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April 28, 2021 VOLUME XLI, ISSUE 5
Fordham Increases Vaccine Slots By SYDNEY CHAMPAGNE Contributing Writer
seven in-person ceremonies that Fordham plans to host at Rose Hill will have a capacity of 1,000 guests — roughly 330 students per ceremony with two guests each. The two Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ceremonies will have lower attendance numbers since there are only about 500 students eligible to walk and register for a ceremony.
Students were scrambling when Fordham announced on April 4 that it would be administering 100 doses each of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses on April 8 and 9. By 5:30 p.m. on April 4, all of the appointments were already filled for the upcoming week, leaving those who couldn’t register on a waitlist with no timeline of when they would get off. Dana Ebralidze, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’24, successfully registered for a vaccination appointment. “I registered within 5 minutes of getting an email that they were available, so I think that’s why I got one,” she said. “It seemed like they were gone pretty quickly. There was a waitlist though, if you didn’t get in the first time.” Kana Seiki, FCLC ’24, was unable to register for an appointment. She said she went to the vaccination website ten minutes after the email was sent but there were already no appointments available.
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see VACCINES page 4
ASHLEY YIU/THE OBSERVER
For this year's commencement, seniors will have the chance to walk across the stage at one of seven in-person ceremonies and will hear from keynote speaker Michelle Howard in the virtual ceremony. By JOE KOTTKE News Editor
On a traditional commencement day at Fordham’s Rose Hill campus, more than 20,000 students, families and staff members gather on Edwards Parade — the green space in front of Keating Hall — to celebrate the graduating class. “For a lot of people at the university, it is the best day of the year,”
Bob Howe, assistant vice president for communications, said. “It is the one day you come on campus and everyone is happy.” In May 2020, however, the typical end-of-semester festivities were not prepared. Fordham’s campuses were deserted due to the coronavirus pandemic, and seniors celebrated their graduation online. The Class of 2021 did not know how its graduation would
be commemorated until Feb. 12, when Fordham announced that there would be in-person ceremonies with attendee limits and no guests allowed. The decision followed New York state guidelines that permitted gatherings of 150 people or less. On April 12, Gov. Andrew Cuomo changed capacity restrictions to allow ceremonies of more than 500 people occurring outdoors to take place at 20% capacity. The
Hell's Kitchen Free Store Is Priceless They say nothing in life is free, but clearly, they have never been to Hell’s Kitchen Free Store. Nestled in a vacant storefront on 45th Street and Ninth Avenue lies the Free Store. Playful designs announce the store’s presence and brighten the storefront’s weather-worn exterior. Filled to the brim with books, household appliances and craft supplies, you never know what you might find. And, yes, everything is free.
Longtime Hell’s Kitchen resident Chana Widawski teamed up with Bailey Sperling, a senior at the Fashion Institute of Technology, to create this free community store. The pair met through the Midtown West Buy Nothing Facebook group and banded together to bring sustainable solutions to their community. Widawski’s involvement with her community began in a very New York fashion. “I started getting involved when I was just hanging out, sitting on my stoop and there was a guy sitting on the stoop next to me,” Widawski said. “I had this vision that we
should organize a live production of West Side Story on our street so that started my community involvement.” For Sperling, her journey in sustainability started when she discovered thrifting. She incorporated this ecofriendly mindset into other aspects of her life after learning about the negative environmental impact involved in many manufacturing processes. “I started looking into other ways to buy things more ethically and secondhand is the best way to do that,” Sperling said.
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Centerfold
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Students evaluate their virtual course retention
Women’s basketball rallies around coach Sonia Burke
Fordham community shares stories of COVID-19 vaccinations Page 8
Stereotyping country music has problematic roots
Fordham film recognized in five festivals
By MADELINE KATZ Arts & Culture Editor
Online Learning Page 2
A Team Effort Page 7
see HELL’S KITCHEN page 15
Doing Their Part
JOE KOTTKE/THE OBSERVER
The Free Store on 45th Street and Ninth Avenue was created as a way to foster sustainability and mutual aid within the Hell's Kitchen community.
Country Music Woes Page 11
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April 28, 2021 THE OBSERVER
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Online Learning Impacts Students’ Study Habits and Future Learning
Fordham students evaluate their retention of course material following a year of attending class virtually By MARYAM BESHARA Asst. News Editor
Following the cancellation of in-person classes due to COVID-19, students and educators were forced to adapt to the virtual learning modality without warning. Students had to modify their previous habits to accommodate the current structure of learning and educators had to modify their classrooms in order to effectively teach their students from behind screens. Steven D’Agustino, director of online learning, addressed the university’s efforts in adapting to the virtual learning modality and improving its educational framework.
“ The weight of the
world feels like it’s forced me to lose interest about things I would normally find interesting, and I hate it.”
Eliza Pagel, FCLC ’23
“Fordham University is committed to lifelong learning. This means that there is no ‘end state’ where teaching, online or otherwise, has reached a point requiring no further improvements,” he said. “As professors and instructors, we are also learners. We learn from each other. We learn from our students. We learn by critically reflecting upon our current and past practices in an effort to improve. And there are always ways to improve.” During the fall 2020 semester, students expressed criticism regarding the difficulty of online learning and the unbearable workload it presented. Although students were given the opportunity to attend classes in person through a hybrid modality during the fall 2020 semester, there was still a disconnect between the two
modes of learning. The work ultimately forced students to endure long hours on screen in order to complete all of their work. In assessing the retention of students during the spring 2021 semester, Joseph VanGostein, Gabelli School of Business at Lincoln Center ’22 and student body president-elect, said in a previous interview with The Observer on March 12 that he feels the college experience during the virtual learning modality is simply submitting busy work. “I just feel like this is like our collective experience that we’re all on Zoom, we’re all doing classes, but we’re not really learning anything,” VanGostein said. Similarly, Eliza Pagel, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’23, felt that the pandemic has led to a loss of interest in the subject material; her workload has increased greatly from the amount she had when classes were in person. “Since the pandemic, I’ve definitely developed quite an apathy for my studies, and not because i find them uninteresting, but simply because I don’t have the energy and mental capacity to commit to them as much as i want to do,” she wrote. “The weight of the world feels like it’s forced me to lose interest about things I would normally find interesting, and I hate it.” Aside from the increase in the asynchronous workload and the structure of Zoom classes, students and educators have been faced with difficulties regarding online exams and their efficacy when it comes to determining the retention of class material. M.K. Holland, FCLC ’24, expressed her frustration regarding an exam feature in one of her classes that prevents students from referencing other questions and skipping around in order to complete the exam at their own pace. “This is stressful because once you move to the next question that’s it. Sometimes other questions can help you with prior questions so knowing that you put the
ANDREW DRESSNER/THE OBSERVER
Some students have expressed frustration with classes this semester due to problems with the virtual learning modality.
wrong answer and can’t fix it is frustrating.” In the spring 2020 semester, the university declared that it would not be using exam monitoring software to conduct its examinations through the online learning platform. Professors have taken their own angles regarding the best ways to assess their students, with some preferring to administer online exams and others choosing to use papers and projects to better evaluate how their students are learning in class. Esther Lomas-Sampedro, professor of Spanish, highlighted the changes the Spanish section of the modern languages department made in order to better assess their students, particularly through the introduction of individual oral exams. “One of the main changes, and the most gratifying, was to have individual oral assessment activities with students,” she said. “It was great to see how students could communicate in Spanish and be able to have a more personal interaction with students, especially now that we cannot meet students in person.”
David de la Fuente, professor of theology, described a need for more creative activities and outlets for students that did not heavily focus on the individual assessments of students regarding their retention. Although de la Fuente understands the importance of exams, he feels that this is not the ideal environment for them. “Teaching today requires not simply that I think about how I open up a topic and reinforce the information that I think students should be acquiring, but how I do so amidst a public health crisis and an emotionally taxing learning environment. So I focus less on exams and more on papers and/or creative assignments,” he said. D’Agustino noted the power dynamic between educators and students and the importance of educators acknowledging their position. He mentioned the lesson the coronavirus pandemic taught professors regarding the importance of the relationship between the educator and the student as they both benefit from one another. “Now, with the pandemic and how we all needed to come together, I approach the students much more empathetically than I might
have done before,” he said. “I more want to help them and do what I can to ensure that they’re successful because they’re overcoming so many impediments, right? I don’t want to be another one.” De la Fuente discussed this power dynamic and said that the educator holds more power than the student and it is important for educators to understand their role in their students’ learning processes. “To be fair, everyone is struggling right now—faculty included. But in terms of a virtual or real classroom, instructors are in positions of power, and given that power differential, my main concerns are: am I as an instructor being flexible and considerate of my students?” he said. With the pandemic creating an inadequate learning environment, students and professors are looking forward to the fall 2021 semester, but there is still uncertainty about what an in-person semester will look like. “It will be nice to actually have a college experience but it will also be weird like we’re experiencing freshman year all over again since none of us have had a normal semester of college,” Holland said.
USG President-Elect Joe VanGostein Has Big Plans for Next School Year
After winning the United Student Government presidential election, VanGostein is preparing for upcoming semesters By AIDAN LANE Asst. Features Editor
Joe VanGostein, Gabelli School of Business at Lincoln Center (GSB) ’22 and United Student Government (USG) secretary, was elected president of the USG on April 14 in a 204-134 vote over USG treasurer Joey Moyer, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’22. VanGostein ran on a four-prong platform of fighting for racial justice,
COVID-19 activism, sustainability and Lincoln Center pride. The president-elect’s policies aim to create a more progressive Lincoln Center campus and begin to correct some of the social and political disparities exposed by the coronavirus pandemic. VanGostein is best known as “USG Joe,” which comes from his Instagram handle that he started when he ran for Gabelli class senator in his freshman year.
COURTESY OF JOE VANGOSTEIN
Joe VanGostein was elected president of United Student Government after winning 204 votes to Joey Moyer’s 134 on April 14.
As president, he believes that his @USGJoe Instagram account will continue to be an open and effective line of communication between him and Lincoln Center students. USG also plans to launch a website this year. VanGostein said the current USG president Loreen Ruiz, FCLC ’21, has been working on it for the last year. “It’s (the website) on the cusp of being uploaded; we’re just finalizing it, dotting our i’s, crossing our t’s,” VanGostein said. He thinks the site will help encourage involvement and publicize the government and its campaigns. The president-elect’s main priority is environmental sustainability, something he’s been proud to fight for since his first year. Until 2020, Fordham was making strides in sustainability through a reusable cup and bag program, composting bins on the plaza and monthly meetings with environmental consultants. The implementation of COVID-19 regulations on campus, however, meant that “plastic has made its nefarious return to campus,” he said. In the fall, VanGostein aims to reinstate and improve these programs. “Even if it was happening, it wasn’t happening well,” he said. VanGostein criticized Argo Tea specifically, explaining that when
students would bring their personal reusable cups to Argo, the workers would use plastic cups to measure out the drinks before immediately discarding them. He thinks the university’s composting plan can also be improved by placing bins in the dining hall “where they’d get the most use.” VanGostein hopes Fordham’s facilities can get to the point where “they don’t even need to order plastic cups.” He is also committed to ensuring racial and social justice on campus. When dealing with the administration, he acknowledges that as a white man he wants to give a voice to those students marginalized on the bases of race, class, gender or sexuality. “My role would be to put these people on pedestals,” VanGostein said. “I’m definitely cognizant of stepping into a role that was held the last two years by two women of color.” Going forward, VanGostein said he wants Fordham to remember that Black lives still matter and that demanding racial justice was not a summer trend. Last year, he helped start the Focused Initiative for Race Equity at Fordham, a cross-campus organization that reached out to all Fordham clubs to demand they be actively anti-racist in their communications and club activities.
