Volume 106 Issue 15

The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 Volume 106, Issue 15

TheFordhamRam.com

September 25, 2024

Ed Kull Departs to St. John’s , Charlie Elwood Appointed Interim Athletic Director

Commuter Student Assocation Hosts First Inauguration

By NISHANTH ADUMA

By NORA MALONE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

NEWS EDITOR

On Monday, Sept. 16, the Fordham University Commuter Student Association (CSA) hosted its first annual inauguration of its 2024-25 executive board.

“Our inauguration definitely set a precedent that this is a new year with new opportunities and new experiences,” said Crystal Wu, GSB ’25, vice president of CSA. “We definitely want to leave CSA in a good spot where rising seniors can take over CSA and lead CSA to a new level.”

Wu was inaugurated last week along with President Kellen Zeng, GSB ’25, Program Coordinator Sabina Zheng, GSB ’25, Treasurer Oscar Zeng, GSB ’25, Class Programmer Jasmine James, FCRH ’26, Marketing Coordinator Allison Moy, GSB ’25 and Outreach Coordinator Natalie Kamble, GSB ’25. Dean Catharine McGlade swore in the executive board members.

“This is the first time that CSA has ever done an inauguration, so we’re really keen on starting this long-lasting tradition,” said Zeng.

COURTESY OF THE FORDHAM UNIVERSITY WEBSITE

The Graduate School of Social Service is located at Fordham’s Westchester Campus.

Fordham Files Official Complaint Against 2U

By MICHAEL DUKE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fordham University has filed a complaint against 2U, a company that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year.

Fordham has a contractual relationship with 2U to support degree programs to students.

2U’s website describes the company as being a “global online learning platform” for students to “improve their lives and

communities.” The company offers services to more than 260 higher educational institutions and partners and has a “learner network” of more than 89 million individuals.

For Fordham students, 2U’s partnership with the university is designated as an online outlet to “[offer] a variety of degree programs online” while simultaneously “empowering more people with the ability to advance their professions in the 21st century.”

SEE CSA, PAGE 5

2U’s website states that “[w]ith interest in online education growing, Fordham University made a choice to pursue digital opportunities,” while also working with faculty to “build the technology infrastructure, robust support network, and engaging course content to deliver an impactful education.”

Specifically, 2U offers support and online options to SEE 2U, PAGE 4

Fordham Hosts Second Annual Humanities Day

By STUART CREMER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

meetings and focus groups she has been holding with students throughout the summer.

“One of my main focus points last year and even as we head into this year is continuing to find meaningful and wonderful opportunities to engage with students,

Last Thursday, Sept. 19, the Humanities Student Ambassadors (HSA) held Fordham University’s second annual Humanities Day, sponsored by the Fordham Alumni Association and Fordham College at Rose Hill. HSA is a relatively new club on the Rose Hill campus, specializing in professional development for humanities students so they can feel confident in their postgraduation job search. HSA copresidents Mia Guzzo, FCRH ’25, an English major and women, gender, and sexuality studies and marketing minor, and Ciara Bavis, FCRH ’25, an art history and communications major, organized the event with the help of the HSA advisor and the Career Center’s Assistant

SEE SLC, PAGE 4

SEE HOSTS, PAGE 4

COURTESY OF NORA MALONE/THE FORDHAM RAM

The Student Life Council assembles representatives from various clubs and departments.

Student Life Council Hosts Vice President Michele Burris

By NORA MALONE NEWS EDITOR

On Sept. 18, the Fordham University Student Life Council (SLC) held its first meeting of the 2024-25 academic year.

The group meets each month to foster a connection between students and administration. Vice

President for Student Affairs Michele Burris was the guest; FitzSimons Fellow Anthony Berry was invited but could not attend due to illness.

No public agenda items were submitted, so the meeting began with a short introduction

by Burris. She spoke about the

Fordham University’s athletic department is undergoing a significant leadership transition following the departure of Athletic Director Ed Kull, who has accepted a new position at St. John’s University. Charlie Elwood was named interim director of athletics on Sept. 14 following Kull’s departure. Elwood, formerly a senior associate athletic director at St. John’s, brings considerable experience to Fordham during this transition period.

During Kull’s tenure, Fordham Athletics experienced notable improvements in athletic performance and financial support. One of his key achievements was raising more than $10 million to benefit student-athletes, including a record-setting $5 million for the New Era Fund, which specifically supported the basketball programs. His tenure also saw Fordham celebrate conference titles and NCAA berths in Water Polo, Men’s Soccer, Softball and Women’s Tennis.

Kull’s hiring of Kyle Neptune as head coach for Men’s Basketball in the 2021-22 season resulted in an immediate improvement in team performance. Following Neptune’s departure, Keith Urgo was promoted, leading the team to 25 wins, which tied for the second-highest win total in program history. Kull also extended the contract of football head coach Joe Conlin, whose team advanced to the FCS playoffs in 2022.

At his St. John’s press conference, Kull expressed his gratitude to Fordham President Tania Tetlow, Joseph M. McShane, president emeritus, and the Board of Trustees for their confidence and support. Kull remarked on his time at Fordham: “When I took SEE KULL, PAGE 5

in this issue

Opinion Page 7

Celebrities and Politics: Navigating the Fine Line of Civic Engagement

Culture

Page 11

A Farmers' Market Across the Street

Sports

Page 17

“There's No Substitute”: Alex Morgan’s Career, Impact and Legacy

NEWS

Page 2

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS

September 25, 2024

Thomas More College: 60 Years of Women at Rose Hill

Arthur House II Sept. 21 2:20 p.m.

On Saturday, there was a smoke alarm in Arthur House II. A supervisor and the FDNY responded. The investigation revealed a student using hair spray triggered the alarm. The supervisor ventilated the area and reset the alarm panel.

Rose Hill Campus Sept. 22 10 a.m.

On Sunday, the Public Safety Office recieved eight calls about an odor of gas present on the Rose Hill Campus. The odor remained on campus for 15 minutes. There was no danger.

The supervisor called the 52nd Precinct Desk. A gas line had ruptured on Bedford Park Blvd. between Webster and Decatur Avenues. The roadways in that area were closed with emergency vehicles. The incident had no effect on vehicles entering or leaving campus.

189th Street Sept. 22 8:05 p.m.

On Sunday, a student reported that, while walking on 189th St., a male snatched their cell phone from their hand and fled on Hoffman St. on a moped. The supervisor responded and canvassed the area. The offender was not located. The reporter declined the NYPD. Off Campus Sept. 18 7:31 p.m.

On Wednesday, a student reported there was a homeless male sitting on the couch in the living room of their off-campus residence. The supervisor responded and removed the male from the residence and the NYPD transported the male to Saint Barnabas Hospital. The student said that they left the back door unlocked.

On Sept. 18, The Fordham Ram ran an article titled “Shonni Enelow Appointed New English Chair.” The article incorrectly stated that Enelow has published film criticism for the Atlantic.

Enelow has published criticism for Criterion and Film Comment.

The article has been revised for accuracy in the online edition.

– Sofia Donohue, Editor-inChief, Volume 106

COURTESY OF MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Fordham University opened the Thomas More College for Women in 1964, marking the start of women attending the university.

By JULIANNA MORALES FEATURES EDITOR

The process of transforming Fordham University into an entirely coeducational institution was a slow one. The first Fordham offerings available to women came from Fordham Law School in 1918, when the school released its start-ofterm ad with the addition of a new phrase, “course open to women.”

That year, eight women attended the law school.

The next opening for women came in 1944. The College of Business Administration (now known as the Gabelli School of Business) was moving back to Manhattan after spending the last two years operating out of Collins Hall at Rose Hill when they decided to implement another change by allowing women to enroll. This would prove helpful to the university, as women enrolled so rapidly it made up for the enrollment decline Fordham had faced as a result of World War II. Within the first semester, women composed the majority of the student body.

When Fordham College at Rose Hill opened to women in 1964, it looked different from the law and business schools’ coeducation journeys. The university opened a separate undergraduate school, Thomas More College, for women to enroll.

Raymond A. Schroth, S.J., wrote about Thomas More College in his article, “How Women Came to Fordham: The Life and Death of Thomas More College.” He explained that former

President Vincent O’Keefe, S.J., planned to establish a coeducational college in 1963, but was shut down by Fordham College Jesuits who were determined to stick to the status quo.

It was O’Keefe’s successor, Joseph R. Frese, S.J., who proposed the highly prestigious women’s college named after St. Thomas More.

“First Thomas More Coed Accepted” headlined the Nov. 14, 1963, edition of The Fordham Ram. The article describes Joan Ann Poroski, who was the first woman committed to attending Thomas More College. Though she was coming to the university as a highly accomplished aspiring biology major, the article paid much attention to her appearance. Poroski was described as blonde, attractive and a “five-foot, eight-inch beauty.”

Schroth explained that the admission director for Thomas More had a detailed image of what she wanted for the school. She did not want nuns at the college to prevent it from resembling a convent. She was fine with accepting married students or students marrying during their studies but was not open to any working mothers.

“Beauty would not be a factor in admissions, but those who interviewed so far were ‘exceptionally good looking,’ and neatness, poise and personality would definitely count,” Schroth stated.

Schroth’s article stated that there were to be no mixed classes when Thomas More College began, with the reasoning seeming to be that they believed women needed a different and more supportive atmosphere than

the men, along with other administrative reasons to keep men and women apart.

Some of the first female undergraduates of Fordham returned to the university in 2014 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the beginning of Thomas More College, many of whom spoke on a panel about their experiences.

The women admitted to Thomas More College all graduated close to the top of their class and scored in high percentiles on their College Board exams. They had academic records that were praised by O’Keefe when they were accepted.

Margaret “Peggy” Bia, M.D., who was part of Thomas More College’s first graduating class in 1968, spoke on how women at the time were not allowed in the university gym because, at the time, men walked around in the nude.

Other than limitations regarding where they were allowed on campus, the women recalled experiences of being told by the men that they didn’t belong and were taking spots away from men who actually needed the spots to work and support their families. “It was a man’s world when we got here, but I think we quickly changed that,” commented Bia. Despite Fordham’s reputation as the place to go for education at the time, the Thomas More College graduates also faced hardships with entering the workforce post-graduation.

Patricia McDonough, a panelist from Thomas More College Class of 1969, explained that when she was first

working as an account executive, the company still had to ask people if they were okay with having a woman on their account.

At a cocktail reception for the 2014 anniversary event, Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president emeritus, told the early women alumni that they were still among the brightest and most formidable students to have ever attended Fordham. A Thomas More Endowed Scholarship recipient who attended the panel, Katherine Lease, FCRH ’15, commented, “It’s hard to conceptualize a time where women couldn’t go to Fordham, and I am forever grateful to the women of [Thomas More College] who forged the way.”

Ten years after opening, Thomas More College merged into Fordham College at Rose Hill in 1974, and Fordham officially became a coeducational undergraduate institution. The last female students to graduate as Thomas More College alumni were the Class of 1973. “In its 10 years, Thomas More had radically transformed Fordham College by forcing Fordham men — faculty and students — to rethink the role of women in Catholic education and their own lives,” wrote Schroth.

In recent years, U.S News has reported that the university now has a larger percentage of female students than male students. The university is consistently beating its records for diversity among students as admission cycles go by, progressing far away from the limited student body of the university’s early days.

This Week at Fordham Wednesday Sept. 25

Thursday Sept. 26

Friday Sept. 27

Saturday Sept. 28

Sunday Sept. 29

Your Vote Matters

Let’s Talk NGOs

Turn Up the Tunes

Splish Splash

A Visitor From the Vatican

McShane Campus Center 1-3 p.m.

Dealy E-530 4-5 p.m.

Rodrigue’s Coffee House 8 p.m.

Messmore Aquatic Center 4:30 p.m.

University Church 11 a.m.

Stop by the Fordham Political Review Voter Registration Drive on Wednesday to register to vote in the upcoming presidential election in November. The registration table will be in the McShane lobby.

Join the department of Fordham International Political Economy and Development for a lecture with Dr. Andrew Simons. Dr. Simons is an applied economist, researcher and professor at Fordham.

Taking the Rodrigue’s Coffee House stage are bands Pan Arcadia and Zephyr this Friday night. Stop by Rod’s with a friend or two and take in some late night tunes and coffee.

Support the 10th best NCAA water polo team in the country this weekend as the Fordham Rams take on Navy and Mercyhurst. The first game starts at 10:30 a.m. in the Messmore Aquatic Center.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican and “right hand man” to Pope Francis, will be presiding mass this Sunday in the University Church at 11 a.m. A reception will follow on the lawn.

NEWS NPR Host Scott Detrow, FCRH ’07, Speaks at Fordham

September 25, 2024

By ADITHI VIMALANATHAN wild, wild way.”

Detrow also talked about his

ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Reporting based on texts from

experience as a co-host for the

National Public Radio (NPR) host

Danielle Kurtzleben, the NPR re-

“NPR Politics Podcast” and what

Scott Detrow, FCRH ’07, spoke to

porter live on the scene, and the

the differences look like from

Fordham University students last

images being released, Detrow had

broadcasting a radio program.

Wednesday in an event hosted by

to deliver factual, level-headed re-

“The way we always thought

the Master of Arts in Public Media

porting in a tense situation without

about the ‘NPR Politics Podcast’

program. In an interview-style talk,

much information.

is we’re talking about the news

Detrow talked about his near-decade

“At first, I had absolutely no

like you talk with friends,” Detrow

of reporting with NPR, election

script and no guests and nothing

said. “We just took what [and] we

coverage and the trajectory from

to do because Danielle wasn’t able

would do like a slight outlining –

WFUV to national news.

to get on a cell phone line,” said

we want to hit points A, B and C

Detrow is a weekend host for “All

Detrow. “I just had to calmly de-

in this conversation – but then

Things Considered,” NPR’s signa-

scribe the images that we saw and

we would just talk like we would

ture radio program that has been

what we thought happened, and

otherwise.”

on-air since 1971. He also hosts

the most important thing was to

As a Fordham student, Detrow

the podcasts “Consider This” and

quantify and qualify everything

worked at WFUV News before

“Trump’s Trials.”

we said, because we didn’t know

graduating in 2007 — right at

what the facts were.”

the height of the financial crisis.

This election cycle is the third

Page 3

Detrow will be covering since arriv-

“I feel like there was a lot of

Eventually, he found his way to

ing at NPR in 2015. It’s one that he

criticism of the media for being

NPR-affiliate station WIXR in

described as rife with “unprecedent-

very cautious at first and peo-

Pennsylvania and started as the

ed political news” on “All Things

ple screenshotting headlines with

local “All Things Considered” host NPR host Scott Detrow, FCRH ’07, spoke to Fordham students last week.

Considered.”

COURTESY OF NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO

loud popping noises instead of

before working as a court reporter

After the talk, students partic-

that you’re telling them the facts

Around 6 p.m. on July 13, Detrow

gunshots. But we weren’t going

— his first introduction to political ipated in a question-and-answer

and not what you want the facts to

and his colleagues were leaving work

to say that it was gunshots until

reporting.

be,” Detrow said.

when the news of former President

it was confirmed — and that hap-

“Our State House reporter from all over Fordham, including

Detrow advised students to be

Donald Trump’s first assassination

pened relatively quickly,” Detrow

left, and I was able to shift over the M.A. in Public Media pro-

proactive in their pitches and con-

attempt broke.

continued.

to the State House. That was a gram, WFUV and The Fordham

nections when they get their foot

session. Program attendees came

“We went outside and we saw the

In 2016 and 2020, Detrow was

political education and a report- Ram.

in the door: “you shouldn’t un-

images of him being rushed off the

on the ground covering Trump’s

ing education. It was the most

To students, Detrow emphasized

derestimate how important it

stage. We realized a major, major

and President Joe Biden’s campaign

amazing experience, because you the importance of being neutral and

is to be a proactive and reliable

news story has just happened, and

trails. From watching attendees rush

get to see so much up close,” he level when discussing heated politi-

person. To say, ‘this happened.

we need to get back on the air as

the press pen at Trump rallies to ac-

said. “You could just walk up to cal topics.

Are you interested?’ and then ac-

quickly as possible,” recalled Detrow.

companying Biden’s campaign dur-

a state senator, walk up to the

“If people want to trust your

tually turning the story, meeting

“I ran back into the studio and my

ing the height of COVID-19, Detrow

governor and kind of figure out news organization or trust your

deadlines — being somebody that

adrenaline was rushing in this

has seen it all.

what’s going on.”

they can rely and trust.”

news reports, they have to know

USG Welcomes Class of 2028 Senators

By JULIANNA MORALES FEATURES EDITOR

believes it would be possible, noting success at other colleges includ-

On Thursday, Sept. 19, Fordham ing the University of Massachusetts University Rose Hill's United Student Amherst and Florida State UniverGovernment (USG) met to conduct sity. Additionally, Martins said she special elections and review prog- would like to be an advocate for ress on initiatives, specifically from mental health and plans to cretheir meeting with President Tania ate more mental health programs Tetlow.

like

online

journaling

events.

A special election took place at Martins also plans to bring local this meeting to fill the vacant Class small businesses onto campus for of 2027 senate position. The vacancy events such as farmers’ markets. occurred after the previous senator Martins was elected following a Mike Rodriguez, FCRH ’27, took the brief vote. Two positions for the role of vice president of facilities and Gabelli School of Business (GSB) dining last week.

Senate for the Class of 2025 re-

COURTESY OF RABBI KATYA VEHLOW RAHMAN FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

The new Class of 2028 senators were sworn in last Thursday.

Katelyn Martins, FCRH ’27, ran for main open.

