What is Urban Plunge?

Urban Plunge is a three-day pre-orientation program directed by Fordham University’s Center for Community Engaged Learning. The program is designed for incoming students who are proactive thinkers and share a deep commitment to social justice advocacy.

During Urban Plunge, students are given an opportunity to explore New York City’s diverse neighborhoods through a lens of community, diversity, and engagement. Students learn about unequal access to opportunities in the context of the city's history, and engage with local social justice advocates whose initiatives work to foster universal goodness in today’s world. We fearlessly address systemic injustices and highlight the beauty that coexists despite it, encouraging students to experience the vibrant culture within all of NYC’s boroughs.

Throughout the program, we emphasize a complete integration of reflection, expression, and action. All students are encouraged to cultivate what we call “bothered excellence,” diligently pursuing the truth and daring to have the necessary, difficult conversations wherever injustice resides.

Get Ready for UP 2023

This year, we celebrate Urban Plunge’s 30th Anniversary! For three decades, Urban Plunge has given students the tools to be active members of their communities for the entirety of their college career and beyond.

This year’s theme explores a threefold pursuit to: bridge, build, and begin.

We will encourage students to embrace New York as not just their campus, but also their home. Through Urban Plunge’s hands-on engagement, students will actively bridge the gap between the University and the surrounding communities. Students, in turn, will build meaningful relationships with their community and each other. We will encourage our students — our bridge-builders — to reach those who lie on the margins and ensure that nobody’s story is ignored, dismissed, or diminished. Only then can we begin a new story. We hope that Urban Plunge will function as the spark igniting all incoming students to begin their college journeys with an informed sense of mission grounded in love and justice.

Faces of Urban Plunge

When I think of New York, I think of the diversity that takes me to different parts of the world and, most importantly, the people and the communities that contribute to social justice work. I am excited to bring incoming students exposure to this beautiful city we call home as we practice community engagement.

- Karen, UP Senior Captain

Urban Plunge was such an integral part of my introduction to Fordham and the city and continues to be an important aspect of my Fordham experience. I am most excited to help contribute to an opportunity to celebrate diversity, community, and growth with the next group of students.

- Indira, UP Senior Captain

Urban Plunge is what made me fall in love with Fordham — so much so that I returned to help with the program as a recent graduate! I am forever grateful for Plunge for teaching me how to step into every situation with love and social justice at the forefront.

- Amanda, UP Graduate Assistant

I am so excited to help plan and lead Urban Plunge this summer. I remember how impactful a similar program like this was for me when I attended college. I know firsthand how immersions like these can change the trajectory of student’s lives. I am deeply committed to student empowerment and caring for communities, and I look forward to creating a meaningful community engagement and learning experience for Fordham students!

- Kujegi Camara, UP Advisor and Assistant Director for Community Engagement and Operations

 

Plungers’ Past Experiences

Captain Conversations

UP Leaders share their favorite moments

Amelia and Ben share some of their best memories with Plunge.

Abigail and Maggie share what Plunge taught them about being a good neighbor to surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Thursday August 24th between 9 to 1pm for each campus.

  • Students will travel in groups to community service sites in the Bronx and Manhattan. Participants will meet local community leaders and engage in activities such as food distribution, park clean-up, and opportunities to mentor young people.

  • Students will travel to their community service sites via public transportation. Students will always be traveling in a group with experienced upperclassmen.

  • Commuter students will be provided metrocards for all excursions.

  • We will have large group activities and discussion, but there will be about 10 Plungers and 2 UP Assistants (experienced upperclassmen) per team when we break out into small group activities and discussion.

  • Parents are welcome to move students in during Move In Day, which will be Thursday August 25 between 9am-1pm on each campus. After Move In, Parents and families are invited to a Welcome Reception between 2 and 4pm. Parents are expected to say their farewells then. Please note: After Move In and Reception, with full programming from early mornings to late evenings, students will not have an opportunity to meet with parents on Urban Plunge Days.

  • There is a mandatory New Student Orientation for all first year students that will commence on Sunday August 27th. There will be programming for families on Sunday including open houses, resource fairs, and Welcome Remarks from Fordham’s president. Urban Plunge Parents are welcome to return to campus on Sunday to attend the day’s events. Please keep in mind that the schedule for Orientation has not been finalized. For more information on Orientation, you can email either the Rose Hill campus at orientrh@fordham.edu or the Lincoln Center campus at orientlc@fordham.edu or visit the Orientation website.