Volume 107 Issue 3

The Fordham Ram

Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918

Photography Exhibit Opens at Lipani Gallery

By ERYNN SWEENEY ASST. CULTURE EDITOR

Photojournalist David González, 67, has an oil painting of St. Martin de Porres, the patron saint of social justice, hanging on his wall which he purchased in Lima, Peru, while covering a fire that killed over 300 people. In the depiction, a small ray of light from a narrow window shines on the saint, who stands on a dusty floor with a crucifix in his hand and animals at his feet, including a mouse.

González’s mother was the one who first introduced him to the saint, whose prayer card he carried with him in his wallet earlier in his career while working overseas.

“It was one of those early devotions your mother exposes you to, one of those saints that links you to your mother’s faith and tradition,” he said. The story of this saint was one González could relate to: “He has mice at his

By JUSTIN MARTE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In Rodrigue’s Coffee House basement this past Thursday, Feb. 9, Fordham University’s inaugural HumanitiesFest took place. The event was organized by the Humanities Consortium, a Fordham initiative aimed at creating and hosting events that celebrate the humanities.

Dr. Nathan Lincoln-DeCusatis, faculty director of the Humanities Consortium, was the primary organizer of the HumanitiesFest. He worked closely with the Humanities Student Ambassadors (HSA) and Rodrigue’s to promote and run the event. Lincoln-DeCusatis chose to hold the event at Rodrigue’s.

“It’s a great performing arts venue,” he said. “[I like] the warm environment and informal vibes.”

The HumanitiesFest was a celebration of Fordham’s student artists, musicians and humanities scholars. But beyond that, it was a celebration of the Fordham Humanities community.

As Lincoln-DeCusatis put

Shai Davidai Visit Continues Despite Petition

By NORA MALONE NEWS EDITOR

Dr. Shai Davidai, an assistant professor at Columbia Business School who rose to national prominence for his criticism of his university’s response to on-campus protests related to the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, spoke at a Jewish Law Student Association (JLSA) “Lunch and Learn” discussion regarding campus anti semitism on Feb. 11.

Shortly after JLSA announced Davidai’s visit student

By NORA MALONE NEWS EDITOR

A group of politicians and activists gathered for a press conference on the steps of the Tweed Courthouse in Lower Manhattan to reject Mayor Eric Adams’ recent memo regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

on Sunday, Feb. 9.

The group was made up of the New York Working Families Party (NYWFP), Make the Road Action, New York Immigration Coalition Action, Jews for Racial and Economic and eighteen elected officials from across the city. New York City is considered a “sanctuary city,” which means

it limits its involvement with ICE. Adams’ recent memo said city employees can let ICE into municipal facilities if they “feel threatened or fear for your safety or the safety of others around you.”

Speakers at the press conference expressed displeasure with SEE WORKING, PAGE 5

organizations, including Fordham Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), Fordham Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and Fordham Law’s Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild released a call to action asking students to sign a petition calling for Fordham University to cancel Davidai’s appearance. The petition did not succeed, and Davidai’s visit went on as planned with additional security measures and

increased Public Safety presence . Davidai, who is Jewish and Israeli, was banned from Columbia University’s campus last October because he “repeatedly harassed and intimidated University employees in violation of University policy,” during an Oct. 7 memorial, according to a statement from Columbia. Davidai was not teaching at the time of the ban.

Fordham Appoints New Title IX Coordinator

By JASMINE GARCIA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fordham University has announced that Elizabeth Fanelli has been appointed as the new Title IX Coordinator as of Monday, Jan. 27. With a background in law and higher education, Fanelli brings her experience to help support the university’s efforts to prevent and address genderbased violence and discrimination. Her new role at Fordham is full circle for Fanelli as her career

began in the Bronx.

“[I worked] as a prosecutor in the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Bureau at the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for 11 years,” she said. In this role, she gained proficiency in managing delicate, serious cases. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in higher education, which eventually moved her into academia to serve as the equity and compliance investigator and deputy Title IX Coordinator at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

NORA MALONE/THE FORDHAM RAM

State Senator Zellnor Myrie and mayorial candidate spoke at the press conference.

Students who attended the discussion had to show their Fordham ID's to get in.

ANDREW MASSIE/THE FORDHAM

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS

Finlay Hall Feb. 8

1:53 a.m.

On Saturday, there was a fire alarm in Finlay Hall. The supervisor and FDNY responded. The investigation revealed a student cooking food triggered the alarm. The supervisor ventilated the area and reset the alarm panel.

Off-Campus Feb. 8

4:18 p.m.

On Saturday, a student reported they were robbed near the Botanical Garden entrance. The supervisor and NYPD responded. The investigation revealed two students ordered an Uber in the West Village to return to Rose Hill. The driver demanded $120. The students refused. The driver stopped and pulled the students out of the car. The supervisor inspected the student’s phone. The car the students got into was not the Uber they ordered. The students were not injured and were not robbed.

Queen’s Court Feb. 8

8:48 p.m.

On Saturday, there was a fire alarm in Queen’s Court. The supervisor and FDNY responded. The alarm panel indicated a pull station was activated. An inspection of the pull stations revealed all pull stations were in their proper position and no smoke or fire condition was present. The supervisor reset the alarm panel.

Walsh Hall Feb. 9

10:40 p.m.

On Sunday, a student reported that while walking on the 10th floor in Walsh Hall a fellow student walked past. The offender was talking on their cell phone and drinking a beer. The reporter walked past the offender and said “excuse me.” The offender moved over to let the reporter pass. The reporter heard the offender use a racial epithet. The supervisor responded and interviewed the offender, who denied using the epithet. The offender was directed to have no contact with the reporter.

Fordham Student Engages with Musical Scene

By ADITHI VIMALANATHAN MANAGING EDITOR

Circling through the Fordham theater, a cappella and band scenes, Christina Priestner, FCRH ’26, has come to expand her role in Fordham’s musical scene. In her most recent endeavor, Priestner has come to front Fordham’s very own The Wave — a four piece band that plays shows around the city and was an opener at Spring Weekend in 2023.

Priestner grew up in a sports-centered household but discovered musical theatre when she was in the fifth grade. Theater not only served as her introduction to music, but also as her introduction to Fordham University.

“I wasn’t even supposed to come to Fordham. I was committed to Syracuse,” Priestner explained, in a phone interview. “But the assistant dean of admissions saw me in a show at the end of May before coming here and he was like ‘Why aren’t you coming to Fordham?’”

After visiting the Rose Hill campus, Priestner switched her commitment. When she arrived at Fordham, she began musical theatre during her very first semester, playing the character of Hope in “Urinetown.”

“The first club that I joined was the Mimes and Mummers because I was obsessed with theater, and I immediately

Wednesday Feb. 12

Stuff-A-Plush

McShane Gallery 2 p.m.

Need a Valentine’s gift for that special someone? Join CAB in the McShane Gallery on Wednesday for stuff-a-plush, DIY tote-bags and DIY Valentine’s cards.

did their first show, so my first show here was ‘Urinetown,’” said Priestner.

Emma Sheridan, FCRH ’26, has worked with Priestner at Mimes and Mummers ever since they were both firstyears. “Christina has got such an amazing gift with her voice and I am so happy to have so many experiences with her.” she said. “I can tell that she is giving her all in whatever she does and that’s what makes her even more enjoyable to watch.”

It was during her next production with Mimes and Mummers that Priestner met the other members of her current band, The Wave. Priestner was playing Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and the other three band members — Robbie Schier, Steven Morris and Matt Termine — were playing in the pit.

At the time, the three members of The Wave had won the annual Battle of the Bands hosted Rodrigue’s Coffee House — which carried the prize of an opener slot for Spring Weekend. The three-piece set found themselves in need of a singer — a role which Priestner soon filled.

“Matt had invited me to come and sing with them at Spring Weekend. So, the first time I ever sang with the guys was spring weekend opening for COIN,” she said.

Spring Weekend of 2023 was a rainy affair, with an outdoor concert on Martyrs’ Lawn having to be moved indoors to Lombardi Fieldhouse. It marked not only the first time Priestner sang with The Wave,

but also her first time fronting a band.

She credits the band’s chemistry for making for a smooth performance, despite it being the first time on so many fronts.

“We all have so much fun, and there’s this chemistry that’s undeniable when we play together. When we opened for COIN — and that being the first time ever performing together — it was like the universe aligned. It was just a perfect storm,” she said.

Regardless, Priestner’s Spring Weekend performance was a one-off show. She did not continue performing with The Wave until about this time last year. She’s been with them ever since. Last January, The Wave held their first gig at The Mercury Lounge.

“It was surreal,” she said. “It was nerve-wracking because we had written our first few songs together and we were already performing original music.”

In particular, songwriting has been a novel journey for Priestner since joining a band.

“Before this, I didn’t write lyrics for anything,” said Priestner. “When [the band] gave me the space to do that, that’s when we started putting out original music. It was really scary at first beause you don’t know if people are going to like the lyrics that you write.”

Now, The Wave performs songs to crowds who know

This Week at Fordham

Thursday Feb. 13

“Anyone But You”

Keating 1st 6:30 p.m.

Do you love romantic comedies? Grab your partner or your best friend and head to Keating 1st on Thursday to watch “Anyone But You.”

Friday Feb. 14

Free Headshots!

LC Career Center 12 p.m.

Update your LinkedIn profile and show yourself some love this Valentine’s Day by getting a free, high-quality headshot! No appointment required.

Saturday Feb. 15

NYBG Orchid Show

New York Botanical Gardens 10 a.m.

NYBG’s The Orchid Show: Mexican Modernism opens on Saturday, featuring designs inspired by Mexican modernist architect Luis Barragán.

their lyrics enough to sing along.

“We have a ton of originals written,” said Priestner. “People will come to our shows and they’ll know the words to some of our original music, which is crazy. I never dreamed in a million years people would be singing back to me words that I wrote.” Priestner credits her theater background with giving her the foundational skills needed to front a band through threehour sets.

“If I hadn’t endured performances where I’m singing, dancing, and acting all at the same time, then I definitely wouldn’t be able to do two hour shows and three hour shows now,” explained Priestner. “Singing that many songs consecutively is always going to take a toll so having [a musical theatre background] to guide me and having my technique rooted in musical theatre just makes it so much easier now to get back into a show or back into the band.”

In the future, Priestner is hoping to put out an album with The Wave. They have several upcoming shows, including one on Feb. 15 at Wicked Willy’s.

“Wherever we go it’s going to be exciting,” explained Priestner. “I don’t see an end in sight. I always tell everyone whenever they miss a show, ‘Don’t worry, there’s always going to be another one.’”

Sunday Feb. 16

WBB vs. VCU

Rose Hill Gymnasium 2 p.m.

Go cheer on the Fordham women’s basketball team as they play against Virginia Commonwealth University on Sunday. Don’t forget, tickets are free for students!

CHRISTINA PRIESTNER FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Fordham student Christina Priestner, a long-time thespian, performs live with The Wave on Jan. 25 at The Bronx Beer Hall.

How One Alumnus Went From Ram Van Driver to Director

By ANDREW MASSIE FEATURES EDITOR

Plinio Gonzalez, GSB ’08, started as a student driver for Fordham’s Ram Van service. Now, he’s the director of University Transportation, overseeing a system that moves thousands of students daily.

Gonzalez’s role extends beyond managing a fleet of Ram Vans. His leadership philosophy centers around creating a workplace culture that fosters camaraderie, growth and responsibility. Under his watch, he must manage growing student demand while maintaining a reputation as one of the safest and most efficient transit systems in New York City.

Born and raised in Harlem, Gonzalez grew up surrounded by the hustle of small business operations. His father owned grocery stores in the Bronx, a family business that introduced him to the intricacies of management, marketing and logistics at a young age.

While his siblings went far away for college — his sister to the University of Pennsylvania and his brother to the Rochester Institute of Technology — Gonzalez chose to stay close to home, enrolling at Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business.

“I liked the comfort of home,” Gonzalez said. “Being around my parents was important to me, and Fordham had the business program I was looking for.”

The draw he felt toward business was shaped by real-world experience rather than textbooks. From inventory management to customer relations, he learned firsthand how to solve problems.

But Fordham provided him with the academic foundation to refine and formalize those skills. Courses in consumer behavior and marketing strategy sharpened his skills, and an internship at Columbia Records gave him an early taste of the corporate world.

Ultimately, it was his job as a Ram Van driver that proved to be defining.

In 2004, Gonzalez started as a student driver for Fordham’s intercampus transportation system. The job offered flexible hours and a decent wage, but for him, it also became a training ground for leadership.

“There was a real sense of camaraderie,” he said. “It was like being part of a team, where everyone relied on each other, shared stories, and built bonds beyond just work.”

Gonzalez quickly moved up the ranks, becoming a maintenance coordinator. He oversaw fleet logistics and acted as a key liaison between drivers and administrators. After graduating into the 2008 financial crisis, he leveraged his transportation experience into management positions at car rental companies.

However, there was still a desire for something more. When the opportunity arose to return to Fordham in 2017, he jumped at the chance. By 2019, he had risen to director of University Transportation, overseeing a growing operation responsible for transporting thousands of students and faculty members daily between campuses.

Gonzalez’s leadership style centers on fostering a strong

workplace culture. He understands that a job, especially one as demanding as driving 15-passenger vans through New York City, is made easier when employees feel valued and appreciated.

“Workplace culture is everything,” he said. “If people want to come to work, if they feel like they’re part of something, the job doesn’t feel like work.”

To reinforce this, Gonzalez has implemented team-building initiatives: barbecues for new drivers, seasonal outings like apple picking, Thanksgiving potlucks and intramural basketball games.

He also started an annual tradition where drivers design their own Ram Van merchandise. Past items have been custom

hoodies and T-shirts that have become badges of honor among the team.

Beyond culture, safety remains his top priority. Under his leadership, Fordham has introduced AI-powered cameras in vans to monitor driving habits and reduce accidents. According to Gonzalez, in fiscal year 2023, the Ram Van recorded just 15 at-fault accidents despite running hundreds of trips daily, a statistic he aims to continually lower.

Gonzalez is determined to keep the Ram Van at the forefront of university transportation. He envisions continued improvements in efficiency, driver training and student engagement. With rising demand,

the service is expanding, and new strategies are being developed to ensure that Fordham’s transportation remains both reliable and safe.

“We’re always looking to innovate, to stay ahead of the curve,” he said. “We want to set the gold standard for university transportation.”

For Gonzalez, what started as a part-time student job has turned into a mission. The roads he once navigated as a driver now guide him as a leader. He’s building not just a transportation service, but an environment where students, employees and the Fordham community can spend less time on the road, and more time pursuing their future.

USG Discusses Furries at Fordham Club and Bylaw Changes

By SOFIA SEMPER COLUMNIST

The Fordham University Rose Hill United Student Government (USG) discussed their statement regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and other law enforcement officers being allowed onto Fordham’s campus.

In the statement, they state that no member of the Fordham community should ever have to worry about their safety while attending class. The USG will advocate for transparency on university policies regarding law enforcement and federal agencies’ access to campus.

Executive President Eron Maltzman, GSB ’25, said that he feels that it is the responsibility of USG members, as representatives of the school, to release this statement.

Maltzman also presented new changes to the USG Bylaws to complete the integration of the International Integration committee into USG. He also opened up a discussion regarding the possibility of a Study Abroad committee.

He explained that, instead of creating a whole new Study Abroad committee, the Study

Abroad Student Advisory Council would send a delegate to every USG meeting and they would give updates from the Study Abroad Office and share student concerns with them, as well. They tabled their discussion regarding the bylaws until next week’s meeting.

The founder and co-founder of the Furries at Fordham club presented their club proposal to the USG. They first addressed misconceptions of the furry community and that the furry fandom is simply a subculture interested in anthropomorphic animal creatures.

The purpose of this club would be to foster creativity and self-expression, build a welcoming environment for marginalized groups, promote education for furry culture and support diversity.

They also stated that Fordham would not be the first university to do this as there are 80 other universities internationally that already have accepted furry clubs into their community within the Anthropomorphic Animal Appreciation Association (AAAA).

Their first official meetings would include activities like helping members find their

“fur-sona” (furry persona).

They hope to hold events throughout the semester including furry game nights, art events and sewing workshops. For funding, they said that they would need funding for pizza for general meetings, tickets for local furry conventions, furry meetup events and art supplies for drawing workshops.

Senator Grace Shin, FCRH ’28, was awarded Senator of the Month for January. The Fordham Asian Cultural Exchange (ACE) club was voted as the January Club of the Month for their Lunar New Year festivities.

Vice President of FCRH Emma Blake, FCRH ’25, presented a budget request for three dozen donuts for the FCRH Dean’s Council’s Student Wellness Subcommittee tabling.

The USG Vice President of the Gabelli School of Business (GSB) Catie Flores, GSB ’25, presented a budget request for the GSB Dean’s Council’s Valentine’s Day pop-up event. She requested funding for roses, donuts and stickers for the event.