This was the first meeting in- from last year. Tetlow addressed

and won the open senate position.

restrooms, specifically the McShane

reduce waste. The Diversity Action

Martins, who is both a first-generation cluding the newly elected Class of the challenges and potential flexAmerican and college student, aims 2028 senators. These newly elected ibility in increasing employment

Campus Center and Keating Hall,

Coalition is in discussion with Dean

though there’s less flexibility for

Catharine McGlade about families

to enhance the experience of other FCRH ’25 senators, a GSB ’26 sen- opportunities for international students with similar backgrounds ator, Martins and Rodriguez, were students. She noted that fixing

residence halls. One proposal that

who can’t travel to attend Family

was ultimately rejected was get-

Weekend. The DAC is also working

at Fordham. Martins discussed one all sworn in by Dean Christopher the system for faculty work visas of her biggest issues on campus, Rodgers after reciting the oath of is difficult but has been a prior-

ting a live ram for Spring Week-

on training workshop leaders for

end. Tetlow explained that rams

the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

ity. This comes after some faculty which is not knowing if washing USG. Yeonsu Son, the Residence Hall members were deported last year machines in residence halls are

are expensive and require a part-

There will also be an election

ner because they often get lonely.

for President Pro Tempore of

updates

the USG Senate on next Thurs-

on their ongoing initiatives. FCRH

day, Sept. 26. Candidates will

filled. To solve this issue, Martins of residence hall elections to USG. them in time. Tetlow also menproposed the implementation of All required forms have been filled tioned her own challenges with the

Dean’s Council discussed confirma-

have three minutes to speak, fol-

tion for wellness tabling during mid-

lowed by questions from the USG

an app that would be able to see out except for Finlay Residence study abroad office. The group disthe remaining load time and avail- Hall, where no one ran due to a cussed a need for adequate career

terms, as well as the potential for

Executive Board. The President

an Undergraduate Research Panel

Pro Tempore serves as the presi-

available and having to drag her Association’s chief communica- when their visas expired, and clothes just for the machines to be tion officer, presented the status Fordham was unable to renew

Committees

reported

resources for Fordham College

during October. Additionally, the

dent of the senate and reports

recently at Rose Hill (FCRH) compared

GSB Dean’s Council will be hav-

directly to the USG executive

be implemented without replacing met with Tetlow to discuss and to GSB. Higher-quality feminine existing machines, Martins said she provide feedback on proposals products may be coming to public

ing a “Little Free Library” event

board, although they will not be

for GSB textbooks in an effort to

on the board themselves.

ability of machines. When asked by miscommunication.

The Fordham Ram if this plan could

USG

representatives

NEWS

Page 4

September 25, 2024

Burris Talks Strategic Plan, FitzSimons Initiative and Class of 2028 FROM SLC, PAGE 1

to listen to students and to hear students,” Burris said. “I spent a lot of time last year and this summer doing that and plan to continue that.”

She discussed how her goal is to attend as many student meetings as possible so they know and feel comfortable with her. As a new strategic plan is drafted, Burris hopes students will be involved in the process.

Fordham’s strategic plan aims to chart the university’s course for 2030.

“It was imperative for us to make sure that the student voice was heard loud and clear in the strategic planning process,” she said.

The draft plan is set to come out soon, and the administration plans to host more listening sessions to hear students’ feedback on the draft.

According to Burris, the plan is “future-oriented” and not necessarily as focused on the day-to-day fixing of things. She also shared that there will be opportunities for students to give feedback online in writing, which she recognized was “more comfortable” for some.

She also mentioned that

many students mentioned the importance of student clubs and leadership at Fordham, and she hopes to continue to provide space for clubs to make an impact.

Burris also discussed the uniqueness of the Class of 2028.

“There’s a difference in the first-year class right now, and I think that has something to do with what Orientation staff did and what academic advising staff did… especially to do with the work done to connect with students during the summer,” she said.

She emphasized to the club leaders that the impact of their role is making students feel like they belong at Fordham.

“You can do so much more than Dean [Christopher] Rodgers, myself or any admin around this table can do,” Burris said.

Burris also discussed how a lot of time this year will be dedicated to civil engagement. “[We are] asking students to find their voice while still deeply respecting the voice of others,” said Burris.

The FitzSimons program will be working on hosting more listening sessions and

discussions with students and guests throughout the school year.

Burris also mentioned that the university is working to foster discussion between students regarding the election this year. Burris emphasized that Fordham hopes to have conversations and dialogues that remain respectful.

“A Jesuit school should do this better than anyone else, and a Jesuit school in New York City should do it better than every other Jesuit school,” she said.

She has met with the executive boards of various clubs and organizations to hear different perspectives. She mentioned that she always tries to attend students’ meetings rather than asking them to come to her in order to meet them where they are.

Dana Kien, FCRH ’25, staff development and training coordinator for Commuter Student Services, who chaired the meeting, asked what other main points came up in the listening sessions besides admiration for club leadership.

Burris stated that there was a lot of discussion about

increasing student engagement and Fordham’s engagement with the Bronx and New York City as a whole. She also mentioned that there was a discussion of expanding career services for all students across the university.

Lucas Hjertberg, FCRH ’26, executive president of the Rose Hill United Student Government (USG), asked if USG could have a large meeting with all the committees to discuss the strategic plan when the draft is released.

Burris agreed but mentioned that it’s often harder to hear feedback in larger groups.

The council then turned to SLC business, and Dean Rodgers shared that he is working to update the descriptions of the various committees. He also shared that the SLC section of RamsInvolved and the Fordham website had been refreshed to help students find the answers they were looking for.

“The SLC was founded to answer that constant question — who do I talk to about this?” he said.

He invited the committee chairs to assist in updating the descriptions.

Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life Charles Clency shared the number of monthly intoxication transports at the request of the SLC Executive Board.

This month there were eleven intoxication reports and 3 refused medical attention.

Kellen Zeng, GSB ’25, president of the Commuter Student Association (CSA), shared that CSA had completed its election season and had lots of interest from first-year students. They also held their first inauguration.

Hjertberg shared that USG now has a full executive board after Mike Rodriguez, FCRH ’27, has become the vice president of facilities and dining. Vice President of Budgets Reese McDonnell, GSB ’26, shared that there was still rollover after approving $780,000 for club budgets.

The meeting concluded with all the various clubs and departments in attendance deciding to come together for a large voter registration event.

The next SLC will be next month in the McShane Campus Center 112 from 3-5 p.m.

Humanities Ambassadors Host Networking Event FROM HOSTS, PAGE 1

Director for Student Engagement Allyson Blatz.

“I came to the humanities fair to meet employers in the field and network with professionals, as well as learn about opportunities.

Since I’m graduating in the winter I would like to get ahead on the job search,” said music and mathematics major Erin Seidman, FCRH ’25. The two-hour event started at 4:30 p.m. with a panel of alumni speakers who had majored in the humanities during their time at Fordham. The speakers included Cameron DeChalus, FCRH ’20, a political science and Spanish language & literature major; Camila Gomez, FCRH ’22 and GSAS ’23, a political science and theology major and Master of Arts in ethics and society; Liam Otero, FCRH ’21, an art history major; and Lily Keiley, FCRH ’21, a history major.

The panelists took a series of questions from the HSA co-presidents, covering everything from their participation in extracurriculars at Fordham to their advice on how to apply their “soft skills” in post-graduate careers.

After the panel concluded, the panelists each went to a separate table and students got to do some “speed-networking,” where they rotated around the room in groups to talk to each panelist, asking further questions and making connections.

Macmillan Publishers and Meaningful World Association for Trauma Outreach and Prevention also had representatives there for students to speed-network with.

During the event, the panelists shared their experiences in the humanities and offered advice to the students. Gomez discussed how she started as a biology major but quickly realized she was more interested in studying public health instead of

medicine. She pivoted to a bioethics minor, which led her to earning a graduate degree in ethics and society from Fordham’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and, eventually, her current position as policy and planning manager at God’s Love We Deliver, a nonprofit organization that provides medically-tailored meals to the chronically ill. Pivoting into unexpected opportunities became a common theme throughout the event, as panelists discussed their individual journeys from arriving at Fordham to graduating to finding fulfilling careers.

DeChalus discussed his path to his current job at consulting firm Accenture and encouraged students to define what personal success specifically looks like for them and not be afraid to pivot when one’s goals or circumstances change.

Otero discussed how engaging with his professors and peers on campus and his interest in Japanese art helped him make valuable connections. While at Fordham, he founded the Fordham Art History Society, giving him valuable experience that he continues to apply while pursuing his Master of Arts in art history at Hunter College.

Keiley emphasized how her humanities degree helped her hone in on her own interests and desires and develop the critical interpersonal skills needed to navigate delicate conversations in her current position as a developmental assistant in the Major Gifts department of Harvard Law School. “Rejection is redirection,” said Keiley, in her final remarks at the end of the panel. All of the panelists voiced similar sentiments, encouraging students to

be bold, not be discouraged by rejection and focus on themselves, their strengths and their passions.

Even after the HSA thanked the panelists and called the event to a close, many students and Fordham community members continued to hang around to talk and make connections “I want humanities students to know that they have — not even just resources because that’s what we provide with HSA — but that they have this community. So many of my friends came because they wanted to support me, and I want people to have that sort of network too. I really wanted to build people’s confidence and get them connected with the people who want to help them,” said Guzzo.

The Humanities Student Ambassadors meet weekly on Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m. in the Career Center on the second floor of the McShane Campus Center, and those interested can contact them at rhhsa@fordham.

Educational Partner 2U Files for Bankruptcy FROM 2U, PAGE 1

Fordham students working to obtain their Master of Social Work in the Graduate School of Social Service, and students obtaining their Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance in the university’s School of Law. As reported by Inside Higher Ed, 2U is in the middle of a restructuring process as a result of the company filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. As a result, Fordham and other institutional partners have been affected by strains in their contractual partnerships and have cited issues

of an “increased student dropout rate” and “lip service” over implementing changes to the program.

2U’s CEO Paul Lalljie stated in a bankruptcy announcement that the steps the company is taking with the filing will better enable the company to “continue investing in our offerings, services, and world-class team to deliver unparalleled online learning to meet the needs of students today.”

Fordham has filed an objection to 2U’s restructuring process in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District

of New York, with the university claiming that the company cannot continue providing online services to students while the restructuring is occurring.

Bob Howe, Fordham’s associate vice president for Media & Public Relations, denied comment to the Ram about the complaint, referencing the university’s contractual obligations with 2U. The Ram also contacted Dean Debra M. McPhee of Fordham’s Graduate School of Social Service who stated that the “GSS is not able to provide information beyond what is already part

of the public record in the recent filing.”

The filing states that “2U’s repeated breaches and its inability to cure them, much less give adequate assurance of future performance, renders 2U unable to assume the agreement with Fordham.”

Fordham’s claims are the newest in a series of scandals for 2U in recent years, as 2U has been in debt since 2021 after owing $800 million to Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology over an acquisition of a nonprofit learning platform, as reported by Inside Higher Ed.

As the Ram reported last March, Vice Provost Jonathan Crystal stated that the university would be stepping away from their partnership with 2U and was working on developing their own platform.

Crystal was unable to comment on where that process currently stands and referred the Ram to Howe in light of these recent developments.

While the future of the relationship between the university and 2U is unknown at this time, Crystal stated in March that when Fordham launches their own platform, the university will be spending less money on instructional costs while maintaining the same resources.

NEWS

September 25, 2024

Page 5

Fordham Athletic Director Leaves FROM KULL, PAGE 1

over, many people said Fordham didn’t care about athletics, but we worked to change that.” He acknowledged the contributions of Frank McLaughlin, athletic director emeritus and special advisor to the director of intercollegiate athletics and recreational sports, whom he credited for encouraging him to return to college athletics and providing guidance throughout his tenure at Fordham.

As the interim athletic director, Elwood emphasized the need for stability and continuity within the department as Fordham starts the national search for a perma-

nent successor to Kull. Elwood has clarified that he will prioritize maintaining the progress achieved under Kull’s leadership. “We have an excellent group of coaches and staff, and our main focus is to provide the necessary support to ensure a great experience for all our student-athletes,” Elwood said.

The timeline for the search will be finalized in the coming weeks.

Elwood reiterated his focus on his interim responsibilities when asked about the possibility of staying permanently. “My priority is to lead the department through this transition period until a new athletic director is appointed,” he said.

Fordham’s sports teams are already actively competing, and Elwood is optimistic about their prospects. He highlighted the water polo team, which has consistently performed at a high level, as a critical program to watch this season. “Our nationally ranked water polo program looks to have another strong season and return to the NCAAs for the fourth consecutive year,” he said.

As the fall sports season progresses, attention will soon shift to winter sports, particularly Men’s and Women’s Basketball.

Fordham’s basketball programs compete in the Atlantic 10

Conference and are central to the university’s athletic profile. Elwood emphasized the importance of accessibility and training in supporting these programs: “Our focus is on ensuring that coaches and administrators are present, accessible and meeting the needs of our student-athletes.”

The basketball season is set to begin on Nov. 4, and the performance of these teams will be critical to maintaining Fordham’s competitive standing. While basketball remains a crucial focus, Elwood reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Fordham’s athletic programs, ensuring each has the necessary resources to succeed.

Elwood acknowledged the challenges of filling the leadership void that Kull left. “Ed was an influential leader, and his absence will be felt,” he remarked. Despite this, he expressed confidence in the robust systems and structures already in place, emphasizing that Fordham Athletics is well-positioned to maintain its momentum, particularly with the upcoming basketball season soon approaching. Elwood’s leadership experience will be important during this transition in keeping the department focused on its goals and ensuring that all teams receive the support necessary to compete at the highest level.

CSA Looks to the Future

FROM CSA, PAGE 1

Zeng and Wu have many goals for the future of CSA as a part of the Fordham community.

“Since so many of us are New Yorkers, we consider ourselves to be a key resource for the university when it comes to bridging the gap between the university and the communities in which they occupy,” said Zeng. “So much conversation is had around campus about how we [the university] can connect ourselves more to the Bronx community, and a large percentage of our general assembly are native Bronx residents so we are hoping to be a key resource for the university when it comes to those particular initiatives.”

The executive board began planning the inauguration during the summer, writing pledges and finding ways to further incorporate their class representatives and ambassadors.

“Even though we do a lot to represent the commuter community, there’s a lot of students that

want to get involved that aren’t able to because of the way we are set up,” said Zeng. “The ambassador program is really opening the doors for more commuters to get involved on campus in a capacity that is equitable to them because the guiding principle of CSA is that we try to run in a way that is accessible to commuter students.”

CSA hopes to expand its role this year and make changes that improve the commuter experience.

“In the past, the Commuting Student Association has largely focused on its major programming events for each semester, such as the Thanksgiveaway or Commuter Week,” said Zeng.

“We’re really looking forward to honing in [on] those policy proposals so as to ensure that we’re working to improve the commuter population and truly representing the constituents that voted us to our positions.”

Recently, CSA has had some success with its policy proposals.

Two years ago, it pushed the class registration time later from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., and this year, it got Walsh Library to offer more conference rooms earlier in the day to support students who may have early online classes.

Currently, they’re working on assisting students traveling in more challenging weather conditions.

“Last year, when the governor issued a weather advisory and told people to stay at home, [the university] was still open, and commuters were still trying to get to campus, which was completely mind-boggling,” said Zeng. “We have anecdotes from commuter students who were stranded in Grand Central for hours just waiting for trains to open up.”

Wu and Zeng want to continue to grow CSA’s partnerships with other Fordham departments and establish the group as a real voice for change on campus.

Last year, CSA partnered with the Center for Community

Engaged Learning to help host the Climate Summit for Climate Week, and they hope to continue collaborating with other organizations that may face commuter difficulties.

“With Fordham placing a lot of emphasis on strategic planning and

civic and civility this year, that’s something we’re also looking to get our hands on,” said Zeng. “We don’t just represent commuter students — all of the staff are commuters since they don’t live on campus.

There are initiatives we are crafting with them in mind as well.”

COURTESY OF KELLEN ZENG FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Dean McGlade swore in the Commuter Student Association E-Board.

Fordham Launches New RamCentral App

By JACK MCDONALD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fordham University recently launched the new app, RamCentral, on its website, giving students a centralized hub for campus resources. Through RamCentral, students are able to conveniently make appointments with their career and academic advisors, get support questions answered and view several important resources, including professional development materials, inquiries on financial aid, student schedules, Campus Ministry and the enrollment group.

“94% of first-years and sophomores used the hub for academic advising and other services,” said Katherine Morris, FCRH ’22. Morris is the IT communications manager and a member of RamCentral’s development team, a partnership between the IT department and the Office of the Provost. “RamCentral was designed with Fordham’s mission in mind, particularly our commitment to ‘cura personalis,’ or care for the whole person,” said Morris.

RamCentral expands on

Fordham’s previous campus resource center, FordhamHub, which launched in 2022.

Through FordhamHub, students could schedule meetings with their academic advisors and view career resources.

RamCentral has improved upon the previous system, now including more guidance options and campus resources. “It is a new name to give the platform a stronger, more memorable identity,” said Morris. Upon launching the application’s home screen, students can view their weekly schedule and navigate through four tab options: Academics, Career Center, Rams Involved Community and University Support.

The Academics tab provides students with additional resources to enhance “academic success” at Fordham, including academic advisement meetings, major and minor alterations and scheduling with athletic, prestigious fellowship or STEM advisors for students in integrated learning environments. A drop-down menu also gives students details about their “success team,” a

term RamCentral coined for student deans and academic advisors. Students can also view past and future meetings through the academic advising menu on the left hand side.

The Career Center tab is headlined by an external link to Handshake, an application that allows Rams to search for jobs and internships, in addition to registering for important career events hosted by the Career Center and Personal & Professional Development. Below the Handshake tab, students can connect with the Career Center on questions or concerns they may have, including alumni relations, career inquiries, internships and student inquiries. Students can also provide attachments to the Career Center directly through this messaging platform. To the right of this platform, students can view inquiries which they have sent to the Career Center, and can determine if a response has been provided.

The Rams Involved Community tab opens an external application and gives students

the ability to browse various clubs and activities they can participate in, as well as a master schedule of all past, present and canceled student programs at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center, including building and room numbers. “One of the great features of this platform is the ability to tailor it based on the specific details and data points that define a Fordham student, whether undergraduate or graduate,” said Morris.

Club forms are also available on the app, including activity waivers and forms to request guest speakers at clubs on campus. Resources are available for club moderators and activity captains, including club leader handbooks and presentations for club leadership training.

Below, quick links to Student Government, Student Involvement and the McShane Campus Center are available. Finally, a direct contact button for inquiries can be found at the bottom of the page, where students can contact Rams Involved.

Finally, the University Support tab allows students to submit questions regarding

tuition, financial aid, billing and other inquiries for review by the support team. Students can view the My Cases menu, which indicates cases they have opened, and those which have been closed, directly below the page description. A list of commonly asked questions about academic records and financial aid can be found to the right of the My Cases menu, including “Outside aid. Will it affect my financial aid package?” and “How do I request a transcript?”

If the aforementioned four tabs do not provide sufficient information to students, or if they are in a time crunch, there is also a search bar option, which will bring students directly to what they are looking for. In the same location, students can also view pertinent notifications from the application, including responses from the Career Center and replies on support cases. RamCentral is under continual enhancement.

