THE MIRR R Week of March 27, 2024 | Vol. 51 Issue 7
Independent student newspaper
fairfieldmirror.com
FUSA Hosts Inaugural Women’s Clinic
BY MAX LIMRIC Editor-in-Chief
Bridget Keohane/ The Mirror
Fairfield students and their guests gathered at the Townhouses on March 16 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. DPS and other security officials were also present in an effort to control the behavior of the crowd. Photo Courtesy of Fairfield Flickr
This past week, Fairfield News published data on the undergraduate applicants to Fairfield’s incoming Class of 2028. Notable statistics include an applicant pool 20 percent larger than last year’s and an all-time low acceptance rate of 33%.
Fairfield’s Incoming Class Sets New Admissions Record Once Again
BY BRIDGET KEOHANE Assistant News Editor
Fairfield’s growth and competitiveness has proven to be a theme for yet another year. Last week, Fairfield News reported the numerous records set by the most recent applicant pool whose size was 20 percent higher than last year’s. 18,502 total applications. 46 states and 73 countries represented. An average GPA of 3.96. An admit rate of 33 percent. These are just some of the historic statistics behind Fairfield’s incoming Class of 2028. Corry Unis, the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Fairfield University, has expressed excitement on behalf of his office in welcoming the new group of students: “The Division of Enrollment Management is so thrilled with the increase in prospective student interest in Fairfield University. It is evident that students and families recognize the value behind a Fairfield University degree.” To say Fairfield is becoming more competitive would be an understatement. The drastic shift in the number of applications speaks for itself. Not only did the application pool increase by nearly 20 percent from last year, but the new acceptance rate of 33 percent presents a significant decrease from last year’s 44.9 percent. In addition, the new average GPA of 3.96 is up from the 3.85 reported for the Class of 2027, a
notable increase in just a year. These statistics not only speak to Fairfield’s seemingly increasing popularity, but also to the academic strength of the incoming class as well.
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The Division of Enrollment Management is so thrilled with the increase in prospective student interest in Fairfield University. It is evident that students and families recognize the value behind a Fairfield University degree.” -Corry Unis Vice President for Enrollment Management at Fairfield University
So, what’s driving these numbers? While applications for Fairfield are certainly up, the total number of college applications are up in general. In November, Forbes reported that college applications showed a strong surge, as the number of applications Common App received by this time was already up
12% from last year, translating to almost 89,000 more applicants. “Fairfield has become much more competitive over the last five years, while some schools saw increases in application activity, our growth of more than 50% is especially meaningful,” remarked Unis. Yield season – the time in between acceptance emails being sent out and the May 1st deadline for incoming first-years to commit to college – has become more chaotic for the Office of Admissions at Fairfield University as they use different models to inform their admission strategy and attempt to gauge which admitted students will sign up to become a Stag in the fall. In deciding whether or not to attend Fairfield, accepted students may turn to recent University rankings for some guidance. Fairfield was recently ranked among the Top 125 Best National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report. Specific schools and programs also continue to receive several accolades as well, such as the Charles F. Dolan School of Business which was ranked No. 118 for Best Undergraduate Business Programs, the School of Engineering & Computing ranked No. 86 in the Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs Category and the Egan School ranked 112 for Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs. In a press release published by Fairfield News this past September, Fairfield University President
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In honor of Women’s History Month, the Fairfield University Student’s Association welcomed individuals to the Women’s Clinic on Monday, March 25. The Women’s Clinic offered “on and off-campus resources that can be used to nurture ourselves – mind, body and spirit,” states FUSA President Aliyah Seenauth ‘24. “Because it’s a Women’s History Event, I proposed that the Women’s Clinic incorporate other aspects of women’s health instead of just physical and mental health—I wanted a holistic approach to health, which is why we included services like the Dimenna Nyselius Library and the Office of Student Diversity and Multicultural Awareness.” In addition to those organizations, Stag’s Hospitality included a table promoting body positivity, and Counseling and Psychological Services were in attendance, as well as the Women’s Health Clinic, a part of the Health Center which offered flyers promoting free and confidential walk-in STI testing. Another off-campus organization, The Center for Family Justice attended the event. Campus Sexual Violence Advocate Marisa Paquette describes their presence at the event. “Our table [is here] today to provide information on domestic and sexual violence services to students so they’re aware of us as a resource. When women know about the resources around them, they are empowered to speak up for themselves knowing they will have support,” she states. Student-led clubs also attended in order to fulfill FUSA’s goal of creating an event with a “holistic approach to caring for oneself as a woman” President Rienna Pepaj ‘26 and Vice-President Lily Reilly ‘26 of the Women’s Activism Club share their goal for the event: “We’re here to raise awareness for our club which is a space to bring together Fairfield University students who are
passionate about social justice and activism as it pertains to women’s rights.” Women’s Activism Club is new to campus, but it is beginning to make an impact on the campus community and will be “throwing ‘Pajamas against the Patriarchy,’ a movie night showing ‘Barbie’” on Wednesday, April 17 in Gonzaga Auditorium from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Additionally, the Women in STEM Club made their presence known. “We’re here today to inspire women to never give up on whatever they want to do,” says President Jill O’Brien ‘25. “We want to create a sense of community for women who are pursuing a career in STEM, a field in which they are historically underrepresented in,” she concludes. Senior Jackie Campbell represented Girl Up Club, “a United Nations Foundation organization that supports girls’ education through 12th grade globally,” she states. “There are many obstacles to girls’ education in countries such as Guatemala, Malawi and Tanzania that we seek to mediate through fundraisers and projects,” she continues. “We also work directly within the community to raise awareness around issues that prevent girls’ education.” The Women’s Clinic also served as a donation drive, in which The Alumni of Color Network hosted and accepted Feminine Hygiene products to benefit the Center for Family Justice. Seeanuth includes that FUSA is “also celebrating the approval of free menstrual product dispensers in the bathrooms throughout campus.” She adds, “We now made them free, but we also changed them to high-quality products as well.” In addition to hosting the inaugural Women’s Clinic and the success it experienced, Seeanuth looks to the future of the event. “I look forward to having a stronger variety of local off campus resources that fit the theme and mission of holistic care for women,” she states.
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There’s always a treat at every meeting and it’s a great way to meet people and make new friends. Right now, we’re building baskets for our Easter Table so that we can raise money for Wine to Water” -Bobby Schattle ‘25 Humanitarian Action Fellow Kathleen Morris/ The Mirror
Jackie Campbell ‘24 tables in the LLBCC for Girl Up, a club that fundraises with a focus on empowering women and girls.
News
Opinion
The Vine
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FUDE Dances the Night Away!
Men’s Lacrosse Celebrates Senior Day
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