, would begin a large-scale operation against the Rojava militias in Northeast Syria. A phone call with President Trump led him to delay the operation for “a few months.”

There is no doubt that Turkey will use the departure of the U.S. military as an opportunity to attack our Kurdish allies and crush their nascent democracy.

It is, therefore, imperative that President Trump and our partners in Syria take steps to prevent Turkish aggression and protect the Kurds of Rojava from the same fate as their brethren in Turkey, who have been subjected to generations of oppression and state-sponsored terrorism.

It is as much a pragmatic as it is an ideological necessity. In Syria, the Kurds are one of the few groups that

has consistently fought and defeated ISIS and other Islamist militants without succumbing to extremism themselves. Trump should make it clear to our Turkish “allies” that attacks against the Kurds in Syria will not be tolerated, on penalty of economic sanctions against key Turkish officials and corporations, or by applying diplomatic pressure in the United Nations.

Though it is unlikely with President Trump’s newly isolationist policy towards the Syrian conflict, keeping U.S. Special Forces embedded in Kurdish militias would also serve as an effective deterrent. Encouraging talks between the Kurds and the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad for mutual protection and assistance might be another path moving forward.

As the United States puts in more concrete plans to withdraw from Syria, it is important we continue to protect our local partners and those who have fought with us. We cannot simply desert the Kurds because our priorities have shifted. America has a long history of hanging regional allies out to dry once their assistance is no longer necessary. If we persist in this trend in Syria, we abandon the Kurds of Rojava to instability, war and death.

Timothy Kyle, FCRH ’21, is a political science major from West Hartford, Connecticut.

OPINION

January 23, 2019

Page 9

To Improve Veteran Care, Outsource Work to Private Sector

By DANE SALMON

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Veterans Affairs Mission Act was signed into law by President Donald Trump on June 6, 2018. It makes provisions for a $50 billion investment in the Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, to increase its community care network and help eliminate funding gaps for the VA Choice program. The act helped veterans get healthcare from private sources if they were precluded from using VA resources by distance or if VA wait times were too long.

It also gives funds for training

VA staff, a review of VA facilities, recruitment of more staff and the seven entities helping veterans get private healthcare into a single program.

This seems to be a move by the administration to help the VA not only modernize their current facilities, but also assist veterans who would be and are left behind by an inefficient and aging network of VA facilities and administration.

Decentralizing parts of the VA network will help fulfill its mission to provide high quality and readily available healthcare to those who fought for our country.

The purpose of the organization is not to control veterans’ healthcare but to help them get it.

Those who provide the care are not nearly as important as availability and quality.

The VA’s current resources are hardly able to fill the increasing demand for healthcare for veterans because it is a jack of all trades and a master of none. Helping the VA find the best solutions for veterans should be the purpose of the department’s existence, and decentralization and outsourcing can only help that.

But why can this not be done simply by increasing its funding?

COURTESY OF FLICKR

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides healthcare to millions of American veterans, with a budget of $188 billion.

Because centralization and government control are inextricably tied with inefficiency.

Sacrificing quality and availability of care for centralized control is the worst choice that could be made in the interest of healthcare for veterans, and the very telos of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Who would stand in the way of better healthcare for veterans for an ill-conceived, micromanag notion of government control of healthcare?

Aside from this reason, we may look to a more concrete one. The VA’s budget last year was $188.65 billion, up from $42.38 billion twenty years ago; an increase of $146.27 billion. They have increased the number of medical facilities by 130 since 2000, now numbering 1,240.

The VA now employs 385,223; this is nearly a 60 percent increase, putting the number of employees at 385,223 as of March 2018.

With the provisions outlined in the Veterans Affairs Mission Act, all of these numbers are likely to grow. However, they still cannot provide adequate healthcare to those to whom the department exists to provide it for.

Now, the idea that this is a move towards privatization is either a misnomer or a false narrative because, as can be seen from the evidence above and the provisions of the recent act, the VA has increased in size since the beginning of this apparent privatization push.

Decentralization and outsourc-

ing is not privatizing, as the act seems to make no mention of private funding of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Government funding of privately-provided healthcare is not privatization. The debate concerning the merits of increased privatization is for a different article.

For now, the situation is that the VA is outsourcing and improving its own facilities to better provide much-needed healthcare for America’s veterans.

In the context of the public opinion shift towards Medicare for all, which a recent poll claims 70 percent of Americans support, I hope this will be a slap in the face for the idea.

If we see that private organizations provide better care, almost certainly for a lower cost than inefficient government-administrated and administered healthcare, I hope and expect people will begin to see that government interference almost never makes things better.

If decentralization of healthcare resources and freedom of choice can help veterans, it can certainly help everyone else, lest we fall blindly into the pit of state-run healthcare like Britain’s National Health Service, in which endless legions of bureaucrats decide who can be treated and when, and under which the average person has to wait 18 weeks to see a general practitioner.

Dane Salmon, FCRH ’21, is a philosophy and economics major from Coppell, Texas.

Keep Liberal Arts Education to Cultivate Communities Across the Nation

By NED SHEEHAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A Jan. 12 article in The New York Times entitled “Students in Rural America Ask, ‘What is a University Without a History Major?’” discussed how rural universities have reacted to drops in enrollment in liberal arts subjects like history, mainly in order to take on a more polytechnic focus.

While this is a disturbing trend for higher education in our nation, but we should also use this as an opportunity to reflect on how Fordham prioritizes its departments.

Firstly, this is an appalling development. As a history major, the idea that colleges would treat that program as a waste of space is a disastrous one.

And what is more, it is an important jolt of perspective on campus issues. After all, these are not the sort of selective schools that most Fordham students applied to.

The schools that are shuttering large portions of their liberal arts programs are generally public or small private universities from rural areas. The student body at these schools is much more likely to come from a poor or workingclass background and to be the first in their families to attend college at all.

The fact is these shifts will have serious consequences on their communities. It is these schools that provide the history and English teachers at local high schools, after all.

Indeed, that may well be the most terrifying thing about this plan, no small thing in an increasingly online world where extremists of all stripes torture the past into a series of distorted sound bites to propagate their agendas. But more than that, we in the Fordham community should look at how we at elite schools look at the liberal arts, and the effect our perspective on it can have.

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

Rural universities, such as the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, are considering cuting liberal arts programs.

The fact is, many people view things like history as a less than useful subject, wrongly feeling it does not lead to a career.

Now, I will not be personally affected by this, because I go to Fordham, with a strong endowment and a good history department. But as someone with a love of history, I again am terri-

fied about how these biases could do real damage to some parts of our country. After all, if my history teachers had been totally untrained in the subject and had I had no access to a college with such a program, where would I be today?

At the end of the day, we, as Fordham students, must re-em-

phasize the importance of the liberal arts, and be grateful that we go to a school where that is an option for us. After all, a lot of people have no such luck.

Ned Sheehan, FCRH ’22, is a history major from Needham, Massachusetts.

OPINION

Page 10

R

Serving the Fordham University campus and community since 1918 The Fordham Ram is the university journal of record. The mission of The Fordham 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 Fordham 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 over 12,000 and a web readership of over 300,000. The Fordham Ram office is located in the basement of the McGinley Center, room B-52.

Website FordhamRam.com Email Address theram@fordham.edu Editor-in-Chief Aislinn Keely Managing Editor Hannah Gonzalez Business Director Donald Dugan Operations Director Briana Scalia Editorial Director Lindsay Grippo Executive Director Colette Nolan Copy Chief Vanessa DeJesus Maggie Rothfus News Editor Helen Stevenson Projects Editor Erica Scalise Assistant News Editors Eliot Schiaparelli Sarah Huffman Opinion Editors Briana Scalia Collin Bonnell Culture Editors Rachel Gow Kieran Press-Reynolds Sports Editor Jack McLoone Assistant Sports Editors Andrew Posadas Dylan Balsamo Digital Producers Kristen Egan Katherine Morris Photo Editor Julia Comerford Visual Director Bojeung Leung Faculty Advisor Beth Knobel Editorial Page Policy

The Fordham Ram’s editorial and

ramblings topics are selected on a weekly basis and reflect the editorial board’s view on a campus issue.

Opinions Policy The Fordham Ram appreciates submissions to fordhamramopinions@ gmail.com. Commentaries are printed on a space available basis. The Fordham Ram reserves the right to reject any submission for any reason, without notice. Submissions become the exclusive property of The Fordham Ram .

The Fordham Ram reserves the right to edit any submissions. The opinions in The Fordham 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 Fordham Ram may be reproduced without written consent.

January 23, 2019

From the Desk | Helen Stevenson

Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand and Tulsi Gabbard are all running for president in 2020. They are also all democrats.

They are also all women.

Being a woman in politics is impressive, inspiring and super cool.

What is not super cool is the way the media often treats women in politics. I think the best way to combat this inherent bias against women in politics is to understand it.

The United States has seen very few women as presidential candidates. In the 1972 election, Shirley Chisholm became the first woman to run for the oval office, and in 2016, Hillary Clinton was the first woman to secure a major party nomination. Though obviously not ideal, it makes sense that female candidates are often represented with an undertone of gender bias due to their “solo status.”

“Solo status” applies when a group of people are alike in some way and few are clearly different.

The minority group of people have a higher chance of being subject to unfair stereotypes. For example, if you are looking at a group of candidates, you are more likely to stereotype one woman in a group of ten

Women in Politics men.

For this reason, women are more likely to be judged based on gender stereotypes depicted in television, music, movies and books. According to a study by Michelle C. Bligh, female candidates’ traits are more often described in media with feminine, gender-stereotyped language such as “gentle,” “warm” or “soft.”

While these qualities are not necessarily negative, they are not qualities that would describe an effective and strong leader.

Luckily, there is already an unprecedented number of women running in 2020. It will be harder to stereotype these women because of their diverse set of ideals, policies and “calls to action.” Still, look out for those subtle hints of gender bias — but this phenomenon will hopefully be less relevant.

Beyond gender stereotypes, newscasters and the media spend an inordinate amount of time discussing the way female candidates talk, dress and look. According to author Monica C. Schneider, studies of female representation in the media “have found that women are less likely than are men to have their positions on public policy is-

sues covered by news media, despite the fact that women candidates are more likely than are men candidates to make issues a cornerstone of their campaigns.” The media has a tendency to represent these politicians with a concentration on their gender instead of their political platform. As a result, consumers and voters see female candidates as more as women rather than qualified candidates.

It is also important to understand the effects of female representation in politics. The treatment of female politicians in the media is ultimately harmful to voter perception, but arguably more important is its influence on how women view their role in the political climate. Research in representation has acknowledged that a “masculinized ethos” of politics has the potential to discourage women’s political participation. For example, 25 percent of women and 40 percent of men see themselves as “very qualified” to hold political office. Young women newly involved in politics will see the way female politicians are treated by the media, and by extension in general politics.

I am not saying that you must (or even should) support Harris, Warren, Gillibrand or Gabbard for presi-

dent in 2020. But even though it is easy to assign labels and organize people into their gender roles, it is simply not accurate.

I believe news organizations, The Ram included, have a responsibility in 2020 to take female politicians seriously. I do not care what color suit a presidential candidate wore, and I do not care how she is planning to take care of her kids if she is elected.

If news organizations fall short in 2020, we as consumers must ignore gendered stereotypes and focus on the platform of each candidate. We have to, for the fairness of our elections and the future of the young women in the United States.

Editorial | Transparency

Ambiguity and Accountability are Incompatible For many, the Catholic Church is a place of guidance, support and comfort. To say the continuing developments regarding the sexual abuse of minors by clergy members is disheartening and infuriating is a vast understatement.

Fordham University and the Jesuit USA Northeast Province must have more transparency if they have any hopes of rectifying the horrors in which they were complicit.

Fordham has a thriving Jesuit community that is actively engaged with students on a regular basis. It is comprised of about 130 members that range from retired clergy members to full-time professors or administrators.

The university is proud to maintain one of the largest groups of Jesuits within the New York Province and the world – as it should be.

However, the sexual abuse of minors by members of the Church is nothing new. Allegations of sexual misconduct within Catholic institutions go as far back in the public eye as 1986 and have continued to be exposed en masse since 2004.

Several Jesuits on the Northeast Province’s list were part of our Fordham and local Bronx communities, and they were a danger to them.

In addition to the five alleged abusers distinctly identified as having served at Fordham University or Fordham Preparatory School, presented with their full names and dates of involvement with the institutions, an ambiguous numbers of unnamed others were revealed to have resided at Murray-Weigel for some length of time.

It is unclear to both The Ram —

whose reporters have investigated extensively on the subject — and the general public who these Jesuits were, what the nature of their abuse was and how long they resided at Murray-Weigel. This is an untenable lack of transparency on the part of the Province.

If the university did not know of the allegations against these individuals before the Northeast Province released their names, then it should have, and that fault lies with the university.

In the wake of such widespread sexual abuse by members of the clergy and the systematic protection of these individuals by the Church, it is baffling that Fordham would not take proactive measures in identifying, exposing and expelling potential abusers on its own turf.

The university has claimed it does not have the power to decide who is assigned to live in MurrayWeigel Hall and is generally unaware of the histories of those residents who were not previously associated with Fordham.

That the administration is not involved in the process of deciding who resides in its housing does not excuse its ignorance of any sexual abuse allegations against these individuals. In fact, it is precisely this lack of agency that makes thorough investigation into who joins our Fordham community of vital importance.

