Volume 104 Issue 18

The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 Volume 104, Issue 18

October 26, 2022

TheFordhamRam.com

Protesters Rally

Fordham

Aganist

Faculty Union

Fordham's New

Holds Rally in

Vaccine

Front of

Mandate

Inauguration

By AVA ERICKSON & ISABEL DANZIS

By ISABEL DANZIS

On Oct. 14, approximately 20-30 Fordham students, faculty, staff and parents gathered on Southern Blvd. outside the main Fordham gate to protest the university’s bivalent booster mandate.

This protest was not the first time Fordham community members expressed opposition to the bivalent booster mandate. Since the university’s announcement of the mandate on Sept. 29, there has been a lot of backlash from members of the Fordham community and parents and family members of students.

According to a press release by Fordham Together (a group of current and prospective parents, students, staff, faculty, etc. who oppose the new mandate), 1,158 univrsity community members signed a letter addressed to President Tania Tetlow in protest of the bivalent booster mandate.

Protesters gathered with signs expressing their opposition to

On Oct. 14, members and supporters of Fordham’s Faculty Union (FFU) congregated outside of Edward’s Parade directly before the inauguration of President Tania Tetlow. They met to advocate for better working conditions for the faculty members at the university The group walked to Edward’s Parade doing a call and response chant that highlighted the need for adjunct healthcare. When the chant leader called out, “what do we want?” the group would respond “healthcare” and the leader called back “when do we want it?” and the group responded “now.”

They repeated the chant until they

By SOFIA DONOHUE reached the front of Dealy Hall, DIGITAL PRODUCER facing Edward’s Parade. Other university staff and faculty members were clustered in between Dealy Hall and Hughes Hall preparing to process down Edward’s Parade for the inauguration.

FFU was formed in 2017 but has been in the process of renewing its contract with the university since March of this year.

SEE PROTEST, PAGE 4

SEE FFU, PAGE 3

NEWS EDITOR

COURTESY OF HANIF AMANULLAH/THE FORDHAM RAM

Fordham community members gather on Edward’s Parade to watch the inauguration of Tania Tetlow.

Fordham Hosts Inauguration of President Tetlow

By ISABEL DANZIS NEWS EDITOR

On Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, Tania Tetlow was officially inaugurated as Fordham University’s 33rd president. Tetlow was announced as the replacement of Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president emeritus, on Feb. 10,

2022, and her tenure officially started on July 1.

Tetlow’s inauguration consisted of a week of events, starting on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus hosted a panel discussion with faculty members called “Fordham: Hope in a Fractured World.”

The discussion centered around how a Fordham education prepares students to tackle social justice issues and complicated problems.

On Wednesday, Oct. 12, student performance groups performed at Lincoln Center.

The showcase was called “The Movement, Melodrama and

SEE INAUGURATION, PAGE 6

USG Joins JSGA in Letter to Congress

By EMMA KIM

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

COURTESY PIA FISCHETTI/ THE FORDHAM RAM

Asylum seekers from the US border with Mexico have been arriving in New York on buses from Texas.

Campus Ministry Holds Clothing Drive for Asylum Seekers Coming to New York

By CEARA PERRY

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Campus Ministry is hosting a clothing drive to support migrants brought to New York City from the U.S. border with Mexico.

Since April, more than 17,000 migrants have been

bussed to New York without coordination or notice.

These migrants seek asylum in the United States from Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua.

Texas Mayor Greg Abbott has been sending migrants to major Democratic-run cities, such as New

York, Chicago and Washington D.C., to bring attention to the number of migrants arriving in southern states.

Southern governors are highlighting the issue of migration at the southern border as midterm elections are approaching.

SEE MINISTRY, PAGE 5

United Student Government (USG) joined the Jesuit Student Government Alliance (JSGA) in their letter to Congress.

JSGA, which was founded in 2018, consists of student government presidents from all member institutions of the​​ Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU). It is a platform for its members to advocate for and collaborate

on different issues.

JSGA’s letter asked Congress to allow students to register to vote using college IDs instead of state ones, and they asked for approval from Fordham’s student government. Fordham’s USG voted 13 in favor, 10 against and 1 abstaining.

Santiago Vidal, FCRH ’24, president of USG, explained that JSGA “brings together all the [Jesuit] universities in legislation.” Right now, the letter is currently going around the SEE JSGA, PAGE 5

in this issue

News

Page 4

Fordham Hosts Lecture on the Impact of Harry Styles

Culture

Page 15

FDM Hosts First Ever Pageant “Mr. Fordham”

Opinion

Page 15

Sexual Assault Victims Often Face More Backlash Than Their Accusers

Sports

Page 24

Women's Soccer Falls Just Short of A-10 Tournament

NEWS

Page 2

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS Oct. 12 Hoffman Street 8:00 a.m.

Public Safety and FDNY responded to Hoffman Street for a report of a fire alarm. Investigation revealed that students were cooking bacon on the stovetop, causing a smoke condition that activated the alarm. The room was vented, the alarm reset and students were permitted to return back into the building without incident.

Oct. 13 Hughes Avenue 2:00 p.m.

A student called Public Safety to report a theft at their off-campus apartment building on Hughes Avenue. The student stated an unknown person removed a package from the lobby of the building.

The NYPD responded and prepared a report.

Oct. 18 Dealy Hall 8:00 a.m.

Public Safety responded to a vehicle accident near Dealy Hall. The operator of a truck stated that he backed into a parked vehicle. There were no injuries.

Oct. 21 McShane Center 10:50 a.m.

Public Safety was notified of a fire alarm in the McShane Center. A supervisor and FDNY responded. Investigation reveals dust from the ongoing construction in the McShane Campus Center second floor triggered the alarm.

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Oct. 26, 2022

President Tetlow Joins School in Student Life Council

By MICHELA FAHY

By HANIF AMANULLAH CONTRIBUTING WRITER MANAGING EDITOR

On Wednesday, Oct. 19, Rose Hill’s monthly Student Life Council (SLC) was held in The Great Hall with special guest President Tania Tetlow.

Wednesday’s SLC was the first attended by the new president, who fielded questions from students regarding, for the most part, Fordham’s recent COVID-19 vaccine booster health requirement.

The town hall meeting also included members of the United Student Government (USG), Residential Housing Association (RHA), Commuting Students Association (CSA), Office for Student Involvement (OSI), Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) and administrators.

The meeting, commenced by RHA Vice President Kendra Kleintop, GSB ’24, began with general introductions from the council attendees. This was followed by an introduction from Tetlow, who remarked on her history with student leadership and law education.

Public agenda items were limited to allow Tetlow time to answer student questions.

Deborah Abesanjo, FCRH ’26, raised concerns regarding the lack of air conditioners in some first-year dorm halls, as well as the “classism” inherent in having to apply to certain Integrated Learning Communities (ILCs) like Loyola Hall and Queen’s Court.

Tetlow ended up responding to the latter concern. “You don’t want ILCs to be totally random,” Tetlow said. “It’s less about having the best rooms and more about creating communities … ‘res life’ is not just about where you live or who you’re in a hall with, but about making ‘res life’ a function of how you learn.”

Following the last call for public agenda questions, the council moved towards the pre-submitted written questions for Tetlow. In response to a question about what it is like to be the first woman and layperson president, Tetlow responded, “It’s more jarring for everyone else than me.” She spoke to the intimidation she has felt as she has been introduced to the school’s inner workings, but emphasized the need for selfcare and confidence: “Practicing having courage is like having a muscle that gets stronger.”

A question regarding the Fordham core curriculum was brought up by a Gabelli School of Business student who said they felt the classes took away from their career-oriented courses. Tetlow defended the core curriculum and said, “[The administrators] also think about being nimble. I think that if we focus more on skills than courses, then business students will understand.” Tetlow did however note that it can be hard for some students to pay for a Fordham education that consists of two years of core classes.

A question was read out to Tetlow concerning ensuring minority students have easy access to academic and social resources at a predominantly white institution (PWI). Tetlow drew attention on Fordham’s retention rates for first-year students, and the fact that there is “no disparity” between white and non-white students. Expanding on graduation rates, Tetlow said that “looking closely at that data…it’s not about checking boxes, but being equitable. If we chose you, you need to know you belong here.”

At this point, USG Executive President Santiago Vidal mentioned the influx of international students at Fordham following the pandemic. “It’s really good to see upward trends in the new classes,” Vidal said. “I’m really happy to hear that.”

In response to a question asking what work was being done to accommodate the interests of Fordham adjunct faculty in the Fordham Faculty Union, Tetlow mentioned that there have already been 24 meetings between members and administrators. “It’s about trying to keep our costs down” for students, Tetlow said. Though acknowledging the divisions in higher education between tenured-track and nontenured-track educators, Tetlow told students in the audience, “We’re trying to really balance giving you what you deserve … at a price that you can afford and knowing both of those are under constraints.”

Tetlow also explained that Fordham pays adjunct faculty “basically more than anyone else in the New York area” outside of schools with significantly higher budgets like NYU and Columbia University. “Our employees are dealing with the inflation rate like you are,” Tetlow said, “but we aren’t going to charge you that rate plus tuition increases to pay for them.”

Interim Associate Dean for Student Support & Academic Initiatives Patricio Meneses subsequently asked Tetlow to explain the nuances of Fordham’s endowment, which hit one billion dollars for the first time last year.

“We hear about endowments,” Meneses said, “but can you point out to students how endowments work?” Meneses cited students who might wonder whether Fordham has more money to go around than they show.

Tetlow then explained that Fordham’s endowment functions more like savings in the bank, from which Fordham draws interest: “We live off the interest of an endowment forever … 181 years ago Fordham put money in the bank rather than using it all up, and the minute we spend that endowment … we have less income.”

According to Tetlow, about 3% of Fordham’s annual budget is actually covered by the endowment.

“If we spent the endowment on us today we would be permanently making it harder for Fordham going forward,” she said.

USG Vice President of Student Life Cole Mullins, FCRH ’24, raised concerns regarding how far into the holiday season finals are scheduled. Tetlow responded that she was in the middle of talking about changing that schedule to be more equitable for out-ofstate students. “I’m gonna check on that,” Tetlow said. “Particularly with students for whom that plane trip home is a big expense … it’s very hard.”

The final topic of the meeting was the COVID-19 booster requirement. The first question read out asked why Fordham “waited 25 days after the CDC recommendations came out to require the booster.” Tetlow’s response to this was short. “Fordham has been consistent in requiring up-todate vaccines” since the beginning of 2021, Tetlow said. “The delay was just in repeating that requirement, if anyone was confused about that. I think the clarity was there going back to the very first booster.” She also mentioned that Fordham “[needs] to keep up to date, and that has been consistent all along and very public.”

In answering why Fordham was one of the few schools to require the vaccine booster, Tetlow responded that those schools mostly required masking in lieu of boosters; she explained that

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

President Tetlow attended her first SLC.

to keep Fordham’s in-person experience alive, the booster was necessary.

She explained that she understands “that desire to move on and not think about it again,” but in response to those who want to move on, she said, “I personally disagree, but respect very much people’s views.”

In Tetlow’s final statements regarding the booster, she said that students should want to get the booster for the sake of others, even if they themselves feel they will be safe if they contract COVID-19.

“It is critical for us to protect our immunocompromised students,” Tetlow said. “While students are young, a lot of your faculty and staff are not…it’s about that sense of caring more broadly for the community.”

When a student raised concerns about the mRNA biotechnology used to create the vaccine, Tetlow recommended they read the book “The Code Breaker”

by Walter Isaacson. “The mRNA tech has been around for a decade,” Tetlow said. “This booster is a slight tweaking of the first vaccine, which has undergone so much trial. They don’t do massive tests on flu shots every time they update it.”

Finally, Tetlow stated that, “The reality in the world is, while we feel like we have a right to do what we want to do and not have it affect others … the reality is that it does.”

Assistant Vice President and Dean of Student Services at Fordham University Keith Eldridge added that students who neither receive the vaccine nor are granted an exemption by Nov. 1 “will be restricted from campus.”

The SLC town hall concluded, after a few short updates from Dean Charles Clency regarding the lower levels of student intoxication on campus compared to this point last year.

This Week at Fordham Wednesday Oct. 26

Thursday Oct. 27

Thursday Oct. 27

Saturday Oct. 29

Saturday Oct. 29

CAB Presents Movie and Candy

CSS’s Halloween Party

Late Night on the Hill

Fordham’s Trick or Treat

Rodrigue’s Haunted House

Bepler Commons 8 p.m.

Bepler Commons 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Rose Hill Gymnasium 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Rose Hill’s Campus 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Rodrigue’s Coffee House 8 p.m.

CAB Cinevents presents the movie “Halloweentown.” It will be in Bepler Commons at 8 p.m. Don’t miss out on a chance to watch a fun and spooky movie and get free candy and popcorn!

Commuter Student Services present a Halloween Party in Bepler Commons this Thursday. Stop by to celebrate Halloween and stuff a zombie plushie with CSS while supplies last.

Fordham Basketball is hosting Late Night on the Hill on Thursday. Doors open at 7. There will be giveaways, games, basektball and a special perforance by an artist who is soon-to-be announced.

Join the Pedro Arrupe Volunteers and other Fordham departments/clubs on Saturday for a trick-or-treat program that will take place with 90 children from the surrounding neighborhood.

As part of Halloweek, CAB presents Rodrigue’s Haunted House that will take place on Saturday at 8 p.m. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore a spooky haunted house and be scared.

NEWS

October 26, 2022

Page 3

Faculty Union Rallies For Better Working Conditions FROM FFU, PAGE 1

During negotiations, the union has focused on raising wages and health care benefits for adjunct faculty and making pay equal among all of Fordham’s schools.

“We’ve been trying to negotiate, in good faith, a new contract with the university for all the adjuncts, which includes equal pay for adjuncts and contingent faculty at Graduate School or Social Service and School of Religious Education, who get paid less than the other adjuncts,” said Gregory Jost, an adjunct faculty member in the sociology department. “So, we really want to bring everyone up to the same salary parity and we want the university to negotiate in good faith a new contract for us. [The contract would] acknowledge how much costs have gone up and I understand that it’s not easy to balance budgets but adjuncts make the university work.”

FFU hosted the rally on the day of the inauguration to increase the union’s visibility among Fordham community members.

Justin Pool and William Gault, two faculty members in the biology department, said they came out to the rally to show support for the union and its efforts. Pool

said that the timing of the rally right before the presidential inauguration was intentional.

“You got everyone here who is in charge… [we are] making people aware that we are working without a contract right now, and trying to get through that,” said Pool.

Jost said he agreed with Pool. He said that if the union wants to get the provisions they are demanding, people have to be aware.

“We did it before just to get a little attention, because here’s the thing, the only way we’re able to negotiate a contract is to put a little bit of pressure. So we want to get some publicity and make sure that it’s not just the administration [that knows], it’s the families and people connected to the university see,” said Jost.

Gault said that it was also important to educate students on the issue. He said that many students and Fordham community members are unaware of the union.

“The point of doing something like this in the middle of everybody, is to kind of make people aware. But I don’t think prior to today, like during the bargaining phases, I don’t think it was known,” said Gault.

Pool agreed with Gault. He said that many students or people outside of academia do not

COURTESY OF AMANDA YAROLIN/ THE FORDHAM RAM

FFU gathered outside Dealy Hall in matching purple shirts to spread awareness about faculty negotiations. really understand the different types of professors.

“I don’t think most people understand the difference between tenured, tenured-track, full-time and then adjuncts,” he said.

Jost said that he believes that there is a lack of awareness among students about how many of their classes are taught by adjunct faculty members.

“A lot of students don’t even necessarily understand how many courses are taught by adjunct faculty, and we deserve a contract that acknowledges that we’re paying for health care out

United Student Government Discusses Halloween, Reusable Cups and Upcoming Events

By SOFIA SEMPER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On Thursday, Oct. 13, the Fordham Rose Hill United Student Government (USG) met to discuss new public concerns and new proposals.

Executive President Santiago Vidal, FCRH ’24, and Senator Jack Glynn, GSB ’25, brought up public concerns regarding hot water issues in some buildings and the many complaints about the heaters and air conditioning systems. Vidal said that he has heard complaints about the AC being turned off in O’Hare and in Hughes’ trading room, which has caused uncomfortable living and work environments for the students. Vidal stated the AC is not required to be turned on after October, however, due to the high volume of student complaints, he will talk to the Facilities department.

Senator Jamie Serruto, FCRH ’24, asked who the students should reach out to if the heat in their room becomes a constant issue. Stephen Clarke, assistant director of student involvement, said that each resident hall has a different procedure for fixing issues in dorms. Vidal said that if there is no other option and a room has become unbearably hot or cold, students can call

Public Safety, explain that the situation is not urgent, and they will refer you to the best department for your issue and send someone to fix the problem.

Senator Andy Diaz, FCRH ’25, was announced as senator of the month. Diaz was presented this award due to his extreme engagement in the USG community and selfless acts.

El Grito de Lares was also presented with an award for Club of the Month.

Vice President of Sustainability Liz Shim, FCRH ’23, presented a proposal to reinstate reusable cups in the on-campus Starbucks location.

Shim said that Starbucks used to have reusable cups that students could buy to use at Starbucks. However, that practice was paused due to COVID-19. Shim said that since many COVID-19 mandates have been lifted, this one should be as well.

Senator Reese Dains, FCRH ’26, announced that they would also like the reusable cups to be able to be used at other on-campus dining locations.

Shim also stated that the Fordham Flee donation bins are being reinstated in residence halls and that four residence halls have already approved and supported this idea.

At the meeting, Senator Dan Sponseller, FCRH ’25, stated that he is in the process of creating a proposal to keep the McShane Campus Dining Center open until 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Senator Sean Power, FCRH ’24, said that he is working on eliminating the new COVID-19 booster mandate.

USG met again on Thursday, Oct. 20, to discuss public concerns and upcoming events on campus.

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) committee discussed their upcoming Halloween programming and the issues with purchasing and communication with the Office of Student Involvement (OSI). Stephen Clarke, assistant director of student involvement, stated that the office has maxed their school credit cards so they have limitations on what can be purchased. They are in the process of fixing that issue.

The Senate discussed recent technological issues and concerns with the IT department.

The IT representative explained the new extended delegate portal where students will now be able to give their parents access to their online portals, which would allow them to view payment plans, grades, etc. Parents

of pocket, we’re paying for basically everything out of pocket,” said Jost.

Typically, both adjunct and tenured professors are required to have the same education level.

Adjuncts, however, work on a contractual basis and generally make much less than tenured professors.

Tenured professors are employed full-time by the university and their positions are oftentimes considered “permanent,” provided that the professor continues to act in accordance with university values.

Tenured professors hold titles like “assistant professor,” “associate

professor” or “full time professor.”

The Fordham Ram spoke to a group of students talking to union members. They all said they did not know about the union or the negotiation process before the rally.

Jost also added that while he attended the rally to spread awareness about FFU, he also was excited to see Tetlow’s inauguration.

“I’m here also to celebrate the inauguration of our new president, who I am very excited about.

I’m a Fordham alum — I graduated here twice, what I call a double Ram,” said Jost.

will not have access to this portal unless their student allows it.

Executive President Santiago Vidal, FCRH ’24, asked if IT has considered giving students free Canva accounts.

The IT representative said that they have not discussed that possibility but will take it into consideration for the future. Vidal also thanked the IT department for working on improving the registration process last semester.

Vice President of the Gabelli School of Business Natalia Kimmelshue, GSB ’23, proposed an event where the GSB Dean’s Council outreach council will buy baked goods from a bakery that employs mentally disabled adults to support the small business.

The event was approved by the Senate. Kimmelshue also presented a proposal for a GSB Dean’s Council transfer student social event, and it was also approved by the Senate.

Vidal stated that he wants the

USG to give a statement in support of the people in Iran and that there will be Executive Board office hours. If students were to visit, they would be able to express their concerns and discuss any issues on campus directly with the executive board members.

Stephen Clarke said that the construction on the road in front of Fordham Prep will continue until Dec. 1.

Gaby Simporios, FCRH ’24, vice president of Fordham College Rose Hill discussed the idea of doing registration testimonies where upperclassmen will explain situations where their first choice classes did not work out and instead had to register for a class that they did not want but it turned out being a great class. Simporios explained that the freshman class are concerned with registering for spring classes, and she hopes that the registration testimonies will calm their nerves.

