The Villanovan | Volume 117, Issue 8: November 13, 2024

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

www.villanovan.com

@thevillanovan

VOLUME 117 | ISSUE 8

University Appoints New VP of DEI

Emma Cahill Co-Editor-in-Chief

On Monday, Nov. 11, University President Rev. Peter M. Donahue, O.S.A., Ph.D. announced to the Villanova community that the University has appointed Ariella Robbins as the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Her appointment to this role is effective immediately, following a national search conducted by a committee of faculty, staff, students and administrators. Robbins held the position of Interim VP for DEI since December of 2024, when her successor Terry Nance retired. Before this, she held the position of Assistant VP for DEI at the University.

Over the past seven years at Villanova, Robbins has collaborated with the Office of Human Resources and VISIBLE - an initiative to support DEI initiatives and empower academic leaders in the STEM field. Within this initiative, Robbins planned and facilitated the Hiring for Villanova’s Future training for employees on search committees. She also established the Employee Resource Groups on campus for faculty and staff. Additionally, Robbins was a key member in the Aequitas Task Force as well as the leader of the resulting Aequitas Committee, which aims to actively engage community members in DEI initiatives that benefit the entire Villanova community.

In the email to the Villanova community, Fr. Peter shared his excitement for Robbins’ undertaking of this role, commenting on the search process which revealed Robbins to

Continued on p. 4

University President Addresses Students at Town Hall

p. 3

Letter to The Editors: We Must Stay Committed p. 11

started to declare that former President Donald Trump has won the 2024 general election. Key states, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia and Wisconsin all gave their Electoral College votes to Trump, pushing him to a lead of 312-226 over Harris.

“I think we just witnessed the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America,” Senator JD Vance,

nova’s campus have divided opinions on the outcome of the Presidency.

“I am extremely disappointed in the outcome of this election,” a senior nursing major said. “I was truly confident that Harris was going to walk away with this victory. It makes me feel sick that the nation would rather support a convicted felon and sexual assaulter over an intelligent woman of color.”

quickly,” a freshman political science major said. “I was not expecting to know until at least Thursday morning. I find it so interesting that since Trump was taking an early lead there was no talk about fraud and stealing votes in this election.”

At Villanova, the energy on campus has become quiet since the results have been announced.

“Walking around

heard from people has been due to their responses on social media.”

Many Villanova students have taken to Instagram, TikTok and X to share their feelings about the results of the election.

“Honestly, I found out about the election results because the first app I open in the morning is Instagram,” a junior psychology major said. “When I first opened the app,

Continued on p. 2

Satire: To Boo or Not to Boo?

Owen Hewitt Co-Sports Editor

The following content is purely satirical. At the men’s basketball game between Purdue and Northern Kentucky in West Lafayette, Indiana on Friday, Nov. 8, Purdue’s student section, “The Paint Crew,” chanted “Fire Walters” as the Boilermakers dribbled out a 72-50 victory.

Purdue’s Athletic Department reprimanded

the Paint Crew for the chant, which targeted Purdue football head coach Ryan Walters. At with the Boilermakers’ only win of the 2024 season coming against FCS Indiana State.

Biden and Harris Address The Nation After Trump’s Victory p. 4

Far Away: Play Review p. 12

Who Won on The PA Ballot: Election Results p. 5

Heart of The Matter: Favorite Compliments p. 13 Are Participation Grades Actually Beneficial? p. 6

5-16 in his time at Purdue, was not at the game, as the Boilermakers played at noon at Ohio State the next day. But he did wake up in a cold sweat at the Columbus Airport Marriott Friday night, as he sensed that somewhere, a crowd of 20-year-olds thought that he was bad at his job. The chants affected the second-year coach so much that the next day he could only pace the sidelines staring at the ground with his shoulders slumped, Charlie Brown-style.

Continued on p. 14

Wildcat Watch: WSOC’s Dickenson Second-Team All-BE p. 14 Political Endorsements: A Powerful Tool For Influencing Voters p. 9

Preview: WBB Faces Two Ivies After Opening Victory p. 17

Villanova on-campus residents waited on line last week to cast their ballot in the Mullen Center for the Performing Arts Emma Cahill/ Villanovan Photography

PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER

HARASSMENT, STALKING, DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE

Occurred: 7/1/2024 through 11/5/2024 Reported: 11/5/2024

STADIUM

A male staff member reported repeated, unwanted threatening communications from a known unaffiliated female.

HARASSMENT

Reported and Occurred: 11/6/2024

WHOLE CAMPUS

A resident student reported that she received harassing text messages from an unknown individual via phone.

ETHNIC INTIMIDATION, HATE CRIMES

Reported and Occurred: 11/6/2024

FALVEY LIBRARY

A female resident student received a text message containing hate speech, based on racial bias, from an unknown number.

PARAPHERNALIA, POSSESSION-MARIJUA-

NA

Reported and Occurred: 11/6/2024

WEST CAMPUS GROUNDS

A group of resident students were found in possession of a small amount of marijuana and paraphernalia.

CORRECTIONS

THEFT

Occurred: 11/5/2024 Reported: 11/8/2024

HOVNANIAN HALL

A resident student reported the theft of a package. The amount of the loss is $148.00.

HARASSMENT

Reported and Occurred: 11/8/2024

STANFORD HALL

An anonymous complaint was made regarding an unidentified student engaging in harassing behavior.

LIQUOR UNDERAGE

Reported and Occurred: 11/8/2024

PAVILION

A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication and released.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Reported and Occurred: 11/8/2024

ATHLETICS COMPLEX GROUNDS

Two unaffiliated visitors engaged in disorderly conduct at the entrance to an athletics facility.

FALSE IDENTIFICATION CARD, LIQUOR UNDERAGE

Reported and Occurred: 11/8/2024

HOVNANIAN HALL

A male resident student, under the age of 21, was

publicly intoxicated and in possession of a false identification card. The student was transported by VEMS to Bryn Mawr Hospital for treatment.

LIQUOR UNDERAGE

Reported and Occurred: 11/9/2024

CAUGHLIN HALL

A male resident student, under the age of 21, was transported by VEMS to Bryn Mawr Hospital for alcohol intoxication.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Reported and Occurred: 11/9/2024

CAUGHLIN HALL

A male resident student discharged a university fire extinguisher within a residence hall , without cause, resulting the activation of the fire alarm system.

LIQUOR UNDERAGE

Reported and Occurred: 11/10/2024

SULLIVAN HALL

A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication and released.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT, HARASSMENT

Occurred: 11/9/2024 Reported: 11/11/2024

BARTLEY HALL

An employee reported being harassed by another employee who engaged in disorderly conduct in a public forum.

Factual errors are corrected as soon as they are brought to The Villanovan’s attention. Please send an e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com to report errors.

Students React to Election

Lauren Armstrong Co-News Editor

Continued from p.1

“the first thing I saw was the New York Times post from its editorial board, and I immediately reposted it on my own story.”

“I am confused why so many Democrats are posting long paragraphs on their social media platforms,” a senior accounting major said. “I understand that they are upset about losing the race, but their rants on social media are unnecessary and are not going to change anything. We can have different opinions on who should be in office and still be friends.”

The junior psychology major disagreed.

“Something this election cycle has taught me is to be more careful about who I surround myself with,” they said. “Seeing the amount of people who have posted on their media in support of women, the LGBTQ+ community, the support of the sick and the poor, I know that those are the people I want to be around. Those who have posted pictures of Trump today, they do not support

me or my basic human rights. I have lost respect for a lot of these individuals today.”

While Delaware County did turn blue, Villanova’s campus remains divided amongst both sides.

“I am excited to see Trump resume his presidency,” the senior accounting major said. “With the way both the Electoral College and popular vote went, it is evident that he is the most fit candidate for the American people.”

“I am heartbroken by these results,” the junior communication major said. “As a woman who is also openly gay, I am scared. The people who support Trump and the policies he has backed will only do harm for me and others who share my identities. Today is a dark day for millions of Americans, and I can only hope that the damage does not go too far.”

As Trump makes history as the first convicted felon to win an election, he also becomes the first Republican candidate to win the popular vote in 20 years, since George W. Bush won a second term in 2004. Trump is now also the second president to serve non-consecutive terms, with Grover Cleveland as the first over a century ago.

Shaw: Speaker’s Series

Katie Bryda Staff Writer

Held as a part of the Villanova Philosophy Department’s Speaker’s Series, Villanova Ph.D. alumnus Michael Shaw (‘06) returned to the University to explain his newest research he has spent the past few years on, Aristotle’s interpretation of the pre-Socratic philosopher Empedocles. He currently teaches at Utah Valley University.

Shaw was introduced by the Department of Philosophy’s Chairperson, Dr. Julie Klein, who worked with Shaw during his Ph.D. of Philosophy at Villanova University. While introducing him and his topic, which has found itself some pushback in the philosophy world, she noted that Shaw is “...a true student of Ancient Greek philosophy…[and] an amazing teacher.”

Before he started, Shaw sung the praises of the Villanova department and its program.

“I love Villanova, I love the philosophy program, I love all the graduates,” he said.

Then, he began his lecture on what he called “Matter and Motion.”

It was in fact this Ph.D. program at Villanova that would push Shaw to be invested in the pre-Socratic philosophers, Empedocles being his focus.

As the title implies, Shaw has proposed a new interpretation of Empedocles’ philosophy, one that deviates from the popular and often followed Aristotelian scholar view. Shaw argued a number of inconsistencies in Aristotle’s thinking, and the classic Ancient Greek question, “What is change?”

While the topic was complicated, he kept the audience engaged throughout, giving handouts to clearly define and explain his points in a way that was digestible. Throughout most of the lecture he joked that it was “... difficult to fit it all onto just six pages.” He also had more thoroughly written articles soon to be published

within the Boston Area Colloquium in Ancient Philosophy later this year, which he handed proofs of to students if they wanted more information. Shaw was extremely clear with even complicated concepts, reading out and explaining translations of Empedocles.

“When dealing with the pre-Socratics, we are dealing with fragments,” Shaw said, laying out some of those fragments for the audience for them to see.

Empedocles specifically was the philosopher that came up with the theory of the four elements; fire, earth, aether and water–and how their motion is created with the elements love and strife. But Shaw’s main point stands in how these elements are interpreted by Aristotle. And to help explain Empedocles’ concepts of love and strife, he brought back Klein.

“I am different from [Klein] because there is strife between us,” Shaw said.

Shaw’s research hinges on the idea that both love and strife can bring elements together and pull them apart, which Aristotle mostly refutes.

Shaw’s work is extremely complicated, which is why this portion of the Speaker’s Series was also followed by a small reception. Students were able to additionally question Shaw, as some had questions even he couldn’t answer within the time frame. Among drinks and gourmet ice cream, students were able to extend conversations and speak with faculty. But with philosophy, the conversations never end, and so the Speaker’s Series has given undergraduate students at Villanova (who are required to take Philosophy 1000) a chance to explore ideas they may be interested in, and explore a new department within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The Speaker Series had a successful turnout, and an engaged crowd that it will hopefully continue to attract, and continue the tradition of teaching critical thinking and questioning, even if we’re questioning our most famous and trusted sources, like Aristotle.

Students, pictured above, cast their votes in the 2024 Election. Graydon Paul / Villanovan Photography

University President Addresses Students at Town Hall

Lauren Armstrong Co-News Editor

The Student Government Association (SGA) hosted a Town Hall with Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, Ph.D., Villanova University President, in the Mullen Center Topper Theater on Monday, Nov. 4.

During this town hall, Father Peter described the plans for the new library, as well as details about the move to the Cabrini campus.

Father Peter announced that as he has stated in emails, the in progress, Vic Maggitti Hall will house the Falvey Library, as well as the offices currently located in the current

Success and Achievement, the Learning Support Services, the Writing and Math Centers and the Center for Speaking and Presentation.

