Volume 104 Issue 12

The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 Volume 104, Issue 12

TheFordhamRam.com

September 7, 2022

Fordham Research focuses on First-Year Students Sleep

President Tetlow Hosts Interfaith Picnic to Kick Off Semester

By SAMANTHA MINEAR

By NATALIE FEDDE

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“Together we hold onto our hopes, our values and our vision for this coming year,” said the newly-elected President Tania Tetlow at her Interfaith Picnic on Aug. 31.

The Interfaith Picnic, which was held at Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus, acted as a way to “kick off the semester,” according to Campus Ministry.

The first couple hundred of attendees were given custom Fordham picnic blankets and all guests had the option of taking various pamphlets, prayer booklets and other literature provided by the university.

There were dozens of speakers, including several Campus Ministry officials and members of the clergy from the New York area. Tetlow was the most anticipated speaker at the event and she spoke fondly about her Jesuit upbringing, the importance of faith in her life and the university’s history. Calling the Manhattan gathering a “sacred space,” the president wished blessings upon all students and staff as they venture into the new year.

Last year, Dr. Tiffany Yip, developmental psychologist and professor of psychology at Fordham College Rose Hill, began the Fordham University Sleep Study (FUSS).

Through FUSS, Yip is analyzing how the stress of the transition to college impacts sleep behaviors of Fordham students. Students participating in the study wear a medical-grade sleep watch for two weeks, once in the fall and once in the spring, every year that they are at Fordham. This watch tracks both the duration and depth of sleep participants get each night.

In addition to tracking their sleep, Yip also has participants fill out a survey about their general life patterns, behaviors and stressors. During the two weeks, that participants wear sleep watches, they fill out a brief nightly survey describing their day. “The reason we do that is so we can track what happened that day with their sleep that night. Like if you have an exam, that’s going to impact your sleep one way, or if you had an argument with a friend, your sleep’s gonna be impacted in different ways,” said Yip. In the spring, participants fill out a “biological battery marker” which is a physical health assessment FUSS researchers use to record participants’ height, weight, cortisol levels and other physical indicators of stress.

“It’s pretty holistic,” said Yip. “We ask about mental health, physical health and grades, but we also take physiological assessments of health because sometimes we’re not the best at reporting how stressed we are. By taking cortisol and other physical markers, we get a better sense of how much stress is processed in the body.”

The end goal of FUSS is to

SEE PICNIC, PAGE 3

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

First-Year and returning students moved on to campus at the end of August to begin the school year.

A Look at the Class of 2026

By GRACE GALBREATH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

With the arrival of each school year comes the entrance of an entirely new group of Fordham students: the incoming freshman class. This year, the Aug. 28 move-in of the class of 2026 marked the arrival of more than 2,700 students, an enrollment number only slightly lower than that of the class of 2025.

With 8.6% of these new students hailing internationally as well as student representation from all five boroughs of New York City, the class of 2026 is following in the diverse footsteps of the class of 2025. Some popular states these students come from include California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.

When considering religious affiliation, the class of 2026 splits across the board. Of the new first-year students, just over 32% of students are Catholic and 11.4% are Protestant. Additional affiliations include 5.4% Muslim, 2.4% Hindu, 2.3% Jewish and 17% of new students claim no religious affiliation.

SEE 2026, PAGE 4

Fordham Students Move-In for Fall 2022 Semester

By PAOLA GALIANO

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

COURTESY OF EMMA KIM/ THE FORDHAM RAM

In August, Dagger John’s, a dining spot in the Student Center, reopened for the first time since 2020.

Dagger John’s Reopens in McShane Basement

By EMMA KIM

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Dagger John’s reopened on Wednesday, Aug. 31, in the basement of the McShane Campus Center with all new food options. It now includes BONMi (Vietnamese sandwiches and

other dishes), Saiko Sushi and Saiko Bubble Tea. Before it shut down, Dagger John’s was home to Chopsticks (Asian Cuisine), Sambazon (açaí bowls) and BKG Coffee Roasters.

Deming Yaun, University Dining Contract Liaison, explained that it was originally closed in

March 2020 due to the pandemic, and after that, not all of the food locations came back because of the campus population.

Another obstacle that Dagger John’s faced were the renovations to the McShane Campus Center.

SEE DINING, PAGE 4

As students descended onto campus this past weekend, Fordham University welcomed them in waves. From the early arrivals on the varsity teams, resident assistants and urban plunge, the bulk of students arrived from Sunday Aug. 28 through Tuesday Aug. 30, instantly filling campus with the boundless energy and spirit it missed over the summer.

Freshman dorms welcomed Fordham’s new arrivals on Sunday. Seneca Ward Bailey, an incoming first-year who is living on campus, described her experience as a new student: “Move-in went amazingly well, which was made possible by the student helpers who moved everything into the room. I am so excited to SEE MOVE-IN, PAGE 4

SEE FUSS, PAGE 4

in this issue

Opinion

Page 8

Culture

Page 12

The Cause of Gun Violence: Mental Health or Men?

Wynston Marsalis' Jazz Time Machine

Sports

Page 16

Fordham Football Tops Wagner to Open 2022 Season

NEWS

Page 2

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS Sept. 1 Fordham Road 11:05 a.m.

A student reported that they were assualted while walking on Fordham Road.

They were pushed into the roadway, got up and were punched in the face by the same offender. The student described the offender as a male in his 20s-30s and bald with a forehead tattoo.

Sept. 3 Camberling Ave 4:00 p.m.

A student reported that while walking on Camberling Ave, a male began to follow and catcall them. The male then came up behind them and put his hand on their breast.

The offender walked away, and the student was not injured.

The offender was described as late 20s or early 30s, wearing a gray sweater and black shorts with a tattoo sleeve.

Sept. 4 Off-Campus 10:45 p.m.

A student reported that their iPhone was taken from a house party. It was later recovered broken at another location.

Sept. 5 On-Campus 4:55 p.m.

A student reported that a bottle of perfume was missing from their dorm room.

They left their room on Friday, Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. When they returned on Saturday, Sept.

3 at 12:00 p.m., their dorm room was wide open, and they noticed that the perfume was missing.

Follow us on Twitter! @TheFordhamRam

Sept. 7, 2022

Fordham Makes Changes to Hybrid/Remote Policy

By MICHELA FAHY

By ALEXANDRA RAPP CONTRIBUTING WRITER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fordham announced changes to the hybrid/remote policy which was put into place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a change from the previous policy, Fordham employees are expected to be oncampus unless under “extraordinary circumstances” which would make it impossible for them to be present on campus.

The hybrid/remote work policy is easily accessible through the Fordham website under HR Policies and Guides. Upon looking at the updated policy, Fordham recognizes in their policy statement that, although it will be granted rarely, hybrid and remote work includes advantages like increased productivity and performance, cost reduction, crisis response and greater work-life balance.

When looking further into what the policy actually looks like in practice, one is directed towards sections four (Definitions) through nine (Termination of Hybrid/Remote Work) of the policy. The definitions portion is relatively straight forward.

Hybrid work means “working from an assigned campus work location for a minimum number of days during a work week and from an off-site location for the remaining workdays of the week on a regular basis.”

Whereas, remote work “means working from an off-site location all days of the week on a regular basis.”

The fifth section explains the “Guiding Principles” to a hybrid/remote work arrangement, outlining the expectation for arrangements to be made by the supervisor and employee to determine the days where a hybrid employee would be expected to work in-person, typically three days per week.

Further, this section highlights that “the work arrangement is revocable and can be discontinued at any time, when, in the judgment of the supervisor, it is in the best interest of the university to do so.” Such a termination of agreement is emphasized again in sections eight and nine, where the university maintains their right to require an employee to return to in-person work at anytime.

At the heart of this policy’s

COURTESY OF PIA FISCHETTI/THE FORDHAM RAM

Fordham University has announced changes to its hybrid/remote policy, and they can be accessed on the Fordham website.

importance to professors and students are sections six and seven which outline the eligibility requirements and approval process necessary for employees seeking a hybrid/remote work arrangement.

In a change from previous policy, it is now incredibly unlikely for employees in peoplefacing positions to be eligible, saying that, “generally, positions with significant face-toface in-person interactions or that require regular access to onsite confidential documents may not be suitable for hybrid/ remote work.” What this means for professors and students alike is that courses are expected to be fully in-person without exceptions to COVID-19 and social distancing concerns.

However, despite the change in policy to “pre-COVID-19” expectations, it appears that professors are not opposed. Professor Allan Gilbert of the Anthropology and Sociology Department at Fordham Rose Hill concurs with the policy, citing that the high costs of student attendance should mean a school structure

that encourages on-campus activity and culture. The last two years have taught university students and professors alike to adapt to fully remote and hybrid learning environments, but the general consensus is that an in-person education benefits the vast majority of students.

A further sentiment expressed by Professor Gilbert is an emphasis on equity, stating that he would prefer to teach remotely only when absolutely necessary (snow storm, flood, personal health impediment) and if all of his students had equal access to materials necessary for online learning. The pandemic exposed a great deal of inequity among the student population, and in-person learning allows for students to have access to on-campus resources they may otherwise not have in a remote learning environment.

Professors, now equipped with the knowledge of what a fully remote, hybrid and in-person class looks like, are better able to determine how to adapt to

Fordham’s new policies. As a result, how classes are taught inperson could look different than before the pandemic, with lessons being able to adapt to temporary remote options when necessary.

Remote learning has offered students access to education when they otherwise would not have during the pandemic, but there appears to be a greater desire to learn and socialize in a traditional classroom and campus environment echoed by both students and professors at Fordham University. The new hybrid/remote learning policy reflects that desire to be inperson while maintaining some options for faculty to continue to work remotely.

As the start of the semester commences, faculty departments will be meeting and likely discussing their own plans to determine how to approach hybrid and remote learning options for their staff.

The university will post updates regarding any changes to the policy or adjustments for faculty and students alike.

This Week at Fordham Wednesday Sept. 7

Wednesday Sept. 7

Thursday Sept. 8

Friday Sept. 9

Saturday Sept. 11

The Fordham Ram Interest Meeting

CAB Hosts Throwback Movies

Poetry FET Auditions

Club Tennis Open Tryouts

Ferragosto Festival

McShane Campus Center 112 5:30 p.m.

Edward’s Parade 8 p.m.

Collins Hall 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Tennis Courts 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Arthur Ave 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The Fordham Ram is holding an interest meeting this Wednesday in room 112 of the McShane Campus Center.

Stop by if you’re interested in writing in any of our sections or photography for the paper.

Campus Activities Board is hosting “Throwback Movies with Candy and Conversation.”

They are playing “10 Things I Hate About You,” and there will be popcorn, candy and a list of discussion questions.

The Fordham Experimental Theatre is holding their annual auditions for a number of their groups, including poetry on Sept. 8. Stop by The Blackbox in Collins Hall to join in on the fun and action.

Fordham’s club tennis team is holding their tryouts later in the week, including Friday.

The coed team will be accepting walk-in auditions on the Hawthorn/Rooney tennis courts from 5 to 7 p.m.

The annual Italian festival known as Ferragosto will be held in the Bronx’s Little Italy this weekend. The festival features plenty of vendors and plentiful food options for a culturally enriching event.

NEWS

September 7, 2022

Page 3

President Tetlow Hosts Interfaith Picnic FROM PICNIC, PAGE 1

The event was also interactive, and guests were asked to write their goal or prayer for the year on a provided card; then, all cards were collected and redistributed. The organization spoke of the practice being a form of “communal prayer” and to give comfort knowing that there is someone else in the university

family praying for your wishes.

The event also included speakers from other faiths, as well as cultural dances and songs performed by honored guests. With a full house, students were attentive and respectful; the event harnessed the strong sense of community Fordham has not only for its practicing religious students but for students from all walks of

life, regardless of their beliefs.

The event concluded with a fully catered lunch, featuring various cultural dishes and also boxed meals of both the halal and kosher variety. Many attendees remained long after the speaking portion of the event concluded to mingle and connect with their fellow students and faculty.

Carol Gibney from Campus

Ministry manned the department’s information booth, giving out lip balms, stickers and pamphlets advertising the breadth of opportunities available under the helm of Campus Ministry.

There was a particular emphasis on Fresh Vision, Fordham’s retreat for First-Year students, which occurs on the week of Sept. 16 for Lincoln Center and Sept. 23 for

Rose Hill students.

This event marks the beginning of a new era under the leadership of Tetlow, with a new emphasis on interfaith experiences, inclusion and diversity in faith. The picnic is tangible evidence of a new, fresh set of hands at the helm of Fordham; someone with real experience and desires for equity and equality of all kinds.

Fordham Students Move -in for 2022-23 School Year FROM MOVE-IN, PAGE 1

explore the campus and become a part of the Fordham community.”

Charles Clency, the assistant dean of students and the director of Residential Life spoke highly of the Office of Residential Life’s gauge on the move-in process.

“This year’s move-in went very smooth, especially on Sunday [Aug. 28] with our new students.

Public Safety, orientation staff, campus ops and Residential Life all played a huge role in its success.

We appreciate all of our campus partner’s assistance,” said Clency.

Relatedly, Resident Assistants who moved in over two weeks before the majority of campus for training also had high praise about moving in.

Sophia Ghelardini, FCRH ’25, began her role as a Resident Assistant (RA) in Finlay Hall. After her weeks of training, she was excited about the influx of students on campus.

“Move-in was great and I was so elated to meet my new residents.

I am super excited for FUEMS to start back up again and begin EMT school,” said Ghelardini.

With move-in came the liveli-

ness and spirit that many Fordham students exude. Many students are joyful and anticipate the start of the semester entirely visible as friends met up for the first time across a summer.

Almost instantly, many students feel the exciting vibes of a new year.

Julianna Morales, FCRH ’25, and Allie Coppola, FCRH ’24, reiterated the feeling that the campus feels different this year. Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the changes that it has made to campus life over the past two years, for many students this is the first year where school feels normal.

“This already feels like a more natural year, and I’m so pumped to go back to the clubs and organizations I joined last year and reconnect with the great people I’ve met through them,” said Morales.

Coppola was in agreement with Morales.

“Move-in was a bit hectic this year, especially moving into an apartment, but it’s great to see how excited everyone is for the semester. There’s so much to look forward to this semester that we haven’t seen in the past few years, and that’s such a great

feeling,” said Coppola.

Appraising the feelings of other students on campus, Sofia Hargrave, FCRH ’25, is equally anticipating her new scene as a Ram Van driver.

“I moved in early to train to become a Ram Van driver, and I’d say that is what I’m most looking forward to now that I’m back on campus. I’ve already met a lot of great people through working there,” said Hargrave.

Other students like Dylan Ayer, FCRH ’25, and Brandon Ortwein, FCRH ’25, are most looking forward to seeing their friends. Ortwein said he is excited “see [his] friends again and be able to venture into the city.”

