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

SOPHIE KOZUB, News Editor Emerita

All content by SOPHIE KOZUB
Senior Sophie Kozub, FCLC '19, reflects on the true meaning of Fordham's core values.

Club Leader Revises the Meaning of “Cura Personalis”

April 30, 2019
To say the least, I was burned out. I’d worn myself down in every possible way, playing a months-long balancing act of activities and commitments. I felt like I had entered college already starting to fizzle. Now I was preparing to graduate not with fireworks, but only with the choking ash they leave behind.
Charlie Rose, who was Fordham's commencement speaker and an honorary degree recipient in 2008, was recently accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct. (JON ROEMER/FORDHAM UNIVERSITY)

Fordham Rescinds Charlie Rose’s Awards

December 21, 2017
Joining a growing number of universities, Fordham University has voted to rescind Charlie Rose’s awards in the wake of eight women accusing Rose of sexual misconduct in the Washington Post.
Fordham Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Martha K. Hirst is in charge of coordinating the university's finances. (COLIN SHEELEY/THE OBSERVER)

Republican Tax Plan Threatens Fordham’s Finances

December 9, 2017

Like the climate-conscious polar bear, the university budget is making careful preparations for an uncertain spring. At that point, the finance team will report their proposal for the annual budget to...

(Courtesy of Chriss Haight Pagani)

Public Safety Issues Statement on Feral Cats

November 16, 2017
Two students were attacked by feral cats on the Rose Hill campus after trying to play with them, prompting the Department of Public Safety to send a university-wide email on interacting with the cats and what practices Fordham has in place to address their presence.
(PHOTO BY PAOLA JOAQUIN ROSSO)

Domestic GO! Trips Suffer From Poor Enrollment

October 26, 2017

Global Outreach (GO!), one of Fordham’s signature service programs, has had a rocky start to the semester. Interest in domestic projects is down and project leadership positions are unfilled; the Florida...

(ANA FOTA/THE OBSERVER)

Fordham College Republicans to Host Roger Stone

October 7, 2017

The Fordham University College Republicans announced on Oct. 5 that they would be hosting political strategist and controversial figure Roger Stone on Oct. 10. The decision is already drawing backlash...

(Lisa Spiteri/The Observer)

Fordham Responds to Las Vegas Shooting

October 4, 2017
Following the mass shooting in Las Vegas on Monday that left at least 58 people killed and 515 wounded, the Fordham Community has voiced statements of support for the victims and their loved ones.
The newest addition to the Lincoln Center campus. (JON BJORNSON/The Observer)

Ram Statue Rides Onto Lincoln Center

September 28, 2017
After years of rumors and ram-fueled intercampus jealousy, the Lincoln Center campus has achieved what at one point seemed unachievable to some members of the Fordham community—the installation of a ram statue.
New Yorkers gathered in Columbus Circle on September 9 to protest Trump's decision to end DACA. (SOPHIE KOZUB/THE OBSERVER)

Fordham Criticizes Trump’s DACA Decision

September 16, 2017
In the wake of President Donald Trump’s plan to phase out the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive order, Fordham President Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., and other members of the Fordham community have publicly demonstrated their support of DACA recipients.
(STEPHAN KOZUB/THE OBSERVER)

New Wi-Fi Leaves Some Students Behind

September 14, 2017

On Aug. 20, Fordham IT launched what promised to be a quicker, more secure, more reliable and easier-to-use WiFi system. What some students have experienced so far, however, is a WiFi system that will...

New Yorkers gathered in Columbus Circle on September 9 to protest Trump's decision to end DACA. (SOPHIE KOZUB/THE OBSERVER)

PHOTO ESSAY: DACA Protest in Columbus Circle

September 9, 2017
Following President Donald Trump's decision to phase out the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, New Yorkers gathered in Columbus Circle today to demonstrate their support for DACA recipients and all immigrants.
Elizabeth Cornell, director of IT Communications (PHOTO BY JULIET ALTMANN/THE OBSERVER)

A Look Inside MFA, 30,000 Users Later

September 8, 2017
In the spring 2017 semester, the Fordham community said goodbye to the time-honored tradition of changing my.fordham passwords every few months, and said hello to a new acronym: MFA.
BREAKING: Swastika Found in Rose Hill Restroom

BREAKING: Swastika Found in Rose Hill Restroom

September 7, 2017
A Resident Assistant found a swastika in the Tierney Hall restroom at Rose Hill on Sept. 6, according to an email from John Carroll, associate vice president of the Fordham Department of Public Safety sent to the Fordham community today at 5:42 p.m.
John Brennan, Former Director of the CIA, will join Fordham Law School as the Distinguished Fellow for Global Security for the Center on National Security. (PHOTO COURTESY of George Bridges/KRT via TNS)

John Brennan Named Distinguished Fellow for Global Security

September 5, 2017
Former director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John Brennan, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’77, has been appointed as the Distinguished Fellow for Global Security at Fordham Law School’s Center on National Security.

