Welcome Week At Fordham

Second semester has just begun at Fordham, and our students are finally settling into the routine of classes, sports, club events, and work hours after spending close to a month off for the holidays. Starting up a new semester might seem a little daunting (especially so for those who didn’t emerge from their Netflix cocoon during break...guilty!), but Fordham insures that the first week back on campus is full of events that help you get back into the swing of the school year. Here are some of the most popular goings-on that go down during Fordham’s Welcome Week!

1. Club Fair
   
   
   

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to volunteer more? To get more involved on campus? To collect as much free swag items as possible? If any of the above sound like you, then the Club Fair is the place to be! One of the first events in Welcome Week is the Club Fair, where clubs and groups from all across campus come together in order to gain new members. Whether you’re looking for opportunities to get involved in campus ministry or in our local community, in writing or in politics, you’ll be able to find a group that shares your passions and vision for the semester.

2. Student Band Showcase
   
   
   

Hosted by Rodrigue’s Coffee House, Fordham’s student-run (and exceptionally hipster) coffee house, the student band showcase is a great way to relax after your first full week back in classes. The event is free and always well attended, so feel free to show up for some great music (and a little coffee--you’ll need it after such a long week!)

3. Welcome Week Bingo
   
   
   

If you, like me, like free stuff, and if you, like me, enjoy procrastinating homework until the last possible second, then you might just want to show up to Welcome Week Bingo. Known for giving out some of the best prizes on campus, the Welcome Week Bingo is held in Keating Hall and is the perfect way to catch up with friends while simultaneously playing America’s favorite gambling game. If you can’t make it to Bingo, them make sure to show up to the Welcome Week Raffle later in the week, where Book of Mormon and Knicks tickets are up for grabs!

4. Cinevents Presents…
   
   
   

Though it’s too cold to show movies out on Eddie’s in January, that doesn’t mean that the monthly Cinevents films stop! The Cinevents team releases the semester’s new lineup of movies during Welcome Week, and the first film on the list is screened during the last few days of your first week back on campus. This semester’s lineup is stellar, with such blockbusters as Moana, Rogue One, and Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them being shown...remember to bring along some popcorn!

Finals Week At Fordham!

It’s that time of the year again! Snowfall, hot chocolate, gift exchanges...and finals. Here at Fordham, all of our students are starting to buckle down and prepare for the last projects and tests of the semester. While this is definitely one of the most high-stress times of the year, Fordham does its best to help all of our studious Rams relax a bit with some finals-week traditions, including...

1. 24/7 Library Access

If you find yourself cramming for a test or feverishly writing up one last paper (and, let’s be real, we’ve all been there), the library is the place to go. And luckily for Fordham students, the library is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week during finals. Pick a cozy study spot and read away--you’ll be in good company!

2. Christmas Mass

Even for those who don’t attend a Catholic church, attending Christmas Mass at Fordham is on the bucket-list of all Fordham students. Though it takes place on the Sunday right in the middle of finals week, tons of students make time to spend an hour listening to the mass preached by Father McShane--if only because he makes a ton of finals week jokes during the sermon.

3. Rodrigue's Coffee and Tea Specials

If you’re going to be burning the midnight oil, it would be a good idea to stop by Rodrigues and pick up one of their unlimited coffee or tea cards; if you buy one, you get twenty-five cent coffee and tea refills anytime during finals. That beats running to Starbucks every half hour!

4. Midnight Breakfast

The biggest finals week tradition at Fordham is Midnight Breakfast. Take a break from studying and come on down to the McGinley, where Father McShane and Co. will whip up waffles, scrambled eggs, bagels, bacon, and whatever other breakfast food you want in order to keep you full and focused on learning.

So don’t fear, future Rams! Finals week may be stressful, but our community will support you through thick and thin!

Happy Halloween!

It’s that time of year again when campus looks exceptionally beautiful due to the fall foliage.  When the leaves change, it’s a signal that Halloween is near.  Campus Activities Board helps students celebrate this holiday with Halloweek, where they host festive events the week leading up to Halloween.  

Keating Hall on a crisp fall morning

One of my favorite events is the annual pumpkin patch, where CAB distributes free pumpkins to students.  This past weekend, my roommates and I carved one of the pumpkins we picked up.  And when I say “we,” I mean that I did all of the carving, but my roommates did help scoop out the seeds, which we roasted and had as a late night snack.

I decided to carve my favorite Disney character, Stitch.  After 3 hours of work I think he turned out well!

The final project 

Posters advertising all the fun activities for Halloweek

Another Halloweek event that I attended was Bingo on Sunday night.  Whenever CAB hosts Bingo, it is a big deal.  Fordham sweatshirts and blankets are highly coveted by students, and the grand prizes are quite impressive; past grand prizes have included iPads and digital cameras.  This year, I won for the first time, and I was actually one of the grand prize winners!  My prize fit the theme of Halloweek because I won four tickets to Blood Manor, a popular haunted house in the city.  CAB was even thoughtful enough to include MetroCards for the trip.  I am looking forward to treating my friends to a thrilling night! 

Other events around campus this week include showings of the 80s classic Ghostbusters, a spooky open mic night at Rodrigue's, the student run coffee house on campus, and a raffle for free tickets to see Wicked on Broadway.  

Fordham students love getting into the spirit of Halloween, and you will find many of them dressed up in costume tonight in celebration, sharing ghost stories and scary legends.  If you’re curious about just how spooky Fordham is alleged to be, check out this link to our library’s page on the topic.

Finding Your Groove at Fordham

Fordham is a school where everyone can find something for them. By now, you probably know we are located in NYC, so there is a plethora of musical options for every taste in the city. However, there is also a wealth of choices to indulge in your musical side on campus.

Cartel plays at last year's Spring Weekend
concert. Grouplove played the same day.

Every year, there are musical events galore that feature a wide variety of genres and performers. Last Friday night was the “Welcome Back” Club Lib rave/dance on the lawn in front of the library, and Spring Weekend’s musical acts, which often include a student DJ battle and a featured performer (last year, Cartel and Cold War Kids; once upon a time, U2), herald May’s final exams. There are a variety of choirs who sing a wide range of liturgical and classical music, a jazz ensemble, and a bunch of a cappella groups. (Here are the B-Sides, one co-ed a cappella group, covering Bastille's "Pompeii" for your enjoyment.)

Today, Titus Andronicus (a punk/indie band named after one of Shakespeare’s more gruesome plays) held a free concert behind Rodrigue’sCoffeehouse, a small student-run coffee house and NY Historical Landmark. Rod’s often sponsors student open mic nights concerts and other entertainment events around campus.

Lead singer Patrick Stickles.

Students listen to the opening acts (two student bands) while waiting for Titus Andronicus. 

Not to get too punny, but you really can find your groove here at Fordham.