Fairfield University Students: Beach Living Through The Years

Fairfield University is a private Jesuit university in Fairfield, Connecticut, founded in 1942. The university is located in a coastal town along Long Island Sound and is known for its beaches, which are only a few miles from the campus. For decades, living at the beach has been a perk for Fairfield University seniors. Students can move off-campus and into beach rentals during their senior year, provided they are in good academic standing and have attended a mandatory Off-Campus Boarders meeting. This tradition has been a draw for prospective students, offering them the chance to immerse themselves in the local community and enjoy beach living.

Fairfield University students have been living at the beach since at least 2010

The tradition of living at the beach dates back decades, with Fairfield University seniors being "released" to live off campus and enjoy a year of Long Island Sound beach living. Students typically move into their beach rentals in late August, just before the start of the new academic year.

The beach area offers a range of amenities that appeal to students, including bars and easy access to the beach. The university also contributes to the local community, with students participating in weekly beach clean-up efforts and other community service initiatives.

However, the presence of students in the beach area has also led to some tensions with permanent residents. Town-gown relations have been strained by issues such as overcrowding, noise, and parties, including the infamous "Clam Jam" which drew a large crowd of students and resulted in drunkenness and garbage being strewn throughout the neighbourhood.

Despite these challenges, the university works closely with the town and local officials to address these issues and foster positive town-gown relations. The university provides resources such as additional law enforcement and distributes a guide to students on how to be respectful of their neighbours and the surroundings.

It is a longstanding tradition for seniors to live off-campus at the beach

It is a longstanding tradition for seniors at Fairfield University to live off-campus at the beach. The university, located in Fairfield, Connecticut, was founded in 1942 and has offered this opportunity to its senior students for decades.

Fairfield University is a private Jesuit university situated along the Long Island Sound, providing its students with access to nearby beaches. The university guarantees housing for all four years, but students can apply to live off-campus during their senior year. This tradition of seniors living at the beach has been a draw for many prospective students, offering the appeal of beach living during their final year of college.

The process of securing off-campus housing is managed through a lottery system, known as the "Off Campus Boarders lottery." Students can submit their names for the lottery during their junior year, and if selected, they are released to live off-campus during their senior year. The lottery helps the university manage the headcount and ensure a notable portion of seniors remain on campus.

The beach area, known as Fairfield Beach, has been a popular off-campus housing destination for Fairfield University students. It is located just a few miles from the university campus and offers rental houses and apartments for students. The area has a vibrant community, with approximately 100 rental units, 85% of which are occupied by students.

Living at the beach provides seniors with a unique experience and a change of pace from on-campus life. It offers proximity to the beach and popular student hangouts, such as The Seagrape bar. However, it also comes with certain challenges and responsibilities. Town-gown relations have been a point of contention at times, with residents expressing concerns about overcrowding and noisy parties.

To address these issues, the university has implemented several measures. They have guidelines in place, such as the "Living at Fairfield Beach" guide, to educate students about being respectful neighbors. The university also employs dedicated staff to coordinate with off-campus boarders and maintain a presence in the beach area during weekends. These efforts aim to foster positive relationships between the student body and the local community.

The tradition of seniors living off-campus at the beach is an integral part of the Fairfield University experience. It provides students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local community and enjoy the perks of beach living during their final year of college. The university's ongoing collaboration with the town and commitment to being a good neighbor contribute to the continuation of this longstanding tradition.

The university guarantees housing for all four years, but students can apply to live off-campus in their senior year

Fairfield University guarantees on-campus housing for all four years of undergraduate study. However, students can apply to live off-campus in their senior year, which has been a tradition for decades. This is done through an "Off-Campus Boarders" lottery system, where students submit their names in their junior year. The lottery helps the university manage the headcount of students living on campus.

The opportunity to live off-campus is a memorable part of the Fairfield University experience. Students can choose to rent houses near the beach, which is a popular option. The beach is located on the Long Island Sound, just 50 miles from New York City. The university works closely with the town and local officials to ensure that students are respectful neighbours and to maintain positive town-gown relations.

Students who live off-campus are encouraged to follow guidelines on being a good neighbour, such as keeping noise levels down, being considerate of parking, and keeping their yards clean. The university provides resources like the "Living at the Beach" guide, which includes information on neighbourhood groups, emergency contacts, and noise ordinance rules.

While the majority of students (76%) live in college-owned or affiliated housing, 24% choose to live off-campus. This option allows students to gain more independence and immerse themselves in the local community. It is an exciting opportunity for seniors, who can enjoy the beach while also having access to the vibrant city life of nearby New York City.

Fairfield University was founded by Jesuits in 1942 and is located in Fairfield, Connecticut

The university has a strong Jesuit and Catholic identity, with a commitment to cura personalis, or care for the whole person. This approach informs their modern take on education and inquiry, fostering a diverse and close-knit community dedicated to service and learning. The campus is home to academic and spiritual centres such as the Center for Faith and Public Life, the Center for Catholic Studies, and the Center for Ignatian Spirituality.

Fairfield University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs through its five schools and colleges. These include the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Engineering, the School of Nursing and Health Studies, and the School of Education and Human Development. The university had approximately 5,000 full-time undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students in 2023.

The town of Fairfield is known for its historic downtown and beaches, providing a unique setting for the university. The campus features three manor homes that were once part of contiguous estates: Bellarmine Hall, McAuliffe Hall, and David J. Dolan House. These buildings honour significant figures in the university's history, such as Saint Robert Bellarmine and Bishop Maurice F. McAuliffe.

Fairfield University guarantees housing for all four years of undergraduate study. In their senior year, students can apply to live off-campus, and the beach area is a popular choice for this option. The university works closely with the town and local stakeholders to foster positive town-gown relations and ensure that students are respectful neighbours in the community.

The beach is a popular off-campus housing destination for students

For decades, Fairfield Beach has been a sought-after location for students, offering the appeal of beach living and proximity to the Long Island Sound. Students typically move into their rental homes in the beach area at the end of August, just before the start of the new school year. The area is known for its lucrative rental market, with approximately 100 rental units, most of which are occupied by students.

The draw of beach living is a significant factor in students' decisions to enrol at Fairfield University. Many students put down deposits for beachfront properties as early as their freshman or sophomore years, taking a risk by committing to a landlord before knowing if they will be selected in the "Off-Campus Boarders lottery." This lottery system, managed by the university, determines which students will be allowed to live off-campus during their senior year.

Fairfield University actively engages with the town, residents, and local officials to foster positive town-gown relations and address any concerns that arise from the high volume of student renters in the beach area. The university distributes a 24-page guide, "Living at Fairfield Beach," to students, providing information on respecting neighbours, noise ordinance rules, and other guidelines for being a good neighbour.

The beach is not only a popular housing destination but also a hub for student social life. The Seagrape bar, for instance, is a well-known student hangout spot. Students also take advantage of the beach's proximity for recreational activities and contribute to the community through initiatives like the Sunday morning beach clean-ups.

Overall, the Fairfield Beach area plays a significant role in the student experience at Fairfield University, offering a unique opportunity to live by the beach and engage with the local community during their senior year.

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