The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham dh University Community Since 1918 Volume 97, Issue 12
FordhamRam.com
September 9, 2015
Fordham TV Station Suspended
OSLCD Out, Office of Student Involvement In By ERIN SHANAHAN
By KATIE MEYER
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
MANAGING EDITOR
At the beginning of this semester, as usual, Fordham’s dozens of student clubs and organizations kicked off their programming for the year. They put up posters, tabled at the club fair and held introductory events for freshmen. But one wellknown group on campus has been unusually silent. much to the surprise and dismay of the students involved. Fordham’s TV station, Fordham Nightly News (or FNN), has kept its doors tightly shut. For Fordham students who aspire to work in television news or production, FNN is a major resource. But as of this printing, all FNN programming has been suspended. The student coordinators have no access to the TV studios or the station’s email accounts, and the program did not host a club fair table to welcome freshman applicants, as it normally would. For FNN’s student coordinator, Dan Grbic, FCRH ’16, this came as a shock. Grbic’s job is to manage FNN’s student participants, and to serve as a liaison between those stu-
CASEY CHUN/ THE FORDHAM RAM
Dean Maura Mast joined Fordham this summer as the first female dean of the College of Rose Hill.
Rose Hill Welcomes Dean Mast By ERIN SHANAHAN ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
Maura B. Mast, Ph.D, of the University of Massachusetts Boston, began her journey as the new dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill this past August. Mast grew up in South Bend, Indi-
ana. She completed her undergraduate work at Notre Dame University and majored in mathematics and anthropology. She attended graduate school at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Afterward, she became a faculty member at the University of Iowa, participated in the National
Foundation’s Science Fellowship at Northeastern University in Boston then taught at Wellesley College. Mast returned to Iowa where she was offered a tenure position, but instead she moved back to Boston to work at the University of Massachusetts Boston. There, Mast served as SEE MAST, PAGE 5
The Office of Student Involvement, formerly known as the Office of Student Leadership and Community Development (OSLCD), announced several changes to its department, as well as the appointment of Monique Dumaine, the new Student Organizations and Engagement Specialist. The Office of Student Leadership Assistant Director seat, previously held by Shannon Driscoll, is still empty at this time. Alanna Nolan, assistant dean for Student Involvement, made these announcements publicly at the first United Student Government meeting of the semester last Thursday. “It is with great enthusiasm we announce the transition of the ‘Office for Student Leadership and Community Development’ to the ‘Office for Student Involvement,’” Nolan stated. The former OSLCD department went through many changes this summer in response to an inSEE OSLCD, PAGE 3
SEE FNN PAGE 6
Fordham Football Tops Army 37-35 By DREW CASEY ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
CASEY CHUN/ THE FORDHAM RAM
The Fordham Bookstore relocated to O’Keefe Commons, which provides a larger space for books and apparel.
Bookstore Finds New Home in O’Keefe Commons By CATE CARREJO STAFF WRITER
After extensive renovations to O’Keefe Commons throughout June and July, including new signs, anti-theft security devices and a retail counter, the new bookstore opened on Aug. 8. The bookstore’s relocation had been in the works for quite some time, according to Marco Valera, vice president of Fa-
cilities Management. At the heart of the University’s decision was concern for student life. “There was a need for additional seating [in the McGinley Cafeteria] at peak times,” said Valera. “O’Keefe really stood out as the place that would accommodate the bookstore, because the location seemed ideal for students, visitors and parents.” The location change is not ideal for many students, however. The
news came as a surprise to many people, as the University did not give the student body advanced notice of the change. “I think the new bookstore is nice, but we needed O’Keefe Commons for other things,” said Jasmine Breeland, FCRH ’17. “They should have asked for student input before just changing it.” The bookstore is now much SEE BOOKSTORE, PAGE 3
When a team loses over 80 percent of its starters and faces an opponent in a higher division to start the season, one might expect a letdown. But for the Fordham football team against Army West Point on Friday night, that was not the case. The new-look Rams knocked off the Black Knights 37-35 in front of nearly 23,000 fans at Michie Stadium on the campus of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. “We’ve set the bar very high to get our second FBS win in three years,” fourth-year head coach Joe Moorhead said. “I couldn’t be more proud of these guys. It’s a huge step for our program.” The contest went back and forth throughout as neither team gained a double-digit lead at any juncture, and was ultimately decided by an unplanned fake extra point turned twopoint conversion. Army West Point opened the scoring just 99 seconds into the game after a miscue by junior quarterback Kevin Anderson. The signal caller, making his first start at Fordham, quickly took advantage of his next chance as he scampered for a six-yard touchdown just over three minutes later. “The whole time we fought together as a team,” Anderson said. “It
was just a family victory.” The Black Knights acored again later in the first quarter before sophomore running back and Patriot League preseason offensive player of the year Chase Edmonds answered for the Rams with a 14-yard scoring run. Fordham then took its first lead of the game when junior kicker Makay Redd knocked in a 22-yard field goal to put the Rams ahead 17-14. Army West Point retook the lead nearly seven minutes later, but another Edmonds touchdown run and a Redd 27-yard field goal as time expired put Fordham up 27-21 at the halftime break. Following a halftime firework display, the defenses for both sides took center stage as both forced three-andouts to start SEE the fiFOOTBALL, nal thirty minutes. PAGE 19 in this issue
Opinion
Page 7
The Upside of Traveling Alone
Culture
Page 13
The Best Songs of Summer 2015
Sports
Page 24 Women’s Soccer Wins Charleston Cup
NEWS
Page 2
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PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS
September 9, 2015
Journal From Abroad
Campus Dining: Fall Semester
September 5 Walsh Hall 9:50 a.m. Early in the morning, a Fordham student was making a meal when the food began to smoke. As a result, the fire alarm went off. However, the student used a fire extinguisher to put out the smoke and little to no damage was done.
By NEWS EDITORS
Changes to Dining Services The marketplace is sporting an updated look, with multicolored kitchenware, larger burrito bowls and remodeled cereal and milk dispensers.
August 31 Behind Freeman Hall 7:05 am A Fordham employee backed up into a parked vehicle this past Monday. The owners of the vehicle hit were attempting to move a student into Walsh Hall. No injuries were acquired, Information, was exchanged as a result of the damages. August 26 Murphy Field 9:30 p.m. Two young men entered campus from Southern Boulevard. They were on Murphy Field when Public Safety stopped and apprehended them. The two were brought back to the office. Their parents were called and came to campus to pick up the young men. There were no trespassing charges. August 30 187th Street 3:20 a.m. Late at night, an adult male was assaulted from behind by three men on 187th street. The victim was robbed of his cell phone. Two Fordham students witnessed the incident, however, they were not involved.
—Compiled by Erin Shanahan, Assistant News Editor
Follow us on Twitter! @TheFordhamRam
Panda Express has been replaced by a new Asian cuisine food establishment called Mein Bowl, located in Dagger Johns. The Marketplace CAROLINE LEBRANTI/ THE FORDHAM RAM
Adjusting to a Deeply-Rooted Culture By PIPER JOY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
“Denmark seen from foreign land Looks but like a grain of sand. Denmark as we Danes conceive it Is so big you won’t believe it...” -Piet Hein (1905-1996) Upon entering my small, cozy room (hyggelig, as the Danes would describe it) at my host family’s house for the first time, I noticed the poem above, framed and displayed on a shelf. I did not quite understand the significance of this poem at the time. But from the bits and pieces of Danish culture that I have gathered so far over just three short weeks in Copenhagen, I have come to understand how undeniably true this poem is. As a country of roughly 5.6 million people, Denmark may appear to some as simply another small European country. However, the Danes view themselves and their country vastly differently, with a strong and deeply rooted pride that was quite unexpected. They certainly have reason to be so proud. Ranked the happiest nation in the world, Copenhagen alone boasts over 400km of bike lanes, free (and equal) healthcare, and a myriad of other social benefits that all people living legally in Denmark even study abroad students
such as myself, are able to enjoy. Along with this happiness, Danish society is greatly based on trust. For example, today I toured a castle in Western Denmark with my Public Health class, and nowhere in the castle were there alarms. Just a few signs requesting that we “please do not touch”. Count Michael and his children even walked past our tour group into their private area of the castle; no fuss, no guards. This is something I have never experienced in the U.S., but as our tour guide explained, “We trust that people will do the right thing, so they do.” If only this worked on Fordham Road, too. Although private people, the Danes are very liberal when it comes to personal matters. This includes sexuality, marriage status, and gender roles, among other things. Even the most liberal of opinions are widely accepted because the Danes feel that these things are none of their business; why should they control what others do with their lives? This applies to children too; Danish youth are very independent of their parents, probably partly due to the lack of financial dependence they have for college. Danish students actually get a stipend for living expenses during the first six years they attend university! Yet even with their more liberal views as a country on personal matters, the Danes are also extremely
traditional in many ways. Family is of the utmost importance, and if at home, all meals are eaten together. This does not mean good things for a college student who would eat breakfast for every meal of the day. Breakfast restaurants are a shiny new invention, reserved only for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. For lunch, smørrebrod, Danish open-faced sandwiches are the norm. “Sandwiches,” you might think, “not bad!” Let me continue. These sandwiches are made on rye bread; it is a very intense, very dense version of multigrain bread that the Danes cannot get enough of and consider to be one of the healthiest foods there is. I have not been convinced quite yet. I have, however, managed to order a sandwich in Danish, I have learned that bicycles always have the right of way (whether they do by law or not), and I have somehow been able to live without ice in my drinks thus far. There have been many challenges adjusting to such deeply-rooted culture, and they will certainly continue to be. At the moment, though, I am content with the tidbits of knowledge I have slowly been collecting of the Danish culture. Steadily these tidbits have been changing my attitude of the Danes from strange and frustrating people, to people that I understand, appreciate and with whom I have even begun to blend.
Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Late Night: Tuesday - Thursday, Sunday: 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Cosi Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Dagger Johns Starbucks : Tuesday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sunday: 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Mein Bowl and Jamba Juice : Tuesday - Thursday: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sunday: 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. SubConnection at Queens Court Tuesday - Friday: 11:00 a.m. 12:00 a.m. Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 p.m. 12:00 a.m. The Grille at O’Hare Hall Monday - Sunday: 7:30 a.m. 1:00 a.m.
This Week at Fordham Thursday Sept. 10
Friday Sept. 11
Saturday Sept. 12
Auditions for The Little Prince
Stranded in Pittsburgh Improv Comedy Show
Central Park Bike Tour
CAB’s September Raffle
Blackbox Theater 6 p.m. — 8 p.m.
Blackbox Theater 8 p.m.
54th Street and Broadway 3 p.m. — 5 p.m.
McGinley Ballroom 1 p.m. — 2 p.m.
Open auditions will be held for FET’s first show of the year, The Little Prince. The show tells the story of a young prince fallen to Earth from a tiny asteroid. All are invited to audition.
The long-form improv comedy group, Stranded in Pittsburgh, will perform a show in the Blackbox Theater. Space is limited, so arrive early. Admission is free.
Campus Activities Board is offering a bike tour for students. Begining at 54 Street & Broadway in Manhattan. Students will be able to enjoy two hours of biking throughout Central Park. Space is limited, and spots are first come first serve.
Monday Sept. 14
Campus Activities Board is raffling off tickets for the Broadway shows Aladdin and The King and I as well as tickets to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Students must bring a valid Fordham I.D. to enter the raffle. Winners can buy up to two tickets for $20 each.
For more campus events, visit FordhamRam.com
Monday Sept. 14 Free Pizza Sketch Comedy Auditions Blackbox Theater 9:30 p.m. Fordham Experimental Theatre (FET) will be hosting open auditions for Fordham’s only live-action sketch comedy troupe, Free Pizza. All are encouraged to audition.
NEWS
September 9, 2015
Page 3
Student Affairs Office Gets New Name, Positions FROM OSLCD, PAGE 1
crease in clubs, events, and overall student involvement in campus life. “Student organization programming through our office has grown from 1,702 (in 2009-10) to 3,531 (in 2014-2015) for a 107% increase over the past 5 years.” Nolan explained. “The growth in registered clubs and organizations has also flourished from 80 clubs in 2010 to 125- that’s a 64% increase.” The first major change to the department includes a new title. “After sharing different options with students, this was the title that resoundingly excited students,” Nolan said. This name was picked following collaboration both with the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center offices. In addition, feedback from Fordham Students regarding the new title was utilized. The new title reflects the increase on student engagement and life on campus, according to the office. “Office for Student Involvement is a clearer and more inclusive title that will resonate with the Fordham community better than our previous title,” Nolan said, “This is a shorter title that speaks more intuitively to the many resources and services we provide, and encompassing of our larger mission of the education of the whole person with meaningful interactions.” The Office of Student Involvement will also be avoiding the acronym “OSI.” The department hopes that avoiding this acronym will allow all students to understand the department’s mission universally.
“While there is not an outright ‘ban’ on the acronym, we recognize that at times acronyms can create an exclusivity of those who do not “know” what the acronym stands for versus those who are ‘in the know,’” Nolan explained. Although the Rose Hill department has already begun rebranding themselves, the Lincoln Center office plans to implement these changes in the summer of 2016. The office is waiting to move into their office in the new Student Affairs Center at 140 West 62nd Street before making these changes. In addition to this rebranding, the Office of Student Involvement created a new position to help alleviate the workload due to the dramatic increase in clubs and events on campus: The Student Organizations and Engagement Specialist. “We are enthused to announce Monique Dumaine, graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University, as the Student Organizations and Engagement Specialist.” Nolan said, “More information is to come about Monique, her drop in hours, and how you can connect with her. As for now, we are excited to have her join the team and experience what she will contribute to the future success of Fordham students.” Dumaine, who will be starting immediately, will work to support and advise Fordham Rose Hill clubs and organizations. The specialist will deal with room reservations and required legal documents, such as contracts and waivers. In addition, the specialist will act as a liaison to other de-
partments to successfully execute club events. The specialist also will be in charge of designing, planning and advertising a program of monthly club leader workshops. These workshops will support student leaders, facilitate leadership development and, ultimately, aid club endeavors. Daily “Drop In Hours” for clubs and organizations also will be held by Dumaine. During these times, the specialist will advise student leaders on event planning, payment procedures and upcoming events. Although the newly created position of Student Organizations and Engagement Specialist has been filled, the search continues for a Student Involvement Assistant Director. “We are currently undergoing a nationwide search to fill the Assistant Director for Student Organizations and Programming position,” said Nolan. “With Fordham students being the best and brightest on a global scale, we have high standards to ensure an incumbent will go above and beyond in providing an intentional and holistic experience for Fordham students.” The past Student Involvement Assistant Director, Shannon Driscol, moved on to a new job opportunity this past summer. “I believe she has left behind solid critical processes and was thoughtful in her transition as she moved on to new endeavors,” Nolan concluded. The Office of Student Involvement will be having a launch event soon to promote all the new changes and new faces within the
CAROLINE LEBRANTI/ THE FORDHAM RAM
The Office of Student Leadership and Community Development was renamed Office of Student Involvement.
ZACK MIKLOS/ THE FORDHAM RAM
Over the summer, the campus bookstore moved into O’Keefe Commons.
Bookstore Moves Across Campus FROM BOOKSTORE, PAGE 1
further away from the freshman residence halls than last year, alienating the bookstore’s main cliental. “It’s a little annoying to have to walk that far, especially for us freshmen, who are at the literal opposite end of campus,” said Anastasia Lacina, FCRH ‘19. Nathalia Simonetti, FCRH ‘17, agreed. “It’s a hassle having to carry books all the way across campus [knowing] that it used to be half the distance,” she said. The loss of such a large and important event space has not gone over well with some student leaders. The mismanagement of the Office of Student Leadership, which hindered many clubs and programs, has made some especially wary of the change. “It feels like the administration has taken this event space away from the students without giving us a viable alternative,” says Emma DeGrace, FCRH ‘17, event coordinator for the Ballroom Dance Club. “Anyone who has tried to schedule a big event knows we are tight on that kind of space.” Andrew Mazzie, FCRH ‘17 and member of Fordham Flava, is frustrated by the loss of space that was so well-suited to performance groups that need lots of practice. “Last year, Flava’s practice rooms were often double booked with other groups,” he said. “O’Keefe was a good place to have because it could accommodate large groups when OSLCD double booked event space.” But it seems the reign of the OSLCD is in the past. With its new moniker and staff members, leaders like Stephen Esposito, FCRH ‘17, orientation coordinator for the Office of Student Involvement, have found the refreshed department to be extremely cooperative. “O’Keefe Commons was a great event space for programs, however, I feel that moving the bookstore to that lo-
cation will lead to a large growth in sales,” said Esposito. “While the space could have been very beneficial in the planning of New Student Orientation and my CAB programs, the Office of Student Involvement has been very helpful in finding alternative spaces on campus that would accommodate my needs and ultimately lead to the success of my events.” Nina Cafone, FCRH ‘16 and advocacy and outreach chair for Autism Speak, said she understood the University’s decisions to move the bookstore location. “The clubs that held events in O’Keefe, like Autism Speaks, will have to move to a different room on campus but it shouldn’t be a problem,” she said. “[The Autism Speaks Executive Board] think the decision to move locations must have been necessary for Fordham.” Of course, not all students mind the change either. The redesigned layout of the store, improved inventory and outdoor seating have all received positive reviews from students. “I like how the location is more visible now rather than when it was in the back of McGinley,” said Viviana Muniz, FCRH ‘19. The staff of the new bookstore is welcoming the move as well. “My staff and I love the new location,” says Bookstore Manager Sidney Saviory. “It looks like a ‘real’ campus bookstore now. Our older space was a little tight and closed off. We hope that [the move] will create more foot traffic in the store and students will know that we are here to support them.” While student reactions to the bookstore’s move are strongly mixed, the use of the old space may make up for the abrupt change. Valera also explained that the administration is working with student affairs to create additional dining space and possibly dining venues.
NEWS
Page 4
September 9, 2015
Fordham In The Bronx
The Bronx Doesn’t Taste Like Sodexo By MIKE DOBUSKI BRONX CORRESPONDENT
A friend of mine once told me that Fordham is not a part of the Bronx. Not geographically, I mean, obviously we are technically “a part” of the Bronx. But culturally, our Georgetown-esque scenery and our upper-middle-class sensibilities make us too far removed, too isolated, from the borough that surrounds us. And, you know, the fences do that too. But in spite of that, I never really believed him. In my mind, we change our environment just by nature of being in it.
