Volume 106 Issue 3

The Fordham Ram Volume 106, Issue 3

Students Organize Out of Darkness Campus Walk

By SINCLAIR MCKINNEY

Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 TheFordhamRam.com

February 7, 2024

Fordham Sleep Study Enters Third Year

By EVA ELIZONDO

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rose Hill and Lincoln Center students are being called to show up and show out for Fordham University’s first Out of Darkness Campus Walk, which utilizes the university’s new partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

This event is meant to ignite conversations about mental health and suicide prevention throughout campus.

Registration for this free event begins at 1 p.m. on April 6 on the Rose Hill campus, and participants will begin the walk at 2 p.m. The walk is a campus loop that begins in front of Keating Hall. Moving clockwise, participants will pass in front of Freeman Hall, continue straight until Campbell Hall and circle behind Martyrs’ Court before passing the front of Hughes Hall and heading back to Keating’s front steps.

Megan Ruzicka, FCRH ’27, and Katherine Turner,

2024 marks the third year of the Fordham University Sleep Study, also known as FUSS. This research project is led by principal investigator Dr. Tiffany Yip. It is a five-year longitudinal study part of Fordham University’s Youth Developments in Diverse Contexts Lab (YDDC). Yip has been running the lab for nearly 20 years, and FUSS began three years ago.

According to the FUSS website and YouTube channel, Yip began doing research surrounding sleep on high school students when she realized the Fordham undergraduates had worse sleep habits than high schoolers.

“Sleep touches upon almost every aspect of functioning that we care about: physical health, mental health, academic health, social relationships and just about everything,” said Yip. Lab Manager Maddie Bradley, B.A., began working in the lab in June 2023, only a few weeks after graduating from Emmanuel College. She explained that this research has three main objectives:

SEE WALK, PAGE 4

SEE SLEEP, PAGE 3

COURTESY OF MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Every seven years, Jesuit universities are evaluated to ensure they are following the Jesuit mission

Fordham Evaluated Through Mission Priority Examen

By NORA MALONE NEWS EDITOR

Fordham University is currently being evaluated by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) which routinely assesses if universities are following the Jesuit mission through Mission Priority Examen.

The process occurs every seven

years and involves meeting with administration and students as well as the university writing a self-study report.

“In the fall, we focused on looking at our last Mission Priority Examen, conducting a baseline evaluation against those priorities, and then began to have conversations, listening sessions and

interviews with faculty, staff, students and board members to identify new areas of inquiry,” said Assistant Vice President of Strategic Mission Initiatives and Executive Director of the Center for Community Engaged Learning Julie Gafney. “This will set the stage for much deeper campus engagement this spring.”

SEE EXAMEN, PAGE 5

Resident Assistant Applications Increase

By NORA MALONE NEWS EDITOR

COURTESY OF SOFIA DONOHUE/THE FORDHAM RAM

The event celerated the beginning of Black History Month and the Fordham community.

First Annual Beloved Community Celebration

By SOFIA DONOHUE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

In celebration of Black History Month, the Fordham Arts and Sciences Deans’ Anti-Racism Advisory (FASARA) in collaboration with the Chief Diversity Officer hosted the first Beloved

Community Celebration on Jan. 31 at both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center. Martin Luther King Jr. described the “Beloved Community” as a society where “caring and compassion drive political policies that support the worldwide elimination of poverty and hunger and

all forms of bigotry and violence.”

The open house invited faculty, staff and students to engage with the question: What would a “Beloved Community” look like at Fordham University?

“It seemed fit to reflect on the SEE BELOVED, PAGE 5

The Fordham University Resistant Assistant (RA) recruitment process is currently underway for the 2024-25 academic year. The process begins in late October when the Office of Residential Life begins advertising the position; once the applications close, two mandatory seminars are held for prospective RAs. Then, applicants go through interviews. This

year, the first interview day will be Feb. 9. Throughout this process the Office of Residential Life also works with returning RAs through their rehire process.

Returning RAs attend the same seminars, evaluating prospective RAs. They also interview applicants along with Resident Directors.

More than 180 students applied this year, making it one of the most competitive years yet.

“The number of applicants SEE ASSISTANT, PAGE 4

in this issue

News

Page 3

Opinion Page 8

Fordham Emerging Leaders Program Begins

The Impact of Expidited Repatriation on Museums

Culture Page 11

Sports

Turn the Lights Back On Billy, You're the Piano Man

Gothams Finest: Track and Field Show Out

Page 19

NEWS

Page 2

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS

February 7, 2024

USG Responds to University’s Environmental Goals

Feb. 1 Online 12:30 p.m.

On Thursday, a student reported that in late January they applied for a job online. The employer sent the student a check.

The student deposited the check, and their bank said the check was fraudulent.

The student did not send any money or suffer a financial loss and declined the NYPD. Feb. 2 Off Campus 10:45 p.m.

On Friday, a student reported that their friend was intoxicated and passed out inside of a local bar. The supervisor responded and requested FUEMS who responded and transported the student to a local hospital for treatment. On Monday, the student reported that hospital tests showed they were drugged. An Administrative Support Person is assigned to follow up with the student to offer support and reporting options.

Feb. 4 Off Campus 11:56 p.m.

On Sunday, a student called Public Safety to report a male who was taking pictures of their car and threatening them. The student said that they were parking their car. Another driver tried taking the same parking spot. The male began taking pictures of their car and threatened the student. The student called Public Safety and the offender drove off.

The student parked in the Fordham garage and the supervisor drove them home. The student declined reporting to the NYPD.

Follow us on Instagram! @thefordhamram

COURTESY OF FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

The Fordham University Laudato Si’ Planning Committee outlines a seven-year action plan with their committment to the NYC Carbon Challenge.

By JULIANNA MORALES FEATURES EDITOR

Two weeks ago, Marco Valera, vice president of administration, provided The Fordham Ram with insight into Fordham University’s commitment to the NYC Carbon Challenge and how the university plans to achieve their environmental ambitions.

The NYC Carbon Challenge is not the only way in which Fordham has committed to improving their sustainability.

Fordham News explained that the university published their Green Plan, “Laudato Si’,” last summer in response to Pope Francis’ encyclical that encouraged the “care of our common home.”

The Laudato Si’ Action Plan outlines seven years of environmental changes that Fordham intends to carry out in response to climate change. The plan includes changes in facilities, curriculum and student involvement. Fordham News outlined some changes that occurred in

the last quarter of 2023 including the addition of three hybrid minivans to Fordham’s team of Ram Vans and the installation of Babylon Micro Farms in the dining halls at both the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses.

The university also recently received a $50 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, allowing their efforts to continue onward.

The faculty of Fordham’s Sustainability Committee have taken a lot of pride in their environmental efforts in recent years. The United Student Government (USG) has a sustainability committee of its own which looks at the state of the environment and what Fordham can and should do to help as well.

Sean Powers, FCRH ’24, vice president of sustainability, commented expressing his thoughts on the efforts Fordham is making in terms of sustainability, saying, “I believe the steps taken by the university are the right ones. Real progress takes a long time, and I am happy to see

Fordham’s ongoing dedication to change.”

Powers expressed that even throughout his time at the university, he had noticed significant change. He explained that the solar farm on the roof of Rose Hill’s parking garage is one of the largest in New York City, allowing the university significant access to sustainable energy. Powers also explained that it is hard to assess if Fordham’s efforts to combat climate change are “enough,” simply due to the subjectivity of the word, highlighting that what one may view as a spectacular change others may view as miniscule.

Additionally, Powers provided insight to those who may wish the university could progress quicker, saying, “I do wish we could snap our fingers and be carbon-neutral, but good things take time, and I would prefer that Fordham takes the proper time to ensure that our commitment to sustainability is done in a way that is safe,

practical and realistic for the hundreds of people who work to make it happen.”

However, as in many scenarios, changing an institution as large as Fordham to be sustainable is easier said than done. The university has set admirable goals that would be significant steps towards sustainability.

Powers commented, “I am proud that Fordham has set the goal of reaching 40% reduced emissions, but I hope we stand by it.” Powers set his own goal for the university by stating that he believes the final objective should be recognition as an environmentally responsible institution: “Fordham is already an academically strong university, but I would love for people to think of Fordham as a place that leads its surrounding community in sustainable practices.”

In years to come, the impact of Fordham’s sustainability initiatives will become clearer and hopefully fulfill their goals.

This Week at Fordham Wednesday Feb. 7

Thursday Feb. 8

Friday Feb. 9

Saturday Feb. 10

Tuesday Feb. 13

Spring Into New Careers

IPE Documentary Screening

Grub Before the Game

Comedy in the Blackbox Theater

Celebrate Mardi Gras

McShane Great Hall 12-3 p.m.

Dealy E-530 4-5 p.m.

McShane Campus Center 12 p.m.

Collins Blackbox Theater 8 p.m.

McShane Great Hall 5 p.m.

Learn about job and internship opportunities from numerous companies like ConEdison, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York Yankees. This event is open to all students.

The department of International Political Economy is hosting a public screening of “Racing Extinction,” a documentary about anthropogenic activity and its effects on the environment.

Game on, Rams! Enjoy classic game day foods from a chicken wing bar, mini hot dogs, vegan tenders and football-themed cupcakes in preparation for the Superbowl LVIII on Sunday.

Join Fordham’s Sketch Comedy group “Free Pizza Comedy” for jokes in the Collins Hall blackbox theater. Bring your friends and get ready for a night of laughs. Admission is free.

Join numerous campus groups to celebrate Mardi Gras! Festivities begin with a parade around campus and end with music and authentic Louisiana food in the McShane Great Hall.

NEWS

February 7, 2024

Page 3

USG Meets with Office of Career Services

By SOFIA SEMPER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Fordham Rose Hill United Student Government (USG) met on Feb. 1 to learn about the Office of Career Services.

Annette McLaughlin, director of the Office of Career Services, and Cheretta Robson, senior associate director of the Office of Career Services, spoke to the USG about what exactly the Office of Career Services offers to students.

McLaughlin stated that the biggest goal that she and Career Services has is to help students find exactly what job or internship they hope to work for and help connect them wherever they want to go. She explained that the Office of Career Services holds many workshops, career fairs, internship panels, diversity banquets and a

one-credit career exploration class that are all to help students better understand what they want to do in the future and connect with those industries.

Every year, the fall Diversity Banquet helps at least one student get hired from connecting with employers at the event. Last year, they had over 117,000 internships and jobs posted onto Handshake. McLaughlin also went through some of the many resources that the Office of Career Services has to help students not only find jobs and internships but also prepare them for those opportunities.

USG Senator Zachary Visconti, GSB ’25, asked how students can book an interview room. McLaughlin said that everything is done through Handshake so students can make a reservation there. Senator

Chris Konefal, FCRH ’25, asked if they have any ideas about how to better prepare first-years for finance internships. He explained that finance internships typically begin recruiting students 18 months in advance, but most first-years are not aware of this. McLaughlin stated that is great feedback and they will look into how to advertise that more.

The representative of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) stated that they will be partnering with the women’s basketball team to host an event on Feb. 10 for National Girls and Women in Sports Day. There will be a women’s basketball game with a sports clinic prior to the game and a signing event after the game.

Vice President of the

Gabelli School of Business (GSB) Catie Flores, GSB ’25, presented a budget request for the GSB Dean’s Council.

She requested funding for a Valentine’s Day themed Dean’s Council event where they would hand out fake roses, donuts and sticky notes for students to write down their favorite things about Gabelli. Vice President of Communications Ariadna Wong, FCRH ’25, also presented a budget request for funding for mini microphones for the communication committees videos.

Both budget requests were approved.

Kayla Velez, assistant director for Leadership and Commuter Student Services, gave the advisor report for the Office for Student Involvement.

She announced that there will be a Mardi Gras parade and small reception on Feb. 13.

Vice President of Operations Calum Stewertson, GSB ’26, said that he has received a total of 10 new club applications. Vice President of Student Life Brian Inguanti, FCRH ’24, stated he and his committee are currently planning for major events and for club suite cleaning day. Wong said that her committee is currently working on updating the USG website.

Vice President of Fordham College at Rose Hill Emma Balint, FCRH ’24, stated the FCRH Dean’s Council had their meeting with Dean Maura Mast on Thursday on some of the public concerns they discussed, like concerns about the notifications for graduation clearance post add/drop and how there is no longer a pre-health dean; they also talked about the possibility of students auditing for classes.

Students Discuss FUEL Leadership Program

COURTESY OF MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Students participate in the FUEL program.

By MARCO BUGLIONE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Fordham University Emerging Leaders (FUEL) Program at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center is a leadership development program specifically targeted towards firstand second-year students.

This semester-long initiative, offered by the Office for Student Involvement (OSI), focuses on students recognized for their

exceptional leadership potential by professors, administrators and peers. Candidates who qualify have demonstrated involvement in clubs or activities, outstanding class participation and leadership in group projects.

The program consists of workshops held each spring, covering topics including Ignatian leadership, problem-solving, public speaking, diversity in leadership,

stress management, networking and mentorship. Through a combination of workshops, seminars, guest speakers and interactive sessions, participants have the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills, build self-confidence and increase self-awareness.

The ultimate goal of FUEL is to bring out these characteristics in students, benefiting both the individuals and the broader Fordham community. The skills developed in the program are intended to have a positive impact on students’ everyday lives beyond their time at the university.

Quan Bui, GSB ’27, said, “[I am] eager to learn from professionals, other great people and my fellow students to gain more knowledge and expand my connections in the university community… [This program] is a great opportunity for me to improve myself in

my career journey.”

Applications for the program are currently closed.

The final deadline was set for Jan. 15 at 11:59 p.m. Questions about future applications, dates and initiatives can be directed to leadershipcommittee@ fordham.edu. All workshops will be held on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The first workshop will be on Feb. 6, with dinner served shortly after.

“Each workshop is about an hour and typically takes a format of 30-45 minute presentation with a 15-minute Q&A,” said Stephen Esposito, assistant director for leadership and commuter student services in OSI. Students were informed of the opportunity via email, where they could access the application link. Alternatively, the program overview is directly on Fordham’s website.

Throughout the program, students will have the opportunity to learn from faculty, staff,

administrators, alumni and employers. The outcomes include increased self-awareness, a nurtured multicultural perspective, improved interpersonal skills and the cultivation of leadership abilities.

Successful participants will be inducted into the Maroon Leadership Network and gain access to exclusive networking programs. “[My] public speaking, communication, and leadership skills are not where they should be,” said Bui, “[and I want to] significantly enhance them by attending more programs.”

The program aims to guide students in developing their own philosophy of teamwork. Namely, by providing practical skills and a training ground to develop them, applicable to campus organizations and the broader community. Paper certificates are awarded to participants upon completion.

FUSS Lab Grows FROM SLEEP, PAGE 1

“Aim 1: Determine daily and longer-term impact of sociodemographic and environmental stress on racial sleep disparities during the college transition and over time. Aim 2: Identify racial sleep disparities as an explanatory pathway for sociodemographic and environmental stress to impact health, academic and physiologic biomarker (inflammation and telomere length) outcomes. Aim 3: Investigate ethnic/racial identity (ERI) as a dynamic moderator of the daily and longer-term effects of stress on sleep, and of sleep on health and academic outcomes.”

According to Yip, over 800 Fordham first-year students

have participated in the study in between 2021 and now.

“At this point, we have many juniors in the study, so when they graduate next year it will be especially bittersweet to have our first cohort of FUSS participants graduate. We will have to do something special for them!”

Yip also explained that “FUSS is the only study of its kind… Data on changes in sleep over four years will contribute a lot of new information to how educators and policymakers think about the value of sleep for student mental, physical and academic health.”

Tenzing Choeying, FCRH ’25, and Ada Wu, FCRH ’26, are two undergraduate research assistants involved in FUSS.

“I have been in the lab for two years so far, and it has been a journey. I have a small community within Fordham that I call the ‘FUSS fam.’ It has also been inspiring to have a female Asian American in the position that I hope to be in the future,” said Choeying.

“I feel more motivated than ever to continue my studies in psychology and go to graduate school.”

“In the FUSS lab, [research assistants] can get many experiences with different parts of conducting research. As a big project, we do all kinds of work like recruiting participants, collecting data, data coding process... Exploring different

steps and finding the ones you enjoy doing is great,” said Wu. “Now, I am mainly interacting with participants and data coding. To me, being a research assistant is not only about doing work but planning future goals. With my experience working with Dr. Yip for two years, I have gained a better understanding of research and developed my own research interests in minority youths’ identity development.”

While the lab is focused on studying students’ sleep, it is also a learning experience for undergraduate researchers.

“One of the things that I love most about the lab is that students work collaboratively, and research assistants who have been in the lab longer are

eager and excited to train new lab mates,” said Yip. “Over the years, the YDDC lab has been a space where students have developed meaningful practical research experience, learned new data collection and coding skills and, of course, built friendships.”

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Students involved can win prizes.

NEWS

Page 4

FROM WALK, PAGE 1

FCRH ’25, initiated Fordham’s partnership with AFSP and worked alongside fellow United Student Government senators to plan and spread awareness for the event.

“I really wanted to help my newfound community here,” said Ruzicka. “This is a way to help show students what resources they have available to them on and off campus.”

Ruzicka’s work with AFSP began years before becoming a Fordham student. She shared this partnership with her new community when she relocated to the Rose Hill campus.

