Joining an illustrious list of attendees and a renowned alumni network which includes singer Lana Del Rey, Fordham College at Rose Hill ’08 and former President Donald J. Trump, Archie Tetlow, University President Tania Tetlow’s dog, announced his acceptance to Fordham University by an early decision application.
The golden retriever will join the class of 2029 (57 in dog years) and is expected to declare a pre-law major. In an interview with The Observer, Archie expressed his excitement at the opportunity to study at Fordham.
“Woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof,” he said, wagging his tail. “Woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof bark bark bark.”
Tetlow, Archie’s mother, explained that Archie had described how his decision to study law was inspired by her own experience as a federal prosecutor in New Orleans, Louisiana. She added that after passing the bar exam, Archie wants to represent non-profit organizations that support the humane treatment of animals. According to Tetlow, Archie is a passionate opponent of animal testing.
“It just makes him feel sick, what these tests do to animals. Especially the curved ones,” Tetlow said.
Archie’s future classmates had mixed feelings about their new furry peer.
“Another pre-law student? At least he’ll be fun to be around,“ Jorge Bergoglio, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’25, said
Aside from classes that will prepare him to pursue his juris doctor, Archie said he looked forward to studying animal ethics and hands-on biology labs to satisfy his core requirements.
“I just hope he is well fed before he comes into any of my classes,” J. Alan Clark, an associate professor of biology specializing in avian ecology, said.
Archie’s admission follows a series of announcements outlining planned renovations that will make the Lincoln Center campus more accessible for “all medium to large mammals.” The planned renovations include dog doors to classrooms, (slightly) adjusted Ram Café cuisine and refitting an elevator in the Leon Lowenstein Center’s lobby to be “just for four-legged students.”
“Woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof bark bark bark.” Archie Tetlow, ’29
Some students have criticized the planned renovations in light of Archie’s admission. One student, FCLC ’24 who requested anonymity, due to fears of the social isolation that follows publicly disliking dogs, said that money raised by the recent tuition hikes appeared to underwrite the planned animal accommodations.
“They just added two thousand dollars to my bill so Tetlow’s dog can take philosophy of human nature” the student said. “What does he care about ‘human nature?’”
According to Bob Howe, associate vice president for communications and special adviser to the president, Tetlow denied that the undergraduate tuition increase payments were being allocated to benefit her pet.
“While I am thrilled that Archie will be joining the Fordham community this fall, these new constructions were proposed and funding was allocated before we received his admission decision,” Tetlow said. “I’m just very proud of him.”
Howe also denied that Archie’s relationship to Tetlow influenced the decision to admit him.
“No, no nepotism at all,” Howe said. “It’s not like it’s that hard to get in anyway.”
Some have raised concerns that Archie could endanger other members of the Fordham community. Specifically, the cats. Roxanne Bonilla, community caretaker of the feral cats living at Fordham’s Rose Hill campus flagged the threat Archie may pose to the cats under her care.
“Probably they would be fine,” Bonilla said, referring to the feral cats. “They’re hardened survivalists and he’s a pampered house-pup. But better safe than sorry right?”
Hopefully, all the members of Fordham’s community, whether they be human, cat, dog or otherwise, can coexist in peaceful academic collaboration. Only September will tell whether or not Archie’s education will throw the university into disarray.