The Student Voice of Fordham Lincoln Center

The Observer
The Student Voice of Fordham Lincoln Center

The Observer
The Student Voice of Fordham Lincoln Center

The Observer

HARRY HUGGINS, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus

All content by HARRY HUGGINS

Professor Proposes Block Schedule Changes

April 18, 2013
A proposed series of changes to Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC)’s class schedules would get rid of Thursday’s three-hour club activity block and allow entry-level language courses to meet every weekday, among other changes.
Richard Engel in Afghanistan, from a report on June 13, 2010 for "NBC Nightly News." Engel will be this year's commencement speaker. (Screenshot courtesy of NBCNews.com)

BREAKING: Richard Engel Announced as Commencement Speaker

April 8, 2013
NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel, chief foreign correspondent for NBC News, will be the keynote speaker at this year's commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18, the university has announced.
Pope Benedict XVI pledged obedience to his successor at a meeting of cardinals on his last day as pontiff on Thursday, February 28, 2013, in Vatican City. ''Among you is the future pope, to whom I promise my unconditional reverence and obedience,'' Benedict said. (ANSA/Zuma Press/MCT)

Pope Steps Down, Pledges Obedience to Replacement

February 28, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI's reign as head of the Roman Catholic Church will end today with his resignation at 2 p.m., EST.
(Mario Weddell/The Observer)

Admissions Courts High Profile Students With Weekend On the Town

February 28, 2013
From Feb. 28 to March 2, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will fly in high school students from across the country and treat them to a weekend of entertainment in New York City as part of their annual Experience Fordham program.

Casey Feldman Foundation Releases New Video

February 20, 2013

Last week, the Casey Feldman Foundation, named after a Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) student and former News Editor of The Observer who was killed by a distracted driver in 2009, released...

Pope Benedict XVI attends a ceremony to mark the 900th birthday of the Knights of Malta, Feb. 9, 2013. (Eric Vandeville/Abaca Press/MCT)

Pope’s Surprise Resignation Sends Message

February 20, 2013
In the wake of pope Benedict XVI’s announcement that he would resign from his position as head of the Catholic Church on Feb. 28, the Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) community was surprised, but many who follow the papacy said they consider the move a courageous one rather than a sign of weakness.
(Mario Weddell/The Observer)

Low Grad School Enrollments Force Constraints

February 7, 2013
Fordham is planning to use temporary spending controls affecting staff and administrators to balance lower graduate school enrollments resulting in budget shortfalls for this year, according to Stephen Freedman, the university’s provost.
(Mario Weddell/The Observer)

Provost Holds Forum on Budget Constraints

January 25, 2013
Stephen Freedman, provost of Fordham University, hosted a conversation with faculty and administrators at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) in the 12th Floor Lounge Thursday as part of the continuing discussions surrounding the university's expansion.
(Mario Weddell/The Observer)

Dean Discusses Possible New Majors at FCLC

January 24, 2013
As part of the preparations for the opening of the residence hall atop Fordham University's new law school building, faculty and administrators at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) are investigating a set of new majors for future FCLC students.
Angel Lewis stands in front of the new home being built by volunteers during Habitat for Humanity's Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project in the Forest Heights subdivision in Gulfport, Mississippi, Tuesday, May 13, 2008. (James Edward Bates/Biloxi Sun-Herald/MCT)

Campus Ministry Sponsors Sandy Relief Projects

January 23, 2013
Fordham's Dorothy Day Center for Service and Justice (DDCSJ) has organized a series of trips to the Rockaways to help clean up after Hurricane Sandy.
INAUGURATION PREPARATION

President Obama Sworn In for Second Term

January 21, 2013
Barack Obama was sworn into his second term as president Sunday, Jan. 20, in a small ceremony with his family and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts in the Blue Room of the White House.
Flu Scare Brings Rise in Vaccine Demand at Health Centers

