The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 Volume 95, Issue 1
FordhamRam.com
January 23, 2013
From Rose Hill Classroom to White House Briefing Room John Brennan, FCRH ’77 and President Obama’s Choice to Head the CIA, Remembered as Quiet Student By CONNOR RYAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK FIRE DEPARTMENT
Residents of Mamaroneck, N.Y. assess the damage left behind by Superstorm Sandy after it made landfall in October.
Students Hope to Rebuild During ‘Sandy Saturdays’ By KATIE MEYER ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
When Superstorm Sandy hit the east coast in late October, there was an almost immediate response from the Fordham University community. One of the most active groups from the start was Campus Ministry, whose “Sandy Saturdays” program is currently making a huge impact on communities that were devastated by the storm. “Sandy Saturdays” are a part of a larger campaign called “Sandy Solidarity,” which is geared toward using Fordham’s collective talents to help people in need. The different phases of the program began during and immediately after the storm. These phases involved checking in with people in the hard-hit areas, gather-
ing for prayer and collecting supplies to donate to those in need. “Sandy Saturdays” are the third and most labor-intensive stage. For the past eight weeks, in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity and Operation Blessing, students have been spending time in Breezy Point and Far Rockaway (both in Queens, N.Y.) from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Volunteers work on clearing built-up debris and gutting ruined homes. To date, over 100 students have participated in Sandy Saturdays and many others have been involved in other parts of the relief effort organized by Fordham. The situation at Breezy Point and Far Rockaway is one that is diffucult to prepare for, according to Conor O’Kane, associate director of Campus Ministry and Director of Inter-
faith Ministries. “You don’t really have a sense of the destruction until you see it firsthand,” O’Kane, who has been very involved in the relief effort, said in an interview. The volunteers may have also been ill-prepared for the emotional aspect of the project. They work sideby-side with storm victims, some of whom have literally lost everything. Giving them shelter, O’Kane explains, is actually only part of the job. Equally important is providing them with support in an incredibly difficult time. “It’s an emotional space, and also a very privileged space,” O’Kane said. “A natural disaster can strip people of their dignity, and an important part of what we’re doing is affirming it.” SEE SANDY, PAGE 2
John Brennan, FCRH ’77 and President Obama’s choice as the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency, rode a bus and two trains each morning from his family’s home in North Bergen, N.J. to Rose Hill’s campus for class. The trip clocked in at just shy of two hours. Despite the long commute, Brennan’s Fordham experience unexpectedly put him on the road toward the CIA and, ultimately, the White House. “In John Brennan, the men and women of the CIA will have the leadership of one of our nation’s most skilled and respected intelligence professionals — not to mention that unique combination of smarts and strength he claims comes from growing up in New Jersey,” President Obama said in his nomination announcement on Jan. 7. While serving as President Obama’s first-term top counterterrorism adviser, Brennan picked up public notoriety for his involvement in high-profile assignments, including briefing the press on the Christmas Underwear Bomber in 2009 and the mission that killed Osama Bin Laden in 2010. National attention aside, Brennan boosted his profile locally when he came to Rose Hill last May to deliver the 167th annual commencement address. During his 18-minute speech,
Brennan dedicated time to explain how Fordham put him on his life’s path, specifically praising John Entelis, a professor of political science and director of the Middle East Studies program, for “sparking an interest and a passion that would serve as a driving force throughout the course of my professional life, and which remains with me to this day.” “A Middle-Eastern specialist, it was Professor Entelis who told my sophomore class one day about an opportunity to study abroad at the American University of Cairo,” Brennan said in his address. “He made me want to experience [the Middle East] for myself — to meet the people, understand their politics and study their culture, their language and their history.” Entelis remembers Brennan as being a quiet but ambitious student in class — a political science major without a clear plan for the future. “He wasn’t a particularly active student in class, but he was serious in the work that he undertook and that, I thought, was to his credit,” Entelis said in an interview. He taught Brennan in two classes. Brennan studied in Egypt during his junior year and then graduated from Fordham in 1977. He went on to get his master’s degree in government from the University of Texas and learned how to speak Arabic fluently. Entelis said that he did not expect Brennan would be interested in the SEE BRENNAN, PAGE 5
McShane Joins Other College Presidents in Signing Gun Safety Letter University, By ELENA MEUSE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
As people everywhere continue to mourn the victims of the Dec. 14 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., the issue of gun violence has come to the forefront of American politics. The issue surrounding current gun safety laws has left the nation poin this issue
Opinion Page 7 More Guns On Campus Creates Danger
Arts
Page 11
Year in Reviews (Part 1): Best Books & Albums
Sports
Page 20 Women’s Basketball Now 3-0 To Start Conference Play
larized with people on both sides of the debate speaking out publicly in the hopes of influencing lawmakers. Among the advocates for stricter gun control are 300 college and university presidents. Included in that list is Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the University, who signed a public letter to lawmakers expressing support for stricter gun control in the United States, and specifically on college campuses. “A national conversation on gun safety is overdue,” McShane said in a statement made Wednesday morning to The Fordham Ram. “At Fordham specifically, if we are to take seriously our commitment to the culture of life, then we cannot ignore the lethal scourge of gun violence on our streets, on our college campuses and even in our elementary school classrooms.” The letter, which is available for anyone to view at collegepresidentsforgunsafety.org, was created in midDecember by Lawrence M. Schall, president of Oglethorpe University, and Elizabeth Kiss, president of Agnes Scott College. The two began writing it shortly after the tragedy in Connecticut,
Faculty Come to Salary Deal By KELLY KULTYS NEWS EDITOR
JULIAN WONG/THE RAM
Fr. McShane signed a letter calling for stricter federal policy on gun usage.
hoping to stimulate change in current gun control policy. While the letter does not call for an outright ban of firearms, it does advocate for tighter laws and restrictions. The letter stresses four main objectives. First, it expresses opposition to legislation proposed in several states that would allow guns on college campuses and in classrooms. Second, it calls for the closure of the gun show loophole which allows people to buy guns without back-
ground checks at gun shows from unlicensed dealers. Third, it urges lawmakers to reinstate the ban on assault weapons and to ban high capacity ammunition magazines. Finally, it advocates for increased consumer safety standards on guns. The letter was released on Dec. 19 — just five days after 20 children and six adults were shot and killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. SEE MCSHANE, PAGE 4
Fordham’s Faculty Senate and University administrators finally came to an agreement on Nov. 9, 2012 — about seven months later than usual — regarding the faculty’s salaries and contracts for the current 2012-13 academic year. The Faculty Senate announced in its Nov. 9 meeting that “the Senate accept[ed] an offer from the administration of a total for salary increases for 2012-13 that the Senate will allocate as an across the board increase of 3.25 percent of the average for each rank, merit of $800 for half the tenured and tenure-track non-law faculty, and $400 in one-year research funds for those receiving merit.” This agreement came after months of contract negotiations. The Faculty Senate had to take many steps in order to arrive at SEE FACULTY, PAGE 2
NEWS
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SECURITY BRIEFS Jan. 11-15, Larkin Hall On Jan. 18, a student reported the theft of a laptop between the days of Jan. 11-15 from the basement of Larkin Hall. Campus security officials are currently investigating this matter.
Jan. 16, Southern Blvd. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. A rash of six cars parked on Southern Boulevard outside the gates of campus were broken into. Cash and other valuable properties were taken. NYPD investigation is currently underway.
January 23, 2013
Sandy Relief Strives to Help Those Still in Need SANDY, FROM PAGE 1
When they are not doing physical labor, volunteers spend time with the storm victims. Often, this time involves talking to them and listening to their stories, but sometimes merely sitting with someone is support enough. The work is physically and emotionally exhausting, but many say the work does pay off in the end. “There have been powerful encounters with people,” O’Kane said. “They are very grateful. People have made us lunch, invited us back for barbecues ... there is an incredible spirit of community.” Now, over two months after the storm, other organizations that have been involved in the relief effort are beginning to leave the affected areas. Fordham officials, however, believe it is still important to continue its
THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK FIRE DEPARTMENT
Superstorm Sandy left a trail of destruction as it tore through the East Coast, obliterating many houses in its path.
commitment to helping victims. Even after houses are rebuilt, Fordham’s responsibility extends to getting people back on their feet to a point where they feel that they can
move on with their lives. Campus Ministry is looking for more volunteers in the coming weeks, particularly faculty and staff members who are willing to chaper-
Faculty, University Negotiate Salary Agreement
Jan. 20, Southern Blvd. A vehicle parked on Southern Boulevard between Bedford Park Road and the campus entrance was broken into via the front passenger window. The owner was a visitor of the New York Botanical Gardens, and not a member of the Fordham community. The NYPD is currently investigating this case. ELIZABETH ZANGHI/THE RAM
The Faculty Senate meets at least once every semester to discuss the issues that pertain to its members and to the University. FACULTY, FROM PAGE 1
Jan. 21, Bookstore 5 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. A burglary was reported in the Fordham University campus bookstore. One of the front doors to the store was smashed. Property was stolen, and NYPD officials have been alerted for further investigation.
—Compiled by Girish Swaminath, Assistant News Editor
one of the Saturday trips. The Fordham office is currently working to partner with other departments on campus to sponsor specific Saturday trips.
these terms. In their documented minutes, from Sept. 19, the Faculty Senate announced that they had “suspend[ed] negotiations with John Lordan, senior vice resident and chief financial officer, and request[ed] a meeting on salary matters with Fr. Joseph McShane, S.J, president of the University, and Robert D. Daleo, chair of the Board of Trustees.” The Senate also announced at that meeting that they would “hold an emergency faculty forum, open to members of the university community, in order to alert the faculty to the status of salary discussions” and that they would “make public to the University community the relevant data presented by the Salary and Benefits Committee to the Senate.” Both sides went back and forth on the issue as shown in their Oct.
12 minutes, where the Senate announced that they “reject[ed] the administration’s counter-offer on salary negotiations as insufficient for a reasonable across-the-board increase equivalent to cost of living and a reasonable merit increment.” Eventually, both sides came to an agreement regarding the terms as stated above. Not all issues were resolved, however. As an article published in The Observer on Dec. 8, 2012, mentioned, after the contract agreement was settled, faculty members submitted a petition to the Senate to address the fact that the University did not compromise on a number of issues. These issues included “higher merit raises, the implementation of a new maternity leave program and on-site child care facilities as well as fighting cuts to academic programs,” according to The Ob-
server. The Faculty Senate also passed a motion at their Nov. 9 meeting stating that “the Faculty Senate moves that the Administration shall not allocate money from better than budget tuition revenues to fund campus facility reserves or any other capital fund reserves.” The Senate stated that “in the context of the President of the University’s priority on faculty development and program development, the Senate believes that it is the responsibility of the University to raise adequate funds for the endowment through traditional fundraising, and that it is irresponsible and harmful to the University to allocate tuition-generated surpluses now and for the foreseeable future to supplement capital reserve funds.” This coincides with many other statements from the Faculty Sen-
ate regarding the importance the faculty has to the students and to the University itself. For instance, at their Oct. 12 meeting, the Faculty Senate also announced how it “[felt] strongly that the administration’s offer devalues the faculty’s contribution in all three missionconsistent areas, teaching, service and research.” Also, according to the article in The Observer, Dr. Andrew Clark, associate professor of French and comparative literature and former head of the Senate’s Salary and Benefits Committee, said that students could potentially be harmfully affected if the University and faculty continue to be far apart on issues regarding contract negotiations. He said students could possibly see more canceled courses, due to lack of professors and less faculty presence on campus. Many students agreed with Clark’s beliefs when asked what they thought of the faculty contract negotiations. “They have to be happy [with their contracts] with what they’re doing in order to teach well, and good teachers make it much easier to learn,” Maria Buck, FCRH ’15, said. “I think having the faculty paid well is important because if you don’t have a happy faculty, you don’t have great service, and that hurts the students of Fordham,” Gabrielle Vella, GSB ’15, said. The Fordham Ram reached out to Dr. Falguni Sen, vice president of the Faculty Senate. “Specifics of contract negotiations are confidential in nature,” Sen said in an email.
This Week at Fordham Thursday Jan. 24
Thursday Jan. 24
Friday to Sunday Jan. 25 to 27
Monday Jan. 28
Wednesday Jan. 30
Poets Out Loud Showcase,
Bible Study,
Fresh-Vision Freshman Retreat,
Gmail Overview Training,
Career and Internship Fair: Arts, Media, Service
Lincoln Center Campus, Corrigan Center, Poets Out Loud 7 p.m.
McGinley Center, Campus Ministry, 5:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Fordham’s House of Prayer Campus Ministry
Dealy Hall E-305, Fordham IT, 1 p.m.
Lincoln Center Campus, Pope Auditorium, Career Services, 3 p.m.
Poets Out Loud welcomes British and American award-winning literary translator, Peter Constantine and American poet, professor and translator Idra Novey for an evening of verse.
The Fresh-Vision retreat is an opportunity for freshmen to reFordham IT trainers demonCampus Ministry is resuming flect on their year so far, bond strate how to streamline the comBible Study on a a biweekly basis. with one another and consider munication process using Gmail’s There will be two meetings every their vision for the rest of the search and label features, manage Thursday in McGinley Conference year. Registration is online or in the flow of messages and customRoom 212 (inside OSL&CD). All McGinley, Rm. 102. ize the inbox. are welcome to attend. For more campus events, visit FordhamRam.com
The fair will be an opportunity to network with employers from CBS, Michael Kors, the Peace Corps and many more. Attendees will also be entered in a contest to win an iPad.
NEWS
January 23, 2013
Dean Bata Resigns
Page 3
FORDHAM IN THE BRONX
A New ‘Blend’ of Fordham Nightlife
BY CONNOR RYAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Michelle Bata, Ph.D., assistant dean and director of Undergraduate Research at Rose Hill, has resigned her position and will be leaving Fordham effective immediately. “While it has been an honor serving the students of Fordham College at Rose Hill for the last five-and-ahalf years, for professional as well as personal reasons, the opportunity to work at Clark University was simply too good to pass up,” Bata said on Tuesday in an email. Michael Latham, Ph.D., the dean of Fordham College, released a statement to The Fordham Ram on Tuesday praising Bata’s contributions to Fordham. “Her great dedication to our freshman advising program, and especially to undergraduate research, had a transformative impact on the college and greatly enriched the experience of our students,” Latham said in an email.
LoSchiavo Promoted By KATIE MEYER ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
Fordham announced Tuesday the appointment of Linda LoSchiavo to the position of library director. While it will be a new title, LoSchiavo has been at Fordham for almost three decades. LoSchiavo joined Fordham as a senior cataloger, and in 1987, she became head of the retrospective conversion project, a transformational initiative. In 1990-1991, she served as systems librarian. She also inaugurated a fully automated online library catalogue. In 1991, LoSchiavo was appointed assistant director of libraries and director of the Quinn Library. In July 2012, LoSchiavo began serving as interim director. She brought together a planning group for a strategic plan called Moving Closer: The Fordham University Libraries Approach 2016 by focusing on an integration of technology, faculty and student life and space transformation. She and her research team began a study of the library’s operations and infrastructure and constructed new ways for purchasing materials for the digital library collection. “Linda brings many years of collaborative leadership experience, innovative vision, and dedicated service to her work,” Stephen Freedman, provost and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology said in an email. “She has a unique and unparalleled perspective on the ever-evolving role of Fordham’s libraries in advancing the culture of research.” LoSchiavo earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in English from Fordham University and her M.S. in Library Sciences from Pratt Institute.
TESSA VAN BERGEN/THE RAM
The Blend, located on East Fordham Road between Hoffman Street and Arthur Avenue, serves as a convenient place for university students to socialize and relax.
By JEFFREY COLTIN BRONX CORRESPONDENT
The Bronx is not the typical college town. Fordham Road is not a sea of maroon shirts and flags on game days. Few to no professors live anywhere near campus. Most of the businesses and restaurants — while supported by Fordham students — seem like they could get along fine without us. One local café is an exception: The Blend Café, on Fordham Road, just west of Arthur Avenue. Sue Fleming, FCRH ‘96, owns The Blend with her husband Bill Fleming, GSB ’95. She says she and Bill started The Blend to enhance the off-campus life. “We wanted to provide something that wasn’t here.” Sue knows the needs of Fordham students quite intimately. She and her husband are, of course, Fordham graduates with long-standing ties to Rose Hill and the Belmont community of which their business is now a part. Sue’s sister went to Fordham, and their father is a “Golden Ram,” having graduated from the University more than 50 years ago. She says there was nothing like The Blend near campus when she attended school here, and she was disappointed that there were so few places for students to gather socially off-campus. Any weekend spent at the corner of 189th and Arthur could lead many students to the same conclusion. Now her business is filling that social gap, not just as a coffee shop and café, but also as Fordham’s newest nightlife destination. The Blend obtained a liquor license in the spring of 2012 and started selling alcohol at the beginning of the academic year around September.
