By Tom Pellegrino

I begin with a disclaimer that this is meant in jest. Unless you think I’ve hit upon something profound (hopefully) and factually accurate (questionable), in which case, I claim full rights to this.

I am going to talk about temporal anomalies. Please note that science is not my strong suit. Candidly, I look to Star Trek for all my scientific information (shouldn’t everyone?). Whether Captain Kirk knew anything about black holes is unclear. He seemed more consumed with pressuring Scotty for “more power” or engaging some intergalactic runway model at every turn. But Kirk did know a thing or two about anomalies and that’s why I like Star Trek. To my mind, some of its best episodes (pick your series; they all did this) confronted some sort of anomaly in space, whether temporal, material, or otherwise.

Let us start (and finish) with the educational piece: A black hole is a celestial entity whose gravitational pull is so intense that nothing can escape it, even light. That is why is appears, at least in theory, as black.

I witnessed a black hole – an anomaly – right here on campus. It’s called the Reading day.

Reading days. These strange, surreal occurrences where the gravitational pull of classrooms, the campus center, the library (and in many instances, the bursar’s office for debts heretofore unpaid) becomes so intense that students are sucked in for the first and for many, only time. They come to the center of campus to engage in the bi-annual rite known as final exams. The light is also sucked in, at least from their weary eyes.

The black hole of reading day has its fair share of anomalous characteristics. For one thing, one does not always see a lot of actual “reading” on reading day. Or at least I don’t. But admittedly, my view may be jaded. Reading - studying - is not what I remember it to be. Books have been replaced with laptops, of course. But also, individual cramming sessions in darkened corners of remote rooms appear to have been replaced with the phenomena known as the “group project.” The genesis of this latter anomaly speaks to our Starbucks mentality. You can see a group project forming anywhere where there are big comfy chairs and access to caffeine. Students congregate to these comfortable chairs in small groups, situate themselves in a circle, and pull out their respective icy or brewed caffeine concoctions from Jazzmans. And then everyone looks at each other, attempting to identify the “prepared one” in the group - the one who will get the presentation started (and, I am told finished in many instances). And again, here I may be jealous. I like coffee and comfy seats and wish I could have done more group presentations for my finals. I would not have been the prepared one.

Speaking of anomalies, whatever happened to blue books? Does anyone give blue book exams anymore? You all remember these don’t you – the little square shaped, stapled note books that brought anonymity and carpal tunnel syndrome to millions of weary liberal arts majors? Where has it gone, this act of physically presenting oneself to the confines of a classroom on exam day, sitting down to a small desk with nothing more than a pen in hand (no one owns pencils anymore, by the way, they stopped making them) and filling out one, two or twenty-five blue books? Where did those days go? Every one seems to do things at home and turn things in. Blue books were all about physical pain. There’s learning to be had in pain. Where’s the pain in take-home exams?

Maybe the move away from blue books is a good thing. Now that I think about it, I recall a lot of fiction and stream of conscience (sort of like this blog) being expelled on the pages. Cerebral detritus, sucked into a black, or better yet, blue hole. The blue hole of the infamous blue book.

And then there is the anomalous thing called the “beach senior,” the one who wanders into the venue of the campus center often wide-eyed and mystified. The expression on the face reads, “where am I?” (the fourth query of the Ignatian Residential College’s pedagogical examen, by the way).

Recently, one senior came up to me and asked where the Oak Room was. The name rang a bell - sort of. But he had not been in the campus center since sophomore year, so I had to refresh his recollection.

“Third floor, big room with all the oak paneling.” I paused, “directly below the dining hall.”

“The dining hall?” He looked puzzled.

“Never mind, I’ll walk you up there.”

“Thanks, dude” he said.

“No problem, dude” I dutifully responded.

Reading days are anomalies to be sure. And I know how difficult they are for students. But I have to selfishly admit how much I look forward to them. I like them because for those few days known as reading days, the campus really, really looks like a college. Whether you are in the library, the classroom, the RecPlex or quad, you see all our students, all four years, mulling about, exhausted but engaged, anxious but optimistic, exuding that amazing energy that can only be harnessed and expended by a college student.

I make a point to chat with students during reading day, to see how they are doing. I don’t stay too long. I know they have more work to do on this day than I do. I am reminded of how much enjoyment I derive from the simple act of being in the presence of our students, and indeed, how they will be missed when these days are over, even though it will mean less stress for many of us.

Anomalies abound.

TCP

Around Campus” is the regular blog of Fairfield University’s Vice President for Administrative and Student Affairs, Mark C. Reed. He is away this week, and asked me to pinch hit on the blog for him. Never one to shy away from expressing myself, I said I would be happy to do it. Here is what I have been thinking about.