“In the next few weeks, we will be launching a fully native RamCentral app for iOS and Android.” said Morris.

OPINION

Page 6

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 Sofia Donohue Managing Editor Allison Schneider Editorial Director Evan McManus Production Editor Hannah Boring Multimedia Director Grace Campbell Business Director Grace Miller Copy Chief Cailee Zeraat Assistant Copy Chief Madelyn Gerth News Editor Nora Malone Features Editor Julianna Morales Assistant News Editors Cristina Stefanizzi Adithi Vimalanathan Opinion Editor Saisha Islam Assistant Opinion Editors Lusa Holmstrom Erynn Sweeney Culture Editors Claire Krieger Caleb Stine Assistant Culture Editor Isabella DeRosa Sports Editor Jonah Ring Assistant Sports Editors Griffin Stevenson Joe Henry Social Media Director Alexis Hurchalla Digital Producers Sophie Maselli Sarah Urbano Haniyyah Usmani Photo Editor Mary Hawthorn Advertising Directors Katriina Fiedler Kathleen Hollinger Diana Juarez Emily Roe 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 Fordham Ram may be reproduced without written consent.

September 25, 2024

From the Desk | Caleb Stine

The Value of Community

By far, the most valuable lesson Fordham University has taught me as I embark on my final year at Rose Hill is the value of community.

Community is the relational air we breathe as humans. It’s our point of connection. Community contextualizes our interpersonal existence, and I’ve been blessed to have found so much of it at Fordham.

Community often extends beyond our close friends and family and is usually more relational than it is social. While many of my friends are involved in the communities that I inhabit at Fordham, they are not the extent of them.

I came to Fordham after I had finished one year of college in Massachusetts. During my first year, I had a tight group of friends and professors who were brilliant in their subjects and sat in the right field box seats of Fenway Park dozens of times. There were many things that brought me joy during my first year, but a lot of what did felt separate and distinct from any larger group. Something was missing. There wasn’t a thirst to dive into the broader world of an institution or organization outside of my social group.

What I was missing was community.

This is in no way a condemnation of my previous school. I know many people there who have been communally engaged

and love the world that that college provides, and I’ve seen my ex-classmates become involved in ways that visibly give them life.

Community-wise, it just wasn’t for me. That’s what’s beautiful about community, though. What works for some doesn’t for others, and vice versa.

One of my most memorable moments in the community at Fordham was when I worked with other Resident Assistants (RAs) to close down the upperclassmen’s dorms during commencement last May. This was done with exactly zero of my close friends and with only a handful of people I had met before. The day filled me with immense joy. Walking around newly abandoned rooms with other RAs and marking cleanliness violations and facilities issues is no one’s vision of an exciting day — I get that. But something about gathering with a group of people who were all on the same page, who could joke about the same procedures, make fun of the same bosses and get to know each other at the same time, gave me a prime example of what community looks like.

While I’m no longer an RA, I think back to many moments with my staff in Martyrs’ Court and how we not only all shared a community with each other as teammates and fellow Fordham students but also had a passion for cultivating community for

our first-year residents. Offering support and guidance for firstyears as they freshly navigated college and Fordham was truly the honor of a lifetime.

One of my friends once told me that everyone needs at least one place where if they don’t show up, they’ll get a text. Not one of frustration or accusation, like when a boss doesn’t see you in the morning sales meeting. But one of interest and curiosity. A “we missed you last week, are you okay?” kind of deal. I think that’s a perfect description of what a community looks like.

To first-years at Fordham looking for community: focus on yourselves and your interests.

When you feel passionate about something and do it with others, that’s the recipe for community.

This may sound counterintuitive, but learn to go to things alone. You have to reverse-engineer it. Begin with the interest, put yourself in the midst of a group of strangers with that same

interest or passion, and a community is born. I joined the copy team at the Ram as a sophomore, not knowing a soul. Now, I eat free pizza every Tuesday night and occasionally edit a page or two for the Culture section.

More than just the simple and often overused “join a club” advice, I invite Rams, new and old, to do something new on campus this week. Go to a different floor in the library. Do your studying in the McShane Student Center instead of the Keating Hall basement. Get your afternoon snack at POD instead of Urban Kitchen.

Go to that event that your friends are begging you to go with them to.

Every new thing you can do on campus expands your view of Fordham, shows you a new perspective of a familiar place and deepens your connection to the Fordham community.

Go and make the most out of Fordham this week. Build community one step at a time.

Editorial | College Rankings

The Rankings Don’t Tell You Everything

It’s the time of year when media outlets nationwide release their rankings of the best colleges and universities. Many prospective students use these rankings to decide where they should apply to school, and colleges advertise these rankings in the hopes of attracting future students. The annual U.S. News & World Report is the most famous of these rankings.

Over the last few years, there has been a lot of controversy related to this list. Last year, U.S. News changed its methodology to place more weight on social mobility. As a result, Fordham University dropped from 72 to 89 in the rankings.

With the release of this year’s rankings on Sept. 24, Fordham now stands at 91. Schools such as Columbia University have been exposed to messing with data they submit to the U.S. News. Some schools, such as Fordham Law School, have stopped submitting data to the list. While we see the value college ranking lists hold in the college application process, we believe it is a flawed system.

Why does U.S. News hold so much sway over the higher education industry? Francie Diep from The Chronicle of Higher Education believes that they were one of the earliest organizations to rank colleges, starting in the late 1980s. Their early lead allowed them to build a strong following among both prospective students

and university administration.

Many university administrators have a negative opinion of the rankings but are resigned to their influence over prospective students. In 2022, former president of Reed College Colin Diver said to the New York Times, “I think the majority of institutions would be happy if the rankings went away.”

However, many schools can’t ignore the rankings because a rise in the ranks sparks good press, whereas a drop damages their reputation. So, while a few schools may choose to stop giving data to U.S. News, most begrudgingly go along with the yearly event.

In the past, the U.S. News rankings were criticized for being too focused on a college’s wealth and prestige. The change in methodology last year was an attempt to fix that perception. Its focus on social mobility and socioeconomic diversity led to a dramatic shakeup, with many private universities dropping compared to their public university counterparts. Many private universities like Fordham responded by critiquing the new methodology. Provost Dennis Jacobs told The Fordham Ram that there was “an apparent bias” in the rankings related to favoring public schools.

Although the methodology change moved colleges around in the rankings, that doesn’t mean they are now perfect.

In fact, Christopher Newfield from the Independent Social Research Foundation thinks the new methodology doesn’t fix the ranking’s core issues, as blending socioeconomic elements with selectivity can make it harder for the consumer to choose which school to attend.

Prospective students use this list begrudgingly. However, their relationship with the lists fundamentally differs from that of the university administrators. Who are the people that typically use this list? Diep says they are prospective students new to the college application process. Their school may not have the resources to provide the proper guidance on college applications. Their parents may be first-generation and have no experience applying to an American university.

When you do not have enough support, tools like the U.S. News list are one of the only options to look at. Many prospective students know that the list is imperfect, but what other choice do they have?

This conversation regarding college rankings unearths a changing dynamic between how colleges and prospective students view higher education. Colleges want to market themselves as places where you gain knowledge and other intellectual benefits. However, many Americans have become skeptical about the value of a

college degree. People feel this way because going to college is an enormous investment of money and time. People want to feel like the hard work they put in for a degree will be worth it. At the end of the day, U.S. News is a business, and like any good one, it has responded to its consumers by modifying the list. Yet, the list is not the best way for consumers to determine which schools will move them up the socioeconomic ladder. Changes between the yearly lists occur so frequently that observers have called them meaningless.

The discussion over college rankings speaks to an emotion we all face: doubt. Prospective students are full of doubt when picking where they want to go to school. Picking the school with the highest ranking provides a sense of security. Colleges and their administrators want to feel that their school has a good reputation, but a lower ranking puts that in doubt. The current ranking provides participants some security and validation in their decision, but there is only so much a list can tell you about a college. When you make that decision, there will always be a little doubt. If you are a prospective student, don’t solely rely on these rankings to decide where to attend school.

Decide for yourself what is important in your search and let that be your guide. You know yourself better than a list does.

OPINION

September 25, 2024

Page 7

Celebrities and Politics: The Fine Line of Civic Engagement

COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL/THE FORDHAM RAM

Some celebrities use their platforms to endorse candidates.

By LAILA SAYEGH STAFF WRITER

The debate over whether celebrities should weigh in on politics is as heated as ever. Some argue they have an obligation to use their platforms to influence change, while others believe they should stay out of public affairs. Within this conversation, I think it is important to acknowledge one of the primary tenets of our country: the freedom of speech. Celebrities are citizens first.

Like any of us, they have a right — and perhaps even a responsibility — to voice their opinions. With the enormous reach of figures like Taylor Swift, celebrities’ abilities to amplify issues and drive voter turnout makes their involvement more than just an endorsement, but an act of civic engagement at school. When Swift endorsed the Harris-Walz campaign after the

Sept. 10 debate, it was not just another celebrity speaking out — it was a citizen encouraging others to exercise their democratic rights.

Celebrities, regardless of their large platforms, should not be criticized for remaining neutral in politics. Again, they are citizens, and not all citizens are well-versed in every political issue. Hence, celebrities do not have a responsibility to speak out on politics; rather, they have a responsibility to acknowledge the scope of their influence and the impressionability of their audience. With that, it is up to the individual whether they think it is in their best interest and the nation’s best interest for them to voice their opinion in times of political contention.

Swift has had a history of political involvement, making headlines with endorsements and advocacy for causes she deeply values. For

instance, in 2018, Swift broke her silence, endorsing Democratic candidates in Tennessee, significantly increasing the turnout of young voters in the state that year. She also used her platform to support the Equality Act in 2019, increasing donations to GLAAD through her music video, “You Need to Calm Down.” Given the success of her previous political endorsement endeavors, it is not surprising that Swift felt the need to speak out in support of the Harris-Walz campaign. She has an undeniable ability to mobilize her large fanbase, and history shows that her previous advocacy efforts have been successful. Therefore, if she felt it was in her and her supporters’ best interests to endorse the campaign, she has every right to do so. However, it’s important to emphasize that this involvement is voluntary, not obligatory. In this case specifically, Swift’s previous successes have cleared the path for her to engage with political matters even further, willingly assuming responsibility.

Any political endorsement is bound to face backlash, and Swift’s endorsement was no exception.

Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for former president Donald Trump’s campaign, said that the endorsement was “more evidence that the Democrat party has become the party of the wealthy elite.”

There is no denying that Swift is a member of a wealthy elite class, earning her spot on the Forbes’ billionaire list this year after the global success of The Eras Tour. However, labeling Swift’s endorsement as a mere reflection of elite politics oversimplifies her motives and ignores the deeper context of her activism. Swift’s wealth does not

invalidate the legitimacy of her political voice or diminish the causes she supports.

It is also worth noting that the Trump campaign has received several endorsements from influential wealthy elites, including country star Jason Aldean and former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Hulk Hogan. Celebrity endorsements are simply a part of political and civic engagement processes where highly influential individuals exercise their freedoms to mobilize certain bodies of the electorate for issues that resonate with them. Therefore, it is unfair to say that one party embodies the “wealthy elite” because of one specific member. Whether it’s Swift backing progressive values or celebrities like Elon Musk and Dana White supporting conservative causes, the essence of political engagement lies in using one’s platform to advocate for the issues they care about. The opportunity of endorsements lies equally on both sides of the political spectrum where influential members of either party can advocate for their beliefs. Critique should focus on the substance of their stance, not the economic status of the individual, since it is quite natural for celebrities, as citizens, to engage in political discourse.

An important factor to mention is the increase of “cancel culture” within the media and how it plays a role in celebrity endorsements. A Pew Research Center study found that Democrats are more likely to believe that cancel culture is a form of accountability, whereas Republicans are more likely to see it as censorship. It would be unfair to undermine this, as Republican

celebrities are more likely to be “canceled” as a result of their political endorsements. Democratic celebrities will often receive backlash from members of the opposing party. However, the idea of “cancel culture” is more dangerous for one’s brand and entertainment career than simply some backlash, as it involves systematic efforts to diminish a celebrity’s public standing. This can lead to significant repercussions, including loss of endorsements, diminished media visibility and even the end of careers. If Republican celebrities are more likely to be victims of cancel culture, it would make sense for them to choose to keep their beliefs to themselves for the sake of their livelihoods. This could be seen as giving the Democrats an unfair advantage, allowing celebrities to express their progressive views more freely without the same level of risk.

Overall, this goes to show that the issue does not lie in celebrity endorsements themselves, but in the way the media reacts to them.

These endorsements are a part of a greater political process of civic engagement. Celebrity endorsements can serve as powerful tools for raising awareness and mobilizing support for various causes.

However, the way the media frames these endorsements amplifies partisan divides, creating a distorted narrative that sensationalizes or vilifies them.

Laila Sayegh, FCRH ’27, is a political science major from Congers, N.Y.

But What About My Free Temu Coupon?

By RUBEN ORTIZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On Sept. 13, 2024, the Biden administration announced its plan to end the de minimis trade rule. I believe this to be essential despite the short-term inconvenience it may cause for consumers. As much as I love the low prices on platforms like Shein and Temu, these artificially cheap goods have undermined American jobs and industries for far too long.

It’s time to close the loophole that has let foreign companies exploit our markets at the expense of U.S. workers. Yes, prices may rise, but the benefits of stronger domestic manufacturing and better regulation of imported goods make this a trade-off we need to accept.

American consumers have reaped the benefits of the de minimis rule. The New York Times has stated that the rule allows goods under $800 to bypass import tariffs. This loophole has enabled foreign companies to flood the U.S. market with low-cost goods, mostly from China. Platforms like Shein and Temu capitalize on this, offering prices that domestic retailers simply can’t match. As someone who occasionally buys from these platforms, I get the appeal.

I’ve purchased items like AirPods cases for $5 instead of $15, and it’s hard to argue against such savings.

Artificial affordability comes at a cost. The influx of cheap foreign goods has hit American workers hard. These imports have undercut warehouse jobs, manufacturing positions and countless small businesses. Low prices might be convenient for consumers, but they’re devastating for those trying to make a living in industries struggling to compete. This is more than just an issue of economics — it’s about restoring fairness to the system.

Shein executives have told NPR that they are already trying to diversify their supply chains and improve their labor practices. Without stronger regulation, though, we have no way of knowing if those claims are legitimate. This reform could help ensure that we’re not only paying fair prices but also supporting ethical production standards.

It’s important to recognize that higher prices could have an upside.

American businesses, especially smaller ones, may finally have a fighting chance against these low-cost foreign competitors. By eliminating the unfair advantage of the de minimis rule, we’ll create

space for local businesses to thrive, restoring jobs lost to cheaper imports. I’m going to hate to see prices go up on Shein, but at least that secures the long-term economic health of the U.S. According to CNBC, a 10-digit tariff classification number will be introduced. This marks the efforts by the administration to reform the de minimis rule. This classification system requires importers to provide specific, detailed information about their shipments, which will allow authorities to better track and vet goods coming into the U.S. market. In theory, this will make it harder for companies to exploit the de minimis rule by disguising the nature or origin of their products.

The new classification will also make it easier for the U.S. government to enforce tariffs and trade regulations. By providing a clearer picture of what’s being imported, the 10-digit system can prevent illicit goods, such as counterfeit products or those that don’t meet U.S. safety standards, from slipping through the cracks. This is especially important for platforms like Shein and Temu, which face criticism for bypassing duties that major competitors, like H&M, have to pay.

In recent years, de minimis

shipments have skyrocketed in recent years, growing from $140 million a decade ago to over $1 billion today, according to the White House. This kind of unchecked growth has given foreign companies an outsized influence on the U.S. economy, one that can’t be sustained if we want to prioritize domestic industries.

This reform is a necessary step toward balancing consumer convenience with economic sustainability. As much as I’ve benefited from cheap imports, I can’t ignore the broader implications. The de minimis rule was always a short-term fix — a loophole that allowed us to avoid the real cost of global trade.

Now, we’re paying for it in lost jobs and weakened industries.

It’s never easy to say goodbye to something that makes our lives

more affordable. The de minimis rule has outlived its usefulness. It’s time to close the loophole, even if it means we’ll have to adjust to higher prices and fewer bargain deals.

The benefits, including more jobs for American workers, stronger regulation of imported goods and a fairer playing field for U.S. businesses, far outweigh the costs. In the long run, this reform will lead to a stronger, more resilient economy — prioritizing American industries and workers over artificially cheap foreign goods.

The de minimis rule may have been convenient, but it is high time we start making investments in the future of American manufacturing.

Ruben Ortiz, FCRH ’28, is a political science major from Long Island, N.Y.

COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL/THE FORDHAM RAM

New trade rules change international procedures.

Page 8

OPINION

September 25, 2024

Exploring NYC’s Other Unique Boroughs

COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL /THE FORDHAM RAM

It is important to explore other boroughs for the full New York experience.

By LORESA ZEQIRAJ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

As a student in New York City, you aren’t a tourist, so stop acting like it. This city is your home now, and as nice as the big touristy sights are, you can get so much more culture and experience out of lesserknown places. You’re here for four years and might stay in the city after college, so get familiar with the backroads.

If there’s somewhere I would encourage Fordham University students to explore more, it would be the rest of the boroughs. This may seem like a given, but there is so much more to New York City than just Manhattan. As much as Manhattan is beautiful, culturally rich and full of new places to see, so are the four other boroughs.

In Manhattan, there are so many places to go in the fall, like SoHo, The Village and the New York Public Library.

Finding places in Manhattan isn’t hard since it’s the most famous of the boroughs. You can go on TikTok and discover endless cute spots for the fall.

There are a lot of people who think Manhattan is all that makes up NYC, but we’re true New Yorkers and we know better. So let’s give the other boroughs some attention!

Queens is nicknamed “The World’s Borough” for being the most ethnically diverse county in the country and one of the most ethnically diverse urban areas in the world. 130 languages are spoken among residents and represent over 120 countries. If you want a taste of how culturally diverse

NYC really is, go to Queens.

The most authentic NYC experiences can be found in Queens. Away from the tourists of Manhattan, this borough offers you experiences you can’t get anywhere else in the country. One of the most accessible and common ways of getting to know another culture is via cuisine. If you and your friends or visiting family want to grab a bite here, you’ll find great places.