Fleming says she did not open The Blend with the intention of serving alcohol, but she was willing to change with the Fordham community in mind. “We were approached by a number of school groups, nonprofits and local organizations that wanted to hold events here, and it just seemed incomplete without the option to serve alcohol,” Fleming said. Fleming sees The Blend as an alternative spot for students who wish to go out. “I think the connotation that alcohol is always associated with things that are inappropriate isn’t necessarily correct. So we wanted to provide a venue where responsible 21-year-olds could gather and enjoy a cocktail and enjoy their friendship,” she said.
Nights at The Blend have already earned such a reputation — several students surveyed knew that The Blend was strict about enforcing the law. This age policy, however, applies only “We were approached by a number of school groups, non-profits and local organizations that wanted to hold events here,”
—Sue Fleming to the events that serve alcohol, like recent trivia nights and open mic nights. Other events, like last month’s Go! El Salvador fundraiser, have no age limit. The Blend has been filling its schedule lately, hosting events
like a Bronx AIDS fundraiser and Fordham Campus Ministry’s “Theology on Tap” event. Fleming has been pleased. “For me, [last semester] was probably the culmination of many years of what we were looking to do: have a wide-ranging number of events, hosting people in the community who are committed to what they do, who are dedicated to good causes and have a network of folks that they like to share that with,” Fleming said. Nights at The Blend Café are typically held outside its normal operating hours of 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Fleming says students can keep up with events and learn more by searching for The Blend Café on Facebook.
TESSA VAN BERGEN/THE RAM
The interior of The Blend consists of a spacious lounge perfectly suited for hosting events for the Fordham community.
NEWS
Page 4
January 23, 2013
‘Que(e)ry’ Aims to Shed Light on Issues for Sexual Minorities By EDDIE MIKUS STAFF WRITER
Fordham students often go out of their way to attempt to make all community members feel welcome at the University. One example of such a student is Jeff Lockhart, FCRH ’13, who is conducting a survey that he calls Que(e)ry, which seeks to gather information about the experience of gender and sexual minorities on Fordham’s campus. The name Que(e)ry is a pun on the word “queer,” a specific designation for sexual orientation. “Our goal is to better understand the experiences of LGBTQ (lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and queer) students here at Fordham University,” Lockhart said. “There’s not a lot of data about that out there, but what little data does exist suggests that that we are at risk for a lot of specific challenges and difficulties that other students don’t face.” Lockhart clarified that he uses the term “sexual and gender minorities” in the survey itself instead of “LGBTQ”. According to Lockhart, another intent of the survey is to shed some light on issues that are specific to the population of sexual and gender minorities. “Straight people don’t face sexuality discrimination,” Lockhart said. “Gender-normative people don’t face gender discrimination. And so there’s a lot of speculation about what the effects of that might be, and the study aims to sort of capture that.”
Lockhart encouraged all Fordham students who consider themselves sexual and gender minorities to participate in the survey, which can be accessed through fordhamqueery.org. While any student can access the website, potential participants must provide a valid Fordham email address to take part in the survey. In addition, Lockhart discussed some of the responses that the survey has already received. He said that these responses have provided multiple perspectives on the life of Fordham sexual and gender minority students. “On seriously every question we’ve asked, different people are giving us wildly different experiences,” Lockhart said. “Some people have really great times with some things; some people have really terrible times with those things, and so on and so forth.” Lockhart also talked about the uniqueness of the LGBTQ students. “It’s interesting to note that there’s not one universal experience that everyone who’s not straight or not gender-normative has,” Lockhart said. When asked what he intended to achieve through the survey, Lockhart spoke about how his project could be used by colleges to enhance the experience of sexual and gender minorities. “There’s a small but growing set of research nationally about the experiences of sexual and gender minority college students,” Lockhart said. “This research is used by all kinds of people, in stu-
QUINRUI HUA/THE RAM
Jeff Lockhart, an aspiring professor, created Que(e)ry to gain information and spread LGBTQ community awareness.
dent affairs, in academics, in admissions, in student groups and organizing. There is just a lot of people out there looking for information on what it’s like to be an LGBTQ college student.” The relative lack of data on the issue of sexual and gender minority college students was one of the factors that inspired Lockhart to start the Que(e)ry survey, which is an independent research survey not connected to a specific class.
“About ten months ago, I was looking for information on the experiences of LGBTQ college students,” Lockhart, an aspiring professor, said, “and there just really isn’t very much information at all, and it was really frustrating. And so I was complaining to one of my friends and they were like, ‘You’re an academic, just make the data,’ and it occurred to me that I could. If I dedicated a large portion of my free time to a proj-
ect like this, I could produce data that would help other people and sort of fill the gap that I had only been idly complaining about.” Lockhart said that various groups at Fordham such as the Dean’s office, Safety and Security, the Office of Residential Life, PRIDE Alliance and United Student Government, among others, would be interested in the research when the survey is completed.
Fordham’s ‘Compliments’ Page is One of Many Nationwide By NICOLE HORTON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The "Fordham Compliments" Facebook page follows the innovative model of the "Queens U Compliments" page from Kingston, Ontario, which was established on Oct. 16, 2012. The idea of a compliments board has gone viral, spawning corresponding models at nearly 100 universities throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. "Fordham Compliments" received 771 friend requests in twenty-four hours and it currently has almost 3,000 friends. Students submit a compliment about a member of the Fordham community to the page's overseers, and the compliment is posted anonymously. The founders and overseers of "Fordham Compliments" maintain their anonymity just as those who submit accolades do, but the creators have identified themselves as two female juniors. The Fordham Compliments team points out that this page fosters Fordham University's mission and ideals, along with our motto of being “men and women for others.” “Here at Fordham, we aspire to be leaders in a global society,” reads the “Fordham Compliments” Facebook page. “We approach our learning through the Jesuit tradition that springs from
Christian humanism and Catholic spirituality. In that tradition, we recognize the uniqueness of each person. ‘Fordham Compliments’ is one way, among many, that students, faculty and other members of our community honor and applaud the unique aspects of each person.” Students, at times, may feel uncomfortable complimenting acquaintances or forgetting to compliment people who they do not encounter every day. This page serves as a forum through which Fordham students have the opportunity to take a moment out of their busy daily schedules, go to Facebook and brighten someone's day with a heartfelt compliment, such as this one: "Bailey Link is possibly the kindest person I've ever had the honor of meeting. I can tell she is a genuinely good person. The world needs more people like you Bailey!" "I'm definitely not surprised that Fordham has something like this," Bailey Link, GSB '16, said. "At this school, I've met some of the kindest and caring people. A random compliments Facebook page reflects the kindness that I've witnessed in my peers, friends and faculty." Other kind words include: "You are a natural born leader." "You are the greatest example of a lifetime friend." “You were there for me when no one else was.”
"You are one of the most sincere and down to earth people I have had the pleasure of meeting at Fordham." "Your honesty, loyalty, and work ethic are unmatched." “Fordham Compliments” has evolved from a venue for student compliments to a forum for compliments for university figures at large. Compliments for faculty, staff, residential advisors, small businesses in the Bronx and more have been submitted. The overseers say that in addition to posting these compliments on the page, they are also e-mailing the compliments directly to the subject of the post. "Fordham Compliments" is a positive example of the complex idea of anonymity. Our generation's easy, seemingly constant access to social networking websites and blogs, coupled with globalization, has allowed internet users to post hostile, petty comments hidden under the veil of anonymity. Anonymity gives internet users the potentially dangerous ability to distance themselves from their cruel words and actions. The page's overseers are happy to report that they receive very few negative Facebook messages, so Fordham students are happy to contribute to the page's mission and success. "The compliments mean so much more because they're anonymous," Link said. "It's nice
to hear things from your friends and family, but there's something flattering about getting one from someone you aren't that close with. The anonymity adds to the fun." On a more serious note, the Compliments team references the recent violent tragedies stemming from gun violence that have occurred at schools as a reason to reach out to those who may feel unappreciated or isolated. "Perhaps the tragedies we witness too regularly involving disenfranchised teens with guns might
be prevented if those teens feel valued,” a post on the page said. “We truly do believe that every person has the power to make a difference. ‘Fordham Compliments’ is just one little blip on the screen, but if one compliment leads one person to be kinder to just one other person, it has achieved its purpose." Looking toward the future, the founders of Fordham Compliments said, "We hope that this helps foster a community more willing to compliment in the 'real world.'”
McShane Publicly Supports Gun Control Proposal MCSHANE, FROM PAGE 1
Originally, it had close to 160 signatures, but the number has quickly grown to around 300. This large group of college presidents from throughout the country are calling themselves “College Presidents for Gun Safety,” and Fordham’s president is included in that group. The letter has sparked criticism among some who question whether it is appropriate for a college president to publicly express opinions on political issues that may not represent the entire university’s view or opinion. This particular issue, however, is certainly relevant to colleges, considering the deadliest mass shooting in American history occurred on the
campus of Virginia Tech in 2007. Since then, there has been continuous debate surrounding the question of how to make college campuses safer. Most were divided between either calling for an outright ban of firearms on campus to prevent future shootings or increase the presence of guns to allow individuals to defend themselves in the case of an attack. In 23 states, the decision to allow guns on college campuses is left to each individual college president. For Fordham in particular, however, guns are banned from campus by New York State law, and the issue of gun usage on the Fordham campus is not under Fr. McShane’s jurisdiction.
NEWS
January 23, 2013
Page 5
Brennan Nominated Despite Criticism Property Stolen in Bookstore BRENNAN, FROM PAGE 1
Middle East or want to study Arabic — much less go on to work at the CIA. “I did get a sense that he became interested in the study of the Middle East and he was willing to go and study Arabic,” Entelis said. “[But] this is an Irish-American kid from New Jersey, and on the face of it he didn’t seem like he was destined to do serious study of the Middle East.” Brennan was reportedly considering the priesthood and only seriously considered entering the CIA after seeing an advertisement in The New York Times, according to The Record newspaper in New Jersey. Today, Brennan, 57, has become known for his strong work ethic and “priest-like presence in terrorism discussions for his devotion to just war,” says a recent article in The Atlantic. During the 25 years he spent at the CIA, Brennan worked in the 1990s
as the station chief in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He then became the chief of staff to George Tenet, the director of the CIA from 1997 to 2004. President Obama considered naming Brennan director of the CIA in 2009, according to The New York Times, but Brennan removed himself from consideration after coming under fire from human rights advocates for supporting, or at least not attempting to stop, questionable interrogation tactics, including waterboarding. Similar criticism was heard on campus last spring before Brennan came to speak. “By choosing John Brennan for its 2012 commencement ceremonies, Fordham University is implicitly endorsing the ‘War on Terror,’ the use of rendition, the CIA’s heinous drone campaign and the subversion of the role of law in America, including the assassination of its own citizens,”
OLIVIER DOUILIERY/MCT CAMPUS
John Brennan could become the second Fordham alumnus to head the CIA.
read a petition created on Change. org by two Fordham students who graduated in 2012. Brennan, who has been called “Obama’s Drone Czar” by The Atlantic for his leading involvement in America’s overseas drone program, responded to the criticism with a bit of a jab at his detractors during his address. “That’s what makes our country great — our individual ability to openly and freely express our views whether or not they are popular, whether or not they are in the minority or whether they are even based on misimpressions,” Brennan said in between pockets of applause during his commencement address. “And that’s why I still do my job.” Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the University, said in a statement released in May that he had met with Brennan, students, faculty members and members of the Board of Trustees on the morning of commencement regarding the concerns some had about Brennan’s appearance. “I would like to thank both [Brennan] and the women and men who raised questions about his appearance for making this an occasion on which our graduates were sent out into the world with an important lesson on civic engagement,” McShane said. If confirmed by the Senate, Brennan will be the second Fordham graduate to go on to become director of the CIA. William Casey, FCRH ’34 and a native of Queens, N.Y., held the job from 1981 to 1987.
Health Center Reorders Flu Vaccine By FRANCESCA LEITE STAFF WRITER
Amid the current flu epidemic, the Fordham University Student Health Center is working to ensure that all students requesting the flu vaccine are able to obtain it. On Jan. 12, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a State Public Health Emergency because of a steep increase in confirmed flu clases seen across the state. According to his official website, Governor Cuomo’s executive order “allows pharmacists to administer flu vaccinations to patients between six months and 18 years of age.” The health center has access to the flu vaccination and will only be supplying the shots to students at the University. According to a student worker at the health center, many students have already come in to receive their vaccination. As far as the number of shots available, the health center is currently in no risk of running out. Although vaccines have had to be reordered twice already, the orders for more flu vaccines have been filled successfully. The student worker sees no issue with obtaining more if necessary; just last week, 100 more vaccinations were ordered. Students are advised, however, to call and double check if the health center has vaccinations before going in for a visit. “We are experiencing the worst
flu season since at least 2009, and influenza activity in New York State is widespread, with cases reported in all 57 counties and all five boroughs of New York City,” Cuomo said in his statement on the flu epidemic in New York. The governor noted that there have been roughly 19,128 cases of influenza reported in New York this season. “The flu vaccine takes about two weeks after vaccination for the antibodies to provide protection against influenza virus infection. Until then, you are still at risk for getting the flu,” according to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) website. The New York State DOH ad-
vises individuals to receive vaccinations as soon as possible. The flu is an airborne illness and spreads quickly. According to the DOH website, “flu season usually peaks in February but continues through May.” The governor also asks individuals to speak with their doctors before going to the emergency room, as there have been numerous cases of people with mild symptoms rushing to the emergency room before seeing a doctor. The Fordham University Student Health Center is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CONNOR RYAN/THE RAM
The NYPD is currently investigating the apparent break-in at the bookstore.
By KELLY KULTYS NEWS EDITOR
On Monday, Jan. 21, approximately between the hours of 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., there was an incident at the University Bookstore. It was discovered that the lower left hand corner of the left entrance door was broken. It appeared to be shattered by some type of force, such as a kick. Also, the banner that rested on a poster stand in front of the doors was kicked over onto the staircase beside the entrance. The bookstore had closed earlier than usual on Monday at 3 p.m. because of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. After the incident, the door was unable to be locked due to the force of the impact, so a security officialwas instructed to stand guard in front of the bookstore on
Monday night, until the bookstore opened on Tuesday morning. On Monday night, The Fordham Ram spoke to security officials and a member of the bookstore staff at the scene who both said that they had no idea at that time why someone had done this. Also, at the time it was believed that nothing was taken and all the other doors seemed to have remained intact. On Tuesday, however, The Fordham Ram spoke to Daniel Kiely, director of Rose Hill security, who said, “property was stolen.” Kiely also said that NYPD had been called to investigate the incident at the bookstore. At the time of publication, there is currently no known reason why this happened or who broke the glass door. Girish Swaminath contributed reporting.
Admissions Reports Rise in Early Applications
QUINRUI HUA/THE RAM
The admissions committee reviewed more applications than previous years.
By CAITLIN HUFNAGLE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
LI YANG/THE RAM
The Health Center works to help protect many students from the flu outbreak.
This year, Fordham University has offered admission to 6,181 students through non-binding early action. These students were chosen out of a pool of 12,961 candidates for admission, which marked an impressive 15 percent increase in early applications from last year’s early action cycle. This increase in applications is no surprise. The number of applicants has been steadily rising for the past 30 years, with significant increases seen in recent application cycles. In addition to an overall rise in the quantity of applications, the statistics of students who applied and of those who were admitted were equally impressive, if not more so. Among all applicants, the average combined high score of the SAT Critical Reading
and Mathematics sections was 1241, and among accepted students, the average was 1325. Also, 89 percent of admitted students who reported their rank in class were in the top 25 percent of their high school classes, and 31 percent of admitted students identify themselves as multicultural. “It was a very strong applicant and admit pool across all of the colleges” Patricia Peek, director of admissions, who earned her B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. from Fordham, said. In addition, the admitted pool forms a group of particularly geographically diverse students. “Seventy-four percent of admitted students are from outside of New York State,” Peek said. “We had over 500 admitted students from California and we experienced a significant increase in admitted international students as well.”
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opinion Guns for Protection in Universities Are Unnecessary
Page 7
January 23, 2013
By PATRICK MAROUN STAFF WRITER
Colleges and universities are like countries — their top priority is the safety of their citizens, or in this case, students. Fordham is no exception. In light of recent controversy, it seems appropriate to ask “What about guns?” Would students be safer if the guards who protect us had guns? Should students be allowed to have their own guns on campus? Can tragedies like the ones that occured in Columbine, Virginia Tech and, most recently, Sandy Hook be prevented? The issues surrounding guns are contentious, and debate over gun control has recently grown quite popular. I would like to emphasize, however, that the focus of this article is the relationship between guns and safety specifically on college campuses. In no way is this meant to be a commentary on the state of gun regulation laws in the United States as a whole. “All guards should carry guns and be trained to use them,” David Emami, GSB ’15, said. Last year, Emami was the victim of an armed robbery. “I was held at gun point on campus,” he said. “A guard walked in on us, but I did not say anything because I knew he was unarmed.”
Emami’s story highlights just how difficult it can be for institutions of higher learning to keep students safe. This is a reality that we must acknowledge. Emami and I disagree, however, in that I do not believe that the security guard would have been able to help the situation even if he had been armed with a gun. Imagine that the guard had been armed and that Emami had discreetly informed the guard of his situation. The guard would have most likely drawn his weapon, creating a situation where Emami was no longer being robbed, but held hostage by a man looking to escape apprehension. “I do not think more guns is the answer. I would rather have mace,” James, who asked for his last name to be withheld, a security guard who works in O’Hare Hall, said. “What if [a guard] had a bad day — like at home? We do not know what people have been through or what goes on in their lives. What if he has a confrontation with a student for whatever reason? When things get tense, the last thing that we need in the equation is a gun.” I tend to agree with the assessment James offered. I think he is certainly right; anytime you deal with a gun, you deal with deadly force. This fact should not be taken lightly.
James and I then discussed the idea of students having guns of their own. “We have people equipped to deal with tragedies,” he said. “We have police. We have SWAT teams. That is why we have them.” Students do not need guns. Emami agrees, “[There are] too many students. It only takes one mentally ill, angry or drunk student to cause a tragedy.” The problem with guns is the fact that their presence immediately escalates a conflict into a life-or-death situation because they can be used with such deadly force. Guns endanger students when they are present on campus, even when handled by welltrained people. No one is perfect, and people make mistakes. A weapon that can kill people as easily as a gun can leaves no room for error in any circumstance. We should not endanger students by surrounding them with such deadly forces. It is the responsibility of the university to keep its students safe, and even though equipping guards with firearms may be undertaken in an effort to protect students, it can only endanger them further. Patrick Maroun, FCRH ’15, is a political science and theology major from Norwood, Mass.
DAN MURRAY/THE RAM
Guns, particularly in students’ hands, would create an unsafe culture on campus.
Online Journalism Diminishes Newspapers’ Influence By RICHARD BORDELON OPINION EDITOR
In the times of Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and the 24-hour news cycle, one cannot deny the influence of the Internet. Fueled by a population craving instant gratification and desiring to be constantly online, many institutions, including the press, have turned to the Internet. Online news outlets, such as The Huffington Post, have grown in popularity and influence throughout the past 10 years, and many people now look to these sources, in ad-
dition to cable news websites, for their news. But at what cost? Newspapers. Newspapers in America trace their roots back to colonial times where they were the chief sources of information throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. With the advent of television in the 20th century, some might say that the newspaper waned in importance and influence. Many say, however, that the accessibility of the Internet and the dawn of the 24hour news cycle is finally starting to truly erode the relevance of
print journalism and the newspaper industry as a whole. Furthermore, big corporations, such as Advance Publications, which run print journalism, are beginning to cut down on the production of these papers, a truly horrible consequence of the Internet age in which we live. Newsweek, one of the most widely circulated news magazines in America, even ceased print publication at the end of 2012. One of the most public casualties of the cut-backs in newesrooms is The Times-Picayune of New Orleans, my hometown.
ELIZABETH ZANGHI/THE RAM
Online news outlets may, unfortunately, eventually replace traditional journalism entities, such as The New York Times.
Now, as a journalist and New Orleanian, I take pride in my city and its newspaper. The end of daily circulation of a paper based in New Orleans creates a bad situation for many residents and citizens. It also serves as a warning that needs to be heeded by the rest of the nation. Although only about 64 percent of New Orleans residents have access to Internet in their homes, according to the Kaiser Foundation, Advance Publications, the Picayune’s New York-based parent company, still made the decision to decrease the print publication schedule to three days per week. “The future is going to be digital,” Theodore P. Mahne, a former staff writer for The Times-Picayune, said in a phone interview. But New Orleans is “a poor city, with a large number of people who do not have Internet access and rely on newspaper to stay informed.” Mahne echoes the sentiments of Gregory Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans, who, in an interview with 60 Minutes said regarding the newspaper’s reduced print schedule, “I am really concerned about the elderly and the poor. This puts them in a very disadvantaged position.” “The people who loved The Times-Picayune the most are the ones not able to access it online,” Courtney Code, FCRH ’15 and a New Orleans native, said. “New Orleans is such a community and to take away the news from that community from the outside is wrong.” Mahne, who currently writes
on a freelance basis for the Picayune, also brought up the role of a newspaper as a public servant. Without a printed paper, “it is far too easy for corruption [in government] to creep in. Newspapers are the key safeguards against it,” Mahne said. Many proponents of online news claim that the Internet provides immediacy in regard to news Mahne argues, however, “A printed paper gives better perspective. If a reporter is just trying to update a story constantly, there is no time to digest the story.” The printed newspaper provides this format. By presenting the news in a manner that facilitates ease of access and allows the reader to take his or her time to read a story, a newspaper contributes a valuable service to the public, which cannot be replaced by anything on the Internet, as of yet. Furthermore, “Anyone can put up a website, but there is no authority there,” Mahne said. A newspaper provides this authority, and although many people claim that they do not like editors telling them what is important, “[the editors] know they are providing a service,” Mahne said, and thus they facilitate the newspapers to reflect this duty. Although the Internet is beginning its strong push against traditional print media, one must remember that newspapers, at their core, are a public institution and provide a service to a community that cannot be replaced. Richard Bordelon, FCRH ’15, is a political science and history major from New Orleans, La.
OPINION
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The Fordham Ram
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Serving campus and community since 1918 The Fordham Ram is the University journal of record. The mission of The Fordham Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate. The Fordham Ram is published and distributed free of charge every Wednesday during the academic year to the Rose Hill, Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses with a readership of 4,500. The Fordham Ram office is located in the basement of the McGinley Center, Rm. B-52.
FordhamRam.com Advertising: (718) 817-4379 Executive: (718) 817-4380 Fax: (718) 817-4319 theram@fordham.edu Fordham University - Station 37 Box B Bronx, NY 10458 Editor-in-Chief Connor Ryan Managing Editor Canton Winer Editorial Director Rory Masterson Copy Chief Katie Nolan News Editor Kelly Kultys Assistant News Editors Kate Meyer Girish Swaminath Opinion Editor Richard Bordelon Assistant Opinion Editor Joe Vitale Arts & Entertainment Editor Devon Sheridan Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor Danielle Garrand Executive Sports Editor Dan Gartland Sports Editor Matt Rosenfeld Assistant Sports Editor Max Prinz Layout Editor Kate Doheny Photo Editor Elizabeth Zanghi Web Editor Anne Couture Assistant Web Editor Courtney Ho Business Directors Nikos Buse Drew Rapp Assistant Business Director CraigDomeier Circulation Director Gary Guarnaccia Distribution Manager Stephanie Kawalski Shannon Marcoux Faculty Advisor Dr. Beth Knobel Copy Team John Bonazzo PJ Brogan Rosemary Derocher Elisa Frangaj Stephanie Kawalski Dominic Kearns Leona Lam Clare Larson Tom Merante Amanda Pell Vincent Pellizzi Anthony Pucik Kirsten Simons Marlessa Stivala Austin Thomas Opinion Policy The Fordham Ram appreciates submissions to fordhamramletters@gmail. com. Commentaries are printed on a space available basis. The Fordham Ram reserves the right to reject any submission for any reason, without notice. Submissions become the exclusive property of The Fordham Ram. The Fordham Ram reserves the right to edit any submissions. The opinions in The Fordham Ram’s editorials are those of the editorial board; those expressed in articles, letters, commentaries, cartoons or graphics are those of the individual author. No part of The Fordham Ram may be reproduced without written consent.
January 23, 2013
From the Desk of Devon Sheridan, Arts & Entertainment Editor Monday morning saw me wake up feeling the same as many of my college-aged peers feel on Monday mornings following a threeday weekend: hazy, dazed and in need of a tall glass of ice water. I stretched. I yawned. I quickly assessed my extremities and valuables to make sure they were all there. Finding everything in adequate order, ready to take on a new day, I sat down on my sofa to ease myself into the carpe diem process by first enjoying an hour or two of recovery television. SportsCenter, my usual go-to for brain-not-required television entertainment, was particularly dumber than normal. I found myself flipping from channel to channel when, suddenly, I stumbled across something quite the opposite of “dumb.” An historic event, one that slipped my mind over the weekend, was unfolding live on television: the inauguration of President Barack Obama into his second term as president of the United States of America. The case for the historical importance of Obama’s second inauguration need not be made. Presidential inaugurations are always important, regardless of the skin color of the person taking the oath. The inauguration ceremony is the symbol for a new start. It is a reference point with which the country can look to the last four years and say, “OK, that went alright. Now, what can we do to improve the next four years?” Obama’s skin color, however, took special precedence on Monday. In a turn of fate that can only be attributed to the power of the
cosmos, the inauguration date this year fell on the same calendar day dedicated to the commemoration of the life and times of Martin Luther King, Jr., arguably the greatest champion of civil rights in our country’s history. So there I sat in my living room in the Bronx. “It’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and I’m watching a black man being sworn into four more years of the highest seat of American executive power,” I thought to myself. OK, so maybe my thought process was not that succinct, but to my still-groggy mind the significance of the day slowly dawned upon me. Initially, I tried to stay blissfully uncaring, as if my brain was saying, “Hey man, it’s too early for heavy thinking.” But the more it sank in, the more I perked up. I could not ignore it. The ceremony, the day and the symbolic importance behind it got me thinking. It got me thinking about the state of our country and the tides that are pulling it into a future that has many people excited for the future and just as many afraid of it. And those still hanging on to the remnants of draconian 20th century ignorance should be afraid. Take this: Floating around the Internet right now is a video of a black American president publicly voicing his support for “gay brothers and sisters.” How’s that for historic change? Indeed, the tide of social change is pulling harder than ever at those who refuse to be open to it. I could not help but quietly ponder the millions of remaining Americans who still balk at the
thought of a black president, or those who think gay Americans deserve fewer rights than straight Americans, or those who think that more (or any at all) automatic rifles are good for America. Where, if anywhere, do these citizens fit in to the collective thought and spirit of America in 2013? Does it not seem as though they will soon find themselves either as hindrance to real political, social and cultural dialogue or be left finding themselves spending 2013 much more upset than content? As a college student, an American and an adherant to the Western Gregorian calendar, I write this at a time that many would construe as a new beginning: a new semester, a new year and a new term (not to mention a new volume of The Fordham Ram). Too often these cyclical markers are used as an excuse to start over and forget about the moments that preceded it. Why start over? Why discard the experiences of 2012 when we can learn from our mistakes, fix them and build on our achievements? The college student’s natural inclination at the start of every semester is to treat it like a fresh start. Sure, in some ways it is: New classes, the prospect of getting straight A’s and studying for at least two hours every day, but, like a second term inauguration rather than a brand new start, a new semester is the continuation of a larger body of work. As students, the goal of our years at a university is first and foremost to learn from our experiences both inside and outside
the classroom. To dismiss that which was learned last semester is to defeat the whole purpose of the education process. The same goes for 2013. In 2012, dialogue about social issues spanned across myriad subject matter. With Django Unchained, Beasts of the Southern Wild and the Trayvon Martin tragedy, we had movies and a cultural event that catalyzed conversation about the black identity in America. In 2012, the country experienced several mass shootings. In 2013, the legacy of America and its love affair with guns will continue and lawmakers must work to put a stop to senseless mass gun violence. In 2012, dialogue and discussion happened at an unprecedented pace and, in 2013, it will only get faster. Keeping up with it all will not be easy. The country is headed into uncharted waters, and watching it all unfold will be entertaining, inspiring and frustrating all at once. But, hey, we need something to distract ourselves from homework, right? Happy 2013 everyone.
EDITORIAL: Hurricane Efforts Still Need Attention While the rain, wind and surge of Superstorm Sandy have passed, and many of us have smoothly transitioned back into normalcy, many parts of our community continue to struggle. Two and a half months have passed since the superstorm made landfall, yet numerous coastal areas — many within driving distance of Fordham’s Rose Hill campus — appear as though it has only been days. In short, there is still much work to be done, and Fordham students can certainly pitch in to aid in the recovery effort. Breezy Point in Queens, NY, for example, still bears deep scars from Sandy. One section of the neighborhood sits as nothing but a charred pile of rubble. One hun-
dred twenty six homes were completely destroyed by a widespread fire, according to The New York Times. Another 22 were damaged in the flames. In other parts of the area, many homes were torn from their foundation and remain either tossed against adjacent homes or floating in nearby waters. Red “unsafe area” signs still adorn the windows of dozens of houses, local businesses persist without phone service and credit line service and city subway lines continue to approach their regular service schedules. Fordham prides itself on the fact that New York is its campus. Currently, parts of that campus cry for our attention. While the wreckage of Hurricane Sandy
is not clearly visible within our gates or even in the local area, the Jesuit values we are taught should compel us to take action. Men and women for others do not and cannot overlook the plight of those anywhere, especially those whom are a short bus ride away. Fortunately, Fordham has not ignored the suffering of our community. From the time of the superstorm through the end of last semester, each collection from Sunday masses was donated to Sandy relief efforts. In addition, the University, in particular Campus Ministry and the Dorothy Day Center for Service and Justice, announced that they are sponsoring a series of one-day outings called “Sandy Saturdays.” It is an oppor-
tunity for students to help rebuild those local communities affected by Sandy. “Sandy Saturdays” are scheduled from January through April and students and faculty are provided food and transportation to and from Breezy Point and the Far Rockaways. We at The Fordham Ram strongly encourage all who are able to sign up on Fordham’s website to take advantage of this opportunity. Let us live the mission and stand in solidarity with our community.
Editorial Policy The Fordham Ram’s editorials are selected on a weekly basis, and are meant to reflect the editorial board’s view on a particular issue.
Core Curriculum Is Useful, But Too Extensive By LINDSAY JAVITZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER
As the new semester begins and students finalzie their schedules, many are learning more about the limits of Fordham’s core curriculum. As a second semester sophomore, I am trying to figure out which five courses I should take that will not only give me credits toward the core curriculum but will also allow me to advance in my major and minor. While making my tentative schedule, I realized that I seemed to be picking classes just because they satisfy the requirements for the core curriculum and my Com-
munication and Media Studies major. I have been doing this not because these courses interest me but because I need to finish all the requirements in a timely manner. As a student, I am already stressed out about papers, tests and other assignments. I should not have to add finishing the core curriculum to the thing I stress out about, especially after I came to college to learn more about things that interest me. It would seem as though I am not alone in this. One student feels that college is a time to explore, but the excessive core defeats the purpose of attending a higher institution.
“College is all about exploring our options and by telling us we have to take certain courses, that just defeats the purpose, especially when we are interested in those subjects,” Monica Koc, FCRH ’15, said. Fordham’s website says that the purpose of the core curriculum is to satisfy curiosity, increase one’s desire to learn and lay the foundations to succeed for life. “Hence, the common core curriculum is designed to nurture curiosity, inspire a love of learning, and to provide students with the foundations that they will need to engage in lifelong learning,” the website says.
“In short, the core curriculum seeks to provide all Fordham students with the liberal arts background that will prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the future.” It is no surprise that any thoughts that I get about changing my major are quickly gone out of fear that a change of major might lead me to not graduate on time. Koc agreed that the core forces students to stick to one track. “It doesn’t allow us to focus more on our major, and, also, we are stuck to a certain path that we can’t steer away from,” Koc said. The core may help students find SEE CORE, PAGE 9
OPINION
January 23, 2013
Stephen Fragano
Page 9
Library Hours Hinder Studying
Amanda Pell
Giving a Chance to All
Get It Together, Fordham
In a perfect world, everything we encounter would be instantly pleasing to us. Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world and not everything strikes us immediately as enjoyable. This does not mean we cannot strive to make our reality as utopian as possible, though. Just because something does not make you jump for joy at first, it does not mean it has no chance to change you for the better or alter a component of your life. This concept became very real to me as I began to choose classes for the spring 2013 semester. As a freshman, this was my first time experiencing the immense joy one feels when making a college schedule. Of course, I chose the classes that helped me to fulfill the requirements, those which seemed interesting to me, etc. But, there existed the very high possibility that I would get classes I would not have selected under ideal circumstances. Although in the end I was fortunate enough to be placed in my desired classes, the mentality with which I entered registration helped my morale. I decided I would give every class, even the undesired ones, a chance. How would anyone truly know that he or she dislikes a class before even giving it a chance to manifest its possibilities? Approximately ten years ago, I followed this very same notion of giving things a chance to reach full potential. My long-time nickname was given to me by some old friends of mine. Despite popular belief, I was not named after Henry Winkler’s character on Happy Days, Arthur Fonzarelli — although being associated with a character known for his infinite “coolness” is not a bad thing. After a few weeks of being called “Alfonso,” which was later shortened to “Fonzi,” the name did not meet my fancy.; nevertheless, I gave it a chance. I cannot imagine my life without the nickname. The amount of great friends that have approached me because of the nickname is incredible, and the name was responsible for many great memories. If I asked my friends to scratch the nickname before it had a chance to grow on me, it would not have affected so many aspects of my life. Giving someone or something a chance is immensely important. On paper, a class may seem lame, boring or demanding, but then again, it is exactly that — on paper. Viewing something like that takes away the human element of the class. Also, as many Fordham classes are focused on the liberal arts, chances are that a class will be enlightening and influential. For this reason, it is best to take chances. If one truly despises a class, the solution simply involves using one’s judgment. Giving something a chance is very different from being miserable and passive. One can only know that the class is not a right fit after giving it a fair shot. This principle holds true in politics, relationships, friendships and many other things in addition to academia. It can show us a new way of giving value to something and it is a most valuable lesson to learn.
