Volume 94 Issue 12

Sports PAGE 24

Opinions PAGE 10

Culture PAGE 13

Football starts the year off strong with a decisive 55-0 victory over Lock Haven.

Should financial aid be offered to undocumented students?

Tips on how to have the best school year yet.

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SERVING THE FORDHAM UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY FOR OVER 90 YEARS

1918-2012

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

VOLUME 94, ISSUE 12

Skelton Poor Ratings, Campus Culture Put Sodexo in Jeopardy The Princeton Review Names Fordham’s Food the Worst of 377 Top Colleges, Administration Quickly Responds Named NFL Starter John Skelton, GSB ’10, to be Starting Quarterback for Arizona Cardinals

By DAN GARTLAND SPORTS EDITOR

Now in his third NFL season, former Fordham Ram John Skelton was named the Arizona Cardinals’ starting quarterback for Sunday’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

“It’s kind of a weight off my shoulders, I think,” Skelton told the Associated Press. “You know, the speculation and waiting is over. But at the same time, I think there’s another weight placed on.

Now you have to move forward as a starter and think of it that way.”

Skelton, who still holds numerous Fordham records, including single-season and career passing yards, appeared in eight games for the Cardinals last season. He compiled a 6-2 record.

He was a replacement for the injured Kevin Kolb, who had recently been acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in a costly trade and signed to a $65 million contract.

The Cardinals paid him a $7 million bonus this summer after they were unable to sign free agent Peyton Manning.

Kolb, a former second round draft pick out of the University of Houston, was thought to be too highly-paid for the Cardinals to put on the bench.

Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt, however, announced there would be an open competition this year for the team’s starting job.

Skelton outperformed Kolb in the Cardinals’ preseason games, but some reports said that he struggled in practice, which is why Whisenhunt waited until the last possible moment to name the starter.

Whisenhunt made it clear that with another talented quarterback holding a clipboard, Skelton will have to play well to keep the starting job.

It is likely that he and Kolb will keep trading spots throughout the season if neither one emerges as the clear-cut favorite.

If Skelton manages to hold on to the starter’s role, he will play in front of a New York crowd for the first time as a professional when the Cardinals visit the Jets on Dec. 2.

Skelton’s younger brother Steve, a tight end, will be a member of the Cardinals practice squad for the second straight season, after failing to make the 53-man roster.

The younger Skelton may be promoted if one of the club’s four tight ends suffers an injury.

PHOTO BY JULIAN WONG/THE RAM

The Marketplace, in the McGinley Center, gets ‘A’ grades from New York City’s Health Department, while other campus eateries have struggled in the past.

By CONNOR RYAN & KELLY KULTYS NEWS EDITOR & ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Since The Princeton Review named Fordham’s food the worst of the top 377 colleges included in the education service company’s annual guidebook, old wounds of numerous health violations cited in March 2011 have been reopened, and a campus culture of dissatisfaction with Sodexo, Fordham’s food service provider of 30 years, enlivened.

Last year’s 2012 edition of the guidebook pegged Fordham at number 19 on the list of colleges with the worst food. The jump to number one, making Fordham’s

food the worst on the list, was a surprise for Brian Poteat, the general manager of Fordham’s hospitality services and dining.

“We are extremely disappointed with the ranking and do not feel that it accurately represents the quality of the food we serve, or the feelings of the majority of the students at Fordham,” Poteat said via email.

Fordham officials have announced that an independent consultant will be on campus to evaluate the University’s food service program, including food quality and customer service, according to an email that was sent to the Fordham community. The announcement said that a new food service contract would likely be in effect no

later than next fall.

According to The Princeton Review’s website, the book’s 62 rankings — ranging from “Happiest Students” to “Top Stone-Cold Sober Schools” — are based solely on 122,000 student surveys taken from the 2011-12 or two previous academic years. Each survey contains 80 questions that range in topic from academics to various aspects of student life.

Because the survey is completely student-driven, and representatives from The Princeton Review do not visit campus to conduct any tests or taste the campus food, Sama Habib, GSB ’14 and president of the Student Culinary Council (SCC), said she believes the “psychology of the students” led to Fordham’s food

ranking. Habib, along with other student members of the SCC, is an employee of Sodexo.

“I think it comes down to almost like a simple bullying situation where the people who do have a problem with [the food on campus] just roar louder than the people who don’t,” Habib said.

Fordham’s proximity to the highly-regarded food on Arthur Avenue and the high cost of tuition have apparently played a role in the minds of students expectations for Rose Hill’s food continue to grow.

“I feel like our rating was so low because everyone knows we pay a lot for our room and board, so we see our average food as terrible,” Scott Van Duyne, GSB ’15, said.

SEE SODEXO ON PAGE 2

Administrator Resigns in Fordham Welcomes 1,175 Wake of Abuse Lawsuit New Rose Hill Residents Westchester Administrator Forced to Resign on July 20

By CONNOR RYAN NEWS EDITOR

Brother James A. Liguori, former associate vice president and executive director of Fordham’s Westchester campus, submitted his resignation on July 20 after being linked to a child sex abuse and cover-up lawsuit filed on July 19 in New York, according to the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP).

The suit charges that Liguori sexually abused a boy, now identified as John Doe, in 1969 while Doe was a student at the Cardinal Farley Military Academy in Rhinecliff, NY. The Irish Christian Brothers, a New Rochelle, NY-based Catholic order (now known as the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers), ran the school at the time of the alleged abuse. Liguori is a member of the order.

“Brother Liguori passed a criminal background check in fall 2011, when

he was hired by Fordham,” a statement that was released to the Fordham community on the behalf of Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the University, said. “University officials began investigating immediately, and on Friday, July 20, Brother Liguori submitted his resignation, effective immediately.”

Doe reportedly disclosed the abuse to California officials in 2008, but his allegations were pushed aside, as the Irish Christian Brothers found Doe’s allegation “unsubstantiated due to major inconsistencies,” according to a statement sent to the Pelham Patch.

A lawyer for the diocese, however, reportedly said that she believed the allegations to be true.

“It’s not often that church officials come out and say that they believe a victim,” Joelle Casteix, western regional director of SNAP, said in SEE ABUSE ON PAGE 2

PHOTO BY CONNOR RYAN/THE RAM

New Families Gather for Annual Welcome Mass Fordham’s Office of Residential Life reported that 1,175 of the 1,859 enrolled members of Fordham’s Class of 2016 moved into Rose Hill residence halls on Sunday, Aug. 26.

NEWS

PAGE 2 • THE RAM • SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

SECURITY

BRIEFS

Aug. 27, Martyrs’ Court Goupil 12:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

A female student left her dorm room with the door unlocked.

She returned to check on her belongings and found that $200 was missing from her purse. Security is investigating the incident.

Aug. 31, 5:15 p.m.

The parents of a student engaged in a physical altercation. Security who witnessed the brawl notified the NYPD. The father was arrested, and the mother was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital.

Sept. 1, Finlay Hall 9:25 p.m.

New Food Service Contract Expected by Fall 2013 SODEXO, FROM PAGE 1

In March of 2011, Fordham received health and sanitary inspection grades of 53 for the Student Deli, 47 for the Millennium Grille and 30 for the Ramskellar. According to the Health Department, any score above a 28 is considered unsatisfactory.

That inspection also turned up evidence that the three places had mice.

The Marketplace received violations for the presence of filth flies, such as house, fruit or blow flies in both food and non-food related areas, according to “Sodexo Cited for Health Violations” (The Ram V. 93, i. 9).

Sept. 1, O’Hare Hall There was smoke in the O’Hare basement, which set off the fire alarm. The alarm had gone off the day before as well. The elevator had a faulty pump and was shut down in order to be repaired in the elevator machine room. The elevator is now fully functional.

Sept. 2, Salice-Connely Hall 3:30 p.m.

Students were cooking in their apartment and left the food unattended on the stove. The food burned and set off the fire alarm.

No damage was done and no one was harmed.

Sept. 3, Lombardi Field House 11:00 p.m.

A student was playing basketball.

He returned to the changing room to find his phone missing. Security is investigating the theft.

Sept. 3, Hoffman and 188th 3:45 a.m.

Three males followed a student into the lobby of her off-campus apartment. The males groped the student, but she was able to escape.

NYPD was notified and is investigating the assault.

Sept. 4, Third Ave Gate 4:15 p.m.

A security guard observed an individual jump over the fence behind Walsh Library. The individual was stopped and reported to NYPD. He was arrested for criminal trespassing.

-Compliled by Karen Hill, Assistant News Editor

Following the health violations, Fordham’s administration held a town hall-style meeting for students and administrators to discuss the “C” grades.

“While most of the infractions that inspectors cited were easily corrected, everyone involved in food service at Fordham was embarrassed by the initial inspections,” Jeffrey Gray, vice president for student affairs, told The New York Times.

Since then, Fordham has hired Christine Testa, Fordham’s regional health and safety organizer and former employee of New York City’s Health Department, responsible for conducting inspections. Testa

works with Sodexo management to ensure that both New York City and federal health regulations are upheld, according to Poteat.

Poteat reports that of the 10 inspections Sodexo has gone through since Fordham earned those unsatisfactory grades in March 2011, each inspection has lead to an “A” grade. The Marketplace in the McGinley Center has always received an “A” grade.

The SCC was developed in 2007 to act as a liaison between the student body, Sodexo management and Fordham administrators. The group’s membership has grown from 12 members when it first started to over 60 with an elected

e-board this year, according to Poteat.

RamBucks, the new burrito station in the Marketplace and extended hours at the Marketplace and the Student Deli are some of the changes that the SCC has been responsible for.

While many students remain persistent in voicing their dissatisfaction with the food on campus, some remain confident that the label The Princeton Review awarded Fordham was too harsh.

“I know a lot of people say this but I really don’t think we deserved number one,” Elizabeth Hughes, GSB ’15, said.

ABUSE, FROM PAGE 1

In light of the announced bankruptcy, the New York Bankruptcy Court set a “bar date” in January, meaning all victims of the Irish Christian Brothers must come forward before Aug. 1, the SNAP report said. After that date, “many victims [of the order] will no longer have rights in the courts.”

Iona College, where Liguori was president for 17 years before retiring in 2011, said in a statement on July 19: “The college is not part of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers North America and is in no way connected to their bankruptcy filing and related allegations.”

Before working at Fordham and Iona, Liguori was principal of Rice High School in Harlem, NY, headmaster of Iona Prep in New Rochelle, NY, associate superintendent of schools in the New York Archdiocese and the superintendent of schools in the Newark Archdiocese, according to SNAP. Before the Aug. 1 deadline, SNAP called for the Irish Christian Brothers to reach out to all of the schools at which Liguori had worked at and help other possible victims.

This, however, is the first publicly known allegation against Liguori, according to The New York Daily News.

Information for Dolan, Liguori Accused of Colbert Event Released Alleged Sex Abuse Students Must Get Event Bracelets in the McGinley Center

By CONNOR RYAN

Someone threw a 12 oz can of beer from a window, which hit a mother and her two children. Security responded to the event, but could not ascertain from which window the beer was thrown.

theramonline.com

NEWS EDITOR

Fordham officials have released ticket information for “The Cardinal and Colbert: Humor, Joy and the Spiritual Life” event, a highly anticipated discussion set to feature Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, comedic television host Stephen Colbert and acclaimed author Rev. James Martin, S.J. The event will take place on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Rose Hill Gymnasium.

In order to gain access to the event, attendees must have an event bracelet and a valid 20122013 Fordham identification.

Due to limited space, event bracelets will be offered to current Fordham students, faculty and staff on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bracelets will be distributed to those with a valid ID on Sept. 13 from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. in Rose Hill’s McGinley Ballroom. They will also be distributed in the Ballroom on Sept. 14 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Bracelets will be handed out to students on Fordham’s Lincoln

Center Campus on Sept. 13 from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. in the Leon Lowenstein Lobby and on Sept. 14 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the same location.

The discussion will focus on humor, faith, joy and what it means to live a spiritual life.

Students at Fordham’s Westchester campus may pick up an event bracelet on Sept. 13 between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Campus Ministry Office (Room 133).

Attendees must enter the Gym through the entrance on Constitution Row. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and will close promptly at 6:45 p.m.

The discussion will focus on humor, faith, joy and what it means to live a spiritual life.

For more information regarding tickets or the event itself, call (718) 817-4339 for Rose Hill’s campus or (212) 636-6250 for Lincoln Center’s campus.

a statement. “But then to have the Irish Christian Brothers instantly claim the allegations were without merit and refuse to reach out to other potential victims is reckless and callous.”

The order has since declared bankruptcy after “more than 50 child sex abuse lawsuits in the United States and more than 200 in Canada,” the statement released by SNAP said.

“The order has also been rocked by sex abuse scandals in Ireland.”

Doe was reportedly 16 when a “couple of isolated incidents” occurred, Joseph George, Doe’s lawyer, told LoHud.com. George said the genesis of his client’s claim was based on sexual abuse and a fraud accusation over payments for therapy.

“Christian Brothers officials indicated they would cover the costs when the man first reported the abuse in 2008, even though the order said the allegations could not be substantiated,” George said.

A dispute apparently ensued as Doe and the order attempted to determine how often Doe needed therapy sessions. The order was pushing for once a week, while Doe wanted to meet with a therapist two or three times a week, LoHud.com said.

Fordham Mourns Loss of Professor Meir Ribalow, Former Artist-in-Residence and Professor, Dies at the Age of 73

By FRANCESCA LEITE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Meir Ribalow, a well-known faculty member and artist-in-residence for the department of communication and media studies at Fordham University, passed away on Aug. 23.

His death was the result of his longtime battle with prostate cancer.

Despite his death, the beloved Ribalow still lives on through his writings both within the Fordham community and around the world.

He wrote screenplays, books, articles and even musical lyrics. In addition to his published works, Ribalow also taught screenwriting and film classes at Fordham for over 27 years.

Ribalow’s wide array of writings has been published in a number of news outlets such as The New York Times, The Paris Review and New York Quarterly. He has written about sports, music, theatre, literature, film, travel and chess. Ribalow did not set any limit on his creative talents. His

plays have won awards on the local, national and international scale.

According to his death notice in The New York Times, Ribalow, despite his illness, kept his creativity flowing by publishing his collected poems in two volumes, Chasing Ghosts and The Time We Have Misspent, as well as two novels, Peanuts and Crackerjacks and Redheaded Blues, and the play, Masterpiece, all within the past 18 months.

Ribalow was an internationally known figure working alongside celebrities such as Alec Baldwin and Christopher Reeve, as the co-founder and vice president of the Creative Coalition. The Creative Coalition is “a non-partisan, nonprofit group for members of the entertainment and arts industries who are active in social and political issues,” according to Fordham’s website.

“Meir was just such a delightful person,” Dr. Beth Knobel, an assistant professor of communication and media studies at Fordham and a friend

of Meir Ribalow, said. “He really was a larger than life character, and I know that sounds like such a horrible cliché, but he had intellectual power to him that was really formidable.”

“He took incredible pride in fostering talent,” Knobel said. “What he really loved was finding someone who didn’t know that they were really talented and getting to be the one to break the news to them that they were a terrific writer and to help them learn how to do it better.”

Dr. Knobel said that in addition to his many other talents, Meir wrote sonnets.

“When most people think of sonnets they think of Shakespearean sonnets, but Meir’s sonnets were about contemporary life, and even though he was writing them in this old-fashioned sonnet form, he read a bunch of them to me and they were so contemporary and beautiful and thought-provoking and emotional,” Knobel said. “They were really, really extraordinary.”

THIS

week at FORDHAM Thurs., Sept. 6 Coffee Break Commuter Student Association Student Lounge 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Thurs., Sept. 6 Molimo’s Welcome Back Dinner Student Lounge 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Thurs., Sept. 6 Cinevents!: The Avengers Campus Activities Board Keating 1st 9 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 8 Service and Justice Day CSJ O’Keefe Commons 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

NEWS

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 • THE RAM • PAGE 3

Five Alarms in 11 Hours Spur Confusion in O’Hare O’Hare Hall’s Fire Alarm Sounded Four Different Times Between 7 a.m. and 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1

By CONNOR RYAN NEWS EDITOR

A crowd of students trudged through the front door of O’Hare Hall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1, groggy and confused. It was the second time O’Hare residents had to evacuate from the building that morning. It was the fifth time the alarm had sounded in 11 hours.

