Volume 95, Issue 21 by The Fordham Ram

The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 Volume 95, Issue 21

FordhamRam.com F dh R

November N b 20 20, 2013

USG Confronts Admin, Pulling Back Veil on Security Alert Process William Walsh,

Former Trustee and Generous Donor, Dies at 83 By CONNOR RYAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

SAMUEL JOSEPH / THE RAM

Rose Hill’s United Student Government questioned administrators last week about the methodology behind sending security alert emails to students.

By CONNOR RYAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Following an uptick in security alert emails sent to the Fordham community this fall, members of Rose Hill’s United Student Government (USG) opened a dialogue with top-level security administrators last week in the hopes of shedding some light on Fordham’s often misunderstood process of packaging crimes into campus-wide broadcasts. So far in 2013, 29 security alert

Students React to NYC Smoking Age Increase

emails have been sent to students — more than the 23 emails sent in 2012 and even more than the 22 emails sent in 2011, according to university records. It is an upward trend that Fordham officials have attributed largely to off-campus iPhone thefts — better known as “Apple picking.” During the meeting, students directed questions to John Carroll, associate vice president of Safety and Security, and Dan Kiely, director of security at Rose Hill, primarily regarding why certain crimes warrant

security alerts over others, and the circumstances under which the race of alleged assailants is included in the alerts. Carroll said that emails are attached to crimes that represent “a continuing threat” to the university community. Most recently, for instance, off-campus iPhone thefts in which the burglar was not apprehended resulted in campus-wide emails with the hope that other students would be aware of the problem and take precautions.

“The worst thing for me would be if a person got robbed or mugged on the street and I didn’t put out a security alert and then another student got robbed or mugged by the same person,” Carroll said in between spurts of students knocking on tables (apparently, a longstanding tradition within USG that represents an expression of support or approval). Fordham Security operates using the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and CamSEE SECURITY, PAGE 3

FORDHAM IN THE BRONX

These Women Are Tuff By JEFFREY COLTIN

By GIRISH SWAMINATH

BRONX CORRESPONDENT

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the New York City Council passed a law in favor of raising the minimum age to purchase cigarettes from 18 to 21. The change will go into effect 180 days after the passing of the legislation. Lawmakers passed the bill in response to statistics reported by the office of the Surgeon General, which stated that approximately 20,000 New York City high school students smoke. The statistics also indicated that 88 percent of adult smokers started smoking prior to the age of 18, and 90 percent of people purchasing cigarettes for minors are between the ages of 18 and 20. However, legislators questioned the effecSEE SMOKERS, PAGE 2

in this issue

Opinion Page 7 Pope’s Words of Welcome Anger Some Catholics

Arts

Page 11 Flash vs. Mode: Fordham Fashion Magazines Compete

Sports

Page 20

Football Loses for the First Time against Lafayette

Martha has never looked so tough. But there she is, the biblical Martha, sister of Lazarus and friend of Jesus, staring at you with powerful eyes, framed by that classic Chicano lettering: La Dominadora. The Dominator. The painting, done in gouache by New York artist Nikki Nameless, is one of many graffiti and street art-inspired works currently hanging from the walls at Tuff City Tattoo. The shop at the corner of Fordham Road and Belmont Avenue, right across the street from Fordham University’s Faculty Memorial Hall (FMH) does more than just tattoos. It is a Mecca for graffiti artists, providing space, selling supplies and — for the next month — hosting an art exhibition titled “Who Runs the World? Girls.” As the name suggests, the show celebrates a rarity in the maledominated world of street art and graffiti: female artists. “Women are making a statement by simply engaging in this type of artwork because it is still so male-dominated,” said Nikki Nameless, known outside of the art world as Nicole Schorr. Schorr provided art for the exhibition and also served as a consultant. “It’s amazing because many women are consciously or un-

JEFFREY COLTIN / THE RAM

Schorr’s painting depicts womanhood through a religious perspective.

consciously depicting what they know best — their womanhood.” Signs of womanhood are everywhere in the works on display. There’s a comic book-style Superwoman, a female body painted from the waist down with goldplated genitalia and every shade of pink imaginable. However, Schorr expresses her womanhood through religious imagery. “My mother’s Filipino so I grew up around a lot of Catholic archetypes,” she said. Schorr is present-

ing three pieces at Tuff City: the aforementioned Martha, La Dominadora, plus paintings of St. Joan of Arc and St. Michael the Archangel. “It’s a little bit of a triptych,” said Schorr. “It’s how I evolved through a break-up.” Each piece asserts her strength as a woman. “I would say that each piece, even the St. Michael that I did, is, to a degree, a self-portrait. I think every piece I wind up doing is a self-portrait.” SEE TUFF, PAGE 4

The esteemed Fordham grad, trustee and “staunch supporter of university initiatives” known for donating $10 million to help open Rose Hill’s Walsh Library in 1997, making him the building’s namesake, died over the weekend, Fordham officials said in a statement. William D. Walsh, FCRH ’51, who worked as a lawyer, philanthropist and venture capitalist, died on Saturday, Nov. 16. He was 83. The circumstances of his death were not clear as of Tuesday night. “Fordham lost a giant this weekend,” said Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, in a statement. “Bill was Fordham at its best: intellectually-curious, generous at heart and indeed, gifted, unpretentious and gentle. I will miss him.” After graduating from Fairfield College Preparatory School, Walsh attended Fordham where he studied ancient art and literature. After graduating from Fordham, he went on to earn a law degree from Harvard University and worked as an assistant United States attorney in New York for three years. Working specifically on narcotics investigations in Manhattan, Walsh is credited with bringing down well-known mobster Vito Genovese. Pivoting to the world of business, Walsh founded and served as chairman of Sequoia Associates LLC, an investment firm in Menlo Park, Calif. He worked for more than 35 years in the field of acquisitions and public offerings, according to a Fordham statement. In addition to Walsh’s donation to the library — according to Fordham officials, the state’s fourth largest — he also made possible the collection that formed the Fordham Museum of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Art, which resides in the library. He and his wife donated over 250 ancient artifacts to the collection. “I am proud that my Jesuit education has enabled me to give something back to Fordham and to the people of New York,” Walsh said before he died. Being such a large donor, he is listed as one of five distinguished alumni on the executive committee of the Excelsior campaign — Fordham’s fundraising effort to improve the university’s overall future capability and quality. Jane Walsh, his wife of 57 years, died in 2008. He is survived by six children and 11 grandchildren.

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SECURITY BRIEFS Nov. 12 Così 11:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m. A female student went to Così for food, and left her backback unattended at her table for approximately 15 minutes while she waited in line to get her food. When she returned, the backpack was gone and there was no trace of the person who had taken it.

Nov. 15 O’Hare Hall 7 p.m. A female student was stuck in an O’Hare elevator for about 45 minutes until the elevator service responded and released her. The student was not injured, and the elevator was taken out of service.

Nov. 16 Fordham Prep Parking Lot 6 a.m. A security officer on patrol early Saturday morning noticed a man lying on the floor of a vehicle belonging to Fordham Prep School. As the officer approached the truck, the man got out and fled toward the closest campus gate. The guard at the gate stopped him as he tried to leave. After a brief struggle the man, who was visibly drunk, was taken into custody. He offered no explanation for being on campus, and was charged with trespassing.

—Compiled by Katie Meyer, Assistant News Editor

November 20, 2013

Bloomberg Wins Latest Battle: Smoking Age Now 21 By KRIS VENEZIA STAFF WRITER

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has signed legislation that will raise the age to buy cigarettes to 21 and older, but a new report says tobacco companies are still marketing their product to teens. The New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) has released “Overexposed.” The not-forprofit advocacy organization surveyed three neighborhoods in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens and observed the number of tobacco advertisements in the area. Megan Ahearn, NYPIRG program coordinator, said the data from the report shows that tobacco companies are finding ways to market their products effectively, even with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cracking down on cigarette ads. “There's no more of the large billboards or tobacco commercials on TV,” said Ahearn. “What we’re seeing is now these advertisements are coming in on store corners in the large four feet high from the ground to above-your-waist signs, like minibillboards.” Ahearn adds that hanging signs from the ceiling or on walls near the register and placing the products near popular items such as candy and magazines targets young consumers. Congress and the FDA have placed stricter regulations on the

ELIZABETH ZANGHI/ THE RAM

The new tobacco law is designed to discourage youth from starting to smoke.

tobacco industry’s advertisements. In 2010, the Tobacco Control Act banned cigarette companies from sponsoring sporting and entertainment events. The legislation also limited how tobacco companies make advertisements. For example, audio ads can no longer use music or sound effects. The New York Public Interest Research Group’s report surveyed a neighborhood in Tremont less than a mile away from the Fordham University Rose Hill Campus and found 12 corner stores with marketing on the exterior of their shops. Ahearn said New York City leaders should step up to keep tobacco marketing away from teens. “One thing that NYPIRG is hop-

ing to happen in New York City is looking to reduce marketing around schools, where students are walking every single day,” said Ahearn. She adds that stores could keep the products hidden behind the counter, possibly covered by a curtain, so teenagers do not see them when visiting local businesses. When Bloomberg crafted the bill that eventually raised the age to buy cigarettes to 21 and up, he pushed to have tobacco hidden so children and teens would not be exposed to the products. Bloomberg wound up dropping that part of the legislation after heavy lobbying from a tobacco industrybacked organization. According to The New York Times, the Save Our

Store coalition argued that keeping cigarettes in a hidden location would cost the city jobs and hurt businesses. Sheelah Feinberg, executive director of the New York City Coalition for a Smoke Free City, said tobacco marketing inside stores can influence teens to smoke tobacco products. “Right now, when you walk into a convenience store or a drugstore you are bombarded with the [tobacco] products and the marketing of it as well,” said Feinberg. “If you see an image long enough, it creeps into your mind, and that starts to seem interesting.” According to the NYC Coalition for a Smoke Free City, 18,000 high school students currently smoke cigarettes, and one-third of them will die prematurely as a direct result of tobacco usage. Feinberg said that raising the price of cigarettes is an enforcement mechanism that successfully prevents teens from purchasing. “[The NYC Coalition for a Smoke Free City has] learned that price increases really deter youth smoking because, quite simply, it's hard to afford cigarettes when it's $10.50,” she said. The City Council has recently enacted a law that will set a minimum price for a pack of cigarettes or cigarillos to $10.50 per pack. In 2010, New York passed a tax on cigarettes to make the Empire State the most expensive place to buy a pack.

Fordham Divided Between Smokers and Non-Smokers FROM SMOKERS, PAGE 1

tiveness of the law in terms of curtailing the prevalence in smoking among New York City youths. The implementation of the new law generated support and controversy among smokers and non-smokers alike, particularly within the Fordham community. However, some students remain indifferent. “I really don’t care because if people want to smoke at 18, they will still get cigarettes, just like everyone at 18 can get alcohol,” Matt Cucino, FCRH ’14, said. “I guess fake IDs have a dual use now. I disagree with the fact that people can be drafted at 18 but cannot smoke until they turn 21.” Other students believe that the law for cigarette smoking should not correlate to the legalization of alcohol at the age of 21. “The smoking age should be assessed independently of the drinking age, because the substances carry

different risks and are therefore not directly comparable,” Rachael Prensner, FCRH ’14, said. “After spending a semester abroad in Spain, I think the benefits of the U.S. drinking age are dubious at best. Alcohol is linked to drunk driving, overdose and belligerent behavior, and the social aspect of drinking exacerbates these factors, which in my opinion is something of a reason for a drinking age of 21 and which effectively makes it illegal among highschoolers. The danger of tobacco has more to do with longterm health, which, I would say at age 22, I am no more prone to responsibly evaluate than I was at 18. Furthermore, intoxication due to peer pressure isn’t really an issue here.” Student smokers between the ages of 18 and 21 are disappointed with the passage of the law, since they can currently buy cigarettes legally but cannot buy cigarettes until they turn 21 once the law is in effect.

“Well, I am pretty mad because I am suddenly too young for something I have legally been buying and using for over a year,” Matt Tracey, FCRH ’16, said. “I don’t think it will keep kids from smoking. I know kids from my high school who asked older friends to buy them things like tobacco and alcohol that they were too young to buy, and they never really treated as a big deal. So, if kids want to smoke, they’re going to find a way.” Other students are completely in support of the legislation, as similar efforts to reduce smoking rates have been successful across the country. “As someone whose family life has been directly affected by the effects of smoking, I think any effort to limit its exposure to teens is absolutely positive,” Liz Green, FCRH ’14, said. “Two of my four grandparents died before I was born from health problems that were at minimum made far worse by their smoking habits, and

my father today suffers from chronic health problems that stem directly from his exposure to chain smoking that occurred in his house 24/7 as a child. I’ve also read that studies show the clear benefits of similar legislation passed elsewhere, and so in my eyes it should definitely go ahead.” Some students not only agree with the raising of the cigarette purchase age but also believe that smoking should be made completely illegal. “I think that such legislation might prevent younger children and high school students from smoking,” Alison Silverman, FCRH ’14, said. “I doubt that it will have much of an effect on college campuses because underage students could easily acquire cigarettes from students who are 21 and older. Personally, I would like to see smoking made illegal, because the consequences of one’s decision to smoke can negatively affect so many people.”

This Week at Fordham Thursday Nov. 21 Fargo The Blackbox Theater, 8 p.m. Fordham Experimental Theater will be presenting its Slot 2 production, Fargo. Originally a movie, Fargo has been adapted for the stage by Fordham students. The show is directed by Michael McCarville and Nick Pappas.

Thursday-Saturday Nov. 21-23 Online Bigotry, Real Life Coward Rose Hill Commons 236, 1 p.m.

Friday Nov. 22 Spark Lunch Series Keating 307A, Noon

Saturday Nov. 23 Catching Fire Outing AMC Lincoln Square, 7:30 p.m.

FlipSide and CAB will be sponsoring The Fordham Club presents the seca trip into the city to see Catching Fire. The Office of Multicultural Affairs is ond of its 2013-2014 Spark Lunch The clubs will be tabling in McGinley holding a sustained dialogue about Series, entitled, “Who do you say on Wednesday and, space permiting, the issues associated with online that I am? The Many Faces of IgnaThursday. Signups are first-come, anonymity. All interested students tius Loyola.” Space is limited, and infirst-served. are welcome to attend. Lunch will be terested students must sign up. served. For more campus events, visit FordhamRam.com

Monday Nov. 25 Real Estate, Banking and Finance Discussion Flom Auditorium, 8 p.m. For any students interested in a career in real estate, banking or finance, notable alumni in those fields will be speaking about starting careers, changes in the industry and important things to know.

NEWS

November 20, 2013

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RHA Dance-a-thon: ‘By the Students for the Kids’

Papanikolaou Named Archbishop Demetrios Chair By MARIA PAPPAS STAFF WRITER

RAM ARCHIVES

Hill and Whiteaker hope that FDM can eventually become an established Fordham tradition, such as Under the Tent or ‘Thon’ at Penn State University.

By KELLY KULTYS NEWS EDITOR

Dancing to donate? That is the goal of the newest addition to Residence Halls Association’s (RHA) Series of Fortunate Events. Fordham Dance Marathon (FDM) is a new, 10-hour-long dance-a-thon, where participants in teams of six to 10 can show off their best dance moves, watch student performances and spend time with their friends all while donating to charity. RHA announced earlier this week that FDM would be the kickoff event for its charity month, Series of Fortunate Events. This year, Alex Whiteaker, FCRH ’14, RHA vice president and Sarah Hill, GSB ’14, RHA president, decided they wanted to try something different to attract a large number of students. “It will hopefully be our biggest event outside of the auction,” Whiteaker said. “It will be our big push to get everything going for

February.” The two hope that FDM can get many members of the community together, to help support the B+ (Be Positive) Foundation. “There’s two very important things that this event has,” Whiteaker said. “First, it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a great time, something obnoxious, in your face, different for 10 hours on a Friday, something unprecedented. And, second, it is a way to help people. It is something to better the environment and better their lives. Everything we can do here will be bettering [the pediatric cancer] cause. It is an event by the students, but for these kids.” B+ is a charity dedicated to raising money to help the children and family affected by pediatric cancer. According to Hill, only four percent of charity funds for cancer go to pediatrics. “One hundred percent of the money fundraised by student organizations goes directly to the B+ mission, which is to help fund

pediatric cancer research as well as help the families affected by pediatric cancer,” Hill said. “We think that their mission is a very strong one and they were also started by a dad. They’re all about being there.” Hill and Whiteaker said that RHA has had a long-standing relationship with the group, especially after meeting with one of the organization’s representatives last semester. “She [the representative] told us about the [University of ] Delaware one and how successful it was and so then we started about it in terms of Fordham,” Hill said. That is what sparked the idea of FDM. According to Hill, Blackout Cancer has had a similar event in the past, but FDM will be unique in comparison, due to the event’s scale. “We’ve already gotten confirmation from CSA, USG and we’re waiting on CAB but we’re pretty sure we have their commitment,” Hill said. “Alex sent out an email to all the formal clubs and

organizations on campus, which amounts to about 96, I think. But we’re also looking to branch out and contact the athletic organization, the alumni association and the President’s Council. We’re having more performance groups. We’re having more sponsorships.” Hill said her group is even reaching out to members beyond the Fordham community, such as Coca-Cola, which RHA has had a strong relationship with in the past. Hill and Whiteaker said that another goal of theirs, besides raising the money for pediatric cancer patients and research, is to establish FDM as another Fordham tradition, similar to some of their other events, such as Under the Tent. “It’s something that we’re hoping will go to be a tradition for Fordham, kind of like Thon is at Penn State,” Hill said. More information for students to sign up or learn more is available at http://www.beposfdn. org/fdm14/.

