FitzSimons Initiative Holds Book Club
By SIENNA REINDERS STAFF WRITER
Fordham University has started a new reading program as a part of the recently implemented FitzSimons Presidential Initiative on Civics and Civility. Students, faculty and administrators are invited to participate in reading groups starting in November and will discuss the book “I Never Thought of It That Way” by Monica Guzman.
This year, the FitzSimons Presidential Initiative on Civics and Civility was implemented at Fordham to foster respectful and productive civil discourse. Program events throughout the school year will aim to educate students and staff on how to be open-minded, think critically and extend grace to others, according to the Office of the President.
“There are so many challenges that face the world, and in order to combat those challenges, it takes folks coming together in dialogue and conversation,” said Anthony Berry, a Fordham FitzSimons Fellow.
The Fordham Ram
Fordham Hosts Global Diversity and Inclusion Banquet
By NISHANTH ADUMA STAFF WRITER
Fordham University’s 2024 Global Diversity & Inclusion Networking Banquet brought together students, faculty, employers and keynote speakers on Oct. 30 for an evening dedicated to celebrating the diverse perspectives that enrich both personal and professional lives. Hosted by Fordham’s Career Center, the banquet emphasized inclusivity, providing attendees with a platform to engage in discussions that spanned generational, cultural and professional divides.
Following the banquet, Brittany Perez, employer relations specialist at the Career Center, extended her gratitude for the strong turnout and active participation. “Your participation made this event a huge success and demonstrated our collective commitment to fostering a more inclusive community,” Perez noted in a message to attendees. “It was inspiring to see so many of you engage in meaningful discussions with employers, Fordham administration and each other. You all took
Bronx Residents and Fordham Students Talk Voting
By NORA MALONE & CRISTINA STEFANIZZI
As polls close across the country, Americans wait in anticipation of the news of who the next president of the United States will be. In 2020, the election between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden was called on Nov. 7, five days after Election Day, due to how close the candidates were in the polls. The 2024 election between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to be similarly close, with
the potential that a winner be disclosed days after the election itself.
On Election Day, The Fordham Ram reached out to students, alumni and community members on their feelings and engagement with the election. The Fordham Ram conducted in-person and digital outreach to source opinions. If you feel that your viewpoint or community was not adequately represented, please contact the news team at
fordhamramnews@gmail.com and this article will be edited accordingly online. Fordham canceled all classes for the day to give students the opportunity to vote. Many Fordham students who commute to campus or live nearby traveled home on Nov. 5 to cast their ballots at their local polling place. “I voted today at the Grace H. Dodge Vocational High School, the designated voting location for students who live on campus,”
By ALLISON SCHNEIDER MANAGING EDITOR
For the past year, Professors Aysha Ames and Jeannine Hill Fletcher have worked together to uncover the long-buried ties between Fordham University and slavery in the United States. Both scholars began their research separately, each around a decade ago,
but have now worked together for a little over a year. They were inspired by the Georgetown Memory Project, an initiative that seeks to identify descendants of the 272 people enslaved by the Jesuits, who were sold in order to pull Georgetown University out of a financial crisis. The project encouraged them to ask important questions about
whether Fordham’s own Jesuits were involved in enslavement. The short answer: yes, they were.
Archbishop John Hughes, the founder of St. John’s College, the predecessor to Fordham University, was himself an “overseer” of people enslaved at Mount St. Mary’s College and Seminary in Emmitsburg, SEE RESEARCH, PAGE 4
By EMMA LEONARDI STAFF WRITER
The Graduate School of Social Service (GSS) at Fordham University Lincoln Center hosted a panel discussion on the role of the media in 2024 election campaigns on Wednesday, Oct. 30. In attendance were moderator Micah L. Sifry and panelists Dr. Kaia Shivers, Malia Fisher and Kyle Tharp. Shivers is a professor in liberal studies at New York University, Fisher is CEO and founder of Vocal Media, a media company that works with influencers to work
on social media movements, and Tharp is a writer behind For What It’s Worth, a news platform that tracks trends in elections.
The panel focused heavily on the progression of media importance in campaigns, discussing several unique platforms, such as TikTok, that have been used in different ways to past campaign strategies. The talk began with Shivers, who gave an overview of how identity is crucial to media intake. “Media users relied on… a network with people that they knew, and the people that they knew,” Dr.
COURTESY OF ADITHI VIMALANTHAN/THE FORDHAM RAM
Professor Hill Fletcher points to a figure of a Black man cropped out of a picture on the Fordham website.
On Bathgate Avenue a Harris sign and a Trump flag are seen from campus.
SEE VOTE,
COURTESY OF NORA MALONE/THE FORDHAM RAM
Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918
PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS
Arthur House II Oct. 31
3 p.m.
On Thursday, there was a fire alarm in Arthur House II. A supervisor and the FDNY responded. The investigation revealed students cooking food triggered the alarm. The supervisor ventilated the area and reset the alarm panel.
McShane Campus Center Oct. 31
5:40 p.m.
On Thursday, there was a fire alarm in the McShane Campus Center. A supervisor and the FDNY responded. The investigation revealed a steam condition in Dagger John’s triggered the alarm. The supervisor ventilated the area and reset the alarm panel.
Arthur House II Nov. 1
3:54 a.m.
On Friday, there was a smoke alarm in Arthur House II. A supervisor and the FDNY responded. The investigation revealed a smoke condition in an apartment. The supervisor ventilated the area and reset the alarm panel.
East 189th Street Nov. 1
1:15 p.m.
On Friday, a student reported while walking on East 189th Street, between Hoffman Street and Lorillard Place, a male on a scooter snatched their cell phone. A supervisor responded and transported the reporter to the NYPD 48th Precinct.
Walsh Library Hosts “Bark the Vote” Event to Share Election Knowledge
By MIA TERO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Fordham University’s Walsh Library held a “Bark the Vote” event, including information tables, raffle prizes and pictures with President Tania Tetlow’s dog, Archie Tetlow, on Wednesday, Oct. 30. The event began at 11 a.m. in the Walsh Library lobby and ran until noon. The information tables had different election-themed games, including a crossword puzzle and matching game, a raffle, voting FAQs, postcards, stickers and a Constitution handbook. The event was run by the library staff and student workers.
Students had the opportunity to talk to different library staff about voting and registration questions. The raffle winners were chosen every 10 minutes from the event’s start until the end and winners received painted pumpkins or t-shirts. The event was posted on the Fordham Library Instagram page. Archie Tetlow became the event’s headliner, turning the phrase “Get out the vote” to “Bark the Vote.”
Director of Fordham University Libraries Linda LoSchiavo said,
“When I attended the State of the University address in Keating First, I was able to chat with President Tetlow for a few minutes. With the Vote event in mind, I asked if Archie would be available. President Tetlow was very enthusiastic and told me to just give her the date of the event, and she’d make sure Archie was there.”
Archie Tetlow was not accompanied by Tetlow, but remained very social with those working the event and students who stopped by. Fordham’s mascot Ramses was also at the event from 11 a.m. to about 11:30 a.m.
The Walsh Library staff and student-workers joined forces to plan this event. Fordham University Emerging Technologies Librarian Hannah Herrlich said, “Fortunately, the library has a great team of staff and studentworkers who have all been invaluable assets in this planning process [...] We hit the ground running in securing decorations, props and prizes. We also focused on designing games and information voting brochures so that students have all the voting information they need for Election Day. Overall, this event could not
come to fruition without our dedicated library staff.”
There were three information tables at the event. One included election-themed games and information on voter registration for students. The other two tables had props for pictures with Archie Tetlow, raffle prizes and other election-themed goodies. One of the student workers at the event, Lauren Walccyk, FCRH ’25, said, “[The event is] catered towards all students because we think that it is important to get students active in the community.”
LoSchiavo also said, “From the moment I conceived this, the goal was to make students aware that their vote really matters, that voting isn’t difficult due to the various options available, and that although you cast a single ballot, you are part of a larger community that is affected by the votes of everyone.”
Students who attended the event said that they predominantly found out about the event through the Fordham Library Instagram page, while others came across the event while coming into the library. Julia Dellapena, FCRH ’27, a student attending
This Week at Fordham
Wednesday Nov. 6
Build Communi-TEA
Lincoln Center Plaza
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Stop by the Office of Mulicultural Affairs, Fordham Counseling and Psychological Services and Campus Ministry table at the Lincoln Center Plaza for tea and a mental health break. Make sure to bring a mug!
Thursday Nov. 7
Listen Up!
Dealy Hall E-530 4 p.m.
The International Political Economy and Development department will be hosting guest lecturer Neda Sobhani. The lecture will be held in Dealy Hall room E-530 at 4 p.m.
Friday Nov. 8
Playwright Night
Collins Blackbox Theater 8 p.m.
Join Fordham Experimental Theater in the Collins’ Blackbox for two nights of shows written by Fordham students! Shows will be performed Friday and Saturday starting at 8 p.m.
Saturday Nov. 9
Swimming for First
Messmore Aquatics Center 11 a.m.
Support Fordham Water Polo, the second best team in the country, in their triple header against Bucknell, Mercyhurst and St. Mary’s. Matches start at 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.
the event, said that she wanted to meet Archie Tetlow, but she also said that she values the importance of voting.
“I also think it is important for people to learn how to vote and register and it is important to spread the word so that everyone knows how to do their civic duty,” said Dellapena.
Another student who attended the event and won a pumpkin during the raffle, Kate Stover, FCRH ’28, said, “It is good for universities to advertise voter registration especially because they have a lot of eighteen to twenty-year-olds on campus that have never voted before and need help with registration.”
Herrlich also handed out bags of candy at the lobby entrance to students who were unable to stay for the event. These bags also included QR codes for resources on voting and elections, a link to the League of Women Voters and a link to the “FitzSimons Presidential Initiative on Civics and Civility.” The links to resources for voting and elections included links to national polling, voting history, voter resources, recent books about politics and more.
Sunday Nov. 10
Cycle with the Girlies
Bronxville SoulCycle 12:15 p.m.
Join Fordham’s Leading Women of Tomorrow organization for a group SoulCycle class on Sunday. Registration is required and can be found on the group’s Instagram page at @lwtfordham.
COURTESY OF MIA TERO FOR THE FORDHAM RAM
Archie Tetlow, President Tania Tetlow’s dog, greeted attendees of the “Bark the Vote” event at Walsh Library on Oct. 30.
Fordham University Sleep Study Announces Election Cohort
By ADITHI VIMALANATHAN ASST. NEWS EDITOR
The Fordham University Sleep Study (FUSS) announced a new election cohort that will investigate the relationship between the presidential election and sleep in a forthcoming study. The election cohort — which comes from a subset of the wider FUSS participant pool — was finalized on Oct. 27. Around 200 participants are in the election cohort where their sleep will be tracked for two weeks. The study began during the last week of October.
Angela Zhao, the project director and lab manager at the Youth Development in Diverse Contexts Lab, said that the election study was a recent addition to the FUSS project.
“Originally, we weren’t really planning on doing an election study, but as we were talking about things that are going on this semester, we realized that the election probably has a really big impact on people’s sleep,” said Zhao. “Because we study sleep, we can’t ignore the fact that [the election is] going to impact people’s sleep. If we can’t ignore it, we might as well just study it as well.”
Emma Eitmann, FCRH ’26, a lab assistant, expects that the substudy will deliver promising results from undergraduates —
many of whom are new voters.
“It’s important, and I think that we’ll get really good data from it,” said Eitmann. “I also think it’s an interesting experience because, especially for me, this is my first time voting. This is my first time going through an election where I was politically aware. I think that’s like a mutual experience amongst all undergrads.”
According to Zhao, FUSS seeks to map out participant sleep duration, efficiency (the percentage of time you’re asleep when in bed) and wake after sleep onset (how many minutes you’re awake after you fall asleep).
Participant sleep will be monitored using watches that track data, which is then coded by lab assistants. Additionally, participants will fill out a nightly survey.
The study also prioritizes understanding how participants’ identities impact their sleep.
“A big part of our analyses are understanding how different aspects of people’s lives and identities might be related to how their sleep is impacted,” said Zhao. “For example, we’re looking at differences in people’s outcomes when they’re a commuter or a resident, or if they’re a Pell recipient or not, a firstgeneration student or not.”
Zhao also discussed how the survey aims to accurately represent the Fordham population. “Something that’s really important to us is that our participants look like the population at Fordham,” she said. “What we found, historically and also in our own research, is that there are groups that are underrepresented in research, for example, Black students or Latinx students… Something that we’re really focusing on is making sure that our participants look like the wider population.”
Zhao noted that results are expected to be published in a year or two. She expects that the results will add more context to the nature of sleep among young people.
“Because we really focus on underrepresented groups and making sure that we are collecting data on groups that previously haven't been very well represented in research, I think it can help add to the knowledge that people already have about sleep, and especially college students’ sleep or young adults’,” said Zhao.
The lab noted strong interest among students to be in the election cohort.
“Our participants have been really enthusiastic about the election study. You’re doing the
same thing for a second time, so I know this is something that they’re already used to,” explained Zhao. “It’s also compensated, and it’s actually compensated a little more [than FUSS].”
“That helps because we know that doing these surveys and coming in and picking up your watch and dropping it off, it is like time and it is a commitment. But I’ve been really excited and appreciative that our participants are so enthusiastic and willing to come back to do that.”
Eitmann agreed, noting that participants were eager to participate when asked directly as well.
“When people go through the regular pick up and drop off process prior to our election cohort, we would ask whether or not people wanted to participate, and I would say nine out of 10 people would say yes,” said Eitmann. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm behind it, excitement, and it’s not just for the compensation. I think people genuinely care, which is nice to see.”
Screenwriter Dorothy Fortenberry Visits Fordham LC
By EMMA LEONARDI USG COLUMNIST
Dorothy Fortenberry, former screenwriter for Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and current co-showrunner for Apple TV’s “Extrapolations,” visited Fordham University Lincoln Center to share her history with screenwriting and answer questions on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The talk was moderated by David Gibson, director of Fordham University’s Center on Religion and Culture.
Fortenberry started her talk by discussing the beginning of her career, sharing that she was a playwright, having some of her first works produced in New York City while she was still in graduate school. However, after having her first child, she transitioned to Los Angeles, where she applied for a Warner Brothers program on screenwriting, open to anyone regardless of credentials with the only requirement being to send in a fake script for a show that was currently airing. After several rounds of writing and an interview, Fortenberry was accepted into the program, a boot camp on screenwriting that led to hiring participants on shows where they could apply their practice. Fortenberry was sent to work for “The 100,” where she
worked through the Warner Brothers program for 10 weeks before being hired as a full-time screenwriter.
However, it wasn’t immediately easy for Fortenberry to adjust to the world of film production. Fortenberry discussed the differences between playwriting and screenwriting, sharing the biggest challenge as going from “having 90 minutes with my audience to nine acts and a teaser” with every five pages cutting to commercials. She cited her first work as a brief scene between two characters, noting the difficulties she faced trying to give an entire character’s backstory to the audience within just a few minutes.
Fortenberry persisted, staying with “The 100” through seasons one and two as well as half of season three. Midway through the third season, she had her second child and was forced to leave, as the Writer’s Guild didn’t offer parental leave at that time. During her time at home, she was offered a job on Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.” When asked why she was offered the job, Fortenberry shared that when telling a story about a “theocratic regime that controls women’s bodies,” there needed to be religious women in the writing room.
Fortenberry then dove deeper into the experience of being an actively Catholic woman in the film industry. In her experience, the film industry is a very open and accepting environment, and her religious beliefs only come up if she brings them up.
Following this was an audience question: “How do you balance other religions within shows, and how do you educate on your religion while being respectful of others?” Fortenberry responded that it isn’t hard for her to share her religion, as she knows that she has information on how her religion works, and she can bring that information to others who aren’t involved but may have questions. Fortenberry also noted that it is always hardest when you are the only one of any identity in a room, but it is helpful because of the multiplicity of perspectives and backgrounds that it brings.
Fortenberry transitioned into the complications of screenwriting when adapting a book into film. She shared that because the book was written in first person perspective, there was a lot within the world that the main character didn’t know. She had to adapt to this, as TV shows are not from a single perspective. While this can be challenging, Fortenberry noted that this
allows for more freedom within writing. She could write from many characters’ perspectives, which comes with its own set of challenges. Fortenberry cited complications with writing Aunt Lydia in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a character who she thinks is terrible but with whom her views align. Fortenberry said that writing a character she doesn’t relate to is less interesting, saying she “always wants to see the world from my characters’ eyes.”
Fortenberry finds media politics very complicated and appealing, with her focus and passion being on how climate change is shown through film. This passion led her to participate in panels on this issue, which was how she was poached for co-show runner on Apple TV’s “Extrapolations,” after four seasons with “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
The biggest change going from screenwriter to showrunner was the duties involved. Fortenberry no longer wrote individual scenes but was involved in production on a larger scale, noting that she misses writing but has really enjoyed seeing a different side to film production. Fortenberry shared the freedom she has felt with this career transition, as it allows her to be more impactful on
how climate change is perceived by the world; she discussed the issues with the idea of humanity being the problem, as it is important to her to combat this perspective. To her role in climate change, Fortenberry said, “As long as I am doing something, I am less full of despair than when I’m inactive.”
When asked why he came, Henry Sullivan, FCRH ’25, mentioned the “lack of professional/cultural events for film.” Similarly, Hannah Groth-Reidy, FCRH ’28, noted that she “decided not to attend film school, but enjoys keeping up with the industry.” Groth-Reidy also mentioned how “inspiring it is to see someone make a career out of diving deeper into those difficult issues.” Alumni were also in attendance. Matthew Dillon, FCRH ’20, shared that he “took some great screenwriting classes at Fordham,” and decided to come to the event because it was free to alumni.
When asked about how she explores difficult issues without alienating her audience, Fortenberry emphasized the importance of focusing on one divisive issue at a time. She also focuses on asking questions instead of telling, as people normally have the answers themselves.
COURTESY OF ADITHI VIMALANATHAN/THE FORDHAM RAM
Angela Zhao is the lab director at the Youth Development in Diverse Contexts Lab.
Fordham Community Discusses Election Week
said Stuart Cremer, FCRH ’26. Students expressed an array of emotions surrounding the political environment in the country at its current state. Bella Magnotta, FCRH ’27, said, “I think I will be having a constant panic attack until it’s announced, personally.” With the uncertainty of seven swing states ultimately being the deciding factor in this year’s presidential race, students living in these swing states felt a larger pressure to cast their votes.
“I am in one of the swing states, and I know for a fact that my vote is significantly more important than almost any other voters’ at Fordham,” said Pierce Liestenfeltz, FCRH ’27. “I am grateful that I have greater power to choose the outcome I see fit for the country. Arizona had a historic role in the outcome of the last election, and I hope the trend continues.”
Some voters are concerned about the safety of the country following the election, considering events such as the Jan. 6 insurrection that occurred following the 2020 election. “I am worried about the security of the country and the capitol with the election possibly being so close,” said Camille Morvant, FCRH ’27. “I do not want a repeat of January 6, 2021. If Trump loses, I believe that Trump supporters could riot and
FROM BANQUET, PAGE 1
this opportunity to celebrate and learn from different generations, cultures, work ethics, and perspectives that make each of us and our community unique.”
The banquet featured keynote speakers Huyen Lam, manager of retention marketing at Paramount+, and Stephen L. Ball, dean of students at Harvard Law School. These speakers brought unique perspectives to the theme of diversity, inspiring students and attendees with their insights into the role of inclusion in their respective fields.
Among the notable attendees
initiate another insurrection.”
Harris’ campaign team specifically has targeted Gen Z with memes, edits and niche social media posts to attempt to gain the votes of younger Americans. “Based on what I’ve seen on social media, it seems that Gen Z is highly motivated to vote,” said Stephanie Lane, FCRH ’25. “Personally, I’ve always wanted to vote and saw the importance of it so I didn’t let others impact my decision to do so. I can see how others who may not be as politically involved would feel motivated to vote because of how many young voters are posting about it. There also seems to be a lot of information about the voting process and the various methods in order to be accessible for many people.”
Many students who do not live in New York and were unable to travel home to cast their ballots opted to vote via mail. “I voted by mail for Pennsylvania,” said Abby Lopez, FCRH ’27. “Today, I’m turning off my phone and locking in on chemistry as much as I can. I fear the results.”
Some students like Anna Gehres, FCRH ’26, had to vote while abroad. “Studying abroad right now is actually so hard not knowing hope the wider American consensus feels other than through polls,” she said. “I won’t know until I literally wake up tomorrow at 8 a.m. and not even then. I sent my ballot in mid October
through email and then my physical materials the same day.”
A mile away from campus on Bainbridge Avenue poll workers had been outside since 7 a.m. directing people to the polling location in an apartment building. New York Sen. Gustavo Rivera came to the location to talk to voters about the presidential election as well as local propositions.
“My goal coming here tonight is the same as the few stops that we’ve had already today, which is to talk to voters to remind them to flip the ballot over and, hopefully, vote for not only Kamala Harris for president but also to do so on the Working Families party line,” Rivera said. “I want them to keep their line, and every vote counts towards that, but I’d be but I remind them to flip the ballot over, since the propositions are incredibly important.”