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

USG discussed upcoming Halloween events on campus for students.

NEWS

Page 4

October 26, 2022

Fordham Vaccine Mandate Met with Backlash FROM PROTEST, PAGE 1

the requirement including “give us a choice not a mandate,” “please hear us President Tetlow” and “I don’t want myocarditis.”

The organizer of the protest, Virginia Ungaro, an employee of Fordham’s enrollment services for 17 years said that she does not support the vaccine mandate because it is unfair to members of the university, especially students.

“We really feel for the students because they’re pulling this on the students, just a month into their new semester after their parents dropped them off, paid all the fees and are about halfway into this deal which is about 30 grand,” said Ungaro Ungaro cited concern with the lack of transparency from the university regarding the consequences of refusing to get the vaccination.

“We are frustrated by the language because they’re not being clear or concise about the repercussions for students and faculty and staff. They are not telling us if you don’t get this, you will be disenrolled. I think they’re just purposefully pulling a bait and switch on the students, and parents should be outraged. This is not cheap, it’s an education.”

Many of the protesters were parents and family members of Fordham students.

One Fordham parent (who only provided his first name), David, said he opposed the new mandate because COVID-19 is largely low risk for young, healthy individuals.

“Really we’re just here asking for a choice. That our kids have the choice to make that decision on

their own,” said David.

He also expressed dissatisfaction with the university’s timing of the mandate, “We think it’s a bit of coercion to mandate this after you’ve already paid your tuition … to then have an ultimatum, like you have to do this or else you’re out,” he added.

Several students also attended. Alvaro Gich, GSB ’23, said, “I understand if people want to take it [the bivalent booster], but I don’t understand Fordham’s decision to make it a mandate.”

Kyle Sofhauser, GSB ’23, added, “I feel like now we’re at a much different place than we were back then, and a lot of leaders and health directors have acknowledged that and a lot of other universities have too, since Fordham is one of the only universities that’s mandating everyone to get the shots.”

According to No College Mandates, an organization that opposes college vaccine requirements, only about 20 colleges are requiring the bivalent booster.

Sofhauser also said, “I just feel like there’s a lot of students that don’t agree with the mandate, but they either feel like they can’t do anything if they speak up or they will get in trouble if they speak up.” He added, “I haven’t really heard a lot of people talking about it because I think a lot of people think that nobody cares, but from what I’ve heard and the people I’ve talked to that’s not true, there’s not a lot of people that are happy or at the very least agree with the mandate.”

Other protestors interviewed

COURTESY OF NICOLETA PAPAVASILAKIS/ THE FORDHAM RAM

Fordham community members met outside the university to protest the bivalent booster mandate. by the Ram presented similar opinions to those above. Many protesters were upset about a booster mandate because they wanted the choice to get the vaccine.

Others present at the protest repeated sentiments of confusion about why a bivalent booster mandate was in place when the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) only recommended the vaccine.

According to the CDC website they recommend, “that people ages five years and older receive one updated (bivalent) booster if it has been at least two months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose,” to be considered “upto-date” on vaccination.

This concern was addressed on Oct. 6 in the United Student Government’s (USG) weekly meeting.

Assistant Vice President and Dean of Student Services, Keith Eldredge fielded questions from students about the mandate. Eldredge stated that the CDC’s role is to give guidelines,

not to mandate.

In the USG meeting, Eldredge said when the university made the decision to mandate the original booster vaccine in spring of 2022, they made a commitment to mandating vaccines to stay up to date with the CDC's recommendations.

Upon returning from summer break, Fordham’s website informed the community about fall semester 2022’s COVID-19 policy, stating that the university “require[s] every member of our faculty, staff, and students to be fully up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations in order to enter campus.” They also stated that “it may be necessary to require a second booster shot for eligible individuals prior to the fall 2022 semester.”

Political science professor Nicholas Tampio, Ph.D, also attended the protest. In addition, Tampio and other Fordham faculty members organized a petition to President Tetlow, asking to revoke the mandate.

The petition stated: “We believe that the final decision whether

to receive the bivalent booster should be left to the judgment of each individual, in consultation with that individual’s physician and conscience.”

The petition also took issue with using the CDC’s guidelines as a mandate, the lack of other higher education institutions requiring the booster and the bivalent booster’s inability to entirely stop transmission.

“I think a lot of us here got the initial series, we got the first booster, we were trying to be good sports and protect our livelihood, but the more and more evidence is that these vaccines won’t stop transmission, maybe on the edges,” said Tampio.

“At a certain point we just have to realize that if they don’t stop transmission then the only justification for getting it is that it’s good for you. We decided it was good for you,” explained Tampio.

Tampio said that he also disagreed with the original vaccination requirement. As of Oct. 25, 113 faculty members have signed the petition.

Fordham Gives Students New York Times Subscription

By GRACE GALBREATH STAFF WRITER

COURTESY OF UNSPLASH

Students can now access the New York Times for free through the university.

All Fordham University students now have access to a free New York Times (NYT) subscription. The subscription comes out of a collaboration between the Division of Student Affairs and The Parents Fund.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fordham participated in the New York Times Readership Program, in which print copies of the New York Times were available in the lobby of each dorm on both the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses. The NYT canceled the program in the aftermath of the pandemic, leading to Fordham’s ultimate decision to finance a virtual subscription for all students.

Fordham’s Dean of Students, Christopher Rodgers, was a major catalyst in the implementation of this new program. Creating a free NYT subscription for students had been a long-term goal for the administration, with the only question regarding funding.

After meeting with a col-

league in the Development and University Relations department on the matter, Rodgers was connected with The Parents Fund, a group who were looking to get more involved with the student body. Through funding from both The Parents Fund and the Division of Student Affairs, a free NYT subscription for all Fordham students was born.

Rodgers said that as a result of the program, students now take time to engage with the world, keep up with current events, stay informed and have a ready resource available across all devices.

He mentioned that the NYT has created this program specifically for college students and that it is a great way to develop a lifelong habit of reading the paper and staying informed.

Several Fordham students have said they are glad to be receiving the new, free subscription. Janel Codjoe, GSB ’24, said, “I don’t normally read it [the NYT], but for paper research purposes it will definitely be helpful.”

Brittany Torres, GSB ’24,

echoed her claims, saying the new subscription will definitely come in handy.

Emma Homgren, FCRH ’25, said she signed up for it, “I think the subscription will be very beneficial for all students. I’m often asked to use a newspaper in assignments, like finding a current article or a news event that has happened, and I have no source.

Now I’ll have access.”

Although students are grateful to have been granted basic NYT access, some have expressed their dismay at the exclusion of access to The Crossword, a popular NYT game, and The Athletic, the sports section.

Students can register for the free subscription by creating an account with their Fordham email address and inputting their graduation year.

Through the subscription, Fordham students are granted access to the newspaper itself, as well as the NYT Archives, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality media, multiple NYT Podcasts and Newsletters and Spanish and Mandarin Chinese versions of the newspaper.

NEWS

October 26, 2022

Page 5

Campus Ministry Partners with Organizations to Help Migrants FROM MINISTRY, PAGE 1

Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, have also accelerated this initiative. Many have been sent to these cities despite requesting to go to other areas of the country or having family elsewhere.

Due to the influx in demand for housing, accommodation, healthcare and other assistance, Mayor Eric Adams has declared a state of emergency to open relief centers quickly.

In a press conference on Oct.

7, 2022, Adams described the overflow as “a humanitarian crisis that started with violence and instability in South America and is accelerated by American political dynamics.”

Jairo Guzman of the Mexican Coalition reached out to Campus Ministry this summer to ask for toiletries and clothing for migrants who had arrived from Texas with nothing but their clothes.

To address the immediate needs of the migrants, Campus Ministry is encouraging the Fordham community to volunteer with Team TLC NYC, an organization that

provides basic needs and support to asylum seekers and immigrants, to greet new arrivals and distribute necessities.

Additionally, they ask for donations of highly requested items by new arrivals such as new socks, underwear and deodorant for men, women and children.

Donations will be collected in Campus Ministry offices LL217 and McShane 215.

The clothing items and toiletries obtained from the drive will be sent to the TEAM TLC NYC storage area in the

Port Authority, where they will be distributed to migrants as they arrive in New York City.

Students can also volunteer with the Mexican Coalition by donating to their Amazon wishlist.

Additionally, volunteers are needed for translational services to teach ESL and help with citizenship classes at the Mexican Coalition Welcome Center.

The Pedro Arrupe Volunteers at Fordham recently hosted a program in which students used donations to prepare welcome kits and sort clothing.

Volunteers collaborated with

Mujeres Latinas at Our Lady of Mercy Church and collected donations.

“This crisis is beyond the capacity for just the city of NY to act,” said Gil Severiano, director of Campus Ministry operations, budget and community engagement.

“We are called to come forward at a time of need and provide whatever relief and support we can to our new neighbors. This is what it means to be men and women for and with others,” explains Severiano.

FUPAC Celebrates Filipino Hertiage Month

By SAMANTHA MINEAR ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Since 2009, October has been Filipino American History Month (FAHM), chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Filipinos to North America in October 1587.

With a rich cultural heritage and significance across the United States, Filipinos are celebrated nationally, and gatherings are particularly elaborate in California and Hawaii, where many are settled.

At Fordham, the Philippine American Club (FUPAC) honors Filipino people and the history of the Philippines yearround, but revel in October as

an opportunity to “celebrate the achievements and legacy of Filipinos in America, as well as our shared culture and heritage,” said Jonathan DeFelipe, GSB ’23, president of FUPAC. “As a Filipino American, I see FAHM as a time to learn more about what has been and is currently happening in the Philippines,” said DeFelipe. “I feel like I’m not as informed about Filipino history as I want to be, so this month reminds me to make an active effort to learn something new about my culture.”

FUPAC is open for both Filipinos and non-Filipinos to learn more about the culture and history of the Philippines,

such as its time as a Spanish colony or the years spent under martial law.

During October, there is a particular emphasis and vested interest in learning more about this history and educating as many people as possible.

“October is a time when I look at my culture, particularly, through the lens of history,” said DeFelipe.

FUPAC also welcomes guest speakers who may provide personal or historical insight into the Philippines or its relationships with other countries.

“During one of our meetings, we even had Father Lito, Fordham Campus Ministry Director, speak on his experi-

ence as a Filipino living through the martial law era. Learning about this side of Filipino history was impactful, especially hearing the personal accounts of someone who experienced it firsthand," said DeFelipe.

As a university, Fordham regularly honors other culturally significant months such as Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month through the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

However, some students feel like there are rarely dedicated events catered toward Filipino students or Asia-Pacific students in general. “I feel the major contributors [for events and awareness] are FUPAC as a club and other Filipinos on campus,”

explained DeFelipe. Some of FUPAC’s regular events include its annual mixer with the Asian Cultural Exchange (ACE) — so long-standing it is now considered a tradition — and food tastings, speed friending and educational seminars.

“We do our best to honor Filipino history and educate the greater community on our culture,” said DeFelipe. Placing a highlight on Filipino history and Filipino-American relations plays a role in the university’s better understanding of the world, as well as giving Fordham an opportunity to amplify diverse voices and celebrate its Filipino-American community.

USG Signs Letter to Senator Elizabeth Warren FROM JSGA, PAGE 1

other 28 universities that are part of AJCU. The letter was originally made by the student government president at Creighton University, Francisco Pastor-Rivera.

He proposed to the JSGA to move forward with a letter to Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is one of the senators presenting the Youth Voting Rights Act, to accept student IDs, but also to make the college campuses polling places.

“It is an idea to expand the Youth Voting Rights Act,” said Vidal. “It is joining [the act] but also suggesting a couple of changes, which we can see on the letter. It is both.”

According to Vidal, it took three weeks to pass through Fordham’s USG, and there are

other universities that have already joined, such as Creighton University, Springhill College, Gonzaga University, John Carroll University, Saint Peter’s College and University of Scranton.

Senator Lucas Hjertberg, FCRH ’26, supported the idea of Fordham USG signing the JSGA letter to Congress. “I believe that the Youth Voters Right Act is a piece of legislation that could impact the lives of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of voters across this country. In a time when elected officials are actively making it harder to vote in many states, this piece of legislation has come at a crucial juncture in American politics,” said Hjertberg.

Hjertberg also believes the letter goes beyond just being a political issue. “I suggested that our USG support this letter to Congress because the democra-

COURTESY OF PIA FISCHETTI/ THE FORDHAM RAM

USG joined the JSGA in writing a letter to help expand voting access.

tization of the American political system is not merely a political issue. Allowing citizens, especially young citizens, to vote and become engaged in the political process is something that our country desperately needs,” said Hjertberg.

There are key parts that Hjertberg finds most important about the letter, such as designating colleges and universities as voter registration agencies, allowing individuals to pre-register before turning 18, mandating public universities to host on-campus polling locations and accepting student ID cards as a form of voter identification.

“This is a key part of ensuring that underprivileged college students also have the ability to vote. Often, getting an official state ID can be a cost barrier for students and citizens across the country. To get a driver’s license in either New York State, Massachusetts or Maryland, along with dozens of other states, the state makes you pay over $50. A $50 barrier to vote is incredibly undemocratic and is eerily reminiscent of ‘poll taxes’ that were used back in the 50s and 60s to prevent Black and other citizens of color from voting,” said Hjertberg. “Accepting student IDs at polling locations reverses the current practices which actively target voters who are disproportionately low-income

and people who identify as racial and ethnic minorities.”

Senator James Serruto, FCRH ’24, believes that voting is important, but the proposal was not an issue that USG should be involved in.

“I believe voting is a sacred right and duty for U.S. citizens,” said Serruto. “I do not believe USG should engage with national issues that do not directly affect the campus community we are elected to serve. We are the representative body to the administration, there are many levels of elected officials that deal with voting policy, we are not a part of that process. We are here to represent collectively all students, not solely personal interests.”

In addition, Serruto does not find the student ID to be sufficient when registering and voting. “A campus ID card only shows a picture and a name, it does not show any other information. There are also issues with a campus becoming a polling place as it would have to be open to those outside of the borders of campus depending on the voting district,” said Serruto.

“ADA compliance, public safety, current vaccine mandates and the campus being active, amongst other things, are all obstacles that the university would have to face while polling locations already exist. In my opinion it is best for other levels of government, which all students can engage with, to handle this operation. The United

Student Government could be faced with other requests in the future — we have to treat each issue fairly,” said Serruto.

Senator Dan Sponseller, FCRH ’25, supported the proposal, and he did not see it as a political issue. “First of all, there was speculation that this was a political move, and that we would be breaking precedent by supporting a ‘political issue.’

This is not a ‘political issue,’” said Sponseller. “Expanding the right to vote is not just a move that benefits everyone (not just certain groups of people), but it is also a move that favors expanding democracy.”

Sponseller elaborated that not all people might have identification besides school ones.

“I don’t think they should not be able to vote because of that,” Sponseller said.

Since Vidal brought the proposal to the table, he abstained from the vote. He believes that as a representative of Fordham in student government that it is best to represent the student government as a whole. Vidal believes that each decision sets a precedent moving forward.

“With the voting of this letter, we set a precedent that when another letter comes to our inbox that we need to do something to respond to it.

Especially, in the future, if a political issue comes into our hands, we have a precedent to vote on it,” said Vidal.

NEWS

Page 6

October 26, 2022

Tetlow Celebrated After Inauguration FROM INAUGURATION, PAGE 1

Melodies of NYC” and featured students in Fordham’s theater programs, Lincoln Center’s Jazz Ensemble and Fordham’s joint B.F.A program with the Alvin and Ailey dance company.

The inauguration ceremony took place Friday, Oct. 14, on Edward’s Parade. The inauguration ceremony featured speakers from the extended Fordham community.

Susan Conley Salice, FCRH ’82, opened the ceremony by giving the convening the convocation.

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Robert Daleo, Fordham ’72, followed Conley Salice by delivering the ceremony’s welcome address.

Marc Morial, former mayor of New Orleans, spoke to Tetlow’s character. He described her as a “steel magnolia” and praised her high intellect.

New York Senator Chuck Schumer spoke about the transition of power. He talked about his friendship with McShane and his excitement for Tetlow’s tenure. “[Tetlow is] perfect to lead the Fordham community at this time,” said Schumer.

Schumer also spoke to Tetlow’s spirituality, saying she is a good fit to carry on Fordham’s legacy of providing an “instructional and spiritual education.” He also noted that Tetlow is well-versed in “Gregorian chants.”

John Drummond, president of the university faculty senate, spoke to the faculty’s excitement about what Tetlow will do as president. Linda LoSchiavo, director of university libraries,

followed Drummond and spoke to the “2,000 non-faculty” employees looking forward to working with Tetlow. Djellza Pulatani, FCLC ’24, president of United Student Government (USG) at Lincoln Center and Executive President of USG at Rose Hill, Santiago Vidal, FCRH ’24, spoke on the student body’s behalf.

They talked about student excitement to have Tetlow as president.

Pulatani also spoke about the impact that Fordham’s first female president has on the study body. “[The] entire student body is ecstatic to start this chapter,” said Pulatani. Later in her speech, Pulatani called Tetlow’s presidency a “turning point.”

“Women always belong in a place of power,” said Pulatani.

Thomas Curran, S.J., spoke to Tetlow’s commitment to faith.

He talked about Tetlow’s efforts and leadership after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.

He said she was committed to building a “foundation of faith, family and community support.”

Following Curran, the university choir sang and Armando Nunez, Fordham ’82, chair-elect of the Board of Trustees, transitioned the ceremony to the “Installation and Investiture of the President.” McShane presented the university mace.

McShane explained that the mace has the power from New York to entrust degrees. All of Fordham’s presidents and schools are engraved on the mace below the crown. After McShane passed on the mace, Daleo presented the “chain

of office.” Daleo said that the chain signifies Tetlow’s authority as president.

After that, Tetlow spoke about what being president signifies to her. Tetlow also spoke about her family lineage with the Jesuits and her connection to Fordham, as her parents met at the university in graduate school.

“Fordham has the power to make the world a better place,” said Tetlow. Tetlow talked about the significance of a Jesuit education and her experience attending Jesuit schools growing up.

She said that Jesuit education teaches that having talent does not make one superior, but that talent comes with responsibility.

“We don’t just teach. We change lives and forge character,” said Tetlow.

Tetlow also spoke about the importance of students engaging with the community. She said that it is important for students not to turn their backs on others and to help those impacted by systemic oppression. She also mentioned faculty and encouraged them to continue inspiring students through education.

Following the inauguration, “PrezFest” took place on Edward’s Parade. Following 'PrezFest,’ WFUV hosted a jazz concert in front of Walsh Library. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, a jazz group from New Orleans, performed. According to the concert M.C., the band is one of Tetlow’s favorites.

Preservation Hall featured a theme of New Orleans and New York jazz styles.

Fordham Hosts Lecture on the Impact of Harry Styles

By SOFIA DONOHUE DIGITAL PRODUCER

On Oct. 12, Fordham alumni Dr. Louie Dean Valencia, associate professor of digital history at Texas State University, hosted a talk at Fordham University Lincoln Center titled “Harry Styles vs. Intolerance.” Beginning in the spring of 2023, Dean Valencia will teach a class at Texas State called “Harry Styles and the Cult of Celebrity: Identity, the Internet and European Pop Culture.”

David Myers, a history professor at Fordham University, shared why the history department chose to host Valencia: “We were interested in Louie Dean Valencia in part because he has a doctorate from Fordham on modern European history. He has been interested in the study of fascism in Europe and in the United States, and studying fascism requires studying cults of personality. In the case of Harry Styles, this is someone who could be described as hav-

ing a personality cult grow up around him, but in a very different and distinct fashion that resonates with young people in the 21st century.”

Myers also noted Styles’ relevance among Fordham’s undergraduate students.

“Harry Styles is very popular with our undergraduates — learning to analyze his work and audience helps our students understand their own world. Undergraduates I asked about the possibility [of hosting Valencia] were genuinely excited about learning something about Harry Styles in a way that might correspond to their own education.”

Valencia first began researching Styles during quarantine in spring 2020. While teaching classes on Zoom, Valencia began to notice that students were engaging less than they were when class was in-person. As a result, he began to play Harry Styles songs before class to get his students in a better mood.

Valencia’s students respond-

ed well to Styles, and playing Styles’ music before class generated good conversations on topics such as politics.