AFSP’s website states that suicide is the second largest cause of death amongst college students. To lower this number, the organization works with universities and individuals worldwide to change stigmas around mental health and spread awareness of means to assist students who struggle with thoughts of suicide.

“Having AFSP here and having that connection from home on campus was something that was really personal for me,” said Ruzicka.

This partnership is equally

February 7, 2024

Fordham AFSP Sponsors Walk as personal to Turner, whose proximate experiences with those struggling with mental health issues caused her to prioritize efforts that educate individuals on suicide and help with suicide prevention.

“People idealize suicide, romanticize it and put incorrect emotions to it,” said Turner. “They don’t understand the true struggle of a mental health low and feeling like suicide is the only way out. I want students to be aware of the resources they pay for on campus and how they can make the most out of them, allowing them a full, healthy and safe college experience.”

Clubs, student government committees and other groups were encouraged to create their own walk teams to support the cause, as this walk will be a way for individuals to connect with Fordham-affiliated organizations and local businesses.

Mental health-centered clubs will table the event and will use this platform to educate the Fordham community and expand their club’s outreach.

Businesses in the Bronx are helping to sponsor the event with earnings and donations going towards AFSP so that

they can continue on their mission.

“We’ve had families register who knew or were affiliated with Fordham students and had losses in their family due to suicide,” said Laila Sayegh, FCRH ’27, a first-year senator who has contributed to this project. “They’ve reached out and are very excited about the event, which creates a sense of community among those who are affected on our college campus.”

Continuing to raise awareness on such a pressing issue can change the lives of those affected by mental health issues.

Prioritizing conversations surrounding mental health can make a difference and change lives.

“I hope to show students that they’re not alone,” said Ruzicka.

“There’s a whole community here to show support for creating an open conversation about mental health. I hope that students recognize this great support network that we have here at Fordham.”

Pre-registration and further information for the Out of Darkness Campus Walk can be found online.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Organizers Megan Ruzicka and Katherine Turner stand with flyers.

Office of Residential Life Interviews Prospective RAs FROM ASSISTANT, PAGE 1

has gone up and then down, and we are currently back on the upswing again,” said Assistant Director of Residential Life for Leadership Development and Training Stephanie Sheehan. “Our processes during the [COVID-19] pandemic were definitely affected during that time so we saw lower numbers of applicants.”

The Residential Life committee is working to create an assessment in order to understand specifically why so many students

By CRISTINA STEFANIZZI ASST. NEWS EDITOR

From stories of laundry machines overflowing to roommates eating all of your favorite snacks to silly professors dressed up in costumes, Fizz is the new app loading onto the phones of Fordham students across the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses.

Fizz allows its users to register for a specific college campus, and is seen at schools across the country. Although not directly affiliated with the University, Fordham’s Fizz scene has over 1,700 active users. Some Fizzers choose to claim a screen name attached to their posts, which has made for a few consistent and popular Fizz “celebrities.” “[Fizz] allows people to say how they truly feel about matters without fear of losing face but also allows you to make connections,” said Fizz user “POTUS biren.” They post almost daily on the app and currently hold the 11th spot on the Fizz leaderboard. “It’s like any other social media platform but also unique

applied this year, and how to keep that number up.

Being an RA is one of the most sought-after jobs at Fordham, offering free room and board as well as leadership opportunities.

“I always planned to get a job when coming to college. I’d like to be an RA because I’ve always liked jobs that involved teamwork, leadership and creative organization,” said Bridget Godfrey, GSB ’27. “Something about running activities with college students and helping the Fordham community through ResLife

seems fulfilling and interesting.”

As RAs, students have to run programs for their residents, provide support and help students, especially first-years, be comfortable at Fordham. They also have to be “on duty” throughout the week and on weekends, as well as during various university vacation periods.

“I want to work with different people and understand their differences and create a community where we can all work, flourish and speak to each other,” said Emma Galiano, FCRH ’27.

Rose Hill has more than 100 RAs throughout its 14 residence halls, generally with one per floor of each building.

To become an RA, students have to submit letters of recommendation, a resume and have a 3.0 GPA if a sophomore or a 2.5 GPA if a junior or senior. They must demonstrate involvement with their community and leadership potential.

“The qualities I see in our most successful Resident Assistants are effective communication, time management and creative

Fizzin’ At Fordham

to Fordham since you can only experience the Fordham fizz at Fordham.”

Fizz posts range from memes about the campus cats and classroom crushes to stories about eventful Ram Van rides and roommate horror stories.

Ashli DeMaria, FCRH ’24, is one of two Fizz moderators hired by the company to review Fordham Fizz content. DeMaria was hired over the summer by Fizz via LinkedIn along with 11 other moderators, but is only one of two remaining on the app. She highlights that the demographic for the app is mostly first-years and sophomores.

“I’d say about half of the users want to lift each other up and the other half want to bandwagon on some light-hearted anonymous cyberbullying,” said DeMaria. “Whether or not that is a good thing, I can’t say for certain, but I think as long as people abide by the guidelines of the app, everyone is entitled to say what they want. I feel like it’s a step in the right direction for giving kids who just got to college a way to find their voice and authentic/original opinions.”

Fordham has numerous student-run accounts that allow students to anonymously share aspects of campus life. One of the most popular accounts with a couple thousand followers, Fordham Flirts, was renamed to Fordham Saints in November. The account used to allow students to anonymously share their crushes around campus, but now posts quotes from various saints. Following the change, students have turned to Fizz to post these anonymous confessions and stories.

Some students have even found new friends through Fizz that they wouldn’t have met otherwise. “I see Fizz as a space where I can express myself and connect with others in so many ways,” said popular Fizz user “Bajablastangelgirl.” “In particular, I have found so many new Fordham friends who really resonate with me, my general life philosophy and niche interests.”

Anonymous apps allowing students to post jokes, flirts and stories are no stranger to Fordham’s campus, with students using apps similar to Fizz in the past, such as YikYak and SideChat, to interact with other Fordham

users and share inside information about life on campus. Both apps allow students to anonymously share what’s on their minds and chat directly with other anonymous users from their college.

“While I wasn’t super involved during the days of YikYak, I think Fizz is different in the way it allows users to utilize the different category tabs and recent memes/ gifs/etc,” said DeMaria. “I think it showcases the best of some of the non-affiliated Instagrams that have gotten popular since my time here while maintaining the ability for creative output.”

However funny and lighthearted Fizz is at most times, the app is no stranger to posts of cyberbullying, prompting users to start anonymous and lengthy arguments within the app.

“Bajablastangelgirl” is not a stranger to bullying on the app as well. “I’ve had to deal with people making crazy wrong takes, downright bullying me and just getting other users to downvote me because they’re tired of seeing me in their feed,” she said. “I think people are annoyed with seeing the same people post

problem solving skills,” said Sheehan.

The RA recruitment process is one of the longer processes that the Office of Residential Life engages in. The role offers students the option to have lengthy leadership experience before they graduate college.

“The position offers the excellent opportunity to work with professional staff, administration and earn transferable skills to take with you after you graduate,” according to Sheehan.

but personally I think the usernames are a fun way to express ourselves without revealing our names.” She holds the third spot on the Fizz leaderboard.

“In theory I think it’s cool for the school to have its own social media app, and it being anonymous sounded like a good idea because students can speak their minds,” said Analicia Jackson, FCRH ’27. “But, I find that in a school full of rich white kids who’ve lived in bubbles their whole lives, they tend to have sheltered and unrealistic mindsets about reality because they’ve been so privileged growing up.

They tend to say out of pocket unnecessary s*** that just shows their ignorance of the outside world.”

DeMaria said new features and updates are currently under development with Fizz, and that the company’s goal is to “evolve” with its users and improve daily.

“I think it’s actually become a fun way for students to express their honest opinions about one another though, and there’s been some really good interactions that I’ve seen,” she said.

NEWS

February 7, 2024

Page 5

Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Evaluates Fordham FROM EXAMEN, PAGE 1

A steering committee of both Jesuits and laypeople leads the evaluation. The evaluation process is meant to engage universities in Ignatian reflection to lead them into dialogue and growth.

“The process is really like trying to have a thoughtful conversation with the whole campus, asking questions like what is going well? What challenges are we facing? Where do we meet our goals and where do we have new goals that have not yet been realized? Where is the energy and what are the needs of our

students? Our faculty? Our community?” said Gafney The evaluation will take around a year and a half. It began in October with the university starting its year of self-analysis.

Next fall, a group from other Jesuit universities will visit the campus after reading the selfreport.

“They will write their own Visitor’s report in response, and then these documents will eventually go to the leadership of the Society of Jesus,” said Gafney.

Fordham’s Jesuit identity is integral for many students, as the values it provides will guide them

through their academic careers.

“Ignatian Spirituality calls us to be attentive to the movements of our minds and spirits, which I believe forms confident and competent leaders,” said Kaitlyn Squyres, FCRH ’26, a member of Synodal Fordham. “I have taken several seminars and Community Engaged Learning courses that require personal reflective writing, and I believe this practice is so important for students discerning their future studies and careers. I hope that the Mission Priority Examen will remind Fordham how important its vast Core Curriculum is and how its

reflective writing requirements benefit students.”

Throughout the next year, Fordham will work to create a dialogue in the campus community through focus groups, surveys, listening sessions and interviews. The university will also evaluate its mission statement to ensure it is a guiding force.

“Our mission demands we see every person as sacred and to be treated with dignity,” said Eli Taylor, GSAS ’26, a member of Fordham Synodal.

“Fordham might not live up to this as fully as it should, which

I hope comes to light through the Mission Priority Examen overall.”

The process does not focus on Fordham’s literal academic prowess, but more so on its spiritual impact. The AJCU’s goal is to make sure Jesuit universities fully represent Jesuit ideals.

“An Examen [...] should be a prayerful and broadly participative process that seeks to identify how the Spirit is moving a community to deeper and more effective engagement with our shared mission in a rapidly changing context,” said Father Arturo Sosa, S.J.

FASARA Hosts Beloved Community Celebration FROM BELOVED, PAGE 1

idea in January, as a bridge between King’s day, a day of engagement and service and Black History Month, when we spend a month learning about, reflecting and diving deep into Black history,” said Alessia Valfredini, a FASARA co-chair.

Both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center’s Beloved Community Celebration were organized by FASARA under the patronage of Dean Robert J. Hume and the support of Interim Chief Diversity Officer Kamille Dean, Esq. At the celebration, two FASARA cochairs were present — Michele Prettyman at Lincoln Center and Valfredini at Rose Hill. Under the guidance of Abby Goldstein, clinical professor of graphic design at Lincoln Center, students Noel

Bernard, FCRH ’24, and Jasmin Smalling, FCLC ’24, designed poster proposals to promote the event.

“FASARA organized both [celebrations]... it came together with the generous work of a community of engaged people, many of whom are faculty and staff from FASARA; visual art students designed the flyers and social media images,” reflected Valfredini. “The idea to reflect on and envision the ‘Beloved Community’ at Fordham was first developed by Michele Prettyman.”

Attendees were encouraged to reflect on prompts such as “When I hear Beloved Community, I think…” and “When I hear Beloved Community, I see” and to write their thoughts down on post-it notes. The sticky notes were

displayed on a large sheet of paper on the wall, allowing attendees to read others’ reflections on the prompts.

Responses to the prompt “When I hear Beloved Community I think…” included phrases such as, “people coming together across racial, religious and cultural differences,” “trusting in everyone’s goodness” and “a community that lives in harmony and helps each other however they can.”

The celebration also encouraged attendees to engage in thoughtful conversation with one another. Valfredini noted that two recurring themes from conversations stuck with her: time to be together and nourish community, and the superficiality of interactions on social media and social media’s

ACCELERATED MASTER’S PROGRAMS

hindrance on productive public discourse.

“In the conversations I observed, I have seen people lifting each other, creating connections, encouraging each other,” said Valfredini.

The event’s attendees were also given the opportunity to respond to a poll to share their thoughts on nourishing a beloved community at Fordham; collaborations range from working on specific projects or volunteering for events to express interest in becoming a member of FASARA. FASARA membership is open to undergraduate and graduate students and faculty and staff.

Those interested in contributing to the cause had the chance to leave their contact information.

Earn your master’s degree with as little as one year of study beyond your bachelor’s degree.

Although this was the first year of the Beloved Community Celebration, Valfredini hopes that the event will continue in the future.

“We not only hope to establish a tradition; we also envision next year’s event coming together as the culmination of a sustained collaboration with various entities on campus, emerging from the very community it celebrates, while creating such a community in the doing.

FASARA is establishing a committee to plan next year’s event,” said Valfredini.

Those wishing to stay updated on FASARA’s upcoming events and opportunities to get involved can follow the organization on Instagram @fordham_asara.

To learn more, scan the QR code or visit fordham.edu/ accelerated.

OPINION

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R

Serving the Fordham University campus and community since 1918 The Fordham Ram is the university journal of record. The mission of The Fordham Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate. The Fordham Ram is published every Wednesday during the academic year to all campuses.

Website TheFordhamRam.com Email Address theram@fordham.edu Editor in Chief Sofia Donohue Managing Editor Allison Schneider Editorial Director Evan McManus Production Editor Hannah Boring Multimedia Director Grace Campbell Business Director Grace Miller Copy Chief Cailee Zeraat News Editor Nora Malone Features Editor Julianna Morales Assistant News Editors Cristina Stefanizzi Adithi Vimalanathan Opinion Editor Saisha Islam Assistant Opinion Editors Zachary Badalamenti Eleanor Smith Culture Editors Claire Krieger Caleb Stine Assistant Culture Editor Isabella DeRosa Sports Editor Jonah Ring Assistant Sports Editors Griffin Stevenson Noah Hoffman Social Media Director Alexis Hurchalla Digital Producers Sophie Maselli Sarah Urbano Haniyyah Usmani Photo Editor Mary Hawthorn Advertising Directors Katriina Fiedler Kathleen Hollinger Diana Juarez Emily Roe Faculty Advisor Qun Wang Editorial Policy The Fordham Ram’s editorial reflects the editorial board’s opinions or views.

Opinion Policy The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of The Fordham Ram. Submissions Policy The Fordham Ram reserves the right to reject or edit any submission for any reason, without notice. Submissions become the exclusive property of The Fordham Ram. No part of The Fordham Ram may be reproduced without written consent.

February 7, 2024

From the Desk | Isabella DeRosa

Getting Out of Tunnel Vision

I like to consider myself a fan of history and philosophy, so taking a course on ancient literature is right up my alley. I don’t even mind that we have to read 50 pages and complete a graded writing assignment before each class.

In fact, I found myself buying personal copies of each book without commentary so that I could write my own in the margins.

I’m sure some of you reading this are thinking, “Good for you, could not be me.”

Well, that’s exactly what one of my classmates was thinking on the very first day of class.

We had barely walked out of the room before a kid walking behind me rather loudly complained about how dumb the class was and wondered why they should be required to take something that had nothing to do with their career path. I didn’t know why at the time, but overhearing this really bothered me. Not necessarily because I disagreed but because I have thought this way, too.

Of course, it was never my astronomy teacher’s fault. I didn’t like learning about the solar system. Nevertheless, I found myself getting more annoyed with each task I saw added to Blackboard. I know the kid in my English class and I are not the only people who felt that way. In fact, I’d say it is inevitable for college

students to be frustrated by their classes. It is common for us to feel like we do not have time for the things that can’t go on a resume or look impressive on our transcripts.

And though a bit of frustration at Fordham’s extraneous core curriculum may be reasonable, it got me thinking about how little time we put into the things we think will serve us no purpose and how much we miss out on because of it.

We live in a world where everything is created to mold itself to fit our personal interests. After one Google search about new shoes, suddenly, all my Instagram ads are from my favorite brand of sneakers. Every few TikToks I scroll through, I’m faced with the question of what I like about it, and if I don’t like it, similar TikToks never pop up on my feed again. Before I watch a video on YouTube, I’m asked to answer a poll about my interests. The algorithm is our greatest friend and our greatest enemy. We are only shown what we want to see, and in turn, we avoid learning anything new.

I think it is this overly bearing attention to our interests that creates both anxiety with the unknown and the feeling of being rushed to pursue our end goals. In college, it is all about finding what you want to do and finding as many ways as possible to build up

your resume so you get to do it. Every day, we have immense pressure from our surroundings to get where we need to go without really thinking about how we feel at the moment. There is fear in not feeling accomplished, and no matter what you do, it can feel like there is always someone out there doing more. No wonder we get so agitated about wasting our time on things like astronomy and ancient literature.

The truth is, even though I’m not (and never will be) the biggest fan of astrophysics, I did gain something from that class. Creating yet another 100+ term Quizlet for an upcoming exam after bombing the previous one definitely gave me some resilience. And though I never truly grasped the concept of Earth’s electromagnetic field, I can always point out where Venus is in

the night sky, and I enjoy the fact that I can do that. It may not seem like it at the moment, but taking a step back and giving your attention to the things you think you have no time for makes you better at overcoming challenges and being confident in how you focus your energy. Being able to say you accomplished something difficult can be fulfilling.

Sometimes, it is less about the content and more about what you learn along the way.

So, as we journey into this new semester and find ourselves stuck knee-deep in a five-page essay we would rather not write or struggling to muster up courage to go to that meeting we’ve been dreading, take this as motivation to dive headfirst into your challenges anyway. The time you take to try something new, no matter what it is, is not time wasted.

