Food for thought: Fairfield University invites the public to discuss ethics over breakfast

Written by James Passeri
Monday, 06 February 2012 15:15

The Fairfield University Bookstore, in addition to selling school apparel, books and coffee, now offers an open forum to discuss ethics-related issues with community leaders and town officials.

Fairfield University's Program in Applied Ethics, along with the Fairfield Rotary Club, has been looking to take advantage of the school's downtown presence ever since the bookstore on Post Road opened last November.

David Schmidt, director of the ethics program and a local Rotarian, was a driving force behind "breakfast ethics," a series of meetings, free and open to the public, that invite speakers to discuss ethical issues relevant to the town.

Coffee, tea and light breakfasts are included, and meetings are generally held around 7:30 a.m., intended to be early enough not to interfere with attendees' work schedules.

The inaugural discussion, "Town and Gown: Mutual Opportunities and Responsibilities," was held on Jan. 18, and featured Fairfield University's president, the Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx SJ, and First Selectman Michael Tetreau.

The two discussed how greater collaboration between the town and university could be mutually advantageous.

Von Arx talked about the university's mission to serve the local community, and dismissed the notion that the school has become gated in and inaccessible.

Tetreau said both the school and the town could accomplish more with revamped websites that linked visitors to each other's resources.

"The relationship between the university and the town has evolved and continues to evolve," von Arx said.

Around 70 guests attended the first meeting, which was expected to attract about 50, according to Schmidt.

A question-and-answer session at the end of discussions allows guests to voice their specific concerns to officials.

"The two speakers left with new ideas," Schmidt said, referring to a joint task force that was considered between Tetreau and von Arx.

The next event will be a co-hosted discussion with police Chief Gary MacNamara and fire Chief Richard Felner, tentatively scheduled for April 11.

Schmidt said it is hoped the program will shed light on business ethics in addition to civics, and he invites the public to offer advice and suggestions for upcoming guests and general programming.

"We hope to develop programming that is meaningful to the community," he said.

Louis Bevilacqua, former legislative director of the Bridgeport City Council and chairperson of the Shelton Ethics Commission, said ethics is a necessary topic for the advancement of good government.

"The quest for ethics is the quest for a higher purpose of society," he said.

The most exciting part of the university seminars, according to Bevilacqua, is that they may raise awareness of the process of ethics in public affairs.

"It would be good if they could focus on ways to improve the process of ethics in government," he said.

Bevilacqua served on Bridgeport's City Council amid heated mayoral controversy, with Joseph Ganim being ousted and convicted on racketeering, extortion, bribery, fraud, and other felony charges by a federal jury in 2003.

"You can manipulate law to nefarious ends; that's why criminals study law — to learn how to get around it," Bevilacqua said.

As the topic of ethics is often misunderstood and convoluted, Bevilacqua encourages attendees to ask speakers for their definition of ethics in the question-and-answer section of the breakfasts.

Paul Greatsinger, president of the Fairfield Rotary Club, said the program looks forward to adding a private-sector element with an ethical backdrop, inviting speakers from small and large businesses.

Schmidt said he hopes the program becomes a permanent downtown feature, and encourages readers with comments and suggestions for upcoming events to contact him at 203-254-4000, ext. 2837, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .