Everyone’s heard it: “I wanted to go to Boston College but I got rejected. Fairfield was my second choice.”
But Fairfield should not be anyone’s second choice anymore. The Princeton Review ranks Fairfield University among the best 237 business schools for 2006.
This ranking is the result of a three-year survey, which gathered the opinions of graduate students. Students often made reference to the school’s helpful faculty and first tier facilities.
Norman Solomon, dean of the school of business, said that it is important to consider why Fairfield’s school of business was included in this prestigious list.
He said the words “personal” and “powerful” come into play.
According to Solomon, “personal” refers to the small number of students in each class and “powerful” refers to the strong education students receive from the business school.
The program also includes a number of graduate students who are happy with the amount of practice they are able to get, Solomon said. He noted that the ranking was also dependent on the professors, who are highly regarded.
Arjun Chaudhuri, professor and chairperson of the marketing department, commented on the school’s improvements over the years. “In my opinion, over the last 15 years, our school has developed a reputation for conducting academic research that it did not have before,” he said.
Chaudhuri feels that this, along with excellent faculty members, has led to the school’s many achievements.
Solomon also notes that the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and Charles Dolan are behind much of Fairfield’s business school’s success.
The AACSB accredited Dolan’s program in 1997 after a rigorous process of reviewing the program’s course content, objectives and quality of faculty.
New faculty members were hired to replace those who had retired, and new chairpersons were been appointed.
In addition to this, Dolan gave the university a large sum of money in 2000, and a large portion went to the school of business. This endowment allowed the refurbishment of the school.
A computer-enhanced room that offers a data board, stock ticker and 36 work stations was added to the school. There is also a lab adjacent to the classroom, which students are allowed to use at any time.
When asked if the business school is looking to improve in any way, Solomon said he wants to enhance classrooms more and offer additional classes. He also wants to improve relationships with other schools at Fairfield, such as the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Nursing and intends to implement University President Jeffrey von Arx’s strategic plan.
“I think we are on the right track in promoting a balanced approach to teaching and scholarship,” said Chaudhuri. “I would like to see our school achieve even greater national recognition in both areas of academe.”
“Fairfield’s environment is one of excellence and I appreciate the privilege of being the dean of such a good school that receives excellent support,” Solomon said.
He also said that many students in the school of business express their appreciation for the opportunities they are presented with.
“I’m obviously happy about the ranking,” said business student Tom Foran ’06.
“It seems like a lot of people feel like Fairfield isn’t a widely recognized school, but the business school is very recognized in the business world,” he added. “The ranking just proves how we’re moving up.”
Joe Miraglia ’09 commented on the beneficial styles of his professors.
“The teachers are extremely knowledgeable and convey their ideas very well in class,” he said. “I feel like I’ll be prepared for the real world in just four short years, thanks to the business program.”
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