Security: Alerts Are Sent to Caution if Crime Threat is Deemed Ongoing FROM SECURITY, PAGE 1

pus Crime Statistics Act, which is a federal law that pertains to colleges recording and disclosing crimes on and around campus. The law requires that Fordham keep record of all crimes that pertain to criminal homicide, sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft and arson. Additionally, the law requires that Fordham “issue timely warnings about [the above crimes] which pose a serious or ongoing threat to students and employees.” Fordham’s own policy states: “The central purpose of the security alerts is to help members of the university community make informed decisions about their personal safety on or off campus.” One student recalled an instance last March when her phone, along with another student’s, was stolen from the cafeteria in the McGinley Center. There was no alert sent to the Fordham community, but the student said it seemed to represent an ongoing threat to other students. “A lot of times students lose or misplace their property and they don’t

pose continuing threats, so they don’t rise to that level,” Carroll said in response. “They don’t merit a security alert.” He added: “A lot of times it’s bad mistakes, bad judgments that are better handled by Dean Rodgers and his staff than the cops. We’re not looking to elevate student misconduct into criminal activity.” But, why not issue more alerts about cases of on-campus sexual assault? Some students challenged that a lack of notification regarding on-campus assaults may be perpetuating a sort of silent “rape culture” at Fordham. Carroll responded by saying that victims of sexual assault often know the identity of their alleged attacker, and so Fordham security can take the appropriate action to deal with that individual student. Carroll said that if Fordham knows the identity of the alleged attacker, there is no need to send a security alert because there is no continuous or ongoing threat. He added that often victims of sexual assault do not want to broadcast an alert about the incident anyway. “Everybody has rights, and they

should,” he said. “We will take the information from you, get you a support person and investigate the case very carefully. We’ll listen to you.” On the question of whether race is included in the descriptions of alleged assailants, Carroll said that students are never directed by the security officials writing the incident report to provide certain description details. “We never prompt anybody [to distinguish race],” he said. “We simply listen to what they say. But one of the most challenging things is determining what the complainant actually saw.” He said that race is often not included in security alerts because complainants cannot confidently recall descriptions of assailants. Then he pivoted, and spoke about writing alerts from a moral perspective, acknowledging the criticism his office has received for perpetuating racial stereotypes by including certain descriptions in alerts. “We are looking to be more sensitive to things,” Carroll said. “If we are going to follow the Jesuit ideal, we’re not going to play into that stereotypical garbage.” Of the 29 alerts emailed to students

so far in 2013, race was mentioned six times — compared to the two times race was mentioned in 2012 (out of 23 alerts) and eight times in 2011 (out of 22 alerts), Carroll said. He pointed out that many security alerts not sent to the Fordham community via email are published each week in The Fordham Ram. But students present at the meeting seemed generally unsatisfied. They suggested the Office of Safety and Security send an email to the community at the start of each semester, reminding them that alerts are regularly published in the university’s newspaper. Students also suggested more security alerts be published on Security’s website. Aileen Reynolds, FCRH ’14 and the executive president of USG, remained quiet during the hour-long session. Still, she said she was pleased with how the meeting went. “We were able to address a myriad of topics relevant to the Office of Safety and Security, which led to interesting discussions,” she said in a statement. “Mr. Carroll was also extremely receptive to new suggestions and ideas for his office.”

On Monday, Nov. 18, Aristotle Papanikolaou, Ph.D., was inaugurated as the first Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, attended the event and commended Dr. Papanikolaou for his accomplishments. Demetrios also spoke of the blessing that is the Orthodox Christian Studies Center and he hopes that has it flourishes in the future. Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, bestowed the honor on Papanikolaou. He opened his speech by describing the dream of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University. He spoke of the milestone achieved through this installation, namely the Christian family created through the uniting of orthodoxy and the Christian faith. The Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University was founded by Dr. Papanikolaou, along with his close friend and fellow Fordham professor George Demacopoulos, in 2012. Fordham University is currently the only school in the nation with an Orthodox Christian Studies Center, a fact that was proudly pointed out by the event’s speakers. Papanikolaou earned his Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from Fordham in 1988. He graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and received his Master of Divinity and was valedictorian. In 1998, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School. He has authored and edited several books and is currently a professor of theology at Fordham. The Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture is named after His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, who is the leader of the 1.5 million members of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. As the Archbishop Demetrios Chair, Papanikoalou will continue as a leader of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center, as well as continue the study of Orthodox Christianity. After his formal installation of Dr. Papanikolaou gave his inaugural lecture, a presentation entitled “Violence and Virtue.” The lecture discussed virtue ethics as they relate to war. Dr. Papanikolaou believes that the struggle to learn how to love is important in relation to war, but according to Christian social ethics, violence does not make love impossible. Dr. Demacopoulos, co-founder of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center, was pleased with the attendance. “[The attendance] is a testament both to Dr. Papanikolaou’s intellectual reputation and to the support of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center,” Demacopoulos said. “[Papanikolaou] is exceptional at bridging the divide between the academy and the broader community, and we look forward to Fordham continuing to be the mecca for Orthodox Christian studies and Orthodox Catholic dialogue.”

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November 20, 2013

McGinley Lecture Focuses on Importance of Religious Pilgrimages By EDDIE MIKUS STAFF WRITER

Across the globe, people of all faiths share the need to walk in the footsteps of their religious forefathers. Patrick Ryan, S.J. delivered a lecture on the role of Pilgrimage in the Christian, Jewish and Islamic faith entitled “To Be A Pilgrim: A Geography Of Faith For Jews, Christians, and Muslims.” This lecture was the annual McGinley lecture, held on Nov. 13 at the Lincoln Center Campus and Nov. 14 at the Rose Hill campus. Professor Alan Minte of the Jewish Theological Seminary and Professor Jerusha Lamptey from Union Theological Seminary responded to Ryan’s lecture. The lecture, titled “To Be A Pilgrim: A Geography Of Faith For Jews, Christians, and Muslims,” focused on the role of pilgrimage in the Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths, and featured responses by Professor Alan Mintz of the Jewish Theological Seminary and Professor Jerusha Lamptey from Union Theological Seminary. “At the heart of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions of faith, pilgrimage plays an enormous role,” Ryan said, according to a printed copy of the lecture. “Each tradition has a sense that at its core lies a journey that all must undertake if they are to reach the destination of life. Pilgrimage is not the same in each tradition, but in many ways all three faith traditions map their world in what I characterize as a geography of faith, largely as a result of their pilgrimage traditions.” Ryan spoke about how the Jewish faith placed an emphasis on traveling to Mount Zion. “The desire of Jews to go on pilgrimage (aliyah) to the Holy Land, and especially to Jerusalem, derives from legislation in the Torah,” Ryan said. According to Ryan, the emphasis on Jerusalem as a pilgrimage site has impacted how members of the Jewish faith have prayed over the centuries.

WAYNE MCLEAN/WIKIMEDIA

Pilgrimage plays a vital role in many religions, with worshippers traveling to visit sites like the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

“When Solomon consecrated the Temple in Jerusalem in the 10th century B.C.E. he insisted that everyone, even Gentiles attracted to the faith of Israel, should ever afterwards utter their prayers while facing in the direction of the Jerusalem Temple,” Ryan said. In the Christian religion, Ryan stated that pilgrimage tends to emphasize locations that had some importance to the life of Jesus Christ. “Jesus as Lord and Messiah stands at the center of the Christian faith tradition, and therefore at the center of Christian pilgrimage,” Ryan said. “When Jesus Christ is not at the center of any Christian pilgrimage, it too easily degenerates into a cult surrounding dubious visionaries.” As a result of this emphasis on Jesus, Ryan said that Christian pilgrimage focuses on a different location in Jerusalem, which differs from many Jewish pilgrimages. “Although there are many Christian pilgrimage sites in Jerusalem and the Holy Land more generally, for more than a millennium and a half the road of Christian pilgrims coming from outside the Holy Land has led not to Mount Zion, the goal of Jewish pilgrimage, but slightly off center as it were, to the nearby Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which

commemorates both the death and the resurrection of Jesus,” Ryan said. Ryan spoke about the significance of this shift in pilgrimage in the history of Christian practice. “The seemingly small but deeply significant decentering of pilgrimage, away from the Temple Mount and towards Golgotha, Bethlehem and the Mount of Olives, reorganized the geography of faith for Christians,” Ryan said. A third subject that Ryan covered was the importance of the hajj pilgrimage in the Islamic faith. “The pilgrimage (hajj) to the places in the Arabian Peninsula that Muslims associate with Abraham plays a more central role in the practice of Islam than does pilgrimage in either the post-biblical tradition of Jews or the tradition of Christians at any period,” Ryan said. “One of the five pillars (arkan) of Islam, the hajj nevertheless remains not so quite rigorously enforced as are the other four pillars. Problems in financing the hajj — or performing it at times of civil unrest on the roads to or within Arabia — could excuse a faithful Muslim from undertaking this pillar of Islam.” Ryan further described the significance that the hajj plays in Muslim life, as well as some of the rituals that are connected with the pilgrimage.

“From the beginning of their hajj, pilgrims are ritually separated from their ordinary, day-to-day life, including any prideful elements in that life,” Ryan said. “They enter into ihram [consecrated status], and after making a total ablution, all male pilgrims dress in two unsewn pieces of white cloth that cover the upper and lower parts of the body. This common dress not only separates the male pilgrim from his previous situation as a Muslim of a particular ethnic and national identity, symbolized by distinctive clothing, but it also bonds him with his fellow pilgrims who wear the same uniform. No specific ihram garments are prescribed for women, but a cover-all is generally worn that leaves only the hands and face visible.” In his response, Mintz spoke about how the invasion of Jerusalem in 70 B.C.E. by the Roman Empire changed Jewish practices pertaining to pilgrimage. “What happens to the idea of the experience of a pilgrimage when the Temple is destroyed, and the sacred center, Jerusalem itself, is rendered inaccessible?” Mintz said. “The answer to that question is woven into an extraordinary and much larger story about how a new class of religious leaders, the sages, the rabbis, succeed-

ed in reconfiguring the faith of Israel to survive in a non-Temple world.” Mintz also talked about some of the significant Jewish pilgrimage rituals that have emerged in modern times. “The greatest pilgrimage of all today takes place on Lag BaOmer, 33 days after Passover, when hundreds of thousands of Israeli Jews, mostly of North African background, travel to Mount Hirom in Galilee for a day of feasting and festivity,” Mintz said. “Worthy of mention as well are the hundreds of thousands of Jews, mostly Israelis, who undertake a reverse pilgrimage, away from Israel, in order to spend the High Holy Days in the Ukrainian city of Uman, the site of the burial of the Hasidic Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, who died in 1810.” During her response, Lenti spoke about how Islam emphasizes consciousness of God. This is a concept that Muslims refer to as taqwa, which is a key aspect of the hajj. “One of the central theological tenets with the Islamic tradition is the notion of taqwa,” Lenti said. “The Quran describes taqwa as the most esteemed human trait, and the only basis on which God discerns between any two human beings. Quran Chapter 49, Verse 13 states, ‘O humankind, we have created you from one male and one female and made you into diverse nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the sight of God is the person who manifests the most taqwa.’ Usually translated, somewhat insufficiently, as piety, taqwa more accurately denotes a more particular and pervasive consciousness of God.” Students who attended the lecture reacted positively to the content and main speakers. “This semester’s McGinley Lecture was very engaging,” Nicholas Sawicki, FCRH ’16, said after the lecture. “The speakers representing the Catholic, Jewish and Muslim traditions all engaged in various levels, and it really provided a solidifying and communal basis that transcends all religions.”

Female Graffiti Artists Stand Out in Male-Dominated Industry FROM TUFF, PAGE 1

While Schorr’s themes fit right in at Rose Hill, her style is decidedly street. The Joan of Arc piece is painted to look like a paste-up on a brick wall, framed by stylized curlicue script: “Some are born to endless night.” Her St. Michael flies above tagged-up apartment buildings. He, too, is framed by script: “Keep my love safe from harm.” “I grew up in New York,” Schorr said, “and so it is natural for me to have been influenced by graffiti fonts and tattoo style lettering over the course of 20-something years.” While she considers herself a fine artist, Schorr has been surrounded by street artists, and she “can’t help but think” that their bold imagery made an impact on her work along the way. Like most graffiti, the exhibition came together quickly. Curator Dolene Brick came up with the idea just six weeks ago. “My goal was to show that us as women can [be] feminine and

sensitive and compassionate yet still be powerful,” she said. It is the first show Brick has ever curated, and she is doing so with noble intentions. Brick says that in such a maledominated scene, it’s “definitely much harder” to get your name out as a woman. “This [exhibition] was definitely another way, an easier way, for us to show our work without having to make it so hard on us,” Brick said. Meghan Muha, GSB ’14, knows what it is like to break into a male dominated scene. This year, she decided to try a painting class as a “nice creative outlet,” but her real focus is in finance, her major in the Gabelli School of Business. In finance classes, she is often one of the only women around. “It’s exciting for me to see women doing things differently in an industry that’s previously maledominated,” Muha said. “Just being fearless and going into it when it’s a little bit scary, stepping off the ledge and breaking out and expressing themselves how they

JEFFREY COLTIN/THE RAM

As a female graffiti artist, Schorr sees her medium as way to make a statement while expressing her own womanhood.

see fit.” Muha has never been to Tuff City, but she said she thinks the show sounds great, and, as an interested artist, Muha is exactly the type of person who Schorr thinks should stop by Tuff City. “Fordham students should try to absorb the rich surrounding

Bronx culture, and Tuff City is almost like a museum in that respect,” Schorr said. Budding artists can even explore the back, which Schorr says features “a re-created train yard where anyone can purchase paint in the store and try out their skills on one of their outdoor wall

spaces...who knows, maybe an old-school graf legend might be around to give them some pointers.” “Who Runs the World? Girls” is open daily until Dec. 12 from Noon-9 p.m. at Tuff City Tattoo, 650 E. Fordham Rd, and will be free of charge.

NEWS

November 20, 2013

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Student Finds Early Acting Success, Lands Role on ‘Blue Bloods’ By LAURA SANICOLA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Marcus Marrero, FCRH ’15, has found acting success in the Big Apple, landing a guest role on the CBS drama “Blue Bloods.” Marrero takes liberal arts classes in school but searches for work as an actor when classes are over. He signed with Central Casting, an organization that connects actors with work based on roles that match a person’s specific look, on Wednesday, Nov. 13, and woke up to a phone call inviting him to film on Friday, Nov. 15. He was shocked but thrilled to have been hired for a role a mere two days after placing his search. “This is my first real acting job, and I had the opportunity to work with the cast of ‘Blue Bloods,’” Marrero said. “It is unreal.” “Blue Bloods” is a police drama that is currently in its fourth season on CBS. The plot centers on the Reagans, a family of police offers in the NYPD. It stars Donnie Wahlberg and Tom Selleck as Danny and Frank Reagan. Marcus said getting to work with professionals was easily one of the best aspects of filming. “They are a laid back group of people, making jokes whenever they aren’t on camera,” he said. Marcus was amused with Walhberg’s humorous off-camera persona. “When filming was over, Donnie pretended to direct traffic like a real cop,” Marrero said. “A lot of

people stopped for him too.” On the show, Marrero is featured in the bombing of a hookah bar in Astoria, Queens, where the episode was shot. Viewers may not recognize him, though — Marrero is dressed to look Middle Eastern and wore stage makeup to give the appearance of having survived an explosion. He is carried off in an ambulance at the end of his scene. Born and raised in the Bronx, Marrero attended Marble High School for International Studies, where he began to take acting classes through the Dreamyard Program. It was during his junior and senior years that he became immersed in the world of acting and decided to pursue it as a career. He said the work is difficult, but having a support system who believes in his goals makes it worthwhile. “I think it is wonderful to pursue acting,” said Elisabeth Hartmann, Marreo’s girlfriend. “It builds confidence and creates a unique personality. Chasing your dreams is so important, and I think he is well on his way to achieving that goal." His father, Isidro Marrero, who has worked on Fordham’s custodial staff for over 20 years, has been his earliest and greatest source of encouragement. He says, “If [Marcus] wants to continue with acting as a career, I will continue to support him no matter what.” Marrero is definitely realistic

COURTESY OF MARCUS MARRERO

Marrero’s “Blue Bloods” episode airs in about a month on E.T. He appears in a scene about an explosion at a hookah bar.

about the business but determined to find his way in at all costs. Last summer, he auditioned for the movie Noah, starring Russell Crowe. Though he was not hired, he says the experience was invaluable in that it gave him an understanding of the auditioning

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process. He is considering print modeling as a way to get his foot further in the door and provide him with extra cash as he continues to look for work. “The dream is a role on television shows or movies, though Broadway has fascinated me for

years,” Marrero said, grinning. “I would definitely not be opposed to musical theater. I’ll do whatever it takes to make the dream happen.” Marrero’s episode should be on the air in approximately one month. “Blue Bloods” airs Fridays at 10 p.m. E.T.

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opinion

Page 7

Pope Opens Arms to All Catholics, So Should We

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

Pope Francis’ remarks on social issues, such as homosexuality, has angered many conservative Catholics, leading to doubts about of his universal appeal.

