This week in The Mirror, there is an article regarding the closed-door policy that the Fairfield University Student Association (FUSA) occasionally employs. This begs the question, if all FUSA meetings were open to students, would students attend? Moreover, do students know enough about FUSA to make worthwhile contributions? I surveyed an admittedly small portion of the student body to get a feel for their knowledge of FUSA. Twenty-six random students filled out surveys testing their knowledge. This information should not be taken as any great indicator of the opinions of the entire student body, as it covers only a small, but equal percentage of all classes, but I suggest that FUSA implement a larger survey in order to get a true feel of the student body. What follows are the questions I asked, the answers, the general response of the students, and some of the more interesting answers.
Q. What does FUSA stand for? A. Fairfield University Student Association. – Only six students didn’t know, which shows that, if nothing else, FUSA’s name is out there.
Q. Where is the FUSA office located? A. Lower level BCC – Only one student didn’t know the answer, but the BCC stands to reason, as it’s the center of campus.
Q. What are its two functions? A. Representing the student body and programming. – Seven of the 26 surveyed got the answer completely correct. Many more guessed programming or student activities. – “Improve the resumés of the officers”; “give the appearance of self-governance”; “bitch at Mirror staffers.”
Q. Name something this year that can be attributed to FUSA. A. Dane Cook, any of the formal dances, any lower level BCC Friday activity for example. – Almost half named something correct, mostly the Dane Cook show. – “FUSA elections” (haven’t happened yet, but I included it as correct); “a crappy spring concert” (hopefully, this student isn’t clairvoyant); “Paul Duffy” (actually, the students are responsible for Duffy).
Q. Where does FUSA’s budget come from? A. FUSA’s budget is included in our tuition, ap- proximately $85.00 from each student. – Nine out of 26 students knew this important fact. – “Private donations” (if only it were true); “God” (although we’re Jesuit, I don’t think God cares).
Q. Are you aware that FUSA is conducting a ma- jor overhaul of its internal construction this year? – Almost half were aware of this. – “Yes, read it in The Mirror.”
Q. How many branches does it contain? A. Three. – Eight students guessed the correct three (which will be true after the re- construction) many other students guessed five, which was the number originally.
Q. Name those branches. A. Executive, Programming, Senate – “Photography” (?).
Q. Have you ever been to a FUSA meeting? – Only two had ever been to a FUSA meeting.
Q. Are you aware that FUSA con- ducts closed-door meetings? – Nine students were aware of the closed-door meetings.
Q. Knowing what FUSA is, would you want to attend a meeting, per- haps involving the budget? – Ten students said no; five students said maybe; and 11 students said yes. – “I would attend a meeting out of curiosity”; “only if they are planning on giving me some of that budget money”; “I prob- ably should.”
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