Many have seen the birria tacos trend all over TikTok last year. The famous BirriaLandia food truck is located in Jackson Heights, an area home to a very large Latin American community. If you want to try this famous dish from an authentic vendor, head over. This food is also one of the best cheap eats in the city, even earning a feature in the New York Times. This is not a hidden gem — rather, it is quite popular for its amazing taste, so expect some lines outside the truck.

There are so many niche ethnic restaurants and eateries all located in Queens.

Search up some authentic places, and you’ll find endless options. For at least one dinner this year, visit Queens.

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped

out of the U.S.!

This advice is mainly centered around fall, as we are currently transitioning into autumn months, and there is no better place to be than Brooklyn in the fall. The architecture is so unique and historically rich. The big, movie-like houses are so nice to just stroll around and look at while the leaves turn orange. Neighborhoods have homes and buildings with some of the nicest designs, and I would strongly recommend going down some days and just taking it in. Search up “Brooklyn houses” or neighborhoods and you’ll see what I’m talking about (especially Brooklyn Heights).

Furthermore, if you love history or architecture, dig into the history of the NYC boroughs. One cute place to romanticize and enjoy as the seasons change is the famous Washington Street right there in Brooklyn. This is where the iconic shot of the heavily traveled Brooklyn Bridge can be taken, so if you’re ever in the area, try to find that street!

It’s lovely to walk in parts of the city people don’t pay much attention to. If you visit Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill you can find a ton of unique

little indie shops and trendy eateries. Prospect Park is another really nice part of Brooklyn where you can soak up the coziness of fall and spend a day with your friends.

Last but certainly not least is the Bronx. The Bronx is one of the most famous places in the country with tons of film references and is known for its Italian and immigrant culture hub. Fordham is right next to Little Italy which we all know and love, so here are some other culture full spots in the Bronx.

A must visit is Emilio’s of Morris Park. You can’t live in the Bronx without trying their famous chicken vodka pizza. Morris Park and Lydig Avenue are small sections of the borough, but they are home to so many immigrants that make the Bronx the place it is. Walking down these streets, you’ll come across a variety of ethnic restaurants and communities that will enrich your experience here.

Loresa Zeqiraj, FCRH ’28, is an international studies major from Yorktown, N.Y.

Making a Case for Green Party Candidate Jill Stein

By STUART CREMER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

As the United States gears up for another presidential election, many issues continue to divide the nation. Amongst this division, some Americans, myself included, feel as though neither of the known two major-party candidates, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, accurately represent their views on major policy issues. For example, Harris has made it clear she will not ban fracking, and she has reiterated she would not change U.S. policy around sending arms to Israel. On these issues and more, Harris seems to be campaigning on very similar policy positions to her predecessor, President Joe Biden. Voters concerned about the environmental effects of fracking, those disappointed with the Biden administration’s response to environmental issues in general, or those who believe that the U.S. provides overly much unconditional military support to Israel may be hesitant to vote for Harris.

Voting for Trump is no better alternative to Harris for those concerned about these issues.

He has said Israel must “finish the problem” in its war against Hamas, a statement callous to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians, and he infamously withdrew from the Paris Accord, one of the only substantial international agreements to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

However, the solution for voters concerned about these

issues is not to simply hope the Harris administration becomes more responsive to their concerns and “vote blue no matter who.” Rather, I encourage voters to consider voting for Jill Stein, the 2024 presidential candidate of the Green Party.

Stein’s presidential platform includes devoting $650 billion per year to support the manufacture of renewable energy and clean transportation technology, passing a complete ban on fracking, and ending military aid to Israel until Israel complies with international law. For those unsatisfied with Trump’s or Harris’ policy proposals, Stein may be a more accurate representation of their beliefs and their vision for the future.

While Stein’s policy plan sounds promising, some may argue that not voting for Harris is as good as voting for Trump. Within the current electoral system, splitting the vote between two candidates closer to the left of the political spectrum may inadvertently result in some states’ electoral votes going to Trump instead, a prospect neither Stein voters nor Harris voters want. For the confusing swing states such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and Nevada, along with states North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, splitting the Democratic vote is a very real possibility. I would encourage anyone voting in these states to vote for Harris to prevent Trump from being elected.

However, the fact that people in these states might be forced

to vote for someone who does not accurately represent their vision for this country highlights the true problem we are facing: a problem with our electoral system. American voters who feel unsatisfied with vice president Kamala Harris’ response to what I believe is a Palestinian genocide and the climate crisis but also feel pressured to vote for Harris to prevent Trump from being elected need to make their dissatisfaction clear. For this reason, I encourage anyone not voting in one of the aforementioned states to vote for Stein instead of Harris, as I will, come Nov. 3. To be clear, I do not expect this to result in Stein being elected, though that would be a welcome surprise. Rather, I believe voting for Stein better reflects the values I believe in and the direction I would like to see the country move in. While I admire other movements, such as the Uncommitted National Movement, that are encouraging people not to vote for either of the major party candidates, I believe Stein’s platform is a more concrete representation of the values I hold. In this election, I think it is important to vote for someone who is committed to finally ending the Israel-Palestine conflict and the climate crisis.

Stein garnered 1.4 million votes in the 2016 election, a clear demonstration that many Americans are unsatisfied with the major party options. Her return to the presidential race in 2024 is the perfect opportunity for environmentalists and

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Jill Stein should be considered as an alternative to dominant political parties.

peace activists in majority blue states to show the Democratic Party that not all left-leaning voters completely agree with the Biden administration’s current decisions. Stein said, “The Democrats have betrayed their promises for working people, youth, and the climate again and again, while Republicans don’t even make such promises in the first place.” I encourage voters who resonate with this sentiment to vote for Stein.

Regardless of what critics in the Democratic Party may say, voting for Stein is not throwing away a vote. Rather, it is a firm commitment to one’s values in spite of an electoral system that refuses to make space for thirdparty candidates. At the awaited 2024 Democratic National Convention, the Uncommitted National Movement delegates exposed that they were denied a speaking slot and later, it was reported that Harris told protestors to “Be quiet unless you want to elect Trump.”

Just recently, Nevada’s State Democratic Party sued the state’s Green Party to keep

Stein off the ballot. These actions demonstrate the dismissive nature of the Democratic Party when confronted with criticism from its left wing under the guise of party unity.

Voters frustrated with this dismissiveness need to make their voices heard, and, as I have argued, the best way to do that is by voting for Jill Stein. Regardless of who votes for who, I hope each and every voter takes the time to deeply consider their own values and which figure best represents them. Additionally, the presidential election is not the only election happening this fall; 33 Senate seats and all 435 House of Representatives seats are up for re-election, and many states have ballot initiatives up for a vote on Nov. 3. There are many ways to make one’s voice heard, and I urge everyone to take the utmost advantage of them.

Stuart Cremer, FCRH ’26, is an English and environmental studies major from Mountain View, California.

September 25, 2024

OPINION Improv: How A Spotlight Can Change Your Life

By AMEYA JAIN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

If you haven’t yet found yourself standing on a stage, under a spotlight or in front of an audience, it’s time to sign up for an improvisation class. Actors and stand-up comedians spend the majority of their lives doing so, and it is what makes them such vibrant and personable human beings. The benefits of learning how to carry yourself in the oddest scenarios in front of an audience pertain to your average nine-to-fiver and college student just the same. Our personalities and the way we carry ourselves in interactions paint a larger picture of the way others see us. In professional settings and everyday life, we spend so much time navigating interpersonal connections, and our speech plays a huge role in that. With around 75% of people having some level of fear of public speaking, the majority of us can definitely learn something from a class devoted to mitigating that. Improv classes are the perfect, low-stakes way to become a personable speaker by learning to laugh at yourself and bounce off of other people.

By decentering ourselves from our conversations and getting out of our own heads, we can become more empathetic.

So many of us spend our days aiming for perfection in everything we do. Instead of trying to say perfect words, we should all learn to communicate well

with others whether or not a conversation goes as planned.

Conversations are always twoway streets, but focusing too much on your words can create a self-centered approach to communication. In improv, a majority of a scene depends on how two people listen and respond to one another, and speakers naturally become better at empathetic listening, effectively moving away from hyper-fixating on their own words. As college students, this is especially applicable to our professional lives. For example, take business majors spending days curating a slide deck and memorizing presentations.

The difference between a palmsweating pitch and an engaging presentation is authenticity, not a verbatim delivery of a script.

Connecting with an audience using humor establishes a much stronger bond and more credibility than rolling out rehearsed lines, regardless of where a conversation is going.

Personability is an indispensable trait in modern society, yet it gets overlooked as we spend more and more time striving for perfection instead. Being the truest version of yourself and letting your instincts guide your speech makes you a more inviting speaker. In improv, nobody is fact-checking you or scribbling over your words with corrections; instead, everyone is simply there for a good time.

One of the things that make a

good time is humor.

Think about the funniest person you know. Odds are, one of the things that makes them so great at making you laugh is that they don’t take themselves too seriously. Improv classes offer a plethora of benefits for participants, but the largest transferable skill from this activity is the ability to laugh at yourself. Public speaking and eloquence come with any activity that puts you in the spotlight, but improv’s unique way of pushing the boundaries forces us to move on from our mistakes, before the audience grasps that we faltered in the first place. It is far easier to carry yourself with confidence when you realize that you can laugh at yourself. In the real world, this skill helps you portray yourself realistically to others, making you more relatable.

Genuine connections are built on honesty, and improv gives us a level of vulnerability to make those relationships meaningful.

An element of teamwork is present in many improv performances as well — individuals learn to adapt their ideas to scenes where audience members and other cast members are also contributing to the development of a story. Learning to go with the flow also means learning to incorporate other people’s perspectives into your own. In many improv performances, scene partners need to bounce ideas off of one another

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Giving improv a chance can help you find new things about yourself.

to successfully tell a story. They don’t have the luxury of pausing to figure out whose path they will take, so they find a way to get on the same page. In real life, rather than turning someone else’s voice down when we aren’t aligned, we should take a moment and consider how we can include multiple ways of thinking in one project to reach the same final goal.

I would absolutely consider taking an improv class, now knowing how many facets of my life could benefit from a three-hour introduction to the world of spontaneous speaking. There is a level of charm that comes with a person who finds humor in their imperfections without dwelling on those flaws. Embracing our unique identities makes us much more likable than becoming cookiecutter copies of one another.

The best part about it is that everyone is making everything up as they go. The pressure of remembering lines and portraying a predesigned character is

lifted, and all that’s left is you, your imagination and a stage.

What do you have to lose?

Three hours of your life devoted to letting loose with strangers without worrying about school, work or personal issues sounds like the perfect weekend afternoon. Brimming with diversity and culture, New York City offers the perfect setting for you to put yourselves in the shoes of others as you learn about their ways of life. Improv classes bring together groups of people to do just that. Whether it’s a stronger conviction underscoring your words, a better understanding of teamwork or an appreciation for finding the humor in things, you will leave that room fuller, yet somehow much lighter, than when you first walked in.

Ameya Jain, FCRH ’28, is a psychology major from Los Angeles ALL

How Many Water Bottles Is Too Many?

By ADITHI VIMALANATHAN ASST. NEWS EDITOR

As a 20-year-old, I can map out my last five years in water bottle fads. The first year of high school introduced me to the Hydro Flask: a chubby cylinder available in endless colors, each one embossed with a stick-ish man whose head appears to explode into rays. Not long after came the S’well, a bottleneck design with rounded edges, a twist off cap and printed patterns.

Breaking up the monocolor mold, the Owala burst onto the scene several months ago, with fun color combinations and a versatile sip-straw spout.

Right now, we’re in the middle of a Stanley storm. A clunky deviant from the cylinder, the Stanley sports a large carry handle with a large volume capacity that’s sure to keep you from needing a frequent refill.

Reusable water bottles are often promoted as sustainable measures, as an ethical alternative to the wastefulness of plastic water bottles (“save the turtles,” anyone?). Companies like Owala and Stanley tout their products as reusable and environmentally friendly, and, to some extent, they are.

The Stanley, for example, has a “Built for Life” guarantee and aims to make 50% of its products with recycled steel by

2025. Hydro Flask currently uses 80% recycled materials in its production and offers a trade-in program to continue the lives of flasks in use.

At least according to their corporate ethos, these bottles fit neatly into a circular economy. In contrast to a linear economy where items are used then discarded, a circular economy keeps goods in circulation for longer, using techniques such as efficient and sturdy product design. At the end of their lives, these products are easily recyclable into other new useful products.

Metal flasks are seen as sustainable measures, but their digital footprint of overconsumption throws this violently into question. Stanleys are the latest victim. Numerous videos of shoppers in apocalyptic scrambles for the newest editions have surfaced online.

Olivia Rodrigo along with Barbie and Starbucks have all partnered with the company to offer limited editions of the product. Log on TikTok and you’ll see a myriad of Stanleys being dressed up like dolls in attachable snack trays, carrying straps, sauce cups and even phone holders.

Metal flasks are not the first reusables to take the heat. In 2021, the New York Times published “The Cotton Tote

Crisis,” a harsh look at the real environmental impact of tote bags. Made of biodegradable fabric, tote bags were marketed as a sustainable alternative to single use plastic bags.

Before long, tote bags flooded the market, becoming signature staples of brands and consumer fashion. Trader Joe’s, L.L. Bean and the New Yorker put out viral editions of a simple canvas bag. Individuals in this article from the New York Times noted having from six to 25 tote bags — arguably more bags that one can keep in regular rotation.

The water bottle craze gives one a sense of eerie déjà vu.

Consumers — even those safe from Stanley mania — often have too many water bottles than they know what to do with. Water bottles don’t need to be part of a trend to be excessive: they’re often offered at promotional events and are sold as pieces of artist merchandise. It feels impossible to only have one or two bottles that are used regularly. When the aesthetic value of these bottles are constantly pushed on consumers, it’s even harder not to acquire more.

Like many, I consider my humble water bottle collection to be a museum-worthy curation, each one a different size perfectly matched every

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Most people buy more different water bottles than they actually need.

possible different occasion.

But when it comes down to it, there’s only one that I keep in regular rotation — my Swiss Tech travel mug. It’s lightweight, holds hot and cold beverages and makes it easier for me to track how much water I’ve had in a day. I could give away most of the bottles I have and not notice a difference.

If your algorithm is free from the shackles of water bottle hysteria, you may have encountered underconsumption core — a trend where “deinfluencers” make a point of using items they already have. In their hands, a reusable flask can be as simple as an old glass kombucha bottle.

When it comes to circular living, underconsumption goes further in sustainability (and affordability) than purchasing sustainables — instead of

making a product sustainable, under-consumers hold themselves accountable to environmentally friendly action.

Ultimately, reusable items can become single use items when consumers treat them as short-term. There’s no problem in investing into a well-constructed, long-lasting item — it can eliminate single use plastic and contribute to a smaller, circular economy. But when consumers buy more than they can use, we end up creating waste that isn’t recycled and reused. Whether cotton satchels or metal Stanleys, sustainable items unfortunately have little impact outside of a sustainable lifestyle.

Adithi Vimalanathan, FCRH ’26, is an English and economics major from Jersey City, N.J.

OPINION

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September 25, 2024

Adidas Steps Into Popularity

By LORESA ZEQIRAJ

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

They’re popular for a reason: the Adidas Sambas, Gazelles and Spezials will always be timeless. Even though I keep up with what is “in,” I’ve never liked the current trend culture for a couple reasons. Trends today are different than they used to be because of our generation’s use of social media. We go through trends much quicker, and this is very stressful and wasteful when we try to keep up with what’s currently trending.

At first, I thought that the Adidas Sambas were going to be yet another trend that came in strong and left soon.

It wasn’t. Adidas sneakers have proven to be something that will be around for a long time, but why these shoes?

Why are they so popular, and why will they remain this way?

The Sambas were the first of the bunch to become popularized, and they actually have an interesting history; surprisingly they weren’t always intended to be fashionable everyday footwear. In fact, the Sambas were originally designed in 1949 in order to help football players in Germany play and train on icy, snowy ground. Just as we have them today, the original design has the classic three stripes. However, through the decades, Adidas has made many changes to the look and functionality of

the current Sambas.

I was shocked to discover that Sambas are not just a new trend. The change in the appearance of the shoe made them more fashionable over time. During the ’70s and ’80s, the shoes became an iconic football symbol for their comfortable and effective design, especially in the UK and throughout Europe.

Then, in the ’90s, the sneakers became a known look in the skate scene.

It’s obvious that the Adidas Sambas have known glory before today, so what differentiates their rise in our generation? Well, the shoes have had their moments, and some people might think they are suddenly everywhere, but they’ve actually been coming back since 2020.

During 2020, Adidas entered many partnerships and got numerous celebrities to wear and be seen wearing their shoes. Some include Emma Chamberlain, Frank Ocean, A$AP Rocky as well as Bella Hadid. These are big names with influence. There began the resurgence of the Adidas Sambas. These promotions of the shoes were intentional by the brand, and this is a normal marketing technique, but what followed is not.

Ultimately, the people give the power to current popular trends; we collectively decide that something is chic and worthy of our money.

As celebrities were seen in these shoes they caught the eyes of many people and they increasingly began to be inspired to buy the shoes. The Sambas were posted on media like Instagram and even on TikTok in videos captioned “underrated shoes you need” or “shoes you need in your closet.” Social media had these shoes in an uproar, and by 2023, they were running the shoe game. For example, #adidasgazelles now has 540 million views on TikTok. Sambas were fully integrated in style by January of 2023, and today, they are just as frequently worn. The Gazelles followed the original and are now the latest name in discussions revolving staple shoes to own. Even if the Sambas aren’t big in the sense that we’re constantly talking about them or encouraging their sales, they are still on people’s feet, so they’re still clearly relevant and popular.

Figures like Harry Styles, Jacob Elordi and Kendall Jenner have moved the ascendency of the Gazelles after the Sambas. There may not seem to be a difference between the look of both styles of the shoes but the slight differences in their appearances add a different vibe to outfits, and because of that, people may prefer one over the other.

In early 2024, the Adidas Handball Spezials quickly started popping up with

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Adidas’ rise in popularity is not surprising or unexpected at all.

stylish women such as Kaia Gerber and Arnold Jerocki wearing them with casual yet classy outfits. The reason these variations of everyday Adidas sneakers are so popular and common in fashion today is because they are basic when we want them to be, yet also distinguishable when we need them to be.

Every day, I can find someone wearing one of these sneakers on campus. I’ve seen people wear them with sweatpants and a hoodie while running Sunday errands as well as with a fancy outfit at night in a high-end restaurant on the Upper East Side.

