Spring 2001

Reverend Bowler to strengthen University's Jesuit Mission
Beach misbehavior results in stiffer sanctions
Student Services Staff changes announced
Freshmen Parking Crunch!
The Parents Annual Fund ...
Spring & Fall 2001 Academic Calendar
Senior Week 2001 Commencement Events

Reverend Bowler to strengthen University's Jesuit Mission

Rev. James M. Bowler, S.J. has spent the past 20 years in the ministry of spiritual direction at such institutions as the National Jesuit Retreat and Renewal Ministries, Emory University's Center for Research in Faith and Moral Development, and Ontario, Canada's Guelph Center of Spirituality. Today, he's working to integrate Fairfield University's Catholic and Jesuit mission more broadly into the University's life as its recently appointed University Facilitator for Catholic and Jesuit Mission and Identity.

In this role, Father Bowler will serve as a central resource to people in all University divisions seeking to ground their work in the basic vision and history of the Jesuit educational tradition. In appointing Fr. Bowler, Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., Fairfield's president, said, "Since the present and future success of Fairfield University depends in part on its Catholic and Jesuit identity, it is our responsibility to shape the ways these traditions will be articulated and lived out on this campus in the coming years. Fr. Bowler ... will help create a climate that promotes and supports the leadership of others - faculty, staff and administrators - in this articulation and living out of Fairfield's founding values."

Beach misbehavior results in stiffer sanctions

With rights, come responsibilities. Or so you've tried to teach your child since his or her first tentative steps. It's the kind of lesson that permeates childhood, peppers adolescence, and persists into adulthood, as Fairfield University students learned earlier this year after ongoing tension in the off-campus Fairfield Beach area peaked, producing stiffer sanctions for inappropriate off-campus behavior.

In a January, 2001, letter mailed to students at their permanent addresses, Fairfield University's Vice President of Student Services, William P. Schimpf, said, "The opportunity to live in an independent setting within the Town of Fairfield is a privilege that many of you are presently enjoying .... It is clear, however, that our neighbors are becoming much less tolerant of the rude and boorish behavior of a limited number of our students. It now appears obvious that such behavior is seriously jeopardizing the future of independent living experiences. To protect future off-campus living privileges for our students, the University is going to react more stringently to inappropriate behavior occurring off campus."

It's not the first time tension between Fairfield Beach residents and University students triggered change. More than 80 percent of Fairfield University's students reside on campus. Of the remaining 20 percent, some 400 students rent housing in the Fairfield Beach area. In recent years, the number of permanent Fairfield Beach residents has increased, and as these homeowners' priorities and those of the University's youthful renters conflicted, tensions grew.

In 1999, the University responded by opting to hold all students-whether on- or off-campus-to its code of conduct. The University also built an independent-living apartment village on campus, upgraded existing housing, and expanded student programming during evening hours and on weekends to encourage students to remain on campus. These and several other initiatives improved resident-renter relationships until a September 2000 party, organized by Fairfield University students residing in the Fairfield Beach area, became disorderly. The stiffer sanctions resulted from meetings with Fairfield University administrators and Town of Fairfield officials following the party.

In a recent development, Town officials have begun to crack down on Fairfield Beach rental properties they believe are in conflict with zoning regulations. During two inspections in February and March, numerous health, fire and building code violations were found, and several Fairfield students were forced to find alternative housing.

In his letter, Schimpf notified students of the sanction changes, which became effective on January 17, 2001. They include:

Increased fines for off-campus violations of the University's code of conduct. Upon a first offense, students will be fined $200 and will be placed on probation with the Office of the Dean of Students. A second offense will result in a $400 fine and a University Disciplinary Probation. A third offense will result in suspension.

Exclusion from the independent-living lottery for students found guilty of multiple code-of-conduct offenses. Independent living is defined as on-campus townhouses and village apartments, and off-campus housing.

Release, with a student's written permission, of his or her disciplinary history to prospective landlords.

In an open letter to the Fairfield University Community and the Town of Fairfield shortly after the beach incident occurred, Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., Fairfield University's president said, "As I have stated many times in the past, unlawful or inappropriate behavior by Fairfield University students, whether on campus or off, will not be tolerated or condoned.... At the time we launched the (earlier) initiatives, I cautioned that the challenges of alcohol abuse and problematic relationships between off-campus students and their neighbors are faced by most colleges and universities throughout the country. They are complex and admit of no simple answers. While that remains true today, it does not lessen our resolve to continue working to find legal and workable solutions.... I hope that, as we work with Town officials and beach residents, the dialogue will be honest, but also marked by the kind of temperance and civility we wish to achieve in the behavior of the students."

As these actions indicate, Fairfield University remains committed to its mission statement, which promises to educate students to be socially aware and morally responsible persons for the good of the greater community. It is but one more lesson about the delicate balance between rights and responsibilities that Fairfield University students will learn in their lifetimes.

Student Services Staff changes announced

Fairfield University's Division of Student Services - the division charged with responding to the non-academic aspects of Fairfield University student life-recently reorganized to better meet students' increasingly complex needs. The reorganization produced the following personnel changes:

Dr. Susan N. Birge, Fairfield's Director of Counseling Services for the past four and one-half years, has been named Assistant Vice President for Student Services. In her new capacity, Birge will oversee those resources that help students in the adjustments necessary for a successful educational experience. Services in Dr. Birge's area include: Counseling, the Health Center, the Multicultural Center, Student Support Services, Career Planning and Student Advocacy.

Mark Reed, a Fairfield University alumnus who recently worked in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business and in the Office of Development, has been named Dean of Students. In this capacity, Reed will oversee such student development services as University Activities, Residence Life, Off-Campus Student Relations, First Year Programs, Orientation, Student Clubs and Organizations, and the University's radio station, WVOF.

Freshmen Parking Crunch!

Fairfield has long restricted parking privileges to resident sophomore, junior, and senior students. Why? The answer is two-fold. First-year students who spend the majority of their time on campus benefit by forging relationships within residence halls and involving themselves in campus-oriented weekend activities, campus ministry, athletics, and recreation. And, there simply aren't enough parking spaces for all students.

Parking policy exceptions are made only for extraordinary, verifiable reasons-reasons that do not include employment. We are sensitive to the part-time employment needs of our students by providing on-campus employment to all students who are eligible for work-study assistance. Several on-campus employment opportunities also exist for non-work-study students. Information about these opportunities is available through the Office of the Dean of Students.

As the semester comes to a close, Student Services is once again asking freshman students to respect and abide by these regulations. As a Fairfield University parent, please assist Student Services by encouraging your freshman student to leave his or her unauthorized vehicle at home. Thank you.

The Parents Annual Fund ...

Is part of Fairfield University's Annual Fund;

Is funded by parents of current students and parents of alumni;

Improves your son's or daughter's educational experience.

Please consider supporting Fairfield University's Parents Annual Fund at one of the following gift levels:

The President's Circle

Mail your Annual Fund gift to Fairfield University, Bellarmine Hall G15, 1073 N. Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06430-9847, or call the Annual Giving Office toll-free (877-748-5123) if you have questions, would like to make a gift of stock, or to charge your gift to a credit card.

Spring & Fall 2001 Academic Calendar

for undergraduate day students

Spring 2001 Semester

April 2-27
Advising & Registration for Fall 2001
April 12-16
Easter Recess
April 17
Classes begin
April 20
Deadline for educational leave applications for Fall 2001
April 21
Admissions Open House
May 1
Last day of classes -
Note: Monday day classes will meet to make up Monday holidays.
May 2, 6, 9
Reading Days - undergraduate day students
May 3-12
Final Examinations
May 12
Resident Halls close at 6 p.m.; Student Dining Halls close at 2 p.m.
May 15
Senior Week Begins - Jesuit Social, 4 p.m. / Pub Night, 9 p.m.
May 16
Senior/Faculty-Administration Brunch, 11 a.m.
Senior Trip to Mohegan Sun Resort, 4 p.m.
May 17
Senior Week Picnic, 4 p.m.
May 18
Semi-Formal Dance, 9 p.m.
May 19
Baccalaureate Mass, 4 p.m.
Parents/Graduates Dance, 8 p.m.
May 20
51st Commencement, 10 a.m.
Senior Farewell, 8 p.m.
May 21
Townhouses close at noon.
June 21-22
Orientation Class of 2005, Session A
June 26-27
Orientation Class of 2005, Session B

Fall 2001 Semester

August 31-Sept. 1
International Student Orientation
September 2
Residence Halls open at 8 a.m. for freshman arrival
September 2-4
Freshman Welcome Class of 2005
Transfer orientation for new undergraduate students
September 3
Resident Halls open at 10 a.m. for all other residential students
Barone Dining Hall opens at 4 p.m.
September 5
Classes begin
September 14
Academic Convocation - 3rd and 4th period cancelled
October 5-8
Undergraduate Fall Recess - Columbus Day Weekend
October 20-21
Parents' Weekend
November 21-25
Thanksgiving Recess
Student Dining Halls close at 2 p.m. on Nov. 20
Student Dining Halls reopen at 4 p.m. on Nov. 25
Residence Halls close at 6 p.m. on Nov. 20
(Undergraduate students with evening classes on Nov. 20 are permitted to remain until 10 p.m.)
November 26
Classes resume
December 11
Last day of classes
December 12, 16
Reading Days
December 13-21
Final Examinations
December 21
Residence Halls close at 6 p.m.; Dining Halls close at 2 p.m.
December 22-January 13
Winter Recess

Senior Week 2001

Commencement Events

In case of severely inclement weather, ceremonies will be held at specific rain sites. Weather-related changes will be broadcast on the following local radio stations beginning at 8 a.m.

Please do not call the switchboard at the university for such information.

The Advancement Division of Fairfield University publishes Parent Ties three times a year for its current parents. Letters to the editor, address changes, and correspondence should be sent to:

Parent Ties
Bellarmine Hall Room 302
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT 06430-5195
e-mail: parentties@mail.fairfield.edu
web: www.fairfield.edu

Editor
Sallyann Moore

Editorial Committee
Eileen Bossone
Bonnie Gleason
Sallyann Moore
Ann Ventura