The proposed Just-Us community has come under scrutiny for its botched building plans, its name and a host of other complaints. But the realization of more intentional communities is following through with the University’s overall goals to incorporate Jesuit ideals into students’ lives.
When University President Jeffrey von Arx unveiled the strategic plan in 2005, the second goal sought the ‘integration of living and learning’ through three initiatives. With the construction of the Just-Us community in Jogues, von Arx’s vision for the University is becoming more tangible.
The University has long spoken about the strategic plan, but talking about living and learning and actually implementing the ideals are two different animals. Starting with the Ignatian Residential College and various floor programs throughout the years, the University has begun to implement these initiatives. The Just-Us community is just another example of the University actually following through on its plan and making its platitudes tangible.’ ‘
According to Joe DeFeo, the director of living and learning and former associate director of the Ignatian Residential College, the Just-Us community, from conception to implementation, took nearly two years to complete. ‘ ‘ ‘ Next year, he hopes to form another community in only four months so the community program will begin in fall 2011.
If Just-Us can fill Jogues, that would make 500 sophomores, over half of the class, between Loyola and Jogues living in an intentional community. Eventually, DeFeo would like to see every sophomore with a mentor and to increase the number of different, unique communities for sophomores.
The University could have handled some of the building plans more efficiently, but like any new program, it will take some time to flourish. Students may be upset at the move from the Jesuit Residence to Jogues, but their motives for applying shouldn’t be the location or the free dinners, but rather, the community.
Students who get wait-listed or rejected from the Ignatian Residential College have to opportunity to transfer their application to the Just-Us community. This will lead to some disappointment from students who fail to gain admittance to their first choice, but that is true for any housing lottery. The lure of Loyola should not be the Commons or the free soda, but the community that will also be found in Just-Us. Eventually, DeFeo hopes to have one common application for all the intentional community programs.
From the overhauled FYE-program freshmen year, to intentional communities sophomore year, to build-a-houses junior and senior years, Fairfield has begun to completely revitalize its Jesuit ideals and integrate them into student life. Some kinks still need to be worked out, but the University is closer than ever to fulfilling its role in educating not just the mind, but the whole person.
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