I was watching Disney’s 1994 animated movie The Lion King with my five year old son, Chris the other night. Admittedly, my mind began wandering almost immediately, but I did happen to catch the lyrics from the Elton John song The Circle of Life. It was really the title itself that caught my attention: the circle of life. It’s a term we often use to describe the evolutionary process of our life, and how it is more cyclical and sometimes repetitive, than we are often aware of. I thought about the circular or cyclical nature of life, and indeed how life on a college campus is cyclical in nature.  

Things that are old are routinely borne anew on a college campus, albeit in different contexts, in different settings, and with different and fresh faces leading the charge. It could be the strategic plan, or our examination of governance, or even the recent objections students have raised to the off campus lottery (something I have become intimately familiar with this past week!). These are all new things, and yet ask anyone who is a student of Fairfield’s history and they will tell you that strategic planning, audits of our governance processes, and even student protests (I ran one myself when I was a student!) are nothing new to this great campus.

Some point out that the circle of life phenomena is a problematic one because it says something about our capacity (or lack thereof) to learn from past experiences. I think it is fair to say that we can all do a better job of learning from our past. However, I am also reminded that being in a constant state of flux is what makes institutions of higher education, and Fairfield University in particular, both unique and special. We are never far from having completed some initiative or another aimed at improving ourselves when the circle of life comes into play, and we begin the process of renewal all over again.  

When does a University stop reinventing itself? The answer is probably, never. It can be maddening, perhaps understandably, for those who have been at an institution for any length of time ,to see initiatives at change. It strikes at the core of what is comfortable and expected. It is particularly taxing when change is being advanced by those who are new to the institution. The response being, “what does someone new know anyway?” Well, we learn time and again that those who are new know a good deal, or at least bring different perspectives and a fresh way of looking at things to the table. The worst that any of us can do is to quell those perspectives, particularly if they come in the form of student voices. To be certain, those who are new can also learn a great deal from those who are not. And that is the circle of life here on our campus: a 360 degree continuum of communicating, listening and learning. If we can check our biases at the door, and focus on our listening rather than speaking skills, the circle of life will play itself out once again. And in that process, we all do the institution itself a great service. Change is a challenge. Being called to task is a challenge. Altering the way we do things is a challenge. But it is what makes us unique here at Fairfield. I did end up falling asleep half way through The Lion King. My son nudged me awake. He hates it when I fall asleep on him. Understandable. I am getting a little older, as is he, which means he can stay awake later and I cannot! But we are both desirous of carving time of our busy schedules for each other. As I get older, I realize that relationship-building more than other things is the one thing I tend to want to concentrate more and more of my energies on. It is a challenge, as is the circle of life. But being in the circle of life, and knowing you are there, is what makes for the most important of experiences – those that are transformative. They lead us towards continued states of improving ourselves, our school, and hopefully, our world.

Thomas C. Pellegrino
Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

For those who like online videos, the three below came across my e-mail today in a white paper that someone from another university was circulating about today’s college students.  I don’t endorse them because I haven’t watched them, but the titles may interest some:

• “A Vision of Students Today” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o&feature=related
• “Academia 2.0” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ1jFaXgTnw&feature=related
• “Education Today and Tomorrow” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnh9q_cQcUE&feature=related

It has been awhile since my last post, and I received a comment about that today which read, “what happened to the blog?”  Candidly, my day job gets in the way!  It remains much harder than I thought to find quality time to write something.  Rather that try too hard to think of something, I put those 3 years of Latin I once studied to good use and titled this post, “Varia”, and will share several things that most immediately come to mind for me over the past week or so.  (The same person who commented on my infrequent blog posts also wanted to know why the University is constructing an Early Learning Center (a.k.a. day care) over the next few months before student housing.  Let me repeat again that this blog is not intended to be a place where I will communicate a major initiative for the first time - it would be inappropriate - but let me answer this one because it’s easy.   A small day care center vs. additional student housing is not comparable.  They differ in planning complexity, funding sources, implementation, approvals, etc.  Also, the process is not necessarily linear.  For example, constructing a day care facility has no impact on the planning for student housing.)

The recent NCAA Women’s Basketball 1st and 2nd Rounds, hosted by Fairfield University, at the Arena at Harbor Yard were enjoyable once again.  The hosting provides a wonderful opportunity for Fairfield University to be engaged with the local and state communities, and gain exposure across the NCAA and the national media.  While attending one of the games and talking briefly with the Lt. Gov. of Connecticut (a Fairfield alumnus, incidentally), I received a text message from a friend on the West Coast telling me that he was watching the game and the Fairfield Athletics logo at center court and on the baselines.  He said it looked great on TV.

Before heading to games at the Arena, I attended the opening reception and remarks at the second-annual Student Diversity Grants presentations.  These grants, made possible in part by generous funding from the Brinkman Private Charitable Foundation as well as other University funding, were awarded during the fall semester to three student groups who applied to them.  Working with a professor or other staff advisor, they complete projects they propose which are intended to study, advance, promote, etc. diversity at Fairfield in some way.  (A search for “student diversity grants” on Fairfield.edu will yield several results.)  I wish I could have stayed to listen to all of the groups present their results, findings, outcomes of their programs, etc.  The event was just one more example to me that we have really great students.

This past Monday AM, I was in my office around 7 a.m., and shortly after 8 a.m., I heard the outer doors to the office suite being tugged.  I went out to investigate and two young men were there asking to see someone in the Dean of Students’ Office (which shares the same office suite where I am).  While I have no idea what they did, clearly students who show up at the Dean’s office, voluntarily, on a Monday morning, alert, showered, dressed, and before anyone is there usually have done something wrong and want to atone for it quickly!  While I enjoyed my previous tenure as Dean of Students, seeing these two young men reminded me about the part of being Dean that I do not miss.

Our women’s lacrosse team just won their 8th game in a row, improving to 8-1.  The men’s team, which plays consistently at the highest level of difficulty of any of our sports teams, is struggling, but they have a big game this weekend at home against Georgetown so that should make for a fun Saturday afternoon on campus.

In a meeting this morning, I received on overview of several changes being planned for our freshman orientation programs this summer (for both students and parents).  We’ve generally earned very positive feedback on the programs, but in light of the goals of our strategic plan, all programs need to be considered.  While I suspect there may be few readers of this blog who are prospective students or parents, perhaps there may be a few.  For any already commited to the Class of ‘12, I think you’ll like what you’ll see soon.

Well, that’s all for now.  Tomorrow should be an interesting day.  I have a long afternoon meeting with our planning group and architects regarding student housing on campus.  We’re nearing the completion of our work, and when it’s complete and able to be communicated widely, I think the campus will be energized by what’s in the plan.  Hope today/tomorrow is a good day for you as well.

When I originally had the idea to start this blog, the IT and marketing/communication folks on campus told me that I would have to commit myself to posting at least once a week.  They said it can be harder than it may otherwise appear in terms of time commitment.  I politely (and naively) acknowledged their advice, but I thought I knew better.  I write a good deal of correspondence every week in my job to various people.  How hard could a blog a week be, I thought.  Well, once again, I was wrong.  Finding time to write - and having something to say - has proven to be a challenge for me thus far.  Perhaps practice will lead to improvement.  That, plus I have to get others to post on occasion.

This past Friday morning, we conducted our second “student roundtable” conversation and discussion over breakfast.  I came up with the idea as a way to informally interact with a cross-section of students yet in a structured manner.  Despite my administrative title, I spend little time with students compared to the staff in the various deans’ offices and student life/service offices.  It comes with the territory.  If I spent as much time interacting with students as they do, I wouldn’t be doing my job.  The irony here is that in order to advocate and work on behalf of students as best I can, I have to forgo time actually spent with them.  Therefore, I try to find ways to get some meaningful face time.  I have plenty of formal ways of doing so, and I continue to search for informal ways too.

The “Vice President and Dean’s Student Roundtable” met for the first time in February.  Dr. Thomas Pellegrino (Dean of Students) and I put together a group of 10-12 students representing various class years and interests.  While a few hold formal student leadership positions that are well-known on campus, most do not.  They are all, however, engaged in some meaningful ways on campus, both academically and in co-curricular activities or sports.  We had our second meeting this past Friday.  We deliberately chose an 8:30-10 a.m. Friday meeting time because it generally is unscheduled for many students, or at least those who manage to avoid scheduling an early morning Friday class.  Perhaps we will change the time and format for a future meeting to evening over dinner, but for Dean Pellegrino and me Friday AM is just fine!

The goal of the roundtable is to discuss issues and matters important to students in an informal setting but one that allows for in-depth consideration and conversation.  Unfortunately, we do not dedicate as much time to this as we probably should, and I have found on more than an occasional basis when I have been interviewed by student reporters for the student newspaper or asked to speak to formal representative groups like the FUSA Senate that there often isn’t enough time (and, dare I say, interest) in delving as deeply into the issues.  Instead, there is too much focus on the sound bites.

Dean Pellegrino asked the students to suggest agenda items, and he and I can add things as well.  So far, I have found it very worthwhile and interesting, although at our most recent meeting I broke our pledge to listen far more than I speak.  One of the agenda topics, however, was the developing plans to add student housing on campus and renovate some housing as well.  For that, I was sharing in detail all of the issues on the table.  (Rest assured to those reading who also want to know, we have been hard at work on this matter and will communicate broadly at the appropriate time.)