By JOE CLINES STAFF WRITER

Pope Francis’ papacy has granted him fame and influence. In less than a year, he has risen from relative obscurity on the world stage to rock star status, particularly among those whom the Church has traditionally alienated, such as homosexual Catholics and divorcees. Dean William Gould, describs the beloved religious figure as displaying “warmth and humility,” as well as a welcoming attitude that has served as a symbolic breath of fresh air for the Church. Pope Francis has drawn praise across the globe, and from atheists and members of other faiths. The new pope, embracing the plight of the marginalized, has

received backlash from conservative Catholics who feel he has abandoned them and the principles of Catholicism that they emphasize. Gould passed along an interesting article written by John Allen, which labels the issue of the seemingly-forgotten right-wing Catholics as the “older son problem.” The problem is an allusion to the biblical story of the prodigal son, in which the return of the younger son who squandered his inheritance is met with great jubilation. The toils of the older son, who has worked diligently and met his responsibilities, is not celebrated with a similar degree of grandeur. Dean Gould explained that the conservative Catholic base

is ardently opposed to abortion and gay marriage. The Pope’s deemphasizing of these issues, particularly as it pertains to marriage equality, has been interpreted as an affront on the value system that defines this constituency of the Church. The story of the prodigal son is pertinent, as the potential return of the metaphorical younger son, the marginalized members of the church, can be seen as an overarching mission for Francis’ papacy. Garnering the pope’s sympathies should not be viewed as a contest, and just as the story of the “prodigal son” is one of forgiveness, the conservative base of the church should be excited to work towards the reconciliation of differences with those who

traditional Catholic teachings on gay marriage have alienated in the past. The crux of the older son problem may be simple misperception. Gould believes that the pope’s more informal interview may leave him open to misinterpretation. One of the most noteworthy comments associated with the pope came from an interview he gave while aboard an airplane en route to Brazil in July. When asked about homosexual priests in the Church, Francis’ truncated response struck a nerve on the conservative right. He made the claim, “Who am I to judge?” The quote became a rallying cry for those in favor of gay marriage and evidence of Francis’

seemingly liberal agenda for the older sons of the Church. In actuality, the comments were neither. As Gould confirmed and anyone who has read the comments in context can attest, Francis was not making an overt statement of support for gay marriage, but a comment indicative of his larger view of the Catholic Church. Francis stresses the forgiveness and mercy of God, in lieu of the pre-Vatican II “fire and brimstones” conception of sinful behavior. Francis sees a Godthat hates the sin and loves the sinner. His statement was neither condoning nor condemning homosexuality, but instead respecting the church’s gay members and welcome them into communion with the Church. Francis’ comments may be vulnerable to misinterpretation, but he will not change the Church’s stance on hot button issues. He is merely adjusting the attitude with which the Church has engaged its alienated members in the past. The Church is lucky to have a figurehead as welcoming as Pope Francis, especially as it tries to incorporate the younger, more progressive generation into its ranks. The older sons of the Church may perceive a tradeoff between fulfilling the yearnings of the younger generation for greater equality within the Church and the abandonment of Church dogma that has (pervaded) the centuries. Francis will help to shepherd the Church and its divided factions to a middle ground. The “older sons” should take the Pope’s comments at face value and suspend judgment of members of the Church who have been made to feel more welcomed under the new pope. Joe Clines, FCRH ‘14, is an economics major from Malverne, N.Y.

New Subway Design Should be Derailed By ANDREW SANTIS STAFF WRITER

Last month, the MTA proposed new subway cars for the systems a part of a 142-page report outlining a “21st Century Transit System.” The MTA would replace its existing fleet of nine-to-eleven singlecar trains with one long articulated train that would resemble the city’s accordion-style buses. Although this proposal is simply an idea, the MTA is seriously considering adopting these new trains. One reason is that they have been successful in major cities like Toronto, Berlin, Paris and Hong Kong, mostly for reducing crowded trains. According to Brad Ross, a Toronto Transit Commission spokesman, capacity in Toronto’s subway increased by eight to ten percent in the two years these articulated trains have been in use there. Maximizing carrying capacity has been a major challenge for the MTA as the city’s population

grows. In response, the MTA added more trains during rush hours to accommodate riders. Subway cars , however, continue to be congested. Perhaps these new trains are the answer to the sardine-packed morning and afternoon commutes, but there are a few flaws that need to be addressed. Crime is one area of concern. What if, a maniac gets on the train with a weapon? This fiend will be able to hurt a lot of people on the train. If it happened today, people would have a chance to escape and get into a different car rather than have this person follow them through the entire train, exposing other people to the danger. A train without internal doors would also mean thieves and other criminals can roam the entire train and rob, assault or even kill more than one person. Chris Rhomberg, sociology professor and faculty member of the Urban Studies Program at Fordham, said this was “a matter of concern.” On New Year’s Eve, drunk New Yorkers smell inside train cars. That

car could be isolated and cleaned today, but would be impossible to do if it happened on an articulated

train. The entire train would have to be put out of service instead of uncoupling the one car. Who

knows how many trains would be left in the system on St. Patrick’s SEE SUBWAY PAGE 9

JULIAN WONG/THE RAM

The MTA recently unveiled a potential plan which would replace its fleet with single-car trains to some riders dismay.

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Serving campus and community since 1918 The Fordham Ram is the University journal of record. The mission of The Fordham Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate. The Fordham Ram is published and distributed free of charge every Wednesday during the academic year to the Rose Hill, Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses with a readership of 4,500. The Fordham Ram office is located in the basement of the McGinley Center, room B-52.

TheFordhamRam.com Advertising: (718) 817-4379 Executive: (718) 817-4380 Fax: (718) 817-4319 theram@fordham.edu Fordham University - Station 37 Box B Bronx, NY 10458 Editor-in-Chief Connor Ryan Managing Editor Canton Winer Editorial Director Rory Masterson Copy Chief Katie Nolan News Editor Kelly Kultys Assistant News Editors Katie Meyer Girish Swaminath Opinion Editor Joseph Vitale Assistant Opinion Editor Catrina Livermore Arts & Entertainment Editor Devon Sheridan Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor Jack MacGregor Executive Sports Editor Dan Gartland Sports Editor Matt Rosenfeld Assistant Sports Editor Max Prinz Layout Editor Elaina Weber Photo Editors Elizabeth Zanghi Michael Rezin Web Editor Anne Couture Assistant Web Editor Kelsey Odorczyk Business Directors Nikos Buse Drew Rapp Assistant Business Director Felicia Zhang Circulation Director Shannon Marcoux Executive Copy Editors Emily Arata Shannon Marcoux Faculty Advisor Dr. Beth Knobel For a full staff listing, visit FordhamRam.com

Opinion Policy The Fordham Ram appreciates submissions to fordhamramletters@ gmail.com. Commentaries are printed on a space available basis. The Fordham Ram reserves the right to reject any submission for any reason, without notice. Submissions become the exclusive property of The Fordham Ram. The Fordham Ram reserves the right to edit any submissions. The opinions in The Fordham Ram’s editorials are those of the editorial board; those expressed in articles, letters, commentaries, cartoons or graphics are those of the individual author. No part of The Fordham Ram may be reproduced without written consent.

OPINION

November 20, 2013

From the Desk of Canton Winer, Managing Editor Please stop trying to be perfect. Many of us have this twisted notion that everything we do must be flawless. Any flaw or failure is a sign of weakness. Any lessthan-intelligent question is a sign of stupidity. I’m here to tell you that this is a total crock. Our fear of failure often keeps us from succeeding. We are reluctant to try new things because we might not be good at them. Life, however, is a trial and error process. We all stumble a few — or maybe more than a few — times, but we usually get back up. The fear of failure is a problem I see frequently at The Fordham Ram. Too many times I have told a friend that they should write something for The Fordham Ram only to hear the refrain, “But I don’t think I’ll be good at writing about that.” This response makes me cringe. You’re definitely terrible at it if you don’t even try. If you don’t try, you’ve already failed. So go for it. Worst case, you’ll write one truly terrible article that only your parents, your grandparents and a few friends will read.

And guess what? They’re all going to love it anyway. We need to break out of our boxes and try new things. For example, I’m from Florida, a state with no mountains and where coconuts are a far more frequent sight than snowflakes. Yet, when my parents took me to Colorado in elementary school, I decided to give skiing a try. I fell a few times, lost one of my skis once and ran into several (dozen) complete strangers in futile efforts to reclaim my balance. But, now I am actually quite good at skiing, especially for a Floridian. Let’s all stop hesitating to try new things simply because we might embarrass ourselves. We can’t all be good at everything. Everyone has imperfections, and most people are too busy worrying about their own imperfections to notice anyone else’s. Life is more fun if you let yourself make some mistakes. Now I’m going to pull the obligatory Bill Gates example. (Hey, at least I didn’t use Steve Jobs.) I think we can all agree that Gates is a pretty successful guy. Accord-

ing to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, is currently the world’s richest person. Successful though he may be, Gates owes his success to failure. Bill Gates’ first business venture was a flop. The company, Traf-O-Data, sold the Traf-O-Data 8008 (clearly, creative name selection is not Gates’ strong suit), a product designed to read the raw data from roadway traffic counters and create reports for traffic engineers. When Gates and his business partner, Paul Allen, tried to sell the Traf-O-Data 8008, the device didn’t even work. The demo — and the company — was an utter failure. Yet, Allen cites this failure as a key to their success. “Even though Traf-O-Data wasn’t a roaring success, it was seminal in preparing us to make Microsoft’s first product a couple of years later,” Allen said. Successful people like Gates are successful not because they never fail, but because they learn from their mistakes when they do. They accomplish great things

because they challenge themselves. If everyone simply stuck to what they were good at from the moment they popped out of the womb, all we would do is cry and poop. We should follow Gates’ lead. We should register for a class that will challenge us, even if it means sacrificing the A. We should try out a new sport, even if it leads to a few faceplants. We should sign up for salsa dance lessons, even if we might step on some toes. We should actually write that article for The Ram, even if a stranger might not agree with it. If you’ve never failed, you’re not trying hard enough.

Editorial: When Will USG Make An Impression? On the rare occasion that the average Fordham student mentions United Student Government (USG), it is usually to gripe about how the group does nothing. Anyone who has been to a USG meeting, however, knows this is not true. Much of what USG does is not exciting or glamorous, but it can be important nonetheless. That being said, we at The Fordham Ram have significant doubts regarding the current state of Rose Hill’s USG. Frankly, it feels like a great deal of the USG docket these days consists of picking a “club of the month.” Apart from its campaign to raise the student activities fee in September, which we applaud and, in fact, officially supported in a previous staff editorial (The Fordham Ram, V. 95, i. 13), USG has done nothing noteworthy this semester. Normally, it would be hard to criticize USG for failing to take on many big initiatives; there are just

not that many serious problems for the group to tackle at Fordham. But, it was only last semester that USG published a 45-page “Report on Speech and Expression of Student Organizations at Fordham University,” which passed with unanimous support. The report was the result of weeks — if not months — of work collecting testimonials from students and student organizations in an effort to improve free speech conditions at Fordham. Students spent countless hours compiling the report because they saw a problem at this university. Unfortunately, this problem remains unresolved. Simply publishing a report does not make a problem go away. It is merely step one. Instead of treating last semester’s report on free speech as a first step among many, the Reynolds-Francolini administration appears to have dropped the issue altogether. Executive President Aileen Reyn-

olds and Executive Vice President Brendan Francolini were both on USG last year when the report was published, but it seems they have forgotten about free speech issues at Fordham. USG’s report on free speech should have been a conversation starter, but the conversation appears to have ended, and little has changed. Prior to their election, Reynolds and Francolini spoke about increasing USG’s transparency, another important issue. Regrettably, USG appears to have stagnated on this issue as well. By our count, there have been at least 11 USG meetings this semester. The minutes for only four of those meetings have been posted to USG’s website. For reference, this means only a little over one-third of USG’s meeting minutes this semester are available online. Additionally, the most recent minutes available are

from Oct. 10, over one month ago. It seems that the only way to know what is going on at USG meetings is to attend them in person or to personally know a USG senator. This is hardly transparent. Former New York City Councilmember Henry Stern once observed that the city council amounted to even less than a rubber stamp, because “at least a rubber stamp leaves an impression.” There is still another semester left for this edition of USG to leave an impression and build a legacy of improving free speech at Fordham. Will the Reynolds-Francolini administration amount to less than a rubber stamp, or will it make an impression?

Editorial Policy The Fordham Ram’s editorials are selected on a weekly basis, and are meant to reflect the editorial board’s view on a particular issue.

Do you have an opinion about one of our stories? Send us a letter! fordhamramletters@gmail.com

OPINION

November 20, 2013

Amanda Pell

Page 9

Sharing on the Web, Not For Retweets, but A’s By JOSEPH VITALE

You Matter, So Act Like It As we all watch Congress come to what I would tactfully describe as a “screeching halt,” it’s hard not to question whether the very structure of government doesn’t need to be scrapped and rebuilt from the ground up. The system in place now is one that leaves its constituents powerless and ineffective. I had a conversation with a group of people today about whether or not voting is important; in fact, we questioned whether it means anything at all. Undeniably, the overwhelming national opinion is that it does not. But, I think that measuring the meaning of a vote by its impact on the outcome of the election alone is limiting. I can admit that my vote last year made absolutely no difference to either candidate, but I voted anyway — I went through great pains to vote, actually, since I’m from New Jersey and had to find a way around an entire hurricane to do so. Why did I bother? For as much as I think that the entire election process is basically a farce, I also think it’s vital for us as a population to participate in every election, regardless of what we expect the outcome to be. To me, a vote in either direction might not sway a decision, but it sends a clear message: I am here, I am listening, I am engaged and I am paying attention. It lets the winning candidate know that in the next four years, he or she is accountable to me as a citizen. What the elected chooses to do in his or her career may or may not reflect that accountability, but either way, I know that I stood up to be counted. Voting may not make a difference in the way that it’s supposed to, but it makes a difference in the social infrastructure. Knowing that I would cast a vote in last year’s presidential election, I watched all of the debates, researched both candidates and made sure that my decision was an educated one. As a result, I had conversations with the people around me, I spread the information I had obtained and I learned new information from other voters that surrounded me. A voting population is one that exchanges ideas and engages in the issues. A voting population is an active population, and an active population is one that cannot be ignored by the people who spend their time trying to lead it. I genuinely believe that a nation with a voter turnout of 100 percent would be a less corrupt, more effective, simply better country than the one in which we live. I also think that a person who cares about the issues, who stays engaged even though it’s exhausting and frustrating, who has a vested interest in the society he or she lives in is simply better than one who does not.

OPINION EDITOR

In the spring semester of my freshman year, I took a class called “Dangerous Words: Censorship and the Literary Imagination.” During the first class meeting, the professor informed us that our discussions would be based on a class blog. My peers seemed not to mind the idea, but to me it seemed sacrilegious. This exercise required me to give out my personal information in order to discuss literature. It was a disgrace to the sanctity of the printed word. It was also one step closer to a world in which giving my two cents costs much more than, well, two cents. By the end of the course, this incorporation of literature and blogging turned out to be exceptionally effective. As a student, I was forced to think critically about the texts and participate in productive dialogue. With the help of online resources shared on the blog, I appreciated many of the nuanced themes discussed in the controversial texts on which we focused. The feud between the printed word and social media may be polarizing, yet meshing the two made for a serious, engaging class. This implementation of social media is just one example of how college professors are taking the classroom experience online. This trend has since taken off in American universities. College professors, for example, are using common resources such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Tumblr to engage students on platforms of which they are already a part. Some are tapping into smaller resources, such as Google+ Hangouts, WordPress and Edmondo, to introduce students to less popular, but more effective, mediums of social media. According to one study conducted by Pearson Learning Solutions and the Babson Survey Research Group, 41 percent of college professors are using social media in the classroom, a seven percent jump from just a year ago. The goal is for professors to meet students where many of them are spending their time and energy, the Internet. So, does it work? The answer relies on the success of a few critical components, each of which depends on how a professor introduces social media and how his or her students respond. One of these factors is creativity. The use of social media in classrooms is effec-

tive when it challenges students to use it to test their creative abilities. Social media is exceedingly successful at allowing its users to produce content. Many of these targeted mediums allow students to go beyond traditional assignments and focus on visual and interactive elements of classroom materials. When designing websites, creating blogs or uploading videos, students are forced to make poignant decisions about how things are most effectively expressed. Allowing students to engage in social media forces them to consider the responses their material will foster among their peers. Another essential factor is engagement. Professors must engage students in new ways, rather than replicating conventional activities and simply moving them online. Class lectures are traditionally seen as mundane and foster passive learning, but social media has the potential to turn this model on its head. Some professors, for example, allow students to tweet questions during class for the teacher to answer after class. Students can answer these questions and use online conversations as study guides. Some professors create blogs, which allow students to incorporate information and resources to be found online.

