The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 TheFordhamRam.com
Volume 107, Issue 2
February 5, 2025
ELIZABETH RENGIFO-VEGA FOR THE FORDHAM RAM
COURTESY OF CLIMATE DEFIANCE
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Fordham YDSA Protests DNC Chair Election By NORA MALONE NEWS EDITOR
The Fordham University chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) attended a protest in Washington D.C. last weekend targeted against the Democratic National Convention (DNC) as they voted in their new chair, Ken Martin. The protest surrounded the Democratic party’s climate policy and was
organized by the group the students’ travel and housing. &OLPDWH 'H¿DQFH “The protest was re“One of our comrades from NYC-DSA, who is freshing and empoweralso working with Climate ing. Protests are generally 'H¿DQFH UHDFKHG RXW WR MXVW DV HɣHFWLYH DW EXLOGus about this opportuni- ing community interty,” said Matthew Smith, nally as enacting change FCRH ’27, Co-Chair of externally,” said Jenna Cain, FCRH ’27. “Building Fordham YDSA. Five students from connections with other Fordham attended, three folks dedicated to climate VRSKRPRUHV DQG WZR ¿UVW justice policy was really years. YDSA is not an of- rewarding.” YDSA engages with ¿FLDO FOXE DW )RUGKDP VR SEE DNC, PAGE 4 &OLPDWH 'H¿DQFH IXQGHG
Fordham Admin Reacts to Trump’s Immigraton Policy By SIENNA REINDERS ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Fordham University has released guidelines for engaging with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following President Trump’s executive actions regarding immigration enforcement and mass deportation. Robert Fitzer, associate vice president of Fordham’s Department of Public Safety, sent an email last week asking students to familiarize themselves with the guidelines, which are posted on the Public Safety website. 7KH JXLGHOLQHV LQVWUXFW VWXGHQWV IDFXOW\ DQG VWDɣ RQ ZKDW WR GR LI WKH\ DUH DSSURDFKHG E\ D ODZ HQIRUFHPHQW RɤFHU UHTXHVWLQJ LQIRUPDtion about members of the campus community or access to campus IDFLOLWLHV 7KH\ DGYLVH VWXGHQWV WR ³LQIRUP WKH RɤFHU WKDW \RX DUH QRW obstructing their process but do not have the authority to release information without consulting the University administration” and to contact Public Safety. President Tania Tetlow addressed the immigration issue in an email, where she expressed her empathy and support for students and faculty who may be struggling. She also emphasized the Catholic values of welcoming strangers and seeing everyone as family. “Regardless of where we stand on these policy issues, I hope we can agree on our collective empathy for those struggling with an uncertain future,” Tetlow said. Fordham will update their “Resources for Undocumented Students” ZHESDJH DFFRUGLQJ WR 7HWORZ 7KH 2ɤFH IRU ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 6HUYLFHV will also update international students on changing policies.
The group was from Fordham’s Respect for Life Club who attend the march annually.
Fordham Students Attend March for Life in D.C. By NORA MALONE NEWS EDITOR
On Friday, Jan. 24, a group of Fordham students attended the March For Life in Washington D.C. which advocates for the delegalization of abortion. The march is an annual event that began in 1973 to commemorate the passing of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States. Sixteen Fordham students attended the march
as part of Fordham’s Respect for Life Club, which takes part in the march every year. The club “aims to promote the dignity of life from conception to natural death,” according to their bio on the Campus Ministry website. The group was accompanied E\ D VWDɣ FKDSHURQH DQG met several alumni at the event. “I have always wanted to attend to see what kind of crowd would
attend this kind of gathering,” said Gabriella Chinnici, FCRH ’27, treasurer of Respect for Life. “The group does this trip yearly, and I anticipate they will continue going to the march as it aligns with the club’s values.” Fordham students took a 5 a.m. bus to D.C. in order to arrive before the 1 p.m. start time. The group began their day with the New York SEE MARCH, PAGE 4
Student Life Council Meets to Discuss Updates By EMMA LEONARDI EXEC. COPY EDITOR
The Student Life Council 6/& PHW IRU WKH ¿UVW WLPH this year on Jan. 29 to discuss school-wide updates and potential improvements to student life at Fordham University. To begin the meeting, Kellen Zeng, GSB ’26, executive president of the Commuting Students Association (CSA), brought up President Donald Trump’s recent executive order to freeze federal funding, and the potential impact
it would have on Fordham students. The executive order was later rescinded by the Trump administration. Juan Carlos Matos, the assistant vice president for 6WXGHQW $ɣDLUV IRU 'LYHUVLW\ and Inclusion, noted that it will be a while before changes can be decided on, much less implemented, due to government uncertainty at the state level. Additionally, Matos shared that many lawsuits KDYH DOUHDG\ EHHQ ¿OHG VR WR declare Fordham’s policy on this executive order would be SEE SLC, PAGE 5
in this issue
News
Page 3
Death of Local Youth Sparks Discussion of Crime and Mental Health
Opinion Page 9 Pardon Me, But This Power Needs a Check
Culture Page 12
Sports
Battle of the Bakeries: A Little Italy Showdown
Super Bowl Preview: Who Takes Home the Lombardi
Page 18