Fordham has changed the Bronx, in however small of a way, for better or for worse. My friend did have a point though, and a good one: we, as Fordham students, can and should take full advantage of this amazing, gritty, challenging place. You have seen the Botanical Gardens, you have been to the Bronx Zoo and your parents have taken you to lunch on Arthur Avenue. That stuff is easy. But there is more, quite a bit more, in fact. Let’s get to know the Bronx. First, some context. I am not from the Bronx. Not by a long shot. I am not even from New York City,
MIKE DOBUSKI./THE FORDHAM RAM
Bronx Correspondent Mike Dunoski explores some of the alternative dinning options on Fordham Road. Specifically, Dunoski sat down at the Puerto Rican restaurant, Cuchifritos, for some good comfort food.
ZACK MIKLOS./THE FORDHAM RAM
Scott Dikkers Speaks at Fordham Scott Dikkers, a founding editor of The Onion as well as the current Vice President of Creative Development for the paper, spoke at Fordham this past week. Dikkers has written several best-selling humor books, created several Jim’s Journal Comic Strips and directed several films such as Bad Meat.
or New York State for that matter. I am from a tiny colonial town in Pennsylvania, about 30 minutes north of Philadelphia. It is about as different from here as it gets, which means that this is very much going to be a learning experience. I think that there is value in that, though. We can learn together, and with an open mind and a rudimentary understanding of the MTA, we might even be able to arrive at some sort of larger conclusion about this place. Anyway, enough with the big ideas; I am hungry. Cuchifritos, just off Grand Concourse on 188th, is a sit-down and take-out shop with, I am told, just about the best Puerto Rican comfort food you will come across. It sure is colorful. There is something that is equal parts thrilling and terrifying about walking into a restaurant in which you do not understand anything that is on the menu. My eye catches the woman behind the counter ladling something orange and pouring it into a tall plastic container. I ask the man standing
next to me what it is. “Chicken soup,” he replies curtly. And then, after a pause, “It’s good. She makes it good here.” The woman behind the counter smiles, but does not look up from what she is doing. Chicken soup it is. Do you know that moment in a meal where you know you have gotten yourself in too deep? Where you know that you have somehow ended up with far too much food? That is the predicament I found myself in while sitting in St. James Park, mere minutes later. We, as a society, should find more reasons to eat outside. Fried chicken, yellow rice, beans and pork — pork for days. That is what the word “Cuchifritos” means, after all: fried up pig parts. For a drink, Avena, which is a Puerto Rican horchata. The whole thing was greasy, it was piping hot, and it was way too much for one man to handle. It was perfect. Some of the best meals I have ever had have come out of an aluminum foil dish, and this one is up there. You could even be more daring than I was: Cuchifritos is
known for its blood sausage, pig’s tongue and, rather confusingly, flan. It is food that makes me wish I knew more about how to describe food. But more than that, it was a uniquely Bronx experience. Only in New York can you travel such a short distance for such diverse food, and only in the Bronx is it so singularly authentic. I know Cuchifritos will not become a household name for most of us. Frankly, I would be surprised if it even had a website. But that is a good thing. It is a place that has not allowed itself to be marketed, or sanitized. There is a clarity to this place, and the neighborhood in which it resides, that is refreshing. It is untouched, which is both good and bad, economically speaking, but that is a discussion for another day. Now it is time for me to finish this delicious, arteryclogging food, and to say thanks for reading. Oh, and if anyone wants some rice and beans, I have more than enough to go around.
Campus Briefs & Bites Campus Ministry Holds Lottery for Papal Mass Tickets Campus Ministry announced via email on Tuesday, Sept. 8 that they would host a raffle for tickets to the Mass with Pope Francis at Madison Square Garden on Friday, Sept. 25. Pope Francis will be traveling to New York during his tour of the United States. He will arrive on Thursday, Sept. 24 and host an evening prayer at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for local clergy. During his visit, Pope Francis will address the United Nations General Assembly and take part in a multi-religious service at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Pope Francis will also visit Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem. Fordham Campus Ministry has fifteen available tickets for students to attend the mass at Madison Square Garden. The tickets will be distributed through a lottery system. Students can enter the lottery by submitting an application by no later than noon on Friday, Sept. 11. Winners will be notified by email on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Monsignor Quinn to Leave Fordham
Author Welcomes Gabelli Class of 2019
It was announced last Thursday, September 3, that that Bishop Joseph C. Bambera has appointed Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn to return to the Diocese of Scranton. Effective Oct. 2, Quinn will act as pastor of Our Lady of the Snows Parish. He replaces Monsignor James M. McGarry, who became pastor emeritus on July 20.Although Monsignor Quinn has been vice president for university mission and ministry with Fordham since 2009, he knew his time at Fordham was temporary. “I’ve always been on loan to Fordham University,” he said to the Times-Tribune. “(Father McShane) always understood it was a temporary period of time. It was just a question of how long.” Quinn’s appointment was extended past five years because of Pope Francis’ visit to the United States later this month. Monsignor Quinn’s responsibilities at Fordham included community service, campus ministry and cultural immersion. He will be sorely missed.
New York Times blogger and author David Bornstein welcomed the Gabelli School of Business Class of 2019 on Sept. 2 with a lecture on the future of social entrepreneurship and his recent book, How to Change the World. Bornstein’s book was required summer reading for the incoming class. During his lecture, he encouraged the class to think about social problems and use their business education and experiences outside the classroom to seek solutions. Bornstein talked about the importance of finding something you feel passionate about in order to get the most out of the experience. Bornstein spoke to Gabelli students as the future generation of social entrepreneurs. He told students to try entrepreneurial efforts as an undergraduate through classes and outside involvements and apply these skills after Fordham. In addition to his writing and lecturing, Bornstein is also the founder of Solutions Journalism, an organization that aims at solving societal challenges through sustainable business practices.
Bronx Zoo Offers Free Student General Admission The Bronx Zoo now offers complimentary general admission to college students. Students must either attend a New York City college or university, or they must be a resident of New York City and be in pursuit of an undergraduate degree. In order to receive the student discount, students must show a valid college ID at the Bronx Zoo ticket booth and ask for a General Admission ticket. New York City residents who attend an institution outside of New York’s five boroughs must show proof of residency and a valid student ID. The Bronx Zoo General Admission is regularly $19.95, but students are eligible for free general admission. The Bronx Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. November through April, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer. - Compiled by Cailin McKenna and Erin Shanahan, Assistant News Editors
NEWS
September 9, 2015
Page 5
Senior Ram Snags Google Internship in Ann Arbor By JOE VITALE EDITOR IN CHIEF
You may not recognize Google’s updated logo, but you may soon recognize one of its newest interns: Nicholas Hardiman, GSB ’16. A native of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Hardiman, a major in business administration with concentrations in marketing and finance and a minor in information sciences, will begin a semester-long internship with the online giant starting this month at Google’s Ann Arbor, Michigan, offices. There, Hardiman will be working as a business intern, specializing as an account strategist on the Small to Medium Sized Business Global Customer Experience team (SMB GCE). “What I will be doing is working with different clients all day every day and helping optimize their Adwords campaigns once they are live,” Hardiman, who will be taking off the fall semester to complete the full-time internship, said in an email. “Each client will have different goals, different budgets and be operating in different markets so each day will be a new experience.” Google, which became one of the world’s largest corporations by selling advertisement space next to its search results, is growing its digital marketing and advertising business. The internship will require Har-
diman to track the returns on investment of specific campaigns through various metrics and require strong relationships with clients. While Hardiman is not the only upperclassman to enter an exciting internship this year, his is one of the few whose perks and experiences has become dramatized on the internet, television and Hollywood. In 2013, The Internship, starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, depicted the start-up world of Silicon Valley, where Vaughn’s and Wilson’s characters, who were former salesmen, found themselves competing with tech-savvy millennials at a Google internship. Despite the popular depiction, the company typically has hundreds of openings — 2,500 current ones, according to Forbes — that attract a wide range of applicants. Forbes reports there is an average of 140 applicants for every job, though it does not specify how many applicants for the average internship. Its competitive environment, paired with its many perks (in some offices, there are free lunches, haircuts, gyms, nap pods, campus bikes, foosball, pool, ping pong, laundry service and more) have helped Google claim the top spot on Forbes’ “100 Best Companies to Work For.” After coming across a web page for the internship opening, Hardiman submitted a resume, an academic transcript and detailed some of his prior experiences.
“Google tells you on their application they are more focused on experience then anything else,” said Hardiman. Since his sophomore year, Hardiman has completed several internships at various companies. His first two internships were at a small medical company and a startup coworking space in Boston. “Both of those gave me experience in two types of atmospheres that were quickly growing and where I was thrown right into it,” he said. “I actually talked quite a bit about my internship with the medical company in my interview with Google because I was working on Adwords campaigns while I was with them something I never did at the bigger companies I worked at.” Last fall, he completed an internship with BBC America and, in the spring, he interned at NBCUniversal where he was a content distribution and MVPD strategy intern. “This was great preparation because I was not client facing at all, rather working on six accounts the entire semester that focused on various priorities and goals for new or returning shows that required constant attention and preparation,” he said. Over the past summer, he worked at YuMe, a digital video advertising technology company. “Everyone I spoke with told me about where budgets and ultimately the industry was shifting and to gain experience in digital advertising,”
COURTESY OF NICHOLAS HARDIMAN
Nicholas Hardiman, in a photo with his sister, is preparing to start an internship at Google, which will run for the length of the fall semester.
he said. “Some of the best advice I've ever received has been from former employees that I have stayed in touch with.” When it comes to advice, Hardiman says that strong internships should be about exploring interesting fields, meeting new people and developing your professional skills “For your first internship, you may have to accept something unpaid or even something in an industry you have no knowledge of, but as long as you are gaining skills to put on your resume you are putting
yourself in a great position to land an internship in the future that you truly want,” he said. Even if the internship opens a world of new possibilities, Hardiman is well aware that he will be leaving his friends behind while he is in Michigan. “All three years everyone looks forward to the Senior nights and to go under the tent at homecoming, so it is bittersweet that I will miss out on that during the fall,” Hardiman added, “but I know it will be worth it in the end.”
Orientation Creates Welcoming Environment for Students By REGAN WINTER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
“We are Fordham!” The cries of over 210 student volunteers rang out across campus on Aug. 30 as they moved in all of the incoming students. As recognizable as this group of students is and as memorable the experience of NSO is for every student, this year the group and the experience itself looked a little different – most notably through a name change. As most people on campus probably know, New Student Orientation, previously NSO, is the three days before classes officially start in the fall semester. In these days, freshmen and other incoming students have schedules jam-packed with programming ranging from carnivals to motivational speeches,
from deans to tours of campus. Each day during orientation the students met with upperclassmen orientation leaders that led them in icebreakers, discussions about fears and concerns for the school year and bonding activities to help them make a home here at Fordham. While many of the activities and schedules have remained the same year in and year out, this year steps were made to make this incoming class’s experience a little bit different. The first change made was the organization’s name. Rather than using the traditional name, it was decided that all students should instead begin to use NSO’s full name: New Student Orientation. According to Orientation Coordinator Regina Kendrick, FCRH ’17, calling the experience by its full name made it “more welcoming and approachable
to new students.” “One of my favorite things about calling it New Student Orientation is that it explicitly says ‘new students.’ People often forget that orientation isn’t just freshmen,” Kendrick said. We had over 100 transfer students, as well as visiting and exchange students, that all went through our orientation program.” While the orientation team understood where the change was coming from and got used to the change throughout their week of training, the new name took some getting used to. Orientation Leader Elena Conte, FCRH ’18, said she missed calling New Student Orientation by its abbreviation NSO because “NSO was short, sweet, and simple.” Orientation Captain Sarah Homer, FCRH ’16, commented that the orientation cheers had to be
KELLYN SIMPKINS/ THE FORDHAM RAM
New Student Orientation underwent many changes this year including the addition of a community service project.
changed from previous years. Orientation Coordinator Laura Villaraut, GSB ’16, said the coordinators themselves actually started a game where they had to pay a quarter each time one of them used the wrong name over the summer as a way to get used to the switch. As for how the change resonated with the incoming students and their parents, Villaraut said “They may not be aware of the changes themselves as they never knew of a time when ‘NSO’ was a thing – but I imagine they had a much better understanding of what we do.” Briggs Boss, GSB ’19, reiterated this, saying that he was not aware that anything had been changed for orientation this year. Apart from the obvious, the orientation coordinators implemented other more subtle changes in their training, in some of the programming, and even in their media presence. The coordinators decided to focus on one pillar of leadership for orientation training: love. They had orientation leaders move throughout the week focusing on how to “love yourself,” how to “love your partner,” how to “love your small group,” and finally how to “love others.” These ideals culminated in New Student Orientation’s first service project, during which they partnered with the Dorothy Day Center for Social Justice and TreesCount. This theme was used often over the programming. Kendrick discussed why the team was willing to give up a week of their summer for training activities. “That reason is because all love Fordham,” she said. Other changes included adding to New Student Orientation’s
media presence. Kendrick created a Tumblr for the group as well as a BuzzFeed account she posted weekly quizzes on. She also boosted posting on the group’s Instagram, Facebook page and Twitter. These accounts were used and enjoyed by freshmen like Boss, who said, “It was nice to see the campus and see what was going on before we arrived.” Specific activities were also added and changed. One such activity was called Fear in a Hat. During the incoming students’ small group sessions, orientation leaders used this activity to facilitate discussions on topics like health, homesickness, and making friends. Homer said she was glad to see that this activity really helped her freshmen to open up during small group. Orientation coordinators also worked with the Office of Multicultural Affairs to update their scripts for “Every Student Has a Voice,” an activity where monologues are read to the incoming students that touch on many different, serious topics. Changes were made to update the language in the monologues to make them more current and especially more inclusive and comprehensive to the students. Conte particularly liked this change, saying, “I felt better about the scripts as they removed bias and harmful wording.” Each new school year brings about a whole host of change. This year part of it was with each of our first experiences as a student at Fordham. But even with a new name and some updated details, New Student Orientation has remained the same at its core. It is full of students that love and are passionate about this school and want to pass that love on to others.
NEWS
Page 6
Fordham College at Rose Hill Welcomes New Dean FROM MAST, PAGE 1
special assistant to the provost since 2013 and associate vice provost for undergraduate studies since 2009. Mast is a noted mathematician and researcher with a focus of study in differential geometry. The Fordham Ram sat down with Mast to discuss her new life in New York. You have a very impressive background in mathematics. What inspired you to pursue that area of study? “It was two things. The first was when I took calculus. I actually didn’t like mathematics that much until I took calculus in high school. Everyone thought I would be really good at math too because my dad was actually a math professor at Notre Dame. But I actually found math really hard. But when I took calculus in high school as a senior, I realized how amazing math could be. It was so different from any math I had done before and I really loved it. When I got to Notre Dame, they told me I could take this really interesting calculus course, theoretical calculous, but I had to be a math major. As a result, I registered with intent to declare a major in math to take the class. The class was so challenging, but so beautiful. After taking the class, I realized that math was my passion.” Why did you decide to apply to Fordham? “I really wanted to come back to Catholic higher education. Catholic education was not just
my experience in college, but also growing up. Mission based education was a really important thing for my family. As I looked at what I was doing previously, I was proud but I knew something was missing. I believe it was the faith-based approach to education — being able to talk about faith and doubt in a university and how that connects to the intellectual work you’re doing. As a mathematician, I met every summer with a group of Catholic mathematicians called the Clavius Group. This group was started by the Jesuits of 50 years ago. It’s a group of Jesuits and lay people who come together for three weeks every summer and live in a dorm at a Jesuit university. While living together, they do mathematics during the day and go to mass together, share faith perspectives, eat dinner with one another and participate in other community building activities. That community approach and bringing together intellectual and spiritual themes is so awesome to me. I believe that Fordham is a great place to do this as well.”
September 9, 2015
United Student Government Updates Upcoming Events:
9/11 Memorial Service Friday, Sept. 11, 2015 McGinley Center Campaign Information Sessions: Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. South 1st Floor Lounge Open USG Seats, Special Elections: 5 Freshmen Senators 1 Sophomore Senator 1 Junior Senator
What’s your general mission statement for the year? “To make sure Fordham College of Rose Hill is the best college there is.”
open to discussions with faculty across the college about the world of science in the college and how we can bring together different disciplines. I like to take a very interdisciplinary approach to the work I do – I was a math major but I was also an anthropology major as an undergrad. I think that openness I have I can convey that to the faculty and students.”
You have an impressive background in mathematics – how do you hope to incorporate your background/passion for mathematics here at Fordham? “As a mathematician, I feel very comfortable taking a data-based approach to my job. More generally, with my background, I am
Do you hope to promote women in STEM? “One of my passions is advocacy for women and girls in science and mathematics. I am a long time member of the association for women in mathematics. I am on the executive board and I’ve had national leadership in these
Elections will take place Sept. 21 and 22. Proposals: No proposals were voted on this week.
areas. It’s crucial for the future of the country and for women.” You are the first female dean. How do you feel about this fact and how do you feel about the other female hires which occurred this past year? “I’m so thrilled to be joining a great group of colleagues! That’s what’s really important to me. It’s funny to be the first woman dean. It wasn’t something I expected coming in, but as a woman of mathematics, I am used to being the first woman to do something. I’m very happy to be a role model.” What’s an interesting fact about your life/history? “I have dual citizenship. My
mother was from Ireland, so I got the citizenship automatically, and about 10 years ago I got my passport. I also have loads of cousins in Ireland, so it comes in handy when I travel to Europe!” What message do you have for the Fordham students? “I think that Fordham is an amazing place. I have been so happy and people have been so welcoming to me. I can only imagine what it must be like to be a student here — it must be great. This year, I am looking forward to getting to know the students, faculty and the college in general. I really welcome different types of conversation with all students. I am very excited to be their dean!”