It started on Friday night at approximately 11:30 p.m. A smoke detector in O’Hare’s boiler room triggered the fire alarm, and the building was evacuated without a problem, according to the Resident Assistant on duty, who asked not to be personally identified.

Apparently, there was no smoke in the boiler room. It is possible that the detector simply overheated.

At 7:05 a.m. on Saturday, the building’s fire alarm sounded as Fordham security attempted to reset the fire alarm from Friday night. O’Hare residential staff was notified that the alarm would be reset, but were not specified as to when, the RA said.

“It was treated as any other alarm,” the RA said. “The building had to be evacuated, and even though it was a very nice alarm clock to a lot of the residents, we did evacuate the building very

cleanly and smoothly.”

Students were eventually granted access back into the building.

O’Hare’s residential staff contacted a mechanic to repair the elevators that were still shut down from Friday night’s alarm and check on the building’s boiler room. At 9:30 a.m. the mechanic manually reset the fire alarm from within the building and triggered the alarm.

“He told me that he was trying to manually reset the alarm from within O’Hare Hall,” the RA said. “So we had known about this alarm, we knew it was going to go off and we told students they did not need to evacuate.”

Just 30 minutes later, another fire alarm sounded in O’Hare.

At 10 a.m., a heat sensor in the basement’s elevator machine room caused the alarm to sound.

Because the residential staff was with the mechanic and it was determined that the reason for the alarm did not warrant evacuation, residents were told to ignore the alarm.

At 10:35 a.m., the RA on duty and the mechanic were in the building’s boiler room. When the two approached the elevator machine room, they could smell and see smoke coming from the elevator machine room. The RA called security and requested the

service of the New York Fire Department.

Apparently, smoke was rising through the elevator shafts up to the fifth floor lobby. The RA reported that residents could smell smoke in each breezeway of the building.

“At that point, since there were two alarms beforehand where residents did not need to evacuate, there was a little bit of confusion,” the RA said. “But the other RA’s were on top of their game and we went through the halls as quickly as possible to arise students and get them out of their rooms in a timely matter.”

According to the RA , one of the elevator’s motors had overheated, causing the 10 a.m. alarm. The motor continued to overheat until it began smoking, which caused the 10:35 a.m. alarm. Two of the three elevators in the building were working within a few hours of the last alarm. The elevator that had the motor problem was still out of service as of Tuesday.

Fordham security could not confirm specific times because the series of alarms were logged in one report and some of the alarms were expected, according to a security attendant.

The FDNY came to O’Hare Hall twice in that 11-hour span.

PHOTO BY CONNOR RYAN/THE RAM

One elevator in O’Hare is out of service; the other two are operational.

Economics Major Trademarks Olympian’s Nickname Fordham Student Trademarked Gold Medalist’s Nickname, Looking to Profit on Merchandise or Meet With Olympian

By KAREN HILL ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

With a nickname like “The Flying Squirrel,” Gabby Douglas, gold medal Olympic gymnast, had to be good.

Anthony Joseph “AJ” Rotonde, FCRH ’15, an economics major

and recent transfer from Quinnipiac University, realized just how good, as he trademarked the gymnast’s nickname through the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Aug. 6.

Douglas’s popularity grew tremendously this past summer at the 2012 London Olympics. Douglas

won the all-around individual gymnast Gold medal. She was the first African-American to do so. Rotonde himself, along with many Americans, is a proud fan of Douglas.

“I fell in love with Gabby,” Rotonde said. “She is adorable.”

The nickname “The Flying Squirrel” was thrown around with Gabby’s

every twist and flip on the uneven bars.

Rotonde aptly realized that he could profit off this catchy nickname.

His smart business move potentially stands to bring in large profits, especially since it only came with an investment of $325.

“I thought it was a really cool phrase and wanted to see if I could create some merchandise,” Rotonde

“I am a young guy, not a money-hungry jerk who is deliberately trying to sabotage a young Olympian.”

A.J. ROTONDE

PHOTO BY KAREN HILL/THE RAM

AJ Rotonde, FCRH ’15, trademarked Olympian Gabby Douglas’ nickname, ‘The Flying Squirrel’ on Aug. 6.

said.

Since the age of 14, Rotonde has worked with his father’s company, Rotonde Development. Because of his hands-on education, he has discovered a new passion.

“I am all about business opportunities,” Rotonde said. “I have been studying in my college classes about identifying trends and trying to create business opportunities.”

Rotonde was inspired by basketball star Anthony Davis, formerly of the Kentucky Wildcats, who is known for his unibrow. Davis took it upon himself to embrace the onceridiculed brow, and trademarked the phrases “Fear the Brow” and “Raise the Brow.”

These already popular phrases have been printed on T-shirts and sold on various websites since the trademark was approved in June.

Davis will now be the one profiting off those who originally mocked

him.

Rotonde is following in the footsteps of Davis as he hopes to profit off Douglas’ nickname.

The difference between the two situations, however, is that Rotonde has no connection to Gabby Douglas, except that he is an avid and intelligent fan. This fact has sparked controversy over whether or not he is entitled to claim this trademark.

“I am not trying to hurt Gabby Douglas,” Rotonde said. “I am trying to work with her. I would be more than pleased to sit with her and explore mutually beneficial opportunities. I am a young guy, not a moneyhungry jerk who is deliberately trying to sabotage a young Olympian.”

Rotonde is currently in the works of creating the website www.theflyingsquirrel.com.

The home page currently contains a silhouette of a fairly flexible gymnast doing a split leap, with “The Flying Squirrel” written under her extended legs. Under the logo are two T-shirts which read “Coming Soon!”

Rotonde teamed with a graphic designer, who he found on Craigslist, to help with the website and product line. Rotonde plans on creating a line of assorted Douglas memorabilia.

The collection will consist of T-shirts and spandex shorts with “Flying Squirrel” printed on the backside.

Rotonde is confident that, since Gabby is only 16, she will be back to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. If she does, it will be good news for Rotonde, since the longer she competes, the more potential value his trademark will have.

“I will do whatever I can to go to the next level,” Rotonde said.

PAGE 4 • THE RAM • SEPTEMBER 05, 2012

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Rose Hill’s Campus Transitions Over Summer Months Fordham Opened Hughes Hall, Renovated Classrooms, Started Ram Bucks, Added to the Marketplace and Continued to Work on the Ramskellar Gym

By KELLY KULTYS ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Over the summer, while many students had a chance to relax, the Fordham staff and faculty were working to prepare the University for the upcoming school year. As Marc Valera, director of facilities, said during a phone interview, summer is the only time to get things done without inconveniencing the Rose Hill community.

Significant changes have been made on campus since move-out day last spring. For returning students, the changes are designed to be improvements. Even for many of the freshmen, the differences have changed the landscape of campus since last visiting in the spring.

One of the biggest changes to campus was the opening of Hughes Hall, the new home of the Gabelli School of Business. Hughes Hall has been under construction since the plans for the renovation were approved in February 2010.

Fordham has also introduced something new for students called “Ram Bucks.” These flex dollars are

taken from a student’s declining card balance (the money that is used to buy items from the Grille or SubConnection). Additional flex dollars are available for purchase at the Hospitality Services Desk in McGinley as they provide students with an option for offcampus dining and shopping for students. Instead of using cash or credit cards, students can now use their student IDs off-campus at participating restaurants and local businesses.

The list so far has many of Fordham students’ favorites including Michaelangelo’s, Palombo’s, Simon’s Deli, Full Moon Pizzeria, the Blend Café, Applebee’s and Modern Food Center. According to Fordham’s Dining Services website, these Ram Bucks provide a safer and more secure way of paying, as opposed to cash or credit card.

Back on campus, inside Freeman Hall, some of the older labs and classrooms, especially on the third floor, received major renovations and upgrades. These opened for students’ use at the start of the fall semester.

Fordham has also opened a

“phone-a-thon” call center located in the basement of O’Hare Hall.

Fordham joined with the company RuffaloCODY to create a phonea-thon fundraising program. The program will employ students to call family, friends and alumni of the University to keep them apprised on Fordham’s latest, as well as to ask for donations.

Another physical change to campus is the repaving of Constitution Row, the main road of campus.

“It was to the point where it was a hazard to pedestrians,” Valera said of the road’s condition last year.

Valera said the work on Constitution Road is part of a multi-year plan to redo all of the roads and sidewalks of campus that began last year with the paving of Clavius Way by John Mulcahy Hall.

Fordham has changed more than its appearance and buildings over the summer months, however. Fordham is introducing some new personnel, especially in the athletic department on campus.

One of the most prominent new faces is that of the new Fordham football coach, Joe Moorhead,

FCRH ’96. Despite the team’s early win last week, Moorhead has his work cut out for him as he hopes to turn around the fortunes of a football program that suffered a 1-10 season last year.

Fordham is also in the process of hiring a new athletic director to take over for Frank McLaughlin, who held the position for 27 years.

McLaughlin was named the associate vice president of student affairs for alumni relations last May. Sodexo, the food service provider on campus, has made a few changes over the summer as well.

First, hours of operation for many of the food service locations will be extended on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Marketplace also added a “make your own burrito” station to its selection. The vegan station, where the sushi and stir-fry are located, will now be completely gluten-free, an improvement for those who suffer from food allergies.

The gym opening in the Ramskellar is one of the largest changes on campus since last year, but it is still under construction.

“We are operating on a very tight schedule,” Valera said. “We’re

hoping to have [the gym] open sometime in the fall. Right now, it’s on schedule to be finished by the end of September.”

For now, students can continue to use the fitness facilities located in the Lombardi Fieldhouse until the new ones are completed.

“I’m extremely excited for the gym to open so I can take advantage of the new fitness class space inside,” Elizabeth Hughes, GSB ’15, said.

The Ramskellar renovations are not the only new additions to the McGinley Center. Besides the new elevators that were recently installed, the Rose Hill Commons and faculty lounge have undergone interior makeovers as well.

The rooms have been refurbished with new ceilings, carpeting, partitions and lighting as well as technological updates. The Rose Hill Commons was used as a meeting space for clubs and organizations, especially the United Student Government.

Students can look forward to updates as Fordham continues to improve its campus and services as a part of its Exclesior: Ever Upward mission.

University Church to Add New Organs New Organs Added to the Church Will Enhance Musical Accompaniment at Masses and Other Liturgical Celebrations; Expected to be Done in November

By EDDIE MIKUS STAFF WRITER

Mass at Fordham’s University Church is about to sound much different than it has in the past.

The University is currently installing two new organs into the church to take the place of one that was built in 1879 and was updated in 1979.

“We are replacing the old organ because the old organ was in bad shape,” Robert Minotti, Fordham’s Director of Music, said. “It was mechanically failing and falling apart, so instead of trying to keep making repairs, it made more sense to get a new one.”

Another factor that went into the decision to install the new organs was the fact that they would be functional for more church events than the previous organ. “[The old organ] was limited in what it could do, as far as supplying appropriate accompaniment to our University Church liturgies and our concerts and our choirs,” Minotti said. “The new organs are going to have a variety of sounds, so they will be able to accommodate soft, quiet moments or big, grand, state occasions like Easter, the Mass of the Holy Spirit and Christmas Eve.” The organs will have many new uses in the future, becoming mainstays in church events.

“The 9 p.m. Mass might have more subtle, quiet sounds, like strings or flutes,” said Minotti.

“For the Christmas concert, we have a tuba major, which requires a big fanfare trumpet sound.”

Minotti clarified later that these statements were not meant to link specific sounds to specific events, but rather as examples of when specific sounds might be used.

Construction of the new organs is on schedule to be completed for the first Sunday in November.

While the installation of the new organs is underway, the University Church will be closed and mass will be held in the auditorium on Keating Hall’s first floor.

Minotti told The Ram that the new organs are designed to accommodate the University Church in the best manner possible.

“Each organ is unique, but these organs are uniquely designed to fit the University Church,” Minotti said.

For example, the keyboards from the new organs will be situated in both the sanctuary and the gallery of the church, which means that the new organs can be played from two different locations.

According to Minotti, visitors to the University Church will notice several differences between the new organs and the old one.

“You’re going to notice that it’s bigger,” Minotti said. “[With the new] woodwork, you’ll see it’s physically different, and then you’ll notice a greater variety of different sounds.”

The church’s design, and not just its floor plan, was taken into account when designing the new organs.

“They’ve designed the case, this outside part, to look like it’s been in the church for many years,” Minotti said, referring to the woodwork surrounding the organ’s pipes. “It won’t look like a modern organ. It would be like how they built an organ a long time ago, but it’s new.”

Furthermore, Minotti said he believes that the Fordham community will benefit from the construction of the new organs.

“I think they will be really well

COURTESY OF FORDHAM.EDU

Fordham’s University Church is in the process of getting two new organs. Masses have been pushed to Keating Hall.

received, and they’re going to really energize the music program here for our liturgies, to make them more vibrant,” Minotti said.

The old organ has been donated to the Church of the Annunciation in the Crestwood neighborhood of Yonkers, New York. Minotti believes that the instrument is better suited to this location than to the University Church.

“The parish that we donated the organ to didn’t have an organ at all,” Minotti said. “It’s a smaller building, and they are refurbishing some of the mechanical aspects of

it. They took the pipes from our organ, so they have the sounds from our organ, but they’re building new stuff around that.”

Schoenstein & Co., a California-based company that Minotti described as one of the most respected in the country, was responsible for constructing the new organs.

“We hired a consultant who assessed what our needs were for the University Church, and then he did more research, contacting other experts in the field, like organ builders or organists,” Minotti

said. “The consensus was that this company makes the best quality and fits our needs the best for what we’re looking for.”

Replacing the organ will have major historical implications for the famous church.

“Installing a pipe organ into a church is definitely a major project, and it changes both the look of the church and the way the music is going to sound in it,” Minotti said. “These organs will be here for the next at least 50 to 75 years so it’s definitely a major change, but an improvement for the church.”

PAGE 6 • THE RAM • SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 • THE RAM • PAGE 7

Gabelli School of Business Finds a Home As Hughes Hall Reopens Its Doors, Gabelli Students Are Exposed to New Classrooms

By SARAH RAMIREZ EXECUTIVE EDITOR

The new Hughes Hall, and the first permanent home to the Gabelli School of Business since it was established in 1920, opened in late August to students, faculty and administrators.

“We have a 120 year-old stone building with a new modern infrastructure,” John Spaccarelli, director of facilities and special projects, said.

In its previous incarnation, Hughes served as a “temporary” dormitory for over three decades.

The interior renovations, which began in the spring of 2011, included the excavation of the building’s basement (which now houses classrooms) and the gutting of all dorm rooms. A steel infrastructure then replaced the original wood.

In an effort to be more energy ef-

ficient, most of the building’s lighting comes from LED fixtures, and light sensors in the rooms also help conserve energy.

The new classrooms are the most state-of-the-art on campus — most have videoconferencing capabilities and many have tables equipped with charging stations. Echo 360, a program that films a professor’s lecture, has been installed in at least one 50-seat tiered classroom.

“Classrooms are designed for business classes, so things work better for us,” Juliane Desforge, GSB ’13, said.

The lower level of Hughes has a 160-seat convertible lecture hall, while the first floor features a student lounge and seating.

More classrooms can be found on the second and third floors, as well as offices, including the Global Center (Gabelli’s study abroad of-

fice) and a personal professional development office for career advising.

Some of the small meeting rooms are equipped with mediascape technology, making it easier for students to work on group presentations.

The renovations and floor plans were made with collaboration in mind.

“A lot of the space [is set up] so that you can do teamwork and work projects because that’s a big part of our pedagogy — learning on teams,” Donna Rapaccioli, Ph. D., dean of the Gabelli School of Business, told The Ram in the spring [V. 94, i. 9].

Rapaccioli was involved from the beginning of the planning process, and insisted on more personal touches in Hughes, including paintings in the stairwells of Gabelli students participating in study abroad programs. She also suggested the new patio space across from the

Despite the significant renovations inside, Hughes Hall has retained its original exterior.

north entrance to Hughes, near Alpha House and the St. Ignation statue.

Deans, administrators and faculty have their offices on the fourth and fifth floors of Hughes. In the past, GSB offices were usually in Faber, while classrooms were scattered among the other academic buildings.

“Everything is in one place, so you know where to find your professors and deans during office hours,” Desforge said.

The renovation plans for Hughes were greenlit by the Board of Trustees in February 2010. When Mario Gabelli, GSB ’65, donated $25 million to rename what was then the College of Business Administration, the majority of the money went towards Hughes Hall. Gabelli toured the property in late August and was reportedly very pleased with the

building.