Editorial | Death Penalty

The Harsh Reality of the Death Penalty On the evening of Jan. 25, history was made. Alabama became the first place in the world to execute a person with nitrogen hypoxia. There were concerns beforehand. Kenneth Smith, the man on death row, had petitioned the Supreme Court to stay his execution.

His lawyers argued that this form of execution would cause Smith suffering, which would be a violation of the Eighth Amendment and its ban on “cruel and unusual punishments.” Alabama’s lawyers disagreed. They, instead, argued he would be “unconscious in seconds.” The court sided with the latter and let the execution proceed. Instead of being the calm procedure Alabama promised, Smith seemed to remain conscious and thrashed in his restraints while gas was pumped into his lungs. He was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m.

Central Time. What occurred in Alabama should give all Americans pause to reconsider the role of the death penalty within our justice system.

Why does the death penalty exist? Many people believe it is retribution for heinous crimes such as murder. Supporters, like South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, have drawn on the concept of justice as justification for the death penalty. He stated that it provides

“grieving families and loved ones the closure they are rightfully owed.” Other supporters have stated they believe the threat of being charged with the death penalty deters individuals from committing a crime. The death penalty’s current form developed over the course of 20th-century court cases. In 1972, The Supreme Court paused the use of the practice in Furman v. Georgia as the Court’s majority believed existing practices violated the “cruel and unusual punishments” clause of the Eighth Amendment. States reformed their practices to be more “humane,” and the court allowed for executions to begin again in 1977. That same year, the concept of lethal injection was invented in Oklahoma, which was supposed to be a quick and painless death for inmates.

But, when looking at the evidence, there are faults with the process that raise questions about its usefulness. There is no clear evidence that the death penalty is effective in deterring crime. In 2012, the National Research Council formed a committe to research this. They found that the research on the deterrence effect was not strong enough to reach any conclusion regarding the correlation between the existence of the death penalty and

crime rates. As of now, the consensus among researchers on the death penalty’s effectiveness as deterrence seems to be a shrug. That isn’t a ringing endorsement. Cost is another issue that should give readers pause. Studies have found that states spend more money on death penalty cases than they do on cases for life sentences.

When Maryland had the death penalty, the state found it was spending $3 million on each case, which was three times more compared to non-death penalty cases. Another uncomfortable fact is that many prisoners who had been executed were later found innocent.

The most disturbing part of the death penalty is lethal injection. It promises to be quick and painless, but there is growing evidence that it is extremely painful. Two doctors interviewed by NPR in 2020 found evidence that the lethal cocktail used injected into prisoners caused pulmonary edema.

Doctors also raised concerns that many of the prisoners were not anesthetized properly. That meant they suffered a slow death of choking on fluid while fully conscious and suffering immense pain. There is an awful irony with lethal injection and now nitrogen gas executions. They claim to be “humane” in concept, but they

can’t mask the reality of what is going on: an execution.

Ending the death penalty is not a popular position to take.

As of 2023, a Gallup poll found that 53% of Americans are in favor of the death penalty.

However, support has consistently trended downward for years. Since 2010. as support has declined, so has the supply of drugs used for the drug cocktail; no American company produces them, and other nations have banned exporting the drugs. As a result, states have had to find different execution methods, with Utah restarting death by firing squad.

Smith wasn’t a good man. He murdered Elizabeth Sennett in 1988 and rightfully spent the rest of his life in jail. And in the 35 years he sat in jail, he never apologized to the Sennett family for what he did. But should he have been used, as Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her dissent, as “a guinea pig?” We think not. Alabama became a pioneer on Jan. 25, but not a noble one. The state designed a new way of death, which other states seem to want to copy. While the death penalty may still be sound in the eyes of the Constitution, its continued existence only results in more cruelty.

February 7, 2024

OPINION The Anti-Abortion Movement Silences Democracy

By LUCA AMATURO

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Inconspicuously under the purview of Americans is a looming threat to the fabric of our country — more specifically, to the fabric of our democracy — and a concoction of savvy political maneuvering has this threat camouflaged by the antiabortion movement. Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the approaches and goals of both pro-life and pro-choice champions have changed substantially. These changes are more due to political pandering than they are to serve the majority of the United States properly.

Pro-life Republicans are not blinded by the blunt fact that 69% of Americans want abortion to be legal in the first trimester, nor are Democrats, and this is deeply shaping their political rhetoric and campaigning when it comes to women’s rights and freedoms. Many Democrats are centering their campaigns around women’s and abortion rights, but it seems that more pro-choice Republicans are adopting a quieter tactic where they stay silent on this issue but enact policy away from public purview.

Following the reversal of Roe v. Wade, public dissatisfaction regarding this decision has been quite clear, with 57% of respondents to a Pew Research Center Poll stating they were against the decision to

overturn the landmark case.

Perhaps a more important signal of public sentiment was when Washington Senator Patty Murray said, “Every place abortion rights were on the ballot last November — every single place — abortion rights won.” Pro-choice Democratic political candidates are highly aware of the political advantage that stems from being on the majority side of an issue that resonates so deeply. Across the board, but especially in contested districts, Democrats have emphasized the importance of abortion rights and vocalized their support for women having control over their bodies.

Given Democrats’ struggles to attract voters due to a stagnant economy and high inflation, they will continue to rely on pro-choice political rhetoric to attract specifically women voters across the entire political spectrum. Thus far, the party has had tremendous success with candidates who have centered their campaign around the issue of abortion rights, winning key midterm races with historically good performances. Abortion rights resonate with voters and pro-choice activists, and Democrats will continue to amplify the importance of voting for pro-choice referendums and candidates.

Anti-abortion activists and political candidates have adopted a seemingly opposite tactic, choosing to subtly silence

the majority and enacting less overt policy that indirectly restricts abortion rights. Pro-life Republicans are no longer vehemently rallying behind largescale national abortion restrictions, evidenced by how three dozen Republicans who supported a federal abortion ban before Roe v. Wade was overturned have not signed onto the bill this year. Before the decision by to overturn Roe v.

Wade, political candidates who comprised the anti-abortion movement overtly vocalized their desire to impose abortion restrictions, but the bills and sentiments they spewed had no practical effect because Roe v.

Wade protected abortion rights.

Their vocalizations were merely political pandering to hardright conservatives, and without practical power to impose any legislation, they rarely alienated moderate Republicans with this rhetoric. Now that their rhetoric holds weight, they find themselves more likely to alienate a large sector of their women and moderate voters, forcing them to impose abortion restrictions in more indirect manners.

Instead of large-scale abortion bans, legislation such as Iowa Rep. Mariannette MillerMeeks’ contraception bill is being presented. While claiming to expand access to contraceptives for pregnant teens, this would omit abortions on the list of services and rights available.

However, politicians who are

in support of the anti-abortion movement have now adopted a tactic becoming increasingly commonplace within congressional affairs and should place every single citizen of America who believes in the core principles of Democracy on alert.

Pro-life politicians are beginning to silence the majority through manipulative tactics and legislation, conducting themselves in a manner that infringes on every person’s rights as Americans. Across America in states such as Missouri, Ohio and Florida, GOP members have intentionally and arduously fought to remove the topic of abortion rights on ballot initiatives. These GOP members who are part of the anti-abortion movement are attempting to rid voters of the few forms of direct democracy that exist within this country — ballot initiatives allow for state legislation to be dictated by the majority, not solely by the dogma of whatever politicians are governing at the time. These are implicit attempts to subvert the power of the people and silence the majority, ensuring that the issue of abortion rights never reaches the people who are impacted by the restrictions politicians implement.

The state of pro-choice and anti-abortion movements are radically different than they were even two years ago, and this change stems from the United States Supreme Court

Page 7

decision to overturn Roe v.

Wade. A majority of the population believes in abortion rights, which is energizing the pro-choice movement and galvanizing pro-choice Democrats to vocalize their support targeting women voters across every political spectrum. Aware of the backlash that could arise against stringent abortion restrictions, those from the antiabortion movement have taken a more muted approach, working to indirectly impose restrictions on abortion rights.

Both parties will take action to implement their beliefs. An issue arises when the power is removed from the hands of the voters, and their voices are silenced. Anti-abortion politicians have revealed their tactic, and it violates the principle right afforded in a democratic society. This has become a tactic far too often utilized in recent years by politicians, and the issue of abortion rights has become another battleground where the strength of our Democracy will be tested.

Anti-abortion movements understand the majority is not on their side, and when you can’t fairly win, the only remaining option is to change the rules.

Unfortunately, that comes at the cost of our power, our voices, and our freedoms.

Luca Amaturo, FCRH ’26, is a communications & media studies major from Marlboro, N.J.

Say No to USG College Housing Proposal

By JAYLIN SELDON

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Ramily, it’s time for a talk — some of us are incredibly ignorant when it comes to the financial capital we hold in the Bronx. It’s not hard to see that some of our peers view the Bronx brough as a barren wasteland overall with exceptions of Arthur Avenue, Belmont, the Target on Fordham Road and the Metro-North station they use to escape to Manhattan every weekend, which they redundantly dub “the city.”

The Fordham administration also doesn’t do anything to change this belief system, only advising students to visit school sanctioned areas of the Bronx and helping feed into a misguided belief that the Bronx is much more dangerous than other urban areas. You know, sometimes, when engaging with some students from Fordham, it leads you to wonder if they view those outside of our gated manor as people. I’m not trying to be inflammatory here — I genuinely wonder if some of us on campus realize those outside our campus are real people who live here and are affected by our actions.

This question was spurred by a proposal in November 2023 from the Fordham

United Student Government (USG) centered on increasing off-campus housing options as a solution to the overcrowding and uncertainty of current on-campus housing as a result of the recent uptick in Fordham’s incoming classes. USG’s solution to this issue is a university partnership with CollegePads — a site designed to help students find off-campus housing more easily and eliminate broker fees by connecting students directly to landlords. This is a fix that would give the students at Fordham yet another edge over local Bronx residents in NYC’s housing crisis. Under this proposal, not only would Bronx residents have to compete with the massive wealth disparity between them and Fordham’s student body, but they would also have to compete with the fact that Fordham students would now have access to an exclusive housing market.

This isn’t new, though; housing has already been biased to Fordham students as landlords in the area continuously hike rent prices to suck funds from eager students ready to ditch campus at the expense of the local population. In 2021, according to the Furman

Center, the median rent was $1390 in the Fordham University Heights area, an increase from $1,160 in 2006.

Of those that live in the area, over 60% felt in some way rent-burdened — an unsurprising fact as the rent in Fordham matches the salary of a $50,000 earner in an area where the median income is $37,000. That $50,000 number itself is a bit of an underestimation because if you wanted to live in the area without your rent eating up 35% of your income, you’d ideally want to be earning more around the range of $60,000-$70,000, an income only earned by 34.2% individuals living in the Fordham area, which pales in comparison to the over 64% of Fordham students that come from families that bring in double.

The solution to our housing crisis isn’t to add to the current housing war between Fordham residents and students who influence the increase in rent. Instead we should acknowledge an uncomfortable truth — it’s time for Fordham University to scale back and stop letting in so many students. The Fordham administration is so preoccupied with revenue and competing with the other big schools in the city that

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USG announces new plan to increase Fordham housing.

they haven’t acknowledged that we can’t possibly house the thousands we admit every year on our 85-acre campus. Fordham should not repeat the mistakes of Columbia University by cannibalizing surrounding community because of institutional greed and mismanagement around admissions. A report about college housing shows, since 1968, Columbia has turned 6,000 rent-controlled apartments into university housing, displacing hundreds of families to service their student body. If the USG proposal were to go through, then Fordham would be embarking on a similar venture of buying up housing in the area.

We should say no to USG

and no to any proposal that promotes encroaching on the Belmont community to serve our needs. These are people who have lived here before us and will continue to live here decades after we graduate. It is our responsibility as guests to respect them and stand up to any suggestions that try to encourage displacement — even if it means you have to spend your first year in a triple instead of the double that you wanted.

Jaylin Seldon, FCRH ’27, is a philosophy major from the Bronx, N.Y.

OPINION

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February 7, 2024

The Impact of Expedited Repatriation on Museums

COURTESY OF TWITTER

The repatriation of indigenous artifacts will have a positive impact on all.

By LAILA SAYEGH STAFF WRITER

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) was a United States federal law passed in 1990 to address the rights of Native American artifacts held by museums. More specifically, the act regards the repatriation of human remains, funerary objects, sacred items and objects of cultural importance held by museums and federal agencies.

The Biden administration is looking to expedite the repatriation process, which is likely to have multifaceted impacts on the relationship between museums, Native American communities and museum-goers. This decision will inevitably have a positive impact on the relationship between museums and Native American nations.

First and foremost, accelerating the repatriation process will facilitate respect and collaboration between both groups. By doing so, the government will demonstrate a commitment to respecting Indigenous rights and cultural values. The accelerated process acknowledges the severity and sensitivity of displaying sacred items and human remains, pointing to a growing understanding of the cultural and spiritual significance that Native American communities hold.

While this is clearly a positive and necessary plan that considers the culture of Native Americans, I can also see how this may pose an issue for museums as businesses, as well as museum-goers. Bearing in mind that the process is being expedited, museums might face resource constraints in terms of

staff and funding. Some museums and stakeholders might try to resist the sped-up process, even though it is mandated by the government. If the museums do retaliate against the repatriation process and perceive it as some sort of infringement on their autonomy, it would naturally lead to disputes and legal challenges. Additionally, it is important to note that the rapid pace may result in variations in implementation times across institutions, which will cause inconsistencies and potential issues in complying with the regulations. Additionally, gallery closures during the repatriation process could disappoint visitors, especially those who were looking forward to specific exhibits.

Many of the Native American artifacts displayed in museums were taken through unethical and disrespectful means.

Archaeologists and museum collectors have looted Native American remains from homes, places of worship and tombs.

Also, federal agencies have collected the dead and their belongings from battlefields and massacre sites.

Apart from the repatriation process prompted by the Biden administration, there are several ways in which museums can further respect the cultures they portray. It is crucial to consult with indigenous communities on how to properly curate and interpret artifacts and how their cultural heritage should be

presented. One way to do this is to diversify museum staff, particularly the curators, to include more employees with diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives. Therefore, they can ensure that their heritages are not being misrepresented.

It is also important that museums be transparent, stating the acquisition history of every piece within them. They must publicly acknowledge the history of questionable acquisitions in the past and demonstrate a commitment to rectify past wrongdoings while continuing to accelerate efforts to repatriate objects obtained through these means, ensuring their return to their rightful owners.

The museums should implement training and educational programs to highlight the diverse array of cultural artifacts they display. For example, they can create educational materials for visitors that explain the complexities of cultural representation and the efforts taken to rectify past injustices. Also, more training should be provided for museum staff on cultural sensitivity, ethical considerations and the importance of respecting Indigenous communities. Overall, the best steps museums could take to move forward and better their relationship with Native American nations is to be transparent, informative, and open to change.

Implementing these changes will have an overall positive effect on the museum-going

experience for all parties involved. Museum-goers will be better educated when viewing the displays. Visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the ethical challenges faced by museums, contributing to a more educational and enlightening experience overall. Also, ethical policies promoting transparency and collaboration may foster increased engagement from visitors who appreciate the museum’s commitment to ethical practices. Hence, being more transparent and treating Indigenous communities with respect would be viewed highly by many people, which could overall increase the popularity of the museums. Lastly, diverse staff and inclusive narratives result in exhibits that more accurately represent the variety of human experiences, creating a more inclusive and relatable experience for visitors.

The expedited repatriation process mandated by the Biden administration under NAGPRA reflects a positive step towards respecting Indigenous rights and cultural values. Although resource constraints and resistance may arise, this move will enhance the educational experience for visitors and foster increased engagement through more inclusive exhibits.

Laila Sayegh, FCRH ’27, is a political science major from Congers, N.Y.

Equality of Law, Equality of Labor

By KATHRYN-ALEXANDRA ROSSI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fostering a common understanding with labor classifications has always been rather messy: who is the boss, and who is not? Modern conditions have made it so the line between boss and worker is blurred, such that at the same time one can be both and neither. Gig work is only the latest in that trend — contractstyle work that promises to hand control and agency to the worker, rather than the employer. Despite the term

appearing out of thin air and its recent rapid surge in popularity, gig work is hardly something new. The premise of day labor, a day-by-day job to perform unskilled labor for a day that does not necessarily imply any sort of incorporation into a firm, has been around as long as hired labor has been needed. Gig work only came about as a new way to describe something that has been around for centuries. The distinction appears as a way to justify a more vicious sort of exploitation, the sort that anyone with any modicum of conscience must

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Gig workers and permanent workers should be equally protected.

identify with evil.

It seems absurd to ask whether or not a gig worker ought to be assured the same privileges and protections afforded to “regular” workers (a distinction which I shall touch on shortly). Functionally, the purpose of labor protections has been to protect hired labor against different forms of abuses inflicted by an employer. Furthermore, the distinction of “protected labor” is extended to all hired labor, so all firms that directly employ must comply with federal regulations (minimum wage, workplace safety regulations, etc.). The classification of gig work was created to circumvent these standards; that is, to exploit labor power without being held to labor standards.

With that understanding, it is hardly unsurprising that gig workers are subject to the sorts of abuses that we associate with a past era, and the people that exploit them cannot be held accountable.

