All those things and more were available to students during Commuter Week 2020, an annual celebration hosted by Commuter Student Services and the Commuting Students Association at Rose Hill that took place this year in the McGinley Center from March 2 to 6. 

“This year’s theme was RamFest and featured different events based on festivals from around the world,” said Stephen J. Esposito, FCRH ’17, assistant director for leadership and commuter student services. “Oftentimes, large-scale programs on campus tend to happen during late night hours or over the weekends. This week of programming is a chance for our commuter students to celebrate and engage in campus life at Fordham in a way that fits their schedule.” 

On Monday, commuter students gathered for the “Ramchero Rodeo” in the McGinley Ballroom, which featured mechanical bull riding, Tex-Mex food, cornhole, and board games. On Tuesday, they celebrated “Frost Fest” in McGinley’s second-floor lounge, where students skated on a synthetic rink and drank hot cocoa. On Wednesday, students gathered for “RamCon,” where they competed in a Smash Bros & Pokémon GO tournament, painted superhero logos, and played Avengers and Star Wars themed board games. On Thursday, they decorated masks and participated in a Just Dance Wii competition at “Rio De Rams.” And on their last day, they attended “Rams’ Night Market,” where they dined on free international food and celebrated cultures from around the world. 

All Fordham community members were welcome. This past fall, the Commuting Students Association at Lincoln Center campus held its annual Commuter Student Appreciation Week (CSAW), the Lincoln Center counterpart to Commuter Week at Rose Hill. 

“Commuter Week is all about bringing our community closer together,” said Kaidya Adames, a senior at the Gabelli School of Business and the executive president of the Commuting Students Association. “[It’s] our way of saying: ‘We’re here, and Fordham can be our home too.'” 

Video by Veronika Kero