The new Hughes Hall is also expected to have an impact on how GSB is perceived within the University and beyond.

“It is so exciting taking classes in Hughes Hall because the facility is so beautiful and state-of-the-art,” Michael Sansevere, GSB ’15, said.

“It makes going to class more exciting and definitely motivates me to work even harder. I especially like the study lounge on the first floor, which I plan on frequenting.”

“I think it’ll attract more students in general,” Desforge said. “You want to go to a place with state-of-the-art technology and that businesses will recognize so you can get a job after college.” “[Hughes shows that] GSB isn’t just a school within a school,” Desforge added. “It’s an important part of the school.”

Spacious classrooms and conferences allow students to meet and work as a group.

Hughes Hall boasts a pantry available for faculty members to use.

Many faculty offices are located on the fifth floor of Hughes Hall.

Adjunct professors have offices in which to do work and meet with students.

This 50-seat, tiered classroom exposes students to a state-of-the-art learning environment.

PHOTOS BY SARAH RAMIREZ/THE RAM

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

PAGE 9

Food Service Improvement Will Require Cooperation

By RICKY BORDELON ASSISTANT OPINIONS EDITOR

By now, almost everyone in the Fordham community has heard that Fordham was ranked first on the list of schools with the worst food in the country. This ranking has brought about numerous emails, announcements and statements from the University and from Sodexo. In an address to this year’s Orientation Leaders, Brian Poteat, general manager of hospitality services, stated that he does not think that the ranking is representative of the strides that Sodexo and the University made to improve the quality of food service on campus, but promised that both will continue to pursue these improvements.

Questions remain, however, about how the food service got to this point and what improvements can be made in the near future.

Most students, it seems, place the blame solely on Sodexo, claiming that the food is often bland or unappetizing or both. Sodexo, for the most part, seems to have a bad reputation among students, a stigma stemming in part from horrid health inspection scores in 2011.

At this point, though, all on-campus food service establishments have a score of “A” from last year’s inspections. The stigma does not fit the food Sodexo serves. Students need to understand that not everything served in the Marketplace is going to be spectacular, but knowing what to eat and what not

to eat is half the battle when deciding on your meal.

Some of the standard fare at the cafeteria is rather good, particularly the soups and the grilled chicken.

“As a commuter, I don’t think the food is that bad. I love the new Mex to the Max station,” Kamila Kowalczuk, GSB ’14, said. Students are noticing the strides Sodexo is making. The quality of the food ingredients, however, sometimes seems to suffer as variety grows. For example, this past Monday the Marketplace served shrimp po-boys. The shrimp tasted fishy, and the bread had a mushy texture that was not helped by the coleslaw or slathering of sauce.

Perhaps less variety and higher quality ingredients would improve the taste of the food while still remaining cost-effective.

The University needs to improve communication with Sodexo. For example, students often have trouble finding the new entrance to Dagger John’s, which is located at the end of the Club Suite. Also, the only ways students know about the holiday hours of the dining establishments is through posted signs or a small link on the Fordham Dining Services webpage. Perhaps a mass email to all students would prevent confusion and frustration when holiday hours are in effect.

Furthermore, the physical restrictions of the McGinley Center limit any expansion of the food service offerings or any plans to create easier access to Dagger John’s in the basement.

RAM ARCHIVES

Fordham ranked first in The Princeton Review’s ranking of the worst food on college campuses out of 377 colleges.

Fordham has already taken strides to improve the perception and quality of food service on campus by retaining “the services of an independent consulting firm to evaluate the University’s entire program, including but not limited to food quality, menu variety, dining facilities and customer service,” according to a University statement. In so doing, the University shows a desire to change the perception and reality of dining on campus.

We students also play a role in the improvement of the food service on campus. “[Improvement] starts with us,” Sama Habib, GSB ’14, president of the Student Culinary Council and an employee of Sodexo, said.

She encouraged students to get involved with the Student Culinary Council in order to work more closely with Sodexo and to register any complaints with the management so that they can further improve the service. Furthermore, the Princeton Review website states, “All of our lists are based on our student survey results. They are the sole factors that determine which schools make it onto our 62 ranking lists and at what ranks.”

Habib said that she encourages students not only to make complaints and suggestions known on surveys but to report regularly directly to Sodexo management. This is not to say that students are the sole reason Fordham received this ranking in The Princeton Review, but by

talking directly to Fordham and Sodexo, perhaps The Princeton Review ranking would not be so low, and its impact on Fordham’s image would not be as detrimental.

Fordham, Sodexo and students all need to do certain things. We cannot simply pass off blame to another organization. Fordham needs to communicate better with Sodexo to provide the necessary facilities and oversight of food quality. Sodexo must make an effort to improve the food and work more to revitalize its reputation among students and faculty. Students also need to make sure that their complaints and suggestions are heard.

Ricky Bordelon, FCRH ’15, is a political science major from New Orleans, La.

Cardinal Dolan Appears Bipartisan, Speaking at Both Conventions

By NIKOS BUSE COPY EDITOR

Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the current Archbishop of New York, recently delivered the closing prayer at the Republican National Convention, and will be visiting the Democratic National Convention this week to provide the same service.

A fair amount of controversy surrounds this event, since this action creates the perception of a conflict of interest on the part of Cardinal Dolan.

Some believe that it may be inappropriate for Cardinal Dolan to attend the two conventions due to the conflict of interest, bearing in mind that he is representing the Catholic Church and providing his spiritual direction and support to both the Republican and Democratic Parties.

Cardinal Dolan has been the archbishop of New York since February 2009. Since his appointment, he has been very vocal, sharing his conservative views about many popular issues such as same-sex marriage, abortion and clerical celibacy. On one occasion, Dolan went so far as to support President Bush’s actions regarding the war in Iraq, a view that conflicted with that of Pope

MCT CAMPUS / KRISTYNA WENTZ

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, is one of the most influential Catholic leaders in the United States.

John Paul II. In this example, as well as in several other instances, Dolan gave contentious support to conservative leaders. Now, in the middle of a new Republican candidate’s presidential campaign, it is to be expected that he would throw his considerable weight behind Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.

While it seemed natural for a representative of the Catholic Church and a staunch conserva-

tive to show his support for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan’s candidacy, it seems far less intuitive that Dolan would choose to appear at the Democratic National Convention as well, considering his obvious conflicts with the policies and beliefs of the members of the Democratic Party. In my opinion, it attests to the great quality of character of Cardinal Dolan, as well as that of the leaders of the Democratic Party,

that they could set aside their differences of opinion to pause and recognize the beauty and importance of freedom and democracy.

In fact, it shows even greater strength on the part of Cardinal Dolan. Despite the obvious continuity in the political beliefs between Dolan and the Republicans, Dolan chose not to support just one candidate, but instead to support the process. Ryan

Creamer, FCRH ’14, agreed that remaining impartial regarding support of any candidate is necessary.

“I believe his intentions are good, but if he isn’t being bipartisan, it’s just going to be more of a big deal than it should be. If it’s a well-wishing thing, then I don’t see a problem with it,” Creamer said.

Had Dolan supported one candidate and appeared at only one convention, it would have appeared as though the Catholic Church was endorsing one party: an act that would have long-term implications for future elections.

Though it is undeniably impossible to separate church and state completely, it is important to avoid conflicts between what the church asks and what the state asks, so as to protect the integrity of the democratic process for generations to come. Dolan skirted the edge of the issue by attending both conventions, but some might question whether it is right to include a denominational prayer in such an event.

Regardless, since the conventions did not neglect other systems of belief, I do not believe that it was wrong of Cardinal Dolan to speak his appreciation for the democratic system and the existence of freedom.

Nikos Buse, FCRH ’14, is a Spanish major from Nicasio, Calif.

OPINIONS

PAGE 10• THE RAM • SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

The Ram Serving campus and community since 1918.

The Ram is the University journal of record. The mission of The Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate.

The Ram is published and distributed free of charge every Wednesday during the academic year to the Rose Hill, Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses with a readership of 12,000. The Ram office is located in the basement of the McGinley Center, room B-52.

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Editor-in-Chief Olivia Monaco Managing Editor Victoria Rau Executive Editor Sarah Ramirez Business Editor Lindsay Lersner News Editor Connor Ryan Assistant News Editors Karen Hill Kelly Kultys Opinions Editor Rory Masterson Assistant Opinions Editors Ricky Bordelon Canton Winer Culture Editor Scharon Harding Assistant Culture Editor Devon Sheridan Sports Editors Chester Baker Dan Gartland Assistant Sports Editor Matt Rosenfeld Copy Chief Taylor Engdahl Copy Team Nikos Buse Katie Nolan Deirdre Hynes Stephanie Kawalski Isabella Fante Tom Haskin Photo Editor Michael Rezin Design Editor Elizabeth Mallozzi Web Editor Anne Couture Assistant Web Editor Daley Quinn Faculty Advisor Dr. Beth Knobel

Opinions Policy The Ram appreciates submissions that are typed and saved on a disk in *.rtf, *.txt or *.doc formats, or sent to the staff via e-mail at fordhamramletters@gmail.com. Commentaries are printed on a space available basis. The Ram reserves the right to reject any submission for any reason, without notice. Submissions become the exclusive property of The Ram and will not be returned. The Ram reserves the right to edit any submissions. The opinions in The Ram’s editorials are those of the editorial board; those expressed in articles, letters, commentaries, cartoons or graphics are those of the individual author. No part of The Ram may be reproduced without written consent.

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From the Desk of Rory Masterson, Opinions Editor 21. Adele managed to write an autobiographical, Grammywinning album at an age when so many young people face a critical turning point in their lives. Bob Dylan was busy putting the finishing touches on his breakthrough album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan when he turned 21, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was already a world-renowned musical genius, having gone through the prerequisite child prodigy stage by the time he hit this number. Meanwhile, like many of my friends here and back home, I am merely trying to get an education and move on to the much maligned, so-called “real world.”

To place generalizations on my generation has become a nearly impossible task at this point; given the seemingly infinite connections across geographic, cultural and religious boundaries, a lot of people have access to a lot of ideas, which allows them to figure out who they are and what they want at an unprecedentedly personal level. Even so, I think it is still safe to say that people can change, if not as drastically, from the time they are 10

years old to the time they are 21 and even beyond that.

I will give you some brief background. I was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and grew up in Fort Mill, South Carolina, the third and final son of Irish Catholic parents from New York who make the case, convincingly, that people from the South are the ones who have accents. I am a survivor of leukemia from a very early age and have been in remission for many years.

Athough I am not in the market for sympathy, the experience is one of the things I carry with me daily.

(On a side note, I still believe in Lance Armstrong, and even if it eventually comes out that he did dope, that won’t matter. What he has done for cancer research transcends cycling, and society owes him a great debt, even if ESPN, the worldwide leader in hype, will lead you to believe otherwise.)

My first memories consist of being in a hospital receiving treatment, and I have always felt as if I am on borrowed time. I only hope the interest rate fits my budget. As a result of this early confrontation with mortality, I have developed a

profound relationship with God, and I keep in mind that perhaps there is a reason I was able to hold on to His greatest gift for just a little longer. Every day is a practice in patience as I try to figure out what that reason is, but I continue the search while holding on to the values instilled in me throughout my upbringing.

Even as I sweat in the relentless heat of Walsh Hall, a fan whirring in a feeble attempt to make the space livable, I recognize that the world can be a terribly cold place at times. There exist people who do not seem to have a conscience or any semblance of positivity, who choose to pursue their goals in selfish, egomaniacal ways that do not engender a culture of community.

Maybe I’m getting caught up in the “person for others” ethos of the Jesuit tradition, and maybe some have grown tired of that. I kind of like the idea, though.

So what does all of this have to do with my birthday, Sept. 3, which falls on Labor Day this year? Being on the brink of my 22nd year has given me pause, pushed me to focus on ideas relevant to my life and

disregard anything else. I have a Post-It note above my desk this year on which I only wrote one word in thick, black Sharpie: “DISCIPLINE.” I hope for this idea to become a theme in my life, not only for the academic year or for the next 12 months.

At the same time, I plan to make the most out of every day I have left, however many that number is. It’s a shame that the phrase “you only live once” has been shortened to an acronym and used as the annoyingly ubiquitous and sometimes ironic motto of collegians because it really is a nice sentiment. No matter your age, I will invite you, the reader, to join me in celebrating Horace’s version in Latin as a motivational credo in every decision, thought, deed and action: Carpe diem.

EDITORIAL: Students Must Promote Activism Last year, when bias incidents and other controversies rocked our university community, Fordham organizations, administrators and individual students joined together in condemning the intolerance and supporting the victims. While these occurrences are not things to be proud of and these incidents are in the past — we hope forever — there is something to be said for the student body’s reaction.

As our university culture showed signs of intolerance, it prompted a new spirit of student activism last spring, which is worth remembering in order to maintain it as we move forward. When students were pushed to the point at which they were compelled to act, they rose to

the occasion and displayed concern that was remarkable merely by its presence.

In the past, Fordham students have been guilty of lacking spirit and conviction about most issues, save those that affect them personally, like food. This past spring, however, activism, passion and support rose out of the apathy, intolerance and individualism that frequently characterize our community. We commend the many students and faculty members who stood up during this time through vigils and forums, and we sincerely hope that this spirit of student activism persists.

That being said, it is slightly alarming how little of that culture remains in this current school year. For ex-

ample, though the year is still young, it is an election year, and there has been little to no political energy on campus. There is merit in moving on from the past, but it is equally important to remember what has happened and use past experiences to grow.

Moreover, the culture of activism on campus is incongruous with the same culture in New York City. If New York is truly our campus, we should strive as students to become involved in the great political culture of New York City, the birthplace of the “Occupy” and the “Harlem Renaissance” movements.

Many of last year’s prominent student leaders were, of course, in the class of 2012, and thus, they have graduated and moved on to the next

phases of their lives. As Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the University, reminds the freshman class every year, every incoming class is the best and brightest that Fordham has ever seen. Each class should not only continue the work, activist and otherwise, of the class before it, but should go even further, push even harder and reach even higher.

Fordham claims to be breeding the world’s leaders of tomorrow, so let us start being our university community’s leaders of today.

Editorial Policy The Ram’s editorials are selected on a weekly basis, and are meant to reflect the editorial board’s view on a particular issue.

Undocumented Immigrants Deserve Opportunity

By ZACHARY VASILE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The demographic landscape of the United States is changing, and one need not look any further than Hampshire College to see that some institutions of higher learning are embracing this change.

According to a recent article

by Boston Globe reporter Peter Schworm, the liberal arts college is extending a unique offer to thousands of potential students: a specific financial aid endowment to defray college tuition costs for undocumented students.

This is an idea that the administration of Fordham University should whole-heartedly embrace. As a Jesuit institution that pays more than lip service to the goals of social justice, Fordham should create a Hampshire-like endowment capable of providing tangible social mobility for the thousands of undocumented students who want to get ahead in a country where certain political factions seem content to consign them to membership in a permanent immigrant underclass. Undocumented residents are now a

fact of life in this country; neither legal residents nor undocumented persons can afford to ignore this fact for much longer.

The many issues raised by the often-nonsensical immigration debate can be resolved, and Fordham has a chance to move to the cutting edge of this discussion by setting up an endowment plan of its own that shows the entire country exactly where it stands when it comes to the problems of continued educational, political and financial disenfranchisement.

A handful of states, including California and Texas, have loosened restrictions that once barred undocumented students from receiving any type of state-based student aid. Senate luminaries like Orin Hatch (R-UT) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) have helped craft and guide the highly-publicized, not-yet-passed DREAM Act, which would create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants conditional upon a college degree or military service.

Even President Barack Obama has come down on the side of undocumented youth, promising to halt deportations for many young people who probably did not have

much of a say in coming into the United States illegally with their parents.

It goes without saying that there will be limitations. Potential beneficiaries of this endowment would have to have a high school diploma, or GED, and show exceptional academic promise, just like every other student admitted to Fordham University. Those admitted under this new program should have clean criminal slates [barring immigration violations and the legal complications that stem from it] and possess both intimate knowledge of and respect for their new home country and its institutions.

In such articles as this, it is important to clarify that a financial aid endowment is not equivalent to the demonized “quota” system of affirmative action. This proposal is not, as some opponents may claim, a free pass that condones the violation of American immigration law. An endowment for bright, undocumented students is merely a helping hand that provides incredible opportunity to those unlikely to receive much assistance elsewhere.