Vice President of Communications Shreya Anand,

GSB ’26, presented a budget request for a Canva Pro subscription.

Maltzman announced that each class senate will now have a senate head who is responsible for coordinating tablings with their other senators and, overall, be a central point of contact for that class. Senator Jude Ortega, FCRH ’25, Senator Ananya Grover, GSB ’26, Senator Anna Brown,

FCRH ’27, and Senator Grace Shin, FCRH ’28, were all appointed as the senate heads. Senator Jude Ortega, FCRH ’25, said that he is continuing to work on his proposal and he also hopes to work on getting more programming with the Career Center. Senator Grace Shin, FCRH ’28, also said that she is continuing her work on the MTA MetroCard proposal and the Wellspace proposal.

Grace Shin was awarded Senator of the Month for January (Left to right: Eron Maltzman, Grace Shin, Ava Cascella, Megan Ruzicka).

MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

PLINIO GONZALEZ FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

The Ram Van uses Samsara, a software that provides operations insights to track their vans and traffic.

FROM TALK, PAGE 1

There has been support for Davidai on Columbia’s campus, with hundreds of students signing a petition last November calling for a reversal of his suspension.

“We do not believe that someone with a documented history of harassment and incitement should be given a platform at Fordham, particularly when his rhetoric directly endangers students,” said a spokesperson from SJP. “We believe that emboldening hatred against students — who align with international human rights experts in calling out genocide — not only endangers those students but creates a campus environment where harassment and intimidation are tolerated over genuine student safety.”

The petition called on students to email members of Fordham’s administration and file complaints with Public Safety in advance of Davidai’s visit.

“So far, the administration and public safety have been made fully aware of the event and our concerns, as has Shai Davidai. Yet they’ve made their stance clear: they are willing to forgo Jesuit values and student safety, allowing the event to continue,” said the SJP spokesperson. “This is not about free speech—it’s about the administration’s deliberate choice to protect those who spread harmful

FROM FEST, PAGE 1

it, “The humanities focus on and really highlight the great things students are doing on campus.” This community has become even more important considering the “recent political issues and negative press surrounding the field.”

Lincoln-DeCusatis’s message seemed to resonate with his colleagues, prompting many not only to promote the event but also to attend personally. Among them was Dr. Nina Rowe from the Art History department.

“[I came] to see the students majoring in humanities showcase their amazing talent,” said Rowe.

The HumanitiesFest opened with Malena Sullivan, FCRH ’26. Sullivan is one of Rowe’s students and was personally recommended by Rowe to present her independent

Student Organizations Protest Davidai

and biased rhetoric rather than the students directly impacted by it.”

Davidai said he learned about the Fordham petition after seeing it on Instagram. “I was really shocked. There was nothing controversial about my event. The only thing that is controversial about this event is that I’m Jewish and Israeli, that’s it. But me being Jewish and Israeli is controversial,” he said in a Zoom interview. “There is an investigation [by Columbia], I’m not gonna lie. But it’s based on lies. That’s why it hasn’t been closed.”

The investigation by Columbia into Davidai’s actions began last year and is ongoing.

The founder of the Fordham chapter of JVP, who asked not to be named due to the “advice of others,” said in a statement, “JVP condemns Shai Davidai because he’s harassed, threatened, and doxxed students and even faculty and administration. This has nothing to do with free speech, like Shai or the JLSA might want you to think; this is about protecting our fellow students, especially Muslim and Arab women whom he tends to target.”

JVP is “the world’s largest Jewish organization standing in solidarity with Palestine,” according to their website.

JLSA said they invited Davidai as a part of their ongoing “Lunch and Learn” series, where they bring in speakers from a variety of backgrounds

“Professor Davidai has been dealing with campus antisemitism at Columbia University since the events of October 7, and we are excited to learn more about his experiences,” said Eli Fisher, FSL ’26, president of JLSA. “I also don’t agree with everything Professor Davidai says. That’s why I am excited to attend this conversation and discuss my questions.”

Fisher said that inviting Davidai to campus fell within the Law School’s tradition of free expression. “In law school, we learn about the Socratic method and freedom of speech,” he said. “I don’t think those should go out the window the second you disagree with someone.”

In contrast, SJP highlighted that the focus of their petition is student safety.

“It is also important to preemptively address the inevitable bad-faith attempts to misrepresent our demands as antisemitic. This petition is not, and has never been, about targeting Jewish students or Jewish voices — rather, it is about holding Fordham accountable for platforming someone with a clear record of harassment and incitement,” said SJP in their statement. “Many of those organizing against this event, including Jewish students and faculty, recognize that this is not an issue of religious identity but of

student safety and institutional accountability.”

Davidai said that people need clarity on where he stands regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.

“I’m bringing in another perspective. If people took the time to actually read and listen to what I said, they’d find out I’m actually a leftist. I’m a lefty Israeli who believes in a two-state solution, who has protested Netanyahu and got punched in the face in protest against Netanyahu in Israel,” he said. “I have spoken up about my support for the Palestinian people multiple times. I have written op-eds about my support for Palestinian statehood. But I’ve also spoken up against Hamas. I’ve also spoken up about my support for Israel’s rights to exist.”

Both JSLA and Jewish Life at Fordham were aware of possible protests. In a Feb. 10 email titled “Reaching out as a protest may gather tomorrow,” Rabbi Katja Vehlow told members of the Fordham community that the university was aware of the developments and to reach out to Public Safety if they felt unsafe.

Fisher said JLSA had “numerous” conversations with public safety due to concerns from members about potential protests. Even so, Fisher said that some Jewish students on campus were concerned .

Four attendees wearing face masks and keffiyehs attended the event. They stood up several times during the

Students Share Their Humanities Research

research paper on Joseph C. Leyendecker.

Her presentation, titled “J.C. Leyendecker: Visual Storytelling,” showcased the defining effects Leyendecker had on American culture, influencing modern trends by proving that “sex sells, especially in male fashion.” Sullivan illustrated how Leyendecker is behind many modern marketing tactics, his most famous being the “Arrow Collar Man.” This was an example of “aspirational mascot marketing,” showing consumers an idealized version of themselves.

“Men wanted to be him, and women wanted him,” said Sullivan. She underscored Leyendecker’s role in creating what has come to be known as the “Americana man” and in “defining American masculinity.”

Jake Metcalf, FCRH ’25, was

the next presenter. His presentation was titled “Architectural Design, Sustainable Independence, and the Art of Purging Expenses.” Metcalf shared his summer research experience, where he learned about architecture and sustainability by interviewing industry leaders such as Mary Miss, Claudio Silvestrin and Kengo Kuma. He presented each artist’s style, from Mary Miss’ environmentally integrative minimalist architecture to Kengo Kuma’s use of Japanese techniques with locally sourced wood.

“Sustainable architecture comes with acknowledging the industrial and ecological sites,” said Metcalf. “I just emailed like 15 people. When you reach out to people with an email starting with ‘Fordham summer research,’ a lot of people are more than willing to take 20-30 minutes of their day to

talk about their work.”

The final presenter was Clare O’Connell, FCRH ’25. O’Connell is a music and American studies double major with a minor in disability studies. In her presentation, she shared her experience studying abroad in Vienna. Her presentation was entitled “Exil Arte, the Center for Banned Music.”

“[It was an effort to] collect music from those who were forced to flee Austria during or after the events of World War II,” said O’Connell.

O’Connell discussed the evolution of music in Austria from Dadaism, “an art movement criticizing the war and what people used to value,” to New Objectivism and Neoclassicism, “music for music’s sake.” She also covered the first and second Viennese schools of music and twelve-tone theory.

O’Connell delved into the

visit chanting “Shame on you and shame on Fordham.”

“We remain worried about the physical safety of our group members,” said Fisher. “Just like last year during finals, we have Jewish students who feel unsafe and plan on staying home that day.”

However, Davidai was not concerned about safety concerns posed by a possible protest before the event took place.

“I’m not worried about my own safety. I don’t think colleges should be a place where people are afraid to speak, especially about noncontroversial issues,” said Davidai. “I’ve been traveling around the world for the past six months, and I’ve never been protested.”

The event went on as planned. Fisher and a few Public Safety officers escorted Davidai to the discussion room. Several members of the administration, including Vice President of Student Affairs Michele Burris. Attendees of the event had to cross-check their RSVP with their ID before they were allowed inside. The event reached capacity quickly and had to turn some students away.

“We hope to make it impossible for the administration to ignore the broader consequences of their decision to platform a man that spews dangerous and untrue rhetoric,” said SJP. Even if these efforts don’t yield immediate results, they expose institutional failures, escalate accountability, and lay the groundwork for real change.”

different ways art and music were expressed in Austria, ultimately focusing on Erich Korngold, whose music influenced iconic compositions like the themes from “Jurassic Park” and “Star Wars.” She concluded her presentation and the event with a piece by Korngold, “Come Away, Death,” described by some as a “goosebump-inducing performance.”

“[It was] inspiring watching people share their interests while highlighting the student body’s passion,” said Lily Partuzo, FCRH ’25.

Lincoln-DeCusatis hopes to continue celebrating the humanities student body by creating a platform for the talented Fordham community. He plans to keep hosting HumanitiesFests and aims to have three a semester to promote student research.

“Often the best opportunities are the ones you create for yourself,” said O’Connell.

Elizabeth Fanelli Appointed For Title IX Coordinator

FROM TITLE IX

At Ramapo College, she worked to prevent violence and prejudice. “I wanted to use the specialized skills I developed as a prosecutor to work on educating students in gender-based discrimination and violence,” Fanelli explained. Her decision to join Fordham was driven by an alignment between the location and her values. “I was excited about the position at Fordham because it was a chance to return to the Bronx and to continue educating people on the prevention of gender-based discrimination and violence,”

Fanelli said. “I was also very drawn by the opportunity to work within a Jesuit institution, one which aligns very closely with my personal and professional values.”

As Title IX Coordinator, Fanelli’s main goal for this academic year is to continue Fordham’s existing Title IX and Campus Assault and Relationship Education (CARE) processes while also finding new ways to strengthen and expand these programs to better meet the needs of the community.

“The Fordham community is very fortunate in that the Title IX and CARE processes,

particularly in the area of the Administrative Support Persons (ASPs), are already well established,” she said. “I am looking forward to understanding the existing training programs for students, faculty, and staff, and then determining the best ways to enhance Fordham's programs.”

A key part of her role is to support students who are going through the Title IX and CARE processes. “I want students to know that I am here to support them: both students who are filing complaints and those who have complaints filed against

them,” Fanelli said. “So I can ensure that we are having the right discussions with the community and providing the proper education to address those issues.”

It’s important for Fanelli that all students feel heard and respected regardless of their position in the process. She prioritizes creating a supportive, confidential environment where students can feel comfortable and empowered to make informed decisions.

Fanelli says she is dedicated to working with students to better understand their concerns and make sure the right education and resources are

in place to address any issues they face.“I prefer to work collaboratively with students to understand the specific issues they face regarding genderbased violence and discrimination, so I can ensure that we are having the right discussions with the community and providing the proper education to address those issues,” she said.

Fanelli is committed to supporting the Fordham community and is eager to work with students, faculty and staff. She is passionate about using her expertise to make a positive impact and ensure that all members of the community feel supported.

Adams’ policy changes.

“We want to be very clear. We are here today to send a very clear message to the mayor and to everybody here in the city. We are a city that protects immigrants. We are a city that supports immigrants,” said Daniel Altschuler, political director of Make the Road Action. “We do not need ICE in schools. We do not need ICE in hospitals. We do not need ICE in any public building.”

There have been ICE raids throughout the city, with at least 100 people detained since President Donald Trump announced that ICE would begin mass deportations.

“Now [Adams is] enabling Trump’s mass deportation machine by sowing confusion, and that’s part of his plan. But New Yorkers know better. New Yorkers know that we show up for each other. New Yorkers know that every single time that people think that we’re down and out, we come back stronger,” said Murad Awadeh, vice president of Advocacy at the New York Immigration Coalition. “And in this moment, the message to Eric Adams is that this is not a time to continue to think about you. This is a time to think about our most vulnerable.”

The press conference also hosted public advocates and

Elected Officials Discuss Adams ICE Policies

nurses, who highlighted the issue of letting ICE into New York City hospitals and schools.

Laura S. Boylan, MD, an associate professor in the NYU Langone Department of Neurology and a neurologist at Bellevue Hospital, spoke at the event to highlight the importance of keeping ICE out of hospitals.

“I think ICE has no place in hospitals,” she said. “I’ve read the memo from Mayor Adams, and there’s a lot of conflicting information. There’s a federal law that we have to maintain [the] privacy of patient information. I mean, I don’t know who’s documented. How am I going to know who’s documented? So am I aiding and abetting the undocumented?”

Some public officials at the event highlighted their personal history with immigration, including Assembly member Linda Rosenthal.

“My family escaped Nazi Germany and came to NYC. I know my family is turning over in their graves,” she said. “Now is not the time to be silent.”

The crowd on the steps behind the speakers held signs and banners and was made up of people from throughout the city.

State Senator Zellnor Myrie, FCRH ’08, a Mayoral candidate, spoke about his experience receiving medical care as a child despite his parents being undocumented.

“When I was a kid, I had asthma, and my parents took

me to Kings County shortly after they came to this country. No one asked questions,” he said. “I am a lawyer, but you don’t need a lawyer to see that what the mayor is doing is not right.”

Throughout the press conference, passing drivers honked to show their support, while a few members of the New York Police Department stood by. The group engaged in chants throughout the conference, including, “Who protects us? We protect us,” and “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.”

Pete Sikora, the Climate

and Inequality Campaigns director at New York Communities for Change, attended the press conference with his son, Louis.

“The guy [Adams] is corrupt and should be in jail, but instead of resigning or doing a decent thing, he is ready to give up New Yorkers to ICE. And so he’s been equivocating about city law, and he’s a criminal himself,” said Sikora. “It’s not an enormous surprise that he doesn’t actually follow laws, but that’s really dangerous. My kids are here, and they worry about their classmates. What happens when ICE shows up?”

In June, the Democratic

Mayoral primary will take place, with the mayoral election happening in November. “Come June 24, we will vote for a new mayor who represents all New Yorkers. We are here today to send a very clear message. We will not allow Eric Adams to sell out your future and your safety,” said NYWFP Co-Director Ana Maria Archila. “NYC is a proud sanctuary city. We say no. We protect us.”

Additional reporting done by Sienna Reinders, Caitlin Thomas and Andrew Massie.

David González Photography on Display

FROM TRANSPORT, PAGE 1

feet and we had mice in our apartment. I guess he knows what’s up.”

Expressions of everyday religion like the devotion of González’s mother to St. Martin de Porres inform the “Urban Devotions” exhibit.

The photos show a kind of faith that is inseparable from the lives of real people, a kind that is not confined to the walls of a sacred place but moves people to action in their communities.

One photo featured in the exhibit, “Fr. John Grange,” depicts a fiery Irish-American priest who was not afraid to turn his faith into action, even if it upset some people. Grange was González’s dear friend, and he says that the priest’s motto was, “Get shit done and explain and apologize later.”

Grange, who grew up in Mott Haven back when it was an Irish enclave, is a representative of the post-Vatican II generation of Irish street priests and nuns who rolled up their sleeves and got to work.

“They were practical to the extent that they realized [the people in the community] needed somebody on their side to confront a variety of issues, some of which were policy issues and issues of structural inequality,” said González. “They knew that you just can’t preach something abstract to [people]; it has to be real.”

Other photos in the exhibit show the bread line outside the window of the Catholic Worker in the Lower East Side and a mourning scene called

“Waking Heidi” in Bedford Park. In both, religious iconography sits in the corners, representing the faith behind the actions taking place.

Many of the photos show scenes on the street. There’s a black and white frame with a depiction of “Moshiach,” or the Jewish Messiah, on the streets of Chinatown, an image of the sacred heart icon painted onto a brick wall in Highbridge, a closedup storefront with the message “Jesús es el señor” in Morrisania and a photo of a street church in Tremont titled “Salvation.”

Another photo shows a street mural of Jessica Guzman, a young girl who vanished and was found strangled under the fault of a scam artist who wreaked havoc on many kids under 10 years old. The event shook the Bronx but brought the community together to remember Guzman’s life. A mural was painted of Guzman in her first communion dress on Castle Hill Avenue, where she grew up.

“Faith and religious expression is just a part of everyday life in NYC,” said González. While working on the “About NY” column of the New York Times, González wrote about a book titled “Mr. Ives’ Christmas” by Oscar Hijuelos and noticed the deeply religious themes it encapsulated. Hijuelos thinks of religion in terms of music — as “a wild jam session going on all around you” — an analogy that hit

home with González since he comes from a family of musicians.

González hears the melody and is able to document it because he knows how to listen and what to listen for. The grassroots philosophy that underlies his work makes him attuned to the small details of faith in the city that others might overlook.

