Mirror - Vol. 33, No. 27 - April 24, 2008

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JVEEKOFAPRILJ4,2008
Vol. 39, Iss. 27 - 16 pages
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Ch, ch, ch, ch changes: The plan to change the current layout of the campus, top left, to appear like the main picture, will be complete with walkways and a Stag statue.
Proposed campus changes to overhaul roads, walkways, landscape
BY RACHEL BREAN
A network of walking paths. More pictur-esque
landscaping. New spaces for recreation
and relaxation in the Quad. These are some of
the first steps in the campus makeover of the
University due to begin this summer.
"It's exciting with any master plan to
finally 'put a shovel in the ground' and get
started," said Thomas Curran, director of
Campus Planning and Design.
In the months ahead, Fairfield hopes to
begin implementing its new Landscape Mas-ter
Plan to develop new outdoor spaces, with
an overall goal to encourage more pedestrian
movement around campus.
Standards have been created for plant
materials, site furnishings, paving and
lighting that will unify the campus in an
environmentally-friendly manner.
"Students that live on campus are here
24/7, and they're the ones that use these
spaces to study, to sit down with a friend, or to
throw a Frisbee," said William Weitzer, senior
vice president. "Our priorities are dictated by
what will benefit students most."
, The development of the Landscape
Master Plan was headed by Weitzer, who has
a Ph. D. in environmental psychology and is
an advocate for the importance of an aestheti-cally
pleasing campus for learning.
Weitzer said that the most frequent com-plaint
that the University receives about the
campus is in regards to layout.
"While many individual aspects of our
campus are beautiful, we don't think about
how the pieces fit together," said Weitzer.
Weitzer is most proud of the cohesive-ness
that the new plan will bring to campus.
"I am excited about having a Quad that
says we are one community," said Weitzer.
"That is what college is all about."
Mark Reed, vice president for adminis-trative
& student affairs, said that the cost of
phase one of the Landscape Master Plan will
range between $1.5 million to $2.5 million.
Phase one of the Landscape Master
Plan is the redesign of the Residential Quad
and a small area near Loyola Hall. The
existing pathway network will be rerouted
to strengthen connections to other areas
and buildings.
"This plan will create an outdoor space
for the Quad residents that truly enhances the
social aspects of campus life," said Curran.
A standard paving material palette will
be used to create a unified path system that
will eventually extend throughout campus
with future phases. Shrubs and trees that are
currently in the space will be removed and
new plantings as well as furnishings will be
installed.
"The patch Of grass behind Loyola
Hall makes the area so divided," said Jenny
Mingus TO, a Loyola resident. "If changes
were made people would intermix instead of
being so separate by dorm. It would be great
to have the area more unified and have more
room for activity."
Phase two of the Landscape Master Plan
will extend the cohesive path system to the
"Campus Core," the area near the Barone
Campus Center and Canisius Hall. This
phase also will create a link between Dolan
SEE "PHASE" ON P. 2
Students question administration on housing
BY JOE CARRETTA
After enduring an Off-Campus Boarder lottery, forced
triples for freshman, juniors living in Claver and a failed plan
for garden apartments all in the past year, students finally got
their chance to speak up at an open forum with four adminis-trators
who are involved with student housing.
Upwards of 200 students came out to fire questions at
Vice President for Administrative Services and Director of
"I don't know what will happen to current juniors who
weren't let off campus," said Reed.
"It is a lot more complicated then saying we can do it over.
We have to look at it in a broader context," he said.
Reed insisted that until a new system was put into place,
the students would have to abide by the results of the lottery
because it would be impossible to satisfy everyone.
"Fairfield as an institution that guarantees students four
years of housing, and allows students to apply to be let off
Student Affairs Mark Reed, Associate Vice President and campus," he added. "We have to uphold the integrity of the
Dean of Students Tom Pellegrino, Director of Residence Life decision."
Deborah Cady and Associate Director of Residence ; INSIDE: : Aside from a minor flare-up from Colin Sheckart
Life Jason Downer concerning the increasing student ; EDITORIAL : 09, who challenged the panel to "cut the bullshit," the
woes over housing. : „ t \ forum ran smoothly and many important issues were
The forum was agreed upon by FUSA and the : : raised, such as the rumored "gentlemen's agreement"
administration after FUSA chose not to protest the issue at the University has with the town.
toward the seniors who were separated from their friends
due to the lottery.
"I was in this position myself as a senior here," said
Pellegrino. "There will always be kids disappointed, but
it is not impossible to have a good time while living on
campus."
"I thought the forum went very well," said FUSA Presi-dent
Jeff Seiser TO. "The next step is on us now. FUSA has
to continue with the progress made tonight and continue to
work toward what is best for the students."
See online for more coverage at fairfieldmirror.com.
Admitted Students' Day.
Senate Chair Dan Lamendola '09 opened the discussion
by challenging the administration to allow students to experi-ence
living independent of campus policies and services.
"The students should still have the school to be behind
them, but not watching over them," he said. "Seniors should
not be kept on campus in order to keep beds filled.
"Independent living is an integral part of the collegiate
experience."
The forum opened with questions targeted at the proposed
flaws with the current OCB lottery and the distress ofjuniors
not allowed off campus.
"There has been no agreement in paper or over a hand-shake
with the town over a certain number of seniors that can
be let off," Reed said adamantly. "We have discussed the issue
with them, and agreed to keep it at a reasonable number."
Chris Winslow TO informed the panel that securing a
townhouse is becoming a competition.
"The myth that there are no beach houses left by the end
of the year is a myth," said Cady. "In no other circumstance
are people expected to sign a lease so early, which really
isn't a smart idea."
FUSA appealed to Reed and Pellegrino on an
emotional level, asking them if they feel sympathetic
Jon Ollwerther/The Mirror
Administration response: Tom Pellegrino, left, and Mark
Reed, right, responded to students' questions on housing