Is Fordham Too Tuition Dependent?

September 2, 2017
Fordham being an expensive school is not a groundbreaking observation. With tuition at $49,645, and approximately 90 percent of undergraduates relying on some form of university-funded financial aid, most students here either do not or cannot pay the full price to attend.
Students express their support for adjunct faculty members at a Rose Hill Campus protest. (EMMA DIMARCO/The Observer)

Despite Deal, Tensions Around Salary and Benefits Remain

September 2, 2017
Amidst criticism from members of the Faculty Senate over a lack of transparency, the Board of Trustees has launched an effort to release information regarding the faculty salary and benefits negotiations which took place during the 2016-17 academic year.
JSO Issues Statement on Charlottesville

JSO Issues Statement on Charlottesville

August 13, 2017

Following the violence at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, VA this weekend, which included self-proclaimed white nationalists and neo-Nazis, Fordham University’s Jewish Student Organization...

Bassem interviewing people at Mohamed Mahmoud Street in November 2011. (PHOTO COURTESY OF SARA TAKSLER)

The Inspirational Force of “Tickling Giants”

June 21, 2017

Inspired by Jon Stewart and The Daily Show, Dr. Bassem Youssef set up a camera and table in his laundry room. A full-time heart surgeon, Youssef decided to produce short, humorous YouTube videos that satirized...

Chick-Fil-A

Student Groups Shut Down Chick-Fil-A Proposal

April 21, 2017
Following push back from clubs and independent students over LGBTQ issues and menu offerings, the university has opted to decline an Aramark proposal to install a Chick-Fil-A in the Ram Cafe.
Faculty Senate has been protesting the administration's decision to determine faculty pay increase without negotiation. (PHOTO BY SOPHIE KOZUB/THE OBSERVER)

Flurry of Statements Deepens Faculty-Admin Divide

April 14, 2017
A statement from the university has sparked statements of further anger and frustration from faculty members, in support of Faculty Senate’s planned vote of no confidence in President Rev. Joseph M. McShane’s, S.J., leadership, to be held April 19.
ASEAH KHAN/THE OBSERVER

The Low Attendance Rates Plaguing Fordham

March 29, 2017
Fordham Lincoln Center proudly boasts a vast array of clubs and activities spread throughout the week and now thanks to LC After Dark, there are events during the weekends.
The United Student Government office is room G30 in 140 W.

USG Draft Constitution Expands Leadership, Structure

February 24, 2017
The executive board of the United Student Government (USG) has drafted a constitution adding new leadership roles and expanding multiple aspects of the group’s structure, including the electoral process.
Over 27,000 academics signed the petition. (SCREENSHOT TAKEN FROM NOTOIMMIGRATIONBAN.COM)

Faculty Respond to Immigration Executive Order

February 9, 2017
57 academics at the university signed the Academics Against Immigration Executive Order, a petition which at the time of publication had over 27,000 signatures, 51 one of which were of Nobel Laureates and over 25,000 of which were of U.S. faculty members.
University President Rev. Joseph M. McShane addressed the question of "Who is the Fordham community?" in an email on Oct. 15.

