Campus Currents September 2007

Volume 16, Number 2
The official news publication of Fairfield University

Index for September 11, 2007

Nursing School partners with software manufacturer
New division concentrates on integrated marketing
Robin Kanarek Learning Resource Center established
Dr. Schlichting named first Corrigan Endowed Chair
Campus Newsbreakers
Service Anniversaries
Upcoming Lectures
Faculty Books
New faculty members join Fairfield University
CN&S Tech Talk
New faculty reception to highlight student life
Strategic changes in Student Affairs positions
University data find new home
Faculty Research
Greek antiquity as seen through the camera lens
Committee to assist students formed
Emergency planning: An ongoing process
Campus design and planning projects move forward
Sports
Fit at Fairfield
CWP Symposium considers the urban/suburban gap
Ballet Folklórico de México brings dancing to Fairfield
Director discusses migration
Interior design students' exhibit at local gallery
Fairfield professor offers a RAVENOUS ensemble

Nursing School partners with software manufacturer

By Meg McCaffrey, Assistant Director of Media Relations

Present at the announcement of the partnership between Fairfield University and Emergisoft Corporation were (L-R) Dr. Orin Grossman, academic vice president; Joseph J. DeSilva, chief executive officer, Emergisoft; Dr. Suzanne H. Campbell, associate professor of nursing; University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J.; Dr. Jeanne M. Novotny, dean of the School of Nursing; David Trimble, vice president, Government Affairs and Corporate Development, Emergisoft; and Dr. Philip A. Greiner, associate professor of nursing.

The School of Nursing has entered into an agreement with the Emergisoft Corporation of Texas to develop the educational uses of the company's EmergisoftED software currently being used in hospitals. Under the partnership, the School of Nursing will integrate Emergisoft's Emergency Department Information System software in its nursing curriculum beginning this month in order to examine its potential to educate nursing students. The software at the center of the collaboration creates electronic patient medical records so physicians and nurses can track each step of a patient's care. For instance, it allows nurses to electronically report every event of a patient admitted to a hospital's emergency department, from triage procedures and medication administered to patient care instructions.

"Documenting treatment is a critical issue in nursing, and it's very important for students to develop this particular skill," explains Dr. Jeanne Novotny, dean of the School of Nursing.

Emergisoft specializes in helping hospitals make the transition from paper-based medical records to electronic systems. The software that will be implemented at Fairfield enhances the reviewing, tracking, and reporting of a patient's care in real time and online. Emergisoft will provide the software program and technical support to the School of Nursing at a significantly reduced rate.

An important feature of this software is that it does Syndromic Surveillance, which means the software automatically scans for any common symptoms among patients admitted to a hospital and picks up unusual numbers or patterns that could signal a public health emergency, such as a pandemic, so it can be reported to government agencies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require this of all U.S. hospitals in the near future.

"The EmergisoftED software and database will serve not only as a teaching tool in Fairfield's nursing curriculum, but also an important learning tool benefiting our current nursing students," said Dr. Philip A. Greiner, associate professor of nursing.

Dr. Greiner explained that faculty and staff will be able to create realistic scenarios and simulations of patient health problems based on real-life case studies with an Emergisoft database that can in turn be used to educate their students. As nursing students use the software in simulated situations, they will provide feedback that will help determine the ultimate utility of the product for nursing education.

"We believe it puts us on the cutting edge for both our curriculum and scenario development," says Dr. Suzanne H. Campbell, associate professor of nursing. "We will be working to create a unique use for it within classroom and scenario simulated experiences to enhance student learning. This complements our efforts to enhance our students' self-confidence and performance in hospitals and the community."

Photo by Peter Sarawit

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New division concentrates on integrated marketing

By Meredith Guinness, Assistant Director of Academic Marketing and Communications

The new Division of Marketing and Communications is rolling out a plan for integrated marketing that is intended to present Fairfield's message in a clear, distinctive, and unified voice.

Having a coherent message is crucial to branding Fairfield, showing prospective students and donors why we are the best option for meeting their needs, says Rama Sudhakar, vice president of Marketing and Communication.

And this integrated approach involves everyone on campus, she says.

"What we as campus members say about the University - whether it is during the campus tour, a faculty-prospective student meeting, a conversation with a community leader or an engaged alumnus - will help drive word-of-mouth communications, so it is important that we share one vision and speak with one voice in terms of the institution," she says. "This is not to say that we all use the same words, but that we all make the same points about what distinguishes our educational enterprise from other regional and peer institutions."

In order to achieve this synergy, division leaders have set up core teams to support and promote each of the University's six schools, its centers, admission, advancement, and other key offices. Comprised of marketing managers, graphic designers, and Web and media professionals, the teams will work toward creative solutions for each area's unique needs, while keeping the overall marketing goals of the University in mind.

The broad marketing strategies have already been identified, Sudhakar says. In addition to the three-pronged strategic plan, the division has a comprehensive marketing plan set forth by Lipman-Hearne's recent recommendations for brand marketing at Fairfield. They include: engaging internal "stakeholders" in brand marketing; creating a more informed and participatory alumni community; strengthening Fairfield's presence in the region; growing its presence in core undergraduate markets; and cultivating influencers.

"Our efforts will be built on a collaborative team approach and a continuous sharing of information, so that we can look at stories from all creative angles and promotional possibilities," Sudhakar says. "Consistency will be our mantra."

