The Villanovan | Volume 111, Issue 11 - September 30, 2020

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916

VOLUME 111 | ISSUE 11

COVID-19 Tracker p. 2 Public Safety Blotter p. 2

University Students, Faculty and Community See Increase in Positive COVID-19 Cases

NYT Releases Information on President Trump’s Tax Returns p. 3 Recap: Sept. 29 Presidential Debate p. 4 Amy Coney Barrett Nominated to Fill Supreme Court Seat p. 4 COVID-19 and Villanova’s Next Generation p. 5 Safety Now, Reward Later: Falvey Library p. 7 Letter from the Editors: It’s Time to Recommit p. 7 Freshman Senate Elections Feature p. 8 & 9 SSC Pushes Campus Styrofoam Ban p. 10 Student Zoom Fatigue p. 11 Rethink Fast Fashion p. 11 A Beginner’s Guide to Thrift Shopping p. 12 Special Olympics Volunteers Share Athlete Stories p. 13 Women’s Basketball Welcomes New Class & New Coach p. 14 Men’s Soccer Adds to Roster p. 14 Student-Athletes Utilize Their Right to Vote p. 15 Potential NBA Teams for Former Wildcat Saddiq Bey p. 15

Emily Cox Co-Editor-in-Chief

This weekend, the University community saw the addition of at least 29 new, positive COVID-19 cases to the school’s coronavirus dashboard. Many students, faculty and members of the community were alarmed by this spike, as it was the greatest increase seen in a single weekend since students returned back to classes on Aug. 17.

Nick Tumuolo, Assistant Dean of Students, sent an email to members of the University’s Student First Committee early Saturday afternoon, raising concerns of the uptick.

“If you have not yet seen today’s COVID-19

Campus Dashboard, there are 11 new positive cases reported this morning, and we are using approximately 30% of our isolation and quarantine space,” Tumolo wrote in his email. “While these current numbers are still manageable, this increase calls for all of us to double-down on our efforts to stop further spread. As student leaders, we need you to reach out to your peers, organizations, and social networks to bring today’s dashboard to their attention, and urge everyone to use sensible measures and to put Community First, tonight and ongoing. We have an opportunity right now to ensure we are not on a trajectory that will become problematic.”

Student leaders on

One of the many signs, encouraging mask-wearing, decorates The Oreo.

Courtesy of The Villanovan

the committee were not the only people members of the administration spoke to. A Zoom call took place on Saturday afternoon with Assistant Dean Tumolo, Associate Vice President for Student Life Kathleen Byrnes and Director of Presidential Initiatives and Events Christine Quisenberry. All members of the Panhellenic Council executive board, Interfraternity Council executive board and respective members from each NPC and IFC chapter on campus were asked to join the call. Nearly 80 students joined the call.

Junior Mariana Marquez, Vice President of Standards for the chapter of Kappa Delta, attended this Zoom meeting. She explained that members of the

administration were asking those on the call to use their respective influence within the Greek Life community to correct practices that may not be safe or within the clearly defined rules by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. According to Marquez, those leading the call specifically mentioned fraternity rush and sorority member involvement in these events as possibly contributing to the rise in cases.

On the call, Tumolo mentioned how other schools, like The University of Virginia, are starting to implement stricter protocols for students, such as curfews and restrictions on all in-person gatherings. While the University has yet to enforce stricter

Continued on p. 3

University’s Socially-Distant 1842 Day a Success Jack Birle Staff Writer

On Tuesday Sept.

22, Villanova University held its fourth annual 1842 Day fundraiser. The University raised over $5.9 million from 7950 donors during the 24-hour fundraiser.

According to the University, 1842 Day is “Villanova’s giving day” and allows students, faculty, alumni and others to help different organizations at the University.

The goal of the first 1842 Day in 2017 was to get 1,842 donors donating in 1,842 minutes. This year’s event had the challenge of getting 1,842 donations to unlock a one million dollar donation to the University’s Waterhouse Family Institute for the Study of Communication and Society.

The Waterhouse Family Institute for the Study of Communication and Society was established in 2010 from a donation from University alumnus Lawrence Waterhouse Jr. The goal of the institute is to emphasize the role of communication in social change.

Organizations which could be donated to as part of 1842 Day included Campus Ministry, the Villanova Athletic Fund, The Student Emergency Fund, the Career Center and NOVAdance. Donations to any of the University’s colleges also qualified as part of 1842 Day.

The organization that raised the most money on 1842 Day was the Villanova Annual Fund with $201,348.06 from 827 donors, followed by the School of Business Fund with $129,184.31 from 527

donors and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Fund with $71,825.56 from 522 donors.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, the event was centered around a nearly 10 hour livestream on the 1842 Day website. Some events were still held in-person with social distancing in mind.

The traditional 1842 Day Mosaic was available on campus near the Connelly Center and online on the 1842 Day website.

The livestream was hosted by University alumnus Keith Jones from the University’s new Center for Performing Arts, which opened earlier this year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Lauren Dugan and Darryl Reynolds, also University alumni, provided updates from on-campus and on Zoom throughout the livestream.

University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. opened the livestream with a message to students, faculty, staff, and alumni. “While today will look and feel a little different than previous 1842 Days, we are continuing to come together and celebrate the great causes throughout the University that will benefit from your gifts,” Donohue said. “Thank you for all that you do for Villanova today and always.”

Highlights from the livestream included virtual rides on the “Cat Cab,” a preview of the new Center for Performing Arts, an update on the return to campus and interviews with University leaders.

The goals set by the University for the event were greatly exceeded, with nearly 8,000 donors from all 50 U.S. states and Canada.

2 | The Villanovan

News Opinion Culture Sports

1 5 10 14

PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER

VOL. 111 | ISS. 11 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

EMILY COX TYLER KEMP ARIANA MEGERIAN RYAN HARMS CATE McCUSKER JACK ROBERGE GRANT CARTER A.J. FEZZA MADDIE BURKE BILLY VINCI HELENA ERNST MOLLY BAKER CHRISTINA IGLESIAS

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

NEWS

Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Digital Editor News Editor News Editor Opinion Editor Culture Editor Culture Editor Sports Editor Sports Editor Photography Editor Copy Desk Chief Copy Desk Chief

MICHAEL BRADLEY Advisor DEENA SMITH Advisor CONTACT villanovan.eic@gmail.com

Burglary-Unlawful Entry (No Force) / Criminal Trespass / Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition September 4 - September 7 St. Mary’s Hall A burglary was reported by a resident student where a theft of clothing items occurred . The value of the stolen property is approximately $1,650.00.

Criminal Mischief September 12 - September 14 L-3 Visitor Lot A female resident student reported unknown individual(s) intentionally damaged her parked vehicle.

Aggrivated Incident Assault / Sexual Assault September 13 Cupola Hall A female resident student reported being sexually assaulted by a known male resident student.

Solicitation September 15 Performing Arts Center An unaffiliated male was handing out literature on University property.

COVID-19 TRACKER

CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES AS OF 8:00 P.M. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

146

Villanova University

11,422

CORRECTIONS

Delaware County, Pennsylvania

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.

156,826

CAMPUS CALENDAR From Classrooms to Careers: CLAS Internships 101 September 30 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Virtual

Davis Fund for Student Experiences Information Session October 2 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Virtual

Domestic Violence and Major League Baseball Panel Discussion October 6 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Virutal

Annual Consulting 101 Panel & Networking October 1 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Virtual

Latin American Student Organization: Not-So-On-My-Block Party October 3 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

In-person, The Oreo

GWS Documentary Night: The Vote, Part I October 7 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Virutal

Tommy Monks ’14: TikTok Account Manager October 1 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Virtual

Paws for a Break with Falvey Library: Virtual Pet Visit October 6 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Virutal

2020 U.S. Presidential Election Series: Race and the Election October 8 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Virutal

Pennsylvania

7,188,100 United States

33,577,073 Worldwide

Oracle and Walmart Make Preliminary Deal to Achieve Majority American Ownership of TikTok Sarah Sweeney Staff Writer

As if 2020 has not been strange enough, the popular comedic video-sharing app TikTok is now one of the most heated sources of political tension in the U.S., worsening the strained relationship between the U.S. and China.

TikTok is a fast-paced and entertaining video-sharing social media app, which is currently Apple’s most downloaded application. Created in 2016 by Chinese technology company ByteDance, TikTok has more than 800 million active users, over 40% of which are between 16 and 24 years old. It is estimated that 90% of all TikTok users access the app on a daily basis, spending an average of 52 minutes on it each day.

Part of what makes TikTok so addicting, and therefore successful, is its “For You Page,” the landing screen when users open the app. Facilitated by a powerful algorithm, the “For You Page” provides users with videos tailored to their interests based on their previous interactions with TikTok videos.

The algorithm collects and analyzes data so well that users often find videos related to their geographic location, gender, sexuality and other personal demographic information.

This collection of personal data has alarmed some, including

President Donald Trump, who threatened to ban TikTok in late July. His executive order, issued on Aug. 6, cited numerous security concerns.

“[TikTok’s] data collection threatens to allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans’ personal and proprietary information — potentially allowing China to track the locations of Federal employees and contractors, build dossiers of personal information for blackmail and conduct corporate espionage,” Trump said.

Trump later agreed to forgo this outright ban if TikTok could

divest its U.S. operations, meaning transition to a majority American ownership, by Sept. 20. Immediately, three main potential buyers came to the forefront: Microsoft, Oracle and Walmart. After an exhaustive bidding process, a tentative deal has emerged: Oracle and Walmart will both invest in TikTok Global, Oracle with a 12.5% stake and Walmart with a 7.5% stake.

Although ByteDance would retain an 80% stake in TikTok, about 40% of ByteDance is owned by American investors. This, combined with Oracle and Walmart’s new investment, would provide a

CEO of Walmart, Doug McMillan, helps lead the dealmaking with TikTok. Courtesy of CNBC

majority American ownership of TikTok.

However, the deal is far from over. There is a large confusion over ownership breakdown, with a spokesperson for ByteDance claiming it would directly hold an 80% share of TikTok Global, and Oracle stating that ByteDance will have no ownership in TikTok Global. The deal is also awaiting approval from the Chinese government, which recently expanded trade restrictions to restrict the export of content-recommendation algorithms, like the one that powers TikTok’s “For You Page.”

Under the preliminary agreement with Oracle and Walmart, the algorithm would not be part of the sale, although they would be allowed to review the application’s source code.

Although President Trump extended the deadline for the proposed Sept. 20 ban, the threat of one still remains. The White House hinted at a download ban beginning on Sunday, Sept. 27.

However, this was not confirmed.

The Commerce Department also hoisted Nov. 12 as a proposed date for a complete ban if a deal achieving majority American ownership is not reached before then.

This uncertainty about whether TikTok will be banned or not has left many wanting to ask the United States government a Doja Cat lyric and popular TikTok sound – Why Don’t You Say So?

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Continued from p. 1

guidelines, beyond those outside of the CARITAS Commitment, if cases continue to rise, students on campus could see greater enforcement of rules to protect the health and safety of the greater community.