Out-of-state students were not the only ones who had issues, as in-person voters had similar struggles.
Jones, age 60, tried to vote on Bainbridge Avenue after being turned away at a local school where he had voted previously. “It’s very sad that this is what people have to go through,” he said. “I’ve been in here for 45 minutes and they told me I had to go back [to where I was previously] and I’m just leaving, I’m not voting. I’ve voted in every
election since I was 18, they [the poll workers] offered to pay for a cab to take me back to PS8 and I said no, I don’t want to waste their time or their money.”
There is a general air of concern for potential violence post-election.
In an email to the Fordham community, President Tania Tetlow said, “This has been a painfully divisive election, so close that we may not know the results right away. Whichever way it goes, the results will upset many in our community, in intensely personal ways.” She also suggested students follow her proposed “Project Grace,” where they ask two questions before talking to someone they disagree with.
“I do think that Vice President Kamala is going to win, but I think what’s going to happen after is just a couple of weeks and then months of utter hell,” said Rivera. “There’s already a riling up of his [Trump’s] followers, and these are folks who have been built up in a way that they think the only way he might lose is if people cheat. And he is not likely to accept the results and they’re not likely to believe the results.”
Some students have expressed concern about the results after seeing how divided their peers appear to be.
“I’ve been really getting very frustrated with hearing other students constantly speak Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s names
Career Center Hosts Banquet
was Jefrey Robles, principal at Ernst & Young (EY). Robles highlighted EY’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, an example of which is through its Neuro-Diverse Centers of Excellence (NCoE), which are dedicated to recruiting and empowering neurodivergent individuals, such as those with dyslexia, ADHD and autism.
“These NCoEs are designed to hire and apply the talents of neurodivergent individuals to meet our clients’ business needs,” Robles explained, adding that these team members bring unique skills to the firm and support clients through in-
novative approaches and fresh perspectives.
Robles shared a personal connection to the firm’s focus on neurodiversity, mentioning his two college-age sons, both on the autism spectrum. “I want to make sure that they are given the same opportunities and enjoy the same respect as every other individual,” he said. He further shared that empathy is one of the most crucial skills for thriving in a diverse and inclusive workplace. “The most important skill is listening,” Robles said, describing empathy as “the ability to be aware of, sensitive to and understand the
feelings, thoughts, experience and worldview of another person or group.” Students are encouraged to develop this skill, which he considers fundamental for creating inclusive work environments.
For many attendees, the banquet offered more than just a networking opportunity; it provided a space for meaningful connections and conversations around diversity. Miguel Strittmatter, GSB ’27, said, “I had a great time meeting new people who share similar values and enjoyed learning more about opportunities at Societe Generale. One key piece of advice I received was to keep in touch and build
Professors Discuss Fordham’s History
in the same sentence calling them both terrible candidates,” said Sage Rochetti, FCRH ’27. “I think to speak their names in the same sentence as a comparison is actually very irresponsible and dangerous. Because there is really no comparison between these candidates and l hear students walking around saying they're both bad options [...] that comparison puts Donald Trump and Kamala Harris almost in the same playing field of candidate aptitude. Which is just completely false.”
“This is a tense moment for everybody, a lot of political views going on, things we need to look up to, and it’s good to get young voters out there to vote,” said Daniel “Suits” Morse, who said he voted for Trump. “This really matters for everybody, it doesn’t matter which side of the aisle you vote on, there’s a lot of issues out there today that need to be addressed. Our world is leading to chaos and we really need to fix that.”
If you are a Fordham community member with strong opinions about the election, please share them with The Fordham Ram at fordhamramnews@ gmail.com. The Ram will be continuing election reporting in the weeks after the election is called.
Additional reporting for this article was done by Julianna Morales and Adithi Vimalanathan.
genuine connections as the recruiting timeline progresses.” Reflecting on the success of this year’s banquet, Perez and the Career Center team are already looking ahead to future initiatives. By creating opportunities like the Global Diversity & Inclusion Networking Banquet, Fordham aims to foster an environment that embraces generational differences, diverse perspectives and cultural backgrounds. The event highlighted Fordham’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion while equipping students with insights and tools to pursue these values in their careers.
Maryland. Archbishop Hughes, nicknamed “Dagger John” for his prickly personality, was an anti-abolitionist who was personally involved in America’s economy of enslavement as both an overseer of enslaved people and as a religious leader in an American Catholic Church that reaped economic benefits from slavery. During his term as Archbishop of New York, Hughes preached and promoted the idea that slavery was consistent with Catholic teaching.
The professors uncovered records indicating that many of the Jesuits who arrived in New York to work at Fordham spent time at St. Mary’s College in Kentucky, where they used enslaved labor to run the college. Fordham and St. Mary’s also engaged in sustained financial transactions over many years. For Ames and Hill Fletcher, this relationship ties Fordham to the institution of slavery through the flow of cash and ideology. “Fordham adopts the history of St. Mary’s College, thus, also adopts the history of St. Mary’s College, thus, also adopts St. Mary’s ties to enslavement,” the
professors wrote in a summary of their research.
Ames, director of legal writing at Fordham Law School, is a descendant of people enslaved by the Jesuits at Georgetown, an identity that has impassioned and personalized the research she has been doing.
“I think because I am a descendant, there is this element of there are people who have been erased and whose stories haven’t been told, and I do think I come at it with that lens of looking for these people who have been erased from the history here and erased from the history of the Jesuits,” said Ames. “That’s generally my motivation, that there are people who helped to build many of these institutions who are unknown, and their histories have been suppressed.”
Their research encompasses various aspects of Fordham’s history, including research into Hughes as the university’s founder, research into the means by which Fordham’s founding was funded and research into who and what is included in the university’s narrative about itself.
“We tell our story at Fordham that we were founded to serve FROM RESEARCH, PAGE 1
the excluded,” Hill Fletcher said. She explained that this narrative made it difficult for her to confront tough questions about the context of the school’s founding. “For 20 years, I never even asked the question about the timing and the economy and the possible ties [to slavery]. It was as if the initial barrier to asking the question was built into the way the community was creating itself.”
Last spring, Ames and Hill Fletcher sent a letter to Fordham’s Interim Chief Diversity Officer Kamille Dean explaining their research and requesting assistance in establishing a university-wide task force to conduct further research into Fordham’s ties to enslavement in collaboration with the University of Virginia’s Universities Studying Slavery consortium.
Also in their letter, Ames and Hill Fletcher point to a specific example of Fordham’s history of Black erasure that they uncovered in their research: a drawing commissioned for The Centurion, Fordham’s 1941 commemorative yearbook, depicts Archbishop Hughes welcoming Jesuits to Fordham in 1846 and
features a Black man carrying a box of luggage behind the line of priests. The photo is also featured on a Fordham web page called “Our Story,” however, the Black man in the original art is cropped out of the online image and removed from the narrative.
Both Hill Fletcher and Ames expressed the difficulties involved with doing the kind of archival research necessary to uncover Fordham’s ties to enslavement.
“There are a lot of roadblocks,” said Ames. “Archives require a significant amount of resources to remain accessible, for documents to be maintained and preserved, especially if they were not collected with the idea that they would someday become public. It’s hard to do after the fact. A lot of collections don’t even know what they have.”
FROM ROSE, PAGE 1
For Ames and Hill Fletcher, archival research can be grueling because it is both complicated and time-consuming, but also because it takes a heavy emotional toll. “It can be lonely and isolating work. It can be depressing work,” Ames continued. “You read about the accounts of the Jesuits and how they treated those that they enslaved. It’s not pretty. It’s not pretty at all.”
Uncovering these stories, Ames argues, is important for descendants around the country, but it is also important for future students to understand the university around them. “Students can take a critical and curious look at [Fordham],” Ames said. “As they’re engaging in this institution, they can ask themselves, ‘Is that story the most inclusive story? Who is missing from this narrative?’” Hill Fletcher expressed hope that students will be interested and involved in the research that she and Ames have begun, saying that it is often student interest and activism that drives this type of anti-racism work. “Student activism around these issues has often been the engine that has driven the explorations at other institutions,” Hill Fletcher said. “[Ames] and I are working on this as scholars… but one never works in an institution alone. I would like for students, as they’re walking around the institution, to really be asking themselves the question, ‘How did these things come to be the way they are, and what is the story we’re telling?’”
This article has been edited for length. Read the full article online at thefordhamram.com.
Memes, Movement and Money: The 2024 Digitial Campaign
FROM HARRIS, PAGE 1
Shivers noted. “And the people that they validated as a reliable source also had several things. They provided information that helped them navigate the crises as well. The people that they saw were valid or reliable sources also engaged with them.”
Shivers also discussed Win With Black Women, a think tank that she had worked with prior to Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign. Shivers specifically named this group due to the influential work they have done in pushing for Black female leadership, as well as the contemporary usage of identity within social media movements to garner support and spread information.
Following Shivers, Fisher gave insight into the importance of the usage of social media platforms
in politics, specifically TikTok. Fisher discussed how her company in particular is aware of the influence of social media platforms. “We really think about this as the TikTok election,” she said. “The discourse and the narrative is sort of built and proliferated across TikTok and then it’s sort of reproduced across other platforms. When we were thinking about what that would mean in terms of the strategy, we wanted to think about winning or owning the TikTok narrative.”
While the increased usage of platforms like TikTok can be beneficial by itself, Fisher claims it is even more powerful with a multi-layered strategy. According to Fisher, there are many different types of creators available to work with. Base creators are people that talk about politics all
the time. Cultural creators are makeup, beauty and fashion creators that don’t usually discuss politics on their channels. The last type that Fisher mentioned are called “amplifiers,” who are creators that repost and share content from news and media outlets and edit them to make them more approachable for a platform like TikTok.
Sifry asked the panelists about the role of social media in current election campaigns. “[Campaigns] are seeing how they could harness that energy and that intellectual political creativity in order for it to bolster and bolster them and create more public discourse and get people engaged,” said Shivers.
“TikTok played a very meaningful role, probably more… The conversation starts there,” said
Fisher. Tharp brought up the influence social media had on getting Project 2025 details out to the masses. “Some content creators on the left started to put out some social media content being like, ‘Have you guys seen this thing?’” Tharp said. “It’s like this massive PDF, it sucks. They put it out online, and a ton of people started freaking out about it.”
By using social media platforms to share politics, Tharp is saying that people who may not have known about this very impactful plan can now not only be informed, but also be impassioned to do something about it.
When asked by the audience about what campaigns are doing to strengthen people’s media literacy, given the amount of distrust and unreliable information circulating, the panelists had a
similar answer. “As we’re promoting media literacy, a lot of people are illiterate,” Shivers said. “People are taking things at face value, but they don’t have the literacy skills to research it and fact check it.” Tharp followed this idea, saying, “It goes into a really big conversation about the social media content moderation, fact-checking stuff, because… everyone can be a content creator. Unfortunately, the entire industry has shifted kind of away from content moderation and fact-checking.”
To finish out the conversation, Tharp said, “The most we can do is, like, make sure that our friends and family are getting their information from good places, that we’re sharing factual information.”
Students Discuss “ I Never Thought Of It That Way” Book
FROM BOOK, PAGE 1
As an extension of the initiative, Berry decided to start a reading program that can help teach people about civil discourse and create discussions among community members. According to Berry, the idea of a reading program was sparked by conversations with Dennis Jacobs, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs and professor of chemistry.
“Several other universities across the country have had it [the book] either as a university-wide reading initiative or as part of particular classes,” Berry
said. “After talking with him [Jacobs], it seemed like a really great idea to bring something like that here to Fordham.”
The book covers how to have difficult conversations with people with different political views than yourself. According to Berry, the book gives specific recommendations for having more productive discussions on topics including politics. Fordham will supply copies of the book to students, including 200 copies at Rose Hill and 200 copies at Lincoln Center. The book can be picked up from the libraries at students’
respective campuses, and distribution will be on a firstcome, first-served basis.
While Berry will create formal book groups based on responses to the interest form, students are also invited to create their own groups. One of the questions on the sign up Google form asks whether students are open to having groups consisting of students, faculty and administration, so the makeup of the groups will be based on responses to the form.
“I think ideally, just from a community building standpoint
here at Fordham, it would be great to have book discussion groups that include folks across the spectrum: students, faculty and admin,” Berry said. “I think there’s this desire from each of those parties to get to know each other a little bit more.”
According to Berry, there have been about 100 sign-ups for the reading program so far. Berry hopes that more people continue to fill out the form so that they can distribute all 400 books to students. The desire is that many students can engage with this program as an opportunity to get to know other students and
learn how to have better conversations with their friends and family.
“Our consumption of media is so siloed, and not only our consumption of media but also our interactions and daily life,” Berry said. “And so my hope with this book and with our initiative more broadly is that we can encourage people to think outside of just their silos and the people that agree with them and think like them, and encourage them to step outside of their comfort zone a little bit and maybe have those conversations that can be challenging.”
College Democrats Go Door-to-Door in Pennsylvania
By JULIANNA MORALES FEATURES EDITOR
Fordham College Democrats traveled to Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, Nov. 3, as their last effort before this year’s presidential election. The group visited Pennsylvania and knocked on residential doors to encourage eligible voters in the swing state to participate in the election.
Fordham College Democrats secretary Caroline Lehman, FCRH ’26, explained that the trip came to be through the club’s ongoing partnership with Swing Left. Swing Left is an organization aimed at supporting Democrats in public office.
“Swing Left helps win elections for Democrats by making it as easy as possible for anyone to have maximum impact on the elections that determine the balance of power in our country,” the website states. They explain their current strategy to focus on states that are deemed particularly important to the presidential election and congressional majorities, mainly presidential swing states. Lehman explained that the College Democrats e-board wanted to use the time they had left before the election to fully immerse members in political participation. “We feel as though it is our duty to be active and participate in t his very crucial election,” said Lehman. The club chose to visit Allentown because it is an important
county for determining how Pennsylvania will swing. Lehman explained that planning the trip was fairly straightforward for the club due to their existing contacts with Swing Left. A group of 14 students went on the trip and covered eight areas, knocking on around 320 doors.
“Of course, not every person answers the door, especially on a busy Sunday,” Lehman commented. “But in the event someone is not home, you leave literature in their door for each candidate. Some of the [areas] were up to a 15-minute drive apart so we covered a pretty decent surface area of the district.”
Once they arrived and received some training and materials for the day, the students were divided into four groups, each with a leader who had gone door-knocking before. The groups then divided to begin canvassing throughout their assigned areas. Participants campaigned for U.S. Congresswoman Susan Wild, Senator Bob Casey Jr. and Vice President Kamala Harris. “We were knocking on doors to ensure people had a plan to vote, including informing them on what options they had left if they had not voted, as well as doing support polling,” Lehman explained. “Our goals were essentially two-fold: ensuring they had a plan to vote and doing support polling for
Democratic candidates. For the latter, a specific goal was swaying any remaining undecided voters when we encountered them.”
Lehman said that the students overall had very positive interactions with voters they spoke to. She stated that none of the participants received any particularly nasty comments, regardless of if residents were Democrats or not. “A lot of people were really thankful for our work,”
Lehman said. “Me and my partner, both of us young women, spoke to a lot of older women that were really happy to see us and impressed with our efforts.”
Lehman explained that the experience was very worthwhile for the club, and the members took a lot of pride in their work.
“On a more serious note, I think a lot of our members, myself included, are feeling very, very stressed about the election and this was one of the few things
that can help calm that anxiety,” she stated. The weekend before the election left little to do other than phone banking so the canvassing allowed for an alternative way for the club members to contribute to their cause.
Lehman expressed that she hopes for the Fordham College Democrats to make a similar trip again in the future.
Students interested in such events or joining the club can visit @fordhamcollegedems on Instagram for more information.
COURTESY OF CAROLINE LEHMAN FOR THE FORDHAM RAM
The club went to Allentown, Pennsylvania, to campaign for Harris.
FMA Welcomes Panelists from the Finance Industry
By JACK MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
The Fordham University Marketing Association (FMA) recently invited alumni from the financial industry to a panel discussion. FMA is Fordham’s society for students interested in the fields of marketing, advertising and public relations, an official collegiate chapter of the American Marketing Association. This was the first time FMA hosted a financial services in marketing event. Guest panel members engaged in a question and answer session led by FMA Vice President for Alumni Relations Elizabeth Hoppe, GSB ’25.
Hoppe takes charge of reaching out to alumni approximately three weeks before the events happen, sourcing panelists largely through filtering on LinkedIn. Other panelists come directly from referrals from past internships, coffee chats or connections.
Members of the panel included Alexis Hamm, GSB ’24, of American Express, Meghan Barquinero, MBA ’15, of PIMCO, and William Zawacki, GSB ’13, of
BlackRock. All three members began by explaining their corporate culture and introducing their positions, which ranged from jobs in financial strategy, operations and content marketing.
Hoppe began by asking the panelists about their main responsibilities in their roles, and what a typical day looks like for them. “We’re largely servicing all content on the site, helping people to create content and services that [they] need, from email newsletters to social media management,” said Zawacki. “We work incredibly closely with compliance who keep us on track to not say anything we shouldn’t.”
Barquinero spoke on her day-today at PIMCO. “You wear a lot of hats on one team, speaking to institutional and financial advisors,” said Barquinero. “We do quite a bit of content, creating the right message for the right people, and we go full funnel marketing of going at acquisition of loyalty with every purchase.”
“I am on the business blueprint team at [American Express], and we work with small businesses on
the BCA team,” said Hamm. “I am in charge of managing the end-to-end execution of our marketing campaigns. There’s a lot of tight deadlines to make sure you’re keeping on track for all of your campaign deadlines.”
Hoppe noted how diverse financial marketing is and how many different positions exist under the same umbrella. While all members of the panel are technically part of the financial services industry, their daily workload was different, depending on their position.
“When you first start a role, during that onboarding process there’s a lot of training you go through, and a lot you have to learn right off the bat,” said Hamm when prompted about her beginnings as her role as marketing operations analyst.
“With [American Express], they have their own languages, and it’s a lot to get used to. There’s a lot of acronyms and terms you have to learn, I call it ‘corporate language,’ to use on a day-to-day basis.”
“One of the most important
things to do in your first six months is to sit in a room and be able to distill the content important for all stakeholders and know that a lot of that stuff will be boring, but it’s your job, as a softskill, to learn the language and do it over and over again,” said Barquinero. “It’s about training your brain to manage personalities and a variety of different levels of people.”
According to Forbes Advisor, soft skills are often referred to as people skills, which are traits that allow people to interact with others in a professional setting. Soft skills are often learned during the onboarding process and developed over time at an agency.
Towards the end of the panel, Hoppe shifted the conversation to asking the panelists what they wish they knew at Fordham that would have benefited them in their career. “I wish I knew more about the careers in marketing, from product marketing to content and development marketing,” said Zawacki. “A question for everyone in this room is ‘what is drawing you?’” said Barquinero.
“It is the financial first and the marketing second, or the marketing first and the financial second. The first, the second or the third job don’t need to be the end-all.”
In regard to networking in finance, Hamm said, “Checking in with [recruiters] and making sure you’re creating longevity is so important, and I think that’s the most crucial part of networking.”
“This was FMA’s first ever Financial Services Panel,” said FMA President Jenn Flute, GSB ’25. “From this panel alone, we already have a handful of students who have made networking connections and are setting up coffee chat interviews with the panelists we had. Now working in marketing for an investment management company, I would have loved to attend a panel like this my freshman year.”
“I thought tonight’s panelists were great,” said Hoppe. “Both Meghan Barquinero and Will Zawacki are high-level, and sometimes financial services marketing is difficult to communicate to a room filled with people who don’t have extensive knowledge.”
Campus Ministry Hosts 10th Annual “ All Hallows Eve Concert”
By JACK MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
Campus Ministry hosted Fordham University’s 10th annual All Hallows Eve Concert in the University Church last week. Guest organist Anthony Rispo performed Halloween pieces at an organ concert, as per Fordham tradition. Rispo began his organ career in the early 2000s and is currently the Organist and Music Director at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Mount Kisco, Westchester County. In addition to performing annually at Fordham, Rispo has also performed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Cadet Chapel at the United States Military Academy (West Point). He also doubles as a research intern for the New York Psychiatric Institute and is pursuing an undergraduate degree in neuroscience at Columbia University
Approximately 75 attendees were present at the affair, including students, faculty, staff and Fr. Philip Judge, S.J., executive director of Campus Ministry. The church was decorated prior by Campus Ministry staff, with lights placed at the organ near the ambo. Ghost figurines were also placed throughout the church.
Rather than play from a set list of songs, Rispo noted how he likes to mix things up. “I usually like to improvise on themes,” he said. “I create some music on the spot.” Both slow and fast-paced songs were featured at the concert, which included church bells in addition to the organ. The lights were dimmed to draw attention to the sound of the music.
A variety of tunes were featured, some quicker and more involved than others, including
the “Pièce Héroique” by César Franck. “It was one of his more rambunctious, somber pieces,” said Rispo. “It has that ‘going into battle’ sound, using different aspects of the organ, an extremely poetic piece of music. His works are like listening to poetry.” This piece started off mellow, dramatically increasing and decreasing at different frequencies and points throughout. Being set in the University Church, the music remained reverent, and only instruments commonly found in the church were used.