The assumption that any laborer is not entitled to the same protections as other laborers, even if their classification is different, is absurd, as all people are fundamentally deserving of the same protections under the law. There are differing circumstances that

affect people such that one may find themselves less privileged in one way or another.

The role of the law, particularly in labor, is to ensure that all employees, no matter whom or what they work for, are afforded the same protections.

The assumption that “gig” or temporary labor does not afford workers the same protection as “permanent” labor demonstrates the idea that some people are not worthy of being protected under the law.

It is equivalent to saying there are some people who are not worthy of living at all, since selling one’s labor time is required to live in this society.

The denigration of one’s time is to denigrate not only their livelihood, but to diminish their personhood by declaring that their time is worth less.

Temporary labor also holds a special place in society. For example, some people are incapable, for whatever reason, of not being able to maintain “permanent” labor. This is a group that encompasses wide swaths of society that includes students of both high school and university age, retirees, people with physical or mental impairments, people whose permanent labor does not pay enough for them to live on, people entering the

workforce from an absence, immigrants, migrants, the unbanked and the homeless. To note that temporary labor is not worth the protections is to say that the labor time of these people is not worth anything at all — a dangerous assumption to make, for it is this same temporary labor that feeds us, clothes us, erects our buildings and drives our cars.

Whether it be gig work or permanent labor, anyone who sells their labor time is entitled to the highest level of protection that we can make available. It is our duty to ensure equality under the law, because to devalue someone’s labor and deem it not worth protecting is to devalue that person’s humanity. No worker ought to be classified as a gig worker; the separation and dividing of labor into groups is to value one over the other and only serves to allow one group of people to take advantage of another. The protections afforded gig workers ought to be no less comprehensive than those afforded to other workers, owing to the universality of labor exploitation.

Kathryn-Alexandra Rossi, FCRH ’27, is a phliosophy and economics major from Arlington, Va.

OPINION

February 7, 2024

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Test Scores are Necessary in College Admissions

By LINDSEY OSIT STAFF WRITER

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, over 1,900 universities have changed their SAT and ACT policies. More than 80% of four-year colleges have become test-optional, and some schools aren’t accepting test scores at all. This shift in testscore reliance marks the emergence of a discussion on the ethics of standardized tests.

While many believe that the SATs are rooted in malpractice and prolong racial inequalities, the facts show standardized testing is effective in providing a measure of academic intelligence and predicting future success. No one believes that test scores should be the only criteria for college admissions, but — on account of intensified grade inflation and vast community differences — universities must maintain some sort of standardized evaluation.

In 2020, at the University of California, a faculty committee concluded that test scores better predict student success than high school grades. Another recent study into student success at Ivy-Plus schools (Ivy League schools plus other elite colleges like Duke University, Stanford University and the University of Chicago) showed a weak correlation between high school grades and college grades. Instead, the study showed the relationship between SAT scores and college grades to be much stronger and concluded that if colleges were to eliminate the SAT,

they would have a much worse idea of how applicants would perform at their schools.

SAT performance is also strongly associated with performance after college, further proving the test’s accuracy in measuring students’ capabilities. The study of student success at top-ranked universities showed a strong, positive correlation between SAT- or ACTequivalent scores and working at a prestigious firm. Like college performance, high school grades were weakly correlated with post-graduation success.

High school grades are likely failing at predicting success because of grade inflation. An “A” (now America’s most popular high school grade) is no longer impressive. There is no chance of excelling if the highest grade becomes the benchmark. Between 1998 and 2016, the average high school GPA rose from 3.27 to 3.38, but the average SAT score fell from 1026 to 1002. We’ve already established the SAT as a better predictor of success, so how can grades be improving if test scores are falling? The reason: grades are not standardized.

If a teacher wants to award all students an A, nothing stops them. Thus, the high school GPA loses some credibility.

The main argument against SATs is that the test perpetuates racial inequalities. According to College Board data, on average, Black, Hispanic and Latino students score lower on the math section of the SAT. Opponents of standardized testing argue that the SAT reinforces existing race

gaps in America. However, if we consider the SAT a measure of academic intelligence, that intelligence is fostered by education and privilege. Inequality in America leaves people of color at a disadvantage: Black and Hispanic children are disproportionately concentrated into high-poverty schools with fewer resources.

A standardized test will inherently reflect educational deficiencies. That’s what it’s supposed to do. We cannot change our measures and meaning of academic intelligence to ignore the fact that our nation fails to educate people equally. That would be ignoring the root of the problem and thus perpetuating inequality. In fact, maintaining the SAT as part of the college application process can give students from underprivileged communities more opportunities for success. At Harvard University, economist Susan Dynarski outlined the impacts of standardized testing in Michigan in 2007: “For every 1,000 low-income students who had taken the test before 2007 and scored well, another 480 college-ready, low-income students were uncovered by the universal test.”

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology serves as a case study for the positive impact of standardized testing on diversity. During COVID-19, the school suspended its test requirement. When the requirement was brought back two years later, MIT admitted the most diverse class in its history. Additionally, 20% of the class was awarded Pell Grants,

which provide lower-income students the means to attend school. Without the SATs as a requirement, admission officers have to turn to other indicators that reflect America’s racial inequalities even more.

Low-income students are disproportionately students of color. That said, factors considered during the admission process that favor wealthy families, in turn, typically disproportionately leave students of color at a disadvantage.

Extracurricular activities, for example, are weighed in the college admissions process, and they are dominated by middle- and upper-class students. The same goes for music lessons. Wealthy parents can afford to send their kids to private schools that specialize in preparing students for the Ivy League world. While privileged students can also afford SAT prep courses, the demographics of SAT results show disparities like those revealed by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a nationwide test for elementary and middle school students.

Students can not take preparatory courses for that exam.

So, standardized tests have a case for being the most equitable aspect of college admissions. For some educational reformers, that isn’t enough.

Eddie Comeaux, who is a professor of higher education at the University of California, acknowledges that the SAT is a strong indicator of future performance. However, he believes colleges should prioritize diversity over academics

or success. Comeaux is part of a group of reformers who believe that the purpose of higher education is to lift social mobility: to provide opportunities for disadvantaged communities, not for privileged ones.

Diversifying education is essential; it’s something we’ve been doing as a country and will continue to do. But prioritizing racial diversity over any other aspect of education challenges the notion of what it means to be a prestigious, competitive and effective institution of higher education.

Schools like Yale University and Harvard are considered “elite” because they only take the best students. Acceptance is a great achievement. Colleges like these work to cultivate students into expert scientists, mathematicians, philosophers, politicians and countless other roles from which these students can make the world a better place. But if elite schools stop taking the smartest kids and instead pull from a “lottery,” as Comeaux suggests, that competition disappears.

Most colleges and universities (especially Ivy League schools) already place special emphasis on social mobility. But that can’t be the only factor. Otherwise, students have no reason to strive for improvement in academics, artistry, athletics and other aspects of their application within their control.

Lindsey Osit, FCRH ’24, is a journalism major from South Windsor, Conn.

Journalism in a Time of Genocide

By ISABELLA LIPAYON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Words do matter. Amidst the escalation of Israel’s lengthy war on Palestine, the lack of words matters just as much. In November 2023, more than 750 journalists signed an open letter condemning the targeting of reporters in the besieged Gaza Strip. In it, the signatories “hold Western newsrooms accountable for their use of dehumanizing rhetoric that has served to justify the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians,” urging reporters to use precise language that is well-defined by international human rights organizations.

But why was there a need for such a call in the first place?

Let’s be real: tracing the shortcomings of the United States media when it comes to reporting on international affairs warrants an article of its own. However, the death toll of Palestinian civilians, along with news coverage that is, at best, disproportionate makes these failures increasingly clear. In 2017,

Al Jazeera journalist Mariam Barghouti stated that “mainstream media focus is on Palestinian reaction and not on Israeli action.” As the open letter suggests, newsrooms’ neglect of the words “apartheid,” “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide” are diminishing humanitarian atrocities and failing to recognize them for what they are. Quantitative analysis of major U.S. news organizations’ handling of the war since October 2023 has proven these sentiments true.

The Intercept surveyed news coverage of the Gaza War from Oct. 7 to Nov. 24, 2023, collecting over 1,000 articles from major U.S. publications. Results show four major findings: disproportionate coverage of deaths (Palestinian deaths were said to be declining as the death toll actually increased), the use of “highly emotive terms” (e.g. “slaughter,” “massacre,” etc.) being reserved “almost exclusively” for Israelis who were killed

by Palestinians, and there

has been “scant mention” of the nature of civilian casualties despite 17,000 of 27,000 lives lost being women and children. Additionally, more media attention has been devoted to antisemitic attacks than to hate crimes linked to anti-Muslim racism.

Numerous journalists face a threat to their lives, and even more face a threat to their professional and personal integrity. So, how is the world witnessing the events taking place? What’s provoking a demand for more transparency? For many, it seems, the main source of daily information has come from the people living in Gaza City, reporting from their own screens.

Bisan Owda is a Palestinian filmmaker and documentarian who has amassed a following of over 4 million on her Instagram (@wizard_bisan1) for her visual documentation of the ongoing siege on Gaza beginning in 2023. Her posts capture photos, videos and descriptions of Gaza City, from the rubble in the

aftermath of bombings to the daily meals of an average civilian. Freelance journalist and former travel blogger Plestia Alaqad (@byplestia), has similarly dedicated her platform to videos discussing and documenting the intensifying war. Her bio reads, “See Gaza through my eyes.”

Social media users Motaz Azaiza (@motaz_azaiza) and Belal Khaled (@belalkh) are Palestinian photojournalists who report on living conditions in the city, with a particular emphasis on the civilian casualties. Lama Jamous (@lama_jamous9) is a nineyear-old aspiring journalist who shares parts of her daily life after having been forcibly displaced from her home last year. The names mentioned are just a few reporting live on the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The use of social media to disseminate information has been a point of contention for many who fear it will only end in misinformation and ultimately the obsolescence of traditional news. Addi-

tionally, when I, the average American, see these stories on social media, I am sitting comfortably away from this mass destruction, indiscriminate killing and ongoing genocide. Like many, I am complicit when I remain in this comfort. When children caked in dust and blood interrupt my mindless scrolling, I am reminded of this privilege.

Major U.S. news sources are failing to report on all aspects of the Gaza War adequately. The only thing that has been keeping the ongoing atrocities from fading into numbers have been activists and independent reporters making their realities accessible to the international public. But must they shoulder this on their own? If the point is accuracy and objectivity, why do newsrooms fear making the truth visible?

Isabella Lipayon, FCRH ’26, is a philosophy and comparative literature major from Manila, Philippines

OPINION

Page 10

February 7, 2024

Should I Be Masking?

By ZOË CHAPITAL

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

We should still be masking whenever and wherever we can. Even if it feels like people have moved on from COVID-19, it is not a thing of the past.

On May 11, 2023, the federal government declared an end to the federal COVID-19 public health emergency. For many, this signaled an end to worrying about COVID-19.

However, for others, concern over COVID-19 never ended.

One step individuals conscious about COVID-19 can and should take is continuing to mask. At the onset of the pandemic, masking was a more contentious topic, but this conversation dwindled as mask mandates were lifted. The conversation about masking is still happening across the globe as pockets of the internet exist where people are conscious and concerned with ableism, racism, public health and community safety. This conversation needs to reach wider audiences, and there should be more significant concern about COVID-19 and how it affects us collectively.

Scripps News relayed reports from the CDC, which directly stated, “There was a 12.5% increase in deaths due to the virus in the first week of [2024] compared to the last week of 2023. Massachusetts, Missouri and New Jersey had the most dramatic increases in COVID-19-related deaths in the first week of 2024.” Many people have

died because of COVID-19, and many people are still dying from it. I do not believe that as fewer lives are lost, there should be less emphasis on upholding the safety precautions that have proven effective. Death statistics are inanimate; they don’t tell a story. Behind every addition to the collective COVID-19 death toll is a life. It’s vital that we remember and treat these numbers as more than data points and react accordingly.

Imani Barbarin, known online as @crutches_and_spice on social media platforms, is a Black woman with cerebral palsy and an unwavering advocate for people with disabilities. In an interview with MetroFocus in 2022, she stated, “The pandemic is a mass disabling event, physically, mentally, and societally. What I mean is you cannot walk away from an illness as serious as COVID-19 and think you’ll be fine afterwards. That’s not how viruses work.” Imani is correct; one example of a disabling health factor of COVID-19 is “Long COVID.” According to the CDC, “Long COVID” can be identified at least four weeks after the infection, the symptoms are far-reaching, the effects can change over time and they can be experienced for months, weeks or years.

The CDC also states that anyone can contract “Long COVID” since there is a risk each time someone is infected with COVID-19. Unvaccinated people may have a

higher risk of COVID-19, and it is more likely in extreme cases, but it is possible even when someone did not know they had the virus or did not test positive. USAfacts.org reports that the “Census Bureau estimated that 25.6% of US adults who have contracted COVID-19 had experienced long COVID at some point.”

This information is worrying and admittedly overwhelming; 25.6% of the U.S. population includes a lot of people who have experience or are living with either new disabling conditions or disabling conditions that are stacked upon previous ones. However, information like this empowers us to protect ourselves and our communities as is needed for the severity of the issue.

So, what was learned from this CDC information about “Long COVID?” Getting vaccinated is a big part of this puzzle — it is essential, but masking is another necessary measure. As people, we are constantly in community with one another. We share space, and we are not simply responsible for ourselves or the people we care most about.

We must cast our net of care, community and health consciousness wider. Many of us have thought that if we are not disabled or immunocompromised or if we do not know of anyone who is, we do not have to worry. But this is not true. There is no concrete barrier that keeps able-bodied people from stepping into disability.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Face masks should still be encouraged to maintain public health

Jessica Malaty Rivera is an infectious disease epidemiologist at the De Beaumont Foundation. In an interview held with PBS News on Jan. 6, 2023, she stated, “I think masks are a very important part of our Swiss cheese model of protection, right? It’s not one thing that’s going to completely eliminate risk. Risk is subjective and it is also additive, or prevention is additive.” The phrase “prevention is additive” is key. Masks are effective, they do work, and when I wear mine, I put it on to signal to others that I care about them and our health and safety. Disability rights activist Alice Wong is a supporter of masking, writing, “Masking does not need to be perfectly adhered to or universally enforced to be effective, a simple rule to remember is that more mask wearing = less virus in the air. And, less virus in the air = fewer chains of transmission.”

I write this not to moralize actions or shame people’s choices surrounding the pan-

demic, public health or safety. However, it is evident that the U.S. government does not have the interest of the most marginalized or the most vulnerable in mind. As I stated earlier, there is no concrete barrier that keeps us from becoming disabled. If you are thinking about masking, do it, and if you do not, I urge you to think about it.

If you need resources for where to find safe and authentic masks, Project N95 is a nonprofit organization that maintains a continuously updated and vetted list of protective and authentic masks with links to the third-party websites that provide them.

Additionally, WellBefore is a site wherein you can directly purchase masks that are also protective and authentic, and the CDC has a web page that provides information for free high-quality masks.

Zoë Chapital, FCRH ’24, is an English major from Walnut Creek, Calif.

TikTok Loses The Right To UMG Music

By CAILEE ZERAAT COPY CHIEF

Following a battle between TikTok and Universal Music Group (UMG), the biggest music company in the world has decided to revoke its licenses to their songs on the popular social media app. On Jan. 30, one day before the end of their contract, the music group released a public statement titled “An Open Letter to the Artist and Songwriter Community — Why We Must Call Time Out on TikTok.” UMG claims TikTok did not provide a fair royalty rate in the proposed contract renewal and failed to address their concerns about music generated by artificial intelligence. Because of the two companies’ inability to reach an agreement, UMG revoked its licenses and, on Feb. 1, TikTok began removing access to the group’s music on their app.

UMG, Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment are the biggest music conglomerates across the globe, and UMG is the largest of the three.

The worldwide group has an impressive catalog of artists, spanning from indie to K-pop.

Because of this decision by UMG, not only are users unable

to create new videos with the group’s signed artists, but old videos using their music are now missing the sound backing them. Regardless of your music tastes, the end of their contract with TikTok will definitely affect your saved folder of edits.

UMG claims that a large reason behind ending its contract with TikTok was to ensure “appropriate compensation for [their] artists and songwriters.”

However, when artists are unable to use their own songs on one of the largest social media platforms, can UMG truly claim they are trying to protect their talent rather than their profits? While TikTok is not an entirely music-based platform, it is difficult to deny the influence the app has on the modern music industry. Songs that become popular are streamed more outside of TikTok. Many record labels push their artists to heavily promote on TikTok more than other apps. TikTok has fundamentally changed the way artists procure streams and, subsequently, profit.

Larger artists signed by the company, such as Taylor Swift and Drake, will most likely not be directly impacted by this change, except for the expected

disappointment from fans unable to access their favorite artist’s music on TikTok. However, in reality, this move will most definitely impact smaller artists who rely on TikTok to advertise their music. UMG’s blatant lack of consideration for their less popular artists is yet another example and reminder of the prioritization of profits over all else. Without TikTok, UMG artists without an established fan base will struggle to boost streams; they can no longer access one of the largest and most influential advertising platforms of the modern age.

UMG’s claim to fight for their artists is honestly quite laughable. Maybe they are fighting for their top earners, but forcibly removing an integral marketing platform for smaller artists is only selfishly motivated. If they truly cared about protecting their artists, they would give back music rights to creators.

