Volume 106 Issue 8

The Fordham Ram

Fordham Mental Health Clinic Serves the Bronx Fordham Removes Cap on Yellow Ribbon Benefits

By ADITHI VIMALANTHAN ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Situated a block away from Fordham University’s Walsh Gate, the Fordham Community Mental Health Clinic (FCMHC) is a relatively recent Fordham initiative to provide services to the Bronx — one of the most underserved regions when it comes to mental health care. Run by the Fordham psychology department, the clinic provides free or low-cost mental health services to Bronx residents. The program also serves as the training site for psychology doctoral students, who provide care under the supervision of licensed clinical psychologists.

Dr. Alexander Kriss, director of FCMHC, joined Fordham as an associate clinical professor of psychology to oversee the mental health clinic and supervise the training of graduate students. He joined in fall 2021 when the clinic transitioned to being in person after the COVID-19 pandemic when services were carried out largely virtually.

“I think that one of the reasons why I was so excited to SEE CLINIC, PAGE 4

Fordham Raises Tuition 4.4%

By CRISTINA STEFANIZZI ASST. NEWS EDITOR

On Wednesday, March 13, Vice President for Enrollment John W. Buckley communicated via email to students and families on behalf of Fordham University, stating that there will be a 4.4% increase in tuition for the 2024-25 academic year.

The email stated that 202425 undergraduate tuition, food and housing fees will increase by 4.4%. This email comes following a 6% tuition increase

announcement made last year for the 2023-24 academic year, meaning tuition at Fordham has increased 10.4% in two years.

“Understanding that every penny spent on a Fordham education represents the life savings of so many students and families, this is not a decision we take lightly,” read Buckley’s email. “While this increase is less than last year’s, I understand that an increase of any amount is a burden.”

Last year’s 6% increase went

Student Life Council Hosts Vice Provost

By NORA MALONE NEWS EDITOR

towards tuition and room and board, following a rise in inflation and the university losing $119 million in funds during COVID-19, according to a 2023 Fordham Ram article.

Students find the rising cost of housing and dining to be unreasonable. “Freshman year, I lost 20 pounds because I cannot eat here,” said Kate Cassidy, FCRH ’26. “Everyone gets food poisoning. Fordham also does not care about alternative diets and medical complications.

By JULIANNA MORALES FEATURES EDITOR

Veterans who have served three or more years of active duty and were honorably discharged have 100% eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, which provide $27,120 for tuition assistance. This covers the average cost of state school tuition but is not enough for most other higher education options. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a collaboration between Veteran Affairs (VA) and higher education institutions to help provide funding to veterans to attend out-of-state, private, foreign and graduate schools. Matthew Butler, senior director of Military and Veterans’ Services, explained that when the Post-9/11 GI Bill was signed into law in the mid-2000s, Fordham University was one of the earliest adopters of the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon benefits are solely for the veterans themselves or a dependent to whom they give the benefits. However, in order to give their dependent the benefits, they must have been their dependent while they were on active duty. Children born to the veteran after the completion of their service are not eligible to receive the benefits.

By MARY HAWTHORN PHOTO EDITOR

council hosted the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Jonathan Crystal.

The meeting began with two student-proposed agenda items surrounding the Part of the Solution (POTS) Meal Swipe Donation Program and an inquiry on Fordham funding; neither student was present at the meeting, so minimal discussion occurred.

Crystal then shared a summary of the role of the Provost, Dennis C. Jacobs, so that all attendees were aware of his capabilities. He defined the Provost as the chief academic officer who oversees all schools and is in charge of academic quality throughout the university. The

On Wednesday, March 13, the Student Life Council (SLC) held its second meeting of the semester. The SLC meets monthly and works to create a relationship between students and Fordham University administration. This month, the SEE

SEE SLC, PAGE 3

On Thursday, March 14, Fordham University students were invited to engage in Conversations of the Spirit. Led by facilitators, the event took place in the McShane Campus Center in room 311 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and allowed for members of the community to learn, grow and reflect on their participation in the Synod on Synodality. Pope Francis encouraged the U.S. Catholic Church to host conversations with young laity. The data collected at this listening session will be sent to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Vatican.

“The Synod on Synodality has been deemed as a new way of being Church, and the Conversation in the Spirit provides a concrete pathway to

Butler explains that in the past Fordham has had a cap on the number of seats available in the Yellow Ribbon Program and a cap on the amount of money they were willing to contribute. The cap was set high, at 421 seats, with contribution caps well above the cost of Fordham. However, the existence of the cap created doubt among Yellow Ribbon beneficiaries. As there was no way to check seat availability, people worried about being the 422nd person and therefore unable to receive full benefits.

Butler stated that Military

COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL/THE FORDHAM RAM

This announcement comes after last years 6% tuition increase, totaling 10.4% over two years.

Vice Provost Jonathan Crystal discussed changes to adminstration and funding at the meeting.

SAFETY BRIEFS

March 15

Southern Boulevard

8:45 p.m.

On Friday, a student reported their car was broken into on Southern Boulevard. The supervisor responded. The student parked their car at 2 p.m. and when they returned, the rear window was broken and property was taken.

March 16

East 189th St.

9:36 p.m.

On Saturday, a student reported that while walking on East 189 St. toward Hoffman Street, a male with his hand in his pocket demanded money. The student did not give the offender anything and walked away. The NYPD responded and prepared a report. No weapon was displayed and the student was not injured.

March 16

East 189th St.

8:50 p.m.

On Saturday, a Fordham student reported to Public Safety that they had been robbed at East 189th St. near Arthur Ave. by a man who claimed to have a gun. The student was walking alone westbound toward Hoffman Street with their wallet and cell phone in their hand. The assailant was walking in the opposite direction, and after passing the student, doubled back and accosted them. The assailant simulated having a firearm in his pocket and threatened to kill the student if they didn’t surrender their wallet and phone. The student handed over the wallet and phone. The assailant fled westbound on East 189th St., turned south onto Arthur Ave. and headed toward East 188th St. No weapon was displayed and the student was not injured.

Graduate Students Submit Fourth Complaint to NLRB

By JULIANNA MORALES FEATURES EDITOR

On Feb. 23, the Fordham Graduate Student Workers Union (FGSW) spread awareness by distributing flyers about their contract bargaining to prospective Fordham University students and their families on both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses.

The members of the FGSW explained via X, formerly known as Twitter, that “Fordham’s upper administration [then] violated federal labor law by seeking the removal of graduate student workers organizing to improve their workplace conditions.”

FGSW explained that, under the National Labor Relations Act, the rights of workers to organize for their union, their contracts and their working conditions are protected. Therefore, for the Rose Hill Dean of Students and the Public Safety officials to remove them and threaten them with retaliation is in violation of the law, which the union reported to the National Labor Review Board.

“All of the interactions between the union members and prospective students were friendly, supportive and sympathetic,” explained graduate worker Ethan Gettes, “but the Fordham administration sent security to interfere with the union activism. Now, this is a

violation of a core right under federal labor law, and it’s on this basis that we filed the report.”

Gettes explained that the former charges submitted were in relation to misconduct by the university during contract negotiations. All of the charges submitted are still pending review by the board, but Gettes believes they make the need for increased respect and better treatment by the university evident.

Gettes added that there are two main outcomes he would like to see in response to the activism events and reports filed. “The first is that we’d love to see Fordham comply with federal labor law and with Catholic social teaching.

The actions that we’ve seen taken by [President Tania] Tetlow and the upper administration are seriously compromising the values that Fordham is supposed to represent,” he stated. “The second thing that I want to see is that I’d like to see the administration respect the right of their workers to organize for a fair contract and a living wage.”

He explained that the union demonstrations are a vital part of their fight for the contract they’re seeking, whether the demonstrations be distributing flyers, picketing or holding union events. He states that all FGSW members care about the vitality of higher education, hence their investment in conducting research and

teaching undergraduates. However, their ability to give full commitment to the university is limited by their low wages.

“Time that I spend scrapping up extra money for rent is time that I’m not spending contributing to the university or my research,” Gettes stated.

FGSW has been in negotiations with the university for over a year, and Gettes stated that they have reached some agreements. However, they are still lacking progress in wages, healthcare and childcare benefits, which Gettes believes to be some of the most important areas.

Fordham has commented on frequently asked questions on their Human Resources page, stating, “The university and the union are committed to negotiating in good faith to improve the working conditions for graduate student workers in the bargaining unit.” They also stated that the stipends that FGSW has proposed exceed the market wages of graduate student workers. The union has spoken to the opposite effect, stating via X that in addition to underpaying them, the university has refused to conduct bargaining in good faith.

Bob Howe, associate vice president for communications and special adviser to the president, stated, “The union and Fordham’s negotiating

This Week at Fordham

Wednesday March 20

Step Up to the Plate

Houlihan Park & Bahoshy Field 3 p.m.

Support Fordham’s baseball and softball teams as they take on Hofstra University and Iona University, respectively. First pitch for both games will be thrown at 3 p.m.

Wednesday April 3

(NB)C U at NBCU’s Career Panel

Lowenstein Center South Lounge 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

NBCU will be visiting Fordham on April 3 at 3 p.m. Participants will meet and network with NBCU staff from all aspects of business, ranging from finance, marketing and production.

Thursday April 4

Java with the Jesuits

Freeman Hall 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Stop by the McShane Campus Center to enjoy free coffee and converse with the Jesuits of the Fordham community. This event is every Thursday at both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center.

Sunday April 6

AFSP Campus Walk

Keating Steps 3 p.m.

The AFSP Fordham Out of Darkness Campus Walk will lap around campus to bring awareness and raise funds to help people struggling with mental health.

team initially met two times per month, but currently meet weekly with one exception. In hopes of expediting bargaining to reach an agreement quickly, Fordham’s representatives agreed to extend the sessions from three to five hours. During the March 7 bargaining session, Fordham negotiators suggested introducing a neutral third party, a Federal Mediator, into the negotiations to help reach an agreement. CWA refused the suggestion.”

The FGSW members continue their efforts to advocate for the requested improvements to their contracts and working conditions. Their most recent event has been holding a picket at the Founder’s Dinner on March 18 to reiterate their commitment after being removed from campus last month.

“I want to be sure to keep reiterating that what Tania Tetlow and the upper administration have been doing is not in line with Catholic values nor with educational values. If they want to uphold the values that Fordham claims to hold, it’s time to pay their graduate student workers a living wage.” Gettes concluded. Those interested in learning more about the union’s efforts and negotiations can follow them on X or Instagram, @FordhamGSW, or follow negotiation updates on the Fordham University website.

Sunday April 7

Let’s B (+) Positive!

Edward’s Parade 3 p.m.

Ramfest x Keating Steps, presented by Fordham Dance Marathon, will feature performances by numerous campus groups to fundraise for the B+ Foundation.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Fordham graduate students part of the Fordham Graduate Student Workers Union protest wages and contract bargaining on the streets of New York City.

Vice Provost Discusses Restructuring of Arts and Sciences

of the SLC Executive Board.

Provost’s office works to decide when and who to hire, how to promote student success, increase graduation rates and work to ensure that students succeed.

In response to the general curiosity surrounding the reworking of the core curriculum, Crystal explained that while he is not yet involved with that process, he is working to restructure the leadership of the School of Arts and Sciences. Currently, there are four deans: one for each school (Fordham College at Rose Hill, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences) and one who oversees the rest. According to Crystal, this hierarchy is confusing, and it is hard to discern which dean does what.

“The system is such that it makes it hard to have an integrated and unified voice,” he said. “We don’t want to dilute the individual cultures of the Rose Hill campus versus the Lincoln Center campus, but we still want a more effective leadership structure.”

The current plan is to have a single dean of Arts and

Sciences in charge of leading all of the schools, with four key positions to support that dean. These positions would be a vice dean for Undergraduate Education, a vice dean for Graduate Education, a vice dean for Faculty Affairs and an executive director of Finance and Administration. Crystal says the goal is not to increase the size of the administration, as he is aware of the concerns about limited resources, but aims to simply rework it. Currently, college councils at all schools have voted on this proposed structure, with the Arts and Sciences Council voting on the day of the SLC meeting, followed by the Faculty Senate vote and then the Board of Trustees vote.

Regarding the Graduate Student Union negotiations, Crystal said, “Fordham is dedicated, committed to bargaining in good faith to reach an agreement with the grad student workers.”

He noted that Fordham’s primary concern is fiscal responsibility as they want to keep the cost of education as low as possible.

I stopped eating meat at 11 years old and got diagnosed with celiac this year and I have more ease finding meals literally anywhere else than I do at Fordham.”

The rise in dining costs follows the closing of the Marketplace, Fordham’s main cafeteria, in the McShane Campus Center due to renovations. The Marketplace has been under construction since October 2023 and will remain closed until the start of the 2024 fall semester. Alternative, temporary dining locations have popped up in the secondfloor ballroom of McShane and in Faber Hall’s Bepler Commons.

“The quality and conditions of dining and housing do leave me wondering what the increase in tuition is even going towards,” said Paolo Liaci, FCRH ’27.

Fordham’s website states that, on average, undergraduate tuition for the 2024-25 academic year will be $62,990, a raise of nearly $3,000 from the $60,335 tuition of the 2023-24 academic year.

“I already pay separate fees for housing that traps me in elevators and exposes me to food that I’m allergic to,” said Maddy Keith, FCRH ’27. “Why is tuition going toward them too, especially when there’s a huge commuter population that doesn’t get to take advantage of what they claim to be improving?”

Rose Hill housing costs for the upcoming academic

Crystal stated he didn’t believe that to be accurate, noting that spending on faculty salaries has gone up. He also referenced a company called 2U that Fordham uses to develop and promote online programs that the university is stepping away from to create their own platform. By doing this, they are technically spending less money on instructional costs, but not losing resources.

“It’s misleading to say that Fordham is shifting money away from supporting instruction,” said Crystal.

Crystal did agree that the size of the administration has grown over the last few years, but attributes it partly to the increasing regulations and growth of Disability Services and Counseling and Psychological Services.

Crystal also spoke of changes to the Fordham College Advising System, as there are plans to move towards a professional advisor system

Hector Cruz, FCRH ’24, executive president of the Commuter Student Association, asked about academic versus administration funding, stating that students were under the impression that funding for academic affairs went down and funding for administration went up.

similar to the Gabelli School of Business. Crystal believes these advisors will provide more holistic support and that faculty would also advise more in their field as mentors assisting with post-graduation plans.

“Between the new advising system and dean structure that allows for a central integrated vision for Arts and Sciences education at Fordham, I think it will have a positive impact on student experience,” he said, noting it’s unlikely these changes will specifically impact students’ day-to-day activities but more so their overall college experience.

Cruz emphasized that, as a senior computer science student, he has observed a lack of practical application to the things taught in the program. He noted that this was not solely a Fordham issue. Crystal stated the Office of the Provost wants to develop a more comprehensive place for faculty to learn how to enhance classroom experiences.

Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life Charles Clency shared the number of monthly intoxication transports at the request

Students React to Tuition Increase

year will range from $11,000 to $18,750, and meal plans range from $7,660 to $8,940.