Early organists appreciated the church or cathedral setting, citing that the organ largely lives in churches and cathedrals. “Many of the composers for the organ played at cathedrals throughout the 19th and 20th century, which
created such an incredible sound tapestry for the organ to live in,” said Rispo. Some pieces he played were inspired by composers such as Louis Vierne, a French composer and organist in the Cathedral of Notre Dame until the late 1930s. Vierne died at the organ bench while performing on June 2, 1937.
“The concert is meant to be entertaining and an opportunity for students to hear the many varied sounds of the organ, from its most quiet notes to its fiery, thrilling full organ grandeur,” said Robert Minotti, Fordham’s director of liturgical music. Minotti joined the Campus Ministry department in 1990 and serves as the first full-time director of liturgical music. “The first concert was held in 2015. Our intent is to attract students to hear the
USG Updates on Investment Advisory Committee
By ANDREW MASSIE & EMMA LEONARDI
Fordham University’s Rose Hill United Student Government (USG) announced their plan on Oct. 31 to appoint a student representative to the Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Investing. They also celebrated Halloween by having members attend the meeting in costume.
Executive President Lucas Hjertberg, FCRH ’26, and Executive Vice President Eron Maltzman, GSB ’25, are finalizing the application process for a new student position on Fordham’s Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Investing. The committee, which includes students, faculty and alumni, was established to evaluate Fordham’s investments through an ethical lens, aligning with Jesuit Catholic values.
USG aims to appoint a candidate with a strong business and investing background and administrative experience. The application, which closes in one week, asks students to detail their field of study, class year, training in investment and motivations for joining. The selected student will
be interviewed and, according to Maltzman, will “definitely be chosen before Dec. 5.” A universitywide message about the application process is forthcoming.
Hjertberg provided an update on a spring 2022 USG proposal to offer campus tours in Spanish. Admissions will soon survey students on their interest in taking or leading these tours, with implementation expected soon.
Fordham clubs have requested a formal process to apply for and be recognized as “Club of the Month.” In response, the USG is considering adding an application link in their social media bio, outlining the criteria for selection. Nominated clubs for this month included Model United Nations, Black Box Theater, Circle K and the Mimes and Mummers. Circle K, a philanthropic organization, was chosen as the winner.
Hjertberg shared that Vice President of Student Affairs Michele Burris confirmed that Fordham’s Office of Disability Services (ODS) will be relocated to a more accessible space on the ground floor of Loyola Hall. Hjertberg also announced last week that the move will include
new paid positions for student workers within ODS.
Hjertberg announced that Robert Fitzer, associate vice president of Public Safety, recently updated plans to implement card readers capable of accepting Fordham student IDs through Apple Wallet. Hjertberg says that Fitzer is working closely with the IT department, which has narrowed the selection to two vendors competing for the contract. This initiative aligns with a key promise from Hjertberg and Maltzman’s campaign platform to expand electronic identification options on campus.
Vice President of Student Experience Joseph DaProcida, FCRH ’25, announced the next event following the success of Halloween Night: a student art show themed “City Life.” DaProcida encourages students to submit their artwork by the Nov. 25 deadline to be featured.
Vice President of Fordham College at Rose Hill Emma Blake, FCRH ’25, shared that she raised a previous USG suggestion to excuse student absences for mental health
reasons. Dean Maura Mast responded, indicating that if provided with a report on how other schools manage similar situations, she could present the proposal at the next administration meeting.
Vice President of Sustainability Regina Miller, FCRH ’26, announced plans for a Fordham Flea tabling event at an upcoming Fordham Women’s Basketball game. The next official Fordham Flea popup will be on Nov. 20. The Sustainability Committee is also continuing efforts on last year’s proposed composting improvements initiative, which will reduce food waste.
Vice President of International Integration Nandini Anand, GSB ’25, says she is working on improved transparency around language requirements for international students following miscommunication about English proficiency tests. Anand said the International Integration Committee is also working to improve advanced communication regarding break-stay requests. Currently, students receive only three days’ notice to submit these requests. Anand highlighted the challenges
organ outside of a church service or formal concert,” said Minotti.
“The current instrument was installed in 2012,” said Minotti. “It is considered one of the finest pipe organs in New York City. The organ was built by the Schoenstein Organ Company in California. It was built in California, then dismantled, shipped to Fordham and installed in the church… It consists of 2,700 pipes.”
Judge also voiced his opinion on the event. “It was very enjoyable and a great chance to hear the range of sounds an orchestral organ can make,” said Judge. “Fordham is blessed to have such a virtuoso instrument.” This was Judge’s first time attending Fordham’s All Hallows Eve Concert, being his first year in Fordham’s Campus Ministry department.
this creates for international students, who may need more time to arrange alternative accommodations if their break-stay requests are not accepted.
USG also celebrated Halloween with members dressed up in various costumes, some of which were inspired by their roles in USG. Notable costumes included Hjertberg as Vincent Vega from “Pulp Fiction,” Maltzman as Carmen from “The Bear” and DaProcida as Kyle from “South Park.” Vice President of the Gabelli School of Business Catie Flores, GSB ’25, dressed as Mario Gabelli, and Miller came as The Lorax — both costumes paying homage to their respective USG roles. Other costumes included Senators Katelyn Martins, FCRH ’27, and Anna Brown, FCRH ’27, dressed as each other, and Senator Sarah Bayas, GSB ’28, as “Senator-Spiderman.” USG members voted on the best costume, with Vice President of Facilities and Dining Mike Rodriguez, FCRH ’27, taking the top spot for his Pope costume.
Junior Leads USG Sustainability with Economic Insights
By ANDREW MASSIE STAFF WRITER
As the vice president of Sustainability for Fordham University’s Rose Hill United Student Government (USG), Regina Miller, FCRH ’26, wants to prioritize environmental consciousness across campus. A double major in economics and environmental studies, Miller brings a unique mix of analytical and ecological perspectives to her role, seeing sustainability as an ethical imperative and a smart economic strategy.
“Economics is about minimizing waste and allocating resources efficiently, which is the essence of sustainability,” she explained. “The most sustainable option is often the most economically sound choice — it just takes some foresight to recognize the longterm savings.”
Growing up in Wethersfield, Connecticut, Miller’s passion for environmental advocacy was sparked by a childhood spent gardening, kayaking and enjoying snow days. Observing less snow each year instilled in her a sense of urgency about climate change. “Growing up, I was very much an outdoorsy kid,” she recalled. “I’ve noticed changes — like fewer snow days each year — that made me realize the environment is something we need to protect.” This interest only deepened in high school, where she joined the “green team” and learned about the science behind climate change.
When she arrived at Fordham, joining USG’s Sustainability Committee was a natural next step.
As vice president, Miller oversees various initiatives to make sustainability a part of Fordham’s campus culture.“I want the student body to know more about sustainability at Fordham, so I’m hoping to have more events that give everyone the opportunity to voice their concerns and learn about Fordham’s sustainable initiatives,” she said. This includes collaborating with other clubs and offices to foster a sense of community around environmental issues. For Miller, collaboration is key. “Building a community that cares about sustainability is what will lead to real improvements,” she said.
Among the initiatives under Miller’s leadership is Fordham Flea, a pop-up thrift store encouraging students to embrace secondhand shopping as a sustainable alternative to fast fashion. Miller sees Fordham Flea as a way to show students that sustainability can be accessible and impactful. “People think of Fordham Flea as a fun pop-up, but it’s also a big part of our mission to reduce waste on campus,” she explained. The initiative has become one of the committee’s signature events, engaging students who may not otherwise participate in sustainability efforts.
Miller is also working on policy proposals, which she admits
can be challenging due to the slow pace of approval processes. Her team is currently advocating for an industrial composting program, which would allow Fordham to divert food waste from landfills. “Yes, it’s a big upfront cost, but if you think about the environmental impact and the potential savings on waste management, it’s worth it,” she argued. A similar proposal was submitted years ago but ultimately stalled. Miller and her team are investigating why that effort fell short, aiming to avoid similar pitfalls. “We’re packaging the proposal in a way that we hope resonates
with the administration,” she said, noting that they’ve developed multiple budget options to improve its chances of being implemented.
Beyond specific projects, Miller hopes to shift how Fordham students view sustainability from an abstract concept to an accessible, daily practice. Her academic background in economics gives her a unique perspective on sustainability as a practical choice that benefits everyone rather than a moral obligation.
“A lot of people think being eco-friendly is expensive, but sustainable choices often save money in the long run,” she
points out. One of her favorite classes, “Environmental Economics,” taught her how closely the two fields are connected. “It’s about making choices that pay off later,” she said. In the meantime, Miller’s focus remains on doing meaningful work, regardless of the recognition it brings. “I don’t care who gets the credit, as long as the work gets done,” she said. For her, the ultimate goal is to create lasting change, building a campus where sustainability is not only a buzzword but a shared value. “As long as one person learns something new about sustainability, I feel it’s worth it.”
Sophomore Seeks to Improve Facilities and Dining
By ANDREW MASSIE STAFF WRITER
Mike Rodriguez, FCRH ’27, a political science major with a minor in Arabic, took an unexpected leap in his student government journey this past September, becoming the vice president of Facilities and Dining.
A short-lived stint as a senator for Fordham University’s Rose Hill United Student Government (USG) quickly transitioned into a more substantial role when a vacancy opened in Facilities and Dining.
“I think my leadership qualities come from wanting to improve things,” Rodriguez said. “I want to take charge for the positive.” Not long after he joined the USG, he saw the opportunity to do more for the Fordham community. After witnessing a period of silence when USG’s executive leadership inquired about interest in the role, Rodriguez decided to take action.
He says one of his key strengths is his ability to listen and delegate. “A lot of people are always complaining about something, but not many do anything. I hear the issues of my friends and people around campus, and I realized that I could do something to improve things,” he said. His past leadership experiences in high school, at work as a lifeguard and
now at Fordham have all shaped his approach to getting things done efficiently.
Rodriguez has wasted no time making an impact. Though he has only held the position for a little over a month, one of his major priorities has been food safety, an issue that became personal after a troubling incident in the cafeteria early in his tenure. “I was served what looked like raw pork. It didn’t sit right with me, so I started asking questions,” Rodriguez recalled. After consulting with Fordham’s sanitarian and dining liaisons, he was reassured that food safety protocols were being followed. Still, he felt compelled to ensure that students felt the same level of trust he had developed.
“The reputation of Fordham dining can be negative, but I wanted students to feel assured that food safety is taken seriously,” he said.
Rodriguez has also tackled practical issues like menu consistency and accessibility at Fordham’s dining locations. “We’ve made sure that menu items at places like the Chomp Truck are actually being sold as advertised,” he said. Looking forward, he aims to address issues surrounding accessibility on campus, including the need for more accessible doors.
Balancing his USG duties with his commitments as a member of Fordham men’s crew team and the Alumni Relations Director for the team has been a challenging task, but one Rodriguez welcomes. “I love being busy,” he said, explaining how he manages his time to maintain academic success and stay involved with extracurricular activities. He credits his time management skills with helping him juggle the various demands on his schedule, noting the importance of sleep and self-care.
Rodriguez is also committed to ensuring that Fordham's facilities meet the needs of students. While acknowledging that major infrastructural changes are difficult given the age of the buildings, he is determined to address the small but important changes that make a difference in student life.
One of his initiatives is increasing transparency through more frequent, open-style meetings. “We’re doing something new this year — general meetings that are like town halls.
We’re inviting the entire student body to participate and share their thoughts,” said Rodriguez. These efforts reflect his broader goal of making the committee’s work more accessible to students and giving them a voice in decisions affecting their day-today campus experience.
Though still early in his role, Rodriguez looks forward to continued progress. “I think we’re doing a great job so far,” he said, confident in the changes already implemented and the ones still to come.
COURTESY OF FORHDAM ROSE HILL UNITED STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Regina Miller, FCRH ’26, is the current vice president of Sustainability.
COURTESY OF FORDHAM ROSE HILL UNITED STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Mike Rodriguez, FCRH ’27, is the current vice president of Facilities and Dining for USG.
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From the Desk | Hannah Boring
Lost and Found: How To Say Goodbye
I don’t know how to say goodbye to The Fordham Ram. But how could I? How am I supposed to summarize three-and-a-half years in 900 words? And honestly, why would I want to?
I have loved newspapers since I was a kid reading the Sunday cartoons in the Capital Gazette, my local paper back in Annapolis, Maryland. Summer before sophomore year of high school, I attended The School of the New York Times, a two-week summer camp residing at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus where I learned about journalism. In fact, I loved it so much that I went back the next summer, solidifying my two near-future dreams: going to Fordham and working on a newspaper.
But when I was a first-year, I was terrified to pursue it.
I used to love the spotlight as a kid (you should’ve seen me solo in choir), but as I got older, I developed a deep anxiety regarding how others perceived me. I was too scared to let anyone see my writing, especially a group of people I had never met before. So, I didn’t write for the Ram, despite how much I really wanted to.
Then the Ram posted that they needed copy editors.
I almost turned around on my way to my first copy night, but I made it to McGinley B-52 (before the McShane Campus Center was a thing). I fell in love immediately.
While I started copy editing in Volume 103, it was Volume 104 where I really found my footing here. It was that year when I met my best people (now alumni) at Fordham: Amanda, Jamison,
Sophia, Kari and Isabel. These five fine ladies are some of the smartest, kindest, most beautiful women I have had the pleasure of knowing, and I am deeply grateful for their friendship then and now.
I’m fairly certain that two of those women will kill me if I don’t say some extra words. Jamison, you are the big sister I never had. I miss loitering outside your house on Arthur Avenue and arguing over whether an outfit is cute or not while I wait for you to finish getting ready. You are so smart and I hope you can someday understand how much I admire you. Sophia, you are a bright, shining light in a world that can be so dark sometimes. You have the purest heart of anyone I’ve met, and you make me want to be a better person. I love you both dearly — please text me when you read this.
I love copy editing. Not just the act of copy editing, but also the people I get to edit with. Nicki and Nora, I miss your presence at the table every week. Jacob and Indira, you always manage to make me laugh, no matter how stressed or snippy I get. Maddie and Cailee, thank you for holding down the table when the stack of third reads gets to be a little too much to ignore.
I lucked out with this eboard. The Graces, you both are wonderful people, and I’ll miss catching up before budget on Sundays. Evan, I loved listening to your editorial ideas almost as much as I loved editing them. Allison, your addition to Volume 105 was one of the best surprises of that year, and I’m so glad we got to work together on
106. I cannot wait to see what you will achieve during the rest of your time at Fordham and beyond. Sofia, you are an amazing editorin-chief and an even better friend, and I’m so glad the Ram brought us together. I don’t know how I’ll cope after graduation without our Dagger John’s runs and yap sessions on Eddie’s. I lied earlier, by the way; I do know how to say goodbye to the Ram, because I’ve watched countless others say goodbye before me. But I don’t like saying goodbye to anything that has my heart, and I don’t really want to try yet. This silly student-run newspaper has stuck with me through all my changing friendships and varying GPAs and existential crises. When I felt like my own dorm room was haunting me or when I couldn’t recognize myself in the mirror, I would escape to the Ram and feel normal again. I always craved a place where I could feel like I belonged, and I finally got that here. And I’m not just writing goodbye to the Ram — I’m also saying
Editorial | Daylight Saving
More Daylight, Please
goodbye to Fordham. So how am I supposed to leave it?
A song I loved as a kid but just now began to understand is “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert. During my self-reflection episode of this past semester, I found comfort in the bridge: “You leave home, you move on, and you do the best you can / I got lost in this whole world and forgot who I am.” I’ve lost myself so many times over the last three and some years. But in all the friendship turmoil, the failures and successes, the occasional “everyone hates me and I’m a horrible person” affirmations, I was able to find myself in the pages of the Ram. I found a place that brings me peace within chaos, that reminds me of who I am and who I hoped to be, and I will try my best to carry the lessons I’ve learned here with me as I step into the real world.
I have two more issues before I’m required to say goodbye, so I’m not going to just yet. In the meantime, I’ll see you at the copy table next week.
Over the weekend, daylight saving time ended and many of us gained a much needed hour of sleep. However, to the frustration of many, the sun is now setting before 5 p.m. and the days will be getting shorter until earlier December. This is because we are now in standard time. Now, Fordham University students may go to class at 4 p.m. when it is light out and leave at 5:15 p.m. when it is dark. Many Americans do not seem to be fans of the biannual tradition of moving the clocks. A CBS YouGov poll from 2022 found that 46% of Americans wanted to keep daylight saving time year-round because they liked having more sun in the afternoon. We think that it’s time to put an end to the constant changing of the clocks and keep yearround daylight saving time so we can continue having
our sunny afternoons.
Believe it or not, standard time and daylight saving time are not ancient traditions. The modern idea for daylight saving time came from New Zealander George Vernon Hudson. He proposed “advancing” the time of day by two hours to give people more time to be outside in the evening. While his idea was not popular at the time, it gradually caught on during World War I. Daylight saving time was first enacted by the United States government in 1918 as a wartime measure. It added an hour of sunlight to the day as a way to save money on fuel costs. The law also allowed for the federal government to create five time zones across the country as a way to uphold standardization among transportation modes. While daylight saving time was officially
implemented, it was not yet a federal law.
In many ways, our argument for keeping daylight saving time is simple. We like it when the sun is out later. It is a real bummer when the sun sets around 4:30 p.m. because it encourages you to stay indoors. However, the greatest argument in favor of keeping daylight saving time permanent is the havoc “springing forward” causes in the spring. Losing an hour of sleep causes negative impacts on the human body like increased heart attacks and strokes. It can increase moodiness and tiredness among people in the weeks following the switch. Finally, it can be a safety issue. One 2020 study found evidence the switch raised fatal accident risk by 6%. Keeping daylight saving time yearround would allow us to
end these early sunsets and the irritating practice of switching the clocks.
It should be noted that while this idea has a lot of support, there has not been much momentum to change things. In 2022, the Senate passed a bill creating a permanent national daylight saving time, but it stalled in the House of Representatives and never got passed. There are also still debates among the American public on what choice is better; 33% of Americans in the CBS YouGov survey wanted to keep standard time yearround and 21% wanted to keep switching back and forth.
Overall, it seems that the debate over changing the clocks may not be resolved anytime soon. Maybe it’s something that Americans will argue until the end of time. In the meantime, enjoy your early sunsets.
OPINION
Italy’s Albania Deal is a Human Rights Disaster Waiting To Happen
By ANDREW MCDONALD
Italy’s far-right government is led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni — a political ally of members of the Western “dissident” right like former President Donald Trump and Europe’s growing nationalist movements, including the German AfD, France’s National Rally and Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz. In Oct. 2024, the government began implementing a controversial plan to transfer migrants to detention centers, not in Italy or another European Union (EU) member state, but in Albania, marking a troubling new chapter in Europe’s ongoing retreat from humanitarian obligations.
Much like the failed Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” policy, this agreement outsources Italian asylum processing, sending migrants to facilities in Albania, which is a significantly poorer Balkan nation across the Adriatic Sea. The agreement, which will cost the Italian government €670 million (approximately $738 million) over five years and aims to process 36,000 migrants annually,
represents not just a logistical shift in post-2015 Syrian refugee crisis EU migration management, but also an assault on basic human rights and any semblance of democratic “European values.”
Like the ongoing debate over America’s southern border, this “Meloni” policy reflects a broader trend of the wealthiest Western nations attempting to externalize and coerce their immigration responsibilities onto their poorer neighbors.
The €670 million could fund comprehensive integration programs, but instead, the government’s anti-immigrant “culture warrior” celebration of “reduced arrivals” masks the grim truth of right-wing European apathy towards migrants. The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration reports an increase in deaths at sea and a rise in missing migrant boats; the fact of the matter is that this policy merely makes the journey deadlier rather than deterring it, and it’s clear that the Meloni government does not care.
The European Court of Justice
has already ruled that the plan to offshore migrants from countries Italy deems “safe” — which the EU does not — lacks legal legitimacy. This contradiction was starkly made clear when a Rome court rejected the detention of the first 12 migrants sent to Albania, forcing their return to Italy. The Italian government’s response was telling of their actual rationale for doing this; rather than address the underlying human rights concerns, it instead simply shortened its list of “safe” countries from 22 to 19, now excluding Cameroon, Colombia and Nigeria, which does a good job of demonstrating the Meloni government’s willingness to manipulate definitions to achieve its anti-immigrant political ends, regardless of the human cost.
This whole arrangement exploits the power imbalance between “EU” & “Non-EU” Europe. Albania currently aspires to gain EU membership, and despite that aspiration, the Albanian government has been incentivized to participate in a system that potentially violates international law. The deal represents a pattern where wealthy, often Western, nations use their economic leverage to outsource their humanitarian obligations to their poorer neighbors. As other European countries, like the United Kingdom under Keir Starmer, express interest in replicating this model, adopting a milquetoast version of his conservative predecessor’s “Rwanda Plan,” we risk further normalizing these harsh anti-immigration policies in general, but also a commodification of human rights.