I don’t own a pair (yet).

Like I mentioned, I don’t like how quick trends come and go in today’s age, so I’m

wary of buying something if it might become irrelevant or even hated soon. This might sound unreasonable, but we’ve seen it in the past with shoes like Filas, which get slammed online. However, these Adidas have shown they are here to stay. They’ve been popular since 2020 and now that I spend so much time in the most fashionable city in the world, it’s clear to me that they work with so many outfits. I will be buying a pair, now it’s just a matter of deciding which of the three I want to get first.

Loresa Zeqiraj, FCRH ’28, is a international studies major from Yorktown, N.Y.

North Dakota Overturns Near-Total Abortion Ban

By MOLLY O’CONNOR

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In a terrifying and uncertain time for reproductive freedom, people all across the country have needed a win, and North Dakota District Court Judge Bruce Romanick delivered. Last week, Romanick overturned North Dakota’s extremely strict abortion ban that stated that doctors could be imprisoned and fined $10,000, with exceptions only in cases of risk to the mother, before six weeks, incest or “gross sexual imposition.” This was a gross violation of women’s rights to bodily autonomy that the government should not be able to touch.

Though North Dakota Gov. Doug Burnum claims he will appeal the decision, for now, the state’s women can breathe a bit.

Regarding the previous ban, I think it was grossly unconstitutional and a complete violation of the right to bodily autonomy. Though this law did have some exceptions, these exceptions did not always support the people they were meant to protect. To start, laws that only allow abortion when the mother’s life is threatened are still incredibly dangerous. Doctors have to go through many legal channels and wait until

the last possible minute before helping the pregnant person, and sometimes at that point, it is too late. A woman in Georgia died because of this very issue just weeks after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that allowed states to create these extreme abortion bans. Amber Thurman got abortion pills from a clinic in North Carolina because she knew she wouldn’t be able to support twins on top of her young son. Unfortunately, not all of the fetal tissue was expelled from her uterus and she needed an emergency procedure. Because her Georgia doctors had to follow the law against this procedure and they could not try to operate until she was septic with organ failure, she died from an entirely preventable complication. She is not the only one who has or will die from this; thousands more are dealing with dire health complications.

Additionally, abortion bans like this one that have exceptions for cases of rape are also problematic. It is not always easy for victims to prove their pregnancy was by force, and the justice system ignores many rape cases, so many victims will still not receive the care they need and deserve.

These bans open up many other laws to be overturned. Many states are also working to ban contraceptives and birth control, which adds more pregnant people with unwanted pregnancies and no way to address them.

Furthermore, if Roe v. Wade could be reversed after almost 50 years of being in effect, who’s to say the Supreme Court won’t overturn other landmark cases, like Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized gay marriage in 2015?

All marginalized communities are under attack, and if the Supreme Court continues this pattern, we could lose all the progress we’ve made in the last century.

Romanick had several reasons for overturning this ban, arguing that it took away constitutional rights that should be protected. First, he argued that women have a “fundamental right” to abortion and “procreative autonomy.” Under the North Dakota state constitution, women have a right to abortion before fetal viability.

It is entirely contradictory for the state to have a ban that goes against its very own constitution, which in the United States is the most important government document. Secondly, he claimed that the law took away

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North Dakota’s overturning of the abortion ban is a small victory.

from “a woman’s liberty and her right to pursue and obtain safety and happiness.” This is absolutely true and has been since the founding of our country. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness have always been ideals that we strive to follow, but when we force birth in dire circumstances onto women who cannot or do not want to have children at that time, we take those fundamental liberties away. Finally, Romanick ruled that the ban was constitutionally void for vagueness in terms of how it defined “what compelling interest it has in informing a woman to carry a pregnancy to term.” Without intentional language that identifies the exact parameters of the ban, it can get muddy and cause dangerous situations in which doctors don’t know when they are allowed to operate.

While this is a much needed

victory for North Dakota citizens, we need to ensure that it will stick and that people across the country can get this same access. To do this, Congress must codify Roe v. Wade to protect the right to abortion at a federal level. If we allow each individual state to make its laws surrounding reproductive rights, millions of people will be impacted, and thousands more will have negative health impacts without access to proper medical care. The overturning of the North Dakota ban can serve as a beacon of hope and a step in the right direction in this fight. If this extremely conservative state is overturning its ban, we may be on the way to turning the nation back around. and reinstating Roe v. Wade.

Molly O’Connor, FCRH ’28, is a journalism major from Weymouth, Mass.

CULTURE

September 25, 2024

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A Farmers’ Market Across the Street

By MAKENZIE SMITH STAFF WRITER

Since summer has officially become autumn, it is time to fall into the season’s beloved activities, one of which you can find just across the street from Fordham University at the New York Botanical Garden Farmers Market. The Farmers Market is held every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tulip Tree Allée. This weekly event is the perfect place to buy local produce and freshly baked goods.

Browsing through the vendors is a sure way to get into the autumn spirit as the weather turns crisp and the leaves begin to change. Some vendor stands are already decorated with pumpkins and straw.

The first thing I noticed about the Farmers Market was that it was smaller than I had anticipated. However, I did figure out that the vendors rotate every week, so shoppers will be able to get a variety of vendors while still having the chance to buy from the same ones when they come back. There is the exception of a permanent spot for Fino Farms and Fresh Meadow Farms, which is where most people buy their produce.

As I was walking around, I noticed multiple Fordham students walking out with full bags of produce like fruit, vegetables and potatoes. After seeing how popular the

produce was, I decided to try some green apples from Fino Farms. I wish I had gone back for more because these apples were much better than the fruit on campus. Stopping by this stand is a must, especially as their apples enter prime season.

Personally, I spent more of my money on the baked goods since the produce was getting most of the attention. I do regret to say that I was disappointed with the bagels from DoughCo Bagels. They could have been a lot better, especially considering we are in New York City. Despite the generous helping of cream cheese, I could not get over the staleness of the sesame bagel. If you are still in the mood for a doughy treat, I would instead recommend grabbing a home-baked scone from The Sconery, specifically the cranberry or cheddar cheese flavor.

For those with a sweet tooth, Gaelle’s French Pastries has macarons in an array of colors, as well as some nut-flavored treats. I would recommend the hazelnut croquet. Raw Chocolate Love and Boogie Down Bronx Honey also offer sweet treats. An ice cream stand is at the market for you to enjoy before it gets too cold.

Across the way is also a stand for hot coffee. The option for something both hot and cold is another reason why this Farmers Market is a great

place to spend time while we wait for sweater weather.

If you attend the Farmers Market around lunch time and are in the mood for something more filling, there are vendors waiting just for you. At the Grumpy Dumpling, someone cooks up a serving of dumplings in a pan right in front of you. For something you can save for later, the Wild Radish has prepared meals for you to take home and heat up. This was another stand I noticed that was popular with Fordham students.

Despite this weekly event

being very food based, there are other aspects to enjoy about it. For instance, there is a light playing of the keyboard and snappy singing right in the middle of the street. This live music was one of the first things I noticed as I walked toward the area, and I think it was what made the environment feel so fun. One of my favorite touches to this market was towards the end where there is a stand filled with books from the Mertz Library.

There were also tables and chairs set up in front of the scenic Mertz Library Building

that welcomed people to stay and enjoy their recently bought food.

Visiting the Farmers Market is yet another fun thing to do close to campus. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a short and relaxing activity to do during the week without having to travel to Manhattan. The market is also a great way to support and see what goes on in the Bronx community as most of the vendors are local. Make sure to stop by next Wednesday, or any other week, until it closes on Oct. 23.

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The farmers’ market at the NYBG offers fresh produce and more.

Editor’s Pick | Music

Bon Iver’s “Holocene”: Existential Dread... a Good Thing?

By JOE HENRY

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

I really do hope that you, in picking up a copy or clicking on a link to this week’s issue of the Ram, weren’t actively seeking to question your place in reality. But if you’re into that sort of thing, allow me to indulge you.

Among existential philosophy’s greatest minds — René Descartes, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jonah Ring, FCRH ’26 — is Justin Vernon, the frontman for the indie folk band Bon Iver; and among a discography of acclaimed works, the group’s 2011 album, “Bon Iver, Bon Iver,” feels especially profound and timeless.

While the album is sonically and lyrically innovative, its greatest achievement is its reconception of our existence as humans. Such a reconception feels like an impossible feat for a 10-track sophomore album, but within 39 minutes of runtime, Vernon manages to paint a harrowing yet beautiful image of our place in the universe.

Vernon’s work centers around a terrifying realization: he, like every one of us, is insignificant. “Our lives feel like

these epochs, but really we are dust in the wind,” said Vernon of the song “Holocene.”

Beginning with a minimalistic guitar melody and Vernon’s emotionally-charged falsetto, “Holocene” feels like a track out of Bon Iver’s debut record, “For Emma, Forever Ago.” That album, unlike this one, is centered around Vernon’s inability to trudge forward amidst the pain of a breakup. The first verse feels like more of the same: “Someway, baby, it’s part of me, apart from me,” wallows Vernon. As the verse proceeds, Vernon admits to using alcohol as a means of coping, while blaming himself for his loss.

As Vernon sulks, he pauses, realizing something: “At once, I knew, I was not magnificent.”

Suddenly, the melody is accompanied by the toll of a bell, buoyed by the steady rhythm of a shaker, and underscored by a bassline that strikes the soul with its punctuality.

Vernon surveys his surroundings. Yes, he’s not magnificent, but his reality is.

“Jagged vacance, thick with ice… I could see for miles, miles, miles,” he sings, detailing the expanse of the world’s

beauty, a sentiment reflected in the imagery evoked by the instrumental.

With this track, Vernon is changing the way we perceive our insignificance. The dread that accompanies our powerlessness and smallness can be reconfigured as a tool: we spend our entire lives as balls of emotion. We get overwhelmed by loss and failure — we consider these things, often, to be insurmountably great losses.

While we ought to value our lives and the people in them, the ability to step back as Vernon does can make for a great coping mechanism.

As the song climaxes,

horns, strings, snares and flutes envelop Vernon’s voice in a glorious cacophony, perfectly encapsulating the overwhelming grandeur of our reality in contrast to ourselves.

Observe our reality: we are one of eight billion humans, one of 100 million species and one of a trillion galaxies. We convince ourselves that our lives are these all-consuming and allimportant stories, within which each chapter carries the weight of the world; but even the most significant of losses is an invisible speck in the anthology of our universe.

Taking that step back and

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Bon Iver pulses with contemplative insights and somber tones.

realizing your insignificance is daunting, no doubt.

While living in such a headspace in perpetuity would be a dreary existence, we should learn to harness our existential dread. In times of despair or emptiness, look outside and consider the vastness and beauty of our world. Consider the minuteness of the moment you live in — in 20 years it will be nothing more than a brush stroke on the painting of your life.

That may be a sad truth, but it can be equally as beautiful.

Of course, my life is not perfect, and it may not be magnificent, either; but when I walk to class with “Holocene” playing, I, like Vernon, can see for miles, miles, miles. In doing so, I realize that my life’s true magnificence is derived from its place within our broader reality.

We may not be magnificent on our own, but the impossibility of our reality is magnificent enough to make me eternally grateful for the life I live, in all of its beauty, pain and nights spent listening to unhealthy amounts of Bon Iver.

CULTURE

Page 12

September 25, 2024

“Infinite Icon” Review: Paris Hilton’s Lackluster Return to Pop

By CHRISTIAN PHILLIPS STAFF WRITER

Paris Hilton is known for being an icon of the early 2000s. She first gained stardom in 2003 with the release of her hit reality show “The Simple Life” which would go on the air for five seasons and get a reboot, which is currently in the process of being filmed. In 2006, she released her debut album “Paris,” which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Top 200.

One of the more iconic songs on the album, “Stars Are Blind” peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remains Hilton’s only song to make it onto the list.

On Sept. 6 of this year, 18 years after her debut, Hilton released her long awaited return to pop music with “Infinite Icon.” Compared to her debut album, which capitalized on her hot, party girl image, her latest release takes a somewhat different approach. Although some of her songs are still about being hot and going out, a portion of them also dive deeper into the struggles she has faced. Buried within the album is an inspiring message about resilience, self-growth and stardom, showing how

much Hilton has grown and matured over the years.

Unfortunately, it’s hidden under the excessive use of autotune. Despite her icon status, the album is anything but iconic. She has a strong opener, “Welcome Back,” and a solid closer, “Adored,” but few songs in between would also fall into those classifications. Those that do, we can attribute to the featured artists on the tracks which provide balance to the heavily autotuned Hilton.

Although upbeat and fun, the majority of the songs sound out-dated and unremarkable, which stems from the synthetic beats and autotune. The songs that stand out among the rest are “I’m Free (Feat. Rina Sawayama),” “BBA (Feat. Megan Thee Stallion),” “If The Earth Is Spinning (Feat.

Sia)” and “Without Love (Feat.

Maria Becerra).” The remaining songs on the album are not even close to being what fans were hoping and expecting her to deliver. They lack heart and taste and come off with no subtlety towards the album’s intended message. One line from her song “ADHD” sings, “I was so down, thought I’d never be free / My superpower

was right inside, see? / It was ADHD.” With a great intended message about discovering a part of yourself and coming to terms with a diagnosis that changes the way you look at yourself, the lyrical and auditory aspects of the song fall short of conveying that message in a convincing way.

This year we have seen the success of a multitude of pop albums; “brat” from Charli xcx, “eternal sunshine” from Ariana Grande, “The Rise and

Fall of a Midwest Princess” from Chappell Roan and, most recently, “Short n’ Sweet” from Sabrina Carpenter. Although competition was tough, Hilton’s sophomore album is a failed attempt to stay relevant in a constantly changing society. So many artists attempt to “reinvent” themselves in order to appeal to new audiences of a new generation; however, these attempts ultimately fall short, because they no longer appeal to the audience that made them

successful to begin with and completely miss the mark of what appeals to the latest generations. Despite featuring a multitude of talented artists and having a few strong songs, it is not enough to save the album from falling into obscurity. “Infinite Icon” does provide listeners with a throwback to Y2K, an attempt at impactful messages and fun, synthetic dance beats, but it fails to cross the threshold into being a great and iconic album.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Hilton rockily attempts to solidify her icon status as she returns to the pop spotlight.

“My Old Ass” Emphasizes Modern Humor and Relatability

By ISABELLA DEROSA

& CHELSEA DELALLA If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say? Or if you could talk to your older self, what would you ask? In the new comingof-age film “My Old Ass,” upand-coming director Meghan Park aims to portray an answer to these hypotheticals and capture the journey of self-discovery for late teens in a relatable and comedic way.

“My Old Ass” centers around 18-year-old Elliot Labrant (Maisy Stella), who takes mushrooms on a birthday camping trip resulting in her coming face to face with her 39-yearold self. Older Elliot (Aubrey Plaza) gives younger Elliot advice on how she should continue living her life. As younger Elliot is currently planning on moving away for college and leaving her rural life behind, she and older Elliot continue to converse over the problems younger Elliot faces, and both learn and grow from each other in a classic coming-of-age fashion.

This unique production was both written and produced by Park. It was these questions of self-reflection that sparked Park’s original ideas for the film. Park knew she wanted to create a film that highlighted the struggle of rapid life changes that college students undergo while simultaneously presenting this idea in a way that is lighthearted and comedic.

“I’ve always admired movies that walk the line between comedy and authentic emotion,” Park said when discussing her inspiration for the film.

“But in this case, I think that mix really came out of me trying to be true to a moment in life that is full of laughs and good times but also real sadness at leaving your childhood world and everything that is so beautiful about it behind.”

Park uses different aspects of Elliot’s life to bring out these qualities of emotion and comedy. Elliot’s relationships with the other characters within the film, specifically her family dynamic and romantic relationships, are designed to emphasize the emotional growth of that age. On the flip side, Park adds elements of modern community, using popular language such as the slang and humor of our current era to reach out to viewers in a more personal way.

While staying in her childhood bedroom, Park developed the concept for the film, reflecting nostalgically on moments from her past that she had once overlooked. She aimed to translate these emotions into a narrative that would leave a lasting impression on Gen Z audiences. To bring this vision to life, Park crafted a story centered on Elliot’s journey of self-reflection, weaving in themes of family, love and future uncertainties — topics that deeply resonate with recent

high school graduates.

After a pivotal conversation with her future self, Elliot begins to reassess her relationship with her family, recognizing that she has neglected to spend meaningful time with her parents and brothers. This realization also leads her to question her connection to the family farm and her role in its upkeep, sparking a newfound appreciation for both.

As Elliot navigates this path of self-reflection, she also grapples with uncertainties and doubts about her future as she prepares to move to Toronto for college. In addition to these challenges, the film addresses modern themes of self-identity, particularly Elliot’s exploration of her sexual orientation.

Initially identifying as lesbian,

Elliot later begins to question if she might also be attracted to men. This internal conflict leads to a heartfelt conversation with her friend Ro, who reassures her that being attracted to men doesn’t make her “less queer.” Park highlights the significance of this scene, stating, “It was such an important scene... I had never seen a character who identified one way [and changed her mind]. It’s usually the other way around... This was a fresh take on queer conversations that feel more authentic to Gen Z, and definitely to Elliot.”

This complex depiction of self-discovery highlights the emotional challenges and confusion many face as they transition into college. It also reassures audiences that it’s okay

to stumble and make mistakes, as these experiences are essential for personal growth and understanding oneself.

With this ambition, it is no surprise that Park’s film is jam-packed with detail. From the viewer’s perspective, it is safe to say that the takeaway from this film can vary greatly from person to person. Whether the scope of themes within this film is overwhelming or a sort of perfect storm can be left entirely up to those watching. The beauty of a film such as “My Old Ass” is how it can shift and change under a set of fresh eyes. Regardless of the strong intentions from Park, when “My Old Ass” officially hits all theaters, we can expect viewers to find new meaning within this film as well.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

“My Old Ass” asks relevant questions and explores universal themes, while remaining personal.

CULTURE

September 25, 2024

Page 13

Dave Grohl Has Another Confession To Make

By SAMANTHA DIAZ STAFF WRITER

Former drummer of Nirvana and lead singer of Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl, recently took to his official Instagram account to announce that he had become the father to a baby girl outside of his marriage.

It came as a shock to many, as Grohl has upheld a public image of being a good guy, often being referred to as “the nicest man in rock and roll.”

His public confession seemingly came out of nowhere, and many are confused as to why a private matter was made public.