The current location of Falvey will potentially be used for the Office of Student Life, a new bookstore location, or additional spaces for professor’s office hours. However, the current Reading Room will remain.

With the additional space from Cabrini, the University plans on a multitude of options including sophomore housing in pod-style dorms, more students to be allowed cars on campus and an increase of classes and departments, such as Elementary Education.

“From the event, I got the sense that a lot of changes and

campus, and it will continue to im prove year after year,” SGA Liberal Arts Senator Kara McGoldrick said. “Father Peter also shared that he would love to do renovations on the inside of Tolentine, but due to needs for a significant budget, that would be a future project.”

The event was led by Student Government Association President Dean Millard, Student Body Vice President Aleko Zeppos and Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Kenza Idrissi.

“We held the event so that students could hear directly from Father Peter, get updates about university initiatives, and ask him questions,” Millard said.

The board asked Father Peter a variety of serious and fun questions, then opened the floor to other students in attendance.

vision for Villanova moving forward, the Espiritus campaign, Cabrini, DEI initiatives and questions about his experiences as University President over the years,” Millard said. “Some of the questions students asked included the presidential election, additional student organization resources, and dining.”

The event concluded with a raffle for a Refectory Dinner for four, which the Student Government Association funded.

“I am hopeful that future Villanovans will have even better facilities to suit their needs and will take advantage of the services offered there,” McGoldrick said.

Overall, the event was a success, and cleared up many concerns or questions Villanova students had, straight from the President himself.

University Hosts Mother Mary Lange Lecture

Margaret Miller Staff Writer

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, the fourth-annual Mother Mary Lange Lecture took place in Driscoll Hall. Sponsored by the Office of Mission and Ministry, this lecture is named in honor of the chief founder of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first permanent congregation of African American religious women in the Catholic Church. This lecture also celebrates Black Catholic History Month, a month to recognize the contributions and achievements of Black Catholics.

Tia Pratt, Ph.D., the assistant vice president and director of mission engagement and strategic initiatives for the Office of Mission and Ministry, served as this year’s host.

“This event advances Villanova’s ongoing antiracism work by demonstrating antiracism is in fact the work of the church,” Pratt said. “We are honoring all six of the African American candidates for sainthood with a banner display located just outside this room in the atrium of Driscoll Hall.” She also described the accessibility of the event.

“We continue to make this event as accessible as possible by continuing to have it free, open to the public and live streamed,” Pratt said.

Pratt then introduced Father Kevin DePrinzio, Vice President for Villanova’s Office of Mission and Ministry. Fr. DePrinzio went deeper on the purpose of this event.

“Villanova University continues to elevate her cause for sainthood and also honors the oblate sisters as the first permanent congregation of women religious, founded for and by African American women,” he said.

Afterward, Pratt introduced the lecturer for the evening, Kim R. Harris, Ph.D. Harris is the associate professor of African American Religious Thought and Practice in the Department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University. Harris also is a liturgist, composer and recording artist, a member of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium and the North American Academy of Liturgy.

Harris began the lecture with the spiritual “Motherless Child.” Through this spiritual, Harris introduced Sister Dr. Thea Bowman, a woman who sang this spiritual at the United States Bishops Conference. After singing, Bowman famously spoke on her experience being black in the church,

“What does it mean to be Black and Catholic?” Bowman famously said in 1989. “It means that I come to my church fully functioning. I bring myself, my Black self, all that I am, all that I have, all that I hope to become.”

She then described the origins of spirituals.

“The tradition of the historic negro spirituals is one that contains, at its origins and at its roots, not only Black Protestant traditions but also Black traditions from African heritage, as well as Black Islamic traditions and Black Catholic traditions,” Bowman said.

Then, Harris turned her

attention to her growing up, having a strong connection with and admiration for the spirituals sung in church. Then, she brought the audience together to sing one of the spirituals she grew up with.

Harris elaborated that she experienced curiosity for some of the lyrics of the spirituals.

“I questioned why the song’s lyrics seemed to emphasize kneeling and facing the rising sun,” Harris said. Harris eventually was taught the background of these songs in slavery.

“When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, that could be used not only as a song expressing religious faith but also as a song of freedom,” she said. “A tool of resistance. A song that relayed coded information.”

Harris also added that these songs express a wide array of cultures, especially as those of several differing religions were those forced

from their homes, including Black Catholics. Individuals were also “voluntarily or involuntarily forced to convert during the Middle Passage.”

Because of the large number of cultures involved in slavery, songs encompassed a large number of traditions. Harris brought up the spiritual “Hail Mary,” and described the ways it was used to join a civil war regiment together with connections to several different religions and cultures.

Harris also discussed the Stono Rebellion and its connection to Catholic heritage. Throughout the lecture, Harris brought together the audience in song, allowing audience members to feel included in the “songs of faith and freedom.”

To access the Mother Mary Lange lecture or to learn more, visit the Office of Mission and Ministry’s website.

The fourth -annual Mother Mary Lange Lecture was held this past week. Graham Sukup / Villanovan Photography

The Mullen Center played host to Father Peter Town Hall. Graydon Paul / Villanovan Photography

Father Peter discussed a variety of topics at SGA’s Town Hall. Courtesy of Villanova University

On Nov. 6, Kamala Harris spoke to her supporters in a Concession speech after President-Elect Trump’s victory for the White House. She delivered her speech at her alma mater, Howard University, in Washington D.C. She thanked her supporters and told them she loved them. She expressed gratitude for the trust her supporters placed in her and her campaign. She admired Americans’ love for their country.

She encouraged her supporters to continue the passion they hold for bettering America.

“The light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting,” Harris said.

Biden and Harris Address the Nation After Trump’s Victory

guide Americans even in the face of setbacks.

On Nov. 6, Biden addressed the nation in the Rose Garden of the White House. Biden acknowledged Harris’s campaign efforts, and called her a “tremendous partner and public servant full of integrity, courage and character.”

Biden guaranteed that he would help Trump and his team with their transition and ensure a peaceful transfer of power. Biden also assured the American people of his continued love for the country despite the outcome of the election and his devotion to uplifting all Americans.

“You can’t love your country only when you win,” Biden said. “You can’t love your neighbor only when you agree.”

She thanked her husband, Doug Emhoff, and her family for their love and support. She then thanked President Biden and Jill Biden for their faith and support. She showed thanks to her running mate, Governor Tim Walz, and his family for their strong service to the nation. Additionally, Harris thanked her team, the volunteers, poll workers and local election officials.

Harris stated her intention for community building, building coalitions and bringing Americans together from every walk of life. She emphasized the core value of love for her country and knowledge that Americans have more in common than what separates us.

She affirmed Americans’ wide range of emotions right now.

“We must accept the results of this election,” she said, despite high emotions.

She also noted that she congratulated President-Elect Trump on his victory.

“We will help him and his team with their transition and we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power,” Harris said.

She noted the importance of accepting the election results as a core component of American democracy.

“That principle, as much as any other, distinguishes democracy from monarchy or tyranny,” she said.

She told supporters that we do not owe loyalty to a president or party, but to the Constitution of the United States and to our conscience and to God. She told supporters that while she concedes this election, she will not concede the fight that fueled the campaign: the fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people.

She emphasized the continuing of important priorities for America and how she will not give up on the fight.

“I will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions, and aspirations,” she said.

Harris also spoke on ways to continue this fight in quieter ways.

“In how we live our lives by treating one another with kindness and respect, by looking in the face of a stranger and seeing a neigh -

bor, by always using our strength to lift people up, to fight for the dignity that all people deserve,” Harris said.

She circled back to a phrase she often used on the campaign trail. She often said, “when we fight we win,” she told supporters that sometimes the fight takes a while.

“The important thing is don’t ever give up,” Harris said. “Don’t ever give up. Don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place. You have power. You have power. And don’t you ever listen when anyone tells you something is impossible because it has never been done before.”

Despite the outcome of the election, she told supporters that this is not a time to throw hands, it is a time to roll up sleeves.

“This is a time to organize, to mobilize, and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together,” Harris said.

She concluded by indicating that the work to come should

Biden concluded by encouraging Americans to keep the faith and stay engaged.

“Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable,” he said.

Villanovans shared similar sentiments and commented on their peaceful concession of power.

Senior nursing major Emma Conlin commented on Harris and Walz’s graceful acceptance of Trump’s victory.

“Harris and Walz both gracefully and respectfully conceded to their loss which for me, solidified their commitment to responding to hardships and hate with love and empowerment.” Conlin said. “While I’m disappointed with the outcome of the election, Harris and Walz addressed the nation with humility and expressed optimism even in the face of setbacks.”

Senior political science major Tyler Denison echoed Conlin’s statement.

“On Wednesday, Kamala Harris reaffirmed the civic responsibility ignored by Trump when she gracefully conceded her defeat,” Denison said. “The final speech of her campaign reaffirmed its central themes: hope and joy, even in the face of chaos and division.”

University Appoints New Vice President of DEI

Emma Cahill Co-Editor-in-Chief

Continued from p.1

be an extremely capable candidate.

“Our focus centered on finding an individual who believes in the Augustinian values and mission of our University, who understands the changing landscape of higher education and who will be a champion of equity and inclusion for all Villanovans,” Fr. Peter said. “Within an impressive group of applicants, Ariella quickly distinguished herself as a collaborative, passionate and energetic leader with the qualities and experience critical for this position. I look forward to working with Ariella.”

Additionally, search committee member senior Dean Millard commented on the search process to appoint Robbins and expressed his

excitement to see her in this role.

“It was an honor to serve on the VP of DEI search committee,” Millard said. “The search was national and we initially narrowed the list down to 10 semi finalist candidates. After interviewing the semifinalists, we selected four finalists. The candidate pool was very competitive. I am very confident in Ms. Robbins in this position. I am excited to see her help lead the Villanova community.”

In this new role, Robbins will continue on working to expand institutional DEI goals and provide an equitable campus experience for the Villanova community.

“I am truly honored and excited for this new role and the opportunity to work closely with Father Peter and University leadership to continue Villanova’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion,” Robbins said in a press release from the University. “As we continue to traverse an evolving landscape, it

is important to remain steadfast in our commitment to be a welcoming and inclusive community where all members thrive. The work of diversity, equity and inclusion empowers us to live out our Augustinian Catholic

values of truth, unity and love each and every day.”

For additional information on the University’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, please visit Villanova’s website.

President Biden and VP Harris have given their first remarks since the election results. Courtesy of Shutterstock

After an extensive search, Ariella Robbins has been appointed as the Vice President of DEI. Courtesy of Villanova University

Who Won on the PA Ballot?: Election Results

Zoe Garrett Political Columnist

On Nov. 5, many in Villa-

races on many Villanovans’ ballots, nationally, state-wide, and local, as reported by AP News.

In statewide races–includ ing those for president, United States senator, attorney general,

cratic incumbent Amanda Cappel letti acquired 76.2% of the vote, to Republican challenger Greg Harris’ 23.8%, Delaware County

The county also reported Democrat Lisa Borowski’s win over Republican challenger Kathryn Buckley, with Borowski accumulating 58% of the vote, to her oppo-

While Republican candidates emerged victorious in Pennsylvania’s high-profile statewide races, Democrats realized success in contests local to Villanova, reflecting the area’s relatively more Democratic stance than the state as

With strong voter turnout and active political engagement on campus, Villanova students remain hopeful that their voices and votes will drive positive change, both locally and beyond, as the 2024 election season concludes.

Villanova’s Ethics Program Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The next day, on Saturday, eight faculty members gathered at the Radnor Inn with four past fellows to further collaborate on how to make the program even

“We came up with great ideas that I intend to pursue,”

During the event, many of the people who created the program in 1999 came back and were honored by the current faculty. The event featured a lecture entitled, “Moral Complexity and the Good Life,” with a reception to follow.

The lecture was given by Dr. Darlene Weaver, who is a provost from the University of Dayton, and used to be a professor in the Theology and Religious Studies Department for many years.