It’s a new year and, as always, everyone is setting freshly unattainable goals for themselves. If you insist on resolutions, here are some suggestions for slightly more feasible intentions: 1. Make a new friend. After freshman year, it can be tough to venture beyond the clique. Join a new club, or start volunteering (Fordham now offers a “Sandy Saturday” program to help clean up storm damage, which I highly recommend). You never know what you might get out of a little change. 2. Say hello to security guards, cafeteria workers, Fordham employees. This one drives me absolutely nuts. Too many times I have watched someone throw a fit because they did not have the McGinley door held open for him or her, only to then proceed into the Caf without so much as a word to Nancy. And Nancy is wonderful. Truly. Remember that the employees who work here are people too, and they deserve the same courtesy we expect from others. 3. Try not to use social networking as an excuse to be a horrifying human being. My apologies to the dead horse I am about to beat here, but, Ann Coulter, guys. Regardless of the outcome, the undeniable truth is that the Facebook arguments brought out the worst in otherwise reasonable, intelligent people. My personal favorite was a conservative individual who decided to assert in his blazingly witty argument that all liberal females were exceptionally unattractive. Um, no! In the words of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, “Insulting a woman’s looks when they have nothing to do with the issue at hand implies ... an inability to engage in high-level thinking. You may think she’s ugly, but everyone else thinks you’re an idiot.” Similarly, liberals, not all conservatives are gun-wielding time-travelers from the year 1770. Don’t treat them that way, and don’t say things on the Internet that you would not say in person. 4. By the same token, try to stay informed on relevant issues. It is not okay to remain ignorant of what is going on in the world around you. Read a book. Pick up a newspaper. Even if you’re only in school to marry a Gabelli grad and live out your days in luxury, the least you can do is make sure you’ll be an entertaining date. You know, one who does not have to work back every conversation to Twitter parody accounts. 5. Okay, fine. Exercise. It’s clichéd, but the truth is that we all have access to newly-renovated, state-of-the-art gym equipment; take advantage of it while it’s still free (or at least included in tuition)! When you graduate, and you’re poor and starving, and you have to run on actual pavement for exercise, you will regret not using what Fordham offers. And I am told you’ll feel better, or have more energy ... or something. I don’t really know, but give it a try.
CHRISTINA FERNEINI/THE RAM
The lack of a 24-hour section and the prohibition of coffee in the library presents a burden to Fordham students.
By DAVID OBERMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
When I arrived at Fordham this past fall as a transfer student from Southern Methodist University, I expected things to be very different. At orientation, it was made clear to me that Fordham is in an ascendancy stage. A new business school with a prestigious name, a new football coach and a sense among the students convinced me that now is the right time to be at Fordham. I did not, however, expect such antiquarian viewpoints on the way the administration treats the library. The lack of a 24-hour study space at the library and not allowing coffee are detrimental to advancing policies toward advancing Fordham’s rankings. Every single university has a 24hour study section in its library, according to U.S. News and World Report. Many universities do not have libraries that are open all hours. Most universities, at least among the top thirty in the country, have libraries which are open all day Sunday through Friday. On Friday, most universities tend to close their library somewhere between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., and on Saturday most Universitiy libraries close around the same time.
The University could easily make the case, however, that it does not want to encourage increasing sleep deprivation among students. According to a study in the “Journal of Adolescent Medicine,” less than 7 percent of college students get the necessary amount of sleep. It seems prudent to say that, unless Fordham requires all students to take 8:30 a.m. classes and still adhere to their stringent attendance policies, Fordham’s administration has little or no effect on the sleeping habits of its students. Additionally, according to U.S. News, 50.8 percent of Fordham students do not live on campus. It would seem prudent to allow these students a study place through the night. If a student is studying until 3 a.m., it would seem ill advised for the University to then kick them out and force them to walk, drive or take some other form of transportation home. In fact, I am myself a student living off-campus; I, myself, have many times been forced out at 2 a.m. to head back to my apartment. At my apartment, I am distracted by either my roommates or by the constant car alarms next to Fordham housing at Terra Nova. This library policy leaves Fordham students with no place to study late into the night. Even if
this quiet study place is not in the library but in another building, it would be immensely helpful to students. “It makes it very inconvenient for students that they need to pack up and leave, it also puts a time limit on when students can work,” Alex Kryvoruka, FCRH ’16, said of the library’s current closing time. While a few students may not be bothered by the fact that the library has limited hours, I have not met a single student who is not annoyed by the fact that the library prohibits drinks, other than water, in the library. I can understand why the administration would not allow food, but coffee is very beneficial to studying. The lounge area in the library is Fordham’s solution to this problem, but it actually does not help students, because the lounge is often loud. If anything, it makes it even harder for students with coffee to study. The goal of a library in any university is to facilitate and encourage a quiet place for students to study. By simply allowing coffee and having a 24 hour section, the University would be making a great step toward helping the Fordham student body. David Oberman, GSB ’15, is a finance major from Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.
Curriculum Stifles Student Interests CORE, FROM PAGE 8
a major, but some feel that it has no purpose after one chooses a major. “I know that it’s supposed to help us decide what to major in, but it really hinders us once we know what we’re going to major in,” Alexander Gostaian, FCRH ’15, said. Fordham’s core is so excessive that it takes away from other areas of study. “I’m in the business school and I already took a history course and a philosophy course [in] my first semester,” Shawna Ostiguy, GSB’15, said. “I shouldn’t have to take another history course instead of an elective that interests me. How will that help me in my future?” Another student agreed that students should be able to take courses that they find interesting. “I wish instead of taking all these core courses we could take
classes that we are interested in like cooking, drawing, ballet, etc.,” Ostiguy said. While the core curriculum at Fordham is useful, and we all learn
a great deal, it ultimately prevents us from learning the things that interest us most. Lindsay Javitz, FCRH ’15, is from Jericho, NY.
ELIZABETH ZANGHI/THE RAM
More freedom in course selection would increase student interest in classes.
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January23,2013
Meet The Fordham Ram Staff, Volume 95
Connor Ryan, Editor-in-Chief Major/Year: Communication and Media Studies, 2015 Favorite Fordham memory: Conversations in the Marketplace. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Fairly and accurately informing the Fordham community ... also the opportunity to work with such a talented staff. Media Addiction: The New York Times, Twitter (@cryan37)
Canton Winer, Managing Editor Major/Year: American Studies, 2015 Favorite Fordham memory: Dancing to Bjork like a crazy person with Lizzy and Kate. We are the Earth Intruders. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Being the Andrea to Connor’s Miranda Priestly. Media Addiction: The Week, NPR, TIME
Rory Masterson, Editorial Director Major/Year: Business Administration, 2014 Favorite Fordham memory: LCD Soundsystem concert, 2011. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: The myriad conflicts of interest I have created for the newspaper simply by being involved on campus. Media Addiction: Reddit, Grantland
Dan Gartland, Executive Sports Editor Major/Year: Communication and Media Studies, 2014 Favorite Fordham memory: Rushing the court after beating St. John’s in 2010. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Covering live sports. Media Addiction: Deadspin
Katie Nolan, Copy Chief Major/Year: English/History, 2015 Favorite Fordham memory: Getting to see Kevin Spacey as Richard III at the BAM in Brooklyn. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Eliminating Oxford commas. Media Addiction: The Today Show, NPR’s All Songs Considered
Kelly Kultys, News Editor Major/Year: Communication and Media Studies, 2015 Favorite Fordham memory: Being a part of NSO this year. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: All of the wonderful people I have had the opportunity to meet and work with. Media Addiction: Adam Schefter’s Twitter
Katie Meyer, Asst. News Editor Major/Year: Communication and Media Studies, 2016 Favorite Fordham memory: First night at Tinkers. I feel like it is a necessary freshman experience. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: The opporunity to write so often. Media Addiction: Demetri Martin’s comedy. It’s genius.
Girish Swaminath, Asst. News Editor Major/Year: Biology, 2014 Favorite Fordham memory: Mr. QC in Queen’s Court. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: I love working with the staff and writing stories! Media Addiction: The New York Times, CNN
Ricky Bordelon, Opinion Editor Major/Year: Political Science & History, 2015 Favorite Fordham memory: Playing with the Fordham band at Madison Square Garden. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Batting practice in B-48 on Tuesday nights. Media Addiction: The Times Picayune’s NOLA.com
Joe Vitale, Asst. Opinion Editor Major/Year: Political Science, 2016 Favorite Fordham memory: Siblings Weekend. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Learning about how a news source works. Media Addiction: TIME
Devon Sheridan, Arts & Entertainment Editor Major/Year: Communication and Media Studies, 2015 Favorite Fordham memory: That first hot, sunny day when everyone treats Eddie’s like a beach. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Free Pugsley’s on Tuesday nights, and the people! The people are great. Media Addiction: Grantland, Paste Magazine, Charlie Rose
Danielle Garrand, Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor Major/Year: Communication and Media Studies, 2016 Favorite Fordham memory: Floor movie nights and giant Rice Krispie bars. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Knowing what is going on around school and working with such talented people. Media Addiction: Wanelo
Matt Rosenfeld, Sports Editor Major/Year: Communication and Media Studies, 2015 Favorite Fordham memory: Spring Weekend freshman year. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Meeting new people and becoming friends with the rest of the staff. Media Addiction: Twitter, “Mad Men,” SmartFootball.com
Max Prinz, Asst. Sports Editor Major/Year: Communication and Media Studies & Political Science, 2015 Favorite Fordham memory: Watching Dexter and The Wire with Fr. Phil and friends in Jogues. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Being part of the organization that tells students what is going on. Media Addiction: “The Big Bang Theory,” Grantland.com
Kate Doheny, Layout Editor Major/Year: Visual Arts, 2015 Favorite Fordham memory: Surprise talent show in Queen’s Court during the unexpected snowfall in October. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: The lovely people I get to spend time with. Media Addiction: Robot Unicorn Attack XD
Elizabeth Zanghi, Photo Editor Major/Year: Art History, 2015 Favorite Fordham memory: Sitting in my room doing homework by myself. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Listening for the clicking of Connor’s shoes every Tuesday night. Media Addiction: The Onion
Anne Couture, Web Editor Major/Year: Theology, 2015 Favorite Fordham memory: Any class that the professor gives donuts either randomly or the last day of class. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Meeting people I wouldn’t otherwise have met Media Addiction: Jezebel.com
Nikos Buse, Business Director Major/Year: Spanish, 2014 Favorite Fordham memory: The HOPE Count last year. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Craig Domeier and the vast power trip that comes from being a business editor. Media Addiction: The Atlantic Monthly, Harper’s Magazine and The Los Angeles Times
Drew Rapp, Business Director Major/Year: Marketing, 2014 Favorite Fordham memory: Traveling to Beijing with the Global Business Honors Program in March 2012. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Working with my friends. Media Addiction: Wolf Blitzer
Beth Knobel, Faculty Advisor Favorite Fordham memory: Watching U2 live on Eddie’s was sheer bliss. Favorite thing about working for The Fordham Ram: Getting students excited about reporting. Media Addiction: As I worked for CBS News for nine years, I still watch several times a day. And my guilty pleasure is definitely “The Newsroom” on HBO.
ARts & EntERTaiNMENT
January 23, 2013
B
O O K S
As I am working on this list, I am filled with a sense of remorse when I think about everything I read over the last year. There is always so much great fiction coming out that it is impossible to keep up with it all. I am afraid it is much easier to make a list of things I would-haveliked-to-have-read-if-I-had-moretime than books I did read, but here it goes: five books of 2012 that I read and highly recommend.
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The Casual Vacancy J.K Rowling This book has to be at the top of my list. Rowling matches the whimsy and magic of her Harry Potter series with grit and realism in this new novel. Her characters use stronger profanity than “merlin’s pants” in case there were any doubts about this being an adult novel. All the same, her characters feel like flesh and blood and she balances several points of view effortlessly. Her story about a small town culminated in a shocking conclusion that stayed with me for months. Rowling creates a dark, disturbing and powerful novel that more than steps out of the shadow of “Harry Potter.” The Woman Who Died A Lot: A Thursday Next Novel Jasper Fforde This book makes my list because it is part of one of my all time favorite series. Jasper Ffrode’s Thursday Next series is the most original and fun series of books coming out today. Ffrode has created an alternative world where people time travel and keep dodos as pets. Thursday Next is a literary detective who deals with crimes and characters in the book world. This series is a must read for anyone with a love of literature. The Angelmaker Nick Harkaway This novel is incredibly unique, and I quickly devoured it. It is part gangster novel, part spy thriller and part steam-punk sci-fi. Harkaway is an incredibly talented author who mixes dark comedy and drama with real skill. The Longest Way Home Andrew McCarthy This book caught me a bit by surprise. McCarthy, famous for his role in movies such as “Pretty in Pink” and “St. Elmo’s Fire,” is now also an award-winning travel writer. This book details a personal jour-
P
ney where McCarthy works out his own feelings over a series of exotic trips before heading to the altar. McCarthy is an excellent writer and his descriptions of his travels to destinations such as Patagonia and Kilimanjaro are fascinating. This book is most notable for McCarthy’s ability to keep from sounding self-indulgent. People who have an interest in travel or the brat pack should check this out. The Prisoner of Heaven Carlos Ruiz Zafón The thing I love about Zafón’s novels is that they are more puzzle than book. This novel connects his two previous novels, The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel’s Game and while maintaining his unique blend of magical realism and noir. Fans of either genre should check out all three of these books.
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U S I C
Kendrick Lamar good kid, m.A.A.d city The concept of good kid, m.A.A.d city focuses on a day in the life of apathetic teenage Kendrick Lamar growing up on the streets of Compton. This allows for interesting narrative potential, including jarring juxtaposition between a boastful, egotistical teenager on “Backseat Freestyle,” and an introspective young adult on “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst.” “Backseat Freestyle,” propelled forward by a pounding beat supplied by Hit-Boy, focuses entirely on lust, violence and the insatiable desire of a restless boy who wants it all. The song works perfectly, as each line of the track could easily be envisioned as coming from a teenager spitting double and triple-time fire, eagerly trying to impress his friends. On the other hand, “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” is a twelve minute odyssey that explores the perspective of two people in Kendrick’s life: The first perspective, a gangbanger whose brother was comforted by Kendrick in his last moments before dying of a gun violence, and the second, the sister of a prostitute Kendrick wrote a song about. good kid m.A.A.d city is a testa-
With 2013 freshly begun, it is time to look back on last year’s musical offerings. Listed below are some of most critically acclaimed albums of 2012: Swans The Seer The Seer is a record 30 years in the making. After the fantastic 2010 release My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope in the Sky, frontman Michael Gira has returned with a fiery passion to his work, crafting a two hour post-apocalyptic journey through unforgiving soundscapes and oppressive sonic waves. Each track flows into the other perfectly, earning the well-deserved title of an epic. Each song centers around the acoustic instrumentation, incorporating out of tune guitars, sparkly Kendrick Lamar DUSTIN SMITH/WIKIMEDIA ment to the loss of purpose Kendbells, brash percussion and blaring rick feels as inevitable for all those bag pipes. The main event is the growing up in Compton. Attempt30-minute long title track, which ed home robberies, botched driveevolves and devolves throughout bys, STDs and drinking yourself on the back of relentless repetition to death are the futures that await and noises whose origins are hard the young men of the city, in Kendto identify. rick’s eyes. It is a cynical viewpoint, A break from the noise is the especially for someone who manmost coherent track on the album, aged to achieve success in the face “Song for a Warrior” (featuring of all that supposed opposition. Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs). Still, Kendrick does assert there Even as it poses as a is hope to be found in the closeness studio track, “Song” of family and loving oneself. These is still a hauntingly redeeming sentiments are found bleak study of hope on what should be the closing track in a hopeless place. of the album, “Real.” On this track, The Seer is a potent Kendrick questions the material reminder that art things he supposedly loves,and redoes not necessaralizes from a phone message from ily have to be beautihis father that, “Real is responsibilful in a conventional ity, real is taking care of your mothsense, but rather a erf---ing family. Real is god.” raw experiment of The cohesive focus of the form and structure. story contributes to the album’s Through unrelenting strengths, mainly Kendrick’s love acoustic experimenof evolving and winding storytelltation Gira has creAP IMAGES ated a towering testaing and his technical skills as a rapper. ment to the core of music itself. It One of the most solid hip hop is a challenging listen that is well albums of the year. worth the reward.
