To the Editor:

In last week’s His iPhone section, the writer advocated for the dissolving of IRHA, at least according to his image of a more perfect Fairfield U. While the writer is entitled to his opinion, we can’t help but question the accuracy of his assertions. We would like to bring to light the important role that IRHA plays in the Fairfield community.

First of all, the programming of our organization puts together very popular events such as Singled Out, Fairfield Idol, and of course Spring Weekend. Working with a substantially lower budget than FUSA, we are able to program effectively and with a very high attendance rate.

Secondly, IRHA works to promote a strong community structure within the Residence Halls, and the RCCs have the unique ability of being able to program specifically for their buildings, something that adds a more personal touch to the programs. Community building is also a key aspect of Jesuit education, and IRHA is certainly a strong advocate for working towards that goal.

Finally, our organization has taken on a high level of student advocacy issues, something that no other organization on campus can claim. Last semester we successfully negotiated the Quick Center parking compromise (which was featured on the front page of a recent Mirror publication), worked with Public Safety on reforms to the Guest Pass Policy, and we are continuing to use our unique relationship with the Office of Residence life to work on needed adjustments to the housing lottery system for the Fall of 2011.

While IRHA certainly admires the journalistic work of the Mirror staff, we hope that in the future more information is gathered before making such a drastic statement. Our organization is certainly not perfect, but we do play an integral role in the Fairfield community, one that should not simply be relinquished with the stroke of a pen. We are always open to constructive student concerns on how to improve the work we do on campus, and we hope to continue to make Fairfield a better place for all Resident Students.

Sincerely,

The IRHA Executive Board

To the Editor:

I happened to go over the article published on October 27, 2010, titled Barone, Jazzman’s & The Stags All Make the Cut written by Gillien Murray. This specific piece caught my attention because of a journal I have been working on that has to do with lunch menus and our health mostly in young adults and kids. While reading over this article it was nice to hear that the food establishments on campus had passed these evaluations that were done with a significantly well number. It’s nice to know the places we rely on for our daily food are clean, treated and well kept for our good.

As I read over this article I thought to myself, now these establishments are clean but are the foods always the best for ourselves? Like everywhere else we go to eat we are given the choice to choose what we eat, but when the unhealthy food and sweets rule over the healthy, there’s not much that can be done there and we know what the winning foods will be. I believe Barone does its job on varying the foods but once we walk in we are found with pizza, fries, burgers and sweet fountain drinks. When in hunger who can say no to such things? What we often forget is the fact that these foods can lead to many health problems later on.

During my weeks on working on my journal I came across many articles which talked about these sweets and foods found in our cafeteria. These foods have lead many to diabetes 2, heart problems, asthma and even eating disorders. These can become common among college students as well because of the fact that many college students are overloaded with work and the only time they have free they go to the cafeteria or The Stag and snack on these unhealthy meals, since they do rule over the healthy meals on campus.

It would be nice that if for a change they brought more healthier, whole grain kind of meals to campus for The Stag being that it’s the place many go to once their swipes are all gone or a quick snack before class. Many have just become used to the offerings at these food establishments on campus, but we can’t always think that they are the best for our health. I can say I, myself have been caught up in eating in these fine establishments as well, but for a change would be nice to walk in and not always have to make a choice about snacking on unhealthy meals.

Yes, we are more privileged than other countries to actually have food to choose from but we also have to take into consideration the thousands of young adults in our generation losing their health to foods such as the ones we are found eating mostly every day at the establishments closest to us. It’s always great to have a clean environment and know its safe to eat it on campus but yet these facts of increasing obesity rates in the United States should be taken into consideration as well.

Sincerely,

Marilynn Lopez ‘14

To the Editor:

In response to the article written in the last issue, we as FUSA, would like to offer our rationalization on what we do. FUSA is and has always been built on the foundation that we are the governing board that advocates and represents the student body. This includes class community, club cohesiveness, initiatives, leadership, and programming. While programming may be the most visible and tangible product of our organization, it is difficult to articulate the intangible work done by the other facets of FUSA.

