Volume 105 Issue 22

Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 TheFordhamRam.com

Volume 105, Issue 22

Students On University Responses to Israel and Palestine

Student Life Council Discusses Guest Pass Policy

By ALEXANDER HOM

By GRACE GALBREATH

With the Israel-Hamas war entering its eighth week, President Tania Tetlow has extended email statements and promoted resources intending to bring collective comfort to the entire university. Tetlow’s Oct. 10 message to the Fordham community titled “Prayers for Consolation and Peace” marked her first commentary regarding the Middle East’s latest war.

Condemning Hamas’ Oct. 7 offensive as a “terrorist attack on Israel… from elderly Holocaust survivors to children,” she acknowledged the war’s impact on university members across cultural differences.

“For many of our Jewish students, colleagues, and alumni, this is yet another brutal reminder of their vulnerability, of rising antisemitism in the U.S. and around the world — an attack not just on a nation but on their identity. Many of our Muslim students, colleagues, and alumni also face the fear of collective blame and reprisals,

On Wednesday, Nov. 15, the university held its third Student Life Council (SLC) meeting of the semester. The council welcomed the Office of Residential Life to discuss the university guest pass policy.

Charles Clency, assistant dean of students and director of residential life, spoke on behalf of the office.

He said they are looking to approve a more accommodating guest pass policy as early as January 2024, but are still in the planning phases.

Following the introduction, Clency opened the meeting for public questions and concerns regarding the guest policy.

A member of the council raised concerns aboutDONOHUE long-term stays

By SOFIA due to DIGITAL emergencies or personal criPRODUCER ses, specifically when stays violate the approved number of days.

Clency said that while they deal with matters on a case-by-case basis, they have temporary housing funding in place to cover students dealing with emergencies. Clency also stressed that these emergency accommodations are offered for both on- and off-campus students.

SEE WAR, PAGE 6

SEE SLC, PAGE 4

CONTRIUTING WRITER

November 29, 2023

ASST. NEWS EDITOR

COURTESY OF ISABEL DANZIS/THE FORDHAM RAM

President Tetlow met with student press for the second time on Nov. 27 to discuss various topics.

President Tetlow Holds Meeting with Student Press

By SAMANTHA MINEAR & ISABEL DANZIS President Tania Tetlow met with reporters of The Fordham Ram and The Observer on Nov. 27 to discuss upcoming plans, topics and conflicts within the university.

On the first of many points of discussion, Tetlow addressed the 6% tuition hike for the 2023-24 academic year. Tetlow said that the university can not continue to

increase prices at the same rate.

“We cannot have an increase like that. The point of this institution is not to keep raising tuition so that we get paid more, right?” said Tetlow. “We really have to balance the fact that we are a nonprofit school and we need to do right by all the folks who work here, but think about where the money comes from.”

On that topic, Tetlow also addressed ongoing union

negotiations on campus. Tetlow has been met with three main union negotiations during her tenure. As of the fall 2023 semester, negotiations are ongoing with the Fordham Graduate Student Workers Association (FGSW) and the Fordham Resident Assistant’s Union (FRA). FGSW has claimed in a recent rally that they have been met with silence SEE TETLOW, PAGE 4

Students React to Fordham Flirts Account Change

By SOFIA DONOHE ASST. NEWS EDITOR

COURTESY OF CAROL GIBNEY FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

The Pedro Arrupe Volunteers organized 800 lbs of potatos for their Thanksgiving distribution.

Pedro Arrupe Volunteers Give Back During the Holiday Season

By EMMA KIM NEWS EDITOR

Fordham’s Pedro Arrupe Volunteers (PAV) hosted a series of volunteer events leading up to Thanksgiving and have more holiday-themed events planned

for December. For November, they had an on-campus clothing drive with donations going to Xavier Mission and held two Thanksgiving turkey distributions.

PAV is a “multifaith and interfaith student-led community with the mission to accompany [the]

Bronx and greater NYC area neighbors in prayer, service, solidarity, and reflection.”

Gilda Severino, administrator of Campus Ministry Operations, is one of the three Campus Ministry administrators that helps to oversee SEE PAV, PAGE 5

Earlier this month student-run meme Instagram account @fordham_flirts rebranded as @fordham_saints.

Following the birth of the account in fall 2021, the account quickly amassed thousands of followers and grew in popularity among both Fordham Rose Hill and Lincoln Center students, joining the ranks of other Fordham meme accounts such as @fordumbuniversity.

The account allowed students to “flirt” with their peers by submitting messages of admiration through

an anonymous form. The submissions were then reviewed by the account’s administrator and posted daily on Instagram. The account received more than 50 submissions a day.

“I’ve been following since the beginning of my freshman year.

There was a lot to like about it — it was fun to see other people making jokes or professing love in truly embarrassing ways. Most of the time the posts seemed fairly harmless, though they could be gross from time to time. There was also always the little thrill of getting a flirt written about you — even if it wasn’t about you directly, you could imagine it was if it was vague

SEE FLIRTS, PAGE 3

in this issue

News

Page 4

Opinion

Page 9

Fordham Emails Affected in Data Breach

From the Copy Table

Culture Page 15

Sports

Affordable Holiday Gift Ideas

Water Polo Wins Third Straight MAWPC

Page 23

NEWS

Page 2

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS Nov. 18 Online 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, a student received an email from Bank of America stating that their account was hacked. The student clicked on a hyperlink that was attached to that email. The link provided a number to call. The student called the number and a man said their account had been hacked and requested the student transfer money to an Apple Cash account. The student then called their parents, who contacted the bank and confirmed the scam.

Nov. 19 Off-Campus 2:08 p.m.

On Sunday, a student reported a robbery in front of 544 East 191 Street.

The student was walking west on the south side of E 191st St. when they walked past a male standing on the sidewalk. The male came up behind the students and snatched two metal chains from the neck of a student. The NYPD were notified and responded to campus to interview the students and prepared a report.

Nov. 20 McShane Campus Center 3:06 p.m.

On Monday, a fire alarm went off in the McShane Campus Center. The supervisor responded and evacuated the building.

The investigation did not reveal any smoke, fire or cause for the activation.

The supervisor reset the alarm panel and contacted the alarm company.

On Nov. 15, The Fordham Ram ran an article entitled, “Students Express Concern Over Fordham’s African Study Abroad Offerings.” The article has been revised for clarity in the online edition and corrected. We appreciate the affected parties bringing the situation to our attention.

– Isabel Danzis, Editor in Chief, Volume 105

November 29, 2023

Commuter Students Association Holds Annual Thanks-Give-Away

By CRISTINA STEFANIZZI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Commuting Students Association (CSA) held its 21st annual Thanks-GiveAway event on Nov. 17. The event, themed CS-rAve-away, was held in the Lombardi Center Fieldhouse.

DJ Nubs of Syracuse University provided hit songs as students hit the dance floor, and the night included raffles of numerous different prizes and food catered by Aramark. “We decided to choose foods that represented the commuter population, so we have some Asian and Caribbean dishes, as well as traditional Thanksgiving food,” said CSA Advisor Kayla Velez.

Thanks-Give-Away has been hosted by CSA for 21 years.

“I think this event is important for CSA to be hosting because not only does it raise awareness of who CSA is, but more importantly, it sheds a light on what CSA does,” said CSA’s Executive Program Coordinator Crystal Wu, GSB ’25. “Throughout the year, our commitment is to improve commuter life through hosting events and reforming policies aimed to make commuters feel more at home when they are on campus. Recognizing that many of our commuter friends call the Bronx their home, we are dedicated to giving back to the community and actively contributing to the improvement of our community’s environment.”

In past years, CSA has raised around $2,000 through its Thanks-GiveAway. However, this year, the group wanted to focus not only on getting monetary donations, but also getting physical donations to give to those in need. “We raised $1,156 with donated items of 85 children’s recreational books, 51 canned goods, 18 coats, nine hoodies and thin jackets and 24 clothing items,” said Wu.

COURTESY OF CRISTINA STEFANIZZI

CSA members created themed t-shirts, ordered materials, and planned the event’s set-up.

Money raised was through entry ticket sales, raffle ticket sales and direct donations of either money or physical goods.

Raffle winners were announced throughout the evening, and prizes ranged from gift cards to local restaurants such as Michelangelo’s and items such as AirPods. “In years past, all Thanks-GiveAway funds raised have gone to Part Of The Solution [POTS], but we felt that so many Fordham clubs and organizations donate to POTS and we wanted to find a cause that resonates with Fordham students,” said CSA’s Executive Vice President Kellen Zhang, GSB ’25.

This year, CSA plans to donate proceeds to Concourse House. “All canned goods will be donated to Campus Ministry for their various community programming, and all coats and books will be passed out at CCEL’s [Center for Community Engaged Learning] Fordham Fall Festival and Turkey Distribu-

tion in collaboration with the office of City Council Member Oswald Feliz,” said CSA Executive President Hector Cruz, FCRH ’24.

Planning for the event started in the summer with choosing a venue and deciding the theme. CSA members worked to create themed graphics and tshirts, order materials, reach out to organizations to provide raffle prizes, book vendors and sponsors and draw up blueprints on how the event should be set up. Art Director John Silaban, FCRH ’27, created the CS-rAve-away logo of a bear named “Tyler, the Commuter,” who is seen on this year’s Thanks-GiveAway T-shirts and posters.

“As we were in the final stretch of Thanks-GiveAway, we realized that at least three clubs were hosting events at the same time,” said Wu. “We knew that this would hurt our attendance, so we decided to make engaging Instagram reels with CSA. Our board not only

loved making silly reels, but we also bonded over making them.”

When asked why CSA has hosted the event for so many years, Cruz said, “Food drives and fundraisers are common around the holiday season, particularly before Thanksgiving. Many of us on CSA commute from the five boroughs of NYC, and hosting Thanks-GiveAway is an opportunity to give back to our own community in the same way other students may do so through food drives and turkey distribution throughout their own communities at home.”

Students hoping to learn more about CSA and get involved are welcome to attend their meetings, every Monday at 1 p.m. “Coming into Fordham University in the pandemic made it more challenging to find my community on campus, and I found the community I was looking for through CSA,” said Cruz.

This Week at Fordham Wednesday Nov. 30

Friday Dec. 1

Friday Dec. 1

Saturday, Sunday Dec. 1,2

Sunday Dec. 2

Fordham versus University of Maine

A Moment of Magic Gala

Satin Dolls Concert

Jetes’ The Nutcracker

Festival of Lessons and Carols

Rose Hill Gymnasium 7:30 p.m.

McShane Campus Center 311 7-9 p.m.

Keating 1st 8 p.m.

Collins Auditorium 1, 7:30 p.m.

University Church 3 p.m.

Support your fellow Rams as the men’s basketball team faces off against the University of Maine. Bring your school spirit and wear your best Fordham gear! Tickets are free.

Join A Moment of Magic for a night of entertainment, raffles and delicious food. The event’s proceeds will go to supporting their mission of improving lives of terminally-ill children.

Do you need Friday night plans? Support the Satin Dolls, Fordham’s female and femme A Cappella group Dolls and enjoy a medley of popular songs. Admission is free.

Support the Jetes, Fordham University’s ballet club at their annual performance of The Nutcracker. Admission is $3 for students and $5 for other audience members.

Celebrate the holiday season with a performance by the University choirs and the Bronx Arts Ensemble. The festival is general admission and no ticket is required.

NEWS

November 29, 2023

Page 3

Students React to Fordham Flirts Account Change FROM FLIRTS, PAGE 1

enough. Overall, it was just silly and stupid, and everyone needs a certain amount of silliness and stupidity in their lives,” said Daniel Melia, FCRH ’25.

The account’s owner deleted all the previous posts and Fordham Saints now solely features quotes from various Catholic saints such as St. Francis de Sales, Mother Teresa and St. Augustine.

The account’s bio encourages followers to direct message the account if they have a certain quote or saint they would like the

administrator to feature.

The account’s unforeseen change to Fordham Saints came as a surprise to students who enjoyed Fordham Flirts’ humorous and fun content.

“First, I was shocked; I saw the Fordumb post about the account dying and I immediately texted the owner,” said Melia.

“After thinking about it a bit, it made sense to me — presumably someone reported the account or something, and he was obliged to change it. Knowing him, it was always going to become Fordham Saints if ever it

couldn’t be Fordham Flirts anymore,” said Melia.

“I was shocked and sad to see it change to Fordham Saints. I really liked the page and it was very entertaining. I was really sad to see it go,” said Alexa Davidson, FCRH ’25.

The account has lost hundreds of followers since becoming Fordham Saints, but some students continue to follow the account. Whether it’s because they enjoy the account’s new content or because they’re hopeful that the account will revert to Fordham Flirts, stu-

dents’ reasons for their loyalty to Fordham Saints varies. The account still has over 3,000 followers.

“I still follow the account just because I was too lazy to unfollow. I don’t go on Instagram much so it wasn’t like Fordham Saints was bothering me at all. I was also waiting to see if it would change back,” said Davidson.

Similarly, Melia is unbothered by the account’s shift in content.

“I still follow Fordham Saints mostly because I still know the owner, but as a practicing Catholic I don’t really mind

the new content either. I do miss Fordham Flirts though.

No doubt a successor will arise sooner or later.”

The Fordham Saints administrator declined to provide an on-record statement.

However, they did agree to go on-record with an exclusive message: “Mark 1:15.”

Despite the discontinuation of Fordham Flirts, the account’s humor and wit successfully entertained Fordham students for over two years and similar Instagram pages will inevitably try and take its place.

Fordham Public Safety Hosts First “Pizza with Public Safety”

By MARY HAWTHORN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On Thursday, Nov. 16, Fordham Public Safety hosted “Pizza with Public Safety,” aiming to to engage and educate the Rose Hill community about the department. The event was held in the McShane Campus Center from 4-5 p.m. After students were able to eat complimentary Puglsey’s pizza in the Great Hall, the Public Safety staff began their introductions.

Robert Fitzer, associate vice president of Public Safety, has been at Fordham for the last 12 years and was a captain in the NYPD prior to that. “I love to give back to the community, so I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in public service,” said Fitzer.

Fitzer said that the event was hosted to try and give students some familiarity with the department.

“The hope is that when you see us, you know who we are. It is important to know where to

go and who to turn to if you need something… And when you see us on campus, say hello! We are real people here to help you. We are all service-oriented and are here to serve,” said Fitzer.

Following Fitzer, students were introduced to Burt Scipio, an ambassador for Public Safety as a security guard. Scipio has been at Fordham for 17 years and often guards the Metro North Gate.

“The first time I walked on this campus after being a correctional officer, it was love at first sight,” said Scipio.

Scipio said that he enjoys working at Fordham because of the campus community.

“I love this job because of the energy you all bring to me. The Fordham community gives me something that I never had when I was a correctional officer… You all want something amazing out of life, and I want to protect that.”

Tara Minaya, FCRH ’99, is an investigator here at Fordham.

Before she returned to Rose Hill, she worked in the NYPD for 20 years and retired as a lieutenant

in 2021. She investigates many cases, several of which are Title IX related. “Being a mother really helps me do my job. I treat the students here how I would want my daughter to be treated at her university seven hours away,” said Minaya.

Lastly, she said, “We are here for you, and are here to support you always,” on behalf

of the entire department.

The final speaker in the presentation was William McSorley, the Fordham operations manager. “We look at you guys like our own kids.

Sometimes there’s tough love, but we know everyone makes mistakes, and we learn from them,” said McSorley.

At the end of the event, each member of the Public Safety staff

went to a table to answer questions from the community.

Nushana Alam, FCRH ’27, said, “This event was wonderful.

It brought some really insightful information about Public Safety and it made me aware of how much they care about us.”

Overall, this event really aimed to teach the Fordham community about Public Safety.

COURTESY OF FRANCES SCHNEPFF/THE FORDHAM RAM

Fordham Public Safety hosted their first “Pizza with Public Safety” on Nov. 16 in McShane Campus Center.

USG Discusses New Clubs and Upcoming Events

By SOFIA SEMPER STAFF WRITER

The Fordham Rose Hill United Student Government (USG) met on Thursday, Nov. 16, to discuss new business and view new club presentations.

Three representatives from the Mandarin Detective Club presented their new club presentation to the Senate. They explained that for international students, it tends to be very difficult to make friends because English is normally not their first language.

They stated that Fordham has a large population of students whose first language is Mandarin or who are currently taking Mandarin courses, but Fordham does not have a club where students are encouraged to speak Mandarin.

They said that this club would be a fun way for Mandarinspeaking students to branch out and meet more people while enjoying activities such as board games, bonding activities and celebrating Chinese culture.

Some fun games they proposed that the club would play are Werewolves of Miller Hollow (Mafia), Escape Rooms and Blood on the Clock Tower.

Special events would include board game meetings every week, live-action role-playing and case-solving mystery games and attending a Chinese festival. They also explained they have already begun hosting small events like these, and they have an 80-person group chat. This club was approved by the Senate.

Vice President of Communications Ariadna Wong, FCRH ’25, presented the updated Communications and Marketing Committee bylaws.

Vice President of FCRH Emma Balint, FCRH ’24, presented a budget request for FCRH Dean’s Council. Balint said the Student Wellness subcommittee held a tabling, and they requested money to purchase donuts to incentivize students to learn about student wellness on campus and increase visibility.

Vice President of Finance and Budgets Eron Maltzman, GSB ’25, presented a budget request to order pizza, Chipotle and coffee for his committee members for Easy Cuts Day and Budget Day as those tend to be extremely long working days. Vice President of Student Life Brian Inguanti, FCRH ’24, presented a budget request to purchase

frames from Michaels and for the Ram Prints for the McShane Gallery Art Show. The updated bylaws and budget requests were approved.

Executive President Briana Al-Omoush, FCRH ’24, stated that special elections for vacancies for next semester will begin on Nov. 30. The special elections that will take place include the positions for Vice President of Budget and Finance, Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Health and Security, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion and a vacancy for the class of 2025 FCRH and GSB senators.

Al-Omoush also announced that the second Town Hall meeting of this semester will not be Tuesday, Nov. 28 anymore, but will most likely still be about study abroad concerns. She explained that SUNY Stony Brook is supporting a legislation introducing more uniform procedures for student suicide prevention in New York state. A bill has already been created for student suicide prevention procedures for grades K-12, but Stony Brook is writing a letter to the legislation

asking that they extend this policy to college students, as well. AlOmoush said the Stony Brook USG is asking for the Fordham USG to write a resolution in support of their efforts. She said they plan to work on this resolution in December.

Inguanti announced the McShane Art Show is on Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the McShane Gallery.

Vice President of GSB Catie Flores, GSB ’25, stated the GSB Dean’s Council had a successful small business fair, and they will be hosting an underclassmen

and upperclassmen networking on Nov. 30. They will be having a group travel event to the United Justice Coalition Summit on Dec. 1.

Vice President of Facilities and Dining Jamie Serruto, FCRH ’24, announced the scaffolding on Loyola Hall and Faculty Memorial Hall will be coming down within the next month, and the food truck has finally been repaired and should be arriving this week.

Al-Omoush also announced Fordham is looking to amend the campus’s guest policy.

The next USG meeting is Nov. 30 in JMCC.

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

USG approved a new club last Thursday, the Mandarin Detective Club.

NEWS

Page 4

November 29, 2023

Student Life Council Discusses Guest Pass Policy FROM SLC, PAGE 1

Chair of the USG Operations Committee, Lauren Walczyk, FCRH ’25, said the biggest criticism she has heard is that the policy only allows residents of the same sex to host.

Assistant Director for Student Conduct, A.J. Coppotelli, said that the Office of Residential Life is exploring a policy change to allow students to host individuals regardless of their sex. Coppotelli said the university is looking to change the policy as soon as January.

A representative from the Campus Activities Board (CAB) raised concerns about the heteronormative language of the university’s current policy.

Coppotelli agreed that the policy language is outdated and said that the university is working to update the policy so it is applicable for all students.

Another member of the council raised concerns about the current policy. He said that in the past, his sister has been denied an overnight guest pass.

Coppotelli said that immediate family members within the approved age range are allowed to visit overnight, regardless of sex.

Coppotelli also explained that the university limits students to immediate family, because they have run into problems about partners being framed as cousins.

Executive Vice President for the United Student Government (USG), Ava Coogan, asked about the possibility of allowing Fordham students who are residents of other halls to spend the night.

Clency said that at this stage the university will not allow it, but they are willing to look into changing the policy to reflect Coogan’s concerns.

Coppotelli also stressed that the university ends up waiving the majority of student fines, specifically in September and October.

Associate Director for Campus Center Operations, Stephen Clarke, raised concerns about the possibility of policy changes causing roommate issues.

Clency said that the university is aware that this could be an issue.

He said that they are anticipating the policy change to be more of an issue for first-year students, and said that they will prioritize roommate comfort by emphasizing the importance of the annual roommate surveys. Clency

also added that they will handle problems on a case-by-case visit.

A member of the council raised a concern that the policy change would violate the moral code that the original policy was based on.

Clency said that there is no indicator that the policy changes are going to violate the moral code.

He also added that when updating the policy, the Office of Residential Life will keep in mind the Jesuit Catholic values of Fordham.

A representative for CAB asked the next steps for the policy change.

Coppotelli said that the Office of Residential Life is planning to speak to residential assistants and students and then compose a written proposal.

Following the discussion, the council presented monthly reports.

On behalf of the Office of Residential Life, Clency shared the monthly intoxication report.

Next, the USG provided a monthly update.

Executive President for USG, Briana Al-Omoush, gave updates on USG programming.

Al-Omoush spoke about the Committee on Sexual Misconduct’s bi-annual Week of Action and USG’s Sustainability Week.

Al-Omoush said that USG hosted their first town hall and are hoping to host one more before the end of the semester. She also said that USG will host several special elections in the coming weeks.

Following Al-Omoush’s updates, Coogan presented proposal updates. Coogan said that USG recently passed a native plant proposal. She also said that both an academic registration proposal and a commuter proposal are in the works.

Walczyk presented updates on behalf of the operations committee. Walczyk said that the university currently has 161 clubs and will be releasing the official list soon. Walczyk also added that a new VP will be taking her place for the spring semester.

Vice President of Finance and Budgets Eron Maltzman, GSB ’25, said that 113 budget packets have been submitted. Maltzman also added that a new VP will be taking his place for the spring semester.

A representative for the university's Residence Hall Association (RHA) said that they will be hosting elections soon.

A representative for CAB said that Halloween and Family Weekend programming events

went well. The representative also gave a thank you to the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) and Dean Rodgers for their assistance in the event planning.

A representative for the Office for Multicultural Affairs highlighted recent programming events. The representative also said that students who are interested in participating in the racial solidarity network should have received an email about the programming.

Representatives for the Gabelli School of Business and Fordham College Rose Hill both reported that class registration went well.

Representatives for OSI congratulated CAB for a successful Family Weekend and reported that they are looking to hire three new orientation coordinators.

OSI also said that they are planning to host a program for seniors interested in apartment hunting and are looking to get approval for an ice skating rink on Edward’s Parade.

The meeting concluded with a discussion of upcoming important dates.

Updates to these agenda items will be discussed at future USG and SLC meetings.

President Tetlow Holds Meeting with Student Press FROM TETLOW, PAGE 1

from the university administration.

Tetlow said that the university has been in contact with FGSW. “We’re constantly negotiating with them. And so the idea that it’s met with silence is wrong. We are now figuring out where we can more easily agree first. And so a lot of the things that aren’t about resources, but about other kinds of problems that we could solve together, where we agree with them [that] this is something that needs to be fixed,” said Tetlow.

