'Thousands Of Solo Cups': Fairfield U Beach Littering Spurs Complaint

FAIRFIELD, CT — One beach area resident is calling on Fairfield University leadership to take action after a weekend of partying left Fairfield Beach littered with “thousands of Solo cups, cans and bottles.”

“It is heartbreaking to see your students blatantly disregarding the natural environment that is one of our town’s greatest assets,” Lucas Scholhamer said in a letter to university President Mark Nemec following Saturday’s SantaCon beach bash. “I implore your administration to finally prioritize the interests of the Fairfield community and beyond over the marketability of your student life experience.”

Fairfield University works with town officials, as well as the Fairfield Beach Residents Association and the Lantern Point Association, to maintain the safety of students and their beach area neighbors, Vice President of Marketing and Communication Jennifer Anderson said in a prepared statement. Lantern Point is an off-campus university living community.

“The Lantern Point Association has full responsibility for the management of the private residences of Lantern Point, including maintenance, security and occupancy,” Anderson said.

The Lantern Point Association charges its residents a security fee, but, despite having advance notice of the event, failed to provide the necessary security Saturday, according to Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick.

“I think this was a major contributing factor to the events that unfolded on Saturday,” Kupchick said in a prepared statement. “While it does not excuse their behavior, the students hold regular beach clean-ups, and did so after this event as well.”

Multiple attempts to contact the Lantern Point Association were not immediately successful late Wednesday.

Saturday’s incident is not the first to upset neighbors this semester. About 500 partiers swarmed the beach area during Labor Day weekend. After the disruption, a university official said the Lantern Point Association was, “for reasons outside of their control,” unable to have security the day of the crowding.

“While having two universities brings vibrancy to our local economy it also can present challenges when some students do not follow rules or have basic courtesy of the area they live in or their neighbors,” Kupchick said. “I urge residents to call police when infractions are taking place rather than waiting until Monday morning to send an email. It is very difficult for the university to identify students after the fact, especially when police are not called.”