UMG is failing to recognize that many small artists owe their success to a viral TikTok post.

With this change, it is possible that artists may attempt to renegotiate their own contracts with UMG or even leave the music label as a whole.

The company claims that the

COURTESY OF TWITTER

TikTok has been barred from using UMG-produced music.

consequences their artists may face due to this change will be “near-term.” However, the influence of TikTok is not slowing down any time soon. Additionally, no other social media platform can compete with TikTok in terms of the sheer number of posts that contain music.

There are many unanswered questions about how this will impact the music industry. Will artists not signed to UMG overtake their UMG-signed peers?

How will artists’ profits actually change? Will Sony and Warner follow suit once their respective contracts with TikTok end?

Unfortunately, this approach is a shift back to outdated marketing, distancing UMG from the next generation of artists and fans. Moving from contentbased platforms to streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple

Music and YouTube is a step in the wrong direction. These platforms, in competition with TikTok, have become secondary destinations for the average listener. TikTok is a platform centered around fan-to-artist connection; the first exposure to any given song or artist often happens on the app. This move

by UMG allowed the company to put a stop to the increasingly TikTok-centered music industry, effectively drawing a line in the sand. However, if other labels do not follow suit or TikTok does not renegotiate a contract with UMG, the only thing the music conglomerate has done is harm their artists and alienate fans.

Cailee Zeraat, FCRH ’25, is an English major from Fairfax, Va.

CULTURE

Feburary 7, 2024

Page 11

Turn The Lights Back On, Billy Joel!

By ALEXANDER HOM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

First the Beatles released a song in November, Billy Joel the February after… who’s next, Stevie Wonder on the first of spring, back at Rose Hill with a new song to sing? Turn out the lights, don’t try to save me. Yes, after a long winter of indifference, Billy Joel is back with… a new single?! Or my middle name isn’t Joel.

Can’t believe that? Find me serenading my friends with “Uptown Girl” on the Keating Hall steps, and I’ll amiably show you my driver’s license.

We’ve seen the lights go out on Broadway, and they were bright before they did. Joel’s last (original) song before this month’s stunner was the 2007 ode-to-veterans “Christmas in Fallujah.” Months before that, we’d thought “All My Life” were his famous last words.

But although he felt in 1993 that he’d written all he could, his performing (and clearly songwriting) career — with spectacular irony — had a lot more life to live. Joel did promise us there’d be other words some other day, and after the longest time, they’re here. When he announced his record-setting Madison Square Garden residency’s Jul. 25 end, I thought, “Now he’ll have more time to tour, even resume writing again and explore a fresh chapter of his life.” Learning the official Jan. 23 news that Joel would release a new song — and having not witnessed its Dec. 19 concert preview — I naturally

pondered its melody, variably singing the words “Turn The Lights Back On” to myself, and ruminating what sounded best. I’m humbled my big shot in the hypothetical dark wasn’t far off from Joel’s production.

I rarely oversleep, but I ever so slightly snoozed past the song’s Feb. 1, 7 a.m. world release. I shot out of my river of dreams, jammed my earbuds in and, as soon as the music began, every mental pressure vanished — waking up late, Master’s degree classes, impatiently anticipating the music. I, for a short moment, expected a softly characteristic piano intro, like in all the Joel songs I can think of. Immediately greeting you is the crispness of Joel’s voice, because there’s no instrumental intro before the first verse. Coldopen vocals? Sounds genius and aurally great to me; after all, who wants to wait any longer to hear him again? Of course, Joel melds his iconically powerful tenor with contemplative piano chords. The pre-chorus verse maintains the melody and launches us into the first chorus. The piano now flows with a harp’s tempo, Joel’s brilliant lyrics cleverly adopting a dynamically irregular rhyme metamorphosis that continually schemes with each verse. As the first chorus closed, I realized Joel was speaking to us through this song. The music is a doubly intimate message: to a lover, and to his loving fans. Is it too late in his career for him to come back? Was he

even gone at all, and is it ever too late for anything?

Our third verse designs a new dimension with percussion adding depth, as violins and a cello expand the spectacle. By the second chorus, I was already singing aloud, simultaneously thinking the song’s gentle yet grand (Joel definitely didn’t use an upright) scale would make it a stellar Bond theme. The strings peel out, cymbals crash and we’re brought to the sky-high bridge carrying that sweeping piano solo we’ve been waiting for.

With a steel drum’s vibrancy, this cheerfully colorful interlude unleashes the strings, reverberating drums and intricate acoustic guitar. Back to a solo piano accompaniment, where Joel’s voice thoughtfully shines as the strings reemerge midway. Every instrument proudly returns in the final chorus, and Joel ties it all together, the conductor grabbing the harmonically dancing orchestration, and releasing the piano with a flourish as the song rapidly fades to a close. Joel’s gift wraps sans an outro, ending as fast as it started. Who needs a concluding finale when this adventure has just begun?

Joel soars intensely on his signature A/F sharps, plays with the B/D/E keys and lands contently on the C/G flats. The entire arrangement is pricelessly delectable, the piano buttery smooth, strings tender, his voice cool, classy, clear. Joel plays, pours and sings his genuine heart out;

of course the watercolor-lyric YouTube video crested one million views hours after his 2024 Grammy Awards performance. “Turn The Lights Back On” is no “Just The Way You Are” (possibly my favorite), “Piano Man” (almost everyone’s favorite) or “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” (Joel’s favorite) — it’s something uniquely outstanding.

Joel’s here to stay. Warmed up from monthly concerts for the past decade (except 2020-21) and extensive international tours since 1994, we all — Joel included — have lots more to look forward to.

Better late than never, Billy: welcome back, you never left.

We’re glad you’ve made it — your new music, songwriting return and overall excellence.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Billy Joel pictured performing his new single “Turn The Lights Back On.”

ASST. NEWS EDITOR EMERITUS

CULTURE

Page 12

Feburary 7, 2024

A Journey Through Picasso’s World

By MEHAK IMRAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and fully immerse myself in its latest exhibit, “Picasso in Fontainebleau,” which aims to explore the ideas and brilliance of Picasso’s summer of 1921 in Fontainebleau, France.

As I made my way to the third floor of the Edward Steichen Galleries, I found myself surrounded by a garagelike space meant to reproduce the setting in which Picasso

had painted. The exhibit aimed to showcase the summer Picasso had spent with his wife and newborn son and really bridge the gap between his family life and illustrations. The results of this summer fervently spent painting were his production of “The Three Musicians,” a bright and vibrant abstract piece utilizing cubism, as well as “Three Women at the Spring,” a decidedly more dull use of color and realistic approach.

While these two paintings look vastly different, they were painted within mere weeks of

COURTESY OF MEHAK IMRAN FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

The exhibition featured art displaying stages of Picasso’s life.

each other, offering a firsthand glimpse into Picasso’s summer.

In the small room with four large paintings, two copies of each, at about seven-feet tall, towered over myself and the other guests. The reproduction of the garage where Picasso worked, with the key paintings hanging as they would have in 1921, added a layer of authenticity and transported me back to the heart of the artist’s creative process. The beautiful drawings of the rented house and gardens in Fontainebleau, with shutters askew and vines covering the walls, offered a glance into the artist’s intimate connection with his surroundings. I found it fascinating how the exhibit attempted to juxtapose the two paintings by hanging them side by side, illustrating Picasso’s ability to simultaneously delve into cubism and classical representation on the same wall.

As I moved through the exhibition, the sharp distinctions between the abstracted musicians and the more traditional representation of women became apparent. As his summer and the dates on the paintings progressed, I was able to see a visible shift in Picasso’s mental health as he began exploring with brighter colors and cubism and really came into his own as an artist. The dichotomies extended beyond the visual elements,

touching upon themes of the male and female, outward and inward focus and gathering and consuming versus processing and performing.

The birth of Picasso’s son, Paulo, a few months earlier seemed to cast a profound influence on his thoughts about gender roles, power dynamics and family life. It sheds light on his simultaneous exploration of Cubism and classicism, challenging the prevailing notions of artistic progress and categorization to balance both modernity and tradition. The contrast between the huge canvases of “Three Musicians” and “Three Women” at the spring shows the revolutionary nature of his work, as he struggled in the gap between talent and insanity, struggling with his own mental health and his newfound role as a father.

As I traversed the gallery spaces, I couldn’t help but reflect on the complexities of Picasso’s life during that summer, navigating the clash of domestic responsibility and the imperative need to create.

As a writer myself, I was able to understand his struggle of balancing his own style with a more conventional one, experimenting with a fusion of the two.

“Picasso in Fontainebleau” at the MoMA is more than a display of paintings; it is a curated journey through the

mind of an artistic genius.

The exhibition transcends traditional boundaries, inviting viewers to explore the interconnectedness of Picasso’s life, art and the cultural milieu of Fontainebleau in 1921 through putting yourself in his shoes. It also serves as a testament to the enduring relevance of Picasso’s work, sparking conversations that transcend time and place and allowing everyone to connect with his work.

As I departed from the MoMA on Friday evening, I carried with me a newfound appreciation for Picasso’s summer spent in the south of France. The exhibition not only celebrated the genius of a renowned artist, but also invited contemplation on the broader themes of creativity, identity and the perpetual balance between tradition and innovation. “Picasso in Fontainebleau” is a must-see, offering a glimpse into the mind of an artist who dared to redefine the boundaries of art.

The first Friday of every month, the MoMA partners with Uniqlo to offer free admission to New York residents and college students, so make sure to take advantage of this opportunity to see this wonderful and immersive exhibit.

It was a Friday well spent, and I emerged with a deeper appreciation for the complexities that define both art and life.

“Griselda”: Controversial Or Empowering?

By CAMLIA MIRANDA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

This past week, Netflix’s new series, “Griselda,” starring Sofia Vergara and Karol G, took the internet by storm, going viral for all the right and wrong reasons. Premiering on Jan. 25, this show has been number one on Netflix since its release, along with receiving an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Causing much talk and commotion across all social media platforms and news outlets, there have been mixed opinions regarding this new series and its telling of the Miami-based Colombian drug lord Griselda Blanco.

Vergara plays the role of Blanco, who was known as the Godmother of Cocaine and created one of the most profitable cartels in history.

The series starts off with a quote from Pablo Escobar that states, “The only man I ever feared was a woman named Griselda Blanco,’’ and begins in Medellín with Blanco and her three children fleeing after she kills her husband. Blanco and her children make it to Miami where a friend takes them in until Blanco can become independent. Her friend offers Blanco a job at her travel agency but is unaware that she secretly stashed a kilogram of

cocaine to the U.S. and is looking to sell it. Although she only wants to sell it for some extra cash at first, she runs into issues trying to sell it, realizing no one wants to buy from her or takes her seriously just because she is a woman. This is the spark that ignites Blanco’s ambitious drive to set up her own cartel in Miami and eventually take control of the entire city. The series then follows how Blanco makes her way to the top as a powerful drug lord, her downfall and inevitable path to capture, highlighting how her own insecurities and addiction to power ultimately lead to her end.

I really enjoyed watching this series. I think Netflix did a fantastic job in making this a limited series, seeing as they didn’t drag the story on for the sake of content nor left out any important aspects of Blanco’s story. I also liked the feminist take they incorporated into the series, showcasing how Blanco had to work twice as hard and constantly prove herself to be worthy simply because she was a Latina woman. Along with this, I enjoyed how the series portrayed Blanco as someone who looked to give underdogs a purpose, with there being many scenes in the series where she gave a chance to people who were overlooked

and subject to prejudice by the rest of society.

There are some aspects of the series that I didn’t like too much. I didn’t agree with the glorification of Blanco as a character. To a certain extent, I think the series justified her crimes and didn’t do a good enough job of communicating that her feminist role was out of place, considering all of the bad things she did and all of the people she killed. I definitely think Netflix could’ve

done a better job of not glorifying her as much and toning it down in that respect. This led me to simply get bored towards the middle of the series because of the fact that I didn’t like nor agree with the light that they were painting Griselda’s character in.

Despite this, I am glad I watched this series and can see why it is such a big hit. If you are interested and have the time, this series is worth binge-watching and is a series

that keeps you captivated the entire time. Vergara does an excellent job portraying her role and is very different from anything we’ve seen her in so far. Karol G’s appearance in the series is random at times, but she also does a great job considering this is her first acting project. Though the series incorporates some controversial themes, it is one you don’t want to miss out on and won’t regret watching.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Sofia Vergara, controversial star of “Griselda,” pictured in a promo for the new Netflix show.

CULTURE

Feburary 7, 2024

Page 13

Who’s That Kid | Aiden Bechamps, FCRH ’25

Junior Navigates the Sports Media Industry

By NOAH HOFFMAN

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Many sports enthusiasts dream of turning their passion into a profession, but few possess the determination and drive to see it through. Enter Aiden Bechamps, a junior at Fordham University who is making waves in the sports media world through his commitment and dedication.

Bechamps, a transfer student from Montclair State University, along with a full course load of classes, works on the side for two different sports media companies: Foul Territory and Empire Sports Media.

At Foul Territory, a baseball show hosted by a slew of former MLB All-Stars and former MLB Network host Scott Braun, Bechamps wears many hats. “I do anything they ask me to do,” he explains. “I am kind of like a Swiss army knife for them. One day, I could be a production assistant on set, [and] another day, I could be writing segments or video editing, really whatever they need.”

He began working with Foul Territory began in the spring semester of his sophomore year after stumbling upon a job posting on Handshake before working with Empire Sports Media.

“I work there a little bit less now because of my work with Fireside Yankees, but I’ve still stuck around Foul Territory and help them in any way I can,” Bechamps noted.

Fireside Yankees is part of Empire Sports Media, a New York-based media company covering all of the city’s sports teams. Bechamps got the chance to start working with the company simply by talking about the New York Yankees.

“I met my friend and current co-worker, Ryan Garcia, by talking about the Yankees over Twitter,” Bechamps recalls. “After telling him about what I did with Foul Territory, he asked if I wanted to come join the squad, and the rest is history.”

While Bechamps has always been a baseball fan, particularly for the Yankees, he didn’t always know he’d venture into the sports media industry. He started making sports edits on Vine when he was 11 years old, eventually turning to filmmaking. Unsure he wanted to pursue a filmmaking career, he started making baseball reports on TikTok and realized his calling lay in sports media.

With the two companies, interacting with former and

current MLB players and prominent figures in the sports media industry is a given. Bechamps says, “It was kind of intimidating at first, I mean, I looked up to many of these guys growing up. In the end, they’re all just regular, really nice guys that want to help you learn not only for the company now but also for any career aspirations.”

Bechamps has had a lot of great experiences to look back on in his early stages of working in the media industry, but his favorite so far is co-hosting podcasts with Garcia on Fireside Yankees.

“Yes, we’re co-workers, but we’re friends first,” Bechamps asserted. “So it doesn’t feel like work and that we’re just friends talking about the Yankees.”

Looking ahead, Bechamps sees his current roles as invaluable stepping stones toward his future career aspirations. “The hands-on experience is important,” he noted. “Finding what an audience wants and what they do and don’t view is crucial for a successful career in sports media.”

For Fordham Rams with aspirations in the sports media field, Bechamps offered tips. “Take any opportunity you can get,” he advised.

“Even if something is un-

paid, the networking opportunities and connections will be valuable enough to make the experience worthwhile.”

He also stated, “Even if you can’t find an internship, start making content on your own. Whether that’s writing an article, making a YouTube video or a TikTok or just tweeting about sports; just put your work out there, and if it’s good, people will come to you.”

In a world where the intersection of sports and media continues to captivate audiences worldwide, Bechamps’ journey is a testament to the opportunities that await those with the courage to chase their dreams. As he continues to pave his path in the realm of sports media, one thing remains — Aiden Bechamps is just getting started.

COURTESY OF AIDEN BECHAMPS FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Junior Aiden Bechamps worked to get a headstart in the media industry.

Sarah J.Maas’ Books Are More Than Just Romance Nov els

By LILLIAN VERDI

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

When I first heard about the “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (ACOTAR) series by Sarah J. Maas, it seemed as though being a fan of the series was something to hide.

Like all of Maas’ books, the “ACOTAR” novels fall into the fantasy romance genre, otherwise known as “romantasy.”

Because romance is a large part of each novel, Maas’ books have become something that both romance and fantasy fans love, yet other readers regard the books as inappropriate and shameful, reducing them to romance books with no real value.

What people fail to give Maas credit for is the amount of real-world problems she dissects in her fantasy novels. Yes, there are a fair share of romantic scenes, but deeper issues are integrated into the plot.

Maas focuses on depression and the emotional turmoil that comes with loss in her most recent series, “Crescent City.” Its first installment, “House of Earth and Blood” (HOEAB), follows Bryce Quinlan, a half-human half-fae female, while she struggles with the aftermath of her best friend Danika’s sudden death. The male main character of “HOEAB”

is Hunt Athalar, a brooding angel with a dark reputation, now enslaved to the city’s governor. We soon learn that Hunt has his own internal struggles, grief and selfloathing being just a couple.

Through the first two novels of “Crescent City,” “HOEAB” and “House of Sky and Breath,” readers see Bryce and Hunt’s relationship grow from simple snarky banter to a deep, meaningful relationship forged by shared trauma and the dream of a better life for themselves and their loved ones. This is one of the reasons why I get confused every time I hear any of Maas’ writing denigrated to spicy fantasy books with zero complexity.

