Volume 108 Issue 16

The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 Volume 108, Issue 16

October 21, 2026

TheFordhamRam.com

Fordham’s Writing Center Expands Staff

Chow Discusses Her Memoir at Lincoln Center

By MADELINE

By GRACE KAWECKI

SCHMIDTBERG

ASST. NEWS EDITOR

The Fordham University Writing Center has expanded its staff to hire undergraduate peer tutors for the first time, marking a major shift in how the university provides academic writing support across its campuses. The initiative pairs newly hired undergraduate tutors with existing graduate and professional-level staff. This expansion aims to make the center more accessible while providing valuable professional growth for the new undergraduate hires. Elisabeth Buck, Ph.D., director of the Writing Center and an associate professor of English, explained that integrating undergraduate tutors into the academic ecosystem brings unique benefits to the student body. “I myself worked as a Writing Center tutor when I was an undergraduate student, and I ended up liking it so much I never left,” Buck said. “Working as a writing tutor is a wonderful professional development opportunity, as you learn how to problemsolve and cultivate excellent communication skills.” Buck had been seeking the necessary administrative approvals to hire undergraduate students since she assumed her directorial role, and the policy was successfully implemented this semester. The undergraduate tutors join a robust operation that serves thousands of student writers annually at both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center. Tutors assist students at all stages of the writing process, which includes brainstorming, outlining, structuring, citing, researching and grammarediting. These services are available for any written work, whether it is for a specific class, a professional role or a creative assignment.

The Fordham University Asian American studies (AAST) program hosted a book conversation for journalist and author Kat Chow about her memoir, “Seeing Ghosts: A Memoir,” on Friday, Oct. 16. Chow is the Newsday/ Laventhol visiting assistant professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Her memoir is the common text for the AAST’s program this semester, and free copies were given to AAST minors, which could be signed by Chow following the talk. Stephen Sohn, who is an English professor at Fordham University, explained that “Seeing Ghosts: A Memoir” was chosen as the common text because of its interdisciplinary scope, combining memoir, journalistic writing and historical contextualization to explore grief. The memoir was named a Notable Book by The New York Times and was a finalist for the Connecticut Book Award. During the conversation, Chow explained that writing has always been a part of who she is. “I always knew that I was drawn to words and language as a way to express what I couldn’t actually understand about myself or my family,” Chow said. Chow’s memoir is part grief examination, part ghost story about her experience losing her mother at 13 years old. She framed the memoir from a story her mother told her when she was nine years old. “She said, ‘When I die, I want you to get me stuffed, and so that I can be in your future apartment,’” Chow said. She took inspiration from books to write her own

SEE WRITING, PAGE 3

2 News Photography

Photography Exhibit Connects Rams Across Generations

HANNAH SULLIVAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education.

Fordham University’s Title IX Process By GRACE KAWECKI ASST. NEWS EDITOR

The Ram sat down with Liz Fanelli, Title IX coordinator at Fordham University, to understand more about the Title IX process and the university resources available to students who have been through experiences of sexual harassment, assault and/or sex discrimination. “There’s a lot of support

available for the students who need it and I’m not there to tell anyone this is what you need,” Fanelli said. “I want them to tell me what they need. I’m going to work with them because really getting the support is so important.” Fanelli explained that the Title IX process begins with a report. Students can make a report directly to the Title IX office by calling, emailing or reporting in person, or by

talking to a mandated reporter, which can be a professor or a resident assistant (RA). The mandated reporters are obligated to report anything that falls under the Title IX office to Fanelli. All employees at Fordham are mandated reporters, with the exception of medical professionals in University Health Services, clinicians in Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) SEE TITLE IX, PAGE 3

Keating Steps Celebrates Performing Arts Clubs By MAGGIE WILSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Keating Steps is an annual Fordham tradition that showcases student performers and raises awareness for

student-run performing arts clubs at Fordham University. It is an opportunity for the performing arts clubs to advertise future performances to the student body and to recruit for their next auditions.

Missouri Midterm Mania

SEE STEPS, PAGE 4

MAGGIE WILSON FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

FLAVA, Fordham’s hip-hop club, dancing at Keating Steps.

5 Opinion Redistricting

This year, Keating Steps ran from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Before each dance, a short history and description of each performing club was read to the audience,

IN THIS ISSUE

R

9 Culture SNL

SNL’s New Season Arrives

SEE CHOW, PAGE 4

15 Sports Yankees

It’s Time for the Yankees to Make a Change

NEWS

Page 2

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS

October 21, 2026

Photography Exhibit Connects Rams Across Generations

Larkin Hall Oct. 13 7:37 p.m.

On Tuesday, at 7:37 p.m., a smoke alarm went off in Larkin Hall. The supervisor and FDNY responded. The investigation revealed the rooftop duct smoke detector triggered the alarm. There was no smoke or fire. Facilities personnel then responded to make the necessary repairs to the alarm.

Tierney Hall Oct. 16 6:43 p.m.

On Friday, at 6:43 p.m., there was a smoke alarm in Tierney Hall. The supervisor responded. The investigation revealed a faulty smoke detector triggered the alarm. The supervisor prepared a work order to have the faulty detector replaced.

Walsh Parking Lot Oct. 17 1:44 a.m.

On Saturday, at 1:44 a.m., a student reported that a non-Fordham student menaced them with a knife in the parking lot of Pugsley’s Pizza. The supervisor responded. The student said that they got into a verbal argument with the offender. The offender pulled out a knife. The supervisor called 911. The NYPD then responded and arrested the offender at the location.

Dealy Hall Oct. 19 5:50 p.m.

On Monday, at 5:50 p.m., there was a stuck, occupied elevator in Dealy Hall. The supervisor responded and notified FDNY to respond. FDNY responded and freed the occupant. The supervisor placed the elevator out of service and prepared a work order to have the elevator inspected.

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Wednesday Oct. 21

GABRIEL CAPELLAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Attendees observing the exhibit at the Ildiko Butler Gallery in Lowenstein Center.

By GABRIEL CAPELLAN ASST. NEWS EDITOR

A new photography exhibit at the Ildiko Butler Gallery is connecting generations of a family, right near the entrance to Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus. The exhibit is titled “Melvin Hollins: The Observer.” It showcases photos by Melvin Hollins, FCLC ’79, a veteran and Fordham graduate, featuring mainly portraits of working-class New Yorkers. According to its curators, Stephan Apicella-Hitchcock, an associate dean for undergraduate education and clinical professor of visual art and Jude Hollins, Melvin Hollins’ son, the name is an ode to how Melvin Hollins snapped photos as a silent observer of New York City. It’s also an ode to the Lincoln Center student newspaper, “The Observer.” The reception to celebrate the Hollinses was held on Oct. 15. Along with Jude Hollins, his wife Maya Hollins and daughters Zora Hollins, eight, and Alya Hollins, six, attended the exhibit. His daughters did not have the chance to meet their grandfather, as he passed away in 2015. “The fact that my kids can see this is particularly … This is the best part. It’s their grandpa,” Jude Hollins said. “They never met him. And so he’s like a myth, right? And so this is particularly for me, about them, and bringing them into that world.”

Jude Hollins also describes Melvin Hollins’ life as a difficult one. When Melvin Hollins was young, his mother died, leaving his father to raise him and his eight siblings. His eldest sibling was incarcerated for murder as a teen. Around the 1960s, after dropping out of high school, Melvin Hollins joined the military to escape the “family implosion.” Some countries in which he served include West Germany, South Korea and Vietnam. When he came back to the U.S., Melvin Hollins’ father died, and to cope, he picked up a camera. “He always had one or two cameras on him,” Jude Hollins said. “Particularly when he was at Fordham, I think he was taking photos all day, every day.” Jude Hollins said he enjoyed returning to campus. “It’s also a joy being here, because I was a little kid in this space,” he said. “I was particularly up [in the Outdoor Plaza], I’m itching to go upstairs and walk around that space.” Street photography was a regular hobby for Melvin Hollins when he and his family lived in the city. When he stopped taking photos, Jude Hollins said the effect on his mental health was noticeable. “It was therapy for him,” Jude Hollins said. “Once we left the city, he might not pick up a camera for months, and then, all of a sudden, we’d be like, ‘Oh God, he has the camera out.’”

Apicella-Hitchcock said he learned about these photos when he saw a photo of Denzel Washington as a student in the Pope Auditorium. His interest was piqued, and he reviewed over 2,000 of Melvin Hollins’ photos over the past two years. Apicella-Hitchcock believed the work he was undertaking was extremely important. “I’m old enough that when I encounter something, and I believe in it, I don’t second guess it,” Apicella-Hitchcock said. “I knew for a fact that this work was really important.” Apicella-Hitchcock said he’s grateful for being able to learn about Melvin Hollins and praise his work. “Though I never met him, I feel like I know him a little bit,” he said. “It’s so extraordinary to have Melvin’s first photo exhibition be back at his home here where we love him so dearly.” The curators condensed the 2,600 pictures into a 298 page book showcasing the work of Melvin Hollins, which can be found in the gallery. In it, Apicella-Hitchcock wrote an introduction praising the photographer for his work. “It is a massive understatement to say that they completely knocked me out,” he wrote. “Since that moment [seeing Melvin’s work], I have been telling students and anyone who will listen about the incredible Melvin Hollins.” Alongside the orange painted walls of the exhibit, 19

This Week at Fordham

Thursday Oct. 22

Friday Oct. 23

Saturday Oct. 24

photographs are on display. Guests at the opening reception walked through the space, slowing their pace to look closely at the works. Lily Sood, FCRH ’26, a recent graduate of Fordham, came to the exhibit at Apicella-Hitchcock’s invitation. “Stephan has been talking about it for a while, and I mean, the work is so interesting,” Sood said. “The photos are stunning, and it’s a really cool story.” Some images show a meatworker filling his truck, dancers going down a parade route by Central Park, men in leather vests smiling or a child standing on a subway platform. Sood noted how the images capture a moment in these people’s lives. “You’re looking at all of these very real people, and I think it’s just so interesting to see these people existing as they are,” Sood said. Amongst the guests, Alya Hollins was running around, similarly to a young Jude Hollins, with a phone in her hand, taking many photos of her grandfather’s work. Maya Hollins and Zora Hollins kept close behind her. Members of the Fordham community can learn about Melvin Hollins and his work up until the exhibit ends on Nov. 20. The exhibit is also being shown concurrently in the Susan Lipani Gallery at the Visual Arts Complex, at the Lowenstein Center.

Sunday Oct. 25

Fordham Women’s Summit

Mission-in-Action Sandwich Making

Dean’s List Reception

Fordham vs. Lafayette College

Family Weekend Concert

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Skadden Conference Center 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Lowenstein Lobby 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

JMCC 311 3 - 5 p.m.

Moglia Stadium at Jack Coffey Field 1 - 4 p.m.

University Church 1 - 3 p.m.

The summit will bring together participants for discussions and programming focused on women and leadership.

Participants will help prepare 225 meal packs for New York City community fridges and take part in an Ignatian reflection.

Fordham University will recognize students who earned Dean’s List honors for their academic achievements during the semester with a reception.

The Fordham’s Rams will face the Lafayette College Leopards in a home football game during Family Weekend, welcoming students, families and alumni to campus.

The Fordham University Choir and Fordham University Women’s Choir will perform their annual Family Weekend Concert.

NEWS Title IX Coordinator Liz Fanelli on the Title IX Process

Page 3

October 21, 2026

FROM TITLE IX PAGE 1

and pastoral counselors in Campus Ministry. “I think that part of the reason why people don’t want to report is because they don’t know what’s going to happen next,” Fanelli said. “I wanted to make [it] very clear that making a report does not trigger an investigation, that that only happens if that’s what the person making the report wants … it doesn’t trigger notification to the person that they’ve made the complaint against. That’s only going to happen in the event of a no-contact restriction or an investigation.” Fanelli said that if a student wants to make a report because something is impacting their life, they do not have to provide the name of the person it’s against or any other information to receive resources and support. If a student does not want to make a formal complaint but prefers an alternative resolution, they can pursue an informal resolution in which an outside agency mediates between the two parties. When a student makes a report, they are assigned an administrative support person (ASP), who is a residential director trained to interact with those reporting a situation to the Title IX office, Fanelli explained. The ASP will reach out to the student, who can then decide if and when they would like to schedule an appointment to talk. It is up to the student to decide what happens next throughout the process. “That’s kind of the overarching theme: that the person who’s making the complaint really leads the way in terms of what happens,” Fanelli said. Fanelli explained that if the

student meets with the ASP, the ASP will share resources with that student and talk through the reporting process. They will share the student’s bill of rights and explain to them that they can reach out for accommodations, request a no-contact restriction and make a report to Public Safety on campus or the police. A nocontact restriction is a mutual obligation under which neither party can contact the other and both parties receive an ASP. If the student does not want a no-contact restriction, then the person the report is made against will remain unaware of it. If the student chooses to make a report with Public Safety, the ASP and a trained public safety investigator will meet with the student to interview them about what happened. Once the investigative report is completed, both parties are given 10 days to review and comment on the report. Each party is then given five days to review each other’s comments and provide responses. Next, a preliminary report from the interview is given to Fanelli, who will review whether it meets the requirements of the Title IX grievance process. A report is considered to meet this process if it happened in the U.S., if it happened as part of an educational program or activity and if it meets the definition of one of the Title IX grievance matters, which includes quid pro quo harassment, sex or genderbased harassment, retaliation, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking. If the report meets one or more of these requirements, it must proceed as a Title IX grievance process, according to Fanelli.

