FUSA Speaks:

This year FUSA Speaks would like to take the Fairfield University community in a different direction. With the help of The Mirror, we hope to provide you with a more in depth look at FUSA from a variety of perspectives ranging from personal experience to professional opinion. In the spirit of the upcoming freshman elections, we have asked Brendan Monahan, Class of 2010 President, to tell you about his experience deciding to get involved with FUSA.

Whether you’re a freshman fresh off a terrific high school experience or an upperclassmen excited to kick off another Fairfield year, there is little doubt that the move back onto campus can be a daunting task. You are barely settled into your new housing when the bombardments begin of one club looking for a donation or the next one attempting to draw you to join. If there is one organization that you give serious thought to joining, however, I would make that club FUSA.

Having experienced those move-ins and club requests for three years now, I have no doubt that FUSA fulfills every desire for which a typical student joins a club. After finishing a successful high school career, I was not sure that getting back involved with student government was quite the right move for me. Upon arriving on campus, though, I realized that FUSA was not just a group that works to improve the community environment here at Fairfield, but also (with fear of sounding lame) a tremendous way to meet new kids. Let me explain how by taking a brief look back.

‘ I ran for the Senate in my class (the Class of 2010) and was lucky enough to win a seat freshman year. From Senate socials to securing better food, my freshman year Senate experience was nothing short of awesome. Sophomore year, I prepared myself for more of the same until the FUSA Secretary of Communications position unexpectedly opened up.

After working my way through the application process, I took on my new role in early February of 2008. Although it was bittersweet to be leaving the Senate behind, my role in the FUSA Executive Cabinet was one that I greatly enjoyed because it allowed me to both establish and strengthen my relationships with both students and campus officials.

When talk of the following year began to quickly creep up on us, Justin Smith and I decided that we had the motivation to run for Vice-President and President of 2010, respectively. Having no idea that our decision would prompt Jeff Seiser to run for FUSA president, we gathered ourselves for what turned into a competitive, exhilarating, and memorable campaign with two qualified classmates of ours. From cover bands to class trips, free tee shirts to free food, the 2010 Class Council has been working tirelessly to make sure that every 2010er has the best possible collegiate experience this year.

I am so proud to have held such varying roles with FUSA during my time at Fairfield. FUSA leaves plenty of time for schoolwork, other clubs, and friends yet at the same time leaves you with nothing but terrific memories. I challenge you to take your college game to the next level by joining one of FUSA’s branches.

College is about trying new things, it’s about enjoying old favorites, and it’s about embracing the chance to make change.

In short, it’s about living up this experience to the fullest whatever organization this may mean for you.