Top 5 Reasons I find the Walsh Turnstile Super Convenient

Back in January the Walsh Gate was converted into a turnstile. This allows students 24 hour access to the gate. While 24 hour access to the Walsh entrance may not seem like a big change here are the Top 5 Reasons Why It Is Convenient:  

1. Dunkin' Donuts Access 24/7

Since Dunkin' Donuts is located a block down from the Walsh Gate Entrance, the new turnstile allows me to walk to and from Dunkin' Donuts safely. It also reduces the time it takes me to get there. I can now run across the street before my 8:30 class in JMH and grab a coffee without having to go around Finlay Hall. 

2. Easy Access for Off-Campus Students 

Students who live off campus are also very pleased with the new turnstile access as it allows them to easier access to campus. Now students have an extra five minutes in the morning before classes!  

3. Easier to Visit My Friends Off-Campus 

Some of my friends live in the apartments directly across from Walsh Gate. I can now visit them quickly anytime I want. 

4. Reduce time to get to Arthur Avenue 

Many students coming back from grabbing coffee or going food shopping down Arthur Avenue are glad that there is now 24 hour access to closer entrance. While it is not a huge deal to walk to Finlay Gate, it definitely saves some time. 

5. Lower Security Cost 

Having the gate open 24/7 is convenient for students. But, having a guard present 24/7 would be too costly. The turnstile is practical and still safe as there is another guard present right down the block and there are security cameras installed by the turnstile. 

New Walsh Gate Turnstile 

From Pakistan to New York

Name: Meera Aladin

School: Fordham University at Rose Hill

Year: Junior           

Major/Minor: Psychology/Biology

Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan 

Laura: As an international student, have you ever been concerned about your safety at Fordham or in New York City?

Meera: I lived on campus my freshman and sophomore years and had a great experience. Fordham’s campus is secure, and I never once felt unsafe living at Fordham. I moved off campus into an apartment this year as a junior, and I love it. Of course, living in any big city, it is important to be aware of your surroundings, but I have never been in a situation where I have felt like my safety was threatened.

L: Is it easy to make friends with the American students?

M: Yes! If nothing else, Americans are probably the friendliest people I’ve ever met. Although there is an international community at Fordham, my best friends here are all Americans.

L: What is one thing you wish you knew as an international student before coming to Fordham?

M: Coming from Karachi, I wish I knew how cold it would get here and what clothes I would need to get me through the winter. I also love eating Pakistani food, and I wish I knew what type of food would be available at Fordham and the surrounding community.

L: What made you initially interested in Fordham and what made you decide to enroll?

M: While I was applying to universities, Fordham waived my application fee. I took advantage of this, and after applying, I did more research online about the University and asked some of my friends who go to school in America about Fordham. The more I learned, the more interested I became in attending Fordham.

L: What clubs/activities are you involved in on campus?

M: Fordham has numerous international students groups on campus. They put together various cultural and religious events for all students throughout the year. I participated in intramural soccer last year. I have also volunteered at a center for teaching refugees English in the Bronx. The center was close to Fordham’s campus, which made it very convenient to volunteer there. This year I am doing an internship at Columbia University’s Child Psychiatric Epidemiologic Group, and it has been a great experience!

L: Overall, how was your experience adjusting to life in New York City and at Fordham specifically?

M: I think my first year here was the hardest, in terms of adjustment. However, I was living on the SILC (Science Integrated Learning Community) floor of Alumni Court South and found a really great group of friends with very similar interests to mine. My professors thus far have been extremely helpful, and I think that played a major role in easing the adjustment process, especially in the beginning. New York City is full of diversity, and there is always so much to see and so much to do. Overall, I have had nothing but a positive experience.

Fordham's Extra Special Safety

When you hear about campus safety, you are probably talking about the security cars around campus, the guards in the dorms and the outside community, the emergency lights around campus...the list goes on and on. When touring many campuses, you will hear about these things eventually. Fordham has all of them, but those topics are not what this blog is about!

As a Fordham student, when I think about safety I think about how safe it is to live in a community that is honest, trustworthy, caring and friendly. There hasn't been a day where at least ten people have held doors open for me. It's so friendly here. All of this kindness is passed along in the community. I see it every day.

To paint a picture of what I am talking about: Recently a group of high school students came to Fordham to see what life as a college student is like. I was responsible for three students, whom I showed the campus and took to my class for the day. The interesting part was during lunch. None of them were comfortable leaving their belongings at the table where we sat down. At Fordham, this was unheard of! I needed to explain to them that the Fordham body has much respect for other peoples' belongings. They still didn't believe me, so I took out my iPhone, wallet, and Ray Bans, set them on the table in plain sight, and left with them to get food. All of it was there when I got back. The students were amazed!

On numerous other occasions, I see people leave laptops, phones, graphing calculators, and other expensive items on table in the library and other study locations. No one here has ever thought that something would be stolen. It's just not Fordham. I have even forgotten things in classrooms before, simply to find them a few days later. As a freshman, it took time to get used to this mentality, and it is something that should be commonplace everywhere.

When it comes to safety and security, we have the cars, lights, and 24-hour phone numbers, but more importantly, Fordham is filled with students and staff who have astounding integrity that is unbreakable.