Campus Map
Our 200-acre campus overlooking Long Island Sound is a place you need to see for yourself. Explore the campus while you are here for Orientation.
Meet
New Student Leaders.
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Welcome to Stag Country
Congratulations on officially starting your journey as a Stag! We are excited to welcome you to Fairfield University and are proud to have you as the newest member of our community.
One-day orientation sessions for the Class of 2028 will take place on Monday, June 17, Thursday, June 20, Tuesday, June 25, and Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
An initial welcome email will be sent to the email address on-file with Admissions in mid-April, and then emails from orientation@fairfield.edu with updates and additional information will be sent to students' Fairfield Gmail accounts. Students should check their student emails on a regular basis for these updates.
What to Expect at Orientation
Orientation provides an opportunity for students to get acquainted with Fairfield University. Students who participate in Orientation will:
Get to Know
fellow new students.
Receive Advising
from faculty and professional staff.
Register
for fall semester academic classes.
Make Connections
with faculty, staff, administrators, and other students.
Learn Strategies
for navigating a transition to Fairfield.
Have Fun
and enjoy!
Stag Roadmap
As you prepare to begin your college career at Fairfield, you probably have some questions about what lies ahead. We've compiled steps and resources below in order to help you navigate your transition to Stag Country.
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Academic Calendar
Never miss another event! Fairfield University’s academic calendar is available online for your convenience.
Magis Core Curriculum
Fairfield’s Magis Core courses give students the knowledge and skills to better understand the world and their place in it. The Core supports and reflects the University’s mission of educating the whole person and offering on-going opportunities for transformation. The Magis Core Curriculum is a discipline-based, two-tiered experience that provides a common learning experience grounded in the humanistic tradition.
Language Placement
All new students with academic or life experience in one of the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian, or Spanish, must take the Language Placement Exam, found on the First-Year Student Checklist. Students planning to study a new language at Fairfield should still take the Language Placement Exam in the language that was studied in high school.
Math Placement
Students will be advised on which initial math course is best for their experience and academic goals based off of the information they provide in their Academic Interests Questionnaire, found on the online First-Year Student Checklist. In general, it is recommended that students enroll in the highest numbered mathematics course for which their high school preparation allows.
Global Fairfield
Study abroad for a semester or summer program from more than 60 programs all over the world with options for all majors and minors. Fairfield also offers faculty-led and summer programs that are open to all students from all levels from first-year to seniors.
DiMenna-Nyselius Library
The DiMenna-Nyselius Library offers access to one million books and ebooks and over 200 databases of academic articles and streaming media. The Library also offers one-on-one research consultations with a librarian; online research guides, citation guides, and tutorials; a student donated textbook collection and course reserves; reserve-able spaces to conduct group work; a virtual reality room; tech equipment such as computers, laptops, and more.
Academic Commons
Located in the DiMenna-Nyselius Library, the Academic Commons is a technology-rich academic hub for support services. Geared to ensure student success while at Fairfield, the Academic Commons is comprised of the Office of Accessibility, CAS Fredrickson Family Innovation Lab, ITS Help Desk, Global Fairfield, Writing Center, and Math Center.
Career and Professional Development
The University Career Center serves Fairfield University students with comprehensive career support services, programming and resources. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their career counselor and set up their Stags4Hire profile as early as the first year on campus.
Athletics & Recreation
Whether you give it your all on the field or in the stands, whether you're running, swimming, playing, or cheering, you're a Stag. You're part of the hundreds at Fairfield who either take part in athletics on the varsity or intramural/club level, or even more who go to the hundreds of athletic competitions every year.
Campus Safety
Open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, the function of the Department of Public Safety is to ensure that the entire university community stays as free as possible from crime, while pursuing their academic endeavors to the fullest. Officers prevent, investigate and report any violations of State or Federal Law and/or University regulations on campus.
Dean of Students
The Office of the Dean of Students connects students with university and community resources in support of their educational experience. Our office upholds community standards which encourage open communication, values-based decision-making, ethical behavior, and resiliency within a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment. The Office advocates for and assists students in resolving concerns which affect them and the University community as a whole.
Dining
Fairfield offers students a modern dining experience with a taste of community with a variety of options for students to choose from.
Health & Wellness
Fairfield University Health & Wellness involves three key areas for students: Fitness & Recreation, Counseling & Psychological Services and the Health Center.
Residence Life
The Office of Residence Life seeks to provide safe, comfortable, living and learning environments for residential and commuter students. Fairfield University offers many different housing options ranging from traditional residence halls to semi-independent living after students’ sophomore year. Fairfield University guarantees and requires on-campus residency for all full-time undergraduates during all four years at Fairfield.
Spiritual & Religious Life
Reflecting our Catholic value that all people are created in the image and likeness of God, 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. Rooted in our Ignatian identity, we welcome students from all faith traditions and at all points on their spiritual journey.
Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs
The Office of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs seeks to promote the mission of Fairfield by creating an environment that supports greater understanding and appreciation of diversity, multiculturalism, and promotion of inclusive excellence.
