Hang on for a minute...we're trying to find some more stories you might like. Close Email This Story Send email to this address Enter Your Name Add a comment here Verification Send Email Cancel On the morning of Sunday, April 14, members of the Fordham community received an email from Public Safety informing them that a student was critically injured in a fall from the Keating Hall clock tower. Updates from Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, on the condition of Sydney Monfries, FCRH ’19, continued throughout the day, notifying individuals of a mass held in her honor and of her ultimate passing. The coverage of the incident by the New York Times, the New York Post, the Daily Mail and Inside Edition, among others, was offensive and irresponsible journalism. There are opportunities for exciting storytelling in news journalism, and there are moments when this style of reporting is completely inappropriate. Similarly, there are times when the sharing of sensitive information is justified and times when it is, unquestionably, not. Fordham lost a valued member of its community this past Sunday. The aforementioned outlets’ romanticization of the “forbidden” campus clock tower from which Sydney fell and the sensationalizing of the incident through its vivid description were as disrespectful as they were abhorrent. The use of The Ram’s 2013 feature article in an attempt to portray the incident as the latest development in a systemic phenomenon involving mischievous student trips up the tower was misguided and misleading. The positioning of her death as an attempt to “get a good picture for Instagram” and of Sydney as just another selfie-obsessed young person was obnoxious and despicable. It is not the media’s place to create blame for an incident that is, at its core, senseless. Sydney did not die because she and her friends succumbed to the “irresistible” “allure” of the iconic structure. Her death was not a failure to fulfill a mythicized “rite of passage” or a symptom of a student-wide thrill-seeking craze or social media takeover. Sydney’s death was just tragic. Any news coverage that paints the incident with dramatic macabre or presents it as an indicator of some wider trend instead of the heart-wrenching accident it was is a shameful and inexcusable exploitation of her memory. There are stereotypes that cast journalists as manipulative and ruthless storytellers who take advantage of high-interest situations for fleeting moments of visibility in return. It is unfortunate that many reporters fed into those tropes on Sunday. The Ram chose not to disclose intimate details of the incident or to release Sydney’s identity before the university put out a statement in an attempt to be considerate of her loved ones. We wish other outlets had treated the incident with the same care. We cannot imagine what it must be like for those close to Sydney to be exposed to such harrowing and exploitative depictions of an event that is already likely to stay in their hearts and minds forever. The best way we at The Ram can show our respect to Sydney, her family and all those affected during this time is by reporting on her death with integrity. The best way we all as individuals can show our respect is by discussing her death in the same way. We urge you — for this incident and all going forward — not to share or engage with the sort of journalistic coverage that exploits tragedy for its shock or entertainment value. We urge you to keep in mind the realities behind the dramatized narratives, as well as the real people behind them. Sydney’s death was a life-altering occurrence in the lives of many people, on Fordham’s campus and elsewhere. It is a painful tragedy. It is not part of a larger phenomenon, and it should not be used as click-bait. There is a palpable air of devastation at Rose Hill that outside reporters and readers do not nor cannot experience for themselves. This devastation has been exacerbated by the spectacle with which the tragedy is circulating throughout the media. The reporters and their respective outlets should feel ashamed of themselves for compounding the grief of a community so already heartbroken. The Fordham community has a beautiful and organic tendency to come together during even the most difficult of times. Lean on the support systems — those offered by the university and those you have built yourself — that are available to you at this time and continue to expand those networks with care and integrity going forward. Honor Sydney’s memory by strengthening your connections with one another and with all things genuine, and honor her by condemning the sensationalism surrounding her passing. The Ram continues to send comfort and support to those close to the incident and to the Fordham community at large. Counseling services are available in the Counseling and Psychological Services office in O’Hare Hall. They can be contacted at (718) 817-3725. Residential Life staff is available in residence halls, and campus ministers are available around campus to speak with at any point. Campus Ministry can be reached at (718) 817-4500.