Valencia began his presentation by delving into Styles’ mantra: “treat people with kindness.” According to Valencia, the phrase “treat people with kindness” is more than a phrase, it’s an ethos. For example, Styles partnered with various local charities on his first solo world tour, raising $1.2 million. More recently, Styles partnered with Headcount, a national nonpartisan organization that connects with prospective voters at live music and events. On Styles’ most recent tour, Headcount participated in a six-day partnership with Styles during his Austin residency.

“My whole thesis is these concert spaces are trying to create spaces of love. I think it’s very smart, very direct and very political,” said Valencia.

Valencia noted that, following Styles’ example, he adds “treat people with kindness” on

COURTESY OF HANIF AMANULLAH/THE FORDHAM RAM

Tetlow danced to Preservation Hall’s music after her official inauguration.

all of his syllabi. Styles’ motto is prevalent in the way he creates a safe space for his fans, particularly at his concerts.

Valencia continued to discuss Styles’ authenticity in creating a safe space for his concert audience. Styles is trying to move past the idea of tolerance and rather, curate a welcoming environment. When fans enter the venue dressed in fruit-themed outfits and feather boas, they feel welcome, not just included.

Students joined the conversation, commenting on Styles’ consistency when it came to creating a safe space for his fans. One student brought up an instance of Styles promoting love and curating a safe space: holding a pride flag on stage at a One Direction concert in Buffalo, NY in 2015.

An example of inclusion at Styles’ concerts is the way he interacts with his fans. Valencia played TikTok videos which document Styles interacting with fans during his concerts. In one video, Styles asks a fan whether her name is spelled with a C or a K. Styles taking the time to learn how a fan’s name is spelled is a prime example of the welcoming space he creates. In another video, Styles helps a fan propose to his girlfriend.

“All his concerts have these totally unscripted moments where fans bring these signs and he interacts with them,” said Valencia.

In his interactions with fans,

Styles is conveying vulnerability.

In doing so, Styles is teaching the audience how to be empathetic to others. Additionally, Styles wants fans to learn how to be themselves both during his concerts and outside of the concerts.

Valencia noted, “Harry knows very well that you have to design a space to make people feel authentic … you want to be able to just be you.”

Valencia also discussed Styles’ most recent album, “Harry’s House.” The album conceptualizes his concerts as a metaphorical home. Songs featured on the album, such as “Matilda,” emphasize Styles’ creation of safe spaces for his fans. In the chorus of “Matilda,” Styles sings “You can let it go, you can throw a party full of everyone you know, and not invite your family ‘cause they never showed you love, you don’t have to be sorry for leaving and growing up.”

While discussing “Harry’s House” and the song “Matilda,” Valencia said, “Harry wants to make people realize that home doesn’t have to be your family.

He encourages people to create their own homes. This is particular for queer people, especially.”

Valencia opened the floor for questions and students jumped at the chance to express their gratitude for Styles. Many students shared their own experiences at Styles’ concerts, sharing how welcoming the community was and how Styles managed to connect so many people.

OPINION

October 26, 2022

R

Serving the Fordham University campus and community since 1918

The Fordham Ram is the university journal of record. The mission of The Fordham Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate. The Fordham Ram is published every Wednesday during the academic year to all campuses.

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

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

Page 7

From the Desk | Elisabeth Murray

Men Should Have to Follow Beauty Standards, Too “What is beauty?”

That’s a question with everchanging answers in a day and age where we are exposed to thousands of new faces, bodies and trends on a daily basis. Society expects women to conform to these variable standards no matter how quickly they change or how unattainable they become. Women are expected to be beautiful above anything else — and being beautiful is no easy task.

Beauty standards are an inexplicable part of women’s history and experience. Despite the unattainability of these standards, they still encourage us in an unhealthy way to make us look younger, thinner, “better.” So much goes into maintaining this standard of beauty: spending time styling hair and applying makeup, staying ever-conscious of one’s weight, keeping up with style trends, even plastic surgery. As the saying goes, beauty is pain.

Women are aware of their appearances starting at a very early age and we spend our entire lives learning new ways to maintain and improve ourselves. The standards that are introduced to us at an early age only persist as we get over the metaphorical hill, as nearly half of all middle-aged women consider cosmetic surgery.

Trends seem to be cycling at a faster rate in the past few decades than ever before. In our

beauty-obsessed society, there has never been a time when it is easier to alter and enhance our physical appearances than now. Plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures are popular and widely available — but it seems like women are getting lip fillers much more often than men are getting hair plugs.

Women are getting breast augmentations more frequently than men are getting veneers, despite the fact that veneers are cheaper (and safer) than breast implants. However, despite the fact that cosmetic augmentations are becoming more accessible for all, women still account for more than 90% of all cosmetic procedures.

I’m not saying men should strive for the unattainable beauty that women are already chasing, but the standards for their appearance need to be raised. Society’s standards make us pay more attention to ourselves, and this can be a good thing. Beauty alone isn’t enough anymore. In 2022, women have to be hardworking, independent and successful as well. But being perceived as attractive helps people succeed.

It’s impossible to be the most perfect person in the world, but in 2022 it is fairly easy to be viewed as attractive. It is scientifically proven that a symmetric complexion has always been the baseline universal standard

for attractiveness. In this day and age, access to dermatologists, dentists and plastic surgeons is as simple as a Google search. There is no excuse for men to neglect their personal hygiene, especially when they are otherwise successful, hardworking, etc. If women are expected to be unconditionally “presentable” by meeting society’s beauty standards, men should be too.

Usually, when we talk about President Joe Biden here at the Ram, it has something to do with his policies or his approval rate, but I would like to turn attention to his physical appearance. Say what you will about his policies, his opinions and even put aside the fact that he “is showing signs of dementia,” the man looks pretty good for someone who is pushing 80. The pearly white smile and head of hair in the president’s official portrait is quite possibly thanks to veneers and hair

plugs, among other things.

My point is not that we should enforce standards that perpetuate body image issues and self-hatred, but simply that men should at least be expected to have manicured hands and a skincare routine. Women are expected to be free of body hair, wrinkles and blemishes, to be thin, dressed up and wearing makeup at the minimum.

Aging men should dedicate more effort to maintaining their appearances, and maybe take a page from Biden’s book.

It is unacceptable for the face of a nation to be rotting and matted — and we should hold ourselves as individuals to the same standard.

Though looks aren’t everything, they’re certainly worth something, and in this day and age, there is no excuse to not have an at least presentable appearance. Beauty is not a bad thing, and it should not only be expected of women.

Editorial | Voting at Fordham

Fighting to Vote at Fordham University A few weeks ago, the Jesuit Student Government Alliance (JSGA) informed Fordham and other Jesuit universities of their plan to write a letter to Congress about the expansion of student voting rights.

As a voice for students of Jesuit colleges, the alliance had reached out to Fordham’s United Student Government (USG) for approval on the proposal. To summarize, the letter explained that the alliance will ask that voting be more accessible for college students by permitting them to use their university student IDs to register to vote and opening polling places on university campuses.

After initially tabeling the vote, USG has officially voted in favor (13-10) of supporting the JSGA’s proposal.

It is The Fordham Ram’s belief that the expansion of student voting rights is a beneficial initiative.

When analyzing the voting demographics of elections in recent years, it is no secret that college students are among the demographic groups with the least turnout in election seasons. The 2020 presidential election showed that the National Student Voting Rate (NSVR) has begun to increase (a 66% turnout rate from students in 2020 as compared to a 52% turnout rate in 2016),

but voting participation is often significantly lower during midterm election seasons.

For example, despite the 52% turnout rate in 2016, the 2018 midterm elections only saw an NSVR of 40.3% which, admittedly, is still an increase from 19.3% in the 2014 midterm elections.

While the general trend shows that college students are becoming increasingly politically active, it does not mean that we should not be actively facilitating this growth in participation. As it currently stands, there are still a plethora of barriers that college students face when it comes to voting in local and national elections.

In a study on campus voting access conducted by graduate students at Duke University’s Master in Interdisciplinary Data Science program, the researchers concluded that the most significant reason cited for not voting included the inaccessibility of transportation and the lack of convenient polling places.

Specifically, 74% of college campuses lacked in-person voting opportunities and 54% of college students (6.6 million potential voters) did not have accessible voting locations on their campuses.

The JSGA’s letter to Congress addresses these issues directly.

By allowing students to begin the voter registration process with their student ID, the initiative directly bypasses one of the most significant political discussions about current voting rights: the requirement of approved federal identification materials and the barriers constructed by Voter ID laws.

Voter ID laws have been proven to reduce electoral participation from American citizens and prohibit millions of electorate members from voting. These barriers disproportionately impact low-income, non-white U.S. citizens and prevent them from voting on issues both locally and nationally. While the JSGA’s letter would not help a significant portion of those negatively impacted by these laws, it would ease the stress of college students who cannot vote because they do not have the required identification materials.

Urging Congress to establis polling stations on college campuses would help defeat

the two largest barriers that college students face in voting as they were diagnosed by the Duke University students’ study. With voting locations situated on campus, students who lack transportation would now be hard-pressed to say that there are no convenient locations to vote.

While it isn’t too difficult to find voting locations in New York City, and the public transit available to Fordham students make it easier to get around than in most cities in the United States, having the university approve of the JSGA’s plan would show progressive intent coming from the university and allow the school to be a part of the right steps toward a better future.

The Ram agrees with the USG decision to vote in favor of the JSGA’s letter, standing for the belief that any attempt to expand voting rights is an attempt to embody the democratic institutions that this country should be striving for.

OPINION

Page 8

October 26, 2022

Sexual Assault Victims Often Face More Backlash Than Their Accusers

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

Rex Orange County was charged with six counts of sexual assault.

By AVA CARREIRO DIGITAL PRODUCER

The rise of the #MeToo movement and cancel culture conjure up contrasting concepts: unity and division, healing and damage, progress and setbacks. However controversial sexual assault allegations in the public eye may become, we must treat them with the severity that they deserve.

Every 68 seconds, a person in the United States is sexually assaulted, according to data from the Department of Justice. While the majority of celebrities and high-ranking officials seem to be able to continue with their careers relatively unscathed postsexual assault allegations, the same does not stand true for their victims.

Sexual assault leaves a lifelong mark on many who it affects. 94% of women who are raped experience post-traumatic stress disorder in the two weeks following the assault and 13% of women who are raped attempt suicide. Although some perpetrators’ careers are rightfully affected by their accusations

and convictions, it remains a very small percentage of perpetrators, and the consequences are often delayed.

On Oct. 10, singer Rex Orange County was charged with six counts of sexual assault and will stand trial on Jan. 3, 2023. A statement was issued on his behalf, saying that he is “shocked by the allegations which he denies and is looking forward to clearing his name in court.” This is a pattern that keeps on repeating: A-List celebrities and people in esteemed positions of power headlining articles with accusations of sexual assault.

By now, most of us are familiar with the downfall of R. Kelly, the former R&B singer convicted of 13 counts of sex crimes, including child pornography.

This string of predatory behaviors lasted for decades.

In 1994, 27-year-old Kelly married a 15-year-old girl. It marked the beginning of his history of child exploitation.

Over the next 10 years came a slew of lawsuits from handfuls of young girls, almost all below the age of 18 at the time

of Kelly’s crimes.

In 2002 he was charged for creating videos in which he would sexually abuse children.

During the six years that it took for these cases to come to trial, Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet” album was released and performed exceptionally well. He was even nominated for a NAACP award, all while having these grave accusations against him.

The destruction of R. Kelly was a process that lasted three decades — 30 years of children begging to be heard, fighting for justice unsuccessfully and being silenced by Kelly’s hush money, court settlements and posted bail. The world went on, his victims grew from children into women, all while he continued to amass fortune and fame.

Thankfully, R. Kelly has since been held accountable for his actions. Nonetheless, his repercussions came far too late. Many celebrities and people in power are able to advance in their careers after being accused of sexual assault, while their victims are stuck reliving their trauma for the rest of their lives.

There is no word strong enough to describe how it must feel to watch your assaulter move up in their career while the world knows what they did to you. Now imagine them becoming a United States Supreme Court Justice.

That hypothetical is a reality for Christine Blasey Ford, who came forward in 2018 with her accusations of sexual assault against Brett Kavanaugh.

While Kavanugh now serves in the highest court of the country, Ford has to endure thousands of death threats for her

decision to come forward.

Ford’s credibility has no right being argued over. Aside from passing a polygraph exam, she also had four witnesses who she had opened up to over a span of 15 years regarding the incident, all before making her allegations public. She had told her husband in 2002 that she was sexually assaulted and in couples’ therapy identified her attacker as Brett Kavanaugh.

More than 10 years later, she confided in a close friend regarding how she was “almost raped by someone who is now a federal judge.” In 2016, Ford told another friend that the man who assaulted her was President Trump’s top pick for a Supreme Court nominee.

The rhetoric that Ford has faced as a result is nothing less than revolting. According to Ford’s lawyer, “in the 36 hours since her name became public, Dr. Ford has … been the target of vicious harassment and even death threats.”

At one point, her email was hacked, and her family was forced to relocate outside of their home.

No matter what Ford did to prove her honesty, she remained the target of relentless verbal abuse. This is where the problem lies: For some, it doesn’t matter how truthful a person’s story is — they are devoted to harassing victims into silence. They will find reasons to invalidate the experiences of (primarily) women, often with their reasonings deeply rooted in misogyny.

We’ve all heard the saying before: “boys will be boys.”

While victims of sexual assault in the United States are

91% female and 9% male, nearly 99% of perpetartors are men. Yet male perpetrators are given the benefit of the doubt while their female victims often are not offered that same opportunity.

The accusations against Rex Orange County, R. Kelly and Brett Kavanaugh are among many similar instances operating in a vicious cycle. When a woman comes forward accusing a male celebrity or high-ranking official of sexual assault, excuses are made for the male perpetrator while their female victims bear the brunt of the ruthless backlash that should be directed toward their aggressors.

The careers of perpetrators are not affected nearly enough. The consequences that R. Kelly faced were few and far between. We live in a world where a viable testimony, numerous witnesses and multiple victims are not enough to prevent an alleged abuser from being appointed to the highest court in the nation.

Some argue that accusations haphazardly ruin reputations and that accused perpetrators face online harassment and death threats too. The key difference is that victims have to relive their trauma by coming forward and are usually persecuted much harsher than their assaulter for doing so.

Although harassment is never tolerable, it is false to imply that the backlash that victims and their accused perpetrators face is one and the same.

Ava Carreiro, GSB ’24, is a marketing major from New Providence, N.J.

Terramation is an Environmentally & Ethically Responsible Choice

By SAISHA ISLAM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill this month requiring state regulators to allow terramation, an alternative post-death process, by 2027. Terramation is a body disposal method where the human body is composted into earth. Although it may sound like something out of science fiction, terramation is a natural, eco-friendly process that is also meaningful and financially sound.

In terms of cost, terramation can be less expensive than casket burials (costing around $12,000) or cremations with funerals (costing around $6,000), with a price range from about $5,000-$7,000.

For casket burial costs, space is also expensive, and limited space in cemeteries worldwide is becoming a major issue. Terramation can reduce this risk of urban congestion and conserve more land by reducing the need for spacious cemeteries.

Terramation has other great benefits for the environment.

Other body disposal methods such as cremation can put strain on the environment by using up to 30 gallons of fuel and releasing hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide.

There are risks that come with burials as well: when burying a body, harmful embalming fluids like carcinogenic formaldehyde are used for preservation of the body during funeral ceremonies.

Terramation bypasses the use of harmful chemicals in burial and the exhaustive energy use in cremation. According to Micah Truman, founder of the terramation company “Return Home,” terramation only uses “1/10 of the energy of cremation,” and the body is composted over a period of 60 days. Bodies are placed in a vessel with other organic products and through the addition of oxygen, microbes in the body convert it into compost over time. The bodies are composted into soil in the first 30 days.

For the next 30 days, the soil is left to breathe and rest. The compost which is given back to families is “sweet smelling” and otherwise similar to most other composts. The compost produced from terramation is “enough to fill up the bed of a pickup truck” and can return nutrients back to the soil, promoting new life.

Terramation can also have great meaning for individuals.

Individuals who prioritize environmentalism and want to reduce the environmental impact of traditional disposal methods may find terramation a great way to do this. Other groups of people, like farmers who want to return to their land or grow something from their compost, also look to terramation. Terramation can even be an alternative method for individuals who don’t want a traditional burial or funeral.

Family members can be involved in the terramation process in various ways. Family members can sit with the terramation vessel over the course of

its transformation. Meaningful materials for the family or individual can be added to the vessel as long as they are organic, such as wedding cakes, love letters and blankets. The compost produced by terramation can easily be divided among families. Compost can be used to honor the individuals who have passed by planting trees in their honor or adding the compost into park spaces.

Considering the growing negative impacts of climate change, terramation offers a practical answer which can work to reduce the environmental impacts of more traditional burial methods. Terramation is a reaffirming way of allowing people to give back to the environment in their death.

Terramation also has the capability to carry similar symbolic meaning for families and individuals as other processes such as funerals and cremations.

While not everyone may be keen to plan on terramation for the future, and I believe it will take a long time for it to be

mainstream, the growing industry and legalization of the process can introduce the idea to many people who may give it a second thought or even be eager to do it. In a time where people are growing more conscientious about their effects on the environment, terramation will probably be favored for its sustainability and may even become necessary for our world, with its growing population.

There is always an increasing demand for land not only for burials, but for the living.

While terramation might sound strange at first, it is a careful and symbolic decision which is just as meaningful as other body disposal processes and should be viewed as just as viable an option as burials and cremation. Death is an inevitable reality for all of us, but terramation offers us a way to give back to our world and sustain new life through death.

Saisha Islam, FCRH ’25, is a biology major from Bronx, N.Y.

OPINION

October 26, 2022

Page 9

Fighting Through Brain Fog in Search of Clarity

By SAMANTHA SCOTT STAFF WRITER

Midterm season: It is a time of stress, studying and maybe even crying in the library. For the first time since I came to Fordham (in the midst of the pandemic), all of my professors have decided to forgo administering online midterm exams and are returning to in-class examinations. Much to my dismay, this shift back to in-person examination didn’t come with any caveats, like open-note components to help lessen the blow.

As I sat down to study for my midterm exams in the library this week, I felt like I was back in high school studying for a big exam, with one major difference: I felt a lack of focus coupled with an overwhelming feeling that I didn’t truly know how to study at all.

I couldn’t pinpoint what the problem was; back in high school, I used to be better at studying. A reading assignment that would’ve taken me thirty minutes to complete in high school was now taking me an hour to complete.

However, after doing a quick online search, I was able to see that it’s not just me who is suffering from problems of brain fog and a shortened attention span; many people — students

and professionals alike — are suffering from a lack of focus as they return to a sense of normalcy.

Yet, as we return to normal course instruction and testing, our brains are anything but.

Our brains have been through a myriad of simultaneously occurring stressors; we’ve dealt with the stress of the pandemic, the fear of contracting COVID-19, social isolation from friends and family and disruptions to our daily routines.

The impact that these changes can have on the brain is profound, especially considering the brain’s usual resilience.

The brain is highly adaptable; it’s good at learning new things to adapt to a new situation, and forgetting things that are no longer being used or prioritized. During the pandemic, when classes and tests were remote and we were socially isolated from each other, it makes sense that the brain discarded prior key information.

Now, as we return to inperson instruction and examinations, our brains have forgotten how to study for an in-person exam, interact with our peers and actively engage in class. As a neuroscientist at UC Irvine said, “We’re all walking around with some mild cognitive impairment.”

There are already new studies and research coming out showing the effects that the pandemic has had on the brain.

Findings from a study conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital found that individuals, even those who haven’t been infected with COVID-19, have shown elevated brain markers for neuroinflammation, something that has been associated with fatigue, brain fog and other mental health issues.

Newly acquired brain fog is frustrating and annoying, especially when we can look back at times when we could do all of our daily tasks with ease. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t things we can do to make the brain fog a little less insufferable.

Firstly, physical activity is incredibly important on all fronts. It can help increase our focus, but also helps with neuroplasticity or the brain’s ability to adapt to change and new environments. Something as simple as a 30 minute walk around campus or a visit to the gym is enough to help clear away some of the fog.

Secondly, the positive effects of just five minutes of meditation can be incredibly helpful for our brains and our stress.

Mindfulness can ease stress and enhance cognitive pro-

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As we return to normal instruction and testing, our brains are anything but.

cesses like memory retrieval.