Lincoln Center housing ranges from $11,900 to $24,285, and meal plans range from $7,745 to $8,965.

“With yearly tuition rises and a president whose salary is equivalent to what most student’s parents would make combined in about five years, Fordham has nothing special to make the price worth it,” said Lillian Hunter, GSB ’27. “Students are better off either paying these prices to attend a place like NYU or Columbia or transfering to a state school to save themselves the headache.”

Bob Howe, associate vice president for communications and special adviser to the president, declined to comment on what changes would be made to dining and housing for the 2024-25 academic year that would warrant a 4.4% tuition increase.

“Not even the professors want to be here and they [the university] expect us to pay more money,” said Cassidy. “My philosophical ethics professor moved to Hawaii, and is still getting paid the same for an in-person class. It’s so annoying and I’m so mad they keep cranking the cost [of tuition].”

“Approximately 89% of all undergraduate students receive some type of financial aid,” said Howe. In Buckley’s email, it states, “We [Fordham] spend nearly $300 million a year on financial aid, which will continue to be one of our largest line items on our budget, as we’ll

contribute millions of additional dollars this year to support students with the greatest need.”

“Of course the university can’t fully offset the tuition increase with financial aid — that would defeat the purpose of the increase — but Fordham will allocate approximately $300 million in financial aid to students and families with the greatest need,” said Howe.

Students requesting financial aid for the 2024-25 academic year must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid

(FAFSA). However, due to significant Department of Education processing delays, the earliest Fordham began to receive FAFSA information from students was March.

“I think that families and students are paying for their children or themselves to get a decent education, and it’s not fair to raise the tuition and make this education unattainable for people that are trying to better themselves,” said Leah Renshaw, FCRH ’27.

Students may potentially also see an increase in the Student Activities Fee, following the

Vice President of Budgets and Finance Lucas Hjertberg, FCRH ’26, provided updates on the ongoing referendum. At the time of the meeting, they had collected around one thousand votes and were coordinating with Ram Print to print more. Approximately 96% of the votes were proreferendum, which would increase the Student Activities Fee by $95.

Jaclyn Wickersham, FCRH ’25, president of the Campus Activities Board, shared the tentative calendar for Spring Weekend, including Campus Movie Fest, Last Comic Standing and two concerts.

Dean of Students Christopher Rodgers stated that the university is in the process of interviewing Jewish and Muslim Chaplains who would be resources on campus. The university is also still in the Middle States Accreditation Process. Rodgers also reminded attendees that on Sunday, April 14, the university is hosting a Spring Preview for admitted students.

The next SLC meeting will be Wednesday, April 10, from 3-5 p.m. and will be joined by a yetto-be-announced special guest.

Student Activities Fee Referendum currently underway. The referendum will decide if the SAF will increase by $95, going from $135 to $230. The fee has not increased in 11 years, in which it went up by $25.

“I’m so grateful that my family is supporting me through college but I can barely afford Fordham for all four years as it is, and things like this make me regret choosing to go to school here, honestly,” said Keith. “I feel like I’m constantly pushing my family’s boundaries to go to a mediocre school.”

The announcement stated that the increase is to expand housing and food services for next year.

FROM RIBBON, PAGE 1

and Veterans’ Services have been advocating for a long time to remove the caps because of the barrier to entry they create and the fear they cause in beneficiaries considering Fordham. In the past year, they were finally able to achieve their goal.

“President [Tania] Tetlow, in the fall, after we presented all the information to her about the Yellow Ribbon Program, agreed to eliminate caps in all of our programs and unlimited seats in all of our programs,” Butler commented.

The benefits of the Yellow Ribbon

take this job is that the clinic, when I came into Fordham, was in such a state of potential — it was so new, and it never really had a chance to grow because of the [COVID-19] pandemic… This felt like a really unmolded clay that the faculty and students could shape into something that really makes sense for [a] contemporary clinical psychology department in the Bronx,” said Kriss.

FCMHC opened in January 2020, after roughly a decade of planning, organizing and advocating by the Fordham clinical psychology department.

In March 2020, because of the challenges posed by COVID-19,

FROM SPIRIT, PAGE 1

pate in the Church and the Synod’s mission, with open hearts and minds to meet the Holy Spirit in one another.” The event offered an overview of the Synod on Synodality, provided an example of a Conversation in the Spirit, and the opportunity to share graces. As much as conversation is a pillar of this program, it was rooted in prayer and silence, guided by the Holy Spirit.

Immediately, the program provided students with a clear explanation of the meaning of the Synod, as the etymology means to walk together. According to the program, “The intention behind this Synod is conversion and transformation of heart through encounter, as opposed to concrete

Veteran Tuition Assistance Cap Removed

Program go beyond covering the tuition of the institution the beneficiary chooses to attend. Butler explained that they will also receive a housing stipend depending on the cost of living in the zip code of the institution, which will be $4,143 a month at both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses this fall and a $1,000 book stipend each year. Both stipends are paid directly to the beneficiary.

“Not every private school has unlimited seats or unlimited caps,” Butler stated. “They’ll determine how many they want to have, but Fordham has said

we want to be able to offer this to anybody that has Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at 100% eligibility.” According to the Fordham website, the university was awarded the 2023-24 “Military Friendly” Designation.

Andrea Marais, director of Military and Veteran Higher Education, Engagement and Transition, explained that the university orchestrates a high number of initiatives for their military and veteran students, including veteran-specific job fairs, volunteer programs, internship opportunities and professional development events.

“Having veterans and militaryconnected students really enriches the classroom experience,” Marais stated. “They are a diverse, interesting group with experience and perspectives that can enhance the learning environment.” She further explained that Fordham partners with other universities and veteranfocused nonprofit organizations to help all veterans understand and receive the full benefits available to them.

Fordham’s Military and Veterans’ Services are happy to hopefully see growth in enrollment of veterans using Yellow Ribbon

Fordham Professor Oversees Local Clinic

the clinic shifted to a virtual platform and continued until September of the following year. The virtual nature of the clinic helped provide services to a variety of locations within New York State. Currently, the clinic provides both in-person and virtual services to clients, which has enabled them to focus their efforts on Bronx clientele.

“Now that we’re physically located and really trying to emphasize doing in-person work, I feel like we’re getting closer and closer to really fulfilling our intended mission, which is to provide these services to Bronx residents — which is one of the most underserved

communities in the city and the state in terms of mental health services,” said Kriss.

Kriss noted that the number of clients has nearly quintupled in size since 2021, saying, “It went from my first year [of] having a maximum of maybe five or six clients that we were seeing at a time to now seeing 25 to 35 people at a time, across these different teams and in these different modalities.”

Doctoral students, clinical professors and even undergraduate students are involved in the operations of the FCMHC. Student workers are responsible for the scheduling and billing that keeps the clinic running. The clinic also recently welcomed its first

undergraduate intern last fall. Teams of clinical psychology graduate students provide clinical care across several categories, including child, adolescent and adult psychotherapy as well as providing assessments and diagnostic evaluations. These teams are each supervised by different faculty members, who guide the psychology students as they meet with patients.

Kriss notes the importance of preparing students to provide standards of care while thinking in a community mental health framework.

“This isn’t a research lab environment where only very specific people are coming through our doors; anybody,

Fordham Participates in Global Reflection

doctrinal changes. Overall, the Synod on Synodality is the active renewal and conversion of the Church, in order to foster a culture of encounter amongst all the People of God.”

The two pillars in constructing this event were AnnaMarie Pacione, FCRH ’26, and Mollie Clark, FCRH ’26. The two students traveled with nine others to study in Rome last semester to witness the Synod on Synodality. “Our goal since coming back is to bring synodality back to our communities — especially Fordham and other young people,” said Pacione. These two leaders used their research and experiences of synodality to create spaces for other students to experience conversation. “We believe that

Conversations in the Spirit are one concrete way of experiencing and making synodality accessible, so it made sense to have these at Fordham… While the Synod on Synodality is seemingly happening at the institutional higher level, it is really about invigorating,involving and listening on the local level in our own communities,” Pacione shared.

The first thing Clark and Pacione did in organizing this event was finding facilitators to help lead conversation and reflection. They first reached out to communities they thought would have students of interest such as Curran Center for American Catholic Studies, Fordham’s Alpha Sigma Nu Chapter and Campus Ministry groups. However,

anyone was welcome to train to be a facilitator. Pacione commented, “Just as the Church needs all of us, we believe anyone can be a leader and share their gifts here... It was a particular gift to watch a few facilitators who were new to the Synod learn about it, and step up as leaders by facilitating Conversations in the Spirit. A gift.”

Pacione emphasized, “The Church is asking for the voices of all people and that includes us, even though we may feel used to not being included. This is our time to not be too afraid to take up space and share our stories — the joys and difficulties, understanding the Holy Spirit dwells in each one. It takes courage to remain at the table of our Church and share our experiences openly (the beauty

benefits now that the cap has been removed. Butler stated, “The significant thing is [that] removing the caps will hopefully provide the doorway for more veterans to come to Fordham.”

According to Marais, Fordham has had military connections for over 175 years and is currently home to more than 400 militaryconnected students. Whether those students are veterans, military spouses and dependents, active duty personnel or Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets, Fordham aims to service them as much as they can.

specifically in the Bronx and but even beyond in New York City, who can’t afford therapy elsewhere might be giving us a call, so we kind of have to be ready for everything.”

In the future, Kriss hopes that the FCMHC will foster new initiatives through collaboration between psychology faculty and community partners.

“I’d love for the clinic to not just sort of have a preset menu that people choose from but for us to actually learn more about what needs the community has so we can build around that, and really be a clinic by and for the Bronx,” said Kriss.

and the ugly) so I am so proud of all who responded to this invitation.”

The event was a huge success, and reflective of the impact Fordham students have. “I see the potential for this conversation in the Spirit model to aid in communal discernment, ensuring all voices are heard, in clubs, classrooms, families, friend groups, administrative spaces... everywhere! It is practical and makes sense as it respects all people and the sacred that exists in all,” said Pacione.

Clark revealed that they are interested in hosting more of these conversations surrounding synodality to students throughout the rest of the semester. For more information, follow @synodalfordham on Instagram.

USG Discusses New Club Proposals and Committee Initiatives

By SOFIA SEMPER STAFF WRITER

The Fordham University Rose Hill United Student Government (USG) met on Thursday, March 14 to discuss new club proposals and initiatives.

The Residence Hall Association delegate Isaac Forson, FCRH ’26, announced the Under the Tent event is confirmed for this year, and that they have begun planning.

Assistant Vice President of Government Relations Bill Colona talked about his role at Fordham. He explained that their mission is to promote and facilitate the university’s public policy objectives while collaborating with government officials, businesses and industry representatives. Additionally, they develop advocacy,

legislative and funding positions consistent with the university’s priorities. He essentially speaks with the government body on behalf of Fordham. The Future Teachers Club presented a virtual presentation about their club’s goals and activities. The club hopes to create an inviting and inspiring community for aspiring educators and allow students to share resources and creative strategies. They also want to create a unique mentorship opportunity to unite undergraduate and graduate students, allowing for more networking and guidance. The first few meetings would involve bonding activities and setting up mentorship pairs. They plan on volunteering at local schools, hosting board games or trivia nights, events for teacher appreciation week and

application writing workshops for graduate school applications. The club was approved. The Sustainability Committee presented their proposal for composting. They have been gathering data and researching this proposal for months. They explained that, since the cafeteria is already being renovated, they want a composter to be added for the staff and the Aramark employees to use because that is where they can see the most change. Vice President of Sustainability Sean Power, FCRH ’24, said that he knows the pricing for composting machines can be a bit intimidating, but he has already been in communication with Aramark. After the waste is composted, the Rose Garden Club could use it or take it to the New York Botanical Gardens. The Sustainability

Committee also presented a budget request for their Earth Week events and more storage for clothes for Fordham Flea. Both the budget request and proposal were approved.

Vice President of Fordham College at Rose Hill Dean’s Council Emma Balint, FCRH ’24, presented a budget request for cookies and donuts for one of her subcommittees tabling. The tabling will be promoting the Out of Darkness Walk on April 6. Vice President of Gabelli School of Business Dean’s Council Catie Flores, GSB ’25, presented a budget request for an SD card for her Marketing Subcommittee and a trophy for a club that they are partnering with. Vice President of Student LifeBrian Inguanti, FCRH ’24, presented a budget request for materials for Beacon Exemplar. All budget

requests were approved

Executive President Briana AlOmoush, FCRH ’24, stated that the first information session for the election period is set for April 8. She urged the Senate to try to finish their initiatives and proposals soon as it is going to be difficult to campaign and work on proposals at the same time.

Stephen Clarke, associate director for campus center operations, said that April is completely booked for events, and it is going to be a very busy month. He stated that he has completed the first round of interviews for the open positions in the Office for Student Involvement. Senior Week tickets went on sale this week, and he said that seniors should make sure to buy their tickets as soon as possible because ticket prices can increase.

I’m a sports guy. I write about sports, I think about sports and my life revolves around sports. In fact, one of the reasons I chose to come to Fordham University is that we are so close to Yankee Stadium. Even as I write this, I am listening to a “Talkin’ Baseball” podcast about the CY Young award candidates for this upcoming baseball season, an episode I helped research for my job at Jomboy Media, a sports media company.

Sports are important to me, but I write about them every week, so when given the openended prompt to write about “something important to you,” I was stumped. Sitting on the couch just before my 22nd birthday on March 18, I’m left thinking about the completely different places I have been on my birthday over these last five years.

This year, I’ll be in the Bronx, unfortunately taking a midterm. In 2023, I was in the Azores with my family; in 2022, I was living in California. In 2021, I was in Guatemala, and in 2020 I was home with the world crumbling around me because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I credit being in these different places to one decision: leaving college in the fall of 2020.

If it weren’t for leaving school, I wouldn’t have a dog, a matching tattoo with a girl in Guatemala or driven back and forth across the country.

So here’s my advice for anyone considering taking time off from school: go for it. It is the best decision you can make, and you will learn more than anything you can ever be taught in school. The benefits of taking a year off from school will outweigh the risks.

That being said, don’t take a gap year and just sit on your hands; that won’t help with anything. Come up with ideas — it doesn’t have to be a set plan and can change along the way. That’s the beauty of it: mine changed multiple times. Find new opportunities to develop life skills. My old high school had the saying “Pro vita non-pro schola,” which means “For life, not for school.” It’s definitely a cheesy saying, but it does have a lot of truth to it and a way of thinking that not everyone has these days.

Doing things out of the ordinary is scary at first. When I came home from school, I thought to myself, “What am I doing?” That’s when I decided to take advantage of this time and do things that I had always wanted to do but never took the chance.

First up for me: get a dog. Growing up, my family didn’t have a dog, but with the time and money saved, my family decided it was time to get one. We got the cutest Goldendoodle and named her Gio, after a former Yankees third baseman. Gio has brought us closer together and enriched our lives.

Having the responsibility of taking care of and training a dog helped me grow in a way that can’t be taught in school.

