Volume 98 Issue 11

The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham dh University Community Since 1918 Volume 98, Issue 11

$31,000 Remains for Clubs

By LAURA SANICOLA and CATE CARREJO Over $31,000 is available for clubs after Spring budget day, which can be put toward Fall 2016 budget requests. The Budget was approved by the committee in full at the Student Life Council Meeting last Wednesday.

The committee was chaired by Elizabeth Crennan, FCRH ’19 nonvoting budget committee chairman and vice president of finance of the United Student Government (USG).

Clubs started out with $480,674.00 and requested $549,507.95 for the spring semester.

The committee allocated $290,164.79 out of the $298,353.48 requested for referendum clubs and $143, 895.44 out of the $235,044.47 requested for general clubs.

Referendum clubs received 67 percent of the total budget and general clubs received 33 percent, but no new referendum clubs were approved for fall 2016.

Though some clubs managed without major budgeting issues, many clubs were denied the entirety of their requested budget for reasons outlined in the financial supplement.

Clubs that received no funding due to failure to submit an operations packet include The Ampersand, Circle K, Deutscher Studenten Klub, The College Republicans and the Jazz Collective.

Overall, clubs were sanctioned a total of $11,067.03.

The most common reason for clubs to be sanctioned was listing dates outside of programming dates.

Twelve clubs had 49 line items denied due to incorrect dates. Seven clubs were sanctioned for not receiving an operations packet.

Notably, neither the College Democrats nor the College Republicans received a budget large enough to cover their speaker requests. The College Democrats were only approved to purchase wristbands as they were denied a majority of their approximate $15,000 requested budget for unverifiable documentation.

The political clubs have faced numerous problems ensuring speakers in recent years.

SEE SLC, PAGE 2

in this issue

Opinion Page 9 Finals Stress Contradicts Educational Goals

Culture Page 13 Prince’s Life Cut Short

Sports Page 20 Golf Finishes Fifth at A-10s

FordhamRam.com

May 4, 2016

Performers Play To Safer Student Body

By ERIN SHANAHAN, DIANA NELSON, AMINA BHATTI, and ASHLEY KATUSA Students partied responsibly at this year’s Spring Weekend festivities, much to administrative relief. In contrast to Spring Weekends and Halloweens in the past, which occasionally saw more than ten transports per night, there were only four alcohol transports according to Kimberly Russell, the director of Residential Life and assistant dean of students. This year’s weekend featured speaker was former Olympic star Shawn Johnson, DJ Sliink, indie pop duo Matt and Kim and famed comedian Aidy Bryant.

For administration, the student behavior was a welcomed break from traditionally hectic ones.

“Overall, we were all pleased to see that students did seem to make better decisions this year than in some previous years,” said Russell.

Fordham Public Safety had similar praise to share regarding the behavior at this year’s Spring Weekend.

SEE WEEKEND, PAGE 5

ANTHONY AVISTET /THE FORDHAM RAM

Students gather on Martyr’s Lawn this past Saturday as Matt and Kim perform.

Matt and Kim Energizes Crowd

By BAILEY HOSFELT CULTURE EDITOR

This past Saturday marked Fordham’s 36th annual Spring Weekend concert and allowed students, whether first or fourth-timers, to spend an unforgettable afternoon on Martyr’s Lawn with their fellow Rams.

Fordham’s own Drowsy Joy, the winner of Rodrigue Coffee House’s Battle of the Bands, kicked off the concert. The band performed a four-song set that was a combination of originals and covers. By playing both music of their own and other artists, Drowsy Joy was able to appeal to the crowd, regardless of if people had not previously

heard the band perform. “It was really cool to play ‘On the Road’ for the first time live. It’s such a high energy song, and I could tell the crowd was feeling it” said Sean O’Connor, FCRH ’18, lead vocalist and guitarist for Drowsy Joy. Being the band’s only female member, Mary Munshower, FCRH SEE BAND, PAGE 13

Graduation Speaker Announced

By CATE CARREJO FEATURES EDITOR

CATE CARREJO /THE FORDHAM RAM

Cate Carrejo witnessed White House Press Corps discuss challenges of political journalism in Washington D.C.

Reporter’s Notebook:

College Reporter Day With Obama

By CATE CARREJO FEATURES EDITOR

As part of President Obama’s new educational initiatives, the White House staff organized the inaugural White House College Reporter Day, which allowed 50 students from universities across the country to come to the White House and have interviews with senior staff, meet members of the White House Press Corps and have a briefing with Press Secre-

tary Josh Earnest. I was one of the lucky few who were able to attend and gain exclusive access to the seat of the American government.

The other student reporters and I spent the morning in the Indian Treaty Room, one of the oldest and most historic rooms on the White House campus. We spoke with several members of the senior staff about some of the most pressing issues facing college students and the next generation, such as sexual assault on college campuses, college affordability and civic

engagement. I could feel my Jesuit education kicking in, finding connections between all the issues we discussed, how each problem informs and complicates the others; making college affordable creates more diversity, which breeds compassion and solidarity, which makes it easier for communities to organize against issues like sexual assault. While many of these problems need to be combated at the federal level, the staff members stressed over and over that SEE WHITE HOUSE, PAGE 3

Fordham announced Thursday that Dr. David Skorton, M.D., the 13th secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., will address the graduates of the Class of 2016 at the university’s 171st commencement ceremony in May. Skorton previously served as the president of both the University of Iowa from 2003 to 2006 and Cornell University from 2006 to 2015, when he was named secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

Skorton’s multifaceted career has run the gambit from medicine to education to public service. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and Feinberg School of Medicine, Skorton originally trained as a physician at the University of California, Los Angeles for both his residency and fellowship. Skorton then transitioned into education, serving as a professor of internal medicine and biomedical engineering. In June of last year, Skorton became the first physician to fill the role of Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, where he manages SEE COMMENCEMENT, PAGE 7

NEWS

Page 2

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS April 28 Lombardi Center 4:30 p.m.

A student reported that 10 bathing suits in her locker are missing.

The suits were Nike and Jolyn brand.

There was no forced entry into the locker, and the student reported the missing items to Public Safety.

April 29 2536 Bathgate Avenue 11:30 p.m.

A student reported to Public Safety someone attempted to kick in her door. A large crack in the middle of the door and the lock broke after the incident. The police responded to the event and a report was filed.

April 30 Campbell Hall 8 p.m.

A Fordham employee put her purse in the desk with her wallet in it.

She returned at midnight and found that the $30 she had in her wallet was missing. She reported the incident to Public Safety.

May 1 East 187th Street 8 p.m.

A student paid for her meal at Full Moon Pizzeria using her debit card and after could not find her wallet.

She returned to the restaurant to look for it, but could not find it. She cancelled the card, but saw it was used to make a purchase that she was not involved in. She notified police.

May 4, 2016

Journal From Abroad

Making Mistakes in a New Culture

By YASMIN MERCHANT STAFF WRITER

I did not realize how relaxed the culture is in the United States until I went to Japan. Here, unspoken rules are ingrained in the culture involving dress, speech and action. If you do not follow them, you clearly stick out.

Throughout my first month in this country, I have made several cultural faux pas.

I made my very first mistake when I was in the airport. Clueless, I stood on the wrong side of the escalator with my giant suitcase and forced everyone to walk around me. Things did not improve once I arrived at my dorm: you are supposed to change into indoor slippers right at the door, and into different slippers for the kitchen, bathroom and clothesdrying area outside. I once forgot to switch shoes while going to hang my clothes, and the dorm manager ran down the hall calling out, “Yasumin-san, slipper

change!” I felt like a clueless toddler.

It was also difficult for me to get used to shower room culture here in Japan. The shower room is essentially a public bath. A dressing room leads to another room full of showerheads and a bath. At first, I thought you were supposed to enter the shower room in a towel; this assumption led to my third mistake. Once I arrived in the showers, I realized I had nowhere to hang towels or clothes.

Although the dorm I live in is all female, the concept of showering out in front of others really freaked me out at first. I would shower in the early hours of the morning to avoid everyone else.

I still hesitate a little, but I am slowly getting used to it.

My fourth mistake occurred during my first public transit experience. I had to start taking the train to school during the morning rush hour. The first train was insanely crowded and had no

room at all. I had a lot of extra time, so I waited for the next.

The next one arrived and it was exactly the same — with people packed in like sardines. And yet people still get on. In order to maximize capacity, they shove as many people as possible onto the train. I learned that punctuality is extremely important here, so people would rather cram themselves onto the train than be a couple minutes late. So there is no point in waiting for the next train. Unlike the subways in New York City, you are not being rude for pushing your way onto the metro. Honestly, I am not sure I will ever get used to the rush hour crowd.

I have made countless other mistakes. I could not possibly list them all. However, I would not trade these experiences for the world. Despite that awkward feeling I get when I commit a cultural faux pas, I am learning that it is the only way to truly learn about a new culture.

May 2 Hughes Street and 191st Street 7:20 p.m.

A student was approached by a male in a black hooded sweatshirt and gray sweatpants with his right hand in his pocket indicting a weapon. The man told the student to give him everything he had, and the student hit the man in the head. The assailant fell down and the student ran back to campus and alerted Public Safety. The student declined to notify NYPD. — Compiled by Michael Byrne

Follow us on Twitter! @TheFordhamRam

COURTESY OF YASMIN MERCHANT

Fordham student Yasmin Merchant realized that she must make mistakes in order to truly learn while in Japan.

Spring Club Budgets Determined SEE SLC, PAGE 1

The individual club budgets and aggregates were presented last Wednesday, but OrgSync has not updated clubs of their budgets or sanctions and clubs have not all been notified as of the following Tuesday night.

Philip Bedard, GSB ‘16 and current treasurer of Circle K, said he had not been informed of his club’s budget for Spring 2016 yet.

“I had thought we hadn’t handed in our operations packet but I haven’t heard anything yet,” Bedard said.

Clubs will have an opportunity to appeal for more funds in the coming weeks following an email from Crennan.

Several other important initiatives were announced at the meeting as well, including an update on last semester’s racial bias incidents. The investigation into the Nov. 13 incident involving loud, repeated racist language and chants from a party at an off campus residence has ended, according to Dean of Students Christopher Rodgers. “Appropriate action has been taken,” said Rodgers.

Rodgers also commented on the changes to the campus dining establishments following the announcement of Aramark replacing Sodexo as Fordham’s catering service. “There will be some capital improvements, changes… in The Grille and rebranding in Queens Court deli.” In a separate interview, Deming Yaun, Fordham’s dining services contract liaison, stated that changes to The Grille, Fordham’s most popular on-campus dining establishment, would be minimal. “The formats will stay very similar [and] popular menu items will stay very similar. We can keep it moving forward in the coming years,” Yaun told The Ram. Finally, Rodgers touched on the possible renovations of the McGinley Student Center. Fordham’s Continuous University Strategic Planning Committee (CUSP) called for a new student center in the strategic framework draft released earlier this semester, an idea to which Rodgers seemed receptive. “It will take a while, but it is needed,” said Rodgers at the meeting.

Assistant Dean for Freshmen Greer Jason announced a new program “to bring underprivileged high school students to learn about technology and entrepreneurship.” The high school students will live with university students in O’Hare Hall over the summer to integrate into the Fordham community during the program.

This Week at Fordham Thursday May 5

Thursday May 5

Saturday May 7

Sunday April 8

New York City Writes Ecuador

Mass for the Holy Day of Obligation

Satin Dolls Baseball Fundraiser

Dealy Hall 406A 2 p.m.—5 p.m.

Sunday Liturgies at Rose Hill

Blue Chapel 8:30 a.m.—9:30 a.m.

Houlian Park 2 p.m.—5 p.m.

University Church 11 a.m.—12 p.m.

A mass will be held in the Blue Chapel in celebrating the Ascension of our Lord. The Holy Day of Obligation is the day in which Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven, forty years after rising from the dead.

The Fordham University Satin Dolls will host their bi-annual fundraiser on May 7 during the Fordham University baseball game. They will sing the national anthem before the game and will sell baked goods, candy and ice pops throughout the game.

University Chapel will be hosting its normally scheduled liturgy at the church this Sunday. There will also be a liturgy at 5 p.m. in Our Lady’s Chapel in the lower level of the church and an 8 p.m. liturgy in the University Church.

NYC Writes Ecuador will host an experimental writing and narrative workshop for free. The event is geared towards adults, and is sponsored by the the department of sociology and athropology and Laboratory of Inspiration.

Are You Studying Abroad Next Semester?

Email: fordhamramnews @gmail.com

NEWS

May 4, 2016

Page 3

Obama Addresses Student Reporters in White House FROM WHITE HOUSE, PAGE 1

they are not in this fight alone, and that we as a country must work together to find solutions.

After our informational panels, I met with Press Assistant and Fordham alum Desiree Barnes, who gave me a quick tour of the West Wing and took me right past the Oval Office. The day ended in the Brady Press Briefing Room, where we were able to ask Earnest questions.

However, the moment was slightly eclipsed when a surprise guest, President Obama, came in from the West Wing and stole the podium from Earnest. He spent over half an hour with us, taking our questions, speaking about his family and even granting an interview request from Rutgers University newspaper The Daily Targum editor-in-chief Dan Corey. The level of candidness and respect as professionals was humbling and affirming, both as a citizen and an aspiring journalist.

After we finished for the day, my new friends and I stumbled back out into “the real world,” blown away by the day we had all just experienced. I suspect that most of us will spend the rest of our professional careers trying to work our way back through those gates.

Surprisingly, and one of the main reasons I believe people should be allowed inside more

often, the White House is an office not too unlike any other.

The Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which sits adjacent to the White House and houses much of the executive staff, is massive — five floors of offices and conference rooms, elaborately decorated in the style of a decadent era that is at odds with the modern, relaxed but dedicated mood within the staff. Staff members spoke frankly and openly about the President’s agenda and their positions in the administration, giving honest and transparent answers to students’ questions and even taking advice from students at times. Ideally, everyone should have access to the inner workings of the White House administration, if only to see that it is comprised of a lot of very normal people trying solemnly to do important work.

As critical as this country can be of its government, and often rightly so, I cannot imagine how anyone could be in that building and have any cynicism in their heart. Here is a giant building, a giant staff, a giant organization, that is entirely dedicated to working for you. The people in there are not perfect, but they are trying to find constructive solutions to our country’s biggest problems, and they are doing it all for you.

The best part: you can help at any

CATE CARREJO/THE FORDHAM RAM

The Fordham Ram’s Features Editor, Cate Carrejo, visited the White House in Washington D.C.

level, locally, regionally, or one day, as a part of the White House staff yourself.

I like to imagine my day at the White House was very similar to what goes on there every day —

respectful discussions between intelligent, diverse individuals, intense dedication to detail-oriented work and small victories towards huge goals. Being in that setting, both with those who work

there currently and a group of talented young people who might work there someday, restored my faith in our government more than I think anything else could have.

GO! Trips Now Mostly a No Go For RAs

By THERESA SCHLIEP ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Resident Assistants (RAs) will not be able to attend Global Outreach (GO!) trips during the academic year, including spring and winter breaks. Justin Muzzi, assistant director of residential life for leadership, development and training, made the announcement during RA Spring training in midApril.

The trips can interfere with their responsibilities closing residence halls before winter, spring and summer breaks, Muzzi said. Summer GO! trips, however, are allowed.

Resident assistants have traditionally been expected to remain on campus to perform health and safety inspections of rooms until mid-afternoon a day after the last

day of classes before the break. Students who were chosen to participate in GO! trips in the past report having been allowed to leave up to a day early to participate in their trip.

Muzzi said that Residential Life is willing to speak with RAs who still wish to go on GO! trips during the academic year and RAs entering their senior year who have limited opportunities to go on GO! trips.

“If this is the one opportunity you have to do something, I want to try and work with you on it,” said Muzzi. “I think it is easier sometimes to make an exception to a rule then later on hold fast to a rule.”

“We asked them not to go on the ones that cause them to miss mandatory parts of the RA position,” said Muzzi.

Muzzi said that in the past, Residential Life made efforts to allow

RAs to go on these trips.

“The tricky part is when you have 95 people who work for you and they all are expected to do very similar work, holding them accountable for that but also making sure there is fair treatment across the board can be difficult,” said Muzzi.

“There are certain things, like openings and closings, that we need RAs to be at,” he added Paul Francis, director of Global Outreach, did not return a request for comment.

Kim Russell, assistant dean of students and director of residential life, also did not return request for comment.

Some RAs, both current and previous, find the new policy restricting.

“There are some GO! projects that only happen over spring break,

TARA MARTINELLI/THE FORDHAM RAM

Fordham University Resident Assistants used to be able to participate in spring and summer GO! Trips.

and many students have other obligations over winter and summer breaks,” said Rachel Nass, FCRH ’15, who was an RA during her time at the university. “It is a great shame that the Office of Residential Life is not supporting RAs who want to explore social justice, and there is not enough flexibility and accommodation among each staff to allow RAs to have this experience.”

Elaina Weber, FCRH ’16, both was an RA and participated in GO! trips during her time at Fordham.

She said the organizations had complementary traits.

“Some of the best GO! leaders in the past have also been RAs, because both positions require and build transferable skills in programming, community building, authentic mentorship and living out Jesuit ideals,” said Weber. “Likewise, some of my most involved and reflective teammates have gone on to be fantastic RAs, participating in GO! for the entirety of their RA careers. I hope the two parties can continue their partnership of changing lives for the better together.”

Other students were worried that the quality of RA staff would decrease as a result of the change.

“I hope Residential Life reconsiders their decision, perhaps in favor of considering these GO! requests on a case by case basis. ” said Alexandra Marshall, GSB ’16.

Marshall went on a GO! El Salvador trip as a returning senior RA .

“If the decision stands and students are forced to choose between the two, I worry that it will ultimately lower the quality of our staff as a whole, and that would be a terrible disservice to our community.”

Marshall appreciated Residential

Life’s approval in allowing her to go on her GO! trip, as well GO!’s support of her RA responsibilities.

“That trip proved to be one of my most cherished and impactful Fordham experiences, and I’m very grateful that Residential Life supported my decision,” said Marshall.

“While both being on a GO! team and being an RA are time-intensive commitments, I found that GO! supported my RA responsibilities.

GO! provided me another support system, opportunity to learn, and a chance to develop my leadership and interpersonal skills.”

Ellysa Smith, FCRH ’15, an RA during her time at Fordham, said that the decision impacted those who relied financially on the free room and board given to RA’s.

“Clearly the ramification, whether intentional or not, is that the pool of applicants applying to GO! will cease to be as diverse as it once was; limiting those applying to those who could afford housing,” said Smith.

Muzzi said he was not sure of the opinion of RAs. “I think it initially came as a shock,” said Muzzi. “I think some of those initial feelings were probably shared with those RA’s resident directors.”

Muzzi said that, while a few people who may have considered applying to an RA position but will no longer due to the new rule, it will most likely not be a major deterrent in RA recruitment.

