FREE | Take one Week of September 14, 2011 | Vol. 37, Iss 2
The
Mirror
The Independent Student Newspaper of Fairfield University
fairfieldmirror.com
The Reflection of Fairfield
Convocation 2015: The Class of Global Citizenship By Danica Ceballos Associate News Editor
“World’s Imagined” is this year’s theme, encouraging the student body to take advantage of opportunities to promote change and work towards global peace. Fr. Paul Fitzgerald, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, began Convocation by welcoming the class of 2015. Michael Doody, S.J., director of Campus Ministry, said the Invocation, and Charlie Knights, FUSA President, gave a welcoming speech ending. Fr. von Arx, President of Fairfield University, introduced speaker Danke Li, Associate Professor of History. In her speech, Professor Li addressed the videos that were to be
watched before convocation. She explained that they gave a “message of the big picture,” that we are “living in exceptional times.” Li went on to state that the lessons to be taken from the videos are the ability of students to connect to ideas of responsible global citizenship. In order to better realize their ability to work towards global citizenship, Li asked students to partake in a self-examination in which there are three steps. The first step involves recognizing that students are already global citizens. The second step is to take personal actions to make a difference. This involves taking courses on campus that one is passionate about, as well as joining clubs and making a difference in the smaller community. The third step is gratitude for the
Jesuit values provided and ability to be involved in the school both through classes and other activities. Kaitlin McEwan ’15 stated, “It was a very inspiring speech that made me think about what I was going to do during my time at Fairfield. I learned how I can be a global citizen.” Kelan McDonnell ’15 claimed that “Professor Li’s speech on global citizenship was very nice; however, the whole event seemed thrown together and disorganized and that distracted me from the overall experience.” Poems were then read by two members of the class of 2014. The class of 2015 was given their class gift of globe stress balls symbolizing that they have the world in the palm of their hands.
Tom McKiver/Photo Editor
Students sitting on Bellarmine Lawn listening to Prof. Danke Li at the Fall 2011 Convocation Ceremony.
CT Post Contributed Photo Freshmen students finally move into their dorms on September 6, 2011.
Hurricane Reflection
By Danica Ceballos Associate News Editor
The first day of school came four days late, Fall Welcome was shortened from four to two days, and the whole student body was asked to move in within 48 hours; however, a week after the start of school, Fairfield has returned to normal after Hurricane Irene’s attack on the northeast. During the hurricane, precautions were taken by asking students already living on campus to evacuate. Resident Assistants, First Year Mentors, and certain athletic teams were allowed to remain on campus. Other than those few exceptions, Fairfield University was unoccupied. Although maintenance had already prepared for Fall Welcome, they were asked to remove and put away all decorations around campus. They worked around the clock to clean and care for the school, even during heavy winds and rain. In addition, upper level administration slept on campus
to ensure the safety of students remaining here. Students have complained about extra work during this first week of classes and panic among teachers, but because only a few days of class were missed there will be no change in the overall school year schedule. Although professors may need to adjust their syllabi, in years past school did not begin until after Labor Day. This cushion allowed leeway for the cancellation of the first four days of school. When discussing the hurricane with faculty and staff, almost all commented on the successful flexibility and communication between students and administration. Because many students seem unsure as to where different groups on campus stand on the effects of the hurricane, key faculty and staff gave their input on the response to the hurricane, its impact on move-in, and the steps being taken to move forward from this minor setback.
Continued page 3
New Permit Parking Rules Not Much of a Perk
By Liz Koubek News Editor
Excitement. Freedom. Convenience. These are the adjectives one would think to associate with having their car on campus. To some extent that assumption is correct; however, along with the sense of freedom also comes a list of rules. “Parking is such a sensitive area, it’s important we get the information out as our traffic enforcement efforts begin shortly,” said the Associate Director of Public Safety Frank J. Ficko. Starting Friday September 16, 2011 all vehicles must be registered with the University. Registration costs $120 and must be completed on Stagweb
Index Opinion • Page 7 The Vine • Page 9 Coffee Break • Page 16 Sports • Page 20
under “Parking Registration” as well as in the Public Safety office located in the Lower Level of Loyola Hall. The option to register a vehicle is only permitted to Juniors and Seniors on campus. Neither Freshmen nor Sophomores are allowed to register their car for any reason, nor are Juniors nor Seniors allowed to register underclassmen in their name. If they do so, their parking privileges can be revoked. Once students have completed the registration process they will receive a sticker representing which parking lot they are permitted to use. Details explaining this further can be found at Fairfield.edu/parking.
Parking | page 2
Diagram Courtesy of Public Safety
“Gold Zone” parking at the Village is reserved for Seniors only. Seniors are permitted to park in the Quick Center lot (O-1) east end only (see diagram),” according to Ficko.
OPINION: Weight Room Not Weighing In p. 7
NEWS: Hurricane Irene Bashes Beach P.2
Covering fashion week p. 9