Similarly, the university has claimed it did not know of any allegations against the late Rev. Cornelius Carr, S.J., until The Ram raised them. We are proud to have brought such pressing information to light, but the leaders of the community we serve should have preceded us in doing so.

It is indefensible that the univer-

sity waited to be told of predators on its campus instead of actively checking for them.

We are glad the university has addressed and taken measures to rectify both these individuals’ acts and their presence on campus.

Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university and Robert Daleo, chairman of the Board of Trustees, sent an email to the community that said all the right things. We appreciate Fordham’s willingness in starting such a difficult but necessary conversation.

The Ram is confident the university will follow through on its promise to ensure the safety and well-being of its students, faculty and staff going forward, and our hope is that its new, as well as existing, policies and procedures will make a positive difference in the lives of those so permanently altered.

But the university’s negligence in producing this information on its own cannot be overlooked.

Either the administration did not think to check for it or it chose not to. We cannot decide which option is worse.

The Church’s quiet shuffling around of accused, the silencing of victims with hush settlements and the avoidance of adequate addressment of allegations have created an environment in which abuse thrives.

It has been the secrecy of these institutions that allowed this epidemic to grow in a silent fury. It must be uncompromising transparency that will end it.

Even as the Northeast Province reiterates its dedication to accountability and transparency and its intent in remedying the mishandling of years past, it continues

to meet attempts at open communication with hesitancy — or not at all.

Administrators at MurrayWeigel responded vaguely to The Ram’s questioning. They turned down or ignored requests for basic information. They rushed or cut short in-person meetings.

Administrators at the Province were virtually unreachable. They did not answer or return calls.

They did not respond to emails.

They could not direct us to anyone who could make a statement on the absolutely groundbreaking information they revealed.

Whether this overwhelming negligence is a result of intentional avoidance or mere disorganization, it is unacceptable.

In failing to be proactive in identifying alleged abusers, Fordham chose ignorance. In choosing ignorance, the administration was complicit in the protection of these abusers and the endangerment of its community.

The university and the Northeast Province’s rhetoric of redemption and carefully worded statements mean nothing without tangible dedication to the causes they claim to now stand for.

As the lack of transparency continues, so too does the evasion of justice, the protection of predators and the endangerment of all those involved in the Catholic Church community.

The Fordham Ram is not interested in hollow words or empty promises. We want the safety of our community, the accountability of complicit institutions and justice for their victims.

We want Fordham and the Northeast Province to be fully transparent. Anything less is inexcusable.

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Page 12

Meet The Staff

January 23, 2019

Editor-In-Chief

Managing Editor

Aislinn Keely is the editor-in-chief and a junior at Fordham College Rose Hill double-majoring in international political economy and The Fordham Ram. She is training for her first marathon this semester, so if you see her running laps around campus, give a shout of encouragement as she will definitely need it. When Aislinn is not running or Fordham Ramming, you can find her climbing rocks with Outdoors Club or consuming too much YouTube content. She hails from the south shore of Long Island, but at this point, she has taken up residence in the Ram office.

Hannah Gonzalez is a Fordham College Rose Hill junior from Orange County, California, double-majoring in history and English with a creative writing concentration, because any less than 25 required textbooks just wouldn’t seem like enough. After a year of busting out weekly articles while assistant news editor, this volume she’s ecstatic to serve as managing editor and to be perfectionistic all night/early morning long. Sleep deprivation has become second nature to her, because when she’s not reading or Fordham Ram-ing, you can find her writing bizarre fiction, researching indigenous peoples, cramming for the LSAT or speed-walking to class because she’s late.

Editorial director

Operations Director and Opinion editor

Lindsay Grippo is a junior at Fordham College Rose Hill, majoring in English and double-minoring in communications and culture and philosophy. She is from Garden City, Long Island and swears her accent only comes out when she gets worked up about something. Her likes include comparing natal charts, watching vine compilations and getting existential. After a brief stint with the grammar police as Volume 100’s copy chief, Lindsay has decided to spice things up by becoming editorial director; seriously, look out for some spicy editorials this volume. We have a lot of opinions at The Ram.

Briana Scalia is a junior at Fordham College Rose Hill who’s majoring in journalism and political science and minoring in American studies. She’s also a social media intern at NBC and a pop culture writer at College Candy (which all just means she prefers to stay busy rather than let the introspective thoughts creep into her brain). When she’s not spending her time working on The Fordham Ram, she’s mapping out detailed family trees of her favorite superheroes (did you know Bruce Wayne has about six adoptive children?) or impulsively buying a 2DS-XL.

Executive editor

business director

Colette Nolan is a junior at Fordham College Rose Hill majoring in English and minoring in communications and culture. A Philadelphia native, she has some serious opinions on anything claiming to be a “Philly cheesesteak.” She is a selfproclaimed “Ratatouille” enthusiast and likes to pretend she has a green thumb, but her numerous deceased plants would like to state otherwise. After serving as copy chief for Volume 100, tearfully removing any and all instances of the Oxford comma in The Ram, she has climbed the ladder to become the executive editor for Volume 101, where she will continue to do that anyway because she physically cannot stop herself anymore.

Donald (Trey) Dugan is a sophomore at Fordham Gabelli School of Business as a finance major. Donald is the current business director of the Fordham Ram and served on the business team last semester as the finance director. He also plays on the club lacrosse team at Fordham and can be found playing video games, shopping for clothing and listening to music in his free time.

News Editor

projects editor

Helen Stevenson is a sophomore at Fordham College Rose Hill, majoring in political science and minoring in women’s studies. She’s from central New Jersey, which totally exists and, honestly, she is tired of justifying that fact. She is the news editor of Volume 101 and is already actively trying not to look like Charlie in the Pepe Silvia episode of “It’s Always Sunny.” When she’s not obsessing over the news, you can catch Helen eating Chinese takeout, watching obscure movies, reading memoirs or avoiding questions about what she’s going to do after college.

Erica Scalise is a junior at Fordham College Rose Hill, majoring in journalism. She also picked up a marketing minor this year, purely to infiltrate Gabelli in hopes of one day gaining access to the stocks room. Beyond her duties as projects editor of The Ram, she’s also an intern at City & State covering NYC politics.

When doing neither of these things, she’s cultivating #sadboi Spotify playlists, photographing Glossier products and probably expressing her undying affection for Ira Glass. She’s been caught sending pictures of sad cats, cutting her bangs after midnight and pretending she’s an investigative journalist in the Oscar winning movie, “Spotlight.”

Asst. News Editor

Asst. news editor

Sarah Huffman is a sophomore at Fordham College Rose Hill and plans on double-majoring in journalism and communications and culture. Sarah has moved up in the world from writing the USG column every week to being on the fabulous news team as an assistant news editor (go news!).

When not working on The Ram, Sarah can be found in Collins Auditorium building sets for the various theater groups, stage managing a show or just laying on the stage, drinking a cup of tea (anything mint is her favorite). She is from the great state of New Jersey and would literally rather die than eat a non-jersey bagel. In her free time, she likes to watch “Fixer Upper” and eat Cheez-it snack mix.

Eliot Schiaparelli is a sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio, doublemajoring in journalism and American studies. She spends a lot of her non-academic time working as a reporter and news anchor for WFUV, where she finds herself strangely drawn to stories about New York’s struggling mass transit system. She’s now thrilled to be taking on the role of assistant news editor, in which she can dust off her computer layout skills from her time as editor of Insight, her high school newspaper (Ms. Jemail would be so proud).

When she’s not bringing the news to the people of the Bronx, you can find her binge-watching “Grey’s Anatomy,” listening to the biographies of dead presidents or waiting impatiently for her latest box from StitchFix to arrive.

photo editor

Julia Comerford has singlehandedly kept the photography section of this newspaper afloat since Volume 99 as photo editor. She is a junior at Fordham College Rose Hill majoring in visual arts and minoring in marketing. Not only is Julia photo editor of The Fordham Ram but she also rows for the Fordham women’s varsity crew team. During the very rare time she’s not doing something rowing related, Julia can be found taking photos of anything and everything, screaming about the Eagles (go birds!) or talking about the Jersey shore. This is Julia’s last volume on The Ram, and all she wants is for you to read The Ram because it is very good! In fact, it’s better than most!

January 23, 2019

Volume 101 copy chief

Page 13 copy chief

Vanessa DeJesus is a sophomore at Fordham College Rose Hill majoring in English and minoring in medieval studies. She is from Middlesex, New Jersey, which is the exact center of the state; to anyone who says Central Jersey isn’t a thing, explain that. She is a summertime barista, ex-poet turned comic and self-proclaimed caf cretin. She joined The Fordham Ram to copy edit as a freshman and was quickly promoted to executive copy editor. When she isn’t running around like a crazy person you can find her in her single in Faber listening to old comedy albums on vinyl or rewatching “The 100” on Netflix.

As the newly appointed grammar police, she intends to uphold the high journalistic standard of accuracy set forth by her predecessors as copy chief of The Fordham Ram’s 101st volume.

Maggie Rothfus is a junior at Fordham College Rose Hill majoring in English and minoring in psychology. A Pittsburgh native, she had to abandon her city’s obscure grammar tendencies (search: Pittsburghese) to become a copy chief for Volume 101.

As a prior copy editor, she is greatly anticipating the new year and meeting even more people through The Ram, while also helping put out amazing issues. When not in B-52, she can be seen in United Student Government meetings or meeting with Aramark as USG’s Dining Committee Chair.

culture editor

culture editor

Rachel Gow is a freshman at Fordham College Rose Hill originally from Worcester Massachusetts. She plans on double majoring in journalism and political science so she can make a career out of yelling at her family members for their political views. You can find her spending copious amounts of time reading NPR, watching documentaries about veganism, while not being a vegan, and getting depressed about climate change. Her experience at The Ram before this semester was as an occasional opinion writer. However, she has decided to dive right in as culture editor. She’s excited to explore the culture on Fordham’s campus and help create a fascinating section, as well as learn how to run on three hours of sleep for her 8:30 class Wednesday mornings!

Kieran Press-Reynolds is a sophomore at Rose Hill from Los Angeles, California. He’s majoring in English and either communications, journalism, film, philosophy, DTEM or political science as well (yes, he’s having a very hard time deciding).

He is one of the culture editors for this volume. In his spare time, he reads, watches old movies and listens to music. Other interests include running, making memes, thinking about life and re-watching old Spongebob episodes.

sports editor

opinion editor

Collin Bonnell is a sophomore from Hingham, Massachusetts.

A history and theology double-major with a minor in medieval studies, Collin looks forward to experiencing great job prospects upon graduation. When he is not dutifully carrying out his obligations as opinion editor, Collin, an intellectual, likes to read books, visit museums, consider philosophical quandaries and play chess.

Jimmy Sullivan is a sophomore at Fordham College Rose Hill who plans to major in journalism. He commutes from Dumont, New Jersey, and when he’s not keeping busy as the sports editor for this volume of The Ram, he’s spending the rest of his time at WFUV (and going to school, of course!). Jimmy loves sports and has rooted for the Mets and the Jets his entire life, which entails a level of pain many of us cannot comprehend. In his free time, he enjoys watching television and losing precious minutes of his day to YouTube rabbit holes.

Asst. sports editor

asst. sports editor

Andrew Posadas is a sophomore from Valley Stream, New York who calls both Fordham College at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center home. To prove he’s smarter than you think, sources say Andrew will double major in journalism and English. Recently, Andrew signed a lucrative deal to become the next assistant sports editor for The Ram. If that wasn’t enough, he’s also starting to contribute for WFUV Sports! What a guy, am I right? His other interests include but are not limited to: writing, meditating, Half-Baked Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, his trusty but sometimes dopey canine companion Balto and any movie featuring Denzel Washington.

Andrew will forever believe anything is possible through flatbread sandwiches at Cosi.

Dylan Balsamo was born in the outskirts of Seattle, but after a period of sleeplessness his parents took him to Uruguay and left him with a family of 10 children. At age 14, he ran away from his home to get on a plane and take up residency in Australia. While in the land down under, he befriended a koala and kangaroo, whom he lovingly calls Wolly and Hops. At age 18, Dylan’s underground home was tracked down by the Australian postal service to give him a letter from The Fordham Ram, insisting that he must become an assistant sports editor. So, this past August, Dylan left his life on the run behind to come to the Bronx. Dylan would like to say hello to his family in Oakland, New Jersey, and Wolly and Hops, who now read The Ram weekly.

DIGITAL producer

DIGITAL producer

Kristen Egan is a sophomore at Fordham College Rose Hill majoring in digital technologies & emerging media and minoring in marketing. Hailing from the beautiful state of New Jersey, Kristen has a lot of opinions on bagels and has no idea how to pump her own gas. Kristen has a deep appreciation for plants and animals, specifically cacti and squirrels. She’s excited to be returning to her role as digital producer for Volume 101 and is waiting for the day she does not have to remind people to fill out web sheets. Seriously, is it that hard?

Katherine Morris is a freshman at Rose Hill and a digital producer at The Ram. Coming from the armpit of America, she holds the unpopular opinion that New Jersey pizza is superior to New York pizza in every way. In alignment with her self-destructive tendencies, she is currently planning on double-majoring and minoring in digital technologies and emerging media, political science and math. When not regretting her life choices, she can be found sitting on benches, admiring comic sans or cultivating her meme collection. She enjoys playing “Mario Kart,” political activism, smashing the patriarchy and reading The New York Times.

visual director

Bojeung Leung is a junior at Fordham College Rose Hill majoring in visual arts with a minor in communication and culture.