“I think losing those people is unfortunate,” said Muzzi. “I think that there are enough people who, for a variety of reasons, who want to be RAs. I’m hoping it doesn’t hurt us too much and I don’t see it hurting us too much.”

NEWS

Page 4

May 4, 2016

Fordham In The Bronx

Hip Coffee Houses Reflect a Changing Borough

By MICHAEL DOBUSKI BRONX CORRESPONDENT

Mott Haven, like many other neighborhoods in the South Bronx, has been the center of a major real estate development boom over the past few years. A new popular coffee h. Filtered Coffee, located on the corner of Third Avenue and East 134th Street, celebrated its grand opening in early AprilThe new shop is owned by Karen Paul and Aaron Baird, who run three other coffee shops, including another Filtered Coffee location in Harlem.

Filtered Coffee joins a number of other recent projects in the South Bronx supported by two popular developers in the South Bronx, Somerset Partners and the Chetrit Group. Moves to develop real estate in the Bronx into places such as Filtered Coffee, a business that seems more at home in SoHo or Williamsburg, have only continued to fuel discussion on gentrification in the borough, which is an issue that impacts both Fordham students and other Bronx residents.

The former commercial building that became Filtered Coffee

MICHAEL DOBUSKI/THE FORDHAM RAM

A new coffeehouse in the South Bronx is one of many signs of changing neighborhoods.

was transformed into a modern venue for music, poetry readings and, of course, sipping coffee by Barcelona-based architect Alonso Balaguer. The interior of the space is filled with tasteful wooden tables and a grey tile floor in ad-

dition to comfortable couches and armchairs. A chalkboard behind the countertop displays the store’s beverage options, and a large skylight and several large windows keep the seating area airy and welllit.

ANDREA GARCIA/ THE FORDHAM RAM

The View at Columbus Circle

As the day ends, a pedestrian stops and takes in the sight of the famous Pulitzer fountain at Columbus Circle.

It was designed by Karl Bitter and architect Thomas Hastings in 1916. The statue depicts the goddess of abundance holding a basket of fruit.

Somerset Partners head Keith Rubenstein was roundly criticized for his co-hosting of the “Macabre Suite,” a Bronx-themed party held at the end of October to drum up support for the Piano District project. The event, which was attended by celebrities such as Adrian Brody and Kendall Jenner, took place in a former piano factory. Many interpreted the party as an exploitation of the Bronx’s struggle with housing and crime in the 1970s and 1980s.

In contrast, Filtered Coffee’s Bronx location debuted to more fanfare. “It is definitely a great place to relax and enjoy a beverage. I’m looking forward to coming back,” said a local Bronx resident and Filtered Coffee customer. Future plans for the coffee shop are to offer free WiFi to customers and host poetry readings and live music events.

“My biggest concern with this new shop is the exclusivity and displacement it might create,” said Serena Robert, GSB ’16. Robert, who works as a barista at Irving Farm Coffee Roasters in Midtown Manhattan, said, “I can only hope that this shop fosters a friendly and artistic environment and seeks to represent the power that coffee has to connect communities and peo-

ple together, rather than becoming a force for gentrification.”

Filtered Coffee is supported by two of the most prominent developers in the South Bronx: Somerset Partners and the Chetrit Group, who made headlines in several New York newspapers like the Daily News late last year following their 58 million dollar purchase of two waterfront properties in Port Morris. The project promises to offer 2,000 luxury waterfront apartments in addition to “world class dining, fashion, art and architecture,” according to a billboard that the developers erected in the South Bronx, which also dubbed the area “The Piano District.”

Filtered Coffee joins other new, youth-oriented establishments in the South Bronx such as the Mott Haven Bar & Grille and Charlie’s Bar & Kitchen, the latter of which is located on the ground floor of the Clock Tower, a piano factoryturned apartment complex that offers lofts for $2,500 per month.

Another coffee shop, Birch Coffee, is expected to compete with Filtered Coffee at their location in Hunt’s Point when they open later this month, following a postponement of their original grand opening date of April 19.

Campus Briefs & Bites

Professor Publishes Book on Death

President Obama Appoints Gabelli Alum

Poet-in-Residence Daniel Berrigan Dies

Margaret Schwartz, P.h.D, associate professor of communication and media studies, published a book entitled “Dead Matter: The Meaning of Iconic Corpses.” The novel investigates the connection between photography and embalming, particularly regarding mourning practices and aesthetics. Specifically, she explores the practice of postmortem photography, in which photographers pose the corpses so they look relaxed and at ease in order to provide mementos for loved ones. Additionally, she discusses the phenomenon of martyrs or dead celebrities, like Emmett Till or Princess Diana, and how they become representative of larger groups. Schwartz received her P.h.D from the University of Iowa. Her research includes detailing the relationship between the material world and the mediated world. She teaches Media and Materiality, Gender Images and Media, Introduction to Communication and Media Studies, Theories of Media, Culture and Society and Death and Celebrity and Media.

President Barack Obama will appoint Emanuel Chirico, GSB ’79, to a serve as a member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.

Chirico is chairman and chief executive officer of Phillips-Van Heusen. PhillipsVan Heusen is an apparel company which owns brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein and licenses brands such as BCBG Max Azria and Michael Kors. The committee is responsible for advising the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on trade matters. Chirico was born and raised in the Bronx and attended Fordham University as did his two sons. Marketplace Magazine named him Person of the Year. Institutional Investor Magazine ranked him first in “Best CEO in the Apparel, Footwear and Textiles Industry,” in 2012. Before acting as CEO for Phillips-Van Heusen, Chirico was a partner at Ernst & Young LLC. for 14 years.

Daniel Berrigan, S.J., Fordham’s poet-inresidence since 2000 died at the age of 94 in the Jesuit residence Murray-Weigel Hall on April 30. Berrigan and his brother Philip spent over 40 years involved with activism. The two also founded the Plowshares Movement, which was a Christian affiliated anti-nuclear and pacifist organization. The Plowshares were involved in numerous peace activism incidents such as burning draft files and breaking into nuclear facilities and damaging warhead cones. Berrigan spent many years in prison due to his activism. Berrigan also saw success as a writer after his first poem appeared in America Magazine in 1948. His first book of poetry won the Lamont Poetry Prize in 1957.

Overall, Berrigan released over 50 books, articles and commentaries. Berrigan’s wake will be held on May 5 at Church of St. Francis Xavier, and a mass will be held there on May 6.

CEO Speaks On Capitalism’s Benefits Peter A. Georgescu, chairman emeritus and former CEO of Young & Rubicam, spoke at Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus on Tuesday as the 2016 Gannon Lecture speaker. The Gannon Lecture series began in 1980 and aims to bring eminent speakers to Fordham to discuss significant subjects. The series is named after Robert I. Gannon, S.J., former president of the university. Georgescu’s speech reiterated the thesis from his New York Times opinion piece entitled “Capitalists, Arise!” which claims that the free market economy is the solution to income inequality. Georgescu, a Romanian immigrant and labor camp survivor, blamed economists such as Milton Freeman for shifting away from ethical business practices, but defended the merits of the capitalist system for its ability to generate wealth.

He said that the solution to income inequality would not be found in the redistribution of wealth, but the reimagining of the employee as an important stakeholder in the company.

NEWS

May 4, 2016

Page 5

Fordham Students Enjoy Sping Weekend FROM WEEKEND, PAGE 1

“I think our students acted as very responsible adults this past weekend,” said John Carroll, vice president of Public Safety. “In past years, we’ve had some rough Spring Weekends but this year’s was one of the best I’ve seen.”

“So many students and departments work so hard to make Spring Weekend a success that it’s nice to see students able to safely enjoy the events instead of worrying about their health and safety,” said Russell.

Johnson kicked off the festivities with a lecture in McGinley Ballroom. Shawn Johnson won a gold medal and three silver medals at the age of 16 in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.

She also appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” as a contestant a year later, the youngest contestant at the time at age 17.

At the lecture series, Johnson discussed her current work and how it was influenced by her experience at the Olympics.

“I coach, mentor, I do public speaking, I work with CEOs of different companies. But from the second I finished the Olympics, in all this chaos surrounding me in opportunities and endorsements, I had a completely different outlook [than if I had not had my Olympic experience],” she said Johnson also said she felt pressure from society and media outlets to win gold in the Beijing Olympics. After winning silver in all-around women’s gymnastics in the summer of 2008, she faced a media storm focusing on her loss rather than congratulating her silver medal.

However, Johnson said she felt like a winner in her heart after her performance, even more so than when she won gold in the balance beam competition that same summer.

“The lesson I learned in Beijing was … being successful [comes through] doing what you love,” she said.

After winning three silvers and a gold medal in 2008, Johnson decided not to participate in the 2012 Olympics and instead turned to building the life she has now. She is newly married, attends Vanderbilt University where she

majors in business and has hopes of running some great businesses in the future.

Wajiha Khan, FCRH ’16, said that Johnson “seemed like a funny and genuine person who had great advice for anyone who wants to follow their dream.”

Last year, Brandon Stanton, creator of the famous Humans of New York blog and best-selling book of the same name, gave the guest lecture before Spring Weekend.

On Friday, DJ Sliink took over the Lombardi Center.

Sliink, a native of New Jersey, began his career in Newark’s party spaces before moving to international culture hotspots like London, Paris, Milan and Oslo. He also received mainstream attention from MTV, SPIN, Vice and more.

The next morning, Matt and Kim, an indie-pop duo hailing from Brooklyn, New York, performed on Martyr’s Lawn.

Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino made a return trip to Fordham, where they played at Rodrigues’s Coffee House back in 2007. The two formed the group Matt and Kim in 2004. Since then, they have released top hits including “Daylight” and “It’s Alright.”

Rodrigues’s also hosted the Battle of the Bands, in which students performed to try to nab a spot opening for the headliner at the Spring Weekend concert. This year, Drowsy Joy, an alternative indie band, cinched the spot and opened for Matt and Kim. In 2015, Twenty One Pilots, an indie popduo similar to Matt and Kim, headlined at the Spring Weekend concert. They hail from Columbus, Ohio, and a year ago, they earned their first number one album on the Billboard Top 200 list.

“The atmosphere at the concert was amazing,” Anthony Law, FCRH ’18 said. “Everyone seemed really excited and crazy.”

Even Matt and Kim commented on the vibe at the concert.

“We know that Fordham likes to get weird,” Matt said.

Some students, unfamiliar with Matt and Kim’s music, were pleasantly surprised with the performance.

ANDREA GARCIA/THE FORDHAM RAM

DJ Sliink pumped up the Lombardi Center this past Friday during Spring Weekend.

“I was genuinely surprised with Matt and Kim’s performance,” said Mario Merendino, FCRH ’18. “Their music was catchy and upbeat and they really engaged with the audience. Matt and Kim are great live performers.”

After the concert, students prepared for RHA’s Under the Tent event. This year’s theme for Under the Tent was “Caught in the Cosmos.”

When the theme was released, RHA Executive Programmer, Haley Hauge, GSB ‘18, described the theme as “simplistic but edgy,” “ultramodern” and “future sleek.”

This year’s theme was inspired by a recommendation RHA received from the survey sent out at the start of the semester.

According to Hauge, RHA received an overwhelming number of suggestions related to space, Star Wars and the future. Several different themes were proposed to the RHA general board, and “Caught in the Cosmos” received overwhelming support.

ANDRES GARCIA/THE FORDHAM RAM

Aidy Bryant, “SNL” comedian, closed out Spring Weekend in Leonard Theatre at Fordham Preperatory School.

Students wore semi-formal to formal attire featuring cutouts as well as whites, blues, purples, metallic, greys and black colors to match the theme.

The tent this year focused on lighting as well as the ceiling of the tent. Fun lights were displayed on the roof of the tent over the dance floor. In addition, the tent featured an LED wall.

“I think the LED wall was a really great addition to this year’s event that fit incredibly well with the theme,” said current RHA president Timothy Bouffard, FCRH ’16. “I couldn’t have asked for a better Under the Tent to call my last.”

Comedian Aidy Bryant closed out the weekend in Leonard Theatre at Fordham Preparatory School.

Two student openers started the show, Sam Koll, FCRH ’16 and Stephen Kipp, FCRH ’18, winners of Fordham’s Last Comic Standing. Randy Yyphax, who has appeared on “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon,” opened for Bryant.

Bryant graduated from Columbia College, toured with the musical improv group Baby Wants Candy and then was approached by Second City. She has performed with iO Chicago, The Second City and the Annoyance Theatre.

She made her debut as a featured player on “Saturday Night Live” in 2012 and was promoted to a repertory player during her second season on the show.

Bryant has made appearances on programs such as “Broad City,” “Documentary Now!,” “The Awesomes” and “Girls.” Recently she had a recurring role as Alice in the Louis C.K. series “Horace and Pete.”

“Your campus makes Hogwarts look like a piece of trash,” Bryant said to open the show.

In addition, she discussed her first gig: a yoga show for children.

She also described her most stressful moment at SNL, when she hugged Dennis Rodman by wrap-

ping her arms around his waist.

Aidy spoke about her childhood and the struggles of growing up, ranging from topics like pooping her pants on Christmas morning to her childhood diary,which she later shared with the audience.

Bryant also called two freshmen onto the stage, who read a college love scene script she wrote. They slow danced while Aidy sang her version of Fordham’s fight song.

She answered questions about Fordham, and performed some characters, including her famous Adele impression.

Fordham students gave positive reviews for this year’s Spring Weekend comedians.

“At first I didn’t know what to expect, but once the first two student stand up-comedians came out, I was more excited, especially because they were really good,” said Paola Joaquin Russo, FCRH ’17. “I obviously really enjoy Aidy Bryant, but Stephen Kipp’s set had some very funny moments,” said Paola Joaquin Russo, FCRH ’17.

Fordham’s Campus Activities Board hosted the show, which drew 1,000 students, filling nearly every single seat in the theater.

“CAB’s Comedy Committee was very happy with the turnout.

This is the first time in three years that we’ve had to open the higher levels of the Prep theater in order to accommodate the students,” said Loretta “Tots” Malloy, comedy co-chair of CAB, FCRH ’16.

Malloy felt that the students seemed to enjoy both openers, Sam Koll and Stephen Kipp, in addition to Aidy’s opener, Randy Syphax. Mally was also happy with the students’ reception of “‘Lil’ Baby Aidy.”

“As Aidy said, Fordham students were clearly a very generous audience, and it was great to see how well they responded to every comedian,” said Malloy.

Last year featured Jamie Lee, a comedian who appeared “Girl Code.”

NEWS

Page 6

May 4, 2016

Diaz Demands Equal Amazon Same Day Delivery

By MIKE BYRNE ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Amazon is working to expand its same-day delivery service for Prime members to underserved communities, such as the Bronx.

On April 21, Bloomberg released a report of the areas that have the ability to get same-day delivery service from Amazon and those that do not.

The report found that Amazon did not provide same day delivery to anywhere in the Bronx-which has the lowest percentage of white residents compared to other boroughs — or many primarily black neighborhoods in Queens. It also showed that Amazon did not provide same-day delivery service to many other minority urban areas, such as the South Side of Chicago and the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston.

Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz Jr. recently wrote a letter to Amazon’s founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos, explaining his disappointment in the company’s neglect of the Bronx.

“Customers in the same city, sometimes just blocks away from one another, are not receiving the same level of delivery service,” Diaz said. “And, in what is either an unfortunate coincidence or an act of digital redlining, the excluded areas tend to be minority communities.”

Diaz went on to say that the Bronx is currently in resurgence, with unemployment and crime going down, and that Amazon should include the borough in its same-day delivery service.

Mark Naison, Ph.D., professor of African and African-American studies, said that it is not new for companies to discriminate against the Bronx. “Fresh Direct, when it was first launched several years ago, did

ALEX BRENNAN /THE FORDHAM RAM

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz wrote a letter to Amazon demanding equal same day delivery, which some students felt reflected bias against minorities.

not deliver to the Bronx at all,” Naison said. “This created a huge furor, so I am quite frankly surprised that Amazon would do the same by denying same day delivery service to the borough.”studies, said that companies discriminating against the Bronx is not a new trend. “Fresh Direct, when it was first launched several years ago, did not deliver to the Bronx at all,” Naison said. “This created a huge furor, so I am quite frankly surprised that Amazon would do the same by denying same day delivery service to the borough. I am hopeful the publicity given to this unfortunate practice

will lead Amazon to change its policies.”

Diaz said that Amazon’s neglect to serve minority communities like the Bronx is inconsiderate. “While your company serves four of the five boroughs, my own constituents, largely Black and Latino in ethnic makeup, are excluded,” Diaz said. “Such a level of insensitivity, if not hostility, should not be an accepted business practice for the world’s leader in online retail…My constituents, many of whom are avid Amazon customers, deserve the same respect as their neighbors in the other four

The Grille Out, Urban Kitchen In Rebranding Under Aramark

By THERESA SCHLIEP ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Retail locations such as Sub Connection in Queen’s Court and Zime in Faculty Memorial Hall are Sodexo brands and, consequently, will leave when the food service provider’s contract ends in June, according to Deming Yaun, dining services liaison.

For instance, instead of Sub Connection, Aramark has a sandwich concept that will likely replace the Sodexo retail location.

All changes to Sodexo brands must be completed this summer.

Yaun also said that Aramark plans on renaming “The Grille” “Urban Kitchen.” Despite this name change, Yaun said that, as the Grille is the most popular retail location on campus, many things will remain the same.

“The format will remain similar, popular menu items will remain very similar,” said Yaun.

Furthermore, Yaun attributed most of the delays in the Request for Proposal process to an increased campus dialogue on fair worker treatment.

“That revolved around making sure that the issue of employee fair treatment was being handled,” said Yaun.

He said as the importance of the issue grew more apparent, they had

a series of meetings with the companies involved in the RFP process.

Yaun said that their comfortability with Aramark and their ability and willingness to protect the employees was crucial in the decision process.

“There was a much stronger comfort level reached with Aramark,” said Yaun.

Food service workers will receive new training from Aramark, such as in training in food preparation and customer service.

“There will be a gradual absorption of Aramark culture into the staff,” said Yaun.

Yaun said there will also be an onsight transition team, on-site operations team and a team at headquarters assigned to Fordham in aiding in the transition.

As Fordham begins transitioning from Sodexo to Aramark, multiple concerns will be addressed. These include student engagement and dining plans. Yaun also spoke on improving communications between the Fordham community and university dining.

“It became apparent through the RFP process that some student voices could have been better listened to,” said Yaun.

“Part of the transition is student engagement,” said Yaun. “Do I think there can be improvements in student engagement at the Rose Hill

campus? I really do.”

Part of this student engagement was the Student Culinary Council (SCC). Since the SCC is a Sodexo committee, that group will be folded.

However, the university, student government and Aramark plan on creating another student group dedicated to dining services.

“We will be looking to Aramark and what is working at their other campuses,” said Yaun.

