Campus Ministry oversees several community service programs, such as After-School Programs, ÍâÍøÁÔÆæ 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.
ÍâÍøÁÔÆæ 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 ÍâÍøÁÔÆæ's study abroad programs, international student and scholar services, and international student recruitment. We engage the ÍâÍøÁÔÆæ 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 ÍâÍøÁÔÆæ 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 ÍâÍøÁÔÆæ 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.
Community engaged 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. ÍâÍøÁÔÆæ 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 ÍâÍøÁÔÆæ that calls for the dynamic integration of academic excellence, social responsibility, and faith that promotes justice.
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?
The University strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment for enrolled armed service veterans. The Office of Student Diversity Programs is able to direct student veterans to available resources on campus and assist veterans in connecting with the broader University community. For additional information, please contact Will Johnson.
