The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 Volume 106, Issue 12
Group Files
Asbestos Removal Sparks Protests
Against Fordham
By ADITHI VIMLANATHAN
By JULIANNA MORALES
ASST. NEWS EDITOR
September 4, 2024
TheFordhamRam.com
Complaint Over Anti-White Racism FEATURES EDITOR
An asbestos warning was recently issued for the fifth floor of John Mulcahy Hall (JMH). It was discovered during the preliminary stages of a construction project, as the lab on the floor is due for renovation. A posting in the building identified the dates of removal from Aug. 5-13 and that the asbestos was found in adhesive, caulk and pipe insulation. ACA Environmental Services Inc. was the contractor hired to do the removal. Previously, asbestos was also found in Cunniffe House in the spring and in Tierney Hall during the summer of 2023. Removal is now complete on Cunniffe and Tierney. Over the summer, giant inflatable rats holding signs with the slogan “Asbestos Kills” popped up outside the gates of campus accompanied by fliers criticizing Fordham’s use of Incinia Contracting Inc. for asbestos removal, which is non-unionized. The rats and fliers were posted by Local 78
A legal advocacy group called The Equal Protection Project (EPP) recently filed a complaint at the Office for Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education. The complaint is classified as a discrimination complaint, claiming that Fordham University offers scholarships based on race and ethnicity which favor Black and Latino students over white and Asian students. The complaint specifically mentions specific examples including Fordham’s Diversity Fund and the Fordham Scholarship. William A. Jacobson, the organization’s founder, explained that this move was due to the department’s jurisdiction, as Fordham does receive government funding. The EPP states their mission to investigate wrongdoing, educate the public and litigate when necessary. Their guiding principle is that there is no good form of racism, and the remedy for racism is never more racism. The group
SEE ASBESTOS, PAGE 5
SEE GROUP, PAGE 5
COURTESY OF JESSICA NOCE FOR THE FORDHAM RAM
Fordham welcomed its biggest class yet early last week during New Student Orientation.
50% of Incoming First-years Identify as People of Color By CRISTINA STEFANIZZI ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Fordham University’s incoming first-year class is the thirdlargest class and the most diverse in the university’s history. According to Patricia Peek, associate vice president and dean of undergraduate admissions, 27% of Fordham’s Class of 2028 are first-generation
college students. 50% of the class are students of color, the highest percentage for a single class year Fordham has seen in its history. Fordham’s third-largest class has over 2,500 students. “Our Pell percentage also increased to 31%, which is an indicator of our socioeconomic diversity and our
commitment to increasing our efforts to provide more need-based financial aid,” said Peek. Last year’s first-year class was labeled Fordham’s most diverse class in the school’s history, with 24% of students being first-generation students and 48% students of color. SEE CLASS, PAGE 4
Campus Ministry Welcomes New Executive Director By NORA MALONE NEWS EDITOR
COURTESY OF SOFIA DONOHUE/THE FORDHAM RAM
After almost a year of construction the new McShane Dining hall opened this week.
McShane Marketplace Opens After Months By SOFIA DONOHUE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
After almost a year of construction, the newly-renovated Rose Hill Marketplace opened on Sept. 3. Located on the first floor of the McShane Campus Center, the Marketplace renovation features nine different
food stations and expanded menus, new seating options that hold a capacity of 800 people and updated kitchen technology. The renovation is Phase 3 of the McShane Center construction project, one of the project’s final phases. “The remodel includes 11 stations, including Restaurant
Row, an area containing four (4) concepts: The Iron Skillet featuring made-to-order meals all day, Trattoria Italian Kitchen with hot from the oven pizza, Ignite Grill and Sweet Nothings, with many house-made desserts,” said Xavier Bowden, marketing manager for Ram Hospitality. SEE MCSHANE, PAGE 4
At the end of the 2023-24 academic year, Rev. Jose-Luis Salazar, S.J., known affectionately as Father Lito, stepped down as Executive Director of Campus Minister after eight years. Salazar, who was also the resident Jesuit of Loyola Hall, is being succeeded by Rev. Philip G. Judge, S.J. Judge, a native of Queens, is a double alumnus of Fordham with degrees in English and
Philosophy. Previously, he worked at various Jesuit high schools, including Regis, Fordham Prep and McQuade. “In some ways, I think I’m closer with kids transitioning from high school to college,” Judge said. “I think I know that experience and will be helpful coming at it [with my] high school experience.” Father John J. Cecero, S.J., vice president for Mission Integration and Ministry, spearheaded the search for the new SEE MINISTRY, PAGE 4
in this issue
News
Page 2
Voter Registration Information For College Students
Opinion Page 7 Ozempic Rides the Subway
Culture Page 12
Sports
Sites Around Sydney
On the Importance of Defending Imane Khelif
Page 17