Sudhakar will be meeting with deans and key staff and faculty this month to explain the new structure and how it will help them tell their individual "stories." She is inviting campus leaders to share their ideas with her and other division members.

"There is no magic bullet. There is no single ‘big idea' that will do the trick," Sudhakar says. "We need to align all our marketing efforts around a unified focus. We need to communicate our message cohesively, so our key constituents can hear exactly what is distinctive about the Fairfield experience."

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Robin Kanarek Learning Resource Center established

By Nina Riccio, Assistant Director of Academic Marketing and Communications

With a challenge grant of $350,000 through the Kanarek Family Foundation, Robin Kanarek '96 has been invaluable in helping the School of Nursing work toward raising the $1 million it needs to fully equip its Learning Resource Center. In recognition of her generosity, Dean Jeanne Novotny and the Advisory Board are pleased to announce that the Resource Center will hereafter be known as the Fairfield University School of Nursing Robin Kanarek Learning Resource Center.

For years, one of Kanarek's biggest regrets was not finishing up the B.S. in nursing degree she began as an undergraduate. So it was that after her two children were in school, she hit the books again, joining Fairfield's RN to BSN program and graduating in 1996. "Fairfield had an excellent reputation, and I've since found that the Jesuit traditions stay with you for life," she says simply.

It's that Jesuit tradition of giving back to others that has perhaps influenced Kanarek most strongly. She's been on the School's Advisory Board since its inception, a role she finds exhilarating. "I've been on boards before where the purpose is just to make sure the job gets done," she says. "This is different. Our meetings are absolutely energetic. Everyone has an idea of where things should go, and every idea is received excitedly." Kanarek is quick to point out that the Board has done as much for her as she has for it. "For me, being on the Board represents a lot of healing," she admits. "After we lost our son David (to acute lymphocytic leukemia), I wasn't sure I could even move back from England to Connecticut, a place that represented so much pain. I had no expectations when I joined the Board. But the leadership and the brainstorming that goes on is so exciting that I look forward to each meeting. I've been able to do the things I've wanted to do to honor David's memory. It's been a very healing experience."

Last year, fundraising from the Board allowed the School to go ahead with the construction phase of the Resource Center, creating classroom and lab spaces equipped with the technology needed so students could learn and communicate through simulation-based teaching.

"With the Kanarek Foundation gift, we'll be able to engage in more faculty development as well as purchase state-of-the-art simulation equipment, a medication and EKG machine, intravenous pumps, laptops, operating room equipment - in short, the equipment we need to make these clinical spaces as authentic as possible," says Dr. Suzanne Campbell, associate professor and director of the Resource Center. Dr. Campbell also serves on the Board, "a position that helps Board members develop relationships with the faculty and recognize areas of need," she says.

Dr. Novotny couldn't be more delighted with the Kanarek Foundation gift, and the challenge grant that will motivate so many more to participate. "Suzanne's presence on the Board means she's been able to translate the importance of the Resource Center to the Board members. Her role in the development of this project has been key in its success," she says. "Robin's gift is yet one more example of the dedication and commitment of those on our Board, and we are truly blessed to have such an active and progressive group working on our behalf."

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Dr. Schlichting named first Corrigan Endowed Chair

By Alejandra Navarro, Editor & Assistant Director of Academic Marketing and Communications

Dr. Kurt C. Schlichting '70, professor of sociology and anthropology in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), will be installed as the first holder of the E. Gerald Corrigan Endowed Chair in the Humanities and Social Sciences at a ceremony on Oct. 4. The University community is encouraged to attend the event, which will take place at 4:30 p.m. in the lower level of the John A. Barone Campus Center.

Dr. Kurt C. Schlichting, professor of sociology and anthropology and the first holder of the Corrigan Chair, University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., and Dr. E. Corrigan '63 at the Magis Reception held in June at the Yale Club in New York City.

"I really look forward to involving students in research projects with the wider community," Dr. Schlichting said. "I hope I can be a mentor to them as my teachers and colleagues were to me when I was a student here at Fairfield. I am particularly grateful for having the opportunity to work with Dr. Arthur Anderson, professor of sociology and anthropology emeritus, and Dr. Leo Fay, retired professor of sociology and anthropology."

The new endowed chair is funded by half of a $5 million gift from University Board of Trustee and alumnus E. Gerald Corrigan '63. The remainder of the gift will support the creation of the E. Gerald Corrigan Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Dr. Corrigan, a managing director of Goldman Sachs, earned his Ph.D. in economics from Fordham University. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs in 1994, he served as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Dr. Schlichting received his undergraduate degree in sociology from Fairfield University and he continued to study in the field of sociology, earning a master's degree in 1973 and a doctorate in 1975, both from New York University. A member of the Fairfield faculty since 1974, he also served as associate dean of CAS from 1990 to 1992 and was acting dean of the College from 1984 to 1985. He received the Distinguished Faculty/Administrator Award in 2003.

A prominent researcher, author, and political consultant, Dr. Schlichting wrote Grand Central Terminal: Railroads, Architecture and Engineering in New York (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001), for which he received the 2002 Best Professional/Scholarly Book: Architecture & Urbanism Award from the Association of American Publishers.

As the director of the Fairfield County Research Center, which he founded in 1987, Dr. Schlichting has involved University faculty and students in research projects for local governments and non-profit organizations, including Voices of September 11th, an advocacy organization in New Canaan, Conn., that works for victims of 9/11; Catholic Legal Immigration Services in Washington, D.C.; and the City of Leon, Nicaragua.