Flu Scare Brings Rise in Vaccine Demand at Health Centers

January 16, 2013
Demand for influenza vaccinations at Fordham University's health centers has spiked since students returned from winter break Monday, according to Kathleen Malara, executive director of Fordham's health services.
Conceptual drawings of the renovations that will be taking place in the Ram Café this winter break are stationed outside the current café. (Ayer Chan/The Observer)

Dining Services Changes to be Made Over Winter Break

December 18, 2012
Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC)'s dining services will be undergoing various changes over the course of winter break, according to a university-wide email sent by Fordham Hospitality Services today.
Kashem, who was attacked on the subway on Sunday, attends Fordham Law School. (Tavy Wu/The Observer)

Faculty Speak Out Against Salary Agreement

December 12, 2012
Fordham College at Lincoln Center’s (FCLC) Faculty Senate reached an agreement with the university administration over salary raises for the 2012-2013 academic year, almost seven months after raises in faculty salary and benefits are traditionally finalized.
Rainbow Alliance Holds its First "Queer Prom"

Rainbow Alliance Holds its First “Queer Prom”

December 6, 2012
On Dec. 4, FCLC's Rainbow Alliance held its first "Queer Prom" after the word "queer" is approved for social programming.

Fordham Faculty, Administration Reach Salary Agreement

November 15, 2012
Fordham College at Lincoln Center's (FCLC) Faculty Senate has reached an agreement with the university administration over salary raises for the 2012-2013 academic year after months of debate.

Study Group Formed to Explore Pathways Program

November 14, 2012
Although no decisions have been made at this time, a new academic program combining courses from both the undergraduate and graduate schools at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) is being considered as part of the expansion of FCLC in 2014.

Guerrilla Girls Come to Fordham

November 13, 2012
The Guerrilla Girls, a group of active feminist artists who don guerrilla masks and produce art highlighting the sexism in the art world, are appearing at Fordham today at 3 p.m. in McMahon Hall's room 109.

Hellogoodbye Announced as Winterfest Performers

November 10, 2012
Fordham College at Lincoln Center's (FCLC) Campus Activities Board (CAB) announced Friday that the band Hellogoodbye would be the performers for this year's inaugural Winterfest concert.

UPDATED: Fordham Prepares for Winter Storm

November 7, 2012

In preparation for the heavy rainfall from this week's incoming nor'easter, Fordham is encouraging McMahon Hall residents to stock up on food before the storm. In a university-wide email it was announced...

Fordham Announces Make-Up Days for Missed Classes

November 7, 2012
After Hurricane Sandy forced the cancellation of Fordham classes at all campuses all last week, the university has announced plans to make up missed classes on Dec. 11, 12 and 13.

Fordham Faculty to Hold Emergency Fora

November 7, 2012
The Fordham Faculty Senate will be holding an emergency fora on Wednesday at the Rose Hill campus and Thursday at the Lincoln Center campus on salary negotiations and governance.

Fordham Responds to Storm Devastation

November 6, 2012
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy's destruction last week, Fordham has taken measures to help the recovery of the surrounding communities affected by the storm.
Signs throughout McMahon Hall announced safety precautions to residents in the run-up to Hurricane Sandy on Sunday night. (Tayler Bennet/The Observer)

Hurricane Sandy Disrupts Classes, Commute

November 6, 2012
Hurricane Sandy hit the tri-state area Monday Oct. 29, knocking out power to millions and forcing evacuations from lower Manhattan and coastal regions.
Hurricane Sandy

UPDATED: Hurricane Sandy Heading for Fordham

October 28, 2012
Check here for the most recent updates on Hurricane Sandy and Fordham's class cancelations.

