E-Mail to All Students Regarding Beach Relations & Our Community (April, 2006)

Sent via e-mail
Memorandum

Date: April 4, 2006
To: Fairfield University Students
From: Thomas C. Pellegrino, Dean of Students
Re: Beach Relations and our Community

In recent weeks, much attention has been drawn to the beach. We have witnessed events that have called into question the basic standards of conduct we subscribe to as a University community. These are isolated events, and comparatively few in number. However, they have been a cause for concern to many in the Fairfield community, and rightly so.

As Dean of Students, I am posed with the question of where I stand on the "beach issue." I certainly have an opinion, but I am also mindful of the fact that student residency at the beach, and town gown relations in general, are issues of common importance. It is not for any one person, or even a few individuals, to be the only commentators on the issue. In that respect, it is my intention through this email to engage discussion and hopefully strike at a middle ground where fundamental issues can be grasped by a majority of the community both within and outside our campus borders.

In offering my own observations, I am reminded of how important it is not to take extreme positions on this issue. Two diametrically opposed factions have tended to consume much of the attention in the media. One group is dominated by a small but vocal group of residents who wish to rid the beach of Fairfield University students completely. I reject this position. Fairfield University students have as much right to live at the beach as any other private resident. Furthermore, they cannot be made to check certain rights at the door that are made available to all other residents simply by their status as students.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is a similarly small group of student residents who, through their actions, display a contempt for the law, for common sense, and for any normal notion of decent behavior. They do this in the name of being a college student. I reject this extreme behavior as well. With the right to live off campus comes the same type of responsibilities that all residents must abide by. I will vigorously protect a student's right to live at the beach, but I will not defend indefensible behavior.

I am interested in encouraging behavior - smart behavior, exercised in good faith in a manner that reflects well on all of us. I would like to see a code of behavior that can be readily adopted by the vast majority of University and Town residents who occupy the middle ground between the two isolated extremes mentioned above. In an effort to appeal to what I believe is this "majority in the middle," I would offer the following thoughts. While most of this strikes at the obvious, it bears stating:

To the students who live at or visit the beach:

Enjoy your time as a college student, but not at the expense of your neighbor, or the law. Follow the rules.
Keep the noise down: Realize that while you have a right to throw a party in the middle of the night, there is a four year old child down the street that has a right to sleep through the evening. Realize that could be your child someday. Keep the volume down, and keep the party inside your house. Be fair to your neighbors and they will be fair to you.
Follow the golden rule: In this instance, treat your neighbors and their property as you would want someone to treat your property and personal belongings. Better yet, treat the property of others as if it were the home of a grandparent or close friend.
Know your limits. Our students are extraordinarily bright, well-educated people. Yet, this is not reflected in the choices being made weekend after weekend by a small segment of the population. In virtually every incidence, alcohol has taken away the ability to exercise sound judgment. College is a time for fun, but there is no justification for losing control of yourself, particularly when this loss of control impairs judgment, and makes you a danger to yourself or others.
Condemn inappropriate behavior in your homes. Regulate who is present in your home. Know your guests on a first name basis. Do not tolerate strangers in your home, and do not hesitate to contact the police if you need assistance in getting a situation under control.
Come to campus. Participate in the numerous social, intellectual, artistic and athletic events going on here. Create meaningful traditions - not just excuses to get drunk as quickly as possible. We will work with you and support you in developing creative and enjoyable events.
Don't litter. If you do need to clean up, do it quickly and thoroughly. No one should have to live with, or see another person's mess.
Commit to a higher standard of living. There are only a handful of weekends left in the semester. You are capable of controlling your own conduct and recognizing limits. Commit to the notion that these remaining weekends can be memorable times without any further arrests, hospital visits, violence, or complaints from neighbors.

To the full-time residents:

Respect the right of students to live at the beach. This means respecting the right in words, actions, as well as a restraint of action. Recognize that there is frustration on both sides of the fence.
Follow the golden rule: In this instance, that means refraining from the use of threats or heated rhetoric to get your point across. Take a moment to get to know the people who live across or down the street. You will likely find them to be good, decent individuals.
Realize that the vast majority of students are law abiding citizens who pay their rent, and keep their properties in good shape (not to mention the countless numbers who patronize local businesses, serve in churches, and baby sit the children of the community at a moment's notice!) Appreciate the benefit that their presence in the community can have.
Do not assume that all problems you see are the result of University student conduct.

It is my hope that all parties interested in the promotion of town gown relations will see something of benefit in this correspondence, adopt it for themselves, and experience the positive benefits that can arise from a mutually beneficial town-gown relationship.