The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham dh University Community Since 1918 Volume 98, Issue 10
Disadvantages of Being Pre-Health
FordhamRam.com News Analysis
Sexual Assault Climate Survey Finds Less Than 1 in 10 Assaulted By LAURA SANICOLA
By MALIHA GUL STAFF WRITER
Elaina Weber, FCRH ’16, is a biology major who hopes to one day earn a Ph.D. in either infectious disease or virology. Until the summer of her sophomore year at Fordham, she was on the pre-health track but after working in a research lab, Weber wanted to shift her career path away from health sciences. However, she found it difficult to pursue her new interest because of the pre-med culture within the STEM departments. “I had no idea about any nonphysician’s assistant or non-doctor positions that I could still utilize my love for science,” said Weber. “[Nonpre-health options are] not well talked about and there’s also pressure and the prestige put around going to medical school...To say ‘I don’t want to go and that’s good for me’ makes it seem like if you don’t want to go, it’s because you can’t go. People are going to assume, my family’s going to assume that it’s because I can’t do it, not because I don’t want to.” According to Weber, science professors discourage interest in research without even realizing it. “There are so many bio professors here that are so passionate about the research that they do and even when they’re teaching the courses they’re teaching to people [as if] they are all going to medical school. They’re constantly giving advice for one group,” Weber said. Within Fordham’s STEM majors, students on the pre-Health track make up the majority. The Biology department, the largest science department at Rose Hill, has just under 500 majors, only 110 of whom are not on the pre-health track. There are about 600 students in total on the pre-health track, many of whom chose the program before they even started school. Unless you actively seek out alternatives, “you have a really high chance of being put into a box,” said Weber. “You checked pre-health and biology when you were 18, and they’ll just push you through that without really sharing any other options.” Assistant Dean for Pre-Health AdSEE SCIENCES, PAGE 3
in this issue
Opinion Page 9
Harriet Tubman Takes the $20 Bill
Culture Page 14 Drowsy Joy Wins Battle of the Bands
Sports Page 24 Softball Earns 32nd Win
April 27, 2016
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
For Fordham undergraduates, campus is a relatively safe place and chances of encountering sexual violence are lower than 10 percent, according to the results of last year’s sexual misconduct campus climate survey. The survey, administered by The Department of Public Safety and Fordham’s Title IX coordinator, Anastasia Coleman, was adapted from the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault in their Not Alone publication. The findings revealed that 92 percent of traditional undergraduates and 97 percent of graduate and professional
students reported they have not been subjected to physical force or threats of harm involving sexual contact. However, 229 of the 2,008 students, or 11.4 percent of respondents, indicated they had been the victim of assault, attempted assault or suspected assault. The percentage of traditional undergraduate students who reported experiencing one or more scenarios is 16 percent. “We believe the report is largely self-explanatory,” Coleman said in a university-wide email that was signed with only her title. “We will learn from all you have told us, and hope to make our university better as a result.” The 2015 statistics, which will be reported to the Federal Government
on October 1, 2016 will state the following regarding sexual assaults: “Total sexual assaults on campus is six. Four of the six occurred in our Residence Halls, one in an academic building and one on public property,” according to vice president of public safety John Carroll. Of those who had been assaulted, eight percent of respondents decided to use the university proceedings to report the incident, according to the report “These number are consistent with the national trends, including the under reporting of sexual violence,” the report read. The percentage of traditional undergraduate students who SEE REPORT, PAGE 3
GRAPHS BY CATE CARREJO/FORDHAM RAM
Pro-Life Display Changes Name But Still Draws Protesters By AMANDA MAILE and LAURA SANICOLA Amid a slew of Fordham students waiting in line for Under the Tent tickets outside of the McGinley Center last Wednesday, Fordham’s pro-life student organization was arranging white flags in the shape of a heart on the adjacent lawn. The nearly 3,000 flags represented the average number of abortions that occur each day in the United States. Fordham’s Respect for Life club called the event a “Memorial of the Innocents,” a change from its former name “Cemetery of the Innocents,” which drew criticism in previous years from groups such as the Fordham Women’s Empowerment organization. “We realized from feedback from other people and from further discernment on the event itself that the name laid guilt on others and also denies the fact that people do survive from abortions,” said Respect for Life member and Christian Life community leader Catherine Ashur, FCRH ’17. “We
changed it to ‘Memorial of the Innocents’ to better encompass our intention to memorialize those who are forgotten and to remember the women who have gone through this.”
In previous years, Respect for Life members organized the flags in the shape of a cross and stood next to the display. Members of Students for Sex and Gender Equity and Safety Co-
Spring Weekend Explored By THERESA SCHLIEP ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
The fanfare that currently surrounds Spring Weekend has not always existed. In the earliest days of the Spring Weekend tradition, Weekend Activities Council struggled with poor attendance and a $3,500 budget. Fordham University’s Spring Weekend has evolved significantly since its inception. The original festivities included Boarders’ Weekend, in reference to Fordham’s commuter student population, which made up the majority of the student body. Despite its name, the festivities were open to both residents and commuters. Christopher Rodgers, dean of students, said that festivities like Spring Weekend are important to universities, as they are not only a source of entertainment, but also an opportunity for the university to collaborate internally and build connections within departments. “Here in our community, students will see hundreds of professional staff, undergraduate staff, student volunteers and colleagues from inside and outside of student life working all week to make our own Spring Weekend happen this year,” said Rodgers. SEE WEEKEND, PAGE 5
alition (SAGES) did not find the name change to alter the nature of the event. The group protested the demonstration for the second year in a row on the grounds that it stigmatizes students who have had abortions. “Memorial of the Innocents’ clearly is a very provocative term,” said longtime SAGES activist Monica Cruz, FCRH ’16. “Having all of these signs up can be very trauSEE PROTEST, PAGE 2
EMMA NANAMAKER /THE FORDHAM RAM
The child of a Fordham senior played in front of Respect for Life’s Demonstration.
NEWS
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PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS April 22 2476 Arthur Avenue 12:30 a.m. A student was involved in a dispute at Mugz’s. The student was punched and received a cut on her lip and had minor bleeding. She received medical attention from Fordham and the assailant was arrested. April 22 Southern Boulevard 9:30 a.m. A car parked on the street behind Lombardi Center was broken into. The rear passenger window was smashed and three dollars were taken from the vehicle. The student refused to notify NYPD. April 23 Hoffman Street 1:30 a.m. A student was walking northbound alone on Hoffman Street, south of East Fordham Road, when a male with a shaved head and wearing dark clothing grabbed the student’s phone and fled southbound. NYPD is currently investigating. April 23 East 191 Street 5:20 p.m. A student was walking alone on East 191st Street when a man accosted her. She described him as about 50 years old with brown hair and wearing a brown shirt and grey hooded sweatshirt. The man came out from behind two parked cars and told the student that he would strike her if she did not give him money. The student walked quickly away without giving him any money. The man fled towards Bathgate Ave. NYPD was notified.
April 27, 2016
Journal From Abroad
The Tube: Mind the Gap and the Rules
FROM PROTEST, PAGE 1
By REGINA KENDRICK CONTRIBUTING WRITER
I am not afraid to admit that I am an anglophile. I’ve read about fat kings who cut off their wives’ heads, tasted at least 17 different types of tea and watched more “Downton Abbey,” “Doctor Who” and “Sherlock” than I would care to admit. I even watched “The Great British Bake Off.” Therefore, I am obviously qualified to be the Queen’s cultural director, right? However, as I have traveled through London, I have learned that I am not as attuned to true British culture and social graces as I thought. For example, I knew nothing about public transportation etiquette in Britain. As a born New Yorker, there isn’t really subway etiquette. There are some things we as New Yorkers would like to believe never happen on subway cars, such as manspreading. But for the most part, New Yorkers tend to stick to themselves and their own agenda. This is not the case in London. The Tube requires actual knowl-
edge of how to ride it. It is almost an art form and there are several rules that must be followed. The first rule of the Tube is you must sit down. In New York, people tend to stand even if there are seats open. In London, on the other hand, it is almost seen as an insult if you do not sit in a seat that is open next to a stranger. So, go ahead and plop yourself down. Everybody expects you to sit there, so you might as well enjoy it. The second rule of the Tube is a that when pregnant woman or older person gets on, you offer them your seat, almost immediately. This is common courtesy in any country but strict adherence is examined on the Tube There are priority seats on the Tube for those who might need to sit more, but it’s amazing to see how quickly the English offer their seats to others who might need it more. The third rule is never to eat on the Tube. I have been in London for more than two months and ride the Tube every day. I have seen only two people eat during my commute. You will never see
people chowing down on Chicken Tikka Masala or a late breakfast, let alone a small snack. As a result, the Tube never smells bad. The British are also very good at refraining from throwing up in the Tube — something from which we New Yorkers could learn. In addition to these rules, I have also noticed that people generally do not talk or make eye contact on the Tube. They tend to adhere to unspoken rules in the United States that are not always followed, such as letting passengers get off before others get on. Some niceties are added, too — newspapers are left on the Tube so other passengers can read them. The most crucial difference between the Tube and a New York City subway is the sense of order established in London. People are never found performing or trying to sell you snacks. Drivers will always let you know if there is a delay, even if it’s only for a few seconds. It is imperative to stand the right side of the escalators. And of course, don’t forget to mind the gap.
April 25 Cunniffee House 2 p.m. A fire alarm was activated by dust kicked up by contractors working on the site. There were no injuries or damages. The system was reset. — Compiled by Michael Byrne
Are You Studying Abroad This Semester? Email: fordhamramnews @gmail.com
SAGES Holds Counter Protest
COURTESY OF FLICKR
A Fordham University student appreciates the ettiquette of Tube riders as she explores the city of London.
This Week at Fordham
matizing and…at a university that claims to care for the whole person, I think that we should take a stance that is to stand with women regardless of religious difference or ideological differences.” SAGES members held a poster reading “1 in 3” to illustrate that one in three women have an abortion, a statistic first reported by the Guttmacher Institute in 2011. The protest was not the first that has occurred alongside Under the Tent sales, which typically draw thousands of students of students waiting for hours for coveted tickets. Last year, Fordham adjunct faculty protested low wages earned by adjuncts at Fordham and nationwide. Respect for Life member Brandon Miraz, FCRH ‘17, said that the timing of their memorial was a fortunate coincidence of sorts. “We are happy that everyone’s out here, because everyone’s going to see it that’s in line,” Miraz said. According to Ashur, the event is organized each year to gain awareness of post-abortive women and children and to provide support. “We are here to talk to women and anyone who has any questions about the event, and if someone is going through difficulties, we want to let them know we are here for them,” Ashur said. “We hope that students will pause for a moment and think about the reality of the number of abortions that happen and it will be a call to action to support those who are post-abortive.” However, Cruz thinks it is the wrong approach. She recommended the club hold meeting or invite speakers to the university, which she said would be less obtrusive to student life. “[They should] not do something where it’s in everyone’s faces, and right in front of the McGinley Center in which a lot of students have no choice walking in and out of day-today,” Cruz said. “Cemetary of the Innocent” movements similarly took place at Georgetown and Penn State within the past year. Erin Shanahan contributed reporting
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Thursday April 28
Thursday April 28
Friday April 29
Friday April 29
Wednesday May 4
Rodrigue’s Spring Week Concert
Wedding Dances Crash Course
Ramblers Spring Acapella Concert
WAC Free Finals Massages
Rodrigue’s Coffee House 8 p.m. —10 p.m.
DJ Sliink and DJ MazzyDazz
McGinley Ballroom 7: 30 p.m.—9:30 p.m.
Keating First 7 p.m.—9:30 p.m.
Lombardi Fieldhouse 8:30 p.m.—12 a.m.
McGinley Lobby 1 p.m.—5 p.m.
Rodrigue’s Coffee House will host the bands PWR BTTM and Florist at their annual Spring Week Concert. The student runners-up to Rodrigue’s Battle of the Bands, Private Caller, will also perform.
GO! Johannesburg will raffle two four-day passes for the Firefly Music Festival. The group is selling one entry for five dollars and two entires for eight dollars. The festival is located in Delaware.
The all-male group will perform a Monsters, Inc. show the first night of Spring Weekend. Admission is free, and there will be special guest performances by Fordham Flava and Expressions Dance Alliance.
DJ Sliink and student opener DJ MazzyDazz will perform as Campus Activities Board’s annual Signature Spring Weekend DJ. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. DJ MazzyDazz was voted by students in an online poll.
Campus Activities Board and the Weekend Activities Committee will host free massages in McGinley lobby during finals week. They will be giving massages from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
NEWS
April 27, 2016
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Students Highlight Sciences’ Discrepancies FROM SCIENCES, PAGE 1
vising Ellen Watts agreed while many join the pre-health program due to an interest in science rather than an interest in medicine, advisors do not push science students into pre-health without giving them other options. “We always try and make sure that [students] understand now is the time to be unsure,” said Watts. “If you don’t know what you want to do, don’t say, ‘Well I guess I’ll just stay pre-med.’ Never say, ‘I guess.’ Don’t guess. Pull back, explore some things, and we’ll figure it out.” “There’s no shame in saying, ‘I changed my mind.’ It’s actually a good thing,” she added But according to Eileen Pawlik, FCRH ’18, a biology major, once students do change their minds, there are not many sources of guidance and less exposure to their career path. “There is so much you can do with science that is not just the health field,” said Pawlik. “I think just having people know this and keeping their options open is the biggest thing.” Hayai Ali, FCRH ’17, is a math major on a pre-teaching track. Ali said the lack of exposure to career options is a common concern among math majors. “Specific career goals or specific career options for math majors are not obvious,” said Ali. “They just know that they love math, and they want something in math.
She recommended the department hold an information session for math majors on career options. “I think a lot of people would go, and the same for other departments.” Emma DeGrace, FCRH ’17, a biology major, agreed that non-prehealth science majors often get the short end of the stick because Career Services is unequipped to handle their specific needs. “After attending a few of the career fairs and other events, I began to view Career Services as a resource that both didn’t understand what I needed from them and didn’t have the connections that would have benefitted me,” said DeGrace. “What I’m looking for are research grants. As far as I know, they don’t offer help with these kinds of applications.” Career services has made past efforts to work with science students. They ran panel for students within the science integrated learning community in which they brought in past bio majors, a move which DeGrace acknowledged was helpful. Dr. James Lewis, the chair of the biology department, said the departments are working together to solve the problem. “I think both the biology department and Career Services are aware that there’s this perception that Career Services doesn’t provide as much help for the sciences as it provides for other fields and so we’ve been trying to offset that.” However, Lewis also said the
CASEY CHUN/THE FORDHAM RAM
Some say the inadequate labs that science students at Fordham learn from prevent research from being done.
faculty is tasked with providing adequate support for non-pre-health science students. “Because there isn’t really a formal administrative program
for [STEM advising], it really is ad hoc by the faculty,” said Lewis. “If we had something comparable [to prehealth advising], if we had someone
who was assigned full time as an administrator to oversee the pre-gradschool or something like that, that would be great.”
Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Report Released FROM REPORT, PAGE 1
reported experiencing one or more scenarios is 16 percent, and over 60 percent knew the identity of their assailant. This is relatively consistent with numbers reported by the Rape Abuse and Incest Network (RAIN), which finds that approximately 4 out of 5 of rapes were committed by someone known to the victim.
On the survey The survey was administered to over 15,000 students in spring 2015. Just over 2,000 students, mainly undergraduates, participated in the study, which was voluntary and anonymous. Grassroots work from student groups and organizations across the country have projected sexual assault on a national stage, prompting surveillance of sexual assault on campuses and further studies. The Association of American Universities, for example, reported that nearly 25 percent of undergraduate women reported being victims of sexual assault or pus misconduct. The AAU’s report, which surveyed more than 150,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students at 27 universities, also found that nonconsensual sexual contact involving drugs and alcohol make up “a significant percentage of the incidents.” AUU’s report also found 30 percent of the most serious incidents are reported to an organization or agency. In comparison, Fordham respondents reported less instances of sexual assault but found that far less than 30 percent were reported to the university. The more positive findings of Fordham’s study reveal that students act in general accord with the university’s Fordham affirmative consent
policy of determining sexual assault. Campus Assault and Relationship Education packets (CARE) define it “a knowing, voluntary and mutual decision among all participants to engage in sexual activity.” This consent can be given by words or actions “as long as those words or actions create clear permission regarding willingness to engage in sexual activity.” “Silence or lack of resistance, in and of itself, does not demonstrate consent,” it states In addition, “any type of manipulation, threat or force that is used to obtain a ‘yes’ to sexual activity, the ‘yes’ does not qualify as consent.” In turn, half say they are extremely likely to ask their partner for verbal consent even in a longterm relationship and more than half of students said they were extremely likely not to engage in sexual relations with their partner if they were drunk. Some findings painted a more complex picture of the way assault is understood and treated on campus. One in four traditional undergraduates does not think there is a good support system during difficult times. One in four traditional students also does not know where to get help in the case of a sexual assault. Furthermore, almost 60 percent of those who had been sexually assaulted said they did not report the incident because they were embarrassed. A large disparity also exists between the quality of sexual misconduct education for undergraduate and graduate students. 64 percent of students remember receiving education related to campus policies and procedures on responding to sexual misconduct, a number consistent with the findings of a 2015 United Student Government (USG) survey. However that number dropped to 49
percent for graduate and professional students. “These statistics demonstrate that not only do we need to better engage with and educate students, particularly graduate and professional students, about sexual violence at the very beginning of their education here at Fordham, but we also need to find a better way to reinforce those lessons throughout their tenure here,” the report read.
