The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 September 23, 2026
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Volume 108, Issue 13
Initiative Addresses Antisemitism in Clinical Psychology
Student Life Council Meets to Introduce New Leaders
By SIENNA REINDERS
By EMMA LEONARDI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
NEWS EDITOR
A new initiative aims to train students in graduate psychology programs on Jewish culture in order to minimize the prevalence of antisemitism in clinical psychology work. The initiative was created by Dean McKay, a professor of psychology at Fordham University, and Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern, Ph.D., a lecturer in psychology and director of trauma services and training at Harvard Medical School. The overall goal of the initiative is to address discriminatory training practices currently present in doctoral clinical training programs so that these beliefs don’t seep into clinical patient care. “Psychology graduate programs do more than educate students; they shape the clinicians, supervisors, professors, and institutional leaders who will influence the field for decades,” Bar-Halpern said in an email to The Ram. “When inaccurate or reductive ideas about Jews, Judaism, Israel, or Zionism enter professional training, they do not necessarily remain in the classroom. They can affect supervision, clinical formulation, therapeutic relationships, institutional policies, and the quality of care Jewish and Israeli patients receive.” Antisemitism is a worldwide issue that has especially increased after the attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. According to a 2025 survey by the American Jewish Committee, 93% of Jewish Americans and 70% of general U.S. adults believe antisemitism is an issue in our country. This prejudice extends into the psychology profession as well, according to McKay. A study by the American Psychological Association of 218 Jewish mental health professionals found that 91% believe antisemitism is a problem in the mental health field.
The Fordham University Student Life Council (SLC) met for the first time this semester on Wednesday, Sept. 16, to introduce new student leaders and provide various updates. Dean of Students Kevin Williams began the meeting by explaining what SLC is. “The council brings together student leaders, faculty and administrators to engage in dialogue,” Williams said. “It updates on key campus organizations, offices and departments.” He continued with more specifics, citing the meetings as a way for students to connect with their leaders, whether they are other students or administrators. “It’s open to all students,” Williams said. “It is our town hall, our forum, to think about, to talk about, the student experience here at Fordham.” Williams also mentioned that he is currently looking for an SLC chair to host the meetings and guide the council through them. Several students were said to be in talks for the position. Additionally, Williams noted that the council is down a faculty member and that they are currently looking for someone to fill the vacancy. Following this explanation, Williams opened the floor for public agenda items. Andrew Massie, FCRH ’27, with Fordham TV (an unofficial reporting club at Fordham University), asked Williams about why former Assistant Dean for Student Involvement Catharine McGlade recently separated from the university. Williams noted that, as previously stated to the media, the university does not discuss personnel-related issues. With no other public agenda topics, the council moved on to the next scheduled item,
SEE PSYCH, PAGE 4
6 News USG Class of 2030
USG’s Meet the Senate 2030 Brings 13 Candidates to Campaign
TAYLOR HA FOR THE FORDHAM RAM
President Tania Tetlow delivered the State of the University Address on Sept. 17.
Tetlow Inspires Action in State of the University Address By GRACE KAWECKI ASST. NEWS EDITOR
The Fordham University President Tania Tetlow delivered her annual State of the University address on Sept. 17, in the McNally Amphitheater at the Lincoln Center Campus. She focused on how uncertainties from artificial intelligence (AI) have pushed Fordham to reevaluate its mission in preparing students for an
ever-changing world andthe ways it has shaped the younger generation and contributed to increased polarization and misinformation. “[AI] can mimic human compassion and mercy that it does not feel,” Tetlow said. “It is a blindingly powerful tool for good and for evil.” Tetlow went on to explain Fordham’s obligation to teach its students how to navigate and discern the modern
world amid such powerful technology. Although it is easy to become cynical, Tetlow discouraged this attitude by explaining that she reads history books that center on dark times and that emphasize resisting pessimism in favor of action. “If comfort breeds complacency, traumatic times inspire heroism. And the first act of heroism is not what you expect,” Tetlow said. SEE TETLOW, PAGE 4
BREAKING NEWS: Fordham Moves Up in National Ranking By SIENNA REINDERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Fordham University has moved up 12 spots in the 2027 U.S. News and World Report Best National Universities rankings, standing at 85th after being placed at 97th in the 2026 rankings. University President Tania Tetlow responded to the new ranking with enthusiasm. “We are proud to see Fordham rise 12 spots in the U.S. News & World Report National Universities list and to be recognized as #46 in the inaugural Top Private Universities ranking,” Tetlow said. “This reflects the momentum we are building across the University, the growing recognition of our academic strength and
8 Opinion Sydney Sweeney Think You Know Sports, Sydney Sweeney?
reputation among our peers, and, most importantly, our students’ achievements and outcomes.” The U.S. News and World Report Best National Universities ranks the top 427 higher education institutions based on various categories that measure the quality of academics and success of graduates. Fordham is currently tied for 85th along with New Jersey Institute of Technology, Southern Methodist University, University at Buffalo and the University of Delaware. The university has also moved up in the category of Best Value Schools, from 77th in 2026 to 74th in this year’s rankings. Regarding Best Undergraduate Business Programs, Fordham’s ranking has remained the same
at 58th, however, for Best Undergraduate Teaching, the university’s ranking has decreased to 40th from 25th in 2026. Over the past year, Tetlow has made efforts to improve the university’s national standing, which included implementing a complete rebrand of the institution last fall. The impact of these efforts was already seen during the 2030 college admissions cycle, which saw a record number of applicants and resulted in a decrease in Fordham’s acceptance rate. Tetlow attributed Fordham’s improved rankings to these initiatives. “While we have much work yet to do, our progress is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire Fordham community,” Tetlow said.
IN THIS ISSUE
18 Culture Editor’s Pick
R
Learning to Live Life Like ‘Luca’
SEE SLC, PAGE 5
23 Sports Formula 1
Formula 1: Madring Madness Recap
NEWS
Page 2
PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS
September 23, 2026
Meg Gardinier on Women and Children in Development
Alumni Court South Sept. 16 10:36 p.m.
On Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 10:36 p.m., there was a stuck occupied elevator in Alumni Court South. The supervisor responded and notified the FDNY to respond and free the occupant. The supervisor placed the elevator out of service and then prepared a work order to have the elevator inspected soon.
Walsh Library Sept. 17 4:35 a.m.
On Thursday, Sept. 17, at 4:35 p.m., there was a smoke alarm in the Walsh Library. The supervisor and FDNY responded. The investigation revealed steam from the boiler triggered the alarm. The supervisor ventilated the area and continued to reset the alarm panel.
Faber Hall Sept. 18 2:20 a.m.
On Friday Sept. 18, at 2:20 p.m., there was a stuck occupied elevator in Faber Hall. The supervisor responded and notified the elevator company. A technician responded and freed the occupant in the elevator.
2504 Hoffman Street Sept. 20 8:27 p.m.
On Sunday, Sept. 20, at 8:27 p.m., there was a fire alarm at 2504 Hoffman Street, (Terra Nova). The supervisor and FDNY then responded. The investigation revealed the firstfloor smoke detector smoke fell off the wall, triggering the alarm. The supervisor resecured the detector and reset the alarm panel.
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MARY LUND FOR THE FORDHAM RAM
Meg Gardinier delivered a lecture on women and children in international development.
By MARY LUND CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Meg Gardinier, FCRH ’83, a International Political Economy and Development alumna and former secretary general of the ChildFund Alliance, spoke to a group of students about centering women and children in international development on Sept. 17. Her lecture focused on what international cooperation for development has looked like in theory and in practice, her career and what the future may hold for women and children international development. The idea that one “cannot achieve development without voices of the constituents” was voiced by Gardinier when referring to her work as secretary general of the ChildFund Alliance and is a major theme in her work and in international relations as a whole. To first begin the lecture, Gardinier had everyone state their name and major. Most people in the room were graduate students studying IPED. According to Volume 23 of The Graduate Program in IPED, Fordham’s IPED is focused on “the advanced interdisciplinary analysis of global economic relations and international development issues.” Gardinier started her lecture by stating that international development is being forced in a new direction. The Trump administration defunded the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) in 2025, and since then a structural transformation has begun to take place. Gardinier began the main focus of her lecture with the statement that “women, children, family and community must be at the center of development.” Today, these groups are no longer a “niche” of international development, but rather a central pillar. She stated that the “people most affected by development” are starting to be at the “center of decisions.” Gardinier cited statistics about international development and women, contrasting the increase in women who can attend school or work in politics or business with the increasing disparities in areas with greater conflict and poverty. The question of how to support women and families led Gardinier’s lecture into a brief introduction to two major developmental theories formulated by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum. Sen approaches the issue with the belief that communities must decide what is best, while Nussbaum believes that a standard universal set of “absolute rights” must be implemented into constitutions to ensure progress. Both theories seemed to play a role in Gardinier’s line of work, which she spoke about in depth. Gardinier spoke about her professional career, which began during the Cold War. Her first job was an entry-level position at the Smith Richardson
Foundation. She then worked for the U.S. office of the International Catholic Child Bureau, where she led an office in New York City while the United Nations was completing the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This convention upheld four pillars for the interests of children and became a blueprint for the treatment of children internationally. She spoke about the non-governmental organization boom post-Soviet Union, and how the tech revolution affected international cooperation. Gardinier also spent time during her career working for the United States Fund for UNICEF. They worked with Kiwanis International to help end iodine deficiency and with Zonta International on ending female genital mutilation. Gardinier mentioned the importance of working with religious leaders at the local level to help explain the harmful health effects of female genital mutilation. She later joined Arigatou International, where she worked on a global interfaith initiative that united different religious leaders to combat violence against children. A key point of emphasis by Gardinier, when discussing how to give agency to women and children, is direct and local funding. Gardinier mentioned that cash transfers are becoming more popular and are helpful to widows. Children are increasingly practicing agency through technology, which
This Week at Fordham
allows them to hold local governments more accountable. Gardinier also spoke about Goal 16.2 (end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children) of the UN goals for sustainable development, which child-focused agencies lobbied to include in order to protect children from violence and trafficking. As countries adopted this goal and began to wonder how to implement it, “We’re Talking, Are You Listening?” became the call of Joining Forces For All Children, an organization dedicated to securing rights for children. Gardinier stated that this phrase has stuck with her and is a call to allow “children to help shape decisions and systems.” Toward the end of the lecture, Gardinier focused on the task of the graduate students in the room. The present day is a difficult time for international development and its implementation. She explained that many governments are turning towards the private sector to fund projects and that innovation in multi-sector financing will be necessary in the future. Most importantly, Gardinier left students with hope. “I don’t want you to leave this room discouraged,” Gardinier said. She stated that, despite the massive changes occurring, “the dignity of women and children, they don’t change.” Gardinier emphasized the importance of “starting somewhere,” such as in an entry-level job, as she did.
Wednesday Sept. 23
Thursday Sept. 24
Friday Sept. 25
Saturday Sept. 26
Monday Sept. 28
HSC Kickoff Event
MESA Kickoff Event
President’s Ball
Homecoming Game
Pre-Law Society General meeting
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1st Tower Campbell Hall Multipurpose Room 3 p.m.
Martyrs’ Court Goupil 260261 4 - 5 p.m.
Edwards Parade 9 p.m.
Moglia Stadium at Jack Coffey Field 2 p.m.
Freeman Hall 105 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
HSC’s semester kickoff will give students the opportunity to meet the executive board, learn more about the club and connect with other members.
This kickoff event will introduce students to MESA, its board and members with chances to get involved within the student association for future events.
The Fordham President’s Ball is an annual undergraduate traditionthat takes place during homecoming week, and features a night of music and dancing,
Fordham students, alumni and fans will gather at Moglia Stadium for the annual Homecoming game where the Rams will take on the Stony Brook Seawolves.
The Pre-Law Society will hold its first general meeting of the semester, giving students the opportunity to meet members and learn more about the organization.
NEWS Elections End for Commuting Students Association
Page 3
September 23, 2026
By MATTHEW DOHERTY STAFF WRITER
The Commuting Students Association (CSA) held online elections on Wednesday, Sept. 9, and Thursday, Sept. 10, during which commuter students chose from a larger number of candidates than in previous years. Commuter students were tasked with electing a new Freshman Board, program coordinators for sophomore, junior and senior boards and marketing coordinators for the latter two boards. The newly elected candidates were announced on Sept. 14 at the club’s inauguration ceremony in Hughes Hall. CSA Executive President Nushana Alam, FCRH ’27, stated that CSA has attracted more and more people to be involved in the club, including getting students to run as candidates. “In previous years, there wasn’t exactly a lot of attraction towards CSA. But in every single year, there’s always more and more,” Alam said. “This year especially, it’s been the most amount of people we’ve ever had for CSA elections.” Executive Vice President of CSA Analisa Brown-Beebe, FCRH ’27, also commented on the rise in involvement.
“It’s the marketing, but also the passion that our members have to make sure that commuters feel welcome on campus,” Brown-Beebe said. “We want to make sure that they know [about] the opportunity to be a part of a student government.” Potential candidates’ first experience with the election process started on Aug. 26 at the club fair, where CSA distributed election packets. The packets contained information about CSA, the election process and a place for candidates to write down their required 50 signatures to be put on the ballot. Additionally, candidates were required to attend an informational session, hosted by Alam and Brown-Beebe. There, candidates learned more about how CSA operates, the functions of different positions and the different events hosted by CSA. Newly elected President of the Freshman senate, Joseph Ventura, GSB ’30, said that the information session was helpful. “It told me some of the [basic] information,” Ventura stated. “They told me I would have to set up two events throughout the year. That helped me figure out what I actually had to do instead of
just going in blindly.” Candidates were required to hand in their election packets with 50 signatures to the CSA office in the McShane Campus Center. Then, candidates continued to reach out to voters. Ali Habibah, FCRH ’29, commented on the process. “I ran around for one hour telling people that I was running for a CSA VP and going out to people that I knew and people that I didn’t know and being like, ‘Hey, I’m running for CSA VP, and I believe in this, this, [and] this,’” Habibah said. “I saw my other peers running for this; it was the same thing.” The elections were officially held from 12 p.m. on Sept. 9 to 12 p.m. on Sept. 10, with candidates informed of the outcomes on Sept. 11. However, the election results were not publicly announced until CSA’s inaugural meeting, held on Sept. 14. The CSA inaugural meeting was held in the basement of Hughes Hall. In attendance were all of the winning candidates, the executive board and the club’s advisor, Kelsi Lavia. Lavia gave an introductory speech, reiterating the importance of CSA’s mission. She focused on CSA’s goal of keeping commuter students accommodated, represented
in campus identity and kept in involved with CSA, saying she mind during campus events. was hopeful the club would After, the executive board provide a sense of community. “As a commuter, it was reand general assembly were inaugurated. Alam gave a ally hard not getting imposter speech right before the can- syndrome and trying to make didates signed pledges to friends,” Habibah said. She also explained how she CSA. Then Brown-Beebe gave her speech, followed by the got introduced to CSA. “It started off with meeting public announcement of each friends, and then it branched newly elected candidate. To celebrate, CSA also had out to me going to the events, food, beverages and free mer- seeing that CSA and the chandise, which included CAs (Commuter Assistants) CSA-branded hats and cups. [threw] so many events that Once the ceremony was over, not only helped me socially but candidates moved outside of also academically,” Habibah Hughes Hall to take their indi- said. Habibah stated that she vidual photos and CSA’s group would keep that mentality photo. Following the inauguration, in mind when creating new candidates shared with The events, and that she was Ram why they decided to run. hopeful she could encourage Habiba commented on why commuters to interact and she originally decided to be participate more on campus.
COURTESY OF CSA New members of the Commuting Students Association line up for their inaugural photo.
Meet the Fordham Humanitarians By GABRIEL CAPELLAN ASST. NEWS EDITOR
The Humanitarian Student Union (HSU) is a club that provides a space to educate its members on humanitarian crises and volunteer for different local causes. The Ram sat down with the HSU president, Elisa Andrews, FCRH ’27, and vice president, Sophie Reilly, FCRH ’28, to discuss how they are making an all-inclusive environment where students can speak openly about topics that are typically politically-divisive and provide a space to volunteer for their community. “The emphasis on community
is something that I find really beautiful,” Andrews said. “You can talk about these international or domestic crises that are happening, and it’s a place of learning … that fosters a really incredible community because people are truly able to ask questions and engage in dialogue in a way that a lot of places on campus don’t allow them to.” Last spring, a fire in the Belmont neighborhood killed two people and left dozens homeless. In response, a local Catholic parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, organized donations to help the displaced families. HSU reposted this
information on social media, raising awareness for Fordham students to donate to the church. Reilly said that the donations students provided are something she’ll cherish from HSU. “So many people were asking, how can they volunteer?” Reilly said. “What can they actually give? Whether that be money or just supplies, where can they Venmo? It was really amazing to see how many people were genuinely interested in helping, not just reposting the story and moving on with their day.” HSU expressed interest in collaborating with other
SOPHIE REILLY FOR THE FORDHAM RAM The Humanitarian Student Union provides its members with a space to speak freely and learn about humanitarian crises.
cultural organizations on campus such as VIVA the Mexican Culture Club, and bridging connections between other cultural groups. “It would be cool to do a joint meeting on ICE and specifically in the Bronx, but also within the broader New York community, and just how that’s affected [us],” Reilly said. “I think it’d be a cool place to kind of bridge discussion on personal experiences, but also to help present the facts behind it.” “I would love to do more events with different community-based groups where we do a cultural exchange focused on humanitarianism,” Andrews said. The club is also trying to move in a direction that involves more outreach and volunteering in the Belmont neighborhood. One way that they’re doing this is by trying to establish a more formal connection with local organization Grupo De Mujeres, a program that focuses on supporting Latina immigrants. “I would really love to continue that connection with this semester because not only is it a place where you’re doing volunteer work, but you’re also connecting culture, you’re connecting lived experiences, you’re learning from others,” Andrews said. “I think that a really big part of humanitarianism is that true
human connection with other people that are different from you, that have different lived experiences.” While the club is officially apolitical, the discussions held during the sessions may become political, but HSU welcomes all views as long as they aren’t harmful. “Even though we are apolitical, it’s impossible to speak about these topics without any of your own political influence,” Reilly said. “It’s important to hear both sides. It’s far less interesting to have a blank slate conversation … That’s what makes these sessions so interesting … Since we don’t have a political leaning, it’s almost all leaning … as long as they’re just not being destructive with their views.” HSU also gives members opportunities to find an internship in a market that lacks them. “I actually got my first internship because of HSU, because an alumni who had been at HSU reached out to our club and asked people if they were interested in internships at the International Rescue Committee,” Andrews said. HSU’s goal for this semester is ultimately to provide more outreach opportunities for members rather than only holding weekly meetings. HSU meets on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in Dealy 205, with each session centered around its own specific topic.
NEWS
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September 23, 2026
Training Psychology Students on Jewish Culture FROM PSYCH PAGE 1
McKay explained that one cause of antisemitic rhetoric is a framework in the psychology field known as “decolonization therapy,” which aims to address the psychological impacts of colonialism, generational trauma and systemic oppression, but does so by labeling Zionism as a cause of mental illness. McKay said that while he is not opposed to the decolonial movement, he argues that the designation of Zionism as a mental illness perpetuates discrimination towards Jewish individuals in clinical mental health care. He said their initiative intends to combat these notions. “The reason why it’s so notable is that we know that anti-Zionism tends to lead to aggression towards Jews anywhere, regardless of whether they’re in the United States or in Israel. And so that’s where it becomes really problematic,” McKay said. “The goal is to really help ensure that people have accuracy in their information and to also return to the science of clinical practice, which usually doesn’t include a lot of room for these kinds of things.” Bar-Halpern said that in a time of increasing polarization when our political beliefs are often connected to our moral values, complex issues are often simplified to categories of oppressors and the oppressed. She said that since Oct. 7, 2023, this has especially become the case for subjects regarding Israel, Zionism and
DEAN MCKAY FOR THE FORDHAM RAM
Miri Bar-Halper and Dean McKay spoke on a panel at last fall’s General Assembly of the Jewish Federation of America.
