When I took over as Editor-In-Chief (EIC) of The Fordham Ram earlier this year, I knew I wanted to make The Ram a safe space for students to learn and for new writers and editors to make mistakes and grow from them. Over my last three years with The Ram, I have learned a lot about journalism, teamwork and being a leader, but I’ve also learned a great deal about myself. 

I have learned that I love copy editing, fact checking and spending time with all the friends I’ve made on staff. I’ve also learned that I do not enjoy filing budget appeals with the United Student Government (USG) or navigating Fordham University’s administrative bureaucracy. I’ve learned that I sometimes take things too personally, and that it’s easy to let stress overwhelm me into inaction. Most importantly, though, I have learned that as much as I love working for The Ram, the work cannot love me back.

Last semester, I wrote my From the Desk on academic unwellness. At the time, I was struggling with the workload from my classes and trying to change how I approach my academic responsibilities. In that article I wrote, “I want to be more than a good student. I want to be a good person, a well-rounded, healthy, energetic, passionate young adult. And if being a bad student is what it takes to escape academic unwellness, to live a good life, I will prepare myself to make that sacrifice.”

My desire to live this good life has not gone away. I still want to be more than just a good student, but I also want to be more than just a good editor, which is why I need to take a step back from this work and step down from my position as Editor-in-Chief.

This was not a decision I made lightly. I agonized over what to do for weeks leading up to the end of the semester, and it breaks my heart to leave this position a semester early because The Ram has been such a source of joy and fulfillment in my time at Fordham. This has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. It is not easy for me to admit when something has become too much, but I am doing it now because stepping down from my position is the right thing to do for the newspaper and for myself. 

I don’t do things half-heartedly, so when I became EIC, I gave it my all; I dedicated countless late nights to copy editing, responded to far too many emails outside of work hours, lost sleep over controversial articles, submitted (and resubmitted) budget appeal after budget appeal, oversaw rapid coverage of breaking news, stayed in constant contact with Ram staff members and did a hundred other small things that help make this newspaper run.

Although not always easy, most of this work is pretty typical. What isn’t typical is, as Fordham puts it, our “evolving political landscape.” One of the things about being on a newspaper staff that some people may not realize is that you are often expected to abstain from public political involvement in order to promote unbiased reporting. The Ram is no different. Watching what is happening in the current political moment and not being able to engage in advocacy work or take a public stance is a special kind of difficult.

This semester, our staff has faced unique challenges. Primary among them is the way changes at the federal government are impacting campus life. Our news team has worked diligently to keep the campus community informed about everything from the student visa revocations to federal funding cuts to changes in the general landscape of higher education. All of this amidst the day-to-day coverage of university updates like the tuition increase and the USG elections. Our sports team has led coverage on Keith Urgo’s departure and NCAA penalties in addition to reporting on countless routine sporting events throughout the semester. And our opinion and culture sections have done an amazing job amplifying student voices on campus despite increasing attacks on student free speech across the country.

None of this is easy work. Our staff editors dedicate anywhere from 10-25 hours a week to this newspaper, without compensation or course credit, and we certainly aren’t doing it for the fame and glory. We do it because we are passionate and believe in the importance of student journalism, especially right now.

As I look back on the semester, a lot of emotions surface, but chief among them is pride. I am indescribably proud of this team and the work they have done over these last few months. It is because of them that I feel secure in my decision to step down and to pass on my role. I know The Ram doesn’t need me to keep printing; not when the brilliant and talented Nora Malone is ready to take the wheel.

I have two pieces of parting advice as I step down as Editor-in-Chief. First, don’t let work steal you away from life. Know that the world will keep turning without you telling it to. Second, read The Ram! There is no better place to learn about what’s happening in your campus community than by reading student voices right here in the student newspaper.

Before I go, there are about a hundred people I need to thank. I’ll start with a few. 

To Sofia, Evan and Hannah: Thank you for putting your faith in me to do this job and for understanding my decision when it became too much. To Adithi: Thank you for sharing my vision this semester and helping me lead this team. To Sophie: Thank you for being a copy-editing genius and for being the rock of this entire publication. To Indranil: Thank you for being one of my best friends inside and outside the walls of B-52. To Nora: Thank you for stepping up. There is no doubt in my mind that you are going to be a brilliant Editor-in-Chief. To Jacob: Thank you for your friendship, for always making me laugh and for reminding me not to doubt myself. You and Nora are going to do amazing things together next semester.

For all those unnamed who contributed something to the newspaper this semester, know that I read every article, saw every photo and appreciated every edit; thank you for your amazing work and dedication. And finally, thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read The Ram. This job would be impossible, and mostly pointless, without you.

Allison Schneider, FCRH ’26, is an English major from New Palestine, Indiana.