By focusing our attention on our breathing or a specific object, we can help counter the feeling of being overwhelmed and help train our brain’s attention span.

Finally, forming a healthy sleep routine ensures that you are giving your body and brain time to heal and rest. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation or irregular sleeping habits can slow down the brain’s ability to function. From personal experience, I know I feel more alert and focused when I’ve slept for seven hours as opposed to when I only sleep for three or four hours.

There is good reason to feel

optimistic that brain fog and lack of focus will eventually fade. As we witnessed during the pandemic, our brains can shift and adapt to situations.

If they adapted to the situation of the pandemic, then they can once again adapt to our return to semi-normalcy, and that includes in-person instruction and exams. In the meantime, there are things we can do to lessen the frustration and stress so we can clear some of the fog this midterms season.

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

Prioritzing Politics Over Humanitarian Crises

By OLIVIA TEARE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

New York City stands at a moral and legal crossroads as an influx of migrants are stepping off buses from Texas and into New York homeless shelters, most of which are functioning at almost full capacity.

More than 17,000 asylumseekers have arrived in the city since the springtime, incentivizing NYC Mayor Eric Adams to declare a state of emergency last Friday, set to last for 30 days. Adams says the number of people flooding the already overwhelmed temporary housing “will surpass the highest number of people in recorded history in our city’s shelter system.”

However, this humanitarian crisis goes beyond numbers and data. As is common with most issues in American society today, Democrats and Republicans are at odds over the correct and moral response to migrant housing, thus placing the semi-centrist NYC mayor in a blazing hot seat.

I agree with Mayor Adams’ reaction to the situation, as he has sought financial aid from the White House to build humanitarian response and relief centers around the city. These centers will lead to the construction of emergency housing in all five boroughs, which is likely to take some of the

pressure off of the mayor. Additionally, Adams has implored Congress members to pass laws concerning a complete reconstruction of the immigration system, starting with the legalization of undocumented immigrants already living in the U.S. American citizens and government representatives need to recognize that the responses to this humanitarian crisis were fully charged by political beliefs. The well-being of resource-deprived and homeless individuals that have been forced to leave their lives in Texas and find refuge here is far more critical than individual political opinions. Many of these migrants don’t know where their next meal is coming from or how to provide for their families financially, yet our country still seems focused on political agendas. The tension and fear triggered by this uncertainty is only worsening as the colder months arrive, seeing as there’s not enough clothing to adequately provide to the unsheltered.

It’s sickening to think that this significant human rights issue has been spun into a political debate. Even some large media corporations have objectified the migrants within their articles, such as CNN in a recently-released article. Author Samantha Beech writes, “The migrants being offered

the city-funded buses had been processed by Border Patrol and released in the community.” Though it may have been unconscious, this vernacular is degrading. By discussing the migrants as being “released” into a new community, the writer objectifies the migrants and implies they are nothing more than a nuisance, leaving out their human experiences and struggles.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s bias is clear in his treatment of migrant issues. In response to the Biden administration’s immigration policies, Abbott bussed more than 11,000 migrants to the largest cities in the U.S. without considering how it would affect the communities involved. A CNN article explains that “the busing campaign has led to sparring between Abbott and Adams, whose administration has accused the governor of using human beings as political pawns.” Even though NYC is a sanctuary city, it cannot be expected to accommodate the influx of newcomers that have arrived over the past year without admonishing the Texas state government.

A solution that Adams has outlined includes building tent cities on Randall’s Island.

However, this could upset the financial viability of the city since the issue of domestic homelessness remains a

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

More than 17,000 asylum-seekers have arrived in the city since the spring.

major concern. Homelessness in NYC has reached its highest point since the peak of the Great Depression in the 1930s according to the Coalition for the Homeless. It is estimated that the average length of stay in the shelter system is about a year and a half, which contributes to the great need for emergency housing.

Considering that 11,000 homeless people are newcomers to the five boroughs, desperate measures are being sought out. Before the offer of Randall’s Island was on the table, Orchard Beach in the Bronx transformed into a temporary placement last month to buy Adams some bargaining time with both the federal government and the

state of Texas. Unfortunately, the intensifying concern about flooding in the area became a severe setback for the mayor and his administration.

Adams’ public plea for help has faltered in the political sphere since many politicians are focusing more on their political agendas than on the genuine concern for the welfare and health of migrants.

The way in which individual political agendas halt necessary legislative action points to a systemic issue in our legislative and political framework.

Olivia Teare, FCRH ’26, is an anthropology major and peace and justice studies and linguistics minor from Duxbury, M.A.

OPINION

Page 10

October 26, 2022

Iranian Women’s Protests Follow in the Footsteps of Successful Movements

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Protests erupted in Iran following the suspicious death of Mahsa Amini.

By DANIELLA TERILLI ASST. OPINION EDITOR EMERITA

Protests erupted in Iran last month following the suspicious death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody. Amini, a 22-year-old woman from the Kurdistan province, was visiting Tehran with her family when Iranian morality police arrested her for allegedly violating hijab laws.

Three days after this arrest, Amini entered a fatal coma. The Iranian government announced

that Amini suffered a heart attack while going through “educational training on hijab rules.”

However, her family challenged that assertion, stating that she was completely healthy prior to the arrest. A photo of Amini in her hospital bed started circulating on social media. This death sparked outrage in many, and within days, demonstrations began to spread across Iran.

The protests in Iran have been primarily led by women in the weeks since. These Iranian women want their

government to abolish mandatory hijab laws and the morality police, so they’re taking to the streets and “stripping off those headscarves, waving [them] in the air and tossing [them] into the fire,” according to The New York Times. As a result of these protests, more than 200 people have been killed and more than 10,000 people have been arrested while participating.

The situation is both tragic and inspiring. I believe these demonstrations are the most effective way for Iranian women to bring about the change they want to see.

Disruption is the ultimate key to bringing about change. The Iranian government doesn’t want to change the hijab and dress laws for women or do away with the morality police, and they especially don’t want to acknowledge the core root of these protests, which is about more than just hijabs. Many are calling for the death of the ayatollah and the end of this supreme leadership, leadership with total power that doesn’t support the will of the people. Protesters will have to force their hand, and causing disorder is the way to do it.

Creating disruption doesn’t necessarily mean using violence or causing harm to others.

Some people consider peaceful demonstrations to be more effective than violent protests because these demonstrations can draw more support to a cause by attracting a larger audience and increase the movement’s

legitimacy. We can see this organization of peaceful movements happening in Iran: Teachers are currently calling for a strike to protest the deaths and detentions of schoolchildren in previous weeks.

People in other countries are rallying in solidarity. The Iranian protesters have done an incredible job so far of gaining support and backing for this issue. Countless people are advocating for abolishing mandatory hijab laws. Even some of the most conservative groups now believe that these mandatory rules are fostering unnecessary resentment toward organized religion.

The situation has also gone beyond just being a women’s issue. The Iranian people are furious over an economy in shambles and government corruption.

This has led to displays of unity across the country, and the Islamic Republic likely won’t be able to crush these sentiments.

With that being said, violence during protests isn’t the kiss of death for social or political movements. While only 6% of Black Lives Matter protests reported violent activity, media outlets like Fox News reported that “riots ravaged the nation” following the police deaths of citizens like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.

Despite this strong mischaracterization, the protests proved to be effective, with half of the nation’s 65 largest police

departments banning or limiting chokeholds since May 2020.

Our history shows plenty of other movements that utilized tactics similar to the women in Iran and ended successfully.

Railroad workers in the late 1800s went on strike to protest unsafe working conditions and low wages. These peaceful protests eventually sparked riots for decades to come, prompting people to question the working conditions they were being handed. These protests eventually led to the passing of the National Labor Relations Act in 1935.

It is possible, though, that Iranian protesters will have no choice but to resort to violence, especially if security forces are mercilessly shooting unarmed civilians. In this case, it’s essential for protesters to continue organizing and developing ways to defend themselves against their oppressors. It will probably take a lot of literal blood, sweat and tears for the Iranian people to achieve their goals, especially if one is to end the Islamic Republic and supreme leadership. Although it may lead to more oppression from the government and leaders in the short term, protesting and spreading this message of hope for freedom is the best way for Iranian women to fight for their rights.

Daniella Terilli, GSB ’24, is a marketing major from Westchester, N.Y.

Twitter Is Already Inflammatory — Musk’s Acquisition Won’t Change That

By OWEN SIBAL

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It appears that Elon Musk may actually be buying Twitter, whether he is eager to or not. While Musk has promised to get rid of censorship and bring about an “era of free speech” on the platform, some are concerned that Twitter will become a cesspool of harassment and misinformation. However, I believe that this environment already exists on Twitter, and Musk changing the rules won’t make it any worse.

The question of whether Musk will actually go through with buying Twitter remains. While the court proceedings are going to force him to complete his end of the deal, this process is part of a familiar pattern of Musk pulling elaborate publicity stunts. For instance, the Tesla Cybertruck was supposed to be produced a full year ago, but has been delayed to late next year after it was showcased in 2019 in a less than optimal state.

Even if he’s forced to buy Twitter, it’s unclear as to whether or not he would change the terms and conditions. Doing so could hurt Twitter’s profitability, and considering he’s taking it private, this move would not be ideal for a $44 billion investment, which is roughly a sixth of his net worth.

Let’s assume for a second that Musk does change the terms

and conditions. In my mind, this switch changes virtually nothing.

All of the issues that people claim will occur on Twitter already exist.

For instance, Twitter as a platform has been used to hurl death threats, with Twitter practically condoning death threats against Russian officials and soldiers.

While they might not be the group most worthy of protection, it signals that Twitter will not stop such actions against those they deem to be morally reprehensible.

Beyond death threats, groups use Twitter to harass whoever has offended them, going as far as leaking celebrity home addresses to further encourage the harassment of whoever has “wronged” them.

According to research from MIT, misinformation is more likely to spread on Twitter than through traditional media outlets, something that is already a persistent problem on the platform.

For instance, the conspiracy theory that COVID-19 was caused by 5G cell towers was spread on Twitter; those tweets are still available for people to see. Additionally, the idea that the pandemic was orchestrated by the New World Order, referred to as the “plandemic,” started on Twitter. This spread of misinformation extends to more lighthearted topics. A rumor that Drake was in a relationship with Kim Kardashian started

on Twitter, which could have had an impact on their personal lives.

The greater issue is that no one at Twitter wants to fix the spread of misinformation. Quite simply, Twitter profits from hate and misinformation. If more people are using Twitter to dox individuals they don’t like and people are logging on to interact with it, Twitter can push ads on more people. If an outrageous article is blowing up on Twitter, that’s simply more people to collect data on.

Acknowledging the harm that Twitter causes prompts the question: Is it in the interest of society to keep Twitter alive as it is? Stan culture grows like bacteria on Twitter,

with fans unhealthily obsessing over their favorite artists, treating them like gods, attacking anyone who believes otherwise. Additionally, the Supreme Leader of Iran has been defended by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in Congress for tweeting threats of genocide and antisemitism. If Musk buys all Twitter stocks, takes the company private and implements his own new rules, what do we actually lose?

Everyone who holds stock gets a guaranteed profit from the higher price per stock than on the market.

The software engineers working at Twitter will finally get their inflated severance packages. We as a society will cut off a source of

negativity from our daily lives. All but one person loses, and that one person has a lot to lose.

Maybe Musk will buy Twitter, implement the changes he has been calling for and make all of the misinformation and harassment worse by inviting the worst of society to have a very loud voice. That’s fine by me.

I only need 25 characters to say “Goodbye and good riddance” to another big tech company that controls millions of people’s lives.

Owen Sibal, FCRH ’26, is a political science major from Richmond, V.A.

COURTESY OF PIA FISCHETTI/THE FORDHAM RAM

It appears that Elon Musk may be buying Twitter to bring about an “era of free speech,” whether he is eager to or not.

OPINION

October 26, 2022

Page 11

We Have a Moral Responsibility to Cancel Kanye

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It’s time for Kanye West to be held accountable for his harmful rhetoric.

By TAYLOR HERZLICH OPINION EDITOR

I’m done with Kanye West and you need to be, too.

To be fair, I have never been a superfan of Kanye West, or “Ye.” I have a few of his throwback songs from the early 2000s on my playlist, but I never tracked his music releases or paid close attention to Yeezy, his clothing brand.

There are plenty of people who are cult fans of West, though, and this dedication is dangerous. I understand the temptation to separate the art from the artist; some people may just love West’s rap songs or his sneakers. However, West is no longer just an artist who has done a few bad things in his past. West continues to launch hateful comments without consequence in the limelight for all to see and glorify. For some reason, people are continuing to follow him.

Perhaps some individuals follow West with a morbid curiosity, eager to be the first to read his next outrageous tweet. To a certain extent, this motivation is understandable. West’s public outbursts have weaved their way into our quotidian culture.

When West unleashed a series of Instagram posts attacking Pete

Davidson for his relationship with Kim Kardashian, the internet was swarming with memes. West posted a collection of text message screenshots, with captions like, “NO YOU WILL NEVER MEET MY CHILDREN,” “I WONDER IF INSTAGRAM GONNA SHUT DOWN MY PAGE FOR DISSING HILLARY CLINTON’S EXBOYFRIEND” and “LOOK AT THIS D**KHEAD.” If you wanted to be in on the joke, you had to check West’s Instagram.

West’s social media presence has reached a point where his outrageousness is no longer unusual, and it is certainly no longer funny.

In just one week, he was involved in a string of controversies.

On Oct. 3, West debuted a shirt at Paris Fashion Week for his fashion line, Yeezy, with the phrase “White Lives Matter” emblazoned across the front. On Oct. 4, the first hour of West’s interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson aired. In the interview, West criticized the body positivity movement and its ideals as “demonic,” referencing singer Lizzo by name.

On Friday, West suggested that rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Instagram was being controlled

by Jewish people. His Instagram account was restricted that day.

On Sunday, West tweeted a series of antisemitic remarks, including a threat to go “death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.” West’s Twitter was then restricted.

West has been open about his struggle with bipolar disorder, even going into detail on his relationship with mental illness in an interview with late night icon David Letterman. After this interview, West was revered for his vulnerability and strength. Viewers applauded West for speaking about his experience with bipolar disorder, advocating and crediting him with destigmatizing mental illnesses as a celebrity leader in this space. In fact, one therapist wrote an article reprimanding people for not having enough compassion for West, considering he has been open about his mental illness.

It is absolutely true that there is a lamentable stigma around mental health issues and individuals who suffer from mental illnesses.

Our society has raised us not to educate ourselves on mental illnesses and to ask questions, but to shy away from them, which is a problem that destigmatization aims to fix.

However, glorifying West as a mental health icon while he has discredited medication as mental illness treatment and repeatedly thrust the people in his life into the limelight in a negative manner sets a similarly dangerous precedent: that West’s behavior, however harmful and publicized, is somehow excusable.

West’s career successes are undeniable, especially his financial ones. He is a man with access to unlimited resources that other struggling individuals would go to great lengths to have. Yet West has made clear his disdain for certain mental health resources, furthering the myth that medication inherently stunts an individual’s creativity and only rescinding this claim when he received backlash.

West has not spared his family from the public eye throughout his divorce from Kardashian. Instead,

he has taken to Instagram multiple times, pleading with God to bring his family back together. Years from now, West and Kardashian’s children will have constant reminders thanks to West’s use of the internet of the gritty details of their parents divorce.

Somehow, West seems to bear little to no consequences.

Sure, fashion companies like Balenciaga have removed themselves from any connection to West, and there are rumors that Adidas may be the next to cancel its partnership with the rapper.

With more than 18 million followers on Instagram alone, I’m sure West isn’t too worried.

The line has to be drawn somewhere. With Twitter and Instagram restricting West’s access following his most recent offensive posts, we must consider whether West deserves access to these social media platforms at all and if these restrictions should become permanent. The move would not be unheard of. After all, Twitter and Facebook banned former President Donald Trump from the platforms just last year following the Jan. 6 insurrection.

As deplorable as West’s posts are, and as sad as it is to see a family forced into the spotlight by one of its members during a tumultuous year, there does not seem to be any legal reasoning to ban West from social media. Free speech seems to include hate speech. In a court decision from 1971, free speech was decidedly found to include the right to use offensive language to convey certain political messages and ideas.

The only limitations to free speech include time, place and manner. Trump’s comments preceding the Jan. 6 riots, for example, are not protected by free speech because free speech does not include the right to incite imminent lawless action.

Unless Instagram and Twitter are ready to declare themselves an anti-free speech platform, there is no basis for them to be permanently banning West.

What about traditional media outlets, then? Is it unethical for Fox News hosts to be interviewing West? Or for countless organizations to be writing articles about West’s comments? The answer, again, seems to be no. It is the job of reporters to report the news.

In fact, it is the duty and responsibility of news organizations to deliver the news. Considering the clicks on articles mentioning West and the interest of individuals like ourselves, his harmful comments are undeniably newsworthy.

Reporting the news isn’t the only responsibility of news organizations, though. For decades, since print, radio and television news first began, there have been debates about the role of news organizations and the prioritization of objectivity versus advocacy.

Legendary broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite is still beloved today for his dedication to objective news. But we also look back on and respect the reporters who took a stand. We applaud Edward R. Murrow, the father of television news, for speaking out against McCarthyism in the midst of the Red Scare.

While it may be journalists’ duty to deliver the latest news, it is also their moral responsibility to speak on the real harm that West is causing.

It doesn’t end there. All of us, journalists or not, have a responsibility to speak up. We have a responsibility to call out people who think West’s comments are just “funny,” despite the fact that his latest tweets are undeniably antisemitic. I have a responsibility to check Instagram and ask myself why I have more than 70 mutuals following West’s Instagram account still. Free speech in America is a wonderful right, but that doesn’t mean that we as citizens have to let every harmful comment go by unchecked.

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

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A FESTIVE FORDHAM FALL

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CULTURE Making Strides: The Running Club Expands Its Vision

October 26, 2022

By GRACE DUFFY

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

For all prospective runners, Fordham’s Running Club is a great way for students to get into the sport. Regardless of one’s physical fitness level, anyone can enjoy the group’s runs at their own pace. During the weekdays, there are runs scheduled in the morning and in the afternoon. The group always meets at Keating’s Steps, where they warm up and chat before breaking into a jog.

Both the club president, Sean Power, and the club treasurer, Andy Rodriguez, are conscious of making the runs engaging for all runners, by modeling the runs to start slow and increase their intensity over time. During the runs, they frequently check in with students, making sure everyone is able to keep up with the pace.

Runs are structured to begin with the basics: a two-mile loop around campus at a moderate pace that ends at Keating. Athletes can then choose to keep going for a longer distance, and pick up the pace if

they wish. There are also excursions during the week to run at alternative locations, such as the beautiful Botanical Gardens right across the street, or for long runs at Van Cortlandt Park. The leaders also encourage runners to participate in extracurricular races together. Recently, the club raced in the Yankee Stadium 5K, where runners got to compete inside the stadium. Club members who participated met in front of Cosi and traveled to the stadium together.

How did the Running Club leaders get their start? In an interview with the club president, Sean Power, he revealed that he started running around 11 years ago with his dad, who is a middle school cross country coach. When he came to Fordham, he hoped to walk-on to the varsity cross country/track and field teams here, but they were full. Although Power had hoped to continue his competitive running career at Fordham, COVID-19 and other things interrupted him, and he found himself running on his own time more

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The Running Club routinely meets by Keating’s Steps before their runs.

often. He missed running with others, though, and joined the running club his freshman year.

In an interview with Rodriguez, the club treasurer, he shared his own inspiration to start running.

When he was in high school, “They started their first-ever track team, and I wanted to try something new apart from soccer. So I decided to join the track team, which was my introduction to running. However, I didn’t fully get into running until last year, when I made an impulsive decision to sign up for the NYC Marathon. I haven’t stopped running since then.”

When he came to Fordham, Rodriguez found his calling in leading the running club. “After I ran the marathon last fall, I had a lot of people approach me, saying how they were inspired by me to start running. Some of them went a step further and asked me if I could give them any advice or help them start running. So I took it upon myself to coach them for a half marathon, which I am proud to say they all successfully completed. That’s when I discovered that the one thing I’m more passionate about than running, is helping others to start running. The running club seemed like a perfect opportunity to reach new runners and have an impact in the running community, as well as the Fordham Rose Hill community.”