The lack of halal options on campus is another issue that VanGostein wants to confront. He said it is unacceptable given Fordham’s large Muslim population. To remedy the lack of halal options, he said he would like to replace Bon Mi, whose building Fordham owns, with halal food. If that doesn’t work, he said adding halal options to the Community Dining Hall would be the next best option. VanGostein hopes to see campus operations return to normal this fall, but even with the requirement for all students to be vaccinated, he acknowledged that “a lot of students are worried about coming back.” To ensure students’ well-being, he wants hybrid options to remain, given the uncertainty of new strains and the unsteady vaccination rate in other countries. In order to accomplish anything next year, VanGostein said he will need increased involvement and attendance at USG meetings. “Everyone’s invited to these meetings,” he said. “You don’t have to ever have communicated with us.” For students looking to make changes, VanGostein instructed them to “Email the deans, email Father McShane. If you want something done, don’t be afraid to do it.”
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THE OBSERVER April 28, 2021
Fordham Resumes On-Campus Tours
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Visitors will not be allowed into campus buildings and students will not serve as tour guides By INSIYA GANDHI Staff Writer
After Fordham paused in-person activities due to COVID-19 last March, the university canceled in-person tours and visitations indefinitely. On March 29, 2021, an email from the Office of the Vice President for Administration announced that limited campus visits for prospective students and their families would resume on April 7. The university acknowledged that spring is a critical time for students and families to select a college for the fall and that campus visits are a key component of the search. John Carroll, assistant vice president of Public Safety, said excitement and interest from prospective students and families are reasons for the recommencement of tours. The decision was made with guidance from University Health Services and Public Safety, according to Patricia Peek, dean of undergraduate admissions. She said that they have been monitoring the situation since last summer.
“The decision to allow visitors to campus has not been an easy one. It was only recently that we felt we could allow a limited number of admitted students on campus who had not previously visited,” she said. “We are continuing to monitor the program daily and are making adjustments that provide access but also keep the safety of staff, students and visitors as paramount.” In order to abide by COVID-19 restrictions and safety guidelines, visits will be limited to a maximum of 30 families with a maximum of three family members on each campus in a single day. Carroll said families are required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within five days of their scheduled visit. Public Safety will also screen every visit, take the temperature of each person and require visitors to sign a COVID-19 waiver. Staff in the Office of Undergraduate Admission are assigned time slots to enter and exit campus, as opposed to student tour guides. Groups will also only visit the outdoor campus
ASHLEY YIU/THE OBSERVER
Prospective students and families are now able to visit outdoor spaces on campus where they can speak with representatives from Fordham with COVID-19 restrictions in place.
area and remain on campus for no longer than one hour. “We will not have any mingling between our students and prospective students, families and visitors on these planned visits,” Carroll said. Carroll specified that visitors will be prohibited from entering any buildings at both campuses. At Lincoln Center, prospective students and families will remain on the plaza. At Rose Hill, visitors will be limited to Keating Hall Terrace and the walkway surrounding Edwards Parade. Last spring, prospective students relied on virtual tours and online information sessions to familiarize themselves with the campus and reach decisions about their future college. Karen Watanabe, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’24, toured Fordham Lincoln Center virtually in the spring of 2020. She expressed difficulties with picking up on the atmosphere of the campus and daily life there. “One of the most difficult things about utilizing online tours was getting the ‘feel’ of the community,” she said. Ritamarie Pepe, FCLC ’22 and an orientation coordinator, believed that the in-person tours are of value to admitted students because the decision of choosing a college for the next four years is stressful without resources such as on-campus tours. She added that while Fordham’s online tools are helpful, they pale in comparison to in-person visitations. “While I think Fordham has put together amazing and quality virtual events to make up for the lack of in person opportunities, not being able to see the campus or feel its energy is definitely an issue for most students, and it is daunting to commit without having that opportunity,” she said. Watanabe emphasized that she would not consider an in-person visit this semester because of restrictions on indoor visitation
and interacting with faculty and students. “I feel like it would be the same thing as looking at Google images. The experience of visiting a college campus won’t be as nice if you actually witness the traditional campus life,” she said. Despite Fordham’s efforts to accommodate in-person visitors, Pepe is unsure of the effectiveness of on-campus tours because of restrictions in place that limit indoor visitation and interaction with student ambassadors.
“ We are hoping to
expand campus visits this summer and look forward to a fall where we will be able to balance both in-person and virtual events in a new suite of opportunities.”
Patricia Peek, dean of undergraduate admissions
“Because we are only one city block, people may not understand all that Fordham has to offer, which you really get when you are able to talk to student ambassadors during tours inside of the facilities,” she said. Pepe recommended that prospective students attend virtual events, chat with student ambassadors and conduct more independent research. According to Peek, the Class of 2024 was smaller than previous classes, reflecting a greater trend in declining college enrollment in the fall of 2020. She attributed this decrease to the changing circumstances of families due to COVID-19, resulting in reconsiderations regarding distance from home, financial realities and deferment of enrolling by a semester or year.
According to the Office of Admissions, the university received 47,883 applications for the Class of 2024 and welcomed 2,050 students. For the Class of 2025, there was a 4% decrease with 45,000 applications. “The pool was very talented and we were able to admit more qualified applicants,” Peek said. Peek noted that tours were a major deciding factor for prospective students prior to the pandemic, but that the virtual formats have become comparable. “Before the pandemic, I would have said they play a significant role. However, we have created so many virtual options from online tours to academic panels and sessions that ‘virtual’ experiences are emerging as comparable in many ways,” she said. Only newly admitted students who have not previously toured campus will be allowed to visit, and students from local academic institutions such as Cristo Rey New York High School will be permitted to visit campus. Visitors are restricted from interacting with university students, faculty and staff. Carroll is confident in the university’s COVID-19 safety measures. “We believe testing within 5 days is a prudent measure using PCR or antigen tests to proactively coincide with strict measures mentioned above,” he said. Virtual tours will still be available, according to Carroll. Peek stressed her excitement to welcome new students and urged prospective students and their families to utilize the several virtual features available online. “We are excited to welcome our admitted students and their families but acknowledge our offerings fall short of the high demand. We encourage everyone to continue to attend our robust and varied virtual events. We are hoping to expand campus visits this summer and look forward to a fall where we will be able to balance both in-person and virtual events in a new suite of opportunities,” she said.
In-Person Events Fail to Foster Community
Students describe feeling a lack of community as a reason for not attending school-sponsored activities By CHLOE ZELCH Asst. News Editor
Student involvement on campus has changed drastically during the COVID-19 pandemic, and fostering community is significantly more difficult. Attendance at on-campus events varies, Associate Director for Student Involvement Christina Frankovic said. “Some events have been completely sold out with a waitlist, and others have only had a small handful of attendees,” Frankovic said. Virtual events are receiving fluctuating attendance too; Frankovic said for some virtual club meetings, up to 60 students will attend, while other clubs report only “a few dedicated students” at each meeting. Because arts and crafts events have attracted more students, the Office for Student Involvement has made an effort to offer more of these types of events, according to Frankovic. Putting on previously successful events has not been successful in getting all students involved in on-campus life and feeling the spirit of community. “I haven’t attended any events on campus,” Sophia Pellillo, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’24, said. “I’m transferring next year and have decided to not attend any events and don’t really see the point or want
to get involved in campus life since I’m not staying.” Fordham’s retention rate has been declining in recent years, and the incoming first-year class in the fall of 2020 was Fordham’s smallest entering class since 2013. Students who are not transferring are also electing to not attend campus events. “The on-campus events don’t do much to cultivate community; it’s hard to do on a campus like this one,” Lily Carlisle, FCLC ’24, said. “The community here is built on friend groups rather than event gatherings, where most people are there for free things.” Alyssa Witvoet, FCLC ’24, has attended several events on campus but does not feel that they have met many people through the events. Witvoet said they only go to events when there is free food or activities involved, or to support a friend who organized an event. “I go to less events now than I did last semester because I don’t meet people much due to social distancing,” Witvoet said. “I don’t know what things were like pre-COVID, but I think COVID makes it much harder.” This change in attendance seems to be largely due to COVID-19, where social distancing prevents overcrowded tables and socializing with other students. Students report previous years’ events as bustling, full and loud with hardly enough room for attendees.
ALYSSA DAUGHDRILL/THE OBSERVER
Student attendance at on-campus events has been lower than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Witvoet and Carlisle both expressed that they have felt a strong bond on their floor in McKeon Hall, thanks in part to their residential assistants (RAs). “My floor has a good sense of community because of our RA, Marley,” Witvoet said. “She acts like our friend and is very chatty and friendly, and hosts more casual events.” Carlisle added that “Marley wants us to hang out and eat snacks, like a friend.” Yusuf ElMenshawy, FCLC ’22, is the RA for floor 16 in McKeon Hall. He described efforts to organize events that would attract students to come. “As an RA I and every other member of student staff have been students before and a
lot of the times we try and make programs that we would want to actually go to,” ElMenshawy said. “Along with Fordham’s guidance about what each event should be about, it’s more important to actually include parts of the event that are easy for people to see and say ‘I want to go to that.’” Community building at Lincoln Center is largely centered around interactions and events put on in the comfort of a dorm hallway or lounge. ElMenshawy said that about one-half of a McKeon floor’s residents will come to community builder events, about 10 come to first-year events and about 30 come to the big late-night events, such as Saturday Night Live at McKeon
Hall, to which the entire dorm was invited to attend. Frankovic is hopeful for the rest of the spring semester, as her office continues to plan events. “While things didn’t look the same, and realistically we likely could not reach all of the students we would have liked to, I think there were many students who were able to find connections and have meaningful experiences and maybe even a little bit of safe fun through it all,” Frankovic said. “We are very much looking forward to continuing that through the end of this semester and into the fall when we’ll be able to support even more club programming back on campus.”
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Fordham Expands Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines
After a slow start to vaccine appointments, Fordham received additional doses and provided off-campus resources VACCINES from page 1
Despite the mixed experiences students had making a vaccination appointment on campus, Maureen Keown, director of University Health Services (UHS), said that UHS has “not been overwhelmed and this is something we have been planning for months.” John Carroll, assistant vice principal of Public Safety, said that the university has been “fully prepared” for months with all necessary freezers, refrigerators and equipment at both campuses. Ebraldize said her experience at Fordham’s vaccination site went smoothly. “My appointment was at 10:08 and I was done around 10:30,” she said. “There were a bunch of staff there and it was a bit overwhelming at first, but it was understandable because it was the first day and I was one of the first appointments.” Ava Trochiano, FCLC ’24, also said Fordham’s vaccine procedures were “very smooth and efficient.” Fordham’s Expanded Vaccination Distribution Now, Fordham is continuing to acquire vaccines on a weekly basis. On April 11, Fordham announced they had received an additional 800 doses of the Moderna vaccine that would be distributed equally between the two campuses. They are asking students who have already received their first dose to remove their names from the waitlist. There will be an additional 400 doses distributed between Lincoln Center and Rose Hill following the end of the spring semester. On May 20, there will be 150 doses at Rose Hill, 100 doses at Lincoln Center on
ANDREW DRESSNER/THE OBSERVER
Fordham has been receiving vaccine doses on a weekly basis with students reporting a smooth process on the day of their vaccinations.