<doc-sep>[What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] It was forbidden. But the group of friends sneaked into Fordham University’s most recognizable building in the dead of night anyway early Sunday. They clambered up the steep staircase of the granite bell tower that overlooks Fordham’s Rose Hill campus to take in the view of the Bronx under moonlight, sending a Snapchat video from the top. Then something went horribly wrong. One of the students, a 22-year-old senior, fell through an opening in a landing, the police said, and plummeted down the inside of the clock and bell tower just a month before her graduation.<doc-sep>Hang on for a minute...we're trying to find some more stories you might like. Close Email This Story Send email to this address Enter Your Name Add a comment here Verification Send Email Cancel By Helen Stevenson and Sarah Huffman Sydney Monfries, FCRH ’19, died on Sunday, April 14 after sustaining a critical injury in a fall from Keating Hall clock tower around 3 a.m. that morning. Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, mourned her loss in an email addressing members of the Fordham family. “There are no words sufficient to describe the loss of someone so young and full of promise — and mere weeks from graduation,” he wrote. McShane said Fordham will confer an FCRH bachelor’s degree upon Monfries posthumously, which will be presented to her parents at the appropriate time. “I know you join me in keeping Sydney’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers,” he wrote. “And also know that you are in mine.” On Sunday, April 14, the university held a Mass for Monfries. The service was held in conjunction with Palm Sunday Mass at 7 p.m. in the University Church. Rev. Lito Salazar, S.J., presided over the mass, with McShane. Students, faculty and other members of the university community filled the church, with many standing behind the pews and in the vestibule. The email notifying the community of the service was sent less than an hour before the start of the service. A second email notifying the community of Monfries’ death was sent 10 minutes before the service began. During the blessing of the palms at the start of the mass, Salazar said a few words about Monfries’ family and friends. “We accompany Sydney and her friends and family during this week we call holy,” he said later in the service during the homily. Salazar’s homily centered on faith in the face of tragic events. “We are Christians, and we are not afraid of tragedy,” repeated Salazar throughout the homily. The Fordham community offered prayers for Monfries during the general intercessions portion of the service. “Into your hands Lord, we commend your daughter Sydney, and let repentant light shine upon her,” Salazar said at the end of the mass. “May she rest in peace.” In a joint statement to the students of Fordham, United Student Government (USG), Commuting Students Association (CSA), Residence Halls Association (RHA) and Campus Activities Board (CAB) said Monfries was an amazing friend, classmate and member of the Fordham community. “She truly embodied all that Fordham seeks of its students: compassion, kindness, and love,” they said. “She was compassionate to all of those she encountered. Offered kindness to all of her friends. She loved, and was loved by, the hundreds of lives that she touched throughout her four years at Fordham.” USG, CSA, RHA and CAB said that Monfries had friends all over the Fordham community, from every walk of life. “Sydney was a bright light on this campus, in this city, and in this world, and we will miss her presence tremendously,” they said. “Words cannot express what those closest to Sydney are going through, but the entire student body mourns with love.” Michael C. McCarthy, S.J., vice president for Mission Integration and Planning, reached out to the members of the Fordham community via email, recognizing how important it is to be together at this time. He said the office will hold two services in her honor. The first will be held on Tuesday, April 16, at 8 p.m. in the University Church and Terrace. The second will be a more formal service next week, most likely on Tuesday, April 23, according to McCarthy. Members of the community are invited to attend the services, and they will be planned and led by members of the Student body. “Of course, in times such as these, it’s natural to have a wide range of feelings, thoughts, and concerns,” he said. “ It’s important for us to be patient with ourselves and to take care of each other.” USG, CSA, RHA and CAB called on all members of the student body to attend the service. “Let us all exhibit the love to one another that Sydney exhibited to all those she encountered,” they said. Counseling services are available in the Counseling and Psychological Services office in O’Hare Hall. They can be contacted at (718) 817-3725. Residential Life staff is available in residence halls, and campus ministers are available around campus to speak with at any point. Campus Ministry can be reached at (718) 817-4500. Information on funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.