The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 TheFordhamRam.com
Volume 107, Issue 20
November 5, 2025
Rachel Annunziato Promoted to Vice Dean for Undergraduate Education
Hazing Prevention Training Shifting To Comply With Federal Law
By JACK MCDONALD
By SIDNEY BLASCO
Rachel Annunziato, Ph.D., a faculty member in the psychology department, was promoted to vice dean for Undergraduate Education this past spring. She began her tenure on July 1, 2025. Annunziato’s appointment comes as a result of the restructuring of Fordham University’s Department of Arts & Sciences. A member of Fordham’s faculty since 2008, Annunziato previously served as a professor in the department of psychology, associate dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) and senior associate dean at FCRH. In an interview with the Fordham Ram, Annunziato reflected on her previous experience in the field of psychology, even before coming to Fordham. “I am a licensed clinical psychologist, with a speciality in pediatric psychology, specifically transition[ing] to adulthood and improving health
Fordham University students and alumni voted in this election, showing their support for each of the three candidates. Emma Kelner, FCLC ’29, voted for Cuomo and shared her opinions on the election via Instagram. “I agree with his platform … and I also fundamentally disagree with the other two candidates’ platforms,” she said. “Zohran wants to kill the [Gifted and Talented] program, has not shown any sign that he will do
Fordham University recently introduced a new hazing prevention training course for students and updated regulations, in order to comply with the federal amendment Stop Campus Hazing Act, which was signed into law in December 2024. The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA), officially Public Law No. 118-173, adds new requirements that higher education institutions must comply with. “These new requirements include publication of hazing findings related to student organizations and individuals, additional detail on how hazing is investigated and on research-based prevention programs like the one launched this week,” said Christopher Rodgers, associate vice president for Strategy and Operations, in an email. The SCHA was one of the last amendments passed during former President Joe Biden’s term, and amends the Higher Education Act of 1965. The
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SEE HAZING, PAGE 5
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STAFF WRITER
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New York City’s mayoral election saw historic voter turnout numbers for a non-presidential election.
Students React to Mamdani Win By NORA MALONE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The months-long race for New York City mayor has come to an end, and Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is set to take his spot in City Hall in January as the youngest mayor in the city’s history. This race received national attention, both on social media and from President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama. It also had the highest voter turnout in New
York City since 1969, with more than 2 million voters. Mamdani’s campaign in particular was historic; he entered the race as an unknown figure and ended up winning the fiveway Democratic primary with a resounding 12.8 point victory. As of 10 p.m. Mamdani received 50.3% of the vote. The Independent candidate, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, FCRH ’79, received 41.6%. The Republican candidate, Curtis Sliwa, came in third with 7.1% of the vote.
Food Pantry Opened by CCEL, Campus Campus Ministry Starts Annual Thanksgiving Ministry Amid SNAP Benefit Pause By SIENNA REINDERS NEWS EDITOR
In response to the recent suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Fordham University’s Office of Campus Ministry has created a food
pantry for students and staff members who are affected by the cuts. As of Nov. 1, SNAP benefits, which help to feed nearly 42 million low-income individuals across the country, were paused due to the ongoing government
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Campus Ministry food pantry items are grouped in categories.
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shutdown. Days before the benefits were officially halted, food banks began gearing up for an increase in demand. On Oct. 29, Fordham President Tania Tetlow told Campus Ministry staff that she wanted to develop a “quick response team” to help impacted Fordham community members, according to Rev. Philip Judge, S.J., Executive Director of Campus Ministry. Judge said what followed was a day of “frantic energy” with staff members brainstorming to figure out how they could effectively address the cuts. “It was a lot of hands, and of course, anything like this, many hands make light work,” Judge said. “But it’s also no one person’s idea. It was really a team effort.” SEE PANTRY PAGE 4
IN THIS ISSUE
R
Food Drive
By JORDAN DONEGAN STAFF WRITER
Fordham University’s Office of Campus Ministry announced the commencement of their annual Thanksgiving food drive in a newsletter sent to the Fordham community on Monday, Oct. 20. The Fordham tradition involves collecting food and money and donating it to six of Fordham’s partner organizations across New York City. Once the donations reach Fordham’s community partners, they are utilized to purchase nutritious and “culturally-appropriate” food items for their patrons. According to Director of Campus Ministry Gil Severiano, the food drive typically collects roughly $6,000 in donations
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between what they receive through the online portal and the donations made at the University Church. However, Severiano said that gathering money is not the sole goal of the food drive. “Monetarily, we’re not collecting a tremendous amount of money,” Severiano said. “But I think it also tells [our community partners] that we are an active and supportive partner and that we want to make sure that they have what they need for their communities. We just want to help to feed as many people as we can.” Severiano, who has been at Fordham for 24 years, said that there has always been some sort of food drive that takes place SEE FOOD DRIVE, PAGE 5
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