Frank Ocean channel ORANGE Frank Ocean has had an interesting year. After “coming out” in an open letter to the internet, the R&B singer released his major-label debut LP ahead of schedule, and what a debut it was to behold. Lush and beautiful, channel ORANGE defied all radio pop standards to form a contemporary R&B album worth multiple listens. The album truly takes off after “Super Rich Kids,” featuring Earl Sweatshirt. Ocean sings a fictional tale about being a privileged, silver-spoon sucking brat who alternates between taking “Too many joy rides in daddy’s Jaguar/Too many white lies and white lines” to “searching for a real love/Oh real love.” The jazzy “Crack Rock” carries on with stark electronic piano compositions as Ocean sings about a man hopelessly addicted to the “little white rocks.” Many have claimed the open letter was nothing more than a publicity stunt used to drum up sales for a hype album. It is obvious those people had not heard the heartwrenching track “Bad Religion,” a song which chronicles Ocean’s impromptu backseat therapy session with a taxi driver who does not speak the language. A solemn clap echoes as Ocean moans, “It’s a bad religion/This unrequited love/To me it’s nothing but a oneman cult/And cyanide in my styrofoam cup/I can never make him love me/Never make him love me.” Each line is more honest than the last, culminating in an indirect confession of pain and loss. Either way, the one thing that matters above all else is the music; it is a pure pleasure to behold. Japandroids Celebration Rock Celebration Rock begins with fireworks detonating in the distance, echoing for a few seconds. The sound of summertime explosions is possibly the best introduction for what the following 35 minutes has to offer. Japandroids is all about the noise, and surprisingly catchy noise at that. There is a certain urgency to how Brian King and David Prowse play their instruments, as if each song is the last one they will ever have a chance to play. This fire breathes life into these anthems, as fuzz-drenched guitars blare over frantic drum beats. The desperate nature of the music leaks over into the lyrics as well. On “Younger Us,” King shouts out, “Remember saying things like ‘we’ll sleep when we’re dead’/And thinking this feeling was never going to end,” while the chorus begs an unseeable force to hand their younger selves back. Celebration Rock sounds like something you would blast whilst speeding down the highway at two in the morning, but it is more an introspective look at the fleeting
Frank Ocean
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A R T ONE
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nature of fame, false nostalgia and the inevitability of growing old and leaving the party. Flying Lotus Until the Quiet Comes The sign of a truly innovative musician is his or hers ability to inspire a sort of creative energy amongst his or her listeners and peers. Steven Ellison (better known as Flying Lotus) has that trait as an artist. Dozens of well-known and thousands of unknown hip hop producers have attempted to emulate FlyLo’s unique style that defined such ground breaking records as 2008’s Los Angeles, and 2010’s Cosmogramma. All have fallen short of perfecting the nuance present in Ellison’s work, however. Flying Lotus’ unparalleled instrumentation and arrangement remains in a league of its own among a sea of other electronically fueled instrumental hip-hop creators. Until The Quiet Comes continues in this incomparable fashion, while still maintaing experimental freshness. Until the Quiet Comes, like Los Angeles, wears its influences on its sleeve: Trip Hop, Electronic Dance Music and Jazz are just a sampling of the genres featured on the album, and when combined under FlyLo’s expert guidance, they bring into existence musical works that sound as if they were mixed and mastered in the distant future. Unlike Cosmogramma, an album whose songs all flowed together like a free-form jazz experiment, the 18 tracks of Until the Quiet Comes manage to both come together nicely as an album, while also still being an individual piece of music. Normally, this type of mood variety on one album would provide an unpleasant sense of disconnection, but Ellison manages to keep everything on track in terms of consistency and transitions. Flying Lotus managed to create an album that may perhaps be his most accessible, while still continuing to expand his repertoire as a brilliant and inventive producer who is leading a Renaissance amongst West Coast beat-makers. The above albums are fantastic examples of the diversity of music still being made today. For additional 2012 music that deserves a listen, check out these personal favorites: Kashiwa Daisuke - Re:, Niechec - Smierc W. Miekkim Futerku, Vanilla - Soft Focus, Glocca Morra - Just Married, and Oddisee - People Hear What They See. BOOKS BY KATIE NOLAN, MUSIC BY PATRICK DOHERTY
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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January 23, 2013
TSeersucker Still Too Early to Call Best Picture Race he
KEVIN ZEBROWSKI
The Seersucker provides a wealth of knowledge on sartorial fundamentals, contemporary male fashion and the mastery of personal style. The taxonomy of suits is not terribly complicated, but there are certainly a few necessary distinctions that need to be made. For the sake of my word count constraints I will explain the categories of color, patterns and fabrics in next week’s column. Today we’re talking about shapes. Suits can either be canvassed, halfcanvassed or fused. Suits can be single-breasted or double-breasted. The lapels of the suit usually take the form of notches, peaks or a shawl. Canvassing is perhaps the most important distinction to make when buying a suit, as it will determine several factors like the price point and construction quality. A fully canvassed suit is essentially draped around a shell fabric similar in consistency and form to the fabric that you can see on the outside. Fully canvassed suits tend to be expensive, mold to your figure over time and last significantly longer than a fused or half-canvassed suit with proper care. A fused suit is essentially the typical suiting fabrics glued together. Half-canvassed jobs fall somewhere in between, with particular elements glued, such as the lapels on the front and sections of the back, and with a single piece for the suit’s torso. You can discern between canvassed and fused suits by inspecting underneath the middle button of a suit, feeling it up with your fingers and then spreading apart the fabric sections to—in the case of a canvassed suit—reveal a third layer. Double-breasted suits have jackets with six buttons and a fabric closure that drapes across the waist. The best double-breasted suits are bold items, and they look sharp on skinnier gentlemen. A patterned double-breasted suit, something Tom Ford has done often in the past, is about as bold as suiting gets without stepping into pimping territory. Single-breasted suits have the more typical type of jacket with one, two, three, four or even five buttonholes and a central closure. The best single-breasted suits either have two or three buttons with the top buttonhole fashioned into a rolled over lapel. Speaking of lapels, they are the “collar bits” or the pointy things that sit on your chest when you wear a suit jacket. Double-breasted suits typically have a peak lapel, or a pointed lapel to such a degree of frequency that the peak lapel has adopted the name “double-breasted lapel.” Peak lapels on a single-breasted suit, much like functioning button cuffs, are a common sign of “bespoke,” or custom tailored suits. Notched lapels are the most common, and they are ideal for business. They are characterized by having a triangle shaped space in between the top and bottom sections of the lapel. Shawl lapels are smooth, rounded lapels that were very popular for a three-year stretch on the red carpet. Finally, the midnight blue dinner jacket worn by Daniel Craig in Skyfall is an example of a well-crafted dinner jacket version of the shawl lapel.
By PATRICK MULLEN STAFF WRITER
The 85th Academy Awards may be the tightest, most unpredictable yet. The Best Picture race in particular has no frontrunner, unlike most previous years. While there have been surprises before, one is usually able to narrow it down to two or three films that are certain to win the Oscar. This year, that does not prove to be the case, as most of the nine films nominated have strong cases. To begin with the films that have little to no chance, one must look at the films that have not also been nominated for Best Director. These awards do not always go together, but based on previous history, it is reasonable to assume a film not nominated for Best Director will fail to garner the vote for Best Picture. Therefore, the strong audience praise for Les Misérables must be ignored, and we must also discount Quentin Tarantino’s spaghetti western Django Unchained. The final two films not to be nominated for Best Director are two puzzling ones, considering that before the nominations were announced, I thought these to be two of the three frontrunners. Despite unanimous critical praise for Ben Affleck’s historical CIA thriller, Argo did not earn its director an Oscar nomination. I was even more shocked, however, by Kathryn Bigelow going without a nomination for her CIA thriller Zero Dark Thirty. Just a few weeks ago, I thought this film would win Best Picture, but now I must rethink. Considering how good these films are, it is not fair to say they have no chance at
winning, but it would be something that has only happened twice since the early 1930s. That leaves only five films with a “legitimate” chance. Of these, I have only seen two, but I will do my best to mimic what is going on in voters’ minds. Life of Pi is a film that I really did not expect to be one of the nine films nominated, but I will admit it makes a great deal of sense. Despite being thought of as a good movie since its debut at the New York Film Festival, it did not carry a great deal of Oscar buzz until very recently. This late-season momentum is what brought The Artist a number of Oscars, as it likely would have gone completely forgotten had it not been for the buzz. The Artist clearly emerged as last year’s best film, however, while Life of Pi’s momentum just seemed to sneak it into the race. It would be foolish to say this film does not have a chance, however. Amour may be the hardest film to read in this list of nominations. Recent voter trends may indicate some favor with this French film, considering three of the last four Best Picture winners were foreign. However, all of them were done in the English language and two of them were British films. No foreign language film has ever won this award, but one can argue no foreign language film has ever had the chance Amour does. Indeed the last foreign language film to be nominated for Best Picture, Letters from Iwo Jima, was clearly secondbest behind The Departed. I have little doubt, considering the amount of awards for which this has been nominated, that Amour is the best of these nine films, but I fear that for a film like this, it is an honor just to be
nominated. Beasts of the Southern Wild is a film that I think stands the least chance of the five come February 24. While it has been well received, it has notreceived rave reviews from critics, which I think is necessary for a small, independent film like this. In addition, it was made by a first-time filmmaker with plenty of actors who had never before appeared in a film. It is truly amazing that the film turned out the way it did with all that considered, but being surprisingly good and winning this award are two different things. Silver Linings Playbook is a comedy that has it all: it is funny, witty, insightful on relationships and has great performances and great characters. Is it Oscar material, however? It has received eight nominations, including the “big five” categories of Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Adapted Screenplay. Still, the biggest hurdle it faces is the fact that it is a comedy, and comedies do not typi-
cally win this award. Lost in Translation, Sideways and Midnight in Paris all received similar acclaim and awards consideration, but none of them won the biggest award of them all. Lastly, there’s Lincoln, a film that seemed to have Oscar buzz from the moment the Steven Spielberg-Daniel Day-Lewis collaboration was announced. The film is witty, gripping and seems to be the type of movie that the Academy dies for. Spielberg’s direction, however, has been criticized by some as being uncreative and rather theatrical. Is this what will keep Lincoln from winning Best Picture? Probably not, but I think it may open the door for someone like Amour’s Michael Haneke to win Best Director. It is certain to be a tough race to call. If I had to narrow it down to three films it would be Lincoln, Amour and Life of Pi. Nevertheless, the Academy is always good for a surprise or two; perhaps this year’s surprise will come with the Academy’s biggest honor.
COURTESY OF MCT
Christoph Waltz and Jamie Foxx star in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained.
Dining Out: Crif Dogs
COURTNEY HO/ THE RAM
We all succumb to late night Manhattan munchies. At least do it the right way.
By COURTNEY HO ASSISTANT WEB EDITOR
It was 1 a.m. in the Lower East Side. I was hungry. Like all human beings, my stomach wanted something indulging, satisfying and slightly immoral. Unable to find a decent food truck, and I walked down St. Mark’s and looked up to see my only salvation: a picture of a hot dog that said “eat me.” I had arrived at Crif Dogs. Crif Dogs, the self-proclaimed “#1 weiner,” is a small restaurant that serves hot dogs. Now, this is not just any restaurant, and this definitely is not just any hot dog. Crif Dogs was opened in 2001 by New Jersey childhood friends
Brian Shebario and Chris Antista. The idea evolved from the simple desire to serve hot dogs in the alley behind the (now closed) Lansky Lounge on the Lower East Side. After two years of research, which included touring the entire Northeast on motorcycles, and sampling every hot dog they could find, they finally opened Crif Dogs in St. Mark’s. Today, Crif Dogs is one of the most popular downtown late-night eateries, with a location in Brooklyn and a catering truck. As for their name, it originated when Brian tried to say Chris’s name with a hot dog in his mouth. Unlike the classic dirty-water
New York hot dog, a Crif Dog is made from beef and pork, smoked and deep-fried to order. Oh, and for all you sad and cranky vegetarians out there, they also have grilled veggie dogs. Crif Dogs has an expansive hot dog menu that will guarantee to satisfy any hot dog fantasy you have ever had. One of their most popular orders is the Spicy Redneck ($4.75), which is a baconwrapped house dog with chili, cole slaw and jalapenos, with a side order of tater tots ($2.50). Since every hot dog is deep-fried and made to order you may have a heart attack on the horizon, but your first bite will always be a warm, juicy and pleasurable experience. The Spicy Redneck is great, but I’m going to let you in on a little secret: the employee-favorite hot dog, and my favorite, will surpasses your wildest imagination. It is the Jon-Jon Deragon ($3.75): a bacon-wrapped crif with cream cheese, scallions, everything bagel seeds and hot sauce. I’m convinced that biting into a bacon-wrapped, deep-fried hot dog is one of life’s most pleasurable experiences. When your teeth break through the crispy bacon and sausage casing, and you drink up the juices from the grade-A hot dog, it makes you question how anything bad could
happen in this world. The greatest thing about my favorite hot dog is that the cream cheese cools down your palette, the bagel seeds provide extra saltiness and the hot sauce ties the whole experience together. Shame never tasted so good. Oh, and if you’re wondering why there’s a long line that isn’t lined up in front of the cash register, it’s because there’s a hidden speakeasy called PDT (Please Don’t Tell) that’s accessible through the inconspicuous vintage phone booth, but you didn’t hear that from me. So, at 1 a.m. in the Lower East Side, while I ate my hot dog, I took in the heavenly smells of bacon, listened to the sounds of hot dogs hitting the fryer and stared at the mural of a bikini-clad woman embracing a hot dog. I was happy. What I’m trying to say is this, go to Crif Dogs.
Overall Location Food Quality Atmosphere Hospitality Price $ (Out of 4
’s)
Interested in writing restaurant and food reviews? E-mail fordhamramculture@gmail.com
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
January 23, 2013
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Editor’s Pick: “The Wire”
Broadway Week Where: On and Off Broadway Venues When: Jan. 22 - Feb. 7 Doors: 7:00 p.m. Show: 8:00 p.m. Price: Varies
By RORY MASTERSON EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
The medium of television has taken many forms in its history, with programming as diverse as news, commentary, science, sports and drama. At some point, someone decided to move theatrical radio programming onto the television for entertainment purposes, and the world was blessed with gems like “The Twilight Zone.” Dramas became a prevailing force on the small screen, and people gathered weekly to keep an eye on both beloved and troubled characters. Within the infinitely-attempted, often-trite realm of televised dramas, however, one program from the past decade stands head and shoulders above all others: HBO’s “The Wire.” “The Wire” is the brainchild of former Baltimore Sun reporter and author David Simon, who created another criminally-underrated show in the “Law & Order” sister series “Homicide: Life on the Street.” The show is based on the Greek tragedies of Euripides and is an unprecedented insight into the lives of everyone involved in Baltimore criminal activity, from the street peddlers, to the addicts, to the police officers to the government officials and beyond. While a show like “Law & Order” focuses on a single crime and its legal fallout within an hour, storylines on “The Wire” stretch for an entire season and, in many cases, longer. An attention span of the highest order is a necessity, but the payoff is well worth the time invested, which ends up totaling around 60 hours in front of a small screen. That much time spent in front of a screen can seem daunting, but, as the catchphrase of the series goes, “It’s all in the game.” The series chooses not to focus on a single protagonist, instead shedding light pretty evenly into the lives of many different people. Critics have noted that perhaps the real protagonist of “The Wire” is the city of Baltimore and, in a broader sense,
After Christmas, tourists hunker down instead of venturing out into the Big Apple, but NYCGO’s Winter Sample Sale from Jan. 2 until Feb. 28 is the perfect motivation for weary travelers. This special city-wide promotion features insane steals such as Broadway week ( Jan. 22 to Feb. 7), when tickets to the hottest shows are two for the price of one, and Restaurant Week ( Jan. 14 to Feb. 8), that features $25 meals at some of the priciest restaurants in the city. Along with the specialized “weeks,” excursions such as Central Park bike rentals that are offered at 20% off of the normal price until the sample sale is over.