“We specifically wanted to have conversations with the FSL community, given the amount of students that are involved in that community and given that FSL are social organizations,” Tumolo said in an interview with The Villanovan. “We wanted to ensure that students are doing everything in their power to make sure their community members weren’t putting anyone at greater risk that night.”

Tumolo continued to explain the specific focus on Greek Life, although there has been no data, since all testing data is confidential, clearly linking rising cases to fraternity and sorority events.

“Anecdotally, we were hearing the past two weekends or so that there was some more activity in terms of off-campus parties, and we know that fraternity recruitment was taking place at the same time, which lends itself to be more of a social event,” Tumolo said.

In a message obtained by The Villanovan, sent from Sarah Hernandez, Assistant Director in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, to the presidents of the University’s eight Panhellenic chapters, chapter members were additionally made aware of rising cases just four minutes after Tumolo contacted them.

“There was a substantial increase in cases this morning and

NEWS

based on the students who tested positive, we see a strong correlation between FSL affiliate students and positive cases,” Hernandez wrote in her text. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that IFC just wrapped up their recruitment process and we saw a spike in cases.”

For fraternities on campus, informal recruitment opened on Sept.

1, and bids were allowed to be given out beginning on Sept. 21. While each event for fraternity rush was supposed to be completely virtual, The Villanovan has been made aware of at least two fraternities who hosted in-person rush events.

“We thought it was a timely opportunity to talk to all student leaders in the Greek Life community and empower them to use their leadership and officer positions in their chapters to get their members on board,” Tumolo said.

Marquez appreciated how quickly administrators connected with students on this topic.

“I’m glad the school got in touch with leadership within Greek Life, remaining committed to staying healthy and on campus this semester,” Marquez said. “As a member of KD’s council, I am very happy with how our chapter and other chapters have handled the new normal and hope that everyone in and outside of Greek Life is reminded to not let up on our efforts to stop the spread.”

Tumolo emphasized that conversations were held with most student organizations on campus.

“We saw the numbers that occured Friday and Saturday, and we wanted to reach out to as many stu-

dents as possible to make sure that everyone was aware of the dashboard,” he said. “Given those numbers, we wanted to double down, since it was the weekend, to make sure that people were keeping it chill and lowkey.”

Having seen numbers rise on Saturday morning with one more night of the weekend left, Tumolo, Byrnes and Quisenberry saw the timely opportunity to reach out to as many people as possible within the community.

“We emailed many staff members on campus who oversee other student groups, like Athletics, Music Activities, Student Involvement and Campus Ministry with similar messaging,” Tumolo added.

Although conversations were had with various organizations, University administration does not receive the name of any student who tests positive for COVID-19.

“The contact tracing team is confidential,” Tumolo said. “They do not report out who is testing positive or who is close contacts. We don’t have data saying this is from all one group or one event. I don’t think that’s the case anyway. I think the numbers that we saw are not all linked to one group or one event, but I don’t have data from that. I am just using common sense. I see all the reports from different incidents that come in.”

Many factors could be contributing to the rise in cases the University community is experiencing.

Students have been traveling home on the weekends or to the Jersey Shore for weekend get-aways, and while Family Weekend was officially

The Villanovan | 3

cancelled this year, many parents returned this weekend or weekends prior to see their children.

“I think it’s a combination of three things: a false sense of security across the board since we had such low numbers for a long period of time, complacency and fatigue and then the third piece is there has been an uptick in social activity, especially off campus,” Tumolo said when speaking about the contributing factors to more cases. “When you link those three things together, it makes sense our numbers rose this weekend.

That’s me using my educated common sense.”

Tumolo, Byrnes and Quisenberry saw this moment as the time to intervene. Administrators are making informed assumptions about student activity on and off campus and using this time to have conversations with students and faculty sooner rather than later.

“It’s time to recommit to the CARITAS Commitment,” Tumolo said.

Students are currently taking midterms, marking the halfway point of the academic semester.

“When is a better time to recommit than at the halfway point?”

Tumolo asked. “I am very confident that this will create an opportunity where everyone gets on point with recommitment. It’s a healthy reality check.”

In a final message, he stressed basic CDC and University guidelines.

“When people ask what to do now, what we should do is what we are always supposed to do: distancing, masks, hygiene,” Tumolo said.

The New York Times Releases Information on President Trump’s Tax Returns Over the Last Two Decades Cate McCusker Co-News Editor

The New York Times recently released a story on President Trump’s taxes with key information that could influence the coming election.

“The Times obtained Donald Trump’s tax information extending over more than two decades, revealing struggling properties, vast write-offs, an audit battle and hundreds of millions in debt coming due,” The Times reported in an article released during the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 27.

For years, Trump’s opponents have attempted to obtain his tax information in an effort to prove to his supporters that Trump does not work for the American people. The article stated that Trump has only paid $750 in federal income taxes both in 2016 and 2017, and he has paid even less in the years leading up to his presidency.

“He had paid no income taxes at all in 10 of the previous 15 years — largely because he reported losing much more money than he made,” The Times reported.

The article also stated that Trump has reported taking in millions of dollars a year to the International Revenue Service but still reported heavy losses which allowed him to avoid taxes.

“Now, with his financial challenges mounting, the records

show that he depends more and more on making money from businesses that put him in potential and often direct conflict of interest with his job as president,” The Times reported.

Alan Garten, a lawyer for the Trump organization, has denied the allegations. According to The Times, Garten stated, “Most, if not all, of the facts appear to be inaccurate.”

The Times has declined to provide the records in an effort to protect their sources.

“Over the past decade, President Trump has paid tens of millions of dollars in personal taxes to the federal government, including paying millions in personal taxes since announcing his candidacy in 2015,” Garten said in a statement given to The Times.

In a press conference at the White House about an hour after the story was released, a reporter asked for Trump’s response to the Time’s article.

“It’s fake news, it’s totally fake news,” Trump said in response, completely denying the Times’ statements and instead claiming that the IRS treats him badly, like “they treated the Tea Party.”

Trump also responded to the article with a series of tweets on Monday morning.

“The Fake News Media, just like Election time 2016, is bringing up my Taxes & all sorts of other nonsense with illegally

President Donald Trump claps at a past event.

Courtesy of Flikr

obtained information & only bad intent,” Trump tweeted. “I paid many millions of dollars in taxes but was entitled, like everyone else, to depreciation & tax credits. Also, if you look at the extraordinary assets owned by me, which the Fake News hasn’t, I am extremely under leveraged - I have very little debt compared to the value of assets.

Much of this information is already on file, but I have long said that I may release. Financial Statements, from the time I announced I was going to run for President, showing all properties, assets and debts. It is a very IMPRESSIVE Statement, and also shows that I am the only President on record to give up my yearly $400,000 plus Presidential Salary!”

After the release of the story, former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign tweeted a video comparing Trump’s taxes to those paid by teachers, firefighters and nurses.

“Teachers paid $7,239, Firefighters paid $5,283, Nurses paid $10,216; Donald Trump paid $750” @TeamJoe tweeted on Sunday night. Biden also now has a website on his Instagram for Americans to calculate how much more than Trump they paid in taxes.

Ahead of the first presidential debate on Tuesday night, Biden released his own tax returns. According to the Wall Street Jorunal, Biden paid $300,000 in federal taxes in 2019, drastically different from Trump’s $750 in 2017.

4 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

NEWS

Judge Amy Coney Bar- Recap: September 29 Presrett Nominated to Fill Su- idential Debate in Ohio preme Court Justice Seat ten track record of disagreeing with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision upholding the Affordable Care Act.”

Democrats are firing back,

While the death of Justice led by Biden who said, “The Senate Ruth Bader Ginsburg prompted shouldn’t act until after the Ameriwidespread support and memocan people select their next president rialization, it also spawned a new and the next Congress.” political battle.

Vice Presidential candidate

Democrats have vowed to Kamala Harris tweeted, “This seblock a pre-election nomination. lection would move the court furHowever, President Trump has alther right for a generation & harm ready made his pick. millions of Americans.”

President Trump’s Supreme

The real question is: What Court nominee, Judge Amy Coney does this mean for the election?

Barrett, is a judge on the 7th U.S. Elaine Kamarck, Senior Fellow Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago at Brookings, thinks this will have and is a favorite among social con“either very little impact or none at servatives. all.”

A stark contrast to Ginsburg, On September 22, Biden was Barrett has a record of opposing 6.6% points ahead of Trump, only a progressive policies. She has a “clear 1.2% difference from the February 1 anti-abortion rights judicial record,” polls, where he ran ahead of Trump Kate Smith of CBS News said. by 5.4% “During her three years on the 7th

On the other hand, MiCircuit Court of Appeals, she has al- chael Sean Winters from National ready ruled on two abortion-related Catholic Reporter believes that cases, both times favoring restrictions Ginsburg’s death will take the light on access to abortion.” off of COVID-19, therefore helping

Whereas President Trump President Trump. has referred to Barrett as “one of

“The most obvious reason our nation’s most brilliant and gifted the court vacancy helps Trump is legal minds” and “a woman of unthat the country is talking about paralleled achievement,” Biden has something other than COVID-19,” described Barrett as having “a writWinters said.

Julia Butch Staff Writer

President Donald Trump with Supreme Court Nominee Amy Coney Barrett Courtesy of DW

Emily Cox Co-Editor-in-Chief

The night of Sept. 29 marked the first debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden since the start of the general election race. The debate featured a chaotic series of name-calling, bitter exchanges between the two and constant speaking over each other, all while the moderator, Chris Wallace of Fox News, struggled to maintain control of the 90-minute showdown.

After the debate, former White House Communications Director George Stephanopoulos called the debate “the worst one [he] had ever seen” in his career both moderating and preparing candidates for this type of event.

Although many comments from both candidates stood out to viewers at home, there were four key moments of the night.

President Trump addressed the New York Times report on his personal taxes. He offered a simple defense for the low amount of income taxes he has paid over the past few years.

“I don’t want to pay taxes,” Trump said.

At the same time, Trump also insisted he has paid millions over the years, contradicting The Times’ report of his payment of $750 in 2016 and 2017.

Both candidates had different points of view on the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden cited the death toll and case number in the United States, adding, “The President has no plan. He hasn’t laid out anything.”

Trump insisted that Biden “could not have done the job we did.”

In another one of many shocking moments of the night, Biden responded to Trump’s comments on his son, Hunter. Trump

Trump and Biden debate on stage.

Courtesy of ABC News

spoke about unfounded claims about Hunter Biden’s corrupt actions in Ukraine.

“This is not about my family or his family,” Biden responded.

“This is about your family, the American people.”

Additionally, President Trump refused to condemn the actions of white supremacists for inciting violence at anti-police brutality demonstrations across the country. At the debate, he said the violence was not an issue caused by the right and telling one far-right group to “stand back and stand by.”

“Sure, I’m willing to [tell them to stand down], but I would say almost everything I see is from the left wing, not from the right wing,” Trump said. “I’m willing to do anything. I want to see peace.”

Although the night featured Trump often speaking over Biden, Trump was not alone in his retorts.

“Will you shut up man?” Biden said to Trump. “It’s hard to get any word in with this clown.”

Wallace struggled to maintain his control throughout the night. He repeatedly admonished the president for speaking over Biden and disregarding rules that both sides had agreed to.