A conversation with Fordham’s

own Dr. Annika Hinze, assistant professor of political science, sheds more light on the need for a reevaluation of undocumented students. Hinze, who teaches in the political science department and specializes in the study of immigrants in urban spaces, praised the move by Hampshire College and defended undocumented students who, in many cases, did not have a say in entering the U.S. illegally.

“A lot of the undocumented students have been here for a long time,” Hinze said. “They’ve been in the country since they were one or two years old, and they’ve never even known their supposed home country.”

When asked about the legality of the endowment program, Hinze could only speculate, but did say that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which rolled out in June, makes it unlikely that cracking down on schools with endowment plans would be a high federal priority.

When asked whether Fordham University should adopt such a program, Hinze chose her words SEE IMMIGRANTS, PAGE 11

OPINIONS

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The Left Lane Conor

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 • THE RAM • PAGE 11

Fordham Should Embrace Immigrants

Righter’s Block

Fucci RNC Offers Comedy, Not Policy

John P. Castonguay GOP Wrongly Snubs Paul

I want to begin my first-ever column by introducing myself as the new liberal columnist for The Ram. My name is Conor Fucci, and I am currently a junior in Fordham College at Rose Hill studying political science and international political economy.

I would consider myself only mildly left of center on the political spectrum, a position that I would not consider liberal.

One of my favorite pastimes, after two full years in college, is discussing politics with my close friends. Being one of few “liberals” in my group of friends, I find myself constantly at odds with many of them, and I have had to learn to listen and sometimes be open to changing my opinion after a long debate. I hope to make my writing and this column interesting and, most importantly, enjoyable.

This year, the Democratic National Convention is in the political battleground of Charlotte, North Carolina. Unfortunately, due to the fact that it is happening this week, I was not able to watch it before I wrote this piece.

So, speculation is going to be the best I can do.

The national conventions are more or less two hootenannies where all of the political pundits of a particular party get together to BS and “officially” announce the party’s choice of candidate for president and vice-president in this election. The reason why anyone would sit down to watch the DNC, however, would be for the dozens of famous speakers who assemble to rally the members of the party. People just pull up a chair and watch the fireworks fly. Some of the more notable speakers for this year’s event range from the president himself, Barack Obama, former president Jimmy Carter and even celebrities such as Eva Longoria and the now-famous Sandra Fluke.

I usually do not see any value in the National Conventions (other than fundraising), though the RNC this year provided a comedic gem. I hope you all know what I am talking about when I use the phrase “empty chair.” I am referring to the 82 year old actor Clint Eastwood’s speech, during which he accosted an empty chair on the stage about alleged problems with the Obama campaign. If you have not watched the speech yet, I highly recommend you take a few minutes to go to YouTube and gawk at the insanity. What it lacked in valuable political commentary, it made it up with comedic value.

Overall, I have to say I did enjoy listening to many of the RNC speakers, and I am looking forward to seeing the DNC speakers throughout the upcoming week.

So, tune in to the DNC starting on Sept. 4 in Charlotte and watch President Obama receive the Democratic nomination and address his constituency over the remaining two months of the presidential race.

It has finally arrived. The school year has started, Eddie’s is full of frisbees and footballs, and the 2012 race for the president of the United States, though seemingly going on since President Obama’s inauguration four years ago, may officially begin, following the conclusion of the Democratic National Convention on Sept. 6.

Last week, the Republican National Convention marked Governor Mitt Romney’s transition from presumptive nominee to the official presidential nominee for the Republican Party. Despite some rumblings of efforts by Ron Paul supporters to disrupt Governor Romney’s coronation, Romney won the nomination decisively. He received 2,061 delegates compared to Rep. Paul’s 190 and Sen. Santorum’s nine.

Despite their clear defeat, supporters of Rep. Paul’s presidential campaign caused a disturbance during the convention. They were angered by the Republican Party establishment’s failure to grant Congressman Paul a speaking opportunity during the convention.

10 Paul delegates from Maine were replaced by Romney supporters and votes for Rep. Paul were not announced from the podium.

This outcome was extremely disappointing for Ron Paul supporters, who have been attempting to gather enough delegates to, if not earn an automatic speaking opportunity, at least have enough of a presence to significantly influence the direction of the Republican Party moving forward. The Romney campaign has taken steps to prevent this type of grassroots effort from gaining any traction in the future, by encouraging the party to force states to allocate delegates based on the statewide vote, rather than by county. This rule change will make it more difficult for non-dominant candidates to gain support as the election moves forward and has drawn the ire of Paul supporters and tea party leaders who see this as a power grab by the political establishment.

Romney’s camp seems optimistic that it can win the more libertarian elements of the party, but Ron Paul supporters are generally lukewarm at best towards the current ticket. Even vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, more fiscally conservative than most members of Congress, is being treated cautiously by libertarians due to his social and foreign policies. Ryan’s vote in favor of the Patriot Act is a particularly sore subject for voters Romney would target.

Rep. Paul refuses to endorse Mitt Romney or encourage his followers to do so, increasing the uncertainty surrounding his former supporters. While most are even more repelled by President Obama and Vice President Biden than Romney and Ryan, without a conscientious effort by the Romney campaign to smooth over the hurt feelings caused by their treatment during the convention, Paulites will move towards third party candidates or write-in Rep. Paul and cost Romney the election.

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

Hampshire College, in Massachusetts, recently began a program that offers financial aid to undocumented students.

IMMIGRANTS, FROM PAGE 10

carefully.

“If the funding is available, if there’s the willingness among students and outside supporters and faculty to support something like this, I think it would be a very honorable move,” she said. “But, then again, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered before such decisions are made.”

As Hinze pointed out, there are legal hurdles to be cleared and a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the question of un-

documented students. The complexities surrounding the broader immigration issue will likely take decades to fully sort out.

Fordham University can help pioneer the reform that our country so desperately needs. There are smart, hard-working undocumented students who will never pass through a university gate because of financial limitations — for universities to let their capabilities and skills go to waste is foolish.

If Fordham wants to continue

its climb in academic standing, it should open its doors and embrace these students, who currently face an unpromising life dominated by a clumsy, crushing title: “illegal.” Fordham must take advantage of this incredible opportunity or, very soon, others will beat us to it and leave Fordham as an afterthought in the minds of promising students looking for a better life.

Zachary Vasile, FCRH ’14, is a communication and media studies major from Southington, Conn.

Fordham Lacks Trust in Students

By RORY MASTERSON OPINIONS EDITOR

I was excited to accept the position of Gabelli freshmen advising assistant for this academic year for a number of reasons. First, I had the opportunity to influence a group of wide-eyed students in making the often strenuous transition from high school to college. I hoped (and hope) to leave a mark on them in the same way that my freshmen mentor did when I arrived. To a lesser degree, the prospect of moving in early appealed to me because that meant I could go to the music practice rooms below Keating in my limited free time and continue my self-education in piano without the possibility of the rooms being full of more qualified students.

When I went to exercise my privilege one night, I was greeted with a locked door and no security guard. The instructions told me to call security at x-2222 to have someone come and open the rooms for me. When I did, I was told that I needed “special permission” to be in there.

“Well, alright,” I said. “Who do I get that permission from?”

“Sorry,” the voice on the other end replied, ending the conversation with a click.

This episode illustrates something we all know, but perhaps rarely acknowledge, at a volume higher than a muted, disgruntled whisper. Fordham lacks a trust in its students that other universities are willing to extend. At the University of South Carolina, for example, one does not need to obtain special permission to use certain music department practice facilities on campus. In a country

where one is supposedly innocent until proven guilty, Fordham holds everyone accountable for the misguided actions of a few students.

The music department’s policy further includes directions for obtaining keys from Faculty Memorial Hall in exchange for a student’s identification card. This presents another quandary, as a student needs his or her ID to get back on campus. Presumably, we can explain the situation to the guard, but it is an unnecessary hassle for someone who just wants to play an instrument or sing in a soundproof room, revealing yet another of the many paradoxes that exist on Fordham’s campus. Would not a Jesuit institution, with its emphasis on cura personalis and the well-rounded nature of every member in its community, want its non-musical students to be able to try their hands at learning or practicing an instrument?

“I don’t know that it’s an issue of trust so much as a religious institution trying to preserve its values among young people,” Mike Beckage, FCRH ’13, said.

Perhaps the most prominent and contentious example of Fordham’s lack of trust exists in its guest pass policy. Students need to request passes for not only for outside guests from residence halls at least a day ahead of time, but also for fellow Fordham students.

This means that if someone wanted to, say, escape the heat of Walsh and stay on a couch in a friend’s apartment in Salice, he would need to know he was going to do that long beforehand. Did you want to stay and play a FIFA tournament with your friends in

this building tonight? Sorry, they only decided to do that today, and the spontaneity of the arrangement precludes your ability to stay.

“The fact that a male can’t get a guest pass for a female seems a little outdated among students,” Beckage said.

The policies are frustratingly understandable to a point. No one wants intruders roaming the residence halls at a time when most students should be asleep.

Unwelcome guests, especially in the Bronx, can pose serious dangers for some and put others at risk, but the guards at the entrances should be able to prevent most issues.

These policies make it apparent that, although Fordham wants to protect us and guide us in the right direction, the University does not think that we can handle certain responsibilities. It wants us to act as adults, yet it treats us as children in some capacities.

We need to find a comfortable medium, a place where we can be people transitioning from one phase to another without unnecessary hurdles slowing our progress. Fordham must recognize that the growth of the individual is something that should not be hindered by administrative policies and procedures.

When that time comes, surely long after I have graduated, Fordham can endear itself to a whole new group of people in a previously unprecedented fashion.

Until then, I will be on my way to FMH. I have to borrow some keys.

Rory Masterson, GSB ’14, is a business administration major from Fort Mill, SC.

PAGE 12 • THE RAM •SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

OPINIONS

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Add/Drop Period Short, But Problems Can Be Avoided

By GIRISH SWAMINATH STAFF WRITER

Numerous Fordham students have concerns over the length of the add/drop period for classes at the beginning of each semester. Currently, students are given one week to make any necessary changes to their schedules.

A majority of students feel that one week is not enough time to decide whether or not they should continue taking the classes for which they are registered. They advocate that the deadline should be extended so that students are given more time to experience the course and figure out whether they want to remain enrolled. Students with classes that meet only once a week especially believe that one class is not enough to assess whether they are interested in continuing with the course, depending on the subject matter, workload, professor and schedule.

“Quite a few of my classes only meet once a week, so with only one meeting before the add/drop period, I am not sure if I have adequate information to decide whether or not I would like to change my schedule,” Katherine Valles, FCRH ’14, said. “Last semester, I also had a course that met only once a week that was cancelled for the first few weeks, so in such a case, I don’t think the current add/drop period length offers enough support for students to make a decision.”

While students only have seven days in the beginning of the semes-

ter to evaluate their classes, it is important for them to remember that registration occurs approximately one month before the conclusion of the previous semester. Students have the remaining month, as well as summer or winter break, to meticulously explore options for classes and make any necessary adjustments to their class schedules.

In addition to word-of-mouth, students also have access to official university course and instructor evaluation forms, as well as unofficial websites, such as RateMyProfessor.com. With advanced planning, students can even eliminate the need to add or drop classes during the week-long period altogether.

“I don’t necessarily believe that students need to add or drop a class if they plan out their classes based on their interests and do thorough research on the course expectations and the professors teaching the class,” Elizabeth Green, FCRH ’14, said. “Moreover, professors are usually clear about their expectations on the very first class itself, so there is no need to extend the add/drop period.”

Extending the add/drop period would allow students to switch into a different class at a later period.

Therefore, both students and professors may find it difficult to make up evaluations or homework assigned in the first class. Furthermore, students may miss vital aspects of the course and would be forced to catch up on material independently, thereby defeating the purpose of a

MICHAEL REZIN/THE RAM

Many students feel that the add/drop period is not long enough, leaving them in classes in which they will not succeed.

classroom learning experience.

Students may also risk not being able to enter an alternate course with a longer add/drop period.

Since students would have a longer time to enter courses, the chances of classes filling up to maximum capacity and closing to registration are much higher. The current add/ drop period allows just enough of an exploratory period for students to try different classes and decide which ones they want to take for the rest of the semester while minimizing the risk of students losing classes and not being able to sign up for alternate courses as replacements.

Dr. Michael Latham, dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill, also

offers advice to students exploring various course options and questioning which ones to continue taking. He encourages students to take advantage of the accessibility and availability of professors to learn about various courses of interest.

“Not a lot of students take advantage of this opportunity, but professors are more than willing to have students come in during their office hours to inquire about their course content and expectations,” Dean Latham said. “Students can obtain a copy of course syllabi and therefore can make an informed decision as to what courses they desire to take.”

Latham also said that the university administration would not be in a position to extend the add/drop

period given the disadvantages involved in doing so.

“The risks probably outweigh the benefits [of extending the add/ drop period],” Latham said. “So, at this point, I would be reluctant to extend the add/drop period since students have plenty of time beforehand to thoroughly research their class options.”

If students have strong opinions about the add/drop period, they are encouraged to voice their opinions during public United Student Government meetings in Rose Hill Commons 237 every Thursday at 6 p.m.

Girish Swaminath, FCRH ’14, is a biology major from Monte Sereno, Calif.

Off-Campus Housing Should Embody Jesuit Principles

By AUSTIN THOMAS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

John Hughes founded what would become Fordham University in the then-rural Bronx so that it would be, as Rev. Raymond Schroth, S.J., later wrote in Fordham: A History and Memoir, “near enough to the city…to attract city boys but far enough away to keep them out of trouble.”

When Jesuits took over the fledgling college several years later, Hughes’s plans were supplemented by the Ignatian call to engage and serve the community. Fordham’s two legacies, often at odds during the Bronx’s rise, fall and revival, continue to offer guidance to a university in transition.

Fordham’s relationship with commuters is equally rich. The sons of middle-class Catholic immigrants brought their fathers’ and grandfathers’ work ethic to the sidewalks, trains and subways from early-20thcentury Manhattan and the Bronx.

But Fordham suffered when the city deteriorated in the 1970s and its commuter base fled to the suburbs.

The response, beginning in the 1980s, was a 30-year wave of residential construction, and the resulting dorms — Hughes, Tierney, Loschert, South, O’Hare, Campbell and SaliceConley — allowed the school to capitalize on New York’s renaissance to attract students from throughout the Northeast, who in turn lived on or near campus.

As a result, commuters today are consigned to a basement “lounge” in one of the ugliest buildings on campus, and they must beg for guest pass-

es or be kicked out of the new dorms their tuition subsidizes. Walsh Library is the only building built in the last 30 years that they can access as easily as residents. In short, it seems that commuters are not being properly served. I support the University’s increased focus on its residents, but as a Jesuit university, where so many students and faculty recognize the value of history and tradition, surely

be focused on Catholic students.

The Jesuit tradition would probably emphasize moving students out of university housing and force them to engage the Belmont community beyond Arthur Avenue. A Jesuit approach would increase need-based aid and recruit more students eligible or nearly eligible for the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP).

new building is not so far off; it may be the next major construction project at Rose Hill, since architectural concepts are already on Fordham’s website.

The Jesuit mandate has begun to be served, in a way. Fordham recently opened Hughes House as an expansion of its Belmont residential holdings. University-run, off-campus housing offers students indepen-

RAM ARCHIVES

Terra Nova House is one of several off-campus apartment-style residences run by Fordham’s Office of Residential Life.

it can provide more than lip service for a demographic that has played so prominent a role in our own past.

Yet a university must also think ahead. Can Fordham respect both its past and its future? Consider its original dual legacies. If the university grew from Dagger John’s vision, campus development would be accentuated and recruitment efforts would

Many of Fordham’s formative ideals are at odds, and some are mutually exclusive from a financial standpoint.

Certain improvements, however, are sensible and feasible. Finding a replacement for the McGinley Center would be a good start, especially if it had a prominent and inviting commuting student center and better athletic facilities. Fortunately, a

dence and the joys of coin laundry. It gives them the compromise of living in the city while still living in a building filled with other students.

Such housing is, in my opinion, where Fordham should focus its residential development over the coming decades. After all, it is the city as much as the campus that sets Fordham apart. Students looking for

a couple of nice quads and a few old buildings can attend any number of equally expensive colleges throughout the Northeast. People looking for a school without a real campus have numerous universities in Philadelphia, New York and Boston at their disposal. Except for several Ivy League schools and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, no Northeast college offers a real campus experience and a real city experience simultaneously. It seems logical that Fordham should emphasize not only each of these aspects on its own but also their confluence. And as far as physical development is concerned, this union is best expressed through off-campus housing.

