Fairfield University students and administrators have teamed up to run a Toys For Tots drive on campus that is transforming alcohol violation fines into toys for needy children.
A blending of ideas between a Fairfield senior and the Dean of Students, the drive will require students owing money for a Student Conduct Violation to pay off their debt with unwrapped gifts and toys of a comparable amount.
Caitlin Wagner ’06 said the idea started in an Interpersonal Communication class she took with Dr. Sally Anne Ryan.
“She told us about the Boston Police Department’s success with their parking ticket compensation program last Christmas,” she said. “I thought it was a great idea so I pursued it.”
After discussing several possible ideas with Mark Reed, dean of students, and Bill Schimpf, vice president for Student Services, Wagner said it was Reed and Schimpf who proposed the Student Conduct Fine compensation program.
Reed noted that the goal of disciplinary fines is not to support Fairfield’s budget and viewed the program as beneficial for the campus.
“It was the perfect opportunity to partner up,” said Reed. “Anytime we can help out other things like charity we’re happy to do so.”
All students with conduct violations were sent a letter and flyer from the Reed saying that their fine has been changed and that their deadline had been extended. Upon bringing the gifts and receipts to the dean of student’s office, students have their names removed from the fine list.
“It is beneficial for them [students with fines] because their deadline is extended and the majority of students have been excited to see that their fine money is going to a good cause instead of being handed over to the dean of student’s office,” said Wagner.
Wagner also said that most students fail to realize that conduct fines are usually either filtered back to student organizations or donated to various causes.
Since flyers distributed across campus do not specify the drive for conduct violators only, the entire campus is invited to bring in toys to support Toys For Tots. A drop off point is located next to the information desk and toys will continue to be collected through the remainder of the week.
Wagner was pleased with the outcome, receiving more than 100 e-mails from students wanting to help out.
“It’s a win-win situation in my mind,” she said. “Students are giving back and reversing their fine for the betterment of needy children during the Christmas season.”
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