This comes at a sensitive time for the band, who have gone through some challenges over the last few years. From tragically losing their drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022, to recently coming under fire after calling out the Trump campaign for using their song “My Hero” without their permission, this serves as another blow.

However, given the extreme reaction to the news, does that mean we should stop listening to Nirvana and Foo Fighters?

If we choose to do that, what does that say about the way we perceive celebrities and the things we expect of them?

As a user on the stan culture side of X, the post was everywhere in the rock community within an hour of being posted.

The reaction that I saw was a

mixed bag, but one that revealed the parasocial qualities of fan behavior.

Many fans directed their outrage at Grohl because of his family’s presence on social media. With his wife, Jordyn Blum, Grohl has three daughters. His daughters can be found posting videos and pictures with him on TikTok and Instagram. Tons of comments fill these posts, typically from his fans, praising Grohl for being a good father who doesn’t take himself too seriously. He can also be found on the profiles of fans who are lucky enough to meet him, taking pictures and videos of their one-on-one interactions.

The captions on these posts always fall along the lines of how friendly Grohl is and how honored they were to be in his presence.

On the other hand, some fans didn’t care all too much, claiming that it is almost the “norm” for rock stars to do something like this owing to the rebellious lifestyle, even if that stigma has long disappeared. Grohl is not the first (and certainly not the last) celebrity to be exposed for infidelity, especially within the rock scene. Another factor fans were quick to bring up was the fact that Grohl has had a history of infidelity in his past relationships. But is that really any of our business?

Those who admire Nirvana and Foo Fighters on these stan culture spaces were quick to

change their username or profile picture to remove any association with Grohl. It was their way of being angry at him and shunning him for the time being. But in doing so, it showed how some fans felt as though they were personally victimized

by Grohl.

As with any big scandal or event, memes and jokes spread like wildfire, most likely as a method of “coping.” Fan accounts mentioned having to take a break from social media because of how upset they were, while others expressed their sympathy for his family and moved on.

There seemed to be a general agreement that while they acknowledge what he did was wrong, we can still support him and his music.

If that’s the case, then why did we all feel a sense of sadness wash over us at the thought of this happening in the first place? Why did we feel disappointed in him?

What we saw through the media was enough to convince people that Grohl could do no wrong, and there is some empathy within that treatment, given all the tragedy that has occurred in his life. Therefore, a human connection that fans believe goes beyond the normal celebrity and fan interaction is established. To many, Grohl is more than a musician. In him, they see a father, a friend or a life-saving figure. But since we make up this image of him

in our heads, we get let down when something like this happens. We can’t hold a celebrity to this standard and expect them to be a saint.

What we fail to remember is that celebrities are human too.

No human is perfect. People are bound to make mistakes and do things that will hurt others, and there is no excuse for that. When it comes to the celebrity, we as fans never know the whole story, and frankly, it’s none of our business. At the end of the day, his family is the one who suffers as a result of his actions, not the fans.

Grohl is a musician, we like him because he makes good music and his musical talents have nothing to do with what happened. If he happens to be

a good guy, then so be it. Tons of artists have done things that are considered morally wrong, and still have a massive fanbase. It happens to other beloved musicians, actors and directors.

“Separate the art from the artist” is becoming a popular sentiment with the rise of cancel culture. It’s typically reserved for people who have done things that we see as wrong, but even that statement can be subjective depending on who it is and how their fanbase feels.

Regardless, fans will continue to create an image of their favorite celebrities to be picture-perfect, but it’s not that simple. As much as we may think we “know” our idols, we don’t know the half of it.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Grohl’s family, pictured above, was thought to be a model celebrity family.

College Students Are Playing Dress-Up Again

By CAILEE ZERAAT COPY CHIEF

“Dress to Impress” (DTI) is an award-winning fashion game that is currently dominating the platform Roblox. With over 2.8 billion plays, its concept is simple: create an outfit according to a set theme in a limited amount of time. In theory, the game is nothing new.

However, “DTI” has captured the attention of a more mature player base, an achievement quite unknown to other Roblox games.

Roblox games have consistently been targeted towards younger audiences. The simplistic design and controls of the games on the platform allow users to play on phones and tablets, not requiring any advanced gaming knowledge or mechanics to enjoy their experience. They are, quite literally, point-and-click. The straightforward design of most Roblox games has subjected the platform as a whole to the assumption that the games are basic or childlike. However, “DTI” is part of a new wave of Roblox games that feature upgraded graphics and movements, disregarding the classic “block-like” look and feel that is typically associated with Roblox games.

Why exactly is “DTI” garnering such popularity from more mature audiences? According to Roblox, around half of “DTI” players are over 18 years old, while less than 42% of total Roblox users are over 18. In general, the Roblox player base skews young, but “DTI” is defying this statistic.

The complexity of customization is one of the most attractive features of the game, allowing for an almost endless combination of clothes, makeup, accessories and hairstyles. Younger players can throw on a pair of jeans and a tank top, while more fashion-forward users can experiment with colors and layering to create model-worthy outfits. “DTI” features clothing items spanning all different fashion trends, from streetwear to boho chic. Jadah Ramdyal, GSB ’26, an avid “DTI” player, emphasized how “the detailed character models and creative designs make the game visually appealing” and enhance her overall experience. “The frequent updates with new staples and themes keep things interesting and align with current fashion trends,” said Ramdyal.

Another defining feature of “DTI” is the voting system. At the end of the outfit creation period, players are presented

with every look in the lobby and are asked to assign a number of stars to each outfit, ranging from one to five. Players who earn more total stars progress through the ranks, from New Model (0-49 stars) to Top Model (25,000+ stars). The game offers rewards to continued gameplay: a shiny rank badge above your player model, indicating how fashionable you are, and tier-locked rewards, like unique dresses and purses. Voting on “DTI” is user-driven, giving players a true sense of investment and importance in creating crowdpleasing outfits.

Recently, “DTI” participated in a collaboration with Charli xcx, introducing a number of “brat”-themed clothing items and neon-green aesthetics. “I think the ‘brat’ theme was a good move, especially with the idea of a ‘brat summer’ happening,” said Ramdyal. The game developer’s choice to collaborate with an album featuring mature themes was a calculated choice that attracted older users who relate to the music and aesthetics of the new Charli xcx album.

However, nostalgia may be one of the driving factors of “DTI”’s success amongst mature audiences. ‘Dress to Impress’ has a nostalgic vibe

and mimics games from many Gen Z childhood games,” said Olivia Vanden Assem, FCRH ’25. Websites like GirlsGoGames.com boasted a myriad of games similar to “DTI” in the early 2000s. Sitting at a shared family computer or in front of a first-generation iPad to play dress-up games is an activity many Gen Zers and millennials remember, and “DTI” taps back into this fond

pastime. There are little-to-no requirements for playing “DTI”.

All a player needs is a device and a free Roblox account — entry costs are negligible. In a world where hobbies accumulate expenses at every turn, “DTI” is offering older players an inexpensive opportunity to revisit their childhood memories and hobbies in a trendy way. So hit the runway, Pose 28 and earn that Top Model rank.

COURTESY OF MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Going back to their childhood roots, young adults are returning to Roblox.

CULTURE

Page 14

September 25, 2024

Who’s That Kid| Kelly Katsoris, GSB ’26

Junior’s Journey To Business Success

By ISABELLA DEROSA ASST. CULTURE EDITOR

Student, lifeguard, accounting intern and reporting secretary of Fordham University’s Beta Alpha Psi are just a few terms to describe Kelly Katsoris, GSB ’26. From her start at Fordham, Katsoris has seemingly worked nonstop to achieve her goals. With this drive and determination, she now looks forward to an impressive future with one of the largest global accounting firms. And though this path may seem like a straight shot, Katsoris’ journey is full of twists and turns.

Katsoris always knew she wanted to be a part of the business world. However, business has unlimited possibilities, so it took some time before she knew exactly where to go.

For most Gabelli School of Business students, accounting is not introduced until their sophomore year. Being a part of an accelerated program, Katsoris was exposed to accounting as a first-year.

“Accounting is the backbone of all business,” Katsoris said about how she developed a passion for this area of business.

“All jobs need them. I thought it was very diversified.”

After figuring out her niche, Katsoris’ next step was the

dreaded and intense internship recruiting time that most Gabelli students undergo.

“You are basically deciding and recruiting for a career at 19 years old, which is extremely difficult,” Katsoris said. She also noted how New York’s intense business atmosphere turns up the pressure on Fordham students. With most of these prestigious firms only a train ride away in Manhattan and their acceptance rates being as low as 4%, there is certainly a fight among students to get their spot: “Seeing those numbers and wanting it so badly… The question in everyone’s head is how am I going to differentiate myself from the others?”

It turns out that the differentiation that underclassmen are looking for is all in the little details. “At the end of the day, you kind of have to laugh about it,” Katsoris said, recounting her time as a Finance Scholar, the program that teaches these students the key to standing out. During her time as a Finance Scholar, Katsoris learned the ins and outs of how to act in professional settings, no matter how ridiculous it seemed. “I got yelled at for slouching,” Katsoris said about her very first Finance Scholars trip. “I was told, ‘Nothing says I don’t care like not sitting up

straight’… I was horrified.”

Posture was not the only thing that mattered, in fact, the golden rule for professionalism is mastering your handshake.

Though it may seem simple, conducting a proper handshake is both a skill and an art form, and one that Finance Scholars take very seriously.

“We had a whole session, for an hour, on how to shake someone’s hand,” Katsoris explained the elements she learned that go into a handshake. “Grip, tightness, wiping off sweat, posture, not going for it too quickly, making sure you cut your fingernails,” Katsoris listed. The administration had gone around shaking every student’s hand, individually critiquing each one: “Mine was approved, but someone else was told they were weak and awkward.”

Despite the tedious etiquette training, Katsoris remembers the experience as a bonding time for her and her peers.

“We were 18-year-old kids getting suits and going to the Ram Van at 10 p.m. at night to see Goldman Sachs,” she explained, acknowledging that their situation was very unique and a privilege to be a part of.

Now, on the other side of this journey, Katsoris warns students undergoing the same process to maintain a good

head space when dealing with the stress of being a business student. “It sounds cliche, but truly try to separate yourself from everybody. It’s very easy to think [you’re] not doing enough,” Katsoris said. “For the longest time, I felt that way… It’s very helpful to take a step back.”

Moving forward, Katsoris is excited about her position as the reporting secretary for Fordham’s Beta Alpha Psi chapter, the nationally recognized honor society for business students. Beta Alpha Psi often has Fordham alumni from prestigious firms give talks to the undergraduates.

“It is very cool to see how I’m in my place now, and this is what I want to achieve in the future. They have sat in

the same shoes as me, and now they are so successful,” Katsoris said, mentioning that this aspect is her favorite part of the society. During her time as reporting secretary, Katsoris hopes to give the same feeling to the incoming classes of the society.

“I want to do what they did for me back to the younger audience,” Katsoris said.

After this academic year, Katsoris is going to be a tax intern for PwC (one of the Big Four accounting firms) in Manhattan for the summer of 2025. Both looking back at her path as a business student and looking forward to her future as an accountant, Katsoris is proud of her hard work and success and hopes to inspire students on the same path.

COURTESY OF KELLY KATSORIS FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Junior Katsoris wants to empower students in buisness through her clubs.

A Review Of Review Apps

By CHRISTIAN PHILLIPS STAFF WRITER

We have long become accustomed to accessing information at our fingertips. But before the invention of the Internet, if you were planning a trip, a night out or deciding what movie to watch and wanted to get an idea of what to expect, you would have to ask around in person. Today, all you have to do is type in the name of a business, product or service and you will get thousands of results about people’s experiences and opinions. Apps such as Yelp, Letterboxd and Goodreads have allowed people to get an idea of a place or thing without ever having to experience it themselves. Although this can be extremely beneficial, it also comes with a risk.

In the age of convenience, review apps help the reader save both time and money. They allow someone else to do all the hard work of judging for you.

Based on the amount of positive or negative reviews and what people have to say about it, you can determine if you think you’d enjoy something before having to commit. Review apps are also beneficial if you utilize them for your personal endeavors. Many people use apps like Yelp and Letterboxd to keep track of how they feel about businesses, products and services; this is not necessarily to inform others, but to look back upon when it comes time to decide where to go and what

to see again. Letterboxd has a multitude of functions to keep track of your favorite movies or organize them into certain categories. Perhaps you may have eaten at a specific restaurant before but cannot remember the experience you had there; looking over your own review and rating would allow you to decide if you think it will be worth it to experience it again.

Relying on the thoughts and opinions of strangers can provide insight on what you may encounter, but not without consequence. Typically, when you had to ask around in person for feedback, you’d ask someone you know and presumably trust. With review apps, you rely on the feedback from thousands of strangers. And while if the majority agree it can give you a decent idea on what you can expect, these strangers may not have the same conditions as you for a negative or positive experience. A person’s enjoyment of their dining experience may depend on who is making the food and what atmosphere is being offered. When looking at reviews, you need to consider that people have differing opinions and standards than you.

When you ask a friend their thoughts on the latest movie and if you should go see it, you would generally trust them because you know if they have similar tastes to you, and they probably also have an understanding of what you would

enjoy. Strangers may not have that mutual understanding.

There are a multitude of instances where the majority hate or love something but the individual may feel the opposite. Take Rotten Tomatoes, for example. On the platform, it compares critic scores to that of audiences and although they are usually similar, there are some films that have a huge divide. For example, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” has a 36% point divide between critics and audience scores, with the critics giving it a 59% score and audiences giving it a 95% score.

People disagree about so much, so all you can do is experience something for yourself and develop your own opinion of it.

Although, when offering reviews you would expect people to be honest about their experience, this is not always the case. A term known as “review bombing” is a recent Internet phenomenon where a large amount of negative reviews are posted online in an attempt to harm a business or product, by affecting its sales or popularity. Some great examples of this are “Black Panther,” “Captain Marvel,” “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” “Eternals” and the live action of “The Little Mermaid.”

None of these are awful movies, and the review bombing tends to occur before the films initial release, meaning these negative reviews stem from people who have not even seen them

yet. This can occur for a variety of reasons but in the case of some of these films it had to do with the inclusion of different races, genders and sexualities in pre-established franchises.

However, this phenomenon is not exclusive to films, with many restaurants facing review bombing during COVID-19 from those who had a problem with the enforcement of mask and vaccine mandates. Even if a business, service or product has loads of negative reviews it may not even be based on the quality of the experience at all. We also often see people, known online as “Karens,” who feel entitled to certain products or services that a business may not even offer and thus threaten to leave

harmful, negative reviews.

There is a review service for just about everything you can think of, from the aforementioned food and entertainment to tech gadgets, doctors and travel. But make sure to take any review with a grain of salt, as people have differing thoughts and opinions, and too often we see examples of dishonest reviews for personal agendas. Instead of solely relying on review apps for the perspective of others, utilize them for your own interests.

Keep track and leave reviews for businesses, services and products so you can remember your own experience and know what to expect if you decide to revisit them.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Review apps often open the door to review harmful to buisness or ideas.

CULTURE

September 25, 2024

Page 15

Ideas From “In A Landscape?”

By JUDE HELD

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In reading about and listening to various music genres throughout my life, I have reached one fairly concrete certitude: music cannot exist on its own. What matters most is context. Space, environment, company, experience and other factors play a role in the way we hear a piece and, more importantly, the way it connects with us. In the age of audio recording, this idea seems to be lost. Albums are pushed in hopes of creating a universal experience with a meaning that appeals to a large audience. What artists fail to recognize, however, is that the audience drives the meaning of the music. Max Richter explores this idea in the album “In a Landscape.”

In an interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music, Richter rests his computer on a desk that displays the newly built studio used in the mixing and mastering of “In a Landscape.”

Immediately, Lowe notices the presence of windows, typically absent from recording studios due to their reflection of sound waves. Richter explains that he wanted to create in a place that inspired the ideas that he hoped to display on the album.

He embraced the natural light and intrusion of sound from the outside world. The new studio, Richter describes, provided him with a new journey, one littered with “experiments” and fruitful in its “discovery.”

The word “journey” would fall flat if being used to

describe “In A Landscape.” A journey implies a beginning and an end, with some degree of plot or action in between those two points. Instead, I would describe “In A Landscape” as a circular observation. There is no plot or cohesive story, rather, the album consists of a series of commentaries on the human condition as it stands presently. Through this, Richter takes a step back and leaves a large portion of the responsibility to the audience. The listening experience is dependent not on the quality of headphones it is experienced through, but the situation in which the listener finds themselves when hearing it.

One who listens from a bench overlooking a pond on a quiet, overcast Sunday afternoon will come away from the album with much different observations than one who listens to it in their car in rush hour traffic after a day at work. It is in this way that the experience takes a circular path — starting and returning at a similar place, but leaving the listener changed in their perspective of the world that surrounds them.

In order to achieve this, Richter blurs the lines between natural and electronic, a reflection of a division ceasing to exist before our own eyes.

Richter’s first piece on “In A Landscape,” “They Will Shade Us With Their Wings,” paints a picture of a world that once was. Through a contrast of strings in both the upper and lower register, Richter’s ambient introduction provides a peaceful space to reflect.

Immediately following, however, this space is ruptured by the first of what Richter calls a “Life Study.” To put it simply, the sounds of shoes clattering on gravel, with an electronic drone transporting listeners back to the present or even towards the future. It may seem unnecessary to strip listeners of a much needed meditative space, but Richter uses this change as an opportunity to display the constant tugging of our mind from electronic and physical realities. This tussle between natural and artificial continues throughout the next few pieces, with “Life Studies” scattered between to provide glimpses into the world we have grown to accept without question.

It is not until “Only Silent Words” that a major shift in ideas occurs. Playing with the expectations of listeners, Richter unveils an entirely electronic piece that is reminiscent in many ways of the work of Floating Points or other pioneering electronic producers.

Being thrown completely off guard, the listener is forced to focus in order to regain their footing. The electronic drones provide an almost comforting oasis from the unfamiliar classical instruments displayed earlier in the album. However, almost as if it never happened at all, the piece that follows, “Late and Soon,” leads listeners back to the natural world through the use of somber strings that land deep in the lower register.