The lecture gave deep insight and clarity for students who are currently pursuing an ethics minor.

“It was very interesting to hear about her perspective on the good life,” senior Natalia Garcia Luna said. “Her references and perspectives allowed me to tie in a lot of the lessons I’ve learned throughout my ethics classes.”

Professor Mark Doorley, who is the current head of the Ethics program, shared more about the lecture.

“The talk centered on the messiness of living a good life, and the resources within Catholic intellectual tradition that can help us

During the celebration, there were many statistics presented that showed the success of the program.

For example, 174 students have earned a minor or concen tration in ethics since 1999. Ad ditionally, around 42,000 students have taken ETH 2050 since the beginning of the university ethics program.

“[Dr. Darlene Weaver] taught ETH 2050 regularly,” Doorley said. “This course is the reason the Ethics Program came into existence. It is part of the core curriculum, required of all CLAS and VSB students, which is the majority of Villanova under graduates.”

Afterward, there was din ner served in the Villanova Room in the Connelly Center. The stu dents who went to the lecture sat with several professors who have taught at the school in the past. The students all spoke with them about their involvement within the ethics program.

“Most of the students in my table were of different majors so it was cool to hear how they thought ethics could help them

“90 of us adjourned to the Villanova Room for dinner,”

Overall, the event highlighted important voices within the

Villanova’s St. Augustine Center for the Liberal Arts is home to the Ethics Department. Lauren Armstrong/Villanovan Photography

Peter Fabietti Staff Writer

Participation grades are perhaps the biggest under-the-radar point of contention at Villanova. Even as a sophomore, most of the people I know have had at least one professor who weighs participation astronomically high – sometimes 40% of the final grade. And it seems like no one can agree on how they feel.

For some students, participation grades are their saving grace, and for others, they are their academic downfall. To put it plainly, some students just don’t like to talk. Some get anxiety in a classroom setting. Some aren’t confident in their answers. And some have a cough they are meticulously holding back, and if they talk, that cough will explode and be really embarrassing. Whatever the case, I totally understand why someone wouldn’t want to participate in class.

However, I believe that participation grades are actually a good thing. As someone who doesn’t love to talk, they push me out of my comfort zone and allow me to better my public speaking skills. I’m one of those people who’s a much better writer than talker, so participating in class has allowed me to become more comfortable conveying my thoughts out loud. And even if I’m not always talking in class, I try to give at least two substantial answers per class. Not to count my chickens before they hatch, but so far in my college career, this method has worked well for me. While participation being worth close to 50% of your final grade may be a bit excessive, generally speaking,

Are Participation Grades Actually Beneficial?

participation grades being weighted heavily by professors is beneficial in multiple ways.

emphasis on participation is beneficial is because it provides an extra cushion to potentially sub-par or detrimental test scores.

because they help boost my grade if I do not-so-well on an assignment,” sophomore Ava Felice said.

While everyone can have a bad day once in a while, in some classes, if your bad day falls on the same day you have a test worth 30% of your grade, it can ruin your grade in the class. With consistent participation points, you can ensure you have a cushion in case luck isn’t on your side on test day.

Participation grades are also beneficial in the sense that they fuel class discussions, making each time you go to class just a little more inter-

the night before. Instead of thinking of sleep, I’ll think about what I could contribute to the class – which I’m sure every professor prefers.

Some students, on the other hand, are completely opposed to participation grades.

“Participation grades should not be weighed heavily,” sophomore Maggie Coia said. “I got an 80/100 for a participation grade for a class of almost 50 students, and there were barely any questions that we could’ve

answered in class.”

“I personally don’t like participation grades because I’m not good at speaking in a classroom setting,” sophomore Kaitlyn Walker said. “And sometimes people yap so much no one else gets a chance to speak.”

These are valid criticisms and are definitely complaints that professors should take into account when handing out participation grades. Some people genuinely have anxiety, and they should not be punished for it if they truly cannot speak in class.

These complaints also reveal the only problem I have with participation grades – that they are heavily subjective. I can’t speak for everyone, but hardly any of my professors have genuinely written down which students participate for the day. It is almost always up to their memory or subjectivity, which can help and harm certain types of students. However, very generally speaking, most of the professors I’ve had have been fair in handing out their participation grades.

Overall, though, participation grades are generally beneficial to your grades, confidence and overall learning environment. They instill good speaking skills, give a cushion to your final grade and are likely to keep students more engaged throughout the class. However, the drawbacks of subjectivity and student anxiety are real issues that professors need to carefully consider.

If all professors on campus can acknowledge the valid reasons why students might hesitate to speak in class, perhaps every student at Villanova can enjoy the benefits of heavily weighted participation grades.

Sof Says: How to Navigate Long-Distance

Sof Quaglia Satire Columnist

The following content is purely satirical and entirely fictional. Don’t believe everything you read!

Dear Freshmen,

Normally, I wouldn’t care too much about you guys, but it’s practically the holiday season. So, I’m taking it upon myself as your elder to give you a little bit of sage advice.

I am doing this out of the kindness of my heart, so please be grateful. I am here to advise you on a very interesting part of your young journey. In the next few weeks, you are going to encounter something that you never have before. You are going to experience something for the first time in your very young life.

What am I talking about?

Well, isn’t it obvious? Going home for Thanksgiving!

This might not be the first time you’ve gone home this semester, but it is going to be the first time that you are back home with all your childhood friends. This is the first time you’re going to be seeing them since you started college.

Going home for Thanksgiv-

ing for the first time your freshman year is actually a “canon event.” I say that with the utmost sincerity because I think that term is overused and a little dumb. If I am saying something overused and dumb, it must be really serious.

Everything is going to be different when you get home, but literally nothing is going to have changed. The problem is that you changed. That’s the beauty of college, but it also ruins some stuff.

It’s great that you changed. It’s great that you’re finding out who you are. But while you were finding out who you were, all your friends from high school were doing the same thing.

You’re growing and changing at the same time, and that might mean that you’re growing apart. You might not actually be the best friends you were last year. And it’s going to be weird.

And I know, I know. “But, we’ve been talking and texting this whole semester!” I know that. But it’s different. You’re going to see them in person, and they’re going to be a different person. Or, even worse, you won’t see them at all.

You might think that is the worst-case scenario, but in the spirit of warning you about the dangers of Thanksgiving, let me tell you about a really important phenome-

non: turkey dumping.

“Turkey dumping” is when you see your significant other for the first time during your first semester of college at Thanksgiving, and they break up with you. It is a very real thing, and I am merely telling you that it is a possibility.

To my freshman friends who are in romantic relationships right now, there is a very real possibility that you will not be in the coming weeks. I’m sorry, but it’s the truth.

Now, if you are the person thinking of turkey dumping your significant other (because like I said, you’re changing too), please do. I actually think it would be so funny. It’s a funny word, and it would probably make an otherwise boring holiday more fun.

Plus, I am so against long-distance relationships in college.

Oh, did I bury the lede a little? Yeah, I hate long-distance relationships in college. You should not be in one. Please, freshman, do not be in one. I am begging: turkey dump your long-distance significant other.

I don’t even think that long-distance relationships hold you back all that much. I just think that they’re dumb. They’re more tedious and annoying than they are loving. It’s kind of like having a

Nintendog. You have to remember to look at your phone and take care of the thing. I don’t know about you, but I always forgot to feed my Nintendogs. Basically, it’s time to put your Nintendog out of its misery.

And, hey, while you’re at it, turkey dump your long-distance friends too. The likelihood of you staying friends with your high school friends is super low anyway. Just cut them off now. It’s still early. It probably won’t even hurt that much.

Let me ask you a serious question: before I brought up these long-distance friendships, when was the last time you thought of them? No, seriously. When was the last time you actually acknowledged their existence? Probably a while ago. You’re not the same person you were in high school, and they aren’t either. You’ve grown apart, whether you want to admit it or not. It’s time to move on. It’s easier this way.

I am so in favor of the turkey dump it’s ridiculous. Like I said, the concept is actually hilarious. Plus, I really do think you would benefit from it. So, in two weeks when you get home, make sure the first thing you do is break up with your significant other and your old friends. It’s in your best interest.

Professors post syllabi on Blackboard, which outline the various compoents of a final grade. Katelyn Van Mater/Villanovan Photography

EDITORIAL BOARD LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

EMMA CAHILL

HANNAH SWEENEY

BROOKE ACKERMAN

AVERY CHALK

KAILEY FAHY

Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Associate Editor-in-Chief

Opinion Editor

Opinion Editor

for any college student. Whether or not you are browsing the web, look ing up resources online, or watching TV in your dorm, Wi-Fi is neces sary. If Wi-Fi speeds aren’t quick enough, students’ performance can be hindered. Students around campus believe that a high speed network that is easy to connect to is necessary.

my dorm after fall break, I realized that it would not connect to the VU Mobile network, which I found strange. After visiting TechZone in the Commons, an on-campus resource center for any tech-related issues, I was told that I must register my TV under the VU Play network before being able to connect it to Villanova’s Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi speeds on campus need attention

many ways to connect to Wi-Fi. If you are using a laptop or phone, you must connect to the Wi-Fi network named VU Mobile which gives you access to high-speed con nection anywhere around campus. This applies to residence halls as well. The same network that students connect to in the library or dining hall transfers over to their residence halls which helps with making the process of using Wi-Fi on campus seamless without the confusion of switching networks depending on where you are on

The Villanovan encourages all members of the Villanova community to voice their opinions. Letters to the editors may be submitted via e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com. Letters must not exceed 500 words and must be signed. No anonymous letters will be published. All submissions become property of The Villanovan and are subject to editing for clarity and space.

POLICY

The unsigned editorial that appears is the opinion of The Villanovan as determined by the majority of the Editorial Board. Other columns, letters and artwork represent the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Villanovan.

or suite on-campus, you cannot use the VU Mobile Wi-Fi network. This can cause confusion among students as the VU Mobile network which is function across any device except for TV systems and monitors.

In addition, on Villanova’s website, the information section about the VU Play network has been removed and is unable to be

Anonymous Student

Guest Contributor

Colleges across America turned out to vote in this election, especially in swing states. Countless news sources covered our hourslong line behind the Mullen center. Elected officials stopped by to talk to voters and encourage their dedication.

When I first got to Villanova, I was somewhat taken aback at the lack of talk about politics, social justice and other current events. We supposedly hold true the values of truth, unity and love, but there were lots of times I just didn’t feel it.

I hold immense privilege being able to go to such an amazing university, where I have learned so much. At every point in our life though, we have to be able to hold institutions accountable. Gratitude can co-exist with striving toward improvement. Life is all about acknowledging what we have while acknowledging what we can do better.

On Tuesday, I was inspired

Although the need for highspeed Wi-Fi on campus can cause frustration amongst college students, it is important to remember the resources on-campus that can

A Letter to Villanova Voters

by the turnout of voters, many of whom it was their first time. Students waited for hours to exercise the right to vote.

The results of this election will have real impacts on people’s lives. Politics have real impacts on people’s lives. The results of the election may have caused disappointment, maybe even sadness for many, myself included. It may have caused anger for others, but it doesn’t stop there.

Of course the future is scary, and of course there are lots of things that could go wrong. But if we work together, we will face the future just a little bit easier. As students and educated people, we hold privileged positions in society. This may be a loss, but it is not an end.

Many people hold the assumption that young people don’t care, many hold the assumption that young people can’t make a difference. The events of Tuesday prove this wrong.

There is a time for everything, and that includes a time of

Overall, Wi-Fi speeds need to be addressed, but at the same time there are plenty of resources on-campus that can work to help us achieve that goal. With the world

Voting and politics don’t always have to be polarizing. Avery Chalk/Villanovan Photography

Carter Smith Staff Writer

The True Cost of Trump’s Tariff Policy

ican timber exports or voted against the U.S. in a U.N. Security Counsel matter.

