Above is an architectural rendering of what the McShane Campus Center will look like upon completion (Courtesy of Fordham News).

The 2023-24 semester has resulted in a multitude of changes made to Fordham’s student life, academic policies and physical makeup.

The university’s academic programs are expanding in the new semester. The STEM department will now offer biochemistry as a new major choice for students.

Fordham is also offering an Asian American studies program, which features a minor in Asian American studies.

In addition to the induction of several new class senators, the United Student Government (USG) is also under new executive leadership. In August, Briana Al-Omoush, FCRH ’24, and Ava Coogan, FCRH ’25, began their tenure as executive president and vice president of the United Student Government, respectively. The 2023 – 24 fall semester will mark the beginning of their term.

USG has also approved 10 new clubs to be introduced this fall.

The list includes the Rose Hill Soccer Fan Club, Vietnamese Students Association, Fordham Backstage, Walking Club, Association of Latino Professionals for America, Men’s Mental Health Union, Financial Literacy Outreach at Fordham, Ukrainian Society, the Citizens’ Climate Lobby at Fordham and the Badminton Club. The newly approved clubs will join a list of over 170 already active Rose Hill clubs and organizations.

Fordham is also unveiling several construction projects, with the most prominent being the fully completed McShane Campus Center.

The campus center, which originally opened in 2022, is now connected to the Vincent T. Lombardi Memorial Center via a glass arcade.

The center houses the Ram Fit Center, Dagger John’s and several renovated spaces for students to work.

Early in the new semester, Fordham students can also expect a marketplace closure while the facility is renovated. The closure will last the entirety of the 2023 – 24 school year.

New dining options will be offered because of the impending closure. One of the new options, a grab and go station located in the campus center, will be open this fall. Other temporary options will also be open until the marketplace construction is completed. The estimated completion date for the renovation is fall 2024.

Fordham is excited to welcome new academic programs and a renovated campus center for students. The changes are expected to better the quality of student life at Fordham, while furthering the core values of the university.