Fairfield University's Muslim Student Population: How Many?

Fairfield University is a private Jesuit university in Fairfield, Connecticut, founded in 1942. The university has a diverse student body, with around 5,000 full-time undergraduate students and 1,200 graduate students as of 2023. While I couldn't find specific information on the number of Muslim students at Fairfield University, the university offers an Islamic World Studies minor, demonstrating a focus on Islamic culture and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The university's Jesuit and Catholic foundation emphasizes cura personalis, caring for the intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of its community.

Fairfield University's Islamic World Studies minor

Fairfield University is a private Jesuit university in Fairfield, Connecticut. It was founded in 1942 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,968 (as of fall 2023). The university offers over 40 undergraduate majors and dozens of advanced degrees across its five schools and colleges.

The Islamic World Studies minor at Fairfield University offers an interdisciplinary study of the societies, cultures, religious traditions, politics, and histories of the Islamic world. With more than 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide, the minor aims to provide students with a broad cultural competency and critical global citizenship skills to understand the significance of Islam and Muslims in today's world.

The Islamic World Studies minor offers classes across the humanities and social sciences, as well as courses in the Arabic language. Students can choose from a range of elective courses to explore the diverse population of Muslims represented on every inhabited continent. The minor is taught by a dedicated faculty with expertise in areas such as history, sociology, anthropology, communication, and religious studies.

Through this minor, students have the opportunity to engage with a variety of disciplinary perspectives, explore the richness and diversity of the Islamic world, and develop a deeper understanding of the significance of Islam and Muslims globally. The minor aligns with Fairfield University's core objective of forming global citizens and its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and radical hospitality.

Muslim students' overall experience at Fairfield University

Fairfield University is a private Jesuit university in Fairfield, Connecticut, with a student body of about 5,000 full-time undergraduate students and 1,200 graduate students. The university is committed to diversity and inclusion and offers a range of diversity initiatives and programs to support its Muslim students.

Muslim students at Fairfield University can engage with the Muslim Student Association, which supports the cultural and spiritual lives of Muslim students. The university also provides a Muslim chaplain-intern to support Muslim students and address their spiritual needs. Additionally, the university offers an Islamic World Studies minor, which allows students to engage in an interdisciplinary study of the societies, cultures, religious traditions, politics, and histories of the Islamic world.

The university's Religious Studies curriculum includes courses such as "Introduction to Islam," "Islamic Theology," "Islam in America," and "Islam, Race, Power," which provide an in-depth exploration of Islamic beliefs, history, and cultural contexts. The university also offers courses on religious diversity in America, including "Religion in the United States" and "Islam in America," which examines the history of Islam on the continent and the diverse beliefs and cultures of Muslim communities.

Fairfield University's commitment to diversity and inclusion is further reflected in its Academic Immersion Program, which assists students in their transition to college, with a particular emphasis on academic adjustments. The university also offers the Ally Network, which serves as a campus-wide resource for students who need support and includes allies who have completed a training workshop and can provide a safe and supportive space for Muslim students.

Overall, Muslim students at Fairfield University can benefit from a range of academic, spiritual, and cultural resources that support their overall experience and enhance their engagement with the university community.

Fairfield University's campus diversity

Fairfield University is a diverse campus in many ways, from age, gender, nationality, culture, economics, and politics. The university is committed to diversity and inclusion, as well as radical hospitality in the service of racial, social, and economic justice. This commitment is in line with its Jesuit, Catholic identity.

The university offers a variety of academic programs that reflect this diversity, including more than 40 undergraduate majors and dozens of advanced degrees. One notable example is the Islamic World Studies minor, which aims to introduce students to the diverse Muslim population worldwide through various disciplinary perspectives. The minor is designed to equip students with broad cultural competency regarding the significance of Islam and Muslims in today's world.