The listener is not treated to another electronic refuge throughout the rest of the

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Richter atempts to challenge listeners in his new album.

work. The remainder of the pieces (including the “Life Studies” songs) consist mainly of classical ideas and concepts, albeit with an innovative and modern twist. The album concludes with two pieces that send home the concept of shift and alternation between ways of life. The first, “Love Song (After JE),” begins with a dark chord progression on the piano that is quickly accompanied by strings that match the depressing mood. Seeming to be the penultimate piece, the listener is left on the edge of their seat (far away now from the meditative space that was introduced to begin the album), waiting for a resolution to the dissonance that plagues the music. It is not until the

final piece, “Movement, Before All Flowers,” that this resolution is finally reached. The listener is transported completely away from the chaotic electronic concepts to a serene environment that they are free to grace through, accompanied by strings that provide a hopeful and introspective conclusion.

With “In A Landscape,” Richter hopes to take attention away from the music, instead shining the spotlight on the listener and their ability to comprehend the nature of the life they now find themselves in. It is clear, though, that Richter has hope for a future in which the public is able to subconsciously connect with both the authentic and contrived aspects of life.

By GRACE GALBREATH ASST. NEWS EDITOR EMERITUS

By KARI WHITE

ACROSS CULTURE EDITOR 1.

6.

7.

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Material used to build a scarecrow “Bear” native to Australia Slang for getting tattooed Abbreviation for seconds (plural)

DOWN 1.

2.

3.

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Most popular winter sport/activity Unit of measurement equal to 2,000 pounds (plural) Bridgerton slang for a womanizer First name of actor involved in July 2024 manslaughter trial Lumps, clumps, pads, ____ (plural)

1

2

3

4

5

6 7 8

Instructions Use the clues to the left to fill out the boxes above.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Restocking pantries is an important part of recalibrating after break in order to make life a little easier.

Find the answer key on www.thefordhamram.com!

Page 16

Men’s Soccer vs. Thunder

SPORTS

September 25, 2024

Women’s Soccer’s Promising A-10 Start

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Men’s Soccer began their A-10 campaign in the eye of the storm.

By GRIFFIN STEVENSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Last Monday, the Fordham University Rams earned a hardfought draw at Moglia Stadium in the Battle of the Bronx at their annual matchup against the Manhattan University Jaspers. The Rams had some fresh faces in this one, with sophomore goalkeeper Leo Perelman making his debut and senior defender Owen Hardy starting for the first time in his Fordham career. The Jaspers shocked the Rams in the first half, putting in a two-goal performance on the road. Manhattan got on the board in the 13th minute when a cross from senior forward Tony Yeboah was poked home by sophomore Ziv Dahan. Twenty minutes later, the senior from Italy, Sebastiano Musu, played a ball to senior midfielder Ronan O’Brien, who slotted it past the keeper to extend the Jaspers lead to 2-0. Manhattan’s lead held until the halftime break, but that’s when Fordham came out swinging.

In the 51st minute, junior forward Andre Insalaco played a ball into the box, flicked on by graduate student Louis Lehr, to the foot of the senior Chris Dixon, who chipped it home.

The Rams continued to fight for an equalizer until the 65th minute when junior midfielder Daniel D’Ippolito moved past his defender before whipping a ball toward graduate forward Luke Pompliano,

who scored the equalizer. The 2-2 scoreline would hold till the match ended, with Fordham extending their unbeaten run at Moglia Stadium to a staggering eleven games (7-0-4). The comeback result brought momentum ahead of their Atlantic 10 opener.

The Rams began their A-10 campaign in upstate New York when they took on the St. Bonaventure University Bonnies. This one was played over the course of two days after thunder and lightning burst through the night sky after just 31 minutes of action. Unfortunately for both teams, the inclement weather continued for longer than the allowed hour-and-a-half delay period, which led to Fordham spending the night in a hotel, with kickoff scheduled for 10 a.m. the following day. When the match resumed, there wasn’t much of note for either team. The game finished 0-0, with Fordham’s graduate goalkeeper Carter Abbott picking up his second solo shutout of the season. The Rams put four shots on target but could not break the deadlock. The draw brings the Rams to 3-2-3 to start the year as they look to outperform their eighth-place position in the A-10 preseason poll.

They will continue the season with more conference action on Tuesday, Sept. 24th, when the Rams will host the University of Massachusetts at Joe Moglia Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Bronx.

Athletes of the Week

Nahil Perkins

Graduate Student Football

In a tough year where Fordham Football has suffered a frustrating glut of injuries, having one or two of your mainstays remain healthy is crucial to keeping your team afloat. Having one of your mainstays play at an all-American level, however, is all the better. Graduate student Nahil Perkins has done just that for the Rams this year, putting in amazing performance after amazing performance for a struggling Rams team that is looking for a leader. Just this past weekend, Perkins not only added yet another pick to his already impressive season total of three, but he also did some dirty work in the box, recording a tackle for loss as part of his three total tackles on the day.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Women’s Soccer thought they scored the winner against Loyola Chicago at the buzzer, but it was offsides.

By GRIFFIN STEVENSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

On Thursday night, Fordham University traveled to George Mason University for their first Atlantic 10 matchup. The Fordham Rams took many shots throughout the match but couldn’t find a goal until the 78th minute when it became goals galore. The Rams got on the board with their first penalty conversion of the season as sophomore Lena Johnsen slotted it past the goalkeeper for her second goal of the season.

Their lead was doubled only a minute later as graduate student Abby Borchers found freshman Liina Tervo, who put the ball into the back of the net for her fifth goal of the year, giving Fordham a 2-0 lead. The Rams weren’t done yet, as senior forward Carmen Hardwick controlled a cross from freshman Allison Gardner 12 yards out from the goal before burying the ball inside the right post for a buzzer-beating goal.

Hardwick’s first goal of the season came with just one second left on the clock, a somewhat ironic finish given what happens in their next match. Their win in Fairfax, Va., marks the third straight season that the Rams

have started off conference play with a victory, taking momentum back to Moglia Stadium for their first home match in a month.

This Sunday, the Fordham Rams welcomed the Ramblers of Loyola Chicago University to Moglia Stadium at Jack Coffey Field for their first matchup as conference oppenents Both teams entered the afternoon with a record of 6-2-1, good enough for joint first in the A-10 after the opening matchups. Fordham was the first team on the board when a 10th-minute free-kick delivery from freshman winger Julia Acosta found a helping foot from attacking partner Tervo.

The early goal was Tervo’s sixth on the season, matching her six assists count, good enough for first in the A-10. Another costly mistake nearly saw the Ramblers crashing out of this one when a freshly substituted-on freshman, Roos Van-Roekel, took down Borchers, who was through on goal and was rewarded a red card for her efforts. Loyola University Chicago did not let going down a player define them as the junior Faith Grisdale poked home a deflected shot that fell at her feet in the 33rd minute to equalize. The Rams nearly

Varsity Calendar HOME AWAY

Wednesday Sept. 25

Thursday Sept. 26

Friday Sept. 27

Men’s Soccer

Liina Tervo Freshmen Women’s Soccer

Women’s Soccer has had a blistering start to their respective season, and budding superstar Liina Tervo has been a major reason as to why. The freshman forward continued her utter dominance this past week, not only helping lead the Rams to a 3-0 victory over the Patriots of George Mason University via her insurance goal in the 79th minute, but she also played a pivotal role in the team’s wild 2-2 draw with Loyola Chicago University. In a wild back-and-forth affair with the Rambles, Tervo had her fingerprint on both of Fordham’s goals, recording both an assist and a goal of her own.

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

had another goal in the first half from a lovely Acosta strike; however, freshman goalkeeper Allison Deardorff showed off her acrobatics to make the stop, adding one of what would become an impressive 11 saves on the night. The Ramblers were the first on the board in the second half when senior forward Jaimee Cibulka danced past the Fordham defense before a well-placed leftfooted finish put Loyola Chicago up 2-1 in the 70th minute.

Determined to get a result in this one, the Rams pushed forward until the 89th minute when junior captain Ella Guth found Tervo on the wing; she chased the ball to the end line, whipping it back across to sophomore Riley Carrol, who managed to equalize from 20 yards out. Fordham thought they found their winner at the buzzer when senior midfielder Fernanda Serna tapped in a dropped cross

by Deardorff, but it was ultimately ruled as scored after the buzzer and offsides. The 2-2 brought both teams to 6-2-2 on the year and 1-0-1 in conference play.

Fordham will continue its A-10 campaign in Massachusetts on Thursday, Sept. 26, when it takes on the University of Massachusetts Amherst at 4 p.m.

Women’s Soccer

Saturday Sept. 28

Sunday Sept. 29

UMass 7 p.m.

Richmond .

2 p.m.

UMass 4 p.m.

Volleyball

St. Louis 5 p.m.

St. Louis 2 p.m.

Water Polo

Princeton 6 p.m.

Navy, GW, Mercyhurst Monmouth 1 p.m.

Football Men’s Tennis Women’s Tennis Men’s & Women’s Swimming Men’s Golf

Navy, Mercyhurst

Fordham Four Invite Army West Point Invitational West Point Sprints SHU Fall Classic

Monday Sept. 30

Tuesday Oct. 1

SPORTS

September 25, 2024

Alex Morgan’s Career, Impact and Legacy

Page 17

Varsity Scores & Stats 13 45

Men’s Soccer Fordham St. Bonaventure

0 0

Water Polo Fordham Mt. St. Mary

21 5

Volleyball Fordham Binghamton

0 3

Fordham Bucknell

20 9

Fordham Seton Hall

3 1

Fordham Johns Hopkins

28 9

Women’s Soccer Fordham George Mason

3 0

Fordham RV Salem

23 11

Fordham Loyola Chicago

2 2

Football Fordham Dartmouth

Men’s Golf Ryan Lee Memorial Invitational Day 1: 13th (16 Teams) Day 2: T-9th (16 Teams)

Men’s Tennis Fairfield Invitational NTS (No Team Scoring) -Compiled by Griffin Stevenson

News & Notes Fordham Dominates at Bison Invitational

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Alex Morgan will retire as an icon of the women’s soccer world, leaving behind a career full of accolades.

By CAITLIN THOMAS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On Sept. 5, 2024, Olympic Gold Medalist and two-time World Cup Champion Alex Morgan announced her retirement from professional soccer. This follows the news of her pregnancy with her second child and an impressive 15-year career.

She is finishing her career with 123 goals, ranking fifth overall in goal-scoring in women’s soccer and 53 assists for ninth overall.

Morgan has been an impactful player on the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) and in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Her on-the-field goal-scoring abilities and her offthe-field advocacy have cemented her as one of the world’s greatest soccer players.

Morgan played college soccer at the University of California, Berkeley, before being the number one overall pick in the 2011 Women’s Professional Soccer draft.

She played for the Western New York Flash, helping them win that year’s league championship. She played for the USWNT as the youngest player on the roster in the 2011 FIFA World Cup and followed that by helping to lead the team to gold in the 2012 London Olympics. In 2012, she had 28 goals and 21 assists and is one of only two female players to reach more than 20 goals and 20 assists in one calendar year. She was also named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year and FIFA World Player of the Year. In 2013, she was drafted to the NWSL, joining the Portland Thorns in their inaugural season. She played for the Orlando Pride, the French team Lyon and finished her career with the San Diego Wave.

With the Wave in 2022, Morgan scored 15 goals, winning

the Golden Boot. Morgan has seen a decline in goals scored over her past three seasons, scoring only six goals in the 2023 season and now zero in the 2024 season. However, with the Wave being a newer team in the league and seeing players both traded to and from the club, Morgan’s goal-scoring reflects having to adapt to different team and individual player dynamics.

Morgan was left off of the 2024 USWNT Olympic roster as head coach Emma Hayes looked to shift to a younger, more dynamic selection of forwards. Writing for ESPN, Jeff Kasouf reflects on Morgan’s dominance in the center striker position, stating, “Morgan is a rare breed as a No. 9 — a pure striker who must be played centrally. For more than a decade, the rest of the pieces have filled out around her, and her skill set, combined with the USWNT’s depth chart, justified that.” Although Hayes praised Morgan’s talent, she moved forward with rostering younger talents Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith to shift the team to a more dynamic set of three strikers. Instead of waiting for the pieces to fill in around Morgan, Hayes wanted to experiment with this new offensive combination, and it paid off as they led the team to their fifth Olympic gold medal in program history at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

We can view Morgan’s omission from the roster not as a reflection on her but more as an important reminder that programs must grow with the talent they are presented with. Morgan’s struggles give us insight into her skill set as a player and the intention that goes into building a dominant national team like the USWNT. Although the USWNT is entering a new era of talent, the impact of Morgan’s leadership over the past

15 years in cementing them as an international sensation should not be diminished. Fighting for equal pay alongside Megan Rapinoe and her other USWNT teammates is one example of Morgan’s relentless pursuit of leaving the program better than she found it. In 2022, the USWNT and the U.S. Soccer Federation reached a $24 million settlement and collective bargaining agreement guaranteeing equal pay for both the men’s and women’s teams.

This historic settlement marked a turning point for the international soccer community, backing up the USWNT with the respect they more than earned, inspiring action on the NWSL’s collective bargaining agreement for equal pay and opportunity, as well as encouraging other nations to invest in their women’s programs.

Morgan’s impressive offensive dominance, goal-scoring abilities and leadership on and off the field show that she will always be known as one of the greatest soccer players of all time.

Growing up playing soccer in Portland, Ore., I took pride in the fact that Morgan played on my city’s team. She was lightningfast, had incredible ball control and always seemed to find the back of the net; I wanted to be just like her. Morgan is the reason I wore a pink pre-wrap headband to all of my games. She is the reason I begged my parents for the same coral-colored Nike cleats she wore. She was a role model and an icon to me and millions of other girls and boys growing up watching and playing soccer.

That’s why I believe she can hang up her boots with pride. She will forever go down in history as one of the best, just as Nike’s ad following her retirement states: “There is no substitute.”

Fordham Water Polo continued their sheer dominance this past weekend at the Bison Invitational, effectively proving why they are now a top10-ranked team in the nation by crushing their competition. Their weekend of blowout victories first kicked off with a 21-5 thrashing of the Mountaineers of Mount Saint Mary College, a beating they would then quickly follow up with a resounding victory over the Bison of Bucknell University by a count of 20-9. Their next and final two matches would simply be more of the same, the Rams crushing both the Bluejays of Johns Hopkins University and the Tigers of Salem University by double-digits (28-9 and 23-11, respectively). In terms of what is next for these red-hot Rams, Fordham Water Polo is set to be rather busy this coming week, playing a five-match slate against some big names like the U.S. Naval Academy and Princeton University.

Men’s Tennis Starts Season Strong Men’s Tennis looked to open their season strong this past weekend at the Fairfield Invitational, and they arguably did just that, faring quite well against some high-level competition in Sacred Heart University, Quinnipiac University and Fairfield University. Major contributors to the Rams’ overall success included junior Dhillopn Virdee-Oakley (who went 2-1 from his #1 singles spot) and sophomore transfer Dhananjay Athreya (who went a perfect 3-0 in his Fordham debut). Freshman Andro Barrientos also got in on the team-wide success, chipping in with a singles victory of his own: the first of his already-promising collegiate career.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Men’s Tennis started off their season with victories at the Fairfield Invitational.

SPORTS

Page 18

September 25, 2024

Volleyball’s Homecoming Highlighted by Thrilling Victory

By JOE HENRY

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

After an arduous, 22-day stretch without touching home hardwood, Fordham University Women’s Volleyball finally returned to the legendary Rose Hill Gymnasium last Friday.

While the venue brought refreshing familiarity to the squad, it bore a different look than in years past. Initially constructed in 1925, the gym will celebrate its centennial in January; in honor of the occasion, the floor was renovated.

As the Rams warmed up, they laced their shoes over a remodeled floor: the heralded block “F” logo is no more, replaced by a detailed stencil of the iconic Rams logo, elegantly overshadowed by “Fordham,” scrawled in maroon script.

The Rams had the privilege of being the first Fordham team to play in the redesigned gym. They did so under special circumstances, hosting the 21st edition of the Rose Hill Classic.

Despite playing on a shiny new surface, Fordham delivered a less-than-polished product in their homecoming. Facing a studded Binghamton University squad that traveled downstate amid a 6-1 stretch, the Rams struggled at the net and succumbed to the Bearcats in three quick sets.

It was a match abundant in errors and lacking in execution — a far cry from the prowess the Rams showed a week prior at Columbia University.

From misplayed receptions to poor serves, the Rams committed 18 errors to the Bearcats’ nine. They also struggled to impose their will above the net — though they entered play fourth in the Atlantic 10 in blocks, they mustered just two to their opposition’s 10.

It may have been a case of

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Moody, Woodrow, Naumann and Talabong erupt in celebration after winning a point last Saturday.

first-home-game nerves for the Rams, who had an especially rough time acclimating to Binghamton’s relentless attack in the first frame. While fifth year Binghamton star Ilieva Tsvetelina was prolific, the Rams were their own worst enemy, lodging six attack errors and five service errors as the Bearcats cruised to a 25-15 victory.

The Rams played a bit cleaner in set two but were overpowered at the net, getting out-killed 14-9. Facing an early deficit, the team showcased its omnipresent resilience for the Fordham faithful, rallying with graduate student Whitley Moody at the line for a 4-0 run.

Despite tightening the score to 14-12, the Bearcats surged ahead for a 25-16 set two win.

Set three was Fordham’s best; the Rams were lockstep with the Bearcats for much of the frame, building momentum from a thunderous crowd and an impressively coordinated routine of dances from the bench after each point. The volume reached its apex from the play of senior Lauryn Sweeney — the outside hitter rattled off

two hammers early, and toed the service line for a 5-0 Rams rally that gave them a 9-8 lead.

Despite Sweeney’s heroics and the gym’s spirited chants, the Bearcats ultimately muted the fanfare with a 25-19 finishing blow, completing the sweep.

On the whole, it was an uncharacteristic loss for the Rams — they posted a .080 hitting percentage, a far cry from their .207 mark for the season. Sweeney was superb, as was freshman Sophia Kuyn, who mounted a team-high .625 hitting percentage on six kills.

While senior Ryan Naumann continues to emerge as the team’s lead libero, sprawling along the hardwood en route to a 15-dig night, the rest of the Rams’ defense proved insufficient against a Binghamton attack that ranks top 50 in the nation in kills, assists and service aces.

Once again, in the wake of a devastating loss, the Rams displayed their toughness by putting together an enthralling performance 24 hours later against Seton Hall University.

The Pirates entered on a 6-1 heater, just like the Bearcats, and

boasted a historic dominance of the Rams, entering with a 13-4 head-to-head record.