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Dr. Javier Campos, professor of Modern Languages and Literatures in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), is a regular columnist for three Latin American newspapers: El Mostrador (Chile), La Republica (Nicaragua), and Colatino (El Salvador).

Dr. Paul Caster, associate professor of accounting in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business (DSB), presented "A Summary of Research and Enforcement Release Evidence on Confirmation Use and Effectiveness" at the American Accounting Association's Annual Meeting in Chicago on Aug. 7. The paper was co-authored with Dr. Randy Elder of Syracuse University and Dr. Diane Janvrin of Iowa State University.

Dr. Arjun Chaudhuri, Thomas R. Fitzgerald, S.J., Professor of Marketing in DSB, presented the paper "The Role of Emotions in Consumers' Response to New Products" (co-authored by Dr. Khaled Aboulnasr, former assistant professor of marketing at DSB) at the American Marketing Association Summer Educators' Conference 2007 in Washington, D.C. The paper was also published in the conference proceedings.

Dr. Edward Deak, professor of economics in CAS, commented on the projected slow job growth in Connecticut in an Aug. 9 Hartford Courant article.

Dr. Susan Franzosa, dean of the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions, participated in the annual conference of the National Women's Studies Association, "Motherhood, Education, and Feminism" on June 30. Dr. Franzosa presented "Mother Teacher: Susan Blow and Patty Hill Smith and the Feminization of Teaching Practice."

The U.S. News & World Report June 30 article, "Cranky Bosses Don't Get the Job Done," referenced research conducted by Dr. Donald Gibson, associate professor of management in DSB. Dr. Gibson's research explored how employees' feelings affect work attributes such as performance, creativity, leadership, and negotiation.

In an Aug. 9 Hartford Courant article on U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman's strained relationship with the Democratic Party, Dr. Donald Greenberg, associate professor of politics in CAS, said that Democrats have to be nice to Lieberman because his defection would cost them the majority. "Democrats in the Senate generally know him and like him, but they also have no choice," he said. "They have to massage his ego." Dr. Greenberg was also quoted in an Aug. 23 Fairfield Minuteman article on the town of Fairfield's use of a representative town meeting. "It works well in cities that do not have great divisions in the body politic," he said. "Where you have political cleavage, the RTM model would never work. It would never work in Bridgeport, for example."

Dr. Sheila Grossman, professor in the School of Nursing (SON), published "Leadership" in Critical components of professional nursing practice, 4th ed. (F. A. Davis, 2007); "Immune Disorders and Immunologic Medications" in Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination, 4th ed., (Elsevier, 2007), and "Leadership and Followership" in Nursing leadership and management: Theories, processes, and practice (F. A. Davis, 2007). She presented with SON professors, Dr. Jean Lange, Dr. Joyce Shea, and Dr. Meredith Wallace, "End-of-Life Care Graduate Core Curriculum: Implications for Increasing NP Student Knowledge and Awareness of Providing Palliative Care" at the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty Conference in Denver, Colo.

In an Aug. 25 Connecticut Post article on the establishment of Harbor Bank in Southport, Dr. Phil Lane, associate professor of economics in CAS and the academic director of the National School of Banking in Washington, D.C., discussed the different models of new community banks.

Martha Milcarek, assistant vice president for brand management and public relations, was interviewed on Aug. 10 for a WTNH/News Channel 8 segment on the University's new emergency plan.

In an Aug. 14 article, the Connecticut Post tapped Dr. John Orman, professor of politics in CAS, for an analysis of Karl Rove's resignation following six tumultuous years as President Bush's top political adviser.

On June 15, Dr. Katherine Schwab, associate professor of art history in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts (CAS), was interviewed for a one-hour culture program on Hellenic Public Radio (91.5 FM in NYC) on the Parthenon restoration project. She delivered the guest lecture, "Renewed Glory: The Restoration of the Parthenon," at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria, N.Y., on June 16. The Nisyrian Society of New York City sponsored the event.

Dr. Joyce Shea, assistant professor in SON, commented in an article on depression, which appeared in the Aug. 20 edition of the Westport Minuteman.

Dr. Norman Solomon, dean of DSB, presented "Developing responsible business leaders: from mission statement to measuring success" at the 2007 AACSB International Conference and Annual Meeting in April in Tampa, Fla.

Mark Reed, vice president of Administrative and Student Affairs, discussed the University's new emergency plan in a Connecticut Post article, published on Aug. 10. Michael Tortora, executive assistant to the vice president for student affairs, was also quoted.

University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., and Dr. Jeanne Novotny, dean of SON, both commented for an Aug. 1 Connecticut Post story on the School's participation in the new $40 million Nursing Academy program, initiated by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.

Dr. Michael White, professor of English in CAS, has received an overwhelming response to his new book, Soul Catcher. The book was reviewed in the Connecticut Post on Aug. 24 and in the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram on Aug. 28. Dr. White also had a question and answer interview published in the Republican (Maine).

An Aug. 13 Connecticut Post article on the state's universities and colleges stepping up efforts to recruit prospective students with military backgrounds, highlighted the Dolan School as "military-friendly." In the article, Dr. Dana Wilkie, director of graduate programs in DSB, said the school wants to attract the type of students corporations want to hire. "Those with military experience and a graduate degree are more attractive than a 22-year-old, right out of school," she said. "They are looking for someone they can put into middle management without too much hand-holding, someone who can take the lead."

