The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 September 10, 2025
TheFordhamRam.com
Volume 107, Issue 13
Inaugural Dean of Arts and Sciences Prioritizes Community
New Dining Director to Incorporate StudentFocused Initiatives
By JACQUI LYSON
By EMMA LEONARDI ASST. NEWS EDITOR
& SIENNA REINDERS
Fordham University’s new Director of Dining Business Operations and Contract Management, Orla Fitzsimons, is set to replace Deming Yaun, former Dining Services Contract Liaison, who retired in April. Despite the amended title, Keith Eldredge, associate vice president and dean of Student Services, notes that the position will not change significantly when transitioning from Yaun to Fitzsimons. “The position is the primary point liaison with Ram Hospitality to support the provision of an outstanding dining experience at all venues across the Fordham campuses,” said Eldredge. Fitzsimons started her career in New York City, working in hospitality and recruitment. She did a brief stint in California for a year before moving back to Ireland, where she raised her two daughters.
Challenge” initiative started in 2007, when the University pledged a 30% decrease in CO2 emissions from 2005 to 2030. To start the process, in September 2012, Fordham installed 250 kW of solar panels on top of the William D. Walsh Family Library. Then, in 2019, additional
Jessica Lang, Ph.D., who was hired as Fordham University’s inaugural Dean of Arts and Sciences in the spring, recently started her new position on July 1. Through visits to Fordham’s Rose Hill, Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses, along with over 200 hours of meetings with campus chairs, directors and upper administrative leaders, she says she has seen a possibility to further integrate Fordham’s community across its different campuses and hopes to use her new role to do so. Lang’s vision supports President Tania Tetlow’s goal to connect the communities of Fordham’s various campuses. “We should be thinking really comprehensively about what
SEE SOLAR, PAGE 5
SEE LANG, PAGE 4
SEE DINING, PAGE 5
COURTESY OF FORDHAM NOW / THE FORDHAM RAM
The 10-acre solar power plant on Staten Island sending energy to Fordham.
Fordham’s Solar Commitment Expands Under New Agreement By SIDNEY BLASCO & ANDREW MASSIE
Half of Fordham University’s Rose Hill campus will now be powered by solar at peak performance after the University extended a previously existing power agreement. The agreement, which took effect Monday, Sept. 1, is delivering an additional 625 kilowatts (kW) annually of clean energy through an installation
on Staten Island. Combined with the existing EnterSolar contracts and the panels already installed on campus, a total of about 3.6 megawatts (MW) of solar energy will now power Rose Hill’s campus. At peak performance, the remaining of 50% energy use on campus will continue to be powered by various sources through Consolidated Edison (Con Edison). Fordham’s “NYC Carbon
Fordham Announces Update to Pre-Law Program By NORA MALONE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SIENNA REINDERS / THE FORDHAM RAM
Previously, students had the option between a physical and electronic ID, now they do not.
Physical IDs Now Only Available Upon Request
By JORDAN DONEGAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Fordham University has made the decision to stop automatically issuing physical identification (ID) cards to incoming students, making electronic ID cards on students’ smartphones the default for the class of 2029, according to university spokesperson Jennifer Petra. What began as an attempt
to “build upon technology introduced years ago” has instead left Fordham’s firstyears and transfer students feeling “worried” and “uneasy” about relying on their phones to access campus amenities. Students shared their experiences with the electronic ID cards, with many reporting they’ve felt “frustrated” with their ID’s slow loading times, repeated glitches and the fear
of not being allowed back on campus if their phone dies. Several students have reported that their electronic IDs “don’t even work half of the time” and create redundant technical difficulties. According to university officials, physical ID cards “remain available to students if the electronic ID is not an option.” “I dislike the fact that we no SEE IDS, PAGE 4
Last week, there was some confusion surrounding updates to Fordham University’s prelaw program. The Fordham Ram reached out to University Spokespeople Jennifer Petra and Bob Howe for clarification. “Fordham University’s advising program is evolving as we strive to elevate the student experience and, as a result, we are actually expanding and strengthening the program during the 2025-2026 academic year,” they said in a statement. “In addition to welcoming a new Vice President of Student Success to the University, we are also hiring a new Assistant
Dean for Pre-Professional Advising who will oversee the pre-law and pre-health advising programs, and expand the preprofessional advising offering even further as student demand necessitates. While the evolution of the program will require some personnel changes, we are proud to already have a lawyer and seasoned professionals with relevant pre-law experience on our advising staff, and we anticipate bringing others onto the team who can offer our students the dedicated guidance that will help them succeed long after their time at Fordham.” As the program evolves, The Ram will continue to report on the changes.
IN THIS ISSUE
News
Page 3
Opinion Page 10
Students Travel to Rome for World Youth Day
The Robot Revolution, Delivered Directlty to your Dorm
Culture Page 14
Sports
Little Italy Goes Big for Ferragosto Festivel
Football Legend Lee Corso Retires at 90
Page 18