We would like to take this time to update the student body on some of our major initiatives that have made positive changes on campus. The Student Senate advocated for the Rent-A Book initiative that helped save students over $50,000 worth of books this semester alone.  Also this year, FUSA was able to get five questions placed on the IDEA form which is the new course evaluation that the University is implementing. Our newly restructured COSO board (formerly known as SOBOG), is set up to fully assist student clubs in the development, publicity, and funding processes.  The four Class Councils have put on quality events that are class specific and have chosen class causes that will help the outside community while rallying the student body. Our progress on all of these initiatives are both intentional and strategic in the fact that we truly are passionate about these issues and working tirelessly to improve the experience for all Fairfield students.

In reviewing the mission of Programming we aim to provide well versed programs for students to partake in as both an alternative option for the weekend as well as something to add to their college experience. Did you know that FUSA produces more than 50 events a semester? Each branch, as stated in the pie chart, has a separate budget with different objectives and definitions of success. While the concert and special events attract a large percentage of the student body, late Night Programming and Cultural Celebrations tend to draw a more engaged crowd. In the past years, Programming was solely based off of policy in the fact that a program was mandated every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. The quality of the programs was jeopardized because of this strong demand and pressure to continually produce. Looking at today, FUSA Programming is driven by a higher standard of quality in which programs make a name for themselves. Students then recognize these events as novelties that are going to happen such as Late Night at Barone, Santa’s Workshop, and Free Extreme Bowling. Attendances at these events are consistent with student satisfaction.

Here is a behind the scenes sneak peak of what goes on when programming an event. One to two months prior to the event date, an idea is born. From there, programmers breakdown and research the logistics and materials needed to execute. Sometimes this consists of contacting agents or creating the resources and allure of a homemade event. This includes a set up and breakdown of chairs and tables of around $150 and ordering food from Sodexo which costs about $250. It adds up! After everything is set in order, the event must be publicized so students are informed and interested including mini giveaways and larger eye-catching items. Finally, after hours of work and preparation, the event occurs.

FUSA programming overall has an array of events ranging from cultural awareness programs to support the University’s global citizenship theme to the $102,000 concert that blew your minds. No matter your mindset or what your interests may be, we provide quality well-funded programs that allow all students to reap the benefits of the $95 student activities fee.

So, come and get your feet wet and see what we are all about during our six events this week. If you are not satisfied, you now have the opportunity to take part in the Constitutional Convention and make the change you want to see happen.

Sincerely,

The FUSA Executive Cabinet: Gregory Burke, Aaron Chan, Angela Delmonico, Lauren Johnson, Caitlin Liguori, Eddie Muniz, Chrissy Perez, Katerina Sanchez, & Katie Sillo

To the Editor:

Inspired by last week’s editorial, I decided to voice my thoughts about something that has irked me for a while now. Over the years, hearing multiple students’ complaints about the parking situation on campus has really underscored to me the value of putting things into perspective.

Yes, it is unfortunate that students are given tickets for trying to park close to where they live and have class. Yes, it is unpleasant to have to walk to class in cold weather, especially if you live in the townhouses. Yes, it is inconvenient for those Village residents, who leave early in the morning for internships, to have to walk to the Regis or Jogues parking lot in order to reach their cars.

As someone who protested the expansion of the Quick Center parking lot last year, I despise the fact that trees had to be removed, especially to make way for a space that remains vacant most of the time. I believe there are smarter ways to allocate parking on campus, and it is certainly valuable to continue to have discussions among administrators, staff, and students about how best to improve the current model.

However, I am not writing to offer any solutions to the parking situation, or to tell you that you are wrong for voicing your concerns. I simply want to remind you to choose your battles wisely.

We often forget how fortunate we are to attend an institution like Fairfield. This was made abundantly clear to me last summer when I spent seven weeks in southern Mexico, working to build a school for children who were eager to learn, and distributing food to people who were literally starving. Many students have gone on similarly amazing immersion and service trips before, so this does not make me special.

But I want to point out how easy it is to get too comfortable within our own lives and to adopt a ‘woe is me’ attitude whenever we are slightly inconvenienced by something. We would enjoy our lives infinitely more if we understood that we do not have it so bad after all.

The State of the Village Report, which examines the world as if it were a village consisting of 100 people, presents us with the following facts that are worth keeping in mind: “If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are more comfortable than 75% of the people in this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy. If you can read this, you are more blessed than the over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.”

Not being able to park somewhere on campus may seem like the end of the world, but do not let it prevent you from realizing what truly matters in life.

Sincerely,

Zachary Gross ’12