Each year prospective freshmen tour the Fairfield University campus to see what the school can offer to their academic pursuits.
As these freshman hopefuls trek through campus they see what a Fairfield dorm looks like.
“Currently two tour guides are allowing their rooms to be shown in Loyola and Campion Halls,” said Kuo, “the prospective students have loved seeing an actual student room.”
Sophomore Katie Lucca, a tour guide who is currently participating in this program, feels that this is well received by the prospective students.
“Parents always ask what a room looks like,” says Lucca, “While it usually only lasts for two minutes, this is the biggest part of the tour.”
Potential incoming freshman are told how the rooms are furnished, the different ways to loft or move the beds, and that each room comes with an Internet connection and linoleum floor.
“At many schools, parents and prospective students see a ‘demo room,’ which has been set up to look like an actual room,” said Fred Kuo, the assistant director of admission/tour guide program coordinator.
But Fairfield uses a different approach. During the academic school year, students who are involved in the tour guide program or student ambassador program are given the opportunity to show their rooms to prospective students.
Each tour guide is offered a small sum of money for the semester under the requirement that they keep their room neat and presentable.
Kuo further clarifies by saying that, “Any items that may seem controversial (i.e. drug and alcohol posters, bottles, etc.) are not to be visible.”
But most students don’t seems to find this to be an issue.
“My roommate and I are generally neat people,” said Lucca, “so this was something that I already did.”
Alyssa Hurtado ’07 was asked to show her room last year.
“My roommate was given the opportunity to show our room in Jogues,” said Hurtado. “I think they offered both of us $100 to keep our room clean but we decided to decline the offer.”
Typically rooms are shown Monday through Friday, and the students who are part of the program alternate which days they show their room.
“I show my room on Monday and Friday,” said Lucca, “the other tour guide shows her room on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.”
On busy occasions like Admitted Student Open House, Scholars Day and Preview Day, both rooms are open for students to see.
While students who are willing to show their rooms are encouraged to volunteer for this program, they will usually only be ask to present their room on Preview Day and during the Admitted Student Open House.
“I only ask students who are members of the tour guide program,” said Kuo, “as it helps me maintain regular communication with them regarding any issues or concerns with the demo room or the floor.”
Lucca says that she has enjoyed helping out with such a valuable aspect to the freshman process.
“This is a great thing to do if you don’t mind people looking at your room,” said Lucca.
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