Jewish culture and identity. She also said the field of psychology is not immune to this way of thinking. “Social justice is an important value within psychology, but it cannot become a shield for antisemitism, ideological coercion, or the dehumanization of people with disfavored identities,” Bar-Halpern said. “When therapists become so committed to a political narrative that they stop listening with curiosity, they risk imposing their beliefs on patients, minimizing trauma, and treating Jewish or Zionist identity as something that must be defended, corrected, or pathologized. That is not culturally responsive care, and it is not social justice. It is a misuse of
professional power.” Bar-Halpern and McKay’s project will address these issues by educating doctoral psychology students on topics including “Jewish identity, Judaism, Zionism, contemporary antisemitism, and the ways these issues may arise in psychology curricula and clinical training,” according to Bar-Halpern. The initiative will engage students in the classroom, along with workshops and presentations. McKay explained that it is a multi-phase project that will be rolled out over three years. In the first year, which they are currently in, McKay and BarHalpern will reach out to faculty at other universities and recruit them for their training
President Gives Address FROM TETLOW PAGE 1
“It starts with the willingness to see what is coming and resist the temptation of denial.” To counteract the shortened attention spans and lack of focus caused by social media, Tetlow reinforced Fordham’s mission to teach critical thinking, question assumptions, gain wisdom and be open to curiosity. “We teach through experience with hundreds of service learning courses, 14 law clinics, 1000s of clinical placements in education, social work, counseling and more,” Tetlow said. “We teach through reflection, something that once sounded prosaic has become countercultural.” Tetlow explained how the implementation of the new core curriculum encourages students to ask who they want to become, and the capstone project at the end of their time at Fordham asks students to think about what they have learned to promote learning and reflection. Fordham’s Jesuit values were referenced throughout her speech as laying the foundation for the wisdom, empathy and human dignity
in each student. Tetlow cited Pope Leo XIV as an example of what it means to speak out against issues in the hopes of creating a better future. She spoke on the opportunities open to us as a school located in New York City, where change is not limited to our inner circle but to the world at large. “This is our chance to move hearts and minds, and we do that for more than just our own students,” Tetlow said. “Here in New York, we have a platform to be heard. We trumpet our collective royal voice from a university that sits in the center of the global economy, walking distance from the United Nations.” Tetlow emphasized that change is not a solitary effort; it requires each individual to put in the work to make progress and solve problems. “Looking back from 2031, what would have happened to Fordham if we didn’t pivot? What would we wish we had done today?” she asked. Tetlow noted Fordham’s efforts to advance students’ learning rather than keeping with the status quo. She called on the university’s
mission towards academic and religious freedom without government interference, which allows professors the freedom to teach what they believe is relevant and necessary. She cited examples of such change as reducing our carbon footprint, moving systems online, allocating spaces on campus effectively and improving the dean structure. “Every day, each of you makes decisions of whether to work around a broken system or try to fix it, whether to reach out to help someone in a different area of the university or stick to your cycle, whether to build community or tear it down,” Tetlow said. Tetlow ended her address by quoting Father Eric Studt’s homily delivered at a recent mass of the Holy Spirit: “So rise up, rise up and learn, rise up and teach, rise up and become people of wisdom, courage, curiosity, humility and compassion, and then go out through the great iron gates of this academic oasis to bring what we have received here to a world in need.”
program — McKay said they are currently only reaching out to faculty in the tri-state area, since that is where he and Bar-Halpern are based. Year two of the project will involve training with program faculty. During year three, they will begin creating a formal structure for the initiative so that it can be integrated into doctoral training programs. From there, they hope to expand the initiative nationally. McKay said he feels optimistic about the project. “I’m hoping that it will represent the beginning of some changes that other people will also pick up and start to engage in,” McKay said. “I see this as like a catalyst, that hopefully will lead to more
people doing similar work.” The project is being supported by the Academic Engagement Network, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating a nationwide network of faculty committed to reducing antisemitic and anti-Israel bias. Each year, they provide grants to faculty members in the organization to fund “multi-year [antisemitism] education initiative projects,” according to Miriam Elman, the executive director of the Academic Engagement Network. The funding for the initiative involves a $75,000 grant distributed over three years. McKay said they will use this money for travel and for setting up in-person workshops and training sessions. Bar-Halpern said the longterm goal for the initiative is to create a model that can be implemented not only across clinical psychology programs but also within other areas of mental health work, such as social work and clinical mental health counseling. “A field devoted to preventing harm must be willing to examine the harm occurring within its own institutions,” Bar-Halpern said. “This initiative is ultimately a call for psychology to return to its core ethical and scientific commitments: listening before judging, distinguishing evidence from ideology, respecting human complexity, and providing every patient and trainee, including Jews and Israelis, with competent care.”
NEWS
September 23, 2026
Page 5
Student Life Council Meets for First Time This Semester
EMMA LEONARDI/THE FORDHAM RAM
Fordham University’s Student Life Council met on Wednesday, Sept. 16, to introduce new student leaders, discuss faculty position changes and give updates.
FROM SLC PAGE 1
a presentation by Director of Dining Business Operations and Contract Management Orla Fitzsimons on what her office does. To begin her presentation, Fitzsimons went over meal plans, as well as events and current promotions. For the former, she noted the Farmers Market and Restaurant Night, which occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 16, before sharing upcoming events such as Kitchen 101 (a dietician event) in October, Friendsgiving (with a holiday pie sale) in November and the annual Late Night Breakfast, occurring on Dec. 14 at Lincoln Center (LC) and Dec. 15 at Rose Hill (RH). For current promotions, she shared the ongoing Families Eat Free initiative (with students paying the normal door rate or using a meal swipe) and Weekly Discount Days (Wednesdays for LC and Thursdays for RH). Fitzsimons then moved on to discuss more initiatives that her department is working on, specifically highlighting three. The first was “Table for ’30,” an initiative attempting to build community for the class of 2030. The second was “Take: 15,” a wellbeing initiative focused on promoting students to take 15 minutes and put away their technology to de-stress. Fitzsimons also noted the ongoing outreach for dietary needs, which are under the umbrella of the campus dietician Susana Debbe, whom students can reach out to for one-on-one sessions, as well as help with navigating dining at Fordham. The email students can use if they need to contact Debbe is ramhealth@ fordham.edu.
Fitzsimons then went over notes on the office’s attempts with sustainability, most notably related to the ReusePass program as well as updates to the GrubHub campus robot delivery service. Since August 2025, the Fordham University ReusePass program has kept 8,114 containers out of landfills, saved 5,084 gallons of water, prevented 693 pounds of waste and avoided 5,312 pounds of pollution, per Fitzsimons’ record. The robot delivery service was recently upgraded; previous robots were swapped for ones that produce zero emissions. The fleet of robots was also expanded. Fitzsimons additionally went over the different catering and vendor options and guidelines, as well as the benefits of going through Ram Hospitality for catering events. Following Fitzsimons’ presentation, United Student Government (USG) Executive Vice President Ayden Johnson, FCRH ’27, asked if there is a way to expand the promotion of donating meal swipes. Fitzsimons noted that her department does promote donating closer to the Late Night Breakfast event, but that she is also happy to work with USG to promote donating more. Next, the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs for Diversity and Inclusion Juan Carlos Matos, who is also currently overseeing the responsibilities of the head of the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) following McGlade’s separation, asked for feedback from the student leaders on the council as to how to improve Fordham’s New Student Orientation for future years. USG Vice President of
Budget and Finance Siri Bhat, GSB ’27, who was an orientation leader, noted that the days felt long even though more days were added in the hopes of making each day’s workload easier. Resident Halls Association (RHA) Chief Communications Officer Julia Dellapena, FCRH ’27, shared that, as an orientation leader as well, she believes there should be a smaller number of small group sessions for longer periods of time, noting that once her orientation group got out of their shells, it would be time for them to disperse for a different event. Commuting Students Association (CSA) Vice President Analisa Brown-Beebe, FCRH ’27, noted that as a commuter student who also participated as an orientation leader, commuter leaders weren’t given their housing assignments until just a few days before training started. Reporting on intoxication and transportation numbers in place of Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life Charles Clency, who was unable to attend the meeting, was Assistant Director of Residential Life for Housing Operations Nicole Brenner, M.Ed. Brenner shared that since the beginning of the semester, there have been 29 intoxication transfers, meaning that 29 students requested themselves or others requested for them a transfer via the Fordham University Emergency Medical Services (FUEMS) to a nearby hospital due to being overly intoxicated. This number compares to 15 at this time last year and 11 at this time two years ago. Brenner also noted that there were three cases of students who refused medical
attention. Last year at this time there were four cases, and the year before there were three. Massie asked about the increase in fire alarms going off. Brenner discussed how some of it was due to the semesterly fire drills the university requires each dorm to go through, but that kitchen misuse in dorms with apartments had also been occurring. Following Brenner’s report, Williams then requested each group present to give updates. For the Campus Activities Board (CAB), President of Communications Cameron K e l l e y, F C R H ’ 2 7 , a n d President of Operations Zoey Martinez, FCRH ’27, reported that CAB had a record-breaking number of signups, and had around 900 attendees to events during welcome week. On behalf of the USG, Executive President Madeleine Ando, FCRH ’27, noted that the club form is not open yet but is coming, and that the class of 2030 senate election voting opened Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 12 p.m. and will close Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 5 p.m. The Ram will publish an article with the election results after votes are tallied. CSA President Nushana Alam, FCRH ’27, shared that CSA elections wrapped up the week prior. RHA President Wesley Brown, FCRH ’27, reported that RHA elections occurred and that RHA bingo is coming up. Matos reported for the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) that several events are coming up: there will be a Forgotten Island viewing, an opportunity to attend a Yankees game, as well as a pride parade.
For the Gabelli School of Business (GSB), Assistant Dean for Seniors Jenna Cook reiterated the excused absence policy, recently updated by the university. Cook emphasized that excused absences have always counted towards the total absence amount, and that there are a set number of absences a student can have. Cook also mentioned that GSB will now have a small celebration for GSB birthdays at the end of each month, where students with birthdays in that month can bring their IDs to receive a free cupcake. For the Fordham College at Rose Hill, Director of Tandem Advising & Advising Dean Beth Markowitz shared that there will be a new mentoring program, where every first-year will have an upperclassmen mentor. She also noted 11 upcoming student success workshops. For OSI updates, Associate Director for Campus Center Operations Stephen Clarke noted that the McGinley bar will be offline for a month. For Residential Life, Brenner mentioned that Resident Assistant (RA) application details will be discussed at the next SLC. Williams concluded the meeting with updates from the office of the dean of students. He shared that with open staff positions, his office is looking into what staffing is needed. Additionally, he has implemented a new program where he is meeting with student leaders of the “Big Four” (USG, RHA, CSA and CAB). The next SLC meeting will be on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 3 p.m. in Bepler Commons. SLC encourages all students are invited to attend and express their opinion.
NEWS
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September 23, 2026
Meet the Senate 2030 Brings 13 Candidates to Campaign By GABRIEL CAPELLAN & EMMA LEONARDI The new candidates for the Senate of the United Student Government (USG) met in Bepler Commons on Friday, Sept. 18. Each candidate was then given two minutes to present why they should be a senator and was asked two follow-up questions, one by The Ram and one by Fordham TV. The class of 2030 will have five senators, two from the Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) and two from the Gabelli School of Business (GSB), with the final seat being a swing seat that goes to the candidate with the most votes, regardless of school. FCRH had nine candidates and GSB had four. The candidates were introduced by USG Executive President Madeleine Ando, FCRH ’27. The first candidate to present was Emily Cordero Nunez, FCRH ’30. Nunez, a New York native and commuter, emphasized her platform on improving student life for commuters by scheduling clubs to meet at commuter-friendly times and improving dining options for commuters. “It’s hard for us commuters to try to enjoy anything else on campus such as a basic meal,” she said. “A lot of the opportunities and clubs and activities here for Fordham students all start at times like 9 p.m.” Andrew Knipp, FCRH ’30, was next to present. He focused on providing students with museum access similar to schools like New York University, Pace University and Pratt Institute. He also stated interest in expanding the ReusePass program by adding container drop-off locations in dorms. “We can put reuse container drop-off bins in every dorm and bring these green reuse containers to Dagger John’s and the Grotto,” he said. When speaking on museum access, he said, “Fordham claims that New York City is our campus and Fordham is just our school, but how is New York City our campus if we do not have the same access that these other institutions [NYU, Pace and Pratt] have?” The following candidate was Bethany Martinez, FCRH ’30, but she was not present at the event. She is still running for the Senate. Amira-Konstantina Naoom, FCRH ’30, spoke about her past leadership experience, specifically being on mock trial in high school. In terms of policy, she aims to make it easier for students to find clubs that align with their interests. “It can be really overwhelming, especially as freshmen and transfer students, having all these clubs and activities thrown at you,” she said. “ I’d love to see if we can collaborate with another club or another
group and see if we can make a website or even an app that’s called ‘Fordham Events.’” She also noted that she would like to make dining options more inclusive. “What do I want to advocate for here at Fordham?” she said. “First, dining and inclusion. One of the biggest issues for me personally is making Fordham more inclusive for students with allergies and dietary restrictions.” Sruthi Pamidi, FCRH ’30, advocated for distributing hand warmers and umbrellas during the winter season, similar to how the CSA did last year. “You would no longer have to be caught up in the rain,” she said. “You would no longer have your hands freeze during the winter. ” She also promises to listen to her class and be a trustworthy senator. “I want to be somebody reliable, somebody trustworthy, somebody easily accessible and somebody who you can go up to, ‘Hey I have a problem, can you help me?’” she said. “I can be someone [who goes], ‘Yes, I can help you.’” After Pamidi was Madeline Parrillo, FCRH ’30. She wants to improve the quality of life for students in little ways. She expressed a desire to improve dorm bathrooms by implementing pest prevention measures and providing paper towels. “Students shouldn’t have to deal with cockroaches or other pest problems in the places they live,” she said. “Something as simple as drying your hands shouldn’t mean waiting around or finding that there’s no convenient option. I want to advocate for installing paper towel dispensers into dorm bathrooms like how there are in McShane.” Anna Puerto, FCRH ’30, stated her willingness to be involved with the Committee on Sexual Misconduct and facilities and dining. “I plan on being very active in as many USG committees as I can be, specifically [the] Committee on Sexual Misconduct, facilities and dining,” she said. “I want to listen, collaborate and make sure student concerns don’t just get heard but followed up on.” She ended her presentation with a defining acronym: RAMS. “‘R’ for representing my class; ‘A’ for always something to do; ‘M’ for making community and ‘S’ for serving others,” Puerto said. Maya Saad, FCRH ’30, was not able to attend the event, but she sent in a video for her campaign. “I want all the freshmen to feel like they have someone they can genuinely talk to and trust,” she said in her video. “Be someone who can listen to all of your ideas, take all of your concerns and definitely represent your voices.” The last candidate for FCRH
was Sasha Thornton, FCRH ’30, who stated her love for serving communities. She wants to translate this passion into creating more events that celebrate school spirit. “I’ve always had this deep love for serving my community, which is why I’m running for Senator,” she said. “I want to organize more social events so that not only commuters but residents feel welcomed and can build a stronger community.” The first candidate for the GSB senate seats to present was Alison Banaszek, GSB ’30. She was unable to attend in person and sent a video providing her background and platform. Banaszek is from Chicago and is attending GSB for business administration in the hopes of eventually going on to law school. However, her enrollment was not the first time Banaszek had interacted with the Fordham community, as her sister attended Fordham as well. “I’ve had the opportunity to understand and appreciate the community from both a student and family perspective,” Banaszek said. “I care deeply about Fordham and want to help make it an even better place for students.” Banaszek attended a Jesuit high school in Chicago, which she said adds to her experience. “Fordham’s values of men and women for others and pure personalities are deeply rooted in who I am,” Banaszek said. “I want to bring those values of service, commitment and community to USG.” Banaszek said she has three specific goals if she becomes a USG senator. “I want to strengthen our campus community, enhance student life by making information more accessible, and improve everyday experience of living and learning here at Fordham,” Banaszek said. Banaszek presented a list of priorities that included expanding hours for The Marketplace, the gym and the mail room, as well as improving food options for students with dietary needs, increasing recreational equipment, creating a weekly first-year update email and improving bathroom and cleaning maintenance. The second candidate to present was Adithri Manda, GSB ’30. Manda is a finance major from New Jersey. She noted at the beginning of her presentation that despite not feeling well, she felt it was important to still be there in person, which reflects her campaign style. “I really want to show up for all the students in Fordham, not just Gabelli,” Manda said. “As class senators, we really truly should support every student and make sure … they feel supported in everything that they want to do.” Despite being a part of many
clubs in previous school experiences, Manda cited her role in a social-emotional learning team as being the most influential in preparing her for a potential Senate role. “I was a student representative for a student body and I basically improved [the] school environment and made everyone feel comfortable [and] welcome,” Manda said. “I would talk to students, try to implement things that made them feel more happy, made them feel more motivated to come to school. So that’s the goal that I want to bring here at Fordham.” A few things that Manda shared that she would work on, should she become a class senator, were adding water fountains to every floor of each dorm on campus, providing free Ram Van passes so that students are more motivated to explore the city and increasing resources for less concentrated majors. Joelle Moser, GSB ’30, was the third GSB candidate to present. Moser was unable to attend the event in person due to a family emergency, so she sent in a video explaining her platform and background. Moser has lived in Monaco her entire life, with the exception of attending boarding school in England for the last two years. In listing her experience and qualifications for a USG class Senate role, Moser noted that she was head of house at her boarding school, and was a part of a prefect community as well, which she noted to be similar to USG’s function. In middle school, Moser was part of the student senate and has also worked in many internships, including one with the Italian Parliament. A couple things that Moser mentioned she would focus on should she be elected would be to add more places to return reusable containers on campus aside from food locations, increase the amount of free Ram Van passes, increase the amount of Ram Vans running during busy times, provide more public information on the on-campus shuttle, add
games to the lounges (specifically ping-pong or pool tables) and implement inter-hall competitions to build community. William Park, GSB ’30, was the fourth and final GSB candidate to present. Park is from Bergen County, New Jersey, and cited his past experience playing hockey as an inspiration for his candidacy and platform. Park noticed that many players on his team weren’t getting along, and he noted that it was hard to manage due to no one speaking up about their issues and voicing their thoughts. “We live in a world today where there’s so much conspiracy about everything, from the political global scale to small things … people just cannot agree on anything,” Park said. “So my big policy that I want to bring to Fordham and especially to USG is an online platform that allows all students to anonymously voice their opinions and vote on policies that could be implemented into our campus.” Park shared that he knows not everyone will agree, but he thinks by providing students with a way to actually share their input, USG has the biggest chance of making the most people happy. “My ultimate goal is to, before we actually allocate any funding, allocate any money, any time or allocate any students into actually making change we first actually decide and give students the opportunity to actually voice and vote on what they want to be changed,” Park said. “Not just whoever the senate’s best friend [is], not just the words of the senate’s class, not just the words of the senator’s teacher, but of the entire campus. Giving the USG a platform to listen to students’ voices I believe will completely change how students are represented.” Voting for USG candidates opened Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 12 p.m. and will close on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. The Ram will publish election results following the tally of votes.
GABRIEL CAPELLAN/THE FORDHAM RAM USG’s potential Senators met on Sept. 19 to campaign why they should be elected.
OPINION
September 23, 2026
R
Serving the Fordham University campus and community since 1918 The Fordham Ram is the university journal of record. The mission of The Fordham Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate. The Fordham Ram is published every Wednesday during the academic year to all campuses.
Website TheFordhamRam.com Email Address theram@fordham.edu Editor-in-Chief Sienna Reinders Managing Editor Ian Nelson Production Editor Sarah Verrastro Editorial Director Molly O’Connor Multimedia Director Hannah Sullivan Business Director Nishanth Aduma News Editor Emma Leonardi Features Editor Caydence Jones Assistant News Editors Gabriel Capellan Grace Kawecki Opinion Editor Loresa Zeqiraj Assistant Opinion Editors Erynn Sweeney Elaina Gibson Culture Editors Lara Ejzak Makenzie Smith Assistant Culture Editor Kelly Buban Sports Editor James Nelson Assistant Sports Editors Molly Friedman Ethan Bess Copy Chief Indigo Towers Executive Copy Editors Emma Kelner Amelia Stricherz Hannah Michalowski Mia Smith Photo/Graphics Editor Emily McCall Wilson Speller Digital Producers Han Le Haniyyah Usmani Social Media Director Marisa House Advertising Directors Violet Wallace Juan-Pablo Valencia Rishika Lingamdinne Faculty Advisor Beth Knobel Editorial Policy The Fordham Ram’s editorial reflects the editorial board’s opinions or views. Opinion Policy The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of The Fordham Ram. Submission Policy The Fordham Ram Reserves the right to reject or edit any submission for any reason, without notice. Submissions become the exclusive property of The Fordham Ram. No part of The Fordham Ram may be reproduced without written consent. Correction Policy The Fordham Ram is committed to fair and accurate reporting. If you are aware of an error, please contact us at fordhamramonline@gmail.com.
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From the Desk | Amelia Stricherz
The Gift of Live Performance, But at What Cost?
