Observer the
OCTOBER 9, 2014 VOLUME XXXIII, ISSUE 10
www.fordhamobserver.com
S.A.G.E.S. Continues Safe Sex Advocacy
Photo Feature
By JUSTIN REBOLLO Contributing Writer
In recent weeks, Students for Sex and Gender Equity and Safety Coalition (S.A.G.E.S.) has posted flyers around Fordham College at Lincoln Center’s (FCLC’s) campus. S.A.G.E.S. is promoting safe sex at Fordham and advocating against their perception of the Administration’s absent response to demands for a wider access to contraception on campus. In order to protect members’ identities, S.A.G.E.S. requested to be interviewed by email only. The group is not a student organization sponsored by the University and could be subject to University prosecution for distributing contraception on campus. S.A.G.E.S. released a petition for students to sign on Wednesday, Oct. 3. The petition is addressed to University President, Rev. Joseph J. McShane S.J., the Fordham University Board of Trustees and Fordham Administrators. Among many other demands, the petition demands: “Free condoms in accessible community spaces to foster an environment in which students are encouraged to talk about sex in healthy and safe ways.” Stated in the Fordham student handbook, the University forbids the “distribution of contraceptives, contraceptive devices and/or birth control, in any form at University-sponsored events.” Since Fordham is an educational institution that receives federal funding, it is subject to the Education Amendments of 1972. Title 9, which is part of those amendments, is relevant to this case. Title 9 states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education see S.A.G.E.S. pg. 3
KIRSTIN BUNKLEY/THE OBSERVER
Observer photographers captured the city at nighttime for this issue’s photo feature. See centerfold for more photos.
Student Mass Times Change for FCLC By IAN SCHAFER Contributing Writer
At 5:15 p.m. every Sunday evening, Catholics from all over New York convene at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle for a weekly liturgy. The Mass is directed at New York young adults, but the parishioners have added diversity now. Last year, Fordham College at Lincoln Center’s (FCLC) Campus Ministry moved the 8 p.m. Mass to 7:30 p.m. This seemingly did not make the timing much more convenient for students as student attence was minimal. “Over the last 20 years, the Mass later at night was attracting few of our students and some pa-
rishioners,” Rev. John J. Shea, S.J., director of Campus Ministry, said. “It became clear that at Lincoln Center, the student culture was attracted to an earlier liturgy, which would free them up for other commitments,” he said. While there were many social benefits to having the Mass for Fordham students, only about 75 people were present at most student Masses, and less than half of them were from Fordham. “It could be uncomfortable,” Emma Lemar, FCLC ’15, said. “I find Mass more comfortable when people are singing and responding.” Shea and Carol Gibney, associate director of Campus Ministry,
the heads of Campus Ministry here at FCLC, were in a bind: Students could not come to the later celebration, but events after the Young Adult Mass at St. Paul’s often ran into the preparations for the Fordham Mass. In coordination with the Paulist Fathers, FCLC Campus Ministry decided to cosponsor the Young Adult Liturgy. Even before the consolidation, many of the 700 individuals who attended the 5:15 p.m. were Fordham alumni/alumnae and enrolled students. Anne Souder, FCLC ’14, attends the 5:15 p.m. Mass. “Having it at a time that coincides with a regular Mass time at St. Paul’s helps the students to become part of a larger
church community,” Souder, who studied theology at Fordham, said. “It also helps them to feel comfortable continuing to participate in that community after they graduate,” she continued. Students can expect that things to be done differently at the Young Adult Mass. The music is performed by a larger band, which includes drums, guitars, brass and strings. The choir is also significantly larger than the choir that performed at the Fordham Mass. Students from Fordham and Julliard participate in the music ministry alongside regular parishsee MASS TIMES pg. 2
Inside
LITERARY
The Comma A selection of student writing.
PAGES 7-14
FEATURES
Cataloging the Quad
How does FCLC use the Plaza? Page 17
SPORTS
Becky Hammon
The first woman NBA coach
PAGE 20
ARTS & CULTURE
Comic Con
A guide for first timers
PAGE 16
THE STUDENT VOICE OF FORDHAM COLLEGE AT LINCOLN CENTER
OPINIONS
Columbus Day Political Correctness vs history
PAGE 7