In the early hours of the morning on Wednesday, November 8th, 2024, MSNBC, the Associated Press, Fox News and other members of the fourth estate called the 2024 American presidential election for Donald Trump.

A second Trump presidency will impact the lives of millions of Americans in many different ways, with many of the policy initiatives Trump has wished to implement threatening to upend the American social and economic order.

This article will focus on dissecting his proposed tariff plan and will conclude that it would be disastrous for the American economy if implemented.

I am an Economics major and a member of the International Honor Society in Economics so yes, I know what I’m talking about.

For those who are unaware, a tariff is a tax that the government of one country levels on the importation of goods of another country. Tariffs can be leveled for a host of reasons, but two usually given are economic protection of domestic industries or retaliation for bad behavior. For example, the U.S. government could levy a 200% tariff on French wine. They could do this because French wine is outcompeting U.S. wine in the domestic market and threatening the welfare of U.S. wineries. Or maybe France levied its own tariff on Amer-

Gabby Mazzini Staff Writer

Students bask in the rays of the early November sunshine, blissfully ignorant of the harmful truth behind this heat: climate change. Although warm weather is something everyone desires in the summer, in the off-season, it is more something that we should fear. It’s wonderful that we are able to enjoy the nice sunshine that we love during the summer, but deep down we should be aware of what this weather truly means. Our climate is changing rapidly, and if we fail to acknowledge and act on it, it will surely become too late and the damage will be irreversible.

More than any other academic groups, environmental science students study the influence of global warming in the classroom. Rosie Rogers, sophomore environmental studies student, shares her insight on the heat in October:

“The unseasonably warm October weather serves as a constant reminder of the climate crisis and the urgent need for collective action. It’s unsettling to experience firsthand the shifts we study.”

In her classes, Rosie studies the ways that the climate crisis is harmful toward our changing planet. In the real world, Rosie, like the rest of us, are living through these dangerous impacts.

Our science professors are also unsure about this warm weather. Chemistry professor Paul Fazen is surprised at the fact that it

As part of his “America First” agenda, the President-elect wants to revitalize American consumer goods production and make them more competitive in the domestic market, in addition to punishing other countries which he believes are threatening American interests.

On the campaign trail, Trump has floated a much more aggressive tariff policy than he implemented during his previous administration. An article by Greg Iacurci of CNBC cites Trump as proposing a 10-20% tariff on all imported goods, a 60% tariff on all imports from China, and as much as a 200% tariff on vehicle imports from Mexico.

Why is this bad? It would make nearly every consumer good Americans like to buy much more expensive.

When a tariff is leveled on a good, it is the importing firm that

to tariff implementation. The CNBC article projects that the tariffs would be equivalent to a $3,000 per year tax on the average American household, a 3% reduction of after-tax income.

There is some speculation that the Trump Administration could pass the revenue from the tariffs (a projected $4.5 trillion sum over the next decade) onto American households via some form of tax cut (likely an extension of the first Trump-era tax cut), but that would only blunt the $3,000 per-year loss per household down to $2,600. Additionally, whatever boost the U.S. dollar may see from the tariff proposal would likely be temporary, as other countries would likely levy retaliatory tariffs on American exports.

American manufacturing as it stands today would be unable to make up for the sharp drop in supply of imported goods. We outsource the production of most consumer goods to manufacturing giants like China, Vietnam or Bangladesh because

Autumn’s Abnormal Warmth

America’s industrial base is also lacking from an infrastructure perspective, and it would be astronomically expensive to build enough manufacturing facilities to make up for the jobs Trump wants to “reclaim” from overseas or down south.

In short, the convergence of these factors would result in a sharp reduction of consumer goods supplied to the American market, with the smaller quantity that do find their way to shelves being considerably more expensive.

The Tax Foundation projects that if Trump’s tariff proposal were to be fully implemented as advertised, it would result in a near-immediate loss of over 684,000 jobs and a reduction of U.S. GDP by over 0.8%.

This would not be the first time America has flirted with a broad tariff levy to improve the economy. In 1930, President Herbert Hoover and republicans in Congress passed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, increasing import tariffs

is changing. The reasoning behind the warm weather shocks these scientists the most because they study the impacts of climate change.

Aside from a scientific standpoint, this warm weather disrupts seasonal expectations for most people. Everyone looks forward to the fall because it means the arrival the different flavors of pumpkin spice and apple crisp.

“I love pumpkin spice, but with this weather, it just feels unnatural to be drinking it,” says sophomore Lucy Flanagan. “It makes it difficult to enjoy the flavors that I love with this warm weather.”

Lucy, as well as other peo-

of summer than a delightful change.

People traditionally crave the cozy, chilly vibe of autumn, and this warm weather is clearly portraying the opposite of that. The season feels less familiar due to the warm weather, and the sense of traditional fall weather slowly diminishes.

Along with it diminishes everyone’s excitement for the season. It is difficult to embrace the mood of the season and enjoy the flavors, like Lucy’s favorite pumpkin spice, when the weather reveals the exact opposite of what people desire.

Surely there are some positives to the sunshine, including spending more time outdoors and savoring

Behind all these reasons, it is clear that warm weather often acts as a vessel for more socialization. People have more of a reason to get together because the warm weather puts everyone outside, rather than in their dorm rooms.

The sunshine unites students in a way that nothing else can, so they make sure to cherish it before it is gone. However, with the way our weather is currently on track for, it seems like it will not be gone for a long time.

This is the scary part of it all, and we must acknowledge that although it is temporarily nice, it is truly disastrous for our planet.

Political Endorsements: A Powerful Tool For Influencing Voters

Patricia Cancio Staff Writer

The right to vote is one of the most important tools that citizens have in a democracy. After analyzing the political landscape of the United States, democracy and republicanism can be seen in different ways. However, using the right to vote is one of the most meaningful ways that people can make their voices heard.

After reading some articles about this year’s presidential election and past elections, I concluded that political endorsements are influential for some individuals since they can change their voting decisions due to the endorser’s credibility, target audience and purpose. However, for other voters, political endorsements have no impact at all on their voting decisions since they already have a clear idea about their political party and candidate preference. Regardless of each individual’s view about endorsements, political endorsements also have the power to encourage people to vote and to help undecided voters in their decision.

During the most recent election, President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris received various endorsements throughout their campaigns. Their endorsements were seen in several media outlets, such as interviews, campaign rallies

and media sources. For Trump, some of his supporters were Mel Gibson, Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., among other celebrities ( Deadline , 2024). On the other hand, some of Harris’ supporters were Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Viola Davis, among other celebrities ( Deadline , 2024). Each celebrity appeals to a different target audience, allowing them to drag voters in various demographics.

An interesting fact about this year’s election is that The Washington Post , along with other companies, decided not to endorse a candidate for this year’s presi dential election, a decision that was followed after Jeff Bezos, the newspaper owner, decided not to endorse anyone. While this deci sion created mixed reactions from many individuals, it also decreased about 200,000 of The Washington Post ’s subscriptions” ( CBS News 2024). This situation caused anger in some individuals and left them questioning the newspaper’s deci sion not to endorse any political candidate this year.

Social media and other dig ital marketing tactics have helped political endorsers reach a wider audience since they can set pref erences for their target audience or even create one from scratch using factors such as age, income, education, region, and interests. For many young voters across the nation, this might have been their first election and endorsements on platforms like Instagram and X

played a role in their voting decisions. Back in September of 2024, when Taylor Swift endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Instagram, there were 337,826 users who visited vote.gov as a result of her post. Although not all visitors might have registered to vote, it likely encouraged individuals to register and vote. At the end of

the day, while I am aware that political endorsements can have an impact on election outcomes, they are not necessarily the most important factor in voting outcomes. I hope individuals do research about a political party and candidate to make an informed decision when voting rather than voting based on an endorser’s preference.

Are Personal Days Actually Helpful?

Kaitlin Lawrenson Staff Writer

To go to class or not to go to class? This is the common question popping into the heads of every freshman on campus. I am not one to worry about missing out on anything, but when it comes to class, I admit it, I have chronic FOMO. With my luck, I will attend 20 boring lectures in a row and then the one day I decide to take a break, Sabrina Carpenter will come as a guest speaker for the class. Also, freshmen have such a strict attendance policy, so I will never miss class. I, understand the regular attendance policy, and I do agree with it, but I do believe that Villanova needs to re-evaluate the personal days policies to better benefit students.

I am a freshman. Low man on the totem pole, bottom of the barrel, you name it, that’s me. I understand that I need to be in class. I am the new student around here, and I have to show up and do well, especially since I am new to this whole college thing. But it does get very overwhelming. There are some days where my mental health is really not in a great place. The work can be so daunting that I lose faith in myself, not because of my abilities, but rather because of the hours of readings sitting on my desk. I want to be able to skip class and use the personal day. I really do. However, I feel like as freshmen, we don’t have enough. Freshmen and transfer students, in my opinion, should have

double the personal days that we are currently allotted as an effort to help with the transition into a new academic environment. In the same way that we regulate our personal days currently, I believe they should still be regulated. I am not naive enough to think people still wouldn’t try to cheat the system. But, mental health is a real struggle and being all alone in a new place with mountains of homework is a lot for an 18-year-old woman. I know that I can handle it, but sometimes I wish I could take a day off just to breathe. However, I have been saving my personal days for finals, so when I am really having a breakdown, I can do it in my dorm, rather than in the middle of my math class.

Also, we aren’t allowed to use these days before a holiday. Not every student lives a few miles down

the road, and traveling around the holidays can be stressful with thousands of other non-college students also trying to make it home. Students should be allowed to use a personal day if they so choose in order to make sure they get home in time to spend a holiday with their family whether that be Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas or Easter.

“I definitely think we should be able to use personal days before breaks because many students have to book trains and flights to get home for break and prices tend to rise as it gets closer to each holiday [and] break, inconveniencing us financially,” freshman Sammie Morin said. “I do agree with the attendance policy for freshmen. I feel like the policy as of now is effective because missing more than twice the amount of classes that meet in a week I feel would

set me really far behind and make it extremely difficult to catch up.”

This topic can be one of contention for many Villanova students with their professors because many staff members see things differently. I understand as an educator not wanting to have students abusing a policy, but are we willing to put students into such a gridlock that it stresses the mental health of others? There are certain battles worth fighting, and for me, this is one of them. As new students in this environment, we don’t just want but need these days off to catch up on work, or just take a break from our screens. The amount of hours I spend hunched over my laptop staring at the screen cannot be healthy. Villanova should re-evaluate the personal day policy with these thoughts and opinions in mind while also remembering that I do stand behind the main attendance policy, as most other freshmen do, as well.

According to the catalog for attendance provided by the Provost Office, “The University Counseling Center will use clinical judgment as to whether there is a legitimate need for the student to miss class for reasons related to mental health. If in the judgment of the University Counseling Center staff, the student should be out of class due to a mental health condition, the Counseling Center staff will request a written release of information from the student.” This current statement does not have any reference to a specific plan for first-years but does reference mental health days beyond the allotted amount for all Villanovans.

Political endorsements have the power to shape elections, whether it be positively or negateively. Graydon Paul / Villanovan Photography

As the semester is winding down, students are considering taking personal days to catch up with work. Graydon Paul / Villanovan Photography

Mia Langeveld Staff Writer

The debate between Apple Music and Spotify is one that is consistently prevalent, usually controversial and always heated. Users are extremely loyal to their platform and will constantly defend their choice, no matter the evidence or situation. This is not surprising, considering how important music is to people, especially college students. Music acts as the mood setter for student’s lives. Studying for an important exam? Crank up some jazz or classical music to get your mind focused. Getting ready to go out with your friends? Turn on some fun throwbacks to which everyone can belt their hearts out. Music is a part of our everyday lives, so it’s no wonder the debate on which platform is the best is a heated one.