The Title IX grievance process consists of a live hearing with a hearing officer present. It can be Nathan Faust, who is the assistant dean for Student Sexual Misconduct Prevention, Education & Conduct Resolution, or someone designated by him. Others that must be present are Fanelli, each party’s advisor (whom they can choose to pick or have assigned) and each party, who are questioned separately. Fanelli specified that the two parties can be questioned at different times, so that they do not have to be in the room together. However, the parties are able to see each other through a Zoom camera, which is set up during the hearing, Fanelli said. After the hearing officer interviews the parties and the advisors crossexamine the other party, a decision is made. “If there’s sufficient evidence to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that our sexual related misconduct policy has been violated, then the person will be found responsible,” Fanelli said. Fanelli said that when someone is found responsible, sanctions are determined, which can range from probation to expulsion. “If someone on the Title IX side [is] suspended or expelled, there’s a transcript notation that goes on that student’s transcript saying that the student was found responsible for a violation of our student code of conduct,” Fanelli said. Fanelli explained that after a decision is reached, both parties have the ability to appeal the decision. The person found responsible for the violation can appeal the outcome. The person who made the complaint can also appeal the decision

if they believe the sanctions weren’t severe enough or if the other party was only found responsible for some of the violations they were accused of. Fanelli said that if a report doesn’t meet the Title IX grievance process, the process is the same as it would be if it did, with each party still being able to view the investigative report and ask questions. However, neither party needs an advisor. In this case, the hearing looks different in that it’s a one-on-one meeting held separately between each party and the hearing officer. Once an outcome is reached, the same range of sanctions is considered. If the student is suspended or expelled, a transcription notation is not included on their transcript. Under the Clery Act, Fordham is required to keep records for seven years of students who are held responsible, regardless of which process is carried out. For students who have been through situations described under the Title IX office, Fanelli explained that there are resources available at Fordham for assistance, including CPS, health services and academic support. Fanelli can reach out to faculty to request accommodations for a student without disclosing their situation. For students who want outside assistance, Fordham can connect them with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, which has a person designated by New York State Law called an “Enough is Enough” coordinator. This coordinator has access to confidential counseling and other resources for students. In regards to the current climate surrounding sexual

assault, specifically in reference to the ongoing lawsuit about the alleged 2024 gang rape at Cornell University, Fanelli said Fordham doesn’t plan to change anything about its Title IX process but will continue to provide support to students. “We’re continuing to do what we’ve always done,” Fanelli said. “I don’t perceive that I’m doing anything differently than I was doing before the national news was on everybody’s mind. One thing I’m doing probably more of, which I’m happy about, is that more people are requesting to speak with me about training, about the process.” Fanelli explained that the Title IX office offers a support system for students, where they can receive resources and assistance. “Students worked hard to get here, and I want them to be able to stay here, and not let a traumatic experience derail them from achieving their goals and derailing their college experience,” Fanelli said. “[I] really [want] to make sure that students get the support that they need to help heal from what’s happened.” Fanelli will be at Fordham’s monthly Student Life Council (SLC) to go over Title IX as well. All students are welcome to attend. If students need to make a report to the Title IX Office, or would like additional support, they can reach out to titleix@ fordham.edu. If you have an experience with Title IX at Fordham that you would feel comfortable and would like to share regarding this story, we welcome you to reach out to our editorial team at fordhamramonline@gmail.

Recent Changes to the Fordham Writing Center FROM WRITING PAGE 1

“I think the Writing Center is extremely helpful for students, allowing them to build their writing skills and develop confidence in their written voice,” said Maggie Garza, a staff member at the Writing Center. “The one-on-one support helps students to identify their specific needs for a writing assignment and enables tutors to coach students in those areas.” Garza added that because the tutoring staff come from diverse educational backgrounds and also have various areas of interest, they can offer unique perspectives in order to broaden students’ knowledge. Despite the Center’s large footprint inside the libraries of both major campuses, student awareness and navigation remain challenges, according to some students, particularly for underclassmen who are

The Writing Center is located in the William D. Walsh Family Library.

still adjusting to the Fordham University layout. “I have not a clue where to go,” Bern Kent, GSB ’30, said when asked about the Center’s physical location.

MARY HAWTHORN FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Other students are familiar with the Writing Center’s positive reputation on campus but have yet to visit the space. “I’m not too sure where

that is, but I’ve heard it’s a great resource,” Erin Gavin, FCRH ’30, said. To adapt to various modern classroom challenges, the Writing Center is also pioneering

new initiatives to address the ways in which artificial intelligence has transformed traditional coursework. Given that many instructors are moving away from assigning take-home essays, the Center is piloting a program this semester to support in-class writing. The program allows students to practice composing handwritten essays in a low-stakes setting. Buck noted that while it is currently a concerning time for academic writing centers nationally, referencing recent challenges faced by programs at Harvard University and Hofstra University, she said she’s highly optimistic about the future of the resource at Fordham. “I am so hopeful that Fordham students, faculty, and administrators continue to recognize the importance of our center here,” Buck said. “I promise: our tutors are so much more helpful than ChatGPT!”

NEWS Performing Arts Clubs Dance at Annual Keating Steps

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October 21, 2026

FROM STEPS PAGE 1

including information on how to join and an encouragement for students to reach out to the clubs via email or Instagram. FLAVA, Fordham’s hip-hop dance club, was the first dance group to perform. Following FLAVA was The Jétes, Fordham’s Collegiate Ballet Company. After intermission, Sláinte, the Irish dance team, the all-inclusive dance team Dance Co-Op, the premier South Asian Fusion Dance Team Fordham Falak and finally a Fordham University dance company Expressions Dance Alliance performed. Each of the performances were between five and 10 minutes and showcased a range of newly choreographed pieces to previously performed pieces from years prior. The event was organized by United Student Government’s Vice President of Student Life and Experience Roger Chmielowiec, FCRH ’27. He

explained how the structure of the event works. “Each club performs once during their designated time block,” Chmielowiec said. “Clubs can decide how many dances or routines they want to perform within their time block.” Dance groups at Fordham have been a part of Keating Steps since the event began over a decade ago, and Chmielowiec said it’s a great way for them to appeal to students. “This event is a great way to see what clubs are actually about beyond descriptions at the club fair and word of mouth and to possibly get involved in campus life,” Chmielowiec said. Audience members gathered at the bottom of Keating Steps to watch the performances and cheer on their friends. Chmielowiec said the crowd is another aspect of the event that makes it fun for students.

“It is also a great event for students to come and socialize with one another and enjoy the Fordham Rose Hill campus,” Chmielowiec said. At this year’s showcase, attendees were offered hot chocolate. There was also a raffle with prizes, including Jellycats and a Nintendo Switch, which was announced during intermission to further encourage participation. Not only do audience members get to support friends, but performers from all of the clubs are encouraged to watch the other dances. Dance Co-Op member Lily Overs, FCRH ’30, said she enjoyed the show. “It’s really fun to see the different groups and styles and how talented all the students are,” she said. “It’s a fun group of people. It’s fun because we’re all performing together.” Fordham Falak noted that they have participated in the Keating Steps multiple times

and always appreciate the opportunity to perform at the event. “It is typically our first performance of the semester, which is especially exciting for our new members,” the Falak E-Board said. “We love that Keating Steps is an opportunity to introduce Falak to students who may not have heard of us before.” Although Keating Steps took place on a Friday in past years, this year the event was held on a Tuesday afternoon. Chmielowiec said the change was due to scheduling conflicts. However, Fordham Falak and other various groups still struggled with this scheduling difference, sharing that some performers had difficulty getting to their performances after class and others were forced to miss the showcase entirely. Falak noted that student attendance was lower as

well in an email to The Ram. “Turnout was better in past years when the event was held on a Friday; students casually hanging out on Eddies would stay to watch, whereas moving it earlier in the week meant only students who intentionally came to support the performers were there,” the Falak E-Board said. Despite the scheduling adjustments, several student participants and audience members maintained that the event serves as a valuable showcase for the campus performing arts groups. Hannah Nielsen, FCRH ’27, who attended the showcase in support of a peer, said the event is beneficial for performers and audience members. “Keating Steps is a good opportunity for students who aren’t in the artsy creative clubs,” Nielsen said. “It is a nice teaser for the bigger performances.”

Chow Discusses Her Memoir at Lincoln Center FROM CHOW PAGE 1

memoir with a comedic edge while also writing something sturdy and important. “Always ask yourself, why am I so drawn to whatever it is that I’m reading? And then try and disassemble that for yourself and see, sentence by sentence or line by line, ‘Why do I love this girl so much, or what makes this story so compulsive?’” Chow said. When struggling to meet her deadlines and working on her draft, Chow shared that while she was a reporter at National Public Radio (NPR), her mentor Keith Woods helped her figure out how to ground her work. “He was like, ‘I actually think that you need a question to ground this narrative, and everything, at that point, everything that you write in this book needs to point back to that question,’” Chow said. “And that question for me, and I was so relieved he stated it, was, ‘what do you owe?’” At NPR, Chow learned to understand what it means to tell other people’s stories. She said she was drawn to stories of loss, inspiring her to write “Seeing Ghosts.” Chow explained that she went about her writing process as a journalist while also approaching it with the knowledge that her family members are real people. She interviewed her dad, which she said healed their relationship because she came to understand his story. “I put down a lot of anger at my family, honestly, because once you build it into a narrative, you’re also able

GRACE KAWECKI/THE FORDHAM RAM

Kat Chow speaks at a book conversation on her book, “Seeing Ghosts: A Memoir.”

to see it with more clarity,” Chow said. Chow spoke about her relationship to truth as a journalist and how she went about writing her memoir with that purpose in mind. “I think your job as writers is to try and get as close to what you think the truth could be, but also to allow for you being very wrong,” Chow said. “And I think that that requires a level of modesty and curiosity. And so that’s what I always try to keep in mind: I can always be wrong. I hope I am. And so I want to build room in whatever I’m writing for someone else’s experiences.” Chow’s personal journalism

background also revealed itself in her choice to use italics rather than quotation marks for dialogue. “I didn’t want to quote them because I wanted quotes to keep a fidelity to actually what was said as a journalist,” Chow said. “And so I wanted the italics to invoke memory and also not in the fact that this isn’t perfect.” Chow’s memoir is written as a fragmented narrative, which she explained was an intentional choice to explore grief. “I like fragments too, because I think that loss is not linear,” Chow said. “And I think that so much of losing

someone you love and then also tracing people’s narratives of loss means going back in time, circling over things and moving around these ideas over and over and over again.” Chow was asked to reflect on her memoir, which was published over five years ago. “This was the book I needed to write at the time, and I think if I hadn’t written this book, I would always be writing it,” Chow said. Chow explained that this memoir was a huge undertaking, but she was able to complete it, which allowed her to feel more confident in herself as a thinker and as an artist as well.

“Before writing this book, I would not have been able to call myself an artist or a writer without feeling embarrassed,” Chow said. “And now I can, and I find that one of the most defining things.” Chow shared that the importance of her memoir was for her family and their relationships with each other. She explained that people make art because they don’t know how to explain it or say it any other way, which allows the art to become a “shared history.” “What moves me most about having written it is now my sisters can talk about my mom and my dad can talk about my mom,” Chow said.

October 21, 2026

By YULIA UVAROVA STAFF WRITER

I want to start out by saying that I am an atheist, but this in no way deters me from having an opinion on the compatibility of science and religion. Faith and religion are not in direct opposition to science, however, some aspects cannot be scientific, while others can. Someone can have faith with the absence of religion, which is where I fall. Science, in my opinion, plays an interesting role in spirituality and faith, but it clashes with the notion of higher powers, such as the existence of a God.

OPINION There is Science Behind Faith Early religion has evolved in almost every society, proving that it has bestowed positives on people’s lives. Religion allows them to come together for a common cause. It gives people a way of looking at life that enforces a solid, shared meaning and enhances community, giving people a reason to come together and indulge in lighthearted practices. While faith is present in religion, one does not have to be a part of a specific religion to have it. Having faith in a couple things in life, not necessarily a higher power, is nourishing. Spirituality and faith have a positive effect on the brain, which is where religion

COURTESY OF MEER

Studies show having faith can give life direction to those that battle depression.

and science intersect. People who are religious often have a hopeful and directed way of thinking. Since they live by striving towards a more concrete meaning, their problems can feel more achievable with an easier-to-reach solution. The way the brain changes through spirituality is actually favorable. Life can be, to put it simply, nicer to live while one has faith. In more extreme cases, it can be used to combat depression, as a clear and promising direction is what could be lacking. Even in cases less extreme than depression, religion and faith can aid in any difficulties that occur on the average day. Religion is good for the brain, and in this case, compatible with science. While being an atheist, I am still spiritual and choose to have faith in myself, the people I surround myself with and the experiences I have undergone. I believe that everything happens for a reason. While I do not look up to a higher power, I look up to the aspects of my life that I listed, and the amount of power that I give my faith is fully up to me. My spirituality, like a religion, can be a coping mechanism when I am going through a stressful time. Science does involve critical

thinking, evidence and falsifiability. The existence of a God is not falsifiable, meaning it can not genuinely be backed by science. While people have stated that there is evidence of the existence of a God, this evidence cannot be proven right or wrong, making it just a theory. This doesn’t necessarily make religion and science incompatible, but it does tell us that certain religious beliefs cannot be backed by scientific reasoning. They can still coexist, but in this case it needs to be acknowledged that religion is based on a faith that cannot be proven or disproven. Thomas Martino, FCRH ’28, a Catholic, said, “Science tells us how the world works, what causes what and how to predict patterns. But science assumes the universe is orderly and understandable, and it can’t prove that on its own. Faith gives the ultimate cause or reason for that order, and speaks to what we should do with what we learn.” This is a representation of how someone could look at the compatibility of religion and science. Going back to what I said previously, faith is often used to evoke a notion of hope. It is behind every thought a religious person has, giving them a purpose and reason

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to do practically anything, including looking to science. I disagree with the notion that science cannot prove how the universe works on its own, but this notion stems back to humans not being able to know everything. People will inevitably have different beliefs about this unknown. “Faith in the creator gives us an ultimate ‘why’ for our moral obligations and our scientific findings,” Martino said. Even without a religious faith, I can see exactly where he is coming from in this statement: Science tells us how the world works, and faith gives us a certain outlook on the world. There initially seems to be nothing contradictory in this statement, but then a paradox occurs. How can this be true when this “faith” is not backed by anything that can be proven or disproven? But this must be where it comes to the individual. Some people do have faith in a higher power, and that is due to their belief system and not a concrete, scientific idea. And that is my conclusion on the intersection of science and religion.