Similarly, negotiations with the FRA have been ongoing. Tetlow said there is a fundamental disagreement on compensation.

“I think part of our disconnect there in a pragmatic way will be that, you know, we have these dorms that are very expensive for us to build and maintain in a city like New York,” she said. “When we take a room and instead of getting revenue for that room that helps

us sustain the university and the dorm, we give that to an RA so that they can better do their job.”

The resident assistant award — which includes a full room and board stipend as well as a meal plan — is a non-taxable form of compensation, different to a typical salary. This is unique to the RA position.

“We spend several million dollars on the RA program and what we effectively pay per hour is significant, but it’s — because it comes in the form of a free room, a meal plan, etc., and not a paycheck — it doesn’t feel as generous as we think that it is,” said Tetlow.

Pivoting to the university’s role in the evolving social climate and public sphere, Tetlow addressed the level of responsibility the university has to respond to global and domestic issues, such as the ongoing crisis in Gaza or matters of gun violence in the United States.

Some topics, such as the national Supreme Court affirmative action decision, were topical for an institution of higher education to speak on; other matters are more “nebulous,” said Tetlow.

“What I do not think it is my job to do is to tell you my opinion on every single divisive topic that exists in the world,” said Tetlow. “I’m very conscious of the fact that there are many other wars even, much less [sic] epic levels of suffering going on in countries all over the world, that I have no ability to speak out about constantly.”

Tetlow added that she is never trying to “divide the [university] community” and she is “so proud of the strength that people in this community, students and faculty and staff have shown in finding a way to lean into being there for each other at a moment when a lot of campuses have split apart.”

Additionally, on the matter of affirmative action, Tetlow asserted

that the university remains keen on maintaining its diversity by every metric. Although Fordham admissions can no longer see an applicant’s race, the application itself gives prospective students the opportunity to expand on their varied life experiences.

“It’s a mix of the strategy of how we recruit, of doing what we’re allowed to do, of selling ourselves to a diverse student body and then making sure the substance and the quality of community we provide here is as welcoming and supportive as possible,” said Tetlow.

She added that, by continuing to field students from the Bronx and the greater New York area, Fordham is growing more diverse every academic year. The university’s biggest feeder schools, for example, are Brooklyn Technical High School and The Bronx High School of Science, both of which boast high levels of diversity across the board.

On the matter of artificial intelligence and its purposes in a classroom, Tetlow said that the academic integrity policy has not been updated to reflect the new technology. As it evolves, the university has temporarily placed the onus on faculty to determine AI’s role in their class and whether it not it can be used.

She added that the biggest question is regulation and the difference between students using AI to “push through the blank page” versus writing an entire assignment using ChatGPT. The university is continuing to monitor advancements in the field of artificial intelligence and are convening with faculty to determine the best course of action in the future.

Tetlow affirmed a commitment to be transparent with students, stating that she hopes to hold a student press conference once every semester.

Fordham Emails Affected in Data Breach

By SAMANTHA MINEAR FEATURES EDITOR

On Nov. 9, thousands of Fordham emails were affected by a data breach, resulting in email passwords, names, phone numbers and gender identities of current and past students and faculty to be compromised.

The IT Office of Information Security and Assurance stated that the Office of Information Technology “discovered that a vendor-hosted and -managed application used by the University was compromised” and “a total of 4,800 accounts were exposed.”

Fordham IT immediately logged out all vulnerable users from their active sessions to protect their data and information.

Those affected were contacted by SMS or email and instructed to reset their passwords.

As a result of the data breach, the university has “ter-

minated ties with the vendor,” citing outdated security practices which lead to this issue.

“The Office of Information Technology takes data security concerns seriously, and it is crucial that vendors used by the University also conform to stringent IT and data security standards,” said IT. “In the past five years, we have implemented rigorous security requirements for vendors hosting our applications and data.”

Allison Schneider, FCRH ‘26, was one of the students affected by the breach.

“When I got the text from the Emergency Notification System, I originally thought it was one of those scam texts and ignored it,” she said. “Eventually, I did reset it and had to log back in on every platform that uses my school login.”

The SMS message to affected students read “Your Fordham password is compromised. Reset it now:

Go to fordham.edu, click Log In, Forgot Password, Enter a new one. Reply with YES to confirm receipt.”

Nicole Braun, FCRH ‘24, was also affected and said that the IT portal was incongruent with resetting her password.

The process took several tries, at which point Braun was in the middle of midterms.

“It actually took a few days for me to receive school emails like normal again, which was inconvenient,” said Braun.

The office is looking to replace the now-deactivated application in the near future to better aid the university community and prevent this from happening in the future.

Students will questions or concerns can reach out to IT. Students should be changing their passwords intermittedly and practicing internet safety.

COURTESY OF ALEX ANTONOV/THE FORDHAM RAM

On Nov. 9, Fordham emails were affected by a data breach.

NEWS

November 29, 2023

Page 5

Pedro Arrupe Volunteers Give Back During the Holiday Season FROM PAV, PAGE 1

and coordinate the PAV — which has 35 students on the student council. The other two administrators are Carol Gibney and Donna Lajoux.

“I joined PAV after attending a few events last year where we went out into the community and I had an awesome time! I met Gil and Carol who lead PAV and they created an awesome and supportive environment that I wanted to get more involved in,” said Maisie McAdams, FCRH ’26.

McAdams added that volunteering is especially impactful because most of the volunteering is with long-held community partners.

“There’s a great opportunity to establish long-term relationships and opportunities for repeated service. This is great because when you stick with an organization you are better able to see its development and the impact it makes,” McAdams said.

Severino explained that the current volunteer work with Xavier Mission is because of

a connection with a Fordham graduate and one of the former Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) directors, Roxanne De La Torre.

“A few years ago, she went to work at Xavier, so it was kind of a personal connection that got us working with them on a more regular basis,” said Severino.

“Now that we have somebody there we can really talk to her about, like, what exactly do you need? How can we really be supportive of your community?”

PAV did two events at the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses for the turkey distribution. At Lincoln Center, they collaborated with the Ethical Society, and students helped with the distribution of food on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. One of the sources of food was 800 lbs of potatoes from Aramark, who donated half.

On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, they also did a Rose Hill distribution event with Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

Severino added that one of

their first programs in 2012 was a health and resource fair at St. Martin of Tours church. Since PAV is a faith and justice program, they wanted to focus on working with people in local churches since they are widely seen as sanctuaries.

The goal is to introduce the churches to community partners to form relationships where they can host their own health and resource fairs.

Currently, they are working with Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, whose pastor is also a Fordham graduate, Fr. José Félix Ortega.

Severino explained that it used to be a mainly Italian congregation, but it is now almost entirely a community of Spanishspeaking immigrants.

In addition to the clothes being collected for Xavier Mission, Severino said that clothing is being collected for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, and she said she recently attended a conference that said 136,000 migrants have come to New York City in the last year and a half.

“So you can imagine when these people get off the bus with literally not a bag in their hand.

It is cold in New York, we need to get clothing, shoes and other goods to them as quickly as possible,” said Severino.

Severino added, “We also have, unfortunately, a stable population of people who are houseless, and so they’re also looking for clothing. You can’t carry your winter coat with you all summer. And so they might get discarded and then in the winter, they need new shoes, new clothing, toiletries, you know, things like that. So the need is year-round.”

Overall, Severino emphasized that students often want to help people when they join or do PAV projects, but they do not realize that the most help is given to them.

“They are going to be graced by these wonderful conversations with people in our community. They’re going to be able to meet people who live right outside the gate. Fordham is very isolated in a lot of ways

and there are a lot of, like, faculty departments that are trying to kind of break down those gates and get into the community,” Severino said.

“We all have the challenge and the privilege of bringing students into the community for them to meet the wonderful Bronx, you know, the vibrant, wonderful people that live in the Bronx.”

PAV’s next event will be a holiday party at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on Dec. 2 from 1-3 p.m. One element of it will be local students who have their own businesses that are being mentored by Gabelli students and will be selling their items. In addition, there will be food vendors.

“Fordham students, if you’re on Arthur, between 1 and 3 on Saturday, December 2, come out and support this community initiative,” Severino said.

PAV holds a numer of events throughout the academic year and all students are welcome.

Fordham University System Undergoes Updates

By NORA MALONE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Members of the Fordham community may have noticed recent updates to their MyFordham homepage due to upgrades from IT. Most noticeable is the redesigned “My Apps” page; however, that is not the only renovation to the system.

On Nov. 9, the IT department sent an email detailing the changes, focusing on RamDocs, a more secure network, a new HPCC Magis Cluster, a major/minor declaration form and an employee action form.

“The initiative, outlined in our annual email, reflects the university's commitment to reimagining education through technology,” said Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the Office of Information Technology, Anand Padmanabhan.

“One of the central goals of the IT department at Fordham is digi-

tal transformation, a commitment to providing impactful tech tools that elevate efficiency and propel the university forward.”

The main focus of these updates was to increase practicality and avoid unnecessary roadblocks within the system. One of which was to upgrade the Fordham Student Hub, a service accessed via MyApps. It allows students easy access to academic advisors and other individuals within Fordham that are assigned to assist them.

Notably, this resource offers the ability to schedule appointments with advisors in person, by phone, or via Zoom. Students can also easily contact advisors through the Hub. “This semester, we did a significant redesign based on valuable feedback from students and advisors — the Hub now offers an intuitive and streamlined experience,” said Padmanabhan. “The updated interface makes it easy

to schedule appointments with advisors and key services.”

New features in MyApps and the Hub will be rolled out in 2024.

A similar resource called Virtual Academic Space allows students to easily access software applications that are offered in the university's campus computer labs.

“Think of this as your computer lab in the cloud, which is accessible by you wherever you are with an internet connection,” said Padmanabhan.

This service includes tools like R, Microsoft Office 365, SPSS, Banner, Hyland OnBase and PowerFAIDS. It is accessible from any device via MyApps.

The Office of Information Technology has also done work to increase research computing capabilities at Fordham.

The Magis Cluster, a high-performance computing system, was introduced to address the needs of faculty and student

researchers. “[It boasts] a 56 Teraflops cluster with dedicated GPUs featuring 64,000 CUDA cores.

The Magis Cluster enables rapid parallel processing of computationally intensive tasks,” said Padmanabhan. “As a testament to its commitment to cutting-edge research, Fordham is set to integrate Grace-Hopper GPUs as early as Feb 2024, further elevating the Magis Cluster’s capabilities.”

Additionally, a Learning, Innovation, and Technology Environment center in Walsh Library has been updated. It now holds virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing, podcasting rooms and resources offered to educate students on these technologies.

“The ambitious changes were not implemented overnight.

Fordham University’s Office of Information Technology has been working tirelessly behind the scenes, planning and ex-

ecuting these initiatives to ensure a seamless transition,” said Padmanabhan. “We have taken an approach to bring new services and functionality faster to the students and employees.”

As these enhancements go forward, students have hope that certain aspects of the Fordham systems will be updated.

The Fordham class registration system is among these.

“It needs to be able to handle more students registering at the same time,” said Christina Lopez-Letsi, GSB ’27. “I waited like half a minute for it to load, and by the time it was done most classes were already gone.”

As more internal updates occur, the Office of Information Technology will inform the student body.Curious students can stay aware via Fordham’s Info Tech News Blog, which posts about updates and workshops for the Fordham community, or follow them on Twitter, @FordhamIT.

Filtered Water Stations to be Installed in Every Dorm by December 2023

By STEPHANIE LANE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Filtered water stations are being installed in the Rose Hill residence halls and will be complete by the end of the semester. Among the 14 residence halls, 11 have newly installed water stations.

The water station initiative was proposed and passed in the spring of 2022 by the United Student Government (USG).

However, USG could not take on this project on its own.

Jamie Serruto, FCRH ’24, Vice President of Facilities and Dining Committee, worked alongside the Residence Halls Association on this new venture.

“There was an effort in collaboration between Residence Halls Association Executive President Sal Imbornone, Senator Santiago Vidal, and myself,” Serruto said.

The initial installations began in April 2022, starting with the

upperclassmen dorm and O’Hare Hall. The rest of the residence halls followed, with Walsh and Finlay Hall being the most recent. Their water stations were installed over Thanksgiving break.

Queen’s Court, Martyrs’ Court and Loyola Hall are the last to receive the installations. These buildings currently have units in place and are waiting for the plumbing to be finalized.

Not only does this new renovation bring a new source for water to all the residence halls, but it demonstrates the importance of creating the Facilities and Dining Committee under USG. “My committee didn’t exist in its form, so this collaborative nature was necessary,” Serruto explains. “As a result of this collaboration, we brought the vision for the Facilities and Dining Committee.”

The addition of filtered water stations has been in the works for a year and a half. The renovation has progressed rapidly, especially considering it is led by students.

“This is one of the largest capital improvements that has been student driven in the history of residence halls,” Serruto said.

Before the initiative to put water refill stations in every dorm, students had to scramble for filtered water. Many students purchase and use Brita water filters in their dorms. “For the entirety of the last three years that I lived in a dorm, I’ve used a Brita filter,” said Bella Sabino, FCRH ’24.

However, in August of this year, Brita was recalled for false advertising. The filtered water system did not remove the toxins it claimed to.

“I’m very glad to know that we have filtered water stations within our residence halls, being that there are ongoing recalls for water filters,” Serruto said.

Fordham decided to install the trusted Elkay EZH2O® Bottle Filling Station. The university has this exact brand and model in many of the academic

buildings already. This system is a touchless bottle filler that uses a sensor to detect when a bottle is near. The water station aims to promote sustainability on campus by reducing the dependency on disposable plastic bottles. The station has a 20-second timer feature so there is less water wasted. Another feature is the LED status monitor that lets one know when the filter needs to be changed. The filter takes up to 3,000 gallons until it needs to be replaced.

Serruto shared that offering the same features throughout the different residence halls was a driving factor for USG to start the new renovation. “The vision was to close the gaps on the residence halls that did not have access to drinking water and those that did,” he said.

Serruto said students no longer have to worry about the lack of access to clean, filtered water. “This system encourages sustainability — to be able to fill up a reusable water bottle — and convenience while

promoting proper hydration,” Serruto said.

Kendra Kleintop, GSB ’24, executive vice president of the Residence Halls Association, revealed that sustainability, health and finances were the main reasons for installing the bottle-filling stations.

“The proposal to install Elkay Bottle Filling Stations with single ADA cooler in the residence halls was created for a few reasons: sustainability, health hazards, and to fulfill a basic amenity need that we knew was necessary given the room and board costs that our residents pay,” Kleintop said.

All of the water stations will be up and running by early December, just in time for finals season. All students will have access to pure water.

“I’m really happy they installed a new water station because it makes filling up my water bottle before classes much easier,” says Cristina Stefanizzi, FCRH ’27.

NEWS

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Novemer 29, 2023

Students On University Responses to Israel and Palestine FROM WAR, PAGE 1

worried about violence and discrimination,” Tetlow said. Tetlow added the aforementioned are likely “terrified for loved ones in both Israel and Gaza, or mourning friends and family already lost to the horrific attacks and now to the war.”

Muslim Students Association (MSA) President Hajer Merarda, FCRH ’24, expressed her disbelief at Tetlow’s email during a sit-down interview. “My reaction to Tetlow’s blatant neglect of Palestine and Palestinians in her first email was outrage,” Merarda said.

She called it “completely filled with biased one-sided rhetoric,” criticizing its complete lack of the word “Palestine” and “the fear of collective blame” as the sole mention of Muslims.

Tetlow’s second email, on the war’s one-month mark, “Making Fordham Safe for Every Member of Our Community,” outlined the university’s responsive actions and commitment to protect each individual within it. Among what Tetlow described as officials’ “pragmatic things” were Public Safety’s “Enhanced Security,” billed as “hypervigilance across campuses, while continuing to work in close consultation with the NYPD, monitoring any threats in the community.”

At a Nov. 16 “Pizza with Public

Safety” town hall, Public Safety supervisors addressed the current state of university security measures, which had evolved with feedback from the university. “People predominantly reacted adversely to the NYPD’s deployment as an army, so they’re not on campus now,” said Public Safety operations manager William McSorley. “But you might’ve noticed an increased police presence around campus gates and surrounding blocks.

They’re more ready to respond than ever.”

In her Nov. 7 statement, Tetlow said that she has reached out to the student body to hear concerns about the current events.

“I have been listening hard to Palestinian and Jewish students, faculty, and staff,” Tetlow said, exemplifying her Student Leader Listening Sessions with students “representing those most impacted by the events,” where she would hear their concerns and discuss their physical and mental safety. Tetlow highlighted Fordham’s Non-Discrimination Policy; expanding Interfaith Support’s aim to hire a university imam and rabbi respectively for Muslim and Jewish students; discussions guiding faculty on empathetically addressing the war to classes; and as on Oct. 10, reiterated hopes for unity and concluded with contact information for Campus Ministry, Counseling and Psychological and University

Health Services and Public Safety.

While Merarda thought the second email was better, she said she believes there are more aspects that still need to be addressed.

“Her second email, only after we applied pressure, was an improvement,” said Merarda, “but it’ll never be enough until Tetlow refers to the war in Gaza as a genocide, and Israel is condemned for its heinous war crimes and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.”

“I and many students sense an intentional wording in her statements absolving Israel of any responsibility,” Merarda said.

“What I don’t think she realizes is that in stepping around eggshells not to upset anyone, she only continues to hurt one group and supportively validate the other.”

Merarda also said that the university administration continues to deny Students for Justice for Palestine (SJP) a formal place on the Lincoln Center campus. Merarda said that many Palestinian clubs feel that they must compromise their ethos for any consideration of official recognition. She said she believes Tetlow and officials’ rejections reveal their standing on the war, calling their words “acts of censorship, whether they admit it or not.”

Tetlow said in a press conference with student journalists on Nov. 27 that SJP’s Lincoln Center

chapter has not received official recognition at Fordham because of its affiliation with the national organization.

“We continue to urge students to create a student organization to support Palestinian students, but what we’re resisting is just the association with the national group,” Tetlow said, citing her concern with the rhetoric of the national SJP organization.

“I think at this moment, that is so fraught. The national group is a very decentralized organization, so it is hard to pin down what stances it actually takes. But [due to] some of what has gotten posted, on their social media, the National SJP group has been really worrisome,” said Tetlow.

Members of the general student population also expressed their reactions regarding the university’s response.

Jaylin Seldon, FCRH ’27, called Tetlow’s statements “Empty. It’s disgusting Tetlow already made it clear she stands with Israel, evident by her month-long refusal to finally mention Palestinians/ Palestine, and the fact she hasn’t even done the bare minimum of calling for a ceasefire yet. All her posturing about campus equality and diversity once again feels empty because she seems quite fine with genocide overseas.”

Amy Konate, FCRH ’26, believes that there is not enough

awareness surrounding the topic.

“More needs to be done,” said Konate. “Reading the frustrations pro-Palestinian communities endlessly endure is upsetting, from condemning Hamas to no mention of the IDF’s doings. Tetlow refuses to call Israel genocidal. How are you watching ‘bombs dropping on Gaza’ without mentioning who’s bombing? Until you address it headon, you’re complicit in the atrocities.”

To close her Nov. 7 statement, Tetlow implored university members to remain respectful toward others on and off-campus.

“I need for all of us to choose our words carefully right now, to know that many members of our community are listening to us and trying to decide if they can feel safe here,” Tetlow’s Nov. 7 email closed.

“While we never abandon our commitment to the importance of free speech to challenge and push each other, this is a moment to remember the corresponding obligations of community. We do not threaten, even unintentionally. And we do not question each other’s humanity or belonging here.”

The Ram reached out to the Jewish Student Organization, which declined to comment.

Tetlow wrapped her initial Oct. 10 email, offering, “For those of you in need of comfort… we have been reaching out to many of our affected students directly but we are eager to do more.”

Senior Researches the Representations of Disability

By ALICE GAALSWYK STAFF WRITER

Abigail Dziura, FCRH ’24, spent the summer researching incidental representations of disability in two cartoons from the 20th century, the “Peanuts” comic strips and the “Smurfs” television show. Dziura wanted to specifically investigate the ways that side characters with disabilities were portrayed in these storylines and how that contributed to the perceptions of disability within children’s media.

Dziura wanted to focus on these cartoons because they are widely considered American staples of children’s media, but are not typically associated with popular representations of disability.

Dziura was also interested in the fact that the creators of both “Peanuts” and the “The Smurfs” had either connections to disability or were disabled themselves. “They were sort of chosen to highlight incidental representation both in the fictional side of the media and the contextual, biographical side.” Charles Schulz, the creator, illustrator and writer of “Peanuts,” was diagnosed with a tremor in his hand about 30 years into his career writing “Peanuts.” Dziura noted that this visibly affected his drawings, as the lines of his drawings became shakier and thinner.

“Disability was quite literally ingrained into the art style of the Peanuts,” Dziura said. She chose to specifically study the character of Marcie, who was blind. As for the “The Smurfs,” Dziura studied Patsy Cameron, who was a famous American Sign Language interpreter who was also responsible for the creation of the character Laconia, who used sign language in the show.

Dziura noted that a wide

majority of representation for characters with disabilities solely focuses on their struggles with their own identity. While these feelings are completely valid and can encompass important parts of these characters, Dziura says it is important to remember that people with disabilities are also regular people who just go about their daily lives. “I think especially for children, having that sort of representation and seeing a disabled character going about and living their lives and being involved in the media that they care about, specifically American cultural icons, I think can be really powerful,” said Dziura.

Dziura ultimately found the portrayal of these characters to be a bit of a mixed bag. For Laconia, Dziura said that she is shown in storylines that have “relevance beyond her disability,” meaning that her story is about something other than her muteness or deafness. However, Dziura saw that in the press releases surrounding her character, the show advertised the fact that it cost extra money to produce these episodes and to have actors signing for Laconia. “I think it’s interesting that they highlighted the fact that they had to go out of their way to include this representation,” said Dziura.

Dziura found Marcie’s portrayal in “Peanuts” to be more complicated. Marcie is shown to be a very capable character, but when either her glasses or visual impairment is brought up, a lot of jokes are made about her disability. However, in the comics, Marcie does not put up with this, and will fight back against people who make fun of her glasses or visual impairment.

Dziura also noted that there is a long history of representations of social justice and important issues within “Peanuts,” so to not include

more explicit portrayals of a disabled character is a reflection that this was not as important in the common discourse of the time.

Dziura was advised on this project by Professor Christopher Dietrich, Ph.D., the head of the American Studies department at Fordham. While a bulk of her research consisted of parsing through primary source material, Dziura also had the opportunity to talk with Cameron, and got in touch with an archivist at the Schulz Museum, both of whom

helped her during the research process.

Dziura was initially inspired to do this research while trying to find a funny “Smurf” character to send her friend as a joke. She came across a Smurf named “Disabled Smurf” and immediately went down a rabbit hole of researching representations of disability in children’s media, which she found to be almost nonexistent.

She was also inspired by the article “‘Sometimes My Hands Shake So Much I Have to Hold

my Wrists to Draw’: Charles M. Schulz and Disability” by Michelle Ann Abate. After reading this article, Dziura became enamored by the subject and wanted to study it more deeply.

“Especially with disabilities studies, I feel like a lot of it is there, but unseen, and so I find it very fascinating to hear what other scholars have to say because they’ll typically point out something that maybe wouldn’t be considered disability in other contexts,” Dziura said.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Marcie from “Peanuts” is a character that is often defined by her disability (visual impairment) during the show.