Ayer was stoked to “meet new people and get involved in new clubs on campus.”

Already, Edward’s Parade has seen incredible traffic with the Club Fair. With so many noting a willingness to get involved in clubs and meet those who have traveled close and far to come to Fordham University, it’s no surprise that one of the first events of the year saw the perimeter of Eddie’s packed with students.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Students help First-Year students move into their residence halls.

Fordham Addresses Monkeypox Outbreak in New York

By YUKTA SANT

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

We are two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, and the worries are not over. After a constantly changing mask policy, the need to get tested frequently and the frenzy of trying to get the latest booster dose, very few people could have imagined that the situation would get even worse with the introduction of yet another virus into the pathogenic arena: monkeypox.

First discovered in 1958 among monkeys held for research, the disease commonly spreads through contact with animals and was mostly confined to central and western Africa.

However, it has recently spread to other countries, including the U.S., and has infected thousands of people. Although monkeypox is predominantly being spread among men who have sex with men, it can spread to anyone through close physical contact.

According to the CDC, that includes between people or with objects, such as clothing, that have touched an infectious rash. Additionally, monkeypox can be spread through respiratory droplets released from a cough or sneeze.

Those who contract monkeypox often experience fevers,

headaches, back and muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and exhaustion.

Most people get a rash a few days after experiencing a fever, which starts as flat red spots and progresses to raised, pus-filled lesions. Symptoms usually appear within 6 to 13 days of exposure, but can take up to three weeks to recede.

According to the CDC, “Infections with the type of monkeypox virus identified in this outbreak — the West African type — are rarely fatal. Over 99% of people who get this form of the disease are likely to survive. However, people with weakened immune systems, children under eight years of age, people with a history of eczema and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding may be more likely to get seriously ill or die.”

People who get monkeypox mostly get better without treatment, and there are no specific treatments for monkeypox virus infections. However, because monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, antiviral drugs and vaccines designed to protect against smallpox could be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections.

Even though it rarely results in

death, monkeypox can spread swiftly through the population and was doing so in the early months of summer.

However, according to the New York Times, monkeypox cases are decreasing in New York City as more people get vaccinated all over the world because of the outbreak.

New York City reported that 2,885 monkeypox cases had been discovered in the city since the first case was identified in May. In mid-August, about 50 new monkeypox cases were discovered each day, a decrease from the 70 or so new cases discovered each day in late July and early August.

Similarly, monkeypox cases have dropped 21% globally.

In New York, the decline was a result of the city’s efforts to vaccinate tens of thousands of people; the city has given out 69,311 doses of the vaccine so far.

Despite this decline in cases from the widespread vaccination effort, it is still wise for Fordham students to take precautions against the spread of monkeypox, especially at the start of the school year when students are in close contact with each other.

According to Fordham Health

Services, “to be safe from monkeypox it is advised to avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with those who have a rash that looks like monkeypox. Avoid sharing utensils or cups with those with monkeypox.

"Also, it is important to wash your hands as often as possible to avoid contamination.” Further,

Health Services adds that “It is recommended to get vaccinated for monkeypox if you have been in contact with a person who has the virus or if you have monkeypox-like symptoms.

"It is also important to avoid coming to campus or be out in public, and seek medical attention if you have contracted the virus.”

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Safety precautions should be taken to prevent monkeypox.

NEWS

Page 4

September 7, 2022

Research Study Looks at Sleep in Students FROM FUSS, PAGE 1

better the mental and physical health of college students by improving their sleep. “We’ve seen especially in the pandemic that college students wrestle with a unique set of stressors. It’s an important developmental period in life. It’s also stressful, meeting new people, being away from home for the first time,” said Yip. Yip’s research will give insight into how that stress impacts sleep on a daily level.

Yip said that her inspiration for this study came from her undergraduate research students here at Fordham. Before FUSS, Yip studied the sleep patterns of high school students. The research used two models of sleep watches, so she asked her undergraduate research students to test the new model.

Through this testing, Yip found that the students in her research lab had far more erratic sleep patterns than the high school students she studied. After seeing how poorly her students slept, Yip said she was inspired

to look into existing research on college students’ sleep, but there was not much.

“College students are actually much more erratic and irregular sleepers, at least relative to high school students, and college students like to nap a lot, so I think there’s even more reason to study sleep and health among college students than any other age group,” said Yip. Yip gave the example that many college students wake up early for 8:30 a.m. classes on some days, but on others, they don’t have class until later in the day or at all. Meanwhile, high school students wake up at the same time every day.

“One of the interesting things that we found looking in the data from last year’s first-year class is most students understand sleep is really important to their physical and mental health,” said Yip, “but at the same time students are saying their peers think it’s more important to stay up at night and socialize or to stay up to study than to sleep. So there’s

an interesting tension there.”

According to Yip, there were around 400 undergraduate student volunteers from the class of 2025 participating in the study last year, and she hopes to have the same number of, if not more, undergraduates from the class of 2026 participate this year.

Among these volunteers, Yip is particularly interested in the sleep of students of diverse gender, racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as commuter students, first generation students and students of different socioeconomic backgrounds.

“A lot of it is about making sure we have really broad representative data across the various constituencies at Fordham,” said Yip. FUSS is currently recruiting undergraduate students from the class of 2026 who would like to participate in the study. Any interested class of 2026 students or returning class of 2025 students can email FUSS at fuss@fordham.edu or follow them on Instagram.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM NEWS

Dr. Tiffany Yip actively leads the Youth Development in Diverse Youth Lab.

COURTESY OF UNSPLASH

Dr. Yip gave students electronic watches to track their sleep cycles.

Dagger John’s Returns to Fordham FROM DINING, PAGE 1

“The varying timelines for the McShane Campus Center renovations were not solidified. We were not sure if it was going to eventually become a part of the renovated space,” said Yaun.

“Now, we have [an] indication that renovations are not going to get that far for two years, so when we found that out, in the summer, we started to work with partners to reopen it. We knew also this fall that the student population was going to be quite back to normal,” said Yaun.

Dagger John’s also offered a space that did not have to be built and was ready for use since

it was already equipped with equipment, storage and refrigeration,” said Yaun.

An additional factor in the reopening is the lines in the food locations, especially Urban Kitchen in the evenings. Because of this, Dagger John’s will be closed at 9 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and 7 p.m. on Friday," said Yaun.

This is not the first time that BONMi has been introduced to Fordham students. At the Lincoln Center campus, BONMi is a standalone restaurant. “It had a popular following of its own at Lincoln Center. When we realized we had the space at Rose

Hill, we have wanted for a long time to find a space for BONMi at Rose Hill,” said Yaun.

Along with BONMi, Fordham has begun a partnership with a sushi organization. “They were going to come to Lincoln Center only, like BONMi, [but] we asked them to be involved [at Rose Hill],” said Yaun. “The bubble tea is a national favorite on college campuses, so we put that in.”

Leah Garritt, FCRH ’25, is excited about the new options at Dagger John’s. “It’s a great new place to go because the food is good, the dining area is spacious and it adds some much-needed diversity to the food options on

campus,” said Garritt.

While the new options are good, Garritt does not agree with all of the pricing. Meal swipes can be used for BONMi and the sushi, but the poke bowls require a meal swipe plus a charge of $2.99. “I simply don’t think that an additional charge on poke bowls is necessary. It should be part of the meal plan,” said Garritt.

The food is not the only appeal to Dagger John’s. In addition to the new food options, there is plenty of space to eat. After receiving their food from the checkout area, students are able to eat and socialize in the bar/lounge space with plenty of seating.

“People who want to socialize can now do it at Dagger John’s.

[At] Urban Kitchen, they have to find a place to go to,” said Yaun.

David Moran, GSB ’25, is glad Dagger John’s reopened. “I’m super excited for it to get reopened — having an extra food option on campus is always great,” said Moran.

Yaun said that he works in close partnership with Fordham’s United Student Government, specifically their Dining Committee since its formation in 2016.

He added that besides the two pandemic years that venues have rarely been opened on either campus without student involvement.

Class of 2026 Arrives On Campus FROM 2026, PAGE 1

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

President Tetlow welcomes students to campus during move-in.

In terms of gender demographics, the class of 2026 weighs in with 37% men and 63% women.

When compared to the entire Fordham population, the percentage of males in the first-year class remains slightly lower.

As for racial diversity, the class of 2026 is the most diverse class to join Fordham so far, with more than 46% domestic students of color and 8.6% international students. Many international students originate from Brazil, China, France, India, Mexico, Philippines, Russia and Vietnam.

Following the example set by the class of 2025, the university has welcomed an incredibly diverse group of first year students to Fordham’s grounds and is hoping to continue this trend in the coming years. According to Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Patricia Peek, Fordham is thrilled to welcome the class of 2026.

“We are excited to again welcome such a large, talented and diverse class to the Fordham commu-

nity. However, going forward it is important for us to determine what the appropriate class size will be across all of the colleges.

Therefore, we will be revisiting the class targets for the colleges/ campuses in the years ahead given the healthy volume of the last two admission/enrollment cycles,” said Peek.

The class of 2026 is not only impressive due to its diversity; it also exceeds academic expectations.

The average high school GPA of the new class is 3.71, slightly higher than that of the class of 2025. Although Fordham adopted a test optional policy beginning with the class of 2025, students are welcome to submit both SAT and ACT scores. As for the class of 2026’s SAT and ACT scores, they remain 1330-1460 and 30-33, respectively. Additionally, 70% of the class of 2026 was ranked in the top 25% of their high school class. These new Rams are expected to surpass expectations both in and

out of the classroom.

Lexi Hurchalla, FCRH ’26, is excited to join the “Ramily.” Coming from outside of Philadelphia, she emphasizes that Fordham’s proximity to Manhattan, while maintaining a traditional campus, aided in her decision to attend. She commented on the reason for her decision, saying, she is “excited to experience new foods, sights and cultures while exploring New York City.”

Additionally, Hurchalla cites the “new variety of classes” that Fordham has to offer as an exciting initiative that resulted in her college decision.

The class of 2026, although slightly smaller than its predecessor, is a great addition to the Fordham family and is expected to succeed in all areas.

This new academic class, rich in racial and ethnic diversity as well as academic accomplishments, offers a glimpse into a very bright future for both Fordham University and its students.

OPINION

September 7, 2022

R

Serving the 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 every Wednesday during the academic year to all campuses.

Website TheFordhamRam.com Email Address theram@fordham.edu Editor in Chief Ava Erickson Managing Editor Hanif Amanullah Editorial Director Sebastian Diaz Production Editor Michael Sluck Multimedia Director Pia Fischetti Business Director Matthew Colucci Copy Chief Amanda Yarolin Assistant Copy Chief Hannah Boring News Editor Isabel Danzis Assistant News Editors Emma Kim Samantha Minnear Opinion Editors Nicole Braun Taylor Herzlich Assistant Opinion Editor Daniella Terilli Culture Editors Elisabeth Murray Kari White Assistant Culture Editor Ilaina Kim Sports Editor Nick Guzman Assistant Sports Editors Thomas Aiello Maddie Bimonte Social Media Director Frances Schnepff Digital Producers Ava Carreiro Justin Charles Sofia Donohue Visual Director Nicoleta Papavasilakis Photo Editor Nick DeSilva Graphics/Illustrations Cory Bork Faculty Advisor Beth Knobel Editorial Policy The Fordham Ram’s editorial reflects the editorial board’s opinions or views.

Opinion Policy The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of The Fordham Ram. Submissions Policy The Fordham Ram reserves the right to reject or edit any submission for any reason, without notice. Submissions become the exclusive property of The Fordham Ram. No part of the The Fordham Ram may be reproduced without written consent.

Page 5

From the Desk | Nicole Braun

Days Like These Are Okay This article is for me as much as it is for you: it is a reminder that things will be okay.

Last fall, my first “real” semester of college thanks to the pandemic, was a nightmare. I was riddled with anxiety and a sinking, tense feeling in my stomach. I rarely ventured into the social scenes on campus and the majority of my meal times were spent sitting on my bed eating Cheerios and containers of cantaloupe I’d brought from my home in New Jersey.

Throughout the semester, I gave my roommate increasingly unbelievable excuses as to why I would be spending nights at home. The truth was I couldn’t bear to spend the night in a place I hated when home was just a half hour bus ride away. My roommate transferred in the second semester, and I was glad; I didn’t have anyone I had to explain myself to.

During those first months I wondered, “Will college always feel this way?” And, more melodramatically, “Is this what the rest of my life will look like?”

I was embarrassed and ashamed. These were supposed to be the best years of my life, and I was sitting in my haunted dorm room (yes, Finlay Hall is haunted), eating melon and reading Kant for a class I couldn’t care less about. I wanted to transfer to Lincoln Center, thinking that Rose Hill was my problem. Then, I thought about leaving Fordham altogether.

I adopted a more fervent “fake it till you make it” strategy in the spring semester. I made a more concerted effort to choke down my anxiety. I devoted more energy to developing my friendships.

I joined the Ram staff. And then things started turning around.

Over time, I wasn’t just keeping the anxiety at bay; it actually started to disappear, at least just the tiniest bit. It wasn’t until April that I started to understand college, to understand the “college experience” and how I might fit into it.

During the last few days of the spring semester I had the lyrics of the Van Morrison’s “Days Like This” floating through my head, particularly the line “my mama told me: ‘there’ll be days like this.’” I somehow made it to the days that Van Morrison’s mother, as well as mine, prophesied. I was truly astounded that the dark place I’d started my Fordham experience in could have actually become … sunny.

Now, I can’t remember what that was like. I wish I could remember exactly how good it felt to sit out on Eddies with my friends on a beautiful spring day. I wish I could remember tearfully hugging them goodbye, wondering how I could possibly go three months without seeing them. On the drive home I do remember thinking that I never thought I could have such wonderful, quintessentially “college” days.

In a lot of ways, I feel like I’m back where I started. But maybe that’s okay. Maybe college is just a series of false starts and set-backs and do-overs. The “college experience” isn’t just what you see on your Instagram feed or in movies (and that’s not just because Fordham doesn’t have Greek life).

It’s normal to feel that the Promised Land college is reported to be is actually a barren desert, and this feeling isn’t talked about

enough. College is a rocky road for a lot of people. It often dramatically switches lanes between smooth sailing and destabilizing turbulence. (Is that too many transportation metaphors?) We need to stop buying into the falsehood of the universal, perfect college experience.

Now, I have to keep a different lyric from that same Morrison song in mind: “I just have to remember there’ll be days like this.” I have to remember that it does get easier, and it will for you, too — whether you were excited to enter Fordham’s gates on move-in day or you were feeling unshakeable dread the night before. During stressfilled essay-due nights when everything feels bleak, remember that we’ll find those happy days. I promise you.

