Casey Chun/The Fordham Ram
By Drew Casey
I’d like to think that we, the men and women of Fordham, are part of a wholly, intellectual community. However, time and time again I find myself rethinking that.
The first example, which I will not exhaust because it is the same topic as this week’s editorial, revolves around Sunday afternoon’s racial bias incident on campus. While the incident is likely isolated to an individual or a small group, it still tears at the very root of the Fordham name and what we at Fordham stand for. It’s 2015. Racial bias is not acceptable and never should have been at any stage of history.
Another example is related to the decision to suspend student participation at the video production studio in the Electronic Information Center (EIC) in the lower level of Walsh Library. I was under the impression that that was exactly the purpose of the studio: to have students participate and to help them develop their broadcast skills.
Perhaps I’m just misinformed, but, I doubt that.
“The Jesuit University of New York is committed to the discovery of Wisdom and the transmission of Learning, through research and through undergraduate, graduate and professional education of the highest quality,” outlines Fordham’s mission statement.
Furthermore, “a Fordham education at all levels is student-centered,” says the official Characteristics of the University.
There is clearly a disconnect somewhere within the EIC. Education at this level is not at all student-centered.
What if science students could not use the lab facilities on campus? What if business students could not use the trading room? What if music and performing arts students could not use the various fine arts facilities at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center?
Thankfully level heads have now seemed to prevail in this debacle. If it wasn’t for the urging of the communication and media studies department, though, I’m not sure that would be the case.
I would like to have faith that a return in the “coming weeks” means before October, but until the doors are again opened to students, I will remain skeptical. Finish cutting the red tape already.
A third example that often makes me scratch my head is related to internships.
“Internships are an incredibly valuable experience and provide tremendous opportunity for professional growth and development,” states Fordham’s website. “New York City offers endless opportunities across diverse fields.” There is absolutely nothing wrong with that statement, as New York City is absolutely one of Fordham’s best resources. The problem, though, lies with the financial burden of receiving academic credit for internships.
It’s a situation many upperclassmen students can probably relate to. One receives an internship and finds out that they will not be paid for their work.
While the circumstances are less than ideal, the experience of an internship is often thought to outweigh the lack of financial compensation. Additionally, to protect themselves against unfair labor claims, employers tend to require that internships count for credit, and there lies the issue.
To receive academic credit, at least at Fordham, one must enroll in a class of some sorts, whether it be a seminar or a tutorial. As we all know, we are being charged for that class in our tuition. In fact, some students even have to pay extra if they exceed a certain credit limit as an upperclassman.
Essentially, it costs a substantial amount to receive academic credit for an internship at Fordham. Couple that with transportation and food costs related to an internship and you begin to wonder if it is even all worth it. I thought Fordham was “committed to the discovery of Wisdom and the transmission of Learning.”
All in all, some things need to change. Stop making excuses. Excuses are just reasons and the nails that build the house of failure. Let’s not build that house. In fact, let’s knock it down.
That goes for everyone.