Next up: find something to do between the end of the NFL season and the start of the MLB season. I found a volunteer opportunity in Guatemala, building houses for those living in poverty. I spent over a month there, working during the week and exploring on the weekends. I made crazy, yet fun, decisions like getting a matching tattoo with a girl and spending a night on a volcano. Guatemala opened my eyes to the world around me.

Lastly: decide what to do for the rest of my time out from school. Originally, I wanted to backpack in South America for a few months, but I scratched that idea, thinking I might get stuck because of the COVID-19 protocols. Instead, I moved to California with one of my closest friends, Max. Driving out

west with a good friend and no responsibilities was one of the most fulfilling adventures ever. My time on this journey was incredible, making friends and memories that I will never forget.

It’s fun to go a different route than others do. It not only helps you grow as a person but gives you stories to tell for days. I have often been described as an onion because my experiences give me so many layers.

Not everything always has to be planned, in fact, being spontaneous is just as fun. It obviously may not be for everybody, but don’t knock it until you try it.

Embracing unconventional paths can lead to personal growth and memorable experiences. My suggestion: take the road less traveled and branch out. It’s something a person won’t regret and can be one of the most fulfilling parts of life to look back on.

A Crisis of Confidence on Our Subway

New York City’s subway lines are the arteries that keep the city running. Therefore, when jolts happen to the transit system, all New Yorkers notice. Two events this month have had this effect. The first was Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement of the deployment of 750 New York National Guard troops and 250 state troopers to patrol the subway. Their responsibilities include patrolling subway stations and checking bags for weapons. This announcement follows a number of high-profile violent occurences on the subway. The second incident occurred on a subway train underneath Brooklyn, where one man shot another in what the Brooklyn district attorney called “self defense.” These incidents have worried New Yorkers in all boroughs and impacted their perceptions of safety on the subway. In order for the subway to feel safer, Hochul should shift focus from the security theater to addressing the social issues that are the root causes of subway violence.

Since the beginning of the year, multiple subway crimes have made the news. One recent example was when a train conductor on the 4 train

in the Bronx was hit by a glass bottle while pulling out of the 170th St. station. In late February, there was a violent dispute on the D train. These events have resulted in a crisis of confidence among subway riders. Although it is statistically rare for a person to be the victim of a subway crime, it has not stopped commuters from feeling unsafe. An MTA survey of train riders from the fall of 2023 found only 54% of commuters felt safe riding the train. Commuters shouldn’t feel unsafe when taking the subway, especially if that is their main form of transportation. Thus, it makes sense for Hochul to take action to increase safety, especially since the state wants people to continue taking the subway, as ridership has still not recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Hochul’s decision to add the National Guard and state troopers is a political one. It gives the subway a veneer of safety for commuters. Troops dressed in armor are walking around large stations like Grand Central and Times Square, armed and checking bags to make sure they do not contain weapons. While Hochul proclaimed that this action would increase the

subway’s safety, many New Yorkers have disagreed. In an interview for a New York Times article published earlier this month, some subway commuters called Hochul’s actions “fearmongering.” Civil liberties groups have raised questions about what tactics the National Guard is using to decide whose bags to check, worried that Black and Latino commuters could be targeted for bag searches, while white commuters wouldn’t be. Important details of the program have not been shared with the public. We don’t know how long the operation will last since Hochul has been vague, stating that she does not want criminals to know when the program will end.

The expressed intent of Hochul’s action was to make the subway feel safer, but violent events have occurred since the announcement. As mentioned earlier, there was a recent violent incident on the A subway in Brooklyn where a fight broke out in a train car and was recorded by another passenger. The situation intensified and one of the men stabbed the other, who then proceeded to pull out a gun, and then the other man grabbed the gun and shot the man.

While it makes sense to have security in subway stations, deploying the National Guard will not address the root issues that will alleviate the subway’s current malaise. Some experts believe subway violence is a side effect of social issues and the lack of a strong social safety net. Some of these issues include homelessness and mental illness. However, the city’s homeless shelters were found to be poorly run in a 2023 investigation by the New York Times. Private New York hospitals also have been hesitant to admit psychiatric inpatients which have forced mentally ill people on the street. Hochul has taken some action to address some of these issues, like hiring 10 mental health teams that will work on the subway. But reforming the city’s social safety should be a higher priority than deploying the National Guard.

The state of the subway reflects the societal health of the city, and if it is not doing well, then the city is not either. All New Yorkers deserve to feel safe on the subway, but that can only be achieved if public officials move past political solutions and embrace the lasting policy ones.

By LUSA HOLMSTRUM STAFF WRITER

Will a Robot Think You’re Good Enough?

In the world of rapidly evolving technology, humans interact with artificial intelligence (AI) more frequently than they are aware. Phones that unlock using facial recognition and autocorrect on mobile devices are examples of everyday AI. These are functions that many people engage with habitually, but as AI gains traction and continues to evolve, more and more companies are bringing it into their workplaces. The newest concern for many is the use of AI in hiring practices.

In recent decades, with the emergence of online applications, the number of resumes being scanned by AI systems has increased. Using applicant tracking systems, many resumes are rejected before they even reach human eyes. These technologies are still in their early stages and many who have interacted with them have negative feedback. Interviewees who expected a human voice and face for their job interviews have been left shocked after a chat with a “Siri-like” bot.

Earlier this year, Ty, an anonymous person in the process of applying for new jobs,

By INDIRA KAR CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The first wave of standardized online SAT tests was administered on March 9. Long gone are the days of bubbles marked by No. 2 pencils, as this recent testing cycle introduces the SAT’s new digital format after 98 years of having been on paper. With many colleges returning to requiring test scores, the online SAT offers a refreshed approach to testing; however, the test navigates the digital age without fully addressing its continued issues of accessibility.

While the ACT still offers a choice in paper or digital format, the SAT has officially moved to full digital format, with few exceptions for those with visual impairments or other documented learningrelated issues. At the testing location, the proctored test is administered either on the student’s device or a College Board supplied device. The exam is now around two hours — shorter than the original three hours. This revitalized SAT also has shorter reading passages with one question per passage and a built-in calculator and timer. Another change includes adaptive testing which gives questions based on student performance, where after students finish the first half of the questions for the reading and writing section and math section, the second half of the questions for each subject will be easier or more difficult, evaluating the student’s ability more precisely. An additional

spoke with The Guardian about their less-than-positive experience in an AI-led interview. Ty said that they realized their interviewer was actually a robot who did not understand when Ty was still talking. “After cutting me off, the AI would respond, ‘Great! Sounds good! Perfect!’ and move on to the next question,” Ty said. Adele Watson, a journalist located in the United Kingdom, recently had a similar experience. She said that when she joined the online interview, she was surprised to be in a chat room with just herself, “In this case, I was just talking to myself — or an AI system — with no measure of how well I was doing. I couldn’t read anyone’s face, body language or see them nod yes. That small type of human reassurance that you get in a real interview is completely lost when companies outsource interviews to AI.” Watson did not get a second interview.

The video “Future of Work: Artificially Intelligent Hiring,” released in 2022 by Bloomberg L.P., includes testimonials from various professionals in the AI field. The video explained how biases in hiring software can arise, stating that the technology trains itself based on who

they view as good or bad from previous hires and may effectively be making biases more efficient. Professionals like Gracy Sarkissian, director of NYU’s Wasserman Center, say that resumes should be constructed in a style that is comprehensible to a computer but appealing to a human reader if it advances to that stage. Another pitfall of AI hiring is the inability to explain gaps in employment — if a resume is read by a person, an applicant may be able to justify time off in later discussions rather than being scrapped because the AI categorized a twoyear gap as “bad.”

In the previously mentioned Bloomberg video, the founder of the Surveillance Tech Oversight Project, Albert Fox Cahn, talks about the dangers of the unregulated use of AI in hiring processes. His company’s slogan is “We Watch the Watchers.” He wisely points out, “We don’t trust companies to self regulate when it comes to pollution, we don’t trust them to self regulate when it comes to workplace comp [sic], why on earth would we trust them to self regulate AI?” Raising this question reminds the viewer that due to the lack of clear laws or policies, companies are not yet required

to disclose if they are using AI in their hiring. While there are spaces in which AI use is overwhelmingly positive and beneficial, hiring processes should maintain their human integrity. When the career and future of an individual is on the line, it should not be up to a computer to decide whether or not they are worthy.

These algorithms learn from previous hiring practices, so when biases are shown by the human hand, the programs learn and snowball them into methods that seem logical to them. Many have shown weaknesses in hiring women or people with “Black sounding names.” Hilke Schellmann, the author of “How AI Can Hijack Your Career and Steal Your Future,” said that marginalized

The SAT: New Format, Old Flaws

bonus to this adapted format is that instead of the former six to eight weeks to receive results, students now only have to wait within two weeks of testing.

The shortened format was designed to cater to a generation that grew up with the internet and now has decreased attention spans, offering a revitalized and less stressful approach to the standardized test. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many universities offered testoptional or test-blind policies. However, in recent months, some universities have decided to reverse their decisions from the COVID-19 era; Yale University cited that “tests can highlight an applicant’s areas of academic strength, reinforce high school grades, fill in gaps in a transcript stemming from extenuating circumstances, and — most importantly — identify students whose performance stands out in their high school context” and stated that they would accept both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests under this reversal.

Critics of standardized tests believe they ignore the disadvantages of students from lower-income backgrounds, who may not have the same access to test preparation or school resources. While going testoptional or test-blind offered greater access to students who may have been discouraged from initially applying due to test scores, this notion does not seem to matter to many elite schools that have justified their decision in countering

that standardized testing is one of the best indications of how a student may perform academically, regardless of background. Inequality on college campuses is tied to more than just standardized testing; however, this trend of reversing policy decisions does away with widened accessibility.

The new format is posited as part of a larger effort to make standardized testing more accessible. In the pilot run of the digital format, the College Board reported that students who had ADHD, dyslexia and those whose first language is not English were able to focus more on the new format with the shorter passages. Critics of the former SAT had stated that it showed inequities in the scores of girls, students of color and lower-income students, but it is too early to have the data collection on how this new digitized format affects these student groups with the alterations. Going digital, however, does not solve this problem.

Students and schools need access to technology to make this standardized testing possible. The exam requires students to have their own devices. For those students who do not have access to a device and request one less than 30 days before the exam from the College Board, submitting a request for one doesn’t mean the device is guaranteed on test day at your location, which could jeopardize one’s ability to take the exam. Navigating an unfamiliar device on loan from the College Board may also affect one’s

groups can frequently “fall through the cracks, because they have different hobbies, they went to different schools.” Various companies have had to scrap AI recruiting when it was determined that they had cultivated biases against people of color or systematically rejected resumes with more “feminine” activities, even including sports such as softball. Without adequate regulations or policies surrounding AI hiring, hires like this could continue to be a trend. Is this what we want the future of our workplaces to be?

scores. With the digital format, some students may also be unfamiliar with how the built-in calculator functions. At school, among other testing locations, where two-thirds of students take this proctored exam, inequalities exist in terms of access to infrastructure like stable internet access and a person on staff to troubleshoot issues with the internet or the online exam on different devices. Computer and internet malfunctions on the day of testing could fluster students taking the exam, affecting their results.

A few glitches with this first round were reported and, overall, this generation of digital natives had mixed reviews on taking the newly formatted exam. Many students felt more comfortable with the online version, as it felt less stressful than filling in bubbles. However, the digital version does not allow students to annotate passages with pencil and paper, which created frustration in others.

Some students also noted that a

majority of the preparation resources for the exam have been in paper format, which is different from taking it on the computer. A definite adjustment is required as students begin taking their SATs on the computer.

Despite the changes enacted to improve the test and adapt the exam to the current generation, the gaps in resources do not make the test more accessible. The benefits of this new digital format do not outweigh the complications that may arise, nor does it address the issues related to standardized testing. There are still other options for testing if this digital format does not work for you, but the SAT might be a trendsetter as education continues to digitize. Paper and pencil are not obsolete, so why not address the issues surrounding standardized testing before digitizing what already existed?

Lusa Holmstrum, FCRH ’25, is an English and Spanish studies major from Venice, Calif.

The SAT has been on paper for decades, but will now be taken digitally.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Many companies are now using AI to screen and hire applicants. COURTESY OF TWITTER

Biden’s State of the Union and the Thorns in His Side

By ANDREW MCDONALD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Joe Biden’s third State of the Union address as president of the United States happened nearly two weeks ago on March 7, 2024. As an American with a vague sense of “civic duty,” I watched it live. Though I did think it was one of the better speeches from Biden’s presidency, in my perspective and from the viewpoint of the few vaguely progressive liberal Fordham peers I watched the speech with, Biden’s last State of The Union address of this presidential term remained altogether unimpressive.

The speech that Biden gave heavily emphasized the differences he had with former President Donald Trump, someone he obliquely referred to as “my predecessor” at least 10 times, according to Al Jazeera. This turned it into “more of a campaign speech than it was a State of the Union speech,” per Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett. Trump is his 2024 opponent; I feel as if we’re reliving moments in limbo. Biden, just like he did in 2020, sought to frame the election as a battle for “America’s soul” between competing visions.

On domestic issues, Biden touted his economic record but offered little in terms of structural changes to improve workers’ lives. As the journalist Ben Burgis wrote

in Jacobin magazine, there were “bits and pieces of populist economic rhetoric,” but it sounded similar to the moderate centrism of former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama who were focused more on “producing a better workforce” than “structural changes to make life better for the workforce we already have.” References made to the Protecting the Right to Organize Act and a $15 minimum wage felt a tadperfunctory.

Biden did pledge to codify Roe v. Wade, which was overturned under his watch, if voters give back the House of Representatives in 2024 to Democrats, an important issue post-Dobbs, something which carried the 2022 and 2023 U.S. elections both electronically and rhetorically. Overall, though, his economic vision centered on bolstering and regulating corporations rather than expanding the safety net or empowering labor.

One of the most salient issues among Republicans is immigration, and Biden, after his address, said he regretted using the term “illegal” to describe the suspected killer of student of University of Georgia Laken Riley during his speech. “I shouldn’t have used illegal — it’s undocumented,” he clarified. But Trump seized on the comment at a Georgia rally with Riley’s family, blaming

Biden’s policies for her death and vowing mass deportations. Riley’s murder has become a 2024 flashpoint and rallying cry for the GOP amid record migrant crossings. Biden had backed an asylum overhaul and border funding deal, which some to the left of Biden have described as a “boon to right-wing xenophobia.” Despite this, the bill collapsed under direct pressure from Trump for not going far enough, while Senator Mitt Romney argued that Trump wanted to “kill” the border bill so he could “blame Biden,” and run his election on the border issue.

The recent ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza dominated the foreign policy portions. Biden criticized Trump for wanting to tell Russia to “do whatever the hell you want” while assuring Israel of his “lifelong” support. This position comes as Democrats, one being Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, one of the highest- ranking government officials who is also a JewishAmerican, break from their unconditional backing of Israel’s right-wing government.