COURTESY OF ABIGAIL DZIURA FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Dziura is researching portrayal of disability in twentieth-century comics, specifically in “Peanuts” and “Smurfs.”

NEWS

Page 7

By EVA ELIZONDO

November 29, 2023

Fordham Updates On-Campus Dog Policy

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fordham updated their oncampus dog policy this fall semester. According to the Student Handbook, “students, faculty, staff, and guests are permitted to have dogs in outdoor public spaces provided that they meet certain requirements.”

Christopher Rodgers, dean of students at Rose Hill, stated, “In response to growing interest in the community, Student Affairs worked with the Department of Public Safety to update and revise the animal policy related to dogs on campus this summer.”

Previously, no animals were allowed on campus, with the exception of service or emotional

support animals required by a community member. Rodgers expressed, “Though this is a different set of rules than the familiar ones related to accommodations for a disability or for service animals, we did our best to balance this more open policy with various common-sense safety requirements” One of these safety requirements is that “the dog must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies, the owners must carry proof of their current dog license and rabies vaccination while on University property,” according to the Student Handbook.

These licenses can be obtained through the New York

City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Dog Licenses website, calling 311 or contacting a veterinarian, animal shelter or pet shop.

Furthermore, the dog must be on a leash that is no longer than six feet and all waste from the dog must be picked up and properly discarded.

Last semester, the Substance Abuse Prevention organization at Fordham organized a pet therapy event in which students were welcome to pet and play with dogs during finals season. This was an exception to the previous animal policy that required planning and authorization.

This year, the Psychology Club is looking into gather-

ing another pet therapy event.

Psychology club president, Iida Linkka, FCRH ’25, states that New York Therapy Animals is the organization that worked with Fordham in the past, and, hopefully, there will be another pet visit to campus in the spring semester. In collaboration with Fordham’s Office for Student Involvement to manage a budget, along with the updated policy, the process of getting dogs on campus for occasions such as the aforementioned has been facilitated.

In light of the altered policy, President Tania Tetlow’s and Dean Maura Mast’s dogs, Archie and Pumpkin, visited the Rose Hill campus on Nov. 1. Stu-

dents have noticed a slight increase in dog presence on campus since “Archie Day.” Grace Kniestedt, FCRH ’27, expressed that “[she has] seen parents visiting students during the weekends with dogs.”

“I also like that this decision fosters a more understanding environment to people’s needs,” said Kniestedt.

“In the months since the revision, we’ve seen more dogs on campus and no issues of note have been reported,” said Rodgers.

The Student Handbook has additional information, steps and requirements for those interested in learning more about the animal policy.

Graduate School of Social Service Hosts “Closing the Digital Divide” Panel

By TARA LUMB

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In an effort to address the ever-growing gap in digital access and literacy, the Graduate School of Social Service at Fordham University recently hosted a virtual conference titled “Closing the Digital Divide” on Friday, Nov. 17. The event brought together a diverse panel of speakers from around the globe, representing various sectors, including business, healthcare, education, libraries, information technology and social work.

The Fordham Institute for Women and Girls in collaboration with the International Health Awareness Network (IHAN) organized the event.

The conference aimed to discuss the digital divide, shed light on the challenges it poses and propose potential solutions. The event had seven speakers, who were carefully chosen to provide a deep dive into the issue.

Sandra Turner, Ph.D., a member and co-director of the Institute for Women and Girls since its founding in 2003, explained the selection process for the speaker.

“The speakers were chosen by the committee members representing both IHAN and the Institute for Women and Girls,” said Dr. Turner.

“We have social work students who are interning at the UN, supervised by Elaine Congress on the committee and they worked on organization, choosing speakers, and one student, Frankie Heppell presented on social media.”

Dr. Elaine Congress, cochair of the Fordham Institute for Women and Girls, added that “we wanted to have international speakers, and thus we had speakers from Belgium, Australia, South Africa, and India.”

The speakers represented a range of professions, ensuring a comprehensive view of the digital divide.

The first speaker was Peter Manderick, the general manager at Close the Gap, an accredited NGO at the U.N., who spoke about the intersection of technology and social work. According to Congress, Professor Gabrielle Casper spoke next. Casper is a gynecologist, the head of a women’s hospital in Sydney, Australia and

president of IHAN. She shared videos from her students at the University of Notre Dame Australia’s National School of Medicine about the use of telehealth. Maddie Hines, who is responsible for the digital strategy at a major library in Maryland followed Casper.

Hines highlighted the vital role of libraries in narrowing the digital divide and was asked to speak because, according to Congress, “libraries have an essential role in closing the digital divide.”

After Hines, Professor Viji Melnick, co-chair of IHAN, discussed a province in India that has significantly increased digital literacy, Kerala. “At the turn of the 20th century, Kerala had a very stratified Society” said Melnick. “Post independence, the state moved to promote social and economic equality along with enhanced educational opportunities. These efforts resulted in Kerala becoming one of the most progressive and developed states in India.”

Eduard Brewer, also from IHAN, was next, and he presented an innovative tech-

nological program called “Women of the Golden Thread” that women in South Africa developed to combat violence. Kristen Treglia followed Brewer. Treglia is an expert from Fordham IT and a member of the conference’s committee. She spoke about the latest apps, particularly in the health field and emphasized how important it is to develop them ethically.

Frankie Heppell, a social work student at Fordham, was the last to speak. She provided a youthful perspective on the topic of closing the digital divide. She discussed how the ethics of social work have changed, especially since the digital world has evolved.

The theme of the conference was suggested by Sorosh Roshan, Ph.D., a former president of IHAN, and the committee agreed it felt important. “As our world becomes more digital, those who are not knowledgeable about using technology via phones and computers will be increasingly disadvantaged” explained Congress.

“This is a worldwide prob-

lem, not just an issue in rural Australia or Africa but in NYC as well as other highly developed areas.” Congress remarked that “women as compared to men are much less likely to have computers or phones and know how to use them,” which emphasized the global nature of the problem and highlighted that it is not restricted to just underdeveloped regions.

When asked what they hoped the attendees would take away from the conference, Congress replied, “to learn about what is the digital divide and why it is such a serious issue, to know about some of the interventions around the world that have been adopted to address this issue, and to think about what they can do to help close the digital divide.”

As the world continues to digitally evolve, conferences like “Closing the Digital Divide” may play a crucial role in promoting the awareness, collaboration and action to ensure that no one is left behind in this digital age.

APAC and OMA’s Multicultural Talent Show Displays Plethora of Talent

By SINCLAIR MCKINNEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Colorful lighting and paper lanterns surround a stage where performers displayed their talents during the Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC) and the Office of Multicultural Affairs’ (OMA) Multicultural Talent Show.

“Our main goal was really seeing the diversity of talents and cultures,” said Juliet Romero, FCLC ’26, president of APAC. “I wanted people to express their culture in a way that also showcases any talents that they have.”

APAC is a newly revived club for all Asian Pacific Americans to exchange and learn about the various cultures present in each Asian

Pacific identity. The club became inactive a couple of years ago when smaller, separate identity clubs gained popularity for specific Asian Pacific identities. With help from OMA and her executive board, Romero brought APAC back to life.

The executive board of APAC is a diverse group, which aims to show off a core value of the club. Romero is Filipino, Vice President Regina Chiem, FCLC ’26, is Cambodian and Chinese, Secretary Bea Del Rosario, FCLC ’26, is Filipino, Treasurer Tejas Niroola, GSBLC ’26, is Indian and Public Officer Zainub Shah, GSBLC ’26, is Bahraini and Pakistani.

“Everyone has a different way of expressing their cultures,” said Romero. “It’s been very insightful to hear their perspectives on how we should progress the club in the upcoming years if we choose to continue and establish a heavy and diverse community.” Chiem and Francesca Africa, FCLC ’26, knew they wanted to support APAC, so they decided to perform at the showcase. The duo sang “Chasing Pavements” by Adele while a backtrack flowed behind their voices.

The top three performers were selected and given prizes for their performances.

The finalists were EMPIRE Dance club, singers Chiem and Africa and performer Ellie Kim. Events such as these aim to allow individuals to showcase their talents and culture, help clubs expand their outreach and provide a fun and entertaining environment for participants and viewers alike. According to APAC, providing opportunities for students to share and learn about different cultures fosters a more inclusive environment for all at Fordham University.

“I appreciate being able to attend an event where I can learn about other people

through various art forms,” said spectator Candace Lavache, FCRH ’23. “It’s important that we recognize the many different cultures that make up our shared community.”

APAC said that Fordham can establish relationships with surrounding communities and expose students to companies through supporting events that celebrate certain backgrounds.

“That’s really our mission,” said Romero. “Just fostering an environment where everyone feels comfortable to express who they are, their culture and their ethnicities in their own way.”

OPINION

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

Website TheFordhamRam.com Email Address theram@fordham.edu Editor in Chief Isabel Danzis Managing Editor Sebastian Diaz Editorial Director Jamison Rodgers Production Editor Michael Sluck Multimedia Director Frances Schnepff Business Director Matthew Colucci Copy Chief Hannah Boring Assistant Copy Chief Sophia Forlenza News Editor Emma Kim Features Editor Samantha Minear Assistant News Editors Sofia Donohue Grace Galbreath Opinion Editor Nicole Braun Assistant Opinion Editors Evan McManus Allison Schneider Culture Editors Kari White Ilaina Kim Assistant Culture Editor Lauren Lombardi Sports Editors Nick Guzman Maddie Bimonte Assistant Sports Editor Lou Orlando Social Media Director Rory Donahue Digital Producers Ava Carreiro Julia Ocello Grace Campbell Claire Krieger Video Editor Skylar Harris Photo Editor Alexandra Antonov Advertising Directors Kathleen Hollinger Grace Miller Faculty Advisor Beth Knobel Editorial Policy The Fordham Ram’s editorial reflects the editorial board’s opinions or views.

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

November 29, 2023

From the Desk | Isabel Danzis

When you walk into The Fordham Ram’s newsroom in room B-52, you’re struck by many things. There are inside jokes plastered all over the walls, buckets of candy, stacks of newspapers, etc. But what you would be struck by most of all is the number of chairs.

There are so many chairs that it is impossible to walk through the room without bumping into at least a few. As I reflect on my three years working on The Fordham Ram, I’m struck by exactly how many of these chairs I’ve sat in.

I started my time on the Ram, sitting in an uncomfortable wooden chair right by the door.

I spent my Tuesday nights as an assistant news editor working on page two of the newspaper and every so often scooting over to help Abbey Delk, Volume 103’s news editor, with the front page. I learned so much in that corner of the room from Abbey. To this day, I don’t think Abbey quite knows how much she taught me in B-52 (and the WFUV Newsroom) about journalism and life; thank you.

My next year on the Ram, I moved slightly down the news desk to an office chair. The back of the chair was incredibly upright and the wheels were broken. As news editor of Volume 104, I designed the front page of the newspaper. I wrote multiple articles each week on unions, protests, elections, campus events, campus life, etc. In that role, I wrote most of the 100-plus articles I’ve written for The Fordham Ram during my time as a staff member.

The next chair I moved to was

The Chairs of B-52

big, full of padding, equipped with functioning wheels and came with its own desk — the editor in chief’s chair. When I sat in my wooden chair in Volume 103, I had no idea I would be sitting behind the editor in chief’s desk one day. Even from my chair with the broken wheels, being editor in chief was something that felt like an intimidating jump.

Newspapers are living and breathing organisms. News changes, meaning newspapers themselves have to constantly adapt. There is no guide to being the Ram’s editor in chief because the problems each person faces in the role are different depending on what is happening in the world and on campus. That is what intimidated me about becoming editor in chief, but now a year later, I’ve learned to love it. During my entire time on the Ram, no two production nights were the same. No two editions were the same, no two problems were the same and no two successes were the same. It is part of what makes journalism and the Ram so exciting. And despite the difficulties a constantly changing world provides, I am so proud of what the Ram has done this year.

I am so proud of the way Volume 105 has handled challenges thrown at them and embraced the many successes we had. Being editor in chief of this paper has taught me how to be a leader and navigate difficult decisions, conflicts and situations. I will not lie and say it has been easy to run this newspaper. However, I would not trade

the experience for anything.

The Fordham Ram is a very special place. It is an important part of the campus community where work can be shared, and students can learn about things going on all around them. It’s a place where young writers can practice their craft. It’s a place where editors come every week to share laughs, work on the newspaper and make friends. For me, it was a place that taught me. The Ram has taught me so many difficult, but valuable, lessons about leadership, writing and journalism.

It’s where I met so many amazing people who have shaped my college experience and I know are lifelong friends.

Matt, Jamison and Frances, thank you so much for all your tireless work this year. I could not have asked for a better team of E-Board members.

Michael, thank you for doing so much more than your job description this year.

Finally, thank you Seb. In every single chair I’ve sat in at B-52, you’ve always been in the one next to me. I could not imagine rising through this paper next to anyone else.

The biggest thank you belongs to the entire staff of Volume 105. This “From the Desk” was about me, but this paper is a group effort. This paper would be nothing without your countless articles, edits, emails and your devotion to producing the best possible newspaper each week.

It’s hard to say what chair I will sit in next. But I know it won’t be in B-52. However, it is clear that wherever I go, I’ll carry lessons, skills and memories I’ve gathered in this very special newsroom.

Editorial | College Chaos

Disregard the Prying Questions This is the final issue that will be published by the Volume 105 staff, which makes this the final editorial from the 105 Ram E-Board. In the past, this space has been used as a place for the board to voice a collective opinion on issues both within our Fordham community, like the implementation of a new, labor-based grading system, events within the broader New York City community, such as the emerging migrant crisis and controversies within the broader U.S. like calling for an end to gun violence in our schools. This final opinion from us to our community will take a slightly more reflective tone than in the past.

College students are entering a time of year that acts as a double-edged sword where the holidays promise a break from school and a time to relax as well as bring the dread of reconnecting with family and friends who have one question on their mind: have you figured out what you’re doing with your life yet?

These questions come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from have you picked a major, what do you want to do with that, have you thought about an internship yet, do you have a job lined up after graduation, etc. They come from a

well-intentioned place, but on behalf of all college students, please stop asking these questions at a family holiday dinner.

All these questions cause is panic among students that they are falling behind and that they need to make their minds up at 18 with what they want to do and are then stuck. All of this, in turn, takes away their ability to relax, which is the point of the break in the first place.

Trust that your question was not the first time that a student has thought about their future, it did not magically lift a veil off their senses and remind them that they need to figure out their life.

And just to calm those fears and feelings of panic for students, 80% of students change their major at least once and the average amount of times to change a major is three. And as it turns out, students who change their major have a higher graduation rate at 83% compared to 79% for students who never change their major.

Furthermore, out of a pool of 817 college graduates, 61% would change their major if they could go back. Reasons range from having different job opportunities, being dissatisfied with their current position or, the most answered reason for changing, wanting to pursue

a passion. A majority of college grads would change their major if they could go back in time, so don’t fret about doing it now.

Looking past major decisions, a large number of people will eventually change their careers at some point in their life. The most amount of times a person will change their career will be between ages 18 to 24 and the average rate of that change is 5.4 times. This rate will decrease with age, but for college students, this stat can provide solace that changing their career a few times is to be expected. This is why Career Services is a lifelong service for Fordham grads and does not expire once we graduate. They expect that there will be some turnover whether from burnout, wanting a new challenge or just looking for different opportunities, Career Services already knows we’ll be back.

Life is not some rigid experience where everything goes

according to plan so then why does college, an experience that is meant to prepare students for the realities of life, have to be?

College is a unique experience of more independence without many of the responsibilities of adulthood so focus on the fun of right now instead of fretting over the worries of the future.

Ferris Bueller said it best: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Whether it is because a major did not pan out as expected or an internship opened up the reality of what was once a dream position to one you dread going to, it is not only okay, but expected that there will be changes to the life plan during this time period. Don’t put too much stock into the prying questions this holiday season and take comfort in the fact that everyone is in the same boat trying to navigate the rough waters of impending adulthood.

OPINION

November 29 , 2023

Page 9

From the Copy Table

By NORA LEACH

EXEC. COPY EDITOR

This is not a From the Desk.

That’s just a fact. I’m not a staff member, so I don’t have to write one. All I have to do is read these beautifully written, sometimes silly and sometimes sad, articles written by some of the most talented writers I’ve known. I edit these every week, and I’m always scared of making any edits — even if I need to follow AP Style protocol — because even deleting an extra comma feels like I’m taking away someone’s voice.

It’s funny, because despite reading dozens of From the Desks, I still don’t know how to write one. And why would I need to? Well, after spending the last two years on this silly little newspaper, it wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t write something. I’m not the best with words, at least when it comes to speaking them. But maybe if I write them, I could say how I really feel. Let me tell you a little story: Back in April, I went to Six Flags Great Adventure with my friends, and one of them wanted to ride the infamous Kingda Ka. If you don’t know, Kingda Ka is the world’s tallest roller coaster, standing at 456 feet. To reach the top, you’re launched “from 0 to 128 miles per hour in a jawdropping 3.5 seconds.” Then, you’re sent into a complete free fall down the monstrous spiral. The ride only lasts

about 25 seconds, if even, but nothing can prepare you for it.

Now, I’m okay with roller coasters, and I’ve been on my share of thrill rides in the past.

But when I saw that ominous, monstrous green arc standing tall as I walked through the parking lot, I thought to myself, “No way am I ever going on that.” However, my friend promised me it would be fun, and I knew she really wanted to go on it. I couldn’t just say no.

I had this huge knot in my stomach, thinking I just made the biggest mistake of my life.

Once the coaster launched, I screamed the whole way, my head whacking on the sides all the way to the top until we went into the freefall. And yes, it was over in an instant, the biggest, fastest rush of adrenaline in my life. I couldn’t believe I actually did it. My friend was so proud of me, and I hinted that maybe we could go on again. A few hours later, we ended our time at the park with another Kingda Ka ride, and this time, I think I was the one who was more excited.

So why did I use all that space just to talk about a rollercoaster? Well, in several ways, being a part of The Fordham Ram was like that experience. I know it sounds cheesy, but hear me out.

I feel like throughout my life I’ve always been scared, whether that’s about making new friends, studying for a test or writing my

senior thesis. That feeling only amplified when I came to college. I graduated from a middle school class of seven students and a high school class of 34, give or take (yes, you read those numbers right). My small hometown of Groton, Mass. has a population of 11,000. So just imagine my anxiety about going to a college with almost 10,000 undergraduates in a city of approximately eight million, plus minimal interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

My freshman year was rough, and I didn’t think I could meet anyone who would ever want to be my friend because of how shy, reserved and nervous I was. Eventually, though, I found friends who cared about me, who saw past the nervousness, and things got better.

Then I joined The Fordham Ram during the fall semester of my sophomore year as a copy editor, but, just like I was during freshman year, I was quiet, nervous and intimidated. I never talked during meetings, and by winter break, I told myself I’d never go back. But after some encouragement from a Volume 104 and 105 staff member (thanks, Nicole), I decided to go back about halfway through the spring semester. And then, to my surprise, another staff member asked if I wanted to become an executive copy editor and help on production nights (thanks, Michael), so I figured

I’d take the plunge and try to make some new friends.

I’ll admit, it took me a while to put myself out there. I’d often sit quietly on Tuesday nights, overthinking about what I could say and listening to the witty banter or silly inside jokes that I found really endearing. It wasn’t because I didn’t like being there; on the contrary, production night was a highlight of my week.

But again, I’ve been a nervous person all my life, and I didn’t think that was going to change.

But once I opened up more, once I started participating in those silly jokes that I didn’t understand at first, I wasn’t afraid anymore. It was like I launched myself into one of the greatest experiences of my life. I’ve laughed, I’ve ripped my hair out trying to figure out the million AP Style rules that I still sometimes struggle with, I’ve reactivated my “Hamilton” phase, I won a bowling match… I could go on and on.

And yet, just like my time on Kingda Ka, one of the most thrilling experiences ever, it was like my time here at the Ram was done in an instant.

I came up with this poorly thought-out metaphor back in the spring, so I told myself I’d hold on to the fall, hoping I could slow down time. But I couldn’t slow down the 25 seconds on Kingda Ka, and I can’t do that with the Ram, either. It’s all slipping away, and soon I’ll only have the

chaotic yet fond memories of B-52.

So why am I writing this fake From the Desk? Well, I think it’s a message to all of you amazing people of Volume 105, and to me, that you shouldn’t be afraid. When you see something you want to do, like ride the world’s tallest roller coaster, or see something incredible you want to be a part of, like the Ram, then do it.

Most of us are seniors, and we’re going into this scary world where we’ll have no idea what we’re doing. It’s okay to be afraid sometimes, obviously, but never underestimate yourselves or your limits. Do the things that scare you, and even if you regret them after… hey, at least you did it. And I’m proud of you.

If you don’t believe me, then take this advice from one of my favorite “Stranger Things” quotes: “[Life’s] moving, always moving, whether you like it or not. And yeah, sometimes it’s painful. Sometimes it’s sad. And sometimes, it’s surprising. Happy…. Make mistakes, learn from ‘em.

When life hurts you, because it will, remember the hurt.

The hurt is good. It means you’re out of that cave.”

Again, this article is not a From the Desk — maybe it’s a From the Table.

Nora Leach, FCRH ’24, is an English and American studies major from Groton, Mass.

Threats to Election Workers Indicate a Pattern of Violence

By SARAH KENNY

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Is interfering with elections in the United States a form of domestic terrorism? Does it happen enough to be a pattern? It seems likely. In early November, election offices in five states received suspicious envelopes laced with fentanyl, forcing staff to evacuate and slowing down the counting of ballots.

I was disheartened to hear that Washington, my home state, was one of the five. Four county offices within the state were evacuated after receiving suspicious envelopes. I felt angry and hurt that people went to great lengths to threaten poll workers and send a message of fear in a state that I consider to be civil and peaceful. Interfering with elections is a form of domestic terrorism and the arrival of suspicious envelopes in early November is part of a larger pattern of electoral threats and violence.

Unfortunately, both political violence and electoral violence is growing in the United States. A recent poll done by the Public Religion Research Institute and the Brookings

Institute found that 23% of Americans believe violence is an appropriate response to “save the country.” Further, 33% of Republicans and 13% of Democrats believed that statement to be true. I am worried about these statistics because the numbers of people who believe violence is an appropriate response have increased since the last poll in 2021, pointing to the possibility that this is becoming normalized.

Although the most notorious examples of electoral violence are at the federal level, like Jan. 6, 2021, I argue that threats at the state and local level occur more frequently. The suspicious envelopes from early November fit into this growing pattern. Since local and state officials are more accessible to Americans than their federal representatives and elections seem to be a key part of conspiracy theories like that around the 2020 presidential election, I believe these threats are more dangerous because they occur more often. In addition, elections hinge on the counties and states that administer elections and count votes.

Year after year, election officials receive threats and acts of

violence. This slowly chips away at our country’s democratic principle of peaceful elections. And election officials are less likely to stay in their jobs. How can we expect these people to do their job if threats are a norm? How can we reasonably expect people to take up that kind of job or volunteer position knowing the very real likelihood of violence? It is a very hard pill to swallow.