McShane Issues Statement on Refugees, Immigrants

January 29, 2017
In light of President Trump’s Executive Order on immigration, Fordham President Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J. has restated the university’s support for refugees and immigrants, especially those affected by the mandate.
Students for Justice in Palestine's protest outside Fordham Lincoln Center on Jan. 23. (PHOTO BY STEPHAN KOZUB/THE OBSERVER)

Fordham Stands by SJP Veto Amid Criticism

January 28, 2017
Fordham is standing by Dean of Students Keith Eldredge’s Dec. 22 decision to deny a prospective Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) club official status, while organizations continue to write letters to the administration criticizing the move.
(EMMA DIMARCO/THE OBSERVER)

Inside Trump’s Days at Fordham

January 26, 2017
President Donald Trump likes to talk about the fact that he went to the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, mentioning his academic achievement in his book “The Art of the Deal” and throughout his presidential campaign.
Students protesting the university's veto of SJP marched to and from Columbus Circle at the end of the event. (PHOTO BY STEPHAN KOZUB/THE OBSERVER)

Students Protest SJP Veto

January 24, 2017
Undeterred by harsh winds and cold temperatures, members of the Fordham community protested the university’s decision to veto the formation of a Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) club on Jan. 23.
Detecting Fake News: Our Newest Responsiblity

Detecting Fake News: Our Newest Responsiblity

December 11, 2016
Since Donald Trump went from being Republican Party Nominee to President-elect, those who saw his victory as a long shot have been trying to figure out how he pulled his electoral college rabbit out of his political magician’s hat.
dsc_0460-1

Anti-Trump Protests Attract Students

November 16, 2016
Michael Appler, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’19 said that what he saw on the night of Nov. 9 was “strange” and “really bizarre.”
Olivia LaBarge throws a pie in a volunteer's face for charity. (SAMUEL MCHALE/THE OBSERVER)

Clubs Unite for “Pies for Charity”

November 16, 2016
On Nov. 10, when many students were still taking in the largely unexpected presidential election results, clubs united for a more entertaining change of pace: Pies for Charity.
In 2015, there were 34 drug abuse violations and 119 liquor law violations on campus. (PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KATHRYN HORNYAK/ THE OBSERVER)

Substance Violations Up, Report Says

October 13, 2016
Drug abuse violations and liquor law violations both increased at Fordham in 2015, according to the 2016–2017 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
GRAPHIC BY BEN MOORE/THE OBSERVER

Fordham Raises Tuition by 3.75 Percent

September 14, 2016
Fordham University’s tuition went up this summer by 3.75 percent, bringing it to a total of $47,850, continuing a trend of raising tuition on an annual basis.
(OBSERVER ARCHIVES)

CMS Cuts Ties with The Observer: The State of Student Journalism

August 26, 2016
The Communication and Media Studies (CMS) department announced that it would sever ties with Fordham Lincoln Center’s student newspaper, The Observer, on April 21. With the change came the cancellation of the four journalism workshops in reporting, multimedia, layout design and photojournalism that provided advising from professionals, educated student journalists and ensured a steady stream of content for The Observer.
The Ram Cafe underwent renovations this summer after Aramark took over as Fordham University's dining service provider on July 1. (PHOTO BY ANDRONIKA ZIMMERMAN/THE OBSERVER)

Aramark Takes Over as Food Provider

August 26, 2016
When Aramark was chosen as the University’s next dining service provider in April, quality of food and the retention of dining service employees were among the most controversial topics.
The Observer Alumni Facebook group

CMS Cuts Ties with The Observer: Alumni Voice Support

August 26, 2016
After the Communication and Media Studies Department (CMS) announced on April 21 that they would cut ties with The Observer and cancel the journalism workshop courses, over 100 alumni voiced their support for The Observer through social media and sent letters to both the Fordham University administration and CMS officials.
The Observer Alumni Facebook group

Over 100 Alumni Sign Letter Supporting Observer

June 25, 2016
Over 100 alumni have signed and sent an alumni-written letter to the Communications and Media Studies (CMS) Department in support of The Fordham Observer following the department’s decision to cut ties with the award-winning student publication.
IT’s new system can be accessed via the my.fordham.edu portal. (PHOTO BY MARIA KOVOROS/THE OBSERVER)

IT Launches New Customer Care System

May 5, 2016
In April, Fordham IT launched a new Customer Care system with an accompanying tab on the portal to expedite and improve the technology help request process.
Fordham's residence halls are exclusionary to transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) students. (CONNOR MANNION/THE OBSERVER)

Middle States Highlights Financial Issues

April 27, 2016
As a part of the University’s ongoing accreditation process, the Middle States Visitation Team evaluated Fordham in early April and has issued a report summarizing their evaluation.
Fordham's residence halls are exclusionary to transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) students. (CONNOR MANNION/THE OBSERVER)