The “Urban Devotions” exhibit helps viewers understand faith in the city in a new way by paying attention to the expressions of faith hidden in plain sight all around them. There were many people who contributed to the production and organization of González’s first solo show.

“The process of staging this exhibition was really done by David [González] and his colleagues at the Seis del Sur photo collective,” said David Gibson, director of Fordham’s Center on Religion and Culture (CRC). “Vincent Stracquadanio who manages the galleries at Fordham also did the bulk of the installation organizing and other promotions. Julie Gaffney at the Center for Community Engaged Learning was also instrumental in providing support.”

Eileen Markey, writer in residence for the CRC and an assistant professor of journalism at Lehman College of the City University of New York, also played a big role in connecting Fordham with González to bring his works to Lincoln Center.

Releases

By ADITHI VIMALANATHAN MANAGING EDITOR

On Feb. 11, United Student Government (USG) released a statement on Instagram condemning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) expanded permissions to enter university campuses. The statement was approved by USG on Feb. 6 and published this Monday. The memo follows a Jan. 31 Public Safety email regarding guidelines for interacting with ICE officers.

Eron Maltzman, GSB ’26, explained that the statement was intended to identify USG as a source of support for students, particularly in the wake of recent news that ICE was in the Bronx. Maltzman also clarified that there were no known incidents of law enforcement officials on campus on Feb. 6.

On Jan. 21, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued directives that allowed for federal agencies Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to enter sensitive areas. According to a now overturned 2021 memorandum from the DHS, sensitive areas include churches, hospitals and schools, including universities.

“We didn’t want to start a political debate of any kind,” he explained. “[It’s] so that students know that Fordham’s United Student Government at Rose Hill supports [them] no matter what, that we are there as a resource if anyone has any concerns.”

Maltzman and USG Executive Vice President Ava Cascella, FCRH ’26, wrote the memorandum together and presented it for a vote. The majority approved of the statement, according to Maltzman.

“This wasn’t in response to a particular instance of officers on campus… but with this new expansion and with Public Safety releasing their letter – this is something that directly affects the students, whether or not officers come on to campus,” he said.

Going forward, Maltzman noted that USG is awaiting further information from the administration regarding increased enforcement presence.

“At the moment, we’re just listening [to] the administration to see if they want to tell us anything or looking out to see if Public Safety is issuing something else,” he said.

NORA MALONE/THE FORDHAM RAM

People from all over New York City came to the press conference to show their support.

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OPINION

From the Desk | Abigail Adams

The Importance of Intergenerational Connection

We are almost constantly surrounded by other 20 or so’s throughout our college experiences. We sit in class with 20-year-olds. We eat our meals with 20-year-olds. We ride the Ram Van, go out to the Fordham bars and work out at RamFit with (mostly) other 20-year-olds. We can exist in an echo chamber of our similar experiences and limited wisdom. This familiarity can almost become intoxicating.

I think it is this echo chamber of viewpoints that has led modern generations toward peak levels of isolation. This is exacerbated by modern technology, which, in its pursuit of global connection, alienates people from those directly around them. Our increasingly separated perspectives have led us into a state described as an epidemic of loneliness. Younger generations often fail to recognize the wealth of experience and wisdom of older individuals, while older generations can feel dismissed by the ambitions of the young. Perhaps this setup causes so many issues because it directly betrays humans’ natural inclinations. Throughout history, families have been together. Three generations were often under the same roof. However, intentional policies and cultural infiltrations have split up families. Most of us no longer go home to a family dinner each evening. I overhear other college students exclaim how they find children gross and annoying. Or how their parents and professors are ignorant. Perhaps the parents and professors are thinking the same thing — but I, too, participate in this isolation. People of different age groups do not often surround us, and so we

It is safe to say that a significant portion of Fordham’s students are fearing the imminent arrival of Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. For those Rams who are single, this celebration of love may very well serve as a painful, 24-hour marker of their loneliness. For those Rams who do have a partner, this day of romance may require them to break their piggy banks in the name of making their partner smile. However, Valentine’s Day is not just challenging for those of us with or without someone to love. It’s also challenging for those of us who value and practice ethical consumption. Take, for instance, the challenges faced by one who enjoys those chalky candy hearts that are somehow simultaneously both the greatest and worst thing that you have ever tasted. They are an adorable gift to give or receive, but the facts of their production are nothing but ugly. The candies are made with some rather unsavory ingredients (they are pumped full of highlyprocessed artificial dyes) and probably arrived in your hands (or the deep, forgotten recesses of your pocket) via vehicles that emitted high levels of fossil fuels. Thus — Candy hearts? Yes!

Buying goods that come from

gradually develop a distaste for anyone with a 10-plus-year gap from us. It is this separation that limits our growth, especially when it comes to expanding our hearts and minds.

For one, intergenerational interactions broaden our perspectives. My Nonna would often share stories of growing up in Queens, the daughter of an immigrant. She would go to elementary school wearing dresses made from chicken feed bags. As a seven-year-old, sitting in my pink-walled room filled with clothes, books and toys, I could not comprehend that. Now, I am cognizant of these stories’ deeper meanings, not just the experience of confusion I felt as a kid regarding her fashion choices.

This broadening of perspective ripples as we continue engaging with those of varied ages. Yes, children can act out of control, and the elderly can have habits of complaining — but they are a school of love. Being around people of different backgrounds, especially age, expands our hearts. It is impossible for us to grow in a bubble. A favorite saint of mine once said, “To be happy, what we need is not an easy life, but a heart that is in love.” We grow when we patiently and enthusiastically read the book to the twoyear-old trying to learn his ABCs. We grow when we hear the same story shared weekly by an elderly man with memory issues.

This school of love with those of all age groups can prompt rich reflection. The overwhelming joy that the toddler I babysit gets over finding a ballpoint pen teaches me to appreciate the little things in life. Brother Sheehy SJ’s beaming smiles

as he sings verses of “I Got Rhythm” -- which have been in his memory for 70 years -- show me the gift of remembrance and of music. I am not passively becoming a more patient person, but rather, these experiences teach me to profoundly recognize the value of stillness and ordinary moments in my life. Perhaps this intergenerational connection is exactly what we need in a disenchanted and polarized society. I find that so much of the hurt in the world comes from our expectation that others will despise us and disagree with us. I know this happens in my own heart. From my interactions with people of varied ages, I’ve been able to see how much we actually all agree on. Our hearts have been crafted with particular longings. Reaching out to those who are different from us enables us to see that truth. Even participating as staff for The Ram has helped me see how diverse people can have similar values, even if they manifest differently or are ranked in varied orders. By interacting with those who are different from us, we can learn to see all of us as brothers and sisters. Particularly

Love, Morally

the destruction of human lives and the environment? No!

In fact, this exact dilemma seems to be at the heart of Valentine’s Day itself. Just about every aspect of it relies on some form of (unethical) consumption that the consumer is effectively goaded into via marketing. Want to make your partner happy? Well then, just buy them these chocolates and teddy bears that were made in a fossil-fuel, union-busting factory. Want your newly divorced mom to not feel totally left out from all the merry and love-filled festivities? It’s probably best if you send her an (in) edible arrangement probably made of fruit grown and chocolate harvested by child laborers. Want to have an unforgettable and adventurous night full of passion? Boy, does that shady store tucked away in the depths of the West Village have a pair of fuzzy pink (and microplasticfilled) handcuffs for you. In essence, for those lovers who are interested in ethical consumption, Valentine’s Day has turned into a nightmarish labyrinth — one whose walls and paths are built from material goods produced, transported and purchased through less-than-savory processes.

However, the remedy to all this rests in the very idea of prioritizing experiences above material goods. In other words, if one wants to celebrate Valentine’s Day to the max, whatever this may look like to them, their best chance at doing so in an ethical manner almost certainly lies in consuming experiences, not goods. To be sure, experiences may not necessarily be wholly free of unethical dimensions either, but they certainly act as a better alternative to material consumption. Going to an art gallery and talking pretentiously about a Klimt or Monet painting with a partner, for instance, is a rather lovely way to bond over common interests, insights and experiences (think Ferris Bueller and Sloane!). Taking a scenic hike with a loved one is another extremely rewarding experience that one can enjoy without necessarily having to worry about issues of exploitation. Even just going to a new or fancy restaurant that uses local ingredients may function as a nice alternative to unethical consumption (so long as the tip left to the underpaid waiters is generous!).

The memorial value of these

in spending time with those of varied ages, we can tap into wisdom and knowledge we previously haven’t encountered. Thus, these intergenerational bonds allow us to fulfill the mission of our university — “Sapientia et doctrina.” This education enables us to care for the whole person, body, mind and soul. A lack of intergenerational connection isn’t just a missed opportunity; it’s a barrier to the deeper understanding that can help repair the rifts in our communities and society at large. So, call your grandmother! Give the tired mother carrying her newborn baby a seat on the Metro-North. Help tutor Spanish-speaking children at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in Belmont. Luckily for all of us, there are many opportunities in our local community to reach out to those with unique experiences. Even right off campus is Murray-Weigel Hall where you can visit retired Jesuits and hear stories of remarkable lives lived everywhere from Jersey City to the Congo. Take our Catholic and Jesuit education off the 85 acres of 441 East Fordham Road and meet those of different backgrounds to stretch our hearts and minds.

more ethical experiences is also worth noting. While memories do tend to fade with time, they certainly last longer than some cheap chocolates that will melt in your partner’s car or some thrown-together bouquet of flowers that will wilt in a few days. They are something that you can keep coming back to time-and-time again, deriving happiness and joy from it as many times as you want — for all intents and purposes, that nice dinner or beautiful hike can last forever in your mind. Considering all this, experiences then seem to be the best way to go when it comes to showing love and affection, or just even having an overall positive experience on Valentine’s Day. Avoiding material goods and giving priority to the experiential helps one avoid the difficulty and guilt that may come with vapid consumption while simultaneously providing the chance to grow closer and build long-term sources of happiness with your partner. And, as an added bonus, this focus on experiences may very well help to quiet your partner’s incessant badgering about when you are going to take them out on a nice, beautiful date — wherever and whatever that may be.

Editorial | Valentine’s Day

OPINION

Dr. Shai Davidai’s Controversial Appearance at Fordham Law

The Difference Between Dialogue and Divison

By KINGSLEY MARIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Before his speech at the Lincoln Center campus yesterday, the Fordham Jewish Law Students Association asked Israeli-born Columbia professor Shai Davidai if he’d like to use the back door to avoid harassment by the protestors. He declined: “Jews are done using the back door.” In an era where open discourse is more often than not met with hostility, Davidai’s controversial visit to Fordham University exemplifies the importance of intellectual valor.

Only four protestors out of the 50 attendees, wearing black masks and keffiyehs adorned with the Palestinian flag, showed up to the event. Before his speech, he went up to one and thanked him for coming. Yet they periodically rose from their seats and disrupted his speech with chants of “Shame on you and shame on Fordham!” Davidai tried to engage in dialogue but they flatly refused, one saying, “I do not want to have a conversation.” In his speech, Davidai said: “If they want to see you as hateful, they will see you as hateful, and if they see you as hateful, they won’t have to listen.”

In an interview on Monday, Davidai elaborated on this central issue with his detractors. A proud Zionist, he has been bombarded with an onslaught of baseless accusations by Fordham Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), labeling him a “predator,” a “harasser” and a threat to students. These accusations, fueled by anti-Zionist sentiment rather than factual evidence, do not aim to challenge his ideas. They aim to silence his voice.

Leading up to Davidai’s appearance at Fordham, there was a severe backlash from SJP. “The

whole point is me coming and having a conversation,” he said. “And if you don’t want to be in conversation with me, you don’t have to be there, right?” The radical anti-Zionist movement, Davidai said, does not seek dialogue but suppression.

Criticism of Zionism — the belief that the Jewish people have a right to their own state — is often veiled as legitimate political discourse. However, Davidai argues that the line between anti-Zionism and antisemitism is non-existent. “Anti-Zionism is the movement against Jewish self-determination,” he said. “If you oppose the Jewish right to self-determination but not other people’s right to self-determination, you’re being antisemitic.”

SJP’s reaction to Davidai is not unexpected. He has referred to the organization as “terrorist supporters” based on their public endorsement of U.S.-designated terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah. He points out that these groups do not simply advocate for Palestinian self-determination but actively call for the extermination of Jews: “They openly say, ‘We support the armed resistance.’” His stance is not unwarranted aggression, as it is portrayed by SJP. It is self-defense against those who romanticize violent extremism. Davidai’s appearance at Fordham underscores the much broader battle for academic freedom. He stands against a movement that chooses to vilify, de-platform and silence instead of engaging in discussion. Davidai chooses the front door in the face of SJP because he sees opposition not as something that should be closed off, but opened.

KingsleyMarin,GSB’28,isafinancemajorfromLosAngeles,California.

Balancing Students’ Safety and Free Speech

By STUART CREMER ASST. OPINION EDITOR

Dr. Shai Davidai, an Israeli associate professor at Columbia, spoke at an event hosted by Fordham Law School’s Jewish Law Student Association on Tuesday, Feb. 11. In line with the petition started by Fordham Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Fordham Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), I oppose Fordham platforming Davidai due to his history of inflaming tensions between advocates for Israel and advocates for Palestine.

Davidai was recently banned from Columbia University’s campus in October 2024 due to repeatedly harassing and intimidating employees during a demonstration commemorating the victims of the Oct. 7 attacks. Davidai has been criticized for neglecting his fiduciary duty to protect students’ safety by aggressively targeting them in person and on social media. In April 2024, several students, in a article by the Columbia Spectator, said they had received violent, racist and misogynistic threats after being targeted by Davidai on social media and that they feared for their safety.

When I spoke to Davidai during a Zoom interview on Feb. 10, he repeatedly emphasized that he supports constructive dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian voices and a twostate solution. However, his actions tell a different story. He has described the Columbia SJP as a “modern-day Hitler Youth,” a statement which he confirmed during our interview. He takes the actions of individuals and attributes them to groups, such as calling the whole of Columbia SJP “terrorist supporters,” to justify singling out the leadership of Columbia SJP on social media, endangering them. By targeting individual students on social media, he has enabled racist extremists to send violent threats or dehumanizing insults at them. No professor should

ever be targeting students in a way that jeopardizes their safety.

As thankful as I am that he took the time to speak with me for this article, I do not think Fordham should have him as a speaker at a university-sponsored event. Multiple student groups have made it clear that the normalization of his actions by Fordham makes them feel unsafe on campus. While he emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue in our conversation, his history of escalating conflicts between advocates of Israel and advocates of Palestine speaks louder than his words. Furthermore, his harassment of Columbia students and employees clearly violates Fordham’s own policies on harassment, according to a post by Fordham SJP.

There is nothing requiring Fordham to provide a platform to an external professor with an ongoing investigation by Columbia University against him, especially given that Fordham refuses to give equal treatment to Fordham Students for Justice in Palestine. Fordham approving this event sets a dangerous precedent for ignoring the safety concerns of students and creates a double standard in how Fordham treats Palestinian versus Israeli voices.

While I agree with Davidai that there is a need for conversation, it needs to be a conversation that addresses everyone’s concerns. Fordham should have waited for Columbia to conclude their investigation, which should be done with due diligence and expediency, before taking such a prominent stance on the issue. Davidai should apologize for the aggressive actions he has taken toward Columbia students and faculty. As it stands, I think this event will only enflame hostilities.

Caring for the Sick: Changes to Fordham’s Absence Policy

By CLARA DEVITO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It is difficult for Fordham University to create an absence policy that promotes a healthy student body while also ensuring that students do not take advantage of a policy that is too lenient. While Fordham’s strict attendance policy attempts to accommodate for illness outbreaks, improvements can be made to better promote student health. Fordham University limits students to two weeks of excused absences per class. For instance, students cannot miss “six class meetings for a course that meets three days per week” or “four class meetings for a course meeting two days per week.” This policy is susceptible to change depending on the professor. It is a fair policy that balances student health and encourages attendance.

Fordham University can improve its efforts to promote a healthy student body by having better coordination with the Health Center. Students complain that the Health Center

does not have a good walk-in policy. Annika Huss, GSB ’27, argues that, “the health center should create a better walk-in system because I’ve had experiences in the past where I have been sick or had a migraine and I didn’t have immediate access to the Health Center, so I had to get the absence approved later.” The Health Center should have more accommodating walk-in hours and create a more organized system for students to get excused absences. This will alleviate stress and ensure that students do not show up to class sick.

Viruses like COVID-19, influenza and norovirus are extremely contagious and highly unpredictable, especially during the winter months. COVID-19 is an airborne virus that spreads quickly in contained spaces, such as a classroom. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) refers to historical data in order to predict when a new strain will surface and its magnitude. They predicted that a new strain would appear in October 2024, but “a major new variant has

not yet emerged.” Since there is no certainty regarding when the new strain will surface or how it will affect people, it is difficult for universities to plan their attendance policies accordingly. Norovirus is another highly contagious illness that occurs mostly between the months of November and April. This virus spreads mostly “in places where people are in close contact, such as schools and nursing homes.” Both viruses last for several days and infected students have to miss multiple days of classes. Students come to class sick because they do not want their absence to negatively affect their grades, which puts other students at risk.