Looking ahead to the 2024 presidential election, better protections must be installed to keep election workers safe. We cannot let people who wish to use violence and fear to influence elections succeed. We also need to call violence in elections what it is: domestic terrorism. Two secretaries of state belonging to states targeted with suspicious letters, Steve Hobbs, Secretary of State of Washington, and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, both identified the envelopes as acts of terrorism. I understand that domestic terrorism is not a term that is used lightly; it evokes memories of painful moments in American history like the Oklahoma City bombing or 9/11. However, I think it is

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Threats of violence are a significant threat facing election officials nationwide.

necessary to use this term to describe this pattern of violence because it is easier to develop clear law enforcement protocols to prevent attacks, build case law that clarifies our laws on domestic terrorism and increases cultural awareness of what domestic terrorism can look like.

Unfortunately, the violence is not limited to elections or election workers. Threats towards judges at the federal, state and local level, mayors, local politicians, federal politicians, school board officials and health officials have frequently occurred in the last few years. I do not mean to sound pessimistic or depressing; in fact, it is with

a very heavy heart that I write this article. Naively, I waved off the trend of election officials receiving threats as happening in far away states. I received a rude awakening when I found out four counties in my home state were recipients of yet another instance of electoral violence. Thus, I believe it is time for us to act. With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, we must protect election workers and make it clear to would-be perpetrators that democracy will not be silenced.

Sarah Kenny, FCRH ’24, is a history and political science major from Seattle, Wash.

OPINION

Page 10

November 29 , 2023

Genre-Bending Feelings, From Folk to Country to Alternative

By LUSA HOLMSTROM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The family tree of musical collaborations is proliferating faster than I can even listen to keep up. Zach Bryan featured Noah Kahan on his most recent release, “Sarah’s Place,” and Kahan featured Hozier on a rerelease of “Northern Attitude” this month. Bryan and Kahan double dipped with country artist Kacey Musgraves, with “I Remember Everything” and “She Calls Me Back,” respectively. Around each corner of the internet lurks a soon-to-beannounced feature or collaboration that feeds into a musical niche that I find myself a part of — part country bumpkin, part forest dweller — one that harmonizes the best parts of many distinct genres and resonates beyond the artists themselves.

Four years ago, Bryan shot to fame sparked by a selfrecorded video of his now-hit song, “Heading South,” that was shaky and just under three minutes long. In the time since that fateful video, Bryan has released five full-length albums and three EPs and sits at number eight on the Billboard Artist 100 list, as of November 2023.

Just nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys, Kahan began releasing music in 2017 but similarly found intense stardom after a teaser video of his phenomenon, “Stick Season,” went viral on TikTok during COVID-19, beginning a two-year journey before the song was released as a single

in 2022. Kahan is now number 19 on the Billboard list. Though a seasoned veteran in the music industry, Hozier traverses similar circles to our two relative newcomers. Propelled to stardom with his 2013 hit single, “Take Me to Church,” he has proved his ability to thrive under pressure; he’s received a Grammy nomination, inspired trends with his hit songs and released three full-length albums. Featured by Kahan on “Northern Attitude” and recently brought onstage by supergroup boygenius, Hozier’s current popularity is such that he just extended his U.S. tour by 37 dates, including two dates at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, N.Y. — for which my angel roommate bought us tickets while I was in class.

What is it about these artists, then? Why now? Why are they all working together? For one, they are all feeding into each other’s successes — maybe they think, “I’m doing well, he’s doing well, why not do better, together?” Or maybe, they’re just giving the people (me and my roommates) what they want. For many, this blending of country, folk and rock feels like a return to the lyricism and song construction that scores of listeners hold most dear. The level of rawness and intimacy that comes from an artist sticking to themselves rather than to a genre. This allows for the blending of genres and cross-featuring of artists, all while holding the interest of original fans. Maybe the

upbeat banjo plucking of Bryan’s “Quitting Time” and Kahan’s “Dial Drunk” are a welcomed departure from synthesizers and the stripped down strings in Hozier’s “Abstract (Psychopomp)” from heavy electronic mixing and editing.

Additionally, Hozier’s orchestral “Son of Nyx” on his most recent album “Unreal Unearth” as an instrumental interlude may remind audiences of the Lumineers’ piano-only ballad “Patience,” both songs giving listeners a brief moment to themselves amidst albums full of longing, mourning and growing. What artists should take from this is that modern listeners still resonate with strippeddown, technically simple songs; they do not always equate produced sounds with talent, and many look to artists to convey raw emotion over anything else.

Luckily for us, however, these three artists give incredible lyrics to connect to, on top of their masterful orchestration and mixing. In a time of increased focus on mental health awareness, transparency from bigger stars is something many listeners see as a sign of representation, relatability and safety from those that fill their ears the most. In Bryan’s “Hey Driver,” he sings “the Klonopin ain’t kicked in, and I missed my sister’s call,” referring to a prescription drug often used to treat anxiety. In “Growing Sideways,” Kahan sings “I’m terrified that I might never have met me,” speaking to how his mental health journey, with the

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Kahan is an artist who has featured singers of different genres on his songs.

help of medication and therapy, helped him find himself and feel more comfortable inside his own head. For Hozier, a few years older than both Bryan and Kahan, his most recent album, “Unreal Unearth,” speaks at a level past self discovery, of one looking back on past loves and ahead into the future; on “Abstract (Psychopomp),” he says “the memory hurts me, but does me no harm.” Artists such as these three have found themselves in the forefront of the music industry by bypassing the limits of the genres they are associated with. Bryan intertwines country and folk; Kahan blends folk into pop; Hozier weaves alternative in with folk.

In writing such songs, artists risk alienating listeners that are used to a cut and dry template for certain kinds of genres, be that the tried and (almost) true

lyricism of early country music, or different instrumentations by different artists. However, for those who do relate, the connections become visceral.

They turn into countless covers of songs, fan-created alternate lyrics and entire stadiums of fans screaming lyrics back to the stage. Though Bryan, Kahan and Hozier are not producing identical music, they are working toward recognition in a pop-heavy industry. The resurgence of this genre — whatever it may be you prefer to call it, folk, country, indie, alternative — can be credited to the candid personalities these artists are willing to share with the world. Because hey, if Hozier is still thinking about an old flame, can’t we all?

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

When Harry Swiped Right on Sally

By CAILEE ZERAAT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In the modern age of dating, apps like Tinder, Bumble and Hinge claim to consolidate your options and help you find love. However, when viewing more profiles or limiting your dating preferences are locked behind monthly subscriptions, the true motives behind these apps are called into question.

Ultimately, dating apps should fundamentally be created for deletion; helping users find their perfect partner assumes they will cease use of the app once that happens. Although, when it feels like endless swipes are leading nowhere, are these apps really trying to help you find your match, or is their goal to make you pay for love?

Earlier this year, Tinder introduced their first global campaign based on the slogan, “It Starts with a Swipe.”

The series of Gen Z-targeted advertisements features various couples doing everything from hooking up to meeting the parents. The central idea is that regardless of what type of connection you are

looking for, Tinder has someone for everyone. However, if you want to find that special someone, you have to keep swiping. Even if you do find the love of your life or your ideal one-night stand on the app, there is no guarantee that person will feel the same way about you. Generally speaking, that is where paid subscriptions on these apps come into play: they essentially increase your chances of getting that ideal match. They do this in a variety of ways, like offering “Super Likes” or allowing you to limit your search to those who match specific preferences. In any case, though, these helpful features come at a staggering cost.

According to a Pew Research Center survey, about one-third of online dating users have paid to use a platform. This includes paying for certain exclusive apps, or purchasing a subscription on a free app for access to extra features.

Tinder Gold is the app’s midtier subscription option, in between Tinder Plus and Tinder Platinum. The prices for subscriptions change based on certain factors, but this

subscription generally hovers around $24.99 a month. Included in a Tinder Gold membership is the ability to see everyone who swiped right on you, regardless of if you ever swiped on them. According to their website, this feature helps you make an “adult decision on who you Like and Nope.” Isn’t it less of an “adult decision” if you are insecure enough to the point where you need to know what everything else thinks about you before you make a decision about them? Aren’t dating apps hinging on your insecurities in the first place?

If you’re not getting enough matches, you have to pay for a subscription to boost your profile to everyone in a 10-mile radius. If the app is showing you people that are totally not your type, forking over $24.99 a month is the only way to see someone you’d actually consider going out with. However, paid subscriptions for these apps are nothing more than a way to make money off fabricated insecurities made by these same apps. Attaching some inconsequential value to the number of “Likes” you receive doesn’t mean you’re

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Dating apps with paid premium programs are capitalizing on users’ insecurities

perfect dating material; it means you’ve fallen victim to the dopamine-inducing sounds and colors that play when you get a match.

Logically, if everyone who uses a dating app never had to pay to see results, these apps would shut down. From my observations, their whole business model is to make the free version of the app beneficial enough so you keep using it, but just underwhelming enough that you can’t successfully find a good match. Then, when you finally get frustrated with the endless swiping, paid subscriptions get pushed onto your low self-esteem and you type in that credit card information.

For the serious dater looking

for a lifelong partner, handing over the subscription payment for a few months until you stumble upon your perfect match may seem inconsequential in the long run; for the average college student looking for a one-night stand or low commitment situationship, a subscription is a waste of money.

However, the time will come when those pain-seeking college students look for love instead, and the endless swiping won’t cut it. Regardless of what they may claim, dating apps are made to keep you using them, and the only way to end the torturous cycle is to pay your way out of it.

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

OPINION

November 29, 2023

Page 11

The Perils of Free Speech in U.S. Congress

By HAILEY BAKER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

When discussing the war between Israel and Hamas, it is essential to choose your words and actions carefully. This is especially true for elected U.S. officials who represent citizens from diverse backgrounds and are supposed to be leaders in stressful and tragic times.

Regardless of her intentions, Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib posted harmful and antisemitic statements, and a majority of 234 representatives, including 22 Democrats, voted to censure her as a result. According to the House, a censure essentially “registers the House’s deep disapproval of member misconduct that, nevertheless, does not meet the threshold for expulsion.” While a censure is a collective expression of the House’s disapproval towards a representative, it does not have any direct consequences, nor does it hinder their law-making abilities in any way.

Censures are rare, with Tlaib becoming the 26th censured member of Congress since its establishment in 1789. The three primary ways the House can punish a member for violations of ethical standards are through reprimand, censure and expulsion. According to the House’s guide to the rules, precedents and procedures of the House, “Reprimand is appropriate for serious violations, censure is appropriate for more-serious violations, and expulsion of a Member is

appropriate for the most serious violations.” The House can censure members for any reason a majority of representatives declare as worthy of the punishment. In the past, Congress has used censures for various reasons, such as Congress members assaulting other members, sexual misconduct with a House page, trading military appointments, participating in stock fraud and endorsing the Confederacy in a floor speech during the Civil War. Tlaib is the only Palestinian American member of Congress, with her parents immigrating to Detroit, Mich., from East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

On top of her personal connection to Palestine, Tlaib’s district, which is just to the west of Detroit proper, contains the largest Muslim population in the U.S. Tlaib’s district includes many Middle Eastern immigrants, and approximately one in 14 households speak Arabic as their primary language. The population in Dearborn, a main city within the district, is nearly 55% Arab-Americans, and many businesses have signs in both English and Arabic and local public schools serve 100% halal meat. Since Hamas’ Oct. 7 unprecedented surprise attack on Israel, Dearborn has become a hot spot for protests in support of Palestine.

Considering Tlaib’s family background and the demographics of her district, it makes sense that she openly

supports Palestine. I want to make it clear that I do, too. I support Palestinian lives, freedoms and their right to selfdetermination. I condemn the Israeli government’s treatment of innocent Palestinians. It is inhumane, unacceptable and tragic that more than 11,100 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, including doctors, journalists and professors. However, I do not believe that to be pro-Palestine, you have to be anti-Israel. I believe that just like Palestine, Israel has the right to self-determination. Hamas is a terrorist organization that is attacking and killing innocent civilians by land, air and sea as I write this and as you read this. The kidnapping, torture and murder of so many Israeli civilians is horrific and devastating, and Congress members should condemn this treatment in all forms.

The video that Tlaib posted on her social media accused President Joe Biden of supporting the “genocide of the Palestinian people” and urged him to support a ceasefire in Gaza or jeopardize his backing in 2024. The video also included footage of a crowd chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” at a pro-Palestinian protest. Many pro-Israel groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, have labeled the chant “anti-Semitic” and harmful to Jews. While Tlaib claimed the phrase is “an aspirational

call for freedom, human rights and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate,” it is crucial to keep in mind its implications, regardless of her intention when using it.

Many interpreters commonly understand the phrase as a call for the elimination of Israel, given that the Jordan River borders Israel on the east and the Mediterranean Sea borders Israel on the west. Interpreters like conservative Rep. Richard McCormick, who put forward Tlaib’s censure resolution, believe the phrase has genocidal intent. However, the phrase is open to other interpretations.

Hamas claims the slogan is their rejection of Israel, and the organization’s 2017 constitution states, “Hamas rejects any alternative to the full and complete liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea.”

I acknowledge that many Palestinians who use this phrase have good intentions and see it as a representation of their personal ties, national rights and vision for Palestine. A significant number of Palestinians recognize and define their identities based on the town or village in Palestine where they came from. This geographical association spans the land from Jericho and Safed near the Jordan River in the east to Jaffa and Haifa along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in the west. The phrase extends beyond geography, though, as it strives to as-

sert the national rights of Palestinians to their homeland and express a collective desire for a united Palestine as the foundation for an independent state. This intention is understandable, given the historical context of political struggles, displacement and longing for the right of self-determination.

However, it is essential to recognize the nuances of the Israel-Hamas conflict and use sensitive language in response, especially for elected officials like Tlaib. I will never argue that Tlaib does not have the right to express pro-Palestinian beliefs, especially given her background and the large amount of Palestinian constituents she represents. Still, it was wrong for her to outwardly support a phrase that many Israelis and Jews interpret as calling for the annihilation of Israel.

Acknowledging the rights of both Palestinians and Israelis in this ongoing conflict and condemning acts of violence on both sides is necessary for coming closer to achieving peace. So many Americans, including ones at Fordham, have ties to Israel and Palestine and are hurting right now, so it is essential to choose your words carefully and remain educated.

Hailey Baker, FCRH ’27, is a political science major from Gaithersburg, Md.

The Complex Web of Election Polls

By LAILA SAYEGH

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Election polls play a crucial role in shaping public perception when elections roll around, but their accuracy has come under immense scrutiny.

Election polls can be administered in a multitude of different ways, which inevitably causes bias.

For example, CNN and Fox News conduct their own polls. These two news stations, known for their opposing stances towards one another, will obviously cater to a different audience. While both companies polling firms have a good reputation, their coverage can be slanted depending on their bias. Therefore, in the realm of election polls, the general issue of bias in certain polls is a significant threat to their accuracy. Consequently, they undermine the very purpose they aim to serve. Even seasoned pollsters can administer errors, leading to extensive biases in polling results. The underlying assumption with polling is that sampled opinions accurately represent the distribution of opinions across an entire voting body, which leaves a lot of room for error.

The most prevalent issue is

biased sampling. For instance, let’s look at the 2012 presidential election between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

Rasmussen Reports, which relied on landline phones and online surveys, potentially skewed results toward the older and wealthier populations, since they still use landlines.

This group of people tends to lean Republican, which obviously can skew results. This is volunteer bias, where those who volunteer their opinions do not represent the entire population.

Whether it be straightforward bias, such as that of CNN or Fox, or more subtle bias, such as Rasmussen Reports, it is almost impossible to accurately capture the public opinion through pollings. Therefore, I don’t believe that we should put so much trust within them.

Perhaps they can be useful for vaguely gauging the general consensus of people, but considering the amount of bias that inevitably lies within them, they are not the best resource.

I also believe that election polls limit free thinking and promote almost a mob mentality.

When individuals see the results of polls, whether they are accurate or not, they may feel

pressured to align with popular opinions, instead of expressing their independent views.

So, given these limitations and risks, putting unwavering trust in election polls might not be the best approach to understanding public sentiment.

Considering the fact that election polls are innately biased, then it is not surprising that history has shown that they are often inaccurate and wrong. For example, the 2020 U.S. presidential election had very inaccurate polls.

Polls from that election often overstated Biden’s lead over Donald Trump. In one survey conducted by Pew Research, a biased sample collected before the 2020 election predicted a 12-point difference in favor of Joe Biden. This sample consisted of primarily Democratic voters. However, a balanced sample showed it would only be a four point difference, which accounted for both political parties. Regarding the 2024 election, polls conducted by The New York Times and Siena College show that President Biden is currently trailing Trump in five out of the six crucial swing states. The demographic shifts observed are noteworthy, with groups

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It is almost impossible to accurately capture public opinion through polls.

that strongly supported Biden in 2020 now showing a more even split. For instance, voters under 30, Hispanic voters and urban residents exhibit diminished support for Biden compared to the previous election, while men now favor Trump by a significant margin. However, based on what we know about election polls, it is important that we take this information with a grain of salt. Of course, it is interesting to observe the changing voting demographics. However until the election itself arrives, we can never truly test if this data is true. Some of these shifts can be the result of biased voting.

Personally, because of this, I don’t often look at polling numbers. I believe that people should also avoid looking at polling numbers, or putting

too much value on them. If they do this, they may unknowingly conform to the herd mentality that is pushed upon them, abandoning their own beliefs and believing more popular ones.

News stations should definitely be more transparent about their polling, sharing the exact demographics of people they used for their samples, to be honest about the biases in their information. Therefore, relying on polls risks stifling independent thought, emphasizing the need for a cautious and critical perspective amid evolving voter dynamics.

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

OPINION

Page 12

November 29, 2023

Unraveling the Realities of Urbanization

By ALLISON SCHNEIDER ASST. OPINION EDITOR

Countries all over the world are implementing expansive urbanization projects, and they have been for several decades.

Urbanization can take many forms, but it often includes the mass movement of populations from rural to urban areas as well as the construction of more urban infrastructure in rural or semi-rural areas. Urbanization is often touted as a crucial step in the development of nations, positioned alongside other markers of development such as democratization, education, increasing gross domestic product and improving health care.

But while urbanization can bring industry, social services and other important resources to rural and other underserved areas, unfettered urbanization has and continues to displace people and destroy valuable public spaces and cultural sites.

Urbanization is not a one-sizefits-all process; it must be carefully planned to fit the needs of specific areas, cultures and people, and democratic governments need to listen to the demands of their citizens when designing these plans.

In Cairo, over 200,000 people have been displaced by the urbanization efforts of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Since taking power in 2014, Sisi’s administration has spent over $400 billion on infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, over 30% of Egyptians live below the poverty line, a number that is increasing daily. Many of those displaced by Sisi’s urbanization projects fall into this group. With little to no disposable income, poverty-stricken Egyptians are forced into overflowing public housing on the outskirts of Cairo that can only accommodate “a fraction” of the displaced population.

Sisi’s current plans include the construction of a highway through a UNESCO-registered cultural heritage site in Cairo called the City of the Dead. The City of the Dead, a necropolis with thousands of tombs, graves and mausoleums dating back to the seventh century, is also home to around half a million living Egyptians seeking shelter from poverty in the necropolis. Destruction has already begun, with hundreds of gravesites being destroyed by contractors and military forces. Despite public outcry over the displacement of people and destruction of the cultural site, the Egyptian government has persisted in its efforts with limited consideration of citizens’ wishes.

Egypt needs to listen to these demands, and UNESCO needs

to fulfill its duty to protect the City of the Dead by applying more pressure on Sisi and his administration. Urbanization should help citizens. It should bring jobs and better infrastructure, not destroy housing and important cultural sites.

When the citizens of a country are crying out for an end to development efforts, those efforts are clearly not meeting the goals of urbanization and need to be re-examined.

A similar tension between citizens and government over urbanization efforts arose during the planning and construction of the Cross Bronx Expressway in 1948.

Just south of Fordham’s Rose Hill campus, the Cross Bronx Expressway services almost 190,000 cars every day, contributing to some of the highest asthma rates in the country in the mid and South Bronx. The Cross Bronx’s history is fraught with even more dangerous social upheaval.

The Cross Bronx was the first urban highway of its kind, and its construction cost the City of New York $140 million, which would be over $1 billion today.

The construction took 15 years for only 8.3 miles of highway, and the project resulted in the immediate displacement of over 60,000 residents and the destruction of hundreds

of buildings along the route.

Its route demolished a dozen of the most racially integrated neighborhoods in the country at the time, sending European immigrants scattering to the suburbs and leaving AfricanAmericans and Puerto Rican immigrants scrambling to find affordable housing in a market dominated by racial segregation and red-lining.

When Bronx residents learned of the construction plans, many jumped to action.

Jewish residents, women and New York socialists headed the opposition movement in conjunction with community organizations like the East Tremont Neighborhood Association.

Much like residents of Cairo today, the Bronx residents petitioned, protested and actively disrupted construction efforts.

Protestors pleaded with the city government to build the highway on an alternate route that would have destroyed only six buildings compared to the hundreds that suffered under the final plan, but they ultimately failed in their attempts.

The Cross Bronx Expressway was constructed along its intended route, designed by the infamous city planner Robert Moses. The government of New York City largely disregarded the protestors’ demands, abandoning their democratic duty to

the citizens of New York to follow Moses’s rich, white vision for the city.

Unfortunately for citizens of Cairo and Egyptians around the globe, it appears that President Sisi is prepared to follow in the footsteps of the 1950s-era New York City government. The Egyptian government has announced no plan to stop the construction of a highway through the City of the Dead, and if the long-term effects of the Cross Bronx are any indication, the continuation of the Cairo project will likely only make life more difficult for many lowincome Egyptians. Urbanization that seeks to improve a nation’s global standing rather than the lives of its domestic citizens, that favors one group of people over another, that prioritizes productivity over the environment and industry over culture is only going to result in urban decay, social unrest and increasing poverty. It is time to apply more pressure on urban planners, national governments and international institutions to stop unfettered urbanization before any more communities are displaced.

Allison Schneider, FCRH ’26, is an English and political science major from Indianapolis, Ind

Trump’s Vision for America Should Scare Us

By EVAN MCMANUS ASST. OPINION EDITOR

The American election season is beginning in earnest, and so is the media circus. Both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have launched their respective campaigns.

Each move they make is examined to death. Every week, horse race polls comparing the two come out, and then analysis of those polls dictates political discussion until the next poll comes out. The polls and the conversations they inspire are dominated by concerns about Biden’s age and the higher economic costs Americans face. These factors have contributed to a sense of malaise many people have about the state of the nation.

As a result, polls indicate a large portion of the country is willing to give Trump a second chance. Right now, this is how most people I know discuss the election. These concerns are important, but I am worried that this conversation is overshadowing another one that goes much deeper than horse-race analysis. It is the conversation about Trump’s vision for his second term.

Vision in politics can be both powerful and dangerous for the same reason. You know what you want and how to get it. The early Trump

term was defined by an unorganized nature. There was constant infighting, and each week brought a new scandal.

His election seemed like a fluke, and he had no plan for what to do once he achieved power. However, as he neared the end of his term, he fired people who were not loyal to him, and his allies learned how to achieve what they wanted more effectively. In other terms, the MAGA movement had matured. Let’s now go back to the theme of conversation. Trump has been having a conversation with his supporters in which he has not minced any words.

During his first rally, he told supporters, “I am your retribution.” What would Trump’s vision of retribution look like?

