Fordham undergraduate students and graduate schools will need to prepare for a deficiency of study space on the Lincoln Center campus, according to Linda LoSchiavo, director of University Libraries. On April 27, the T.J. and Nancy Maloney Law School Library is set to again restrict access to only law students for law finals.
However, the Fordham University Office of Library Services has reserved additional study space for the undergraduate and graduate student population. LoSchiavo said, “We knew the ban was coming this time, so we were able to prepare and plan a little better.”

The added study space includes Law School Room 02-1A and PL100 in Lowenstein, both of which which will be designated Quinn study annexes by Thursday, April 30. However, according to LoSchiavo, this still does not address the ongoing problems of study space on campus. “I think that this really shows that Lowenstein needs more space for study, even with the advanced notice and preparation … there is a finite amount of space on campus.” According to Carrie Johnson, assistant dean for communications at the Fordham Law School (LAW), Schmeltzer Dining Hall will also be designated study space after the Sodexo cafeteria closes.
According to the American Bar Association required 509 report, 2014 to 2015 academic enrollment of Fordham Law School is 1,209. According to the Office of Enrollment Services, enrollment for Fordham at Lincoln Center is 7,656 undergraduate and graduate students.

Maloney Library accommodates approximately 715 patrons, according to the the office of communications and public relations for the Fordham Law School. According to Beth Jarrett, reference librarian for the Office of University Libraries, “the space of the library, even with the new seats brought in, stands at approximately 300 seats.”

Maloney Library administration does not share administrative faculty with the Office of University Libraries. “The law school has a completely separate administration with its own administration, staff, budget, policies and procedures. Some of this is mandated by the ABA,” LoSchiavo said. As director of University Libraries, LoSchiavo oversees Quinn Library, Rose Hill’s Walsh Library and the library at Fordham Westchester. Likewise, there are several policies in place during finals that are not in place for the undergraduate and graduate libraries, such as delivery of free breakfast food during the law finals period, according to Cecilia Gomes-Acebo Yueste, Fordham Law School (LAW) ’15. “Some law firms sponsor breakfasts in the library, and they bring in free bagels and muffins and coffee; usually it was every single day during finals period last semester.”

Despite the separation of administration between the libraries, it has not stopped other academic departments from voicing their concerns for the lack of space the restriction creates on campus. On Dec. 12, 2014, the Faculty Senate of Fordham University held a vote at Fordham College at Rose Hill’s (FCRH) Walsh Library on what would be the faculty response to the ban of all undergraduate and graduate students from the Maloney Law Library for the entirety of the LAW finals. In a unanimous vote of 15-0-0, the Faculty Senate voted to demand the Law Library immediately open access to all students and faculty of Fordham University. This is a largely ceremonial motion, as the Fordham Law School has a separate academic administration from the graduate and undergraduate programs.

Despite the lack of space, law students will have access to Quinn Library during finals. LoSchiavo said, “Quinn is a general collection for law students; their more specific field books are housed in Maloney.” According to the Office of University Libraries, 140,711 of Law books are shelved in Quinn library.