This includes helpful documents from around the web and videos on major video sites, such as YouTube and Vimeo. The variety of materials available encourages students to search beyond the confines of a lecture. It teaches students that the college classroom is far more multidimensional than it often appears. A third component is collaboration. Assigning students to group projects is not a new concept in college classrooms, but the incorporation of social media allows students to interact beyond the confines of face-toface meetings. They can be in communication through Facebook pages, Tumblrs, Google Plus Hangouts and other resources in an attempt to participate in an ongoing conversation. This also prepares students for employment, because online collaboration is a necessary skill in today’s workplace. Employers seek young people who are social media savvy. Understanding how to target specific audiences and craft enter taining material is an essential in many job markets. Elizabeth KATHRYN DOHENY/THE RAM Cornell, an English professor at Fordham, has been incorporating social media into her classes for a number of years and has made great strides in fostering a more interconnected classroom community. “Traditionally, the classroom has

not been a social place. Students arrive to class, sit in a chair and, the teacher hopes, listen to a lecture and take notes,” said Cornell. “Social media can be a way to encourage students to be more active during class hours and outside of class.” Cornell has incorporated a few major social media platforms to develop this teaching method, including Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. “I find Facebook to be particularly useful because most students are comfortable with that medium. It’s easy for them to write original material and respond to other people’s posts. However, I change things just a bit by having students write rather long posts (for Facebook) about something they’ve researched and include a link to supporting material,” said Cornell. This incorporation of social media in the college classroom does not come without obstacles. When not engaged, students often retreat to social media for personal uses rather than academic uses. Also, some educators are worried that posting classroom information online might jeopardize the personal privacy of students and professors. Similar to my initial reservations, students who are less active users of social media find social media to be an intrusive requirement for success in a course. “There are many good reasons for not wanting to join the digital herd, including not wanting to divulge personal information to companies such as Facebook,” Cornell said. She who has had experiences with students who hesitate to join Facebook and Twitter for classroom purposes. Cornell is happy to accommodate students who are hesitant to create online profiles. Whether these obstacles persist as a major hindrance to the implementation of social media in college classes remains unclear. It is safe to say, however, that social media is not disappearing anytime soon, and its impact on students will continue to grow. Whether or not students and professors will choose to intertwine education and social media is up to them. The success of these efforts depends largely on professors, who must be at the cutting edge of new social media outlets, and students, who must be willing to engage with social media in the classroom — that is, for an A, not a “Like.” Joseph Vitale, FCRH ’16, is an English major from Staten Island, N.Y.

MTA Must Ditch Plans For New Trains FROM SUBWAY PAGE 7

Day. Of course a typical New York City subway ride would not be complete without the mariachi bands, performers, beggars and fruit snack peddlers that make their ways through each car every day. Articulated trains would be an open invitation for them to irritate unamused and unwelcoming passengers on the whole train for the duration of the ride. And what if a New York City rat got on the train? Kelly Hung, GSB ’16, a commuter from Little Neck, Queens, saw and rode on the articulated trains when she was in Hong Kong. She

said they are great, but cannot see them being the same in New York. “You can use them in certain areas, not everywhere,” she said. Another commuter, Kevin Noyola, GSB ’16, who commutes

A single train will lead to more safety concerns for riders. on the D train to 125th Street in Manhattan, said “the system is in need of new subway cars, but the articulated trains aren’t it.”

Rhomberg said that the current cars “should be good for another 40 years.” Because of possible setbacks from the articulated trains, the MTA should not make this, a priority. The MTA has a lot on its hands right now, and thinking about what the agency needs in the next 20 years is too much of a commitment. The MTA, after all, does not have a great record when it comes to planning ahead. Take East Side Access, the project that will bring the Long Island Railroad to Grand Central Terminal, for example. The project was slated to finish by the end of 2013,

but will not be completed until August 2019. Another project set to be completed by this year was the Second Avenue Subway. The completion date is now either the end of 2016 or early 2017. If new cars were to come to the city’s subway, Rhomberg believes that these “larger projects will have more impact on the everyday experience of riders [than the new cars].” For now, New Yorkers will be able to keep their iconic subway cars, and the habits that make riding the New York City subway a one of a kind experience. Andrew Santis, GSB ’16, is an undeclared major from Flushing, N.Y.

OPINION

Page 10

Handouts Are Not the Answer By JOSEPH CLINES STAFF WRITER

For the richest nation in the world, poverty and ever-increasing income inequality remain a massive problem. In everything from airline seating to seating in sporting venues, the disparity between those in first class and those in economy seating

is becoming more blatant by the day. The rich continue to get richer, and the middle class is rapidly disappearing. What is so alarming about the growing income gap is that there is no remedy in sight and the trend only seems to be gaining steam. One of the more tempting means to combat poverty in our increasingly progressive society is the practice of income redistribution. It is the most direct system for augmenting the income of the impoverished, but as anyone who has frequented a Bronx bodega knows, the system is prone to abuse. Ideally, the system would serve as a safety net, allowing those who have fallen on hard times to get back on their feet and to aid the members of society who are unable to support themselves. In the

real world, however, people do not act ideally. They do not respond almost exclusively to incentives. Income redistribution destroys the incentive to work, directly by creating less of a need to earn income and indirectly by fostering a “loser” mentality that would cripple the ambitions of even the most earnest job seeker. Handouts foster dependency and would likely result in a semi-permanent segment of society made up of individuals who are able to work but choose to exist at the mercy of government checks.

An intereing article in The Atlantic raised one potential solution to halving poverty: distributing $3,000 to each person falling below a determined poverty line and allowing the recipients to use the funds as they see fit. Economics professor Robert Derrell believes that the practice could be feasible and is especially fond of the government allowing recipients to decide the best usage of the money themselves. Derrell also pointed out that enacting the redistribution policy would be difficult

without causing some harm to the economy at large. Derrell believes that the combination of tax increases, spending cuts and an unbreakable political gridlock makes the real-world implementation far trickier than it appears in print. The difficulty in enacting such a policy is that our GDP is finite and the funds would have to be reallocated, mostly away from a military budget that many view to be inflated. Our military budget may appear excessive; however, thousands of jobs would be lost in trimming the fat off the budget, as well as creating legitimate national security concerns. I believe that the societal ramifications would be far larger than juggling the funds of our national budget. On paper, this makes perfect sense. In practice, abuse occurs and the lack of incentive to work harder causes the economy to stagnate. The Atlantic article

paints the decision to implement this system as a “no brainer” of sorts however, allowing the recipients of the funds to use the money as they

see fit would be chaotic. In many cases, the money would become deadweight on our GDP. What would stop a recipient from taking the handouts to a casino? The recipient would not be better off, and the funds, intended to help the impoverished, would be lost. The puritan work ethic is the basis of our national identity. America is a nation of strivers, as proven by the story of immigrants coming to America for the opportunity to better themselves. The basic promise of the “American Dream” is that people can better themselves and their families through hard work and perseverance through struggles. As tempting as it may be, handouts to those at or near the poverty line are not the solution, and to insist that they would be is to neglect the larger causes of poverty. Handouts will not bring back the disappearing middle class, and they will certainly not spur job creation. We will have to deal with the reality that the solution to poverty is not merely one government check away. Joseph Clines, FCRH ’14, is an economics major from Malverne, N.Y.

ELIZ ABE TH

ZAN GHI AND ELA INA WEB ER./ THE

RAM

Are Print Journalism’s Days Numbered? By FELICIA CZOCHANSKI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

If you know anything about me, it would be no surprise to hear that I have always thought I would go into a career in writing, such as journalism. Though I find it enthralling to write novels, I have always seen myself doing more than that and believed that journalism might be the right career path for me. However, by the time I graduate in 2017, it is unclear whether or not this career path, at least the way we traditionally view it, will even be in existence. Of course, news outlets will still exist. Our world would be transformed into one of tumult and ignorance without them. However, outlets such as print journalism are more and more frequently heading in the direction of online media. This has made many other collegeaged students hesitant to consider a career in the field that they have always imagined ourselves entering. It has become common for many college students to separate themselves from the idea of becoming journalists because of the extremely disappointing way that the field has been gravitating away from traditional print publishing to Internet articles and posts on social media. Due to these changes, it is understandable to fear that this may not even be a realistic career to aspire to in the future. In a sense, this strips part of the validity of the writing and the writer, because essentially anyone can write and publish his or

her work online. Of course, these amateur journalists will be posting their writing to personal blogs as opposed to The New York Times or The Huffington Post. Regardless, the image of their work will be the same, viewed through the barrier of a screen. Traditional newspapers and magazines are inevitably more personal. They provide the luxurious opportunity to hold the print in your

seem to see a problem with it. After 25 years, The Onion announced that it will be canceling all remaining print editions, moving solely to online posts. Additionally, Condé Nast has announced that it is putting a stop to its internship programs. This leaves young aspiring journalists to wish that they had been born 15 years earlier, when they would never have had to put up with

ELIZABETH ZANGHI/THE RAM

The death of print journalism remains a fear for many students.

hands and smell the hard work put into a freshly-printed newspaper in the early morning. Additionally, you get to carry away the wisdom and information of the articles physically — and in the ink smudges that you later find on your fingertips. This romantic way of reading the news may be considered “less convenient.” This is a ridiculous thought because according to CNN, 53 percent of the American population still maintains a newspaper delivery subscription. These people do not

this nonsense. If the human population really finds it this inconvenient to pick up a newspaper or magazine, then it is frightening to think of where we will be in 10 years. It is also quite concerning that people are having trouble picking up a book in contemporary society. (Remember books? Those things with spines and pages that you can physically turn and feel the words that have been written and printed meticulously? Those thing that allow you to have a direct connection

to the characters and brilliant authors that created them while holding them in your hands?) You might not remember, because now “books” can be found for $4 on a Kindle, and readers must use their fingertips to slide over to the next page on a lucrative screen. I forbid my family to use these forms of technology to read books. Once, I caught my mother reading for her book club on a Kindle she had borrowed from a friend. She deservedly received the silent treatment for the rest of the day. These new technologies are highly disturbing and are an embarrassing portrayal of how lazy society has become. Despite the negative changes in the way society has been choosing to obtain its news and literature, it is still important for writers to refrain from being discouraged from pursuing their dreams. I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to live out something that I have always wanted to do, and I urge others that love to write to not give up on society just yet. Although some of the biggest news distributors have created the option of digital subscriptions, they have not gotten rid of their print editions. This has created a balance between traditional journalism and more contemporary digital journalism with which everyone can comply. If this is the way that the news media continues to operate, then not all hope for the continuation of traditional journalistic media will be lost. Felicia Cochanski, FCRH ’17, is an undeclared major from Metuchen, NJ.

November 20, 2013

Conor Fucci

3D Printers Bring Challenges A new technological innovation has recently become available to the public called 3-D printing. 3-D printing is literally a printer that, instead of printing ink on paper, prints plastic or sometimes metal in three dimensions. This creates an opportunity for people to download blueprints of products from the Internet and print them in their home whenever they want. These objects range from coffee cups to little trinkets or, as has recently made the news, guns. Blueprints for 3-D printed guns have found their way onto the Internet and created a situation where the government wants to regulate the sale of 3-D printers to the public. These “guns” are really no more than hunks of plastic with a firing pin and a chamber for the bullet. For all intents and purposes these are guns, however, being made of plastic they are only good for a single use. While they have the potential to produce catastrophic failure, these guns are nowhere near as deadly as the guns we see frequently in the news. Because of this so-called weapon, there could be regulations on something that could really revolutionize the way that we live. While I do agree with the push for increased regulations on the distribution of actual weapons to the public, I could not agree with 3-D printer regulations any less. Stifling the development of 3-D printers would have only negative consequences for the public. We would be missing out on something that could really change our day- to-day lives. With the development of this technology, we could potentially eliminate our need to go to the store for anything that we could print at home. Another very interesting type of 3-D printing that could come to fruition in the future is 3-D printing for medical purposes. Recently, scientists have been working on printing working human organs that could be used in transplants. The process works by replacing the plastic used with human cells to build or print organs. Scientists have recently created a working human liver in the lab that works for about 16 days. This will change the way that transplants work, and hopefully save thousands of lives as the technology improves. I have a great amount of faith in the 3-D printing movement, and I know if it is allowed to grow and evolve, great things will happen. We should not be held back by an overreacting government that will stop us from properly utilizing this impressive technology. Only time will tell if we will have a 3-D printer in every home, but I can say I hope if and when we get them they will work better than the paper printers we have today.

Arts & Entertainment

November 20, 2013

Page11

FU Fashion in Print and Online: Flash vs. Mode By ALLEGRA HOWARD STAFF WRITER

Flash Magazine and Mode Magazine, two fashion publications recently started on Fordham’s Rose Hill campus are making school history with their unique backstories and goals. The founder and previous editor-in-chief of Flash Magazine, Suzette A. Dorrielan, FCRH ’13, and the founder and current editorin-chief of Mode Magazine, Briana Rotello, FCRH ’14, both felt that Fordham University lacked a student publication in which one could express personal style while also providing other content. Both magazines produce content about fashion and beauty for Fordham. However, Flash particularly strives to portray fashion in NYC as art. “We’ve been pretty consistent in our goals to utilize New York City as a huge inspiration and resource as well as with our focus on fashion as art and beauty and culture as art as well,” Creative Director Ava Gagliardi, FCRH ‘15, said. “The aim would be to just sort of have the students on campus know what is available for them to take advantage of in the

QINRUI HUA/FLASH MAGAZINE

This photograph is from in the Spring 2013 edition of Flash Magazine. The models posed for a Great Gatsby themed shoot.

city, but it also includes student creativity on campus like what the students here are doing out in the city,” Culture Editor Clare Deck, FCRH ‘16, said. On the other hand, Mode strives to create content that fosters a

healthy body image and to portray actual students at Fordham. “We’re focusing on people who are doing things in their lives to be happy and just be the confident person they are,” said Mode’s Executive PR Manager Amanda Sa-

parito, FCRH ‘14. “Yeah. The power of having that healthy mind will drive your image to be what you wanted to be,” Rotello agreed. Comparing these two new publications is a bit difficult, but Flash

and Mode have already published some content. Last semester, Mode published a 16-page online issue that had many fun and interesting articles about topics like nail art trends, love advice and horoscopes, as well as articles that reviewed the fashion of a performance by dance group Flava. This issue also discussed various ways to style articles of clothing and gave tips to make low-priced clothing and accessories look more expensive. The highlights of this issue included features about a denim company, a Fordham student’s stylish dorm room and the style of two Fordham students. The article describing how a student hung a chandelier in her room without puncturing the wall was especially amazing. Mode’s issue seemed to consistently adhere to a beautiful, sunny and girly style as well as to its purpose: to portray actual Fordham students with healthy body images. On the downside, all except one of the articles were only one page long and many of the images were too small. The layout of some of the articles made reading the text a bit confusing. SEE MAGAZINE, PAGE 14

A Guide to Netflix: Winter Break Edition By MEGAN CATTEL STAFF WRITER

Have you just finished watching all the episodes of “30 Rock” online and need another show to obsess over? Is the latest season of “How I Met Your Mother” ripping you to shreds with its lagging plot? Or did the Red Wedding scene of “Game of Thrones” suck out all the happiness and hope you possibly had in the world? Luckily, Thanksgiving recess and winter break are fast approaching, which means there will be plenty of time to start a new television show during a light Netflix binge. Because what is a vacation from school without sprawling on the couch in sweatpants while cradling a bowl of Cheetos as you click “Next Episode” with zombie-like reflexes? The shows below are short and sweet, ranging from one to four seasons at best and meant to be a brief distraction from reality. With that being said, kick back, relax and enjoy the beautiful hypnosis that awaits you. “Sherlock” (Two Seasons) Fans of “CSI”, “Criminal Minds” and British dramas such as “Downton Abbey” should be familiar with the BBC program. “Doctor Who” screenwriters Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss conceived the idea for the miniseries while brainstorming how 19th century detective Sherlock Holmes would solve mysteries in today’s modern world. Incorporating familiar technology like forensics, computer hacking and contemporary concerns such

as conspiracy theories and terrorist attacks, the show paints a realistic portrait of a believable Holmes for viewers. The show’s structure is unique to American audiences, featuring three episodes per season with each lasting approximately an hour and a half, which makes the storytelling all the more gripping and cinematic. Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays the titular character, has since gained fame through his roles in Star Trek into Darkness and The Hobbit, no doubt due to his stunning performance as the manic investigator. “Louie” (Three Seasons) With the third season recently added on Netflix, “Louie” follows the misadventures of well-known standup comedian Louis C.K. The show has a downtrodden yet wacky tone, as Louie is captured on camera battling the struggles of middle-aged disillusionment. Cynical Louie is often met with dead ends and short-lived scenarios, all while dealing with being a divorced parent and raising two young daughters. There is little continuity between the episodes and the unconventional style leaves room for “extended vignettes” to run its course with wry toilet humor. Clips of Louie’s standup are inserted throughout each half-hour long episode as a means to parallel a particular storyline. “Bob’s Burgers” (Two Seasons) I know what you’re thinking. A cartoon? Yet “Bob’s Burgers” eschews a smart, frank humor without the vulgarity that is char-

COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Bob’s Burgers, one of the strongest offerings from FOX’s “Animation Domination,” is available for streaming on Netflix.

acteristic of “Family Guy,” “The Simpsons” or “South Park”. Bob and his family, the Belchers, stand alone from these other aforementioned animated sitcoms, and instead capture the fun in dysfunctional, not unlike the Bluths in “Arrested Development.” As for the plot, the Belchers own a grimy burger joint, which is often the central setting for the episode and managed by Mrs. Linda Belcher and the kids: pubescent and insecure Tina, obnoxious Gene and temperamental smartaleck Louise. The three children’s differing personalities, as well as Linda’s cloying nature (her character is voiced by a high-pitched John Roberts, which makes it all

the more fun to watch), make for a surprising treat, enjoyable even for adults. “Top of the Lake” (One Season) This Sundance TV thriller is full of twists and turns as the seven-episode series explores the mysterious circumstances of a pregnant 12-year-old girl named Tui from Laketop, New Zealand. After a suicide attempt, Tui is taken in by the police and later flees. Investigations later turn to her father, who is the leader of an intricate drug ring. Robin Griffin (Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men”), is the show’s protagonist as a detective who handles child-abuse cases. Beneath the drive to solve

the case, the show features a lot of mythological and spiritual elements that generate a chilling mood. Gender identity is also a running theme, explored through a women’s “camp” that functions alongside the lake in which Tui attempted to drown herself during the first episode. Fans of “American Horror Story” will consume all the episodes and finish with more questions than answers. Warning: Brace yourself for some heavy duty New Zealand accents and a hefty dose of nudity. Honorable Mention Grab Bag: “Freaks and Geeks”, “Fringe”, “Archer”, “New Girl”, “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, “The OC” and “Hey, Arnold!”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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November 20, 2013

Editor’s Pick: The Village Vanguard By ELIZABETH ZANGHI

FET Presents: Fargo When: Thursday, Nov. 21-Saturday, Nov. 23 What time: 8 p.m. Where: The Blackbox in Collins Auditorium Price: Free This weekend, FET will stage its production of the Coen brothers’ Fargo in the Blackbox in Collins Auditorium. The production was adapted for the by Michael McCarville and Nicholas Pappas, both FCRH ‘14, and features a great cast of FET’s best and brightest playing the characters that populate the tragic world of Jerry Lundegaard. Admission is free, and it promises to be a production you will not want to miss.

PHOTO EDITOR

I don’t typically like to spend more than $10 when I go downtown. Usually the subway fare is enough to make me cringe. But I spend over $30 when I go to the Village Vanguard, and it’s worth every penny. The Village Vanguard is a jazz club in the West Village, and it has served the jazz community for almost 80 years. From the outside, it’s nothing fancy. It even looks a tad like Mugz’s, but the red awning with plain, white block letters is iconic because of the long tradition it has of creating jazz history. In the past, important musicians such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Bill Evans and even Harry Belafonte performed there, and today the world’s best and brightest jazzers make regular stops at the Vanguard during their tours. I don’t blame them, because it is virtually the most musicianfriendly jazz performance space in the country. First of all, the village’s architecture is haphazard; the basement, where the club is located is shaped like a weird, isosceles triangle. This shape makes for better acoustics (even better than in your shower), so every listener experiences an intimate sound. Each listener is also forced to be completely engaged in the music, because the club does not serve food. The Village Vanguard website makes it very clear that the focus of the listeners should be listening. “During performances,

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

The inconspicuous Vanguard has housed myriad jazz legends.

QUIET IS ENFORCED,” it says, “We’re a jazz club, not a chat room.” So no live tweeting allowed. If you’re not that into jazz, and you think this sounds boring, it’s not. Each 90 minute set is guaranteed to blow your mind. I especially recommend going on Monday nights when the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra plays. They create a wall of sound that you will be hard pressed to find mimicked anywhere else. The last time I heard them play, I felt butterflies in my stomach the entire time. I also saw one of my favorite bands there, The Bad Plus, and it changed my life forever. I know this last paragraph has as many clichés as a Katy Perry album, but it’s the cold, hard truth. I’m sure after reading all of this,

you might be wondering, “Am I cool enough to go to the Village Vanguard?” Answer: not quite, but you should go anyway. You’ll feel super sophisticated even though you’ll be sitting in a dank, puke-green basement that kind of smells like moth balls. Plus, you’ll go up 10 cool points, maybe 15 if you order a cool drink. If you bring your crush, you’ll probably get a second date. And is it a good place to take someone from out of town? Definitely. They’ll feel like a genuine jazz connoisseur in the real New York City. I promise, it’s worth the $25 or $30 cover and one drink minimum. I think Sara Vaughn said it best in her timeless rendition of All of Me: “Doo bee doo be doo bee wa, ba ba ba za bobadoo ba.”

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

Union Square Holiday Market When: Nov. 21-Dec. 24 What time: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily Where: Union Square Price: Free to browse More than 100 red-and-white booths will fill Union Square Park for its 20th-annual holiday market. You will find plenty of affordable quality items, so your wallet—and your family— will thank you. — COMPILED BY JACK MACGREGOR ASSISTANT ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Send tips, event listings or comments to fordhamramculture@gmail.com.

Dining Out: Artichoke Basille Pizza By JENA JOHANSON STAFF WRITER

After hearing multiple friends talk about how artichoke pizza is unlike any other slice of pizza, I decided to give it a try. Being from Brooklyn, I consider myself lucky to have been able to indulge in a vast array of different types of pizza, arguably some of the best in all of the tri-state area. That being said, I also absolutely hate artichokes, so I did not really know what to expect when I went to Artichoke Basille’s Pizza. It was around 3:30 a.m. on the day after Halloween, and the line was probably 30 people deep and wound out the door. My stomach was aching with hunger, so I decided to sit inside and order a pie with my friends rather than wait for a slice in the long line. The waitress said the wait for an artichoke pie was about 30 minutes but the rest of the pies would be ready in five. We ordered a margarita pie to pick on while we waited for the artichoke pie to come. It was OK, but not great. The crust was fairly crispy, the cheese was relatively fresh, the sauce had good flavor, and it was topped with oil, fresh basil, and salt. The price of a slice is $4 and a pie is $28. I probably would not order a $4 slice of mediocre pizza again, although the portion was generous. If you are the type of person that likes to

JENA JOHANSON/THE RAM

Mamma Mia! A full pie at Artichoke Basille Pizza costs between $25 - $30. It’s an expensive pricetag, but could feed a college student for a weekend.

fold a crispy slice of pizza in half, I would not recommend the margarita. It is not the typical New York City fold-and-go type of slice because it caves toward the center. If you are the type that likes a crunchy slice, I recommend you order a grandma pie fresh out of the oven; it is absolutely worth the wait. Nothing could prepare me for what I was about to experience when the artichoke pie was ready. Picture fluffy crust, butter and cheese — a mass of gooey, gluttonous goodness. The pizza was unreal. I do not even like arti-

chokes and each bite was better than the next. Fair warning: the portions are gigantic and the pizza is undeniably sloppy. I would not recommend coming here with someone you do not feel comfortable sitting across from while cheese and butter drip all over your hands and face. The pizza is made with a butter and wine sauce and is filled with cheese, artichokes and spinach, then baked into an extra thick pie. The New York Times called the artichoke slice “as oily as the strategic petroleum reserve” and “the

size of a manhole cover on a crust so thick and sturdy it stands rigid even under a blanket of mozzarella,” and that is the truth. One slice is enough to hold a person over for the next two meals. I do not recommend coming here weekly, as it might induce cardiac arrest; however, I think everyone should give it a try. For $5 a slice and $30 for an artichoke pie, customers are given what they pay for, a rarity in New York City. The location I visited (there are two other NYC locations) is on 328 E. 14th St.

Delivery hours (Sunday to Saturday) are 11 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. Make sure to keep in mind that Artichoke Basille’s Pizza offers limited seating and accepts only cash. Overall Location Food Quality Atmosphere Hospitality Price $ (Out of 4

’s)

Interested in writing restaurant and food reviews? Email: fordhamramculture@gmail.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Novermber 20, 2013

Page 13

WHO’S THAT KID? ELLE CLARKE CRANE A MEMBER OF FCRH ’16 MAJOR: COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES HOMETOWN: AVON, CONN. Describe yourself in a couple of sentences for the readers. I love people. I love pugs. I love Pugsley’s. I love performing. I love alliteration. What is your favorite aspect of Fordham and why? I would say the people. Before coming to Fordham, I anticipated that everyone would be similar, but there is a great deal of diversity. Not necessarily just racial diversity, but also diversity in people’s backgrounds, where they come from and their interests. You meet so many people who are different from yourself, and I really love that about Fordham. If there was one thing about Fordham you could change what would it be? I would say the laundry rooms, because last week ours caught on fire. #Finlay What is your favorite thing to do in New York City? I really just love to go into the city and eat. There are so many restaurants, and I love to try different kinds of foods, so exploring the food of the city is definitely my favorite thing. What is something about you that not many people know? I have a frightening obsession with Apolo Anton Ohno. It’s actually probably disturbing how in love with him I am. For those that don’t know, he’s a speed skater and the most decorated winter Olympian, not to brag

or anything. I’ve read his autobiography three times and have his life size Gap ad on my wall at home. OK, I’ll stop now. What is your favorite class at Fordham? I would say philosophical ethics. And I know that’s lame because it’s a core requirement, but I really love my professor. I have Clayton Bohnet, and he’s the first professor at Fordham that has really made a course interesting and engaging, especially since philosophy is not a course I would normally enjoy. What is a personal goal you already have or would like to accomplish over your four years here? I would love to actually release an album with my band. So guys, let’s hurry this up. What show, food, artist or movie would you consider your “guilty pleasure”? As a proud employee of Ben & Jerry’s, I would say my guilty pleasure is ice cream. I eat a pint a day (yikes), and it is glorious. Wait, no, I don’t feel guilty about that, so I guess it doesn’t count. “Gossip Girl,” definitely “Gossip Girl.” What is your favorite movie and why? That’s such a hard one because there are so many different types of movies to choose from. I would say Zoolander though. I’ve watched it a million times, and it is a classic. What is your favorite album re-

Karen Hill

ELIZABETH ZANGHI/THE RAM

In a room with a stage? There’s a very high chance that Elle is lurking nearby.

leased in 2013? Well, that album with my band, hopefully. I’M LOOKING AT YOU GUYS. Also, we’re called Bright Red Cardinal. Check us out on Facebook. Do you have plans, career or otherwise, for post-college life? I try not to look too far ahead, but I know I’ll be in New York City. What activities, clubs, projects or organizations are you involved with at school? I am the freshman representative on the executive board for The Mimes and Mummers, the mainstage theater troupe. I am also an ac-

tive member of F.E.T., participating in their shows, as well as being a member of their spoken word umbrella group, The Verbal Essences. I am also a member of Fordham’s only jazz co-ed a capella group, The Hot Notes. If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring with you? My lil bros, cause they’re the best, and at least I’d have an entertaining time. If you could go back to your first day at Fordham, what advice would you give yourself? Don’t go to Tri-Bar in heels.

A Complex Greek Tragedy, Starkly Staged By JOHN BONAZZO STAFF WRITER

For the production of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, the Theatrical Outreach Program (TOP) trimmed away all the frills and gave this classically tragic story room to breathe. This production did not give the audience a ‘complex.’ Instead, thanks to shrewd directorial and design choices and intense acting, its message came through clearer and the playwright’s words rang even truer. At the play’s beginning, King Oedipus is scrambling to find the murderer of Laius, his predecessor, so as to save his land from plague. He ignores his advisors, brother-in-law Creon and blind prophet Tiresias, who insist that finding the murderer will be Oedipus’ undoing. Oedipus is also dealing with the prophecy that sent him from his homeland, which states that he will couple with his mother and kill his father. This worries him, since he once killed a robber who matched Laius’ description. A shepherd then arrives, saying that the man who raised Oedipus is dead but that this man was not his father. Thus, it is revealed that Laius is his father, and his wife Jocasta is the mother who gave him up. She kills herself and Oedipus blinds himself, providing a grim conclusion to this dark tale. Directors Bobby Dallas, GSB ’14, and Vincent Pellizzi, GSB ’15, staged the show sparingly, letting the story

and the actors telling it take center stage. Their decision to have the audience seated onstage heightened the immediacy and made the audience feel like a part of the production. There was no set, save for a scrim at the back of the stage. This too put the focus on the words. The use of modern dress brought the story to the present day, while keeping with the show’s overall vision; it is easier to take Oedipus seriously in a suit than in Greek finery. One technical element of import was the lighting. In most cases it was

used sparingly, to make the show darker and more threatening. However, at strategic moments the lights took on a blood-red hue, echoing the bloody action on stage. Also, at one point the entire stage was in pitch darkness, foreshadowing the sinister events that would occur when the lights came up. The actors delivered their long strings of dialogue with perfect emotion. David Schillinger, FCRH ’16, was a wonderfully tortured Oedipus; he brought forth the pain of this tragic hero and his awful fall from grace. Rachel Sternlicht, FCRH ’17, put

VINCENT PELLIZZI/THE RAM

The cast and crew of TOP’s latest theatrical offering, Oedipus Rex.

Jocasta’s tenderness front and center at the play’s beginning and switched effortlessly to great sadness once the secret was revealed. Christiana Shovlin, FCRH ’16, took on a male role and conveyed the conflicted emotions of the unfairly accused Creon with grace. Fellow gender-bender Jane Skapek, FCRH ’16, played the grim double bill of Tiresias and the shepherd and laid bare their alternately dark and lighthearted spirits. John Murray, FCRH ’16, as a priest who advises Oedipus, delivered two great monologues at the beginning and toward the end of the play. A three-person Greek chorus rounded out the cast, commenting on Oedipus’ awful situation with great emotion. TOP’s Oedipus Rex put this dark show in a new light, presenting the play at its core and dispelling any preconceived notions. It may not be a lighthearted work, but presented this well it does give a jolt of theatrical joy The creative team reflected on how it retrofitted this classic work for today’s audience. In their directors’ note, Dallas and Pellizzi said their mission was to present the show with “a more modern approach in the acting and style.” This choice was made “to increase the strength of Sophocles’ writing,” Dallas later said. “We made our take much more intimate so the language and the strength of our actors would take precedence.”

Love is one of the few things easier done than said. By that I mean that it is easy to feel like you are in love with someone, but the idea of confessing your sentiments is daunting. “Love” is a tricky thing that is always confused with lust and infatuation. I cannot say I know much about true love, but I know plenty about the latter. Often, college students get caught up playing house and think spending all the time in the world together is love. Let me be the first to say it’s not. Love means something different to everyone, but one thing remains the same: you are there for that person unconditionally, which is not synonymous with being with that person constantly. A common misconception is that people in love never fight. That is an utter fallacy. Fighting on occasion is a healthy way to express emotion. Arguments and disagreements handled well are a sign of maturity. Often couples who don’t fight are not comfortable around each other and do not trust that their relationship can handle confrontation. Avoiding fights often leads to constant bickering, which isn’t any healthier. While being able to handle fights may be a sign of love, it does not mean that a fight is a good time to drop the L word for the first time. You don’t use “love” as a plea to keep someone around. That also goes for being intimate with someone. You don’t tell someone you are in love just to get what you what. If you are going to tell someone you love him or her, my advice is that you should be in a good mood and fully clothed. I’d assume that you know it is love when you wake up and go to bed with a smile on your face, despite the problems you might have faced throughout the day. You cannot possibly know you love someone until you have your first fight or deal with some sort of issue, such as spending time apart or helping your partner through a rough patch. As happy as you might be, you are never fully content until you know your partner is happy too. Love comes with a certain kind of selflessness. Recognizing this in your relationship for the first time is easy. Being that happy feels good and natural. Telling someone “I love you” for the first time is exhilarating, but it will come with some apprehension. It is a big step in a relationship. As scary as it may be to tell your first love how you feel, you should be equally as apprehensive — if not more — when you think you are falling head over heels again. If you don’t watch out, you might break yourself falling so hard for so many people. Regardless, if you feel it, do not be afraid to put yourself out there. Possibly, the biggest fear is that you won’t hear “I love you, too” in return. Sometimes those words are met with a smile, a kiss or even just silence. Those three little words encompass so many emotions that it is not easy to process right away. You might not hear “I love you” back in a split second or even for a couple weeks. Trust me when I say that is normal. The best kind of love is mutual, so hearing those words is worth the wait.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 14

November 20, 2013

Ram Reviews

A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder Theater Review

COURTESY OF FLICKR

By JAMES DEMETRIADES STAFF WRITER

The first half of this Broadway season is off to a rough start. Musicals like Big Fish and First Date

failed to win the acclaim that so many shows desire, and both will close by the beginning of January. The season has also had its bombs, including Soul Doctor and Let It Be, which both failed to run

a full month. Opening this past Sunday night at the Walter Kerr Theatre, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is a smashingly funny musical that gives a breath of fresh air to the otherwise dim season. Gentleman’s Guide is a transplant from successful regional productions, first at San Diego’s Old Globe and then at Hartford Stage. The musical, based on Roy Horniman’s novel, Israel Rank, follows Monty Navarro (Bryce Pinkham) a Victorian-era commoner who discovers he is the ninth in line for the Earldom of Highhurst. He resolves that in order to woo his love, Sibella (Lisa O’Hare) and win the earldom, he must kill the eight relatives standing in his way. All eight of these kin are played by the wonderful, versatile Jefferson Mays. Mays assumes the identities of these eight relatives in a mad flurry of quick changes and songs, and assumes certain roles in full drag. Interestingly enough, he won his last Tony 10

years ago playing multiple roles in I Am My Own Wife, and is once again generating Tony buzz this season thanks to his new roles. The cast is rounded out by Lauren Worsham, who plays Phoebe, a second love interest of Monty and a cousin of his. They are a perfect balance, with Monty the straight man in a madcap race to eliminate the hilarious Jefferson Mays in every role he assumes. Music by Steven Lutvak and a book by Robert L. Freedman enhance the performance considerably. These are not the kinds of songs you leave the theater humming, but they do what a good musical score should by enhancing the plot. They also act to introduce the audience to each of Jefferson Mays’s characters in the lead-ups to their respective demises, which often correspond with the end of each musical number. Linda Cho and Alexander Dodge designed wonderful period costumes and sets, respectively. Of particular interest is the

show-within-a-show element, which Dodge’s set accomplishes masterfully. Another proscenium is placed on stage, complete with a classic red curtain. Throughout the show, it opens and shuts as it displays interactive sets where Monty Navarro murders Jefferson Mays’s many characters and dances between his two loves. These small vignettes finish soon after they begin, but they have so many details that one could spend twice as long observing their intricacies and still miss some things. Finally, director Darko Tresnjak, who has helmed the show since its out-of-town tryouts, has adapted it to fit perfectly in a larger Broadway venue, compared to the smaller in-theround style of Hartford Stage. Whether your cup of tea is British accents, songs about murder, a man in drag or a juicy love affair, I encourage students to check out the rush tickets, priced at $35, for this fun and charismatic show.