Chuck Schumer stated that the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has “lost his way” and is now “an obstacle to peace,” even suggesting Israel should hold new elections — a major rebuke from the Jewish Democrat. Biden praised Schumer’s “passion,” stopping short of echoing his

call for Israeli elections but acknowledging the “serious concerns” Netanyahu and his far-right coalition in the Israeli Knesset have raised since Oct. 7.

Meanwhile, American advocates for Palestine blocked Biden’s motorcade in a protest prior to the speech. To address criticism of enabling Israel’s siege on Gaza, which has already left over 30,000 Palestinians dead and has left half of Gaza at risk of starvation, Biden announced a plan for a temporary pier to deliver more aid that Israel refuses to let in. But humanitarian groups doubt this will suffice compared to pressuring or even forcing Israel to open land crossings. It seems more like a band-aid than a real challenge to Israeli human rights abuses cited by the United Nations.

At the start of the IsraelPalestine conflict, a Nov. 27, 2023, article from the Jewish News Syndicate titled “Biden is the primary obstacle to Israeli victory” provided an awfully blunt statement from retired Israel Defense Forces Maj. General Yitzhak Brick: “All of our missiles, the ammunition...all the airplanes, and bombs, it’s all from the U.S. The minute they turn off the tap, you can’t keep fighting. You have no capability… Everyone understands that we can’t fight this war without the United States.”

Biden’s failure in stopping

Netanyahu from disrespecting human rights has proved to many of the progressive Americans who made up much of the “uncommitted” vote in the Democratic primaries, that Biden doesn’t deserve to be the one who saves American democracy despite being the only one who can. His instinct is to uphold an unacceptable status quo rather than fight for justice in Israel and Palestine and in an America plagued by inequality. While certainly better than the Trumpist alternative, Biden needs to raise the bar higher for liberal voters.

Biden’s 2024 State of the Union offered too little, too late. It relied on anti-MAGA framing more than a bold, substantive vision to inspire the Democratic base in a high-stakes election year. With the future of democracy on the line, “not as bad as the other guy” is not a high enough standard. To secure a second term and steer the country to a better place, Biden will have to aim higher these next few months and push harder for progressive change. His first term suggests that this may be easier said than done.

Andrew McDonald, FCRH ’26, is a history and political science double major from Sacramento, Calif.

The Powerful Presence of the Pope in Politics

By INDRANIL KAR CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Throughout history, the papacy and more specifically the position of the pope has intersected with political, cultural and social spheres. The papacy as an institution is characterized by the promotion of Catholic principles and values. In contemporary times, the Pope has remained an influential figure within global politics as the head of the Catholic Church, Bishop of Rome and sovereign of the Vatican City state. As of 2019, there are more than 1.34 billion Catholics worldwide with many that listen to the official statements and positions of the Pope. The Pope is not affiliated with any political party, but the positions made by the papacy have political and social ramifications. I believe that the Pope should make statements pertaining to politics due to his position within the Catholic Church and his advancement of human dignity, peace and a perpetual commitment to justice.

The Catholic values promoted by Pope Francis often go beyond the political sphere. Within various global conflicts, Pope Francis remained a neutral entity but has constantly promoted for

dignity and for peace to prevail. Earlier this March, Pope Francis was criticized regarding his public statement that suggested that the capital city of Kyiv, Ukraine, raise the “white flag” and instead negotiate peace with the government of Russia. Nearly 500,000 individuals have perished and been wounded in the greater Russo-Ukrainian War which began over a decade ago. The use of the “white flag” was interpreted by many as a call by the leader of the Catholic Church to surrender to the invading Russian forces in the country. Ukrainian civilians, elected officials and international allies of Ukraine have condemned the Pope’s comments about the violent conflict. Many Ukrainian elected officials and international allies have compared seeking negotiations with Russia to situations during World War II. After the original comment was made, a Vatican spokesperson clarified that Pope Francis was calling for an immediate cease-fire and peace negotiations when referring to raising the “white flag.” Unfortunately, these comments may have alienated the Catholic community within Ukraine. During this war, religious leaders in the

country continue to promote the strong will of Ukrainian people and the sovereignty of the nation. Pope Francis emphasized the importance of human dignity regardless of national affiliation.

The Catholic principles of peace, justice and the protection of human life influence the papacy’s stance on global issues. Since Oct. 7, 2023, already, more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli occupying forces. Over 2 million people have been displaced because of the Israeli government’s destructive and violent campaign within the Gaza Strip. Communal places of worship for Palestinian Christians and Muslims have been desecrated and violated by the conflict. Beginning in December 2023, the Pope has made various public statements condemning the conflict in Gaza and utter disregard for people in Palestine. He specifically spoke against the attacks carried out on the compound of Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Parish. In the statement, he stressed that a Catholic institution houses innocent families, children, the sick, clergy, the disabled and others devoted to the faith and are not terrorists. This came

after the Israeli military forces had murdered a mother and her daughter and injured many more while they were relieving themselves in the parish’s bathrooms. Additionally, Pope Francis further explained that the actions carried out by the Israeli military and government were acts of terrorism. Since the statement, Pope Francis has continued to advocate for civilians in the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The role of the Pope to be a voice in politics is critical. As the head of the enormous Catholic Church, the statements made by the Pope will have political, social and cultural ramifications regardless of the original intentions. The position of the papacy

influences people around the world. Pope Francis has continued to emphasize the human dignity of innocent civilians above all else in violent conflicts. He has spent years championing social justice issues ranging from climate change to immigration and racism. The statements made by the Pope should be open to criticism, but they should not be condemned because of religious affiliation. The positions made on political and social issues are backed by the key Catholic doctrine which affirms the principles of peace, justice and commitment to the common good.

Indranil Kar, FCRH ’26, is a political science major from St. Louis, Mo.

The Pope is an important figure in politics. COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Senator Katie Britt Lies in Response to Biden Immigration Policy

By CAITLIN WONG CONTRIBUTING WRITER

First-term Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) delivered a speech as the Republican response to the State of the Union address given by President Joe Biden on March 7. In this response, Britt criticized Biden’s immigration policy and its effects on the state of American homes and the American dream. To say Britt has missed the mark would be an understatement.

At the beginning of her speech, Britt uses a story from when she first took office to explain why Biden’s loose border policies are detrimental toathe

The story is from a woman who Katie Britt spoke to in the Del Rio Sector of Texas who was brutally sex trafficked since age 12 by “the cartels.” She goes on to say that we, as a people, would not accept this happening in a thirdworld country and ponders why then we would allow it to occur in our own country. The story Britt is referencing, however, occurred in Mexico and is from a young girl who came forward in 2004-08 during Republican President George Bush’s term. Britt, since the release of her response, has confirmed the story didn’t occur during the

Biden administration and that she used the story to highlight the gravity of human trafficking at the Mexican border.

The woman Britt is speaking of is Karla Jacinto Romero, a sex trafficking survivor who was abused over 15 years ago. Romero is now an activist against sex-trafficking and wishes to spread awareness of its reality but also states that she wishes to keep it out of politics, stating that she typically “rarely cooperates with politicians” because they only wish to use her story as an example, just as Britt has done.

The issue with Britt’s statement is not that she used a story to push a particular agenda; but the fact that she lied and continued to lie when confronted with evidence. Britt first lied by presenting the story of the sex-trafficked girl as something that happened during the Biden administration by segwaying into the woman’s recounting after saying, “We know that President Biden didn’t just create this border crisis. He invited it.” Upon completing the recounting, Britt stated, “This is the United States of America, and it’s past time we start acting like it,” despite knowing that this tragedy did not occur in the U.S., Katie Britt’s later statement in which she said

that she did not insinuate that this trafficking occurred in the U.S. or during the Biden administration is a falsehood.

Lying is rampant in politics especially with social media and its ability to rapidly spread misinformation. However, disinformation, as well as admittance to it, only fosters further distrust. By beginning her rebuttal speech with a grave falsehood, Britt set herself up to be dismissed and seen as idiotic and dim-witted for the rest of her arguments, no matter their individual validity. There are valid criticisms of Biden’s immigration policies to be noted. Furthermore, there are many harsh realities that contribute to the current border crisis, which the Biden administration has not been able to control. This includes an influx of migrants and refugees since 2020 due to global affairs such as international wars, nations’ reactions to COVID-19 and natural disasters. Overloading cases have caused the treatment of migrants at the border to worsen and the number of people gaining legal access to the country to decrease, despite the success of Biden’s policy and an increase in legal immigration for the U.S. Of all these reasons and arguments, Britt could have chosen to further

her Republican view of favoring a closed border policy. Still, she chose instead to lie and provoke Democrats, other opposing parties and even many members of her own party.

Britt’s speech was so remarkably upsetting, for the above reasons and others, to the public that Saturday Night Live quickly got to work on creating a parody where Britt was portrayed by actress Scarlett Johansson. The skit focuses on many of the atmospheric choices made by Britt in the delivery of her speech, such as an oddly seductive vocal tone and the constant remarking on the fact that she sat in her oddly spotless IKEA family kitchen because “women love kitchen.”

On Senator Ted Cruz’s (RTexas) podcast “Verdict,” Britt’s response to the SNL skit parodying her is, in her words, a compliment and she was “pretty pumped” by the choices made representative of her, particularly the casting. Britt seems unaware of both current affairs at the border as well as the fact that we are all laughing at her, not with her.

Caitlin Wong, FCRH ’27, is a psychology and English major from Union, N.J.

Problems in NYC High School Admissions

By HANIYYAH USMANI DIGITAL PRODUCER

In 2019, former New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio and school Chancellor Richard A. Carranza added a change to the high school admissions process, getting rid of extra application rounds, and keeping only one in place. It was the year I applied to high schools, and my mother attended one of my middle school’s information sessions where the school counselor showed parents how to create an application since it was something new for everyone to learn.

Having gone to NYC public schools for elementary, middle and high school, I know that there is a lot to say about the Department of Education (DOE). Elementary and middle schools can be brushed off in terms of quality, but things get more serious when applying to high school. The school that you end up going to will have a lasting impact on the next four years; things like resources provided to students and college readiness are fully dependent on that choice.

The high school application process has been changed repeatedly throughout the years, with an update in 2022 being made by city schools Chancellor David Banks, regarding the underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic students in more selective NYC schools despite making up the majority of the public school population. The

change indicated a shift back to the pre-pandemic pattern of prioritizing grades rather than having a lottery system with a more general range of students academically. Banks tightened grade point average requirements from an 85 to a 90 at minimum, as well as including a ranking system where students in the top 15% of their class get priority.

While Banks’ decision faced criticism, it also ended up failing in his mission to bring more equity to schools. While it’s great to try bringing the academic standard back up to preCOVID-19 levels, students won’t start changing their academic habits on their own — no one struggles by choice. It all relates back to the fact that NYC schools are given much less funding than what is needed to provide opportunities for all economically disadvantaged students who have the untapped potential to achieve more.

In addition to “regular” public high schools, NYC also has nine specialized public high schools, eight of them requiring the infamous Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). A common topic of discussion is whether or not there should be schools that are labeled as specialized. As a graduate of The Bronx High School of Science, I may be a bit biased, but I believe there is no direct issue with having these high schools in place under this label. However, that’s not to say that there aren’t any

significant issues with them.

The SHSAT has been proof of privilege existing in the city, where students of high-income families receive special tutoring as early as fifth or sixth grade, while lower-income students are usually only told about the SHSAT at the end of seventh grade. According to Chalkbeat, 4,000 students were accepted into specialized high schools out of approximately 26,000 eighth-grade students who took the entrance exam. Only 3% and 6.7% of those offers went to Black and Hispanic students, respectively.

When speaking to my peers here at Fordham who also graduated from specialized high schools, they agree that having specialized high schools is important. Joanne Huang, GSB ’27, attended Brooklyn Technical High School and shared, “I think having more selective schools is a good thing because it creates competition that can bring people to have the ambition to strive for better education.

Even if there aren’t so-called ‘specialized high schools,’ there will always be schools that are better than the others because once there is comparison between schools, one of them will come out to be the ‘better’ one.”

This leads to the fact that there are other selective public high schools in NYC that aren’t labeled as specialized, but are just as good or even better, a popular example being Townsend Harris High School. Even if there was

no explicit title, these schools would still hold a higher standard of education.

Nushana Alam, FCRH ’27, and fellow alumna of The Bronx High School of Science, said that she liked the idea of these high schools since they serve academically and artistically gifted students, however, she also brought light to the fact that the system is far from perfect, “I like the concept of specialized high schools… However, I think [they] sort of lose their meaning and purpose when it comes to actually selecting students to welcome into their school.”

Alam’s point about students lacking resources is, in my opinion, NYC schools’ biggest downfall. There are students who can do so much more yet they aren’t given the means to achieve what they can.

The benefit that specialized high school students receive is the support system, even as

alumni. Maintaining a higher standard allows graduates to go far in life, enabling them to come back and donate to the school to further aid current students, but this is not true for all NYC public schools. Despite the benefits of specialized schools, it all circles back to the fact that the DOE needs to step up and truly monitor the falling standard of academic performance in all public schools. A student cannot go beyond the low boundaries that have been set around them since elementary school. Huang ended her thoughts, by saying, “Some schools might have students that just don’t have the same given opportunities. When schools are deemed ‘better’ I think it’s just society in general putting schools on a scale.”

Haniyyah Usmani, FCRH ’27, is undecided from the Bronx, N.Y.

Sen. Katie Britt faces controversy over remarks on the Biden administration.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

United States.

The New York City high school admissions process is ineffective. COURTESY OF TWITTER

New York Shows Up and Shows Out for St. Patrick’s Day

By ISABELLA DEROSA ASST. CULTURE EDITOR

Technically, St. Patrick’s Day is March 17, but if you were not decked out in green gallivanting around Fifth Ave. the day before, consider yourself having already missed out on the holiday. That’s because Saturday, March 16, was New York City’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. People of all ages were gathered in the city at roughly 11 a.m., trying their best to dress in as much green as possible and embrace the Irish blood that flows through their veins, no matter how small that percentage is. Personally, I’m 12.5% Irish, and yes, it counts.

My friends and I awoke entirely too early for a Saturday morning (8:30 a.m.) and spent

far too much of our time perfecting temporary glitter shamrock tattoos and listening to “Shipping up to Boston.” We wound up catching the 10:47 a.m. train to Grand Central, interrupting everyone’s morning commute with our shenanigans. Impossibly, there seemed to be only one other group who was dressed for the occasion. Despite the lack of festivity, I did see a girl who had dyed her hair Kelly green, which I have to say is dedication.

As you can probably guess, the parade had started way before we even got to the right spot. Nevertheless, if you think that stopped us from contributing to the holiday spirit, think again. Following the mysterious sounds

of bagpipes, we marched through Midtown, determined to see at least a glimpse of the parade. We were women on a mission, only stopping to purchase a $5 Irish flag from a street vendor and to shout “GO RAMS” at people sporting the maroon sashes of those who had walked in the Fordham section of the parade. I’m going to assume they were simply shocked to see such enthusiastic fans because only a few returned our chant while the rest of the Fordham parade walkers kept on walking.