May 21, and another 150 doses at Rose Hill on May 22. Second Doses During Finals Period Students who received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine on April 8 and 9 will be receiving their second dose right before finals week. Possible side effects of the second dose include fever, chills and nausea. Some students aren’t concerned about potentially experiencing side effects during their final exams: “I’m not too worried because side effects usually only last one day,” Ebralidze said. Trochiano is excited to receive her second dose and take her finals in the comfort of her own home. “I honestly feel that I’ll have
enough time to recover for my finals,” Trochiano said. “I don’t feel nervous or anxious, but rather more blessed and grateful to be almost fully vaccinated.” Dean of FCLC Laura Auricchio told the hosts of Retrospect on April 18 that the College Council was in the process of crafting a memo asking professors to “please be aware” that some of their students may have a negative reaction to the vaccine and will need to be shown leniency during finals week. Vaccination Requirements for the Fall As the spring semester comes to a close, many students are wondering what life on campus will be like for Fordham in the fall, especially considering Fordham’s
recent announcement that the fall 2021 semester will be completely in-person. In an email on April 16, Fordham stated that it will require all students to be vaccinated by the beginning of the fall semester, which has eased some of the nervousness that students are feeling toward in-person instruction. Fordham says that its goal is “to provide a COVID-safe environment in which our students, faculty, and staff can pursue our mission; and to help protect the health and safety of our off-campus neighbors.” International students who are unable to be vaccinated in their home countries will be vaccinated on campus upon their arrival to Fordham in the fall. If students still need to be vaccinated, Fordham currently has
arrangements with an urgent care facility on Fordham Road in the Bronx, which continues to distribute the Moderna vaccine both by appointment and to walk-ins everyday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Alexandra Beard, FCLC ’24, and Melanie Sztulman, Gabelli School of Business at Lincoln Center ’23, were vaccinated at the urgent care facilty. “They were the first email I saw from the school about getting vaccinated, so I immediately sent them an email requesting to sign up,” Beard said. Sztulman decided to get her vaccine at the urgent care for the same reason: “They had vaccines available as soon as I qualified and Fordham did not,” she said. “I didn’t have to book an appointment ahead of time — they had walk-ins.” Both Beard and Sztulman agree that the process was “quick and efficient” and that the staff was friendly. Beard added that though social distancing was enforced inside the facility, there was no one monitoring the line outside, so social distancing while waiting in line “wasn’t really happening.” “We had over 2,300 Fordham members sign up with Urgent Care and another 1,000+ signed up for vaccinations here at Fordham campuses,” Carroll said. “We encourage everyone to get vaccinated ASAP wherever they can obtain a vaccine and we are doing everything possible to vaccinate here at Fordham.” To register for a vaccination appointment at either campus, students can visit the COVID-19 testing website. Students will be required to show their Fordham ID before being vaccinated.
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Fordham Plans to Host Seven In-Person Ceremonies
Capacity will be capped at 1,000 people per ceremony with additional safety guidelines to prevent superspreader events COMMENCEMENT from page 1
Michael Trerotola, special assistant to the president, said that the 1,000-guest capacity is “well below” the governor’s guidelines, providing the university ample space to ensure social distancing. In-Person Ceremonies Versus Virtual Commencement The virtual commencement ceremony on May 22 is when keynote speaker Michelle Howard will address the university community and when University President Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., confers the diplomas, which will be mailed to students.
“ A virtual
graduation doesn’t feel like anything, at least not to me — it’s just so hollow.”
Maddie Schneider, FCLC ’21
The in-person ceremonies will give students the opportunity to walk across the stage and receive a ceremonial scroll from their school’s dean from May 17 to
May 20. Due to safety guidelines, students will not shake hands when accepting the scroll. Trerotola said the university received an “incredible response” during the first 24 hours of undergraduate requests for attending a ceremony and submitting guest information. “It’s clear that people are excited about this and I am too.” Maddie Schneider, FCLC ’21, is excited to attend an in-person ceremony in order to feel a sense of closure for her college experience and be able to share the moment with her parents and friends. “I think the most important part of commencement for me is getting to physically be there, to have this thing marking the passage of time and actually feel it,” she said. “A virtual graduation doesn’t feel like anything, at least not to me — it’s just so hollow.” She described the hybrid commencement ceremonies as “bittersweet and lonelier” than she anticipated since she will not be able to attend the other ceremonies to watch friends graduate. Other students have expressed interest in in-person ceremonies by signing a Change. org petition that encourages Fordham to host in-person commencement ceremonies. The petition has gained more than 900 signatures since it began circulating at the start of April.
COURTESY OF CAITLIN BURY
Anna Moneymaker, FCLC ’21, poses for a graduation photo. She and the rest of the Class of 2021 will have the option to attend an in-person commencement ceremony at Rose Hill in May.
After Cuomo announced the new ceremony guidelines, Trerotola said that since the university was prepared with possible plans, they were able to announce the changes in capacity and guest policy in 24 hours. “There were a lot of logistics that changed in a short amount of time,” he said. But, he also admitted that “There will be some hiccups since we have never done this before.”
“ I suppose that it is not
completely impossible that it could be a superspreader event, but the likelihood is so low given all these layers.”
Bob Howe, assistant vice president for communications
ASHLEY YIU/THE OBSERVER
Graduates will be allowed two guests at the in-person ceremony, which falls within the 1,000-person limit.
Trerotola said he is grateful that Fordham has space at Rose Hill to organize the event, which removes the need to rent another location. “A lot of New York schools can’t do that so quickly,” he said. Establishing Safety Measures for the Ceremonies
COURTESY OF GABBY RIVERA
Gabby Rivera, FCLC ’21, celebrates her graduation with confetti and a Filipino graduation stole.
Natalie Grammer, FCLC ’21, originally planned to only attend the virtual commencement ceremony because celebrating with family is the most important element of graduation to her. Once Fordham announced the policy that each graduating senior can bring two guests, she decided to attend commencement in person with her parents. “I think that Fordham could have been like, ‘You have to jump on one leg and do all of these other crazy things to attend,’ and my parents still would have come,” she said. Now, Grammer has plans to register for the same ceremony as her friends, whom she has not seen in a year since she has been fully virtual. She hopes the ability to celebrate with friends and family will make her graduation feel like more of a “natural conclusion” to her college experience. Safety is a concern since both Grammer and her father have preexisting health conditions. Howe said the university has prepared four levels of defense
against the spread of COVID-19 at the in-person ceremonies. “Even if the worst happens, this won’t be a superspreader event,” he said. The first precaution is that Howe believes the “vast majority” of attendees will be fully vaccinated with the additional 14 days of immunity building. Those who do not fall into this category will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test from the last 72 hours. Howe also said that there is likely to be a small percentage of guests for whom the university will have to screen temperature and symptoms at entry. The second layer of defense is that masks must be worn at all times. Students will be allowed to pull down their mask for one photo opportunity after receiving their ceremonial scroll. The final two safety measures include the event being hosted outside — regardless of rain — and the seating arrangements being socially distanced into familial pods. “I suppose that it is not completely impossible that it could be a superspreader event, but the likelihood is so low given all these layers,” Howe said. “Nothing in public health is 100% even if everyone is vaccinated. The more people are vaccinated, the better the probability.” Grammer said she is satisfied with Fordham’s choice to split commencement into multiple ceremonies since holding one conjoined ceremony would be “the most irresponsible thing to do.” She also feels confident about the university’s other safety guidelines, though she still does have worries.
“ If I were a graduating
senior this year, I would be hesitant to graduate in a large group setting.”
Courtney Brogle, FCLC ’20
“This pandemic at Fordham, let alone everywhere else, has shown how inconsiderate people can be,” she said. “I am trying to remain optimistic, but in the back of my mind, I’m asking: ‘Can the administration actually enforce something like this? Are extra people going to show up and will the administration turn people away?’ I don't know.”
Continued Postponement of Class of 2020 Celebration Courtney Brogle, FCLC ’20 and former managing editor of the Fordham Observer, expressed mixed feelings about in-person commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2021. She is concerned that even with an amended guest policy, the large-scale gathering still poses a possibility of developing into a superspreader event that could negatively impact the Bronx community. “I certainly don’t think the ceremony should be canceled — speaking as a 2020 senior, I know how it feels to work so hard for so long and get the short end of the stick — I just think it should be postponed until more Americans are vaccinated and COVID-19 cases go down,” Brogle said. “While I’m sure the university will do what they realistically can to screen attendants, if I were a graduating senior this year, I would be hesitant to graduate in a large group setting.” In spring 2020, Fordham assured graduating seniors that they would have a commencement ceremony “at a later date.” Brogle said that the university has emailed the Class of 2020 “every few months” since the end of their college careers citing public safety as the concern for the continued postponement of their graduation celebration. “I don’t think Fordham will honor the promise to have a true Class of 2020 graduation,” she said. “For Fordham to email our class every few months and then plan a risky large-scale graduation for current seniors seems hypocritical.” Trerotola said that graduation celebration planning has been focused on the Class of 2021 since “it is really hard to come back once you have left.” Once commencement events for the Class of 2021 have concluded, he said planning for the Class of 2020 will begin as soon as possible: “McShane is still committed to the idea of having something for 2020, we just do not know what it is or when it will be, but we will look at it as soon as we’re done with 2021.” Brogle acknowledged that circumstances have changed for many of her former classmates, and even if a formal commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020 is not plausible, she believes Fordham should honor its word with a special alumni event.
Sports & Health
Sports & Health Editor Patrick Moquin - pmoquin@fordham.edu
April 28, 2021
THE OBSERVER
Trust Your Gut: How Stress and Diet Affect Digestion
New lifestyles in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have had negative effects on people’s GI tract By ANUSHA IMRAN Staff Writer
The human body is intricately connected. Our digestive and gastrointestinal (GI) tracts are linked to the nervous system, the immune system and the hormones that our bodies release in response to external factors. One alteration in these systems can cause an imbalance in our health. Feelings of stress that are heightened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lifestyle changes and virtual academics are among the main factors responsible for depression and changes in the gut microbiome that negatively affect our digestive tract. The Human Digestive System The digestive system is formed by the GI tract, which includes hollow organs like the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and anus. It also includes solid organs like the liver, pancreas and gallbladder. As humans, we need to eat proteins, lipids, minerals, nucleic acids and carbohydrates. The digestion of these specific structures refers to the breakdown of food molecules through enzymatic action into small chemical components that the body can distribute to various tissues. For example, proteins can be broken down into amino acids and carbohydrates can be split to form simple sugars.
The bacteria in the GI tract are called the gut flora or microbiota; they create a suitable environment to help with digestion and with the stimulation of the immune system to break down toxic foods and make vitamins and amino acids. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, some of the large families of bacteria in the human gut prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria by getting to the sites of nutrients first. This is why many people take probiotics — they allow bacteria that are beneficial to recolonize your gut. Instead of having probiotics, individuals can also improve their gut health by consuming prebiotics such as artichokes, garlic and asparagus. Stress Through the Gut-Brain Axis There is constant communication and signaling involved between the brain and microorganisms living in your gut. Specifically, stress hormones like cortisol can reshape the gut bacteria’s composition through excessive inflammation and autonomic alterations. This results in the release of toxins and neurohormones that can cause harmful changes in eating behaviors, moods and stress responsiveness. Production of the stress hormone cortisol is triggered by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which connects the
nervous system to the GI tract. Another one of these hormones released is tryptophan — a substrate of serotonin that helps produce feelings of happiness in the brain. If no tryptophan is released, there will be an inhibited release of serotonin. This causes the brain to receive negative feedback that can lead to depressive disorders, a compromised immune system and symptoms of nausea and fatigue. There has been an increase in gut-related problems in indivisuals since the start of the pandemic due to increased stress, sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits. Inflammatory diseases that arise from digestive issues start a chain of problems that then affect cardiovascular health, the nervous system and the body’s ability to fight viruses. Things to Consider Many treatments help the gutbrain connection repair the physical communication through the nervous system, as well as chemical communication through hormones and neurotransmitters. Dietary changes, natural supplements and stress-reducing activities like therapy or yoga have been proven to help improve the gut-brain connection. Eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet not only keeps the gut healthy but also provides quality energy to the rest of the body. Replacing processed and fried foods with whole grains,
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY ESMÉ BLEECKER-ADAMS AND GRACE GETMAN/THE OBSERVER
lean meats and fish will allow for smoother digestion. Additionally, looking into probiotics that contain live bacteria can be crucial in fighting off harmful bacteria. Examples include yogurt with active cultures, fer-
mented teas like kombucha and miso soup. Overall, maintaining a healthy lifestyle that combines rigorous physical activity along with a nutritious diet can be beneficial in keeping your bodily functions working efficiently.