Yulia Uvarova, FCRH ’28, is an economics major from New Canaan, Connecticut.

Sorry Remy, No One Needs You By HAILEY BAKER STAFF WRITER

“I don’t find Remy useful and don’t think I’ll ever use him, simply because he’s unnecessary,” Cecilia Tomczak, FCRH ’30, said. This fall, Fordham is launching a new artificial intelligence (AI) texting service called Remy, who is a pigeon character. Remy will check in with students a few times a semester and can connect students to other resources. No app is required to be downloaded to use Remy, and as a text-messaging service it is fairly easy to use. However, many students find this tool unnecessary, and are raising concerns about Fordham promoting an AI tool. It seems to be that the university is substituting human relationships for technological convenience. “It’s difficult for me to reconcile the motto ‘men and women for others’ when Fordham is instead providing manufactured intellect for us,” Nicole Duarte, FCRH ’29, said. “I think a distinction has to be made between using AI to aid and complement humanity, versus to replace humanity and provide false concern for students.” Over the summer, Pope Leo put out an encyclical called “Magnifica Humanitas” that centers around safeguarding the human person in the time

of AI. Pope Leo says that AI use must be guided by human dignity and the common good. He encourages us to keep in mind that human worth is rooted in being made in the image and likeness of God and relational love, instead of computational speed or productivity. As a Catholic school, Fordham’s values align with many of Pope Leo’s ideas. A s laid out on Fordham’s website, the university practices the Jesuit concept of “cura personalis” or “care for the whole person.” On this page, it mentions, “Every student has strengths and challenges, and we lean heavily into student-led support because peers are often the first to notice when a fellow Ram is struggling.” “One of the core values I want in a university is a human approach to the problems we have,” Kevin Maysonet, FCRH ’27, said. “I feel like having an AI to resolve problems of some kind could best be done by people employed by the university, or by actually changing things for the better, or actually investing more money into the problems that we have rather than dressing it up under some cute AI program called Remy.” While Remy is only one tool, I fear that it could discourage students from reaching out to leaders who are recruited and trained by the university, undermining the purpose of cura personalis. “I

truly think there are so many great counseling resources at Fordham, with our peer counselors and advisors, I find it a little unnecessary to offer AI as a resource for check-ins,” Duarte said. “I think more resources should be put towards spreading awareness for the resources that already exist for students to obtain mental health resources or answers for questions.” While AI can be useful, it is actively contributing to an unstable job market and economy. In May, CBS News reported that there were 21,490 AI-related job cuts in the U.S. in April alone, which accounts for 26% of the month’s total layoffs. “Why are we investing in some new AI program to solve problems that we could easily hire people to do, and do it much better at that?” Maysonet asked. “Of course, I really just think that incorporating AI into the university setting is just another example of overhyping AI.” There are also environmental concerns with the rise of AI. As noted by Stanford University’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, generative AI reached 53% population adoption within three years, which is faster than the PC or the internet. The rise of AI could have detrimental effects on our Earth and environment. Typically, sending an AI

chatbot a message consumes roughly ten times more electricity than a typical Google search, with complex logic or reasoning prompts generating up to 50 times more carbon emissions. “I tend to stray away from AI. I don’t like using AI, and the fact that Remy is an AI program is not beneficial in my eyes,” Tomczak said. “It could perhaps be useful for navigating the website because that can get confusing but… I have never used Remy and I seem to be doing pretty well in school.” Remy may be useful for students seeking prompt answers to routine questions about

Fordham, but a Jesuit institution committed to cura personalis should ask more than whether or not a new technology is convenient. Fordham’s administration should consider whether that technology strengthens the relationships that allow students to feel genuinely connected on campus so they can thrive. AI can help students navigate our university’s resources and website, but it cannot, and should not, replace the human care that makes those resources so essential. Hailey Baker, FCRH ’27, is a political science major from Gaithersburg, Maryland.

EMILY MCCALL/THE FORDHAM RAM

Fordham has started a new AI texting service called Remy.

OPINION

Page 6

October 21, 2026

Reality Check | Human Rights

Live-Streaming a Public Execution is Insane, Full Stop By DOMENICK FEDELE COLUMNIST

Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea and Saudi Arabia. It is hard to imagine any context in which a nation would want to find itself alongside these four on a list, especially when it comes to human rights. However, if President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had their way, that would be exactly the place the United States ended up. On Oct. 7, the USS Abraham Lincoln made its final approach to its home port of San Diego, California, ending a record-breaking deployment that had already made the news for all the wrong reasons. From laundry, shower issues and lack of fresh food to at least one sailor successfully jumping overboard, media reports cataloged falling morale as the deployment dragged on. Attempted denials by the Pentagon did little to quell outrage among the media and families of those aboard the ship. The Lincoln’s homecoming should have been a bright spot in the otherwise bleak conflict — no matter where one stands on the Iran War, the incredible sacrifice of these service

By LEILA CARSON STAFF WRITER

In a constitutional democracy, the foundational rule is as simple as it is sacred: The people choose their democratic representatives, not the other way around. But across the United States, that core promise is being actively inverted as partisan lawmakers carve up communities to predetermine election results long before a single ballot is cast. The recent efforts by lawmakers to redraw state lines in an attempt to guarantee Republican victories in elections reveal a profound breakdown in democratic accountability. Nowhere is this subversion more glaring than in Missouri, where state Republicans enacted an aggressive mid-decade redistricting map specifically designed to neutralize the political voice of urban voters. By passing House Bill 1, state legislators systematically cracked Representative Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City-based 5th Congressional District across three separate districts, shedding dense urban precincts into vast rural territories to engineer a secure 7-1 Republican delegation. Missouri citizens fought back, collecting over 300,000 signatures for a constitutional referendum to suspend this gerrymander. Despite relentless efforts by state officials and lower federal courts to enforce the map, the Supreme Court repeatedly rejected the Trumpbacked plan, forcing the state to revert to its lawful district

members who hadn’t seen their families in nearly a year is undeniable. The entire crew was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest award a military unit can receive. As you can probably guess, this is not a story about the Lincoln. Unfortunately, this is a story about how Hegseth hijacked this otherwise jovial moment by attempting to turn back the clock to the 1940s in the most barbaric way possible. In a terrifying development even for Hegseth standards, he stood on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln, fresh off a record-long deployment fighting Iran, to triumphantly proclaim that the United States would be joining Iran as one of three nations on Earth to hold a public execution in 2026. Better yet, it was going to be by firing squad. Not convinced yet? It’ll be livestreamed for comfortable viewing from your living room. Yes, you read that right. If it weren’t for video evidence, the easiest explanation would be that this was some cruel satire. Alas, this story is startlingly real. Immediately, the return of the Lincoln was all but forgotten, replaced by outrage over possibly the most absurd announcement by a United States secretary of defense in history.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. Army had announced the execution of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the former army psychiatrist who killed 13 people and wounded 32 others in a mass shooting at Fort Hood in 2009. Hasan later claimed the attack was part of a jihad against the United States in response to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His execution will mark the first carried out by the U.S. military since 1961, and the first by firing squad since 1945. The announcement immediately generated controversy, but was far from surprising given the Trump administration’s overall support of the death penalty and firing squad. Even before Trump, the U.S. has been stubbornly adherent to the death penalty despite global disavowal of the practice. Today, the United States is one of fewer than two dozen countries that still regularly practice governmental killings. Other than the United States and Belarus, no country in the Western World has carried out an execution in nearly 20 years. Continuing to practice executions at all puts the United States in slim company alongside nations like Somalia, Iraq and Yemen, but there is at least a feasible debate to be had. For

anyone interested in such a debate, I would advise you to consider the fact that no evidence has ever been able to be produced suggesting the death penalty actually deters crime at all, but that is a conversation for another column. Holding such a debate regarding a public (livestreamed, no less) execution is essentially a hopeless proposition. Even if you were to concede that there was some objective benefit to executions, despite the empirical evidence otherwise, turning it into a public spectacle surely adds nothing. Trump and Vice President JD Vance themselves struggled to defend the decision or even articulate any clear reasoning behind it. Trump refused to say if he would watch the execution, which he approved, and shifted responsibility for the decision solely to Hegseth, asserting, “Well, they’re making a determination about that.” Vance explicitly said that he would not be watching the livestream. As bipartisan backlash piled on, Trump eventually reversed the decision for the execution to be streamed publicly, a reversal that does nothing to soften the horrifying reality his administration was intending to enact. The United States was

planning to execute a man by firing squad and stream it for the world to see. Videos of public executions were a hallmark of the Islamic State. In making the case for the Iran War, Trump himself decried their public executions as a sign of their terroristic regime. Less than a year later, he ordered one. The fact that the livestream was canceled is nothing more than a sign that political outrage can sometimes still work. Trump likely relented so easily because his heart was never truly in it — Hegseth seemed to be taking the most excitement out of the prospect, by far. That the government of the United States would even consider a livestreamed execution should shake the entire nation to its core. This is the behavior of terrorist groups, the Taliban and regimes we label as “evil,” certainly not a democracy. While the news cycle has surely moved on given the chaos of the Trump administration, this should not be forgotten. A major line was crossed with this announcement, and the government revealed its derangement.

Domenick Fedele, FCRH ’29, is a political science major from Yorktown, New York.

Missouri Midterm Mania

lines from 2022. Missouri’s redistricting battle is indicative of a broader, systematic campaign by the Grand Old Party (GOP) to subvert democratic norms and construct counter-majoritarian structural firewalls ahead of the crucial 2026 midterm elections. To understand how state majorities can so brazenly insulate themselves from demographic shifts and electoral swings, the legal mechanics and procedural maneuvers that drive contemporary politics beneath map lines must be analyzed. As scholars Joseph Fishkin and David Pozen demonstrate in the “Columbia Law Review,” while political maneuvering occurs across party lines, the contemporary GOP systematically deploys these procedural loopholes with distinct asymmetry. This strategy escalated after the Supreme Court’s 2019 decision in Rucho v. Common Cause, which declared partisan gerrymandering a non-justiciable “political question.” In doing so, the case dismantled the constitutional baseline established in Reynolds v. Sims (1964), which mandated the “one person, one vote” principle. Without federal oversight, state authorities could treat redistricting as a way to bury partisan agendas across manufactured districts. Just as the morally questionable redistricting efforts in Missouri are indicative of a broader GOP agenda, the manipulation of electoral boundaries reflects a deeper rot within legislative governance.

In 1948, President Harry S. Truman famously dubbed the 80th Congress the “Do-Nothing Congress” after it passed roughly 900 laws. By modern standards, however, Truman’s legislative adversary looks extraordinarily productive. Recent legislative terms have set historic lows for output, with the 118th Congress enacting barely 274 public laws, which is fewer than any Congress since the Civil War. Rather than turning their attention and energy towards everyday concerns such as inflation, affordable healthcare or decaying infrastructure, legislators have focused their energy on rigging the rules of the game in order to protect their own jobs at the expense of the public. Lawmakers have effectively redirected their institutional energy away from governance and toward partisan entrenchment by altering election administration, curbing citizen ballot referendums and drawing bulletproof district maps to safeguard their majorities. Defenders of aggressive mapmaking frequently attempt to deflect criticism by invoking false equivalencies, pointing to Democratic gerrymandering in states like Illinois, Maryland and New York. While it is true that partisan political maneuvering undeniably exists across the political spectrum, this “both-sides” narrative collapses under structural scrutiny, obscuring a profound institutional asymmetry. Progressive reforms such as independent redistricting

COURTESY OF KCTV5

Missouri is debating redistricting maps as midterm elections approach.

commissions and citizen ballot initiatives designed to strip politicians of mapmaking power have succeeded almost exclusively in blue and purple states such as California, Michigan and Colorado. In New York, when Democratic state lawmakers attempted to override independent map recommendations, the state’s highest court intervened to strike down the partisan attempt. Furthermore, at the federal level, congressional Democrats repeatedly introduced the Freedom to Vote Act to ban partisan gerrymandering nationwide. Senate Republicans unanimously blocked the measure using the filibuster. While it is true that individual state actors exploit rules across party lines, only one national party has weaponized gerrymandering as a permanent structural firewall against nationwide shifting sentiments and demographics. Ultimately, the proliferation of safe, hyper-partisan districts fundamentally severs the accountability loop between politicians and the electorate.