Naturally, there are a few flies in the off-campus ointment. Belmont dorms are relatively far from sporting events. The rent is too damn high, and you can’t take on roommates to reduce the cost. Residential Life policies are often irritating. But while some compromise on the part of both students and administration will be needed for off-campus university housing to reach its full potential, that potential is promising indeed.

Commuters’ needs have, however, been compromised enough.

To “attract city boys” while serving the metropolis, the University must work on being both desirable and accessible — to advance two seemingly contradictory goals without compromise — as it has tried to do for its Catholic and Jesuit legacies for nearly 170 years.

Austin Thomas, FCRH ’15, is a mathematics and physics major from Palos Verdes, Calif.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

PAGE 13

Make This School Year Yours the “back-to-school blues” and change them into an easier, more enjoyable process: 1. Adjust your sleep cycle.

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

Sleep schedules from the summer will not benefit you during the semester.

By ALYSSA CARMUSCIANO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

This past summer, some students may have worked at an internship, had a summer job or taken a few classes. For other students, however, summer was full

of endless hours at the beach, vacationing with family and friends and catching up on some much needed sleep. The start of a new school year often creates a tough transition period for students who fit into the latter category. Here are a few tips to help overcome

Students who did not work 9-to-5 jobs throughout the summer are generally used to going to bed late and then waking up late the next morning. This will make waking up for classes extremely difficult, especially for those who have those dreaded 8:30 a.m. classes. Therefore, students should take the time during the first week of classes, before papers and other responsibilities begin to pile up, to get the eight hours of sleep that doctors recommend. This might mean skipping out on a few late nights with friends, but students will feel well-rested and become increasingly used to waking up early. It can be tough to decline invitations to catch up with friends who you may have not seen since last May, but there are nine more months for reminiscing.

2. Make new friends while staying in touch with old ones.

Freshmen face a huge adjustment when they start the school year because it means leaving their friends behind and going to a place where many do not know anyone

at all. Many upperclassmen agree that one of the best ways to adjust to college life is to start meeting new people right away. Going to residence hall programs, striking up a conversation with the person sitting next to them before class and even joining a table full of semi-familiar faces at the caf are all good ways to make friends right off the bat, and not just for freshmen either.

Upon returning to school, upperclassmen may not want to see the summer end, but their excitement to see their friends again often outweighs that longing for an endless summer. Freshman year, however, is not the only time to make new friends. Upperclassmen usually live in different residence halls each year, which exposes them to new people and allows them to form new friendships.

While making new friends is a great way for students to adjust to the start of the new school year, it is also important for students to stay in touch with their friends from home. Making plans with them to visit the Bronx will make saying goodbye a less tearful process.

3. Make schedules as soon as you receive your syllabi.

Time management is the key to

a successful semester. Sure, many students do not want to even think about their classes during syllabus week, but starting to wisely manage their time early is a great way to start their semester off on the right foot. Students should purchase planners in order to keep track of their assignments, club meetings, exams, papers or plans with friends.

Many students also find that getting a head start on their readings when they purchase their books is an efficient way to put their lazy summer habits behind them. You may want to spend all of your free time hanging out with friends, but once students begin to skip out on their readings early in the semester, they will find themselves constantly playing catch-up once midterms roll around. Sticking to a time management schedule will allow students to find their balance between succeeding academically and thriving socially.

The transition from the relaxation of the summer to the rigors and challenges of college life is often not an easy one, but these tips, among others, will make this transition much smoother. Looking at the start of a new school year in a positive light is a great start, so enjoy seeing old and new friends, but always remember to stay on top of your schoolwork as well.

Summer ’12 Soars With Superheroes and Sequels

By VINCENT PELLIZZI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

This summer proved to be a tremendous season for movies.

This summer, the blockbuster season got off to an incredible start with the May 4 release of Marvel’s The Avengers. This was a powerhouse of a movie, drawing upon five set-up films released over the previous four years.

The film had a booming opening weekend, grossing $80.8 million on its first day, a total bested only by the final Harry Potter film, and $207.4 million through the weekend, setting a new record, including an IMAX opening-weekend record of $15.3 million. The Avengers was also a critical darling, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting 94 percent of professional reviews as positive. Critics praised the film’s frenetic action scenes and sharp wit. The film now stands as the third highest grossing film of all time in both the United States ($617.8 million) and worldwide ($1.49 billion), bested in both categories only by James Cameron’s Avatar and Titanic.

Other notable, successful releases included the long-anticipated Men in Black 3, praised for Josh Brolin’s uncanny performance as a young Tommy Lee Jones in the film’s timetravel plot. MiB III grossed $623 million worldwide.

Two children’s franchises continued their great successes overseas: Ice Age: Continental Drift and Madagascar 3. Each grossed over $580 million internationally, de-

spite achieving only modest success in America. Meanwhile, Pixar’s Brave, directed by Brenda Chapman, grossed $442.6 million worldwide, commercially underperforming but faring better critically than Pixar’s last summer effort, Cars 2.

Seth MacFarlane’s first foray into film, Ted, performed very well at the box office. The movie set an R-rated comedy record with an opening weekend of $54.4 million; it went on to gross over $215 million domestically.

The second major tentpole of the summer, however, came with The Amazing Spider-Man. It was released July 3 and was directed by Marc Webb of (500) Days of Summer. The movie served as an on-screen reboot of Peter Parker, in no way tying to the previous Spider-Man trilogy with Tobey McGuire, directed by Sami Raimi. Thanks to the popular brand name, The Amazing SpiderMan enjoyed a stellar start at the box office, but cooled off thanks to tepid critical reception. The movie grossed only $137 million over its five-day Wednesday to Sunday stretch, less than other notable July 4 weekend releases such as Transformers (2007) and Spider-Man 2 (2004). It went on to gross $258.8 million domestically and $705 million worldwide, the lowest in both categories for any Spider-Man film. Still, Sony considered the reboot a success, and a sequel is planned for 2014.

Towards the end of July, it was time for one of the most anticipated films of the year — the epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Bat-

COURTESY OF MCT

The Avengers featured the team of Iron Man, Captain America, The Hulk and Thor and was the biggest film of the season.

man trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises.

Released in both conventional and IMAX venues, with over an hour of the film shot in the latter format, tickets for the film’s opening days went on sale on June 10 and quickly sold out at many IMAX locations.

Pre-release tracking showed tremendous interest in the film; its predecessor grossed over $500 million in the United States alone, a feat only surpassed by Avatar, Titanic and The Avengers.

The Dark Knight Rises fell well below commercial expectations, which, may have been in part due to the shooting in Aurora, Colorado during a midnight screening of the film.

Initially projected to gross any-

where from $200-$220 million its first weekend, TDKR settled for $165 million, well below The Avengers and its own predecessor, 2008’s The Dark Knight.

Critically, the film was received very well, with 87 percent of reviews reported as positive by Rotten Tomatoes. The general consensus seemed to agree that, while it did not quite reach the lofty standards of its record breaking predecessor, the movie still served as a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy with great performances, particularly by Christian Bale (Terminator Salvation), Michael Caine (The Prestige), Tom Hardy (Inception) and Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada). The film has already grossed $425 million domestically

and $961 million worldwide, making it in fact a tremendous box office success, if not a slightly lesser one than previously predicted.

Superheroes and sequels once again cemented the summer of 2012 as another stellar blockbuster season both domestically and worldwide, backed up by considerable box office success from animated films and comedies.

Next summer may find us with fewer sequels and blockbusters, but perhaps a greater number of highergrossing films in the U.S. Such films include Man of Steel, Monsters University and Iron Man 3. Perhaps they will propel the summer of 2013 towards the same levels of success as those of 2011 and 2012.

PAGE 14 • THE RAM • SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

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Fall Culture Preview

CULTURE

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 • THE RAM • PAGE 15

Dining Out: Barbounia

By JOHN BONAZZO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Music Bob Dylan, Tempest (9/11) The 35th album from the legendary rocker will feature an epic 14minute long title track and a tribute to John Lennon called “Roll On John”.

Green Day, Uno! (9/25), Dos! (11/13), Tre! (1/15) Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong promises a power-pop feel for this epic trilogy of albums, written during a prolific writing period and planned for release in quick succession.

Ellie Goulding, Halcyon (10/9) The singer, who had a hit with “Lights” two years ago, returns with her second studio album, said to be filled with many heavily emotional tracks.

Taylor Swift, Red (10/23) The country superstar returns with her fourth album, in which she reportedly experiments with a variety of musical genres.

Aerosmith, Music from Another Dimension (11/6) America’s arguably most-famous rock and roll band returns with its 15th studio album, and first since 2004.

TV “Go On” (Fox, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. starting 9/11) In his first half-hour comedy since the failed “Mr. Sunshine,” former “Friends” star Matthew Perry takes the role of a sportscaster who joins a support group after his wife dies.

“The New Normal” (NBC, Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. starting 9/11) This show has been the subject of a lot of controversy due to its premise of a gay couple having a baby through a surrogate, though early reviews have been positive.

“The Mob Doctor” (Fox, Mondays at 9 p.m. starting 9/25) “The Sopranos” meets “E.R.” in this new drama about a surgeon with ties to Chicago’s organized crime.

“The Mindy Project” (Fox, Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. starting 9/25) “The Office” co-star Mindy Kaling created this show and stars in it as a single doctor looking for love in the big city.

“Elementary” (Fox, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. starting 9/25) Sherlock (Jonny Lee Miller, “Dexter”) may be British in this new take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, but there’s a twist in that Watson is played by Lucy Liu (Lucky Number Slevin).

“Nashville” (ABC, Wednesdays at 10 starting 10/10) Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights”) stars as a fading country star battling a new teen sensation (Hayden Panettiere, “Heroes”) in this new musical drama.

SEE PREVIEW ON PAGE 17

COURTESY OF BARBOUNIA

Barbounia is located at 250 Park Ave. S between 19th Street and 20th Street.

By SCHARON HARDING CULTURE EDITOR

Barbounia is a warm, stylish Mediterranean restaurant located in the Flatiron District near Gramercy Park. The cool, sophisticated atmosphere will assure you that you are making a wise selection amongst the sea of choices in Manhattan dining.

I entered the restaurant on a whim, after being taunted and tortured by the various goat cheeses and locally-raised buffalo meat from the nearby Union Square Farmer’s Market.

With an empty stomach and an almost equally-empty wallet, I

searched the area for an affordable meal that would also satisfy my palate, which was craving something extra tasty after exploring the farmer’s market.

Barbounia’s menu prices were acceptable, especially considering the beautiful interior design of the venue. Warm, yellow lights were strung around the ceilings, illuminating the gorgeous and thick white pillars.

Meanwhile, well-dressed patrons drank merrily and workers bustled around happily. An extremely welcoming hostess allowed me to sit where I wished, since it was during the lunch hours. The waiters continued to serve happily, and I always

COURTESY OF BARBOUNIA

The Mediterranean restaurant is decorated in a fancy and welcoming style.

had enough to drink. pen to be a veal lover. My problems I had never experienced Mediterwith veal went away after I enjoyed ranean food before, and Barbounia the tastiness brought by the smooth made me regret this. paste filling of the Overall Despite an opposition feuille. The tahini Location to veal due to a dissauce was spicy Food Quality turbing (and probably Atmosphere and tart, and a perinaccurate) episode Hospitality fect complement Price $$ of “South Park,” I orto the dish. dered the Morrocan The dinner (Out of 4 ’s) Cigars ($11.95). They menu contains were described as “veal reasonably priced stuffed feuille de brick and tahini items, ranging from $15-$35. Comsauce.” pared to the luxury I received durThe veal within the warm, soft and ing the lunch rush, however, I am flaky crust of the small rolls was virconfident that these pricier meals tually unnoticeable. This was good will come with an excess amount of for me, yet unfortunate if you hapflavor.

Editor’s Pick: “Jay-Z Unplugged” “It’s just that Jigga-man and the Roots band on MTV”

By DEVON SHERIDAN ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR

One could argue that, by the fall of 2001, Jay-Z’s music career had peaked. In no way do I use the word “peaked” in a negative sense, but rather, I use it to describe the fact that the young hustler from Brooklyn was doing things that no other rapper before him had done, both from a music and business angle.

Only a month earlier, The Blueprint, Jay-Z’s sixth studio album, one that many consider to be his masterpiece and even one of the greatest rap albums of all time, had been released by Roc-a-Fella Records (an established record company that Jay himself founded). The album launched not only Jay-Z into superstardom, but also another man, a Chicago-bred rapper by the name of Kanye West, whose soulful, sample-heavy beats ushered in a new era and style of hip-hop music.

For anyone who considers himself a rap fan, much less a Jay-Z fan, Jay’s performance on MTV’s “Unplugged” on Nov. 18, 2001 is a must-watch or must-listen. Personally, I admire Jay-Z both for his succinct and aggressive yet poetic lyrics, as well as his persona and the obvious love he has for all different music, a love that is reflected in his performance.

On the topic of “all-differentkinds-of-music,” one of the real treats of Jay-Z’s performance on MTV’s “Unplugged” is The Roots, who serve as Jay-Z’s backing band for the show. Led by drummer

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

This classic “Unplugged” performance is the perfect way to prepare for Jay-Z’s concerts at Barclays Center Sept. 28-30.

and big afro-extraordinaire ?uestlove (pronounced Questlove), the Roots are an incredibly talented soul/jazz/hip-hop collective from Philadelphia known for its live performances and, more recently, as the house band for “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” They do a swell job translating Jay-Z’s drum machine, sample-heavy music into a full live band experience. Unfortunately, my writing skills cannot convey on paper the incredible talent and sound that The Roots produce, so I’m not even going to try; I’m just going to tell you to watch the “Unplugged” video (found on YouTube) or listen to the CD. The setting, a small stage one would see Jay-Z perform on at an underground venue in his early days, is shared with a dozen musicians crowded around him and vaguely resembles a jazz café packed with a mostly young, black crowd. Throughout the show, the

camera pans to the giddy and excited audience who, as Jay traverses through a set list nicely mixed with both rap-heavy songs and some slower R&B songs (he performs “Can’t Knock the Hustle/Family Affair” with a guest appearance from the always-soulful Mary J. Blige), moves with him, appropriately grooving along to each song.

The show opens with a very cool rendition of “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” which sounds more like a cover than an original, followed by the very loud and aggressive “Takeover.” If you don’t have time to watch or listen to the entire show (which you do), at least watch the first eight minutes of the show; those are the best performances of either of those songs that you will find.

These days, MTV prefers to produce and air episodes of “Teen Mom,” and it can be easy to forget the integral role that the channel

played in the rise of rap’s popularity in the late ’90s. MTV did a great job setting the whole show up.

As far as I can tell from watching the YouTube video, the acoustics were great and the fun, laidback atmosphere of the show translates to the video. For instance, there is an electric change in mood at the end of “Song Cry” (possibly JayZ’s slowest song), when Jay invites Pharrell onstage and the two immediately jump into “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It to Me)” a classic quick-and-fun Jay-Z jam. Within seconds, members in the audience go from looking like they’re holding back a waterfall of tears to bouncing up and down to the beat of the snare drum.

If you’re a fan of music, not just rap but any music genre, then take some time this week, queué up “MTV Unplugged: Jay-Z” on YouTube or stream the MP3 online, sit back and kick it with Hov.

CULTURE

PAGE 16 • THE RAM • SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Make a Good Impression With Mature Style

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

Jason Mraz’s clean look would look great on any fashionable college male.

By DANIELLE GARRAND CONTRIBUTING WRITER

As the academic year begins, it is time to retire those beachworn sandals and breezy sundresses in favor of some campusworthy threads.

The transition from catching some rays to hitting the books is rough, but with the right collegiate look, anyone can get an “A” in style. First, say a tearful goodbye to the beach bum look and say hello to a more put-together academic vibe.

Start with the accessories and strip off the piles of bangles from your wrists. These casual accessories scream poolside party and

will only irritate your neighbor in the library when the din of your bracelets clanging off your keyboard is louder than his or her iPod. Boho earrings and oversized glasses should be traded out for the more practical studs and aviators to keep you looking polished as well.

