Summer 2006

Freshmen Firsts
Student Life
Parents' Weekend
What's New at Fairfield U.?
Money Matters
Parents' Committee
Focus on Faculty
Ask the Administrator
Student Spotlight

Freshmen Firsts

by Lisa Roberts

Not much of the first year experience for college students is guaranteed ... except that each will experience a series of "firsts" that will be remembered for a lifetime. First meal in a dining hall, first night without a curfew, first grade from a professor, first fight with a roommate, first love. Such momentous occasions can remain a private matter, while others can trigger a phone call home from a Student Overcome by Stress. What's the best way to handle an SOS call?

"Every year we hear from parents who are eager to assist their son or daughter but aren't quite sure how to respond appropriately," says Dr. Susan Birge, assistant vice president and director of counseling services, who cites time management, relationship breakups, roommate difficulties, student conduct, loneliness, and a general sense of feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities as the most common issues facing freshmen. "Most parents understand that it's counterproductive to jump in to the rescue," continues Birge, "as doing so would undermine the student's need to see themselves as a capable, competent young adult who can handle life situations."

That's how Amanda Agoglia, P'09, '08, responded when her son Ray injured his shoulder playing flag football with friends in the quad. "As soon as he told me what happened I directed him to the health center on campus," says Amanda. "They're on their own now and have to take responsibility for their own health." The fact that Fairfield has a health center open 24/7 was a big relief to Amanda. Her daughter Jackie, who is a year ahead of Ray, visited the health center her first year for an ear ache and then again for a sore throat. "They talked to her there and made her feel comfortable," continues Amanda. "So now she no longer has to call mom first when she's not feeling well, which is all right by me because that's how it should be."

The ordinary course of adjusting to independent living doesn't feel ordinary, of course, to the individual student. Some are the first child in their family to attend college, others are the first generation to attend, and still others follow a long line of Fairfield graduates in the family. Some arrive on campus fiercely independent, while others are so homesick they don't make it back for a second semester. "The greatest adjustment," says Dr. Birge, "is learning to interact and appreciate others who are so different from themselves - whether they represent different cultures, temperaments, value systems, or socioeconomic circumstances." Adds Dr. Thomas Pellegrino, dean of students, "The University's goal of exposing our students to the broadest spectrum of ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity is one central way of developing men and women committed to advocating for the best interest of others."

While the retention rate for freshmen at Fairfield is a strong 91 percent, there are a select few who discover they're not quite ready to live on their own yet. Jackie Agoglia clicked with her roommate right away, but that strong connection wasn't enough to comfort a homesick heart. Her roommate left campus during the first semester. "After having someone to talk to and wake up to, Jackie had no one, and at first was very lonely because everyone else on her floor had someone," Amanda reflects. "Then she turned it around to her advantage and made the room her own, just like the one she has at home." Watching her daughter navigate through a difficult situation and come out happy on the other end was deeply reassuring to this Fairfield mom.

For Carolina Rocha '09, adjusting to life on campus meant figuring out what to wear each morning and accepting the presence of boys in the classroom. Coming from an all-girls high school in Chicago that required uniforms, those two "firsts" stood out. She also had a hard time learning how to rely on public transportation to pick up essentials as needed. "I thought she was going to crack," says her mom, Tami Rocha P'09, "around Columbus Day weekend when you guys had that torrential rain and my daughter complained that she was permanently drenched. I couldn't just go get her a rain jacket and boots - she had to figure a way to get those for herself."

Carolina also experienced a common "first" early in her college experience - her first birthday away from home. "My birthday always kicked off the school year," she says, "so it really hit me hard when I couldn't share the day with my best friends from home." Fortunately, she had met a Fairfield classmate, Hannah Papageorge, at the freshman send-off her family hosted in Chicago, whose birthday was three days before. "We knew we could at least rely on each other that birthday week."

When all is said and done, it's the true comforts of home that are missed most during the first year of solo venturing. Try as he could, Ray Agoglia '09 didn't last much longer than a month before he returned home for his grandmother's spaghetti pot and his mom's recipe for homemade sauce. Determined not to let another Sunday go by without a taste of his Italian heritage, he found a common area in Jogues Hall where there were cooking facilities and made pasta and sauce for all his friends. That was a first, believes his mom, that won't be a last.

Calling All Parents

Parent Ties is your newsletter - to bring you news, dates, and other info you want to hear about. Let us know what you've found helpful in this issue and what you might want to read about in the next one.

