NEW YORK (CBS) — A Fordham University journalism student just weeks from graduation died after falling from the iconic campus clock tower, apparently while trying to take a picture, reports CBS New York. The incident raised questions about how students were able to get inside the locked building. Some students said the incident happened during a senior student tradition. A private mass was held on campus on Sunday night for 22-year-old Sydney Monfries. Police said Monfries and her friends snuck into the Keating Clock Tower around 3 a.m. Sunday and were going to try to climb to the top. University officials said Monfries died after losing her footing and falling some 30 feet onto a landing below. Emergency responders rushed her to St. Barnabas Hospital to try to save her. School officials said Keating Hall and the door to its clock tower are always locked and only accessible by authorized staff members, and this was the first time anyone had fallen from the structure. Some students said seniors break into the tower as a kind of a rite of passage. Fordham University’s Keating Clock Tower on April 14, 2019CBS NEW YORK “It’s like a tradition, apparently, for seniors to sneak into the tower and climb up. And they were like trying to get good views of the city,” student Antonia Greene said. “I, personally, never heard about that. I’m not sure if it’s a tradition. If it is, it’s kind of stupid,” junior Linda Yenicag said. On Sunday night, the university released a statement saying, “Our hearts go out to Sydney’s parents, and her family and friends. Theirs is an unimaginable loss, and we share their grief.” “I feel so bad,” Greene added. “She’s like a very big part of the community, it seems like. She’s a very sweet girl. So I feel bad.” The school said Monfries will get receive her bachelor’s degree posthumously.<doc-sep>Eat This, Not That! On a diet? Eat these foods, say experts—and also make sure they feel right for life. You should like them. Enjoy them. Desire them. "When food cravings are reduced, it is easier to stay within a calorie deficit in order to lose weight," says Melissa Mitri, MS, RDN, Owner of Melissa Mitri Nutrition, LLC. "Your body also has to work harder to break down protein than carbs or fats, which burns more calories. The best 'diet' is one that you can sustain for life, where you can eat nourishing, energizing foods that help you meet your weight loss goals." With that in mind, Mitri and Lorraine Kearney BASc, CDN, CEO New York City Nutrition and Certified Dietitian Nutritionist, provided us with their best foods to eat when on a diet. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these 19 Ways You're Ruining Your Body, Say Health Experts. 1 On a Diet? Eat Whole Wheat Bread, Pasta and Grains "Many of my clients fear eating bread when we first start working towards their health goals, but bread can be part of a balanced diet," says Kearney. "The glucose from bread and other carbohydrates is the body's main source of energy and also helps support brain function. Pairing a slice of whole wheat toast with avocado and an egg is a great breakfast option as it contains healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and protein." 2 On a Diet? Eat Tuna "Tuna is a low fat, lean protein source that is naturally low in calories. Research shows that diets higher in protein are most effective for weight loss," says Mitri. "Tuna contains a whopping 29 grams of protein with only 132 calories per 4 ounce serving. To reduce added calories and fat, choose tuna packed in water, not oil." 3 On a Diet? Eat Frozen Vegetables "Frozen vegetables are fantastic to have on hand to whip up a delicious meal at home," says Kearney. "Frozen vegetables are picked at peak ripeness and then blanched to preserve their bright colors, and maintain their nutritional value. Simply add them to a pan with a little olive oil and season with garlic and onion powder and pair with a grain and lean protein." 4 On a Diet? Eat Eggs "Eggs are one of the best foods to eat when you're trying to lose weight." says Mitri. "Eggs are packed with high-quality protein, and are thus very satiating. And unless you have high cholesterol, you can eat the whole egg without worry. Studies have shown that eating eggs specifically for breakfast increased weight loss on a calorie-restricted diet. Having eggs for breakfast sets your metabolism on the right path for the day, so you are satisfied for longer and experience less cravings." 5 On a Diet? Eat Fruit "Yes, fruit is not a bad food and does not cause weight gain! Fruit has gotten such a bad reputation nowadays, with many popular diets adding fruit to their 'do not eat' list. However, there is no research to back this up," says Mitri. "In fact, studies have shown that those who eat more fruit actually tend to weigh less! Therefore, the old saying of 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' still applies today." 