The two candidates are scheduled to meet next Wednesday, Oct. 7, for the second debate in Salt Lake City, Utah.

President Donald Trump and Democratic Candidate Joe Biden Continue to Battle Before Election Day Lydia McFarlane Staff Writer

Amid racial tensions, coronavirus fear and overall division in America, an election is underway.

Election Day is just over a month away, and it seems as if the United States, as well as the world, is holding its breath watching this unfold.

The election between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden has become heated as Americans side with either candidate. U.S. citizens have strong opinions, whether positive or negative, about both candidates.

Several factors, such as the coronavirus response, reaction to tense race relations, as well as the overall demeanor of each candidate, are going to be important as Americans likely choose one of the two as the next president of the United States. As a result, eyes are on the United States as citizens approach Election Day.

President Trump is running with the same slogan from last elec-

tion, “Make America Great Again,” while former Vice President Biden is campaigning with the slogan, “Build Back Better.”

As the Republican candidate, Trump’s platform is much more conservative compared to Biden’s more moderate views and campaign platform. President Trump has been holding rallies on his campaign trail, even through the pandemic, which his supporters have been flocking to in droves. Many of the President’s rallies have been cause for coronavirus concern and have drawn criticism.

Joe Biden is also campaigning; however, he has limited attendance due to his concerns over the virus. He has been hosting several town halls and has also been frequenting his hometown of Scranton.

The two have been approaching their campaign strategies in vastly different ways, in order to gain support and encourage their already loyal supporters.

So far, Biden has been ahead in many national polls. According

to CNN, Trump is trailing Biden by only seven percent as of Sept. 23.

Biden is at an average of 51%, while Trump is close behind with an average of 44%. However, many voters are wary of trusting these polls.

Michael Helbing of Olyphant, PA said, “Polls are just an estimate. They can be off, and people’s opinions can change before the election comes around.”

Like many other voters, he is not fully trusting the polls to give him the answer for what will happen on Nov. 3.

During this election, many voters are also struggling with the decision of whether to vote in person or with mail-in ballots. Amidst the pandemic and a very important election, voters are deciding whether to vote in-person and risk potential exposure to the coronavirus, or vote by mail and risk their votes not counting due to mail-in voting difficulties.

Kate Gibbons of Exeter, PA and Pamela Fendrock of Kingston, PA are voters currently grappling

with their decision regarding which way they will vote in November.

In Pennsylvania, the guidelines for mail-in voting are very strict. Fendrock says trying to get a mail-in ballot from her local election office has been a hassle. Gibbons says of mailin voting in Pennsylvania, “Pennsylvania hasn’t had the mail-in option before like many other states have.

Every county is currently struggling to catch up.”

Helbing is pretty set in his decision to vote by a mail-in ballot.

“I am definitely concerned about my vote not counting, and I wish there was a silver bullet,” he said. “There is a risk of my ballot not counting, but it’s about trying to find the least risky way. We should not have to be grappling with these concerns. It is so wrong.”

The United States has been held in the grasps of racial unrest and a global pandemic for months now. As a result, this election is shaping up to be one of the most important and controversial ones in American history.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

OPINION

The Villanovan | 5

OPINION

The Supreme Court Hypocrisy of the Republican Senate Vivi Melkonian Staff Writer

In the wake of the tragic death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, there has been growing controversy regarding the vacant seat on the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). The Trump Administration sparked conversation about Ginsburg’s replacement the day after she died. There is obvious unrest with the idea of Trump appointing a new justice because we are currently a mere five weeks out from the election, and his appointment would make the SCOTUS 6-3 conservative to liberal. Republican leaders and lawmakers are dead set on getting someone approved in the next few weeks. However, legislators like Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell, who have advocated for a SCOTUS appointment before the election, are going against their own words from years past.

In 2016, Justice Antonin Scalia died, leaving an empty SCOTUS seat the February before the 2016 Election. On the Senate floor, Lindsey Graham blocked then President Obama’s SCOTUS nomination, and Merrick Garland claimed that it was too close to the election, and this choice should be left to the next president. Graham went on to say, “I want you to use my words against me. If there’s a Republican president in 2016 and a vacancy occurs in the last year of the first term, you can say Lindsey Graham said let’s let the next president, whoever it might

Lindsey Graham was staunchly against appointing a new Supreme Court Justice in 2016.

Courtesy of Forbes

be, make that nomination,” according to The New York Daily News.

Again in 2018, Newsweek reported that Graham again came out to say that if there is a vacancy after the commencement of the Presidential Primaries, the approval and nomination process should not begin until the election is over.

Now, in the days following Ginsburg’s death, Graham has come out to say the Senate should “proceed expeditiously” to replace Ginsburg. In a statement to Democrats in the house, Graham stated that due to party biases, this process would be inherently different for Republicans

than for Democrats, and therefore advised that the process of appointment and approval should happen as soon as possible.

Graham’s buddy in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, is also receiving criticism this week for taking a similar stance, contradicting his own opinion from past years. In 2016, McConnell was also opposed to Obama appointing a new justice to the SCOTUS because, “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.”

McConnell has spoken numerous times this week about the SCOTUS vacancy, and his message is clear: he made a vow to fulfill President Trump’s agenda, which includes continuing the nomination process with the timeline as is.

This goes to show that for these legislators, the rules should only be applied and adjusted when it benefits their party. If parties were reversed in this situation, I have no doubt that Graham and McConnell would be using every tool they had to prevent a nomination from happening. The rules are the rules though, and it is completely within the power of the Senate to fill the vacancy upon receiving a nomination from President Trump, regardless of the fast-approaching election.

For a SCOTUS nominee to be approved, he or she needs confirmation from the Senate by a simple majority, which is 51 votes in favor.

Currently the Senate rests at 53 Republicans and 45 Democrats, and in the upcoming election, there are 35 seats up for grabs. Thus, the affiliations and positions of the senators and president are crucial.

It is important now more than ever that we hold our leaders accountable and make sure our voices are heard. According to The Atlantic, there are 17 million new voters since the 2016 election. It’s up to us to fight for the future of the country we want to see. The University has done a great job raising voter awareness and has many resources for registration and information.

COVID-19 and the Next Generation of Villanovans Ava Lundell Staff Writer

The Admissions Office and Blue Key Society began offering on-campus tours on Wednesday, Sept. 16, reemphasizing the many changes and challenges that COVID-19 has brought to almost every aspect of our daily lives as Villanovans, as well as our visions for the future. While we are all suffering and muddling through our own COVID-19 transitions, recent Blue Key activities have underscored the impact on high school students in the midst of one of the biggest transitions of their lives – moving from high school to college.

2020 has indeed been a crazy time for all of us, including our new freshmen classmates who not only had to finish their senior years online, but also had to start their college careers during the pandemic. Seniors in high school this year, however, are faced with the challenge of navigating the always stressful college decision process. As stressful as this process was for the Class of 2024, at least the college visits and dreaded application season were finished before the stayat-home orders of this past March changed our world.

Remember the difficulties of choosing a college? Imagine going through the process this fall now that campus tours, information

sessions and face-to-face interactions with students and the wider college community have been so dramatically altered. Further, as we all work our way through this academic year, we can only guess how COVID-19 will impact next year.

Will COVID-19 cases spike? Will social-distancing and online classes be the new normal? Will a vaccine miraculously solve all our problems?

For some high school seniors, this uncertainty may prompt them to wonder, “Is it really worth committing to a campus experience at all?” However, despite the frustrating fact that reality is now overshadowed by the unknown, colleges (especially the University) are trying their best to ensure high school seniors have all the information and experience necessary to make an informed decision about what they want their futures to look like.

The Admissions Office and Blue Key have made a range of alterations to tours to ensure the health and safety of the tour guides, prospective students, and the larger University community. One such change is that tours are now capped at one to two families per group to maintain social distancing, as well as to ensure prospective students can hear the tour guide through masks.

Additionally, all visitors must wear a mask at all times, and entering buildings is strictly off-limits. Moreover, Villanova’s on-campus tours are more difficult to schedule online.

While obviously not ideal, I would argue that these new tour formats actually have some silver linings. For instance, capping tours at one to two families helps to create a more conversational and informal atmosphere with prospective students and their families. Tours can now be more tailored to the prospective student, and the pressure of asking questions in front of so many strangers is reduced. Additionally, the greater difficulty of scheduling tours could potentially encourage high schoolers to think more deliberately about whether they actually want to spend their time touring the

University, or if they are just doing it to check a metaphorical box.

Perhaps the more personal tour format should not be exclusive to the current COVID-19 era. We should begin thinking about the lessons learned from this time in our life and how to incorporate some of them permanently in the post COVID-19 world. And remember, if you do see a tour on campus, be doubly sure to say “hello” and provide a warm welcome to our visitors. A mask is not a muzzle. You never know, a friendly word or wave could result in a new classmate next year.

Students gather at The Oreo.

Courtesy of Sarah Jones

OPINION

6 | The Villanovan

EDITORIAL BOARD EMILY COX Editor-in-Chief TYLER KEMP Editor-in-Chief JACK ROBERGE Opinion Editor

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

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 anonyous letters will be published. All submissions become property of The Villanovan and are subject to editing for clarity and space.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

POLICY

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

iOS 14 and Our Worsening Addictions to Our Phones Joe Adams Staff Writer

Last week, Apple released its latest iOS Update, iOS 14, and people are already going crazy customizing their home screens.

All over Twitter this week, I have seen people’s home screens turning into Club Penguin backgrounds, their app icons being altered to photos from favorite TV shows and their layout drastically changing with widgets of their favorite apps.

This is a big step for Apple.

Since the very first iPhone came out with “iPhone OS 1,” users have had virtually no flexibility to customize their home screens. We were stuck with our boring little boxes of apps, all lined up, one after the other. iOS 14 changes everything.

Besides small visual changes in certain apps and faster overall performance, the biggest change for me (and most of the world) has been the ability to add widgets to our home screens. With this, we can add big boxes that contain weather, reminders, news, stocks, suggested music and so much more. Personally, I have been utilizing the fitness activity widget to make sure I’m getting my steps in and have also added a “Presidential Forecast” widget, which shows how much of a chance each candidate has of winning the 2020 Presidential Election with updates as polls come in.

Apple rolled iOS 14 out to the public this past week with new, addictive features.

Courtesy of 9to5Mac

Having all this freedom is great, but it made me wonder: are these new widgets doing more harm than good? Sure, it’s wonderful to be reminded to take a “brisk walk” to complete my activity ring for the day, but is it healthy to be staring at something like the presidential forecast every day? Won’t this just remind me of how divided we are as a nation and what is at stake in our next election?

Even though I was excited to customize my home screen for the first time with this update, I believe there’s a method to Apple’s (hidden) madness. These widgets are making us even more addicted to our cell

phones. We’re already obsessed with our slabs of metal, and we hear more and more about how they can impact us in the long run. At the end of every day, I’ve started making a habit of checking my screen time, and I’m disappointed in myself each night.

Even if we tell ourselves we’ll stop using our phones so much, it never works.