It is distracting for other students when people attend class visibly sick. It can be especially unsettling for people with hypochondriasis or health anxiety. People who suffer from this illness anxiety disorder have a lot of “distress about possible illnesses that it’s hard for [them] to function.” A student excessively coughing or blowing their nose

in class can trigger anxiety in other students and distract them from their learning. Rose Onorio, GSB ’27, said,“I do not like when people are sick in class. When I hear people cough, it is all I can think about. My mind kind of hyper-fixates on it.” Natalie Kiene, FCRH ’27, agreed and said, “I get anxious if someone next to me is coughing and seems really sick.”

Fordham should implement a rule that a student, or professor, should avoid going to class for 12 to 24 hours after their illness ends because they are still contagious. Kiene said that, “people should not be allowed to go to class if they are contagious. That

was the policy in school from elementary school through high school, and I think it should stay the same in college.”

Overall, Fordham University’s absence policy is lenient enough to accommodate for highly contagious illnesses while also encouraging student attendance. However, a few minor improvements will help mitigate virus spread and student anxiety during the winter months.

Clara DeVito, FCRH ’27, is a English major from Norfolk, Virginia.

Fordham’s strict attendance policy has raised concern among students.

MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Stuart Cremer, FCRH ’26, is an English majorfromMountainView,California.

NIH to Nil: An Attack on American Health

By HAILEY BAKER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Since President Donald Trump took office a mere three weeks ago, he has sent out an extreme array of executive orders, proclamations, memoranda and pardons, doing nearly everything in his power to reverse the progress former President Joe Biden made during his term. Among Trump’s most alarming shifts is his administration’s approach to health and science, especially his decision to cut billions of dollars of funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These cuts are not just numbers on a sheet — they are devastating blows to essential medical research, halting much-needed initiatives into rare disorders like the one my sister has: neurofibromatosis (NF).

As background, the National

Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states, “Neurofibromatosis is not a single medical disorder. It refers to three different conditions involving the development of tumors that may affect the brain, spinal cord, and the nerves that send signals between the brain and spinal cord and all other parts of the body. Most tumors are non-cancerous (benign), although some may become cancerous (malignant).”

NIH has played a pivotal role in advancing research for NF, offering hope for a cure to my sister and our family, as well as many others like ours. NIH spearheaded one of the most monumental research projects into NF, resulting in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a treatment for type one of the disorder called selumetinib (Koselugo). This milestone directly resulted

from the hard work of scientists and medical efforts at the institute using significant federal funding. With Trump cutting billions of dollars from NIH, the future of breakthrough research like this is under attack. Without necessary funding, life-changing treatments like selumetinib might not be possible for patients suffering from NF, leaving countless families like mine with diminishing hope for future cures. In an effort to do as much damage control as possible, NIH is focusing on cutting indirect costs related to research like buildings, utilities and equipment.

In an announcement NIH put out Feb. 7, they stated, “The United States should have the best medical research in the world. It is accordingly vital to ensure that as many funds as possible go towards direct scientific research costs rather than administrative overhead.” With this announcement, the NIH proposes dropping the current average rates grants pay for indirect research from 30% to 15%.

According to National Public Radio (NPR), these cuts will be especially detrimental to medical research at universities, medical schools, research hospitals and other scientific institutions, bringing about a drastic change in facilities. To put it into perspective, Harvard currently receives 68% and Yale 67% of their NIH grant funding to cover indirect costs. Slashing

this support in half leaves medical researchers desperate to find additional funding from other organizations to cover operational expenses, deflecting crucial attention and resources away from actual research.

For people with rare disorders and diseases, like my sister, these cuts are not just an inconvenience — the reality is delayed progress, limited clinical trials and fewer treatment options. We cannot afford to have these severe budget cuts in a world that already prioritizes funding for common disorders that companies can make more profits off of than for rare diseases and disorders with smaller market potential. The NIH has long been a safe haven for people with rare disorders, filling in the gaps where private companies fail to.

However, Trump seems to prioritize the needs of capitalist, profit-hungry companies over helping families and patients in-need.

“This is a surefire way to cripple lifesaving research and innovation,” Matt Owens, president of the Council on Governmental Relations, which represents research institutes and university medical centers, said in a statement. He continued, “We urge NIH leaders to rescind this dangerous policy before its harms are felt by Americans.”

If the Trump administration does not reverse this detrimental funding cut,

Congress needs to step in and pass emergency funding legislation, specifically allocating funding to protect ongoing research for rare disorders at NIH. One of the biggest advocates to Congress is the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which regularly meets with congressional representatives to discuss the importance of NIH-funded research. The type of funding that the AAMC advocates for supported over 300,000 researchers at more than 2,500 institutions in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., in 2024.

Elena Fuentes-Afflick, MD, MPH, the Chief Scientific Officer at the AAMC, stated, “Patients everywhere benefit from the extraordinary medical research made possible through NIH — research that is taking place at academic medical centers across the country.” If you feel strongly about supporting patients and families dealing with rare disorders, I urge you to reach out to your representative and demand that they take action to restore NIH funding. While there will always be time for companies to make more profit, families like mine cannot and should not have to wait for a cure.

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

Letter to the Editor: In Defense of Fordham Athletics

Dear Editor,

My colleagues and I were disappointed to open the Feb. 5 issue of The Ram and read an opinion article titled “Stickers vs. Sandwiches: Fordham Basketball’s Promotion Problem.” In short, the writer posits that the Fordham Athletic Department has been derelict in its duty to promote our men’s and women’s basketball programs in a fair and equal manner. She claims that the quality and quantity of our promotional efforts indicate that we have “little interest in promoting the women’s team at the same level as the men’s.”

As far as I know, no one from The Ram reached out to any member of our department staff to comment or provide clarification on the matter. If anyone had, I hope that we could have disproved the notion that we are anything but an ally in the fight to further women’s sports, most notably our women’s basketball team.

The article points to a promotional email sent to students ahead of the weekend of Jan. 25-26, during which the women’s team hosted their Pride Game on Saturday before the men’s team welcomed Duquesne University on Sunday afternoon. For the women’s game, the department handed out Pridethemed sticker sheets. For the men’s game, we handed out t-shirts, posters and breakfast sandwiches to the first 200 students. On its face, I can see how one might perceive preferential treatment, but examining one weekend in a seasonlong promotional calendar lacks vital context. For instance, that men’s game against Duquesne was the team’s annual “Whiteout” game, in which all fans were given a white t-shirt to create an appealing visual effect. The women’s team hosted its “Whiteout” (during which free t-shirts were also handed out) on Nov. 8 against California

State University, Fullerton. The poster in question, the first in our three-part series celebrating the Rose Hill Gym’s 100th anniversary, was also handed out at the women’s game against the University of Dayton on Jan. 18. The breakfast sandwiches were not purchased by the marketing department.

The article’s author points to the fact that nine women’s games feature giveaways this season compared to 11 men’s games. This leaves out a critical piece of context: the women’s team is scheduled to play two fewer home games than the men’s team. The author also claims that several of our giveaways for women’s games were “low-value.” We disagree with this subjective statement but are always looking for feedback on what kinds of items would encourage student attendance. Furthermore, the women’s promotional calendar includes several items not on the men’s schedule that I

personally view as high-value, including a pink beanie for the breast cancer awareness game (Feb. 16) and a Fordham Basketball tote bag for the Black History Month celebration (Feb. 19).

The article then goes into a further discussion on the state of women’s sports in general and how far less attention is paid to women’s athletics nationally compared to the men’s game. No one is arguing this fact. We just ask that you realize who your allies are in this fight and who is not. Eilish Devine, our assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions, is a former NCAA athlete and coach. A vast majority of her student workers and interns are young women dreaming of careers in sports. Our women’s basketball staff places a great emphasis on promotional efforts, going as far as to reimagine a traditional coaching role this past offseason and hire Brooke Alverson to assist with marketing, social media

and community engagement. Personally, I am the son of Fordham Women’s Basketball’s all-time leading scorer and have spent a large portion of my professional career working for women’s teams. That being said, we are the first to acknowledge that excitement and attention cannot be wholly manufactured within the walls of an athletic department. Lasting support from students must be overwhelmingly organic. Please continue to attend games. Please encourage your classmates and friends to attend with you. Tell everyone you meet how worthwhile and exciting the women’s basketball team is. We’ll be right there to celebrate the team with you.

Sincerely, Andrew O’Connell, FCRH ’12 Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communications

The National Institute of Health is facing funding cuts.

CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM

OPINION

AI at Fordham: All About Creativity and Responsibility

By GABRIEL CAPELLAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Most students at Fordham University have used artificial intelligence (AI) before. It could have been for organization, to create a study guide or to come up with an answer to a simple question. While it may be useful in these regards, it’s far from being useful or efficient in a classroom setting. With professors understanding what AI can do, one of two things happen; either students get more papers from our classes or take monitored exams to prove our understanding of the class’ content.

Due to this, a student’s workload increases and they’re pushed towards using AI to summarize any given reading, solve math problems or figure out whatever they need to in order to pass the class. The tradeoff of using AI is that you rob yourself of actually learning the content. Part of Fordham’s mission statement says the university “seeks to foster…careful observation, critical thinking, creativity, moral reflection and articulate expression.” AI undermines these beliefs by giving students an answer to the questions students are meant to ask themselves as

they complete their four years here.

AI tramples our creativity, and its answers are lackluster. Let’s say one is stuck in responding to a prompt given to them. They can go to ChatGPT and ask it to come up with an answer to the prompt. If the student likes it, they can take the response, put it in their own words to get past AI detectors and get full credit for the response. There are two things wrong with this: one, it is plagiarism, and two, the student is robbing themselves of the chance to properly practice and learn how to answer the question being posed. Furthermore, AI writing is lackluster in terms of quality.

Professor Hittner-Cunningham, who teaches Composition II, put it like this: “It’s very clear when it’s AI-generated since it speaks in generality.” If our writing ends up being unimaginative, we can’t properly express ourselves in a way that the curriculum at Fordham encourages us to. Professors, for the most part, appreciate when students are creative with their writing rather than spitting out what’s already been said before in a textbook. AI overlooks the creativity and depth needed in order to

produce something powerful for any given task.

AI also gives dangerous information if you take it at face value. When searching for something on Google, you’ll most likely get an AI overview of what you’re looking for, but in some cases, they’re misleading and dangerous. While these are more easily spotted, it can lead to more dangerous outputs if left alone. Language Learning Models (LLMs) are the main type of Generative AI students use and include such programs as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, QuillBot, etc. These forms of AI operate on human inputs, and their outputs depend on the information they already have, but can still output misinformation or things that simply do not exist.

Due to this misinformation, AI is better used for mundane tasks or things that deserve to be optimized, such as schedule building or study guide creation based on a student’s notes. When used like this, it’s responsible and doesn’t take away from learning. When AI is used like this, it can exist in Fordham’s mission, but not when it’s used as a shortcut.

AI is biased as well. When

developers create AI, it typically demonstrates a bias, some more clear than others. RightWingGPT shows its bias on its chest, but its reasoning for this was because ChatGPT showed a bias as well. Regardless of what AI we choose to use as a student body, it’ll show a bias one way or another. If AI is biased, undermines creativity and gives out misinformation, wouldn’t that automatically make AI bad? Not necessarily. AI runs much deeper than that and it really does come down to the context of how it’s being used. It’s good for coming up with the basics about any situation that allows us to understand things further. I’m not against students using AI if it’s actually helping them get to the answer

than giving them the answer. If we’re going to be responsible with it, I’m all in. However, when it is used in a classroom setting where you’re meant to be learning something and understanding it in your own way, AI does pose a problem if we all choose to interpret one thing the same.

If AI can beat this shortcoming and allow students to interpret the same concept differently, I can get behind it, but the way it stands, I don’t see it fitting properly at Fordham.

Puerto Rico: A Tourist’s Ethical Dilemma

By BRIDGETTE LEAHY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The question of tourism in Puerto Rico is closely tied to the concerns of displacement in the island’s colonial history. Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, faces significant social and economic challenges. However, tourism, an excellent direct source of income, can contribute to some of these challenges.

Since colonization, the Puerto Rican people have fought for the right to self-determination and independence. The ultimate intentions of the United States government regarding Puerto Rico were ambiguous from the war until the passage of the Jones Act in 1917. This act helped mandate and ensure citizenship for all Puerto Ricans, signing official intent to retain permanent possession of the island. The situation in Puerto Rico is complicated by its political status in the U.S. According to a study conducted by the Department of Economic Development and Concern, since 2012, about 4,500 businesses relocated from the United States to Puerto Rico. Thousands of high-net-worth individuals have moved to the island to profit from these tax breaks. According to an article published in ReVista, the Harvard Review of Latin America, “the Puerto Rican government has offered wealthy Americans a rare deal: move to Puerto Rico and pay no taxes on interest,

dividends, capital gains, or crypto assets.”

So the question stands: should Puerto Rico be a selfdetermined and independent nation? Well, economically, local Puerto Ricans are in serious trouble concerning housing estates, unable to afford the local, luxurious houses that only wealthy Americans can afford. The idea of the exchange on property placements results in a mass displacement of Puerto Ricans who make less than what is being sold. Withstanding an unemployment rate of 9%, about 41.7% of Puerto Ricans are living in poverty, with a home price in the capital city of San Juan standing at $905,000 in January 2024. The economic gap between locals and the country’s estate is too large. The burden of gentrification — unemployment and opportunities — significantly hurdles Puerto Rico’s independence.

Regarding tourism, Puerto Rico is slowly but surely losing its identity. By all means, Puerto Rico is becoming more of an island for tourists. The growing influence of tourism is even shifting what seemed to be the native first language, Spanish to now, English. At local businesses, many Puerto Ricans living in the capital city, San Juan, hire nonSpanish speakers to work with the rise of tourism. Federico Cintrón-Moscoso, an educator, researcher and

community organizer born in San Juan who is the program director at El Puente, a human rights organization based in New York and Puerto Rico. even mentions the songs and symbols “don’t represent the local culture,” excluding locals from experiencing it. With that, protesting is seemingly becoming more and more common, and locals are slowly calling for resistance. The strongholds of culture and practices that fight that displacement and the colonization of Puerto Rico remain immense.

Similarly, in several ways, Puerto Rico can be compared to the USA’s other territory, Hawaii. Both islands were created through imperialism and colonization and face similar tourism issues. Like Hawaii, Puerto Rico was annexed to the U.S. in the late 19th century with limited voting privileges. The Song “Lo Que Pasó a Hawaii” captures the struggles between Indigenous and local communities to keep their land and culture with the constant ongoing invasion of tourists on their island. Without tourism, Hawaii and Puerto Rico could not evolve or adapt economically. Without benefiting the local population equally, it can lead to negative consequences such as rising property costs, the displacement of locals and a loss of local culture and identity. One could call it a love-hate relationship.

Even popular artists like Benito Ocasio, know by his

stage name Bad Bunny, are drawn to the concern about Puerto Rico. Ocasio is concerned about infrastructure, opportunities, growth for the future, electricity and genetfrication. Similar to the many Puerto Rican locals, Bad Bunny, a singer and representative of Puerto Rico himself, shares that many songs are linked with the story of displacement. Still, for many young Puerto Ricans, “Debir Tirar Mas Fotos” is “the closest they will get to voicing those fears and those anxieties” about the island’s future, he said. Advocates for independence argue that it would allow Puerto Ricans more control over their political, economic and cultural future. On the

other hand, some say that staying in U.S. territory — or even seeking statehood — could provide more excellent stability and access to resources that independence might not offer. Ultimately, the question of ethics in tourism and selfdetermination is intertwined with more significant issues of justice, sovereignty and the long history of colonialism. The well-being of the local people should always be a central consideration in these debates, and tourism should be approached in ways that benefit locals rather than exacerbate inequalities.

Gabriel Capellan, FCRH ’28, is a journalism major from Bronx, New York.

Bridgette Leahy, FCRH ’27, is a journalism major from Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

Tourism exacerbates inequality and other challenges in Puerto Rico.

COURTESY OF @DISCOVERPUERTORICO/INSTAGRAM

CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM AI has permeated the classroom with rippling effects on students rather

By LENA GIANARIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

If you are an egg consumer in America, this question has likely crossed your mind when perusing the grocery store aisle or ordering meals containing eggs recently. The last thing anyone needs when checking out at a bagel shop is to see that there is an additional $1 surcharge for all orders using eggs. I just wanted to buy my bacon egg and cheese in peace. Wherever you stand on what came first in the chicken or the egg debate, the main reason for the drastic increase in egg prices is the spread of the avian bird flu to over 156 million birds, including poultry, backyard flocks and wild birds. In order to mitigate the spread of disease in the poultry industry, the standard practice is the euthanasia of the entire flock in which the flu is detected. This has caused the supply of eggs to decrease. This, paired with a high demand for eggs, has caused prices to skyrocket and created a nationwide shortage. In December, the average price for a dozen eggs hit $4.15. The price per dozen

OPINION

What’s the Deal with Egg Prices?

in places like California has reached almost $9. It will likely get even worse with the upcoming Easter holiday; there doesn’t seem to be much relief in sight.

