The Fordham Ram Volume 106, Issue 8
Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 TheFordhamRam.com
Fordham
Fordham Mental Health Clinic Serves the Bronx
Removes Cap on Yellow Ribbon Benefits By JULIANNA MORALES
By ADITHI VIMALANTHAN
FEATURES EDITOR
ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Situated a block away from Fordham University’s Walsh Gate, the Fordham Community Mental Health Clinic (FCMHC) is a relatively recent Fordham initiative to provide services to the Bronx — one of the most underserved regions when it comes to mental health care. Run by the Fordham psychology department, the clinic provides free or low-cost mental health services to Bronx residents. The program also serves as the training site for psychology doctoral students, who provide care under the supervision of licensed clinical psychologists. Dr. Alexander Kriss, director of FCMHC, joined Fordham as an associate clinical professor of psychology to oversee the mental health clinic and supervise the training of graduate students. He joined in fall 2021 when the clinic transitioned to being in person after the COVID-19 pandemic when services were carried out largely virtually. “I think that one of the reasons why I was so excited to SEE CLINIC, PAGE 4
COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL/THE FORDHAM RAM
This announcement comes after last years 6% tuition increase, totaling 10.4% over two years.
Fordham Raises Tuition 4.4% By CRISTINA STEFANIZZI ASST. NEWS EDITOR
On Wednesday, March 13, Vice President for Enrollment John W. Buckley communicated via email to students and families on behalf of Fordham University, stating that there will be a 4.4% increase in tuition for the 2024-25 academic year. The email stated that 202425 undergraduate tuition, food and housing fees will increase by 4.4%. This email comes following a 6% tuition increase
announcement made last year for the 2023-24 academic year, meaning tuition at Fordham has increased 10.4% in two years. “Understanding that every penny spent on a Fordham education represents the life savings of so many students and families, this is not a decision we take lightly,” read Buckley’s email. “While this increase is less than last year’s, I understand that an increase of any amount is a burden.” Last year’s 6% increase went
towards tuition and room and board, following a rise in inflation and the university losing $119 million in funds during COVID-19, according to a 2023 Fordham Ram article. Students find the rising cost of housing and dining to be unreasonable. “Freshman year, I lost 20 pounds because I cannot eat here,” said Kate Cassidy, FCRH ’26. “Everyone gets food poisoning. Fordham also does not care about alternative diets and medical complications. SEE TUITION, PAGE 5
Fordham Hosts Conversations in the Spirit By MARY HAWTHORN PHOTO EDITOR
COURTESY OF FACEBOOK
Vice Provost Jonathan Crystal discussed changes to adminstration and funding at the meeting.
Student Life Council Hosts Vice Provost By NORA MALONE NEWS EDITOR
On Wednesday, March 13, the Student Life Council (SLC) held its second meeting of the semester. The SLC meets monthly and works to create a relationship between students and Fordham University administration. This month, the
March 20, 2024
council hosted the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Jonathan Crystal. The meeting began with two student-proposed agenda items surrounding the Part of the Solution (POTS) Meal Swipe Donation Program and an inquiry on Fordham funding; neither student was present at the
meeting, so minimal discussion occurred. Crystal then shared a summary of the role of the Provost, Dennis C. Jacobs, so that all attendees were aware of his capabilities. He defined the Provost as the chief academic officer who oversees all schools and is in charge of academic quality throughout the university. The SEE SLC, PAGE 3
On Thursday, March 14, Fordham University students were invited to engage in Conversations of the Spirit. Led by facilitators, the event took place in the McShane Campus Center in room 311 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and allowed for members of the community to learn, grow and reflect on their participation in the Synod on Synodality. Pope Francis encouraged the U.S. Catholic Church to host conversations with young laity. The data collected at this listening session will be sent to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Vatican. “The Synod on Synodality has been deemed as a new way of being Church, and the Conversation in the Spirit provides a concrete pathway to SEE SPIRIT, PAGE 3
Veterans who have served three or more years of active duty and were honorably discharged have 100% eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, which provide $27,120 for tuition assistance. This covers the average cost of state school tuition but is not enough for most other higher education options. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a collaboration between Veteran Affairs (VA) and higher education institutions to help provide funding to veterans to attend out-of-state, private, foreign and graduate schools. Matthew Butler, senior director of Military and Veterans’ Services, explained that when the Post-9/11 GI Bill was signed into law in the mid-2000s, Fordham University was one of the earliest adopters of the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Post-9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon benefits are solely for the veterans themselves or a dependent to whom they give the benefits. However, in order to give their dependent the benefits, they must have been their dependent while they were on active duty. Children born to the veteran after the completion of their service are not eligible to receive the benefits. Butler explains that in the past Fordham has had a cap on the number of seats available in the Yellow Ribbon Program and a cap on the amount of money they were willing to contribute. The cap was set high, at 421 seats, with contribution caps well above the cost of Fordham. However, the existence of the cap created doubt among Yellow Ribbon beneficiaries. As there was no way to check seat availability, people worried about being the 422nd person and therefore unable to receive full benefits. Butler stated that Military SEE RIBBON, PAGE 4
in this issue
Opinion
Page 6
New Format, Old Flaws
Culture
Page 14
Sports
Page 16
New York Shows Up and Shows Out for St. Patrick’s Day Champions League Quaterfinal Draw: The Best Ever?