The Italian centers in Albanian towns Shengjin and Gjader will
concentrate up to 3,800 adult men at a time, located far from public scrutiny and legal oversight of the country this system was built for. These facilities create a two-tiered system where some asylum seekers face reduced access to legal representation and fair hearings. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the plan as “shameful,” warning that intercepted migrants will face longer journeys by sea, prolonged detention and curtailed rights to seek asylum.
The agreement lacks transparency about crucial protections, including access to lawyers and translators, which is particularly concerning given that the facilities will be staffed by Italian personnel but guarded by Albanian security, easily creating potential legal gaps for accountability. The practice of “externalizing” migration control is becoming standard in Europe, with the burden of processing asylum claims increasingly placed on non-EU countries that often lack the capacity to protect refugees’ rights.
If you’re even vaguely an advocate for human dignity, it’s imperative, at least in my view, to reject this precedent globally. The solution to migration challenges lies not in outsourcing our responsibilities but in creating safe, legal pathways for migration and addressing the root causes that force people to flee their homes; this requires a fundamental shift from the Western right’s militarist policies of deterrence to those of solidarity and human rights protection.
The Italy-Albania agreement represents more than simply a
migration policy; it represents a dangerous shift in how Europe approaches human rights and asylum obligations. Fifteen European countries, led by Denmark and including Italy itself, petitioned the EU to consider similar “new solutions.” For Italy, however, this is just talk. Italy can either continue down this path of rights erosion and burden-shifting, or its government can uphold its humanitarian obligations and work toward a different and equitable approach to migration.
The bottom line is that this policy is inhumane and coercive; whether in Europe or the United States, opposition to the “antiimmigrant Right” ought to have some backbone in resisting the normalization of rights violations against people deserving of dignity. Concerning immigration, the real value measurement of the “Western World,” the Right loves to gloat about lies not in how effectively we can deter struggling people and outsource our responsibilities to our poorer peers, but in how effectively and humanely we can respond to those seeking safety on our shores. As anti-immigrant rhetoric becomes more popular in the Western World, we must reject the false promise of deterrence and instead push for immigration policies based on dignity, human rights and our democratic values — values that are absolutely meaningless if they stop at our borders.
Andrew McDonald, FCRH ’26, is a history and political science double major from Sacramento, Calif.
How an 80 Degree Halloween Reflects the Climate Crisis
By JACOB WOLFER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Fordham University students enjoyed unusually warm weather this fall. Many students, including myself, have appreciated being able to wear shorts, sit outside and not shiver on the way to class this late into the fall semester. However, the weather New York City has been experiencing poses a threat to both our city and our nation.
On Oct. 31, the temperature in the Bronx hit a high of 81 degrees. This marks one of the warmest Halloween day temperatures ever recorded in New York City. Furthermore, as a CBS News article reports, this is one of the driest months of October that the NYC metropolitan area has ever experienced.
The unusual weather New York City and Fordham’s campuses have seen this fall is part of a much larger climate crisis facing the United States. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation explains how the climate crisis has affected New York City and warns about the future problems that may arise from rapidly changing weather patterns.
According to the department, the northeast United States, on average, experiences higher temperature increases than the rest
of the country. The average temperature in the State of New York has increased by 3 degrees fahrenheit since 1970 and is expected to rise by another 3 degrees by 2080.
Greenhouse gasses are a primary cause of the higher temperatures and the warmer weather that Americans have been experiencing. The Department of Environmental Conservation and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have found that greenhouse gas emissions from humans contribute to warmer weather, warmer ocean temperatures, increased precipitation and higher sea levels.
So, what do these temperature increases mean for New York City and its residents?
Warmer temperatures, and in particular warmer winters, have a negative economic impact on New York’s economy. Warmer winters bring less snowfall, and less snowfall with higher temperatures can lead to an early spring. Because of this, New York’s winter recreational businesses have suffered immensely.
New York is not the only place that is suffering. In fact, businesses and resorts around the country have been affected by climate change. In my home state of Virginia, a destination called the Massanutten Resort
has experienced significantly shorter ski seasons because of warmer winters affecting the region. This resort in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has had to turn to technology and snowmaking machines to stay open during ski season.
For those who do not partake in winter activities, the effects of climate change mentioned so far may seem irrelevant. However, the effects are wide-ranging. Warmer weather has also had profound impacts on agriculture in New York. Shorter winters have made for longer growing seasons in recent years. Although this can be advantageous for some crops, longer growing seasons invite invasive species, weeds and potentially harmful diseases to crops. This makes life difficult for farmers as crops become harder to produce and, in turn, increases prices for consumers.
The question now becomes, what should New York and the United States do to prevent climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
New York City has taken steps to reduce climate change, such as entering into a partnership with National Grid in an effort to improve air quality by reducing organic waste sent to landfills. In addition, the city has put in protections to prevent flooding in
Staten Island and other areas of the city that have become more vulnerable to extreme weather conditions. NYC also incorporated an annual greenhouse gas report to track the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the city, where they come from and how to reduce them in the future.
These efforts are essential first steps to reducing climate change in New York and influencing national policy on climate change. However, there is still not enough being done on a national level to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean energy.
For example, fracking remains a big contributor to climate change by releasing methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and, in turn, leading to warmer temperatures. Although President Joe Biden promised a
ban on drilling on federal soil during his 2020 campaign, his administration has continued to approve gas and oil drilling permits.
Broken promises from elected officials and overall ignorance of the real problem at hand will continue to contribute to warm temperatures in New York and the rest of the United States. Until the U.S. puts an end to fracking and actively reduces greenhouse gas emissions being put into the atmosphere, businesses, consumers and the planet will continue to suffer from a soon-to-be irreversible problem. Moving forward, the U.S. needs to make clean and alternate energy sources its top priority.
Jacob Wolfer, FCRH ’26, is an English and history double major from Fairfax, Va.
Unusually high fall temperatures reflect the climate crisis affecting our world.
COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL/THE FORDHAM RAM
STAFF WRITER
The new Italy-Albania immigration agreement is an inhumane policy.
COURTESY OF MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM
OPINION
First-Name Basis: Kamala Harris’ Merch Branding
By JESSICA RITTER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
It’s no secret that Vice President Kamala Harris and her opponent, former President Donald Trump, have marketed themselves differently to voters. However, one stark difference between the two that is often ignored is their merchandise. Harris is often referred to by her first name by reporters, politicians and the general public. In the 2020 vice presidential debate, moderator Susan Page referred to her as Kamala and not Senator Harris. As the Democratic presidential candidate, Harris has
effectively used her first name to differentiate herself from her male opponent.
From her merchandise store selling “Kamala” merch to her TikTok handle “Kamala HQ” and her own jokes about being called “Momala” by her stepkids, Harris is not letting anyone forget her name. While women in politics have often been called by their first names to differentiate themselves from their husbands, like Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, Harris does not have a husband in politics nor her husband’s last name. Yet, she is overwhelmingly referred to as
Kamala, both by her supporters and her opponents.
While Harris has been vice president for four years now and a senator for four years before that, her first name, Kamala, has repeatedly been mispronounced by Republicans. During the 2024 Republican National Convention, nearly half of the speakers who mentioned her first name mispronounced it. Harris sells a t-shirt that writes out how to pronounce her first name, making fun of the Republicans who can’t say her name. While the t-shirt is playful, by intentionally mispronouncing Harris’ name, Republicans are trying to undermine her political power. Harris’ use of her first name in her branding not only makes it abundantly clear that she is a woman but also a woman of color, and Republicans are taking that as a threat.
As the election approaches quickly, some reporters believe that the 2024 election will have a historically large gender gap. With a Democratic woman and Republican man at the top of the ticket and the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, this election could have a larger gender gap than we’ve ever seen. In general, women are more likely to vote for Harris, and men are more likely to vote for Trump. With election polling between the two candidates so close, this gender gap could make a difference in the outcome. Harris also has an
overwhelming lead in points in women voters compared to Trump’s smaller lead with young male voters.
One of Harris’ strongest points in her campaign is her stance on reproductive freedom. Reproductive rights disproportionately affect women, and speaking from my own perspective, my female peers are much more likely to take reproductive rights seriously and for it to affect our voting compared to our male peers. Harris’ welcoming embrace of her first name in her branding does not let her voters and opponents alike forget that she is a woman and, more importantly, a woman who cares about reproductive health issues.
By using her first name, Harris not only capitalizes on it to sell merchandise but uses it to starkly differentiate herself from her opponent. The treatment of her first name, Kamala, shows how disrespectful her Republican opponents have treated her by refusing to pronounce her name properly and shows how Harris has used her womanhood to her advantage to appeal to female voters — voters who could make the difference in this election.
Harris also sets an interesting precedent for female politicians who will come after her. When she became the highest-ranking female politician in the United States’ political history by being elected as vice president in 2021,
she now has the power to set the trend for female politicians who will follow in her footsteps. I believe we will see more female politicians capitalizing on their first names in the upcoming years because it not only differentiates them from male politicians but makes them more personable to women voters. In the past, referring to female politicians by their first names was a sign of sexism and being undermined compared to male opponents. However, Harris recognizes the power that her first name has in differentiating her from her male opponents like Trump and even in differentiating her from her former running mate, President Joe Biden. Biden’s unpopularity has been a drag in Harris’ campaign, and finding the balance between differentiating herself from him and not criticizing him has been a struggle. However, the difference between the two in their marketing, such as Harris’ use of her first name, is a subtle strategy. While Harris’ use of her name has been an effective strategy for appealing to Democratic women voters, it’s unclear if this strategy will be enough to win the race.
Jessica Ritter, FCRH ’25, is an English and film and television major from Huntington, N.Y.
Sober Consciousness: Let’s Not Make Pour Decisions
By INDIRA KAR STAFF WRITER
This past Halloweekend, college students across the country geared up with their elaborate costumes and spirited celebrations. While partying remains a constant during this festive season and perhaps every Friday night in the surrounding Fordham University area, the conversation surrounding alcohol consumption has been shifting. A growing movement toward sober consciousness is emerging, offering college students and everyday people a different and healthier approach to social activities.
Sober consciousness, or being sober-curious, is a movement that aims for people to consider their alcohol consumption habits and evaluate the role that alcohol plays in their lives. It is not sobriety, but it is a reckoning with why one is choosing to drink in a specific situation. A sober-curious person is interested in how lowering their alcohol intake could improve their lives. Cutting back on alcohol can improve sleep, memory, energy and mental health, and also lessen the risk of cancer and disease.
This movement has been popularized through a growing interest in health, a consideration of mindful consumption and the rise of nonalcoholic alternatives, some of which are celebrity-endorsed.
Partying, for some, is central to the American college experience. The party scene in college often involves drinking, as many students turn 21, the legal drinking
age, during school. Many college students find themselves wanting to participate in this aspect of college life to fit in, lessen stress and lower their inhibitions. This mindset has taken its toll on the student population. Seen as a ritual of their higher education, the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that of full-time college students between the ages of 18 and 22, 49% reported drinking alcohol and 28.9% reported binge drinking in the past month.
The consumption of alcohol has effects on your body and the people around you. The consequences of harmful drinking include alcohol-associated organ damage and a weakened immune system. Normalizing drinking culture can contribute to behaviors associated with alcohol use disorder, which affects 29.5 million Americans. Alcohol is a depressant, and while it does lower inhibitions, it also affects decision-making processes and mental health, resulting in anger, anxiety and depression. Increasing awareness of the health risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption has prompted a reevaluation of this cultural norm.
While many young adults still participate in traditional drinking culture, the growing popularity of sober consciousness is focused on mindful consumption. This choice towards mindful consumption is not one based on vilifying alcohol and those who choose to consume it, but rather, it expands
the choices available to everyone. These alternatives cater to those who wish to socialize without the effects of alcohol.
Bars and restaurants today offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, like zero-proof spirits and mocktails. Recently, more celebrities have become involved in the non-alcoholic beverage sphere.
Bella Hadid is the co-founder of Kin Euphorics, a non-alcoholic beverage with ingredients aiming to produce benefits like social energy and enhanced mood. Tom Holland recently launched Bero, a line of non-alcoholic beer, two years into his sobriety journey after having evaluated how alcohol had consumed his life. Non-alcoholic alternatives cater to a wide audience of people, so one can still have fun and be social without the facilitation of alcohol.
Travel destinations acknowledge the need for sober-friendly options. Mindful consumption has led to the rise of sober traveling, offering a vacation experience free from the blinding fog of alcohol, providing guests with activities that induce a natural rush of adrenaline or generally more fulfilling and enriching experiences. An alcohol-free vacation offers an opportunity to travel and enjoy oneself without the side effects of drinking.
Sober consciousness is a growing trend, with younger adults like Gen Z drinking less than prior generations. Within the drinking culture of the college party scene, many young adults can forget or lose the
ability to have fun without the influence of alcohol. Recently, I attended a designated sober party. Hosted by Fordham seniors Joshua Atlas, GSB ’25, Tyler Norrie, FCRH ’25 and Driss Zaim-Sassi, FCRH ’25, their “AMS Astro Adventure” was held to “have an out-of-this-world blast!” In the midst of midterms, this party was a much-needed respite. Upon entering the apartment, guests were greeted with decorations straight from outer space and a soundtrack consisting only of Interstellar’s main theme with a short break for “Can You Hear the Music” from “Oppenheimer.” Guests were divided into teams and competed in games such as “Pin the Rocket on the Moon,” “Bobbing for Jupiter’s Spots” (bobbing for apples) and “Eating Saturn’s Rings” (donuteating contest). In the party’s otherworldly travels during “Martian Charades,” a Martian character invaded and had to be eliminated through the guests’ translation of the Martian’s phrases. However, upon the defeat of the Martian, the party’s astronaut hosts declared
that “what the Martian didn’t want us to know is that you can have a great time while being sober!” The winning team got to hit a rocketship piñata, and I, like many other guests, had a great time.
The shift towards sober consciousness offers a healthy alternative and more intentional way of living. Individuals who subscribe to sober consciousness seek social connections not centered around drinking, but fostering genuine relationships, shared experiences and collective well-being. In encouraging such alternatives, individuals have spaces where they can feel safe and supported. This shift to sober consciousness with mindful consumption and social alternatives to drinking-centered interactions allows everyone to consider their relationship with alcohol and make informed decisions on both socialization and celebrations.
Indira Kar, FCRH ’25, is an international studies major from St. Louis.
Sober consciousness is an emerging attitude.
Kamala Harris’ merch capitalizes on her first name.
COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL/THE FORDHAM RAM
Feeling the Payne: Grief Has A Place Amidst Imperfection
By SAMANTHA DIAZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER
We are allowed to mourn the celebrities we look up to; it means we have a meaningful connection with them, human to human, even if they don’t know who we are. We grow up with some of these people, and when they pass away, especially suddenly, it can be difficult and emotional to process. It’s okay to feel sad and grieve the loss of your idol as long as we remain respectful.
Grieving an artist comes in multiple forms: listening to their music, making tributes or reconnecting with other fans. Most people do this as a way to honor and remember their idol in the hours and days after, which is typically seen as normal. What might not be seen as “normal” is going to public spaces or significant areas associated with an artist to make small memorials and vigils. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that method of grieving; it’s a safe space for fans who need it. Times like these are rough for most fans, and the grief that we share is a collective feeling. Why would it be a bad thing to have a space where fans can pay their respects to one another? We share the same memories and support for our idol, and it also gives a chance for a human connection and friendship to form at these memorials.
Former One Direction band member Liam Payne
died on Oct. 16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For fans, Payne was more than a celebrity. Because of the strong connection many feel toward Payne, hundreds of memorials have been set up around the world to honor his memory, from New York City to London. Establishing these memorials is a way to show the outpouring of love and support they have always felt and will continue to feel for him. Videos on social media show users leaving heartfelt notes, singing songs together and making new friends at these memorials. As such, fans have acknowledged that this is not only a sensitive time for them, but for his family as well. In the days after his passing, Payne’s father, Geoff Payne, was protected by fans who raised their hands to prevent the paparazzi from taking pictures of him in the hotel. Geoff also took time to add to the fan memorial that was established outside the hotel before mourning with fans and expressing thanks for their support.
One Direction fans, also known as Directioners, are well aware of the way the industry operates with teenage stars, especially for a boy band that was as big as One Direction. Over the years, many agree that the five members were overworked, controlled and taken advantage of. For that reason, during the height of the band’s popularity, fans always sought to protect them
from the pressures of fame. This desire to “protect” continues even after Payne’s passing, as fans have expressed that it is disrespectful to visit his family home, harass the members of One Direction, or attempt to attend any private funerals.
Just recently, producer Sam Pounds made an announcement stating he would release “Do No Wrong,” an unreleased single he recorded in collaboration with Payne as a tribute. Fans asked Pounds not to release the song out of respect for Payne’s family while encouraging others not to stream it. Their concern reached Pounds, who ultimately decided to delay the release of Payne’s posthumous single and leave it up to his family. But above all fan’s concerns, Simon Cowell, who is credited with creating One Direction, is their biggest gripe. Fans call out Cowell continuously, criticizing him for putting the five boys in vulnerable positions in the entertainment industry. This is not a problem unique to Payne; it is a problem with many stars who get famous at a young age. In light of his passing, the damaging effects of fame at such a young age are becoming more and more apparent. “Liam’s Law” is a fan-written petition circulating amongst fans, advocating for legislation to be made where artists must receive support and treatment to protect their mental health. The petition is in honor of Payne, who was outspoken about mental
health struggles during and after his time in One Direction. Some online reactions showed a lack of empathy over his passing. Given the news that came out days before regarding a cease and desist from his ex-fiancée Maya Henry, many felt that his passing was not something to be upset about. Multiple posts went viral on social media, stating that it wasn’t right to grieve Payne because of his past faults. Considering he was the subject of massive online harassment in the last couple of years, his passing only fueled more online harassment and indifference disguised as jokes. Two things can be true at once: Payne was not a perfect person, and Payne also made a significant impact on many young people. I think the acknowledging of both of these things is a part of grief, perhaps the most complicated part of it. People seem to forget that
he was a person, too, with real feelings and personal relationships. Payne was someone’s father, son, uncle, brother, partner, friend and role model. No one should be able to dictate how another person should feel when they are grieving over a personal loss, fan or not.
For Directioners, Payne’s passing is an opportunity to come together in remembrance. Users of online fandom spaces that were previously left abandoned have reunited to share their grief and reflect on the fond memories they once shared as fans. The reunion and outpouring of support for a beloved member of a group that created so many great memories is the most beautiful result of it all.
Why Character.AI Needs More Regulations
By MIA TERO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in our generation has led to questions about the ethics and safety of using AIgenerated words, voices, pictures and video. Many college students’ first thoughts when thinking about AI is the popular generator, ChatGPT, but what many people are not aware of are apps like Character.AI. Sites like these allow people to have conversations with chatbots that resemble famous people or characters. With AI becoming more and more realistic, AI sites must take measures to ensure the safety of their users, especially young users who may not be fully aware of the function and dangers that AI impersonations can have.
Recently, Character.AI was sued by a mother whose son, Sewell Setzer III, tragically took his life after forming a relationship with a chatbot that he relied on for advice and friendship. Events like these draw the question of what responsibility AI sites have in protecting their users. Even though the activity on the app may be generated and considered not real, the impacts bleed into real life and real people.
The app also uses human-like descriptions for chatbots and
will use emotional indicators when responding to users. For example, in the case of Sewell, the chatbot texted phrases like “My eyes narrow” and “My face hardens.” This illusion of human expressions once again blurs the line between reality and AI. These enable users to create emotional connections to chatbots. The mimicking of emotions and empathy causes users to mistake scripted responses for genuine humanlike interactions. When people begin to form dependencies on chatbots, believing it is a genuine connection, they can isolate themselves from real people. This is incredibly risky for young people already feeling isolated, whether from their family or in school. Without actual human connection, people can lose authentic relationships and replace them with programmed responses. This is especially true for younger people who may not understand the limitations of AI and may not be aware of the impacts that generated conversations can have on mental health.
Even algorithms that are carefully programmed are still reflections of data points. They lack human emotions and an understanding of cause and effect in reality. Because AI is becoming increasingly realistic, it is easy to lose sight of the
fact that the feelings expressed by AI generators have no actual validity or understanding. This can go beyond cases of people using apps like Character.AI, and can be understood by the desire to say “thank you” to programs such as ChatGPT. Even though programs like ChatGPT lack a realistic nature similar to that of chatbots seen on Character.AI, I believe our human instinct is to treat the interaction like a conversation and thus treat the chatbot like a person with emotions.
Following the lawsuit by Setzer’s mother, Character.AI has implemented new safety measures. These include a timelimited feature that will notify a user when they have been on the app for an hour and a message that informs the user that the chatbot they are speaking to is not a real person. The app has also begun showing suicide prevention pop-ups, including the number for the suicide and crisis lifeline, when users talk about depression or selfharm. While these measures are a good start to minimizing the danger of AI chatbots, more regulations on the app catered to younger people and mental health must be enacted.