Both platforms have very similar offerings to users for the same monthly fee. Features such as collaborating on playlists, platform generated mood and rewind mixes, wrapped playlists and yearly listening overviews just to name a few.

A crucial feature of Apple Music that could be argued sets it above Spotify is the sound quality it offers. It recently implemented Dolby Atmos into its platform. Dolby Atmos is surround sound technology that has been applied to a large portion of Apple Music’s song library. This addition allows most Apple Music tracks to have a surround

Apple Music Or Spotify?

sound experience as if the song is playing all around you, not just into your ears. As an Apple Music user myself, I think that this addition of Dolby Atmos noticeably enhances the sound quality of the songs it has been applied to.

Another aspect of Apple Music that users love about the platform is the sleek aesthetic of the app. Apple Music allows its users to seamlessly queue songs, create playlists and discover new music. This may seem like a pretty common feature that applies also to Spotify, and it is, but many Spotify users agree that Apple Music is an easier platform to use due to its sleeker appearance.

One perk that is unique to Spotify that could be a deciding factor between Spotify and Apple Music is the new AI Playlist feature. Earlier this year, Spotify released a new feature, known as AI Playlist, which allows users to type mood specific prompts into an AI playlist generator. This generator then gives the user a playlist of songs specific to the mood or vibe they asked for. Prompts like, “Give me an indie folk playlist to give my brain a big warm hug,” or “A relaxing music to tide me over during allergy season” can be inputted into the AI playlist generator.

Back in 2023, Spotify came out with AI Dj, which allows users to play a stream of similar songs based on one’s listening history. Apple Music has a similar feature such as the personalized station that is based around your listening history. Active

Spotify user Luz Chapa commented on her love of AI Dj .

“I use it a lot at home when I’m driving around with my friends,” Chapa said. “We all have different music tastes, so it’s good at adapting to our preferences as they change while we hangout.”

As an Apple Music user, I am biased towards the platform. However, I can appreciate how Spotify has recently utilized AI within its software. It is something I feel that Apple Music will replicate soon enough, and I look forward to when it does. Until then, I will always believe that Apple Music is better, but I can see why people love Spotify, as well. This, I feel, is just the nature of the conversation between Apple Music and Spotify.

The comparison between

Apple Music and Spotify is a valid, yet specific one. There are very few differences between the two platforms, however the differences boil down to two main things: experience or discovery. Apple Music allows its users to experience their favorite songs with the best sound quality, whereas Spotify makes it easy for users to discover new music based on their current preferences. Another Spotify user, Alyssa Castelli gave her opinion on both platforms.

“Apple Music is preferred for aesthetics and sound quality, but many favor the algorithms and the format of Spotify that allow users to access new music more easily,” Castelli said.

At the end of the day, both platforms are solid choices yet the debate is one that will never die.

Performative Boycotts Are Hurting Real Change

Lexie Scibilia Staff Writer

Performative activism is cheapening social movements. It has become a hollow display on social media, filled with people who join viral trends for visibility rather than actual impact. Instead of contributing to lasting change, performative activism often twists serious issues into fleeting moments of online attention, hurting rather than helping those it claims to support.

Take the recent Starbucks boycott as an example. What began as a protest against Starbucks’ decision not to allow its union to post a political tweet quickly became a distorted rumor. Social media exploded with claims that Starbucks was funding violence in Palestine, urging people to boycott based on misinformation. Many online jumped on the trend without understanding the truth, and before long, shaming and sending hate messages to anyone spotted with a Starbucks cup became more important than tackling the issue itself.

“Most of the time, I really appreciate the sentiment behind boycotting,” sophomore Cali Carss said. “However, boycotts tend to be something people take and run with in order to feel like activists, and in those cases, it becomes more harmful than anything.”

Performative activism doesn’t just miss the mark. It actively derails progress. People who

join a movement without the right intentions prioritize optics over outcomes. These performative ac tivists gain visibility, followers and a sense of moral superiority with out doing any real work. Instead of creating informed conversations about issues like labor rights or the war in Gaza, they reduce these is sues to oversimplified slogans and hashtags, erasing the nuance these

activism, by contrast, demands uncomfortable actions. It requires understanding, engagement and commitment that go beyond the moment’s convenience. Boycotts in the Civil Rights Movement and the grape boycott for farm workers in the 1960s were impactful because people understood that true activism isn’t about making oneself look good; it’s about doing what’s right, regardless of how it’s perceived.

True activism requires one to go beyond social media. Real activists ask difficult questions, confront their assumptions and engage directly with those affected. Oftentimes, people will just post on social media to appear engaged, but ultimately that is doing more harm than good. Posting on social media and breaking down these complex ideas into aesthetic infographics is not effecting any real change.

By simplifying issues and focusing on appearances, performative activists end up hurting the movements they claim to support. People looking to create actual change should turn away from social media “trends” and commit to deeper, more honest engagement with the causes they care about.

Performative boycotting may earn likes and it does have the ability to inform others, but at the end of the day, it won’t change the world. In order to effect real change, people must advocate and do real, tangible work in their communities and engage with the people who are being affected.

There is an ongoing debate between many about which application to use to listen to music. Courtesy of Shutterstock

Physical Activism is More Effective than Digital Activism

Juliana Burke Staff Writer

Throughout the past decade, activism has evolved in fascinating ways. In the storybook world of activism, there are two realms: the Kingdom of Protests and the Kingdom of Clicks. In terms of creating political change, allocated power and perceived justices, both hold unique powers. However, as for the future of advocacy, which will prove to be most effective in creating enduring and meaningful change?

Physical activism has been the cornerstone of advocacy through the use of protests, marches, sit-ins and rallies. The primary purpose of these outlets have typically been to build community, express solidarity with their respective causes and express dissent. One of the best examples of physical activism was the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This event drew 250,000 activists, complete with a diverse coalition of labor unions, religious groups and civil rights organizations. By analyzing an event like this, one can deduce that the power of physical activism lies in its sensory engagement and immediacy.

The immediacy is achieved through media attention, which prompts societal reflection. The act of physical protest is not only seen, but felt. Physical protesta -

tion offers an opportunity to foster interpersonal connections that can lead to an overall sense of deeper commitment to a cause. Participants and organizers are able to utilize these connections to further educational initiatives and create an informed community.

Digital activism has gained colossal relevance in the past decade with the increased advancement of technology and platforms to disseminate information. The benefits of digital activism are wholly encompassing. The broad reach of social media allows for a quick and efficient reach regardless of geographical location. Additionally, digital activism requires far fewer resources and is of great convenience to the organization.

Having seen both forms of activism utilized throughout the Summer of 2020’s Black Lives Matter protests, the 2020 election and now the 2024 election, I have come to the conclusion that physical activism will always be much more effective than digital activism. Physical activism fosters tangible community building, visual impact and media coverage, inspired generational involvement and resilience in the face of opposition.

Beginning with the concept of tangible community building, this can be tied closely to the “March for Life” that is held yearly. Through this event, women and men across the country who believe in pro-life values come to -

gether to show “strength in numbers” for a cause that millions of Americans are passionate about. Through building this network, multiple pro-life charities gain exposure and are able to create legislative movements through their turnout, as many legislators view their turnout as equivalent to the views of their respective constituencies.

The visual impact and media coverage of physical activism tie into the concept of tangible community building, as “silent believers” in certain causes feel empowered to voice their concerns when they see significant support behind niche issues. Amplification of passionate individuals allows for a more dynamic movement, one based in personality rather than strict policy. This can be evidenced by the power persona plays in our political environment.

Unlike Britain, we don’t vote for the party over the individual. Often, we find ourselves voting for the personality over the party. The “Make America Great Again” movement isn’t just a result of Republicans coming together, but an array of individuals attracted to the individual that is Donald Trump and his prospective cabinet choices. This encompasses a wide array of political identities, from former Bernie Sanders supporters, such as Joe Rogan and Tulsi Gabbard, to prominent libertarians, such as Ron Paul and Judge Andrew Napolitano. Conversely,

we see neoconservatives gravitate toward Kamala Harris, such as Liz and Dick Cheney.

Inspired generational involvement can be seen through the Anti-Vietnam War Protests, which is widely lauded as the catalyst to widespread youth activism that defined the 1960s to 1970s. This promotes activism that follows the youth well into their adult lives. The physical environment of “taking to the streets” is remembered far longer than the colorful Instagram graphic posted to one’s story. For this reason, I believe the weight of physical activism weighs more heavily on the sincerity-scale, and therefore, the effectiveness scale.

Overall, authenticity is what defines all in life. If interactions, institutions and the individuals within them do not operate in a mode of authenticity, are the three aforementioned “Is” even worthy of discourse? Social media has its upsides and is instrumental to our modern political landscape, but that does not make it fundamentally good in nature. The social media political revolution has dumbed us down, caused us to become single-issue voters on matters the executive branch of government often has no real control of, and has overall borne responsibility for the formation of an ill-informed electorate. The message? If you mean it and want to act on what you are perpetuating, take it to the streets.

Letter to The Editors: We Must Stay Committed

The Space Executive Board Student Contributers

As an organization strongly committed to justice and equity, we won’t step down now. As women privileged to have a voice, we are committed to maintaining mobilization efforts for women’s health and reproductive justice. We will work to ensure that women not only have the legal right to access reproductive healthcare, but also are given equitable social circum stances to make decisions right for them. Despite the outcome of elections, and despite who is in of fice, we believe that women deserve better.

We believe we deserve proper representation. Half the population deserves half the representation. We deserve people in office that love all people and that respect all people’s right to exist and express themselves in any manner they choose. We call on President-Elect Trump to advocate for women’s health and reject an ti-women legislation that limits or restricts women’s health access.

As residents of Pennsylvania and the Northeast, we are grateful for local and state legislators for remaining determined to advocate for women’s health. We are glad to have re-elected Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean, State Rep. Lisa Borowski and State Senator Amanda Cappelletti to office. These legislators have time and

time again affirmed their commitment to protecting women’s health access in the Pennsylvania State Legislature and in the U.S. House of Representatives.

We believe that a woman should have the chance to have children, that a woman should be able to safely give birth and that a woman should have access to reproductive

healthcare. Women’s health is not just about abortion. As one of the leading countries in the world in many areas, we are one without equal access to healthcare.

The foster care system needs reformation. Hospitals need better reproductive healthcare. Doctors need the freedom to exercise their medical expertise. Repro-

ductive health and women’s health are nuanced multi-faceted concepts that expand far beyond what politicians say and think.

Abortion serves as a last resort for many women leaving violent relationships, facing ectopic pregnancies, or facing near-death conditions, like sepsis, hemorrhage or cancer. It is not the government’s job to decide when these conditions are “worthy of care.”

In-vitro fertilization and infertility medication are life-expanding facets of modern medicine that have expanded women’s ability to create families. Despite misconceptions, infertility is not uncommon. Women’s bodies are not always created with the ability to have children. We believe that women should have the opportunity to create families regardless of the way their bodies were built. Women face conditions like PCOS, endometriosis and infertility that cause trouble conceiving. Fertility drugs and life-expanding medicine is not a bad thing. They should not be something the government is trying to get rid of or limit women’s access to.

Reproductive health is not just abortion. It’s time to stop listening to misconceptions and myths and listen to women’s experiences. This isn’t about politics anymore. This is about equality. It’s about rhetoric, it’s about the words we use, it’s about representation. Despite the outcome of any election, we will continue to use our privilege to advocate for all people.

The Space is committed to protecting the reproductive rightsd of all people. Courtesy of The Space at Villanova.

CULTURE

How to Host a Meaningful “Friendsgiving” at Villanova

Blair Hollyday Staff Writer

As November rolls around and Thanksgiving looms, the season of gratitude comes alive. For college students, that often means one thing: Friendsgiving. It’s a time to gather with friends, celebrate the unique bond of college life and share good food and laughter. Whether you are planning to host at an off-campus apartment or turn a dining hall table into a festive centerpiece, here’s how to make a Friendsgiving memorable, meaningful and quintessentially “Villanova.”