When representatives are insulated from general election challenges, they have zero incentive to seek bipartisan compromise or address the broader public interest, encouraging ideological extremism and entrenching minority rule. By the people. For the people. A functioning representative democracy relies on institutional forbearance, which is the tacit consensus that elected officials must exercise self-restraint rather than exploiting legal technicalities to consolidate power. When lawmakers alter district lines to engineer guaranteed outcomes, they trivialize the democratic process and send a cynical message to voters that election results are predetermined. The continued survival of the American Republic is reliant on persuasive politicking at the ballot box, not the snide subversion of democratic norms.

Leila Carson, FCRH ’30, is a political science major from Waipahu, Hawaii.

OPINION

October 21, 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.

Page 7

From the Desk | Molly O’Connor Earlier this semester, during one of my toughest weeks at Fordham thus far, my therapist asked, “Why do you stay on The Ram?” This was not unprovoked: it followed my millionth rant about how this job adds so much stress to my life, I’m terrible at time managing my tasks for it and I don’t even feel like my writing is all that great half the time. My article views were low, my stress, anxiety and depression were high, and I was finding it harder and harder each week to push myself to get through it. My dad later asked me, “What would happen if you did leave?” while I poured out my grievances of college life on our weekly parent FaceTime call, and all I could come up with was, “I couldn’t do that to my E-board.” This summer was quite a journey for the Volume 108 E-board. We lost several staff members and had to scramble repeatedly to find replacements, sometimes pulling from outside and sometimes rearranging who we already had. The break wasn’t quite as relaxing as we’d hoped, but still we were able to stop and breathe a bit more than we could during our first semester as leaders. When the stress hit me like a ton of bricks at the start of fall semester, it was never a real question of if I could abandon my post, it was only the question of how I would push through and show up for

Why I Stay

my friends and colleagues. I am not past this stressful time in my life and my position at The Ram entirely. I still struggle to get through my editorials, and everyone in room B-52 could vouch for me on that, as they’ve watched me write many of them live on production night. But as I begin to emerge from the dark cave I was stuck in, I find myself remembering why I do this. The countdown to my final editorial that blares against my home screen as motivation has almost become bittersweet to look at. “SIX MORE EDITORIALS,” it screams. “You can do this! Make it happen!” Just a few weeks ago I couldn’t wait to get away, but now that I am in the final weeks, with just five editorials left after this is published, I can already feel my nostalgia creeping in. I am proud of what I have done on The Ram in more than the obvious ways. I’ve learned so many new skills, from starting in social media and navigating several tricky platforms I’d never heard of before, to AP style copy editing with my fabulous table of Execs. Opinion writing has always been my favorite, but serving in the role of Editorial Director this year has made me feel more than anything that my voice matters, both in the Fordham community and anywhere else my work finds itself. I’ve learned to write editorials

much bigger than myself, sometimes on really urgent and uncomfortable topics, through a professional voice without losing my passion. College life hasn’t been the easiest for me, but finding my place amongst the staff of The Ram after feeling a bit like a floater last year has changed a lot for me. I think some people on The Ram would be surprised to know that I can be pretty quiet in many other spaces at school, but my loud, over-the-top personality that comes out each production night is because all of them have made me feel comfortable enough to let it out. Shout out to everyone who laughs at my jokes, you’re my favorites. I wouldn’t have made it this far without the support of my incredible E-board. Week after week, they’ve helped me stay sane through the most frustrating of topics and

edited my editorials to perfection. They never rolled their eyes when I asked for repeated amounts of reassurance, or made me feel bad about myself when I fumbled into production night with hardly a skeleton of an article. My dear friends, I owe it all to you. Why do I stay? I stay because The Ram is my community, and the passionate, kind, hardworking and at times obnoxious group of people that make up our staff are some of the most important relationships I have made here at Fordham. I stay because what we do here is important, and being a part of it allows me to make an impact on my school and community. I stay because no matter how few people read my writing, the chance that it could inspire someone is enough to make the writing worth it.

Editorial | Homelessness in NYC

Who Knew Architecture Could Be So Hostile? New train cars on the D subway line were rolled out by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) this past July 1. The 1980s-era cars were swapped for new, sleek trains with digital screens, wider doors and brighter lighting. The updated look is certainly more visually appealing than the previous decades-old cars, but there is an obvious difference not mentioned in the MTA’s list of improvements that riders may have noticed: significantly less seating. Though there is no official statement attributing this change to the minimization of sleeping or resting, it appears to be an example of a popular trend in American cities known as hostile architecture. Hostile architecture is defined as an “urban design strategy that uses elements of the built environment to guide or restrict certain behaviors in public spaces.” These behaviors include sleeping, drug use and loitering, and mainly target individuals with limited access to private spaces, namely the unhoused population. Once you understand what hostile architecture is, it’s easy to spot it everywhere. Leaning benches at bus stops, spikes on store window sills, arm rests in

the middle of benches; many aspects of urban cities, like our own, are created to make life harder for those who have no home. The Crime Prevention through Environmental Design agenda, originating in the 1960s, helped to create the urban design trends we now know as hostile architecture by encouraging urban exclusionism. This exclusionary design is used to discourage certain citizens from using public spaces, often to reduce the visibility of poverty and social disorganization, misrepresenting the diversity of the city to attract commerce. There is a strong argument that hostile architecture as a whole is unconstitutional. In combination with homelessness policies like anti-camping ordinances and other forms of urban exclusion, hostile architecture directly or indirectly criminalizes homelessness. By punishing a group of people based on their involuntary status as opposed to an actual, intentional crime, these policies contradict the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. The removal or restriction of public resting spaces deprives unhoused individuals

of the ability to rest or sleep, therefore decreasing the population’s overall health and wellness, a cruel and unusual punishment for the “crime” of unfortunate circumstance. In our city, the loss of the quintessential New York people-watching experience has come from the increase in hostile architecture. Leaning benches have boomed in popularity throughout subway stations, replacing any spot to rest while waiting for the train. These changes not only impact unhoused populations, but also any elderly or disabled people who are not able to stand for long periods of time, or anyone who just wants to rest their legs while they wait. Benches outside of major parks are few and far between, not only reducing places to rest but also decreasing the chances of human interaction, something already hard to find these days. As we approach the coldest time of year, we must reflect on last winter’s brutal impacts on NYC’s homeless population. Though around 800 unhoused people were moved inside during the harsh temperatures, 17 people still died from exposure. Shelters were packed to the brim, and police were

instructed not to forcefully prevent anyone from sheltering in the subway system. While it seems like the city government did everything it could to get people to shelter, the biggest flaws lay in the systems that allowed this many people to be on the streets in the first place. The best way to mitigate homelessness is to address its root causes, through making housing more affordable, increasing public access to mental and physical healthcare and overall bettering the social and governmental responses and supports for people in poverty. Heading into a winter that could be just as bad as the last, NYC needs to focus on creating more affordable housing, increasing mental health care and supporting the unhoused instead of simply taking away any place of comfort they can find. Whether it’s emptier train cars or smaller benches, hostile architecture is everywhere and it’s doing nothing to solve the real problem at hand. We’re all one bad day from homelessness, so before you dismiss these problems or think that they don’t apply to you, put yourself in someone else’s shoes.

OPINION Accept That Flip Flop Season Has Come to an End

Page 8

October 21, 2026

By GRACE KAWECKI ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Flip-flops have dominated the shoe scene recently, with people even making the unfathomable choice to wear them beyond the agreed-upon summer period. The design and intention

of flip-flops is to wear them in warm weather, when the thought of putting on socks and closed-toed shoes is unbearable in the sweltering conditions. Flip-flops are beach shoes designed to be easy to slip on and off for walking barefoot on the sand and swimming in the ocean.

COURTESY OF OUTDOOR GEAR LAB

Wearing open-toed shoes and flip-flops in NYC is controversial.

Alternatively, they are worn for a pedicure to ensure you don’t smudge your fresh nail polish. But these shoes have become part of people’s everyday footwear, whether they are running errands, going out to dinner, attending class or even walking around in New York City. Turning this shoe into an everyday wardrobe choice reflects a societal casualness and laziness. A shoe you can slip on without a second thought is undeniably the easiest option, but the regularity with which they are chosen and the occasions on which they’re worn have become concerning. Flip-flops have begun to show up in all aspects of life. They are no longer regulated to certain areas — they are worn nearly everywhere. The flip-flop trend also reflects how easily society is influenced. Flip-flops have been trending on runways and among celebrities since The Row styled their Spring 2021 trousers with them. From then on, the masses caught on to the trend and began wearing flip-flops as everyday shoes as well. This trend is confusing to me given that flip-flops are a basic, plain shoe with no unique style or design. They

dress every outfit down and are simply plastic shoes. It’s an unspoken rule to keep your feet covered in New York City, where the streets can be littered with just about anything, and rats are common. The high likelihood of your flip-flop slipping off means exposing your feet to the streets or the subway. It is also easy to accidentally “flat-tire” flipflops, meaning that the other people walking need to keep their distance to avoid this. A bustling city where there are people everywhere is no place to maintain that necessary distance. I also think wearing flipflops to class is unprofessional and only further reflects the laziness common in America’s school system. The extension from a common wardrobe of sweatpants and pajama pants to also include flip-flops is unsurprising but still uncalled for. Personally, when I am sitting in class, the last thing I want to be subjected to is someone’s feet out in a place where I should be focused on my learning. A classroom setting is no place for flip-flops and the choice to wear them doesn’t make sense, considering that Fordham is not located in a beach town where this kind of

footwear is common. Not to mention, flip-flops lack support, and wearing them too often can result in tendinitis. They are uncomfortable on long walks and during extended periods, which is almost impossible to avoid in a city where walking to your destination is the most logical choice. They are also an obnoxious shoe, with the loud slapping sound they make against surfaces being unappealing to the ear. Now that the weather has gotten colder, many people refuse to let go of their beloved flip-flops. Whether on campus or in New York City, flip-flops still make an appearance. The choice to forgo a pair of cozy socks and a comfortable closed-toe shoe or a warm boot in favor of a plastic flipflop as the months get colder is beyond me. Just as we must put our shorts and t-shirts into storage with the colder season, we must do the same with flip-flops. Comfort and warmth must come before style choices and effortlessness. Flip-flops have their time and place; the cold months are not among them. Grace Kawecki, FCRH ’29, is a journalism major from Benicia, California.

Don’t Wait for January to Lock In By ALEENA SIDDIQUI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

By the time October comes around, the beginning of semester “glow” is gone. The syllabus has stopped being a suggestion, midterms are stacking up and the 8:30 a.m. you swore you’d attend every day is now optional. That is exactly why I think this is the right moment to reset. You’ve probably seen information about the “October Theory” floating around social media. The trend’s idea is to treat October as a second New Year: check in on how the year’s going, pick up the goals you dropped and start building habits before the year ends. As Calm describes it, it’s about making progress without the pressure of overhauling your whole life. It isn’t a real scientific theory, but it does tie into something that researchers have studied before. In a 2014 study, Hengchen Dai, Katherine Milkman and Jason Riis found that people are more likely to chase their goals after a meaningful date on the calendar, such as a new week, a new month or a new year. They called it the “fresh start effect.” Those dates make us pause and look at our lives from a distance, and the future suddenly feels like something we can change. So October may replicate the

same feelings of renewal as January if one is to view it as a beginning. For college students, the timing is almost too perfect. The days get shorter, and the sunlight that goes with them can mess with mood, sleep and energy. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) labels this phenomena as Seasonal Affective Disorder, in which some people begin to feel the “winter blues” as daylight fades. If you’re already juggling classes, friends and extracurriculars, keeping a steady routine gets harder right when you need it most. And then the end of the year piles on with finals, deadlines, family activities and holiday plans. Plenty of us also start looking back at January’s resolutions, and what we remember is what we didn’t get done. October Theory offers a different way to see these last few months: Not a countdown to the next round of resolutions, but a chance to start fresh and make genuine progress. None of this takes a fancy planner or a 5 a.m. alarm. It can be something as small as picking a bedtime and sticking to it, putting a workout on your calendar or spending 15 minutes each night getting ready for tomorrow’s classes. Specifically, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention recommends a consistent sleep schedule and putting screens away before bed. Additionally, we can create change by making space for the things that often become crowded out. Walk outside between classes, plan a weekly dinner with friends, read something that isn’t assigned or pick a hobby back up. The NIMH suggests getting outside in the sunlight, doing things you enjoy and staying connected to family and friends to help with mild seasonal symptoms. While it won’t fix everything, it can make the colder months feel a lot less lonely. The part I’d stress most is that this should be about reflection, not perfection. Social media loves to make the idea of self-improvement look like an endless checklist: wake up at 5 a.m., work out daily and cut out every unproductive habit. If October becomes just another deadline to become a better person, we’ve recreated the exact pressure that sinks New Year’s resolutions. So, pick one or two things you actually care about and make a plan you can keep. If your grades are slipping, maybe that’s 30 minutes a day with your class notes. If you’re feeling disconnected, maybe it’s reaching out to a friend once a week. If you’re stretched too thin, maybe it’s

looking at your schedule and finally saying “no” to something. You don’t have to finish by Dec. 31. The goal is to build habits that are still useful long after the trend has moved on. October won’t cure burnout, and a new month can’t resolve mental health struggles on its own. But it does push back on the idea that growth has to wait for a new year. We don’t need to get to January to figure out what matters or change course.

A fresh start doesn’t mean becoming a different person. Sometimes it just means noticing what isn’t working and taking one small step to change it. January can be when we set our intentions, but when life gets in the way, we can always lean back on the October Theory. Aleena Siddiqui, GSB ’30, is a business administration major from Allendale, New Jersey.