Fordham Nightly News Closes Doors
CASEY CHUN/ THE FORDHAM RAM
The door to Fordham Nightly News is closed as the University’s TV station has been suspended until further notice. FROM FNN, PAGE 1
dents and the station’s administrators, both in the Fordham faculty, and in the Electronic Information Center (or EIC; also known as the library basement, where the studio is located). Usually, Grbic is one of the first to know about major news affecting the station. But, he said, this summer he felt decidedly out of the loop. The trouble started with an email. In mid-June, FNN’s production manager and Rose Hill professor Mat Schottenfeld notified Grbic that the FNN studios and associated programs were undergoing some “retooling” to better accommodate a new television broadcasting major, which begins in fall 2016. Because of this, Schottenfeld said, those at the
helm of the studio were evaluating the “cancelling of all broadcasts for the Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 semesters.” Grbic responded, saying he understood, but asked that some of the studio’s more independently-run programs be maintained. About a month later he followed up to ask for more details, and then tried to check the FNN email account—which he’d always had access to—for updates he might have missed. He was locked out. Confused, he emailed Schottenfeld and the EIC director, Michael Considine, asking if he should be concerned. And, he said, Considine’s response confused him even more. Considine said that Grbic had been locked out of the accounts to
“head off the possibility of misinformation about this year’s programs spreading among the participating students.” But his explanation of the program changes differed from the one Schottenfeld had given earlier in the summer. “Due to high demand for video services and shrinking library staff we are reevaluating what we can offer in terms of student participation in the studio,” Considine wrote. But Grbic said he doesn’t think that story adds up. “Our program is, like, so selfsufficient,” he said. “It is completely student-run— pretty much the only thing that we need the EIC staff for is for unlocking the studio.” Still, little more information was forthcoming for Grbic. When asked
for further details, Considine confirmed that “We have postponed the start of FNN this semester until discussions about its future are concluded.” “It is entirely possible that programming will remain unchanged,” he added. “It is safe to say that things will be managed differently in the future and what that means is presently being discussed. “ Schottenfeld did not return a request for comment. In the meantime, as FNN remains on an “indefinite hiatus,” as Grbic now calls it, several administrators and student staff members are taking them upon themselves to get the program running again in some capacity. Jacqueline Reich, chair and graduate director of Fordham’s Communications department, is one such professor. “We are working with the library and the university administration toward a solution,” Reich said. “We know how important these shows are to the students who work on them.” Still, Grbic says, the hiatus, however long it may last, has put the program at a significant disadvantage. “Now we don’t have new freshmen in, and we’ve lost seniors—and we were pretty senior-heavy last year,” he said. “Now we’re going to be under-staffed if we do come back.” Ann Pierret, FCRH ’14, one of Grbic’s predecessors in the Student
Coordinator position, agreed that it is a bad situation. She now works as an on-air reporter and multimedia journalist in Lansing, Michigan, and says she couldn’t have gotten the job without her FNN experience. “[Strong journalism opportunities] are one of the main reasons I chose Fordham,” she said. “That’s why I just feel awful for those students…FNN lets you get hands-on experience you need, and it’s really hard to get it otherwise.” But the biggest problem, Grbic said, does not even directly affect him. He is more worried about the new freshmen and sophomores. “I’m a senior—FNN has done all it can for me on my resume and for skills. But for all the freshmen and sophomores…you’re really depriving people,” Grbic said. “And especially in New York City, market number one for TV broadcasting, how dare you not have that?” In the meantime, he and other FNN staff members are trying to come up with some plans. He has discussed making a YouTube account so reporters can show some of their work. They are thinking about creating a new website, too, or forging a stronger partnership with the communications department so they can find more administrative support. But at the end of the day, he said, nothing is certain. They are just going to have to wait and see.
OPINION
September 9, 2015
Page 7
The Fordham Ram
The Unexpected Benefits of Traveling Alone By ANDREW SANTIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
It was half-past noon on a sunny Thursday afternoon in Paris, and I was standing in the middle of the famous Champs-Élysées trying to make sense of what had just happened to me. I was replaying the scene in my head over and over, wishing I did something different, or acted quicker, to avoid the theft of my iPhone 6 from my left-hand pocket. I could not believe I became the victim of a crime only five hours after landing in Paris, a city I had never been to before and where I did not speak the language. Oh, and did I mention I was traveling alone? That’s right. While my friends and classmates spent their summers interning at banks, volunteering as camp counselors or working at Fordham, I had the privilege of traveling to ten European cities by myself. I use the word ‘privilege’ because traveling alone as an adolescent rarely happens, but when it does, and you have done it, you will want to experience the perks that come with it again and again. The thought of traveling alone never crossed my mind, but when two opportunities — one from school and the other from my internship — came knocking, I went along with it. Traveling alone may not sound appealing to everyone; it might seem
like a scary, boring or even solitary experience. One night, during my week in Berlin, I felt very lonely because I noticed that Berliners were almost always accompanied by someone at the local establishments. Coincidentally, the morning after, I found and read a piece on Yahoo News titled “How Solo Travel Changed My Life (And How It Can Change Yours Too),” which helped me get through that mini-slump and realize how great it was to be traveling alone. The best aspect about solo travel is freedom. For two months I did not have to compromise with anyone about where to eat or which landmarks to visit. I also had the liberty to change my itinerary at the last second to fit in more sightseeing in one day, shift visits around or stay out later. Because I was in control of my time, I feel like I took in the sights, the people, the culture and the food a lot better than if I was traveling with someone. In other words, I had a better connection with each city I visited. Something I did that I would not have been able to do if I was traveling with others was walking. I love to walk; it is a great way to get to know any city (and burn off the food and drinks). Instead of carelessly spending (read: wasting) money on bus, tram or subway tickets, I would walk for miles until I arrived at my destination. I had not yet experienced independence when I left for Europe (I live at
COURTESY OF CAROLINE LEBRANTI
Traveling by yourself can be frightening at first, but that is a small price to pay for all the great benefits.
home with my family), so I had to get used to cooking my own food, doing my own laundry and managing my personal expenses. Living in a flat in London and living in people’s homes in Germany through Airbnb added a tremendous bonus to developing independence. In terms of money, I had to budget grocery shopping for the week, the occasional transportation and personal expenses, and consistently check exchange rates to get an accurate picture of how much I was spending each day. I also had to learn how to do laundry the European way. Not only did I have to wait two hours for the wash cycle to complete, but I had to wait at least one full day for my clothes to dry on the drying racks
because the washing machine would only drain the water from the clothes. Not to mention, I learned how to file a police report when my phone was stolen, dealt with the airline that did not get my check-in luggage on my flight to Paris, used physical maps to navigate my way around cities and I had to move myself (and my three heavy bags) from train station to train station and from home to home all on public transportation. All of these experiences helped me develop character, allowed me to solve problems out on my own and prepared me for adulthood. If you have plans to travel soon, I encourage you to consider traveling alone. There is much more to solo
travel than complete freedom and independence, like the benefit of minimum distractions from travel companions, which will allow you to fully immerse yourself in a country’s culture. There will be challenges and obstacles that you will be forced to overcome, but do not fret because you will figure things out. Traveling alone will make you a more openminded individual and help you adapt to today’s global world. Everyone should travel alone at least once in their lives because it is such a unique experience that is sure to transform your life. Andrew Santis, GSB ’16, is a marketing major from Queens.
How to Achieve Your Goals This Semester
CASEY CHUN/THE FORDHAM RAM
One of the most popular and most effective ways to get organized is to make to-do lists to keep track of assignments.
By REGAN WINTER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The beginning of a new semester can signal a boatload of change. Most of you have spent the past three months away from Fordham. You are fresh off a summer-high of traveling, finding new passions and making new friends. Others may be here at Fordham for the first time. It might be your first time living away from home. It might be a new school experience in general. Regardless, this semester is a fresh start, full of brand new
classes, rooms, internships and friends where you can start from scratch. New year, new you, right? I am sure plenty of you have come into this past week motivated to finally ace all of your classes or planning to join a whole host of new clubs. You are going to go to the gym three — no, four — times a week. You are going to get to know your neighbors and RA and maybe even hit the career fair for once. For plenty of people, this game of planning is old hat. You decide that this semester is the one that you will finally get it all right,
but then you hit that slump just before midterms. Suddenly it is more enticing to watch one more episode of Chopped instead of getting a head start on that novel for your literature class and you start to count climbing up four flights of stairs in FMH as your weekly exercise. The big goals you had for your semester get pushed to the back burner and become goals for next semester — yet another fresh start. A new year, a new you. Well, fellow Rams, I am here to try and help with some advice to keep you afloat this semester and to make sure you at least give your
goals the old college try. Number one: organize and plan ahead. I know if you have heard it once you have heard it a thousand times. And you are going to continue to hear it a thousand more times after this. But that is only because it is true. Find a system that works for you, whether you use to-do lists, physical planners or an online calendar. I personally live and breathe by my iCalendar and iStudiez. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you are consistent with how you record your dates, assignments and responsibilities. Get into the habit of putting them all to paper instead of relying on your memory. It will help you stay on top of everything you need to accomplish throughout the semester. Number two: tell people about your big goals and plans for the semester. Are you finally planning on auditioning for that a cappella group of which you have been dreaming? Maybe you have decided to run in a marathon. Or maybe you are really going to focus on your grades this semester and make time to meet each of your professors. Tell your friends and family that you want to accomplish these things. Get them invested in these goals so that they ask you about them constantly. It will be harder to abandon your goals if you are not quitting on just yourself. Your friends and family will hold you accountable. Number three: create realis-
tic and attainable goals. Sure, it might be nice to think that you can handle two jobs, clubs, classes, an active social life and downtime for yourself. Maybe this is possible, but part of being realistic is understanding that you are only human and there are times you might fall short. Recognize when you need a break. Recognize when you have tried your hardest, even if you did not get the result you wanted. The same goes with keeping your goals attainable. You probably will not find the cure to the common cold this semester, but you can at least shoot for getting that A in biology. Know your abilities and challenge them, but do not set yourself up to fail. Finally: breathe. Things will probably get tough this semester. You will probably feel stressed and overwhelmed and doubtful of yourself. That is perfectly normal. Guess what? It will pass. Just take time to breathe and separate yourself from whatever is bogging you down. Things will not always be easy, but I can assure you that they will eventually get better. Do not forget that. This semester is going to move faster than you think. Make some plans, accomplish some goals and make this your best semester yet.
Regan Winter, FCRH ’16, is an English and psychology major from West Lawn, Pennslyvania.
OPINION
Page 8
R Serving Fordham University campus and community since 1918 The Fordham Ram is the University journal of record. The mission of The Fordham Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate. The Fordham Ram is published and distributed free of charge every Wednesday during the academic year to the Rose Hill, Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses with a readership of over 10,000. The Fordham Ram office is located in the basement of the McGinley Center, room B-52.
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Editor-in-Chief Joe Vitale Managing Editor Katie Meyer Copy Chief Robert Frerich Assistant Copy Chief Sydney Keen News Editor Laura Sanicola Assistant News Editors Erin Shanahan Cailin McKenna Opinion Editor Margarita Artoglou Assistant Opinion Editor Kristen Santer Culture Editors Nicole Horton & Amanda Giglio Sports Editor Anthony Pucik Assistant Sports Editors Sam Belden & Drew Casey Photo Editor Casey Chun Assistant Photo Editors Zach Miklos Caroline LeBranti Layout Editor Mae Drucker Digital Editors Blaine Kaniewski Anna Carey Ellie Bruckner Business Director Mike Krzysko Faculty Advisor Dr. Beth Knobel Editorial Page Policy The Fordham Ram’s editorial and ramblings topics are selected on a weekly basis and reflect the editorial board’s view on a campus issue.
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September 9, 2015
From the Desk | Mike Krzysko
Striving for More on Fordham’s Campus At the end of last semester, articles from various media outlets challenged Fordham University offices and the ways in which they handle student affairs. While it may still be too early to truly see if any substantial changes have come from this, it is imperative that Fordham students realize that the forum has been opened, and that we need to continue to challenge the university in order to better it. It is very easy for us students to lose track of our place on campus, often thinking that we are required to follow exactly what the university’s administration says. This, however, is not the case. We have a stake in the direction of this university. We have the ability to enact change for the better. At every New Student Orientation, Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J. president of the university, tells the incoming freshman class that they are the smartest, most competitive class
Fordham has ever accepted. If this is truly the case, and the quality of student is constantly improving them, then why is it too much for us to come together as students to ask the university to join us in this growth? The truth is, it is not too much to ask. We need to challenge Fordham university’s policies that we find unjust or outdated — not because they are inconvenient or annoying, but because they are exactly that: unjust and outdated. One of Fordham University’s main Jesuit tenets is Magis, the Latin word for “more” or “better.” Students returning to the university are almost all aware of this, as it has been engrained in our minds through Eloquentia Perfecta courses, rigorous core requirements in philosophy and theology and hands-on learning in residence halls. If it is expected that students will live the Fordham mission every second they are on campus and out in
the world, it should not be too far fetched to believe that the university should carry itself in that way. While I fully believe that the Fordham University administration believes in its mission, I want to issue a challenge: keep going. Continue to work with students on issues that we believe in, in hopes of creating a better Fordham tomorrow of which we may not be a part. Fordham University is a community of opinionated, passionate, strong-willed individuals who take part in open discussion every day on campus. This gets uncomfortable as students butt heads with one another or with administrators on ideals that each believe strongly about, often times on opposite sides. What we need to realize, as members of the Fordham community, is that every member of this university holds an equally important belief and we need to listen, feel compassion, and understand as we strive toward
creating a better university for us and for future members of the university. It is with this perspective that I advise every member of the Fordham community: strive to open the discussion even further and strive to be uncomfortable, because it is from this discomfort that we grow together. We each love and choose to attend Fordham for different reasons, but now that we are one community, it should be our mission to continue to better the university together.
Editorial | State of Our Campus
Problems and Solutions to Campus Issues Now that freshman have completed orientation, classes are underway and the day-to-day of a college campus has resumed, so, too, have some of the important issues that dominated the campus conversation at Fordham last May before the class of 2015 graduated. Some of these topics have become undeniably American ones, covered in national newspapers and magazines and discussed on just about every college campus. Many of these issues are unique to different campuses, and the list of issues on Fordham’s campus extend beyond those included below, but here are some of the most important ones for Fordham students: Sexual Assault Last year, the Sexual Assault Task Force partnered with organizations across campus and created a video to raise awareness of sexual assault. The university released a schoolwide survey to gage students’ attitudes toward, and experiences with, sexual assault and Rose Hill hosted a Take Back the Night event for sexual assault survivors and advocates to come together in solidarity. The Task Force, headed by a member of United Student Government and by a member of Women’s Empowerment, is expected to release a new report in the coming months. But for students, this issue obviously surpasses a single document: sexual assault continues on the nation’s campuses despite efforts by administrators to thwart them. Last year, the issue played out in the public when Columbia Univer-
sity student Emma Sulkowicz carried a mattress around campus until she graduated, waiting for her alleged perpetrator to be brought to justice. Students need to diversify methods of sexual assault education: it should be happening earlier on, and should educate men and women on knowing when they are being sexually assaulted and when they are sexually assaulting another person. Bystander intervention will also continue to be a central part of this discussion. Campus Sustainability Sustainability continues to be a worthy topic of discussion on college campuses across the country. Campuses have begun paying more attention to conversation by implementing new standards of energy efficiency. They have also increased recycling rates, lowered water use, built more green buildings and instituted courses on sustainability. As students of a Jesuit university, we should be aware that this summer Pope Francis released an encyclical calling for a renewed commitment to our natural world. The lengthy document , which drew just as much praise as it did criticism, issued an urgent message about climate change, demanding that world leaders act on his call for environmental justice and climate action. Being the so-called “stewards of the Earth” it is our not merely our job but rather our duty to take care of the world and its resources. Going forward, we should continue to be mindful of our individual impact as well as our collective responsibility as a campus to carry out the Pope’s
message. Free Speech This past summer, The Atlantic published an article by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt titled “The Coddling of the American Mind.” The lengthy piece tackled many of the issues threatening free speech on college campuses. “A movement is arising, undirected and driven largely by students,” the authors write, “to scrub campuses clean of words, ideas, and subjects that might cause discomfort or give offense.” The authors claimed many of the new terms becoming more popular on college campuses — micro-aggressions, trigger warnings, safe zones — were threatening education and the mental health of students. We believe that while students should strive to be thoughtful and inclusive in their speech, they also should not shy away from questioning, or even making one another uncomfortable, during important discussions. This is college — our ideas and beliefs should be challenged; those challenges make us stronger and more intelligent people. College Debt While the economy, national security and foreign policy will undoubtedly dominate the next few months of the presidential nomination process, mounting college debt continues to be a national issue plaguing millions of students. In all, Americans owe about $1.2 trillion in student loan debt, and about eight million are defaulting their loans. Some presidential candidates — mainly Hillary Clinton — have offered plans for paying for
college. President Obama has offered more limited plans to make community college more accessible to lowincome Americans. Clinton’s plan would call for grants given to states that guarantee that students would not have to take out loans to cover tuition at four-year public colleges and universities. Whether candidates begin to address this issue, and whether institutions like Fordham can curb tuition increases should be of great concern over the next academic year, and should be a deciding factor in who the college-age population votes for in the primary season. Residential Life Last year concluded with some spirited discussion about the status of residential life, and the treatment of students who choose to be resident assistants (RAs). Much of this hinged on an article posted by a graduating senior who, while using several anonymous sources, drew claims that some RAs were treated unfairly. The Fordham Ram received several passionate letters to the editor as well, and there were important questions raised during the final Student Life Committee meeting. Though only a small segment of the student body are RAs, it is an important group of students who do a great service to the university. Their concerns are worth considering, by their fellow students and by university administrators. How this issue pans out over the next few months will be interesting, and The Ram hopes to play an integral part in the exchange of ideas on this important topic.