Karen Cutler, vice president of corporate communications at Aramark, confirmed via email that there will be a student advisory committee.

boroughs.”

Lili Huang, FCRH ’19, and a member of Fordham Students United, said that Amazon’s choices were prejudicial and needed to be fixed. “I think that Amazon’s initial refusal to deliver the same quality of service to residents of the Bronx is blatant discrimination against people of color and other minority groups and reveals an elitist attitude that aims to serve a much more privileged demographic,” Huang said.

USA Today reports that Amazon is trying to expand its same-day delivery services to areas that do not cur-

rently receive it. For example, after an angry response to the lack of equal service, Amazon agreed to expand same-day delivery to the Roxbury area of Boston, which is predominantly black.

Bloomberg reported that after criticism from Diaz and New York State Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, Amazon stated that they would offer same-day delivery services to every part of New York City. Amazon will also expand to Chicago’s South Side.

Amazon stated that they would begin expansion into the Bronx in the coming weeks.

“I can also confirm that we will have a student dining advisory committee but there is not anything more specific I can share at this time, as we are still working on the contract,” said Cutler.

United Student Government senator Sara Brown, GSB ’19, said that student government will be involved in the process.

“Ideally, we would like to create a Dining Services Committee, which would be similar to what the Lincoln Center campus has with Sodexo now,” said Brown in an email interview. “This committee would help increase communication between the student body and Aramark.

We want to ensure that the student body’s voice is heard during the transition so that the dining service provider has the best opportunity to

improve student satisfaction.”

However, Brown said, “the transition process is just beginning.” USG is still waiting to receive more information from Aramark.

Also included in the transition are meal plans. Both the university and Aramark said that there will be no changes to meal plans in the coming year. However, dining services will be working with IT to look how to convert voluntary Declining Balance (DCB) to an Aramark equivalent system. When a student does not have a mandatory meal plan, DCB rolls over from one academic year to another.

Fordham University announced on April 18 that Aramark had replaced Sodexo as the university’s food service provider after a nearly five month bidding process.

ANDREA GARCIA/ THE FORDHAM RAM

As the transition from Sodexo to Aramark continues, the Grille and other campus food vendors will face changes.

NEWS

May 4, 2016

Page 7

Political Clubs Spar Over Religion, Supreme Court in Debate

By THERESA SCHLIEP ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

In this election season of often divisive rhetoric and polarizing political ideals, College Democrats and College Republicans hosted a hated debate in Flom Auditorium on Monday that stressed dialogue and bipartisanship.

Ben St. Clair, editor-in-chief of the Fordham Political Review, moderated the debate.

It began with two partisan debates and, in an effort to reflect the bipartisanship espoused by its hosts, concluded with a bipartisan debate.

For the partisan debates, each debater was allowed a two-minute intro and three one-minute responses in a back-and-forth format. Subsequently, there was five minutes for questions and one minute for closing statements.

The first partisan debate was between the College Democrats President Thomas Palumbo, FCRH ’17, and Luke Zaro, FCRH ’16, for College Republicans.

The two debated over President Barack Obama’s nomination of appellate court judge Merrick Garland.

Both of the debaters highlighted what they interpreted as hypocrisy of the opposing side.

For instance, Zaro recalled that in 1992, Vice President Joe Biden, then chairman of the senate judiciary committee and in charge of Supreme Court nominations, argued that former President George W. Bush should delay nominating a Supreme Court justice. This contradicts President Obama’s insistence on nominating a Supreme Court justice before the fourth year of his second term concludes.

Contrastly, Palumbo said during Biden’s position on the judiciary committee, every Supreme Court nominee received a hearing, as committee vote and floor vote.

The debaters also disagreed on the responsibility of the Senate.

While both conceded the Senate must advise and consent, they differed in their interpretations.

Zaro said with the Senate’s refusal to hold hearings, they fulfilled their constitutional respon-

JACK BRENNAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

College Republicans and Democrats organized to debate about immigration and Obama’s Supreme Court nomination.

sibilities.

“When the Senate says they don’t think it’s right on a matter of principle, that seems to be terms of advice,” said Zaro.

“It is not a matter of principle to say just because you disagree with a president does not mean they should not fulfill their constitutional duty,” said Palumbo.

“It is the Senate’s responsibility to hear and vote for any Supreme Court nominee.”

They also sparred over the necessity of a nine member court. Zaro said the Supreme Court cannot operate with only eight members, while Palumbo said the eight member Supreme Court has already come to a fourto-four tie.

A tie in the Supreme Court does not set legal precedent, and instead appeals to the opinion of the lower appellate courts.

However, Zaro cited evidence in his argument that showed the infrequency of tied decisions in eight member benches. He argued that since most Supreme Court decisions are ruled nine to zero, nine justices are not always necessary.

Zaro reiterated his interpreted hypocrisy of the opposing side in his concluding statement.

“Alleged principles switch upon political power,” said Zaro.

Palumbo, appealing to the will of the people, said the American

people voted for President Obama to nominate any Supreme Court vacancy.

“When confronted with the choice over whether or not they wanted the president to name Supreme Court appointees, the American people said yes,” said Palumbo.

After the Supreme Court debate concluded, a debate over whether or not businesses should be permitted to deny business to LGBTQ individuals began. Jacob Linker, FCRH ’18, debated for the Republicans and Michelle Briney, FCRH ’18, argued for the Democrats.

Briney argued when a person opens a business, they concede to provide business to any person regardless of what she called “an integral part of their identity.”

“Religious freedom only applies insofar as it does not infringe upon the rights of others to exercise their own individual freedoms,” said Briney. “When you allow businesses to discriminate based on integral and unchangeable parts of their identity as sexual orientation is, then that action is bigoted, discriminatory and wrong.”

Briney then asked her opponent to distinguish between a business owner of one religion denying business to a customer of another religion, and a business owner denying business to a gay customer.

In his opening statement, Linker said that many will question the character of his argument.

“As expected, my position will be derided as homophobic, transphobic, bigoted and a variety of other harsh, disgusting other ad hominem sorts of words,” said Linker.

Linker proceeded to defend the rights of business owners to “not participate in particular ceremonies,” such as gay weddings.

“You may sell a cake to someone everyday for 30 years and one day be asked to cater a particular event, and if you say no, that is not discrimination against the person, that is discrimination against the act,” said Linker.

Linker said that the founding fathers prioritized religious freedom over all other freedoms.

Briney reiterated her request for Linker to distinguish between certain types of discrimination.

“He has not given me a sufficient explanation as to why one form of discrimination is sanctioned while another one is not,” said Briney.

Linker said if a customer is denied service at one place, it does not mean they cannot obtain service elsewhere.

Briney said that this denies customers certain rights.

“The fact remains that someone has been denied of their right to choose,” said Briney.

Linker said, “The American notion of secularism is impartiality.”

After the final partisan debate concluded, the bipartisan discussion began. Abby Govindan, FCRH ’19, and Michael O’Brien, FCRH ’19, of College Democrats and Sebastian Balasov, FCRH ’18, and Paul Ingrassia, FCRH ’17, discussed immigration reform and the future of U.S. immigration policy.

The panel agreed that immigration is part of both the country’s history and economy.

“We are the descendents of immigrants who at one point came to America in search of a better life,” said Ingrassia. “This fact is fundamental to our republic and is paramount to the strength of our economy.”

The group also stressed the importance of the financial implications of illegal immigration, such as the cost of deporting the 11 million illegal immigrants in the country or losing their work in agriculture.

After the event concluded, Albrecht, Palumbo and St. Clair asked for audience feedback.

One improvement was more audience involvement.

“We need more audience participation,” said Palumbo, while appreciative of civil debate, also said that more audience participation is necessary in upcoming debates.

“I’m glad to see what we talked about all night, which is civil debate,” said Palumbo. “My biggest thing is to get people more involved, with more audience questions and a bigger audience.”

Audience members also appreciated the civility of the debate.

“I think it went really well, I think it’s important to have civil discussion and to be able to hear everyone’s opinions. Everyone was very respectful,” Tom Romer, GSB ’16.

Albrecht stressed the improvements of relations between the two political clubs.

“The relationships between the College Democrats and College Republicans was never that good in the past,” said Albrecht.

“But this year, me and Tom built up on a lot and I hope this partnership continues.”

Smithsonian Secretary Named Commencement Speaker FROM COMMENCEMENT, PAGE 1

the museum system’s $1.3 billion budget, 6,500 employees and 6,300 volunteers.

Skorton will be awarded an honorary doctorate at the university’s main commencement ceremony, along with seven others announced by the university on Thursday. Judith Altmann, vice president of the Holocaust Child Survivors of Connecticut; Gregory Boyle, SJ, head of the gang-intervention group Homeboy Industries; Maurice “Mo” Cunniffe, FCRH ’54, a successful businessman and key supporter of Fordham; Patricia David, GSB ’81, global head of diversity for JPMorgan Chase; and Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, will each receive a doctorate of humane let-

ters for their distinguished service in their respective fields. Loretta A. Preska, LAW ’73, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, will be awarded an honorary doctorate of laws, and Robert Battle, artistic director for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will receive an honorary doctorate of fine arts.

Henry Cobb, founding partner at the architecture firm Pei, Cobb, Freed & Partners and co-designer of Fordham Law School’s new building, will receive an honorary doctorate of fine arts at the law school’s diploma ceremony, to be held Monday, May 23, at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan.

Skorton will deliver his address to the Class of 2016 and their guests at the commencement ceremony on May 21st.

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David Skorton, M.D., 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution will be Fordham’s commencement speaker.

ADVERTISEMENTS

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May 4, 2016

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2493 Arthur Avenue Bronx, NY 10458 Tel: 646-723-4557 | Fax: 646-619-4056 | www.LSANY.COM The Fordham Ram Honored with Awards American Scholastic Press Association FIRST PLACE WITH SPECIAL MERIT NEWSPAPER: The Fordham Ram was awarded the distinction of first place with special merit as a collegiate newspaper by the American Scholastic Press Association in its annual contest.

OUTSTANDING EDITORIAL: The editorial “Safe Spaces Suppress Necessary Dialogue” won in the Outstanding Editorial category. The editorial ran on November 11, 2015 and was co-written by members of the volume 97 editorial board.

OUTSTANDING INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING: The article “Faculty Forward Demands Wage Hike,” written by Laura Sanicola, FCRH ‘17 and editor-in-chief of volume 98, won in the Outstanding Investigative Reporting category. The article ran on the front page of Issue 10 on April 22, 2015.

Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards Additionally, The Fordham Ram was named a Region 1 Finalist in the All-Around Best Non-Daily Student Newspaper in early April.

We Thank You For Your Loyal Readership!

Thank you to all the Fordham students who shared their time and talents with the priests and brothers of the Murray-Weigel-Kohlmann Jesuit Community this past year.

Congratulations to the Class of 2016

Aside from our Commencement Issue, this marks our final print edition of the semester.

Best of Luck on Exams!

-The Fordham Ram Executive Board

OPINION

May 4, 2016

Page 9

The Fordham Ram

Students’ Mental Health Threatened by Final Exams

By MARGARITA ARTOGLOU OPINION EDITOR

In the past week, there were at least two times I stayed up all night studying and went to bed after the sun rose.

This will, without a doubt, happen again within the following week. I am positive I am also not the only one on campus already planning out all-nighters and trying to pencil in some sleep.

My terrible sleeping schedule is not due to a lack of planning and preparation. Instead it is the fault of the timing of my final exams and final papers.

I am not alone in my pre-finals struggle.

“Almost everyone I know is really overwhelmed right now, including myself,” said Michelle Begun, GSB ’18. “Everyone has so much to do and not enough time to do it.”

Annie David, FCRH ’18 said, “It seems like everyone on campus is rushing to finish final projects that were assigned within the last week or so, and the added weight of finals coming up isn’t helping.”

This kind of pressure seems counter-intuitive to the purpose of getting an education.

Final exams and essays set up consecutively are not conducive to learning and can instead only be survived through late-night cramming and over-dosing on caffeine.

While most people pull the oc-

COURTESY OF FLICKR

A lack of communication between departments and difficult schedules exacerbate the stress of finals week.

casional all-nighter during the semester, it is not healthy to go days on end with minimal sleep. And yet, every finals week, students substitute hours of sleep with energy drinks or drugs.

According to a study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, 34 percent of college students illegally use ADHD medications such as Adderall and Ritalin in order to focus on their studies. Additionally, a study from the Journal of Medical Internet Research found mentions of Adderall on Twitter spikes during the final-exam period.

There seems to be an attitude of acceptance when it comes to the stressfulness of finals. During

finals week, I have hear friends talking about how sleep deprived and anxious they are. Under normal circumstances, this would be worrisome, but during finals, the only thing you can do to comfort a friend is to tell him or her that they will get through it.

It is not fair to be expected to write a long final paper or take an exam for each class within the same week.

However, everyone resigns to the layout of finals week because all universities seem to operate on the same schedule.

There is an acceptance, or even an expectation, that finals week will be rife with stress and no sleep, no matter what school one attends.

While we will all survive finals (mostly) unscathed, it is still detrimental to students’ mental health to go through such extreme pressure, especially if they already suffer from a mental illness like anxiety, depression or ADHD. Still, there are actions that universities, and Fordham in particular, can take in order to make finals week slightly more bearable.

One suggestion is the addition of more reading days where no one is allowed to take an exam or hand in a paper.

Fordham does allot two days for studying, but many students end up taking department-wide exams on one of the days (language department, I am looking at you) or having other engage-

ments, such as make-up classes or last-minute presentations. A couple of extra free days to devote to studying would be an immense help to students and would ease some of the anxiety surrounding finals.

Departments should also better communicate deadlines and test dates towards the end of the semester. While this is not an issue when it comes to finals week itself, as every class is given a specific date and time, the last few days of classes are often rife with students rushing to finish assignments and papers, often due on the same day.

It would not be difficult for each department to set aside separate days for final assignments to be due, especially interrelated departments that have a lot of overlap in students, such as biology and chemistry, or English and communications.

These changes will not happen in time for the impending finals week, but students should still be aware of their health during this stressful time. Until universities figure out how to structure finals so students do not feel the need to pull several all-nighters in a row or use drugs, students should know that taking the time to care for themselves by taking a nap every now and then could go a long way.

Margarita Artoglou, FCRH ’18, is a communication and media studies major from Queens.

Preserving Rights Over Lives: America’s Gun Obsession

By KRISTEN SANTER OPINION EDITOR

Guns are making their way to college campuses. Tennessee became one of the 10 states to allow concealed guns on college campuses. On May 2 Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam allowed the bill to become law without his signature. The bill states full-time faculty, staff and other employees can be armed on public campuses.

“I have long stated a preference for systems and institutions to be able to make their own decisions regarding security issues on campus, and I again expressed this concern through the legislative process this year,” Haslam told Business Insider.

This law comes after the large number of shootings on campuses around the country. Arguments in favor of the bill state having guns in the hands of civilians are the best way to stop mass shooters.

However, supporters of the bill underestimate the complications this might allow. If guns are completely banned from campuses, it is clear to identify potential shooters and suspicious characters. If states allow faculty to carry weapons, shooters can more easily pass through security gates and offices undetected.

The bill tries to stymie the potential for accidental shootings

by banning guns at sports games, hospitals and medical or mental health offices. But the reality of everyone following this law, or that this might deter shooters, is very low. Faculty and staff are not trained police officers, and are not given the right training to read a hostile situation and follow the appropriate course of action. They could misread a potentially violent argument or someone breaking into a dorm because they lost their key and use deadly force.

The best example of this scenario occurred in 2011 Tucson shooting that left 18 people dead.

Joe Zamudio is credited as a hero in the shooting who ran to the scene armed and helped subdue the shooter. He had his gun in his hand ready to fire and was about to shoot the man who had his hand around the gun. However, that man had just grabbed it from the shooter, and was helping to take him down. In an interview with “Fox and Friends,” Zamudio said he was very close to shooting the man who was not the killer: “I was very lucky. Honestly, it was a matter of seconds. Two, maybe three seconds between when I came through the doorway and when I was laying on top of [the real shooter], holding him down.”

Gun legislation in the United States is moving in the wrong direction. Instead of allowing more access and use of guns, legislators

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The students and faculty of Umpqua Community College have a moment of silence for the 10 students killed in a shooting.

should focus on fi xing the current faulty laws that allow the mentally ill and criminals to access machine-style weapons.

The idea of good guys with guns stopping bad guys with guns is a stereotypical ideal exalted by American culture and society.

Since the 1960s there has been a multitude of movies praising the lone hero with a gun stopping a bunch of villains in a mass shootout, like in a Western or Lethal Weapon.

Nevertheless, the research shows that this is not the case.

According to POLITICO, more shooters attack in places where guns are allowed, such as homes, business and outdoor spaces where weapons are not banned.

For example, Umpqua Community College, infamous for the mass shooting that killed 10 people last year, allowed guns on campus. According to NBC, the school did not strongly enforce the limitations it did have.

It is time to recognize encouraging a gun-toting culture does not lead to a safer society, but a more violent and aggressive one. Many

Americans are too wrapped up in the “Wild West” ideals of protecting your own land and property to even consider the idea that someone else’s safety is just as important as your rights. Allowing guns on campus only further normalizes our collective obsession with guns, and will lead to scenarios in which students or faculty could get hurt accidentally or intentionally.

Kristen Santer, FCRH ’17, is a communicaton and media studies major from Stamford, Connecticut.

OPINION

Page 10

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 and distributed free of charge every Wednesday during the academic year to the Rose Hill, Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses with a readership of over 12,000 and a web readershipi of over 300,000. The Fordham Ram office is located in the basement of the McGinley Center, room B-52.

Website FordhamRam.com Email Address theram@fordham.edu Mailing Address Fordham University - Station 37 Box B Bronx, NY 10458 Editor-in-Chief Laura Sanicola Managing Editor Drew Casey Business Director Zack Miklos Copy Chief Tara Martinelli Editorial Director Amanda Giglio Assistant Business Director Tyler Dikun Assistant Copy Chief Amanda Maile News Editor Erin Shanahan Assistant News Editors Mike Byrne Theresa Schliep Opinion Editors Margarita Artoglou Kristen Santer Culture Editors Bailey Hosfelt Libby Smislova Sports Editor Sam Belden Assistant Sports Editors Pat Costello Jack McLoone Features Editor Cate Carrejo Photo Editors Jack Brennan Andrea Garcia Kate Mackie Digital Team Ellie Bruckner Meghan Campbell Anna Carey Faculty Advisor Beth Knobel Editorial Page Policy The Fordham Ram’s editorial and ramblings topics are selected on a weekly basis and reflect the editorial board’s view on a campus issue.

Opinions Policy The Fordham Ram appreciates submissions to fordhamramopinions@ gmail.com. Commentaries are printed on a space available basis. The Fordham Ram reserves the right to reject any submission for any reason, without notice. Submissions become the exclusive property of The Fordham Ram. The Fordham Ram reserves the right to edit any submissions.