EMILY MCCALL/THE FORDHAM RAM

The middle of the year is a wonderful time to look at things in the big picture.

October 21, 2026

By GRACE MOURE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On Sept. 26, “Saturday Night Live” (“SNL”) debuted its newest season, marking the return of one of television’s most beloved comedy series. The premiere was a major success, attracting millions of viewers with the addition of its newest cast members Grace Reiter and Saidah BeloOsagie. Despite the premiere’s massive audience attraction and viewership success, host Jalen Brunson and musical guest KATSEYE did not appear to have made such an accomplishment. Brunson remains a basketball star for a reason. From his monologue to the sketches, his lack of comedic relief was

CULTURE SNL’s New Season Arrives evident and his delivery of lines was uncharismatic. One of the first skits was “Office MVP” where Brunson played Darius, an officeworker who tries to score a basket to impress his co-workers. He shoots and shoots until at the end he eventually makes the basket, gaining good will from his colleagues. It set the tone for the upcoming sketches, since a majority of them were about basketball. KATSEYE’s performances of their newly released songs “Animal” and “Hootie Frutti” were, at most, mediocre. The only thing that really caught my eye was their choreography. “Dream Academy” was one of my favorite skits, especially since Reiter and Belo-Osagie

COURTESY OF NBC

New cast memebers on “SNL” are Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter.

were featured for the first time and played two upand-coming pop stars. One line that made me cackle was from Reiter’s character Margle who said, “I thought Dream Academy was a school where you learned how to control dreams.” The skit is a parody of the Netflix hit show, “Pop Star Academy,” where KATSEYE began their music journey. In 2019, Reiter began her career by posting comedy videos on TikTok in her Wisconsin home and later joined American High Shorts, a comedy production company that parodies high school tropes and events. Belo-Osagie is a Queens native and began as an intern at Tribeca Productions. She later started posting social media content as a full-time comedian. Reiter and Belo-Osagie’s experience and talent in the comedy world has been unquestionable throughout their careers. The season’s first weekend update was hilarious, bringing back Jeremy Culhane as Tucker Carlson and Jane Wickline as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. I found Culhane’s impression of Tucker Carlson insanely accurate, as always, which made his appearance

even more funny. Dakota Johnson and musical guest Turnstile hosted “SNL” on Oct. 3. Johnson started her monologue by speaking about recent breakups, her new movie and even invited Taylor Swift on stage. I will say, I’m biased when it comes to Dakota Johnson just because I think she’s not a great actress. However, some of her sketches made me think otherwise. In the sketch “Get Ready with Me,” Johnson played an unwell influencer who uses unconventional ways to get herself ready for the day. One line that gave me a good laugh was: “Get ready with me to make brunch and give myself a lobotomy. You’re gonna wanna start by finding yourself a really good powerdrill. #LorealPartner.” While the writing is top notch, I thought Johnson’s delivery of the lines took it to the next level. Turnstile was a major upgrade after the previous week’s performance by KATSEYE. The American rock band’s stage presence and instrumental execution was fantastic. This past weekend, Shane Gillis hosted alongside musical guest Rosalía. He started his stand-up monologue by talking about what the environment

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at a public gym has been like recently. He vulgarly described the shorts that women wear, and how “distracting” they are for men like him. For good reason, this sparked major controversy and anger across the internet. Former cast members Cecily Strong and Ego Nwodim mocked his comment and spoke out against him. He was already off to a bad start, but to make matters worse, Gillis delivered a line in a “Green Eggs and Ham” sketch but accidentally dropped an uncensored f-bomb. I saw all that I needed to see, so his other sketches were unimportant to me. It seems like the only thing that saved him from even more humiliation was Rosalía, whose raw vocals and musical performance was the real undeniable talent. “Saturday Night Live” started less than three weeks ago and already there’s been a surge of unforgettable yet controversial moments. On Halloween night, movie star Inde Navarrette will be joined by musical guest Gracie Abrams to host the fourth episode of the season. While these former hosts haven’t been up my alley, I hope to see others thrive. Melissa McCarthy, Jack Black and Ryan Gosling are actors who I would love to see host “SNL” again.

The Banned Wagon With Penguin Random House Books By ABBY O’MULLAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, I attended Penguin Random House’s (PRH) free “Banned Book Wagon” in Manhattan in honor of National Banned Book Week (Oct. 4-10). In collaboration with the New York Public Library (NYPL), PRH held five events across all five boroughs giving out free books that have been banned and challenged in educational settings in the U.S. I attended the event across the street from the NYPL flagship location on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. PRH set up a truck and tent where they gave away books while supplies lasted. Despite arriving 15 minutes early, there was already quite the line, which ended all the way down 41st Street, packed with readers and anticipation. I held fast, the wait-time clocking in at nearly an hour (not the worst by New York City standards), making me antsy to get my hands on a fresh paperback. I did, though, find it quite nice to chat with the people around me in line about the event and to bond over our shared love of reading. I also got some much needed reading time in (my current read is the classic Jane Austen novel “Pride and Prejudice”). When I finally made it

to the wagon, I was truly impressed by the display. It looked like a food truck that was serving up mind-andsoul-nourishing stories. It was decked out in the classic PRH orange, various banned book spines and lettering revealing the free books that awaited readers inside. The catalog of titles they offered was quite extensive, and the range of picture books to classics ensured there was truly a story for everyone. Much to the woe of my new line-friend and me, the wagon had a limit of one book per person. But I was not sad for long, as I soon walked away with Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” a bookmark calling all to resist book banning and a sticker I swiftly added to my laptop case in support of the cause. After grabbing your next read, you could sign-up for a NYPL library card. That iconic red card holds infinite knowledge and innumerable opportunities, and I was glad to see a large swath of clipboard-clad readers unlocking that powerful resource. I signed up for one in my first weeks of being in New York City, and I urge you to get your own if you haven’t already, and start taking advantage of this resource. There is a NYPL location just down the street from our Rose Hill campus and the flagship

location is a short walk from Grand Central Terminal, easily accessible via the MetroNorth’s Harlem line. Many of the incredible books I have read have been challenged at some point by a public school or library. You would be surprised at the sheer number that have been censored for a myriad of inane and backwards reasons. I encourage you to look up some of your favorite titles or some books on your to-be-read list to see if they have ever been banned (I’m sorry romantasy readers, even Sarah J. Maas isn’t in the clear). My favorite among the banned books I’ve read has to be “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison. It is such a beautiful, yet emotionally visceral novel. It challenges the reader not to look away from what is uncomfortable, not to close their eyes to our nation’s patterns of racism and its physical and psychological effects on the most vulnerable members of society, but to face it and work to understand it. Morrison encourages empathy and calls us all to do better and seek social justice. An extremely powerful and timely quote from Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (also banned many times) reads, “the books the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.” This reminds

us, just like Morrison, that plugging our ears doesn’t change the truth, it just creates an ignorant, polarized population. The freedom to read is integral to the upkeep of democracy. Book banning should shake us all, from the most avid readers hitting those Goodreads goals annually, to

those of us who only read for class. PRH alongside the NYPL not only highlighted these vital stories, but made them accessible to all New Yorkers during what is becoming my favorite week of the year. Protect the freedom to read. What will your next banned read be?

ABBY O’MULLAN FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Penguin Random House makes banned books accessible on the streets of NYC.

CULTURE

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October 21, 2026

Who’s That Kid | Chris Bragoli, GSB ’27

Something to ‘Brag’ About By NISHANTH ADUMA BUSINESS DIRECTOR

For many Fordham University seniors, the question of what comes after graduation brings on pressure to have a set plan. Chris Bragoli, GSB ’27, known to his roommate and close friends as “Brag,” sees things differently. With graduation approaching, he believes it is important to hold his passions close in addition to focusing on career

progression and not limiting himself to one particular path. “I don’t feel like I’m in a rush for anything,” Bragoli said. “I think everyone is gonna find their way eventually.” Having finished two wealth management internships this past summer at Northwestern Mutual on Long Island, he has considered a career in finance. A business law course at Fordham also sparked an interest in law school. However, if he decides to

CHRIS BRAGOLI FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Snowboarding is just one of Bragoli’s many interests.

study for the LSAT and apply, he knows he does not necessarily have to go to law school immediately after graduation. To him, choosing one career does not mean closing the door on other opportunities. Even with a tough schedule, Bragoli also makes time for the friends and everyday moments that make college memorable. “I’ve skipped part of a class to go to Pugsley’s with my friends,” he said. “You know, sometimes college is also about those experiences.” Those who know him know that he loves writing lyrics and producing music in his free time. What began as an interest has become an important way for him to express himself. “Music has been a way for me to express my emotion and what I’m feeling, and the feeling of creating something is always so special,” he said. While creating music on his own is rewarding, he also enjoys collaborating with other artists across different genres. He sees music as a potential career path and believes it “will remain a huge part of [his] life.” Before arriving at Fordham, Bragoli spent his first year at American University in Washington, D.C. Although he is grateful for the independence and experience of living away

from home, the Long Island native eventually realized he preferred being closer to family. Transferring to Fordham allowed him to enjoy campus life and New York City while still returning home on some weekends. It also gave him the opportunity to room with his childhood best friend Dan, whom he has known since lower school and remained close with throughout middle and high school. Over time, the people he met became an important part of his Fordham experience. Among his classes at the Gabelli School of Business, a business strategy course featuring a competitive car simulation stands out as his favorite business experience. Working in teams throughout the semester gave him an opportunity to apply what he learned in the classroom while competing against his peers. “I like the realness and experiential aspects of car simulation,” he said. “I’m a very competitive person, so I enjoy that.” That competitive side became especially apparent as his team fought for the top spot in the simulation. Although they narrowly missed finishing first, he still looks back on the experience fondly, joking about the results with his classmates. Interestingly, some of his

favorite courses at Fordham have had little to do with his finance major. “As a business student, a lot of people think that I just have to do business courses,” Bragoli said. “As a matter of fact, my favorite classes were classes that were requirements, and I didn’t really know why I was taking them, and those were the classes I paid attention the most in.” As his time at Fordham comes closer to an end, this is the outlook he hopes others will remember. “Obviously, you want to take school as seriously as possible. However, it’s not the only thing that matters.” For him, making time for his dreams, goals and hobbies is just as important as working toward professional success. He believes that without doing the things one genuinely enjoys, it is easy to miss out on meaningful parts of life. “You gotta follow your passions,” he said, “and not always force yourself to work, work, work, especially if it’s not something that you want.” Whether Bragoli’s next chapter takes him into finance, law school, music or somewhere entirely different, he is in no rush to have it all figured out. For now, he is focused on making the most of the opportunities, experiences and friendships in front of him.

‘American Horror Story’ and its Wickedly Confusing Direction By OWEN THEBERGE STAFF WRITER

Since its legendary debut in 2011, Ryan Murphy’s “American Horror Story” (“AHS”) has been a cultural juggernaut, bringing in a wide cast of actors such as the legendary Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett, along with other huge names such as Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and John Waters. The show’s ability to bring together a wide range of talent has always been remarkable, but thus far, its newest installment has been more of a missed three-pointer. For its 13th season, “AHS” has brought back all of its most iconic characters and cast. Jessica Lange returns after her hiatus from the main cast of the show after season four, the coven of witches from season three are back in action and actors such as Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson are said to return to play their most popular characters. This idea, one that brings together all of the fan-favorite characters that made the earlier seasons of the show so endearing and popular, should, in theory, create a spectacular season; however, the product that has been released so far has been chaotic, confusing and odd. The season will have 13 episodes, and each will be around 30 minutes in length, which is a stark departure from the former 50-minute

runtime. This change makes the new season feel rushed and disjointed, with multiple storylines failing to come together until around episode 10, which feels far too late and casts doubt as to whether the season will be able to conclude in a satisfactory way. The actors’ performances are up to par with their original performances, and my main grievances with this season have nothing to do with them or their characters at all; it’s more so about how the characters are used and their functions in the overall narrative. The overall premise of “13” revolves around the character of Mr. Nas, played by “AHS” virgin Paul Anthony Kelly, and his satanic plans to rule the world. It is incredibly similar to the plot of the eighth season “Apocalypse,” which revolves around the Antichrist and his plan to destroy the world. It is incredibly disappointing to me that with this new season, a previous plot point is recycled, as I expected much more from a season that brings together all of the best aspects of the show. “Apocalypse” is nowhere near the best season of the show either, so the recycling of its main plotline is also incredibly confusing and frustrating. The infamous coven of witches, led by Paulson and Lange, is great as always. The return of series favorite characters such as Lange’s Elsa Mars and

Bassett’s Marie Leveau are making die-hard fans giddy, but there’s just something missing, something that isn’t quite clicking with the all-star cast of characters. It’s all too much and too little at the same time, with characters dying off two minutes after they’re introduced and some getting odd storylines. For example,

Peters’ James Patrick March for some reason decides he wants to murder Paulson’s coven, and cannot die via axe to the head, but can get torn apart by Lange’s magical powers, even though it is never explained why any of this matters or can happen in the first place. Regardless of the mess that is “13,” it is still a valuable watch

for fans and is entertaining enough to keep you interested and wanting to know how it will all tie together. We can only hope that it all comes together neatly, but based on how it’s going so far, I fear that is unlikely, and disappointment will plague the fandom harder than Lange’s absence from a majority of the show did.

COURTESY OF DISNEY+

Sarah Paulson makes a return appearance in season 13 of “American Horror Story.”