Rodriguez hopes to make strides at Fordham by expanding beyond a group where people can freely run together. “The first thing I would like is if we can build a friendly and united running community on campus. That’s why I tend to talk to members of the club during our runs, so I can get to know them and

potentially build friendships that will still exist outside of the club,” said Rodriguez.

He added that he would also like to offer coaching to the running club. “As I mentioned before, I started coaching a few people last year, and it has been a wonderful experience. This semester, I have had the privilege to help out four more people, in addition to the three from last year. This is why I am currently working towards becoming a certified level one USATF Coach, in order to have credentials for coaching and be more knowledgeable in what I am teaching.”

Rodriquez would also like to host a race on campus. “It could even be a fundraiser partnered with another group at Fordham, like FDM hopefully. It probably won’t happen for a while though,” he said.

If you want to start running but find it difficult to stay motivated, Rodriguez shared that “people underestimate the importance of the mental aspect of running a lot. The hardest part isn’t actually doing the runs … it’s getting out of your room to run, keep running even when you’re tempted to walk, or deciding to go that extra mile one day.”

His advice is to get into the sport at your own pace. “As someone who has run with a team, as well as trained alone, I can say that having people to run with helps a lot. Running becomes so much more enjoyable, as well as easier, if you run with a group that motivates you and keeps you accountable to run consistently.”

He added, “Even if you don’t actually run with these people,

you could still benefit from having others talk about their running experience, and learn from their mistakes and advice. If there’s people here at Fordham who already like to run by themselves, or who maybe are considering starting to run, I would heavily think about joining the club as it can be extremely beneficial in the mental aspect of the sport.”

One of Power’s biggest goals for the club is to gain more funding. He shared that the club is “in the process of designing uniforms right now and we want club members to be able to compete in local races in New York or against other club teams. We have the membership and have proven the club’s prominence, now we just need to secure funding.”

Power added that anyone who enjoys running should come join. “We see people running on their own very frequently and always want to let them know that they are welcome to join the club. People often ask whether or not they will be removed from the club if they miss a run — this is not the case. Our main goal is to foster a fun and easygoing environment; we want to help Fordham runners reach their own goals and meet them without adding unnecessary stress or pressure.”

Power said, “A motto we have toyed with (it is present in our Strava bio) is ‘Run a few steps.

Run a marathon. We don’t care.

We’ll be with you every step of the way.’ We use this to emphasize that anyone and everyone is always welcome and we are always happy to see people show up to run with us.”

Cooper Union Museum Offers Interactive Experience

By REGINA MILLER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Located on the corner of E. 91st St. and 5th Ave. in the Upper East Side, the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum offers several interactive exhibits sure to enlighten visitors on the elements of design. In close proximity to the Met, the Guggenheim and the Museum of the City of New York, this smaller yet distinguished museum houses a menagerie of interesting trinkets and technologies, from 18thcentury British ornaments to AI facial recognition.

The museum was founded

by Sarah and Eleanor Hewitt in 1897, then called the Cooper Union Museum for the Arts of Decoration, to educate the public and inspire students and artists. However, it was not in the current location. Originally the mansion of Andrew Carnegie, the current building was built in 1902 after the arrival of the family’s only child, Margaret. The mansion was named a historical landmark in 1966 and acquired by the Cooper Union in 1969.

It was last renovated in 2014

and renamed the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.

The museum now has about 10 exhibits spread across three floors. As previously mentioned, it is a smaller museum, so it is not overrun by tourists, and the experience walking through is a positive one. My favorite exhibitions were the AI technology collection and the immersion room, being that they were interactive experiences.

The AI technology room was eye opening in understanding the level of recognition modern technology has in tracking faces and patterns. In the corner of the room is a chair facing a screen that estimates the visitor’s age, race, gender and emotion after scanning their expression for 30 seconds. While imperfect, it was impressively accurate. It revealed to me that I am 16.5% male, which I guess my doctor had forgotten to mention to me ... But aside from the novelty and fun of the processes that go into recognising faces and emotions, the exhibit considers the underlying danger that technology poses to us. Exploring the ways in which it can promote racial bias and gender conformity, it questions the standards

AI technology uses to label people and the reason for labeling them at all. It also warns of AI’s ability to track people and tie them to other information or communities.

The immersion room was the highlight of the museum. There visitors could draw their own design and display it across the room as a wallpaper. The photo opportunities are great here; if you’re not sure where your next Instagram post should be, put this on your list.

Other enjoyable visual exhibits featured pieces on Sarah and Eleanor Hewitt, Designing Peace, and Design and Healing: Creative Responses to Epidemics.

The exhibit on Sarah and Eleanor Hewitt detailed their plans for the museum and the history of the building today. The opening of a museum by two women at the time was relatively unorthodox, but what better place to embrace the future than New York City? The museum’s founders put a lot of thought into the display and use of their curated collections, and the history behind that was interesting to learn.

Designing Peace and Design and Healing incorporate the role of design into the functionality

of our modern world, the former documenting responses to the pandemic and the latter in relation to world peace and justice. They ask the question: how can we design a more equitable

world? Overall, I recommend checking out the Cooper Union Museum. Conventiently located across from Central Park, it’s great location for potential day trips in the city.

COURTESY OF REGINA MILLER/THE FORDHAM RAM

Cooper Union Museum is currently offering many interactive exhibits.

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October 26, 2022

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FDM Hosts First Ever Mr. Fordham Pageant

By MARIBELLE GORDON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Last Friday, Fordham Dance Marathon (FDM) raised over $11,368 at their inaugural Mr. Fordham pageant competition and fundraiser.

FDM recruited 10 esteemed Fordham gentlemen to showcase their talents to raise money for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. Each contestant earned votes through individual campaigns to raise money that would go directly to the B+ Foundation.

The contestants started the night off strong in a group dance that was choreographed in collaboration with hip-hop dance team Fordham Flava. The boys were then introduced one by one with escorts that helped them showcase their personalities and engage with the audience.

Each contestant also had to demonstrate a talent to the audience to win more votes. These talents included freestyle jump rope, singing, Irish step dancing, juggling and hypnotism.

The talent portion was followed by a traditional question and answer portion, giving each candidate an opportunity to display more of their skills, express their beliefs and opinions and present a little more of their personalities.

Although all of the candidates made incredible performances, a winner still had to be crowned,

which was done by Fordham University’s very own Miss West Virginia Teen USA, Emma Kitchen, FCRH ’26. Jonathan Eng, FCRH ‘23, took the crown after blowing the crowd away with his jump rope routine, which he performed almost entirely sitting down, and raising an astounding $4296. Eng’s decision to sign up for the pageant was a bit spur of the moment, but he said he ultimately loved participating.

“I’m so glad I did sign up, participating with the guys was so much fun and practicing the dances with my escort and others was hilarious,” said Eng about the

Mr. Fordham experience.

Andy Meeker, FCRH ’25, another contestant in the pageant, says that “[he] decided to do Mr. Fordham because it seemed like a fun way to raise money for a good cause, and [he] wanted to be a part of making it a success.” The positive and uplifting elements of this fundraiser, along with many others that FDM puts on, reflect the optimism toward helping kids and their families that this organization hopes to encourage.

FDM executive director Ella McGarvey, FCRH ’23, celebrated how the positivity and lively nature of this event captured the spirit

of FDM and the B+ Foundation.

“It was really cool to be able to partner with people who aren’t necessarily on FDM but wanted to do a lot of good for FDM and bring laughs in a very wholesome way to campus,” said McGarvey.

After a captivating hour of dancing, singing and celebrating the skills of some of Fordham’s most interesting men, FDM held a “Five Minutes of Magic,” which is an opportunity for audience members to help spread the word on FDM’s campaign. In just five minutes of sending texts, emails and donations, the crowd raised over $500 for the cause.

COURTESY OF MK PROSKY GILBERT FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Fordham Dance Marathon hosts their first pageant, Mr. Fordham, raising money for the B+ Foundation.

This event was one of several preliminary fundraisers that FDM hosts for the B+ Foundation throughout the year in preparation for their namesake event at the end of the academic year.

The B+ Foundation serves to honor the life of Andrew McDonough who passed away at 14 after battling childhood cancer. B+ raises money to fund cancer research and provide support to families of children battling cancer. During the pageant, director McGarvey explained Andrew’s story and why the services of this organization are so important. McGarvey also shared the story of another child named Asta, who is currently battling cancer and has been greatly impacted by the efforts of B+.

At the Mr. Fordham event alone, FDM raised enough money to give 11 families much-needed support and relief. Through the money raised at Mr. Fordham and all other FDM events, families will receive both financial and emotional help to aid the stress of navigating a journey battling cancer. The foundation also hopes to spread awareness and increase optimism regarding the progress of cancer research.

For more ways to get involved with FDM, stay up to date with their events and make donations, follow their Instagram, @fordhamdancemarathon.

Rams Review Film | Landis Hall

“Suspiria”: Dario Argento’s Exercise in Aesthetic Horror

By LANDIS HALL COLUMNIST

While viewing the 1977 horror masterpiece, “Suspiria,” it’s easy to make an attempt to glean some form of subtext from the narrative. Indeed, the story seems as if it would be ripe for interpretation: An American student travels to Freiburg, Germany to attend a prestigious dance academy only to slowly discover that the school is a front for a witch’s coven.

Yet, upon rewatching it, I was instead struck by how pure and simple it is in its aims. This film doesn’t try to make any sort of grand, overarching socio political statements, nor does it wander into the realm of the metaphysical. Instead, it conveys its story almost entirely through its form. The dialogue is certainly nothing to write home about (and don’t get me started on the dubbing), but make no mistake: “Suspiria” is a complete masterclass in visual storytelling.

The film sets an ominous tone right from its opening scene, which depicts protagonist Suzy Bannion’s (Jessica Harper) arrival in Germany. A torrential downpour, blood red neon lights, a shifty-eyed cab driver — the images Argento chooses here don’t contain any real threats, but they are threatening nonetheless. This seemingly inescapable feeling of unease and dread

persists throughout the film’s quieter, plot-driven moments, creating an unbearably suspenseful mood that snaps like a tightly wound guitar string as the film descends into full, blood-soaked horror. Yet, these tension-breaking moments aren’t the main grab of “Suspiria”; rather, the tension itself is why this film’s horror is so effective. The supernatural threat underlying the narrative feels as if it’s always right around the corner, inching ever closer to both Suzy and the audience with each passing minute. In one particularly unsettling sequence, maggots rain from the dormitory ceiling, and the dancers then have no other option but to sleep in the dance studio. A thin curtain surrounds the students, all sound asleep in their cots save for Suzy and Sara (Stefania Casini). Unbeknownst to them, another figure sleeps in the same room, obscured behind the curtain. The figure in question is Helena Markos, the witch who runs the school, whose hoarse, labored breathing reverberates unsettlingly throughout the studio. While this scene doesn’t see the deaths of any of the characters, it is nonetheless incredibly creepy, and it encapsulates the essence of the film perfectly. If other late ’70s horror films, such as “Alien,” are pure prose, then “Suspiria” is poetry. Nothing about the nar-

rative is particularly grabbing; the characters are rather two dimensional, the dialogue is often clunky and awkward, and the monster itself isn’t as lastingly relevant or memorable as other horror villains of the era. But the sinister mood created within this particular motion picture is incredibly palpable, so physical and potent that one could almost reach out and touch it.

Of course, one can’t talk about “Suspiria” without mentioning the interplay between the cinematography and the music. Color plays a large role in the film, and Argento bathes his characters in

a psychedelic combination of reds, blues, purples and everything in between. Red especially plays a prominent role, symbolizing the imminent bloodshed that lurks in the shadows. The film is undoubtedly a product of the rock and roll era, and its luscious visuals are heightened by the original score performed by progressive rock band Goblin. In the now legendary main theme, twinkly, baroque pianos play in tandem with demonic howls and droning bass lines, creating a piece of music that sounds like it was written by the witch’s coven themselves. This

soundtrack, when coupled with the slow, precise camera movement of the film, only heightens the tension. Argento, most likely realizing his weakness at writing engaging dialogue, lets the music tell the story for him. This film, unlike others of its time, does not seek to make any sort of relevant critiques of societal values. Instead, it reinvents the horror film as a series of renaissance paintings, which are as grotesque and frightening as they are aesthetically pleasing. In short, I can think of no better film to watch during the Halloween season.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Dario Argento’s 1977 “Suspiria” pushes the horror genre to its extremes, driving the narrative through visuals.

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October 26, 2022

Studying Abroad | Paris, France

Striking the Right Balance When Abroad

By EMMA LIPKIND COLUMNIST

As much as I wanted my legs to move faster, my backpack, beating against my shoulders and back with every step, slowed me down. I knew there was no universe in which I could run fast enough to get on that train, but I also couldn’t imagine a universe in which I actually missed the train.

I kept running, trying to open every door, consistently without luck. My friend, Shalra, trailed directly behind and I could feel her desperately hoping that I somehow grew wings and could get into the last car before it shut.

The SNCF employee guarding the last door was in my field of view, maybe 60 feet ahead. They watched me wave my arms and scream, “s’il vous plaît, s’il vous plaît!” as one last person boarded the train.

Still on the move, running out of breath but filled with dread, we watched the train slip away. It moved slowly out of the station, with all but two passengers onboard.

In retrospect, missing a train to Italy sounds like a curse within a huge blessing. But the feeling of grave error when you know something was entirely within your control is so humbling yet devastating at the same time.

And to clarify, we weren’t late.

In fact, I arrived at the station 30 minutes before departure, only to find out our train to Milan would be 30 minutes late. High on excitement for the adventure ahead, Shalra and I decided to explore Paris’ Gare de Lyon — a station with endless stores and boulangeries — to kill time. This is, as one could expect, where we went incredibly wrong. We must have been so excited that we didn’t actually bother to check the time during our silly little moment of exploration.

Reflecting on this moment a week later, it wasn’t that big of a deal. We were safe, we didn’t have to pay extra for changing our ticket (thank you Eurail pass and the kind, but exasperated, SNCF employees), and we still ended up in Milan, albeit with one less day.

The reason missing the train weighed on me so heavily was the feeling of helplessness and failure. What’s worse is that this has become a recurring theme in the last week or so, and I’m not entirely sure why. Perhaps the honeymoon period is over and the wave I was riding is now crashing. I’m starting to feel pressure from every possible aspect of my life: make the most of my time in Europe, but still enjoy Paris; get good grades, but don’t spend too much time studying; see my friends, but recharge my social battery; go out, but wake

up early to get things done; consider post-grad options, but don’t worry about it right now. It has all become too much to handle, especially being away from my support system back home.

This isn’t at all to say that I’m no longer enjoying Paris. It’s actually the opposite. I’m starting to feel more and more confident and comfortable here, navigating my way without Apple maps and recommending neighborhood hole-in-the-walls to my friends.

It’s almost as if I’ve gotten too comfortable and the vacationlike feeling of being away from home has faded, leaving me with the feeling of my normal routine back home. A few bad moments in my day-to-day life are to be expected, but it’s especially frustrating here where I’m trying to squeeze a lifetime of living in Paris into just four months.

I’m now planning my next adventure: a multi-city trip relying solely on trains. It has honestly been worse than the Milan fiasco, if you’ll believe it, and we haven’t even left yet. Turns out traveling to five cities in 11 days isn’t something you can do last minute. But despite it all, I am convinced that seeing something new and the thrill of traveling will reignite that spark I felt just a few weeks ago.

To end on a bit of a lighter note, I’d love to recap some highlights of the last two weeks. Milan was

wonderful in the end, and we even got to spend a day in the gorgeous Lake Como, which was somehow still ridden with tourists in the middle of October.

I visited the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Gustave Moreau, both enriching yet incredibly different from each other. I spent some time in Montmartre, a 15-minute walk away from me entirely uphill (more like 30 if you count the rest periods).

I have sat in probably every

single Prêt-a-manger in Paris thanks to my monthly subscription. And the coolest thing I’ve done recently is watch the most insane contemporary dance show with my program, called “Gloria.” I can’t describe it. You really just had to be there (and take my word for it).

As always, I’m itching to know what the next few weeks have in store for me. Once I find out, you guys will be the first to know.

COURTESY OF EMMA LIPKIND FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Even in Paris, there are some days that are a bit tougher than others.

Editor’s Pick | Film

“Lost in Translation:” A Silence Worth 1000 Words

By FRANCES SCHNEPFF SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

Sofia Coppola described her 2003 drama, “Lost in Translation” as the anticipation of moments without words. She explained, “There are so many moments in life when people don’t say what they mean, when they are just missing each other, waiting to run into each other in a hallway.”

The film, which stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, is just that. A blur of time spent together, with overwhelming silences and encapsulating conversations, “Lost in Translation” is a film that pushes you to get lost in Coppola’s vision for a world of warmth and wonder and most importantly, silence.

The film takes place in Tokyo, and was shot in the city’s loudest and most vibrant districts: Shinjuku and Shibuya. A majority is set at Park Hyatt Tokyo, where Bob, played by Murray, is to film a Japanese whiskey commercial. Charlotte, played by Johansson, happens to be staying at the same hotel. She is on vacation with her celebrity photographer husband. They are both strangers to Tokyo and to each other, but continue to find one another around the hotel, always alone, and always without purpose.

Eventually they strike up a

conversation at the dimly lit hotel bar. Charlotte finds Bob’s washed up Hollywood act charming, and he is infatuated with her youth.

The quiet lull of their relationship is striking, emphasized

by Coppola’s soft cinematography and beautiful soundtrack, their relationship begins to take its interesting shape before our eyes. They walk the line of platonic and romantic throughout the entire film, and the tension created by their unspoken thoughts is a feeling only a director like Coppola can paint.

This idea of unspoken tension is a theme found throughout most of Coppola’s films and is what makes them such an honest depiction of humanity, and commonly girlhood.

“Lost in Translation” particularly stands out because of the confusing and borderline inappropriate relationship between a man in the midst of a midlife crisis and a 22-year-old newlywed. Both parties know there is no future, but to put that into words denies their ability to entertain themselves through their aimlessness.

Furthermore, the setting of the film – Tokyos’s most bustling districts – adds a powerful juxtaposition to the idea of charged silence. When Bob and Charlotte go out on the town one night, this silence continues and because the color

and the noise of the city are so purposefully emphasized, a world is created where there is no need for conversation.

It’s easy to assume that most people are slightly uncomfortable with silence. We come across it often, and all have our own ways to ward it off, accept it or move on. Coppola’s understanding of silence is what makes “Lost in Translation” such a

powerful film, and one that has stuck with me for years. The ability to work around limited dialogue creates a film that depends on body language, tension and action. In “Lost in Translation,” every moment is charged. Every action can be analyzed. All the deep stares, all the brushing of hands, all of the saying goodbyes; they all have a silent meaning. And despite

this meaning never actually being revealed, we as the audience understand that there is a weight to this silence. Coppola wants us to recognize that silence is just as powerful as conversation. The mystery to “Lost in Translation” is embedded in its silence, and although it may never be solved, Coppola captures the human ability to leave things unsaid.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Sofia Coppola’s “Lost In Translation” explores the beauty that lies within words left unspoken.

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October 26, 2022

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“Midnights”: Taylor Swift’s Album of The Year

By AVA PASTORE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The moment that every Swiftie has been dreaming of has finally come: the release of Taylor Swift’s most recent album, “Midnights.” The highly

anticipated album with an original tracklist of 13 songs was released on Friday, Oct. 21 at midnight. Three hours later, the artist released an additional seven songs, which she referred to as the “3am Tracks.” Fans were ecstatic

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Swift’s latest album returns to the upbeat pop that made her famous.

to listen as most were awake through the night to listen to the album in its entirety. Fans were pleasantly surprised by the transition from the alternative sounds of “Evermore” and “Folklore” to the pop album that some described as a descendant of Swift’s “1989.”

There is no doubt that Swift’s pop tracks have been missed, and the artist has definitely released the album of the year.

The listener is brought into the album with the first track, “Lavender Haze,” an upbeat pop track, reminiscent of a song one would expect to hear on Swift’s album, “Lover.” This song is followed by “Maroon,” a slower, but equally as encapsulating, song about the burn out of a relationship. What has always made Swift’s songs stand out among those of other artists is the metaphoric and storytelling lyricism.

Swift is able to take a song and turn it into a transformative experience for her listeners.