The opinions in The Fordham Ram’s editorials are those of the editorial board; those expressed in articles, letters, commentaries, cartoons or graphics are those of the individual author. No part of The Fordham Ram may be reproduced without written consent.

May 4, 2016

From the Desk | Anna Carey

Later High School Start Times Will Improve Mental Health Waking up early has never been a talent of mine. Given the opportunity, I would gladly sleep straight past noon and then go to bed in the early hours of the morning. I have completely given up on taking 8:30 a.m. classes, even if they sound incredible, because I know it would be a struggle for me to get up and out the door that early twice a week. Even if it is for something I am truly excited about, like going on vacation, I still struggle to get up earlier than 10 a.m. Obviously, my preferred sleeping habits did not mesh well with regular high school hours.

My high school’s first bell rang at 7:22 a.m. and classes started three minutes later. That meant waking up around 6 a.m. (by the end of the school year that time was pushed back to 6:45) and getting ready in a zombie-like state.

I dragged myself around school for the first few periods until I was fully awake and functioning, which was usually not until the middle of third period. I skipped breakfast to save time and because it was just too early to eat: our early days also meant lunch periods began at 10:45 a.m. Once I got out of school at 2 p.m. I would rush home to take a nap before going to work or starting homework because I was too exhausted to do anything productive. When I had afterschool obligations, days felt like an eternity, and if I managed to make it to a morning extra help session, I could barely get through the rest of the day.

A 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. school day

is a typical high school schedule because it gives students more time for afterschool activities, sports, jobs and childcare for younger siblings. Unfortunately, such a schedule is not beneficial to students. For adolescents between 10 and 19 years old, sleep deprivation is a widespread and chronic health problem. According to the National Sleep Foundation, those in this age range require an average of nine to 10 hours of sleep each night, but they typically get much less due to their hectic schedules.

This deprivation is especially seen in high school age teenagers, who have more responsibilities than younger adolescents.

Sleep deprivation is a serious problem. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, sleep deprivation affects a sufferer’s mood, performance and health.

Those who are sleep deprived are at risk for a number of side effects like irritability, anxiety, lack of concentration, restlessness, poor decision, increased errors and forgetfulness. There is a correlation between sleep deprivation and an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, obesity, diabetes and, in extreme cases, mortality.

Sleep deprivation can also lead to serious safety risks. A recent study published by the School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales found that drivers who were moderately sleep deprived were as dangerous as drivers who were intoxicated. The

National Sleep Foundation found that, among the 100,000 drowsy driving crashes each year, drivers under 25 years old caused 55 percent of accidents. Teen drivers face more risks behind the wheel even if they do get sufficient sleep; the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that drivers between ages 16 and 19 are more likely to be in a car crash than drivers of any other age group. Teen drivers are already at risk behind the wheel, and their chances of getting into an accident increase with drowsiness.

The National Sleep Foundation has found that during puberty, sleep patterns begin to change.

Adolescents are prone to daytime sleepiness, even if they do get the recommended amount of sleep.

They also tend to fall asleep and wake up later due to what the Foundation calls a sleep phase delay — an 11 p.m. or later bedtime is the norm for most teenagers.

On the weekend, when teenagers attempt to “catch up” on lost sleep, they make it harder for themselves to get into a consistent sleep pattern. Waking up at such different times on weekdays and the weekend leaves teenagers trapped in an irregular sleep pattern that makes it difficult to get up early.

After years of researching the impact of school start times on high school students, the Foundation recommends that school starts later for teenagers in order to account for their biological needs. High school students can be in school during the hours

they are the most alert if the day started later, which could then improve their academic performance.

Enacting later start times for high schools would take some planning and consideration. Parents often rely on their teenagers to take care of younger siblings when they get home from school, so high schools would need to dismiss students before elementary and middle schools. Disrupting arranged transportation, sport and activity schedules would be a headache as well.

If it is beneficial for the students’ health and academic performance, it is a given that high school start times should be later.

Students would still have enough time for afterschool activities, sports and jobs if schools started even a half hour later.

I believe it would be a worthwhile decision on behalf of students and for the safety of those around them, and I personally would have loved getting to sleep in until at least 7 a.m.

Editorial | Student Involvement

Students, Half The Battle Is Showing Up This academic year saw a wealth of activity and change. New student governments were elected, campus food vendors were voted in and out, the Middle States committee assessed our operations and administrators worked to create a cohesive draft of Fordham’s goals for the foreseeable future. However, students were physically absent from most of the dialogue occurring on campus, despite being otherwise vocal on social media.

This is not the first editorial, nor the last, where we will decry the students’ lack of involvement on campus, despite their assertions that change must come. The adage holds true that half the battle is showing up.

Following a year of bias incidents causing students, faculty and administrators to question the tolerance of the community, the diversity action coalition held events that had only a handful of students in attendance. Talks administered by diversity groups on campus

about the campus climate drew in far less than would be expected.

Fordham’s new strategic planning committee held a town hall to go over the draft of Fordham’s plans for the future, and two students were in attendance.

On average, seven students attend the monthly Student Life Council meetings where students can bring public agenda items to the president of student government, the dean of students, the director of residential life and many other campus heads. The council hears crickets when they ask the public to bring up “the good of the order.”

Even fewer students attended the decennial Middle States town hall, where a committee its verbal assessment of Fordham to the public. Protests on campus concerning diversity, religious beliefs draw between four and twenty students consistently. SAGES and adjunct professors only have a handful of students or professors attend their

protests. The most recent United Students Government election barely saw 12 percent of the undergraduate population vote, though it boasted a higher voter turnout than years past.

Student activism was not always so inactive. In Fordham’s history, Eddie’s parade has seen hundreds of students band together protesting administration or war. Fordham’s rules still allow for those kinds of protests, but where are the students?

We are not assessing whether former and current protests were fighting for just causes, but we do feel that iff Fordham students feel strongly about their student life, they should prove it by showing up in numbers, not signing an online petition or simply sharing articles about campus issues. Administrators will not take students seriously if they do not show up in support or opposition, and they have very little reason to.Furthermore, the lack of knowledge the student

body about available (or unavailable) resources and the lack of communication between the administration and the rest of campus were jarring. We brought up issues of networking at Fordham College Rose Hill and the fact that we are not given access to information on tuition and the budget for each financial year. It became obvious that the students were left in the dark on many issues regarding Fordham and its daily functions.

With a new beginning in the next school year and possible developments over the summer months, we have to remind ourselves that change will only happen if we strive to make it happen. Further involvement from the student body and communication between us and administration, especially by utilizing USG, is key to creating the change we want to see on campus. Our voice as students is the most important. After all, it is our education — at least it’s supposed to be.

Disagree with our editorial?

Let us know your opinion at fordhamrameditorial@gmail.com!

OPINION

May 4, 2016

Page 11

College Is Still a Worthwhile Investment

COURTESY OF FLICKR

Keating Hall is one of the most memorable parts of Fordham, and will be missed by all seniors as they prepare to leave.

By ANDREW SANTIS STAFF WRITER

The year 2012 seems like a long time ago. There was Barack Obama’s historic re-election, Amanda Bynes’s DUI arrest and we cannot not forget the DrakeChris Brown brawl. Many thought the world would end as well.

For the Class of 2016, 2012 meant something much greater: the end of high school and the start of college at Fordham.

For many of us in the graduating class, the start of college on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012, was a significant moment. That day brought mixed feelings, as well as the start of a clean slate. It marked the day we entered unfamiliar territory, and we approached with caution.

Regardless of what we were go-

Marcelle Meyer Students Still Powerless on Campuses A constant tension seems to exist between professors and students on today’s campuses. As the discussion over political correctness, trigger warnings and the material taught in classrooms continues, it seems like many professors feel they are “walking on eggshells” to avoid offending students.

However, when we consider the power dynamics on college campuses and both the historical and recent struggles of students within their own universities, I have trouble understanding why professors hold so much power yet feel so attacked by student demands.

Looking back on my years at Fordham so far, I think of several instances in which students attempted to take control of their campus to no avail. The Sex and Gender Equity and Safety Student Coalition’s (SAGES) attempts to increase dialogue about women’s health did not produce much

ham, but it took a good cry on one of my commutes back home on the Metro-North to realize that bigger and better things waited for me in college. My college education did not only consist of Ground Floor and Faith and Critical Reason.

I complemented my classes with numerous roles and programs that enhanced my education twofold.

Becoming a student leader allowed me to be an active member of the community. Studying abroad in London and Tokyo made me want to learn more about the different people and cultures of the world.

Participating in a GO! project gave me the opportunity to serve families in need in Quito, Ecuador.

I accomplished all that and more thanks to Fordham’s three Jesuit values — Magis, Cura Personalis and Homines Pro Aliis — which the University hopes that its students will incorporate during their time here. It is my sincerest hope that you, the Class of 2016, experienced and carried out those values in your own way as well.

With 18 days left until graduation, we should take the time to reflect on how great our Fordham education was and to thank everyone — administrators, professors, roommates and friends — who made our experience memorable.

To the underclassmen reading this, I implore you to take advantage of every opportunity Fordham offers you. You do not want to miss out on this extraordinary journey.

ing through that day, all of us had one thing in common: we invested in a Jesuit college education.

College is expensive. Student loan debt burdens college graduates all over the country. Despite this, we and our families still value a college education.

A college education is not just about going to lectures and taking major courses; it is also about the experience as a whole. The college experience cannot be matched. What you get to learn about yourself and the world for four years is unique, revealing and life-changing.

It is an experience all should embrace. College is the time to ask questions, try new things and develop who you want to be.

There is nowhere else can you get a similar experience with a sup-

portive community.

Here at Fordham, we get that experience and more. My Fordham education went above and beyond my initial low expectations.

I was pretty critical about college my first semester, and looking back now I cannot believe I was so ignorant about how great college really is.

I had limited choices when choosing a college, and Fordham was the most expensive. Although my mom had doubts about paying the expensive annual tuition for four years, she took a leap of faith because she saw the value and importance of a college education.

My job was to make the most out of that investment.

It took some time for me to get into the swing of things at Ford-

change. Although Fordham administration responded quickly and severely to hate crimes on campus, the root of the problem, such as the lack of education and integration into our own community, has not been changed. Despite recent semesters of activism, it seems that students do not have very much power to take back their schools.

A wave of professors across the country published “pro-freespeech” articles, which tell the stories of professors who were punished by administrators as a result of teaching certain material or not providing trigger warnings before showing certain content in class.

“The Coddling of the American Mind,” published by The Atlantic, famously publicized these points.

While some of these cases appear unfair (though some, in my opinion, were handled quite reasonably), this is not the norm. If it were the norm, students would have more say in what happens in their classrooms.

If it were the norm, ASILI, the Black Student Alliance, demanding a more diverse core curriculum would have changed things at Fordham. If it were the norm, I would not feel that my course evaluations mean nothing when my professor has tenure. If it were

Students should have more say in their curriculum or classroom environment.

Andrew Santis, GSB ’16, is a marketing major from Flushing, New York.

COURTESY OF FLICKR

the norm, I would not be afraid to write this article. It is not the norm.

However, because these are the only stories discussed in the New York Times or The Atlantic, we create an image of college campuses in which students victimize their professors and administrations in order to block their freedom of speech and ability to teach.

Gradually, the conversation is shifting away from what is happening to what sometimes happens.

This does not produce change; it only produces fear of change.

In reality, students have a significant disadvantage in the pro-

fessor/student relationship, and as a student, it frustrates me when I read articles that professors are afraid of their students, lest they ask for a curriculum or classroom environment that does not damage their mental health.

I understand that the climate of universities is changing, and that professors are passionate about expanding the minds of their scholars.

But to say that students somehow attack their professors in their attempts to have some control over their educations simply downplays what really happens on campuses.

Kathryn Wolper Prioritizing Home Security Over Novelty Researchers from Microsoft and the University of Michigan evaluated the security of an Internetconnected home software that operates Samsung’s SmartThings, and found possibilities for serious security breaches according to Wired. SmartThings is one of many emerging smart home systems aiming to fully automate home security and maintenance functions and integrate them into the already mobile lives of users. Homeowners looking to adopt this technology must prioritize security, not novelty and convenience, in protecting their homes.

The idea of a completely automated home is both appealing and scary to the public. The 1999 Disney Channel Original Movie Smart House comes to mind as many millennials’ seminal experience of artificial intelligence and automated home security. While the film’s scope reaches far beyond the issues researchers found with Samsung’s SmartThings, the basic premises line up: issues arise when one puts home maintenance in the hands of any person or system besides oneself. Perhaps Samsung SmartThings users don’t have to worry about a virtual pseudomother trapping them in their home, but they should take precautions against hackers and keep themselves informed about the various ways in which electricians can compromise the security of their home.

Wired reports hackers can create new PIN codes to unlock doors without homeowners even knowing. Since the systems are often connected to emergency response systems like police and fire departments, vulnerabilities in the system pose a threat to these public service systems.

The benefit of automated home management is the streamlining of the processes and responsibilities of homeownership. Mobile devices replace wallets and now they can replace keys. However, when access to bank accounts, files and one’s home are consolidated on one device, the value of that device increases, as do the consequences of losing it. Smart phones, laden with data and access to various accounts, become fragile high stakes devices. Any damaging circumstances would either limit the owner’s access to his or her own financial and security systems or put that access into the hands of someone with malicious intentions.

Early adopters of all new technologies are essential to the improvement and debugging of the systems. Those who choose to use mobile home security and automation before it is completely safe put themselves at risk, but they serve an important role in the development of technology.

Without early adopters, many technological concepts wouldn’t make it out of the beta stage. However, these early adopters must be cautious, well-informed and vocal about their experiences with the technology.

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CULTURE

May 4, 2016

Page 13

The Fordham Ram

Purple Reign Has an Abrupt Physical End

By KWAMESHA JOSEPH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On April 21, the world unexpectedly lost another legendary musician: Prince.

For most people, the first thing that comes to mind when they hear Prince’s name is his album, Purple Rain, which, according to Billboard, went platinum a whopping thirteen times. For others, he is acknowledged for all of his talents such as being a multi-instrumentalist, writing songs and being an artist like no other. Either way, it goes without saying that the Minneapolis native, Prince Rogers Nelson, was a mysterious man who wore many hats.

As the son of a jazz musician, Prince always made music a part of his young life. Prince’s childhood was difficult due to his parents’ separation, which led him to find refuge in music. He mastered a number of instruments before he was 18, when he was signed to the Warner Bros’ record label and began his journey to stardom.

One of the reasons that Prince reached icon status is because of his obvious passion for music. In 1989, Rolling Stone said: “Perhaps more than any other artist, Prince called the tune for pop music in the ’80s, imprinting his Minneapolis sound on an entire generation of musicians both black and white.” He was a true musician whose music reached the ears of many people across racial borders and the world.

COURTESY OF FLICKR

Prince’s death offers an opportunity to celebrate his influential life, filled with talent and gender-bending roles.

Prince was one in a million, effortlessly play a guitar behind his or her back, while blindfolded, in the pouring rain, in front of thousands of people. The late icon was known to say that music kept him alive. With the talent he shared with the world over the years, such a statement comes as no surprise.

One of the many things Prince has left behind is the political impact he made over the years. By

performing in anything from high heels to bikini bottoms, Prince is commended for redefining masculinity within the black community through his own genderfluidity.

Prince’s fashion has been a topic of trending conversation since the late ’70s.

His flamboyant personality, combined with his explicit lyrics and comfort with his own image, set him apart from other stars.

Through his fashion, Prince was able to push, challenge and diminish boundaries between what society deemed as masculine and feminine by showing no concern for gender conformity.

Aside from his extravagant dress and dramatic makeup, Prince is also known for using his talents and his passion for music as a means of addressing social justice issues. In a recently re-

leased song entitled “Baltimore,” he commemorated the deaths of many African-Americans that have been stolen by the police.

He said in this music video, “The system is broken. It’s going to take the young people to fi x it this time.

We need new ideas, and new life.”

He also, many years ago, spoke out about injustice in Wall Street through the song “Ol’ Skool Company.” While the list of Prince’s politically charged music is far too vast to account for, it is clear that he was very honest about his opinions in his music.

Prince’s death left many fans distraught. One mourner even went so far as to alter the ‘Prince St.’ sign on the platform in Brooklyn, NY, to ‘Prince RIP’, a matter of hours after the announcement of his death. Other mourners found their way to the streets of Manhattan to boisterously play the music many of his fans have grown up on.

The icon’s musical talents and his pristine winged eye liner have touched the hearts of many people across the world. His music has a way of bringing people together in a judgment-free space to genuinely enjoy great music. The kind of self-established freedom he exuded throughout the years laid a platform for others to feel liberated in their own skin.

The legend’s death marked the end of an era. Prince made a statement to the world, one that expressed freedom, fearlessness and passion. And for that, he will definitely be missed.

Spring Weekend Performers Proved Rose Hill Knows How to Rock SEE BAND, PAGE 1

’18, seized the opportunity to share her love of drumming with Kim, one half of the headliner duo.

“It was not only an honor to open for Matt and Kim and Public, but then to get to meet them and talk music. Kim and I bonded about us both being female drummers,” Munshower said.

Following Drowsy Joy’s set, Public, a Cincinnati-based rock trio, took the stage. Having gained exposure from the local festival circuit ranging from MidPoint Music to Bunbury, the band easily won over the audience. The repetitive chorus in “Heartbeating,” Public’s newest single, allowed people — even those who were unfamiliar with the track — to provide some vocal feedback for the band.

The band’s take on “Toxic,” a Britney Spears classic, demonstrated John Vaughn’s vocal strength, Matthew Alvarado’s guitar tricks, and Ben Lapp’s powerful drum fills. Because Public previously opened for WALK THE MOON, Neon Trees and last year’s Spring Weekend headliner, Twenty One Pilots, their performance had a sound reminiscent of other indie rockers on many people’s favorite

playlists.

Despite the well-received nature of both openers, the pinnacle of Saturday’s concert proved to be the headliner, Matt and Kim. This Brooklyn-based indie dance duo was welcomed with roaring applause before they reflected on their last previous experience at Rose Hill — a 2007 concert held at Rodrigue’s. After almost a decade since their last performance in the Bronx, the two embraced a bigger stage at Fordham.

After performing at popular music festivals like Bonnaroo, Firefly and Coachella, Matt and Kim certainly know how to please audiences with high energy, riotous performances. As beats dropped and beach balls bounced, those in attendance became fully immersed in the intensity of each song. The duo performed popular tracks such as “Hey Now,” “Let’s Go” and “Daylight” in addition to sampling other artists’ music that is frequently featured in a club or bar setting.

The densely-packed audience fed off of each other’s energy, which inspired the occasional crowd surf. What likely made for a headache for Public Safety was

ANDREA GARCIA/THE FORDHAM RAM

Matt and Kim returned to Fordham, on the big stage this time, showing their talent in an intense and fun show.

pure fun for students. As Kim entered the crowd and shook what her mama gave her, relying on audience members to hold her up, the duo proved that their energy could carry through the entire concert.