Birth Control Prescriptions, Information Offered at “Prescribe Fordham 2”

October 26, 2012
The Fordham chapter of Law Students for Reproductive Justice (LSRJ) held their second annual Prescribe Fordham event in the John Jay College of Criminal Justice's conference center on Wednesday, Oct. 24.
University of Michigan students protest the Supreme Court’s ruling on the use of affirmative action in college admissions, Monday, June 23, 2003. (Chuck Kennedy/KRT/MCT)

Fordham Supports Affirmative Action Case

October 4, 2012
Fordham has joined several Jesuit universities in filing a “friend of the court” brief for a U.S. Supreme Court case challenging the University of Texas at Austin’s (UT) affirmative action policies, according to a release from Fordham.
University of Michigan students, from left to right: Ruben Duran, James Justin Wilson, and Adam Dancy, all from Ann Arbor, Michigan, protest the Supreme Court's ruling on the use of affirmative action in college admissions, Monday, June 23, 2003 in Washington, D.C. In two split decisions, the Supreme Court ruled, on Monday, that minority applicants may be given an edge when applying for admissions to universities, but limited how much a factor race can play in the selection of students. (Chuck Kennedy/KRT/MCT)

Fordham, McShane Support Affirmative Action Case

October 2, 2012
Fordham University has joined several Jesuit universities in filing a "friend of the court" brief for a U.S. Supreme Court case challenging the University of Texas at Austin's affirmative action policies, according to a release from Fordham. The joint universities filed the amicus brief in support of Texas' policies in August.
From left, Stephen Colbert of “The Colbert Report,” Father James Martin S.J. and Timothy Cardinal Dolan discuss Catholicism and humor in front of more than 3,000 students in the Rose Hill Gymnasium on Sept. 14. Fordham tried to enforce a media blackout for the event. (Brian Bruegge/The Observer)

Colbert Media Blackout Broken by Tweets

September 19, 2012
Despite a Fordham administration-imposed press blackout, the events of last week’s discussion between Stephen Colbert and Timothy Cardinal Dolan were widely reported by media outlets after students tweeted quotes and favorite moments using the #dolancolbert tag promoted by the event organizers and the shortened #dolbert tag.
Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC)'s 9/11 monument lists the names of students lost in the 2001 terrorists attacks. (Sara Azoulay/The Observer)

Remembrance Mass and Services Announced for Sept. 11

September 11, 2012
Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) will mark the 11 year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on Tuesday with a remembrance mass and interfaith prayer service in the Blessed Rupert Mayer, S.J., Chapel in room 221 of the Lowenstein building, according to a release from the university today. The remembrance mass will take place at 12:15 p.m., with the prayer service following at 5 p.m.
The front of Fordham College at Lincoln Center's Lowenstein building. (Mehgan Abdelmassih/The Observer)

FCLC Dean’s List Announced

September 7, 2012
Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) released today the 2012 Dean's List of students exhibiting academic excellence. View the complete list of students who made it here.

Admin Quits Over Sex Abuse Claims

August 22, 2012
Despite passing a criminal background check in 2011, Br. James A. Ligouri, former associate vice president and executive director of Fordham’s Westchester campus, resigned July 20 after a claim that he sexually abused a child was made public.

Members of Fordham Community Killed in Accident

May 2, 2012
Two Fordham employees were killed in a car accident on the Bronx River Parkway along with five of their family members on April 29.
Police found Fordham student Henry Wachtel’s mother unconscious at her apartment at 300 W. 55th St. She was later pronounced dead. (Ayer Chan/The Observer)

Fordham Student Charged with Mother’s Murder

April 18, 2012
Henry Wachtel, a freshman at Fordham School of Professional and Continuing Studies (FPCS), was charged April 10 with the murder of his mother Karyn Kay in their Midtown apartment, according to the New York Daily News.
The construction of the new law school will bring new space for the Gabelli School of Business to expand to the Lincoln Center campus. In addition, it will allow for opportunities to reassess the current curriculum at Fordham College at Lincoln Center. (Ayer Chan/The Observer)

Provost Discusses Business School Expansion

April 18, 2012
The Observer spoke with Fordham University Provost Stephen Freedman to learn more about curricular changes coming to Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) in the next few years.
La Guardia High School teacher Karyn Kay was found unconscious with severe head trauma in her apartment on W. 55th St. and 8th Ave (above). Kay was pronounced dead at 1:52 p.m. on April 10. (Ayer Chan/The Observer)

Fordham Student Charged in Mother’s Murder

April 11, 2012
Fordham student Henry Wachtel was charged April 10 with the murder of his mother Karyn Kay in their Midtown apartment , according to the New York Daily News.
Donna Rapaccioli, dean of Fordham's Gabelli School of Business. (Natasha Mahadeo/ The Observer)

Business School Dean Talks Ethics

March 28, 2012
The Observer recently sat down with Donna Rapaccioli, dean of Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business, to discuss the ethics of business school.