‘Zombie’ by Chuck Palahniuk By DEVON SHERIDAN

Short Story Review

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

At first glance, one could easily mistake Chuck Palahniuk’s new short story, “Zombie,” for being the inventive author’s own take on the renascent zombie/undead genre. Boy, that would be fun, but that assumption would also be incorrect. That does not mean the title is misleading, however, because, as it portends, the content of the story is disturbing. The premise of Palahniuk’s narrative surrounds the inception of a morbid teenage fad in which students at a high school begin using defibrillators to zap brains. The effect: mental retardation. “It’s basically a peel and stick lobotomy,” describes the narrator, a student at the high school. He watches as his classmates, up-

standing students interested in string theory and cheerleading, devolve into drooling mental zombies content with watching Fraggle Rock for the rest of their lives. The motivation behind the teens’ radical choice is one part selfishness and one part nemesism — a terrible fear of a despicably dull and domesticated future. Palahniuk weaves the defibrillator zap fad into the fabric of youth culture; the phenomenon is like a drug fad. “If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?” the narrator’s uncle asks. Albeit extreme, the defibrillator parallels today’s youths’ penchant for escapism, whether it be drugs, Facebook, alcohol or television. Maybe, Palahniuk supposes, pure ignorance is bliss. Is the mean by which the teens achieve

ignorance extreme? Yes, of course. Yet, the ludicrously dark social issue in the story (defibrillating gains quite a lot of traction very quickly) is not only a literary technique (Palahniuk excels at creating intriguing hyperbolic scenarios), but also it is a critique on the extreme ways in which 21st century American society already chooses to numb itself to inner and outer personal problems. Even though “Zombie” is not riddled with moaning undead zombies in search of human flesh, the short story made me recall the “The Walking Dead,” 28 Days Later and all those other zombie dramas. Save for the occasional snort and growl, those zombies look quite content and peaceful when left undisturbed by human racket.

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A Dose of Fashionable Competition:Flash vs. Mode FROM MAGAZINES, PAGE 14

Flash Magazine has fared better. Last semester, Flash published a 28-page issue that had two substantial articles about what to wear to Spring Weekend and to a Great Gatsby-themed Under the Tent event. The issue may not have been as extensive as Mode’s issue, but the articles were indepth, and the images were large enough to enjoy. Flash’s only problem is a failure to clearly show the thematic relation between the bright and happy Spring Weekend feature and the moody Great Gatsby feature. Nonetheless, the issue succeeded spectacularly. Flash published an even more extensive and substantial 79-page issue in the fall semester of last year. Unfortunately,

many of the articles contained redundancies and other mistakes, probably as a result of trying to better fill the pages. Nevertheless, Flash’s first issue certainly felt like a magazine. Despite the differences in publication, both Mode and Flash magazines are great publications for Fordham students. Both are completely student-run, including the photographers, stylists, models, writers, copy editors, and layout designers. Mode especially excels in featuring many students’ personal styles as well as writing content that may interest Fordham students. Although Flash does feature many students’ personal styles on its blog, it excels more at providing Fordham students style inspira-

tion and advice. Flash’s magazine and blog are best at providing suggestions and reviews of things to do in New York City. Having said all that, both periodicals have not been around that long; Each certainly have room to evolve. Both Flash and Mode also invite anyone of any experience level to contribute, but executive board members from both groups have admitted that they have depended largely on their more experienced members to help produce content. “Because of logistics and because we’re not an official club yet, we didn’t have a space to do tutorials that we were hoping to do,” Gagliardi said of Flash, “which is why, unfortunately, now we have to pool from the people who have

experience…rather than being able to use our club as a resource to teach people about it.” Still, both members love working with other students. “Everyone is so talented! It’s crazy,” Flash’s current editor-inchief Mika Kiyono, FCRH ‘15, said. “I really like the collaborative aspect and seeing what everyone comes up with and being amazed by all the talent on campus.” “It’s the most rewarding part,” Gagliardi agreed. One thing that Mode does not have is much of an online presence. Rotello had been the social media executive of Fashion for Philanthropy last year, but she said she is focusing on the print aspect of Mode more than an online presence to make it more per-

sonal to Fordham. Both Flash and Mode magazines publish an issue once per semester. Mode posts Instagrams almost daily, while Flash posts an average of once a week. However, Flash may more successfully garner followers through their blog, which posts every two or three days. Nonetheless, Mode plans on starting an online presence when it has more members and resources. Until both periodicals publish print copies in early December, both Flash and Mode will provide content on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; furthermore, Flash’s blog at flashmagfu.tumblr.com provides short stories, other thoughtful creative writing and pictures to peruse.

November 20, 2013

Sports

Page 15

Swimming Fordham Women Split Against Hofstra and Pacific Competes at ever been a part of,” Gaitley said. “I By MATT ROSENFELD Princeton didn’t see any type of effort from a SPORTS EDITOR

Head coach Stephanie Gaitley and her Rams were back in action, with two games bookending this past weekend. The Friday, Nov. 15 matchup in Hempstead, N.Y. against Hofstra ended in a 77-64 loss, while the matchup on Sunday, Nov. 17 at home against the University of the Pacific saw Fordham’s offense come alive in an 84-63 win. Fordham had its second road game of the year on Friday, traveling to Long Island to take on the Hofstra Pride. Despite a valiant effort from senior guard Erin Rooney, who had a career-high 23 points, the Rams could not overcome Hofstra, which shot 48 percent from the field and had two 20 point scorers. The game started with the two teams trading baskets early in the first half. Fordham led 9-8 five minutes in when Hofstra went on a 9-0 run that gave the Pride a 17-9 lead midway through the half. Hofstra was able to keep Fordham at bay, maintaining its sizable lead for most of the half, even extending it to as much as 13 with a minute remaining in the half. But, Fordham scored the last five points of the first half to cut the lead to eight, leaving the score at 34-26 heading into the locker room. In the second half, Hofstra took over. Fordham was able to cut the lead down to six with 15 minutes to play, but the Hofstra offense could not be stopped. The Pride was able to build its lead up to 16 with a little under eight minutes to play, and never let it get closer than 12 the rest of the way. Senior Anma Onyeuku and junior Andreana Thomas led the way for Hofstra, scoring 23 and 21 points, respectively. “[The Hofstra game] was one of the most disappointing efforts I’ve

defensive end or any type of focus.” In its second game of the weekend, Fordham regained its form and dominated a Pacific team that defeated the Rams 62-40 last year in the team’s worst loss of the season. “This was a huge step for us,” Gaitley said following the 84-63 win. “I knew when we lost to Hofstra, we were going to have our hands full [against Pacific]. This was a big step in the right direction for us.” The Fordham offense was the story all afternoon, as the Rams shot 57 percent from the field and 47 percent from beyond the arc. All five of Fordham’s starters, Rooney, senior Abigail Corning, junior Emily Tapio, who had a career-high 17 points, sophomore Samantha Clark and freshman Hannah Missry had double-digit points. It was the second time in four games that the Rams scored 80 or more points. Fordham jumped out to an 8-2 lead only two minutes into the game. Pacific hung with the Rams for a large part of the first half, staying within five with the help of some three-pointers and a lot of Fordham fouls. Six points from Tapio then helped extend the Fordham lead to 13 with a little more than six minutes left in the half. Pacific cut the lead to 10 with three minutes to go, but in classic Fordham fashion, the Rams closed the half strong on an 11-2 run to take a 45-26 lead into halftime. “We’ve had a couple of hard last two games and been in a bit of a scoring drought,” Rooney said. “Coach just told me to be a bit more aggressive without getting my number called.” The second half saw more of the same explosive Fordham offense. The Rams started the second half on a 13-4 run, pushing the lead up

By DREW CASEY STAFF WRITER

ALLY WHITE/THE RAM

Erin Rooney recorded her second double-double of the season against Pacific.

to 28 only five minutes into the half. Rooney continued to lead the offense. She finished the game tying her career-high in points with 23, as well as grabbing 10 rebounds to secure a double-double. Fordham’s defense, which had struggled to this point in the season, would not let up. The Rams kept the Tigers down by at least 21 for the remainder of the game. “I think the kids get that defense can be fun if you take pride on defense,” Gaitley said. “This effort was outstanding, it was one of the better efforts I’ve seen from our team.” Tapio’s career high in points was another big outcome from the game. The forward from Brewster, N.Y. had struggled offensively this year, but

this game could be remembered as her breakout performance. “This game feels like it’s been a long time coming,” Tapio said, smiling ear to ear, after the game. Gaitley was also impressed with Tapio. “I’ve been on Emily and she takes it personal, she takes the challenge to heart,” Gaitley said. “She was extremely focused in this game and you could tell from the first few moves that she was going to establish herself inside and go to the basket. I thought she did a terrific job.” Fordham continues its homestand on Friday, Nov. 22, when it takes on the Yale Bulldogs in the Rose Hill Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Water Polo Receives At-Large Berth for CWPA Championship By BETSY BOEHLER STAFF WRITER

The Fordham water polo team faced Brown, Connecticut College and Iona in Cambridge, Mass. last week at the CWPA Northern Division Championship. The Rams split the first day of the weekend with a loss against third-seeded Brown and a win over Connecticut. In game one, senior Ben Clinkinbeard and junior Ori Raz both had two goals, while sophomore Patrick Lenihan had one, completing the scoring for the Rams. The team fell short and the game ended 9-5, Brown. Despite the loss in the morning, Fordham came out strong in game two against Connecticut. The Rams’ goals came from across the board, with seven different players contributing to the 13-4 win. Raz led with three, followed by two apiece from senior Nick Allen, junior Eric Minowitz and sophomores Andrew Gonzalez and Peter Bergum. Lenihan and fellow sophomore Bobby Wurtz completed the scoring. Junior goalie Noah LeBeau had six saves and allowed two goals, while sophomores Patrick Harrigan and Sean Sullivan saw some action in net as well. Harrigan had two

saves and an assist. In the last game of the championship, Fordham lost to Iona in a nailbiter. The match went into overtime when the Rams tied the game at 10 in the fourth quarter after being down by four. However, in overtime the Gaels overcame the Rams and scored two goals to Fordham’s one. Allen and Raz each had three goals, and Lenihan and freshman R.J. Simmons had two, while Gonzalez had the final marker for Fordham. LeBeau had 10 saves in goal. Ori Raz, the Rams’ top scorer, left the game with a shoulder injury, so it is unknown if he will be well enough for this coming weekend. “We don’t want to exacerbate the injury and potentially hurt his chances of healing by next season” Fordham head coach Bill Harris said. Last Wednesday, the seeds for the CWPA Championship were announced. This year, the championship expanded to a 12-team tournament, leaving a number of at-large berths available. Luckily, the Rams were able to secure the final seed and will face their well-known opponent, Brown, in the first match. Brown is seeded fifth overall in the tournament, but Fordham faced

the Bears numerous times this season and is looking for a big upset on Friday. “It’s not what happened in the first quarter, it’s not what will happen at the end of the game, it’s about what’s happening in the moment,” Harris said. This is Fordham’s third at-large berth in the past five seasons. “I am happy to send the seniors out with a bang.” Harris said, “They haven’t made the tournament since their freshman year, so this is a nice way to go out.”

The top six teams were based on the top three teams from the Northern and Southern Championships, while the fourth and fifth place finishers were from the Southern Division and were mixed into the seeding with the at-large berths between numbers 7-12. The four at-large picks were the four best teams from the remaining 11 programs chosen by the Varsity Governance Council. The Rams will play Brown at Cambridge again Friday, Nov. 22.

ALLY WHITE/THE RAM

If the Rams beat Brown in their first-round matchup, they will play Bucknell.

After nearly two weeks off from competition, the Fordham swimming and diving team competed at the Princeton Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15 and 16. The meet did not have team scoring and allowed for extended individual participation by the swimmers from Princeton, Lehigh and Fordham. Princeton dominated the pool, winning 32 of the 36 swimming events and sweeping the four diving events. Despite this control by the home team, Fordham was still able to post very respectable times. “The team performed very well under little pressure since points weren’t being scored,” senior cocaptain Kara Field said. “People just naturally swam fast and dove well.” The top performers for Fordham at the state-of-the-art DeNunzio Pool were freshman Megan Polaha and sophomore Steve Sholdra. Polaha continued to shine, touching the wall first in two events. She won the 400-yard individual medley in 4:28.45 and triumphed over the field in 200-yard butterfly in 2:03.28. The Pennsylvania native came up just short in the abridged versions of those events. Polaha was third in both the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard butterfly. Sholdra took home first place honors in the men’s 1650-yard freestyle in 15:42.58, almost 15 seconds faster than the second place finisher. He was also second-best in the shorter 500-yard freestyle. “The younger classmen are really stepping up and performing where we need them to be,” senior co-captain Shannon Jones said when asked about the performance of the team’s youth thus far. “They are a great addition to the team, and I am excited to see the impact on the team’s performance at A-10’s [Atlantic 10 Conference Championship].” The Rams also had three other swimmers who placed second in events. Freshman Kalena Laurent took second place in the 200-yard butterfly behind Polaha and was also second best in the 200-yard freestyle. Junior Kelly Carroll was second in the 100-yard breaststroke and senior Shintaro Noguchi was second in 100-yard butterfly. The format of the Princeton Invitational allowed many swimmers from the Fordham team to compete in multiple events, some of which they would not normally swim, and challenged their stamina in a still competitive setting. The team will compete at the three-day Bucknell Invitational this weekend and will get a taste of what the A-10 Championship will be like in February. “The meet is motivation to continue hard training over the break, and also provides a brief glimpse of how the A-10 Championships will be run since it is a prelim/final meet,” Field said. “The team should want to make it back to finals in their events.” Following the Bucknell Invitational, the team will host Manhattan on Dec. 4 at the Colonel Francis B. Messmore Aquatic Center.

SPORTS

Page 16

Nfl Blog

Geno’s Rough Weekend By ERIC MOLLO STAFF WRITER

Three interceptions, a lost fumble and a seat on the bench: some days are better than others for Jets quarterback Geno Smith. The rookie’s 8:16 touchdown-tointerception ratio leaves much to be desired for a second-rounder who threw just six picks in his senior year of college. He’s leading an offense that has scored the second-fewest offensive touchdowns in the league in 2014. In spite of Smith’s recent play, he’s thrown eight interceptions compared to just one touchdown since Week Six, some Jets’ fans are questioning his benching Sunday. It wasn’t a matter of benching Geno for poor play: everyone knew he was the worst player on the field. It’s a matter of confidence, and something Jets fans have seen before. Are the Jets dissolving the prospects of another young quarterback that has showed promise a la Mark Sanchez? Just the opposite. Geno Smith’s benching on Sunday will ultimately give the rookie quarterback confidence as the season goes on and was not a detrimental moment to his future as the Jets’ starter. Many people say that Geno shouldn’t have taken a seat because, as a rookie, he needs to get the experience of playing and enduring struggle. Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and Matthew Stafford, to name a few examples, all struggled starting as rookies, were never benched and are now franchise quarterbacks. On top of that, fans have watched Mark Sanchez’s career spiral downward after the Jets sporadically expressed confidence in him and they don’t want the same to happen for Geno. While Geno does need to get experience, Sunday was not the type of experience he needed. Playing through adversity can be helpful, but also hurtful. He was injured early on in the game and failed to establish any sort of rhythm with his receivers, which led to him throwing some of the most headscratching interceptions we’ve seen all season. In this sort of situ-

ation, a quarterback, especially a young one who has little experience playing against the speed of NFL defenses, doesn’t need to endure 60 minutes of a complete downward spiral of play. Three interceptions and a fumble were enough to show him that it wasn’t his day. Like a struggling pitcher in baseball, Geno needed to be removed from the game so that he could reestablish confidence off the field in order to return to the field renewed and aware of his previous mistakes. If the Jets played him for all four quarters Sunday, Geno’s play would have only gotten worse and he would have little confidence going into Week 12. The Jets are taking the right steps to help Smith grow as a pro quarterback and regain his confidence, benching him was a part of this process. They first gave him a vote of confidence Monday by naming him the starter for Week 12, reinforcing the notion that this is Geno’s team. But more importantly, the team isn’t trying to change Geno’s style of play. One of the things that caused Mark Sanchez to lose any sort of belief in his game was when the Jets tried to control how he played the quarterback position. They implemented a “red light, green light” strategy where they’d let Sanchez throw deep only on plays when they told him he could, and it completely backfired, making Sanchez more indecisive and putting a sour end to his Jets career. The Jets learned from their mistakes, however, and have said they are not going to change Geno’s style of play. He may be struggling, but they know that he needs to make decisions for himself to improve his play, and they’re allowing him to do just that. It will pay them dividends in the future as Geno takes steps to learn from his mistakes and complete more difficult throws one to two years down the line. A trip to the bench is a confidence drainer for all players, but for Geno Smith a benching was just the type of adversity he needed to face in order to turn his play around in 2014.

