If you don’t have a parking permit, a student ID or are not registered as a visitor, don’t even think of coming on campus – unless, of course, it is before 11 p.m.
Although there is a security booth stationed at the main gate, it is only manned between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., providing open access to all vehicles that enter before or after this time period.
“Fairfield University is an open campus, with restricted access during the overnight hours,” said Frank Ficko, associate director of security. “[During those hours] an officer is posted at the checkpoint every day and charged with checking the purpose and/or affiliation of all vehicles entering campus during those times.”
In addition to the main gates, all other entrances to campus are left unsupervised but are closed at various times to reduce traffic on campus. The Jogues gate is closed at 6 p.m. to also restrict access in the residence hall areas,according to Ficko.
In contrast, the Barlow Road, Round Hill Road and townhouse gates are kept open and unmanned until 11 p.m. to accommodate students attending evening classes, according to Ficko.
Visitors who pass the checkpoint area must answer a series of questions to verify their request to enter campus. Once information is collected, it is stored on record, Ficko said.
“Visitors are required to provide the name and location of the individual they are visiting, which is verified through an alpha listing,” said Ficko. “All vehicle information, make, model, destination, name of visitor and number of occupants is then recorded.”
Despite these measures, some students felt security is too relaxed on campus.
“I don’t feel they are particularly strict considering trespass warnings are issued every other week,” said Jennifer Valente ’07.
Mariel Kauffman ’06 agreed.
“If you can make it on campus before 11, it’s pretty easy to bypass security,” she said.
Other students are satisfied with the level of security monitoring visitors.
“I think the security level is adequate at Fairfield,” said Elizabeth Mangione ’06. “I never feel unsafe here.”
Nearby Quinnipiac University has a significantly more rigorous policy for vehicles entering campus.
“There is a security guard at every entrance, and all vehicles must stop before coming on campus,” said Tom Ahern, a sophomore at Quinnipiac. “All guests must be registered with security via a computer form, but that is not too strict. It’s much harder to get a vehicle past security than a person.”
However, Jesuit school St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia has security policies similar to Fairfield’s.
“SJU is somewhat strict when it comes to the visitors that they are aware of by keeping track of where they need to be,” said Amanda Procaccino, a sophomore at St. Joseph’s. “Vehicles that are not registered with security are not permitted to park on campus, but there are many side streets where people could easily park.”
Other Jesuit schools, such as Boston College, have policies that are relaxed compared to Fairfield.
“Anyone can walk on campus day or night, since BC doesn’t have a strict visitor registration policy,” said Nora Doty, a sophomore at Boston College. “There haven’t been any problems with trespassers on campus to my knowledge, with the exception of one man was exposing himself in an area where students often run. There are men on duty until 3 p.m. to register vehicles, but after that anyone can drive onto campus.”
Fairfield security believed they are doing their best to provide a safe environment for students but advise all students to take their own precautions to heighten their safety, according to Ficko.
“I would like to think that [students] feel safe on campus, but at the same time there is no magic bubble hovering over campus that prevents criminal activity from occurring,” said Ficko. “People need to remember that they need to take simple precautions to avoid being the victim of a crime. Simple steps like locking your doors, walking in well lit areas and reporting any suspicious activity goes a long way in basic crime prevention.”
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