He is an artist, filmmaker, photographer and multi-media artist from the Bronx and based in New York City. In October of 2018, he exhibited in Gallery Le Pavé d’Orsay, Paris. Some of his many interests are “Dr. Who,” BTS and David Bowie.

OPINION

Page 14

January 23, 2019

Shame: Fordham Responds to Northeast Province’s List of Abusive Priests

By COLLIN BONNELL OPINION EDITOR

On Jan. 15, the Office of the President sent out an email containing a “Joint Message from Fordham’s President and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees,” concerning the list of Jesuits accused of sexually abusing minors released earlier that day by the Northeast Province of the Society of Jesus. The email contained the names of nine Jesuits who had ties to Fordham University and Fordham Prep, and the allegations against these priests reveal a pattern of gross negligence by various parties, including Fordham University, Fordham Prep and the Northeast Province of Jesuits, which endangered members of the Fordham community.

Mirroring a larger trend within the Catholic Church, these priests, whose affiliations with Fordham University and Fordham Prep span six decades, were moved around after accusations against them arose and shifted to different positions so as to not draw public attention. The story of one of the accused, Rev. Philip Conroy, S.J., exemplifies this trend.

According to an article by WKBW, Conroy was accused of groping two female minors in the mid-1970s while employed by Fordham University. Conroy left Fordham after the events took place and was sent to Canisius College, where he became Director of Campus Ministry. The Jesuit remained at Canisius until 2002, when the Buffalo Diocese was informed of the allegations and Conroy was then moved to the Jogues Retreat Center near Poughkeepsie, where he is still a priest and, despite the allegations against him, remains in close proximity to the laity.

While the revelations concerning Conroy are troubling, the circumstances surrounding the rela-

tionship between Fordham and two other Jesuits on the list, Rev. Roy Drake, S.J., and Rev. Eugene O’Brien, S.J., were sufficiently incriminating to push two activist groups—the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests and BishopAccountability.com—to accuse Fordham Preparatory School of sheltering child molesters in 2008.

The first of these priests, Drake, a former science teacher at Fordham Prep, was accused of raping the friend of a Fordham Prep student while on a ski trip in 1968.

That year, Drake left Fordham Prep, but later returned to Fordham as a resident of MurrayWeigel Hall, until he was sent to a “treatment center” for troubled priests in 2006. The church has refused to offer Drake’s accuser an apology.

The other, O’Brien, served as the president of Fordham Prep from 1960 until 1979 and allegedly molested a minor in the early 1970s. O’Brien returned to Fordham in 1986, when he joined the staff of the university, where he would remain until 1991 and during which time he served as vice president for community relations.

Although both Fordham University and Fordham Prep are named as parties in a 1997 legal settlement in which several Jesuit groups gave $25,000 to O’Brien’s accuser; they have declined to comment on the event in the past.

The administration’s failure to be open with the Fordham community about the allegations against O’Brien is detestable. After the settlement, O’Brien continued to serve as president of the Gregorian University Foundation in New York until 2002, and was later sent to the same retreat center as Conroy.

The email also named Rev. John McCarthy, S.J., who was accused of abusing minors in the 1970’s yet continued to work for

the University until 1992. Others mentioned include Rev. Philip Sunseri, S.J., who lived in campus residence halls from 1983-1986 and is currently enjoying a sunny retirement in California; Rev. William Scanlon, S.J., who was affiliated with the University in the 1970’s; Rev. John Bellwoar, S.J., who was affiliated with Fordham Prep from 1936-1938; Rev. Maurice Meyers, S.J., who was affiliated with the University from 1951-1959 and from 1973-1974 and Rev. Francis X. Nawn, S.J., who was affiliated with Fordham University from 1980-1981.

While it is reassuring that the administration informed the Fordham community of the accusations against these priests, it is important to point out that the list provided is incomplete.

When releasing their joint statement, Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J. and Robert Deleo decided to omit any mention of Rev. Cornelius Carr, S.J., a Jesuit who was accused of molesting a minor in the 1970’s and spent his last days as a resident at Murray-Weigel Hall, and Fernand Beck, a lay religious studies teacher at Fordham Prep who was fired in 2016 when allegations that he had raped a student in 1984 resurfaced. Beck’s victim alleges that he informed headmaster Neil McCarthy of the incident a few months after it had occurred, and that McCarthy not only dismissed the allegation, but used the occasion to call the victim a slur. The omission of any reference to these incidents reflects the administration’s continued failure to be honest with members of the Fordham community about the current crisis.

Additionally, while the email alluded to the formation of a new “Advisory Committee” of lay trustees to review allegations against Jesuits here on campus, previous attempts to stop the current crisis of sexual abuse by members of the clergy via internal

COURTESY OF JULIA COMERFORD/THE FORDHAM RAM

Many of the accused priests lived in Murray-Weigel Hall for years.

reforms have failed, this new committee may amount to little more than smoke and mirrors.

The statement also appeared to blame the Northeast Province of the Society of Jesus, which governs Murray-Weigel Hall, for housing Jesuits who had been accused of abusing minors in a building situated on a college or high school campus and is situated directly across from 500 Fordham Road—a building housing six high schools attended by students whose families presumably did not receive the email.

Although it is important to note that the letter says Fordham recently pressured the Northeast Province to remove all male residents who have been the subject of “credible” accusations of sexual misconduct, this concession begs an important question. If the administration was concerned about the housing of several priests accused of sexually abusing minors at Murray-Weigel Hall, why did it continue to encourage college students to volunteer at the building without informing them of allegations against many of the retired Jesuits they served?

While reading the email I was ashamed to discover instances,

such as that mentioned above, of blatant disregard for the safety of students which my university displayed in the past. For decades, Fordham was one of countless bodies within the Catholic Church which decided to ignore and indeed facilitate a growing crisis concerning the sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy. Opportunity after opportunity presented itself for Fordham to intervene in the crisis by reporting the accused to the authorities, separating them from the laity and informing those of us who trusted them of this grave crisis. Yet at each and every opportunity, Fordham failed us.

Yes, the administration’s decision to inform the Fordham community of the release of this list is a step in the right direction, but it by no means excuses its gross negligence. Nor does it excuse the fact that we have been systematically misled by both the Church and the university for decades.

The current moment is not one of the hope invoked in the letter’s closing. It is one of shame.

Collin Bonnell, FCRH ’21, is a history and theology major from Hingham, Massachusetts.

Disagree with these opinions?

Want your voice heard?

Send your thoughts to fordhamramopinions@gmail.com

OPINION

January 23, 2019

Page 15

“You” and the Value of Social Media

COURTESY OF NETFLIX

“You”’s main character, Joe Goldberg, shows the audience the dangers of social media and how we utilize it.

By SEAN FRANKLIN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Netflix’s new show, “You,” begins with a chance encounter between Beck, a graduate student and aspiring author, and Joe, a bookstore manager and sociopathic stalker extraordinaire.

Sparks fly, and Joe quickly becomes obsessed.

He gets her name from her credit card and immediately looks her up on social media.

Beck keeps a fairly exhaustive record of her life online, and with a few keystrokes Joe finds out

where she lives, where she works, who her friends are and more. He stalks her across New York City and slowly insert himself into her life in increasingly terrifying ways – first by breaking into her home, then by kidnapping and later murdering her current beau (a comically punchable trust-fund guy named “Benji”).

“You” is many things – a soapy thriller in the vein of “Gone Girl” and “American Psycho,” a dark satire of our image-obsessed society and a disturbing image of the now-common practice of “Facebook stalking” taken to the ex-

treme.

However, one of its most interesting themes is a message about the perils of social media and the digital traces we all willingly leave.

Joe is able to find Beck easily because she has readily put so much of her information online. Her profiles are public and her posts are frequent.

She has clearly put a lot of work into maintaining her online presence – unwittingly making her life part of the public record.

I do not say any of this to blame Beck – Joe is clearly the villain of this story. I merely want to point

out some of the risks amplified by the advent of social media.

I am willing to bet that most of you reading this article are active on social media in one form or another.

You have a digital footprint, a record of your thoughts and actions preserved in the cloud for all time.

This digital record can be exploited by malicious figures like Joe, mined for data by the social networks themselves or stolen by Russian intelligence agents. These are clear downsides, but what are the upsides? Why do we expose ourselves to these risks?

Given that Beck has put so much time and effort into social media, we must assume that she gets something of value from it.

However, even if you remove Joe from the picture, it is clear that social media is impacting Beck’s life in negative ways.

She hangs out with many wealthy socialite friends who, unlike her, do not have to worry about money or work. Through her social media, she constantly tries to make her life seem just as enviable and carefree as her friends’.

She struggles to balance her writing and her work as a graduate student with the pressure to go out with her friends for some Instagrammable moments. It is easy to see the parallels between Beck’s constant striving, her fear of missing out and the world we

live in today.

Entertain, if you will, this thought experiment. What if all social media disappeared tomorrow? Would we really be any worse off?

The risk of being stalked by Joelike characters or having our data compromised by foreign agents would be gone. Gone, too, would be the constant fear that we are not good enough, or that we’re missing out on something that others are experiencing.

We would be free from social media’s well-documented deleterious effects on our collective mental health. We would be free from the pressure to document our lives online just because others are doing so.

Much ink has been spilled about the negative impact of social media. However, little has been written about its benefits. I think this is telling. It shows us that there’ is not a lot of good to write about.

Social media is not essential to our lives. It makes itself essential through the network effect – the more people use it, the more useful it becomes. But it has no utility in and of itself; it has no value beyond the value that people place upon it.

Given all of the risks, why should we use it? My answer is that we should not.

Sean Franklin, FCRH ’21, is an urban studies major from Alexandria, Virginia.

Scaramucci: Reality TV in the Age of Trump

By CHRIS DIMIERI

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The popular reality TV show “Big Brother” has released the cast for its new season. This elimination-based game show follows multiple contestants as they live in an isolated house together.

They compete in various challenges and obstacles to determine if they will keep their dormitory or be evicted from the house.

The show’s latest season will have different celebrities from contrasting backgrounds placed together. Some major figures will be present, such as Ryan Lochte, the American swimmer who faced a scandal after an altercation at the 2016 Summer Olympics, and the legend himself and topic of this article, Anthony Scaramucci.

Anthony Scaramucci, the famous New Yorker, hedge-fund manager and former White House communications director is well-known for his brash and politically incorrect personality.

He has a considerable massmedia presence and has essentially become a household name.

Many know him as “The Mooch,” and his persona has been the subject of internet fame and memes within the modern age.

With the current political atmosphere of the United States being so controversial, skeptics are debating if it is right to have Scar-

amucci, a former White House consultant, appear on a popular television show.

This question has been brought forward since other politicians have gained notoriety with the help of television roles.

Although an argument can be made that it is ethically irresponsible to have politicians be associated with celebrities, I believe that it would be impossible to regulate through official policy.

America has its fair share of politicians that have spent time in Hollywood.

One of the most notable presidents, Ronald Reagan, shared a spotlight in entertainment, but that in no way determined his policy or actual success within his term.

With regards to the show, I believe it would be entertaining to see personalities like Scaramucci present in a house with other celebrities. I understand his political background, but for the sake of entertainment television, I would call this a match made in heaven.

I am sure that many share this same opinion, but at the same time, many feel that this line should never be crossed. However when pertaining to “The Mooch,” it is very hard for me to say I would not want to see him on my TV. To me, being opposed to this action doesn’t make any sense. If

COURTESY OF FLICKR

Anthony Scaramucci was recently listed as a competitor on the next season of the popular reality show “Big Brother.”

Scaramucci ever decides to run for president or any other office, I am sure that he will be judged much more on his list of comments and quotes in which vulgar and unprofessional language is used, and not on his time on one season of a reality TV show.

Regardless of your political background or your current opinion on the United States government, there is no denying that Anthony Scaramucci is an entertaining figure.

He has a cartoonish persona that some may find derogatory, but that I believe perfectly fits a reality show.

Scaramucci’s stint on “Celebrity Big Brother’s” second Season begins on Monday Jan. 21, 2019.

I have high hopes for this season because of the star-studded cast, and I cannot wait to see how “The Mooch” fits in.

With the times changing and politicians becoming less formal, I could imagine a future in which

we see more of this politiciantelevision personality occur. As long as policy isn’t affected, I wouldn’t mind.

If we were to take our current politicians and put them on a “Big Brother”-like show, my bet is on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to be the winner, but that’s all I will say on that.

Chris DiMieri, FCRH ’20, is an English and psychology major from Manhassset, New York.

CULTURE

Page 16

January 23, 2019

Who’s That Kid? | It’s Julia Gayanelo, FCRH ’21!

Sophomore Steps Out of Her Comfort Zone

By LINDSAY GRIPPO EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Julia Gayanelo, FCRH ’21, is new to the pageant life. “I actually grew up as a tomboy,” she says.

“Doing this is definitely stepping out of my comfort zone.”