Progress, allegations and refutations Fordham has spent the past year battling several accusations that it had mishandled sexual assaults, as well as investigating and refuting such claims. In February 2015, a student’s grievance against Dean of Students Christopher Rodgers was publicized in Al Jazeera America, which ran an article entitled “Crime Logs Show NYC Schools Mishandle Sexual Assault Complaints.” The article, based on “a three-month investigation of campus crime logs,” called into question sexual assault policies at Fordham University, Columbia University, New York University and Pace University into question. Al Jazeera said that Fordham has the most reported assaults, with 62 in the past four years according to Al Jazeera. Student activists, including some at Fordham, have urged politicians to change policies and regulations regarding sexual assault. New York State’s legislature passed a statewide law requiring that all New York colleges and universities adopt an affirmative consent policy in September. At the end of September, a student made a false accusation that she had been assaulted in the alley next to the Dunkin Donuts across from Walsh Hall. After local media picked up the
story, the student, who remained anonymous, retracted her claim. The university was made aware of the incident and retraction through a university-wide email made by the Department of Public Safety. In November 2015, a Fordham student accused the university of mishandling a sexual assault off campus. The student reported that the university violated HIPAA laws in questioning her in public, and let her accuser, a cab driver, go free. In February 2016, the allegations had been investigated and deemed unfounded following investigation, according to an email from Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university.
Student Activism Student activists on campus have furthered the conversation surrounding sexual assault in recent years. USG took initial steps toward creating a Sexual Misconduct Task Force is September 2014. The Task Force is a collaboration among USG, Progressive Students for Justice: Women’s Empowerment and other student organizations formed to address “the national epidemic of sexual misconduct that is prevalent at colleges and universities across the nation,” according to a 2014 USG statement. Original members include Nicholas Sawicki, FCRH ‘16 and outgoing executive vice president of the united student government. Since the task force has been formed, members have worked with Dean Rodgers to change the language within Campus Assault and Relationship Education (CARE) brochures administered to enrolled students surrounding inclusiveness, bystander intervention and victimblaming language.
The most recent version of CARE outlines many of these topics, including the Students Bill of Rights, as well as definitions of sexual offenses, ways to prevent sexual offenses and tips for bystander intervention. In addition, the brochure provides information on the reporting process and procedures, as well as information about available resources, both on and off campus. CARE administrators, including Rodgers and Kimberly Russell, assistant dean of students and director of residential life, met with students in November 2014 about how sexual assault and misconduct was addressed on campus. In the spring 2015, the Sexual Misconduct Task Force created a video about sexual assault awareness that was disseminated to the Fordham community. In October 2015, USG found through the results of its own sexual assault survey that Fordham University “more than sufficiently meets” its legal requirements and, through its extensive campus programming, discussions and training sessions, “strives to create a culture where sexual assault cannot exist.” According to findings, more than half of respondents had “learned something useful” through university programming, while about 18 percent of students said that they had not. However, 56 percent of respondents felt they were “unaware as to how to report a sexual assault.” 63 percent of participants also said they “did not know how the University defines sexual assault.” The report additionally found that 60 percent of students would feel comfortable bringing a case of sexual assault to the Department of Public Safety, while 40 percent said they would not.
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April 27, 2016
Fordham In The Bronx
MICHAEL DOBUSKI/THE FORDHAM RAM
Tea is highlighted as a medium of art in an exhibition by Bronx artist Michele Brody in the Bronx Museum of the Arts.
Tea Time in the Bronx By MICHAEL DOBUSKI BRONX CORRESPONDENT
The Bronx Museum of the Arts resides on the corner of 165th Street and Grand Concourse and is home to a wide variety of New York City and Bronx-related installations, sculptures, photographs and paintings. One such example of this artwork is Bronx-based artist Michele Brody’s “Reflections in Tea.” The exhibit, which continues to evolve nine years after its introduction seeks to celebrate the worldwide ritual of making and drinking tea with a particularly communal focus. Every Thursday in May, Brody and the Bronx Museum host CommuniTea, an interactive performance series in which museum visitors come together, enjoy tea and snacks and share stories with one another. Afterwards, participants immortalize their stories, poetry and assorted musings through writing them down on the dried-out and flattened paper filters that were used to make the tea. “I think of tea as a time to relax and take a moment for myself. I don’t drink tea. What does that tell you about me?” reads one such filter. “Tea is the Bee’s Knees!” reads another. The filters are then assembled into tea-stained quilts of insightful, melancholic and funny reflections on relationships, work, solitude and of course, tea.
“Reflections in Tea” is only a small piece of what the Bronx Museum of the Arts has to offer. The modern building in which the museum is housed began as a public school, before its introduction as a division of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1971. The museum is now independent, and since 2011 has instituted a free-admission policy to all visitors in celebration of its 40th anniversary. Hannah Max works at the museum and sees the various exhibits as a reflection of the neighborhood in which they are located. “We have kids coming in all the time asking to see the art,” says Max. “For the most part it’s local visitors.” That being said, the Bronx Museum is no stranger to visitors from other parts of the city as well. “Either before or after Yankees games, we get a lot of people. I’m happy people are interested in both art and baseball, it gives me hope for the world,” said Max. The influence of art is felt here on campus as well. “Being a visual arts student at Fordham provides the opportunity to learn in a city that has been home to some of the greatest artists and designers ever,” said Clare McGough, FCRH ’18, who is minoring in visual arts. “Through every art class, I have the ability to learn from professors who are working to make a name for themselves among the great artists that this city has produced,” said
McGough. The Bronx Museum of the Arts displays exhibits from their permanent collection, such as “The South Bronx Trades,” a series of photographs by artist Martine Fougeron. Fougeron was born in Paris and currently lives in the South Bronx. Her collection seeks to highlight the wide variety of both past and present industries in the Port Morris and Hunts Point neighborhoods of the Bronx.
One photograph depicts a muscled, grim-faced man, his head turned towards the camera, unsmiling. His tattoos are partially concealed under a short sleeved, yellow shirt. In his hands, the man delicately holds a vase of pink flowers. The photograph, appropriately titled “The Flower Man,” demonstrates not only the enterprises in the Bronx that continue to thrive, but also the creeping influence of gentrification, according to Fougeron. “I hope it [the Bronx] doesn’t move too far in the Williamsburg direction,” said Max, in response to the topic of gentrification in the borough. In fact, gentrification is a common theme among many of the exhibits at the Bronx Museum of the Arts. One such example is painter Valeri Larko’s series, “Bronx Focus.” Larko’s paintings are an extremely realistic take on the evolving role of graffiti in Bronx culture. Her paintings depict a variety of dilapidated and rusted pieces of infrastructure in the Bronx that have been “tagged” with colorful murals. Larko’s inspiration is rooted in her northern New Jersey upbringing, surrounded by graffiti-covered strip shopping malls and industrial parks. Today, Larko operates out of New Rochelle and concentrates most of her work in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. The Bronx Museum’s appreciation
for art expands beyond sculpture, painting, and tea filters as well. The museum also hosts “First Fridays,” held on the first Friday of every month in collaboration with The Moth, a New York-based non-profit committed to the art of storytelling. Ten dollars will buy a general admission ticket, though the organization usually sets aside a number of complimentary tickets for Bronx residents. Ten featured storytellers are selected from a hat and have to present a five minute true story on a given topic. Next month’s theme is MAMA RULES! and will be held at the Bronx Museum on May 6. On the first Wednesday of every month, the Bronx Museum also holds “Trolley Nights,” in which a decorated New York City trolley ferries tourists and Bronx residents to various historical sites along the Grand Concourse and surrounding areas. The program was first introduced in 2002 as the Bronx Culture Trolley and remains a popular attraction for both visitors and locals alike. The Bronx Museum of the Arts’ outreach programs aim for farreaching influence, but that does not mean that the effect of the classic galleries of photographs, paintings and sculpture is lost. “Aren’t these nice?” asked one visitor, gesturing to one of Valeri Larko’s “Bronx Focus” paintings. “All these are beautiful. What’s not to like?”
JACK BRENNAN/ THE FORDHAM RAM
Students Walk Laps to Beat Cancer
Fordham University’s Relay for Life hosted their annual Relay event the night of April 24. The event lasted until morning and was lit up by Luminaria candles that symbolized rememberance and hope.
Campus Briefs & Bites McGinley Lecture on War & Peace Presented
Fordham Names Hall After Trustee
Fordham’s annual Spring McGinley lecture was held from April 19-20. The lecture was titled “Making War, Making Peace: Jewish, Christian and Muslim Attitudes”, and it was led by the Laurence J. McGinley Professor of Religion and Society, Patrick J. Ryan, S.J.. Ryan analyzed the ways in which religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam created conflict and their status in the context of pursuing war. Ryan traced the religions back to their roots and discussed how their histories affect current respective statuses. Ryan also talked about each religion’s relationship with war and how followers developed their notion of war and conflict in context of their faith. Ryan related his lecture back to the struggle for Irish independence from British rule, as it is the 100th anniversary of the Irish Republic. He stated that when fighting for freedom, many Irish people used their religion to justify their conflict.
Fordham University’s 45 Columbus Avenue location was named after former trustee Joseph A. Martino on Monday, April 20. The late Martino was involved in the university’s acquirement of land for a Manhattan campus in 1955 and helped raise money to develop it. Martino passed in 1982 and was the president and chairman of the National Lead Company. He was also the vice chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In 1956, Fordham awarded Martino an honorary doctorate degree and in 1963 the university gave him the Insignis Medal for his service to God. Martino Hall has nine stories and holds administrators and faculty members from 18 departments. The building became a landmark in 1982 by the Landmarks Preservation Commission for its example of Art Deco in New York City. From 1929 to 1943 the building was a parking garage and later became the home to headquarters of the College Board.
Fordham Hosts Scholarship Donors Fordham hosted its annual Scholarship Donors & Recipients Reception Monday night at the University Club in Manhattan. The event gives students the opportunity to connect with the donors who fund their scholarships. Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, gave his annual address, urging students and donors to continue practicing the three theological virtues, faith, hope and love. Joseph O’Brien, FCRH ’16, was this year’s student speaker, and thanked his donors James Flaherty, FCRH ’69, and Jane M. Flaherty, PAR ’00, ’02, who recently created a scholarship in their name which will benefit seven graduating seniors and one junior. Susan Conley Salice, FCRH ’82, the chair of the school’s financial aid committee, also spoke about learning the importance of hard work during her time as a struggling first generation college student.
Fordham President Emeritus Receives Honor Fordham President Emeritus Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J., received a civic honor on April 22. The New York City Campaign Finance Board named its boardroom after him in recognition of his service to the board. Mayor Edward Koch appointed O’Hare in 1988 to serve as the agency’s founding board chair, and did so until 2003. O’Hare was the president of Fordham University from 1984 to 2003, until he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university. In attendance at the ceremony were Jeffrey Grey, senior vice president for student affairs and Brian Byrne, vice president for Lincoln Center. O’Hare also served as an associate editor of the national weekly magazine, America, published by the country’s jesuits. O’Hare was trained for the priesthood at Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines and was once president of a Regis High School.
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April 27, 2016
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Arts and Sciences Council Looks Ahead By MIKE BYRNE ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
Members of Fordham’s Arts and Sciences Council met on April 20 to discuss various initiatives and future plans. The council is made up of faculty and administration from both the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses and previously met once this semester on Feb. 24. Chair for the political science department, Robert Hume, reported on the results of the Core Curriculum Committee’s examination of diversity in the core. The committee was taking into consideration a student proposal for the introduction of a new “Diversity in Society” core requirement. Hume said the committee reached out to department chairs and subcommittees for feedback. “I would say that the sort of feedback we were getting was consistent; there is enthusiasm for the student proposal, but a lack of clarity for whether the proposal will actually work,” Hume said. Hume said the Core Curriculum Committee felt it needed to further study the proposal and that the idea needed to be opened to a larger community outside of the committee. The committee gave the recommendations that an ad hoc committee be formed, a faculty pluralism seminar created, course development grants be offered and web resources made available to faculty members teaching pluralism courses. Chair for the theology department, Patrick Hornbeck, raised the concern of creating another entity and asked whether the committee could take on the questions of diversity within the core itself. The council accepted the recommendations with the exception of the proposal to create an ad hoc committee, which the council felt needed further examination. The council also pointed out that the topics of diversity and pluralism in the core curriculum would become a greater discussion next semester, as the university was preoccupied with Middle States accreditation this academic year. The council went over the approval of a name change and curriculum change in the women’s studies program, a new interdisciplinary minor in Jewish studies and
a change in the psychology major to include a diversity requirement. The council discussed the creation of a marketing minor at the Lincoln Center campus and the introduction of online courses that are being offered over the summer. Associate Dean for STEM and Pre-Health Education, Carla Romney, brought up issues of disparity in research opportunities between the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses. Romney said it is often difficult for Lincoln Center students who want to be involved in STEM research at Rose Hill to find a mentor to gain access to Rose Hill facilities. “Students at Rose Hill have one set of opportunities while Lincoln Center students … don’t have the same kinds of access and funding to participate in those kinds of activities,” Romney said. She suggested the creation of a task force or ad hoc committee to deal with the issue. Romney said Rose Hill professors who mentor Lincoln Center students do not get compensated, and Lincoln Center students cannot compete for Rose Hill research awards. Additionally, Lincoln Center research awards offer less money. Lincoln Center students also have fewer summer research opportunities according to Romney. Other members of the council said that humanities research is very different from STEM research, so it may not be possible to create a blanket policy. Romney said that for this reason the Science Education Committee wants to open the issue to a broader committee and introduce fiscal aspects to the problem. The Science Education Committee found Rose Hill mentors have many more resources and funding opportunities available to them. Romney said the committee would leave the issue as a report for now and would consult faculty committees and examine options for going forward. Hornbeck also discussed the status of the Continuous University Strategic Planning committee’s (CUSP) framework draft. Hornbeck said the committee received feedback and is currently forming a new draft to be released. This was the final Arts and Sciences Council meeting for the Spring 2016 semester.
THE FORDHAM RAM ARCHIVES
Fordham’s Arts and Sciences Council met to discuss various future initiatives.
THE FORDHAM RAM ARCHIVES
The popularity of Spring Weekend’s festivities has increased while the music style of its performers has changed.
Spring Weekend Through The Ages FROM WEEKEND, PAGE 1
However, Rodgers said students should treat all elements of the celebration with respect. “Judging by the tremendous growth in attendance over the decades, students clearly treasure this Fordham tradition,” said Rodgers. “But we carefully manage events with colleagues in Public Safety, Health Services and our student FUEMS to balance the celebratory with common sense and safety.” Some festivities in Spring Weekend history were disrupted by various incidents. In 1978, Boarders’ Weekend was disrupted by fights between Fordham students and residents in the Bronx community, allegedly caused by negligent security. The “Boarder Council,” the student organization in charge of the festivities at the time, said the extra security hired failed to check identifications of those entering campus, while Security Director, Thomas Courtney, denied that negligence. New York City Police “were called to the scene by students who were dissatisfied with the performance of IBI security guards in breaking up fights,” said The Fordham Ram 1978. “The incident has evolved into a controversy with accusations made by both students and security.” 1979’s Boarders’ Weekend began with clashes between the Boarder Council and Assistant Dean of Students Michael A. Machado. The Fordham Ram detailed the controversies surrounding the almost three hour long debate, which discussed the funding of Boarders’ Weekend and the scheduling of events. Machado suggested moving the concert to Murphy Field to prevent problems encountered in the past, such as noise complaints from the library and “vandalism, fights and robberies” in Martyrs’ Court. In 1980, the name of the weekend festivities was changed and Fordham held its first annual
“Spring Weekend”. Residence Halls Association held athletic competitions and supplied both music and beer on Martyrs’ Court lawn. The event was open to all students, but the mixer cost six dollars for non-resident students. The 1981 Spring Weekend saw the first annual RHA “Spring Semi-Formal,” which would later become the Under The Tent dance. The dance was themed “Moonlight Magic” and held on Spellman Lawn, next to Keating Hall. RHA also sponsored a rock band called Gabis, and the first concert on Martyrs’ Court lawn was celebrated that year. Up until 1989, the university had a more lax alcohol policy, and student organizations served alcohol during Spring Weekend, but this tradition ended when the university’s rule changed. That year’s Spring Weekend was also the first to utilize a Spring Festival Committee, which was a departure from the previous fractured planning between RHA, Weekend Activities Council, United Student Government and other student groups. Chris Spearing, College of Business Administration ’87, said a lot of the outdoor activities were popular, but that the semi-formal did not have high attendance when he was a student. “There was lots of frisbee, lots of coolers, lots of blankets,” said Spearing. “I think we had a comic on Friday night and a concert on Saturday night. The semi-formal was not super popular.” Spearing also said a lot of the groups who performed at Fordham during his time there, both during Spring Weekend and at other events, were rock oriented. He listed performers such as Southside Johnny, the Ramones and singer Billy Idol. “My wife would say Fordham has always been pretty good at putting on a party,” said Spearing. Liz Moyse, FCRH ’88, Spearing’s wife, said she enjoyed Spring Weekend during her time at the university.
“I remember it being a pretty big deal. There were events scheduled all throughout the weekend,” said Moyse. “There were a lot of off-campus events. I looked forward to it, because you knew the end of the school year was approaching and finals were coming.” More recently in Spring Weekend history, administrators and student leaders have begun to warn students against raucous behavior during the festivities. Then Dean of Student Life, Vice President of Student Affairs Jeffrey Gray advised students in 1993 to “use discretion” in order to maintain the end of the year celebration for subsequent years. The Fordham Ram also describes various security and safety protocol in 1993 that are similar to various protocol used today, such as increased security personnel throughout campus and in residence halls. The 2000s saw a departure from rock music and tended more towards alternative and indie artists. Twenty One Pilots performed for the university in 2015 and was preceded by Cold War Kids in 2014 and Grouplove in 2013. The university continues this trend with the 2016 Spring Weekend group, Matt and Kim. The duo makes music that is a fusion of indie and dance music, similar to that of Twenty One Pilots. This trend towards smaller, indie artists can be attributed to the size of the Campus Activities Board (CAB) budget. The organization is allocated $174,000 a year for their functions, which often prevents the university from enlisting high profile performers. Consequently, when artists garner fame quickly, CAB has to make rapid changes. After Foster the People’s song “Pumped Up Kicks” reached national airwaves in 2102, CAB could no longer afford the group and had to quickly book the rapper Jay Sean, said The Fordham Ram.