If you’re staring dejectedly at your phone screen or walking aimlessly around campus, wondering how you can be sad in a place so beautiful, this article is for you.

However you feel is okay, and no scary feeling is insurmountable.

And during those unhappy days, it’s easy — too easy — to fall into a pessimistic mindset on campus and believe that you’re alone, especially when you’re lonely. But you’re not; it may feel like it, but you never actually are.

I can’t help but wonder what I will feel like next year, approaching the fall semester of my senior year. Will I remember the wonderful days? Or will I be pleading with my ceiling to turn back the clock — even just one day? Maybe both of these scenarios will be true, and I’ll be overcome by the bittersweetness that hangs heavy in August air. I don’t know if the pit in my stomach will ever really go away, but I do know that it does eventually lessen and that yours will, too. Or, maybe, we just get stronger.

There is no universal college experience — we will all have our good days and the days where the promise of sunshine-filled afternoons is a little hazier. We just have to trust that those good days will be here again soon.

Editorial | Class of 2026

Fordham Needs to Revise Its Enrollment Policy

At the start of every school year, Fordham students look forward to welcoming the thousands of new students who roam our campuses for the first time at the start of their academic careers. Talking to them, engaging as upperclassmen and helping them get oriented to their new lives can even help foster appreciation for our own time here.

However, as much as we love welcoming new students to campus, the sheer sizes of the new freshman and sophomore classes have allowed us to see how admitting too large of a class can hinder the student experience. Namely, overwhelming class sizes have created significant congestion for student services on campus.

It is the Ram’s belief that Fordham University needs to focus on revising the enrollment process to prevent future over enrollment.

To provide context, the introduction of the class of 2025 ushered in the largest class size in university history with over 2,800 new students, according to Patricia Peek, dean of Undergraduate Admissions. This

amount exceeded the number of students that the Office of Undergraduate Admissions had initially expected.

In the 2021-22 year, the Ram reported on multiple accounts of university student services facing shortages in different departments.

Fordham ID Services was struck with a dearth of physical card stock. After various frustrations with the ordering processes, the department officially requested that students register with electronic identification cards despite numerous malfunction reports regarding the electronic service.

Over enrollment of the class of 2025 notably increased congestion in the dining services available on campus. Bottlenecks increased wait time by up to an hour and a half for students to receive their meals whether or not they ordered ahead or stood in line. Fordham Dining was forced to restructure their production and distribution processes for on-campus dining.

Another significant problem caused by over enrollment last year can be seen in Fordham’s

Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS). Because of the number of new students admitted to campus, wait times skyrocketed at CPS for students who were seeking out mental healthcare. Additionally, the department needed to outsource many specialized services.

As the academic year begins again, it seems as though the enrollment process has opened the door for a similar situation.

According to Dean Peek, the class of 2026 (the latest in firstyear students) numbers 2,575 as of Sept. 2. While the Dean’s estimations are predicting that the number of first-years will lower closer to 2,550 by the end of September, this class is now the second largest class size in university history behind the

class of 2025.

For the second year in a row, the number of students who were admitted to the university and deposited their payments exceeded admission expectations. As a result the university and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will have to reconfigure and recalibrate the class size targets for the future.

As it stands, overcrowding has stretched facilities and resources to points beyond their capacity, making them inefficient and insufficient. The model of the 2025 and 2026 class sizes is not sustainable. Unless Fordham plans to significantly expand student services to continue accommodating larger enrollment, admissions must limit future class sizes.

OPINION

Page 6

September 7, 2022

In A Post-Roe World, Midterms Matter Even More

By SAMANTHA SCOTT STAFF WRITER

Democrats are beginning to feel like there is a chance of victory in the 2022 midterm elections despite an approval rating of President Joe Biden below 40% and fears of inflation and rising gas prices.

With new district maps in place, Republican candidates are currently in a strong position to win seven of the nine districts created since the 2020 election. Because Republicans only need a mere five victories to win the House majority, Democrats have been losing faith. Midterm wins for Republicans would be incredibly significant and give them the ability to stop Biden’s agenda from advancing. After the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade and identified the right to abortion as a state choice in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, Democrats have changed their midterm election strategy to reflect concerns over women’s reproductive rights. In the wake of these major shifts in policy and strategy, we must wonder: Do the Democrats have enough momentum to cinch a victory?

It is possible.

After the special House elections and primaries, Democrats have gained some momentous victories, often based on their pro-choice messaging during a controversial time in America surrounding reproductive

rights. A keystone example was New York’s 19th district election, where underdog Pat Ryan was able to squeak out a victory against his opponent, republican Marc Molinaro.

While Molinaro focused on the economy and inflation, Ryan’s messaging spoke on abortion rights. Ryan’s victory speaks to the shift in public opinion in the post-Roe world and shows the potential impact that the Dobbs decision could have on the upcoming election.

This isn’t just happening in New York. Kansas voters, in a typically conservative state, strongly rejected a state constitutional amendment that would have allowed lawmakers to pass abortion bans. Americans are worried about their reproductive rights and want people in office that represent that same concern, both on the state and federal level.

In Alaska, another Republican-leaning state that hasn’t voted blue since Lyndon B. Johnson more than 50 years ago, Mary Peltola beat Sarah Palin in their special election for a congressional seat by 3%.

These flips are shocks for the Republicans, who are leaning into extremism as their strategy for winning their midterms.

Many Republican candidates, such as Doug Mastriano, who is running for governor in Pennsylvania, were present at the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol and continue to say that the election was stolen

from former president Donald Trump.

Another troubling shift in the Republican Party and their candidates is the ties many of them have to white supremacy and other extremist groups.

Carl Paladino, running for the House in New York, praised Hitler as “the kind of leader we need today” just last year. He has since apologized for this comment. Joe Kent, who beat the current Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler has relationships with members of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, two far-right organizations that have engaged in political violence. These associations with right-wing extremism are incredibly troubling for the direction of the party.

These election results show that there’s a clear disparity between the people in office and the public opinion surrounding abortion. While a majority of lawmakers have passed “trigger bans,” after Roe v. Wade was overturned, 61% of Americans believe that abortion should be legal in all or most cases according to the Pew Research Center.

Yet lawmakers continue to create legislation that has banned abortion for almost 50% of American women. These numbers don’t add up.

Americans are growing continually frustrated with the Court and its decisions. 57% of adults disapproved or strongly disapproved of the court’s sweeping decision in Dobbs,

and plummeted the public opinion of the court to its lowest percentage since polling began.

Americans’ representatives are no longer representing their interests. That frustration was made clear as hundreds of people protested for their bodily rights and autonomy in front of the Supreme Court and in state capitals across America. People are going to take this frustration with America to the voting booth. 56% of registered voters in August said that the issue of abortion would be very important to their midterm vote — as opposed to the 43% of voters who said so in March.

Democrats have already shown that some races can be won with an emphasis on abortion rights and bodily autonomy. But will revitalizing Democrat and Independent voters over this court decision be enough?

There is some reason to doubt the democratic path to success. Special elections and primaries have not always been reliable indicators of success in the midterm elections. More than 60% of Americans are disappointed in Biden’s presidential performance and they are fearful of inflation and a poor economy. Even with the Democrats’ recent victories in student debt forgiveness and the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act, whether they will sway an effective majority of voters is up in the air.

Republicans have their own

unique energy going into the midterms and are angered by perceived partisanship against former president Trump, who continues to have influence over the party. Voters kicked out many moderate Republicans in the primary elections in favor of a more extreme, Trump-backed candidate.

Eight of the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump in the wake of the Jan. 6 Capitol attacks have been voted out. Republicans continue to back Trump and the narrative of a “Democratic witch hunt” against him.

The recent Mar-a-Lago raid by the FBI did little to change Republican voters’ minds about Trump’s viability as a presidential candidate and a leader in the Republican party. Rather than a drop in trust in the Republican party or Trump, polls showed a drop in trust for the FBI. Midterm elections tend to have lower voter turnout than their general election counterpoints, but this year, that has to change. With such slim margins, Democratic victory is possible. Abortion measures on the ballot in Vermont, California, Kentucky and Michigan.

These votes are consequential.

These votes are deciding people’s rights and autonomy.

Samantha Scott, FCRH ’24, is an international political economy major from Columbus, Ohio.

Is Banning Andrew Tate Effective?

By LAINE FINEGAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Controversy always generates clicks, and no one knows that better than Andrew Tate. Former kickboxer, reality TV contestant and host of the podcast “Tate Speech,” Andrew Tate has built a massive online presence and garnered millions of followers by posting violently misogynistic content, condemning the “feminization of society” and aiming to “bring back manly men.” The Tate philosophy essentially consists of two ideas: women are weak, domestic creatures and men are their physically and mentally superior counterparts. Despite claiming that women should be obedient and that rape victims “bear some responsibility” for the violence inflicted upon them, Tate has refuted claims that he is a misogynist, stating his content “has nothing to do with hate for women … It’s simply about good and bad people. My mother is my hero.”

However, his excuse has fallen on deaf ears, as the commentator was recently banned from Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok for violating community guidelines.

Given the crucial role that Twitter played in the Jan. 6

Capitol insurrection, social media platforms have found themselves in hot water, forced to calculate the risk of allowing hot-tempered, high-profile figures a place on their platforms.

These platforms seem to have reached the consensus that when a person’s post might move groups of people to violence, harassment or other misconduct, they should not be provided the means to do so.

This has certainly been the case with Tate. Globally, teachers have been urging people to take Tate’s social media presence seriously, given the impact his content has had on their students. “The strain of masculinity offered by men such as Tate is attractive to young boys craving validation and male role models, and he exploits these vulnerabilities,” writes a teacher in the UK. It is easy to see why men, especially young men, fall victim to these concepts of masculinity. It is no secret that men have historically faced social pressure to act as breadwinners.

While some men call this pressure a burden, Tate repackages it as a natural phenomenon, indicative of male superiority. He leans into the wealth-as-worth mindset, equating his possessions — flashy cars, a mansion and, in Tate’s mind, women — to his value as a man. Under

this philosophy, Tate and his lifestyle serve as the epitome of masculinity and as an inspiration for his followers.

Critics of Tate are often met with the response, “What color is your Bugatti?,” implying that Tate’s wealth substantiates his statements. To young men still influenced by gender roles and caught up in these glorified displays of wealth and power, Tate’s philosophy might seem empowering and cool. Tate’s ideology of manhood encourages such an unquestioned and unchecked confidence in his followers that it may encourage them to ignore the blatantly sexist beliefs Tate spouts.

Tate wants men to feel uniquely confident, so confident that they can do whatever they please, whenever they please.

When it comes to the ethics of banning Andrew Tate from social media, I would argue that such action is necessary.

But when one considers its efficacy, the answer becomes slightly more complicated.

The truth is: being banned from Twitter will not stop Tate’s message from spreading. The bans are mere speed bumps in Tate’s marketing machine. He need not participate in social media platforms to personally profit off of them.

The goal of his public appearances is to direct attention to

his online academy, Hustler’s University, which sells the secrets to Tate’s brand of masculinity.

But one cannot attribute Tate’s rise to infamy to these appearances alone. Rather, it is smaller creators who have made Tate a household name.

These creators repost clips of Tate preaching his gospel, with affiliate links to Hustler’s University, providing them a financial incentive to convert men to the Tate philosophy.

Additionally, the controversial nature of Tate’s comments drives even those who disagree with him to engage with these videos by commenting, sharing and “dueting,” all of which increases the video’s viewership and makes it go viral. Although the HU affiliate marketing program has now closed, this loop of engagement has not ended.

Tate is as well-known as ever.

To Tate, all publicity is good publicity. In the end, he doesn’t care if society brands him as a dangerous, violent misogynist, so long as he garners a dedicated and loyal fanbase which views his public condemnation as the consequence of speaking truth to power. As long as they keep watching, he keeps making money and expanding his community. That is not to say banning Tate serves no purpose. For one, it decentral-

izes his message. No longer can Tate-devotees take direction directly from him. Instead, they are forced to satiate their desire for a sense of superiority through smaller, less mainstream pages.

Although social media platforms can, and should, ban users spouting hate speech, in the end, bans alone are insufficient in the face of such a malicious ideology. To thwart the spread of misogyny and violent rhetoric, we must look to the individuals to whom these ideas are peddled. Having an open and honest dialogue with fathers, brothers, sons and friends about misogyny is the first step, but holding people personally accountable for their harmful words and actions is crucial.

Women have been pressured into overlooking casual misogyny, fearing the labels men often place on outspoken women: “bitch,” “shrew,” “loudmouth.” It will take courageous women to call out misogyny and good men to align themselves with and defend those who have spoken out.

Laine Finegan, FCRH ’ 24, is an English and communications & culture major from Rockville Centre, N.Y.

OPINION

September 7, 2022

Page 7

Hollywood’s Banking on Your Favorites – but They Should Do it with Intent

COURTESY OF TWITTER

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” spin-off will focus on joyriders Sam and Victor, who had very small roles in the original film.

By NICOLE BRAUN OPINION EDITOR

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” “Friends.” “Game of Thrones.”

What do those titles incite in you? Memories of rainy Saturday afternoons, sneaking downstairs after your mom sent you up to bed or absolute adoration for CGI dragons? Well, whatever you’re feeling, the entertainment industry wants to capitalize on it — now.

If you’ve been paying attention to the pop culture sphere for the past few years, you probably noticed the onslaught of spin-offs, remakes and sequels of beloved film and television classics. At first it was fun. Seeing beloved characters come back for another ride, no matter how short the stint, was heartwarming and nostalgic, like the nearly two-hour long “Friends: The Reunion.”

After a while, though, the excitement wore off. Reboots,

spinoffs and sequels do not feel like a special treat anymore.

Shows and movies are no longer something to savor because now it feels like a guarantee that they will be back, if not always with the exact same premise or form.

Audiences like to feel respected and hate feeling duped. Of course, we are aware that we are seen merely as consumers in the eyes of production executives. Still, we don’t want to be treated like sheep blindly following their favorite “where are they now?” star and forking over some money while we’re doing it. The announcement of the “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” spin-off is especially frustrating. The project will be spearheaded by the same team that brought us “Cobra Kai,” the television series spin off of the “Karate Kid” franchise.

Bueller’s spin-off will not focus on the titular character or even the supporting cast. Instead, the protagonists will be

the two characters who took off in Cameron’s, one of the original main characters, father’s Ferrari. These two joy-riders were nameless until they had their very own movie — one I truly do not think anybody asked for — titled “Sam and Victor’s Day Off.” While it might feel like this wave of beloved classics returning to our screens in slightly different ways is a new trend, the opposite is true. Hollywood revisits some of its classics every few years according to Dr. Matthew Jones, a Film Studies lecturer for an English university.