Expansion Decision Prompts Action

March 28, 2012
Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) faculty and many student leaders are disappointed in the way the university administration decided to reallocate bed space in the new law school building opening in 2014.
When school work piles up, many students look to drugs to help focus. (Photo Illustration Sophia Alvarez)

Adderall at Large, Dangerous Presence With Students

March 8, 2012
Adderall has grown to become a major presence as an illegal substance in the Fordham community.
On Feb. 27, a resident of McMahon Hall found homophobic graffiti written on stairway B between floors 11 and 12. (Harry Huggins/The Observer)

Community Reacts to Homophobic Graffiti Found in McMahon

March 2, 2012
Following the discovery of a homophobic slur written on a McMahon Hall stairwell early Feb. 27, Fordham held a town hall discussion where students debated a proposed mandatory diversity program for future students.
On Feb. 27, a resident of McMahon Hall found heterosexist graffiti written on stairway B between floors 11 and 12. (Harry Huggins/The Observer)

Homophobic Graffiti Found in McMahon

February 28, 2012
According to a recent mass email sent by Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Jeffrey Gray, a homophobic slur was found today in a McMahon Hall stairwell
A simple handshake would never suffice for the true bro, who must always do the most exaggerated hand gesture possible. (Ayer Chan/The Observer)

A Letter to All the Dubstep-Loving, Lax-Pinnie Wearing Bros: Please Stop

February 22, 2012
Let me preface what I’m about to say with this: I get it. I lived with two bros last semester who were a concentrated manifestation of all that is brodom; I know whence you come. And I also know that you didn’t understand that last sentence, so I’ll keep the rest of my letter in simple language for you.
The Student Activities Budget Committee updated guidelines, now telling clubs that if they do not have their advisor’s signature on the budget pack two semesters in a row, SABC will hold their budget until it is signed. (Photo Illustration by Harry Huggins/The Observer)

SABC Meets to Amend Club Guidelines

February 22, 2012
On Feb. 15, the Student Activities Budget Committee (SABC) met to revise their guidelines for clubs.
Fordham's Catholic identity influences its stance on birth control.

Birth Control Policy Questioned

February 22, 2012
The president of Fordham’s chapter of the national organization Law Students for Reproductive Justice (LSRJ) said in an interview last week that the Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) Health Center does not follow a school policy that allows for the prescription of hormonal contraception to students to treat medical conditions, such as endometriosis.
The McMahon Hall housing lottery is now available online to provide convenience for students. (Photo Illustration by Harry Huggins)

Online Housing Lottery a First for McMahon Hall

February 15, 2012
For the first time at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC)’s McMahon Hall, the residential housing lottery will be conducted online.
The Vagina Monologues will be held in the 12th floor lounge of the Leon Lowenstein building on March 24. (Photo courtesy of Isis)

Counseling Services Now to Facilitate Vagina Monologues Debrief

February 4, 2012
This year, Counseling and Psychological Services will be present at the debrief following this year’s Fordham College at Lincoln Center
(Courtesy of Wikipedia)

SOPA Stirs Debate

February 1, 2012
The Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) community shared their varying views on online piracy and the government’s actions to stop it, after several events in January attempted to stop censorship bills from passing in the United States.
Representatives of College Democrats tabled a voter registration drive on the Lowenstein plaza. (Harry Huggins/The Observer)

College Dems Hold Voter Registration Drive

February 1, 2012
This week through Feb. 2, and next month, Fordham College at Lincoln Center’s (FCLC) College Democrats organization will be registering eligible students to vote in time for this spring’s presidential primaries and the general election in November.
Cardinal-Designate Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, visited Fordham College at Lincoln Center’s Pope Auditorium on Jan. 24 to speak at the inaugural event of Fordham Law School’s “Law and the Gospel of Life” lecture series. The Archbishop spoke about the Catholic Church’s dedication to the culture of life as opposed to what he feels is a current culture of death in lawmaking today. (Harry Huggins/The Observer)

Archbishop of New York Visits Fordham

January 25, 2012
Cardinal-Designate Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, visited Fordham College at Lincoln Center’s Pope Auditorium on Jan. 24 to speak at the inaugural event of Fordham Law School’s “Law and the Gospel of Life” lecture series.

