Are Fordham University students cliquey? Think about it. I certainly think so, but I’d argue that it’s not really even our fault. Cliquey-ness just happens by design. Let’s face it, no one is really going above and beyond to connect with others outside their pre-established social groups, unless it serves their own purposes. That’s what we’re taught. The concept of networking, building resumes and looking presentable on paper and in person is bleeding into the groups we stick with at Fordham. We go where we are praised, seen and made comfortable and that’s where we remain because doing anything more requires extra effort, an arduous task nowadays.
There is a clear distinction between students at Fordham. Of course, there is going to be a visible divide between Lincoln Center and Rose Hill students, as Lincoln Center students have their own separate traditions, groups, activities and campus. Fordham College at Lincoln Center caters more to performing arts students, who bask in creative spaces and thrive in the city atmosphere. They don’t feel the need to integrate into Rose Hill activities, a sentiment similar to Rose Hill students’ attitudes towards Lincoln Center. This isn’t just an observation, it’s evident by students’ lack of awareness of the campus opposite theirs. Furthermore, despite the fact that Gabelli School of Business (GSB) and Fordham College Rose Hill (FCRH) students share the same campus, they definitely don’t share the same lifestyle or mindset. I could say that this comes from what they learn in classes or even what they experience personally, but conversations rarely go past a “Hey, how are you?” before people walk away. Additionally, depending on the student’s individual majors, some students have less free time than others, so they stick with people who share similar academic interests and courseloads. Opposingly, those who are eager to make friends or have experiences go out and make it a routine.
These are just the recognizable divides though — the majors, the schools and the groups that form around similar lifestyles. The real question is, how do cliques even start? We have elements outside of academics that separate us too, such as the clubs we join, the groups we participate in activities with and the sports teams we’re part of. Unfortunately, these factors are enough to keep people from branching out. Fordham students become cliquey because they’re comfortable in these groups. When one is comfortable, there is no desire to change because it doesn’t feel necessary. Fordham students settle for friend groups where they’re seen and understood the most. Isn’t that true? A GSB student probably won’t share or understand a FCRH student’s struggle with physics, but another FCRH student they consistently study with might.
Most Fordham student-athletes don’t associate with non-athletes because they see their teammates every day, and that takes up enough of their limited time already. Similarly, clubs and organizations are designed for people to get to know each other here at Fordham, but do we really make each other feel welcome, seen and supported? Most people who already know each other on campus at Fordham stick together, and that remains consistent. When we acclimate to these groups, we’re not truly aware that we need to put ourselves out there. By doing that, are we becoming different people?
From what I’ve seen, networking and making friends here at Fordham has almost become performative. Although this is a subjective observation, it certainly deserves some thought. We don’t all have the same opportunities or interests, so we naturally gravitate towards those who share them. When we have to reach outside of that comfort zone, we put up a front to appear more appealing. This internal divide keeps us connected. To explain further, we’re clouded by fear, judgement and rejection, so we stick to what we think suits our wants, even if it’s not who we really are deep down.
Honestly, I fear we’ve forgotten how to connect with each other on a deeper level, making it difficult to broaden our circles beyond our friend groups. Conversations are surface-level, people chase popularity and social highs while barely remembering each other’s names, all to fit in with people who are stuck in the same routine, without actually connecting. Finding your people at Fordham certainly takes some time, but it almost makes you reflect on what we’ve normalized as socializing. At Fordham, we make more memories with strangers than we realize, which reflects the constant brand to network, but also the inability to truly connect.
Mariam Ahmed, FCRH ’26, is a psychology from Yonkers, New York.