NEWS
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April 27, 2016
Other Factors Trump Class Rank, According to Deans By DIANA NELSON STAFF WRITER
The letters G, P and A are viewed by many as synonymous to academic success. A student’s grade point average is readily accessible on DegreeWorks and is calculated in a fairly straightforward manner — grades are assigned a numeric value, and so forth. GPA therefore tends to overshadow a lesser known method of academic measurement that appear on official transcripts and are therefore at the hands of future employers — class rank. According to the Fordham website, a student’s class rank is calculated on the basis of a minimum of 24 graded credits in a regular academic year. Although it follows the same process by the registrar, class rank for Fordham College Rose Hill students is computed separately from the Gabelli School of Business class. Ranks in class are only computed at the end of the academic year, but if additional changes are made, a student’s class rank will not be recomputed. According to Senior Class Dean Rev. John T. Dzieglewicz, S.J., PhD, class rank can be a determinant to whether or not grade inflation exists at certain school. “If you’ve got a 3.8 GPA, and you rank in the bottom 10 percent of class, you’re either going to an exceptional college or something’s wrong,” said Dzieglewicz. Mario DiFiore, an assistant dean of Gabelli School of Business (GSB), said that the rank is inconsequential to employers. “Traditionally, it has to do with the whole approach: quality of a student, GPA, major and recommendations,” he said. DiFiore also emphasized the importance of internships and particular skill sets that GSB students in the business world more than class ranks do “In an interview, employers look at the skill sets of the student, how they speak, and what they can do specifically to help the company,” said DiFiore. “GPA is
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Students at Fordham are waiting to find out what their class ranks are to see how they did this year compared to others.
important, but also anything that you can have on your resume that is truthful and shows how you can bring value to an organization or a company is important.” To determine what measure of success students should focus on – raising class rank, improving GPA or gaining internship experience – leads students in several different directions. Tyler Rozier, GSB ’19, feels that he should be focusing on finding internships and participating in club activities as opposed to maintaining his rank “For me as a freshman, it has been about internships because of experience,” he said. “You could be the number one in your class, but have zero internships and zero club activities. In my opinion, it’s more about being an overall rounded person.” When Mimi Sillings, FCRH
Spotlight: Diversity Action Coalition By CATE CARREJO FEATURES EDITOR
Following the racial bias incidents that have plagued the Fordham community during the past several years, a number of social justice oriented clubs and administrative organizations have proliferated on campus. These include the President’s Task Force on Diversity and Campus Climate and the Diversity Action Coalition (DAC), an organization comprised of representatives from other student organizations that works within the Fordham community to combat a complex racial climate on campus. The DAC functions as an organ of the University Student Government (USG) and consists of two co-chairs and members of student
organizations. According to Haley Hauge, GSB ’18, the co-chair of the DAC, the organization represents 15 other student organizations and hopes to increase that number next year. At the committee’s most recent meeting, the group discussed initiatives for change, including modifications to the core curriculum, to core programming and to New Student Orientation. Hauge stressed the importance of education in a variety of contexts, including the Fordham curriculum and freshman seminars. “I think education of the issues themselves as well as education regarding the deeper rooted stem of the problem is the best way to begin tackling racial climate issues,” said Hauge.
’18, happened upon her class rank recently — which is located on the unofficial transcript under the student information tab on student’s my.fordham portal — GPA is a far more fair measurement of student success. “Even if you have a 4.0 with 70 credits and another student has a 4.0 with 80, you’re not the best 4.0. GPA is the better measure of grades since you’re on a more level playing field,” said Sillings. As opposed to Rozier, Sillings said that while internships are important to her, the value of her academic experience is what she will rely on moving forward in her academic and professional career. “With internships, you can’t really tell what you’re getting into until you show up there,” she said. “You could be getting excellent experience, or it could be very minute and not what you expect-
ed. GPA and recommendations from professors are the main factors for me.” Some seniors, such as Ashley McCorey, GSB ’16, have come across jobs that have not asked for rank or even GPA. “More of them are kind of focusing on your past internship experience and your work experience,” said McCorey. Though DiFiore noted a potential disparity in concern over class rank could come over the fact that Rose Hill places more students in graduate school that Gabelli does, Director of Admissions at Fordham’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Bernadette Valentino-Morrison, said there is no requirement for a student to disclose his or her ranking in his or her application. “Students may choose to include their ranking in a cover
letter or another part of their application,” she said. “However, there is a holistic approach to evaluating applicants [for graduate school].” These can include letters of recommendation, GPA, GRE scores, statements of intent, resumes and writing samples. For Dzieglewicz, students should focus their efforts on getting a high GPA, as employers and graduates schools are understanding of disparities between schools in terms of rank and university prestige. “You could have a very high ranking at a community college, and be middle-lower here. Employers and grad-schools recognize that,” she said. “If you’re constantly coming out at the bottom of your class for each year, I’d be very worried. Otherwise, if you’re doing a good job, I wouldn’t be too concerned.”
Casey Chun, FCRH ’17, a diversity peer leader with the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said that apathy among students in confronting issues of race is one of the group’s main concerns. “I think the biggest challenge we have as a group is tackling the culture of apathy on campus,” said Chun. “Not many students are interested in discussing diversity, whether it be that they don’t care, are afraid to talk about it (at the risk of being criticized) or frankly don’t know what to say. We’re hoping to reform and restructure the way we tackle multicultural issues through dialogue and education on a student-to-student level.” Hauge said these problems will eventually be fi xed by growing the membership of the DAC. “I think [the] DAC can improve mostly by increasing manpower,” said Hauge. “I look forward to recruiting a lot of new freshmen next year as they will bring a new perspective but also help ensure our initiatives continue to be actively worked
on and developed. ‘Diversity’ is a very broad topic to approach and there are a lot of different angles subcommittees can introduce improvements to Fordham.” Hauge contends the university administration is doing the best it can to find solutions for the complex racial climate. “I think it is easy to say there is always more that can be done, however, after working with the administration throughout the year, I can honestly say I see them putting forth a great effort to work on the racial climate,” said Hauge. “Yes, there is a lot to be done still, but, there is an active push for change on campus and administration is responding as best they can.” However, not all of the student organizers connected to the DAC agree with Hauge. Monica Cruz, FCRH ’16, Fordham Students United organizer and DAC member voiced her beliefs. “To say the least, administration can certainly be doing more. It has the power to enforce a more diverse cur-
fectively do this.” istration has the ability to more efI wouldn’t say that DAC or adminwithout fighting it off campus, so cannot fight racism on campus ing at Fordham,” said Cruz. “We far exceed everything happenlem that has consequences that is a widespread systematic prob“At the end of the day, racism Fordham community. tural impact of racism outside the anyway because of the larger culthe efforts of the DAC are limited said Cruz. But Cruz recognized bly influenced by administration,” students, its decisions are inevitaable to administration first and not “Since [the DAC] is accountreaucracy. due to its role in the Fordham bulimited in its capacity for change According to Cruz, the DAC is dents feel less isolated.” during orientation to make stugroups on campus more visibility and professors and give minority tolerance trainings for students riculum, mandate diversity and
April 27, 2016
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OPINION
Page 9
The Fordham Ram
Harriet Tubman on $20 Pacifies Black Women Movement By KATIE QUINLISK CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The announcement that Harriet Tubman will replace Andrew Jackson on the new $20 bill is certainly worth celebrating. Replacing the slave-owning and Native-American-murdering Jackson with Tubman, leader of the Underground Railroad, Civil War hero and suffragette, is hopeful evidence of American progress in the struggle for gender and racial equality. However, something about Tubman’s face on the bill feels disingenuous. Putting a black woman’s face on the currency of a nation whose black women are so violently marginalized seems like a cheap and insincere placation — like giving the starving screaming baby of racial and gendered turmoil a pacifier and hoping it will just shut up already. I am not discrediting or dismissing the value of Tubman on the $20 bill. Representation is important. We all want to live in a world where young black girls can grow up seeing a woman who fought for their freedom and voice. However, slapping Harriet Tubman’s face on the $20 bill is not enough. I am saying that it is okay to be unappeased by this gesture, and it is okay to demand more. Race does finally rescue Tub-
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The renowned Civil War hero who saved thousands of slaves, Harriet Tubman is set to become the new face of the $20 bill.
man’s story from the children’s book report section and welcome her to the forefront of American history. Tubman makes George Washington’s contributions to American history seem modest. She led thousands of slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad, Union boats into Confederate territory during the Civil War and segregated conventions for black women’s suffrage — all while suffering from
a debilitating and undiagnosed disability. Tubman’s $20 bill, though anything but undeserving, does not accurately represent the current state of American black women. Black women in America fight the race-war and gender-war every day. According to a recent study by the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, black women are more likely to be victims of violent crimes, 2.5 times
more likely to die while pregnant due to insufficient healthcare and six times more likely to be suspended from school than white female peers. Additionally, black women are consistently misrepresented in the mainstream media as uneducated, directionless, hyper-sexualized and promiscuous archetypes. As movements such as Black Lives Matter rally for the justice of slain young black men, black
women are left at the intersection of racism, sexism and classism without a voice. There is still much work to be done. Harriet Tubman’s face on the new $20 bill recognizes her contribution to American history, but it does little to improve the situation of American black women today. Harriet Tubman’s face on the $20 bill is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough and we cannot mistake this national recognition of one black woman as recognition of all black women. We need to celebrate this milestone in black female American history, while continuing to express our deep dissatisfaction. We need to relentlessly push, as well as ask the important questions: how are we going to improve black women’s healthcare? How are we going to prevent black women from being victimized? How are we going to change the way black women are portrayed in television and film? How are we going to give black women a unified voice? The black female struggle is real, and putting Tubman on the $20 bill does very little for this struggle other than fooling us into thinking it no longer exists.
Katie Quinlisk, FCRH ’18, is an English major from West Chester, Pennsylvania.
In (Reluctant) Defense of Kasich’s Rape Response By OLIVIA COOLEY STAFF WRITER
At a town hall in Watertown, New York last week, republican presidential candidate John Kasich responded to a female college student’s concerns about sexual assault in a way that stirred some controversy. The student asked Kasich what he would do as president “to help [her] feel safer and more secure regarding sexual violence, harassment and rape.” After Kasich detailed his views on the importance of rape kits, confidentiality and the victim’s ability to pursue justice, the presidential hopeful said, “I’d also give you one bit of advice: don’t go to parties where there’s a lot of alcohol.” Kasich’s comment drew criticism for promoting the view that women are responsible for taking precautions to avoid being raped and that those who fail to take these precautions are partially or completely to blame if they are harassed or assaulted. Kasich defended his comment last week, noting that “when alcohol is involved, it becomes more difficult for justice to be rendered, for a whole variety of reasons.” This is not a good enough reason for women to avoid the same college experiences that men can enjoy, but it is unfortunately true. Kasich’s response to the student’s question can be seen as
having two separate parts. The first part of his answer detailed his political commitment to addressing the systemic issue of sexual assault, whereas the second part was an added expression of personal concern for the student who posed the question. While one could argue it was unwise to include this remark in his comments on protecting girls and women from widespread sexual harassment and violence, it is important to note that this type of personal concern and advice is not inherently a bad thing. A friend, parent or loved one advising you not to go to parties with heavy drinking or walk alone at night is doing this out of care and concern for your well-being, and not saying that you deserve to be attacked if you do not take this advice. It may be unrealistic advice that puts an unfair burden on women to take extra precautions for fear of sexual assault, but this type of advice takes into account the current reality women face. It is also worth noting that there is a distinction to be made between cautionary advice and victim-blaming. While cautionary advice is rooted in personal concern for someone’s health and safety, victim blaming — such as “she should not have been wearing that short skirt” or “she should not have been walking alone that late” — reflects a desire to shift blame from the attacker to the survivor of a sexual assault and
ANDREA GARCIA/THE FORDHAM RAM
John Kasich recently stated that women should do not go to parties with alcohol to avoid the possibility of sexual assault.
is therefore never acceptable. Although there is a case to be made that cautionary advice paves the way for victim-blaming later, the two are not one in the same. If the alcohol comment was Kasich’s only response to women’s concerns about sexual violence, it would be troubling. While advice is not necessarily a bad thing, it should not be treated as a systemic solution to the problem of sexual assault and harassment.
But Kasich first addressed the issue of survivors having access to rape kits, confidential reporting and the ability to pursue justice, and his cautionary remark came after the student expressed that this is an issue that she personally worries about. It is okay to offer cautionary advice as long as your understanding of sexual assault is the blame never falls on the survivor of an attack and that cultural and legal
change needs to take place to reduce the occurrence of sexual assault. If you can work toward eradicating widespread sexual assault while simultaneously expressing care and concern for those who are most vulnerable to it, you do not deserve to be vilified.
Olivia Cooley, FCRH ’16, is a women’s studies and Spanish double major from Meriden, Connecticut.
OPINION
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R Serving the Fordham University campus and community since 1918 The Fordham Ram is the university journal of record. The mission of The Fordham Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate. The Fordham Ram is published and distributed free of charge every Wednesday during the academic year to the Rose Hill, Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses with a readership of over 12,000 and a web readershipi of over 300,000. The Fordham Ram office is located in the basement of the McGinley Center, room B-52.
Website FordhamRam.com Email Address theram@fordham.edu Mailing Address Fordham University - Station 37 Box B Bronx, NY 10458 Editor-in-Chief Laura Sanicola Managing Editor Drew Casey Business Director Zack Miklos Copy Chief Tara Martinelli Editorial Director Amanda Giglio Assistant Business Director Tyler Dikun Assistant Copy Chief Amanda Maile News Editor Erin Shanahan Assistant News Editors Mike Byrne Theresa Schliep Opinion Editors Margarita Artoglou Kristen Santer Culture Editors Bailey Hosfelt Libby Smislova Sports Editor Sam Belden Assistant Sports Editors Pat Costello Jack McLoone Features Editor Cate Carrejo Photo Editors Jack Brennan Andrea Garcia Kate Mackie Digital Team Ellie Bruckner Meghan Campbell Anna Carey Faculty Advisor Beth Knobel Editorial Page Policy The Fordham Ram’s editorial and ramblings topics are selected on a weekly basis and reflect the editorial board’s view on a campus issue. Opinions Policy The Fordham Ram appreciates submissions to fordhamramopinions@ gmail.com. Commentaries are printed on a space available basis. The Fordham Ram reserves the right to reject any submission for any reason, without notice. Submissions become the exclusive property of The Fordham Ram. The Fordham Ram reserves the right to edit any submissions. The opinions in The Fordham Ram’s editorials are those of the editorial board; those expressed in articles, letters, commentaries, cartoons or graphics are those of the individual author. No part of The Fordham Ram may be reproduced without written consent.
April 27, 2016
From the Desk | Ellie Bruckner
Emphasizing the Importance of Autism Awareness The month of April is officially National Autism Awareness Month. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a group of developmental disabilities that often affect a person’s social and communication skills. According to the Autism Society, about one percent of the world’s population is on the autism spectrum. However, the prevalence rate in the United States is one in every 68 births. This rate is nearly twice as high as it was in 2004, when ASD was diagnosed in one in 125 children. Additionally, as the fastest growing developmental disorder, some researchers such as MIT’s Stephanie Seneff predict that half of children born in 2025 will be diagnosed with ASD. While awareness, proper diagnosis and inclusion of all aspects of the spectrum have increased over the past few decades, more must be done to understand, support and include the autism community. Symptoms of ASD usually appear during an infant’s first 18 to 24 months, but become very clear and apparent from years two to six. Although autism is not curable, it is treatable. While children do not “outgrow” autism, it has been shown that early diagnosis and appropriate care can lead to significantly improved outcomes
and quality of life. Increasing accessibility to high quality preschool education and funding for more early intervention programs are crucial in diagnosing and addressing ASD early on. While the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 provides federal grants to start early intervention programs, increased funding from outside sources would ensure that students with ASD are given the quality education that they need and deserve. It is important to note that people with ASD need assistance later in life as well. In 2014, only 16.8 percent of the population of people with disabilities in the U.S. were employed. Programs that are designed to educate those on the spectrum about employment opportunities and provide job training are resources that should not be forgotten. Adult education is just as important as early education for integrating people on the spectrum into the working world. While advocating for the accessibility of educational resources for autistic students is important, other types of initiatives, such as supporting social movements, are just as necessary. Understanding that ASD manifests itself differently in individuals and knowing what it can look like are equally
important. Although awareness has increased, there is still a stigma around those who are “different.” We can reduce this stigma by reaching out to people who are on the spectrum, developing friendships and creating an environment that promotes inclusion. If you do not know someone personally affected by ASD, there are plenty of outside opportunities to become involved. There are countless organizations that match mentors with students with ASD, giving students an increased sense of belonging while increasing their social and communication skills. In addition, early intervention classrooms are always looking for volunteers to help them in their classrooms. Here in the Bronx, the Harry H. Gordon School on Bathgate Avenue, is home to several early intervention classrooms and seeks Fordham students to assist in their classrooms every semester. If you had asked me a few years ago to explain autism, I would have had little to say other than that it is a developmental disability. Over the past couple of years, however, I have had the opportunity to work with people on the spectrum, starting in high school when I was a mentor for a young girl with autism. These experiences have helped me to understand
how vast the spectrum is in terms of ability and yet how unique and capable these individuals are. A few decades ago, the full extent of autism was not fully understood. Few resources were available to people and families of those affected by ASD. It was not considered to be a spectrum, and diagnosis was limited and often missed. As organizations have increased in numbers and awareness has become increasingly popular, resources for people with ASD have drastically increased. Understanding what ASD is and being aware of how it affects a person’s life is important, but doing something to end the stigma around the spectrum once and for all is equally necessary. As the month of April comes to an end, we must not let the initiatives about autism acceptance and support fade as well.