With widgets, we don’t even have to tap on an app to get information anymore. All we have to do is look at our home screen. The widgets are designed to give quick, attention-grabbing information that is just begging to be explored. If we want more information (which is almost

always true), we can simply tap on the box and enter an endless world of scrolling and double tapping.

iOS 14 is designed to intrigue us and pull us in to our iPhones, but it certainly has not been advertised as such. Apple’s release of the update played out just like it wanted it to.

People across the world are posting their new layouts, seeking out new ways to change the way they interact with their phone and praising Apple for letting the user customize their experience for once.

Maybe Apple waited 14 years to release an update in which we could customize our home screens so that, by the time it arrived, our excitement would outweigh the thought that this may be a ploy by Apple to get us more hooked on our iPhones. A smart business move, yes, but something that takes away from those face to face human experiences that we all grew up with. I miss the days of no smart phones, the days that felt like home, when we could talk transparently with each other and everyone who I passed by wasn’t staring down at their phone. As time progresses, I see that past as a distant memory that is sadly fading from society fairly quickly.

One thing is certain. When the first iPhone came out in 2007, everything changed. Thirteen years later, Apple is advertising iOS 14 as software that “feels like home.”

However, it surely feels like we’ve lost the meaning of this home as time progresses.

Medical Theater: Villanova’s Useless COVID-19 Precautions Andrew Kline Staff Writer

As we are all aware by now, this semester differs greatly from the standard education we had expected since we were little. These changes are mostly warranted, but there are still quite a few that make me scratch my head.

The most glaring example of medical theater is the Daily COVID-19 Self-Assessment. The short quiz is well-intentioned, but the questions fail to execute the receipt of any meaningful or worthwhile information. Questions about the user’s temperature and demographics obviously have some use, but asking simply if the user has checked for new symptoms does not have enough of an impact because you can easily check if you have symptoms, but that does not mean that you are symptom free. The final question asks the user if they will uphold and follow the university’s COVID-19 guidelines, but that equates to just clicking to agree to the terms of use when you update

your phone and everyone will automatically say yes.

Beyond the failure of the questions themselves, the test can only be completed once in a 24 hour span of time. This means that if you wake up for an online class later in the morning and complete your self-assessment before heading to breakfast, you cannot complete your test again for 24 hours, and thus will not be able to have new results before your in-person class at 8 a.m. the next morning.

The largest issue with the self-assessment is the fact that there is no requirement to actually complete it every day, and that in the event of a failed attempt, your day can still continue as normal. In one of my first attempts to complete the screening after having just moved in, I misread the second question, which caused me to fail the test. Panicking, I followed the app’s instructions and contacted the Student Health Center,, only to be told that I was okay and should just proceed as usual, despite my failed attempt to earn a badge.

To improve the daily screen-

ing, the University needs to drastically modify the existing assessment by addressing the above topics. Until then, the Daily COVID-19 Self-Assessment will be nothing more than a prime example of performative inaction in our Villanova community.

Outside of the daily screening, many other essentially useless precautions have been taken by the University to calm the complaints of parents, students, faculty and the wider community.

Despite the fact that I am a freshman this year, I have already joined a few different clubs and groups on campus and have quickly learned about the many restrictions placed on clubs, even with their ability to host in-person events.

This shocks me; I am allowed to sit indoors for approximately an hour with about 25 classmates for a lecture, but a club is not allowed to formally host an outdoor gathering to conduct its business.

For music groups on campus, the precautions are very extreme and often seem to be aimed at relieving the fears of those involved

by addressing every possible area in which someone might feel unsafe.

Groups that perform vocal music are each being provided with their own personal set of materials to limit cross-contamination that would be present with shared materials. This is a great idea, but the requirement that each group be limited to 16 people or fewer, even in an outdoor location, while wearing masks and goggles, seems a little extreme. And yes, you read that right. If you happen to be walking to the tent outside of St. Mary’s Hall, you might be serenaded by a group of masked and goggled musicians.

Overall, the University has been doing a great job of controlling the spread of COVID-19, demonstrated by how its number of cases has remained relatively low compared to other colleges and universities across the nation. It is simply a disappointment to students that we are experiencing so many extra rules, regulations and precautions, especially when so many of them seem to be minimally effective methods of slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

OPINION

The Villanovan | 7

Safety Now, Reward Later: Falvey Library’s Pandemic Policies Jacob Artz Staff Writer

When I walked into Falvey Library for the first time this year, I felt like I was in Whoville when the Grinch took all the Christmas decorations and gifts, including the last can of “who hash.” The first floor is bare, and the desks and computers have vanished. We must, however, remember we are in the midst of a pandemic, and for us to return to normal soon, we must execute what is safe for the University community.

Falvey should set up the first floor in a more inviting way so students, especially freshmen, can get a taste of what Falvey is all about. We see in other student areas that all the furniture is set up, but some are closed off to maintain social distancing. While these changes are helpful, I believe that Falvey should adhere to the following blueprint.

The library can set up the tables and have two chairs instead of four. It could also have half of the computers in place. We already use classrooms and study spaces frequently this semester, while wiping them down after usage.

I can certainly understand why they implemented the changes. As an employee of the library, I discussed these changes with three of my supervisors: Ms. Cengal, Mr. Dierkes and Mr. Sgier. They are all working in the Access Service area coordinating contactless pickup, assisting patrons with various questions via the virtual service desk, sorting books in the processing area and working tirelessly on many improvement projects within Falvey Library.

Safety must be the first priority, and this plan showcases how the community cares

for its students. It would be hypocritical of Falvey to ignore the safety of students by irresponsibly setting up the first floor.

Ms. Cengal concurred, explaining, “The point of the setup is to make sure the staff feels safe as we can still help people get books, while maintaining safety for the employees and students.”

While maintaining safety, the library continues to be a tremendous aid for all students on campus with their services of loaning books for classes, finding research for graduate classes and serving as a social hub for many students on campus.

I work at the desk at Falvey and have met countless new students and professors, which has helped my networking significantly. I miss the social aspect of it all, but we will celebrate later once we return to normal.

The social aspect is important, and Mr. Sgier recognizes this.

We must settle for what the virus gives us and remain vigilant during this time. The library still offers all of its services in a different form.

“I think the changes have allowed us to offer academic support to the Villanova community during this very difficult and challenging time,” Mr. Sgier said. “It is different. There are limitations on where students can go and where they can study. The access of certain spaces and materials have changed. This might seem annoying, but the main priority for these changes is creating a safe environment for students and faculty to access critical academic support, and for the staff to provide it.”

The library offers pick up services for students, where the shelving employees collect requested

The first floor of Falvey Memorial Library is uncomfortably empty due to COVID-19.

Courtesy of The Villanovan

books and put them in bags on the first floor.

The Speaker’s Corner in the back of the first floor is available for studying and classes. The third and fourth floors are only for employees, but the first and second floors are open until midnight for students.

As the situation of the virus continues to improve, Mr. Dierkes gave an optimistic outlook on revising the floor plan for the later part of the semester when the weather inevitably turns cold.

“The students have shown themselves to handle the current

restrictions responsibly, thus far,” he said. “I would hope this fact would influence decision makers to allow for additional indoor seating.”

I hope he is right and that Falvey can return to what it was.

We will return the first floor to a place where students can gather responsibly to work in groups and socialize with others.

Let the Grinch come back with his triumphant horn when the students have repeatedly proven themselves responsible, so that tables and computers can reign once again on the first floor.

Letter From the Editors: It’s Time to Recommit to The CARITAS Commitment and Put Community First

This weekend, we added over 25 new cases at the University, a number which continues to climb as this week continuing. At the time of writing, we are up to 71 active cases, which nearly doubles the total amount of cases that we have experienced on campus so far this semester. With this in mind, it seems that it is time for many in our community to be reminded of the Community First pledge we all agreed to this semester.

If we continue adding cases at the rate we are, there is absolutely no question that the school will have to take preventative actions to stop the spread of COVID-19, up to and including sending us home.

For anyone who doubts this, our fellow Philadelphia school, Temple University, has already sent their students online for the remainder of the semester and has put incentives in place for students to return home. The University has not ruled this option out, if it becomes necessary to protect our community.

We are all responsible for protecting one another from COVID-19 this semester. This means, especially now, that if you have become complacent in following the guidelines, it is time to ensure that you are diligently

following all of the guidelines listed to the left.

Particularly, we absoltuely have to make sure that we are not hosting or attending large gatherings or parties of any kind. The school has recently sent emails to members of the Community First Student Committee, with messages to pass on to all student organizations on campus. Administrators have had meetings with groups involved with Greek Life, Student Involvement and other areas of the University.

While we are not pointing fingers, as the rise in cases is the result of many decisions from many different students, it is well known that there has been an uptick in social activity off-campus over the past two weeks. It is certainly not exclusive to one or two organizations hosting gatherings, so we all need to make sure that we are holding one another accountable.

Whether you are a member of any group or campus organization that is planning to host a party, or have heard about any being planned, it is your duty to advise people to cancel the party, or not attend it if it is still being hosted.

Moving forward, we cannot allow ourselves or our peers to

become relaxed about preventing the spread of COVID-19. This virus is dangerous, if not to you then to your professors, classmates, and the staff that helps make this community what it is. We, as an Editorial Board sincerely hope that everyone remembers the necessity

of our continued commitment to the greater Villanova community.

While this semester has not been perfect, it assuredly beats taking Zoom classes from home for the remainder of this year. Please, everyone, keep CARITAS in mind this, and every, weekend.

I pledge to keep the Villanova Community healthy and safe by: • Putting Community First by considering others when making decisions and doing my part to keep myself and others healthy and safe.

• Wearing a mask in public and shared spaces.

• Practicing good personal hygiene, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.

• Following social distancing guidelines in all my interactions.

• Self-monitoring and reporting any COVID-19 symptoms.

• Limiting non-essential travel.

• Holding my fellow community members accountable and reminding them to put Community First.

• Acting respectfully and caringly in all my interactions.

FEATURE

8 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

STUDENT GOVERNM

FALL 2020 FRESHMEN Alexandra Gelb

Hello, my name is Alexandra Gelb and I am from Long Island, NY. I love to play golf, listen to music, and hang out with my friends.

I am a very creative thinker and I love to put action behind all of my ideas. I am running to be your class senator as I am a hardworking and devoted student who is willing to work with the student body to ignite change.

Andrew Kline

My name is Andrew Kline and I am running to represent the class of 2024 in the SGA senate. I am running for this position because I feel that I have already worked to gain the trust of many of my classmates and because I am ready to help make the change that our class talked so heavily about before arriving on campus and to advocate for every student at Villanova University with a focus on the class of 2024. Remember when you vote on October 2nd or 3rd to help “Get Kline to the Finish Line”!

Connor Nachurski

Hi, my name is Connor Nachurski and I’m running to be one of your freshman senators. A little bit about me: I’m from South Jersey, I love basketball and volleyball, and I like country music. SGA is something vey important to me. I love being a voice of the people and helping put other’s ideas into motion. I know that not everyone is comfortable speaking up, so it brings me joy to represent my peers. As the former president of my high school, I have previous experience leading my colleagues during the aftermath of the pandemic. During the pandemic I had to help reschedule various significant events like graduation, therefore, I know the in’s and out’s of working with COVID precautions. It is because of this that I feel I am qualified to be one of the freshman class leaders this semester, so remember to vote for Connor Nachurski on October 2nd.