At nine years old, my mom surprised me with one of the best days of my life. Lights flashing and the crowd roaring in anticipation, I heard the first notes of “Welcome to New York” and saw Taylor Swift rising to the stage. I had never been to a concert before, but I was in awe of my first live performance. Especially since “1989” was my absolute favorite album, and I got to scream the words and dance with thousands of fans. From the moment Swift appeared, my eyes widened and something in me sparked. This was a day that I would never forget and I reached an emotional high I would continue chasing. Music has a raw expression of feeling that, combined with the complexities of sound, can feel comforting, freeing or cathartic to the listener. I realized I loved this feeling at a very young age, blasting albums by Britney Spears in my room. Countless concerts and albums have chronicled my life, each being close to my heart. This is no unique experience; many people have that one artist or that one song that speaks to them. People ask why I spend a ridiculous amount of money on concerts, but live music gives me something that is priceless: the gift of being completely present in a moment. Your favorite songs bring you confidence, power and a sense of feeling understood. Experiencing the songs live creates a place to express yourself creatively, find community and truly feel like yourself. Oftentimes, if you are an extremely online fan like myself, a concert is a place to commune
with fans who love something just as much as you do outside of an online forum. Things like fan projects, a special chant during a song that everyone knows, an outfit theme or trading bracelets are all tangible examples of how concerts bring together fans of all backgrounds. I believe that the reason concerts have stayed so relevant and popular within the digital age is because people will pay anything to feel that sense of true presence in a moment. Many other physical spaces dedicated to the arts have been underperforming, like art galleries or movie theatres. However, participating in ticket sales for a concert has been associated with “going to war” or, if you are one of the lucky few, “winning the Ticketmaster war” because of gruesome wait times and expensive prices. There is something special about live music that people crave, and social media has only created more buzz and FOMO around tours. However, with all the amazing experiences you gain from concerts, there are some major issues with accessibility. I have alluded to how expensive concerts are, but it has truly become outrageous. Tickets are ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars due to resellers and the predatory nature of companies like Ticketmaster and Live Nation. In April 2026, Ticketmaster was found to be an illegal monopoly by a federal jury in New York, after a coalition of more than 30 states brought the case forward. They argued that Live Nation and
Ticketmaster monopolized the ticketing services to major concert venues and booked events exclusively through the venues they controlled. Additionally, they called into question the multitude of “service fees,” of which the surrounding language is intentionally vague and hidden until it comes time for checkout. There is also a technique called “dynamic pricing,” which I experienced first-hand while trying to secure Olivia Dean tickets over the past summer, where the cost of a ticket is adjusted directly to the demand. This lawsuit has at least compelled Ticketmaster to be transparent and upfront in what you are charged, but many experts do not think pricing will change in any dramatic way. I believe that sites like Ticketmaster, with these mysterious fees and programs like dynamic pricing (a chill just went down my spine), prey on passionate fans and force them to choose between their bank accounts and a once in a lifetime experience. There are some super-fans I see online who are able to attend anywhere from one to 20 shows of a
tour, even with these current pricings. And with that comes commenters who, in a rage of their frustration towards sites like Ticketmaster and scalpers, blame fans online for being “greedy.” This, however, is an unfair judgement. The reason you cannot get tickets at an affordable price is not because dedicated and true fans are able to afford and go to multiple shows. It is more likely because corporate monopolies like Ticketmaster do not take the necessary precautions to make sure fans are getting tickets and keeping them out of the hands of resellers. Often they do not care as long as they are raking it in. As a community, we should be holding these sites accountable instead of blaming one another. In today’s day and age of unintentional streaming and disconnectedness, live music has the power to bring people together and create a sense of belonging. Listening to live music is the most present I ever feel as a young person whose life has been ruled by phones and distractions. It is a gift that we get to experience art collectively, a gift that we should fight to make accessible to fans.
Editorial | AI Dangers
Bursting the AI Bubble: A Call for Regulation The artificial intelligence (AI) boom has taken over the world throughout the last few years, with new technologies rapidly being integrated into our daily lives. But the bubble may soon burst as worries about potential dangers continue to escalate. Over the past few weeks, public figures ranging from former U.S. presidents to AI giants have spoken out in support of slowing AI development to prevent it from progressing beyond human control. Most notably, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei released a statement with a three step plan to “pace the frontier.” The plan includes embedded evaluators, democratic coordination and global coordination. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman concurred, announcing that his company would hold off on releasing its initial public stock offering until next year in order to work on safety measures. Despite these warnings from the sources who would presumably know best about AI technologies, U.S. lawmakers refuse to jump into action. Leading the charge on AI ignorance, President Donald Trump claimed he had no concerns about the potential dangers, stating, “I have concerns that if we don’t win AI, we’re going
to be put in a very bad position.” Additionally, just yesterday at the United Nations General Assembly, Trump again dismissed the risks of rapid development, instead saying that all official U.S. documents will change the term to “super intelligence” from this point forward. “Winning” AI, whatever that means to Trump, should not come before the very real and imminent safety concerns that the technology presents. Beating China to the next great discovery is not worth the risk. Mike Johnson and Hakeem Jefferies, House Speaker and minority leader, respectively, acknowledge the dangers that are posed by AI technologies, but neither are willing to propose specific policies or timelines to put guardrails in place. The pace at which the U.S. government is currently moving at is not nearly what this country needs to protect its citizens from the threats they are facing. For those unsure about these risks or what they could really mean for our world, you aren’t alone. To spell it out in simpler terms, if we continue to develop AI technologies at this rapid pace, systems could potentially use their own technology to create and train a smarter version of
themselves without human intervention (this theory is known as recursive self-improvement). Much of this discourse was sparked in July when OpenAI shared that two of its AI models “went rogue,” hacking into a popular digital AI library called Hugging Face, illuminating the concerns of AI autonomy that had previously been dismissed as dystopian theories. This AI independence comes in addition to the slew of other dangers we are already facing. A recent study by the American Psychiatric Association found that ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Claude all need “further refinement” in their responses to queries about suicide and self-harm. Stories of teens and young adults turning to chatbots instead of family or medical professionals for their mental health concerns are becoming increasingly common, and in the case of 16-year-old Adam Raine, whose parents sued OpenAI and Sam Altman for guiding their son through planning and taking his life this year, it can be fatal. Another increasingly dangerous issue is AI-generated child sexual abuse media (AI CSAM). In 2025, the Internet Watch Foundation, a U.K. organization dedicated to
finding, removing and preventing CSAM online, assessed a 26,385% increase in AI CSAM from 2024. This media is rapidly growing and increasingly sophisticated and accessible, mainly targeting girls, comprising 97% of AI CSAM images in 2025. This media is created using “nudifying” generative AI on real images and videos of children, posing a significant threat to children shown online. Children are not the only ones impacted by AI-generated sexual media. This month, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office seized twelve websites that created and sold deepfake pornography, mainly featuring celebrities. Many victims have no idea that they are being exploited until somebody comes forward to report the site. We need to regulate AI before it is too late. Without even mentioning the negative environmental, cognitive and political impacts, it is clear that the dangers posed by AI are imminent, and safety measures need to be added before any further development. We know it won’t be eradicated — the progress of technology will always push on — but we are facing dangers we have never seen before and we need to learn how to control them before continuing these mindless advancements.
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OPINION Think You Know Sports, Sydney Sweeney?
September 23, 2026
By LEILA CARSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Thanks to her Novig advertisement, Sydney Sweeney has entered the sports world without ever having to step onto the field or the court. After her role as Cassie in “Euphoria,” Sweeney has become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actresses. As of late, however, this recognition has become more negative and has sparked criticism over the sexualization of her image, and most recently, how that image has contributed to the oversexualization and misrepresentation of women in sports. Sweeney’s ad campaign with Novig contributes to and reinforces a culture of objectification that women have spent decades fighting against, both in sports and in society as a whole. The popular actress partnered with Novig, a sports prediction and trading platform, releasing a minute-long video ad that depicts her
posing, nude, with different sports equipment. The campaign immediately drew public attention, given the fact that Sweeney, a Hollywood actress rather than an athlete, is now the face of a sports betting brand. The ad focuses so heavily on her appearance and sexuality that it raises questions about why Novig chose Sweeney to represent its platform, and what audience it was attempting to reach. The sports betting industry is largely dominated by men, who gamble at a rate of 42.1%, while women gamble at a rate of 25.5%. This combination has led many to speculate that Novig utilized Sweeney’s sexual appeal to attract the industry’s male audience. However, the brand has not publicly stated that Sweeney’s sexuality was chosen specifically to attract male bettors. For women, this emphasis on physical appearance is nothing new. Female athletes
COURTESY OF ABC NEWS
Our society perpetuates expectations surrounding female appearance.
have spent decades fighting to be both recognized and respected for their athletic abilities rather than their bodies. Every day, women fight to prove they deserve the same respect that is automatically afforded to males. Christine Chang, FCRH ’30, as a cheerleader for Fordham, said that “female athletes have worked hard to gain respect and recognition for their strength and accomplishments, and ads like this can take attention away from that progress… It is important to depict women accurately, because the way women are represented can influence how society views them.” When a sports brand chooses to market itself through a woman’s sexuality instead of through an athlete’s accomplishments, it reinforces the very standards that female athletes have spent decades trying to break free from. Sweeney’s ad campaigns have gained overwhelmingly negative reactions, and these reactions are further exacerbated by the fact that she is an equity holder at Novig, and, more specifically, that she was directly involved in the creative process. Sweeney’s participation in ad campaigns like these sends a message that it’s perfectly acceptable to see and use women just for their bodies or sexual appeal. Although Sydney Sweeney is not solely responsible for women being overly sexualized, she does play a large role in normalizing it. As such a popular celebrity, she has an ability to influence her
audience, and, as Chang put it, “sets an example for younger girls who may feel that being sexualized is part of what they need to do to get attention or succeed … and that’s a horrible message to put out there.” Sweeney’s repeated participation in these campaigns demonstrates the normalization of using a woman’s body and sexuality as advertising tools. This notion can be particularly harmful to female athletes. Women in sports face a unique set of challenges, as they are expected to demonstrate athletic abilities while simultaneously being judged according to patriarchal standards of beauty and femininity. Their bodies are necessary for their athletic performance, but are seen as objects for public consumption. Charlotte Cosgrove, FCRH ’30, who is participating in intramural tennis, said that “some men are now going to see women as an object in sports yet again. [They’re going to see them] as someone who is not able to beat a man.” This creates an environment in which female athletes are seen as nothing more than physical objects, instead of being recognized for their strength and athleticism. Women are frequently expected to maintain a specific appearance in order to receive not only attention and recognition but also professional opportunities. To many in society, a woman is not valued for her intelligence, abilities or talents, but only for her sexual appeal. Advertising
has played a significant role in reinforcing these expectations, as they present women’s bodies as tools for attracting consumers. Sweeney’s Novig ad demonstrates this dynamic very well, since her body is not relevant to the function of a sports prediction platform, yet it is the central focus of the campaign, reinforcing the idea that a woman’s sexuality is her most effective tool for gaining recognition. The reaction to Sweeney’s ad has taken over the internet. Rather than simply criticizing Sweeney, many of these responses have been in the form of social media posts that have focused on empowering women and reminding viewers what women in sports are capable of. They have used their platforms to shift the conversation away from appearance and back towards athleticism, showing us that women are not to be defined by how their bodies look, but instead by what they are capable of achieving. Through the posting of this content, the athletes are reclaiming the conversation surrounding their careers, bodies and skills, and are actively reminding audiences that women are more than just their bodies. Instead of allowing their bodies to be reduced to objects of attention, they are using their voices to redefine what it means to be a woman in sports. Leila Carson, FCRH ’30, is a political science major from Waipahu, Hawaii.
Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses: How Important is Privacy? By YULIA UVAROVA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Nowadays, it wouldn’t be outrageous to assume that there is footage of all of us somewhere that we aren’t aware of — whether it be in the background of someone’s video on their phone, in the background of a social media post or even in the foreground of footage from someone’s Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. Personally, I thought the idea of Ray-Ban Meta Glasses was really cool when I first heard of them, but current and prospective users should raise awareness of certain privacy concerns. While seemingly minor at a glance, these concerns could put the safety of certain individuals in jeopardy. The first and only time I have encountered these glasses was on the perimeter of Edwards Parade. A student was advertising protein energy drinks and recording other students’ reactions to trying them with her Meta glasses. It took me a while to realize I was even being recorded, and I wasn’t necessarily upset when I found out, just taken aback. The student let me try on
the glasses, and at this point, I was thoroughly impressed by how technologically-advanced regular-looking glasses could be. But, no matter how amazed I was in the moment, my concerns surrounding these glasses remained. No, I was not upset that I was being recorded at that moment, but I was shocked that at any point in time, I could be recorded without even knowing. Erinne Hathaway, FCRH ’28, said, “It would feel like that was an invasion of my privacy, and that they took something without my permission. When you think about YouTube videos you would watch, there would be a creator going around with a big camera. Even that creator would sometimes blur people’s faces out. That’s a lot better, in my opinion.” Obviously, a big camera is a dead giveaway that you are possibly being recorded. The glasses, however, function more discreetly, in that you could have no idea. Although Hathaway would evidently be uncomfortable being recorded without consent, surprisingly, not everybody feels this way. My friend Ben Philips from my hometown owns Meta
glasses and said, “I think most people don’t realize how often they are already recorded in public by phones, security cameras and other devices. The glasses are just another way of recording… I also think being recorded in public is similar to someone wearing a shirt you don’t like. You can’t just walk up to them and say, ‘Take the shirt off!’ because you don’t like it. I think the real privacy issue is when someone records you in a private situation or intentionally shares something embarrassing without your consent.” The difference between being recorded in public and being recorded by Meta glasses in private is that with the glasses you most likely don’t know you are being recorded. Up until now, there would always be some way to tell that someone had a camera in your face in public: just seeing it was enough. There are currently and always have been people lacking good intentions out there who will now be able to utilize these glasses to their advantage. I’m assured that most situations involving these glasses do not pose too much of a
danger or threat to society, just discomfort. However, there will still be those oneoff instances that go too far. Concerns about children being secretly recorded by these glasses are growing. These occurrences cannot be shrugged off as accidental and are frightening to think about. Meta glasses simply make it too easy for this to occur and for perpetrators to get away with it. Ultimately, Meta glasses are another new piece of technology that can be used for good or for bad. In the negative
sense, they make whatever people are trying to hide even easier to hide. However, they do bring many positives too, such as being able to get cool footage while traveling or working out. The main question is whether the positives outweigh the negatives, and while I do think the positives are cool, safety issues and privacy are always a priority.
Yulia Uvarova, FCRH ’28, is an economics major from New Canaan, Connecticut.
COURTESY OF BBC
Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses promise to level up one’s visual experience.
OPINION Truisms of Defiance: Antidote to the Manosphere
Page 9
September 23, 2026
By ETHAN BESS ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
Just a short time ago, I was able to read my good friend and colleague James Nelson’s piece centering on male friendship. The revelations which he outlined in the article are both relevant and crucial, especially in terms of expectations surrounding men’s mental health. At the same time, however, these ambitions and impulses can get channeled into something much darker. The darker side I am speaking of is the manosphere. The manosphere is defined loosely as “online communities who promote strict, aggressive definitions of masculinity and are opposed to feminism.” I dislike engaging in culture war phenomena because it’s a very effective distraction from more serious material issues like the rise of AI, economics, climate change, race and class intersections, wars and foreign policy conflicts. However, this space on the internet cannot be ignored, as it has grown into a toxic multimillion-dollar propaganda machine that is affecting not only political but
also social outcomes. To put this into perspective, during the presidential election of 2024, President Donald Trump received slightly more support than he did in the 2020 presidential election among 1824 year olds but still lost by a close margin of 54%-42%. In that same poll, 2% more of male voters, between 1829 years old, voted for Trump than former Vice President Kamala Harris. Public anxiety over the economy and cost of living undoubtedly played a role within those votes and Trump’s second win, but I also credit the right-wing manosphere for presenting a toxic ideology to young men. Masculinity as a general concept is useful in attributing certain qualities to the nature of the male sex and is beneficial to society for the purpose of assigning gender roles. However, when weaponized by figures of the manosphere like Brandon Tatum, Charlie Kirk, Benny Johnson, Tim Pool and Nick Fuentes, it serves as a detriment not only to men, but everyone. For one thing, it operates from the vision that young males should only look up to other alpha males as role
models, who say women and feminism are the cause of their problems. It sounds like a joke at first, but as this language gets amplified into discourse, it serves as a gateway drug to some very despicable views of women, such as the idea of submission to a man if you’re in a relationship or married. Despite a series of pickups during 2024, a good chunk of Gen Z regrets voting for Trump in the 2024 election. Although this turn is unsurprising due to the nature of current events, the manosphere pipeline is still operating and has some sway over current discourse. If we are serious about combating it, we must work to counteract the weight of the manosphere with compassion, empathy, understanding and community. Although I could never really see myself heading down the manosphere pipeline thanks to people like Kyle Kulinski, Brian Tyler Cohen, James Baldwin and Hasan Piker among others. For example, someone who really came into my orbit that I watch a lot is Ilana Glazer. Ilana is a millennial and has a giant millennial fanbase through her iconic sitcom “Broad City,” which was a little
before our time, premiering in 2014. I found out about Glazer through her podcast “It’s Open with Ilana Glazer,” specifically her interview with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). I would consider her now an influence on my way of thought among many others I could name, like her best friend and “Broad City” co-star Abbi Jacobson. However, the idea of a white Jewish millennial queer woman providing comfort or mentorship to a young Gen Z black guy like me is something that is unheard of in the manosphere lane. Contextually, the manosphere views such mentorship or influence to be weak even though many prominent men have named women as influences on their way of thinking. These include Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Frederick Douglass, James Baldwin, Milton Friedman, Howard Zinn and LeBron James, among others. Glazer describes her podcast as “a space to celebrate the little things in life and to sort out a shared reality in the insane world we’re all trying to survive.” I believe that her viewpoint applies to a lot of people right
now, especially if you don’t fall within the top 1% financially. In a serious discussion about men and women, some examples I just gave of well-known men being influenced by women would totally shatter the myth that men can’t be positively influenced by women. If we understand that it goes both ways, then I believe this pipeline can be dismantled. In a world where many serious issues affect all of us, scapegoating can be effective when people, especially young men, are disoriented. Some creators may thrive on feeding on men’s worst impulses, but I tend to turn towards empathy and intellectual development to stay sane. In conclusion, while many young people have started to turn away from the pipeline of the manosphere that gave Trump a victory, there is a better, more intellectually stimulating and empathetic way forward. I believe once we achieve understanding between sexes, the pipelines and patriarchal structures that currently exist will become dismantled in no time. Ethan Bess, FCRH ’27, is a film and television major from Roanoke, Texas.
A Unique Feature of Gen Z: Reduced Alcohol Consumption By MELISA BUJAJ CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The rumors are true. Gen Z has fostered a different relationship with alcohol than previous generations have. While numerous explanations are offered for alcohol’s current decline in status, I would argue the soundest logic comes from the fact that alcohol used to represent much more to adults: liquid courage, affordable downtime or a social expectation. These representations, among others, do not resonate with Gen Z as deeply as they did with those generations that came before. In 2026, only 54% of adults claimed they drank alcohol, a noticeable decrease from the 62% of 2023. Among Gen Z, 77% report consuming alcohol within a six-month period, and while this number feels contradictory to the generation’s new label, it regains legitimacy when compared to millennials, where 81% report regular alcohol consumption. So while Gen Z has not embraced total alcoholic temperance, they are drinking roughly 20% less than millennials. One reality is that not all of Gen Z is legally able to drink yet. Including those born between 1997 and 2012, almost half of the generation is not even 21 yet. Reduced drinking can also be traced to changes in law, most notably the 1984 National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which increased the age for buying and possessing alcohol to 21. This act could
explain why it seems that Gen Z is drinking less, because in comparison to Generation X or older, they simply face more constraints. However, when one considers the social and economic circumstances which surroud Gen Z, the reduced consumption of alcohol appears to be a much more deliberate choice. Firstly, alcohol has often been viewed in conjunction with leisure and social occasions. It is viewed as an icebreaker or “social lubricant” and a chance to get together with family and friends, which creates a positive association of alcohol with company and connection. Moreover, alcohol is often thought to be a confidence booster in the presence of a crowd because it is a central nervous system depressant that calms nerves by slowing down brain activity. However, as a major effect of the pandemic’s isolation and the rise of online communication forums, Gen Z does not have to venture far for social connections. Though in-person gatherings have not disappeared, social media and digital platforms such as Discord take up a large portion of how Gen Z spends their time and connects. Rather than attending traditional parties or bars, young adults can socialize from the comfort of their home. This reality pushes Gen Z away from public venues, thereby relieving some of the anxiety alcohol was once used to tame in public settings. This also decreases the association
of friends and fun with going out and drinking. Nowadays, young adults similarly find themselvessurrounded by countless wellness influencers and health gurus who have successsfully normalized a drinking-free lifestyle with other healthier habits such as regularly going to the gym. The Sober Curious Movement has also served in creating a safe space online and in-person for young adults to step away or question alcohol’s influence on their lives. Popularized by the British author Ruby Warrington, the sober curious movement encourages a reexamination of alcohol’s place in one’s life and a mindful approach to the substance. It does not mean no drinking at all; the movement simply frees up room for building a healthier relationship with drinking. The rise of similar non-judgemental and self-perceptive movements, including Dry January and Sober October (where people commit to not drinking for the entire month), continue to encourage understanding alcohol rather than depending on or immediately turning to it. In a different light, the economic difficulties that surround Gen Z may also be a huge factor in drinking less. For one, the generally high cost of living composed of rent payments, student loans and miscellaneous bills likely causes young adults to hesitate before agreeing to an expensive night out or other social outings where alcohol is likely to
appear. It is difficult to fault this hesitation when statistics show that “eliminating alcohol can save between $2,600$5,200 annually.” Aside from accommodating a financially-strained lifestyle to regular drinking, alcohol itself is expensive, with a single drink or cocktail costing between $15-25. In a world where one in three Gen Z adults live at home with their parents because of financial struggles and job insecurity, it is difficult to justify such a frequent expense. One of Gen Z’s most admirable qualities is their awareness and attention to mental health. These young adults are acutely aware of distressing global issues and are regularly drained by the performativeness and negativity of online platforms. Because the members of Gen Z frequently takes the time to understand their mental health, they also understand that alcohol can pose a dangerous effect. Alcohol has the potential to
truly harm normal sleep patterns as it can “reduce REM sleep, worsening memory and increasing fatigue.” Its effects on mood are also offputting, as alcohol depletes regulating chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, leading to long term emotional instability. Frequent bouts of drinking also spike cortisol, which can worsen everyday anxiety and irritability. About one in three Gen Z non-drinkers list concerns about the effect alcohol has on their mental health, with one in five claiming they avoid the substance purely on fear of building an addiction. While alcohol has not disappeared completely from Gen Z’s behavior and socialization, it has come to embody something viewed with caution, newfound hesitation or simple indifference, which sheds light on the reason why young adults are drinking less. Melisa Bujaj, FCRH ’28, is a political science major from Westchester, New York.
