12
Opinions April 12, 2023
www.fordhamobserver.com
THE OBSERVER
Return of the Ram(eses)
Let’s make 2023 not only the year of the rabbit, but also the year of the ram CHRISTA TIPTON-NIGRO Staff Writer
Have you ever wondered what happened to Fordham’s beloved live ram version of our mascot? The last live ram, Rameses XXVIII, died in 1978 and was replaced by what we all know today: a student dressed in a ram costume. Until last semester, I did not know that Fordham had previously had a live ram as a mascot, but I have adopted the firm belief that the university should bring the tradition back.
With a previous dynasty of 28 rams, it is no question that there is precedent for a live mascot at Fordham. Michael Lewis, a marketing professor at Emory University, made a surprisingly simple observation about why schools use live mascots: “Human beings love animals.” Live mascots function as a more motivating and adorable representation of a university than a person in a suit. (No disrespect to the people who bring Rameses to life.) Seeing a live animal as the face of a university is a more compelling embodiment of the school for students, alumni and fans. The benefits of having a live ram as Fordham’s mascot are not limited to raising morale. The ram would be a great marketing tool and could bring more
COURTESY OF THE FORDHAM UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES
Fordham could dedicate a specific area of campus as an ethical habitat for the ram.
exposure to the university, offering opportunities on social media and in the news, especially in those feel-good segments at the end of broadcasts. With this strategy, Fordham could reach more potential applicants. The caretaking of Rameses also enables the creation of new job opportunities for professionals in farm animal caretaking and veterinary services. Caring for Rameses would offer an opportunity for Fordham students to gain experience that would look great on their resumes, which could come in the form of an internship or a work study position.
In addition, Rameses’ presence could lead to the creation of a new animal care program, similar to that of Penn State University’s; a new animal science major exclusive to the Rose Hill campus; and additional courses related to animal caretaking. This academic program and course expansion would enable Fordham to venture into more applied science fields and would appeal to students interested in these fields. With a previous dynasty of 28 rams, it is no question that there is precedent for a live mascot at Fordham. The first Rameses made his debut in 1925, and the great dynasty ruled for a
whopping 53 years, after which the university replaced the live mascot with an animal costume. Given the (often dramatic) losses of the 28 Rameses of the past, if a live ram is reintroduced, it is important that Fordham takes extra precautions to ensure the ram lives a long and happy life. While I am in favor of bringing back a live animal mascot, I know that the practice of having them can quickly become unethical. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, better known as PETA, gives the practice of live animal mascots a grade of F. Arguments against the practice cite animal abuse due to the stressful environments of sporting events; insufficient habitats; problematic school traditions revolving around harassment and aggravation toward the mascot; and general concerns over the animal’s mental, emotional and physical health.
It would make the most sense for the Rameses’ reign to return with not just one ram but a pair. The use of exotic and nondomesticated animals, such as the University of Texas’ Longhorn steer, the University of Auburn’s golden eagle, the Air Force Academy’s falcon and Baylor University’s black bear, needs to be banned outright. However, domesticated animals — such
as dogs, cats, horses, livestock and small rodents — should be allowed with strict guidelines and regulations. One key issue with hosting a live ram is that livestock animals are social creatures. Animals that live in flocks or herds must socialize with others from their species. It would make the most sense for the Rameses’ reign to return with not just one ram but a pair. Rams do not like living alone, so their comeback would be more successful if there were multiple. Facing isolation places a social animal under extreme stress and makes them more susceptible to contracting illnesses. Due to the ethical concerns over the premature and early deaths of many of Fordham’s previous live mascots, having a pair of rams could become a protective factor for their health and could allow them to live longer. This pairing would also make for better conditions for when the rams attend events, as they could reduce stress for one another by having their responsibilities divided. In regard to game attendance, the rams either should not attend games at all or only be brought out at one part of the game — be that before, at halftime or afterward. Attending a whole game would force the rams to be subjected to the loud, crowded space and bright lights, which is not an appropriate situation or environment for them. With all these considerations in mind, is there an ethical way to host a ram at Fordham? Yes. We can bring back Rameses to continue the live ram dynasty, but with a modern and ethical twist.