Have you been featured in the media? Delivered a presentation at a conference? Published an article in a journal? Let us know about it. Send all Newsbreaker submissions to CampusCurr@mail.fairfield.edu.

Campus view

Con O'Halloran, a groundskeeper in campus operations, shapes the thick grass in the new courtyard of Bellarmine Hall. The brick courtyard with corners of grass, trees, and flower patches complements the historic building and replaces what was once a parking lot. Four visitors and handicapped parking spaces remain in the courtyard, but it has become a more welcoming entrance for those visiting Bellarmine.

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Upcoming Lectures

September 26, Wednesday

James Davidson '64, Ph.D., a Purdue University professor and president of the Association for the Sociology of Religion, will deliver, "Ten Things You Ought to Know About American Catholics," a Catholic Studies lecture. Dolan School of Business Dining Room. 8 p.m.

October 1, Monday

Mark R. Cohen, Ph.D., professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University, will deliver "Voices of the Jewish Poor in the Middle Ages: Insights from the Cairo Geniza." The event is sponsored by the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies. Dolan School of Business Dining Room. 7:30 p.m.

October 3, Wednesday

Jamie T. Phelps, O.P., Ph.D., of the Institute for Black Studies at Xavier University, will deliver the seventh annual Anne Drummey O'Callaghan Lecture on Women in the Church. Phelps' lecture, "Towards Full Communion: Black Catholics in the Roman Catholic Church of the United States," will consider the theological and historical dimensions of the struggle of African-American Catholics to be full, active participants in the Church's efforts to continue the Mission of Jesus Christ in the United States. Quick Center. 8 p.m.

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Faculty Books

Kim Bridgford: The poetry of extremes

Dr. Kim Bridgford's new book of poetry, In the Extreme: Sonnets about World Records, published in June by Contemporary Poetry Review Press, received the 2007 Donald Justice Poetry Award from the West Chester University Poetry Center. The Center is dedicated to furthering the study and appreciation of poetry in the United States. Justice, the late Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is recognized as one of the greatest American poets.

The honor held special meaning for Dr. Bridgford, professor of English in CAS. "The award couldn't mean any more to me than it does," she said. "One of my most profound experiences was being mentored by Donald Justice. He was a teacher at the Iowa Writers' Workshop (at the University of Iowa), where I was a teaching and writing fellow. He encouraged me early on to continue with my poetry writing. He was an amazing craftsman, the kind of writer who would spend months or years on a poem."

Fascinated by people who made it into the Guinness Book of World Records, she wrote In The Extreme to commemorate them. Her favorite poems are about Mike, the chicken that lived the longest without a head, and the woman with the longest fingernails in the world. Dr. Bridgford explains, "I did do a lot of research for the book, but I took some liberties. It's playful."

Michael White: Soul Catcher in a country on the brink of civil war

Following his successful, award-winning book, The Garden of Martyrs, Dr. Michael White, professor of English in CAS, has written an epic novel that explores what happens when the lives of two souls on either side of a divided nation intertwine. Soul Catcher, published in August by William Morrow, follows the physical and emotional journey of Augustus Cain, a maimed Mexican Civil War veteran hired by a wealthy Virginia landowner to find two runaway slaves. Scouring a restless country on the brink of civil war, he heads north to find his prey. But his encounter with Rosetta - one of the escaped slaves who would rather face death than return to the life of servitude that awaits her in Virginia - changes both of their lives.

In an advance review of the novel, Richard Russo, author of Empire Falls, said, "The book will be compared to Cold Mountain of course, but White's book is a more dramatic narrative and every bit as richly detailed and beautifully written. Cain and Rosetta's journey is no easy passage, and that ratchets up the dramatic stakes. But while Catcher reads like an adventure story, the book has its own impressive weight."

Dr. White will read from Soul Catcher as the featured guest at University College's Author's Forum on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Barone Campus Center Oak Room.

Emily Orlando: Edith Wharton's view on women in art

Emily Orlando, visiting assistant professor of English in CAS, authored Edith Wharton and the Visual Arts, published by the University of Alabama Press in January 2007. Orlando explores Wharton's career-long concern with a "19th-century visual culture that limited female artistic agency and expression." Wharton repeatedly references the visual arts - especially painting - as a medium for revealing the ways that women's bodies have been represented, often as passive, sexualized, infantilized, and sickly. Orlando contends that while Wharton's early work presents women enshrined by men through art, her later fiction shifts the seat of power to women.

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New faculty members join Fairfield University

Each year, we include short biographies on the new faculty members. This year, instead of the traditional biography, we've asked new professors a number of questions to provide a more interesting introduction to the people joining our campus community. We will include a few faculty profiles in each issue.

Nels Pearson

Dr. Nels Pearson joins the English Department in the College of Arts & Sciences, as an assistant professor. He previously taught at Tennessee State University. He earned a B.A. and an M.A., both in English, from James Madison University, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Maryland. He researches literary modernism and Irish literature, delving into the relationship between literature's role within national culture and its promotion of cosmopolitan values.

Do you volunteer? If so, with which organization(s)?
I have volunteered with the Pencil Foundation (for young writers) and in various capacities through the service learning and honors programs at my former school, Tennessee State University. I hope to resume similar activities, or new volunteer experiences, here.

How do you stay healthy?
Well, I quit smoking almost four years ago, which was easily my greatest health accomplishment. Long walks, "A for effort" dieting, playing golf, thinking critically, and engaging with society - with these I stay healthy.