Elizabeth Baladez

Hello, my name is Elizabeth Baladez and I am running to be a Senator for the class of 2024. I wish to be elected to SGA because I want to “be the change you want to see in the world” and I can be that change. This year I want to promote that we are “Better Together” socially distant, of course. A single person cannot do the job alone, so if we work as a team, we are ultimately “Better Together.”

Erin Cooney

Hello! My name is Erin Cooney and I am a freshman in the School of Business from Medfield, Massachusetts. Student Council has always been a very big and important part of my life, so I would love to be elected as a member of SGA. I am incredibly passionate about all that SGA stands for, and I promise I will use my platform to turn student concerns and desires into realities.

Gavin Woodin

Hey everyone, my name is Gavin Woodin, and I am a Biology major from Holden, MA. I am so excited to be running for Senator of our class! I wish to be elected to SGA so that I can truly be a voice of the Villanova community. My main focuses include furthering sustainable practices, working closer with our Multicultural Student Organizations, and fostering closer relationships with our local businesses in Delaware county.

I hope that my outgoing and comedic personality will bring a new perspective to SGA and I hope that all of you will help me reach that goal!

Giuliana Black

My name is Giuliana Black and I am a Communications and Political Science major from Long Island. I have been involved with Student Government since my freshman year of high school and I would love to continue to serve my fellow students here at Villanova. My goal is to be an ally and resource for all freshmen. I would love to be a voice that represents the larger student body, bring the concerns of the freshman class to the forefront, and hopefully help to pass legislation that helps both the freshman and the rest of the students here at Villanova.

Jade Cahoon

I’m Jaden Cahoon, and I’m running for freshman senate to help make lasting, positive change on campus. I like to read and write--except for in any of my classes--and I play viola with the chamber strings here at Villanova, where I’m majoring in finance in the school of business. What I also love to do is help bring ideas to their fullest potential and the best way to do that, I believe, is with multiple people working on it to bring about the best version of what the idea could be.

I’m running to help turn ideas into objectives, and objectives into meaningful action with the help of my fellow future senators.

Elizabeth Vaughn

I’m Elizabeth Vaughn, a business major from Dayton, Ohio hoping to represent our class within SGA. In high school, I was very involved with cross country and track, student council, and developing a service dog organization. I would be honored to bring my ideas to Villanova and make our freshman year one to remember. If elected, I will work for early syllabi access to aid in scheduling, to fix the leak in the bridge to south, ensure heaters in tents, and spearhead diversity efforts. When you vote this weekend, just remember to Vote Vaughn Before Your Chance is Gone!

Lauren Amoo

My name is Lauren Amoo and I am a Biochemistry major in the Class of 2024. I am from Silver Spring, Maryland and I am of Ghanaian descent. I would like to be elected to SGA because I believe that is extremely important to have a governing body that represents our diverse student body. Additionally, I know I will listen to the concerns of my fellow classmates and take action based on these concerns. I promise to be your voice; vote Lauren Amoo for Senate.

FEATURE

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

The Villanovan | 9

MENT ASSOCIATION

N SENATE ELECTIONS Madeline Plumer

Tee Parris

Mark Moore

Thomas Dessoye

Hi! My name is Madeline Plumer, and I am a neuroscience major on a pre-med track from Meadville, Pennsylvania. I am very excited to be running for a Senator position for the class of 2024 this fall. Working with the Villanova community and making everyone’s voices heard is so important to me, and as a Senator, I would work very hard to make sure the freshmen get their opinions out there so we can make change together.

GO CATS!

Hello Villanovans! My name is Mark Moore and I am from Leesburg, Virginia, about an hour outside of DC, and I am running for SGA Senator this year. Giving back to those that give to me has been something very important to me, and it is for most Villanovans.

I see SGA as an amazing opportunity to give back to our community, which has given us all so much. I hope I can count on your vote!

Olivia Lawlor

Hello all! My name is Olivia Lawlor and I am thrilled to be running for senator this year. I am a freshman from Guilford, Connecticut and am studying in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I absolutely love Villanova and am so grateful to be living on campus this fall in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. I strive to make a mark on this community and be an advocate for my classmates, which the senator position will allow me to do!

Patrick Carney

My name is Patrick Carney, I am from East Stroudsburg, PA. I am running for student senate to fulfill my vision for Villanova’s future: a fairer, sustainable, and more caring Villanova. I’m an Eagle Scout, President Emeritus of my school, and President Emeritus of Students Against Destructive Decisions. With my experience, leadership skills, vision, and your vote on October 3rd, 2020, together we can Ignite Change and foster a better Villanova for all.

Preston Munoz

Hello to the wildcats of the class of 2024!

My name is Preston Muñoz and I am running to be elected as one of your six senators in Villanova’s Student Government Association. I am a Cognitive and Behavior Neuroscience major from San Diego, California.

However, despite my lack of knowledge of the east coast, my past experience as a president of my high school’s student government over the past four years will prove I have the capability to help lead the freshman. I want to be in Student Government to give our freshman and any student from any background the voice they need during this uncertain time. On October 2nd and 3rd do not forget to vote for Preston Muñoz!

My name is Tee Parris. I’m from Johannesburg, South Africa and I’m in CLAS doing an individually designed major. I hope to be a senator so that I can help people achieve the goals they have set for themselves & the goals we have as a community by providing effective communication between the class of 2024 & the administration. I also wish to be a senator so that I can help build bonds between all the members in our Nova Class of ‘24 family.

My name is Thomas Dessoye, and I want to run as our freshman class senator! As your freshman class senator, I want to enhance our understanding of COVID-19 so we can continue our fall and spring semester with ease, and I want to find more efficient ways to accomplish Unitas, Veritas, and Caritas. Before students arrived on campus, the school checked for physical testing for the coronavirus, meningitis, eyesight, hearing, etc., but the school never checked for anxiety, depression, mental illnesses, or addiction. I desperately want to end the stigmatization of mental health so all Villanova students can be supported with the utmost representation and so that not one student will ever have to suffer alone.

William Clarkin

Hey class of 2024, my name is William Clarkin and I am running for one of the freshman class Senator positions. A little about me, I am from northern New Jersey, I am here studying Nursing, and I am a Midshipman in the Navy ROTC program. I am hoping to be elected as a Senator to SGA because I believe I can represent our class in a way that will shed light onto the truly remarkable aspects of who we are and how we are going to change Villanova for the better.

We are only at the beginning of our journey but the building of an even better Nova starts now and I hope to be the one helping YOU do it.

Voting is open for freshmen beginning

October 2 at 8 a.m. and is open until

October 3 at 8 p.m. follow

@ecvillanova & @sgavillanova for more information

#LetsVoteNova

10 | The Villanovan

CULTURE

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

CULTURE

Sustainability Committee Pushes Campus Styrofoam Ban Maddie Schieder Staff Writer

As many living on campus know, the University dining halls have been serving all meals “to-go.”

However, all of this extra styrofoam being used to enjoy food outside the dining halls is not good for our environment. Junior Environmental Science major Olivia Brown is a member of the Student Sustainability Committee on campus. She answered some questions The Villanovan had about this organization and its current goals.

The Villanovan: Can you tell us about the sustainability committee, as well as what you guys do and your role?

Olivia Brown: The Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) is a group of students from all majors across campus that are working towards making the University more sustainable in all aspects of

life. There are a couple different groups within SSC such as food, water and energy, waste, collaboration, outreach and others that focus on a specific aspect within the University to try to change it for the better. I’m in the collaboration and outreach group, and we are working on projects that bring to light the poor recycling habits on campus, hopefully to be seen soon. We also try to collaborate with other clubs on campus and do joint projects or events that highlight sustainability in that club.

TV: What will the end of styrofoam do for our campus and community?

OB: The ban on styrofoam is long overdue and an easy fix, considering that we use it in some dining halls and not in others. If we are already buying the brown boxes for the Connelly Center, why can’t we have them in all dining halls? Although still not ideal, they are significantly better than styrofoam. We hope that the end to styrofoam will allow our

administration to start consistently buying eco-friendly materials and stop buying horribly non-recyclable materials with the excuse of price.

TV: What other projects have you all worked on or plan to work on in the future?

OB: One project that we are specifically working on is creating an art piece to be displayed on campus made out of the plastic bottles people put in the trash instead of recycling them. This will show the bad habits we still have, combined with the idea of recycling, and it will hopefully make people more aware of their habits and the impact they can have. But, that is still a plan in the works.

TV: Where can students find out more about the sustainability committee in order to help our environment?

OB: You can find us on Instagram @villanovasustainability or sub-

scribe to the sustainability newsletter every month.

According to the Collier County Public Utilities Department in southern Florida, “Styrofoam releases toxic chemicals into the food causing contamination which can be hazardous to your health. In addition, when exposed to sunlight, styrofoam creates harmful air pollutants which contaminate landfills and deplete the ozone layer.”

Especially on college campuses, it is difficult to always be environmentally friendly given the fast pace of life. However, taking steps, like creating a petition for change, is a start to a more eco-friendly lifestyle, as led by our own Sustainability Committee against the avid use of styrofoam. As shown on the SSC’s Instagram given by Brown, there are so many places to begin, such as alternatives to food, beauty and home products provided by the committee, and it is an excellent resource for students on and off campus.

Zoom Fatigue Beginning to Affect University Students Elena Rouse Staff Writer

The online platform Zoom has become an omnipresent channel of communication as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The platform has been an essential tool in perpetuating the country’s businesses, schools and more. However, the effects of constant online interfacing have impacted the well-being of many Zoom participants. Coining it “Zoom fatigue,” participants who spend hours on video chats have encountered issues.

Zoom fatigue can be described as the mental and physical exhaustion one faces from video-chatting for extended periods, and this reaction has multiple causes. According to BBC, Zoom has a negative connotation to the subconscious, as it is a reminder of the state of the world and how that has affected everyday life. Zoom also provides an unnatural learning experience. Projecting an image of the users back to them, it causes a hyper-awareness of how users are being perceived.

As for the atmosphere Zoom creates, “Our minds are together when our bodies feel we’re not,” Gianpiero Petriglieri, a professor at Instead, said in an article for the BBC. “That dissonance...is exhausting. You cannot relax into the conversation naturally.”

Zoom’s popularity makes it the point of contact for every class, club, church service and more, but the sudden lack of variety in the places of activity taxes the brain. This taxation relates to what is known as “Self-Complexity Theory,” which concludes that the brain thrives off of having different categories for different social situations. The less variation, the easier it is to be plagued with cognitive negativity, according to the BBC.

Harvard Business Review

relates Zoom fatigue to how humans stay attuned to conversation. The Review reports, “On a video call the only way to show we’re paying attention is to look at the camera. But, in real life, how often do you stand within three feet of a colleague and stare at their face? Probably never.”

Constant staring through Zoom exhausts the human mind. The brain is forced to keep both constant attention to the screen interface, as well as to the appearance of what the preconceived ideas of attention looks like. People have to work twice as hard to read social cues, stay attentive and keep their eyes directed to their screen, all while distractions like roommates, text messages and other externalities swarm the environment.

