Editor’s note: The Mirror’s Bill McBain sat down this week with Fairfield President Jeffrey von Arx, SJ.
Do you read The Mirror? JvA: Sure, I read it both in print and the online.
Where do you live? JvA: I live in the president’s house, and use it for entertaining a couple times a week. I eat breakfast and pray there each morning. I usually eat lunch and dinner with my brothers at the Jesuit Residence.
What do you feel our responsibility as a Jesuit Institution is to the victims of Hurricane Katrina? JvA: Obviously we must immediately assist students from our sister Jesuit schools in the Gulf Region. Fairfield has accepted about 45 students, and is providing housing for 16 of the effected students. The other students are commuting, as they are from the area. Students will have the oppurtunity to respond through Campus Ministry by donating material goods, but at this time the best thing that anyone in the country can do is donate money to worthy charities. Assistant University Chaplain, Melissa Quan, will be working with the faculty on a teach-in. I support this great response which will address the social implications and needs after this disaster as a scholarly community.
During most public addresses you have encouraged students to integrate their living and learning. How do you think we are doing as a university at achieving this goal? JvA: I think we have a number of promising initiatives in this area. The Ignatian Residential College is a great example with its classes, community and service that its members do. We need to work more broadly than just the Ignatian Residential College though. I am happy to see the flourishing of the cultural and artistic communities on campus. Oppurtunities for cultural life are ntegral to the Jesuit philosophy. The Glee Club, Theater Fairfield productions and the many events at the Quick Center are great examples.
What events are you looking forward to in the next year? JvA: A lot! Glee Club concerts, see what’s on stage and as many athletic events as possible. It was nice to see FUSA picked up the Presidential Ball which will be held Sept. 30 on the Bellarmine lawn under a tent. I see this as a great tradition; it is important to an institution to have traditions.
If you were to give advice to a freshman starting now, what activity do you feel is essential to have “the Fairfield experience?” JvA: Studying should be the first thing! This is an oppurtunity to discover yourself through learning. I encourage all students to take their academic life seriously. I both recognize and approve of how much students will learn together. I also encourage students to reach out to students unlike themselves which is why I desire to foster diversity so much.
Have you ever been to the Sea Grape Cafe? JvA: I have gone by it, but have not yet stopped in. I’ve had several tours of the beach area and seen the whole beach scene.
Do you have any contact with President Emeritus, Rev. Alousius P. Kelley? JvA: I talk to him once in a while and ask advice. I saw him when I visited Fordham two weeks ago. He is very busy teaching Classics and living in the dorms down there.
What is our endowment right now, and how do you feel about that? JvA: It is about $130 million, and it is too small.
What’s your favorite building on campus? JvA: Bellarmine is certainly one of the most distinctive, but I’d say the library. I like the way the architecture blends in and how nice it looks as you drive up Bellarmine Hill.
What has been the hardest decision you’ve had to make as University president? JvA: Probably cancelling the forum on same-sex marriage this past year.
Any closing thoughts? JvA: It is great to have a year under my belt as university president. It is good to have experienced most of what’s coming. I also like knowing more and more people on campus. The individualized knowledge of an institution and the people that make it up help me to do my job better.
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