Service Learning at Fordham

Service learning classes are one of the unique educational opportunities offered at Fordham. This semester I'm taking an English class called Homelessness which fulfills one of my core requirements. 

The class is focused on the experience of homeless people through literature. For example, we read a memoir called Grand Central Winter and the short story Maggie: A Girl of the Streets. Each student is required to complete 30 community service hours with a specific organization as part of the course. Our in class discussions connect our service experiences with the texts. The discussions are always thought provoking and often question social problems, prejudices, and injustice.  

My professor is very passionate about the topic and works with formerly homeless people to record their stories. She shared some of her writing with the class and we had the opportunity to meet the men and women in the stories. Earlier this week our class met for a screening of the movie Time Out of Mind where Richard Gere plays a homeless man in New York City. Following this, we discussed the movie along with guests from the Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing.

The mission at POTS is to provide a loving community in the Bronx which
serve the basic needs of anyone who comes through it's doors.
This year POTS will serve over 25,000 people.

My favorite part of this class is definitely the service aspect. I volunteer with Part of the Solution, also known as POTS, an organization helping homeless and low-income individuals and families. Located just a few blocks from campus, POTS is a type of community dining room which provides hot meals, clothing, food pantry, and other services for homeless and low income families. I volunteer with their Family Club program where I tutor kids once or twice a week for a few hours while their parents receive a cooking lesson. My experience with the organization has been amazing, and the sense of community and care for individuals is inspiring.

I highly recommend taking a service learning course if you have the chance! These courses are just one of the ways that Fordham students demonstrate a commitment to service and community.

Presenting your research

What is the significance of Fordham College at Rose Hill as opposed to Fordham University? A university implies a group of smaller colleges grouped together into one large body. The advantage of this is that Fordham has the resources of a big school but the individualized liberal arts education of a smaller school. How does that affect the students, you may ask? Well it does and in a big way, especially when it comes to research.

Roger Williams University, where Fordham is paying for me
to travel and present a research paper.

As a research university, Fordham provides a wide range of options for its undergraduate students in all different fields. I blogged about FURJ, our undergraduate research journal, in September of last year, but seeing your name isn’t the only fun (or beneficial) part of research. Fordham also offers travel grants to students who are invited to present their research at conferences around the country.

Dr. Ipsita Banerjee (Chemistry) receives a research
mentor award at a past symposium.

Last month, I received one of these travel grants to go to Roger Williams University for the Phi Alpha Theta Northeast Regional Conference. It’s a history conference organized by the national history honors society, and Fordham is paying for my transportation, hotel, and registration fees so I can present a paper I wrote for an American history class. Presenting at a conference may seem intimidating (I have a week left to prepare), but it is also a great experience for students interested in pursuing graduate degrees or students who just want to get out of their comfort zones and learn some more.

Fordham even hosts its own undergraduate research symposium at every April. There, more than 300 students come together to do poster presentations (which is a little more conversation than it is lecture) on their original research. FURJ also debuts there every year.

Career Links At Your Service

One of Fordham’s greatest draws is that it is located right in the heart of one of the world’s greatest cities: New York City. You could read past blog posts to learn more about all of the cultural opportunities that accompany our location (i.e. Broadway, Central Park, Fifth Ave, the Met); however, this would not even begin to describe the wellspring of its benefits. As a senior, the one that draws primary attention for me is employment prospects. 

About 68% of Fordham students graduate with secured employment. In a time of economic downturn, that is a fairly impressive feat. Though it is difficult to nail down the total number of undergrads participating in internships, the Gabelli School of Business estimates that 91% of its students have had at least one internship by the time they graduate. Though this number of course translates differently for the College of Liberal Arts, you’ll find that a fairly high percentage of majors in other disciplines also find work in different environments, whether they be research, education, computer science, etc. In a place like New York City, there is a fit for anyone who is willing to look hard enough for it.

Amenities such as Career Services and Career Links greatly assist students in the internship and job hunt. While Career Services puts students through their interview and resume-building paces, Career Links provides them with employment postings. You can narrow down the scope according to location, nature of work, semester, and even your past experience. No matter your background, it is nearly impossible not to find a workplace that will, well, work for you.

