Dr. Mark Naison talks to former students about diversity proposals. Vanessa Agovida/The Fordham Ram.
By Mike Byrne
Fordham’s alleged lack of diversity and negative social atmosphere were topics of discussion for a recent group of alumni. The group held an informal meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 26, where they talked about last semester’s racial bias incidents and what they indicate about the school’s character and how Fordham can be more involved in its own Bronx community.
These discussions have risen from some alumni observations that Fordham has become disconnected from its Bronx community.
“What feels very different now from when I first started teaching here 45 years ago, and even from 20 years ago, is the economic disparity between the students attending Fordham and the people in the surrounding Bronx community,” said Dr. Mark Naison, professor of African and African American studies. “The result is a glaring economic as well as racial divide between the campus and the Bronx community which can reinforce stereotypes students hold about people living in the Bronx, stereotypes deeply rooted in popular culture.”
The alumni were critical of the lack of concrete change following last semester’s bias incidents. They commented that Fordham is now becoming a place where students of color are being intimidated.
The group proposed specific plans that the school could implement, as well as long-term measures to help counteract what it perceived as a growing detachment of students from the Bronx.
“If the university could make students more socially aware, more involved in experiences where they meet people whose lives are harder than their own. Not just the hardship but the creativity and courage of people in this community will enter into this institution and people are gonna be changed by it,” Naison said.
They first proposed the revival of a permanent progressive alumni entity, which would keep former students involved in Fordham’s current social affairs.
“The goal is to create a permanent alumni organization to try to encourage Fordham to take a whole different view of the Bronx community and also to recruit more low and moderate income students and students of color,” Naison said.
Furthermore, they discussed the possibility of holding an anti-gentrification and anti-racism protest outside the gates of Fordham sometime in April. The group also was also in favor of Naison’s idea to include a one-hour lecture in the freshman orientation program focused on the Bronx and its cultural vitality.
Dr. Naison has also created a class which will begin in Fall 2016 called “The Bronx: Immigration, Race, and Culture.” According to Naison, it is aimed at changing the popular narrative of the Bronx as just another story of urban decay.
There was also the suggestion that Fordham become a much more open campus by hosting events where the Bronx community is welcome. “The gates of Fordham should be open to people from the community for them to have events here, and also for them to attend events that are sponsored by student organizations that are of interest,” Naison said.
Naison was critical of Fordham’s current relationship with the Bronx.
“There’s a disconnect,” he said. “We have these high gates and we’re afraid to let the community in. We’re afraid to let this resource be used by anyone but paying customers. It’s a mentality that accentuates inequality in our society.”
The alumni said that they hope that these concrete initiatives will lead to more fundamental changes in Fordham’s policy and its attitude towards the Bronx.
Current students have also observed a community disconnect. “The [school’s] gate serves as a literal divide between the communities, and I think that we need to actively work to overcome this divide by integrating ourselves more intentionally in the community,” United Student Government (USG) executive president Ashley Domagola, FCRH ’16, said.
“Students don’t take the time to explore the culture of the Bronx and assume that they need to travel to Manhattan to find rich cultural experiences.”
Vice President of Student Life, Peter Vergara, FCRH ’18, was proud of Fordham’s ties to the Bronx, but acknowledged the need for a continued effort.
“I think Fordham students do a great job interacting with the Bronx Community with everything from community service and tutoring programs to interacting with the community in shops and restaurants off campus,” he said. “Of course, there is much work left to be done.”
Domagola commented that students have been getting involved and started coming up with their own approaches, noting that last semester, USG came together with several clubs to form the Diversity Action Coalition.
“The coalition’s goals are aimed, in part, at improving the relationships between Fordham students and the community outside of the gates,” she said.
She proposed an idea is to expand First Year Formation to a mandatory course for freshmen and transfer students.
“We would design the curriculum to emphasize the history of the Bronx and to explore aspects of diversity,” she proposed.
Vergara also highlighted upcoming projects that, according to him, will help yield more dialogue between Fordham and the Bronx and create a better relationship between the two.
“First, a community cleanup program for public areas andstreets of high traffic near campus. Second, a student art show titled ‘The Beautiful Bronx,’ which encourages students to create and submit art that highlights the beautiful diversity and vibrancy of the Bronx just beyond the campus walls. I am hoping this art show encourages more students to get involved with programs and initiatives off campus,” said Vergara.
Naison argued a fundamental change in school policy and attitude will ultimately produce a stronger bond between the school and its community. He commented that the school has recently not lived up to the Jesuit ideals it prides itself on. Citing the fact that Fordham ranks 134th in the country in financial aid to low-income students, Naison said, “if you’re going to change admissions and financial aid policy, it means you may have to sacrifice geographical diversity and high SAT scores for more of a social justice orientation. So, you’re U.S. News & World Report ranking may go down… It’s not easy to be part of the solution. It means sacrifices. I would take a salary freeze to have more low-income students here.”
Still, Naison does not want to speak too soon about potential changes.
“I am cautiously optimistic about Fordham’s future relationship with the Bronx because students, faculty, alumni and community members are mobilizing to make sure that relationship improves,” he concluded.
“Without that pressure, I am not sure the administration will make difficult decisions regarding admissions, financial aid, and greater access to the Rose Hill Campus for Bronx residents and community groups.”
