Mirror - Vol. 25, No. 10 - December 09, 1999

              The Mirror
FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY
Volume 25, Number 10 The Image of Fairfield Thursday, December 9, 1999
Going too far
University security secretly uses closed-circuit cameras to crack down on alcohol
By Paul Pennelli
MANAGING EDITOR
It began with little notice in 1998.
Four closed-circuit television cameras
were quietly installed atop university
buildings, constantly watching the
expansive campus below. The
Fairfield Security Department assured
students that these cameras would
only be used to stop crime and to pro-
For more on this story,
see the Commentary Section
tect, nothing more.
Two years and three additional
cameras later, it is apparent that this
is not the case.
• In a confidential memorandum ob-tained
by The Mirror, the security de-partment
confirmed that the camera
system has been "aiding in alcohol
intervention violations", and that of-ficers
have been trying to cover up its
Closed-circut cameras mounted on dorms
use. "Officers should not articulate in
the incident report that detection of the
violations were discovered and
viewed by use of the cameras," the
memo said.
The memo acknowledges the "so-cial
ramification" of such action, and
warns that the Fairfield community
cannot begin to believe that "Big
Brother" is watching them from
Photo: Nick Ouimet
are used for more than stopping car thefts
above, and gives instructions on how
this policy can remain a secret.
"One spinoff [of the cameras] has
indeed been alcohol intervention,"
admitted Director of Security Todd
Pellaza, who wrote the memo and
sent it to his security staff. "We have
been able to see suspicious activity,
and when we do that, we send an
officer to investigate."
When an officer is sent to the scene
of the alleged alcohol violation, it is
up to the officer to determine if there
is indeed a violation.
"No action is ever taken unless an
officer views with his or her own eyes
some type of activity that would go
against the university code of conduct
or criminal law," said Pelazza.
The use of closed-circuit television
cameras is a common practice for se-curity
organizations, but they are a rar-ity
at colleges and universities in Con-necticut.
Yale University, Connecti-cut
College and Wesleyan University
do not monitor their campuses with
closed-circuit television cameras, ac-cording
to their respective security and
campus safety departments.
Trinity College monitored the park-ing
lots on its Hartford campus with a
similar camera system in the past to
deter car theft, according to the
college's campus safety department.
The cameras were later taken down
see "Security" on pg.3
Commercial revitalization in
'store' for community
By Diana Fusco
STAFF WRITER
In the world of Fairfield Univer-sity
students, it seems as though we
are going through major construction
disaster. However, we are not the only
ones going through changes.
The Fairfield Store on Post Road
has been torn down in the past two
weeks in order to start a $16 million
redevelopment program. The space
that used to be Steinbach, on Black
Rock Turnpike, has also recently
started plans to remodel the building
for Old Navy and Gap.
The Gap and Old Navy will only
be remodeling the interior and exte-rior
of the current building. Old Navy
and The Gap will occupy both levels
of the two story building. Old Navy
will occupy 32,082 square feet, while
the Gap will occupy 21,249 square
feet of the space, according to Jim
Wendt from the Planning and Zoning
office.
Although definite plans of what
businesses will be going in the space
on Post Road are not finalized, some
possibilities include Borders book
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FWRRf-XD CfcN IER rAHFELU OOINCCTCUT
Graphic: Starwood Ceruzzi
Artist rendering of the new development on the site of the old Fairfield Store.
store and a French bakery and antique
store, according to John Ceruzzi, from
the development firm Starwood
Ceruzzi.
Borders book shop would
take up 24,000 square feet of space,
with 12,000 feet on the first floor and
12,000 feet on the second floor. The
remainder of the second floor space
will be occupied by offices, accord-ing
to Ceruzzi.
Ceruzzi said that as of
now, the only other store that has
been discussed is the small French
pastry and antique store that would
occupy approximately 1000 square
feet on the lower level. The idea
for the store comes from the same
owners of Saint Tropez bistro on
Sanford Street.
Many of the stores that are
See SHOP on p. 5
Eric Wise
expelled
By Matthew Thompson
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
During Thanksgiving recess, most
Fairfield students used the time off to
relax with family and friends and get
their minds off of their busy Fairfield
lives. While many of us searched the
refrigerator for thanksgiving dinner
leftovers, senior Eric Wise received a
letter informing him that he was no
longer a Fairfield University student.
According to Dean of Students
Gary Stephenson, Wise is now offi-cially
no longer a Fairfield student and
was notified with a letter sometime
around Thanksgiving recess.
Two months ago on October 3rd,
Wise was arrested outside of the Sea
Grape Cafe and charged with assault-ing
an officer, inciting a crowd to riot,
breach of peace, and interfering with
an officer. After the incident, Wise's
case was sent through the university
judicial process. After a brief suspen-sion,
a verdict was finally reached al-
See FOOTBALL on p. 5
This Week ... Campus Life:
Christmas gift ideas
see p. 7
Commentary:
Remarks on closing the S0A
seepgs. 10-11
A&E:
Rent Reviewed
see p. 14
Sports:
Volleyball wins
again
seep. 19