With the next track, “AntiHero,” Swift expresses numerous insecurities through creative metaphors about a battle within herself. A line from the song that stuck with me while listening was, “I’ll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror,” which emphasizes Swift’s insecurities that many listeners can relate to. The artist has always used her music to not only tell

stories, but to also share these stories with her fans who can empathize with them on numerous levels.

With the next tracks, “Snow on the Beach (feat. Lana Del Rey),” and “You’re on Your Own, Kid,” Swift brings the jubilant pop beats back to relaxing melodies. If there is one thing that fans can agree on, it is that Swift undoubtedly curates the best bridges in her songs. One of these exceptional bridges can be found in “You’re on Your Own, Kid,” in which Swift takes the listener on a gut-wrenching emotional journey of the pain she went through to gain praise and to make her relationships work when she was not getting nearly the same in return.

With each track on the album, one is transformed directly into the music, with a clear scene being portrayed by each song. The following tracks, “Midnight Rain” and “Question…?,” bring the listeners back to a light-hearted and joyous beat, while keeping their emotions on edge. These emotions are quickly converted to a dark and vengeful tone with “Vigilante S***,” a track written solely

by Swift in which she brings back the tone from her 2016 album, “Reputation.” This is precisely why “Midnights” has been such a hit: its versatile

tones give the listeners a taste of almost every one of Taylor Swift’s past music genres while revisiting her pop era. Tracks nine through 13 include diverse tones, with the synth beats in “Labyrinth” and “Mastermind,” as well as the light piano tunes in “Sweet Nothing.”

The last seven songs on the album — the “3am Tracks” — added the finishing touches to the masterpiece that is “Midnights.”

As I listened to this album, not only did I experience waves of different emotions, but also pure serenity. Swift has a compelling ability to completely entrance her listeners and place them into the stories of her songs. Whether these stories be filled with blissful love, painful heartache or vengeance, Swift manages to capture every emotion and place it into a beautiful combination of melodies and lyrics. When one listens to Swift, they are not simply complacently listening, but rather dissecting each lyric for the hidden and deeper meaning, which there always is. I can confidently say that “Midnights” is one of Swift’s most impeccable creations yet, which is not surprising as every project that Swift executes is an undeniable success. I suggest you do yourself a favor by putting in your earbuds and pressing shuffle on “Midnights”: the album of the year.

The Ramblers Perform for Suicide Prevention

By ALYSSA SAWICKI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

As society moves towards eliminating mental health stereotypes, it’s exciting to see how our very own Fordham community is contributing to the cause. Earlier this October, the Fordham Ramblers were invited to sing at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Bronx Walk at Lehman College. I had the privilege to sit down with Ramblers Tyler Chimento, FCRH ’24, Ethan Saunders, FCRH ’26, and Eron Maltzman, GSB ’25, who performed at the walk, to hear their thoughts on the event and their participation. First off, what was this event all about?

According to those who attended, it was a community-run event on spreading awareness for mental health. It was to come together as a group to celebrate those who are still here, those reeling from losing a loved one and recognition for those who aren’t here anymore. Many people are struggling with mental health alone and in silence, so this day was to show how you aren’t truly alone. Overall, the atmosphere was uplifting.

How did the Ramblers get involved? Team leaders from the event reached out and asked the Ramblers to come sing. One leader was Maggie, and she personally contacted and guided them through the event. The group of team leaders were described as very welcoming and devoted to the cause, giving speeches

which expressed their wholeheartededness for the movement.

Ramblers said that the speeches made towards the crowd were personal, and it was surprising how vulnerable the leaders were in front of all those people they didn’t know. The goal was to spread encouragement and positivity, so the Ramblers chose to sing “The Garden” by The Happy Fits, a calming song despite the tone of the topic at hand. While the issue itself is somewhat heavy, the event was not.

In addition to live performers, there was a group of cheerleaders spread around to cheer you on while walking. There was also a booth where you could choose different necklace bead colors as a way to represent the different reasons why you were there. It was nice to see everyone’s colors and get a glimpse of what others were going through while you’re going through your own struggles. This once again re-enforces the idea of togetherness the event worked so hard to achieve. Upon asking the Ramblers why the event was important to them, this was the answer most emphasized: unity.

Unity between all struggling with the same problems, unity of the community (especially through inviting the Ramblers and other Bronx groups) and unity in how separate people gathered for the same journey; the intent was driven home in word and action.

One of the most striking remarks was made by the hostess, saying: “If you came here alone, you

aren’t walking alone.”

Thinking of unity and the relationship between Fordham University and the Bronx community, we are reminded of how these collaborations are often too few and far between. According to Chimento, the event was “really eye-opening, seeing how many people came together, and to see Fordham students joining would make it even more impactful.” This opened a discussion commonly held when talking about Fordham University and the Bronx. Fordham is a member of the community and should be at these kinds of events, but we aren’t nearly as much as we should be. They shared the sentiment that in

a way, Fordham exists in a bubble separate from the outside. Large, private colleges like Fordham can create divides between students on campus and the community.

It’s a divide which shouldn’t exist, and it’s events like these that really bridge that gap.

So what’s next? Any more events like this in the future? Unfortunately the Ramblers can’t just go off and ask people if they would like them to perform (as much as they’d want to), they have to wait to be invited. But they would absolutely go back next year and participate in any other events the community invites them to. The organization actually already

invited them to come back and perform next year, so it looks like this will be a yearly collaboration.

Like most of you reading, they had never heard of it before, but they highly recommend other people go. Especially those who have connections to the issue of mental health and suicide, this event could be very beneficial to one’s own journey. Hopefully we see the Ramblers and other Fordham groups collaborate in more Bronx events, but for now let’s recognize the Ramblers in their support for suicide prevention and remind others their struggle is not a burden to carry alone.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

The Ramblers performed at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Bronx Walk, increasing visibility.

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October 26, 2022

A Bookbuyer’s Guide to Lower Manhattan

By HANNAH DEVLIN

& MICHAEL SLUCK

For the ardent consumer, Lower Manhattan has a bit of everything. There are few places on the planet where there are such a variety of things for sale in a small area, and books are no exception. The average Fordham bibliophile might be tempted, either by price or convenience, to make their first book-shopping venue choice a chain bookstore with which they are familiar, or skip the trip entirely and just go online. But by doing so, you miss out on one of the great literary pleasures of life: the bookstores of Lower Manhattan.

At first glance, the sheer number of bookshops may seem overwhelming. Here in this guide, however, we have prepared a tour of some of the finest bookstores that Lower Manhattan has to offer, all conveniently arranged so they are no more than a mile apart from one another.

To begin your scholastic journey, take a trip downtown, near Union Square Park, to visit the bookseller behemoth The Strand.

If you’re a book-lover and you

haven’t visited The Strand yet, then you’re doing something wrong. The legendary 95-yearold bookstore with 18 miles of shelving is New York City’s preeminent bookstore and possibly the country’s as well. Not only is the selection diverse and excellent, the prices are often cheaper than anything you’d find online, making for a great bargain in the process. Even if you don’t buy anything, The Strand is worth visiting just to get a chance to stand inside one of the city’s greatest monuments to literature.

A few stores away from The Strand is Forbidden Planet, a specialist store right out of nerd heaven. Boasting an impressive selection of comics and graphic novels from all genres, Forbidden Planet also sells collectibles and accessories from all your favorite media. Whether you want to read up on your favorite superhero before their next movie comes out or to find the next edition of “Heartstopper” before season two is released, Forbidden Planet is the perfect place to get your graphic fix.

A short walk away from the Strand and Forbidden Planet is Alabaster Bookshop, a quaint used bookstore on Fourth Avenue, an homage to New York City’s

Book Row district. The shop is small, but there is not an inch of space wasted within its walls.

The used and rare bookshop has an impressive collection of titles that spans over a variety of genres. Outside the storefront, there are parked carts of books for $2 each. Although the carts are not organized in a very clear way, there are some great titles if you can spare the time to look through them. Just beyond the carts, Alabaster’s windows display its collection of rare books, compiled of first editions and signed copies of beloved classics. Alabaster welcomes its visitors with shelves and stacks of books. Although there are books covering every spare inch, the titles are organized by genre and author, a method which is a commodity when it comes to used bookstores.

Books of Wonder is a children’s bookstore on 17th Street, a short walk away from the famous five-story Barnes & Noble bookstore in Union Square (a store which, though omitted from this article, is definitely worth the visit). Although the shop primarily sells children’s and middlegrade books, there is a small young adult section with popular authors like Casey McQuiston

and Leigh Bardugo. What really stands out about this bookstore, however, is its film history. The shop served as an inspiration for the children’s bookshop featured in “You’ve Got Mail,” and rumor has it that Meg Ryan spent a day working there while training for her role. Although many adults may pass over the store, it’s a perfect place to stop, wander and reflect. Browsing around the shop is like taking a trip back in time, remembering the stories that have shaped us into who we are today.

After visiting the bookshops surrounding Union Square Park, there are a few more that are a quick subway ride away. Heading a few stops farther downtown, you can find Mercer Street Books and Record, a used bookstore with an eclectic collection. While perhaps not the most organized of shops on this list, Mercer’s chaotic interior is home to books of all shapes and sizes, at prices that are hard to beat anywhere else. There’s a lofty collection of books with a seemingly infinite number of categories — if you’ve ever wanted to learn the art of card tricks, Mercer has an entire section of books that will help you do so.

McNally Jackson Books on

Prince Street is one of the store’s four locations in New York City.

The store spans over two floors and features a beautiful display on the first floor. The walls of the room are covered in pages from books, and colorful covers float overhead as they hang from the ceiling. Compared to many of the bookstores listed, McNally Jackson is probably the most expensive, as there is no used book section in the store. However, the space is beautiful, even if just to browse around, and supporting an independent bookstore is always preferable to online shopping.

There is a sale section between the first and second floors for those who are looking for a bargain, but the bright and open space is ideal to window shop.

It’s an understatement to say that Lower Manhattan has a lot of options. And luckily, with so many of them right next to each other, you don’t have to pick and choose which to visit.

These six shops are so close to each other that visiting them all in a few short hours is more than manageable (though you can feel free to dedicate your whole day to browsing through shelves … we’ve done it, too).

Botanical Gardens Hosts a Festive Pumpkin Carving Competition

By ISABELLA DeROSA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Oct. 16, 2022, kicked off the New York Botanical Gardens’ two weekend “Fall-O-Ween” festival. The first event was a pumpkin carving competition with three carvers who starred on the hit Food Network show, “Outrageous Pumpkins.” The event was hosted by Adam Bierton, another famous carver.

The contestants were given about four hours to carve their pumpkins following a specific theme of the Broadway musical “Wicked.” At the entrance, guests could enter a raffle for free tickets to a performance due to sponsorship from the show.

The competition took place in the front and center of the gardens. Each of the three contestants Lenny Calvin, Alan Silva and Lincoln Bias had their own stations and plenty of pumpkins to create their toptier Jack-O-Lanterns. Walking by, viewers were able to see every step of their work. It was fascinating to see how intricate these carvers had to be and to see the wide array of tools they used to make their masterpieces. None of the carvers seemed bothered by the attention or clicks of cameras around them.

Each was in their own world of pumpkin carving, which was not only impressive to me, but helped me understand that pumpkin carving is an art form just like any other.

To stick with the “Wicked”

theme, each carver got creative with the pumpkins they used.

Both Silva and Calvin had used extra pumpkins to add to their overall piece. Calvin used the stem from another pumpkin to make the horns of a goblin. Silva used several mini pumpkins to stack on top of his main pumpkin (depicted as a monkey) to add to the overall effect. He had even carved the silhouette of the Wicked Witch in one of them. The final contestant, Bias, had focused more on meticulous detail

rather than adding extra pumpkins. His carving was clear as day and looked like the face was popping out of the pumpkin itself. Bierton was walking around through each stand adding commentary to lift the mood and add more information on the process of each carving. During the competition, we got to vote on who we thought was the best by placing a pumpkin seed in a cup with the name of the contestant. At the end of the competition, they counted up the seeds to see

who the winner was. However, not much counting was needed as there was a clear distinction of seeds nearly filling Calvin’s cup, making his Goblin pumpkin the unanimous winner of the competition.

During the competition, there were many things for guests to do to take a break from all of the carving. The first thing that caught my eye was a walkthrough children’s adventure course. And though I might’ve been a little too old to participate, I walked through to see

COURTESY OF ISABELLA DEROSA/THE FORDHAM RAM

Professional carvers from Food Network’s “Outrageous Pumpkins” competed in the carving competition.

the activities. Along the path, I was greeted by a bunch of pumpkin statues. There were jack-o-lanterns atop scarecrows that were positioned in various ways. They had made pumpkin children, pumpkin families and even pumpkin dogs. I thought it was very cute and creative.

There was also a shop filled with fall decorations as well as a garden of more pumpkins right outside. With the rest of the gardens to explore, I took the tram tour to get a full view of everything. The gardens themselves were beautiful, and although there were few flowers in bloom this season, there were plenty of trees, bushes and other plants that caught my eye. After the tour, I went to the main dining area by the entrance of the gardens. They had a cafe with a bunch of delicious fall treats to try. I frequently returned to see the progress of the pumpkins. Each time I was amazed at the skill and effort of these carvers.

Overall, I enjoyed my time at the Fall-O-Ween Festival.

Each of the pumpkins blew my mind and it was honestly difficult to choose which contestant I wanted to vote for. In the end, I voted for Silva because I thought that the little pumpkins he added on top of his main carving were really creative. I had a lot of fun exploring the gardens and seeing all of the fall activities they had to offer.

This experience helped get me into the Halloween spirit and for being my first time at the gardens, I would definitely love to see more.

CULTURE

October 26, 2022

Page 19

Reviving the Neo-Noir With “Decision to Leave”

By LAUREN LOMBARDI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“Decision to Leave” debuted at the New York Film Festival on Oct. 19 after its opening at the Cannes Film Festival in April, which left Korean auteur Park Chan-wook with a Cannes Best Director win. In the latest film from Park, morals are called into question and heart-wrenching realizations are had; in line with the director’s favorite themes as of late, which were also featured in his 2016 film “The Handmaiden.”

Praise echoed for “Decision to Leave,” left me over the moon when I was able to score a ticket to a screening of the film, complete with a Q&A afterwards with Park himself and the lead actor, Park Hae-il.

The film opens with a striking shot of an open eyelid crawling with ants: the body of a man who has died in a climbing accident. The first act of the film surrounds Detective Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) trying to focus on solving the case. He is a stoic, yet compassionate man who lives alone during the week in Busan, while his wife remains back in the small town of Ipo. She entertains herself with gossip and statistics about middle-age life that she shares with Hae-joon when he comes home on the weekends, a running joke throughout the film that allows Park Chan-wook to give into his playful side, which doesn’t happen too often.

The film is a neo-noir romance, a genre we don’t often see successfully done these days.

The yearning between the two leads is first underscored by the fun Park Chan-wook and cinematographer Kim Ji-yong have messing with camera techniques and effects, placing Hae-joon inside of Seo-rae’s house during the scenes when he is watching and taking notes on her, as he does every night under the guise of the investigation. Since he is a known insomniac, it is telling that the sight of Seo-rae helps him sleep at night, even if it is only in his car. There is a reciprocation of affection in Seo-rae’s behavior, but he is constantly unsure of her motives. What is later translated as her asking her cat to bring her “the heart of the detective” makes it difficult to decipher if her words are said out of sweetness or hostility, a contradiction in every great femme fatale. The dance between the two leads is foreign for Park Chan-wook, whose characters are usually seeking pure revenge, not reaching for something that they cannot have. However, his screenwriting (in collaboration with Jung Seo-kyoung) proves he is well-versed in romance, despite the fact he hid it earlier in his career.

Chan-wook is notorious for including explicitly sexual and violent scenes in his movies, prompting questions when, as he told my NYFF audience, there were “no scenes of extreme violence, so

don’t be afraid” and “no scenes of extreme nudity, so don’t get your expectations too high.”

He told The Guardian that he excluded these once-guaranteed scenes because he wanted the audience to notice “all the small nuances and the small changes happening to their faces and their gestures,” limiting all distractions that may deflect the sensitive, subtle feelings at play.

And show the characters’ emotions he did. From the number of scenes where each breath the two leads take are completely synced up, to the understated

clip of them walking around a Busan temple in light rain, Hae-joon holding the umbrella for the pair and Seo-rae reaching into a pocket to uncap chapstick and gingerly apply it to Hae-joon’s lips. Every beat of the solemn scenes between the two make sense.

The lengthy second act of the film lost me for a little, very loosely tying up a side murder plot that never really found its footing in the whole of the story; though it ends with a very long, showy chase between the detective and the killer, so

perfectly choreographed that it actually proves to be one of the best scenes. But what we thought was the resolution of the main romance proved to be a farce, and we are dragged back into the whirlwind of these people who just have so many emotions that they don’t know what to do with them.

While long, this Korean epic gives a great auteur the chance to give us a thrilling and almost achingly romantic story. Above all, he breathes life into a oncedying genre with a more contemporary, careful touch.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Park Chan-wook’s latest film, “Decision to Leave,” debuted this past October with stellar reviews.

Who’s That Kid? | Madison Scott Morris, FCRH ’24

Fordham Junior Ruminates on the Question: “What is Art?”

By ILAINA KIM CULTURE EDITOR

“Art is complicated, and it is everything.” To Madison Scott Morris, FCRH ’24, art is an entity that transcends the bounds of simply putting ink to canvas. The contrition of the heart becomes a confession of the brush, selfexploration becomes tangible and one’s creative viscera are effectively brought out into the open as a result. Morris’ own artistic journey has been subject to to change — from rudimentary exploration in highschool to introspection, its role in her life and the surrounding world.

As an English and theology double major, the tenderness of literature and spirituality often flow into the major artery of her personal inspirations. Multiple factors make up her kaleidoscopic approach to art, derived from sources such as the colorful surrealism of Satoshi Kon, the divine and narratives within her personal life. Ultimately, her defining of art tangibly affects the process of making; the approach dictates the effect.

Those who know Morris personally would agree that light follows everywhere she goes, almost to the point where one can nearly

imagine her shadow smiling. Her greetings are subsequently followed with an embrace, echo chambers of laughter erupt from diaphragms, and she creates knit communities within every circle.

She is effervescent and bright and

absolutely wonderful company.

This very disposition is seamlessly translated into her work, with graphite portraits and shimmering watercolor landscapes displaying the same vivacity. From still-life paintings to animated shorts, there

is a soul embedded in every respective canvas she chooses.

“Art is diving into the first act of creation. Not the first act: the continuous act of creation: it’s in the universe’s nature to create and grow and continue. Art is growth,

COURTESY OF MADISON SCOTT MORRIS/THE FORDHAM RAM

Morris often uses graphite and charcoal as her mediums of choice, such as in this recent self-portrait piece.

change, exploration. In short, I think it’s really cool.”

In terms of the future, Morris is not yet sure where to place herself in the ever-flowing timeline of artmaking. “I’m not sure if I’m making art now, or if I’m preparing to make art in the future,” she wrote. “What can be considered art? I want art to have directionality: not just to be anything anyone draws or writes. I want it to point society towards a high nature: love and unity and peace and all that.

By diving into the dirt: the only way we will reach real love is by finding the ugliness worthwhile.

Art has to be messy. But how can I say what art is? Even to me? It’s beyond me.”

Art is indeterminate and nebulous, but Morris does what any of us can hope to do when encountering the unknown — explore and endeavor. And yet there is a directionality to her artistic wandering, a living core that inexplicably points the viewer towards feelings of unity, peace and love.

Her expression sends ripples of whimsical emotion that go beyond the pond that is the Fordham Rose Hill community. Though the distant future remains uncertain, the definitive passion in Morris’ art creates a sense of solace for those who are fortunate enough to encounter it.

SPORTS

Page 20

October 26, 2022

Women’s Soccer Falls Just Overtime: What Constitutes a Successful Short of A-10 Tournament World Cup for the USMNT?

By MICHAEL HERNANDEZ ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS

Over the past two weeks, the Fordham women’s soccer team concluded its 2022 regular season with three matches. The first match was at home for senior day as the Rams hosted Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) at Jack Coffey Field.