Men cannot expect their faded leather bracelets and dirty baseball caps to be acceptable for campus life either. Switch out these worn-out and tired accessories for a snazzy new pair of aviators, a sophisticated watch or a trendy beanie if you want the ladies to see you as the collegiate man you are. Another swoon-worthy alternative to the

flat-brimmed disaster some men call a hat is a classic tan fedora.

If you can pull off Jason Mraz’s add-on of choice, you will take the campus by storm.

Although a pair of your exboyfriend’s sweatpants and old high school tee may have been acceptable for lazy summer mornings, they do not have a place in the classroom. In order to keep the effortless look, go for a cute pair of jean shorts with a striped button-up or a simple dress with a statement necklace. By keeping your clothes clean and basic, you will not have to fidget in your seat to make sure your new extra-long hippie skirt is not down around your ankles.

Hair and make-up are also essential parts of any look and must have a makeover as well.

The bedhead look is not so cute after the summer sunset is gone, so try putting your mane into a topknot bun for a lot of ferocity with little effort. Make-up should be clean and simple. If you decide to forgo the makeup one morning, opt for a little tinted moisturizer to give you a back-to-school glow.

Guys do not get a free pass either. Wearing swim trunks is not an acceptable alternative to wearing shorts. Try a pair of dark jeans with a v-neck tee and some Sperry’s to look perfectly preppy. Or, if you are more alternative, rock a vintage blazer with Ray-Bans. As long as the manflops stay in storage, you will be dressed to impress.

The most important thing to remember is that your first impression is largely based on how you dress. These tips can help land you a look worthy of a new internship, job or an “A” in class.

So, be sure your new professor thinks “What a put-together, bright young mind,” rather than, “Shouldn’t this kid be on a surfboard somewhere?”

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Out

Fashion’s Night Out Where: various locations in New York City When: Thursday, Sept. 6 Price: various prices In various cities around the world, fashion designers, musicians, celebrities and other fashionistas will gather together on Thursday in a coordinated celebration and tribute to the wonderful and weird world of fashion. And unless you subscribe independently to The Ram (for which, of course, we thank you), then there’s a pretty good chance that you’re currently reading this in or around the vicinity of New York City, which many experts regard as the fashion capital of the world. “But hey, what if I’m not into leather scarves or velvet socks,” you may ask. “Can I still enjoy the sights and sounds of the vibrant city or buy a nice new pair of slacks without breaking the bank?” The answer is yes! Fashion’s Night Out offers incredible prices on really high-end stuff and is a great way to bolster your wardrobe. Check out www.fashionsnightout.com if you are interested in planning your very own fashion night out.

Hugh Laurie and the Copper Bottom Band Where: The Capitol Theatre When: Saturday, Sept, 8 Price: $40-$75

Fans of Fox’s “House” may be experiencing a bit of visual shock as Hugh Laurie, famous for his portrayal of Dr. Gregory House, has recently decided to trade in his scrubs and cane for a piano and stage.

Laurie, who released the album Let Them Talk in May of this year, has been making his way around the States this summer with his band Hugh Laurie and the Copper Bottom Band, which plays American Blues. The tour has been received positively and is certainly a treat for any fan of blues or of Laurie himself.

- COMPILED BY DEVON SHERIDAN

Ram Reviews TELEVISION

TELEVISION

MOVIE

MUSIC

TELEVISION

“THE MINDY PROJECT”

“LOUIE”

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

“YET AGAIN”

“GIRLS”

By DANIEL MURPHY

By DANIEL FINNEGAN

By MARLESSA STIVALA

By DEVON SHERIDAN

By SCHARON HARDING

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR

CULTURE EDITOR

Most well-known for her hilarious performance as Kelly Kapoor in “The Office,” Mindy Kaling has taken a more prominent role in her latest endeavor, “The Mindy Project.”

“The Mindy Project” focuses around Kaling’s antics as a quirky OB/GYN physician figuring out her life in and out of the office. Aside from being the lovable and relatable lead, Kaling also works behind the scenes by writing and creating the show. The series is set to document her struggle to change the direction of her life — which is sparked by a certain incident, which I won’t reveal, at an ex-boyfriend’s wedding.

As an avid Mindy Kaling fan, I could watch her yell at a young patient while on a first date for hours. An improvement, however, could be to give certain characters more of a main plot line.

The show is currently on Hulu.

If you have never watched the show “Louie,” which airs on FX Thursdays at 10:30 p.m., then you are missing out.

Throughout this entire third season, an array of talented actors have appeared for an episode, or two, at a time, simply as side characters to the show’s protagonist Louie.

Whether it was Parker Posey’s (Superman Returns) successful attempt at convincing Louie her name was “Tape Recorder” or Louie’s rendezvous with Robin Williams’ (Good Will Hunting) character at a funeral and their subsequent stop at a low-end strip club, “Louie” always provides the audience with laughs that come not from cheap jokes, but rather heartbreaking truths, that have kept me mesmerized every episode through these first three seasons.

The show is sure to last for as long as the great comedian sees fit.

For such a long film, The Dark Knight Rises is paced relatively well and succeeds in maintaining the audience’s attention. Batman Trilogy veterans Bale, Michael Caine (Alfred Pennyworth), Gary Oldman (Commissioner James Gordon) and Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox) all give great performances, the first three likely giving their most impressive performances of the trilogy. Newcomers such as Hardy, Anne Hathaway (Selina Kyle) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (John Blake) are welcome additions to an already impressive cast, and each of them steal scenes while complementing the film’s other characters.

Whether someone is a true comic book fan or simply enjoys the Batman of the “Nolanverse,” it is hard to be disappointed with this trilogy’s final installment. The Dark Knight Rises never forgets that it is truly a film about who Batman is.

The second single from Grizzly Bear’s upcoming sixth album Shields, “Yet Again,” is a song that simultaneously introduces new sounds to the band’s ever-extending auditory palette while at the same time hearkening back to the classic dreamscape sound created by Daniel Rossen’s reverberating guitars and Ed Drost’s syrupy voice.

Unlike many other Grizzly Bear songs, “Yet Again” starts fast (as fast as Grizzly Bear can be, at least), with clanging but beachy guitar chords.

The chorus is catchy and filled with signature “oo-ing” harmonies.

For a Grizzly Bear song, “Yet Again” is rather linear and lacks the depth of many of their other songs, but their expansive sound still remains, if not a little sped up.

“I’m sure this isn’t the last play,” Droste croons before the chorus. Certainly, there are many plays to come.

The star of the show, Hannah, makes “Girls” worthwhile. Her quirky, unique, sensitive, awkward and, at times, selfish personality is believable, making the viewer feel as if they know Hannah. Dunham plays the part perfectly, most likely because she is also the creator of “Girls.”

Hannah is unlike any character on television, as her motives seem real, since they are driven by a swirl of conflicting emotions.

The show is worth checking out, as it has received five Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Lead Actress and Writing and Directing, the last three being rewards for Dunham’s extensive creativity.

The increasing popularity of “Girls” can be attributed to the ever-giving gift of On Demand, and the show will most likely continue to flourish. Season One is available on Cablevision’s On Demand and HBO On Demand.

TO READ THESE REVIEWS IN THEIR ENTIRETY, VISIT THERAMONLINE.COM AND CLICK ON “CULTURE” ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HOMEPAGE.

CULTURE

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 • THE RAM • PAGE 17

WHO’S THAT KID? Daniel“Jack”MacGregor A MEMBER OF FCRH ‘16 MAJORING IN COMMUNIATION AND MEDIA STUDIES FROM SCRANTON, PA Describe yourself in a couple of sentences for the readers.

Some people call me the space cowboy, some call me the gangster of love, some people call me Chad, actually. I enjoy kayaking and stargazing, among other things.

So far, what is your favorite aspect of Fordham and why?

I really like FMH. The scenic walk, the way the security guard casually greets me and, also, the “Up” and “Down” stairways.

What is your favorite thing to do in New York City?

I try to be at the window in the crowd for the taping of “The Today Show” at least three times a week, every two weeks. Al Roker is my idol.

What is something about you that not many people know?

I can converse casually in

Spanish.

What is your favorite class at Fordham?

“Call of the Wildman,” “Mad Men” and “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.”

The class of 2015. They’re pretty cool.

What show, food, artist or movie would you consider your “guilty pleasure”?

As a freshman, how goes your adjustment to college life?

Bocaccio [the Italian author and poet]. I love that dude.

Very well. I’ve already had three successful montages about making the adjustment.

What is the biggest misconception people have about you?

If there was one thing about Fordham you could change, what would it be?

They think I’m a Fordham student. It’s called “Who’s that Kid?” so it’s obviously not about someone you know. Can I go now? I have to catch my bus.

The fight song, definitely. I’ve never actually heard it sung, so when I see it on the school tshirts, and I try to put it to a tune it doesn’t work; the wording is awkward.

What TV shows are you following right now?

“Hardcore Pawn.” I definitely watch that show. I also watch

If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring with you?

A speedboat, a good supply of gasoline and wood to build a jump through a hoop. That way, I can always have something to do and not go crazy.

AL SEIB/MCT PHOTO BY MICHAEL REZIN/THE RAM

Daniel, a Ram fan, prefers to be called Jack due to his middle name being John.

Upcoming Fall Blockbusters PREVIEW, FROM PAGE 15

Movies The Master (9/14) Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood) directs this story of an unstable veteran ( Joaquin Phoenix, Gladiator) who falls under the spell of a cult leader (Phillip Seymour Hoffman, The Big Lebowski). The film is loosely based on L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. The religious element has given this movie a lot of buzz and controversy.

Trouble with the Curve (9/28) In what is rumored to be his final acting role, Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby) plays a baseball scout going on one last recruiting trip with his daughter (Amy Adams, Enchanted).

Taken 2 (10/5) Liam Neeson (Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace) and his “very particular set of skills” return, except this time it is he and his wife (Maggie Grace, “Lost”) who are kidnapped.

Flight (11/2) Denzel Washington (American Gangster) stars as an airline pilot who saves a plane from crashing, but who then becomes the subject of an investigation regarding the circumstances, in this drama from Robert Zemeckis, director of Forrest Gump.

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

Les Misérables is based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo about Jean Valjean and the French Revolution.

Wreck-It Ralph (11/2) In Disney’s newest animated film, the villain of an arcade game

tires of his lot in life and causes havoc when he leaves his world to visit other games.

This movie features cameos from classic video game characters.

Lincoln (11/9) Daniel Day-Lewis (Gangs of New York) is getting a lot of Oscar talk for his performance as Abraham Lincoln in this film, directed

by Steven Spielberg (Munich), which will detail the last years of his life.

Les Misérables (12/14) Based on the popular stage musical, this film tells the story of thief Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) set against the backdrop of the French Revolution.

The supporting cast includes Russell Crowe (3:10 to Yuma), Anne Hathaway (Alice in Wonderland), and Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat), while the film is directed

by Oscar-winner Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech), making this a sure fire awards contender.

Django Unchained (12/25) The latest film from Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds) depicts the story of a rebellious escaped slave ( Jamie Foxx, Ray) and bounty hunter (Christoph Waltz, Water for Elephants), who plots to rescue the slave’s wife (Kerry Washington, The Last King of Scotland) from an evil, racist plantation owner (Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar).

PAGE 18 • THE RAM • SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

PAGE 19

Men’s Soccer Struggles Offensively to Open Season Rams Score Just One Goal in Three Games; Pick Up 1-0 Win Over Adelphi

By MATT ROSENFELD ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Fordham’s men’s soccer team has kicked off its season over the last two weeks. After two preseason wins over Bryant University and Marist College, the Rams traveled down to Piscataway, NJ to take on Rutgers University.

In its first game of the year, Fordham had five first-time starters, including freshmen Ryan Cupolo and Kyle Bitterman, as well as sophomores Ollie Kelly, Kalle Sotka and new sophomore goalkeeper Sean Brailey. Rutgers would test the new keeper early with two chances before the fifth minute, but Brailey and his defensive unit were able to deter those attacks.

The Rams were not as lucky in the sixth minute, when Brailey saved a shot from the top of the 18-yard box, only to see the rebound go right to Rutgers freshman Mitchell Taintor, who put the ball through traffic to the back of the net to give Rutgers an early 1-0 lead.

The Rams could not muster much offense in the first half, as the Scarlet Knights carried their one-goal lead into the half.

“In the first half I thought we were a little bit new,” Head Coach Jim McElderry said. “We gave them a little too much respect; they had a great season last year, so we laid off a little bit much and got down a goal.”

The second half would start well for the Rams, who made a push into the box when a pass from Bitterman found the foot of Sotka who was then taken down

PHOTO BY PATRICK DOHERTY/THE RAM

Freshman defender Ryan Cupolo has helped the Fordham backline hold opponents to just two goals in the first two games of the season.

by Rutgers senior goalie Kevin McMullen. The keeper was issued a yellow card, awarding Fordham a penalty kick. McMullen saved the penalty kick, as well as the rebound shot from junior Nathaniel Bekoe to preserve the lead.

Fordham found three scoring chances in the final 10 minutes

of play, but was unable to convert on any of them as McMullen saved two more shots on goal. To make matters worse junior Taylor Gulbins was ruled offsides on another scramble in front of the net.

Rutgers took home the win, 1-0.

“In the second half we reacted very well,” McElderry said. “Al-

though you’re never happy with a loss, I thought the team showed some very good signs as we move on throughout the season.”

The Rams’ second game came against Adelphi University, where they picked up their first win of the season in a 1-0 victory.

In a complete reverse of play from the Rutgers game, the Fordham offense was clicking on all ends early on against Adelphi.

The Rams, who managed only five shots against Rutgers in their first game, put up 16 shots in their second contest.

Neither team was able to put in a goal in the first half, but early in the second half, Fordham’s Bekoe lofted a free kick across the box that connected with freshman Ryan Walsh’s head and into the back of the net for the Rams’ first and only goal.

Brailey recorded the first shutout of his collegiate career, but the defense also played a big role in that feat, allowing only three shots to Adelphi, none of which were on goal.

“The defense has always been solid,” senior midfielder Michael Valencia said. “Especially with Ryan [Curran] back and the new freshman Cupolo back there too.

It was a great effort against Adelphi.”

Fordham’s third game, last Friday night, told a similar story as its first two games in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Hartford Eagles.

Both teams played a very physical first half, with neither side allowing the opponent to get a decent scoring opportunity.

Fordham did get a good look at

the net in the 22nd minute when Bitterman had an open shot, only to see that shot deflected away by Hartford’s freshman goalie Vittsu Tuumi.

Bitterman had another good shot on net in the 27th minute, avoiding a defender and putting a shot up that hit the crossbar and went out of bounds.

Hartford freshman Javoni Simms connected with the only goal in the 44th minute as he received a pass at the top of the box and blasted a shot into the top left corner of the goal, with Brailey barely missing the save.

Fordham was able to pressure Hartford a few times in the second half, with the team’s best chance coming on a 64th minute cross into the box from Bitterman that found the head of Walsh, but the shot was blocked, and Hartford held on for the shutout victory.

“Offense is a question for us, for sure,” McElderry said. “The facts don’t lie, one goal in three games. It’s something that we are obviously going to keep pushing and try to create some things. We scored a bunch of goals in preseason, so I know [the goals] are in the team, and I am confident that we have got guys on the team that can score goals, but we have to keep creating chances for ourselves.”

The Rams now stand at 1-2 early in the 2012 campaign. Their next game is against Siena as part of the Brown Soccer Classic in Providence, RI. The Rams do not return home until Sept. 28 when they play rival Manhattan at Jack Coffey Field.

Women’s Soccer’s Lone Win in Four Matches Comes in Battle of the Bronx

By DOMINIC KEARNS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Fordham women’s soccer team began the 2012 campaign with a disappointing 1-3 record.

The Rams defeated their bitter rival Manhattan, however, with a shutout victory.

The Rams started their season several weeks ago, when they traveled to Michigan to battle the Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans in succession.

In Ann Arbor, Michigan soundly defeated Fordham 5-0 on Aug. 17. The match was scoreless for 25 minutes, but Michigan gained a 2-0 lead by halftime and added three more goals after the break.

Fordham replaced starting sophomore keeper Ally White with senior Rachel Suther at intermission, but neither goalie could slow the Wolverines down. Substitute Shelly Chambers-Garcia netted two goals for the Wolverines, and three other players scored for Michigan. Meanwhile, Fordham could not find a breakthrough, even with 10 shots on goal. Sophomore Kristina Maksuti recorded

five shots for the Rams, but they were clearly not enough on opening day.