Maas is also a highly acclaimed author. She has penned 17 books, 16 of which are split into three series, with a contract to write at least seven more. Furthermore, Maas is a #1 New York Times and bestselling author.

The literary powerhouse has won the Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Fantasy three years in a row, from 2020 to 2022, and Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction from 2016 to 2018.

To belittle Maas’ work just because there are sexually explicit scenes is absurd. In all three series, Maas creates complex, tragic and

beautiful storylines centering around relatable heroines with problems more similar to real life than some critics are willing to admit.

An article by Entertainment Weekly phrases the dichotomy perfectly, stating, “Maas has devised entire universes… jam-packed with dynamic female characters who are rescuing entire worlds, while still finding time to deal with interpersonal conflict and build meaningful relationships. But she… [is] singled out, with a tee-hee, for ‘smutty’ passages.” The readers who obsess over Maas’ characters, of course, love the romance present in each series, but why does the inclusion of romance mean the books are lesser than other popular novels?

Maas’ most recent release, “House of Flame and Shadow” (HOFAS), came out this past Tuesday, Jan. 30. In the third “Crescent City” installment, Bryce is stranded in an unknown world, far from Hunt and the rest of her loved ones. She must find her way back to Midgard, her home planet, before the allpowerful Asteri can destroy her home and those that live there. Hunt, now trapped in the Asteri’s dungeons, has lost his freedom and the life he had with Bryce.

Though I haven’t yet finished reading the book, most reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. For example, on Goodreads, “HOFAS” currently boasts a 4.5 average rating (from a pool of over 56,000 reviews), and 62% of readers (almost 40,000 individuals) awarded the novel five stars.

Less than 1% of people gave the new “Crescent City” book one star. The lofty praise from most readers proves how large of a following the author has, which grows rapidly with every new release.

Maas’ global fanbase read her books, “HOFAS” included,

because of the flawless way Maas inserts common struggles into her fantasy worlds.

The romance is something all fans love, as each relationship reflects what many people dream of, but Maas delves deeper into the complexities of what it means to be human. Her characters emulate how flawed we all are and don’t shy away from the ugly parts of humanity.

When critics relegate Maas’ writing to something meant only for prurient teenage girls, they do readers and Maas herself a disservice.

COURTESY OF SOPHIE MASELLI/ THE FORDHAM RAM

The new Sarah J. Maas novel is causing controversy amongst readers.

CULTURE

Page 14

February 7, 2024

Study Abroad | England

A Love Letter to England’s Countryside

By GRACE GALBREATH

ASST. NEWS EDITOR EMERITUS

When talking to friends and family from home, I am often asked which city I am headed to next — Paris, Madrid, Rome, etc. While I plan to visit all of these bustling cities (and more), I am also prioritizing visits to rural areas.

To put it simply, I yearn for the countryside!

This semester I am based in London, and have visited Budapest and Dublin. These crowded cities are great places to explore. You can spend days in each without running out of things to do. There are a million restaurants to visit, museums to explore, markets to peruse and streets to wander down. While these amazing cities have much to do, they sometimes lack individuality.

Rural areas and small towns, although quiet, have a certain charm that big cities do not. Even the people are nicer. When asking for directions in London, I have gotten ignored more times than I can count. (Although I don’t blame the offenders, I would be a hypocrite to pretend I haven’t done the same to tourists in NYC.) When I have asked for help in smaller towns, people have been more than willing to come to my aid.

In addition to the change of pleasantness, I have found that small towns tend to have more beautiful architecture and vibrant streets. Plus, there is

something very inviting about walking into a pub where everyone is familiar with one another. It is heartwarming to see bartenders chatting with the customers as though they have known each other all their lives.

Two weeks ago, my friends and I decided to take a break from big-city living, and took a day trip to the Seven Sisters Cliffs. The cliffs are located in a rural area overlooking the English Channel coast. The view from the top is beautiful, but the journey to the cliffs is not for the faint of heart. To get to the county of East Sussex, where the cliffs are located, my friends and I left London early Saturday morning. First, we boarded a train headed to the small, coastal city of Brighton. In Brighton, we explored Eastbourne. Eastbourne is a little town, filled with small, local shops and neat restaurants. Although Eastbourne is not quite a seasonal town, it is much busier in the warmer months. One of the main attractions of the town is the beach and pier, which is lined with restaurants, shops and amusement park rides. Although the weekend’s cold temperatures left us quiet streets, the town had a lot of character and my friends and I promised to return when the weather warms.

After exploring Brighton, we hopped on a local bus that was headed to South Downs National Park. The bus route gave us a great view of the English coastline as we traveled to even

more of an isolated town.

After a three-hour journey sponsored by multiple forms of public transportation, we finally arrived at the cliffs and began our ascent to the peak. The cliffs were amazing. The hike to the top was long, taking over two hours. Along the way, we ran into flocks of sheep (which we did not approach) and ponies (which we did approach). Unfortunately, we should not have approached the ponies, because one of them bit me. (Although my spunky friend and former Assistant Culture Editor Lauren Lombardi, FCRH ’25, claims the bite was just a nibble!)

When we reached the peak, we stopped and ate lunch. It was a makeshift picnic, with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that we had made that morning. The quiet lunch, sitting on the grass, while we watched sheep wander was rejuvenating, especially after spending a month in the bustling streets of London.

Although our trip through the English countryside was just a day long, I am certain that my friends and I will prioritize trips to rural areas in the future, and you should too! Don’t forget about the countryside during your travels.

Before I go, let me offer a few words of wisdom before you embark on any outdoor adventures through the countryside.

Don’t assume you are too cool to bundle up (I did, and had to buy an extra sweatshirt) and do watch where you are walking (I didn’t, and twisted my ankle).

COURTESY OF GRACE GALBREATH FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

The English Countryside? A fantastic time.

Snow Lands on Top (of Fordham)

By HANNAH BORING PRODUCTION EDITOR

If I had a nickel for every time the first week of classes coincided with a major weather event, I’d have two nickels — which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice.

On Tuesday, Jan. 16, students woke up to snow covering Fordham University’s Rose Hill campus. The bright pink sunrise behind Keating Hall lit up the sky, reflecting off the glittering white of the snow. It was beautiful, and it definitely made my 7 a.m. walk to Ram Fit a million times better (even though it was freezing cold).

The previous night, Fordham announced in an email and on Fordham News that classes would be delayed until 10 a.m. due to New York City’s Winter Weather Advisory, forcing students to have their first class of the new semester be on Zoom… or… not happen, period.

While this was definitely the right decision on Fordham’s part, it is surprising to see the difference between this snowstorm and the ones of the past.

In February 2010, New York

City was hit with 36 inches of snow. I remember this storm from my own childhood in Annapolis, Md., where a normal sleepover with my classmate turned into getting snowed in for a few days (best sleepover ever!). But in New York City, these snowstorms were normal — getting large amounts of snow that would shut down the city was a seasonal occurrence. What we consider to be a “major weather event” now would have been considered a small blip in the season just a decade ago.

The Jan. 16 snowstorm ended a 701 day snow drought in New York City, an almost two-year period where Central Park did not see more than one inch of snow. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I don’t remember snow really sticking on Fordham’s campus after the last big snowstorm on Feb. 13, 2022.

I loved winter as a kid because of the snow. Waking up to an automated call from the school saying we got a two-hour delay or a cancellation. Rushing to the win-

dow to see what it looked like outside. Waiting for a big enough snowstorm to go sledding on the hill that leads to our neighborhood pool. Going through all the superstitions the night before a maybe-storm: — sleeping in your pajamas inside out and backwards, putting a spoon under your pillow, flushing ice cubes down the toilet. These silly things we did as kids were normal because it was normal to have multiple snowstorms every winter. The newest generation will never be able to understand the true beauty of winter, not the way that we did.

This is, as you could have probably guessed, due to climate change. In New York state, winters have warmed three times faster than summers have, despite the many heat waves we’ve been getting in the city. The annual statewide average temperature has warmed 3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1970. However, this has been worse for winter overall. In the northeastern United States, average winter temperatures have increased by about 3 degrees

Fahrenheit over the last century, whereas spring increased by 2 degrees Fahrenheit and summer and fall only by 1.4 degrees.

But it’s not all gloom and doom, yet. When we do get snow, let’s celebrate! Let’s make some snowmen and go sledding with our friends and have a big snowball fight on Eddie’s. Wear the too-thick

fuzzy socks, the big snow boots (or, in my case, platform Doc Martens), the mittens your grandma got you for Christmas and the big scarf that doesn’t really match your cute winter outfit. While the cold waves aren’t fun to walk through, try to find the beauty in them while they’re here, especially if it means getting to see that pink sunrise behind Keating.

COURTESY OF HANNAH BORING/THE FORDHAM RAM

Eddie’s smattered with snow a few weeks ago was a sight for sore eyes.

CULTURE

February 7, 2024

Page 15

Editor’s Pick | Film

“Pitch Perfect” Always Hits The Right Notes

By CLAIRE KRIEGER CULTURE EDITOR

Let me paint a picture for you. It is 2012. We just had the London Olympics, Barack Obama was re-elected into office and “Gangnam Style” began its cultural revolution.

However, the historical event that had the most impact on eight-year-old me was the release of “Pitch Perfect” in late September.

Not even 10 yet, I sat down with my older neighborhood friends (at the time, they seemed like full-blown adults, but in reality, they were 11), and they made me promise not to tell if they let me watch a PG13 movie with them. I agreed to their conditions, both excited and nervous at the prospect of watching a movie meant for people five years older than me. Once it began, my life was never the same. Although it used a lot of swear words I did not know and cultural jokes I was too naive to wrap my head around, I loved the film. Over a decade later, my feelings have not changed; if anything, they have increased tenfold.

To those who have not seen the movie, explaining the premise does it absolutely no justice. It follows the story of a first-year in college, Beca, who is a social outcast due to her rebellious nature caused by the divorce of her parents.

She attends Barden University, which I am pretty sure does not actually exist, a school notorious for its a cappella teams: the Treblemakers and the Barden Bellas. After a scandal that

occurred the year before (one of the girls barfed mid-song), the Bellas try to recreate their image, but are instead met with a ragtag group of singers that ultimately change the face of a cappella forever. The movie has love, heartbreak and friendship, culminating in the Bellas winning and creating one of the best movie comebacks ever.

Obviously, it sounds like the worst musical rom-com, coming-of-age production that had ever been thought of. So, why is this movie so important to me?

Firstly, anyone who has ever seen the film has to admit that it has the peak, early 2000s dry humor that films of this decade often lack. Rebel Wilson’s iconic character Fat Amy has lines that still make me laugh when I hear them. The GIF of her screaming “Enough!” in the fight scene towards the end of the movie circulates around the internet all the time and has been sent in group chats more times than I can count.

Even better than the written humor, the movie inherently makes fun of itself through the way it’s filmed.

The Treblemakers, the Barden Bellas’ rivals, are an all-male singing group, but are somehow portrayed as “jocky” and deny a cappella-ists they view as losers. Although they parade around, acting tough and masculine, they are ironically undermined by the fact they walk around breaking out into song and dancing. I will say that the Trebles were my

ultimate heart-throbs when I was younger. Jesse and Benji will forever hold a place in my heart. The seriousness associated with competitions legitimately about a cappella makes the film laughable without taking away from the music.

That leads right into my next point: the songs. Name any song on the “Pitch Perfect” soundtrack, and I could sing it word for word. I walk around humming “Whip It” and cue the riff-off when I need a hype song. The singing of Anna Kendrick, Ben Platt and Skylar Astin never gets old, even though the song is composed of voices and no instruments.

The real reason this movie is so impactful is best exemplified by a recent example from my life. Not too long ago, on a Sunday afternoon, my roommate burst into the room, upset and unbearably sad. My heart ached for her, but nothing I offered seemed to raise her spirits at all. Finally, I asked, “Why don’t we watch a movie?” She reluctantly agreed, saying “no” to all my movie ideas while I frantically searched for feelgood movies on the web.

Suddenly, I was hit with an epiphany. I turned to her and simply asked, “Pitch Perfect?”

There was no need for debate – we both love the movie and Amazon Prime miraculously offers it for free. A quarter of the way into the movie, she was laughing at the jokes and bemoaning with me over the way Beca treats Jesse (because, let’s all be real, we all want a

man like Jesse). We sang along with the songs and both agreed that the Treblemakers probably should have won the a cappella collegiate competition even though t we were rooting for the Bellas.

Therein lies the magic of the film: it may be about a cappella and have dumb one-liners, but it will never fail to make you feel better. The whole world disappears while watching Bumper glide across the stage or when the Bellas finally find their voice at the end of the film. It is almost impossible to be sad when watching Benji finally get his time on stage or when Beca and Jesse finally end up together.

The film franchise did take

a turn downhill with “Pitch Perfect 3,” but the first one remains perfect in my mind.

I’ve watched that movie six times since the beginning of this school year and still have yet to get sick of it. You can say you don’t like the singing, or the writing is cheesy at times.

But the film shows you that at the end of the day, it will all be okay. No matter how horribly you messed up the set while performing or if you yelled at someone you care about, there is a rainbow at the end of the storm.

This film never fails to make me feel positive while singing along to some classic early 2000s hits. What more can I say? This film is aca-awesome.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

“Pitch Perfect” more than just holds up, it continues to charm.

“The Zone of Interest” Is a Monumental Picture

By CALEB STINE CULTURE EDITOR

For 106 minutes, I sat in a packed Lincoln Square AMC and barely moved a muscle as I witnessed a tense and sobering picture unfold.

The film follows a commander of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his family as they live less than 100 feet from the very concentration camp that was responsible for the termination of over 1 million Jews.

Loosely based on the novel of the same name by Martin Amis, the film has been a hit with critics and viewers alike, earning a 91 on Metacritic and 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.

“The Zone of Interest” tackles the nauseating irony of this idyllic domesticity situated so closely to (and achieved through) the horror of Auschwitz in a way that is both poignant and unnerving.

Nominated for a total of five Academy Awards including Best Director and Best Picture, “The Zone of Interest” reframes familiar themes of evil, hatred and discrimination into an unfamiliar and uncomfortable juxtaposed setting.

The filmmaking from director Jonathan Glazer is precise here, yet also experimental.

Glazer employs the typical color gradient and camera lenses of many European films, with muted tones, long takes and extreme wide shots.

However, he also makes a concerted effort to hypnotize audiences in a much more avant-garde way as he plays with both the audio and visual atmospheres of the film.

The writing is brilliant and rightly deserves to be nominated for an Oscar this year. The Holocaust is obviously a subject that can be explored in a variety of ways, and to varying degrees. Glazer pushes the envelope here to force viewers to truly think and feel, taking their brain and eyes off autopilot and keeping his audience on their toes.

What’s impressive about this is that it doesn’t subtract from the film’s steady and awe-inducing filmmaking.

Glazer is able to brilliantly make his audience intensely uncomfortable and focused simultaneously.

Admittedly, I came into

this film with sky-high expectations. I had seen the trailer, read the (spoilerfree) reviews and listened to endorsements from social media personalities who I trust with film ratings.

The expectations were certainly met, but not exceeded, which is a good thing.

What prevented “The Zone of Interest” from just barely being a true five-star film for me was its inability to pack a devastating punch beyond just the premise of the film.

The concept of the film is haunting and disturbing, and while some who’ve seen the film may argue that it develops in a much more provocative way than the basic setting and plot of the film, I disagree. I wish I wasn’t sitting up all night replaying scenes from the film in my head again and again, as was the case for many others.

While the basis of the film is horrifying, I feel like there could have been yet another stroke of genius from Glazer to bring the film into a class of its own.

“The Zone of Interest” is technically sound, structurally intriguing and brilliantly

crafted. While it may not leave you struggling to speak for hours after viewing, it will challenge and

move you.

If a film can do that, along with so much more, then it deserves to be seen.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

The film hauntingly juxtaposes family life against the terror of Auschwitz.

SPORTS

Page 16

February 7, 2024

Squash Scores Wins at Denison Swimming and Diving Sweeps on Senior Day

By MADDIE BIMONTE SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS

Fordham Squash traveled to Gambier, Ohio, this past weekend to compete in the annual Denison Round Robin tournament. This year, the Rams faced matchups against the University of Notre Dame, the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan in a two-day event.

The Rams got off to a strong start as they entered the first matchup against Notre Dame up 3-0 due to the Fighting Irish not having enough players.

In the first position, sophomore Nicholas Gilman ultimately lost a hard-fought battle against Mathias Mazzocco. Going across five games, Gilman hung on from being swept in three by securing wins in games three and four before ultimately losing in the final match (11-9, 12-10, 4-11, 7-11, 11-7).

Slots two through six for the Rams saw strong victories as junior Bennett Van Liew secured his second position win over Peter Grissom, and senior Henry Frawley won a third slot threegame set over Sean Mirza.

Junior Sofia Arseniev, in fourth position, secured a victory against Notre Dame’s Brenden Fahey, 12-10, 11-7 and 11-2. Finally, sophomore Crispin McCarthy and senior Nicholas Choo took home wins in fifth and sixth position in three games each.

Fordham locked down the 8-1 victory, making it the seventh time they have done so this year.

However, the Rams’ luck seemingly ran dry against Chicago as their next opponent. Instead of going on a win stretch, the Rams picked up wins where they could, starting with Van Liew in the two spot.