What has been the proudest moment in your life?
Lest the fall cometh, I'd better not say. Moments where I have been happiest with myself involve getting good results in teaching, winning battles against stubborn words and poor swing habits (in golf), and, far from least, marrying my wife Emily (Orlando, visiting assistant professor in the English Department).

What is your most daring moment in life?
Trying to fathom the coexistence of divine mercy and profound alienation, pain, and inhumanity. A repeating moment.

If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be and why?
I can't seem to get the Jesus Jones line out of my head, so it must be appropriate: "right here, right now, watching the world wake up from history."

Photo by Jean Santopatre

James Shanahan

Dr. James Shanahan joins the Communication Department as an associate professor. He comes to Fairfield from Cornell University, where he served as associate professor in the Department of Communication. He also taught at Boston University, where he earned an M.S., and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he earned a Ph.D., both in communication. He earned a B.A. in political science from Tufts University.

How did you become interested in your field?
I worked in college radio, doing a jazz show. They recruited me because I played piano in the college jazz band. Through that experience, I eventually became manager of the station, and was exposed to the importance of media. From there, I did a master's at Boston University focusing on television, but discovered my interest in teaching and research from there. After that, I decided to pursue the Ph.D. to further my research career.

Do you have a favorite moment in teaching?
I think it was working with an undergrad student one summer on an independent study. He was attending Cornell on a program for minority scholars, and he worked on an independent study focusing on public opinion about capital punishment. His paper won an award in an undergrad research competition that year.

What is your most daring moment in life?
Jumping off of a 50-foot dam in Maine.

Do you have a goal you want to achieve?
Simply to continue to be a good husband, father, teacher, researcher, and person.

Do you have a pet?
Annie, a dog; and Giallo, a cat.

How do you keep peace in your life?
Try to focus on one thing at a time.

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CN&S Tech Talk:
Tips for safe computing

By Jeff Potocki, Software Support Specialist and Training Coordinator for Computing & Network Services

Often, we take computer security for granted. We think that the computer will do everything for us, such as protecting sensitive information from thieves. Unfortunately, that's not the case. C&NS takes precautions to secure University computers; however, here are five easy ways to protect your computer and your personal information.

1. Create strong passwords

Passwords should be at least eight characters (using letters and numbers). Do not use personal information (Social Security numbers, names, birthdays, addresses, phone numbers, etc.) . Instead, use acronyms or abbreviated phrases (avoiding whole words) that you will easily remember, such as: Il2uzc@w (I love to use computers at work). Change your password often. Fairfield University, for example, has a mandatory three-month password reset policy (www.fairfield.edu/passwords). And of course, NEVER tell anyone your password. You should also refrain from writing down your password, especially in a place where someone might look for it (on your monitor, under your keyboard, or in your desk).

2. Physically secure your computer

The best way to protect your data is by physically securing the computer where it resides with a cable lock or other mechanism. Always lock your office door (if you have one) at the end of the day and when you leave your desk. Make sure that you either log off your computer or lock your computer keyboard if you step away from your desk. Remember to always back up your work on a CD, zip disk, or UBS key and keep these in a secure place, just in case your computer disappears.

3. Never install illegal or un-licensed software

Software should only be installed by C&NS staff. Some programs that users like to install can actually be viruses that give computer hackers access to your computer. If you need a program installed for work-related reasons, C&NS can do this for you. For more information about harmful Internet programs, visit www.fairfield.edu/cns_previouspresent.html for the information sheet, "Internet Annoyances: Viruses, Spyware, Spam, and Phishing."

4. Be wary of wireless

Never use a wireless connection when a hard-wired option is available. Hackers can easily tap into wireless connections that are inadequately protected. If you must use wireless, make sure that you do not use applications that hold sensitive information. Visit www.fairfield.edu/cns_softwaredoc.html for the information sheet, "Connecting to Classroom Wireless Networks."

5. E-mail wisely

Never open suspicious attachments. If you are suspicious of an e-mail, just delete it. If it is legitimate or important enough, the sender will send it to you again or use the phone. Never send an e-mail that you wouldn't want everyone on campus to see. Confidential documents should be hand-delivered to ensure that no one but the intended recipient reads them. Use your own personal (non-Fairfield University) e-mail account to send personal e-mails.

In addition, shred paper documents that contain personal information. Documents with sensitive information have been recovered from Fairfield University trash bins in the past. It's one of the easiest ways for a thieves to gain access to your computer files.

If you have any questions concerning computer security or any of the tips above, please contact C&NS at ext. 4069 or e-mail cns@mail.fairfield.edu. For information about the University Computer Acceptable Use Policy, visit www.fairfield.edu/cns_aup.html.

Good luck and safe computing!

Photo by Jean Santopatre

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New faculty reception to highlight student life

The Division of Administrative & Student Affairs will host a special reception for new faculty members on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. in the Barone Campus Center, lower level. The event will focus on student life at Fairfield University, both in and out of the classroom.

New faculty members will have a chance to meet members of the student life departments and learn firsthand about the resources available to support students.

Dr. Thomas Pellegrino, associate vice president and dean of students, explains, "In discussing ways to further develop campus partnerships, we decided to start the school year with a reception to welcome new faculty members and introduce them to the people and departments that support and assist with the important work being done in the classroom. A core principle of the strategic plan is to bolster collaborative practices and engagement between academics and student affairs. This reception will provide a good stepping-stone towards that important goal."

New faculty members are asked to r.s.v.p. by Friday, Sept. 14, to deanofstudents@mail.fairfield.edu.

