Initiatives

The Bennett Center for Judaic Studies was founded in 1994 with an initial endowment from Carl and Dorothy Bennett of Greenwich, Conn. Its goal is to enrich the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual life of the University through lectures, programs, and other special events; enhancement of the University library's Judaic collection; monthly Shabbat services and dinners (co-sponsored with Campus Ministry), and ongoing support of the College of Arts and Sciences' undergraduate interdisciplinary program in Judaic Studies. Bennett Center events are open to the University and greater Bridgeport/Fairfield communities.

Grounded in Fairfield University's Jesuit, Catholic mission to share its intellectual resources for the betterment of the community and to educate students to be socially and morally responsible, the Center for Social Impact connects community and campus to create high impact academic opportunities that address local, national, and global challenges and develop individuals committed to creating a more just and equitable world.

Community partners play a vital role in supporting student learning through participation in service and civic engagement. Fairfield University strives to continually strengthen our relationships with community organizations and to work toward establishing mutually beneficial partnerships. Community partners benefit from the skills, compassion, and commitment of our students, faculty, and staff who, in turn, benefit from the experience and expertise of the community.

Campus Ministry oversees several community service programs, such as After-School Programs, Fairfield Volunteer Corps, Animal Welfare, Daycare, Mentoring, Hunger Cleanup, Soup Kitchens Food Pantries, and Special Needs. To volunteer, please contact Katie Byrnes (kbyrnes@fairfield.edu), Campus Minister for Social Justice and Community Engagement.

Fairfield University is committed to providing qualified students who have disabilities an equal opportunity to access the benefits, rights, and privileges of its services, programs, and activities in an accessible setting. Furthermore, in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Connecticut state laws, we provide accommodations to reduce the impact of their disabilities on academic functioning or upon other major life activities. These legal requirements are in keeping with our Jesuit mission and policy of non-discrimination.

The Office of Accessibility is responsible for evaluating and coordinating appropriate auxiliary aids and services for students with disabilities in an effort to ensure their full participation in all University activities, programs, and services. DSS interacts with students with disabilities in the determination and facilitation of individualized accessibility plans each semester. We also serve as a liaison between students, faculty, and staff.

Located on the second floor of Dolan House, the Office of International Programs administers Fairfield University's study abroad programs, international student and scholar services, and international student recruitment. We engage the Fairfield community with the world by bringing international students into our classrooms or offering academic programs abroad.

The Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network (JUHAN) was launched in 2008 through a joint collaboration between Georgetown, Fordham, and Fairfield Universities. The idea of JUHAN is that, in addressing the needs of those that are suffering, our academic institutions can be more effective when working together rather than independently. The founders had come to the realization that there is relatively little going on in U.S. higher education to prepare undergraduates for humanitarian action, whether that be career development or preparation to fulfill everyday civic responsibilities.

As part of The Lucy Katz Dialogue & Resolution Program, we train 28 students, faculty, and staff each year as a social justice mediators. As we continue to work towards creating a socially just community at Fairfield University and beyond, we invite students, faculty, or staff to consider receiving a certification in Social Justice Mediation. The hope is to continue growing a population of individuals at all levels of the University who, as trained mediators, can cultivate social justice awareness, resolve disputes and attend to social justice concerns (bias incidents, education, conflicts, etc.).

In an effort to attend to the spiritual needs of our non-Catholic students, Campus Ministry provides a host of services and collaborates with those beyond the Catholic and Jesuit tradition. Campus Ministry co-sponsors monthly Shabbat services and dinners. A Muslim chaplain-intern is available to provide support to our Muslim students, a Protestant chaplain is available to meet the needs of our Protestant students, and a Jewish chaplain is also available to meet the needs of our Jewish students. The Orthodox Christian Fellowship maintains a vibrant presence on campus.

Campus Ministry also makes every effort to enable non-Catholic students to connect with local faith communities from their tradition by providing transportation to and from local churches, synagogues, and mosques. Campus Ministry invites all students to come learn, grow, laugh, and pray as they explore their relationship with themselves, God, and their community.

We welcome admitted students from traditionally underrepresented populations and students with a strong interest in diversity to spend a night on campus, meet current students, faculty and staff and become a stag for day.

Service-learning is an experiential approach to teaching and learning that links academic study and community service so that each is strengthened and both are transformed. Critical reflection is an essential component as is the development of partnerships with the community that are based in mutuality and reciprocity. The Office of Service Learning (OSL) is committed to solidarity and collaboration with people who are marginalized. In addition to being mindful of "best practices" that have been developed in the academic service-learning movement nationally, our work flows from the Jesuit Catholic educational mission of Fairfield University that calls for the dynamic integration of academic excellence, social responsibility, and faith that promotes justice.

Poetry for Peace is a cross-district poetry contest open to all Bridgeport and Fairfield K-8th grade students. The contest is sponsored annually by Fairfield University, with a call for submissions of poetry written in response to the question “What does peace mean to me?”

The Diversity Council was appointed by President Jeffrey von Arx, S.J. in 2005. The Council was organized to evaluate, review, and assess the institution's progress as it strengthens its multicultural education curricula and human diversity foundation and goals. The Council membership is drawn from all sectors of the University community. Each year President von Arx charges the Council with a topic to carefully consider and then submit recommendations and suggestions.

The Fairfield Safe Space Program creates a network of campus-based allies to support and confirm the dignity and self worth of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer students and their allies.

In accordance with Catholic social teaching, the human rights of all are paramount to the Jesuit university educational experience. Fairfield University is committed to providing safe spaces where individuals can engage in discussion, education, advocacy, and awareness about LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) issues. These spaces are free from discrimination, ignorance, bigotry, and harassment, and provide a safe and accepting environment for all members of the Fairfield University community regardless of sex, race, color, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, disability, or special needs.

For a list of workshop dates, please contact the Office of Student Diversity Programs at (203) 254-4000 ext. 2806 or send an e-mail to safespace@fairfield.edu.

When we are at our best, we deeply appreciate the gifts of others and seek to serve those in need. The Service for Justice Residential College (S4J) located on the "Quad" in 70 McCormick Hall (2 person residential hall), is a community based on exploring questions of service, diversity and social justice. Through conversations, reflection and action of students, faculty, and mentors with one another, the hope of this community is to appreciate an historical context of and passion for social justice, understand diversity and all its manifestations, communicate with others about and across differences, and take action and become change agents. In this way, all are able to construct and discern their own living and learning experience. This community welcomes students of all interests, backgrounds, and perspectives. Three overarching questions guide our community:

Who am I?

Whose am I?

How am I called to serve justice?

Students for Social Justice (S4SJ) is a dynamic, student-led group that aims to educate, advocate, and activate around issues of social justice, to be a voice for the voiceless, and to further enrich Fairfield's mission in the service of faith and the promotion of justice. Past activities have included a Darfur activism campaign, Congressional letter writing campaigns, a Fair-Trade Bazaar and Fashion Show, and the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice. Open to all classes, the group meets every Tuesday from 8 - 9 p.m. in Campus Ministry. All are welcome!

The Office of Student Diversity Programs 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. Students will obtain a greater understanding and appreciation of diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice through participation and celebration in a variety of activities.

The office works with student organizations, faculty, and other University offices to further integrate diversity into developmental and social programs for students. As a result, the office establishes meaningful relationships with students in order to effectively address their needs, interests, and concerns. Please contact Pejay Lucky (plucky@fairfield.edu) for more information.

Upward Bound is a federally funded program for college-bound high school students. The objective of the program is to develop academic, intellectual and social skills, needed for entrance to and graduation from college. All activities and services are provided at no cost to the students and their families.