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“The Wire”, is widely considered to be the epitome of dramatic television.
the United States of America. Each of the five seasons centers on a different aspect of the city, including the drug trade, unions, politics, education and the print media industry. Corruption runs rampant throughout each sector, and the viewer is left to decide who appeals most to his or her own personal sensibilities. Favorite characters readily lose their lives to the so-called “game,” and no one is safe from the streets. Viewers beware. Getting through “The Wire” is tantamount to being admitted to an esteemed social club, one in which everyone relates on an almost spiritual level and adheres to the rules. For instance, under no circumstances does anyone spoil any part of “The Wire” to someone who is currently watching it. That has become common courtesy for televised dramas in the twenty-first century, but it is of the utmost importance with “The Wire,” with its twists and turns in nearly every episode. The societal commentary and insight Simon provides do more to stimulate and shock the conscience than CNN, FOX News or any other so-called news media outlet, even five years after the show’s conclusion on HBO. When I tell my friends to watch “The Wire,” the defense typically goes like this: “If you never listen to anything I have to say again, you
have to watch “The Wire.” I can’t explain it; you just have to watch it. I don’t even watch television, but this show is different.” The same stands for you, reader. The space allotted to me now could never do justice to the masterpiece that consumed my Winter break two years ago. Food for thought: consider the plight of the gay, black stuck-up man who robs from drug dealers and refuses to curse because, as he says, “A man’s got to have a code.” Such is the case of Omar Little, whom President Barack Obama has referred to as his favorite television character ever. David Simon once said that if marijuana was made legal in the United States, he would produce a sixth season of “The Wire.” For the sake of television as a serious medium of art and communication, especially in the age of the Kardashians, “Real Housewives of Every County” and “Toddlers & Tiaras,” television viewers should hope the rest of the country goes the way of Colorado, regardless of political affiliation. Critics will continue to lavish praise on the series, and despite numerous reviews claiming “The Wire” to be the best dramatic series in television history, the majority of viewers might continue to ignore it in favor of less-involved shows. No matter what happens, however, “the game stays the game.” Everyone should play.
Ed Sheeran Where: Radio City Music Hall 1260 6th Ave., Manhattan When: Saturday, Nov. 1 Show: 7:00 p.m. Price: $55
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Ed Sheeran has become a Top 40 sensation since his song “The A Team” started playing on radio stations at the end of 2012. Lucky for us, the popular singer/songwriter is coming to Radio City Music Hall Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. Tickets can be bought at Ticketmaster.com for as low as $55. Why not make a date out of it? Bella Napoli, located on 150 W 49th St, is one tenth of a mile away from the theatre and features authentic Italian fare that will not leave your wallet empty. - COMPILED BY DANIELLE GARRA ND ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR
Send tips, event listings or comments to fordhamramculture@gmail.com
A Quick Guide to Upcoming Concerts By NICOLE HORTON CONTRIBUTING WRITER As Fordham students return to campus after break, many are looking to attend fun events such as concerts. This is a guide to diverse artists whose style cannot be limited and defined by a single genre. They embody pop, rock, country, R&B, hip-hop and electronica characteristics. They are seasoned artists and performers who have been known to give memorable, high energy performances. Maroon 5 embarks on their fourth world tour for their album Overexposed with special guests Neon Trees and Owl City. The bands are visiting Madison Square Garden on Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. The band’s frontman Adam Levine has recently lent his musical talent and charisma as a judge on the popular music television show “The Voice.” The set list for this ever evolving pop rock band proves it has expanded its genre by utilizing a distinctive
electronica sound for their latest musical effort. It consists of a range of early hits from their first platinum album Songs About Jane, such as “Sunday Morning” and “This Love” to Overexposed’s infectiously catchy singles “Payphone,” “One More Night” and “Lucky Strike.” Alicia Keys returns to the stage with Miguel on her first tour in three years after giving birth to her son. She will be at the Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden. “Her Girl on Fire” tour exemplifies feminine power in the title track’s symbolic action of a phoenix rising from the ashes. Her catchy pop melodies and her soulful R&B riffs, coupled with her stellar piano playing, attract a diverse fan base. On stage, Keys gracefully fulfills the dual role of pop diva and a reflective singer-songwriter. Fans can also expect the “Girl On Fire” singer’s biggest hits, such as her award winning 2007 song “No One” and the classic R&B crooner tracks “If I Ain’t Got
You” and “Fallin’.” Rihanna’s Diamond World Tour, stopping at Barclays Center on May 4 and 5 at 8 p.m., features worldwide singles from her seventh studio album Unapologetic such as “Diamonds,” “Stay” and “Pour It Up.” In typical Rihanna fashion, it incorporates pop, electronic dance music and dubstep. Whether taking a fashion risk or her controversial on-off relationship with Chris Brown, who she collaborates with on the song titled “Nobody’s Business,” Rihanna’s defiant, sassy lyrics prove that she is indeed unapologetic. Her confident nature will take center stage in the form of elaborate costumes and dance routines. When it comes to Rihanna, fans should expect the unexpected — whether it is a scandalous costume or a potential surprise cameo from collaborators such as boyfriend Chris Brown, Kanye West, Eminem or longtime mentor and friend Jay-Z. Jason Aldean will be joined by guests Jake Owens and Thomas
Rhett at MSG March 2. Those who are not accustomed to or a fan of the customary country “twang” will welcome Aldean’s rock edge. His set will include a few rock covers, including Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive.” This Georgia native’s album Night Train has a mixture of classic country and rock edge on hits such as “When She Says Baby” and “Take a Little Ride.” Luke Bryan is a fresh face in the country music world and a throwback to his Leesburg, Georgia roots. On Feb. 7 at Nassau Coliseum (Uniondale, NY), you’ll want to rock out or dance with friends to fun hits such as “Drunk On You,” “I Don’t Want This Night to End” and “Country Girl (Shake It for Me).” If you are recovering from heartbreak and looking to wallow in country music, “You Don’t Know Jack” and “Tailgate Blues” will speak to you. His melodic voice and skilled guitar strumming will make you feel like you are rocking out on a fun filled Southern summer night.
Timeflies is a musical duo from Tufts University that is comprised of producer Rob Resnick, and singer Cal Shapiro. “The Scotch Tape,” Timeflies’ debut album, reached the eight spot on the iTunes chart and their YouTube channel has received over 18 million hits in the form of a multitude of covers and original creations. They have added their signature pop/hip-hop, electronica flare to remaster renowned hits such as Rihanna’s “We Found Love” and Flo Rida’s “Wild Ones.” Noteworthy songs from their album include the sensual single “All Night,” and the complex emotions involved in “Ex Games,” along with the honest, frustration filled break-up song “For You.” Timeflies embarks on their first national tour, performing at Terminal 5 on Feb. 8 and 9. Fans should look to snatch up these inexpensive tickets before this duo officially enters the pop/hip-hop world. For most other acts, grab the piggy bank and a hammer.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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January 23, 2013
WHO’S THAT KID? Rachel Wilwerding A MEMBER OF GSB ’16 MAJOR: UNDECIDED FROM: OMAHA, NE What is your favorite aspect of Fordham and why? [It is] near the city. [I have] made some good friends. I like rowing. If there was one thing about Fordham you could change what would it be? The guest rules — having to sign in friends who actually also live on campus. What is your favorite thing to do in New York City? Geocaching. What is something about you that not many people know? I’m a ginger. What is your favorite class at Fordham? Macroeconomics
BY KAREN HILL
What is a personal goal you would like to accomplish over your four years here? None, I just kind of go with the flow. What show, food, artist or movie would you consider your “guilty pleasure?” I will watch anything on TLC or The Food Network. No shame.
DANIELLE GARRAND/THE RAM
You wouldn’t know it by looking at this B & W photo, but Rachel is a ginger.
What is the biggest misconception people have about you? That I’m a redneck. I’m not.
ects or organizations are you involved with at school? Crew Team and Paranormal Society.
Do you have plans, career or otherwise, for post-college life? I want to move to London.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring with you? A boat with some sort of navigation device so I could get myself back to the civilized world.
What activities, clubs, proj-
If you could go back to your first day at Fordham, what advice would you give yourself? I would advise myself against letting my mom move my desk and dorm furniture. It’s really been an inconvenience, and I’m far too lazy to move it somewhere else.
And the Oscar Goes To ... The Wrong Movie! By DANIEL FINNEGAN STAFF WRITER
The Academy Awards, while being one of the most prominent cultural award ceremonies in the world, has been criticized in the past for its predictability. Whether it is the Academy’s supposed weakness to the influence of big money marketing rather than sheer movie quality, or the folly of obvious frontrunners, the Oscars are never short of controversy. With notable snubs in this year’s nomination process, it is time to take a look at some of the most disputed decisions in Oscar history. Perhaps an even bigger travesty than overlooking Vertigo (1958) in the Best Picture and Best Director categories is the fact that Alfred Hitchcock never won an Oscar for Best Director in his entire career. Although he was nominated five times, the only Academy Award Hitchcock ever received was the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, which seemed to be more of an apology than an award. With Vertigo, Hitchcock corralled the numerous themes that fill his movies, his fear of women, or, rather, his unique voyeurism, into one sympathetic film about a manipulated and heartbroken man. Transcending the comic book genre, Christopher Nolan managed to create haunting and electrifying characters who occupied the ever-morbid city of Gotham. To this day, the final act of The Dark Knight remains one of the most tightly-wound and actionpacked conclusions in movie history. While it did garner eight nominations, mostly in the technical categories, and did win a well-deserved Oscar for Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker, the Academy’s failure to nominate The Dark Knight for Best Picture is still a hot topic today, causing many to wonder if a superhero
film could ever overcome the connotations that come with the genre and ultimately win the Oscar. Another famous snub is Saving Private Ryan. It is one of the few films which received the award for Best Director, but failed to receive the statuette for Best Picture. The shockingly graphic opening scene at Normandy paired with Tom Hank’s performance as the courageous Captain Miller, who, while seemingly on the verge of a nervous breakdown, always manages to perform his duty, merited an Oscar. Stephen Spielberg displayed his incredible gift of creating numerous visual delights, while capturing vulnerable and relatable characters through the immensely powerful film. Today, the Academy must be amazed at the film’s ability to sustain the test of time and manage to remain an incredible viewing experience. Prior to Martin Scorsese’s Best Director win for The Departed, he had never received an Academy Award. Scorsese was not only overdue for a Best Director statue, but seemingly could have won a Lifetime Achievement Award that year. Since the beginning of his career, Scorsese has constructed his own identity, establishing a unique style that characterizes all of his films. Scorsese is known for his lengthy and entertaining plays on morality: He uses pop music in contrast with the escalating emotions of his characters. He builds tension with long steadycam takes. Scorsese seemed destined to live an Oscar-less life, even though he had created arguably the best films of three consecutive decades, with Taxi Driver (1976), which lost the Oscar to Rocky, Raging Bull (1980), which lost to the incredibly ordinary Ordinary People, and Goodfellas (1990), which lost to the sleep-inducing Dances with Wolves. With The Departed, Scorsese was awarded both Best Director and Best Pic-
ture awards in 2006, thus ending the most embarrassing misstep in Oscar history. While the Academy attempted to incorporate a diverse range of directors into the Best Director category this year, it still played true to its front-runner roots. Although the nominations for Ben Zeitlin’s Beasts of the Southern Wild, a magnificent and joyous explosion of creative genius squeezed into a small independent film which was the Sundance darling this year, and Michael Haneke’s Amour, the socially conscious and critical Austrian director, were fresh and unexpected, the Academy still had its miscues. The Academy also played to the typical conventions, nominating David O. Russell for his commercial hit Silver Linings Playbook and, of course, Steven Spielberg (a favorite of the Academy’s) for
Lincoln. The critically acclaimed directors Kathryn Bigelow, whose Zero Dark Thirty has been dominating the critic’s society awards, and the National Board of Review awards, and the previous front-runner Ben Affleck, director of Argo, failed to be nominated. Other snubs this year come in the omission of Wes Anderson’s indie hit Moonrise Kingdom and Paul Thomas Anderson’s amazingly assembled, but critically divided The Master from the Best Picture Category. Although the Academy allows for up to 10 nominations, this year it only managed to nominate nine films, leaving a hole for either of these films to fit. With numerous snubs this year, it seems as though the criticisms of the Academy Awards will not be over in the near future.
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A classic thriller by a master of the genre, Hitchcock’s Vertigo never won an Oscar .
Bound by iron gates, we have our own little world here on Fordham’s campus. All trapped in one fairly small patch of green in a big city, we mingle with each other. Boy meets girl, girl meets boy and then we start to mate. From this mating process #FordhamDatingProblems are born. We can’t escape them. That guy you hooked up with at Mugz’s last weekend is going to be there next weekend too. Your crazy ex-girlfriend, she is going to casually walk past your room in O’Hare giggling extra loudly so you know that she is there. Running into he-or-she-whoshall-not-be-named is only one small subset of the various Fordham dating problems. More problems include running out of places to date, not knowing where to meet new people of the opposite sex and every single person on campus knowing your “business.” The common trend here is that these problems solely exist “on campus.” I believe the cliché goes if you can’t stand the smell, then get out of the petting zoo. Well, maybe I made that one up, but the point is the same. It is time to get off campus people; we live in one of the greatest cities in the world. #FordhamDatingProblems are inconvenient, but they have such simple solutions. Did you ever think if you put as much energy into solving your problems as you did into complaining about them, you just might be all right? If you do not want to see your random hookup from Mugz’s, then either do not randomly hookup with guys at Mugz’s or find a new hang out spot. If your crazy exgirlfriend keeps walking past your door, you should not be spending so much time in your room to notice. If you are having trouble meeting new potential mates, this is a tricky one, just go up to the next person you find attractive and say “hi.” If every person on campus knows your business, then stop sharing your business with everyone on campus. Perhaps I am stating the far too obvious, but with dating problems we tend to overanalyze. I am here to fill you in on what you might be missing. Be reassured in knowing that you are not alone. We all join in solidarity over our oppression on this campus. By oppression I am referring to our own pity and self-inflicted limitations. Maybe Fordham isn’t the problem. Maybe the problem is us. If we stopped to think before we spoke or acted, then after the fact we would not have to question what we said or did when we are dealing with the repercussions. Let us hold up our shields and braces ourselves as we dare to venture out into the world beyond Fordham’s gates. This weekend, instead of downing shots of vodka at Tribar, take a shot of true confidence. It is much more efficient than any form of liquid courage and there is no hangover. A little confidence in yourself is all you need to face your Fordham dating problems. At the very least, know that I believe in you. Questions about your love life or lack thereof? Tweet @hiKarenHere.
Sports Women’s Basketball 3-0 in A-10 For First Time Ever January 14, 2013
Page15
FROM WOMEN BACK PAGE
Fordham did just that in its 5956 win at Charlotte, which was 11-3 and at the top of the conference on Jan. 13. The Rams held tight early in the first half, never falling behind by much and answering all of the 49ers’ baskets with scores of their own. A 9-0 Charlotte run late in the half, however, put the 49ers up 2620 with a little more than two minutes left until halftime. Fordham continued the trend of answering the 49ers’ attempts to pull away, scoring five straight of their own until a pair of free throws by junior guard Ny Hammonds gave Charlotte a 28-25 lead heading into the half. Erin Rooney came alive for the Rams in the second half. Rooney scored 17 of her game-high 19 points in the second half. The game looked to be in doubt, until a 9-2 Fordham run in which Rooney scored five points tied the game at 53 with just three and a half minutes remaining. After trading baskets and free throws, Fordham found itself down one until Corning hit a clutch jumper to give the Rams a 57-56 lead with 46 seconds left. The defense then took over and forced a miss, which led to Charlotte fouling Rooney and her adding two free throws to the lead making it 59-56, which is where it would stay. The game was a historic one for the Rams. It marked the first time since 1998 that Fordham won its Atlantic 10 opener, and it also marked the first-ever win for Fordham over Charlotte. Fordham continued its winning streak at home against UMass on Jan. 16, securing its first ever 2-0
ALLY WHITE/THE RAM
Erin Rooney scored 38 total points in Fordham’s victories over Charlotte and UMass, but was held to only four points in the Rams’ win over Richmond.
start in the conference in a 69-57 win. In a game that was never very much in doubt, Rooney scored 19 for the second straight game, including nine consecutive points in the second half. The lead grew to as much as 16 but ended up being a 12-point win for the Rams. In its most recent contest, Fordham put its undefeated conference record on the line against Richmond and came up victorious again, continuing its historic start
with a 47-40 win at the Rose Hill Gym. The story of the day was senior Marah Strickland who scored her 1,000th point in the game on a free throw that closed the contest out in the final minute of the game. Strickland had quite the game, scoring 20 points and grabbing five rebounds to help Fordham get the win. Fordham’s defense also had a strong showing against Richmond. The Rams held the Spiders to 24
points below their season scoring average in what was one of their best defensive efforts of the season. Coach Gaitley commented on the team’s tremendous conference start. “It’s a collective effort to be honest,” Gaitley said. “On any given day someone will have to step up. Yesterday, Erin [Rooney] didn’t shoot well, so Marah [Strickland] picked it up. And Ace [Arielle Collins] made big free throws down
the stretch. Our bench is a little thin because of injury, so different people have to step up and kids are being asked to do more. To be honest, I think the credit goes all the way down, one through 14.” Fordham, which currently sits at 13-5 (3-0 in conference), is lookging to make it four straight wins in the conference and seven straight overall on Jan. 23 when they travel to Ohio to take on Xavier.