Plus your preferred e-mail address is important so we can notify you quickly if needed. So whether you'd like to respond to an article, submit an idea for a new one, or simply forward your latest contact info, we'd love to hear from you at: parentties@mail.fairfield.edu

Student Life

A Slam Dunk for Men's Basketball

by Lisa Roberts

Fairfield's new head men's basketball coach, Ed Cooley, joined the University community for the same reason most students, faculty, and staff do - he felt right at home the moment he stepped foot on campus. "It was a gut feeling that this was the place for me," says Cooley, who most recently helped Boston College turn things around for its men's basketball team. With his experience as an assistant coach at all three Division levels (University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, Division III; Stonehill College, Division II; and Boston College, Division I), his acceptance of the president's offer to lead the Stag team is a slam dunk for Fairfield.

Cooley's goal is to put together a team that can lead the Stags' return to the NCAA Tournament, and ultimately be among the top teams of the league year in and year out. "First and foremost we need to recruit students who fit here academically, socially, and athletically," says Cooley. "Once those players are identified and the team is rebuilt, we all need to believe that every game can be a Stag win." Cooley has high expectations for his student-athletes as well as the assistant coaching staff he is recruiting. "I don't need yes-men behind me," he explains. "I need a coaching staff who will challenge me - as well as each player - to be better."

While Cooley came to Fairfield a bit late in the recruiting season, he landed five quality student-athletes for 2006-07 in a two-week period of time. In addition to attracting top recruits, part of Cooley's rebuilding plan is to fire up school spirit among all members of the University community. "We need to re-energize our entire student body as well as our alumni, faculty and staff, parents, friends, and neighbors," Cooley makes clear. "There's a lot of effort to build a championship team, but it's not just about us, it's about pride in one's school and alma mater. Like every 'Who in Whoville,' we need every voice out cheering the Stags on, not just at men's basketball, but at all our games."

In an attempt to increase attendance and build a groundswell of enthusiasm among students on campus, plans are currently in the works to bring some games back to Fairfield. This would maximize the two sporting arenas - Alumni Hall and the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport - and offer Cooley the opportunity to continue the Fairfield tradition of coaching some games on our own home turf. "For fans," says Cooley, "every game is an event - a way to meet people, let loose a bit, come out of your box, and root for your school. I can't emphasize enough that the relationships built around Stag events go far beyond athletics." Stag games also become, he believes, a piece of Fairfield's history - with footprints that remain long after players and fans move on.

Cooley joins the Fairfield community with his wife Nurys, son Isaiah (9), and daughter Olivia (6). Now, he points out, Cooley has 13 new "children" who will need his give and take.

Parents' Weekend

Join us at Parents' Weekend on October 21 and 22, 2006. This annual tradition promises to be informative as well as fun-filled. Fairfield University's president, Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., will begin the weekend with a special welcome on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Other activities will include:

• Program Sessions
• Buffet Lunch
• Parents' Mass
• Sporting Events
• Saturday Evening Entertainment
• Sunday Brunch
• Glee Club Concert
• Alpha Sigma Nu Induction
• And more

Invitations will be sent in September. For a listing of hotels, area restaurants, and additional information, please visit: www.fairfield.edu/parentsweekend

Parents On Campus - 2006-07 At-A-Glance Calendar

The Class of 2006 Moves On

On May 21, 2006, British Robinson, a senior adviser in the U.S. Department of State, urged graduates to live passionately and create a better, more generous world during her Commencement address to the 56th graduating class of Fairfield. The University awarded 1,179 academic degrees to the Class of 2006, and conferred four honorary degrees, recognizing individuals who have devoted their lives to others.

Commencement 2007

Save the Date!

Commencement 2007 will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2007, with the Baccalaureate Mass being celebrated on Saturday, May 19. University President Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., will be sending out detailed information in early October 2006. Each graduate will receive five tickets for Commencement; no additional tickets are available, so please plan accordingly. Parents are strongly encouraged to make hotel reservations for Saturday evening as soon as possible, as many universities in the area hold Commencement on the same weekend and hotel rooms become limited. While accommodations are available on campus, you can also find a list of local hotels and motels at: www.fairfield.edu/hotels

What's New at Fairfield U?

New Student-Focused Service Center Opens

The newly-built Aloysius P. Kelley S.J. Center is open for business and its environment is reflective of today's trend towards customer-service:  convenient, one-stop shopping, academic-style.