COURTESY OF REFRAME APP
Gen Z is participating in a more health-conscious approach to drinking.
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OPINION ‘Trumpapalooza’ is as Ridiculous as it Sounds
By ULAP CALAMIONG CONTRIBUTING WRITER
President Donald Trump aims to achieve several historic firsts during his time in office: the first billionaire president, the first to have been divorced twice, the first convicted of felony charges and the first to hold a midterm convention. “Trumpapalooza,” a term lovingly coined by the Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Joe Gruters, is the RNC’s latest attempt to unify the Republican Party prior to the midterm elections. Hosted at the American
September 23, 2026
Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, the event spanned two days, from Sept. 9-10. The convention functioned both as a rally and fundraiser, with the intention of showcasing the successes of the Republican Party since the last major election. During a press conference, Trump claimed that the event “Looks very big. Looks very exciting, and we’re going to explain what we’ve done.” Throughout the course of the convention, there was an evident emphasis on Trump’s excellence as a leader, a sentiment that has faded through
COURTESY OF THE BRUNSWICK NEWS
“Trumpapalooza” recently took place in Dallas, Texas.
the years. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s public display of disagreement with Trump notably showed the divide between conservative and Republican ideals. Due to Trump’s controversial internal and external policies, his connections to figures like Jeffrey Epstein (and his refusal to be transparent about them) and poor federal financial planning, many of his die-hard supporters have begun to falter leaving him with a 61% disapproval rating according to The Economist. During his speech, Trump claimed that “when [he’s] on the ticket Republicans always do very well.” His electoral record, however, presents a more complicated picture. During his 2020 presidential campaign, Trump lost the election to Joe Biden with a 74 Electoral College margin. While Republicans did make gains in The House of Representatives that year, Trump’s claim that Republicans “always do very well” when he’s on the ticket overlooks the reality of his previous campaigns. Trumpapalooza was his latest attempt to cling to the idea that his policies will remain relevant and effective throughout the next decade. However, if the convention
was meant to showcase the Republican Party’s overwhelming focus on Trump as they head into midterms, this raises questions about the party’s ability to have an identity separate from Trump himself. Many Republican representatives have embraced a “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) attitude and Trumps’ “America First” priorities. Officials of separate branches of the Grand Old Party (GOP), share similar concerns for the country, for example, keeping means of production domestic. The tension between these goals and the realities of the global consumer markets can be seen in small but highly publicized events. At the 2026 White House Correspondents Dinner, for example, Pete Hegseth’s wife seemingly wore a dress that was sourced back to Shein. Neither Hegseth nor his wife commented on the speculation, but the incident pointed out the hypocrisy of some GOP members and their intent to fulfill their promise of “America First” policies. Trumpapalooza falls in the same category as Hegseth’s Shein dress — another spectacle to hide the atrocities of this presidency. Throughout Trump’s unfortunate time in
the White House, the focus on the actual policies that are being ratified are always overshadowed by absurd news featuring a cast of Republican representatives, ranging from Mitch McConnell to Marsha Blackburn. Additionally, members of the GOP are refusing to attend the convention, believing that their attendance wouldn’t affect the event’s influence, opting to work in their state instead. Rep. Tom Barrett from Central Michigan stated, “I can’t control what the president’s going to say at the convention, but I can control where I’m at, what I’m doing.” Barrett’s statement solidifies the path the GOP is taking with the midterms just beyond the horizon. Trumpapalooza is just another sad attempt by Trump to maintain his relevancy and for followers of the MAGA movement to worship their oligarch. One often says they were born in the wrong generation because they want to attend festivals like Woodstock. I’d like to say, I was born in the wrong generation because events like Trumpapalooza exist.
Ulap Calamiong, FCRH ’30, is a international studies major from Queens, New York.
Trump’s Dividends are a Pathetic New Low, Even for Him By DOMENICK FEDELE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
On Sept. 9, the opening night of the “Trumpapalooza” Midterm Convention, President Donald Trump and his allies replayed their “greatest hits” for the millionth time. House Whip Tom Emmer declared the alternative to Republican rule is “what little these communists are offering.” Unfortunately, the Red Scare does not seem to be working in 2026, as voters stubbornly continue to care more about frivolous things like gas prices, inflation and cost of living. Republican messaging is falling flat on its face as the Iran War grows more unpopular by the day and the cost of living crisis keeps hitting families despite Trump’s promise to lower grocery prices on day one. Republicans, have no fear. Trump has a genius new pitch to voters: we will just give you money. Yes, this is real. Trump headlined his night one speech by announcing a $5,000 “Trump Dividend” to every American adult if Republicans win the House and Senate in November. “America is winning again — and the American people should share in that success,” declared the White House announcement for
the dividend program. As we established last week, Trump has a command of the English language not seen since Shakespeare’s time. Among his greatest accomplishments: completely changing the definition of winning. Losing the Iran War in a humiliating fashion? Winning. Gas prices at the highest level since the pandemic, which analysts say will only get worse, and the administration’s only response is at least people will be driving less soon? Even more winning. Record low approval ratings? In the words of Trump himself: so much winning that “you’re going to be so sick and tired of winning!” Let’s set aside the fact that America is clearly not winning by any definition other than Trump’s — and the fact that if we really were winning, there would be no need to beg for votes with bribes — and focus on the fact that in the most unprecedented administration in history, this may take the cake. No politician in American history has ever been so unpopular, and so desperate, to quite literally bribe the entire electorate into voting for their party. That is, until now. There’s a good reason for that, too, and it’s not just that Trump is historically
unpopular. Bribing people to vote for you is actually illegal under state and federal law, which makes total sense in the democracy that America is meant to be. If Trump had consulted with his previous DOGE lover Elon Musk about this, he could’ve learned this important fact: The bipartisan Wisconsin Election Commission concluded Musk likely broke state law when he gave $1 million checks to voters in that state’s Supreme Court election. The party hellbent on ending “election fraud” is likely running afoul of election bribery laws. Fascinating. Absurd political begging and legal issues aside, the economic literacy of this proposal is surpassed only by that of anyone over the age of three. Quick math shows that these totally-not-bribes would cost a staggering $1.35 trillion, immediately becoming the largest federal expense outside of social security. With a national debt of over $40 trillion, where on earth is all this money coming from? JD Vance, whose main responsibility seems to be attempting to clarify or defend the latest absurd Trumpism, tried his best. Tariff revenues are going to pay for it! Finally, all those trade wars are paying
off for the American people. Oh wait, the Supreme Court said most of the tariff revenue had to be refunded because, like almost all of the unprecedented aspects of the Trump administration, it turns out they were wildly unconstitutional. Even with the most generous accounting, the U.S has brought in under $200 billion in tariffs this year. Vance, whose math skills rival Trump’s excellence in English, has already managed to turn less than $200 billion in revenue into over $1.35 trillion in direct payments. The work of a true wizard. While talking about economics, I would be remiss to not mention the deep economic irony embedded in this ridiculous proposal. Trump has increasingly branded the midterms as a fight against socialism and communism on the left, declaring that “It’s going to be a communist country if they win.” A few minutes later, Trump announced his $5,000 dividend plan. Free money from the government — the ultimate hallmark of fighting socialism with free market capitalism. Vance is more than just a mathematical genius. In the same week as his incredible accounting, he unveiled a masterful new Republican
messaging strategy: “give us another chance.” No, these are not the words of an ex begging to get back together; this is the closing pitch of the governing party in America. If we are winning so much again, why do they need another chance? Don’t question it, just give them a few more years. Trust us, eventually we will lower prices on day one (thousand). Despite these heroic efforts by Vance and Trump, the Republican Party seems destined for a date with reality in November, and it isn’t looking pretty. Incumbent parties lose huge numbers of seats in the midterms basically by default (in 18 of the last 20 midterms to be exact), and this is without having a leader as historically unpopular as Donald Trump. Most Republicans who are actually running in midterm races can’t even get behind Trump’s dividend plan — even they realize it is nothing but an embarrassment. The fact that he previously promised direct payments three separate times and the American people never received a dollar certainly doesn’t help. But fourth time’s the charm, right? Domenick Fedele, FCRH ’29, is a political science major from Yorktown, New York.
Septemeber 23, 2026
By HAILEY BAKER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
For many Americans, 62 is the retirement age. In the Senate, it is barely the average age. Over half of our U.S. Senators in the 119th Congress are age 65 or older. The recent return of 84-year-old Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) after a threemonth absence brings to light concerns about congressional age and health restrictions. “Frankly, I was disappointed to see Senator McConnell return to the Senate, particularly because it seems to be a clear indication that he plans to serve out the rest of his term despite his condition,” said Sam Doyle, FCRH ’28. “I believe that if Senator McConnell were truly interested in ensuring that Kentucky’s interests are
OPINION Aging Out of Congress represented in Congress, he would allow himself to be replaced for the remainder of his term.” After a four-week silence about his condition, McConnell disclosed in a July statement that he had been hospitalized in June after briefly losing consciousness due to a fall. McConnell cited lingering effects from childhood polio as exacerbating the condition and disclosed he was also treated for mild pneumonia before being moved to a rehabilitation facility. In an attempt to explain his silence around his absence, McConnell said, “folks of my generation often hesitate to share the vulnerability that comes with growing older,” and that he feels like “even in the public eye, I feel that same instinct — I can’t help it.”
COURTESY OF THE NEW YORK TIMES
Mitch McConnell returns to his Senate seat after three months of medical leave.
That sentiment of privacy would be okay if McConnell did not work for the people — but as a senator, he does. As an elected official, McConnell has the responsibility to represent constituents who voted him in. Senators have a duty to listen to the concerns and opinions of their constituents and bring those voices into the federal legislation they create and vote on. A four-week absence without disclosure simply goes against the level of transparency required of senators to adequately engage with and represent the concerns of their constituents. A problem with Congress is that while there is a minimum age requirement to serve, there is no maximum age requirement. “In Powell v. McCormack the Court held that Congress could not exclude elected members who satisfied the Constitutional requirements. Certainly, a maximum retirement age would constitute an additional requirement. A constitutional amendment would be required,” said Fordham professor of political science Kerriann Stout. “Congress unquestionably has substantial authority to deal with attendance, committee assignments, chamber procedure and discipline,” said Stout. “But if a ‘medical-capacity’ procedure resulted in automatic removal, suspension
from the office itself could effectively circumvent both the existing qualification standards and the Constitution’s requirement that expulsion receive a twothirds vote.” Unlike the presidency, there is no congressional equivalent to the 25th Amendment which allows for the transfer of presidential powers during an inability to perform duties. The 17th Amendment, which allows for states to fill a vacancy in the Senate, also complicates matters, because illness or prolonged absence does not in itself vacate the seat. In McConnell’s case, his absence and return does not create a constitutional problem in itself, because he did not lose his seat when he was hospitalized, undergoing rehabilitation or otherwise unable to attend votes. There is no vacancy for Kentucky to fill, unless McConnell were to choose to step down. “I think that points to a broader question about how we want to address age, tenure and capacity in Congress. We could decide, through constitutional change, that congressional service should be subject to term limits or other additional qualifications. But absent such a change, our system places a great deal of responsibility on voters to evaluate not only a candidate’s political positions, but whether that person
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is able to continue performing the responsibilities of the office,” Stout said. “That can be an uncomfortable judgment to make, particularly when age or health is involved, but elections are one of the principal mechanisms our constitutional system gives us for making it.” Thankfully, McConnell announced that he will not be seeking reelection in 2026. The Kentucky Senate elections will be held on Nov. 3, 2026. This upcoming November, there are 35 total Senate seats up for election, with 11 incumbent senators choosing not to seek reelection. “I think a huge part of the issue is the outsized advantage that incumbents have in elections. Outside of a party-backed primary challenger — or the miracle of a viable democratic candidate in Kentucky — established political figures like Senator McConnell are effectively guaranteed reelection for as many terms as they want,” Doyle said. “I certainly don’t think there should be any sort of medical litmus test for our representatives, but I would agree that once we reach the point where Senators rely on their aides to tell them how to vote in session, we have an issue.”
Hailey Baker, FCRH ’27, is a political science major from Gaithersburg, Maryland.
‘South Park’ Name Change Means More Than You Think By TESSA DUNN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
“South Park” has officially changed its name to “South America” for the show’s 29th season premiere, and it represents much more than many people may realize. Following the show’s Emmy win for Outstanding Animation Program, the creators of “South Park” took to X on Sept. 8 to announce that they would be renaming it “South America.” This, of course, was a direct reference to President Donald Trump’s recent efforts to rename certain landmarks, including the Gulf of Mexico, New Mexico and Lake Ontario. Show creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker announced this on X saying, “Inspired by the bravery and patriotism of Apple and Google, we are changing the name of South Park to SOUTH AMERICA.” While “South Park” has certainly been no stranger to political commentary, no attempts have gone quite as far as the name change. Although “South Park” has called out countless political events with its unique sense of humour, many wonder if the recent name change is making the show too politically centered. “South Park” — now “South America” — made its season
29 debut on Sept. 16, which included a new rendition of its theme song with the words “South America” instead of “South Park.” The episode, titled “South American Biker Gangs,” references the show’s name change in a subtle way without any of the characters ever formally recognizing it. In the episode, the town becomes divided between the members who use e-bikes and those who use traditional bicycles. Instead of any of the characters acknowledging the name change, the characters complain that it’s “not the same South America anymore.” This serves as a way to get the point across without the joke overshadowing the show. Although the joke is still referenced many times in the episode, not once is it ever explicitly stated. This makes the joke all the more powerful, because “South Park” is trying to explain that this is what Trump is doing with the executive order. He’s attempting to rename locations which already exist under a name which everyone already recognizes, locations which have existed long before the Trump administration. According to the Trump executive order: Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness, this is being done
in an attempt to promote American patriotism. The executive order said it’s “in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes.” However, you cannot change the name of a famous landmark and expect people to acknowledge the change. This is exactly what “South Park” is trying to point out in its name change. Having the characters not recognize the show’s new title highlights the ridiculousness of Trump’s executive order. “South Park” has been on air for almost 30 years, and to make a change this significant under the pretense of patriotism perfectly points out what the order is doing. In their announcement via X, the “South Park” creators also called out companies that have complied with the Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness Order. They called out Apple and Google for their compliance and even their own parent company, Paramount Skydance. Stone and Parker satirically stated in the message, “We especially want to thank our parent company Paramount — a Skydance Capitulation.” Fans believe this to be a nod
at Skydance Media submitting to the Trump administration’s Federal Communication Commission. The agreement between the FCC and Skydance media involved controversial media adjustments as well as a $16 million settlement over a “60 Minutes” segment featuring Trump. This was allegedly done so the $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance Media could be approved. The “South Park” name change represents more than a political joke — it represents how entertainment media can play an important role
in political commentary. If “South Park” were to revolve its entire new season around the name change instead of doing it in a subtle way, then it would have a very different meaning. Although “South Park” has often been criticized for its outlandish comedy style, no one will be able to tell for sure how much longer the media will be able to openly criticize administrations in unique ways such as this.
Tessa Dunn, FCRH ’30, is a journalism major from Falls Church, Virginia.
COURTESY OF THE WASHINGTON POST
The name change of “South Park” represents a bold move of political criticism.
OPINION Figuring Out Food On Campus
Page 12
By BRYN MORRISON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
In past years, our dining services have been a topic of disdain, and for valid reasons. When your dining hall is ranked the #1 Worst Campus Food in the country, it’s kind of hard not to talk about. But since 2012, the year that review was published, Fordham has done a pretty good job at listening to feedback and opening up different food locations across campus. The Marketplace, our main dining hall, is pretty impressive, especially considering what we had before. I personally really like it and find it easy to create a meal I enjoy daily. I do understand concerns other
underclassmen have about the dining hall and its quality, but I think we have to understand how far the dining options have come since before we got here. If there’s one thing The Marketplace has down, it’s their breakfast–especially the ready-made omelette station and the occasional batch of French toast sticks. As someone who never ate breakfast in high school, to have this variety is new for me. The lunch and dinner menu can be pretty good, but it depends on the week as they try to switch it up to make sure we never get bored. Although switching the menu is beneficial, I do think it could be done in moderation, with full switches making the dining hall’s appeal
EMILY MCCALL/THE FORDHAM RAM
Students notice the positive changes made to the dining hall menu.
inconsistent week to week. Even with occasional frustration in the dining hall, I think our alternative options around campus make up for it. Urban Kitchen, a personal favorite, always has good go-to’s. As an apparent campus favorite, with long wait times at peak hours, it does come with downsides, the most notable of which is the soda fountain often lacking ice or your favorite drink. Cosi is always a good option, although, I do think their menu could be expanded a bit, with options seeming slim especially if you’re a picky eater. Another popular spot, The Grotto, has so far never failed me, and its sandwiches are always a good lunch option. It’s particularly convenient if you live in Queen’s Court or Alumni Court South, with as little as a 30-second walk to get your food. I can’t write this article without mentioning our McShane Grab and Go, specifically BKG. In my opinion, BKG is a top-tier coffee spot, somehow always able to perfect your favorite coffee order, no matter what it is. Of course, these dining options mean nothing if we don’t know when they’re open. When considering The Marketplace, the real issue I have is the weekend hours. Although a 7 p.m. closing time might seem fine in theory, in practice it’s not enough time. If you want to get dinner around 6:30 p.m., this only gives you about 30 minutes to pick out what you are going
to eat and actually eat it. By 30 minutes till close, options start to wean out and you might not have enough time especially if you are catching up with friends. Pushing the closing time to 9 p.m. to match weekday hours might be better for students to work their meals around. While on the topic of McShane, BKG hours need to be extended. Even if this means closing in the early afternoon on the weekends, it would still be an upgrade from a complete close on weekends. Being able to get a coffee at your favorite spot with your friends would be the perfect addition to any weekend at Fordham. Urban Kitchen once again saves the day with a flexible schedule of 7:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends. Their allday breakfast station is a good alternative if you end up sleeping through breakfast or if you want a late night snack. Even Eso Latin and The Good Bowl, which close earlier at 10 p.m., are good options after a night class. When considering meal plans, I think the balance for almost every option is acceptable. The Rose Hill Ram Unlimited, a popular choice, has unlimited meal swipes in the dining hall with 14 meal exchanges per week and $650 dining dollars per semester. This is the perfect meal plan — it’s enough meal swipes to make sure you don’t get sick of the dining hall,
September 23, 2026
while also giving you the freedom of unlimited swipes there so you can dine without worry. The Rose Hill Ram Plus is even better. With 21 meal exchanges a week and $850 dining dollars per semester, you have complete freedom to eat wherever and whenever you want. I do think the Rose Hill Ram Unlimited could provide a few extra dining dollars, especially considering how expensive some products can be. The Rose Hill Weekly plan, however, is something I cannot get behind. Although you have enough meal swipes and exchanges to get through the week, it seems like a strict limitation to have to keep track of. The voluntary meal plans are a good alternative for students who don’t live on campus. Even with the freedom to cook whatever you want in your own place, being able to grab something on campus can be such a convenience when your schedule is already packed. Even though dining at Fordham has been criticized both internally and externally for some time, at the end of the day, the dining options are what you make of them. With a little creativity, your meal plan can and will go further than you might believe at first glance.