Fordham Baseball Ekes Out Split Series With St. Joe’s
Rams blown out in two contests, but starting pitchers Mikulski and Karlso salvage weekend with solid outings By PATRICK MOQUIN and NIKO KONSTANTELLIS Sports & Health Editor and Staff Writer
The Fordham baseball team split its series with the St. Joseph’s University (SJU) Hawks last weekend, winning two games and improving to 18-12 on the season. The Rams were outscored 27-10 across all four games at Smithson Field outside Philadelphia, but solid pitching proved to be enough in two low-scoring victories. Fordham entered the series with a rare losing streak, having lost three straight games against Towson University and the United States Military Academy. In
the top of the third against SJU, Zach Selinger, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’23, hit a two-single to give the Rams a 2-1 lead that could have ended the streak — but the scoring didn’t stop there. The Hawks retook the lead in the bottom of the inning and never lost it. Starting pitcher Brooks Ey, FCRH ’24, allowed six earned runs in five innings, and much of the relief pitching staff seemed completely overwhelmed as well. After eight innings, Fordham eventually lost its fourth straight game in a 13-3 beating. The next day, ace pitcher Matt Mikulski, FCRH ’21, took the mound for the first game of a doubleheader to
test his mettle against SJU’s explosive offense. In four games, the Hawks recorded 36 hits against Fordham pitchers, which makes Mikulski’s performance all the more impressive. In a shortened seven-inning game, the senior went the distance, allowing two hits while striking out 15 batters. The Rams didn’t do much offensively, but a two-run rally in the top of the third was enough for Mikulski to lead the team to a 3-1 victory. Now 6-0 on the season, the pitcher has made the difference time and again for Fordham against high-caliber opponents, and his MLB Draft prospects this summer seem to improve with every start.
COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
Matt Mikulski, FCRH ’21, struck out 15 batters in a dominant performance against SJU, leading the Rams to a 3-1 victory.
Without their ace pitcher in the second game on Saturday, the Rams struggled again against the Hawks. SJU put up a run in the bottom of the first that Fordham matched in the top of the second, but the approaching onslaught could not be overcome. The 1-1 tie was broken when Garrett Crowley, Gabelli School of Business at Rose Hill (GSBRH) ’22, allowed seven runs in the bottom of the second. Fordham didn’t score again and eventually lost 11-1 in seven innings. In three games, it’s arguable that Fordham and SJU hadn’t yet played a competitive contest. In the first and third, the Hawks dominated the Rams at the plate, and in the second, Mikulski returned the favor and never lost control on the mound. The fourth game was neither a blowout nor a pitching showcase, but a low-scoring, closely contested game that came down to the final out. On a weekend when Fordham struggled at bat, a hit-by-pitch was the perfect way to start, as Jason Coules, FCRH ’22, was beaned in the top of the first and advanced to first base. He stole second to put an early runner in scoring position, and Alvin Melendez, GSBRH ’21, took advantage, doubling down the left field line to drive in Coules and give Fordham a 1-0 lead. The Rams scored another run in the top of the fifth, but the score remained largely unchanged for most of the game. Starting pitcher Gabe Karslo, GSBRH ’22, kept the Hawks in check for eight innings to maintain the 2-0 score. It all fell apart in the ninth, however, as SJU rallied to tie the game with two runs on three hits, an error and a walk. Karslo exited the game two outs short of a complete
game, and Joseph Quintal, GSBRH ’21, took over but couldn’t prevent extra innings. Fordham has grown accustomed to extra innings this season and have been battle-tested through several marathon games. In this one, however, they only needed one more turn at bat. With Coules automatically placed on second base (in accordance with new extra inning rules), SJU elected to intentionally walk Nick Labella, FCRH ’21, who only had one at-bat in the game after walking three times. The two runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch, and a ground ball from Selinger was enough to drive in a run and give Fordham a 3-2 lead. In the bottom of the 10th, SJU failed to take advantage of its runner on second base, splitting the series at two victories apiece. It was an anticlimactic end to the game, as the new extra inning rules allowed Fordham to retake the lead without recording a hit in the inning. It’s unlikely that the Rams will complain, as the victory gave them a 5-3 Atlantic 10 (A10) Conference record and may bolster their postseason seeding next month. Without Mikulski on the mound, Fordham had a tough weekend, losing two games to an A10 rival by wide margins. Such poor showings obviously cloud the team’s future, but the final game of this series demonstrated that the Rams can compete without their ace on the mound under the right conditions. They’ll need more of those hard-fought victories (and fewer blowout losses) going forward, because even a sure-fire MLB draftee can only take them so far.
www.fordhamobserver.com
THE OBSERVER April 28, 2021
Sports & Health
7
Victories Beyond the Hardwood: Women’s Basketball Stands With Coach Sonia Burke
Rams raise nearly $40,000 for assistant coach’s cancer treatments in chaotic 2020-21 season By PATRICK MOQUIN Sports & Health Editor
A casual spectator watching the Fordham women’s basketball team’s final games of 2021 would likely conclude that the Rams’ season ended in an anticlimactic fashion on March 20. For a team with a stellar regular season record and tradition of success, it’s true that ending on three straight defeats would have been a disappointment in a normal year, but the problems weighing on the team since November have extended far beyond the boundaries of the Rose Hill Gymnasium. In a very unusual year, players and coaches alike seemed to take every result, good or bad, in stride. As the COVID-19 pandemic affected millions of people around the globe, merely playing the game they loved became a privilege. But there was something even more personal driving the team to push on as victories off the court became more important. The team’s success was not dictated by conference standings or buzzer-beaters, but rather by the ringing of a bell and the gradual climb to an astounding fundraising goal for a loved one in need.
“ We all had things that we were battling with, and Coach Sonia was obviously one of those things that we were fighting for.”
Kaitlyn Downey, GSBRH ’22
Two weeks ago, Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach Sonia Burke concluded chemotherapy treatment for a rare form of stomach cancer, ringing the ceremonial bell in the hospital to mark the end of another round in a grueling fight. She immediately sent the news to her players and fellow staff members, a group of people who have supported her unconditionally since she received the diagnosis shortly before Christmas last year. Kaitlyn Downey, Gabelli School of Business at Rose Hill ’22, has worked very closely with Burke over the last three years as the team’s starting forward. She described the excitement the team felt when Burke announced the end of her chemotherapy, as well as the impact the assistant coach’s perseverance had on the team’s season. “Our team battled a lot of stressors that weren’t just coming from the basketball court,” Downey said. “We all had things that we were battling with, and Coach Sonia was obviously one of those things that we were fighting for.” In 2017, Burke was hired by Fordham University to be the new assistant coach after spending nearly
two decades as an assistant coach at Manhattan College. Before that, she had moved from her home country of Barbados to Mobile, Alabama, where she was a player herself at Spring Hill College from 1997 to 2001. She helped lead the Spring Hill Badgers to the Gulf Coast Conference Championship in 2000, and she also served as the captain of the Barbadian national team that took home gold at that year’s Caribbean Women’s Basketball Championship. At Fordham, Burke quickly became involved in the recruiting process and had a hand in convincing several current players, including Downey, to join the basketball team. When she had to step away from the sidelines this past season to receive treatment, her absence impacted everyone she worked with — from team members she had helped to develop into better players and people to staff members who had vigorously worked alongside her. One of these staff members, Allie Keller, the director of administration, described the team’s reaction when Burke first stepped away from the sidelines. The college basketball season was difficult for everyone, but Burke’s experience always inspired the program to continue moving forward. “Having that mindset really pushed the team and put things in perspective,” Keller said. “You think this is hard? What do you think Sonia’s going through right now?” Just as the team was beginning its season in earnest, Burke was preparing for chemotherapy, yet she still supported players and coaches with encouraging messages in group chats. Megan Jonassen, Fordham College at Rose Hill ’22, described Burke’s insistence on communicating with players remotely despite her personal struggles. “You would never even know that she is battling cancer because of the contagious energy and smiles she brings to our team,” Jonassen said. “She consistently texted us, wishing us good luck before our games, and being the forwards coach, she continued to coach us bigs.” Despite Burke’s perseverance, there were times in the past season where she struggled to keep in touch with her team. She has good days, but she continues to have many bad days as well. Battling cancer is often seen as a lonely experience, but Burke’s players and colleagues did everything in their power to support their coach. Even before Burke’s diagnosis, the Fordham women’s basketball team had great relationships with several cancer foundations. At least once a year, Fordham players wear yellow laces in
an ongoing partnership with the Go4TheGoal foundation, which raises funds for pediatric cancer treatment and research. The team also wears pink alternate jerseys to raise money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, which allocates funds to help those with breast cancer. In addition to representing those causes this season, players and coaches also took up the new, more personal effort to support their assistant coach. The team dedicated the 2020-21 season to Burke and played every game in honor of her contributions and ongoing fight. To properly represent Burke during the season, the team took every precaution to stay on the court as the pandemic continued to rage around them. They diligently followed COVID-19 protocols and never received a positive test that would have resulted in postponements. On Feb. 14, though, current events finally took their toll. That weekend, the COVID-19 case count on the Rose Hill campus surpassed 200, and New York state guidelines mandated that all university activities pause for two weeks. The women’s basketball team had done everything right, and despite the players never having tested positive, the Rams’ season was stunted and the quest for another Atlantic 10 (A10) Championship became much more difficult due to a lack of playing time. In the immediate aftermath of the announcement, however, the team’s reaction took staff members by surprise. According to Nicole Munger, the coordinator of recruiting and player development, coaches called the players together for an impromptu meeting at 11 p.m. on Feb. 13 to inform them about the pause before the official announcement. The staff expected an angry response to the news, but when they met with the players, they were surprised to see that some of them were already crying. They thought that something had happened to Burke. Frustration would set in later, but in that moment, the players were simply relieved to hear that their coach was safe. “We told them that Coach Sonia was fine and we were just going on pause, and they celebrated,” Munger said. “That’s the type of team that we have, and that’s what Coach Sonia means to us.” During the pause, Head Coach Stephanie Gaitley commented on the struggles that the team was going through after being barred from competition. The players’ dedication to Burke was one of their primary concerns as they desperately tried to return to the court. “It’s just a lot of mental health issues that they’re dealing with,” Gaitley said. “A lot of it was, like, they were playing for her, and they were gaining strength through that. So it’s just so many different variables involved, and that’s what makes it all so difficult.”
The women’s basketball team has previously supported several cancer foundations throughout their seasons. In addition to that, the team has dedicated this past season to Burke.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
Before taking time off to receive treatment for cancer, Sonia Burke established herself as a prominent figure in Fordham women’s basketball.
The team was disappointed and frustrated with an interruption beyond its control, but despite losing all momentum on the court in a season that mattered more than most, two staff members found an entirely new way to assist Burke in a time of need. On the same day that the two-week pause began, Keller and Munger started a GoFundMe page to help pay for Burke’s cancer treatments. With two weeks off, the entire program began a massive effort to contact every possible connection they could think of to raise money for Burke. Team members also kickstarted the fundraiser with a push-up challenge, where donors agreed to match a certain dollar amount for each push-up a member could complete.
“ She truly contributes
so much to our program, and I am so extremely grateful that I have the privilege to be coached by her, not only in basketball but also in life.”