The structure, situated in the heart of the campus across from the John A. Barone Campus Center, houses key service offices including Career Planning, Registrar, Financial Assistance, New Student Programs (orientation and the first year experience program), StagCard services, Student Support Services, and Marketing along with Undergraduate and Graduate Admission.

To acquaint you with the philosophy behind the development of this Center and the state-of-the-art approach to its construction, check out the special website that has been created: www.fairfield.edu/about_kelleyctr.html

Money Matters

Give StagCards Purchasing Power

by Mike Tortora, executive assistant to the vice president for Student Affairs

What's the most convenient plastic for Fairfield students? The StagCard, Fairfield University's official identification card, serves as more than just a key to all buildings on campus. It doubles as a debit card for select purchases (no cash withdrawals are permitted). By adding StagBucks to a StagCard, students can purchase items on campus at the University bookstore, the Mailroom, Mike's Pizza at the Levee, the Student Activities and Facilities Office (for Broadway tickets, etc.), dining locations, and vending machines. With off-campus merchants, most of whom can be visited through the campus shuttle service, students can satisfy a craving at such restaurants as Beijing Chinese Take-out, Bertucci's, and The Chef's Table. They can stock up on essentials at the three CVS/pharmacy locations in Fairfield, take a study break at Nutmeg Bowl, buy a new outfit at Cargo Bay, maintain their summer tan at either Heatwave Tanning Studio or Palm Beach Tan, and get their nails done at Q'Nail. They are prohibited, however, from using their StagCard to purchase tobacco or alcohol. In 2005-06, Fairfield students put more than $770,000 on their StagCards, an average of $250 per student.

Deposits to StagBucks can be made with cash, check, MasterCard, or Visa, and are accepted in person, over the phone, by mail, or online at www.stagcardonline.com. Accounts with Bank of America, which has an ATM located on the second level of the Barone Campus Center, can be set up by calling (800) 225-5353. People's Bank is easily accessible by using a campus shuttle. For more information, and for the latest list of off-campus merchants, visit www.fairfield.edu/stagcard or call the StagCard Office at (203) 254-4009.

Important Reminders

Health Insurance

Freshman Parents: Fairfield University requires four items for residence hall living: a completed health form, MMR vaccines (two doses), meningitis vaccinations, and insurance information. Health insurance coverage can be provided through personal family coverage or the University policy. If your child is not subscribing to the University plan, you must provide proof of coverage by completing the waiver form.

Returning Students/Parents: Insurance information needs to be re-submitted each year to ensure the University has the most current data. To update insurance information, go to: www.kosterweb.com

Homeowners Insurance

If you're sending your student to college with expensive items like a laptop computer, don't forget to make sure those belongings are insured. Just check with your insurance carrier to confirm that they are or to obtain special insurance for such items.

Lease Warning

Each year a number of students find themselves having to pay for both University and off-campus housing. As a reminder, there is a residency requirement for all undergraduate students, although the University does hold an off-campus lottery in November for rising juniors and seniors who wish to move off-campus. Parents are urged to remind their sons or daughters who wish to live off-campus to sign up for the lottery in November, then wait to be selected for release from their University housing contract before signing a lease for off-campus residency.

Fire Safety

Fairfield University has a state-of-the-art fire detection system that includes sprinkler systems in all residence halls, fire retardant dorm furniture, and a full-time fire marshal on staff. To prevent fires, a number of hazards are prohibited in student rooms, including but not limited to: candles, incense, toaster ovens, microwave ovens, halogen lamps, mercury thermometers, and live Christmas trees. Please consult the Student Handbook for more information. www.fairfield.edu/studenthandbook

Study Abroad

Study abroad applications and program deadlines for spring '07 starts as early as Oct. 1, 2006.

Thanksgiving Recess

On Nov. 21, 2006, residence halls close at noon. Undergraduate students with evening classes are permitted to remain until 10:00 p.m. Freshman students are not permitted to have cars on campus, so please make your holiday travel plans now!

Parents' Committee

The Extended Fairfield Family

Dear Fairfield Family,

We may never have met, but we all have something in common - a daughter or son enrolled at Fairfield University. Some of us may even have more than one student at Fairfield. Your son might be the first member of your family, or the first generation, to ever attend college. Or your daughter might be a third or fourth generation college student. Whatever our circumstance, our connection as Fairfield parents unites us.

As Fairfield University parents, we are part of an extended family. That family includes faculty who are open, engaging, and available when students need guidance with course material. It includes staff who reach out to calm our fears about "letting go," as well as alumni who provide internship opportunities and career advice to our sons and daughters.