Van Liew entered the third match down two games, battling back-to-back wins in five games, 7-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-5 and 11-7.

Frawley in the third slot won his first game, then dropped

the following two. He ultimately

By NOAH HOFFMAN

battled for five games, winning the

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

last two, 11-9 and 11-8.

For the bottom half of the roster, the Rams could not find success as fourth, fifth, seventh and ninth positions all lost in either four or five games, ultimately dropping the event against Chicago, 2-7.

Seeking to end their weekend on a high note, Fordham had one final test on Sunday against Michigan.

The odd-numbered slots did incredibly well to start off the match as Gilman won his first position matchups in four games against Anourg Shah, 7-11, 11-8, 11-3 and 11-7.

Frawley,

in

third

position,

won his set in four games against Gaurav Shekhawat, only dropping one game.

Fifth position was highlighted by the efforts of freshman Peter Vorbach who won his match in four games against Jesse Scheri.

The Seventh and ninth positions, held down by sophomore Gray Kearns and McCarthy, respectively,

in the 500 freestyle and Mya Bokerman in the three-meter dive.

On the men’s side, Gropper and Wilhelm each won two events, with Gropper taking the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly, while Wilhelm won the 100 and 200 freestyle events. Andrew Bell also won the men’s one- and three-meter dives.

Rams on the men’s team who won in the relay along with one individual event were Taylor in the 100 backstroke and Althoff in the 200 individual medley.

Other contributors for the men’s team included Daniel Langlois in the 200 breaststroke and Wojciech Dutkowiak in the 500 freestyle.

The Rams will conclude the regular season on Wednesday, Feb. 7, when they host Wagner College. The women will look for their third straight undefeated season, while the men hope to match their record from last year of 8-1. .

finished things off for the Rams quickly. Both Rams took down their opponents in three-game sweeps.

The even-numbered slots also saw

success,

efforts

from

with

resounding

sophomore

Jack

Stanley, junior Robert Cruikshank and Arseniev across the fourth, sixth and eighth slots, respectively.

Fordham secured the win against Michigan with a total of 8-1.

The Rams finished their weekend with a final win total of two, landing them at 18-7 on the season. Now, they have a small break before their next event, a trip to the CSA Team Championship in two weeks in the “City of Brotherly Love.”

Athletes of the Week Donaldson continued her stellar season this past week, putting in two performances that only strengthened the senior guard’s grip on the Atlantic 10 scoring title: a 24-point outburst against the Patriots of George Mason University and a 23-point explosion against the Spiders of the University of Richmond.

Men’s Tennis Falls to BU in First Match of the Season

By NOAH HOFFMAN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

The Fordham men’s tennis team began their 2024 spring campaign with a 6-1 loss to Boston University on Saturday.

The day started off well for the Rams, winning two of the three doubles matches to secure the doubles point, their lone one of the day.

The team of Giorgio Soemarno and Nick Mueller defeated Boston’s Jonah Dickson and Cole Knutson by a score of 6-4. That was followed

by Nicholas Kanazirev and Dhillon Virdee-Oakley beating BU’s Corey Craig and Jacob Esterowitz 6-2. In the final doubles match, Fordham’s John Mascone and Bingru Chen lost to the Terrier team of Johan Sajonz and Alejandro Licea 1-6.

From then on, Boston swept the Rams in the singles matches,

AWAY

Senior Women’s Basketball Just a week removed from the game that saw Rose become the all-time leader for basketball games played by a Fordham Ram, the Maryland native put in what was potentially the performance of his already illustrious career: a 26-point, four-assist and three-steal effort in a pivotal road win against Saint Louis University.

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

with Fordham losing all six points.

Although Fordham didn’t win a single match, they were competitive in the majority of them.

The first match saw Mueller fall to Craig in two straight sets.

The first set was knotted up at five games apiece before Craig took the final two games. Craig handled the second set more easily, winning 6-3 to take the match.

In the second singles match, Kanazirev lost to Esterowitz in straight sets, 1-6 and then 2-6.

Fordham took its first game in the third singles match. Virdee-Oakley lost the first game to Licea by a score of 3-6, he then came back to tie the match at 1-1 set a piece, winning 6-4.

In the tie-breaking third set, VirdeeOakley lost in heartbreaking fashion 5-7.

In the fourth match, Fordham once again lost in consecutive sets but were again competitive, not

making it easy for Boston. Mascone forced a tie-breaking game after tying Boston’s Letzer 6-6 through the first 12 games. Mascone fell in the tie-breaking game to lose the first set 6-7. In the second set, Mascone lost 2-6 to send Fordham to 0-4 in singles matches on the day.

Fordham’s Chen faced off against Boston’s Dickson in another competitive battle in the fifth match.

Chen lost 4-6 in the first set before tying the match up one set a piece with a 6-4 win. The last set was a back-and-forth affair with a total of 18 games played, with Chen eventually losing by a score of 8-10.

In the last match of the day, Boston finished off the singles sweep of Fordham when Stefan Stojanovic lost to Gustav Loutas in consecutive sets, 1-6 and 0-6.

Fordham will look for its first win of the season on Saturday, Feb. 10, at St. Bonaventure University.

Varsity Calendar HOME

Taylor Donaldson

Kyle Rose Senior Men’s Basketball

On a day that saw Fordham Swimming and Diving honor their seniors and alums, the men’s and women’s teams were able to claim an impressive victory over the University of Massachusetts for the firstever dual sweep over the Minutemen.

The women’s team continued their undefeated season with an 182.5 to 117.5 win, while the men’s team made it two wins in a row, winning 160-136.

For the second straight meet, Fordham started and ended by winning both relay events.

First was the women’s 200yard, which the team of Jane Brown, Emma Shaughnessy, Jessica Zebrowski and Manon Compagner won by just over a second and a half. On the men’s side, the top two finishers were both Fordham teams, with the team of Christian Taylor, Noah Althoff, Guy Gropper and Alex Shah taking home first with a time of 1:32.19.

The meet ended with dual wins in the 400-yard freestyle.

The women’s team of Brown,

Zebrowski, Compagner and Zoei Howard captured the best time with a time of 3:30.80, while the men’s team of Taylor, Shah, Gropper and Alex Wilhelm also had the best time.

Overall, the Rams won 22 of the 32 events, with 12 coming from the women’s side and 10 from the men’s. The women’s team finished strong, winning their last seven races and one dive.

It was a joint effort from the women’s team in this meet, with only one multi-event winner in the individual events.

The only Ram to win twice on Saturday was Ainhoa Martin, who had the best time in the 200 breaststroke and 200 individual medley.

Rams on the women’s team, who won both in a relay team event and an individual event, consisted of Brown in the 100 backstroke, Shaughnessy in the 100 breaststroke, Zebrowski in the 100 freestyle and Compagner in the 100 butterfly.

Other winners for the women included Ellen Brooks in the 1000 freestyle, Leire Martin in the 200 backstroke, Alison Lin

Men’s and Women’s Swim and Dive Men’s and Women’s Tennis

Wednesday Thursday Feb. 7 Feb. 8

Friday Feb. 9

Saturday Feb. 10

Sunday Feb. 11

St. Bonaventure

Dusquesne

Big Apple Invitational

Millrose Games

River City Leadoff.

River City Leadoff.

Wagner 5 p.m.

Men’s and Women’s Track and Field

Valentine Invitational

Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball Softball

Dayton 7 p.m.

UMass 2 p.m.

River City Leadoff.

Monday Feb. 12

Tuesday Feb. 13

SPORTS

February 7, 2024

Overtime: Jalen Brunson and the All-Star Fan Vote

Page 17

Varsity Scores & Stats Men’s Track and Field 2nd/15 teams (127)

Women’s Basketball Fordham 47 George Mason 54

Women’s Track and Field 2nd/14 teams (143.5)

Fordham Richmond

60 79

Men’s Basketball Fordham Richmond

69 83

Fordham St. Louis

67 65

Squash Fordham Notre Dame

8 1

Fordham Chicago

2 7

Fordham Michigan

8 1

Men’s Tennis Fordham Boston Universiy

1 6

Women’s Swimming Fordham 188.5 Massachusetts 117.5 Men’s Swimming Fordham 160 Massachusetts 136 -Compiled by Griffin Stevenson COURTESY OF TWITTER

Jalen Brunson has led the Knicks to a 32-18 start, propelling himself to his first career NBA All-Star appearance.

By GRIFFIN STEVENSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

After the NBA announced its All-Star Game starting and reserve lineups, fanbases across the league are up in arms surrounding the selection criteria, and rightfully so.

The standout snub from the starting lineups was Jalen Brunson. The 6-foot-2 guard from the Knicks has emerged as a star this season, leading them to their best record since the 2012-13 season with a record of 32-18 through 50 games. His contribution to the team comes in the form of 27.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game, all while shooting 48.1% from the field.

Despite his stellar numbers, Brunson would miss out on a starting spot in the Eastern Conference to Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard. Lillard’s numbers on the season so far sit at 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game, while shooting 42.2% from the field.

There is only one position that separates the two star players’ teams in the Eastern Conference, with the Knicks currently in third and the Bucks in second.

On the Bucks, Lillard is partnered with arguably the best player in the NBA, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite being on the better team on paper, Lillard has still put up worse numbers than Brunson, so why was Lillard chosen to be a starter over Brunson? The answer is fan voting.

Fan vote controversy is nothing new for the NBA. It was introduced in the 1974-75 season, allowing fans across the league the opportunity to vote for who they think should be All-Stars, with the seven reserves selected by each conference’s respective head coaches.

This system would eventually change 42 years later, during the 2016-17 season the NBA announced it would allow the players and media to get a say. A new voting system was implemented, giving the fan vote 50% of the weight, with the media and player votes

each counting for 25%.

“Once votes are tallied, players are ranked in each conference by their position (guard and frontcourt) within each of the three voting groups. Each player’s vote is calculated by averaging his weighted rank from the fans, players and media. The two guards and three frontcourt players with the best score in each conference are named starters. Fan votes serve as the tiebreaker for players in a position group with the same score,” per the NBA. According to the NBA’s voting tally this year, Brunson finished second in the media rankings and third in voting among current players. In comparison, Lillard finished fifth among the media and fourth in player voting. The difference maker between the two is seen in Lillard’s third overall placement in fan voting to Brunson’s fifth.

After all was said and done, the pair sat at a weighted score of 3.75 each. However, Lillard’s advantage in fan voting would lead to him winning the tiebreaker and, ultimately, the starting spot.

Many fixtures in NBA media were quick to call out this decision, citing Brunson’s impact on the league as a whole. ”I would have loved to see Jalen Brunson as a starter… he made the Knicks relevant for the first time since Patrick Ewing,” said NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley when discussing the issue on “NBA Tip-Off.” Others felt that Brunson was not as deserving. “Jalen Brunson is a star and deserves all the credit in the world – but I’m sorry... Haliburton and Donovan Mitchell, 28 a game… I’m supposed to ignore that,” said Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s “NBA Today.”

His co-host and former player Kendrick Perkins was quick to call out Smith and the Knicks organization.

“I voted for Haliburton and Brunson… you are a prime example, along with the [Knicks] organization, of not promoting this man,” said

Perkins on “NBA Today.”

With the fan vote having a 50% weight with respect to the team selection, promoting players in the media has become a large aspect of AllStar Weekend. Lillard has swept the nation with his “Dame Time” clutchness and his coverage as a key member of one of the best teams in the league. For Brunson, it has been another story.

Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon sparked controversy when she deemed Brunson too small to lead a team.

“You gotta have a 1A dude, and they’re missing that at the end of the day,” said Hammon when discussing Brunson’s abilities on “NBA Today.”

When met with criticism, she doubled down on her comments.

“He’s an All-Star and will be an All-NBA performer, but I stand by my statement that I can’t put him in a Lebron, Steph, Embiid, type of 1A tier player, and that if your best player is the smallest player on the court, you (probably) won’t win a CHAMPIONSHIP,” said Hammon in a Twitter post in reaction to criticism.

These comments in the media can hold a large weight among fans at the end of the day, impacting their opinions and, subsequently, their voting.

It begs the question, should the NBA be providing more weight to the voting people who 1) don’t play the game professionally, or 2) don’t watch and discuss the game professionally?

Perhaps the solution is to lower the percentage of weight that the fan vote holds; or maybe it’s as simple as changing the tiebreaker from fan vote to player vote.

In either of these scenarios, Brunson would be on the court when the All-Star game tips off in Indianapolis on Feb. 18.

Brunson was named to the All-Star reserve team along with his teammate, Knicks power forward Julius Randle.

News & Notes Soccer Gears Up for Spring Exhibition Season: The forthcoming arrival of spring on campus will not only mean a reemergence of flowers across campus, but also the advent of a new slate of games for the men’s soccer team as coach Carlo Aquista’s squad is scheduled to start their spring exhibition season in March. The club will almost certainly have a new look during these exhibition games, as it will feature six new players: three transfers and three incoming freshmen.

WFUV at the Super Bowl: With Super Bowl Weekend upon us, Fordham’s student run radio station, WFUV Sports, is sending four of its student reporters to Super Bowl Press Week. Graduate student Julia Moss will be accompanied by seniors Kris Pursiainen, Brij Gautam and Brian Rabacs as they attend the NFL’s radio row. The crew will participate in a variety of NFL media events as well as player interviews. Be sure to tune in to the WFUV Sports Youtube channel for live one on one shows from Las Vegas.

Follow us on Twitter at @theram_sports

SPORTS

Page 18

February 7, 2024

Hamilton Makes Shock Move to Ferrari for 2025 a year if he wants to leave for Audi in 2026. Mercedes has a long list of reserve and Formula 2 drivers who deserve an F1 seat, but there are several drivers already in F1 who may be looking for a more competitive car.

Alex Albon is one of them, who scored all but one of Williams’ 28 points in 2023.

Stake F1 Team’s Valtteri Bottas could make a return to Merc after successful seasons of constructors’ championships with them, or Schumacher could make his F1 return after serving as reserve driver for two seasons. These would leave openings in other teams

By ALLIE COPPOLA STAFF WRITER

Seven-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion Lewis Hamilton made a shocking announcement on Friday that he agreed to sign with Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 season. The longtime Mercedes driver has the most wins in F1 history and is tied with Michael Schumacher for the most championships in history.

Hamilton began his career at McLaren and won his first title in his sophomore 2008 season, and won the other six at Mercedes during their unbeatable run from 2014-20. Hamilton will join a Ferrari team that hasn’t won a constructors’ championship since 2008 or a drivers’ championship since 2007.

The 39-year-old Brit has been a long-established legend in the history of motorsport and is on the tail end of his illustrious career.

He cites his decision to race for Ferrari in 2025 as a “childhood dream,” but there has also been speculation for the past couple of seasons that Hamilton is growing frustrated with the car’s performance since the 2022 regulation changes.

Interestingly, Ferrari did worse than Mercedes this season, though only marginally. The two teams found themselves in a race for second place in the final event, with Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s secondplace finish not enough to propel the team to second after Mercedes’ third- and ninth-point positions.

Ferrari has also had documented struggles with

that would be filled either by current drivers or those on the way up to F1.

However you spin it, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has and will continue to make waves in the F1 world, with the “silly season” of 2025 driver moves beginning earlier than usual.

February began a series of car launches for the 2024 season, and the first Grand Prix starts at the end of the month. It remains to be seen whether Red Bull and Max Verstappen will continue their dominance through 2024 or if a new team will emerge to challenge their incredible winning run.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Hamilton has won the F1 Championship a record seven times.

the regulation changes, though they solved them more quickly than Mercedes did in 2022. The Italian team’s main issue in this past season was questionable strategy calls weekend after weekend and just general unluckiness at the end of the season, like in Brazil and Las Vegas. Hamilton’s addition to the team may serve as a wake-up call to the strategists, but the dynamic between the two drivers remains to be seen.

In 2025, Hamilton will replace Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race this past season. The Spaniard joined Ferrari in 2021, earning two wins throughout his three completed seasons. While he never performed as well as his teammate Leclerc, he was not far enough behind for Ferrari to prioritize a single driver. In contract talks, however, Leclerc was indeed

prioritized, as he recently signed an extension with the team for an unknown amount of years, and Sainz’s contract talks reportedly never panned out beyond a one-year deal that Sainz did not want to sign. There was a lot of speculation last year that Sainz would join the new Audi team for 2026, but that leaves him with the 2025 season to figure out where he can race competitively.

The opening at Mercedes for the 2025 season will undoubtedly set off a domino effect of driver moves that were absent this past season.

The grid thiws year will be exactly the same as how last season ended, the only notable move being Daniel Ricciardo replacing Nyck De Vries at Alpha Tauri (now Visa Cash App RB).

Mercedes could bring in Sainz for an extended period of time, but it’s unlikely that they would only sign him for

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Hamilton hopes to bring his winning ways from Mercedes to Ferrari.

SPORTS

Febuaray 7, 2024

Page 19

Gotham’s Finest: Track and Field Show Out at the Metropolitan Championship

By JONAH RING SPORTS EDITOR

The men and women of the Fordham track and field team had yet another busy weekend, this time competing in the long shadows of the New York City skyline at the annual Metropolitan Championship. In an event that featured numerous local schools, such as Long Island University and archrival Manhattan College, Fordham had local pride and much more on the line, with this being one of the team’s most highly anticipated meets of the year.