Disagree with our editorial? Then send us an email! fordhamramletters@gmail.com
OPINION
September 9, 2015
Page 9
The Trump Effect: How His Candidacy Delegitimizes the Republican Party By BENEDICT CARRIZZO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Donald Trump’s an acerbic, barbed tongued man who speaks his mind, all to the consternation of the other Republican candidates. He is a gift from God for those who seek to delegitimize the views of the Republican Party. His blunt rhetoric and impressive following could very likely leave a deep scar in the GOP, which may take years to recover. It is very frightening to see that the sophomoric, impossible goals proposed by Trump have garnered such an impressive following, especially to a moderate Republican devoid of xenophobia. He has clearly separated himself from other Republicans — the commentators who can hold conservative ideals with authentic conviction — who reasonably yearn for a more secure border between the United States and Mexico. His wall proposal is incredibly costly, a mass-deportation process would take decades and he will lose the trust of one of our closest allies. Additionally, by responding to his
By JOE MORESKY STAFF WRITER
The archetype of the political outsider has always held considerable allure in the eyes of the American public. This is how Donald Trump aims to define himself: a successful businessman who puts a stop to the buck, gets concrete results and does not get mired in the niceties of the status quo. It is a compelling case coming from someone who has had tangible successes in the past. But I would not let the glitter of his gilded surname cover up the fact that Trump is the furthest thing from a political panacea this election cycle. Not only is Trump’s present frontrunner status not an indication of future victory, the assumption that he alone could accomplish substantial change if elected is totally wrong. According to Real Clear Politics, Trump currently leads the rest of the GOP’s primary field in national polls by an average of 14.5 percentage points over his closest competition. Although it is a commanding lead by any standard, I would take those numbers with a grain of salt. Polls this far out from Election Day have historically been insignificant (at this stage in past contests, Rudy Giuliani, Howard Dean, Ross Perot and Hilary Clinton all had the Presidency locked up). The real impact the real-estate mogul is having on the race is depriving one of the
critics in such a vulgar manner, he risks alienating liberal advocates of unity between the parties, enhancing the polarization of an already divided country. Thankfully, the polls are starting to change. The Trump hysteria is losing traction, and Dr. Ben Carson is starting to trump (excuse the pun) the other candidates. This large-scale political nightmare, however, reflects a deeper problem. In every party, there exists a group of credulous, arrogant, ignorant people ready to throw away their reasoning faculties at the drop of a hat for some deluded idealism. Realize though, I am not painting all Trump supporters as having these qualities, but many of the values he embraces are accepted by people, like white nationalist David Duke, who you wouldn’t want to touch with a ten foot pole. I can even add that as a liberal, I am also disappointed by the reprehensible arrogance of some other liberals. Bigotry does not discriminate; it can affect anyone. Look towards any NBC, CNN or Fox News comments section — it can be of any political article or
video — and see what I am talking about. The media disproportionately covers this bigotry as reflective of the Republican Party. This should act as a signal to educate our flock of embarrassing liberal adherents. If liberals are viewed as part of the more intelligent and tolerant party, we will have a secure advantage on the world’s stage. Moreover, we need to make sure that no monster of a candidate ever tries to grab the Democratic Nomination, for it will resurrect the demons of our party. This is our opportunity to educate. We need to encourage our liberal spokespeople not to engage in crude attacks, like the infamous Donald Trump tirade against journalist Megyn Kelly. Liberals, dear liberals, please never… ever… say anything remotely analogous to that, or risk smearing the entire group with the misogyny card. This is not necessarily a call to be more politically correct — we need to be able to call a spade a spade — but a call to engage in speech that is more ethical. In this new age of social media, whatever
is said will travel the airwaves and land on the computers of millions of people. With a few clicks of a button and a few hundred words, a single tweet can become a social media and journalism sensation. Each racist tweet by a high-profile figure becomes a new Huffington Post article; each sexist tweet by Donald Trump becomes nationwide controversy. Liberals need to refrain from name-calling at all times and contexts to secure their own credibility, and, not to mention, worldwide respect as leaders. This Donald Trump Twilight Zone episode for the Republican Party needs to be addressed. I do wish the Republicans the best of luck in dealing with their zealots, but this should come as a wakeup call for liberal activists. We need to look in the mirror, realize what we see, and address our own fanaticism. Donald Trump’s Republican candidacy should be a dream come true for the Democrats.
strongest Republican fields since the 1980s of any sustainable oxygen. The news cycle is consistently dominated by his antics, gaffes and shock statements rather than any discussion of actual policy proposals. Rather than being able to explore the policies behind Ohio’s currently robust economy or discuss America’s role abroad in an increasingly volatile world, voters are force-fed The Trump Show, complete with swipes at the honor of Vietnam war veterans and not-so-subtle personal attacks on reporters for asking justified questions. In time, the field will winnow down as candidacies unable to thrive die out (I am still not sure why Jim Gilmore or George Pataki even bothered to declare) and support will consolidate around the four or five actual contenders for the nomination. With enough air to go around, Trump’s vague attempts at policy, willingness to dodge questions and inability to demonstrate a temperament suitable to the presidency will relegate him to the annals of political history as a quaint curiosity. If, by some miracle, he does manage to get to the general election, I am confident one of two things will occur. The first, and most likely outcome, of a Trump led ticket would be an electoral defeat for the Republican Party on par with Barry Goldwater’s decisive loss in 1964.
Already left out in the wilderness for eight years during the Obama Administration, the GOP will have to endure at least four more years of “soul searching.” The conservative base will have had their turn at the helm, only to dramatically sink the ship. Burned from the hardline candidacy of The Donald, the Party’s moderate wing will regain control, beginning the journey to restore the party of Lincoln back to viability. The second outcome is that Trump wins a term behind the Resolute Desk and fails to meet expectations. The constitutional constraints placed upon the office will prevent Trump from making any drastic (and detrimental) changes to the nation with a wave of his pen. Additionally, Trump would have to deal with Congress to enact any substantial reform. For example, his ridiculous approach to immigration may as well be dead on arrival as every Democratic representative and senator, combined with any Republicans that might have any reason at all to be pro-immigration (or an ounce of political savvy), would vote against the measure. Recalcitrant legislative environments cannot be shouted away. Deft steering through the stubborn landscape requires knowledge of the unorthodox procedural methods used in contemporary politics to advance bills, of which Trump has
none, is needed to have any hope of progress. Americans have already seen the disappointment of celebrity leadership before at the state level. Jesse Ventura, former professional wrestler and the 38th Governor of Minnesota served only one term. His tenure initially progressed with tax reform but was soon bogged down with Ventura’s off-color comments and the alienation of the state legislature after a proposal to turn it into a unicameral body. Arnold Schwarzenegger, action-movie star and the 38th Governor of California, could point to a few concrete accomplishments like the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. However, troubles with the state legislature resulted in a tenure that fell short of expectations set on the campaign trail. Time and time again, the promises of success made on the campaign trail by political outsiders has fallen short of fruition. Instead, another truth about political progress has been reinforced: it takes someone with the gritty knowledge of legislative procedures, the executive ability to carry out an agenda and the persuasiveness to drum up support in order to make it happen. In other words, a politician.
Benedict Carrizzo, FCRH ’18, is a communication and media studies and English major from Kings Park, New York.
Joe Moresky, FCRH ’17, is a political science major from East Meadow, New York.
Marcelle Meyer Fordham Reform Falls Short After a semester of students demanding changes to major university operations, like the Office of Student Life and Community Development and Residential Life, Fordham University has finally made some real progress. In response to legitimate concerns about the treatment of Resident Assistants and women’s health on campus, the university has given OSLCD the new moniker “Office of Student Involvement.” It seems that change is in the air at Fordham. This brings back memories of last year, when the security office became the Office of Public Safety in order to eliminate the harsh ideas brought up by the word “security.” Perhaps that is the purpose of this new change, but I am left thinking that a rose by any other name will still not help the Campus Activity Board efficiently plan a fun Spring Weekend. The tail end of last semester was a time of unrest, and this unrest was much needed to open students’ eyes to the ways in which our university is not serving us. Surely, given the cost of living on campus, we deserve a better Residential Life office (and no triples in Martyrs, in my opinion), and that is what students were demanding As a student, I am incredibly disappointed by the lack of change I see in the university upon my return from break. Is the administration even aware that students want a gynecologist in the health center? Did they read The Fordham Daily’s article about the abusive system of the Residential Life office? I cannot imagine how these issues could have been left more blatantly ignored. Many people say our generation is apathetic. If everyone between the ages of 18 and 25 were to vote in every election, we would dramatically change the results. If only we were passionate and put the effort into implementing change, we could make things better all over the country. That is what students tried to do last semester when they stood up to start a dialogue about the changes that our school needs. Instead of honoring that effort and listening to what we, the 8,000 undergraduate students that are the heart of this university, want but the administration has seemed to be waiting for things to settle down and fade away. A university founded on Jesuit ideals of dialogue and attentiveness to the experiences of others ought to spend far more time attempting to understand its students and actively work toward building the environment for which they are fighting. We have voiced our disappointment, Fordham, and we expect a little more than a fresh coat of paint to cover up legitimate issues.
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THE FORDHAM RAM
OPINION
Page 11
Sept. 9, 2015
A New Chapter for the Fordham Bookstore
A Platonic Love Letter
By BRIANNA ALLARD STAFF WRITER
In many ways, a bookstore defines a college. It is the place where students, both old and new, go to buy merchandise that shows their love for their school. As a result, the store is a crucial landmark of any college campus. And now, Fordham’s bookstore is new and improved. The bookstore just recently moved from the McGinley Center to what was formerly O’Keefe Commons, under O’Hare Hall and right next to the parking garage. Fordham could not have picked a better spot. In terms of revenue and sales, this move was very smart for the university. The bookstore is now right across from the parking garage, so it is practically impossible to miss when walking into Fordham. This will not only help sales during sporting and other campus-wide events, but it will also generate more revenue from prospective students when they come to visit the school for a tour or an open house. Even returning parents may be more likely to drop by the bookstore on their way out of the university. Additionally, the bookstore is much larger than it was previously. When I first went into the new store I was astounded by the difference. In the old bookstore, there was hardly any room to move around all the clothing racks and bookshelves. Now, there is plenty of room for both customers and merchandise. As my friends and I noticed upon walking into the new bookstore, this increase in square footage means a greater variety and volume of items. A previous grievance with the bookstore was that many students could not find any Fordham apparel that they liked. Furthermore, this relocation makes the bookstore easier to access. Previously, it was tucked in an obsolete corner of the McGinley Student Center. In my opinion, this location sent the wrong type of message. In the past, going to the bookstore, and even finding it for the first time, was a challenge. Now, it is much easier to locate,
Cate Carrejo
ZACK MIKLOS/THE FORDHAM RAM
The Fordham bookstore moved to O’Keefe Commons over the summer and received a makeover in the process.
and for me as a tour guide, it is much easier to explain the location to families visiting Fordham for the first time. Another major difference I have noticed with this change is the layout. This move has made way for an entirely new looking store. For example, there is now a section of books that are not explicitly reserved for classes. This section makes the bookstore seem more like a Barnes & Noble, which our bookstore is affiliated. For me, this addition was a valuable change. Additionally, the new layout allows for the expansion of certain aspects of the bookstore. For example, in the front of the store there is a section called The Market, in which one can find items like bathroom essentials as well as a variety of snacks. This expansion is very convenient for students who are closer in vicinity to the bookstore than Walgreens, and I predict it will be especially convenient in the winter when
walking outside means that you have to put on five layers to stay warm. Along with the expansion of the market, the section of the bookstore responsible for selling basic school supplies grew as well. Now it is more organized and there is a greater variety of supplies from which to choose. I found this new feature very favorable, as last year I did not even think about buying my notebooks and such from the bookstore because there was no space to browse comfortably. However, with this new layout, I may change my mind. The final change to the bookstore that I find most convenient is the relocation of the book pickup. Every upperclassman will remember the small, cramped book pickup window in the old bookstore. Now, however, the book pickup location is on the patio outside, which is a huge improvement. I have never done book pick-up, mostly for the reason that I did
now want to wait in the line worried about being in someone’s way. Now, however, I am more inclined to use this feature of the bookstore as the pickup area is extremely accessible and open. Overall, the relocation of the bookstore could not have been a better decision for Fordham. I predict that the relocation will prove to be fiscally effective as it will increase the revenue of the bookstore by leaps and bounds. The new and improved store also takes many steps to enhance convenience for Fordham students as well. The only question left is what will happen to the space in McGinley that was the bookstore: will it be offices? Will it be geared towards students? Or, is it possible that the cafeteria may be expanded? Only time will tell.
Brianna Allard, FCRH ’18, is a communication and media studies major from Somers, Connecticut.
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Pretty much every rom-com ever made tells us that heterosexual males and females cannot be platonic friends. Made of Honor, He’s Just Not That Into You and Friends with Benefits, standards from our impressionable adolescent period, show that on a long enough timeline, any guy-girl friendship will eventually end in a romantic relationship. Even Friends, despite its name, shows us that in any group of six friends, at least two couples will end up together forever (although personally, I thought Monica should have ended up with Richard). I bought into the story hard, and, for the most part, it proved to be true. I went to an all-girls high school and all of my male friends were either my friends’ boyfriends or guys I ended up dating. It was a complete separation of church and state, and it worked perfectly fine at the time. Fast forward to college, when males were ubiquitous and I actually had to think about the prospect of making guy friends. I was fairly daunted by the whole concept, unsure of how to treat a completly platonic male friend because I had so little practice. When I started making friends with a group of guys, I was constantly self-conscious about my hair and clothes, feeling the need to see them as potential love interests instead of actual friends. Every time they were nice or affectionate, I immediately stressed about whether they possibly had feelings for me or vice versa. As girls, we are raised to think that being friends with guys is against the norm. Girls who have mostly guy friends are often viewed as promiscuous or pretentious. And while it is perfectly normal and wonderful for a romantic relationship to arise out of a strong friendship, it is not as inevitable as we are led to believe. Once I got over my socially-induced narcissism and learned to see my guy friends as friends instead of potential romantic partners, I was so much happier in my group of friends. Shifting my limited perspective of my friends helped me be a better, less judgmental friend in general. Relationships between girls and guys do not have to have romantic or sexual intentions. When I realized how sexist I was being and made an active effort to change my attitude toward my guy friends, I became happier, friendlier and more open with everyone I met. Guys, I love you all so much. You support me and never fail to make me laugh or feel better when I am having a problem. You are the only reason I know anything about video games, soccer or fashion. I can ask you the weirdest, grossest, most personal questions and you will always answer with complete candor. I have learned so much from you and I can not imagine getting through college without you all. As we start the new school year together, I know more than ever that I can count on you guys for anything. You are the best wingmen a girl could ask for.
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A SOLDIER OF FAITH Captain Lukasz Willenberg, a Catholic chaplain with the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division, knew from a young age that he had been called to a life of service in the Church. But it was only recently that he felt called to serve within the U.S. Army. While it was a change for him, he still values the new way he’s exercising his calling by serving Soldiers. “I feel blessed and possess this overwhelming peace and joy, which reassures me that I am doing what God wants me to.“
FILLING A GREAT NEED In recent years the civilian priestly ministry has been facing a human resource shortage, which directly impacts the ministry in the Army. With fewer qualified clergy to recruit, there are fewer Catholic priests to help serve the needs of Soldiers. It was this shortage that initially inspired Father Willenberg to consider the Army. “In 2010, I met [Maj.] Father Paul A. Halladay. He was the one who actually told me about working with the Soldiers and about the great need [for] chaplains in general, but especially Catholic priests. I always had a desire to serve where I am needed the most. After learning about [the] shortage, I took it as a sign as to where I should be.”
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE Although Father Willenberg has been serving as an Army chaplain for a short time, he has already distinguished himself by earning the Bronze Star, the third-highest recognition in the Army, for his contributions to his unit during his deployment in Afghanistan. But for Father Willenberg, the most important thing is the work he does with other Soldiers. One program that helps him make a positive impact is Strong Bonds, where Father Willenberg plans workshops for Soldiers, couples, and military families off base. During the workshops, he helps Soldiers tackle difficult life questions, strengthen their faith, reintegrate into civilian life, and more. “[Strong Bonds is] a wonderful resource for us as chaplains. … I love doing it. I have a chance to get to know the Soldiers, get to know the families during the workshops. And … going outside of post, going out to eat together — that’s where you build relationships with them.” Outside of workshops, he has organized several events for Soldiers in his unit and congregation. In fact, one of his greatest logistical undertakings was creating and organizing an officially
CAPT. LUKASZ WILLENBERG U.S. ARMY CHAPLAIN
sanctioned version of the Boston Marathon run in Afghanistan. But above all, he finds his best work is done by being a part of Soldiers’ lives. “The ministry of presence, that’s such a powerful tool. When you just spend time with Soldiers, doing physical training, going on road marches, when you eat with them at the dining facility … you experience what they experience and automatically you are one of them. That’s where the ministry happens. The Soldiers know that they can trust you, and that you are there for them. You build those relationships so then when they need you as a chaplain, they know where to go. [They] know that I’ll be there for them. That’s what I’m trying to do. That’s my ministry. My battalion commander, (Lt. Col.) Brian C. North, told me once to ‘just take care of my Soldiers.’ That’s what I try to do every day.”
