Spring 2006
Moving On
In Service to Others
A Temporary Home
Letter from Parents' Committee Chairs
Senior Giving
Parents' Committee
Career Care
Linking Parents to Fairfield
by Lisa Roberts
 Every four years, Fairfield's students cycle through freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior years with their parents' hope that they will be prepared to make wise and meaningful decisions about life by graduation. For the past 37 years, these students have been greeted on campus by William P. Schimpf, recently retired Vice President of Student Services, whose watchful eyes oversaw the comings and goings of 30,350 undergraduates during his tenure. Before moving on, we asked Schimpf to address our parents one final time.
Q. You've had a lifelong career in student services, starting as an R.A. at Pennsylvania State University (PSU) in the early 1960s. Most R.A.s don't stay on this career track - what made you continue in this field?
A. When I was an undergrad at Penn State, I switched majors from pre-med to finance to management, primarily in response to summer jobs. But when I became an R.A. at Nittany Halls, with 88 students under my wing, I realized I found my calling. It happened one day when this tall thin kid knocked on my door, asking if I knew where to get a haircut. I directed him to a barber shop in town, and then an hour later he was back tapping at my door. "Where do I get my shoes repaired?" I told him next to the barber shop was a cobbler. Awhile later the third question came: "Should I get leather soles for my shoes?" That's when it occurred to me that some students come to college always relying on someone else to tell them what to do ... and that I could help them in that vital process of individuation.
Q. How does a private school like Fairfield help in that process?
A. Fairfield is an excellent environment for self-discovery because of the Jesuit focus on the individual. We're very much a values-based educational system committed to encouraging our students to take responsibility for themselves and others. Respect for the individual as well as cultural diversity is a Jesuit imperative.
Q. Recently, the term "helicopter parent" has been used to describe hovering parents who keep track of their children's every move. What do you see as the pros and cons of this type of parenting?
A. More and more parents today have good relationships with their young adult children because they communicate openly and frequently with them. Parents have great concerns about the welfare and personal growth of their sons and daughters, and all of that's positive. On the flip side, however, parents and students today are wired at the hip. More often than one might expect, that cell phone call a student makes as they step out of class is to a parent. When students rely on their parents for decision-making at this stage of individuation, and parents respond to the rescue, the maturity process is slowed down. I believe at some point the impact of instantaneous communications on psychological and social development will be studied.
Q. What was your most enjoyable task as Fairfield University's Vice President of Student Services?
A. I've always enjoyed running the Q&A portion of Parent Orientation in June. Fielding questions, reassuring parents, and giving them some insight and perspective on what to expect over the next four years was a true pleasure. To let parents know we're committed to helping students become their own advocate, I'd always tell them this: If you have a question during your son or daughter's first year, give me a call; if you have a question during their sophomore year, make sure your son or daughter gives me that call!
Q. Do you have any parting words for parents?
A. I think it's time for Fairfield to have someone with more recent undergraduate experience than I ... and I have every confidence that Fairfield's students are in good hands with its new V.P. for Student Affairs, Mark Reed.
Schimpf welcomes your mail at: wps59@hotmail.com.
The Red Cross Club
by Joy Polignano '08
 The Fairfield University Red Cross Club was created in Fall 2005 to support the mission of the American Red Cross. Our first year was very successful due to the dedicated work of generous club members. A committee of about 20 students organized and ran the all-night "Rockin' for Relief Dance-a-thon" in December. The event raised approximately $3,500 for disaster victims of recent hurricanes, and engaged more than 200 student dancers who sought sponsors to contribute to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The Club has also co-sponsored a blood drive in the fall and spring, and is currently in the process of developing and revising a brochure, "Disaster Services for College Students by College Students." During the spring semester, we expect to offer classes in CPR and HIV/AIDS awareness, plan a fundraiser to further support the local Bridgeport/Fairfield Red Cross Chapter, and discuss issues regarding International Humanitarian Law, which is an important aspect of the American Red Cross mission. Spread the word to your son or daughter about the wonderful opportunities he or she can experience by becoming a Red Cross Club volunteer!
2005 Toys for Tots Drive
Spearheaded by Caitlin Wagner '06, Fairfield's 2005 Toys for Tots Drive was particularly successful this year, collecting a total of 553 toys donated by more than 200 contributors. The success was driven especially by student conduct violators. Students with outstanding fines (starting from $50) were asked to bring in one or more gifts valued at the amount of their fine. A valid receipt for the toy(s) was accepted as payment for the outstanding fine, and the students had the opportunity to contribute to a child's joy-filled and toy-filled holiday. The collection was not limited to fine holders; toys were also collected from the greater student body. Wagner found a ready audience of donors in faculty and staff at December's Women's Forum meeting, which featured a community service theme, and among alumni at the Ignatian Residential College Alumni Wine Tasting, both held on Dec. 7, 2005. "I hope that this drive becomes one of Fairfield's traditions during the holidays," says Wagner. "You can only imagine the joy that over 500 gifts brought to children across the country."
by Lisa Roberts
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis, or "care of the whole person," was put to the test for Fairfield's faculty, staff, and administrators during fall semester 2005. Responding to the needs of 52 displaced students from New Orleans, efforts were made across campus divisions to register, welcome, transition, teach, and assist those who turned to Fairfield for support. Neil Landino, assistant dean at University College, was the first point of contact for parents and students exploring options in the days following the mass evacuation. He remained the point person for academic purposes for those who chose Fairfield as their temporary institution. In total, 13 students lived on campus, seven students studied online, and the rest commuted from their homes in the local region.
"Our greatest challenge," recalls Landino, "was getting these students up and running in such a crunch. Instead of a summer to prepare for their arrival, we had to turn things around in two days." This process included enrollment, financial aid, class registration, textbook purchasing, campus orientation, and for those who needed it, residential housing. And just as with Fairfield's traditionally enrolled undergraduate students, a University-wide effort that cut across divisions was needed. "A circle of care was formed around these students," says Susan Birge, assistant vice president and director of counseling services, "welcoming them into the University community as visitors, which is how they wanted to be known. They felt a strong allegiance to their New Orleans institutions and we had to be very sensitive to that."
While University College served as the central clearing house for all, other departments involved included financial aid, the registrar, student life, residential life, the health center, student support services, and the academic division. Campus Ministry heightened community awareness around the victims of Hurricane Katrina and their needs, hosting a number of receptions and offering social and spiritual outreach to those directly affected as well as others who wanted to help. Campus Ministry's staff also played a pivotal role in the faculty-led Teach-In on Hurricane Katrina held on Oct. 6, 2005, and coordinated the on-campus visit of the local chapter of the American Red Cross, which issued a cash assistance to students who lost their belongings.
According to Landino, the displaced students included freshmen through seniors, and all but one had returned to their home institutions last semester. Adds Birge, "By and large they proved to be very resilient, terrific young men and women who made the best out of a very difficult situation."
Dear Parents,
Happy Spring!
 How did we get so lucky to have such great daughters and sons? And how lucky are they to have parents who support them so. Your generosity to Fairfield's 2005-06 Annual Fund is once again a great gift to the student body. Thank you for giving whatever you can. Any amount is helpful, because it comes from your heart and shows the support and love you have for your student.
The Parents' Committee continues to grow with more enthusiastic parents spending their free time helping the "Fairfield Family." As a result of their valuable input, new sub-committees are being formed to implement many of their suggestions.
The Parents' Committee members are eager to hear your ideas. We invite you to volunteer by contacting Claudia Nielsen, associate director of annual giving - parents' program, at cnielsen@mail.fairfield.edu.
In a funny way, volunteering at Fairfield helps you feel connected when your daughter or son leaves for college. Our volunteer activities do not interfere with their lives on campus. The parents on the Parents' Committee have a good time connecting with each other and working together.
Sincerely,
Sharon and Thomas Lydon, P'06
Parents' Committee Chairs
P.S. Hope you win the week in Turks and Caicos. Send us a postcard if you do!
A donation of $1,000 or more to Fairfield's 2005-06 Parents' Annual Fund by April 15, 2006 automatically includes you in a drawing for a six-day vacation home stay, provided by Britt and Diane Newhouse, P'06!
The Senior Giving Program serves as an important step in the transition from students to alumni. It teaches seniors about the Jesuit ideal of philanthropy and lays the groundwork for a lifetime of giving back. Senior Giving sponsors events, such as the Senior/Young Alumni Networking Night held on March 30, where seniors had the opportunity to interact with recent graduates and learn about the advantages a Fairfield education offers after graduation. We ask your help as parents in encouraging your sons and daughters to participate and to continue the tradition of giving that has allowed Fairfield to become what it is today. Seniors can contact Jessica Colligan, associate director of annual giving, at (203) 254-4004 or jcolligan@mail.fairfield.edu.
Parents' Fund Steadily Climbing
At press time, parents raised $446,384 for the Parents' Annual Fund – $58,727 more than had been raised at this time last year, with 139 more donors. This includes $29,383 raised from parents who are also alumni. We are at almost 75 percent of our $600,000 goal. Your gift by June 30, 2006 can help us get there!
To contribute, please use the enclosed gift envelope, call the Annual Giving Office toll-free at (877) 748-5123, visit www.fairfield.edu/give to make your gift via credit card, or send your check to: Office of Annual Giving, 327 Bellarmine Hall, Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. To find out if your company will match your gift, go to www.fairfield.edu/matchinggifts.
Many parents take advantage of Fairfield's ability to accept gifts of stock. For more information on making gifts of stock to the University, visit the website at www.fairfield.edu/stock-transfer or call Claudia Nielsen at (203) 254-4004.
While some students navigate toward a set career path early on, others could use some direction during their undergraduate years and beyond. At Fairfield University, the Career Planning Center (CPC) offers students one-on-one career counseling, career assessment tests, internship placement, and more, while Alumni Career Services (ACS) points graduates to a broad range of career services online and on campus. Seniors can benefit from career services Fairfield extends to its students, young alumni, and graduates in any career stage. Together, CPC and ACS collaborate on the following:
- Career Fairs - Held in fall and spring. Many leading international firms attend these events, recruiting undergraduates for internships and full-time positions. Alumni involvement includes recent graduates who are job-hunting and older graduates who are recruiting as employers.
- Job and Internship Bulletin Board - Located at www.fairfield.edu/jobs, employers post full-time jobs and non-credit internships, to which both our undergrads and alumni have access.
- Fairfield Alumni Network - Located at www.fairfield.edu/fan, this is a powerful networking tool for Fairfield's alumni at any career stage. It's designed to tap into the vast array of expertise and experience of Fairfield's graduates and be a support to each other as well.
- Career Workshops - A new initiative started in the 2005-06 fiscal year, these workshops are open to alumni and their spouses, graduate students, and friends of the University. A total of 100 attendees came to the fall workshops, re-engaging many alumni to Fairfield for the first time since graduation.
- Career Counseling - CPC offers individual counseling for all undergraduates; ACS directs alumni to these services as needed.
- Career Assessment Testing - Students and alumni can assess their skills and aptitudes through career inventory testing of the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator.
- Career Nights - Often a collaborative effort with faculty, recent topics have included Careers in Communications, Living What You've Learned through Your Jesuit Education, and Sports Marketing.
To learn more, visit: www.fairfield.edu/cpc and www.fairfield.edu/acs
When is the last day of class? Where is the next varsity game? What volunteer opportunities are available for parents?
Visit www.fairfield.edu/parents for easy access to this information and more. And don't forget to e-mail us your feedback on this issue and/or your ideas on topics to cover in the next one. Just send a quick hello to: parentties@mail.fairfield.edu.
The Advancement Division of Fairfield University publishes Parent Ties three times a year for parents of undergraduate students. Letters to the editor, address changes, and correspondence should be sent to:
Parent Ties
Bellarmine Hall Room 307
Fairfield University
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT 06824-5195
e-mail: parentties@mail.fairfield.edu
Editor
Lisa M. Roberts
Editorial Committee
Claudia B. Nielsen
Eileen Bossone
Tom and Sharon Lydon, P' 06
Clare (Carney) Schimpf '76
University Photojournalist
Jean Santopatre | 
