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
MICHELLE AGARON

MICHELLE AGARON, Assistant News Editor

Michelle Agaron, Fordham College at Lincoln Center ’22, is an assistant news editor for The Observer. She is an English major, which makes it very hard to guess what some of her favorite pastimes are (definitely not reading and writing). When she’s not partaking in stereotypical English major activities, she enjoys strolling through the nearest park, trying her hand at baking and strengthening her video editing skills.

All content by MICHELLE AGARON
Melissa Quiroz in PPE holding Covid-19 test tubes

Reflecting On a Year of COVID-19

March 18, 2021
A year into the pandemic, students recall their experiences from March 2020 and reflect on the different courses their lives have taken since.
A laptop and tablet on a desk with Zoom open on both screens

Fordham Details Hybrid Learning Plan for Fall 2020

July 29, 2020
As the fall semester draws closer, Fordham is providing more details that pertain to the hybrid learning plan. While the university is pushing for optimism and innovation, students continue to worry about their safety.
Textbooks stacked on a shelf

UPDATED: Belongings Left With No Return

April 28, 2020
The last time most Fordham students saw their dorms and all the belongings within them was the middle of March. Due to Governor Andrew Cuomo extending the lockdown in NYC, the date for picking up student belongings remains unclear as students across the world voice their varying concerns.
A large group of protesters gathered in Times Square, many holding signs

Coronavirus Pushes Earth Day Celebrations Online

April 25, 2020
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Fordham's Environmental Club and Social Innovation Collaboratory pushed their celebrations and activism online through a multitude of interactive and informative events.
A selfie of incoming student Jenna Fazzone

Welcoming the Class of 2024 Digitally

April 21, 2020
Incoming students are having to take virtual tours, attend online Zoom sessions and rely on Facebook groups to get to know their future classmates.
Stove’s Comedy Club at Lincoln Center is one of the student organizations that has transitioned to online meetings.

Student Clubs and Organizations Responds to Distance Learning

April 1, 2020
All Fordham clubs and organizations were forced to suspend in-person meetings and either cancel or rework events planned months in advance. With little to no time to adjust to the switch to online communication, some clubs are trying to maintain a sense of normalcy and continue regular operations while others pivoted in a completely different direction.
United Student Government (USG), Rainbow Alliance and The Positive pushed for inclusivity of all genders on campus by advocating for gender-neutral bathrooms, use of chosen names on official Fordham documents, and safe housing for gender-netural and transgender students. 

Five Years Later, Gender-Inclusive Housing Options Announced

March 10, 2020
After a five-year debate about the rights and safety of transgender and gender non-conforming students, Fordham College Lincon Center announced that it will offer gender-neutral housing to its residents for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year.
Students can now meet in small groups to share their experiences and get guidance from facilitators.

CPS Promises Free and Long-Term Services in Group Therapy

February 19, 2020
For most students around campus, knowledge of Fordham’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) has always centered around the 10 free individual sessions offered to students before they have to start paying for counseling. Although this limit may serve as a deterrent for some students, given the additional financial cost, CPS is now offering a free and long-term alternative: group therapy.
For Khan, the bottom line is this: “We need to come out of our fear and into our power. Every person can grow into their fears, their passions and their freedom.”

Co-Founder of #BlackLivesMatter Toronto Speaks at Fordham

January 29, 2020
On the evening of Feb. 23, Fordham students, staff and administration gathered to hear Janaya Khan, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement in Toronto, speak. At 6:30 p.m., a silence fell upon the crowd as the speaker prepared to begin. 
Understanding how to use an EpiPen is the first step to being considerate of friends with severe allergies.

A Guide to Dining with Severely Allergic Friends

December 4, 2019
Dining with friends who have severe food allergies is no joke. Simple steps like learning how to use an EpiPen or just checking in with you your friend can help to make the experience less stressful.
Advocates for clean air host the Great Smokeout each year by occupying a table in the Lowenstein lobby.

Annual Great Fordham Smokeout Spotlights Vaping

December 4, 2019
Since its inception, the primary goal of the Great Fordham Smokeout has been to educate students about the dangers of smoking and decrease smoking on campus. In response to an increase in reporting and nationwide news about the topic, the focus of the 2019 campaign has shifted to vape products and e-cigarettes.
Jenifer Campbell, senior director of Residential Life, said that “staff within the Office of Residential Life has focused on providing information and updates as early and in many cases as often as possible in an effort to make certain residents are aware of programs, events and facilities issues.”

ResLife Seeks Open Communication With Residents

November 13, 2019
On Sept. 11, 2019, ResLife sent a full outline of how all Fordham breaks will affect residence halls to residents. Another email was sent to residents on Oct. 28, restating the information from the first email.
Aramark, one of the largest nationwide food-and-services providers, has received criticism in the past for its track record- particularly in correctional facilities.

Aramark Faces Criticism

October 30, 2019
Aramark, the dining services provider for Fordham University, was not invited to renew its 35-year contract with NYU this year, reigniting debates about the catering company's role on Fordham's own campus.
While rats may reign as New York's rodent rulers, Fordham researchers are working to help take back the city from their paws.

Fordham Research Repels NYC’s Rodents

October 16, 2019
With rat populations continuing to rise, concerns over the issue are growing in tandem with the infestation itself. However, several Fordham researchers are at the forefront of a scientific study aimed to control the issue.
ResLife further opens to door to include TGNCI students on campus housing.

Fordham Introduces More Inclusivity in Housing Application

October 2, 2019
This year Fordham has taken a step to make housing applications more inclusive for transgender or gender-nonconforming individuals (TGNCI). The class of 2023 was the first class to have the option of expressing gender non-conformity in the housing application.
Marlin Jenkins, FCRH ’98, aims to provide internet for low income households.

Bridging the Bronx

March 14, 2019
Contributing Writer Michelle Agaron speaks with Fordham alumnus, Marlin Jenkins, about his company that is providing free internet to low-income families in the Bronx.
Load More Stories