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Strategic changes in Student Affairs positions

The Division of Administrative and Student Affairs has made several personnel changes to support its planning initiatives. "We have made much progress in achieving both our divisional and strategic planning goals," explains Tom Pellegrino, associate vice president and dean of students. "Yet, more important work lies ahead and these appointments will undoubtedly serve us well in our efforts."

Dr. Deborah Cady has been named deputy dean of students. In addition to her role as director of residence life, Dr. Cady will assume supervisory responsibility of the First-Year Experience program for the 2007-08 academic year, and will play a critical role in the direction of the program. She will also assume other responsibilities to support divisional growth and strategic planning initiatives.

William Johnson has been named assistant dean of students. During the past year, Johnson has successfully balanced the demands of his two roles: as director of student diversity programs and associate director of admission for diversity. Johnson has established both a foundation and vision for supporting the strategic planning's critical diversity-based initiatives, which he will continue to do in his new position.

Jason Downer has been named associate director of residence life. "The strategic plan sets a clear vision for incorporating Fairfield's mission and identity into our daily work. Few individuals demonstrate a stronger and more vigorous commitment to this ideal than Jason Downer," Dr. Pellegrino says. His efforts on behalf of his students, combined with his accomplishments both within and outside the division for student affairs, illustrate the high standards he sets for himself and, by example, for those around him.

Joseph Ginese has been named coordinator of orientation. The strategic plan looks to enhance ways of supporting students as they transition into college. Orientation and the First-Year Experience program play a critical role in this endeavor. Ginese successfully organized the fall orientation and the First-Year Experience, events he will continue to organize and support in the 2007-08 academic year.

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University data find new home

By Alejandra Navarro, Editor & Assistant Director of Academic Marketing and Communications

The new Office of Institutional Research opened its doors last month, with Dr. Ann Stehney at the helm. The newly appointed director will guide the office in its charge to develop a comprehensive program for institutional research and planning that will support the University's mission and strategic goals.

The office will coordinate the collection, organization, and analysis of University statistics and information, including data collected from surveys. Information once gathered by several offices across campus will now be found in one place. Dr. Stehney said she was interested in being part of an institution like Fairfield whose leaders recognize the importance of having reliable information for planning and decision-making.

"In addition to coordinating current projects to enhance their impact, I'm looking forward to broad collaboration on new research initiatives related to the strategic goals," Dr. Stehney said. "With the self-study for NEASC to guide us, this is an exciting time to be at Fairfield."

During this time of great change at Fairfield University, this new office is essential, particularly in assessing the University's progress. "As we develop activities related to the strategic plan, it is very important from the beginning we are able to develop measures that evaluate our individual actions, as well as the over all effectiveness of our plan," said Senior Vice President Dr. Billy Weitzer, who guided the establishment of this office and will continue to oversee it.

Helping to shape the Office of Institutional Research, which will be housed in the Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. Center, are Phyllis Fitzpatrick, director of management information, and Amy Boczer, research assistant. Boczer will join the office after she finishes her duties assisting with the University's re-accreditation process.

Dr. Stehney most recently served as vice president for planning and research at Moravian College in Pennsylvania. She also worked as dean of faculty at Cedar Crest College; as associate dean of Douglass College at Rutgers University; as a research mathematician at the Center for Communications Research at the Institute for Defense Analyses; and as a professor and chair of the math department, and later as director of educational research and development, at Wellesley College. She received a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Bryn Mawr College, and a doctorate in mathematics from Stony Brook University.

"I spent 10 years at the Center for Communications Research, a think tank in Princeton, doing research in cryptology (codes and ciphers)," Dr. Stehney explains. "It won't help me crack the cultural code at a university, but there were valuable lessons in CCR's pragmatic approach to research and multidisciplinary teams."

Photo by Jean Santopatre

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Faculty Research
The College of Arts & Sciences

Doug Lyon: Financial data mining in 3D

Data mining in the financial market can help a researcher look at a situation in different ways. For instance, you might notice the same directors in two different companies, both engaging in a repurchase operation at the same time, says Dr. Doug Lyon, chair of the Computer Engineering Department and co-director of the Electrical and Computer Engineering M.S. program in the School of Engineering.

"Putting the information together gives you a better picture of what a stock is doing and why," he says.

Dr. Lyon's most recent research thrust is in a sub-field of financial engineering called statistical arbitrage. Financial engineering is a cross-disciplinary field that uses numerical methods and computer simulations to help formulate decisions. He makes use of financial data mining to automate the gathering of the data and statistically characterize it. This helps to assess risk and formulate "bang-bang" control laws that serve as trading signals.

Dr. Lyon says that since 1996 the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has required entities affiliated with public companies to file electronically. At last count, there were more than 6.8 million filings, a treasure trove for researchers. "Financial data mining is in its infancy," says Dr. Lyon, a widely published author who earned a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

In recent months, Dr. Lyon has applied for two new grants that would help him in his research. The first, a core curriculum and lab improvement grant, was for the purchase of a 3D printer for rapid prototyping. This machine enables the creation of structures from resin. "Many different data structures and computational entities are best seen in 3D," he said.

While he is interested in creating models of his data, the 3D printer, which would cost about $150,000, also has applications in other fields. These types of printers are useful to electrical and mechanical engineers, as well as artists and mathematicians.