What Exactly is Friendsgiving?

Friendsgiving has quickly become a cherished tradition, especially for students. Combining “friends” and “Thanksgiving,” this celebration offers a chance to gather with the people who make Villanova feel like home. It’s a time to take a break from the stress of exams, enjoy a meal and reflect on what we’re grateful for: primarily, each other. After all, college friends are more than just classmates. They’re the family we choose, the people we laugh with, study with and lean on when times get tough.

Hosting Friendsgiving Off-Campus:

If one is hosting Friendsgiving at an off-campus house or apartment, there’s a lot they can do to make it personal and cozy. Here are some tips to keep things simple, enjoyable and full of the Thanksgiving spirit.

1. Plan a Potluck-Style Feast

Keep things easy on the budget and plan a potluck. Have each friend bring a favorite dish or dessert. One person could tackle a roast turkey or chicken

Ava Satterthwaite Staff Writer

There is something evocative - near sardonic– in seeing a show titled Far Away and feeling so close to home. So often, we use cinema as a distraction, like our sanctum: a harbor amid ruffled waters. Sick of the warm weather? Turn on Elf. Failed an exam? Watch some Gilmore Girls or One Tree Hill and nestle in the naivetes of high school. However, this production did not offer the same freedom.

In a rendition of a 2000s Caryl Churchill classic, director Edward Sobel and his crew of Villanovans examined the foils of formative adolescence in a fractured world. It is a narrative, I think, we know all too well.

The show commenced with a rather familiar climate: a mellow home with a glowing fireplace, floral wooden chairs and oversized blankets. In this safe haven, we are introduced to the callow Joan.

Joan, no more than 14, awakens to a scream outside her window. As she scrambles downstairs, bewildered, there is an immediate aversion of concern. Her caretaker assures her it must have been a bird, or her uncle’s rambunctious friends, but buried beneath the nonchalance, we know there is more.

This scene embodies coddled insulation from the real world. Our

(even if it’s a pre-made one), while others bring mashed potatoes, pies and seasonal vegetables. Embrace diversity, maybe someone has a favorite family recipe that’s unique to their heritage or upbring ing. It’s a great way to bring something personal to the table, literally and figuratively.

2. Create a Cozy Vibe

Don’t worry about formal dining setups. Even a simple arrangement of string lights, candles and fall-themed nap kins can bring warmth to the room. Add a playlist in the background, and you’ll instantly create a festive and hospitable vibe.

3. Celebrate Each Other

Consider setting aside a few minutes for everyone to share something they’re grateful for or a funny memory from the semester. A small gratitude circle can bring out heartfelt moments and laughter, reminding everyone why they’re thankful for this Villanova family.

Friendsgiving in the Dining Hall:

If one is living on campus and doesn’t have an off-campus space, the dining hall is a perfect alternative. With a little creativity, one can create a Friendsgiving atmosphere and enjoy a holiday meal with friends.

1. Claim a Table

Arrange a time to meet up and save a spot that can fit your whole group. Get there a bit early to secure the table, and maybe bring along a few fall decorations, like mini pumpkins or festive napkins to set the scene.

2. Add a Personal Touch

snacks. Just a little addition can make the meal feel special.

3. Go Festive with Friends

Make it an event. Suggest a theme for the night, like everyone wearing fall colors or a “sweater weather” dress code. The extra effort will bring out the holiday spirit and turn a dining hall meal into something much more memorable.

While the dining hall may already have Thanksgiving-inspired dishes, add a twist by bringing a few small treats to share, like cookies or homemade

The True Meaning of Friendsgiving at Villanova Friendsgiving isn’t just about the food. It’s a celebration of community. With finals season just around the corner, it’s a moment to relax, laugh and con-

Joan pushes past the caretaker’s lies, inquiring about the blood she discovers at the scene. During this part of the show, I was unsure whether to commend or console her.

Even more alarming is the vindication she receives back: “It’s the blood of a traitor. Tomorrow, we can clean.”

Joan returns to bed, satisfied, as she hears, “Welcome to the rebellion.”

This realization of a chasmic cause comes with a desire to contribute, also demonstrating desensitization to violence because we believe we are on the “good” side. This rehearsed routine of inaction infiltrates decades and decades of children.

chance at education, a chance half the world will never know, was wasted on hats.

Let me be clear here: I have no ill will towards the creatives. I write articles for fun. In all truth, fashion boasts a fundamental role in revolutions (think Cinna in Catching Fire). So, where did Joan stumble and how did she remain part of this dreaded pattern of violence?

Instead of fashion as a positive influence, hats were a mere diversion from the atrocities of the real world in Joan’s story. Each week, there is a parade of prisoners in elaborate hats: feathered and lurid and loud. The parade is so loud that people cannot hear the chains shack-

nect. This gathering serves as a reminder that while family may be far away, we’ve built a supportive, loving community here at Villanova. These are the people who’ve cheered us on through the ups and downs, made us laugh during study sessions and shared our college journey. So, this Friendsgiving, celebrate the friendships that make Villanova feel like home. Share stories, swap favorite dishes and toast to the friends who’ve become family. Whether it’s at a cozy off-campus apartment or a table in the dining hall, Friendsgiving is about gratitude, laughter and the bonds that make this season special.

ling the prisoners. And each week, the audience learns, “[The hats] are burned with the bodies.” Joan is saddened with this notion for the loss of her hats. Who cares for humans when there are hats?

The hats are another pacifier. Like the bleach erased the blood, like the coins we donate to a cause across the ocean. Like Elf or Gilmore Girls or Starbucks in the mornings. We crave comforts, these means of returning to naivete. We long to go back to a time when all we would contribute to the rebellion was a clean slate. It is through willful ignorance that we have become entranced in futile divide. And the divide, this aversion towards “other” and romanticization of a rebellion with no real action, leaves us weak.

This weakness is concretized in the final scene of the play. The entire world is war. Joan’s home, once an oasis from outside horrors, is riddled with branches and broken bulbs. No more floral or fire, no blanketed insulation from the truth. How much time do we have until the truth is unavoidable, too shocking to ignore?

“The show ends on an inhale,” Grace Acquilano, the grad school actress who portrayed Joan, said. “We like stories to end on exhales, but sometimes stories have no end.”

How will we continue our narrative? How can we make the best of the next exhale?

Interactive scenes for audience participation from the play last week.. Courtesyof AvaSatterthwaite

Heart of the Matter: Favorite Compliments

Natalie Hyde Staff Writer

At the end of last semester, a friend of mine popped into her professor’s office hours right before she took her Amtrak train home for break. They did not have a particularly close relationship, only knowing each other for a few Monday/ Wednesday 75-minute periods over three months. And yet, with a card in hand, she patiently knocked on his door.

“Your willingness to go the extra mile for your students does not go unnoticed,” it read in her handwritten note on the front. The back read, “I have learned so much from your class, and I wanted you to know that. You’re an amazing teacher.”

“He had such a big smile on his face,” she said.

I often forget, and underestimate, the positive impact compliments have on both ourselves and the receiver. A compliment is one of those easy, powerful and, of course, free actions that can change the course of someone’s day.

With that in mind, and the worry that we don’t give compliments enough, I asked Villanovans their favorite compliment they have ever received in hopes of a mental pick-me-up and perhaps even some inspiration.

“Your smile lights up a room”

This student loves it when people tell her this because she doesn’t see it herself. But, by hearing it from many people she believes it could be true. “Maybe I actually have that energy,” she said.

“I’m proud of you”

“It means the most coming from my parents,” a student said. “I

feel validated and seen, like my hard work is paying off and motivation to continue.”

“You are a ray of sunshine”

“I was told this for the first time this summer and never forgot it,” a student said.

This student was working at a summer camp for individuals with special needs and was placed in a different group than years prior.

“I was nervous because I was walking into a group that had the same people in it for years and I was a complete outsider,” they said.

At the end of the summer, the counselors get called in for an evaluation. This student walked in expecting an awkward conversation with their boss.

“I didn’t think they liked me or that I was good enough,” they said.

And yet, their boss gave them a perfect evaluation and left the conversation saying that they were a “ray of sunshine.”

“It’s crazy now to think I was so worried. My brain tricked me for a whole summer that I was failing,” the student said.

Every stare this student received from their boss was not one of judgment, but appreciation.

“Without that conversation with my boss, I would have viewed my summer in an entirely different light,” the student said.

“My name was picked perfectly for me”

Working a shift at an ice cream store means lots of small interactions with customers. But one slow day, an older woman chatted with the girl behind the counter. The two talked, only for 10 minutes or so, but the woman ended the conversation by asking the worker her name.

“Grace,” she said.

“That’s perfectly fitting,” the older woman told her as she walked out the door.

The worker, a student at Villanova, felt honored to have all of the connotations of grace – beauty, poise, elegance – inside her. Further, the name has a special meaning to her,

“My grandmother’s name is Graciela,” she said. “Grace is the English translation of that.”

“I love your outfit”

“It’s silly and insignificant, I know,” a student said. “But I love it when people compliment my outfits. It makes my whole day brighter.”

This student puts a lot of effort into her outfits and enjoys it when that is recognized. Further, with many aspects of her appearance, she cannot control, her style is one of the few things always within her power.

“You feel like home”

friend told me this,” a student said. “But it is undoubtedly the kindest and most comforting sentence I’ve ever been told.”

Their best friend grew up in a broken home with not much family.

“To feel like home, for a person who has always been searching for one … I’ve always tried to be a good friend and this made me feel like I had accomplished that,” they said,

“You sound just like your father”

A man full of wit and humor, this student can only aspire to be half as funny as her dad.

“He has a special ability to make everyone around him feel comfortable and he usually does that by making them laugh,” this student said.

So, to ace a one-liner and be

How The Chosen went from Grassroots to the Red Carpet

Evan Lombardo Staff Writer

Does anyone remember the VeggieTales series? Or DreamWork’s, The Prince of Egypt? Or the Son of God from 20th Century Fox? Biblical media has had a firm place in the en tertainment industry for decades. Passion of Christ, made in 2004, held the domestic box-office record for an R-rated film until just last summer when Deadpool and Wolverine passed it. Whether it’s talking vegetables, an animated epic or a live action feature film, many seek to adapt Scripture for us in the present day. However, over time, Hollywood has shifted away from religious-based films, allowing for more niche and smaller studios to take up the mantle. The Chosen is far and away the biggest of these niche productions, bringing a faith-based production back into the public sphere and hosting a red-carpet premiere in Los Angeles for the debut of its fourth season. Showrunner Dallas Jenkins has created both an excellent depiction of the life and teachings of Jesus, as well as an incredibly high-quality series in its own right. Considered the

of slowing down in its reach and popularity. Reviews of The Chosen have been extremely favorable even though it is in its fourth season. The show has a whopping 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 9.2/10 on IMDb.

Given that the Gospels only constitute a fraction of the Bible, the choice to translate Jesus’s story into long-form content gives us large swaths of time to explore very condensed events. While some may

Part of what makes these characters so engaging is not just the performances, but the writing that weaves the narratives together. We see the Apostles act like high-school friends, joking with each other in such a natural way. In previous adaptations, the short-time limit meant that we only saw glimpses of central figures, such as Peter or Matthew. Here, each has their own story line and unique trials, bringing depth to each character and

“I have had so many people recommend to me The Chosen as an incredibly powerful and accurate portrayal of Christ’s life and ministry noted in Scripture,” ACS professor Kaley Carpenter said when asked about the series after a class discussion on the Gospel of Mark.

Stretching out these stories into entire episodes not only makes the message more digestible but adds a new layer of emotion that is elicited upon future readings of Scripture. A heavy emphasis is placed on individual characters and long, dialogue-heavy scenes. My favorite scene from the first season is a 10-minute intellectual conversation at a table between Jesus, played by Jonathan Roumie, and Nicodemus, played by Erick Avari.