The vision Trump has articulated is radical in both its ambition and destruction of norms. He has stated that he plans to use the Justice Department to investigate his political enemies and charge them with crimes. He wants to fundamentally reshape the immigration process by deporting millions, shutting down legal asylum claims and ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. He is advocating for military authorization to deploy military troops into Mexico. A plan has

been developed to fire tens of thousands of federal career civil servants and replace them with Trump loyalists as a way to increase the power of the president. Don’t forget about a conservative Supreme Court that will have a final say on any challenges to Trump’s proposals. When I read about his plans, what scares me the most is the amount of detail his advisors have put in to justify each action, no matter how extreme. Trump’s vision is clear and organized.

He knows what he wants, and now he knows how to get it.

Trump using independent government agencies to achieve “retribution” would weaken American democratic norms. Yet, I worry that eroding democratic norms may be too abstract for many Americans to care about. It is hard for people to feel the effects of an abstract danger compared to everyday issues.

The price of a weakened democracy is not displayed in neon lights like gasoline at a gas station. But, eventually, Americans would notice the price of those norms evaporating. The Justice Department prosecuting political opponents would make participating in politics riskier. Getting rid of birthright citizenship for babies born of undocumented immigrants would

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Trump’s plans will not adequately address the issues facing America today.

weaken the 14th Amendment, which would diminish our constitutional rights. Trump firing career civil servants would mean many people would lose jobs, and the federal government would lose experienced experts. Our nation’s democracy would grow frail, and we may end up like Hungary, which has become a democracy in name only.

Right now, there are issues in America that need to be addressed, but I doubt Trump’s vision of “retribution” will be the one to do it.

His vision’s ambition is not fueled by a want to improve the nation but rather an empty need for power. Yet, the current conversation in the media is not reporting the actual details of Trump’s autocratic plans enough.

His vision is an existential threat to America, and I

believe he will try to do everything that he has stated he wants to do. The Trump campaign is betting on illinformed voters unaware of his plans to vote for him.

However, Trump is generally still unpopular, which is a weakness that can be exploited. The best way to combat his vision is by having conversations about it with others to remind them of his unpopular ideas. Instead of only making the 2024 election about issues like Biden’s age, we must spread awareness of Trump’s destructive vision. That may be the only way to defeat it.

Evan McManus, FCRH ’25, is a political science major from Dover, Mass.

OPINION

November 29, 2023

Page 13

Dangerous Dysfunction in the Republican Party

By LUCA AMATURO

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“Anytime, anywhere!” is the motto that has become symbolic of congressional Republicans’ comportment in recent weeks. In the last year, Republicans have been involved in three altercations that have either involved violence or called for a physical resolution. Two of these altercations happened right before Congress was going on break for Thanksgiving, and one of them involved an 82-year-old Bernie Sanders reminding Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin, who challenged the president and CEO of Teamsters to a cage match, that he is indeed a United States senator. There is no denying that, currently, congressional Republicans are a bumbling mess, ripe with dysfunction and unable to properly fulfill their duties to their constituents because of it.

The intra-party dysfunction experienced by congressional Republicans is unprecedented and has created multiple rifts, making any chance of partisan or bipartisan compromise difficult and stalling legislative progress. Currently, the Republican Party has an eightchair majority in the House of Representatives, the sector of Congress where bills are usually initially produced. However, they continuously struggle

to get any bills through the house. Instead, they are too busy squabbling with radical Republicans unwilling to move off their initial stances. Perhaps the most indicative of the inability of the Republican Party to compromise and find resolutions is the last-minute prevention of a government shutdown by former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.

McCarthy watched his last-minute spending bill to avoid a government shutdown, which would have provided the deep spending cuts many Republicans sought, fail due to 21 hardright Republicans refusing to vote for the package. Radical Republicans rejected a bill that would satisfy many of their Republican constituents and fellow Republican congressmen to place political pressure on McCarthy and continue their political propaganda. Ultimately, McCarthy would have to rely on Democrat votes to pass a continuing resolution at the midnight hour, temporarily preventing a government resolution but leading to his ousting as Speaker of the House.

Throughout the entirety of McCarthy’s attempts to prevent a government shutdown, with a Republican majority house, radical Republicans reaffirmed their unwillingness to compromise on any of their demands.

When the few of an already

narrow majority refuse to compromise, they hold the entire Republican Party hostage to their whims and desires, creating an inefficient house with plenty of turmoil.

The Republican Party continued to place Congress in disarray beyond a potential shutdown in their ouster of McCarthy without a clear successor with time-sensitive bills looming. What ensued after the ouster of McCarthy was a three-week civil war between Republicans where they were unable to agree upon a successor, preventing any lower chamber legislation from being worked on. During precarious times of a still potential government shutdown and a war in Ukraine and the Middle East, the House of Representatives found itself at a standstill because the Republican Party could not choose a new Speaker of the House. Eventually, Republicans, exhausted by the Speaker crisis, voted through far-right and relatively inexperienced candidate Rep. Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House, who is notorious for denying the 2020 presidential election results.

Republicans, due to their inability to agree on a qualified candidate for Speaker of the House, settled on Johnson, who will only increase political polarization within the country

and spew ultra-conservative, far-right rhetoric. The rise of Johnson to the Speaker of the House signals that the minority far-right runs the Republican party, which, given the balance of Congress, also means that this minority runs the House.

In his first test as Speaker of the House, Johnson, who was approved unanimously

by Republicans, had to once again align with Democrats to pass a two-tier stop-gap bill to prevent another government shutdown. The vote was met with 93 rejections from Republican representatives because the bill being passed involved compromises with some of the goals of the Democratic Party.

Hard-right Republicans continue to refuse to compromise, stifling substantive action and putting Congress into chaos, and it is becoming apparent to the American people, with a majority of voters blaming Republicans for congressional dysfunction. The inability of hard-right Republicans to compromise has rattled congressional politics, causing a miniature exodus of congressmen from both parties because any form of reasonable legislation seems impossible.

The United States is undergoing a contentious time of uncertainty that requires the ingenuity of politicians

to create resolutions, not further exacerbate the problems. Currently, the dysfunction of the Republican Party has stalled effective and progressive legislation from being implemented, but even worse, it has held Americans hostage to the political agenda of a few hard-right Republicans. These conservatives are not speaking nor acting on behalf of the American people. Rather, they perpetuate a divisive radical political rhetoric that further prevents compromise and bipartisanship in Congress.

Coupled with the constant fights and instability plaguing the Republican Party, Congress continues to find itself eroded by constant turmoil, chaos and petulant behavior. The American people aren’t asking for much, and quite frankly, they deserve more than whatever both parties are offering, but the state of the Republican party at this moment is a poison to American politics. If Republicans want to start becoming a part of the solution and not the problem it’s time they put the gloves down and start acting like adults.

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

It’s Time for Fordham to Ban Laptops in Class

By MICHAEL SLUCK PRODUCTION EDITOR

It’s a scene every Fordham student is familiar with — you’re in the middle of class, the professor is lecturing from the slides and you look around the room and realize not a single student in the class is paying attention to what the teacher is saying. Instead, everyone’s laptops are open. One student is watching TV with the subtitles on. Another is Amazon shopping. Some students — the most productive ones — are doing homework for other classes.

I’ll avoid the temptation to go on a rant about “kids these days,” and launch into a tirade about Gen Z are a bunch of spoiled kids who can’t pay attention. In truth, computers make it hard to focus for anyone, regardless of age. Even students who want to stay dedicated and focused can succumb to the temptation right at their fingertips. Maybe you mean to be taking diligent notes, but then you notice a text message from a friend pop up in the corner of the screen. Or see an email you’d be meaning to respond to. Or have an idle question (what’s a group of porcupines called?), and feel the sudden, uncontrollable urge to Google it. All of a sudden, the professor is dismissing class, and you haven’t heard a word that’s been said

for the past hour.

That’s why, for the good of the education process, Fordham professors should ban laptops from their classrooms.

There are, of course, exceptions. Certain courses require computers for certain activities. Certain students may have a disability which means they require laptop use. But for the most part, unless students are doing something that explicitly requires Internet access, computers shouldn’t be open in the classroom. And no, note-taking doesn’t count as something that requires Internet access.

For all those people who argue that they take better notes on their laptops… you don’t. I hate to break it to you. Study after study has shown that writing out your notes on paper helps with comprehension and retention. Students who write down their notes are not only more likely to remember the information they’re writing, they are more likely to have a greater understanding of what’s being said. And since note-taking by hand is a slower process, it forces you to identify the important information to write down. By writing your notes instead of typing them, you’ll be doing yourself a huge favor come exam day. And, as an added bonus, there will be less distraction, forcing you to focus

on what the professor is actually saying.

While some might argue that computers aid in student engagement, there’s little evidence to back this up. In a study conducted by Michigan State University, when researchers monitored student Internet usage during class, they found that the average student spent 40 minutes out of a 100-minute class on non-academic sites (social media, video games, etc). In contrast, the average student spent only five minutes using the Internet for academic purposes, such as looking at the syllabus. Furthermore, studies that have compared classes where electronics were allowed versus classes where they were banned have found that average grades rise when laptops are not used.

And it’s not only students that are actually using the laptop that can get distracted. Students sitting around someone who uses a laptop (even if they themselves are not) are invariably pulled away from the lecture. How many times have you found yourself entranced by a classmate’s computer screen?

One study found that not only did students who used a laptop during class score lower on exams, the people sitting around them scored lower as well.

I’m not saying this will fix

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Banning laptops from the classrooms would improve learning for students.

everything. Students’ minds will still be inclined to wander, and individuals will still find ways to distract themselves, be it by discreetly playing mobile games under their desk or sneaking a copy of the Ram to read (dare I to dream).

But for many well-intentioned students, who want to focus but find themselves inevitably pulled away, a ban on laptop usage might serve to boost grades and focus.

I might be called a hypocrite for this article, because I, like so many of my peers, often use a laptop in the classroom. But I have also been in classes where computers were not allowed, and I have found that it was far easier to focus and be engaged in those classes.

In the years following Zoom, the educational world

has held on to many of the digitized practices that arose out of necessity during virtual learning. As the pandemic recedes in our memories, however, it might be time to take a closer look at some of these things, and wonder how many of them are really necessary. In order to facilitate a better learning environment, Fordham professors should take the step of formally disallowing laptop use within the classroom without explicit permission.

(P.S. A group of porcupines is called a “prickle.” I just saved you a Google search.)

Michael Sluck, FCRH ’24, is a computer science and political science major from Verona, N.J.

CULTURE

Page 14

November 29, 2023

The Mundane Eeriness and Realism of “Eileen”

By KARI WHITE CULTURE EDITOR

The dramatically drab world of Ottessa Moshfegh’s novel, “Eileen,” enters theaters in limited release on Dec. 1, and wide release on Dec. 8. Adapted from book to screen by Moshfegh herself, with the help of her husband Luke Goeld, and directed

by William Oldroyd, this film transmits the wild imaginings of its titular character into film.

A sinister psychological thriller, Moshfegh and Oldroyd take you on a journey where little happens and little is explained until the entire world falls apart.

The movie follows protagonist Eileen Dunlop (Thomasin McKenzie), a 24-year-old woman, who works at the local boys’ prison and lives with her alcoholic father. Her days fall into a dreadfully monotonous pattern of working, sleeping and bickering with her father, with her only respite

being her vivid imagination. The mysterious arrival of Rebecca (Anne Hathaway), a glamorous counselor, saves Eileen from her monotonous existence, but simultaneously threatens her with a fate much worse.

Both McKenzie and Hathaway deliver masterful performances, embodying their respective characters right down to (in McKenzie’s case) their Massachusetts accents.

The power in Hathaway’s casting extends beyond her performance,

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Adapted from Ottessa Moshfegh’s novel, “Eileen” boasts atmospheric eeriness and dazzling performances.

as she artfully imbues Rebecca’s glamorous shine with her own iconic status. While I recognized most of the actors in the film, I was shocked to see Hathaway among the cast. For an audience whose jaws might not immediately drop at Rebecca’s curled hair and Harvard diploma, they’ll certainly understand Eileen’s infatuation with a Hollywood icon.

That being said, Hathaway also delivered a terrific performance.

She was glamorous, flirty and never gave away what she was thinking. By the end of the film, her motivations still remain unclear. She becomes a figure that will stay in your head, long after the credits roll.

The film’s strength lies in its apathy for reality. The film adds no special effects or music to pronounce the moments when Eileen is slipping into a fantasy. Instead, Oldroyd chooses to make the scene more and more ridiculous until it becomes clear to the audience that Eileen has been daydreaming — which is often followed by the scene snapping back to her passive reality. This leaves the audience perpetually questioning whether the scene is happening within the film’s reality or Eileen’s delusions. And Oldroyd does not always tell the audience which it is. The divide between reality and delusion fractures more and more as Eileen spends time with Rebecca, until delusion is finally shattered in the film’s act three twist.

“Eileen” resembles Oldroyd’s earlier film, “Lady Macbeth,” in its mundane eeriness and central female figure, a young woman so desperate to escape her bland surroundings that she ultimately engages in the unthinkable. In “Lady Macbeth,” however, the suffocating silence drags on with little reprieve for the audience throughout the film. “Eileen,” on the other hand, breathes color, life and vivacity into the bland surroundings through Hathaway’s Rebecca. The latter explodes into this world of gray and beige with her bleached curls, red lipstick and figure-hugging suits. It’s hard for the audience — as well as Eileen — not to long for her presence, making her all the more seductive.

Despite its bleak setting and costumes, this film is incredibly romantic. Not in the traditional sense in which two lovers become inextricably linked together through a series of increasingly meaningless sweet nothings, but in the sense that emotions as huge as mountains are delicately captured within the suffocating confines of Eileen’s situation and the hour-and-a-half-long run time. As I said at the beginning of this article, not that much happens in the film. The plot outline is short, simple and rather sparse. However, the characters are so fascinating, and their relationships are so tense that you will be on the edge of your seat throughout the film’s entirety. Go see this movie, and step foot into Eileen’s wild psyche.

Who’s That Kid? | Zach Badalamenti, FCRH ’25

Junior Swaps West Coast for East

By NICK GUZMAN SPORTS EDITOR

There are nearly 3,000 miles between Oakland, Calif. and Fordham’s Rose Hill Campus.

For many, attending college that far away from home is simply too hard. But for Zach Badalamenti, FCRH ’25, coming to Fordham was an easy choice.

Badalamenti applied to several California state schools but was ultimately between Fordham and Syracuse University as his final two choices. “I did not get into many other places, and Fordham offered me money. I got back a couple of the applications in the mail, and they said it was weird that I did it in yellow crayon,” Badalamenti jokingly remarked.

In all seriousness, swapping Oakland for New York was a big decision for Badalamenti. He says that many of his friends from home decided to stay local when choosing schools, but he was intrigued by the prospect of going to school in New York City despite the long distance from Oakland.

“It was a big adjustment at first for sure. My sense of direction was so messed up when I got here.

Like, I’d be walking through the city, and I just never knew which way the coast was,” Badalamenti said. He’s not all alone in the city though, as Badalementi’s older

brother lives in Manhattan.

Now that he’s in New York, Badalamenti is making the most of his time at Fordham. He recently joined WFUV Sports as a trainee, an experience which Badalamenti says has been incredibly exciting. Trainees typically attend weekly training sessions during the fall semester while also getting the opportunity to shadow broadcasts to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes. “Employers in New York know WFUV, so that’s something I’m excited to stick with heading into next semester,” Badalamenti noted.

Recently, WFUV Sports members had the opportunity to attend a workshop hosted by Chris Carrino, the radio play-by-play voice of the Brooklyn Nets.

Badalamenti first arrived at Fordham with an undeclared major. After some thought, he decided that journalism was the best fit for him. “I like that with journalism, it’s a way that I can combine being creative with doing research, which are the two things that I like to do,” Badalamenti says. “With journalism, there’s no real guideline to what you have to write about. I really like writing, so it works out.”

Badalamenti reached out to The Fordham Ram’s opinion section last year with an interest in writing articles. He has been

a regular contributor to the section ever since, and was recently named assistant opinion editor for the upcoming Volume 106 which will begin in January.

“I never wrote opinion articles in high school, so I’d have to say my opinions out loud. It sucked, because I could never get people to listen. Ever. But with the newspaper, my computer can’t leave.” Badalamenti, although joking, elaborates that it’s been nice to have a space where he can fully research a topic, back it up with facts and create a thoughtful and well-formed opinion.

When the staff application for Volume 106 was first released in November, Badalamenti didn’t hesitate to apply. “I want to pursue a career in journalism,” he said. “I want to start taking it seriously now. I’m doing an internship in the spring so I didn’t want to apply for a head-editor position. The assistant thing was a good way to get more involved without taking on a ridiculous amount of responsibility. Also, I just learned how to read so that helps.”

In case you couldn’t tell from his quotes, Badalamenti likes a good joke here and there. When asked about the difference between himself currently versus freshman year, he shared his reflections. “Perspective. I used to get down on myself because I

wanted to do well, but now I’ve realized ‘what’s the point?’, you know?” Despite that bleak

outlook, Badalamenti will continue to pursue journalism with a smile on his face.

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Badalamenti’s move to New York was a big yet rewarding adjustment.

November 29, 2023

By STELLA McFARLAND CONTRIBUTING WRITER

With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to start shopping for gifts, which for a lot of college students means shopping on a budget. The best gifts are thoughtful and unique to the person you are gifting it to. Luckily, this means some of the best gifts can be homemade, because it shows the time and effort put into the gift.

There are plenty of homemade gifts you can make for the special people in your life.

Baking makes for an inexpensive, homemade present that you can gift to many people.

Whether you want to bake something festive like peppermint bark or keep it classic with some chocolate chip cookies, this gift is perfect for everyone.

Who doesn’t love a sweet treat?

The most important step for this gift is presentation. Package your baked goods in a festive holiday bag, with a cute little bow and a handwritten note, and you are good to go. Knit a scarf, blanket or top for someone special in your life. Handmade jewelry is also a great gift; buy a jewelry making set and you will be able to make jewelry for everyone in your life.

These gifts are perfect because

CULTURE Affordable Holiday Gift Ideas they are customizable to the person you are gifting it to, it allows you to use your own creativity and you may even pick up a new hobby. Making your own candles is also a nice, homemade gift. Reuse old candle containers to save on cost and package the candle with a nice bow and note. There are so many gifts that do not need to break the bank and Pinterest is a great resource to find ideas.

If you want to give someone special a handmade gift but don’t have the time to pick up a new skill to do so, here are some gift ideas. Put together a festive Christmas basket and fill it with little gifts from the $3 section at Target. Mini Christmas trees, a holiday candle, festive fuzzy socks, Christmas pajamas, candies and the list goes on. This gift is perfect because it can fit any price point, depending on your budget, and it is both festive and thoughtful. Another gift for someone special is a scrapbook; you can fill it with photos, memorabilia from experiences together and little notes and stickers. Scrapbooks can be as detailed and personalized as you want to make it, and it is a gift the receiver will keep forever because of its sentimental value. For a significant other, best friend or parent, turn

a standard deck of cards into a display of love with “52 Reasons Why I Love You.” Hole punch the side of the playing cards to create a book of cards, then glue small pieces of paper onto each card, writing on each one a different reason why you love the person you are gifting this to. This is a very sweet gesture to show your love and appreciation for someone special in your life.

Now, there are times when you may feel as though you do not have enough time to make these handmade gifts, and that’s where these ideas come in. For the makeup lover in your life, Sephora is currently offering holiday gift sets for under $30.

These sets allow you to try out luxury makeup, fragrance or skincare brands and are perfect if you need something fast that is a guaranteed hit. I think jewelry is another gift that you can never go wrong with; jewelry also ranges from inexpensive to luxury, depending on your budget. For unique, one of a kind jewelry shop on Etsy.com; you are bound to find a cute piece of jewelry for a reasonable price.

Looking for a more festive holiday gift shopping experience? Columbus Circle Holiday Market, Union Square Holiday Market and Bryant Park’s

Winter Village are a few spots in Manhattan, New York that are bound to get you in the holiday spirit. With holiday music playing, delicious cuisine, festive treats and small shopping kiosks, these locations are the perfect holiday escape. Stroll around these holiday markets to find the perfect gift for anyone in your life. With such variety, you will be able to find a unique gift that fits your budget.

All in all, the holiday season is about love and spreading cheer.

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The most important thing to remember when giving a gift is that it does not matter how much money you spent, it matters how much effort you put into the gift. Presentation and gift wrapping is a perfect way to spruce up an inexpensive gift and you can never go wrong with a handwritten note. Remember that this is the season to give back, so don’t forget to use the holiday break to volunteer, donate and help those in need.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Give your loved one a heartfelt present without breaking the bank.

It’s the Greenest Holiday Train Show on Earth

By ALEXANDER HOM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Everyone has something they thought was pretty cool in first grade, but only learned how absolutely amazing it truly is after a deep dive into it in their teenage years. No one told me — until I went down a research rabbit hole about it in middle school — that the sculptures for the annual New York Botanical Garden’s (NYBG) Holiday Train Show were made almost exclusively with plant materials. Or maybe I wasn’t listening, too busy poring over the flying cars on my family’s monthly trip to the gardens. but it may take about 30 minutes to see everything.

These memories surface as I open the doors to the temporary tent leading to the NYBG’s Haupt Conservatory that’s hosted the train show since 1992. I round a corner, and I’m greeted with a wondrous winterland. Ornamentally adorned Christmas trees are the only artificial flora that surround the preserved organic matter comprising the miniature landscape ahead. I must emphasize: every building in the train show — each a near-scale model of significant historical sites, landmarks and skyscrapers — is constructed from sticks, leaves, flowers, acorns, bark, berries, pinecones, pods, seeds and even thorns, all intertwined beautifully with scale trains and tracks from L to G. The Wonder Wheel replica spins dizzyingly fast on a truss of twigs, and hits you first on walk-in (especially if you

move your face too close to it).

Lost to time, the Elephant Colossus model has fungi for ears, lichens for skin and little leaves that seriously resemble slate tiles.

Their Luna Park Gate is made with the tops of the world’s largest pinecone species. One highlight is how tree bark uncannily resembles roof/wall shingles on Dutch-style structures like the Marine Railway Station. Grand Central Terminal almost seems boring, until you appreciate the details. Those cherubs around that 13-foot-in-real-life clock are all painstakingly recreated with seed pod shells and twigs. Same for old Penn Station, magnificently royal like a fairytale palace

magically resurrected after ruin.

We could stay here all day, but the show must go on. No, literally, that’s less than half of it.

Entering the greenhouse, you’re smacked with warm humidity. There’s the original Yankee Stadium, the iconic bridge motif made of twigs and spotlights of acorns. The Garden’s Mertz Library’s meticulous facade are more pod halves; even more intricate is that dumbfounding fountain statue masterpiece that can’t possibly be plant material.

And behind that model is one of the Haupt Conservatory itself.

Resplendent in golden hues, this amazing tribute’s even prettier than the actual conservatory

itself. The tiniest flowers have become the column crowns of the greenhouse.

My gosh — we haven’t even gotten to the flowers. Poinsettias galore, evergreens abound, ferns far as the eye can see, bonsailooking stuff… ooh, orchids?

There’s so much to see and mention. Honorable mentions are the Central Park fixtures, a shoutout to the brownstones and credit to the cottages, bridges, mansions and museums. You might think that as I’ve told you all about the show, you need not go, but you’d miss out on the rest of the breathtaking 180 structures, landscaping and trains. Did I mention the trains? They’re

A new museum exhibit explores the storytelling in super star Taylor Swift’s extensive discography.