Megan Jonassen, FCRH ’22
Fordham coaches, players’ parents, students, university officials and former colleagues of Burke began donating, often in great amounts. For many of them, the page either broke the news of Burke’s ailment or provided rare insight into a matter the coach kept private. The two-week pause ended but the donations continued to roll in, and after three months, the team has raised $36,713. “On one hand, we were blown away by the response, and on the other hand, it was everything we expected because we knew how many people Sonia knew,” Keller said. After two weeks of valuable fundraising work, the Rams returned to the court in early March but struggled to regain the spark that had propelled them to an 8-2 conference record in the regular season. In the quarterfinals of the A10 Tournament, the team was eliminated by the University of Massachusetts in an upset. The Rams earned an at-large bid to compete in the National Invitational Tournament but lost badly in two straight games to superior competitors.
Following the loss in the A10 Tournament, Gaitley managed to smile on several occasions during the press conference, a surprising sight for a championship-winning coach accustomed to success. But in a season riddled with adversity, Gaitley considered perseverance an accomplishment in itself for her team. “We told them that the victory is playing the game,” Gaitley said. “Go have fun. It’s a victory just being able to play this game, so go enjoy it, leave it out there, and don’t have any doubts when you’re done.” In a world that was already uncertain, the team was shaken by the news early in the season that its assistant coach would have to step away from the team. They dedicated every moment on the court to her, drawing strength from her relentless fight to defeat a life-threatening disease. They did everything they could to stay on the court and play for her, and when they were forced to the sidelines, they redoubled their efforts and spent countless hours raising money to assist the coach that had already done so much to positively impact their lives. Three losses on the court could never negate such a successful season. As the women’s basketball team settles into the offseason, Burke’s fight continues, and she has no intention of giving up. On April 3, the assistant coach underwent surgery and emerged in a secure but exhausted state. One of the messages she relayed to Munger before her operation was an apology to The Observer for a lack of availability in recent weeks. Even as she entered surgery, Burke’s commitment to the Fordham community persisted. Burke’s future with Fordham women’s basketball is uncertain, but team members remain hopeful that she will return very soon. Jonassen could not imagine the team without her for long. “She truly contributes so much to our program, and I am so extremely grateful that I have the privilege to be coached by her, not only in basketball but also in life,” Jonassen said. As of this article’s publication, the GoFundMe page for Burke is still open. The team is less than $4,000 short of its goal to raise $40,000 for her various treatments. The money will never compensate for lost time, but to the team, it represents a meager attempt to reciprocate for someone who has never wavered in her support of Fordham women’s basketball and its many members.
One Step Close
Over the past few weeks, stu By MARIN HOWELL Staff Writer
As Fordham’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, many of the university’s students, faculty and staff have received the vaccine. Following an announcement made by Fordham Public Safety on April 4, the university began administering the Moderna vaccine to faculty and students at both the Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses. Regine Anastacio, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’21, received the vaccine from the Lincoln Center site. “I got my vaccine done at Fordham and the process was so smooth,” Anastacio said. She added that seeing other Fordham students get the vaccine made her feel “hopeful for the future and the end of the pandemic.” Aside from the vaccines provided on campus, members of the Fordham community have received their doses at various off-campus clinics. Prior to having vaccines on site, the university informed students that they were able to make appointments at Doctor Urgent Medical Care on East Fordham Road in the Bronx. Kreena Vora, FCLC ’23, received her vaccine at Doctor Urgent Medical Care and said she
rushed uptown upo walk-ins were welc “The day I got friend texted me in the Bronx was t I immediately left the subway up to R said. “I was 10th i to wait an hour to process was smoot ple were kind.” Senior teaching Pratt also received campus. Pratt was lier this year whil with the Medical R (MRC). “I got my first January, and was f in February. I got MRC requested us to continue servin left-overs from M after our Vaccine dispensing) closed Pratt said. “I was New York's roll o relieved--after all posed to wear mask A shared sentim cinated students ha ceiving the vaccine inconveniences exp doing so. Ritamarie Pepe, she traveled back t to receive her vac glad she did so, de mute.
“I was lucky enough to get both of my Pfizer doses at the Walgreens by campus, and the experience couldn’t have been smoother. It was as simple as signing up on Walgreen’s website, and I was in-and-out for both doses with 20 minutes. I was a little sore after the first dose, but absolutely fine after the second. These vaccines are definitely our best shot to returning to all the human interactions we love and miss so I encourage all of you to sit for your shot when you can!” Joseph VanGostein, GSBLC ’22 and USG President-Elect
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXA STEGMULLER/THE OBSERVER
“The Bron subw to ge
Kree FCLC
er: Fordham Community Members Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine
udents and staff at the university have utilized on- and off-campus vaccination sites to get their doses
on hearing that come. the vaccine, a that the clinic aking walk-ins. class and took Rose Hill,” Vora in line and had get in, but the th and the peo-
g fellow Cathal the vaccine off vaccinated earle volunteering Reserves Corps
t dose back in fully vaccinated it because the s to if we were ng--we used the Moderna vials POD (point of d for the day,” more proud of out than I was we're still supks.” ment among vacas been that ree was worth any perienced while
, FCLC ’22, said to Staten Island ccine and was espite the com-
“Even if it was out of the way, I’m glad I made the trip,” Pepe said, adding that the nurse who vaccinated her was also a graduate of her high school. “We were able to connect on how weird it was to be in our old high school cafeteria while doing our part to fight this pandemic,” she said. Faith Nix, FCLC ’21, recalled an unusual experience getting her vaccine, as the National Guard’s presence on-site stood out to her. “Driving up to the vaccination site seemed dystopian because of the National Guard directing traffic, but aside from that I had a positive experience and the whole process took less than ten minutes,” Nix said. United Student Government (USG) president-elect Joseph VanGostein, Gabelli School of Business at Lincoln Center ’22, and other student leaders on campus have spoken about their vaccine experience and used their platforms to encourage other students to get vaccinated as well. “I was lucky enough to get both of my Pfizer doses at the Walgreens by campus, and the experience couldn’t have been smoother,” VanGostein said. “I was a little sore after the first dose, but absolutely fine after the second. These vaccines are definitely our best shot to returning to all the human
interactions we love and miss so I encourage all of you to sit for your shot when you can!” Current USG president Loreen Ruiz, FCLC ’21, also received her vaccine recently and said that despite the side effects she experienced, she urged Fordham faculty and students to do their part in protecting others. “For me, the side effects I experienced—soreness and a weeklong migraine—are totally worth the price of someday being able to hug my friends again and travel freely,” Ruiz said. “Please do your part in keeping yourself and everyone around you safe by getting vaccinated.” Maureen Keown, director of University Health Services (UHS), said vaccination is the best way to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. “The Covid 19 virus has caused world wide problems that will take years to overcome. Many people got sick and many people lost their lives,” Keown wrote. “Studies have shown that the vaccines help prevent severe illness, hospitalizations and death.” UHS has also remained adamant that members of the Fordham community continue to get vaccinated as they become eligible, especially in light of Fordham’s announcement that all students are required to be fully vaccinated for the fall semester.
“I used to work in medicine (histology) and volunteered with the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The first picture is from peak when I was volunteering as an Emergency Morgue Attendant at Brookdale Hospital. The second (not shown) is from after working a shift at a Vaccine POD at Aviation High School. I got my first dose back in January, and was fully vaccinated in February. I got it because the MRC requested us to if we were to continue serving--we used the left-overs from Moderna vials after our Vaccine POD closed for the day. I was more proud of New York's roll out than I was relieved--after all we're still supposed to wear masks.” Cathal Pratt Ph.D. Candidate in English and Senior Teaching Fellow
e day I got the vaccine, a friend texted me that the clinic in the nx was taking walk-ins. I immediately left class and took the way up to Rose Hill. I was 10th in line and had to wait an hour et in, but the process was smooth and the people were kind.”
ena Vora, C ’23, Treasurer of Desi C.H.A.I.
“I got my vaccine done at Fordham and the process was so smooth! Everyone there was very reassuring and it was so heartwarming to see so many students getting vaccines. It makes me feel hopeful for the future and the end of the pandemic!” Regine Anastacio, FCLC ’21 and FLOW President
“I feel relieved to have finally gotten my COVID-19 vaccination. It is important to do my part to keep my community safe. Knowing the country is moving towards a new normal is both freeing and exciting, and I’m looking forward to hugging my friends and family soon!” Stevie Paige Martin, FCLC ’23
“I wish I had known that there would be a 20-minute wait after getting vaccinated. I didn’t bring my phone or a book (or any other form of entertainment, for that matter). Waiting to see if/how my body would react to the vaccine was a lot like watching paint dry — except I was just watching dry paint be dry. It was an anticlimactic experience to say the least. But I suppose that’s the best way to experience it!” Madeline Dwyer, FCLC ’22
Driving up to the vaccination site seemed dystopian because of the National Guard directing traffic, but aside from that I had a positive experience and the whole process took less than ten minutes. Faith Nix, FCLC ’21
“I made the trip from Manhattan to my high school on Staten Island to get vaccinated. Even if it was out of the way, I’m glad I made the trip - I found out the nurse who vaccinated me was actually a graduate of my high school just like me, and we were able to connect on how weird it was to be in our old high school cafeteria while doing our part to fight this pandemic.” Ritamarie Pepe, FCLC ’22 and Orientation Coordinator
Opinions Editor Clara Gerlach - agerlach2@fordham.edu
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STAFF EDITORIAL
LIVING LOCAL: WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT NYC POLITICS
or some of us, New York City has been our home forever — for others, only a few months. Whether we are locals or long-term visitors, the city’s politics impact us all, from the subways we ride to the parks we visit to the vaccines we receive. While federal and even state politics get most of the attention, it’s local politics that shape our day-to-day lives the most. As Fordham students, we have a responsibility to pay attention to local politics and to participate in whichever way we’re able. Many Fordham students are New York City residents — 21% of the Class of 2024 alone come from the five boroughs — but even if your residency in NYC is only part-time, you’ll no doubt be affected by the state of city parks, local laws and ordinances, and other city government affairs. Further, paying attention to local politics encourages our own critical thinking about the communities in which we live. In this way, we can take care of ourselves and others around us by participating in local elections. The most prominent local election in New York City this year is the mayoral race, in which 12 candidates will appear on the Democratic primary ballot. Front-runners include former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, Obama-era head of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Brooklyn borough president Eric Adams. Other positions up for election include those of public advocate, Brooklyn
April 28, 2021 THE OBSERVER
and Manhattan district attorneys, comptroller, all five borough presidents, and the majority of the City Council. The City Council elections include that of District 3, which includes the Lincoln Center campus as well as areas like Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea and Greenwich Village. In District 3, six Democratic candidates are running to replace City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who has reached his term limit. Johnson is vying to replace Stringer as comptroller, the city’s chief financial officer.
While federal and even state politics get most of the attention, it’s local politics that shape our day-to-day lives the most. Candidates are racing to the finish line as primaries will take place on June 22, and the general election will be held on Nov. 2. Complicating matters is the first large-scale rollout of ranked-choice voting, a ballot measure approved in 2019 that allows voters to rank candidates by preference instead of simply choosing one candidate. While it’s been tested in special elections in the Bronx and Queens in 2021, the June primaries will be the first time all New York City voters must use the new system. Particularly in minority communities, the city has faced criticism for delayed efforts to educate voters on how ranked-
choice voting works, which critics claim will lead to the disenfranchisement of lower-income voters of color. In the mayoral, City Council and other local elections, voters will choose officials who must make decisions about several issues that have been at the forefront of current events during the last year. The City Council determines the amount of funding for the police department and for city parks. The next mayor will appoint the heads of city departments, including the NYPD, and will also guide vaccine distribution at this crucial moment in the pandemic. Therefore, it is important that New York City residents, permanent or temporary, review the candidates’ political histories and the policies that they would enact. Each one will have a unique impact on New York City life, and voters should select candidates accordingly. Aside from submitting a ballot, those who are not registered voters in New York or who are looking for ways to participate in the political process can seek out additional opportunities for civic engagement through campaign work and involvement in local reform efforts. We can also elicit social change by educating ourselves politically and encouraging our peers to do the same. Regardless of whether you call New York home, it is worth engaging in the local political process — though it may be complicated — for our own sake and that of the community we inhabit.