Apps like Character.AI are inspired by the belief that they could aid people feeling lonely. What must be recognized is that
New AI apps raise issues about AI regulations.
they cannot replace human interaction like it is beginning to do for many people. This is why apps like these should not be available for younger individuals who do not understand the effects they can cause. Similarly, the app Character.AI should forgo using emotional indicators to describe the character chatbots or in conversations. Without emotional indicators, the risk of chatbots being perceived as “real” will be lessened. They are also responsible for making the message about characters not being real much bigger. Currently, the message is shown below where the user types and says, “Remember: Everything Characters say is made up!” in small dark letters. This can be easily overlooked, especially because characters when asked if they are human,
will say “yes,” which is very misleading.
The app Character.AI has begun to make changes, making the platform safer, but it requires further regulations to avoid confusion about what is real and what is generated. For young users especially, blurring the line between human and machine interaction poses risks of isolation and inappropriate conversations. AI developers must choose user safety over realism by restricting ages, including disclaimers and reducing emotions in chatbots. AI should be used as a tool and not as a substitute for real life.
Samantha Diaz, FCRH ’26, is a journalism major from the Bronx, N.Y.
COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL/THE FORDHAM RAM
COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL/THE FORDHAM RAM One Direction fans mourn the death of Liam Payne.
OPINION
“Never Again”... Again
By KINGSLEY MARIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Freedom of speech propels democracy. But when employed incorrectly, we inch closer towards the kind of tyranny and oppression in Nazi Germany, when Jews were systematically silenced through censorship, propaganda and ultimately the Holocaust. In that dark time, Jewish books were burned and Jewish voices were excluded from public life and, as we are seeing again today, in academia.
The clash between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian Americans has been so intense because of our mutual right to free speech. But Columbia University’s temporary restriction of Shai Davidai — a Jewish Israeli professor at the Columbia Business School — from entering campus has infringed on this very right.
Davidai has spoken out against what he calls “pro-terror” protestors on campus since Oct. 7,
2023. He has encouraged students to film him confronting pro-Palestinian protestors. His confrontations are not intended to “harass” or “intimidate,” as Columbia claims, only to educate. Just last week, at the University of Toronto, Davidai posted a video of an encounter with a student who claimed that Israel’s history started in 1948. The student professed to understand the history of the IsraelPalestine conflict, but when asked about the Hebron massacre, the Great Arab Revolt or the British Mandate — all events prior to 1948 — he had zero clue about any of it.
Davidai ended by giving the student book recommendations and captioned the video: “The only cure for indoctrination is education. It’s OK not to know. It’s not OK to say that you do when you don’t, and it’s DEFINITELY not OK to protest something you have no idea about.”
Davidai believes that the rise
in pro-Palestinian protests is largely due to ignorance. His mission is to educate and, for this, he has suffered consequences. People think he’s some kind of fanatic who deserves the academic equivalent of a time-out. But let’s examine the context and see if he’s really the maniac he’s been portrayed as on social media.
On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas invaded Israel, kidnapped 254 hostages, likely raped women and murdered 1,200 Israeli civilians — the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. At Columbia, on the anniversary of this genocide, Jewish students wanted a day to mourn. They gathered, wrapped themselves in the Israeli flag and called a prayer in Hebrew for the victims. But masked “Free Palestine” advocates felt a need to protest this mourning of mass rape and murder and vastly outnumbered the Jews gathered. These protesters were not peacefully demonstrating for peace between Israel and
Palestine. They were promoting the opposite, shouting that there will be no peace until Palestine is victorious.
Davidai is seen as a radical for referring to these protestors as “pro-terror,” but Hamas has been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. Bureau of Counterterrorism. Protestors hold Hamas signs that read “glory to them.” Protestors shout “No peace” and “Globalize the Intifada.” They say this “speaks to liberation” and “to free Palestine from the apartheid regime and the military occupation. For me, it calls for freedom and for change.”
But to many Jews, this phrase is inextricable from the violence directed towards Israelis during the First and Second Intifadas. So the word “Intifada” feels as charged as if someone were to say “Holocaust.” A phrase that calls for aggressive resistance against Israel and those who support Israel around the globe. By the same token, “From the River to the Sea” is an implicit rallying cry for the ethnic cleansing of Israeli Jews from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. “There is only one solution” is a rejection of the co-existence of Israel and Palestine with shades of Hitler’s “final solution” to exterminate Jews from the face of the earth. As is “resistance by any means necessary.”
By any means necessary. Think about that. If that is not condoning the “means” of rape, the “means” of murder, the “means” of mutilating, defiling bodies and using people as human shields. If that is not condoning terrorism, I don’t know what is.
Davidai exercised his right to free speech by calling out Rashid Khalidi, a Palestinian scholar at Columbia. Khalidi, in response to the ransacking and vandalizing of Columbia by pro-Palestinian
protestors, said “shame on the administration” for shutting it down merely because they condoned Hamas. And yet Davidai is considered an extremist and Khalidi — who endorses violence, law-breaking and terrorism — is not. Pro-Palestinian protestors may claim their right to free speech, but chanting slogans that incite such violence crosses over into hate speech. They are certainly no longer exercising free speech in a constructive way that promotes democracy. Davidai also called out Columbia COO Cas Holloway for permitting the inciting of violence. Columbia saw this as the final straw and barred Davidai from campus.
Tomorrow, students who shout violent genocidal rhetoric will inhale the crisp Upper West Side air, fallen leaves crunching under their feet as they tramp through the Weiner courtyard. Tomorrow, Holloway will sit down at his desk and feel the gentle burn of his coffee trickling down his throat. Tomorrow, Khalidi will be praised for condoning violence by Columbia students and Hamas. But Davidai will know none of those pleasures. His reward for speaking up against this oppression of democracy is to be seen as a disgrace and to be barred from the university.
“Never Again” is the phrase coined by survivors of the concentration camps symbolizing the lessons learned from the Holocaust. It is a promise, and it is our responsibility to promote free speech and prevent its silencing to preserve our democracy so that tyranny may become history.
Kingsley Marin, GSB ’28, is a finance major from Los Angeles.
Columbia University Professor Shai Davidai was recently restricted from entering campus following protests.
COURTESY OF X
Walsh Library Stinky Tree Must Go
By HANNAH JOHNSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Have you walked along the cobblestone pathway in front of Walsh Library in the past month? If so, I’m guessing you have wrinkled your nose or attempted to hold your breath as you crossed the few meters of that path littered with a certain yellow substance smushed into the cobblestone crevices. And I’m sure that in the brief 10 seconds it took you to walk over it, unless you dramatically walked around it on the grass instead, you found that it had ruined your mood.
I am typically against deforestation or the destruction of our environment in any form. But recently, I have found myself contemplating such actions when it comes to a certain tree in front of our beloved Walsh Library. The tree in question is infamous on campus for heavily dropping its odorous yellow fruit onto the cobblestone, which in turn gets squashed and produces a revolting scent that most Fordham University students are unfortunately familiar with. A scent so disgusting that it could probably solve the New York City rat epidemic if it were
weaponized in rat traps.
Our culprit is the ginkgo tree, a member of a group of ancient plants believed to have inhabited the earth up to 150 million years ago. Fordham’s ginkgo tree is nestled in front of the library, overarching the pathway from Larkins to Walsh Library.
The “fruit” that sits squashed like vomit on the library’s cobblestone pathway is actually the result of the ginkgo tree going through its reproductive cycle. Female ginkgo trees like this one “produce tan-orange oval fruits that fall to the ground in October and November.” All
scents considered, I can only pinpoint my anger of the tree to the fact that I feel like my nose is being punished every time I make my way to the library with what can accurately be described as a vomit-adjacent stench. Talking to my peers, much of the Fordham community shares my frustrations, and it makes me wonder, why has this tree not been chopped down yet?
Turns out, the ginkgo tree has been torturing the noses of Fordham students for decades.
According to a November 1999 article in The Fordham Ram, “This putrid odor . . . was actually produced by the seeds of ginkgo trees outside of E-House, similar to the ones causing the foul scent by the library.” Students have been dealing with this stench every October and November — as proved by this Ram publication — for at least 25 years. Why is that? Is it because students forget once the season transitions to winter? Are not enough students utilizing the library to notice? At this point, I think it is up to us students to band together to get this ginkgo tree off our beautiful campus. Wouldn’t it be great if my increased tuition went to something important? You know, like better food, working laundry machines or more urgently, getting this stinky tree off campus.
Even Martha Stewart has called the smell produced by the ginkgo tree “quite disagreeable.”
Not only that, but the seeds
within the fruit contain urushiol — the same chemical that causes poison oak, ivy and sumac. Thus, this fruit is poisonous and should be considered a hazard, as many students step on the fruit on the cobblestone with the same shoes we walk around in our dorms.
This tree is only 50 years old and can live for 1,000 years, so we owe it to all the future Rams to get rid of this tree so they won’t be plagued by its putrid scent every fall semester. An FCRH ’00 student in the 1999 Ram article noted the smell. “It smells absolutely nauseating,” they said. “I noticed it last year too and it usually gets to be especially unbearable during the autumn.” While our alumni might have failed us in taking action, it is our time to stand up and take a page out of The Oncelor’s book.
I propose that we replace the ginkgo tree with an American wisteria or even a cherry blossom — something that is equally aesthetically pleasing as it is fragrantly pleasing. Plus, when the blossoms descend upon the cobblestone, it will pay homage to the way the ginkgo tree’s fruit falls to the stone, which will remind Fordham how it has grown. Fordham’s Rose Hill campus is known for its beauty — let’s make sure it smells good too!
Election Reflections From Fordham’s Left & Right
By CAROLINE LEHMAN SEC. OF COLLEGE DEMOCRATS
This election cycle has been quite the rollercoaster for the American public, even amidst the last 10 years of intense political polarization and turmoil in our country. It will be the most consequential election of my lifetime — either ending with the first female and second Black president of the United States or a convicted felon that incited a violent insurrection during the certification of the last presidential election.
Before Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee for president, I was dreading this year’s election. Although I’m a politically active person, I found myself uninspired, unmotivated to campaign and, most importantly, afraid.
Like many other Democrats, I worried about President Joe Biden’s electability and had my own concerns regarding his mental fitness to serve and divisive policies related to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
My anxieties were not soothed after being placed at the forefront of fielding these same sentiments from the American people while taking hundreds of calls during my Capitol Hill internship at the beginning of the summer.
Having met Harris in early June, I knew she was not only the logical choice, but the one the Democratic party and America as a whole needed. Beyond her political savvy,
her charisma, joy, vision and trailblazing identity are so refreshing in America’s current political climate. I have remained optimistic and motivated all semester, helping host events and doing voter outreach with the Fordham University College Democrats. I don’t know how this election will turn out, but I’m hopeful that the American people will do the right thing and vote not for a hateful alleged fascist, but instead to protect our rights and freedoms, for joy, for Kamala Harris. I’ll never forget the pride I felt casting my first-ever presidential vote for a woman.
By DANIEL SPONSELLER PRES. OF COLLEGE DEMOCRATS
Vice President Kamala Harris entering the race sparked a muchneeded flame in the presidential race. Her campaign has had an air of energy, optimism and sheer joy, offering voters a simple adage: “We are not going back.” She has set forth concrete plans, not just “concepts of a plan,” that will have a substantial impact on working-class people. These include expanding healthcare access, building affordable housing, banning price gouging and creating a tax structure that will ensure that working people will not be penalized for not being billionaires. These plans have been rallying calls for progressives, and the fact that a major presidential candidate is finally embracing all of these plans is so satisfying.
My confidence in Harris’ ability to win has stemmed from her tangible, progressive solutions. Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, has become sort of a one-issue candidate; every problem, from the environment to rising costs and corporate greed, is somehow the fault of immigrants. At the end of the day, people face complex problems, and solutions are required that will actually alleviate these issues. Mass deportations and fear-mongering about immigrants not only are overly simplistic solutions, but they will completely fail in making anyone’s lives substantially better. Voters are becoming increasingly aware of this, making Trump seem not just out-oftouch, but painfully one-note.
By DAKOTA CALCATERRA VP OF COLLEGE REPUBLICANS
History will likely not remember 2024 as a year dominated by the Israel-Palestine conflict, abortion, inflation and illegal immigration. It will be studied as the moment when our country’s politicians embraced darker, harsher rhetoric and began to fear for their safety. This is the campaign where our politicians rip off their masks of civility and display the ugliness that lies beneath.
This is not merely an apocalyptic vision; both parties have hurled accusations of extremism at the other. Insults and jabs that would have seemed unthinkable a decade ago have become normalized to a frightening degree, dominating the national discussion and plunging us into a culture war. The forced exit of President Joe Biden has been likened to a coup, and former President Donald Trump has been called a fascist more times than anyone can count.
The weakest moment in the campaign was surely the debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, a tour-de-force in the art of political finger-pointing. It did not seem to have moved many people either; while there have been brief moments of clarity, the polls have failed to elucidate who has the advantage going
into Election Day. What is clear, however, is that our long-discussed descent into political polarization has transformed from an uncomfortable fact of life into an existential threat. Since the attempt on Trump’s life in Butler, Pennsylvania, the campaign has resembled a civil war more than a civil debate. With each of the three assassination attempts on Trump this cycle, there has been a worsening sense of permanence, that this may just be what politics are now. There are many Democrats who feel the same way — if we fail to reconcile soon, it will be too late.
For most of our life, politics have functioned as part reality television, part gladiatorial combat. The idea of a good-faith discussion of policy issues is utterly unthinkable at the moment, and for too long, a revulsion toward compromise has poisoned any attempts at actual change. Perhaps we can eventually move past this and somehow find common ground again. But the past few months have left us bereft of any confidence in such a resolution. 2024 has not been a campaign of hope, but rather intense antagonism that threatens the future of our country. Unless we move past the desire for politics as a blood sport, we fear that history will see this year as the gash that never healed.
Hannah Johnson, GSB ’26, is a finance major from Medfield, Massachusetts.
The large ginkgo tree, colloquially known as “stinky tree,” stands tall outside of Walsh Library.
COURTESY OF SOPHIE MASELLI/THE FORDHAM RAM
In a Gen Z “Romeo + Juliet,” Tragedy Meets Techno
By JOHANNA BROOSLIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The classic William Shakespeare play “Romeo and Juliet” has countless adaptations — does there really need to be a new take on the 400-year-old tragedy?
Directed by Tony-Awardwinning Sam Gold, known for his work on other Shakespearean productions such as “King Lear” and “Macbeth,” “Romeo + Juliet” stars actors Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler as the titular star-crossed lovers. The play is staged at the Circle in the Square Theater in New York City and is only in production until mid-February.
With a tagline of “The Youth are F**ked,” Gold aims to create a quirky, edgy Gen Z adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet,” trying to connect the play with a younger audience. For the most part, he succeeds in his vision. However, some moments felt as though Gold was trying too hard to appeal to a younger generation, making the production feel like an older, outsider’s imagined version of Gen Z culture rather than an authentic representation.
The staging of the production sets this play apart from many others on Broadway. The seating surrounds the stage, which sits in the center of the theater. While the set design is limited, the stage does not restrict the action of the show. The characters move dynamically through
the theater, running up and down the aisles and shuffling along the catwalks above the stage. If you are getting tickets, try to pick seats on or close to the aisle because these seats bring you closer to the action.
The unconventional use of the venue makes the experience more immersive and lively without taking too much attention away from the central drama. The audience transforms into the citizens of Verona, swept up in the unfolding tragedy. Yet, there lies a sense of inevitability.
The audience knows how the tragedy will end and, as the actors race around the theater, the audience gets drawn into the plot while knowing they are powerless in changing the outcome.
This production was made for those who already understand the basic plot of “Romeo and Juliet.” Leaflets are handed out before the show that outline the connections each of the supporting characters has with the two leads. However, going into the play, the audience would find having some knowledge of the plot helpful because a lot happens on and off the stage simultaneously, which could distract first-time viewers. Luckily for Gold, “Romeo and Juliet” has been around for over 400 years, and by now almost everyone knows the plot of this tragedy, so he can get away with complex staging that might be too distracting
in another production.
“Romeo + Juliet” is not a musical, but a play set to music. Written by GrammyAward-winning producer Jack Antonoff, the pulsing techno music amplifies the intensity of the play while continuing the modern feel. There are a few songs added where the characters sing. These are some of the only moments of the show where the characters move out of iambic pentameter and use more modern language. The songs were clearly added to showcase Zegler’s incredible voice, but do not add much else to the plot and emotional depth of the story.
The majority of the supporting actors are cast in two to three different roles. The best use of the triple casting was Gabby Beans as Mercutio, Friar Lawrence and the Prince. Beans distinguishes the characters well so the audience can easily tell which character she plays. The double and triple casting never becomes too confusing, although there were some points where it was not immediately clear which character the actor was portraying. Luckily, acting choices as well as the use of different clothing for the characters helped differentiate them. The supporting cast does a great job in their respective roles, bringing energy and nuance to the production.
Connor and Zegler are phenomenal in the titular roles.
Both actors are young, adding a layer of vulnerability to their performances while also connecting back to the source material, where Juliet is 13 and Romeo is 16. Connor fully immerses himself into his portrayal of Romeo, capturing the intense passion and naivety of a lovesick young man. Zegler’s performance is more subtle than Connor’s, but is still brilliant. While Romeo runs up and down the theater aisles proudly professing his love for Juliet, Zegler captures Juliet’s more cautious and level-headed nature. The two actors easily convince you that the characters fell in love after meeting once at a party.
Despite minor flaws, “Romeo
+ Juliet” is absolutely worth seeing. The play draws you in through the innovative use of the theater as well as the spectacular performances from all of the actors. Although you enter the theater knowing exactly how the classic tragedy ends, when the final scenes happen, you find yourself wanting to leap out of your seat and stop Romeo from drinking the vial of poison, wishing to change the outcome. But no such luck; the tragic fate of the two starcrossed lovers is as heartbreaking today as it was in 1597. Sam Gold beautifully adapts “Romeo and Juliet,” remaining faithful to Shakespeare’s work while also adjusting the play to connect with today’s youth.
Junior Leads on the Diamond and in the Conference Room
By CALEB STINE CULTURE EDITOR
For Caleb McGrath, GSB ’26, the journey to join the Ramily was full of ups and downs, skepticism and redirection.
After being recruited to play baseball at Occidental College in Los Angeles, McGrath transferred out and took a gap year in 2022. It was during this break that McGrath joined Cleana.inc, a start-up designing self-lifting toilet seats. There, he learned invaluable business skills that he’s translated into his coursework at Fordham University.
After moving back to his hometown of Brookline, Massachusetts, McGrath took on a new endeavor as the head of growth at Cleana, where he worked until the summer of 2024.
“I experienced what it was like to do B2B sales and then operate an entire marketing campaign from start to finish,” McGrath said.
McGrath was drawn to the hands-on experience he knew he would gain from the opportunity, where he not only gained business experience but realized the inherent challenges of building an idea
from the ground up. “There are elements of just plain getting kicked in the mouth and having to figure out where to go and how to react,” McGrath said.
“The big thing for me was getting to experience multiple types of business segments, and understanding how they work on a really intimate level when it’s you and the CEO working together,” McGrath said.
“You’re not gonna get that at a corporate bank or in any sort of actual internship.”
In addition to having the greatest first name of all time, McGrath excels in the classroom and on the diamond, pitching for Fordham Club Baseball and taking advantage of Fordham’s location in New York as he majors in business administration with concentrations in management and finance.
While initially skeptical of how critical a role Manhattan trips on a whim would play during his college career, McGrath has found Fordham’s campus in New York City paying massive dividends already.
“Frankly, I wasn’t really sure how much of a role being in the city would actually have
on the student experience,” McGrath said. He admits that while he was aware of Fordham’s location, he wasn’t sure of how involved the city would be in his dayto-day experience as a Ram.
“Knowing that you can, at any point, get on the Metro North or D train and be in the city in 25 minutes is not something I was expecting to feel or to have, but I’m very glad that I do,” he reflected.
After returning home to play ball, McGrath has found a new level of camaraderie and cohesion with his new club teammates. “Honestly, I’ve probably had more fun with the club team than my entire NCAA collegiate experience as a whole,” McGrath said. It’s the balance of highquality baseball and a tightknit environment that has made McGrath confident that he’s made the right decision in taking his talents to the Bronx. “It’s a great group of guys,” he said. “We have a blast competing together, and just going out there on a weekly basis with them has been a ton of fun, and I’ve developed a lot of great friendships out of it.”
COURTESY OF CALEB MCGRATH FOR THE FORDHAM RAM
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM
McGrath operated as Head of Growth of Cleana until summer 2024.
Who’s That Kid? | Caleb McGrath, GSB ’26
The years-old tale gets a modern spin with Zegler and Connor.
Editor’s Pick | Television
“The Middle” is the Perfect Family Show
By GRACE CAMPBELL MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR
In the discussion of what’s better, TV or movies, I’ve always been a big TV girl. I could, and embarrassingly probably have, sit and watch 10 hours of a show straight, but the idea of sitting down for a movie that’s over 90 minutes actually sounds like a chore. Something about the connection to the characters and the progression has just always felt very comfortable to me. One of the first shows I remember loving and feeling that connection to was “The Middle.” From 200918, every Wednesday night, my parents and I would sit down and watch “The Middle” after dinner. I always enjoyed those nights, but honestly I kind of forgot about the show altogether in the past few years. Recently my mind has been more consumed with reality TV and crime shows. So intellectual, I know.