COURTESY OF ALEXANDER HOM FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

NYBG’s holiday train show returns with its stunning plant-based creations inspired by the Big Apple.

spellbinding. Everything is.

Don’t miss the show so that you can see how they’ve relocated Manhattan’s greatest hits — the Empire State building, St. Patrick’s, Rockefeller, Ellis Island and Lady Liberty herself — to the greenhouse pond.

It’s astounding to behold, like when little-kid-you living in New York City realizes, “Oh, this city actually means a great deal to people.” After visiting it since your conscious memories began, there’s a point where fifth-grade-you realizes, “Wow, this train show’s an even bigger deal than I thought.” That’s likely the same case for firsttime train show-goers, who’re likely old enough that they’ve bought a model train set for their/someone’s kid(s) before.

This “whoa” is also the case for me, a Queens native who’d been to the show each year from 2003-13, and somehow hadn’t been back since. Yes, I saw it so many times, I’d tell myself — but suddenly 10 years slipped by, and I found it’d been a decade since I’d indeed last seen it. Those fullgrown adults experiencing this profound restoration of their best childhood memories, emotions and exclamations (“ooh, look at that locomotive”)? I’m one of the wider-eyed ones. So, go to the greenest holiday train show on the planet, maybe with that special someone. Make unforgettable memories that’ll last long after it’s packed away year after year.

See you there.

CULTURE

Page 16

November 29, 2023

A Love Letter to Nora Ephron’s New York City

By NICOLE BRAUN & EVAN MCMANUS For the two of us, popping into Zabar’s isn’t just about a grocery haul, it’s a revisitation of a scene from an iconic ’90s rom-com. For us, a walk around the Upper West Side also involves poking our heads through the gate of the Apthorp, hoping to catch a glimpse of the courtyard and evade notice from the security guards. In other words, we’re living in Nora Ephron’s New York City.

If you don’t know who Nora Ephron is, then you definitely know her work. If you say you don’t know her work, then you’re more than just culturally unplugged — you’re unaware.

She wrote the screenplays for and directed the best rom-coms of all time (“When Harry Met Sally,” “Sleepless in Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail”), the delightful “Julie & Julia” and the original script for “All The President’s Men.” While it was her films that brought her the most acclaim, she was also an extraordinary journalist, novelist and essayist. What ties her extensive and diverse body of work together is that she immortalized an indescribable city in a way that still inspires her audiences today.

Where else can this story start other than with Ephron’s beloved Apthorp? The Apthorp is a hulking building on the Upper West Side and the apartment complex

that Ephron called home for decades. Her time in her Apthorp apartment is celebrated in “Moving On, a Love Story,” an essay she wrote for the New Yorker in 2006. To Ephron, her apartment wasn’t simply a place to lay her head at night, “it was a symbol of family. It was an emblem of the moment in my life when my luck changed,” and she brings it to life for her audiences in this essay. With her undeniable wit she illustrates a spacious “five, count them, five” bedroom, rent-stabilized apartment us Gen-Zers can only dream of, and characterizes some neighbors we never hope to meet.

Like so many of the settings throughout Ephron’s work, in this essay the Apthorp becomes more than the sum of its parts.

Walking by the Apthorp on the Upper West Side, and looking up to the fifth floor to discern which windows were Ephron’s, is a reminder to all of us passersby that we can carve out a space for ourselves in this everchanging city and make it ours, at least for a little while.

It is not just in her writing that she does engage with New York in this way. Her films set in New York all use the city as a backdrop for character driven stories.

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal walk through Central Park in “When Harry Met Sally.” The grand finale of “Sleepless in Seattle” takes place on top of the Empire State Building. Amy

Adams serves a Julie Childinspired feast to her friends on a rooftop deck in Queens with the iconic backdrop of the Manhattan skyline in “Julie & Julia.” Just like with her Apthorp essay, she shows how these people made New York part of their story.

What can be hidden by Ephron’s reputation as a rom-com director is her pioneering spirit. She was part of a wave of female reporters in the 1970s which challenged the male-dominated industry of journalism. Later in her career, she became a very successful Hollywood director which is another industry that was especially male-dominated in the 1980s ands ’90s. It takes a lot of courage to push against the status quo, yet Ephron did so throughout her whole career.

Her sharp New York edge gave her the ability to stand up to her doubters and allowed for future women to follow her footsteps in those industries.

Ephron was born in New York City, but she moved to California when she was a child and went to college in Massachusetts and she describes her time apart from the Big Apple as a “horrible intermission.” During the years she spent dreaming about New York, she “thought it was going to be the most exciting, magical, fraught-with-possibility place that you could ever live in… And I turned out to be right.”

In 2010, two years before her death, Ephron published her last collection of essays, “I

Remember Nothing,” and she ends it with two lists, “What I Won’t Miss” and “What I Will Miss.” Her second-to-last entry on her list of things she will miss is “coming over the bridge to Manhattan.” Which bridge is she referring to? We don’t think

it matters. All of them expose a different angle of a skyline that conveys the same sense of wonder. The love with which Ephron encapsulated the city makes her audience feel like any time outside of New York is a horrible intermission, too.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

For Nora Ephron fans, the entire city is transformed by her influence.

NYC Neighbhorhoods | Harlem

The Brooklyn Museum Explores Spike Lee’s Influences

By CALEB STINE COLUMNIST

My final column covers the neighborhood of Manhattan, or any borough, with arguably the highest name recognition.

Americans and non-Yankees alike know Harlem or at least the name, reliably. An area of Upper Manhattan known as a cornerstone of Black culture and influence, Harlem has produced the world’s best poets and jazz musicians, and stands today, like much of our city, at a cultural crossroads at this current moment, with delicious food.

Harlem very much operates, more than any other neighborhood in New York, like its own town.

It also is one of the few neighborhoods that has subdivisions within it; neighborhoods within neighborhoods, if you will. For the purposes of this column, anything east of Morningside Park and west of 5th Ave. between 110th and 155th St. will be covered here, leaving Sugar Hill, Manhattanville, Hamilton Heights and the other neighborhoods within Harlem in fair territory.

East Harlem could very well be lumped in with Harlem but could just as properly be considered a separate neighborhood for column purposes. With many cultural and historical

differences, East Harlem very much stands as its own neighborhood today, which is why it will not be covered this week.

Throughout the 18th and 19th century, Harlem served primarily poor Jewish or Italian immigrants that would often flee north (of midtown or lower Manhattan that is), due to persecution.

As the Great Migration of Black Americans from the South to northern cities occurred at the turn of the 20th century, Harlem rapidly developed into the black enclave of America’s largest city.

The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s brought to life the talents of Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston. With the opening of the Apollo Theater in 1934, Harlem became a center of art and music, poetry and dance.

In 1990, Harlem was 88% Black. Harlem is no longer a predominantly Black neighborhood in 2023.

The Apollo Theater is still open for business today and hosts improv shows, comedy open-mics and big names all in one week. Drake famously performed there last January.

After taking the Metro North one stop and walking southwest for five minutes, the Africa Center, formerly known as the Museum for African Art, is a sleek space featuring photography, paintings

and other forms of modern art depicting Africa and African culture.

Right now, a stunning photography exhibit tragically showing the effects of climate change is on display. The Africa Center is free and open to the public.

Harlem is soul food central for New York and anywhere north of, let’s say, central Virginia. As a North Carolina-born Ram, I feel uniquely qualified to let you all know that the Harlem Biscuit Company has legitimately good biscuit sandwiches. Legitimately really good.

Charles Pan-Fried Chicken is also the spot. With four locations in the city, the flagship sits at 145th Street. Best fried chicken in New York. Period.

But perhaps the best, musttry soul food location in Harlem is Sylvia’s. Serving homestyle servings of mac and cheese, collard greens and other southern staples since 1962.

Outside of Southern soul food, Harlem can get your taste buds going in other ways.

Lolo’s Seafood Shack is a mainstay for crispy shrimp, smoked jerk ribs and other Caribbean specialties on 116th Street. Harlem Shake does classic American diner food in classy yet casual fashion, and is loaded with celebrity decor and Harlem history.

I feel extremely humbled and grateful to have written this

column, to be given a space to nerd out on neighborhoods of New York, and to hopefully have shone a light on parts of the city that were previously in the dark or dimly lit.

What dedicated readers of this column (all million of them) know is that it’s the normal, seemingly nondescript qualities of a neighborhood that end up

standing out to me.

Harlem has the most square footage of nondescript beauty in Manhattan. Gorgeous row houses, quiet streets and green spaces narrowly placed to always offer residents a refuge, Harlem has history, culture, tranquility and offers a refreshing day trip just waiting to be taken advantage of.

COURTESY OF CALEB STINE FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Harlem, one of NYC’s most famous neighborhoods, lives up to the hype.

CULTURE The Not-So “Great Gatsby” Musical

November 29, 2023

By MADDIE BIMONTE SPORTS EDITOR

To preface, I’ve seen a lot of musicals. I’m somewhat of a musical connoisseur as well as an avid reader. So when I heard rumors that a “Great Gatsby” musical was in production, I knew I would be in attendance.

Even more exciting was the cast I was prepared to see at this musical, featuring Broadway giants like Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada. Everything was making this musical out to be one of the greatest musicals that they have ever seen. And it all comes down to the story, as “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald has immense potential to convey a really interesting plot.

So needless to say, I was elated to get my student ticket for a Sunday night performance at the Paper Mill Playhouse.

While my train to Milburn, N.J., was canceled upon my arrival to Penn Station, I refused to let that bring me down, and hopped in a car to the Playhouse.

In terms of the actual show, I was initially very mixed on my feelings, but now I am here to give you an accurate breakdown of what I witnessed.

First, the set design and staging of the show was incredible.

The sets looked like they had a million-dollar budget, from the elaborate Jay Gatsby mansion to the billboard of the eyes, every

piece of set design was done carefully and with elegance. By far, the most beautiful set had to be the garden house decorated with flowers upon the arrival of Daisy meeting Jay. It was always a visually stunning scene in adaptations like the Baz Lurhmann movie from 2013, but it was expertly recreated in this stage musical version.

Another strong pro to the show came through with the vocal performances of both the main cast and ensemble. While I’ll get into the actual music in just a moment, I have to give props to the singing and the dance performances throughout the show to keep it entertaining. While a strong vocal showing was inferred by the talented cast, they really sold their characters’ personalities, and it was nice to see the actors drawing from the source material.

However, while I commend the vocals, I personally found the music and lyrics to be very subpar for a Broadway show.

Outside of the opening song for Act Two, entitled “Shady,” the songs lacked a lot of memorability. The lyrics themselves, written by Nathan Tysen, fell short of my expectations as I struggled with really feeling a cohesive connection between the plot and the lyrics and even further, the melodies. The actual instrumentation of most songs didn’t really drive the

story further, instead working as gaps of songs in a show rather than a cohesive story.

I think the issue of the lyrics then stems back into another gripe, which is the adaptation of the book itself. While keeping the major plot points and quotes from the book, the songs, which are meant to enhance each character and give the listener insight into how they think, felt out of place for each character.

Specifically, one song that did this was the number before the finale sung by Noblezada, who played Daisy. The song “Beautiful Little Fool” is clearly inspired by the quote spoken by Daisy at the beginning of the novel, but this song comes at the very end of the musical. The actual writing of the song tries to give depth to this quote, but I don’t think there needs to be a song explaining this quote. That’s what made the original book so impactful is how understated the line is by Daisy. Giving background and explaining the ins and outs of the quote felt like it was watering down what it means to be a mother of a daughter.

Furthermore, they chose to have Nick engage in a relationship with Jordan Baker, something that never even crossed my mind or was hinted at in the book. I appreciate artistic liberties, but I think this makes Nick’s quote of “You’re worth the whole damn lot” a lot less impactful

due to the lack of connection we see fostered between Nick and Gatsby in this production.

So looking forward, there are other productions of “The Great Gatsby” in musical form in the work, specifically one with lyrics and music being done by Florence and the Machine’s Florence Welch. I actually am very intrigued by the prospect of multiple versions coming out to make a case for Broadway

Page 17

because I think it is still wide open in terms of who could get a major spot. All in all, this depends on the funding and backers, and it is very possible the version done at the Paper Mill Playhouse may grace the stage one day.

Until then, I’m so glad I got the opportunity to see and enjoy another show, but I don’t think I’d go out of my way to go see it if it appears on Broadway.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

The newest “Great Gatsby” musical fails to hit the right note.

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CULTURE

Page 18

November 29, 2023

Editor’s Pick | Books

The Childlike Magic of “Peanuts 2000”

By NICOLE BRAUN OPINION EDITOR

I’ve been having trouble sleeping lately. Now that I’m home for Thanksgiving break, I decided to turn to what always helped me as a little kid who was also lying awake in the middle of the night: “Peanuts” cartoons.

Many, many Christmases ago, Santa gifted my brother a copy of “Peanuts 2000,” an anniversary collection of the last year of Charles M. Schulz’s iconic comic strip. I didn’t steal the book from my brother — he abandoned it on the coffee table for a few days after Christmas, and I may have

snuck it back to my room, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

I flipped through it on nights when I couldn’t fall asleep or simply didn’t want to. I would read the comics and run my fingertips over the illustrations of my favorite characters and also some that I didn’t know, like Snoopy’s brother Spike, or Lucy and Linus’s little brother Rerun.

When I unearthed my copy of “Peanuts 2000” from the bottom of the drawer in my bedside table, it was covered in a thin layer of dust. Though I generally love books with some wear, tear and yellowed pages, I was relieved to see that my well-loved

COURTESY OF NICOLE BRAUN/THE FORDHAM RAM

The lovable characters of “Peanuts 2000” provide a return to childhood.

book of comics was seemingly untouched by time, except that page 138 was still dog-eared from the last time I put it down. I wonder if that past version of me thought I would resume my reading the next night, or thought it might be years before I cracked open the cover again. When I opened dog-eared page 138, I felt like I was finding that elementary school Nicole who thought about snow days and soccer practice and science fairs — a completely different version of me, yet one who couldn’t fall asleep then just as I can’t fall asleep now. Somehow we’re still the same.

Rediscovering these characters isn’t just a return to my childhood, but a return to childhood generally. The world of Charlie Brown, Sally, Lucy, Linus and, of course, Snoopy is one of wonder and innocence, where small problems are huge and huge problems are manageable, if existent at all. It is also their relatability, and their sweetness, that has made them beloved by audiences of all ages — there’s a reason Snoopy still floats down Manhattan on Thanksgiving Day and that even the most cynical of all the Grinches loves to watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” each holiday season.

I love watching the “Peanuts”

holiday specials with my family each year and seeing ourselves reflected on the screen. I hope my dogs have more respect for me than Snoopy has for Charlie Brown, but I know my labradoodles’ inner thoughts and past lives are just as rich as that beagle’s. I see my brother reflected in Linus, who is sweet and almost too smart for his own good, and how he uses his intelligence to occasionally outsmart his bossy and crabby sister Lucy. I see myself in Lucy who will put bossiness and crabbiness and everything else aside to find her brother in a pumpkin patch in the middle of the night and bring him inside. I love laughing at the same jokes that I laughed at the first time I watched the specials when I was little, and seeing my mom laugh at the same jokes she found funny when she was little, too. When we unpack our Christmas ornaments, I love that my brother and I can unwrap an ornament we got from the Charles M. Schulz Museum on a family vacation to California in 2015, and a ceramic figurine of Lucy that my grandpa gifted to my mom in 1978.

There’s a certain kind of magic in knowing that it’s not just me and my generations of family members feeling this connection to an idiosyncratic group of

characters, but everyone else all across the country and their families feels the same way, too.

The list of quotable “Peanuts” moments from the television specials is endless: from Charlie Brown’s oft-repeated grumble of “man’s best friend” to Snoopy, to Lucy’s belief that one “should always wear a costume in direct contrast with their personality” before slipping on a witch mask. But one of my favorite lines of all time is in a strip from “Peanuts 2000” where Snoopy and Rerun are jumping on a jigsaw puzzle. They happily exclaim that “if the pieces don’t fit, we make ’em fit!” I think about this line often — when I’m jamming one last item in my backpack, squeezing a quick Zoom meeting into an alreadyhectic daily schedule or formatting an unruly newspaper page on InDesign. Though the comics are about children and capture that childlike innocence, “Peanuts” cartoons really teach adults to move through the world with a childlike mindset. We’re all just trying to make the pieces fit.

Reading through the “Peanuts” comics really didn’t help me fall asleep any easier this time, but this won’t be the last time I visit those characters and their wonderful little world to help sleep arrive a little sooner.

Finding Lifestyle Balance with La Siesta

By AEDON BENSON

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

My first week or so in Spain, I was a jetlagged insomniac. My brain filled up with fog during long days of being pinballed between tedious orientation meetings and late nights out. These were punctuated by a couple hours of sleep on the dictionarylike pillow that met me upon my arrival at La Residencia, then a few more hours of lying awake blanketed by the heavy air of Granada’s end-of-summer climate. This marathon week left me overstimulated and out of balance. Like I was walking around with one of my legs several inches longer than the other: wobbling and unfocused. None of this is to say that I didn’t enjoy this time. Besides, I know better than to complain about something as trivial and inevitable as jet lag. What I’m really trying to get at is the idea of balance in a lifestyle. When I was launched out of my quiet summer rhythm and into a radically new setting, I, predictably, didn’t quite stick the landing.

Six consecutive nights of being vexed by my new time zone and it was time for a hard reset of my system. I tightened the laces on my shoes that most resemble running shoes and set out to exhaust myself. Sometimes an iPhone screen gets frozen, meaning it goes unresponsive and refuses to rest. You fix this by pressing down on the buttons in a certain way until the phone is forced to

power down. That’s kind of like what I was trying to do here — a technical input that tells my body in no uncertain terms that it’s time to shut off. So after running up and down the park by the river for long enough, draining what little battery I had left, my body started to get the message and my overactive internal monologue finally shut up as my lungs and legs protested too much to be ignored, granting me a piece of the quiet I was missing. Breathing heavily, I walked home, showered and collapsed into my first siesta.

The late afternoon sunlight soaked through our perforated blinds, stained the room gold and found me vibrantly recalibrated.

A siesta, if you didn’t know, is like a nap. I say like a nap because naps are for individual people, but a siesta is more like when a whole city yawns, stretches and lays down to rest. I mean, seriously, practically everything is closed.

Barbershops, offices, restaurants, corner stores, you name it. To hammer the point home, most business entrances are guarded by a persuasive metal garage door that might as well just tell you to pack it up and go home.

Even the gym stops operating from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., or 15:00 to 16:00, rather. I’m really perplexed by that one because there are just machines and weights in there, so the place runs itself.

Naps in the U.S. are encouraged as an optional, healthy practice.

In Spain, naps are enforced, and they do just about everything

short of actually shooting you with a tranquilizer dart.

This city-wide inertia carves out a kind of vacuum in the day.

Aristotle said that “nature abhors a vacuum,” and the siesta vacuum is no exception. That void in the city’s schedule has to be filled with something, and usually it’s sleep. Early mornings and long classes are almost invariably followed by big lunches and some sort of nap. With absolutely nothing to keep me outside, my bed takes on the character of a black hole, its gravity pulling me into a slumber.

These siestas (for me at least) are far from uniform. Each day breaks from typical patterns in any number of ways, leading my method of recharging to vary. I might get out of class early, pick up some empanadas on the way back home, then eat a late lunch.

These two lunches are usually enough to knock me out for a full 90-minute sleep cycle — dreams and everything. After naps like this I return to consciousness dazed but refreshed, and 15 minutes later I’m ready for the culturally mandated second half of the day.

If I’ve slept well the previous night, I’ll usually read something or watch Netflix, postponing and sometimes even foregoing my siesta. Having extra time in the middle of the day to something simple and easily enjoyable, and relaxing adds a dimension of freedom to your lifestyle. Approached with the right mindset, this can be a game changer in

terms of energy and contentment.

Other days I might get a comically small cup of coffee from the café across the street. Usually two because they’re so miniature here. When I try to sleep with caffeine in my system the results are mixed. If I’m lucky, I’ll close my eyes and lay down, then sink a layer or two below consciousness but not all the way into deep sleep. If not, I close my eyes, but my thoughts stay active, like if you were to close a refrigerator door but the light inside stayed on. When this happens, I usually listen to my favorite music and reap the aforementioned enriching benefits of relaxation sandwiched between daily responsibilities.

If you’re not careful you can lose control of a siesta. It’s important not to overdo it. There’s always the very real risk of waking up at 6 p.m. sweaty and disoriented, like Lazarus groaning on the way out of his tomb. For this reason I make a point of never crawling all the way under the covers, and I usually set an alarm or timer.

On some occasions I lay down to listen to music, not intending to fall asleep at all, and wake up an hour later with a head full of lyrics and ears hot from being smothered by the cushions on my noise-canceling headphones.

All these variables and nap archetypes, of course, are arbitrary, anecdotal and far from all-encompassing. My different nap behaviors are more subconscious than intentional — I don’t want to create the impression that I have some methodical,

elaborate siesta system. Rather, these habits are the automatic ways that my system balances itself out and has adjusted to a world where naps are woven into the fabric of society. When rest is prioritized like it is here in Spain, weekdays are granted an air of lightness. Productivity doesn’t wane much (it may even improve), and the world suddenly feels more breathable.

Coming to Granada after living and studying in New York for the last two years was a jarring change of pace. I’m hardly the first to comment on the U.S.’ deeply entrenched hustle culture, where for many work eclipses other aspects of life, trapping them in a productivity neurosis.

Spain’s work culture, embodied by the siesta, is antithetical to our grind culture. In the same way that exiting the highway and driving onto an arterial feels painfully slow at first, it can be frustrating to pump the brakes on productivity. After some time though, driving a comfortable 30 mph doesn’t feel too bad. A deliberate break in the day balances and invigorates your life in a way conducive to well being. I’m not sure if when I return home I’ll fully incorporate the siesta into my day-to-day life, but I’ll make sure to take it easy every day with some purposeful rest.

Slowing down and taking time to appreciate something simple might not always be your first instinct, but more often than not it’s the best thing you can do.

November 29, 2023

CULTURE

SAG-AFTRA Ends Historic Strike

By NORA LEACH

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

After four months, the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) ended their strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

In a historic summer for the entertainment industry, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike in May of this year, with SAG-AFTRA following suit in July. When the WGA strike ended in September, it was only a matter of time before SAG-AFTRA also reached a deal with the AMPTP. On Nov. 9, the strike officially ended, putting the entertainment industry back in motion. A statement from SAG-AFTRA said that their tentative agreement with the AMPTP includes “minimum compensation increases, unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from the threat of [artificial intelligence (AI)], and for the first time establishes a streaming participation bonus.”

On Nov. 12, a summary of the tentative agreement was released, which detailed the specific compromises between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP. One of SAG-AFTRA’s primary demands was increases in pay.

Both actors in speaking roles and background actors had wage increases, and actors will receive more substantive residuals

from films and television shows on streaming services.

Another SAG-AFTRA demand was regulating the use of AI. Actors were concerned that AI would be used to replicate their performances without their consent, and they demanded that there be “informed consent and fair compensation” for actors if such technology was used. The tentative agreement addresses these concerns by providing “consent and compensation around digital replicas; consent and compensation around digital replicas created outside the scope of a project; and digital alterations to an actor’s performance.”