On Jan. 26 at the Newark Symphony Hall in Newark, N.J., Gayanelo will be participating in the 12th Annual Ms. Philip-

pines 2019: More Than Just a Pretty Face pageant run by the Rutgers-Newark Filipino Student Association. She will be one of 24 representatives from 24 universities in the tri-state area, including Columbia University, Stony Brook University, Hunter College and others.

A mathematics-economics double major from Westchester, New York, Gayanelo was closely

COURTESY OF JULIA GAYANELO

This Saturday, Julia will be participating in the 12th Annual Ms. Phillipines 2019.

familiar with Fordham before ever attending herself. Her mother graduated from Fordham’s Graduate School of Education and her older brother from Fordham College at Rose Hill. “We are a big Ramily family,” Gayanelo said.

Gayanelo is very active at Rose Hill. She is a student employee at the Office for Student Involvement and an outreach ambassador for Rose Hill Society, as well as a member of the Ultimate Frisbee club, the Running Club, the Outdoors Club and FUPAC. And now, she is throwing her hat in the ring for this year’s Ms. PI. The event aims to “showcase empowered Filipino women who are compelled to break the glass ceiling while defying female stereotypical social norms,” according to the pageant’s Facebook page. Contestants are encouraged to focus on an aspect of their own character, an experience or a female role model that has empowered them as Filipino women.

Gayanelo’s participation in Ms. Phillipines 2019 is due to her involvement with Fordham’s Philippine-American Club (FUPAC) on campus. “I really just wanted to meet other people and go out of my comfort zone and embrace my culture,” she said.

Over the past few weeks, contestants have been participating in joint dance rehearsals every Saturday that typically span from five to six hours long. To Gayane-

lo, the rehearsals have been prime bonding time.

“We have gotten super close,” she says. “At first, I was scared because it takes up your whole Saturday. But it is actually so fun; instead of going into the city and hanging out with my friends, getting brunch, I’m still hanging out with my friends, we are just having dance rehearsal.”

The show has multiple segments, including a collective opening dance, an evening-look runway walk, a talent portion and a cultural portion; that is to say, Gayanelo’s hard work is by no means limited to Saturdays.

“It was finals week, and we rehearsed until one a.m.,” she says in discussing her preparation for the event. She and partner Jeffrey Pelayo, FCRH ’21, of Fordham Flava will be performing a dance for her talent portion.

Gayanelo will also perform a dance for the culture portion.

Her performance will be a commentary on the white-skin beauty standards faced by many women of the Philippines.

“Every girl faces beauty standards. But in the Philippines, girls specifically face the Western idea of beauty,” she said. “So they have foundation that makes their skin lighter, and they have this tape that makes their eyelids look less Asian. They are following what the Western idea of beauty is: ‘If you’re white, you’re pretty.

If you’re not white, you’re not

pretty.’”

In the dance, she struggles with and ultimately overcomes the pressures that result from societal ideals of beauty.

Through her performance, she hopes to inspire all women to accept and love their individuality. “I’m just trying to show that everyone should embrace their self-beauty and be proud of who they are.”

The pageant process overall has served as a learning experience for Gayanelo. “Confidence has definitely grown during the pageant,” she said of her experience so far. “It is so empowering for women to do this.”

Her favorite part: meeting girls she can connect with.

“Growing up in Westchester, it was really hard to just meet another Filipino friend. I felt like I was always different from everybody else.

“But coming here and meeting people, I was like, ‘Wow, we are actually the same, and I can identify with them. I can relate with them,’” she said. “I was so happy to meet everyone and form that community.”

For more information about tickets for the event, contact members of FUPAC or Julia Gayanelo directly. Otherwise, start preparing yourself for a potential run-in with pageant royalty; Fordham might have its very own beauty queen on campus in the upcoming weeks.

Fashion Column | Isiah Magsino

Yes, I Love Timothée Chalamet, Too Coming up with a topic to write about for my first column piece of this semester was difficult. I asked myself, “What do I want to complain about now?” Sitting there, I explored my options: how annoying the double-gold G Gucci belt is, Virgil Abloh’s “designing,” how people should probably thrift more and the list goes on.

As my search continued, I realized that most of my articles consist of me complaining about something and sounding like an overly judgmental fashion grunt.

“You should pick something overlooked and celebrate it,” said my roommate, Leilah. Seeing that this is a new year with a “clean slate,” I agreed.

Though he is definitely not overlooked, Timothée Chalamet’s venture into the world of fashion is difficult to ignore. The young star of “Call Me By Your Name” was recently spotted sitting front row next to Frank Ocean at Virgil Abloh’s Louis Vuitton menswear show earlier this month.

Chalamet even received a special shout-out post by Vogue Magazine through an Instagram image of him and his squad moments after the show. Front row at a fashion show consists of an extremely exclusive seating arrangement reserved for celebrities, supermodels, editors and influencers. People such as Anna Wintour, A$AP Rocky and Kylie Jen-

ner are considered front row royalty, a group that Chalamet may be joining sooner than later.

But before his Vuitton front row presence, Chalamet made it obvious that he was a fan of Abloh’s designs earlier this year at the Golden Globe awards in Los Angeles. The actor show-stopped the red carpet in a black tailored shirt and black trousers, topped with a signature Virgil Abloh Louis Vuitton structured harness.

I am not one to swoon over popular celebrities, but Chalamet made my mouth drop. Against the famous Golden Globe shrub every celebrity takes a photo at, Chalamet effortlessly combined elegance and mystery in one red carpet moment.

Furthering my interest in Chalamet’s ascendance to the role of fashion’s newest it-boy, the insanely charming actor also seems to have the support of my current favorite creative director: Sarah Burton.

Sarah Burton is the creative director of the insanely provocative fashion brand Alexander McQueen. She seems to support Chalamet’s fashion endeavors, as he has appeared on the red carpet not once, but twice sporting the highly desired fashion label.

The more memorable of the two took place in London at the premiere of his movie “Beautiful Boy.” There, Chalamet fully embraced his role as the “beautiful boy” and wore a tailored jacket and pants that were

covered in flowers seemingly painted onto the garments.

There have been numerous times where I witnessed men attempt similar looks but fail miserably, as their attempts end up looking like cheap Zara knock-offs. Chalamet, however, pulled it off with no sweat.

But why do I care so much about the actor’s fashion journey and bold choices? I care because it is nice to see the evolution of men’s fashion choices manifesting under the spotlight.

It is great to see male celebrities and other powerful figures pushing the boundaries further than just the classic black and white tuxedo. Don’t get me wrong: the classic black and white tux is still extremely elegant and sexy, but it is nice to see other elements of men’s fashion on the red carpet that were non-existent not too long ago.

Before Chalamet, former One Direction heartthrob, Harry Styles, championed Gucci tailoring and Alessandro Michele’s old-school silhouettes and intense embroidery.

And finally, A$AP Rocky is the first menswear ruler in fashion and has received the style approval from literally everyone in the industry. (Maybe not everyone, but you get the point.)

These men walked so that Chalamet could run, and trust me, Chalamet is running.

The actor’s red carpet and fashion moments inevitably receive praise from major fashion outlets such as Vogue, Teen Vogue, GQ, Paper and

more. I have yet to be let down by his fashion choices.

Men’s fashion is evolving and everyone interested should participate.

From the current men’s fashion month that is happening overseas, I have noticed many of the forward leaps that the designers are taking.

Claire Waight Keller at Givenchy is one example of this. Her latest collection in Paris continues to push men’s tailoring as her collection included a series of longer-line jackets, high ruffled collars and bell bottoms.

Her collection pushed men’s bound-

aries without trying too hard or being obnoxious (think Moschino).

Designers like Waight Keller are pioneering the evolution of menswear. It is time that people recognize this evolution and fully embrace it.

The whole fashion industry is supporting it alongside celebrity heartthrobs.

Next time you, your boyfriend, dad, brother or whoever is shopping, pose the question: “Do I really want to be boring this time and buy the Hermès belt with the tacky H as the buckle?”

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Timothée Chalamet’s venture into the world of fashion is impossible to ignore.

CULTURE

January 23, 2019

Page 17

Editor's Pick | Television

“Grace and Frankie” Celebrates Living Life to the Fullest

By COLETTE NOLAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Netflix recently released the fifth season of its heartfelt comedy “Grace and Frankie” on Jan. 16.

The show follows former frenemies Grace and Frankie, played

by Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, respectively, as they are thrown together after learning that their husbands (Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston) plan to leave them for each other after an affair spanning decades.

While “Grace and Frankie” is a comedic show focused primarily on senior citizens, it preaches valuable lessons about life for viewers of all ages.

Perhaps one of the most valuable lessons that “Grace and Frankie” sets out to teach its audience is that, no matter what you may think of a person, your experiences may be more similar than you expected.

The characters Grace and Frankie never got along previously. However, their mutual experiences aid in their understanding of one another.

This valuable common ground allows them to become close friends, albeit with a lot of rocky

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Netflix's Grace and Frankie is a heartfelt comedy about two former enemies who find common ground after thier husbands' leave them..

moments in the beginning of their friendship. Through their example, viewers are indirectly urged to be more open-minded when it comes to finding friendships, as the most unlikely pairings could turn out to be the most special.

“Grace and Frankie” also uses its platform to discuss the troubles that come with aging, such as relationships and physical health.

Though the show is slanted toward an older audience in some

aspects, it reminds all viewers that, regardless of their age, they should never allow anything to hinder their opportunities to live life to the fullest.

Both Grace and Frankie tackle relationship problems that are universal for all ages, such as long distances and hesitations regarding intimacy.

The women work through their issues by supporting one another.

They constantly remind themselves (and each other) that their age and abilities should not impede their successes in life.

First-time viewers of “Grace and Frankie” may be skeptical of their ability to relate to the myriad of characters in the show.

However, each character is multifaceted in a way that allows every viewer to find a character to identify with.

Be it young or old, married or

single, “Grace and Frankie” sets out to show viewers that there are some problems that do not simply vanish as one matures.

However, finding and cultivating strong friendships aids in the process and provides a support system when things do not go as planned.

The show teaches that being there for someone is just as important as having someone there for you.

Most importantly, “Grace and Frankie” shows its audience that things change and that’s okay.

Nothing is 100 percent certain, and some things will throw you for a loop, but you will get up and keep going.

Change is a part of life, and adapting to the changes one experiences allows one to continue living life to the fullest, even if the limit of “fullest” has altered.

Being present and living with conviction are goals that can become attainable for anyone, regardless of their age or circumstance.

“Grace and Frankie” shows its audience that even the seemingly worst-case scenario can have unexpectedly pleasant outcomes if you strive to live your best life.

Academy Awards Boasts a Diverse Group of Nominees

By RYAN DI CORPO

CULTURE EDITOR EMERITUS

Tracee Ellis Ross and previous Academy Award-nominee Kumail Nanjiani announced the nominations for the 91st Academy Awards on Tuesday morning.

This year's crop of nominees is distinguished in both breadth and diversity, highlighting a number of films that have been overlooked or underappreciated at other awards ceremonies this year.

“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” the latest effort from the Coen Brothers, received zero Golden Globe nominations and three Oscar nominations for Best Costume Design, Screenplay and Original Song.

However, “Scruggs” faces formidable competition in the Best Original Song category, standing alongside Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, Jennifer Hudson and ninetime Oscar nominee Diane Warren.

“Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” a crime drama largely ignored by major award shows until now, also received three nominations: two for actors Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant, and one for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Continuing the trend of welcome surprises, Paul Schrader received his first Oscar nomination for his screenplay of the critically-acclaimed spiritual drama “First Reformed.” That's right: the screenwriter of “Taxi Driver” and “Raging Bull” does not, at least yet, have an Academy Award.

For “BlacKkKlansman,” industry veteran Spike Lee earned his first Oscar nomination for Best

Director, despite receiving an Honorary Oscar in 2016.

Lee is found among an international cast of fellow nominees, including Yorgos Lanthimos for “The Favourite,” past winner Alfonso Cuarón for “Roma,” and surprise nominee Paweł Pawlikowski for the Polish-language drama “Cold War.” There are a number of both fresh-faces as well as instantly recognizable names among the acting categories.

Previous Oscar recipients Christian Bale, Sam Rockwell, Mahershala Ali, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz were all nominated.

Amy Adams (“Vice”) and Bradley Cooper (“A Star Is Born”) both claim a career-total of six Oscar nominations, while Glenn Close (“The Wife”) leads the pack with seven all-time nominations but no wins (yet).

Lady Gaga, who won a Golden Globe earlier this month for Best Original Song, scored her

first Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Sam Elliott, who made his uncredited film debut in 1967, also received his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

However, the most exciting inclusion among the acting nominees must be the nominations of Marina de Tavira and firsttime actress Yalitza Aparicio for “Roma.”

“The Favourite” and “Roma” came out on top with 10 nominations each, including Best Pic-

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"The Favourite," directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, received 10 Oscar nominations Tuesday morning, tying with Alfonso Cuarón's "Roma."

ture. “Vice” and “A Star Is Born,” both vying for Best Picture, each earned 8 nominations.

But the focus is on “Black Panther,” which tallied an impressive seven nominations and introduced superhero films to the Best Picture category. Other nominees in that category include “BlacKkKlansman,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Green Book.”

There remain a number of notable snubs this year. Ryan Coogler did not receive a Best Director nomination for “Black Panther.”

Toni Collette, who earned rave reviews for her terrifying performance in “Hereditary,” was also left out — as was Emily Blunt for “Mary Poppins Returns.”