The Rams then traveled to East Lansing for a match with the Michigan State Spartans on Aug. 19. Despite an improved effort, Michigan State edged Fordham by a 2-1 tally.

The Spartans were denied twice by Suther, before Annie Steinlage broke the deadlock for the Spartans with a 42nd-minute goal. White replaced Suther for the second half and made four saves to keep Fordham in the game. However, Spartan keeper Courtney Clem would not allow Fordham a tying goal. In the 79th minute, Jordan Mueller doubled the Spartan lead when a shot caromed to her off the post, leading to an easy goal.

The Rams gained a lifeline in the 83rd minute when Maksuti scored off a cross from freshman Victoria Camaj, but Fordham did not have enough time to complete the comeback.

The Rams returned home 0-2, but the Big 10 trip gave players a rare chance to travel without missing classes.

Last Friday, the Rams won their first home game of the season 1-0 over Manhattan College in the 20th annual Battle of the Bronx.

Junior Kaitlyn Carballeira headed in a goal off of sohomore Maria Lorena Canicatti’s third minute corner kick, and a stiff Fordham defense protected the lead. White recorded the season’s first shutout with two saves, and the Manhattan Jaspers only mustered three shots for the match.

Maksuti took 12 shots in her efforts to increase the Fordham advantage, but Jasper keeper Kara Davis kept her team in the game with seven saves.

In the end, a strong team effort gave Fordham a well-deserved victory.

Last Sunday, the Rams’ record dropped to 1-3 after their 1-0 loss to the Marist Red Foxes. On a beautiful afternoon at Jack Coffey Field, the Rams looked to win their second consecutive home game. They started the game nicely, but the Red Foxes started to put pressure on Fordham keeper Ally White in the 15th minute.

Marist forced White to make three saves in five minutes, includ-

ing one on a tricky free kick.

The game’s lone goal came in the 22nd minute, when Marist used a quick counter attack and an excellent assist from Jessica Arabia to score on Marjana Maksuti’s header. Fordham responded with several chances at the end of the half. Maksuti, Canicatti and sophomore Kate McDonnell all tried to equalize, but Marist clung to its advantage. McDonnell came closest to scoring for the Rams with a shot from distance that clanged off the crossbar.

Fordham continued to probe for an equalizer as the second half began, and it narrowly missed on two occasions. In the 48th minute, Maksuti was pulled down in the box, and the crowd clamored for a penalty, but the referee allowed play to continue. Senior Annie Worden had the keeper beat, but overshot from 10 yards.

The action slowed considerably for the next 20 minutes after that flurry of offense.

The game sprung to life in the 70th minute, however, as Marist goalie Caitlin Landsman was forced to make several saves in the final minutes. First, Mary Solim-

ine delivered a quality 45-yard free kick that was goal-bound before Landsman grabbed it. Then, Ivana Lahcanski nearly scored in the 74th minute, but Landsman made an excellent diving save before Canicatti shot over the bar.

One minute later, Marist wasted a glorious chance to double their lead, when an unmarked Jaclynn Sabia booted her 10-yard shot through the football uprights.

The Rams had a few chances after that, but Marist controlled the final 15 minutes with the victory.

“We played well, we outshot them and had a lot of chances,” White said. “We just have to take it as a lesson and play better next week.”

The match carried special significance for Maksuti, who faced off against her sister Marjana Maksuti.

“It was fun that I played my sister,” Maksuti said. “We didn’t finish our opportunities, so they deserved the win.”

The Rams have two key contests next week, a 7 p.m. Friday night home game with rival St. John’s and a 1 p.m. Sunday kickoff at Maryland.

PAGE 20 • THE RAM • SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Two-Minute Drill DAN GARTLAND

One of the best sports weekends this summer was the second weekend in August, when the London Olympics coincided with the PGA Championship. In another four years, golf will join the Olympic program, but it might be far less exciting than a major on the PGA Tour.

When golf comes to the Olympics four years from now in Rio de Janeiro, the gold medal will be decided in the most boring way possible.

As it stands now, the plan is to play a 72-hole stroke play tournament. Yawn. That’s what we already have for more than 40 weeks of the year on the PGA Tour. The first Olympic golf tournament in more than 100 years should have something to make it truly special. It won’t be money; the U.S. gives gold medalists a $25,000 prize, while the winner of most PGA Tour events gets around $1,000,000. In order to convince big-name players to compete — rather than enjoy a week off between the British Open and PGA Championship — the Olympic format will need to be something that gets the players excited, something that features more head-to-head competition than a mundane stroke play event. After all, head-to-head competition is what makes the Olympics exciting.

Perhaps the best course of action would be to do something similar to the WGC Match Play Championship, which uses a 64-man bracket.

In match play, two players compete one-on-one, and the player who wins the most holes is declared the winner, as opposed to stroke play where the player with the lowest total score wins.

Another problem with Rio’s plan for Olympic golf is the way the field will be filled out: players will be chosen based on their position in the World Golf Rankings. There will be 60 men and 60 women competing, but each country is limited to a maximum of four men and four women. Alan Shipnuck of Sports Illustrated speculates that this would mean going past No. 300 in the World Rankings to round out the field. In a stroke play event, the last player into the field likely shoots four rounds over par and finishes near the bottom; hardly anyone will even know they competed.

In a match play event, the same player faces the top-ranked player in the first round and gets to test his skills against the best in the world in a match he will remember for the rest of his life. Which scenario is more consistent with the unofficial Olympic motto:“The most important thing is not to win but to take part”?

There are 11 countries represented in the top 50 of this week’s World Golf Rankings, but with the stroke play format and the lack of direct competition, will nationalism really be a bigger part of Olympic golf than your typical PGA Tour event?

After all, the Olympics aren’t really the same without outsized national pride.

SPORTS

theramonline.com

Senior Profile: Midfielder Michael Valencia

By MATT ROSENFELD ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Michael Valencia is a senior midfielder for the men’s soccer team. He came to Fordham from Huntington Station, NY, where he attended St. Anthony’s High School. Michael accrued numerous honors and awards while in high school. He has been a contributing player for the Rams all four years.

The Ram: What made you choose Fordham?

Michael Valencia: It was a tossup between Adelphi and Fordham. Both coaches were giving me good offers; it was a tough choice.

I didn’t want to go too far from home, and I ended up choosing Fordham. Coach McElderry sold me. He’s a good scout and great coach. That’s basically why I came here, because of him.

TR: You were part of a very successful high school team. When you got here the team struggled a little bit. How was that adjustment?

MV: It wasn’t too bad. It was a

new team; I didn’t know anybody, whereas on my high school team we all grew up playing together, going to school together. It was unique getting to build chemistry with the older guys being a freshman, and the adjustment to college-level soccer was a bit eye-opening to me: the pace, the strength of the game, but I made the adjustment over the course of my freshman year.

TR: You’ve been playing a better part of all four of your years here at Fordham. How does it feel playing your last year with the Rams?

MV: It’s tough, actually. It’s very tough to swallow. I feel like I have one more year left. I keep looking back at how when I was a freshman, I always thought “Oh, well there’s sophomore year” and then as a sophomore, “Oh, junior year.”

But now it’s the last one, so now I’m really hoping we have a nice long season to enjoy as much of it as I can.

TR: What are the team’s goals this year?

MV: Hopefully we can win our conference, win some games in

PHOTO BY PATRICK DOHERTY/THE RAM

Valencia has made his mark in four years of Fordham soccer.

the playoffs and see how far we can make it this year.

TR: What has been your favorite moment in your Fordham career?

MV: There are two that come to mind. When I scored the gamewinning goal at Dayton my sophomore year; that was a wonderful game for me. It was a whole new high. We played well and then winning the game because of me, it

was definitely one of my favorite moments. That and also winning the league title was just a surreal moment.

TR: What are your plans after graduation?

MV: I honestly don’t know. I don’t know if I could see myself sitting in an office and working for a company, but if I have to, I have to.

Fordham Football Enters New Era Under Joe Moorhead

By CHESTER BAKER SPORTS EDITOR

Following the season opening shutout victory for the Rams last Thursday night over Lock Haven, Fordham has entered into a new brand of football. (See page 24 for a full recap of the win.) With the hiring of Fordham alum Joe Moorhead as the new head coach following last season’s dismal 1-10 record, the Rams are looking to restore pride to one of the most successful programs in the history of collegiate sports. The former quarterback, who graduated in 1996, is hoping to bring the Rams back into the spotlight.

“I want to give this University, the Bronx and New York City a football team that is representative of this university,” Moorhead said following the team’s 55-0 victory.

“You’ve got one of the top academic institutions in the world; we’re striving to be number one as a school in all the different areas, and I think our football team should be representative of what this school is trying to accomplish off the field.”

The final season under Tom Masella, in which Fordham’s only win came against Columbia, may have put a damper on some expectations for this season. Still, Moorhead remains committed to putting a winning product on the field.

“We talk openly about what our program’s goals are: Number one to win a national championship.

And then the sub-goals build off of that: Beat Columbia because that’s our rival, have a winning nonconference record, have the best record in the Patriot League and if you do those things you get an opportunity to go to the playoffs.”

Perhaps part of the motivation behind Moorhead’s lofty goals comes from his love of the school.

The head coach holds fond memories of his playing time at Rose Hill, in which he set a number of records at quarterback.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling, being able to come back here to the place where you played ball and got your education and to now have the opportunity to be head coach of the football team,” Moorhead said. “This is my school, this is where I went. Now to come back and be able to lead as a coach as I led as a player-captain, it’s a unique opportunity and one that [I am] humbled [by] and thankful for.”

While Moorhead’s quarterback career is in the history books, the offensive system he brings to Fordham is certainly new. Moorhead has implemented a new no-huddle shotgun offense, in which players from the sidelines assist the coaching staff in relaying the call to the players on the field. While the Rams have only had the offseason to learn the new system, they looked as though they had been using it forever. Despite the lack of familiarity with the offense, Moorhead expected the results seen in the opening game.

“We’ve been working this system since the first day of spring ball: The biggest thing that we stress is tempo,” Moorhead said. “We want to play as fast as we can offensively.

When the ball is spotted we want it snapped and the kids believe, hopefully they believe, playing with the quick tempo gives us an advantage.”

If it’s belief that the new head coach is looking for, he seems to have found it in bunches.

The vision of Moorhead is starting to rub off on his players, as the team looked rejuvenated on the sideline throughout the game.

Perhaps setting up a cupcake game against a team that has not won in over four years is just what Ford-

ham needed. After being beaten up on all last season, the Rams have now seen how potent their offense can be, lighting up the new scoreboard at Jack Coffey Field for seven touchdowns. The idea of bringing pride back to Fordham was also evident in the pre-game warmups, as images of Vince Lombardi flashed across the screen.

Senior quarterback Ryan Higgins has also noticed the Moorhead effect and what the coach has brought to Rose Hill.

“I think the attitude of the team has completely changed,” Higgins said. “He came in the first day and I think everyone’s attitude after that first meeting was ‘Let’s get this started, let’s go, let’s ramp it up for the offseason,’” Higgins said. “I think everyone’s excited to get this season underway.”

The passion Moorhead brings to the table has been noticed by multiple players, including senior running back Carlton Koonce.

“He’s really excited to get out there, he’s not just blowing smoke on guys saying this and that this and that. He really truly loves the game,” Konce said. “From a schematics standpoint, coach Moorhead is one of the best, I feel like.

He really knows his stuff. We all bought into it and he gets everybody to play 100 percent. His enthusiasm and what he brings, it means a lot.”

For sophomore quarterback Michael Nebrich, who played under Moorhead at UConn before transferring to Fordham, the coach has been even more influential.

“I love being here,” Nebrich said.

“It’s probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

If Moorhead can lead the Rams to a 55-point win, implement an entirely new offense and influence a player to make a major decision after only a few months on campus, it should be exciting to see what he can do throughout the season.

PHOTO BY MARK BECKER/THE RAM

PHOTO BY KATE DOHENY/THE RAM

The Fordham football team has a new coach and a new outlook.

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SPORTS

PAGE 22 • THE RAM • SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Wild Wild Cards

By TARA SLEDJESKI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig implemented a new playoff system this past winter. The new system created a second wild card in both leagues.

The wild card is the playoff spot reserved for the team with the best record that did not win a division title. With the new system, each league now has a one-game playoff between the two wild card winners to decide who advances to the divisional series round. When I first heard that the MLB would have this system for the 2012 season, I was not eager to embrace it.

I did not like that more teams that finished second in their divisions would be included in an event for first place teams. I also did not like the idea of a one-game playoff. In such a game, the competing teams would theoretically use their best pitcher right away, making him unavailable for the first few games of the next round. This would put the team that advances at a disadvantage in the next round.

At this point in the season, however, I am starting to become a fan of the two-wild card system. Both the American League and the National League are showing exciting races for the wild card spots going into September, and more teams are in the hunt than ever before.

This time last year, when the old wild card system was in place, the New York Yankees were seven and a half games ahead of the second place team in the AL, and the Atlanta Braves were eight and a half games ahead of the second place NL team. These leads pretty much ensured that the two teams would make the playoffs, and that there would be no exciting races down the stretch in September. (Both the Braves and the Red Sox eventually blew their leads, but that is a rarity when teams take large leads late into the season.)

This season, at the end of August, five teams are within four games of achieving the American League wild card spots and four teams are within two games of the National League spots. This means

that, as the season heads into September, nine teams are competing for four spots. If you took the current wild card system and put it in place last season, more exciting races would have ensued. In the American League, three teams would have been within five games of each other under the new system last year and in the National League, four teams would have been within six games of each other.

The two wild card system looks like it is going to create more exciting baseball in September. Instead of only the division leaders and one or two other teams in each league playing meaningful games in September, now as many as five teams along with the division leaders will be playing in games with playoff implications. This will create more exciting games than usual, because teams competing for playoff spots produce more competitive, exciting games when playing against each other.

With more spots up for grabs and more teams only separated by a few games, there is also the possibility of seeing more regular season games with major implications. These games are thrilling to watch, because they feature teams that are equally motivated to make it into the playoffs. This was demonstrated during the 2009 season, when the American League Central division was decided by a 12inning regular season one-game playoff between the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins. This game has been viewed by many as one of the greatest games the sport has ever seen.

After the MLB has been marred by years of performance-enhancing drugs, the two wild card system could potentially bring fans back if it creates exciting September baseball. Even though I doubted the two wild card system at first, I am now excited for the September that could potentially result from this rule change. September looks like it could be one of the best months of baseball in recent memory right now, and it could all be thanks to the insertion of the new two wild card system.

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Varsity Scores & Stats Volleyball Fordham 25 13 25 17 14 2 Rutgers 23 25 22 25 16 3 Hipp (FOR)- 15 kills, 8 digs Schmidd (RUT)- 18 kills, 4 digs

Men’s Soccer Fordham 0 Hartford 1 Goals: Simms (HART), 44’

Water Polo Fordham 20 25 15 25 15 2 Fordham 5 NJIT 25 20 25 23 10 3 Brown 13 Hipp (FOR)- 26 kills (career high) Edmondson (NJIT)- 14 kills Fordham 7 Diablo Valley College 16 Fordham 25 20 26 25 8 2 Hartford 15 25 28 22 15 3 Fordham 5 O’Neil (FOR)- 20 kills St. Francis 9 Nethersole (HART)- 21 kills, 20 digs

Football Fordham 21 7 13 14 55 Lock Haven 0 0 0 0 0 Nebrich (FOR)- 4 total TDs Kratzer (LH)- 9-20, 71 yds, 1 INT Women’s soccer Fordham 0 Marist 1 Goals: Maksuti (MAR), 22’ Volleyball Fordham 26 25 25 24 15 3 FDU 24 19 27 26 9 2

Athletes of the Week Michael Nebrich

Lisa Hipp

Sophomore

Junior

Football, quarterback

Volleyball, outside hitter

Nebrich, a transfer from UConn where he played for Fordham Head Coach Joe Moorhead, scored four total touchdowns in the Rams’ season opener against Lock Haven.

Hipp stuffed the stat sheet this weekend with a career-high 26 kills against NJIT and 22 against Hartford in a doubleheader on Saturday.

News & Notes •

• • •

Fordham is searching for a new athletic director after promoting former AD Frank McLaughlin to a new front office position. The NY Post is reporting that the school has narrowed its list down to eight candidates and is conducting interviews. The Post also says that Jeff Gray’s role as an intermediary between the athletic department and the Office of the President has been a point of contention.