On Nov. 24, the full text of the agreement was released for members to review. According to an email from Guild National Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, members have until Dec. 5 to vote “yes,” which would make the contract official, or “no.” The email summarizes the new agreement and addresses many of the union’s demands. Crabtree-Ireland ultimately concluded by stating that “[SAG-AFTRA’s] National Board and Negotiating Committee both voted to approve and recommend a YES vote.”

When the tentative agreement was first announced, there were concerns that it failed to meet many of the union’s initial demands, particularly regarding the use of AI. While the majority of SAG-AFTRA board members approved of the deal, some were

concerned with the use of any AI within the entertainment industry.

According to Variety, actor Shaan Sharma stated that if SAG-AFTRA permits the use of AI, companies could find “‘significant loopholes’ in the AI language” that could threaten the creativity of the film industry in the future.

Actress Justine Bateman has also expressed her discontent with the agreement. She stated in an interview with Deadline that the AI restrictions in the contract are not strong enough, and with technology rapidly progressing, actors will not fully see such effects until it is too late. She also stated that “generative AI in the film business at all, I think, is offensive and it’s insulting to filmmakers, from actors to the grips to everybody.”

Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA, responded to such criticisms, stating that even though they did not receive all of their demands, they received many great strides that will “set the groundwork for our future and generations to come.” She also stated that “in negotiation, you have to weigh and measure and make your informed decision on behalf of the greater good.”

If the new contract is approved by the majority of SAG-AFTRA members, it is difficult to determine what the long-term effects this decision will have. On one hand, it is highly likely, like Drescher said, that not all of their demands could have been met at once. On the other hand, it is

possible that studios may try to use AI to take advantage of the actors’ hard work. With the rapidly evolving technology and the prevalence of AI across working industries, SAG-AFTRA should definitely bear this in mind for future contract renewals.

Nevertheless, actors can now return to work, and the entertainment industry is definitely back in motion. While the strike occurred, there were already many changes to the film industry, including the releases of movies and television shows being pushed back. Now, many film productions have resumed, from the highly anticipated Marvel flick “Deadpool 3” to an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel “It Ends With Us.” In the television industry, David Harbour, star of “Stranger Things,” revealed on Nov. 11 that he was contacted only “10 minutes after the SAG [announcement] on

Page 19

Twitter” about traveling to Atlanta to begin production on season five of the hit Netflix series.

Meanwhile, new awards ceremony dates have been finalized for the 2023-24 season. The Emmys, which were originally scheduled for September, will now air on Jan. 15, with most of the prestigious awards ceremonies, such as the Oscars, still airing in their usual timeframes, from January to March.

SAG-AFTRA should remain cautious of the possible loopholes in the contract. Drescher said that when negotiating a contract, “in order to stand tall, you must be able to lean as well.”

For SAG-AFTRA’s sake, let’s hope they don’t lean too far. Still, actors, entertainment workers and movie and television fans have emerged from the strike victorious, and a fresh new slate of entertainment should be expected in the upcoming year.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Some actors are discontent with SAG-AFTRA’s agreement with the AMPTP.

Page 20

Volleyball Loses in A-10 Tournament Quarterfinals

By BRETT TULIP

SPORTS

November 29, 2023

Overtime: Cheaters Never Win?

By MADDIE BIMONTE SPORTS EDITOR

STAFF WRITER

Fordham Volleyball’s productive season came to an unfortunate end last week as they were narrowly edged out by the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rams in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Tournament.

The match was a back-andforth effort, which began with Fordham taking the upper hand when they overcame a slow 8-2 start by VCU, eventually winning the first set 26-24. However, in set two, it was all VCU as they again dominated with a 9-2 run, this time finishing the effort. Fordham couldn’t get much of anything going, and would lose the second set 25-16. The third set was a balanced effort all around from Fordham, with senior Whitley Moody leading the group with three kills. Yet, it was not enough as they would drop the third set in a close 25-22. They would again rebound in the fourth, winning 25-21 in large part thanks to Moody, this time collecting an impressive eight kills. However, it was freshman Tatum Holderied that would get the clutch matchwinning kill to make it a 2-2 game.

Unfortunately for Fordham, in the fifth set to 15, they would

end up losing 15-11. The shortened final set surely didn’t bode well for a Rams team that plays from behind, and it was evident that when they started down 9-3 and climbed back to 13-10, a longer game could’ve helped tremendously. When you go to five sets though, anything can happen, and VCU just barely outplayed them.

Overall, the team ends on a positive 17-12 record with three players receiving conference honors for their play this season.

A-10 awards named to Fordham players included none other than Moody receiving First Team allconference honors, followed by sophomore Audrey Brown being named to the second team.

Freshman Whitney Woodrow was named to the All-Rookie team due to her great performance this season in her first year. Lastly, the floor honors were granted to graduate student Mallory Lipski and Moody as they were named to Academic All-Conference.

Although the season might not have ended like they had hoped, it was still a huge step in the right direction for the Volleyball program, and the coaches and players have much to be proud of.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Volleyball’s season ended in a heartbreaker against VCU on the road.

Athletes of the Week Mador was Fordham’s leading scorer with 16 points on Monday night against Manhattan College in the Battle of the Bronx. He made four three-pointers and added six assists, three steals and two blocks. On the season, Mador leads the Rams with 14.2 PPG.

College football is home to some of the best rivalries in sports, the greatest storylines and Cinderella stories and more. But now, it seems it’s becoming increasingly riddled with cheating. From bribing recruits to steroid usage, the sport has truly seen it all, but it recently underwent a new issue in sign stealing.

The University of Michigan Wolverines, and more specifically head coach Jim Harbaugh, received flack for tactics used by a Michigan employee, specifically a 20-something exmilitary vacuum salesman named Connor Stalions (yes, this is a real name). Essentially, Stalions ran a detailed, yet crazy operation in which he paid other individuals to attend dozens of potential opponents’ games in order to film their coaches signaling play calls from the sideline.

Traditionally, the NCAA has had no problem with stealing signs from a TV recording or a game tape. However, you’re not allowed to go in-person and scout out the team’s signs that way. I guess Stalions saw his chance to recruit random people and Venmo them (I wish this was a joke but this is truly real as I write this) to hangout and steal signs.

As a result, Harbaugh was suspended for the rest of the regular season, which albeit was three games, but three critical games on their path to the playoffs, including one against their infamous rival, the Ohio State University Buckeyes.

Why would Stalions go to this length? What was his stake in all of this? Well, as a longtime Michigan fan, it could be simply chalked up to a guy who just wanted to make his longtime team proud and help them win no matter what. Or, it could

AWAY

Senior Men’s Basketball

Was Michigan truly responsible for cheating? Or were they just bending the rules?

be a guy destined to ensure the security of his new job. I don’t think we’ll ever truly know the schematics, but it brings a couple of things to light.

Number one, there’s been an ongoing debate on whether or not this is cheating, or if it’s a big deal at all? Personally, I’ve been going back and forth on this mainly because I think cheating across the board should not be given leniency. I think a lot of the issue with this scandal revolves around what people think cheating actually is. If you can sign steal in some capacity, why does it matter the manner? Make better signs that are complicated and not available to steal!

Well, you look at it on the other hand, and you could say if you allow one avenue of cheating, you open the door for every other possibility.

And let’s be real, Michigan is a powerhouse, steamrolling every opponent it comes near, including top rival Ohio State.

Why even cheat at all when you’re so good?

I think I can honestly put the sign stealing aside now because in my eyes, there’s no debate.

They stole signs. Whether or not that actually helped their game, we probably will never know, but we can’t deny the basic facts.

What is truly annoying is how they are painting Harbaugh out to be this martyr who, even though is suspended and truly

Men’s Basketball

Wednesday Nov. 29

Thursday Nov. 30

Friday Dec. 1

Mandy McGurk Graduate Student Women’s Basketball

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

Sunday Dec. 3

Monday Dec. 4

Tuesday Dec. 5

Tulane 1 p.m.

Maine 2 p.m.

Youree Spence-Garcia Invitational 10 a.m.

Youree Spence-Garcia Invitational 10 a.m.

NYU, Yale Club, Connectiuct and Bard Colgate 11:30 a.m.

10 a.m.

Women’s Track and Field Men’s Track and Field Squash Water Polo

Saturday Dec. 2

FDU 7 p.m.

Women’s Basketball McGurk had big games against Georgian Court and UMass Lowell this past week. Against Georgian Court, the University of Pennsylvania transfer tallied 15 points to lead Fordham scorers.

She did the same against UMass Lowell, totalling team-high 14 points on an efficient 7/10 shooting.

living his best life with his $7.63 million salary, is being referenced as if he died in a tragic accident.

Listen, I get it, you love your coach, but the guy either knew and allowed the sign stealing to go on, or didn’t know and he is a coach who has no insider knowledge of what goes on inside his own team. It doesn’t look great either way for Harbaugh.

Personally, I don’t think there’s much of an argument you can make that the Michigan Wolverines didn’t cheat in some capacity. But hey, that’s becoming the nature of many programs trying to create a dynasty in college football.

Also, I didn’t even touch on my favorite part about Stalions which is the manifesto he wrote about his plans for Michigan becoming a dynasty football team, and then you just realize how crazy this situation truly is.

All in all, Michigan should receive the flack they got for cheating and stealing signs, but man has this been a funny story to really investigate. Honestly, with the way the Wolverines are playing regardless of the scandal, they seem to be an absolute juggernaut and I expect them to be extremely competitive, and will probably be there in the College Football Playoffs.

But until then, their coaching and their sign stealing drama will now be a blemish on their season as a whole.

Varsity Calendar HOME

Japhet Mador

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Cal 7 p.m.

Women’s Swim and Dive

Bucknell Invitational 10 a.m.

Men’s Swim and Dive

Bucknell Invitational 10 a.m.

Duquesne 6 p.m.

SPORTS

November 29, 2023

Page 21

Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi GPs Conclude Varsity Scores & Stats 2023 F1 Season

By ALLIE COPPOLA STAFF WRITER

The 2023 Formula 1 season finally came to an end this weekend after two back-to-back races in Las Vegas and in Abu Dhabi.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen grabbed the victories in both of the Grands Prix, while Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc snatched second place in both. Leclerc’s strong performance in the two weekends wasn’t enough to edge Ferrari ahead of Mercedes to second in the constructors’ championship, but he propelled himself up to tie Fernando Alonso for fourth in the drivers’.

His teammate Carlos Sainz was riddled with bad luck to end the season, while Lewis Hamilton and George Russell of Mercedes were able to do just enough to solidify their standing in second among the rest of the teams.

The Vegas Grand Prix weekend did not get off to a hot start: a loose drain cover severely damaged the Ferrari of Sainz, and the entire first practice session had to be canceled.

The limited running on the first day was frustrating for teams and fans alike, but the rest of the weekend seemed to go off without a hitch. It was one of the most action-packed races since the Singapore Grand Prix in September. Verstappen took the victory, but Leclerc held the lead for some of the laps and never strayed too far from the Red Bull. Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez’s strategy proved to be better than the Ferrari strategy, and he passed Leclerc to move into second

in the final few laps. In an all-ornothing move in one of the final corners in the final lap, Leclerc passed Perez back and crossed the line less than half a second before him. If Ferrari opted to run a twopit stop strategy, Leclerc could’ve found himself on a fresher, grippier set of tires that could’ve propelled him to the win ahead of the two Red Bulls. Sainz fought his way up to P6 after starting P12 due to a tenplace grid penalty, earning valuable points for the team as they geared up to fight Mercedes in Abu Dhabi.

Other teams accomplished surprising results in Vegas. Esteban Ocon of Alpine finished fourth, his best result since P3 in Monaco at the beginning of the season. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll bounced back after a horrific stretch of races and earned P5 less than a second ahead of Sainz. Hamilton and Russell were P7 and P8 in front of Aston’s Alonso, and Oscar Piastri of McLaren rounded out the top 10. Williams had an incredible qualifying run, with Alex Albon in P5 and Logan Sargeant in P6, but they were unable to find the pace when it was time to race. Both fell out of the points, finishing P12 and P16 respectively.

Abu Dhabi was more of the same for Red Bull. Verstappen finished first, while Perez just missed out on a podium position due to a time penalty. Russell was close to the top of the pack for the entire race, and gained the final podium slot behind Leclerc to edge Ferrari in the constructors’ championship.

Leclerc let Perez by to let him try to build the gap that would allow

him P3 and take points away from Mercedes, but it was too late of a decision for Leclerc and Ferrari. It was one of many bad strategy calls from Ferrari this season, which arguably cost them second in the championship. Russell’s podium was his second of the season, and first since Spain in the beginning of June.

McLaren scored 18 points on the day, even though their fight for fourth with Aston Martin was all but over going into the weekend.

McLaren has outperformed Aston Martin since the end of the summer break, and actually outscored most of the teams besides Red Bull in the second half of the season. The Williams team claimed seventh in the championship over AlphaTauri, even after Yuki Tsunoda’s P8 finish and “Driver of the Day” performance. Albon and Sargeant finished P14 and P16 for Williams, further demonstrating how bad the FW45 chassis race pace is. Haas finished last in the championship after a dreadful season and abysmal upgrades throughout the year. After the monetary damages they sustained last year and the little resources they had to work with, their last place finish is not surprising.

The season ended with Verstappen winning his third straight drivers’ championship and Red Bull’s second straight constructors’ championship win.

The title defense in the 2024 season will start on Feb. 29 in Bahrain, and the teams will try to build the best car they can after the unfathomable dominance of Verstappen this season.

Football Fordham Colgate

14 21

Water Polo MAWPC Championship Fordham 23 Wagner 12 Fordham Navy

12 10

Fordham George Washington

8 1

Squash Fordham Princeton Club

8 1

Fordham Cornell Club

9 0

Volleyball A-10 Championship Fordham VCU

2 3

Women’s Basketball Fordham 66 Manhattan 44 Fordham Georgian Court

85 44

Fordham UMass Lowell

76 49

Fordham St. Peters

80 46

Men’s Basketball Fordham Norfolk State

77 64

Fordham Abilene Christian

45 69

Fordham Kent State

72 79

Fordham Manhattan

93 61

–Compiled by Maddie Bimonte

News & Notes Fordham Goalkeeper Called Up To Jamaican National Team Senior Serena Mensah was called up to the Jamaican Women’s National team for the second time this past week for the team’’s final two 2024 Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup Group Stage matches. Mensah just finished her senior season at Fordham, where she made nine starts in 10 appearances. She recorded 45 saves on the year to go with two shutouts against the University of Dayton and Davidson College. She had 16 total saves in those shutouts, which included tying a career-high with nine saves against Davidson, and was named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week.

Are The Rangers Finally Ready For a Stanley Cup Trip?

By WILLIAM JING

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It seemed the New York Rangers’ hot start to the season was frozen in Minnesota at the beginning of November. Without Adam Fox, Igor Shesterkin and Filip Chytil, a 3-0 lead coming off a six-game win seemed almost guaranteed to turn into a seven-game win streak.

Suddenly, though, the Wild put up four straight points to take the lead, and won the game in a shootout. Fans wondered if the Rangers could survive without their three injured players.

To make matters worse, against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Nov. 12, Ryan Lindgren left the game hurt due to a dirty play. They have had three straight wins since their loss against the Wild, but witnessing them completely blow that game and then be 11 seconds away from losing to Columbus begs the question, is the early season hype for real this season?

The past two seasons have both been up-and-down seasons. The Rangers have had stretches that made them seem invincible, and others that made fans feel they would be fighting for a playoff spot.

Last season, they had losing streaks of three or more on four separate occasions, and winning streaks of three or more on six separate occasions, with two of those occasions being seven-game winning streaks.

Therefore, while the Rangers’ 15-31 start sits them atop the Metropolitan Division, it would not be surprising to see them fall back down

the ladder, especially with Fox and Chytil out for a while. That pattern would be familiar to the Blueshirt faithful.

This pattern is not limited to the regular season. In the 2022 playoffs, the Rangers came back from down 3-1 to the Pittsburgh Penguins, beat the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games and were up 2-0 in the series on the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning before dropping four straight. In the 2023 playoffs, the Rangers blew a 2-0 series lead to the New Jersey Devils in the first round. Rangers fans have learned not to get their hopes too high, as it seems that every time things start to look up, they are always too good to be true.

It is still very early in this season, but it is worth comparing this season to the last to see if the high hopes for the Rangers are legitimate this time around, or if this is just a story we’ve seen before.

Let’s start with the good: Chris Kreider. He’s got a 25.5% shooting percentage compared to the league average of 10.3%. He currently leads the team with 13 goals.

If he maintains his current rate and plays all 82 games, he would have 59 goals for the season. Left wings Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafrenière have both improved offensively, with Panarin logging 29 points so far and Laffy logging 12 on a 20% shooting percentage.

The Rangers are also boasting less goals allowed per game and slightly better shooting, save and penalty kill percentages than they

have in both of the past two seasons. However, where they really stand out is their efficiency on the power play. Their 30% power play percentage is significantly higher than it was the last two seasons, and almost 10% higher than the current league average of 20.32%.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, that is where the good news ends.

In addition to the four injuries they suffered, Kaapo Kakko and Mika Zibanejad have been extremely disappointing thus far. Kakko, a former second overall pick, has yet to hit a breakthrough in his career so far. Last year, Kakko had a 14.4 shooting percentage with 40 points, 27 blocks and 26 hits. This year, he has regressed, carrying a 8.7 shooting percentage with three points, six blocks and three hits in 19 out of 82 games.

Zibanejad’s poor performance so far, with him being a bigger star, has been more noticeable for the Rangers. Last year, he was second on the team in points scored with 91, only one behind Artemi Panarin.

This year, through 19 games, he has only 14 points, less than half of that of Panarin. On top of that, Zibanejad has a 7.7 shooting percentage. Yikes. Not a good look for the team’s leading goal-scorer last year. His 39 goals and 71 hits from last season dwarfs the four goals and six hits he has right now.

Another area where the team has lacked is their shooting rate. They just flat out don’t shoot enough.

The Rangers have been known to be picky with their shot selection, but the numbers show that it’s

reaching an all-time high this season. Last year, they shot 31.5 shots per game and 2582 over the course of the season, 20 above the league average. This year, they are shooting 29.5 shots per game with 561 over 19 games, 21 below the league average.

The Rangers, having been so effective on the power play, can retain their shot selection methods during that part of games. But otherwise, they’re going to need to shoot more, because a higher shooting percentage is not going to make up for taking so many less shots.

To have a shot at the Stanley Cup, the Rangers are going to need a few things. Firstly, they need to stay healthy. Next, they need players to step up. Zibanejad needs to be the star we remember from last year, and both Lafrenière and Kakko have work to do as number one and two picks, respectively.

Lafrenière has not been bad this season, but the Rangers need more from him. After scoring seven points in four games earlier this month, Lafrenière has registered just one point in his last five. Defensively, he only has two blocks and seven hits this season so far, whereas last season he finished with 28 blocks and 141 hits.

Overall, it’s really too early to say if the Rangers are contenders or pretenders. But given the aforementioned negatives and positives, it’s safe to say that the Rangers have not improved enough from last season, at least not yet, to be considered a championship favorite. So, between contender or pretender, I would lean slightly toward pretender. The team has a record of being streaky, so the 15-3-1 start isn’t too exciting. But you never know, because as they say, there’s “No quit in New York.”

COURTESY OF TWITTER

The Blueshirts celebrate after a comeback win over the Blue Jackets on Nov. 12.

Page 22

SPORTS

Women’s Basketball Makes It Rain

By LOU ORLANDO ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Fordham Women’s Basketball knows a thing or two about blowouts. Just one week after a season-opening 27-point victory, the Rams fell to the University of Miami in a 39-point rout.

But if Coach Bridgette Mitchell’s team has proven one thing over the last two weeks, it’s that they’re not easily deterred. This Rams squad can dish out the damage too.

After the demoralizing Miami loss, Fordham returned home to Rose Hill to take on Manhattan College in a clash of storied history. When it comes to the Battle of the Bronx, the Rams have held the upper hand in recent memory, winning the last 11 contests.

But on Nov. 16, it was Manhattan’s time to flip the script, triumphing as they completely shut down any semblance of an offensive attack on Fordham’s side. Things were close early as the Jaspers held a 12-11 lead after one quarter of play.

Manhattan pulled away in the second quarter, taking a 10-point lead into halftime. The Rams had no answer for freshman forward Tegan Young, who scored 10 of the Jaspers’ 19 points in the frame to give Manhattan a double digit cushion. With Fordham’s offense continuing to struggle in the second half, the Jaspers continued to build on their lead, taking a 17-point advantage into the final frame and ultimately cruising to a victory.

The Jaspers didn’t get any points from their bench, but they didn’t

need it as the Rams fell victim to Manhattan’s balanced starting five. The three-headed monster of Young alongside sophomore Anne Blair and junior Nitzan Amar carved through a typically resilient Fordham defense.

Six-foot-four senior forward Aminata Ly was a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable contest, recording the first double-double of her Fordham career as she recorded team-highs with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Graduate student Emy Hayford matched Ly’s 10 points, but the offense floundered for a second game in a row.

Reeling off of back to back double digit losses, the Rams were primed for a bounce back against a winless Georgian Court University team. Facing their second Division II program of the season, Fordham exercised their will in a 85-44 victory.

The Rams shot out of a cannon, scoring 17 unanswered points and leaping ahead to a 26-7 lead in their highest scoring quarter of the season. After attempting just five threes in the entirety of their game against Manhattan, Fordham sank five threes in the first quarter alone, with freshman Cassidy Mahaney sinking three straight trifectas to close out the frame.

The Rams kept their pedal on the metal in the second half, outscoring the Lions by double digits in both the third and fourth quarters.

The 41-point victory is the largest Fordham win since the Rams defeated St. Peter’s 81-39 last November. After scoring 20+ points in a quarter just once this

season, the Rams surpassed the 20 point mark in three different quarters.

Six different Rams surpassed the double digit mark in an all-encompassing team effort.

Graduate student Mandy McGurk had her best game as a Ram with a season-high 15 points. Head Coach Bridgette Mitchell seized the opportunity to play some of her younger role players, resulting in career days for Mahaney and sophomore Kaila Berry. Mahaney played a season-high 28 minutes, scoring the first field goals of her collegiate career with a 13 point effort, while Berry scored a career-high 11 points. Ly added 12, her second straight double digit performance, while senior Maranda Nyborg and junior Taya Davis also notched 10plus points on the night.

Fordham got a five day respite with the Thanksgiving break, as they returned back in action on Saturday to take on the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Facing a second straight winless opponent,

the Rams didn’t miss a beat, defeating UMass Lowell 76-49.

Just like on Monday, the Rams rode a first quarter hot streak to an early lead, taking a 12-0 lead and forcing a UMass timeout just five minutes after tip. The timeout helped slow down the Fordham offense, but the River Hawks couldn’t get much going on their end as Fordham held them to just four points on 2-12 shooting in the first quarter. UMass Lowell stayed within striking distance in the first half, but a 21 point output in the third quarter gave the Rams a big cushion as they coasted to another victory.

Once again, the Fordham offense was active up and down the lineup, as five players posted double digits for a second straight game.

It was a complete game for senior Matilda Flood, who scored a career high 13 points while adding six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. McGurk continued her offensive groove with a team-high 14 points. Senior Taylor Donaldson

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham women’s basketball posted three-straight 30 plus point victories.

November 29, 2023

scored 12 points in her return to the lineup after missing Monday’s game against Georgian Court.

