It has not just been the color of the leaves that has changed this semester; FUSA Senate has worked diligently to tackle a broad array of initiatives ranging from Sodexho and Residence Life concerns to registration and faculty evaluations improvements.’
We most recently discussed the effects that the current economy has had on the availability of financial aid with Judy Dobai, associate AVP for enrollment management.’ Considering that 51 percent of undergraduates receive need-based aid (average income of $91,858) and 12 percent receive academic or athletic awards, the Office of Financial Aid recognizes that pending financial instability is a real concern for Fairfield families and encourages students who need additional assistance to contact their office.
At our Nov. 16 meeting with Jason Downer, associate director of Residence Life, we discussed future housing changes in a question and answer format. Downer ensured the Senate that regardless of possible changes to residence buildings next year, the dorm room that a student chooses in the Housing Lottery will be their residence upon arrival in September and that Residence Life is prepared to push the housing lottery to a later date if necessary.’ Also, the OCB process ran smoothly and with the second February release date, hopefully all juniors wishing to live at the beach should have that opportunity.
Earlier in the semester, Senate met with Sodexho representatives and Jim Fitzpatrick to discuss dining concerns.’
Our input was well received and we are continually addressing issues as they are raised.’ Most important, we encourage you to speak with the manager on duty to resolve any immediate concerns, but otherwise please check out the ‘Barone! Barone! Barone!’ Facebook group and leave your suggestions there.’
At the beginning of the next semester, we have also scheduled a meeting with the Regional Sodexho Management to discuss its corporate mission and its manifestation on campus, as well as how the company acts as a sustainability partner with the University.
On the academic side, our major initiative has been to develop a more comprehensive course selection tool incorporated into the faculty member’s www.fairfield.edu Web page so as to provide clearer representation of the available courses the institution offers.’ This will allow students to make informed course selections based on unique class descriptions, previous semester syllabi (including the ISBNs) and the results of the Course Evaluation Data as opposed to the current process of narrowing down good time slots and eliminating teachers with ratemyprofessor.com.
Additionally, several FUSA Senators are serving on the University Registration Committee to provide perspective on the recent changes and to further streamline the process.’ The Academic’s Committee has meet with Economics Professor Kathy Nantz and reconvened to discuss the core. After an initial meeting with Janelle Jennings, director of New Student Programs, our freshmen senators provided much needed feedback on the FYE program and will address this issue next semester.
As finals approach, we have spoken again with Library Director Joan Overfield and wish to inform you that the library hours will be extended and that refreshments will be served (for finals? Forever?)!’ Check out who your senators are online at www.fairfield.edu/fusa and e-mail Senatesuggestions@stagweb.fairfield.edu with any projects you would like to see tackled next semester!
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