University students have also experienced Zoom fatigue. A handful of students, ranging from ages of 18 to 21, were asked a number of questions about their semesters thus far in regard to the new learning format. Several students had only a few

online classes, whereas others had the majority or all of their classes online.

When asked if they had experienced Zoom fatigue, all responded with the affirmative. They were then asked how online learning had been for them personally, if it had been hard or easy and if they could report any positive and/or negative effects.

The most prominent commonality amongst the responses in regard to the negative effects of Zoom was the struggle to pay attention for long periods of time to a computer screen.

“It is hard to pay attention, be organized and not be distracted while on Zoom,” sophomore Nursing major Kelly Bratton said.

Sophomore VSB student Alice Ke noted that “discussion-based classes are very awkward, I try to participate as much as I can, but as one student I can only say so much.”

Despite these troubling effects, students have found the positives in online classes. Those interviewed talked about the ease of being able to roll

Students choose to take classes oustide, especially at the Center for the Performing Arts.

Courtesy of Elena Rouse

out of bed for class without running from building to building, and upperclassmen relayed positive sentiments about the convenience of doing class from their off-campus homes.

As Zoom continues to be the main source of communication for these trying times, University students have found ways of preventing Zoom fatigue. In attempting to combat online induced exhaustion, a few of the interviewees invested in blue light glasses to help with the eye strain, caused by long hours at a computer.

Almost all respondents mentioned getting outside, taking breaks and limiting computer time when possible.

Another highly recommended practice was to vary where online classes are taken. A few students highlighted the avoidance of taking class in one’s dorm, recommending different buildings around campus to give more diversity to one’s schedule and in turn helping with class engagement.

As COVID-19 continues to affect the way students learn, it is important to note how Zoom can affect its users. However, through interviewing just a handful of students on and off campus, it is clear that they bear a resilience aided by both the desire to learn and the love for the University.

In regard to Zoom fatigue, senior Civil Engineer major Marlee Newman noted that it is important to keep “engaging with professors and asking more questions, because I feel like they get Zoom fatigue too.”

Focusing on the well-being of others, Newman’s response exemplifies what it means to be a Villanova student during this time. Newman brings up the pinnacle combatant to Zoom fatigue, one that has been prominent in the actions of University students throughout the pandemic.

With every wave of Zoom fatigue comes an even stronger University community, ready to combat the struggles together, to help one another and to further the Villanova mission.

CULTURE

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Villa-Vogue:

It’s

Time

fashion one of the largest sources of pollution in the world.

According to World WildLife, it takes more than 2,700 liters

While surrounded by racks of water to make one cotton shirt. of identical sweaters and ripped In order to produce one pound of jeans, you begin to fill the plastic bin cotton, 1,320 gallons of water are at your feet. You’re facing the carequired. This means that the crumshier, watching her swipe each shirt pled tee you have stuffed in the back with a scanner, stuffing your new of your dresser is around 713 gallons collection of clothes into a plastic of water wasted. Now picture how bag. You insert your card, despite the much water waste is used to create fact that your purchases will fall to a mass production of cotton shirts. the wayside of your closet in a matNot only this, but it has been reportter of a week. It doesn’t matter. The ed by the Huffington Post that the adrenaline from shopping carries average American throws out 68 you to the next store. Have you takpounds of textiles per year. In case en a second to think about the ethics the sheer wastefulness isn’t vexing of the company you are supporting? enough, most fast fashion products Have you stopped to think about are made with inexpensive, petrowhy you were able to buy those pairs leum-based fibers that do not deof shorts with loose change? Probacompose, taking up landfills of space bly not. for decades to come.

Have you ever noticed while If fast fashion is so poor for walking into a clothing store that the environment, why are consumthe items in the window or on the ers still succumbing to the industry? shelves are vastly different than they In short, the answer is money. The were a week before? Sale sections of process starts with large corporations stores are rapidly growing as piles of subcontracting manufacturers overuntouched clothes are added to the seas to the lowest bidder, the goal collection. While seasonal releases of being for buyers to spend as little clothing lines used to be the norm, money on production as possible. retail stores now release new items These factories, or sweatshops if you weekly, even daily, to keep up with will, put the concern of production consumer demand. Welcome to the before that of employee safety. By phenomenon of fast fashion. paying less money for production,

Fast fashion can be described large clothing corporations are now as cheap and trendy clothing that able to charge consumers less for the takes inspiration from the most reproducts they sell. Despite the fact cent fads and turns them into prodthat everyone is looking for a baructs for clothing stores at breakneck gain, there is one group in particuspeed. The idea is to get the newest lar who is especially guilty of such: styles on the market as fast as poscollege students. sible, so consumers can purchase

So, as students at the Unithese new products at the height of versity, what can we do to avoid the their popularity. The process of fast support of fast fashion industries? To fashion may seem harmless, but in start, stop purchasing products from reality, it forms a key part in the tox- these kinds of detrimental compaic system of overproduction, making nies.

to

The Villanovan | 11

Rethink

Fast

Fashion

Kaelin Trombly Staff Writer

Trombly urges others to stop shopping from brands that practice fast fashion.

Courtesy of Kaelin Trombly

Fast fashion brands we can avoid are: Shein, H&M, Zara, Uniqlo, Forever 21, TopShop, Victoria’s Secret and Urban Outfitters. Next, start visiting your local thrift store, donating old clothes and buying from sustainable clothing companies.

A few examples of ethical brands that are against fast fashion include: Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, Reformation and Levi’s.

For years, fast fashion has had a negative impact on the environment, the U.S. economy and the exploitation of factory workers, and it lessens consumers’ sense of value.

As students, it is time to take a step towards a greater understanding of the fast fashion phenomenon.

We have the power to change our behavior for the interest of a sustainable future.

Activites to Enjoy Near Campus This Autumn Season Julia Stanisci Staff Writer

Happy Fall, Villanova. It’s always sad to see summer go, but come on…pumpkin spice lattes, hot apple cider and sweater season — who can’t get behind that? While things are evidently different this fall amidst the pandemic, there are still so many ways to enjoy the season on and around the University’s campus.

Just don’t forget your mask.

Go pumpkin picking. How much more classic fall can you get than a pumpkin patch? There are many in our surrounding area, thanks to the lovely farmland of Pennsylvania.

Sugartown Strawberries in Malvern is only 20 minutes away and takes visitors out to the patch in a tractor-drawn wagon. It also offers hayrides and sunset hayride-and-bonfire combos, and visitors can stop in the country store for fresh fall favorites.

The patch is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and weekdays at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Go apple picking. Who doesn’t want to pick their own fresh apples?

Nearby orchards, like Indian Orchards, which is only a 20 minute ride to Media, offer pick-your-own apples and other fruits. Visitors can

then treat themselves to some fresh apple cider donuts and cider from the country store. It doesn’t get better than that.

Go hiking. The crisp but not too cold fall weather is perfect for a good hike. There are so many trails around here, like Ithan Valley Park right down S. Ithan Ave. Take some time in nature and see the pretty colors of the changing leaves.

Bake fall treats. If you have a kitchen in your dorm or apartment, it’s time to get cooking. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies (pumpkin

everything), caramel apples, toasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds, apple pie and so much more. Stay tuned for The Villanovan’s Fall Cookbook, coming soon.

Stock up on fall clothes. It’s online (or thrift) shopping season. Time to load up on flannels, huge sweatshirts, new jeans, comfy PJs, fuzzy socks and so much more. Your bank account will hurt, but you know you’ll be thanking yourself later.

Go to the farmers market.

Find all of your fresh fall favorites.

Choose from just-picked fall fruits

and veggies from local harvests or freshly-baked pies and goodies.

Lancaster County Farmers Market in Wayne has impeccable donuts, but there are lots of other awesome options nearby as well.

Get ready for Christmas.

Enough said.

There are so many ways to still enjoy this amazing season amidst all the COVID-19 global health pandemic. There are many safe and fun things to do to make life feel a little more normal, just remember to be safe and mask up.

Many orchards are close to campus and ready for apple picking (photo from 2019).

Courtesy of Victoria Schmidt

CULTURE

12 | The Villanovan

A

Beginner’s Devin Toolen Staff Writer

During the past few months of quarantine, thrift shopping has become increasingly popular among young people and for a good reason.

The excitement of finding a cool jacket or a fun pair of pants is incomparable.

While thrifting is lots of fun, it can also be very overwhelming. Big warehouse stores overflowing with clothes, shoes and accessories can surely make your head spin. However, if you know what to look for, you might be able to alleviate some stress.

Let’s go through some tips and tricks on how to successfully thrift shop.

Upon entering any thrift store, I always find it helpful to go to a section where I know I’ll be successful.

I tend to find great items in the men’s section, so that’s where I start. Here, one will be able to find graphic tees, oversized sweatshirts and blazers or button up shirts that can be worn over tank tops. The men’s section offers more variety with sizes, which is something I find helpful when planning outfits. While perusing the racks, keep an eye out for any cool colors or textures that seem interesting. Pull pieces out and hold them up while looking in the mirror (most fitting rooms are closed due to COVID-19, so try to use your imagination). If a piece seems like something you could pull off, put it in your cart.

After men’s clothing, I would recommend moving into the winter coat or jacket section. Leather, faux fur and longline coats are in this fall.

Look through the racks and see if anything sparks any interest. Check the condition of the coats. Look at

Class

of

the inside tag on these coats to see the fabric content. Different types of leather and fur vary in their ability to keep one warm during the winter, so have an idea in mind.

Once you have the coats that you like, head into the women’s pants section. It can be very difficult to navigate this section in a thrift store because there are usually so many options for jeans and dress pants.

However, walk through and look at the sizes on each of the pants. If some style, texture or color interests you, pull them out and try to imagine yourself wearing them. If you think the pants you found would work with your current wardrobe, add them to the cart.

After women’s pants, walk through women’s tops and pajamas.

Women’s tops tend to be smaller sizes, but if you are looking for something more fitted, this section is perfect. You can find tank tops or tight tee shirts to crop. Also, small button up cardigans are in style this season and can be found in this section. In regard to the pajamas, I always think taking a quick glance at this section is well worth your time. You might find some slip dresses or a silk cami that you can style for dinner or a night out.

Before you leave the store, I recommend checking out the accessories and extras section. Mini bags are trending right now, and I can guarantee that you will find something in the handbag section that will be a perfect addition to your closet. The extras section features a lot of random items, like games, picture frames and decorations.

I like going into this section to look for antique glassware to use as flower vases. You won’t always find

2024

Chelsea Le Staff Writer

The onslaught of fluctuating weather in Pennsylvania these last few weeks featured lows of 42 degrees and highs of 80, and the Class of 2024 has opinions.

With demographics representing a plethora of regions within and outside the U.S., including 13 states, Puerto Rico, Cameroon, England and Ghana, 33 freshmen took a poll and weighed in on how to survive the inevitable freezing weather that approaches.

