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Racial and Social Justice Resources
Diversity in Action Podcast
Diversity in Action Podcast
At Fairfield University, by encouraging dialogue, communication, community partnerships, and a culture of understanding around diversity, equity and inclusion, we foster in our students, faculty, and staff the capacity and desire to build a better world. We embrace, support and celebrate the unique characteristics of diverse identities and cultures. Fairfield is committed to Diversity in Action.
AJCU Statement on ICE Guidance for International Students
AJCU Statement on ICE Guidance for International Students
Fairfield University stands with the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), and colleges and universities nationwide, regarding the recent directive issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), concerning international students and the upcoming 2020-21 academic year.
Resources
Resources
An Anti-Racist Resource Guide
In January of 2019, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi addressed the Fairfield University community as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation Keynote Speaker and spoke to us about how the opposite of being racist isn't being not-racist, it's being anti-racist.
Chat with a Campus Minister
Daily, M-F from 1 – 3 p.m.
Need to talk? Come on and chat with a Campus Minister in their virtual office. Just like McGrath Commons, only private and virtual. Students interested in talking to a campus minister should visit us and join the waiting room.
Counseling Services Guided Meditation Resources
Counselor-On-Call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call Public Safety at 203-254-4090.
Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality
Spiritual Directors are available to provide spiritual support for students who are seeking companionship and connection via skype/FaceTime/zoom/phone.
Please contact Marcy Haley at mhaley1@fairfield.edu to set up an appointment or request more information.
Communications from Fairfield University
Communications from Fairfield University
A Juneteenth Message From the President Mark R. Nemec, PhD
Dr. Nemec shares some reflections on the importance of honoring June 19 as an annual University holiday.
A Candlelight Vigil of Remembrance for All Victims of Racism
June 7, 2020
A reflection from President Mark R. Nemec
A Message from University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD
Dear Members of the Fairfield University Community:
Over the last few weeks, I have been sharing with you thoughts about the global pandemic and our University’s response to the ongoing challenges we have faced as a learning community, as we adapt to these circumstances.
A Message from the Provost Christine Siegel, PhD
Dear Colleagues,
Yesterday, I had the privilege of participating in a discussion organized by Racial Justice is Social Justice (RJSJ), a grassroots coalition initially formed by students. In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, and pursuing public response, RJSJ brought together over 100 students, alumni, staff, faculty, and administrators to reflect on the experiences of the past weeks and their hopes and desires for the Fairfield University community.
Message from the College of Arts & Sciences Dean Richard A. Greenwald, PhD
Dear CAS Community,
Like so many, I am hurt, angered, and broken by the recent death of George Floyd coming after so many others at the hands of police brutality. As I watch the protests and response in various communities, I both feel and understand the rage. The moment is so important that it has brought people out in the streets during a pandemic. Their need to be heard has led them to risk an illness that has disproportionately devastated poor and marginalized communities.
Vice President for Mission and Ministry Rev. Gerry Blaszczak, S.J. Reflection
“We are brokenhearted, sickened, and outraged to watch another video of an African American man being killed before our very eyes. What’s more astounding is that this is happening within mere weeks of several other such occurrences. This is the latest wake-up call that needs to be answered by each of us in a spirit of determined conversion.”
A Message from Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann
“Our Stags family is committed to taking tangible and meaningful action that will benefit our community and affect positive change for the greater good.”
Additional Resources from the Jesuit and Catholic Community
Additional Resources from the Jesuit and Catholic Community
US Bishops Condemn Killing of George Floyd, Deplore Violence and Destruction
Vatican News, June 1, 2020
As widespread violence and unrest grip the United States over the killing of yet another unarmed African-American man, the country’s Catholic bishops condemn the act saying, “racism has been tolerated for too long”.
Catholic Leaders say Floyd’s Death, Demonstrations A ‘Wake-up Call’
Crux June 1, 2020
As the nation was gripped by widespread unrest over the weekend in response to the killing of yet another unarmed black man by a police officer last week, U.S. Catholic leaders said recent events served as a “wake-up call” to the racism that continues to plague the country, while encouraging non-violent protests as a means of effective resistance.