“There is actually a rich tradition of remakes in Western film culture that runs back to the earliest days of cinema (arguably as far back as 1896),” says Jones. Rebooting fan-favorites is a cyclical trend that appears during times of financial hardship, according to Jones. “Hollywood turns to remakes, sequels and adaptations

at times of major economic upheaval, so, after the dot com crash and the economic fallout of 9/11, after the 2008 financial crisis,” explains Jones.

It’s no secret that the entertainment industry was impacted by the pandemic. With the closure of movie theaters and the ever-increasing volume of streaming services, production companies have had plenty of challenges to contend. On top of these challenges, people are less inclined to spend their money on something they believe won’t be worth it with rising inflation rates and the threat of an economic recession.

The wave of reboots and spin-offs is not because of a lack of creativity and originality among current film and television makers, but because of production companies’ desire to play it safe after a financially-challenging past few years.

While I understand the companies’ financial interest in rehashing old favorites, they should be doing so in an intentional way. Take movies like “A Star is Born” and “Little Women,” for example. Both movies have been re-made a handful of times, but each iteration has brought with it a new perspective and insight. 2019’s “Little Women,” for example, finally gave Amy March the respect she deserves.

Because of the great many ways that fan favorites have been reworked in the past, it makes projects like “Sam and Victor’s Day Off” feel even cheaper, because what can Sam and Victor add to the Ferris Bueller story?

Will the movie be a fresh perspective that captures the magic of the original source material? Will the spin-off add anything substantial? To me, this particular spin-off and its subject matter sounds like Hollywood execs are really reach-

ing toward the bottom of the barrel to find something that is almost guaranteed to turn a profit, based purely on the nostalgia factor alone.

A spin-off that provides a fresh perspective on the source material is “The Rings of Power,” a prequel to the “Lord of the Rings.” The show, which began airing earlier this month, is already receiving praise for giving its female characters more time in the sun than the original series (even though that bar was set extremely low).

But reviewers are careful not to get too excited, lest “The Rings of Power” stoop to the same position as the “Game of Thrones” prequel series, “The House of the Dragon.”

Though “The House of the Dragon” is trying to set itself apart from the original, especially because of the “Game of Thrones” devastating final season, it seems to be falling into the same tired storylines. Specifically, gratuitous violence, oftentimes towards its female characters. Essentially, “House of the Dragon” feels like more of the same.

The monumental impact that the pandemic had on the entertainment industry makes it unlikely that the spinoff trend will stall anytime soon.

But film and television creators should focus their attention on adding something new to the source material they are rebooting or revisiting, or making sure they capture some of the original magic. If not, further repetition will only disinterest the audiences that production companies are so confident they have in the palm of their hands.

Nicole Braun, FCRH ’24, is an English major from Saddle River, N.J.

OPINION

Page 8

September 7, 2022

The Cause of Gun Violence: Mental Health or Men?

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

A woman fatally shot two people and injured a third on Monday, Aug. 22

By TAYLOR HERZLICH OPINION EDITOR

A woman fatally shot two people and injured a third on Monday, Aug. 22, in midtown Atlanta. The suspect was later arrested at a nearby airport. Although police did not immediately disclose a motive, it is assumed that these shootings were not random, since the shooter was seen at two specific street addresses.

Gun violence is so ever-present in our lives that my first reaction to reading this story was not shock.

What did shock me is that, upon reflection, this was the first instance I could recall reading of a female shooter.

I can not think of this past summer without thinking of gun violence and the endless tragedies Americans have endured. The deadliest mass shooting so far this year occurred over the summer when 19 children and two teachers were killed at a Texan elementary

school. This is just the latest in a long, discouraging chain of school shootings. School shootings have hit their highest level on record, according to federal data from the Education Department. 93 school shootings with casualties occurred during the 2020-21 school year alone.

Of course, many will also recall the Fourth of July shooting that occured in Highland Park, Ill., where a gunman killed seven people and wounded dozens more. One would think that nothing could prompt leaders to take action more than a tragic shooting on a day meant to celebrate America’s freedom, and yet nothing has changed.

People continue to defend their constitutional right to arms, ignoring the context in which that right was born, when the military was disorganized in its infancy and divided. People continue to ridicule gun control propositions as unrealistic and far-fetched whilst simultaneously refusing to offer a

better solution. People continue to frame gun violence as a causal argument, instead of the grave threat to peace and wellbeing that it really is.

I am sick of anti-gun control individuals skirting around the real issue at hand. I am even more tired of watching politicians and world leaders stand by. If people really want to push off gun control and instead debate the cause of these mass shootings, as if the cause of a death by gunshot is not the gun, then fine — let’s talk about how men are the cause.

While the woman-committed shooting shocked me, it is important to note that this shooting is not considered a mass shooting. (To be fair, the definition of a mass shooting is vague. Despite the lack of consensus on the definition, a mass shooting is widely accepted as an indiscriminate killing of at least three or four victims.)

Men, on the other hand, are responsible for 98% of mass shootings in the U.S., according to The Violence Project, a nonpartisan research group. In fact, men commit much more violent crime than women — more than three times as often as women, according to the United States Department of Justice. Men also make up the vast majority of persons arrested for property crimes, according to the FBI. Unforgettably, nearly 99% of rape and sexual assault perpetrators are male, according to the United States Department of Justice.

There are many theories as to why men are more violent than

women. Researchers say that men tend to externalize their problems and look for other people to blame more often than women, which can lead to anger and violence. Future perpetrators also tend to look to mass shooters for inspiration, and since most mass shooters are men, this would explain the continuance in this trend, according to Jillian Peterson, president of the Violence Project.

You might be wondering — okay, men are more violent than women, and men are committing these shootings, but why is that important?

I am not simply bashing men or trying to provide some sort of psychological argument against them.

It’s important because I am trying to expose the mainstream argument used in the media and by major leaders: Namely, that gun violence is either caused by guns or by a mental health crisis in America.

I am not going to argue against the mental health crisis in the U.S., or the lack of resources provided to some individuals. But I will point out that this perceived debate is illogical. It makes absolutely no sense to argue over whether guns or poor mental health are causing mass shootings, since these are two different types of causes.

Guns are the direct cause of mass shootings. Something tells me if leaders instated stricter gun control laws, we would not instantaneously see mass knifings everywhere. Mental health is an indirect cause of mass shootings.

There is no need to argue whether

guns or mental health are the cause of mass shootings; they can both contribute to the cause. Anti-gun control individuals love to say that the answer to mass shootings is not banning AR-15s, but rather, improving mental health advocacy. If these overnight mental health advocates truly wanted to solve this American crisis, it would be impossible for them to ignore that the only ones they truly need to focus on are men, at least for the sake of eradicating gun violence.

If we truly want to ignore the direct cause of shootings and instead take the more time-consuming, trickle-down route of mental health advocacy, then we need to focus on why our men are so angry and so violent. We need to focus on less restrictive gender roles. We need to focus on raising our men to be less entitled and less reactive.

But just imagine trying to tell one of these anti-gun control leaders that we need to be raising our men to be more like women. Imagine trying to tell them that men are the problem behind gun violence.

It would never work. And why is that? It is because these anti-gun control leaders do not back mental health advocacy because they think mental health awareness is important. They only back mental health advocacy when it means they can keep their guns.

Taylor Herzlich, FCRH ’23, is a journalism major and English minor from Mt. Sinai, N.Y.

Shia LaBeouf is the Church’s Opportunity to Model Conversion

By ALESSANDRA CARINO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Conversion literally means “to turn around.” Conversion implies a total surrender of one’s past in hopes of a new future. This word is used in many contexts, like the changing of money from one currency to another, the changing of a file from a Word document to a PDF and, of course, the changing of one’s religion. What these changes have in common is a clear before and after. In other words, there must be an intrinsic change in the object of conversion.

In the Catholic world, conversion is generally a reason to celebrate. As a result, it is

always a big deal when a celebrity publicizes their conversion.

The most recent example of this came from actor Shia LaBeouf.

It was announced last year that LaBeouf will be playing the titular character of Italian monk and saint Padre Pio in an upcoming biopic.

LaBeouf immersed himself in a community of Californian Capuchin monks, the same order that Pio was a part of.

LaBeouf said that Pio and his time working on this film “changed his life” in an interview with Bishop Robert Barron, a Catholic social media celebrity. This influence went so far as to spark LaBeouf’s interest in Catholicism and lead to his eventual conversion.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Shia LaBeouf is the latest celebrity to publicize his Catholic conversion.

As with any public conversion, Catholic media, especially more traditional and conservative-leaning outlets, covered this decision in a positive light. Not everyone in the Catholic community was excited about this conversion, though. LaBeouf faces many public abuse allegations. This raises an essential moral question: Can a church that is based on welcoming all turn a blind eye to the troubled past that some converts bring?

This dilemma is one that Catholics have faced since the time of Jesus himself.

The Bible is home to many accounts of Jesus venturing out to oppressed, sinful populations, which is the very part of his ministry that caused so much controversy during his life. Obviously, there are vast differences between their pasts and their sins. There is another massive difference between these stories: LaBeouf refuses to properly acknowledge and atone for his past in public.

Some may argue that he does not owe anyone an explanation and that the state of his conversion is between him and God. That cannot be. First and foremost, LaBeouf is a public figure. This is the reason his conversion is making headlines in the first place. This also means that the same audience hearing about his conversion also likely knows about the abuse allega-

tions made by many of his exes, most notably by singer F.K.A. Twigs.

The Church’s mercy toward LaBeouf cannot ignore this very real aspect of his conversion.

The cultural context of this public event also cannot be ignored.

There is an irony about an alleged abuser entering a church haunted by an ongoing sexualabuse crisis.

Clare McCallen explores this in “Women’s Complicated Reactions to Shia LeBeouf’s Conversion to Catholicism.” How can victims be expected to celebrate their abuser, the Church itself, while it welcomes another abuser with open arms? All while neither of them have been held accountable in any way?

Another aspect to consider is how LaBeouf announced his conversion.

It is no coincidence to me that Bishop Barron was not afraid to host this interview and ignore the troubling elephant in the room. In fact, Barron has recently faced criticism for a toxic and abusive workplace environment at his Online Ministry. He has not addressed any of these concerns or made any attempt to rectify his actions.

All of this context is not to say that LaBeouf cannot become Catholic, or even that he should not. Many saints are known for struggling with their conversion or having sinful pasts. But

Catholics believe mercy and justice must go hand in hand.

There is no simple solution to this dilemma, but there are steps that should be taken. LaBeouf should issue a clear and honest public apology. He needs to own up to his actions, like the many people Jesus knew and ministered to.

The second part of this apology should be open-hearted and willing reparations for his actions, especially in a legal context. A very important part of justice and mercy is penance, or an opportunity to atone for some of the wrongs committed.

In the words of McCallen, “[seeing] LaBeouf take responsibility for the abuse of F.K.A. Twigs while continuing his conversion would not only be just and good. It would be deeply healing for the women of the Church who feel that their abusers often go not only unpunished but also remain celebrated.”

LaBeouf has the opportunity to be the face of renewal in a broken and suffering Church.

Having the courage to own up to his wrongs is step one. Cowardice in ignoring his past will only hurt the Church where it is most vulnerable and propagate its cycle of abuse.

Alessandra Carino, FCRH ’23, is a theology and Italian studies major from Bronx, N.Y.

September 7, 2022

CULTURE

Page 9

Editor’s Pick | Film & Literature

Collins’ Modern Classic: “The Hunger Games”

By KARI WHITE CULTURE EDITOR

I remember seeing it in the theaters. Not the movie, the poster.

My mother bought me the book a few days later, insisting that she would read it before I did to ensure that it was appropriate for her, then, fourth grade daughter. I read it in secret, of course, drinking in the words and holding onto the horrific images I knew I did not yet understand. Even at the time, I understood why my mother was hesitant to let me read Suzanne Collins’ novel. Even then, I knew that “The Hunger Games” was not simply a young adult novel on par with “Harry Potter” or “Twilight,” but a prescient dystopia that asked chilling questions about the modern United States of America.

You may know the word “dystopia,” it’s thrown around quite a bit.

According to Merriam-Webster, its traditional definition is “an imagined world or society in which people lead wretched, dehumanized, fearful lives.” This genre of storytelling grew out of the much older genre of “utopian” novels, which began with Thomas More’s 1516 “Utopia.” While utopias describe worlds made perfect, often through strict order and things that would now be considered human rights abuses (including eugenics), dystopian literature and film turns these dreams of perfectly ordered societies into nightmares. Yevgeny Zamyatin began this genre with his 1924 novel, “We,” which established many of the dystopian hallmarks we see today. This includes totalitarianism, extreme violence, suppressed humanity and a stark divide between human artifice and the natural world.

If you have read or watched “The Hunger Games” as most people who were coming of age in the mid-to-late 2010s have, then you might recognize a few of those list items. The story of “The Hunger Games” centers around Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl who volunteers in her sister’s place to take part in the yearly death match that her totalitarian government forces each district to partake in. As one of the two tributes from her district, she is forced alongside all of the other tributes from the 11 other districts to put on pretty costumes, display her skills and turn this gladiatorial blood bath into a dazzling reality show.

The Capitol, which houses the government body responsible for the games, watches in fascination as 24 children slaughter each other until only one remains. This story hits all the major chords of a dystopia. When comparing it to Zamyatin’s “We,” it has the totalitarian government, plenty of extreme violence, heavy emphasis on the juxtaposition between the natural appearance of the citizens of the districts and the almost inhuman appearance of the Capitol citizens and, lastly, a suppression of humanity in the fact that children are forced to kill each other.

While these cement the novel within the category of dystopia, it is something else that elevates the story to one of such great importance for the American reader: the similarities between the antagonists and ourselves.

Within “The Hunger Games,” there are a few levels of who can be viewed as the antagonists. Indirectly, the citizens of the Capitol threaten Katniss as, rather than directly attempting to kill her, they support

the system that has put her life in jeopardy. In this group of people, we can identify many trends of American culture taken to the extreme. Early in the book, Collins describes one of the members of Katniss’ beauty-prep team as having “aqua hair and gold tattoos above her eyebrows,” and another as having skin “dyed a pale shade of green.” Tattoos and dyed hair are a very common aesthetic choice for American people, but dying skin, however, seems a bit more extreme.

Except, it’s not. The rows of selftanning products and sheer existence of tanning salons attests to the fact that many people in America artificially change the color of their skin to match an aesthetic.

How the Capitol citizens react to the games also echoes American cultural trends. While we do not have a yearly death match, there are plenty of crises that threaten people’s lives around the country.

The way our media chooses which to pay attention to is not that different from how the tributes fight for life-saving aid in the arena. To get this aid, they need to create brands in order to garner interest from wealthy, Capitol citizens. Katniss

that Derrickson is a great creative director with a very unique procedural style that blurs the lines between crime drama and supernatural horror. While he is a talented director, I do notice that, with some of his films, his concepts never truly stick the landing.