Steve McQueen's “Widows” and Felix Van Groeningen's “Beautiful Boy,” featuring an Oscar-tipped performance from Timothée Chalamet, also failed to secure any nominations.

Also absent from the list of nominees is a bit of film history: Orson Welles's wild, final film, “The Other Side of the Wind.”

Regardless of the outcome on Oscar Sunday, there is one clear winner here: Netflix, which now claims its first Best Picture nominee in “Roma.”

The streaming service and distributor of “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” and “End Game,” nominated for Best Documentary Short Subject, picked up 14 nominations this year.

The 91st Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, will air Feb. 24 on ABC. After an extended controversy, the ceremony will be presented without a host for the first time since 1989.

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January 23, 2019

Mental Health Column| Kelly Christ

Anxiety and Depression in Film and Televison Mental illness is one of the most difficult subjects to talk about. Unsurprisingly, writers have struggled for decades to figure out how to tell stories of individuals battling mental illness. In film and television, portrayals of mental health have been both positive and negative in regards to the understanding of mental illness in the cultural zeitgeist.

Unfortunately, negative portrayals can have dangerous consequences for viewers struggling with their own mental health. The ever-present stigma attached to mental illness can be both fomented and diminished by the portrayals of mental illness in different media forms.

While accurate portrayals have helped to promote awareness about these disorders, some have missed the mark and contributed to damaging perceptions of mental illness.

The summer of 2018 marked the release of “Eighth Grade,” a film chronicling the life of Kayla, a 13-year-old girl navigating her way through the social highs and lows of eighth grade.

Amidst the awkward and witty humor sprinkled throughout the film, “Eighth Grade” provides a poignant depiction of a young person’s battle with anxiety.

The movie brilliantly weaves mental illness into the typical growing pains of adolescence. In one particularly moving scene, Kayla candidly describes her feelings of anxiety: “It’s like I’m waiting in line for like a roller coaster and that stupid like butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling you get […] I never get the feeling after you ride the roller coaster.” These lines convey a sense of innocence that is rarely seen in portrayals of mental illness.

Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder among chil-

dren and adolescents, with 31.9 percent of adolescents meeting the criteria for an anxiety disorder by the age of 18. What “Eighth Grade” does best is show that anxiety need not be an all-encompassing facet of one’s identity. It does not define Kayla any more than other aspects of her personality.

A particularly emotional scene shows Kayla talking to her father in their backyard. Kayla tells him that if she were him, she would not be happy with a daughter like herself.

Kayla’s guilt about how she has handled eighth grade brings to mind an all-too-common phenomenon with individuals battling mental illness: they feel like a burden on those that care for them.

Kayla brings up these concerns in a simple yet powerful way, asking him, "Do I make you sad?” Kayla’s vulnerability in admitting her fears and the straight-forward nature of the conversation shows a healthy dialogue about anxiety.

By breaking down Kayla’s mental health in terms that a young girl like herself may understand, the film centers on the very real and raw emotions behind these disorders.

There is no judgment in the conversation. The movie does not rely on heightened talk or terms that a psychology textbook might use to describe Kayla’s mindset. She is honest, and he is honest in return.

Her anxiety may complicate things for her, but it does not make her any less deserving of love and support.

In recent years, perhaps the most prominent example of mental illness representation in television is “13 Reasons Why,” a Netflix original series based on a popular young adult novel by Jay Asher. The show centers on the story of Hannah Baker, a high school student who commits

Netflix's "13 Reasons Why" faced heavy criticism for its depictions of suicide, depression and sexual assualt.

suicide and leaves behind thirteen tapes for the people that she believes to have contributed to her suicide.

The first season was met with immense criticism in regards to its depiction of suicide. Suicide is one of the most difficult subjects to discuss, especially in the case of young teenagers like Hannah.

The show’s portrayal of Hannah’s death has been heavily criticized by psychiatrists and other mental health professionals for being potentially dangerous.

By blaming the tape recipients for her suicide, the show portrays suicide as a means of revenge. As Psychology Today wrote, it is “reckless to suggest that suicide can offer vindication for the wrongs a person has endured.” Hannah lives on in many ways in the show as she narrates much of the first season and even appears as something of a ghost in the second.

These appearances hinder the potency of the suicide, as it does not seem as final as it truly is. Instead, the show should highlight the depression Hannah was battling which was aggravated by the actions of her peers. The show should encourage viewers to discuss the realities

of mental illness, the need to have an open dialogue about it and the essential value of having resources available for young people battling depression.

There is a difficult line for writers to yield to when portraying mental illness. While “Eighth Grade” portrays difficulties of mental health in a way that helps to reduce its surrounding stigma, “13 Reasons Why” shies away from important discussions about mental illness in favor of dramatizing suicide.

The series focuses on the drama of the heartbreaking treatment Hannah faces from her peers but hesitates to depict Hannah’s depression.

This only furthers the stigma depression already has. Teenagers need to be able to openly discuss these matters without fear of judgment or blame.

It is a good step that a mainstream young adult television series was able to attempt to discuss the topic of mental health, but it is imperative that these depictions are done in a way that does not further add to any stigma or misconceptions.

Inaccurate depictions of mental health can have tragic consequences.

Patients who struggle with mental

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illness have faced and will continue to face stigma forever. Unfortunately, when society promotes the idea that mental illnesses are the fault of the very people who struggle from them, patients are less likely to seek treatment due to fear of judgment or the misconception that it is “all in their head.”

One study from Psychological Medicine in 2014 showed “evidence that mental health-related stigma has a small to moderate detrimental impact on help-seeking for mental ill health.

“Eighth Grade” is the perfect example of normalizing the discussion of mental health. Open and honest dialogue, as well as the willingness to listen and provide support, are some of the best tools to use when battling mental illness.

Young people especially need to know that struggling with anxiety or depression is not something they should feel ashamed of or something that diminishes their value as a person.

As we continue the fight to destigmatize mental illness and promote awareness, we must focus on portraying these issues in a beneficial manner.

Review | Film

“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” Breaks New Ground

By MATTHEW DILLION STAFF WRITER

Over the last few years, hardly a week has passed without at least one superhero movie in theaters.

Despite the competition, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” manages to distinguish itself from other adaptations.

The film brings several different iterations of the character together, as they work to stop the realitybending scheme responsible for the crossover.

“Spider-Verse” manages to juggle a sizable cast of similar characters and an unconventional premise with strong writing and a powerfully emotional core.

It also fully explores the potential of its comic book source material while also showing how much an animated movie is capable of.

While the film has no shortage of spider-people, it largely restricts the focus to one.

Most of “Spider-Verse” follows Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), a teenager who finds the gift and burden of being Spider-Man thrust upon him.

Miles is similar enough to Peter Parker to carry the title, while having enough crucial differences to justify his introduction.

With “his” Spider-Man left un-

able to guide him, he is forced to rely on the alternate reality versions that soon show up.

The Spider-Man ( Jake Johnson) that ends up reluctantly mentoring Miles is not ideal.

The struggle of balancing a superhero lifestyle with a more mundane one has left him exhausted and cynical.

Despite his flaws, he is still recognizable as the Spider-Man most people grew up with. Johnson and Moore’s performances create a complex, magnetic friendship between their respective characters.

Peter’s interactions with the more optimistic but less experienced Miles give the world shattering events a strong foundation to work with.

Also prominent is Spider-Woman (Hailee Steinfeld), who is closer to Miles in age but a little more comfortable with her abilities and identity.

She adds to the character dynamics the film relies so much on by forming a middle ground between Peter and Miles.

While not exhausted like the former, she shares enough of his pessimism to set her apart from the latter.

The three other spider-people are far more exaggerated and, unfortunately, less developed.

They get plenty of amusing moments, particularly the literal cartoon Spider-Ham ( John Mulaney) and the hard boiled Spider-Man Noir (Nicolas Cage).

The anime inspired, giant robot piloting Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn) does not work as well.

But thankfully that questionable concept is executed decently enough.

These additional spider-folk lack the nuance of the three main heroes and don’t benefit from the satisfying character arcs they receive.

However, they do not take anything away from “Into the SpiderVerse,” but affirm the multiverse concept off of which the film is built. storytelling is further bolstered by stunning visuals.

The film takes full advantage of animation as a medium. It presents a variety of visual styles and techniques, smoothing them into one coherent whole.

This is only matched by the animation’s believability, as “SpiderVerse” manages to accurately capture human figures when it wants

to while still maintaining its comic book appearance.

The film does try to imitate certain aspects of comic book visuals, namely panel layouts, speech bubbles and sound effects.

At times, this move works, but “Spider-Verse’s” visuals largely stand on their own.

Even the simplest of moments is presented elaborately, and the action scenes rival anything seen in its live action peers.

“Spider-Verse” is easily one of the most visually impressive movies to come out this decade.

COURTESY OF FLICKR

"Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse" came out in December of 2018 and is praised for its animation and creative premise.

CULTURE

January 23, 2019

Page 19

James Blake Transcends On “Assume Form”

By KIERAN PRESS-REYNOLDS CULTURE EDITOR

You’re sitting in the same field you always sit in, where winter painted all the grass white. You can’t remember why you came out here. It’s been wintertime for so long that you’ve almost forgotten what the field normally looks like.

As snow continues to cascade through the sky, the impermanence of the world becomes suddenly apparent. Your heart skips a beat. The ineluctable truth is that one day you will melt. Wait. In the distance, you spot an apparition. It’s a beautiful white-speckled deer. You forget about melting. There’s something about death that’s inextricable with distraction, because otherwise no one would care to live.

This image – a wintry plane trapped in self-deadness and yet still mystical – is what I picture while listening to James Blake’s new album, “Assume Form.” At times, it feels inches from the end, Blake’s willowy vocals dripping like a fountain pen on a suicide note.

But there’s something supra-emo going on.

More often, Blake isn’t the center of attention, giving prevalence to the sounds he finds so alluring and distracting. Blake rejects the implied imperative in the title “Assume Form,” deciding instead that he’d rather disappear into his own soundscape.

This sonic “self-destruction” is more than just an aesthetic impulse; it’s a gender-political statement. Blake released a short polemic on Twitter earlier this year detailing his hate for the historical construction of “man.” The stigma around men expressing emotion is a major factor in what he calls a modern “epidemic of male depres-

sion and suicide.” Rather than become an ironhearted L.B. Jefferies, Blake wants to ditch the production line and unsettle expectations.

As much as the guitar, with its phallic geometrics, functions as a signifier for masculinity in rock, the voice serves as the quintessence of ego and individuality that so historically has pervaded rock, rap and pop music.

By positioning his voice low in the mix and often messing around with it, he subverts his own authority and more aptly conveys a sense of emotional obfuscation. It rarely sounds decadent but instead whimsical, almost like putting sadness, or more generally emotionalism, the concept he finds so problematic, on display like a perplexing museum exhibit.

Even though his vocals aren’t

the premier feature like they were on his previous albums, he makes great use of them. Like Burial, a post-dubstep artist from the mid2000s whose relatively ambient and emotionally ambiguous tracks reflect the precariousness of latecapitalist life, Blake is unhappy with society.

However, while Burial’s soundscapes are full of strange, distorted vocalisations that aren’t his own and create a sort of dehumanized vacuum, Blake revels in his voice.

His use of falsetto and higher pitches imagines a post-gender, poststereotype world, where humans have left behind their bodies and become pure sound.

“Mile High” is almost purely voice-as-instrument, Blake enlisting AutoTune overlord Travis Scott and beatmaster Metro Boomin to

create the sonic equivalent of relaxing in a shimmering jacuzzi on a flying magic carpet.

“Can’t Believe The Way We Flow” is similarly melodic, Blake’s voice harmonizing perfectly with the instrumental to sound like one long euphoric yawn.

At the same time, there’s definitely a feeling of “looking back” that pervades the album. On “Where’s The Catch,” my favorite cut, André 3000 raps about leaving “before the apparitions take over the city.” It’s an elegy for a lost Atlanta, back when his parents were still alive and his child hadn’t gone off to college. Andre’s vocals are complemented by surreal word chops and vocalisations that have been slowed down and edited so much that they sound absurd, like someone who has completely lost

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James Blake’s new album features exciting guest appearances from the likes of Travis Scott, Andre 3000, Rosalia and more.

the ability to function.

Blake could have pushed this kind of experimentation much further. There are some tracks, like “Are You In Love?” that sound scared, where the listener can almost hear the bolder composition it could have been. Even on some of the more layered cuts like “Into The Red” and “Power On,” it feels like more could have been done with vocal modulations and psychedelic effects.

Still, “Assume Form” is a great addition to Blake’s bag of tricks.

For someone who used to make dubstep and ditched it to produce misguided emo anthems, it seems like he’s finally coming into his own. The instrumentals are laden with layers of ear-pleasing textures and the vocals are used effectively and appropriately, producing a synergy that sounds both pop and ambient, emo and experimental.

His music is a sonic portrait of contemporary existence, conveying the feeling that everything has become “too much,” whether it be in terms of politics, social roles or day-to-day anxieties. Like Blake, I’m sure everyone would rather dissolve into an ether of melodic bliss.

Our frenzied world of smartphones and social media often invokes the thrilling yet illusory sense that there’s something infinite out there, whether it be everescalating computer data processing abilities or the idea that because of the Internet, our self-documentation will last forever. But melting is inevitable.