A view of Career Services webpage

Blog By: Sara Power

I Promise-- NY Really IS Your Campus

You’ve probably heard the slogan “Fordham is my school, New York is my campus.” It's simple and to the point, but it can be hard to understand what that phrase means in practice. I, for example, thought it meant that we went to a lot of museums and shows in the city for class and recreation. We do service in the city, explore the city, and figure out its secrets. This semester, however, I am gaining a deeper appreciation for what my "campus" can offer me.

The New-York Historical Society on Central Park West

The castle-like American Museum of Natural History is
just across from the NYHS (and Shake Shack!)

 My early American material culture class meets weekly at the New-York Historical Society. Founded in 1804, the impressive building sits on some great real estate. It is on the Upper West Side, facing Central Park and beside the American Museum of Natural History (do I have any secret Night at the Museum fans?). It is a block from Shake Shack (New York’s equivalent to In ‘n’ Out with even better shakes) and a short walk from bakeries, clothing stores, restaurants, and even a Trader Joe's (which will become more exciting when you are in college and cook for yourself).

At Fordham Lincoln Center to catch my
evening Ram Van back to Rose Hill

The NYHS is a museum and a library devoted to the history of New York, which is also the history of America. New York has been inhabited for over 450 years and is rich in the period my small seminar class is examining, early America. A material culture class focuses on objects as a way to understand the people who created them, traded them, bought them, and used them. You’d be surprised to know how little we actually know about colonists, including the number of female traders, the fact that we imported china in the 1700s, and a fashionably designed house was more important than a big house for more than a century. Our class is using items from the museum and our professor’s collection as a launching point for class discussion ranging from the quotidian (witch’s lantern, candle mold) to the refined (solid silver spoons, two-toned teacups).

Class is easy to get to from Rose Hill, with free Ram Van passes to and from Lincoln Center. In good weather, I can stroll through Central Park to class. In bad weather, I can hop on the subway, which the history department has been kind enough to subsidize for us. For me, it's a great excuse to get into the city in the middle of my school day. It might be the same for you, in a couple of years!

Honey, I'm Home!

While it is sad to leave home for the first time at the beginning of freshmen year, there is no doubt that you will make yourself right at home in Fordham's spacious and diverse residence halls! Each residence hall on campus has its own unique attributes, and you won't be able to resist the views from your window! Some dorm rooms are traditional two-person rooms, while many upperclassmen rooms on campus are apartment style; they include bedrooms, a kitchen, a living space, a dining room, and a bathroom! 

Below is a compilation of pictures from dorm rooms all across campus! If you were to come on a campus tour at Rose Hill, we do our best to showcase a freshmen residence hall. Here are some pictures from upperclassmen residence halls. While this post only features a few of the residence halls, descriptions of all the halls can be found online at www.fordham.edu. Enjoy!!!

O'Hare Hall Residential College: A traditional residence hall that includes double and triple rooms. Each room has its own bathroom! The hall has versatile social and study lounges throughout, and free laundry in the basement! There are multiple integrated learning communities (ILC) including: Wellness, Science Integrated Learning Community, Integrated Learning Community - Global Business, and West Wing: Integrated Learning Community for Ignatian Leadership and Civic Service.

Walsh Hall: This residence hall consists of apartment-style housing. About 500 students live in this 13-floor building, in two and three bedroom apartments. There is free laundry within the building, and many of the apartment have beautiful views of campus and of the city! Walsh Hall is only steps away from Edwards Parade and Keating Hall. 

Martyr's Court: This is a freshmen residence hall complex that consists of three sections: Lalande, Goupil, and Jogues. Each section is named after a Jesuit Martyr. This hall includes traditional double rooms and a small number of single rooms. There are 15 community lounges with kitchenettes throughout the complex, and 17 study lounges. There is also free laundry in each section of Martyr's Court. This hall also houses the freshmen Science Integrated Learning Communities in the Jogues section. The SILC is a great way to jumpstart your science career, whether you are majoring in a science field or are thinking about pre-med. The SILC offers tutors and a surrounding community that you can learn from.

Single room in Martyr's Court

Campbell, Salice and Conley Halls: The integrated learning community within these halls is designed to meet the unique needs of seniors and junior during the transition into the "real world." The learning community helps develop the special skills that are needed after college. These halls were erected in 2010 and consist of apartment style housing. Between 4-6 people live in each apartment in either single or double rooms, and each apartment has its own living space, kitchen, and bathroom. Plus, there is air conditioning and free laundry!