CULTURE A Cinnamon Wonderland: The Best Cinnamon Rolls

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October 21, 2026

By BLAISE VAYDA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

As we head into the autumn season, the taste for something decadently warm and spicy increases. The bakery window displays become more enticing, and before I know it, I’ve bought every cinnamon roll up and down Manhattan, spending a small fortune along the way. So let me tell you about the top-three cinnamon roll spots in the city and my rating of them out of 10. I have based my ratings on three criteria: taste, frosting and texture. I only ate the classic cinnamon roll flavor for all my rankings for consistency, though each bakery also has great original flavors. The three categories will be on a one-five scale, which will contribute to the cinnamon rolls’ overall rating. Every bakery is a rolls-only bakery where they exclusively make cinnamon rolls. In third place is Spirals Bakery,

located in the East Village. Their cinnamon roll selection is great, with about eight flavors offered, and always one savory option in case you’re not in the mood for something sweet. A perk of Spirals is that it doesn’t usually have a massive line, and all the cinnamon roll flavors are always in supply. The overall taste has a good amount of cinnamon flavor, with some caramelized sugar between the layers. However, some parts of the roll can be a bit dry without the frosting. I would give its taste a 3.5/5. For frosting, I appreciate that they use a thick cream cheese frosting that is generously piped on. It’s a little too sweet and can be a bit much, so I give frosting a 3/5. And lastly, for texture, the roll is moist and fluffy, but I wished that the dough were a little softer. Texture is 3.5/5. I rate this one a solid seven out of 10. It is a safe bet for a good cinnamon roll, nothing crazy or particularly unique, but a

satisfying treat nonetheless. In second place is Sunday Morning Bakery in the Lower East Side, and let me tell you, it’s packed most weekends with a line out the door. Their rolls taste warm and sweet, with a balanced cinnamon profile. It’s on the more decadent side, but not cloyingly sweet. I love a good gooey cinnamon caramel. I give the taste a 4.5/5. For frosting, it’s a slightly looser and lighter cream cheese frosting and has a nice sweet-to-tart balance and roll-to-icing ratio. Frosting: 4/5. For texture, the dough is pillowy soft and airy; it has a mild, doughy vanilla flavor and breaks apart smoothly. My only complaint is that the cinnamon roll can sometimes be a little too soft and lose a bit of its integrity. Texture is 4/5. Sunday Morning is a great place, with delicious flavor options and a large serving size. This is one of the best places for cinnamon rolls in the city, but keep in mind the lines if you

want to visit over the weekend. I would give it an overall rating of nine out of 10. And lastly, coming in first place is Benji’s Buns near Chelsea Pier. The smell of the bakery is heavenly, with cinnamon rolls being baked in the back of the small shop. It’s usually not too busy and has minimal lines. Though the classic cinnamon is my favorite, the other flavors are truly tasty. The biscoff and tres leches flavors are a must-try. The taste is excellent; it’s rich and well-balanced, with a good amount of butteriness and cinnamon taste. It’s rich but not heavy or overpoweringly sweet. The taste is 5/5. For the frosting, there are two options for the classic flavor: your typical thick cream cheese and a lighter, crisper cream glaze. Both are good options, though I’m partial to the classic cream cheese. It is smooth and fluffy and has a good tang. The dough-to-frosting ratio

complement each other well, giving you a satisfying bite. Frosting is 4.5/5. And finally, texture. The dough is airy and flaky; the crumb has enough structure to give the dough a bouncy feel that holds up to the layer of frosting on top and the ooey-gooey cinnamon sugar in the middle. It is the ideal balance of delicate and airy, without being insubstantial. The texture is 5/5. Benji’s Buns is my all-time favorite cinnamon roll place in New York City. My only complaint is that they are a bit pricey. However, these buns are perfectly balanced, and the richness is ever so pleasing. All of these traits, I believe, equal an unbeatable cinnamon roll. I rate Benji’s Buns a 9.5 out of 10. Overall, whichever roll you end up choosing will give you a tasty experience and a perfect solution to your fall cravings. Happy autumn, and enjoy your sweet treat!

Exploring Sensory and Natural Phenomena Through Fashion By MAGGIE GARZA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In “Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses,” an exhibit that is on view at the Brooklyn Museum until Dec. 6, the fashion designer Iris van Herpen asks viewers to imagine the natural world and the human body through clothing. Using a range of unconventional materials, such as glass, plastic and Mylar (a polyester film typically used to make food packaging), van Herpen transcends our limitations surrounding what constitutes fashion, art and beauty. To understand the artwork, one must understand the artist. Iris van Herpen was born in 1984 in Wamel, the Netherlands. Her work is heavily influenced by her passions for nature and dance. She studied at the ArtEZ University of Arts in the Netherlands before working for the fashion designer Alexander McQueen. She later opened her own studio in 2007, and in 2011, she was invited to join the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris, the organization that determines the standards for haute couture. Much of van Herpen’s practice as a designer is collaborative, though she doesn’t just work with other fashion designers. She also works with architects, biodesigners, mathematicians, engineers, scientists, specialized makers and visual artists. This makes a lot of sense given the themes of her work. “Sculpting the Senses” is organized in multiple sections drawing upon notions of nature and science. These include “Water and Dreams,” “Sensory Sea Life” and “Cosmic Bloom,” which examine the qualities of water, marine life and the cosmos, respectively. Van Herpen

is particularly interested in so-called “hidden worlds,” which, in addition to the deep sea, include systems of insects and mushrooms, which she explores in the sections “Forces Behind the Forms” and “Growth Systems.” She also examines the physical and psychic human realms of experience in “The Mythology of Fear,” “Skeletal Embodiment,” “Synesthesia” and “New Nature.” Finally, van Herpen imagines the possibility of using new technologies and different materials to design clothing in her installations “Cabinet of Curiosities” and “Alchemical Atelier.” Upon entering the exhibition, two of the pieces that stand out are the Seijaku dress and the Frozen Falls dress and headpiece. The Seijaku dress is made with glass bubbles that are attached and rest on a sheet of glycol-modified plastic, or PETG plastic, which is more flexible than typical plastic. It mimics the flow of a waterfall and follows the lines of the body, before “splashing” into a voluminous skirt, according to the exhibition curator. The Frozen Falls dress and headpiece are made from Mylar and white textile lasercut chronophotographic lines of bird wing movements, which were heat-bonded to layers of blue-dyed organza fabric. Both of these pieces show how van Herpen takes inspiration from the natural world and sensory experiences of it. While one of the intended ideas behind the exhibition, and van Herpen’s work at large, is to explore the use of nontraditional materials in fashion, I found it hard to appreciate the use of items like plastic to represent the natural world. Van Herpen appears to want to honor the environment through

MAGGIE GARZA FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Iris van Herpen’s new exhibit is a sensory experience that you don’t want to miss.

her work, but using a material like plastic, which is responsible for ocean pollution and the endangerment of marine life, to mimic the falling of water was something I found rather unsettling. Additionally, as a fashion designer, van Herpen is a member of one of the leading industries that is contributing to environmental problems like climate change, pollution, the generation of landfill waste and is responsible for the exploitation of natural resources like land and water. If she is interested in the roles of science and technology in fashion, does she not have an obligation to

better understand and remedy the environmental problems caused by the fashion industry through using sustainable materials and advocating for environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes? Nonetheless, there were several pieces that inspired me due to their use of color and silhouette in order to engage the senses. One such piece was a cape-dress that van Herpen designed in collaboration with Philip Beesley as part of her “Hypnosis” collection. The dress is black and white and features a kaleidoscopic pattern that changes with the movement of the dress, producing an

optical illusion. This shows how van Herpen tries to elicit distinctive human sensory reactions to her designs and is interested in understanding those experiences as a designer. Ultimately, van Herpen’s work urges the viewer to consider the relationship between two seemingly unrelated fields, science and fashion, though her use of materials leaves the question of how far she is willing to go in exploring the dimensions of this relationship. Still, lovers of fashion and those who appreciate nature and scientific phenomena will find much to marvel at in this exhibition.

CULTURE

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October 21, 2026

Editor’s Pick | Literature

Between the Pages: Rediscovering the Joy of Reading to life. And in the process of understanding fictional characters, we often stumble upon something unexpected about ourselves. Perhaps that is what makes reading feel particularly meaningful during college. We spend so much of these years figuring out who we are, what we believe and what kind of people we want to become. Books offer a space to explore those questions without demanding immediate answers. A character’s choices challenge our convictions sometimes. Other times, a single sentence articulates a feeling we have never quite managed to put into words on our own. Of course, reading has found its way back into popular culture through “BookTok,” aesthetic bookshelves and increasingly ambitious reading challenges. While I appreciate a good recommendation as much as anyone, there is something amusing about turning an escape from productivity into yet another productivity contest. Not every novel needs to be finished in two days, and not every reading experience needs a five-star review. In an age when so much of our personality is curated for

By RISHIKA LINGAMDINNE ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

This summer, I found myself living several lives. I wandered through unfamiliar cities, met wonderfully complicated people and experienced heartbreaks that weren’t even mine. All without leaving the comfort of my bed. Fourteen books later, I was reminded of something I had nearly forgotten: the simple pleasure of getting lost in a story. There’s something wonderfully indulgent about reading for no reason other than wanting to. No deadlines, no discussion questions and certainly no grades; just the luxury of disappearing into someone else’s world for a few hours. In a culture that insists on making every waking moment productive, doing something purely for pleasure is its own quiet rebellion. Books offer a peculiar kind of escape. Unlike a movie or television show, a novel asks us to imagine the world for ourselves. We use our imagination to give characters their faces, cities, streets and stories using our own experiences. Somewhere between the author’s words and our imagination, an entirely new world comes

a screen, reading offers the possibility of developing an identity that exists entirely offline. Our interests need not always be shared, our opinions need not always be validated and our experiences need not

always be documented. A book can belong to us in a way that a carefully constructed digital persona never quite can. Perhaps the greatest charm of reading is not simply escaping reality, but returning

to it with a slightly different understanding of ourselves. And in a world perpetually asking us to scroll to the next thing, there is something rather lovely about choosing to turn a page instead.

EMILY MCCALL/THE FORDHAM RAM

Reading offers a way to escape to new worlds beyond our imagination.

The Fordham Ram Crossword - Disney Villains Editions 1 3

2

4

5

6

7

8 9 10

Across 3. Off with her head! 5. She knows best I guess. 8. Why did she get a movie she's an animal abuser!! 9. A drag queen?! Honey, I'm the queen of the sea! 10. Arrrgh!

Down 1. Five dozen raw eggs in the morning cannot be healthy... 2. Angelina Jolie AND Kristin Chenoweth? That's my kinda villain. 4. Magic mirror, be honest do I look cute? 6. What was his name before he got the scratch on his eye? 7. He has a parrot.

SPORTS

October 21, 2026

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Formula 1: A Slammed Weekend in Singapore By CAROLINE KORBA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

During the wee hours of the weekend of Oct. 9-11, while most Americans were sleeping soundly, diehard Formula 1 (F1) fans lay awake, tuning into the many events of the Singapore Race Weekend. With two races — a Sprint Race and a Grand Prix (GP) — taking place across two days, the Marina Bay Circuit, located on the streets of Singapore, was home to a slammed schedule. Given the tropical nighttime environment and the 19 turns packed into each physically demanding 4.927 kilometer lap, the Singapore GP was set for an action-packed weekend that ultimately brought the record number of DNFs (did not finish) in F1 Sprint history and domination by one standout driver. As one of six Sprints on the 2026 calendar, the structure of this past race weekend varies from the norm. Friday, Oct. 9, featured Free Practice 1 (FP1) instead of the typical three rounds; during this, six drivers experienced mechanical issues or went off of the track, causing a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) to enter. But in the end, George Russell of Mercedes, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and Lando Norris of McLaren were the fastest, going into Sprint Qualification (SQ) later that day on a high. Despite a series of crashes and eliminations throughout SQ1, SQ2 and SQ3, there was no stopping Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and his speed, clinching pole ahead of Russell and Leclerc. Saturday, Oct. 10, was the Sprint Race: a 21-lap event offering the opportunity to earn more points in the fight for the World Drivers’ Championship

COURTESY OF RACEFANS

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen finished first in the Singapore Grand Prix.

(WDC). Although Singapore held its first GP in 2008, this year was its inaugural Sprint. Pouring rain on the track forced the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) to push back the commencement by an hour. As the formation lap finally began behind a Safety Car (SC), there were no debates over which tires to start with: everyone was on intermediates for better grip on a slippery track. Once the lights went out, the grid of drivers went sprint racing for the very first time at the Marina Bay Circuit. Russell proceeded to quickly launch ahead, taking P1 from Verstappen as Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton snuck up to P3. Tragically, however, at the end of Lap 1, the leading Mercedes drove over the curb and spun out into the wall, necessitating a yellow flag and SC. As the run ended for Lance Stroll of Aston Martin, Franco Colapinto of Alpine, Isack Hadjar of Red Bull and Sergio Perez of Cadillac, the grid was led by Verstappen through the pitlane. Soon after the SC elapsed, Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto, Williams’ Alex Albon and Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas had retired. As for the podium places, it came down to a last-lap battle for third between Leclerc, Norris and his McLaren

teammate Oscar Piastri. The papaya pair, due to a lack of team orders, took the fight too far, colliding and warranting a yellow flag. Thanks to his teammate’s miscalculation of the space between their cars, Piastri did not finish the race. Verstappen completed his defiant effort ahead of Hamilton and Leclerc, emerging as the first Singapore Sprint victor out of a sprint with the fewest-ever number of finishers. The day, however, was not over yet for the F1 drivers in Singapore. With GP Qualifying later that evening, the racers prepared for yet another round of incoming competition. Verstappen extended his qualifying dominance by securing pole position, just as he had done in the sprint, marking another career milestone as he became the fifth driver to ever obtain 50-plus pole positions. Sunday, Oct. 11, brought 62 laps, 305.337 kilometers of racing and 1 GP. Hadjar, Stroll and Fernando Alonso started the 17th round of the season from the pitlane. At the back of the grid was Russell and up in P1 was Verstappen. In a race where weather again was a moving piece of strategies, the grid was mostly on soft tires — but crucially, Lewis Hamilton had opted for mediums. As night fell, the circuit continued its uneven drying. When the time hit race

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.”

