The
FREE | Take one Week of Oct. 21, 2009|Vol. 35, Iss. 7
Mirror
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The Independent Student Newspaper of Fairfield University The Reflection of Fairfield
Fr. O’Neil Passes Away at 79 By Tom Cleary Editor-in-Chief
director, dean of students and after five years off for studies, he formed the first formal guidance program there. O’Neil moved on to the University in 1972, working as the director of Career Counseling. He was named Dean of Students in 1986, a job that was supposed to last just one year but turned into seven. His last assignment at Fairfield was one that O’Neil felt was his most fulfilling, serving as the chaplain for alumni and the athletic department. He performed weddings and said funerals for alumni, also reaching out to those who were ill. “[He] came to be wellloved by players, coaches, and the Athletic Department staff,” von Arx said. “His office on the second floor of the Walsh Athletic Building was much frequented by those who sought his advice and counsel.” An avid sports fan, O’Neil could always been seen at sporting events throughout his career at Fairfield, especially once he took over as chaplain. “I knew Fr. O’Neil for a long time,” said men’s soccer head coach Carl Rees. “He was ever present at our games and in the Walsh Athletic Department. He will remain in my heart and in the hearts of all those he touched throughout his long time here.”
For the past 50 years, Fr. Laurence O’Neil served the Fairfield Prep and Fairfield University communities as a teacher, mentor and friend. On Monday morning O’Neil passed away at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport at the age of 79. “Fairfield University and Fairfield Prep have been blessed with his warm Irish humor, selfless devotion to the Jesuit mission, and utmost concern for students,” said University President Fr. Jeffrey von Arx in a press release. O’Neil “He leaves a legacy of thousands of people whose lives he touched and often changed significantly through his priesthood and the several important positions he held on campus. He will be missed.” O’Neil, a Westfield, Mass. native, joined the Jesuit order in 1948, following in the footsteps of his three uncles. He was assigned to Fairfield Prep in 1955 as a teacher. While there he also spent time as assistant athletic
Photo Illustration by Meghan Schelzi
Parking Ban Aimed at Students By Keri Harrison News Editor It came as no surprise that the Princeton Review named the University as having some of the worst town-gown relations of any college in the nation. The Fairfield Police Commission illustrated why last Wednesday when they imposed an overnight parking ban on Veterans Park on Reef Road. According to a Connecticut Post article, the ban was targeted at partying Fairfield students. The parking ban, which restricts cars from parking in Veterans Park from 11 p.m. until 3 a.m., was a request from the Parks and Recreation Committee and the Fairfield Beach Residents Association. Fairfield Police Chief David Peck said in the Post article that he felt it was a problem that needed to be addressed. “It’s year-round residents who deserve our attention,” he said. He continued to say that since it
is mostly college students who park their cars in that lot at night in order to party at the beach, if the lot is no longer available, they will either use public transportation or stop coming altogether. According to the Post article, The Fairfield Beach Residents Association President Paige Herman said, “First of all, if you don’t discontinue using this as a parking lot for Fairfield University students, the cars will continue to come.” “It’s not our responsibility to provide parking for students who go and party at the beach,” she continued. Fairfield students did have some support in the voting, however; both Commission member Donald Kleber and Commissioner Arthur Hersh voted against the ban. Senior Allie Quinlan, a beach resident, did not think the ban was a good idea. “This is actually my first hearing of the parking ban, but that seems very unfair,” she said.
“Many seniors from campus want to come down to the beach to be with their friends, [and] there is such limited parking to begin with that they should be allowed to park at Veterans Park,” Quinlan continued. Kristen Koldras ‘10, who is also a beach resident, agreed. “The ban is another thing that takes away from fellow classmates enjoying the beach, especially those seniors that live on campus,” she said. “It’s already hard enough to find a spot without it but now it becomes a major inconvenience.” “I think it’s just giving students another reason to drunk drive,” said Michael Conley ‘10. Elysse Ruschmeyer ‘10 is not happy with the parking situation at the beach, especially now with the new parking ban. “I just think it’s obnoxious because there is already not enough parking and there is no reason for it all, except that they don’t want us living at the beach.”
He Said Controversy Heating Up On & Off Campus He Said Reaches Beyond Campus
By Meagan Flynn Staff Writer
The controversy sparked by offensive language in the “He Said” column has had serious implications for both The Mirror and the Fairfield community on and off campus. A student protest against language in the column has created a buzz that has gone far beyond the walls of the University. Both editors and protestors have cited the high parent and alumni response to the article in question, proving that current students aren’t the only ones affected by language appearing in the independent paper. Now, the issue has permeated larger scale publications, such as the Connecticut Post. The Post covered the issue this week, detailing both the language used in the “He Said” article and also the protest that followed. The Post’s article, which was published on Sunday, accurately portrays the conflicting feelings that students,
faculty and staff have been experiencing in the recent weeks. “They can publish (what was written). The question is whether they should or not,” Journalism Professor Jim Simon was quoted as saying, in response to whether or not the ethics code of The Mirror was violated. Simon also noted that this situation has been “a good exercise for both protestors and editors,” according to the Post article. In contrast, the article also touched upon FUSA’s response to the controversy, which was recently outlined in two separate resolutions from the FUSA Senate. “Jeffrey Seiser, president of FUSA and a senior from Torrington, said student government isn’t looking to censor the paper, but ensure better judgment by the student editors. In his view, the paper did breach its ethics contract by printing content that was sexist and vulgar,” said the Post article. While this ethical debate will likely
Index Opinion • Page 7 Features • Page 11 Arts & Entertainment • Page 13 Sports • Page 24
continue throughout the year, and maybe even for as long as the column exists, the question still remains if The Mirror will face any serious consequences from administration. Dean of Students Tom Pellegrino acknowledges the necessity for an independent student newspaper, but has been working closely with The Mirror’s Editorial Board to ensure that the paper proceeds in a more responsible way that benefits both The Mirror and the University at large. “This University wants there to be a student newspaper on this campus. It should be an independent paper. It should be a paper that is free from censorship, but it’s also a paper that I want to have act responsibly as an independent corporation, including adhering to its own prescribed journalistic standards — to my mind, that has not happened here,” said Pellegrino. Pellegrino and Editor-in-Chief
Controversy | page 6
Inside This Week Bloomberg Comes to Business School: DSB gets new advanced terminals. See page 3.
The Mirror
Harassment Charges Filed Against Surette By Philip J. Mortenson Staff Writer The fallout from the “He Said/She Said” article on the topic of the “walk of shame” has caused “He Said” author Chris Surette to receive “harassment complaints” submitted to Public Safety. Director of Publc Safety Todd A. Pelazza confirmed that complaints had been filed and offered a statement on the matter. “The issue has opened a very important dialogue, and it is exploring issues of free speech versus what some may deem offensive behavior.” The complaints against Surette have been sent to the Dean’s office for final adjudication. The controversy has caused Surette to receive countless interview requests from much larger publications such as the Charges | page 6
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