Editor-in-Chief Katrina Lambert
Managing Editor Grace Getman Online Editors Corbin Gregg Jill Rice Creative Director Roxanne Cubero Treasurer Adam D’Souza Fundraising Coordinator Shagun Rath Advertising Coordinator Luis Castellanos Layout Editor Maddie Sandholm Asst. Layout Editor Janine Baltazar Photo Editors Alyssa Daughdrill Andrew Dressner Asst. Photo Editor Ashley Yiu Head Copy Editors Emily Ellis Alyssa Macaluso Asst. Copy Editor Sophia Collender News Editors Joe Kottke Allie Stofer Asst. News Editors Maryam Beshara Chloe Zelch Sports & Health Editor Patrick Moquin Asst. Sports & Health Editors Gus Dupree Chris Murray Opinions Editor Clara Gerlach Asst. Opinions Editors Ava Peabody Jessica Yu Arts & Culture Editors Madeline Katz Olivia Stern Asst. Arts & Culture Editor Isabella Gonzalez Features Editor Mia Agostinelli Asst. Features Editor Aidan Lane Fun & Games Editor Nicole Perkins Social Media Editor Samantha Matthews Asst. Social Media Editors Isabella Scipioni Diana Silva Multimedia Editor Alexa Stegmuller Retrospect Hosts Cate Galliford Diana Silva
Visual Adviser Molly Bedford Editorial Adviser Anthony Hazell PUBLIC NOTICE No part of The Observer may be reprinted or reproduced without the expressed written consent of The Observer board. The Observer is published on alternate Wednesdays during the academic year. Printed by Five Star Printing Flushing, N.Y.
New York City Politics Terms to Know: City Comptroller — The chief fiscal officer and auditing officer of the city. City Council — The chief legislative body of New York City with 51 members. Mayor — The head of the city’s executive branch. They choose the heads for city services and agencies and submit yearly budgets to the City Council for review and adoption.
Public Advocate — The chief watchdog of the city. First in line to succeed the mayor, they field issues from citizens about city programs or individual complaints. Ranked-Choice Voting — A new system in New York City where voters rank up to five candidates by preference on their ballots.
To reach an editor by e-mail, visit www.fordhamobserver.com
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES • Letters to the Editor should be typed and sent to The Observer, Fordham University, 140 West 62nd Street, Room G32, New York, NY 10023, or emailed to fordhamobserver@gmail.com. Length should not exceed 200 words. All letters must be signed and include contact information, official titles and year of graduation (if applicable) for verification. • If submitters fail to include this information, the editorial board will do so at its own discretion. • The Observer has the right to withhold any submissions from publication and will not consider more than two letters from the same individual on one topic. The Observer reserves the right to edit all letters and submissions for content, clarity and length. • Opinions articles and commentaries represent the view of their authors. These articles are in no way the views held by the editorial board of The Observer or Fordham University. • The Editorial is the opinion held by a majority of The Observer’s editorial board. The Editorial does not reflect the views held by Fordham University.
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THE OBSERVER April 28, 2021
Opinions
11
Mocking the South Does Not Make You a Better Liberal
Personally, I think there’s some fantastic country music out there. “Toes” by Zac Brown Band? A banger. “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw? Beautiful. You do not have to agree with me. However, you also do not have to call country music trashy. When asked what they listen to, you hear a lot of people say they are willing to listen to anything except country music. While I understand that country music might not be palatable, I also think that people tend to put it down because country music is strongly associated with the South. The condescending attitude toward Southern culture is not just about personal preference. Silly stereotypes may seem negligible on the surface level but overarching assumptions about the South can be quite harmful. When Northerners look down on Southerners simply for being Southerners, they are not only being pretentious, but also classist and elitist. The idea that Southern states are more racist than Northern states is a haunting narrative of a country in denial. America has never been good at confronting its ugly history, much less accepting the work it still has to do. Adopting a snobbish attitude toward the South is unproductive and invalidates the ongoing racism that permeates every region of the country. Are All Southerners Conservative? The most common assumption is that being from the South makes you conservative,
which is simply false. In the 2020 election, Georgia turned blue and Texas was closer than ever to turning blue. Consider also that voter suppression happens more rampantly in the South compared to Northern states. We are only four months into 2021 and Republicans have already pushed for over 165 bills that suppress voters in Southern states, including Alabama, Kentucky and Mississippi. All of these bills target Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities, so the population most likely to vote blue is not accurately represented. In fact, in terms of diversity, the South has a lot of states with a higher-than-average percentage of Black people living there. In 2019, most of the states with a higher-than-average percentage of the Black population were Southern states. This year, Houston tops the list of the most diverse cities in the United States. Instead of focusing on the conservative voices, perhaps question why BIPOC voices are not being heard, especially in those regions. Southern Racism and the Civil War This begs the question, why do people pretend racism is a predominantly Southern thing? What does it say about your own progressiveness when you disproportionately attribute this country’s racism to the South? The South may be associated with the Confederacy, but using that as the sole reason to portray the South as more racist is an oversimplification. Just because slavery was more highly concentrated in the South before the Civil War, due to its agriculture-based economy, does not make the North guiltless. Jim Crow laws began in the North before the Civil War. While New Yorkers may not have had slaves the way Southerners did, the 19th-century New York City
PHOTO BY 1035 WEZL VIA FLICKR AND GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY ROXANNE CUBERO/THE OBSERVER
American country singer Tim McGraw doing what he does best in his staple cowboy hat.
economy was heavily dependent on slave labor. Dividing this country’s racial issues between the South and the North pushes the false narrative that America’s racism ended when the North won the Civil War. This then does not allow us to address the very real, incredibly insidious ways in which BIPOC are being harmed in every state, no matter the region. The Implications of ‘Hillbilly’ and ‘Redneck’ There is also an ongoing narrative that Southerners are less sophisticated, less educated and just overall less modernized. The terms “redneck” and “hillbilly” are also littered with negative connotations. Calling someone a hillbilly is essentially calling them poor and unsophisticated. Similarly, “redneck” has been used to stereotype Southerners as poor and hold-
ing discriminatory views. I am not denying that there are plenty of Southerners who have perspectives that are full of prejudices. I do believe, however, that when people assume everyone from the South falls under these stereotypes, they are less interested in helping Americans move past prejudices and more interested in distancing themselves from any similar criticism they might receive for being anything but liberal. The term “redneck” also comes from the red burns farmers would get on their skin from working in the sun. Along with the rhetoric that Southerners are lazy, there is also the idea that time moves slower in the South. Early industrialization did begin in the North, which still impacts the difference in industry distribution between the South and the North today. But looking down on regions with more farmland, using the number of different industries
to measure the prosperity of a region, and viewing rural lifestyles as lazy is a very capitalistic and elitist mindset. Country Music or Southern Politics? This is a lot to conclude from just some snarky comments toward country music. I am not saying that everyone who dislikes country music is elitist with their progressiveness. In fact, not everyone who dislikes country music has progressive views at all. This isn’t really about music taste. I’m just asking you to consider what you associate with the South and whether or not those stereotypes are playing into the anti-racist views that you take a stance against. If your liberal views involve looking down on an entire half of the country, perhaps your progressiveness is not so inclusive after all.
High School Characters: Gen Z or Geriatric?
Casting directors need to stop hiring adults to play teenagers throughout the film and TV industries ISABELLA SCIPIONI
Asst. Social Media Editor
What do Cole Sprouse, the late Cory Monteith and Stockard Channing all have in common? They were all above the age of 27 when they played high school students in “Riverdale,” “Glee” and “Grease,” respectively. If you’ve ever watched a TV show or movie set in a high school, chances are you’ve noticed that the actors in the show look way too old to be there. Although many factors go into whether or not an actor is cast for a specific role, it is undeniable that casting older actors to play teenagers is far too common in the film industry and is harmful to high school students’ self-esteem. While there are some exceptions, most people would not regard their high school years as their “peak” in life. Many look back on the four-year stint as a period of awkwardness, confusion and self-discovery. For this reason, high schools make an excellent backdrop for movies and TV shows, but rather than showing the pain and confusion of high school, studios often glamorize the experience to give viewers a sense of nostalgia for their own teenage years. The best way to do this? Take away the awkward, confused teenagers and replace them with
confident, developed adults. The trend of casting mature, mortgage-paying adults to play teens is far from new. In the movie “Grease,” released in 1978, the main cast played high school students who were 17-18 years old, but their actual ages ranged from 23-33 years old. Stars of the film regularly had to dye their hair to look younger. In a 2016 interview, director Randal Kleiser admitted to doing crow’s-feet tests — looking up close at an actor’s face to examine whether they had wrinkles on the sides of their eyes — during auditions to make sure none of them looked too old to play a part. Modern media has not fared much better. Cory Monteith, the actor who played Finn Hudson on “Glee,” sadly passed away in 2013 at the age of 31, but at the time of his death, his character was only 19 years old. Additionally, “Mean Girls,” a movie hailed for its accuracy in portraying the high school experience, had a cast that was almost entirely in their early 20s playing high school students. Rachel McAdams, who played Regina George, was 26 when she filmed the movie. Actress Amy Poehler, who played George’s mother, was only 32, leaving a six-year age gap between mother and daughter. So, why do casting directors do this? Well, for one thing, strict child labor laws can make it hard
to work with actors under the age of 18. Although the exact laws often differ depending on the state and age limits, most sets working with minors need child actors to be under constant supervision, and young actors have a set maximum number of hours that they can work in a day. Also, depending on the nature of a project, stars, studios and audiences may be more comfortable knowing that a high school character acting promiscuously is not played by a minor. (So don’t worry, the actors you see on “Euphoria” selling their nudes and doing ecstasy out of their lockers are all well into their 20s.) To solve these issues, a casting director would be justified in hiring an older teen to play a character that is only a year or two younger than them; however, many still decide to cast actors that obviously cannot pass for teenagers, which brings me to my main point: High school is awkward. It’s weird and gross and uncomfortable. Even on your best days, you really don’t know what you’re doing. High schoolers are just figuring out who they are and are growing into their own skin, and sometimes, it’s not pretty to watch. High school is not accurately represented by confident, wealthy, attractive adults whose awkward teenage years were over a decade ago. When a 16-year-old struggling with their self-image turns to
their favorite show to look for relatable characters their age, all they find are 25-year-olds with a distinct lack of acne; straight, white teeth without braces; a perfect signature hairstyle that they settled into years ago; and, of course, the help of a full hair and makeup team. Upon seeing these perfect faces, teenagers are only in for more issues with self-identity. By setting an unachievable standard for teenagers, an already insecure demographic, studios are effectively telling adolescents that they aren’t good enough. This has left teens in the uncomfortable po-
sition of comparing themselves to adults who put their own issues of self-esteem and personal growth to bed while their teenage viewers were still in diapers. Viewers awaiting, reminiscing on or currently surviving high school deserve an accurate portrayal of the experience, and casting directors are not delivering. Until more roles of high-schoolaged characters are filled by relatively high-school-aged actors, this genre of media will continue to set an unreachable standard for high school students and serve as a cruel reminder of what they cannot attain.
