Ram Hospitality will extend Ram Café’s operating hours until 10 p.m. to accommodate students with late schedules, according to United Student Government at Lincoln Center (USGLC) President Fiona Shehu.
The extended hours will specifically apply to Burger + Fries and “grab n’ go” options, located in Ram Café. Shehu, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’25, said that extended hours allow students to be relaxed about what time they eat.
Shehu said USGLC discussed longer dining hours with Ram Hospitality because it was one of the top complaints from students. For some students, dining hours are about more than just convenience. Students with evening classes, demanding extracurricular activities and off-campus jobs might miss the current 8 p.m. close of Ram Café and Community Dining Hall. Eating off campus or ordering delivery also can create an additional financial strain.
Those concerned about off-campus safety late at night may also be negatively impacted by the 8pm close times.
Recognizing these issues, USGLC representatives advocated for extending the operating hours for campus dining centers at Lincoln Center. Shehu said Ram Hospitality worked together with the Facilities Committee and Chair of Facilities, Isabella Casano, FCLC ’24, in order to raise the issue and execute their plans.
“The facilities committee has been having conversations with Ram Hospitality on how students wanted longer dining hours, which USG learned from our general meetings and senators who spoke to the student body,” Shehu wrote. “Through those conversations and Ram Hospitality’s own discussions, they have decided to extend hours in Ram Café.”
Those concerned about off-campus safety late at night may also be negatively impacted by the 8pm close times. Shehu said that it can be inconvenient to dine off campus late at night, especially for students without easy access to transportation.
After gathering input from all new and former members, USGLC initiated talks with Fordham’s Board to advocate for a change in the dining hall hours.
“It’s just the safety concerns. You know, New York is not necessarily the safest place and as a commuter student, I can attest to that.” Shehu said.
The problem has underscored a gap between the needs of students and the current dining services, leading USGLC to take steps to make dining more accessible.
At the start of the school year, USGLC representatives immediately began collecting feedback through general meetings and outreach with students. After gathering input from all new and former members, USGLC initiated talks with Fordham’s Board to advocate for a change in the dining hall hours.
While the schedule has not been officially announced at the time of publication, students can expect the new hours to launch soon according to Shehu.
Limited dining hall hours have been a source of frustration for some Fordham students. Natalie Ayoub, FCLC ’28, who resides in Mckeon Hall said that students with evening classes, demanding extracurricular activities or off-campus jobs might miss the 8 p.m. closing time of campus dining.
The lack of late-night food service options on campus has made it difficult for many students like Ayoub to find convenient, inexpensive and healthy dining locations.
“I personally love the dining hall and I literally just always eat at the dining hall. I don’t go anywhere else. So when it’s closed earlier it makes me have to go somewhere else. It gets very expensive,” Ayoub said.
This collaboration with Ram Hospitality represents a significant step in addressing students’ broader needs on campus.
The decision to extend Ram Café hours was achieved in part through dialogue between the student body and campus administration, mediated by student government. As this priority for USGLC has been realized, student government may continue to be a means for students to voice their needs in an organized, constructive manner.
