In about one week, students will pack up their cars and head home for three months of no classes, no professors and no Fairfield. But not for some students, as they will stay at Fairfield to spend the summer working or taking classes on campus.
Starting Memorial Day weekend, students taking classes, doing internships, working as research assistants and staffing Residence Life and Admissions will move into the townhouses to spend the summer on an empty campus.
“I am so looking forward to zeroing in on my research and putting all of my attention on it,” said Lauren Puma ’05, who will be doing research with Professor Henkle in the psychology department. “The campus will be peaceful and quiet, I’ll have access to the library, be able to prepare for the GREs and talk with the psychology people.”
Many students take the opportunity in the summer to work closely with professors and start research of their own with materials that would not be available if they were to stay home.
Adam Blom ’05, is staying to do research with chemistry professor Dr. Matthew Kubasik.
“I decided to stay at Fairfield for the summer because it allows me to get hands- on experience with someone that I already know,” he said. “In addition to housing, I am also getting paid and hopefully will have my research published.”
Some students combine research with one of the jobs that offer free housing on campus. Residence Life offers free housing to summer RA’s and the Summer Conference staff. The office of admissions also provides housing to six students who give tours and help in the admissions office over the summer.
Students who have stayed on campus in the past have found the atmosphere of an empty Fairfield different from what they are used to, but appropriate for summer schedules.
“It’s funny, in school you have time to hang out with people, but in the summer, when you work a nine-to-five job you don’t,” said Meghan Flanagan ’05. “It’s different, but you do get used to it.”
Rob Keder ’04, who has stayed at Fairfield for all three of his summers doing research and working for professors said, “It’s a little strange at first, not having too many students around, but then again all of the research students tend to see each other all of the time so it’s not like it’s completely empty here. The rest of campus is another story though. It’s empty and quiet, but it’s kind of relaxing, you can hear all of the crickets, bullfrogs and parakeets.”
Even though the options for on-campus activities are few, there are still things to do off campus. Flanagan was part of the Summer Conference staff last summer and worked at an internship in the town of Fairfield.
“I did a lot of stuff in the Fairfield community,” said Flanagan. “It has stuff going on that you wouldn’t think when you’re up here in the Fairfield bubble. I would go rollerblading and land in a parade. When you have no money you find this stuff amusing.”
Above all, jobs on campus allow students to spend a summer in a different setting.
Corinne Philips ’05, who is staying on campus to work with the band director organizing and recruiting to get things in order for next year said, “I’m staying up here because I don’t want to go home.”
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