Fr. Von Arx, Fairfield University president has spent his past week off campus. He left early last week for Washington D.C. with a full schedule of events including meetings with The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, which includes 28 different institutions, and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
“These annual meetings provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and information and discuss issues of common interest,” von Arx said. “It’s an interesting mix in that there are large universities like Notre Dame, BC and Georgetown.”
Fairfield is one of 17 independent universities and colleges that is a member of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC). The presidents of each college comprise the CCIC board. CCIC is a member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) which holds their annual meeting in Washington D.C.
“Each year NAICU blocks out one afternoon and encourages members to talk with the Congressional delegates from their states,” said von Arx.
“We had the opportunity to discuss issues of common interest and to thank them for their support of the Pell Grant increase, while encouraging them to maintain this proven student program,” said von Arx, who met with Christopher Shays, Rosa DeLaura, Joseph Courtney and John Larson in D.C.
This annual series of meetings provides an effective way for all three organizations with a common interest in education to get together and share ideas.
The Washington D.C. tour’s final stop was a reception for Fairfield parents and alumni of the D.C. area to stay connected to the university outside the campus walls even after graduation.
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