However, recently in an
attempt to not just rewatch the same three shows over and over, I perused Peacock and found “The Middle.” I was reminded of those nights watching with my family and decided to give it a go. From the first episode, I felt transported back in time while also having a whole new appreciation for the humor and heart behind the show. Rewatching a show you watched when you were younger provides a sort of comfort that I’m not completely sure can be described. I can remember my parents laughing at jokes that went over my head at the time, which I now catch myself laughing out loud at.
“The Middle” follows a family in rural Indiana that is dysfunctional, to say the least. The three kids, Axl, Sue and Brick, are all quirky in their own unique ways that are somehow both deeply relatable and absurd. Their parents, Frankie and Mike, struggle to make ends
meet for their family, and Frankie, in particular, always finds herself in less than fortunate situations. I would be lying if I said watching this show didn’t make me feel seriously anxious at times with all the awful situations the family seems to get into. But somehow, at the same time, watching it feels like a big hug. The reliability of not having everything figured out and things seeming to never go your way, all while told in the most ridiculous and funny narrative, acts as both escapism and comfort.
I think “The Middle” is a must-watch. It’s impossible not to fall in love with the insane Heck family and all their antics. However, if that doesn’t sound like your thing, I recommend returning to a show you watched when you were young. No matter if it was a Disney Channel show or a family show that often went over your head, you can escape back into a simpler time.
Lights, Camera, Color Theory
By HEATHER JONES CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A blanket of yellow and orange leaves covers the ground, the grass has brown hints and the darkness of an early night indicates that autumn is here.
Color is a form of communication. It is recognized and associated with time, seasons, objects and emotions. It is a form of communication prominently used on the screen. This strategy has been coined “color theory.”
Various colors can evoke specific emotional and psychological responses within an audience. Directors and cinematographers use color theory to tell their story. Analyzing the use of color theory helps address the mood, tone, feeling or theme woven into the plot and characters, drawing attention to the visual details of the landscape as well as illustrating prominent progressions within the narrative.
Like characters, colors have relationships with a motif, an emotion or the audience. One color can uphold various types of relationships, depending on the calling of the story.
Let’s analyze the color wheel. Red, on one hand, can represent love, but on the other, it can represent anger or violence. There are two possible connotations depending on the situation, but right in the middle of the two is passion, another feeling that the color red represents. So, perhaps it depends on the film, but red is the most vibrant of all, manipulating the most passionate feelings humans feel.
Pink is connected with sweetness, romance, femininity and utmost positivity.
Nevertheless, the color has been shown to evoke agitation with overexposure or negative association, and cinematographers can use this to their advantage when portraying a specific plot point. Take Professor Umbridge from the “Harry Potter” series, for example. Pink was not used in association with sweetness but rather the opposite.
Orange is associated with warmth, humor and a vibrancy like red, with the happiness of yellow. It is a literal mix of the two colors, often representing balance.
Yellow immediately symbolizes sunshine, joy, optimism and knowledge. However, it also depicts deceit, betrayal, cowardice and madness.
Green is heavily focused on its association with nature. It displays good fortune and generosity. However, it can also summon feelings of uneasiness.
Blue constitutes harmony, peace, calmness and unity, but can also be equivalent to sadness, coldness, depression or complete disorientation. One can get lost in a deep blue.
Purple explores the fantastical elements of visual art. It relates to magic, mystique, royalty and mystery. It is bold and powerful, as it is not a color frequently seen in nature.
Color theory also focuses on how these relationships are portrayed. For example, cinematographers may experiment with monochromaticity to develop one relationship.
Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel” is covered in pinks, associated with softness and delicacy — feelings developed throughout the film.
In other cases, there are various color relationships to be portrayed, so the film focuses on how multiple colors experiment with association.
M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Sixth Sense” uses various neutral colors throughout the film, but the presence of red in the most crucial moments is used to convey the method of association. The audience associates the color with anticipation and curiosity, for perhaps something bad or terrifying will occur, and, in most cases, it does occur. Red, like the events portrayed in the film, is loud and significant. Furthermore, filmmakers develop the transitional method of color theory, in which the color scheme changes to parallel a character or emotional arc. This is prominently recognized in the TV series “Breaking Bad.” The protagonist, Walter White,
wears earthy, muted tones at the beginning of the show, but as time moves on, his wardrobe changes to feature darker and more intense colors to symbolize his shifting personality into a darker and more violent man.
Lastly, the most intriguing usage of color theory is witnessed in Damien Chazelle’s gorgeous film “La La Land.”
Chazelle develops an organized mess of color. He uses possibly every color to ever exist. The colors shift with the mood of the scene, enhancing the emotional impact on the audience; for example, he uses bright and contrasting colors to coincide with the film’s musical and romantic narrative.
Blue is distinguished in the entirety of the film, following Mia and Sebastian as they navigate their relationship and Hollywood. It symbolizes creativity and control. However, in one of the most pivotal scenes in
the movie, blue is shifted into a more disturbing tint. Mia and Sebastian are fighting at the dinner table as the color green threatens their presence. This green represents uncertainty. Uncertainty about each of their futures, as well as their relationship. This is the first scene in which the audience experiences the demise of a beautiful relationship. All you can see is green.
It is the details of art that burden the beautiful themes. It is important to recognize and appreciate all that art offers and understand how it makes one feel.
We are entertained by the leaves changing colors and the sky getting darker. Color theory in film and television entertains the reaction of the mind. Know it, appreciate it, analyze it and love the way film impacts our wildest passions.
COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL/THE FORDHAM RAM Color plays a pivotal role in a film, and evokes certain emotions in viewers.
“The Middle” takes viewers to a simple, yet dysfunctional family.
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM
Halloween Needs to be More Creative
By EMMA LEONARDI CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Halloween is the absolute best time of the year. It’s the first holiday of the season and the temperature is perfectly between hot and cold. But the most important part of Halloween — the aspect that truly makes the holiday so special — is the costumes.
As human beings, it is so important to value and show our differences. What makes us different is what makes us special. Dressing up for Halloween is the perfect time to show exactly who you are by choosing to be whatever you have always wanted to be. What is so sacred about this tradition is the creativity and differences within our costume choices.
This Halloweekend, at least at Fordham University, there seemed to be a lack of original costumes. The most popular were princesses, pop stars or some type of animal. The reasoning behind the scarcity of creativity and effort can be debated. Some could say it’s due to student finances; many students seem to not have the ability or desire this year to spend their limited money on costumes, opting instead for a corset that they can reuse and cheap animal
ears. Others may claim that the increasingly popular desire to look good trumps any potentially weird but creative ideas people may have for their costumes.
This is an issue within our society: our want to fit in and be appealing to our peers is flushing out our differences.
This Halloween was one of the most boring I have experienced to date, and that was solely because of this issue. As aforementioned, the whole point of the holiday is to be creative and original. Now, the holiday has simply become a time to regurgitate popular, basic costumes to fit in.
This effect leads to confusion because as creativity in adult costumes has gone down, interest in participating in the holiday has soared. Some may believe this is due to the increase in celebration of the holiday amongst celebrities. For example, Kendall Jenner’s now-annual Halloween parties have increased the visibility of celebrities dressing up and honoring the holiday themselves. When looking at celebrity costumes, it is clear that, just like at Fordham, celebrities also seem to be hitting a wall in terms of creativity. Of
those at Jenner’s party, the only really notable costumes include Emma Chamberlain as Wallace from “Wallace and Gromit,” Stephanie Shepard as Phoebe from “Hey Arnold” and Lori Harvey as The Bride from “Kill Bill.” The rest of the attendees seem to be going in basic costumes, such as angels, knights or cowgirls.
Others have a different school of thought. Marley Lien-Gonzalez, FCRH ’27, claims that party culture is growing among adults during Halloween. “It’s becoming another excuse to cut loose and have a good time,” said LienGonzalez. She also shares that she gets equally as much fun out of Halloween now, as an adult, when compared to experiencing it in her childhood.
In relation to Lien-Gonzalez’s idea, students seem to want to experience as much of Halloweekend as possible because it is also the most popular time for the entire student body to be out and interact together socially. There seems to be a decline, especially as the semester progresses through midterms and into finals season, of students getting together on the weekends. This is another possible reason for the difference in the massive turnout in attendance for Halloween when
compared to the originality of costumes. Students haven’t had as much time to prepare their costumes, but still want to participate.
While the majority of costumes seemed to trend toward the more basic side, there were still some original costumes circulating around Fordham this past weekend. Of those, the most notable include a rendition of Chappell Roan
(but specifically from her Tiny Desk Concert), Florence Pugh from the “Midsommar” film poster, two Ruth Bader Ginsburgs and Gargamel. While I still appreciate those who celebrated the holiday, even if they couldn’t put more into their costumes, I want to send a special thanks to those who did. You’re keeping the holiday original, creative and, most importantly, fun.
Causing Our Hearts To Stop Once Again
By CHRISTIAN PHILLIPS STAFF WRITER
“Heartstopper” once again took its audience by storm with its outstanding storytelling and positive representation with the release of its third season. For those who have not yet seen the hit Netflix original show or read the best selling comic book series of the same name, “Heartstopper” follows the love story between Nick and Charlie, two British teenagers attending an all boys grammar school. Although the show may center around Nick and Charlie, it also succeeds at developing a group of well rounded and interesting characters that all contribute to a beautiful story.
“Heartstopper” season three follows Nick, Charlie and their group of friends on their respective yet interconnected journeys of selfdiscovery, dealing with more mature and serious topics than previously featured in the first two seasons. Topics such as sexuality, gender identity, mental health issues, eating disorders, sex and navigating relationships are all present. The creators are able to handle these storylines with such thought and care, ensuring that each of the characters are seen and heard in what they are experiencing.
Nick and Charlie have been
through a lot in the previous seasons but nothing compared to this one. Throughout the first and second seasons, there were hints that something bigger was going on with Charlie and his relationship with food, but it was not until last season’s trip to Paris that we realized its severity. This season dives deep into Charlie’s mental health issues and how Nick, Tori and Charlie all handle it and try to get him help. Along with managing Charlie’s eating disorder and other mental health issues, Nick and Charlie are also figuring out the depth of their relationship by showcasing its highs and lows, eventually leading to them discovering the right moment to say the “L word” and exploring the idea of having sex.
Although the third season still mainly focuses on Nick and Charlie, we do spend more time with their friend group than we have previously. We see Imogen and Sahar navigate uncovering their sexuality because of one another, while Isaac comes to terms with the realization that he is asexual and aromantic, which is made more difficult when his whole friend group is made of couples. In season two, Darcy was kicked out of the house by their mother and moved in with their girlfriend, Tara. They are in the process of navigating
living with Tara while also coming out as non-binary. Meanwhile, Tara is coping with Darcy moving in while also handling the pressures of growing up and making decisions that will impact her future. Elle and Tao are in the honeymoon phase of a new relationship and are managing the pressures that come with that, all while Elle rises to fame on social media because of her art. We also get to see more of Tori Spring, Charlie’s sister, who worries immensely about her brother’s mental health and deals with a quick-tempered mother. Then, there is the introduction of Michael, Tori’s first real friend (and possible love interest), who was prominently featured in the novel that led to “Heartsopper,” “Solitaire,” which focuses on Tori.
“Heartstopper” has had such an important impact on today’s generation, providing teenagers with representation that never would have been present 10 years ago. It highlights a diverse set of characters and experiences that, although they all deal with hardships, are still able to find love and light in life. It not only deals with being a queer teen but just being a teen in general. And the third season only expands on this further, providing us with a deeper insight to these beautiful characters.
Halloween can step up its game creatively in many ways.
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM
By CAITLIN WONG CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Let’s Keep Thrifting In-Person
Thrifting has become a typical hobby and/or excursion for the current generation, fostering creativity and individual uniqueness. It has become so popular that the digital natives have taken their thrifting online with websites and apps such as Depop and Mercari, where individuals can upload and sell their clothing to give them a second chance at life in a new home. However, there is a large discourse about how online thrifting has turned thrift shopping in general into a competitive and expensive hobby.
One of the most discussed and polarizing topics amongst those who love to thrift are “resellers” who do exactly that: scavenge thrift stores for a curated collection or style and sell the clothing pieces online for profit, often charging far more than what the item’s cost would have been if someone were to have walked into a thrift store and discovered it themselves. Often, these items are listed higher than their original retail price. I myself have been a victim of finding a super cute tee or sweater, only to click and discover it is from Walmart in 2010 and now listed for $60.
By
The events of Oct. 27 proved to all marketing majors that advertising works. When simple signs on printer paper went up around New York City inviting people to a Timothée Chalamet lookalike competition, a photo went viral of Chalamet walking past one of the ads. In the weeks leading up to the event, fans planned to attend and speculated online whether or not the real Chalamet would show up. In a whirlwind of internet glory, he did.
The original posters included a QR code to an event signup and the time and place — at 1 p.m. on Oct. 27 under the arch in Washington Square Park, Timothées everywhere were to assemble. It certainly raised a lot of interesting questions: what kind of people would be signing up for this, how the competition would play out and whether or not Chalamet would patronize his own look-alike contest.
Once there curiosity waned, and chaos took over. Attendees were concentrated just north of the arch, making a circle around police officers
The main issue people have with resellers is that buying from thrift stores with the purpose of selling the same items for a higher price is counterintuitive to the reasons that thrift stores such as Goodwill, Savers and Unique opened, which was to allow underprivileged people to afford to build their wardrobes. The counterargument to this is that thrift stores also contribute to waste, similar to fast fashion, and since there is excess stock, resellers are not taking away from the chances of anyone else. With both options coexisting, thrifters have been led to believe thrift stores have had to increase their prices due to high demand, but whether there is truth behind this exact claim is unclear.
Since most online thrifting involves mostly unregulated, individual sellers, many people get scammed into buying items which were reported to be fair quality and a certain size, but arrived as not. Lily Stuart, FCRH ’27, believes this, saying, “Online thrifting is a total scam; the apps and websites totally take advantage of you and the sellers by marking up the prices and adding crazy shipping costs.” In my experience, there was one time I was so excited to snag a shirt for a fair price (about $12
after shipping) for it to arrive with several moth holes and one cuff holding onto its sleeve by a literal thread. Stuart also discussed the benefits of thrifting in-person: “In-person thrifting is not only better for you financially, but you can feel the materials, notice imperfections and get a better idea of sizing. Also, you just can’t beat that experience of digging through the racks and striking gold. [It] doesn’t have the same effect online.” Cadence Wahl, FCRH ’26, feels similarly about the benefits of in-person thrifting. “I will always be a fan of in-person thrifting because it’s just the physical action of touching the clothes, being able to try them on, understanding if they’re stretchy or the limitations of the fabric,” Wahl said. “With online thrifting, I’ve made mistakes before and ended up wasting money because you also pay for shipping, not only the product. Because the product is curated, it actually costs more and, therefore, you are just feeding into a system that can be detrimental because it’s overpricing clothes and benefiting the seller more than the consumer.”
At the end of the day, both options are open to you, the consumer, and what you choose to do with your time and hard-earned money is
your choice. If you’re looking for a good shopping spree, thrifting hotspots in New York City include Williamsburg,
Call Them By His Name
talking to one of the competitors who was eventually detained, to chants of “free him” from the crowd. Hordes of people made it impossible to maneuver your way in or out of the park, but everything turned to whispers once there were rumors of the “real Timothée” making his way through the crowd — which I, myself, was guilty of spreading to my friends when I locked eyes with someone in a baseball cap and black mask, though I was convinced I was being irrational. Seconds later, screams erupted when Chalamet appeared in the center, shocking the finalists who came to the park to prove that they looked just like him.
The public gathering attracted a bizarrely wide range of attendees, from journalists to police officers and Chalamet superfans to that one girl handing business cards with her email to look-alikes. For many, this felt like an event that would only happen in New York, and being there felt like an incredible experience that resonated beyond seeing a celebrity in the flesh.
Chalamet walked by Paige Lesperance, FCRH ’25, who
said that she went just for fun but also had hope that Chalamet himself would show up. “I was beyond excited and shocked when he did,” she said. After the event, which had to be moved out of Washington Square Park due to the lack of a permit, the finalists and onlookers traveled but did not lose steam.
One of the many lookalikes, Josh Steckler, FCRH ’23, participated in the event. Steckler said he had entered the competition after being sent the posters by many of his friends, as he has often been told he looks like Chalamet. There was no official process that the competition’s hosts followed, but instead relied on crowd participation to judge the event. Steckler shared that “the first round the crowd cheered if they thought you looked like Timmy, or yelled ‘no’ if not. I received a ‘no.’ Afterwards, the hosts picked four finalists, interviewed them, then the crowd cheered for their favorite.” Amongst the other look-alikes, he said they all talked about how strange the circumstances of their meeting were, as well as relating about how often
they were all compared to Chalamet.
With the help of Chalamet’s surprise appearance, the event blew up on the internet, gaining publicity from personal Instagram accounts, all the way to the New York Times. In all of the media coverage about what many
expected to be a trivial event, Steckler said he found it “hilarious and somewhat overwhelming… I had journalists from the Washington Post, the New York Post and New York Magazine reach out to me for an interview.” And lest he forget, The Fordham Ram.
The marketing that drove crowds to the competition.
COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL /THE FORDHAM RAM
Online thrifting tends to be overpriced and lead on customers.
Bushwick, Chelsea, the East Village and Noho. (In my opinion, hop over to New Jersey for a day!)
COURTESY OF CAILEE ZERAAT/THE FORDHAM RAM
LUSA HOLMSTROM
ASST. OPINION EDITOR
A Truly Special Romance: “We Live in Time”
By JULIA LEEDOM
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Director John Crowley created a beautiful love story that encapsulates the importance of the simple things in life with his new film “We Live in Time.” Centering around a couple who meet on a random occasion, “We Live in Time” accurately depicts the beauty that a real and raw romance can bring to people’s lives. Using a non-linear plot structure, the entirety of the movie is made up of clips concerning moments that are significant to Almut’s (Florence Pugh) and Tobias’ (Andrew Garfield) relationship, going back and forth between the past and present. What is so special and impressive about the film is how ordinary and inconsequential the scenes are, however, they still manage to make audiences feel deeply connected to the couple. When watching the film, I found myself feeling like I had such an intense sense of Almut and Tobias’ lives and personas despite the fact that there was still so much more
to these two than shown on screen. While Crowley’s creative directive can be accredited for this, the film would not have been nearly as impactful and emotive without Pugh and Garfield’s stunning performances. The two played their parts with so much passion and emotion, making Tobias and Almut seem like much more than just madeup characters. I had no doubt that Pugh would be incredible, as she is a one-of-a-kind actress, but I was interested to see how Garfield would perform, and what the pair’s chemistry would be like. Ultimately, Pugh and Garfield depicted their characters just as I hoped they would and then proceeded to create something beyond what I could have expected. Together, the two actors were able to develop characters that had many layers, making them truly unique, individualist and pure. Garfield and Pugh’s performances gave the movie humor, intense emotion, happiness and sadness — just like in real life. I appreciated how the
structure of “We Live in Time” made viewers piece together parts of Almut and Tobias’ relationship rather than overtly telling audiences everything about them. While the movie can be placed in the category of a typical romance with its themes of love, heartbreak and drama, “We Live in Time” strayed away from the predictable narratives we usually see. The simplistic energy the film maintains throughout its entirety avoids clichès and allows Almut and Tobias’ story to portray a meaningful message about life. Learning to appreciate the moments that make your life and relationships yours is a skill that will allow for instances of true human emotion. Almut and Tobias teach us that joy, fear, sadness and love should all be felt and lived through. It is no secret that I absolutely loved this film and believe it deserves an award. I highly recommend going to see it in theaters. “We Live in Time” is one of those movies that will stick with you and have you thinking long after the credits have finished rolling.
The Movies We Grew Up With Have Grown Up
By SIOBHAN RUSHIN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Many quintessential films from our childhood were released 20 years ago. These films — such as “Mean Girls, “The Notebook,” “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement,” “13 Going On 30” and “A Cinderella Story” — weren’t just entertainment. They opened up a whole new world for the future children and teenagers who would come to love them. Have these movies held up a lifetime later? A lifetime for us college students, that is.
“Mean Girls” has been quoted regularly in pop culture since it was released. Phrases like “On Wednesdays we wear pink,” “Stop trying to make ‘fetch’ happen,” “You go Glen Coco!” and “It’s October third” are consistently recognizable, not just by those who grew up watching the movie, but anyone growing up and only now discovering it.
In “13 Going on 30,” the main character, Jenna Rink, makes a 13th birthday wish to be 30, and when she wakes up, that wish comes true. Jenna Rink has been a popular Halloween costume this year. Her iconic striped dress, turquoise heels and butterfly hair clips show that nostalgia for these films is alive and well.