Editorial | Transparency
What Administration Does Not Care If You Know Do you know how much your tuition will increase next year? Do you know if it is bigger or smaller than the average increase, or how the university justifies its decision to increase? Do you know who approves the financial year budget, and when? Well, you should. This is your student loan debt, part of $1.3 trillion dollars of it nationally. It may delay the first down payment on your house or the amount of time it takes for you to say “I do.” Your university should have to explain how it is using your money, and why it is using more of it this year than last year. But it doesn’t, and you didn’t notice. To be fair, the editorial board did not notice either until recently. The Fordham Ram set about reporting on next year’s tuition after we noticed student newspapers at our peer institutions, Boston College (The Heights) and Georgetown University (The Hoya), have been doing the same for quite some time now. “The Georgetown University Board of Directors recently approved the increase in undergraduate tuition, which will bring the cost of a Georgetown education up from
$37,536 to $38,616 beginning next fall, according to a university press release,” Sarah Mimms reported in The Hoya in 2009. At the end of February 2016, one of The Hoya’s reporters, Matthew Larson, wrote: “Despite Georgetown University’s relatively low endowment, the Georgetown Board of Directors announced its approval of the university’s largest-ever increase in financial aid for students in the coming academic year Feb. 16.” If this sort of announcement by Fordham administration seems foreign to you, that’s because it is. The Board of Trustees does not send emails out to the students, certainly not when it pertains to budgeting issues. In fact, university trustees are largely anonymous figures to the student body. Each of their names are listed on the Fordham website, but with no biographies listed next to them. The Board of Trustees holds four meetings annually, but all of them are closed to the public. Minutes are taken at these meetings, but those, too, are not publicly available. The date, time and location of these meetings are not publicized. The contents of these meetings, in-
cluding decisions made by the board regarding the operating budget, are not publicized. The chief financial officer also does not hold open meetings. In essence, the most important information regarding Fordham’s operations are a mystery, and the university does not mind if it stays that way. At least, that would explain why three emails to the chief financial officer, one email to the director of communications, one email to the secretary of the board of trustees, one email to the vice president of finance, and two emails to the university president regarding either Fordham’s finances or its direction have not been returned. Perhaps the reason why the administration is being so blatantly opaque is that no one has ever asked these questions before. It is possible that no one has ever been concerned about tuition hikes, or never expected to hear about them anyway. Perhaps we have become accustomed to an arbitrary number being updated on our e-bill. Perhaps we have never wanted answers, or thought they would be handed to us. Though the editorial board finds
that difficult to believe, if this were the case, it is a dangerous mindset to have adopted. Of course a student body would develop a culture of apathy if it expected no explanations from its administration on major decisions. The last explanations of a financial nature came from the Office of the President in October and November 2014, when Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of university, wrote about Fordham’s capital projects and finances. In November 2015, he released a “monthly update” (that does not come every month) to the university community which conspicuously left out any financial information. Tuition, at $46,120 for Fall 20152016 entrants to Rose Hill, is higher now than it ever has been. Tuition is higher than the average starting salary of Fordham College Rose Hill graduates. If what it takes to create a transparent system of reporting finances is a formal request, then please consider this editorial that request. As a student news source, we will never be able to perform our duty of keeping the campus appraised of university finances unless the university meets us half way.
Disagree with our editorial? Let us know your opinion at fordhamrameditorial@gmail.com!
OPINION
April 27, 2016
Page 11
The New York Post’s Folly: Trump Does Not Embody New York Values
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Donald Trump may represent financial success, but there is much more to New York than financial competitiveness.
By JOHN CHRISTEN STAFF WRITER
Ross Douthat, a Harvard-educated author, blogger and columnist for the New York Times, successfully rationalized “New York media’s longstanding love affair with Trump” in an article published in the April 16 Times. He wrote that the New York Post’s recent endorsement of Trump is unsurprising. The New York Post is an embarrassment to journalism, a tabloid feeding off the same breed of misinformation fueling Trump’s campaign. The Post praised Trump’s adherence to traditional “New York City values,” a statement partly justified by Douthat, who agreed that Trump aligns perfectly with “New York’s distinctive culture (worldly, striving, ever-so-slightly-impolite).” I do not claim to be an authority on what makes this great city “the Big Apple” or “the city that never sleeps.” However, commercial success, a selfish attitude and the overly-polarized, often laughably subjective media characterizes not New York City, but Donald Trump. That being said,
Elle Rothermich Can Chewbacca Go to Heaven? Famed physicist and professor Steven Hawking has on multiple occasions expressed his support for theories postulating the existence of extraterrestrial life forms. As a Jesuit university, we take two religion classes as part of our liberal arts curriculum. However, in many classes we neglect to reconcile these ideas that Hawking has brought up. Is it possible for Catholicism and other religious ideas to accept or acknowledge the possibility of life beyond our planet? The likelihood that humankind will make contact with an alien species identical to Wookiees, Vulcans or Klingons is sadly quite low, barring some extraterrestrial conspiracy to implant memories within a human consciousness. Yet, by the same token, it is mathematically just as unlikely that Earth will be bulldozed by Vogons anytime soon (so don’t panic). Despite the superficial fictitious nature of it all, the question of life
Douthat’s piece in the Times oozed not-so-subtle sarcasm. Sure, Trump became elevated to celebrity-status through the same liberal media outlets that want nothing to do with him now (NBC, Time Magazine, Spy, Esquire, etc.). Yet, these companies did not realize the monster they were creating. Douthat’s article congratulates the New York Post for confirming Donald Trump’s embodiment of the world that created him: the entertainment industry. It disappointed me, however, that Douthat did not explicitly defend the values that actually characterize the inhabitants of New York. Trump represents the unfortunate extremes that occur in any society: greed, narcissism, misogyny, manipulation, deception, and xenophobia — and the list goes on. The New York Post’s claim that Donald Trump exudes “the best of New York values” is horribly backwards. Anyone can come to the defense of Trump, citing any number of extraneous acts of good will (that likely mask a selfish motive), but his track record speaks for itself. I do not think that New Yorkers
beyond Earth has populated formal scientific discourse for centuries. Extraterrestrial life, whatever it may be, is viewed as a reasonable research subject by most in the scientific community. NASA even maintains an astrobiology institute dedicated to the study of life and its origins at the planetary level. Unsurprisingly, such continued scientific and popular interest has provoked the ire of Catholics, lay theologians and clerics alike. Viewing science and religion as a dichotomy is a fairly popular solution, though it neglects to consider the work of philosophertheologians who looked to bridge reason and faith throughout the ages. It is unlikely that Aquinas gave thought to aliens when writing his Summa Theologicae, but his methods stand. As of yet, there has been no conclusive evidence pointing to the existence of anything we might consider life off our planet, but we remain enamored with tales of galaxies far, far away. The question itself is reasonable: if humans are not alone, how can we reconcile the plurality of life in the universe with our religious traditions? One place to begin could be the definition of “Man” itself, perhaps taking a more flexible view of Gen-
support and condone actions such as Trump’s provocation of violence at his rallies, his disgusting comments about the attractiveness of his own daughter, Ivanka, or his advocating for the murder of possible-terrorists’ families. Perhaps the Post thinks they do, and perhaps that is the precise reason the New York Post does not win Pulitzer prizes. I agree that Donald Trump is a manifestation of the purely-capitalist, profit-driven and extremely wealthy side of New York City, but the Post was not necessarily trying to appeal to the minority of New Yorkers who strive for financial success. The newspaper tabloid’s endorsement unintentionally misrepresented 8.4 million people. That he has successfully preyed upon the anger of the politically underrepresented does not mean he has their best interests at heart. He appeals to some of the reported two-thirds of Americans who believe the United States requires a political overhaul. He does not, however, appeal to the values that many people would agree define this country, or
the great symbol of its diversity, New York. As a college student living in New York City, my understanding of its values have nothing to do with Trump’s greediness or over-inflated ego. The overwhelming majority of people in New York that I have encountered do not fall under the same values umbrella as the New York Post and Trump. The racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and cultural disparities (among many others) that make this city incredible are not defined by the idiotic rants of a person tragically-underprepared to become the president of the United States. The Post’s grossly-incorrect and broad claim that Trump represents not some, but all of the best values that have propelled New York to its current stature is unconvincing at best. New York is home to many of the intellectual, academic, scientific and artistic capitals of the world and was built by ordinary people striving to forge the best lives for themselves and their families. It is a place best categorized as progressive, though strongly rooted in its own sense of tradition. Trump is a symbol of the values that cause many to frown upon New York City — values rooted in a sense of entitlement and greed. If you want to better understand the values that collectively form the foundation of the city that never sleeps, you must first comprehend the diversity of this city. Ostensibly, Trump’s values align with the aspects of New York most commonly portrayed by the media, but they certainly do not align with the values held by the people who made this country great — and continue to do so — in the first place. John Christen, FCRH ’19, is undeclared in his major from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
CHRIS PIZZELLO/AP
Mixing science fiction and Catholicism can result in interesting conclusions.
esis to allow for the well-proven theory of evolution, and thereby the admission of other species in the Homo genus into the “human” category. Perhaps any extraterrestrial humanoids out there could also be included, making humanity not a single-planet happenstance, but a group theoretically spanning millennia and the universe. This is only one way in which scripture can be viewed as a way to bridge the gap between expanding scientific theory and religious texts. Of course, the number of problems this simple extension of thought calls forth is staggering. To ponder aliens with a Catholic mindset is to question the very foundations of the faith, from original sin to humankind’s salvation through Jesus’ Passion to the
Final Judgment. Any mental images of far-flung Jesuits attempting to evangelize among the Ewoks aside, the earthly implications of this contemplation are strongly tied to the interpretation of Scripture. However, maybe aliens to the 21st century Catholic Church will be what heliocentrism was to its 16th century predecessor, eventually inviting new understandings of the sacred texts. At first, there will be a lot of discord and denial, albeit hopefully without the mass killings and destruction of literature. But eventually religion may come around to the growing popularity of extraterrestrial life, and include it in their teachings to bring in a younger and more openminded crowd.
Joe Moresky Evaluating the Electoral College With so much political unrest surrounding the 2016 presidential campaign and its operation, it may be prudent to examine the nature of our electoral system and evaluate its pros and cons. The United States operates under what is known comparatively as a plurality system, where a “winner-take-all” approach is utilized. Operating on the existence of single-member constituencies, a plurality system awards victory to the candidate that earns the highest percentage of votes in a race — even if that share is less than a majority. While at first glance this may seem like a terrible setup for a democratic nation, in reality it merely reflects a different understanding of democratic rule. And that’s not a bad thing. The defining principle dividing different forms of democracy is the answer to the question of who ought to rule. Electoral systems are no different, with varying answers having profound effects upon a government’s structure. Plurality systems contend that the majority of the people ought to rule, an assertion manifested in its “winner-take-all” structure. Naturally, this answer dramatically impacts a voters experience with democracy. Plurality systems are among the easiest electoral systems to understand. Results can be reported fairly quickly and the adversarial nature of the system means a clearly defined winner is apparent to voters. Citizens can easily identify who has been in power — and therefore who to hold accountable. Additionally, the high potential for seat turnover is a prime motivator for elected officials to remain responsive to the concerns of the public. Plurality systems tend to result in landscapes in which only two parties are dominant, a phenomenon known as Duverger’s Law. The “winner-take-all” structure of the system leads to the extermination of lesser third parties or their absorption by larger, more successful parties. Since opposing ideological bases are covered, the pursuit of the median voter dominates political discourse as only a small change in voting percentages is enough to transfer the responsibility of governing to the opposing party. This places immense power in the hands of the voter, for although governments are given more unilateral power than in competing electoral systems, this power can be checked by a modest shift in electoral outcomes. The focus on median voter blocs also produces a strong incentive for parties to further moderate policy agendas as they compete for the center (i.e. as many voters as possible). This in turn encourages stability and cohesion within the government, as radical change in either ideological direction is unlikely. While not perfect, plurality electoral systems offer a large suite of advantages to democratic nations. If electoral reform is needed here in America, it would be wise to not throw out the baby with the bathwater.
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April 27, 2016
The Fordham Ram
Spring Showcase: Satin Dolls Hit a High Note By ANNEMARIE MARCONI STAFF WRITER
At first glance, the songs “Vienna” by Billy Joel, “Our Own House” by MisterWives and “Wild Things” by Alessia Cara do not have much in common. However, on Friday night, they all came together as part of the wildly successful Satin Dolls showcase. These three selections were just a handful of the standout songs performed by Fordham’s only all-girl acappella group. While the Ramblers and Expressions Dance Alliance accented the performance with a few of their numbers, the night undoubtedly belonged to the 17 young women who hummed, sang and beat-boxed their way through one of their most entertaining sets yet — a set, by the way, in which every single one of the 13 songs performed was arranged by a member of the group. Some particularly good performances were “Fighter,” a Christina Aguilera classic belted out by Alexis Quattrini, FCRH ’17, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” a Meghan Trainor and John Legend duet performed by Natalie Sawicki, FCRH ’19, and Alissa Pellegrino, FCRH ’17, and their closing song, “All These Things That I’ve Done” by The Killers, which featured a group
COURTESY OF THE SATIN DOLLS FACEBOOK
Each of the 13 songs performed at the Satin Dolls showcase was arranged by a member of the all-girl acappella group.
performance with no soloist. As each girl stepped forward to sing a line from the song, her voice was supported by the harmony of the group members behind her. The energy and enthusiasm of the girls was tangible, yet they all remained
focused on the task at hand, maintaining tight harmonies and synchronization. “I think overall we were much more composed — pun intended — this concert,” said Jessica Mannino, FCRH ’17, a soprano I in the
group. “We felt much more comfortable with the arrangements, were much more prepared and able to really ground ourselves before each song so as to not let our energy detract from our concentration.” The sizable crowd brought an
energy of its own as well. The Fordham Prep Leonard Theatre was filled with fans and supporters, which is interesting given the Satin Dolls’ mode of advertising this semester. “Oddly enough, this was the first year in a while we didn’t print promotional flyers,” Mannino said. “We relied solely on social media.” With presences on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram, the Satin Dolls had plenty of outlets from which they could advertise. By posting directly on social media instead of on crowded campus bulletin boards, the Satin Dolls were able to reach out to the Fordham community directly. The Satin Dolls opened their show with a quick tune from Meghan Trainor called “Interlude.” One of the lyrics to that song is: “But the best part of being a singer at all is singing to the world my songs.” This sentiment is certainly echoed by the all girl-group. “The best part of performing is knowing that you can share your work with a very large and satisfying crowd of people,” Mannino said. For now, the Satin Dolls are singing their songs to Fordham, and if they continue to have performances like the one on Friday night, no one will be able to do anything but stop and listen.
Drowsy Joy to Open for Matt and Kim By BAILEY HOSFELT CULTURE EDITOR
Drowsy Joy is an alternative/ indie band of five Fordham sophomores — Sean O’Connor, lead vocalist and guitarist, GSB ’18; Ken Iselhart III, guitarist, FCRH ’18; Tyler “Newf ” Newfell, guitarist and synthist, FCRH ’18; Brian Cullen, bassist, FCRH ’18 and Mary Munshower, drummer, FCRH ’18. The five-some recently took the stage outside of Rodrigue’s Coffee House for Battle of the Bands. Their performance won over the 280-person crowd and took home first place in the student vote-based competition. They will open for Matt and Kim at Spring Weekend on April 30 at 12:30 p.m. The Fordham Ram: Every band has an origin story. What is Drowsy Joy’s? Mary Munshower: Brian and Newf met at Contemporary Science Fiction club. The two bumped into Ken while out at Tinkers, bonding over their shared love of fish-printed t-shirts and Radiohead’s In Rainbows. I was introduced to the trio by a mutual friend out-side of Loschert during a fire drill. Then, while waiting in line to go to Champ’s, we were huddled outside having a band meeting of sorts when some nosy kid (O’Connor) came over and asked us what kind of band we were talking about. TFR: How would you describe your band’s sound to those who haven’t heard you perform?
MM: Our sound is difficult to describe since we have a wide range of influences, but if we had to pick, we would say a fusion of alternative and indie rock with some electronic influences. TFR: Speaking of musical influences, what bands have impacted Drowsy Joy? Drowsy Joy: Radiohead, Tame Impala, The Strokes, Talking Heads, LCD Soundsystem, Ty Seagall and The Velvet Underground. Sublime always draws Sean back to a reggae vibe and helps with rhyming when he’s writing songs. TFR: What does the creative process look like? MM: We practice in the basement of Sean’s house in Rockland County, NY. We buckle down for a few hours at a time and just bang out a song. After a long day of practice where we actively try to come up with a song, we are usually frustrated and end up having a cathartic jam. This is typically when we come up with our best songs because we aren’t trying to. We’re just musically responding in a natural way to what each other is playing. TFR: What is everyone’s favorite song to perform? Ken Iselhart III: Brian and I have this little bit where I jump on the synth and he sits on the drums. We go into outer space. It can last anywhere from a few minutes to God knows how long. Brian Cullen: That’s mine too. Sean O’Connor: I like to play “Restart” because I get to yell. It
COURTESY OF DROWSY JOY
Drowsy Joy, this year’s winner of Battle of the Bands, will open for Matt and Kim at Spring Wekend on April 30.
was the first official full song that I wrote and put together for the band. Tyler “Newf ” Newfell: I liked when we covered Pink Floyd’s “Interstellar Overdrive” back at our first gig as a band at Pugsley’s last April. I didn’t have to worry about playing a wrong note because any sound in that song is a good sound. MM: My favorite song to perform is our original “Around and Around” because I get to play really powerful fills on the drums. I also love the new synth ending we added. It reminds me of some of the electronic and dance songs I like to listen to. TN: I love that song too because it’s the only one that I get to play
synth on so far. Unfortunately, I don’t have a stand for my synth. Instead, I sit on the amp and feel the sounds course through my body. TFR: Do you have any preshow rituals? BC: Everyone takes a turn tickling Ken’s tummy before we go on. KI: Then we jazzercise. BC: No, it’s Zumba. SO: We clearly don’t have any actual pre-show rituals. TFR: Winning Battle of the Bands is a huge accomplishment. What does the opportunity to open for Matt and Kim at Spring Weekend mean for Drowsy Joy? DJ: Winning Battle of the Bands
and getting to open for Matt and Kim is such an honor, considering the fact that we are opening for a band that just played at Coachella. This also means more publicity for the band, since more people will get to see us play at Spring Weekend. It will expand our fan base to more people than those who have already seen us play. TFR: How can people listen to your music before Spring Weekend and learn about upcoming gigs? DJ: Throw us a like on Facebook at facebook.com/DrowsyJoy and look up our YouTube channel under Drowsy Joy. We post videos, events and updates about band news in meme form.