In the three years our daughter Christina has been at Fairfield, she has benefited from the ability to customize her experience through the courses she takes, her interaction with faculty, and her involvement in student government. Higher education is life-changing, particularly at a Jesuit institution. As graduates of Boston College, we value and appreciate the strong academics and moral compass a Jesuit education provides our youth.

Education that teaches students to be "men and women for others" is essential in the 21st century. But we must not forget that part of this vital education happens at home, in demonstrating the importance of giving back. By supporting Fairfield through the Parents' Annual Fund, we are fulfilling our responsibility as extended members of the Fairfield family. Even better, we are setting an example for our sons and daughters to give to others what they can once they graduate and become part of Fairfield's strong alumni community.

Later this fall, when a member of the Parents' Committee or a student caller contacts you to ask for your support, please give what you can. The Parents' Fund is that portion of Fairfield's Annual Fund supported by parents like us, heightening our students' educational experience and securing the University's financial stability. The Parents' Annual Fund addresses Fairfield's ongoing need for support for current operations. Annual giving also helps Fairfield offer a broad range of global learning opportunities, and supports the University's Jesuit mission so that our daughters and sons graduate with a deep awareness of themselves and their place in the world. There is no greater gift we can give our children.

Joseph Maher P'07 / Joan Maher P'07
Parents' Committee Co-chairs

Parents Exceed $600,000 Dollar Goal

Parents' Fund donors contributed $623,108 (103% of the goal) to Fairfield University during the 2005-06 academic year, with a 31% increase in the number of parent donors. Our goal this year is $675,000.

With your support, we can reach or exceed that goal. Each and every gift helps to enhance your Fairfield student's current education and future career aspirations by building on your family's commitment to Fairfield. To learn more about how your Annual Fund donation is put to work, call (203) 254-4004 or click on www.fairfield.edu/parentsfund

How to Make a Gift

Help us jumpstart the 2006-07 Parents' Annual Fund with your gift today.

• Call with your credit card information: (877) 748-5123
• Send your gift to:

The Fairfield University Parents' Fund
1073 North Benson Road
Bellarmine 327
Fairfield, CT 06824

• Donate online at www.fairfield.edu/giveonline
• Gifts of securities are also welcome. For more information, go to www.fairfield.edu/give_in_kind.html

Parent Volunteers Needed

Fairfield parents are encouraged to volunteer in a variety of ways. These options represent opportunities for parents to share their expertise to benefit Fairfield University and to get to know other Fairfield families. A list of opportunities is available at: www.fairfield.edu/pf_gettinginvolved.html

Fairfield's Guide for Parents on the Web

Got questions? Answers are only a click away. For a full index on topics of interest to parents, go to www.fairfield.edu/parents or click on "Parents and Families" from the website's main page. Or use the following guide for the most popular links:

Academic Calendar
Academic and Disability Support Services
Athletics schedule
Career Planning Center (CPC)
Parents' Handbook
Parents' Weekend
Restaurant List (partial)
Study Abroad
University Telephone Numbers

Focus on Faculty

New Hires in 2006-2007

by Timothy Law Snyder, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

As an academic community dedicated to the discovery and sharing of human knowledge for the betterment of the world around us, Fairfield University takes pride in attracting a highly gifted and scholarly faculty. Each year, new professors bring with them new ideas in teaching and pedagogy, scholarship and creativity, and service to the University at large. Their presence rejuvenates the learning environment while honoring the faculty who have preceded them, directly and from generations past, who give and have given heart and soul in preparation of life long learners. The following are new full-time professors who will enrich the classroom for your sons and daughters this academic year.

From the College of Arts & Sciences:

Biology
Brian G. Walker, Ph.D.
James E. Biardi, Ph.D.

Chemistry
Jessica M. Davis, M.S.
Amanda S. Harper, Ph.D.

History
Steven J. Bachelor, Ph.D.

Mathematics
Mark Demers, Ph.D.

Modern Languages
Jerelyn Johnson, Ph.D.

Physics
Min Xu, Ph.D.

Politics
Janie Heatherman, Ph.D.

Religious Studies
Angela K. Harkins, Ph.D.

Visual & Performing Arts
Jon M. Leiseth, M.F.A.

From the Charles F. Dolan School of Business:

Management
Catherine Connelly Giapponi, Ph.D.
Debra M. Strauss, J.D.

