Editorial: As the world turns

A .22 caliber pistol in a dorm.

That is all the information needed to realize that Saturday night’s incident in Regis Hall was so much more than a weekend scuffle. It was an awakening to the entire Fairfield community.

While no shots were fired and the situation was resolved by the joint efforts of Public Safety and Fairfield Police, the fight, which could have potentially escalated to a more serious degree, is a reminder that the boundaries of Fairfield’s beautifully isolated campus can be penetrated, allowing the harsh realities of the real world to seep in.

In October of this year, students at Lantern Point interacted with a man who would later burglarize a beach home. Despite Fairfield’s polished image and safe environment, incidents such as the burglary at the beach and the fight in Regis this weekend must lead students to react.

Students must take responsibility for the areas in which they live, on or off campus. Being cognizant of one’s surroundings and neighbors can make a big difference. This is very possible because Fairfield is a small, close-knit community. We must rely on one another, not just Public Safety, who can only do so much.

However, this instance evidences the importance of students reaching out to Public Safety. Officers responded quickly and apprehended the trespassers. Students must feel that they can rely on Public Safety, not be intimidated by them.

Should stronger action be taken to stop buses from picking up students at Fairfield University’s gates? It would be na’ve to think that this incident could not have occurred without the bus from New Haven. Breaches of security on a college campus can happen no matter what precautions are taken. A similar instance occurred with much more tragic results at Virginia Tech last year, an event that left 33 university members dead.

Living in fear is not living, so students must be aware of their surroundings. Regis student residents’ warning Public Safety coupled with the quick response by authorities thwarted impending danger and a possible tragedy.

Camaraderie should not be forgotten in dorms, regardless of social ties; neighbors must look out for one another because one’s peers are one’s greatest allies.