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Playlistism | Meredith Nardino
The Art of Singing Outside the Box With live radio shows like the “Live Lounge” and “Like a Version,” created by UK’s BBC Radio One and Australia’s Triple J respectively, there has been a new fascination surrounding artists’ abilities to interpret a cover on short notice. These brief performances differ from instances where a band covers a song in one of its own live concerts because it has far less time to clean up its sound, making it a true testament of the band’s natural artistry. All these performances can be found on YouTube, and I highly recommend that you watch them. 1. “Sorry” — The 1975 (Justin Bieber) The 1975 have always been open about its love for every plausible genre despite its reputation as an alternative group. Choosing a Top 40 song to perform in the “Live Lounge” was risky, but it demonstrates the band’s ability to adapt any song to its
unique style. The most impressive addition to the cover was the use of John Waugh on saxophone, which added a jazz element to the performance. The 1975 have developed a sort of trademark sound around the instrument. The band uses it intelligently in this cover to give some life to a lyrically unimpressive song. 2. “Hold on We’re Going Home” — Arctic Monkeys (Drake) The Arctic Monkeys have proven their versatility time and again, as their discography divides itself into individual eras for each album. The most recent AM era showed a more seductive side of the band, a fact they took into consideration when choosing this song to cover. Alex Turner transformed himself from rock star to lounge singer, crooning each lyric with heartfelt emotion. While Turner’s lead vocals are (not surprisingly) flawless, drummer Matt Helders’ backing vocals stand out. This
Dining Out | Allison Russo
The Chain Nobody Is Talking About...But Should Be
COURTESY OF ALLISON RUSSO
Bareburger offers delicious, healthy and creative alternatives to traditional burgers.
Can you find insanely delicious burgers with no genetically modified organisms or pesticides sold at a reasonable price? Yes, organic burger bliss is possible. Bareburger is a quickly growing chain that started right here in New York, serving custom, made-to-order burgers for carnivores, vegetarians and everyone in between. Burgers aren’t the only thing these guys know how to do. Its “shares” menu is perfect for sharing with the rest of your table, and has tons of savory and salty choices. Its Macho Fries are essentially the french fry version of nachos, loaded with guacamole, pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo and house-made ranch dressing. Quite simply, this junk food mash up is not messing around. For a healthier option, split an order of Crispy Brussels Sprouts, which are served with fresh lemon juice and a dusting of nutty manchego cheese. Salads are available and totally customizable, but the ultimate veggiebased, non-burger option here is the Falafelwraptor. Homemade falafel is topped with tangy feta cheese, crunchy cucumbers and lemony tahini dressing for a tasty Mediterraneaninspired twist on a classic street food. If you’re not a fan of burgers, it has a variety of chicken sandwiches and three different kinds of veggie burgers. Bareburger offers a selection of signature burgers if you don’t want to build your own, like the Wiki
Wiki (wild boar, gouda, duck bacon and grilled pineapple) and the SoCal (turkey, cheddar, alfalfa and guacamole). It also have a ton of homemade sauces you can add to any item, but the creamy buttermilk ranch and spicy habanero mayo are definitely the winners. Bareburger sources ingredients from high-quality, local artisans like Maine Root soda and Sir Kensington’s ketchup. It cheese comes from pasture-raised cows and sheep, its meat (including exotic varieties like elk, duck and wild boar) is hormone-free and either all-natural or organic. If you decide to create your own burger, which I recommend, the options are endless. There are nearly a dozen kinds of patties you can choose from, ranging from sesame ginger beef to sweet potato and wild rice. I recommend a brioche bun, but collard green wraps are also available if you’re watching your carb intake. Bareburger offers standard toppings like tomatoes, lettuce and pickles, but takes it up a notch with options like stout onions and pickled green tomatoes. In addition, they have three different kinds of bacon. A burger will set you back around $12, so it’s definitely pricier than a Big Mac, and unfortunately, Bareburger doesn’t have a dollar menu. However, this is truly a burger you can feel good about eating. In addition to supporting an ethical, up-and-coming business, you’re getting high-quality food that was made just for you.
Drake single is performed with such conviction that it almost feels like one of the notorious Monkeys’ own tunes. 3. “Lay You Down” — Hozier (Sam Smith) Hozier is one of those incredible artists whose live vocal sounds almost identical to, or maybe even better than, his recorded album vocals. This is one of my favorite performances because of the way Hozier uses the natural grit of his voice to his advantage. This somber Sam Smith ballad has been transformed into an upbeat anthem that demonstrates an affinity for classic soul music. Hozier never fails to impress in the “Live Lounge.” His simple performance style and unexpected song choices prove the exceptional power of his artistry. 4. “Lonely Boy” — Matt Corby (The Black Keys) For this cover, Matt Corby trans-
forms a song that became popular for its intensity into the exact opposite. Corby’s voice is unique in its power and vulnerability; his versatility in both high and low ranges is extraordinary. Something about this “Like a Version” performance is so captivating and almost haunting that it makes me want to hit replay for hours. By performing acoustically, Corby offers a beautifully emotional rendition of the Black Keys’ original, which exudes a brash arrogance. 5. “Read My Mind” — Catfish and the Bottlemen (The Killers) Though Catfish and the Bottlemen remain under the mainstream radar, they gained a massive cult fanbase after their successful debut, “The Balcony.” This appearance on Like a Version solidified the band as more than just an electrified arena-rock group. As lead singer Van McCann
says in the clip, performing the song acoustically puts more emphasis on the brilliance of The Killers’ songwriting. Van makes a mistake halfway through but carries on like a true professional. Though Catfish and the Bottlemen may not be widely known, they have a certain confidence that allows them to perform as if they are the greatest band in history. 6. “Re: Stacks” — Oscar Isaac (Bon Iver) This is the only track on this list not performed on a radio show. Instead, this is a simple video posted online by Oscar Isaac, who apparently just happens to be one of those people who is amazing at everything. While Oscar doesn’t do a lot to transform the sound of this Bon Iver classic, he showcases his beautiful vocal range in ways that might surprise those who only know him for his acting work.
Private Caller Named Battle of the Bands Runner-Up By BAILEY HOSFELT CULTURE EDITOR
Private Caller is a rock band comprised of five Fordham students — Roger King Jr., lead vocalist, FCRH ’18; Jeremiah Hyslip, lead guitarist, FCRH ’18; Aaron Laub, drummer, FCRH ’18; Johnny Spadaro, bassist, FCRH ’19 and Tyler Jurewicz, rhythm guitarist, FCRH ’18. The band got its start on campus last year. Most recently, they competed in Battle of the Bands, an audience vote-based competition held outside of Rodrigue’s Coffee House. Private Caller came in second place. They will open for PWR BTTN, the main act at Rodrigue’s Spring Show on April 28 at 8 p.m. The Fordham Ram: Every band has a story of how it came to be, what is Private Caller’s? Roger King Jr.: Private Caller was the brainchild of Jeremiah and I in room 116 of Martyr’s Court Jogues. We were always jamming in our dorm. People would walk by and hear music playing at any time of the day. After a while, we wanted something with a bit more substance than just acoustic sets, so we decided to take on Aaron as our drummer. Then we realized that we needed more sound and added Johnny as the band’s bassist through a chance encounter at Subconnection. Jeremiah commented on Johnny’s Rage Against the Machine shirt and the rest is history. I used to play guitar for the band, but wanted to concentrate solely on vocals. That’s when we added Tyler to the group. TFR: How would you describe your sound to those who have never heard Private Caller play? Private Caller: One word: rock. We are experimenting with our sound right now with an album that includes many different genres of rock. We tend to lean toward rock with a grunge under-
tone or just classic rock. We also have songs that are based on the blues and funk, some that are more coffee house and acoustic. TFR: What does the creative process look like? PC: When it comes to song writing, it’s all Roger and Jeremiah. Roger’s form of songwriting tends to be more melodic, simple and voice-oriented, while Jeremiah’s sound goes towards progressive, technical and instrument-oriented roots. When we get together and write, we gain a fusion of the two. This can be seen in songs like “People Change,” “The Call” and “Anastasia.” With hectic college schedules, it can be hard to find the time to practice. Whenever we can get together, we stay in a Keating practice room for hours on end until we have somewhere to be or are too tired to keep playing. TFR: What is your favorite song to perform? PC: Our favorite cover to play is “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand because the song has a lot of energy and it really shows our strength as a band. Our favorite original to play is “Which Way Wicked Women Work.” TFR: You described the band’s sound as being primarily rock with some blues, funk and acoustic elements on a few tracks. What musical groups have influenced Private Caller? PC: Seeing that we listen to all different types of music from classical to metal, we have a lot of outside influence in our music. Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Nirvana, Dream Theater, Joe Satriani, Queen and Van Halen are some of our shared influences. RK: I get my vocal influence from Paul McCartney and Robert Plant. My uncle, Tim Borer, is also one of my musical inspirations.
Jeremiah Hyslip: I get my playing influence from John Petrucci and David Gilmour. Aaron Laub: I look to Sublime for my drumming. Johnny Spadaro: I find the greatest inspiration from hardcore punk bands, especially radical leftist bands. Rage Against the Machine is definitely my favorite. Political music has always been appealing to me and plays a core role in my musical essence. Tyler Jurewicz: Led Zeppelin is a huge influence for me. TFR: Do you have any preshow rituals? RK: I have to drink a cup of tea before a gig. JH: I like to make a video log to document our process before we perform. JS: I get quite nervous preshow and wind up tuning my bass 10-12 times, which is wildly un-necessary. AL: I quickly go over the song order one more time before we go on stage. TS: And I’m the only normal one. TFR: How was the Battle of the Bands experience? PC: Overall, we enjoyed our Battle of the Bands experience. Everyone was very supportive of the bands playing and the setup went smoothly. We played with a lot of energy. It was disappointing to find out that we didn’t win, especially because we came in second by only a four vote margin. But, we were just happy to get to jam out and do something we all love. TFR: How can people listen to your music and learn about upcoming gigs? PC: We have one song uploaded to our SoundCloud under the name Private Caller, and our Facebook page (Private Caller) is constantly updated with upcoming gigs and original songs. We are always looking to play new gigs and love when people reach out to us.
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April 27, 2016
Editor’s Pick | Denim
Denim on Denim, The Ultimate Jean Pool By AMANDA GIGLIO EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Jeans, especially blue jeans, have been popular in the fashion world for decades. Since the teenage greaser culture of the 1950s, the ’60s hippies are into the ’70s and ’80s youth subculture of punk and metal, jeans have been a staple in everyone’s daily wardrobe. Brands such as Lee’s, Wrangler and the historic Levi Strauss’s have been producing jeans since the 1800s yet keep them fresh with the changing trends and fads. Jeans can pull together the classic white t-shirt look, as well as any outfit ranging from classy to casual dress. Thirty-nine percent of the global consumption of jeans comes from North America alone, and even though yoga pants and other activewear have been taking over the market, jeans are a fundamental fashion basic for everyday use. Most of us have experienced the perks and horrors of the bootleg cut in our childhood, somewhat gracefully transitioned to straight leg or skinny jeans and occasionally try out boyfriend jeans or the mom jean style, and the one thing that has remained consistent is the material. Denim. Denim, while not the only fabric used for jeans, should be the only acceptable material for jeans and, in reality, for any other type of clothing. Denim epitomizes American clothing, as its popularity can be traced to a man in Ne-
COURTESY OF FLICKR
Denim is a significant fabric in American history, and it also has a place in the fashion world as the epitome of cool.
vada creating the first pair of rivetreinforced denim pants in 1873. The rest is history. Now denim is used for all different types of clothing, from jeans and skirts, to overalls and jackets. Denim is common to wear for casual Fridays at work or to fundraise for issues, such as the Lee National Denim Day, created by Lee Jeans to support women’s cancer programs, and Denim Day, where people wear jeans to raise awareness of rape and sexual assault. Artists have even taken up
the material for a medium, including Sweden-based artist Denimu — who makes artwork only using denim by reusing jeans to create portraits and urban landscapes. What makes denim even better is its connotation in the fashion world. Jeans were originally designed to be men’s work pants, but western women who worked alongside men on the ranches eventually began to wear the men’s jeans. In the 1930s Vogue had advertisements depicting a
“western chic” style with women in tight-fitting jeans, and it was in the 1960s that manufacturers began to accommodate for a women’s physique. According to fashion history, jeans became a way for women to level off the effect between the sexes, wearing them as a sign of rebellion to sexism and later just adapting them for casual wear. Jeans have also been seen as a symbol of youth rebellion and counterculture. The 1950s saw movie
star James Dean representing rebellious youth in blue jeans and leather biker jackets. In the 1960s, sewing patches and painting messages on the material was a way to protest against the establishment and be in solidarity with the working class, sewing patches and painting messages on the material. If that isn’t enough, there is a style of jean for everyone. Bell-bottoms in the ’70s, baggy jeans of the ’90s hip hop and skater subculture, distressed jeans (which are sold for way too much money), tight-fitting jeans to show off that nice body and of course the range from low-rise to highrise jeans. So why, one might ask, did I just spend the last 500 words describing the history and array of jeans available? I really just love denim products. Ever since denim jackets came back into style, I never leave my apartment without an article of denim clothing on me. Someone once distinguished me from a crowd due to the apparently excessive (even though I deem it perfectly adequate) amount of denim on my person. Denim on denim is not a crime — it’s a fashion statement. For every season, every weather condition and every color, denim is by far the ultimate clothing material. Next time you see someone on campus wearing blue jeans and a denim jacket, compliment them on a job well done. It will probably be me.
Theater Talk | Claire Del Sordo
“The Crucible” Casted in Universal Light Many people’s recollections of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” have been reduced to sour memories of assigned readings from high school English class. However, like any play, the text is better understood when performed rather than spoken wearily at a classroom desk. The current revival of “The Crucible” playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre features big names, a simple setting and an unknown time and place that shows the dangerous effects of hysteria. “The Crucible” is a fictionalized account of the Salem Witch Trials that takes place in 17th century Massachusetts. A group of teenage girls led by the manipulative Abigail Williams (Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan) accuse many of the men and women in their town of witchcraft and see them subsequently hanged. The main targets of Abigail’s rage are farmer John Proctor (Ben Wishaw) and his wife Elizabeth (Sophie Okonedo), a couple for whom she used to work. Abigail lusted after Proctor, which led to Elizabeth dismissing her shortly thereafter, sensing that he may have committed adultery. Abigail’s schemes lead to her former masters both being accused of witchcraft. As the trial wages on, the powerful Deputy Governor Danforth (Game of
Thrones’ Ciaran Hinds), Reverend John Hale (Bill Camp), and Reverend Samuel Parris ( Jason Butler Harner) are thrust into legal and theological chaos, creating moral anarchy. When Miller wrote “The Crucible” in the 1950s, it was clearly an allegory for the federal government’s “witch hunt” for communists. It was declared un-American by several political interest groups, but in an ironic twist of fate, won several Tony awards in its season. However, in this production directed by Ivo van Hove, its message is not so easily interpreted. It is set in an unknown time and place, possibly to highlight the fundamental idea of intolerance and religious fanaticism: a clever idea, but poorly executed. The arbitrary setting inside a school building leaves the audience generally confused. The absence of strict roles and identities in the play (i.e. Proctor as a farmer, Abigail and Mary Warren as servant girls) creates a perplexing dynamic between characters. Despite the lack of structure given by the setting, the performances were incredibly powerful. I especially enjoyed the performances by the younger actresses: Saoirse Ronan as the cunning Abigail and Tavi Gevinson as the naïve Mary Warren. Ronan’s lustful scene with Proctor in the first
AP/JOEL RYAN
Saoirse Ronan stars in the new twist on a classic, the Broadway production of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible.”
act and Gevinson’s emotional outbursts during the trial scenes sent chills down my spine. Bill Camp and Jason Butler Harner gave commendable performances as two tormented religious figures. Overall, the actors managed exceedingly well to
bring their characters to life in such an obscure production. I wish I could say that this production of “The Crucible” breathes life into its slightly outdated text, however, its attempt to present the ultimate idea of extremism makes this production simply too preten-
tious. It appeared to me as though this production was directed by a Brooklyn yuppie. The actors are the highlight of this bizarre production. It might be best, next time, to stick to a more realistic interpretation of the text.
CULTURE
April 27, 2016
Page 17
Who’s That Kid? | It’s Nick Monaco, GSB ’17
Fordham Junior Finds His Own Rhythm as a DJ By PAT COSTELLO ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Believe it or not, Spring Weekend is upon us. The Campus Activities Board (CAB) has lined up a plethora of guest speakers and musical acts, but one of the most interesting aspects of the weekend is the student DJ, who is chosen by the students to perform before the headliner. Last year Nick Monaco, GSB ’17, got the opportunity to show Rose Hill his skills. “I honestly did not expect to win. I was convinced by a few friends to throw my name in the hat and give it a shot, but I never went as far as to market myself on social media and stuff,” he said. “When I found out I won I was pretty pleasantly surprised.” Last year was not the first time he had thrown his hat in the ring. As a high school freshman, he decided to give DJing a try. “My cousin was actually a pretty popular DJ in Miami at the time. He was able to move me into places and sets at a pretty easy rate and I was doing all kind of events,” he said. “I loved that I could make people dance, have a good time and feel good. It honestly was more of an experience than a job.” Normally, when someone begins as an entertainer, he or she hits a few bumps in the road, but Nick was able to start small and build his confidence before moving to larger crowds. “The first time I DJ’d for a pretty large crowd was at a small club
COURTESY OF NICK MONACO
Nick Monaco shared his experience about getting to be the student DJ at last year’s Spring Weekend.
house event for teenagers, so I wasn’t too nervous. It went great and really helped me practice my stage presence before bigger events”
It was that stage presence that endeared him to the Rose Hill community last year. Monaco delivered an incredible set before the headliner
Solidisco. “I was supposed to pump the crowd up just enough so the main act takes it away, but they treated me as if I was the only act of the night.