Fordham got off to a dream start against VCU in the 14th minute, when sophomore midfielder Abby Doyle put the ball into the back of the net via a header to give the hosts the lead. However, within 90 seconds, VCU equalized with Milica Bulatovic who flicked the ball past junior goalkeeper Maria O’Sullivan to make it 1-1. Then in the 35th minute, VCU took the lead and scored two goals in the span of 1:32 to make it 3-1 for the visitors. In the second half, VCU increased their lead courtesy of Kanna Matsuhisa, making it 4-1.

Fordham was able to grab a last minute consolation goal in the 90th minute courtesy of graduate student forward Caroline Monahan.

Monahan took a free kick at the top corner of the box, which found its way into the net. When the final whistle blew, VCU celebrated their 4-2 victory.

The Rams’ next match was their final home game of the season as they faced the Dayton Flyers. The visitors started off on the better foot. In the 11th minute, they took the lead courtesy of Itala Gemelli, who scored her 10th goal of the campaign to make it 1-0. Fordham did find an equalizer in the 41st minute courtesy of senior forward Caitlin Kennedy for her second goal of the season. After halftime, Fordham took a lead in the 51st minute with freshman forward Sidney Nicholas scoring her first career goal to put the Rams ahead.

Unfortunately, the lead didn’t last

long. Three minutes later, Dayton equalized to make it 2-2. And in the 81st minute, the Flyers scored the go ahead goal off of a corner kick courtesy of Alicia Donley to take the lead in the dying minutes of the game. Once the full time whistle blew, Fordham fell to Dayton 3-2.

Three days after that, the Rams went on the road for their regular season finale against the University of Massachusetts. Heading into the final day, Fordham needed to win on the road and have other results go their way in order to qualify for the Atlantic 10 Championship.

Fordham tried their hardest to take the lead, but as the clock started to wind down it seemed that a draw was in the cards. However, in the 88th minute, a Rams corner kick found its way onto the head of senior midfielder Maura Murphy, who knocked the ball into the back of the net to give Fordham the lead. When the final whistle blew, Fordham won 1-0. But with Loyola Chicago also winning their game, it meant that Loyola Chicago had the better record despite both the Rams and the Ramblers finishing on 13 points. Because of this, the Ramblers took the final seed for the championship, eliminating Fordham from the competition.

At the end of the season, the Rams’ overall record was 5-11-1 with a conference record of 4-51 and a ninth placed finish in the standings. This was an improvement from last year when the Rams went 4-12-2 overall and a 2-7-1 conference record which saw them finish second to last on seven points. With head coach Magnus Nilerud at the helm of the team, expect the Rams to come back even stronger next year.

Athletes of the Week Fordham Women’s Soccer has turned in some impressive results this year despite facing adversity. In the team’s final match of the year, Murphy came on as a sub and netted a game-winning goal in the final moments of Fordham’s 1-0 victory over the University of Massachusetts.

The goal was the second of her career and also gave Fordham their fifth win on the season

Maura Murphy

By NICK GUZMAN SPORTS EDITOR

With the World Cup in Qatar kicking off in less than a month, the focus of the sporting world will soon shift to the Middle East for the biggest sporting event on the planet. While traditional powers like Brazil, France, Argentina and England will be seeking to win the coveted trophy, the situation for the United States is a little more complicated.

After failing to qualify for the 2018 edition of the tournament, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) is looking to use next month’s competition as a springboard into a new era of national team play. The USMNT are likely to bring the youngest squad to Qatar out of all 32 competitors, further signifying that message.

For the first time ever, the national team has players competing week in and week out for some of Europe’s top clubs such as Chelsea, Juventus, A.C. Milan and Borussia Dortmund.

With as young and as technically gifted a team as this country has ever seen, the expectations for this group to perform in Qatar are high, especially considering the failure of four years ago. Despite all the talent and promise, this is still an extremely youthful group with very little World Cup experience. At most, one or two players included on head coach Gregg Berhalter’s final roster will have that pedigree.

So, how do we measure success for the USMNT in Qatar? Is it a win to simply get out of Group B? Or is it about the type of soccer being played?

To start, the USMNT’s group is tougher than people are giving it credit for. Along with the U.S., Group B contains England, Wales and Iran. England have aspirations of winning the tournament and reclaiming their glory from 1966. For Wales, this is their second ever World Cup and first since 1958. In what could likely be his final act as a professional footballer, Gareth Bale will be looking to carry the Welsh into the promised land.

AWAY

Fordham Water Polo improved to 17-6 on the year with a win over the Navy Midshipmen. Goalkeeper Thomas Lercari stole the show with 15 saves on the day to propel the Rams forward in a 14-7 win. The 15 saves were one shy of his single match record of 16, which he achieved last year against George Washington University.

Men’s Cross Country Women’s Cross Country Volleyball Men’s Soccer Women’s Tennis Water Polo

Thomas Lercari Sophomore Water Polo

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

The young USMNT roster looks promising down the line.

As for Iran, they finished qualifying with more points than any other Asian team, including a Japan side that comfortably beat the United States 2-0 in September.

Getting out of Group B and into the knockout rounds is certainly not a given, especially if the team comes out and plays as poorly as they did against Japan and Saudi Arabia in their September tuneups. But you have to think Berhalter will have his side fired up for their opening match against Wales on Nov. 21. It’s been eight years since the USMNT took the field at a World Cup. That’s something that this current crop of players are using as fuel, even though many of them weren’t a part of last cycle’s failure. That drive, combined with the talent on the field, could be enough to propel the team into the knockout stage, likely in second place behind an elite England team.

If they do reach the knockouts, a tough matchup awaits the USMNT in the Round of 16. Their opponent would come out of Group A, so either the Netherlands, Qatar, Senegal or Ecuador. But at this point, that’s all speculation. The Netherlands could crash out early, or they could look like contenders. To me, the main goal for the United States at

this World Cup should be getting out of Group B. Anything after that is a bonus. We need to see how players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna perform on the biggest stage. It’s an overwhelming success If the USMNT comes out next month and makes the Round of 16, playing like a cohesive unit with moments of individual brilliance.

For the brass of U.S. Soccer, all signs seem to point towards 2026, when the United States will co-host the World Cup along with Canada and Mexico. Everything is building towards that point, even when the team that is still so young now will have matured into a group of players entering the prime of their careers. A positive performance in Qatar can set the foundation for an even bigger performance in 2026.

Although it can be tough to be patient, it’s not realistic to expect the USMNT in their current state to go on an all-time run to the quarterfinals or beyond. For now, let’s start with a cohesive performance in Qatar.

If the USMNT can play their way into a potential knockout game at next month’s tournament, that should be seen as an absolute win by the American public.

Varsity Calendar HOME

Senior Women’s Soccer

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Wednesday Thursday Oct. 26 Oct. 27

Friday Oct. 28

Saturday Oct. 29

Monday Oct. 31

Tuesday Nov. 1

Atlantic 10 Championship 10:50 a.m.

Atlantic 10 Championship 10 a.m.

Duquesne 6 p.m.

Duquesne 3 p.m.

Loyola Chicago 1 p.m.

Shark Bite Shark Bite Invitational Invitational TBA TBA Bucknell/Mount St. Marys 1 p.m./5 p.m.

Football

Holy Cross 1 p.m.

Rowing

Head of the Schuylkill TBA

Golf

Sunday Oct. 30

Shark Bite Invitational TBA

Metropolitan Metropolitan Intercollegiate Intercollegiate Championship Championship

SPORTS

October 26, 2022

Student Athlete Column: An Obituary to My Cross Country Season

By NICOLETA PAPAVASILAKIS VISUAL DIRECTOR

Well, here we are — the championship season of cross country.

All my teammates are gearing up to race at the Atlantic 10 Conference race in Virginia this weekend. But not me. A few weeks ago, my season came to an abrupt, yet somewhat expected, end. But then again, I do not really think there was much of a beginning to it either.

The only race I completed was our season opener at Stony Brook University. And since then, I’ve been out of the running with a calf injury. I was in denial – this couldn’t be it for me. I tried to battle through the pain — pushing through workouts and hating myself for the ones I physically couldn’t finish. Desperately, I tried to convince myself that one day I would wake up and the pain would magically disappear, and I would return to normal. I realize now that I haven’t been very honest with myself. But how could I be? The reality was, I wasn’t going to get better with the vicious cycle I put myself in. More devastatingly, it was my senior year and I was

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

No one tells you how difficult life as an athlete is when you’re injured. going to have a season finale — a sense of closure.

The phrase that says “If you fall, get back up. That’s what life is about” is BS. I wish it were that simple. If I learned anything from this slow burn season, it’s that you need time to heal before even trying to get back on your feet. I’ve always been an impatient person so this doesn’t really come naturally to me. But I wonder if things would have turned out differently for me if I just told myself to stop and it was okay to do so instead of all tearing myself down, fearful of the truth.

In the spirit of self — honestly, this sucks. I am frustrated and

heartbroken. I wish I could race alongside my teammates, especially my fellow seniors who have pushed me to be my very best these past four years. I am excited to see what my team can accomplish these next few weeks, but it’s also excruciating being a spectator and not a competitor.

But to end on a positive note, while it may be my last cross country season, it is not my last season as a Fordham Ram. In these next few months leading up to our first indoor track meet of he season in December, I will become an absolute beast. Until I get there, I’ll take time to heal before I decide to get up this time.

Golf Competes in SHU Fall Classic and Lehigh Invitational

By WILL TALLANT

Varsity Scores & Stats Football Fordham Stony Brook

45 14

Men’s Soccer Fordham St. Joseph’s

1 1

Fordham Duquesne

2 2

Fordham Princeton

2 2

Women’s Soccer Fordham Davidson

1 0

Fordham VCU

2 4

Fordham Dayton

2 3

Women’s XC ECAC/IC4A Championship

(22nd/34 teams)

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

The SHU Fall Classic was a bounce back for the Rams. career top-five finish, carding a score of 74 and concluding tournament play just two-over with a 146 score. Manning couldn’t find the same stroke he had on Sunday, but still maintained a very respectable standing at the finish line. Manning posted an 11-over score on Monday and finished in a tie for 19th place in the outing. Senior John Kryscio had himself a day on the links as the senior tallied a team-high five birdies in the second round of play, setting up a tie with senior teammate Andreas Aivazoglou for 25th place. Overall, Fordham’s fifth place finish was their best all season long.

The Rams went back into action during the Lehigh Invitational this past Friday and Saturday at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Penn. This time around, however, the Rams couldn’t capture the same magic as they did at Great River Golf Club. O’Rourke continued his great stretch as the senior, for the second consecutive week, had the best placement on the Fordham roster.

Day one in Bethlehem saw the Rams in 14th place of 15 contestants. O’Rourke concluded his first round in a tie of 18th place, collecting just two birdies. He was one-over on both 9’s with both of

his birdies coming in the last six holes of the round. Kryscio carded a score of 79 on day one and entered play on Saturday in a tie for 52nd place. Kryscio notched three birdies to his name which was a team-best to cap off day one play.

It was almost another historic finish for O’Rourke as the senior just barely missed out on a second consecutive top-five finish.

O’Rourke concluded the invitational in a tie for sixth place, shooting an even par with five birdies on Saturday. He recorded seven birdies in the tournament, which was good for the fifth-highest tally of all competing golfers. Manning and Mrva shared a tie of 65th place with their identical overall scores of 161. Kryscio was unable to replicate his success on day one as the senior would drop 24 spots to 76th place at tournament’s end.

The fall season has progressed rapidly for the Rams as the team’s final weekend of competition looms.

Fordham has one final meet next weekend where they will compete in the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Championship hosted by Wagner University at Montclair Golf Club on Monday, Oct. 31 and Tuesday, Nov. 1. This is the Ram’s last chance to make some waves in the golf scene.

Volleyball Fordham George Washington

0 3

Fordham George Washington

3 1

Fordham Davidson

0 3

Fordham Davidson

0 3

Water Polo Fordham George Washington

16 7

Fordham Johns Hopkins

23 9

Fordham Navy

14 7

Golf SHU Fall Classic Day 1: (3rd/8 Teams) Day 2: (5th/8 Teams) Lehigh Invitational Day 1: (14th/15 teams) Day 2: (15th/15 Teams)

Men’s XC ECAC/IC4A Championship

(10th/31 teams) Men’s Swim and Dive Fordham 177 Manhattan 64

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fordham Golf competed in their fourth outing of the season on Oct. 16-17 in the Sacred Heart University Fall Classic located at Great River Golf Club in Milford, Conn. The following weekend, the Rams were back in action again at the Lehigh Invitational in Pennsylvania.

The SHU Fall Classic was the best performance by this Rams roster all season long as the fall season’s conclusion is quickly upon us. Highlighted once again by seniors Nicholas Manning and P.J. O’Rourke, Fordham placed third of eight programs after day one and ultimately finished fifth overall.

The Rams’ day one third place finish featured birdies galore for Manning, who accumulated a team-high four birdies and was one of just seven golfers in the contest who finished with a score under par. Manning sat at two-under 70 and maintained a tie for fourth place heading into play on Monday.

O’Rourke, tallied his fifth par or under round in day one behind his three birdies and three bogeys.

O’Rourke left the course Sunday in a tie for eighth place and on pace for a season-best placement. Another top performer from the day one festivities was sophomore Jake Mrva. Mrva continues to grow as a collegiate golfer as he compiled three birdies on the day, carded a score of two-over and completed his round in a lone standing of thirteenth place.

Day two of competition didn’t see the same fortunes for the Rams as day one, however. Fordham finished the outing in fifth, dropping two spots from Sunday’s play.

O’Rourke posted a career day, as the senior recorded his third

Page 21

Fordham Monmouth

146 134

Fordham Marist

140 136

Women’s Swim and Dive Fordham 182 Manhattan 165 Fordham Monmouth

183 90

Fordham Marist

192 89

–Compiled by Maddie Bimonte

News & Notes

Late Night on the Hill This Week Fordham Basketball is hosting their annual Late Night on the Hill on Thursday at the Rose Hill Gym. The event will include team introductions, giveaways and a special performance from a musical guest.

Students can reserve their tickets online through an email sent to their student account. Tickets are available for pick up on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rose Hill.

Cross Country Competes At ECAC/IC4A Championship

By COLIN LOUGHRAN STAFF WRITER

It has been a long and grueling year for Fordham Cross Country.

Each member of this season’s team has trained at a high level, and if nothing else the Oct. 14 results at the CAC/IC4A Championship serves as a testament to their overall work ethic on and off the track.

The men placed 10th in a field of 31 total teams. Other competing programs included Cornell University, Harvard University, Yale University and Princeton University (who placed first in the team rankings). Junior Steven Zucca led the charge for the Rams, placing 21st in the 358 runner field.

The Ohio product clocked in with a time of 24:41.4. Sophomore Nathan Bezuneh was the next Ram to finish the 8K course. He placed 53rd with

a time of 25:22.5. Senior Colin Flood also impressed and placed 76th with a time of 25:41.5.

On the women’s side, Fordham placed 22nd in the team standings.

Sophomore Caroline McDonagh was the top performer in maroon.

She placed 86th in the 336 runner field, and boasted a time of 22:53.8.

Fellow sophomore Madeleine Ryan was next to cross the finish line for Fordham. The Illinois native placed 112th with a time of 23:09.5. Senior Taylor Mascetta and Junior Marin Bogulski finished 136th and 137th with times of 23:22.8 and 23:22.9, respectively.

Cross country will look to build on their gritty performance on Oct. 29 at the Atlantic 10 Championship in Mechanicsville, Va.

SPORTS

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Fordham Volleyball Swept at Davidson

By MILES GROSSMAN

October 26, 2022

USWNT Drops Two Games

By JULIA MOSS

STAFF WRITER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fordham Volleyball squared off against Davidson College in central North Carolina this past weekend.

Despite their considerable efforts, they were eventually swept in both Friday and Saturday’s contests.

The 0-2 record at Davidson was hard to bear for the Rams, who are now all but certain to miss the Atlantic 10 tournament. Even though they are only one spot shy of the top six, their A-10 record trails that of the next highest seed, Saint Louis University (SLU) by two full games, 3-8 vs. 5-6. Realistically, in order to qualify, the Rams will either need to go undefeated to finish the regular season, watch Saint Louis go winless throughout the rest of the year or a bit of both.

This fall has been quite the rollercoaster ride for head coach Ian Choi’s group. The Rams began the year red hot at 5-1 while going on the road and steamrolling many of their non-conference opponents. But things began to take a turn for the worse in mid-September when Fordham headed west for the University of North Dakota Classic. The Rams dropped both of their matches in the Mountain West, and spent the next few weeks trying to find their footing. Unfortunately for Fordham, the lengthy trip to North Dakota kick started a nine game losing streak which included an 0-4 start to A-10 play. Ever since that grueling stretch, the Rams have hovered around .500, including their first three A-10

The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) played two games earlier this month, first against England on Oct. 7 and then against Spain on Oct. 14. The showing did not turn out the way USWNT fans are used to as the team dropped both games.

With the World Cup rapidly approaching next summer, this is an inopportune point for the team to start losing their identity.

In the first game against England, the current European Champions, the Americans lost 2-1. The USWNT almost tied this game up, but their equalizer was taken off the board after a questionable offsides call.

They were never able to find the back of the net again, ultimately dropping the game at Wembley Stadium. If you’re looking at the team in its current form with so many regular players missing, it’s fair to accept this loss and move on considering the competition England has played in previous months compared to the USWNT. However, the next match would be an entirely different story.

The second match against Spain was less competitive and even more worrying. The USWNT were beaten by a score of 2-0. To rub salt in the wound of an already surprising defeat, the Spanish team was down nearly their entire team in protest against head coach Jorge Vilda. Instead of firing the coach, Spain instead replaced all of the players who didn’t report to camp. That is the team the

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham huddles around Senior Aria De La Rosa following a tough loss. wins of the season.

While all hope isn’t lost just yet on Rose Hill, the Rams need to piece together a pretty spectacular run over the next few weeks just to give themselves a fighting chance at the sixth seed in the conference tournament come mid-November. They’ll wrap up the road portion of their regular season schedule this weekend in Pittsburgh with a two game series at Duquesne University.

Following this weekend’s excursion, the remaining five matches will all be in their home gym in the Bronx. The Rams are surely a different team in their own building but even to make the final home stretch count, Fordham must grab at least one match in Duquesne and hope Saint Louis struggles this week. Luckily for Fordham, SLU is slated to play Dayton twice this week and Loyola Chicago once. Loyola Chicago is 11-0 in conference play in 2022 and Dayton has won the A-10 the

last four years running.

The talent is certainly there for the Rams, but it is going to come down to their ability to manufacture timely runs at the close of sets. They’ve battled with nearly every team in the A-10 conference, but what has set their opponents apart is a few clutch rallies when they matter most. Fordham is certainly one of the most explosive teams in the conference behind junior Whitley Moody and freshman Audrey Brown on the outside. Yet the question lingers: can they finish a tough set? Dishearteningly for the Ram faithful, they have yet to prove they can.

With yet another tough stretch of conference play behind them, the Rams must now turn over a new leaf and look to start fresh in Pittsburgh. The journey will continue this Friday at 6 p.m. at Duquesne before the Rams finish up their season series with the Dukes on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.

United States lost to.

These kinds of losses are not typical for this team. The last time they’ve dropped two games consecutively was in 2017 when facing England and France. It was also the first time the team had lost while conceding multiple goals since March 2001.

As the World Cup approaches, it’s clear there is a lot to improve on before July comes. They are going to have to focus on rehabilitation and regaining endurance for injured players such as Sam Mewis, Lynn Williams, Tierna Davidson and Catarina Macario, all of whom are game changers for the team. Julie Ertz and Crystal Dunn also need time to get used to playing again after recently giving birth.

Team chemistry is another big concern with this team.

It seems as though this U.S. team is moving forward without players like Christen Press, Jess McDonald, Tobin Heath and several others who were a part of the previous winning World Cup roster. The new players are going to have to learn how to play well together by tournament time.

They’ll get their chance to reevaluate the roster and try to find growth against another top team, Germany. The U.S. will stay home for these with a two game stand in Miami and New Jersey on Nov. 10 and 13, respectively. The team will hope to bounce back and return to the winning form fans have gotten used to seeing.

Men’s Soccer Ties Twice, Loses to Princeton

By MADDIE BIMONTE ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

It was a busy two weeks for the Fordham men’s soccer team as they underwent three matches. They kicked things off on the road against Saint Joseph’s University, before traveling to Duquesne University and concluding back at home for their last non-conference matchup of the season against Princeton University.