Fiona Leary, FCRH ’19, snagged a front and center spot in the audience despite not knowing what to expect for her first Spring Weekend concert experience. It made for quite the view. “What stuck out to me the most was how

in sync Matt and Kim were with the audience, both completely immersed in the music. Kim wildly dancing while sunburnt students yelled the lyrics right back,” she said. “The vibes were just unmatchable.”

CULTURE

May 4, 2016

Page 14

Sweet and Sour | Patrick Hood and Caitlyn Letterii

Split Satisfaction on Jekyll and Hyde Club While we usually stay in the Bronx for our reviews, we decided that for our last column of the semester we should go out with a bang and take our friends to dine at New York’s spookiest spot: Jekyll and Hyde Club in Greenwich Village. It was both everything and nothing that we expected it to be. Like the club motto says: “Excess is not Enough!”

PH: My favorite holiday is Halloween, so I’ve been dying to visit J&H Club for some time. I could not have been more excited to dine with all of my best ghoulfriends.

CL: On the other hand, I was not quite sure I was going to enjoy myself. You see, back in the year of our Lord, 2005, I wanted to go to J&H with my cosmopolitan aunt, but she simply wouldn’t allow it, saying it was “mediocre at best.” Entering the restaurant I feared the worst — her words becoming my reality, just like in the Will Ferrell movie Stranger than Fiction.

PH: The ambience of the place was both hilarious and sad. It was mid-afternoon and we were one of only four parties dining. We were greeted by employees donning bowler hats and sleek black and white ensembles. This fueled the illusion of entering an old-timey gentlemen’s club. For some of our party, the atmosphere caused immediate discomfort that left them on edge the entire time. I, however, loved it.

CL: J&H’s website (which is absolutely worth checking out) ominously promises that “something happens every ten minutes.” This

COURTESY OFPATRICK HOOD

Hood posed with his overpriced, yet tasty cheeseburger.

promise was fulfilled from the moment we walked in, as ancient animatronic scientists babbled unintelligible jokes through outdated speakers.

PH: The menu offered simple American-style food at prices that were offensive to us as both college students and Americans. In fact, multiple members of our party were ready to leave at the sight of such highway robbery, but we stayed the course and gave the waiter our orders.

CL: It should be noted that the dinner theatre aspect of the restaurant constantly inhibited the waiter from doing his job. To avoid spending an arm and a leg, I ordered spaghetti a la carte from the kid’s menu and to my delight, it came with a complimentary Shirley Temple!

PH: I, too, ordered a cocktail, except instead of coming free with

COURTESY OF CAITLYN LETTERII

The kid’s menu offered affordability but lacked taste.

my meal, it cost me far too much money to mention. However, I did order it in a signature glass, which turned out to be my best move of the day. The glass is a sleek, chic and magnifique ceramic chalice with a chilling quote from the restaurant’s eponymous novel. I was smitten.

CL: After several of the “things” happened, we were indoctrinated into what I can only presume is a very exclusive dining club. While listening to the musical antics of the Funny-Bone, two decrepit skeletons pawing at fake instruments, the food finally arrived.

PH: I had ordered a cheeseburger and was pleased to find it quite tasty. The meat was cooked to order and the fries were crisp and excellently executed. I would say

it exceeded expectations, except a $20 burger should come with gold flakes and caviar to justify that exorbitant of a price tag.

CL: While everyone else at our table seemed to enjoy their meals, my kid’s menu spaghetti was simply awful. As Moon Unit Zappa once sagely put it, “Gag me with a spoon!” It tasted as though the pasta had been soaking in the bottom of a cauldron with Prego sauce for the past week. Worse still, I wasn’t offered cheese!

PH: As I sit here and write this review, I reflect upon my time spent in the Halloweenhellmouth that was J&H. Sure, it was expensive. Yes, the decorations were cheap and outdated.

Of course the mad scientist was really just a struggling theatre

major from Vassar with what I am sure is a hilarious, tight five-minute stand up set. And yet, J&H stole my heart. It brought that childlike giddiness I usually only feel once a year when the bewitching season is upon us and in today’s cynical, Trump-dominated America, that feeling is priceless. I unashamedly give J&H Club a Sweet Rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.

CL: Honestly Pat, the restaurant was terrible, overpriced and my spaghetti was disgusting. I’m giving this place a Sour Rating of 1 out of 5 stars. I think that’s all that needs to be said.

PH: Actually, yeah it’s pretty bad. But I’ll never be happier again. Someday, when I’m holding my newborn child in my arms for the first time, I’ll still be thinking of Jekyll and Hyde Club. Excess is not enough!

Overall Recommendations: You should try the burger (if you can afford it) and anything at all in the signature glass because it is cool and a worthwhile investment.

You should pass on the kid’s menu spaghetti.

Info: Jekyll and Hyde Club Address: 91 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014 Phone number: (212) 9897701 Hours: Sunday - Thursday: 12 p.m. - 12 a.m., Friday Saturday: 12 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Price: Hilariously Expensive

Nick Leshi: A Fordham Man Through and Through

By VICTORIA BORKOWSKI STAFF WRITER

Nick Leshi is Mr. Fordham, himself. He went to Fordham Prep, attended Fordham University as an undergrad and graduate student and recently returned to teach in the communications department at Rose Hill. Today, he works right across the street as the Director of Public Relations at the New York Botanical Garden. It seems like Leshi would be the poster child for the world’s most dedicated Fordham alum.

“Everybody jokes that they’re going to bury me on Southern Boulevard, but the maroon blood runs through me,” he said in an interview with The Fordham Ram. But what everyone may not know is that in addition to his many roles as a professor, a PR professional and a father of two, he is also an actor on both the screen and stage. His passion for acting stems from his days at Fordham as a member of the Mimes and Mummers, a group that has kept the tradition of dramatics alive for nearly 160 years. I caught up with Leshi on the steps of Collins Hall, the home of the historic Fordham theater group.

“I spent a lot of hours at Collins Hall,” he said. “My most vivid memories were the weeks before the show — hell weeks. It was hours and hours in addition to all the work we were doing for our classes.”

However, growing up, acting did

not come as naturally to him as some would think. Leshi described himself as an introvert, which made it challenging for him to pursue acting as a full-time career, despite his eventual success with the Mimes and Mummers.

“I would go to a lot of auditions.

It’s difficult enough trying to be an actor if you’re an introvert with talent. I had no idea what I was doing,” said Leshi.

However, it was not long before he turned to his background in communications and discovered the world of public relations. In 2001, he became the Director of Public Relations at the New York Botanical Garden, which became his new stage for success. He has since planned countless events like the 25th annual Rose Garden Dinner, which honored the beloved actress and rose enthusiast Julie Andrews.

Leshi happened to be preparing for another event at the garden before we met at Collins for our chat, and he e-mailed me asking if it was okay if he was wore a suit to the interview. This politeness is the first thing everyone notices about Leshi, from his students to the Fordham faculty.

“He was always very cheerful, very motivated and just a pleasure to have in the classroom. He always had a genuine interest and curiosity,” said Lance Strate, his former professor.

Over the years, Leshi kept in touch with Strate before he was recruited to return to Fordham to teach two classes, Writing for Online Media and Public Relations.

Despite the change of direction in his professional life, Leshi has continued to pursue his passion for acting as a hobby. He cofounded Darknight Productions with friend Kevin Clancy, which has given him the opportunity to work as both an actor and writer in his free time. It was hard not to notice Leshi’s obvious dedication to acting and theater after speaking with Clancy.

“He is an actor of great range.

Having the chance to watch him on stage (‘Julius Caesar,’ ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest,’ as the straight-jacketed Puck in a scene from ‘Midsummer Night's Dream,’ ‘The Brothers Karamazov’ and especially in a devastating performance in ‘Rabbit Hole’), he has constantly shown both vulnerability, swagger and compassion.”

Although Leshi ultimately decided not to pursue acting as a full time job, he still dreams of one day bringing one of his own productions to life.

“I have a drawer full of unfinished manuscripts, but my dream would be to put on a play that would be a legacy and live on after me,” he said in an unmistakable Bronx accent. “I remember I auditioned here at Collins where the director actually said ‘go back and try without the accent.’ I was like, ‘I wasn’t using an accent!’”

Speaking of that Bronx accent, Leshi has been able to pursue his many roles in life in the place he calls home.

COURTESY OF NICK LESHI

Leshi has been a member of the Fordham community since high school.

“I’ve traveled a bit, but for the most part, my wife jokes that the circle of my existence has been the Bronx and the Fordham community.”

His wife, Juliana Leshi, joined the Fordham family after the couple married at Fordham Chapel.

“Because he’s so ingrained in Fordham by default, being married to him and getting married here, I feel part of it as well,” she said during our phone interview. “I think because Fordham has become so comfortable to him, he just wants to stay. That’s what’s kept him tied to Fordham.”

While it may be comfort mixed with his family, jobs and

hobbies that have kept him in the Bronx, Leshi will always have time for Fordham.

“On Wednesdays and Thursdays I teach, so that’s the stable part I can look forward to. I know I’ll be at Fordham at six, teaching my class,” he said.

As the sun began to set across the steps of Collins Hall, Leshi waved to a few students walking by as we finished the interview.

“I just love seeing the students because I was there not that long ago in their seat, and it’s just such a different perspective.”

Although Leshi’s life has changed so much since his time as a student, it is safe to say that Leshi’s legacy at Fordham will live on.

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Woman of the Hour | Erin Cabrey

May 4, 2016

Review | A Cappella

MisterWives’ Mandy Lee “Ramblers Inc.” New York City holds countless concerts every day of the week.

That being said, performances like MisterWives’ at the Music Hall of Williamsburg are hard to find. The woman responsible for the vibrant and electric show is? Mandy Lee, lead singer of one of indie pop’s coolest new acts.

Her Own Way: On a warm, sunny April afternoon, some friends and I made the pilgrimage to Brooklyn to see Misterwives put on a free concert sponsored by Steve Madden Music.

The indie pop outfit’s song “Reflections” was a staple of my summer playlist last year, so I was beyond pumped to see them live.

Mandy Lee grabbed everyone’s attention. She stormed the stage and took her place behind her flower-covered microphone, clad in heart-adorned overall shorts and heart-spotted tights underneath.

The moment I saw her hair in a bun mohawk reminiscent of Star Wars’ Rey, I could tell this concert was going to be nothing short of a feminist fiesta.

During the hour-long set, Lee tore across the stage, holding hands with the crowd (including the girl in front of me, who nearly burst into tears with excitement) and singing each song with unparalleled fervor.

The crowd cheered passionately between songs; Lee began to tear up.

The set was filled with infectious songs about resilience and strength.

The most prominent song in my mind was “Not Your Way,” a girlpower anthem (“This is my body, body and you don’t have a say, have a say”), which was so empowering it needed a kick line to close it out. The song, in combination with Lee’s warnings against misogynists in the presidential election, showed

Lee taking full advantage of her role as front woman in a rising band.

The Rise of the Wives: Mandy Lee, whose full name is Amanda Lee Duff y, is a Queens native. According to a 2015 interview with USA Today, Lee found interest in writing music from a songwriting class at LaGuardia High School. One of the songs to come out of that class, “Oceans,” became a track on MisterWives’ 2015 debut album, Our Own House.

The band chose the name MisterWives, a twist on “sister wife,” because Lee is the band’s only female. They have been together since late 2012. Lee met two of her bandmates when she booked an 80s cover band for her birthday.

MisterWives was born soon after.

The band played their first gig together in New York City’s Canal Room and were later signed to Photo Finish Records.

They went on tour opening for bands like American Authors and released their debut EP Reflections in January 2014. They opened on tours with Bleachers and Twenty One Pilots before finishing Our Own House. Their debut album, written mostly by Lee in a treehouse in Riverdale, New York, was released in February 2015.

Billboard called the album “a debut whose panels are bursting with rock ‘em, sock ‘em action.” It peaked at number 31 on the Billboard charts and Reflections has since racked up more than 57 million streams on Spotify. They’ve played at festivals like Lollapalooza, South by Southwest and Boston Calling. MisterWives is set to bring the excitement to Randall’s Island when they play at Governor’s Ball this June.

Making Noise: I have a deep love of indie and alternative bands, so moving to New York City meant I had my pick of concerts. But almost all the bands I’ve seen have featured exclusively male members. Why wasn’t I making the schlep to the D-train to see more rad ladies in concert? There is not an abundance of female equivalents to bands like Bleachers or WALK THE MOON. The indie and alternative music genres can feel like a boy’s club.

Sure, the pop world is flooded with fantastic solo acts, but where are the front women in bands today? Thankfully, MisterWives and emerging female-led acts like CHVRCHES and PHASES are proving that women can rock any genre. Seeing the girl in the front row nearly cry over her encounter showed Lee’s impact on the lives of many girls (and guys) who want to jam to something a little more angsty and different.

There’s nothing wrong with jamming to the fellas if you feel like those are the tunes that call to your heart. But as a semester of columns about the coolest ladies on the scene today comes to a close, let’s not forget how hard women can rock. Mandy Lee knocked down the misogynists with anthemic bravado and, in the process, made me feel the most empowered I’ve ever felt. It truly matters that women continue to infiltrate these lines of male-dominated music and make themselves just as big of a force in every genre. Women don’t just have to be one thing, send one message, sing one type of song or dress only a certain way. The ideology of womanhood is certainly not static, so let’s support the women unafraid to make alternative noise.

By LEO WEAVER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fordham’s oldest a cappella group, The Ramblers, left students, friends and family in an upstanding encore last Friday at their end of the year showcase, “Ramblers Inc.” The all-male group has been entertaining Fordham since 1893 and they continued to do so, overfilling the prep school’s Leonard Theatre, which reaches a maximum capacity at 1000 people, this Spring Weekend.

This year’s showcase exhibited the mass of musical talent present in the group, themed by the ever-loved movie Monsters Inc. which featured a short video directed by Michael “Migs” Guariglia (Randall), FCRH ’17. Each group member participated as a beloved character from the film with shots taken from everywhere around campus. It is obvious that the guys are friends outside of rehearsal. “It’s simultaneously the weirdest and greatest thing I have ever been a part of,” said events coordinator Peter Hulburt (George), FCRH ’16.

“Rambler’s Inc.” began promptly at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night to kick off the anxiously awaited Spring Weekend. The event featured the stylistic performances of Fordham dance groups, Flava and Expressions Dance Alliance.

However, the spotlight most definitely stayed on the Ramblers who started off the show with Teddy Lawlor (Boo), FCRH ’19, who performed “Beast of Burden” followed by Adam Herman (The Abominable Snowman), FCRH ’18, with “Cake by the Ocean”.

President Anthony Tantillo (Celia), FCRH ’16, took a break from

his famed beat boxing skills to solo in “Drift Away,” which truly portrayed the vast talent of the group. Unfortunately, this talent will be lost at the end of this year as Tantillo and skilled musical director Frankie Caruana, FCRH ’16, graduate this month.

As the night progressed, so did the crowd’s cheers as Will Corona (Mike Wazowski), FCRH ’18, soloed “Thank You” before the crowd was silenced by the group’s arrangement of “Sound and Color,” chilling the audience with the vocals of Hulburt and Guariglia.

The group’s performance only continued from there as Ryan Johnson (Sully), FCRH ’18, and Lawlor advanced with their portrayal of “All of the Lights.” Members of the audience even had to be asked to “quiet down” at a point where those singing along were too loud and had to be silenced by the lovely public safety staff ushering the event.

The most noteworthy performances, however, were saved for last when Habin Lee, FCRH ’17, sang Aerosmith’s “Dream On” in an extraordinary performance.

To conclude the night the Ramblers welcomed all past alumni to join them in singing Fordham’s Fight Song “The Ram” before Jake Madsen (Mr. Waternoose), FCRH ’17, Kevin Koulopoulos (Roz), FCRH ’19 and Lawlor gave a touching farewell to the seniors leaving this semester.

“Ramblers Inc.” was the conclusion to a successful year for the a cappella group and, although it marks the end for many of its talented members, it opens a door for those looking to express themselves musically within the Fordham community.

Editor’s Pick | “Baskets”

“Baskets” Weaves Comedy With Tragedy

By MIKE BYRNE ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

The sad clown is an archetype long used in art to express the melancholy underneath a comedian’s surface. FX’s new show, “Baskets,” takes the idea to the extreme by embodying the whole essence of a sad clown. The show stars Zach Galifinakis as a clown who takes the art form very seriously, but cannot find any success in it.

“Baskets” is a comedy, but takes the genre in a different direction. This makes sense given that the three creators — Galifinakis, Jonathan Krisel and Louis C.K. — all have made idiosyncratic comedies before of nuanced varieties. Galifinakis made was the host of the purposefully awkward web series, “Bewtween Two Ferns,” Krisel is a writer and director for the quirky show “Portlandia” and C.K. is the writer, director and star of the deeply introspective show “Louie.”

Galifinakis plays Chip Baskets, a man who is perpetually trying to escape his roots in the painfully average town of Bakersfield, California. The story mainly

takes place after Chip returns from trying to get through a prestigious clown school in Paris, and now has to settle for being a standard rodeo clown. He moves back in with his mother, Mrs. Baskets, wonderfully portrayed

by Louie Anderson, and tries to deal with his shortcomings.

Anderson’s performance as Mrs. Baskets is nothing short of magnificent. Anderson is a male comedic actor used to playing male roles who saw much of his success well over a decade ago, but he slips into the part of Chip’s mother seamlessly. Anderson playing a woman is in no way a gimmick, it may be a subversion of the norm, but after a minute of watching him play the part with grace and honestly, everything makes sense.

The most striking thing about “Baskets” is its tone. The show is a comedy, but it deals with some tragic and heartbreaking themes.

Krisel constantly describes the show as “slapstick drama,” which I think is the most apt characterization there is. Galifinakis gives a master-class performance in pratfalls, never failing to gain a laugh by falling on his face or

being run over by a bull in the rodeo.

But alongside the broad humor, there are moments of pure tenderness. Chip is dealing with failure. He can’t find any success within his passion and his loveless marriage falls apart since his French wife just married him to get a green card (she was open about this fact to Chip, but he couldn’t resist the hope of her one day loving him). One moment Chip is the butt of the joke, but the next he exudes an air of brutal melancholy that makes it impossible to not feel sorry for him.

The best example of this impressively executed juxtaposition is the fourth episode, “Easter in Bakersfield.” The episode finds Chip and his family going to church, and usual slapstick antics ensue. Chip hilariously interrupts the mass, trying to get his mother’s attention. But it all ends on a tragic note.