Bryn Morrison, FCRH ’30, is a journalism major from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Finally, a City More People Can Get Around By ALEXANDER MCGILL CONTRIBUTING WRITER
After growing up in Houston, Texas, perhaps the most car-centric city in the country, coming to New York City to begin university felt like I was moving to an entirely different country. Nothing in New York felt like home, for better or worse, and this especially extended to how the two cities themselves are designed. Houston began exploding in the 1960s and was subsequently designed around the car, while New York City on the other hand, was founded in 1625, long before the automobile was even a thought and has thus invested a large part of its infrastructure into public transportation. But, as I have now lived in New York City for over a year, I can confidently say that the New York City public transportation system, which I use every single day, is better. Not only that, but the car should be virtually obsolete in the densely urban parts of New York City. In boroughs like Manhattan, the fact that cars still roam the streets, taking up precious and valuable land, polluting the air and causing a
ruckus, is something that New Yorkers should not have to put up with. Commercial vehicles like trucks, as well as public transit like buses, should be the only vehicles on the road, and with that change we can also shrink down multilane avenues and freeways to make room for more pedestrian infrastructure, bike lanes and green spaces. I think an amazing example of this in-action is the High Line, a 1.45 mile long public park on Manhattan’s West Side. The park is built upon an old elevated freight railroad line, which stopped running in 1980 due to trucking increasingly replacing freight rail. Instead of being torn down though, the High Line was repurposed into a beautiful park that’s open to the public and is enjoyed by hundreds of people every day. The High Line could be the roadmap for the future of New York City. Buses, trains and bikes replace the need for cars, and the reclaimed roads can turn into beautiful parks, markets or whatever the neighborhood wants. It may seem extreme, but in some parts of the city I truly feel that there is zero use for cars, and unlike my hometown of Houston, New
York City actually has the means to get it done. You may be thinking, “What exactly are the benefits of removing personal cars from boroughs like Manhattan? How do the pros outweigh the cons?” Well I’m very glad you asked, because I could go on and on about the amazing things that replacing cars will entail, and the great misconceptions about the utility of cars. First off, traffic contributes to nearly 15% of fine particulate matter, which is the most harmful pollutant to human health, as well as about 20% of its nitrogen-oxide emissions. In 2025, 39 people were killed in traffic accidents in Manhattan alone, 24 of which were pedestrians, and 10 others were people using motorized two-wheelers like motorcycles, mopeds and e-bikes. This is absolutely a public safety crisis, and we cannot allow this to go on by just deeming those deaths as a part of life or unlucky. Those numbers also show how much of the danger created on Manhattan streets falls on people outside cars. Worse yet, the people able to drive their personal cars are usually the wealthier New Yorkers, while lower class
EMILY MCCALL/THE FORDHAM RAM
Public transportation, bike lanes, parks and sidewalks facilitate navigating the city.
citizens are forced to walk, bike or take public transportation, putting them in far more precarious and dangerous situations. The city should not be designed in a way in which some people are able to speed through the streets, polluting the air and running down others just because they are wealthy enough to afford it. With the expansion of public transportation, such as making buses free and creating a bus lane on every street, cleaning and renovating the
subway while expanding coverage and making safe and protected bike lanes, the use of cars, at least in the borough of Manhattan, is simply unnecessary, dangerous and greedy. New York has something Houston never gave me — the ability to imagine a city where the car is no longer the organizing principle of everyday life.
Alexander McGill, FCRH ’29, is a political science major from Houston, Texas.
CULTURE
September 23, 2026
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Where Fashion Meets Art By JACQUI LYSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A dress can be more than something you wear. It can reflect a culture, challenge social conventions or demonstrate political moods of an era. Like painters with canvases and sculptors with clay, designers use fabric for expression and cultural storytelling. The relationship between fashion and artwork is explored at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s (MET) “Costume Art” exhibit through curated pairings of garments and artworks, revealing the ever enduring connection between clothing and bodies throughout history. Rather than treating fashion and art as separate forms of expression, this exhibition demonstrates how artwork and fashion are intertwined, constantly borrowing, inspiring and elevating one another. The Costume Institute’s spring 2026 exhibition is held within the Condé M. Nast Galleries, located adjacent to the Great Hall, and runs through Jan. 10, 2027. “Costume Art’” presents connections between garments from The Costume Institute and artworks from the museum’s collection. Entering the exhibit, I was immediately stunned by a gold, glimmering Dolce & Gabbana dress with an idealized Aphrodite adorning the front.
Welcoming you in, this dress takes center stage, beginning a story of the complex interplay of clothes and the body. Continuing into the space, I was attracted to the composition of the gallery. Artworks from the museum’s other collecting areas are housed in glass-fronted display stands. Atop these pedestals stand mannequins dressed in their correlative garment. This uniquely vertical layout fills the entire space and made me feel truly immersed into the optimized space. The gallery is organized into rows of displays, creating aisles that each house a different theme of the exhibit. The Condé M. Nast Galleries, a brand new space that opened May 2026, has a cohesive flow, which organizes the pairings between fashion and artwork, melding all thematic body types together to encompass the overall exploration of the dressed body. The exhibition is divided into 10 themes, each offering a deeper perspective into the evolving relationship between artwork, fashion and the body. Right as I entered the main gallery, I was presented with the first themes, “Classical Body” and “Abstract Body,” which examine how the body has been idealized and distorted. “Reclaimed Body” serves as a shift from abstraction towards affirmation, setting the tone
for the rest of the exhibit. “Disabled Body,” “Pregnant Body” and “Corpulent Body” all amplify those historically excluded from prevailing norms by centering the fashion on custom mannequins modeled on specific individuals. Together these themes reflect upon existing ideas about the body and challenge the restricting effects of these constructed ideas. Moving out of the main gallery room, I entered a smaller, more openly spaced gallery, which was solely dedicated to the “Epidermal Body.” All about the skin, this theme explores how clothing is an extension of the skin and our inner characters. By incorporating a range of skin tones, the artistic creations challenge historical hierarchy that have regulated the body through color. Completing the well presented loop, I entered the final gallery room housing “Vital Body,” “Inscribed Body” and “Aging Body.” These themes explore the body as a site of shared identity and connection to our community. After studying each theme around the galleries, I left the MET continuing to think about “Epidermal Body,” not only because of the unique fashion portrayed, but more so because of the important, eye-opening ideas they presented. I was particularly intrigued by the
discussion of the color nude through a display of various Louboutin heels. Throughout fashion, the color nude has long been associated with a pale peach color, demonstrating how limited the industry’s representation is. However, Christian Louboutin challenged these ideas in the launch of The Nude Collection, producing the classic red-bottomed heels in five skin tones, expanding the meaning of nude beyond whiteness. This is one of many examples of complex analysis of paradigms that have regulated physical appearance and the departure from these restrictive
ideas throughout the exhibit. To fully understand the beauty and precarious attention to breaking beauty standards and social norms, I highly encourage a visit to the “Costume Art” exhibit. By observing such pieces of clothing, I left with a deeper appreciation for fashion and the vital messages it powerfully conveys. Fashion has reclaimed diverse forms of embodiment, progressing towards a more inclusive and unified standard. Art builds off of itself, constantly creating something new and inspiring, not only visually but through its storytelling as well.
COURTESY OF THE MET
The new fashion exhibition at The MET celebrates body inclusivity.
Say ‘Buongiorno’ to One of Little Italy’s Biggest Festivals By CAYDENCE JONES FEATURES EDITOR
The Feast of San Gennaro festival in Manhattan kicked off its 100th anniversary on Sept. 17. To celebrate the event, food vendors, carnival rides, live entertainment and more crowded the streets of Little Italy for the New York City tradition. San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, is honored by the Feast of San Gennaro, which the Italian immigrants of the area first celebrated as a one-day event in 1926. The annual event runs until Sept. 27, and will be celebrated along a main stretch of Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston Street, in addition to other locations, including Hester and Grand Street. For students at Fordham’s Rose Hill campus, the festival is easily accessible by taking the Metro-North to Grand Central and then transferring to the downtown 6 train. After getting off at Canal Street, attendees can simply walk down to Mulberry Street, which is blocked off by police to ensure the streets are clear of traffic. The festival’s entrance is lined with red, green and white lights — symbolizing the Italian flag — which spell out “Welcome to San Gennaro.” Continuing down Little Italy, you will notice
the streets above you hung with tinsel in the festival’s colors atop signs naming this year as the 100th anniversary. Restaurants lining the streets either offer outdoor seating and market themselves, or set up tents to serve bite-sized portions for the festival. For first-time visitors, the easiest way to experience the feast is to walk Mulberry Street rather than plan one specific meal or sights to see. With food stands, restaurants, games and rides spread across several blocks, visitors can enjoy all the festival has to offer in under two hours. If you’re looking for food to enjoy while walking through the festival, Il Piccolo Bufalo offers a variety of Italian favorites. The restaurant serves pasta, pizza and fresh bread that can be taken to go, making it a convenient option for festivalgoers who want to eat while continuing down the street. Several food stands throughout the festival also offer smaller portions and Italian specialties, allowing visitors to sample different dishes along the way. The festival also gives visitors the chance to watch preparation up close. Mozzarella vendors stretch the cheese by hand, and at other stands, you can see the rolling of authentic Italian cigars. At the end of multiple streets
of the festival, carnival rides and games are being run, with vendors encouraging you to take a chance. A Ferris wheel and other small rides help give the event a carnival-like atmosphere, drawing in people of all ages. The Feast is also a religious celebration. Located near the beginning of the festival stands a religious shrine dedicated to San Gennaro. Visitors can stop at the dedication, where candles and flowers surround the statue of the saint and
dollar bills cover the altar as offerings. A Solemn High Mass honoring San Gennaro was held on Sept. 19, followed by the Grand Procession scheduled for Sept. 26, when the statue of San Gennaro will be carried through the streets along with marching bands, floats and other performers. This is similar to the Bronx’s own Little Italy celebration of Ferragosto, which took place earlier this month. If you attended Ferragosto, a trip to Manhattan is still worth
considering to experience the Feast of San Gennaro, especially given the anniversary. While both celebrations highlight New York City’s Italian-American culture, Ferragosto mainly hosts food and dessert, while the Feast of San Gennaro offers a wider variety of food vendors, live entertainment and carnival rides/games. The Feast of San Gennaro will continue through Sept. 27, and admission is free other than the cost of food, games and rides.
COURTESY OF THE INFATUATION
Mulberry Street was adorned with decorations in honor of San Gennaro.
CULTURE
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September 23, 2026
Who’s That Kid | Patrick Driscoll, FCRH ’28
Junior Trades in Concrete Jungle for the Calder Center By MOLLY O’CONNOR EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Going to school in a major metropolis like New York City can cause some students to feel disconnected from nature, but that could not be further from the truth for Patrick Driscoll, FCRH ’28. Driscoll is a junior from Albany, New York, double majoring in international political economy and music, and minoring in environmental studies. Though that study plan might sound like a mouthful, Driscoll has truly maximized his Fordham experience to reach every area of his programs. Involved in every aspect of student life, Driscoll
is the assistant music director for the Hot Notes, the treasurer for Fordham Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a member of the United Student Government (USG) Sustainability Committee and he’s playing Mal Beineke in “The Addams Family” with the Mimes and Mummers this October. This past summer, Driscoll worked as an invasive species management intern at the Louis Calder Center, Fordham’s lesser known Westchester campus. Driscoll found the position through an Instagram post by the Calder Center, but he had already known about the center from a professor that took him on a field trip there, giving him a glimpse of the opportunities
available at the campus. As an intern, Driscoll jumped right into action with fieldwork, working long hours outside collecting data in the forests for studies about the invasive species they manage, working to find ways to reintroduce native species back into the ecosystem. “It was definitely difficult to get into at first,” he said. “I was outside all day, I was wearing this ugly tick suit in the hot sun sometimes, but eventually it’s very rewarding because you can feel the weight of the work that you are doing and how you’re really being a part of something greater than yourself.”
HANNAH SULLIVAN/THE FORDHAM RAM
Driscoll commutes between Rose Hill and Calder Center for his internship.
Driscoll worked in person at the Calder Center for about a month, living with other interns in a cabin on campus. “Even though it’s just right outside of the city, it felt like kind of this remote wilderness campus,” he said. In addition to his fieldwork, Driscoll did social media for the program, making videos and posts about the different things he was working on, which he continued remotely after leaving campus. “I think that over time I really learned to love doing the work, especially the learning component,” he said. “I really hadn’t had much experience in the more scientific side of this field, and so being able to be constantly learning each day is something that just kept me super into the work that I was doing.” Driscoll was enthusiastic about other opportunities for students to visit the Calder Center, recommending that students take the Ram Van up to Westchester for any of the campus’ various volunteering opportunities. Regarding how he discovered his love of nature and passion for preserving the environment, Driscoll looked to his teenage years and when he found his independence after getting his first car. Before then, he hadn’t been able to go on many outdoor adventures on his own, so he decided to take matters into his own hands and explore the great outdoors. “I found that seeing all of this preserved nature and seeing that access and what it did for me in giving me peace of mind, it really showed me how important it is to be preserving these spaces for everyone,” he said. “On top of that, I was able to see how much having
spaces like these and purifying our environment around us can really help sustain our society. The fruits that we eat, the air that we breathe, all of that is all encompassed in the protection of our environment and it all collapses unless you really take care of that foundation.” Contributing to all these experiences, Driscoll decided to take the class Ecology of the Human Approach his first year with Dr. Thomas Daniels, director of the Calder Center. “In that class, he really gave me the topics and space to really think and isolate those problems, and I realized how important it was and that I wanted to be a part of change in that aspect,” Driscoll said. Driscoll has no plans of abandoning environmentalism, naming sustainability and conservation as two passions he will always keep close to him. “I would love to do advocacy work, but specifically, as an international and political economy major, I’m really interested in sustainable development and renewable energies and being able to use skills that I’ve learned in analyzing the world and its economies, and being able to see how we can have a sustainable direction towards a more green society and a society that will last with the impending threats to our systems,” he said. From hands-on work in the forest to lobbying for climate justice with politicians, Driscoll is making an impact in every corner of environmentalism. There is no doubt that he will do great things to protect the natural world in his future, and he will continue to inspire many with his ambition and passion for preserving our planet.
The Albanian Culture of Arthur Avenue By MARY LUND CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The area of Arthur Avenue has recently been renamed Little Albania. According to an article from National Albanian Registry this year, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s designation was prompted by the World Cup this summer, which brought tourists from all around the world seeking to celebrate and explore. They state that this was part of a “Neighborhood Passport Campaign,” which included a map of different immigrant enclaves that was released to guide both locals and visitors alike. According to Edon Alibegu of the National Albanian Registry, this was “long overdue.” This past week, equipped with empty stomachs and readiness for a good conversation over a meal, my friend and I made the familiar walk down Arthur Avenue to try out Gurra Cafe, an Albanian restaurant just a
few blocks from campus. My friend and I went at 11:30 a.m. on a Wednesday, just 30 minutes after they opened. When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by a waitress and cook and took our seats in a comfy booth. We scanned the menu, which included an array of Albanian dishes to suit various preferences, from seafood to burgers. With neither of us having been to this establishment before, we were eager to order what we believed could be deemed a full experience of the cafe and cuisine. As a devoted fish lover, my friend suggested trout for the two of us. I thought that a “Traditional Dip” would be a fitting addition to the fish. This dip consists of sausage covered in a creamy sauce. We received a generous serving of the buttery trout, which was served with a side of mashed potatoes. The sausage dip was rich and savory. Both were delicious and flavorful.
We were delighted to discover that the bread baskets were complementary and refillable. We paired our meal with bites of bread dipped in olive oil and vinegar. My friend and I found that sharing dishes, paired with the affordability of the fish and the dip, made our meal not only substantial and filling, but also affordable for the high quality (not to mention the bread!). After our meal, we decided to head over to another Albanian place that is located across the street — Prince Coffee House. We drank iced green tea and ate tiramisu while sitting next to a window overlooking the street, basking in the early fall sunlight. We were greeted warmly there as well, and thoroughly enjoyed our time by the window. For those looking for a place to study while drinking tea or coffee and munching on pastries, Prince Coffee House
is a fitting place. There is plentiful seating both outside and inside, with an array of drinks and foods to choose from. Fordham students should take advantage of the array of cuisines and opportunities to learn about the Albanian
culture in the Bronx as close by as Arthur Ave. The next time you go off campus for lunch or dinner, consider heading to Gurra Cafe and enjoying a delicious and comforting meal. Or, if you are ever in need of a new and relaxing study spot, try out Prince Coffee House.
MARY LUND FOR THE FORDHAM RAM
Little Albania offers a plethora of unique, traditional Albanian meals.
CULTURE Putting ‘The Love Hypothesis’ Under a Microscope
Page 15
September 23, 2026
By ADISA BALIC CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Before we get our popcorn ready to watch Olive Smith and Dr. Adam Carlson fake-date their way through Stanford
University on screen, let’s explore the pages that started the story. What was originally a Star Wars fan-fiction, “The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood turned into the viral TikTok
COURTESY OF GOODREADS
“The Love Hypothesis” puts a scientific twist on the typical romance novel.
hit readers know and love. Hazelwood is a No. 1 New York Times best-selling author of contemporary rom-coms, also known for her books “Love On The Brain” and “Love, Theoretically.” “The Love Hypothesis” is Hazelwood’s smash-hit debut novel, which follows a Ph.D. student who enters a fake-dating arrangement with a strict, young professor. At the heart of this book, we have Olive Smith, a third-year Ph.D. candidate at Stanford who is strict in her belief that longlasting romantic relationships don’t exist but science does. When she needs to convince her close friend Anh that she has completely moved on from an ex, Olive kisses the first man she sees in the lab hallway. As fate would have it, this mystery man is Dr. Adam Carlsen: a brilliant, notoriously unyielding and rigorous, young professor known for leaving all of his grad students in tears. After word spreads of this misunderstood kiss, Dr. Carlsen agrees to keep up the charade. While Olive needs someone to play a convincing boyfriend in front of her friend, Adam needs a fake girlfriend to satisfy his department’s concerns that he’s a “flightrisk.” What originally began as a mutually beneficial agreement
quickly spirals out of Olive’s control. As Adam and Olive navigate a series of fake dates, unexpected vulnerability and a massive academic conference, the boundaries between reality and hypothesis begin to blur. Olive is forced to confront a terrible new variable that no equation can account for: actual feelings for a man she was supposed to be pretending to love. It’s a traditional grumpymeets-sunshine scenario, but with a lot of caffeine and lab coats. Hazelwood’s writing is sharp, witty and entertaining, as she skillfully blends hilarious, informal dialogue with the high-stress, caffeine-fueled reality of academics. The STEM-specific comedy is quite endearing, the speech is quick and the rhythm never falters. Plus, you don’t need a biology degree to enjoy the amusing quips, as they skillfully blend traditional romantic comedy elements with actual laboratory challenges. Hazelwood is a master at creating excruciatingly pleasurable romantic tension, which makes the shift from pretend-dating to genuine longing feel entirely natural and satisfying. Olive and Adam’s wonderful interaction is the story’s real focus. Olive is a delightful combination of unwavering
loyalty and chaos. Half the enjoyment is seeing how she keeps up with her lies Adam on the other hand, at first seems like the department’s despotic antagonist, but it’s heartwarming to see his cold facade soften around Olive. He is the epitome of the “grumpy for the world, sunshine for her” hero. Their mutual regard for each other’s intelligence and a humorous height difference that will captivate trope fans make their connection jump off the page. The book’s structural design is among its most unique features. Each chapter begins with a brief hypothesis at the top. Phrased like a scientific prediction, these headings provide a clever, humorous sneak peek at the drama to come. It gives the narrative a distinctive, lighthearted touch while firmly establishing the book’s academic context. It’s a subtle but brilliant storytelling tactic to watch Olive’s literal ideas transform from rigorous scientific logic into emotional disarray as she falls in love with Adam. All things considered, “The Love Hypothesis” is a perfect blend of humor, warmth and cunning banter. Stay tuned for a review of the film, which is available on Amazon Prime as of Sept. 23. I absolutely give the book five stars.