Let me conclude by saying that I have been so impressed with the students who are members of the roundtable.  They are wonderful representatives of Fairfield University.  Sure, they are bright, engaged, and serious, but they also are regular college students.  They do things they probably shouldn’t or we hope they wouldn’t.  That’s what has made it work thus far, in my view.

Have a wonderful week and Happy Easter.

I intended to post several times this past week, but something always came up every time I sat down to do so.  As a result, I have lost track of what I originally wanted to say.  Oh well.  As the saying goes, I suppose if it was that important it will eventually come back to me.

It occurred to me as I drove back onto campus Friday afternoon around 3 p.m. from 24 hours out of town that we have hit “that time in the semester”.  Campus was a ghost town as I realized the usually tight parking conditions were non-existent and I was able to take literally the closest spot to the building where my office is located.  Spring break had already kicked into high gear.

This past week, my office received the highest compliment a parent or student could offer as well as the worst kind of complaint to receive.  A student was recently injured in an accident during the clean-up process following a major student event.  It was one of those things that could happen to anyone.  The student’s fall landed him in the hospital with serious internal injuries that required monitoring.  He will be just fine, but what an unfortunate and scary experience for him, his family, and friends.  His mother wrote to thank Fairfield University staff for everything they did to assist their son, his friends, and them, including numerous visits to the hospital, handling small but important details back on campus, and faciliting other details that allowed their son and them not to have to worry about them.  It was one of those letters you are proud to receive and I promptly forwarded onto those individuals who actually did the things.  Earlier in the week, a phone call was transferred to my office and my assistant who is among the best problem solvers on campus listened to a chorus of complaints about a situation involving the caller’s daughter.  The parent reported that her daughter had tried the resolve the issue several times herself, that we (the University) tell parents not to be “helicopter parents”, inquired why the problem wasn’t addressed or resolved prior to the parent making a phone call, and concluded that we (the University) really need to get our act together.

The two situations got me thinking, “which is more reflective of Fairfield?”  Perhaps this won’t come as a surprise to readers of this post, but the first situation reflects the Fairfield I know and that I think most people experience.  However, we cannot dismiss the second situation as an outlier only.  Within the Division of Administrative & Student Affairs (a large organization of many departments and staff), we have set an expectation that inquires from students or parents should be handled expediently.  Phone calls or e-mails should be returned within one business day (and the same day whenever possible).  Even if the outcome or final resolution cannot be determined, a return call or e-mail should provide a status update.  We are far from perfect, but I am confident we are responsive far more often than we are not.

For fans of the Stags, this couldn’t be a better time in the semester.  The women’s basketball team has completed their regular season at 21-8 overall and 11-7 in the MAAC (3rd place).  The men’s basketball team will tip off in about 30 minutes in their final game of the season at Rider.  They have a seven-game winning streak and are 14-14 overall and 11-6 in MAAC play.  Today’s game will be a tough one.  A win today could see them finish 1st or 3rd in the leagure, depending on the outcome of other games today as well.  A loss would leave them in the middle of the standings.  Regardless, the team is playing well as it looks ahead to next week’s MAAC Tournament in Albany, NY.  The men’s lacrosse team improved to 2-0 with an impressive win over Dartmouth yesterday afternoon on campus.  Student attendance at basketball was sub-par this year, no doubt an issue that is of significant concern to the University and to the student booster club.  Given the performance of the teams, we can and must do better with student attendance.

Lastly, for the parents who may be reading - especially those with seniors at Fairfield or recent college graduates from other schools - Anna Quindlen’s last page column in this week’s issue of Newsweek may be of interest to you:  http://www.newsweek.com/id/114709.

Have a great start to the week tomorrow.

Welcome to this inaugural posting of what we’re calling “Around Campus” – observations and musings on campus and university life. I hope readers will find this a useful and interesting supplement to more traditional communications about happenings on and about campus. It’s also my attempt to stop and reflect on what’s around us. I often sit in meetings, attend numerous functions, and spend considerable time going across campus from location to location, and the thoughts and observations I have are often quite interesting – well, to me, at least. Sometimes I write them down, but often I don’t and instead think to myself, “I should remember this or this might be a good thing to share with others”. This blog hopefully will provide such an opportunity and forum.

We plan on posting to this blog regularly, once a week, but perhaps more frequently as we see how it develops. I intend on doing at least 2-3 postings a month myself and inviting guests, such as other administrators and staff, to post as well. Fr. von Arx told me that he’d like to blog sometime. There is a comment feature that enables readers to participate, and we’ll review those comments daily and post as many as we can.

–MCR