Sophomore Yohan Li-Louis was a bright spot in Fordham’s loss to Villanova University on Saturday. Li-Lous ran for 118 yards with an average of 8.2 per carry. His longest rush on the day was 48 yards.

HOME AWAY

Wednesday Thursday Oct. 21 Oct. 22

Men’s Soccer

DAVIDSON 7 p.m.

Johanna Franzen Freshman Volleyball

Women’s Tennis

Men’s Tennis

Sunday Oct. 25

URI 5 p.m. DAYTON 7 p.m.

GW 1 p.m. GEORGE WASHINGTON

6 p.m. WAGNER

Water Polo Men’s Basketball

Saturday Oct. 24

1 p.m.

Volleyball Freshman Johanna Franzen had a stellar performance in Fordham’s loss to St. Louis University on Saturday. After being awarded A-10 Rookie of the Week, Franzen led the Rams with nine kills and contributed two blocks, two assists and four digs.

Friday Oct. 23

LAFAYETTE

Football

Women’s Soccer Yohan Li-Lewis Sophomore Football

Singapore GP due to a clutch issue. Stroll’s difficulty ideally would serve the Mercedes duo, but unfortunately, due to poor timing, Russell fell behind three midfield cars as Antonelli luckily seized the full advantage. But back to the leader. Like all F1 fans know, communication — that is, between a race engineer and a driver — is key. In what could have been a terrible turn of events, Max Verstappen’s radio transmission turned all static, right when Red Bull needed to discuss strategy. They ingeniously worked through it, using silence as a “yes” and taking static as a “no.” More complaints emerged — Piastri was forced to pit due to a tire puncture; Antonelli exclaimed he had no brakes and was warned several times of track limit violations; Hamilton lamented over how his car was not stopping and how his strategy had yet again failed. Unlike Leclerc, he did not pit under the VSC, aiming to gain track position in an ultimately ill-fated venture. With incredible pace, the former sped past Hamilton (who would go on to finish sixth). And just like that, the Singapore GP was coming to an end. Norris surged as Hamilton went off; Antonelli passed both of them until Norris overtook again on Lap 55. Playing the team game, Norris tried to slow down Hamilton so his teammate behind him could catch up, which Piastri did successfully on Lap 62. That same lap, Max Verstappen saw the checkered flag first, before Leclerc and Antonelli. His 250th GP start, his 73rd win, his 10th GP in Singapore and Driver of the Day, from Oct. 9-11, Verstappen certainly Max-imized his time at the Marina Bay Circuit.

o’clock, the Singapore GP began. Verstappen surged, holding Leclerc off at a track where polesitters have never lost the lead into Turn 1. Midfield battles between the Haas cars and Russell’s climb to P16 on Laps 3 and 4 added to the drama, alongside the frontrunners’ audible doubts about their tires. Then came the first FIA intervention of the GP: the Audi of Gabriel Bortoleto had come to a halt near the pitlane, requiring a VSC and the reduction of speed by 30%, which concluded by Lap 9 with minimal chaos. Leclerc used it as an opportunity to get closer to Verstappen ahead of him and to build the gap ahead of Hamilton. Thus, the top six began their breakaway. By the teen-numbered laps, it had become clear that Lewis Hamilton was losing significant lap time on his mediums. The seven-time world champion decided his gamble was a loss and pitted for softs. Norris, working to pass current WDC leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, observed how the young Italian went over track limits and pushed for engineers to challenge such driving. Leclerc and Antonelli pitted on the coming laps, shaking up the top six. After the events of Lap 31, their order was shuffled further: Colapinto was out, causing a brief yellow flag on the circuit. Broadcast commentators called the final result by Lap 32, though, noting at the time that Verstappen “[had] the race in the bag.” He and the McLarens soon pitted, resulting in a sequence of Verstappen, Leclerc, Hamilton, Antonelli, Norris and Piastri, with Russell impressively trailing behind the last of them. Then, during lap 39, came another yellow flag and VSC: Stroll pulled out of the

12 p.m. UMBC 6 p.m.

GEORGE MASON 2:30 p.m.

NAVY 10 a.m.

FAIRFIELD 7 p.m.

FORDHAM FOUR INVITE WORLD TENNIS TOUR ITHACA, NY

Monday Oct. 26

Tuesday Oct. 27

SPORTS Alexander Zverev, Tennis’ Most Polarizing Figure

Page 14

October 21, 2026

By EMA GJENASHI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In June of this year, on the scarlet clay of Court Phillippe Chatrier in Paris, Alexander Zverev climbed the mountaintop at last. After over a decade on tour, with most of those years being spent as a perennial contender and resident of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) top 10, he was able to clinch the one accomplishment that had eluded him: a Major. Zverev had previously made three finals, coming up short in each, but he was able to win the French Open over Flavio Cobolli in five sets. Months later, amid the sweltering heat in Flushing, Queens, he did it once more, capturing the U.S. Open title against Ben Shelton in four sets. He then made the Wimbledon final, making 2026 the best year of his career thus far. Zverev has also been championed as one of few athletes competing with a chronic disease; he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at three years old and is allowed to self-administer insulin on court whenever he deems necessary. Despite his major success this year, an analysis of the paths to his major titles reveals a noticeable difference when compared to previous routes taken. During the French Open, Zverev was widely characterized as the favorite to win, but only after the withdrawal of the

COURTESY OF BBC

Tennis star Alexander Zverev is facing domestic abuse charges.

defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and the defeats of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and three-time champion Novak Djokovic in the early rounds. In addition, Zverev did not face any seeded players until the quarterfinals. The highest seed he faced was Cobolli in the final, who was seeded 10th. The only five set match that he played was the final. The story in New York is not much different. Although Zverev did get into some trouble in the earlier rounds, opening the tournament with two five set matches, he then proceeded to not drop another set until the final against Shelton. Shelton, the eighth seed, was again the highest seed he faced in the tournament. Since Zverev was seeded first, however, the draw didn’t truly open up for him until, again, the likes of Alcaraz, Djokovic and Sinner either withdrew or lost early. Despite all of this, Zverev has asserted that he worked hard to be where he is and for what he has accomplished. That certainly can be true;

having the opportunity to chase these titles just to repeatedly fall short and give a speech to the Grand Slam crowd with the loser’s plate instead of the winner’s trophy can be deflating. It was in one of these defeated moments however, at the 2025 Australian Open, while Zverev was speaking, that a heckler shouted out, “Australia believes Olga and Brenda!” A large part of Zverev’s career has been mired by those names. It’s largely the people who believe Olga and Brenda that hold the same reservations about his major titles being “easy.” It’s also those people who believe that Zverev shouldn’t be on the tour at all. Olga Sharypova and Brenda Patea, the women referenced by the heckler, are former partners of Zverev. They both have accused him of being physically violent towards them. In 2020, Sharypova came forward with accusations that Zverev became violent towards her multiple times, including punching her

in the face, choking her and smothering her with a pillow. She claimed that the abuse drove her to depression and that she attempted to take her own life with Zverev’s insulin, only to be found by him and given medical attention by an ATP Tour official. Even though she stated multiple times that she did not want to pursue criminal or civil cases against him, he was investigated by the ATP Tour due to her allegations of abuse that occurred on ATP-sanctioned grounds. The ATP chose not to pursue sanctions against Zverev, drawing widespread condemnation. Almost six months after the ATP announced its decision, more allegations came to light through court filings in Germany. Brenda Patea, who along with being a former partner of Zverev’s is also the mother of his daughter, accused him of pushing her against a wall and choking her during an argument. In contrast to Sharypova, Patea sued Zverev for damages. Zverev was originally ordered to pay 450,000 euros, but he objected, prompting a trial. He eventually settled with Patea, paying her 200,000 euros instead, in addition to 50,000 euros to charitable organizations. Zverev’s violent history is troubling, yet unsurprising when looking at his behavior on court. During his opening doubles round at the 2022 Mexican Open in Acapulco, he entered an argument with the

chair umpire over a line call. After taking a photo of the call with his phone and losing the match, he struck the umpire’s chair repeatedly with his racquet in the direction of the umpire’s legs, leading to his default and a $65,000 fine. Zverev’s image in the tennis world is a complicated one. For his supporters, he is a natural talent; someone who not only has learned to survive with a chronic disease, but someone who waited in the wings for a long time and has finally reached his moment. For his critics, he is a repeat abuser and has no place on tour. His reputation follows him wherever he goes. Despite being a sponsor’s dream on paper — conventionally attractive, young, talented at the sport — he struggles with obtaining big sponsorships compared to other players on his level. However, he is still heavily involved in the tennis world, competing in exhibition events such as the Laver Cup for the past three consecutive years. He is no longer challenged by the media due to his allegations; in fact, the journalist who broke Olga Shaypova’s allegations hasn’t been issued a press pass to any ATP events since he wrote the story. It appears Zverev’s future, like many other athletes accused of domestic violence, is uncomplicated, leaving the women who accused him, and the rest of the tennis world, to deal with the moral consequences of his continued involvement in the sport.

Rollercoaster of Emotions Continues for Fordham Football By ANTHONY SMITH STAFF WRITER

After Forham Football’s 3817 loss to Villanova University this past Saturday, they now stand at a confusing 2-6 record. The confusion is justifiable because the week prior, Fordham Football picked up an upset win versus a ranked Richmond University team. It was the second win against a ranked Virginia squad for Fordham and it seemed like this victory was going to be the spark for a second half transformation. Now, after that crushing loss at home, the Rams may look at these last four games a little differently. But there is still plenty of optimism with this 2026 squad. Starting with the win against Richmond, the defense was on display in the Bronx. They allowed no fourth quarter points and gave their offense a chance to win the game. Senior running back Jamell James was a force on the ground, running for 80 yards and scoring the game-tying touchdown. Senior quarterback

Fordham Football fell to Villanova University on Saturday.

Gunnar Smith threw for 98 yards and a touchdown pass caught by senior wide receiver Ricky Gonzalez II in the first quarter. Smith also got the game-winning rushing touchdown late in the game before handing it back over to his defense to win the game. Junior defensive back Boogie Owens came up with the dagger, intercepting a pass in the final two minutes, which gave Fordham its second win of the season.

There was speculation coming into the week about a second consecutive win for Fordham going against a Villanova team that recently entered the Patriot League. But Villanova showed up to the Bronx firing on all cylinders. The Wildcats quarterback Pat McQuaide threw for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. Villanova’s running game was also a problem, having two players rushing for over 80 yards.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

On the Fordham side, sophomore running back Yohan Li-Louis ran for 118 yards and James had another great game with 74. Smith even ran for 64, scoring two touchdowns, but he struggled in the passing game with a mere 60 yards and an interception. The Rams now have a 2-3 record in Patriot League action which puts them at seventh in the standings. The Rams’ next two games are against Lafayette College and

Bucknell University, who both sit in the bottom third of the standings. Those last two games might prove to be slightly tougher with Georgetown University coming into the Bronx, who have looked much better these past couple of weeks, including a win versus the ranked Colgate University Raiders. The last game of the season is against the top rival in the College of the Holy Cross Crusaders, who have also not looked like an easy beat this season. Fordham has won two of their last four in front of the home crowd at Moglia Stadium with Family Weekend right around the corner. The Rams will go against a Lafayette squad who has taken a major drop from last year’s success. For Fordham, it’s a great chance to get back on track right before the bye week. It’s going to be an interesting final four weeks for Fordham Football, and if it’s anything like the rollercoaster first half of the season, we are in for a treat.

SPORTS Fordham Volleyball Struggles Against St. Louis

Page 15

October 21, 2026

Varsity Scores & Stats

By DEREK BEAULIEU STAFF WRITER

Football Villanova Fordham

38 17

Water Polo Bucknell Fordham

5 19

Mt. St. Mary’s Fordham

8 24

Mercyhurst Fordham

4 26

Iona Fordham

10 24

Volleyball St. Louis Fordham

3 0

St. Louis Fordham

3 2

Men’s Soccer Fordham Dayton

1 2

Women’s Soccer La Salle Fordham

2 2

After a close first match to open up the weekend series in the Bronx, Fordham Volleyball was unable to take a set in match two, leaving the Saint Louis University (SLU) Billikens with a sweep. SLU and Fordham exchanged sets on Friday, with SLU winning the match by taking all odd-numbered sets. SLU sophomore Ellie Rink came into the Bronx as Atlantic 10 (A-10) player of the week, but the outside hitter left with just eight kills in eight sets, as she was extremely limited by Head Coach Bryan Weber’s focus on her. However, the Billikens balanced their offense well, with junior Kayla Jansen filling the gap in the offense, adding 12 kills on Friday, her new career high. SLU Interim Head Coach Matt Breitbarth, filling in for fourth-year Head Coach Andrea Beaty-Cain on maternity leave, made the right moves in his first season in the Gateway City, securing their first A-10 weekend sweep of the 2026 season. Fordham took all the even-numbered sets in match one, led by A-10 rookie of the week Johanna Franzen with 22 total kills. Senior Tatum

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham Volleyball was swept by Saint Louis University over the past weekend.

