Building the economics department and planning Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC)’s contribution to the university’s research journals were among the topics discussed at September’s College Council meeting. These were umbrella topics for the overall plan for FCLC to have a presence within the neighborhood.

The first meeting of the year, led by Chairman of the Council and Dean of Students at FCLC, Fr. Robert Grimes, included over 15 administration board members and representatives of FCLC’s United Student Government (USG).

Fordham’s upcoming Ailey dance performances, the 20^th anniversary of “Poet’s Out Loud,” FCLC research journals, and the growth of the economics department are events and developments that, according to Grimes, reflect the administration’s ongoing effort to strengthen the FCLC reputation and support student achievement.

“Featured performances at the Rubenstein Auditorium, as well as the upcoming, ‘Poets Out Loud’ event in October will greatly publicize Fordham’s name in the community,” Grimes said. He said that by reaching out to the immediate New York area, the administration hopes to raise awareness of the strong undergraduate body at FCLC. “We want to let them know that there are more than just graduate schools here,” Grimes said.

Quentin Guthier, FCLC’ 15 and an Ailey dance major, believes that publicizing Fordham events is a way of giving back to the community. “Alvin Ailey believed that dance came from the people. I am proud to think that now we can return it to the people,” Guthier said.

Another topic discussed at the meeting was the status of Fordham’s research journals, a conversation which prompted much debate.  The recent publication of a Rose Hill research journal, which featured academic research from their respective students, led FCLC to feel the need to be included.

An offer made by the Rose Hill administration to include FCLC student research in their journal prompted members at the council to debate whether they should join the Rose Hill research journal or create a separate one.

After arguments from all sides, an agreement was reached and a motion passed to participate in the already existing journal.  According to the consensus, research from FCLC undergraduate students will be featured in the Rose Hill journals so long as it is apparent that the journals reflect the work of both campuses, as opposed to favoring one over the other.

Some FCLC students disagreed with the idea of a shared journal.

Isabella Gianatiempo, FCLC ’14 and a pre-med student, said, “Scientific research is hard to publish with all the arts going on at Lincoln Center. It would be nice for Lincoln Center to have its own journal.”

Leigh-Anne Menellie, FCLC ’13, said, “It sucks that everything we do revolves around Rose Hill.”

In addition to the discussion about research journals, the College Council Board discussed how to improve the economics department. The board felt that there was further potential for FCLC’s economics program to grow and that now would be the time to move forward in this field.

Similar to FCLC’s pre-law program, which offers advisory and guidance for those interested in pursuing law, the new business program would give FCLC students a chance to participate in classes and attend lectures from guest speakers who are active in the field of economics and business.

“The whole issue of economics and business is something we can strengthen,” Grimes said.