The student body at Fairfield University is also diverse. In the fall of 2023, the university had approximately 5,000 full-time undergraduate students and 1,200 graduate students. The student-to-faculty ratio was 12:1, with an average class size of 22 students. The university's freshman retention rate is 90%, and the four-year graduation rate for the most recent graduating class was 83%.

The campus life at Fairfield University offers a variety of organizations and activities that cater to different interests. There are about 80 campus organizations, including club and intramural sports, and 20 Stags varsity teams. The university also brings numerous performers to campus each year, including dance troupes, musical acts, magic shows, and art exhibits.

Fairfield University's commitment to diversity and inclusion is further reflected in its student body composition. While there is no specific information about the number of Muslim students on campus, the university welcomes students from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. The university's goal of "homines pro aliis," or "men and women for others," encourages students to engage in community service and social justice initiatives.

Fairfield University's student population

Fairfield University is a private Jesuit university in Fairfield, Connecticut. It was founded in 1942 and has since grown to a student population of about 5,000 full-time undergraduate students and 1,200 graduate students, including full-time and part-time students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1, with an average class size of 22 students. The university offers a variety of academic programs, including more than 40 undergraduate majors and dozens of advanced degrees.

The university's student population is diverse, with students coming from different economic and cultural backgrounds. The university is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and encouraging community service and learning. The student body is involved in various community service initiatives, and the university has been recognised for its commitment to community engagement.

Fairfield University offers a range of extracurricular activities, including over 80 campus organisations, club and intramural sports, and 20 varsity sports teams. The university's campus spans 200 acres and is located about 60 miles from New York City, providing students with access to cultural and recreational opportunities.

The university's admission process is selective, with a focus on holistic evaluation. The university offers financial aid and scholarships, with approximately 90% of students receiving some form of financial assistance. The student body is composed of both full-time and part-time students, with a mix of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Fairfield University's history

Fairfield University is a private Jesuit university in Fairfield, Connecticut. It was founded by the Jesuits in 1942, making it the 26th Jesuit college/university in the United States.

In 1941, James H. Dolan, Provincial for the New England Province of the Society of Jesus, received written permission from Bishop Maurice F. McAuliffe of the Hartford Archdiocese to establish a Jesuit high school and college in the southwestern area of Connecticut. Fairfield University was officially founded the following year when the Jesuits acquired the two contiguous estates of the Brewster Jennings and Walter Lashar families. John J. McEleney was appointed as the first president of the Fairfield University of St. Robert Bellarmine and Vicar of the Fairfield College Preparatory School.

In 1944, Dolan became the second president. During his tenure, the State of Connecticut chartered Fairfield University to grant degrees in 1945. In 1947, the College of Arts and Sciences admitted its first class of 303 male students. The State of Connecticut accredited the College of Arts and Sciences and the university held its first summer session of undergraduate courses in 1949.

In 1970, Fairfield became co-educational, admitting its first undergraduate class of women. That same year, the School of Nursing, now part of the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, was formed, offering four-year undergraduate programs.

In 1978, the School of Business, now known as the Dolan School of Business, was established as a separate school. That year, the school also began offering its first graduate business degree program, a Master of Science in Financial Management.

Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., was installed as the school's seventh president in 1979. During his 25-year tenure, the school experienced a period of expansive growth, including the construction of dozens of new campus buildings, the addition of multiple new undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and an increase in the institution's endowment from under $2 million in 1979 to $131 million by 2003.

Under Kelley, the School of Engineering was formed after the acquisition of Bridgeport Engineering Institute in 1994, offering both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university was accepted as a member institution into Phi Beta Kappa in 1995.

In 2004, Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. became the eighth president of the university. That year, he launched the capital campaign, "Our Promise: The Campaign for Fairfield University," which raised a record-breaking $137.9 million. The capital raised resulted in the construction and renovation of seven buildings, the creation of four new academic chairs, and a significant increase in the university's endowment. In October 2006, the school opened the Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. Center, named in honor of its longtime president.

In July 2017, Mark R. Nemec became the ninth president of Fairfield University and the first lay president in the university's history.

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