Marketing
Christy Ashley, Ph.D.
Camelia C. Micu, Ph.D.
Rajasree Rajamma, Ph.D.

From the School of Nursing:

Gerontology
Alison E. Kris, Ph.D.

Ask the Administrator

Mark Reed, Student Affairs

by Lisa Roberts

During June 2006 Orientation, Mark Reed, vice president of student affairs, fielded a plethora of questions from parents of first-year students who were concerned about issues ranging from the phenomenon of Facebook.com to the 24/7 availability of healthcare and public safety for Fairfield students. This parents-only session was followed the next morning by a parent-student program focused on expectations and college culture. The latter is to kick-off a conversation between parents and incoming students on important college issues such as alcohol consumption and diversity. More information on both sessions can be found at: www.fairfield.edu/sl_vpcommunications.html

Q. As the new vice president for student affairs, what goals have you set for Fairfield's students?

A. The goals I'm focused on are: 1) to provide a learning environment outside the classroom that has been identified in the University's new strategic vision; 2) to build upon the successes of my predecessor, William P. Schimpf, whose 37 years of service are unprecedented at Fairfield; 3) to extend our school spirit and institutional pride through athletics and beyond; 4) to encourage every Fairfield student to find something meaningful to do outside the classroom that resonates with their genuine interests; and 5) to encourage every Fairfield student to live their own college experience, not someone else's. In short, I hope to leave my individual "mark" at Fairfield and wish the same for each and every student who comes here.

Q. How do you stay connected with our students in your administrative role?

A. Remaining in direct student contact is a high priority of mine, so I form and find structured ways to get involved. I've served as a mentor for the Ignatian Residential College, I've gone on Kairos retreats with Campus Ministry, and I still teach a math course - Applied Calculus or Statistics - as often as I can. I encourage students to go into every semester with a set of objectives on what they want to accomplish to balance out their experience here, and I like to do the same. We all need to schedule the time to achieve these goals if we want to make them happen.

Q. How do you encourage your staff to reach out to students who seemed tethered to their computers, so they can engage in life outside their dorm room?

A. I have found that most students who claim there's nothing to do on campus are really communicating that they haven't connected yet with others who share their interests or their willingness to venture beyond the norm. It's easier to say, "I have nothing to do" than, "I haven't been able to connect yet." And in this age of online socializing, there's a growing concern for these students. Recently, for example, I was on a dorm floor and passed two roommates sitting side by side at their computer screens, instant messaging ... each other! While this is a silly example, the point is that connecting online is no substitute for quality, personal interaction and engagement. I encourage my staff to reach out through a number of programs designed to match the interests, temperaments, and personalities of all our students.

Q. Any final word for our parents?

A. Don't stress too much if your son or daughter calls sounding stressed. Bad days come and go - everyone has them. Years ago students had a chance to process their everyday worries overnight; today they can just press a number on their cell and hear your voice on the other end. If that voice says, "I hear you, I support you, I know you'll figure this one out," then they will. Just listen. That's all you really have to do.

Student Spotlight

Excellence Outside the Classroom

by Hutchinson T. Williams '08, FUSA President

Heading into my junior year, I've come to realize that Fairfield's excellence extends far beyond the classroom. It's in the student body - in all the different ways students get involved and give back to others. Excellence is also present in intangible ways - in the sense of community whether you visit or live here, and in that special "something" that just cannot be described in any college guide.

That's why I'm excited to lead the Fairfield University Student Association (FUSA) this year. Your son or daughter is invited to check us out at www.fairfield.edu/FUSA. We invite their participation and need their help! The 2006-07 year is going to be a great one for FUSA and Fairfield. Social events are being planned for every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night to ensure there's always something to do, such as trips to Broadway plays, paintball, professional baseball games, and more. We're also hard at work collaborating with the Athletic Department to identify new ways to enhance school spirit on campus so that your sons and daughters will be proud to go to Fairfield. These include pep rallies, bonfires, and igniting school pride in our "Stags in the Stands."

The FUSA office is located in the lower lobby of the Barone Campus Center, and your son or daughter is encouraged to stop by and say hello (and you are, too, if you're on campus). There are also more than 80 interest clubs and organizations that offer a sense of community and opportunities to get involved; learn more at www.fairfield.edu/studentclubs. Finally, if you - or your student - have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me directly at 08_hwilliams@stagweb.fairfield.edu

2006-07 FUSA Cabinet

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
Joe and Joan Maher, P' 07
Clare Schimpf '76

University Photojournalist
Jean Santopatre