After a few twists, turns and directions from a very kind police officer, we managed to find our way to the parade just as it turned the corner of 46th St. I had never been

to the NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade before, but it was everything I had guessed it would be. Marching bands, bagpipe players, Irish dancers and people wearing the sashes of other schools and organizations were strolling between masses of green and gold like Moses parting the seas.

We stood in the center of chaos — cheering, taking photos and letting our reasonably-priced flag wave in the wind. It was about 20 minutes of fun and Irish pride before many of our fellow parade-goers started to dwindle. After the parade had marched its way out of our street corner, we were faced with the decision to scout the land for Irish pubs

or head to the place all roads lead to when you are having a good time: McDonald’s. It seemed like a crime not to get a Shamrock shake in the current circumstances.

Never before have I embraced my sliver of Irish heritage so much, but as they say, everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. Since Fordham typically has spring break during this holiday, it was nice to be in on the action in NYC for a change. Though, if you did not take advantage of this opportunity, I strongly recommend sticking around for next year.

Whether or not Fordham is still in session for St. Patrick’s Day, I know I will be in Manhattan on March 17 (or the day before)!

Embracing Ramadan at Fordham

By MEHAK IMRAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, holds profound significance for Muslims worldwide. Beyond its roots in abstaining from food and water during daylight hours, Ramadan is a time of prayer, self-reflection and spiritual growth. The month commemorates the initial revelation of the Holy Quran and signifies a period of sacrifice and devotion. At Fordham University, the celebration of Ramadan has extended beyond personal observance, with the school making large efforts to foster an inclusive environment where students can come together to embrace the essence of this sacred month.

Translated from Arabic, the word “Ramadan” originates from the term for “scorching heat,” symbolizing the immense sacrifices made by Muslims during this holy period and those before us. The fasting ritual serves as a demonstration of discipline, selfcontrol and empathy for those less fortunate, as donations are made to the poor every year. However, the significance of Ramadan transcends mere abstention from food and water; it is a transformative journey that encourages participants to refrain from negative behaviors, such as using foul language or engaging in harmful activities. Every year, I try to set a goal for

myself: one thing to add and one thing to cut out in my life, an addition and a subtraction. This year, I have been trying to add praying all of my sunnah (or non-obligatory) prayers and have tried to subtract the time I spend on social media and entertainment. Especially with the ongoing travesties currently affecting Muslims all over the world, particularly in the Middle East and Gaza, the importance of the month is amplified as one of empathy, compassion and charity.

As a first-year student whose faith has always been very important, I was nervous about Ramadan, as it had always been a time of community for me back home. From long nights spent in prayers known as Taraweeh to spending time with my friends and family at the mosque, it has always been my favorite time of the year. Because of this, I was pleasantly surprised by Fordham’s active recognition and celebration of Ramadan through various events organized by the Muslim Students Association (MSA) on campus, as well as the broader university community. One highlight so far has been the annual Spring Welcome Dinner hosted by MSA, which featured an insightful lecture and introduction to Ramadan for all students, regardless of faith, engaging activities and a dinner with Middle

Eastern food. This event not only educated attendees about the significance of Ramadan but also provided an opportunity for cultural exchange and mutual understanding. Imam Jaleel Jaffar, a respected figure in the local Muslim community, was one of the speakers, and he shared with us wisdom about the spiritual aspects of Ramadan as well as a basic introduction to what it symbolizes. The event was organized very well, featuring a diverse array of Middle Eastern food and desserts and even a Ramadan trivia session, adding an element of fun and competition, which I always appreciate.

Campus Ministry has also made large strides, such as featuring a table in the McShane Campus Center to educate people about the sacred month, with featured decorations, information and a daily calendar. Additionally, Ram Dining has also been cognizant of Ramadan and features to-go boxes in places like Queen’s Court Deli and BKG, which I have found especially helpful when in a rush to open my fast or for eating suhoor, which occurs at dawn, a meal eaten before the sun rises. However, as a student on the meal plan, I wish there was an opportunity for me to use my prepaid meal swipes for such items, as they’re mostly going

to waste because most dining places on campus close in the hours where eating is permissible.

However, the most remarkable testament to Fordham’s commitment to inclusivity was the university’s own Iftar dinner held on the March 14, sponsored by various departments and organizations including Campus Ministry, Mission Integration, the Center for Community Learning, the theology department, the Islamic studies department, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Rose Hill MSA. This event provided an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to come together, breaking bread in the spirit of unity and understanding. The event featured speakers from ICNA, the Belmont Islamic Center and the head of the Islamic studies department at Fordham.

Throughout the event, I felt welcomed and celebrated as we awaited the adhan, or the call to prayer, to break our fasts with dates. We prayed side by side behind the Imam, ate together and had conversation over the spirit of Ramadan and our favorite Iftar foods.

Following the event, there was even an unofficial Taraweeh prayer held on Eddie’s, as the night came to a close.

This was a monumental event, the first of its kind, and truly represented the steps that Fordham has been taking to

celebrate multiculturalism and diversity. After reaching out to the MSA board for a statement, they reflected these testaments, stating, “The Fordham in Community Iftar was a beautiful event that really showed our university’s commitment to inclusivity. Opening our doors to non-Fordham students for the first time at an MSA event was a meaningful step toward greater community engagement. It was truly heartwarming to see so many members from our campus and the broader Bronx community come together with such enthusiasm to break fast and celebrate the spirit of Ramadan. We hope to continue this tradition in future years and develop stronger relations with our Bronx neighbors.”

Fordham’s acknowledgment and celebration of Ramadan is one that continues to evolve as the years progress. Through such events with the MSA and universitysponsored initiatives like the Iftar dinner, students at Fordham, including myself, have found a supportive and understanding community during this sacred month. As the university continues to embrace and honor various cultural and religious traditions, it reinforces the idea that education is not just about academics but also about fostering a sense of belonging and shared humanity.

COURTESY OF ISABELLA DEROSA/THE FORDHAM RAM

Rams and New Yorkers alike came to celebrate in style on Saturday. Over 800 members of the Ramily descended on Fifth Ave. to witness the festivities.

By MARY HAWTHORN PHOTO EDITOR

As someone who still says, “Hi Barbie!” and “He’s such a Ken,” it’s safe to say that “Barbie” has impacted me in more ways than one. If you are looking for a comedic cinematic masterpiece that can also tap into the deepest crevices of your soul, “Barbie” is for you.

If I could travel back in time, it would be July 2023 when I saw “Barbie” for the first time. My best friends and I walked into our local theater wearing pink from head to toe (including pink bobs). I expected to just get a laugh from the film, but I ended up taking away so much more.

The film transports viewers into Barbieland, where women hold the power that men have in the modern world. After strange things begin to occur in the perfect place that is Barbieland, “stereotypical Barbie” (Margot Robbie) attempts to solve the problem by going to the real world to fix it. Accompanied by Ken (Ryan Gosling), she is rudely awakened by the explicit and unjust patriarchal society that is our world. Ken then brings the sexist ways of the real world to Barbieland, making it “Kendom,” where the Kens rule. Pushing toxic masculinity and forcing women to watch the ultimate sleeper of a movie that is “The Godfather,” the men

“Barbie” Celebrates Girlhood

are out of control. By the end, with the help of realworld mother and daughter duo Gloria (America Ferrera) and Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt), Barbieland is restored and Barbie decides to become human.

As much as “Barbie” is a lighthearted comedy, it has a much deeper meaning. It combats the normalized notions of patriarchy that permeate our society while also celebrating what it means to be a girl. I think that this film is deserving of praise because it is unafraid to call out the harsh realities of our world, particularly through Ferrera’s iconic speech encapsulating the impossible standards of womanhood: “You have to be thin, but not too thin… You have to be a boss, but you can’t be mean… You have to be a career woman, but also always be looking out for other people. You have to answer for men’s bad behavior which is insane, but if you point that out you’re accused of complaining. You have to never get old. Never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It’s too hard; it’s too contradictory.”

In addition to calling for accountability and change, I also love this film because it highlights the beauties of girlhood, the sense of togetherness and sisterhood that we inherently have with

one another. It romanticizes the seemingly simplistic moments that comprise the daily life of a girl, and celebrates the importance of loving yourself first and foremost. I find solidarity in the fact that the struggles of girlhood are universal. You are never alone, rather, a part of a community larger than yourself. There is always someone who has endured what you have and come out of it triumphant.

The many prejudices women face should not hinder the beauty of being a girl. The world can feel so polarized,

and this film reminded me that girlhood is an experience, but also a source of strength and joy.

I love that in addition to girlhood, the film touches upon the beauty of motherhood as well. Gloria figures out how to save Barbieland and serves as a role model for her daughter Sasha. She is reflective of the strong and empowering mothers who are here to advocate against the unjust societal norms they endured to help the next generation of women live better lives. I realized that my love for this

movie stems from my close relationship with my mom, who is my guiding light and biggest inspiration. Like Gloria, my mom is a trailblazer who taught me that I can accomplish all of my dreams and overcome any obstacle I may face while also protecting my girlhood experience.

Ultimately, this film is one everyone can enjoy. I extend the biggest thank you to Robbie and writer/director Greta Gerwig for having the courage to make what I consider one of the best movies of all time.

“Dani and Bea” is an Absolute Delight

By GRACE CAMPBELL MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

This weekend, Fordham Experimental Theater put on “Dani and Bea,” written and directed by Tori Fisher, FCRH ’25, an adaptation of “When Harry Met Sally.” The play, with a 90-minute run time, follows two women who travel together from Chicago to New York post-graduation and spend the next 10 years meeting and remeeting one another.

Dani, portrayed by Julia Bavaro, FCRH ’24, is an aspiring journalist in a heterosexual relationship with a sure sense of self, or at least that’s what the audience is meant to believe. Bea, portrayed by Kelsey O’Keefe, FCRH ’24, is a proud lesbian with dreams of being a photographer. Despite their differences, the audience sees their chemistry build and set up for the scenes to follow. Their journey begins during their cross-country trip and the pair playfully debate whether it’s possible for anyone to be completely straight. Dani argues that sexuality is a spectrum and no one can say for certain they are entirely

straight, while Bea seems set in her ways. Their back and forth is a gentle nod to “When Harry Met Sally,” and their conversation of whether men and women can really just be friends. Years pass with the two running into each other now and then, but it’s not until 10 years later that they finally become friends. Along with the help of their two best friends, Martin and Carrie, who became a couple themselves, the two are able to see what’s been in front of them the whole time.

The overwhelming feeling left from the play is the honesty and authenticity of this story. Love stories are not as cut and dry as they may seem in the movies. Feelings take time to develop, and, in a lot of cases, it can take a long time for people to come to terms with their sexuality. This play allows the audience to go on that real journey with the characters. O’Keefe does a great job of portraying a woman struggling with her sexuality, knowing that she’s not allowing herself to be fully authentic, but also being

not quite ready to admit that to herself.

Despite being an adaptation, “Dani and Bea” has its own unique charm, with storylines and characteristics that are wholly their own. The distinction is most obviously that “Dani and Bea” follows a queer relationship. “It follows the beat of the original but in a reimagined way,” said Fisher. “I wanted to reimagine it in a way that’s a bit more relatable so I decided to make it a queer adaptation to reflect myself and people around me. I can’t think of another play that’s been put on at Fordham that has shown queer relationships so it’s important that we see that. It’s a step in the right direction.”

A final highlight of the show is the couples’ stories that take place in between scenes. The audience sees five couples tell the story of how they met, four of which are in queer relationships. The weight these short scenes carry is the heart of the show and a reminder to those who may need it that queer love stories are important and deserve to be told.

Gerwig’s “Barbie” is inspiring and will surely be ingrained in American culture for years to come.

Inspired by Nora Ephron, “Dani and Bea” is full of heart and humor.

Fordham University’s Home Base: Pugsley’s Pizza

By GABBY PRICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“The idea was for me to build this and get out,” said Sal Natale, owner of Pugsley’s. “I will never be a pizza man.”

Not a sentence one usually hears from the owner of a pizza place, but Natale is not your typical pizza place owner.

Decorated with wrinkles all across his face and a full head of gray hair that reveal his vast life experience, Natale moves briskly around the kitchen, always keeping himself busy. He mutters under his breath in Italian, and eventually sits to catch his breath and admire the work he and his family have done.

In 1967, Natale journeyed from Sicily to the Big Apple to pursue the “American Dream.” For him, this meant playing the saxophone and opening a pizza place geared to college students. After carefully considering many open lots in the Fordham area, Natale decided on a location to open: a hidden junkyard behind Fordham Road.

“There was no floor, no water, no gas… but I got excited,” said Natale, with his familiar toothy grin and gleaming eyes.

Although there were many obstacles to creating a business from scratch, Natale’s ambition and passion were key ingredients in the transformation from a junkyard to his vision of a prime pizza parlor, which is what stands today.

Opened in 1985, Pugsley’s Pizza has been a go-to for Fordham University students

By SAISHA ISLAM OPINION EDITOR

For Liana Cutter, FCRH ’27, it was a big transition from her home in Costa Rica surrounded by the jungle and beach to Fordham University’s Rose Hill campus in the Bronx. Growing up, Cutter shares that she had unique experiences compared to some of her first-year peers, stating that it was common as a kid to find a cow on the roof, alligators in the classroom, a snake which had slithered in while watching TV and to recognize which frogs were poisonous and which were fine to touch.

When asked what drew her to Fordham, Cutter shared that it was “the small class size and the close relationship that professors developed with their students.” Additionally, she was drawn in by Rose Hill’s strong STEM classes, research and extracurricular activities. Ironically, Cutter shared that while growing up, she didn’t appreciate STEM, but developed a strong passion for it when she took her first chemistry and physics classes in seventh grade. This cemented her decision later on to be the first in her high

for 40 years to grab a slice (or a pie) of pizza and relax in the comforting environment that Pugsley’s offers.

Although the exterior of Puglsey’s remains reminiscent of the junkyard, with a tall metal fence topped with barbed wire enclosing the parlor, the inside is completely different. It is colorful and busy, with pictures, quotes, newspaper clippings and graffiti covering every wall and even reaching the ceiling.

Physically and symbolically, it is the embodiment of Natale. A little rough on the outside, but warm and loving within.

The clippings are not simply symbolic memories and moments from Natale and his family’s lives. They represent everything from the four seasons to the explosion of the Challenger Space Shuttle in 1986 as a reminder for students to always have hope. On the wall farthest from the door to the left, a rainbow with clouds at each end covers the wall. Each cloud contains part of a quote meant to inspire viewers. “Do not fear the storm, it will go by. Wait for the rainbow, it will decorate the sky.”

Next to the rainbow, one candle stands with the message, “All the darkness in the world can not extinguish the light of a well-lit candle.” This quote strongly resonated with Natale, especially during the first few months of trying to bring Pugsley’s to life. “I was depressed,” he said with a weak smile. Now, he wants

to help others stay positive.

“There is… nobody to clap you or to criticize you or anything,” said Natale, through broken strands of English. No matter who you are or what you do, everyone is welcome at Pugsley’s.

Maeve Mcenery, FCRH ’26, spoke on behalf of her friends, saying, “We love Pugsley’s because we feel so welcome there, and it’s just a home base at Fordham.”