Senior kicker Patrick Murray was named National Placekicker of the Week after nailing a school-record 52-yard field goal in the team’s 55-0 victory over Lock Haven.

With season-opening win over Lock Haven, Fordham became the 15th school in NCAA history to win 750 football games.

Fordham’s football uniforms look a bit different this season. The Rams’ helmets now sport uniform numbers on one side, with a block “F” on the other.

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The Orioles are one team that might benefit from the extra wild card spot.

Women’s Volleyball Falls to Rutgers in Home Opener; Starts off Season 2-7

By KENNY DEJOHN STAFF WRITER

After opening the season with four matches on the road, the Fordham women’s volleyball team played Rutgers for its home opener on Aug. 29.

The Rams were strong in the first set, taking a 10-5 lead before the Scarlet Knights came back and held off four set points. A kill by freshman Brennan Delsing gave the Rams the 25-23 set win.

The second set was one to forget for the Rams, as 12 attack errors led to a commanding 25-13 set win for Rutgers.

In the third set, junior Carina Thompson, who recorded six kills, fueled the Rams. Momentum shifted after this set — albeit briefly — as the Rams won by a count of 25-22.

Unfortunately for the Rams, the third set would be their final win of the match. After tying the fourth set at 12, the Rams were unable to pull away. Rutgers scored seven of the following nine points to take the lead and, eventually, the set by eight points (25-17).

The fifth set was closely contested throughout. The five occasions when the score was tied were the highlights, with the final one at 1414. Back-to-back kills by Rutgers ended the set, as the Rams ended up losing by a score of 16-14.

Despite the loss, several players recorded strong performances. Junior Lisa Hipp tallied a team-leading 15 kills to go along with eight digs. Delsing recorded a personal season-high of 13 kills with seven digs and three blocks. Thompson contributed 10 kills and four blocks. Freshman Abigail Konovodoff had 45 assists, nine digs and three kills of her own. Junior Maria Rodenberg was the best defensive contributor, tallying a team-high of 15 digs.

With the loss, the Rams dropped to a disappointing 0-5.

The Rams were back in action on Sept. 1 in the Volley in the Valley Tournament. The team dropped its first match of the day to Hartford in the full five sets, despite strong performances from Hipp (career-high 22 kills) and freshman Brianna O’Neil (season-high 20 kills).

Hipp continued her strong performance that day with the team’s second match of the day against the NJIT Highlanders. She recorded 26 kills in the match, giving her a

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012• THE RAM • PAGE 23

SPORTS

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total of 48 that day.

After seeing the match tied at 1-1, the Highlanders took a 2-1 match lead after hitting an impressive .355 in the 25-15 set win.

With a 23-20 set lead in the fourth, the Highlanders appeared well on their way to victory. Fordham took its final timeout and hoped to be given a break it desperately needed. It got just that on a service error committed by NJIT. This gave Hipp and senior Randi Ewing two tally consecutive kills to tie the score at 23. Then, two attack errors by NJIT gave Fordham the fourth set win.

The final set was close, but the Highlanders were never able to pull closer than 12-10. Two NJIT errors and a kill by Delsing gave Fordham its first win of the new season.

Hipp was spectacular during the final set, recording five digs and four blocks to go along with her 26 kills.

O’Neil added in 10 kills of her own, while Thompson contributed nine.

Ewing played very well, recording eight kills and seven blocks. Konovodoff finished with 29 assists and five digs, while junior Sara Konkel finished with a double-double of 25 assists and 10 digs. Rodenberg and senior Michele Keathley each recorded 14 digs.

Fordham looked to continue its winning ways in the second day of the tournament, but the Marist Red Foxes — the hosts of the tournament — were able to defeat the team 3-1.

Marist dominated the first set, winning by six and hitting .324 with four errors. The second set was tied at 21 before the Red Foxes scored four of the next five points.

The Marist attack was strong; the team recorded a .391 attack percentage.

Seven kills from O’Neil powered the Rams to a third set victory, as the team was able to hit over .300 in the set.

Unfortunately, the success would not carry over into the fourth set.

With the score tied at 18, Marist went on a four-point run. That gave Marist the space needed to eventually take the set by a score of 2520.

Despite the disappointing performance as a team, Hipp and O’Neil were both selected to the All-Tournament team.

The Rams defeated Fairleigh Dickinson in five sets on Tuesday night to improve their record to 2-7.

By ANTHONY PUCIK CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Los Angeles Kings shocked the hockey world this season when they became the first-ever eighth seed to win the Stanley Cup. As of right now, it appears that the Kings will be the reigning champions until 2014, because the National Hockey League could be looking at a lockout for the upcoming season.

The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association have been trying to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement since the season’s end and have yet to do so.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has said that if the NHL and the NHLPA do not reach a mutual understanding by Sept. 15, they will lock out for the 2012-13 season.

This is not groundbreaking news for the NHL, as it had a lockout fewer than ten years ago. The 200405 NHL lockout was based on a dispute over each team’s respective salary cap space, as the NHL wanted to limit a team’s ability to spend as much money as it wanted on players. That way, the teams with the most money would not

be able to obtain all the best players on the market and leave the teams with much less money to have no chance of competing. The NHL felt that by doing this, it was ensuring that each team remained competitive.

The NHLPA, however, felt much differently about the situation. The players felt that the NHL’s proposal was taking potentially lucrative contracts away from them.

Players felt that they had the right to accept any contract that a team was willing to offer them and that the NHL should not have a say in how much a team could spend on a player. The NHL, who would not budge, and the NHLPA, who could not come up with intelligent and realistic counter offers, were unable to settle their issues. As a result, there was no hockey season in 2004-05.

The problem this year is not the salary cap, but the amount of league revenue the players receive.

The players receive over 50 percent of the total revenue of the NHL, with most of the larger-market teams taking in greater amounts than the smaller-market teams. The higher-ups of the NHL believe that

WALLY SKALIJ/MCT CAMPUS

This could be the last time a team hoists the Stanley Cup for a while.

Upcoming Varsity Schedule CAPS=HOME lowercase=away

Thursday Sept. 6

Friday Sept. 7

Sunday Sept. 9

Men’s Soccer

at Siena 5 p.m.

at Brown 2:30 p.m.

Women’s Soccer

ST. JOHN’S 7 p.m.

at Maryland 1 p.m.

ROSE HILL CLASSIC 11:30 a.m & 7 p.m.

Princeton Invitational Princeton, N.J.

Water Polo

Cross Country

Golf Junior Lisa Hipp (spiking ball) enjoyed a brilliant beginning to the season.

Saturday Sept. 8

Monday Sept. 10

Tuesday Sept. 11

at Villanova 6 p.m.

Football

Volleyball

PHOTO BY MICHAEL REZIN/THE RAM

this is unfair and detrimental to the growth of the sport.

The NHL wants to decrease the amount of revenue the players receive to less than 50 percent of the total, in order to keep the game competitive and fair for the smaller-market teams.

The NHLPA, however, believes that the players are being cheated out of money that they deserve. It believes that, with NHL revenue increasing by the year, it should not have to take a cut in its profits if the league is prospering.

Does anyone else sense a bit of déjà vu? The NHL wants to limit the amount of money the players make, but the players feel they are getting cheated out of money from the greedy higherups. Sounds like 2004-05 all over again, and even though the argument is over revenue rather than salary cap, they are still arguing over basically the same thing.

This shows that the new CBA that was passed in 2005-06 did nothing but put off another inevitable dispute.

Now that the time has come to resolve it, there are a multitude of issues that need to be taken care of. The NHL’s first proposal was immediately vetoed by the NHLPA and the NHLPA’s counter offer was in turn shot down by the NHL. The sides decided to come up with other offers, to no avail. As of Friday, the NHL and NHLPA said that they will not resume talks for another two weeks. This places the next talks only a day or two before the Sept. 15 deadline set by Commissioner Bettman.

The NHL may be locked out for the second time in a decade, and it will be for the exact same reason. The NHL and the NHLPA are sticking to proposals which only benefit themselves and do not consider the opposing side’s views at all.

For the sake of the fans, both sides hope that they can settle their differences and salvage part of the season.

The way things stand now however, it is doubtful the NHL will play at all this season.

FORDHAM FIASCO 10:30 a.m.

Colgate Invitational 36 Holes Hamilton, N.Y. All Day

LAFAYETTE 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday Sept. 12

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

PAGE 24

Football Opens Season With 55-0 Win Over Lock Haven Joe Moorhead and Quarterback Tandem of Higgins and Nebrich Shine in Debuts

By CHESTER BAKER SPORTS EDITOR

The Fordham Rams opened their season with a 55-0 drubbing of the Lock Haven Bald Eagles, giving new Head Coach Joe Moorhead a win in his first game. (See page 20 for a more in-depth look at the beginning of the Moorhead era.) With the win, Fordham not only matched its win total from last year, but also became just the 15th school in Division I football to amass 750 wins. The score, which gave Lock Haven its 43rd consecutive loss, mirrored the 55-0 defeat suffered by the Rams last season at Army.

Senior quarterback Ryan Higgins enjoyed giving the beating rather than receiving it.

“Being on the other side of something like that is definitely a great feeling,” Higgins said. “Going back to last year, I think the upperclassmen learning and taking some of the things we went through last year, turning it around, making a positive and just spreading to the younger guys on the team obviously pays dividends. Look at the scoreboard.”

The offense was led by the quarterback duo of Higgins and sophomore Michael Nebrich, as the tandem combined for six touchdowns.

Higgins finished with better passing numbers, completing 16 of his 23 passes for 229 yards, while Nebrich scored three rushing touchdowns.

The two switched in and out between drives, while also swapping mid-drive as well. Fordham has implemented a new no-huddle shotgun offense, making for a sped-up offense.

The 55 points surpassed Fordham’s biggest offensive output of 2011, easily going beyond the 24 points the team put up in a loss against Lafayette.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL REZIN/THE RAM

The Fordham offense was clicking on all cylinders in the 50-point display seen in the Ram home opener. It will face a bigger challenge this weekend when it goes up against a Division I team for the first time this season.

While the quarterbacks were responsible for all the touchdowns, they were also bolstered by the 149 rushing yard display put on by senior running back Carlton Koonce.

While Lock Haven may not have been the stiffest competition, Koonce remembered losing to Assumption, a Division II school, two years ago. The running back made sure his opponents didn’t suffer the same fate.

“I didn’t want anybody, myself included, to underestimate an opponent by any means,” Koonce said.

“D-II or whatever, they still have to go out there and put their shoes on the same, put their pads on the same way. So I just wanted us to go out there and compete and not take a play off.”

While the Fordham offense lit up the scoreboard, the Rams defense kept Lock Haven in the dark, shutting out the Bald Eagles in the win.

The Fordham defense was led by senior linebacker Mike Martin who

had nine tackles and a sack, as the Rams held their opponents to just 127 yards. Junior cornerback Ian Williams generated the only turnover of the night for the Bald Eagles, intercepting Lock Haven senior quarterback Jarret Kratzer in the fourth quarter.

“The defense did a great job stopping the run,” Moorhead said. “That’s going to be our identity. We’re going to be physically tougher and mentally stronger than our opponent up front, and hopefully that leads us to a lot of wins.”

The victory was also highlighted by a school record, as senior kicker Patrick Murray made the longest field goal in the 114-year history of the program by booting a 52-yard attempt through the uprights. Murray, who was named a preseason All-American by multiple outlets this offseason, made all nine kicks he attempted.

The Moorhead era of Fordham football started off with a bang, as

the Rams used their new offensive strategy on their way to a touchdown on the opening drive of the game.

Higgins, who won a competitive quarterback battle this offseason, capped off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run to put the Rams on the board. The senior completed two third and long passes, while completing four-of-six for 47 yards on the drive.

The second drive of the game produced a similar result, as Fordham once again marched down the field.

Higgins continued to be on point, as he converted a third-and-14 with a 24-yard pass to senior wide receiver Nick Talbert. The drive was capped off by another touchdown run by a quarterback, as Nebrich took the snap and busted his way into the end zone from a few yards out. Nebrich, who transferred from UConn this offseason, scored on his first play as a Ram. “It was a little weird for me because I didn’t really feel like I did anything

in the drive,” Nebrich said in the post game conference. “Punching it in, I feel like I stole something from C.J. [Koonce]. It was a cool feeling getting that first touchdown in.”

Fordham showed its first sign of weakness in the young season in the second quarter, as Higgins fumbled to give away possession to Lock Haven.

Higgins rebounded following his turnover, hitting senior wide receiver Greg Wilson in the end zone for the first passing touchdown of the season. After taking the 28-0 lead, Fordham’s defense stood tall in its first fourth down situation of the game, stuffing Lock Haven on fourth-andshort to give the ball back to the hot offense. Nebrich fumbled the ball away on the ensuing drive, however, committing the second Fordham turnover of the game.

The Bald Eagles showed some signs of life late in the first quarter, advancing as far as the Fordham three yard line. The drive sputtered out though, when sophomore tackle DeAndre Slate tackled Lock Haven junior running back Brandon Bader on fourth down, protecting the Rams’ 28-0 lead heading into the half. The defense held Kratzer to just 37 yards in the half.

Murray made his history in the third quarter when he drilled the 52-yard field goal to give the Rams a 31-0 lead. Fordham would increase its lead once again when Nebrich notched his first passing touchdown with the Rams when he connected with Wilson for his second scoring catch of the evening.

Freshman running back Jared Clayton and Nebrich would add the final touchdowns of the game.

Fordham travels to Villanova this weekend to square off against the Wildcats, who have won two of the last three championships in FBS.

Fordham Football Raises Money for Pediatric Brain Cancer

By DAN GARTLAND SPORTS EDITOR

The Fordham football team is proving that student-athletes also believe in the Jesuit principle of “men and women for others.”

Last fall, the team “adopted” Ty Campbell, who is now four-and-ahalf years old. Ty has an extra renal rhabdoid tumor, a rare form of brain cancer. Later that year, three Rams decided to take things a step further. James Avedesian, Daniel Avedesian and Andrew Milmore, all seniors, established a Fordham chapter of Uplifting Athletes, a charity based in collegiate football which raises money for rare diseases like Ty’s.

Uplifting Athletes focuses on rare diseases that do not receive large amounts of research funds due to the small number of people they affect. It began at Penn State, where students raised money to fund research on kidney cancer and has now expanded to include 16 schools, each dedicated to a differ-

ent disease. Fordham’s chapter raises money for pediatric brain cancer, in honor of Ty Campbell.

According to Milmore, charity work has been a great rally point for the team.

“It’s a great cause,” he said. “Rare disease research is awesome. It’s just good for our team to have something to rally around, other than just football.”

“It puts things in perspective,” Daniel said. “Workouts might be hard, but then you think that there’s a little kid somewhere who has cancer.”

This summer, the team used its offseason training regimen as a fundraising tool. The program was called Lift For Life, and Fordham was one of nine schools to hold a Lift For Life event this summer.

The event raised $3,000, a significant amount.

“That’s the cool thing,” James said. “You know every cent of what we raise is going to help. That money is going to help fund research, and even save lives.”

Since Penn State began raising money to fund kidney cancer research 10 years ago, six new treatments have been developed.

“Penn State made a huge difference for a lot of Americans who have kidney cancer,” Milmore said.

“We’re not Penn State, but we think

we can make a big difference for Ty and his family and other kids like him.”

Milmore and the Avedesian brothers will all graduate this spring, but hope to have underclassmen step in to replace them.

“There are a lot of underclassmen

COURTESY OF ANDREW MILMORE

The Fordham football team made the school proud by raising thousands of dollars for Uplifting Athletes through offseason workouts this summer.

who are excited about it, because it’s a good cause,” Milmore said. “You meet Ty and you meet his family, and you [complain] about going to two-a-days, but then you see a kid with pediatric brain cancer who’s fighting to survive.”

“We attended a leadership conference with the organization this summer, and maybe some underclassmen could do that next year,” James said. “[The conference] was great, because there were kids from other schools, and we were trading ideas,” Milmore said. “There were kids from Colgate in a similar situation to us, and understand our fundraising needs and our ceiling.”

“We want it to be not just a one year thing,” Daniel said. “We want it to be a tradition here. Hopefully it will last a while here and younger guys will latch on to it.”

“It’s a good thing we’ve done here,” Milmore said. “I think we can leave a legacy of Fordham football players doing something for others, not just playing games.”