A Final Farewell from the Executive President of USG, Rose Hill

Dear Fordham Community,

I write to you all to share my experience at, opinions of, thoughts about and recommendations for Fordham University. Let me begin by stating that I love Fordham and that I would do anything to see this University prosper ever upward in the future. My experience here has been stellar and the individuals I have met have shaped my life. Let me also state that Fordham has incredible potential to boldly become the premier Catholic university in America. It’s Excelsior Plan and 2016 Plan provide great hope for the future of this University as well as great excitement for the entire Fordham family. Alas, if potential is not actuated it becomes wasted potential, and to modify words from a tale of our Bronx community, the saddest thing in life is wasted potential. 

So, I have come to the culmination of my four years at Fordham University, and I have experienced a great deal through observation and interaction with just about every department on campus. Over the past four years I have worked intimately with Residential Life, the Office of Student Leadership and Community Development, Athletics, Admissions, The President’s Office and, every so often, Academics.   I have had very positive experiences with all administrators, faculty, staff members and most importantly, students with whom I have come into contact. Everyone I have ever met has shaped who I am and how I act, for which I am forever grateful. However, as I am sure many of you have been frustrated with one, some or all of these departments at one time or another, I am here to tell you that you are not alone. My intimate experience with all of these departments has caused great frustration over the past four years, but never to the point where I gave up hope, believing that if one were to work hard enough, things may possibly change. In essence, it was to assure that the unparalleled potential Fordham possesses wasn’t wasted. 

Sadly, that optimism that has guided me these past few years is dwindling. What might be sadder, however, is that some Fordham students may have never acquired this optimism. This is in no small part due to the overall attitude the University’s departments have fostered. Again, I hold those administrators I have worked with in high regard and have great respect for the work they do, but this does not mean there is no room for critiques or improvement. My aim is not to be overly derogatory or condescending, but to be educational and constructive. 

Many students at Fordham have come to realize that the administration is not as receptive to suggestions about policy and protocol as we all may like. Indeed, it is necessary to have certain ground rules and procedures to successfully run a university. However, many student leaders have been stonewalled by administrators when asked why certain policies and procedures have been implemented. Additionally, an exceedingly punitive approach, coupled with scare tactics, is being wielded against students, contradicting the administrations vow to educate the whole person rather than just adjudicate. Moreover, administrators have developed cookie-cutter responses that are disseminated among staff members in order to maintain the status quo. I must commend them as this is an exceptional tool to keep everyone on the same page, yet it does nothing to enhance their reputation within the student body.

Administrators may say, “Why exactly do we need to be revered by students? We have a job to run this school and keep students as safe as possible, not be their friends.” Well, to continue on the course to which Fordham is securely bound, administrators do not need this respect. If Fordham is complacent with its current state of being an above-average school teetering on the edge of rising and/or plummeting, then administration need not include students in their inner circle. Consequently, if we as a university are to continue down our current path, the student body and recent alumni are ready to pull Fordham down with them. Such an outlook by the administrative staff has bred contempt among the student body for the past several years, leading to an incredibly toxic pessimistic and cynical attitude. This has been evident in discussions with students regarding ResLife policies (most notably guest and visitation policies), security policies, dedication to improvement of athletic facilities and the department as a whole, speed and efficiency of the bursar’s office, Sodexo food quality and prices and the list continues.   This past year, senior CBA students were instrumental in dropping the school in the Business Week rankings. Responses reflected the overall dissatisfaction seniors felt toward Fordham University, even though it meant downgrading their university and their degree. It seems as students’ time progresses at Fordham, they do not anticipate the great things that lie before them, but rather the frustrating “now what’s going to go wrong?”

