The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 January 28, 2026
TheFordhamRam.com
Volume 108, Issue 1
MTA Policy Changes Strain Commuter Students
Jewish Studies Department Hosts Lecture By KAT ROSSI
By JORDAN DONEGAN ASST. NEWS EDITOR
ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Earlier this January, the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) had enacted several new policy changes, including an increase in various transportation fares. For the Fordham University commuter student population, who represent roughly 40% of the university’s Rose Hill campus undergraduate student body, these new policies have presented a set of challenges related to affordability, safety and consistency of services. These policy changes have been defined by a multitude of factors, such as a $0.10 increase in both subway and bus fares, a 4.5% increase in monthly and weekly MetroNorth as well as Long Island Rail Road fares and also the replacement of the plastic, classic taxi-yellow MetroCard with the tap-and-go OMNY system. The MTA’s website states that these policies were implemented to keep up with rising inflation rates, simplify ticketing options and improve the overall MTA transportation experience. With these policies being in place for nearly three weeks now, Fordham commuters from all five New York City boroughs have felt “significant” impacts from the new fare increases as well as the system changes, according to some commuter students. Vice President of Fordham’s Commuter Student Association (CSA) Jasmine James, FCRH ’26, fears these new changes could discourage commuter students who make the trip to campus. “Given the conditions of the MTA systems and the higher costs, I worry that many commuters may not feel excited or comfortable enough to make the long daily commute to school,” James said in an email to The Ram. “This impacts how many students attend
Times, National Public Radio (NPR), the Associated Press (AP) and others. At the AASP event, Sohini talked about her inspiration behind her work, and what she hopes to inspire in others. CoDirector of Asian American Studies at Fordham University Stephen Sohn also answered questions on why the AASP chose to highlight Sohini’s work. Sohn said, “many of our Asian American Studies minors have transnational affiliations, whether related to parents or grandparents who might have moved to the United States in search of better opportunities or who have traveled themselves across one or more national boundaries to make a new life... In this sense, Sohini’s story
The Fordham University Jewish Studies department just held their third talk of their current lecture series titled, “On Disagreement in Jewish History” on Jan. 20 in conjunction with the Fordham School of Law. According to the department, this series was hosted in response to current polarization, as well as animosity and lack of respectful civil discourse in our society. An emeritus professor of Jewish history, Edward Fram, Ph.D., from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev with a specialty in Jewish Law in the modern period, spoke at the event. Fram has written four books on Jewish Law, the most recent being “The Codification of Jewish Law on the Cusp of Modernity,” from Cambridge University Press. Fram’s lecture was titled “The Glory and Limits of Dispute in the Study of Rabbinic Culture.” According to the department of Jewish Studies, he was selected because his studies cover the early modern Jewish history period, which is not widely talked about but is crucial for understanding the history of disagreement. A concrete aspect of Jewish faith is its long and rich history of debate and disagreement, according to Fram. “The Jewish legal tradition offers an example of a community that (generally) tolerated divergent views on important matters,” Fram said in an email to The Ram. “They not only lived with internal disputes, but they also used them to refine and develop their beliefs.” In the lecture, Fram had also highlighted that the development of legal pluralism regarding Jewish teachings and traditions arose from the need to adapt understandings
SEE SOHINI PAGE 5
SEE FRAM, PAGE 4
SEE MTA, PAGE 5
6 News Student Life
SLC Hosts Guests and Discusses Ways to Improve
COURTESY OF FORDHAM NOW
Fordham University President Tania Tetlow extends contract to lead as president until 2030.
Tetlow to Remain University President Until 2030 By JORDAN DONEGAN ASST. NEWS EDITOR
The Fordham University President Tania Tetlow has now formally extended her tenure as the university’s 33rd president until 2030. Tetlow described her role as a “daunting responsibility,” but members of the Fordham community have shown a mix of reactions towards
the decision for Tetlow to remain in the university’s most integral leadership role another four years. Tetlow’s contract extension stems from a motivation for her to continue her work transforming the university’s mission, according to a recent article from Fordham Now. In an email to the Fordham University community, the chairman of Fordham’s Board of Trustees Armando Nuñez
described Tetlow’s continuous leadership as a “momentous occasion,” noting her role as the first woman and nonJesuit to lead the Fordham community. “The Board of Trustees stands confidently alongside President Tetlow with faith that her wisdom, tenacious leadership, and commitment to the values of a Jesuit education will lead the university through its next SEE TETLOW, PAGE 4
AASP Hosts Author Kay Sohini By RILEY GOOD
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Asian American Studies Program (AASP) hosted a book event for Kay Sohini’s graphic memoir based on New York City (NYC), “This
Beautiful, Ridiculous City,” on Friday, Jan. 23. Sohini, who received her Ph.D. from Stony Brook University, chose to write the novel for her dissertation. As her first book, it has received praise from The Washington Post, Financial
RILEY GOOD FOR THE FORDHAM RAM
Co-Director of Asian American Studies Stephen Sohn and author Kay Sohini.
9 Opinion Nurses Strike
New York City Nurses Strike for More Than a Higher Wage
IN THIS ISSUE
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Page 15 Culture Page 23 Sports “Heated Rivalry” Fordham Volleyball “Heated Rivalry” Takes Society by Avalanche
Star Mićunović Brings Resilience to Rose Hill