A “Mean Girls” musical adaptation was released this year, with a few tweaks to iconic lines in order to modernize
them and cut out any ill-fated lines that didn’t age well. Some jokes were replaced that reflected changing attitudes towards body image and omitted scenarios reflecting insensitive racial stereotypes. The movie had the characters use TikTok, especially as a means to spread drama. Although it’s unclear if the modernization was necessary, updates to the film, via the adaptation, help “Mean Girls” continue its relevance while still holding on to its original themes. Once again, “Mean Girls” proves its cultural relevance near the end through an anticipated cameo by Lindsay Lohan, who played Cady Heron in the original film.
For its many fans, “The Notebook” provides a timeless take on romance. The shots of Noah and Allie dancing in the middle of the street, along with the line, “If you’re a bird, I’m a bird,” show the characters’ passion and symbolize the naiveté and giddiness of young love. However, Ryan Gosling’s character, Noah, is often critiqued as “creepy” or “toxic,” so the film hasn’t held up quite as well as some may have expected, in comparison to its status as an instant classic upon its release. Noah’s behaviors — waiting for Allie for several years after spending one summer with her and renovating his house in case she ever comes back for him — come off as stalker-ish, possessive and obsessive to some. To
others, it can be argued as an unfaltering commitment and belief in soulmates. This marks a societal shift in regard to romantic movies. We are more open to critiquing habits and behaviors in films that may be problematic, even if they’re advertised as charming and romantic.
“A Cinderella Story” follows Hillary Duff’s character, Sam, an “ordinary girl” who is “lucky” enough to fall in love with the popular Austin, portrayed by Chad Michael Murray. Similar to “The Notebook,” some of Austin’s initial traits could be perceived as “red flags,” as he’s embarrassed to be interested in Sam. He eventually breaks free of his high school social hierarchy constraints, but the narrative that he must “rescue” Sam from her home life and social standing could be considered problematic. However, the film is obviously adapted from the folklore “Cinderella,” so the 2004 film may not be the problem. As a feel-good chick flick, “A Cinderella Story” still gets the job done.
“13 Going on 30” and “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” don’t carry as much content that has passed its sell-by date. “13 Going on 30” discusses the pressures teenagers may feel to grow up too fast, and the ones that those in their 30s might feel to have it “all figured out,” or, as the film’s memorable catchphrase states, be “30, flirty and thriving.” Before
Jenna makes her birthday wish, she is increasingly annoyed towards her best friend, Matty, and after the time jump, learns that she cut him off completely the night that she chose “popularity” over him — a constant theme with these early 2000s films. Seeing the consequences of her 13-year-old actions, 30-year-old Jenna realizes the importance of her friendship with Matty. Although cliché, this heartwarming moment makes for a great romantic comedy, as the two end up together in the end.
“The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement,” although not as entertaining as the original, is cute and follows
Princess Mia of Genovia, whose royal duties are forcing her to marry within 30 days in order to formally rule the nation. Through criticizing this ridiculous standard, the film offers some positive portrayals of independence and selfassertion, as Mia advocates for changes in the marital rules of Genovia, in order for her to become queen, but also for women in the future. However, most viewers sitting down to watch “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” are most likely just there for the comfort, familiarity and feel-good romance tropes. Twenty years later, movies — and popcorn — remain good comfort food.
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM
Looking for a new romantic favorite? “We Live in Time” is for you.
CULTURE
Wabi Nori, Contemporary Japanese Hand Rolls
By ABIGAIL SMITH CONTRIBUTING WRITER
When in the mood for hand rolls, this hidden gem of a restaurant on the Lower East Side is promising. Wabi Nori stands out in ambiance and friendly service while serving contemporary Japanese cuisine. The stylish and small interior contributes to an intimate dining experience. While they are known for their sushi hand rolls, their menu varies in regular and standout options. Wabi Nori’s authentic tapas-style dining is ideal for a date or small group, as well as being perfect for those not as knowledgeable on sushi.
When I went with two of my friends, we chose our hand rolls individually rather than their set options. Their sets range from three to six hand rolls, all including spicy tuna, salmon and yellowtail. Beyond the three-piece hand roll set, the inclusions are bay scallops, crab and lobster. Wanting both regular and signature handrolls, we ordered our hand rolls individually. Some specialty hand rolls include miso cod, Miyazaki Wagyu, bluefin otoro or bluefin chu-toro. I recommend ordering your hand rolls individually to make sure you get all their specialty ones. Initially, I ordered three hand rolls, assuming they would be enough, but having been left wanting more after three, I would say four is an adequate
number of handrolls. If you’re going out with a group, their appetizer options are easily shareable and light. Our first appetizer to come out was the crispy rice tuna. They came in three pieces, each with a fried, crispy rice bottom layered with tuna, avocado and topped with jalapeno and sprouts. These small bites are perfect for sharing. These crispy rice cakes tasted as luxurious as they cost, reminding me of this same signature appetizer at the trendy Nobu restaurant. Although our initial order did not include it, our second appetizer was my favorite. We decided we did not feel full after the first round of hand rolls, so we ordered the karaage. This Japanese fried chicken is seasoned with sprouts and comes with a side of aioli sauce and lime. The small pieces are delectable in flavor while being light and fried on the outside. The aioli sauce compliments the crispy texture and personally left me wanting more. Compared to the crispy rice tuna, the handful of karaage pieces leaves you feeling more full and are just as easily shareable. In accompanying the hand rolls, the crispy rice tuna and karaage paired well together.
After we finished our initial order of crispy rice tuna, our first round of hand rolls arrived. Throughout the meal, each of us ordered four hand rolls. My first hand roll was salmon, drizzled with wasabi paste and topped with sesame
seeds. At first glance, the hand roll was smaller than I had hoped and I finished one in about two bites. The crunchy nori and the fluffy rice paired nicely with the salmon flavor. This hand roll feels like a staple to their menu and I recommend ordering at least one. Along with the salmon, this first course included spicy tuna and crab. Although I did not eat the spicy tuna, their crab hand roll tasted as promising as I hoped. On top of the crab was tobiko, or flying fish roe. While hardly tasting the tobiko, the crab itself tasted more prominent than the salmon. Before getting to our specialty hand rolls, I felt the salmon and crab were a satisfactory introduction to expect even better for what’s to come.
Next, our specialty Miyazaki Wagyu hand rolls arrived. We all wanted to try this wagyu and, considering its elevated price compared to the simpler hand rolls, we had high expectations. Grilled tenderly and topped with fresh scallions, this wagyu was packed with flavor. It was harder to eat in bites like the first two hand rolls, but one bite served it justice. Adding soy sauce enhanced the beef flavor even further, and this quickly became my favorite hand roll. We all agreed that this specialty hand roll is the one to get, especially knowing that wagyu beef is the highest quality. Wanting more after eating my third hand roll, I settled on ordering the lobster
hand roll. It is not a specialty, but this lobster hand roll felt sophisticated, slightly more pricey than the regular hand rolls. Like the crab, the lobster taste was rich in flavor and was distinctive to the sea. I admired how they do not bring out all your hand rolls at once, so that you can savor them individually and enjoy your appetizers on the side. My final ranking of hand rolls is wagyu, lobster, crab and then salmon, all of which are close in rating. For dessert, we tried the hojicha tiramisu. A Japanese take on an Italian dessert, it was sprinkled with hojicha powder, the tiramisu is creamy and rich. It does not exactly mimic traditional
tiramisu in being dusted with chocolate, but the hojicha powder makes this contrast interesting. Even if you’re not a hojicha lover, this dessert is pleasantly delicious. In a group setting, individually ordering hand rolls allows for everyone to get what they want, while the appetizers allow for easy sharing. If you’re willing to spend a bit on a night out, the portion to price value is ideal. The exclusive and intimate atmosphere contributes to an appreciation of the food, as well as knowing the hand rolls are being made fresh behind their sushi bar. Wabi Nori is perfect for both newcomers and lovers of Japanese cuisine.
By GRACE GALBREATH
ACROSS
By KARI WHITE CULTURE EDITOR
1. “ ____, they don’t love me like I love you,” song lyrics from a popular TikTok trend
5. Opposite of macro
6. Most important piece of a chef’s uniform
7. _____-weeny, adjective used to describe something small DOWN
1. Often served alongside a plate of wings
2. Unit of measurement for land
3. Fe
4. Award show celebrating Broadway excellence
5. Rug that usually displays the word “welcome”
Instructions
Use the clues to the left to fill out the boxes above.
For a more upscale Japanese meal, check out Wabi Nori.
ASST. NEWS EDITOR EMERITUS
COURTESY OF ABIGAIL SMITH FOR THE FORDHAM RAM
Women’s Soccer Falls to St. Joseph’s
By STUART CREMER STAFF WRITER
Fordham University Women’s Soccer suffered a 2-1 loss to the Saint Joseph’s University Hawks in the first round of the Atlantic 10 tournament, ending their season at Moglia Stadium.
The Hawks scored their first goal in the 24th minute against the run of play. Freshman forward Sarah Fisher found her sophomore counterpart Emily Hanrahan with a through ball that split the Fordham defense. Hanrahan took the ball in stride before burying it past junior goalkeeper Kyla King.
St. Joseph’s doubled their lead in the 40th minute from a 40-yard free kick by graduate student defender Chloe Khelil. From almost her own half, Khelil lifted a ball into the box that bounced awkwardly past King for the defender’s first goal of the season.
Coming out of the half, the Rams looked to chip away at the 2-0 Hawks lead. Chances from graduate student forward Abby Borchers and freshman Julia Acosta kept graduate student goalkeeper Katie Cappelletti on her toes. Fordham thought they had earned a penalty kick hefty in the match after sophomore winger Riley Carroll appeared to be tripped up by Cappelletti. The official did not see enough in the challenge to blow his whistle. The Rams finally got on the
board in the 90th minute, thanks to Carroll. She cut inside, wrapping her shot around Cappelletti to make the game 2-1.
Despite the goal, the measly six seconds left on the clock allowed the Hawks to run out the clock, sealing their ticket to face Saint Louis University in the semi-finals.
The Rams were without star forward Liina Tervo in this matchup, hindering their attacking threat.
With the loss, Fordham ends the season with a 10-5-4 record, finishing fourth in the A-10. They were projected to miss the tournament and finish 10th in the preseason poll. Despite their first-round exit, Magnus Nilerud’s women smashed expectations all season. They finished third in the A-10 in goals scored and total points on the season. Young stars, like Tervo, who led the conference in total points, and Acosta, who led the conference in shots on target, give the program a promising outlook for the future. Fordham can also rely on leaders entering their final season like captain Ella Guth, who played 1,544 minutes this year, to steer the ship.
Women’s Soccer will next take the field when the flowers start to bloom in spring, competing in a month’s worth of exhibition games before taking the summer off to prepare for the 2025 fall season.
Athletes of the Week
It only makes sense that Fordham University Football earned their first victory of the season on the back and legs of star senior running back Julius Loughride, the man who has arguably been the 2024 Rams’ lone bright spot. Loughridge recorded yet another masterclass this past Saturday against the Raiders of Colgate University, not only carrying the ball a whopping 25 times to the tune of an impressive 153 yards and one touchdown but also remaining a fairly active threat in the passing game, hauling in two crucial receptions for 13 yards alongside some quality and key blitz pickups.
Despite having only been at Fordham University for a few months, the University of Chicago transfer has already cemented herself as one of the Rams’ all-time great runners following her performance at the 2024 Atlantic 10 Cross Country Championships in Mechanicsville, Virginia. In short, Katarina Birimac recorded the highest-ever finish for a Fordham woman at the competition, her phenomenal time of 20:31.9 on the 6K course having been good enough to secure both an outstanding second-place finish (La Salle University’s Gwenno Goode would finish just about 20 seconds ahead of Birimac) and some well-deserved All-Conference honors.
Each week, The Fordham Ram’s sports section honors two athletes for their on-field performances as their “Athletes of the Week.”
Men’s Crew & Women’s Rowing End Their Seasons
By STUART CREMER STAFF WRITER
Both the Fordham University men’s club crew team and women’s Division I rowing team went out this past weekend to wrap up the fall portion of the 2024-25 season. The men’s team traveled out to Princeton, New Jersey, to compete in the Princeton 3-Mile Chase hosted by Princeton University. The women’s team traveled out to Shelton, Connecticut, to compete in the Heart of the Housatonic, the annual regatta hosted by Sacred Heart University. Both teams were coming into these competitions off of strong showings in the Head of the Schuylkill regatta in Philadelphia the previous weekend.
On Saturday afternoon in Shelton, the women were up against Fairfield University, the University of Connecticut, College of the Holy Cross, Marist College, Monmouth University, Bryant University and Sacred Heart University. The Rams entered three boats in the women’s Varsity 8+. Fordham’s second and third boats finished in 12th and 17th
out of 21 boats, with times of 18:44 and 19:25, respectively. Fordham’s first boat in the race received a DNS and subsequently did not have a finishing time. However, the Rams put out strong performances in their next two races. The Rams finished fourth out of six boats in the women’s Novice 8+ with a time of 22:07, beating out both boats from Marist. Last but certainly not least, the Rams clinched the bronze medal in the women’s Varsity 4+, finishing in third with a time of 18:52.4. That squad included senior coxswain Charlotte Maravelis, senior Anna Hinck, and juniors Eliza Collins, Bailey Scherdorf and Kamryn Carter. The other three Fordham boats in the women’s Varsity 4+ finished in 12th, 18th and 19th out of 20 boats with times of 20:03.3, 21:09.0 and 21:20.6, respectively. The Rams hope to carry the energy from their strong showing on the Housatonic into the spring portion of their season.
On Sunday morning in Princeton, the men’s crew team competed in two eights, the initial men’s heavyweight eights and then the
second round open weight men’s eights. The Rams had their work cut out for them, competing against high-caliber opponents including the likes of Princeton, Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). In their first race, they finished 37th out of 41 boats with a time of 14:31.68. They managed to turn it around with a slightly stronger performance in the second round, coming in 17th out of 23 boats with a time of 14:25.86, beating out squads from the University of Wisconsin, UPenn and Princeton. Senior coxswain Emma Barson, seniors Adin Deljanin, Sebastian Gwitt, Alberto Pennace, Alex Shotmeyer and Nate Sewiec, and first-years Thomas Martino and Kevin Chase all competed in both races, with junior Michael Ryan filling the last seat in the first race and first-year Johnny Gu taking his place in the second race. “We had to prove ourselves in previous regattas this fall in order to earn a spot to compete at this level,” said Barson, discussing the team’s performance. “Given the teams we were up against, we stayed competitive.”
& Women’s
Julius Loughridge Senior Football
Katarina Birimac Graduate Student Track & Field
Squash
Cal St. Fullerton 6:30 p.m.
Men’s Basketball
Men’s
Swimming Water Polo Wagner
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM
Women’s Soccer ended their season last Friday after a loss to St. Joseph’s.
Duquesne
Navy Round Robin
Seton Hall 7 p.m.
Binghamton
ITA Masters/Sectional
Women’s Basketball
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The men and women’s crew team ended their season on Saturday, with the men competing in New Jersey and the women in Pennsylvania.
Seton Hall 12 p.m.
A Clash of Giants and an Old Rivalry Revived
By KURT SIPPEL CONTRIBUTING WRITER
For the first time since 1981, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees met in the World Series. This rivalry spans back to 1941, the first time these two baseball teams met in the original Subway Series.
The 2024 World Series did not disappoint with all the excitement and thrills we’ve come to expect from these juggernauts. As a native New Yorker, I was very excited to watch the World Series. It was very interesting to begin with because these two teams have a very storied history. When the Dodgers used to play in Brooklyn, New York, they played seven Fall Classic games before they would dart off to California.
The Yankees won six of the seven World Series titles while they were still in New York, and this matchup was exciting due to the sheer amount of talent on both rosters. This was the first appearance for L.A.’s twotime MVP Shohei Ohtani in the postseason and the first World Series for Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.
This is a far cry from the matchup that we got last year. The Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks were both Wild Card teams last year, while the Yankees and the Dodgers were the best in the league all year.
Game 1 was very exciting, but it felt like it might have deflated the Yankees out of the series before they even got a chance to get started. It was a classic 10-inning thriller, capped off by a Freddie Freeman walk-off grand slam off of a fastball from Nestor Cortes — the first-ever walk-off grand slam in the World Series.
The grand slam by the later World Series MVP Freeman left the Yankees seeing ghosts and playing catch up with the Dodgers for the rest of the series.
The Yankees made poor
mistakes that led to their five losses. The Dodgers ran the bases with purpose and forced the Yankees to make quick plays that became detrimental for their fielders. The Yankees failed to compete with the Dodgers’ offense and their quickness and ability to think on their feet.
The Yankees’ weaknesses shined through in the top of the fifth inning in Game 5. They entered the inning leading by five runs. Their ace, Gerrit Cole, was on the mound to maintain the lead. A Kiké Hernández single started the inning with a single, and Tommy Edman popped up a routine fly ball to center field Judge, who dropped the ball, taking his eyes off it.
The Yankees’ poor fundamentals kept shining. Will Smith hit a ground ball to shortstop Anthony Rizzo, and he spiked the ball into the ground, loading the bases. Cole did what he does best, striking out Gavin Lux and Ohtani.
Soon after, former MVP Mookie Betts hit a ground ball to Rizzo. It would have been the end of the inning if Cole had covered first base, but his mind was in a different place. Instead of ending the inning, the Yankees would extend it.
After another at-bat by Freeman and Teoscar Hernández, the game was tied five runs apiece. The Dodgers would complete the largest comeback to clinch a World Series win since 1925.
The Yankees’ performance was poor on the field. Judge, the Yankees hitting star, did not come to play in the five-game series. He only had a .222 batting average, four hits and one home run in Game 5 when the Yankees were eliminated. It became very interesting for opponents to face the Yankees because they would rather walk Juan Soto and pitch to Judge. Remember, this is Aaron Judge. He led the league in home runs with 58 and just could not figure it out when it mattered to
his team the most.
Arguably, one of the biggest issues the Yankees faced was their inability to run the bases in the postseason and during the American League Championship Series. When Rizzo got caught stealing, Yankees broadcaster John Sterling voiced his concerns about this long-standing issue with the Yankees. “Boy, if that wasn’t the Yankees, that’s what they do,” said John Sterling on WFAN radio. “Run the bases like a bunch of drunks.”
The writing was on the wall. Anthony Volpe somehow did not score from second after a ball bounced off the wall. Then, Giancarlo Stanton was tagged out at home after third base coach Luis Rojas sent him home when T. Hernández had the ball in his glove. It was a mix of poor performance and poor guidance from the coaches, and it just further exemplified the Yankees all talent and no fundamentals baseball the Dodgers took advantage of.
Aaron Boone, the Yankees manager, is as much to blame for this World Series loss as anyone else on the team. Many blunders could have been avoided. One huge mistake was putting Cortes in at the bottom of the 10th inning in Game 1 when he hadn’t pitched since Sept. 18, leading to him giving up the grand slam.
The Dodgers played their best baseball possible and clearly shined when the Yankees floundered. Profiting from the Yankee errors and performing when the lights were the brightest from pitching to hitting is what the World Series boils down to errors.
The Dodgers proved to be the better team. October is the time to show if you got what it takes and the 2024 champion Dodgers proved that they were posited and gritty enough to get over and outperform the Yankees and lift the Commissioner’s Trophy.
Cross Country Competes at A-10’s
By IAN NELSON STAFF WRITER
Fordham University Men’s Cross Country competed at the Atlantic 10 Championship at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville, Virginia, on Saturday, Nov. 2. The team finished 10th in a field of 15 teams with a score of 307 points. The championship title was claimed by Massachusetts with a score of 36 points. The Rams were led by senior runner Nathan Bezuneh, whose time of 25:00:10 in the 8K course earned him 34th place in the event along with a season-best time. Other top finishers included sophomore Sean Reidy and senior Rodolfo
Sanchez, who earned 60th and 63rd places with times of 25:22:40 and 25:25:00, respectively. Other finishers for the Rams were Bradford Duchesne in 71st, Darren Croke in 95th, Tadael Mihret in 102nd, Aidan Hickey in 110th, John Corrigan in 111th, Matthew Febles in 117th and Lucas Rohde in 128th.
On the women’s side, the Rams finished 13th out of 15 teams with a score of 328 points.
Leading the women was graduate student Katarina Birimac, who finished second overall in the 6K course in 20:31:90 to earn AllConference honors. She is only the fourth Fordham woman to earn AllAtlantic 10 honors in cross country, joining Claudine Kelly (1995), Brigid
Football Fordham 20 Colgate 14
Women’s Cross Country A-10 Championships 13th/15 Teams
Men’s Cross Country A-10 Championships 10th/15 Teams
Men’s & Women’s Swimming Columbia No Team Scoring (NTS)
Men’s Soccer Fordham 1
1
1
2
-Compiled by Griffin Stevenson
News & Notes
Men’s Soccer to Face Duquesne in the A-10’s Fordham University Men’s Soccer will travel to Pittsburgh, to take on the Duquesne University Dukes in the first round of the Atlantic 10 tournament on Saturday, Nov. 9. The second meeting between the two teams will be in a week after the Rams played the Dukes last Saturday. Due to results across the conference, Fordham needed a win to secure fourth place and home-field advantage. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with graduate student Luke Pompliano getting his third goal of the season, but the Rams fell short of the coveted higher seed. Fordham is undefeated in their last eight matches against Duquesne, registering four wins and four draws to bring their all-time, head-to-head record to 11-84. The Rams will look to recreate their 2021 championship campaign, but first, they must start with a win on Rooney Field at 7 p.m.