The Chosen is being shown at Villanova’s St. Rita’s Hall on Saturdays, further illustrating how much this project has penetrated modern audiences.

For those who feel a lack of connection with present forms of religion, The Chosen is both spiritually moving and immensely entertaining. It is a show that can be enjoyed by all while also challenging us to think about who we are, the life we live and what it all means.

One of the best compliments students recall receiving is that they remind others of their father. Courtesy of Sophie Latessa

The cast of The Chosen at the Mexico City premiere of season 4. Courtesy of Shutterstock

SPORTS

Satire: To Boo or Not to Boo?

Owen Hewitt Co-Sports Editor

Cont. from page 1

The following content is purely satirical.

If only that group of teens and barely-not-teens had been nicer to Walters at the end of that basketball game. Then, the upstart Boilermakers would have walked into Ohio Stadium and beat the Buckeyes at home for the first time since 1988. Unfortunately, because those college kids left Walters bereft of any moxie to coach his football team, they lost, 45-0. An eighth-straight loss for the Boilermakers.

Well then, it’s good news that Villanova students took the moral high ground and rejected a call from Instagram user @BarstoolNova to chant “Fire Neptune” during the first three minutes of Friday’s men’s basketball game between the Wildcats and NJIT.

In the aftermath of the team’s 90-80 loss to mid-tier Ivy League team Columbia on Wednesday, @ BarstoolNova made a post Friday afternoon at around 1 p.m. that encouraged the student section and the crowd attending that evening’s game to sustain a chant of “Fire Neptune” “as loud and as passionately as possible” for the first three minutes of the game. The account pulled the post within roughly 15 minutes of it being published to its nearly 30-thousand followers, potentially as a response to

Wildcat

Amanda McKean Sports Columnist

Last week, with the end of the season, three members of the Villanova women’s soccer team were awarded all-Big East honors for their performances throughout the semester. Senior midfielder Susanna Soderman finished on the First Team, junior goalie Hannah Dickinson land ed on the Second Team and senior defender Myla McLeod ended on the Third Team.

For Dickinson, these accolades come in her first season in the Big East after transferring from University of Southern California (USC).

Despite being ranked as high as 11th in the nation during her time as a Trojan, the Seattle native decided it was time for a change as she moved across the country to become a Wild cat.

negative feedback in the comment section. When the game tipped off, no collective chant was heard from the student section or crowd at-large. It would have been the first time that anyone’s ever been mean to third-year head coach Kyle Neptune during his tenure at Villanova. It very well could have demoralized Neptune and the players to the point where they could have lost to the Highlanders. Instead, propelled by the absence of chants they were definitely expecting and anxiously waiting on, the ‘Cats claimed an unexpected, 91-54 victory over basketball power the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

It’s a bright moment that the Villanova student body that was in attendance for the game was able to come together and hold strong against chanting anything that would have subliminally affected the matchup. Villanova is known for its brutal, unkind community that will go after anyone. Around campus, the term “Villanova mean” has been coined to describe the aggressive nature of the student body. The ability to hold its collective tongue is a wonderful endorsement of the human spirit and massive shift in attitude for the ‘Nova Nation, which routinely tells opposing players that they “suck.”

Taking the high road over the admin of @BarstoolNova is a tough task, too, and the ‘Nova Nation accomplished it. The virtuous administration of the anonymous account works in the shadows to uphold the Barstool brand on a grassroots level. It’s tough work to “make” memes

and change Canva templates to post three-ish times a week under a satellite account of Barstool, a company whose owner is a union-busting Masshole with a bevy of sexual assault allegations spilling out from under the rug.

It is frankly shocking that a social media admin who would align themselves with such a brand would make a rash post calling for fans to chant “Fire Neptune.” There’s simply no precedent for short-sighted, later-retracted, comments from any of the Barstool IndustriesTM accounts.

The timing of the @BarstoolNova post was actually fortuitous for Villanova men’s basketball. It provided a distraction from the actual news of the day, that four-star freshman forward Matthew Hodge may be forced into an academic redshirt by the NCAA after he had issues with the initial eligibility process stemming from his transition from Belgian high school to American high school. Hopefully, @BarstoolNova will issue a sophisticated, well-researched post that lets ‘Nova Nation know how to react after the NCAA’s Initial-Eligibility Waiver Committee’s gavel drops on Wednesday.

It’s great that Villanova students were able to maintain a professional demeanor throughout the entirety of Friday’s game. The last place the ‘Nova Nation wants to return to is the jeering of a January home loss to Marquette that capped a five-game Big East skid that took the Wildcats from a seven-seed NCAA tournament projection to “on the

bubble” banishment from the field. Fans reacted with puerile booing to the loss, much to the frustration of the team.

“You have the fans booing our coach who we’re going out there, throwing it all on the line for,” former guard TJ Bamba said after the team’s sixth-straight loss to Marquette, dating back to 2021. “And we don’t respect that. So if you’re like a real fan base, you’re really into the program, I feel like you should support your players [and] your coaches no matter what, no matter what they’re going through. That’s the way I feel. That’s the way we all feel. Because we love each other.”

Bamba loved his team so much that he gave his only remaining year of eligibility to Oregon, scrambling back to the Pacific Northwest after the Wildcats made a second NIT first-round exit in as many appearances. Supporting your team is a nice idea, but it has nothing on Phil Knight’s Nike money flooding into the Ducks’ NIL collective.

Even as the ‘Cats struggled with an inferior opponent, it is encouraging that those in the Finneran Pavilion on Friday night were able to represent Villanova the Wright way. Just remember, Neptune and the team definitely care about what you think. If you even so much as consider that the ‘Cats may be trending in the wrong direction, the team can read your mind and will be really, really sad. The ‘Cats already lost to St. Joe’s this week. If you keep up the negativity they’ll lose to Virginia too.

“Last year when I was looking to transfer, a big part of the school I wanted to go to was the community feel and team camaraderie,” Dickinson said. “So when I came on a visit, I immediately felt at home, not just with the campus and how beautiful it is, but with how welcoming everyone was. I also think Coach Azem does a really good job at making it feel as though it’s not a business transaction, because realistically, I’m looking for a school which I want to spend the rest of my eligibility at, and they’re looking for a player. So it is somewhat

felt like they had my best interests at heart, and so that was a big part of it.”

In addition to being named to the Second Team, Dickinson was named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll three times throughout the season, finishing second in the Big East for saves with 89 on the season. Yet, despite her talent in the net, it was not always a position she wanted to play.

“It kind of got thrown at me a little bit,” Dickinson said. “I broke my leg when I was in fourth grade, and I still wanted to play soccer. I

still wanted to play on a good soccer team so the way I could do that was by playing goalie. And then I eventually grew to like it later on.”

Now, in her third year, Dickinson continues to improve even after moving to the more competitive Big East where her skills were tested throughout the season. In her last year as a Trojan she had 35 saves with a .745 save percentage. In her first season as a Wildcat, she stopped 89 goals with an increased save percentage of .800.

“The Big East, in my opinion,

is much more physical than the conference I was playing in before,” Dickinson said. “PAC 12 was very much technical, and Big East is also technical, but there’s a lot less fear of hitting others. So I’ve gotten knocked a few times so far this year, which hadn’t really happened to me before. There’s also the competitiveness within the league, there’s not a lot of teams that are at the bottom. Everyone’s pretty close together, which makes for a really fun competition and race for the postseason.”

Despite having the right components, the team was unable to execute and were unable to make the postseason. This did not necessarily come from losses, but from ties, going 5-7-6, due in large part to struggles in converting on the offensive end.

“I think scoring goals is a big one,” Dickinson said. “That’s what we talked about a lot this year. Because you can’t win if you don’t score. And playing defense for 90 minutes is truly, truly, very difficult. I think our defense grew a lot this season, but we’re still not where we need to be. In our last stretch of three games, I think we let up almost double that we had before. That’s not acceptable for our standards. This spring is really huge for us and our team and people individually, to work on their technical skills, but also tactically, work as a team, because we are very young, and we haven’t played together really, before this year. And so it kind of is only going upwards, which is good.”

Junior keeper Hannah Dickinson maintained an .800 save percenatge for the ‘Cats this season. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

remaining in the regular season, the Wildcats went 1-1 this week end at Jake Nevin Field House. Af ter traveling through the Midwest last weekend, the ‘Cats returned home to take on Xavier and De Paul.

defeated Xavier, 3-1 (25-20, 1825, 27-25, 26-24). The following day, the ‘Cats fell short to DePaul, losing, 2-3 (25-23, 16-25, 23-25, 25-22, 11-15) on Saturday night.

‘Cats had their first home game in nearly two weeks. Although the ‘Cats managed a win, they did have a few setting and hitting mis takes throughout the game. Xavier was up by five points or more at multiple points, but the ‘Cats dug deep and managed to get back up.

“Unfortunately, this is a match about errors and controlling errors,” Villanova head coach Josh Steinbach said. “You know we had a couple stretches in the second and third set where we made a lot of them. I couldn’t quite manage it the way I wanted us to. We found a way to get out the win and that shows character.”

Graduate setter Taylor Jakubowski put on yet another excellent performance at the Nevin. Jakubowski managed eight digs and two aces for the team. Also, she ended up pulling off 23 assists. After the game against DePaul on

Saturday she is now at 400 assists for the season.

Sophomore outside hitter Abby Harrell was the highest scorer for the ‘Cats against Xavier. Accounting for 15 points, Harrell achieved 15 kills along with six digs against the Musketeers. Freshman setter Alyssa Nelson pulled off 27 assists for Nova. Freshman middle blocker Campbell McKinnon notched nine kills, as well as five blocks on Friday. The ‘Cats are now 2-0 against Xavier for the 2024 season.

On Saturday night, the

‘Cats were back home again, this time playing DePaul in a tough five set matchup. After winning the first set, ‘Nova fell short in the second and third. Then, the ‘Cats won the fourth set by three points, but struggled during the fifth to close out the game.

“DePaul is a much better offensive team. They don’t make as nearly as many mistakes,” Steinbach said. “We’re working out to do a better job on our game.”

After only being the 20th player in school history to hit 1,000 career kills, outside hitter

the monumental threshold with out realizing it. Coach Steinbach mentioned to her that she was one kill away during the game against

“I had shoulder surgery last year, so I had to switch roles a bit,” Homer said. “I played through an injury, so I didn’t know I was gonna get it. Then, my parents knew actually, so my grandpa was over at the house, and they all watched the game. But I had no idea before

Freshman outside hitter

Taylor Lewis achieved the highest kill count with 16 against the Blue Demons, which is also a career high for her. Nelson awarded the ‘Cats 30 assists, the highest of the night for ‘Nova. Jakubowski utilized her competitive edge to reach

Senior libero Elizabeth Feczko pulled off a season high of 21 digs on Friday. She hit 21 digs again on Saturday. Against the DePaul Blue Demons, Feczko reached the milestone of 1,000 career kills.

Looking forward to the final weeks of conference play, the ‘Cats are now 7-7 in the Big East. With an overall record of 14-11, Villanova is tied for fourth in the conference.

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the ‘Cats are scheduled to take on St. John’s at Jake Nevin at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, Nov. 16, Villanova will play Butler at 2:30 p.m. in Indianapolis.

Villanova has four matches remaining in its regular season. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Villanova shot 43.4% from the field in its win. Graham Sukup/Villanovan Photography

A Season to Remember: Rugby’s Journey to the MARC Finals

Angie Perlman Staff Writer

The Villanova men’s club rugby team achieved a historic milestone on Nov. 2.

In the Division-II Mid-Atlantic Rugby Conference (MARC) semi-finals, the Wildcats defeated Georgetown for the first time in program history.

This victory was not just another win for Villanova rugby, which has competed in the National Collegiate Rugby association since 1958. It marked a hardearned turning point in a rivalry that had seen Villanova struggle against Georgetown in recent years.