Men’s Basketball 1-2 in Conference as A-10 Play Heats Up FROM MEN BACK PAGE
MICHAEL HAYES/THE RAM
Branden Frazier has played well since assuming the point guard duties. He has two double-digit assist games this year.
comfort in the fact that Fordham was able to make it a tight game after being down so big so early, Pecora has called his team “cocky,” according to the New York Post. “I think we shouldn’t be happy with the idea of playing close games,” Pecora said. “That’s something a mature team doesn’t do. We need to jump on teams early and not take any possessions off.” Fordham certainly showed some of its maturity in the loss to Charlotte, despite the team’s youth, which features only one junior and two seniors. For a game in which senior Chris Gaston scored only three points on 1-of12 shooting, younger members of the Rams stepped up to keep the team in it, including freshman guard Mandell Thomas, who chipped in with 13 points. “I think that game shows that the young guys have developed,” Pecora said. “Anytime we can play in a close game where [Gaston] shoots like that shows you that we have some depth on this team, even if we are young.” It is not clear whether or not Gaston has fully recovered from the knee surgery he underwent on
Nov. 16, which kept him out until the Princeton game. Although Pecora confirmed that there is no swelling of the knee and for the most part the operation was a success, Gaston appears to still be hampered by the injury. On Jan. 17, the senior tweeted, “Not playing at 100% people need to understand I’m not gonna be perfect every night! Don’t be mad at the kid with one leg!” Still, Pecora and the team are taking Gaston’s complaints seriously. “Anytime somebody complains about their body you have to take it seriously,” Pecora said. Gaston’s bad game in Charlotte was a rarity for the senior who has been a top player for the Rams since he came to Rose Hill. His conference play got off to a stellar start, as he posted a double-double against Duquesne (18 points, 10 rebounds) on 9-of-12 shooting. He was also a catalyst for the Rams’ near-comeback against the Minutemen, scoring 20 points to go along with 13 rebounds. It should be interesting to see how the senior’s knee holds up when Fordham tries to collect its second conference win against Dayton on Jan. 23.
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January 23, 2013
fordhamram.com Introducing something new that Fordham can take pride in. THE FORDHAM RAM
SPORTS
January 23, 2013
The NBA at
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Midseason
By MICHAEL DAUBER STAFF WRITER
Leaving out all natural biases for anyone involved, and my own proclivities towards the purple and gold, did you ever think you would see a season quite like this? Seriously, Knicks fans, I know you thought the Knicks were going to be a little more solid this year, but in your wildest dreams did you ever think they would be riding second place? Tell that to the Clippers, a franchise with such a dismal past that its current second-place standing in the Western Conference would suggest somebody keeps on punching numbers into the wins column by mistake. And did you ever think an NBA playoff discussion would largely ignore the Lakers and the Celtics in the same year, except to say that the odds don’t look yellow or green in Vegas? Well, neither did I, but there you go. Folks, the world did not end in 2012, but the Maya never said it wouldn’t get just a little bit weirder than it already was. Oh, how the West has been won, with some old faces and one quite startling new one. Last year saw the addition of Chris Paul to the Clippers, a franchise which used to bring almost as many laughs to our ears as Charlotte. That campaign resulted in a second round exit after finishing second in the division and fourth overall in the West. This year, the Clippers follow the Thunder closely…very closely. The two are tied for the top spot. Earlier this month the Clippers held first place for a few games after going 17-0 in December, a feat few teams have ever accomplished before. Denver sits in sixth, and as I noted earlier this year, its season has been very interesting to watch: the Nuggets acquired All-Star Andre Iguodala in the offseason to compliment a deep, young roster. Well, that deep, young roster upset OKC in Denver Sunday night in a close overtime win, with Durant and Westbrook both missing threepoint attempts that would have tied the game at the buzzer. Oh, how the West was lost in rather cataclysmic fashion, with the Lakers sitting at 17-23, twoand-a-half games out of playoff contention with a tough schedule ahead and 10 of the next 13 games on the road. Kobe tweeted on Sunday that he takes full responsibility for the loss in Toronto, using “#brickcity” to describe his poor shooting performance (10/32), despite catching fire in the fourth quarter. Dwight Howard was ejected before the end of the first half after drawing two technical fouls. As usual, the Lakers came from behind to make the score
close, only losing 108-103. I have said this to many people over recent weeks: the Lakers are not a bad team, they just lose most of their games. Can they really be that bad if they lose to almost every team, regardless of standings, by less than ten points? Clearly they can, and have, run with the best in the league; they just can’t beat them. The Beast of the East? In this cold, cold winter the East is led by a hot, hot team in ability and name: the defending NBA Champions, the Miami Heat. This one is no surprise. LeBron has picked up where he left off from last season, averaging MVP numbers as usual. The Heat are a little bit different this year, perhaps a little colder? Pardon the pun, it is just that the defending champs do not exactly look like themselves. After all, they have lost to Charlotte and Washington, and have lost to the Knicks twice by about 20 points each time (in one game the Knicks were even without Carmelo Anthony, who is among the league leaders in scoring). The Heat still dominate the league, but they go through stretches where their defense breaks down, where LeBron himself seems to embody the entire Big 3 and where they just cannot score. This happens to everyone sooner or later, and my only major concern for them is that they need to tighten up their defense. Not many teams have a problem scoring; it is the ones that can contain the Durants and Westbrooks of the league that are going to be right there in June. The Knicks stand only a game behind Miami — not bad. Carmelo Anthony has been playing great, Iman Shumpert has returned from his ACL injury and the Knicks seem to be firing pretty much on all cylinders. My big surprise for the East? The Chicago Bulls. It seems to be about right to hear about the Bulls doing well, but something feels funny here. Oh, yes, that’s right: they are just three and a half games behind Miami without the services of Derek Rose, who will return soon from an ACL injury sustained in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. I was not quite sure how that was possible, so I took a gander at the second half of a Bulls-Celtics game the other day and saw outstanding play from Kirk Hinrich, Rose’s 2013 replacement (for now). Marco Belinelli hit the game-winning shot in overtime to lift the Bulls past the Celtics, a turning, falling shot in the closing seconds. They looked to have a good flow and shot extremely well. Perhaps we’re returning to an era dominated by talk of the Bulls? It feels right.
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Varsity Scores & Stats Men’s Basketball Massachusetts 40 37 77 Fordham 26 47 73 (MASS) C. Williams 22pts 7asts (FOR) C. Gaston 20pts 13rebs
Richmond 20 20 40 Fordham 26 21 47 (RICH) K. King 14pts 9rebs (FOR) M. Strickland 20pts 5rebs
Fordham 27 41 68 Charlotte 31 43 74 (FOR) B. Frazier 23pts 4asts (CHA) D. Mayfield 18pts 4rebs
Men’s Swimming Iona 76 Fordham 134
Women’s Basketball Fordham 25 34 59 Charlotte 28 28 56 (FOR) E. Rooney 19pts 5rebs (CHA) J. Hailey 22pts 22asts Massachusetts 26 31 57 Fordham 32 37 69 (Mass) C. Cloutier 13pts 3asts (FOR) E.Rooney 19pts 4rebs
LaSalle Fordham
141.5 156.5
Women’s Swimming Iona 93 Fordham 140 Richmond Fordham
161 124
LaSalle Fordham
113 182
Men’s Tennis BYU 6 Fordham 1 Men’s Indoor Track Yale Invitational Men’s 3000m Nick Synan 2nd-8:40.60 J. Anelli 5th- 8:46.62 400m Sam Houston 5th-50.66 Mile Run Mike Turi
5th-4:23.08
Women’s Indoor Track Yale Invitational Women’s 800m M. Lieberman 3rd-2:19.26 S. Forlenza 5th-2:23.73 4x800 Relay
1st-9:18.45
Athletes of the Week Shintaro Noguchi
Marah Strickland
Junior
Graduate Student
Swimming
Basketball
Noguchi received A10 Performer of the Week honors, winning three events in Fordham’s victory over LaSalle and helping win two relay events in the win over Iona.
Strickland scored 9,14 and 20 points in the Ram’s three A10 wins, and reached the 1000 point milestone in the Rams’ win over Richmond.
News & Notes •
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Fordham seniors Ryan Higgins and Lloyd Morrison participated in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl game on Jan. 19. Higgins threw for 42 yards, including a 21 yard connection to Rice tight end Luke Wilson. Former men’s basketball coach Johnny Bach was named to the inaugural class of Atlantic 10 Basketball Legends. Bach coached from 1950 to 1968, and is the Rams’ alltime leader in wins, taking Fordham to two NCAA tournament appearances and five trips to the NIT in 18 seasons. Fordham assistant track and field coach Ed Joyce passed away Jan. 13 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, following a long battle with cancer. The Fordham baseball team was picked 9th in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll, as voted on by the league’s coaches. The team opens their season Feb. 22 against Michigan in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Three Fordham swimmers received an Atlantic 10 Performer of the Week award. Senior Brienne Ryan was named Women’s Co-Performer of the Week for the fifth time, while junior Shintaro Noguchi received Men’s Performer of the Week for the second time. Freshman Steve Sholdra was named Men’s Rookie of the Week for the sixth time. The Fordham track team qualified in three ECAC/IC4A events at the Yale Invitational on Jan. 12. The team of Melissa Higgins, Jillian Brooks, Kristen Stuart and Titi Fagade won the 4x800 relay event in an ECAC qualifying time of 9:18.45.
SPORTS
January 23, 2013
Smith Says People change their minds. It’s a fact of life. Sometimes we think we want one thing, but then after sleeping on it, we want something different. Earlier this week, Chip Kelly changed his mind. After initially turning down offers from the NFL, Chip Kelly betrayed the University of Oregon and jumped ship for the Philadelphia Eagles…and I love it. After firing Andy Reid following a disappointing 4-12 season, my hometown Philadelphia Eagles needed a head coach. Chip Kelly was the man I wanted right away. He has been called an offensive guru, known for his quick-strike spread attack at Oregon. His teams at Oregon have been known to have drives that last less than a minute and have only taken roughly 15 seconds in between plays. Kelly drew interest from the Eagles, the Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills, but reports came out saying that he turned down all NFL offers and would go back to the Oregon Ducks. I believed what I had read, so I moved on and thought about other candidates. Then, almost out of nowhere, the Eagles landed Kelly. Many people who follow the NFL are saying that his system will never work on the professional level. They are calling it a gimmick. And you know what? They may be right. But I applaud the Eagles for taking a risk. I am tired of teams hiring coaches who have been out of the league for years and just recycling coaches who have been recently fired. For all the people who are saying that college coaches do not transition well to the NFL, I say that the last two coaches to make the jump to the NFL are Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll, both of whom took their teams to the playoffs this year. Kelly’s system will work in the NFL, and the Eagles have the best roster for his style. The Eagles roster contains so many speedy playmakers, such as DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy and Bryce Brown. They don’t have many big, physical players, but Kelly is all about quickness. The quarterback position is pivotal in the spread offense. While a running QB can aid the speedy system, it is not necessary. As of right now, the Eagles have a QB (Michael Vick) who can run and a young QB (Nick Foles) who is more of a pocket passer. The Eagles can choose to cut Vick before Feb. 2, save a ridiculous amount of money and theoretically go out and sign or trade for a QB that would be the best fit. Simply put, they have a lot of options. There are people out there who will continue to rip Chip Kelly. They will call him a quitter and liar. I do not care what people say because once he gets going people are going to be talking about how to stop his offense. Chip Kelly has come to the NFL and other teams should be very worried. Chip, Chip, Chipadelphia! — Alex Smith
Page 18
Senior Profile: Jack O’Brien
ELIZABETH ZANGHI/THE RAM
O’Brien first started playing squash at Roycemore Prep School in Chicago. He now plays squash at Fordham.
By MAX PRINZ
place in the city?
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Jack O’Brien has been a key member of the squash team here at Fordham. He has been an important player, racking up two #3 slot wins last season and leading the team from the #1 slot this year. O’Brien is from Chicago, Illinois, and was also a member of his varsity basketball team in high school. The Fordham Ram: What made you come to Fordham? Jack O’Brien: I’m from downtown Chicago, so I’m a city kid. I looked at a few schools, a few different places, and found that I really wanted to be in an urban environment, and I ended up here. I got off Fordham Rd. and I loved it. I knew this is where I wanted to be. TFR: Do you have a favorite
JO: Yeah, I’ve been around a lot. I’d say I really like being in the Village. It’s a lot of fun. I also spend time on the Upper West Side. I have a few Fordham friends who have graduated that live there so it’s fun getting to hang out with them a bit. TFR: How did you get into squash? JO: I was a tennis player growing up. I got recruited and played at a boarding school in New England. Athletes had to play a sport every sports season, so I showed up and I was a racket player so in the wintertime they said “You’re a tennis player, you’ll play squash now.” They handed me a racket and said, “Here you go, have fun.” TFR: Do you have a favorite squash memory here at Fordham?
JO: It’s always really great for us to beat Vassar [College]. We have some schools that we can compete with, and that school we’re right on par with. We’re always neck and neck in the standings with them. For some reason, we always beat them there and most of the time they beat us here. It’d be really great to beat them this year at home. TFR: What’s your favorite nonsquash Fordham memory? JO: I’d have to say Spring Weekend my freshman year. It was a lot of fun. I really liked MGMT. TFR: What are your plans after graduation? JO: I’m looking to go into finance. I’ve had a few interviews so far. I’m just hoping to be successful.
Track & Field Continues Strong Season By RYAN SCANLON STAFF WRITER
The Fordham men’s and women’s track teams each had a busy winter break with the NYC Gotham Cup and Yale Invitational taking place on Friday, Jan. 11 and Saturday, Jan. 12, respectively. These meets are midseason indicators of the teams’ standing on an individual level, as well as in comparison to their Atlantic 10 counterparts. A handful of runners were sent to compete in the Gotham Cup at the Armory, but the success of Fordham’s jumpers and field event athletes were the highlight of this meet. Junior David Fajoyomi hit the IC4A qualifying mark while placing second in the men’s high jump by clearing 6 feet 11 inches. Fujoyami, who is from Hungary, is the defending Atlantic 10 Conference high jump champion for indoor, and this performance shows that he is hungry to repeat. On the women’s side, graduate
student Nicole Ragucci placed seventh in the pole vault with 10 feet 6 inches, hitting the ECAC qualifying standard in the process. Ragucci spent four years competing for the Duke University track program, redshirting her sophomore year to give her one more of eligibility. Senior Sean Atkinson had a IC4A qualifying performance as well by hitting 48.81 seconds in the 400mdash to place fifth. The week prior, Atkinson hit the IC4A standard in the 500m-dash, showing his versatility among the sprinting events. Next, Fordham traveled to New Haven, Conn. to compete in the Yale Invitational. Highlighting this meet were Fordham’s relay teams, three of which hit IC4A/ECAC qualifying standards. The men’s distance medley relay, which follows the 12-4-8-16 format, placed fourth overall and qualified in a time of 10:10.22. This team consisted of senior John Cosgrove, junior Sean Collins, senior Mike Rossi and junior Ryan Polo.
The men’s 4x800-m relay team is considered to be the most formidable in the Atlantic 10; the team of junior Brian Walter, sophomore Lester Taylor (a transfer from St. Joseph’s College), sophomore Danny Green and Atkinson earned a second place finish in a time of 7:44.04. Fordham’s depth in the middle distance department requires some narrowing down to find the best possible 4x800-m team for the conference meet and the IC4A championship. On the women’s end, the 4x800-m relay team hit the ECAC qualifying standard by running 9:18.45. That effort would also result in a victory, with credit to the team of sophomore Melissa Higgins, sophomore Jillian Brooks, sophomore Kristen Stuart and junior Titi Fagade. On a more somber note, Fordham assistant track coach Ed Joyce passed away on Sunday, Jan. 13 after battling cancer. Coach Joyce had been working his eighth year as an assistant coach at Fordham, specializing in jumping and throwing.
