Fairfield University Works With Town On Beach Area Efforts
FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield University students moved into off-campus housing in the Fairfield Beach area last weekend, and with the beginning of a new school year, the university wants residents to know that it is continuing efforts to be a good neighbor in town.
Relations between the town and the university were frayed last year following the annual SantaCon party thrown in the beach area, which resulted in fights, extreme drunkenness and garbage strewn throughout the neighborhood.
The aftermath of the annual holiday event, which is not organized nor sanctioned by the university, included a renewed urgency in stakeholder meetings between town and university officials, and the public, and the school is making strides to ensure that last year is not repeated.
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“Fairfield University was founded to serve the greater community and our neighbors — to drive innovation and prosperity for the Town of Fairfield and the greater region,” Jennifer Anderson, Vice President, Marketing & Communications for the university, wrote to Patch in a statement. “For years, the University has actively participated in stakeholder meetings with the town administration, Police & Fire Departments, resident associations, landlords and other local officials to plan and coordinate our efforts. We continue to allocate resources to support these initiatives, including enhancing law enforcement presence on weekends to support a safe and respectful environment.”
The school recently delivered more than two-dozen garbage cans to rental homes in the beach area, and this weekend, students will begin weekly cleanup efforts along the beach.
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“Sunday morning beach clean-ups have also been a long-standing tradition for our students and this year community incentives are built in to increase participant excitement in the clean-ups,” Anderson said.
As it has done in the past, the university will also send out a 24-page guide, “Living at Fairfield Beach,” a primer on how to be respectful of neighbors and the surroundings.
The document contains information on the various neighborhood and landlord groups; emergency contact information; noise ordinance rules;
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“Fairfield University will continue to work with Town officials to help minimize disruption for all residents,” the document reads.
“The Fairfield Police Department remains dedicated to maintaining a safe community, protecting life and property, reducing crime and the fear of crime, and to performing its function in a manner that promotes public trust and confidence. The Department strives to achieve its mission through the core values of Professionalism, Honor, and Excellence.
“The Town of Fairfield expects that neighbors will all treat each other with respect and follow the rules and regulations set forth by town codes and the University policies.
“The Town of Fairfield and the University will continue to collaborate in our efforts, enforce all policies, and discipline as appropriate.”
“While the University guarantees housing for four years, Fairfield students are able to apply to live off campus their senior year, to experience the longstanding tradition of immersing themselves in the local community,” Anderson said. “The Living at the Beach guide was created in 2021 and distributed to all students and residents in the beach area. This year the University distributed Living at the Beach guides as part of a welcome packet to students, helping them understand their responsibilities and integrate smoothly into the community. Also, in that packet included information on the beach clean-up schedule and the off-campus handbook.”
The university contributes an estimated $1 billion to Fairfield’s and Connecticut’s economy, Anderson said, referring to a study done by the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges.
“Over 20,000 alums live in the state, over 10,000 in Fairfield County and over 3,000 in the Town of Fairfield,” Anderson said. “The University is the largest employer in Fairfield. Our students are an integral part of the community, working at local businesses, volunteering for local non-profits and even serving as babysitters for many families. Our longstanding dedication to fostering positive community relations underscores our ongoing commitment to being a responsible and engaged neighbor.”
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