Unfortunately, I think that “The Black Phone” steps into that category in a few ways.

I highly recommend this film for anyone who likes thoughtfully crafted and alluringly atmospheric chillers. This film manages to stay grounded in a disturbingly believable true crime mystery with increasing supernatural components. While this style of horror is still finding its footing in traditional horror, “The Black Phone” falls into some conventional mainstream sensibilities of the tried and true Amityville crime horror formula. I feel like it lacked a certain amount of emotional bite that’s pushed heavily in the first half of the film. While the quality of the film is unquestionable, it’s still missing an element of shock to add to the lasting gravity of its fairly dark subject matter.

When the movie first starts, the feeling has a quite stark and intense tone that goes into some wicked themes about stranger

danger, childhood violence and domestic abuse. While it does explore these dark themes, it then proceeds to soften that provocativeness as the film climaxes. This diminishes the impact of what makes the movie scary. Without spoiling anything, because I do believe that you should watch it, it noticeably shows a restraint on the supernatural aspects. I was not expecting this restraint, especially since the trailer highly promoted it as having a heavy emphasis on the supernatural. While I would typically enjoy more scares and ghosts, the supernatural in this film is less like your typical corny spooky children and instead represents the dead children having a more melancholic and sad presence, which suggests their souls are essentially trapped in the purgatory that is the basement. Interestingly, the movie makes it so that Finney cannot see the ghosts of the children he is talking to over the phone. This further perpetuates the sentiment of loss as the children have still not been found.

Derrickson always surprises me with how he tells stories to reinvent what horror movies are supposed to be. I would definitely recommend this film if you enjoy true crime or do not like the traditional

and her fellow tribute, Peeta, become the “star-crossed lovers from District 12.” Each of these children turn themselves into a commodifiable brand in hope of winning help. If this idea seems completely removed from our world, think of Little Miss Flint. Mari Copenhany, even though she was a child, became the face of a movement trying to bring awareness to a predominantly Black city whose water, through government negligence, was poisoned with lead. If it hadn’t been for her sweet smile and heart-tugging speeches, her community might still be suffering.

More directly, the primary antagonist when Katniss finds herself in the horror of the games is Cato.

They find themselves thrown together in the final fight of the arena as Katniss realizes how near she is to going home and Cato realizes his damnation. “One more kill,” he says. “It’s the only thing I know how to do to bring pride to my district. Not that it matters.”

He’s the most ruthless character, but he’s another mirror for the audience. For the majority of us, we either read this book or watched this movie in as much comfort as

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

“The Hunger Games” forces its audience to face their own privilege.

the citizens of the Capitol and with as much eagerness for violence as Cato. As much as we may feel for Katniss, we are complicit in her abuse and the abuse of the other children in the arena. Just as Cato is. And, just as he does, we begin to see ourselves for what we really are as we realize the fictions that we have bought into. For Cato, those fictions are the myths of glory that his district turned him into a killer with. For us, the fiction is that Cato is the absolute antagonist in this story, rather than being just another of the abused children we watch die horribly.

So, the question becomes, how do we relate to this? Dystopian stories are not meant to be perfect mirrors, but reflections intentionally distorted to ask a question.

Zamyatin’s “WE” and Orwell’s “1984” both ask what happens when we push government control too far and suppress human individuality. Collins’ “The Hunger Games” asks us something different. If we, as modern day Americans with the privilege that enables us to dye our hair whatever color we wish, or obsess over our wardrobes or watch movies about violence without ever fearing those same acts being done to us — if we, in this dystopia, are more similar to the antagonists than the protagonists — than upon whose shoulders does our wealth and privilege rest? Who, in our world, is Katniss Everdeen?

In a world where wealth disparity grows greater every day, where healthy food becomes a signifier of wealth, and climate disaster threatens poorer communities disproportionately, it is important to remember Collins’ question. Upon whose shoulders does our wealth rest?

“The Black Phone” Transforms the Supernatural

By PENELOPE CESPEDES CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Based on the short story by Joe Hill, “The Black Phone” tells the story of a mysterious kidnapper named The Grabber. After the small Denver town has been suffering from five child abductions, The Grabber’s next target becomes a boy named Finney. When Finney gets abducted he is thrown in a soundproof basement with just a dirty mattress and a disconnected phone on the wall. Soon after arriving, Finney is shocked when the disconnected phone begins to ring, which he discovers allows him to communicate with previous victims. This communication helps to assist Finney in his efforts to escape, while Finney’s sister, Gwen, has vague recurring nightmares about the various abduction that she uses to try and find her brother.

I am very well-versed with the director of this film, Scott Derrickson. Derrickson has directed films like “Sinister” and “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” which are personally some of my favorite horror movies of recent years. However, as much as I like his directing, I have a love-hate relationship with his work. I think

horror movie set up. The storytelling is strong, the directing is

impressive and the movie leaves you chilled to your bones.

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Scott Derrickson makes a chilling portrayal of Joe Hill’s short story.

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September 7, 2022

Studying Abroad| Paris, France

Emma in Paris: Easing Homesickness Abroad

By EMMA LIPKIND

OPINION EDITOR EMERITA

Barry was tall, at least 6’3”.

He wore sandals fit for a true bohemian, paired with a linen shirt of such high quality it almost clashed with his laid-back nature. His hair flared out behind his ears like bird feathers — a

perfect focus point to help stay awake during a morning meeting. After 22 years in the city of love, he said his French still needed work. He sat on top of a table as he lectured to 24 jetlagged, slightly confused but excited 20-somethings. Most of us had touched down in Paris just

COURTESY OF EMMA LIPKIND FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Studying abroad can have its challenges, but is a rewarding experience.

three days prior to enter the mystical world of studying abroad.

Barry would serve as our resident therapist, if need be, for the next semester.

He repeatedly told us, “this is going to be one of the best times of your young lives.” It’s impossible for that statement to be backed by hard evidence, but that’s how most of the world thinks of studying abroad. And in Paris, too? We’re going to have an unforgettably amazing, riveting, life-changing whirlwind of a journey — it’s inevitable.

Right?

I want to believe Barry and everyone else. But the weight that I feel, the longing for a return to the comfort I once knew, and more than anything the fear that has utterly washed over me is overpowering the evidenceless words. It’s been just over a week since I got here, and I have felt numb to the city practically every moment since.

I am an adventurer, an extrovert, a social butterfly. I am not only comfortable with change, but I welcome it. So why do I feel so utterly wrong in one of the most magical cities in the world?

It probably has to do with the ridiculous amount of pressure I feel from everyone, Barry included. People said study abroad would be all so great

and magical, but who was going to prepare me for the challenges that come with it all — loneliness, confusion, language struggles and a feeling of having to start over? That doesn’t even include French-specific issues. Not all the stereotypes are wrong, people.

In the process of writing this article, I have tried desperately to break down my feelings, hoping that discovering the root cause will help them go away.

I realized that I’m maybe not as good at change as I used to be, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I’m lucky to miss the comfort of loving friends, my own living space, a supportive family and, most importantly, iced coffee. So rather than judging myself for feeling this way while in this incredible city, I am letting go. If that means feeling a bit off while my feet are dangling over the Seine, then c’est la vie.

Despite it all, I have enjoyed so many wonderful moments with people in my program, all thanks to what Paris has to offer. We eat artisanal sandwiches (vertically, like true locals) while strolling through the Luxembourg Gardens. We walk even more than I used to in New York, stretching the city as wide as we can. We eat dinner at a table much too small for

a group, but with a view of the Louvre (which we have unlimited free access to, by the way).

We speak French to everyone, and even when they respond in English, we keep going, determined to practice as much as possible. We’ve gotten lost, taken a day trip to Champagne, made new friends and eaten basically only carbs.

It absolutely has been a whirlwind, and I feel like I have whiplash after just one week. School hasn’t even started yet. With all of that being said, I’ve realized that adjusting my expectations and being kinder to myself is all I can do to make it all the more enjoyable.

I can thank Barry for that.

Living with a host family, speaking a different language all day, trying to make connections with new people, navigating cultural differences and still remaining authentic is seemingly not for the faint of heart. Who would’ve thought?

But maybe writing these articles will help me share a true reflection of this kind of experience. If anything, they will keep me connected to home, to Fordham, to the Ram (which I love dearly), and that’s all I can really do. I hope you will join me as I figure this all out.

I think it’s going to be quite an interesting time.

Studying Abroad | London, England

The Beginning of a Semester in London

By JAMISON RODGERS STAFF WRITER

Bon voyage, New York! Last week, I packed my life up into, surprisingly, only three suitcases, crossed the pond and commenced the adventure of a lifetime with the start of my fall semester abroad in London.

The start of a new school year is always a time filled with many different emotions.

For some, excitement ranks highest among those swirling mass of feelings. For others, there is a sense of sadness as the glow of summer winks out.

I was always more of the former as a return to school signified a return to a routine that seemed to, inevitably, get lost in the lazy, hazy days of summer.

I still feel that excitement as I start my semester abroad — excitement over meeting new people, exploring new places and learning new things. I am looking forward to the courses I am taking abroad, some of which the subject matter is only offered at the Fordham London Centre. All of the welcome week activities, including a boat cruise down the Thames River, a traditional Sunday roast dinner and an exhilarating scavenger hunt throughout the city of London, has allowed for new friendships to form and generated even more excitement for the semester ahead.

At the same time, I am

transported back to the emotions I felt as I commenced my freshman year of college.

I am in a new city learning a new set of cultural norms and expectations. Even without a language barrier, it can feel as though things are being lost in translation as you adjust to culture shock.

The study abroad experience requires a lot of different qualities — patience, flexibility, spontaneity. Not all of these come naturally, but they will be fostered and bolstered during this experience. You will have the time of your life, but there is no doubt that the experience is an adjustment.

I have compiled a few recommendations as I navigate the adjustment process for others to utilize to help ensure a smooth transition.

First, get to know your neighborhood. The faster your new environment feels familiar, the faster it will feel like home.

Scout out places to be your regular, walk around to acquaint yourself with the area, become familiar with the public transportation around you.

Second, go to all the orientation week activities. Aside from these activities helping orient you to your new environment, they will also help you meet other people in your program. I know it can feel daunting to sign up for an event without knowing if someone you know will

also be in attendance, but this is one of the easiest ways to meet people. Everyone in the program wants to meet new people as well so try not to let the nerves overpower your inclination to go.

Third, bring a hobby or activity that you like doing back home over with you. Whether this is a sport, a creative endeavor or something else, try to see if you can continue it in your new home for the semester. This is also a great way to meet people with similar interests whether there is a local group you can join or others in your program that share

the same hobbies.

Fourth and finally, if you know anybody that has traveled through or lived where you are going, pick their brain for any recommendations and insider tips. These can be tips on anything — how to travel on the cheap, best sites to see and restaurants to eat at or how to navigate the public transportation system.

The advent of this column is to share about my experiences abroad as well as any tips and tricks I pick up or things I wish I knew before leaving.

These are the recommendations I have complied thus far

to ensure you make the most of your time abroad.

To that end, I’ll leave you with the lesson I learned this week. I am notorious for overpacking whenever I travel and it seems that packing for a semester abroad in London is no exception. Trust me when I say that you do not need to bring every pair of shoes you own.

You won’t wear them all, and all they will do is take up space you don’t have to begin with.

To aid in this endeavor, don’t be like me and start packing more than 12 hours in advance of your flight.

Until next week, cheers Rams!

COURTESY OF JAMISON RODGERS FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

The first few days of studying abroad in London include a cruise on the Thames and exploring the amazing city.

September 7, 2022

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Who’s That Kid? | It’s James Birle, FCRH’25

Sophomore Discovers Passion from the Sidelines

By NICK GUZMAN SPORTS EDITOR

Coming from a Fordham family, James Birle, FCRH ’25, wasn’t initially sure if he wanted to be a Ram. With multiple family members earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees at Rose Hill, Birle thought about trying something different. Ultimately, he decided to follow in his family’s footsteps.

“Once I saw what Fordham had to offer with the location and the campus, I just fell in love with it,” said Birle. Now that he is here, Birle is taking

full advantage of what the university has to offer.

An avid soccer player who competed at the varsity level for three years in high school, Birle is a member of Fordham’s Club Soccer Team. “It’s an incredibly competitive environment, but club soccer is such a great group of guys that almost feel like a family,” said Birle “It’s cliche, but that’s how I made some of my closest friends in college.”

But this past March, Birle tore his ACL for a second time after already tearing it in high

school. “I went in for a tackle in a game against Columbia, and my knee collided with the other guy’s leg,” he said. “It wasn’t incredibly painful but I knew right away that it was torn because it was the second time I’d done it.”

Because he lived at Rose Hill, Birle was unable to get surgery on his knee until the end of the spring semester. For six weeks, he was on crutches and couldn’t bear weight during the beginning part of the summer.

“I was basically just laying down and watching a lot of TV,

COURTESY OF JAMES BIRLE/THE FORDHAM RAM

Birle discovered his passion for beat reporting after his second ACL injury in March 2022.

going to physical therapy and doing stretches,” Birle said.

“That was about it until two months in when you can start to do strength stuff, which is where I’m at now.”

While on the sidelines, Birle’s role within club soccer has morphed a bit. “Now that I’m not playing, I’m becoming something of an assistant coach/permanent locker room guy. I’ve always been a very vocal guy on the field, barking orders at teammates. So I’m built for those types of things.”

Birle does not plan on hanging up his boots just yet despite the serious injury. “I plan on at least giving it a go.

I can’t say whether it will be a full comeback, but we’ll see where I am with my rehab in the late spring,” he said. “If it feels good, I’m gonna keep playing because I love the game too much.”

Beyond the world of club soccer, Birle is also involved with WFUV Sports. As a credentialed beat reporter for the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer, Birle is getting the chance to cover one of his favorite childhood teams.

“It’s a dream come true to cover the Red Bulls and watch my favorite team from 30 feet away from the pitch,”’ said Birle.

As a beat reporter in college, every game involves learning more and more about the world of sports media. “I don’t know the ins and outs of this business yet. I didn’t ask any questions at the first eight or nine press conferences I attended,” said Birle. “I just wanted to hear what other people were asking and how everything works.”

Now, Birle regularly asks questions in the Red Bulls media room in addition to providing live minute-by-minute updates of each game on Twitter. He is also a regular contributor to WFUV’s soccer podcast, FUV FC. As someone who decided to give WFUV a try as a freshman, Birle has fallen in love with the station. “Everyone involved is so passionate and committed about what they do,” he said.

“It’s a competitive environment, but it’s a positive bit of competition where everyone wants to showcase their talent. But at the same time, it’s incredibly welcoming.”