THE JOYS OF SERVICE While focusing on being a part of the Soldiers’ everyday lives, Father Willenberg cherishes the bonds he’s made with his fellow servicemen and women. “You keep giving of yourself, but at the same time the ministry is so rewarding. [It’s in] those small things. Those small words of appreciation from the Soldiers mean much more to me than the formal recognition. From time to time, [a Soldier] says, ‘Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for your encouraging words.’ It’s the biggest reward that you can get.” If you’d like to know more about serving Soldiers as a chaplain in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, visit goarmy.com/au34
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September 9, 2015
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CULTURE
Page 15
The Fordham Ram
Sizzling Tunes of Summer 2015 By NICOLE HORTON CULTURE EDITOR
As Labor Day passes and we cling to summer temperatures and outings to the beach, it is time to debate the best songs of the summer. Some considered Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” last summer’s biggest hit, prior to her onslaught of negative press which shows how quickly the music landscape can change. Whether you would hear these songs while blasting the radio and air conditioning in your car, dancing at a bar or club or playing on your phone by the pool, they are undeniably the sizzling soundtrack to our summer. There is a great combination of recent releases from established hit-makers like Maroon 5 and Drake to newcomers like WALK THE MOON, Fetty Wap and Tori Kelly. Skrillex & Diplo with Justin Bieber, “Where Are U Now”: Even for those who are not the biggest fans of EDM (myself included), it is hard not to enjoy this song. It is the perfect summer song to hear at a bar or club, from the cool dance beat to Bieber’s sultry vocals. Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen” and “My Way” Remix: It was near impossible to choose between these two tracks. The 2015 VMA award winner for Best New Artist has quickly made a name for himself in hip-hop, even though he has yet to release an album. You cannot help
singing along to “Trap Queen,” with its catchy hook. “My Way” is more slowed down compared to “Trap Queen,” blending contemporary R&B and rap. The remix featuring Drake boosted the track’s reception. WALK THE MOON, “Shut Up and Dance”: Although this would not be considered a new release, it has the perfect carefree summer vibe that you can sing along to in a car with friends or enjoy at a bar. The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”: Along with “Earned It,” that was featured in Fifty Shades of Grey, Abel Tesfaye has effortlessly transitioned from brooding, sensual R&B to a full-blown mainstream presence. The melody of “Can’t Feel My Face” is reminiscent of retro pop and any Michael Jackson fan would love its vibe. Calvin Harris, “How Deep Is Your Love”: This slow-burning house track features the stunning vocals of Norwegian songwriter Ina Wroldsen. In this single, Harris abandons the onslaught of synthesizers he went to in his last studio album Motion. Drake, “Back to Back”: In what has been undeniably the most viral, meme-worthy rap feud, Drake won the battle and silenced his critics (Meek Mill included) with “Back to Back.” It was all over the radio and online following its late-July Soundcloud release. Jason Derulo, “Want to Want
Me”: Derulo shows off his strong falsetto in this catchy pop track that sticks with his dance pop style. Most of his fans would definitely enjoy this track. Tori Kelly, “Should’ve Been Us”: This is the perfect track for any fan of pop that misses the days of early 2000s pop music. The California native’s vocal abilities and range mirror Kelly Clarkson and Jessie J. At the 2015 VMAs Kelly performed this single, and showed off her stunning live vocals, even ending the song a cappella, which is uncommon for award show performances. Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth “See You Again”: Khalifa and Puth make a fitting tribute to Fast and Furious 7’s deceased star Paul Walker. The pop and hip-hop blended track attracted many music fans, as well as fans of the movie franchise. Maroon 5, “Sugar”: For the first single from V (Deluxe), Maroon 5 departs from its electro-funk style from Overexposed, which perturbed a good amount of its fans. “Sugar” is a catchy radio single that is a culmination of the band’s progression and different stylistic choices. Andy Grammer, “Honey, I’m Good”: Grammer’s single off of his recent album Magazines or Novels is of his biggest hits, following “Keep Your Head Up” and “Fine By Me.” This pop tune with a country twang will definitely have you singing along. For every summer hit there was a summer flop from some of your favorite artists who have done better before. Taylor Swift, “Bad Blood” feat. Kendrick Lamar: Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” music video features a variety of her famous best friends like Mariska Hargitay, Lena Dunham and Gigi Hadid in a strong display of girl power. With that being said, the splashy presentation
MATT SAYLES/AP
Fetty Wap has made a name for himself this summer prior to releasing an album.
masks the fact that is definitely not one of Swift’s stronger tracks. Lamar’s verse was needed to break up the repetitive lyrics and melody. Demi Lovato, “Cool for the Summer”: Lovato’s career has been characterized by a mix of inspirational and fun songs, like her latest release “Cool for the Summer.” However, the fact that she is blatantly gunning for the top summer track is a turn-off. Charlie Puth featuring Meghan Trainor “Let’s Marvin Gaye and Get It On”: How can this track not be considered copyright? In addition to the title, that same phrase is used repeatedly in the chorus. Since Gaye’s family won a lawsuit for Robin Thicke’s single “Blurred Lines,” they should call their lawyer and move onto this track that probably has the famed R&B crooner rolling in his grave.
Rihanna, “B—ch Better Have My Money”: Rihanna looks to show her boldness and control in this track, but instead her voice is grating and the overall production value is poor. Also, from a logical standpoint, why does someone owe her money? Did she lend it to a friend or is she a drug dealer? Even though pop music is not always meaningful, the entire concept is unclear. Meek Mill, “Wanna Know”: After his Twitter rant Mill took some time to come up with his response to Drake’s diss track “Charged Up,” giving the Toronto rapper time to release the follow-up “Back to Back.” However, the wait was certainly not worth it. Most of the track’s lyrics were unintelligible, as if he was multi-tasking tweeting about Drake while recording the song. A ghostwriter would have been helpful.
Is Chivalry Dying in College Relationships? By MARISA RAMETTA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Among college students and throughout magazines, newspapers and countless other sources, women repeatedly discuss how chivalry in relationships no longer exists, at least not in the way it did in the past. Women often compare men and relationships to ones that they see in romantic movies or novels. People wonder why there is a lack of traditional romance and cordial behavior and what they can do to encourage it. “I wouldn’t say that chivalry is dead, but I would definitely say that it is lacking. I think it has a lot to do with technology and just the way people approach each other,” Emily Huffnagel, GSB ’15, stated in a telephone interview. “Instead of a guy asking a girl out on a date he will text, and I think it is a lot less formal, and they just kind of don’t put in as much effort anymore.” If there is a change in relationship dynamics, who or what is to blame for it? Is it even a bad thing that needs to be changed? According to some students and other online articles, the growing use
COURTESY OF FLICKR
Changing societal attitudes and dating apps continue to alter the dating landscape.
of technology has impacted relationship dynamics. Not only do college students all have cell phones and belong to social media sites, meeting someone online has also become more popular with casual apps like Tinder and Hinge. Forbes staff writer Katheryn Thayer writes, “Online dating is not a private, semi-embarrassing activity anymore. It’s now part of how we spend time with friends and entertain ourselves
at parties. My friends send me screenshots of their Tinder chats and I hear guys talking about Tinder dates on the M15. The online dating service is becoming part of our offline lives.” Even though online dating is becoming more of an ordinary part of our daily lives, there are both positives and negatives. “It’s easier to meet today with online dating services, apps and the cellphones we have, but it is less formal and promotes casual
relationships rather than truly getting to know a person,” said Joseph Juliano FCRH ’15. “While all this technology makes rapid dating easier it also thwarts spontaneity and the true meaning of chivalry.” Men are often solely blamed for this lack of cordiality and romance in relationships. But are women also at fault? Some say that the way a girl acts or dresses can affect the respect they receive. “I think the way girls act also has an impact on the way guys are going to act towards you.” Huffnagel said. “They are not going to go out of their way to show respect for a girl who doesn’t respect herself.” This may lead to a vicious cycle between men and women both lowering their standards and respect for each other. Women advancing in society and competing with men for the same jobs and being seen more as equals might also be leading to a decline in chivalry. If women are supposed to be seen as “equal” to men, capable of achieving the same goals, some think these values should translate to relationship dynamics. For example, Yahoo, a huge universal company,
now has a female CEO. Hilary Clinton announced her candidacy for the 2016 presidential election. This goes to show that women are obtaining visibly powerful positions that were traditionally held by men. The level of power women now have in the workforce is debatably a cause of the lack of chivalry. “Just because, say a woman has more power than a man in a particular position, doesn’t mean she should treat him as an unequal on a social level, and the same goes for a man,” said Sara Jackson FCRH ’15. “I think that chivalry can still be associated with women in powerful positions depending on the right man.” Following the opinions of some Fordham students, it may be that modern day chivalry is left up to the individual to manage and improve if deemed unacceptable. It is evident that as women further advance and technology becomes even more interlaced in our daily lives, dating dynamics will be affected. But for the people who want the notion of chivalry to remain alive, they must find a balance that is acceptable in order to maintain their self-respect and promote their feeling of fulfillment.
CULTURE
Page 16
By NICOLE HORTON
September 9, 2015
Comedy Fest Creates Big Laughs
CULTURE EDITOR
The third annual Oddball Comedy Festival arrived to PNC Banks Art Center in Holmdel, NJ on Saturday, Sept. 5. The lineup varies depending on the dates, with this show featuring Aziz Ansari, Amy Schumer, Anthony Jeselnik, Jay Pharaoh, Jim Norton, Michael Che, Nick Kroll and Todd Barry. The “Roast Master” Jeff Ross hosted, beginning the show with his standup and then spending time warming up the crowd by using a “roast cam.” Ross’ strength is definitely roasting people, but he had a few funny moments in his standup. However, when he grabbed a guitar and broke out in
a song entitled “Have a Blessed F***ing Day,” he only summoned sympathy laughs from the audience. Ansari’s fans would have been pleased with his set, as he stuck with his signature, relatable comedic style that includes discussing relationships and social media. He delved into the “little things” that are annoying him two years into his relationship, and how his love of bacon offends his religious parents. After his set, you have to say that Ansari’s girlfriend must have okayed him to discuss the intimate aspects of their relationship…or else she is breaking up with him. Schumer, who along with Ansari garnered the most applause as she
took the stage, discussed a range of topics, from Hollywood and her recent rise to fame to her noholds-barred sex talk. She shared the story of her prank on Katie Couric, which she had also told Jimmy Fallon on his show, along with the pitfalls of hooking up with a longtime friend. However, she probably should not have asked the female audience members to raise their hands if they have experienced vaginal discharge — that is a way to silence a room. Jeselnik showcased his dry wit, and did not hold back from discussing Donald Trump’s presidential ambitions and Caitlyn Jenner. He, along with Jim Norton, felt that they should be able to joke about Jenner’s transition, which the media has shied away from joking about. Norton also shared his
experience using Tinder in New York City, joking that he called Tinder to find out why the age limit would not move further to the left (past 18). Pharaoh’s hilarious set covered a variety of topics including dating, representing your city and traveling to Europe instead of Africa. Pharoah’s impressions aided his rise to fame on “Saturday Night Live,” so the audience definitely would have been disappointed if he did not do a few impressions during his set. He did a spot-on impression of a scared Kevin Hart and meeting Eddie Murphy for the first time. Che’s set may not be considered universally funny, depending on the type of comedy you prefer. The SNL “Weekend Update” anchor took a much-needed break from
his suit and tie, wearing a backwards baseball cap, a t-shirt and jeans. He discussed social issues like racism, homosexuality and the NYC homeless population, while choosing to address the recent controversy he has encountered as a result of discussing these subjects. Kroll had a few funny moments, but spent too long talking about how he pooped his pants recently and doing impressions of how people in different countries describe animals. Todd Barry, the first comedian, poked fun at himself for being the first performer — the “superstar spot.” The three-and-a-half hour show was a great way to spend a nice summer night outside on Labor Day Weekend, laughing until my jaw hurt.
Editor’s Pick | The Ramtime Times
Satirical Comedy Reigns At Fordham By LAURA SANICOLA NEWS EDITOR
COURTESY OF TWITTER
The Oddball Comedy Festival is all around the U.S. and co ntinuing through October.
Culture Shock | Claire Kim
Guess Who’s Back Jojo is back, and she has much more than a couple eyebrow piercings and an active Instagram presence to show for it. The twenty-four-year-old pop artist has released three singles simultaneously, ergo Tringle. After a prolonged legal battle with her previous label, Blackground Records, these singles are the first of Jojo’s works to hit the radio in almost a decade. Jojo is filming three separate music videos to accompany her three new songs and the full album should be on its way (fingers crossed!). For all of the waiting fans, it seems that Tringle has delivered some gratification. Although the wait was much too long to say it was “worth it,” these new singles truly embody Jojo’s old R&B sound while also showing off her more mature musical sensibilities. “Say Love,” “Save My Soul” and “When Love Hurts” are a solid preview to the full album and hopefully foreshadow even better songs to come. “Say Love” is a powerhouse. For those who miss the amazing R&B of the 2000s, this song is for you. The vocal performance, the emotional lyrics and the tugging melodies are all there. Teen Jojo of “Leave” and “A Little Too Late,” has matured into a much more sophisticated and talented woman. She doesn’t let her fans down as her voice alternates between qui-
eter, spoken lyrics and soaring notes that elevate and release effortlessly. “Say Love” is on its way to becoming a classic love tune that sends us back to a time when Mariah Carey, Lil Bow Wow and Ciara ruled our radio stations. The mid-tempo ballad, “Save My Soul,” reflects Jojo’s experience of witnessing addiction. The honest and frustrated lyrics accompanied by the powerfully memorable hook was already made this song a fan-favorite. The pop base that we expect from Jojo is taken a step further as she involves her own struggles in her work. “When Love Hurts” is a personal favorite. Noticeably the most upbeat of the three new songs, it brings back the classic “dance-off-your-love-issues” vibe of Jojo’s past. A perfect tune to precede a night out, this song is fun, catchy and totally singable. There is a new electronic, techy sound that Jojo is playing with, and it works. Our generation grew up with Jojo, so she sings and explores life experiences with us. The songs are a bit of childhood with a lot of changes, providing a way to reflect on the past and the present. Her presence has been long awaited by this generation and her forthcoming albums will continue to grow with us.
As someone who penned an eight-hundred-word editor’s pick on the HBO series “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” it is no secret that I have an affinity for comedic news, and whether you like it or not, it is undeniably a popular trend. It combines some of my favorite things — hilarity, relevance, wit and a deep understanding and concern for the current state of the world. Comedic news is biting, but lighthearted. It is sincere, but sarcastic. It packs punches without being downright mean. It is funny because it is uncomfortable and it is uncomfortable because it holds elements of truth. It is thought-provoking in a way that you probably don’t realize unless you ask yourself why you are laughing. It doesn’t always hit all the right points, but it tries to. This is how I see The Ramtime Times, the guilty pleasure blog that has, as of late, not only covered a changing campus climate, but become a catalyst for it. Unless you are a freshman, or you have been living without wifi access for the past three years, you have probably come across this blog on a myriad of social media outlets. While satirical news often embeds its opinions not so subtly between the lines of critical text, there is a lot to say about the delivery of its messages. In my opinion, it proves just how much comedic talent its writers have, as well as how deeply perceptive a sometimes seemingly apathetic student body can be. Fordham University’s version of The Onion arose from the anonymity of the internet in 2012, gaining its initial momentum from the Ann Coulter controversy that incited a wealth of student activism and put the university at the center of a national conversation. It was a tense time, an unsettling time…and it was also a ridiculous time. The blog gunned out somewhat partisan but hilariously composed posts about the relationship between Coulter,
COURTESY OF FACEBOOK
The Ramtime Times started in 2012, producing satirical posts about Fordham.
Bill O’Reilly and the university at large. The opinions became sharper and wittier as the blog gained traction and steady readership. The Ramtime Times showcases our student body’s ability to think critically and question. It generates laughs from slapstick spoofs of Toothless Danny, but moreso for its wit and underlying intelligence behind issues of deeper concern. The irony of former commencement speakers ranging from controversial former CIA chief John Brennan to downright inappropriate Bill Cosby did not go unnoticed by those anonymous writers, who satirically penned an article about Fordham’s decision to invite the wife of the president of Ghana last year in an article entitled “Administration Accidentally Chooses Commencement Speaker with No Human Rights Offenses.” The fake interview with Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of hte university hit all the right buttons. (“I said ‘get me whoever runs Gitmo,’ and I guess they heard ‘get me the wife of whoever runs Ghana.’”) Throughout the years, The Ramtime Times has captured sentiments shared by many students, though not easily vocalized. It has both mocked the Gabelli-Rose Hill rivalry while capitulating why it con-
tinues to exist. It posits valuable questions, such as whether or not the Calder Center is a real place. I’m still not sold on that one. In my two years at Fordham, I have found it hard to deny that our climate can seem ridiculous, especially when decisions made by a nebulous “higher up” reach our ears. Did we ever have Monday class last semester? (Read: “Rose Hill Classes Cancelled Basically out of Habit”). Was anyone surprised that our homogeneous student body picked the preppy Kentucky Derby theme for Under the Tent? (Read: “Historically White, Wealthy Event Chosen as Dance Theme for Historically White, Wealthy University”)? Why does CAB wait until the last possibly moment to release the name of the headliner, almost predictably someone anonymous, in exchange for Facebook likes? (Read: any blog post written during Spring Weekend) I love Fordham. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t spend almost 20 hours a week entrenching myself in university news and attempting to deliver it to the student body. But I am so happy that The Ramtime Times exists, because it represents a group of young adults that aren’t apathetic or ignorant, but highly intelligent and intensely talented.
CULTURE
September 9, 2015
Page 17
Who’s That Kid? | Nicole Pieri
Advice | Catherine Kastberg
Live From New York (and London)
Coming to Terms with Graduation
By NICOLE HORTON CULTURE EDITOR
Many Fordham students take advantage of their proximity to New York City when it comes to culture, entertainment and internship opportunities. Nicole Pieri, FCRH ’16, truly embodies the Fordham motto, “New York is my campus. Fordham is my school.” Nicole decided to pursue a communication and media studies major after writing for her high school’s newspaper in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. In addition to being a staff writer at The Fordham Ram, Nicole is an outreach ambassador for Rose Hill Society. Nicole’s experiences at Fordham have reaffirmed but also slightly altered her career ambitions. “Originally I wanted to be a journalist going into Fordham,” said Nicole. “Then, second semester of freshman year I read Live From New York, the SNL tell-all book. I got super obsessed with it — the TV business and especially NBC. I started gravitating towards that and realized that was what I wanted to do.” Last fall Nicole interned at Viacom for the MTV 360 department. She enjoyed working in entertainment and decided that she wanted to become a producer. “I really have to be proactive and adaptable to anything because every day in production is different,” said Nicole. “You have to be able to think on your feet and do whatever it takes to get the end product.” This past summer, Nicole divided her time between New York, Philadelphia and London. While in London, she took Fordham’s Writing for Magazines course.One of her favorite experiences included a bus tour to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath, England. With her class, she was able to see the play McQueen at the St. James Theatre, based on the life of famed deceased British designer Alexander McQueen. She was tasked with writing a review for The Observer, and was able to interview two of the play’s stars:
It seems like only yesterday you were that starry-eyed, rosy-cheeked freshman wandering onto campus for the first time; the world was yours for the taking. No curfew, no parents — that freshly mowed campus was your oyster and you were going to live. Every. Second. Of. It. Now that senior year is upon you, with real life waiting for you at the end of your graduation march, you find yourself asking — why was I in such a rush to grow up? In order to soften the blow of what will eventually be adulthood, I’ve listed out the following so you will fully take in, and appreciate, these last few glorious days of freedom. Jobs: The earlier the better. For those of you who are lacking job offers (myself included), it is important to remain calm. You have all year to go on interviews and send out your resume. As long as you have an idea of what it is you would like to pursue after college and are actively searching around, you will be fine. An important life hack when it comes to job searches, Career Services is the best place for you to start. There are also a ton of job search engines out there, like LinkedIn, Monster.com, and even local job listing websites (if you manage to type in the right key words to find them). Also if there is any company you are actively seeking, or want to apply to, usually if you go to the very bottom of the page there are tiny, itty bitty words about all the boring stuff people usually don’t want to click on, like the company’s 10K and the Career Page. That is a good way of finding jobs in a specific company. As a side note, when you do apply for a job, follow up a week later and ask about your status. It shows you are interested and responsible, and are doing more than resume dumping. It is also important that you frequently visit the career links websites on the Fordham webpage. And for all of you who went out and walked away with 50 friends, CONGRATS! You know how to network! A huge step in paving the way to your career, networking opens many doors that may have been otherwise closed to you. It is also important to remember not to burn any bridges. Always be professional and make sure you occasionally keep in touch with any contacts you may not speak to on a daily basis. You never know if a job will come up that they will think of you as a good fit for and tell their manager or HR department. Apartment: I am going to impart a secret only those who have recently graduated know, but don’t want you to know because they want to appear “independent” — they live with their parents. Sorry to burst your bubble. Finding a reasonable apartment your first few months after graduating is hard, and it ia definitely a lot less stressful when you initially settle into a job if you don’t have to worry about finding a place to live as well. One of the benefits of living at home is that you will manage to save the money you would have spent on an apartment, and build up a nice little nest until you are ready to go and strike it on your own. Like everything, there are ups and downs. The biggest scare of that unknown world called After Graduation, is there are tons of new things you have to learn on your own like taxes and which doctors are under your insurance. But on the upside, you are officially your own person. If you strive and claw your way through the first couple of years you will be a millionaire before you know it.