Going to Pugsley’s was the highlight of Mcenery and her friend’s first-year, especially when they were able to get to know Natale while munching on their pizza. Some of the most memorable and fun moments, though, were when Natale brought out his saxophone to play for them.

Although he claims he is not very good, Natale loves the saxophone. It has been a constant in his life since he lived in Italy and he loves to improve his skills. Currently, he said he’s starting to improvise when he plays. This is no small feat — it is a testament to Natale’s true musical talent.

“When you enjoy what you do, you don’t work one day in your life,” Natale said while slapping his hand on the table. It is a piece of advice he lives by and urges everyone to follow.

Natale’s passion and love for fostering an inspired student body is not just emulated from his personality or Pugsley’s decorations. It can be tasted in each and every pizza, which, according to Natale, is made with the finest Italian dough,

sauce, cheeses and, most importantly, love.

Love is the most valued quality at Pugsley’s. Natale and his family love where they live, what they do and who they serve. They love the pizza they make, and they especially love to show their love by serving iconic heart-shaped pizza. Why not show love on their sleeves and in their pizza?

Natale’s love for Pugsley’s was clearly expressed in his farewell to me. His lips quivered as tears leaked out of his almost closed eyes, which he quickly wiped away with his

trademark red-and-white striped button-up shirt.

“I wanna leave you with this. To Gabriella: Pugsley’s wishes you a lot of things, a lot of beautiful things. Most of all, this: capture the spirit of the moment, and unleash your own potential. Follow your heart and do not let anybody or anything steal your dreams. If you have a song to sing, sing it. If you have a bell to ring, ring it. If you ever started to tell, tell it. Honor your parents, love yourself and everybody else.”

Freshman Shares STEM Passion

school to go to a college outside of the country and enroll as a biochemistry major. She chose biochemistry because she saw it as a good bridge between biology and chemistry and thought that it would allow her to see and grasp more of both subjects.

Cutter states that she ended up getting into research as a first-year when attending a talk given by Dr. Ipsita Banerjee during orientation, finding the lab’s work to be intriguing. Currently, she conducts research on glioblastoma tumor receptor paths and finding different proteins and observing how well they bind to see if it is possible to develop treatments for the disease. When asked about her early ascension into research, Cutter states that it allows for her “to ease into it” and find out what she really likes about it. In addition to research, Cutter states that she enjoys the challenging aspect of her classes and being in an environment where she is not afraid to ask questions. She also shares how she has developed close relationships with faculty, even receiving a plant from her biology professor.

Outside of classes, Cutter is the co-president of Happy Hopes, a part of the social innovation committee focused on student’s mental health. Some of the organization’s undertakings have included gathering information through surveys on student’s mental health, organizing a speaker for Black History Month to describe Black mental health struggles, creating a poster for Women’s History Month and sending out an email to find out whether students knew about Fordham’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS). Cutter states that most students don’t know about mental health services provided on campus and that she hopes to bring more attention towards it. Future goals of the organization include making CPS more accessible to students.

When asked about how she deals with her own mental health, she states that outside of copious studying, she lets loose by going to the gym. She explains that it is important to maintain mental health as a college student, and that she is still trying to find a balance

between classes and free time.

While still dealing with the big transition to Fordham, Cutter states that she finds similarities to home with the large number of Hispanic people in the Bronx and that she is excited to explore the big city. She claims that in

New York City, “the possibilities are endless.” You can do a thousand different things every hour and be whoever you want to be everyday. In Cutter, Fordham has found a passionate and excited student who hopes to make a positive impact on campus.

Pugsley’s is beloved by all students and is a Fordham staple.

Fordham

COURTESY OF GABBY PRICE FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Who’s That Kid?| Liana Cutter, FCRH ’27

Study Abroad | Granada

Can Everyone Tell I’m American?

By LUSA HOLMSTROM STAFF WRITER

Three Americans, three Mexicans and a Spaniard sit in a Spanish bar. What may be the start of a joke that likely fell flat was how I spent my Tuesday night. On weeknights in Granada, local bars take turns hosting “intercambios,” or language exchanges, put on by the university. Sala Premier, with a bright red exterior and “Lord of the Rings” themed interior — complete with a life-size, wooden Bilbo Baggins — is the proud mother of Tuesday nights.

After waiting in the line out the door, you pay the four-euro entry fee and a nice woman asks where you’re from and what language you want to practice. Bonus points if she thinks you’re Spanish. Once you’re at a table, you wait for the other seats to be filled. How it works is simple — you’re grouped with people who are often fluent in the language you want to practice and are looking to practice the language you already speak. On Tuesday, our table was split right down the middle with four of us there to practice Spanish and four eager to test out their English. They bring drinks and tapas that are included with the cover, and once you get done with pleasantries (always lots of “ooohs” when they hear “New York”), the fun begins.

Last week my table was trading riddles, switching the language of delivery for each riddle. An Italian kid

said he had one but that it required toothpicks. Without a word, the girl next to me was on her feet, searching the bar for six wooden sticks. At one point, a guy set up a chair with an acoustic guitar. You started to be able to pick out the Americans in the crowd by seeing who turned their heads to Van Morrison or “Wake Me Up” by Avicii, which brought many of us back to 2013 in the backseat of our parents’ cars. This week, a student from the University of Monterrey in Mexico shared with us about the time he went to a party at a school in Texas and discovered Twisted Tea. He even had a picture of it in his shopping cart. You never know when you’ll get a taste of home here.

My Thursday night plans came to me via email at 12:06 a.m. on Wednesday. I had written to one of Granada’s oldest Flamenco rooms only 20 minutes prior, asking if they had space for four in any upcoming shows in my most casual and nonchalant Spanish, hoping they too would mistake me for a local. I soon had no choice — they had “reserved four seats in [my] name. Pay at door.”

The place, called La Platería, is located in the Albaicín, the old Islamic neighborhood of Granada home to steep, winding streets and white walls. Their bluetiled patio hosts large parties under candlelight with a direct view of the Alhambra. We waited in line, paid (at the door!) and found our

seats on stiff wicker chairs. The Flamenco’s origins are in the Andalusian region of Spain, in which Granada is situated. The host announced that La Platería is celebrating its 75th year of operation this season. Onstage was a powerful singer, whose voice and undulations needed no microphone, a guitarist and a man who seemed to be there just to clap along. Tonight’s dancer, Vanesa Flores, sauntered onstage in an all-black piece with her hair pinned back with red flowers. As she spun around and whipped her head left and right, her hair spilled out of the updo.

After she finished in a foot tapping frenzy to an uproar of applause, the clapper man onstage turned out to be the second dancer, Antonio el Chupete. He wore a multishade gray getup, with an oddly threadbare shiny black scarf around his neck. While he lacked an elegant skirt to lift, his hands grasped the corners of his jacket while his hair stuck to his forehead. Flores, who had now taken clapper’s old seat, had changed into a red skirt and was clapping along in a syncopated rhythm and shouting to the beat. A French man behind me, having the time of his life, raised his glass of wine in approbation, his wicker chair creaking as he brought himself to his feet above the crowd.

I spent the majority of the show taking mental notes of the guitarist’s performance for my dad, who is a professional

musician. I watched the agile movements of his left hand brought to life by the blur of his right, all while keeping in perfect time with whom he was sharing the stage. Adhering to the ban on photography, I snuck voice memo recordings for my dad to be able to listen back and experience with me all the way in California. He responded, “They sure got a sound!” Tonight’s guitarist donned a sharp blue suit with a paisley blue button-up and black and white Spectator shoes. But alas, no funky socks. My favorite thing to do

while I’m here is to try and blend in with the locals, not only to find the best spots but also to learn through experience. To my credit, I do speak Spanish. Further blending in, I’m softening my accent when I speak, dropping the last syllables of words, finding the most authentic hole-in-the-wall places and not ordering paella. My next conquest is a wine tasting at a small Kafka-themed wine tavern, though they only do reservations once a month via unplanned Facebook posts. Needless to say, I might not be their intended audience.

By GRACE GALBREATH

ACROSS

1. Often served with guacamole

6. The opposite of literacy and the ability to speak

7. Type of tree used to make chocolate

8. An energy cycle that creates large quantities of ATP

1. You can’t wear a shoe without a ____

2. Capital of Saudi Arabia’s Northern Border Providence, located near the Iraqi border

3. Fabric used to make elaborate wedding dresses

4. Appearance of this indicates a healing injury

5. First name of breakout star from FX’s 2022 hit show, “The Bear”

Instructions

Use the clues to the left to fill out the boxes above.

COURTESY OF LUSA HOLMSTROM FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

La Platería is home to Thursday night Flamenco shows.

Women’s Tennis Serves Up Two Wins on the Road Men’s Tennis Gets Back on Track

By NOAH HOFFMAN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

It has been a tough start to the season for Fordham Men’s Tennis, going 1-7 over their first eight contests. But this past weekend, they got back on the winning side with a victory over Wagner College.

Fordham began the day sweeping the doubles competitions and earning the point. Senior Giorgio Soemarno and graduate student Nick Muller won the first match over Wagner’s Rodrigo Perez and Filippo Tonnicchi, 6-3. In the second match, Fordham found themselves in a much tighter contest. Sophomore Dhillon VirdeeOakley and his partner senior Nicholas Kanazirev outlasted Sebastian Dobson and Kunch Moolchandani in a 7-5 victory. The Rams completed the doubles sweep with the sophomore duo of John Mascone and Stefan Stojanovic taking down Wagner’s Aryan Gupta and Lucas Darling in convincing fashion, 6-2.

Wagner got on the board with an opening singles match win to tie the score at 1-1 before Fordham’s dominance continued for the rest of the day.

In the first single match of the day, Perez outdueled Mueller in a long three-set battle that saw two sets go to tiebreakers. Perez narrowly won the first set by a score of 7-6. Mueller fought back in the second set to tie the match up at one with a 6-2 victory. The third and final set went an incredible 24 games to decide who

would win the match. In the end, Perez prevailed with a 13-11 victory to take the first singles match and tie the score up at 1-1 before the second singles match of the day.

From then on, the Rams took control of the contest, winning every match, and also winning every set.

Soemarno drew Dobson in the second singles match of the day and took care of business. In the first set, he won 6-3 before finishing off the day with a 6-2 second-set victory to claim the second singles point and put Fordham up 2-1.

It only got easier for Fordham after that. In the third singles contest, Kanazirev was matched up against Darling. Kanazirev made quick work of him, winning first 6-2, followed by an even easier 6-1 win.

In the fourth singles match, Fordham showed their dominance, sending Virdee-Oakley to face Moolchandani. Virdee-Oakley had the easiest work of the day, narrowly sweeping the match in consecutive sets. He won the first 6-0 before finishing off with a 6-1 victory.

The final two matches of the day ended in Wagner withdrawals as they did not have enough players to compete.

With the 6-1 victory, Fordham improved to 2-7 on the season. Over the break, they will venture down to Orlando, Fla., to face Union College and DePauw University next weekend before returning home for a matchup against Sacred Heart University on March 28.

Athletes of the Week

By JOE HENRY STAFF WRITER

The Fordham University Rams entered the week with a losing record; they left it with a winning one.

The Rams played their eighth and ninth road matches of the spring season but had the luxury of staying local to New York — a refreshing change for a club that has played in Kansas, Rhode Island and Syracuse in recent weeks. On Wednesday, March 13, the team ventured to their neighboring borough of Queens for a match against Queens College, City University of New York.

QC entered play 9-3, while Fordham sat at 4-5. In another change of pace, the teams faced off in singles play before doubles, where star freshman Anlin Xie got her first nod at #1 singles as a Ram, picking up a momentous two-set win over QC’s Eva Rivoal. Senior Eleni Fasoula continued to pace the team toward victory, delivering a dominant showing in second singles, winning 6-2, 6-3. It was more of the same at third singles, where graduate student Franny Shea earned Fordham a hard-fought third point by going the distance against Caroline Hany-Fawzy, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

At fourth singles, freshman Julianne Nguyen wrapped up the team victory by posting a nearly

Sometimes all it takes is pressure to get a struggling player going — just look at sophomore guard Richardson and his spectacular play for Fordham Basketball this past weekend at the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Under the bright lights of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Richardson seemed to find a whole other gear when the Rams needed it the most. He was also the main catalyst behind the Rams’ thrilling comeback in their first-round victory against the Wildcats of Davidson College in the first round, his 20 points having been the deciding factor.

Ritz has been having what can only be described as a very impressive sophomore campaign for the Fordham track and field team, and it is about time that she got her kudos for it. The sprinter only continued her utter dominance this past weekend at the Stony Brook Snowflake Classic. Although she only ran in a singular event at the meet (the women’s 100-meter hurdles), she was nevertheless able to make her presence felt, winning her race with laughable ease on the back of her stellar time of 15.16 seconds.

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

AWAY

Women’s Swimming

Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Rowing

Men’s Golf Softball

identical stat line to Shea, winning 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. The Knights snatched a point at #5 singles before the Rams put a bow on things at #6 singles, with junior Lorraine Bergmann picking up a thrilling 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3) win in her first singles match since Feb. 18.

With the match decided, the teams agreed to suspend play midway through doubles play due to time constraints at the host’s QC Tennis Bubble facilities, ultimately giving the Michael Sowter-coached Rams a 5-1 win over the Knights.

On St. Patrick’s Day, the Rams tried to levy luck in their favor against Long Island University. Upon traveling to Port Washington, the team entered troubled waters, with the Sharks picking up the match’s doubles point. The Rams’ duo of senior Rose Hu and Fasoula nearly captured a win at #2, where the Sharks scraped by 7-5. At third doubles, Shea and Nguyen went to a tiebreak before eventually falling 6-7.

At singles, graduate student Rafaela Alhach couldn’t pull away against Leo Boisseau, narrowly losing 4-6, 4-6. In the jaws of defeat, Fordham delivered an inspiring effort to close out the day. Hu rallied at second singles, taking a second set tiebreak, 7-6 (7-3), to send her match to a tiebreak. In the bridge set, Hu gave the Rams a point with

a 6-4 win.

Xie grabbed yet another win at third singles, edging out Lucy Garriues 7-5, 7-5. Xie has now won three consecutive matches at singles, bringing her overall record to 6-3; the freshman has more singles wins than any other Ram this season. Meanwhile, Shea now holds the record for the longest win streak by any Ram this season, picking up a whopping fourth straight win at fifth singles, 6-4, 6-3.

In a somewhat bizarre fashion, the Rams finished off the Sharks at fourth and sixth singles when LIU’s competitors retired due to injury. While Fasoula and Nguyen are credited for the victories, they likely would not have won had their opponents remained healthy, with both having been on the verge of finishing off straight-set wins. It was a 5-2 win for the Rams, who traveled home 6-5 on the season.

Hopefully, the team has not gotten too used to the comforts of New York as they fly all the way to Beaumont, Texas, to face Lamar University on Tuesday, March 26. Thereafter, they’ll take on LoyolaNew Orleans, Southern University and A&M College and Nicholls State University in a three-game tilt in La, before returning home to the Bronx to host their Atlantic 10 rival, the University of Richmond Spiders. Before the road trip, they will enjoy a week off from play.