As snow continues to cascade through the sky, keep an eye out for the white-speckled deer. It might appear at any moment. Grasp those ephemeral flickers of senseless beauty and wonder that randomly occur.

The Slice Shop | Daniel Ziebarth

Tony & Tina’s Serves Classic New York Pizza

Welcome to the first article of The Slice Shop! Here you can find a new review of Fordham’s best, and not so best, pizza shops each week.

This week’s inaugural review will cover Tony and Tina’s Pizzeria, which sits on the corner of 189th Street and Arthur Avenue Before even entering this place, you know you’re getting the oldschool slice shop experience: neon signs in the window, five tables with plastic bench seating

and the same two guys working behind the counter.

The shop’s cozy atmosphere combined with the servers’ friendly disposition makes T and T’s a welcoming stop.

When you walk up to the counter, you’ll see all the offerings the place has.

The menu is small, but it has what you’re looking for from a classic slice shop. Pizza, garlic knots, chicken rolls and pepperoni rolls are all on display, along-

side some great classic Albanian and Mediterranean foods that include burek, yogurt and baklava.

Side note, if you’ve never had burek before, you need to try it.

Burek’s warm, flaky filo dough surrounding your choice of delicious filling, including options ranging from meat and cheese to spinach or pumpkin, will make you question why you haven’t been enjoying this treat your entire life.

If we’re talking pizza, Tony and Tina’s has three go-tos.

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Tony & Tina’s Pizzeria is a classic New York pizzeria that has great pizza as well as burek. It sits on 189th Street and Arthur Avenue.

You can choose between cheese, pepperoni and veggie, as well as a Sicilian cheese slice, so anyone looking to get weird with some buffalo chicken or mac and cheese on their slice should avoid this place like it’s Mugz’s on a Tuesday.

A regular slice costs three dollars unless you get a Sicilian for $3.50, which is a little more expensive than a usual slice, but the slices here are bigger than usual.

Honestly, the size of the slices is one of the few complaints I have about T and T’s.

When looking for a good slice, you want something that you can fold up in one hand. This leaves the other one free for a drink.

Tony and Tina’s goes ballsto-the-wall with their slices and makes ‘em XL. So be prepared, if you’re grabbing a slice or two from Tony and Tina’s you’re going to need two free hands for this one.

The other thing they do here is pile on the cheese. Personally, I think they throw on more cheese than they need to, and it takes away from the crust and sauce underneath.

Both the crust and sauce have the qualities you want in a solid

slice.

The sauce has enough flavor without taking over the profile, and the crust is just crispy enough on the outside to add some crunch before biting into the softer inside of the dough.

The quality combo of crust and sauce saves the slice from being overwhelmed by the surplus of mozzarella on top.

Overall, this is a slice shop you should go to and one of the first I’ll recommend to people in the neighborhood.

The beauty of Tony and Tina’s is that while it doesn’t have everything you want, it’s exactly what you need.

Nothing here is organic or artisanal. The menu isn’t large. There’s no hardwood flooring or refurbished exposed brick walls. And you know what, that’s okay. Maybe that’s the point.

Sometimes you need a slice shop that has what you need and nothing more. A seat to sit on and a table in front of you. A few familiar, friendly faces behind the counter.

Consistent food with consistent service. A classic New York City slice shop.

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January 23, 2019

Staying Out of Drama May Cost J. Cole a Grammy

By DANIEL JOY

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“I love J. Cole,” to the backdrop of the 2016 SXSW Festival, former president Barack Obama proclaimed his emphatic support for the North Carolina-based rapper. Rightfully so, as J. Cole’s body of work stands on a pedestal that grew in stature with the release of his 2018 album “KOD.” “KOD” is a concept album about vices in the 21st century, and the pain which drives us to them. It is the lovechild of trap rap and soul, of spoken word and R&B. It is a testament to J. Cole’s dual prowess as a producer of multilayered beats

and a writer of impactful rhymes.

The themes of addiction, infidelity, individualism and intimacy are explored in a way that is simultaneously introspective and universal. “KOD” seamlessly flows from club-style hits to tearful ballads without ever deviating from Cole’s signature brand of immersive storytelling.

Unfortunately, in the music world, presidential endorsements hold little weight with the Grammy Academy Members. J. Cole received two Grammy Nominations, both for featured performances on other rappers’ singles.

The finalists in any Grammy category are decided by the voting

COURTESY OF FLICKR

J. Cole’s aversion to public drama may cost him the chance to win a Grammy.

members of the Recording Academy, a group of twelve thousand individuals intimately involved with the production of commercial music. Each voting member is able to cast a ballot for up to 15 categories in the genre field, i.e. Best Rap Song or Best Rock Album.

While encouraged to limit their voting to categories in which their aptitude extends, they have free reign to vote in any category they choose.

So, those deciding the Rap Album of the year are an eclectic mix of those who are deeply informed about and entrenched in rap music and those who merely consider themselves to be. Of the latter group, many will have not listened to all, if any, of those albums nominated for rap album of the year.

These individuals can either cast their ballot randomly or defer to the opinions of the press.

The finalists for Rap Album of the Year are Cardi B’s “Invasion of Privacy,” Mac Miller’s “Swimming,” Pusha T’s “Daytona,” Travis Scott’s “Astroworld” and Nipsey Hussle’s “Victory Lap.” With the exception of Nipsey Hussle, the lives of these artists received substantial media attention this year. The New York Times mused on the collapse of Cardi B’s marriage. E! and People Magazine have provided the world with

an encyclopedic record of Travis Scott’s relationship with Kylie Jenner. In September, Mac Miller’s demons were immortalized by every news outlet in the country. When Pusha T released a diss track aimed at Drake, Time Magazine chronicled the pair’s subsequent Twitter feud.

Conversely, J. Cole’s life played out largely in private. He rarely sits down for interviews, and when he announced he was a father in May 2018, it drew little fanfare. Managing Dreamville Records, an imminent label fostering the talent of future greats like JID and Cozz, he has little time for feuds.

After rapper Lil Pump lashed out at him over lyrics on the closing track of “KOD,” J. Cole responded with civility. The two sat down in a Carolina recording studio for a conversation that screamed ceasefire with a lowercase c.

In doing his best to stay out of the headlines, J. Cole may have deprived himself of exposure to a mainstream audience of voting members novice to the world of hip-hop.

As these headlines provide many voting members with the information they incorporate into their voting decision, J. Cole’s guarded relationship with the press could have impeded his quest for Grammy Gold.

Going forward, J. Cole could open up more of his life to the press. He could sacrifice the sanctity of his familial relationships by posing for the likes of E! and People while gabbing about his rocky days as a married man and every misstep of fatherhood.

He could aim Twitter torpedos at any MC who questions his timbre. In doing so, he might sow the seeds for more mainstream attention and accolades.

Or, he could focus on his music.

He could continue to thrive as a mentor to the next generation of rappers whose growth he has nurtured under the Dreamville Records umbrella.

He could continue his expansive work with the Dreamville Foundation, a charity he founded in 2011 to support the youth in his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina.

As J. Cole will not be touring in 2019, he will have ample time to reflect on both options. Grammy or no Grammy, he has remained in the good graces of at least one of his fans.

Former President Obama included “Kevin’s Heart,” a single from “KOD,” on his 2018 “Best of” list. That may be the ammunition J. Cole needs to defer to his own lyrics and not “worry ‘bout the critics who ain’t ever f***in’ did it.”

1. Done ___ (perefectly) (3 words) 5. Gov’t agency that promotes shopping the day after Black Friday 8. Newt Scamander expertise 14. 2013 Nobel Peace prize-winning agency (Abbv.)

15. One of eight at JFK 16. Brewery offerings 17. Art ___ 18. What separates The Holiday from the The Hangover 19. Varieties of options 20. First-floor address 21. Mitch Hedberg or Steven Wright comedy style 23. Circular muscles 25. Cave sound 28. Danced a dance for two 29. Used to own

30. Vest follower 31. AOC, for example 33. Dweeb 34. Novelty 38. Homicide : Suicide :: Masochist : ______ 40. Austria’s second largest city 41. Feather preceder 43. What Barack Obama and Usain Bolt did in 2008 44. Fossil fuel 45. How Glinda felt about Elphaba 48. Warner Bros. tour sights 50. Said hello, in construction worker 52. ____ Thirty 54. Surprised with a Smirnoff beverage 56. Glistens 58. One of ten 59. Like Shakespeare’s King Henry

CREATED BY CLAIRE POLACHECK, JACK MCLOONE AND GABBY GILLESPIE

Across

60. Romantic time of day 61. Oldest Quaker graduate seminary, briefly 62. Straight ____ (sober) 63. Mike Trout and Gabriel, say 64. Food stamp distributor, for short 65. Email folder Down

ANSWERS TO ISSUE 22

1. Errand list, by another name 2. Begins hours of operation 3. Come to terms with 4. “I’m Different” rapper 5. The person who wins an arm wrestling contest 6. Denvwer football player

7. Instrument for measuring electrical output 8. Braverman or Witch Project 9. Rake in 10. Concur 11. Google history 12. Buzzfeed Guys 13. Insignificant amount of data, briefly 22. News article openings 24. Baseball’s Brandon or theater’s William 26. Kevin or Melissa Joan 27. Betting chances 32. Players, especially those who settle for even?

33. Why a cat has the confidence to

ANSWERS IN ISSUE 23

Fordham Ram Crossword: New Year, Same Crossword

challenge a raccoon 34. Independent charity groups (Abbv.)

35. Sal the Mule’s canal 36. Three-step dancing 37. Olive Garden bottomless bowl 39. Matilda author 42. Switched through 46. Opposite 47. Pick 49. Spider-Man has a spider- one 50. Red numbers 51. Stoop 53. Actor resume 55. Keto or paleo 56. US military draft grp.

57. Mulan antagonist

SPORTS

Page 21

Beyond the Scoreboard: Enes Kanter Stays Stateside

By ANDREW POSADAS

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

New York Knicks center Enes Kanter missed this past Thursday’s game in London against the Washington Wizards. Kanter did not have any sort of injury prohibiting him from playing. There was no kind of suspension barring him from taking the court. His absence was not due to any internal conflicts with the Knicks or management.

Yet, Kanter refused to make the trip across the Atlantic Ocean.

What could possibly prevent an athlete from doing his job? For the Turkish-born basketball player, his reasoning was simple: playing basketball in London could potentially end in assassination.

Initially, the New York Knicks stated earlier this month that Kanter would miss the London game because of a visa issue.

However, Kanter took time on the day prior to Thursday’s game to deny the claim and elaborate on the real reason he wouldn’t accompany the team.

In his homeland of Turkey, prosecutors are furiously seeking a warrant for Kanter’s arrest. The warrant stems from two reasons: Kanter has staunchly opposed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan publicly for the last several years, and he has been allegedly linked to exiled Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, the man blamed for a failed coup in Turkey three years ago.

Further escalating matters, Erdoğan is seeking a “Red Notice” through Interpol. On Interpol’s official website, a Red Notice is described as a request to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition. In the eyes of the Turkish government, Enes Kanter is part of a terrorist organization. However, as far as

the U.S. is concerned, they have seen no sufficient evidence to adhere with Turkey’s international arrest warrant.

Kanter traveled to D.C. last Tuesday to meet with Senator Marco Rubio and other lawmakers to discuss the state of affairs in Turkey. In an interview with ESPN’s Ian Begley, Kanter explained that he was told at the meeting not to worry about the current extradition request.

“There’s no way they can extradite me back in Turkey because I didn’t do anything wrong here,” Kanter said.

Even with support from the American government, Kanter would ultimately end up watching the Knicks play in London from his apartment building. With the information on hand, my first question is: how could this have happened?

During his explanation for refusing to go to London, Kanter told reporters, “They’ve got a lot of spies there.”

He also stated, “I think I can get killed there. It would be a very ugly situation.”

Think about that. A basketball player unable to fulfill his obligation because he believes he may die in doing so. This also raises the question for the NBA: could it have done more to support Enes Kanter?

Commissioner Adam Silver spoke to the media regarding the situation, surmising that there is nothing more important to him than the security and safety of the players” By allowing Kanter to stay home, Silver did ensure Kanter’s safety, But that is not enough.

The NBA and our U.S. government were aware of Kanter’s public criticism toward Turkish President Erdoğan. They were also aware of an incident in May of 2017 when Kanter was forced

to leave Indonesia in the middle of the night because the Turkish government had told Indonesian police that Kanter was “dangerous.” Kanter was there to run a children’s basketball camp for his charity.

Could not Adam Silver have spoken to London officials about extra security for the game, considering the circumstances? If the U.S. government feels Kanter has done nothing, could not it have granted him a temporary passport, which would offer him protection while traveling overseas?

While Enes Kanter is safe and put in no harm by missing the game, what happens now? Speaking out is only valuable when you have action behind it. Kanter is informing us about a president who has imprisoned more than 50,000 people, including judges, scholars and journalists; those who are not on his side are automatically labelled as “terrorists.” The president has also taken away the right to free speech in Turkey by banning social media sites such as Twitter back in 2014.

Knowing all of this, there should have been more of an onus to get Kanter to London. The game Kanter is playing against the Turkish government is bigger than basketball. The moment he would have stepped onto the hardwood floor in the O2 Arena, Kanter’s message to President Erdogan and Turkish prosecutors would have changed to: “I am speaking out. And I am not afraid.”