<doc-sep>FORDHAM, Bronx -- A Fordham University student died after falling from a bell tower on campus early Sunday.School President Joseph McShane says 22-year-old Sydney Monfries, a senior at Fordham College at Rose Hill, died due to injuries sustained in the fall inside the Keating Clock tower.Police say a group of seniors decided to climb the tower around 3 a.m. to get a view of the city skyline.They say Monfries managed to climb to the top before she fell through a hole in one of the stairway landings and subsequently dropped 30 to 40 feet inside the tower.When emergency responders arrived at the scene, they found her lying on the ground inside the tower with trauma to her head and body.She was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital, where she later died.University officials are investigating how the group of students gained access to the tower, which is normally locked.While some students said getting inside the tower is a "must do," many said they have never heard of being allowed inside. "Being in that building, there's no sort of methodology or way to have access to that, in my personal opinion," student Sean Johnson said. "Don't really know how they got up there. "Another student, Emma Azizo, said she thinks it's scary and dangerous. "I really feel bad for the person," she said. "I don't think they went up there with the intention thinking it was possible to fall. "The university said Monfries, who was set to graduate next month, will receive a posthumous bachelor's degree.Her father Wayne, mother Susan and sister Caitlyn would have attended the graduation, along with long-time family friend David Barfield. "Susan told me when she came to school she didn't have just one group, she had three or four groups," said Barfield. "She loved them and they loved her just as much. "Monfries was with a group of friends when she fell to her death Sunday morning. "I was just with Susan and she said, 'I've lost my best friend'. They are heartbroken," said Barfield. "It's the hardest thing I've ever had to witness. "Monfries was an intern at InStyle Magazine, and planned to stay in New York City and work.Wayne said his daughter was a kind soul with a magnetic personality who adored her little sister, and the feeling was mutual. "She was Daddy's little girl and one of the things that Wayne celebrated every year was the father daughter dance," said Barfield.David said he will always remember how Sydney and Caitlyn rallied around his then 3-year-old daughter when she learned how to swim. "They gave her a hug and big high-five and she absolutely loved it," said Barfield. "It gave her so much encouragement and pride. It was wonderful."<doc-sep>
A student who fell 40 feet to her death from Fordham University's clock tower will receive a posthumous degree, the New York City college has confirmed. Sydney Paige Monfries, from Portland, Oregon, died at the young age of 22 just weeks before she was due to graduate after she fell from the Keating Hall bell tower at around 3 a.m. on Sunday. The New York Police Department said the student went to the tower with her friends in the early hours of Sunday, as reported by The Daily Mail. Sources added that Monfries and her pals were climbing the spiral staircase at Keating Hall tower when she tripped on a landing and fell 40 feet. She hit her head on the ground and her vitals reportedly "flat-lined at the scene." Emergency service workers were able to revive her but they struggled to move her on a stretcher in the tight area, so they were forced to use a rescue blanket to lift her up and out of a window. She was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital in "extremely critical condition," with paramedics confirming she sustained injuries to the back of her head and her pelvis as well. Monfries ended up passing away at the hospital just after her parents arrived with two priests. The school confirmed the student's death in a letter to all of her colleagues and revealed they would award her with a posthumous degree. "It is with great sadness that I report that Sydney Monfries, a senior at Fordham College at Rose Hill, died today after sustaining a fall inside the Keating Clock tower in the early hours of the morning," Fordham University President Joseph McShane wrote. 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 (@Maggie_Vespa) April 15, 2019 "Our hearts go out to Sydney's parents, and her family and friends — theirs is an unimaginable loss, and we share their grief." "There are no words sufficient to describe the loss of someone so young and full of promise — and mere weeks from graduation. Fordham will confer a bachelor's degree upon Sydney posthumously, which we will present to her parents at the appropriate time," McShane added. As previously reported by The Inquisitr, the Keating Hall clock tower is closed to students, and those who dare to go inside can face disciplinary action. However, many engage in a "rite of passage for seniors" at the Bronx university, including Monfries, where they climb the tower, touch the bell, and register the event on camera. The incident is now said to be under investigation. So sad, update from school .. It is with great sadness that I report that Sydney Monfries, a senior at Fordham College at Rose Hill, died today. Our hearts go out to Sydney’s parents, and her family and friends—theirs is an unimaginable loss, and we share their grief. pic.twitter.com/m8WqWPWewO — Kemberly Richardson (@kemrichardson7) April 14, 2019 The NYPD added that the student fell while trying to get a "better view" of the city's skyline, while a student named Anne said "they were posting on Instagram when it happened," as per The Daily Mail.