To the Editor:
After reading last week’s issue, I felt the need to respond to the article about the recent fire extinguisher incident in Loyola Hall and the editorial about the ever-popular situation at Fairfield beach.
The article about the Loyola incident is incorrect. While the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (F.E.R.P.A.) prevents me from disclosing disciplinary action taken against an individual student without prior consent, I want to report that a student was not expelled from the University. The responsible student was given rather severe sanctions, but the particulars are confidential. While I spoke with the reporter and have no reason to believe that he would maliciously report false information, it nevertheless was false.
In my opinion, an article about the dangerous consequences of dispensing a fire extinguisher in an inappropriate manner (e.g. health and safety effects, criminal charges, University disciplinary action, financial implications of damages and legal representation, etc.) would have served the student community better.
The editorial about issues involving Fairfield beach raised a couple of questions that I want to answer. The injunction preventing large gatherings at Lantern Point is still in effect and does not have an expiration date. Therefore, large gatherings in that area would violate the court order and could lead to contempt of court charges. In the original lawsuit filed last year, the landlords and the tenants were named as defendants. I strongly discourage students from doing anything that could result in their names being added to the lawsuit.
As I indicated in a letter to the student body in October, I have been impressed over the past year with the sound judgment exhibited by many Fairfield University students at the beach. I know at times you have taken on more than your share of blame and all too often you do not get credit for the many good things that you do. However, the reality of the situation simply cannot be ignored or overlooked. My office continues to work with S.B.R.A. and F.U.S.A. to deal with beach issues, and I think the leaders of these respective organizations deserve more credit and thanks than the editorial expressed.
Sincerely,
Mark C. Reed
Dean of Students
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