PHOTOS BY GAGE SKIDMORE VIA FLICKR AND GRAPHIC BY MADDIE SANDHOLM/THE OBSERVER
Rubberneck Uni Unveils Plans for Lowenstein II Expected cost to number in the dozens of double chests in resources, diamonds The
SATIRE SECTION
April 28, 2021
OWEN ROCHE
Former Editor-in-Chief
As Rose Hill’s new student center nears completion, students of Fordham University’s better-known satellite school continue to wonder when they, too, will receive new facilities to complain about. Fordham Lincoln Center (FLC)’s lack of proper accommodations for its on-campus student body — forgotten due to the thoughtful efforts of the coronavirus pandemic — is threatening to once again be the one thing The Observer won’t shut up about. According to newly released plans, however, FLC’s perennial space headache may be in its last days — and not a moment too soon. On April 19, University President Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., unveiled plans for Lincoln Center’s newest building project to an intimate, high-ranking and socially distanced LAN party in McNally Amphitheatre. Served by stoic, tuxedoed Aramark employees with plates of room-temperature cheese and expensive-looking disposable cups of lemonade, the gathering was the top administration’s first look into the next chapter of Fordham’s Manhattan development. There were no vegan options. “I feel Leon Lowenstein in this amphitheatre tonight,” McShane
THE OBSERVER
began. The Leon Lowenstein Center, FLC’s oldest and most treasured 13-floor beige rectangle, was in the spotlight that evening — the knowing glint in McShane’s eyes that night told those in attendance that all would be revealed soon.
The project is estimated to cost 12 double chests of smooth sandstone, a double chest each of glass and black dye, and other miscellaneous resources including torches and redstone wiring. “Fordham has invested countless stacks of diamonds into the Lincoln Center campus,” McShane said, booting up his laptop and donning a pair of maroon cat-ear headphones. “Construction in New York City is expensive, but as we diversify our endowment into the emerald market and transition to diamond tools across all levels of the university, we are now prepared to begin construction on a new facility able to accommodate our spatial needs for the next 20 years of growth.”
The ram statue reminds Lowenstein II students of their roots.
PHOTOS VIA MINECRAFT
There are still no vegan options at Lowenstein II’s Ram Café II.
The university president then directed the audience to open their laptops, enter the LAN address he had written in permanent marker on the whiteboard, and see for themselves the next chapter for the growing campus. The tension in the room was high as each administrator joined the local server. User “LafayeetLC” was the first to join, and Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) Dean Laura Auricchio gasped aloud when the plans loaded in, chunk by chunk. “I call it: Lowenstein II,” McShane announced. Raucous applause filled the amphitheatre. The building name is set to supplant “140 West 62nd Street” as the most creative name on campus upon the building’s completion. Fordham Lincoln Center Vice President Frank Simio then took the stage, helping McShane disable cheats and queuing up his presentation on the resources necessary to fulfill the university’s dream. “Lowenstein II will solve today’s concerning lack of classrooms, offices, student gathering spaces and khaki cuboids on campus,” Simio said. “But it will naturally come at the expense of university resources.” Simio indicated that the project is estimated to cost 12 double chests of smooth sandstone, a double chest each of glass and black dye, and other miscellaneous resources including torches and redstone wiring.
Auricchio inquired as to the potential cost savings of building the facility just out of sandstone instead of the smooth variant, pointing out the savings in smelting costs. “Do you want it to look stupid?” Simio responded, the rhetorical question met with solemn head shakes. Auricchio zipped up her creeper sweatshirt in apparent shame.
Lowenstein II is expected to be completed by fall 2029 — entirely in survival without cheats or hacks. Following the conclusion of Simio’s cost and labor assessment — including the purchase of a Haste II beacon, a first for the campus — administrators were encouraged to explore the ambitious plan, floor by floor. Seven stories higher than the Leon Lowenstein Center, Lowenstein II currently promises three study lounges, four floors of student dormitories, six automatic wheat farms, a state-of-the-art cobblestone generator and a basement super smelter. Planned additions also aim to upgrade the outdated and under-
The newest campus addition cost dozens of stacks, but administrators are excited about the additional space for (notoriously school-spirit-less) students to gather.
performing campus XP farm to a cactus-based design. Aramark has reportedly won the bid to create Ram Café II on the plaza level of the new building. “I, for one, was thrilled to tour such a sensible, functional and beautiful building this evening,” McShane said in a statement. “After losing that bet with Robbie (Robert Grimes, dean emeritus of FCLC) and having to sign off on that ugly checkerboard freshman fish tank, I’m glad the B-squad campus is getting another, more sensible building.” Auricchio also expressed her excitement for the next chapter in Lincoln Center’s Space Cram saga. “It is truly a stunningly handsome building,” she tweeted moments after the LAN party concluded. “Sure, it’s nice and all that those RamCraft kids did their ‘community building’ project and made some friends or whatever … but they REALLY saved us a fortune on planning costs!” Lowenstein II is expected to be completed by fall 2029 — entirely in survival without cheats or hacks, according to Simio. University representatives contacted for comment declined to rule out the future possibility of Lowenstein III, much less a complete revision of the Fordham Lincoln Center Master Plan in the wake of such a popular addition to campus. Manhattan Community Board 7 was unavailable for comment.
The Dean’s Office of Fordham College at Lincoln Center is proud to celebrate the achievements of our graduating seniors. Congratulations to this year’s honorees!
EXTERNAL AWARDS Alejandra Garcia, Fulbright Student Grant to France Jemina Molines, Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs
DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS Nicholas D'Aniello, Anne Mannion Award for Medieval Studies Sarah Elhage, Passarelli Award Mia Grichendler, Passarelli Award Bawila Idris, James Storey Award Eveline Murphy-Wilson, Excellence in Neuroscience Award Loreen Ruiz, Ellacuria Award Sofia Ubilla, Encaenia Spanish Achievement Award Hope Marian Winget, Rev. J. Franklin Ewing, S.J. Memorial Award in Anthropology
DEPARTMENTAL HONORS Mariadolores Alvarez Jade Appel Alexios Avgerinos Michaella Barron Madeline Becker Esme Bleecker-Adams Brandon Burk Kanam Chan Amy Chang Sophia Daoud Aidan Donaghy Miles Farren Chloe Felopulos Marie Freeman
Lucie Taylor Elizabeth Landry Corina Fuentes Austin Poon Leah Toledano Isabel Leckie Alejandra Garcia Alexandra Prado Elise Turner Madison Leto Natalie Grammer Tyler Raciti Sofia Ubilla Marta Granados Hernandez Jessica Lovett Amber Ray Samantha Umani Isabella Malfi Bethany Greenho Lilian Rebelo Amelia Way Davepriyan Gunaratnam Jesse McBrearty Alyssa Rosenberg Emma McSharry Jiaxin Huang Angelica Ruedas Kiernan Westrick Gabriela Wilson Lea Naisberg Kristen Jefairjian Gillian Russo Michael Wilson Alfonse Niedermeyer IV Justin Schwartz Tauland Kaca Rachel Kim Yang Xu Faith Nix Ethan Shea Travis-Jay Knoppert Michelle Yoon Han Oo Aaron Silva Mathew Skibiel Matthew Kozakowski Jamie Zhou Vittoria Orlando Helen Spyropoulos Arbi Kumi Celia Patterson Orts Lamroe Sarah Paxson
HONORABLE MENTION Maya Addie Nicole Alston Vincent Cavaliere Sydney Costales Thomas Cunningham III Monica de Diego Galindo Adam Delin
Sebastian Dodd Reem Farhat Arianna Fiorentini Ruby Gara Andrea Gonzalez Julianne Holmquist Amanda Knight
Victoria Magali Anna Meyer Rushaid Mithani Jemina Molines Rose O'Neill Tea Pérez Bithja Pierre
Bridget Quimby Lilian Rebelo Patrick Rizzi Madelyn Schneider Emma Schoppmeyer Kirana Sidarta Hope VanDerwater
Arts & Culture Editors Madeline Katz - mkatz35@fordham.edu Olivia Stern - ostern1@fordham.edu
Arts & Culture
April 28, 2021
THE OBSERVER
From Fordham to Film Festivals: ‘The Stamp Collector’ Receives Recognition
Fordham student and alumni produce a short film that has been accepted into five film festivals
COURTESY OF TIM CIANFANO
Left to Right: Davis Browne (FCLC ‘19; co-writer/producer), Luke Momo (FCLC ‘19, director; co-writer/producer),
COURTESY OF TIM CIANFANO
Left to right, Davis Browne, FCLC ’19; Luke Momo, FCLC ’19; and Tommy Cunningham, FCLC ’21, the co-writers and producers of “The Stamp Collector,” attend one of the five film festivals where their short film was screened. By HANNAH KASKO Staff Writer
“One might imagine that AI systems, with harmless goals, would be harmless,” wrote Stephen M. Omuhundro in his paper titled “The Basic AI Drives.” This line sparked the premise that led to three Fordham students meeting in the visual arts wing of Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) and beginning the creation of a science-fiction short that would eventually be screened at five different film festivals. Alumni Luke Momo, FCLC ʼ19, and Davis Browne, FCLC ʼ19, along with Tommy Cunningham, FCLC ʼ21, co-wrote and produced “The Stamp Collector,” a short film about a man named Rhodes and his artificial intelligence (AI) program “X,” which is programmed to help Rhodes successfully commit and get away with crimes. In September of 2018, Cunningham was lounging in Room SL24 when Momo approached him with an idea for a film. “I want to go out with a bang at Fordham,” Momo told Cunningham, and from there, they began to write a short film about an AI and what that program could possibly do. Momo, who directed the short, began his exploration by considering the questions that arose from reading Omuhundro’s paper. What is the logical end for an AI that is programmed to help commit successful crimes? To what extent will it go to improve itself in completing that mission? They planned to finish the script in about a week and a half and then spend a weekend recording it on a digital camera
with a couple of friends. From there, they realized how much potential the story had and began to work on developing it into a feature. Momo got in touch with Browne, who had previous experience working in professional television development. Together, the three students began a process that, rather than being a 10-day amateur project, became a three-year professional endeavor. Even though they were writing a feature-length version of “The Stamp Collector,” Momo, Cunningham and Browne never stopped working on the short. At this point, the short was an entirely different entity: “Tommy, are there any scenes from the first short that made it into this one?” Momo asked. After thinking for a moment, Cunningham laughed when he realized that no, the final product does not share one scene with their first draft. “It was more or less a totally different idea,” Cunningham said. The short went into production in the fall of 2019. Cunningham explained that they had never done anything of that caliber before; it was a very different experience from their normal routine of grabbing a camera and filming with some friends. However, they were able to keep the heart of those spontaneous excursions by filling the set with Fordham students and alumni. “What I really enjoyed was that I feel like I was able to really draw on a lot of talented folks at Fordham,” Momo explained. The credits of the film are filled with familiar Fordham names, including G.E. Dissinger, FCLC ʼ20, who composed the score of the film; Katie Christ, FCLC ʼ19, who worked as the editor; Talia Koy-
lass, FCLC ʼ17, who was the assistant director; and John Beltre, FCLC ʼ18, who designed costumes and makeup. More Fordham students filled various roles on set, such as the starring actor David Alvarez, who spent the 2015-16 academic year at FCLC and who will soon be on the silver screen starring alongside Ansel Elgort in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.” Momo explained that the set had a distinct “Fordham flavor,” which made working on set incredibly comfortable for everyone involved. “There were a lot of people that I had never met before,” Browne said. “It was funny to see the different generations of Fordham students.” Many of the students who worked on “The Stamp Collector” are, or were formerly, members of the Fordham Filmmaking Club, which Momo founded in 2017. Cunningham, who served as the president of the club for three years, explained that the best thing about the club is that members meet other students with whom they can make films. It’s a community full of creative minds, the presence of which played an invaluable role in the production of the short. The completed short has garnered significant recognition, having been accepted into five film festivals: the Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival, the Nassau Film Festival, the Brightside Film Festival, the UK Seasonal Short Film Festival and the Garden State Film Festival, which Momo, Browne and Cunningham were able to attend in person at the end of March. The trio was excited to finally attend a film festival in person. At the festival, they were able to
interact with other creatives who have a similar love for filmmaking. “The film festival circuit is really just a great way to network,” Browne explained, and Momo agreed. As a New Jersey native,
“ I think it has wholly
succeeded in being that final bang at Fordham, just because of how well we were able to maintain the real ethos of what we built in Filmmaking Club with this bigger short.”
