Observer the
August 24, 2018 VOLUME XXXV, ISSUE 8
www.fordhamobserver.com
WFUV Lands 13th Spot as ‘Best College Radio’ By RUBY GARA News Editor
The WFUV public radio, licensed by Fordham University, appeared among Princeton Review’s annual ranking of best college radio stations. In a list of 20 universities, Fordham University’s Voice was ranked 13th. Princeton Review based its list, posted on Aug 8, on student rankings garnered from their conducted surveys. As stated on their website, the WFUV is “New York’s discovery music station and the public media service of Fordham.” Running since 1947, they broadcast different styles of music, such as rock and indie. They also air live performances from emerging artists in addition to interviews and broadcasting of sport events. As a member of the National Public Radio (NPR), the WFUV is a non-commercial and listener-supported radio that has an estimated 350,000 listeners, leading them to receive national recognition. WFUV’s studios, located in the basement of Keating Hall at Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH), offer Fordham students the opportunity for hands-on experience with broadcast journalism, as many then pursue a career in media. Mary Munshower, FCRH ’18, worked at WFUV during her four years of college in video engineering. Her duties involved editing the photos and videos taken during recording sessions and posting them online. “We also travel offsite to concerts throughout the city to record those,” she stated. Fordham alumnus George Bodarky, appointed news director of the WFUV in 2008, has since helped students in broadcasting as he has extensively worked in newscast broadcasting. In regard to the ranking, Bodarky stated that “It’s always humbling to receive such a designation. WFUV works very hard to maintain and grow a learning environment that sets students up for success.” By creating a space designated for building knowledge and a set of skills, “students are able to receive what [the WFUV] like[s] to believe is unmatched on the job training that allows them to graduate the University with skills that set them apart from the rest in the field.” As the fall semester approaches, Bodarky stated that “as always, WFUV will be looking to build upon its success in the upcoming year. We will be looking to advance training and opportunities in the digital space, including social media and podcasting.” The WFUV will also focus on collaborating with Norwood News, as well as BronxNet TV, to grow their audience “and provide additional learning opportunities for our student staff,” he said. The WFUV states that its training and students contribute to NYC “through community engagement and public service.”
LENA ROSE/THE OBSERVER | GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY SABRINA JEN
Title IX processes require university councils to remain impartial in divisive cases: In Fabricant’s case, it left her emotionally isolated.
Title IX Impartiality Leaves Student Unsupported Neutral Procedure, Limited Resources Press Students to Recover From Trauma Alone
“If I wasn’t this strong of a woman, I would have folded by now,” Madeline Fabricant wrote in an email last February addressed to the Fordham University Title IX response team. By then, she was embroiled in a year-long battle with university administrators over her attempts to secure sanctions against an abusive ex-boyfriend. She asked for sanctions to protect her own physical and mental safety on campus – sanctions which Fordham, despite finding her ex-boyfriend guilty in its Title IX proceeding, was unable to provide due to his status as a fellow student. Fabricant, now a transfer student at Chapman University, is a survivor of sexual assault who reported personal discomfort and difficulty concerning administration’s treatment of her trauma, disabilities and personal safety during her Title IX proceedings. By the end of Spring 2018, growing frustrated with the university’s response, she opened cases with the NYPD and the U.S. Dept. of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) with the hope of acquiring the sanctions Fordham refused to grant her.
Title IX cases at academic institutions exist to protect their members from sexual violence or misconduct, as well as to prosecute those who violate the statute within university boundaries. Broadly, these cases refer to a ruling from the OCR that 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 program.” Keith Eldredge, dean of students for Lincoln Center and deputy Title IX coordinator, openly acknowledged the sensitive nature of Title IX cases. He told The Observer that the trauma and discomfort inherent to the circumstances of such an investigation mean those involved in proceedings are never “fully satisfied” with the outcome. However, Eldredge also said that “one of the biggest misunderstood pieces
of the process is my role needs to be that of an objective decision maker... it’s not designed in our process for me to be that emotional resource person.” Fabricant’s complaints of bureaucratic insensitivity and inefficiency surrounding her case point to a greater dilemma within Title IX proceedings. The Title IX process requires university councils to remain impartial parties in divisive cases: In Fabricant’s case, it left her emotionally isolated by administrative processes and reliant on peers for support. Fabricant’s alleged abuser was her ex-boyfriend, another Fordham student. They lived together from June 2016 to January 2017 before, she claimed, he assaulted her by throwing her across the bedroom and attempting to strangle her on a 2016 birthright trip. The two broke up during summer 2017, but both returned to campus that fall. In October 2017, Fabricant filed a report against her ex-boyfriend in which she cited a series of aggressive interactions instigated by him on campus. Fabricant told The Observer, “He would do things like walk past me and mutter things under his breath, or he would sit two seats
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away from me in the library but scream at me that he wants nothing to do with me.” Her claims were corroborated by Al Finan, Fordham College Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’20, who said Fabricant was so unnerved by her ex-boyfriend’s presence that she would take photos if he were near to collect physical proof of him following her. Finan also said Fabricant would ask him to walk her to the elevators as a safety precaution, should she run into her ex-boyfriend. “It was this weird, ‘he’s always on top of me, I’m always seeing him’ thing,” recalled Fabricant. “I was starting to realize that this isn’t okay, and I started telling people, and that’s when they told me to go to Dean Eldredge.” Fordham’s Title IX proceedings state that in any case presented, the university aims to end the sexual violence, prevent its reoccurrence, and “remedy” any effects. The procedure is conducted by a team of administrators trained in protecting the safety of victims and promoting accountability, the university’s Title IX website states. “It’s not a process I think anyone wants to go through, it’s not see TITLE IX pg. 2
Risky Business
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THE STUDENT VOICE OF FORDHAM LINCOLN CENTER