In the first question, respondents were asked what temperature they considered cold: 60, 50, 40, 30 or under 20 degrees. 33.3 percent of students believed that 40 degrees indicated cold weather, 21.2 percent chose between 40 and 50 degrees, 18.2 percent picked 30 degrees and 6.1 percent answered that only under 20 degrees is considered frigid. These weathered individuals represented New York and Minnesota, while conversely, those who answered that 60 degrees was cold represented Florida, Arizona, California and Ghana.

Despite being from New York, freshman Victoria Margena had to gradually adjust to the low temperatures within her dorm room.

“The mornings and late at night are the worst because my room is super cold, but outside it’s not too

Guide

Reacts

bad, especially when I’m in the sun,” she said.

From another side of the world is Karl David Fotso, who is from Cameroon. The lowest temperature on average there is 55 degrees.

“It’s been a bit of a struggle, but I’m adjusting,” Fotso said. “The hardest part is in the mornings, but I feel fine by noon.”

When asked which month was the coldest, more than half students responded with January. 24.2 percent chose February, 12.1 percent chose December and only 6.1 percent chose November.

Ironically, freshman Ryan Duff from Connecticut feels that winter has already arrived.

“Normally, I’d still be wearing shorts and would continue to do so throughout early October, but this year, I’m already wearing jeans and hoodies mid-September,” he said.

When offering advice on how to deal with cold weather, four respondents advised to layer up.

Freshman Sara Shuaipi, a native to Pennsylvanian winters, advises bulking up on winter clothes.

“I try to be as comfortable as possible,” she said. “Sweaters, sweatpants with leggings underneath, gloves and other warm clothing. My advice is to wear layers! Don’t forget to cover your ears, hands and your nose, which thankfully for masks, is going to be pretty warm!”

Freshman Christina Jung

to

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Successful

something you like in this section, but I think it’s worth the visit.

Thrifting is obviously great because of the extensive stock and low prices. However, it is important to realize the purpose of thrift stores. Yes, it might be “trendy” to be a thrift shopper, but realize that some people need stores like Goodwill to buy necessary items for themselves or their families.

Keep this in mind as you shop. When you are getting ready to check out, go through your items and decide if they are things you truly need. If not, leave it for someone who needs it.

Now that you have some tricks

Thrifting

to find good items, go out and find a good thrift store. Look online or check out the social media accounts of thrift stores you are interested in and make sure to read reviews. Other people’s experiences may not determine your own, but it will certainly help you judge if a place is worth your time.

In Philadelphia, I recommend going to Urban Exchange Project, Circle Thrift and Philly AIDS thrift, but there are so many more cool places to check out. Do not let the stress of thrifting overwhelm you. With a little patience, you’ll be pleased with the results.

Shirts hang on the racks at Urban Exchange Project in Philadelphia.

Courtesy of Devin Toolen

to

Pennsylvania

Weather

Courtesy of Dr. Beth Hassel

Graphs show responses to the weather poll administered by Le. Courtesy of Chelsea Le

from Wayne, N.J. has a similar experience to the cold.

“I usually just wear multiple layers, and it is important to have a really good winter jacket,” she said.

“If it is really cold outside and my hands are cold, I would put heat packs in my jacket pockets, so my hands are warm. I also wear winter accessories like beanies, scarves and gloves when it gets really cold.”

Freshman Jennifer At-

tah-Gyamfi from Ghana has already learned the trick to adapting to American winters.

“Layer up,” she advises.

“Jackets only over a short-sleeved shirt don’t cut it, especially if you get cold easily. Try long sleeves before a jacket.”

As winter encroaches and the temperature continues to drop, the freshmen are more than ready to brave the cold fronts.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

CULTURE

The Villanovan | 13

Special Olympics Volunteers Share Athlete Stories

The mission of inclusion never ends, even with Fall Festival 2020 being virtual. With the 32nd Annual Fall Fest only weeks away, a few members of this year’s Special Olympics Committee wanted to take the opportunity to shine a SpOtlight on some incredible athletes, and even better friends, that they have met throughout their years at Villanova.

be the first one to make a joke at your expense that you can’t help but hysterically laugh at but is also the first one to give you the biggest hug and tell you how much he loves you. From singing countless karaoke songs together at Villanova Buddies, to pushing each other’s buttons at LDR practice, I feel so lucky to have met such a bright soul like Robbie. He has truly made me feel like a part of the Wicked Fast family, and I am forever grateful for our friendship.

Liz & Lily by Lily DuFour

At one practice freshman year, I met Liz, a seventh grade track runner who kept everyone on their toes. As a typical middle schooler, she thought she was cooler than I was, and truly she was. Now as a tenth grader, she is still active with her TikToks and Instagram Lives to keep me and her followers posted on what she is up to.

Every week, I looked forward to seeing Liz and getting to know what was new in her world. We would do our weekly walk and talks and plan what her next life would look like.

From Liz, I have learned that friendship can be shown in a variety of ways. That random hug I would get after a hard practice or the ridiculous selfies that we took remind me to always look out for how to appreciate one another. Inclusion starts with opening yourself up to new relationships and trying your best to connect with one another despite challenges.

Liz showed me this and I hope that we can reconnect soon.

Charley & Molly by Molly Schwarz

For so many practices, I attempted conversations with Charley in ways that I felt comfortable: with eye contact, words and concrete topics. Charley would have none of it because he did not like any of those things. He did, however, like making train sounds in order to get me to

Ryan & Steve by Ryan Weicht

react to them. So, I started making the train noises back at him and mimicking his reactive behavior. That’s when things clicked. The usually hyperactive Charley froze when I made the sound.

He asked me, “Was that a train?” and then roared with laughter.

Charley is a testament to how people like to connect in different ways. I assumed Charley would never want to be friends with me because of the way he acted towards me at practice, but, as soon as I made the effort to take a step into his world, he immediately wanted to be friends.

Inclusion is a two-way street.

We have to include the athletes, but

Steve is one of the friendliest people I have ever met. Once you meet him, he will never forget you. Every time I see him, I am greeted with the friendliest exclamation of, “I know you!” Steve loves to chat about just anything, but one of his favorite things is pictures. Steve carries around a stack of printed photos of all of his friends and his different experiences.

Featured in his collection are lots of Villanovans and the Philly Phanatic as well. Steve loves adding photos to his collection, and he has been kind enough to invite me to be Volunteers with Special Olympics Athletes. in a couple of pictures with him. He is Courtesy of SpO Media & Publicity Committee a talented and dedicated athlete who the athletes have to include us back knows how to have fun even while as well. That’s why it’s so important competing. Steve almost always has a to take the time to get to know each smile on his face and is likely to put a other, so that those unique connections smile on yours as well. can be made.

All of us love Fall Festival and Brynne & Robbie by Brynne Wacker the energy that it brings to campus each year. However, we are trying to

Robbie is the definition of a broaden the horizons of Inclusion and firecracker and one of the many reaspread the message that inclusion is sons why I have so much love for the a year-round effort. It does not end Montgomery County Long Distance on the Sunday of Fall Fest. Rather, it Running and Track team. When I begins. The Strides 5k will be taking went to my first athlete practice for place Oct. 1 - 4, and the Inclusion this team, I was paired up with RobCrew will be hosting a number of bie, and a smile did not leave my face meetings and events open to all stufor the entire two hours. Robbie will dents.

Culture Cookbook: How to Make Chicken Piccata Caroline Canally Staff Writer

If you’re like me, when you got your first college apartment, you were simultaneously overjoyed to not have to eat chicken fingers and French fries from Belle Aire for one more day, yet at the same time panicked at the realization that you have absolutely no idea how you’re going to feed yourself.

Last summer, I remember telling my mom, “You have to teach me how to cook.” Fast forward three months, it’s Aug. 10, and I am leaving for school in five days. I go through a checklist in my mind.

What can I cook? I think of eggs, macaroni and cheese, pasta and maybe French toast. That is all.

Frantically and with the full knowledge of my ignorance in the kitchen, my mom begins to compile lists of recipes for me to make.

The criteria? Meal prep under 30 minutes, cheap ingredients, at least a little healthy and something I can reheat the next night (and maybe the night after that). My personal request is no raw meat. My mom and I both agree on this one. Here is one of my favorite meals with the instructions so watered down that even I can do it once a week.

Chicken Piccata (college edition): Grocery list: Belle and Evans Breaded Boneless Chicken Breasts Butter Olive Oil Lemon Juice White Wine Vinegar Capers Minced Garlic Pasta (Bow Tie Pasta Recommended)

Instructions: 1. For chicken, follow the instructions on the box (usually preheat to 375 and bake on baking sheet for 25-30 minutes) 2. Cook pasta according to directions 3. In a pan, add 1 Tbsp of oil and 4-6 tsp of minced garlic over medium-high heat, stirring frequently for about 2 minutes 4. Add ⅓ cup of white wine and 1 Tbsp of capers to the pan and swirl until liquid is almost evaporated for about 3 minutes 5. Add ½ cup of water and 4 Tbsp of butter, swirling pan and cooking for about 3 minutes 6. Add 2 Tbsp of lemon juice and remove from heat 7. Plate pasta, chicken and pour desired amount of sauce over the plate and bon appetit.

Courtesy of Caroline Canally

SPORTS

14 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

SPORTS

Women’s Basketball Welcomes Fresmen and New Coach Meghann Morhardt Staff Writer

After a successful season, making it to the second round of the Big East Tournament, the women’s basketball team looks to improve even more this year with a new head coach and the addition of four freshmen.

Denise Dillon, the new head coach of the women’s basketball program, spent the last 17 years as the head coach of the Drexel women’s basketball team. Dillon, a 1996 Villanova graduate, played under head coach Harry Perretta, and is now filling the position that he held for 42 seasons.

Dillon has big shoes to fill, but she is certainly up for the challenge.

Her resume is one to be admired.

She is the winningest coach in Drexel history, won CAA Coach of the Year four times, won four conference championships, a WNIT championship and advanced to the national postseason four out of her last five seasons.

Not only is Dillon a tremendous coach, but she was also an impressive player in her time as a Wildcat, with 1,355 points and 677 rebounds in her career. She was a three-time All-Big 5 selection, an AllBig East honoree and is a member of the Big 5 Hall of Fame, the Villanova Varsity Club Hall of Fame and the Delaware County Athletes Hall of Fame.

The team lost three seniors,

Side by side features Dillon coaching and Dillon playing for the’Cats Courtesy of the Big East Conference

all in the starting five last season, but looks to fill those roles with the strong returning crew and four freshmen.

Kylie Swider, a 6’4” freshman from Portsmouth, R.I. and sister of men’s basketball player Cole Swider, will add some height and depth to the roster.

Swider was an Adidas All-American and averaged a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds per game during her senior year.

After losing Bridget Herlihy and Mary Gedaka last season, the team needed to add some forwards and they did that with Swider and Lior Garzon, the second freshman forward. Garzon, one of three international students on the roster, is from Raanana, Israel. Standing at 6’1”, Garzon will be another solid option for the ‘Cats. With her experience on the Israel National Team, Garzon is a fierce competitor and will fit in perfectly with the team.

Taliyah Medina, a 6’0” freshman from Bethlehem, Pa., will add some depth at the guard position. Medina was a 1,000 point scorer and the 2020 4A Pennsylvania State Player of the year, on top of being a four-time District 11 champion, four-time Eastern Pennsylvania Conference champion and a two-time state champion.