The Rams came out strong in the first six minutes in the game against St. Joseph’s, ensuring that the first shot of the game became a goal. The play began from a through pass from graduate student Ben Shepherd to graduate student Daniel Espeleta, who took a shot from the sixyard box netting his third goal of the season.

While the Rams had the edge in terms of goals in the first half, they were outshot and had very few offensive attempts in the form of set pieces. Shepherd would take the only corner for the Rams in the 15th minute in the first half of play.

Fordham held strong for a majority of the game. However, they faltered just at the very end, conceding a goal to the Hawks.

Saint Joseph’s freshman Luke Johnson handled a bouncing

ball, dropping it off for graduate student Omry Perel, who slipped the ball right out of reach for Fordham’s senior goalkeeper Callum James.

With such little time left, the Rams and Hawks tied for the first game of the week, making this Fordham’s eighth draw of the season.

The Rams turned their offensive woes around in their matchup against Duquesne in Pittsburgh, as the Dukes celebrated their Senior Day. Fordham had to battle back from a 2-0 deficit as the Dukes got on the board first. Scoring off their first two shots, the first goal came from freshman Ask Ekeland, who took a shot from 30-yards out that was impossible for James to stop. This is the freshman’s team-leading eighth goal of the year.

Just a few minutes later, the Dukes racked up their second goal as sophomore Maxi Hopfer crossed in the ball, finding the foot of junior Jacob Casha who slotted home his third goal of the season.

But, the Rams were not ready to drop this match. In the 26th minute, a foul called on Duquesne sophomore Christoffer Vie Angell gave Fordham a free kick taken by Shepherd. Shepherd delivered a cross towards the

head of graduate student Timo Hummrich, who flicked it in to make the score 2-1 Dukes.

The Rams were not able to get the equalizing goal in the first half, even though they outshot the Dukes 15-5. Fordham kept Duquesne’s keeper Domenic Nascimben, as he made eight saves in the first half alone.

Kicking things off in the second half, the Rams got their equalizer from a cross from Hummrich to freshman Daniel D’Ippolito. This marks his first goal of the season.

In total, the Rams outshot the Dukes 27-12 with both goalkeepers being electric in the net, saving 16 total shots.

Neither team could take the lead, ending yet another Fordham Men’s Soccer game in a tie, their ninth of the year. As the regular season winds down, Fordham are still in striking distance of an Atlantic 10 Championship spot.

Sitting 10th in the rankings, their next A-10 matchup against Loyola University Chicago is a must win.

Duquesne clinched an A-10 Championship first round home game for the first time in program history with the draw against the Rams.

Fordham played their final non-conference game this week as well against Princeton University. Fordham started off the game

scoring first with a rocket of a goal from Hummrich. The graduate student recovered a clearance from Princeton freshman Giuliano Fravolini Whitchurch and then drove it high into the right corner for the first goal of the game.

However, the Tigers answered back with a vengeance. Within a two-minute span, Princeton regained the lead, with the first goal coming off a free kick from senior Mateo Godoy. The midfielder would be a thorn in the side of the Rams, as he scored a second goal off an assist from sophomore Nico Nee. Nee found Godoy’s foot, who then beat graduate student goalkeeper Demetri Skoumbakis with a shot to the far post.

In the 37th minute, the Tigers added another to the total with a low shot by junior Francis Akomeah, to make the

score 3-1 to Princeton.

The second half was much stronger for the Rams, increasing their number of corners and shots on goal. They were rewarded for their extra efforts with a goal late in the second half, hoping to keep the goal of tying the game alive. Shepherd lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper, making the score 3-2.

Yet, there just was not enough time for the Rams to see this one through, as they dropped the match 3-2 against the Tigers.

Now, the Rams enter crunch time as they prepare to face off against Loyola Chicago for their last regular season matchup. If they are lucky, they will make a return to the A-10 Championships, and if they lose, they will say goodbye to the 2022 season.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

The Rams need a win Saturday against Loyola Chicago.

October 26, 2022

SPORTS Swimming and Diving Starts the Season Hot

By NICHOLAS RAPTIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fordham Swimming and Diving is off to a great start this season, with both the men’s and women’s programs sitting at 3-0 after their first three meets. So far, the men and women have taken down Manhattan College, Monmouth University and Marist College.

The team opened their season at home against Manhattan.

Strong performances on both the men’s and women’s side allowed Fordham to sweep their opponent, with the women winning 182-65 and the men finishing 177-64.

The dominant performance saw Fordham win all 32 events, which was the perfect way to set the tone for the season.

Four different athletes for the women’s team won multiple events over the course of the night.

Great races by sophomores Emma Shaughnessy and Jessica Zebrowski helped Fordham win the 50 and 100 meter events for breaststroke and butterfly.

Fellow sophomore Ainhoa Martin took home first in the 100 freestyle and 100 IM. Finally, graduate student Millie Haffety swept both diving events for the team.

Shaughnessy and Zebrowski also found success in the 200-medley relay.

The pair were joined by sophomore Leire Martin and senior Alison Lin to win the relay with a time of 1:45.37.

Zebrowski also won the 200 freestyle relay with sophomore Alex Antonov, freshman Jaehee Park and senior Clare Culver.

The men’s team similarly had four athletes win multiple events.

Sophomore Kevin Zahariev started the action by winning the 50- and 100-breaststroke.

Graduate student Paris Raptis

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Swimming and Diving continues their hot start with domination in the diving and racing events. finished first in both the 50-freestyle and 50 butterfly, while junior Noah Althoff continued the team’s success in both the 200-freestyle and 10- IM. Both the diving events were swept by freshman Marco Petit.

Just like the women’s team, the men did not slow down heading into the relays.

Raptis was a part of both relay wins, and Althoff accompanied him in the 200-medley.

Junior Alex Wilhelm and sophomore Vitalis Onu rounded out that race with a winning time of 1:34.07.

For the 200 freestyle, Raptis was joined by sophomore Brian Desmond, senior Wade Meaders and freshman Ryan Staunch. The winning time for that event was 1:28.89.

Fordham continued their season at home against Monmouth last Friday. The women’s team continued to dominate, taking home the win with a final score of 183-90.

The men’s team also continued their streak, doing so with a comeback victory of 146-134.

Haffety had a historic day, setting two new school records

Rowing Races in the Head of the Charles

By ANDREW FALDUTO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

This past weekend, Fordham rowing headed to the Charles River in Boston, Mass. The team competed in the Head of the Charles Regatta, the largest rowing regatta in the world with over 2,000 boats entered, representing universities and rowing clubs from all around the globe.

In total, this year’s event saw over 11,000 rowers break the water and over 400,000 spectators.

Fordham fielded two boats at the regatta.

First up, the Varsity Four boat rowed in the Women’s Club Four events against many other university programs. The boat rowed a respectable time of 19:41.349, placing 31st out of 50 boats in the event.

Just after the Varsity Four took their boat off the water, the Varsity Eight launched in their race,

the Women’s Club Eight, placing 23rd out of 40 with a race time of 17:30.866.

Unfortunately, both boats experienced major problems with headwinds, something that was somewhat unexpected considering the very calm and comfortable weather that the day started with.

While the Fordham program has historically fared slightly better in the regatta, the outlook for the rest of the season is still strong.

The Head of the Charles is an event that is held in the highest regard within the sport of rowing, and the opportunity to take part in it was a wonderful experience for the athletes that competed this past Saturday.

The team seems to be feeling optimistic and is looking forward to one final race in the fall season before the winter break.

The team’s next race will be the historical Head of the Schuylkill held in Philadelphia on Oct. 29.

in the process. Her score of 317.25 in the one-meter dive broke a record from 2017 held

by Wendy-Espina-Equival.

With a score of 311.7 on the three-meter dive, she broke a more recent record from 2020 held by Molly Dunn.

Haffety was not the only one who put on an impressive performance, as three of her teammates were also able to finish first in multiple events.

Sophomore Emilie Krog finished first in both of the distance freestyle events while Zebrowski again won both events in the butterfly races for Fordham.

Sophomore Ainhoa Martin was also a multi-event winner, taking the top spot in the 200-breaststroke and 400 individual medley.

The team carried their success into the relays, winning both the 200 medley and 400-freestyle.

The men’s team fell behind early but began to rally behind performances from sophomore Daniel Langlois.

His wins in the 200-breaststroke and 400-individual medley got the ball rolling for the Rams.

Raptis continued the comeback with first place finishes in both the 100- and 200-butterfly events.

Freshman Marco Petit won three event for the men, sweeping both diving events.

The meet was determined by the final race, the 400-freestyle relay.

In an exciting finish, the relay team consisting of Raptis, sophomore Alex Shah, Wilhelm and graduate student Taras Zherebetskyy pulled ahead and clinched the victory for the Rams. The come-from-behind win highlighted the resilience this team clearly has.

Fordham then headed upstate to Marist on Saturday for their first away meet of the season. The women’s team easily defeated Marist with a final score of 192-89.

The match was much closer for the men’s team, which again came down to the final race of the night. Ultimately, the men won with a final score of 140136.

Strong performances on the women’s side allowed four athletes to win multiple events.

Zebrowski secured wins in both the 100 and 200 butterfly, as

Page 23

well as the 50 freestyle.

Lin took the top spot for both the 100 backstroke and 200 individual medley. Haffety continued her dominance of the diving events, sweeping the one-meter and three-meter events.

Krog completes the list of multi-event winners, sweeping both long distance freestyle events.

Zebrowski and Lin would also go on to win the 400 freestyle relay alongside sophomore Zoei Howard and graduate student Megan Morris with a time of 3:34.56.

On the men’s side, Raptis had a good day in Poughkeepsie, taking home the win in three different individual events.

He finished first in the 100 breaststroke, 200 individual medley and 200 butterfly.

Freshman Christian Taylor, who was competing for the first time this season, amazingly was also a multi-event winner by sweeping the backstroke events.

For the second night in a row, the meet came down to the wire. Raptis was joined by Shah, Wilhelm and Zherebetskyy in the 400-freestyle relay to determine whether the Rams would walk away with another victory.

They secured a win for the team by clocking in a time of 3:06.41.

After three meets in a one week span, the Rams will get some rest before they compete again.

On Saturday, Nov. 5, they will face Georgetown University at home. After that, the team will look to keep their momentum going at the Bucknell Invitational.

As we have seen so far, the team consists of many contributors who are looking to compete every day.

Even when faced with adversity, they do not quit. Starting with a 3-0 record is a great way to cultivate a winning environment for the Rams to thrive in.

Women’s Tennis Competes in Hofstra Invitational

By BRETT TULIP CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Fordham women’s tennis team traveled to Long Island on Oct. 15-16, where they took on students from Hofstra University and Fairleigh Dickinson University at the 2022 Hofstra Invitational. The team had not competed in this tournament in five years, when they won two flights in October 2017.

This year, they found similar success as senior Avery Aude won two singles matches and two doubles matches against opponents from both universities. Aude defeated her first opponent on day one when she won her singles match, with both sets ending 6-0 against Kaitlyn Ferguson from Hofstra.

Later that day, she defeated the Hofstra duo of Deniz Soyer and Ananyaa Bhargava with her graduate student teammate Valeriya

Deminova by a score of 6-3. On day two, Aude continued to win as she defeated Anastasia Lim from Fairleigh Dickinson 7-5, 6-3. She again teamed with Deminova to overcome Fairleigh Dickinson’s Alena Kubanova and Namie Isago.

Fordham had a few other standouts throughout the rest of the Hofstra Invitational, including sophomore Lorraine Bergmann, freshman Sofie Siem and senior Rachelle Yang. Each of them won three of their four singles and doubles matches, respectively.

Although there were mostly positives from this contest, graduate student Lindsay Hung struggled, losing all four of the matches she played in. Hung is typically a very productive player and will surely bounce back in the future as the team looks towards their winter season in January.

Elsewhere, Valeriya Deminova competed in the Intercollegiate

Tennis Association (ITA) Super Regional Championship this past Friday at Yale University.

She was able to play in this event after her three impressive wins at the ITA Regionals. Unfortunately, her impressive run came to an end at the hands of the University of Pennsylvania’s Sabine Rutlauka in the first round.

Deminova lost both sets, 6-1, 7-5.

Although this was not the desired outcome, it was still impressive to make it as far as she did and advance much further than she had in the same tournament back in 2019.

She is in her fifth year, and her collegiate tennis career is likely coming to a close.

Nevertheless, it is excellent to see measurable improvement within a player from the beginning of her career to the near end. It will be interesting to see how Deminova continues this season and if she can continue to perform at a high level.

Page 24

SPORTS Water Polo Continues to Dominate Conference Play

October 26, 2022

By LOU ORLANDO STAFF WRITER

The last check in with Fordham Water Polo, they were coming off a four-game conference sweep at the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) Crossover.

Two weeks later, the Rams have let the good times roll, picking up three more conference wins and extending their win streak to nine.

In perhaps the most highly anticipated conference matchup of the season, Fordham began an Oct. 15 double header against George Washington University with plenty on the line.

GW entered the game ranked #19 in the nation, receiving one less vote than Fordham, who was ranked #18 at the time. The Colonials were 15-1 and winners of 15 straight but the Rams, at 14-6, were still ranked ahead of George Washington in both national and conference polls.

Their lead was slim however, and a Fordham loss could see the Colonials leapfrog the Rams for the top spot in the MAWPC. George Washington got off to a strong start, stifling the Fordham offense and holding a 3-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw a dramatic shift in momentum. Sophomore Jacopo Parrella quickly evened things at three and then both sides traded blows. Behind three unanswered goals, the Rams lept out to an 8-5 lead to end the half

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Balazs Berenyi and Fordham cemented their place atop the MAWPC with a big win over George Washington. as the offense returned to form with six goals in the quarter. In the second half, Fordham picked up right where they left off, extending the goal streak to seven unanswered while sophomore goalkeeper Thomas Lercari held the Colonials scoreless for the entire third quarter. GW managed just two goals in the fourth as Fordham continued to pile on to secure a statement 16-7 victory, handing George Washington their first conference loss of the season.

Sophomore Luca Silvestri shined with a season-high five-goal performance while Parrella posted a hat trick. It was an impressive performance against one of the top defensive teams in the league.

George Washington came in allowing just 9.7 points per game, and while their center defense was strong to start, Fordham was able to spread them out with at-

tacks from the wings and then target the middle as the game progressed.

The Fordham offense continued to impress in the second match of the day as the Rams defeated John Hopkins 23-7.

Scoring seven goals in the opening frame, the Rams put together their fifth 20+ point performance of the season en route to sweeping the double header. Graduate student Nir Gross and sophomore Lucas Nieto Jasny each had four goals while freshman Balazs Berenyi tallied three in the dominant offensive effort.

Moving ahead to this past weekend, Fordham squared off against the United States Naval Academy. Navy had recently received votes in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) national polls and was coming off an overtime win Bucknell

University, a team ranked top five in the MAWPC. With Fordham’s national ranking back up to #17 following the strong weekend prior, the Rams improved to 17-6, defeating Navy 14-7 behind a 15 save performance from Lercari. For the second weekend in a row, Silvestri and Berenyi were major offensive factors, each netting a hat trick as Fordham earned their ninth win in a row.

The last two weekends saw Fordham continue their dominance in-conference. Fordham boasts a perfect 11-0 record against conference opponents.

It’s been an unparalleled run of dominance for the Rams who have won their last 16 conference matchups and are now 25-1 in conference games dating back to last year.

The performance against George

Washington was particularly relieving. GW was very close to earning the top spot in the MAWPC polls, but the win gives the Rams a bit of separation for now.

It’s not just the win, but the way they won as well, shutting down a potent GW offense while scoring 16 goals against a top-notch defense.

They will meet again in two weeks, so it will be interesting to see if Fordham can replicate that performance.

Nonetheless, it’s an impressive showing in what very well may be a teaser for the MAWPC championship game.

With just three weekends left in the regular season, the conference tournament is on the horizon.

Fordham will close out the season with five conference games to go with two non-conference matchups.

It will not be easy with rematches against GW, Bucknell University, Mount St. Mary’s College and Navy, all of whom are either currently ranked or right outside of the top five in the MAWPC poll.

Add to that a rivalry game against Iona University and a matchup against a St. Francis Brooklyn team that defeated the Rams last year and Fordham will have their work cut out for them.

Still, it seems they’ve put to rest any doubts about who the top team is. For any MAWPC hopefuls eyeing a 2022 championship, it’s best they know the path runs through the Rams.

Football Tops Stony Brook, Looks Forward to Huge Clash With Holy Cross

By NICK GUZMAN SPORTS EDITOR

A bye week is huge for any team in the midst of a long and grueling season. It’s a chance to reset, regroup and prepare for the home stretch of the campaign. Fordham Football headed into their week off on the perfect note after defeating Stony Brook University 45-14 on Oct. 15.

Senior Tim DeMorat once again took center stage for the Rams, throwing for 371 yards and three touchdowns. But the Florida native had lots of help on the offensive side against the Seawolves.

For the third consecutive week, Fordham had a 100-yard rusher out of the backfield. Sophomore Julias Loughridge ran for 111 and added two touchdowns to pace the Fordham ground game.

Through the air, senior receiver Dequece Carter hauled in eight passes for 140 yards and a touchdown, while fellow senior MJ Wright added two scores.

While slow starts have plagued the Rams throughout this season, they got off on just the right foot against Stony Brook. Fordham put up 31 unanswered points in the first half, highlighting both an explosive offensive performance and a stout defensive effort.

Sophomore linebacker James Conway recorded an impressive 15 tackles and graduate student linebacker Ryan Greenhagen added eight more as the Rams defensive unit held Stony Brook

scoreless through three quarters of play. The Seawolves struck twice in the fourth quarter, but Fordham was well on their way to victory at that point. Fordham’s 45-14 win was their largest margin of victory this season.

On the reasons behind the improved play of his defense, Fordham head coach Joe Conlin said after the game, “It’s a couple things. Our secondary is playing better. I think they’re being more competitive on balls downfield. I think we’ve done a really good job against the run since Monmouth and really even since the one long run against Albany … We’ve still gotta do a better job of generating a pass rush and things like that.”

Fordham’s bye week following

the Stony Brook game was not a total vacation, as the Rams continued to hit the weight room and practice throughout the early part of the week. They were able to relax this past weekend before focusing their attention towards the rest of the conference schedule.

With a week of rest behind them, Fordham now heads into their biggest game of the season: a monumental clash with the College of the Holy Cross.

Seen as the gold standard of the Patriot League, winning the conference three years in a row and have the most all-time titles with nine. The Crusaders sit at a perfect 7-0 this season and haven’t lost a Patriot League game since a November 2019

defeat to Lafayette College.

For Fordham, this weekend’s game represents a chance to measure themselves. Yes, Fordham’s offense has operated at a historic pace so far this season. Yes, they are 6-1 and could be 7-0 if not for a late-game stumble against Ohio University on the road. But Holy Cross on the road is a different beast entirely.

Last season, Fordham began conference play 4-0 before they faced the Crusaders at Jack Coffey Field.

This matchup was discussed in the same light then, as a chance for Fordham to truly see how they stacked up against the Patriot League’s best. They failed the challenge, falling to Holy Cross

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham Football dominated Stony Brook in all facets of the game on Oct. 15, winning 45-14.

52-24. DeMorat struggled, completing just 12 of 27 passes for 223 yards.

But there are plenty of reasons for Fordham fans to believe that this year can be different. For one, DeMorat’s play is on a completely different level this season compared to last. His 3,023 passing yards are first in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), and his 33 touchdowns rank second. Even though it ended in defeat, DeMorat proved he could hang with top quality opposition when he dropped 500 yards and six touchdowns on Ohio.

The defense looks much improved in recent weeks, although they’ll certainly be put to the test against Holy Cross. An improved performance against Lehigh University followed by allowing just 14 points against Stony Brook has defensive coordinator Mark Powell’s unit moving in the right direction entering this weekend.

Holy Cross are coming off their closest game of the season, a grueling 24-21 win over Lafayette on the road this past weekend. The Crusaders were put to the test, needing a late fourth quarter touchdown to secure the win. Fordham will have watched the tape on that game to decide how they want to attack the Crusaders.

The kickoff is this Saturday in Worcester, Mass. at 1 p.m. The game can be streamed live on ESPN+ or listened to on WFUV Radio's tune dial 90.7 FM.