“Real World” Graduate Presents Diversity Seminar

January 22, 2012
On Jan. 19, New Student Orientation (NSO) hosted “Diversity with Mohammed Bilal” in the Leon Lowenstein building’s 12th Floor Lounge.
Two's company. Seven billion's a crowd. (B1mbo /WikiMedia Commons)

Seven Billion People: The Pros and Cons of a Populous Planet

November 3, 2011
Congratulations, fellow homo sapiens! Supposedly, there are now 7,000,000,000 of us, and counting. This milestone is deceptively complex. It’s a very concrete number
On a small campus like Lincoln Center, some feel it’s inevitable for romance to develop within one’s circle of friends, while others believe it’s easy to keep things platonic.

Point and Counterpoint: Must Romance Always Get in the Way Between Friends?

October 19, 2011
“Men and women can’t be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.” vs. "I cannot stand those girls who have this notion that they are the Carrie Bradshaw’s of the world. Those falsely fierce and drippy girls who sit over their candy-colored cocktails extolling their own rhetoric about men. They sit there, lamenting over lost loves, kvetching about chivalry being dead and whatever else they can get into their claws." "
A party atop Rockefeller Center would make for a memorable senior week. (Urban/Wikicommons)

Super Senior Week Ideas

September 21, 2011
Whether or not these events are actually doable with the Senior Week planning committee’s budget (or even FCLC rules), I, in my infinitely useful knowledge, propose the following as rewards for surviving four years of Fordham.

Who Counts in the Census? A Few Suggestions

August 25, 2011
Apparently, the Census missed around 50,000 people in the Queens neighborhoods of Astoria and Jackson Heights and the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Bensonhurst and Bay Ridge.

Social Media and Civic Engagement: A Relationship of Convenience

August 3, 2011

Logging in to Facebook, you see a notification: “John Doe invited you to the event ‘Students Supporting Fill-in-the-cause.” When you check your timeline on Twitter, you see a few tweets like...

Decision 2012: The Issues of Tomorrow Predicted Today

July 24, 2011

Published: May 5, 2011 Alright, everybody, I hope you’re all geared up for the 2012 election! We’ve already got what looks to be a ton of fun in store, with the champion of change defending...

Go, God, Go! Defending Religion Without Defending Dumb Doctrines

July 24, 2011

Published: April 20, 2011 Maybe it’s different in the rest of America, but it seems like wherever I go, religion-bashing follows. From the most liberal of Chicago’s suburbs to the Jesuit University...

The Pledge: Point and Counterpoint

July 23, 2011

The Pledge and Positive Patriotism By Harry Huggins, Opinions Editor Published: April 13, 2011 “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it...

Dear Beautiful Blackberry Bold,

July 23, 2011

Published: March 30, 2011 Despite what it says on your box, you are not a “smart phone.” No, to me you are a genius life-partner. In fact, you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me....

The Disease of Inefficiency: Improving the Health Center

July 23, 2011

Published: March 2, 2011 I’m not good at being sick. When my body isn’t working right, I forget how to be a real person. I wallow in my own self-pity; I complain to anyone who asks how I am;...

Don’t Be A “Rude Boy”: Use Honey Instead of Vinegar to Get Your Way

July 23, 2011

Published: February 16, 2011 It’s Tuesday afternoon at 3:45 p.m. It seems like I’ve been in classes or meetings since before I woke up this morning, and my day is only half over. My list of...