Chip and his mother, who never seem to completely get one another, sit next to each other in a casino and just talk. Mrs. Baskets brings up being ridiculed for her weight by her own mother

COURTESY OF FLICKR

Comedian Louis C.K. is one of the three creators of “Baskets,” a new FX comedy.

and Chip discusses his failed marriage. The two indulge one another in their respective vices — Mrs. Baskets with her candy and Chip with his cigarettes — and are just together. It is a moment of sincere honesty. Chip says to his mother, “My life is in disarray, Mom.” Mrs. Baskets responds, “Whose isn’t?”

It’s the undertones of dejection

that tie the show together. “Baskets” certainly dives into absurdity at points, but it is defined by its humanity. Whose life is not disarray?

“Baskets” is a single story of dreams and failure in a universe of millions. Life is neither a comedy nor a tragedy. It is an unruly mixture of the two and “Baskets” captures that with subtle beauty.

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May 4, 2016

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Who’s That Kid? | It’s Matthew Ly, GSB ’17

Gabelli Junior Advocates for Community Service

By KRISTEN SANTER OPINION EDITOR

Matthew Ly is a finance major and economics minor currently finishing up his junior year in the Gabelli School of Business. He hopes to enter into asset management after he graduates and has just accepted a prestigious summer internship in the industry at Borland Capital Group. Right now, he interns at a non-profit called South Bronx United, which helps underprivileged youth.

Matt chose to work at South Bronx United because he agrees with its mission and believes helping underprivileged children and teenagers is very important in today’s society. Although he is currently an economics minor, he first wanted to pursue a peace and social justice minor.

However, when he discovered that he did not have enough time in his schedule, Matt decided to pursue an economics minor because it would allow him to take a lot of classes that he would have taken as a peace and social justice minor.

“It’s important for people to understand hardships that communities experience,” said Ly. He

COURTESY OF MATTHEW LY

Matthew Ly proves the potential that Gabelli students have to make a difference in people’s lives, using their knowledge for others.

was able to experience this during his semester abroad in London last year. Matt said that he found

it very enlightening to experience cultures that differ from the United States. Getting out of his

comfort zone is very important to Matt, which explains his love for asset management. Matt wants to

enter asset management because he loves the risks and rewards of it and believes that the industry is exciting.

This thrill-seeking attitude probably stems from his adventurous childhood. One experience from his childhood that stands out is when he was held up at gunpoint at age 16. He stated that if you look at his high school grade point average before and after the event, it went up five points. Although it sounds stereotypical, it was a life-changing event for Matt that made him reevaluate himself and his responsibilities.

Matt wishes he had the chance to pick up an English minor. When asked about his writing abilities, he allowed himself to brag a little bit, but also conceded that he wants to get better and has a long way to go.

“Writing is as important as math or economics in the business world,” said Ly. He and another student, Alex Nguyen GSB ’17, wrote an opinion piece last year for The Fordham Ram entitled “Fordham Finance Majors Should Use Their Degrees to Make a Difference,” which illustrated his desire for other Gabelli students to help their communities by utilizing their business acumen.

Aidy Bryant Caters to Fordham Rams in Her Set

By EMMA CAREY STAFF WRITER

Despite subpar weather conditions, flocks of Fordham students patiently lined up outside of Fordham Prep’s Leonard Theatre this past Sunday, eager to continue Spring Weekend festivities. Comedian and headliner Aidy Bryant quickly warmed up the masses with roaring laughter. “Thanks for coming in a frickin’ rain hell!” Bryant said, ready to provide her “real friends” with an afternoon of gutbusting entertainment.

Immediately, Bryant pleased students with a stand-up set that seemed to be written specifically for an audience of Rams. However, the crowd wasn’t exactly what Bryant had anticipated; “the only girl in [her] high school that attended Fordham,” she said, was a “gorgeous Korean woman.” So, naturally, Bryant admitted that she had always assumed “Fordham is gorgeous Korean women.” “Now I see that that’s some of you,” Bryant said, “but not all!”

However, despite some discrepancies in her anticipated ethnic demographics, Bryant quickly proved to be quite a Fordham history buff.

She welcomed students from the crowd to shout out “rapid-fire” questions of anything and everything regarding Fordham.

Remarkably, Bryant passed the drill with flying colors. She rattled off the school fight song, “Oh, Fordham! Green ass grass, old ass buildings, tricky ass security systems,” without fail, and also impressed students with the timeless school motto: “Fordham, we chilling.”

Bryant’s knowledge even spanned to the most discrete of fun facts, such as Fordham’s mascot, a

“very old train” named “Trainie,” and the school’s most popular class: “Intro to New York: The Pizza and the Streets.” (Note: Bryant disclosed that this class is only open to seniors.) With such a connection to her dedicated audience members, and the convenient tuition price of $55, Bryant asked, “Can I just come here for school?”

Bryant really jumped into the Ramily, though, when she welcomed her potential classmates onto the stage for some college dating advice. Benjamin Rodrigues, FCRH ’19, and Tatiana DiBucci, FCRH ’19, dashed onto the stage as excited volunteers. She provided the two students with scripts in order to spark their romance, exposing Rodrigue’s love for “girls who wear heelies” and impressive breakdancing skills, which quickly wooed DiBucci into marriage. Bryant stepped

in as the passing professor, who encouraged the two to pursue the “serious love connection” which they found on the “Fordham quad.”

The rest of Bryant’s set held no mercy for any students attempting to recover from their laughter.

She jumped right into a hilarious narrative of the chain text messages she frequently received from her nine-year-old niece. “There are 20 angels in your world. Ten are sleeping; nine are awake and one is reading this,” began one text. The messages, however, always took a turn for “a dark end” with a sudden urge to forward the chain message, whether it was to avoid finding a “dead little girl in your closet,” or missing out on the bad luck that snagged her friend “the promotion she wanted.”

Bryant closed out the show with a hilarious expose of her child-

hood journal. From her third-grade “swim meat,” in which she snagged a ribbon for “eighth place,” to her eager plans for her pet “turtels” to “maybe even go in her room,” Bryant’s small daily victories almost sent some members of the Fordham crowd onto the floor from laughing too hard.

She treated the crowd with a final slide of a projection of how her current-day journal would appear, while “keeping the tone and vibe” of her past work. She sketched a page in colorful marker celebrating her 28th year of life, which included pizza and tampon doodles alongside “bills” and “avoiding diarrhea.”

The killer set, however, did not start off cold. After filing in from the chilly rain outside, students were welcomed by the opening student acts of Sam Koll, GSB ’16 and Stephen Kipp, FCRH ’18, as well as

ANDREA GARCIA/THE FORDHAM RAM

Aidy Bryant, Saturday Night Live star, performed at Fordham Prep’s Leonard Theater on the rainy Sunday of Spring Weekend.

professional comedian (and fantastic impressionist) Randy Syphax.

The two student comedians had been selected to open after winning first and second place in the Campus Activities Board’s “Last Comic Standing” competition. “It was really scary to be on stage at first,” said Koll. “I was freaking out backstage because I had never performed for that many people before, and Aidy was on the side watching, so that was just added pressure.” However, Koll wasn’t alone. “[Bryant] told us that she was actually really scared of stand-up and that it made her nervous since her background was in sketch comedy,” said Koll.

Certainly, nerves were no obstacle for any of the performers, as laughter filled the auditorium instantaneously. “The audience was really receptive and excited,” Koll said. Apparently, the feeling was mutual. “Aidy was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, and she seemed to be actually interested in talking to me and Stephen … she was equally excited to be performing,” said Knoll.

Despite any fear of nerves, weather issues or chain text message curses ruining the evening, the 2016 Spring Weekend comedy show went on without a hitch, providing a comical close to student fanfare. Bryant’s eagerness to interact and collaborate with the Fordham community to get laughs made for a memorable evening for audience members and performers alike.

Students seemed to unanimously approve of their fellow NYC inhabitant, and Bryant will likely be welcomed back at Rose Hill any time if she decides to cough up the $55 tuition in exchange for her Ram horns.

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Not For Eating: Artichokes on Stage

By EMILY BELMONTE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

April 22 marked the 20th anniversary of the Artichoke Dance Company, a Brooklyn-based dance organization known for its unique and humorous performances. Over the course of its lifetime, the eight to ten member company has held 16 New York seasons, won several honorary awards and toured across the nation and internationally. The company celebrated the occasion with a weekend-long concert event held at the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center — a short walk from Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus.

“I am delighted to be celebrating 20 years with Artichoke Dance Company,” said Lynn Neuman, cofounder and director of the company. “In celebration of this milestone, I’ve refashioned excerpts of past dances into a new work, Return/ Repeat.”

Featuring five of the company’s talented dancers, this dance incorporated portions of their most wellknown choreographic creations and combined them into an entirely new, original piece. Overflow, another Artichoke-original dance, opened at each of this weekend’s performances.

“Overflow takes inspiration from

the energy and nature of water, a presence that asserted itself in New York City during Hurricane Sandy,” said Neuman. “This dance is part of Lynn’s Human Mapping Project, which examines our relationship with and impact on the surrounding natural world” said Callan Goslin, Neuman’s assistant. “Lynn is very passionate about the environment and so she often recycles and reuses materials in her performances,” said Goslin, “You can see that in the costumes and the set design.”

According to Goslin, Neuman collected, cleaned and pieced together several plastic bottles and containers to create two large collages which hung above the stage throughout the Overflow performance.

Other pieces performed in last weekend’s celebratory event were of a more lighthearted and comical nature. One of which was POW!, a piece choreographed and performed by Neuman and company co-founder, Daniel Gwirtzman. The theater boomed with 007-like music as Neuman and Gwirtzman danced across the stage in full espionage attire — long trench coats, dark sunglasses and low brimmed hats. This piece, which premiered in the late 70s, serves as a comical tribute to the early James Bond films.

Gwirtzman and other company

co-founder, Amy Drum, reunited with Neuman on stage in a performance that closed the show, “The Family Tree.” Gwirtzman and Drum, who left the company several years ago, effortlessly glided across the stage in all black dress while Neuman appeared in white. The three performers danced and continuously passed an artichoke from person to person. In the end, as it stands now, the artichoke rested in Neuman’s hands.

“Their work has always been very physical and fun,” said former dancer Jody Oberfelder. Oberfelder is a longtime friend of Neuman. She served as moderator for the postshow discussion with the artists.

“Often, you finish performing and you have no idea what the audience thinks, so this will give the audience a chance to share their feedback and the dancers can talk about their personal performance experiences.”

After eight years with the company, Artichoke dancer George Hirsh has established a real connection with the other dancers. “It’s really nice to dance with people that you like and you trust,” said Artichoke dancer Maya Orchin. “As a dancer, you have to give so much of yourself, so it’s nice to have people that are behind you and support you every step of the way.”

A Body Positive Hero

By ALYSSA OPDYKE STAFF WRITER

The Atlantic recently released an article detailing the January miniseries reboot of superhero Faith Herbert. A member of the Valiant Comics universe, Faith (also known as Zephyr) is a telekinetic hero with the ability to fly in and save the day. Appealing to the millennial crowd, she works as a writer at a Buzzfeed-esque website. She also just so happens to be fat.

Fat. An often avoided, always cringeworthy word. Since her 1980s debut, “fat” has been at the center of Faith’s character, being nicknamed “The Fat Lady” by her fellow superheroes. Even in the 2012 revival, she remained the punchline to many jokes pertaining to her weight.

However, the January miniseries — as well as the upcoming full series in July — have entirely revitalized Faith. Yes, Faith’s physique remains the same, but her personality is now at the fore-front of the character. She is portrayed as incredibly witty, caring and creative. There is not one fat joke to be heard.

In fact, there is not a single mention of Faith’s weight in the entirety of the miniseries. Instead, Faith is shown lounging in her underwear in her apartment, flirting with men and going about her days normally. Not once in the mini-series did a character, Faith included, make fun of or even discuss her weight.

While ignoring Faith’s weight may seem like a failed opportunity to spark the much-needed dialogue about both fat-phobia and fat-shaming, the comic is a refreshing twist from frequent criticism found in media akin to Nicole Arbor’s highly controversial YouTube video “Dear Fat People.” While this type of media does openly discuss the topic of

COURTESY OF FLICKR

Faith Herbert proves that superheroes come in many different shapes and sizes.

weight, it does so with minimal consideration to the reality of overweight and obese individuals’ lives and perspectives, making it counterproductive and often offensive.

Because Faith does not engage in this conversation, she is a living representation of how overweight individuals, particularly women, can and do live without constantly speaking, thinking about or identifying their weight as their dominant trait. In fact, Faith stands completely separate from the body-positive, plus-sized woman, such as model Ashley Graham, who has recently dominated pop culture.

Rather, Faith is what would be considered obese, a weight category that the media has clearly excluded from the “curvy” and “real” women seen in headlines. And when the media does choose to discuss the topic, it often becomes skewed into comedic tropes whose trademark is their weight.

Speaking on the positive-yetskewed diversity, Faith has joined the existing female superhero crowd.

These characters are typically thin, white, sexualized and supposedly perfect specimens. However, the additional premieres of “Jessica Jones,” “Supergirl” and “Agent Carter” have added to the diversity and decreased sexualization of female superheroes, especially with the former on the list

being a survivor of sexual assault.

Even with this slight diversity in weight and backstory, all of these characters are still white, and in Faith’s case, blonde-haired and blueeyed. While she may not be thin or traditionally beautiful, Faith’s character still adheres to the hegemonic desirability of a white superhero.

One can only imagine the potential backlash if Faith, in addition to being overweight, was non-white, disabled or a part of the LGBTQ community. While some progress has been made, such as the revival of Ms. Marvel as a Pakistani American and Echo as Native American and deaf, none of these women have made it as mainstream as the non-diverse female superheroes like Wonder Woman and Black Widow.

Overall, Faith’s character is a positive addition to the female superhero community. It is an incredible opportunity for overweight women to see someone who represents their size in a positive light within the media, even if it is within a smaller comic universe opposed to the everpopular Marvel or DC Comics. It will likely be a long time until there is a full range of diverse female superheroes found in mainstream comics, but baby steps are still progressive strides in the right direction.

May 4, 2016

Campus MovieFest

By BAILEY HOSFELT CULTURE EDITOR

Student run productions took home several awards at the seventh annual Campus MovieFest (CMF).

“Gifted” received the Golden Tripod Award(GTA) for best production design. This dark comedy was written, directed, filmed, edited and designed by Stephanie Baldwin, FCLC ’16 (who also starred as the main character of the film), proving that she has a lot up her sleeve. She also won best actress for her performance in “Gifted.” Having participated in the filmmaking fun and having been a Campus Finalist all four of her years at Fordham, she is no rookie to CMF. Baldwin’s previous “Part Time Hooligan” productions can be watched on her website which shares the same name.

“We Regret to Inform You” won for best cinematography and directing. This heart-provoking film about a student’s life after loss was driven by dialogue from David Alvarez, FCLC ’19, who played ‘The Deceased.’ Director and writer Emmi Shockley, FCLC ’19, teamed up with cinematographer Luke Momo, FCLC ’19, producer Nevin Kelly-Fair, FCLC ’19 and production manager Kevin Berlanga, FCLC ’19, to transpose raw emotion from paper to the screen.

Shockley accepted the GTA for best actor on behalf of Kyle Kelly, who, while not a Ram himself, starred as ‘The Living.’ In addition to visual allure, “We Regret to Inform You” featured two original songs — “Melancholic Meanings” and “8bit Prelude” — composed

by Jeremiah Cortes, FCRH ’19, proving the true collaborative spirit behind this film.

The GTA for best story went to “WOMP Studio Session,” an offbeat comedy about an exclusive session at 111.1 wEARGASM radio written and directed by Nick D’A gostino, FCRH ’16. Jans Joyce, 111.1’s on-air talent, discovered WOMP at North by Northwest playing music behind a dumpster fire.

Members of the musical group included Tarn the marble-ist who stomped the occasional can, Fish, a broccoli-ist who has a bone to pick with corporate America, F***ing Karen whose primary contribution was screaming and Aunt Joanne, WOMP’s founder and percussive pasta-ist. Intern Derek was responsible for covering the session despite its unconventional and headache-inducing nature.

“The Sign-In Sheet,” a silent, black and white film starring the cast of Fordham’s Free Pizza Sketch Comedy, picked up the GTA for best editing. Written by Caitlyn Letterii, FCRH ’17 and directed, filmed and edited by Jessica Mannino, FCRH ’17, “The Sign-In Sheet” documented how conniving and comical classmates can be to their innocent and hopelessly unaware professor.

Jury Awards were then awarded to the top four scoring films.

Award winners are automatically applied to the Distinguished Film Network, received an authentic film clapboard, a year of Adobe

Creative Design and the opportunity for their film to be screened at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.

Jury Awards were given to “Gifted,” “Shower Thoughts,” “We Regret to Inform You” and “WOMP Studio Session.” Three of the four films already received a GTA nod (or three) earlier in the evening. The only outlier, “Shower Thoughts,” an inquisitive comedy, was directed by Rowan Hornbeck, FCRH ’18, and Gus Mirabella, FCRH ’17, and written by Hornbeck. Hillary Bosch, FCRH ’19, and John Murray, FCRH ’16, starred in the film as a couple who, while in the confines of their own bathroom, ponder life’s unanswered questions.

Although only 16 movies were shown, more can be viewed on the Campus MovieFest website. Entries ranging from “Connect IV: Back to the Streets,” a local Connect Four team’s battle against the number one ranked opponent to “The Bachelor,” a parody of the ABC reality show, have brought in 218 and 153 views, respectively.

Other popular student creations included “Project 4.0,” about two students desperate attempt to raise their grades before the end of the semester, “The Driver,” about a getaway driver’s failed attempt at arriving on time to a robbery and “The AntiChrist,” a documentary that followed one Satanic student’s daily routine.

Fordham had 85 teams participate in the filmmaking fun this year. Sixteen of the top films were shown to the student audience.

Comedy was the most popular genre, with a majority of the 16 Campus Finalists making everyone with a good sense of humor laugh. Friends of those who made films were eager to see whether or not their favorite would make its way onto the screen, and, when they did, loud cheers ensued.

After all 16 films were played, awards were given in various categories. Films that displayed the best directing, editing, cinematography, story, production design and acting received a GTA. CMF gives students free tools ranging from cameras and audio gear to MacBooks with Adobe Creative Cloud and one week to shoot and edit their five minute productions. The contest is the brainchild of four students from Emory University who, in 2001, gave their fellow classmates all the equipment needed to create their own short films.

The winners from each college gain the opportunity to attend the CMF Hollywood Film Summit held during the summer. This year’s festivities will take place in Atlanta.

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

CMF was a hit on April 2 7 at Fordham.

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SPORTS

Page 20

Rams at Penn Relays

By ALEXANDRIA SEDLAK STAFF WRITER

The Penn Relays, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, turned out some great performances from the Rams on both the men’s and women’s track and field teams. The Relays took place from April 28-30. During this time, Fordham secured several top finishes, both in the relay events and the individual events, including many season-best times.

On Thursday, the women’s 4x400m relay was the first race.