Besides the effect on the egg industry, the bird flu has also been raising concerns about the possibility of another pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 67 confirmed cases of bird flu in humans, with one infection having led to death. Symptoms of infection can include: fever, sore throat, cough, stuffy or runny nose, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, muscle aches, diarrhea, dyspnea and conjunctivitis. The most common subtype of the bird flu causes respiratory symptoms and pink eye. However, it is important to note that those at highest risk for infection are people who work directly with poultry, waterfowl and dairy cows, and transmission from person to person is extremely rare for this version of the bird flu.

Despite transmission of bird flu to egg consumers being rare, there has been some concern about purchasing eggs

amidst the outbreak. During this time, it is important that consumers continue to practice smart habits when purchasing and eating eggs. These can include only buying eggs that are refrigerated, storing eggs in the refrigerator and avoiding the purchase or consumption of eggs that are cracked or past expiration. We can also rest assured that flocks that are contaminated with the avian flu virus are removed from the human food supply. The damage to our wallets will probably be the only issue consumers will have when purchasing eggs at this time.

If you are buying on a budget or just wondering how you can save a buck or two on your egg purchases going forward, grocery stores like the beloved Aldi (only a short walk from campus) are doing a great job at aiming to keep prices low. Jason Hart, the CEO of Aldi, said that the store is committed to its pricing philosophy of keeping prices as low as possible at this time. In addition to this, Aldi is also enforcing that consumers must be limited to purchasing two cartons of eggs at a time. Grocery

shoppers at stores like Costco could benefit from this kind of limit; videos of shoppers rushing to purchase the entire egg inventory have been circulating and causing a lot of frustration for shoppers who didn’t get to the shelves in time. Does anyone else remember the toilet paper COVID-19 shortage? “Panicbuying” can exacerbate a shortage issue, and we are seeing that happen with eggs in lots of grocery stores today. So yes, egg prices are up, and we can thank the bird flu for that one. While experts may not be issuing COVID-19

notices or anything, it is still important to practice the usual safe habits with eggs and other poultry items. With the increasing prices, it can be helpful to find ways to save money by shopping at stores that aim to keep their prices low and storage steady. Here’s to hoping places like Waffle House and local bagel shops will remove their surcharge for egg items on the menu soon. Suddenly, the Fordham Flu doesn’t seem nearly as bad.

Trump’s Attempted Freeze on Federal Loans

By TAHIYAT RAISA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship is not only a significant step in his campaign to crack down on immigration but is also another move in his ongoing effort to legitimize unchecked executive power at the outset of his second term. The order, filed hours after Trump took office in his second term, declares that children born in the U.S. are citizens only if at least one parent is a citizen or permanent resident, which would extend to children of parents in the country legally but temporarily, such as foreign students, workers and tourists. Just days later, U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour, who blocked the policy from taking effect for 14 days following a lawsuit from four states, called the order “blatantly unconstitutional. I have been on the bench for over four decades,” he said. “I can’t remember another case where the question presented was as clear.” Two weeks after that decision, Judge Coughenour put Trump’s order on hold until the lawsuits are resolved. His ruling followed a similar injunction just a day earlier by U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman in Maryland, who halted the policy in response to a separate lawsuit filed by pregnant women and an immigrant rights group. Trump’s order argues that

only children born to U.S. citizens or green card holders are “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States, a reimagining of the clause that is at odds with the well-established judicial interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause, which has guaranteed citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil and “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” for 125 years. This judicial interpretation was established in United States v. Wong Kim Ark. (1898) when the Supreme Court ruled that a child born to Chinese immigrants was a U.S. citizen by birth. Since then, the clause has been interpreted to include nearly all births in the country (with exceptions only for children of foreign diplomats or occupying forces). This new interpretation not only ignores over a century of legal precedent but also defies the judiciary’s power in interpreting statutes of the Constitution. That authority was reaffirmed in the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, which explicitly bars the executive branch from reinterpreting laws in ways that conflict with judicial precedent. Considering the clear limitations of executive power outlined in this decision, Loper Bright Enterprises would almost certainly invalidate efforts to reimagine the amendment’s meaning.

The administration’s disregard for the rule of law extends beyond constitutional interpretation and judicial authority. Congress has long used its legislative power to grant citizenship beyond the Fourteenth Amendment’s provisions. Trump’s order, however, disregards these statutes entirely, attempting to strip citizenship from individuals lawfully granted it despite having no legal basis to override congressional authority. Additionally, Article I explicitly gives Congress sole authority to “establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization.” Yet the Justice Department’s court filings failed to address either the issue of Congressional statutes or Article I’s mandate of Congressional power, let alone justify why the president can override them — instead implying that he has the authority to do so. This attempt to unilaterally override acts of Congress through his reimagining of a constitutional amendment in defiance of judicial precedent — is a claim with no basis in U.S. history.

The states challenging the order have focused on the established Congressional statutes. Their lawsuits argue that the executive has “no power to unilaterally amend or repeal an Act of Congress and no power to disobey a clear statutory command.” Yet the administration’s silence on either of these constitutional and statutory challenges reveals a broader agenda of testing

how much power Trump can seize. This is not an isolated incident. From shutting down congressionally funded agencies to disregarding Supreme Court decisions, the president has employed a strategy of “flooding the zone,” an effort to assert unchecked executive power by bombarding the public with a constant stream of legally questionable or outright illegal actions and policies, making it difficult for the political opposition and media to focus their response to any one issue. If enacted, the executive order would not just undermine the separation of powers, it would create devastating consequences that would affect the lives, status and future of millions of immigrants. This uncertainty is a deliberate part of Trump’s broad immigration playbook designed to instill fear and deter immigration through a wide range of aggressive

policies. So birthright citizenship, once a guarantee, is now a battleground for the debate over immigration and power.

As the legal battle continues, the Supreme Court is likely to hear the case after it works its way through the federal court system. While it is likely to fail, the outcome will determine the fates of millions and signal the Supreme Court’s tolerance of Trump’s executive overreach. The framers of the Constitution designed a government of constrained powers to prevent exactly this kind of overreach. This is not a partisan issue. It is a fight to preserve the separation of powers, a principle that protects all Americans, and the outcome’s legacy will hinge on whether we tolerate the precedent it sets: a presidency above the law.

Hannah Johnson, GSB ’26, is a finance major from Medfield, Mass.

Tahiyat Raisa, FCRH ’28, is an English Major on the pre-law track from Queens, New York.

The executive power to pause federal loans has raised nationwide concerns.

CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM

The price of eggs has skyrocketed due to avian bird flu.

LENA GIANARIS FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Lena Gianaris, FCRH ’26, psychology and English major from Harrison, New York.

“I’m

By CHELSEA DELALLA CULTURE EDITOR

Every year, between late February and early March, I settle onto the couch with a bowl of popcorn in one hand and a cup of tea in the other, ready to watch the highly anticipated Oscars ceremony. And every year, without fail, I’m hit with the same surprising realization — I’ve missed nearly all of the year’s most critically acclaimed films. As a result, my attention often drifts away from the awards themselves, instead drawn to the glitz of red-carpet fashion and the buzz around celebrity couples.

As someone who often prides themselves on being an avid film watcher, I knew 2025 had to be different. This year, I was determined to break this endless cycle and truly embrace the spirit of the Academy Awards. So, when the nominations were announced in late January, I made a pledge: I would watch all thirteen films nominated in the six major categories — well, almost all (I had to pass on “Emilia Pérez”).

In pursuit of this mission, I’ve made countless trips into the city to catch newly released movies, becoming far too familiar with all the Regal locations in Manhattan — and

Still Here:” Oscars’ Hidden Gem?

spending an absurd amount of money on disappointingly mediocre popcorn. Last weekend, with seven films down and six to go, my roommate Andie and I headed downtown to the Angelika Film Center to catch a film that couldn’t seem to escape my Letterboxd feed: “I’m Still Here.” Directed by Walter Salles and starring Fernanda Torres, the film brings to life the true story of the Paiva family as they navigate the harsh realities of Brazil’s military dictatorship in the early 1970s.

The movie kicks off with a burst of color, laughter and music — a radiant, heartfelt portrayal of the Paiva family. In their sun-drenched Rio de Janeiro home, Eunice and Rubens Paiva, along with their five children, fill the days with salsa dances, midday dips in the ocean, backgammon games at dawn and flans around the dinner table. Many of these moments unfold through the grainy, nostalgic lens of the eldest Paiva daughter’s Super 8 camera, lending the film a personal, authentic touch. The first half hour of the movie is a celebration of life, so vividly immersive that I couldn’t help but smile, completely drawn into the Paiva family’s world.

But, as with all good things, the warmth of the Paiva house is about to come to an abrupt end. Rubens Paiva, a former congressman, is suddenly seized by military officials, accused of conspiring with communists. Not long after, his wife Eunice is also taken into custody and imprisoned for 12 days before being released — unlike Rubens, who vanishes without a trace. Upon her return, Eunice is left to pick up the pieces of a broken home, juggling the weight of unanswered questions while stepping into the roles Rubens left behind — paying the bills, holding the family together and becoming the unwavering pillar of strength her children so desperately need.

With little prior knowledge of the political turmoil in 1970s Brazil, I was deeply captivated by this poignant historical portrayal. While many critics argue that “I’m Still Here” offers a superficial take on the era’s political unrest, I view it differently. I found the film refreshing in its “show, don’t tell” approach — letting the political conflicts remain in the background rather than being the central focus. By telling the story of the Paiva family and zeroing in on the husband’s disappearance, the

film subtly nods to the political events shaping the era without feeling the need to provide a detailed historical play-by-play. What truly stood out to me was Fernanda Torres’ incredible performance as Eunice Paiva. She delicately conveyed the emotional weight of losing a loved one while still maintaining a brave front for the sake of her family. Torres’ portrayal was nothing short of breathtaking, and I believe she stands in a favorable position to take home an Oscar at this year’s ceremony. As she’s nominated for Best Actress, I will be personally cheering her on from the sidelines. After working my way

through a good portion of the 2025 Oscar lineup, I can confidently say that “I’m Still Here” deserves to lead in its nominated categories — though, to be fair, that’s not saying much. In all honesty, what began as an exciting challenge to broaden my cinematic expertise has instead left me rather disappointed with this year’s selections. The overall quality of nominees feels noticeably weaker, with many films falling short of even my own modest expectations as a novice film critic. That said, “I’m Still Here” will likely walk away with at least one award on March 2 — but whether it truly deserves it is another question entirely.

Hogging the Broadway Spotlight

By SOPHIE MASELLI PRODUCTION EDITOR

Celebrities have begun taking over Broadway. From TikTok star Charli D’Amelio in the ensemble of “& Juliet” to retired pop star Nicole Scherzinger leading “Sunset Blvd.,” many notable names have begun appearing in the pages of Playbills. Most of the scenarios in which famous people are cast in Broadway shows are called stunt casts, which is when hiring teams cast celebrities to generate publicity and gain attention. Think of all the *NSYNC fans buying tickets to “& Juliet” because Joey Fatone recently joined the show. Stunt casting is a good way to increase ticket sales and keep shows running. Some other celebrities currently starring on Broadway include Sarah Hyland in “The Great Gatsby” and Adam Lambert and Auli‘i Cravalho in “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club.” While their talent is immense — some more than others — the act of casting famous actors actively takes opportunities away from aspiring stars. For example, D’Amelio is not a trained actor or singer, yet she is in a Broadway musical. This seems hardly fair to the 10,000-plus actors auditioning for Broadway

roles each year.

Plays often have a celebrity in their cast since they are less popular than musicals — a common case of stunt casting. Notable examples include Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick in “Plaza Suite,” Jessica Chastain in “Doll’s House,” Shailene Woodley in “Cult of Love,” Kit Connor in “Romeo + Juliet” and Sadie Sink in the upcoming “John Proctor Is the Villain.” Thus, it is often necessary to cast someone famous to keep a show open, so the whole production team won’t lose their jobs.

Nonetheless, I believe that Hollywood should remain separate from Broadway because the stars seem to dull the shine of such stage productions. The presence of celebrity cast members takes away from the overall performance that should transport audience members into the show. Recently, I saw “Sunset Blvd.” on Broadway starring Nicole Scherzinger. I had one issue with Scherzinger herself: she wasn’t playing Norma Desmond, she was playing herself. Her pop star and television personality persona took away from her performance. When she sang “As If We Never Said Goodbye,” arguably the biggest song in “Sunset Blvd.,” the number

was overshadowed by the fact that it was Scherzinger singing, not Norma Desmond. Even though the actress’ voice was strained as she belted and her acting choices were poor, she received applause that lasted over a minute. From my seat in the last row of the mezzanine, I watched with raised eyebrows as one man stood up to give a standing ovation — alone. It was clear to me that if the performance had been exactly the same but without Scherzinger’s face, the applause would have lasted a common 20 seconds, with no standing ovations. There were even references to Scherzinger’s career within the show, as, at one point, a character held up a Pussycat Dolls poster — Scherzinger’s retired girl group. This took me out of the performance, as I felt that I was watching Scherzinger play Norma Desmond, rather than simply watching Norma Desmond. However, the spectrum between the undeserving privileged star and the deserving starlet is not so simple. A celebrity on Broadway who I think deserves the role is Rachel Zegler, starring in “Romeo + Juliet.” Zegler gained her fame after playing Maria in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” and has since had many musical

roles in cinema. Thus, I do not believe she is ineligible for Broadway roles compared to other actors who may only be getting cast for their name rather than their talent. Nick Jonas, for example, has been receiving lots of hate online in response to the promotional content for the upcoming Broadway premiere of “The Last Five Years.” Compared to his opposite, Tony Award-winning Adrienne Warren, Jonas’ vocals lack.

Actors that are deserving of Broadway roles are being cast aside — or, rather, not cast. While most celebrities do deserve the roles they are cast in, these opportunities should be left for stage actors who have dreamed to be on Broadway. They should get a chance to shine. Nonetheless, celebrities are people too, with dreams and aspirations. The words George Benson sings in “On Broadway” ring true for many: “I won’t quit till I’m a star on Broadway.”

Hollywood stars have been taking over the Broadway stage.

CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM

“I’m Still Here” is one of the 2025 Oscar’s must-see movies.

MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Winter Glow: Bringing Flatiron-NoMad Togeth er

By HANNAH SULLIVAN DIGITAL PRODUCER

Next to Madison Square Park, surrounded by thin looming buildings, is a small cleared-out area surrounded by the brightly colored shops of NoMad. In this small clearing, you can stumble upon an interactive public art exhibit that uses multiple senses: hearing, sight and touch. It consists of three-cylindrical structures with lights shooting up the sides, making them seem more hexagonal; these are “Les Diamants” by Alexis Laurence and Franic Laporte of Perséides Studio. The large cylinders can actually be spun around, which causes the multicolored lights to shoot up and down the structures while they play a short melody. Each of the structure’s lights and melodies are specific to themselves, so when all three are spun together, it creates a beautiful waltz.

Across the street are these arching metal poles with litup mesh wires forming a bowl-like shape. The blue, green and pink lights of these structures feel reminiscent of

By MACKENZIE SMITH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

My world of imagination started with Barbie. With endless outfits and accessories, I changed her to be anything from a news anchor to a ballerina to a veterinarian, in order to mirror the aspirations I had for myself at the time. Even as a child, I understood that she was not just a doll but rather a symbol of empowerment and chasing one’s dreams, making me eternally grateful to her. The “Barbie: A Cultural Icon” exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Design took my appreciation a step further in revealing the cultural influence of the iconic toy that spans over six decades.

This exhibit invites visitors to celebrate the doll’s 65th anniversary by following along on Barbie’s journey from start to finish, going as far as showcasing how the doll is physically created from head to foot. One of the most surprising details of this part of the exhibit was how difficult and intricate it was to create a three-dimensional doll. While one of the controversies of Barbie is her unrealistic body proportions, the exhibit highlights that the model was carefully developed by rocket scientists and engineers to make a patented toy that could be massproduced. It is clear that Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie, was more concerned with Barbie’s purpose rather

tulips, a nice break from the wind and the snow of a New York winter. In the middle of this field of soaring metal tulips is a long tunnel of metal rings standing on a metal stand. The rings are held up at eye level. Upon coming closer to inspect, the metal rings are lit up by noise. The noise can come from pedestrians interacting with the exhibit or even the wind and the sounds of the bustling city around it, sending it from one side of the tunnel to the other, the lights on the inside lighting up as the sound passes. On one side, it sends through pale orange waves as sound moves through, and on the other, it is sheer white. Similarly to the other, when two people talk to each other on either side of this exhibit, the lights are sent back and forth, slowly passing by each other as they move to the other side. This piece, called “Spectrum,” was created by Mirari to break apart language and sound. Simply watch as the sound travels through the art piece; the importance of language is lost to sound.

