Contact: Rev. James M. Bowler, S.J.

(203) 254-4000, ext. 3248
jbowler@fairfield.edu

 

The University's mission statement reads in part:

 

"Fairfield University, founded by the Society of Jesus, is a coeducational institution of higher learning whose primary objectives are to develop the creative intellectual potential of its students and to foster in them ethical and religious values and a sense of social responsibility."

 

"Fairfield is Catholic in both tradition and spirit. It celebrates the God-given dignity of every human person. As a Catholic university, it welcomes those of all beliefs and traditions who share its concerns for scholarship, justice, truth and freedom, and it values the diversity which their membership brings to the University community."

 

 

There is a single office that reports to the president. It is staffed by a Facilitator for Jesuit and Catholic Mission and Identity and an associate. There is no line authority.

 

Orientation Programs

 

Orientation programs are facilitated for new trustees, new faculty and staff and resident assistants

 

 

Programs are offered for faculty, staff, trustees and administrators involving lectures, seminars and structured conversations. In the past year, the senior management team experienced four two hour sessions pertaining to Jesuit identity.

 

Three years ago we also had an overnight board retreat.

 

 

Currently the university is involved in a strategic long range planning process based on its Jesuit and Catholic identity. The facilitator for mission and identity is a prominent participant in this process. Ignatian pedagogy is also integrated into the Center for Academic Excellence.

 

Currently we have a core curriculum project – PATHWAYS – which is integrating Jesuit values. The same is true for five sophomore living and learning programs.
 
Spiritual Exercises

 

About thirty individuals on campus have made the full 19th Annotation Retreat while many others (including students) have experienced an abbreviated version.
 
Publications, Audio-visual Materials Developed and/or Used

 

The Jesuit Conference document has proven quite helpful as a conversation starter.
The documents of the 34th General Congregation are very appealing to a number of non-Jesuit faculty.
Articles and talks by John Padberg, Vincent Duminuco and Howard Gray have proven quite helpful.

 

We also published four talks given on campus by Jeff von Arx, Bean Brackley, Paul Lakeland and John Sachs.