The relay team, which consisted of sophomore Merissa Wright, senior Danielle Rowe, freshman Morgan Menzzasalma and freshman Aidan Moroz, won their heat with a season-best time of 3:53.97. The team finished five seconds in front of Stony Brook, the second place finishers, and came in 35th overall. In individual races, graduate student Brianna Tevnan finished 13th in her heat, and 22nd overall, with a time of 11:07.41 in the college 3000m steeplechase championship. Senior Mike Turi, competing in the Olympic Development 5000m race, came in 22nd in his heat and 27th overall, with a time of 15:10.42.

Competition continued on Friday with the men’s distance medley relay. The team included graduate student Jonathan Annelli, who finished his leg in 3:06.54, freshman Jared Benn (49.40), sophomore Louis Santelli (1:51.70) and sophomore Thomas Slattery who concluded his leg in 4:16.36. The Rams claimed victory in their heat with a season-best time of 10:03.98, which was 0.49 seconds ahead of the second place finishers from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. By the end of the day, the time earned the Fordham team a sixth place finish overall and was about 10 seconds faster than this year’s previous seasonbest time.

Saturday was the final day of

the Penn Relays, during which both the men’s and the women’s 4x800m relay teams raced. The men’s team included sophomores Fritz Heinrich, Santelli, Cook and Michael Campbell. The Rams placed second in their heat and 11th overall, beating New York University and Princeton University with a season-best time of 7:41.32. The time was also 10 seconds faster than the previous season-best time. The women’s team, consisting of Wright, Rowe, junior Shanna Heaney and freshman Kate McCormack, finished fifth in its heat and sixth overall with a season-best time of 9:00.80. This time was actually more than 15 seconds faster than the Rams’ previous season-best time for this event.

Wright summed up the weekend. “Our team finds its strength in relays, so we were all excited to do what we do best. Both men and women had strong showings, and both 4x800 teams fought against tough competition and, despite not coming out with the victory, ran solid races to get ready for next week’s A-10 Championships,” Wright said.

The team is proud of its work so far, but is not done just yet. As the semester draws to a close, the track and field teams will continue to practice and compete in meets for the next month. Such events include the Atlantic 10 Championship, the Tom Farrell Classic this upcoming weekend and the ECAC/IC4A Championship in the middle of May. Gaining confidence from what they have done so far, the Rams are preparing to take their team to the next level.

McCormack also commented on the weekend,” McCormack said.

“We had some pretty good performances this weekend. This is a great meet to keep the momentum moving for A-10s next weekend. We are looking forward to some very strong performances in the upcoming weeks.”

May 4, 2016

Golf Finishes Fifth at A-10s

By SAM BELDEN SPORTS EDITOR

This past weekend, Fordham Golf put the finishing touches on what has been the program’s best season in recent history. The Rams placed fifth at the Atlantic 10 Championship at the Villas of Grand Cyprus in Orlando, Florida, their best finish at the event in more than a decade. That result, along with the team’s win in the Lehigh Valley last month, stands as a highlight of a strong campaign for head coach Paul Dillon’s squad.

“Over the winter offseason, we looked at our rankings,” said sophomore Joseph Trim. “We knew that if we took care of what we need to do practice-wise, we could win a tournament and make some noise at the A-10 tournament, which we did.”

The Rams turned in a consistent performance in the Sunshine State, shooting rounds of 302, 301 and 309 to hold their position in the top five throughout the week. As was the case for most of the year, sophomore Matt Schiller led the way for Fordham.

He shot twin 73s in the first two rounds to put himself in a tie for fifth but faded on Sunday to fall into a tie for 14th. Trim also had a solid week, signing for rounds of 74, 79 and 73 en route to a tie for 17th.

The other Rams found themselves further down on the leaderboard. Sophomore James Mongey and freshman Tommy Hayes ended up with the same score, tying for 34th. Mongey failed to break 80 in his bookend rounds but managed a solid 73 in between, while Hayes did the inverse, performing solidly on Friday and Sunday but shooting an 85 in the second round. Junior Oscar Cabanas tied for 46th to cap the scoring for Fordham.

Heading into the week, Fordham, as a non-scholarship program, was not expected to be a factor, but Trim says that the low expectations may have actually helped the team’s performance.

“I think a major key for us was the chip on our shoulders,” he said. “We were projected to finish last in the Atlantic 10, which we thought was, being honest, ridiculous. We knew we were a much better team than some other schools and we were excited to

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Joseph Trim shot a three-round total of 226, tying him for 17th at the A-10s.

get out there and show everyone just how good we can be.”

VCU won the event, securing its third conference title in a row, as well as the A-10’s automatic bid to NCAA Regionals.

The team was four strokes off the lead after the opening round but closed with twin 292s to beat second-place Richmond by seven strokes. VCU’s Adam Ball was the medalist for the second straight year, winning by six strokes over teammate Steffen Harm.

Given its success this season, Fordham appears to be in a good position going forward. All of its players will be returning next year, making for a more experienced roster.

“We have a very solid group of guys,” said Trim. “The team is trying to build a culture that can stay with the team after we graduate.

With the win and finishing in the

top half in the A-10 tournament, we have gotten our foot in the door.”

The Rams will be back in action this fall. The roster will feature a batch of new recruits, but they may have trouble nudging their way into the current lineup.

Either way, the entire team will be chasing the same goal.

“I want to win [the A-10 Tournament],” said Schiller. “For Fordham, for our coach and for my teammates. Nothing is going to stop me from working as hard as I can to do that. It showed this year, for all of us.”

Trim shares this resolve. “I think in the next couple years, we can continue this upward trend and hopefully make a solid run at winning the Atlantic 10,” he said.

“It will take a lot of work, but all of us believe we can get it done.”

Follow us on Twitter at

@theram_sports COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Merissa Wright and the 4x400m relay won their heat in a season-best 3:53.97.

SPORTS

May 4, 2016

Jack McLoone

Page 21

Stephen Fragano

Senior Profile | Ryan McNally

Mets Offense Flowers Early

Phelps Comes Back for More

Until they acquired Yoenis Cespedes at the trade deadline, the 2015 Mets had a listless offense with a dominant pitching staff.

In the first half, they ranked third to last in baseball with just 310 runs and had arguably the worst slash line in the majors: a .223 batting average (MLB worst), .298 on-base percentage (fifth worst) and .363 slugging percentage (second worst). As a team, they struck out 21.1 percent of the time, bad enough to be ranked seventh worst. Basically, they were a garbage hitting club that would probably be better off just standing pat at the deadline and making a run for the World Series the next year with the same young pitching staff.

But they decided to go for it and traded for Cespedes, igniting their offense. Their second half stats showed it: they were third in the majors with 373 runs. They improved their batting average to .257 (16th best), OBP to .328 (seventh best) and slugging to .443 (fourth best).

They even dropped to 16th in strikeout rate.

So naturally, coming into the 2016 season, the goal was to be a lot more like late-season Mets than earlyseason Mets. Through one month of play, they have been doing just that.

The team slashed .256/.331/.446 in April, good for 11th, ninth and sixth in the league, respectively. They’re even fifth in home runs, more than doubling their home run total from last April by hitting 33. This offense, along with generally excellent pitching, has the Mets sitting at 15-8 so far.

The current Mets roster, while mixing some old faces in with the new, looks nothing like the first half team that couldn’t hit Bartolo Colon with a tennis racket in 2015.

After general manager Sandy Alderson re-signed Cespedes, it was considered a lock that La Potencia would be the primary offensive weapon. While he has been a little better than his career numbers (he’s slashing .292/.363/.667 with seven homers), he hasn’t even been the best player for the Mets this season.

The Mets acquired Neil Walker from the Pirates during the offseason in exchange for erstwhile backof-the-rotation starter Jon Niese in order to replace departing playoff hero Daniel Murphy. Walker has stepped right into Murphy’s spot, leading the Mets with homers (third-most in baseball) and slashing .315/.344./.620.

But not even Walker is the best offensive player on the Mets right now.

No, that title belongs to 24 year-old Michael Conforto, currently in his second season. Conforto is slashing an unreal .342/.418/.633, leading the Mets in the first two categories and barely trailing Cespedes in slugging. And while he only has four home runs, he does have 11 doubles, including a string of six games in a row with a double. He leads the entire team in Wins Above Replacement by 0.3. Conforto looks like one of the best young players in the league, let alone the Mets.

While it’s still early, the Mets offense is much more palatable than it was this time last season. It was trade deadline tears that brought offensive fall flowers in 2015, and they’ve flowered right away this year.

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, is coming out of retirement for the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this summer.

After claiming he was retiring after the 2012 Olympics in London, the 30-year-old swimmer has resumed training in hopes of extending his already expansive collection of triumphs. Phelps currently possesses 22 medals, 18 of which are gold.

It’s kind of odd seeing Phelps return for another Olympics, especially after treating the 2012 Olympics in London as his farewell tour of sorts. In a way, it almost gives me a happy, nostalgic feeling seeing him return. When you think about it, it’s as though Phelps has been present for practically every Olympics that current Fordham students have been alive for.

Phelps’ first appearance was at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, when he was a young 15-year-old. I’m sure the overwhelming majority of Fordham’s undergraduates would say that the 2000 Games in Sydney are the first Summer Olympics in the memory banks. From this perspective, an Olympics without Phelps is an odd notion.

The celebrated American athlete, known affectionately as the “Baltimore Bullet,” has not enjoyed a squeaky-clean reputation, despite his successes and popularity.

In 2009, photos surfaced of Phelps smoking marijuana. Five years later, Phelps was again in trouble with the law and with his fan base when he was arrested in Baltimore for driving under the influence. At that time, the Olympian entered a six-week program to help him with his addiction.

Despite these moments when Phelps lacked better judgment, it seems that the swimmer’s reputation has not been stained as much as it could have been. It appears that his admission to drug use and willingness to seek help has helped him save face.

There is some excitement and anticipation to see how the Baltimore native will fare in Rio this summer, and many are making a story out of the fact that Phelps will be 30 and participating in his fifth Olympic Games. However, Phelps is still not the oldest member on the team. Relay partner and fellow gold medalist Ryan Lochte is 32 years old and participating in his fourth summer games.

Phelps told the press that he is 30 years old and swimming almost faster than ever. He still holds the world records in the 100 and 200 meter butterfly, the 400 meter individual medley, and the 4x100 and 4x200 meter relays. It will be interesting to see if the tenacious American will give the young guns of the world a challenge or if he’s just there to steal some of the spotlight.

The most-decorated Olympian ever is unyielding in his convictions that this will be his last Olympic Games, but then again, that’s what he said four years ago. Time will only tell if the aging swimmer will be on the 2020 roster.

COURTESY OF RYAN MCNALLY

Ryan McNally leads the Rams in most offensive categories, including home runs, RBIs and doubles.

By SAM BELDEN SPORTS EDITOR

Ryan McNally has been a big reason for Fordham Baseball’s success this season. Currently playing his final season in maroon and white, the global finance graduate student is enjoying a career season. Through Sunday, May 1, the leftfielder is slashing .295/.409/.577 with nine home runs, 35 RBIs and 12 steals. Last week, McNally sat down with The Fordham Ram to talk about his Fordham career and life after baseball.

TFR: How long have you been playing baseball, and what got you hooked on the game?

RM: I’ve been playing baseball since second grade. I missed out on tee-ball, so when guys look back on that, I don’t get to be a part of it.

I was a tennis player at first — my mom has been a huge tennis player her whole life and she wanted me to get into that. A lot of people actually say my swing looks like a tennis backhand and it’s unusual that I’m a lefty thrower and a righty hitter. That actually comes from my tennis background. What got me hooked on baseball was the team aspect versus the individual aspect that I got from tennis.

TFR: Tell me a bit about your recruitment process. What made you choose Fordham?

RM: I was primarily looking [into the] Ivy [League] for my recruitment process. When Fordham got involved, I had a real family connection to Fordham. My grandparents all went to Fordham. My dad’s siblings [did too], and my dad actually went to Fordham Law. Once I got on campus, [head coach] Kevin Leighton was new my first year, that was his first recruiting class. It all just seemed to fit together perfectly.

TFR: The Rams are currently 9-6

in the A-10 with three conference weekends to go. What do you think of the team’s performance so far?

RM: [I’m] really proud of all the guys. This is the first time in conference history that we’ve taken the first four conference weekends in a row, so we’re looking to continue that. Our weekend starters have been phenomenal, so all we have to do is put up a few runs for them, and they take care of the rest. It’s a great dynamic we’ve got going so far.

TFR: Looking forward, how far do you think this year’s team can go?

RM: I honestly believe that we can win the A-10 Championship. We’re hosting it this year, so that’s also huge.

We’ll be looking to take it to NCAAs for sure.

TFR: You’ve hit nine home runs and are slugging .589. Were you expecting to be that power threat in the middle of the lineup at the beginning of the year?

RM: A lot of people might not have been expecting me to, but yeah, I was actually expecting to be in the middle of the lineup. I didn’t have any expectation for my power numbers, but I knew that I could be someone the team could depend on in the middle of the lineup, move runners around, that kind of thing.

TFR: What do you think has been the reason for your huge power surge this season?

RM: There have been a few mechanical adjustments I’ve made, but we all know how to hit at this level. It’s really a matter of believing in myself more. I came into this year with more confidence — I’m an upperclassman now, people look to me for leadership and that sort of thing — so I really think that it’s a matter of confidence, more focus at the plate and a mature and intelligent approach.

TFR: You’re one of the most experienced players on the team. How

would you describe your leadership style?

RM: [I’m] more of a players guy rather than a coach guy. Not that I’m against the coaches or anything, but if there are any concerns that need to be addressed in the open, [I prefer a] player-to-player style rather than a top-down, hierarchical style.

TFR: When you look at the underclassmen on the team right now, how much success can you envision them having next year and down the line?

RM: Tons. I think there’s endless talent on the team. My class was lucky in that we were Leighton’s first recruiting class and a lot of freshmen were starting my freshman year. A lot of the [current] younger guys haven’t had that same dynamic coming in, but I think they’ve been able to learn a lot in the program they’ve inherited.

Their talent’s going to shine through in the next few years, for sure.

TFR: Do you have a favorite memory from your Fordham career?

RM: That’s a good question.

There’s always the antics that you go through with the team, so traveling with the guys is always a great memory. On the field, when we clinched the playoffs last year was probably the best memory.

TFR: What are you going to miss most about Fordham?

RM: My teammates, for sure. The people that you meet here, that’s the most memorable thing that you encounter. Obviously, the academics are great here, the campus is phenomenal, but the people that I’ve met are what I’ll miss most.

TFR: What are your plans for after the season and beyond?

RM: Things are up in the air. I’m going to finish my master’s degree, probably in August, so I’ve got a few more classes to take after this semester. Beyond that, entering the real world.

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SPORTS

Page 22

May 4, 2016

PEDs Remain Major Problem for MLB

By MATTHEW MICHAELS

By PAT COSTELLO

STAFF WRITER

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The Steroid Era in baseball is over. Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds are Major League hitting coaches. Alex Rodriguez is 40 years old and a redeemed happygo-lucky designated hitter. Done.

We can move on now.

That was the prevailing thought as the problem of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) gave way to instant replay and fan and player safety. The assumption that the PEDs issue is no longer relevant was challenged this offseason when Mets’ pitcher Jenrry Mejia received the first lifetime ban for violation of the league’s drug policy, and the assumption was obliterated last week when two big leaguers received 80-game suspensions.

The commissioner handed down a suspension to Chris Colabello on April 22 for a drug test he failed on March 13. The Blue Jays first baseman had been struggling at the plate, going two-for-29 this season after a career best year in 2015.

Dee Gordon, the Marlins second baseman who won the batting title and stolen base crown in 2015, is a slim speedster who rarely hits the ball over the fence. The popular Gordon looks like one of the last major leaguers who would be suspected of juicing, but on April 29, he earned a suspension.

These suspensions reveal that the drug testing system is, to some degree, working. However, it has become clear that baseball still has a problem with PEDs. If three players tested positive in such a short time (one of whom failed three tests in a year), it begs the question: How many players are getting past the testing?

The worst way to handle this situation is to sweep it under the

rug. The media should put pressure on the players, and the league and its clubs should ensure that all testing is accurate and following protocols. If more suspensions are doled out, MLB will have to take a long, hard look at its drug program and its policies to make sure it is working.

Nobody is naive enough to think that Colabello and Gordon are the only players who have resorted to performance enhancers.

The drug problem in major league clubhouses is nowhere near as prevalent as it was in the midst of the Steroid Era. However, if players are still being suspended, the issue is still alive.

Baseball is not the only sport facing PED suspensions. The other major professional sports have been more lax, but drug use is still raising red flags. Tennis star Maria Sharapova lost numerous endorsement deals after a positive test in March. Yet, drugs in baseball are particularly damaging thanks to the integrity of the game argument and the history of perceived physical purity.

The suspensions of Gordon and Colabello are a sad sight for baseball fans. “Flash” Gordon is one of the most exciting players and his presence will be missed in Miami.

The Toronto Blue Jays consider themselves World Series contenders, but they will be without an important platoon bat in the lineup. Both players will be out of commission until after the All -Star Break. More important than two players being suspended is the fact that we have not moved on from PED scandals. We must keep in mind that drug use is still occurring in baseball and we should watch to see any future reactions to these positive drug tests.

The NFL draft had a number of interesting storylines, but none more shocking and impactful than the Laremy Tunsil situation. Ten minutes before the draft, a video and subsequent screen shots of Tunsil emerged on social media.

In it, he was seen smoking marijuana through a gas mask attached to a bong. Tunsil was predicted to be a top six pick but slipped all the way to the 13th spot, where the Dolphins selected him. The Ravens and Titans both passed on Tunsil, selecting offensive tackles Ronnie Stanley and Jack Conklin, respectively. The Ravens admitted to passing on Tunsil because of the video, fearing there would be more problems connected with him. Tunsil’s actions helped to re-illuminate a problem running rampant through the league recently and causing problems for many players: marijuana and synthetic marijuana use.

The recreational use of marijuana is not new to the NFL or other professional sports leagues. Players are frequently caught with it in their systems during random drug tests or on their persons when

dealing with law enforcement officers. Former Patriots cornerback Chandler Jones was caught with synthetic marijuana in January. He had a bad reaction to it and walked to a nearby police station looking for help. He was then transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated.

Jones is not the first person to get into trouble after using synthetic marijuana. 30th overall pick Robert Nkemdiche made headlines when he fell out of a window after using synthetic marijuana.

He was transported to the hospital and charged with possession after police discovered seven rolled marijuana cigarettes in his hotel room. One of the people in the room with Nkemdiche that night was his Ole Miss teammate Laremy Tunsil.

Athletes use synthetic marijuana because it does not show up on drug tests, but the side effects, including paranoia and hallucinations, are much more severe. If the NFL does not figure out a way to test players for this drug, it could be catastrophic.