Now, let me explore my hypothesis of the opposing side of the current administrative attitude and how it may benefit the students and Fordham community. Above all else, I believe happy students make for a lively campus culture, increased positive experiences and a better outlook about their alma mater. Moreover, happy students make for happy alumni, which in turn would most likely increase alumni’s desire to donate back to Fordham because it provided them with an education and an experience that they would like other Fordham students to benefit from. Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the University, often states that Fordham must develop a certain “brand” and I wholeheartedly agree with this idea. If we are to become the premier Catholic university in America, we need a symbol that students, administration, faculty, staff and alumni can spread throughout their travels in order to promote (boast) Fordham University as a school much better than the rest, most notably the alma mater of whomever we happen to be talking to at the time.

Here are a few ways for administration to implement this very necessary change, and in no way is this a comprehensive list. Firstly, the New Student Orientation program needs a complete overhaul. I have seen firsthand the incredible amount of work and effort that goes into planning this event, which I do not discredit in the least bit. However, it is a horrific display of Fordham University, which begins many students’ contempt for this University. This is a time when so many bright-eyed freshmen students are awaiting what the future will hold for them, and we squash that incredible positive energy by forcing them into an auditorium for their first three days of college. We have lost our first opportunity to positively affect an entire class of Fordham students. Furthermore, we must provide students with opportunities to get involved as they enter the gates. Typically, the club fair is the time when students sign up for what they are interested in, but this is not enough. Orientation must be an interactive experience where clubs, organizations and student governments show freshmen what they are about rather than tell them. A strong Welcome Week must also be supported financially by student affairs in order to execute these programs for students to get involved immediately, rather than waiting until mid-October to get students involved when administrators don’t realize that many students have already been lost to the world outside Fordham.

Secondly, it is imperative that administrators make time to meet with students and not only listen to their concerns, but hear and act upon them as well. Indeed, there are many councils that meet with both academic and student affairs deans and vice presidents, yet there is never much progress with issues brought to the table. It seems that philosophical discussions occur at these meetings when solutions to student problems and concerns should be mapped out and dealt with between administration and students. It is discouraging to often hear the arrogant rationale of administrators being that they are not obligated to work with student leaders, but listen out of the kindness of their hearts to appease us when it comes to issues that disrupt the natural order or policies at Fordham. Moreover, Fordham must make a strong effort, either by increasing pay through non-student fees or other measures, to cease the revolving door mentality of Res-Life and OSL&CD staff members. In student’s minds, it is extremely peculiar to see staff leaving after a year or so and sometimes even after a day on the job. It fosters a lack of commitment to the student body, even if it is not the entire case, which decreases the ability to successfully meet the needs of students. Accountability to students and willingness to implement or compromise on their convictions goes a long way in repairing a distrustful, and sometimes flawed, view of administration.   Too often, administrators look for excuses to do just enough to get by rather than finding reasons to exponentially excel.  

Finally, in order to quickly grab national recognition, we must rebuild a historically prominent athletics department. Certainly, Fordham University has an exceptional academic reputation: one that I am extremely proud of. However, I find myself less enthused with the great degree I will receive than with the prospects of having a nationally recognized sports team to identify with. Unfortunately, academics are viewed as less of a force to get behind because we cannot turn on the TV and see the latest college academic rankings or what National Merit Scholars we just signed on “SportsCenter.” As any good psychologist will tell you, perception is reality, thus our academic prestige plays a marginalized role when students reflect on the greatness of Fordham. Individuals across America may not know how basketball is played, but certain college names are ingrained in their memories due to national publicity these schools receive. Although we need better facilities and the like for varsity athletes, I also argue that we must make sporting games events rather than just games. Again, Fordham must market teams and games as if students would be missing out on college life if they do not attend, especially for those students who aren’t overly excited about sports. By developing a certain atmosphere distinctive to Fordham sports, we may be able to take the emphasis off of the sometimes subpar play and focus it on the event game day, increasing the perception of Fordham sports.