You always want to make sure that the crowd loves what you serve them.” The crowd ate every bite of what he was serving, and began chanting his name on multiple occasions. “Their reaction was amazing and I’m so glad they had a good time.” The biggest thrill of the night came after he had left the stage. Solidisco had just begun their set when they began having technical difficulties. The sound cut out a few times, leaving the students confused and annoyed. That’s when, to his surprise, they began to chant Monaco’s name again. “Oh man. That was awesome and humbling at the same time,” he said. “It was a truly great feeling to know that everyone out there enjoyed how hard I worked, and to hear them chanting for me instead of the professional on stage was an incredible feeling and something I’ll never forget.” This year, the new DJ chosen is a sophomore who goes by the pseudonym DJ MazzyDazz. Nick had some advice after his experience last year: “Honestly, do your thing and don’t let yourself get nervous. Play what the people want to hear and play it better than they expect,” he said. “Enjoy the night and the crowd will enjoy it with you.” Next year Monaco will be a senior, but does he want to throw his hat into the ring once more? “Absolutely,” he said. “And it’ll be even better than before.”
The Best New Books to Read in Summer 2016 By NICOLE FIORICA STAFF WRITER
With the semester drawing to a close and the promise of free time looming closer, some may relish the opportunity to crack open a book for fun rather than for homework. You may already have several books on your to-read list — the sequel to that series you started years ago, or the memoir your aunt gave you for Christmas that is promising to shift your perspective on life — but this summer’s new releases just might be exactly what you are craving. Whether you are looking for a book to bring to the beach, tide you over on a long flight or enjoy during your internship commute, these eight highly anticipated new fiction titles are all but guaranteed to keep you glued to the page. “Rebel of the Sands” by Alwyn Hamilton (March 8) Amani, a young sharpshooter, is willing to do anything to escape the dead-end town of Dustwalk, even if it means escaping into monster-ridden wastelands with a striking fugitive and the Sultan’s army in pursuit. Whether you come for the fantasy world, the inevitable romance or the thrilling adventure, this young adult title is sure to satisfy. “Hex” by Thomas Olde Heuvelt (April 26) A downright terrifying story about a small, quarantined town haunted by a 17th century witch set in her twisted, medieval ways and teenagers desperate to escape. This paranormal thriller, a highly
anticipated translation of an originally Dutch-written bestseller, hit the shelves for the first time earlier this week. “Zero K” by Don DeLillo (May 3) Critically acclaimed American writer Don DeLillo brings us a story about Jeff Lockhart, a man whose billionaire father has invested in a secret compound where bodies can be preserved until future advances can bring them back to life. Questions about humanity and the choices that define us are brought to light as Jeff and his father battle over the possibilities of both present and future. “Modern Lovers” by Emma Straub (May 31) The bestselling author of “The Vacationers” releases a story about former college bandmates Elizabeth, Andrew and Zoe, who have all remained friends as they set up their adult lives in the same Brooklyn neighborhood. But now, as their children become adults themselves, these old friends are forced to confront the secrets that they have left buried for years. “With Malice” by Eileen Cook ( June 7) A teenage girl wakes up in a hospital recovering from an accident that killed her best friend. The problem is that she can’t remember the accident — or anything about the last six weeks. When her affluent father assembles a lawyer and press team, she starts to wonder whether the incident was an accident at all. This young adult thriller is perfect for fans of the much-loved “We Were Liars,” or
COURTESY OF FLICKR
With this summer’s lineup of anticipated releases, every book lover will be able to find a new favorite.
for anyone wanting to add mystery to their summer reading list. “The Muse” by Jessie Burton ( July 26) This historical fiction weaves together the stories of Odelle and Olive. Odelle is a Caribbean immigrant in 1960s London who discovers a painting by mysterious artist Isaac Robles and is quickly drawn into a world of secrets while Olive is a bohemian Spanish woman in the 1930s whose friendship with her half-brother, aspiring painter Isaac Robles, will leave impressions for decades to come. Separated by history but brought
together by art, “The Muse” turns into a captivating mystery about desire and ambition. “Truly Madly Guilty” by Liane Moriarty ( July 26) From the bestselling author of “The Husband’s Secret” and “Big Little Lies” comes a new contemporary novel about six adults and the neighborhood barbecue that changed everything. This book is about relationships, from friendship to marriage to parenthood. As the title might suggest, the novel is also an examination of how guilt can impact every aspect of our lives.
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany ( July 31) Likely to be the blockbuster hit of the summer, this eighth “Harry Potter” installment follows an adult Harry and his young son Albus as they struggle with work, school and their family legacy nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts. Originally created as a play to open in London this summer, this script book is guaranteed to excite Potter fans by introducing a new chapter to their favorite characters’ lives.
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April 27, 2016
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SPORTS
April 27, 2016
Golf Preps for A-10s By SAM BELDEN SPORTS EDITOR
This weekend, Fordham Golf traveled to Baltic, Connecticut to play in the Til Duty is Done Collegiate Invitational, finishing seventh out of 13 teams. It was the Rams’ final event of the regular season — they head to the Atlantic 10 Championship later this week — and while there were some positive signs, they failed to get over the hump and contend. “We have, unfortunately, been spinning our tires,” said sophomore Joseph Trim. “Most of the guys have had problems putting together two good nines, either struggling at first and finishing strong or getting off to a great start and falling apart towards the end.” Despite the team’s struggles, the players were glad to participate in one of collegiate golf ’s more unique tournaments. Til Duty is Done is a non-profit with the aim of helping veterans reintegrate back into civilian life. Since its founding in 2014, the organization has provided education, employment, healthcare and numerous other services to Connecticut veterans. At the event, a number of veterans volunteered, while a contingent from the Veteran Golfers Association fielded a team that held its own against the collegiate players. “It was a great honor to play in a tournament that supports a cause like Til Duty Is Done,” said Trim. “It was important for us to help and give back to the people who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country.” Fordham shot a 300 in the opening round, its best score of the tournament, before fading to scores of 304 and 302 to wrap up the week. Trim and fellow sophomore James Mongey led the way for the Rams, both tying for 27th. Mongey bookended the weekend with scores of 72 and 73, but was done in by a second round 80,
while Trim was more consistent throughout the tournament. Freshman Tommy Hayes tied for 30th, one stroke behind Trim and Mongey. Sophomore Matt Schiller, Fordham’s top performer this season, had a disappointing week and failed to break 75, ending up in a tie for 40th. Junior Oscar Cabanas tied for 51st, rounding out the scoring for the Rams. Tournament host UConn won the event, shooting rounds of 287, 277 and 282 to finish 11 strokes ahead of second-place Rhode Island. Eric Dietrich was the medalist; the junior shot a 66 in the second round and a 64 in the third to log a win on his home course. Evan Russell of Hartford and Billy Walthouse of Rhode Island placed second and third, respectively. Next on the schedule for the Rams is the A-10 Championship, which kicks off this Friday at the Villas of Grand Cyprus in Orlando, Florida. The team has been stuck in neutral since its win in Pennsylvania earlier this month, but the players hope to hang in there against a brutally tough field. “We rarely compete against most of the teams in the A-10, so we will be seeing schools for the first time,” said Trim. “There are some very solid teams in the conference, so we will be going up against some tougher opponents. I think if we can finish around the middle in the 11-team event, it will be a successful tournament for us.” It is important to note that Fordham Golf is a non-scholarship program, while most other A-10 schools offer scholarships to their golfers. This can create a mismatch in skill, but this season’s squad is one of Fordham’s strongest in years. A decent finish would make a big statement. The first group at the A-10 Championship will tee off this Friday at 7:30 a.m.
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Track Has Strong Showing By ALEXANDRIA SEDLAK STAFF WRITER
The men’s and women’s track and field teams competed this past Saturday in the Wolfie Invitational hosted by Stony Brook University. The team had a strong showing, with a few first place wins, multiple second place finishers and many scorers overall. In total, the men’s team accumulated 68 points, which put it in third, and the women’s team accumulated 63 points, putting it in fourth. The men’s team scored points in a good number of races. Freshman Jared Benn came in third in the 400m run with a time of 50.57 seconds, while also coming in 10th in the 200m dash with a finishing time of 22.95 seconds. Sophomore Thomas Slattery placed third in the 1500m with a time of 4:00.98, while senior Quincy O’Connor trailed a second behind him, coming in fifth with a time of 4:01.99. Then sophomore Brian Cook placed fifth in the 800m with a finishing time of 1:55.44, while fellow classmate Michael Campbell followed right behind him, taking sixth in a time of 1:56.02. The women’s team also had an array of athletes scoring points. Sophomore Merissa Wright ended her 800m race in a time of 2:14.94, a season personal best time that put her in third. Senior Danielle Rowe also competed in the 800m, placing fifth with a time of 2:16.69. Sophomore Christina Perrier placed fourth in the 400m run with a time of 1:00.15. Sophomore Stephanie Leo came in fourth in the 3000m steeplechase, finishing in 11:54.95. Freshman Morgan Menzzasalma scored in two events, taking fourth in the 400m hurdles with a time of 1:05.04, and fifth in the 100m hurdles with a time of 16.23 seconds, a season personal best time. Freshman Maiya Larsen finished fourth in the 5000m with a time of 18:36.51, while junior Josephine Jacob-Dolan placed fifth in the same race with a time of 18:37.30. Finally, fellow classmate Neve Devine claimed sixth place in high jump with a jumping height of 4-09.00. Aside from these scorers, Fordham had many second place finishers. There were five in total, with three on the men’s side and
COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
The 4x400m A relay team won with a new season best time of 3:24.67.
two on the women’s side. Sophomore Louis Santelli earned second in the 400m run with a time of 49.35, just 0.10 seconds away from first place. Sophomore Fritz Heinrich placed second in the 1500m with a time of 4:00.24, a season best time that was only 0.12 seconds behind first place. Graduate student Jonathan Annelli earned second in the 800m with a season best time of 1:54.52; this earned Fordham 10 points, making Annelli the top collegiate runner for the meet. For the women, graduate student Brianna Tevnan took second in the 3000m with a time of 10:15.61, a personal best time that was less than three seconds behind first place. Freshman Laurel Fisher placed second in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 11:44.27. Perhaps most notable were the
three wins that the Rams secured. Junior Nicholas Regan won the javelin throw with a new personal best throw of 185-06. The men’s 4x400m A relay team won in a new season best time of 3:24.67, 0.38 seconds in front of second place. The women’s 4x400m A relay team also came in first place with a season best time of 3:54.85, which was 3.40 seconds ahead of the second place finishers. Overall, Fordham had a successful showing at the Wolfie Invitational. Many Rams scored, and several ended by taking first or second place finishes in their races. This week, the Rams will prepare for the Penn Relays next weekend at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Events take place from April 28-30.
Follow us on Twitter at
@theram_sports COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
Matt Schiller has been Fordham’s top player, but tied for 40th this weekend.
SPORTS
Page 20
Pat Costello A Tribute to Tim Duncan On April 27, 1998, a lanky rookie from Wake Forest made it known to the basketball world that he was here to stay by winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award. As the first overall pick that season, Tim Duncan was surrounded by high expectations. He joined David “The Admiral” Robinson, who was coming off of an injuryriddled 1996-1997 season. Together they combined for an imposing duo nicknamed “The Twin Towers.” Duncan shined as a rookie, winning every Rookie of the Month award that season and making the All-Star team. He averaged 21.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. His most impressive performance of the year came against one of the greatest rebounders of all time, Dennis Rodman. In just his second career road game, Duncan grabbed 22 boards against “The Worm,” proving that he could play with the best of the best. The Spurs made the playoffs that season but lost to the Utah Jazz in the conference finals. Duncan was named to the All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive Second Team at the end of the season. Fans knew that they had something special with their new star. Everyone was excited for the 1999 season, and rightfully so. The Spurs entered the lockoutshortened 1998-1999 season as heavy favorites to make a deep playoff run. Anchored by Duncan and Robinson, they were able to do just that. They reached the NBA Finals, where they defeated the New York Knicks in five games. Duncan’s short career was already on the path to great success, and he would not slow down. He led the Spurs to four more championships in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. This season has been no exception, as the Spurs have been the second best team all season behind the historic Golden State Warriors. Duncan doesn’t play as many minutes as he did in his younger days. This season he averaged just 25.2 points per game, which is a significant drop from the 39.1 he played as a rookie, but he’s not a rookie anymore. He has a problem with his legs that causes him to look like he’s dragging it on his side while he runs up the court. This season, the Spurs acquired a young, big man named LaMarcus Aldridge whom Duncan is grooming to be a champion, similar to the treatment he received from Robinson. Duncan is getting ready to hand over the keys and walk into the sunset, but he is a fighter and will not go down easily. The Spurs are in the midst of the playoffs right now and are picked by many to be the Western Conference representative. Make no mistake about it, Duncan is the heart and soul of the team and is viewed as the elder statesman. He is leading his men into battle, even if that means he’s sitting for half the game. This very well could be Duncan’s last season in the NBA. A few weeks ago we got to watch Kobe Bryant score 60 points, ending his retirement tour and career. That’s not Duncan’s style. He’s expecting to walk off a champion in his final game. Maybe he’ll go home and look at that Rookie of the Year trophy and think about that kid, the lanky rookie from Wake Forest.
April 27, 2016
Senior Profile | Rachel Gillen By SAM BELDEN SPORTS EDITOR
If you have even a passing interest in Fordham Softball, you probably know about left-handed pitcher Rachel Gillen. A redshirt senior hailing from Wilmington, Delaware, she authored one of the greatest seasons in Fordham history last year, earning Most Outstanding Player at the Atlantic 10 Championship in addition to a number of other honors. While currently injured, Gillen has still played well when taking the field in 2016, posting a 12-9 record with a 4.13 ERA . Affectionately called “Grandma” by her teammates, she sat down with the The Fordham Ram this week to talk about her Fordham career. The Fordham Ram: How long have you been playing softball? What sparked your initial love of the game? Rachel Gillen: I’ve been playing since I was five. My parents signed me up for the typical teeball team with my friends from school. I was definitely the kid playing with daisies in the outfield, though. I just loved it from the beginning. I started pitching when I was seven, so it was pretty quick. I was on a U-10 team, so I was the worst, I was the youngest, I never played. One day — my dad always tells me this story — I turned to him and said, “Dad, I want to be a pitcher. I don’t want to sit on the bench anymore.” That’s how it all sparked, I think. TFR: Before coming to Fordham, you spent your freshman year at Virginia. How important was that experience to finding so much success at Rose Hill? RG: Playing in the ACC my freshman year was huge. It’s a very comparable conference to the A-10, very much competitive and growing. I played hurt my freshman year, so I definitely wasn’t very good, but the experience was great, playing against high-quality competition all the time. TFR: Tell me a little about your transfer process. How was your transition to Fordham? RG: I actually knew [head coach] Bridget Orchard. She was the first person to recruit me in high school, when I was a freshman, so I always kind of knew Fordham. It was in the back of my head, because I wanted to go south for school. Bridget knew that. We kept a good relationship, though. She’s obviously great, we saw her on the recruiting trail and everything. Once I knew I was leaving Virginia, I had a couple of my coaches from high school put feelers out for me. Bridget contacted me right when I got released and I was up here two days later. TFR: Thanks to injury, you haven’t pitched in nearly a month. How’s the recovery going?
RG: It’s good, it’s going along. I’m slowly getting back into things and figuring it out. Hopefully, I’m back out there soon. TFR: You’ve dealt with a number of injuries in your career. What’s your mindset when you’re watching the team from the dugout while focusing on getting better? RG: I’ve definitely done it before. It’s hard, obviously, being on the bench and not being able to contribute, but the team is playing so well right now. I think Lauren [Quense] and Lindsay [Mayer] have been giving every ounce that they can on the circle. They’ve been pitching so well, and offensively, we’re just exploding. I know my role right now, which is to be there for the pitching staff, to be there for the hitters and just relay as much information as I can from the dugout and keep the spirits up. TFR: The team has a 15-2 A-10 record right now. Were you expecting to have that much success at the start of the season? RG: In A-10s, absolutely. Obviously, we really struggled at the beginning of the year. We play an out-of-conference schedule that’s absolutely one of the toughest in the country, so we really took a hit early. I think all of us did, the players, the coaching staff, everyone in the program took a hit early. We took some beatings early, for sure, but all of us knew it was going to make us better. We always hit our stride once we hit A-10s, anyway. TFR: Looking forward, how far do you think this year’s team can go? RG: I definitely think we’re in a good position to win the A-10 again. Once you get to regionals, it’s really a combination of things. There’s a little bit of luck in it — how far you’ll go is really dependent on your draw. I also think it has to do with how good your team is at the time, and we’re on a roll right now. I think that’s really going to help us. TFR: You’re one of the most experienced players on the team. What’s your leadership style? RG: I’m not super vocal. I never have been. I’m very much someone who leads by example on the field, someone who’s just trying to get better and show that path for the younger kids. I do keep an eye on them, on and off the field. With this freshman class this year, because it’s so big and so many of them are having such an impact, I’ve had to keep more of an eye on them, but it’s definitely by example. I’m not as vocal as some leaders are. TFR: You had an outstanding two-way season last year, going 24-9 with 250 strikeouts while also batting .374 with six home runs. When you reflect back on that season, what goes through your mind? RG: Honestly, the first thing
Drew Casey Nothing to Write Home About
COURTESY OF RACHEL GILLEN
Softball senior Rachel Gillen
that comes to mind is winning the A-10. I was involved with winning it the year before at our field, but I wasn’t playing as much or having as much success. Last year, winning that A-10 and being with the team in the middle of UMass’ field was kind of the epitome of that year. TFR: Would you call that conference championship your favorite memory as a Fordham Ram? RG: It definitely is. Obviously, winning it [at Rose Hill] the year before was awesome, to be in front of our friends and our family, but last year at UMass, to win that third in a row over a team, Dayton, who had won the regular season and were very cocky about it. Knowing that we had our own business to handle and knowing we were going to win the whole time, I think that really sticks out as the biggest moment. TFR: What are you going to miss most about being on the team? RG: I think it’s just the lifestyle of a student-athlete. Being on a team, everyone says it, but it’s like a built-in family. You always have 17 girls on the team, with all our trainers, coaches, that’s just kind of a built-in family for you, and you always have someone to turn to. That’s what I’ll miss most. Not 6 a.m. lifts. TFR: Besides softball, what’s your favorite part of Fordham? RG: The location. Definitely being so close to the city. That was a big part of me transferring here, was getting towards the city. I knew it was somewhere I wanted to stay after school, so it’s definitely jumping on the Metro and being in Manhattan. TFR: What does life after softball look like for you? RG: I start working pretty quickly. I have a June 1 start date with McCann Erickson, so I’ll be working for them on one of their advertising accounts. That’s life for Rachel Gillen soon.