COURTESY OF NICOLE PIERI
Nicole posts a jealousy-inducing selfie with Jimmy Fallon at 30 Rock.
Steven Wright and Diana Agron. “It was challenging but a lot of fun,” said Nicole. “The recording wasn’t the best and it was a half hour of conversation, so transcribing and finding the right narrative form was really tough. The whole class was asking questions but it was me writing it down, so bringing everyone’s ideas into one article was tough.” It is easy for upperclassmen to get caught up with classes and internship, and not take the time to explore New York City. Aside from her internship experiences and professional ambitions, Nicole’s selfie and playbill collections are enviable. Nicole’s recent favorite Broadway play is “Fun Home.” Her alltime favorite, however is “Next to Normal”. She saw it her freshman year of high school and said it was “unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.” Nicole has braved the elements to sleep over in line for tickets to “Saturday Night Live.” She has been to two live shows and one dress rehearsal: Melissa McCarthy and Phoenix, Paul Rudd and One Direction and Andrew Garfield and Coldplay.
When asked if she still had anything left on her college bucket list, Nicole said, “I was thinking about this — there’s so many things I want to do. I want to do one more ‘Saturday Night Live’ before I graduate because that’s something you can’t really do as an adult. You have to be able to sleep outside for multiple hours and deal with the weather and not really care.” Nicole was able to meet a number of Hollywood and Broadway stars by the stage doors after performances, including Emma Stone in “Cabaret,” Darren Criss in “Headwig and the Angry Inch” and Christian Borle and Brian d’Arcy James from “Something Rotten.” She also posted a selfie with Jimmy Fallon, with coordinating facial expressions. “We had just gone to ‘Late Night With Seth Meyers’ and we were like, ‘Let’s wait for Jimmy. Why not?’ He was super nice and took a picture with us.” As Nicole looks ahead to graduation, her time at Fordham has defined both her desire to live in New York City and work towar becoming a producer.
Review | Music
The Weeknd Goes Mainstream, But Can’t Shake the Darkness By NICOLE HORTON CULTURE EDITOR
The Weeknd’s latest album Beauty Behind The Madness is an eclectic mix of brooding sensuality and retro funk. Following “Earned It,” which was penned for Fifty Shades of Grey, Abel Tesfaye showed that he was ready to transition from his shadowy R&B niche to a complete pop presence. The Weeknd is the first solo male artist, as a lead on both tracks, with two simultaneous top five Billboard Hot 100 entries (“The Hills” and “Can’t Feel My Face”) since B.o.B. in 2010.
“Often,” “The Hills” and “Dark Times” are reminiscent of his past albums Trilogy and Kiss Land. These three tracks deal with the dizzying allure and pitfalls of fame, sex and drugs. In “The Hills,” Tesfaye sings in the chorus: “The only time that I’ll be by your side/ I only love it when you touch me, not feel me.” “Often” is known for its overt sexuality, but offers veiled drug and religious references like the following: “My god white, he in my pocket/ He get me redder than the devil ‘til I go nauseous.” “As You Are” switches it up to show The Weeknd’s romantic vulnerability. He sings about wanting a woman to take him
as he is, but acknowledging that he believes their relationship is doomed because “our love is too young.” Kanye West lends his confidence to “Tell Your Friends,” as The Weeknd sings about “living life so trill.” The Weeknd shines in the Thriller-esque “Can’t Feel My Face” and “In the Night.” Retro pop is a style that has worked well for Bruno Mars, but the Canada native keeps his signature sensuous melodies in a way that should not alienate his fan base. Those who are disappointed with this album are afraid for Tesfaye to evolve as an artist.
The Weeknd achieved a Billboard record even before releasing his seventh album.
CULTURE
September 9, 2015
Page 18
Must-See Broadway Hits and Tips for the New Season Star Trek’s George Takei and tells the tale of a Japanese American family’s struggle to escape imprisonment during World War II, which was inspired by Takei’s own life. This musical promises to wow Broadway audiences when it begins previews at the Longacre Theatre on Oct. 6 and opens Nov. 8. Word-of-mouth suggests this could give “Hamilton” some serious competition once Tony season rolls around. Tickets can be purchased on allegiancemusical. com.
By NICOLE PIERI STAFF WRITER
It is the most wonderful time of the year: the beginning of the 2015-2016 Broadway season. Tickets too expensive? Do not know what to see? Here is a guide to some of the new and long-running shows that cannot be missed this season. Ticket Tips: Most Broadway shows sell their regular-priced tickets on Ticketmaster.com, but those can be too pricey for college students. To get the best deals, sign up for free at Tix4students.com with your school email address. Additionally, Broadwaybox.com and the TodayTix app that is available to download for iOS, Android and Amazon are great resources for discount tickets. If you have a day to set aside and do not mind standing outside for long periods of time, most shows offer student rush tickets, a lottery for the best seats in the house, or affordable standing room only tickets. NEW SHOWS “Hamilton” The most highly anticipated show of the season, “Hamilton” is a groundbreaking musical about the life and death of founding father Alexander Hamilton that recently opened on Broadway after an incredibly successful run Off-Broadway at the Public Theater. With a score full of genre-crossing hip-hop and classic show tunes penned by Tony Award-winning composer and
RAM ARCHIVES
The best way to get cheap tickets is through Student Rush and lottery tickets.
star Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Hamilton” has been called revolutionary and described as unlike anything ever seen on Broadway. The downside? Tickets are expensive and in-demand; in fact, just about every performance through the fall is sold out. A lottery for ten dollar front-row tickets is held before each performance, and you may even get to see a #Ham4Ham show, where Miranda and a special guest (usually another big-name Broadway star) perform in front of the Richard Rodgers Theater. But with hundreds of people attending each lottery drawing, chances to win are slim. Still, it does not hurt to try since “Hamilton” is most definitely a musical not to be missed. It is also important to note that Fordham has a very small part in the show’s history. Miranda spoke at Rose Hill in Sept. 2013 for the El Grito de Lares kickoff of Latino Heritage Month. He mentioned he
was working on “Hamilton” and proceeded to perform one of the show’s rap numbers that was still in progress. “Spring Awakening” Though the original production closed on Broadway only six years ago in 2009, this revival of the Tonywinning musical produced by Deaf West Theatre and directed by Michael Arden features deaf actors performing sign-language alongside hearing actors. After a well-received out-of-town run in Los Angeles, “Spring Awakening” begins this month and will have a limited eighteen-week engagement at the Brooks Atkinson Theater through January. Tickets are available at springawakeningthemusical.com, and discount tickets can be found on the TodayTix app. “Allegiance” “Allegiance” stars
Review | Music
Rock-Infused Approach To Foals New Album By AMANDA GIGLIO CULTURE EDITOR
When a friend of mine suggested listening to the newest album by Foals, I was skeptical at first. I knew a few of their songs, but was never completely in love. However, What Went Down is different. With its refreshing sound, reminiscent of bands like American Authors and Friendly Fires, this album is ethereal. Foals is a band from Oxford, England, formed by longtime friends Yannis Philippakis, on guitar, and Jack Bevan, on drums. It began as a protest against the proggy sounds that were popular in Oxford and in Philippakis and Bevan’s former band, the Edmund Fitzgerald. If you listen to Foals’ 2013 album, Holy Fire, right after the new album, it is easy to see the similarities and differences two years have made in the band’s career. The album is smooth to listen to in full, as each song is different and inspiring in its own way. The album rises and falls with the songs, climaxing with “Albatross,” “Snake Oil” and “Night Swimmers,” upbeat songs that still feel melancholy. Starting off strong with “What Went Down” and “Mountain At My Gates,” the
WARNER BROS. RECORDS
Foals new album has more vocals and less instrumentals than previous ones.
songs swell then relax with “A Knife In The Ocean.” The most upbeat songs have the same vibe as Friendly Fires’ songs, like “Paris” and “Hawaiian Air,” with a smooth beat you can sway to. Since most of the songs are soothing, it is easy to understand the lyrics and sing along. In particular, “Mountain At My Gates,” has thought-provoking lyrics that
at first glance seem inconspicuous, but hold an underlying dark theme of life after death. While some of the lyircs and melodies can get repetitive, the vocals are dynamic with a confident air to them, making the band that much better to listen to, even as I listen to them for the sixth time in a row while studying and writing.
LONG-RUNNING SHOWS “A Gentleman’s Guide To Love and Murder” “A Gentleman Guide” is a laugh-out-loud musical about the great lengths one man takes to become royal. With a supremely talented cast and hilarious, catchy music, this show is perfect for a fun night out with friends and family. Be sure to see it soon, though; “A Gentleman’s Guide” will be closing in January. Tickets are available on agentlemansguidebroadway.com, and discount tickets can be purchased on the TodayTix app. “Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”
Based on the book by Mark Haddon, this play first premiered in London and opened to rave reviews along with receiving seven Olivier Awards. Its success continues on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theater, where it has won five Tony Awards in 2015 including Best Play and Best Actor in a Play for star Alex Sharp’s portrayal of Christopher, a twelve-yearold boy who goes on an adventure to find what happened to his neighbor’s dog. The breathtaking set takes on a life of its own and enhances the already emotional and poignant drama. Visit curiousonbroadway.com for tickets and more information. “Fun Home” Winner of the 2015 Tony Award for Best Musical, “Fun Home” brings Alison Bechdel’s heartfelt biographical graphic novel to life at the Circle in the Square Theater on a theaterin-the-round stage. The story of the Bechdels will feel real and relatable to any audience member, and will be hard to forget long after the show is over. Tickets are available at funhomebroadway. com and a virtual lottery for performances can be found on the TodayTix app.
Binge Guide | Nicole Fiorica
Grey’s Anatomy At a glance: Genre: Medical Drama Seasons/Episodes: 11/245 Avg Episode Length: 42 minutes Available on: Netflix What it’s about: “Grey’s Anatomy” follows a group of surgical interns at Seattle Grace Hospital as they learn how to practice medicine and rise in the ranks of the hospital, while also combating their own personal dramas. First among them is Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), the daughter of a famous surgeon, whose emotionally fraught past threatens to get in her way as she navigates through Seattle Grace and pursues her romantic interest, neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). Why it’s so good: If you are skeptical of “Grey’s” because you fear its plot may resemble a soap opera – okay, you might be right. But, that doesn’t change the fact that the characters are so compelling. As the plot expands to encompass more than the five main interns in Meredith’s class, it becomes both more diverse and more complex. And while the medical component keeps the general mood of the show constant, the personal relationships, both romantic and otherwise, are what will keep you coming back for more. Why you should binge it: There’s something wholly satisfying about watching 11 years worth of television in a short period of time — Meredith and Derek’s relationship unfolds so slowly throughout the first few seasons that I’m not sure how regular viewers survived it. Watching Meredith grow over the course of a decade, from a novice intern to an
attending surgeon is tremendously satisfying. Of course, the series isn’t even over yet; as season 12 prepares to air later this month, you may just want to refresh your memory before coming back for more, and that’s fine too. Standouts: As legendary as Meredith’s relationship with Derek is, her friendship with fellow intern Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) is the highlight of the show. Not only is Cristina Meredith’s go-to person in times of need, but her own storyline as an ambitious, career-driven doctor is a brilliant contrast to Meredith’s own romantically invested plotline. A big surprise to look out for is Alex Karev (Justin Chambers), whose shallow disposition in season one doesn’t appear to lend itself to an interesting story, only for his character to slowly redeem himself throughout the later seasons and become one of Meredith’s closest friends. In the revolving door of “Grey’s Anatomy” doctors, there are a lot of other characters to keep up with, and you’ll meet and fall in love with them as the show progresses. Potential Pitfalls: It is entirely possible that your favorite character on “Grey’s Anatomy” will die in an entirely sudden and tragic way. There’s no way to sugarcoat it: bad things happen to the doctors at Seattle Grace, sometimes if only to prove that life is fleeting and that this lovable cast of ambitious surgeons can’t save everyone. In that vein, I’d advise first-time viewers to beware season finales, although quite frankly, any and every episode on “Grey’s” is an opportunity to break your heart just a little bit. It won’t matter; you’ll still be clicking on that next episode as fast as you can.
September 9, 2015
SPORTS
Page 19
The Fordham Ram
Football Triumphs Over Army West Point FROM FOOTBALL, PAGE 1
“I told these guys they had thirty minutes to make a memory for a lifetime,” Moorhead said when asked about the halftime message. “I thought our defense really came out and bowed their back in the second half and got a bunch of stops.” Less than five minutes into the third quarter, a poor snap by the Black Knights’ special teams unit forced Army West Point punter Alex Tardieu to run out of the back of the end zone for a safety to put the Rams up 29-21. Black Knight running back Matt Giachinta aided the special teams unit later in the quarter, scoring on a one-yard run, before quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw successfully converted the two-point conversion on the ground to tie the game at 29. Early in the fourth quarter Edmonds found the end zone for the third time on the ground to again put Fordham on top. Things got interesting on the extra point as junior holder and punter Joe Pavlik decided to attempt a two-point conversion. Though not by design, Pavlik eluded Black Knight tacklers and found the end zone to put Fordham up by
MIKE GROLL/ AP
Fordham edged Army West Point 37-35 on Friday night, taking down an FBS opponent for the second time in three years.
eight, 37-29. Army West Point did not fade as Bradshaw connected with junior receiver Edgar Poe on a 27-yard strike to put the team within two. Bradshaw, however, was unsuccessful on the two-point try as the Fordham defense, led by sophomore safety Ca-
leb Ham and sophomore linebacker Niko Thorpe, blew through the offensive line and quickly got into the backfield. Army West Point had one final chance to tie it late in the game, but a fourth down pass was broken up by the Fordham defense to seal the win
in the final minute. “I just was so excited,” Anderson said of that moment. “[I] grabbed my teammates. [I] looked them in the eyes. This is victory. It’s the best formation in football.” Fordham’s win was the first for an FCS school against an FBS school
this season. The Rams last defeated an FBS opponent in 2013 as they edged Temple 30-29 in Philadelphia. Last year, the team came up short at West Point as the Black Knights came out on top, 42-31. Following Friday’s victory, Edmonds was honored with multiple weekly awards for his three touchdown, 250-all-purpose-yard performance. The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native was named NCAA FCS National Player of the Week and a College Sporting News National AllStar, among other accolades. The team’s next chance at victory is Saturday at 6 p.m. as it opens up Jack Coffey Field for the first time this season and welcomes Villanova to Rose Hill. Villanova fell to the University of Connecticut 20-15 in their season opener this past Thursday. Students are encouraged to attend the primetime showdown between two nationally-ranked FCS teams. Fordham is ranked 16th in this week’s FCS Coaches’ Poll, while Villanova is ranked second.
Men’s Soccer Looking to Turn It Around By TARA CANGIALOSI STAFF WRITER
It hasn’t exactly been the start the Fordham men’s soccer team was looking for. Coming off their stellar end-ofseason run last fall, when the Rams captured the 2014 Atlantic 10 Conference Championship, expectations for the 2015 season were high. Instead, the Rams have not won a game yet and are 0-3, despite returning a similar roster with several talented new additions. The team’s first three losses, to Boston University, Loyola University – Chicago and DePaul University respectively, have been both heartwrenching and disappointing. The Rams’ season-opener against Boston University on Aug. 28 resulted in a 2-1 overtime loss nearly identical to last year’s opening overtime loss to the Terriers. Fordham had the momentum throughout the first half. The players were in sync on their passes, runs and defensive communication. A few opportunities were created on either side, but none were finished and the score remained knotted at zero at half. After the break, the Rams built up their momentum. In the 73rd minute, sophomore Jannik Loebe flicked a cross over the crossbar, spoiling a chance. However, his freshman brother, Janos Loebe, did not miss his shot at goal a minute later. Graduate student Gabe Stauber put a lead pass through to the younger Loebe, who one-touched it to the left of BU’s goalkeeper. It was the German’s first collegiate goal, and it put the Rams ahead 1-0. “It was a good pass from Gabe, and I was alone in front of the goalie,” Janos Loebe said. “I’m glad to help the team as a new player.” However, the turning point of the game came in the 83rd minute when
SAM JOSEPH/THE FORDHAM RAM
The men’s soccer team has struggled early in the season, but has lost two of their first three games by only one goal.