Dr. Lyon also does research in an area of photonics called metrology. Photonics involves both optics and electronics. The metrology application has led to a new diffraction rangefinder (with patents, papers, and prototypes). Presently, he's working on a 3D microscope with DeWitt Brothers Tool Company (in New York and Florida), for whom he's a consultant.

Dr. Lyon also teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate computer engineering courses, including voice and signal processing, image processing, computer graphics, network programming, and various client and server-side Java courses.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

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Greek antiquity as seen through the camera lens

By Joan Grant, Publicist

Fairfield University presents the world premiere exhibition of "The Creative Photograph in Archaeology - From the Traveling Photographers of the 19th Century to the Creative Photography of the 20th Century." The exhibition opens at the Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Sept. 27 and runs through Dec. 9. A select group of famous photographers is represented, including William Stillman, Frederic Boissonnas, Walter Hege, Herbert List, Goesta Hellner, and Socratis Mavrommatis.

Coinciding with the Sept. 27 exhibition opening is a half-day symposium from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Wien Experimental Theatre. The symposium will feature Greek and American scholars as well as noted photographers, and will conclude prior to the opening reception at the gallery from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission to the exhibition is free. The symposium is free, but seating is limited. Reservations are required.

This unprecedented exhibition is curated by Costis Antoniadis, professor of photography at the Technological Educational Institution of Athens, and organized by Mavrommatis, chief photographer of the Acropolis Restoration Service and the Benaki Museum in Athens, in collaboration with Dr. Katherine Schwab, associate professor of art history in the College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Visual & Performing Arts.

The collection includes more than 70 dramatic black and white framed prints featuring Greek antiquities that have been produced from high resolution scans of the original negatives. The exhibition is divided into five units that span 150 years and visually portray the bold story of the delicate balance between documentation and creative vision in photographs with antiquities as the subject - from the first photographic attempts of the early travelers in the 19th century through the sophisticated work of the late 20th to early 21st centuries.

In discussing the decision to use photographs of Greek antiquities exclusively, Mavrommatis noted, "Greece is the only place where all the photographers represented in the exhibition worked and, clearly, location and culture are shared by all. We can see vividly how each photographer's individual artistic approach differs from one another."

"The Creative Photograph in Archaeology" exhibition marks the second collaboration between Mavrommatis and Fairfield University. Previously, the University hosted the exhibition, "Photographs of the Athenian Acropolis: The Restoration Project" in 2004.

Symposium topics include an archaeologist's point of view of the value in a photograph, how students perceive antiquities through these photographs, the ways in which the earliest photographers worked, and differing artistic voices and approaches.

The fall exhibition and symposium is presented by the Art History program of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts and incorporates outreach from the University to area students and scholars as well as to the community.

For additional information, visit www.fairfield.edu/art_ex_photogarch.html.

Moving beyond the exhibit

As part of the "Creative Photograph in Archaeology" exhibit, several special programs have been scheduled:

A second exhibition, "19th Century Impressions of the Parthenon Frieze," will be on view from Sept. 19 to Oct. 17 at the University's Lukacs Gallery in Loyola Hall. The exhibition will include a selection of 19th century plaster casts of the Parthenon frieze given to the University by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2004. Dr. Schwab is curator of the University's Plaster Cast Collection.

Using resources from The Acropolis Restoration Service in Athens, students at St. Ann School in Bridgeport and, by extension, students throughout the Bridgeport diocese will be guided in the discovery of ancient Greek culture through art, math, and history. A workshop for participating teachers will be held at the Walsh Art Gallery on Oct. 4, which will present teaching projects that can be used with students in grades 5 to 8. Fairfield University will lend the Acropolis educational kits to the diocesan teachers through St. Ann School.

As part of the Director's Choice Series, Dr. Diana Mille, director of the Walsh Art Gallery, has devoted the season's first two lectures to exhibition-related topics. Dr. Schwab's lecture on Oct. 3 is "Creative Intentions, Truth, and Archaeology;" and Dr. Mille's lecture on Dec. 5 is "Creative Intention and New Vision Photography." The public is invited to bring a brown-bag lunch to the gallery for the 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. talks. Admission to each lecture is $5.

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Committee to assist students formed

The Office of the Dean of Students, in collaboration with other campus offices, has formed a Case Management Committee to enhance communication and coordination among student support services and to provide a way for members of the University community to share concerns relating to the health and wellbeing of students.

The Committee will meet every other week with the purpose of early identification of students in distress and to provide the degree and type of intervention that will assist them with academic and social issues. The Committee will consist of directors from Counseling & Psychological Services, the Student Health Center, Public Safety, and the offices of Residence Life, Student Diversity Programs, Academic and Disability Support Services, the Dean of Students, and the Dean of Freshmen.

To report a concern to the Case Management Committee, call either the Dean of Students at ext. 4211, or Counseling & Psychological Services at ext. 2146.

The Case Management Committee handles only non-urgent/non-emergency matters. In case of an emergency, please notify Public Safety. Contact Counseling & Psychological Services to discuss a concern or to seek advice. The Committee cannot guarantee confidentiality, particularly in the event of an immediate threat or emergency.

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Emergency planning: An ongoing process

By Nina Riccio, Assistant Director of Academic Marketing and Communications

With students returning to campus this month - and with last April's tragedy at Virginia Tech still fresh in parents' minds - it's natural to wonder what's being done to ensure that Fairfield's campus and its students are as safe as possible.

"In the last year, Public Safety has gone through a detailed process of updating its emergency planning," says Mark Reed, vice president of Administrative and Student Affairs, who notes that this is a continual process done in concert with the University's Crisis Management Team. In so doing, four areas have been explored.