Fordham Compared Against Peers

April 22, 2016
Students have been comparing Fordham to other universities since they first considered attending. As a part of the accreditation process, Fordham University also took up this practice through comparing itself to its peer and aspirant institutions.
Fordham has dropped Sodexo in favor of service provider Aramark (PHOTO BY MICHELLE QUINN/THE OBSERVER)

Fordham Drops Sodexo for Aramark Food Service Provider

April 20, 2016
On Monday, April 18, Fordham University announced that it would be moving forward with Aramark, the second largest food service provider in America, as the main food service provider following a Request for Proposals period that resulted in Sodexo being released as the food service provider.
(THE OBSERVER ARCHIVES)

Human Error Causes Registration Mishap

April 14, 2016
As Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) students prepared to register at 7 a.m. on April 13, everything was ready to go, except the registration system.
The diversity task force came to Pope Auditorium at 5p.m. March 7th for a meeting addressing current issues. (ANDRONIKA ZIMMERMAN/THE OBSERVER)

Diversity Task Force Holds First Community Meeting

March 10, 2016

At the Diversity Task Force’s first of four community meetings, topics discussed included diversity, inclusion, trust, Robert Moses, attendance and affording pizzas. The meeting, which took place...

(PHOTO BY ZANA NAJJAR/ THE OBSERVER)

A Look Inside the RFP Process & Sodexo Controversies

March 3, 2016
With myriad social media posts and a petition to make Fordham “Sodexo-free” that started on Dec. 3 and has since collected over 680 signatures, these students have actively demonstrated their desire for better food on campus.
Chairperson of the President's Task Force on Diversity and Campus Climate Peter Vaughan, Ph.D., presented information on diversity and inclusion initiatives to the Faculty Senate. (STEPHAN KOZUB/THE OBSERVER)

Faculty Senate Discusses Diversity Task Forces

March 3, 2016
Following the four bias incidents that occurred on and off campus at Fordham last semester, diversity and inclusion are a focus for the Fordham community, including the Faculty Senate.
(CONNOR MANNION/ OBSERVER ARCHIVES)

Students React to Heatless McKeon

February 29, 2016
What started off as a gas leak led to Billy Recce, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ‘19 taking what he called “the most painful shower of my life.”
Pictured above, the training programs are led from the Dorothy Day Center of Service and Justice. (JASON BOIT/OBSERVER ARCHIVES)

Undoing Racism Collective Discusses Training Programs

February 24, 2016
Following the bias incidents and calls for increased diversity at Fordham in the fall semester, the Undoing Racism Collective, that formed in the wake of Ferguson in 2014, held a cross-campus anti-racist training strategy session on Feb. 11.
Flow Tribe at The Hall at MP in Brooklyn on February 12, 2016. (PHOTO BY JESSICA HANLEY/THE OBSERVER)

Sound Check: Flow Tribe at The Hall @ MP

February 17, 2016
On Feb. 12, Flow Tribe gave a performance that can best be described as eclectic and, as they describe themselves, “with the delicacy of a sledgehammer” at The Hall @ MP, a new venue in Brooklyn created by Chef Michael Psilakis.
Snow blanketing the normally busy Columbus Circle. (JESSICA HANLEY/THE OBSERVER)

Public Safety, Commuters Discuss Snow Concerns

February 10, 2016
Following the second worst snowstorm in New York City history, the Office of Public Safety decided to reopen Fordham on Monday, Jan. 25. Commuters voiced concerns that the university was opened too soon.
Christina Greer (left) moderates a discussion with two political strategists in McMahon 109. (STEPHAN KOZUB/THE OBSERVER)

Political Science Panel Discusses Ongoing Primaries

February 4, 2016
On Jan. 28, however, Associate Professor of Political Science Christina Greer and political strategists Alexis Grenell and Jessica Proud met at Fordham to do just that and discuss the ongoing 2016 Presidential election.
University President Rev. Joseph M. McShane addressed the question of "Who is the Fordham community?" in an email on Oct. 15.

University Responds to FUEMS Misconduct Claims

February 3, 2016
The University investigation found that "the students’ allegations against Public Safety officers and FUEMS staff were unfounded, and the evidence indicates that Public Safety officers treated the students with 'respect and dignity.'"
For Jeffrey Ng, director of CPS, last semester marked the first time he had to deal with a wait list at LC. (ELIZABETH LANDRY /THE OBSERVER)

Student Usage of CPS Increases

January 30, 2016
For the first time in recent memory, Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) had a wait list for appointments last semester.
Load More Stories