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The New York Yankees are used to winning championships — 27 to be exact. But if the team’s recent nine game homestand is any indication of what’s to come, 28 is probably not a realistic goal. With three games each against Seattle, Oakland and Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers largely came up short, posting just a 3-6 record to push their overall record to 7-10 before embarking on a nine-game roadtrip. Many storylines emerged throughout the home struggles, but none were more constant than the team’s failure with runners in scoring position. The Yankees were nine for 79, good for just a .114 average, in the situation over the nine games. The shortcoming was most noticeable in the opening series against the Mariners, where the team was one for 35. Manager Joe Girardi and players alike shared their frustrations on the topic throughout the homestand, and many hoped that it would change in due time. In one postgame press conference, Girardi’s frustrations boiled over to even include sarcastic commentary regarding visiting a psychic to aid the team’s woes in the situation. The only positive by the end of the homestand was that the team slashed seven of their nine hits in the situation in their final four games, good for a markedly better .212 line over the same span. What else went wrong? While the Yankees had the fifth fewest defensive errors in the league following the homestand, the team has not played fundamental baseball this season. They’ve struggled to generate productive outs, and their mental awareness has been alarming at times. Didi Gregorius was the perfect example. First, the shortstop failed to get a bunt down in the ninth inning of last Tuesday’s game with two runners on base in a tie game. The Yankees would go on to lose 3-2 in 11 innings. The following night, Gregorius was worse, running into an inningending double play with two runners on in the seventh inning and the Yankees down two runs. Gregorius’ baserunning blunder took a run off the board, and the Yankees went on to lose 5-2. Yogi Berra famously referred to the game as 90-percent mental, and Alex Rodriguez expressed equal concern last week. “There’s no question about it — we do have to tighten up and play good, fundamental baseball,” the Yankees designated hitter said. “Those things concern you more in the long run, because in order for us to be a good team, we want to do all the little things.” The 40-year-old is right. Add only 24 runs scored in nine games and injuries to Aaron Hicks, Branden Pinder and Alex Rodriguez, and it doesn’t look good for the Bronx faithful. The team will have to continue to ride its bullpen and its starters as it hits the road. With the exception of Michael Pineda’s Sunday blowup, starters compiled an ERA just north of four on the homestand.
SPORTS
April 27, 2016
Page 21
Football Feels Need for SPEED By DREW CASEY
By SAM BELDEN
MANAGING EDITOR
SPORTS EDITOR
Nothing looked that different. Maroon and white jerseys sprinkled with a few green and red tops. Mid-afternoon position drills. Videographers high above Murphy Field on a near perfect spring day. Prospective recruits on the sideline nearest Bahoshy Field. A small scoreboard, indicating period number and time remaining. Early Friday evening stretching. And a discussion led by the man in charge of the program. It was a normal Fordham football practice, the 11th of 15 spring sessions culminating with this weekend’s annual spring game. First year head coach Andrew Breiner, who was promoted in December after Joe Moorhead became Penn State’s offensive coordinator, explained the spring in light of this year’s program acronym. “The goal number one was to develop team SPEED — Superior Preparation, Effort and Execution will result in Domination,” Breiner said. “The execution part [is] what I really wanted to see this spring, which is knowledge of assignment and then improved technique and fundamentals. That has been the focus of the spring.” In light of the program’s goal, the former offensive coordinator was positive when assessing the near dozen practices to this point. “We ask them [the players] to bring three things every day,” Breiner said. “We ask them to bring energy, bring a competitive spirit and to finish. I’m pleased that we’re trending in the right direction in all those areas.” While tangible results cannot necessarily be seen in game results during this time of year, many players, including rising senior quarterback Kevin Anderson, seem to enjoy the April schedule prior to the end of the semester. “It’s fun to actually get to play against your own team once in a while,” Anderson said. “It’s good to have them on my back, on my side during the season, but it’s also fun to get after them [in spring ball].” Other than the competitive difference, the returning players have also adjusted to Breiner’s new role as the program’s new head coach. Although one of the youngest head coaches in all of college football at 31, Breiner
sees the complete picture. “Coach Breiner has a great vision,” Anderson said. “From being with him so much on offense and seeing how he sees offensive schemes and offensive spacing, seeing him say something about the defense [shows] he’s really got a good knack for just vision in general. That’s one thing that I really think he’s done a great job with.” Breiner himself also could not be more pleased to get back onto the field in his new role. “I can’t tell you how happy I am,” the Lock Haven University graduate said. “It’s been a good transition — at times educational. It was almost a refreshing change to get back out on the practice field and do what I love doing, which is coaching football.” As a result of Breiner’s hiring, the program’s coaching staff has been shuffled and added to. Tyler Bowen, offensive line coach, has now also been tabbed the team’s offensive coordinator, while Joe Davis was named the program’s new pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in February after coming over from the University of Northern Iowa. Anderson praised the new look, calling Bowen much more than an offensive line coach “with a great knack for just football” and referring to Davis as a great asset to the quarterbacks, who is always there to talk things through not only from a playbook perspective but from a situational view. Additionally, Ryan Davis became the team’s cornerbacks coach in 2016, while Nate Pryzbek, Kevin Reihner and Patrick Morrissey have been added to the staff in quality control roles. Following Friday’s practice the team received its NCAA rings for the 2015 season at a ceremony in Bepler Commons. While it was an honor bestowed on the team for the third straight year, Anderson echoed that the mindset is always about improving. “Seeing improvements in our weaknesses is really what I want to focus on,” the Marshall transfer said, mentioning the offensive unit’s improvement on third down on Friday. This Saturday’s spring game is set to begin at 11 a.m. on Jack Coffey Field with former players expected to attend.
The last few months of 2015 were a roller coaster for Daniel Murphy. The second baseman went from being an average major leaguer to one of the most beloved players in New York Mets annals to a hated rival of the orange and blue. So which one is he now? Well, he’s kind of all three. Baseball is a funny game, and thinking about how the Mets faithful should view Murphy tugs at a number of questions regarding fandom, history and moving on. Before we talk about any of that, however, we need to take a look back at the latter part of Murphy’s 2015 season. After the Mets defeated the rival Washington Nationals on August 1, his slugging percentage was .388, but he raised it to .449 by the end of the regular season. How? He hit eight home runs over the final two months, more than doubling his season total, and added 19 doubles, an uncharacteristic display of power from the Florida native. Heading into the playoffs, the division champion Mets knew that they’d be getting some decent pop from the keystone, but no one could have expected what happened next. Murphy ended up turning in one of the great postseason performances in the history of the game. He smashed seven home runs in 14 games, good for a slugging percentage of .724. Over the course of the first two series, he set a postseason record by going yard in six consecutive games. For his efforts, he was named NLCS MVP. While Murphy had a disappointing World Series — his bat went cold, and he made a crucial error towards the end of game 4 — his barrage of longballs secured his place as one of the most prolific playoff performers in Mets history. After the season, Murphy became a free agent. The Mets extended a qualifying offer to him and went through the motions of initial negotiation, but it was clear that bringing back the postseason hero wasn’t a priority. Instead, he defected to the Nationals, the Mets’ biggest competition in the top-heavy National League East. Washington had parted ways with durable shortstop Ian Desmond, and bringing in Murphy was an effective way of plugging the
infield hole and gaining on the Mets in one fell swoop. We’re less than a month into the season, but the Murphy deal already appears to be one of the best moves of the offseason. Through 17 games, he’s slashing .397/.465/.635 with five doubles, two triples and two home runs. Yes, regression is inevitable, but based on what we saw at the end of last season, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that this is a continuation of a new, more powerful Daniel Murphy. For Mets fans, the most painful part of this is watching him do it in a Nationals uniform. Last year, the Nats were the antithesis of everything the Mets stood for. The heavy World Series frontrunners heading into the season, they were wracked by injuries and poor team chemistry — the image of closer Jonathan Papelbon attempting to choke outfielder Bryce Harper in the dugout will endure as one of the lasting images of a disappointing year. Meanwhile, the upstart Mets rode their starting pitching to the division crown and developed great team chemistry along the way — during one game, shortstop Wilmer Flores shed tears at the prospect of being traded to Milwaukee. There’s definitely a kind of good guys-bad guys dynamic there (especially if you happen to be a Mets fan). It’s sad to watch a Mets icon like Murphy move to the dark side. Should Mets fans be angry? Not
necessarily. There are a few reasons why the orange and blue faithful should grant clemency to Murphy, and one of them is Neil Walker, his replacement at second base. Acquired in exchange for superfluous starter Jon Niese, the longtime Pittsburgh Pirate has capably filled Murphy’s shoes, hitting eight bombs and slugging .630 in his first 18 games. Maybe there’s something about that spot in the Citi Field infield. At any rate, there’s no reason to be bitter when the Mets are getting such great production from Murphy’s old spots. Perhaps more importantly, Mets fans should avoid disparaging Murphy out of basic decency. When longtime Yankee David Wells signed with the Red Sox after the 2004 season and was booed upon returning to the Bronx, he was bemused, asking, “Don’t they remember what I’ve done for them?” Here, Mets fans have a chance to be classy and remember that Murphy brought their team to its first pennant in nearly 30 years. It’s perfectly natural to have felt betrayed by Murphy at first, but the Mets barely made an effort to keep him and now have Walker, a superior fielder and quite possibly a better hitter. When the Nationals come to Flushing on May 17, the home crowd should give Murphy a standing ovation and move on — he deserves to always feel welcome at Citi Field.
COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA
Daniel Murphy is a Washington National now, but his legacy as a Met is secure.
Varsity Calendar HOME AWAY Baseball
Thursday April 28
Friday April 29
Saturday April 30
Sunday May 1
UMass 3 p.m.
UMass 1 p.m.
UMass 1 p.m.
Dayton 12 p.m.
Dayton 12 p.m.
Softball Men’s Soccer
Mercy 7 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
Mercy/ASA 5:30 p.m.
Golf MIKE GROLL/AP
Corey Caddle and the Rams have been working hard in practice this spring.
Track and Field
A-10 Championship Penn Relays
Monday May 2
Tuesday May 3
Wednesday May 4
SPORTS
Page 22
Varsity Scores & Stats
Anthony Pucik
Changing The Narrative The Stanley Cup playoffs are always good for bringing intensity, surprises and fantastic storylines, and things are no different this year. With at least two matchups on each side of the bracket between division rivals, we’re starting to see a lot of the same teams playing each other early on in the playoffs. This leads to bad blood between players and fans alike and, of course, trends. This year, however, storylines that certain teams have been haunted by for the last few years are changing. One storyline that comes to mind is the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings. These two Pacific Division teams haven’t liked each other for obvious reasons, but that hatred only intensified in 2012. While San Jose was a staple of consistency in the Western Conference playoff picture since 2002, Los Angeles was a young fifth seed that was just beginning to hit its stride. In the 2012-2013 playoffs the two teams met in the Western Conference Semifinals, a series in which the home team won every game and the Kings defeated the Sharks in L.A. in Game 7, 2-1. That was only the beginning, as the two would meet again in 2013-14 as the second and third best teams in the Pacific in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. In this series, the Sharks took a commanding three-gameto-none lead, only to lose the next four straight to the Kings, who then went on to win the Stanley Cup. The Kings have been a thorn in the Sharks’ side for the last few years, and that was all anyone could talk about heading into their Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup this season. Even after the Sharks won the first two games in L.A., some doubted they would put the Kings away due to their previous history. Everyone thought it was only a matter of time before the Kings started to get their legs under them and start their dominance of the Sharks because that is what we’re used to. Once the Sharks dropped Game 3 at home, everyone thought that was the beginning of the end. Then the Sharks won Game 4, and fans started to feel differently about this Sharks team then their previous teams. Maybe this one had what it took to knock off the Kings, but that doubt crept in again when they blew a 3-0 lead in Game 5. What happened next was: well, L.A. Kings-like — the Sharks scored three goals in the third, silencing the haters. More importantly the Sharks, in five games, advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since 201213, when they were eliminated by these same Kings. I was one of those doubters this season. I took the Sharks for granted, saying they would inevitably lose to the Kings even if they grabbed a big lead in the series. I never imagined that they would even be competitive in a series against Los Angeles. They proved me and a lot of other people wrong, reminding me of a very important lesson: there are no guarantees in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
April 27, 2016
Softball Fordham 12 Rhode Island 1 (FOR) Van Hoven 3-4, 4 RBI (FOR) Canessa 2-2, 4 RBI (URI) Summers 1-2, RBI Fordham 13 Rhode Island 4 (FOR) Canessa 2-5, HR(9) (FOR) Vergona 2-3, 3 RBI (URI) Julich 1-3, HR(6) Fordham 12 Rhode Island 4 (FOR) Shaw 2-2, 2 HR(9) (FOR) Skrepenak 2-3, 3 RBI (URI) Muldowney 2-3, RBI Women’s Soccer Fordham Columbia
1 0
Men’s Soccer Fordham Marist
4 2
Women’s Tennis Dayton Fordham (FOR) Wong 6-0, 6-1 (FOR) Grunin 6-2, 7-6 (4)
4 3
Men’s Track Wolfie Invitational Fordham 3rd 4x400m Fordham A 1st- 3:24.67 Women’s Track Wolfie Invitational Fordham 4th 3000m (FOR) Tevan 2nd- 10:15.61
Baseball Fordham 4 Columbia 1 (FOR) McNally 1-2, 2 RBI (FOR) Donadio 1-4, 2 RBI Davidson 5 Fordham 0 (DAV) Miller 1-4, HR(3), 4 RBI (DAV) Foy 1-2, RBI, Run Fordham 9 Davidson 3 (FOR) Donadio 3-5, 3 Runs (FOR)Stampfl 2-5, RBI
3000m Steeplechase (FOR) Fisher 2nd- 11:44.27
Fordham 7 Davidson 4 (FOR) McNally 1-5, HR(9) (FOR) Kozuch 4-4, RBI
Golf Til Duty is Done Invite Fordham (FOR) Mongey +9 (FOR) Trim +9
Manhattan 7 Fordham 5 (FOR) Mahoney 2-4, 4 RBI (MAN) Santisteban 3-4, 2 RBI (MAN) Gronlier 2-4, 2 RBI
7th
Athletes of the Week Tomas Cosmai
Madison Shaw
Junior
Sophomore
Tennis
Softball
Thanks to his tremendous play all season Cosmai has been named to the All-Atlantic 10 Second Team. Cosmai, a transfer from Utah State, had an impressive spring, netting 10 wins in 16 attempts. Over his last nine matches Cosmai went 6-3. He was also a perfect 4-0 as one half of the number one doubles team.
Shaw impressed over the weekend, crushing four homeruns and batting .625. Her incredible offensive output also helped her raise her season average nearly 20 points, from .336 to .357. She was named A-10 Player of the Week thanks to her effort at the plate, which helped the Rams put up 37 runs on the weekend.
Each week, The Fordham Ram’s Sports editors honor one male athlete and one female athlete for their on-field performances as their “Athletes of the Week.”
News & Notes • Softball’s Freshman Jessica
Hughes Named Finalist for National Award Freshman infield-
• Baseball Loses Lead Late, Falters Against Manhattan The baseball team lost in devastating fashiong against Manhattan on Tuesday night. After taking and maintaining a 5-3 lead through six innings, the Rams bullpen could not handle the Jaspers offense, giving up four runs in the final two innings. Junior outfielder Ryan Mahoney had a stellar day at the plate, going 2-4 with four RBIs. Freshman pitcher Anthony DiMeglio struggled out of the bullpen, giving up three runs on four hits in the bottom of the eighth. The Rams return to action Friday, April 29 against UMass.
er Jessica Hughes has been named a finalist for the Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I National Freshman of the Year. Hughes has had a strong freshman campaign, tallying 54 hits, three home runs and a school record 31 stolen bases so far. She became the first Ram to steal 30 bases in a season during last weekend’s doubleheader against Rhode Island. She will look to keep the momentum going in a three-game set against Dayton this weekend.
• Men’s Basketball Coach Jeff Neubauer Earns Contract Extension Through 2021 After just one season at the helm, Jeff Neubauer has agreed to a contract extension through the 2020-2021 season. Neubauer led the Rams to a 17-14 record last season, which was good enough for an appearance in the CIT, Fordham’s first postseason appearance since 1992. The Rams also went 8-10 in conference, their best A-10 record since 2006-2007.