Unfortunately, that was not what occurred. Kanter continues to receive hundreds of death threats daily, and the Interpol Red Notice is still currently active.

The time for action is coming.

Will the U.S government and the NBA be ready to play some help defense for Enes Kanter?

COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

Enes Kanter skips a London game after an arrest warrant was issued by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

January 23, 2019

Track has Busy Weekend in Staten Island

By JIMMY SULLIVAN SPORTS EDITOR

The Fordham track and field team participated in two meets this weekend at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on Staten Island.

The first of the two meets was the NYC Gotham Cup, which was held on Friday night. This event showcased the best that Fordham’s team and individual runners had to offer.

The best individual finish of the night came from sophomore Nicholas Raefski, who ran 3,000 meters in 8:50.85 and finished fourth.

The Rams netted another top-10 finish when fellow sophomore Christopher Strzelinski came in ninth in the 1,000-meter run with a time of 2:33.92. However, these would be the only top-10 finishes Fordham’s individual runners would earn; in the field events, no Fordham athlete finished higher than 21st on either the men’s or the women’s side. The Rams did salvage some success in the 4x800 relays, as both the men’s and women’s teams finished third. The men completed the relay with a time of 8:12.36, while the women finished in nine minutes and just over 47 seconds.

But when the Rams came back for more on Saturday, things did not get easier.

The men finished sixth out of eight teams, while the women came in second-to-last out of 10. It was not all bad news for Fordham though, as several of its athletes had excellent performances on the day. Perhaps the star of the afternoon was senior Angelina Grebe, whose season-low time of 10:11.38

was good enough for fourth in the 3,000-meter run. In fact, five of the seven top-10 individual performances in the track events on Saturday came on the women’s side.

Freshman Bridget Alex finished ninth in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 10:37.46. There were also two top-10 Fordham finishes in the 400-meter dash, as sophomore Sarinnagh Budris and freshman Dominique Valentine finished ninth and 10th, respectively, with times just under a minute. In the 200-meter dash, sophomore Kathryn Kelly earned the lone topten performance for the Rams with a 25.21 time. Over on the men’s side, freshman Michael Capone placed ninth with a 7.21-second 60-meter dash while freshman Manuel Alfonso Guzman finished sixth in the same race with a time of 7.13 seconds. Once again, one of the most impressive performers was junior Ryan Kutch, who put up a time of 4:16.77 in the mile run, which placed him 14th overall and qualified him for IC4A. “It felt good,” Kutch said of his performance. However, he also ezpressed disappointment.

“It was disappointing I couldn’t get a personal best,” he said.

The Rams’ next event is this weekend at Boston University.

The team will compete in the annual Terrier Classic.

“These early races help identify certain strengths and weaknesses for people, so it’s a good test for seeing those types of things,” Kutch said. “Most guys ran great at the meet and are in great shape, which is awesome, but for some we have to just equate that great shape to racing better and smarter.”

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham Track competed in two events over the weekend at Staten Island.

SPORTS

Page 22

January 23, 2019

Women’s Swimming Improves to 5-0

By DOMINIC CAPONE STAFF WRITER

The Fordham swimming and diving team opened the second half of its season at La Salle University with a split decision. The women opened with a commanding 195-105 over the winless Explorers, improving its record to 5-0. The men, on the other hand, dropped to 2-3 with a 210.5-86.5 loss to La Salle.

Senior Tara Brunner propelled the women to victory, winning a team high three solo events. She posted two victories in the 50 and 100 freestyle, winning in 23.94 and 57.01, respectively. Brunner, along with graduate student Milly Furneaux and juniors Theresa Mullen and Naima Mackrel, took first place in the 200 medley with a time of 1:46.88.

Mackrel, a junior transfer from Sarah Lawrence College, took first in the 100 backstroke in 59.64 seconds. Mullen was also a part of the 400 freestyle win, along with freshman Kysha Marie Altura, junior Paulina Watson and sophomore Caitlyn McNary, with a time of 3:36.60. McNary won two solo events as well, in the 200 (1:55.88) and 500 (5:07.71) freestyle.

Hannah McGee, a sophomore from Lafayette Hill, Pa., took home a victory in the 200 butterfly in 2:06.57.

“It’s definitely something to get used to but we had a lot of great training over the break to keep us prepared and focused for the next

few meets to come,” McGee said on the time lapse from the teams’ last meet. “I thought we all did a great job in making the best of it and having a lot of fun. I think that’s one of the key reasons as to why we’ve had a lot of success this season.”

As for the men, they only had one first place finish with four second place and seven third place finishes at the event. Junior Christopher Sleutjes had the one and only first place finish by taking the 1000 freestyle in a season best time 9:53.25. Sleutjes took fourth in the 500 freestyle in 4:59.17.

Junior Joseph Vizza placed second in the 100 freestyle in 48.16 seconds, while also helping the relay team of freshman Spencer Clarke, sophomore Bryce Bollesen and senior Travis Monahan to a bronze finish in the 400 freestyle with a time of 3:15.94.

“The team went into the meet with a good attitude and although we did not win, we’re looking forward to racing LaSalle again at the conference meet,” Vizza stated.

When asked what the team needs to improve upon, Vizza said, “At this point in the season, the team is focusing on perfecting our technique for our upcoming conference meet.”

Speaking of the next conference meet, Fordham welcomes in the University of Massachusetts to face the Minutemen and Minute Women at Col. Francis B. Messmore Aquatic Center on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 1 p.m.

JULIA COMERFORD/THE FORDHAM RAM

The Fordham Women’s Swimming team earned a commanding win over La Salle.

By JIMMY SULLIVAN SPORTS EDITOR

We live in a world that often focuses on the future instead of the present.

When Britney Spears broke through as a pop star in the late ‘90s, some said she was the next Madonna.

Now, a young pop star might be labeled the next Britney Spears or Justin Bieber or Lady Gaga; the list goes on and on. The point is that when we see something new and exciting, our initial tendency is to try to think of what that person or thing reminds us of. Politically speaking, the developing Russian collusion story has been often compared to Watergate. The point is that it’s far more interesting to find the “next” version of something than the first version of something new. The desired effect is that we’ve seen that thing before and now we’re seeing it again.

This leads us into the latest round of NFL coaching transactions.

Let’s start with a guy who isn’t going anywhere. Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay, who turns 33 tomorrow, has quickly established himself as one of the best in the league. He has led the Rams to back-to-back NFC West titles in his first two seasons at the helm, and his offensive wizardry has done wonders for his quarterback, Jared Goff. Goff has turned into one of the better quarterbacks in the league after struggling in his rookie season under the leadership of the perennially-average Jeff Fisher; Goff has thrown for nearly 8,500 yards over the past two seasons, which is the fifth-most passing yards in the league during that time.

And it’s not just McVay’s work with his offense that has raised eyebrows. You can find at least one video on the internet that shows the Rams coach listing off characteristics — completely from memory, no less — of each starter on an opposing defense. He also appears to be very good at managing a locker room; the Rams added several big names in the offseason, and some have big personalities (Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib, etc.). That doesn’t appear to have gotten in the way of L.A.’s success this year.

Therefore, it would make sense for teams to be looking for someone

like that to man the sidelines. The problem is that said teams will stop at nothing to try to find that person.

The best human example of this just got hired by the Arizona Cardinals.

Former Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury ostensibly fits the profile of someone who can be that guy. He is 39 and has an innovative offensive mind to go along with youthful energy and a good personality. There’s just one problem: in his six seasons at Texas Tech, Kingsbury went 35-40. If a major awards show had an award for failing upward, Kingsbury would win it. However, the Cardinals’ quarterback, Josh Rosen, is coming off of a rough rookie season, and the franchise undoubtedly sees similarities between him and Goff as a rookie. So, instead of hiring the best candidate for the job, they’re trying to do the exact same thing the Rams did. In fact, they even admitted it, as the team’s website dedicated an entire paragraph of their announcement of Kingsbury’s hiring to his friendship with McVay, who the article referred to as an “offensive genius.”

This also happened on a smaller scale with a couple of the other openings. The Jets, in true Jets-ian fashion, eschewed several better candidates to hire Adam Gase, a respected offensive mind who just got fired by the Dolphins and was hated by many of his former Miami players. The Packers hired ex-McVay assistant Matt LaFleur, who is an entirely legitimate candidate and should succeed in Green Bay. Finally, the Cincinnati Bengals have not officially made a hire, but they appear to be zeroing in on 35-year-old quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor. Conveniently, Taylor is currently the QBs coach for the Los

Angeles Rams.

Here’s the issue: all of these teams are trying to find the “next Sean McVay.” The unfortunate fact is that the next Sean McVay just doesn’t exist.

McVay grew up around NFL locker rooms. His grandfather John was a head coach for the Giants in the 1970s and later served as an executive for the San Francisco 49ers from 1980-1996; during that time, he oversaw five Super Bowl championships. McVay is an NFL head coaching unicorn; trying to find an equivalent to him is a futile and stupid exercise because there isn’t one.

And beyond that, if you’re going to find the next version of a head coach, why limit yourself to trying to find the next McVay? Someone like Chiefs coach Andy Reid has a prolific and legendary coaching tree that most recently has yielded the coach of the defending champions (Doug Pederson) and Matt Nagy, who won 12 games in his first season with the Chicago Bears. If you’re a team with an opening and you see everyone going for the next McVay, why not go for the next Reid? Reid’s offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, deserved a head coaching gig. He didn’t get one, but he’s infinitely more deserving than someone like Kingsbury, who had to leave his new job as the offensive coordinator at USC to take the Cardinals job.

NFL teams have spent the past three weeks scouring the landscape for the next Sean McVay. In the process, they hired people who bring some of McVay’s positive traits without anything near his complete package.

But if the NFL’s most recent coaching carousel has shown us anything, it’s this: it’s not what you know; it’s who you know.

PAUL RODRIGUEZ/ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Rams head coach Sean McVay is one of a kind, and he cannot be replicated.

Varsity Calendar HOME AWAY

Thursday Jan. 24

Friday Jan. 25

Follow us on Twitter at @theram_sports

Rhode Island 7 p.m.

Davidson 2 p.m.

La Salle 6 p.m.

Men’s Tennis Women’s Tennis Squash

Yale

Harvard 10 a.m.

6 p.m.

Bucknell/@ Colgate & Hamilton 9 a.m./3:30 p.m./5 p.m.

Swimming Track

Sunday Jan. 27

Dayton 2 p.m.

Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball

Saturday Jan. 26

Terrier Classic 2 p.m.

Siena/Bard 1 p.m.

Monday Jan. 28

Tuesday Jan. 29

Wednesday Jan. 30 George Washington 7 p.m.

Saint Louis 12 p.m.

SPORTS

January 23, 2019

Griffin LaMarche The Best Team In The World Wasn’t Even At Worlds In the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK), one of the strongest teams entered during the Summer Split: Griffin. The rookie team came up from the LCK Challenger Series and was not expected to make such large ripples.

The lineup consisted of top-laner Choi “Sword” Sung-won, jungler Lee “Tarzan” Seung-yong, mid-laner Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon, bot-laner Park “Viper” Do-hyeon and support Son “Lehends” Si-woo. Griffin burst out of the gates in the Summer Split, beating MVP, Hanaha Life Esports and BBQ Olivers, but it did not make headlines until they swept three-time champions SK Telecom T1, Spring Split champions Kingzone-Dragon X and 2018 Worlds semifinalists Afreeca Freecs.

By week four, Griffin held a record of 8-1, only dropping one match to the eventual Summer Split champions KT Rolster.

With picks such as Aatrox top, Irelia mid, Urgot mid and Singed support, Griffin found players that satisfied the aggressive meta of the Summer Split and rolled over the competition in the first half.

However, the picks are just half the story. Griffin oriented its team with the mindset of “five as one.” All three laners, including the jungler, had the potential to carry games on their own picks such as Trundle, Irelia and Urgot, with other picks such as Sejuani and Ornn providing a healthy amount of crowd control to disrupt the enemy team. The most notable player on the team, Viper, posted up an average 6.7 Kills/Deaths/Assists in a champion pool including Kai’Sa, Ryze, Yasuo, Irelia and Vladimir. The most notable games included an AD Carry Morgana with a record of 2/1/15, and a Kai’Sa game with the record 12/3/7. Griffin was able to find early success with very powerful team synergy, and a calm demeanor during team fights.

While Griffin posted up an impressive second place in the Summer Split, its hopes of going to Worlds were unfortunately cut short. It was beaten first in the Grand Finals by KT Rolster, which sent the rookie team to face Generation Gaming in the regional gauntlet. The veterans proved themselves worthy again, beating Griffin in a close 3-2 series, denying the rookie team from its first World Championship appearance.

Nevertheless, it bounced back and swept the 2018 KeSPA Cup, defeating Afreeca Freecs, Damwon Gaming and Generation Gaming without dropping a single game to any of them. Even though Griffin may have missed Worlds, it has proven to be one of the best teams in the world through its regional dominance and ability to adapt to the meta flawlessly.

