Race Relations as Fordham

Colleges and Universities A-Z Fordham University
1

<p>I was told that there were some pretty nasty racial incidents a Fordham a year or two ago, with not so nice things being written on dorm doors of some ethnic students. I have also been told that this was an isolated situation and that, in general, students at Fordham get along well and the school supports diversity efforts.</p>

<p>So, from a current of recent student, can you tell me how much/well the races mingle and whether there seems to be a decent minority number of students on the Rose Hill campus? Also, what about the athletes vs. non athletes...friendly terms or huge division?</p>

<p>HSG</p>

2

<p>There were some issues and they were corrected. An investigation was completed with unclear results. Ive heard many reasons but the most common was an awful prank by someone trying to cause trouble. </p>

<p>Fordham is VERY diverse. We are proud of that diversity for an extremely competitive and near top 50 private college. Some minorities stick together but many, if not most, are well accepted and adjusted at Fordham and MANY Fordham students work in the Bronx or other community outreach programs. My kid was one of those who did so and is proud of that work, her friends and the overall community inside Fordham. Fear not.</p>

<p>Athletes keep to themselves a lot because of their schedules and training and tutoring. They get the BEST tutors available, trust me. </p>

<p>Many athletes eat with other students and they all live in the dorms with other students. There is no problem. </p>

<p>Is Fordham perfect? No. No school is perfect. But if you are a minority, you are wanted at Fordham and people will reach out to you in every way imaginable, including faculty. FWIW my kid had several minority faculty members, one of whom was very helpful as a mentor freshman year during a period of turbulence.</p>

<p>Fordham does NOT tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. Rest assured. The students are by and large outstanding individuals and caring about one another. </p>

<p>I cannot emphasize this enough. </p>

<p>A large percentage of kids come from the suburbs and a lot of them are upper middle class caucasians…but they too also care deeply about every student and athlete at Fordham. Fordham is a welcoming, caring and supportive school for all students regardless of race, religion or national origin. Fact.</p>

<p>The problems described were published in the student newspaper and most of the coverage was accurate, if a bit typically emotional…and the administration acted very quickly. Sadly there are always one or two jerks in the apple cart, trying to cause issues where none really exist…in a school of over 5,000 undergraduates. The students I am aware of were as appalled and dismayed as everyone else and worked very hard to dispel the vicious rumors. </p>

<p>Fordham does not have a problem. It did have one or two jerks out of 5,500 undergrads causing trouble for some sick reason. </p>

<p>Mingling is an issue for those who are stand offish and mistrustful, but I encourage you to reach out, make friends, and have the experience of your life. </p>

<p>There are students from almost all 50 states and many foreign countries on campus. And from the experience of my kid for 4 years (3.5), and that of her many many devoted friends, they were more than friendly, welcoming and non judgmental. That goes for all sorts of views, lifestyles, racial background, geographic regions, economic background, and athletes and bookworms. Come to Fordham and experience the LOVE.</p>

<p>Peace.</p>

3

<p>I am a student at Fordham. Yes, there have been a few isolated incidents at the school where racial slurs were written (even one is too many) but they have been the act of a random idiot. Suffice it to say, the administration and students were all repulsed by these acts.</p>

<p>Overall I think that there are an above average of minorities at Fordham owing largely to the school’s NYC location. Offhand (I don’t have stats to back this up) I would say that minorities make up a higher than average percent of the commuter population. Like most private colleges, Fordham is largely white (as am I for full disclosure), but other than the incidents noted above I have never seen or heard of any racial problems/tension in day to day campus life. My friend group includes students of different races and it just isn’t an issue.</p>

<p>Sovreigndebt is correct in that some athletes, particularly in the very time demanding sports stick to themselves a bit which I think is largely due to their practice/training schedule as well as the bond they develop from playing a team sport together. That said, they are in classes, live in dorms, and attend activities with the entire student body so it is not like they are completely isolated-- a couple of football players have been on retreats I have been on and we’ve become friendly so there are ways. My experience (again, no stats to back this up) is that students participating in some of the less time intensive sports are less likely to spend as much time together (I have a very good friend who runs X-Country at Fordham).</p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>