Academic Support at the DiMenna-Nyselius Library

Over the summer, the DiMenna-Nyselius Library underwent a series of renovations to welcome Fairfield’s new Academic Commons. The Academic Commons is a technology-rich resource offering many support services – in a single convenient location – to promote student and faculty success. Resources at The Commons include:

• The Office of Academic Support and Retention, which serves undergraduate students who are undeclared, changing majors and/or schools, or in need of advising to help them make a successful transition to a declared program of study. The office offers tutoring programs and learning support resources and workshops.
• The Office of Accessibility, which facilitates reasonable accommodations for students who disclose a disability, meet the eligibility requirement, and request accommodations through Accessibility.
• Research Consultation and Support
• The Math Center, which offers free tutoring for core math classes, including drop-in tutoring or individual half-hour tutoring appointments.
• Tutors in The Writing Center, who will work with students on essays, research papers, lab reports, creative writing, personal statements for graduate school, and much more. Students can make an appointment online.

Career Planning
Most students (and families) wonder when is the right time to meet with a career counselor. Students are encouraged to stop by the Career Center early during their time on campus, to begin preparing for a fulfilling career and life after Fairfield.

• Students can visit the Career Center located in the Kelley Center to discern their skills and interests, explore potential career options, and receive resume, cover letter, and interview support, and more.
• Each College or School at the University also has experienced career counselors available to assist students who are exploring majors and careers, applying for internships, and in need of job search strategies.
• Students are encouraged to schedule appointments with career counselors. It is never too early to take advantage of these resources.

Weekend Activities
Families often ask what fun, safe opportunities the University offers for students to enjoy on weekends.

• Weekender: Every Thursday, students receive The WEEKENDER to their University email address. The Weekender conveniently lists social, academic, athletic, service, and spiritual events taking place Thursday through Sunday of the upcoming weekend. The WEEKENDER email includes dates, times, locations, and descriptions of events, so students can choose from a host of options.
• Fairfield@Night offers late-night social activities for all students free of charge from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
• Athletics: Students are encouraged to cheer on the Stags at campus athletics events each weekend.
• Signature Events and Traditions: There are campus-wide events on many weekends throughout the year, to encourage the student body to come together to enjoy themselves.
• Students who want to be involved but aren’t sure where to start can visit the Office of Student Engagement and talk through opportunities that best fit their interests.

Communities and Friendships
Is your student still looking for a greater network of friends? There are many small communities on campus in which students can really thrive.

• It’s not too late to join clubs and organizations, or for students to even start a new club.
• Applications are open for one of our most popular Campus Ministry retreats, Kairos.
• There are many leadership opportunities where students can develop their skills, meet other student leaders, and become more involved in campus organizations.
• The My Fairfield Future Fair is a student leadership and involvement fair designed to help first-year and sophomore students discover ways to get more deeply involved at Fairfield. The Fair takes place in late November.

Wellness
Fairfield understands the importance of health and wellness and focuses on new and innovative ways that don’t just target students’ physical fitness and nutrition. We are taking into account students’ mental and emotional wellness too.

• College can be a wonderful, fun time, but it can also be stressful and there are a lot of changes and adjustments, not just in the first-year. Counseling and Psychological Services offers free, confidential sessions, group therapy, and other wellness services for students.
• The state-of-the-art Fairfield RecPlex is home to fitness classes, club and intramural sports, a 25-meter pool, and a large cardio training suite.
• The Office of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs seeks to develop and implement programs and services that will increase the engagement of students in activities that promote and foster an inclusive living and learning community.
• Campus Ministry strives to be a home for all students to integrate faith into the whole of their lives from an intellectual and spiritual perspective. Campus ministry is home to many opportunities for community service, community building, immersion trips, interfaith ecumenical services, and Catholic liturgy.