Medina’s skill set and competitive nature will help her have an impact for the ‘Cats over the next four years.

The last freshman is 5’11” guard Bella Runyan from Morrestown, N.J. Runyan was a 1,000 point scorer, as well as the second leading scorer in her high school’s history and the all time leader in assists and steals. She was a three sport captain for soccer, basketball and lacrosse and was All-League for all three sports in her last three years. Runyan’s natural athletic ability and experience with being a leader will help her find her

way here at Villanova.

Sarah Mortenson, while not a freshman, will be playing her first season in blue and white. Mortenson transferred to Villanova last year from Miami but had to sit out the 2019-20 season due to transfer regulations. The ‘Cats will look to her for supplemental scoring as well as leadership.

Returning players, such as Maddy Siegrist and Raven James, will be strong players that Coach Dillon and the rest of the coaching staff will rely on this year. Siegrist had an outstanding season as a red-shirt freshman last year. Leading the team with 18 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, Siegrist was an integral part of the team’s success. She was named one of the top-10 freshmen in the country by ESPN.com, earned All-Big 5, All-Big East and was the unanimous Big East Rookie of the Year.

James started all 31 games last season, and while she only averaged 5.9 ppg, she led the team in assists and steals with 109 and 27, respectively. After losing a large percentage of scoring in the seniors last year, James will need to step up this year as a senior leader and help the team on both ends of the floor.

There are still a lot of unknowns surrounding the season, but Coach Dillon and the Wildcats will look to improve in conference play this season and advance further in the Big East Conference Tournament in order to give themselves a chance to play in the postseason at the national level.

Men’s Soccer Adds Transfers and Freshmen to Roster Colin Beazley Staff Writer

As they prepare for a season that is sure to look unlike any other, the Villanova men’s soccer team will rely on an infusion of new players into the program, adding eight freshmen and three graduate transfers. The team is aiming to reach the Big East Tournament for the first time since 2016.

Last season’s team was an excellent defensive team, led by

redshirt junior goalkeeper Carson Williams. Williams was the owner of the nation’s best save percentage (.848), tying a program record with nine clean sheets. However, a late-season slide and a 1-8 record when conceding a goal meant that the Wildcats failed to make the postseason.

Nevertheless, last year’s team was filled with youth and will benefit from an added year of experience. Sophomore Lyam MacKinnon led the Wildcats in scoring with two goals and four assists, as well as leading the team in

Senior Midfielder Theo Quartey, during a game last season.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

shots on goal. This year’s offense will also be helped by graduate transfer Nico Quashie, a forward joining from Virginia Tech, who scored six goals and assisted a pair more during his junior season with the Hokies.

Sindri Bjornsson and Elan Koenig are also joining the team as graduate transfers. Bjornsson is a midfielder from Iceland, joining the Wildcats after playing for Clemson the past two years. In an interview with Villanova Athletics, head coach Tom Carlin was excited about how he will fit into the team.

“We are going to ask him to get forward more than he did at Clemson, so I really think he is going to enjoy his role at Villanova,” Carlin said.

Koenig is a defender who is joining Villanova after being a loyal defensemen for the Wisconsin Badgers. He’s expected to slot in at center back, replacing Second Team All-Big East defender Shawn Bradley, who graduated last spring.

The team is also very excited to add eight freshmen to the program. Forwards Luke Pompliano and Akinjude Awujo both played high levels of club soccer, and will look to make an impact on the squad immediately.

Midfielders Brandon “BJ” Johns, Dominic Cyriacks and Jorge Garcia have fans excited, all great passers with good technical ability.

Cyriacks played for Hamburger SV II, the reserve team of

ex-European champion Hamburg, in his native Germany, as well as for BSV Rehden in the German fourth tier.

On defense, Jack Bonas and David Ogbonna join the squad, with Ogbonna likely to fill a hole in the team at outside back.

To round out the freshman class, goalkeeper Owen Kulick joins from the New York Red Bulls Academy, and he will provide high caliber depth for the team this season.

There’s incredible quality among the returning players as well. Of the six players who appeared in every game of last season, five returned, including senior captain Theo Quartey, who finished third in scoring for the Wildcats from midfield.

Fellow senior Richie Schlentz also started all 18 games last season and will keep the backline solid. Sophomore Josh Belluz led all field players in minutes, starting every game as a towering presence in midfield.

Although no one knows what this season will look like, expect a strong one for the Wildcats.

Last season’s strengths look to be continued into this year, and the pieces are there for a strong record and overall success for the team, even in a competitive Big East Conference.

The team will continue to work hard over the fall and winter and looks forward to kicking off in the spring.

SPORTS

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Student-Athletes Madison Burke Co-Sports Editor

With the 2020 presidential election coming up on Nov. 3, the Villanova Athletics staff has made it imperative that they help their student-athletes utilize their right to vote.

Considering many athletes are from out of state, there are extra steps that must be taken, such as getting a voter registration card before being able to receive a ballot. Villanova Athletics strives to have a majority of its athletes registered to vote.

Villanova Athletics used its UNITAS initiative, which is primarily being used for diversity, equity and inclusion. However, it also advocates for voter rights and registration. It looks to educate Villanova student-athletes about voting as well.

Villanova men’s basketball was one of the first teams on campus to get assistance in registering to vote. Playeres teamed up with Let’s Vote Nova and the ALL IN Challenge.

Jay Wright has tweeted support for National Black Voter Day and National Voter Registration Day. On Sept. 22, Wright tweeted, “Today is National Voter Registra-

Utilize

tion Day — Our staff and players are committed to 100% participation in the upcoming election .

Let’s all do our part as citizens and register to vote!”

Let’s Vote Nova is an organization on campus that looks to educate and help students register to vote for all elections. It is run by the University’s Student Government Association and has been especially active during this pres-

Their

The Villanovan | 15

Right

idential election cycle. Let’s Vote Nova’s Instagram (@letsvotenova) has infographics about how to get registered and answers frequently asked questions about voting in Pennsylvania.

The ALL IN Challenge is a nationwide, nonpartisan organization hoping to increase student voter turnout. This initiative began in 2016 and has over 700 universities from across the country involved

Sophomore forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl from Mens Basketball, registering to vote.

Courtesty of @NovaMBB Instagram

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in its programs. Their Instagram is @allintovote, where it showcases universities with the highest number of pledges to vote.

The Big East has shown its support for various organizations that are looking to increase voter turnout, such as RISE. RISE advocates for increased race relations in sports through education. However, it has also helped to bring awareness to the lack of voting that occurred in the 2016 election and hopes to make a change. The Big East and RISE had multiple online workshops to help educate their followers and answer questions about what their programs stood for and help eligible voters register.

Women’s rowing and women’s volleyball met with voting representatives to learn more about how to vote on Friday, Sep. 25. Various other Villanova sports teams met on Zoom through the week to help get everyone involved.

The Athletics staff has been vigilant about helping athletes and teams work with Let’s Vote Nova to help campus have close to 100% of the student-athletes vote.

Villanova Athletics teams are being educated on what it means to exercise their right to vote, and they look to cast a ballot in upcoming elections.

Potential NBA Teams for Former Wildcat Saddiq Bey Alex Tantum Staff Writer

In his sophomore season at Villanova, Saddiq Bey established himself as the best collegiate small forward in the nation, winning the coveted Julius Erving award. He is widely considered as one of the premier “3-and-D” prospects in the country, and has set himself up as essentially “a lock” to be drafted in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft.

It’s very unlikely that the local team, the Sixers, could get him, unless they trade up. In fact, the majority of mock drafts have Bey being drafted somewhere between the 10th and 20th picks of the first round.

A player like Bey will be valuable to any NBA team. He will secure a role for himself regardless of where he goes, but there are specific teams that could use his services more than others. Let’s take a look at them.

San Antonio Spurs (11th Pick): Bey is the exact type of player all-time great head coach Gregg Popovich wants on his team.

Popovich values versatile defenders and high-character guys — both of which Bey embodies. By adding Bey, San Antonio would improve its promising, young defensive core, which includes players such as Dejounte Murray and Derrick White. His offensive output certainly wouldn’t hurt the Spurs either, as a team can never have enough shooters.

The Spurs have a history of drafting more “NBA-ready” players, and Bey fits this mold as well.

He would immediately be able

to step into a sizable role off the bench, or perhaps even a starting spot should the team decide to trade DeMar DeRozan.

Sacramento Kings (12th Pick): There have been many mock drafts sending Bey to Sacramento, and for good reasons.

Currently, the Kings have Harrison Barnes and Kent Bazemore as their primary small forwards. Additionally, they have been heavily rumored to have SG Buddy Hield on the trading block this offseason.

Thus, the Kings could use some more shooting, which Bey certainly provides. Sacramento has a history of drafting more “raw,” younger prospects, but with new front office leadership, perhaps this year they will go in a different direction.

New Orleans Pelicans (13th Pick): Bey and Zion Williamson? Now that duo would be interesting. In all seriousness, Bey would make a fantastic addition to the Pelicans, potentially stepping into a sixth man role as a rookie and joining fellow Villanova alum Josh Hart in the team’s rotation.

The Pelicans were not regarded as a good defensive team last season, with their only true impact defenders being Hart and Jrue Holiday, who they may explore trading this offseason.

Of course, Bey can help them with that. New Orleans has a bright future ahead, with a promising young rotation, but when you look at the rotation, one of the greatest needs is a player who can play in a sixth or seventh man role, backing up both small forward Brandon Ingram and Williamson.

Bey would be able to do that, and of course, he has the potential for an even greater role.

Portland Trail Blazers (16th Pick): The Trail Blazers are growing old at the wing spot. Carmelo Anthony is a free agent and Trevor Ariza is a veteran whose body has taken a beating over the course of his career. The only young option at the wing is Rodney Hood, who has looked promising, but is coming off of a torn achilles.

Portland needs help at the forward spot, and Bey can provide that help.

The team is also trying to win now. Bey is an immediate-impact player, so he fits with them in that sense as well. Lastly, the Trail Blazers gave up the second-highest opponent three-point percentage in the league, so they could use some defensive versatility, which Bey provides. For me, Portland is the best fit for Bey in the draft. For that reason, I don’t see him dropping past them at the 16th pick.

Dallas Mavericks (18th Pick): If Bey somehow gets past

Portland, I definitely don’t see him dropping below the Mavericks, who already have Villanova alum Jalen Brunson on the roster. If Tim Hardaway Jr. were to decline his player option and become a free agent, the wing spot would become a clear need for Dallas, but even if they were to re-sign him, Bey is a great fit for the team. Players such as Hardaway Jr., Seth Curry and Luka Doncic, who have sizable roles in the offense, are not regarded as above-average defenders.

Really, the only above-average defender Dallas has is small forward Dorian Finney-Smith, but he can’t provide much on the offensive end.

Bey can give Dallas the defensive help it needs, all the while being a plus on the offensive side of the ball.

We will see where Bey is drafted on Nov. 18. Regardless, there is no doubt that wherever he is drafted, he is going to have a long and successful NBA career.

Bey in one of his final games against Seton Hall in the 2020 season.

Courtesty of Villanova Athletics

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