Live From New York, It’s… Kind of Disappointing: The Pros and Cons of Seeing Your Favorite Shows Taped Live

July 23, 2011

Published: February 2, 2011 I’m standing in line on 11th Avenue on a 20-degree January afternoon. The wind is strong enough to be in a commercial for a sleek car, but it’s bearable since I’m...

Dear Pope “Big B” Benedict,

July 23, 2011

Published: December 9, 2010 You need to calm down. Take a deep breath of frankincense. Splash your face with some holy water. If you were indeed trying to “kick-start a discussion,” you did a terrible...

Lost

July 23, 2011

Published: August 25, 2010 The gutters that my Grandpa Fastened to the house of My dreams AND nightmares Couldn’t hold the rain that poured Like Jameson into my One last shot GlassI’m...

Turning Two Decades: Why 20 Feels Like the New 80

July 19, 2011

Published: November 17, 2010 On Nov. 12 I officially left my teenaged years behind and adopted the status of “20-something.” Although in my case that something is a zero, it still brings a lot...

A Note To Newly Elected Officials: Respect Us or We’ll Cut Your Pensions

July 19, 2011

Published: November 3, 2010 Congratulations on winning the hearts and minds of your voters. Whether by default (i.e. you were running against Christine O’Donnell) or by sheer will power, you convinced...

The Goldilocks Planet: Earth’s “Get Out of Jail Free” Card

July 19, 2011

Published: October 20, 2010 I’ve been waiting, wishing, hoping, dying for this moment. Scientists have detected an area where there might be a planet inhabitable by humans. My excitement isn’t...

Muslim Community Center “Controversy” a Cry for Attention

July 16, 2011

Published: August 25, 2010 By now the controversy surrounding the building of a Muslim community center, including a mosque, on Park Place in Lower Manhattan has become national news. Obviously anything...

Television: Film’s Hotter, Easier and More Popular Younger Brother

July 16, 2011

Published: August 25, 2010 Right now is an exciting time. Yes, I’m reuniting with New York City after a long and trying separation. Yes, as a sophomore I can finally take the non-introductory...

Cutting Off the Cut-offs Wearer

July 16, 2011

Published: August 25, 2010 Hipster Nation Mostly Greenwich Village New York, NY 10012 Dear Hipster Nation, After a few good years and many style changes, I’ve finally had enough. I thought...

The Pointless Pursuit: Explanations of a Skinny Runner

July 15, 2011

Published: May 5, 2010 It’s Tuesday. On my to-do list right now: one seven-page history paper, one graphic design project, one philosophy argument rehearsal, one science ethics paper, pack for my...

Happy Earth Day! 22 Ways to Flaunt Your Inner Green

July 10, 2011

Published: April 22, 2010 With Earth Day approaching, you might be looking for ways to flaunt your inner green. Many people call themselves environmentally conscious without even realizing that they...

March Madness Not Contagious at FCLC

July 8, 2011

Published: April 1, 2010 During the month of March, colleges from Arkansas Pine Bluff to Xavier, crisscrossing the country from Gonzaga to Georgetown, focused on one thing only: college hoops. Spring...

How to Ruin Any Sporting Event: Add a Little Bob Costas

July 5, 2011

Published: March 4, 2010 Dear reader, if you learn only one thing from this newspaper, let it be this: Bob Costas, sports announcer for NBC, anchor of the 2010 Winter Olympics broadcast, is inarguably...

Get Off the “Naughty” List With The Dorothy Day Center

June 28, 2011

Published: December 10, 2009 With the lighting of the Christmas tree in the plaza, the holiday season is undeniably upon us. For some, this means stressful hunting in the concrete jungle for the perfect...

The Olympics Knock the Wind Out of Chicago

June 27, 2011

Published: October 22, 2009 Right now, I hate life. While everyone around me is singing “Empire York State of Mind,” I’m humming Taylor Swift’s “Invisible” quietly to myself. What could...

Major Buzz Kill: Beer Prices On the Rise This Fall

June 25, 2011

Published: September 24, 2009 It’s Saturday night and you’ve finally arrived at your friend’s apartment after an endless ride on the Ram Van and a potentially Security Alert-worthy walk through...

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