Fordham, Don’t War With PETA
A live ram mascot would be irresponsible given Fordham students’ track record with the animals GRACE THOMAS Contributing Writer
If there was a room in which all members of the Fordham community were present — staff, students, administration, the Argo Tea ladies, etc. — I cannot imagine a single person would raise their hand when asked: “So! Who’s going to take care of the live ram?” Maybe this is a bleak outlook, but I doubt anyone would stand up, impassioned by their secret love of recreational veterinarianism, and donate the level of care and devotion a live animal needs. If a live ram were introduced to Fordham’s campus, to graze in the cigarette butt-ridden lawn of Edward’s Parade, I believe it would ultimately end in disaster. Fordham doesn’t exactly have a shining history when it comes to our live mascots. We kept actual rams as our mascots from 1925 until 1978, which resulted in a string of intrigue, murder and cruelty that I’m surprised PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) doesn’t include as a header on their website. The first few rams (all named Rameses, an indication of the failing dynasty to come) were kidnapped and met their ends in slaughterhouses. The exception was Rameses III, who was reportedly extremely aggressive, escaped several times and interrupted local train schedules until he had to be ceremonially executed by the Fordham Rifle Team. I won’t give a full bloody history of the rest, as I wouldn’t
want to rob someone of a compelling and frankly horrifying book idea, but honorable mentions include Rameses XVIII, whose shed was burned down and who later died of alcohol-related liver disease; Rameses XXI, who was kidnapped so often he spent more time at rival schools’ campuses than at ours; and Rameses XIX, who was dyed green by Manhattan College students and died after a long battle with the flu, running up steep medical bills for Fordham to pay.
As much as I might love to yell “Ram!” multiple times per day, it would be unfair to the animal. While this might make one wonder if animal cruelty was the only other pastime before the invention of cable television, I wouldn’t devote such an optimistic outlook to the present, either. I enjoy most of the people at Fordham. But, I don’t find that mutually exclusive with the fact that in every group of co-eds I’ve ever been in, there’s someone who gets intoxicated and does something unspeakable for Snapchat, and then everyone has to live with it. (One time I saw a drunk young man kick a pigeon, and I still think about it every day.) It would only be a matter of time before a student hurt the ram — by dyeing it, taking it to their dorm, or trying to feed it a
Rice Krispies Treats and killing it instantly. How would a lone ram defend itself against college students returning from a night out? Any live animal deserves a proper habitat and adequate care to ensure its well-being. As a university in the middle of New York City, we simply don’t have the facilities or the staff required for the upkeep of a live ram at either campus. Even if livable conditions were established, we would have to consider the cost of crafting a biome for a single ram in Manhattan or the Bronx. I assume ram food costs money, and I can’t imagine any field crops would thrive on Fordham’s campus, especially at Lincoln Center. Fordham’s monetary distribution is questionable at best, and the university community is already frustrated by the 6% increase in tuition for next year. I don’t think that — considering the list of things that need financial attention — getting a live animal to just hang out should be a top priority. There’s brown mold in my dorm right now as I write this. (Seriously, anyone reading this, please help with the mold in my dorm.) There are facilities and student programs that deserve the attention and money that would go toward this lone ram. Would it be cool to walk around campus and turn to see a farm animal? Maybe, yeah. Every time I’m on a road trip and I see cows, I yell “Cows!” But they’re on a farm, where they’re supposed to be. As much as I might love to yell “Ram!” multiple times per day, it would be unfair
COURTESY OF THE FORDHAM UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES
Fordham had a live ram from 1925 to 1978. It would be unethical to revive this archaic tradition.
to the animal. Sometimes I even feel bad for the squirrels who live at Rose Hill. I know there’s a better life waiting for them somewhere. I couldn’t imagine the dismay I would feel seeing a real ram. They have big eyes and look sad at the best of times. Any gratification I might get from seeing a ram would be for me, not the ram. He wouldn’t be happy to see me. He wouldn’t even know me. I wouldn’t want to condemn him to an existence on a college campus. Even if he only shows up at the football field and the basketball courts, his presence would solely be
for the benefit of the students. The ram doing a lap at halftime might be a nice Instagram story, but it would undoubtedly be a harrowing experience for it. Besides, the Rameses mascot, that genius in a suit, would be out of a job. They walk on two legs and can make people do the wave. No animal can do that. I’m not a perfect person. I’m only vegetarian 75% of the time. But I could not, in good conscience, support trapping a ram in a life of watching overcaffeinated college students vape in the quad — not after all we’ve done.