The Renaissance of Jorts By EMILY MCCALL PHOTO EDITOR
Sweats, jeans, dress pants or skirts. There is such a wide range of attire that people can choose from, yet not all are appreciated. Sure, people enjoy wearing jeans, but it’s never really about the pants — tops are always the star of the show. But for one type of bottom, it is the opposite. Jorts are the only pair of pants (as far as I know) that have their own culture and fan clubs surrounding them. Jorts are not everyone’s cup of tea, but for those who do wear them, they go all the way. For a simple piece of clothing, they are very versatile. When it’s too hot for jeans? Jorts. When it starts getting colder but you want to keep the summer vibes going? Jorts. Spending a day in the city? Jorts. Going on a hike? Jorts. The options are endless for what they can be paired with, fitting into so many different styles and aesthetics. Jorts began as a counterculture movement in the 1960s due to the societal norms that existed against wearing shorts in public. Over time they decreased in popularity as jean shorts (yes, they are different) became more mainstream. However, there has been a renaissance of jorts in the past few years as styles from the past have come back and spread.
At Fordham University, the jorts culture is strong. It has become more of a lifestyle than a stylistic choice. The Instagram @fordhamjorts (also called Jort Monarchy) documents and spreads the jorts style to other Fordham students. The account was started in 2024 as a way to bring jorts to the East Coast, since the founder noticed they were less popular than back at their home in Southern California. Since then, the account has gained over 2,000 followers and receives hundreds of likes on each post. There have been a total of three admins, with the most recent one inheriting the account from their orientation leader. Although they could not disclose their identity, they were happy to answer some jortrelated questions. One debate people have is what constitutes a pair of shorts versus a pair of jean shorts. The admin of @fordhamjorts cleared this up. “Jorts become capris once they hit the center calf but must be to the knee,” they said. To be jorts, they must also be denim — any other material that fits this style is referred to as “jort-adjacent.” The admin said that jorts are best styled confidently. They aren’t meant to fit into a specific category, but to be used as an extension of personal style. Anyone can wear jorts and anyone can style them. This is seen through the different
styles showcased across the Instagram account. As for getting posted, the photos are mainly done by the admin themself approaching students. “The best place to wear them is Eddies so I can find you,” they said. While they do accept submissions, they have not received many yet, though hopefully, as we get into the school year, there will be more. When approached, most students accept the honor of being featured, while some
politely decline, preferring to keep their jorts to themselves. Those who are posted use it as a way to showcase their style and gain a moment of fame. For people featured multiple times, it is even more of an honor. They get to repost, giving @fordhamjorts even more publicity. Accounts like @fordhamjorts are not just good for style inspo, but they also connect the Fordham community. It’s a way to interact with one another online in a unique
manner rather than focusing on school and other more serious topics. The rise of jorts has given students the confidence to express themselves and creates excitement over being posted. Anytime students wear jorts, they can wonder if this is the day that the mysterious admin of @fordhamjorts will approach them and ask to be featured. But even if they don’t, students should start sending in their own submissions and do their part to spread “jortification.”
EMILY MCCALL/THE FORDHAM RAM
Jort culture has taken the Fordham student body by storm.
CULTURE Beach Reads to Boarding School
Page 16
By KELLY BUBAN ASST. CULTURE EDITOR
For the longest time, my favorite type of book has been what some classify as a “beach read.” This genre is known to be full of light-hearted, romantic reads that typically have a beach town setting like Block Island, Barry’s Bay in Canada, somewhere in Michigan or, often, Nantucket. Elin Hilderbrand is known not only as a best-selling author of over 30 novels that are all set on Nantucket, but also as the “Queen of Beach Reads.” Hilderbrand is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She also happens to have lived on Nantucket for most of her life. Her most
popular works include “The Perfect Couple” and “Five-Star Weekend,” which have both been made into short television series, along with “The Hotel Nantucket” and “28 Summers.” In 2021, Hilderbrand announced that she would be stepping back from her Nantucket-based books with “Swan Song,” released in 2024, as her last. However, that did not mean Hilderbrand was done writing. In January of 2025, Hilderbrand announced that she would be releasing a new book in September 2025. Except this book, “The Academy,” would not only be co-authored with her college-aged daughter Shelby Cunningham, but would also be set at a boarding school inspired by St. George’s School
HANNAH SULLIVAN/THE FORDHAM RAM
The cover of Hilderbrand and Cunningham’s first book, “The Academy.”
in Middletown, Rhode Island, the very school Cunningham graduated from in May 2024. Her readers were definitely shocked by this genre switch up but looked forward to being exposed to a new fictional world created by this duo. I, on the other hand, knew it would be the most familiar fictional world I’d ever stepped into. I attended St. George’s School with Hilderbrand’s new co-author Cunningham, and was in my senior year there when “The Academy” was announced. The immediate reactions from Hilderbrand’s readers, Cunningham’s former teachers and the student body that knew Cunningham included a lot of questions. What teachers and faculty would characters be inspired by? Which students? What events and traditions would they use in the book? What boarding school drama would Cunningham choose to emphasize? What would the novel’s setting be? Would their mascot also be a dragon? When “The Academy” was released, my friends and I were all in our first month of college. The book became a way for us to connect with one another, talking about everything from how they described the dining hall, to what the “fictional” weekly
chapel talks were like that reminded us of our beloved high school experience. The book quickly became another best-seller for Hilderbrand. Her fans were ecstatic about the storyline and already awaiting the sequel so they could learn what the cliffhanger meant. “The Thoroughbreds,” the sequel to “The Academy,” was released this past Tuesday, Sept. 15. The novel follows senior students (“sixth formers”) at Tiffin Academy as they face intense college application pressures, social hierarchies and dark secrets. The book features all the elements Hilderbrand is known for: interwoven perspectives, tension, drama, romance and a vivid sense of place. Her descriptions make it easy for readers to picture the school’s historic architecture, sprawling Paddock, chapel and other defining landmarks. Hilderbrand also incorporates mouth-watering menus from Chef Haz, a character with roots in the New York City culinary scene. I quickly found that this sequel was much more connected to my high school than “The Academy” was. The first night I was reading the book, I felt like I was back in my high school dorm room, especially considering two fictional
September 23, 2026
dorms in the book are North and South instead of the real versions I know, East and West. The more I read, the more I thought about mine and Cunningham’s high school experience. “There were a lot of similarities, and it definitely felt reminiscent of my own experience, but it was also strange seeing parts of that experience put on paper,” said Beatrice Olney, a sophomore at Clemson University and also a St. George’s graduate. “Some of the drama from high school was brought up again, except now I was seeing it through different eyes and watching other people experience it, too.” Other alumni that I spoke to about “The Thoroughbreds” all noted the same thing: the story is dramatized. Myself and others think that this has painted our experience in more of a negative light than we remember it. As both an avid fan of “beach read” books and supporter of Hilderbrand and Cunningham, this series has kept me very entertained. I commend Hilderbrand for branching out of her regular genre, despite not knowing if her fans would stay with her, and I am hopeful that her “Academy” series has yet to be complete.
Do We Believe in ‘Ted Lasso’ Season Four? By ADRIENNE WOLFRAM CONTRIBUTNG WRITER
After three very successful seasons of the hit show “Ted Lasso,” fans were concerned that the fourth season would not live up to expectations. The newest season of “Ted Lasso” premiered on Apple TV on Aug. 5. Since then, an episode has been released
weekly on Wednesdays, with the series finale scheduled for Oct. 7. Season four reintroduces Ted after his departure from AFC Richmond and returns to his home in Kansas City. We follow Ted through his mundane life in the United States and learn how he ultimately longs to be back in Richmond. By the end of the first episode,
The main actors featured in the new season of “Ted Lasso.”
he is convinced to fly back to England and take over the coaching responsibilities of the Lady Greyhounds, AFC Richmond’s brand-new women’s league. In the following episodes, we watch Ted adjust to his new role and learn about the differing dynamics between men’s and women’s sports. Although season four has
COURTSEY OF FORBES
not been released in its entirety, fans have already begun forming their opinions. There is a pretty even split between the fans who enjoy watching Ted embrace this new role and those who argue that the show should’ve ended with Ted making peace with his decision to move home. After creating such a buildup over three seasons, I would have expected Ted to return home and stay there. There is closure by the end of season three, which really ties up a great show with a nice bow. Ted feels at peace with his decision to head back to Kansas City and that seemed like a very natural ending to me. However, within minutes of the first episode, it is clear they were setting up Ted’s return to Richmond. While this isn’t exactly surprising news because fans knew he would end up taking over for the women’s team, the decision to move himself — and his family — across the planet seems extremely rushed and blown over. After adjusting back to UK living, Ted meets cocoach Alice Chilton, who is the complete opposite of Ted. While Alice could’ve had the potential to be a new favorite character for the fans, instead her character seems to be a reheating of Roy Kent’s leftovers. Ted already worked with
an angry and cold coach once before. While the dynamic between the two had potential, it definitely feels like we have seen this dynamic before. While some plotlines in season four have felt reused thus far, the show centering around the Lady Greyhounds is what really stood out. Fans were concerned that the idea of a women’s team would lead to the usual talk and jokes about women’s sports being underfunded, which leads to further power imbalances. However, they have done a great job so far with integrating the women’s team into the story. Ted makes sure to highlight the inequalities between the men’s and women’s leagues without turning the show into a complaint about society. Instead, the women’s team is allowed to exist simply as a football team. Their struggles matter just as much as their personalities, which justifies their league just as much as the men’s league. Despite the fact that some fans have lost hope in season four of “Ted Lasso,” many are still holding out and taking comfort in all the show has to offer. Season four might not have been necessary, but there is still potential. The Lady Greyhounds have given the show a new perspective to explore, which perhaps is enough of a reason to believe in “Ted Lasso.”
September 23, 2026
By BLAISE VAYDA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
I’m a very food-centric person. Some of my earliest memories are tied to food and the meals I ate that day. If I’m stressed or the universe just seems hell-bent on ruining my mood, a sweet treat or a delicious meal is guaranteed to remind me that life is worth living. So, following that logic, it is no wonder that finding good food has been one of my top priorities since setting foot on this campus. Everyone knows about Arthur Avenue, and if you talk to any local, they’ll be the first to tell you that in the Bronx we have the authentic Little Italy at our fingertips. And granted, Little Italy has many great restaurants to offer, but as a person whose favorite foods do not revolve around various forms of pasta and sausage, the options can sometimes feel limiting and redundant. After my first semester, I had grown so tired of the four-or-so meal options on campus and no longer wanted to spend over $30 on pasta every time I went out to eat. At that time, heading into the city for weekend dinners was my only culinary refuge, which was not sustainable for day-to-day eating.
CULTURE The Farmer’s Gone to Market
It was at times like these that I had come to deeply appreciate the simple luxuries of my kitchen and precious grocery stores back home. I craved home-cooked meals and fantasized about wandering the aisles of my favorite grocery store’s produce section. I didn’t want corporate concoctions anymore; I wanted cold, hard, real food. The kind of stuff only an organic, overpriced market could supply for you. And then, one magical day, when I had all but given up hope of finding my dream market near campus, I stumbled upon something amazing: the New York Botanical Gardens (NYBG) Farmers Market. Located at the Mosholu entrance to the gardens, right across the street from the Rose Hill campus, the market is held every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., running through Oct. 21. It’s a small but charming market with vendors and stands that rotate every week. I love going in between my classes to grab a quick bite for lunch or a snack to keep in my dorm. One of the biggest stands in the market is Fino Farms. Fino’s is where all my organic grocery store dreams finally came true. They have an assortment of fruits and veggies, and
many of their seasonal fruits are fairly priced. I love stopping by every time I visit the market because you get to see all the new seasonal produce and the locals shopping for their daily produce. One of my favorite meal spots is The Wild Radish, which specializes in organic, tasty salads, bowls and baked goods. My favorite item to get there is their Mediterranean bowl with dolmas, hummus, olives and a quinoa and tomato salad. Their kale citrus salad is also very refreshing, and pairs well with any pastry you buy from one of the numerous bakery stands. The Grumpy Dumpling is also a great choice if you get tired of typical Western fare, and the dumplings are freshly
pan-fried for each customer. I would say the best dumplings are the pork, as they have the most flavor and the juiciest filling. These options are great; however, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my two most frequented stands in the market: Empabake Empanadas and Kariba Farms. Empabake is perfect for a quick snack, and I love grabbing a chicken empanada for when I need a portable bite before running to class. My favorite flavors are ropa vieja and chicken, but buffalo chicken is also good if you enjoy wings. Keep in mind they only take cash or Zelle, so make sure to remember your wallet or phone. The last, but certainly not least, stand I will be
The fresh produce available for purchase weekly at the NYBG market.
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talking about is Kariba Farms. Located at the entrance of the market, its tables are laden with rows upon rows of every sort of dried or air-fried fruit and snack you can imagine. It’s like the market’s own personal healthy Costco, with the vendor handing out samples right and left. If you love free samples, then you’ll love this stand. This weekly farmers market has become a staple in my Wednesday routine since discovering it. It’s an easy, chill event to go to for a spare 30 minutes to an hour to get some good food and fresh air. It’s a calming break within a busy day and a reminder that student life in the Bronx is more than Arthur Ave and Fordham University’s Rose Hill campus.
JACQUI LYSON FOR THE FORDHAM RAM
New Olivia Rodrigo Album is ‘the cure’ to Monotonous Pop By KATE JAMES CONTRIBUTNG WRITER
Of all the songs in the world, roughly two-thirds of them are about love. Given the ubiquity of the subject, it’s no surprise that pop music has settled into familiar ways of approaching it; love albums tend to focus either on swooning romance or heart-crushing breakup. Olivia Rodrigo, however, is ambitious enough to release an album that traces the entire arc of her relationship. Released on June 12, “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love” (“GSIL”) is a 13-track chronicle, allegedly, of Rodrigo’s romantic history with English actor Louis Partridge, with the opening and closing tracks bookending their two-year relationship. Confessional songwriting is difficult. From-the-heart writing not only requires a certain degree of trust between storyteller and audience, but it also takes a skilled artist to portray their personal experiences in a way that resonates with millions of listeners. Miraculously, Rodrigo makes it look easy. The emotional moments on “GSIL” leave a much stronger impression when the listener is able to hear the entire relationship take form, falter and eventually fizzle out in the span of one album, rather than a single love song. When
I listen to “less,” for instance, I don’t just hear a devastating song about a breakup; I feel the weight of an entire relationship come crashing down. The payoff is an album that is remarkably intimate without feeling inaccessible, rendering “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love” Rodrigo’s most rewarding project yet. The production on “GSIL” is another one of the album’s greatest triumphs. Where the contemporary pop music scene is oversaturated with monotonous-sounding instrumentals that feel irrelevant to their song’s themes, the production on “GSIL” is seamless, exhilarating and essential to the narratives Rodrigo is telling. Long-time collaborator Dan Nigro is the album’s primary producer, and throughout the record, he imbues Rodrigo’s lyrics with a distinct sense of movement. In “the cure,” as Rodrigo sings about her own unraveling, Nigro layers her vocals in a wild, disorienting cacophony that reflects the anxiety expressed in the song. Nigro’s production is sweeping, quickpaced and viscerally captures what it feels like to love someone so much that it suffocates you. Listening to “stupid song” sometimes leaves me feeling winded by the track’s sheer breathlessness. This, to me, is evidence of brilliant artist-producer collaboration.
It takes a truly skilled producer to enhance an album’s message, and together, Nigro and Rodrigo make magic on this record. When I listened to the album in full on the night it dropped, I wasn’t dissatisfied or underwhelmed in the slightest, but admittedly, there was a small part of me that felt vaguely misled. Prior to its release, “GSIL” was defined as a record that stood in direct defiance to Rodrigo’s two previous projects, “SOUR” and “GUTS.” While “SOUR” and “GUTS” are known for their snappy, four-lettered titles and purple album covers, the sprawling title and baby-pink color scheme of “GSIL” rendered it a stark outlier in Rodrigo’s discography. This very much excited me — Rodrigo was branding her third album as a dramatic departure from her earlier works, and I hoped the forthcoming music would follow suit. In a lot of ways, it did: “GSIL” is 10 times more introspective, mature and nuanced than “SOUR” and “GUTS” ever aspired to be. That said, I had expected the sound of Rodrigo’s new album to reflect that of her newly-endorsed pantheon of postpunk influences, namely New Order, The Cure and Depeche Mode. While these inspirations undoubtedly seep through at various points — particularly in
the shrill synth of “my way” and the vocoder of “the cure” — “GSIL” doesn’t sound wildly evolved from her first two albums. This isn’t so much a critique as much as it is an observation: After all, why nitpick the album’s sound when it sounds good? As much as I love the signature sound Rodrigo has honed throughout her six years in the music industry, I’m becoming more interested in what awaits her outside of it. If “GSIL” is Rodrigo dipping her toes in a more alternative
sound, then I can only hope the success of this album encourages her to become more sonically experimental in the future. Rodrigo’s songwriting and artistic direction on “GSIL” solidify her as an artist who understands that vulnerability is only as powerful as one’s courage to embrace it. After seeing how deeply rewarding her vulnerability can be when she trusts her listeners with the most personal parts of herself, I can’t wait to see what risks Rodrigo takes next.
HANNAH SULLIVAN/THE FORDHAM RAM
Olivia Rodrigo is featured on her new hit albums’ cover.
CULTURE
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September 23, 2026
Editor’s Pick | Movie
Learning to Live Life Like ‘Luca’ By LORESA ZEQIRAJ OPINION EDITOR
Every year since it came out in 2021, I’ve rewatched “Luca.” Set in Italy in the 1950s, its vintage European atmosphere, the inspiring yet suspenseful plot and, most importantly, the existential thoughts it evokes in me, keep me coming back. Each time I rewatch, it fascinates me that a Disney-Pixar film intended for children and pre-teens can provide that. I initially watched it with my five-year-old sister, but since then, I’ve realized “Luca” can only be fully appreciated by young adults — the group of people transitioning into adulthood, who have overwhelming angst, questions about life they’ve yet to learn
the answers to. These are the people who live life the most bravely as if there were no tomorrow. Singer-songwriter Lorde once said, “I knew [teenagers] knew something children didn’t know, and adults ended up forgetting.” I watched “Luca” for the first time when I was 15 years old and (while it’s slightly embarrassing to admit I have diaries) I wrote about it in the third diary entry I ever wrote. Here is the impression it left on my younger self and how I described its effect on July 3, 2021: “I watched the movie ‘Luca’ and my heart is aching. It’s a beautiful movie, and it’s also pushing me to live my summer how I want to.” I was the teenager who was realizing what I hadn’t known
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Luca is a fictional sea creature who can transform into a human.
before and will eventually forget. The storyline follows two boys, Alberto and Luca, as they spend a summer in a coastal Italian town. The boys are sea creatures that can transform into humans and walk amongst them in disguise. The humans and sea creatures fear each other, but Alberto and Luca, in pursuit of satiating their curiosity, set out to explore the world on land. Freedom in “Luca” is presented in three main ways. The cinematic composition of the film, through its animation and soundtrack, teleports the viewer and fully immerses them in this fantastical world. A world of imagination and one where dreaming and chasing those dreams is the most important thing to these boys. On land, Alberto and Luca wish to own a Vespa. They want one badly because they have seen it advertised as a symbol of freedom. With it, they believe they’ll be able to go wherever they want, whenever they want. The Vespa ultimately represents an escape from limitations. Even if you have not watched this film yourself, you might recognize one line from it: “Silenzio, Bruno!” It comes from a scene of Alberto teaching Luca how to overcome his anxiety and self doubt. “Bruno” is a personification of the voice of fear, the one that holds us back from doing many things in life and convinces us of the worst outcomes. I thought
that a child could watch the same scene and feel like they could be brave, just as I did. I found comfort in the way fear is essential to human nature and needed to experience joy. In an attempt to walk freely amongst others, the boys ironically disguise their true selves. This dilemma is widely interpreted as a queer allegory by many critics and viewers. This isn’t to say Alberto and Luca are meant to be queer characters; however, queer viewers resonated with their struggle with identity, as they hide from humans. Part of the anxiety Luca battles stems from his fear of being discovered by the new friends he’s made and being rejected. The two characters try to reconcile their identities with their dreams, which they think are incompatible. At 15, I immediately recognized a portrayal of queer struggle and internalized homophobia. Luca’s fear of being found out made me feel for him because it very accurately represented what it felt like to be afraid to be open about my own identity. In the end, the boys are revealed as sea creatures and accepted by the humans who had grown to admire them over the summer. After their revelation, more “human” characters transform in a scene that reveals that there were more hidden sea creatures amongst the humans all along. Some interpret a representation of being closeted and coming out within these scenes. The allegories in “Luca”
seemed so obvious to me. What on the surface seems like merely an adventurous story for children, is actually very deep and meaningful. I will always cherish this film as one telling people to live freely, to seize the day and to not live in fear but in hope. I was moved as a teenager, and still am, by the courage of the boys. The film takes you on a rollercoaster ride that captivates you in the possibility of hope and authenticity. So, if you were wondering, the thing that I realized at 15 and will probably forget in a decade or so is that life is short. Children think they’ll live forever, that what inevitably happens to everyone won’t happen to them. Adults, with their worldly experience and decades behind them, get comfortable and though they are aware of death, their routine or lack of dying thus far distracts them from the fact that one day their routine will be disrupted. Teenagers and young adults, who have had less time on this Earth, think about it more often, out of fear of not living enough. We experience the world with an intensity that makes us feel like anything is possible, and maybe it’s my age speaking but, anything is. Like Alberto and Luca, we develop a lust for life, and nothing can get in our way of chasing it. “Luca” will always remind me of this and every year I will rewatch it in an effort to delay becoming the adult that forgets.
