The Fordham Ram Volume 107, Issue 12
Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918
September 3, 2025
TheFordhamRam.com
Fordham Fr. Patrick Ryan, Closes its Former Graduate McGinley School of Religious Chair, Dies at 85 Education By JACK MCDONALD
By JACK MCDONALD
The Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education (GRE) ended operations on Aug. 15. Two degrees and three advanced certifications have been moved to the Graduate School of Education (GSE). All current GRE students who are in good academic standing by maintaining a 3.0 GPA will be eligible to complete their academic programs through GSE. The GRE faculty have also been relocated to GSE. Cited reasons for the closure include low salaries for ministry professions and declining enrollment, which have led to financial challenges for the school, according to Francis McAloon, S.J., acting dean of GRE. McAloon shared his thoughts on the closure. “It is fair to say that since the
Patrick Ryan, S.J., died on Aug. 9 at the age of 85. Fr. Ryan was the former Laurence McGinley Chair ahead of the current chair, Thomas Massaro, S.J. He died of respiratory failure at Montefiore Hospital in Norwood, according to Fordham Now. Ryan was known amongst the Fordham community for his fostering of interfaith dialogue. As a missionary in West Africa for almost 50 years, Ryan was known by students for his friendly and humorous nature. Most recently serving as the McGinley chair from 20092022, Ryan made his lectures both academic and accessible for the student body. Massaro said he wants to further the tradition implemented by Ryan. “He had an exemplary way of dealing with people of all ages– students, faculty colleagues,
SEE RELIGION, PAGE 5
SEE RYAN, PAGE 4
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
One of the new Grubhub robots delivers a food order to Finlay Hall.
New Delivery Robots Spark Widespread Debate By EMMA LEONARDI ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Starship Technologies made its Fordham University debut on Tuesday, Aug. 26, with nine new food delivery robots accessible to students on the Rose Hill campus. In partnership with Grubhub, the order-ahead app that Fordham has used for years, these robots provide students remote access to five on-campus
NORA MALONE/THE FORDHAM RAM
Students and faculty, some dressed in shirts showing support, listen to speakers at the rally.
Retrospective: Faculty and Students Held Community Solidarity Rally in April By NORA MALONE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
On the final day of classes for the 2024-25 academic year, a group of students, faculty and staff gathered outside Walsh Family Library to rally for community solidarity. The rally was sponsored by the American Studies Department
and primarily organized by faculty. The invitation to the April 30 rally said, “Whether you’re a student, faculty member, staff, or administrator, your voice matters. Together, we can send a powerful message that our University must remain a space for open inquiry, free speech,
EMMA LEONARDI/THE FORDHAM RAM
and in support of due process for our vulnerable colleagues.” The event was spurred on by several executive orders issued by President Donald Trump in April, including Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education and Restoring Equality of SEE RALLY, PAGE 5
food establishments: Bronx Bagel Company, Così, Dagger John’s, The Grotto and Urban Kitchen. To purchase the food, students can only use dining dollars or a credit card since meal swipes do not currently work with this system. Each robot can be tracked in the Grubhub app and takes 30 to 40 minutes to arrive. Upon arrival, students get a text telling them that the robot is at the pickup location outside the building they have chosen. The student must then click a button on the Grubhub app, “I found the robot — Unlock” to get their food and must click a button once more once they have taken their food out, “Send the robot away.” Despite the university’s promotion of the positive aspects of the new system, there are some complications that students have noted, both in terms of technology and student opinion. The Fordham Ram is currently awaiting a response from the university’s administration on their official statement. While the delivery system
claims to have access to the aforementioned five establishments, all of the order-ahead options typically provided from these places are not available. For example, students do not have a way to simply order soup from Così via the robots; if they want soup, they have to choose the “Taste Two Combos,” meaning they would only get a “Half Soup” alongside a sandwich, salad or another “Half Soup.” Dagger John’s doesn’t have anything available to order, making it unavailable as an option altogether. Drinks are unavailable to order via robot across all locations. Aside from the various technological issues, many students have expressed displeasure with the university incorporating this system on campus. Many student believe the university spent a large amount of money on the robots. Elisabeth Snyder, FCRH ’28, complained about the potential of university money going towards the new system, especially following recent tuition increases. “Is this SEE ROBOTS, PAGE 4
IN THIS ISSUE
News
Page 3
Opinion Page 9
Fordham to Create “Veteran and Military Family Center”
The Epic Highs and Lows of New Student Orientation
Culture Page 14
Sports
My Back to School Supply Shopping Ritual
Sweeney Shines as Volleyball Opens Season
Page 17