Two blowouts were fun, so how about one more? That’s the mindset this Rams squad seemed to take into their Tuesday matchup against St. Peter’s University, defeating the Peacocks 80-46 in their third straight victory of 30-plus points. Leading 32-22 at halftime, the Rams exploded with a massive second half, putting up 48 points while holding St. Peter’s to 24.

While the last two games showcased Fordham’s ability to spread the wealth, there was one clear shining star as Taylor Donaldson exploded for 35 points, tied for sixth most in program history. Draining a ridiculous seven three pointers, tied for fourth in Fordham history, Donaldson was the major catalyst in a Fordham offense that continued to roll.

Sophomore Rose Nelson was the main supporting offense, tallying 12 points on 6-8 shooting in a breakout effort. The Fordham offense was efficient as a whole, hitting at a nearly 50 percent clip for the entirety of the game, while the team nailed a season-high 10 three pointers.

Now with three straight wins, Fordham sits at 5-2, showing promising signs of life particularly on the offensive side. With their first conference game of the season just one week away, the Rams seem to be settling into a groove at just the right time. They’ll be back in action this Saturday hosting Maine University.

The Fordham Ram Volleyball Saga

By MICHAEL SLUCK PRODUCTION EDITOR

At the beginning of the game, they called themselves the Rambearables, but by the end of the game, they had changed their name to the Swiffer Wet Jets, because we swept the floor with them.

It was the sports battle of the century. Our official Fordham Ram intramural volleyball team was facing off against the other, unofficial Fordham volleyball team, in a game that was sure to be one for the record books.

Let me backtrack, though. In the spring of 2022, The Fordham Ram formed its first-ever official intramural volleyball team. We touted ourselves as the greatest

By MADDIE BIMONTE SPORTS EDITOR

Squash sailed into their off week with ease as they dominated in three matches at home on the against both the Princeton University and Cornell University club teams, before rounding out their weekend on Sunday against George Washington University.

In their only match on Saturday, the Rams faced Princeton Club and were granted three points by default. In the rest of the six matches, Fordham took home five victories, locking down the win with an 8-1 result.

The matches for the day began with a showdown in second position as senior Henry Frawley faced off against

thing to happen to Fordham sports since the seven blocks of granite.

The fact that some of our members had never touched a volleyball before our first game, and that we didn’t win a single game during our first semester, did nothing to deter our enthusiasm. See, there are two kinds of intramural volleyball teams: those that win, and those that have fun. The Fordham Ram’s team proudly considered themselves a member of the latter.

Over my three years of writing for the Ram, I’ve never written an article for the sports section. This is mainly because my interest in sports is, much like the Rambearables’ score at the end of our game, near zero.

But despite my lack of athletic prowess and general sports kno-

wledge, attending our biweekly intramural volleyball games has consistently been one of the best parts of my Fordham experience.

Any incredible sports team is defined by their rivals, however, and our team is no exception. In the autumn of 2023, other members of The Fordham Ram formed their own volleyball team, the Rambearables, to counter our own. At first, we were supportive of our younger colleagues, and proud of their athletic prowess.

Soon, however, their negative attitude toward our own team grew into a rivalry we could no longer ignore. So two weeks ago, we challenged them to a formal scrimmage.

And what a game it was. Our adoring fans turned out in multitudes (well, adoring fan: thanks, Lauren).

The game was going well at first— until Rambearables team captain Grace Galbreath decided we should keep score.

I’d like to say that it was a tough battle, that both teams did equally well and that the Rambearables proved themselves to be a worthy rival. I’d like to say those things, but I’m writing as a journalist, and we’re dedicated to truth. So I’ll just say the Rambearables were an enthusiastic group.

It would have ended there, with their resounding defeat, but unfortunately the Rambearables refused to take their loss graciously. Instead, a column penned by Galbreath accused us of unsportsmanlike behavior, and slandered me by insisting our scorekeeping was dishonest. I am

here to set the record straight: we won. They lost. Anything else is libel of the highest form.

That’s not the main point of this article, however. My main point is that intramural volleyball has honestly been one of the most fun parts of my Fordham experience. Even if you’re not good at volleyball, don’t stress about it. Even if you’ve never touched a volleyball in your life, you can still have an amazing experience with your friends. Even from a non-athlete, it’s an experience I highly recommend.

While Galbreath and I may not agree on much, we can both agree on two things. One, intramural volleyball is a great experience, regardless of your skill level. Two, IMLeagues is an awful website. They should fix that.

Squash Sweeps at Home Jiayang Sun, winning in three games with a score of 11-3, 11-3 and 11-0.

Sophomore Gray Kearns continued the Rams winning in the third position against Wilder Crosier, winning in three games as well, with a final line of 11-5, 11-4 and 11-9.

The fourth and fifth positions also saw big victories, as sophomore Crispin McCarthy had a tough run against Princeton’s Andrew Dupree, finishing in four games as McCarthy dropped the second game. Ultimately, the final line for the matchup was 11-8, 10-12, 11-9 and 11-8.

Later, senior Caleb Schumacher beat Ryan Salik in the fifth position in three games, 11-3, 11-4 and 11-2.

Rounding out the day, senior Nicholas Choo finished things off with three straight wins against Jack Green with a line of 11-1, 11-3 and 11-3. Next, the Rams had a doubleheader on Sunday, this time against Cornell and George Washington.

Leading off the matches was Nicholas Gilman, who after having a two-game lead against Nicholas Carson, finished things off in four games (11-9, 11-9, 8-11 and 11-9).

The Rams continued heading down their roster, adding multiple wins for the team as they began with Frawley topping Caleb Woo, 11-8, 11-4 and 11-3, at second position, while freshman Peter Vorbach

defeated Nikhil Dhakad at third position, 11-7, 11-5 and 12-10.

Jack Stanley won at the fourth slot over Hadi Sumaida, 11-5, 11-6 and 11-6, followed by victories for junior Robert Cruikshank (11-5, 11-4, 11-8), Kearns (9-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4), McCarthy (11-7, 11-9, 11-7), Choo (11-5, 11-4, 11-3) and Schumacher (default).

Against George Washington, the Rams also had an easy win as they faced a five-member squad of Revolutionaries. They took them down with a final score of 8-1. In those matches, Frawley, Vorbach, Stanley and Cruikshank each recorded their second win of the day.

Frawley topped Henry Ohrstrom

at second position, 13-11, 11-9, 9-11 and 11-1, with Vorbach taking down Leo-Paul Leger at the third slot, 1210, 11-8 and 11-1. Stanley then defeated Yasmine Sana at fourth position, 11-3, 11-2 and 11-1, while Cruikshank closed out the win with a three-game win at fifth position over Conor Franz (11-5, 11-5 and 11-3).

The Rams look to extend their win streak this upcoming weekend with a highly busy five-game matchup. Games include New York University, Yale University’s Club team and Colgate University on Saturday, while the team is scheduled to play the University of Connecticut and Bard College on Sunday.

SPORTS

November 29, 2023

Page 23

History Three-Peats Itself: Water Polo Wins Third Straight MAWPC Championship

By LOU ORLANDO ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Every team enters the season with the same goal in mind. That, of course, being to claim the conference championship. And while every team sets that goal, only one team can fulfill it. Fordham has set that goal and achieved it, not once, not twice, but three straight times.

Under head coach Brian Bacharach, the Fordham Water Polo program has reached new heights. Prior to 2021, Fordham Water Polo had never won a MidAtlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) championship. Fast forward to the present day as the Rams celebrate their third straight conference title, once more inking an automatic berth into the NCAA Water Polo Championship.

Prior to Sunday, no East Coast team had won three consecutive conference championships since the United States Naval Academy from 2006 to 2008. Fifteen years later, the Fordham Rams etch their name in a historic and exclusive club.

The MAWPC championship began on Friday, Nov. 17, but the #12 ranked Fordham Rams wouldn’t have to play until Saturday, earning a bye to the semifinals as they claimed the top seed with a perfect 12-0 conference record.

Needing just one win to reach the title game, Fordham would square off against a 17-13 Wagner College team that was narrowly skirted by George Washington University a day earlier with a 15-14 win. An extra day of rest seemed to do the Rams just fine as they scored the first five goals of the contest. It was a 7-3 Fordham lead at the end of the first quarter with freshman Barnabas Eppel netting a hat trick in the opening frame alone.

By NICK GUZMAN

The Rams would extend their lead to six by halftime as junior Jacopo Parrella tallied a first half hat trick to put Fordham up 12-6.

Wagner showed some life in the third with a five-goal frame, but the Rams scored six of their own to keep the Seahawks at bay. Leading by seven entering the final quarter of play, Bacharach was able to give junior goalkeeper Thomas Lercari a bit of a rest, subbing him out in the fourth as Fordham cruised to a 23-12 victory.

Parrella led the way with an eight-point game, notching a game-high five goals while fellow junior Lucas Nieto Jasny added seven points with a hat trick and four assists. Eppel finished with four markers and senior Christos Loupakis added three of his own as four different Rams posted hat tricks in the offensive onslaught.

The MAWPC championship game would provide a much tougher test for the Rams. On the backs of wins against Johns Hopkins University and Bucknell University, #2 seeded Navy rolled into the title game with a 21-5 record. Ranked 18th in the national polls, Navy had already met Fordham twice this season, putting up an excellent effort but falling short by two goals and three goals respectively.

Not unlike their first two battles this season, the championship game proved to be a tightly contested affair. The Rams took a 2-0 lead early in the first on tallies from Parrella and junior Luca Silvestri. A marker from freshman Balazs Berenyi made it 3-1 Fordham, but Navy responded with the next two goals to even it at three. Nieto Jasny scored with 22 seconds left in the first as Fordham jumped back

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham defeated Navy 12-10 for their third straight championship.

ahead by one.

Navy gained the upper hand in the second, taking a 6-5 lead on a pair of tallies from freshman Kiefer Black, but once again, the Rams pounced in the final minute as Loupakis netted one with 54 seconds to take a 6-6 tie into halftime.

Both sides traded markers in the third, leaving us with an 8-8 tie entering the final frame.

Silvestri’s second tally of the game gave Rams a 10-9 edge with five and a half minutes to play. Then it was Lercari’s time to step up in net, making a couple key saves to protect a slim Fordham lead.

With three minutes to play, Nieto Jasny gave the Rams a sliver of breathing room, netting his second goal to give Fordham an 11-9 lead. Some excellent defense in the final minutes and one last marker from Silvestri sealed a 12-10 victory and a Rams championship.

“Winning three straight championships is very difficult,” remarked Bacharach, who continues to cement himself as one of the program’s best coaches with another conference title. “Our guys executed big time in the

fourth quarter. I’m so proud of them for their effort today and all season long.”

Bacharach received Coach of the Tournament honors, while junior George Papanikolaou was named MVP. Papanikolaou and Parrella were named to the All-Tournament First Team while Silvestri received Second Team honors.

An automatic berth to the NCAA Water Polo Championship is nothing out of the ordinary for a Fordham program that has enjoyed immense success inconference. However, this year has brought forth a new level of excitement.

The Rams are typically the lowest ranked team nationally in the traditional nine-team field. In the past two seasons, they’ve had to face Princeton University in a playin game the week before the official NCAA tournament begins. This season, however, the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) declined their automatic qualification, reducing the tournament field to eight teams.

For the first time in program history, Fordham will make the trip out to the West Coast for

the official NCAA Water Polo Championship. Tournament play begins on Friday, Dec. 1, with the Rams as the #7 seed set to take on the #2 seeded University of California.

Fordham played Cal earlier in the season as part of their west coast trip, falling 18-11, but getting within three goals before a late fourth quarter Cal surge put the game out of reach. It is worth noting that Cal was without one of their best 2-meter defenders in that regular season contest, so the Rams will undoubtedly be put to the test this weekend.

Fordham’s MAWPC success is something to be marveled at.

However, they’ve been unable to break through in the NCAA tournament, falling in back to back seasons to a rival Princeton program, which ironically completed a three peat of their own in the Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC).

While they’ll avoid Princeton this year to open NCAAs, a battle with a Cal team ranked #2 in the entire nation doesn’t provide much in the way of relief.

Fordham and Cal will square off on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m., with all championship games being held at the University of Southern California. The Rams face a steep battle ahead and the odds are unequivocally stacked against them. Coach Bacharach isn’t one for moral victories, but I’ll extend one to him anyway.

The fact that Fordham is one of eight teams still standing in December is truly a remarkable feat. The program continues to be on a steep upwards trajectory, and one can only dream about what new heights lie ahead in the upcoming years.

Football Ends Season with Loss at Colgate

SPORTS EDITOR

Fordham Football ended their season with a 21-14 loss against Colgate University on Nov. 18 in Hamilton, N.Y. The Rams finish their season at 6-5 overall and 2-4 in Patriot League play, a regression from last season’s 9-3 and 5-1 marks. Fordham also dropped their last two games of the season and three out of the last four as they finished fifth out of seven teams in the Patriot League.

The two conference wins for the Rams were their lowest mark in a full season since 2019. Although Fordham did retain a lot of talent from last season’s success, the key departures of Tim DeMorat, Ryan Greenhagen and DeQuece Carter were always going to make regression likely.

After losing to Lafayette College the week prior, Fordham had little to play for heading into Hamilton.

Despite that, the Rams wanted to finish their up-and-down season on the right note going into 2024.

Fordham and Colgate were somewhat stunningly in a scoreless

tie heading into halftime. There were seven combined punts and three turnovers-on-downs.

Fordham forced three Colgate turnovers in the first half, but the Rams’ offense was unable to capitalize on these extra opportunities.

In the second half, Fordham received the ball to start. But on just the second play of the drive, Montes was strip-sacked leading to a Colgate recovery deep in Fordham territory. The Raiders then pushed the ball all the way to the Fordham goalline culminating in a one-yard touchdown run from Michael Brescia.

Now trailing 7-0, Fordham’s ensuing drive stalled in their own territory. Colgate took no time doubling their advantage after Fordham’s punt, with Brescia scoring his second touchdown of the day on a 28-yard run on fourth and short.

Early in the fourth quarter, Fordham was finally able to get on the board. Sophomore quarterback CJ Montes punched the ball in from the one-yard line to make the score 14-7 in favor of the Raiders.

Colgate’s offense, which hit its stride in the second half, immediately restored the 14-point advantage with their third consecutive touchdown drive of the second half. This time, the Raiders used a big kickoff return and a personal foul penalty to start the drive in Fordham territory. Continuing to utilize the run game, Brendan Cassamajor recorded his fourth touchdown of the season to put Colgate up 21-7 with 11 minutes to play in the fourth quarter.

In need of a score, Montes led the Rams down the field with key completions to graduate student receiver MJ Wright and senior Mekai Felton. Fordham got the ball within the Colgate 10 at firstand-goal from the nine. But the Rams offense stalled there. On fourth-and-goal, Montes couldn’t connect with graduate student Garrett Cody and Fordham did not score.

But, Fordham’s special teams unit provided them with a spark of hope. After the defense forced a punt, junior Matt Jaworski broke into the backfield and blocked the kick, giving Fordham’s

offense one more chance to cut the lead down. They did just that, as Montes found Felton for a 16-yard touchdown to make it a 21-14 contest.

With a little over three minutes remaining, Fordham needed a stop fast. They managed to halt Colgate on third-and-long and forced a punt, but freshman Andrew Osmun was assessed a critical roughing the kicker penalty that handed the Raiders a fresh set of downs. From here, Colgate was able to kneel down and secure the 21-14 win.

For Fordham, their 6-5 season was a mixed bag overall, but it wasn’t without positives.

Montes had big shoes to fill as DeMorat’s successor, but the Rams really couldn’t have asked for much more from the sophomore. He finishes his first season in the Bronx with exactly 3,000 yards, 26 touchdowns and just one interception.

The rest of the offense will likely look different next season. Cody and Wright are both graduate students, as are starting offensive lineman Lucas

Portes and Ryan Joyce. But that’s part of college football, and Fordham head coach Joe Conlin has done a good job in recent years of consistently bringing in talented recruiting classes. Defensively, graduate students include two captains in defensive lineman Alfonso Dixon IV and defensive back Stephen Williams II. After a season opening loss to the University at Albany, Fordham picked up a huge road win against an FBS-opponent in the University of Buffalo in early September. But once conference play began, Fordham began to struggle. A road loss against Georgetown University in the conference opener set the tone for Fordham’s Patriot League struggles.

The season ends with no postseason berth for the Rams, which seemed like it could have been likely after the early-season success. Conlin’s Rams will be back in action in the fall of 2024, beginning with a road tilt against Bowling Green State University in Ohio on Aug. 29.

SPORTS Men’s Hoops Competes at Paradise Jam, Wins Battle of the Bronx

November 29, 2023

Page 24

By COLIN LOUGHRAN STAFF WRITER

Often, a team will need to witness their own shortcomings before fully turning a corner, and the Fordham Rams may be more aware of their faults following a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Just days before Thanksgiving, Fordham Men’s Basketball traveled to St. Thomas for the 2023 Paradise Jam Tournament.

After defeating Norfolk State University 77-64 in the tournament’s opening game, the boys from the Bronx dropped the next two contests of the weekend to Abilene Christian University and Kent State University, 59-45 and 79-72 respectively.

This season’s Paradise Jam marked Fordham’s third appearance in the tournament, and the first time that they were able to win their opening match.

Following a gut-wrenching loss to Cornell in which the Rams did not maintain a consistent first half attack, they got out to an aggressive start against a Norfolk State team that was undefeated.

“Our guys came out with a lot of energy and aggression,” said Fordham head coach Keith Urgo. “The last couple of days our practices have been extremely intense. We’re trying to get back to our identity of defending and rebounding. I thought Antrell Charlton and Kyle Rose did a fantastic job.”

Defensively, Rose and Charlton combined for nine rebounds and four steals. Offensively, they collectively tallied 18 points. Their ability to serve as dual threats proved critical against a Norfolk State team that entered the game averaging 89.0 ppg.

Also key to the Rams’ win was the play of senior forward Abdou Tsimbila. He collected a career-high 16 points and also swiped down a team-high eight rebounds.

At the half, the men in maroon led 43-33, and had drained 17 of 25 free throw attempts. While a 68% clip from the charity stripe is not anything to write home about, it was better than the 11 of 17 free throws that the Spartans were able to make in the first half.

Norfolk State was able to trim the Rams’ lead to eight early in the second act thanks in large part to Jamarii Thomas and Kuluel Mading. In fact, the two lead the Spartans scoring attack with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Spartans could not keep their rally on a consistent trajectory. A 16-2 Fordham run eventually gave the Rams a commanding 61-39 edge that would be too much to fully overcome.

Two days after defeating Norfolk State, the team that resides in the Bronx faced an Abilene Christian squad that was hot from the jump. The Wildcats scored the first 12 points of the game, and went on to outscore Fordham 32-16

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Fordham picked up a big win against Manhattan after a disappointing performance at the Paradise Jam Tournament.

in the opening half.

On the whole, Abilene Christian was a step quicker than the maroon. They outshot Fordham from the field and from downtown. The Wildcats received important individual showings from three upperclassmen who set the tone.

Junior Ali Abdou Dibba led the charge with 18 points, five boards and two assists while seniors Hunter Jack Madden and Airion Simmons collected eight and six points, respectively.

Tsimbila put up a doubledouble with 11 points and 11 rebounds, but he was one of only two Rams to reach a double figure scoring mark.

Senior Japhet Medor poured in 10 points of his own, but Fordham never seemed to truly threaten the Wildcats.

A 12-7 run shaved a 15-point Wildcat lead down to 10 in the second frame, but it would not be enough.

Following their winner’s bracket loss to Abilene Christian, the Rams took on a fiery Kent State squad for third place. Unfortunately for the Rams, the Golden Flashes were able to win the day with a strong second half push.

Fordham enjoyed a competitive first act in which they shot 50% from the field and from range.

Their offensive production was aided by the experienced Medor, who would go on to post a team-high 18 points on the night. Additionally, sophomores Joshua Rivera and Will Richardson posted 14 and 10 points, respectively.

All things considered, the first half was an improvement from what transpired one day prior against the Wildcats.

But, Kent State came out firing in the second period. The Golden Flashes outscored the Rams 14-2 over the first eight minutes of the half to take a 54-45 lead with just over 12 minutes remaining. Fordham managed to cut the deficit to five three times over the next eight minutes, but could not overtake their opposition.

Fordham shot 25% from the field in the second half, and couldn’t keep pace with their

output from the first 20 minutes.

Four Kent State players finished the game with doubledigit scoring figures, including Chris Payton Jr. who put up a team-high 23 points enroute to helping his team enjoy a third-place finish in the Paradise Jam. The Rams’ two losses dropped them to a 2-3 record on the young campaign.

Some will say a trip is about the journey and not the destination, and if the Rams’ recent excursion proved anything about their season, it’s that there is both room for growth, a recipe for success and a lot of basketball left to be played.

The scene then shifted back to Rose Hill on Monday night for the renewal of a historic rivalry.

Many of the best competitors know how to keep their friends close and their enemies even closer. There’s no mistaking that Fordham and Manhattan College are close in terms of geographical proximity and historical basketball acumen.

Monday night’s edition of the “Battle of the Bronx” ended with a commanding 93-61 Rams’ victory

over the Jaspers. After a competitive first half, Fordham was able to lock down in the second frame with a brand of Bronx toughness that simply wins ball games.

The two teams had not met since 2021 when the Jaspers defeated Fordham 66-60 at home. This most recent reunion marked the 114th meeting between the two borough neighbors.

Prior to the opening tip, it was revealed that Manhattan would be without redshirt sophomore Ben Rumpel for the rest of the season due to a knee injury. The guard was averaging 9.8 points this season and had been a key factor in Manhattan’s scheme.

Even with Rumpel’s absence, the Jaspers fought valiantly in the first half. As a team, they shot roughly 53% from the field across the opening 20 minutes.

Overall, their offensive attack was spearheaded by Daniel Rouzan and Briggs McClain.

Rouzan collected a team-high 15 points on an efficient 7-14 night from the field while McClain enjoyed a 10-point evening that included two made three-pointers.

At a certain point though, it became clear that the team just

seconds away from the Bronx Zoo were the more ferocious bunch. The Rams closed out the first half with a 12-6 run to take a 47-36 halftime lead, and then opened the second half outscoring the Jaspers 20-7 over the first five minutes.

The Rams limited the Jaspers to 31% clip from the field in the second half and began to play their trademark style of bully ball.

When all was said and done, the Rams had outrebounded Manhattan 42-33 and had also forced 20 Jasper turnovers.

Medor was named the Johnny Bach MVP of the game after scoring a game-high 16 points. The senior also contributed six assists and three steals, cementing a complete performance.

In addition to their usual stout defense, the duo of Charlton and Rose each scored 14 points. Further, sophomore Elijah Gray had 15 points off the bench and also swiped seven boards in the process.

In many ways, Fordham played one of their best offensive games of the season. Receiving a stellar showing from Medor, strong shooting nights from both Rose and Charlton, and a double-figure scoring burst off the bench from Gray was a perfect storm.

Such a combination did not appear towards the late stages of the Paradise Jam tournament, but could be an ideal formula going forward.

The win granted Fordham their 55th program win against Manhattan. While the Jaspers still lead the all-time series 5955, the Rams’ flexed their muscle in a fashion that will afford them bragging rights, at least until the two squads inevitably meet again.

The now 3-3 Fordham Rams will continue their season against the Fairleigh Dickinson University Knights at Rose Hill on Thursday, Nov. 30.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Antrell Charlton is helped up by his teammates during Fordham’s win over Manhattan College on Monday night.