Moriarty (2008) and Angelina Grebe (2018). Her second-place finish was also the highest-ever for a Fordham women’s runner, besting Kelly’s third-place finish in 1995. She was followed by sophomore Sarah Zahaykevich who finished in 71st with a time of 22:14:60. Other finishers for the Rams included Kate Meeks in 87th, Sophia Viscon in 114th, Megan McCann in 119th, Sophia Oliva in 122nd, Lauren Raimy in 124th, Grace Kenny in 127th and Brenna Sears in 131st. In terms of what is ahead for XC, the Rams will next be in action on Friday, Nov. 15, at the NCAA Northeast Regional, which will be held at Hopkinton Fairgrounds in Contoocook, New Hampshire.
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM
Cross-Country ended the season with 10th and 15th place finishes at A-10’s.
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM
The Yankees and Dodgers faced off in what was a highly anticipated World Series matchup between the two biggest teams in the MLB.
Overtime: Does Football Determine the Presidential Election? Maybe.
By GRIFFIN STEVENSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
With a win last week, did the Washington Commanders seal a victory for Vice President Kamala Harris, or is the “Redskins Rule” just a Hail Mary for Democratic hopefuls?
Before they were known as the Washington Commanders, they were the Washington Redskins, and before that, they were the Boston Redskins. The football franchise moved from Boston to the nation’s capital in 1937. Since 1937, there have been 19 elections. In 17 of those elections, the “Redskins Rule” has rung true.
The original rule states that if Washington wins their final home game before the election, the party of the incumbent candidate will win the presidential election.
When former President Ronald Reagan trounced other former President Jimmy Carter in 1980, the Minnesota Vikings trounced Washington, 39-14. When it was Reagan’s turn to defend the presidency against former Vice President Walter Mondale, Washington defended home turf against the Atlanta Falcons, defeating the birds, 27-14.
It wasn’t just Reagan’s candidacy that benefited from the rule. For 16 straight elections, the rule stood firm. Former President John F. Kennedy surprising other former President Richard Nixon? Washington lost to the Cleveland
Browns 31-10. When former President Dwight D. Eisenhower defeated former Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson II in 1952? Washington narrowly falls to the Pittsburgh Steelers at home, 24-23.
Elias Sports Bureau’s Executive Vice President Steve Hindt finally noticed the rule in 2000. In a good sign for former President George W. Bush and the challenging Republican Party, the Tennessee Titans marched into Washington and took a 2721 win. Former Vice President Al Gore would concede the election to Bush after a lengthy legal battle for the deciding Florida electoral votes.
In 2004, Washington lost to the Green Bay Packers in their final home game, signaling the end of the incumbent Bush presidency. Unfortunately for the rule, Bush defeated thenMassachusetts Sen. John Kerry by 35 electoral votes that year. This snapped a 60-year streak of the “Redskins Rule” determining the election winner.
After the rule was broken, Hindt went back to the drawing board. He theorized that perhaps the rule only applied to the popular vote. After all, Gore had gotten more total votes than Bush in 2000. He officially coined the “Redskins Rule 2.0,” which stated that when the popular vote winner does not win the previous election, the result of the Washington game has a flipped impact.
This change seemed to work fine as another loss to the Steelers
correctly predicted a victory for former President Barack Obama over former Arizona Sen. John McCain. Obama not only broke racial barriers; he broke the “Redskins Rule 2.0.” He retained the presidency in 2012 against then-Utah Sen. Mitt Romney despite a Washington loss to the Carolina Panthers in their last home game before the election.
The rule was broken again in 2016 and 2020, with former President Donald Trump’s 1-1 election record not coinciding with Washington’s 2-0 performances in those years.
On Oct. 27, Washington found themselves trailing by two points
with an entire field left to conquer and only 23 seconds left on the clock. A quick pass to Terry McLaurin put them in a position to attempt a desperation pass on the game’s final play. With a throw that could determine who gets to run the country for the next four years, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels heaved a 50-yard pass toward the end zone, which was batted in the air before falling to Noah Brown for a Washington victory.
The Chicago Bears’ decision to draft Caleb Williams over Daniels with the first overall pick in the 2024 draft has already looked like a poor decision. Daniels has -400
odds to win Rookie of the Year midway through the season. They might have reconsidered their choice if they knew that Daniels’ football abilities could sway elections. With Biden taking the popular vote in 2020, the rule is inverted, which would mean that the last-second victory indicates a Harris presidency. When this is published, the election winner will hopefully be known. Will the “Redskins Rule” be back? It is impossible to be sure. The Washington Commanders are indeed back. The Chicago Bears, however, are definitely not back.
The Importance of the NFL Going International
By GRACE MCCARRON STAFF WRITER
Over time, the National Football League’s success in the United States has grown immensely. American football is by far the most popular sport in the U.S., and the NFL has done well in capitalizing on home interest in the sport. The Super Bowl has become a massive cultural event even outside the game itself. Events such as the NFL Draft, Combine and schedule release have helped the league take over the calendar completely.
With this kind of success on home soil, why would the NFL want to stop there? They haven’t. The league has greatly expanded its international program, including adding more global market programs for teams and increasing the number of games played on international soil each season. Last December, owners voted to authorize the league to host eight international games per season, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has expressed the desire to expand to 16 international games per season. The five international matchups for the 2024 season include three games in London, one in Munich and one in São Paulo, marking the first-ever NFL game played in South America.
The NFL has been playing games in London since 2007, totaling over $2 billion in
economic impact. At this year’s game at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 20, between the Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots, the London Series marked 3 million fans who have attended games since 2007. The other two London games were held in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which were both sold out. Fans from 80 different countries purchased tickets for these two games.
The league’s efforts to hold international games at wellknown stadiums across the globe bring a certain celebratory quality to the occasions. Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president of Club Business,
League Events & International, emphasized that the league is “trying to think of these games as mini Super Bowls,” adding halftime performances, fan experiences and other attractions.
Following the historic São Paulo game, which generated nearly $62 million in economic impact with a sold-out crowd of over 47,000, the NFL is looking to keep this new fanbase energized. By putting on flag football programs and other fan events, the NFL looks to maintain a new international fanbase, keeping them interested in football yearround. This is also the reason for the expansion of the global
markets program, which now includes 25 teams with four added this year. In 19 international markets, teams involved can develop brand outreach and hold their own events and fan engagement programs for international markets.
The NFL seems to be handling international logistics well, too. There are concerns about extensive travel and how it impacts schedules for teams in the games, but they have had experience with this in the past.
The long travel times, of course, have been part of the deal for years, and the Packers took an 11-hour flight to Brazil for the São Paulo game. Clearly, the NFL
has accepted the long hours and disruption that come with the International Series. Scheduling games in less-than-ideal ways for teams is also already a trend: the four teams that play on Christmas Day this season, which is a Wednesday, also play the previous Saturday.
So don’t be surprised to learn that the NFL is looking into new host cities for the International Series. They’ve already planned a game in Madrid next season. They’re hoping to return to Mexico City after a two-year hiatus. They did a site visit to Abu Dhabi within the past year. They’ve also looked at Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Dublin, Sydney and Melbourne. The increased number of international games gives the NFL a lot more room to add new destinations.
The focal point of the NFL’s international pursuits is, of course, money. The NFL has to worry far less about keeping domestic fans engaged, because American football is such a cultural staple in the States as it is. Once the domestic interest is conquered, the next move business-wise is the rest of the world. Many other countries are just as invested in their favorite sports as Americans are in football, and grabbing their interest in another sport clearly generates a lot of revenue for the league. The NFL generated over $20 billion total last year, but they can always make more.
COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL/THE FORDHAM RAM
For decades, the performance of the Washington Commanders has correlated with presidential election results.
COURTESY OF MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM Players may not like it, but NFL international games are here to stay, according to league executives.
Fordham Gets Revenge in Battle of Rams, Falters in North Carolina
By JOE HENRY ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
With the New York City Marathon now fully finished, the grueling marathon that is the collegiate volleyball season now looks to make its own respective final few turns.
At the halfway mark (just about a month ago), Fordham University Volleyball lost its footing and fell to the back of the pack. A month later, the team has regained its stride with the finish line in sight.
As the runners (Atlantic 10 teams) romp toward the finish, though, it will take a second wind of significant proportions to propel Fordham into playoff position.
At that 13.1 mile mark, Fordham took the I-95 east to Kingston, Rhode Island, for a mid-week matchup with the University of Rhode Island. In the first edition of the battle of the Rams, it was all Rhody. In their sloppiest outing of the season, Fordham was upended via sweep by their Ram counterparts, a group picked to finish last by nine out of 10 teams in the preseason poll.
Fordham seemed motivated by the demoralizing loss, storming to a thrilling comefrom-behind win versus George Mason University several days later.
As its momentum continued to build, Fordham met Rhode Island for a rematch on Tuesday, Oct. 29. This time, it was the Rams of the Bronx who did the upending, cruising to a straight-set victory on their home floor.
Fordham came out flatfooted in set one, dropping the first four points on a failed serve receive and two attack errors. Having ironed out its wrinkles, Fordham snapped into form.
The Rams recorded an eyepopping 16 kills in the frame on .289 hitting, led by sophomore Lorenza Rosenkilde’s five-kill effort. Rosenkilde connected on two of the set’s last three kills, etching a 25-19 set one win into the scorecard.
Set two was the Stammeyer show. Freshman setter Emma Stammeyer continues to earn playing time with her steady
second touch. In frame two, she assisted Fordham attackers on nine kills — the most assists she’s had in a set in her blossoming young career.
Another boost came in the form of junior middle blocker Alexa Pyle. Pyle had appeared in just one set all year but was called off the bench by coach Ian Choi after freshman Sophia Kuyn went down with what appeared to be an ankle injury.
The Rams are now down to just Pyle and Rosenkilde up the middle, with senior Audrey Hayes available as a third option — Kuyn joins sophomore Tatum Holderied on the bench, with Holderied nursing wrist and ankle injuries.
Pyle was not just adequate in replacement of Kuyn, but excellent. She riled up the Fordham bench with two kills and a rousing solo block. The Texas native buoyed Fordham as it clung to a narrow lead, fending off URI for a 25-20 win and going up 2-0 in the match.
Set three was a 25-21 Fordham win, marking a resounding retaliative effort in a Rams rematch. The sweep was a product of clean play, with Fordham forcing nine URI attack errors and delivering
three aces in the period.
Graduate student Whitley Moody only added on to her tremendous farewell campaign with four kills in the set and 13 in the game, to lead all players. Right behind her was junior Audrey Brown, who knocked home 12 kills on a .400 clip. All told it was Brown’s best offensive output since the A-10 opener against Saint Louis University when she crushed 18 kills in five sets.
Stammeyer finished with a career-high 21 assists, while sophomore Whitney Woodrow tacked on 16 more. Fordham controlled the nets, in large part thanks to a four-block effort from Moody.
After their first sweep of the A-10 campaign, the Rams hoped to keep the hot hand for a twomatch weekend affair against a tough Davidson College team that sat at 7-5 entering play. The Wildcats had other plans. While the Rams threw their best punch in each of the weekend’s six sets, they didn’t force a seventh as Davidson lodged two consecutive 3-0 victories and moved to 9-5. Match one took place Saturday, Nov. 2, and was a heartbreaker — the final line read 25-21/25-
22/25-23 in Davidson’s favor. The Rams were again strong at the net, combining for 10 blocks including a whopping seven solo blocks — Brown led the way with a season-high three. The Wildcats won the game on the reception, where their 67 digs far outpaced the Rams’ 46; moreover, Fordham surrendered eight aces while Davidson allowed just three.
Of the three sets, the final one was the most crushing. Fordham crawled back from an 8-3 deficit to knot the set at 17 off a Brown hammer. With Moody at the line, Fordham forced three straight Davidson errors; later, kills from Brown and Pyle made it 22-19, Rams.
With a chance to force set four, Davidson’s front line held strong, clinching the win with two double blocks in the set’s last four points.
Moody was again the leading offensive contributor with 11 kills on .281 hitting, while senior Ryan Naumann impressed in the back row with 14 digs. The Fordham block was led by freshman Bridget Woodruff, who had four, while Pyle, Brown and Rosenkilde each added three.
A 1 p.m. Sunday matinee
wrote a rather similar script. Davidson once again managed to enjoy comfortable leads, keeping the Rams at bay for a 25-22/25-15/25-17 sweep.
Rosenkilde was the brightest of the Fordham bunch, adding four kills and five blocks to her standout second season in maroon and white. With injuries abound, the Denmark product has been a steady producer upfront.
Moody put points on the board in the loss, burying eight kills and notching four aces. Naumann got things done defensively with 13 digs; she’s got double-digit receptions in six of her last seven matches.
With just a mere four games remaining, we again turn our eyes to the A-10 standings. Fordham’s 3-11 in-conference record puts them at ninth out of 10 teams, and just one game out of playoff position. Amazingly, the bottom five teams in the conference all have four wins or less, while the top five have eight or more.
This is great news for the Rams, but it doesn’t make a repeat appearance in the A-10 tournament likely. They’ll need to win at least two, if not three of their last four to crack the top six, and they’ll have to do it against a couple of the giants within the top five. First up is Loyola University Chicago — the Wolves have put together a stellar campaign, sitting at third with a 9-5 record. Fordham flies to Chicago for a two-game set with them this weekend.
In the regular season finale, Fordham will touch its home hardwood for the final time as it hosts Virginia Commonwealth University — the A-10’s third Rams squad that has also been a juggernaut this year, staying undefeated against teams not named the Dayton University Flyers en route to a 12-2 record. If Fordham can find a way to squeak out a couple of upset wins, some late November volleyball may be in store. Battered by injuries and mired in inconsistency, one final, improbable leap toward the finish line will dictate whether this season will be one to remember or forget.
The Rams have continued to put together a late-season surge, recently knocking off the University of Rhode Island.
COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
The Rams now sit just a single spot out of an Atlantic 10 Tournament berth.
COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
Fordham’s offensive attack was brilliant against Rhode Island, recording 45 kills and nine aces.
Fordham Football Rings the Bell as Conway Ties Program Record
By LOU ORLANDO ASST. SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS
Halloween weekend is a time for frights and terrors. But the scariest specter haunting Fordham University Football was the threat of a winless season, a feat that hadn’t occurred since 1999.
Entering a Week 10 matchup against the 2-6 Raiders of Colgate University, the Rams successfully exorcized their demons, pulling off what was a thrilling 20-14 come-frombehind victory in front of their home fans at Moglia Stadium. For the first time in 2024, the Rams got to ring the bell right outside the Rose Hill Gym, celebrating a hard-fought win.
“I’m really proud of the guys,” said head coach Joe Conlin. “In a season filled with adversity, they haven’t flinched.”
Fittingly, it was a game ripe for celebration.
Senior Julius Loughridge ran all over the Colgate defense, netting a season-high 153 yards on 6.1 yards per carry and adding his seventh rushing touchdown of the season.
Senior linebacker James Conway recorded eight tackles in a strong game for the Rams’ defense. It brings him to 425 on his career, tying the Fordham tackles record set by current outside linebackers coach and 2021 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Greenhagen.
Graduate student defensive back Nahil Perkins picked off two balls in the first half, raising his Patriot League lead to five and putting him one shy of the FCS lead.
But it was an unlikely hero who led the Rams to victory.
Freshman gunslinger Tripp Holley made his first collegiate start against the Raiders, but it was junior quarterback Jack Capaldi who led the comeback effort, not just leading the Rams to 20 points in the second half, but also throwing the game-winning touchdown to graduate student Mekhi Felton in the final five minutes.
Capaldi had taken the reins from junior CJ Montes back in mid-September after the Rams’ original starting gunslinger got injured back in Week 3. But Capaldi had struggled in the role, throwing jusr three touchdowns to five interceptions and completing passes at below a 47% clip entering the contest against Colgate.
It all came to a head in Week 9 against Lehigh University, when Capaldi was benched in favor of Holley after the offense managed just three points in three quarters of play. With the two battling in practice throughout the week, head coach Joe Conlin gave the nod to Holley. But despite his exciting collegiate debut the week prior, Holley struggled in
his first game at Rose Hill.
He completed six of nine passes for 39 yards but was sacked four times, fumbling twice. It was the second fumble that ended his day, as Colgate recovered at the Fordham 10-yard-line, setting up an 8-yard receiving touchdown by Reed Swanson that broke the scoreless tie late in the second.
“Tripp was doing some good things early, I thought he threw some nice balls,” remarked Conlin. “I think once he got hit a couple times, his feet in the pocket were a little unsteady. He got off his reads a little bit there, and we thought Jack coming off the bench would maybe give us a spark, and to his credit, it did.”
Capaldi entered for the Rams’ final two drives but threw an interception with just over a minute left in the half.
Fordham entered halftime trailing 7-0, shutout at half for the third time this season. But they were lucky to only be trailing seven.
With Colgate marching deep into Rams territory twice, Perkins kept the game close, intercepting Colgate quarterback Jake Stearney twice in the final five minutes and 22 seconds. The second one was particularly impressive as Perkins lunged to deflect the ball and then dove forward to catch the ball before it hit the ground, giving Fordham possession with 36 seconds left.
Evidently, something shifted at halftime as the Rams found the endzone three times in the second half.
Loughridge’s 13-yard rushing touchdown tied the game 7-7 in the opening five minutes of the third, but the Raiders were quick to respond, as Stearney scrambled for 27 yards and a
score to retake the lead.
Then, Capaldi brought those in Moglia Stadium to their feet in the final seconds of the third. Taking it left on the read option, the junior quarterback showed off his wheels, evening up the game once more with a career-long 41-yard rushing touchdown.
He’d find Felton at the back pylon with 5:23 left in the fourth, giving the Rams their first lead of the day. But just in case the Fordham fans were breathing too easily, freshman kicker Bennett Henderson banged the extra point off the post, keeping the lead at six.
Colgate then quickly drove the ball to midfield, giving rise to pessimistic visions, ghosts, and nightmares of yet another heartbreaking loss.
The Fordham defense was having none of that. Rushing off the edge on third-and-8, senior Matt Jaworski sacked Stearney with 2:39 to play. After being held without a sack in his first seven games, the Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year had now recorded a sack in the last two games — and this one
was absolutely pivotal.
Thanks to a running into the kicker penalty charged to Colgate, the Rams would hold the ball for the remainder of the game, entering victory formation for the first time this season to secure the 20-14 victory.
The Rams improve to 1-8, but some wins are about more than just the record.
A Rams squad that had sadly failed to close out potential wins against Stony Brook University, Lafayette College and the College of Holy Cross finally executed in the fourth quarter.
After completing just 1 of 5 passes in the first half, Capaldi was just about nearly-perfect 11-12 in the second half. He ended his day 12-17 for a career-high 70.5% completion rate, throwing for 117 yards with one touchdown and one interception, adding a 41-yard touchdown on the ground as well.
Loughridge, meanwhile, had a game that Conlin praised as “probably the best of his career.” Loughridge picked up 153 yards on the ground against
one of the best linebacker units in the league, led by Patriot League-leading tackler Cole Kozlowski. Despite Colgate consistently stacking the box against him all game long, Loughridge managed to have his most productive game of the year and his fourth-most productive rushing game of his four-year career. He’s just shy of averaging 100 yards per game on the season with a Patriot League-leading 99.5.
Felton only recorded two receptions, but his 12-yard touchdown proved to be the difference maker. It’s the first of the season for Felton, who recorded a team-high eight last year in a Montes-led offense.
The game was won by clutch touchdowns, but it was the defense that kept Fordham in the ballgame when the offense sputtered.
“The defense, what can you say about those guys,” chuckled Conlin. “The corners played great. We got to their quarterback, especially in a key situation. And really killed that last drive of theirs.”
The Rams held a strong Colgate rushing attack to just 76 yards, the fewest Fordham has allowed all season.
“It was huge,” said Conlin. “That was the challenge of the team, and those guys accepted it. They absolutely did it.”
Conway’s rabid pursuit of the Fordham tackling record became more of an afterthought thanks to Saturday’s thrilling finale, but it should not be overlooked. Just three games into his senior year in the Bronx, the All-American has already tied Greenahagen’s mark, which tied the Patriot League record back in 2022.
The new Patriot League mark of 432 was by Holy Cross’ Jacob Dobbs last season, leaving Conway tied for second place, eight shy of becoming the conference’s all-time leader in tackles. He can appear in one more game this season while still retaining a medical redshirt and an extra year of eligibility.
Fordham will look to build off of their first win, hitting the road one final time next Saturday in order to battle a strong 4-5 Bucknell University squad who is still in contention for the Patriot League Title. Kickoff is set for 1 pm.
COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
The Rams were finally able to ring the Victory Bell, their triumph over the Raiders handing them their first win of the year.
COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
Fordham will look to use their victory over Colgate to build some late-season momentum that could be useful next year.