Tommy Cunningham, FCLC ’21
Momo found it a rewarding experience to screen his film at a major festival in his home state. The young filmmakers are still in the early stages of their careers, but they have learned valuable lessons that have been significant in the development of their filmmaking journey. It came down to this: finding one’s own process, having persistence and maintaining balance. Cunningham explained that figuring out his process can still be a challenge, but he has learned during his time at Fordham that everyone’s process is different and that just because one person’s process doesn’t look like someone else’s doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Momo shared an anecdote
about meeting director Darren Aronofsky (“Black Swan,” “Requiem for a Dream,” “Mother!”) at the New York Film Festival, whom, in Momo’s words, he “ambushed” and asked him about his biggest piece of advice for young filmmakers. He explained that Aronofsky replied with one word: “persistence.” Momo said that has always stuck with him, and he’s learned that being gentle with oneself allows a person to persist along their own long-term path. Lastly, Browne shared that finding a balance is something that he learned during his time not only as an independent filmmaker but also while working in corporate television development. He explained that looking back, he realized that he could have spent more time making his own films while he was working professionally. He also realized that when he was making his own films, he could have been networking professionally. There are opportunities in all aspects of filmmaking to connect with other avenues, so it’s important to balance those areas that one is most passionate about. Overall, Momo, Cunningham and Browne are extremely proud of “The Stamp Collector.” It is a product of Fordham artists, and Cunningham affirmed, “I think it has wholly succeeded in being that final bang at Fordham, just because of how well we were able to maintain the real ethos of what we built in Filmmaking Club with this bigger short.” Browne added that he is sure “The Stamp Collector” has a bright future. “I see us as a team working on some stuff down the road,” he said, “and I would look out for what we do in the future because it’s just going to get better from here.”
www.fordhamobserver.com
Arts & Culture
THE OBSERVER April 28, 2021
15
‘Fearless’ Has Grown Up and So Has Its Audience
The rerelease of Taylor Swift’s sophomore album adds new maturity to adolescent songs about love and loss By GILLIAN RUSSO Former Online Editor
In anticipation of “Fearless (Taylor’s Version),” my fellow 20-something Swifties and I have talked often about nostalgia — the welcome revival of Taylor Swift’s bygone country twang and the childhood innocence we had when the original album came out in 2008. I, for one, was in fourth grade at the time. I emphatically sang along with Swift though I knew nothing of most of the topics she sings about, problems like mean girls and teenage heartbreaks that seem so insignificant now compared to what we’ve collectively endured as young adults. Listening to “Fearless” again on April 9, straight through as I haven’t done since my car rides to elementary school, did bring me nostalgia. I remembered “The Best Day” as the reason my mom and I started a tradition of road trip singalongs, how I almost sang “Breathe” for my first-ever community theater audition, and all the dance moves I invented to “The Way I Loved You.”
While appreciating how we’ve outgrown our petty adolescent troubles, we remember how highstakes the emotions in these songs once were for a younger Swift and for us as invested young listeners. But as I listened, I didn’t feel like I was nine again, and I enjoyed the album even more that way. When I was nine, I heard the album and hoped for someone to someday pick me over the cheer captain. I wanted to
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY ESMÉ BLEECKER-ADAMS/THE OBSERVER
tell someone off for their temper and what they said last night, and I thought the world’s ultimate excitement lay in screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain. As a young adult, I am now able to more fully understand the songs for what they are — dramatic and occasionally petty tunes from the heart of a naive young girl — and appreciate how I’ve matured. As I listened to Swift’s voice, mellowed but confident, on each track in this rerelease, I realized she has done the same. Sure, she takes her moments to revel in old drama, as in the resentful “Mr. Perfectly Fine” about her breakup with Joe Jonas (but hey, if Sophie Turner can jam out to it anyway, so can we). However, the rest of the songs from the vault most clearly show Swift’s growth, or perhaps her already-extant ma-
turity that was left out of the original “Fearless.” “We Were Happy” stands out in this regard, exhibiting a similar reserved acceptance of lost love to “happiness,” the highlight of her 2020 album “evermore” and her most mature song to date. “Bye Bye Baby” makes a masterful new bookend to the title track. In “Fearless,” Swift sings, “With you I’d dance in a storm in my best dress,” and “Bye Bye Baby” opens with “It wasn’t just like a movie / The rain didn’t soak through my clothes, down to my skin” in a perfect lyrical parallel. Swift ends up at the realization that dancing in a storm in your best dress doesn’t necessarily mean forever, and that’s OK. A similar matured quality is what makes the rerecorded old tracks collectively notable as a new entity, musically speaking. The instrumentals and overall
sound of each are nearly identical to their original counterparts. Perhaps expectedly, it’s Swift’s tone that’s changed. She exhibits a clear distance between herself and these 13-yearold tracks that comes through differently in each song. “Hey Stephen,” for example, retains its trademark bubbliness as she gushes over a crush, but Swift now sings like she’s fondly remembering her fluttery feelings instead of being currently embroiled in them. In contrast, she sings songs like “You Belong With Me” and “White Horse” in a detached way that borders on formulaic, suggesting that she’s truly separated herself from the jealousy and melancholy those songs embody. “Tell Me Why” is a notable exception to the album’s emotional distance — Swift enthusiastically leans into the song’s angry energy more than ever, elevating the origi-
nal track to standout status and showing that personal growth and the timeless fun of belting a cathartic bop aren’t mutually exclusive. Overall, this change from the original album’s tone doesn’t make the songs less believable or disallow listeners from losing themselves in the lyrics. Perhaps that’s where nostalgia really comes in. We still enjoy these new versions after 13 years because, while appreciating how we’ve outgrown our petty adolescent troubles, we remember how high-stakes the emotions in these songs once were for a younger Swift and for us as invested young listeners. It’s for this reason, in part, that I believe the cornerstone of the album is its original closer, “Change.” It’s been my favorite “Fearless” track since I was nine. Its rocking guitar and lyrics about tearing down walls and struggling with an unspecified “fight of our lives” have always made it seem a little out of place on an album about teenage love and heartbreak, but I loved it anyway. Singing it with abandon made me feel like I could face anything, and Swift’s own energy in the song made me feel like we were in it together. When I first listened to the new version, I adored the unchanged dominant guitar sound and can-do spirit, but I was disappointed in the comparatively gentle quality of the song’s ecstatic final chorus. And then I realized why it works. The original “Change” reflects grandiose dreams of an imagined victory, as Swift wrote the song before she fought many weighty battles or knew how it felt to conquer them. Today, having taken back her discography and cultivated a stronger following than ever amid slander and misogyny, she humbly sings with the knowledge that she’s faced the battles “Change” envisions — and she’s finally won.`
Free Store Turns Trinkets Into Treasure
This community hub is the new water cooler: Bring some knickknacks and meet your neighbors HELL’S KITCHEN from page 1
That’s where the Free Store comes in. It offers neighbors the chance to participate in a circular economy. “This came about both through the idea of landfill diversion, of mutual aid, and the other big piece was looking at our vacant spaces plaguing our neighborhoods,” Widawski said. Their favorite donations are practical household items that help neighbors in need. This includes basic necessities such as toiletries and menstrual products. If you’re lucky, you might come across a rare find like a yogurt maker, record player or microspikes for winter hiking. However, you’re guaranteed to find new reads on the book shelf. “I am very impressed with what Hell’s Kitchen is reading and how much they’re reading in paper,” Widawski said. The Free Store is more than just a store. It’s a communal space for gathering, connecting and exchanging ideas. The support of neighbors makes it possible to keep the store open 24/7. When there’s a problem such as the need for weather protection, there’s no shortage of volunteers stepping up to create a solution. After a year of isolation, the
PHOTOGRAPHER’S NAME/THE OBSERVER
PHOTOS BY JOE KOTTKE/THE OBSERVER
The store and community bulletin demonstrate the area’s neighborly attitude and give visitors the chance to browse free items and community postings.
collaboration and company of neighbors is a welcome change of pace. “It’s really fun to stand outside at the store and talk to people,” Sperling said. “Hell’s Kitchen is a very diverse crowd of different types of people, different ages. So we really get to talk to our neighbors and meet them, talk about them and everybody’s so excited about the idea of the Free Store.”
Lydia Hallett, Fordham College at Lincoln Center ’21, visited the store on a Sunday afternoon and chatted with a volunteer who checks in on the space daily. “A space like this can make donating goods easy and can inspire people to donate their items rather than throw them away,” Hallett said. “This free store goes to show the ripple effect of goodness when you seek out positive alternatives.”
Since opening in March, the store has expanded to include a community bulletin board and a photo gallery curated by Hell’s Kitchen Heritage Project. This month’s board focuses on photographs of Mathews-Palmer Playground, located on West 45th Street between Ninth Avenue and 10th Avenue, from the 1930s to the 1980s. Hell’s Kitchen Free Store joins the long-standing tradition of
neighbors helping neighbors. They hope to expand the number of community resources available in the neighborhood with the help of more volunteers. As the end of the semester quickly approaches, the Free Store is the perfect place to donate those tchotchkes which don’t quite fit in your suitcase. Remember, think “random, artsy, cool, kitsch and bric-a-brac.”
un &
Fun & Games Editor Nicole Perkins - nperkins2@fordham.edu
ames
Crossword: Desk References
30. prefix with mobile or graph meaning self 31. higher degree admissions test: Abbr. 32. opposite of outer 34. first name of 17 Across 36. carbonated beverage, also called cola or pop 38. get along 41. genus of spiders 42. walked along a line, tip-___ 46. popular jean company 47. marionette measuring tool? 51. declaration to the general populace: Abbr. 52. maker of gaming headsets, among other things 53. not softly, or rarely 54. a minimum amount By ESMÉ BLEECKER-ADAMS and NICOLE PERKINS (2 Wds.) ACROSS 56. state in northeastern 18. adhesive for a movie? India 20. what a doorbell does 1. powder used for glitter, 57. writing utensil for 22. coated, often on bread plural bovines? 23. material commonly used in 6. ___ Club, rival of Costco 59. students register for house building and 10. felted garments worn in the this every semester decoration Middle East 62. many, not a few (2 25. piece of something 14. love deeply Wds.) 26. angry, not pleased 15. Basque name meaning 63. lean one way or the 27. a single man’s “shepherd” other notebook? 16. ___ IRA, a type of 29. highest or lowest 64. similar, not retirement account card in a deck 17. beloved Christmas figure opposites
April 28, 2021 THE OBSERVER
65. when repeated, two of the title words in a popular song, “Que ___ ____” 66. not completely, or a type of truck 67. granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst
DOWN 1. graduate degrees in humanities or social sciences: Abbr. 2. journalist and NAACP founder Wells 3. disorderly ___ 4. vegetable with a heart 5. ghost-summoning event 6. type of four-wheel drive automobiles: Abbr. 7. Alex and ___, jewelry brand 8. eccentric 9. ___ Leone 10. culture counterpart, at The Observer 11. one who works on a sea vessel 12. in a state of calm (2 Wds.) 13. a snake, of its skin, for example 19. went above and beyond
21. apparatus used for intracellular transport 23. entrepreneur support agency: Abbr. 24. 19th Greek letter 25. opposite of post 28. conjunctions indicating choices 33. not artificially 35. take back, as of a law 36. spy 37. solemn promises 38. animals similar to llamas but smaller 39. develop in a set period of time, as of a fetus 40. estate seller 41. road trip direction giver: Abbr. 43. card game in which the player left with the title card loses 44. slippery sea critter 45. left them high and ___ 48. tips over, as a boat 49. savory tart 50. mischief maker 55. common crossword Mount 56. oppositional prefix 58. “A Nightmare on ___ Street” 60. panel that allows one to slide on snow 61. the Sargasso, for example
By NICOLE PERKINS