The Wildcats’ 29-22 win secured them a spot in the MARC finals, bringing the team one step closer to its long-standing goal of claiming the championship title.

However, the Wildcats lost in the final to Towson, 36-33.

The win over Georgetown was the result of preparation, grit and lessons learned from past losses. Georgetown has been a consistent powerhouse in the MARC, and for four years straight, Villanova has faced heartbreak at their hands, often during pivotal matches.

“Georgetown’s always been a big rival for us,” team captain Andrew Scariano said, reflecting on the win. “The past four years we’ve lost to them in the champi -

onships match, so being able to go out and handle business there was really big for our program.”

Scariano’s words encapsulate the dedication and emotional weight that this game held for the players and supporters.

Villanova’s path to victory against Georgetown was fueled by impressive performances from key players.

Tries scored by Liam Barrett, Bobby Fooskas and Rob MacLehose were crucial in securing the Wildcats’ lead and keeping Georgetown at bay.

Each try represented a coordinated team effort and showed just how far the team has come since its earlier match against Georgetown last season. But as the team celebrated its landmark win, it knew there was still work to be done.

One week later, on Nov. 9, Villanova squared off against Towson in the MARC finals, carrying the momentum and confidence from its previous win. The Wildcats entered the game with high energy and determination, absolutely dominating the first half with aggressive plays and strategic moves.

Standout performances from number 10, Nate Caruso, and number 15, Rob MacLehose, exemplified the skill and depth of talent that Villanova has nurtured over their seasons. Their efforts set the tone of the game early on, allowing Villanova to take control

and press the advantage.

Despite a commanding start, Villanova fell just short of securing the championship title by the end of the match. The second half saw a shift in momentum, with Towson fighting back to edge out the Wildcats by just two points.

Though the loss was undoubtedly a disappointment, Villanova’s journey this season has proven that it is a team to watch.

The team’s growth and de -

match, and its ability to rise to the challenge against formidable opponents speaks volumes about its potential.

While the MARC championship title may have eluded the Wildcats, their season is not over. Their performance in the semi-finals earned the ‘Cats a chance to compete at the national level.

The Wildcats will take to the field on Friday in Fairfield, bringing with them the lessons and drive that defined their journey

Rowing Wraps Up Fall Season at Bucknell

Casey Healey Staff Writer

On Nov. 10, Villanova rowing competed at the Bucknell Invitational for the final race of its fall season.

They ended the day with a total of five wins over Bucknell and Lehigh. This was the sixth consecutive year the Wildcats competed at Bucknell’s invite on the Susquehanna River.

The Wildcats had a strong performance at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, which took place a few weeks prior to this weekend’s invite. They were able to post two fourth-place finishes

and five top-20 finishes overall.

Senior Gianna Zajac, junior Maggie Coyne, senior Kira Capaldi, freshman Sylvia Marks, freshman Jalyn Colon, graduate Jadyn Ramos, graduate Cecilia Jenkins, junior Sarah Robillard and freshman Bailey Bryan made up Villanova’s team for the V8 races.

In the first round, the ‘Cats crossed the line in 3:01.27 with a close win over Lehigh’s time of 3:06.96. In the second round, Villanova gained some more distance over the Mountain Hawks, finishing in 3:10.15 with Lehigh posting a 3:17.02.

Their final race had the largest margin of victory of the

three races, with Villanova winning in 3:23.02, besting Lehigh’s 3:31.48.

The 2V8 featured junior Cate Donnelly, freshman Natalia Peng, sophomore Silvana Torres, senior Grace Quirk, senior Isabella Thorne, freshman Olivia Weglarz, freshman Sarah McKee, freshman Ella Carriero and sophomore Mary Tracy.

The team finished behind Lehigh in all three of its races.

The ‘Cats posted a 3:14.52 finish in the first round behind the Mountain Hawk’s time of 3:09.63. In the second piece Villanova crossed in 3:22.18, trailing Lehigh’s 3:18.38.

The final race saw the Wildcats post a 3:36.85, only a few seconds behind Lehigh’s winning time of 3:33.89.

Villanova’s Varsity 4 were ultimately defeated in all three races against Lehigh.

The first group, with freshman Kate Shipley, sophomore Natalia Brozyna, freshman Ava DeJong, freshman Maddie Sumnar and sophomore Taylor Pansy came in at 3:40.07 with Lehigh’s boat crossing in 3:33.32.

Villanova then adjusted its lineup, moving sophomore Meg Wolf into the one seat. They were defeated by the Mountain Hawks in the second race. The ‘Cats posted a 3:54.17, with Lehigh registering a 3:46.60. In the third and final Varsity 4 race, ‘Cats fell once again with a 4:10.0. Lehigh crossed in 3:57.19.

The Novice 8 boat con -

tained freshmen Izzy Cericola, Brynn Moller, Mary Eagle, Anna Primmer, Megan Theis, Isabelle Rotival, Caroline Kenneally, Lilly-Kate Foley and Abigail Saraceno. The group was able to achieve a couple wins over Bucknell’s D and B teams. In the second round, the Wildcats crossed in 4:12.52, gaining a definitive win over Bucknell, who came in with a 4:46.43 finish.

The final event of the day had a 4:02.25 finish for Villanova, with the Bison crossing the line in 4:15.64.

“We had a great fall and it is exciting to watch the team stay on pace,” Villanova head coach Carissa Adams said. “They are all working hard and each go into practice committed to the performance standards that it will take to create a championship season. I am proud of the strides we have made as a program and encouraged about the upcoming spring campaign.”

This year marks Adams’ ninth season at the helm of the Villanova Rowing program. Since arriving at Villanova, she has coached the team to two third place finishes at the CAA Conference Championships. She has also coached 13 All-CAA honorees since 2016.

For now, Wildcats will enter their winter season training for the next few months.

They will compete for the first time in the spring season in a scrimmage at Jacksonville University on March 9th, 2025.

Junior Jacob Nowaczyk in Villanova rugby’s 36-33 loss to Towson in the MARC finals. Courtesy of @villanovarugby on Instagram

Villanova ended its fall season with five wins over Bucknell and Lehigh at last weekend’s invitational. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Preview: MBB Prepares for Virginia and Penn Matchups

James Haupt Staff Writer

Villanova men’s basketball is looking to move on from a disappointing first week of its season.

The Wildcats went 2-1 over three home games in the opening five days of the season, claiming convincing victories over Lafayette and NJIT. However, a 90-80 loss to Columbia on Wednesday ushered in the first loss of the ‘Cats’ season, earlier than many on the Main Line expected.

They then fell short yet again on the road against St. Joes, losing 83-76. Viallnova’s record now stands at 2-2.

The Wildcats will look to further stabilize themselves with some exciting matchups over the next week. First will be Virginia in Baltimore on Friday, followed by a home Big 5 Classic pod matchup with Penn on Tuesday.

Villanova will tip with Virginia on Friday, Nov. 15, at 5 p.m. Despite the Wildcats being listed as the home team, the game will be played at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore as a part of the Hall of Fame Series.

Virginia has started the season 2-0, defeating Campbell and Coppin State. The Cavaliers have been working under first-year head coach Ron Sanchez after the departure of former head coach Tony Bennett. Bennett, who spent 15 years as head coach at Virginia

and led the school to an NCAA Championship in 2019, retired in October.

This matchup will feature two former college basketball powerhouses who have been struggling over the last few seasons. While Virginia has made each of the last two NCAA tournaments, the Cavaliers have been unable to advance past the first round in either. They recorded a 67-42 loss to Colorado State in last year’s First Four.

The Wildcats are 3-5 against Virginia overall, with Villanova taking the most recent win in 2017 on a Donte DiVincenzo putback buzzer-beater. The two teams have claimed three of the last eight national titles, but neither team has claimed a tournament win in the past two seasons.

Virginia has had a well-bal anced offense to start the season, with four players scoring in double figures in the team’s season-opening win over Campbell.

A player to watch as Villanova plays Virginia is freshman forward Jacob Cofie, who recorded an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double in the Cavaliers’ 62-45 win over Coppin State. Villanova will be Virginia’s first real test of the season.

The Wildcats will then face their Big 5 rival, Penn, on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Finn. Most Villanova fans remember losing to Penn last season, 76-72. This was ‘Nova’s fourth-ever loss against the school, making it 18-4

all-time against the Philadelphia natives.

Penn is 2-0, including two one-point wins to start the year against NJIT and Maryland Eastern Shore. The Quakers have been led by junior guard Ethan Roberts, who scored 23 points against Maryland Eastern Shore on Nov. 7.

Villanova will look to ride the success from graduate forward Eric Dixon and UMiami-transfer, senior guard Wooga Poplar.

The starting lineup has remained the same since Dixon’s return. Sophomore guard Tyler Perkins was a starter for the opening night against Lafayette, but

ferring to the Wildcats making this an interesting matchup against the Quakers.

Redshirt freshman guard Kris Parker has worked his way into a solid role after coming off an injury to start the season. He scored 11 points on 4-7 shooting (2-4 from three) in 18 minutes He then played some valuable minutes in the game against St. Joes, despite not seeing that many opportunities on offense.

The Wildcats have plenty to prove in the upcoming week of basketball as it should be a fun one. Despite it still being early in the season, these could be some of those must-win games that keep

Preview: WBB Faces Two Ivies After Opening Victory

Madison Hodges Staff Writer

After a winning start to the season, Villanova’s women’s basketball is gearing up for a tough two-game stretch this week.

Fresh off a 64-56 victory over Wake Forest in its season opener at Finneran Pavilion, Villanova will face its first road test against Princeton on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.. The Wildcats will return home on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. for Columbia.

The Wildcats’ first win

Bascoe was not alone on the offensive side. Graduate guard and Holy Cross transfer Bronagh Power-Cassidy scored 17 points. Power-Cassidy, known for her ability to shoot from beyond the arc and drive to the hoop, was crucial in keeping the team together throughout their comeback.

“We’re all pretty new but we’ve bonded very quickly these past couple of months,” Power-Cassidy said postgame. “I think we were kind of itching to get on the floor and play a game against different people. Obviously shots weren’t dropping, but we all trust

defense and exceptional offensive execution. Princeton is coming off a 79-58 win over DePaul, and will be ready to protect its home floor against a Villanova team that is also coming off of a win.

One of Princeton’s key players this season is junior guard Madison St. Rose, who was the leading scorer for the Tigers, with 24 points against DePaul and 22 points against Duquesne. The other key player is sophomore guard Ashley Chea, who had 11 points against DePaul. She is known for her scrappy defense and ability to control the pace of the game.

It will take a whole team effort to win at Princeton. Villanova’s defense will also be tested, particularly in restraining Princeton’s skilled guards, who thrive on fast breaks and transition scoring.

Following their midweek road game, the Wildcats will return home to the Finneran Pavil -

ion, where they will face Columbia University on Saturday, Nov. 16, for Disney Day. The Lions, another difficult Ivy League opponent, are noted for their toughness on the boards and ability to shoot from long distances.

One of Columbia’s key players this season is sophomore guard Riley Weiss, who was the Lions’ leading scorer against Providence with 25 points. Senior guard Kitty Henderson is also key for the Lions, coming off of an 18-point performance against Providence.

In both games, Villanova will need to control the tempo and continue to create chemistry with its new squad. If it can replicate its second-half performance against Wake Forest, Villanova can add two more wins this week.

For the Wildcats, these games are more than simply early-season battles. They are opportunities to test their skills and set the tone for the season ahead.

Villanova has two exciting non-conference matchups ahead to prove the competitiveness of its new roster. Graham Sukup / Villanovan Photography

Freshman guard Jasmine Bascoe led Villanova with 18 points and five assists against Wake Forest. Graham Sukup / Villanovan Photography

Contests against Princeton and Columbia lie ahead as the Wildcats work to build team chemistry. Graham Sukup / Villanovan Photography

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