•
Volleyball Speaks at Nellie Thornton High School The volleyball team visited Nellie Thornton High School last Wednesday as part of their community service effort. The team, visiting an afterschool program, spoke to the students about the importance of going to college and getting an education. They also spoke about participating in extra-curricular activities and the role they play in a high school student’s life. – Compiled by Pat Costello
Alvin Halimwidjaya
NBA First Round Recap This weekend was packed with games, as all 16 NBA teams played on Saturday and Sunday. The Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs swept the Detroit Pistons and the Memphis Grizzlies respectively, becoming the first two teams to reach the second round of the playoffs. The Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics tied their respective series with the Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks at 2-2. The Charlotte Bobcats and Portland Trailblazers cut the deficit to 2-1 between them and the Miami Heat and L.A. Clippers, respectively. Finally, the Golden State Warriors jumped out to a commanding 3-1 series lead on the Houston Rockets, while the Oklahoma City Thunder finished their series in five games against the Dallas Mavericks. Here are some highlights from these eight games. Hawks forward Paul Millsap exploded on Sunday, scoring 45 points on 19-31 shooting, along with 13 rebounds. However, the Celtics coach stuck Marcus Smart on Millsap late in the game with 43 points. The move paid off. Smart contained Millsap and no one else on the Hawks produced offensively. The Celtics’ coordinated efforts proved to be the difference, as contributions by Smart, Isaiah Thomas and Jonas Jerebko, to name a few, pulled them back from a 16-point deficit in the third quarter to tie the series back up with a 104-95 win. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combined for 59 points in a 96-88 victory, and the Blazers are now only down 2-1 to the Clippers. With the scrutiny surrounding Portland’s dynamic backcourt after poor performances led to both losses in Los Angeles, Lillard and McCollum came out aggressive and managed to lead their team to victory. Though point guard Chris Paul had 26 points and nine assists, his backcourt mate, J.J. Redick, only shot 2-10 from the field for five points. The Pistons have posed problems for the Cavs with their brash attitude and constant physicality, but the Cavs finally completed the competitive sweep, eking out a 100-98 win in Detroit. LeBron James had 22 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, but the story of the night was Kyrie Irving’s 31 points, complete with his signature clutch baskets and quick dribble moves. Irving and forward Kevin Love have both played extremely well in this series and their production is going to be a key factor for Cleveland’s championship hopes going forward, since we all know by now that LeBron can’t win a championship all by himself. The Warriors ran the Rockets out of their own building with a 12194 win in Game 4, courtesy of a 41-point third quarter and an NBA record 21 threes for the game. However, Stephen Curry left the game at the half with an apparent knee injury. On Monday, MRI scans revealed a Grade 1 MCL sprain in Curry’s right knee, and it appears that he will be out for at least two weeks. The inevitable MVP and the best player in the league right now, the Warriors’ championship hopes will take a huge hit with Curry on the bench for the remainder of this series, and most likely the next. Golden State will have to step up and survive until Steph gets back, or their 73 wins will ring hollow with an early exit.
SPORTS
April 27, 2016
Brendan O’Connell Shake and Bake in D.C.
Page 23
Women’s Tennis Falls to Dayton at A-10 Championship By ANDREA GARCIA PHOTO EDITOR
Despite young phenom Bryce Harper winning the National League Most Valuable Player award at the end of last season and Max Scherzer throwing two no-hitters, the Washington Nationals finished with a disappointing 83-79 record and fired second-year manager, Matt Williams, as well as the entire coaching staff in early October after missing the postseason. Individual success for their coveted right fielder in Harper and highly-paid former Cy Young award winner in Scherzer was overshadowed by the team’s frustrating second-place finish in the NL East. The talented ball club underperformed in most people’s opinions and the franchise needed to make a leadership change in an effort to reach its potential and make a deep postseason run. Enter Dusty Baker. Baker played 19 seasons in the MLB for four teams from the late 1960s to the mid 1980s. He began his managerial career in 1993 with the San Francisco Giants — a team he played for nine years earlier — and led the team to 103 wins in his first season. In 2002, he managed the Giants to the World Series, and then managed the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds over the course of the next decade. The past two seasons, 2014 and 2015, Baker was out of baseball, even though he posted a 1669-1504 total regular season record and 19-26 postseason record in seven appearances over the previous 20 years. A toothpick-wielding, free-spirited baseball traditionalist, Baker is known as a “player’s manager.” A stark contrast to Williams’ more serious demeanor, the funny and funky Baker has everyone buying in to Harper’s “Make Baseball Fun Again” campaign. Baker’s unconventional approach makes him who he is, and it has rubbed off on his new team. While Baker endures plenty of criticism for how he manages, he has the Nationals in a great groove to begin the season. Coming off last year’s letdown, the team has a 14-4 record through April 24 — the best in baseball thus far. “You can go out on a daily basis, enjoy the game, have fun, and he lets us do that,” Harper said, of Baker. “There’s no other guy I’d want to be playing for right now.” A strong start in April is better than the alternative, but it does not ensure success through the entire 162-game season. That being said, a team with as much star-power and depth as Washington may benefit, especially from catching momentum early and jumping out to a quick division lead. With a pitching staff that includes studs such as Stephen Strasburg and Scherzer, as well as solid starters Tanner Roark and Gio Gonzalez and veteran closer Jonathan Papelbon, the Nationals have plenty of good arms to complement their top-notch roster of field players led by Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth and Daniel Murphy, among others. Only time will tell if the Nationals will have a successful year — which would entail a quality postseason run — or if they will wilt once again and allow other teams to steal the spotlight.
This past week, Fordham Women’s Tennis finished up its regular spring schedule with a dual match against Queens College on April 19. They swept their events, 7-0. In doubles action, junior Mayu Sato and sophomore Estelle Wong teamed up once again to defeat second and sixth singles — Angelika Sobiecka and Line Sorsdahl Aasen — 6-2. The second doubles match between Fordham’s pair of freshmen Whitney Weisberg and Gianna Insogna and Queen’s College’s Andrea Samson and Frederike Corner marked the team’s only loss of the day, with a final score of 6-1. Freshman Alexis Zobeideh and junior Destiny Grunin matched up against Nakia Miller and Anne Strating to garner the last doubles win of the day, 6-1. Singles play kicked off soon after, and Sato took her last regular season win of the spring against Samson. In three sets, she took the point for Fordham, 6-3, 4-6 and 10-6. Wong kept her spot in second singles, and likewise carried her match to a third set, 4-6, flipping the scorecards to 6-4, and a solid 10-1. Zobeideh won the third singles match against Cami Abdallah with repeat 6-3 sets. Her doubles partner Grunin tired out Borner. After a 6-3 first set, Grunin swept through the second set, 6-0. Weisberg made her third appearance of the season in fifth singles, and took her first win of the season against Miller, 6-4, 6-2. Insogna cleared out the day with
ANDREA GARCIA/THE FORDHAM RAM
Junior Mayu Sato finished the season with a 20-7 record in singles, the best mark on the team.
a sixth singles win versus Aasen, 6-4, 6-3. The women then entered into the Atlantic 10 Conference Championships in Cincinnati, Ohio as the eighth seed in the tournament. They opened up their A-10 action against ninth seeded University of Dayton, but they lost 4-3 to end their spring season. To start with the doubles matches, Sato and Wong played together against Marlys Bridgham and Mattea Kilstofte. They stood at 5-3 when the match was stopped due to weather conditions. The duo of Zobeideh and Grunin was not as successful, getting downed by Mandy Marchant
and Jade Kawamoto, 6-2. In third singles, Weisberg and Insogna were blanked by Jackie Kawamoto and Alex Townsend, 6-0. Sato outlasted her doubles opponent Bridgham through three sets. Sato took her first singles point with scorecards at 3-6, 6-3 and a final 6-4. Wong kept up her momentum from the past few matches and posed a challenge to Alex Townsend, 6-0, 6-1. Zobeideh fell to Mattea Kilstofte, 6-2, 7-5. Grunin posted another win for Fordham in fourth singles against Jade Kawamoto, 6-2, 7-6 (4). Kawamoto’s sister, Jackie, downed Insogna in the fifth singles play, 6-3, 6-1. Weisberg was
the last match to finish for the day, with two losing 6-2 sets with Marchant. Sato finishes with the team’s best singles play record, with a 20-7 season. She is closely followed by Wong’s season record of 15-12. When paired, they hold the best doubles team record of the season at 6-3. The younger team of Grunin and Zobeideh follows them for the next best doubles record, 8-6. The team finished its season with an overall winning record of 12-6, which is just short of matching last year’s 13-7 mark due to the cancellation of two regular season matches over this year’s spring season.
Roger Goodell Blunders Again By JACK McLOONE
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
It came like the saddest, most annoying specter of the night: on Monday afternoon, a federal appeals court re-suspended Tom Brady for Deflategate. You remember that unbearably asinine thing, right? I’m not here to rehash why I think the decision was wrong, the faulty science or how this just gives Brady and the Patriots a second shot at making everybody uncomfortable by getting the Lombardi Trophy from Goodell — or that Jimmy Garoppolo is primed to take up the mantle of “incredibly attractive Patriots starting quarterback.” No, this is about Roger Goodell. The NFL and the Player’s Association Collective Bargaining Agreement essentially gives Goodell the power to be judge, jury and executioner in any matter pertaining to the integrity and image of the league, which is as vague as it sounds. He even plays the role of the appeals court, which is where things get dicey. Goodell was initially lauded as the savior of the NFL’s image for suspending players who hurt the NFL’s image like Adam “Pacman” Jones. But somehow, it is in dealing with deflated footballs where he went too far. Tom Brady will be suspended for as long as Greg
Hardy was for allegedly (and really only technically so) beating his girlfriend. Now, Goodell initially tried to make it longer, but following appeal, he dropped it to four games. But when Brady appealed, Goodell stood fast due to evidence not included in the “independently” conducted Wells Report (Ted Wells had just finished negotiating the NFL’s new multi-billion dollar television deal before being tapped for the investigation). This unmentioned evidence was one of the sticking points for the dissenting judge in the appeal case, Hon. Robert Katzmann. In his opinion, he points out “the Collective Bargaining Agreement… requires the Commissioner to provide a player with notice of the basis for any disciplinary action and an opportunity to challenge the discipline in an appeal hearing.” The Wells Report concluded that Brady was “generally aware” of the deflation of balls below leaguemandated levels, but Katzmann believes that the punishment far exceeded this decision, saying, “the Commissioner was doling out his own brand of industrial justice.” There are now four federal judges who are split as to how he can, with two saying his decision were in line with the CBA, and the others saying he willfully overstepped his bounds. It’s important to point out that the suspension of Brady in and of
BRANDON WADE/AP PHOTO
Roger Goodell demonstrated his incompetence during the Deflategate case.
itself was gratuitous. Goodell could have stopped at docking the Patriots of their first round draft pick this season. It was only the second time a team has lost a draft pick, and the other time was also the Patriots — for Spygate. But instead, Goodell followed the court of public appeal and went for the jugular with the suspension. Roger Goodell is an incredible businessman. He’s helped the most unstoppable sports empire somehow grow even bigger, seemingly by the day. But he is an absolutely terrible disciplinary force. He routinely doles out unseemly suspensions, only to have them thrown in his face. If Brady does decide once again to pursue appealing his suspension, the United States Supreme
Court, of all places, could potentially take Goodell to task. While it is ridiculous that something that started over a discrepancy of half a pound of air pressure in a football could end up as a Supreme Court case, that’s not what this is about any more. It’s about setting limits on unnecessarily absolute power. This suspension could end up like a JR Smith 28-footer: Goodell pulled up for the ultimate heat check, drilled it, but now it might be overturned for a third time on review and everyone will forget why they liked him in the first place. While the suspension may stand for now, the unmitigated power of Goodell needs to be checked, whether by federal courts or when it’s time for a new CBA in 2021.
SPORTS
Page 24
April 27, 2016
The Fordham Ram
Baseball Sweeps Week to Move to 22-20 By MATTHEW MICHAELS STAFF WRITER
Coming off an 8-5 loss to Fairfield last Tuesday, Fordham Baseball rebounded with a strong week of play. With a win over Columbia and a series win against Davidson, the Rams improved their record to 22-20. On Wednesday, Fordham visited Columbia for a matchup against its Ivy League rival. Freshman Ryan Remo got the ball for the Rams and had a strong outing against the Lions. He went seven strong innings and allowed a sole run alongside four base hits. Fordham got the ball rolling on the offensive side early in the game. Junior Mark Donadio brought in a pair of first inning runs, courtesy of a double. Graduate student Ryan McNally followed up with a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the third, as well as a solo home run in the fifth. Senior Jimmy Murphy pitched the final two innings and held on to a 4-1 lead, earning his third save on the season. The victory was the second of the year for Remo. Over the weekend, the Rams were down in North Carolina facing a strong Davidson team that is battling with Fordham near the top of the A-10 standings. Friday’s game was postponed because of rain and made up as part of a Saturday doubleheader. Both teams tallied nine hits in the first game, but Fordham could not use those base runners to
COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
Mark Donadio had a stellar second game of the double header at Davidson, collecting three hits.
manufacture runs. Clark Beeker threw shutout ball for the Wildcats with a dominant complete game performance. He struck out five Rams and gave up no free passes or extra base hits. Junior Kirk Haynes Jr. could not hold down the Wildcats in the same way. Lee Miller blasted a grand slam in the fifth inning as Fordham fell 5-0. Game two was a much better showing for the Rams. Junior Greg Weissert got Fordham into an early 2-0 hole but held the Wildcats at bay. Fordham started scoring in the fourth inning with
a single off the bat of junior Jason Lundy. Two innings later, the Rams took the lead with a base knock from freshman Justin Bardwell that plated two. Senior Ian Edmiston followed up with a RBI double. Davidson cut Fordham’s lead in half with a run in the bottom of the sixth. The 4-3 lead was expanded in the eighth when Lundy struck again, this time with a double. In the ninth, the Rams tacked on insurance runs with RBI doubles by McNally and junior Luke Stampfl and a run-scoring single from Donadio.
Donadio made an impressive catch in right field to end the fifth inning. The buzz-worthy grab may have ignited Fordham’s offense. Donadio recorded three of the Rams’ 12 base hits in the game. Davidson played sloppy ball by committing four errors and only tallying four hits. The Rams split the double header with a 9-3 win in game two. The rubber game of the series on Sunday went to Fordham. The Wildcats scored an unearned run in the first frame, but the Rams answered back with two unearned runs of their own. Davidson tied
the game at two in the fifth inning. The Rams put a couple of runners on in the sixth and McNally connected for his ninth home run of the year. The three-run blast was accompanied by a Bardwell single that brought home the fourth run of the inning. With a 7-2 lead in the eighth, Davidson pushed across a couple more runs, but Murphy extinguished the Wildcats’ threat and ended the 7-4 game. Freshman Reiss Knehr picked up his first collegiate win with 1.2 scoreless innings in relief. Coach Kevin Leighton has been impressed with how the team has fought this year. “Winning the series at Davidson was huge for us, since they are a team that, right now, is in the mix for a playoff spot,” he said. Leighton knows that winning two out of three is big, no matter who the opponent is. The Rams also played Tuesday night against Manhattan College, losing 7-5. The rest of Fordham’s games are against A-10 teams, starting with a series against Massachusetts over the weekend. Leighton thinks that the all in-conference schedule will help the Rams because of injuries and needed rest for the pitchers. The A-10 Tournament will be at Fordham this year and starts on May 25.
Softball Earns 32nd Win With URI Sweep By PAT COSTELLO ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
The softball team’s offense came to play this past weekend against Rhode Island. In three away games, the Rams scored a combined 37 runs to the URI nine. Junior Pitcher Lauren Quense picked up three wins, pushing her record to 15-7 on the year, but it was the Rams’ bats that were the real story. In the first game of the weekend, the scoring started early for both sides, but it was the Rams who were able to maintain it for the entirety of the game. They scored one in the first, which was matched by URI, two in the second, three in the fourth and ended the game with a six spot in the ninth. Sophomore infielder Madison Shaw was responsible for the go-ahead run in the second inning, a solo bomb to right centerfield. Junior outfielder Sydney Canessa went 2-2 on the day with four RBI, with two of the RBIs coming from sacrifice flies. Canessa tied graduate pitcher Rachel Gillen’s mark of two sacrifice flies in a game, a record she set almost exactly a year ago. Junior infielder Amy Van Hoven matched Canessa’s RBI number, adding four of her own on three hits. Quense went four strong innings, giving up one earned run
COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
Madison Shaw hit four home runs in three games this weekend, earning A-10 Player of the Week honors.
on three hits, before turning it over to junior Lindsay Mayer, who finished the game in five. The 12-1 victory foreshadowed how the rest of the weekend would go for the Rams and for Rhode Island. Game two continued the highpowered offensive output by Fordham. The Rams put up one run in each of the first three innings, one of which was another home run from Shaw. Before that happened, freshman infielder Jes-
sica Hughes swiped her 29th bag of the season, tying the singleseason record while also vaulting over Van Hoven for either all-time. Later in the fifth, she became the first Ram to steal 30 bases in one season. On the following pitch Canessa pulled a home run to left field, her ninth of the year, which pushed the Rams lead to nine. The Rams added four more runs in the sixth to cap their scoring. Quense threw four innings
again, giving up one run on one hit while striking out two. Mayer entered in the fifth and gave up three runs, but was able to settle down and get out of the next two innings, securing the 13-4 win. The final game of the series had a similar storyline as the first two. The Rams put up 12 in the game to give themselves a third straight victory in which they scored 12 or more runs. They only failed to score in the fifth inning, but they already held an 8-4 lead. Shaw added two more home runs, her
third and fourth of the weekend, which gave her five RBI’s on the day. Her productivity over the weekend was rewarded, as she was honored with A-10 Player of the Week. Van Hoven hit a homerun of her own, a moon shot to right field. The result was never in doubt, and the Rams pulled out the 12-4 victory with relative ease. The win gave Quense her 15th of the season and her third of the weekend. The Rams have put together an incredible stretch of softball over the past couple of weeks. Their offense is hitting better now than it has all season. The goal of the season is to build up to the point where you will peak during the playoffs. Some may worry that the Rams have peaked too early this year. Coach Bridget Orchard, who picked up her 14th straight 30 win season this weekend, does not believe that they are. “We are just trying to take one game at a time,” she said. “We are playing well, but I think we still have more in us and can play better so I don’t think we have peaked yet.” The Rams continue their road schedule this weekend with a three game set against Dayton, starting with a doubleheader on Saturday.