Financial Aid
We're committed to every aspect of your education — including helping you afford it. Our undergraduate students finance their education through a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. Students can view financial aid awards, required documents, payment history, financial aid counselor contacts, and more in the my.fairfield portal.
Bursar
The Office of the Bursar is responsible for issuing student bills and the collection of the Federal Perkins and Federal Nursing loans. Bills can be paid through check and payment plans.
Campus Referral Guide
Familiarize yourself with this guide to make informed decisions about who to contact when you or your student has an issue or concern. This will ensure that you or your student is being connected with the most correct campus resource.
Parent Engagement & Philanthropy
At Fairfield University, the parents and families of our students are an important part of our campus community. Your support and encouragement continue to play a key role in our students’ personal and professional development.
Move-In & Fall Welcome
Fall Welcome allows first-year students to reconnect with each other and the Fairfield community before classes begin. The Class of 2027 will move in on Friday, September 1, 2023.
First Year Experience
All new undergraduate students are enrolled in a non-credited FYE seminar for their fall semester. Co-facilitated by a faculty or staff member and a student mentor, the seminar teaches Fairfield’s core Jesuit values and discusses topics — such as campus life and resources — to help first-year students acclimate to college.
Clubs & Organizations
Fairfield University has over 100 student-led clubs and organizations—ranging from honor societies to academic-focused clubs to political and cultural clubs—where students gain first-hand experience in leadership, organizational development and management, decision-making, diversity, and event planning.
Traditions & Signature Events
Some of our traditions are rooted in religion and reflection while others give us a chance to celebrate our accomplishments. And a many are just plain fun! These yearly events bring our community together and truly become the heartbeat of our Fairfield Community.
Alumni & Family Weekend
Families and alumni are invited to campus in October for Alumni & Family Weekend, a Fairfield tradition with a variety of activities and events for students, alumni, and families.
Town of Fairfield
Imagine a perfect college town. Now put it a mile from the beach and an hour train ride from New York City. That’s Fairfield, Connecticut — a picturesque New England town small enough to navigate on foot, but big enough that you won’t run out of things to do.
Local Hotels
Staying in the area overnight? Many area hotels offer special rates for Orientation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Checklist Questions
The First-Year Student Checklist is open to all incoming students who have claimed their NetID. It can take up to 48 hours after submitting your deposit for an email telling you to claim your NetID to be generated, and another 48 hours after claiming your NetID for the checklist to be accessible. If it has been more than 48 hours since claiming your NetID and you still aren’t able to access the checklist, please contact the Orientation Team at orientation@fairfield.edu for assistance. The checklist will be open for the Class of 2028 in mid-April.
Some checklist items are automatically updated while some need to be manually updated, so it is important to review the “Updated Within” information for each action item. If it has been more than 10 days and an item you completed is still not checked off, please contact the Orientation Team at orientation@fairfield.edu for assistance.
Orientation Logistics
Students will choose to attend one of the four one-day orientation sessions: June 17, 2024, June 20, 2024, June 25, 2024, and June 26, 2024.
If a student is unable to attend orientation, they must still complete the Orientation Registration Form on the First-Year Student Checklist by the deadline. Knowing who can/cannot attend will assist the Orientation Team in the planning and implementation of the orientation sessions.
The Orientation Team will be in contact with students who can't attend orientation throughout the summer to ensure they are supported in their transition to Fairfield University.
Students are allowed to bring two guests with them to orientation. Guests will follow a separate schedule, with sessions focused on sharing resource information that will assist them in supporting their student's transition to Fairfield. Guest attendance is optional but encouraged.
Guests are required to register ahead of time using the Guest Orientation Registration Form, which can be found on the First-Year Student and Parent/Guardian Checklists.
Students
- Casual, comfortable clothes and shoes
- Rain jacket & umbrella
- Laptop or tablet for course registration
- License, passport or other state-issued photo-ID for StagCard picture to be taken
- NetID login information
Guests
- Casual, comfortable clothes and shoes
- Rain jacket & umbrella
Academic Planning
At orientation, students will meet with advisors to learn more about the academic planning process prior to registering for the remainder of their first semester courses.
Academic administrators will reach out to students who are unable to attend orientation to help them complete their fall 2024 course schedule.
Our students utilize both Apple and PC based laptops for the majority of schools/majors. The exception is the School of Engineering, where we recommend our students use/purchase a PC based laptop. All students should download Microsoft Office 365, which is available at office365.fairfield.edu for no additional cost.
Students entering Fairfield University may be eligible to receive college credits for work previously completed in several ways: through Advanced Placement exams, through high-level international baccalaureate courses, or through college courses completed while in high school.
More information about the awarding of credits can be found on the New Student Checklist.
New students should make sure that official results or transcripts are sent to Pamela Kelly, Academic Commons, DiMenna-Nyselius Library Complex, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824-5195
Connect With Us
The latest Fairfield news, events, and campus photos are just a post or tweet away. Stay up-to-date on all things Fairfield and connect with us online by following our social media pages.
If you have any questions, you can email or call us at orientation@fairfield.edu Office of Student Engagement (203) 254-4053 and Office of the Dean of Students (203) 254-4211.