Fordham’s Stauber took down BU forward Anthony Viteri inside the18yard box. The referee sent Stauber off with a red card and the Terriers’ Felix De Bona put away the subsequent penalty kick to tie the game at one. BU’s momentum continued into overtime, and Fordham could not respond. In the 95th minute, the Terriers put together a sequence of passes, with T.J. Butzke one-timing a shot into the back of the net for the golden goal and 2-1 win. “It all just changed on that one play [in regulation],” coach Jim McElderry said. “I thought overall our guys
played really well, and I thought they deserved to get something out of the game.” Senior Ryan Cupolo agreed with McElderry. “We thought we outplayed them,” Cupolo said. “We played well, but it’s a game of results and we didn’t get the result today.” Despite the opening loss, Fordham had a week to re-group before flying to Chicago for the first time since 1977 to face Loyola University – Chicago on Sept. 4. The Rams’ confidence was knocked in the tenth minute when
the Ramblers got on the board courtesy of a Fordham own goal. Fordham bounced back three minutes later, when senior Ryan Walsh scored his first goal of the season off a pass from Janos Loebe. Tied at the break, Loyola-Chicago got the better of the play in the second half as they took a 2-1 lead in the 63rd minute and held on to win. “We are a little bit mad, we needed two or three goals really,” Janos Loebe said. “We are all a little bit disappointed.” Two days later against DePaul, Fordham only mustered two shots
on goal, while the Blue Demons had seven and converted four of them for the 4-0 victory. The team’s opening performances against three out-of-conference rivals was lacking, but the season is not doomed. The team lost their first two games last year, but look at where they ended up. Beating the third, second and first ranked teams in succession to take the Atlantic 10 title was no easy feat, considering the Rams’ eighth-ranked position at the conference championship. Though the squad lost a few seniors to graduation, the returning players and recent additions have the talent, experience and ability to defend their title if they play the way they are capable of. On the defensive end, Cupolo and sophomores Christopher Bazzinni and Matthew Lewis were strong last year, while junior Andy Hickey’s good health coming off of injury this fall will be crucial. Equally important will be their communication with freshman keeper Nuhu. Junior Ole Sandnes and sophomore Jannik Loebe must control the midfield in future games, while looking to send the ball high and wide to red-shirt senior Andres Penfold and senior Kyle Biterman up top. Contributions from seniors Walsh and Tomas Penfold will add veteran experience, while sophomore Chris Ohlendorf can add a spark of energy off the bench. New additions in freshman Janos Loebe and graduate students Zimmerman and Stauber will also add to the Rams’ fire power. McElderry is also convinced his guys can put on a better showing than they have thus far. “We have plenty to work on, but the potential of this group is very high,” he said. “We can have a lot of success this year if we can just continue to work and improve.”
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September 9, 2015
Don’t Forget to Recycle
The Ram
SPORTS
September 9, 2015
Varsity Scores & Stats
Grant Johnson Old Faces in New Places in the NBA It seems hard to believe, but the start of the NBA season is under two months away. Starting on Oct. 27, the Warriors will attempt to defend their title, while 29 other teams will try to knock them off their perch. As always, the offseason has been filled with drama, movement and transition. Numerous teams have upgraded their rosters through free agent signings and several big name players have cashed in on their recent production. Here are a few players that have found new homes, and my predictions as to how successful they will be. LaMarcus Aldridge—After a season that was a disappointment by the Spurs’ lofty standards, the San Antonio Spurs made arguably the biggest free agent signing of the offseason. Aldridge, a four time All-Star, joins a loaded team that includes the still-formidable Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili. He should fit right into Popovich’s offense and will be an exciting new weapon in the paint. Expect the Spurs to return to championship contention. Greg Monroe—This big man signed a 3-year, 50 million dollar contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, who went 41-41 last year (good for 6th in the East). He’ll pair with the now-healthy Jabari Parker in the post. This is a good fit for both sides, and Monroe will be a key asset for the young, talented Bucks. He should match last year’s numbers, and don’t be surprised if Milwaukee challenges some of the top teams in the East. Paul Pierce—After a year-long detour in Washington, Pierce, a longtime Boston Celtic, signed a 3-year, 10 million dollar contract to join the Los Angeles Clippers. The 37-year-old proved he had plenty left in the tank last playoffs, averaging 14.6 points for the Wizards during their brief run. He’ll join a Clippers team that once again fell short in the postseason last year. Pierce’s days of being a star are over, but he should be a useful role player for Los Angeles. Rajon Rondo—The Sacramento Kings signed Rondo to a one-year deal worth $9.5 million. He’ll join Demarcus Cousins in a duo of supremely talented but frustrating players. The Kings hope Rondo’s character issues are behind him, as he wore out his welcome in first Boston then Dallas. Rondo was once considered one of the best point guards in the NBA, but injuries and locker room squabbles have dulled his luster. Unless he finds somethingnew in the tank, it will be an upand-down season for Rondo and the Kings. Monta Ellis—Ellis took a four year deal worth $44 million to join the Indiana Pacers. He’ll combine with George Hill and Paul George to form a trio of capable scorers. Ellis averaged 18.9 points for the Mavs last season. He should be able to comfortably fill the scoring void left by the departure of David West. With Paul George healthy, expect the Pacers’ offense to be more potent than it’s been in a while—and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Page 21
Football Fordham 14 13 2 8 37 Army 14 7 8 6 35 (FOR) Edmonds 3 TDs (ARMY) Bradshaw 2 TDs Volleyball St. Francis Brooklyn Fordham
1 7
Niagara Fordham
3 1
Georgetown Fordham
2 3
Robert Morris Fordham
3 0
Fordham Manhattan
3 1
Men’s Soccer Fordham 1 Loyola-Chicago 2 GOALS: Carragher (LOY) 10’, Walsh (FOR) 14’, Braem (LOY) 63’
Jack McLoone
Fordham Johns Hopkins
8 12
Fordham Salem International
21 10
Women’s Soccer Fordham 0 DePaul 4 GOALS: Rodriguez (DP) 18’, Megally (DP) 23’, Rodriguez (DP) 29’ Megally (DP) 72’
Water Polo Fordham Navy
6 9
Fordham Gannon
14 8
Fordham 5 The Citadel 0 GOALS: Widmann (FOR) 1’, Nicol (FOR) 5’, McDonnell (FOR) 26’, McDonnell (FOR) 29’, Widmann (FOR) 82’ Fordham 1 Charleston 0 GOALS: Maksuti (FOR) 51’
Athletes of the Week Chase Edmonds
Kate McDonnell
Sophomore
Grad Student
Football
Soccer
Edmonds spent Fordham’s season opener picking up right where he left off. The running back rushed for three touchdowns against Army and logged 126 rushing yards and 140 receiving yards. For his efforts, he was named the NCAA FCS Player of the Week.
McDonnell’s final season as a Ram hadn’t been off to the fastest start, but she righted the ship with a monster performance at The Citadel. The forward scored two goals and assisted on two others, propelling her team to a shutout win.
Each week, The Fordham Ram’s Sports editors honor one male athlete and one female athlete for their on-field performances as their “Athletes of the Week.”
News & Notes • Women’s Soccer Appears in
NSCAA Regional Rankings Fordham women’s soccer recently made its second appearance on the NSCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Regional Rankings since 2006. In Tuesday’s edition of the weekly rankings, the Rams, off to a 4-2 start to their season, were ranked ninth in the Mid-Atlantic region. Currently, William & Mary holds the top spot in the region, and Hofstra, at No. 3, is tops in New York. Women’s soccer will see its next action on Sunday, when it will host LIU-Brooklyn.
• Men’s Basketball
Announces Schedule
Last week, Fordham men’s basketball released its full schedule for the 2015-16 season. The Rams will open with a road game at the University of Texas at Arlington on Nov. 14 and quickly return home for a lengthy homestand against non-conference squads. Once the calendar flips to 2016, the team will play its 18 games against Atlantic 10 opponents in hopes of earning a trip to the conference tournament in March.
• Date of Fordham-Hosted Tennis Tournament Appoaching Quickly The Fordham University men’s and women’s tennis programs are hosting a doubles tournament at Harrison, N.Y.’s Life Time Athletic. Tournament registration begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, and play will commence at 7:30. The fee is $120 per player and all participants must be 21 or older. All proceeds go to the Fordham tennis programs.
•
Men’s Soccer Blanked in First Chicago Series Since 1997 Over Labor Day weekend, Fordham men’s soccer made its first trip to Chicago in almost two decades. In the opening game of this Midwestern series, the Rams fell to Loyola-Chicago by a margin of one. Two days later, in the first ever meeting between Fordham and DePaul, the Rams were defeated again, losing by a score of 4 goals to none. This week, the team will travel to Lafayette in hopes of turning things around. – Compiled by Sam Belden
A Restored Brady is Primed for 2015 First of all, let me tell you a story: On February 1st, 2004, Adam Vinateri drilled a 41-yard field goal to give the New England Patriots their second Super Bowl victory in three years, a 32-29 win over the Carolina Panthers. Sitting in his living room in New Jersey that fateful night, I, a sixyear-old Jack McLoone, had a new favorite team. Was I a front-runner? Yes. Should I still be considered one? Probably, but I also don’t really care. 11 years into my fandom, I’ve heard it all. Why do I bring this up? Because Thursday was the cherry on top of my Super Bowl Sundae (get it?), with Tom Brady’s four game suspension for “Deflategate”/“Ballghazi”/“The Dumbest NFL Story of All Time” being overturned in court. Living in New Jersey, I’m naturally surrounded by both Jets and Giants fans, the two teams with the biggest beef with the Patriots. But coming off of a win in my personal favorite game of all time, their Super Bowl win over the Seahawks, nothing could bring me down. I even watched the David Tyree catch the next day without dry heaving. So when high-and-mighty Roger Goodell decided to levy the suspension on Brady on top of taking away draft picks from and fining the Patriots for their role in allegedly “knowingly” deflating footballs below the allowable level during their AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts, I was okay. For one thing, I was certain that it wouldn’t hold up when Brady decided to appeal his suspension to federal court. Also, I knew in my mind that slightly deflated footballs didn’t matter, and let the masses know. Now, he will be back for Week 1. And I still hear every day, “Oh, the Patriots can only win if they cheat,” or “Well, they still can’t beat the Giants,” or “Brady wears Ugg boots,” or “Bill Belicheat.” But you know what? I want to hear that. The only superstition more powerful than the “No One Believes In Us” boost is the “Everyone Hates Us Cause They Ain’t Us” boost. So when Brady is receiving the Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl 50, flashing an evil grin at Dictator Goodell, just know that it’s your fault. Yes, you, Jets fans and Giants fans. Yes, you, Ravens and Colts fans. Yes, you, Ted Wells. And especially you, Roger Goodell. You should never count out Touchdown Tom, and definitely don’t give him more motivational ammunition to rip apart the NFL. On Friday, Brady released a statement on Facebook apologizing to fans of all teams for the protracted fight against the NFL for Deflategate. What he should have slipped in at the end was “Oh, I’m also sorry for the absolute lack of mercy I’m going to show all of your favorite teams en route to a true undefeated season.” Because these court proceedings were not, at the end of the day, about preserving Brady’s “legacy,” but a direct attack on the despot-like powers at be in the NFL. No matter how much you want to hate Tom Brady, he will embrace it when he has, at the end of the day, helped contribute to the diminishing of the NFL’s unmitigated power, while also paving the way for what could be the best conclusion to a sports story of all time. Keep hating Tom Brady. I’ll talk to you after the fifth Super Bowl ring.
SPORTS
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Anthony Pucik
September 9, 2015
The Journey of Darryl Whiting Jr. By NICOLE HORTON
Stephen Fragano
CO-CULTURE EDITOR
The Case That Won’t End Last week, New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady left a Manhattan court room with a self-satisfied smile on his face. The sixteenyear veteran of the league had his four game suspension dismissed in federal court after appealing a ruling on July 28 from the NFL that refused to reduce the suspension issued back on May 11 by commissioner Roger Goodell. The suspension was for a violation that occurred back in the AFC Championship game when the Indianapolis Colts discovered that — you know what, I’ll stop right there. I can’t do it. I can’t talk about Deflategate anymore. I don’t want to hear about deflated footballs, the New England Patriots or Tom Brady anymore, and quite frankly, neither should you. This is by far the most ridiculous incident that has occurred in the NFL in recent memory, which is saying something considering what’s gone on in the league in just the past year. First off, let me start by saying that I agree that what was done was wrong. Whether Brady was involved or not, if the NFL requires a football to be inflated a certain pound per square inch (PSI) and it should remain unaltered. So should the Patriots and/or Brady, if found to be involved (which it appears he might have been), been punished? Absolutely. However, a suspension of four regular season games, which is a quarter of the season, for deflating a football and “violating the integrity of the game” is absurd. Let’s take a look at some recent suspensions the NFL has handed down. Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and head coach Sean Payton were suspended for the 2012 season and assistant head coach Joe Vitta received six games for their involvement in the Saints bounty program involving players getting paid to attempt to injure opponents. For an issue as serious as that they should have been given harsh suspensions. Then there’s Andy Moeller, an offensive line coach on the Baltimore Ravens, who was suspended for two games back in September 2011 for driving under the influence. So the NFL thinks deflating footballs is two times worse than a DUI, an actual crime that could have had a severely negative impact on many lives. So the suspension is one issue, but how about the fact that football starts this week and it took until the first week of September to get this suspension overturned? Brady appealed to the NFL in late May; his suspension stood, then he went to federal court in June and, two and a half months later, he finally got his suspension removed. After nearly nine months, we finally have an end to Deflategate. Wait, not so fast, reports say that Goodell and the NFL will appeal the decision of the appeal to the already stood-up appeal. Confused yet? So instead of discussing whether Marcus Mariota can turn the Tennessee Titans around or what the heck is going on in Philadelphia, we are stuck talking about Tom Brady and deflated footballs. At this point, I don’t care if the NFL’s appeal is heard or not heard, if Brady is suspended or not suspended, I just want to stop hearing about it.
For Darryl Whiting Jr., FCRH ’12, Fordham University has enabled him to develop both his competitive and entrepreneurial spirit as a running back for the Fordham Rams and communication and media studies major. Whiting grew up in Corona Park, Queens, and was raised in a single-parent household. His father, Darryl “God” Whiting, was sentenced to life in prison for criminal enterprise in the form of drug trafficking. Whiting was unaware that his dad was in prison for life until he was twelve years old. Despite this, Whiting said, “my dad was there my whole life.” Throughout his childhood, they spoke frequently on the phone and his mother or aunt would take him to visit his father in Pennsylvania. Growing up, his mother’s influence was an important factor when it came to school and football. “She wasn’t a super aggressive woman, she just wanted the best for me,” said Whiting. “She didn’t let me quit playing football — it was the only thing she didn’t let me quit. That was what I was good at, that’s what I enjoyed doing, so she just supported me in that aspect. Anything else that I wanted to do that’s positive she supported.” Whiting said that he would not have attended college if he did not receive a scholarship, so football was a crucial part of his plan. “The whole scholarship thing was to make sure that I get myself a better opportunity when I’m older,” said Whiting. “I only went to Holy Cross to play football to get a scholarship to college. I knew that if I didn’t go to college, then I’d probably be like some of the people I know now and I didn’t want that.” However, when it came to attending Fordham, Whiting did not tell the traditional, cliched story about how he visualized himself at Fordham during his first visit. “The only reason why I went there was because I had a scheduling conflict with Fordham and Temple in the same weekend,” said Whiting. “Then Temple wanted to pick me up from Fordham, and coach [Tom] Masella kind of got my mom to think that traveling to Philly somehow was too much traveling. He convinced her that I shouldn’t go to Temple that weekend, and then we didn’t go.” He accepted Fordham’s offer soon after his visit. As a running back for the Fordham Rams, Whiting led the team in rushing yards three years in a row and became a full-time starter senior year. He signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2012. When asked about his overall experience at Fordham, Whiting said, “I wouldn’t change the people that I met and the experiences that I had, but overall there’s definitely other universities that I would’ve had way more fun at.” Wide receiver Brian Wetzel, FCRH ’15, joined the team as a freshman during Whiting’s senior year. When asked to describe Whiting, who was nicknamed DWhite by his teammates, Wetzel said, “On the field, he was pretty quiet and kept to himself, focusing on the game, but when we got to the locker room, he was a character.”
The NYCFC Melting Pot
COURTESY OF DARRYL WHITING
Whiting helped his father, also Darryl, publish this fiction novel in 2014.
According to Wetzel, Whiting took both football and his role as a team leader seriously. “As a freshman, I was always goofing around,” Wetzel said. “Darryl would let me know when it was time to get serious because we had business to take care of, which helped me have success later in my career.” Lourenzo Smith, a Fordham graduate student and defensive back on the football team, shared advice that Whiting gave him during his freshman year. “We were walking to go and do sprints first day of summer and he said, ‘No matter what happens to you—never let anyone punk you and don’t get any tattoos. “It’s ironic because his upper torso is covered with them,” Smith said with a laugh. Whiting’s ease with people and driven nature aid him as he works as a personal trainer and looks to start a media company. When Whiting started college in 2008, his father told him about a fiction novel he was working on, later entitled Takin’ It to Another Level. Whiting began editing it, and they wrote and edited on and off until it was completed last year. The hard copy was released this past November. Whiting cited 50 Shades of Grey author E.L. James’ publishing deal, in which she received a six-figure advance and garnered eight percent of hard copies and five percent of e-book sales, as an example of why he thought it was better to produce the book himself. He established Corona Crown Publishing, which enabled him to learn about publishing. The synopsis of the book, which Whiting describes as “mainly fiction with some real aspects” reads as follows: Tyrell “Frost” Montgomery is a small time drug dealer and gangbanger who’s tired of the senseless gang killings and the non-productive way that gangs are living. He wants change and to do something about it, but does not know how. That’s until infamous ex-drug kingpin and rebel five percenter Darryl “God” Whiting comes home from federal prison after serving twenty years of a life sentence for engaging
in a continuing criminal enterprise and gets him to take him under his wing for some schooling. They plan to have a four or five book series. The second installment is set to be released in November. Prior to this, Whiting’s father served as the centerpiece of a 1999 crime-thriller drama movie entitled In Too Deep. LL Cool J portrayed “God” Whiting and the movie took place from the lead undercover officer’s perspective. Jeffrey Coy, the undercover cop, committed suicide after suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. His time undercover serves as a cautionary tale of blurring roles and the pitfalls of drug use. Whiting wanted to get in touch with his daughter, Sam, who started a group home in Boston for male teenagers deemed at-risk or delinquent by the Department of Social Services. “I was trying to do a panel at Fordham,” said Whiting. “I was trying to tell how drugs affect drug dealers’ families, a cop’s family — just different perspectives of it from different points of view. It affected her life and the same topic affected us totally differently.” Even though he did not hear back from Coy, he wants to set up panels or events like that in the future. “It’s something I’d like to do not just for me, but to open people’s eyes to what drugs do to people, and have empathy for other people,” said Whiting. “A lot of people point the finger at somebody else but don’t really understand why somebody does what they do.” Whiting’s next big endeavor is starting a media company. The website would feature a forum, news and podcasts. He looks to delve into topics that he feels are unexplored due to corporate interests, therefore eliminating objectivity. “Publishing was just something more for my dad,” said Whiting. “I’m more of an entrepreneur, but publishing was one investment that I made when I was 18, 19 [years old]. But a media company, like spreading the voice and spreading message of racism, equality, the wealth gap — all that is really what I want to talk about, and that’s what I’m really passionate about.”
