Published: March 30, 2011

The March 10 College Council meeting held in the South Lounge began on a positive note, as Rev. Robert R. Grimes, S.J., dean of Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC), who chaired the meeting, announced that 7,383 students applied to FCLC for the fall semester, an 18 percent increase from last year. 2,648 of the applicants were accepted.

These accepted students will be the first to utilize a newly created website that, according to Grimes, is a way to not “complicate” things for students and provide them with the “bare bone essentials” about the Fordham experience. The website will also allow accepted students to connect with faculty through email.

Another matter discussed at the meeting was a possible change to the timing of registration for FCLC and Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) students.

Mark Mattson, associate dean of FCLC, proposed moving over FCLC students’ registration time so it would occur at the same time as registration for FCRH students. The proposal was in response to concerns about cross registration between the campuses.

Grimes commented on the issue, stating, “Right now FCLC students have an advantage.”

Mattson explained the possible benefits of having the same registration time for both schools. “It will level the playing field and [allow] more time for advising,” he said.

Mattson also discussed the possible negatives, which included an increased chance that FCRH students would take up FCLC students’ spots. Adjustments would also have to be made to the Ram Van schedule, to the cafeterias and to the final exam schedule due to an increase in cross-campus students, and registration would be longer for FCLC students.

Kevin Quaratino, FCLC ’13 and treasurer of the Commuter Students Association, mentioned another possible issue for FCLC commuters who would have to make a prolonged commute to the Bronx if all spots in an FCLC class were taken.

The council was unable to make a decision regarding this issue as the meeting ran over time and an agreement was made to discuss the issue further during the next meeting.

Another issue which the council was unable to come to a consensus about was the possibility of allowing social work to become a stand-alone major.

Grimes said, “Currently, students can only major in social work if they double-major in something else. This has not allowed the social work major to thrive.”

Andrew Clark, associate professor of French and chair of the modern language and literature department, voiced concern of growing more programs when the school has a hard time supporting current programs.

Grimes responded that this would most likely not be an issue as it would “piggyback on the MSA program.”

Grimes also said, “The program in place is not doing well and this will attract more students to the department.” He urged council members to bring the proposal back to their department and further discuss the proposal during the next College Council meeting.