Holderied also had a good weekend, swinging efficiently with 15 kills and adding much-needed defense with three solo blocks and six block assists. Match two started similarly to the first, with Fordham fighting closely with SLU for the first set, but ultimately losing it. The Rams could not find their footing against a strong Billikens squad, losing the next two sets before they could hit the 20-point mark. SLU junior Tea Kalajdzic led match two in kills with 11, again adding much-needed swings, with Rink succeeding just once in her six attempts. Three solo blocks and seven kills on just 12 swings from Holderied kept Fordham competitive, but not close

enough to secure a set. The blocking was big on both sides, as the Billikens and Rams, both top of the conference at the net, combined for 44 block assists on Friday. Unusually, Fordham ended Friday with zero solo blocks, a stat that they lead the A-10 in. They got right back to it the next day, with four solo blocks tying their four block assists. While the Rams are top of the conference in service aces, they have struggled to stay positive behind the service line. Sophomore libero Ana Del Angel Aguilar added four aces in match one, as she has secured more playing time in conference play with her services. The Billikens got above

.500 in conference play with their weekend sweep, climbing to fifth in the conference at 5-4, tied with George Mason University’s conference record, as they have gone on a four-game skid since getting swept in the Bronx. Fordham, meanwhile, fell to 3-6 in conference and has sole possession of eighth place, only above 1-8 teams at Davidson College and the University of Rhode Island, both of whom secured their first wins of the conference season this weekend. Fordham will travel to Washington, D.C., to take on the George Washington University Revolutionaries, who are coming off a losing weekend against the Dayton University Flyers.

It’s Time for the Yankees to Make a Change

By KURT SIPPEL STAFF WRITER

“Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next,” said former New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner after the Yankees lost the 1980 American League Championship Series. Yankee fans have adapted to the Steinbrenner way of doing business: Win at all costs, and if you don’t win, the season is a flop. But Hal Steinbrenner has been in the ownership chair now for over a decade, and the Yankee philosophy has seemed to change during this time. In his first year with full control of the Yankees, Steinbrenner led the Yankees to a World Series win, but they have been in a drought ever since. Last season, the Yankees finished with a Wild Card spot in the American League (AL), beating the Boston Red Sox in the decider. In the divisional round, the team struggled against the upstart Toronto Blue Jays, losing three games to one. The series with Toronto was plagued by poor defensive play, starters unable to last long in games and struggles to hit with runners in scoring position. With all of these missteps on the field and a failure to perform in the high-leverage moments, you might expect the leadership to make some changes to the roster. This season the Yankees decided to run it back with almost

COURTESY OF YAHOO SPORTS

The Yankees are looking to win at all costs and return to their former glory.

exactly the same roster as the last. The largest acquisition in the offseason was a trade for Ryan Weathers from the Miami Marlins. The Yankees came into the season with injury questions from former ace Gerrit Cole as well as Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt. But this did not hinder the Yankees’ starting pitching rotation this season, as they had the lowest ERA in the MLB. This was led by Cam Schlittler, who anchored the staff and had a Cy Young-caliber season with a 1.95 ERA. On the offensive side of the ball, the Yankees ranked 26th in batting average and 11th in on-base percentage this season. The largest contributor to the Yankees’ offense, Captain Aaron Judge, suffered a stress fracture to his ribs in April of this year. Judge attempted to play through the injury, but as

the discomfort worsened, he was forced to the sidelines on the last day of May. Judge did not come back to the lineup until September, and the Yankees had to learn how to navigate the season without their captain. New York went 52-43 traversing the season without Judge, and a lot of that help came from the minor leagues. The Yankees called up Spencer Jones to man center field and add a power hitter to the lineup. George Lombard Jr. got the call to take over at shortstop from Anthony Volpe and add another bat to the lineup. In an attempt to shore up the lineup, the day before the trade deadline, the Yankees made a move for Luis García Jr. from the Washington Nationals. García added a superior left-handed bat and replaced Ben Rice as the everyday first baseman, allowing Rice to move into the role of designated hitter.

Judge returned to the lineup in early September, but then on Sept. 16, in a game against the Minnesota Twins, he was forced to leave with a calf strain. He did not get a swing at the plate in October, and just like last season, the Yankees struggled against a tough postseason opponent — this time without their captain to help guide them through it. The Yankees’ pitching, which was great in the regular season, started to unravel in the playoffs. While Cole started Game 1, pitching well for five innings and giving up just one run, the Yankees’ offense was unable to get anything done, and that one run was enough for victory. In Game 2, Yankee ace Schlittler didn’t have his best stuff, and the team’s defense didn’t support him, committing four official errors with three of those coming in the first inning alone. With the same errors and lack of fundamentals, it felt like watching the same AL Division Series two years in a row. Max Fried was out for Game 3, yielding yet another outing that did not live up to his $218 million contract. Giving up four runs in five innings of work, the most memorable moment was a Victor Mesa Jr. home run that solidified the end of the series. Around the league, the Yankees’ weaknesses have been on full display for the last few years: if a team can put the ball in play, it forces New York to

make the play. The Tampa Bay Rays exploited it, being the best team in the league at putting the ball in play. Aaron Boone, Yankee manager for the last nine years, called the clubhouse “broken” after the Yankees were swept in Game 3. “It’s weird how they keep making the same mistake over and over again. The last six years that I’ve been retired, they’ve been putting together the same roster,” Yankees legend CC Sabathia said on the All The Smoke Baseball YouTube channel. It is apparent that something has to change — Yankee fans see it, and the play on the field shows it. While Boone has been a good manager for the Yankees over the last nine seasons, his true success lies within the results of the team. For the Yankees, it is a World Series or bust every season, and they haven’t won in over a decade. So now it’s time to decide whether or not to give another manager the opportunity to try to turn this roster into a winner. Or, if you are Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman, give Boone an overhauled roster with a big-time free agent or attempt to trade for a star to pair with Judge and young talent like Rice. Finally, make a change, not a retool — that is no longer in the cards for a Yankees team that constantly underperforms when the lights are brightest.

SPORTS

Page 16

October 21, 2026

An All New Look NBA for the 2026-27 Season By ROBERT SPENCER STAFF WRITER

The opening night of the NBA will be a celebration at Madison Square Garden, as the New York Knicks will raise a championship banner before tipoff. Last June, New York finished their season, 53-29 by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in just five games, ending a 53-year title drought and capturing the third championship in franchise history. The parade is over though, and the target on their backs has never been bigger. The most pressing question for Head Coach Mike Brown is what happens in the paint without Mitchell Robinson. He was the longest-tenured Knick, Robinson anchored a defense that suffocated opponents throughout the 2026 playoffs, and to make matters worse, he signed with the rival Boston Celtics. To rectify, New York brought in veteran Andre Drummond, a proven rebounder, giving center Karl-Anthony Towns a reliable backup. Drummond will not fully replace Robinson, but he gives the Knicks an experienced body in a league suddenly overflowing with size. Team health is also worth watching, as Jalen Brunson had surgery this summer on the wrist he hurt during the

Eastern Conference Finals and played through for the rest of the title run. Thankfully, the return of Landry Shamet and Jose Alvarado keeps the bench familiar, and the entire starting five is back to defend the crown. As for the Philadelphia 76ers, the price of adding Jaylen Brown was steep. The 76ers sent Paul George and multiple draft picks to Boston for the former Finals MVP, and then paired him with LeBron James, who left Los Angeles to chase another ring. Add in Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and Philadelphia has assembled one of the most talented starting lineups in the league on paper. The question, as always in Philadelphia, is whether that talent can stay healthy and on the floor together come April. Other teams in the Eastern Conference did not sit still either. The Miami Heat made strides by trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP, instantly turning Pat Riley’s franchise back into a contender. Boston may have lost Brown, but the Celtics will hopefully get a full season of Jayson Tatum after he played only 16 games last year, and they now have Robinson protecting the rim. Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks are young, hungry and fully capable of making a deep

COURTESY OF CNN An all-new-look NBA will make the 2026-27 season a special one.

run of their own. The picture is just as crowded out west. Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs will be determined to avenge their finals loss, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain a powerhouse and the Los Angeles Lakers have rebuilt their entire roster around Luka Dončić. Any one of these teams could appear in the finals next June. History is not exactly on New York’s side, either. The league has crowned eight different champions in eight seasons, a record streak that shows just how difficult backto-back champions have become. Still, oddsmakers believe in the Knicks, giving them a projected win total of 52.5, the highest in the East. With Brunson leading the way and with a championship core that knows what it takes, the 202627 season could be the season

the Knicks could prove last spring was no fluke. Beyond the title favorites, I’m personally keeping an eye on three players who could turn struggling teams around: Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. Knicks fans know Randle well, and this season, he returns to New York, just on the other side of the bridge. Minnesota traded him to the Brooklyn Nets this summer in a deal that was mostly about clearing salary. Still, Randle is coming off a season in which he averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and five assists while playing 79 games. On a rebuilding Nets team desperate for a reliable scorer, he will have the ball in his hands every night. If Randle can bring the game he showed during his All-Star years at the Garden, the Nets could surprise a lot of people. Ingram may have the most

interesting past of the group. He led the Toronto Raptors in scoring and earned an All-Star spot last season. Ingram was traded to the Clippers in the deal that sent Kawhi Leonard back to the Raptors. Unfortunately, Ingram revealed at media day that he is dealing with a partially torn Achilles and will miss the start of the season. Once he returns though, the Clippers will be counting on him to become the go-to scorer for a franchise searching for a new identity. No player carries more pressure than Williamson. The Pelicans won only 26 games last season, and Williamson has missed 278 games since he was drafted in 2019. However, there are reasons for optimism. He played 62 games last year while averaging 21 points on 60% shooting, and he showed up to camp seven pounds lighter. With new Head Coach Jamahl Mosley and a young core around him, this could be the season where Williamson finally lives up to the hype. If not, the Pelicans may have to start asking hard questions about their future. Whether these four stars can carry their teams to a championship remains unknown, but they are guaranteed to make this season even more entertaining and probably the best NBA season yet.

Overtime: Has the Postseason Lost its Luster? By JAMES NELSON SPORTS EDITOR

For myself and all MLB fans, October is the best month of the year. After a 162-game marathon of a regular season, only a select few teams earn the right to enter the playoffs and compete for a championship. The high stakes, cold weather and sold-out crowds combine to create the perfect atmosphere for great baseball. In recent years, the MLB has changed the postseason format, adding more series, and therefore, more teams. In my eyes, this greatly diminishes the significance of playoff games. Until 2021, the MLB playoff bracket began with the one-game Wild Card round. In both the American League (AL) and National League (NL), the two lowest ranked qualifying teams would face off, with the winner of the game advancing. This created instant drama. The very first taste of playoff baseball every October was a winnertake-all game in which teams would do everything in their power to save their season. From 2022 onward, the Wild Card round has expanded. Now, there are two Wild Card matchups each in the AL and NL. The round also expanded to a best two-out-of-three format. This expansion has

Baseball’s current bracket has people questioning its luster.

led to lower stakes and lower attendance at games. The very first game of this year’s playoffs was between division rivals the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies. The game took place at 2 p.m. EST on a Tuesday. This resulted in a significant number of empty seats at Truist Park in Atlanta. Braves fans, who have no shortage of passion for their team, were at work and school in the midst of the biggest game of their season. When the series was tied at one win apiece, a monumental Game 3 was still originally scheduled for 2 p.m. slot the following day. Only after the New York

Yankees swept the Boston Red Sox was the Phillies-Braves game finally given a primetime slot. The problem here is clear: Too many games prevent each series from receiving the spotlight it deserves. Couple this with the fact that these series often don’t culminate in a winner-take-all game, and what’s left is a less captivating product. The impact of a winnertake-all scenario on viewership cannot be understated. When last year’s World Series reached a Game 7, it was the most viewed game of the series and the most viewed MLB

COURTESY OF ESPN

game since the most recent prior World Series Game 7 in 2017. In these types of games, every pitch matters, every decision the manager makes is amplified and the crowd, well aware of this, is at its loudest. A more attractive viewing experience for a fan does not exist. For these reasons, I adored the original Wild Card format. While die-hard fans like myself will still tune in for Game 1 of a Wild Card set, the nerves are undeniably a little calmer than in years past. The expansion of the Wild Card means an additional two teams make the playoffs

each year. While there are certainly positives to this, as more fanbases can be involved in the postseason, the expansion also comes with a slight devaluation of the achievement of making the playoffs. The bracket is meant to consist of the teams that played the best baseball year-round. The expansion, however, sometimes leads to teams that are not playoffcaliber getting a spot. In the four years since the format change went into effect, the lowest Wild Card seed has never won the World Series. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is set to expire this December, the MLB owners and the Players Association will negotiate a new agreement. This could mean huge changes to salary rules, regular season schedules and the playoff format. In an effort to get ahead of the expiration date, MLB owners proposed a new CBA. Alongside adjustments to salary regulation and the regular season, the proposal included expanding the Division Series from a maximum of five games to seven and giving the higherseeded teams the privilege of picking their opponent. Change to the postseason format seems to be inevitable: the question is whether that change will be motivated by quality or quantity.