New York City is one of the most well-represented cities in the country, and possibly even the world, when it comes to sports. However, up until this past March, the extremely globalized and diverse Big Apple seemed to possess a void when it came to one of the most global of sports: soccer. One of Major League Soccer’s two newest expansion teams, New York City Football Club (NYCFC), calls Yankee Stadium, and obviously New York City, home. Though the New York Red Bulls of the MLS have represented New York for the past several years, the team’s location in Harrison, New Jersey, arguably made it more difficult for those in New York City and points north to come to the stadium and support the team to the fullest extent. With the newest addition to the league, soccer lovers of the melting pot that is NYC can now enjoy the global sport, and the team is also gaining popularity for the sport with those who were originally less familiar with it. Home to countless ethnicities, cultures and influences, New York City is already a microcosm. Therefore, it would be foolish to say that solely a soccer team makes the city part of the global community. This new addition does, however, give New York City even more recognition on the international sports stage, and it allows New Yorkers to feel a sense of belonging with other cities and countries around the world that enjoy the same game. The club’s name alone shows its penchant to associate New York City with the global stage. Unlike fellow expansion team Orlando City Soccer Club, NYCFC chose to declare themselves a “Football Club” rather than a “Soccer Club.” Football, futbol or other names of the sort are rather recognizable internationally as signifying what Americans know as soccer. Whether this was an intentional attempt to gain international recognition or if the name was meant to mirror that of sister team Manchester City Football Club, the subtle flair in the club’s name can signify quite a bit internationally. The players which make up NYCFC are additional reasons for the city’s and team’s ability to gain global attention and acceptance in the sport. Spanish forward David Villa Sanchez, English midfielder Frank Lampard, and Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo have all combined to form a formidable marquis for NYCFC while not-as-legendary, yet potent, players Kwadwo Poku of Ghana and Angelino of Spain round out the melting pot of a team alongside homegrown American players like Tommy McNamara. In addition to immersing the team in the global sport, these players’ great skill and experience from countries with long histories of professional soccer aid the league’s and sport’s growing competitiveness and popularity in New York City and the United States in general. New York’s newest team is in its infancy and may not have had the kind of start for which it aimed. Everyone needs to start somewhere, though, and it appears as though the club has one foot in the Big Apple and one foot abroad.
SPORTS
September 9, 2015
Page 23
Back to Bein’ Amazin’ By MATTHEW MICHAELS STAFF WRITER
Carlos Beltran took a curveball from rookie Adam Wainwright for strike three to dash the New York Mets’ hopes in 2006. The strikeout in the bottom of the ninth ended Game 7 of the National League Championship Series and propelled the St. Louis Cardinals to the World Series, where the 83-win team disposed of the Detroit Tigers. The following eight years have been miserable for Mets fans, but in 2015, the team has a shot at redemption. The 2006 Mets returned to the playoffs for the first time since losing to the cross-town Yankees in the 2000 World Series. Despite winning a league high 97 games and a highlight reel catch by Endy Chavez in the elimination game, the Mets could not hold off the pesky Redbirds, but the future looked bright for the team from Queens. Beltran, David Wright and Jose Reyes were to be the cornerstones of the franchise for years to come. An epic collapse in 2007 and a close second in 2008 were disheartening, but not the end of the world. What happened next was enough to lose all faith in the Mets organization. Team owner Fred Wilpon lost a substantial amount of money by being involved in Bernie Madoff ’s Ponzi scheme. In the following years, the poorly run Mets routinely embarrassed themselves on and off the diamond. The Mets entered the 2015 season with an abundance of young pitching talent and potential stars. They had their work cut out for them though, with the reigning division champions, the Washington Nationals, adding the best offseason free agent, Max Scherzer. The Nationals appeared a safe choice to run away with the east but the Mets had their own thoughts. The Mets sprinted out of the gate and earned an early division lead in April due in part to an eleven-game winning streak. Sub .500 months of May and June made the race tougher but by rebounding in July, the Mets were able to be buyers at the trade deadline. Within the week before the July 31 deadline, the Mets acquired Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson from the Atlanta Braves and reliever Tyler Clippard from the Oakland A’s. By trading for two bats and an arm, as well as bringing up outfielder Michael Conforto from the minors, the Mets fortified their roster but were still missing punch in the lineup. During the Mets’ July 29 game, rumors swirled that Wilmer Flores
and Zach Wheeler had been shipped to Milwaukee in exchange for Carlos Gomez. Flores stayed in the game and, while playing shortstop, teared up at the thought of leaving the organization that had signed him on the day he turned 16 in 2007. The deal fell through because the Mets were worried about Gomez’ health despite refutations that his hips were not “sexy.” When the Houston Astros nabbed Gomez and Mike Fiers, who pitched a no-hitter on August 21, in a trade with the Brewers the next day, the non-move looked like another chapter in the Mets storybook about head-shaking moves. Minutes before the deadline came, the Mets went all-in and nabbed Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, the third time he was traded since last season. Later that night, the Mets opened a three game set with the Nationals. Flores, recently showered in appreciation by fans, walked-off with a 12th inning home run, initiating a three-game sweep that put the teams into a tie atop the division. The Mets continued an extended run of success in August by having its first twenty-win month since 2000 and setting a team record for home runs in a month. By adding Cespedes who has slugged his weight in gold since arriving in Queens, the Mets lineup has become one of the strengths of a team that had relied so heavily on its pitching staff. The Mets have had their share of disappointments this year. Jenrry Mejia was injured before throwing a pitch on Opening Day, was suspended for 80 games, returned and soon after received a 162-game suspension for a second failed drug test. Zach Wheeler missed the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Matt Harvey recently upset team brass for implementing his own innings limit. Add in a typical dose of injuries and underperformance from a slew of players. To have so much go wrong and still be ahead of the pundits’ preseason darlings is rewarding for a franchise that has encountered years of tumult and turmoil. With a win over their division rival on Monday, the Mets improved to five games better than the Nationals. The Mets are in a good position to make the playoffs. Even if they do, the horrid memories of the last decade will not be erased, but they have become legitimate contenders ahead of schedule. To make the season truly amazing, the Mets could even knock off the Cardinals, who own the best record in the majors this season, in a rematch of the epic seven-game battle in 2006.
By SAM BELDEN ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
It’s been a long road since Tiger Woods’ bizarre run-in with a fire hydrant, but it looks like we could finally have a clear picture of what the next era of pro golf might look like. A few years ago, parity in the sport was at unpalatable levels, but the past two seasons have given us a few champions that have proven they’re a cut above the rest. Notably, we now have what’s being hailed as golf ’s new Big Three: Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day. All three of these players are under 30, big stage performers and major champions. McIlroy, 26, hails from Northern Ireland and is the most accomplished of the bunch, owning four major titles and the world No. 2 ranking. The USA’s Spieth, 22, is the youngest of the bunch, No. 1 in the world and the reigning Masters and U.S. Open Champion — and the favorite to be named the 2015 Player of the Year. Finally, Day, 27, is an Aussie who won the PGA Championship just a few weeks ago and subsequently rose to No. 3 in the rankings, completing the trifecta. The group’s dominance over the current game is impressive. Many assert that it is a neo-Big Three of golf, a reimagining of the sport’s original Big Three: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. That’s all well and good for McIlroy, Spieth and Day, but in our haste to anoint the newest heroes of the game, aren’t we completely forgetting about last year’s can’t-miss superstar young gun? Where is Rickie Fowler’s place in this newly imagined power structure? Fowler, twenty-six-years-old and the world No. 5, certainly isn’t far behind the top three in terms of talent. With his Labor Day win at the Deutsche Bank Championship, he might be in the best form too. He was a clubhouse leader for Team USA at last fall’s Ryder Cup, and he is one of golf ’s most popular, marketable figures. Certainly, Fowler is a superstar. And yet, he must accomplish a whole lot more if he wants to be grouped in with the aforementioned three. Specifically,
he needs to finally get the monkey off his back and win a major. In a sport where winning is so widely acknowledged to be incredibly difficult, it seems odd that golf would put such a great emphasis on four particular tournaments, but that’s our game. As a result, many great players never win a major, yet more than a handful of mediocre ones have lucked out and gotten the job done. Throw in the fact that a player’s form will come and go over the course of a season, and winning a major is nearly impossible, even for the best of the best. For a hungry player, the only answer is to prepare meticulously and attempt to design strategies and practice routines that keep the majors in mind. Fowler has done this. Prior to last season, he began working with noted golf guru Butch Harmon, citing a desire to take his game to the next level. That approach paid massive dividends. Although he didn’t notch any wins in 2014, Fowler finished in the top five of all four majors, something that had previously been accomplished by just two men: Nicklaus and Woods. Predictably, Fowler was a trendy pick to nab a major or two at the beginning of this season. However,
(CHRIS BREIKSS:FLICKR)
The play of Jordan Speith and Jason Day has left Fowler in the rear-view mirror.
Varsity Calendar HOME AWAY
Thursday Sept. 10
Friday Sept. 11
Saturday Sept. 12
Football
Villanova 6 p.m.
Men’s Soccer
Lafayette 1 p.m.
Cross Country Volleyball Water Polo
Sunday Sept. 13
Tuesday Sept. 15
Army West Point 7 p.m.
Fordham Fiasco/ Ed Joyce Memorial
Maddie Bingaman Memorial Tournament Bucknell Invitational
Golf
Ryan Lee Memorial Tournament
Women’s Tennis
Stony Brook Invitational
COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA
Monday Sept. 14
LIU Brooklyn 1:00 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
Jacob deGrom is one of the main reasons the Mets are atop the NL East.
while Spieth and Day made history with their wins, Fowler faltered, missing the cut in the U.S. Open and failing to contend in the other three. In all, he tied for 12th at the Masters and for 30th at both the Open Championship and PGA Championship — not awful, but for a player who was hoping to take the next step, definitely not good. For Fowler, the only answer is to practice harder and play better. McIlroy, Spieth and Day don’t look to be going anywhere, and as youngsters like Patrick Rodgers and Ollie Schniederjans showed us this season, the next generation has some talent too. Conventional logic states that if Fowler keeps knocking at the door at the majors, he’ll get one eventually. Well, where was that logic in the case of Lee Westwood or Sergio Garcia? A player’s window for winning majors can close at any time, without warning; before he knows it, Fowler could become the next Dustin Johnson. With the Deutsche Bank standing as his third win of the year, Fowler has had a successful season traveling the world and honing his craft. In today’s game, though, there’s no getting complacent. Fowler must win a major soon, or his peers will leave him behind.
St. Peter’s 7 p.m.
Wednesday Sept. 16
SPORTS
Page 24
September 9, 2015
The Fordham Ram
Women’s Soccer Wins Two in South Carolina By LEIGHTON SCHNEIDER STAFF WRITER
The women’s soccer team ventured down to South Carolina this past weekend and came away with two wins and the Charleston Cup. They beat The Citadel 5-0 on Friday before beating the College of Charleston 1-0 on Sunday, moving to 4-2 on the year. Against The Citadel, the Rams were led by graduate students Kate McDonnell, who had two goals and two assists, and Jessica Widmann, who had two goals and one assist. Widmann opened the scoring in the first minute. McDonnell found her on a flick pass and Widmann found the back of the net for her third goal of the season. Just under four minutes later, McDonnell found Widmann open again. This time the shot rebounded off the goalie and junior Nicol Natale finished to put but Fordham up 2-0. McDonnell’s career night continued in the 26th and 29th minutes. In the 26th, she found the upper 90 from 35 yards out off of a pass from junior Turner Block. Then, following a free kick by redshirt senior Kristina Maksuti,
THE RAM ARCHIVES
Under head coach Jessica Clinton, the women’ s soccer team is off to a 4-2 start in 2015. The team started 6-1 last season.
McDonnell scored off a rebound. Widmann closed the scoring in the 82nd minute with her fourth goal of the year. She dribbled wide of the eighteen-yard box before chipping it over the goalie. Junior Megan Fitzgerald started in net and was replaced at halftime by freshman Adaeze Obinelo. Neither goalie had to make a save.
On Sunday, Obinelo got her first career start, but looked like a seasoned veteran in net. The freshman needed five saves in the first half to stop the attack of the Cougars. Play was halted after the 10th and 79th minutes due to lightning in the area, each delay was 30 minutes.
Maksuti got her second goal of the season off of a set piece. Junior Nicole Bates took a free kick from the right side of the box and Maksuti headed the ball into the center of the goal. Obinelo finished with six saves for her first career win and shutout. Before heading down to
Charleston, the Rams played four other games. First, at the Maine Tournament, Fordham beat Wagner 2-0 on goals by Jessica Widmann and Kristina Maksuti. It was Maksuti’s first goal in almost two years, following several injuries that took her off the pitch. Two days later, the Rams dropped a 1-0 game to the hosts. Next up was Manhattan and the Battle of the Bronx. Fordham won 2-0, on goals by sophomore Carlie Wagner, the first of her career, and Widmann. Fitzgerald was in goal and recorded her second shutout of the year. Fordham moved to 2-1 on the year. The Rams opened their home schedule against Princeton on August 30. Princeton came a away with a 2-1 win. Senior Ivana Lahcanski scored Fordham’s lone goal. It was her first of the year. Fitzgerald finished with seven saves in net. Following the successful weekend in the “Palmetto State,” the team entered the NSCAA MidAtlantic rankings on Tuesday for the second time since 2006. The team is ranked ninth in the region. Next up for the Rams is LIUBrooklyn on Sunday Sept. 13, at 1:00 on Jack Coffey Field.
Volleyball Makes Strides, Starts Season 3-5 By ANTHONY PUCIK SPORTS EDITOR
The Fordham volleyball team opened up its season on the road at the Florida Gulf Coast University Hilton Garden Inn/Homewood Suites Classic in Fort Myers, Florida from Aug. 28-29. There, they played three matches and lost to Presbyterian and New Orleans 3-1 and were swept by the hosts FGCU 3-0. The team returned home to the Rose Hill Gym on Wednesday, Sept. 2 to take on St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers, who they swept in three sets 25-15, 25-14, 25-18. Freshman Breanna Jones and junior Kristen Ostach led Fordham with nine kills each, sophomore Clarissa Cartledge added a team-high 14 digs and sophomore Emily Fronk contributed 26 assists in the winning effort. Freshman Olivia LaPorta also chipped in four aces and two blocks. The Rams next hosted the Rose Hill Classic from Sept. 4-5. Their first opponent was the Niagara University Purple Eagles. The Rams got off to a good start, winning the first set 25-22, but faltered in the second set, dropping it 25-17. In the third set, Fordham jumped out to a 5-2 lead and led by as many as five in the set, but the Purple Eagles outscored Fordham 15-7 to close out the set and take it 25-22. In the fourth set it was Niagara who went ahead early, scoring nine of the first 12 points, and they never looked back. The Rams scored four late points to put themselves within one, but were never able to completely close the gap, allowing Niagara to take the set 25-23 and the game 3-1. Freshman Natalie Martinez led Fordham with 14 kills, Cartledge once again led the way with 14 digs, Fronk added
29 assists and Ostach had six blocks. Next up for the Rams was the Georgetown Hoyas. Fordham took an early 5-2 advantage in the first set, and pushed its lead up to eight at 20-12. The deficit was too big for the Hoyas to overcome, and the Rams took the first set 25-17. In the second set, Georgetown scored first and got out to a 6-3 advantage. Fordham tied the score at 13, but Georgetown closed out the set on
a 12-5 run, taking the set 25-18 and tying the match. The Hoyas jumped out to an early lead once again in the third set 14-5, and cruised to a 25-13 victory. Needing a win to stay alive, Fordham trailed in the fourth set 7-4, but scored seven unanswered points to turn the tables and take an 11-7 lead. Georgetown tied the score at 15-all but never retook the lead, and Fordham forced a decisive fifth set after a 25-21 victory.
In the fifth set, the Hoyas scored the first two points but Fordham scored six of the next seven points to take a 6-3 lead. The two Jesuit schools stood within three points of one another for the rest of the set, but Fordham prevailed in the end 15-13 to pick up their second victory of the season. Jones had 18 kills for the Rams, while Carledge chipped in 15 digs and Fronk added 36 assists.
SAM JOSEPH/THE FORDHAM RAM
After struggling last year, the volleyball team has matched their win total from 2014 and are off to a 3-5 start this season.
The Rams’ final game of the tournament came against the Robert Morris Colonials. The Colonials took the first set handily 25-10 after jumping out to a 12-2 lead. Fordham responded in the second set by scoring seven of the first 12 points to go up 7-5, but a 10-5 run by Robert Morris put them back in front 15-12. The Rams scored four unanswered points to retake the lead and pushed the advantage all the way up to three at 20-17, but the Colonials’ four and three consecutive point streaks in between Fordham points and ended up taking the second set 25-22. The third set was close throughout, with Fordham and Robert Morris both exchanging small point-scoring streaks leading up to a 16-16 tie. But the Colonials once again got the better of the Rams, scoring five of the next six points to go up 21-17 and eventually closed out the Rams 25-20, completing the sweep. Sophomore Molly Oshinksi contributed nine kills, Cartledge had a team-high 14 digs and senior Abigail Konovodoff added 23 assists. At tournament’s end, Ostach was named to the Rose Hill Classic AllTournament team. The middle hitter had 14 kills and 43 digs in the three tournament games. Fordham’s next match was against Manhattan College on Tuesday, Sept. 8 on the road in Riverdale, where they defeated the Jaspers in four sets 25-27, 25-18, 25-22, 25-23. Martinez led the Rams with 10 kills. The team is now 3-5 on the season, with their next matches being at the Maddie Bingaman Memorial Tournament in Baltimore, Maryland from Sept. 11-12. The Rams first match is against the host team UMBC at 7 p.m. on Friday.