As a Jesuit university, it is imperative we follow St. Ignatius’ guidance and “go set the world on fire.” The phrase calls us to spread Jesus’ unwavering love and fight against the injustices plaguing our world. As the Jesuit University of New York, it is our responsibility to not just remember these words, but live them.
One of the most valuable service experiences Fordham provides is Urban Plunge, a three-day pre-orientation program run by the Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL). On Admitted Students Day, some students walking by stopped me and told me I should do Urban Plunge if I came here. After committing to Fordham, I applied on their recommendation, and it has been one of my most impactful experiences at Fordham thus far.
Urban Plunge gives students the unique opportunity to learn about the importance of community and service before classes even start. During Urban Plunge, student participants engage in various service projects throughout the Bronx while older peers, called Urban Plunge Assistants, help them get adjusted to life in their home-away-from-home. This year, Urban Plunge collaborated with many local organizations, including one of Fordham’s long-term partners, The Bronx is Blooming, a nonprofit focused on environmental stewardship, community building and youth leadership development. While Urban Plunge introduces incoming students to The Bronx is Blooming, Fordham’s relationship with the organization extends far beyond it.
Throughout the year, students continue to engage with The Bronx is Blooming through the Pedro Arrupe Volunteers (PAV), deepening their commitment to service and engaging with the Bronx community. For example, on the Oct. 5 Ignatian Day of Service, PAV cleaned and winterized a neighborhood park with The Bronx is Blooming and Fordham alums.
PAV, a “multi-faith and interfaith, student-led community with the mission to accompany our Bronx and greater NYC area neighbors in prayer, service, solidarity and reflection” builds community among Fordham students passionate about service, regardless of their religious background.
Kevin Maysonet, FCRH ’27, who identifies as agnostic, has participated in numerous projects with PAV. Maysonet noted, “I didn’t feel any sort of exclusivity or even much of a distinction between myself and my spiritual partners in that service.” His experience illustrates how PAV fosters inclusivity, but also points to the need to always make sure non-religious students feel included.
Fordham’s strong Catholic emphasis can unintentionally discourage non-religious students from joining Campus Ministry’s service efforts. While Campus Ministry welcomes students with different beliefs to participate in their programs, they could do better to advertise the fact, as many students are unaware.
“I do wish Fordham and Campus Ministry could in some way extend more of a message of openness and opportunity to not just different religious groups, while that is certainly crucial and very welcome, but also to the non-religious student body,” Maysonet said.
Notably, the Director of Ignatian Mission, Robert Parmach, Ph.D., works to promote interreligious student involvement through Ignatian Programming, which despite being rooted in Jesuit ideals, is open to all students. These programs use a head, heart and hands approach that engages students’ intellect, values and on-the-ground actions to drive change within our communities.
Parmach also teaches a community-engaged learning philosophical ethics class that encourages students to serve others through an ethical partnership with the Jesuits of Murray-Weigel Hall Province Infirmary and Xavier Mission in Chelsea, New York City. Lillian Mercado, FCRH ’27, took his class last semester with me. “Our class went to Xavier Kitchen to serve food to migrant families and houseless individuals. This situation humbled me in which I realized that many people in New York City are hungry, return to Xavier Mission for the hospitality and share so much of themselves with the volunteers,” Mercado said. “The experience softened my heart.”
At first, I hesitated to volunteer at Xavier Mission because I did not know what to expect. I am so glad Parmach gave me the opportunity to volunteer with them, though, because it helped me learn a lot about myself and the people around me. There is a huge stigma about New York City being dangerous because of its vast amount of houseless individuals and migrants. While I have worked hard to eliminate the biases and stereotypes I hold, it is an ongoing process. Working with the people our society falsely portrays as dangerous individuals is one of the most impactful ways to counter any internal biases I still carry and learn about our structural inequities that fail to support our community members by hearing their experiences first-hand.
If Fordham advertised more initiatives like this, the institution’s advocacy would feel a lot less performative. Benjamin Coco, FCRH ’24, who worked as a Resident’s Assistant (RA) for two years, explained, “There is a fundamental disconnect with planning at Fordham. RAs are required to have two weeks approval prior to each program, [but] we’d often find out about something a week before it would happen.”
As campus leaders, RAs could play a critical role in promoting service opportunities, but Fordham’s bureaucracy, especially through the Office of Residential Life, often prevents them. “We were required to do 10 programs a semester. That’s too many to be able to dedicate significant time to each one for a great program if you’re also an overachiever and have a lot on your plate — in other words, if you’re about 3/4 of the RAs,” Coco continued. “If quality over quantity was prioritized, not only could there be greater programs, but there would be more service opportunities.” Focusing on the quality of these service programs and promoting inclusive opportunities will help Fordham truly embody its Jesuit mission.
Fordham already provides students with incredible opportunities to live out its Jesuit mission, fostering both community and engagement among students. However, focusing on improving the quality and accessibility of these service programs will help Fordham truly embody its Jesuit mission, encouraging students from all religious backgrounds to participate in service work. By focusing on more inclusive advertising, communicating opportunities to a wider range of students and allowing RAs and other student leaders to promote service more efficiently, our school will live up to its full potential and “set the world on fire.”
Hailey Baker, FCRH’27, is a political science major from Gaithersburg, Md.