Birle will continue to cover the Red Bulls through the remainder of the MLS season as the club pushes for a playoff berth. Although he’s currently watching the sport he loves from the sidelines, Birle is making the most of his time as a Ram.

“Stranger Things” Season 4 is the Series’ Most Ambitous Yet

By JULIET MCALEE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It was the click heard ‘round the world: on May 27, 2022, volume one of “Stranger Things” season four dropped on Netflix, with volume two following a month later. Since its premiere in 2016, “Stranger Things” has transformed Netflix into one of the most popular streaming services, made the Duffer Brothers a household name and launched the careers of its actors. Whether one is a fan of the show or not, “Stranger Things” changed pop culture in the 2010s and its popularity is hard to downplay. This season was no exception.

Season four of “Stranger Things” divides the action between Hawkins, Indiana, California and Russia. In Hawkins, we see Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), his sister Erica (Priah Ferguson), Steve (Joe Keery), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Robin (Maya Hawke), Max (Sadie Sink) as well as new character and fan-favorite Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) go up against the menacing and allpowerful Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). While this crew has experience defeating creatures from the Upside Down, they are at a disadvantage since telekinetic and telepathic Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) moved to sunny California with the Byers. On the West Coast, we see El struggle with her newfound powerlessness while Will (Noah Schnapp), Mike (Finn

Wolfhard), Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) and his friend Argyle (Eduardo Franco) attempt to free her from a secret experimentation facility. Meanwhile, in Russia, Hopper (David Harbour), alive but not well, is imprisoned by the Soviets.

Joyce (Winona Ryder) and conspiracist Murray (Brett Gelman) embark on a mission to break him out. By the amount of settings and storylines alone, it is no understatement that season four is the most enterprising season yet. But does it pay off?

Much of what endears “Stranger Things” to viewers is the characters and immensely talented actors. The stars of “Stranger Things” season four include Brown as El, Sink as Max and McLaughlin as Lucas. Brown is adept at capturing El’s identity crises both as a powerless individual but also as a teenage girl trying to regain a semblance of normalcy in a new environment that evokes familiarity but also alienation. Like El, Max questions her identity and sanity as she is haunted by Vecna because of her traumatic experiences related to her abusive step brother’s death. Sink shines in her acting as Max and has arguably the best scene of the season in “Chapter Four: Dear Billy.”

McLaughlin is thankfully given more of an arc this season, allowing him to delve into Lucas as he is caught between maintaining his social status on the basketball team and keeping his old friends.

McLaughlin’s scenes with Sink

are compelling and some of the best of the season as their characters try to mend their relationship in the face of adversity.

Where season four gets bogged down, however, is in the storylines outside of Hawkins. El’s storyline and Brown’s performance are the only things going for the California storyline.

Schnapp and Wolfhard do well in their roles as Will and Mike as they showcase the breakdown of their friendship. Jonathan’s character continues to flatten as he is reduced to the moody member in the love triangle between him, Nancy and Steve. However, his scenes with Argyle provide some levity. The Russia storyline is engaging, especially with Ryder and

Harbour’s palpable chemistry, but even its most high-pressure moments do not compare to those in Hawkins and California.

One of the other gripes with this season is the excessively long episodes, some that border on feature-length films. Putting aside discourse on the current state of television that argues that seasons are simply eight hour movies, I agree that the episode lengths in season four were overkill. If the Duffer Brothers insist on having lengthy episodes, the most effective way to premiere them would have been to release them weekly rather than all at once. Season four was split into volume one and volume two, but this did little for me in the viewing experience.

However, releasing the season in weekly installments would not have had the same effect. A show like “Stranger Things” has enough popularity that airing it weekly would justify the episode lengths, keeping fans considerably more engaged and avoiding spoilers.

Overall, “Stranger Things” season four is an effective continuation of the series that does not sacrifice character development for high production value, even if it overextended itself in its storylines, settings and episode lengths. Nevertheless, with each progressing season “Stranger Things” proves to be a good time for avid fans and casual viewers alike and reiterates it is a cultural shift in television and pop culture.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

The fourth season of “Stranger Things” takes beloved characters’ storylines far beyond Hawkins, Indiana.

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September 7, 2022

Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz Time Machine

By HANIF AMANULLAH MANAGING EDITOR

The seconds before the music starts are perfectly still –– surprising given I’m sitting outside, squarely in the center of Manhattan. I’m surrounded on all sides by New Yorkers who have made the trek and braved the long lines leading to SummerStage in Central Park.

Tonight, Wynton Marsalis, along with his Jazz at Lincoln Center ensemble, is playing to thousands of New Yorkers for free. That fact, along with the concert’s taking place on the last day of August, bathes the event in a sultry, magicalsummer glow. The air cools, the sky darkens and suddenly, live orchestral jazz fills the park –– this is truly a New York summer moment.

The Wynton Marsalis formula for a successful evening of jazz music is simple: The flutists play a few discordant notes to adequately confuse the audience, the bassist cuts in with a swift walking bass line and finally, the entire band locks into gear with a bang.

The next hour and a half goes by rapidly, spurred along by staccato piano lines and ultradynamic drum solos. That isn’t to say the experience isn’t smooth –– this is jazz, after all. The band flows in and out of compositions, easing between pieces by Wynton Kelly and Duke Ellington. It is a concert experience that spans

decades, broken sporadically with Marsalis’ succinct introductions.

The orchestra, positioned in front of Marsalis, is exceptional. However, for an ensemble that headlines around the world, there is an unusual gleam in tonight’s performance. This is home base; mere minutes from their building, the Jazz at Lincoln Center orchestra is playing in the heart of the city.

In a way the concert is a trip into the past –– the band is playing for common folk (as it were), leaving its elitism in the halls of Lincoln Center. The whole concert is a return to the origins of jazz as a culture in New York: accessible, informal, live. The music seems to draw energy from the park, from the glittering towers above, and from the awestruck onlookers.

However, there’s more to Marsalis’ performance than meets the eye. A leader in his particular approach to jazz, he draws criticism for his traditionalist viewpoints, which stem from the origins of the genre itself.

An all-too-brief history of jazz begins with the African spirituals and blues standards of the Deep South in the 19th century. Jazz traveled around and at some point meshed with the ragtime syncopation of New Orleans; during the 1920s, jazz music traveled further, drifting north through the placid Mississippi River Valley and out into greater

America. By the 1930s, the Jazz Age was in full swing. As the genre branched outwards into avant garde territory, some artists sought to realign jazz with its roots as “America’s classical music.” Marsalis is the product of that musical resistance.

So stringent is this artform –– often referred to as “straightahead” jazz –– that Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center ensemble often appears backed by fine art.

The two are complementary; his jazz usually takes to the grand stage alongside a ballet or other performative exhibit, rather than to the dingy, disoriented studios of progressive jazz acts.

In Marsalis’ eyes, the post-70s experimentalists are irrelevant: Frank Zappa, Weather Report or even Miles Davis’ late-career work. To him, experimentation is dangerous, fusion is no longer jazz. There are no electric guitars, no effects pedals. There are no programmed drums, pop strings or vocal refrains. There is virtually no rock influence, and the compositions certainly aren’t available in radio-friendly formats.

It would be unfair, however, to say that straight-ahead jazz lacks the exploratory mystique of its avante-garde counterpart.

It is exploratory –– tempos are dilated, flutes and piccolos cater to atmospherics and beats switch on a dime –– though all of that exploration encompasses a thematic, immovable core: The walking bass lines rarely drop

COURTESY OF HANIF AMANULLAH

Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center at SummerStage.

away; the soloists eventually take their seats and contribute to the central melodic statement of a piece; the drummer in most cases keeps to an iconic swing beat. And, in keeping with tradition, there are no electric instruments –– the ensemble’s setup, complete with its trombones, trumpets, saxophones, flutes, piano, bass and drum kit, looks like a photo from the 1940s.

And looks are important, as each player dons a suit and tie.

Jazz is, in its most innate form, a method of uninhibited self expression. It has a tendency to be extremely individualistic and competitive. The soloist is revered, and members of an ensemble wait for their turn to show off. But orchestral jazz is different. Marsalis’ band direction revives New Orleans big bands: soulful, elegant.

Demanding respect, improvisation is given space throughout a piece yet is not the centerpoint of the composition. Instead, melody and texture are at the forefront. The whole is indeed greater than the sum of its parts.

Before the last piece, Marsalis quotes jazz great Dizzy Gillespie: “One should never consider it an achievement to lose one’s orchestral heritage.” The controversy around straightahead jazz is as dynamic as New York City itself. Both mirror each other in their intense dualism. Both embody a relentless push into the future.

But sitting on the grass, listening to the orchestra play into the woods of Central Park, the audience is transported back in time. And, we’re reminded that some traditions are worth holding on to.

Baz Luhrman’s “Elvis” Falls Short

By LILY MCCCLOSKEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” released earlier this summer, follows Elvis’ life and rise to fame.

The film stars Austin Butler as the King himself and Tom Hanks as his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

The story is told through Parker’s narration, attempting to twist the story and “set the record straight” after tabloids and news outlets call him a leech. However, he is ultimately proven to be exactly as they say as the movie progresses.

Visually speaking, the film embraces maximalism to an extreme, as is Luhrmann’s trademark (seen in “The Great Gatsby” from 2013).

Unfortunately, the visuals in “Elvis” become overwhelmingly stylistic,

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Austin Butler as Elvis.

and Luhrmann seems to prioritize aesthetic over legibility. Shots become indistinct within the film, and lose focus of Butler in moments where he’s supposed to be the star. Especially when, visually, maximalism should work since Elvis became known for his glitz and glam costuming and wild performances.

The saving grace of the film’s visuals are the whips of the camera and the zooms during Elvis’ musical scenes, emphasizing the sexuality and physicality of the real life performances.

Butler manages to embody the physicality and vocals of Elvis and even does his own vocals until some later sequences in the film where Elvis’ voice is blended with Butler’s. Butler maintains a clear character throughout the film and drives the plot forward even when it lulls in other aspects. The music is generally well-done; the modern music in the soundtrack blends together with Elvis’ catalog without overwhelming it.

The plot itself revolves, obviously, around Elvis and his dynamics with others. The relationships in the film outside of the one between Elvis and Colonel Tom feel very up and down, with moments of clarity and real feeling spoiled by melodramatic tones typical of biopics. Elvis and his parents are a focal point in the film, but are unfortunately left without real dimension.

Olivia Dejonge’s Priscilla, Elvis’ ex-wife, is well done, but given less screen time than I would like. The film shows the breakdown of their marriage, emphasizing the drama and intensity of their relationship as Elvis becomes more involved with drugs and alcohol. Throughout the film, Dejonge and Butler play well off each other —both while in love and while opposed. The drama in these moments maintains their dynamic without going overboard.

Generally, the plot focuses on these relationships and how they shape Elvis’ fame and musical abilities. The film attempts to draw attention to Elvis’ influences, specifically African American musicians and the blues and gospel music of the era.

Though it does include scenes on the famous Beale Street and Elvis’ relationship with his real life counterparts, like BB King and Big Mama Thorton, it often becomes reliant on the African American mentor archetype and falls short in representing the reality of their influence and fame.

Even with its best elements, Luhrmann’s “Elvis” all too often fails to hit the mark. Using the Colonel’s voice as a narrator is a fallback for the poor side characters — like Priscilla and the African American influences in Elvis’s life. “Elvis” ends up feeling like a sanitized version of reality when it could’ve been more honest.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Overall, the film failed to acurately represent many parts of Elvis’ life.

September 7, 2022

Women’s Soccer Falls to Hofstra and Yale

By MICHAEL HERNANDEZ ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS

After a rough start to the season, the Fordham women’s soccer team played their home opener last Thursday against Hofstra University at Jack Coffey Field to celebrate Youth Night. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the home welcome that the team was looking for, as they fell to Hofstra 1-0. The lone goal came after junior defender Olivia Redden fouled Leah Iglesias inside the penalty box in the 19th minute of the first half. The Pride’s defense player Anja Suttner then converted the following penalty and dispatched it into the bottom right corner of the net to give the visitors the lead.

Following the goal, the Rams were hunting for an equalizer and were close to finding it in the first half. In the 40th minute, Fordham had a free kick with senior forward Caitlin Kennedy bending a shot around the wall to the left post, but Hofstra goalkeeper Skylar Kuzmich was able to make a diving save to keep the visitors’ lead. After halftime, Hofstra almost doubled their lead from a corner that went over the head of the Rams’ freshman goalkeeper Kyla King. However, Redden was able to clear the corner to keep it a 1-0 scoreline. Fordham had more chances in the second half but were unable to convert any of them. After 90 minutes of play, Hofstra won with a scoreline of 1-0.

Kuzmich had five saves in her shutout and King had four saves.

The following Sunday, Fordham traveled to New Haven, Conn., to face Yale University. For most of the first half, the game remained scoreless. However, in the 40th minute, Yale had an excellent through ball made by Ashley Kirschner, who slotted the ball past junior goalkeeper Maria O’Sullivan.

In the second half, Fordham was determined to find an equalizer and were on the attack from the kickoff, totalling 11 shots to the Bulldogs’ goalkeeper Maya Bellomo to no avail. There were two excellent chances for Fordham in the 51st and 77th minute but both were saved by Bellomo. In the 80th minute, there was an hour delay due to lightning. However, once the game resumed, another 20-minute pause was needed due to the lights in the stadium going out. After the prolonged match, which ended up taking three hours, Yale hung on to the lead and won the match due to the lone goal by Kirschner.

After these results, Fordham’s record is now 1-4. The Rams have two more upcoming games this week.

The first one has them traveling to Hamden, Conn. to face Quinnipiac University on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 2:30 p.m. After that, they return to New York City but are still on the road as they travel to face Columbia University on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 3 p.m. The Columbia game can be seen on ESPN+.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

The Rams lost a hard fought match against the Bulldogs last week.

Athletes of the Week

Whitley Moody

Junior Volleyball

Fordham Volleyball has jumped out of the gate to a 5-1 start on the back of junior Whitley Moody, propelling Fordham to two sweeps in the Rose Hill Classic. Moody totaled 41 kills, with only 17 attack errors, totaling 45 points on her weekend. Moody also played every set of every game, contributing to two sweeps and playing all five sets in a 3-2 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson University. Moody also won Atlantic 10 player of the week.

Page 13

The Puzzling Home Form of the New York Red Bulls

By NICK GUZMAN SPORTS EDITOR

Since Red Bull Arena opened in March 2010, the New York Red Bulls have never had a losing record at home in Major League Soccer (MLS) play. The 25,000 seat stadium in Harrison, N.J. is historically known throughout MLS as a tough place to play for road opposition. This year, however, that theme has changed drastically.

