Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has requested that Fairfield, along with nine other state schools, reveal information regarding its study abroad programs.
Blumenthal is attempting to determine whether or not University officials have taken money, gifts or subsidized trips in exchange for making contracts with study abroad companies.
“The question is whether the arrangement is in the students’ best interest,” Blumenthal told the Hartford Courant .
Fairfield currently has approved study abroad agreements with 16 different programs.
Fairfield spokesperson Nancy Habetz said that Fairfield is participating in the investigation.
Earlier this year, Fairfield was involved in another investigation by Blumenthal, when the attorney general looked into financial aid at the University.
Fairfield, along with three other schools, donated money to scholarship funds to end the investigation.
Blumenthal is working along with New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo on the current investigation.
Two universities have so far responded to Blumenthal’s request. UConn and Wesleyan have both said that the schools paid for the trips of administrators who went overseas to analyze study abroad programs.
“Our programs are well established, widely respected and carefully planned and coordinated,” said Susan M. Fitzgerald, associate dean and director of international programs at Fairfield.
“The result is a highly personal encounter with life in another country and powerful new perspectives on the world and yourself,” she added.
Students from 120 universities around the country participate in study abroad programs through Fairfield.
Fairfield students maintain financial aid while abroad and earn credit through the programs.
The letters sent out by Blumenthal are “requests for voluntary production,” and his investigation should be completed within the year, according to the report.
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