Ariana Grande isn’t Done Growing on ‘petal’ By OWEN THEBERGE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Ariana Grande’s life has been a string of devastating events: the Manchester bombing back in 2017, the death of her longtime friend Mac Miller, her engagement with Pete Davidson being broken off, her marriage with Dalton Gomez crumbling before her eyes and now grueling speculations about her weight. Shockingly, Grande has bounced back every time — a better vocalist, human and public figure after every strike. Much of Grande’s newest album “petal” is an outward manifestation of her ire and frustration at the speculations about her body. While “petal” is her weakest response to her trauma, especially in lieu of her 2019 smash hit “thank u, next,” it is still a catchy pop album that is a worthy addition to Grande’s illustrious discography. The sonic soundscape of “petal” is darker than any previous album by Grande, including “thank u, next,” which features her most
devastating song “ghostin.” The song “kiss me” kicks off “petal” with an explosive start, as electronic blips and swoons introduce the listener to the cryptic, glitchy aesthetic and sound of the album. It’s a great opener that grabs the listener’s attention and highlights Grande’s prowess as not only a singer, but a producer, as she produced most of it herself. The beginning and middle of the album are cohesive, precise and beautiful, with “petal,” “oh well” and “big feelings” as standouts for me personally. These are songs about shrugging off a breakup, empowering oneself and moving on, which for Grande at this moment seems necessary. She is snarky and crude, yet playful and enticing. The album shifts with the song “like i do,” as we see Grande get cocky, snide and a bit rude while reclaiming her self-worth. It’s a highlight on the record and shows that the version of Grande fans miss from 2018-19 is still inside her, and she’s not going anywhere. We see this side of Grande on the song “petal”
where she gets angry and blunt, but we don’t see it to the degree of “like i do” and its catiness. The record’s final song “nowhere, nobody” is a sweet and affirming closing that showcases Grande’s journey towards self-love. She reminds herself to take “deep breaths, honey” and that “there’s no point running,” which is moving for longtime fans like myself who understand that these have been her moral virtues her entire career. The song resolves the central conflict of “petal,” which revolves around Grande feeling like she’s a petal stuck in the pavement, only able to grow around the confines of the “gravel” that encompasses her. It’s a beautiful sentiment to acknowledge this and still choose yourself over everything. While “petal” isn’t Grande’s best work, nor one of the best records of the year, it’s an important album in Grande’s discography that highlights her mental state in a way that makes you want to comfort, understand and support her.
She showcases how she isn’t merely a flower that grows in the pavement; she has the
ability to expand and overtake the pavement that is meant to suffocate her.
COURTESY OF SPOTIFY
Ariana Grande reveals her raw, unadultered feelings on “petal.”
September 23, 2026
CULTURE Successful Cafe or Just Another Chain?
By JULIA TYNAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
With hundreds of cafes in New York City, how do you choose which one to go to? I chose to visit NYC’s first Tatte Bakery & Café (pronounced like “latte”), which opened in Gramercy in July of this year. Tatte’s mission is to create cafes in which people can “gather, build relationships and feel at home,” according to the website. Tatte has expanded across the East Coast, with over 50 locations across Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and New York. The founder, Tzurit Or, began selling her pastries at a farmers market in Boston’s Copley Square, eventually opening the first Tatte in Brookline, Massachusetts. Tatte has entered one of the most competitive cafe markets. Their competitors include Bluestone Lane, which offers Australian-style coffee, and Maman, which incorporates French-inspired cuisine. Tatte, however, serves food with Israeli, Mediterranean and European influences. Its menu includes coffees, pastries, breakfast, savory dishes and seasonal items, such as their signature corn and spinach shakshuka
and Caesar salad with tahini. Tatte is trying to sell a brand experience, not just a place to eat. Tatte’s fast expansion reflects the growing demand for cafes that combine atmosphere, food and a sense of community. However, as NYC is already filled with countless cafe chains, what makes Tatte different? On my first visit to Tatte, I went to the Ridgewood, New Jersey, location, which has been open since May 2025. Although it was a busy Sunday with many customers, there were plenty of seating options. This experience felt relaxing, like a place where I could sit peacefully or even settle in with a book. I ordered a halloumi and sunny-side breakfast sandwich and a tahini pumpkin oatmilk latte. The food was very fresh, with the latte perfect for fall. The service at the Ridgewood location was excellent; the waiter brought my food to the table quickly, and the staff was friendly. The waiter also mentioned that another location is set to open this year on the Upper East Side, reflecting Tatte’s growth within the NYC community. I then visited Tatte’s first NYC location in Gramercy on a Wednesday afternoon. The store had tiled floors, marble
tables, comfortable booths, industrial fixtures and fresh greenery, creating a polished look. Although I expected the NYC location to offer a welcoming atmosphere, my experience was different. When I walked in, I placed my order right away: an iced strawberry and cardamom cooler and a ham and cheese croissant, which were delicious. I picked up my food but couldn’t find a seat, so I sipped my drink by the counter until a table opened up for me. With other customers also standing around waiting for seats, I felt rushed rather than relaxed. Tatte maintained a consistent menu and aesthetic across both locations, but the experience varied. The crowd in Gramercy indicates a growing customer base, but if people cannot sit and stay, that runs counter to the community-focused experience Tatte aims to embody. The city has a range of competition among bakeries, coffee shops, trendy cafes and brunch restaurants. In my time going to different places in the city for food, I’ve found that many offer the same basic combination: coffee, pastries and savory food. What makes Tatte different, though, is its seasonal menu, recognizable interiors and established brand
outside of NYC. However, it needs to create a consistent experience across locations to meet customer expectations. With Tatte’s popularity, the new Upper East Side location could broaden its customer base and make seating more accessible across its NYC locations. The performance
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of future branches will reflect whether Tatte can create a consistent experience, while still adapting to each neighborhood. Tatte has the components to succeed, but success will depend on more than its food and polished interior, especially in a highly competitive cafe market in NYC.
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM
Tatte Bakery & Café offers classic delights like coffee, pastries and more.
‘Pre-Existing Condition’ Returns to the Stage in NYC By ELINOR RYAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Marin Ireland’s “Pre-Existing Condition” has returned to New York, two years after its debut. The off-Broadway play examines both the emotional, messy aftermath and recovery process following an abusive relationship. This hard-hitting play reintroduces its analysis of trauma with a new rotation of lead actresses, including Lupita Nyong’o and Phillipa Soo. The play’s minimalistic description and reviews all allude to an ambiguous and exclusive drama that mustn’t be missed during its 18-week run in Greenwich House Theater. This simplicity is a motif seen throughout the play: There are just four actors that guide the audience through the 75-minute piece, the characters are billed as “A,” “B,” “C” and “D,” the set is comprised of copies of the simple chair that appears on the playbill and even the playbill itself is just a frontand-back leaf — not even a folding pamphlet. The minimalism of the production emphasizes the bleakness of the events of the play, as the story speaks for itself and doesn’t require theatrics to convey its gravity. The highly anticipated revival commenced with “A,” the protagonist, being
portrayed by Nyong’o, who dons an oversized sweater that she often retreats into to avoid the uncomfortable truths and memories her character grapples with throughout her journey. Nyong’o’s striking performance brought tears to the eyes of many audience members, who commented after the show that she illustrates just how multifaceted experiences like A’s can be. The three supporting actors are some of the few constants seen in the production, each filling the roles of many characters. Greg Keller is A’s mom (providing the audience with some much-needed comic relief), then an angry friend, then a first date, then a hookup and finally the ex-boyfriend around whose previous actions the story revolves. Keller was one of my favorite contributors to “PreExisting Condition,” adapting to each role quickly and convincingly. The constant rotation of supporting roles may induce whiplash, but the story is grounded in A’s character, who was partially inspired by the playwright’s own experiences. Ireland has spoken out about the unsaid culture of exploitation that stains the world of theater worldwide, and has started conversations that have led to more protections and procedures in many theater companies.
Nyong’o will soon hand off her protagonist to Phillipa Soo, and I would be remiss to omit my anticipation of the part’s transition and critics’ responses to it, as I imagine it may introduce a new interpretation of the character. This periodical rotation of A’s actress mirrors the same accelerated style of the play’s other three actors, but more clearly demonstrates its purpose. The six unique actresses portraying A will eventually join B, C and D on stage to exhibit just how ubiquitous A’s experiences unfortunately are. “Pre-Existing Condition” discusses different paths A might take after her traumatic experiences and thus reveals how insubstantial those actions actually are. Yes, therapy exists, but countless lawyers (even some her therapist referred her to) reject her due to insufficient profits they foresee. Therapy can be helpful, but it can also feel inconclusive; legal action may provide more concrete results, but that action may cause (sometimes unwanted) harm to the offender or otherwise incur more expenditure by the person harmed, whether monetary, reputational or emotional. If the show’s 2026 run is extended or revived in the future, I wonder if the role of A may be portrayed
by a non-female actor. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 81% of women report experiencing sexual harassment, so it is obviously imperative to voice their stories, but 43% of men report the same, and there is little to no data regarding nonbinary people’s experiences. Perhaps future casts will include nonfemale actors so these stories can be told as well, but even the current cast reflects how
ever-present these experiences are, regardless of background. “Pre-Existing Condition” tells a far too common story of trauma and its aftermath, and reveals the severe lack of closure and options victims often face. Facing the reality of this kind of story is crucial in understanding the experiences of many, and can give an audience an appropriate approach to the topic’s discussion, which is vital for any future change.
COURTESY OF THE NEW YORK TIMES
Tatiana Maslany reading on stage in “Pre-Existing Condition.”
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September 23, 2026
The Case for the Messy Adaptation of ‘House of the Dragon’ By MEENA FORD CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Since its inception, HBO’s “Game of Thrones” spinoff “House of the Dragon” (“HOTD”) has faced no shortage of criticism regarding its casting, pacing and swapped storylines. However, the most glaring criticism — the show’s deviance from its source material, George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood” — is one I can’t get past. Truthfully, the main factor motivating me to watch the third season was writing this review itself, and I say that as a fan who considers “HOTD” season one to be superior, in some aspects, to its predecessor. Cue the mob and torches. For anyone who needs a refresher, “House of the Dragon” chronicles the Targaryen civil war, known
as the Dance of the Dragons, sparked when King Viserys names his daughter Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) his heir, only for his second wife Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) to maneuver her own son onto the throne instead. What follows is a two-decade fracture between two women who were once inseparable, dragged by the men around them into a war that neither wanted. People are protective over original source material and their subsequent adaptations, and rightfully so. An adaptation, by definition, is a change or adjustment by which a thing becomes better suited to its environment and survival. “House of the Dragon” does this well. At its core, the show asks how far someone will go to prevent a woman from holding a position of power. A situation that reflects, with
striking similarities and differences, our current one. I’m a sucker for a “mirror held up to society” type of show. Sue me. Season three is where the second season’s stalemate finally breaks. Season two spent most of its time on maneuvering and diplomacy, closing with both sides still circling each other rather than fighting. Season three picks up immediately after and doesn’t waste time getting both sides into open war. Season three is not the strongest stretch the show has produced, though you can tell it wants to be. The first three episodes start off strong, but it’s a bummer that the momentum fizzles out from there. Sadly, that’s starting to feel like a pattern across all three seasons now. There’s a strong opening, followed by a stretch that loses its
COURTESY OF ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
The storylines of lead “House of the Dragon” characters are facing scrutiny from fans.
footing, with the fifth and sixth episodes almost always deemed fillers. The narrative flow can feel spastic at times, juggling so many plotlines at once that I found myself overwhelmed trying to keep track of all of them. The pacing never reads as deliberate as “Game of Thrones” at its peak did. It doesn’t help that there was a two-year gap between the season two finale and the season three premiere, only for the payoff to be another eight-episode season. D’Arcy and Cooke remain the show’s backbone. D’Arcy plays Rhaenyra as a woman visibly aging in real time under the weight of the crown, while Cooke gives Alicent a controlled desperation and a wicked weaponization of her position as dowager queen. Ewan Mitchell’s Aemond and James Norton’s Ormund round out a strong supporting cast, with Norton in particular building one of the show’s more unsettling villains despite his very little screen time. The cherry on top? My wishes were granted! The dragon work has taken a visible leap forward: the Battle of Tumbleton, to me, is the first time the show’s aerial combat has matched the chaos Martin describes on the page instead of smoothing it into something more legible for TV. Rhaenyra’s central adversity has always been men refusing to believe she’s capable of ruling the Seven Kingdoms, despite affirmations found in the form of prophecies, sworn oaths and an official naming
of heir alike. In season three that doubt has metastasized: it isn’t just the smallfolk who doubt Rhaneyra’s capabilities anymore, it’s her own small council and even her son. Alicent in the books is a straightforward, calculating antagonist, while the series gives her a more tragic nature, driven by duty rather than pure ambition. That said, season three pushes her arc further than I think it can bear. Some, if not most of her choices, seem like a betrayal of who she was in season one, sacrificing character consistency for shock value. I also found myself increasingly frustrated by how often Rhaenyra simply hesitates. I don’t want her tipping into the kind of unearned villainy “Game of Thrones” inflicted on Daenerys at the very end of its run, but there’s a version of Rhaenyra in this season who’s too often squeamish, retreating into apprehension in exactly the moments the story needs her to act. The third season of “HOTD” doesn’t solve the show’s pacing problems, but an adaptation is meant to evolve, and evolution is rarely pristine; it involves risks that can’t always land universally. But even with these stumbles, the show remains a captivating and highly relevant study of power and gender. With adaptations often being page for page remakes, the willingness of “HOTD” to reimagine its source material, mess and all, is what makes it vital. Season four has a lot to prove, but I’m not going anywhere.
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Across 4. Centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table or the arena in "The Hunger Games." 6. A fun activity if you're into foraging for fruit. 8. The quintessential American fall sport. 10. A popular fall spice and occasional toothpaste flavor. 11. Seniorita Awesome would NEVER order this kind of latte.
Down 1. A tasty apple drink, or, a fast fashion website. 2. We're entering this item of clothing's weather. 3. Leaf peepers mosey up to New England to see this. 5. Massachusetts is known for these bogs... and their spiders. 7. A labyrinth of maize. 9. All kinds of fruits and sweets are put in this tartshaped dessert.
SPORTS
September 23, 2026
Page 21
Fordham Gets Their First Win of Season
Varsity Scores & Stats
By EMA GJENASHI CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Football Fordham William & Mary
52 27
Water Polo Fordham Mt. St. Mary’s
23 5
Fordham Mercyhurst
26 3
Fordham Bucknell
21 11
Men’s Soccer Loyola Chicago Fordham
2 0
Women’s Soccer Loyola Chicago Fordham
3 0
Volleyball Fordham Georgia Southern
0 3
Fordham North Florida
0 3
Fordham Kennesaw St.
0 3
On Saturday, after three losses to open the season, Fordham Football finally captured its first win on the road against the College of William & Mary with a score of 52-27. This comes after two consecutive losses against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents in North Dakota State University and Coastal Carolina University. This was the first matchup in history between the two programs, as William & Mary completed their switch to the Patriot League this past year. Coming into Saturday, William & Mary was 1-1 in conference play, with their only loss coming from Lehigh University, the defending conference champions. Gunnar Smith, the starting senior quarterback for the Rams, went 12-21 for 141 yards and three touchdowns, his best performance of the season thus far. Sophomore Yohan-Li Lewis led the Rams in rushing yards with 203 yards on 15 carries and scored an impressive 57yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. In addition, senior Jamell James rushed for 163 yards, scoring three touchdowns for the Rams, eclipsing his previous season stats
Fordham Football takes their first win of 2026 in Virginia in dominant fashion.
in just one game. Receivers Nodin Tracy, John Morris and KJ Reed combined for 80 yards and three touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Ricky Gonzalez, despite not scoring in the game, led Fordham’s receivers with 41 yards. Fordham’s total of 52 points is the most they have scored in a game since 2022 against Colgate University, which is responsible for one of their three losses this season. On the opposing side, William & Mary quarterback Winston Watkins went 19-26 and threw for 286 yards, his highest this season so far. Andrew King led the team in rushing
yards with 122 on 16 carries including a 67-yard rush to the endzone in the second quarter, which was William & Mary’s first score of the game. William & Mary’s top two receivers in this game, sophomore Kai Austin and freshman Luke Vanantwerp, had successful performances, combining for 161 yards; however, it wasn’t enough to hold off the Rams. On the defensive front, Fordham’s unit put considerable pressure on the William & Mary offense, forcing two fumbles, neither of which were recovered. However, neither team was intercepted at any point during the game.
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The Rams were able to come out of the gate fast, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter and finishing the first half up 28-7. In the second half, Fordham kept the heat on, scoring three more touchdowns. With the Rams able to rattle off a win in the final game of a three-game road trip, they return home to the Bronx on Saturday, Sept. 26, to play Stony Brook University in their last game against a non-conference opponent. Although wthe Rams managed a road win, they will return in the hopes of achieving their first home win and improving their record.
College Sports are a Mess: Can the Government Fix it? By DOMENICK FEDELE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Pretty much everyone can agree that college sports, especially football and men’s basketball, are in dire need of reform. Name, Image, & Likeness (NIL), eligibility battles, the explosion of the transfer portal and the coaching carousel have completely changed the landscape and have ultimately come to overshadow the sports themselves. It is clear that something needs to be changed, and the federal government appears poised to throw its thumb on the scale in a big way. The Protect College Sports Act has recently passed multiple procedural votes in the Senate with a strong majority and is likely to be passed on to the House of Representatives soon. Whether it will pass the House after the midterms is uncertain, as many previous proposals about the issue have fallen apart in that chamber. However, this version of the bill has more support in the Senate and the college sports world than any previous effort, and is likely to become law in some form. If this were to become reality, massive changes would come to college sports, aimed at stabilizing the chaos. Let’s break down what’s in the bill and what it could mean for programs across the country. Realignment within the Power 4 Conferences would cap each league at 19 teams and require any switching team to spend
COURTESY OF THE NEW REPUBLIC
Ted Cruz is leading the campaign for the Protect College Sports Act.
three years as an independent first. However, this would only apply until many of the conferences’ deals expire, ultimately rendering most of these restrictions moot. There are no such efforts to regulate realignment among the non-Power conferences, and the bill additionally prohibits the consolidation of conferences into a “Super League.” The proposed restrictions on the transfer portal will be much more impactful, and they have become one of the most talked-about features of college sports, especially in football and basketball. Last cycle, over 10,000 football players, 5,000 men’s basketball players and 2,500 women’s basketball players entered the transfer portal, many of whom remained unsigned. This is thanks to the effectively unlimited transfer system that currently exists (due
to court orders). The Protect College Sports Act would dramatically alter this system, limiting undergraduates to only one transfer before being required to sit out for a year, with exceptions for head-coaching changes, a sport being discontinued or misconduct issues. The newly implemented five years of eligibility would become legally binding as well. NIL would also see changes, though not as drastic as the transfer portal updates. NIL has been controversial since it was first implemented by the NCAA in 2021 in response to pressure from state laws and court cases. A massive $2.8 billion settlement in 2025 opened the door for universities to pay athletes NIL money directly, in addition to the third-party deals that were permitted since 2021. The new bill would increase the previous $21 million cap of direct school
payments by $22.5 million, with an additional $5 million for women’s and nonrevenue sports. Third-party NIL is still alive and well under this bill, but it will be more strictly reported to ensure that the funding is not actually coming from the school. Lane Kiffin and Louisiana State University (LSU) have spent a lot of time in the headlines in the past year, and not exactly for the right reasons. The first reason was Kiffin’s controversial move from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) to LSU in the midst of their best season in program history. Then it went from bad to worse when LSU appeared poised to add two former NFL players to their roster for 2026. Although the players were never added, the saga made national news. This new act directly addresses these controversies. All professional players will be barred from returning to college, and all coaches and football staff that accept a head coaching job at a new school will be prohibited from starting at their new job before the end of both schools’ seasons. This new rule, which has become known as the “Lane Kiffin Rule,” aims to create a more NFL-esque head coach hiring timeline. NIL, transfer portal and head coaching changes are by far the major features of this act, with conference realignment also of minor note. The rest of the bill contains provisions that are unlikely to have much of an impact on college sports, including the
option for schools to pool media rights (incredibly unlikely due to SEC and Big-10 objections), the capping of agent fees at 5% and a completely nonbinding suggestion to hold the National Championship game before Jan. 8. The bill keeps athletes’ non-employee status untouched, creates a legislative committee to work on implementation issues and also creates a new historically Black colleges or universities (HBCU) media connectivity program. The bill is widely supported across the sports world, with backing from 28 colleges, conferences, more than 370 schools and all four major sports leagues. High profile figures, including Nick Saban and Deion Sanders have also thrown their support behind the bill, as has President Donald Trump. Much opposition remains, however, including from the AFL-CIO over the lack of collective bargaining and trust concerns, and the Congressional Black Caucus over the lack of action by the NCAA and college sports on issues facing Black students (the HBCU provision is rejected as a trivial token that does not address longstanding inequities). It is likely that there will be some changes to the bill before it becomes law, but all signs point to the fact that it will eventually go into effect. Whether it will be enough to “fix” college sports remains to be seen, but it will certainly be a bold step forward that is music to the ears of many fans.
