Fairfield officials often talk about diversity from an ethnic or socio-economic standpoint. But University President Fr. Jeffrey von Arx is concerned with another type of diversity: religious.
In a press conference Thursday, von Arx outlined the University’s strategic plan to foster religious growth on campus, regardless of the religious background of the student who lives on it. The issue has been of increasing importance, said von Arx.
“The question we need to ask ourselves is what religion means to students today at a Jesuit university,” he said.
Even von Arx himself said that he has had problems answering that question since he became an administrator.
“Since I left Georgetown and went to Fordham, I have had less contact with the students,” he said. “When I was at Georgetown, I celebrated a daily mass at 10:30 at night.”
The president pointed to several factors that enhance religion on Fairfield’s campus, including having clergy accessible to non-Catholic students.
He said he is looking for feedback to see if these students feel that the University supports their spiritual lives.
“We have a part time Protestant chaplain to meet with Protestant students,” said von Arx.
According to von Arx, the chaplain is responsible for connecting Protestant students with churches in the area that correspond to the student’s religious denomination.
This position was created in response to a shift in the overall makeup of religious sects among students, von Arx explained.
According to von Arx, 80 percent of the current student body is Catholic.
In addition to clergy for Protestant students, the school has a rabbi from a neighboring synagogue who tends to the needs of Jewish students.
One of the factors von Arx recognizes is the increase in the number of Muslim students. He said that with the rising number of Muslim students on campus, he often asks whether Fairfield should start to think about a separate prayer room.
“There are a number of schools that are at 50 percent Catholic,” he said, “and they start to deal with the question of admission standards.”
Recruiting students from inner-city Catholic schools would increase the ethnic diversity, but still keep the Catholic student level high, according to von Arx.
Among other reasons that contribute to the decline in religion on campus is the lack of students attending mass and religious retreats.
He said he would ask students if they have ever gone on a retreat and ask those who have not, “What would it take to convince you to go on a retreat?”
According to von Arx, the University’s lack of its own retreat grounds might be part of the reason.
He also said that the Ignation Residential College (IRC) serves as a living and learning community.
“One of best things about the IRC is it has a rationale; it’s an intentional community. It aims at integrating aspects of students’ lives,” he said.
An increase in Jesuit to student ratio is another facet that von Arx said may increase religion on campus.
Due to an overall trend of decreasing Jesuit priests, Fairfield’s Jesuit population has also decreased.
He said that in the past, priests have played significant roles in the dorms, counseling students and holding masses.
“I would like it if every student would have the chance to get to know a Jesuit,” von Arx said.
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