6 On a Diet? Eat Dark Chocolate "Dark chocolate contains 3.4g of iron per 1 oz. serving and rich in a polyphenol known as flavonols which helps support insulin sensitivity, increase HDL and lower LDL," says Kearney. "When purchasing dark chocolate remember to read the ingredient list as some brands include added sugars, artificial flavors and may process the chocolate with an alkali. This alkali processing is also known as Dutch processing and can significantly decrease the antioxidant benefits of flavonols. Opt for a dark chocolate that is 70% or above." 7 On a Diet? Eat Leafy Green Vegetables "Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, collard greens, and swiss chard are some of the best vegetables for weight loss," says Mitri. "They are naturally low in calories and carbs, but packed with fiber to keep you full. Fiber is an essential nutrient in any weight loss diet, and may also support a healthy gut and heart. In fact, several studies have shown fiber-packed foods like leafy greens can increase weight loss." 8 On a Diet? Eat Skinless Chicken Breast "Eating more lean protein foods like chicken can support weight loss and reduce cravings. One study showed that consuming at least 25% of your calories from protein can cut food cravings by up to 60%," says Mitri. 9 On a Diet? Eat Bananas "Bananas are a great source of fiber, potassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C," says Kearney. "They're a great pre workout snack as potassium helps prevent muscle cramps and is needed for muscle contraction, plus the glucose from the banana helps with endurance. I love to pair a banana with 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter before breaking a sweat. "RELATED: I'm A Doctor And Warn You Never Take This Supplement 10 On a Diet? Eat Raspberries "Diet culture has created a fear of eating fruit as it contains sugar, but there is nothing to fear about eating fruit," says Kearney. "Fruit has many wonderful health benefits to the body as it contains fiber, vitamins and minerals that are needed to support your body. One cup of raspberries contains 8g of fiber and helps stabilize blood sugar. The fiber keeps you full for longer and can decrease the need or want for snacking later. "RELATED: This Supplement Can Raise Your Heart Attack Risk, Experts Say 11 On a Diet? Eat…Your Favorite Meal! "Many diets on the market focus on restricting foods that you love and make you believe you must omit them to reach your health goals, but restriction can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food to where we view food as 'good' or 'bad.'" says Kearney. "This may lead to binge eating later on and promote feelings of guilt. If you do consume foods that taste good to you, enjoy them and move on!<doc-sep>A Fordham University senior who was climbing up the campus' iconic bell tower fell to her death in a tragic accident early Sunday morning. Sydney Monfries, 22, fell through an opening in a stairway landing at Keating Hall and plummeted down the inside of the clock and bell tower, according to the New York City Police Department. The fall was about 30 feet, school officials said. Monfries was found critically injured and later died. The tower on the Bronx, New York, campus is off-limits to students and locked at night, according to the university. It was locked before Monfries and her friends entered the the building, the university confirms. “There are no words sufficient to describe the loss of someone so young and full of promise — and mere weeks from graduation,” university president Rev. Joseph M. McShane said in a statement. Start the day better:Get USA TODAY's Daily Briefing in your inbox Fordham University's student newspaper, The Observer, reported that climbing the tower is a kind of "rite of passage" before graduation. Monfries posted video from the top of the tower early Sunday with the caption "Bell tower," The New York Times reports. McShane said Monfries' bachelor’s degree will be presented to her parents. Authorities are investigating how Monfries gained access to the tower, which contains a clock and tank for firefighting water. There is no bell in the tower. Ringing comes from a recording. Follow Ashley May on Twitter: @AshleyMayTweets<doc-sep>A #PDX native & Fordham University college student has died after NYC police confirm she fell from a bell tower on campus. Administrators confirm Sydney Monfries graduated from @JesuitHighPDX in 2015. In 2016, she interned at @KGWNews. Our hearts go out to her family. pic.twitter.com/TWLXAuL5Cy — Maggie Vespa KGW (@Maggie_Vespa) April 15, 2019 Sydney Paige Monfries identified as Fordham University student who fell from bell tower https://t.co/njdgdzqkYA pic.twitter.com/n5KXWs9UFl — New York Post (@nypost) April 14, 2019 Although Keating Hall is locked and closed at night and access to the tower is restricted at all times, students still manage to find a way in to climb to the top of the Gothic tower to see the skyline, school administrators said. Students told the Times that climbing the tower is a "storied rite of passage." BREAKING: Fordham university student Sydney Monfries, 22, dies after fall from school's iconic clock tower, university president says. Officials are investigating how the student gained access to the tower, which is normally locked. - WNBC pic.twitter.com/8p9ykvQshU — NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) April 14, 2019 The building is 83 years old and houses administrative offices and classrooms. Its distinctive Gothic-style architecture is one of the features of the Jesuit university. Monfries was from Portland, Oregon, and was studying journalism. School officials said they plan on awarding her a posthumous bachelor’s degree. Fordham student Sydney Monfries dies from injuries after falling from campus tower https://t.co/5rjGjlKMZy pic.twitter.com/mwWgicsCy8 — New York Post (@nypost) April 14, 2019<doc-sep>
A 22-year-old college senior fell to her death in New York while climbing the stairs of an off-limits campus clock tower in the early hours of Sunday, authorities said. Police said that they were alerted to incident, on the campus of Fordham University in New York City, at about 3:20 a.m., Sunday. Emergency responders arrived to find the woman, Sydney Monfries, lying on the floor of the Keating clock tower with trauma to her head and body. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died. Police said that Monfries and her friends were climbing stairs inside the tower when she fell through an opening on one of the landings. The drop was around 30-40 feet, according to the school and news reports. Behind the scenes of Sydney Monfries' harrowing rescue after Fordham tower plunge https://t.co/83RsLUwFlw pic.twitter.com/mMFbWxJnAq — New York Post (@nypost) April 14, 2019 The newspaper said that climbing the stairs of the clock tower, which is supposed to remain locked on campus, is a "rite of passage" for students who try to touch the bell and take pictures before their graduation. An article in another campus newspaper, The Fordham Ram, quoted many students who said they had attempted to climb the tower. "There was a huge spiral staircase going up, and we couldn't even see the top. Once the door closed behind us, it was pitch black. Halfway up the staircase, there was actually a dark room with only a chair in it so that was pretty scary," one told the newspaper. Gina Vergel, a university spokeswoman, told The Washington Post that the door to the clock tower is always locked and that only facilities and public safety staff should be able to access it. She said that the university is investigating how the students were able to get into the building where the clock tower is, which she said was locked. This is the first fall inside the clock tower, she said, noting that the university officials have sometimes given tours of the tower to "satisfy students' curiosity about it, and reduce the likelihood that they would attempt to enter the structure without authorization." A dean at the school at the time told the Ram that students were subject to discipline if they were found to have entered the tower. "Whether a student is expelled for such a violation is always a matter of the circumstances. Over the years, a very small number of students have been found in the area, and the circumstances have usually been simple curiosity," the dean, Christopher Rodgers said. "As the clock tower is a rather dangerous, and therefore secured area of campus, students would likely face disciplinary action if they entered it." The school held a mass for Monfries on Sunday night. "There are no words sufficient to describe the loss of someone so young and full of promise - and mere weeks from graduation," the university's president, the Rev. Joseph McShane, wrote in an email to staff and students. The school will award Monfries a posthumous bachelor's degree. Monfries, of Portland, Oregon, was set to graduate in May with a degree in journalism. According to her social media profiles, she had worked as an intern at InStyle magazine and KGW-TV, an NBC affiliate in Portland. Her Facebook page shows her with friends in different scenes around New York City: eating ice cream, hanging on a rooftop, and at the Pride parade.