Despite the tale of the tape, Fordham’s tenacity and pliability proved overpowering: in set one, Moody ignited the Rams at the line, posting a service ace as Fordham burst out to a 4-0 lead. The teams went tit for tat from there, but Fordham never surrendered its lead. Junior Audrey Brown led the way with five kills, while sophomore setter Whitney Woodrow tacked on 11 assists in a 25-20 triumph.

Set two was akin to a thrilling rally — neither team could hold the advantage for long, going back and forth to the tune of 12 lead changes. Eventually, with freshman Özge Özaslan serving and Kuyn contributing on two consecutive blocks, the score went from 23-23 to 25-23, netting the Rams a 2-0 edge in the match.

Set three was just as close, with the Pirates finding a way to extend the match, 25-23; the Rams’ sudden lack of enforcement bit them, as they failed to tally a single block in the frame.

In a potential put-away period, Fordham exercised its

clutch gene. Woodrow riled up the crowd and the team with two service aces at the match’s inception, giving the Rams a 3-0 start. Seton Hall came storming back; with a 18-15 Pirates lead, Sweeney again ignited a rally with a forceful hammer. Then, Moody delivered two straight service aces — tie game.

The teams went point for point until the Rose Hill Gym jumbotron read 22-22. Sophomore Lola Fernandez stepped behind the service line. Off a Pirates reception, Moody roused the bench with a powerful slam: 23-22. With the match hanging in the balance, it was sophomore Lorenza Rosenkilde who quite literally rose to the occasion. She skied for two straight blocks as the Rams stormed the court having defeated a Big East rival for the first time since 2015.

The team exited the gym and headed to the bell located to the right of its front doors. Just as Moody helped lift them to victory, the team lifted Moody, who rang the bell, marking Fordham athletics’ first win in the new Rose Hill Gym. Moody finished with 15 kills on a .400 clip, tacking on four service aces, five blocks and 14 digs in one of her finest allaround performances. Brown led all players with 17 kills, while Sweeney added 10 more. Woodrow was again pivotal in setting them up, doling out 43 assists while adding 17 receptions.

After navigating a gauntlet of strong non-conference foes, Fordham will host the St. Louis University Billikens on Friday and Saturday for the opening weekend of A-10 play. These Rams are battle-tested, and they appear ready to compete for the ever-elusive A-10 championship: the road to glory begins now.

From Front Page to Front Office: Woj’s Next Chapter

By KURT SIPPEL

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The final bomb has been dropped. When the dust settled, Adrian Wojnarowski, the beloved NBA insider and analyst for ESPN, announced his retirement.

Wojnarowski is leaving behind

$20 million and three years remaining on his deal.

Wojnarowski retires from his role at ESPN after seven years of working for the company. He is now taking a few steps back to be the general manager of the basketball program at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure University,

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Wojnarowski suprised many by announcing his retirement last Wednes-

in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Wojnarowski had a long journey getting to this point in his career. He grew up in Bristol, Conn., home of ESPN’s headquarters. Some might call it faith but for Wojnarowski, hard work and dedication got him to the top of his career.

He started at The Record in Bergen County, N.J., where he wrote sports columns in the paper. He then landed a job at Yahoo Sports in 2007 where he would write an NBA column.

Wojnarowski helped Yahoo’s standalone NBA site and served as the editor.

At Yahoo Sports, Wojnarowski highlighted his style of reporting. He started to build his pool of sources and became able to consistently access to NBA news before anyone else did. ESPN saw Wojnarowski’s strength and hired him as the senior NBA insider.

Wojnarowski went to ESPN in 2017. He made his first appearance on a midnight edition of SportsCenter. This move to

ESPN propelled him into superstardom where he became a beloved analyst. Wojnarowski helped overhaul and improve ESPN’s coverage of the NBA draft, breaking news on X before it was announced anywhere else.

Wojnarowski became known for his signature way of dropping news about the NBA, fans calling it “Woj bomb.” Compared to traditionally breaking news through a newspaper, he got it straight to the public as quickly as possible through tweets. While everyone else was scrambling to break the news and verify sources, Wojnarowski was always first and reported accurate information.

The announcement of his retirement arrived in classic Wojnarowski fashion, a post on X, where he dropped his final “Woj bomb” of his career. The job of general manager at St. Bonaventure is a dream come true for Wojnarowski.

In his retirement announcement on X, Wojnarowski said, “This craft transformed my life,

but I’ve decided to retire from ESPN and the news industry.

I understand the commitment required in my role and it’s an investment that I’m no longer driven to make. Time isn’t in endless supply and I want to spend mine in ways that are more personally meaningful.”

With the Bonnies, Wojnarowski will be responsible formanaging the transfer portal. This role is crucial for college basketball to get recruits from different colleges. He will also manage the name, image and likeness deals; program fundraising; and player, family and alumni relationships.

As an important figure in the basketball world, Wojnarowski’s arrival at St. Bonaventure will not only bring more attention and resources to the Bonnies, but it will also shine a light on and elevate the A-10 conference as a whole.

Wojnarowski’s unmatched work ethic and style of reporting set him apart from the rest. His coverage online and on ESPN will be missed by fans.

SPORTS

September 25, 2024

Page 19

The University of Georgia’s Crime Problem

By GRACE MCCARON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fans of the University of Georgia Bulldogs have been blessed with excellence on the football field for the past several seasons. The program had a record of 42-2 from 2021-23, with two consecutive national championships in 2021 and 2022. However, a more unsavory part of the Georgia football universe comes on the side of the law.

Just around 25 UGA players have been arrested for driving-related violations over the past several years. The most notable of these instances came in January 2023, when staff member Chandler LeCroy and offensive lineman Devin Willock were killed while street racing with star defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Carter was arrested that March and released on $4,000 bond; he was also sued by the Willock family and Victoria Bowles, another staff member who survived the car wreck.

Carter was chosen ninth overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Draft just three months after the wreck.

Five players have been arrested this year. The most recent incident involved sophomore cornerback Daniel Harris, who was arrested on a reckless driving charge on Sept. 13 and released that night. Harris did not play in Georgia’s rivalry game against the Wildcats of the University of Kentucky the following Saturday, which was labeled a coach’s decision, not

a suspension. Earlier this year, running back Trevor Etienne was arrested for driving under the influence; he did not play in the season opener against Clemson University.

These incidents are just a few that have occurred in recent months. Harris and Etienne are the only players to have missed games due to their arrests, but head coach Kirby Smart says other actions have been taken, including taking away NIL money, requiring players to take driving classes and bringing in guest speakers to talk to the players about their actions.

Smart believes incidents such as these keep happening because of poor decisions being made, and emphasizes that the Georgia staff tries to drive home the seriousness and sensitivity of each incident.

Outside of driving violations, there have been other instances of trouble with the law as well. Junior wide receiver Rara Thomas was dismissed from the team after being arrested on multiple family violence charges, including cruelty to children and battery. He had previously been suspended indefinitely. In early 2023, he was arrested by campus police on a felony charge of false imprisonment and a misdemeanor charge of family violence battery.

Those who have been following college football for a while might recall a very similar controversy that surrounded Urban Meyer’s mid-2000s University of Florida Gators. Florida won national championships in 2006

and 2008, and produced many NFL talents, but many of their players were arrested either in college or following their college careers for various crimes. In fact, 41 members of the 2008 championship team have been arrested at some point — about a third of the roster. The most notorious of these players is Aaron Hernandez, who was shockingly convicted of murder while he was signed with the New England Patriots. In both of these cases, we see the players of very highly regarded and successful programs

unable to be controlled by higher-ups of the program.

While actions have been taken by Smart and the Georgia program to address these terrible situations, it is clear that there is still more to be done.

The repetition and frequency of them show that not enough action is being taken to make any noticeable change. It is imperative, for the lives of those in the program and the community as a whole, that Smart and the entire Georgia staff and football program crack down on the poor behavior of

their players. It is difficult to know what can be most effective, but the NCAA getting involved further and sanctioning the program would be a good first step. This would drive home the severity of the situation, put the program on notice, and show the rest of the NCAA that this kind of behavior is not tolerable. At the end of the day, lives are being put at risk, and it is completely unacceptable that Georgia and the NCAA let this dangerous chaos continue without any sort of genuine, long-term consequences.

COURTESY OF X

Over 25 UGA football players have eneded up in handcuffs over the past several years, often times for driving-related issues.

F1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix

By MADDIE SCHNEIDER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Formula 1 Qatar Airways Azerbaijan Grand Prix last Sunday, Sept. 15, was one of the most entertaining races of the season. The Grand Prix took place on the Baku City Circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan and was 51 laps long. A lap of the circuit is 6.003 km (3.730 miles), which makes it the fourthlongest circuit of F1 after Spa, Jeddah and Las Vegas. This track is a favorite for many F1 fans due to its placement right in the city center and the fact that the circuit begins near Azadliq Square, then loops around Government House before driving straight past the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower.

The 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicked off with Charles Leclerc getting pole position in the qualifiers on Saturday.

Australian driver Oscar Piastri won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after finishing with a time of 1:32:58.007. This win came ironically right after McLaren stated that they were going to prioritize Lando Norris for the rest of the season in hopes of winning the F1 championship.

Oscar Piastri started P2 in the race and spent the beginning of the race trying to catch up to Leclerc. On lap 20, Piastri overtook Leclerc after some very favorable pit stops and track positioning. He managed

to hold off Leclerc for the rest of the race, even after Leclerc had assistance from the DRS. The fight for third place was perhaps the most exciting part of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez and Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz were fighting at the end of the race to secure the last spot on the podium and ended up crashing into each other. They collided down a straight and ended up slamming into the barriers together. Both drivers were visually upset as they emerged from their cars, with Perez even walking over to Sainz’s car to yell at him. This crash caused Mercedes driver George Russell to move up to P3 after the race was finished

under a virtual safety car. A virtual safety car is used to slow cars down without deploying a vehicle on track during cautions. The FIA determines the lap time for the cars at each track and during a virtual safety car, the gaps between each car are maintained using a “delta” speed that drivers must adhere to.

There was an unfortunate another collision earlier in the race between Yuki Tsunoda and Lance Stroll, which caused Tsunoda to sadly retire for the second race in a row. After the race he said that he was “very frustrated to have this happen two races in a row. A very short race, losing the opportunity to score points, which would

have been tricky, but you never know on these street races.”

Tsunoda’s teammate Daniel Ricciardo also did not score in Baku, giving Red Bull a tough afternoon.

McLaren driver Lando Norris did very well after a tough situation during qualifying put him in 17th on the grid for the race. According to ESPN, “Norris was knocked out of the first session of qualifying when a yellow flag in the final sector forced him to abort a lap that would have comfortably seen him through to Q2.” Norris was very upset about this and stated after, “It wasn’t fair. You don’t have to be a scientist to work that out… It was unfair and for it to ruin my whole

weekend… I know I got a fourth today and that’s not bad, but it could have been better.”

To move all the way to fourth place after starting at 17th is already incredibly impressive, but Norris also managed to pass his championship rival Max Verstappen, who got fifth place.

Overall, this was a very exciting race, especially with the championship standings getting closer and closer in terms of points. Looking now at what is forthcoming on the track, up next is the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, Sept.

22, and drivers already seem to be looking forward to driving in what should be an exciting and pivotal primetime race.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Full of wild crashes, shocking upsets and all-around bizzare moments, last weekend’s iteration of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix proved to be must-see television.

SPORTS

Page 20

September 25, 2024

Banged-Up Fordham Football Loses Big on Road to Dartmouth

By LOU ORLANDO ASST. SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS

Things were hard enough for a winless Fordham University Football squad that effectively stumbled out the gate. Having to play without their starting quarterback, star running back and top wide receiver certainly didn’t help matters against the reigning Ivy League champions, Dartmouth College, as the Rams fell to 0-4 in a 45-13 blowout defeat.

The Patriot League’s passing leader last season, junior quarterback C.J. Montes, exited in the third quarter of Week 3’s Homecoming game, a 27-21 loss to Stony Brook University.

Suffering a lower-body injury after taking his fifth sack of the day, Fordham’s gunslinger was left unable to suit up for a matchup against the Big Green just one week later.

Evidently, when it rains, it pours. The Rams suited up against Dartmouth not just without Montes but also without senior back Julius Loughridge and graduate student wideout Garrett Cody.

Loughridge had been the shining star of an unusually quiet offense, leading the Patriot League with 338 yards on the ground and a game average of 143.7 yards from scrimmage through three weeks. Cody, meanwhile, led all Fordham receivers with 13 receptions and 115 yards, despite their struggles through the air.

Conversely, a healthy and well-rested Dartmouth squad was ready to impress the home crowd at Memorial Field in their 2024 season opener, starting up in Week 4 thanks to the Ivy League’s unique schedule.

Predicated on a rather runheavy attack and fundamentally sound defense, the Big Green won their Ivy League-leading 21st title last season, staking claim in a three-way tie with Harvard University and Yale University by winning their final three games of the season. Head coach Sammy McCorkle was named Ivy League Coach of the Year, taking the reins after the sudden and tragic passing of the program’s all-time winningest coach Buddy Teevens last September.

McCorkle’s squad didn’t just pick up where they left off — they made a statement from the jump. Senior quarterback Jackson Proctor, entrusted with the full-time starting gig, connected with all-conference wide receiver Paxton Scott for a 44-yard grab on the third snap of the game. A penalty moved the Big Green back a bit, but that proved to be no issue, as senior back Q Jones took it 40 yards to the house on the very next play.

Four snaps in, Dartmouth had taken a 7-0 lead, immediately putting the pressure on a Rams offense now led by junior quarterback Jack Capaldi, making his first career start.

Capaldi connected with sophomore Ricky Gonzalez

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham Football had another poor showing, getting wholly dominated by a scrappy Dartmouth College team.

II on his first two passing attempts, picking up 15 yards and a first down in the process.

But the Rams quickly stalled out, punting away to begin a stretch of five straight punts for both sides.

Dartmouth would be the team to snap that streak. Proctor orchestrated another scoring drive at the close of the first quarter, and Jones found the end zone for a second time, this time wide open on a 19-yard receiving touchdown.

After another short-lived Fordham possession, Proctor put the Big Green up by three scores, finding junior tight end Chris Corbo for a 12-yard touchdown that gave Dartmouth a 21-0 lead with 10 minutes still left in the first half.

They’d add three more several minutes later on a 40-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Owen Zalc and looked poised to add even more with a drive into Fordham territory in the final two minutes. Instead, star graduate student cornerback Nahil Perkins took things into his own hands (literally).

Perkins leaped up and ripped the ball out of the hands of Corbo, picking off Proctor with 25 seconds left in the half for his Patriot League-leading third interception of the season.

Junior running back Ricky Parks took the Rams into Dartmouth territory in a flash, breaking off a 46-yard run, stopped only by a touchdownsaving tackle from junior safety Sean Williams at the 38-yardline.

With just four seconds left in the half, head coach Joe Conlin sent out kicker Bennett Henderson for a long 56-yard field goal attempt, giving his freshman a chance to set a new school record. However, while Henderson’s kick had the distance, it missed wide left, leaving the Rams shutout with a 24-0 deficit at the half.

Dartmouth opened the second half by attempting an onside kick. The overtly aggressive move immediately came with consequences as illegal contact by the Big Green allowed

Fordham to start their drive at the opposing 35.

A 29-yard run by junior Mason Hatfield got Fordham as close as the 8-yard line, but a holding penalty and sack knocked them back out of the red zone, forcing Henderson out for a 39-yard try. And for a third time this season, the Rams found themselves on the wrong end of a special teams highlight, as senior Jordan Washington managed to block Henderson’s kick and return it 78 yards for a deflating touchdown that gave the Big Green a 31-0 lead.

The Rams ultimately showed some life in the third quarter.

On his 10th drive of the game, Capaldi was perfect, completing all five pass attempts for 44 yards to set up a 1-yard touchdown run from junior Jack Kaiser.

That would be the first of two touchdown drives led by Capaldi, who later found senior Cole Thornton for a 27-yard touchdown.

Unfortunately for the Rams, Dartmouth would add a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter on long runs from junior DJ Crowther and third-string

quarterback Grayson Saunier, sealing a whopping 45-13 victory in their season opener.

Bested by 32 points, it’s Fordham’s largest defeat since they fell 52-7 to the Big Ten’s University of Nebraska in the 2021 season opener. With their 33-3 loss to Central Connecticut State University, the Rams have endured two 30-point losses in the first four weeks of the season.

Fordham drops to 0-4, their worst start since 2018. They now rank dead last in the conference in both scoring offense (13.5 points per game — ninth worst out of 123 FCS teams) and scoring defense (35.0 points allowed per game), remaining the only winless team in the Patriot League.

Capaldi had a solid first start, throwing for 187 yards and a pair of touchdowns to go with one interception and a solid 53.5% completion rate. It’s worth noting that he started to find some rhythm in the second half, completing eight of his first nine passes out of halftime and hopefully laying some seeds for any future success.

“For the most part, he played pretty well,” Conlin told reporters postgame. “The interception wasn’t great, I thought he could’ve had a little better pocket discipline, but I certainly don’t think he was the issue. We’ve got to do a better job in a lot of other areas.”

Star graduate student wide receiver Mekhi Felton led the team with 56 receiving yards despite his limited snaps while sophomore KJ Reed established some chemistry with Capaldi, pulling in a team-high six grabs for 42 yards. Thornton was right behind him with five receptions, 30 yards and his team-leading second touchdown of the season.

In the absence of Loughridge, Parks rushed for 63 yards on seven carries, averaging 9.0 yards per attempt, although he was largely held within check outside of his big 46-yard run.

Somehow, Loughridge still remarkably leads the Patriot League in rushing yards despite not playing a single snap on Saturday.

After allowing seven or more sacks in consecutive games, the offensive line had their best showing of the season so far.

Granted, it’s not a massively high bar — they still surrendered four sacks, raising their season total to 25, the most in Division 1 football.

“It was better, but not to standard,” noted Coach Conlin.

“Certainly improvement, but not to where you need to be. For as much as we throw the ball down the field, you have to live with some of those, but you can’t have what we’ve been giving up.”

The Rams are back in action next Saturday for their last nonconference game before the start of Patriot League play. While a strong conference record is Fordham’s only hope for a postseason-bid, they’ll look to build off of the positives from the second half.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t get any easier next week as a tough CAA opponent in Monmouth.

College looms large.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Junior quaterback Jack Capaldi was thurst into the starting role this weekend following an injury to junior C.J. Montes.