Varsity Calendar

Thursday Mar. 21

Wednesday Mar. 20 Friday Mar. 22

Mar. 23 Monday Mar. 25

Mar. 24 Tuesday Mar. 26

St.

St.

Will Richardson

Missouri

Women’s Tennis is back on the right track after a string a crucial victories, giving the team a spark.

Men’s Tennis gets a much needed moral booster in the form of a victory. COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Track Begins Outdoor Season

By JONAH RING SPORTS EDITOR

For the men and women of the Fordham track and field team, this past weekend marked the start of the next part of their 2023-24 campaign. This first step for the Rams came in the form of the Stony Brook Snowflake Classic, where about 30 of Fordham’s most elite athletes competed.

Overall, the Rams’ brief trip to Long Island went quite well; despite the fact that many of the team’s athletes were placed in events that they were not typically tapped for, Fordham had a fair share of competitors’ lay claim to top spots across the competition.

Looking first at this success in reference to the women’s side of things, freshman Anna Maria Ivits managed to get things started for the Rams with her solid performance in the women’s 200-meter dash, finishing in fifth with a solid mark of 26.82 seconds. Moreover, just a few minutes later, in the women’s 800-meter run, it was graduate student Alexandra Thomas would further this strong start by receiving the Rams’ first medal of the day, impressively finishing third in the event with a time of 2:25.31.

Following this, the ladies of Fordham would then put together their first strong team showing in an event, as both freshman Brenna Sears and senior Clodagh McGroary managed to run themselves into the top five of the women’s mile run. It was Sears who would have the better finish of the two, her time of 5:19.40 propelling her into fourth place just ahead of McGroary’s fifth-place time of 5:23.60.

Immediately after this, in the women’s 3000-meter run, the Rams

By SAM DREW CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It’s time for the NCAA to address field and court storming. The practice in collegiate football and basketball games has increased rapidly over the past couple of years. This year, the practice has come under heavy scrutiny as a result of two separate instances where player safety was compromised due to a court storm.

The first was when University of Iowa women’s basketball star, senior Caitlin Clark, collided with an Ohio State University fan after the Hawkeyes lost in January. The second was when Duke University men’s basketball player sophomore Kyle Filipowski collided with several Wake Forest University fans after the Deacs topped the Blue Devils in late February. After the incident at Wake Forest, the issue of court storming once again came into the national spotlight. Conferences have attempted to take action, by imposing fines on schools that allow their students to enter the “competition

would once again see a pair of their athletes finish in the top five of an event, as freshman Kate Meeks finished third in the race behind a strong time of 10:46.60, while junior Madeleine Ryan finished just behind her in fourth on the back of her own respective strong time of 10:50.81.

It was after these two excellent team performances in events that the women of Fordham would have what was likely their best individual performance of the day, as sophomore Kylie Ritz continued her excellent 2023-24 campaign by fully dominating in the women’s 100-meter hurdles, clearing the entire rest of the field by just about two full seconds with her impressive time of 15.16 seconds.

On the field side for the women of Fordham, the Rams were likewise able to dominate the competition fully, winning all three of the field events offered at the meet. The first of these victories would come in the women’s high jump, as freshman Lexi Fujita managed to tie for first with her strong mark of 1.50 meters. Next, in the women’s long jump, Fordham would lay claim to both first and second place as freshmen

Ashley Holbrook and Michaela Gier both put in stellar performances, their respective marks of 5.00 meters and 4.99 meters placing them firmly atop the field. Finally, the Rams would also lay claim to both the gold and silver medals in the women’s shot put, as sophomore Tanicha Saintigene propelled herself atop the field with her impressive mark of 11.90 meters, freshman Sarah Cooley finishing just a spot behind her with a mark of 11.57 meters.

Turning now to the men’s side of the meet, it was sophomore sprinter Liam Volz who got the ball rolling for the Rams, as his silver medalworthy time of 51.60 seconds in the

men’s 400-meter dash provided a more than strong start to the day. Moreover, also joining him in the top five of the event was sophomore Darren Croke, his impressive mark of 52.65 seconds, placing him firmly in fourth place.

After a pair of strong tone-setting performances on the track Fordham would then fully dominate the men’s 800-meter run, laying claim to three spots in the event’s top five. It was freshman Sam Freeman who would lead this incredible charge, his stellar time of 2:01.31 propelling him into second place. Finishing just behind him were two of his freshman teammates, Dakota Strain and Tadael Mihret, their respective times of 2:04.80 and 2:05.04, placing them firmly in fourth and fifth, respectively.

Next up was the mile run, where Mihret would once again lay claim to a top-five spot for the Rams, finishing fifth with an impressive mark of 4:32.85. He would actually not be the highest finisher for Fordham, however, as Croke would add another top-five finish to his day, claiming bronze behind a blistering mark of 4:26.86.

Finally, it was sophomore George Palmer’s performance in the men’s shot put would close the Rams’ day out, finishing in third with his impressive mark of 8.47 meters.

In terms of wha forthcoming for these Rams, they are next slated to head just slightly south and continue the beginning of their outdoor season at the Rider 5-Way Invitational in Lawrenceville, N.J., on March 23. As always, the competition there will be tough for the Rams, but their strong batch of performances this weekend indicates Fordham Track and Field may be back on track and ready to build off the strong start they had to their spring campaign this past weekend in Stony Brook.

Men’s and Women’s Track and Field

-Compiled by Griffin Stevenson

News & Notes

Women’s Soccer Begins Their Spring Season

Fordham Women’s Soccer began its spring season this past weekend. Heading to Bridgeport, Conn., Magnus Nilerud’s women started their play against RMPUS Montreal, followed quickly by a match against Bridgeport. The team will look to build off of a disappointing fall season, which saw them finish with a 4-10-4 record, good enough for ninth in the Atlantic 10. However, the future looks bright for this Fordham team, as freshmen Lena Johnsen and Riley Carroll were named to the conference All-Rookie team. Starting on April 5, the Rams will play on four straight Fridays. They will begin with a road trip, traveling to Hofstra University (April 5), New Jersey Institute of Technology (April 12) and Columbia University (April 19), before returning to Moglia Stadium on April 26 to face Sacred Heart University, followed by the annuanal team vs. alumni game on Apr. 27.

Court Storming In The NCAA

areas.” In late February, Louisiana State University was fined $100,000 for storming the court after upsetting No. 17 University of Kentucky. The Atlantic Coast Conference, the conference Duke and Wake Forest belong to, is one of the only that does not issue fines to schools for rushing the field or court. Fordham’s conference, the Atlantic 10, does issue fines to teams that storm the court following a game.

The issue of player safety is the primary focus of court-storming opponents. The players, especially visiting team members, are caught up in the chaos of a hostile fan base, and that is an invitation for arising problems. Court stormings are inherently chaotic and usually possess little regard for anything other than the celebration of beating a major opponent. I don’t believe that’s necessarily a bad thing — it’s a part of what makes college sports so special. But court stormings have gone too far. They’ve become far too commonplace, which takes away some of that specialness and

mystique. But here’s the problem: there’s no good solution for solving the issue of court storming. It’s one of those things that’s just always going to happen. Imposing a fine on the school seldom works, as we’ve seen court stormings persist despite conferences threatening schools with fines. It’s a numbers game — if you have several thousand students who are all hyped up after a big win and they decide they’re getting on the court, there’s not much to be done about it. Trying to place a monetary penalty on schools puts an undue burden on the security and game operations teams by either requiring them to stop the actions of students or risking the whole athletic department being fined.

Court stormings cannot effectively be banned, and that’s why efforts should be focused on making them safer, limiting the risk to opposing teams as much as possible. As fans, we love to see a court storming — it gains publicity for a school, it brings excitement to the fanbase and it can increase student engagement

with teams. But for the athletic departments of many schools in Division I, it represents a substantial safety hazard and a potential financial disaster. Schools should be required to have extra security on hand when playing games that could result in a court storming, particularly against rival opponents or nationally acclaimed teams. Ensure that before the floor is flooded with students, all of the opposing players have cleared the danger zone — half court. This failure is what led to both the injuries to Clark Filipowski. It’s very easy to say “ban court storming,” but it is still incredibly challenging to implement. There is no perfect solution that schools and conferences will agree to. You will certainly have teams such as Power Five schools that commonly get court-stormed when they are beaten on the road that will advocate for tough penalties. Then you’ll have the little guys who are anxious for the opportunity to get that big win over a big-time program and put their team in the national spotlight. It is

Kyle Filipowski pre-court storming. an issue that will incite much debate over the offseason. Still, I believe that a total ban would be difficult, if not impossible, to implement. Energy should be spent making meaningful changes to ensure that player safety is placed above all else.

Track and Field is ready to take on the outdoor season with the end goal of success at A-10’s. COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

By NOAH HOFFMAN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Baseball Has Up and Down Week

Fordham University’s baseball team has gotten off to a slow start to the season. This past week, they looked to build off the momentum of a blowout 17-7 win against the College of William & Mary the week before.

The Rams hosted Wagner College to start off the week, hoping to bring the offensive spark from their previous game. The two teams were in a scoreless pitchers duel through the first four and a half innings of play, with only three hits total.

In the fifth inning, junior T.J. Wachter led off with a single and advanced to second on a balk call. Two batters later, senior Nico Boza singled to the leftcenter field gap to score Wachter and put Fordham up 1-0. Boza attempted to stretch the single into a double but was thrown out at second.

Wagner tied the game at one with an RBI double of their own in the sixth inning. They could have gotten more out of it if it wasn’t for graduate student rightfielder Andrew Kanellis, Boza and junior catcher Diego Prieto teaming up for a perfect relay to nab the go-ahead run at the plate.

The Rams took advantage of the huge defensive play and turned it into runs on the offensive side of the ball. In the bottom of the sixth, the Rams manufactured three runs without a single hit. After loading the bases on an error, a walk and a hit by pitch, Kanellis walked to bring

in the go-ahead run. This was followed by a Wachter fielder’s choice and a balk to make the score 4-1 in favor of Fordham.

In the seventh, the Rams added to their lead with a fourrun inning. Freshman Matt Dieguez started the scoring with a ground-rule RBI double down the left-field line. An error two batters later allowed two more runners to score before the inning was capped off with a Kanellis run-scoring single to center.

Fordham added two more insurance runs in the eighth for good measure. The first came on a solo shot to right field from junior Cian Sahler, his first of the season, which was later followed by an RBI single from senior Michael Brueser. The game ended in a 10-1 win for the Rams.

On the pitching side, it was a joint bullpen effort. Freshman Aidan Dowd threw two innings

to start and was followed by seven other Fordham pitchers who each threw an inning. On the day, Rams pitching tallied up eight strikeouts, only allowing the lone run in the sixth.

Following the win, Fordham traveled up north to face the U.S. Military Academy West Point. After falling behind 4-0 early on, the Rams loaded the bases in the third and cut the deficit to three on a Kanellis RBI groundout. In the bottom of the inning, the Black Knights took the run right back to make it a 5-1 game.

Fordham’s offense woke up in the fifth with a five-run frame to take the lead. The inning began with a walk to senior Ryan Thiesse, who scored on sophomore Daniel Bucciero’s double in the next at-bat. Eventually loading the bases, the Rams then scored on a fielder’s choice, two walks and a passed

ball. Fordham scored another run in the seventh to make it 7-5, the game’s final score.

Fordham’s bullpen once again did its job, this time just the tandem of sophomore Aric Berg and junior Connor Haywood combining for four scoreless innings after senior Declan Lavelle started the game. On the offensive side, Sahler continued his hot hitting, going 4-4.

Now on a three-game win streak, dating back to the previous week, the Rams visited Fairfield University for a Saturday matinee.

Fordham went down early after allowing two runs in the first two innings of play, putting them in a quick 4-0 hole. They got all four runs back in the third to tie the game. The rally began with a single from senior Chris Genaro. After a walk, Bucciero stepped up with two on and doubled to score one. The bases were loaded two batters later, which was followed by a hit by pitch, a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to even the score.

The Stags regained the lead in the bottom of the frame on backto-back homeruns, the first a tworun shot and the second a solo. The score remained 7-4 until the sixth, when Fairfield added two more runs.

The two teams swapped runs in the seventh to make it a 10-5 game late. The Rams added one more in the eighth and two in the ninth, but it wasn’t enough, losing 10-8.

Fordham next faced off against Army for the second time in this stretch of games.

The Rams struck first in the third inning with a Genaro solo shot to left field, his first of the season. Fordham’s pitching held the Black Knights in check, keeping the score 1-0 until the seventh inning. In the seventh, the Rams added to their lead. With two men in scoring position Fordham capitalized on an Army error to score two. Later in the inning, Bucciero tacked on one more to make it 4-0.

Pitching a shutout through an inning, the Rams allowed two runs in the ninth to make it a closer final than the game appeared at 4-2. The pitching trio of freshman Aidan Dowd, junior Gannon Brady and Haywood combined for the near shutout. Dowd began the game with five scoreless innings, striking out six and earning the win.

Following the Army win, Fordham quickly turned around and played Fairfield that same day.

Genaro once again got the scoring started for the Rams with a two-run double in the second inning. The Stags responded next in with a four-run third to take a 4-2 lead. Fordham got one run back in the bottom of the frame on a sacrifice fly, but after that, it was all Fairfield. They scored nine unanswered runs and took the game 13-3 in seven innings. Fordham finished the week at 3-2 to give them an overall record of 6-13. Over the break, they’ll have five non-conference matchups before starting Atlantic 10 play at the University of Dayton on March 29.

Softball Dives Into Conference Play

By JONAH RING SPORTS EDITOR

Fordham Softball is certainly in an odd spot at the moment, as the team is stuck in a perpetual cycle of inconsistent, up-and-down performances. Take the fact that within the last few weeks, the Rams managed to knock off the 14th-ranked Wildcats of the University of Kentucky days after getting absolutely thrashed by a Sacred Heart University squad. In essence, this team is, at its core, two wholly separate teams: one capable of rolling everybody and one who can be rolled by anybody.

Thankfully, this past week presented Fordham with a prime opportunity to potentially exercise some of these demons and find a middle ground, the Rams competing in five separate contests as they both closed out their non-conference slate and dove headfirst into Atlantic 10 play.

Looking first at the conclusion to their non-conference slate, the Rams hosted the Knights of Fairleigh Dickinson University for a two-game series at Rose Hill’s Bahoshy Field. The first of these two pivotal contests was a tight, low-scoring affair that would unfortunately not fall in the Rams’ favor, the Knights winning the game by a score

of 3-1 following their three-run outburst in the sixth to break the game’s 0-0 deadlock. It was overall a frustrating game for the Rams, their offense being wholly impotent as only three Rams were able to reach base all game: senior Bailey Enoch did so twice off as many hits, junior Sydney Wells was able to record a run-scoring double and sophomore Neleh Nogay drew a singular walk. Outside of these three players, the Rams were totally blanked up and down the lineup, the rest of the team going a combined 0-17 with eight strikeouts at that plate. However, implicit to the aforementioned fact that this first game was a lowscoring contest is that the Rams did see one of their own put in a stellar pitching performance on the mound, graduate student Devon Miller managing to go all the way in the contest while striking out nine batters.

Luckily, the Rams were able to build off this bright spot that Miller provided in the second game of the series, Fordham getting their revenge against the Knights in a 10-0 victory. Just like the prior contests, the Rams once again saw their starter, sophomore Holly Beeman, go all the way on the mound while striking out five. However, the Rams’ offense clearly woke up, with Fordham’s lineup exploding to the tune of 10 runs.

This outburst of scoring came early and often for the Rams, the team hanging seven runs on the Knights across the first three innings. This early onslaught all began in the bottom of the first with a two-run homer by sophomore Eva Kortasis and carried on from there, almost every batter somehow making a difference: both Enoch and Wells recorded doubles, sophomore Kate McGuire went a strong 2-3 on the day with one run scored, senior Bella Ayala went 2-2 with a walk and RBI triple and graduate student Gianna Sarlo crushed a three-run homer.

However, following this thrashing of FDU to split the series, the Rams would then be in the fray of conference play, every game’s importance magnified tenfold. Nevertheless, the Rams were given the ideal conditions to get off to a strong in-conference start, their opening A-10 series being a home series against a University of Rhode Island team that came limping into the greystone confines of Rose Hill with only two wins all year.

Fordham would take advantage of these ideal conditions in the first matchup of the three-game series, the Rams blanking URI for a 3-0 victory in the opener. Miller put in another amazing performance on the mound for Fordham in this game, again in only 82 pitches. Moreover, she

also made hitter after hitter look lost at the plate, striking out a whopping eight on the day. In terms of the offensive support that she received, the Rams took advantage of situations with runners in scoring positions. Nevertheless, these few moments were enough, as Miller’s RBI single in the fourth, Nogay’s RBI single in the fifth and Koratsis’ sacrifice fly in the fifth effectively put Fordham over the top.

The tides shifted in the next iteration of the series, as Fordham faltered and dropped the second game by a count of 4-3 following a three-run explosion in the fifth by URI. It was Beeman who was tapped by URI in this mini-offensive explosion, the sophomore having one of her roughest outings all year: a 4.1 inning showing where she was credited with having surrendered four earned runs off of eight hits. Because of this lackluster day from Beeman, Fordham’s approach at the plate simply could not save them this time around, as the Rams’ offensive inconsistency — not a single player in the lineup reached base multiple times in the contest — proved to be too much to overcome.

Finally, in the rubber match of the series, Fordham was thankfully able to take control once again, thrashing URI by a score of 6-0. It was once again

Miller who led the charge from the mound, the Rams’ star pitcher recorded her second completegame shutout of the series. In terms of offensive production, Fordham’s bats woke up and gave Miller more than enough run support, the entire lineup contributing in some way: Enoch would record a hit, a walk and a run scored, Nogay would notch two RBIs on the day, Wells would drive in three runners off of two hits, both graduate student Michaela Carter and Sarlo would have impressive 2-3 days from the plate and McGuire would finish the meeting 2-2 with a walk.

In terms of what is next for Fordham Softball, their upcoming schedule has them taking a quick break from their A-10 campaign in the form of a single-game home series against Iona University. After that meeting, they will head right back into the thick of it, resuming A-10 play by heading to Amherst, Mass., to square off against the University of Massachusetts in a two-game series. The Rams should be able to gain some momentum across these three games, as both Iona and UMass are characterized as struggling squads. However, the games are played on the field, so the Rams will have to bring their A-game if they want to continue playing above .500 this season.

Baseball got back on track with a 3-2 week.

COURTESY OF CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM

MBB Falls in Second Round in A-10 Tournament

By COLIN LOUGHRAN STAFF WRITER

The road to March is a treacherous path. By the time conference tournaments roll around, many teams have already snapped and accepted the reality that they may not be destined for the big dance.

Regardless of how Fordham Men’s Basketball may have felt within the confines of their locker room, they never played like a team whose resolve had been entirely broken.

This was on full display during the 2024 Atlantic 10 Championship in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center where the Rams defeated Davidson College 71-63 in overtime and pushed the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams to their limit before ultimately falling 69-62 in the second round matchup.

Prior to last Tuesday’s first round matchup, Fordham had not beaten Davidson this season. The Rams lost by 10 or more points in both of their regular season contests against the crew from North Carolina, and seemed to be on a similar trajectory in the first half of their third meeting.

Fordham struggled to generate offense early on. They hit only two of their first 16 field goal attempts and connected on only seven of the first 31 attempts across the opening 20 minutes. The Cats held a 27-19 advantage at halftime. Fordham whittled the deficit down to five to begin the second act, but an 8-0 Davidson run gave the Wildcats a 13-point lead with just over five minutes gone in the period.

The Wildcats received stellar showings from sophomore Reed Bailey and seniors Grant Huffman and Connor Kochera. Bailey provided 11 points, three rebounds and two assists while Huffman impressively collected 12 points, five rebounds and five assists while playing through

some rather obvious discomfort. “He’s one of the toughest kids I’ve seen in my coaching career,” Rams head coach Keith Urgo said in reference to Huffman.

Kochera may have been the trio’s best. The 6-foot-5 guard tallied an impressive game-high 24 points, and even though he did commit six turnovers, the Wildcats would not have been in a position to possibly advance without him.

Trailing by 13 points with 11 minutes left in regulation, Fordham unleashed an 11-1 run over the following two minutes and made it a one-possession game. Even though Davidson eventually extended their lead to 6 points, the Rams rattled off six straight to tie the game at 52 with 3:34 remaining.

The sophomore combination of Will Richardson and Joshua Rivera was largely responsible for this late Fordham resurgence. Richardson put up a season-high 20 points on a 6-14 shooting day that included a 3-8 clip from range.

“All season my teammates and my coaches have had the utmost confidence in me,” Richardson said after the game. “Knowing I haven’t had the best season and have not been playing my best, they just kept encouraging me and giving me the confidence to be the best I can be.”

Rivera was similarly fierce. He supplied 14 points on a 6-7 day from the field. Additionally, seniors Abdou Tsimbila and Antrell Chartlon were noteworthy for Fordham. Tsimbila swiped a team-high 10 rebounds while Charlton scored 9 points, dished four assists and crucially grabbed six rebounds.

As a defensive unit, Fordham forced 20 turnovers on the game, shattering the Wildcats’ previous season high of 15.

“I thought our defense was absolutely fantastic,” Urgo said. “These guys

were connected. They were talking the entire time.”

Regulation went down to the wire.

Bailey drilled one of two free throws to give Davidson a 61-59 lead. After a timeout, Fordham got the ball to senior Kyle Rose on the wing with six seconds remaining. The Maryland native drove to his left and banked a shot off the glass to knot the score at 61 and send the contest into overtime. The make was one of the bright spots in an otherwise subpar game from Rose. He collected six rebounds and four assists, but was a mere 2-11 from the field.

It was all Rams from there. On the opening possession of the extra period, Charlton drilled a corner three to put Fordham ahead 64-61. It was their first lead since the score was 2-0, and the first phase of what would be a 7-0 Rams run to begin overtime.

The Cats missed their first six field goal attempts in overtime, and could not find the sort of offensive rhythm needed to keep their season alive. Fordham outscored the opposition 10-2 in the extra period to grant the program its first overtime win in the A-10 Tournament.

One day later, the men in maroon were back in Brooklyn for a second round matchup against the VCU Rams. The squads played each other earlier this season at Rose Hill, and while Fordham only trailed by one point at halftime, the visitors outscored them 43-29 across the final 20 minutes en route to the win.

Last Wednesday’s contest at the Barclays Center was competitive for the entire 40 minutes of play. Neither team led by more than seven at any point in the game.

It was seniors Max Shulga and Zeb Jackson who led the way for VCU. Shulga posted a team-high 14 points on a perfect 4-4 from the field and 4-4 from the line. He also recorded

seven rebounds and dished four assists. Jackson scored 10 points and nabbed four rebounds.

Fordham led 38-37 at halftime, and even boasted a 57-56 lead with 6:26 to play thanks in large part to the combined play of Rose, Tsimbila and sophomore Romad Dean. Rose scored a game-high 19 points while also grabbing three rebounds and making one steal. Tsimbila was a forceful defensive presence in the paint all game, with 10 points and three rebounds. Dean showed maturity, collecting 7 points, a team-high six rebounds and one steal in 23 minutes.

Often, playoff games are decided by details, and this affair was no different. The boys from the Bronx held VCU without a field goal for the final 8:41 of the contest. During those final minutes though, the Rams from Richmond went 15-18 from the charity stripe and iced the game.

VCU made 27 of their 39 total free throw attempts. More than half of their trips to the charity occurred in the second half due to Fordham’s inability to stay out of foul trouble.

Additionally, Charlton, Richardson, Rivera and senior Japhet Medor all struggled to score in a game where a secondary breakout performance was needed. Charlton and Rivera were held scoreless while Medor and Richardson could only combine for 14 points. Sophomore Elijah Gray tallied 8 points, but only saw 19 minutes of action.

Despite putting up a valiant effort, the Rams could not play spoiler and turn the A-10 on its head. Fordham ended their season with a 13-20 overall record and one conference tournament victory.

It’s debatable as to whether or not this year’s Fordham squad lived up to their own potential, but Urgo is clearly focused on the larger picture. The loss to VCU marked the final collegiate game of Rose and Charlton’s noted tenures, but their presence will continue to make an impact even as they bid farewell to the Bronx.

“Now nobody wants to play Fordham,” Urgo remarked. “We’re trending upwards and I don’t expect to ever turn back.”

Champions League Quaterfinal Draw: The Best Ever?

By GRIFFIN STEVENSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

This year’s UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic in our lifetime. Long-held grudges and blooming rivalries will culminate in what could be the best European football offers in the coming year.

The 2023-24 UEFA Champions League quarter-final draws were held at lunchtime on Friday at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. After an hour of the ceremony, the matchups were set: Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid vs. Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain vs. FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund.

Each of these matchups holds weight in its own right, but perhaps the most captivating of the lot is the matchup between the Kings of the Champions League and Real Madrid. Known for their stellar form in previous Champions Leagues, the team has become even more captivating with this season’s marquee signing of English International midfielder Jude Bellingham. He will be taking on many of his fellow countrymen in the form of English Superpower Manchester City. The two sides faced off in last year’s Champions League semi-final, led by their respective world-renowned managers, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti. Guardiola’s City came out

on top through a 5-1 thrashing of Los Blancos. That match was touted as the battle between the new and old, with the City Sailors dethroning the kings of Europe. Madrid will look to reclaim their throne throughout two legs, with the first coming on April 9 as they host Manchester City at the newly expanded Santiago Bernabeu. Manchester City is in a league title race with Arsenal, which could impact their performance in this cup.

For Arsenal, there is no cakewalk in the quarter-final as they take on longtime champions of Germany, Bayern Munich. It’s been 14 years since Arsenal last appeared in this stage of the Champions League. Mikel Arteta’s men fought bravely to fend off FC Porto in the round of 16, winning off of a penalty shootout. Unfortunately, they play a Bayern side that has historically outclassed them in every way, shape and form over their previous matchups. The Gunners’ most notable defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich came in the 2016-17 Champions League round of 16 when Bayern won both legs by a scoreline of 5-1, ending the tie 10-2 on aggregate, leaving the gunners as the laughing-stock of Europe for years to come. However, there hasn’t been sunshine and rainbows for this Bayern side. Having won the last 11 league trophies, Bayern Munich currently trails domestic adversary Bayern Leverkusen, who have been unbeaten this season. The league title race may distract from Bayern’s

European campaign; however, the six-time European champions don’t make a habit of losing.

For Arsenal, an old rival from North London may spell their doom. Acquired for 100 million pounds last summer, former Tottenham striker Harry Kane has joined Bayern Munich and lit up the Bundesliga. The England National has already tallied 30 goals, nine more than the second-highest scorer. Harry Kane has a penchant for scoring against Arsenal. In 19 North London derbies during his Tottenham career, Kane scored 14 goals and provided three assists. One saving grace for Arsenal could be the ban of Bayern supporters from the away leg of the quarter. Bayern Munich fans have been banned from attending the away leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie after their supporters threw fireworks onto the pitch during their 3-1 win at Lazio earlier this month, the club said on Tuesday (Reuters). Both teams have everything to prove, not just to each other but to fans across the globe. The tie’s first leg will be held at a Bayern supporter-less Emirates Stadium on April 9.

Bayern Munich is not the only German team that made it to the quarter-final stage.

Borussia Dortmund is set to face Spain’s Atlético Madrid in what is sure to be a passionate matchup.

Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park and Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano are

known for their deafening ultras. Madrid’s round of 16 saw them outlast the Italian league favorites Inter Milan on penalties. Their star keeper, Jan Oblak, saved two penalties, propelling the team to victory at home. Dortmund also defended their home pitch against Dutch leader PSV via a 2-0 victory after a first leg draw. Borussia Dortmund and Atlético Madrid have polar opposite play styles, with Dortmund prioritizing fast-paced attacking play and Madrid opting for a dogmatic defense and swift counter-attacking play. Both teams’ philosophies appear to play into the other, so it may come down to who can perform better at home. Atlético Madrid will have the first opportunity to make a statement at home as they host the men in Black and Yellow from Dortmund at the Metropolitano on April 10.

Also joining the two clubs from Madrid to represent Spain is FC Barcelona.

FC Barcelona will seek revenge against Kylian Mbappé and Paris Saint-Germain. These two storied clubs have a history of exciting backand-forth matchups in the competition. The most famous of those matchups is known as “La Remontada” (The Comeback) for Barcelona’s historic victory in Barcelona after they went down by four goals on aggregate in the first leg of the 2016-17 Champions League round of 16. PSG would have their revenge four years later during the 2020-21 knockout

rounds when a Mbappé Hat-Trick lifted PSG past Barcelona via a 5-2 victory over two legs. This season can be categorized as an identity crisis for both teams. Barcelona has struggled thus far in Laliga. Their manager and club legend, Xavi Hernández, has promised to resign if the club did not escape the round of 16. Luckily for him, Barcelona easily dispatch Italy’s Napoli, cruising to the quarter-finals masterfully. As for PSG, the club must accept that French superstar Mbappé has decided to leave at the end of the season, reportedly joining Barcelona’s longtime foes, Real Madrid. Mbappé will undoubtedly want to make an impression on his prospective fans before his arrival; the question is: will that chip on his shoulder lead to brilliance or embarrassment? There is everything to play for in this tie that kicks off on April 10 under the Parisian lights.

Every club in this competition believes they can win, but only four will advance to the semi-finals. Will it be the mighty English gladiators in Manchester City and Arsenal, the Spanish Magicians in Real and Atlético Madrid or Barcelona or the German Stalwarts in the form of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund? No one can say for sure, but this year’s iteration of the UEFA Champions League is shaping up to be a fun classic as the remaining competitors blaze full steam ahead toward the final.

COURTESY OF CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM Despite their best efforts, the Men’s Basketball season has come to an end.