Bellarmine Campus, located in Bridgeport and home to Fairfield University’s two-year Associate’s Degree program, will graduate its inaugural class in just over three weeks. Of the 44 students who began the program at its inception two years ago, 35 students or 80% of the Bellarmine cohort, will graduate.
According to Fr. Kevin O’Brien, Vice Provost and Executive Director of Fairfield Bellarmine, of those graduating, approximately 90% will continue their undergraduate studies at Fairfield University and 15 will matriculate to on-campus housing.
“From the beginning, they have always been part of the Fairfield University community and we are excited that so many will continue their studies at Fairfield toward a four-year degree,” explains O’Brien.
“We’re excited to see many students living on campus, while others will continue commuting, all as part of this transition to the next phase of their academic journey,” he states.
However, in the transition to studying at the N. Benson campus, challenges have surfaced.
In an email obtained by The Mirror, communication between Bellarmine administration and students contradicts itself, leaving students confused and feeling deceived.
In the email, “Transition After Bellarmine”, sent by O’Brien on Jan. 7, he writes: “Financially, we have developed two options for Bellarmine graduates admitted to the four-year programs: to be a commuter student or to live on campus as a residential student. With either option, students will not pay more than $1,000 out of pocket for your total expenses annually.”
However, in interviews with a Bellarmine student who spoke under the condition of anonymity due to fear of repercussions, they stated that only 15 students are able to live on campus in accordance with the original stipulations outlined in the email.
In order to be considered for one of the 15 spots, they needed to fill out an application in the form of an essay, answering questions about why they need housing, as well as listing any current and future activities they plan to take part in at Fairfield.
The student claims that housing went to whoever demonstrated the most need in their essay, however, students were left confused as to the decision-making process, wondering why some students who are involved on campus and maintain high GPAs did not receive housing.
In a meeting regarding housing in February, “they [Bellarmine Administration] told us they only put aside enough for 15 full scholarships student’s for housing” the student states. If not selected, in order to live on campus one must pay the full cost of room and board, regardless of the original messaging.
The Mirror interviewed another Bellarmine student who spoke similarly of the experience and believed the “communication could have been way better.”
The Mirror reached out to O’Brien for comment and he referred to Meredith Smith, Assistant Vice President & Director of Residence Life for additional information about the timeline and informational meetings.
However, he offered a statement: “In February, we provided details about housing fellowships, including the number available and the process for applying.”
He continues, “We appreciate our students’ feedback about providing greater clarity earlier in the process and will incorporate their suggestions in crafting next year’s process. Students who have specific questions related to campus housing may reach out directly to Residence Life.”
The Academic and Social Transition
Academically, the transition has proved to be more straightforward. Students express feeling prepared to continue classes on the main campus, largely because they have already studied on N. Benson campus, gaining credits for their associate’s degree during the summers.
Jaheim McKie FB‘25, FU‘27 will graduate from Bellarmine and pursue a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, graduating from Fairfield’s Dolan School of Business in two years. A winner of the St. Oscar Romero student achievement award, McKie believes that “Bellarmine has been an environment where I’ve developed as an individual and a student.”
Bellarmine Campus offers students four tracks for their associate’s degree: Business, Computer Science, Health Studies and Liberal Studies. Upon completion of the program, students in Business, Computer Science and Health Studies will matriculate into their respective programs. However, students in the Liberal Studies program can then choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in any program at N. Benson Campus based on their accumulated credits.
Ana Aguirre ‘25, ‘27, the other winner of the Romero Award, will also transition to N. Benson Road this upcoming academic year. Planning to declare a major in Psychology and minor in International Studies, Aguirre is passionate about family therapy or child development, with the hopes of “maybe becoming a professor at Fairfield U one day,” she foresees.
Both Bellarmine students feel strongly that they are set up for their continued academic success, largely due to “Bellarmine’s academic discipline and close campus community” which McKie believes has “provided [him] with a strong foundation through personalized care and supportive staff that have encouraged [him] to be a thinker.”
For any transitional support that is needed, there is “a dedicated committee of campus leaders is overseeing this transition, with representation from various departments, including Student Life, Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid and Office of Residence Life,” states O’Brien.
“We have been meeting since the fall and continue to meet regularly to plan for all aspects of the student experience.” O’Brien adds that “students will have mentors both on the main campus in Fairfield and assigned academic advisors to support them during this exciting time.”
Still, for this first cohort transitioning to full-time courses at N. Benson Rd., questions as to how this transition will unfold remain.
Aguirre harbors some unease regarding how the general population of students will react and welcome Bellarmine Campus students.
In the past, some Fairfield University students have taken to Fizz to express harmful views of Bellarmine students. Nevertheless, Aguirre only has positive thoughts, believing that “once Bellarmine students make their way onto main campus, any perception about what it means to be a Bellarmine student will be torn down. We’ll make sure of that,” she states.
For Aguirre, the voices on Fizz and on campus are few and fearful; instead, “I feel like the general body has a lot of hope for us and positive perceptions for us, rather than a small percentage with misconceptions,” she declares.
“We’ll change the small percentage of people with different perceptions, but we’re looking forward to meeting everyone and making a good impact on campus,” she asserts. “Every one of my classmates has been a part of an incredible group of people. Truly some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met.”