Fairfield University holds high expectations of how we live and interact with one another, as the successes and failures of each member of our community shape our institution. Respect for self and others, both within and outside the University community, lies at the heart of our standards of conduct. Students are held accountable for their behavior on and off campus as a necessary part of our community life.

The student conduct process seeks first and foremost to serve its students in an educational role. The process asks students to reflect on their behaviors and how they impact the larger university community.

Student Conduct Resources

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    Student Handbook

    The Student Handbook contains many of the policies and procedures for students at Fairfield University.

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    General Policies and Procedures

    Students are responsible for being familiar with and complying with the current version of the handbook, as well as any additional Fairfield University Handbook(s) issued by the program or activities in which they are enrolled.

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    Sexual Misconduct

    At Fairfield University, we are committed to providing a learning environment free of sexual misconduct. There are many resources available to you, both confidential and non-confidential.

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    Policies for Students With Disabilities

    Fairfield University is committed to providing students with disabilities an equal opportunity to access the benefits, rights, and privileges of its services, programs, and activities in an accessible setting.

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    Non-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy

    Fairfield University adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in private institutions of higher education.

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    Clubs and Organization Guidelines

    Co-curricular learning complements the traditional academic experience and, in the context of Jesuit education, is essential to the overall educational experience and the personal development of students.

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    Animals on Campus Policy

    The University is committed to allowing individuals with disabilities the use of Service Animals on campus to facilitate the individual’s full participation and equal access to the University’s programs and activities.

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    StagCard Holder Agreement

    The StagCard is a student’s key to many opportunities at Fairfield and should be carried at all times while on campus.

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    Alcohol and Drug Compliance Statements

    Connecticut enacted laws regarding the distribution, possession, and consumption of alcohol and drugs.

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    Residential Guidelines

    Contained in this section of the Student Handbook are guidelines specific to the residential component of a Fairfield education.

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    Case Management Committee

    The CARE Team is a working group composed of representatives from Student Life, Academic Affairs, and other offices and departments across campus. The CARE Team serves as a proactive mechanism to identify and address students of concern.

Additional Information

Restorative mentoring is a student conduct sanction that encourages and provides an opportunity for dialogue, reflection, and conversation in the areas of student behavior, moral development, responsible community participation, and our Jesuit Mission.

Students will meet with a campus minister to reflect on their choices. Students will be encouraged and learn how to make decisions more aligned with our Jesuit mission and their values.

One-on-one meetings

All students sanctioned to complete a program within Restorative Mentoring are required to meet with a campus minister at least once. Based on the reason the student was referred for restorative mentoring, the campus minister, in consultation with the Office of the Dean of Students, will determine how long students must engage in one-on-one meetings.

Restorative Moments

This program provides an opportunity for students to discuss within a select group new ways to plan healthy social and academic experiences at Fairfield. This program will generally occur twice per semester on a weekday evening or weekend morning.

The Peer Conduct Board (PCB), composed entirely of students, is trained and supported under the auspices of the Office of the Dean of Students in hearing student conduct matters of low severity. PCB is an effective vehicle for students to engage in self-governance, student leadership, and building of overall communication skills.

Criteria and expectations for members of the Peer Conduct Board are as follows:

  • Good standing with the University
  • Full-time undergraduate or graduate student
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5
  • Cannot be a Resident Assistant (RA)
  • Attend weekly PCB hearings during the academic year, held on Sundays from 5-7:30 p.m.
  • Serve on Student Conduct Boards
  • Attend all mandatory training sessions
  • Uphold confidentiality

If you have any questions, please contact Associate Dean of Students Allison Berger at (203) 254-4211.

A No Contact Order prohibits contact between students for a specific period. A No Contact Order is issued by the Office of the Dean of Students and is considered a sanction under Fairfield University’s Student Conduct Code. Sanctions are determined based on the severity of the infraction, the student’s prior record, and other relevant circumstances.

Contact refers to any intentional words or actions including, but not limited to:

  • Destruction or vandalism of the above-named person’s property
  • In-person communication (oral or written) both on and off-campus
  • Use or threats of physical violence both on and off-campus
  • Telephone calls, text messages, instant messages, emails, Facebook, Twitter, or other forms of social media
  • In-person, nonverbal communication, including gestures, both on or off campus
  • No Contact Orders prohibit contact by a third party acting on the individual’s behalf to intimidate, harass, threaten, coerce, or frighten. Third parties may include friends, family members, other students, or others, to make contact on one’s behalf to harass or intimidate others.

A No Contact Order remains in effect for a specified amount of time communicated by the Office of the Dean of Students. Failure to comply with an issued No Contact Order is actionable under the Student Conduct Code.

No Contact Orders are designed primarily to prevent intentional contact. Students who have been issued No Contact Orders should remove themselves immediately from the area if they encounter each other. Incidental contact is not considered a violation of a No Contact Order. This includes, but is not limited to, unintentionally passing the involved individuals on-campus or unexpectedly seeing an individual involved in the order on-campus building or residence hall. During incidental contact, students must remove themselves from the area as quickly as possible.

A student concerned for their safety should contact the Department of Public Safety at (203) 254-4090 or dial 911.

If you have any questions regarding No Contact Orders, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students at (203) 254-4211.

Students are encouraged to report all unsafe incidents including, but not limited to, out-of-control social gatherings, damage and vandalism, underage alcohol use, disorderly or disruptive conduct, harassment, bias, and sexual misconduct. Reports submitted in good faith or seeking restoration will not be subject to the student conduct or Title IX process. The fear of, or concern about, the potential student conduct process should not deter students from seeking appropriate medical or personal assistance.

Student conduct records remain on file for seven years after class graduation. Please contact the Dean of Students office at dosoffice@fairfield or 203-254-4211 if you would like a summary of your student conduct record. A form will be provided to you and a copy of your photo identification or Stag Card is needed. Your record will include all reportable violations during your time at Fairfield University. Please allow 5-10 business days for processing and a fee might be charged.