November 20, 2013

Varsity Scores & Stats

Football Fordham 0 7 0 7 14 Lafayette 10 7 7 3 27 (FOR) P. Maetzold 305yds 2TD (FOR) C. Koonce 98yds (LU) R. Scheuerman 169yds (LU) D. Reed 239yds TD

Men’s Basketball Fordham 21 53 74 Syracuse 46 43 89 (FOR) B. Frazier 33pts 5rebs (FOR) J. Severe 19pts 2asts (SU) C. Fair 26pts 6rebs (SU) J. Grant 16pts 10rebs

Women’s Basketball Fordham 26 38 64 Hofstra 34 43 77 (FOR) E. Rooney 23pts 9rebs (FOR) A. Corning 11pts 7rebs (HOF) A. Thomas 21pts 5asts (HOF) A. Payton 11pts 2asts

Lehigh 44 28 72 Fordham 41 39 80 (LU) M. McKnight 31pts 5rebs (LU) C. Schaefer 13pts 5rebs (FOR) B. Frazier 24pts 11rebs (FOR) M. Thomas 18pts 13rebs

Squash Fordham Bard College

9 0

Fordham Swarthmore

4 5

Fordham Siena

9 0

NYU Fordham

8 1

Men’s Cross Country NCAA East Regional Volleyball J. Annelli 78th-31:55.6 19 27 25 25 3 M. Turi 108th-32:21.1 Pacific 26 37 63 Fordham 25 25 20 13 1 Fordham 45 39 84 LaSalle (FOR) L. Hipp 14 kills Women’s Cross Country (UP) K. Moore 20pts 4stls NCAA East Regional (UP) K. Kenyon 10pts 5rebs (LAS) J. Whelan 12 kills A. Arsenault 94th-22:15.4 (FOR) E. Rooney 23pts 5asts Fordham 15 20 19 0 C. Vivinetto 124th-22:32.5 (FOR) E. Tapio 17pts 4asts Rhode Island 25 25 25 3 (FOR) C. Thompson 9 kills (URI) F. Darnold 11 kills

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

Branden Frazier

Megan Polaha

Senior

Freshman

Basketball

Swimming

Frazier poured in 57 points in two games last week. He registered a double-double in the Rams’ win over Lehigh, totaling 24 points and 11 rebounds, while dishing out six assists.

Polaha was named the Atlantic 10 Performer of the Week after winning two events and posting five season best times last weekend at the Princeton Invitational.

News & Notes

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

The adversity Geno Smith faced this past weekend will help him in the long run.

• Fordham football has dropped in both polls following its first loss of the season. The Rams are now No. 11 in the FCS Coaches’ Poll and No. 12 in the Sports Network Poll. • The women’s basketball team announced two signings to the class of 2018. The Rams have signed Aaliyah Jones (Brooklyn, N.Y./Murray Bergtraum) and G’Mrice Davis (Philadelphia, Pa./Girard College). Jones, the reigning New York Daily News Player of the Year, is the No. 24 point guard in the country according to ESPN. Davis averaged 20 points and six rebounds a game for Girard College last season. • Fordham football alumnus John Skelton signed his third NFL contract of the year. Skelton signed with the Tennessee Titans and will likely compete with Rusty Smith to be Ryan Fitzpatrick’s backup. • The Atlantic 10 named freshman Andrew Hickey to the men’s soccer AllRookie Team last week. Hickey tied for the team lead in goals and points and started all 15 games he appeared in.

SPORTS

November 20, 2013

Squash Goes 2-1 At Bard, Drops Finale at Home By MATTHEW MICHAELS STAFF WRITER

On a weekend packed with matches, the Fordham squash team had a great opportunity to show its skill. Overall, the weekend proved to be a success. The Rams split their four matches while playing well throughout. Saturday brought the Bard Round Robin, an event where Fordham faced three familiar opponents. Bard and Siena were easy competition for the men in maroon, but facing Swarthmore was a much more formidable task. Fordham swept Bard, and the Rams only lost one game the entire matchup. Fordham’s No. 4 player, freshman Jimmy Shinnick, was defeated in the second game of his match against Bard. He came back to win the next two and take the set 3-1. Every other player overmatched his Bard counterpart in three games. With a 9-0 victory already under its belt, Fordham sought continued dominance over Swarthmore. Although it was a closely contested battle, the Rams were ultimately defeated 4-5. After losing to his challenger in the first game, No. 1 Kincade Webster stepped up and rallied to win his next three games 11-7, 1210 and 11-7. No. 2 sophomore Jeremy Keller struck for a three game sweep of his opponent. No. 3 and No. 4 for the Rams, sophomore Paul Monaghan and Shinnick respectively, each fought valiantly but fell short in five games. Monaghan’s loss was especially bitter after leading by two

games and then not being able to finish off Swarthmore’s player. The last three games of his match, 11-8, 11-9, 13-11, were close but not enough in the end. After capturing games two and four, game five was knotted at 10 points for Shinnick. He dropped the next two points and thus the match. With the top four players splitting, Fordham’s other players would need to be precise. No. 5 and No. 6 for Fordham, juniors Ross Garlick and Carlos Ortiz, both went down, but sophomore Matthew Crowe returned from losing his first two games to become victorious in the seventh spot. At the eighth position, senior Raymond Chen came up short in four games, after an extended 15-13 third game. No. 9, sophomore James Potts, swept his three games, but Fordham came just shy, losing to Swarthmore 4-5. “It was a tough loss,” Potts said of his team’s defeat. “We could have won. We should have put a

few matches away, and we could’ve [won].” Fortunately, Fordham bounced back against Siena and completed its second sweep of the day. Eight of the nine players won their individual matches using just the minimum three games. The Rams came back home to play NYU on Sunday for their first home match of the season. Initially a very competitive match, Fordham became unwound by the consistent, tough fight put up by the Bobcats. The match seemed much closer than the final score of 8-1 would suggest. The one bright spot for Fordham was Monaghan’s strong play; he dominated in his three games. In a set tied at 1-1, Ortiz overturned a 9-7 deficit and by scoring the next four points, took the victory 11-9. During the forced fifth game, Ortiz and the NYU player battled fiercely, but Ortiz did not have enough to go home victorious.

ALLY WHITE/THE RAM

Fordham has a long layoff before the Virginia Tournament on Jan. 24.

Page 17

Rams Run at NCAA Regionals By BRYAN KIEL STAFF WRITER

The Fordham cross country team ran on Saturday at the NCAA East Regional against 37 other teams from all across the Northeast region. The men’s team went up against the likes of top-ranked teams in the NCAA, including seventh-ranked Iona, eighth-ranked Columbia and 14th-ranked Syracuse. Providence won the women’s race, placing five runners in the top 20 and easily beating out second place Dartmouth by 40 points. The men placed 24th overall, racing seven team members at Van Cortlandt Park. Junior Jonathan Annelli, who has consistently been one of Fordham’s top runners this season, came in first for the Rams and 78th overall with a time of 31:55 on the 10k course. Sophomore Mike Turi came in 25 seconds later with a time of 32:21. The men’s competition was very tough this year and, though Fordham entered Van Cortlandt with experience, there was little chance of beating some of the best cross country teams in the nation. Ultimately, Fordham faced five other teams that received a bid for nationals this Saturday. The women faced similarly tough competition against nationally ranked opponents on Saturday. Fordham’s first finisher was Senior Anisa Arsenault, who came in 94th overall with a time of 22:15 on the six kilometer course at Van Cortlandt. Senior Christina Vivinetto

followed just 17 seconds behind with a time of 22:32, taking the 124th position. Missing top runner Sarah Glockenmeier, Fordham’s next two finishers were a pair of freshmen, Brianne Roche and Ariana Bottalico. The two finished just seven seconds apart with times of 23:08 and 23:15, respectively. The women’s competition featured second-ranked Providence College as well as 12th-ranked Dartmouth and 19th-ranked Syracuse. As the cross country team winds down its season with one more competition, the team has definitely put in a lot of work this past fall getting to where it is now. “Personally, it took me a while to get used to the training; I think I’m still adjusting to it.” Bottalico said. “But I learned a lot and am realizing that it’s all manageable — it just takes time.” Roche echoed similar words in regards to her first few months as a Ram. “I am really happy to say that I think all aspects of my transition have gone very well so far.” With indoor track starting soon, the freshman will look to different training methods and changing weather as challenges for the next season. “Track and cross country are two different sports and so one’s training and race strategies are different too,” Roche said. “That will take a little time to adjust to.” The final cross country event for Fordham, the ECAC championships, will take place this Saturday at Van Cortlandt Park.

Have a Car? Be our Dist ibution Manager! $550.00 per semester Contact managingeditor@fordhamram.com

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Kearns’ Kickoff With just six weeks remaining in the NFL season, many division races are essentially over. However, over 20 of the league’s 32 teams still have playoff hopes. In a division with big name quarterbacks like Eli Manning, Robert Griffin III and Tony Romo, the first place Philadelphia Eagles have Nick Foles under center. The 6-5 Eagles have won three straight games and are improving on both sides of the ball. The Cowboys are lurking at 5-5, and their dangerous offense could burn the Eagles in a Week 17 showdown. If either team slips up, the surging Giants could steal the division despite a horrendous 0-6 start. New York’s defense has excelled in recent weeks, and they can improve to 5-6 with a home victory over Dallas this Sunday. Finally, Washington’s defense has been so atrocious that I can write them off. With the exception of the Vikings, the NFC North has featured several of the most intriguing teams and storylines in football. The Detroit Lions sit at 6-4 and have an excellent chance at earning a rare division title. Detroit notched signature wins over the Cowboys and Bears in recent weeks and has the incomparable Calvin Johnson at receiver. Chicago is tied for the division lead, but concerns about a pedestrian defense and Jay Cutler’s health make the Bears a flawed contender. Amazingly, the Packers trail both teams at 5-5 and have lost three straight since Aaron Rodgers injured his collarbone, but if Rodgers returns soon, the Packers can conquer the NFC North. Many people expect the 49ers and Panthers to capture NFC wild card berths, but several teams could spoil these plans. Since the Saints and Panthers are legitimate teams, I expect the division loser to earn a wild card berth. That means the 6-4 squads (Niners, Cardinals, Bears, Lions) will fight for the other spot. My Niners must be considered with their favorable schedule and experience. Nonetheless, the Arizona Cardinals must be acknowledged thanks to their relentless defense and improved offense. If Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu continue to buoy Arizona’s elite defense, a Week 17 home clash with San Francisco may determine a playoff berth. The sixth and 14th place AFC teams are separated by just 1.5 games, so prepare for a wacky finish and plenty of tiebreaker scenarios. The Jets and Dolphins are 5-5, while a seven squad peloton has four wins each. Nine wins will be enough to clinch the sixth seed, but I’m not sure if anyone in the bunch will do that. The Jets have two games against the Dolphins and home games against the Raiders and Browns, so they have the best chance to reach nine wins. Of the four-win bunch, I expect the Ravens, Bills and Steelers to finish strong while the Chargers, Raiders and Titans fade away. I leave you with my regular season predictions. Aaron Rodgers will return on Thanksgiving and rally the Packers to the NFC North crown. Nick Foles will lead the Eagles to the playoffs. The Panthers and 49ers will get the NFC wild cards and the Ravens will edge the Jets and Steelers for the final AFC spot. — Dominic Kearns

SPORTS

November 20, 2013

Senior Profile: Shintaro Noguchi Deuce’s Wild

ELIZABETH ZANGHI/THE RAM

Last year, Noguchi was a four time Atlantic10 Performer of the Week in addition to setting three individual records.

By DREW CASEY STAFF WRITER

Shintaro Noguchi is in the middle of his fourth season with the Fordham swimming and diving team. A three-time all Atlantic 10 honoree, he is off to a quick start this season as one of the team’s captains and has won six individual events already. The Fordham Ram got in touch with him via email. The Fordham Ram: What made you choose Fordham, especially being from California? Shintaro Noguchi: The funny thing is, Fordham was the only school I chose outside of California. I applied to most of the University of Californias with great swimming programs. My senior year of high school, I was assisting a teacher whose son swam with me on my club team, and she told me about Fordham University and the great swimming program it had here. She went to a Jesuit college herself, and she told me that getting a Jesuit education was one of the best decisions of her life, and I completely agree. On my recruiting trip here, I was indecisive between UC Davis and Fordham. But one of the big issues at that the time was if UC Davis was going to keep their swimming program or not because of the California budget cuts. And on the final night of my recruiting trip here, they cut the men’s swimming team at Davis, which was the decision maker for me to sign with Fordham. I’d say fate made me come here. TFR: You earned the best newcomer award on the Redwood High School swimming team. Did you not begin your swimming career until high school? SN: I did earn the best newcomer award on my high school swimming team, but I had been swimming competitively for about nine years by then. I began my competitive swimming at the age of five in the eight and under category of our local swimming club called the Marin Pirates. The reason why I began swimming at such an early age was because I was a child with a lot of energy and my neighbor, who was about four years older than me, started to swim with the Marin Pirates. My mother thought that taking swimming lessons would be a great outlet for my energy. I joined at the age of four and, after a month

of training, I was able to join the actual team. TFR: In your first three years with Fordham swimming you have received All-Atlantic 10 honors each season. How have you been able both to improve and maintain this level of performance? SN: I have been able to improve and maintain myself through enough rest. The break we have after a very long six and a halfmonth season is very important to me. The springtime lets me enjoy other aspects of life besides swimming, which are equally important, if not more. By the end of my short break, I am itching to get back into competitive shape, which helps me push myself even harder than the season before. During the summer, I continue to stay in competitive shape either at home and/or at Fordham as well. Skipping a lot of training over the summer is something I try to avoid because getting back into shape may be one of the exhausting times during training. TFR: What is your favorite event to swim? SN: I would have to say the 100yard butterfly is my favorite event to swim. I love the feeling of water rushing past my body as I kick underwater, and then the feeling of gliding on the surface of the water is very relaxing. TFR: Do you credit your success to anyone specific or to any group of people? SN: I would credit my success of swimming to my three main coaches: Mehrad Zarrehparvar, Warren Lager and the coaches of Fordham. They have all been very supportive of me throughout my training and growth as a person as well. These coaches knew how to push me to my limits and help me reach my full potential throughout every practice, thus making me into a better athlete. Without these coaches, I would not be the person I am today. TFR: What is your favorite part about attending Fordham? SN: My favorite part about attending Fordham would definitely be the friendships I have made here. Everyone here is very sociable, and it is very easy to make new friends on a daily basis. TFR: What is your favorite memory from Fordham swimming thus far? SN: My favorite memory from Fordham swimming thus far was

getting the gold in the 200-yard Freestyle relay at the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship my sophomore year. We were not the favorites to win this race at all, in fact we were selected to get fifth place overall. Every one of us swam our lifetime best for our respective leg of that race. As I anchored the relay and finished, I had no idea we won and all I could see were my teammates going nuts. We ended up breaking the school record and it was the first time the men’s swimming team had won a relay at the A-10 Championships since 1996. TFR: As one of four senior cocaptains on the swimming team, do you have any hopes for your final months of Fordham swimming? SN: My hopes as a co-captain on the swimming team this year are to continue the dedicated training we have been doing so far this season. We have been pushing ourselves day in and day out, which I know will have big results come championship time. I would love for our team chemistry to continue to grow as well. We have a massive amount of talent on the team, and if we can maintain the positive team chemistry I know we will swim faster than we ever have. When it comes to the Atlantic 10 Championship in February, if the men’s team could place in the top three, it would end my time here at Fordham with a bang. TFR: What legacy do you hope to leave with the Fordham swimming and diving program and the underclassmen members of the team? SN: The legacy I would like to leave here with the Fordham swimming and diving program is the overall positive team chemistry. I have never seen this team so close together and comfortable with each other in the past years. Our positive team will play into our performance during practice and during competitions as well, and honestly I can already see the great results. TFR: Do you have any plans for after graduation? SN: At the moment, I don’t have a lot of plans set in stone, but I am most likely leaning towards continuing my studying and furthering my swimming career. If I decide to continue my competitive training for another two more years after graduation, my main goal will be to compete at the 2016 USA Olympic Trials.