Additional Publications from Fairfield University
Additional Publications from Fairfield University
MLK essay contest winner: Building the Beloved Community
February 28, 2021
A Humanitarian Crisis Within a Space of Exception
February 26, 2021
2021 MLK Keynote Address to Fairfield Prep
February 23, 2021
Introducing Cristina Beltrán, PhD
February 17, 2021
Be-loving Community
January 18, 2021
Citizenship as Suspect
January 8, 2021
Re-membering by Associate Vice Provost for Scholarly, Creative, and Community Engagement Professor of Politics Jocelyn M. Boryczka, PhD
June 19, 2020
Supporting Educators to Cultivate Conversations Surrounding Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the Classroom
June 1, 2020
Descendants of Families Enslaved at Monticello Speak at Quick Center
February 12, 2020
MLK Celebration at Fairfield University
January 17, 2020
The theme of the 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration is “The Challenge of Change: Intersectional Justice and Democracy.”
Gadioma and Ugwu Win FUSA Election in Landslide Vote
February 27, 2020
Vincent Gadioma ’22 and Tobenna Ugwu ’22 have been elected FUSA president and vice president for 2020-21.
Imani Perry Explores Intersection of Race, Gender, and Sexuality
March 5, 2020
The scholar and award-winning author will share insights from two of her critically acclaimed books during her Fairfield University lecture.
Center for Social Impact Receives Grant for Partner School in Tanzania
April 17, 2020
The $54,000 grant will enable the Center’s partner school — Loyola High School in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — to install solar panels on an academic building and their chapel.
Literacy4Life and the Power of Ubuntu
The philosophy of Ubuntu entered my life while I was a high school English teacher in Louisville, Kentucky. The Brown School, where I taught, had a mission for diversity and community-engagement. Each child was respected for their individuality and encouraged to contribute back to the larger good.
Office of Student Diversity And Multicultural Affairs
Diversity can be defined as all the characteristics which differentiate us as individuals as well as all the characteristics which make us alike. There are many dimensions to diversity that go well beyond obvious differences such as race, gender, age, physical ability, and marital status. The less obvious dimensions of diversity include, but are not limited to: veteran status, education, sexual orientation, lifestyle, national origin, religious or political affiliation, departmental or organizational "culture", and employee status - unskilled, skilled, professional, etc.
Understanding the dynamics of diversity allows people to respect and value differences. When people feel valued, respected, and empowered, they are more motivated to work together for the common good of all.
The Office of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs seeks to develop and implement programs and services that will increase the engagement of students in activities that promote and foster an inclusive living and learning community.
Students will obtain a greater understanding and appreciation of diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice through participation and celebration in a variety of activities.
The office works with student organizations, faculty, and other University offices to further integrate diversity into developmental and social programs for students. As a result, the office establishes meaningful relationships with students in order to effectively address their needs, interests, and concerns.
Meet the Staff
Pejay Lucky
Director of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs
BCC 100
(203) 254-4101
Yolehema Felican
Associate Director
Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs
203-254-4101
Sharon Daly
Operations Assistant
203-254-4101
Luisa Vargas
Program Coordinator Diversity Programming
203-254-4101
Links and Resources
News & Events
The Office of Student Diversity Programs & Multicultural Affairs serves the University community by providing support and activities for students that enhance their overall experience and knowledge in respect to the rich diversity and culture that exists at Fairfield and in our global society. Students are partners in creating and implementing co-curricular programming at Fairfield University.
Alumni of Color Network
The Fairfield University Alumni of Color Network is an official affiliate group of the Office of Alumni Relations that serves to create a community and gateway to support Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Stags during and after their time at Fairfield.
Campus Ministry
Rooted in our Ignatian identity, we welcome students from all faith traditions and at all points on their spiritual journey.
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrations
The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration is a week-long series of events that seeks to engage students, staff, faculty, and our local communities in a dialogue about justice and the recognition of all human dignity.
Undocumented Student Resources
As a community, we share a commitment to inquiry and discernment, and a determination to serve as global citizens — supporting the dignity and essential human rights of all persons.
Upward Bound
Fairfield University Upward Bound is a federally funded program for college-bound high school students.
The Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality
We are a Center on Fairfield University’s campus that offers spiritual direction to students, faculty and staff, the Diocese of Bridgeport, and community members of all faiths.
Diversity in Action
At Fairfield University, by encouraging dialogue, communication, community partnerships, and a culture of understanding around diversity and equity and inclusion, we foster in our students, faculty, and staff the capacity and desire to build a better world.
Embracing, supporting and celebrating the unique characteristics of diverse identities and culture: this is how Fairfield is committed to Diversity in Action.
Student Organizations
The students are encouraged to learn and celebrate the wide-variety of cultural, ethnic, and identity diversity present at Fairfield. Enhancing the richness of cultural diversity through student clubs and organizations is the cornerstone of the multicultural college experience. There are several clubs and organizations that work closely with the Office of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs towards supporting this idea.
The Office of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs supports a wide variety of diverse and affinity clubs that allow students to be engaged outside of the classroom. Students who are involved in these co-curricular activities gain leadership skills and make the most out of their collegiate experience.
Diversity At Fairfield
Members of the Fairfield University community are committed to respecting and valuing one another, finding the common good rooted in us all, and working collaboratively to achieve our potential as a modern Jesuit Catholic institution. We aspire to be an inclusive, welcoming community that is representative of an ever-changing and diverse global populace. The Jesuit tradition of cura personalis – care for the whole person – animates our mission. We educate men and women who serve for and with others within the rich tapestry of cultures that comprise our contemporary world.
By encouraging dialogue, communication, community partnerships, and a culture of understanding, we foster in our students, faculty, and staff the capacity and desire to build a better world through productive citizenship and societal stewardship.
At Fairfield University, we advance this mission through:
- Inclusive Excellence as a critical dimension of our academic mission. We strive to educate through engaging with the broadest possible range of dynamic ideas, perspectives, and identities in an ever-changing world. Embracing the challenges of competing viewpoints is integral to the rigor of our academic enterprise, pushing the horizons of what is known and possible as we pursue our commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.
- A Diverse Community, which is a distinguishing hallmark of Jesuit education. We recognize the inherent value and dignity of each person, guided by our Jesuit heritage as informed by the contemporary context. Fairfield is committed to shaping a community of learners from diverse social, economic, racial, cultural, national, and religious backgrounds.
- Global Engagement as a defining outcome of a modern Fairfield education. We hope to develop men and women to serve as global citizens, at home in the world, able to engage in diverse cultural circumstances with an open mind and the capacity to empathize with the perspectives of others. We actively promote an awareness of and sensitivity toward the full range of differences within and well beyond our community of learners.
- Radical Hospitality as a way of relating with others, shaped by our Jesuit traditions. Fairfield recognizes the importance of learning about, and living in, an increasingly interconnected, intercultural world and reflects this by striving to become a microcosm of the global community, in which the other is unconditionally welcomed, respected, and valued.
Through radical hospitality, we welcome and invite all into our learning community. We are committed to pursuing shared standards of excellence. In these ways, Fairfield University strives for the magis (“the more”) in a way that defines modern Jesuit Catholic education.
Services & Initiatives
Gender Inclusive Resources
Fairfield’s vibrant community welcomes all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability/disability status, religion, and tradition. Fostering inclusion and understanding across the many human differences that often divide and marginalize, the Fairfield community is united in its reverence for the human dignity of every person. We recognize that viable solutions to enduring problems emerge when people with diverse backgrounds and skills work together with mutual respect, toward common goals.
Programs And Services
Fairfield University Office of Student Engagement offers a number of programs and services to students including Safe Space Program, Ally Network, Veteran Support, Academic Immersion and Cura Personalis Mentoring Program.
Global Community and Citizenship
As a Jesuit institution, Fairfield University's adherence to Ignatian spirituality and pedagogy involves developing a vision of the world that unites us rather than divides us, is holistic and balances intellectual, emotional, and spiritual understandings and responses. Fairfield's mission is to produce students whose academic, cultural, and aesthetic acumen equips them to recognize the value of others — those both similar to and different from themselves — and the importance of community building.
Center for Social Impact