Griffin is a sign that a new wave of Korean talent is coming. Rookie teams Damwon Gaming and Team BattleComics also are entering the LCK, replacing MVP and BBQ Olivers as the ninth and tenth seed. As veteran teams such as SK Telecom T1, Generation Gaming and Kingzone Dragon-X began to falter in the summer of 2018, new teams began to rise take the spotlight. This year will be a huge year for rebuilding, regrowth and a change of guard in the Korean “League of Legends” scene, and Griffin is the head of that new wave.

The 2019 LCK Season began on Jan. 16.

Page 23

Varsity Scores & Stats Men’s Basketball Fordham 68 George Mason 71 (FOR) Honor: 21 PTS (4-6 3PT) Women’s Basketball VCU 47 Fordham 44 (FOR) Goulding: 12 PTS (5-8 FG) Fordham 50 Dayton 72 (FOR) Cavanaugh: 11 PTS (5-13 FG), 4 REB, 2 AST

Women’s Track Penn 8-Team Select (Individual Results Only) (FOR) Grebe: 3,000m - 10:11.38 - 4th NYC Gotham Cup (Individual Results Only) (FOR) Harbaugh: 3,000m - 10:54.52 - 7th (FOR) Kelly: Long Jump - 17’4” - 7th Men’s Track Penn 8-Team Select (Individual Results Only) (FOR) Reardo: High Jump - 6’3 1/4” - 4th Long Jump - 22’11 1/4” - 5th NYC Gotham Cup (Individual Results Only) (FOR) Raefski: 3,000m - 8:50.85 - 4th

Men’s Swimming & Diving Fordham 86.5 La Salle 210.5 (FOR) Sleutjes: 1,000 Freestyle - 9:53.25 - 1st 500 Freestyle - 4:59.17 - 4th Women’s Swimming & Diving

Fordham 195 La Salle 105 (FOR) Brunner: 50 - 23.94 - 1st 100 - 51.93 - 1st 100 Butterfly - 57.01 - 1st

Athletes of the Week Nick Honor

Tara Brunner

Freshman

Senior

Men’s Basketball

Swimming & Diving Brunner led a strong women’s team in its victory over La Salle, winning three events individually — 50 (23.94), 100 (51.93) and 100 Butterfly (57.01) — and the 200 Medley Relay.

With 21 points on Saturday, Honor has hit double figures in points in 16 of 18 games this season — three of them being for 20 points. Honor was also 4 for 6 from beyond the arc in this week’s loss to George Mason.

Each week, The Fordham Ram’s sports editors honor one male athlete and one female athlete for their on-field performances as their “Athletes of the Week.”

News & Notes • Holden Hits Huge Milestone In Women’s Basketball’s 72-50 loss at Day-

• Swimming & Diving Honored

• Mullens, Charles Immortalized

• Squash Snowed Out

For the 15th year in a row, both Men’s and Women’s Fordham Swimming and Diving have been honored by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) with their Scholar All-America Team Award for the fall semester of 2018.

Both teams acheived the dignified honor, given to colleges with teams that maintain a 3.0 or better, and the men ranked tenth overall.

ton on Sunday, senior and co-captain Lauren Holden hit a three-pointer during the first quarter that gave her a total of 1,001 points in her collegiate career. Holden hitting the mark makes her the 21st student-athlete in the program’s history to do so. The historic bucket was the 187th triple in Holden’s historic career, and she completed the night with seven points and two assists. Personal acheivements aside, the Rams’ loss puts them at 12-7 and 3-2 in conference play.

Bob Mullens and Kenny Charles, two former stars of Fordham Men’s Basketball, will have their numbers retired during halftime of the Rams’ home game on February 23. Mullens, who died in 1989 and was inducted into the Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame in 1975, led the team to their first NIT in 1943, that same year becoming Fordham’s first All-American.

He was later drafted by the New York Knicks in the opening season of the BAA. Charles’s Fordham career (1969-73) was also historic, as he currently ranks seventh in the program’s history in points (1,697) and second in points per game (20.0).

Men’s Squash was scheduled to play three games this weekend — one in the Bronx on Saturday and two in Poughkeepsie on Sunday — but all three were cancelled due to snow and will not be made up. The team will next play Bucknell at home on Saturday, Jan. 26.

– Compiled by Dylan Balsamo

Chris Hennessy The First Place New York Islanders The New York Islanders are in first place in the Metropolitan Division. By the time you read this, they may not be, but they led the division at least once. The importance of that to the Islanders players and fans is hard to put into words, but I will give it my best shot.

Going into the season, exactly zero people (including yours truly) thought the Islanders would make the playoffs. They lost their best player and captain to free agency, and despite hiring a hall-of-fame coach and general manager, they did not make any big-time free agency acquisitions to replace the production of John Tavares. Yet, here we are in January — yes, I know, only January — and the Islanders are the hottest team in the league, with a 14-3 record in the 17 games between Dec. 15 and Jan. 19. While that record is absolutely not sustainable over an extended period of time, the hot streak has launched the Islanders into playoff relevancy for the first time in three years. The four-line balance, hot goaltending and, most importantly, hall of fame-level coaching have contributed to this success.

The most electrifying and energetic line the team has is their fourth line of Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck. The group was reunited when new General Manager Lou Lamoriello made a trade with the Maple Leafs to get Martin back on Long Island.

Over the last few weeks, the line has rekindled the fire they had in their 2013-2015 seasons when they played together, and the team is reaping the benefits. When I was on the Islanders beat last week while they played the Lightning, Cizikas said, “The confidence the three of us are playing with is making it a lot easier out there not just for myself but for us as a group.” That confidence is prevalent throughout the entire locker room, especially with goaltenders Robin Lehner and Thomas Griess.

The goaltending in the last 17 games has been jaw-dropping, out-of-this-world ridiculous and the numbers do not even look real.

Lehner is 9-1 in his last ten starts and currently leads the league in Goals Against Average (GAA).

They also lead the league in team GAA with two goaltenders who are not considered elite in the league.

Lehner would most likely be in the conversation for the Veznia trophy for the best goaltender, but splitting the games with Griess led to a lack of games played compared to the other contenders. My first piece for The Ram was all about Lehner, Griess and goaltending coach Mitch Korn.

The final and most important piece of the Islanders success is the new coach Barry Trotz. Trotz won his first career Stanley Cup last year with the Washington Capitals and was not retained after the season.

Two weeks after the Finals, Trotz signed a contract with the Islanders to become the head coach. This season, he passed legendary Islanders coach Al Arbour on the all-time wins list and has instilled an unparalleled level of confidence upon the team. He is the favorite for the Jack Adams Award for best coach and should win the second one of his career come the end of the season.

Page 24

SPORTS

January 23, 2019

The Fordham Ram Women’s Basketball Loses Second Straight, Holden Scores 1,000

By JACK McLOONE

SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS

The Fordham women’s basketball team’s struggles at Dayton continued on Sunday when it lost 72-50. The Rams are now 12-7 (3-2 in Atlantic 10 play) and have lost back-to-back games for the first time since Nov. 25 against no. 10 Texas and Nov. 29 against Georgetown. The 22-point loss was the worst of the season.

The game started off on a very positive note, as senior guard Lauren Holden hit a step-back three to put her over 1,000 career points.

She is the 21st Ram to reach this benchmark. She finished the game with seven points. However, the Rams were in the middle of a hotlycontested game and on the road, so there was no pause for recognition.

“We knew Lauren only needed a few points but I think everyone was caught up in the game,” said head coach Stephanie Gaitley via email. “I am really happy for Lauren to reach such a milestone - she’s a great kid and a great competitor.”

That three cut the Rams’ deficit to 10-5 halfway through the opening quarter, and they were able to turn on the heat late to cut that lead to 16-14 by the end of the first.

For about half of the second quarter, it was a back-and-forth game. Guard Brittany Ward put Dayton up four, but then two free throws from Fordham sophomore guard Kendell Heremia cut it back down to two. Guard Shakeela Fowler put the Flyers back up four, then senior forward Mary Goulding and sophomore guard Bre Cavanaugh hit back-to-back shots to knot the game up at 20.

But over the remaining seven minutes of the second quarter, the Flyers went on a 16-7 run to open up a 36-27 lead going into the half.

All 20 of Dayton’s points came in the paint in the second quarter.

The first half numbers for the Rams were at the very least tolerable, though shooting a tick over 43 percent from the field didn’t cut it when Dayton shot over 58 percent. The Rams also were 3-7 from three, while Dayton was 2-7.

The Rams were burned the most in turnovers. They turned the ball over eight times in the first half, and while Dayton only turned that into four points, those are still lost possessions.

But in the second half, the bottom fell out for Fordham. Holden hit a jumper to bring Fordham within seven with 8:45 left in the third quarter, but the lead was never narrower than that over the rest of the contest. With 3:27 left in the quarter, a three from Dayton guard Jayla Scaife put the Flyers up 10, and the lead stayed in double-digits the rest of the way, ballooning to 15 by the end of the quarter. The Rams scored just 10 points in what could have been a crucial quarter, but instead they sank the game.

The fourth quarter was much of the same, with Dayton pouring in another 20 points to out-pace Fordham’s 13 to put the score at its 72-50 final.

In the second half, the Rams shot just 28 percent from the field, including just 1-10 from three.

Cavanaugh was the Ram’s leading scorer despite scoring just 11 points on 5-13 shooting. It was the third game in a row that she made just one three and the

JULIA COMERFORD/THE FORDHAM RAM

Lauren Holden scored her 1,000th point in a 72-50 loss at Dayton University. ninth time this season that she made one or no threes. No other Ram had double-digit points.

The leading scorer for the game was Dayton’s Jayla Scaife, who had 19 points, including 3-4 from three, and also had a game-high 13 rebounds. The Flyers out-rebounded Fordham 3927, showing further dominance in the paint that was exhibited in the 20-point second quarter.

In both of the Rams’ backto-back losses, a main problem has been the team’s three-point

percentage; in both games they have shot under 24 percent from behind the arc. As a whole, they are shooting about 30 percent from three on the season.

“As far as shooting the three we don’t dictate how many we will get or make,” said Gaitley.

“The defense does that. If we are struggling from outside, we encourage the kids to be more aggressive attacking the basket.”

If the Rams hope to fend off a true losing streak by losing their third straight, it will not be easy,

as they are on the road once again to face the University of Rhode Island, another Rams team. URI is 7-10 on the season and 2-3 in A-10 play, though they are coming off a 74-39 drubbing at the hands of Virginia Commonwealth.

Gaitley, for one, is trying not to worry about the streak.

“You can only take games one at a time,” she said. We don’t think about streaks on either side.”

The Battle of the Rams will tip off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24.

Rams Remain Winless in A-10 After Close Loss at George Mason

By ANDREW POSADAS ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

The Fordham men’s basketball team found itself on the wrong side of a close score again, this time falling to George Mason University on Saturday evening. After starting the season auspiciously at 9-3, the Rams have lost six straight games, including their first five conference games, to fall to 9-9 on the season. Fordham’s growing pains continue as the young team tries to finish games.

The Rams took an early 12-11 lead over George Mason, despite quick foul trouble for fresman forward Onyi Eyisi. Neither team took a lead larger than four points in the first half, with both squads exchanging made baskets. George Mason found open looks in Fordham’s zone defense, draining five three-pointers to tie the game at 30 apiece with under four minutes remaining. Luckily for Fordham, freshman Nick Honor broke out of his recent slump since A-10 play began.

Honor led all scorers with 11 first half points, capped off by a three-pointer from nearly 30 feet away. Seemingly finding consistent rhythm on both sides of the court, Fordham took a four-point lead at halftime, 38-34.

JULIA COMERFORD/THE FORDHAM RAM

Men’s Basketball has now lost six straight games, including its first five in A-10 conference play.

Fordham began the second half uncharacteristically, turning the ball over three times in the first three minutes. A slow start for Fordham resulted in George Mason tying the game once again, prior to the under 12-minute media timeout, 51-51.

Coming out of the timeout, Fordham played its best stretch of the night, going on a 9-0 run

that featured back to back threepointers from Honor and fellow freshman guard Jalen Cobb. The Rams maintained a nine point lead with a little over five minutes remaining. However, Fordham’s run would be gone in the blink of an eye.

George Mason answered quickly with a 10-0 run of their own.

Even so, Fordham still found it-

self in position to win with a one point lead in the final two minutes.

A shooting foul by the Rams gave the Patriots three free throws and a two point lead. Jalen Cobb was fouled shooting a three on the very next possession. He would make two of three to tie the game for the final time.

After a Patriots timeout, George Mason left the ball in the hands

of guard Otis Livingston. Livingston would let the clock run before launching and making the goahead three-pointer with less than a second remaining. An inbounds heave to Honor for a game-tying three was broken up, and Fordham saw a close game slip through its fingers again as they fell to George Mason, 71-68.

The Rams are now 0-5 in the Atlantic 10 conference, joining the University of Massachusetts as the only two teams yet to win a conference game. Regardless, there is cause for optimism. After the blowout loss to Virginia Commonwealth University, Fordham has played admirably in their last four outings. All were decided by single-digits and could have gone the Rams’ way.

All things considered, these close losses can only benefit Fordham’s underclassmen moving forward in gaining experience against fellow conference competition.

Rome was not built in a day. Give them some time. They have shown flashes of a team that will be no pushover in the Atlantic 10.

Fordham is back in action this Wednesday evening, Jan. 23, in Rose Hill Gym at 7 p.m., as it looks to pick up its first conference win against La Salle University.