Both “Les Diamants” and

“Spectrum” necessitate more than one person to see the true beauty of the art piece. While one person alone is capable of creating either sound or light, more than one person creates something truly beautiful. One of the main goals of this public piece according to FlatironNoMad is to bring the community together, and these art pieces do it in the most literal sense in its requirement for multiple people.

This bringing together of people is the importance of public art. While art is oftentimes considered inaccessible and something meant only to be enjoyed by those who can afford it, public art challenges this. It brings art to the masses, putting everyone on the same level. Public art has often been a way for information to be brought to larger groups of people, as seen in murals, which is something that New York has a lot of. It can also be a way to brighten a community by having a physical representation of the beauty within. It can bring communities together and rally them for a cause or simply make them interact with a stranger on

the street to create a beautiful waltz by spinning a lit-up metal cylinder on a random Saturday night in February. In the case of the “Winter Glow” exhibit, it was meant to bring the community together. Along the parkway where the exhibit is located are small pop-up shops such as an Eataly and a small cafe hut where you can buy a warm drink and sit on a bench nearby. Next to the “Spectrum” exhibit is a sign advertising a nice planned

walk. The sign offers a map of the Flatiron-NoMad area with different categories of activities such as dining, experiences, sightseeing and shopping. The sign offers a wide variety of offerings within its smaller categories, attempting to include diversity in the community. While this public art exhibit is pretty, it stands for the larger goal of trying to turn Flatiron-NoMad from simply a place to live and exist into an integrated community.

Barbie Through the Ages

than representation. Instead of girls’ imaginations being limited to playing mother with their baby dolls, Handler created an adult doll for girls to play out their future selves. Thankfully, change happens with time, and Barbie now has the most diverse doll line in the world with different skin tones, hairstyles and body types.

I found that the main purpose of the exhibit is to showcase how Barbie has evolved over time and reflected the changes throughout the decades. Some parts of the exhibit truly felt like a women’s history lesson because there are sections on the careers Barbie added to her resume for each decade. The plaques even explained why each job was important for women of the time. For instance, Barbie in the ’60s was a nurse, flight attendant and designer. Showing Barbie in the workforce was important for the time because new technology and a “baby bust” allowed women more time to explore career options. The ’80s launched a “We Can Do Anything” Barbie advertisement campaign to reflect how women were entering boardrooms and courthouses after more women graduated from higher education. The ’90s saw women within more specialized practices, so Barbie became a pilot, doctor, paleontologist and many other things, all while looking good doing it.

It is no question that Barbie

is known for her fashion sense in addition to her many careers. Barbie mirrored the changing trends just as much as the changing times. This doll became so influential that real life fashion designers used her as a model for their craft. Oscar De La Renta was the first to create a partnership with Barbie in 1985. Today, the doll has collaborated with over 100 designers. The exhibit displays some of these showstoping creations from designers such as Coach, Versace and Karl Lagerfield.

My greatest takeaway from the exhibit was experiencing the cultural impact of Barbie. I realized that Barbie not only reflected the real world, but also its innovations. A few years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Barbie launched the first Black doll named Christie. Barbie and Christie became friends before people of different races did in real life. Barbie also went to space during the space race period, specifically four years before man landed on the moon in 1969. Barbie even owned her own dream house years before women in real life were able to open their own bank accounts.

After getting these insights into Barbie’s life, I realized that the world is too quick to judge her, just like it is with real women. Some people judge her as the “stereotypical blonde” but do not understand that her blonde head wears many

hats. Some see her body proportions and ignore the genuine efforts of creating more representation along with the fact that some women do have that body type. We already learned that Barbie is much more than a pretty face when Greta Gerwig’s movie “Barbie”

came out in 2023, and you can experience this again by going to Barbie’s anniversary exhibit until it closes on March 16. I truly recommend going because it was such a joy to walk through the history of the Barbie doll that I loved so much as a young girl.

MACKENZIE SMITH FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

The “Barbie” exhibit is running until March 16 at the Museum of Arts and Design.

HANNAH SULLIVAN /THE FORDHAM RAM

The statues are located next to Madison Square Park next to a row of small shops.

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An Ice Cream Lover’s Dream at Caffè Panna

By RORY DONAHUE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Oreo Brittle, Cinnamon Latte, Nutter Butter Crunch and Dubai Chocolate are just a few of the exceptional flavor combinations crafted by Caffè Panna, the renowned New York ice cream shop. Founded in 2019 by Hallie Meyer, daughter of famed restaurateur Danny Meyer, Caffè Panna brought her Italian dessert training to New York and redefined the ice cream experience in the city.

Before Caffè Panna opened, the city lacked an ice cream shop that matched the creativity demanded by its vibrant culinary scene. When its doors opened, crowds lined up and Meyer set a new standard for ice cream in the city.

Today, they serve their signature scoops, sundaes and pints at their Gramercy Park and Greenpoint storefronts for $5.50 to $13, depending on size and addendums. They also offer pints online and in local markets across the city.

Caffè Panna first appeared on my Instagram Explore page during my sophomore year in 2022. I shared it with my friends – how could we say no to trying ice cream that looked that good?

I made the trek on a warm September day to try it for

the first time. While long lines are inevitable on a sunny 80-degree day like mine, the wait was worth it. This ice cream was the best I’ve ever had, and trust me, I have high standards as a sweets lover.

When I reached the charming corner in Gramercy, the lines wrapped around the block, but they moved quickly and we only waited about 20 minutes. On my first visit, a few flavors were sold out, but I went with the Oreo Brittle topped with whipped cream. It was the creamiest, most decadent, delicious cookie-based ice cream I have ever tried. The whipped cream was light and homemade, making each spoonful the perfect refreshing treat on a late summer day.

Fast forward to February 2025, and I decided to buy a pint of PB Black Bottom, which features peanut butter, peanut brittle, dark fudge and Oreo. Once again, I was wowed by the rich, chocolaty, nutty flavor combination this ice cream delivered. Their Gramercy Park location in particular is nestled at the most stunning intersection of New York townhouses covered in ivy, making it feel like the ultimate neighborhood spot in the city.

After grabbing your sundaes and scoops, I highly

recommend strolling around Gramercy Park, as long as you have a key to enter. It is a serene spot, and the walk adds to the experience.

I have not yet had the chance to visit the Greenpoint location, but from what I have seen, it looks like a larger

storefront. This shop offers more specialty menu items, like their Granita, a frozen dessert that blends fruit with crushed ice. The larger space also has more seating, making it a great spot to linger and enjoy ice cream.

Caffè Panna has created a

space where ice cream is more than just a treat, offering an innovative culinary experience focusing on craftsmanship. I look forward to the warmer days ahead when ice cream is more of a daily ritual. But there is no wrong time of year to try Caffè Panna.

The Britney Spears of Generation Z?

By MALGORZATA GORSKA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Tate McRae’s third single, “Sports Car” — co-written with pop music geniuses Ryan Tedder and Julia Michaels — from her upcoming album “So Close to What” hit the charts this past Friday. Despite its title, the music video does not feature a single car, leaving many fans confused but intrigued. Released alongside the track, the video has already helped the song earn the title of the Top New Release Song on Billboard as of Jan. 24. Fans are calling it an absolute banger, sharing the story about love, thrill, selfdiscovery and self-expression, while eagerly awaiting the full album’s release on Feb. 26.

In the music video, McRae portrays a watcher, possibly in a prison, moving along through multiple doors and observing different versions of herself through one-way glass. Each version of her showcases distinct fashion styles, behaviors and choreography. However, it’s not just the storyline that made everyone talk — it’s the fashion. The video has been praised as an experimental, fashion-inspired piece from

Vogue to Cosmopolitan.

The 21-year-old Canadian pop star pushes boundaries by wearing 12 archival looks, including a Roberto Cavalli corset from the Spring 2007 collection, Balmain motocross inspired top, an Alexander McQueen’s iconic pony heels and many others. As Vogue notes, “This risk has proved to be a success,” with McRae exuding an early 2000s pop star aura reminiscent of a young Britney Spears while confidently dancing in seveninch platform heels.

Vogue isn’t alone in creating comparisons. Since the success of her song “Greedy” and McRae’s recreation of Spears’ iconic look at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, platforms and magazines like BuzzFeed and People have been drawing parallels between the two pop artists. Yet, “So Close to What” feels like a breakthrough moment for McRae — bolder, darker and more artistically confident than anything she’s done before.

While it’s not a complete rebrand, it feels like a step up from her earlier music video hits like “Greedy” and “exes.”

This new era showcases a more mature, confident artist

with a playful, edgy vibe, allowing McRae more artistic freedom and self-expression. As she grows up, so does her music. None of us should be shocked, she is not the same cute pop star we saw in “You Broke Me First” a couple years ago. Pulling fashion archives and experimenting with multiple wigs and personas might symbolize exactly that — her desire to break free from industry expectations. She’s pushing creative boundaries with bold concepts, intricate choreography and even a live horse on set — yes, a real horse — to showcase that she is able to do anything and create bold music videos like Lady Gaga or Beyoncé did before her.

And she is not scared of criticism.

“With this album, there is a lot of experimenting. It’s way more daring lyrically and musically than anything I’ve ever put before. Being in my position, I’m opening the doors for everyone to judge and watch me, to put out their opinion of me. This video felt like taking back control,” McRae shared. While the fans await the full album, “Sports Car” and two other released singles, “It’s ok, I’m ok” and “2 hands” hint at a fresh, bold

and original sound. Perhaps the album may even secure

RORY DONAHUE FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Caffè Panna has two locations in New York City, one in Greenwich Village and one in Greenpoint.

MARY HAWTHORN/ THE FORDHAM RAM

the long anticipated Grammy nomination for next year.

Tate McRae continues to push the creative boundaries of pop music.

By LEIA LABARBIERA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I love music. I must admit… I might actually be “in love” with music (as is supported by my being in the top 5% of Spotify listeners worldwide although it is only one of the many platforms on which I listen to music). So, what better way to spread this love than by sharing my favorite loveydovey songs in anticipation of the love-liest day of the year: Valentine’s Day!

Before I get into my selections, though, I would like to preface by saying that this is not an ordinary, everyday playlist. And this certainly is not your average Valentine’s playlist either. I have chosen love songs that specifically commemorate the most swoon-worthy music decades in history (i.e. the ’50s and ’60s) so that you may fully experience the power of love (and, yes, that is a reference from a different decade, but just go with it). For those of you looking forward to the candy and chocolate heart filled holiday, whether you find yourself in a couple or not, here are some “oldies but goodies” to get you in the spirit.

“(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher” by Jackie Wilson is our track number one. I genuinely believe that this might be the most uplifting song of all time. Not only is every minute a constant excuse to smile, but its premise is so sweet: love can have a profound impact on you as a person. In this case, it has made him appreciate all the happiness life has to offer. I suggest you embrace this

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Sweet Tooth: A Valentine’s Day Playlist

sentiment as you listen and eventually sing along!

Number two on the list is The Crystal’s “Then He Kissed Me.” Okay, I bet a couple of you out there know this song from the 1987 movie, “Adventures in Babysitting,” which is a great movie, and if you have not seen it, I recommend you do. However, this song evokes much more than just a scene from a movie. It takes you on a wholesome journey through a couple’s entire relationship, complete with a beautiful happy ending. This song is definitely a great way to reminisce on your own love story if you have one.

Track three is a contribution by the Bronx’s very own, The Chiffons! “He’s So Fine” is one of my favorite songs from the ’60s because it simply makes me feel like I am one of those girls in the old-time movies who goes to a school dance in her beautiful hoop-skirt dress and catches someone’s eye from across the ballroom. If I am being honest, it also really makes me want to buy an old-fashioned ensemble complete with a string of pearls.

I would like to preface my next selection by saying that I knew this song way before it was used in “Don’t Worry Darling,” but I understand that most of you will be familiar with it because of that movie. “Sh-Boom” by The Chords, although you would not suspect it from the title, is a song about the realization of how much “life could be a dream” if only it was shared with that person you have spent it without.

Really, this song does not need much more explanation: Doo-Wop is a national treasure. I mean, those harmonies! And I am a member of the Satin Dolls Acappella group on campus, so I should know.

Track five is “My Guy” by Mary Wells. This song is an excellent example of the loyalty one should have to their partner when they find themselves in a committed relationship. There is truly “nothing you could do” to take her away from her guy!

“I Say a Little Prayer” by Aretha Franklin is my number six pick. “Glee” fans, myself included, can definitely appreciate this one. I literally cannot stop myself from recreating the Unholy Trinity’s dance choreography every time I listen. That being said, I think this song is the most relatable included on this playlist. I mean, who has not actively spent an entire day thinking about and missing the one you love before?

Yes, I know it is shocking: the Bee Gees without their signature falsetto and ’70s get-up, but it had to be done. Track number seven is “To Love Somebody” by the Bee Gees, and what a heartwarming love song it is. Trying to convince someone not only that you love them but that you will love them more than anyone else that happens to come into their life is a tough feat. But, boy, did they convince me.

My next selection is “Where The Boys Are” by Connie Francis. To support why I decided to include the title theme from a 1960 movie as track number eight, I must

first explain that this story is not what it sounds like. It may come off as a frivolous rom-com about girls who travel down to Florida in order to be “where the boys are,” but it is also a coming-of-age story about the wonders and tragedies of growing up, which, in my opinion, still holds up today. I highly recommend reading the book (which I own) or watching the movie (which I cried to) in order to get the full experience when listening to this song.

Number nine is “Baby, I’m Yours” by Barbara Lewis. Although I do not know as much trivia about this song as many of the others on this list, all you really need to know about this one is that it will completely melt your heart.

Track number 10 is none other than “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole, which

may just be the most romantic song ever recorded. What an amazing example of that requited love we all long for! If you have a significant other, I recommend listening together; it will definitely make you appreciate your relationship much more. And, on another note: wow, Nat King Cole can really sing. No playlist would be complete without the addition of a bonus track. And I have the perfect selection… “At Last” by Etta James. This song is one of the most popular wedding songs in history, and you can definitely understand why when you listen. It is truly about waiting for “Mr. Right” and finally being rewarded. For people still waiting for that special someone, this song reminds you that they are out there, but you may just have to wait a while.

$12 Pasta Sundays: The Biggest Deal in NYC

By NATALIE KIENE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

As a college student, it’s pretty easy to get quickly bored of the campus food, and at the end of a lazy Sunday, a bowl of warm pasta sounds like heaven. With one of the best deals on pasta in the city, Fumo is a cozy neighborhood Italian restaurant that offers $12 pasta for its hungry customers on Sundays. From penne vodka and penne funghi to spaghetti vegan pesto, their huge and rich portions will leave you satisfied.

I’ve gone to Fumo countless times with my girlfriends, and it is the perfect place for a dinner night out. There are several locations scattered around New York City, with Fumo Kips Bay only a couple blocks from Grand Central. The restaurant, located on the corner of 415th Street and 3rd Avenue, includes outdoor seating under its sage green awning. The inside of the restaurant

is pretty small, and while we’ve never had trouble getting a seat, I would recommend making a reservation. The flickering candles atop the tables provide ambiance to the restaurant. There is a bar in the corner, in which their Happy Hour runs from 4-7 p.m. on weekdays when their specialty drinks are only $6.

In addition, Fumo is very accommodating to different dietary restrictions. The menu offers many vegan and gluten-free options, such as the spaghetti vegan pesto, as well as vegan burgers and pizza. The ingredients of the pizzas can be substituted for gluten-free or cauliflower crust, and the cheese can be substituted with Daiya cheese. As someone who tries to limit dairy, I am very satisfied with the options.

In my opinion, what makes Fumo so special is their incredible service. The servers are always so nice and attentive. Though the restaurant

was full when we came in, they found us a seat within five minutes. They gave us free warm bread and even gave us seconds. On our most recent visit, we ordered the baby spinach salad as the starter, which had honey pecans, avocado and carrots drizzled in balsamic vinaigrette. It was sweet yet refreshing. We also frequently get the steamed spinach with garlic and olive oil. While it was very delicious, it didn’t compare to the authentic Italian dish I tried.

Hands down my favorite entree to get is the penne vodka. The sauce is creamy, rich and mixes well with the parmesan cheese flaked on top. Another favorite is the penne funghi, which has wild mushroom, marsala cream and truffle oil. While I am usually too full from the starters and the bread, the portion sizes are perfect. I could finish the whole bowl and still be comfortable. However, there is always

room for dessert, and Fumo’s options don’t disappoint. They offer tiramisu, tartufo, brownies, panna cotta and cannolis. It is a tradition for our friends to always split a tiramisu, and Fumo’s is probably the best I’ve tried. I still think about it to this day.