The New York Knicks have a long-term plan, and it doesn’t include draft picks. It also may exclude Iman Shumpert. The Knicks’ 2011 first-round pick may have punched his ticket out of New York thanks to a series of events that has made owner James Dolan angry. To compound the problem that his “secret” offseason knee surgery caused, he’s started out the 2013-14 campaign shooting less than last year, when he was an integral part of the team’s playoff offense. He’s averaging one shot per four minutes, which won’t offer Carmelo Anthony much help. In addition, he’s connecting above his career average from the field and a solid 40 percent from three, 5 percent higher than in years’ past. The Knicks need Iman Shumpert to step up and work with J.R. Smith and Andrea Bargnani to combine as Carmelo’s secondary option. The hope was that Shumpert would take a step forward and take on more responsibility, but he’s held the ball too often compared to other Knicks, as Harris Decker of TheKnicksBlog points out. Shumpert’s defense made up for his offensive tentativeness, but it seems he’s already worn out his welcome with James Dolan and Knicks management. His aforementioned surgery over the summer interfered with his offseason workout regimen, and Stephen A. Smith leaked over the summer that Dolan wanted to trade Shumpert. It appears that the slow start and offensive approach caused Dolan to contemplate these thoughts once more. But, why is Iman Shumpert out the door and not J.R. Smith? Is it due to a scare over his knee? Or, are the Knicks really this stubborn? J.R. Smith elected to get knee surgery after he signed his new contract and he also earned a fivegame suspension from the league for violating the substance-abuse policy. By all accounts, it should be Smith, and his brother Chris, who are out the door at this point, but it’s Shumpert. A trade seems imminent, as rumors have swirled all week over potential Shumpert deals. What will the 6-foot-5-inch Shooting Guard, removed from two left knee injuries, get the Knicks in return? While they think Rajon Rondo, it’d hurt the Knicks’ plan that they do, in fact, have. To trade for Rajon Rondo would be to potentially pick up two threeyear deals in Gerald Wallace and Courtney Lee and get rid of Amar’e Stoudemire’s two-year contract. The Knicks would be trading for a point guard they can already sign in 2015, and they’d go through an extra year of salary hell. The Knicks need to stay the course and try to win with the squad they have right now. In two or three years if a title doesn’t happen, they can sign two stars to max deals (with Stoudemire, Chandler and Bargnani gone) around Carmelo Anthony and keep Tim Hardaway, Jr. and Iman Shumpert. But, the Knicks don’t always make the necessary, or sane, decisions. — Kenny Ducey

November 20, 2013

Volleyball Finishes Out Year with Weekend Split

SPORTS

By MAX PRINZ ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

ALLY WHITE/THE RAM

Fordham finished its first season under Ullery with a 3-11 conference record.

By TARA SLEDJESKI STAFF WRITER

The Fordham volleyball team will not be playing in the Atlantic 10 Tournament in Washington, D.C. this season after finishing 3-11 and eighth out of nine teams in the conference. Seven straight October losses in conference play ultimately doomed the Rams during head coach Gini Ullery’s first season with the team. The Rams finished the 2013 season 10-20 overall after going 1-1 this past weekend. The Rams were able to pick up their third conference win on Friday, Nov. 15 at La Salle. After going up 4-3 early in the first set of the game, the Rams were unable to get out in front of La Salle again. La Salle ended up winning the first set, 25-19. The second set of the game was a closer one between the two teams at the bottom of the A-10 standings. La Salle went ahead 14-11, scoring the biggest lead of the set for either team, up to that point. La Salle maintained its lead and went up 20-16 before the Rams started clawing their way back. Two La Salle errors moved the score to 20-18 before a Fordham error put La Salle up by three once again. La Salle stayed ahead 22-19 before five straight Fordham points made it a 24-22 game in favor of the Rams. Four of Fordham’s five points came off of kills, with three of them coming from sophomore Brianna O’Neil. La Salle answered by scoring three points to take the lead back, 25-24, but then the Rams scored three points to end the set and win, 27-25. All three of the Rams’ final points came off of kills, with two being from O’Neil again. The game was tied 1-1 going into the third set; The Rams controlled the set, leading the entire set and winning it 25-20. La Salle kept things close at first, but a four point run that put Fordham up 21-

16 propelled the Rams to the win. Coming off of the win in the third set, the Rams dominated the fourth set, never losing the lead. Fordham jumped out to a 3-0 lead over La Salle, and turned that into an 8-3, then a 14-5 lead. The final score of the set, which gave the Rams the win for the game, was 25-13. O’Neil led the Rams in kills for the game with 16. Meanwhile, senior Sara Konkel led the team in assists with 39 and Maria Rodenberg led with 18 digs. La Salle finished its 2013 season 0-13 in the A-10 and 1-30 overall. Two of Fordham’s three conference wins in 2013 came against La Salle. The Rams played their final game of the season on Nov. 15 at Rhode Island. With a 15-15 overall record and a 7-7 record in conference play, Rhode Island did qualify for the A-10 tournament in 2013 and, not surprisingly, beat Fordham in three sets to end the Rams’ season. After a kill by Lisa Hipp gave the Rams a 1-0 lead in the first set of the game, Rhode Island went on a tear and went up 10-3. Fordham was able to pick up four straight points late in the set, but it was too late, as they were already down 2210. Rhode Island won the first set 25-15. The second set was a bit closer at the start, with the Rams and Rhode Island tied at four. Rhode Island took a 9-8 lead before they slowly started pulling away, soon going up 14-10. Once again the Rams put together a string of points late, but it was too late and they fell 25-20 in the second set. In what would be their final set of the season, the Rams fell 25-19 to Rhode Island. Again, things were close early, with the set being tied at 7-7 before Rhode Island began pulling away after going up 9-8. Carina Thompson led the Rams in kills against Rhode Island with nine while Konkel led with 30 assists. Rodenberg also led the team in digs with 11.

I have trouble following the NFL. It is not easy for me to care about all the games on Sunday afternoons, and there have been weekends where I have failed to watch a single football game. The NFL is easily this country’s most profitable league and it has countless die-hard fans. I, however, am not one of them. It isn’t that I don’t like football. Growing up, I was very easily drawn to the games on Sundays. I woke up early and watched all of ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown.” For several Halloweens, I dressed as Marshall Faulk, complete with a jersey, shoulder pads and a helmet that my parents helped paint gold. Madden NFL was the video game I most looked forward to every year. However, I did not buy, nor have I even played, this year’s version of Madden. The NFL has slowly lost me as a fan. Don’t get me wrong, I still tune in and pay attention to the league. I had my TV on all Sunday long. But, it isn’t easy to watch anymore. The Jets, led by rookie Geno Smith, played horribly in a loss to the Bills. The Giants weren’t much more entertaining either. Yes, they have somehow come back to life and won four straight games, but their victory over Packers third-string QB Scott Tolzien was predictable. Forgive me, but I wasn’t terribly impressed. Some of my disconnect with the NFL likely stems from the fact that I do not have a favorite team. I spent my first few years rooting for the St. Louis Rams. They won the Super Bowl shortly after I turned seven, and their “Greatest Show on Turf ” was amazing to young Max. Faulk, who quickly became my all-time favorite player, was on the cover of Madden NFL 2003. The Rams were easy to like for a time, but my connection with the club ultimately disappeared. I also moved several times when I was young and never managed to identify with a local team. I’ve spent most of my life in New York but didn’t grow up with the Giants

Page 19

or Jets. I’ve never been able to call an NFL team my own. It could just be my lack of a favorite team, but the NFL itself has only managed to aid my disillusionment. The league’s insistence on generating the largest profit, refusal to recognize the impact of concussions or take care of its players has only pushed me further away. Former stars like Tony Dorsett and Junior Seau have suffered greatly for the NFL. The league’s promise to aid CTE research while simultaneously pushing for a longer season strikes me as hypocritical and nothing else. I fear this will cause the league even more suffering. I do not want to see football gone. I have, for example, always enjoyed Fordham football. The Rams have always been a team I can lay claim to, and this season has been more enjoyable than ever. I am anxiously awaiting a Fordham trip to the FCS playoffs and hoping like mad that the Rams are granted a home game. There are parts of football that still inspire me. There was, for instance, an NFL game of great importance this past weekend. I watched most of Sunday night’s game between the Broncos and the Chiefs and was awed by Peyton Manning. Manning, 37 years old and play-

ing with a bum ankle, absolutely picked apart a Chief ’s defense that many thought was the best in the league. Manning’s precision and leadership abilities were very fun to watch. I especially enjoyed the way Manning handled his postgame interview with NBC’s Michele Tafoya. He was honest about the status of his ankle and candidly discussed his team’s winning strategy. Watching it, I felt as if it could’ve been me interviewing him and Manning would have been just as cordial. I am still impressed by the abilities of players like Manning, Calvin Johnson and Adrian Peterson. But guys like Dwayne Bowe, who was arrested for possession of marijuana earlier in the week but still played on Sunday, keep turning me off. I’m worried that my struggles with the NFL will cause me to start missing great games like the one Peyton played on Sunday. The NFL must do more to protect its players and end the silliness perpetrated by guys like Bowe and Ndamukong Suh. Peyton is one of the guys in the NFL that keeps me tuned in and hanging on. I’m just worried it’s not going to be enough for me to remain a fan.

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

Peyton Manning is one of the few enjoyable players left in today’s NFL.

Upcoming Varsity Schedule Home games in CAPS

Thursday Nov. 21

Friday Nov. 22

Saturday Nov. 23

Football

at Colgate 1 p.m.

Men’s Basketball

SACRED HEART 4 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

Sunday Nov. 24

YALE 7 p.m.

ECAC/IC4A Championship 9:30 p.m.

Swimming

at Bucknell Invitational All Day

Water Polo

at CWPA Championships 2 p.m.

Tuesday Nov. 26

at Manhattan 7 p.m.

AMERICAN 7 p.m.

Squash Cross Country

Monday Nov. 25

Wednesday Nov. 27

Sports Lafayette Hands Fordham Its First Loss of the Season

November 20, 2013

Page 20

By DAN GARTLAND EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR

On the way to compiling a 10-0 record, Fordham had some tremendous upsets, with wins over No. 8 Villanova, an FBS-level Temple team and No. 10 Lehigh. But the Rams had the tables turned on them on Saturday afternoon, falling to Lafayette, 27-14. Fordham was without its star quarterback, redshirt sophomore Michael Nebrich, who suffered a knee injury in the Rams’ narrow victory over Bucknell last week. Nebrich was in uniform, with the conspicuous addition of a bulky knee brace. He warmed up with the team, but spent the game confined to the sidelines, holding onto a towel slung over his shoulders. Junior Peter Maetzold started in place of Nebrich, making his first start since Oct. 1, 2011. Fordham head coach Joe Moorhead said Nebrich was available “for emergency purposes only” and would have only seen the field if Maetzold suffered an injury. Maetzold looked strong in relief of Nebrich against Bucknell, but struggled Saturday against Lafayette. He completed a mediocre 22 of 39 passes for 305 yards. He also threw four interceptions, including three unlucky ones which bounced off his receivers’ hands and into the arms of Lafayette defenders. “Overall, I saw what we expected,” Maetzold said of the Leopards’ defense. “A lot of the mistakes were just execution errors. They did mix

MICHAEL REZIN/THE RAM

Peter Maetzold got the start at quarterback due to Michael Nebrich’s knee injury. He threw four interceptions in the loss.

it up, though, with a couple new blitzes.” Fordham had five turnovers overall, but also forced four Lafayette turnovers. When the Rams did force takeaways, though, they could not turn them into points. Maetzold was asked to pass the ball often, because the Lafayette defense made it difficult for Fordham to run. Redshirt senior running back Carlton Koonce only had 17 carries for 92 yards. “I would have liked to have run the ball more, but some of the things that they do with pressures — in the numbers and the angles and where they bring them — it makes it difficult to run the ball suc-

cessfully,” Moorhead said. “Obviously, with Carlton, we would have liked to have seen him with more than 17 carries. You only have a certain number of blockers to cover up the people on these blitzes, so we had to throw the ball a little more than we would have liked.” Fordham’s defense was gashed on the ground (245 yards rushing allowed) but came up with big plays when necessary, only to see the offense squander the opportunities it was given. “Offensively, we didn’t capitalize on our possessions,” Moorhead said. “The defense did a good job, particularly in the early stages of the second half, getting some three-

and-outs and getting off the field and giving the offense an opportunity to get the ball in decent field position. We just weren’t able to move the ball effectively into scoring position and capitalize on those opportunities.” The loss casts a certain amount of doubt on Fordham’s postseason chances. The Rams are ineligible for the Patriot League championship, and the automatic playoff bid that accompanies it, because they began offering athletic scholarships before the rest of the league. Now must hope to secure one of the 13 at-large bids to the FCS playoffs. “My comment to the team after the game was, ‘Things that we want

to accomplish as a team are still in front of us,’” Moorhead said. Fordham is ranked 12th in the latest poll from The Sports Network, and 11th in the FCS coaches’ poll, after having been ranked fifth in both polls last week. The Sports Network projects the Rams to earn a spot in the playoffs and play their first-round game at home. Before the team can worry about the postseason, though, it must first set its sights on Colgate. Fordham travels to take on the defending conference champion Raiders this Saturday. If the Rams lose, all hope of a playoff berth is almost certainly lost. A win does not guarantee a playoff spot, but it would be hard for the selection committee to ignore an 11-1 team with three marquee victories. “To us, it’s a one-game season to see if we earn another game,” Moorhead said. “I feel confident in what we’ve done. We’re 10-1 with the opportunity to be 11-1. The only thing we can control is how we prepare this week and how we play against Colgate. If we’re fortunate enough to win, then hopefully the body of work we put together is good enough to earn us a postseason bid.” Still, a 10-1 record is quite impressive for a team that was 1-10 only two years ago. “It shows how far we’ve come as a program that we’re stinging after a loss, but we’re still 10-1,” Moorhead said. “They should never accept losing, and it should never feel good, but there’s only a certain amount you can beat yourself up about it.”

Fordham Men Improve to 2-1 with Win Over Lehigh By DAN GARTLAND EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR

If the Fordham men’s basketball team is going to have any success this season, its guards must rebound well. The undersized Rams, who will primarily use a four-guard lineup, cannot rely on a sole forward to control the glass. In Friday’s 80-72 win over Lehigh, they did just that. Sophomore guard Mandell Thomas led the team with 13 rebounds and senior Branden Frazier recorded 11 of his own as Fordham out-rebounded its opponent 52-35. Winning the rebound battle is especially important for the Rams because Fordham likes to get out in transition with its four guards and score quick baskets. “The term we use is, ‘We rebound to run,’” Fordham head coach Tom Pecora said. “We can’t run if we don’t rebound the basketball. You can’t run on makes. When your opponent’s scoring and the ball’s going through the hoop, you can’t run. So if you want to run, you better defend your tails off and you better rebound the basketball.” Frazier, in particular, stressed that he enjoys the up-tempo style. “Being able to get stops and running out and getting on the break is what I love doing,” he said. “I love getting out in transition and being able to score.” Transition baskets proved to be important on Friday, as both teams

struggled to make shots in the halfcourt. Fordham shot only 39.2 percent from the field, while Lehigh was 41.3 percent. The teams were a combined 6-40 (15 percent) from three-point range. “A game like this we would have lost, in my opinion, last year or the year prior,” Pecora said, adding that the Rams were able to pull out a victory “because of the maturity of [Thomas and Frazier].” After a pair of strong performances in his first two games, freshman guard Jon Severe could not seem to get his shot to fall. He was 5-23 from the field, including 0-10 from beyond the arc. “Look, he’s 0-10 from three tonight; there’s going to be nights he’s 9-10 — we’ve seen it,” Pecora said of Severe. “It’s going to be like that for a freshman. Shooters can’t lose their confidence.” Despite the poor shooting performance, Severe was still a valuable player for Fordham. “Jon Severe, on a night when he really struggled shooting the basketball, he’s extending the court because people are worried about him shooting the basketball,” Pecora said. The Mountain Hawks were led by senior guard Mackey McKnight, their senior point guard, who scored 31 points. “Obviously we had no answer for Mackey McKnight,” Pecora said. “He was just living in the lane. He scores 31 points, and obviously I’m not happy with that. Our defensive

effort on the basketball was worse than poor this evening.” McKnight scored 22 of his 31 in the first half, leading Lehigh back from an early 10-0 deficit and allowing the Mountain Hawks to take a 44-41 lead into halftime. Fordham opened the second half with eight quick points, six of which came on a pair of three-pointers from junior guard Bryan Smith. But less than three minutes into the half, Smith picked up his fourth personal foul and was forced to take a seat on the bench. “Bryan Smith really got it going in the beginning of the second half for us, and all of a sudden he picks up that fourth foul,” Pecora said. “That was a killer for us.” After McKnight had his way with Fordham’s man-to-man defense in the first half, Fordham came out in a zone in the second half. “In the first half, in the last seven minutes when they were getting to the lane, I feel like we didn’t have much communication,” Frazier said. “But in the second half, when we came out in the zone, we started talking a little more, getting some stops and making sure everyone knew where they need to be.” The adjustment was successful and Lehigh shot only 32.4 percent in the second half. Sophomore Ryan Rhoomes played the entire second half for Fordham as the Rams’ only forward. His fellow big men, Ryan Canty and Travion Leonard, were both un-

available in the second half. Leonard was poked in the eye during the first half, and Pecora said Canty became “real sick” during halftime. Canty, it turns out, will be unavailable for a long time. The school announced Monday that he will take a leave of absence from the team “to address personal issues.” Having already lost freshman Manny Suarez to an eligibility issue, the Fordham frontcourt is now dan-

gerously undermanned. Rhoomes and Leonard are the only true forwards left on the roster. Freshman Jake Fay, who stands 6-foot-5 and was recruited as a shooting guard, will likely see significant minutes in the frontcourt. It remains to be seen how Pecora will manage his frontcourt when the Rams return to action this Saturday afternoon against Sacred Heart in the Rose Hill Gym.

MICHAEL REZIN/THE RAM

Sophomore guard Mandell Thomas led the Rams with 13 total rebounds.