Fairfield University will welcome 925 first year students when it opens its doors for the 2010-2011 academic year on Sunday, August 29. They will come from 28 states and seven foreign countries. Among the new students will be 94 who will major in nursing, the largest number ever. In keeping with the university's goal of increasing diversity, over 19 percent of the incoming class are students of color. This is Fairfield's first class after becoming SAT optional and Karen Pellegrino, director of undergraduate admission, said the university has maintained the quality of the class.

Sixty members of the Class of 2014 were awarded Magis Scholarships, which recognize academic excellence and student involvement in high school, community or church. The Magis Scholarship provides a $20,000 annual grant, renewable for four years.

New Residence Hall Opens
Among the changes that returning students will see on campus will be the opening of a new residence hall, 42 Bellarmine, the former Jesuit residence which underwent a major renovation this year. The new residents will be sophomores in the new Creative Life Residential College, a living and learning community that will help guide students to a greater awareness of themselves as creative individuals, while exploring fundamental questions of identity, community, and vocation. Students from all schools and departments were invited to join the community to create a synergy between business, science, arts, engineering, humanities and nursing students.

Borrow a Bike Program
Also new this year at Fairfield will be a "Borrow a Bike" program in which 15 bikes are available for students to use for transportation. It joins the "Rent a Car" program introduced last year.

Living and Learning Communities Expand
The living and learning communities are key strategic priorities for the university and for the first time there will be five such communities for sophomores, with 85 percent of the sophomore class, or 660 students, opting to take part. The five communities include:

1. Ignatian Residential College, Fairfield's first living and learning community, introduced eight years ago;
2. Creative Life Residential College, located in the newly renovated 42 Bellarmine;
3. Leadership in the Ignatian Tradition Residential College;
4. Environmental Life Residential College; and
5. Service for Justice Residential College, introduced last year

Living and Learning Communities for first year students are:

The Healthy Living Floor and
Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (WISTEM)

Juniors and seniors have the option of applying for a "Build-A-House Community" in which a group of students wishing to live together identify a theme they are passionate about that benefits the campus community in a positive way. These communities, in collaboration with their advisor, are responsible for educating the University community about their theme. Locations eligible for these communities include the Townhouses, Apartment complex, and the beach community.

Posted On: 08-27-2010 10:08 AM

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