Page 22
SPORTS How Sports Helped Heal America Post-9/11
September 23, 2026
By KURT SIPPEL STAFF WRITER
Sports are a language that everyone can speak. No matter where you are from or who you are, sports bring people together. When the United States was rocked by the national tragedy of 9/11, it did not matter what ethnicity you were or what language you spoke; everyone was an American and helped one another in that moment. In the days after 9/11, life around the U.S., and especially in New York, was filled with fear as everyone craved a normalcy that no longer existed. As the ashes smoldered at Ground Zero and rescue workers searched for missing loved ones, hope still managed to come through despite the horrific events that had occurred. After 10 days, only a few miles from Ground Zero, the New York Mets unpaused their season at the request of former President George W. Bush so that Americans would have something to look forward to amidst the pain and suffering. On Sept. 21, New York held its first professional sporting event since the attacks: a late-season matchup between the Mets and their arch-rivals, the Atlanta
In the wake of 9/11, sports served as a welcome distraction for many Americans.
Braves. The game started with a moment of silence to honor the people who lost their lives in the tragedy and, after the national anthem, the two teams shook hands. While it might seem trivial, these two franchises were bitter rivals, symbolizing how many people came together in the aftermath of the tragedy. To set the scene for the game: in the bottom of the eighth inning, Atlanta was up by one run. The Mets had a runner on base with one out, and Mike Piazza was up to bat. Piazza was already two-for-three on the day, having hit two doubles and scoring the Mets’ only run of the game.
On a 0-1 count, Braves pitcher Steve Karsay delivered a ball down the middle. With a swing of his bat, Piazza hit a 425-foot home run, and in that moment, New York healed a little bit. “It was just this incredible release of emotion,” Piazza told MLB.com. “And I think, you know, it became evidently clear that people just wanted to cheer about something.” This home run allowed everyone to temporarily forget the horror of what they had witnessed and feel normal, even if just for a moment. “I got a feeling at that time of what it meant, what
COURTESY OF NBC 6 SOUTH
sports mean in our worldview,” Michael Kay said on his show on ESPN Radio. “Despite what goes on outside of our little candy store or toy store, sports brings us back to our innocence. Sports takes us away from the tough points of the day.” Kay encapsulates the feelings of many at the time who didn’t realize how much sports meant to those who were suffering. Many workers at Ground Zero listened to the games late into the night as a beacon of light in a dark time. This sentiment culminated in another memory that lives in history for those who watched the World Series in
the month following 9/11. In Game 3 of the Series featuring the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees, President Bush, who had encouraged baseball to resume in the first place, threw the ceremonial first pitch. Although Secret Service agents were disguised as ground crew and umpires, and Bush was wearing a bulletproof vest under his FDNY jacket, the moment felt normal to the millions watching and the 55,820 fans in Yankee Stadium. While the U.S. may have been bruised, its spirit was not broken. Sports can sometimes feel silly, given how obsessed and emotionally-drawn to their screens fans can get. However, sports serve as an escape from the inescapable during times of hardship. They offer a moment in the day when someone can disconnect and enjoy a few hours to themselves or with friends. A total of 2,977 victims were killed on 9/11, leaving empty seats at dinner tables that would never be filled again by friends and loved ones. These memories are heart-wrenching to think about, but for a few hours a night, sports provided a small moment of peace and an escape from grief.
Women’s Soccer Falls Short in Home Opener By DEREK BEAULIEU STAFF WRITER
A packed day for Fordham Women’s Soccer had a disappointing end with a 3-0 loss to the Loyola University Chicago Ramblers in the Rams’ Atlantic 10 (A-10) Conference opener, home opener and Senior Day. On a rainy and cloudy day in the Bronx, the Ramblers stormed the field before the real storms began, with first half goals from Ramblers freshman Addison Shaffer, senior Zoey Hevey and junior Lydia Case. Shaffer’s goal, the first of her collegiate career, came early on in the match, about the seventh minute. Slipping through the defenders before the rain even began, the forward marched through the Rams defense to gain a lead that the Ramblers would not look back on. They continued to pour it on in the first half, adding a slick goal from Hevey after getting through the Fordham backfield and a final splash off a far-side corner kick off the foot of senior Emily Rossi and the head of Case. Meanwhile, the Fordham attack could not get going, leading to frustration that continued to heat up. Fordham attempted to weave
The Rams suffered a 3-0 defeat to Loyola University Chicago.
through the rain and pepper shots through the Loyola Chicago defense in the second half, led by junior forward Julia Acosta and her seven shots, four of them on goal. However, her new backpack from Chicago had other ideas, as she stayed glued to Acosta’s side nearly the whole match, resulting in rushed shots, underdeveloped plays and a blocked shot that senior Allison Deardorff,
the Ramblers’ goalkeeper, did not have to worry about. The Rams’ frustration finally boiled over, as nothing seemed to get through the Ramblers’ defense. Four yellow cards were issued in the match, all after the first hour, three of which were for Fordham. Freshman Sophia Banzon and senior Riley Carroll both picked up their first yellow cards of the season, while junior Mackenzie
COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
Reid was issued her second. Loyola Chicago junior Catherine Cline was also issued her second. It’s now the Rams’ second straight game allowing multiple goals following their 5-1 loss to Yale University last Sunday. The only other time this season Fordham allowed multiple goals was the first game of the season at Georgetown University, currently ranked #14.
This home opener was also the second latest in program history, only beaten by the 1998 home opener on Sept. 27 against La Salle University. Similar to this year, however, that team also experienced a shutout loss. This loss, however, was their first since 2022, against Hofstra University (1-0). Before that, Fordham took down Wagner College, Manhattan College and Marist University by a combined score of 10-1. Following the game, Senior Day festivities were hosted in the McShane Campus Center to honor goalkeeper Sophia Mays, defensive player Piper Hasbrook, midfielders Salma Simonin, Lena Johnsen and Ava Guidice and forward Riley Carroll. All players, except for Mays, played 20 minutes in the Sunday afternoon match. Fordham Women’s Soccer will continue their A-10 Conference play shortly, traveling to George Mason University for a Thursday night match — a big game for Fordham to get back on track early. George Mason is looking to have success in their first home conference game after a 1-1 draw in Philadelphia against the Saint Joseph’s University Hawks. The game will start at 6 p.m.
SPORTS
September 23, 2026
Page 23
Formula 1: Madring Madness Recap By CAROLINE KORBA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
“And it’s lights out and away we go at the Spanish Grand Prix!” The voice of David Croft, veteran Formula One (F1) commentator, rang in the ears of all the motorsport fans who tuned into the broadcast last Sunday, Sept. 13. The Madring — the new circuit located in Madrid, Spain — was announced as the relocated home for the Spanish Grand Prix in January 2024. The circuit represents a unique hybrid venue, combining public roads with specially-built permanent track sections. Leading up to its debut, lots of controversy surrounded the dangers and risky technical racing lines of the circuit, especially surrounding the 22 turns. Most notably, the 12th curve, La Monumental, a 550-meter long banked curve with a 24% gradient where the street section switches over to the fixed course, garnered much attention for its ambitious nature, with commentators and fans alike unsure of how it might be tackled by the F1 cars. During Formula 3 testing, the high-speed corners and tight walls posed quite the challenge for drivers, leading to 19 crash and incident-related red flags. When the F1 drivers took to the circuit for Free Practice 1 (FP1), George Russell led a Mercedes 1-2, posting a faster lap than his 20-year-old Italian phenom of a teammate, Kimi Antonelli. The young racer came out on top during FP2 — leading the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton — and FP3, with Leclerc and Oscar Piastri of McLaren behind him. The sessions also saw crashes from
COURTESY OF FRONTSTRECH
Kimi Antonelli continued his dominance with another first place finish.
Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad, Haas’ Oliver Bearman and Hamilton, which set the stage for an intense Qualifying and Grand Prix. Qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 12, saw strong performances from Antonelli, Hamilton and Leclerc — until Lando Norris of McLaren nearly achieved a perfect lap and a speedy time that clinched him pole position. Accompanying him on the first row the next day was Antonelli, followed by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Hamilton. Clearly, there was plenty of action to be had at the Madring, with its circuit length of 5.414 kilometers, 57 laps and a total race distance of 308.399 kilometers. But before the lights went out and the racing began, two home race heroes — Madrid-born race ambassador Carlos Sainz of Williams and Oviedo native Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin — knew they had the opportunity to have a memorable go out on the track that weekend. When the drivers took off, what followed was certainly memorable, but for all the wrong reasons for the
Spaniards, and a certain Lando Norris as well. And just like that, at 3 p.m. in Madrid, the Madring grandstands and racetrack came to life. From the very first lap, three drivers were in contention for the win: Antonelli, Verstappen and Norris. The McLaren driver on pole had his work cut out for him, defending Antonelli and forcing him off the track twice to avoid contact. Behind the frontrunners, Verstappen overtook Hamilton unjustly in a tussle that the Red Bull engineers figured would be best resolved by Verstappen sacrificing five seconds to give back the position to Hamilton instead of facing a potential 10-second penalty. This move was complicated by Antonelli having snuck in between the two in the midst of their scuffle; Verstappen’s slowdown to allow Hamilton to pass again meant giving the young Italian the opportunity to speed by. By Lap 4, after the race’s first-lap chaos calmed down, a message no Ferrari fan wanted to hear came over Hamilton’s radio: “I think I’m having a
Yohan Li-Lewis (L) Jamell James (R) Football
Mila Mićunović (L) Gida Lanuale (R) Volleyball
Sophomore Yohan Li-Lewis and senior Jamell James were huge contributors to Fordham’s 52-27 win over the College of William and Mary. Li-Lewis ran for 203 yards on 15 carries including a 57-yard touchdown run. James rushed for his season high of 163 yards, including three touchdowns.
HOME AWAY
Wednesday Thursday Sept. 23 Sept. 24
Friday Sept. 25
Saturday Sept. 26
Football
STONY BROOK 1 p.m.
Men’s Soccer
VCU 3 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
Volleyball Junior Mila Mićunović and freshman Giada Lanuale were bright spots in the Rams’ dual defeats on Saturday. In the opening loss, Mićunović led the Rams with 13 kills at a .565 clip, while Lanuale contributed 18 assists. In the second loss, Lanuale recorded another 12 assists and Mićonović contributed a block.
misfortune that cost him the full time delay and his leading position to Leclerc, Antonelli and Verstappen. Leclerc, in his Ferrari, stayed out, seeking a future VSC or other incident that might have better timing for his strategy. No such future incident occurred, despite Ferrari’s hopes. The man in red led for several laps, but his tires were paying the price and Leclerc was forced to pit on Lap 49, giving Antonelli clear air and paving the path for victory. Norris, obviously devastated by his ill fate, had some catching up to do. He worked diligently to chip away at the gap, but for the remainder of the laps, the podium remained the same as how it ultimately finished: Norris in third, Verstappen in second and Antonelli in first. The narrowness of Madring and Verstappen’s excellent defensive tactics prevented Norris from overtaking him, especially with slower cars in the mix on certain chicanes. In a sport where timing is everything, a VSC completely changed the outcome of the first Grand Prix ever raced on the Madring circuit. Antonelli, now sitting at a total of 292 points in the World Drivers’ Championship, officially extended his lead to 81 points over teammate George Russell with his eighth, albeit unexpected, victory this season. Post-race interviews exposed many drivers’ urges to adjust several turns and create more opportunities for overtaking, for more excitement in the coming years. But for 2026, once the dust settled on the race track that day, the Madring had proclaimed its first king: Kimi Antonelli.
Varsity Calendar
Athletes of the Week Each week, The Fordham Ram’s Sports section honors two athletes for their on-field performances as “Athletes of the Week.”
brake failure, [the] pedal is going long.” To his own dismay as much as his fans’ and his engineers’ as well, he boxed and retired not even 10% into the Spanish Grand Prix, ruining his previous 100% completion streak of every lap this season. As teen-numbered laps rolled around, the different teams’ tire strategies became evident. Though this method was troubled by later events, most of the grid were on hard tires at that point, trying to get away with a one-stop race. The two Spaniards, Sainz and Alonso, were involved in an incident on Lap 14, with Sainz squeezing the two-time world champion into the wall and damaging Alonso’s front wing. Alonso ultimately finished P17 — not ideal, but better than his countryman Sainz, who went on to retire his car on Lap 46. Also on Lap 14, Lance Stroll of Aston Martin was experiencing a braking issue and crashed, where Hamilton had also retired. A yellow flag was issued just as Norris passed, after which a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was issued. Under the VSC, speeds are reduced throughout the track, making the typical 25-second pit stop only a 13-second delay — a dramatic event providing a race-changing advantage or disadvantage to drivers, depending on their luck. Antonelli (who swapped his medium tires for hards) and Verstappen boxed, seizing the opportunity to save themselves time. Norris was told to pit but alas, the polesitter had a long way to go under restricted speed before reaching the point of pit entry. Unfortunately for him, the VSC ended right when he arrived at the pit lane, a
Water Polo
Sunday Sept. 27
DAVIDSON 1 p.m.
GEORGE MASON
6 p.m.
DUQUESNE
DUQUESNE
6 p.m.
2 p.m.
UCLA
LONG BEACH STATE
8 p.m.
MXC WXC Men’s Tennis
Monday Sept. 28
HOFSTRA INVITATIONAL
3 p.m.
CAL BAPTIST
2 p.m.
Tuesday Sept. 29
SPORTS
Page 24
September 23, 2026
Women’s Super League Recap: City Shines, United Falls By AARYAN SAMA
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Women’s Super League (WSL) is back underway, and two matchdays in, it is clear that this season will be very exciting. For starters, the league has expanded in size, as the top flight of English women’s football now has 14 teams rather than 12, meaning that clubs must play 26 matches in a league season instead of 22. Birmingham City was promoted for winning Women’s Super League 2 (WSL2), but the runner-up, Crystal Palace, were also promoted. Leicester City, who finished 12th, were the only team relegated last season after losing the play-off against the third-placed team in the WSL2, with Charlton Athletic taking Leicester’s place in the top flight. One of the most riveting storylines regarding this season is the transfer of twotime Ballon d’Or Féminin winner Alexia Putellas to the London City Lionesses, making her the first-ever Ballon d’Or winner to play in the WSL. Many consider her the
best player in the world and were bewildered by her decision to leave FC Barcelona for a much smaller, newer team. However, she has won every award possible in Spain and may have been enticed by a new challenge, along with the improved wages that the London club had to offer. Two games in, the superstar has yet to record a goal contribution, with the team disappointingly losing to West Ham in Matchday 2. Therefore, it will be interesting to see if the objectively biggest signing in English women’s football will be a success as the season progresses. After Manchester City’s dominant 2025-26 season, they’ve started off strongly once again, winning both of their first two games. Once again, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw looks impressive, as she currently sits at the top of the goal contribution charts with three goals and one assist in two games. Fans voiced skepticism this summer about rumors of her departure once her contract expired, especially to league rivals, Chelsea. However, she’s contributed to
COURTESY OF BBC
The Women’s Super League has kicked off a new season.
two very convincing wins against Birmingham City and Aston Villa. Both of these games have seen City score three or more goals, showing that their attacking dominance from last year is not fading away. They also have a stellar midfield, with Yui Hasegawa and Vivianne Miedema controlling the tempo on the pitch like no other. Many see them as favorites for the title, and as the only team to win out so far that prediction seems sound. However, many eyes are also on Arsenal, coming off
a season where they finished runners-up to City and also made the semi-finals of the League Cup and UEFA Champions League. They were very active in the summer transfer window, bidding farewell to players such as Beth Mead and Katie McCabe to league rivals Manchester City and Chelsea, respectively. Then they brought in Georgia Stanway, Ona Batlle, Misa Rodríguez and five more players to deal with their 10 outgoings, which overall improves the squad’s weaknesses from the 2025-26 season that led them to fall short
of major silverware. They’ve begun the season slightly below expectations, scraping a win against Brighton & Hove Albion and failing to score against Crystal Palace in a 0-0 draw. They are currently on four points, along with Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. Finally, another point of conversation is how disappointing Manchester United’s start to the season has been, with two losses in two games played. After finishing in the top four last season, they’ve had a nightmare start to the season, losing to the London City Lionesses in the league opener, which was followed by an embarrassing 5-0 loss to Chelsea. With new coach Eva Olid at the wheel, many were disappointed by her first transfer window, although some signings were made at the end of the window. That being said, it is the stage of the season where it is too early to judge where teams will end up at the end of the season. Nonetheless, it has proven to be a very exciting start to the 2026-27 WSL season.
Overtime: Not Just Athletes By JAMES NELSON SPORTS EDITOR
The phrase “keep politics out of sports” is one we hear all too often. For many people, sports serve as an escape from politics and current events, where the sole focus is on the competition at hand. When professional athletes use their platform to deliver political or social messages, they are often met with backlash from fans seeking to avoid such commentary and media outlets that disagree with it. Sports leagues are acutely aware of this and have put in place rigid guardrails to limit athlete expression. Still, athletes are deciding to push past these guardrails to spread their message. The NFL has one of the strictest policies of all sport organizations when it comes to athlete messaging. Rule 5 Section 4 Article 8 of the NFL Rulebook states that players must submit writings or illustrations that convey personal messages in advance to be approved by the league if they intend to wear them during pregame, playtime, post-game interviews and any other time in which they would be visible to the stadium and television audience. Furthermore, the rule states that players are prohibited from wearing writings or illustrations that promote
Sports and politics meet once again in the big leagues.
political activities or causes. Lastly, the rule states that for messages to be approved they must be “tasteful” and “non-controversial.” The NFL cited this rule on Sept. 16, when the league announced that Houston Texans Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair would be fined $11,492 for displaying unapproved writing during a game. On Sept. 13, Al-Shaair wrote “Hind Rajab” on his eyeblack and wore it for the duration of the Texans game against the Buffalo Bills. Hind Rajab is the name of a
five-year-old Palestinian girl who, along with five of her family members, was shot and killed by the Israeli military in Gaza. In January of 2024, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) denied involvement in the killing, before taking responsibility for it in August of this year. In a locker room interview, Al-Shaair commented on the fine, “What’s a life worth? Is a life worth $11,000? No, I think it’s priceless.” AlShaair said he hoped to bring awareness to people who didn’t know about Rajab’s
COURTESY OF ESPN
murder. “Probably most of you guys [reporters] might not even know who she was. That’s kind of the point,” he said. This isn’t the first time that Al-Shaair has been fined by the NFL. In January, he received a similar penalty for writing “Stop the Genocide” on his eyeblack, referring to the IDF’s killing of over 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza. As expected, Al-Shaair’s displays have drawn criticism. Bobby Burack, journalist for the Fox News owned outlet Outkick, wrote
an article in January attacking Al-Shaair. Burack wrote, “In general, it’s bad business to use a sports platform to make a personal statement.” Burack continued, “Put bluntly, many athletes and coaches weigh in on issues they do not fully understand.” The practice of delegitimizing the voices of professional athletes has been in play for years. One infamous instance of this came when Fox News host Laura Ingraham told NBA players LeBron James and Kevin Durant to “shut up and dribble” after the athletes criticized President Donald Trump in an interview. While pro athletes aren’t politicians and may not be experts on the issues they are addressing, they are still free to share their thoughts and opinions. This may be complicated by the policies that sports leagues employ to regulate athlete speech, but many athletes still feel a responsibility to use their platform regardless of the rules. The question for athletes like Al-Shaair is not whether their message complies with league policy or if it will ruffle feathers in the media and fandom, but rather how to best support and advocate for what they believe is right. Fines and backlash may be considered worth the cost if athletes are getting their message across to audiences.