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Matt’s Minute One of the more bizarre sports stories to ever surface in the sports world (or in general) occurred last week with the shocking revelation that Manti Te’o’s reportedly “deceased” girlfriend, Lennay Kekua, never actually existed. Everyone knows the made-for-TV sequence of events by now, so I’ll spare everyone another pointless regurgitation of the details. This soap opera is just one more off-field issue distracting us from accomplishments taking place on the field. The sad thing about this story is that, for all we know, Manti Te’o may be telling the truth when he claims that he had nothing to do with the hoax. Our sports world however, has developed into a “guilty until proven innocent” culture mainly due to the deception and dishonesty of other premier athletes. For example, it’s difficult not to draw parallels between the incessant denials of involvement from Te’o and the denials that Lance Armstrong has been delivering ad nauseam for years. Of course, last week Armstrong finally admitted that he has been taking illegal substances all these years, an admission which has ruined his reputation and, unfortunately, reduced the credibility of other athletes. The steroid era in baseball has also played a large role in tainting the credibility and reputation of athletes. This year, for the first time since 1996, nobody was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. None of the alleged steroid users (Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and others) even came close to receiving the necessary 75 percent of votes required for entry. Despite the fact that it was never officially proven that Bonds or Clemens took steroids, the court of public opinion has outweighed the legal court system. This “guilty until proven innocent” culture has even affected those in baseball who were never accused of taking steroids. Take Mike Piazza, for example. As the premier offensive catcher of his era (and arguably ever), Piazza certainly deserved to enter as a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Many people suspect, however, that he may have taken illegal substances simply because he played during the “Steroid Era.” This time of distrust, fueled by the “Steroid Era” and the Armstrong debacle, raises the question: Who can we trust in the sports world? In a perfect world, we would be able to give Te’o the benefit of the doubt without debating who tricked who or whether or not Te’o can really be that naïve. Due to the current sports culture, however, it’s very hard to give someone a pass. Another unfortunate by-product of these scandals is that they cloud the on-field accomplishments of athletes. Very few people will remember Armstrong for battling and overcoming cancer; rather, he will always be remembered for his endless and shameless lying. Likewise, this hoax will probably overshadow Te’o’s leadership during Notre Dame’s Cinderella run to the National Championship game. Hopefully, as Te’o enters the NFL and begins a fruitful career, he will be able to create a new legacy that overcomes this hoax. Unfortunately, I believe that he will have a tough time doing this in our jaded culture. — Matt McCormack
SPORTS
January 23, 2013
Swimming Gears Up For Season’s Last Two Meets
Page 19
By DAN GARTLAND EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR
ALLY WHITE/THE RAM
Both the men’s and women’s teams defeated La Salle on Saturday.
By NICK CILIBERTO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Fordham Swimming and Diving finished a busy weekend on a high note, as both the men’s and women’s teams defeated LaSalle Saturday afternoon at the Fordham’s Messmore Aquatic Center. The men’s team topped LaSalle 156.5-141.5, while the women’s team defeated the Explorers 182113. The Richmond women were also present at the tri-meet. The Spiders defeated the Fordham women 161-124. The men’s team captured nine events on the day, led by freshman Steve Sholdra and junior Shintaro Noguchi, who won three events each. On the women’s side, the Rams finished first in three events. Senior Brienne Ryan captured the only two backstroke events for the Rams, topping her season best time in both events with a time of 55.01 seconds in the 100-yard backstroke and a time of 2:00.55 in the 200-yard event. Ryan was also part of the 400yard freestyle relay along with freshman Chandler Lulley, and seniors Kellie Lyver and Alana Biagioli, who also claimed a season best time of 3:30.30. The women fell to Richmond in the 200-medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle. Although the relay team consisting of Ryan, Biagioli, sophomore Kelly Carroll (and freshman Shannon Lulley clocked a season best time of 1:45.19), they fell four hundredths of a second short of the Richmond squad. The team also lost the freestyle by a margin of just over a half second. All of this success came after both the men’s and women’s team beat the Iona Gaels on Friday afternoon in a home meet. The squad won 22 out of 26 events in the meet. The women’s team topped Iona by a score of 140- 93, and the men’s won by a margin of 134-76. The Rams finished on top in each of the first 10 events, open-
ing with Carroll, Ryan, sophomore Jordan Tomimatsu and junior Shannon Jones, winning the 200 medley relay in 1:50.15. Meanwhile, the men’s medley relay team of senior Thomas Yi, junior Ben Dwyer, sophomore Pat Militti and Noguchi also won the medley relay in 1:36.82. The Rams followed their early success by taking both 1000-yard freestyle events with freshman Megan Gehrich and sophomore Kevin Kosciuk, the 200-yard freestyle with junior Kara Field and Militti, the 50-yard freestyle with Alana Biagioli and Noguchi and the 200-yard individual medley with junior Spencer Chappell and Sholdra. Militti and senior diver Kevin Wong both had big afternoons, being the only multiple winners of the meet. Militti won the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 51.57 seconds, while Wong took the one-meter dive with a score of 213.01 and the three-meter dive with a score of 224.33. Thomas Shetler took the 100yard freestyle in 49.19 seconds, while fellow freshman Joseph Parisi won the 100-yard backstroke in 56.42 seconds. On the women’s side, Ryan won the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 58.03 seconds, while Carroll finished first in the 100-yard freestyle in 54.82 seconds. The meet concluded as both the men’s and women’s teams won their respective 200 freestyle relays. Lyver, sophomore Maureen McKenna and freshmen Megan Gray and Meg Foster finished with a time of 1:41.01. Noguchi and juniors William Thomann, Nicolas Alemann and Nicholas Belfanti won their event with a time of 1:29.94 for the men. The Rams travel to New Jersey to take on Rider and Rutgers next Saturday at 10:30 a.m., and close out the regular season with two home meets: Feb. 2 against the UMass and Feb. 6 against St. Francis (NY). The Atlantic 10 Championships will be held in Geneva, Ohio, beginning Feb. 20.
By now you know the story: Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o’s girlfriend — the one who died before the Irish’s Sept. 15 road upset of Michigan State, and whose funeral Te’o skipped in order to play in Notre Dame’s victory over Michigan on Sept. 22 — never existed. As the frenzy around the story begins to die down, it’s time to ask what the Te’o saga can teach us. As time went on, and Notre Dame’s victories kept stacking up, Te’o’s tale of perseverance — losing his girlfriend and his grandmother within hours of each other — became one of the college football season’s most repeated storylines. Gene Wojciechowski did a fiveminute video feature for ESPN. Pete Thamel wrote a cover story for Sports Illustrated. The South Bend Tribune and Chicago Tribune and just about every newspaper in America talked about it. Had Deadspin not discovered it was all a farce, the Te’o story would have become one of those great myths, like Rudy and “win one for the Gipper.” Media accounts included various details about Te’o’s supposed girlfriend, Lennay Kekua, but the story was never told the same way twice. The South Bend Tribune said the two met after Notre Dame played Stanford in 2009, where Kekua (supposedly a Stanford student) and Te’o exchanged phone numbers. “We met just, umm, just she knew my cousin. And kind of saw me there, so — just kind of regular,” Te’o told Thamel in the recently released transcript of their conversation. There are also conflicting reports of the date of her supposed car accident and the date she was diagnosed with leukemia. Of course, we now know that the reason no one could get their facts straight was because there were no facts in the first place — “Lennay Kekua” was an elaborate lie. It’s hard to fault the media for running with Te’o’s story the way that they did. People eat that sort of stuff up. But since Deadspin first broke the story last Wednesday, Thamel and Wojciechowski have both said they found “red flags” while doing their original reporting. They were unable to find a
death certificate or obituary for any person named Lennay Kekua. Thamel said he contacted someone at Stanford who said the school had no record of any such person. Why didn’t they try to dig deeper? Until Thamel and Wojciechowski were unable to find documents indicating Kekua was a real person, they had no reason to assume Te’o’s story wasn’t entirely factual, but once they had hesitations about whether it was true, you’d like to think that they would do all the necessary research to alleviate their doubts — especially considering that Te’o was the only source for any information about Kekua. It’s unbelievable that ESPN and Sports Illustrated were scooped by Deadspin on this. ESPN and Sports Illustrated are both massive companies with extensive resources; in a recent radio interview, Jack Dickey — who co-authored the Te’o story with Tim Burke — described Deadspin as “ten guys in a room in New York.” “ESPN is the biggest sports media company on the planet, and they got beat by a few dudes with computers,” Deadspin Editorial Assistant Tom Ley said on Twitter shortly after the story broke. But the larger issue is that Te’o’s story became so popular in the first place. Baltimore Ravens receiver Torrey Smith faced a similar situation this fall, when his brother died in a motorcycle accident the night before a game. Smith went on to
catch two touchdown passes. The difference between Te’o’s story and Smith’s (aside from the fact that Smith’s brother was a real person who actually died) is that the story of his brother’s death didn’t come to define Smith’s season the way the girlfriend story followed Te’o all year long. Stories like that don’t really do it for me. I may be cold-hearted, but my reaction never really goes beyond, “Oh, good for him.” I watched that Ravens game and I did feel happy for Torrey Smith, but I’m also glad it didn’t get repeated as much as the Te’o story. “[I]f there’s any lesson to be drawn from this, it’s that this kind of simpering crap should be eliminated from the sports pages entirely,” Deadspin Editor-in-Chief Tommy Craggs told the Poynter Institute via e-mail. I’m inclined to side with Craggs here. Stories like the Te’o features, which focused on his dealing with loss are tough to do well. More often than not, they’re simply overwrought. The Te’o saga has shown us that they’re also dangerous. The writer knows that the sob story will have the reader eating out of his hand and can afford to get lazy with the reporting. If we had just focused on Manti Te’o the football player — and he is a very, very good football player — the revelation of the girlfriend hoax wouldn’t have been nearly as earth-shattering as it was.
COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA
Manti Te’o finished second to Johnny Manziel in the Heisman race this year.
Upcoming Varsity Schedule Home games in CAPS
Thursday Jan. 24
Friday Jan. 25
Saturday Jan. 26
Sunday Jan. 27
RHODE ISLAND 1 p.m.
Men’s BBall
Rider/Yale Piscataway, NJ 10:30 a.m.
Swimming
Swarthmore/ Lehigh Noon/ 2 p.m.
Squash Men’s Tennis
Fairfield 8 p.m.
Indoor Track and Field
Metropolitan Championships 10 a.m.
Tuesday Jan. 29
Wednesday Jan. 30 ST. JOE’S 7 p.m.
at Dusquesne 2 p.m.
Women’s BBall
Monday Jan. 28
Sports
Page 20
Women’s Basketball Off to Historic Start in Conference Rams Are 3-0 in Atlantic 10 After Wins Over Charlotte, UMass and Richmond By MATT ROSENFELD SPORTS EDITOR
There is a team around campus that is in the middle of a historic season in the 2012-13 campaign. That team is the women’s basketball team, which, since Dec. 30, has won eight of its last nine games and is currently riding a six-game winning streak, the latter three of which have been in Atlantic 10 conference play. Fordham, which was 7-4 near the end of last calendar year, suffered a tough loss at the hands of 4-7 Lafayette in the Fordham Holiday Classic. This defeat served as the catalyst to the team’s current success. “I think the wake-up call was the loss to Lafayette,” Head Coach Stephanie Gaitley said. “The kids realized that you can get beaten at any given time and that you can’t take winning for granted. It was a humbling experience to lose in your own tournament in the first round.” The consolation game against Colorado State proved to be the game in which Fordham caught fire. In a double-overtime thriller, Fordham came back several times to ultimately win 64-59. Seniors
Marah Strickland and Arielle Collins each had double-figures in points, with 18 and 13 respectively, and junior Abigail Corning recorded a double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. The 14 rebounds marked a career-high for Corning in a game that had multiple highlights. Junior guard Erin Rooney was a point and an assist away from recording the program’s first ever triple-double, as she had nine points, nine assists and 12 rebounds, the latter two are career highs for Rooney. “We showed great perseverance and grit against a good Colorado State team,” Gaitley said. “Getting over that hump and staying together without shooting the ball well, and just gutting it out defensively was a great start to the new year.” After wins at American University and against Holy Cross that took the Rams to 10-5, Fordham prepared to enter the second part of their season, the conference schedule. “It’s a new season,” Gaitley said. “We did well [in non-conference play], we had a record-setting 10 wins out of conference, and we used those games to figure out
ALLY WHITE/THE RAM
Marah Strickland scored her 1,000th career point in a win over Richmond.
who we are. I think our kids understand the importance of conference games. They know only the top 12 [out of 16] teams make the
conference tournament, and how important it is to get off on the right foot.” SEE WOMEN ON PAGE 15
RAM ARCHIVES
Despite winning their first Atlantic 10 opener since the 2005-06 season, with an 82-75 victory over Duquesne on Jan. 6, the Fordham Rams could have been 3-0 if only a few things had gone their way. “I showed the guys six possessions over the course of two games that really changed the outcomes for us,” Head Coach Tom Pecora said. “It’s frustrating to come that close to starting off undefeated in the conference.” Those six possessions came in Fordham’s losses to UMass on Jan. 13, 77-73, and to the Charlotte 49ers who downed the Rams 7468 on Jan. 16. In the games against Duquesne
and UMass, the Rams played at the Rose Hill Gym for the fourth and fifth times this season, after a grueling non-conference schedule which consistently put Fordham on the road. “As we move forward, I think we let a golden opportunity pass us by, since we could have had two home wins early,” Pecora said. Although the team’s record currently stands at 5-13, Pecora sees some positives to playing the tough non-conference slate. “It was way too tough a schedule for a young team to be playing,” Pecora said. “But it also shows their resiliency. Coming out and playing this way in the conference shows you that they haven’t been hammered down despite all of the road losses.”
Quarterbacks, Not Coaches, Will Decide Championship By DAN GARTLAND
Fordham’s prospects for the rest of the season will depend largely on how Chris Gaston’s injured left knee holds throughout the rest of the season.
STAFF WRITER
Ravens and 49ers Will Play for Title
EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR
Men’s Basketball 1-2 To Begin Atlantic 10 Play
By CHESTER BAKER
January 23, 2013
Perhaps the biggest reason for Fordham’s encouraging open to the conference schedule has been the play of junior Brandon Frazier who has been a revelation this season at point guard. Frazier led the Rams to a win over Princeton in the Barclay’s Center on Dec. 15, scoring 13 points in the final three minutes of the game. Since then, the Brooklyn native has been on a roll, posting games of 16, 21 and 23 points, respectively, in the three conference games. Even more important than his point production in the opening A-10 games has been the way Frazier is taking care of the ball, as he turned over the rock only six times. When compared to his 20 assists, Frazier has one of the best turnover-to-assist ratios on the
team. “He just keeps getting better and better,” Pecora said. “That’s where his future is, with the ball in his hands. He is really coming into himself and he is developing into a great player and a great leader for this team, and I think that’s credit to how much he works on his craft.” In the loss against UMass, Fordham showed some resiliency coming back from a 14-point deficit in the first half to make it a onepossession contest in the waning seconds of the game. One of the key factors in the team’s inability to pull off the comeback was its struggles at the free throw line, where the Rams shot just 18 - of - 30. Although fans may take some SEE MEN ON PAGE 15
After 20 weeks, it all comes down to this. The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers will meet in New Orleans one week from Sunday in Super Bowl XLVIII. In the lead-up to the game, much will be made of the fact that Jim and John Harbaugh, the head coaches of the 49ers and Ravens, respectively, are brothers. There will be just as much talk about how this game will be the final one of Ray Lewis’s career. Perhaps more attention should be paid to the quarterbacks. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has been subject to plenty of criticism ever since entering the league in 2008. In this season’s playoffs, however, the Ravens have been winning because of Flacco, not in spite of him. If it were not for his 70-yard game-tying touchdown pass to Jacoby Jones in the final minute of Baltimore’s Divisional Round win over Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, the Ravens would not be in this position. Under center (or, more often than not, in the pistol) for San Francisco is Colin Kaepernick, who has made only nine starts in his NFL career. When Alex Smith suffered a concussion in the 49ers’ Week 10 tie against the St. Louis Rams, Kaepernick came in to replace him. His performance over the next few weeks was impressive enough that Harbaugh opted to stick with him even after Smith was healthy enough to return. Kaepernick’s ability to run adds a dangerous element to the San Francisco offense. With 181 yards in the 49ers’ Divisional Round victory over the Packers, Kaepernick set the single-game record for rushing yards by a quarterback. Kaepernick, Frank Gore and LaMichael James form one of the game’s top rushing attacks. San Francisco was fourth in the league in rushing during the regular season and is averaging 236 yards on the ground so far this postseason. Baltimore’s rush defense is not nearly as fearsome as in recent years so the Ravens will have to work hard to ensure the 49ers do not run wild. It is a bit surprising that of all the talented quarterbacks in this year’s playoffs — Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and upstarts Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson, to name a few — Flacco and Kaepernick are the last ones standing. But then again, football is a team game, and the 49ers and Ravens are good teams. It is refreshing to see a Super Bowl matchup which does not feature two teams that rely so heavily on their quarterbacks. Flacco could redeem himself to Ravens fans with a win in this game and earn a big payday in the process (Flacco’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season). If Kaepernick and the 49ers’ read-option offense leads San Francisco to a win, it could change how offense is played in the NFL. Be sure to check back next week as The Fordham Ram’s sports staff shares its picks for the game.