Fairfield’s student population has increased significantly, with the Class of 2029 being the largest class admitted to the university. With a large enrollment, Fairfield’s small campus feel can be cramped at times, especially in the main dining hall, The Tully.
Unfortunately, I was unable to get an exact population number from the Provost’s office since the student census is taken on October 1 each year. However, the 2024 population was listed as 6,864, a statistic that has since grown with the arrival of the class of 2029. While the enrollment increase is a positive asset for Fairfield, the dining hall space is limited, meaning talks of a second dining hall should happen.
The morning Tully rush begins at 7:30 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on the weekends. I went to the Tully when it opened on Thursday, before my 8 a.m. class and there was already a line of students, mostly coming from the Quad. Obviously, a line is normal, as students want to eat before starting their day, but seeing it so packed just minutes after opening was surprising to me. Wait times for stations such as the yogurt and the breakfast sandwich have, in my experience, increased this year compared to last year.
Wait times for food and entrance is what deters me and other Fairfield students from even attending certain meals in the Tully and opting for The Stag. I have agreed with many other students that we are tending to stray away from our actual meal plan and would rather enjoy a meal from DoorDash or GrubHub instead of facing the Tully, specifically at dinner. The overpopulation in one dining hall can be a hassle when it comes to planning to go to a meal and seeing when the rush will happen.
The classes of 2029 and 2028 tend to occupy the Tully most because of their meal plans, while juniors live primarily at the townhouses with their own kitchens. Between these two classes, around 2,000 or more students would go to the dining hall during the day. This large number of students, at peak times in the Tully, is often unbearable and calls for a second dining hall.
After talking to friends and students at Fairfield, I got the impression that a second dining hall should be in the works. Ava Bistoff, a sophomore, said, “I never had to wait at the fruit section before this year,” meaning that overcrowding is hindering students. She continued to say that, “Fairfield should consider building a dining hall near Sophomore Village.” Her opinion was similar to the poll I took on Fizz, a social media app, asking “Does Fairfield need a second dining hall?” The poll shows 1,253 students voting, with 923 saying “Yes” and 330 saying “No”, so a majority voted for Yes.
There would be countless benefits to Fairfield incorporating a new dining hall on campus. It would solve the congestion of the Tully, not leaving students to opt for different options that are possibly expensive, like DoorDash or Grubhub. Another benefit would be more food options for students who want to explore a wider variety of meals instead of feeling limited by the current setup. With two dining halls, Fairfield could rotate menus and create a larger environment for students, while not being constrictive.
Fairfield’s growth in enrollment should be celebrated. But growth also requires an investment in students’ daily lives, such as another dining hall. If the university wants to maintain its reputation as a close-knit campus that cares about students’ opinions, then ensuring everyone has a comfortable place to eat should be a priority.