The Red Bulls currently sit at 4-5-6 at home, in danger of their first losing season ever within the friendly confines of Red Bull Arena. That mark is the worst in MLS in terms of home winning percentage. But perhaps even more puzzling is that the Red Bulls currently sit at third in the eastern conference, comfortably in a playoff position. This is thanks to their incredible 9-3-3 road record, which is the best in all of MLS. How can a team perform so poorly at home yet succeed in such a profound way on the road? For one, the Red Bulls’ style of play lends itself to a low-possession, high-pressing style of soccer. Typically, teams on the road like to sit back and absorb pressure, choosing their moments carefully to attack on offense. This is exactly what teams do when they come to Red Bull Arena, and what the Red Bulls do when they go on the road. While the Red Bulls have their high pace style of soccer down to a tee against teams who like to possess the ball, New York still hasn’t figured out how to break down a defense sitting in a low-block.

In eight of their nine road wins this year, the Red Bulls possessed the ball less than 40% of the time. That number dropped as low as 22% in a win against Austin FC at Q2 Stadium. This is a team that thrives on the counter with players such as Lewis Morgan, Luquinhas and new signing Elias Manoel. When trying to break down a defense that is sitting deep defending their own box, these kinds of players aren’t as effective.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

The Red Bulls home and away splits remain a mystery this season.

In my opinion, Red Bull Arena’s dwindling attendance the last few years also plays a factor. In the early-to-mid 2010s, the Red Bulls’ average home attendance never dipped below 18,000 fans, and reached as high as 21,175 in 2017. That number represented the peak of a gradual increase each year since the stadium’s opening. Since then, numbers have dropped significantly, even before the pandemic. Attendance dipped in 2018 and again in 2019, with average crowds dropping to 17,279 people. Discounting 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 capacity restrictions, the Red Bulls have averaged a measly 16,489 fans per game in 2022 with no restrictions on attendance.

While there are a variety of factors for this attendance drop including the stadium’s location, a lack of marketable players and a lack of postseason success over the years, the fact remains that Red Bull Arena is not the loud fortress that it once was. Sure, we’ve seen big crowds at points this season against NYCFC and Inter Miami, but teams are no

HOME AWAY

Wednesday Thursday Sept. 7 Sept. 8

Friday Sept. 9

Quinnipiac 2:30 p.m.

Monday Sept. 12

Loyola 4 p.m.

UMBC 6 p.m.

Columbia 3 p.m.

Women’s Soccer

Football

Sunday Sept. 11

Montana State North Dakota 6 p.m.

1 p.m.

Volleyball Men’s Soccer

Saturday Sept. 10 Fordham Fiasco 10 a.m.

Fordham Fiasco 10:45 a.m.

Women’s Cross Country

Water Polo Each week, The Fordham Ram’s Sports section honors two athletes for their on-field performances as their “Athletes of the Week.”

longer scared to come to Red Bull Arena.

That was on display this past weekend against Philadelphia, where a depleted Red Bulls’ supporters section was out chanted by a raucous group of traveling Union fans across the stadium.

Come playoff time, the top four teams within the Eastern Conference get a home playoff match. The Red Bulls, currently sitting in third place, could very well end up finishing in one of those positions. They showed strides of improving against a low block against Inter Miami two weeks ago in a 3-1 win. Although some fans have suggested that the Red Bulls would be better off without a home playoff match, everything is different come playoff time. Crowds will definitely show out, and Red Bull Arena will be packed.

Despite the wacky and unpredictable trends of this season, it remains to be the Red Bulls main focus that they secure a home playoff game for their best chance of winning a MLS Cup, and ending their winning drought.

Varsity Calendar Men’s Cross Country

The Rams survived a scare against Wagner College last Thursday, headlined by their fifth year signal caller awakening the Fordham offense in the second half. DeMorat finished the game with five touchdowns and 386 yards in the air with a lone interception, completing 18 of his 25 pass attempts on the day.

Tim DeMorat Senior Football

SPORTS

Cal Lutheran 2:15 p.m.

Monmouth University 1 p.m.

Princeton 2:15 p.m.

Tuesday Sept. 13th

SPORTS

September 7, 2022

Men’s Soccer Kicks Off Regular Season

By MADDIE BIMONTE ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The Fordham men’s soccer team is off to a positive start to the season as they played three matches over the past two weeks.

Facing Providence University, Long Island University and Manhattan College, the Rams showcased not only their offensive skills, but their defensive prowess.

The first match against the #16 Providence Friars was held in check by the Rams’ defense.

Finishing at a 0-0 score, there were a few opportunities from the offense. Fordham was able to hold the Friars to only three shots in the first half; however, things heated up during the second.

While the Rams were outshot 11-10, graduate student goalkeeper Demetri Skoumbakis recorded four saves in the match.

Providence’s few attempts came from Brendan McSorley, with shots in the 16th and 25th minute.

The strongest chance for the Rams came late in the game, with a shot from junior midfielder Florian Deletioglu, however it was saved by Providence’s Lukas Burns. He would go on to have another shot later in the game, after Providence was dealt a yellow card in the 89th minute to no avail.

While coming away with a tie, the game showcased Fordham’s ability to hold on next to a top 25 team. Fordham did have a high foul count with 20 compared to Providence’s 10.

The second match against Long Island University served as a welcome to new team members.

STAFF WRITER

The San Diego Padres may have been the darlings of this season’s trade deadline. They acquired young phenom outfielder Juan Soto in addition to powerhitting first baseman Josh Bell.

On the mound, the Friars helped their cause by trading for veteran reliever, Josh Hader. The flurry of moves had the baseball world shaking, but it may be another team in California that should be truly feared as we get closer to early October.

The Los Angeles Dodgers may have had the highest expectations entering the season. How could they not? They were set to have one of the best lineups in baseball and a pitching rotation headlined by the young, seasoned Walker Buehler. However, the Hollywood script did not go according to plan.

The team sputtered out of the gate, and held a 13-7 record by the end of April. Injuries to key relief pitchers such as Blake Treinen, the young stud Buehler and a slew of other names later in the season forced many to wonder whether or not L.A. could weather the storm.

Luckily for Dodgertown, the team rocketed to an MLB best 27-7 record to begin post All-Star game play. They lead the MLB in runs and on-base percentage.

L.A.’s offense has helped them get past the number of injuries

Varsity Scores & Stats Men’s Cross Country Stony Brook Invitational 4th/6 Teams Women’s Cross Country Stony Brook Invitational

5th/7 teams

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Football Fordham Wagner

48 31

The Rams are off to a solid start after their first three regular season games.

Graduate student defenseman Timo Hummrich and freshman forward Nathan Simes both contributed to the Rams’ win with each having a goal and an assist.

It also served as a homecoming game for Skoumbakis, who came to Fordham from Long Island.

Hummrich got the first goal of the game in the 26th minute, coming off a cross from Simes to easily knock it past the goalkeeper. Simes later returned the favor in the 88th minute when the defenseman Hummrich broke toward the box, and passed to Simes at the six-yard box. Simes then knocked the ball in, ultimately being the goal to decide this match. Fordham from then on had the extra-man advantage, as Emil Jaaskelainen of the Sharks was dealt his second yellow card.

The Rams conceded a goal to Long Island in the 53rd minute.

A handball call occurred in the box, subsequently awarding a penalty kick to the Sharks. The ball, shot into the upper left corner by Michael Mollica, was not enough to overpower the Rams,

giving Fordham a 2-1 win for the first time against the Sharks since 2000.

Facing off against Manhattan last night, the Rams played a hard fought match. Simes and the Rams capitalized in the first half off of a fumble by the Jaspers’ goalkeeper, taking an early lead in the 14th minute. Soon after, Fordham missed a penalty kick to make it 2-0, as Danny DiMarco picked the right way to keep the Jaspers in the game.

Manhattan answered back with a goal late in the first half. The game would stay tied until the 67th minute mark when Simes scored off a penalty, slotting the ball in the bottom right corner. A long shot from Deletioglu made the score 3-1, cementing the win for the Rams.

The Rams will be back at home to face off against the University of Maryland, Baltimore County on Friday at 6 p.m. They will take on Loyola University, Maryland on the road at 4 p.m. on Monday.

Both games will be live on ESPN+ to follow along.

Dodgertown, USA

By COLIN LOUGHRAN

Page 14

that have nagged their pitchers all season. First baseman Freddie Freeman has somewhat quietly been one the best bats in the game.

He’s currently hitting .322 and has collected 82 RBI’s in the process. Freeman, along with Mookie Betts, Will Smith, Cody Bellinger, Trea Turner and a myriad of other position players have made up a balanced offensive attack that is able to beat opposing pitchers in a variety of ways. They can hit for both power and contact. This is a rarity in today’s “all-or-nothing” game. It could be a deadly combination in the postseason. Indeed, the Dodger’s offense is impressive, but it was also expected.

Not many doubted L.A. would be able to put runs on the scoreboard, but this season’s parade of injured pitchers presented a serious challenge. Runs mean nothing if a club’s pitching can’t protect a potential lead.

Los Angeles rose to the challenge. Buehler has been out since June. Former Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw is aging and has spent time on the IL. Even still, starters such as Tony Gosolin and Julio Urias have stepped up. Before Gonsolin suffered a forearm strain, the righty was in the midst of an All-Star season and had already earned 16 wins with a 2.10 ERA. Urías has also dealt for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Thus far, the Mexican product

has gone 15-7 with a sizzling 2.29 ERA. However, the biggest surprise of the Dodgers rotation may be Tyler Anderson. The southpaw signed a one year, $8 million contract with the Dodgers and has exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. Prior to the 2022 campaign, Anderson had never won more than seven games or submitted an ERA under four over the course of a season. This year, he has a 2.68 ERA. Further, the highly successful return of Dustin May adds yet another layer to the fold.

The Dodgers rotational depth extends into the bullpen as well.

World Series Champion Chris Martin was added at the trade deadline.

Evan Phillips, Brusdar Gaterol and Alex Vesia have been consistently serviceable with Treinen, Victor González and Tommy Kahnle all on the injured list.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are a team that contains star hitters and an assortment of humble pitchers that have helped secure the MLB’s lowest team ERA. There are certainly healthier NL team’s such as the Padres, Mets and the Atlanta Braves. But, the road to the 2022 World Series may still go through Dodgertown.

No matter what’s been thrown at them, they’ve just continued to keep on winning against anyone who comes their way.

Fordham LIU

2 1

Fordham Manhattan

3 1

Women’s Soccer Fordham Hofstra

0 1

Fordham Yale

0 1

9 15

Volleyball Rose Hill Classic Fordham Farleigh Dickinson

3 2

Water Polo Rose Hill Classic Fordham Harvard

Fordham Niagara

3 0

Fordham MIT

14 7

Fordham Penn

3 0

Fordham Gannon

28 8

Fordham Pacific

7 13

Men’s Soccer Fordham Providence

0 0

–Compiled by Maddie Bimonte

News & Notes Fordham Men’s Basketball Releases Non-Conference Schedule Fordham Men’s Basketball recently announced their non-conference games for the upcoming season, facing off against a variety of schools across the country. To kick it off, the Rams will face Dartmouth University on Nov. 7, followed by the University of Arkansas and the University of New Hampshire. Then, the Rams will host the Tom Konchalski Classic featuring the University of Illinois Chicago, College of the Holy Cross, Stonehill College and Harvard University. The rest of the schedule fills out with the following schools: University of Maine, Tulane University, Wagner College, Binghamton University, Central Connecticut State University and Virginia Military Institute.

Fordham Sports Holding Tryouts Both Fordham Softball and Baseball will be hosting tryouts for potential new athletes on Sept. 9 and 13, respectively. Interested student-athletes must be full-time Fordham students. To sign up, you must have a copy of a physical conducted within the last six months by a licensed medical physician, a signed copy of a HIPPA release and a signed copy of the Tryout Approval and Assumption of Risk form submitted by Sept. 9. In addition, potential recruits must be tested for sickle cell trait or show proof of a prior test.

Follow us on Twitter at @theram_ sports

SPORTS

September 7, 2022

Student Athlete Column: Something to Prove

By TAYLOR MASCETTA STAFF WRITER

Quick introduction in case you don’t know me — hi, I’m Taylor, and I’m a senior on Fordham’s track and cross country teams. Call me crazy, but I enjoy running in circles.

In elementary school, I was terrible at literally every single sport. Whenever the dodgeball unit rolled around, you’d find me cowering in the corner. But I always felt that I was good at this running thing. I was the only kid in my gym class who actually looked forward to the yearly mile time trial. So, over a decade later, I’m still at it, and it’s pretty cool to say that I’m a Division 1 athlete.

Every year I come into preseason knowing I’ve got time to reach my goals. However, what makes this year different is that my running career is nearing its end.

Well, not entirely. If there is one thing I could thank the pandemic for, it’s the extra year of athletic eligibility — one more year of running around like a lunatic. So I’ll be sticking around for one more go, but after graduation everything’s still going to feel a little different. Some of my closest friends are moving on after this year concludes. Once graduation rolls around, it may very well be the last time we’re all in the same place together for quite a while. It’s both exciting and terrifying to think about.

I’m excited to see everyone reach their dreams, but terrified to lose them at the same time.

My class has three seasons left together, and if there’s one thing I’m thinking about coming into this year, it’s proving something. I don’t know if it’s

for myself, my team or those watching me back home, but I just have this inclination towards doing something special with the rest of my time here.

There are still so many goals I want to achieve and it’s scary to feel that time is running out to achieve them. I want to run a mile in under five minutes, I want to break my 800 PR that’s been hanging over my head since high school, I want to leave an Atlantic 10 Championship with a medal draped around my neck.

There’s so many things I want to do and they’re so close I can practically taste them. Literally. I’ve run 5:01 in the mile, was a half-second off my 800 PR back in February and got fourth at A-10s in the 4x800.

The universe is taunting me at this point.

I have quite a bit of unfinished business from last season too. I was in arguably the best shape of my life heading into outdoor track, hitting PRs left and right and finally building back some self-confidence.

Then, one day, my toe started cramping up randomly. Needless to say, I discovered there’s

no muscle in your toe that can cramp, and that instead my bones were literally swelling up from overuse. So yeah, something called sesamoiditis wiped out the rest of my season, leaving me on the sidelines wondering what could’ve been. But if there’s one thing I always tell myself, it’s that everything happens for a reason.

I had my first race back from my injury this past Saturday.

Long story short, it didn’t go well. I ran much slower than last year, every hill felt like a death march and I just got swallowed up by the pack. At first I was really upset about it, but since coming to Fordham, I’ve learned to trust the process. Every setback I’ve faced has set the foundation for something even better to take its place.

I’m so excited for what’s in store for my teammates and I this year. Coming off of our victories at the Metropolitan Championships and the multiple A-10 medalists in our ranks, we all want to do something really special this year.

I know for a fact that we can.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Taylor Mascetta has big things planned for her senior season.

