The Fordham Ram Volume 107, Issue 3
Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 TheFordhamRam.com
February 12, 2025
Photography Fordham Hosts Inaugural Exhibit Opens Humanities at Lipani Fest Gallery By ERYNN SWEENEY
By JUSTIN MARTE
ASST. CULTURE EDITOR
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Photojournalist David González, 67, has an oil painting of St. Martin de Porres, the patron saint of social justice, hanging on his wall which he purchased in Lima, Peru, while covering a fire that killed over 300 people. In the depiction, a small ray of light from a narrow window shines on the saint, who stands on a dusty floor with a crucifix in his hand and animals at his feet, including a mouse. González’s mother was the one who first introduced him to the saint, whose prayer card he carried with him in his wallet earlier in his career while working overseas. “It was one of those early devotions your mother exposes you to, one of those saints that links you to your mother’s faith and tradition,” he said. The story of this saint was one González could relate to: “He has mice at his
In Rodrigue’s Coffee House basement this past Thursday, Feb. 9, Fordham University’s inaugural HumanitiesFest took place. The event was organized by the Humanities Consortium, a Fordham initiative aimed at creating and hosting events that celebrate the humanities. Dr. Nathan Lincoln-DeCusatis, faculty director of the Humanities Consortium, was the primary organizer of the HumanitiesFest. He worked closely with the Humanities Student Ambassadors (HSA) and Rodrigue’s to promote and run the event. Lincoln-DeCusatis chose to hold the event at Rodrigue’s. “It’s a great performing arts venue,” he said. “[I like] the warm environment and informal vibes.” The HumanitiesFest was a celebration of Fordham’s student artists, musicians and humanities scholars. But beyond that, it was a celebration of the Fordham Humanities community. As Lincoln-DeCusatis put
SEE EXHIBIT, PAGE 5
SEE FEST, PAGE 4
ANDREW MASSIE/THE FORDHAM RAM
Students who attended the discussion had to show their Fordham ID's to get in.
Shai Davidai Visit Continues Despite Petition By NORA MALONE NEWS EDITOR
Dr. Shai Davidai, an assistant professor at Columbia Business School who rose to national prominence for his criticism of his university’s response to on-campus protests related to the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, spoke at a Jewish Law Student Association (JLSA) “Lunch and Learn” discussion regarding campus anti semitism on Feb. 11. Shortly after JLSA announced Davidai’s visit student
increased Public Safety presence . Davidai, who is Jewish and Israeli, was banned from Columbia University’s campus last October because he “repeatedly harassed and intimidated University employees in violation of University policy,” during an Oct. 7 memorial, according to a statement from Columbia. Davidai was not teaching at the time of the ban.
organizations, including Fordham Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), Fordham Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and Fordham Law’s Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild released a call to action asking students to sign a petition calling for Fordham University to cancel Davidai’s appearance. The petition did not succeed, and Davidai’s visit went on as planned with additional security measures and
SEE TALK, PAGE 4
Fordham Appoints New Title IX Coordinator By JASMINE GARCIA
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
NORA MALONE/THE FORDHAM RAM
State Senator Zellnor Myrie and mayorial candidate spoke at the press conference.
New York Working Families Party Holds Press Conference By NORA MALONE NEWS EDITOR
A group of politicians and activists gathered for a press conference on the steps of the Tweed Courthouse in Lower Manhattan to reject Mayor Eric Adams’ recent memo regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
on Sunday, Feb. 9. The group was made up of the New York Working Families Party (NYWFP), Make the Road Action, New York Immigration Coalition Action, Jews for Racial and Economic and eighteen elected officials from across the city. New York City is considered a “sanctuary city,” which means
it limits its involvement with ICE. Adams’ recent memo said city employees can let ICE into municipal facilities if they “feel threatened or fear for your safety or the safety of others around you.” Speakers at the press conference expressed displeasure with SEE WORKING, PAGE 5
Fordham University has announced that Elizabeth Fanelli has been appointed as the new Title IX Coordinator as of Monday, Jan. 27. With a background in law and higher education, Fanelli brings her experience to help support the university’s efforts to prevent and address genderbased violence and discrimination. Her new role at Fordham is full circle for Fanelli as her career
began in the Bronx. “[I worked] as a prosecutor in the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Bureau at the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for 11 years,” she said. In this role, she gained proficiency in managing delicate, serious cases. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in higher education, which eventually moved her into academia to serve as the equity and compliance investigator and deputy Title IX Coordinator at Ramapo College of New Jersey. SEE TITLE IX, PAGE 4
in this issue
News
Page 3
Opinion Page 8
How One Student Went From Ram Van Driver to Director
NIH to Nil: An Attack On American Health
Culture Page 11
Sports
“I’m Still Here”: Oscars Hidden Gem?
The New Rhinestone Cowboy
Page 18