In short, it lived up to the hype. The meet was a major success for Fordham, as the men’s and women’s teams combined for an amazing second overall finish, the men’s team totaling a team score of 123 points, while the women finished the day with an astounding 143.5 points.

Freshman Sarah Zahaykevich was the first to contribute for the Rams, opening the day with a time of 18:08.77 in the women’s 5000-meter run, a mark good enough for a strong fourth-place finish in the event. Shortly thereafter, on the men’s side of the same event, the Rams saw another freshman, Jack Boerger, notch a sixth-place finish behind his time of 15:14.28.

The ball only continued to roll from there, as sophomore Kylie Ritz secured the Rams their first event win of the day, continuing her strong season with a dominating victory and blistering time of 8.96 seconds in the women’s 60-meter hurdles. She would also notably be joined in the top five of the event by her sophomore teammate Nicole Lytle, whose time of 9.20 seconds placed her firmly in fourth place.

In the regular women’s 60-meter dash, the Rams were once again able to make their presence felt, with sophomore Dillyn Green propelling herself to a top-six finish behind an impressive time of 7.94 seconds. The men’s side

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham put together an all-time performance at the Metropolitan Championship, finishing second overall in a crowded field.

of the event, however, played host to what was potentially Fordham’s strongest individual performance of the day, as sophomore Christian “C.J.” Weddington managed to break the school record in the event with a blistering time of 6.98 seconds: a mark good enough for second place overall in a very crowded field.

Right after this individual herculean effort by Weddington, the Rams saw what was likely their best team performance of the day, dominating the 1-mile run in every manner imaginable. Not only was the women’s team able to claim victory in the event behind senior Mary Kathryn Underwood’s first-place finish, with junior teammate Caroline McDonagh also notching a top-ten finish with a mark of 5:13.44, but the men’s team was able to claim almost every spot on the podium, as freshman Sein Reidy (4:13.95) and junior Steve Zucca (4:15.08) finished in first and second place respectively.

In the women’s 500-meter dash, senior Molly Mulvaney was able to collect yet another top-ten finish for the Rams, using her time of 1:21.30 to place herself firmly in seventh place. Fordham potentially fared better on the men’s side

of the same event, however, as sophomore Kevin Callaghan used his strong performance of 1:05.64 to collect a bronze medal, while three of his teammates, sophomore Yariv Simhony and juniors Safo Kirton and Chris Martinez, all finished just behind him in the top 10 as well. The Rams were also able to lay claim to another medal in the men’s 800-meter run, as junior Nathaniel Bezuneh netted a silver for Fordham behind an extremely impressive time of 1:55.27.

Next up was the 1000-meter run, where the Rams once again wholly dominated an event; both the men’s and the women’s teams had multiple athletes run themselves into the top 10 of their respective fields. On the women’s side, freshman Meredith Gotzman spearheaded the efforts, earning silver with a time of 2:55.64. Just behind her in fifth and sixth place were her fellow freshmen Megan McCann and Brenna Sears, who ran times of 2:60.00 and 3:00.16, respectively. On the men’s side, the top five almost solely belonged to the Rams, as sophomore Rodolfo Sanchez won the event with an astounding time of 2:27.95, senior Colin Flood finished in second

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Sprinter Christian “C.J.” Weddington managed to set a new record in the men’s 60-meter dash this past weekend.

place with a time of 2:28.57 and sophomore Trevor Rinn came in fourth on the back of an impressive 2:30.27 performance.

In the women’s 200 meters, graduate student Kyla Hill once again dominated those who lined up next to her, finishing first behind an impressive mark of 24.90 seconds. She would be joined in the top 10 by senior teammate Michele Daye, who was able to claim eighth behind a time of 25.93 seconds. On the men’s side of the event, freshman Jabril Carter was just able to squeak into fifth behind a performance of 22.22 seconds.

Finally, in reference to the individual events, sophomore Darren Cooke clinched yet another top-five finish for the Rams in the men’s 3000-meter run, using his time of 8:54.28 to come in fourth place. Just behind him in the race would be his freshman teammate Matt McCabe, whose time of 8:56.09 was good enough for a very impressive sixth-place finish.

Now looking at the relay portion of the meet, Fordham used these races to once again flex their muscles on the greater metropolitan area, proving themselves to be one of the strongest teams present event after event. The men’s teams won all three of the relays that they competed in, claiming gold in the 4000-meter distance medley relay, the 4x800-meter relay and the 4x400-meter relay. The women maintained a similar high pedigree of success, their respective relay teams finishing second in the 4000- meter medley relay, second again in the 4x200-meter relay, first in the 4x800-meter relay and second in the 4x400meter relay.

Turning now to the field side of things, the Rams once again saw their competitors register a surplus of great performances across the board, dominating almost every single event.

Starting with the women’s long jump, sophomore Leia Ruvo claimed second place

with her performance of 5.35 meters, her junior teammate Anya Alfonsetti-Terry managing to finish just behind her in eighth with a solid mark of 5.16 meters. The men’s side of the event likewise saw another top-five finish for Fordham, as junior Eric Galante used his mark of 6.66 meters to propel himself into fifth place.

The women of the Fordham field team likewise showed out in the triple jump, as Ruvo grabbed her second second-place finish of the day behind a mark of 11.38 meters, while sophomore Alexandra Manetovic was able to take bronze with her respective mark of 11.19 meter. Junior Justin Rhee was likewise able to grab bronze on the men’s side of things, finishing with an impressive mark of 13.53 meters.

The women’s high jump saw not one, but two Rams claim first place, as sophomore Zoe Arakelian and freshman Lexi Fujita both finished tied atop the field on the back of their astounding marks of 1.60 meters. Also joining them in the top five was Alfonsetti-Terry, whose mark of 1.50 meters netted her a fifth-place finish.

Wrapping up the field side of the meet with the results of the pole vault event, Michaela Gier was impressively able to match her school record that she set earlier in the year, clearing a mark of 10’ 10” on her way to a stellar thirdplace finish. On the men’s side, sophomore Michael Croke likewise found himself in the top five of the field, coming in fourth behind a mark of 14’ 3.25”.

Overall, despite the fact that Fordham was not able to claim the top overall spot at the meet, their showing at this year’s iteration of the Metropolitan Championships can only be labeled a massive success. School records were broken and events were won, with dominance over the expansive confines of the Big Apple being vehemently asserted all in a short span of just 24 hours, even as the team was missing some of their key runners like sophomore sprinters Matt Nurse and Liam Volz.

In terms of what is next for the Rams, they once again have an extremely busy week ahead of them, being slated to compete in three separate meets over the course of three days: the Boston University Valentine Invitational (Friday, Feb. 9 to Saturday, Feb. 10), the Big Apple Invitational (Saturday, Feb. 10) and the uber-prestigious Millrose Games (Sunday, Feb. 11).

Only time will tell how Fordham will fare in these meets, but if this past weekend was any indication of what to expect, the Rams should be more than ready to continue to compete at an extremely high level. .

Page 20

SPORTS

Febuary 7, 2024

Buckle Up: Men’s Basketball Shows Fight Amidst Sporadic Atlantic 10 Start

By COLIN LOUGHRAN STAFF WRITER

Almost every roller coaster boasts moments that are sure to spark either dread or adrenaline. Fordham Men’s Basketball may have experienced both feelings in the past week alone.

The Rams fell to the mighty University of Richmond Spiders 83-69 on Wednesday night, but rebounded with a lionhearted 67-65 road win over the Saint Louis University Billikens.

Entering Wednesday’s contest against the Rams, Richmond held a 7-0 record in conference play and was coming off of a momentous victory against the Flyers of the University of Dayton, who held an undefeated A-10 record at the time. While Fordham competed early against the group from Virginia, they never seemed to gain full control.

Sophomore Will Richardson scored a team-high of 16 points on a nifty 5-11 shooting night. Fellow second-year student Elijah Gray gutted out 14 points and 6 boards on a 3-11 night from the field. Kyle Rose brought his usual brand of tenacity while collecting 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Rams only trailed by three points after a Romad Dean three-pointer made it a 21-18 game with 7:14 to play in the first half, but Richmond then went on a 21-11 run to take a 42-29 lead with under a minute remaining in the half.

The Spiders played a holistically clean game and shot almost 59% from the field as a team.

Additionally, they buried eight

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Men’s basketball kept up their .500 pace, splitting a pair of crucial conference games this past week

three-pointers and collected 14 assists. Graduate guard Jordan King put up a game-high of 29 points on a sizzling 8-10 clip from the field. Dji Bailey and Delonnie Hunt posted 14 and 12 points, respectively, but it may have been Richmond’s big man who gave Fordham the most strategic trouble.

Seven-foot center Neal Quinn earned 10 points, four rebounds and six assists while serving as the Spiders’ primary facilitator.

The New Jersey native made more than a few shifty passes and spaced the floor in a fashion that forced the Rams to make extremely challenging defensive reads.

A 10-2 Fordham run fueled by timely shooting and defense made it a four-point game with 14:42 left to play in regulation.

But, Richmond scored the next eight points to take a 55-43 lead 2:20 later and would get the lead to as many as 20 points before grabbing the 14-point win.

“I think we’ve allowed the offensive end to dictate a little bit of our effort on the defensive end,” said Rams head coach Keith Urgo. “And that’s not what we’ve done here the last couple

years, so we need to get back to not letting it dictate our effort.”

Senior Japhet Medor and sophomore Josh Rivera were quiet against the Spiders. The two combined for only 12 points; given each player has dealt with injuries this season, it’s worth wondering what the contrast may have looked like if both individuals were in an established groove prior to the game.

Entering this past Saturday’s affair in St. Louis, Fordham held a 3-5 conference record, and had lost two straight. Additionally, the program had not won in “the 314” since the two sides first faced each other during the 1971-72 campaign.

The Billikens have largely struggled in A-10 play and were nursing a 1-7 conference mark prior to Saturday’s game against Fordham. The Rams led 41-32 at halftime thanks to a plucky defensive effort and an excellent showing from Rose.

The boys from the Bronx did a commendable job of slowing down their opponents in the first half. St. Louis’ leading scorer, sophomore Gibson Jimerson, only tallied three

points over 30 minutes. Without him, the Billikens were forced to look elsewhere for points.

On the other end, Rose ensured that Fordham stayed competitive through some haphazard offensive sets. The Maryland native put up a career-high 26 points while shooting 9-15 from the field and also adding four assists and three steals. His outing could best be described as “workmanlike.”

“He’s loyal,” Urgo said of Rose after the game. “In today’s world, that’s not what you see all the time. He continues to fight and grind. He does everything we ask him to do and is becoming a better leader — more vocal. He embodies everything we ever dream of a Fordham basketball player being.”

Bradley Ezewiro led the St. Louis attack. The junior’s size and strength created matchup problems for Abdou Tsimbila, Gray and just about any Ram who went into the paint. Ezewiro scored a team-high 15 points while also swiping six boards.

SLU standouts Sincere Parker, Terrance Hargrove Jr. and Larry Hughes III began to make an impact in the second half. The

trio combined for 36 points, and the team shot roughly 52% from the field over the last 20 minutes.

Timely shooting helped the Billikens fight their way to a 6563 lead with 1:17 to play. Two free throws from Rose tied the game, and a St. Louis turnover granted the Rams a chance to win. Richardson missed an initial chance to win the game, but after a clean inbound, Gray drilled a mid-range fadeaway to give the men in maroon a 67-65 lead with mere seconds left on the clock.

“We have seen a bunch of those types of shots,” Urgo said.

“Obviously, that’s a big one for our team and a big one for him.”

The Billikens had the last shot, but not enough time to get a clean look at the basket.

Parker missed a three from the left arc, and the Rams stole the program’s first win in St. Louis.

The victory moved Fordham to a 4-5 conference record, and while there are still numerous questions surrounding the group’s ability to make a legitimate A-10 run, their latest pair of contests illustrated the rollercoaster nature of this season.

“There’s just nothing but positive reinforcement amongst our staff and our players, and in team meetings, just heartfelt conversations,” Urgo said after the win. “We had plenty of them this past week and to come out and put forth the effort, it had nothing to do with winning or losing. Obviously, winning was fun. Regardless of whether or not we won this game, we got back to playing our brand of basketball.”

Women’s Basketball Battles But Falls vs. Top of Atlantic 10

By LOU ORLANDO ASST. SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS

Momentum is a fickle thing. Despite coming off just their second conference win the weekend prior, the Rams of Fordham Women’s Basketball was immediately confronted with one of the toughest portions of their Atlantic 10 schedule.

Taking on the Patriots of George Mason University and the Spiders of the University of Richmond, the Rams were faced with the unenviable challenge of road battles against two of the A-10’s best.

While the Rams had shown signs of positive growth leading into the week, matchups against the second- and third-place teams in the conference would prove to be too much for the Rams to handle, as they dropped both games despite having stretches of very competitive basketball.

Awaiting the Rams in Virginia on Wednesday were the 16-3 George Mason Patriots, riding an A-10 best six-game winning streak. Despite their struggles on the road this season, Fordham brought some of the good vibes from their home win on Saturday to Fairfax County, opening the contest with a strong first half of basketball. The Rams held a lead for nearly 10 minutes of game time throughout the first half and carried a 25-24 lead into halftime.

Things quickly unraveled in the

second half as the Patriots jumped out on a 9-0 run to open the second half, taking a double-digit lead into the final frame as they outscored the Rams 19-8 in the third quarter. Fordham showed a bit more spark in the fourth, but George Mason did enough to edge away with the 54-47 victory.

Donaldson finished with a gamehigh 24 points, more than half of the team’s scoring, continuing a prominent narrative that has persisted throughout the season. With 13 points in the first half and 11 in the second, Donaldson was responsible for over 50% of Fordham’s scoring in each half. The next highest output came from graduate student Emy Hayford, who managed just six points. It was a disappointing step back for the Fordham offense and particularly Hayford, who had begun to help shoulder the offense, reaching double figures in seven straight games prior and averaging 18.0 PPG in her last three contests.

On the defensive side, however, there was plenty to be proud of.

George Mason entered play as the A-10’s top scoring offense with 75.1 PPG. Fordham held them to 54, their second lowest output of the season and their fewest points recorded in a win this year.

The Rams weren’t quite done in Virginia, traveling 100 miles south to Richmond for a matchup against the 18-4 Spiders. Boasting the best

NET ranking in the A-10 and four players averaging double figures, Richmond has a major claim to being the best team in the conference.

Unsurprisingly, Richmond came out of the gates strong, putting up 27 to Fordham’s 15 in the first quarter. But once again, the Rams put up a strong first half effort, holding the Spiders scoreless for seven straight minutes in the second quarter while rattling off 11 straight points, tying the game at 31 with a Donaldson three-pointer.

Richmond’s Grace Townsend put the Spiders back up by two in the final seconds of the first half, but Fordham still found themselves in a very competitive position.

Hayford would give the Rams a two-point lead early in the third quarter, but neither side could gain a commanding edge. That was until Rachel Ullstrom single-handedly turned the tide, nailing two threepointers in the final minute to give Richmond a 10-point lead entering the final quarter of play. The late surge took much of the wind out of Fordham’s sails. Richmond continued to add to their lead in the fourth, going up by as much as 20.

The Rams would ultimately fall 79-60, getting outscored by the Spiders 46-29 in the second half.

Fordham did not enjoy the same defensive success they had against George Mason, allowing over 20 points in three of the four quarters.

Outside of their second quarter where they were held to six points on 27% shooting, Richmond shot 65% from the field and 63% from beyond the arc. Head coach Bridgette Mitchell switched to a man-to-man defense on Saturday in hopes of limiting Richmond’s success from beyond the arc, but to no avail as the Spiders ran away with the game in the second half thanks to their proficient three-point shooting.

The Fordham offense returned to a much better form, led once more

by Donaldson with 23 points, including five threes made. More notable was a bounceback of 16 points from Hayford and eight points from sophomore Rose Nelson, who attempted a career-high 10 shots.

It’s an aggressiveness that Nelson hasn’t displayed consistently, but it would certainly be welcome moving forward. Fordham has been searching for scoring depth all season long and the 6-foot-1 Nelson could provide a much needed boost to an offense marred with inconsistency.

To chalk up these two losses to another pair of moral victories would be redundant and tiring for all those involved. At the same time, it can’t be completely meaningless that Fordham managed to be competitive for stretches against two of the best teams in the conference.

Note the key word “for stretches.” The big separator between Fordham and many of the A-10’s

top competitors is the ability to play a complete game. The Rams led at the half against George Mason and trailed by two versus Richmond, but suffered second-half collapses to varying degrees. Fordham was outscored by a combined 25 points in the second half this week. It’s one thing to play a close half against a good team — it’s quite another to play a complete four quarters.

That’s something that the Rams are clearly still working towards.

With the two road losses, the Rams is now 0-10 on the road and 7-15 overall. At 2-9 in conference, the Rams sit at 11th place in the A-10. The upper echelon of the A-10 has built up a significant cushion, but a jump up to the middle of the pack is still plausible.

For what it’s worth, Fordham has played some of their best basketball since the bye week. While the last few weeks have presented quite the gauntlet, the Rams now enter one of the softer stretches of their schedule. Five of the next seven matchups leading into the A-10 tournament come against teams with a sub .500 record in conference play. If there’s any time for a run, it’s now or never.

Now looking at what lies ahead, the Rams will return to Rose Hill for a pair of home games, taking on Dayton University on Wednesday and the University of Massachusetts on Saturday.