First, the University has installed a system that would allow for near-instant communication to students, faculty, and staff. The new Connect-ED system, announced last month, is now in place and allows the Office of Public Safety to send a voice and/or text message to as many as six phone numbers or e-mail addresses per person. Michael Tortora, executive assistant to the vice president and business manager for Administrative and Student Affairs, has coordinated the effort, along with Administrative Computing, to allow students to update their own telephone information, rather than going through the Registrar's Office. The system has the ability to contact specific groups, so that if a storm forces the evacuation of beach residents, for example, students on campus would not necessarily be notified.

Second, the team is evaluating the feasibility and desirability of an outdoor siren system. The siren could emit a pre-recorded announcement; key people within Public Safety would also have access to a microphone. "The question we have to ask ourselves is whether or not this system would achieve the desired results," says Reed.

Third, the team is considering increasing the availability of emergency phones, essentially a one-way communication directly to the Office of Public Safety. The team has discussed putting an emergency phone in each classroom or on each floor. "We have to consider if this is the best use of our resources, given that so many students have cell phones," says Reed.

Finally, the team is also reviewing the University's ability to lockdown buildings if the need arises. While residence hall rooms can be locked from the inside, many classrooms can't. The process of installing locks so all doors can be secured from the inside has begun, "but like anything else, this isn't a simple process," Reed acknowledges. "All the doors are different, and some have asbestos and must be removed and replaced."

As part of the emergency review process, Public Safety's space has expanded and been renovated. The switchboard, which for several years was located in Dolan Hall, has been relocated to Public Safety space in Loyola Hall. "This way, switchboard operators have up-to-date information during a crisis," says Todd Pelazza, director of Public Safety. The new expansion also allows for a training room for officers, a dedicated emergency operations command center for the Crisis Management Team, and a more secure dispatch center with new equipment. "There is the possibility that the town of Fairfield could use this as a substation should the need ever arise," says Pelazza. The Media Center has been tasked with developing a 30-minute emergency procedures video that will be made available through StagWeb or on a disk for staff and faculty.

"An open environment like a college campus presents certain obvious challenges," Reed admits. The Office of Public Safety works with the town of Fairfield's law enforcement agency, and all procedures are in accordance with the standards recommended by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. Fairfield Prep, while benefiting from the presence of Public Safety officers and some of the procedures put in place on campus, has its own separate and very detailed crisis management plan.

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Campus design and planning projects move forward

By Alejandra Navarro, Editor & Assistant Director of Academic Marketing and Communications

Several campus design and planning projects are making headway this fall.

Early learning center

Welder Ron Dayton from Tucker Mechanical Contractors works in the new cogeration plant being built on campus.

The University has selected the land just east of Southwell Hall as the site for the new early learning center. The University aims to have the design of the building complete and the permits in place by early spring to give parents a sufficient advance warning before they have to decide on a childcare provider for the 2008-09 year.

The University is exploring the purchase of a pre-fabricated modular facility to house the early learning center. These pre-built structures, which will be assembled at the site, have come a long way from the simple trailers most often seen on school campuses, said Joe Crouse, a consultant the University has hired to oversee this project. The buildings designed today are available in a variety of architectural styles and can be made to blend in with the campus. The structure will be made to the University's specifications, which is critical given the regulations involved in constructing a building for a childcare center. Original plans to move the early learning center into Southwell were derailed when the University found problems with the aging building.

The early learning center committee on campus conducted a survey during the summer to find out the demand for childcare services from the campus community. The University expects to offer 36 fulltime spaces for children in the center.

The Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions has begun a search for a faculty member who specializes in early childhood education. This faculty member will also serve as a liaison between the University and the childcare center.

New Jesuit Community Center

The Jesuit Community and the University have been working closely to streamline the design of the proposed Jesuit Community Center to keep the project within the $9 million budget. "Hopefully, through value engineering, we can take a hard look at construction costs," said Dr. Billy Weitzer, senior vice president. Construction, which is now scheduled to begin this fall, will take one year to finish.

New cogeneration plant

The combined heat and power facility being built on campus is nearly finished, said Mark Reed, vice president for Administrative and Student Affairs.

The facility will enable Fairfield to produce its own electricity via a turbine. Through the Central Utility Facility (CUF), the University has been producing its heat and cooling since 1960, but has relied on outside sources for electricity. This new cogeneration power facility, in a 3,000-square-foot addition to the existing CUF, will supply more than 95 percent of the University's power needs.

"The original target completion date was pushed back as a result of some design and engineering changes that became desirable and necessary in order to maximize the facility's capacity and safeguard the regional electrical grid managed by The United Illuminating Company," Reed said.

The facility should be ready for initial testing and power generation soon, he added. The testing, which will take place over several weeks, is not expected to result in any power disruptions to campus buildings.

Parking and Housing

The University will begin working on a campus parking study to determine the need and the best locations for parking. The study will help the University begin to gather information for a new campus master plan. In addition, the University is reviewing options and developing plans to increase student housing. A plan and decision are expeted in the coming months. Plans for St. Ignatius Hall, the former Jesuit residence that will be replaced with a new Jesuit center, will be incorporated into the overall housing analysis and plans, said Reed.

The University will keep the neighborhood community informed through a meeting on Sept. 17 where the details of the proposed early learning center and the new Jesuit Community Center will be reviewed.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

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