My opinion of Fumo hasn’t changed, as it has become a staple dinner spot for my friends and me. The affordable prices are enticing, and the pasta itself is even more tempting on a Sunday evening, which leaves me always running back to the city for the $12 pasta.

NATALIE KIENE FOR THE FORDHAM RAM Fumo is one of the best NYC spots for cheap and tasty pasta dishes.

MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM Aretha Franklin has released some of the most iconic Valentine’s Day tracks.

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Junior Juggles Being a Rockstar and Student

By DIANA JUAREZ BUSINESS DIRECTOR

Leo Anderson, FCRH ’26, was originally born in Seattle and later moved to a town called Higham on the shoreside of Massachusetts, 30 minutes south of Boston, when he was eight years old. He has been able to achieve the best of both worlds as a musician and a student. There wasn’t a time in Anderson’s house when music wasn’t playing through the speakers. His dad greatly impacted his exposure to music; he would take him to live shows as a kid, and Anderson began appreciating live performances and rock music. His parents gave him a set of drums in kindergarten, and he would put on his noisecanceling headphones and hit the drums. “I don’t think any of it was good, but it was fun,” Anderson said. He would play Green Day, M83 and Vampire Weekend, which are still his favorite bands and continue to influence his music today. While his first instrument was the drums, he started playing guitar during his junior year of high school with one of his friends who Anderson said was “really, really good.” He saw it as a competition to keep getting better. During the COVID-19 shutdown, when he had more free time, he would spend hours in his room practicing guitar and eventually switched to bass.

His first real experience playing with other people was in high school in the basement with two other friends. Once in college, he joined his first full band, Billy Billy Band, as a guitar player. According to Anderson, they played an “eclectic array of covers ranging from Greenday to Lumineers.” His first performance was at St. Lawrence University during an open mic at the Java Barn where they played three songs. He claims to have blacked out during the performance but had so much fun.

Anderson later transferred to Fordham University and joined Dead Air on the Internet as the bass player. The band found each other through a Facebook group called NYC Musician Wanted. Anderson and his long-time friend, Wess Wyatt, met Joseph Gaitens and Scott Sewell, and they instantly connected. They now make music together and recently opened for Gus Benson at Arlene’s Grocery. It was his first time playing in Manhattan with a full band in front of people he had never met. Anderson said it was an “unbelievable feeling” to have someone come up to you and say they liked your set.

Even though Anderson still gets nervous before going out and playing live, he still has a blast. He says his favorite part about performing is turning around and seeing

his friend Wyatt playing the drums, who has been the drummer in every band he’s been in. He especially loves this band because of the lead singer and songwriter, Gaitens, who has put so much work into the band. “Work ethic is something that goes unnoticed,” Anderson said. “It’s really nice to work with people that work really hard.”

Anderson balances out being a musician and a full-time student by doing his school work whenever he can, which usually means having his computer out on the Metro-North trying to finish some assignments before rehearsal. He tries to make the most of his free time as a student and still tries to see his friends while balancing

out his rehearsals. Anderson’s biggest goal as a musician right now is to keep playing and to be able to play in front of his parents, who have supported him throughout his whole career. The band has an upcoming concert in March at the Hart Bar in Williamsburg and he has uploaded his band’s music on Spotify.

By GRACE GALBREATH ASST. NEWS EDITOR EMERITUS

ACROSS

1. Fusilli, Penne, Farfalle

6. George Orwell, Agatha Christie and Mark Twain all used this

7. First name of actor who plays Johnny Cade in the 80’s film adaptation of “The Outsiders”

8. Song title of Rihanna and Mikky Ekko’s 2012 collab

1. In golf, the number of strokes it should take to complete a hole

2. Old English word to express concern, “But ___”

3. Fine sand or clay 4. Appetizer, snack, small plate 5. Pale grayish color

Instructions

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

LEO ANDERSON FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Leo Anderson pursues his passion for music, balancing being a member of a band and a full-time student.

Women’s Basketball Drops Fourth Straight Game

By IAN NELSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Last week the Fordham women’s basketball team looked to right the ship after dropping their last two matchups. The result was a loss on the road against George Washington University (GW) followed by a crushing defeat at home against a very strong George Mason University (GMU). While the Rams did make a valiant effort late in the game to erase a double-digit deficit, they still fell just short of a comeback. The

team was led by graduate student forward Irene Murua in addition to senior guard Taylor Donaldson. The pair totaled 44 of the Rams’ 59 points, with Murua leading the way with 23 points on 7-of-9 shooting. The Rams out-rebounded GW 51 to 41 in addition to having more assists. Unfortunately, they were also 13 of 24 from the free throw line and 18 of 74 from the floor. The Rams made fewer baskets on the day on 23 more attempts. The final score was 69-59. Looking to get back to

their winning ways, the Rams hosted George Mason University at the Rose Hill Gymnasium. Instead, they ran into a brick wall. GMU, the second-ranked team in the Atlantic 10 Conference, beat the Rams 70-43. GMU improved to an impressive 21-3 as the Rams dropped their fourth straight game. One thing to note is that Fordham star guard and the team’s leading scorer, Donaldson, did not start the game even though she played most of it. She finished with

nine points on 2-12 shooting. The leading scorer for the Rams was junior guard Chaé Harris who put up 12 points. Irene Murua led the team on the boards, grabbing 10 rebounds. The Rams were much improved at the free throw line, only missing one all game. But they turned in a dismal three-point performance, going just 2-17 from beyond the arc.

The Rams will have a chance to put an end to their losing streak tonight at La Salle University at 6:30 p.m.

CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM

A Fordham basketball player locks down an opposing attacker from the George Mason University.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

A Fordham basketball player plays tight defense on the George Mason University ball-handler.

Softball Struggles to Find Offense at Charleston Invitational

By NOAH HOFFMAN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS

Fordham softball opened up its 2025 season with the Charleston Invitational in South Carolina, going 1-4 on the weekend as the offense struggled to gain a footing. Starting off the weekend on a sour note, the Rams opened with a lopsided 12-0 loss against the Virginia Tech Hokies, and Fordham’s bats were silenced. In danger of beginning the season on the wrong side of a no-hitter, Fordham was held hitless through the first five innings before junior Neleh Nogay singled with one out in the bottom of the sixth. The Hokies, on the other hand, tallied 11 hits and, behind a six-run second inning and five-run sixth inning, cruised to victory.

The Rams’ offense got off to another slow start in the second game of the weekend, but this time, the bats woke up against the hosts, the College of Charleston Cougars. Through the first three innings, the game was scoreless, and Fordham was once again searching for their first hit. Then, in the fourth inning, after a hit by a pitch and an error put two baserunners on to start the inning, the Rams looked as if they were going to squander a golden opportunity when a pop-out and line-out followed. But senior Mallory McClellan helped out with a clutch two-out, twoRun Batted In (RBI) triple and scored on sophomore Mikayla Swan’s single, giving Fordham a 3-0 lead late in the contest. They tacked on some

insurance runs in the sixth with a Nogay RBI single and a wild pitch that drove in a run. Charleston scored two of their own in the sixth inning, but that was all as Fordham notched its first win of the season with a final score of 5-2. Junior Holly Beeman twirled an excellent performance on the mound, pitching all seven innings, striking out five and walking none while only allowing those two runs in the sixth to start her 2025 campaign 1-0.

A pitcher’s duel awaited in game three as the Rams were walked off by North Dakota State University in a 2-1 loss. The Bison scored first with one run in the second

Athletes of the Week

Against the University of Rhode Island on Feb. 5, graduate student Matt Zona clinched the win for Fordham University. With 2.3 seconds remaining, Zona put back a Japhet Medor layup to put Fordham up by one. Fordham would hold on to win the game 80-79, giving the squad their third win in their last four contests. Rhode Island led for the majority of the second half until Zona’s clutch bucket with the clock running out. After starting Atlantic 10 conference play 0-5, Zona’s Rams have three conference wins in their last four games. They return on Feb. 12 against the University of Dayton in the Rose Hill Gymnasium.

In the Charleston Invitational to open the 2025 campaign, junior Holly Beeman threw two complete games. She helped the Rams clinch their first win of the season on Feb. 7 in vs. College of Charleston, allowing only two runs on five hits. She threw five shutout innings before giving up two runs in the sixth, but the Rams got the win, 5-2. On Feb. 9 against North Dakota State University, Beeman once again pitched all seven innings. After early difficulties, allowing two runs on three hits to give the Bison an early lead, Beeman threw five scoreless innings and gave up just four hits for the rest of the game. The Bison bested the Rams 2-1, but Beeman’s strong performance kept Fordham alive.

before Fordham tied it up in the fourth with an RBI single from sophomore Erin Hoppe. That was all the scoring until the walk-off double in the seventh. Freshman Elizabeth Gaisior made her collegiate debut in this one, and took the loss despite only giving up those two runs.

In the fourth game of the weekend, the Rams put up nine hits but only managed to push across one run in a 4-1 loss to host Charleston. It was a string of missed opportunities for Fordham in this one as they left nine on base, including six in scoring position. Charleston got off to a quick 1-0 lead in the first and made it 3-0 by the second inning. The

Rams wasted a pair of twoout rallies, coming away empty through the first two innings. The Cougars tacked on a fourth run in the fourth inning to extend the lead.

Fordham pushed a lone run across in the sixth inning thanks to freshman Sophie Nesturrick’s RBI single to right field.

The Rams wrapped up the weekend in Charleston with another 2-1 loss to North Dakota State. The Bison got off to a quick 2-0 start in this one after scoring two runs in the first inning. After that, Fordham’s Beeman locked in and threw six consecutive scoreless innings for her second start of the season. But that wouldn’t be enough;

although the Rams matched North Dakota State’s hit total with nine, they once again struggled to find the big hit they needed, leaving six on base. Fordham’s only score came in the fifth on a McClellan RBI single.

The theme of the weekend for the Rams was an inability to score runs, which makes it hard to win any game. They scored only eight runs in the five games, with five of them coming in their only win over Charleston.

The Rams will look to right the ship starting Friday, Feb. 14 in the five-game Bobcat Tournament hosted in San Marcos, Texas. They will face Stephen F. Austin University to start the weekend.

Matt Zona Graduate Student Basketball

Holly Beeman Junior Softball

Baseball

Men’s Tennis Softball

Fordham struggled in their opening weekend of the season at the Charleston Invitational, starting with a 1-4 record.

La Salle

p.m.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

By KURT SIPPEL CONTRIBUTING WRITER

As the dust settled at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6, the landscape of the NBA changed forever. An unprecedented eight different AllStars were traded, the most in NBA history.

To start things off, on Feb. 1, ESPN’s senior basketball insider Shams Charania revealed the shocking news. Guard Luka Dončić, the Dallas Mavericks perennial All-Star and multi-time AllNBA recipient was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. The Dallas Mavericks received superstar Anthony Davis, in addition to Max Christie and the Lakers 2029 first-round pick.

Nico Harrison, the general manager of the Mavericks, cited issues with Dončić’s conditioning and defense as reasons for the trade. The difference with Dončić is that he is a generational talent. It checks out that when Harrison brought the trade up to the Mavericks, Patrick Dumont, the owner of the team, laughed at him.

A player of Dončić’s caliber has the ability to turn a franchise from contending for a lottery pick to a championship. For the Lakers, this trade is a clear win, they now have a future franchise player after Lebron James retires.

Before the trade went through, the Lakers roster was getting old and it was questionable whether or not they were going to be able to contend for a championship. Now, this trade could

The New Rhinestone Cowboy

allow the Lakers to build around Dončić and compete for another decade.

This trade seems like a bad long-term move for the Mavericks. Instead, shortterm success is what the franchise has its eyes on.

Davis adds great defense to the Mavericks and the pickand-roll threat increases as he can work with point guard Kyrie Irving. He can score at will — it doesn’t matter if he needs to shoot a three or drive in the paint.

Davis is a reliable player when the Mavericks need a bucket.

Taking our focus down to Miami, Florida, the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler have been going at it all season with Heat’s President Pat Riley. Butler was suspended three different times in the matter of a month for a plethora of different things.

The relationship between the Heat and Butler was damaged beyond repair,

and Butler wanted out. This is not how this relationship was supposed to end between Miami and Butler since he led this team to the finals twice.

Finally, the Golden State Warriors and the Heat settled on the five-team deal. This would send Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and Davion Mitchell from the Toronto Raptors along with a 2025 protected first-round pick. Butler got what he wanted as he is now back to playing with Stephen Curry on the court. For the Warriors, this trade was a must for them to remain competitive in a Western conference that is now stronger than ever. Butler is an amazing twoway player who can do it on both sides of the floor. He brings a level of competitiveness and intensity to the Warriors, who are getting an A- for this trade.

The Heat got a haul back

Wiggins could fit right in with the Heat. He plays lockdown defense and this season averaged 17.5 points per game while being an AllStar last season. He is going to help fill the scoring gap that was left behind with Butler gone.

The additions of Mitchell and Anderson are also nothing to sneeze at. Anderson, an eleven-year NBA veteran and a great locker room presence, in addition to shooting 45% from the field, will add a kick off the bench. Mitchell is young and scrappy, is a great point defender and is going to be a great fit on the Heat.

Finally, in a three-team deal which included the Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs, De’Aaron Fox was sent to the Spurs after contract negotiations with the Kings did not pan out upon voicing his desire to join the Spurs in the off-season.

Fox now joins phenom Victor Wembanyama as the Spurs point guard of the future. The league has to watch out for the pick-and-roll lob threat that Fox now brings to the table with Wembanyama. The Spurs get an A+ for this trade with an aggressive offseason this team could become a contender.

The Kings’ trade is tough, as they gain Zach Collins, Tre Jones and Kevin Huerter along with their own 2025 1stround pick. While the players acquired are solid, the Bulls traded an All-Star fan favorite, Zach LaVine, and a significant amount of draft capital, seemingly for less in return.

The biggest loser in this deal is the Bulls, with their grade at a D, while the Kings and Spurs fare much better.

These trades have shifted the tides for many NBA teams. Some have solidified their status as contenders and others have committed to the rebuild.

Unfiltered: The UFC’s Stance on Athlete Conduct

By JAMES NELSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Bryce Mitchell has long been a household name in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). From his outspoken belief that the Earth is flat to his recent success in the octagon — which earned him the #13 rank in the featherweight division — Mitchell is widely recognized by fight fans. It was his recent comments on his podcast that placed him in a far greater spotlight. In the very first episode, he made several comments sympathetic to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime. He labeled Hitler as a righteous leader campaigning to save his country while making several antisemitic and homophobic comments. The video clip quickly made its rounds on social media, with fans and journalists calling for Mitchell’s release from the company. Hours after the incident, UFC President Dana White held a press conference after an event in which he was asked about Mitchell’s statements.

While White heavily criticized Mitchell’s rhetoric, he did not enforce any pun -

ishment on him due to his policy on free speech. The following week, White made an appearance on Piers Morgan’s podcast and further discussed the situation.

When Morgan questioned if White’s free speech rules have any limit, White replied, “I think the most important free speech to protect is hate speech. When a government or a certain person can determine what is hate speech it’s a very slippery slope and it’s dangerous.”

Pro sports leagues often brand themselves as family products; this means regulations on athletes’ speech during interviews, radio shows, podcasts, etc. Given that the nature of mixed martial-arts isn’t familyfriendly, the UFC operates very differently from other leagues. If an NFL or MLB athlete were to swear in an interview, the video would be taken down and the athlete would be fined and suspended for compromising the league’s image. Suspensions are a rare occurrence in the UFC and are typically only handed out when a fighter is caught using performance-enhancing drugs.

The more attitude a fighter shows, the more they are marketed by the UFC. Fighters with big egos and provocative personalities can captivate the fans and thus are placed on bigger events. White has created a unique dynamic in which his fighters are unfiltered and face no consequences for their actions. The positive side of this free environment is that the UFC is home to some of the most authentic athletes in all of sports. The downside of this is that if a time does come when a fighter should be disciplined, the UFC doesn’t set that exam -

ple for the rest of the roster. Some of the company’s biggest stars, such as Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, have frequently been arrested and face no punishment within the UFC. This sends a message from the top down that fighters are not only free to express themselves, but can also be careless in their actions.

Recent years have been some of the most successful and expansive in UFC history as the company merged into one stock with the WWE labeled “TKO.”

Just last year, White signed a new agreement to host

several events with Saudi Arabia. Despite the rise in prominence, the UFC maintains its laissez-faire style. As mentioned earlier, the lack of filtering in the UFC runs down from the very top — White. He is an avid supporter of President Donald Trump, speaking at several rallies and being present at the inauguration alongside a handful of his fighters. This stems from White’s longrunning friendship with Trump, who was an early investor in the UFC. To this day, Trump still makes the occasional appearance for the most high-profile events.

CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM

The NBA trade deadline closed on Feb. 6, and some major decisions were made. Whether they were good or bad remains to be seen.

CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM

UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell squares up against his opponent inside of the octagon.

WFUV Sports Brings Rose Hill to “Radio Row” at Super Bowl LIX

By JOE HENRY ASST. SPORTS WRITER EMERITUS

Fordham and the Super Bowl are eternally linked. When the Philadelphia Eagles won the NFL’s championship game Sunday night, they held up the Lombardi Trophy, which is named after Vince Lombardi, FCRH ’37, whose play and coaching at Fordham and in the NFL was enough to make him the namesake of the sport’s ultimate prize.

Now, thanks to Fordham’s public radio station, WFUV, Fordham’s ties to the big game don’t end there. For about 20 years, WFUV Sports has sent some of its student reporters to cover the game and the “Radio Row” media days leading up to it. This year, the station sent a six-man team to get the inside scoop on the highly-anticipated rematch between a two-time defending champion in the Kansas City Chiefs and the challenging Philadelphia Eagles.

After flying from New York to Louisiana, the team — consisting of Lou Orlando, FCRH ’25, Will Tallant, FCRH ’25, Evan Harkin, FGSAS ’25, James Birle, FCRH ’25, Nick Guzman, FCRH ’25 and Jack Warner, GSB ’25 — found themselves in what Guzman described as “the biggest convention center I’ve ever seen.”

“It was a ‘who’s who’ of the sports media world,” said Guzman, describing the surreal scene. WFUV’s booth was surrounded by the likes of “The Pat McAfee Show” and Sirius XM. Beyond the innumerable media enterprises were endless parades of celebrities, from NFL legends like Drew Brees to media superstars like Steven A. Smith.

Going from Wednesday, Feb. 5, to Friday, Feb. 7, the group worked 13-hour days, earning interviews with the Super Bowl’s biggest stars and sparking conversations with the many giants of the sports world.

“It was really hectic… It was such an enriching experience to be able to say I was part of it, and it really challenged ourselves to get out there,” posited Birle, citing the difficult, yet rewarding, process of securing interviews with players and celebrities.

Running off of beignets and complimentary wings, the reporters found a way to get to the front of often-packed podiums on which the game’s star players stood, asking well-researched questions to explore and expound upon the game’s many storylines.

Warner had a back-andforth with Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, chatting about his familiarity with the Eagles and his pride for veteran teammates who were making their first Super Bowl appearance.

“Mahomes had the most swarmed table I’ve ever seen — he was untouchable. I was lucky that I even made it to the front,” said Warner. “Walking

away from Mahomes’ podium, it just kind of hit me. I was like, ‘Wow, I think I just talked to the biggest athlete in America.’”

Orlando spoke with the Eagles RB Saquon Barkley about his former teammate Eli Manning’s potential to make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame; Birle asked Eagles media darling Jordan Mailata about his chance at becoming the second-ever Australian to hoist the trophy; Harkin talked with one of the game’s heroes, Cooper DeJean, about what the win meant to him. The list goes on.

The week was chock-full of “pinch me” moments, though none greater than the feeling Harkin got when it set in that he would be the one covering Sunday’s game: “I was just sitting in the Uber looking down at my credential for maybe 10 minutes, just staring at the Super Bowl logo on it, thinking, ‘I’m about to cover the Super Bowl,’” Harkin reflected. “It felt like I was living in a dream at that moment.”

During the event, Harkin captured on-site video footage, posted his insights on the game and interviewed players after the clock struck zero.

Leading into the week, it was Orlando, WFUV’s sports manager, who ran point in setting up the operation. “Logistically, getting to New Orleans was not an easy thing for us,” he revealed, pointing to housing and travel as particularly tricky aspects of planning.

He and Tallant — the station’s assistant sports manager — said that deciding the exclusive group of reporters to

send to New Orleans was, surprisingly, less difficult. “They bring high effort all the time,” said Orlando of the crew, with Tallant adding that, “we all gelled since the moment that we met each other, and that’s why it was really easy and efficient to get things done before the trip, during the trip, and now, after the trip — everyone had boots on the ground.”

The reporters stayed in Mississippi – over an hour away from New Orleans – and drove in early each morning. Once player availability wrapped up each day, the team took to the airwaves each afternoon, running three four-hour live shows – part of the station’s signature programming, “One on One” –in which they previewed the game and spoke with a slew of special guests. In extended interviews, they talked to Super Bowl champion Jason McCourty, along with former Eagles WR Jason Avant and even ventured across the sports world in speaking with Jayson Werth, a former MLB all-star for the Philadelphia Phillies. Given the chaotic and spontaneous nature of Radio Row, these interviews were completely spur-of-the-moment. Tallant considered this less of a challenge and more of a thrill, saying “The beauty of [these interviews] was that, if you did get someone, you had very minimal [time to] prep. We would… dig up two or three facts, and then riff on those… For me, that’s the best form of interviewing.”

The group found this interview style to be successful in

Orlando was not alone in expressing his thankfulness. When folks think about the Super Bowl, they usually think of glory, greatness and grandeur. For WFUV, the word is “gratitude.” Overwhelmingly, the team was more grateful than anything to have spent the week down south.

Tallant sent his gratitude back to the Bronx, giving thanks to the WFUV Program Director Rich McLaughlin, General Manager Chuck Singleton and Sports Director Bobby Ciafardini, who were each instrumental in affording the students this opportunity.

“There is no place for a young media professional like Fordham’s WFUV,” said Ciafardini. “We empower students to become the best version of themselves through training and real-world experiences.” It’s difficult to imagine a student reporter getting better real-world experience than covering an event heralded as the pinnacle of the sports world.

facilitating entertaining and fresh discussions with guests who, according to an estimation from Orlando, were giving 20-25 interviews per day. After each show, the team spent hours editing and posting content for the world to see, which Harkin said gave him a sense of fulfillment, as it meant he was “part of something bigger than himself.”

Between the three YouTubebroadcasted editions of “One on One” and the exclusive interview content the group put on social media, the station got around 60,000 views. That’s excluding the radio audience that tuned into a three-hour “Best of Super Bowl LIX Media Week” edition of “One on One” on 90.7 FM Saturday night.

The overwhelming sentiment from the student reporters was that the trip was a near-flawless execution, one reflecting the group’s tight bond, professionalism, and adaptability. “The fact that everything turned out so smoothly is a testament to the WFUV staff’s ability to work so well with each other for what is probably our biggest event of the year,” espoused Orlando, expressing that the team’s success would not have been possible without the many members of the staff who stayed at Rose Hill, sitting in WFUV’s studios in the basement of Keating Hall to produce the team’s shows. Orlando made sure to note that the studio team stayed an extra hour each day to allow the team to get an extra hour of coverage.

“Our journalists are armed with the tools first and then sent out into the field with the best of the best to create sports media magic,” added Ciafardini. The members of WFUV’s Radio Row crew have spent years cultivating their skills as reporters, hosts, broadcasters and producers for both Fordham Athletics and New York City’s professional sports teams, all culminating in moments like these.

The group’s gratitude was greatest when directed at each other. Guzman raved about the tight-knit team, saying, “it was such a positive experience for me, not just because of all the great people we got to interview, but because the people I got to spend it with.”

“WFUV has changed my life,” said Harkin. “And [that’s] because of these five guys who I’ve grown to love, and to everybody in the studio and at WFUV.” Orlando, being his alwayseloquent self, summarized their feelings in one cogent statement: “All of the experiences WFUV gives me are really cool; what’s the point if you don’t have anyone to share them with?”

In discussing the personal and professional magnitude of this moment, the usually articulate student reporters became short for words. Finding those words often meant placing this event in the grander scope of their entire lives.

“I will never forget this for the rest of my life. I’ll tell my kids, my kids’ kids, and, God forbid, my kids’ kids’ kids,” said a grinning Warner. Many people will refer to things of significance in their life as “their Super Bowl.” These six lucky students quite literally had their Super Bowl this past week.

Editor’s Note: Joe Henry has previously served as a staff member at WFUV.

JAMES BIRLE FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

WFUV Sports’ Lou Orlando, Evan Harkin, James Birle, Nick Guzman, Jack Warner and Will Tallant at Super Bowl LIX.

Fordham Grabs Last Second Win Against Rhode Island

By ELIZABETH COLLINS ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

After a four-game suspension, Head Coach Keith Urgo returned to the sidelines to lead Fordham to their third Atlantic 10 win in stirring fashion. To conclude the home battle against the University of Rhode Island Rams (URI) on Wednesday, Feb. 5, graduate student forward Matt Zona put back graduate student guard Japhet Medor’s missed layup with 2.3 seconds on the clock to give Fordham the lead. While URI still had enough time on the clock to delay Fordham’s celebrations, their star guard Sebastian Thomas fell short of his half-court shot. Fordham advanced to 11-12 overall, 3-7 in the Atlantic 10 and Rhode Island dropped to 15-7 overall and 4-6 in the conference.

Fordham began the first half strong with a 7-0 run until URI put their first points on the board with 16:20 on the clock. They gained the following five, cutting Fordham’s lead to two, 7-5. Fordham later led by four but, around the halfway point, went on a 14-3 run fueled by senior guard Jackie Johnson III and junior forward Josh Rivera, comprising two threepoint shots in quick succession

on two separate occasions. With 7:32 left, Fordham doubled URI’s points, 30-15. Fordham’s physicality on defense, ability to find the right shots at the right time and URI’s opening disorderly offense allowed them to remain in control for the early minutes of the matchup.

However, with around five minutes left in the first half, Fordham went cold from behind the arc, and in two minutes, URI went on a 9-0 scoring run led by forced turnovers and transition buckets to bring the game back within five, 34-29. Fordham held onto their lead, but this point marked the beginning of URI’s persistently successful responses to Fordham’s game despite their initially slow start.

The half ended with Fordham up 39-37.

To start the second half, Johnson III earned an immediate three for Fordham, but URI mirrored their combativeness; around 17:42, senior forward David Green scored a layup to give Rhode Island their first lead of the night, 43-42. URI began to take control as they responded to Fordham’s growing number of mistakes on offense, however, Fordham knocked down shots when they needed the momentum most. Medor assisted two consecutive twohand dunks by Rivera and junior forward Romad Dean in the paint to reclaim their lead and energy with 9:20 left.

For the remainder of the half,

the game stayed toe-to-toe, but a 9-2 Rhode Island run permitted them a multiple-possession lead until a Johnson III three brought it back to a three-point game, 73-70, with about four minutes left to play. Later, with 1:56 on the clock, a controversial block call gave URI’s Thomas two free throw points to improve their lead to 75-70. Directly after, Rivera hit a three, URI’s senior guard Jaden House hit his own and Johnson III drove for a layup to make the score 77-75. With around 50 seconds on the clock, senior guard Zach Riley aided in tipping the ball out of bounds off of URI, stripping them of a pivotal possession. After a missed Fordham three and free-throw attempt,

the fouling began. Rivera fouled out on Thomas with 15.5 seconds left, and for the first time of the night, Thomas missed from the line. Medor called a timeout with less than ten seconds in the game. For their final play, the ball was impounded to Medor in the backcourt, who drove up through the paint for a layup, and as it rolled off the rim, Zona placed in back for the one-point lead. After the final miss from Thomas, the game ended 80-79.

Johnson III led Fordham with a game-high 25 points, Rivera added 19 points and Medor finished with 17. Rivera and Dean lead in rebounds, securing a combined 16.

Each team played a game that, at different points, forced them to chip away at the other’s lead. However, the Fordham Rams outlasted the opposing Rams. When Associate Head Coach Tray Woodall took control of the team, he succeeded in bringing Fordham their first two conference wins. Now, with Urgo back, they continue, and with much stimulus for more. On Wednesday, Feb. 12, the Rams will host the University of Dayton at home, and travel to Virginia for their Saturday, Feb. 15 matchup against the University of Richmond.

Overtime: Saquon Barkley and a Lesson in Dealing With Your Favorite Player’s Departure

By GRACE MCCARRON SPORTS EDITOR

I clearly remember the day Saquon Barkley signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. I was relaxing after a day of classes when the news broke of the three-year, $37.75 million deal. There went my relaxation. I read all the articles, absorbed all of the chatter on social media and tuned into WFAN on the Audacy app for hours so I could hear someone else deal with the same emotions I was feeling.

As a lifelong New York Giants fan who jumped into her father’s arms as a little girl when they won their two most recent Super Bowls, it was hard to recall another time I had felt this kind of devastation surrounding my football team. The face of the franchise, our 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year, the shining light of a team that had not given fans much to smile about in several years, was going to play for, perhaps, Big

Blue’s most hated rival. Now, it was never as simple as that last sentence made it sound. The Giants had one winning season with Barkley when they went 9-7-1 and won a playoff game in 2022. As fantastic as Barkley often was, the Giants had numerous other holes in their offense, and simply couldn’t rationalize spending the money Barkley wanted on a running back. It might be easy to look at the season Barkley has had with the Eagles and wonder how on earth the Giants could have let him go, but if we try to get inside the mind of Giants general manager Joe Schoen, it might start to become clearer. We also have to remember that Barkley likely would not have had the same season he had this year, winning the Associated Press’ Offensive Player of the Year award, had he been with the Giants. The Eagles have one of the better offensive lines in the NFL, whereas that has been a problem for the

Giants for a number of years. So, yes, I watched Barkley tally his career-high and NFL-leading 2,005 rushing yards (100 yards short of Eric Dickerson’s alltime single-season record) this year with strong feelings of envy and wondering where it all went wrong, but the more rational side of me knows why this happened. The Giants were barely competitive with Barkley. They couldn’t reasonably pay what he wanted and what he likely deserved. Now Big Blue must continue to pick up the pieces, after going 3-14 in 2024, and watch an old friend celebrate his first Super Bowl ring in a green jersey. On “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants,” Giants owner John Mara said, “I’ll have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia.” Well, not only did Barkley go to Philly, he won the Super Bowl in his first season with the team. It felt like another kick in the gut for an already incredibly difficult year for the Giants.

I say all this with great love and admiration for Barkley. He gave the Giants faithful something to care about in numerous seasons where it felt like little was going our way. When Eli Manning retired in 2020, Barkley quickly became my new favorite player. When he became an Eagle, of course, it hurt. But not because he “betrayed the Giants,” or whatever anyone wants to claim about loyalty. It hurt because we knew what he was capable of on the field, and now he was going to be making that magic happen for someone else. It hurt because

he gave us a highlight reel that now had an end. He deserves all the success in the world, and I will always root for him. Him specifically, to be clear. I could never root for the Eagles.

Loved players changing teams happens, and the world keeps spinning. Eventually, we find new players to love, and eventually, those new ones might leave too. But the feelings that come with these departures linger. New York Islanders fans still vehemently boo former captain John Tavares when his Toronto Maple Leafs visit Long Island, even though he hasn’t been an Islander since 2018. I’m sure it stung for Los Angeles Angels fans when Shohei Ohtani signed his massive contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023, and even more when he won the World Series with them a year later. This is not to compare these situations to that of Barkley and the Giants, as each is different. But fans grow attached to these players — perhaps too attached sometimes — yet it’s understandable. Diehard fans live and die with the results of their team, and the best players that bring the most joy mean something to them. It might seem easiest to cope with these feelings by trying to find someone to blame. But in reality, in many situations, it was just not meant to be. With Barkley, one cannot blame him for wanting to go to the team that wanted to give him the most money, but one also cannot fully blame the Giants for not wanting to devote that quantity of money to one player when the other pieces around him are not enough

to win them a championship. Sometimes, as sad as it is, a divorce is best for both sides. Fortunately, I have so far managed to avoid a similar heartbreak with Pete Alonso and the Mets, as he signed a new twoyear, $54 million contract on Feb. 5 (the contract includes an opt-out after year one). His #20 jersey sits in my closet, waiting to be pulled out again when summer rolls around and I spend a copious amount of time at Citi Field. I am more than thrilled that I get at least one more year of Alonso as a Met, both for the benefit of the baseball team and for his goofy and fun personality. The 2019 Mets, though they missed the playoffs, are one of my favorite Mets teams I’ve witnessed, and Alonso’s 53-homer performance as a rookie was perhaps the biggest reason for that. Though he is coming off a down year in 2024, I struggle to imagine future Mets teams without him. That said, if he does not continue in Queens after this contract, a tiny piece of me will always hope that each time he is up to bat, he will smack a home run and go on a trot around the bases. Just not against the Mets, please. The Mets come first. And the same goes for Barkley. I badly wish things had worked out with him and the Giants, but I will always root for him to break off in a huge run into the end zone because it is just that cool to see. But once again, not against my team, please. To me, the only unfortunate part of a Barkley run is that it often results in six more points for Philadelphia.

It was hard for Giants fans to watch a star player bring his magic to Philadelphia.

CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM

Japhet Medor drives for a layup, which will be put back by Matt Zona for the one-point lead with 2.3 seconds left on the clock.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS