Summer 2000

Changes
Parents' Weekend
Junior Class Ring Ceremony
Parents' Annual Fund a Success!
Football at Parents' Weekend
2000 Football Schedule
Buying books? Don't stand in line, get on-line!
Fairfield Boasts Six Fulbrights
Senior Giving 2000 - Class of 2000
Parent_Ties E-mail

Changes

While many are off enjoying their summer vacation, the staff at Fairfield University has been very busy preparing for the upcoming semester. There have been several changes in the area of Student Services. Here are some of the changes you can expect ...

Renovations have occurred in Gonzaga and Jogues halls to continue the University's upgrade of student residences on campus. Rooms have been reconfigured and all electrical wiring and computer access have been upgraded. Kitchens and social lounges have been added to accommodate the needs of our students residing on campus. Also during the summer, several of the residence halls have had sprinkler systems installed and fire alarm systems updated. These include Jogues, Campion, Gonzaga and Dolan Hall. By September, fire sprinklers will be installed in all residence halls with the exception of Kostka and Claver. Kostka and Claver will be completed by September 2001.

Later this month, the new Village Apartments will be open. Close to 200 upper-class students will be housed in the most modern and efficient living accommodations on campus. These apartments are the result of a concerted effort on the part of the University to ease overcrowding of students at Fairfield Beach. In Kostka and Claver, all new furniture has been purchased and installed in 100 suites, which completes 'the village' living options renovations.

A reminder to all parents: there is a residency requirement for undergraduate students. Any student wishing to move off campus must participate in the off-campus lottery to be released from his or her residency requirement. While many juniors and seniors look forward to the opportunity to live off campus, it is important that students not sign leases prior to being released from their housing contract. A signed lease is not a valid reason to be released from a housing contract. Please make sure that your sons and daughters do not commit to a lease without being released from their residency requirement through the off-campus lottery.

There are also changes in the parking regulations due to the construction occurring on campus. In an effort to accommodate parking needs, new lots have been added. As a result, Fairfield has the same number of parking spaces as before construction. We understand, however, that some of the new parking spaces are not as conveniently located as spaces have been in the past and will require some individuals to change their parking habits. We think you'll agree that the end result will be well worth it. University vehicle registration stickers will be color-coded to coincide with the appropriate color-coded parking areas. Resident students can park only in their assigned areas. Please keep in mind that students, faculty and staff are not permitted to park vehicles on the surrounding residential streets. Additionally, first year students are not permitted to have vehicles.

We look forward to having everyone back on campus this fall to see how great the changes at Fairfield are!

Parents' Weekend
Save the Date

Parents' Weekend will be held on October 14 and 15, 2000. This annual event is designed to give Fairfield University families an opportunity to share the college experience with their students. Weekend activities include: welcome address from Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., University President; faculty panel discussion; university-wide mass; Saturday evening entertainment; Sunday Glee Club concert; and athletic competitions. Once again we are happy to offer the opportunity for parents to attend a Fairfield University football game, on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. against St. Peter's College. Ticket information is listed within this newsletter, along with the season's schedule.

As always, we recommend that you make your hotel reservations early, as this is a very popular weekend event. In addition to a hotel list, a restaurant list is provided in this issue to assist you in making your dinner arrangements for Saturday night (or maybe you'd like to have your student recommend his or her favorite restaurant around Fairfield!).

A formal invitation will be mailed to you after Labor Day weekend. It will include a more detailed description of the weekend's events, as well as a registration form. Registration is at 9:00am, with the President's welcome at 10:00am.

Send in your registration early if you don't want to miss out on these special events! Enjoy the rest of summer! We look forward to seeing you in October!

Junior Class Ring Ceremony

During your child's sophomore year, they are given the opportunity to order a class ring, which they receive during Parents' Weekend of their junior year. This year, Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., University President, will bless the rings during the Parents' Weekend Mass held on October 14, 2000. Following the Mass, the rings will be distributed. Additionally, there will be a reception sponsored by the Fairfield University Alumni Association and Jostens Ring Company. The Junior Ring Committee will send an invitation and RSVP separately from the Parents' Weekend invitation.

Parents' Annual Fund a Success!

THANK YOU for helping the Parents' Annual Fund have another great year! This year, nearly 1,100 parents raised $274,000, which represents a 13% increase over last year. Fairfield is very fortunate to have so many dedicated Parents committed to advancing Fairfield's mission.

A special thanks goes out to the members of the Parents' Fund Committee for their efforts in making this year a success. Anyone interested in learning more about the Parents' Fund Committee should call Catherine Desmarais at (203) 254-4000 ext. 2467.

1999-2000 Parents' Committee Members

Football at Parents' Weekend

The Fairfield University varsity football team will be playing St. Peter's College on Saturday, October 14 at 1:00 p.m. Reserved tickets to the game will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at $7 per person. Tickets must be purchased for adults, children and students; otherwise students will only have access to the student section. Simply fill out the application form and send it with your check to: Athletic Ticket Office, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT 06430. You can also fax it with your credit card information to (203) 254-4270.

Applications will be handled in order of the date they are received. Tickets ordered prior to October 2 will be mailed to your home. If ordering tickets after October 2, they will be available for pick-up at Will Call prior to the start of the football game during Parents' Weekend. Any questions should be directed to Audrey Mesta, Athletic Ticket Manager, at (203) 254-4103.

2000 Football Schedule

Head Coach: Kevin Kiesel

HOME GAMES IN CAPITAL LETTERS

Buying books? Don't stand in line, get online!

Fairfield University Bookstore is proud to be an epartner of efollett.com. This partnership allows students to buy their books on-line rather than standing in line. Because Fairfield's courses are on-line with efollet.com, students can order their books prior to receiving their syllabus. The benefits speak for themselves: Savings. Convenience. No hassle returns.

For more information, get on-line at efollet.com or call the University Bookstore at (203) 254-4262.

Fairfield Boasts Six Fulbrights

A record six members of the Class of 2000 have been selected for Fulbright Scholarships. The Fulbright Grant is the most prestigious scholarship awarded by the U.S. Government. The grant funds students to go abroad for one year after graduation and engage in independent research, study, and work. A primary goal of this scholarship is to increase mutual understanding between peoples of the United States and other countries.

Fairfield students have done exceptionally well in garnering Fulbrights - with 15 in the last four years and 23 since 1994.

Senior Giving 2000 - Class of 2000

Thank you to the following Seniors who "Made their Mark"

The Senior Giving Program is a fund-raising effort organized by members of the Senior Class. Not only does it give Seniors an opportunity to make a gift to Fairfield, but also honor someone who has made an impact on their Fairfield experience.

Parent_Ties E-mail

We want to hear from you! Do you have any comments about this issue of Parent Ties? A suggestion for a Parents' Weekend activity? An idea for an article you would like to see in an upcoming newsletter? Then send us a message via e-mail. We are no different from your student - we love mail, too!

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 327
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT 06430-5195
WEB: www.fairfield.edu

Editor
Catherine Bassi Desmarais '93

Editorial Committee
Ann Minton
Clare Carney Schimpf '76
Kimberly Nickolenko