Perhaps the most notable person that has been caught with marijuana in his system is Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon. Gor-

don was suspended for marijuana use for 10 games during the 2014 season and missed the entire 2015 season because he failed to follow the league’s substance abuse program. In March of 2016, Gordon failed another drug test and still waits to see whether he will be reinstated back into the NFL. One of the main arguments for the legalization of marijuana is that it is not as harmful as other drugs, and there has been a recent push to legalize it throughout the United States. As of now, the drug is still illegal in most places and completely outlawed throughout the NFL. Regardless of whether a player believes it should be legal or not, they are still forbidden from using it. Marijuana has now affected Gordon’s career and Tunsil’s draft stock, while synthetic marijuana nearly caused physical harm to Nkemdiche. On the third day of the draft, Chandler Jones was traded from the Patriots to the Cardinals. It’s clear that there are no positives from using marijuana, besides a positive drug test. Hopefully, the NFL will soon find a way to monitor synthetic marijuana.

Until then players should take the advice of Stephen A. Smith and “STAY OFF THE WEED!”

ROGELIO V. SOLIS/AP

Photographs of offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil smoking marijuana surfaced just before the NFL draft, hurting his stock.

Varsity Calendar HOME AWAY Baseball

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon was suspended for 80 games last week.

Thursday May 5

Friday May 6

Saturday May 7

GW 6 p.m.

GW 2 p.m.

Sunday May 8

Tuesday May 10

Wednesday May 11

GW 12 p.m.

Softball

George Mason George Mason 12 p.m.

12 p.m.

Rowing

A-10 Champs

Track and Field

Monday May 9

A-10 Championship

A-10 Champs

SPORTS

May 4, 2016

Varsity Scores & Stats

Anthony Pucik

Sitting Ducks Another year, another disappointing postseason for the Anaheim Ducks. The team’s seven game first round exit at the hands of the Nashville Predators marks another season of high expectations and unsatisfactory results. The Ducks are now nine years removed from their Stanley Cup Final victory over the Senators in the 2006-07 season and have not returned to the Cup Final since. The Ducks have only missed the playoffs twice since, in the 2009-10 season and 11-12 season, and have otherwise been a very dangerous team in the West in the regular season.

In the last four seasons, the Ducks finished first in the Pacific Division, coming in first twice and second once, but have only reached the Western Conference finals once, losing to the Blackhawks in seven games two postseasons ago.

What’s more disappointing isn’t the defeat, but how they lost. This is the fourth year in a row the Ducks have been eliminated from the playoffs in Game 7 at home. In 2012-13, they played against the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. In 2013-14, it was in the second round to the pesky Los Angeles Kings. Two seasons ago it was to Chicago, and this year, of course, it was to Nashville.

This is obviously frustrating for the Ducks’ upper management, a sentiment made clear when they fired head coach Bruce Boudreau.

Boudreau was with the Ducks since 2011-2012, so he’s been at the helm for all four Game 7 home playoff losses, bringing his record in such games as a coach to 1-7.

“I did not feel going forward and making the playoffs that again it would be a good situation,” Ducks general manager Bob Murray said.

The Ducks have been a model of consistency in the regular season, but have also been a model of consistent disappointment in the playoffs. For a team that seems to always find itself atop the Western Conference, they understandably seek higher expectations, thus the Boudreau firing.

While Boudreau has some of the blame, the players cannot be let off scot free. Core players like Captain Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry have been with this team through all their recent playoff struggles and, despite some changes here and there to the defense and wingers, Anaheim has believed in these players to get them deeper into the playoffs. “It was almost the mentality that they weren’t going to win, they were going out not to lose. And you can’t play hockey that way,” Murray said. “That’s just the group and it was very disturbing to watch.”

“Maybe I haven’t been hard enough on them the last few years,” Murary added. “They’re going to hear some different words this time.” Harsh words, but can you blame him? This is a Ducks team that is clearly talented enough for the grind of an 82-game NHL season, but just can’t get over the hump in the playoffs. Boudreau is gone, and it appears Getzlaf, Perry and the rest of the Ducks’ core are on notice. The team has had four chances to make it to the Stanley Cup and has failed to do so. Next season, hopefully we will see a different team in Anaheim.

Page 23

Softball Dayton 4 Fordham 1 (DAY) Gustafson 1-3, HR(2) (DAY) Snyder 3-3, Run (FOR) Shaw 1-3, HR(10) (FOR) Trivelpiece 1-3, Single Dayton 2 Fordham 1 (FOR) Canessa 0-1, RBI, Walk (FOR) Hughes 1-3, Run (DAY) Syder 2-3, Run (DAY) Gustafson 2-3, run Women’s Soccer Fordham Columbia Men’s Soccer Fordham Mercy

1 1

5 0

Men’s Track Penn Relays 4x800m Relay Fordham 2nd- 7:41.32 Yale Springtime Invite Javelin (FOR) Regan 1st- 169’ 9” Pole Vault (FOR) Riviere 2nd- 14’ 1.75” 100m (FOR) Guthrie 15th- 11.99 Women’s Track Penn Relays 4x800m Relay Fordham 5th- 9:00.80 3000m Steeplechase (FOR) Tevnan 22nd- 11:07.41

Giulio Ricciardi

Baseball UMass 8 Fordham 1 (FOR) Edmiston 1-4, Single (MASS) Morris 3-4, 2 RBI (MASS) Lever 2-3, HR(1) UMass 8 Fordham 7 (FOR) Donadio 4-4, 2 RBI (FOR) Mahoney 1-2, HR(1) (MASS) Jennings 2-4, HR(8) Fordham 5 UMass 0 (FOR) Stampfl 1-4, HR(3) (FOR) Kozuch 1-2, 2 RBI (FOR) Runco 2-4, RBI

Golf A-10 Championships Fordham

5th

Athletes of the Week Mark Donadio

Mayu Sato

Junior

Junior

Baseball

Tennis

Donadio had a stellar week at the plate, hitting .464 in four games with two RBIs. He also recorded a .611 on-base percentage and a .692 slugging percentage. The exclamation point of his week came on Saturday against UMass when he went 4-4 with two RBIs, a career high. His performance earned him A-10 Player of the Week honors.

Sato was named a First Team AllAtlantic 10 honoree on Tuesday. Sato is a transfer from Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne, where she was a two time Summit League Player of the Year. This season, she led the Rams with 21 wins, while only losing seven matches. She also won a teamhigh 23 doubles matches.

Each week, The Fordham Ram’s Sports editors honor one male athlete and one female athlete for their on-field performances as their “Athletes of the Week.”

News & Notes • Tennis Sophomore Estelle

• Softball’s Mayer, Baseball’s Serrapica Named Zipcar Performers of the Month

was named Second Team All-Atlantic 10 due to her play on the court this season. Wong compiled a 16-12 singles record, with 12 of those wins coming in spring action. She also recorded a 19-11 doubles record. Throughout the year she played alongside Hannah Drayton, Alexis Zobeideh and Gianna Isogna, before settling with Mayu Sato for the final 10 matches of the season. Wong capped her season with a win in her match at the A-10 Championships, going 6-1, 6-0 against Dayton’s Alex Townsend.

Mayer had an impressive April, batting .490 with six doubles, a home run and 18 RBIs. She added a .500 on-base percentage and a .673 slugging percentage, which coincided with her seven multi-hit games. Mayer also earned five wins in the circle, posting a 2.41 ERA . She was given A-10 Player of the Week honrors one time during the month. Serrapica had success on the mound, posting two conference wins in the month, while maintaining a 0.95 ERA in seven appearances. He ended his month by throwing a career high eight innings in a shutout win over UMass.

Wong Earns All-Atlantic 10 Accolades Sophomore Estelle Wong

• Garrick Mayweather Gains Invitation to Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Minicamp Mayweather went undrafted in last weekend’s NFL Draft, but was contacted by the Chiefs after the Draft ended. It’s very common for undrafted free agents to receive these type of invitations. Mayweather previously worked out for the Chiefs at Fordham.

During the pre-draft process, a scout also requested that Mayweather lose 10 pounds.

Mayweather accepted the invitation to the event which will take place this week.

•

Football Ends Spring With Spring Football Game New head coach Andrew Breiner got his first crack at game action last Saturday, leading the Rams through their final spring practice of the year. Though not an actual scrimmage, the team showed flashes of thing to come, particularly from their defense who recorded five tackles for loss, four sacks and three interceptions. The Rams open their season on Sept. 2 against Navy.

– Compiled by Pat Costello

Champions League Round-Up The Champions League was in action this past week. The semifinals proved to be great matchups.

Manchester City v. Real Madrid: In the first leg of this semifinal match, both teams were unable to score. In a match with both teams having top-level firepower, most expected this match to be high scoring. Despite the star power of both teams, they will go into the second leg with everything to play for.

Coming into this match, Manchester City had progressed through to the semi-finals with a quarterfinals victory over Paris Saint-Germain. In the first leg of that match, both teams finished in a 2-2 draw, leaving Man City with the away goal advantage. In the second leg, a long range goal for Kevin De Bruyne was enough to send the English side to their first Champions League semi-final in history.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid secured their spot in this round by coming back to defeat underdogs Wolfsburg. In the first leg, Real Madrid was stunned when it lost 2-0 away against the German side. Despite this setback, a hat trick from superstar Cristiano Ronaldo propelled it to the next round.

In this match, both sides came very close to scoring, only to be stopped by great goalkeeping or poor finishing. Early on, Benzema had a shot inside the box fly high and wide, despite a good position to score. The first half was relatively quiet for both sides, as neither could find any openings.

In the second half, Sergio Ramos had a powerful header saved by Joe Hart, a standard save for the English international. Then, in the 71st minute, Jese had a great header deflected off the bar, but Hart covered the strike completely. As the match came to a close, Hart made some great saves to keep Man City alive going into the second leg.

Pepe’s point-blank shot was miraculously saved, leaving Real Madrid wondering what could have been.

Atletico Madrid v. Bayern Munich: Atletico stunned German giants Bayern Munich at home to secure a shaky lead into the next leg. A brilliant solo goal from Saul was enough to see the Spaniards secure a win at the Vicente Calderon.

Atletico Madrid came out on top in it’s quarterfinals encounter with Barcelona and progressed to the semifinals. The team came back from a first leg defeat to shock the 2015 Champions League winners.

After losing 2-1 at the Camp Nou, Atletico stunned the world by securing a 2-0 home victory against the Spanish giants. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich had a tough but expected quarterfinal edge over Benfica. The Portuguese side gave the Germans a run for their money in both legs, where they narrowly lost on aggregate 3-2.

In this matchup, starlet Saul would shine bright, scoring a magnificent solo goal to stun the Bundesliga champions. In the 11th minute, he dribbled from half field all the way to the opposing box, tricking multiple players and curling a perfectly placed shot past Manuel Neuer. Despite multiple chances for the German giants, Atletico secured a narrow 1-0 lead into the next leg.

SPORTS

Page 24

May 4, 2016

The Fordham Ram

Baseball Struggles Against UMass

By SAM BELDEN SPORTS EDITOR

While most students spent this past weekend enjoying a host of Spring Weekend activities, Fordham Baseball was hard at work at University of Massachusetts. There, the team played a three-game slate against the UMass Minutemen at Earl Lorden Field. The Rams’ usually competent pitching staff struggled in the first two contests, leading to Fordham’s first lost conference series this season.

The Rams struggled to find offensive momentum during Friday’s game, compiling just five hits. The Minutemen, on the other hand, were quick to put their power on display. Second baseman Ryan Lever hit a solo shot off junior starter Kirk Haynes, Jr. in the third inning, giving his team the first lead of the game.

Two innings later, designated hitter Hunter Carey hit another home run.

The Massachusetts hitters followed with four additional runs. All told, the Minutemen opened up a six-run lead through five innings, leading to Haynes’ removal from the game.

Thanks in part to a walk and a hit by pitch, Fordham managed to load the bases with one out in the top of the eighth inning. Freshman catcher Justin Bardwell hit a sacrifice fly to knock in the Rams’ first run of the day, but junior rightfielder Mark Donadio popped out on the next play to end the inning. Junior pitcher Parker Barnell allowed two runs in the bottom of the inning, which capped the scoring. Massachusetts took the game by a score of 8-1, dealing Fordham its most lopsided loss in nearly a month.

The first game of Saturday’s doubleheader yielded the same final

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Joseph Serrapica struck out 10 over eight innings to salvage one win from the weekend series against UMass.

result, but it was much more hotly contested. Fordham’s offense finally came alive and made a spirited run at the victory but ultimately lost due to a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth.

In the second inning, junior centerfielder Jason Lundy’s single was misplayed by the leftfielder, allowing the Rams to score two runs. One inning later however, the Minutemen bounced back. Centerfielder Dylan Morris knocked in a run via a fielder’s choice, while catcher John Jennings went yard to bring home two more.

Massachusetts rallied once again in the fifth frame, building a three-run lead.

The Rams mounted a comeback in the sixth inning. Bardwell walked and advanced to third thanks to a ground rule double from junior infielder Luke Stampfl. Soon after, Donadio hit a single up the middle to knock in both runners. Junior outfielder Ryan

Mahoney then delivered with a tworun homer, giving his team the lead.

Massachusetts pitcher Justin Lasko was removed from the game, but his replacement could not prevent the Rams from tacking on one more run towards the end of the inning.

Fordham failed to hold its lead. In the bottom of the sixth the Minutemen quickly tied things up, thanks in part to a wild pitch from junior starter Greg Weissert. The righty was removed from the game with seven earned runs and two strikeouts in five innings, but freshman pitcher Reiss Knehr got him off the hook for the loss. In fact, it was Knehr who ended up on the wrong side of the decision.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, he threw a wild pitch of his own to allow the winning run to cross the plate. Despite showing some hitting chops, the Rams lost the 8-7 heartbreaker.

Even so, head coach Kevin Leigh-

ton remained optimistic about his team. “Losing in the bottom of the ninth is tough,” he said. “We hurt ourselves at points in the game that allowed UMass to take that game, but overall we fought hard again, which is good to see.”

With the series already decided, Fordham took the field for the final game later that afternoon. This time the result was different. Senior starter Joseph Serrapica threw eight shutout innings and the Rams rode his performance to victory.

Fordham got off to an early lead when senior second baseman Joseph Runco singled home junior first baseman Matthew Kozuch in the first inning. One frame later, Kozuch hit a double to bring home Mahoney, stretching his team’s advantage to two runs. Most of the rest of the game was scoreless but the Rams did manage to pile on two insurance runs towards the end of the game. Kozuch hit a sac-

rifice fly in the seventh inning, while Stampfl hit a home run, his fourth of the season, in the eighth.

Serrapica was the real star of the game. He allowed three hits over eight strong innings, striking out 10 and walking one. The New Jersey native now has a solid 3.19 ERA to go along with his 65 strikeouts in 62 innings this season.

While the Rams’ record fell to 9-6 after the series loss, there is still plenty of baseball to be played in the weeks ahead. The team is well aware of this fact. “The series definitely didn’t go the way we wanted, but I think we have to look at it and remind ourselves that there are no easy weekends in this league,” Leighton said.

Three conference weekends remain before the Atlantic 10 Championship. At the moment the Rams are tied for fourth in the conference, along with George Washington and Saint Joseph’s. While they are on pace to qualify for the postseason, Leighton knows that his team will need to be on its game if it wants to have a memorable campaign.

“We definitely can’t sit back on what we have done to date,” he said.

“We have three tough opponents coming up and we have to stay focused if we want to make the playoffs.”

This weekend the Rams will return home to host George Washington.

Action will begin on Friday at 6 p.m. at Fordham’s Houlihan Park. After that, they will face Saint Joseph’s on the road and Dayton at home before the A-10 Championship, which will be held at Fordham this year.

Rams Swept Heading Into Final Weekend

By PAT COSTELLO ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

For the first time since early March, Fordham Softball lost two games in a row. After their Saturday matchup against the Dayton Flyers was cancelled due to inclement weather, the Rams and the Flyers faced off in a doubleheader on Sunday. “We didn’t play well on defense or offense this past weekend, so not much went our way,” said head coach Bridget Orchard. While the Rams did not necessarily play poorly, they could not string together any offense to help their pitchers out.

The first game was a tight contest throughout the first two innings, but Dayton busted the game open in the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded, junior pitcher Lauren Quense got taken deep by Dayton’s Krista Gustafson, which was good enough for a grand slam and a four run lead. The Rams were never able to overcome the deficit, although last weeks A-10 Player of the Week, Madison Shaw, put the Rams’ only run on the board in the seventh. It was the sophomore infielder’s tenth homerun of the year, a team high, and was one of three hits the Rams had for

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

After their worst weekend since the beginning of March, the Rams will look to regroup in their final series before the A-10s.

the game. She maintains a .355 batting average and a mammoth .669 slugging percentage. Quense threw four strong innings, giving up four earned runs on that grand slam before turning it over to junior Lindsay Mayer, who threw the final two innings.

In game two, the Rams put the first run on the board after freshman infielder Jessica Hughes stole her record 33rd base of the year before coming around to score on a sacrifice fly. Quense got the nod again and pitched a strong six innings, allowing only one hit.

In the bottom of the seventh, however, all hell broke loose. The first two Dayton batters singled to start the bottom of the inning.

With one out, Dayton’s Katie Ryan doubled off the left field wall. Sophomore leftfielder Morgan Figueroa picked up the ball and fired home. The throw was so on-line that it hit the Dayton runner in the helmet, allowing her to score. The ball kicked away and the Rams managed to get the Dayton runner at third base, who advanced on the Figueroa throw, into a rundown. After a

few throws, the home plate umpire deemed that junior catcher Ally Vergona obstructed the runner and awarded her home plate, giving the Flyers the walk-off 2-1 victory. “[It was a] tough weekend at Dayton for sure, but we are confident we can work harder this week and be ready for a rematch at the A-10 tournament,” said Orchard.

“Watching Dayton’s excessive celebration on Sunday is something that will stick in their heads hopefully and motivate them to work harder this week.”

With the two wins on Sunday the Flyers jumped the Rams for first place in the A-10, making the forthcoming weekend’s matchup against George Mason all the more important for the Rams.

“We still need to win to secure a bye in the conference tournament, so this weekend is important. We always talk about not getting too high or too low and our ultimate goal is still in front of us,” said Orchard. “We have always set our sights on winning the A-10 Tournament and advancing into the NCAAs Tournament.”

Getting hot at the right time is an important part of post-season success in any sport. The Rams are now coming off of two separate winning streaks and appear to be cooling off when the need to be heating up. The A-10 Tournament begins on May 10, so the Rams will look to use the George Mason matchup as a springboard into the playoffs and an opportunity to put the Dayton losses behind them.

“As a team we just talked about moving forward and focusing on the big series this weekend against George Mason,” said Orchard.

The Rams return to action on May 7 against George Mason with a doubleheader at Bahoshy Field, with first pitch set to be at noon.