To the editor,
For those of you who took notice, last week in the middle of the traffic circle there was a most curious spectacle as the University rolled out its most recent answer to the school’s ongoing housing crisis.
I applaud the administration for its cardboard housing – compact, green and larger than most triples – as it looks to take Fairfield to the next rung of higher education.
In reality, last week’s shanty town of old boxes, fished from dumpsters and covered in plastic bags and duct tape, was the work of Students for Social Justice, in conjunction with Project Peg and a few other brave souls.
We spent a week outside, away from the relative comfort of our beds as a sign of solidarity, with the millions of individuals in this country who are homeless and have no other options.
We spent the week in a slowly crumbling, unique living and learning community in our dramatic attempt to make a statement, raise awareness and hopefully get some of you talking about some of the greater social forces at work in our world.
Asides from leaky roofs, sore backs, and primitive insults screamed from honking cars at 3 a.m., I’d like to consider our little social experiment a success.
For those who slept in the boxes, it made real the feelings of desperation and powerlessness that must face those who call the streets their home, not to mention it instilled a great appreciation for all the luxuries we share on this campus about which we gripe so much.
From what I could see, it seemed to have encouraged some form of greater discussion on campus. It also turned more than a few heads, especially those of the various tour groups as they warily eyed our Hooverville throughout the week. Priceless.
In retrospect, it seemed like everything worked out. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to either build a house of their own and join us in the circle and all others who asked questions to find out more about the cause.
If you have questions, comments, concerns or critiques, I strongly encourage you to drop Students for Social Justice a line; we’d be more than happy to engage you. Otherwise, start collecting pizza boxes and drawing up blue prints, and we’ll see you next year.
Sincerely,
Chris Staysniak ’10, executive member for Students for Social Justice
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