Page 15

A League Of Her Own

By RYAN OLSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Witnessing greatness is not something that should be taken for granted, and this past week at the U.S. Open was a firm reminder of just that. On Friday night, Serena Williams’ illustrious tennis career came to an end in a thrilling three-set loss to Ajla Tomljanović in the third round of the U.S. Open.

Earlier in August, Williams announced that the U.S. Open would be the last tennis tournament of her career. Immediately after, ticket prices soared as people across the globe desperately tried to secure a seat to witness her last hurrah. A woman born and raised in Compton, Calif. would take center court on Asche one last time with absolutely nothing left to prove.

Nevertheless, many doubted her ability to make it past the first round considering her poor play of late, as well as her rather limited mobility in comparison to her younger competitors.

Despite these potential shortcomings, it is never a good idea to bet against greatness, and Williams proved just that. The 23-time Grand Slam champion gave tennis fans a reason to believe that number 24 was in the works. A dominant straight-set victory on Monday followed by an impressive victory in round two over Anett Kontaveit, the second-ranked female player in the world, had New York City and the tennis world buzzing.

That was until the 29-year-old Australian took the court on Friday night.

Ajla Tomljanović proved that she could handle the spotlight, as well as the jeers towards her and cheers for Williams.

Tomljanović attacked Williams’ weaknesses and wore her out as

the match progressed. Her impressive performance should not be completely overshadowed by the end of Williams’ career. On Friday evening, one career ended while another may have just begun.

Williams’ play this past week was nothing short of remarkable. Her serve was electric as she hit triple digits time and time again. Her mobility was good enough, and she made up for it with explosive ground strokes that completely dismantled her opponents. While Friday night marked the end of her days on the tennis court for now, she did not completely rule out a potential return to the game when asked about her future following the loss. Whether or not Williams ever plays again is beside the point, as her legacy will continue till the end of time.

For the past 27 years, Williams has spoiled us with her dominant play and exceptional sportsmanship. Though, it is worth noting what she has done off the court as well, because that is why her legacy will continue to live on.

Both Williams and her sister, Venus, have opened doors for greater diversity in sports. The Williams sisters have contributed a great deal of time and effort towards the creation of a tennis center in Washington D.C. Additionally, Serena Williams has inspired others by sharing the struggles she experienced during childbirth. By doing so, Williams has raised awareness for the struggles women face around the globe. Serena Williams is a class act; through her leadership, respect and accountability, she has embodied what every athlete and person should aspire to be.

Williams has not only transformed tennis, but also our culture and community. From all of us, thank you, Serena.

Water Polo Splits Opening Series 2-2

By LOU ORLANDO STAFF WRITER

Fordham Water Polo opened the season this past weekend with the Bruno Classic, hosted

by Harvard University, splitting the four game series 2-2.

Entering the season ranked 17th in the national top 20 poll, the Rams were immediately tested with two games against top 20 opponents.

Fordham opened play on Saturday morning with a matchup against #16 Harvard University, falling 15-9. The Rams held a 2-1 lead at the end of the first quarter behind goals from sophomore George Papanikolaou and freshman Balazs Berenyi. Harvard responded strongly, scoring six straight goals to take a 7-2 lead. Goals from senior Curtis Vidinoff and sophomore Lucas Nieto Jasny cut the Harvard lead down to 8-4 at halftime, but Harvard maintained their offensive attack in the second half as they pulled away with a six goal victory. Berenyi tallied two goals in his Fordham debut while Jasny and Papanikolaou combined for another five goals and three assists.

The Rams bounced back, winning their Saturday afternoon game against Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 14-7. Taking a 3-2 lead into the second quarter, Fordham exploded in the second quarter with six goals from six different players. Fordham maintained the lead for the remainder of the game. Sophomore Jacopo Parrella notched three goals and two steals in his season debut, while Berenyi scored two goals in his second straight game.

Fordham followed up their win over MIT with a dominant 28-8 win over Gannon University on Sunday morning. Their 28 goals were the most scored since 1971, when the Rams put up 30 against Penn State. The Rams’ offensive attack was on full display as 12 of the 15 players to play in the game had at least one goal.

Berenyi shined once again, scoring six goals to pair with three assists. Sophomore Victor Schultz, junior Nacho Ariste and Jasny all had hat tricks while Parella scored a pair of goals to go with four assists and four steals. Freshmen Brendan Cassidy and Jagger McMannis each scored the first two goals of their Fordham careers.

The Rams closed out the Bruno Classic with a Sunday afternoon matchup against #5 University of the Pacific. Fordham played them close, but ultimately fell 13-7. The Rams took a 2-1 lead in the first. Pacific took a 5-2 lead early in the second, but Fordham battled back to tie it at five. Pacific regained the lead again on two straight goals, but a last second extra-man goal from Vidinoff cut the lead down to 7-6 at half time. The Rams trailed 9-7 after three quarters but the Tigers scored four goals in the fourth quarter to seal the 13-7 win. Vidinoff and Parrella both tallied a pair of goals as the Rams offense came up short, being held to just one goal in the second half.

All in all, it was a promising opening series for Fordham.

The Rams did not look overmatched against two nationally ranked opponents, battling against #16 Harvard University and playing within two goals of #5 University of the Pacific until the final quarter. It’s worth noting that the Rams were without graduate student Nir Gross and sophomore Luca Silvestri, two impact transfers, for the entire series while Jacopo Parrella did

not play in the season opener against Harvard because of a red flag from the end of last season.

Fordham’s big trio of Parrella, Papanikolaou and Jasny is already off to a strong start, combining for 21 goals. It’s early, but Berenyi looks like he could have a major impact as a freshman, scoring 10 goals in his first three games.

Sophomore goalies Thomas Lercari and Riccardo Di Giuseppe both saw time, with Lercari notching 11 saves against Pacific. The goaltender position will certainly be something to keep an eye on this season as the team will look to fill the void of all-time saves leader Bailey O’Mara.

The Rams travel to Princeton University next weekend

for the Princeton Invitational.

They’ll kick off the invitational on Saturday, Sept. 10 against California Lutheran University before a pair of Sunday games against St. Francis Brooklyn and Princeton.

The two Sunday games will be another tough early test for the Rams, as St. Francis Brooklyn and Princeton met in the Northeast Water Polo Conference (NEWPC) Championship last year. Princeton went on to eliminate Fordham in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

As coach Brian Bacharach noted before the start of the season, these early season tests will give Fordham a better idea of where they stand in comparison to the rest of the nation.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham Water Polo opened their season against four tough opponents.

SPORTS

Page 16

September 7, 2022

Fordham Football Tops Wagner to Open 2022 Season

By NICK GUZMAN SPORTS EDITOR

All successful seasons have to start somewhere. The 2022 Fordham Football campaign is no different. While last season began against a power five school on national television, this season began in a slightly different way: with a trip to Staten Island.

On Thursday, Fordham used a strong second half to defeat Wagner College 48-31 in the opening game of the 2022 season.

Senior Tim DeMorat was front and center of the win, with the quarterback completing 18 of 25 passes for 386 yards and five touchdowns in addition to a rushing score.

It was a slow start for Fordham initially against a much-improved Wagner team that was winless a year ago. The Seahawks struck first midway through the first quarter with Ricky Spruill's two-yard touchdown run. Fordham responded immediately on the following drive, with DeMorat finding senior wide receiver MJ Wright for a 36-yard score to knot things at seven.

The Rams took the lead in the second quarter behind another long touchdown from DeMorat, this time to senior receiver Garrett Cody to put Fordham up a score.

But, Naiem Simmons hauled in a 34-yard touchdown from Wagner quarterback Nick Kargman to tie the game at 14 a piece.

Sloppy play from Fordham followed for the remainder of the half.

After a big 65-yard pass to senior wide receiver Fotis Kokosioulis took the Rams all the way down to the one yard line, DeMorat was picked off on second and goal to keep Fordham off the board.

Then, with the score still tied near the end of the half, a screen pass by DeMorat that was deflected at the line of scrimmage was ruled to be a backwards pass, allowing Wagner’s Christian Davis to scoop and score to give the Seahawks a 21-14 lead.

“Obviously there were a lot of mistakes in the first half,” Fordham head coach Joe Conlin said after the game. “We had opportunities to put it in inside the five that we didn’t capitalize on.”

Things changed in the second half, with the Rams cleaning up their mistakes and clicking on offense. Wright hauled in another DeMorat touchdown four minutes into the third quarter, but a failed extra point attempt kept Wagner in front 21-20.

The Seahawks added seven more four minutes later on a 29yard Jayvin Little touchdown from Kargman, but Fordham took over from there.

Four straight Fordham touchdowns followed, starting with a 44-yard bomb from DeMorat to Kokosioulis to get the Rams within a point. Another long touchdown

Fordham Volleyball Sweeps Rose Hill Classic

By MILES GROSSMAN STAFF WRITER

Fordham Volleyball hosted the 19th Annual Rose Hill Classic this past weekend, and did not disappoint. Entering the tournament, the Rams stood at 2-1 overall with several crucial questions yet to be answered regarding their line-up and deeper yet, their identity. But after three wins this weekend — including two sweeps — we may have seen a new look for the Rams, a product that head coach Ian Choi will look to replicate throughout the rest of the 2022 season.

Choi started the season by slotting freshman Audrey Brown in the starting lineup alongside senior setter Megan Brzozowski.

After a narrow five-set victory over the less than formidable Fairleigh Dickinson University to begin the Rose Hill Classic, Choi decided to make some changes.

In the line-up’s current iteration, the talented duo of Brown and Brzozowski have found their way to a “sixth-man” role in Choi’s new system as the first two players off the bench.

In addition, senior co-captain Lauren Arzuaga was given her first collegiate start, paired with freshman Mackenzie Colvin, who was also starting for the first time at the college level. These changes proved to be fruitful as the Rams wrapped up the Classic with two sweeps over Niagara University and the University of Pennsylvania.

The Rams now stand at 5-1 with a clear identity and group of reli-

able sparks getting very familiar with their new roles. Brown and Brzozowski coming off the bench provide Choi with a balanced attack throughout a match. In fact, it now appears that Choi’s strongest lineup materializes when the starters are getting some rest, a true example of coaching wizardry.

While Colvin seems to have earned herself a starting spot, she may not even be the most impactful freshman the Rams have. Both freshman Zoe Talabong and Brown have played major roles in the Rams’ early success with their stellar outside presence.

With a plethora of offensive options, including three explosive freshmen, the Rams have many ways to succeed. It’s still very early in the season, but the Ram’s depth should make them the sort of squad no-one wants to face come Atlantic 10 play.

After a dominant performance on their home court, Fordham will now travel to Grand Forks, North Dakota, for the University of North Dakota Classic to compete against Montana State and the hosts of the tourney. Wrapping up out west, they’ll then move to another early season tournament in New Haven, Conn. at the Yale Invitational, all before A-10 play begins at home against the defending conference champions, the University of Dayton.

This tough travel schedule, in addition to the competition they’ll encounter, will give Choi’s Rams an opportunity to cement their identity just a bit more.

pass came with 30 seconds to play in the third quarter, this time a 42yard strike to Cody. This gave the Rams a 34-28 lead and made it two touchdown catches each for Cody and Wright.

After a big fourth down stop by the Fordham defense with six minutes to go in the game, DeMorat grabbed his sixth total touchdown of the day with a two-yard run to put the Rams up 41-28.

Graduate student running back Trey Snead further emphasized Fordham’s superiority with his first touchdown of the year, a four-yard rush that sealed the deal for the Rams. Wagner added a field goal late, but Fordham emerged victorious from Staten Island.

On the play of DeMorat, who was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts, Conlin said, “He stayed with it.

Tim’s one of the toughest kids I’ve ever been around. I didn’t have to say anything to him at halftime because I knew he was more disappointed in himself than anyone else. He came out and played great in the second half …the kid’s a winner.”

Alongside DeMorat, Fordham’s receivers had big days. Kokosioulis totaled 152 yards and a touchdown on seven catches, Cody added 83 yards and two scores on just two catches while Wright found the end-zone twice on three catches for 79 yards.

Sophomore Julius Loughridge handled the bulk of the carries, totalling 114 yards on 20 attempts.

Graduate student linebacker Ryan Greehagen delivered a solid performance upon returning from an ACL related injury, recording a team-leading nine total tackles and a sack. Other Ram defenders with big games were graduate student defensive back Anthony Tony-Itoyah and senior linebacker Jackson Barletta, who each recorded an interception.

The Rams, who started 0-3 last season with tough non-conference games, are off to a winning start in 2022. They’ll look to continue their momentum on Saturday with

another test against Monmouth University, a team that topped Fordham 24-23 in the second week of last season.

Their are two more non-conference games that follow: the homecoming game against the University of Albany on Sept.

17 and a trip to Ohio University the following weekend. Patriot League play begins for the Rams at home against Georgetown University on Oct. 1, which is Family Weekend.

Despite the first half hiccups, Fordham Football has a lot to be happy about as they prepare for next week's showdown against Monmouth University.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

DeMorat and the offense ran wild for a second half comeback win.

Cross Country Opens Season at Stony Brook Invitational

By COLIN LOUGHRAN STAFF WRITER

A good start often indicates that an even greater finish is on the horizon. This is the line of thinking one should consider when explaining Fordham Cross Country’s first competition of the season this past Saturday.

Both the men’s and women’s units were present for the annual Stony Brook Invitational, where both individual and team success was measured against some other top notch programs such as Columbia University and Quinnipiac University.

As expected, Fordham performed valiantly and, while neither collective team won their respective competitions, there

are certainly a number of positives that should be cause for optimism.

The men finished fourth out of six teams and collected 97 points in the process. Junior Steven Zucca led the charge, clocking in at 19:16.6 and individually finishing 10th in the 6K race.

Freshman Nicholas Grabarz was not far behind Zucca. He placed 21st with a time of 19:54.0.

Junior Justin Lombardi also had a strong showing. The junior finished 26th in the field of 67, coming in at 20:18.30. Further, graduate student Zalen Nelson, freshmen Ben Borchers, Matthew Febles and Trevor Rinn all finished between spots 30-40.

The women’s crew placed fifth out of the seven teams involved

and earned 128 points. Senior Alexandra Thomas was the top finisher for Fordham.

The Tappan, N.Y. product finished 12th in the 71-person field, and ended with a time of 14:54.4 over the 4K run.

Sophomore Caroline McDonagh and senior Mary Kathryn Underwood also had solid days. Each placed between spots 20 and 30, and helped keep their crew in the competition. All told, it was a good start for cross country’s season.

However, this is a bunch that holds themselves to high standards. One can be sure they see next Saturday’s Fordham Fiasco at Van Cortlandt Park as a golden opportunity to build on Stony Brook, and ensure that their good start serves as a prelude to an even greater finish.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

The Fordham cross country team got off to a great start that they can certainly build upon.