By: Clare Hayden and Maribelle Gordon
Fordham University’s coffee shop Rodrigue’s, also known as “Rod’s,” sits between two freshman residence halls tucked into the back of campus. The square building is small, but the opportunities that lie within it are expansive, and its identity is very unique to campus involvement.
Sophomore Sam Hoffman is often found behind the counter working as a barista while students mingle in and out of the doors. They spend their time working as a barista, as it is a way to be involved in the community and a key aspect of membership in the club every semester. But for Sam, making the coffee is also a way to meet other members or just students in general. “Rod’s is really about meeting new people, whether that’s in a fun atmosphere… or a serious talk; it brings out a variety of people,” they said.
The open mic nights held once a month are just one of many different types of events that Rod’s puts on as an entertainment hub for students. Whether it’s comedy, poetry, or music, the coffeehouse transforms into an environment that fosters artistic expression. Students, even non-members, are invited to come and share their own personal work or cover the work of their favorite artists.
Other students are invited to come and enjoy the work of their peers as they gather on the building’s couches, chairs, or just on the floor. The arrangement of the coffeehouse is part of what makes it so special. It is decorated by the students, and Sam noted that it is the only club “with a designated physical space,” to host its members in, which is part of what makes Rod’s such a unique entity on Fordham’s campus.
Beyond open mic nights, there are a plethora of other events that Rod’s hosts every year. During the fall, the building serves as a haunted house, wherein a certain committee of members conceptualize a witty and spooky theme to take on. The building is given a complete internal makeover and invites any and all students for walkthroughs to celebrate the holiday. This year’s theme was “Victorian Secret,” which translated into haunted Victorian-era characters and décor satirically paired with Victoria’s Secret attire. The members are invited to be actors in the haunted house to create an interactive Halloween environment for others to enjoy.
One of the club’s most popular events occurs in the spring: the drag show. They host drag stars from New York City who perform for students and invite attendees to ask questions and learn more about the culture of drag. The club also hosts more serious events, such as ‘speak-outs’ for things such as Black History Month and Women’s History Month. Events like these highlight Rod’s culture of inclusivity and how its members work to uplift all identities.
The club has an e-board that holds the group together and works to plan their events. Senior Maura Mulvihill, who is now co-president of Rod’s, shared a lot about all of the club’s events, including the well-attended concerts that are put on frequently throughout the year. For Maura, this is one of the best aspects of the club. Mulvihill shared that “three of the most awesome experiences of her life” came from planning, booking, and attending concerts at Rodrigue’s.
Hoffman also recognizes and appreciates the club’s ability to put on shows for students. “We’re just a square-shaped tree house building, but we get really cool artists,” says Hoffman; the club has hosted bands and artists from all over the country, and even one from Canada recently.
Sophomore Sofie Huntington said that the concerts are what brought her into the building itself and allowed her to discover the club. “I did not enter the building of Rods for my entire first semester,” Huntington said. Having now become a part of the club itself, Huntington has been able to branch out and meet a variety of new people. She accredits her recent ability to – to the opportunities Rod’s has brought her.
The overarching goal of Rod’s as a community is to be inclusive, which Hoffman shares has been a key aspect of their involvement. “The whole premise of Rod’s is obviously to be a coffee shop turned venue but also to be a space for people to feel like they belong,” Sam said. There are sacred policies in place that foster this sense of belonging. The club members agree to follow and hold one another accountable to these policies so that the environment can remain an accepting place for students and its members. The venue encourages anyone who feels uncomfortable to reach out to an e-board member, which is something the hosts of the October open mic shared with the audience as they read their ‘safer space policy’ aloud.
The sound of coffee being grounded and the smells of lattes and espresso move through the building while students study and listen to music. Posters, ticket stubs, and humorous decorations line the walls in a charmingly chaotic way. However, for co-president Maura and many who have been a part of the club, Rodrigue’s has become much more than the sounds and decorations that make it up. Members say the coffee house is a safe haven. “We’ve created a safe, open, welcoming community for people who need it,” Mulvihill said.