It would be irresponsible of me to only cite half of the story regarding the perils of Fordham University. Therefore, I must proclaim that Fordham University’s administration is not fully to blame. We, the student body, are at fault as well. Now, before you show up at my room with pitchforks in hand, let me explain because in no way do I exempt myself from this fault. As administrators are not always open for change, students tend to be overly geared toward it. Many times students call for complete overhaul of a process before we ever know how it operates. For instance, complaints regarding the choosing of spring weekend bands are abundant, yet students do not realize how performers are selected. I commend the student leaders who have worked tirelessly toward streamlining these types of procedures, but what other students must grasp is that Fordham is not in complete control of who performs. Bids must be placed on acts, who in turn may not respond for weeks, and then may say that Fordham has been out bid by another school. Above all, Fordham students must be educated on the processes within Fordham. I understand the frustration and anger students have with many aspects of the University, but we cannot attribute everything to the same pot of contempt. This is the very attitude that only worsens the administrations standoffish attitude, as they tend to see us as whiny and unenlightened with regards to student concerns. If we are to show our conviction, we must do so in a cerebral and well-thought-out manner. This leads me to my next point; it is of the utmost importance to support and empower the student governments on campus. 

As many students on campus figure USG to possess little power, they are correct in some way. This belief that USG cannot do much for the student body only fuels administrations ideas that USG should not be held in high esteem. If the student body is to effectively change the attitudes of the University, we must instill our student leaders with the power and trust necessary to gain respect within the hierarchy of Fordham. This is not to say that students should not criticize or push student leaders to perform better. In fact, that is something I welcomed in my term. This year was the first year I saw USG mattered outside the conversations of student leaders and administration due to the student body’s desire for us to rise to the occasion and make significant changes. I ask the student body to truly support USG, RHA, and CSA in order for them to make these significant changes you readily seek, and to go to them with your concerns in order to develop a strong course of action to create change. As individuals we are limited in what we can accomplish. However, as an entire body we can positively affect the accomplishments of the University. We can no longer afford to develop animosity toward each other if we are to progress because our negative attitudes toward one another foster the perception within administration that we are immature and not worthy of greater respect or responsibility within the grand scheme of Fordham. 

Finally, we must take a greater interest in all things Fordham. I have often heard that the student body is greatly apathetic and uninvolved, and I cannot stress how wrong these statements are. Fordham students are incredibly active in Global Outreach, Campus Ministry, community service, private internships, jobs, etc. However, when it comes to wholly Fordham issues, we too often lack the energy and resolve to deal with them. Perhaps, it could be due to burn-out from all that we are overextending ourselves with or maybe we do not find them to be all that important. What I urge each student to consider is how the current Fordham issues will not only affect their time here, but also the students that will follow. For example, the Lincoln Center development plan is a concern for all Fordham students, not just Lincoln Center students. It was unfortunate to hear that some did not want to support the plan due to their feeling of “what has Fordham/Lincoln Center done for me?” and not at all citing issues they may have had with the plan itself. It is troubling because we often do not see the greater picture of how success for one part of Fordham is success for all of us. The belief that we would rather see ourselves fail than succeed is one that will never allow this University to fully prosper and reach its potential. Additionally, if we take an active stance on Fordham issues, administration will have no choice but to listen. But, at our current attitude of learned helplessness we are only fulfilling our self-proclaimed failure. This indifference does nothing to increase our reliability and, in turn, has left administration the default in decision making. Therefore, we must not only hold administration to a higher level, but more importantly, we must hold ourselves to an even higher level.

I must admit, we are in no way in dire straits as a University. We are anticipating vast improvements to both campuses that will certainly improve the quality of the school. Furthermore, we are beginning to receive national recognition from many different media outlets. Yet, all of these structural improvements do not necessarily satisfy the inner disdain some Fordham members experience. In order to truly take us to the top, our potential must permeate all those connected to Fordham. For those who remember basic physics, potential is only activated when some mass is pushed. So, I offer this advice to the Fordham community; young and old, prospective student and alumni, student and staff. We must come together to rectify our somewhat cynical and corrosive attitude in order to be the force which pushes Fordham University to be the premier Catholic university. So, I want all who read this article to stop everything, for five minutes, and reflect on their time at Fordham because we all know we tend to get caught up in our own lives and causes, which may hinder our ability to see situations clearly. Decide what Fordham means to you and what you will do to leave Fordham a better place than you found it.